Leicestershire have announced the signing of Sharjeel Khan as an overseas player for the 2017 NatWest Blast season
George Dobell07-Sep-2016
Sharjeel Khan acknowledges the applause on reaching a 26-ball 50 in the ODI at Trent Bridge•AFP
Leicestershire have announced the signing of Sharjeel Khan as an overseas player for the 2017 NatWest Blast season.Sharjeel, who is currently part of the Pakistan limited-overs squad in England, thrashed his maiden ODI century against Ireland recently (he reached his century in just 62 balls) and also made an impressive 58 from 30 balls against England at Trent Bridge.Leicestershire have previously announced that former Australia international Clint McKay will be their other overseas player in the NatWest Blast. They finished bottom of the North Group this season, with four wins, eight losses and two no-results from their 14 games. Sharjeel is expected to be available for the duration of the Blast campaign.”I am aware that there was keen interest from other counties, so I am delighted that we have managed to secure someone of Sharjeel’s ability for the duration of the 2017 NatWest T20 Blast campaign,” Leicestershire’s CEO Wasim Khan said: “He is a powerful hitter who will offer us another option as a T20 opener.””It has been an ambition of mine to play county cricket and I would like to thank Leicestershire for this great opportunity,” Sharjeel said. “A number of fine Pakistan batsmen have played for Leicestershire over the years including Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Umar Akmal, and I’m pleased to be following in their footsteps.”
Liverpool need to be wary of being 'exposed' at right-back due to Jurgen Klopp's decision to allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to venture into midfield, according to journalist Dean Jones.
What's the latest news involving Trent Alexander-Arnold's new role?
Alexander-Arnold has been something of a revelation in his new role as an inverted full-back with a licence to roam into central areas, having registered six assists in his last eight matches since being deployed there, as per Transfermarkt.
Former Liverpool player Dean Saunders has praised the tactical switch highly and thinks the Reds now don't need to sign a new midfielder in the summer due to the form of the 24-year-old.
Speaking to talkSPORT as quoted by The Mirror, the pundit said: "I honestly think Liverpool don't need to sign a midfield player. I think he [Alexander-Arnold] is better than all the English midfield players. I think Trent could play centre of midfield for England and end up captain. I think he's a brilliant central midfield player; he's like a caged animal waiting, you can tell he's loving it. He can defend in midfield, which is not like defending as a full-back where you get isolated with the winger – he's got defensive thoughts in his head which he can track people into the box. His feet are better than anybody's in the England team, both feet."
Liverpool have been in the market for several players to strengthen their midfield in the forthcoming transfer window, including Sporting Lisbon's Manuel Ugarte, Brighton & Hove Albion ace Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount.
Nevertheless, Alexander-Arnold has helped to revive a stagnating Reds midfield in the last few weeks, which has helped Liverpool climb back into Champions League contention.
Speaking to Football FanCast, Jones thinks Liverpool need to be cautious when operating in this system and also doesn't think that Alexander-Arnold will be moved into central midfield permanently to allow someone else to assume responsibilities at right-back such as Joe Gomez.
Jones told FFC: "I don't think Joe Joe Gomez could play this specific role that Trent is playing right now. I think that this has been adapted specifically for him to try and solve the problem, but you know, Liverpool do need to decide what actually happens at right back because that spot has been exposed a few times since they've been playing in this style."
Will Liverpool stick with this style of play next season?
Right now it's impossible to say; however, the initial signs have been encouraging at Anfield as Liverpool look to have turned a corner after an inconsistent 2022/23 campaign.
Klopp has managed to guide his side to eight matches without defeat in the Premier League and the Reds look to be finally enjoying themselves on the field, which bodes well for next season and to the degree that they may continue to use their current tactical system.
Of course, a lot will depend on summer signings at the club, who are likely to strengthen in middle of the park to replace peripheral figures such as the outgoing Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Veteran James Milner also looks certain to leave Liverpool to join Brighton on a free transfer, making it an interesting time of things to see where the future of Alexander Arnold's role will lie and whether he will be reverted back to duties more traditionally in keeping with a right-sided defender.
YouTuber Conor McGilligan has slammed the Leeds United board and Victor Orta amid the "complete embarrassment" of the Jean-Kevin Augustin transfer saga.
What's the latest on Leeds and Jean-Kevin Augustin?
While the Whites have plenty to worry about on the pitch having suffered a demoralising 5-1 Premier League defeat to relegation rivals Crystal Palace on the weekend, the picture doesn't look any prettier off it.
Indeed, after years of issues, it now seems as though the club are set to be hit with a massive bill for a deal that happened in 2020.
Indeed, Leeds initially agreed to a January loan deal for Augustin with an alleged obligation to buy him from Red Bull Leipzig for £18m if promotion was achieved.
While the club went into the Premier League, the striker saw just 48 minutes of action and ultimately the club didn't make the transfer permanent.
However, in a new ruling, the Whites must now pay Augustin £24.5m after being found to have breached the player’s contract by not completing the deal (via The Athletic).
Amid this mess, McGilligan took to Twitter to voice his immense frustration at sporting director Orta who was in charge of the deal, saying: "For people who defend the cheap deals this guy has made, fair enough.
"But the ridiculous transfer fees we have paid this last 3/4 years on players – massively outweighs any bargain we have got through the door.
"This alone is a complete embarrassment."
How much will Leeds have to pay for Jean-Kevin Augustin?
As mentioned above, the Whites will now potentially have to pay the player £24.5m – although the club have actually appealed against the decision.
This is made clear in The Athletic article which also points out that the player could have been entitled to a five-year contract on a reported €90,000 per week (about £80k-p/w) deal had the obligation been taken up – which may explain that high fee now owed.
What's more, the club also had to pay a £15.5m settlement with Leipzig last year, having previously lost their case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
So in total, the club could have to fork out a combined figure in the region of £40m to finally put this whole fiasco to bed.
Seeing as Leeds signed Georginio Rutter just last January for what was thought to be a club-record £35.5m transfer, it now looks as though Augustin could actually take that crown despite having only ever played three times for the Whites.
A 167-run partnership between Paras Khadka and Sharad Vesawkar withstood a spirited fightback from Namibia to seal a tense three-wicket victory
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Apr-2016 ScorecardFile photo: Paras Khadka struck seven sixes in his 103 off 94 balls•ICC/Barry Chambers
Captain Paras Khadka’s highest score for Nepal led them to a tense three-wicket victory in their WCL Championship match against Namibia on Monday.Khadka’s 103 off 94 balls, and his third-wicket partnership of 167 with Sharad Vesawkar through the middle overs became crucial to chasing a target of 240 because Namibia were excellent in the final 10. They took five quick wickets to break into the Nepal tail, but the set batsman Vesawkar remained. He took the chase to the penultimate ball, struck the winning runs, and remained unbeaten on 74 off 107 balls.Khadka and Vesawkar were brought together in the 14th over and they began to shut Namibia out. Khadka was the aggressor, striking seven sixes and five fours to maintain a strike-rate of 109.57 and Vesawkar lent excellent support, batting 165 minutes to make sure a tricky target was overcome.It could have been a lot more considering Namibia captain Stephan Baard (51) and wicketkeeper Zane Green (47) had laid a strong foundation through a 95-run opening stand. The next three batsmen, though, fell for single-figure scores. Pikky Ya France and Gerhard Erasmus were run-out and Gerrie Snyman fell lbw for a duck to Basant Regmi.Namibia lurched from 105 for 1 to 136 for 6 but Sarel Burger, at No. 7, struck an unbeaten 43 off 60 balls to lead a recovery. He rescued them with the ball too, taking three wickets across the 47th and the 49th overs to create some tension. Nepal were seven down when the final over began, and needed six runs to win. Vesawkar made sure they got it.Among Nepal’s bowlers, 15-year old legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane picked up 2 for 39 from nine overs. Left-arm spinner Shakti Gauchan, who opened the bowling, took 2 for 44 off his 10 overs and Regmi finished with 2 for 45.
Newcastle United are currently gearing up for what could be a potentially pivotal game in the battle to secure a top-four berth, with the Magpies making their return from the international break at home to Manchester United on Sunday.
That Premier League encounter comes just over a month on from the meeting between the two sides in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, with the Red Devils ultimately running out 2-0 winners to ensure that the wait for silverware goes on at St James' Park.
One potential regret that manager Eddie Howe may have from that showpiece defeat is the decision not to include club-record signing Alexander Isak in the starting lineup, with the Sweden international having been "electric" after entering the fray off the bench, according to his manager.
While Howe had seemingly found it a "tough" decision to choose between the former Real Sociedad man and fellow forward, Callum Wilson, it would appear that the choice should be far simpler this time around, with Isak undoubtedly the man of the moment at present.
After netting three goals across his last two league games prior to going on international duty, the 6 foot 4 striker has continued that momentum for his country – despite not scoring over the past week – having notably produced a standout display against Azerbaijan on Monday evening.
How did Isak perform for Sweden?
There is no doubt that it has largely been a season of frustration for the 23-year-old due to injury, although with the one-time Borussia Dortmund man now boasting six goals from just ten league appearances, it does look as if Newcastle are finally beginning to reap the rewards of their £63m investment.
As pundit Jermaine Jenas noted, it looks as if Isak "could be the one to get them into the top four", with the 39-cap sensation having proven himself a real "handful for defenders" due to his all-round attributes, as per former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth boss, Harry Redknapp.
During his recent outing with Sweden, the dynamic ace proved that he can offer much more than just putting the ball in the back of the net, having registered an impressive haul of three key passes from just 23 touches during that 71-minute outing, illustrating his creative potential.
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak
The all-action ace also showed his dynamism after completing one of his two dribbles as well as putting in a shift defensively, having won 75% of his total duels – including winning both of his aerial duels.
While the pacy marksman was unable to contribute with a goal of his own – having seen three shots blocked – he was able to play a key role in his side's second of the night, after surging into the opposition penalty area before seeing his clever pullback deflect in for an own goal.
The manner in which Isak was able to burst clear in behind was another example of just what a 'handful' he is, with Howe likely hoping that the £120k-per-week man can continue to shine on a consistent basis over the coming months.
Newcastle have signed some world class players in their time, whilst also securing deals to forget, of course. But let’s focus on the positive.
The Magpies can boast some of the greatest goal scorers in Premier League history, as well as one of the best dribblers, and players that will forever appear on ‘streets won’t forget’ Instagram posts, which force us all to never stop thinking about certain players.
With that said, and a variation of players to look at, we ranked Newcastle United’s greatest signings of the Premier League era.
10) Hatem Ben Arfa – £5m
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I think I speak for the majority when I say how surprised I am to see Hatem Ben Arfa featured on a list not centred around the streets not forgetting certain individuals, but here we are.
The tricky Frenchman, at his best, was out of this world, as remains one of Newcastle’s greatest ever signings.
He came in and was capable of playing in a variety of roles, including attacking midfield and off the wing.
Ben Arfa ended his Newcastle career with 86 games under his belt, as well as 14 goals and 15 assists.
9) Yohan Cabaye – £4.3m
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Speaking of great Frenchmen to play for Newcastle United, Yohan Cabaye was as classy as they come when at St James’ Park, and played a crucial part in what felt like a French Revolution under Alan Pardew.
Most Newcastle fans still have a soft spot for the midfielder and it’s little surprise.
Cabaye played 93 times for the Magpies, scoring 18 goals and laying on 14 assists, which is a superb return given the small fee involved.
It is perhaps a surprise to see he actually played more games for Crystal Palace than Newcastle.
8) Demba Ba – Free Transfer
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Before he was breaking Liverpool hearts, Demba Ba was scoring goals galore in an incredible striking duo with the soon-to-be-mentioned Papiss Cisse, having arrived for absolutely nothing.
By the time he left the Magpies, he had scored 29 goals in 58 games to earn the bigger move to Stamford Bridge.
He went on to impress at Chelsea, as well, although he could never quite recapture the magic of his spell at Newcastle.
He was some signing, having been snapped up from West Ham United.
7) Papiss Cisse – £10m
Football – Newcastle United v Aston Villa Barclays Premier League – St James’ Park – 5/2/12 Papiss Cisse (L) celebrates with Demba Ba after scoring Newcastle’s second goal Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee Smith Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your acco
We told you we’d get to him.
Whenever we think of Cisse, we think of that stunning, near-impossible, goal against Chelsea with the outside of his boot.
And that sums his time at Newcastle up, in a way. The sheer brilliance to produce what some thought was impossible.
In the end, he scored 44 goals in 131 games for the club and is still going at the age of 37, playing for French club Amiens in Ligue 2.
6) Nolberto Solano – £2m
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Newcastle’s talisman in all 315 of his appearances for the club, Nolberto Solano (still one of the best names in Premier League history) is one of the best to sign for the Magpies.
He arrived in January of 1998, before leaving his first spell in 2004, and joining again in 2006.
By the time that his second spell was over, Solano had 77 assists and 48 goals to his name.
He was an absolute bargain to start with, too, having been snapped up from the little-known Peruvian club Sporting Cristal.
5) Les Ferdinand – £6m
20 Oct 1996: Les Ferdinand of Newcastle United raises his arms aloft during an FA Carling Premiership match against Manchester United at St James” Park in Newcastle, England. Newcastle won the match 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/Allsport
Where to start with Les Ferdinand?
The Premier League hasn’t seen many better strikers.
The Englishman scored 50 goals in 84 games for Newcastle United, and goes down as one of their best signings, before leaving for Tottenham.
With a total of 149 Premier League goals to his name, only a handful of players have scored more in the so-called ‘promised land’ than Ferdinand.
4) Andy Cole – £1.75m
Celtic defender Tom Boyd holds off Andy Cole (R) playing for Newcastle United in the Peter Beardsley testimonial match at St James Park January 27. Newcastle players from several years ago returned to the club to show their support for Beardsley.JJM/CLH/
If Ferdinand was good, then Andy Cole was incredible.
During his time at Newcastle United, the forward netted a prolific 68 goals in 84 appearances.
And, by the time that he was ready to hang up his golden boots, he had scored 187 Premier League goals.
It might seem like Newcastle snapped him up for next to nothing, but they actually broke their club transfer record to get him in.
Only three players have scored more in Premier League history: Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, and Alan Shearer. We’ll get to one of them…
3) Gary Speed – £5.5m
Gary Speed’s name sparks happy memories, but also ones of someone who was taken from us all far too soon.
He remains one of the best players to have signed for Newcastle United, with 285 appearances for the club cementing the legacy of the left-midfielder.
He played for the club between 1998 and 2004 and was a loyal servant before joining Bolton Wanderers.
A top player who is sorely missed.
2) Peter Beardsley – £150,000
One of the most naturally gifted players on this list and in Newcastle history, Peter Beardsley was some player, and he was snapped up on the cheap.
Whilst playing for the Magpies, he managed to score an incredible number of 118 goals in 314 appearances. To put it simply, Beardsley was phenomenal.
He didn’t win any team trophies at St James’ Park, but he did win the club’s Player of the Year award on two separate occasions.
A true icon of the game.
1) Alan Shearer – £15m
It was always going to be him at the top of this list, wasn’t it?
Every Newcastle fan’s hero; the biggest legend at the club; most impressive of all, the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer with 260 goals, and briefly the most expensive player in the world.
In English football history, not many strikers can match Shearer, he was that good, and remains Newcastle’s greatest signing of the Premier League era.
He may well see his record disappear eventually; Harry Kane is now 60 goals behind him, but for now, he stands alone.
So, there you have it, Newcastle United’s best signings of the Premier League era. From Pardew’s French Revolution, to some of the Premier League’s greatest goalscorers, there’s some incredible players on this list. Now, as one of the richest clubs in world football, the Magpies will be hoping to see recent signings go on to enjoy similar legacies at the club.
Deepti Sharma is the only player not belonging to the two finalists to make the cut
Vishal Dikshit18-Mar-20241 Shafali Verma (Delhi Capitals)
For the second season in a row, Shafali, not surprisingly, finished with the most sixes (20) in the WPL, double that of the second-best. While she continued to target the boundaries to provide Delhi Capitals rapid starts, this season saw a much more consistent Shafali who also took more responsibility towards building a solid opening stand with Meg Lanning. She also finished WPL 2024 with the best batting strike rate (minimum 75 balls faced) and shone in the final too with a 27-ball 44.2 Smriti Mandhana (capt, Royal Challengers Bangalore)
The title-winning captain doubled her run-tally compared to her forgettable WPL 2023 and looked more assured and free in her strokeplay. Her runs at the top meant a lot more to RCB because she didn’t find a stable opening partner in the tournament. She also impressed with her astute captaincy, field settings and use of resources to be named captain of this XI. In the modest chase in the final, she steered her team almost all the way.Related
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3 Meg Lanning (Delhi Capitals)
As imposing and imperious as she has ever been, Lanning was the solid batter at one end with a regular flow of fours while Shafali targeted the sixes. After taking home the orange cap last season, she finished second on the list this time, just behind Ellyse Perry, with another prolific and consistent season. She was as good as ever at finding the gaps on her way to striking more fours than anyone and struck four fifties, also the most, but couldn’t see her side out of a collapse in the final which left her in tears at the end.4 Jemimah Rodrigues (Delhi Capitals)
Barring the two-ball duck in the final, this WPL season saw a different avatar of Rodrigues whose free-flowing strokes were more powerful, more aerial, and more frequent. Otherwise not known for her six-hitting abilities, Rodrigues impressed with her consistency and along-the-ground strokes, especially in the Delhi leg where the lack of bounce suited her natural game. As compared to zero sixes off her bat in WPL 2023, this time she hit eight sixes and played a pivotal role at No. 3 by shooting up her strike rate from 128.57 to 153.59 in the two WPL seasons.ESPNcricinfo Ltd5 Ellyse Perry (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
The Australian hand in winning the trophy, who first confirmed RCB’s knockout berth with a career-best 6 for 15, then lifted them from the pits of 49 for 4 in the eliminator and stayed not out on 35 when Richa Ghosh hit the winning runs on Sunday night. Her four unbeaten knocks gave her a staggering average of 69.40 in the tournament along with the orange cap.6 Richa Ghosh (wk, Royal Challengers Bangalore)
After starting the tournament with a bang – 62 off 37 against UP Warriorz – Ghosh was putting in blitzy performances in the middle order. Then came her stunning 51 off 29 in a high-pressure chase against Capitals to nearly snatch victory. That she led the team almost single-handedly against a top bowling attack in the second half of that chase spoke volumes of her ability to handle pressure-cooker situations. The Indian team management will hope this has prepared the 20-year-old for the big games in the forthcoming World Cups.7 Marizanne Kapp (Delhi Capitals)
A gun new-ball bowler. Powerplay specialist. Swing and seam movement. Dot-ball pressure. Name the skill and she had it this season, impressing at 34 despite battling recent illnesses and injuries. Coming on the back of solid all-round performances in Australia before the WPL, Kapp thrived in different conditions in both Bengaluru and Delhi. She was the main force Capitals used early on to break through before others rallied around her. She was the purple-cap holder until the final, the only game in which she went wicketless.She also set up a victory against RCB by smacking a 16-ball 32 to help Capitals post an imposing 194 before dismissing Mandhana and Ghosh in the chase.Jemimah Rodrigues and Shreyanka Patil were crucial cogs in their teams’ runs to the final•BCCI8 Deepti Sharma (UP Warriorz)
One of the top India allrounders, Deepti showed a new facet to her T20 batting with a high-octane 88 off 60 against Gujarat Giants, her third fifty in a row, which nearly saw Warriorz mow down 67 in the last three overs. She struck four sixes in that innings alone after not managing even one in the last WPL.She was promoted to Nos. 3 and 4 towards the end of the league and did the heavy lifting when some of the other international players didn’t score as much.With the ball, she got breakthroughs in almost all games, highlighted by her match-turning hat-trick against Capitals and frugal figures of 2 for 22 in their last game. She was hence named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the tournament.9 Shreyanka Patil (Royal Challengers Bangalore
Picked the most wickets, did the victory on Sunday night, held the glittery purple-cap trophy and lifted the WPL trophy – all with a hairline fracture on her left hand, which earned her praise from captain Mandhana and many others. After a lean Bengaluru leg, her campaign burst to life in Delhi when she bagged 4 for 26 – all big international wickets – against Capitals before stifling the Mumbai Indians openers and dismissing Harmanpreet Kaur late in the eliminator to turn the match on its head. In the final, she pounced on Capitals again after Sophie Molineux’s triple-wicket over, starting with the wicket of Lanning, who fell to Patil twice in three games.10 Shikha Pandey (Delhi Capitals)
The oldest bowler in the Capitals set-up also bowled the most overs for them because of her experience and regularity of picking wickets. If Kapp did it with the new ball, Pandey shone in the death overs, being the only quick bowler among the top wicket-takers in that phase. Her accuracy stifled the opposition and even though she didn’t pick more than two wickets in any game, she struck in all games but one and finished with nine scalps, only behind Kapp and Nat Sciver-Brunt among the fast bowlers.11 Asha Sobhana (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
A woman who wears her heart on her sleeve, Sobhana was among the brightest uncapped stars this WPL along with Tanuja Kanwar, who narrowly missed out in this XI.Sobhana bagged the first five-for of this season – in their opening game – and bowled some ripping legbreaks for an attack that had eight bowling options in the final. She was the most economical spinner for champions RCB and bowled the high-pressure last over ahead of Sophie Devine and Renuka Singh when Mumbai needed 12 runs to win the eliminator. She conceded only six in that over and made a name with her fearless flight and change of pace that also fetched her the wickets of Kapp and Jess Jonaseen in the space of three balls in the final.
For all the illustrious success of the Jurgen Klopp era at Liverpool, there are few of a Reds fellowship who will not acknowledge that the journey under the German’s stewardship has not been tumultuous.
Liverpool’s success is steeped in sagacious work, from the furrowed brows of those in the transfer department to the tactical team devising strategies for those plying their trade on the verdant Anfield blades.
Klopp arrived at Liverpool with the club moored in a harbour leagues away from the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and the deteriorating Manchester United, decades without league triumph and yielding just one League Cup honour since the indelible success in the Champions League and FA Cup under Rafa Benitez’s wing in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
Premier League
x1
Champions League
x1
FA Cup
x1
League Cup
x1
FIFA Club World Cup
x1
UEFA Super Cup
x1
FA Community Shield
x1
FIFA Best Men's Club Coach
x2
PL Manager of the Season
X2
Trophy list sourced via Transfermarkt
Winning every major honour accessible – aside from the Europa League – since Klopp’s appointment, Liverpool have soared to heights unseen for an age, and the squad that he meticulously crafted has etched its story not only into the club’s lasting history but that of European football itself.
Klopp is the architect, but it is his acquisitions that have had a transformative effect on the pitch, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane staples of rise.
Now entering a new chapter, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Nunez and co look to lead the next wave.
Perhaps the shrewdest signing, however, one who very much serves a central role to this day, is Scottish full-back Andrew Robertson , whose signing in 2017 revolutionised the left channel on the red half of Merseyside.
How much did Liverpool sign Andrew Robertson for?
When Robertson was purchased from relegated Hull City for a grand sum of £10m, there was a chorus of contentment from the club’s rivals, mouths twitching skywards in smirk satisfaction, the Reds were not making the lucrative moves to close the gap on those at the top.
The Premier League giants were undoubtedly on the up under Klopp and had welcomed the likes of Salah and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to the fold that summer, though few anticipated what was to come.
Robertson had spent three seasons with the Tigers, joining alongside, interestingly, Harry Maguire in 2014 for just £3m, and forged 115 displays for his former outfit, scoring five goals and supplying ten assists.
Praised as “fantastic” by journalist Ryan Dilks for his role in Hull’s promotion-winning 2015/16 campaign, to say the 29-year-old has gone from strength to strength across his career would be a disservice to his meteoric rise.
Liverpool unearthed a gem, true, but Klopp moulded the flanker into a glimmering diamond, and he is now the “complete player”, as has been said by former Liverpool ace Fabio Aurelio.
How much is Andrew Roberton worth now?
According to Football Transfers', Robertson is currently worth around £48m, which signifies a monumental rise in value of 380% since Klopp acquired his services way back when.
At the peak of his powers, the site's reliable valuation model deduced his worth at a whopping £68m, and while this has depreciated over the past few years, largely due to Liverpool's fluctuating fortunes, he is still the third most valuable full-back in the world, behind only teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea phenom Reece James.
The Scottish star has now made 272 appearances for Liverpool, scoring nine goals and supplying 63 assists, and may well be the greatest left-back in the Merseyside outfit's history, having played a central role in each of the aforementioned major honours won under Klopp's tutelage.
Once noted with bemusement by rival fans, upon transferring to Liverpool, Robertson is now comfortably one of the most important members of the Reds' system and has been integral in the rise to prominence, boasting superlative technical skills and an unrelenting engine to maraud up and down the left channel splendidly.
Hailed as a 'role model' by Sir Kenny Dalglish, the 62-cap international could be the shrewdest signing of the modern era at Anfield.
Why is Andrew Robertson worth that much?
A creative demon, Robertson currently boasts the record of most assists in Premier League history supplied by a defender, with 57 – interestingly, this is just four behind Salah, who joined Liverpool the same summer.
The £100k-per-week machine has been simply incredible, and despite Liverpool's struggles over the past year, still ranks among the top 8% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists and shot-creating actions, the top 5% for passes attempted and the top 12% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.
Described as a "Duracell Bunny" by Liverpool writer Leanne Prescott for his turbo-charged approach, the gem also offers an underrated level of defensive ability, recording a career average of one interception, 1.5 tackles and 1.8 clearances per game, as per WhoScored.
Now 29 years old, the 5 foot 10 ace is still contracted to Liverpool until 2026, and will continue to dominate the left flank for years yet, providing an all-encompassing sheen and allowing the likes of Luis Diaz and Nunez ahead of him to have an unceasing battery of supplementation.
Liverpool's rise under Klopp has been built on astute purchases, with so many diamonds crafted from unrefined rock since the 56-year-old German set to work eight years ago.
Robertson will go down in perpetual Anfield lore as one of the most brilliant captures in modern history, with his acquisition transforming the left-back role and providing a consistent offensive threat and defensive security for years.
Despite raising a few eyebrows after his paltry signing, there will be few outfits at present who would not rue the missed opportunity to sign a player for peanuts, now comfortably one of the best full-backs in the world.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, born on October 7, 1998, in Liverpool, England, embarked on his football journey at an early age. He joined Liverpool's youth academy when he was just six years old, showcasing remarkable potential as a versatile player. His incredible work ethic and innate footballing intelligence quickly propelled him through the Anfield ranks.
In 2016, at the age of 18, Alexander-Arnold made his first-team debut for Liverpool, marking the beginning of a meteoric rise. His breakout season came in 2017/2018, where he played a pivotal role in Liverpool's run to the Champions League final. Known for his exceptional crossing ability and vision, he notched up 12 Premier League assists that season.
Trent's records continued to pile up as he became the youngest Liverpool player to start in a Champions League final. His unique skill set and consistency earned him a spot in the PFA Team of the Year and the Premier League's Young Player of the Season award in 2018/2019. His vision and passing range set him apart, with an astonishing 28 assists in the league over the course of two seasons, making him one of the most prolific defenders in the modern game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's early career serves as a testament to his unwavering dedication and immense talent, solidifying his status as one of the brightest stars in world football.
Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold's career at Liverpool has been nothing short of extraordinary. Rising through the club's youth ranks, he has become one of the world's best right-backs, contributing significantly to Liverpool's successes.
Alexander-Arnold made his Liverpool debut on October 25, 2016, in an EFL Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur. At the tender age of 18, he demonstrated his versatility, playing as a right-back and showcasing his potential. However, his breakthrough season came in the 2017/2018 campaign under Jurgen Klopp.
Alexander-Arnold's standout performances in 17/18 came in the Champions League. He played a pivotal role in Liverpool's journey to the final, where they ultimately fell short against Real Madrid. His composure, accurate crossing and defensive contributions were vital throughout the campaign. In the quarter-final against Manchester City, his precise free-kick assist to set up a goal highlighted his unique skill set.
The 2018/2019 season marked Alexander-Arnold's ascent to stardom. He recorded 12 assists in the Premier League, the most by any defender, showcasing his remarkable vision and crossing ability. His partnership with fellow full-back Andy Robertson on the opposite flank became iconic, as they provided an unprecedented attacking threat from the back.
He received numerous accolades that season, including a spot in the PFA Team of the Year and the Premier League's Young Player of the Season award. Trent was instrumental in Liverpool's title challenge, narrowly finishing as runners-up to Manchester City.
Liverpool finally ended a 30-year wait for a Premier League title in 2019/2020. Alexander-Arnold's contributions were once again pivotal. He registered 13 assists in the league, breaking his own record for assists by a defender in a single Premier League season. His ability to pick out precise passes and deliver pinpoint crosses was unrivaled.
The 2020/2021 season posed challenges for Alexander-Arnold. He faced injury setbacks, which limited his game time. Despite this, his impact when on the pitch remained significant. He contributed with key assists, including a memorable late winner for Diogo Jota against West Ham United.
Trent Alexander-Arnold played a pivotal role in Liverpool's remarkable journey to win the 2018-2019 Champions League. His performances in the knockout stages were exceptional, including standout displays against Barcelona in the semi-finals. In the second leg at Anfield, his quick-thinking corner caught Barcelona off guard, setting up Divock Origi's crucial goal, a moment that is now permanently etched into Liverpool history.
In the final against Tottenham Hotspur, Alexander-Arnold provided a composed and assured defensive display, helping secure a clean sheet and Liverpool's sixth European Cup/Champions League title.
In 2021/2022, Alexander-Anrold played a crucial role in Liverpool's FA Cup triumph, which made the defender the youngest ever player to win six major trophies for an English club, aged just 22 years and 219 days. Earlier that season, Liverpool also lifted the EFL Cup.
The 2022/2023 campaign saw Alexander-Arnold's form drop off slightly, but he still reached some huge career records and milestones. In April 2023 he provided his 50th Premier League assist and later that month, he became the first player to assist a goal in five consecutive Premier League matches on more than one occasion. However, those feats weren't enough to help Liverpool finish in the top four, and they ultimately failed to qualify for the 2023/2024 Champions League.
By the end of the 2022/2023 campaign, Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool record stood at an impressive 16 goals and 72 assists in 273 first-team appearances.
Alexander-Arnold's Honours at Liverpool
Premier League (1)
2019/2020
FA Cup (1)
2021/2022
EFL Cup (1)
2021/2022
FA Community Shield (1)
2022
UEFA Champions League (1)
2018/2019
UEFA Super Cup (1)
2019
FIFA Club World Cup (1)
2019
Trent Alexander-Arnold with England
Trent Alexander-Arnold's international career with the England national team has mirrored his success at the club level, marking him as one of the most promising talents in world football. Since making his senior debut, he has become an integral part of England's squad
Alexander-Arnold earned his first senior cap for England in June 2017, and his impressive performances with Liverpool soon translated onto the international stage. His versatility and ability to deliver precise crosses from wide areas made him a valuable asset for the national team.
One of his notable milestones came during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he was part of England's run to the semi-finals, their best performance in the tournament in 28 years.
Alexander-Arnold continued to be a regular in the England setup and played a key role in the UEFA Euro 2020 campaign, where England reached the final. His contribution from right-back, both defensively and in attack, was vital as the Three Lions eventually lost in the final on penalties to Italy.
While statistics and records can fluctuate, his consistent presence and impact on the England national team have cemented his status as one of the country's most promising and talented young players.
To date, his England record stands at two goals and five assists in 20 appearances.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Personal Accolades & Records
Trent Alexander-Arnold has accumulated a remarkable list of personal records and awards that underline his exceptional talent and contributions to both Liverpool and England.
These records and awards serve as a testament to the right-back's exceptional skill, versatility and consistency at both club and international levels, establishing him as one of the brightest talents in modern football.
ScorecardVictoria has vaulted back into contention for the Sheffield Shield final after a crushing 255-run win over Western Australia at the WACA.The Bushrangers needed just two wickets on the final morning to complete the rout but they were frustrated by Josh Inglis and Matt Kelly, who put together a 109-run partnership for the ninth wicket.Victoria opted not to bowl any of their frontline quicks on the final day leaving Daniel Christian, Cameron White and Glenn Maxwell to try and finish the job. Inglis moved within sight of his first Sheffield Shield century before he was trapped in front by Christian on 87.Kelly also fell to Christian nine balls later for his highest first-class score. Christian finished with 2 for 27. Chris Tremain was named Man of the Match for his first career 10-wicket haul.