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Liverpool have been in rude health of late and Saturday's 4-1 drubbing over Brentford is yet another step toward the Premier League title, two points above second-placed Arsenal after 25 matches.

Jurgen Klopp is leaving at the end of the campaign, however, and no weight of silver-laden success will allay the poignancy of the lionised German's departure.

That said, the facts are what they are and Liverpool must prepare for Klopp's exit, and while the appointment of a new manager is crucial, the club has been left in a great position to continue the dynasty created back in 2015.

The senior set-up is welled over with talent but just as importantly, the Anfield academy is thriving at a level unseen for many years, with teenager Kieran Morrison just one of the myriad prospects looking to make waves.

Liverpool's next Connor Bradley

Morrison might be one of many but few can claim they boast as much natural quality, with the Northern Irishman, aged only 17, flourishing in his formative years after joining the club from Manchester United as an U14, recently ending speculation about his future by penning new terms with the Anfield side.

Morrison is a creative midfielder with an impressive level of dynamism, having enjoyed prolific success across the current campaign "across a variety of different positions", something that coach Marc-Bridge Wilkinson was quick to praise.

Across ten starting appearances in the U18 Premier League this term, Morrison has plundered seven goals and three assists, notably scoring a sublime hat-trick against Middlesbrough, leading journalist Jack Lusby to praise his "outstanding" efforts.

Given his Northern Irish roots, Morrison could well be Liverpool's next Conor Bradley, with the fast-rising right-back producing some exceptional performances across recent weeks, posting one goal and five assists since the new year.

The 20-year-old has bided his time over recent years and earned his stripes on loan with Bolton Wanderers last year before finally taking a snipe at a first-team spot, and Morrison could take a leaf from his countryman's book in this regard.

Having also made his debut in the Premier League 2, Morrison is one of the most exciting prospects around and given his attacking qualities in midfield, he could be the perfect understudy for Dominik Szoboszlai.

Shades of Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool completed the signing of Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig for £60m back in July and he has been one of the centrepieces as the Reds enjoy a resurgence, pumping energy and spark and creativity into the engine room.

Described as a "generational talent" by journalist Marcel Moeller, Szoboszlai has scored five goals and provided four assists under Klopp's wing while completing 88% of his passes in the Premier League, as per Sofascore, also averaging 1.8 key passes and 6.3 ball recoveries per match.

With a mean shot and an impressive technical ability, Szoboszlai has been a key cog in the system and he could provide Morrison with the perfect template to succeed in the Premier League.

Morrison has showcased his ability to spread goals and assists across his play while maintaining fluency in his overall performance on the pitch.

Therefore, Liverpool might find that they already have the dream heir in their grasp, they need only guide him to the fore over the coming years.

Leeds United jumped up into second place in the Championship on Friday night as they secured a 1-0 win over Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Wilfried Gnonto scored the only goal of the game as the Whites ran out fairly comfortable winners in a game they dominated and, perhaps, should have won by more goals.

Championship top six (via Sofascore)

Team

Position

Matches played

Points

Leicester

1

29

69

Leeds

2

30

60

Ipswich

3

28

59

Southampton

4

28

58

West Brom

5

28

45

Coventry

6

29

44

Daniel Farke's side created plenty of opportunities to find the back of the net, as Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter both missed big chances, but came away with all three points thanks to their one strike.

Gnonto caught the eye with his excellent display in place of the injured Dan James but the real hero of the night for the German head coach was towering defender Joe Rodon.

Wilfried Gnonto's match-winning contributions

The Italy international has had to wait patiently for his opportunity to impress in the Championship and grasped his opportunity to impress with both hands.

Junior Firpo's searching pass forward had too much on it for Georginio Rutter and Gnonto was intelligent enough to run across from his right wing position to pick the ball up and then expertly finish to make it 1-0 in the 48th minute.

He also completed 100% (25/25) of his attempted passes as the young gem held onto possession and played a part in his side's dominance of the ball.

However, the former Zurich star did not create a single chance for his teammates and that is an area he could look to improve in, with 0.3 key passes per game and zero 'big chances' created in the league this season.

Joe Rodon's defensive dominance at Ashton Gate

Whilst Gnonto deserves plenty of credit, as explained above, for his contributions, the real hero of the night for Farke was his Tottenham Hotspur loanee at centre-back.

Andy Hinchcliffe, who was the co-commentator on Sky Sports' live coverage of the game, described Rodon's last-ditch defending as "outstanding" for Leeds towards the end of the game.

The Whites enjoyed 61% of the ball and the hosts only mustered seven shots on goal, with one on target, and that was helped by the Wales international's strong play in and out of possession.

On the ball, Rodon had 99 touches of the ball – more than any other player on the pitch – and completed 88% of his attempted passes throughout the game, as he dictated play from the back and made sure that Leeds played through the thirds with poise and control.

Off the ball, the 26-year-old titan made a few vital contributions. He made two clearances and one block for his side and they all came within the last ten minutes of the match as Bristol City started to push for an equaliser with balls into the box.

Rodon made one huge block to stop Illan Meslier from being worked after a dangerous cross was sent into the box and the aforementioned Hinchcliffe described his subsequent header clear as "towering".

Therefore, the Spurs loanee, who dominated with three of his five duels won, was the real hero thanks to his composed and assured play in possession and his vital contributions within his own box to stop the hosts from equalising late on.

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Sem surpresas, o Flamengo está definido para enfrentar o Botafogo, nesta quarta-feira. O técnico Maurício Souza, do Sub-20, segue no comando da equipe e repete a escalação da última partida, na vitória por 4 a 1 sobre o Resende. Para o clássico, no Nilton Santos, a bola rola a partir das 21h30.

O Flamengo vai a campo com Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, Bruno Viana, Léo Pereira e Renê; Hugo Moura, João Gomes e Pepê; Vitinho, Michael e Pedro.

Com nove pontos em quatro rodadas, o Rubro-Negro entra no clássico como segundo colocado da Taça Guanabara, podendo assumir a liderança com um empate ou uma vitória. Confira a tabela e a classificação completa do Carioca.

RelacionadasFlamengoVidal manda mensagem a Isla e reforça desejo em jogar no Flamengo: ‘Um dia espero ter a chance’Flamengo24/03/2021Futebol NacionalGovernador do Rio de Janeiro deve vetar projeto de lei que muda nome do estádio do Maracanã, diz siteFutebol Nacional24/03/2021Futebol NacionalEm reunião vazada, Caboclo afirma: ‘CBF, Federações e clubes fizeram o que os governos deveriam ter feito’Futebol Nacional24/03/2021

Nosso Time é a Gente em Campo! O Mengão está escalado para enfrentar o Botafogo, no Nilton Santos, pelo Carioca! Pra cima deles! #BOTxFLA #VamosFlamengo pic.twitter.com/4Bbu4twvx5

— Flamengo (@Flamengo) March 24, 2021

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne's entourage has reportedly held transfer talks with officials from new MLS side San Diego FC.

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• De Bruyne representatives met with San Diego
• California club to join MLS next year
• De Bruyne contracted to Man City until 2025

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  De Bruyne's representatives held one conversation with the club, who will enter MLS next season, as the playmaker would be open to moving to the city if he were to make the decision to finish his career in the United States, reports.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  However, discussions with the City star's camp have not gone far and a possible transfer is still a long way off. The Belgium international considered staying at City until he retires, but with his contract set to expire next year, he has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia as well as MLS. Heading stateside is becoming a more and more popular move for veteran European players, especially after Lionel Messi's switch to Inter Miami.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  De Bruyne remains a crucial player for Pep Guardiola's team, having just helped them wrap up a fourth consecutive Premier League title. The 33-year-old's campaign was restricted by injury, but he ended up with four goals and 10 assists in 18 Premier League games this season.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DE BRUYNE?

  An imminent transfer for De Bruyne seems unlikely due to his importance at City and the fact his contract runs until 2025. He will hope to round off the season with another trophy as they meet Manchester United in the FA Cup this week.

It's been reported that an "important" member of Ange Postecoglou's squad is being tempted by a big club in January, with his agent in Tottenham exit talks.

Bissouma, Sarr and Son set to miss Tottenham's January fixtures

One major topic at N17 over this last month has been Postecoglou's severe lack of depth, an issue discussed more and more as we approach the January transfer window.

Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr and Son Heung-min will be travelling to represent their nations at AFCON and the Asia Cup next month, with both tournaments commencing soon after the new year.

Xavi demands Barcelona sign Spurs star who Ange has transformed

He’s been given a “new lease of life” at Tottenham.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 13, 2023

A plethora of Tottenham injuries and suspensions since early November have also really highlighted Postecoglou's shortage of options behind his traditional starting eleven.

Both James Maddison and Micky van de Ven are sore misses in particular, with Spurs also now having to cope without Rodrigo Bentancur yet again after the midfielder's ankle ligament damage.

However, despite these issues, it's rumoured that Tottenham departures are still possible in the winter window. Eric Dier, Richarlison and Giovani Lo Celso are some players linked with Spurs exits in the past week alone, while some reports suggest Bologna are chasing a deal for summer signing Alejo Veliz.

Another player to be repeatedly linked with a move away is midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. The Dane has actually featured in nearly every Premier League game with 15 appearances under his belt this season, but the vast majority have come from the bench.

Hojbjerg tempted by Juventus with agent in Spurs talks

According to Italian news outlet Calciomercato, Tottenham consider Hojbjerg an "important player" and don't want him to go unless it's for a suitable bid. Regardless, Juventus and their director Cristiano Giuntoli won't give up on signing him, and he's in ongoing talks with the 28-year-old's agent.

Hojbjerg has an "appreciation" for Juventus as a Spurs exit option, according to Calciomercato. This factor, combined with his representative's willingness to negotiate, are said to be "two cards" playing in favour of Guintoli who appears determined to strike a deal.

Juve, though, wish to sign Hojbjerg on loan with the north Londoners showing no willingness to green-light such a deal thus far. As well as the report, Postecoglou himself as previously described the former Southampton star as a crucial member of his squad.

“It is obvious someone that has played regularly would have wanted to play more but ultimately our performances have been strong and he has had to bide his time," said Postecoglou on Hojbjerg earlier this season.

“He has also been very important in a lot of the games that we’ve won late or had to shore up late. He has been one of the people who has helped us and it is not like he hasn’t contributed at all. He’s been a really important part for us. We wouldn’t be in this position if we were just reliant on our starting XI.

“With Pierre, he is a professional and very determined."

Leeds United are off the back of a morale-boosting result and could now be set to boost their promotion credentials after it emerged that the Whites are keen on a talented player in January.

Leeds United 4-0 Ipswich Town

Daniel Farke's side earned a massive boost regarding their automatic promotion hopes on Saturday after efforts from Pascal Struijk, Crysencio Summerville, Joel Piroe and an own goal from Leif Davis gave the hosts a 4-0 victory on the day over Kieran McKenna's Ipswich Town.

Despite being 10 points behind the Tractor Boys at kick-off, the Whites were able to capitalise to record a richly deserved triumph, which will breed belief that they can now rally and claim second position in the Championship table between now and the end of the season.

Related Leeds United keen on signing "very talented" ace wanted by multiple clubs

Leeds United are in the market as Daniel Farke looks to strengthen his side’s promotion bid…

Posts BySean Markus Clifford Dec 4, 2023

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Farke heaped praise on what he described as an "incredible" performance from his players, saying:

"It's not possible to have a perfect performance in football, but it was probably our most mature performance of the season, regarding that we played one of the top sides at this level, we were all over them and fully deserved our 4-0 win.

"In the first-half they had two half-chances with shots from distance, but second half 'expected goals' was zero for them. I can't recall that in any game; it was incredible work from my players. In all phases, we were outstanding. In our possession, we had many good spells and we were controlling and dominating without the ball. After 80 minutes you are 4-0 up, and we still did not want to give any chance away. My most impressive topic and aspect of the game was the clean sheet."

Now, a new defender looks to be in the sights of 49ers Enterprises and the German coach ahead of the January transfer window opening.

Leeds express interest in Bright Osayi-Samuel

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds United have expressed interest in bringing Fenerbache full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel back to England in recent weeks; however, Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also keen on signing the former Queens Park Rangers man.

Bright Osayi-Samuel statistics in 2023/24 – Super Lig (Sofascore)

Expected assists

0.48

Interceptions per game

1.0

Clearances per game

1.2

Tackles per game

2.1

Goal conversion

67%

Average match rating

7.00

The report states that the Nigeria international, who has three wins over Leeds during his career, could leave the Super Lig giants for a cut-price fee due to his contract being set to expire in the summer of 2025. Nevertheless, Crystal Palace recruitment officials are making inroads to try and fend off competition for the 25-year-old and are believed to be slightly ahead in the race at present.

Once labelled "outstanding" by former boss Mark Warburton, Osayi-Samuel, a right-back, has made 23 appearances across all competitions this season, registering two goals and four assists along the way (Osayi-Samuel statistics – Transfermarkt).

Leeds United have had injury issues in the full-back areas, with the likes of Sam Byram, Djed Spence and Junior Firpo all missing parts of the campaign, resulting in teenage midfielder Archie Gray filling in at right-back and making it his own, so bringing Osayi-Samuel to Elland Road could be a shrewd coup.

MatériaMais Notícias

Foi com emoção de sobra, mas o resultado veio. O Flamengo venceu o Grêmio nesta quinta-feira, por 4 a 2 em Porto Alegre, e assumiu a vice-liderança do Brasileirão. Agora, o time de Rogério Ceni soma 58 pontos, quatro a menos que o Internacional, com 62, restando seis rodadas para o fim do campeonato. Na saída de campo, o meia Arrascaeta reforçou a confiança no título rubro-negro.

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– Sabemos que estamos pertinho, temos que caprichar. Cada jogo é uma final. Nos recuperamos no segundo tempo, o primeiro foi abaixo. Demonstrar a força da equipe, a união e saímos mais fortalecidos hoje – afirmou o meia uruguaio, ao “Premiere”, antes de comentar sobre a mudança do time após o intervalo:

– A gente sabia que tinha que buscar o resultado. Pressionamos mais em cima, encontramos os espaços e os gols – finalizou o camisa 14, autor de um dos gols.

> Confira a classificação e simule as rodadas finais do Brasileirão!

O Flamengo volta a campo na próxima segunda-feira, contra o Sport em Recife. A partida, válida pela 33ª rodada do Brasileirão, será na Ilha do Retiro, às 20h.

Será a quarta partida consecutiva do Rubro-Negro fora do Rio de Janeiro, que venceu o Goiás, em Goiânia, o Palmeiras, em Brasília, e perdeu para o Athletico, em Curitiba, na última semana, antes de enfrentar o Grêmio em Porto Alegre.

Ishant had missed out on two wickets in Adelaide because he had over-stepped, but the no-balls not called on the field have also attracted scrutiny

Sidharth Monga in Perth13-Dec-20180:44

Ishant will be obsessed about not bowling a no-ball again – Kohli

The role of the host broadcaster has come into sharp focus in the aftermath of the Adelaide Test. Ishant Sharma is now a marked man, and he spent a major part of the nets session a day before the Perth Test trying to get his rhythm right when bowling from well behind the popping crease.In the final innings in Adelaide, Ishant got close to getting two wickets off no-balls. One of them was given on the field, but Ishant was found to have overstepped on the DRS review. Later, during the final day, the umpire called a rare no-ball on the field when it looked like Ishant had trapped Nathan Lyon plumb in front. However, it was the no-balls that were missed that has put the scanner on Ishant. On air, Ricky Ponting pointed out four no-balls missed in one particular over.Between the Tests, has accessed footage that claims Ishant overstepped 16 times in the first innings alone. The report doesn’t mention corresponding figures for any other bowler, from India or Australia. Ishant, though, was the only bowler called for overstepping in the Adelaide Test, five times in all, on replay or not. During a particularly intense nets session two days before the Adelaide Test, it was observed neither side was too strict on policing no-balls in the nets.The end result is Ishant working on his run-up to make sure he doesn’t overstep. Experts feel it can’t be easy to do that in one training session, but that is something that just has to be done. And it didn’t take the discovery of uncalled no-balls for Ishant to think seriously about the problem. Even when India won the first Test, captain Virat Kohli said Ishant was the only one not celebrating.
ALSO READ: Kohli reveals how the no-balls ‘pissed off’ Ishant
“We were all celebrating but he was really really angry with himself and we asked him why and he said, ‘I cannot afford to bowl a no-ball being a senior guy and having played so much cricket’,” Kohli said after the Adelaide Test. “That could have been the difference at a more important stage in the series. Guys take ownership of those things but they can commit mistakes. As long as the attitude is right, we look to correct those mistakes. So this incident that has happened, I am sure Ishant is going to be obsessed about not doing it again.”Ishant spent time with B Arun, the bowling coach, standing as the umpire trying to maintain the same rhythm, energy and intensity with a new run-up. He bowled in a net without a batsman and at a single stump. Every time he landed well behind the popping crease. Arun kept a close eye on how well he was bowling. He seemed happy with what he saw, and the stint ended with Ishant high-fiving Arun.”He himself was very keen to rectify it, so I don’t think it was something that needed to be spoken about again and again,” an impressed Kohli said on the eve of the Perth Test. “He is a responsible cricketer, and he has been around for so long and he understands what needs to be corrected as all of us do in the team. So there is no need to repeat it again. He knows the problem, and he is keen to rectify it in this game.”The pressure will be on for both the on-field umpires and Ishant, but if he has successfully rectified the problem it might save both the trouble.Meanwhile, Australia captain Tim Paine was glad the issue had been raised. “It’s not something that we can control,” Paine said. “Having said that, I am glad that it has been brought up and it has certainly been spoken about. I don’t think it is a great look for the game when things like that are happening. You put your trust in the people who are in those jobs to control it and hopefully they police it really well in this game.”I spoke to them [the umpires] during one of the days really quickly because I was watching the telecast in the change-room, just to get an idea of whether they were communicating to the umpires in the middle which they said they were. What I do know is that it is not an easy job. They are standing two or three metres away and the guys are running in fast and it all happens so quickly. So I think as long as we are aware of it and we are looking at solutions that can help that process, then I am all for it but I hope this Test match it is used a little better.”

حدد نادي ريال مدريد شرطًا للتعاقد مع أحد لاعبي فريق النصر السعودي، في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي الحالي، لتدعيم الصفوف قبل الموسم الجديد.

ويبدأ ريال مدريد حملة الدفاع عن لقب الدوري الإسباني، يوم 18 أغسطس الجاري، بمواجهة ريال مايوركا.

وانتشرت التكهنات في الفترة الماضية حول إمكانية تعاقد ريال مدريد مع قلب دفاع في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية.

ومن ضمن الأسماء التي ارتبطت بإمكانية الانتقال إلى صفوف ريال مدريد هذا الصيف، كان إيميريك لابورت لاعب النصر السعودي ومانشستر سيتي السابق.

وذكرت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية أن لابورت يصر، عبر وكيل أعماله، على مغادرة صفوف النصر، حسب معلومات نشرتها صحيفة “اليوم” السعودية اليوم.

وأوضحت الصحيفة السعودية أن نية المدافع تسببت في اجتماع طارئ بين المدير الرياضي لنادي النصر، فرناندو هييرو والمدرب لويس كاسترو لبحث تلك المسألة.

ولكن صحيفة “آس” ذكرت أن مصادر داخل نادي النصر نفت حدوث أي نوع من التحركات خلال الساعات الماضية.

وأشارت الصحيفة الإسبانية إلى أن نية ريال مدريد ليست القيام بأي شيء جنوني لضم قلب دفاع، ولكن ضم لاعب يمثل خيارًا جيدًا ليس مستبعدًا، مثلما هو الحال مع لابورت.

اقرأ أيضًا.. موعد والقناة الناقلة لمباراة برشلونة وريال مدريد الودية اليوم

لا يزال أمام لابورت عامين في عقده الحالي مع النصر، ولكن هناك تقارير تشير إلى إنه غير راضِ تمامًا عن الدوري السعودي ويتطلع إلى الرحيل.

ويشعر لابورت بالإغراء تجاه إمكانية الانتقال إلى ريال مدريد، حيث يضعه المدرب كارلو أنشيلوتي عين الاعتبار.

المشكلة الوحيدة هي أن ريال مدريد لا يريد دفع رسوم انتقال، ومن ثم فإن اللاعب هو الذي يجب أن يتفاوض على رحيله بدون تكلفة أو بسعر رمزي.

ودفع النصر 27.5 مليون يورو مقابل ضم لابورت من مانشستر سيتي الصيف الماضي.

ويتعين على لابورت التوصل إلى اتفاق مع النصر يسمح له بالحصول على موافقة تتيح له الرحيل مجانًا أو بتكلفة بسيطة، وهو ما سيمثل أمرًا معقدًا.

كما أن اللاعب حريص جدًا على استغلال فرصة اللعب مع ريال مدريد بحيث لن يكون الراتب مشكلة.

ووقع لابورت مع النصر لمدة ثلاث سنوات مقابل 24 مليون يورو في الموسم الواحد، ولن يتمكن ريال مدريد من الإيفاء بهذا الرقم، ولكن اللاعب الإسباني مستعد لخفض راتبه بشكل كبير، كما إنه سيتخلى عن الـ 48 مليونًا المتبقية له على مدار عقده الحالي مع النادي السعودي.

German police have been forced to respond after an ISIS-affiliated outlet published an image of a red target outside Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.

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ISIS-affiliated channel published image of Allianz ArenaBayern vs Dortmund on SaturdayPolice presence increasedWHAT HAPPENED?

The image showed a red target marker on groups of people outside the stadium and seemed to suggest a threat ahead of Saturday's game between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Alongside the image, and written in Arabic, are the words: "After the game". Following the Crocus City Hall terror attack in Moscow on March 22, several countries have increased their terror alert levels and there will be a greater police presence at the game.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT THE POLICE SAID

A spokesperson for the Munich police told : "The officials intensively evaluated the posts and assessed the situation. There are currently no indications of an acute danger situation. Nevertheless, police attendance at the game this evening would be increased. Around 100 of emergency forces were supposed to be on site regularly, but that will now be reinforced with additional officers."

WHAT BAYERN MUNICH SAID

T-online also contacted Bayern Munich ahead of the game and in response to the threat. Bayern say that that they are and remain in close communication and coordination with the police, who are in charge of the matter.

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT?

The game between Bayern and Dortmund is still scheduled to go ahead as planned at 5.30pm (GMT) given the police investigations finding no 'acute danger' at present. There will be increased levels of security in response to the threat, however.