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Three Contenders Vie to Succeed Jokowi as Indonesia’s President
Three Contenders Vie to Succeed Jokowi as Indonesia’s President
The contest to become Indonesia’s next leader is looking like a three-horse race after candidates filed their papers
2023-10-25 14:50
Travis Kelce ranked the top TE in Madden
Travis Kelce ranked the top TE in Madden
Travis Kelce ranked the top TE in Madden
2023-07-21 00:51
Zaïre-Emery set to miss PSG's last 2 group games in Champions League with ankle injury
Zaïre-Emery set to miss PSG's last 2 group games in Champions League with ankle injury
Teenage midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery looks set to miss Paris Saint-Germain’s last two group games in the Champions League with a right ankle injury
2023-11-19 21:55
BetMGM Kentucky Promo Offers Industry-Leading $1,500 Bonus
BetMGM Kentucky Promo Offers Industry-Leading $1,500 Bonus
Claim your $1,500 bonus at BetMGM Kentucky and maximize your winnings.
2023-09-30 17:17
Mac Allister and Szoboszlai give Liverpool a new midfield - but there’s still more to do
Mac Allister and Szoboszlai give Liverpool a new midfield - but there’s still more to do
Two done, how many more to go? Ask Liverpool supporters at the end of last season how many new signings they needed to bring in across the summer and not too many would have suggested fewer than four. An upturn in form and fortunes between March and May probably reduced that from a higher number, too. But even with individuals showing better levels and the team looking capable of beating most they came up against, the new shape and certain aging faces - as well as expiring contracts in the squad - meant a renewal, if not an outright overhaul, was required. That was especially the case in midfield and with almost £100 million now spent this summer on two new components, in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, the Reds will definitely have a refreshed feel about them, regardless of what else happens. Both are expected to be first-team regulars, and no wonder: one has won the World Cup, the other cost upwards of £60m. But, thus far, no starters from last term have departed, so places will have to be earned if the regular line-up is to indeed alter. Or, given the form of too many in the squad across much of 2022/23 - particularly the middle third - perhaps those jerseys had already been lost. Jurgen Klopp refuted, last year and before, the idea that he keeps too many around for too long, that he has favourites who have a place in the team as long as they are available. James Milner and Roberto Firmino have now exited, two who were go-to lieutenants for so many seasons of the German’s tenure, while fringe pair Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are likewise out. Three midfielders, one forward; the trio from the centre of the park only contributed 2,261 minutes though across all competitions; throw in departed loanee Arthur Melo too, why not, for an additional 13 on the pitch. Their new No.10, Mac Allister, played far more than that by himself, over 3,300 minutes not including his mid-season international exploits, while his fellow new arrival, who will hope to wear the No.8 with more distinction than Keita managed, tallied over 3,700 for Leipzig. While gametime doesn’t translate to immediacy in the team, the expectation is that they will sooner or later combine as the new more offensive pair in a traditional three or, in the Reds’ more recent shape, the forward-thinking pair ahead of the roving Trent Alexander-Arnold and a holding midfielder. The latter is, at present, still Fabinho. But it is the third area of the centre of the park where Liverpool must surely continue to seek out reinforcements and improvements, with summer rumours suggesting Manu Kone and Romeo Lavia are of significant interest. The additions already made to the squad will help the Reds from the perspective of creativity, build-up play and - over time - with off-the-ball, first lines of defence too. When transitions move behind the midfield line, though, is where the biggest problems arose last season and where improvements must continue to be seen. Fabinho has been a massive pillar of a successful team, but agility and recovery speed deserted him entirely for much of 22/23. Eluding him, attacking midfielders and ball-carriers opened up vast spaces to race toward Liverpool’s back line and threaten Alisson’s goal with. It’s not something the team will be able to offer up with such regularity in 23/24 - at least, not if they want regular success - and especially considering the alteration in Alexander-Arnold’s role still means work to be done in terms of overall cohesion when teams attack that side. A deep midfielder more able to make up that extra ground has to remain priority No.1 now, considering it appears a more defensive option for the right-sided role is not on the agenda. If it does end up being Lavia or a similarly future-proofing signing, the biggest decisions for Klopp may come in games against the best transition teams: does he want the greater experience or the greater athleticism in the side? But this is a Liverpool team being built once more to dominate play, first and foremost, and beat teams by out-playing them, not just by shutting them out. The new recruits will add more guile, more on the ball quality and more speed across the ground than those who played most of the season in midfield last year, up until Curtis Jones forced his way into the team. The big work in pre-season will be getting them to gel with Cody Gakpo, Mo Salah and Luis Diaz on a regular basis - and to find out how to get the best use out of Darwin Nunez, of course. Szoboszlai’s delivery from the channels, his driving runs and set-piece prowess are all expected to be enormous factors there. Liverpool’s squad suddenly looks rather more capable of competing among the top four once more, having looked stale and badly in need of a redesign. Which final touches are put on it across the next eight weeks will determine whether they push even higher across the following ten months.
2023-07-05 16:52
Soccer-Megan Rapinoe's World Cup career comes to tearful end
Soccer-Megan Rapinoe's World Cup career comes to tearful end
By Amy Tennery Megan Rapinoe did not get the Women's World Cup farewell she wanted on Sunday, a
2023-08-06 21:54
Three Kyrie Irving Free Agent Destinations
Three Kyrie Irving Free Agent Destinations
Kyrie Irving free agency destinations.
2023-06-29 04:45
Donny van de Beek's potential destinations ahead of expected Man Utd exit
Donny van de Beek's potential destinations ahead of expected Man Utd exit
Potential destinations for Donny van de Beek this summer with the Dutchman expected to leave Man Utd.
2023-07-10 23:52
Jude Bellingham injury concern addressed ahead of El Clasico
Jude Bellingham injury concern addressed ahead of El Clasico
Carlo Ancelotti plays down any notion that Jude Bellingham will be injured for El Clasico at the weekend. Real Madrid take on Barcelona looking to stretch their lead at the top of the La Liga table.
2023-10-25 17:47
Wood vs Lara live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV this weekend
Wood vs Lara live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV this weekend
Leigh Wood will look to exact revenge on Mauricio Lara on Saturday, as the featherweights clash in Manchester. The rematch comes just three months after Lara stopped Wood to win the WBA title, beating the Briton in his hometown of Nottingham. Mexican Lara was trailing on the scorecards but dropped “Leigh-thal” in Round 7. Wood beat the referee’s count but sustained more punishment, and his corner threw in the towel with seconds left in the round. It proved to be a controversial finish, with most observers believing that Wood would have made it to the end of the round, and some believing that he should have been given time to recover. Others, however, defended Wood’s coach Ben Davison over his decision to protect his fighter. Here’s all you need to know about the rematch. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is it? The fight will take place at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 27 May. The main card is set to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET), with ring walks for the main event expected at approximately 10pm BST (3pm PT, 5pm CT, 6pm ET). How can I watch it? The event will be streamed live on Dazn, a subscription to which is available at three different price points: Monthly Saver (£9.99 per month, with a 12-month commitment), Flexible (£19.99 per month, and can be cancelled at any time), and Annual Super Saver (£99.99 as a one-off payment). Odds Lara – 4/11 Wood – 11/5 Draw – 14/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Mauricio Lara (C) vs Leigh Wood 2 (WBA featherweight title) Jack Catterall vs Darragh Foley (super-lightweight) Terri Harper (C) vs Ivana Habazin (WBA women’s super-welterweight title) Danny Ball vs Jamie Robinson for (vacant English welterweight title) Aqib Fiaz vs Costin Ion (super-featherweight) Campbell Hatton vs Michal Bulak (super-lightweight) William Crolla vs TBA Aaron Bowen vs TBA Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More ‘Daylight robbery’: Vasiliy Lomachenko’s team plan to appeal Devin Haney defeat Katie Taylor’s long reign as boxing queen over despite heroic last stand Joe Rogan is right: Tyson Fury has ‘no chance in hell’ against Jon Jones What time does Wood vs Lara start in UK and US this weekend? Devin Haney edges past Vasiliy Lomachenko to remain unbeaten and undisputed ‘Daylight robbery’: Vasiliy Lomachenko’s team plan to appeal Devin Haney defeat
2023-05-22 21:20
Arsenal willing to sell Jorginho & latest on Emile Smith Rowe future
Arsenal willing to sell Jorginho & latest on Emile Smith Rowe future
Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for Jorginho this summer but have no plans to sell academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe.
2023-06-08 18:49
Carlos Correa stars against former team as Twins beat Astros 6-2 in Game 2 to tie ALDS
Carlos Correa stars against former team as Twins beat Astros 6-2 in Game 2 to tie ALDS
Carlos Correa had three hits and three RBIs and Pablo López pitched seven shutout innings, helping the Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game 2 of their AL Division Series
2023-10-09 11:59