Tag Futebol

Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been handed a massive cash windfall linked to his illustrious football career, which has also revealed his vast net wealth. Following the closure of a company he used for his image rights, Rooney has secured a significant tax worth £800,000 ($1.05m) from HMRC.

Rooney rakes it in as net worth receives boost

This latest financial development follows Rooney's past disputes involving HMRC over the years. The recent payout is not connected to the film financing schemes, such as Ingenious, in which he and other celebrities previously invested, resulting in large tax bills. 

The closure of the image rights firm has simply resulted in a final accounting and the return of a tax rebate to the former footballer. The incident highlights the complexities surrounding professional athletes' earnings and tax affairs, with companies often set up to manage a player's image rights separately from their football wages, including deals with global brands such as Nike, Coca-Cola and EA Sports, according to a report from . 

Rooney has previously faced intense scrutiny and disputes with the taxman, this recent rebate is a direct result of the company's winding up. It adds to his considerable net worth, which has grown through his playing career and subsequent ventures, believed to be as much as £170 million ($223.7m).

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSpat with Liverpool captain Van Dijk

Following Liverpool's recent Champions League victory over Real Madrid, Virgil van Dijk confronted pundit Rooney, who had publicly questioned his leadership. The dispute began with Rooney criticising Van Dijk's performance on his podcast, claiming "body language tells you a lot" and suggesting the Reds captain and talisman Mo Salah had "downed tools" after signing new contracts. Van Dijk initially called the comments "lazy criticism," adding, "I didn't hear him last year" when Liverpool were successful. 

In their TV confrontation, the Netherlands international took exception to Rooney's suggestion that he had become complacent after his new deal, stating, "I think that was a bit… but that's my personal opinion and we move on". Rooney defended his analysis, saying, "I think what I've said was fair" and that a team losing multiple games would naturally draw questions about its captain. While Rooney later conceded on his podcast that his comments might have been "a bit unfair because I don't know him that well as a person," he stood by his assessment of Van Dijk's on-field performance, saying, "from a performance point of view, I think I was speaking what I felt and what I was seeing, and I felt I was right". 

The encounter culminated in a handshake, but underscored the tension between modern players and pundits.

Slot's shot at Rooney

Rooney also faced-up to Liverpool boss Slot and the Dutch boss was asked whether the mood has lifted on Merseyside, to which he responded: "It's clear that it’s nicer when you win games than when you lose games as a manager. Am I right or am I wrong heh?" When making the comment, Slot turned sideways to look at Rooney with a big smile on his face. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportRooney's right to reply

Rooney has a twice-weekly BBC podcast, , and occasionally appears as a pundit on the and Amazon Prime's Champions League coverage. He is also scheduled to be part of the BBC's coverage for the 2026 World Cup which kicks off next July, hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Santos have reportedly paused contract renewal talks with Neymar amid growing concerns over his fitness and high wages. The 33-year-old forward has missed significant time through injury this year. Despite the excellent relationship between Neymar and the club, officials want to reassess the situation before committing to an extension as his current contract runs until December.

Santos hit pause on Neymar's renewal

Santos are delaying negotiations over a new deal for Neymar as they continue to fight against relegation in the Brazilian Serie A. ESPN reports that the club’s board is in no rush to finalise a renewal, with doubts emerging over the star’s physical condition and the financial burden of maintaining his high salary. Neymar’s current contract expires in December 2025, and talks are expected to resume only after a full internal review.

The veteran forward’s return to Santos was initially seen as a fairytale homecoming when he rejoined from Al-Hilal in January. However, injuries have marred his comeback season, limiting him to just 21 appearances, in which he scored six goals and provided three assists. His latest setback, a rectus femoris muscle injury in his right thigh, has sidelined him since September 19.

Santos officials insist that no rift exists between the parties, despite the pause in talks. They believe Neymar must first regain full fitness before discussions over a long-term extension can continue. Behind the scenes, expectations are that he could return to action in November, giving him a final chance to prove his value before the season ends.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesNeymar's wages a burden for Santos

The situation marks a stark contrast from earlier in the year when Santos proudly announced a short-term renewal with Neymar. Back in June, the 33-year-old was in better form, attracting interest from European clubs and bringing renewed optimism to Vila Belmiro. Now, persistent injuries and inconsistent displays have shifted the club’s priorities as they focus on survival rather than star power.

Santos’ board must weigh the financial implications of keeping their marquee player while struggling in the league. Neymar’s salary is among the highest in South America, and his absences have amplified questions about whether he remains a sustainable investment for a club facing financial and sporting instability. With limited resources, Santos cannot afford to carry an injured talisman indefinitely.

Still, Neymar’s return to his boyhood club has provided commercial benefits. Shirt sales, attendances, and global attention surged after his signing, reinforcing his off-field influence. Yet, those gains now appear insufficient to offset the uncertainty surrounding his fitness — an all-too-familiar theme throughout his post-Barcelona career.

AFPNeymar's decline puts question marks on World Cup 2026 availability

Neymar’s physical decline has been a major storyline in recent years. After leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 for Al-Hilal, the Brazilian suffered a devastating ACL injury that derailed his Saudi Pro League campaign, limiting him to just seven appearances. Since returning to Brazil, he has endured three more injuries, continuing a frustrating cycle that has haunted him since his European days.

His struggles have also affected his international career. Neymar hasn’t featured for Brazil since October 2023, when he played in a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay during World Cup qualifying. However, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that the forward remains in contention for the 2026 tournament — provided he proves his fitness.

“Neymar can play at his highest level in this team without any problems,” Ancelotti told reporters. “When he is in good physical condition, he has the quality to play not only in Brazil but in any team in the world because of his talent.” The Italian added that teamwork and movement off the ball will be crucial if Neymar is to adapt to Brazil’s evolving system.

Competition for attacking places has intensified in Neymar’s absence. Ancelotti’s latest squad featured Richarlison, Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli, Joao Pedro, Luiz Henrique, and Estevao — a youthful, dynamic group redefining Brazil’s frontline. If Neymar hopes to return to the national team setup, he must prove that his experience outweighs concerns about his durability.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Contract talks will be held in 2026

For now, Santos’ focus remains squarely on avoiding relegation and managing Neymar’s recovery carefully. The forward is expected to resume training in November, though the club will monitor him closely before clearing him for full competition. Any decision on his future will hinge on whether he can demonstrate lasting fitness and consistent form before the end of the campaign.

If his performances improve, Santos could reopen contract talks before the year concludes. However, if injuries persist, the club may choose to let his deal expire, allowing him to explore free transfers abroad. Reports suggest that European clubs such as Inter Milan and Napoli are keeping tabs but share similar reservations about his medical history.

For so many years, the Europa League offered Rangers supporters a safe space away from their domestic trials and tribulations, but even that is no longer the case.

On Thursday night, Russell Martin suffered yet another defeat, with his side defeated 1-0 at the hands of Genk in their league phase opener.

Only 38,000 were in attendance at Ibrox, around 12,000 below capacity, as supporters voted with their feet against the manager and CEO Patrick Stewart, considering the Gers currently sit second bottom of the Scottish Premiership table, ahead of Sunday’s trip to Livingston.

In the Europa League meantime, former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu was the main character of the evening, seeing a penalty saved by Jack Butland, missing at least two guilt-edged opportunities, before eventually scoring the only goal of the night, poking home at the back post, getting on the end of Patrik Hrošovský’s ball across.

From a Rangers perspective, most of the heat will be on the under-fire manager, but many of his players simply aren’t pulling their weight, one in particular not having any discernible positive impact on the night’s proceedings.

Mohamed Diomandé's costly red card

Rangers are finding winning football matches difficult enough right now with the full complement of 11 players, let alone ten.

In the quarter of an hour before half time, referee Matej Jug took centre stage, making three key decisions that all went against the home side.

The most outcome-altering was of course the red card, with Mohamed Diomandé dismissed for a foul on Zakaria El Ouahdi.

The Ivorian did win the ball, but his foot then bounced off the top of the ball and into El Ouahdi’s calf, thereby deemed a dangerous tackle.

Mere moments before, the Ibrox faithful thought their side were going to be given a penalty, Joris Kayembe seemingly set to be penalised for a handball, but the referee instead adjudged that James Tavrnier had committed a foul, which Ally McCoist said, speaking on commentary for TNT Sports, was the “biggest cop out you’ll see all night… he’s invented a shove there to take the easy way out”.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Even after the sending off, there was still time for Jug to award Genk a penalty in first-half injury time, following video review, but Oh’s attempt was saved by Jack Butland, eliciting the loudest cheer of the night.

Nevertheless, they were never truly able to recover from the loss of Diomandé and, even though he clearly didn’t mean to put in a dangerous challenge, he did ultimately, as McCoist put it, “cost his team”.

However, another Rangers starter offered even less on Thursday night, bringing into question why so much was paid for his services.

Rangers' anonymous attacker

Martin made just one change to his Rangers team that beat Hibs in the League Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, with Bojan Miovski, who actually scored his first goal for the club in that one, dropping to the bench, with Youssef Chermiti handed a first start for the club.

The 21-year-old joined the Light Blues for a reported fee of £8m, potentially rising to £10m, from Everton on deadline day, despite having scored zero goals in 24 appearances for the Toffees.

In fact, his most recent senior goal came for Sporting CP against Paços de Ferreira on 7 May 2023, underlining why this enormous fee raised so many eyebrows.

Well, as Chermiti seeks to change public perception of him in Glasgow, he didn’t do a very good job of it against Genk, as the table below outlines.

Shots

Zero

6th

Accurate passes

10

12th

Key passes

1

3rd

Duels contested

15

2nd

Duels won

5

4th

Possession lost

10

4th

Touches

24

11th

Sofascore rating

6.3

14th

As the table documents, Chermiti essentially had no impact on Rangers as an attacking force on Thursday, touching the ball a mere 24 times, nine fewer than the dismissed Diomandé, as well as five less than Oliver Antman, who was introduced as a half-time substitute. That return was also less than the aforementioned Butland, who recorded 45 touches.

Of course, it isn’t easy playing the role of a lone striker, especially when your side are down to ten men, but the Portuguese youngster lost possession ten times, as well as winning only five of 15 duels, not mustering a single shot, which simply isn’t good enough.

It is obviously unfair on the youngster, but when you cost as much as Chermiti has, big things are expected.

That fee will only prove to be value for money if he fires Rangers to league titles and scores crucial goals in European competition, so the fact that it is over two years since the striker scored a goal for anybody has to be alarming.

The most galling fact is that Martin left a proven goalscorer in Miovski, one who literally scored a goal less than a week ago, in reserve, watching on like the rest of the Rangers support, wondering how on earth this team are ever going to score a goal.

Reports suggest Martin now has three games to save his job, all away from home, facing Livingston, Sturm Graz and then Falkirk on the road in the next ten days, so, if he is to remain in situ during the international break, he must ditch Chermiti and get Miovski back up front.

Not Dyche or Gerrard: Rangers should axe Martin for future "elite manager"

With Russell Martin under intense pressure as Rangers boss, the 49ers should make a future “elite manager” their top target to replace him at Ibrox.

ByBen Gray Sep 25, 2025

Former Spain midfielder Gaizka Mendieta has suggested that Mikel Arteta's record of achievement since being appointed by Arsenal in 2019 will give him his pick of jobs whenever he decides the time is right to leave the Emirates Stadium. One of those could be at Barcelona in the future, where Arteta made key strides in his formative years as a footballer.

• Big clubs will be 'knocking' on Arteta's door

  Mendieta, who turned out for Barcelona during a storied career that also took in defining spells at Valencia and Middlesbrough, doesn't expected Arteta to be looking for a new job any time soon. But there is a belief that he won't ever be short of offers.

  "Whenever Mikel Arteta's time at Arsenal is up and he's looking for new experiences, big clubs will be knocking on his door," Mendieta told OLBG.

  "The job he's doing at Arsenal and from now until the moment he leaves, which I'm assuming will be a long term, I'm sure there'll be more trophies in the cabinet. Like PSG, every season Arsenal can get better, get stronger and keep getting to the latter stages.

  "Big clubs will be knocking on the door, Barca included, as well as other big clubs and even national teams, he will have a lot of offers on the table."

  Hansi Flick's Barcelona contract runs until 2027 and the German coach is already 60 years of age, suggesting the Catalans could be looking for a new boss in the not too distant future.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Premier League consistency vs limited trophies so far

  Under Arteta, Arsenal have placed second in the Premier League in each of the last three seasons, the club's best run in the competition since Arsene Wenger's streak of eight successive top two finishes came to an in 2005.

  It is hugely impressive when Liverpool, for example, have been more erratic. But while the Merseysiders may have slipped to fifth in 2022-23, they won the title last season and the Gunners are still looking for a first league championship since the 2003-04 campaign. Meanwhile, Arteta himself hasn't won a major trophy since his first season in charge – the FA Cup in 2019-20.

• Arteta's Barcelona connection

  Barcelona could be a good fit for Arteta in the future. He was schooled in La Masia from the age of 15, forging friendships with Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Victor Valdes, and went on to make 42 appearances for Barcelona B as a teenager, before establishing a senior career elsewhere.

  As a newly-qualified coach cut from the famous Barcelona cloth, he was recruited by Pep Guardiola in 2016 to work on the backroom staff at Manchester City and remained there until interviewing for the Arsenal job towards the end of 2019.

  Although he hails from San Sebastian in the Basque region on Spain's northern coast, Barcelona would still be a football 'homecoming' of sorts for Arteta.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  Could Fabregas succeed Arteta as Arsenal boss?

  If Arteta were to leave, Arsenal could recruit another former club captain to take over: Cesc Fabregas. The 2010 World Cup winner has been leading the revolution at Como and is quickly making a name for himself in coaching after a stellar playing career. Mendieta is "sure" a Premier League future awaits Fabregas, even if he's happy at Como for now.

  "I'm sure there's been some conversations. But he's happy at Como. I know he's happy because the project is key, he is the one deciding who comes and goes and he is bringing the culture and the environment," the two-time Champions League finalist said.

  "I'm sure Premier League clubs have approached him, former clubs will have approached him and we'll see him in the Premier League sometime in the future.

  "Would he suit Arsenal or Chelsea? It could be actually both. I think he's intelligent enough because he started to play in a way at Como and then he changed quickly. They also change the system within games. He was a very intelligent player and is a very intelligent coach.

  "He would adapt to whatever he has. If he goes to Chelsea and he has 50 players, he can pick and choose the system he wants to play. If he goes to Arsenal he can pick the players that he wants. Judging right now, Arsenal looks more like the style of football that he would be playing."

He also hailed Marco Jansen as ‘the complete package’ for South Africa

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Mar-20251:39

Do South Africa have the best attack in the tournament?

Anil Kumble feels that the variety offered by South Africa’s pace trio of Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi makes them the most complete attack for the not-always-bowler-friendly conditions seen in the Champions Trophy 2025.On Saturday, South Africa hammered England to progress into the semi-finals. In their two group stage matches (one was rained off), South Africa bowled England out for 179 and Afghanistan for 208 – the two lowest totals in completed innings in this edition of the Champions Trophy.”I think one good thing about South Africa is that all three of their fast bowlers that played today – of course Mulder is the one who bowls the middle periods – but if you look at the three tall fast bowlers, all of them are really tall. And all of them are different,” Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo’s Match Day show.Related

South Africa decimate England to march into semi-finals

Klaasen scores fifth successive fifty, wants to be 'the best in the world'

Look past Maharaj at your own peril

“Their angles are very different. Rabada is very classical whereas Ngidi is pretty awkward to face with his action and Marco Jansen comes at such height. So all three are very different. So that’s the nature you want in a one-day. That’s the variation.”Even on a flat track, it’s not easy for the batters to line up because all three are very different. And that’s something that South Africa can certainly feel [confident] they have this kind of a quality and also the variety going into the business end of the tournament.”1:27

Kumble heaps praise on Jansen

Kumble: Jansen the ‘complete package for South Africa’Jansen set the tone in South Africa’s win against England, dismissing their top three inside seven overs with his bounce. He also took three catches, including one off his own bowling.”I think he’s still very young, although he has played quite a lot of cricket. He has certainly matured,” Kumble said. “I’m sure these three wickets [will give him confidence], and also you can see his athleticism in the field with all those catches.”He has improved a lot with his batting as well. He has contributed with the bat on many occasions for South Africa. So in that sense he’s a complete package for South Africa at No. 7 or No. 8.”And with the ball, with the new ball he can bring the ball back in. He’s tall so it’s not easy for the batters to just get under him,” he said. “We saw that with Phil Salt, it just took off. It was quite steep, the bounce, and he couldn’t get over it. You need that variety in your bowling attack and that’s something that South Africa have in plenty.”

Rahmat became Afghanistan’s highest run-scorer in Tests with an unbeaten 231 while Shahidi struck his second Test ton

Sreshth Shah28-Dec-2024

Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi put on a mammoth third-wicket stand•Zimbabwe Cricket

Almost exactly 100 years since Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe became the first pair to achieve it in Test cricket, the Afghanistan pair of Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi batted out a full day of a Test match without being dismissed. In the process, Rahmat became the holder of Afghanistan’s highest Test score (231*), Shahidi struck his second Test ton (141*), and the pair comfortably broke the record for Afghanistan’s best Test partnership (361). All in all, their addition of 330 runs across 95 overs on the third day has taken Afghanistan to 425 for 2, now only 161 behind Zimbabwe’s 586.Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo ranks among one of the best places to bat among Test venues, and Zimbabwe’s first-innings score across the first two days suggested a placid third-day surface, which it was, barring the occasional ball that stayed low.The Zimbabwe bowlers were made to grind by the strong defensive game showed by Rahmat and Shahidi, but they were also let down by their fielding. There were atleast four catches dropped, all off Rahmat, along with a few half-chances. Both spin and pace proved ineffective to get a breakthrough, and the set batters pounced on the loose deliveries from the inexperienced bowlers, a regular occurrence through the day.Starting the day afresh from an overnight partnership of 31 and staring at a mammoth 491-run deficit, Rahmat took a single in the first over of the day to bring up his fifty. But some disciplined bowling from Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu kept the run-scoring in check. It took 12 overs for the day’s first boundary when Rahmat picked up one, by cutting left-arm spinner Sean Williams for four, and it would be a ploy he would use against all three Zimbabwe spinners. With no variable turn off the pitch, the pair could also trust their game when coming down the track against the spinners, something Shahidi did often against the part-timers Brandon Mavuta and Brian Bennett. Five overs before lunch, Shahidi brought up his half-century, and two overs later, Rahmat had completed his second Test ton.Rahmat Shah claimed the Afghanistan record for the highest individual score•Zimbabwe Cricket

Then came the first big chance in the 69th over with Afghanistan at 198 for 2 and Rahmat on 107. Bennett got a length ball to turn lesser than expected, Rahmat’s prod brought an outside edge, and the ball flew past Craig Ervine’s left at first slip. On 134, Rahmat survived a dropped chance at long-on, and on 152, escaped two catching opportunities in one Muzarabani over. In between, the pair brought up their 200 stand by finding the fence through midwicket or cover when Muzarabani and Gwandu overpitched their deliveries. And going into tea, Afghanistan were 298 for 2, with 203 runs collected in the first two sessions.Fresh off the two dropped chances in the penultimate over of the second session, Zimbabwe were further deflated at the start of the post-tea session when Rahmat struck three fours off Nyamhuri in the first over after resumption. In the same Nyamhuri spell, Shahidi cut him for four to move to 99 and next ball, picked up a single to claim his second Test ton.As the second new ball also turned old, the boundaries dried up again, but a four through cover from Rahmat to start the 108th over brought up the 300-run stand. When Rahmat moved to 199 with a single soon after, the partnership ticked over to 308, a new record for Afghanistan.Shahidi, the only double-centurion for Afghanistan previously, then watched on from the other end as Rahmat joined him on that list, and it came not in the form of a circumspect single but a full-blooded drive through mid-on. As the ball trickled to the boundary, Rahmat was applauded by his team-mates and by the sparse home crowd as he also went past Shahidi’s score of 200* from 2021 to claim the Afghanistan record for the highest individual score.As the final hour of the day began, and it dawned on Zimbabwe that they might have their first-ever day of Test cricket without a single wicket, Ervine tempted the two batters with some unusual fielding positions – perhaps to buy a wicket or force them to do something different – but there was no budging.If anything, Rahmat and Shahidi reined in their strokes. Only three boundaries were scored in the final 13 overs – only three fours and one six – as it was clear their aim was to finish the day unbeaten. As Williams bowled the final over of the day without much drama, Rahmat and Shahidi walked back with smiles, were congratulated by a few Zimbabwe fielders, and were welcomed with a standing ovation by their team-mates and support staff.

Pakistan 344 (Shakeel 134, Sajid 48*, Noman 45, Rehan 4-66, Bashir 3-129) and 37 for 1 (Masood 23*) beat England 267 (Smith 89, Duckett 52, Sajid 6-128, Noman 3-88) and 112 (Root 33, Noman 6-42, Sajid 4-69) by nine wicketsThe wait is finally over. For the first time since 2021, Pakistan have won a Test series at home, coming back from 1-0 down to confirm a 2-1 success over England.A comprehensive nine-wicket win on day three of the third and decisive Test in Rawalpindi arrived before lunch, achieved with so little fuss that England’s victory by an innings in the opening match feels like it belongs in a different series altogether. It is only the second time Pakistan have come from behind in a series and the first time they have done so at home.Just as it was in the first innings, and indeed the victorious second Test at Multan, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan ran riot, bagging all 10 wickets as England were snuffed out for 112 in a listless second innings performance. It was Noman’s turn to pocket the match ball with 6 for 42, a sixth five-wicket haul, while Sajid’s 4 for 69 registered a second 10-wicket match of his 10-Test career after 6 for 128 on the first day.That left a nominal chase of 36 on the table, which was still enough for beleaguered home skipper Shan Masood to indulge in a cathartic 23 from six deliveries. He clouted four successive fours against Jack Leach upon his arrival to the crease after Saim Ayub was trapped leg before, then sealed victory with a towering six off Shoaib Bashir.Prior to Masood walking off with Abdullah Shafique, Noman and Sajid had done so hand in hand, basking in the glory of instigating England’s day three collapse in which the final seven wickets fell for just 46, and the fact their introductions turned the series on its head. Since being drafted into the squad after the tourists took a 1-0 lead, they have managed 39 wickets between them – Noman’s left-arm spin taking 20 at 13.85, Sajid’s off breaks 19 from 21.01.And yet, things began serenely enough for England. They started Saturday 53 behind on 24 for 3, but in Root and Brook, they had two batters capable of chipping off that deficit, and then some.Related

• Stats – Pakistan's first Test series win at home since 2021

• Multan to Pindi, dust to dust, if Sajid don't get ya, Noman must

• Sajid Khan claims Urdu misdirection aided his batting exploits

When Brook began the 13th over by striking Sajid for back-to-back fours – first through cover, then over mid off on the charge – the more pessimistic Pakistan fans might have been wondering if the Yorkshire pair were about to embark on another match-tilting partnership. After all, it was these two who combined for all of 454 in the first Test at Multan.However, that was before Sajid and Noman entered the series. And after the former adjusted his line to keep Brook honest, the latter followed up a slow delivery with one far quicker that was cut late into the gloves of Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan’s lead had been cut to 11, but the first domino had been toppled. Others duly followed.Stokes’ troubles against spin continued, inexplicably leading a straight delivery from Noman, expecting turn from over the wicket that never came. Jamie Smith’s charge to Sajid was almost as bad, bowled off stump through a wild swing that belied the sensibilities he had displayed with a load-bearing 89 in the first innings.It was only four balls after Smith’s dismissal that England went ahead, and what hopes they had of extending that in a meaningful way ended when Root was snared by a pearler from Noman with a lead of eight. Perfect dip onto a length to drag the right-hander forward from around the wicket, before just enough spin – it was a delivery the 38-year-old had served up a few times but only Root was good enough to nick. ASajid tagged in to lop off the tail, yorking Gus Atkinson before knocking back Rehan Ahmed’s leg stump for his second 10-wicket match haul. And he looked to have bagged a second five-for in the match when Shoaib Bashir was given out LBW on the sweep.A cursory DRS review came back in the No.11’s favour, with the impact onto the pad coming outside off stump. The reprieve only brought an extra two runs, as Noman caught Leach lacking on the charge, firing one wide of the advancing left-hander, stumped smartly by Rizwan.A lead of 35 was always going to be light work on a pitch that was far from demonic, but it was Masood’s introduction that ensured formalities were completed inside 3.1 overs. Ayub began the chase with a brace of fours at the end of the first over before Leach pinned him in front, confirmed via DRS after another erroneous call from umpire Sharfuddoula.But even his dismissal brought some icing to the cake, as Masood took the team charging over the line for his first series win as captain. After starting his tenure with six straight defeats before the second Test of this series, It was hard to begrudge him that honour.

يحل فريق ليفربول ضيفًا على خصمه كريستال بالاس، عصر السبت، في مباراتهما ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز موسم 2025/26.

تأتي تلك المباراة في إطار لقاءات الجولة السادسة من الدوري الإنجليزي لذلك الموسم، وذلك على ملعب “سيلهرست بارك”.

يدخل ليفربول تلك المباراة وهو يتصدر جدول الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 15 نقطة، العلامة الكاملة، في حين أن كريستال بالاس لن يكون خصمًا سهلًا على الإطلاق حيث يحتل المركز الخامس برصيد 9 نقاط.

ويسعى النجم المصري، محمد صلاح، إلى التألق في مباراة اليوم من أجل تحقيق إنجاز مميز (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

ولن يتمكن الفرنسي هوجو إيكتيكي من المشاركة في مباراة ليفربول وكريستال بالاس بعدما طُرد في لقاء دور الـ32 من كأس كاراباو أمام ساوثهامبتون، الثلاثاء الماضي. تشكيل ليفربول المتوقع أمام كريستال بالاس اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي

حراسة المرمى: أليسون بيكر.

خط الدفاع: دومينيك سوبوسلاي، إبراهيما كوناتي، فان دايك، ميلوس كيركيز.

خط الوسط: جرافنبيرخ، ماك أليستر.

خط الوسط الهجومي: محمد صلاح، فلوريان فيرتز، كودي جاكبو.

خط الهجوم: ألكسندر إيزاك.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Liverpool have forked out over £200m on new first-team signings this summer, and there’s more still to come from sporting director Richard Hughes, whose task is a significant one.

Last summer, the former Bournemouth technical director came under fire for his supposed hesitance in the transfer market. Liverpool had clawed their way back into the Champions League and had won the Carabao Cup, but Jurgen Klopp had managed his last and signings were needed, were they not?

But Federico Chiesa was the only man added to the ranks, joining from Juventus for a cut-price £12.5m (aside from Giorgi Mamarashvili, who has now completed his £29m move from Valencia after spending the 2024/25 campaign back on loan with the La Liga side).

But Hughes’ long-term plan was vindicated when Arne Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League in his first season, almost nine years after Klopp replaced a bruised Brendan Rodgers.

The Reds finished ten points ahead of second-place Arsenal, and now they are showing their hand; now they are spending. Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have reshaped the squad – and there’s more still to come.

The latest Liverpool transfer news

Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez remain the most likely Liverpool stars to complete high-profile exits, with the former coveted by Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the latter by the Saudi Pro League.

Liverpool want to sell Nunez, who hasn’t worked out three years on from his big-money move from Benfica. Diaz, however, is set to stay put unless a mammoth bid comes in.

Should the Merseysiders be roped into selling, however, they want to set themselves up. As such, Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon has been earmarked, one year after a saga emerged concerning the Magpies winger and the Reds.

Rodrygo, otherwise, would be the dream, albeit the Brazilian is worth €100m (£85m) and is fixed in Arsenal’s sights.

Who knows which way the wind will blow with those murmurings? However, Nunez is set to leave, and Liverpool had wanted another Newcastle sensation to replace him: Alexander Isak.

However, the Toon closed that door, and Liverpool have instead moved for another, and he wants to join.

Liverpool on the brink of signing

According to Sport BILD, Liverpool are edging closer toward signing Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, though the German club are holding out for €100m (£85m).

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

However, the French forward wants to sign for the Anfield side and has even submitted an official transfer request to manoeuvre the discussions into the closing stages.

Personal terms are all but finalised, no problem there. However, the outfits need to iron out the details, with an official proposal now imminent.

The 23-year-old should sign as Liverpool’s new number nine, and in doing so, may emulate Virgil van Dijk, in a sense.

Why Liverpool are signing Hugo Ekitike

It’s not over till the fat lady sings. A saying that’s well worth remembering in football. Take Van Dijk. Liverpool signed him for £75m in late December 2017 – some Christmas present, that.

But months earlier, Liverpool had been left hot under the collar after Southampton put paid to their advances, ending the building saga in June 2017 after an alleged illegal approach. FSG apologised for “any misunderstanding” and put their bid on hold.

But Van Dijk had caught a whiff of Klopp’s project and was sold. Well, he was several months on, in any case. The Netherlands international handed in a transfer request later in the 2017 summer window and informed Saints he wanted to sign for Liverpool.

The rest is history, with Van Dijk, now 34, one of the most decorated and accomplished defenders of his generation. Ekitike is no doubt eager to take a leaf from the centre-back’s book, having established himself in the Bundesliga, posting 40 goal contributions from 64 matches in a season-and-a-half with Frankfurt.

Make no mistake, we’re not claiming Ekitike will be utilising his 6 feet and 3 inches to protect the box, rocketing up with steely headers and flying this way and that with tough challenges. This, clearly, isn’t Slot’s Van Dijk heir.

But there’s a pattern to the respective deals which highlights FSG’s method, having identified one of Europe’s most exciting up-and-comers and spent the big bucks on reeling him over to Anfield.

Early into his career, Ekitike – described as “unreal” by analyst Ben Mattinson – has demonstrated growth and ability, which has already led to a €35m (£30m) transfer from Reims to Paris Saint-Germain.

Hugo Ekitike – Professional Career by Season (League only)

Season (* loan)

Apps

Goals

Assists

24/25 – Frankfurt

33

15

8

23/24 – Frankfurt*

14

4

2

23/24 – PSG

1

0

0

22/23 – PSG

25

3

4

21/22 – Reims

24

10

4

20/21 – Vejle*

11

3

2

20/21 – Reims

2

0

0

Data via Transfermarkt

Sure, Isak would have been nice. The 25-year-old is, after all, “the best striker in the world”, as analyst Raj Chohan put it last season, but Hughes’ contacts with Newcastle turned up nought. We’d have been looking at something in the £200m ballpark, which is a nonsensical figure.

But in Ekitike, Liverpool have a rising phenom, the perfect profile. He’s mobile, slippery and intelligent, a fierce and constant pepperer of the goal. His finishing leaves something to be desired, but this can be worked on. FBref record that Isak is one of his most statistically comparable players, after all.

Journalist Graeme Bailey has even called the France talent “the next Mbappe”, with his creativity, pace and dynamism making him more than just a player of French likeness.

Was Van Dijk the finished product when he first alighted in Liverpool? Were the detractors not vocal in their scorn? Liverpool paid over the odds for some half-decent defender, they claimed.

The Reds skipper is now considered one of the finest players of his generation, one of many cases of FSG’s data department coming up trumps.

With Ekitike, they may well strike gold once again.

Related Better than Isak & Ekitike: Liverpool make £142m "monster" a dream target

Liverpool have two primary candidates to bolster their forward line; Alexander Isak & Hugo Ekitike.

Posts 1 ByMatt Dawson Jul 17, 2025

Former Australia white-ball captain Cameron White has been identified as the man to coach the Melbourne Renegades back into contention in the BBL.White has signed a three-year deal to replace David Saker, who moved on in May after a disappointing seventh-place finish in his third season at the helm.The 40-year-old White is taking on his first head-coaching job but has worked under Sydney Sixers boss Greg Shipperd for the past two years and was previously an assistant at the Adelaide Strikers.Related

• Lehmann quits coaching roles with Heat and Queensland for commentary gig

• Josh Brown joins Melbourne Renegades in BBL coup

• Melbourne Stars get first pick in BBL overseas draft

He inherits a Renegades roster that includes white-ball run-machine Jake Fraser-McGurk, superstar spinners Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon and prized recruit Josh Brown.”I’ve got so many great memories here as a player and achieving success, so to be back in Renegades colours several years later is a thrill,” White said. “The idea of working with this playing group – some really exciting players there, both young and experienced – is really exciting. I’m really looking forward to ripping in and starting my journey as coach.”Renegades came out with pick two in the BBL overseas draft order announced on Thursday.As a player, White represented Australia 142 times across all three formats.  He was best known for his contributions as a middle-order batter in the white-ball sides.While his Test career was limited to four appearances on a 2008 tour of India, White captained the T20I side six times and the ODI side once, in 2011.He was also a member of the Australia side that beat New Zealand in the final to win the ICC Champions Trophy in 2009. Domestically, White played during the Renegades’ only BBL championship in 2019.Victoria’s longest-serving Sheffield Shield captain, White amassed more than 7000 first-class runs between his debut as a teenager in the 2000-2001 summer and his final match in 2019.