A man from Liverpool is being questioned in police custody after Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo reported being targeted with racist abuse at Anfield.

Police arrest suspect after Semenyo abuseIn custody for questioningMaximum punishment is two years in prisonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Following an investigation launched on Friday night, Merseyside Police confirmed on Saturday afternoon that a 47-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence in connection with the incident. The man had been identified and was ejected from the stadium as soon as it happened.

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Semenyo reported the abuse to the referee and the game was temporarily paused. The Bournemouth forward later praised the response to the incident, thanking his teammates, the Liverpool players, the rest of the fans in the stadium, and the match officials for how it was handled.

WHAT MERSEYSIDE POLICE SAID

A statement from Liverpool's local police force confirmed: "We have arrested a man following reports racist abuse was directed towards Bournemouth player Antoine Semenyo during his team's Premier League fixture versus Liverpool at Anfield on Friday 15 August. The suspect's identity was confirmed and he was removed from the ground following the report.

"A 47-year-old man from Liverpool has today (Saturday 16 August) been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. He has been taken into custody to be interviewed."

AFPWHAT NEXT?

In UK law, racially or religiously aggravated offences carry a higher maximum penalty than the basic equivalent offences and can result in a maximum sentence of up to two years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. Depending on which specific section of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 this incident falls under will determine the exact punishment if the suspect is found guilty.

From the unthinkable to the inevitable. Pakistan became the first team in Test history to lose by an innings having scored 500 in their first attempt, as England wrapped up victory inside the morning session on day five at Multan. Jack Leach finished with four wickets, a century stand between Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal not enough to save Pakistan from an unwanted record.Their fate had been effectively sealed when they slumped to 82 for 6 in blameless conditions on the fourth afternoon, any sense of fight crushed beneath the weight of England’s 823 for 7 declared. Salman and Jamal did their best to salvage some pride, putting on 109 for the seventh wicket – but Pakistan were so far adrift, despite posting an imposing 556 in the first innings, that it was not enough to make England’s batters put on their pads again.Defeat extended a horror run for Pakistan under the captaincy of Shan Masood to six in a row, and twisted the knife into an abysmal home record that has seen them winless since February 2021.With Pakistan a man down in the absence of the hospitalised Abrar Ahmed, England only had to remain patient and wait for an opening. Leach provided it with his fourth ball, after Ollie Pope had opted to bowl pace for much of the first hour, Salman trapped lbw by one that would have gone on to hit leg stump. Two wickets in the space of four balls then completed the victory, only England’s second by an innings in Asia.Jack Leach claimed the final three wickets to seal victory•Getty Images

It was set up by a record-breaking performance with the bat, Harry Brook’s triple-hundred and 262 from Joe Root helping England to post the fourth-highest total in Tests. And while the pitch continued to play pretty well even into the fifth day, with just the occasional assistance from the widening cracks, Pakistan’s initial collapse in the face of a 267-run deficit left the outcome a formality.Resuming on 152 for 6, there was more gutsy resistance from Salman and Jamal. Memories of Salman’s first-innings hundred, when he skipped along close to a run a ball as Pakistan’s total mounted, had been eroded by the match situation but he showed an ability to apply himself in more straitened circumstances, a tickled boundary off Gus Atkinson taking him to fifty for the second time in the match.At the other end, Jamal found himself in the crosshairs of Brydon Carse’s short-ball attack. A blow to the helmet required a visit from the physio and a concussion test but he continued to front up, putting several bumpers away to the boundary on the way to a second Test fifty. Carse kept coming, with a gloved pull flying over the head of Jamie Smith, before Pope put down what should have been a regulation catch after Jamal top-edged to square leg.In between, Leach had provided the breakthrough when he beat Salman’s inside edge, the dismissal confirmed on review. Shaheen Afridi was in no mood to hang around, flat-batting his third ball, from Carse, down the ground. But Leach clung on to a sharp return chance and then Naseem Shah walked past one to be stumped, as England closed out one of their most remarkable wins – not just of the Bazball era, but of all time.

Mikel Arteta has plenty of common ground and long-term relationships with two of the top-rated managers in the world, Pep Guardiola and Xabi Alonso.

Arteta asked about Guardiola & AlonsoDiscusses long-term relationshipsIdentifies with 'everything' about PepFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Arteta was asked by if he identifies with the coaching and tactical styles utilised by fellow Spaniards Pep Guardiola and Xabi Alonso, in charge of Manchester City and Real Madrid respectively. Arteta replied that he did because he knows both men "very well".

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"I identify with them in many ways," Arteta said. "First, because we've played in the same position, but also because I know them both very well.

"I played with Xabi, and I've known Pep since I was 15 and worked with him for four years. I identify with his style of play, his game plan, his vision, his way of carrying himself…everything.

"I don't like to compare [them with each other]; they are two very similar ideas executed in very different ways. I have my own."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Arteta first encountered Alonso in the summer of 2004 when he joined home town club Real Sociedad, signed so that the pair could play together. It was only brief, as Alonso was quickly sold to Liverpool, although they did soon share some common ground on opposite sides of the Merseyside divide after Arteta moved to Everton at the start of 2005. His relationship with Guardiola goes back further and deeper. When Arteta joined Barcelona's famed La Masia in 1997, Guardiola was a superstar of the first-team and perhaps the most revered academy graduate at that point in the club's history. He left Camp Nou in 2001 but sought out Arteta 15 years later when first assembling his coaching staff at Manchester City.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Into his seventh season as a Premier League manager, Arteta will do battle Guardiola again as soon as September 21, when Manchester City visit in the Emirates Stadium. The reverse fixture in Manchester is scheduled for April 18. Arteta could also face Alonso in the coming months, but only if the Gunners meet Real Madrid in the Champions League, either in the league phase or knockout rounds. The draw for the former will take place on August 28.

Bashir, Hartley, Tongue, Turner and Cook among notable inclusions for tour in new year

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Dec-2024

Rocky Flintoff has been handed an official call-up to the England Lions squad for next month’s tour of Australia, where his fortunes will once again be overseen by his father, Andrew.Flintoff, 16, was a last-minute addition to the Lions’ trip to South Africa earlier this month – his father’s maiden tour as head coach – where he featured in the one-off tour match against a CSA Invitational XI in Cape Town, making 4 from three balls in his only innings.His inclusion continues a startling rise, which began with his precocious displays for Lancashire 2nd XI in April, continued through his multi-format debuts for England’s Under-19 teams against Sri Lanka in July, and culminated in his first professional contract with Lancashire in August and subsequent first-class debut.Now he has been included in a Lions tour that could offer several pointers for the senior squad’s challenge in next year’s Ashes, not least for the incumbent Test spinner, Shoaib Bashir, for whom this will be an opportunity to fine-tune his game in Australian conditions.Bashir, 21, was himself fast-tracked by England for the tour of India in January, and has played in 15 of England’s 17 Tests in 2024. He will travel under the tutelage of Graeme Swann, the offspinner who played a key role in England’s last Ashes win in Australia in 2010-11, and will have the opportunity to play in three competitive fixtures in Brisbane and Sydney, culminating in an unofficial Test against Australia A. Lancashire’s left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, who featured in all five Tests in India but has not been picked since, will also make the trip.Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, had flagged the likelihood of Bashir’s inclusion in the Lions back in October, with the sense emerging from his recent displays in Pakistan and New Zealand, where he took 17 wickets at 50.58 in six Tests, that his game has not progressed quite as quickly as England had hoped.Shoaib Bashir could play a key role in next winter’s Ashes•Getty Images

“For Bash, the opportunity to be able to get some experience in those conditions could be really vital for us,” McCullum said in October, at the conclusion of the Pakistan tour. “That’s the beauty of the Lions programme, you have the opportunity to get some cricket into guys. With Freddie there as well now and in charge of the Lions, he’s got a very similar view on the game to what I’ve got, so there’ll be consistency of message and that’s something that we’ve got to look at.”Among the fast bowlers, Josh Tongue is a notable inclusion. He made two Test appearances at Lord’s in 2023, where he impressed with his sharp pace and ability to generate steep bounce from a good length, but has been sidelined by injury for long periods, including a setback that ruled him out of a possible white-ball debut in the Caribbean in November.He has been handed a call-up alongside John Turner, another quick bowler who is capable of 90mph pace, and Essex’s Sam Cook – one of the most prolific bowlers in county cricket, but whose opportunities had previously been limited by James Anderson’s presence in the England set-up.Related

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All eyes on debutant Rocky Flintoff, despite Surrey taking first-day honours

Shoaib Bashir's raw returns turn spotlight on England's spin gamble

Steady Bashir helps put positive spin on England's day

Josh Hull, the 20-year-old Leicestershire left-armer who made a surprise Test debut against Sri Lanka in September, has not been included in the main squad but will travel to Australia as he continues his rehabilitation from a quad injury.Among the batters, Alex Davies is rewarded for a strong season with Warwickshire, for whom he made four centuries in his maiden year as captain, while Somerset’s wicketkeeper-batter James Rew is also included.England Men’s Performance Director, Ed Barney, said: “We have rewarded players who have proven themselves at this level and those with significant potential. Matches and tours of Australia are always important and we relish the opportunity to test ourselves against quality opposition. This tour allows us to evaluate performances, refine preparation and continue working with some of the best emerging talent in the country.”I’m also delighted to see Josh Tongue returning to competitive cricket. Josh has had a challenging time with injuries but is progressing well and will benefit from this tour as he steps up his preparation. We hope this marks the start of a prosperous and impactful return to cricket for him in 2025.”Squad: Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Pat Brown (Derbyshire), James Coles (Sussex), Sam Cook (Essex), Alex Davies (Warwickshire), Rocky Flintoff (Lancashire), Tom Hartley (Lancashire), Tom Lawes (Surrey), Freddie McCann (Nottinghamshire), Ben McKinney (Durham), James Rew (Somerset), Hamza Shaikh (Warwickshire), Mitch Stanley (Lancashire), Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire), John Turner (Hampshire).Fixtures: Jan 14-17 – CA XI vs Lions, Shaw Park (Brisbane), Jan 22-25 – CA XI vs Lions, Allan Border Field (Brisbane), Jan 30-Feb 2, Australia A vs England Lions, Cricket Central (Sydney).

The Blue Jays are signing starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract, according to a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The soon-to-be 30-year-old Cease was one of the most sought-after arms on the market this winter. Just two years after striking out on a frontline starter in Shohei Ohtani, the Blue Jays have struck big time with Cease.

Last season, Cease went just 8–12 with a 4.55 ERA in 168.0 innings pitched. However, Toronto is banking on the former Cy Young runner-up returning to form to help solidify the starting rotation.

The Blue Jays went 94–68 last season and lost to the Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series. Toronto is expected to be in the mix in the American League pennant race once again in 2026 with Cease figuring to be a major part of the rotation.

Arsenal have now held talks over a deal for an “unbelievable” forward, amid doubts over Gabriel Martinelli’s future, according to a report.

Gunners could now be ready to sell Martinelli

It has been revealed that Mikel Arteta may now be ready to sell Martinelli this summer, as the manager looks to reshuffle his squad, and AC Milan have emerged as potential suitors, with Rafael Leao’s future at the San Siro still very much up in the air.

Should the Gunners decide to cash in on the Brazilian, they would be looking to receive a fee of at least £50m, although he is currently planning to fight for his place in the starting XI, and has no plans of pushing for a move elsewhere.

It would certainly seem harsh to sell the 23-year-old, considering he has been a regular source of goals and assists over the past four seasons, but Arteta has shown he is willing to make big decisions in the past, most notably replacing Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya.

According to a report from Football Transfers, Arsenal have now held talks over a deal to sign West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus, who could seemingly be brought in as a replacement for Martinelli, as he is said to be capable of playing on both flanks.

However, the two London clubs may be some way apart in their valuation of Kudus, as he has a €100m (£84m) release clause in his West Ham contract, while the Gunners are hesitant to stump up more than €55m-€60m (£46m – £51m).

The Ghanaian is keen to leave the Hammers this summer, as he intends to play in Europe next season, meaning a move to the Emirates Stadium could be of great appeal, although Chelsea and Newcastle United are also in the race for his signature.

"Unbelievable" Kudus could excel at the Emirates

The 2024-25 campaign was not the 24-year-old’s best, picking up just five goals and three assists in the Premier League, but he was part of a West Ham side that underperformed as a whole, and the winger’s previous exploits indicate he could be a success at Arsenal.

Indeed, the former Ajax man enjoyed a very impressive debut campaign in England, amassing 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions, during which time he was lauded as “unbelievable” by teammate Michail Antonio.

Antonio was left particularly blown away by the winger’s dribbling ability, which was also on display regularly last season, despite not setting up or scoring as many goals as in previous campaigns.

There are certainly signs that Kudus could kick on at the Emirates Stadium, but that said, he should not be brought in as a direct replacement for Martinelli, considering the Brazil international is still young, and it would be very harsh to sanction his departure this summer.

Also: who has collected the most golden ducks in Tests?

Steven Lynch02-Aug-2021Wanindu Hasaranga took four wickets in a T20I on his 24th birthday recently. Was this the best birthday bowling performance? asked Anura de Silva from Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga’s 4 for 9 against India in Colombo last week was indeed the best performance in a T20I by a player on his birthday. The only other man to take four was another legspinner, Imran Tahir, who claimed 4 for 21 for South Africa against Netherlands in the World T20 in Chittagong, on his 35th birthday in March 2014. Next comes Francis Damiao Couana, with 3 for 10 for Mozambique against Malawi in Blantyre, on his 23rd birthday in November 2019, and Yuvraj Singh, who took 3 for 23 for India against Sri Lanka in Mohali on his 28th birthday in December 2009.The one-day international record is held by Vernon Philander, who took 4 for 12 for South Africa against Ireland in Belfast on his 22nd birthday in June 2007; it was also his international debut. England’s Stuart Broad claimed 4 for 44 against Australia in Cardiff on his 24th birthday in June 2010.I noticed that Neil Wagner has now played more than 50 Tests without ever appearing in a one-day international. Is this a record for the ODI era? asked Sanket Singh from India

The World Test Championship final in Southampton in June was the 54th Test match for New Zealand’s Neil Wagner – and you’re right, he has not appeared in a one-day international (or a T20I) in that time. The record (since ODIs started in 1970-71) is 71 Tests but no ODIs, by England’s Mark Butcher, which always struck me as rather odd, since he was an attacking player who had a pretty good county one-day record.Two Sri Lankans are next on the list: Kaushal Silva has so far played 39 Tests but no ODIs, while Tharanga Paranavitana won 32 Test caps without cracking the white-ball team. The great offspinner Erapalli Prasanna played 27 of his 49 Tests after the first ODI in 1970-71, and never did appear in a one-day game for India.The Pakistan batter Azhar Ali has so far played 87 Tests without appearing in a T20I while Cheteshwar Pujara is just behind with 86 Test caps before the series against England. VVS Laxman played 73 of his 134 Tests after T20Is started in 2004-05, while current batters Dimuth Karunaratne and Kraigg Brathwaite have played 72 and 70 Tests respectively, but no T20Is. Brathwaite, indeed, has never played a professional T20 match of any description.Who has collected the most golden ducks in Tests? asked Kerry Canning from Australia

There’s a Sri Lankan flavour to the top of this particular list: Muthiah Muralidaran was out first ball on 14 occasions in Tests, three more than his successor as the side’s No. 1 spinner, Rangana Herath. The only other man in double figures is Courtney Walsh, with ten, although he might yet be joined by Stuart Broad, who’s currently level with Steve Harmison and New Zealand’s Chris Martin on nine.Overall, Walsh leads the way with 43 Test ducks (not just first-ballers), six ahead of Broad, with Martin (36), Glenn McGrath (35), Shane Warne (34), Ishant Sharma (33) and Murali (33) all over 30.Muthiah Muralidaran has 14 golden ducks against his name in Tests•Adam Davy/Getty ImagesI remember hearing a story about someone who didn’t actually see any of the only first-class match he ever played, after a late call-up – does this ring any bells? asked Frank McDonald from England

I think the man you’re referring to is Percy Herbert, who is in the record books as having played one first-class game, for the Gentlemen of the South against Players of the South at The Oval in 1920. This was a benefit match for Surrey’s pavilion attendant, and as such seems to have been quite a relaxed affair. Percy Fender was the captain of the Gents’ team, and on the first day, a Saturday, he discovered he was a man short – so he sent a message to his uncle, a decent club cricketer, asking him to make up the numbers. The other Percy, who was nearly 42 at the time, couldn’t make it on the first day, on which the Players racked up 551, with Jack Hobbs scoring 115. Herbert was ready to go on the Monday – but rain prevented any play on that day or the next, so he didn’t actually see any of the action.Uncle Percy is not alone. An entertaining book by Keith Walmsley, called Brief Candles – about those who made just one first-class appearance – was published by the Association of Cricket Statisticians in 2012. It lists a dozen people who never set foot on the field of play, and a couple of them (in addition to Herbert) were probably not at the ground for any of the play that was possible.Regarding last week’s question about players who scored fifties on their one-day and T20 international debuts, shouldn’t Robin Uthappa be on the list? asked Atul Kumar Yadav from India

Robin Uthappa hit 86 in his first one-day international, against England in Indore back in April 2006, but he didn’t bat on his T20I debut, against Scotland in Durban during the inaugural World T20 in 2007. Uthappa was particularly unlucky, as that match was abandoned – but because the toss had been made, it counts in the records, thanks to an ICC decision from 2004. Uthappa did score 50 in his next match, against Pakistan in Durban the following day. We seem to have this conversation every other week, but that was his second match, not his debut. It’s admittedly unfortunate for Uthappa, but if there was a list of such things he’d have to be a footnote rather than an entry on the main list.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

For West Indies, Kemar Roach is unwell, while Joshua Da Silva has been dropped

Danyal Rasool16-Jan-2025

Big picture: Expect plenty of turn in Multan

The timing of this series does not exactly help raise its profile. It comes after the top two World Test Championship (WTC) berths have been decided at the tail-end of the cycle. West Indies are at the bottom of the standings, Pakistan only fractionally ahead of them. This series was originally due to be held in January 2024 and would have carried the potential to turn a side’s cycle around but T20Is against New Zealand replaced it. This time, in that larger competition, it is little more than a basement battle.At a remove from the WTC, though, there’s more intrigue. West Indies will be playing a Test in Pakistan after more than 18 years, although they have played Pakistan in the UAE in the meantime. This series will be a continuation of the PCB’s experiment, so successful against England last year, to turn the pitches in Pakistan into havens for spin bowling. It was in Multan, where both Tests against West Indies will be held, that this was first tried. Pakistan have made no secret they will look to replicate it there again, with heaters and a makeshift greenhouse making this look as much cutting-edge horticulture as pitch preparation.They have the squad, especially the bowlers, for such conditions, too. The express quicks have been left out, and Sajid Khan is back to partner Noman Ali, as is Abrar Ahmed, who had missed the last two Tests against England with illness. Shan Masood continues to lead the side. He will open the innings in a batting line-up that has also seen a tweak. Abdullah Shafique’s loss of form and Saim Ayub’s injury have pushed Masood up the order and also brought Muhammad Hurraira into the fold who is set to make his debut.Related

• Pakistan go spin-heavy for WI Tests, leave out Abbas and Naseem

• Andre Coley hopes WI batters back up good work of the bowlers

• Jangoo earns maiden WI Test call-up for Pakistan tour; Motie back

But the spin-experiment could meet more resistance from West Indies than it did from England. The latter attempted to subdue Pakistan with the same cavalier belligerence that has served them well on flatter tracks, ending up playing right into the hosts’ hands. West Indies are unlikely to do the same, and while they do not possess a star-studded batting line-up, they will show up with one that has experience in these conditions – as well as a spin attack that can potentially thrive in them.However, West Indies sit at the bottom of the WTC points table for a reason. Their results – both at home and away – haven’t been consistent enough. The exhilarating win over Australia in Brisbane feels like a long time ago. It was followed up by England clean-sweeping them away, a home series defeat against South Africa, and a drawn one against Bangladesh.They are aware things need to change, and have made a significant call already; vice-captain Joshua Da Silva has been dropped after a run of underwhelming performances with the bat. However, Brathwaite and his team will know their problems run deeper than that, and this series allows them, at the very least, the chance to move off the bottom.

Form guide

Pakistan: LLWWL (last five Tests, most recent first)

West Indies: LWLDLGudakesh Motie’s height gives him a whole array of options to work with•AFP/Getty Images

In the spotlight: Saud Shakeel and Gudakesh Motie

Batters proficient at negotiating spin-friendly conditions will become invaluable, and this is where Saud Shakeel comes in. In theory, Shakeel should thrive with the slow, low turn Multan will provide. But he has, somewhat counter-intuitively, suggested he enjoys playing on quicker wickets. And in Pakistan’s most recent Test in Multan against England, where spin was heavily favoured, Shakeel scored 35 runs across two innings. On the whole, though, he still averages over 50 in six innings on this ground, and if he can come close to matching that in what is likely to be a quick, low-scoring game, he could well be a point of difference with the bat.Few people should enjoy this series more than Gudakesh Motie. West Indies’ perceived greater spin ability than England makes the preparation of slow-turning tracks potentially riskier than it was against England, and it is the left-arm orthodox that Pakistan will be most wary of. Nine Tests in, Motie’s ceiling remains to be determined, but his height gives him a whole array of options to work with on surfaces conducive to his skill set. Motie has a better bowling average than Sajid and almost the same as that of Noman – Pakistan’s most potent threats in these conditions against England – even if 19 of his 28 wickets have come against Zimbabwe.

Team news: Roach unwell, Imlach to debut

Pakistan have named their XI, featuring three spinners, as well as uncapped Muhammad Hurraira.Pakistan (probable): 1 Shan Masood (capt), 2 Muhammad Hurraira, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Kamran Ghulam, 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Agha, 8 Noman Ali, 9 Sajid Khan, 10 Abrar Ahmed, 11 Khurram ShahzadKemar Roach is unwell, while Anderson Phillip is not likely to be picked either in what is set to be a spin-heavy West Indies side. In Roach’s absence, their seam attack will be led by Jayden Seales. Tevin Imlach, who made an unbeaten 57 against Pakistan Shaheens in the tour game, will make his international debut in Multan. Meanwhile, Da Silva has been dropped, with uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Amir Jangoo all but set to debut.West Indies (probable): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), 2 Mikyle Louis, 3 Justin Greaves, 4 Tevin Imlach, 5 Alick Athanaze, 6 Kavem Hodge, 7 Amir Jangoo (wk), 8 Gudakesh Motie, 9 Kevin Sinclair, 10 Jomel Warrican, 11 Jayden SealesWest Indies last played a Test in Pakistan in 2006•AFP

Pitch and conditions

This is the question, isn’t it? Pakistan continue to rage against the elements, determined to suck the Multan surface dry in bitter cold by erecting a greenhouse on the square to heat the surface up. This has never been attempted here in January before, though Pakistan did succeed in bending the Rawalpindi surface against England to their will in October. If they’re successful once more, expect significant turn right from the outset, and for spin to operate almost across the Test without pause. The weather, meanwhile, is expected to be bitterly cold.

Stats and trivia

• Kraigg Brathwaite is 99 runs away from surpassing Richie Richardson’s Test tally, and 149 away from becoming the tenth West Indies batter to score 6000 Test runs.
• The last Test these two sides played in Multan, in November 2006, saw just 27 wickets fall across more than 439 overs and five days, with more than 1400 runs scored.

Quotes

“Home conditions are very important in Test cricket. We’ve adopted a certain style of play and pitch preparation, and we want to take the momentum of the England series forward.”
“We’ve adjusted well – similar conditions to Islamabad [where the warm-up game was held]. We have acclimatised and are looking forward to the Tests.”

da pinup bet： Liverpool have been the team to watch in the transfer window so far and could now look to strike for a star who has previously been labelled “fantastic” by Jordan Henderson, according to reports.

Liverpool march on in the transfer window

da aviator aposta： Exciting times are on the horizon at Anfield and Jeremie Frimpong is set to be joined by Milos Kerkez at Liverpool as the latter edges closer to signing on the dotted line for a move to Merseyside, as per David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano.

Florian Wirtz is also signing for Liverpool for a record fee, creating a triple-axis of exciting transfers that have placed Arne Slot and his side in a great position to retain their Premier League title.

Incredibly, The Reds are said to be plotting a blockbuster bid for Newcastle star Alexander Isak in a deal that could be worth £100 million and add-ons, exceeding any fee paid for Wirtz.

Nevertheless, that is likely to be contingent on whether Darwin Nunez leaves the club, albeit there is plenty to marvel about regarding Liverpool’s commitment to conducting smart business.

Related Club could allow "special" £85k-a-week Premier League winner to join Leeds

It’s a potential big boost for Daniel Farke.

Posts ByHenry Jackson Jun 20, 2025

There is plenty of speculation surrounding the reigning champions, and nobody is expecting that to slow down anytime soon. The dust has now settled on their title victory, and hard work is well underway ahead of another campaign fraught with excitement.

Now, there is another name on their radar that could stir up headlines across Europe if Liverpool are able to push a deal over the line.

Liverpool hold talks over move for Jorrel Hato

According to journalist Duncan Castles on the Transfers Podcast, Liverpool are in talks to sign Ajax defender Jorrel Hato and could face competition from Arsenal and Chelsea for the versatile Netherlands international.

He stated: “There have been direct conversations between Liverpool and Hato over joining the Premier League champions this summer, and those talks are taking place with the knowledge of Ajax, who are open to selling the player.”

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Later, he added: “Now we have a situation where Liverpool are looking at the player, with Arsenal and Chelsea also seriously interested in him.”

Labelled “fantastic” by former teammate Jordan Henderson, Hato registered three goals and six assists across 50 appearances in all competitions last campaign, and can play left-back or centre-back.

Intriguingly, this news comes as Atletico Madrid begin to step up their interest in Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, potentially offering a clue into who his replacement will be alongside Kerkez.

As talks continue, Reds supporters will hope they come to a satisfactory conclusion as the club look to stock up with elite arrivals ahead of the new campaign.

India lead the series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Chennai by 280 runs

Hemant Brar26-Sep-20242:23

Manjrekar: I will play Kuldeep Yadav in the second Test

Big picture: Another stern test awaits BangladeshBangladesh came into this series riding on the high of winning 2-0 in Pakistan. It peaked when they had India 144 for 6 in the first innings in Chennai. But then India once again showed why they are arguably the strongest home side in Test history and went on to steamroll Bangladesh by 280 runs.It was a show of India’s depth in both batting and bowling. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli managed only 34 runs between them across four innings, but India had three centurions and two half-centurions. When it came to bowling, their seamers shared eight wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings and the spinners nine during the second.Things will not get easier for Bangladesh in Kanpur, where New Zealand’s tail had held on to secure a draw the last time a Test was played here. There is also some uncertainty about the pitch. The ground staff were preparing two surfaces and, as of noon on the eve of the match, it was not clear which one would be used.Related

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Kanpur generally offers good Test-match pitches that help fast bowlers on the first morning before flattening out and assisting spinners on the last two days. However, the weather could be an issue this time, with rain forecast on the first three days. That could impact not just the pitch but also the toss decision and team compositions.But all is not bleak for Bangladesh. In their second innings in Chennai, their openers gave them a solid start, followed by Najmul Hossain Shanto’s return to form with 82. In their first innings, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz all got starts. But to be competitive against this Indian team at home, you have to be at your best for much longer periods. Can Bangladesh do that?Form guideIndia WWWWW (last five Tests, most recent first)
Bangladesh LWWLL0:48

Manjrekar: Bangladesh attack lacks quality and experience

In the spotlight: Shubman Gill and Shakib Al HasanShubman Gill knows his ceiling. Even after scoring 452 runs with two hundreds in the home series against England earlier this year, he recently said he was yet to fulfil his expectations as a Test player. Gill got out for a duck in the first innings of the Chennai Test against Bangladesh but scored a stroke-filled unbeaten 119 in the second. Given India are to face tougher opponents in the coming months – New Zealand and Australia – Gill would be keen to fine-tune his game at No. 3.When is Shakib Al Hasan not in the spotlight? While batting in Chennai, he was seen biting a black strap, wrapped around his neck, to keep his head from falling over. When it was time to bowl, there were murmurs about his workload, ineffectiveness and discomfort with the spinning finger. And after Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe confirmed Shakib’s availability for the second Test, he dropped a bombshell about his future on the eve of the match.Team news: Wait and watch?There was no indication from the Indian camp whether they would play three spinners. Even if they do, it may not be a straightforward choice. If the pitch is too slow, Axar Patel could be handy with his pace and attacking the stumps. But India already have a similar spinner in Ravindra Jadeja. In Kuldeep Yadav’s favour, this is his home ground. So he is a tempting option, too. If India play one of Axar or Kuldeep, Akash Deep could be the one to miss out.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 KL Rahul, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Kuldeep Yadav/Axar Patel, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed SirajIf Bangladesh go with three spinners, Taijul Islam could replace Nahid Rana. That could also help with Shakib’s workload, if required.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Shadman Islam, 2 Zakir Hasan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Shakib Al Hasan, 7 Litton Das (wk), 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9 Taijul Islam, 10 Hasan Mahmud, 11 Taskin AhmedGautam Gambhir and Abhishek Nayar inspect one of two pitches in consideration for the Kanpur Test•AFP/Getty ImagesPitch and conditions: Slow and low bounce?The red-soil pitch in Chennai had decent bounce for both seamers and spinners in the first Test. Kanpur will be different. The two pitches being considered for the match are black-soil surfaces. They are likely to be flatter, with lower bounce, and are expected to become slower as the Test progresses. All that could change if it rains as forecasted, and bad light could become a factor too towards the end of each day.Stats and trivia: Jadeja double on the cards For the first time in their Test history, India have more wins (179) than losses (178). Jadeja is one short of becoming the seventh Indian to take 300 Test wickets. When Jadeja gets there, he will also complete the double of 3000 runs and 300 wickets. If he does it in Kanpur, in his 74th Test, he will be the second fastest to do so after Ian Botham (72). Virat Kohli is 129 short of 9000 Test runs. Taijul is five short of 200 Test wickets. Only Shakib (242) has more Test wickets for Bangladesh. Quotes”We don’t particularly pattern bad pitches. But we try to make sure the conditions are tough enough so that the players are challenged. A lot of these guys have played for so many years. Only if they’re challenged are they going to get better. So sometimes the thought process is just to challenge them differently so that your game and you, organically and mentally, grow.”