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It seems that the Everton bubble has now well and truly burst under David Moyes.

Only one meagre win has been picked up in the Premier League by the Toffees across their last five contests in the demanding division, with Tottenham Hotspur applying a lot more salt to the Merseyside outfit’s wound when humbling them 3-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday evening.

Micky van de Ven’s quickfire double would kill the contest in the first half, before Pape Matar Sarr made sure of the three points when his late effort beat Jordan Pickford.

Unfortunately for Everton, Beto forgot to pack his shooting boots again, leading the line for his out-of-form side, with the number nine cutting an isolated figure once more.

Why Beto may be dropped

To his credit, he did try to acrobatically beat Guglielmo Vicario in the second half after a quick run forward by Iliman Ndiaye found him in space. Unfortunately, as is his luck at the moment, the Italian pulled off a jaw-dropping save to preserve his clean sheet.

That means the ex-Udinese attacker’s goalless run of form in the Premier League now stretches to six straight matches, with this audacious effort on goal his only real memorable contribution during the 3-0 defeat.

Indeed, Beto would only amass 14 touches of the ball during his 66-minute stint on the pitch, with the aforementioned Pickford even coming in with more, having tallied up a far greater 36 come the full-time whistle.

Even when the ball was at his feet, he did very little with it, with just four accurate passes accumulated, away from the imposing 6-foot-4 attacker, also only winning two of the six duels he went in for, as he let his side down aerially.

Van De Ven would have no trouble in the air; on the other hand, as his two headers sealed all three points for Thomas Frank’s very effective visitors.

While the commanding Dutchman stood out as a major positive both in attack and in defence for Spurs, Everton looked regularly ropey themselves when push came to shove defensively, with this underperformer at the back now fearing for his first-team spot, alongside a goal-shy Beto.

The 4/10 Everton flop who must now be dropped

It will certainly worry Moyes in the Toffees dug-out that his side haven’t kept a clean sheet in league action since facing off against Aston Villa in the middle of September.

To try and remedy his team’s ongoing defensive issues, the Glaswegian could be prepared to drop Vitaliy Mykolenko, who endured another torrid evening in the Premier League against Frank’s rampant away side.

Mykolenko’s performance in numbers

Stat

Mykolenko

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

58

Accurate passes

27/38 (71%)

Accurate crosses

0/3

Successful dribbles

0/1

Possession lost

19x

Tackles won

0/1

Clearances

3

Ball recoveries

3

Total duels won

3/10

Dribbled past

2x

Stats by Sofascore

The more you read into the table above, the more damning Mykolenko’s poor day at the office becomes, with the Ukrainian full-back failing to register a single accurate cross, a single successful dribble, or a single successful tackle won across his disastrous 90 minutes.

To pile on the misery even more, the out-of-sorts number 16 also managed to lose possession a costly 19 times down the left flank across the entire duration of the 3-0 loss, while only 30% of his duels were also won. Safe to say, he won’t be looking back on his sixth Premier League start of the season with much glee.

Moyes could well have seen enough to be convinced to drop his 4/10 defender – as was the low post-match rating handed to him by Liverpool World’s Will Rooney – for Everton’s next league contest versus the top-flight’s biggest surprise package of the season so far in Sunderland, with the adaptable James Garner a potential candidate who could replace him, alongside summer recruit Adam Aznou.

It’s clear from Everton’s overall showing that things have become alarmingly stagnant and quick, as Moyes looked dejected when speaking to the media after the game.

He will surely be hoping for a much-improved performance from his downtrodden team at the Stadium of Light at the start of next month, as Beto and Mykolenko are both potentially moved out of his starting XI plans.

Related Everton scouts spotted watching "incredible" striker with 42 goals in 49 games

This would be a sensational piece of business.

Posts ByHenry Jackson Oct 24, 2025

Last season, Arsenal’s squad depth, or lack thereof, was tested to the absolute limit. Really, it was amazing that this team got as far as they did.

The Gunners were not a million miles away from the title and reached the Champions League semi-finals.

That all happened without a number of key players. Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel all missed large chunks of the campaign with serious hamstring problems.

Skipper Martin Odegaard also missed a lot of the early exchanges through an ankle injury, a problem that subsequently dampened his form for much of 2024/25.

So, with Andrea Berta at the helm for his first summer window, the message was loud and clear; add depth.

Add depth they did, in abundance too. The likes of Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres have improved numbers in forward areas. At the back, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie have been added to the collection.

Yet, all of that means that competition for places is now intense. Some of the club’s finest young talents are struggling for game time.

The biggest losers from Arsenal's increased squad size

Mikel Arteta has not been afraid of making big calls since becoming Arsenal manager if it means his squad improves.

The most notable example is undoubtedly Aaron Ramsdale. The England international looked like the Gunners’ number one for the next decade but Arteta was dissatisfied and swooped for David Raya, now one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

In the current side, a number of players are suffering from similar treatment. Jurrien Timber’s emergence as one of the Premier League’s finest right-backs means that Ben White is now reduced to a regular role among the subs.

Before then, Kai Havertz’s leading role as the striker meant Gabriel Jesus had become a fringe player.

In midfield, the arrivals of Eze and Madueke has also dampened Ethan Nwaneri’s game time.

When Saka was out, it was Madueke who deputised. With Odegaard now out, it’s Eze who is deputising. Nwaneri’s moment will no doubt come but he’ll have to be patient to get regular opportunities again.

Nwaneri’s fellow attacker in the shape of Gabriel Martinelli has also been hit with reduced starts so far in 2025/26.

The positive is that it has inspired improved performances. Martinelli has only started four games in all competitions but has scored three times and registered an assist.

Yet, for one of Hale End’s finest, he’s perhaps been hit the hardest this season.

Hale Ender is being given the Smith Rowe treatment at Arsenal

When Arteta first became Arsenal manager he relied on two players to carry his project forward.

One of them was Bukayo Saka, still the poster boy of this project, and Emile Smith Rowe, who appeared for Fulham in their 1-0 defeat to the Gunners on Saturday.

For Smith Rowe, his exit in the summer of 2024 was a sad one. He is an Arsenal boy, he loves the club, but he simply couldn’t re-find his form or reclaim his place in the team after a succession of injury problems.

This was a player who once scored ten goals in one Premier League campaign. That came back in 2021/22 and since then it has been a struggle. During his final year with the club, he featured in the matchday squad for a league fixture on 31 occasions but only started three times and came off the bench on ten occasions.

Smith Rowe was fit for much of the season but simply didn’t get his opportunity; instead he was kept out by Odegaard and Co.

The same now appears to be happening to a few players. Nwaneri is one of them but the other is Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Now, it must be stated that Lewis-Skelly is still only 19 years of age. He’s an England regular and was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award last season. The teenager has the world at his feet and will no doubt become a regular under Arteta again.

However, at the moment, there are certainly echoes of the Smith Rowe situation. A sparkling and dazzling Hale Ender who saved Arteta’s lack of depth last season, the youngster is now paying the price for an increased squad size and the form of his teammates.

Liam Delap

Ipswich

Dean Huijsen

Bournemouth

Milos Kerkez

Bournemouth

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Arsenal

Ethan Nwaneri

Arsenal

Morgan Rogers

Aston Villa

Hailed as a “future captain” by club insider Hand of Arsenal, Lewis-Skelly’s potential is enormous but it is slightly in danger of being wasted, certainly this term.

He has been in the squad for all eight Premier League matchdays but is yet to start, has come off the bench five times and has only featured for 83 minutes.

So, why is that? Well, Riccardo Calafiori – who spent much of last campaign on the treatment table – has enjoyed a finer time of it with regards to fitness.

Calafiori hasn’t picked up a single injury yet and has been an ever-present member of the starting XI in the league. He’s been magnificent, too.

It was the Italian who scored the winning goal against Manchester United on the opening week and it was the defender who also picked up two assists a game later against Leeds.

The full-back then had a remarkable finish ruled out against Fulham on Saturday, cruelly denied a scintillating goal courtesy of the offside flag.

Calafiori was everywhere on Saturday, and it gave us all the evidence needed to demonstrate why Lewis-Skelly isn’t starting. His fellow full-back has been a man possessed this season and without an injury, isn’t budging from that position anytime soon.

So, how can Lewis-Skelly get more minutes? Well, like Smith Rowe, he must be wondering what on earth he needs to do. With Hincapie also signed and due to return from injury imminently, it surely only dampens the prospect of Arsenal’s Hale End prodigy getting playing time even more.

A midfielder by trade, a spot may well open up there but considering Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi have locked down those two positions, there isn’t a huge amount of hope that he’ll get chances there in 2025/26.

For a player who is the “future of Arsenal and English football” in the words of scout Jacek Kulig, it has been sad to see Lewis-Skelly’s decline in minutes. It is similar to Smith Rowe, but he has the talent, pedigree and fitness levels to ensure he doesn’t leave the club as early as his fellow Hale Ender.

Celtic return to Scottish Premiership action on Sunday as they welcome Motherwell to Parkhead after suffering the disappointment of a defeat at the hands of Braga in the Europa League.

In what turned out to be a bleak night, the Bhoys failed to turn up and Brendan Rodgers will feel a sense of frustration at the way matters panned out, especially after Kelechi Iheanacho’s controversial disallowed goal that was overturned by VAR.

Celtic’s last five results – a cause for concern?

Celtic 0-2 Braga

Celtic 0-0 Hibernian

Crvena Zvedza 1-1 Celtic

Partick Thistle 0-4 Celtic

Kilmarnock 1-2 Celtic

Either way, the focus turns back to league duty and even at an early stage, their encounter against the Steelmen feels like a match that will arrive in must-win territory as a disgruntled fanbase continue to vocalise their discontent with matters on and off the field.

Claiming three points will be the only option to quell some of that anger, so with that in mind, who could Rodgers look to start at home to Motherwell?

GK – Kasper Schmeichel

Veteran Denmark international Kasper Schmeichel’s error meant Ricardo Horta opened the scoring for Braga with a long-range strike in Thursday night’s Europa League, leaving some supporters wondering if it is time to grant Viljami Sinisalo a run in the side.

Truthfully, the 38-year-old looked shaky against the Primeira Liga outfit and not for the first time this season. However, Rodgers has always been a big advocate for his talent and experience. He will likely allow the former Leicester City goalkeeper a chance to atone on Sunday.

RB – Anthony Ralston

Colby Donovan started at home to Braga on Thursday in light of his positive emergence from the academy. Nevertheless, he failed to shine on a night where the Hoops were second best.

Anthony Ralston was preferred against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership last weekend after returning from injury and helped to keep a clean sheet, offering Rodgers a straight swap that may make a degree of sense heading into a must-win fixture.

CB – Cameron Carter-Vickers

Uncharacteristically, Cameron Carter-Vickers was another who fell below his usual lofty standards earlier in the week, though he is too important to drop at an early stage in the season where Celtic are fighting Heart of Midlothian for top spot. Expect him to start.

CB – Liam Scales

Partnering Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales has arguably been Celtic’s best player of the season so far and has barely put a foot wrong in spite of deficiences elsewhere on the pitch.

The Bhoys have only conceded a solitary goal in the Scottish Premiership this campaign, illustrating their resilience, so it feels unlikely that the Irishman would be rested against Motherwell.

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He was full of praise…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 2, 2025 LB – Marcelo Saracchi

Left-back will be a toss-up between Marcelo Saracchi and Kieran Tierney, and it may be more prudent for the former to start as Rodgers looks to manage Tierney’s fitness.

Coming in on loan from Boca Juniors, Saracchi has been continually impressive when called upon and is establishing himself as a favourite among supporters.

CDM – Callum McGregor

Looking at his performances, Celtic captain Callum McGregor has some room for improvement as the Bhoys’ engine room struggles to find their best collective form. Still, he will be present and is someone you write off at your peril.

CM – Reo Hatate

Reo Hatate is another who has endured an inconsistent start to the season. Putting that aside, his defence-splitting qualities may be needed against an unbeaten Motherwell side on Sunday afternoon.

The Japan international is capable of playing line-breaking passes and takes on an average of 1.3 shots per league game, according to Sofascore, which is something Rodgers will hope to see in action as his side aim to take all three points.

CM – Benjamin Nygren

Luke McCowan, Arne Engels and Paulo Bernardo may be players some supporters will make a case for starting, albeit Benjamin Nygren is hard to look past due to his encouraging numbers from midfield.

Three goals and four assists in his first 12 matches across all competitions is a decent tally, and the Swede will hope to do the damage as Celtic return to domestic endeavours.

RW – Hyunjun Yang

Daizen Maeda has recently featured on the right wing for Celtic, but Rodgers may opt to grant the Japan international a rest in favour of counterpart Hyunjun Yang. With a lack of options at his disposal on that side, the South Korean may be more of a natural fix.

LW – Sebastian Tounekti

The star of the show for Celtic this season, Sebastian Tounekti is someone that Rodgers can’t afford to drop, even if Michel-Ange Balikwisha is waiting in the wings for an opportunity.

Capped three times by Tunisia, he has created six chances in 162 minutes of Scottish Premiership football, making him a nailed-on starter.

ST – Kelechi Iheanacho

Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho has had the ball in the net four times in his opening five games for Celtic. Only two of which have counted, though he has impressed with his link-up play and ability to sniff out opportunities.

With the correct support, he could be the man to seperate the sides at Parkhead and appears to be finding his feet under a familiar face in Rodgers.

Cape Verde have officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup, becoming the second-smallest nation ever to punch their ticket into the iconic quadrennial tournament. The African nation, which has a population of just 524,000, beat Eswatini 3-0 on Monday to seal their progression to the finals next summer, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Cape Verde punch their ticket

In one of the most incredible stories of World Cup qualifying, the tiny island nation, which is off the west coast of Africa, have confirmed their progression to next summer's tournament. Managed by Pedro Leitão Brito, known as Bubista, Cape Verde beat Eswatini 3-0 on Monday, in a game that was watched by almost the entire nation; the national government allowed all workers a half-day, meaning they could pack into the stadium, and crowd around televisions, to watch on. They subsequently become the second-smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup. Iceland remain the smallest after playing at the 2018 tournament, failing to progress from the group stage.

Goals from Dailon Rocha Livramento and Willy Semedo had Cape Verdeans dancing in the stands, before Stopira added a third in injury time to seal a joyous victory, with the president in attendance. 

AdvertisementA minnow in the ocean

Cape Verde, known as the Blue Sharks, sit 70th in the current FIFA world rankings, notably behind the likes of Burkina Faso, the United Arab Emirates, Albania, and North Macedonia. Nevertheless, they will play at the World Cup for the first time in their history. They have finished top of Group D in African qualifying, finishing four points ahead of regular continental heavyweights Cameroon, who simultaneously drew 0-0 with Angola on Monday. The Blue Sharks tied 3-3 with Libya last week in a game that could have sealed qualification, but managed to get over the line this time. 

Roberto Lopes said: "Traditionally, it's been difficult to qualify for the World Cup, especially in Africa where you had to finish first [in your group] to have a chance. This time, if you finish first, you're in. The motivation to be first and hold on to that has been crucial."

Bebe to play at a major tournament?!

Perhaps Cape Verde's most famous player is the former Manchester United forward Bebe. The 35-year-old played (not much!) for the Red Devils between 2010 and 2012, with a total of seven first-team appearances for the club. He is now on the books at UD Ibiza in the Spanish third division, making 24 appearances and scoring eight goals for the club in total. He will hope a final career swansong comes, although his last call-up was back in November 2024. Logan Costa is the only player in the Cape Verde squad who plays in Europe's top five leagues, doing so for Villarreal. 

There have been two other first-time qualifiers thus far for the expanded 2026 tournament, which will feature 48 teams: Uzbekistan and Jordan are also going to be World Cup debutants. Cape Verde join Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and Ghana in sealing an African qualifying spot for next year's finals, with three more nations set to join them. Cameroon, Africa's major heavyweights, now face the jeopardy of another round, meaning their qualification is up in the air, as they will first have to navigate the CAF play-offs before entering an inter-continental play-off. 

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AFPParty in the streets of Praia

It is fair to say that most Cabo Verdean residents, in the capital Praia and elsewhere, will not be going to bed until the wee hours of the morning as they celebrate an all-time achievement from their football heroes. It remains to be seen if they can make an impact at the tournament itself, but they will aim to, at the very least, compete amongst the very best. Potential clashes with the likes of Brazil, Argentina, England and France will have mouths watering in the African nation, as they bid to pull off some major scalps. There is no harm in dreaming, after all. 

NSW must make the second-highest Sheffield Shield total this season if they are to beat Tasmania and reach the final

AAP17-Mar-2025
New South Wales (NSW) have given themselves an outside chance in their match in Tasmania as they try to pull off a massive run chase and reach the Sheffield Shield final. With NSW needing 529 to win, Test opener Sam Konstas and Blake Nikitaras reached 71 for 0 at stumps on day three at Bellerive.If NSW win it would be the second-highest score this Shield season, behind South Australia’s 614 for 7 dec. in their current match against Queensland.Related

Peirson, Wildermuth tons give Queensland a pulse

Kellaway's 151* hampers WA's Shield final bid

While NSW require a mammoth 458 on the last day for victory, in their favour is that the Bellerive pitch yielded 373 for 3 on Monday in the pink-ball game, so the Tasmanian attack will likely have to work hard for wickets. Konstas (34) and Nikitaras (31) have given them the perfect springboard for the day-four run chase.In setting the target, opener Jake Weatherald top-scored for the home side with 145 and Caleb Jewell made 100 not out before Tasmania declared at 383 for 4.Jordan Silk backed up his first-innings ton with 65 and Tim Ward contributed 52, while Tanveer Singha took 2 for 106 from 30 overs.The NSW attack lost Jack Edwards to a knee problem in the second innings, but he will bat on Tuesday if needed.

He has been among the runs as well as wickets in the Major League Tournament, Sri Lanka’s domestic first-class competition, this season

Andrew Fidel Fernando05-Feb-2025

Ramesh Mendis has been added to Sri Lanka’s squad for the second Test against Australia, while seamer Vishwa Fernando and top-order batter Lahiru Udara have been released from what had been an 18-member squad. Sri Lanka team manager Mahinda Halangoda confirmed the changes, and said Ramesh had joined the squad on Monday.Ramesh had been dropped both from the Test XI, and later from the squad entirely, on account of what Sri Lanka’s team management believed to be a sub-par bowling performance against New Zealand in November.But having conceded 654 for 6 in the first innings of the first Test against Australia in Galle, Sri Lanka have brought back Ramesh. Partly this is down to his bowling form in the ongoing first-class competition – the Major League Tournament – in which he has claimed 24 wickets at an average of 21.91 plus scored 260 runs at an average of 52 from six innings.His bowling returns among the top Test teams has been more modest, however, though he has played all 15 of his Tests so far in Asia. Against Australia, for example, he has seven wickets at an average of 40.85 from two matches that were played in Galle in 2022.Sri Lanka will seriously consider him for a spot in the XI given the inexperience in their spin attack. In the previous match, in which Sri Lanka slipped to their worst Test defeat in history, Sri Lanka had two frontline spinners playing their second Test.The second Test starts in Galle on Thursday.

Former Chelsea and Cameroon utility man Geremi has backed compatriot Andre Onana’s decision to leave Manchester United and join Trabzonspor. The goalkeeper joined the Turkish Super Lig side on a season-long loan in September, bringing a temporary end to his struggles at Old Trafford. Onana’s future had been uncertain all summer as United chased a new goalkeeper in the transfer window, eventually signing Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.

• Onana made a number of high-profile errors at United

  Onana joined United from Serie A giants Inter for £47 million (€55m/$63m) in 2023 and endured a difficult time at Old Trafford, making a series of high-profile errors. In his only appearance for United in 2025-26, Onana made two mistakes as the club drew 2-2 with League Two side Grimsby Town before losing 12-11 on penalties in what was a humiliating exit from the Carabao Cup.

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  Geremi believes Onana has been unfairly singled out for criticism

  But Onana’s form at United has since been defended by Geremi, who believes the 29-year-old was subjected to unfair treatment in a squad which – in his opinion – is made up of a number of underperforming players.

• Geremi supports Onana's decision to swap Old Trafford for Turkey

  Speaking to BestBettingSites.co.uk, Geremi said: “I think he’s made the right decision (to leave the club). It’s a good outcome for him, because he had to go somewhere he could play a lot, without too much pressure. He needs the confidence from regular football, and at his age, he has to play.

  “He took a lot of the blame when United were struggling, but honestly when you look at the squad there, he was hardly the only player who wasn’t impressing. Even now they’re struggling this season without him. I saw them against Manchester City, and they were poor again then. 

  “At Trabzonspor, he can rediscover his best form, and he’ll be able to play for Cameroon as we prepare for the African Cup of Nations. I saw in his first game he was man of the match, so there’s no doubting that there’s still a very good goalkeeper in there somewhere.”

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• Trabzonspor slip to narrow defeat on Onana's debut

  Onana made his debut for Trabzonspor in their 1-0 loss at rivals Fenerbahce in the Super Lig on September 14. His new side had been down to 10 men after Okay Yokuslu was sent off after just 20 minutes, with Youssef En-Nesyri scoring the only goal of the game.

Harry Kane got top marks from German media after starring in Bayern Munich's demolition of Hamburg. The England captain contributed with a brace and an assist as the reigning German champions registered a 5-0 win and maintained their 100 percent win record to start the 2025-26 Bundesliga campaign. With the two strikes on Saturday, Kane has now taken his goals tally to eight this term.

• Bayern put five past Hamburg

  Serge Gnabry broke the deadlock for the Bavarian side in the third minute before Aleksandar Pavlovic doubled their lead. Kane then converted a penalty in the 26th minute and Luis Diaz took the team's tally to four goals even before the half-hour mark. Kane then scored the team's fifth goal in the 62nd minute to seal a memorable win for the champions.

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• Kane gets top marks from BILD

  The Bayern star, along with Gnabry, received the top score from German newspaper for the exceptional show against Hamburg. Former Liverpool forward Luis Diaz got the second-highest score, level with Pavlovic, Michael Olise and Konrad Laimer.

• Striker nearing scoring milestone

  With the brace against Hamburg, Kane took a step forward towards reaching the 100-goal mark for Bayern across all competitions. The English forward has scored 93 goals for the German side in 101 appearances since joining them from Tottenham in 2023.

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• AFP
  

  When is Kane playing next?

  Vincent Kompany's side will be back in action on Wednesday as they take on Premier League giants Chelsea in their Champions League opener at the Allianz Arena.

ساهم النجم المصري محمد صلاح في فوز فريقه ليفربول على إيفرتون في لقاء ديربي الميرسيسايد بهدفين لهدف واحد على ملعب أنفيلد في الجولة الخامسة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ودخل سلوت لقاء اليوم بتشكيل مكون من:أليسون، برادلي، كوناتي، فان دايك، كيركيز، جرافينبرخ، ماك أليستر، صلاح، سوبوسلاي، جاكبو، هوجو إيكتيكي.

ودخل ديفيد مويس مدرب إيفرتون لقاء اليوم بتشكيل مكون من:بيكفورد، ميكولينكو، كين، تاركوفسكي، براين، جارنر، إدريسا جايي، جاك جريليتش، ديوسبري هال، نداي، بيتو.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ماذا قدم محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول وإيفرتون بـ الدوري الإنجليزي؟

واعتمد آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول على محمد صلاح طوال الـ90 دقيقة، ولم يتم إخراجه من أرض الملعب.

ونجح النجم المصري محمد صلاح أن يصنع أحد هدفي ليفربول في المباراة، حيث صنع الهدف الافتتاحي الذي سجله لاعب خط الوسط الهولندي ريان جرافينبرخ في الدقيقة العاشرة.

وعزز المهاجم الفرنسي هوجو إيكتيكي تقدم ليفربول بالهدف الثاني الذي سجله وجاء بصناعة لاعب خط الوسط الهولندي ريان جرافينبرخ في الدقيقة 29.

وفي الدقيقة 56 سجل إدريسا جايي لاعب خط الوسط السنغالي هدف إيفرتون الوحيد أمام ليفربول بتسديدة لا تصد ولا ترد من داخل منطقة الجزاء.

وعبر منصة “إكس” تلقى النجم المصري محمد صلاح إشادة كبيرة من الجماهير الإنجليزية خاصة أنه أصبح يحتل المركز التاسع في قائمة أكثر اللاعبين صناعة للأهداف في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ب89 أسيست.

“محمد صلاح لاعب عظيم”

He’s a great player as well — Seth Rosen (@TavCannaLLC) September 20, 2025

“محمد صلاح يتسلق الجدول ببطء وثبات” في إشارة إلى جدول ترتيب أكثر اللاعبين صناعة للأهداف في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي

he’s climbing the ladder, slowly and steadily — Jeremy (@Jeremyybtc) September 20, 2025

“عاد الملك المصري”

The king is back — Lucas (@LockedInLucas) September 20, 2025

“واحد من ضمن الأعظم”

one of the greatest — Sweep (@0xSweep) September 20, 2025

“محمد صلاح أصبح مثل أعلى في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز”

What an idol he’s become in the premier league — Quakk (@quakklife) September 20, 2025

“تطور صلاح إلى مهاجم مزدوج الخطورة يجعل ليفربول أكثر خطورة”

Salah’s evolution into a dual-threat attacker makes Liverpool even more dangerous — Buddy Boy Bets (@Buddyboybets) September 20, 2025

“إرث صلاح لا يزال يتمدد”

Salah’s legacy just keeps getting bigger — xcTUR 🌕 💃 (@turriztA) September 20, 2025

“أسطورة”

Legend 🇪🇬👑 — Cricketandfootballguy (@cricandfooty) September 20, 2025

“صلاح يملك إرث في الدوري الإنجليزي أكثر من كريستيانو رونالدو”

This guy actually has a better premier league legacy than CR7🐐 — Digicent (@Emmesonnn) September 20, 2025

“صلاح يحطم الأرقام القياسية من أجل المتعة فقط”

This guy is now just breaking records for fun🤦🏾‍♂️ — Darker skinn_ ⌚_ (@IamBradleyCarl) September 20, 2025

“ما يفعله يرد على سؤال لماذا هو أعظم لاعب في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز”

That’s why he’s the Greatest premier league player of all time — SHŌGUN | 将軍 (@0xshogun_) September 20, 2025

Liverpool are preparing to defend their Premier League title, and while Arne Slot will be emboldened by the ambitious signings made thus far, their divisional rivals are growing in strength, packaging their teams with fresh parts.

But the Merseysiders set the standard with the £100m signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, a deal which may yet rise to £116m with add-ons.

It’s a fool’s game to name a prediction for the Premier League Player of the Year before the campaign’s even kicked off (but here we go anyway), and Wirtz hasn’t even played competitively in the English game yet, but he’s got to be among the frontrunners, and rightly so.

The attacking midfielder’s peerless creativity established him as a superstar in Germany, and he will hold the key to unlocking defences and charging Slot’s goalscoring endeavours.

In many respects, football is secondary at Anfield after the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, yet before too long, Richard Hughes’ focus will turn back to the transfer market with the 2025/26 campaign only weeks away – and Darwin Nunez expected to leave Liverpool for a new chapter.

The latest on Liverpool's striker search

The Athletic have confirmed that Liverpool are prioritising the acquisition of a new central striker as we head into the next phase of the summer transfer window.

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak remains the dreamy top target, but signing him will be no easy feat, rated at £200m by his employers, who have no wish to sell.

However, the Magpies are looking to close a deal for Hugo Ekitike, another high on Liverpool’s list, which could spark a series of variables that might just play to Anfield’s favour. However, this is conjectural right now.

In any case, Liverpool need to replace Nunez, who only scored seven times last term and is heading toward the exit, something both parties are open to. Even with an elite playmaker in Wirtz joining the club, it’s felt the 25-year-old has had ample chances to prove himself.

With Napoli and Al Hilal both keen on the Uruguayan, the former already coming close but to be thwarted by financial differences, it’s only a matter of time before a move progresses for Nunez.

And when that happens, FSG are primed to sign a new out-and-out frontman.

Liverpool make contact for new striker

According to Liverpool reporter Matt Thielen, Liverpool have been in contact with Samu Aghehowa’s agents as they search for a new striker this summer.

The Reds aren’t the only ones scanning the market for a new striker to have centred on Aghehowa, however, with Aston Villa and Newcastle United both having shown an interest in recent weeks.

The 21-year-old could also prove to be cost-efficient. While he has an £82.5m release clause in his contract, Samu could be sold for considerably less at £63m.

Why Liverpool want Samu Aghehowa

In 2024, Aghehowa looked set for a transfer from Atletico Madrid to Chelsea, before the move collapsed and Porto swooped in.

The Blues’ frustrations proved to be the Portuguese outfit’s gain, for they have enjoyed the prolific qualities of a thriving young striker who has been hailed for his “elite potential” by analyst Ben Mattinson after scoring 27 goals and adding three assists across 45 matches in all competitions last term, notably dispatching a cool brace against Manchester United in the Europa League.

The Spanish striker has proved himself to be a deadly marksman, but he’s also a crisp and progressive distributor, ranked among the top 4% of strikers across divisions similar to the Liga Portugal last year for pass completion and the top 6% for through balls per 90, as per FBref.

In this regard, Slot could sign a new centre-forward with the goalscoring instinct and indeed technical awareness to operate within the ranged tactical parameters the Dutch coach likes to enforce.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

And it’s a tactical quirk which could find an ideal partner in Wirtz, whose ball-playing qualities and silky movement would allow the striker to find space with consistency and strike on goal. Or, conversely, ‘Samu’ could use his capacity to drop deep and play surgical balls into the box to keep defenders guessing, letting his 22-year-old teammate sidle into space.

Hailed as a “monster in the making” with a “complete profile” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Aghehowa has the potential to throw down with the finest number nines that the game has to offer, but he’s not there yet.

However, his still-in-development skill set could actually be the perfect thing for Wirtz, with the two attacking players combining and growing in accordance with their partnership, learning all about the idiosyncrasies of each other’s games.

Matches (starts)

30 (23)

Goals

19

Assists

3

Shots (on target)*

2.7 (1.1)

Big chances missed

18

Pass completion

79%

Big chances created

5

Key passes*

0.6

Dribbles*

0.4

Duels won*

3.3

Looking at his clinical edge and ability to maximise a goalscoring opportunity (only hitting the target at an average of 1.1 times per league match last season) the Spanish forward could be elevated to the next level by Wirtz.

The German, after all, has been described as a “genius” of a creator by former Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, with his flowing river of chances sure to raise the 6 foot 4 powerhouse’s output.

Given that, were Aghehowa to sign, this could be Liverpool’s definitive offensive duo for an age, it makes sense that Hughes would have a vested interest.

Newcastle appear to be closing in on a deal for Ekitike, and the line over on Tyneside is Isak’s staying put; the 25-year-old will work in tandem with his younger French teammate.

Liverpool will, of course, remain attentive to Isak’s situation. Still, FSG’s ambitions only run so far, and it seems unlikely that a figure in the ballpark of £200m would be green-lit after such steep expenditure already.

With this Porto phenom going from strength to strength, Slot and co could forget about all that and focus on a man who looks perfect for this high-flying project.

Better than Wirtz: Liverpool preparing £113m bid to sign superstar winger

Liverpool could sign another marquee player this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 15, 2025