ESPNcricinfo staff16-Apr-2019Only two members of India’s 2007 World Cup squad have made it to the 2019 edition: their wicketkeepers, MS Dhoni and his back-up, Dinesh Karthik. It has always been thus, with Karthik playing out a career in Dhoni’s shadow, despite having debuted before Dhoni, back in 2004. Along the way, Karthik has played with 436 ODI cricketers, team-mates and opponents put together, straddling multiple generations. Which of these players have featured in an ODI game with Karthik? Take a crack at our quiz and let us know how you did by bragging about it on social media.
Leeds United is currently the home to various talents who have made their names across Europe before moving to Elland Road over the last couple of seasons.
Brenden Aaronson is just one player who cost big money to secure a move for his signature, costing a fee in the region of £25m during their final season in the Premier League back in 2022/23.
The American has so far failed to demonstrate why the hierarchy forked out such a hefty fee for his signature, struggling to make a real impact under Daniel Farke in recent weeks.
Whilst he scored the opener against Swansea City last weekend, it was only his second goal contribution of the calendar year, struggling to produce any tangible results in their hunt for Championship promotion.
He’s since been unable to match the levels produced by one player who starred in Yorkshire after his own transfer from the Swans multiple years ago.
Pablo Hernandez’s stats for Leeds United
Over the years, Leeds has been the home to countless icons, with Pablo Hernandez undoubtedly cementing himself as a modern-day hero for his heroics at Elland Road.
The Spaniard originally moved on loan from Swansea back in 2016/17, before joining permanently in the January of that campaign after impressing in the first half of the season.
Former Leeds winger Pablo Hernandez.
Such a move would be the springboard for his success with the Whites, with Hernandez going on to register 36 goals and 41 assists from 175 outings, helping the club lift the Championship title at the close of the 2019/20 campaign.
He was a pivotal part of Marcelo Bielsa’s side that season, remaining a key member of the squad the following year as the club ended their long wait for Premier League football.
Whilst he left the club back in 2021, current boss Farke already has his own version of the fan-favourite, playing a vital role in their own ambitions of returning to the top flight.
The player who’s become Farke’s own Hernandez at Leeds
The plethora of attacking talent on the books at Leeds has contributed to their phenomenal attacking record, which has seen them score 78 times in the league this season – by far the highest tally in the division.
Joel Piroe has been central to such a record, netting 15 league goals to date, a tally which is the highest within the current first-team squad – producing key goals at various moments.
The Dutchman arrived in a £10m deal from Swansea back in the summer of 2023, following in Hernandez’s footsteps in joining from the Welsh outfit and having an immediate impact in Yorkshire.
The similarities to Hernandez continue, with the 25-year-old also able to feature in the number ten role, as seen in certain matches this season, with the “superb” star, as dubbed by one analyst, key to the club’s recent success.
During his final Championship campaign in Yorkshire, the Spaniard notched a total of 18 combined goals and assists back in 2019/20 – cementing himself as a key member of Bielsa’s squad.
Piroe has already registered a combined 21 contributions with seven matches remaining this campaign, with any hope of securing promotion potentially down to whether he can continue to produce the goods in the final third.
Joel Piroe
21
Daniel James
19
Manor Solomon
14
Brenden Aaronson
11
Wilfried Gnonto
11
Mateo Joseph
6
Largie Ramazani
6
He’s been subject to criticism in recent times, but it’s safe to say the club wouldn’t be in this current position without his goals, certainly playing a key role in their promotion ambitions.
Whilst it’s unclear whether he will be able to cut it in the Premier League, Piroe has a huge job to catapult the side into the top flight between now and the end of the season.
His goals could provide the difference over the next couple of weeks, with the Dutchman able to cement his place in the Whites’ history books should he produce the goods and fire them back to England’s top-division.
Huge upgrade on Meslier: Leeds big move for "world-class" GK
Leeds United could land a player who could end Illan Meslier’s time at Elland Road.
In his place, Arne Slot. Feyenoord had enjoyed back-to-back trophy-winning campaigns with the shrewd tactician at their helm, winning the Dutch Eredivisie before claiming the KVNB Cup, which is the equivalent of the FA Cup.
Klopp’s decision to step down from his job as Liverpool manager after nearly nine years was a tough pill to swallow. Merseyside went into a state of mourning (or a state of jubilation, if you approach it from a Blue perspective).
Mostly everyone expected Liverpool’s empire to collapse, but they have prospered under a new wing, storming through the 2024/25 Premier League season to establish a 12-point lead at the top.
It couldn’t have gone any better on the league front, but FSG know thunder rumbles in the background, with a spate of problems lining up to disrupt Slot’s project come summer.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Problems need solutions, and Liverpool are rather good at finding them in places others can’t. Some superstars may leave this summer, but fresh faces will join the Reds cause.
Let’s reserve judgement until next season’s well underway. How many times have FSG pulled it off in recent windows?
1 GK – Alisson Becker
Alisson
It feels like the spot between the sticks shouldn’t be contentious. But oh how it is.
Alisson Becker is a phenomenon, lauded as “the best goalkeeper in the world” by Slot, but Liverpool have signed Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia for £29m. He’s replacing the outgoing Caoimhin Kelleher, and he wants top spot.
Two high-level keepers. Just how FSG like it. There could be worse problems to deal with. And in fairness, there are at that.
2 RB – Jeremie Frimpong
Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong.
We’re going to say it. Sorry, but it’s growing increasingly probable that Trent Alexander-Arnold is going to sign for Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of the season. Liverpool have Conor Bradley, but they’ll need more depth and Jeremie Frimpong might just be the man for the job.
Recent reports suggest Liverpool are getting ready to make their proposal for the Bayer Leverkusen invincible, who has a €40m (£34m) release clause.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Devastating in attack – The United Stand’s Beth Tucker has dubbed him a “monster in the final third” – and one of the fastest defenders in the business, he’d be perfect for Slot’s fluent and slick system.
3 CB – Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate warming up for Liverpool
Ah, sweet uncertainty.
It’s actually no laughing matter. Real Madrid, bane of Liverpool’s life, reportedly want Ibrahima Konate, and he’s out of a deal in just over one year.
The hulking centre-half has been immense this season, maybe as good as his counterpart beside him. Several months ago, Fabrizio Romano confirmed talks have been long underway and a positive outcome is expected for the Anfield side. So we shall cling to that hope for dear life.
4 CB – Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
More uncertainty.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool’s supreme defender and matchless leader, is also nearing the end of the line. However, he wants to stay; Slot wants him to stay; the fans want him to stay; the squad want him to stay.
Surely we will all be granted our wish. Van Dijk might be approaching his mid-thirties but he’s been extraordinary this season, and the ramifications of losing him would be keenly felt indeed.
5 LB – Milos Kerkez
Milos Kerkez for Bournemouth
This is big. Andy Robertson has been a stalwart for Liverpool, but he’s flagging at 31, ran into the dirt across so many tireless years. Milos Kerkez is the perfect replacement.
The i Paper have confirmed Liverpool have made contact and are honing in on the 21-year-old, who is available for around £40m and has been described as “a revelation at Bournemouth” by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher.
6 DM – Ryan Gravenberch
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch isn’t going anywhere. However, there’s no doubt he’s been overused this season and is currently beset by fatigue after playing so many minutes.
Matches (starts)
26 (12)
29 (29)
Goals
1
0
Assists
0
2
Touches*
28.8
65.5
Pass completion
83%
89%
Key passes*
0.6
0.8
Dribbles*
0.9
1.0
Ball recoveries*
2.8
5.2
Tackles + interceptions*
1.5
3.5
Total duels (won)*
2.8 (47%)
4.7 (58%)
Liverpool would do well to sign another midfielder this summer, but it would take some player to dislodge the Dutchman from his starting berth.
7 CM – Alexis Mac Allister
Last year, Argentina international Alexis Mac Allister admitted he would love to play in Spain one day, for Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Just hold your horses, ay Mac. Liverpool hit the jackpot when bringing Brighton’s rising talent to Anfield for just £35m in 2023. He steered the club toward resurgence last year and has been a quiet leader and influence in the centre this season, as Slot’s side head toward the Premier League title.
The Hungarian has really come into his own over these past few months, with a gas tank to marvel at and an all-encompassing game that compelled Jurgen Klopp to pay £60m for his services back in 2023.
He’s not going anywhere.
9 RW – Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah warming up for Liverpool
Whether Mohamed Salah stays or goes depends on the push-and-pull at the negotiating table. At £350k per week, he’s the highest earner in Liverpool’s history.
Richard Hughes certainly has his work cut out, but we reckon the sporting director will placate the masses by engineering an extension.
10 LW – Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo celebrates for Liverpool
Luis Diaz is about to enter the penultimate year of his contract and is among the players Liverpool may cash in on this summer, but Cody Gakpo’s going nowhere.
The Netherlands forward sits second in Liverpool’s scoring charts with 16 goals, without question Slot’s standout forward with Salah notwithstanding.
da imperador bet: Apesar das dificuldades, o Flamengo continua focado em viabilizar a construção de seu estádo próprio. O movimento nos bastidores acontece e, em janeiro, o clube assinou um acordo de confidencialidade para ter acesso a documentos relacionados ao terreno do Gasômetro, no bairro de São Cristóvão, na Zona Central do Rio de Janeiro. A informação foi publicada pelo portal “UOL”.
+ Conheça o terreno do Gasômetro, local pretendido pelo Flamengo para o seu estádio próprio
RelacionadasFlamengoEm Quito, Flamengo realiza ajustes finais antes de enfrentar o Del ValleFlamengo20/02/2023FlamengoUm só reforço e problemas físicos: Flamengo obriga Vítor Pereira buscar soluções às vésperas de nova decisãoFlamengo20/02/2023FlamengoIndependiente Del Valle x Flamengo: onde assistir, escalações e desfalques da ida da Recopa Sul-AmericanaFlamengo19/02/2023
da heads bet: O acordo obriga o Flamengo a manter em sigilo as informações e dados dos documentos que receber sobre o terreno do Gasômetro. O potencial construtivo e a localização são dois dos principais pontos que fazem do local o favorito do clube para o projeto, que está em fase de estudo.
O terreno do Gasômetro pertence à Caixa Econômica Federal, com quem a diretoria do Flamengo trata diretamente desde o ano passado. A Prefeitura do Rio e o Governo Federal já sinalizaram positivamente para o projeto. Em agosto de 2022, Eduardo Paes (PSD) falou ao L! sobre o assunto.
A pair of unbeaten 68s from Beau Webster and Jake Doran has put Tasmania on top after Gabe Bell took four wickets as NSW were bowled out for 181 on day one
AAP18-Nov-2023
Beau Webster put Tasmania in charge•Getty Images
An unbeaten century stand from Beau Webster and Jake Doran has given Tasmania control of their Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales in Hobart.Webster and Doran were unbeaten on 68 apiece at stumps on day one after putting on 131 for the fifth wicket to wrest the momentum away from NSW on a hectic first day that featured 14 wickets.Tasmania, who are second on the Shield ladder, were 179 for 4 at stumps in reply to NSW’s 181 after the home side won the toss in overcast conditions at Bellerive Oval.The home side had slumped to 48 for 4 before Webster and Doran first blunted the visitors’ counterpunch and then put Tasmania in a solid position.It is Webster’s sixth Shield half-century this summer and he has the third-highest runs total in the competition, with 453 from five matches at an average of 47.68.He also took two wickets as NSW never quite recovered from their disastrous start. After Ryan Hackney was dismissed in the first over of the game, a poorly judged third run cost No.3 Blake Macdonald his wicket thanks to slick fielding from Brad Hope and Jordan Silk.Gabe Bell then dismissed opener Daniel Hughes to leave NSW in tatters at 9 for 3. Matthew Gilkes scored 30, while Moises Henriques reached 50 and Ollie Davies top-scored with 67 from 65 balls as the NSW middle order stemmed the early bleeding.But when Webster caught Davies to give Lawrence Neil-Smith his third wicket, NSW were 165 for 8. Bell snared 4 for 29 and Neil-Smith took 3 for 57, with the NSW innings done in just 42 overs.Jackson Bird dismissed the Tasmanian openers cheaply and Jack Nisbet made the crucial breakthrough, producing an unplayable delivery to bowl in-form No.3 Charlie Wakim for 27.That left Tasmanian four down and on the brink before Webster and Doran ensured day one belonged to the home side.
Derby County look to be edging closer to appointing John Eustace with Blackburn Rovers now resigned to their boss talking to the Rams over a potential switch.
Indeed, it has now been confirmed by the Riversiders – via their X account – that the 45-year-old is eyeing a move away from Ewood Park to return to familiar surroundings in Pride Park, having previously finished his playing days pulling on a Rams shirt.
This will come as a major blow to Blackburn who are sat in the Championship playoff positions under the ex-Birmingham City manager.
Meanwhile, Derby languish near the foot of the division after Paul Warne had guided his lowly team to seven straight league defeats before being binned.
With Eustace in charge, the aim will no doubt be to rise up the league standings away from any relegation trouble, with this dream XI below what the Solihull-born boss could prefer if he is to take on the reins shortly…
1 GK – Jacob Widell Zetterstrom
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
In the goalkeeper position, Eustace is likely to persist with Swedish shot-stopper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom with the summer buy starring in patches this season for his relegation-threatened team.
Indeed, Zetterstrom has five clean sheets next to his name and has performed valiantly even as his side went on that lengthy losing streak, with seven saves amassed away at Cardiff City towards the back end of January.
2 RB – Ryan Nyambe
The first change could see Ryan Nyambe reinstated into the starting XI at the right-back spot after finding himself dropped for Derby’s last outing away at Norwich City.
After all, Eustace might view the ex-Blackburn man’s experience of the level as a big plus in trying to keep his new side afloat in the second tier, with Nyambe up to 196 career appearances in the Championship.
3 CB – Sondre Klingen Langås
Eustace would have loved to enter the building with Eiran Cashin still at his disposal, but the main Rams titan at the back has now departed his boyhood employers for a shot in the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Therefore, the potential new Rams boss will have to make do with fresh centre-back recruit Sondre Klingen Langås instead, who did impress in flashes at Carrow Road last match.
2025 winter transfer window: Every done deal from the Championship
Every winter transfer from the second tier can be found here.
ByStephan Georgiou Feb 3, 2025
Costing £4m to obtain from his native Norway, it seems as if Langas is the natural successor to Cashin, with three clearances registered and one duel won in Norfolk.
4 CB – Nathaniel Phillips
Liverpool defender Nathaniel Phillips.
He will likely be partnered by Liverpool loanee Nathaniel Phillips in a four-at-the-back formation, moving away from the five-at-the-back on show versus Norwich.
Whilst the 27-year-old is yet to pick up a clean sheet this season in the Championship, he has also impressed those watching on in spurts when times have been tough, with eight duels won away at Bristol City right at the start of January even as Derby fell to a slim 1-0 loss.
5 LB – Callum Elder
Another change defensively could come at the left-back spot, as a Warne favourite in Ben Osborn – who has been present 22 times in the league this campaign even as an ageing 30-year-old – is axed for promotion-winner Callum Elder.
Across that promotion-winning season, Elder was a utility member of the squad Warne could depend on, with the ex-Hull City man winning a high 4.3 duels per game this campaign when chucked into the team.
6 CM – Ebou Adams
With Eustace’s preference for a 4-2-3-1 formation coming into play here, he will want a tough, no-nonsense midfield presence in his ranks to shore up the defence and he has just that in Derby battler Ebou Adams.
The former Cardiff City midfielder has remarkably won 8.3 total duels a match in the second tier this season, alongside also being well-equipped to fire a goal home with four strikes tallied up.
7 CM – David Ozoh
Crystal Palace loanee David Ozoh looks likely to partner Adams in the central midfield area of the team, with the Eagles youngster also capable of rolling his sleeves up for the cause.
From his eight league appearances so far, Ozoh has won 5.6 duels per game with his promising showing against Norwich perhaps putting him in Eustace’s early good books, with seven ground duels successfully registered on top of completing all his dribbles when attempting to instigate a Derby attack.
8 RM – Nathaniel Mendez Laing
Nathaniel Mendez Laing is in need of breathing life back into his playing days at Pride Park, having only picked up two goals and four assists so far this campaign after a whirlwind League one season prior.
Indeed, the ex-Cardiff winger tore the third tier to shreds with a stunning nine goals and 16 assists picked up, with Eustace now wanting to revive the “crucial” ace – as he was once labelled by football journalist Jacob Hackett – back to his frightening best.
9 CAM – Kenzo Goudmijn
With this formation switch in place, Eustace could be prepared to push promising Dutch midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn further up the field into a number ten spot.
After all, Goudmijn has one of his two Championship goals for the season from this more attacking-oriented role, with his creative flair to pick up two assists also lending itself to this new spot in the side.
Having been labelled as “incredibly talented” by football journalist Jake Barker back in December, the 23-year-old star could now potentially thrive under Eustace’s fresh ideas.
10 LM – Marcus Harness
Marcus Harness will be hoping that a new manager occupying the Pride Park dug-out means more game-time is handed his way, with his cameo against Norwich City last time out gifting his side a crucial last-minute penalty.
Only starting 13 of his 26 Championship games this campaign, he could be set for an extended period in the first team under Eustace, with the ex-Ipswich Town attacker also a promotion winner from this level in the past.
da 888casino: O meio-campista Igor Gomes, do São Paulo, já está em Belo Horizonte para assinar contrato e ser apresentado pelo Atlético-MG. O jogador chegou nas últimas horas na capital mineira para ser oficializado como novo reforço.
A informação foi antecipada pelo portal Fala Galo e confirmada pela equipe da Valinor Conteúdo/Lance. Igor já está na capital e faz exames médicos. Em seguida, se tudo estiver correto, o jogador assina contrato com o Galo.
RelacionadasAtlético MineiroAtlético-MG vence o Galvez-AC na estreia das equipes na Copa São PauloAtlético Mineiro04/01/2023Futebol NacionalNathan abre o jogo sobre ‘sumiço’ no Fluminense e fala em sonhos no Atlético-MGFutebol Nacional04/01/2023Futebol NacionalAtlético-MG planeja nova investida por Patrick, do São PauloFutebol Nacional04/01/2023
da esoccer bet: Ele foi liberado pelo São Paulo para assinar com o Atlético-MG. O atleta de 23 anos tinha contrato com o Tricolor até março de 2023 e, com isso, já tinha assinado pré-contrato com o Galo. O time paulista aceitou liberar o atleta já em janeiro em troca de seguir com 10% dos direitos econômicos do jogador.
Igor Gomes passou por algumas críticas dos torcedores do São Paulo em 2022. Apesar disso, foi um dos principais nomes do Tricolor e um dos atletas mais utilizados por Rogério, com 61 jogos.
Opener scores second hundred of season as teams shake hands on draw
ECB Reporters Network30-Apr-2023An impressive, unbeaten first century on his home ground from Leicestershire’s Rishi Patel brought pleasant compensation to spectators who witnessed their side’s LV=Insurance County Championship match with Glamorgan fizzle out as a draw on the final day.Patel, 24, whose potential has excited the coaching staff at Grace Road since his move from Essex in 2020, seems now to be realising it. This was his second hundred in three matches after breaking his duck by driving his team to an epic victory over Yorkshire at Headingley three weeks ago.He played superbly, rarely making an error let alone offering a chance, hitting 18 fours and three sixes in his career-best 134 not out before Leicestershire declared their second innings on 252 for 3, most of them coming cleanly off the bat as he picked off boundaries all round the wicket.His captain, Lewis Hill, was unlucky not to join him on three figures, dragging one on to his stumps for 82 having never looked in any trouble, the two sharing a 203-run partnership for the second wicket.Earlier, Glamorgan had extended their overnight lead from 39 to 58 in losing their last two first-innings wickets as they were all out for 465, Chris Cooke the final man to depart after hitting 132. Veteran Leicestershire seamer Chris Wright finished with 5 for 89.Bottom of the table last season, Leicestershire are beginning to look like a team with promotion potential this year, having topped 400 first-innings runs in all three Championship matches played so far and compiling seven partnerships of 100 runs or more in those games, compared with nine in total in the 2022 campaign.Cooke’s century for the visitors followed his unbeaten 191 in the corresponding fixture last season, when his contribution was somewhat overshadowed by Sam Northeast’s epic 410 not out in Glamorgan’s record 795 for 5 declared. It was a match that was arguably the nadir of a desperate Leicestershire season as they lost by an innings despite themselves making 584 in their first innings.This time, in the lead rather than supporting role, Cooke lost his middle stump making room to swing hard as Wright completed a five-wicket haul for the first time since September 2021.Two overs earlier, Andrew Salter had departed in unfortunate and uncomfortable circumstances, a ball from Wright jagging back to strike him somewhere around his protective box and rolling on to the stumps as he dropped to his haunches.Having been 155 for 5, Glamorgan will have felt well satisfied that their second five wickets had put on double that runs tally. Doing so had taken so long, however, on top of overs lost earlier to the weather, that there was little prospect of fashioning a positive result.Glamorgan’s only hope was that they could bowl Leicestershire out in around 50 of the 87 overs still to play and give themselves a modest target in such time that remained. Michael Neser gave them an encouraging start, having opener Sol Budinger out for a single when he prodded at one outside off stump and gave David Lloyd the simplest of catches at first slip.Yet such optimism as that wicket might have stirred was tempered in the next over as Patel pounced on a leg-side delivery from Timm van der Gugten with such timing and vigour that the ball sailed out of the ground and into Milligan Road, coming to rest under a parked van. He followed up with a crisp drive through cover for four.It was an indication of what was to come as Patel picked up boundaries all round the ground. He hammered 18 in one over off Salter soon after lunch, back-to-back swept fours taking him to 51 from 74 balls with nine fours and a six, which he celebrated with another six down the ground off the offspinner, followed by a clip for four through midwicket.Salter recovered well and with Neser taking over from van der Gugten at the Bennett End the flow of runs was temporarily stemmed. But Patel got going again when Marnus Labuschagne replaced Salter, reverse sweeping the Australian to the fence to go to 98 before driving Jamie McIlroy’s medium pace through mid-off to complete a hundred off 137 balls, containing 17 fours and two sixties.Hill went past fifty off 91 balls soon afterwards as Leicestershire’s lead topped 100 with very little doing for any of the bowlers under high cloud.The Leicestershire skipper must have had an eye on his second century of the season but missed out, falling just before tea on 82 as his counterpart Lloyd picked up a first wicket in the second innings, to which he added a second when Colin Ackermann holed out to deep midwicket soon after tea, before the teams shook hands on the inevitable draw at 4.50pm.
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.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
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.
Everton manager David Moyes desperately wants to bring a “special” Premier League player to the club this summer, according to a new transfer update.
Everton eye attacking reinforcements
The Blues have been linked with lots of players since the 2024/25 season reached its conclusion, but few rumoured signings have caught the eye more than Ben Doak. The Liverpool teenager is reportedly the subject of interest from several top flight clubs, as the Blues look to seal the first direct senior signing between the two Merseyside rivals since 2002, when Abel Xavier traded Goodison Park for Anfield.
The Reds have a big decision to make with Doak, who spent the season on loan in the Championship with Middlesbrough, as they weigh up whether they think he is good enough to make the grade in the years to come, or cash in on him for a healthy amount of money this summer.
Plenty of clubs are hovering if they do decide to sell the 19-year-old, and for Everton supporters, the idea of snapping up a bright Liverpool talent will be a mouthwatering prospect. Now, there has been a fresh development in the saga, as Moyes looks to work his magic.
Doak now Everton's leading winger target
According to TEAMtalk, Doak is now a “leading target” for Everton to sign this summer, as their interest in the Liverpool youngster shows no sign of going away. It is claimed that Moyes is a “huge admirer” of the £30m-rated Scottish wide man, as they look to complete a memorable piece of business.
This has to be considered an encouraging update regarding Everton’s pursuit of Doak, not least the fact that Moyes would seemingly love him at the club.
The Scotland international is exactly what the Blues are crying out for on the flank, with the Liverpool man possessing blistering pace, an ability to both cut inside and hit the byline, and also an enormous amount of long-term potential.
Doak is admired by so many, including former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who has said of him: “Special boy. Really confident, has something nobody else delivers really, this kind of dribbling, this kind of straight-forward bravery, all these kind of things.”
The biggest downside to this whole situation is that the Reds may be unwilling to sell to Everton, given the risk of one of their own players becoming a star for their local rivals, which could put paid to a move.
Mourinho loves him: Everton readying offer to sign "intelligent" forward
Everton have identified a player who they believe will strengthen a key position in their team.
By
Brett Worthington
Jun 5, 2025
If the Scot likes the idea of playing for the Blues, though, not least as it would mean not having to move away, Moyes and those high up at the club must pounce while they have the chance.