Mark Stoneman, the England opener, is aware his next two Tests against New Zealand could go a long way to deciding his international future as he tries to secure one of England’s troubled top-order positions.Stoneman has shown moments of promise in his eight Tests to date – and the England management like what they have seen – but has failed to convert three fifties into a century. Having played three matches against West Indies last season and then the five Ashes Tests, he averages 27.07 which is very similar to many of the openers tried since Andrew Strauss retired more than five years ago.After facing Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins over five bruising encounters in Australia – literally in the case of the blow on the helmet Stoneman took against Hazlewood in Perth – it would have been understandable if Stoneman had wanted to hightail it out, but instead he spent another six weeks in the country visiting in-laws (his wife is from Australia) and netting with Surrey team-mate Ollie Pope. He only had 10 days back in the UK before heading to New Zealand.With the selectors having quickly named their squad for this tour after the Ashes – “It’s nice to have that bit of faith in you,” Stoneman said – he did not have to fret over his place, but now has two Tests, one of them the potentially demanding experience of a day-night encounter at Eden Park, to persuade those selectors he is worth keeping for the home season against Pakistan and India. He knows the only way to stop the questions is to score big.”I think I’ve got myself on trial really,” he said. “I always put myself under pressure and can be my own worst critic at times. I’m expecting good things of myself, that’s the most important thing.”He used much of his extended stay in Australia to reflect on his Ashes experience. “I sat back and looked through it all and said, right there’s some good stuff there and at other times there doesn’t look like there’s a whole lot wrong, but probably what was wrong there was my thought process,” he said. “I’ve got the shots, I feel I’ve got the technique to make the runs, I’ve just got to make sure I apply it for longer. What I do for three hours for 50 I’ve got to do for six hours for 100 and build on that.”I’ve shown glimpses but that’s been the problem, it’s only been glimpses so far and if I can go on and do some really good stuff here hopefully I can go on to have a successful international career.”It was a series of two halves for Stoneman: before and after the blow on the helmet by Hazlewood at the WACA – one, final, bristling period of pace bowling at the old ground. He was 52 at the time, having survived a barrage of short stuff to reach his second fifty in five innings in the series, but then fell four runs later when he feathered another searing short ball from Starc. At that point he had made 186 runs; his next four innings brought 42.”I think it was just coincidental on the back of that and it was unfortunate I wasn’t able to finish the series stronger,” he said.The challenge ahead in New Zealand will be less brutal than across the Tasman – although Neil Wagner will no doubt test his technique against the short ball – but more about the moving ball. However, despite what is on the line Stoneman is trying to keep a balance amid the pressure of the international game.”Problems start arising when you start living on the peaks and troughs of cricket,” he said. “Just trying to keep things on a general level in life and you work hard at the cricket and at the end of the day it will be what it’ll be.”

Both players went for USD 160,000, with Jamaica Tallawahs picking the New Zealand opener and St Lucia Stars making the West Indies batsman the first pick of the draft

Nagraj Gollapudi01-Mar-2018Lendl Simmons and Martin Guptill fetched the biggest bids while Kieron Pollard was the biggest transfer in the CPL draft on Thursday in London. Simmons and Guptill, along with the quartet of Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo and Sohail Tanvir, were paid the maximum price of US$160,000 by their franchises.Having been released by the Jamaica Tallawahs, Simmons put himself up for a base price of $70,000 in the draft. He ended up as the first pick of this year’s draft after the St Lucia Stars, who finished bottom last season, picked the hard-hitting Trinidadian opener. Guptill, who smashed a 49-ball century in a T20I against Australia recently, had set his base price at $90,000. The New Zealand opening batsman had represented the Guyana Amazon Warriors last season, and was bagged by the Barbados Tridents this time around.The Tallawahs meanwhile retained Russell, who missed last year’s CPL since he was serving a one-year doping ban. Also retained were Gayle (St Kitts & Nevis Patriots) and Bravo (Trinbago Knight Riders). Tanvir, the highest-wicket taker in the previous edition of the CPL, was retained by the Amazon Warriors.This CPL draft saw the maximum transfers in the tournament’s five-year existence. None was bigger than that of Pollard. The Trinidadian had led the Barbados Tridents for the past four seasons, but this year asked the franchise, which is owned by the Indian businessman Vijay Mallya, to release him. The Stars were quick to grab Pollard in the marquee round, which has a price point of $130,000.The pre-decided marquee set of players did not enter the draft – the franchises directly negotiated contracts with them. Former Pakistan captains Shahid Afridi (Tallawahs) and Shoaib Malik (Amazon Warriors), explosive openers Evin Lewis (Patriots) and Chris Lynn (Knight Riders) completed the marquee set.While Afridi welcomed the news of being retained by the Tallawahs on his 38th birthday, Malik moved on from the Tridents. The Patriots retained Lewis with Lynn returning to the CPL having last played in the 2016 final for the Amazon Warriors.All six teams had to fill a total of 108 slots with squads limited to 18 players each. Having retained a total of 61 players, franchises had to pick 47 new names from the draft. Incidentally the first seven new picks were all batsmen: D’Arcy Short, Simmons, Hashim Amla, Guptill, Ross Taylor, David Miller and Cameron Delport. Pakistan quick Rumman Raees was the solitary fast bowler among the first 10 new picks, signed by St Lucia Stars in the fifth round for $70,000.Lack of availability was the key reason behind franchises opting to pass on almost all England and Afghanistan players. Alex Hales, Adil Rashid and Tymal Mills (along with Ashar Zaidi and Recordo Gordon) had put their names up for the draft despite the CPL running parallel to the Twenty20 Blast, with the finals of both tournaments separated by a day. Mills had set a base price of $70,000, Hales $40,000, and Rashid $30,000.With Afghanistan scheduled to play in the Asia Cup in September, as well as a recently scheduled series against Ireland that runs from August 20-31, the CPL had cautioned the franchises that the likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman would only be available for the start and end phases of the tournament. Rashid, who had represented the Amazon Warriors last season, did not put himself up for the draft. Nabi, who played for the Patriots last year, set his base price at $60,000. Mujeeb, a first-timer, set his base price at $30,000.The only Afghanistan player chosen was 17-year-old legspinner Qais Ahmad, who went in round 11 for $7500 to Stars. Qais claimed 14 wickets in five matches at the 2018 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, including 4 for 33 against the hosts in the tournament quarterfinals. But with the logjam of spinners occupying main roles in the senior team – Rashid, Nabi, Mujeeb – Qais has yet to make his senior debut and is likely to be available for the whole of the CPL.In January Sandeep Lamichhane made history by becoming the first Nepal player in the IPL when he was signed by Delhi Daredevils. Lamichhane, a legspinner, also became the first Nepal player in the CPL, after the Patriots signed him in round 13 for $5,000. Incidentally, Lamichanne did not set any base price before entering the draft.Barbados TridentsMartin Guptill, Shakib Al Hasan, Hashim Amla, Dwayne Smith, Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Raymon Reifer, Ashley Nurse, Roston Chase, Shai Hope, Tion Webster, Imran Khan, Dominic Drakes, Shamar Springer, Sunny Sohal, Chemar HolderGuyana Amazon WarriorsSohail Tanvir, Shoaib Malik, Chadwick Walton, Cameron Delport, Rayad Emrit, Imran Tahir, Jason Mohammed, Luke Ronchi, Veerasammy Permaul, Roshon Primus, Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo, Gajanand Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Saurabh Netravalkar, Akshaya PersaudJamaica TallawahsAndre Russell, Shahid Afridi, Imad Wasim, David Miller, Ross Taylor, Rovman Powell, Samuel Badree, Kemar Roach, Glenn Phillips, Andre McCarthy, Krishmar Santokie, Johnson Charles, Steven Taylor, Kennar Lewis, Steven Jacobs, Oshane Thomas, Elmore Hutchinson, Kirstan KallicharanSt Lucia StarsLendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard, D’Arcy Short, Darren Sammy, Rumman Raees, Andre Fletcher, Mitch McClenaghan, Kesrick Williams, Niroshan Dickwella, Rakheem Cornwall, Qais Ahmad, Kavem Hodge, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Dasun Shanaka, Chris Lamont, Obed McCoy, Jaskaran Malhotra, Odean SmithSt Kitts & Nevis PatriotsChris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Ben Cutting, Carlos Brathwaite, Mahmudullah, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tom Cooper, Sheldon Cottrell, Brandon King, Devon Thomas, Graeme Cremer, Fabian Allen, Sandeep Lamichanne, Shamarh Brooks, Jeremiah Louis, Alzarri Joseph, Ibrahim Khaleel, Glen JavelleTrinbago Knight RidersDwayne Bravo, Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Brendon McCullum, Darren Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Colin Munro, Shadab Khan, Khary Pierre, Ronsford Beaton, Junior Dala, Javon Searles, Terrance Hinds, Kevon Cooper, Nikita Miller, Anderson Philip, Hamza Tariq, Amir Jangoo

Facundo Pellisti has joined Granada on loan until the end of the season after struggling to hold down a place in Manchester United's starting XI.

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Pellistri moves to Granada on loanMade just one PL start this seasonAgent lashed out at Ten HagWHAT HAPPENED?

It is Pellistri's second loan spell in Spain after spending the second half of the 2020-21 season and the whole 2021-22 campaign with Alaves. The Uruguayan made 14 appearances this season for United but just one start in the Premier League, the 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace. Granada, who are second from bottom in La Liga will cover Pellistri's wages and pay an undisclosed loan fee to United.

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Pellistri grew frustrated with his lack of opportunities and before completing his move to Granada his agent took aim at United boss Erik ten Hag, hinting that the player is unlikely to return to Old Trafford for next season if the Dutchman remains in charge. "Ten Hag hasn’t used him, valued him, or treated him like a professional," Edgardo Lasalvia told . "Whether he returns to Manchester in the middle of the year will depend on the performance he shows. If Ten Hag continues, it’s going to be difficult."

DID YOU KNOW?

Pellistri is a Uruguay international with 18 caps under his belt. He has made 24 senior appearances for United throughout his career, and will now aim to feature regularly in Spain.

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Pellistri could make his debut for Granada at home to Las Palmas on Saturday. United are in Premier League action away to Wolves on Thursday, searching for their first league win since December 26.

Sunderland were dealt a blow in their pursuit of a new centre-forward option this week as one of their reported transfer targets moved to another Championship club.

What's the latest Sunderland transfer news?

The Sunderland Echo had claimed that the Black Cats held talks with Premier League outfit Fulham over a possible loan deal for 20-year-old marksman Jay Stansfield, who spent last season on loan at Exeter.

However, Tony Mowbray and Kristjaan Speakman were unable to get a deal over the line for the talented youngster as Birmingham City officially announced his arrival on loan on Thursday.

The club could quickly get over that disappointment, though, as they are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Ukrainian striker Nazariy Rusyn from Zorya Lugansk, who is said to be set to put pen to paper on a four-year contract at the Stadium of Light.

How good is Nazariy Rusyn?

Mowbray could be on the verge of securing a dream alternative to Stansfield by bringing the 24-year-old marksman to Wearside after his impressive performances throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

Rusyn enjoyed a terrific season with Zorya and proved himself to be capable of scoring and assisting goals from a number nine position, which could make him a fantastic addition to the squad for Sunderland.

The exciting whiz, who is reportedly valued at £2.5m by the Black Cats, racked up 13 goals and six assists in 30 Premier Liga outings last term, which means that he was directly involved in a goal every 1.88 matches on average.

Stansfield, on the other hand, produced nine goals and seven assists in 38 League One games for Exeter last season, which is an average of one goal contribution every 2.36 clashes.

These statistics show that Rusyn provided more quality at the top end of the pitch for his respective club due to his ability to score and assist goals more frequently than the 20-year-old talent.

Neither player is a proven Championship performer and this means that there would have been a risk, in terms of their adaptation to playing at this level.

Still, the Ukraine U21 international's record suggests that the potential is there for him to be an excellent player for Mowbray if he can adapt to life in England.

Rusyn, who has scored one goal in two league games this season, could be an outstanding performer for the English head coach if he can replicate his Zorya performances for Sunderland.

Last term, no current Black Cats player managed more than ten Championship goals and no striker produced more than three league assists.

This suggests that Rusyn, with his 13 goals and six assists during the 2022/23 campaign, has the scope to be a superb option for the ex-Blackburn Rovers manager at the top end of the pitch. His ability to score and assist goals could improve Sunderland's attack and help them to push up the table this season.

Therefore, the £2.5m-rated finisher could be a dream alternative to Stansfield due to his superior record in front of goal last term and the fact that he would come in on a permanent deal rather than a loan, which means that the talented marksman has room to grow over the course of several years.

Thiago Silva's wife Isabelle has apologised for the 'personal outburst' that appeared to call for the dismissal of Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.

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Isabelle Silva apologises for 'personal outburst'Fans leap to support of Thiago Silva's wifePochettino had discussed spat in press conferenceGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

A post appeared on her social media account towards the end of the Blues' capitulation against Wolves on Sunday urging: "It’s time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late." In a Tuesday press conference, Pochettino appeared untroubled by the post, saying Thiago Silva had approached him for a "private chat" on the matter. Peace efforts took another step forward on Wednesday with Isabelle's conciliatory post, though disgruntled fans posted messages of support for the original comments, imploring Isabelle to "keep speaking out".

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Isabelle Silva posted on X: "I'm sorry that my personal outburst as a passionate Chelsea fan has caused such an impact. I'm passionate about the team, I thrive on victories and I'm saddened by defeats. We all want the same thing, a winning team, come on Chelsea!!"

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

Many Blues fans viewed the post as a diplomatic move to draw a line under the matter and implored Isabelle to keep making her feelings public on the team's poor performances.

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Isabelle has garnered something of a reputation for her strident views during her husband's time in west London and Sunday's post came after close observers of Chelsea had noted a deterioration in the body language between Pochettino and his veteran central defender. But it seems for now that the ex-Tottenham boss has the backing of the board and is happy to let the issue slide, calling for unity as the Blues look to find some semblance of consistency on the field.

Liverpool were linked with a move for Real Madrid star Federico Valverde this summer, and a new update has given Reds fans hope of one day luring the midfielder to the Premier League.

Where did Real Madrid find Federico Valverde?

Back in 2016, Real Madrid signed Valverde from boyhood team Penarol in Montevideo. Having been promoted from the youth set-up to the first team two years later, as per Transfermarkt, he’s since gone on to make a total of 208 senior appearances in the Spanish capital.

Carlo Ancelotti’s central midfielder still has another four years remaining on his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, but that doesn’t seem to have stopped FSG and Jurgen Klopp from highlighting him as a potential candidate to bring to Merseyside.

The Secret Scout reported that the Reds submitted an enquiry for the 25-year-old last month alongside his teammate Aurelien Tchouameni, having failed to secure the services of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia who both ended up joining Chelsea, and it wasn’t long before they took their initial interest one step further.

Spanish outlets claimed that FSG then tabled a €60m (£51.8m) offer for the Uruguay international, and whilst a deal failed to come to fruition before September 1st, it sounds like there is reason to believe something could happen in the future.

Are Liverpool signing Federico Valverde?

According to reports in Spain (via Football365), Valverde “half regrets having made this decision” to stay at Real Madrid and believes that the best thing he could have done would have been to have “packed his bags”.

The La Liga star has a “feeling of being secondary” and knows that he “needs more prominence” after saying “no” to joining Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United over the summer.

The Los Blancos veteran has “already noticed” that he won’t be a regular starter this season, so there’s a possibility that he could look to seal an exit in January.

How many goals has Federico Valverde scored?

In La Liga during the 2022/23 campaign, Valverde posted 11 contributions (seven goals and four assists) in 34 games which is an impressive return for a central midfielder, form which has seen labelled a “monster” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

The Montevideo native has also recorded 11 shots so far this season which is the second-highest total throughout his squad, via FBRef, not to mention that he’s extremely calm and composed on the ball averaging a 90.7% pass success rate.

Furthermore, Madrid’s £133k-per-week earner, who has the versatility to operate in eight different positions over the midfield and attack, will know what it takes to compete and be successful having secured ten pieces of silverware since the start of his career, so he will possess the same winning mentality of the current squad who are already at Kirkby.

Finally, Valverde shares the same agent, Wasserman, as both Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones, so should the hierarchy attempt to make a second move for their target in the new year, the existing connection that his representative already has to the club could give them a small advantage in getting a deal over the line in 2024.

Suffering defeats against both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, losing Raphael Varane and Mason Mount to injury, and watching on as Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho had an incredibly public disagreement, it's fair to say that Manchester United have endured one of the worst starts to the Premier League season that they could have imagined.

Their poor start to the season has come as quite a surprise, too, given that they had a fairly successful summer of arrivals at Old Trafford. Such is the unpredictability of England's top flight, however, the Red Devils have been one of the most disappointing sides in the league.

Now, to add the cherry on top, reports suggest that the Glazer family – the owners of Manchester United – have made a crucial decision, regarding the sale of the club, leaving Gary Neville particularly bewildered.

What have the Glazers done now?

According to The Daily Mail, the Glazers have decided to take Manchester United off the market after failing to receive their desired £10billion price-tag for the Premier League club since putting them up for sale in November.

The owners will now reportedly put the club back on the market in 2025, when they hope financial and environmental factors will attract higher bidders.

Reacting to the news, Gary Neville has told Sky Sports this is just the owners' latest scheme to drum up more offers: "I just can't believe that the report is true.

"It's part of the game playing and the manipulating of stories that they have been doing for a long time. I don't see any way that they can keep hold of the club because they've got no money.

"Anyone that has a bit of knowledge of the financial situation at the club will know that it is desperate. They keep putting it down to FFP, they keep saying that they can't bring players on board and stuff like that.

"They have spent and invested money this summer but they have to bring money in and that will either be through a dilution, some sort of debt on the business – which no one can imagine because of the debt that is already on the business – or they sell. I think the most likely route is that they sell.

"They are trying to bump the price up which is the negotiating tactic of many. They don't panic, so they stand strong, they don't rush, they are knowledgeable business people and know that the more they prolong this process they might get an extra quid or two out of it.

"I can't believe the story to be true because they need money desperately into the club."

How much did Manchester United spend this summer?

With the Glazers still at the helm, United spent a total of €207m (£177m) in the summer transfer window, as per Transfemarkt, welcoming seven fresh faces.

Having splashed the cash once more, the pressure may start to build on Ten Hag to get results out of his United side once more. The Dutchman at least has the international break to attempt to fix any glaring problems in his system, and after that, the Red Devils must start getting results again.

On the day of a heroic draw, the big number that loomed was that New Zealand have played only four Tests this season, a reality that captain Williamson said was frustrating

Andrew McGlashan in Christchurch 03-Apr-2018Kane Williamson had never bagged a golden duck in Test cricket. When he edged his first ball from Stuart Broad on the final day in Christchurch, it meant New Zealand had lost two wickets off the first two balls of the day – just the fourth time that had happened in Test cricket.By the end of the first hour they had lost four wickets, including Ross Taylor, and the prospect of preserving their 1-0 lead was rapidly slipping away. Yet six hours later, as the setting autumn sun illuminated Hagley Oval until the dying moments of a gripping contest, they were celebrating just a fourth series win over England.Though, officially, the umpires ended things because of the light, there was no assistance in this escape. New Zealand did it all themselves, from a position few would have given them a chance. It was a shame that Neil Wagner was given out – eventually caught off an inside edge on the DRS – because there was no time for the match to continue, but Wagner had left the field so could not walk off triumphant alongside Ish Sodhi.Instead, there was the somewhat odd scene of Sodhi the lone batsman in the middle, Tim Southee having not yet reached the centre, being embraced by the 12th man as the umpires removed the bails and the England players sagged in disappointment. Sodhi, unbeaten on 56 off 168 balls, had played the innings of his life and so, too, had Wagner as he blocked for 103 balls in making 7 when every ounce of him was probably wanting to try and deposit the spinners out of the ground.At times, the pair even managed who would take which type of bowling with Sodhi reckoning Jack Leach’s spin was more of a danger to Wagner out of the footmarks but easier for him to defended as a right hander.”He kept me going, there were some demons out there for sure,” Sodhi said. “The ball started turning from rough a little and found it quite to pick up the bowlers from around the wicket. He’s a bit of mongrel with the ball and he’s got that same mentality with the bat. He was trying to keep fighting against his instinct. Was probably tough but he did it so well. The way he played the bumpers was amazing and showed his character…we got a bit of luck along the way but you have to ride it.”New Zealand’s tail had looked a little longer in this Test without the injured Todd Astle, but in the first innings Tim Southee made an important half-century to narrow the deficit then Sodhi and Wagner defied England during the final session. The pitch, by and large, continued its history of not deteriorating massively but for the eighth-wicket pair to soak up 31 overs was a magnificent effort along with the previous stand between Sodhi and Colin de Grandhomme which lasted 25 overs. The efforts of Tom Latham, in stemming the early trouble, were also very impressive.Sodhi was given a life at silly point before he had scored – at that time it did not appear a major moment – then after tea, when England found the second new ball didn’t swing, he was handed a peppering by the short stuff from Mark Wood and Broad (as was Wagner in a taste of his own medicine) taking a blow on the arm which required treatment and a hastily delivered arm guard.”I was trying to figure out which balls to play and which to get under,” he said. “It started becoming quite difficult when the odd one would jump and another would keep a bit low. But you can’t really nick it, you can’t really get bowled or lbw so if you can get out of the road it’s a bit of a win.”The result meant Williamson joined the small group of New Zealand captains to secure series wins over England: Stephen Fleming, Geoff Howarth and Jeremy Coney. His attempts to control the final day ended with the first-ball lifter from Broad, so all he could do was watch nervously through 100 overs.”We thought there were all three results still possible at the start,” he said. “The first two balls today changed that, but credit to the way the guys batted – de Grandhomme curbed his instincts, Neil and Ish were heroic really. If it wasn’t for them, putting their hand up and weathering the storm, bumps and bruises and all, this series result could have been so different. Fantastic to see that, credit to their character. Just so satisfying to come away with the series win.”Emotions are running high, guys are pretty stoked in the sheds so it’s a great way to finish the season which had a lot of white-ball cricket. The way the Test team performed was superb in a number of different situations.”That Test team is now ranked No. 3 in the world after leap-frogging Australia on the back of their hammering in Johannesburg. There can be no sweeter feeling for a New Zealander than to be above the Australians in a sporting table. But this home season has consisted of just four Tests and the 2018-19 summer is likely to be same with visits from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. When the team faces Pakistan later this year, it will be their first Test cricket overseas in two years.”We’ve played four Tests this year, I think there’s a little bit of frustration, guys want to play more Test cricket,” Williamson said. “But it is what it is, a year without much Test cricket. We know the coming years have a lot more so it’s about being patient. We’ve had so many great games against England. The team love playing Test cricket. As a Test team we are growing, and I think we’ve seen that in this series.”This team consists of some of New Zealand’s finest ever Test players and some new heroes. For now they can bask in the glory of a significant series win, but they deserve not to be undersold.

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.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's Personal Honours

Liverpool Young Player of the Season (2)

2016/2017, 2017/2018

PFA Premier League Team of the Year (3)

2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2021/2022

PFA Premier League Young Player of the Year (1)

2019/2020

UEFA Champions League Team of the Season (2)

2018/2019, 2021/2022

FIFA FIFPro World XI (1)

2020

UEFA Team of the Year (1)

2019

Premier League Young Player of the Season (1)

2019/2020

England’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere began with the Test match at the Gabba. Mark Stoneman and James Vince gave them an excellent platform with encouraging half-centuries, adding 125 together, before failing to go on. England never had a foothold in the Ashes after that.Fast forward five months and the match situation is somewhat better – they lead by 231 runs and are well placed to push for a series-levelling victory and have something to show for their efforts with the pink and red ball. But for Stoneman and Vince, there is a feeling of deja vu. Half-centuries apiece, a stand of 123, the promise of more, but frustrating dismissals.

New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling is hopeful a Christchurch pitch losing some of its life will keep them in with a chance of saving – or even winning – the second Test and with it taking the series.
The second new ball is 14 overs away and represents New Zealand’s last chance of having a realistic target to chase, but the bounce and carry evident for the quicks over the first half of the day has lessened.
“It’s definitely a lot flatter than over the first few days,” Watling said. “It doesn’t look like it’s breaking up at all, it actually looks like it’s getting a bit deader. I don’t think it will do a hell of a lot on the final day so we just need to get ourselves into a position to hopefully win the game.”

Stoneman had significant fortune in his innings – dropped on 48 and 57 – but couldn’t make it count when he finally paid the price for flashing outside off. Vince played with increasing confidence during his third Test fifty – all of which have come at the No. 3 position – after regaining his place that he had to forego due to the batting reshuffle at Eden Park. As ever, the drives were working well and, almost as inevitably, one brought his downfall when he edged to slip with a spot-sealing maiden Test hundred on offer.”Going forward, I’m sure both would have loved to have got hundreds and gone on for themselves and their confidence,” Graham Thorpe, the England batting coach, said, “but they’ll still get good pat off us in the dressing room because it’s easy to shrink sometimes at this level so it was important they stood up and continued to play in a positive manner.”Stoneman now has five Test fifties – including two in this series – but none higher than this 60 while Vince averages 30.54 at No. 3 from his six Test against Australia and New Zealand. Since Trevor Bayliss took over in 2015, there has been one century from the opener who isn’t Alastair Cook (and his form is heading south) or the No. 3 who isn’t Joe Root – Keaton Jennings’ 112 on debut against India (Adam Lyth’s hundred against New Zealand came while Paul Farbrace was in temporary charge).There are alternative names who will be mentioned in the lead-up to the next series, against Pakistan in May, and a strong start to the domestic season could attract interest despite England Lions being beaten 3-0 by West Indies in the four-day matches. Liam Livingstone has been on this tour – he is not someone for the top three but the batting order is also far from settled – while the likes of Haseeb Hameed, Joe Clarke, Dan Lawrence and Nick Gubbins will be touted. Recently capped players such as Jennings and Tom Westley could also restate their credentials.However, both incumbents have probably done enough to mean they will start against Pakistan, but England will leave this tour without really having a clearer picture about the best way forward for their top order.”They are in the side so they are in charge of their destiny every time they walk to the crease so the more experience they gain they are in a position to go to that next level,” Thorpe said. “Ultimately it’s up to them to take that next step and go towards three figures.”There are areas of the Test side where we aren’t going to say everyone is guaranteed places. We are constantly trying to get more out of players who are in the starting XI. You have to look at your squad and think are there better players out there or do we have to keep working hard. We have to be patient with players, the more you learn you do get over those hurdles in Test cricket and start to feel very settled. We are hoping a few of them are close to that with the Tests they are starting to play.”England arrived in Australia with a batting line-up in a state of flux and will leave New Zealand in the same position. The attacks of Pakistan and India await. They will sense vulnerability.