All posts by h716a5.icu

Fakhar Zaman’s 60 and Salman Mirza’s four-wicket haul set up the win for Lahore Qalandars in the rain-interrupted game

Andrew Fidel Fernando19-May-2025Fakhar Zaman’s 60 off 36 set up the game for Lahore Qalandars, before Salman Mirza’s 4 for 31 sealed a rain-reduced 13-over PSL 2025 game in Rawalpindi on Sunday night. Peshawar Zalmi were guilty of overall sloppiness. They dropped at least four catches – including two off Fakhar – and their chase never left the ground, even if some late hitting narrowed the margin.The loss knocked Zalmi out of the competition, as they finished fifth on the table. For Qalandars, the win confirmed their place in the Eliminator, to be played on Thursday.Fakhar rocks the powerplayFakhar brought his most fearless self to the powerplay. His first six came off a bad short ball which he pulled for six. But the second big hit, one ball later, was imperious. He ran at Luke Wood and thumped him high over the long-on boundary.He would hit only one more six in his innings, but struck five fours, punishing errors in line in particular. By the end of the powerplay, he was 45 off 21 balls. Qalandars had sped to 80 for 1.Qalandar’s top order pitches inIt wasn’t all about Fakhar, though. In the first four overs, Mohammad Naeem was, in fact, the primary blaster, hitting three fours and a six in his ten-ball 22. Later, Kusal Perera contributed 17 off eight balls, before Asif Ali smashed 18 off six (the first two deliveries he faced sailed over the boundary).Vitally, all of those supporting batters continued to take risks and push the run rate, despite Fakhar’s success at the other end.Mirza’s powerplay strikes swing itAlthough Zalmi always needed to go at almost 11.5 runs an over, there was an outside chance they could have made a strong charge, given the batting-friendly surface and the damp outfield. Mirza effectively killed the chase in his first two overs.His first wicket was down to a little good fortune, Saim Ayub treading on his stumps trying to play a back-foot shot. But in his next over, Mirza bowled Mohammad Haris and Max Bryant off successive deliveries. The ball to Bryant was especially impressive, he curved it away from the batter from over the wicket, then jagged it back into his stumps.Mirza would also dismiss Ahmed Daniyal in his last over.

Laura Wolvaardt dropped to tied-second alongside Nat Sciver-Brunt

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jun-2025India opener Smriti Mandhana is back to No. 1 on the ICC’s ODI rankings for women’s batting. It is the first time since 2019 for Mandhana (727 rating points) at the top. South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt (717) – who lost 17 rating points – dropped to tied-second alongside England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt.In early May, Mandhana had scored 51 against South Africa and 116 in the final against hosts Sri Lanka in a tri-series, which were has last two ODI appearances.Wolvaardt, in her five ODI appearances in 2025, has averaged 28.20 with a top score of 43. She scored 27 and 28 in the first two ODIs of the ongoing series against West Indies.Related

Devine to retire from ODIs after the World Cup

Women's ODI World Cup: India vs Pakistan on October 5 in Colombo

England’s Amy Jones and Australia allrounder Ellyse Perry round out the top five. Mandhana is the lone Indian in the top ten, with Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur on 15th and 16th respectively.The top of the ODI bowling charts stayed the same, with England left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone well ahead of Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner and Megan Schutt. But West Indies spinner Afy Fletcher’s four-wicket haul against South Africa in the second ODI helped her gain four spots up to 19th.There were no changes in the ODI allrounders’ top ten either. Gardner leads the list, with West Indies’ Hayley Matthews at No. 2 and South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp at No. 3. New Zealand’s Sophie Devine, who announced her decision to retire from ODIs after the World Cup in September to be hosted by India, is ninth among allrounders and 13th among batters.

West Bromwich Albion will want to break free of their promotion nearly-men title come the end of the current Championship campaign.

The Hawthorns hierarchy certainly went in a bold, fresh direction this summer in attempting to reinvigorate proceedings in the West Midlands, with the appointment of Ryan Mason taking many by surprise, considering Tony Mowbray – who is a tried and tested figure in the EFL – was the Baggies’ previous manager before the 34-year-old took on the reins.

The West Brom novice has shone in spurts since taking on the daunting gig, with four wins already collected from nine second-tier clashes, but a 3-0 loss suffered away at Millwall just before the international break has shoved his inconsistent side down to seventh spot in the early league standings.

Thankfully, Mason does have a lot of quality at his disposal as he tries to pick his team back off the floor after the international break, with both Josh Maja and Isaac Price clear bright sparks in attack.

Maja and Price's start the season

Despite being riddled with injuries most of 2025 to date, Maja is now up and running under Mason when he instinctively fired home this poacher’s effort against Norwich City at the start of the month.

With another 12 league strikes next to the ex-Sunderland centre-forward’s name at the Hawthorns already, it goes without saying really that if West Brom do want to finally break out of the EFL’s elite league, they will need their number nine to be – most importantly – fit, but also firing on all cylinders for the rest of the long campaign.

Price will also be keen to shine alongside the 26-year-old in attack, having already collected four goal contributions this season, with two whirlwind strikes from the number 21 against Wrexham towards the start of the season, clinching a big 3-1 win for the visitors to Wales.

He has since seen his goals and assists dry up, but Mason will believe he can get back to his best, with the Northern Ireland international perhaps picking up goal contributions aplenty again, partnered next to a lethal Maja.

Yet, despite the electric Baggies duo amassing four goals between them this season so far, there is one former West Brom attacker who is actually outscoring both the Nigerian striker and the ex-Everton man, who was allowed to exit the West Midlands giants last year for just £2.25m.

The "shining light" now outscoring Maja & Price

West Brom have had their fair share of promotion near misses in recent years, with the Baggies usually falling just short of what is required of them in the intense lottery of the playoffs.

With Carlos Corberan at the helm, West Brom finished in a respectable fifth position come the end of the gruelling 2023/24 campaign. Despite their best efforts, they would come unstuck in the semi-final stages to eventual playoff winners Southampton, with Brandon Thomas Asante left to rue his luck.

Come the end of that competitive season, Thomas Asante would stick out as West Brom’s top goalscorer, as seen in the left-footed menace bagging 11 goals from 39 outings.

However, there would have still been grumbles surrounding the Ghanaian’s wastefulness that same season, with a whopping 18 big chances also missed, on top of his goal conversion percentage only coming in at 15%.

Therefore, when West Brom were met with a £2.25m bid from Coventry last summer, the Baggies clearly felt they had got the maximum out of their former “shining example”, as he was once labelled by Steve Bruce during the early days of his 78-game stint at the Hawthorns.

Games played

45

Minutes played

2312

Goals scored

9

Assists

6

They were very much wrong, though, with the “outstanding” Sky Blues marksman – as his new manager Frank Lampard has labelled him – already up to a jaw-dropping eight goal contributions from eight second-tier contests this season, with five of those being clinical goals that have helped bump his side’s overall goal count number in the division to a remarkable 27 strikes.

Clearly, Lampard is the manager Thomas Asante has been dreaming of working with, with the ex-Derby County boss playing him down the wings, too, to devastating effect, as opposed to the isolated figure he sometimes cut at West Brom when lining up regularly as a lone centre-forward presence.

The proof will soon be in the pudding as to whether the red-hot 26-year-old can keep up this sterling form across the full 46-game campaign, as Thomas Asante continues to battle against his former club in the promotion hunt, and both Maja and Price in the goal charts.

West Brom star who has "everything" looks like their new Tom Fellows

Ryan Mason could now have his very own Ryan Fellows in this exciting West Bromwich Albion star.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 7, 2025

Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White has hailed Ruben Amorim for masterminding an "incredible" Manchester United resurgence ahead of a crucial Premier League showdown at City Ground. At the end of September, United were being written off as a sinking ship. A humiliating 3-1 loss to Brentford left Amorim’s side stranded in 14th place and seemingly spiralling toward another season of disappointment. But after a sensational October, the narrative has flipped on its head.

AFPAmorim’s stunning turnaround

Amorim’s United have roared back to life after putting in a series of performances that have propelled them to sixth in the Premier League standings. They started October with a gritty 2-0 win over high-flying Sunderland. Many feared that the two-week international break would dent their momentum, but the Red Devils shocked their critics after churning out a historic 2-1 victory at Anfield to end a nine-year jinx. The squad started to believe, and then riding on the bright form, they dispatched Brighton 4-2 in a pulsating encounter at Old Trafford on Saturday. Suddenly, the Red Devils are back in the European mix and are just six points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

AdvertisementAFPGibbs-White wary of United threat

Gibbs-White has admitted he is an admirer of Amorim’s transformation job. Speaking to , the Forest playmaker was full of praise for how United have rediscovered their identity.

"It’s been incredible to see, obviously they’ve been going through a tough time in the past couple of years," he said. "But they’ve stuck with the gaffer [Amorim] and the past four or five games, you’re really starting to see how Man United should be playing, that grit and that determination to want to play for the badge. I feel like it’s been incredible to see, it’s something I feel like the league has missed."

However, while Gibbs-White respects United’s resurgence, he has warned that Forest must not get drawn into the hype.

"All we can do is focus on ourselves, we can’t focus on how Man United are doing and how their performances are because if we do that, we’re just almost bowing down to them," he added. "We’ve got to focus on what we want to do and how we can win the game. I feel like this week we’ve already started to implement some ideas, and obviously we’ve still got a few more days until the game, so I’m sure the gaffer [Sean Dyche] will have more ideas of how we can beat them."

Amorim's tactical evolution at Man Utd

A major reason for United’s revival lies in Amorim’s subtle but significant tactical tweaks. Early-season criticism was fierce, with fans tearing into his rigid 3-4-3 formation, accusing him of being too stubborn and naive in the Premier League. But instead of abandoning his philosophy, Amorim refined it. Without the ball, United now defend in a compact 5-4-1 shape, with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro forming a disciplined midfield block. They get additional help from Luke Shaw, who has been instructed to step into midfield when out of possession, creating an extra body in the press. The changes have made United harder to break down, and the results are there for everyone to see. 

Club legend Rio Ferdinand, who lifted 14 trophies in his 12 glittering years at Old Trafford, is among those who has been pleased with the recent changes. On he hailed the manager's flexibility to tweak his ideas to suit the players. 

"I admire it to a certain extent. But like I said, I think he was playing Russian Roulette with his job. I don't think he's changed drastically; he's just tweaked," he said. "That's what a lot of fans were asking for. Just tweak what you've got. Maybe don't be so much on the front foot, maybe be a bit more conservative at times when we haven't got the ball. You can't press, press, press for 90 minutes, unless you're an absolute beast of a team. PSG do it. This manager couldn't do that with this squad."

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GettyA fourth victory on the trot at Forest?

While United climb the table with renewed purpose, Forest find themselves in dire straits. Ange Postecoglou has been shown the door after a disastrous spell, and Sean Dyche’s first Premier League game in charge ended in a sobering 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, leaving Forest 18th with just one win from nine matches. A rejuvenated United side, brimming with confidence, might be licking their lips at the opportunity to register a fourth straight Premier League victory. This would mark United’s best run since February 2024 and indicate a genuine transformation from an early-season disarray to a top-four contender. However, Gibbs-White will be out to try and spoil the party.

Former Chelsea and Liverpool striker Fabio Borini has revealed he wanted to sue former club Sampdoria as they did not feed him during a lean patch in his career. Borini's revelations come just weeks after his surprise return to English football with Salford City, who are owned by members from Manchester United's 'Class of '92'. Back on English shores, the Italian will be looking to rebuild his career and rediscover his love for the game after what he describes as one of the darkest periods of his life.

From the Premier League to the depths of despair

Borini’s journey through football has been as turbulent as it has been remarkable. Born in Bentivoglio, Italy, he rose through Bologna’s youth academy before he earned a move to Chelsea. However, his big break came at Roma, which led Liverpool to make a move in 2012. During his time at Anfield, Borini starred in Brendan Rodgers’ squad. He later joined Sunderland, where he became a fan favourite and scored in the 2014 League Cup final loss to Manchester City, before moving on to AC Milan and Hellas Verona in Serie A. But his most difficult chapter came at Sampdoria, whom he joined in 2023 after a successful spell in Turkey with Fatih Karagumruk. His debut season was a hit as he scored nine goals. However, a shift in club management left Borini out in the cold. He suddenly found himself frozen out and, what followed, as he claims, was inhumane treatment.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBorini reveals his struggles in Italy

In an explosive interview with , Borini didn’t hold back as he detailed the emotional and physical toll of his final months in Italy.

"People close to me know how difficult it was because it was a very a strict position taken by the director before even meeting me," he confessed. "He decided that I wasn't right, I wasn't this, I wasn't that, I was a problem in the dressing room, when in reality, I was the dressing room.

"I was keeping them together in the hard times because it's my experience that brings me to do that, and I can do the same here. I was ready to sue the club. I had every paper to sue the club because they can't make me train on my own different times, no food, no involvement with the team, all these little things. So I was very, very, very troubled. I spoke with a friend of mine who was in Sampdoria and lived the same situation, and he said, 'I'm feeling like I'm healing by being away'. And I text him yesterday, and said, 'I'm starting to feel those feelings again'. Because it's a long process."

Fresh start in Salford

Borini has finally found a lifeline in Salford City, co-owned by the likes of Gary Neville and Paul Scholes. The League Two club is already known for its ambition and star-studded ownership, signed Borini earlier this month in what is a coup that will add glamour to lower-league football. 

"It’s been great, I came in to train to keep myself fit in this transition between contracts and Salford, the gaffer, Alex Bruce, were kind enough to allow me to use the facilities and train here," Borini said after the announcement. "Experience is one thing that I can bring, but it’s not just about the experience that I have on the pitch, it’s outside of the pitch so leading by example in training, outside training, how to manage a game. I’ve never played League Two football so I need to learn as well from my team mates the main characteristics of this league, but I will bring myself as an open book for my team mates to use me, learn from me or help me, so I’m very open to this challenge."

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Getty Images SportWhat next for ex-Italy striker?

So far, Borini has featured twice, logging 20 minutes of game time, and though he’s yet to score, his experience should come in handy for Salford. They have set their sights on back-to-back promotions that could eventually take the club to the Championship. They are sitting third in the League Two table, just one point off the top, and Borini's arrival couldn't have come at a better time. 

Manchester United are now preparing a significant offer for a “rapid” new player, who has been demanded by Ruben Amorim ahead of the January transfer window.

Amorim looking to sign new centre-back who could partner Maguire

In the wake of Harry Maguire scoring a dramatic late winner against Liverpool at Anfield, Nicky Butt has suggested Man United have made a mistake by not bringing in a top centre-back partner for the England international.

The former midfielder said: “Do you know what you were saying about never letting the club down, I think it’s the other way around, I think the club has let him down, if I’m honest.

“If you look at his best games they have always been for England, he’s had John Stones next to him, it’s like a Yin and Yang.

“With Harry, he’s going to that club, and he’s never had a player next to him who can compliment him ever…”

In fairness, Matthijs De Ligt has arguably improved considerably this season, but Amorim is a little light on top-quality options, with Paul Scholes recently criticising Luke Shaw, who started at left centre-back against Liverpool.

Rooney: £150k-p/w star has been Man Utd's "best player" and "proven me wrong"

The Manchester United legend has praised one of Ruben Amorim’s key players, who he was initially “sceptical” about.

ByDominic Lund Oct 21, 2025

As such, bringing in a new centre-back in the January transfer window could be a savvy move, and Amorim has now demanded the signing of Sporting CP star Ousmane Diomande, with the United boss keen to secure a reunion.

That is according to a report from Spain, which also states Man United are now preparing a significant offer for the centre-back, who is valued at around €50m (£43m), which would be an affordable fee.

Amorim believes the Sporting CP defender would be an ideal fit in his three-at-the-back system, and he has now been identified as a key target for the winter transfer window.

"Rapid" Diomande is a Gabriel and Saliba "hybrid"

William Saliba and Gabriel have formed a formidable partnership at Arsenal, with the Gunners conceding just three Premier League goals this season, and both centre-backs rank among the best in world football.

As such, it should excite United fans to hear the Sporting star has been described as a “hybrid” between the two Arsenal defenders by scout Ben Mattinson, while journalist Zach Lowy has also been left very impressed.

Moreover, the youngster is very assured in possession of the ball, placing in the top 1% of centre-backs for his pass-completion rate per 90 over the past year.

With Man United clearly in need of a new centre-back, Diomande could be the ideal addition to the squad, and his previous experience working with Amorim is an added bonus.

Lees records second century of the match in Durham’s successful rearguard action as Surrey go top of table

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay02-Jul-2025Durham 362 (Lees 125, Robinson 79, Worrall 4-60) and 262 for 0 (Gay 156*, Lees 100*) f/o drew with Surrey 820 for 9 dec (Sibley 305, Lawrence 178, Jacks 119, Curran 108, Burns 55)Centuries from Emilio Gay and Alex Lees, in a superb unbroken opening partnership of 262, made sure of a comfortable Rothesay County Championship draw for Durham against Surrey on day four at the Kia Oval.Gay hit an unbeaten 156 while Lees followed up his first -innings 125 with 100 not out – reaching his second hundred of the match with what proved to be the last ball before hands were shaken at 5pm – and Durham’s successful rearguard action over the last seven sessions of the match owed much to the skill and stamina of their captain.His stand with Gay was a Durham partnership record against Surrey for any wicket, beating 183 by Will Smith and Scott Borthwick at Chester-le-Street in 2013.Durham began the day by initially turning their overnight 343 for 9 into a final first-innings total of 362, with an injured Ben Raine defying Surrey’s bowlers for a further 7.1 overs.They were helped by early morning rain that prevented any play until noon, while Surrey knew that the loss of 16 overs from the day’s allocation also took from them the possibility of having a second new ball available in a final hour.As it was, after Raine’s brave 19 and more resistance from his tailend partner Daniel Hogg, Durham were left with 70 overs to negotiate in their second innings when predictably asked to follow on – Surrey having amassed a mammoth 820 for 9 declared in their own first innings on a flat pitch.The draw, confirmed with Durham 262 without loss from 55.4 overs, was all but inevitable once Lees and Gay had seen off the new ball, as wickets have been desperately difficult to come by with an older and softer Kookaburra throughout this match.Surrey’s consolation is that the additional eight draw points, giving them 15 in all from the game, are enough to push them to the top of the Division One table for the first time this season – a single point in front of long-time Championship leaders Nottinghamshire.Seamer Raine, who suffered ligament damage in his left ankle on the opening day, had hobbled out at No. 11 to survive seven balls at the end of day three. When day four got under way it seemed as if Raine was moving a little more freely and his further defiance included three fours in a 32-ball effort ended when Will Jacks trapped him lbw.Lees sliced the first ball of Durham’s second innings just wide of gully for four and the bowler, Dan Worrall, was frustrated again when, on 5, the former England Test opener was beaten by a beauty that Surrey’s slip cordon initially thought might have taken a thin edge.Gay’s first scoring shot was also a streaky edge for four through the slips, off Matt Fisher, but soon the two left-handers had settled in and Rory Burns, Surrey’s captain, used six different bowlers in the first 14 overs of the innings – either side of lunch – in a vain effort to conjure up an early breakthrough.Surrey allrounder Sam Curran even aired some rarely-seen left-arm spin as the match meandered through its final overs after the tea interval, and the eight-over spell was tidy enough even if by then both Gay and Lees were content merely to see out time.It was Gay’s third hundred in Durham colours, since his move from Northamptonshire, and after reaching three figures from 98 balls he faced 172 in all, hitting 25 fours. Lees batted for 162 balls, striking 14 fours.

Carlo Ancelotti has conquered everything club football has to offer but his biggest dream now lies on the world stage. As Brazil’s head coach, the Italian tactician is chasing the one title missing from his glittering resume, the FIFA World Cup. With the 2026 tournament looming, Ancelotti’s mission is as emotional as it is historic, to end Brazil’s 24-year drought and perhaps, face his homeland, Italy, in the final.

Carlo Ancelotti wants to win the World Cup with Brazil

When Ancelotti left Real Madrid after guiding them to yet another Champions League crown in 2024, few could have predicted his next destination. Yet, for the man who has lifted 29 major trophies across Europe, the allure of leading the world’s most successful footballing nation proved irresistible.

“Managing the Brazilian national team – the most successful in history – was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse,” Ancelotti said when asked earlier why he chose to take up the role of Selcao's head coach. “I knew about the passion here, but living it is different. When Brazil play, the country stops."

Appointed in mid-2024, Ancelotti’s arrival marked a new era for the Selecao. By June 2025, he had guided Brazil to World Cup qualification, sealing the spot with a narrow 1-0 win over Paraguay thanks to Vinicius Jr.’s strike. His record of two wins, one draw, and one loss in his first four games reflected a pragmatic approach built on defensive solidity and tactical discipline, qualities Brazil had been missing in recent years.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesAncelotti's Brazil is finally taking shape

Ancelotti’s Brazil is not about flamboyance alone; it’s about control. Known for his calm leadership and man-management, he has tried to mould a side that balances flair with efficiency. “We want to win, and we’re not hiding it,” he declared. “The dream is for Brazil to win their sixth World Cup. There are great expectations, but also great enthusiasm. The fact that we haven't won in 24 years is a burden. Let's hope it doesn't become 28!,” Ancelotti said in an interview with Dribbling on Rai Due.

His selections have sparked debate. Neymar’s absence due to long-term injury, along with the temporary exclusions of Vinicius and Rodrygo, raised eyebrows. But Ancelotti was clear: fitness, form, and balance come before fame. “It’s important to know every player personally,” he explained after calling up several fresh faces like Caio Henrique and Kaio Jorge during 2025 qualifiers.

Critics, challenges, and the pressure of being the Brazil coach

Yet, not everyone is convinced. Former Brazil goalkeeper and manager Emerson Leao criticised Ancelotti’s appointment, calling it “a sad reflection” of the state of Brazilian coaching. “I’m disappointed that a foreigner had to come because our own coaches haven’t delivered,” Leao told CNN. “Managing Brazil is much harder than managing Real Madrid – here, an entire nation judges you.”

He questioned Ancelotti’s familiarity with domestic talent and communication style, warning that “his work will be very difficult.” The criticism underscores the immense scrutiny that comes with the Brazil job – where every lineup choice becomes a national debate and every result, a referendum.

Ancelotti, however, remains unfazed. Having succeeded under the most intense club pressures, he knows how to shield his players. “I focus on preparation, unity, and belief,” he said in a press-conference. “The World Cup will be competitive, but our goal is clear.”

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AFPA dream final and a shot at immortality

For all his trophies with league titles in Italy, England, France, Germany, and Spain, plus a record five Champions Leagues, Ancelotti’s heart still beats for the game’s most poetic moments. And his dream is deeply personal.

“I would like a final between Brazil and Italy,” he admitted in an interview. “It would be beautiful for me on an emotional level.”

The image of Ancelotti leading Brazil and perhaps against his homeland in the 2026 World Cup final is the stuff of cinematic drama. For Brazil, it’s a chance to end 24 years of frustration; for Ancelotti, a chance to achieve what no foreign manager ever has, winning the World Cup with the Selecao.

“I’ve won everything else. But the dream is to make Brazil world champions again,” he said during an interview with FIFA.

Liverpool won the transfer window. So we were led to believe, anyway.

On paper that statement appeared to be true. Arne Slot and Co had spent a colossal amount of money on improving the squad, notably signing Florian Wirtz for a British record of £116m before breaking that very record just weeks later when they shelled out £125m to sign Alexander Isak.

Those two deals made the Reds favourites for the title but the once successful Slot era appears to be unravelling rather quickly.

The Anfield outfit may have won the Premier League in 2024/25 but they look a shadow of that side now.

Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah signed new deals but that matters not; both look beyond their best.

As for Wirtz and Isak, the numbers are damning. They have only scored once between them since moving to Merseyside.

So, after losing 2-1 to Manchester United on Sunday, there are clearly some big issues to fix.

The biggest problems facing Arne Slot at Liverpool

Much has been made of Liverpool’s regression as a defensive unit this season.

Andy Robertson has been forced to sit out most games on the bench, even if Milos Kerkez continues to underperform, while Trent Alexander-Arnold arguably hasn’t been properly replaced.

Conor Bradley has endured a slow start to the campaign and Jeremie Frimpong’s debut term at Liverpool has so far been full of injuries.

Chalkboard

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

Despite that, however, some may well argue that the biggest problems are in the centre of defence.

Ibrahima Konate appears to be distracted by speculation surrounding his future and Van Dijk is no longer the force he once was, something that was demonstrated when Liverpool conceded in the first minute on Sunday.

Amad picked up the ball on the right and threaded a lovely ball through towards Bryan Mbeumo.

The Van Dijk of old would have anticipated the pass and then intercepted the play but he was caught napping. The great Dutchman was slow to react, slow to get back and slow to track Mbeumo. The end result? The Cameroon international found the back of the net.

However, while Liverpool continue to struggle at the back, the tactical make-up of the team has been a problem from minute one of the Community Shield.

Salah is having less of an impact on games and has only scored one non-penalty goal in the Premier League during the first eight game weeks.

New signing Hugo Ekitike and fellow forward Cody Gakpo have been rare bright sparks but even the latter should have taken the game out of sight on Sunday. The Dutchman scored but also struck the woodwork an incredible three times.

Plenty of new signings there certainly are, but there’s a lack of chemistry and synergy from Slot’s men and it’s worrying that he can’t get a tune out of three of the most exciting forwards around in Salah, Isak and Wirtz.

You sense the future of the club needs to be built around the final two names but that’s easier said than done considering their form so far.

To only exacerbate the problems Slot is facing, the midfield are also not covering themselves in much glory.

Slot's midfield conundrum

This has been a peculiar start to the campaign and it just seems as if Slot cannot strike the right balance.

On Sunday, he ended the game with a central midfielder at right back in Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong at right wing. It’s good that the manager has options and flexibility but he simply isn’t using his squad correctly.

The midfield continues to be an issue, too, although that feels more down to overall player performance.

Ryan Gravenberch has floated in and out of form but the regression of Alexis Mac Allister has been more worrying.

Signed for just £35m from Brighton, he has long been seen as a bargain. Last season he was perhaps unfortunate not to be nominated for Premier League player of the year ahead of Gravenberch as Liverpool won the title.

Yet, in 2025/26, he’s been a shadow of his former self and the defeat to United summed that up.

Eventually replaced just after the hour mark, the Argentine left the field having had just 22 touches and completed only 13 passes, a worryingly low amount for a central midfielder.

Minutes played

62

Touches

22

Accurate passes

13/17 (76%)

Long balls completed

0/2

Shots

2

Shots on target

1

Key passes

0

Tackles

0

Interceptions

0

Recoveries

1

Duels won

0/2

There lies the issue, though. Too many games are simply passing Mac Allister by right now and he’s becoming a scapegoat as a result.

In the process of losing every duel he contested, criticism came the midfielder’s way. One Reds content creator on X bemoaned that the Argentina international as the “most overrated player” in the Liverpool squad, suggesting that he “plods around like he’s pushing 40” from the middle of the park.

Mac Allister is usually so technically secure but he lacks athleticism and power to get across the field in a similar way to Gravenberch.

GOAL handed the player an average 6/10 rating at full-time, noting that he “covered plenty of ground, but was quiet by his standards.”

The midfielder has been one of Liverpool’s standout performers in recent years but it really does feel like he’s currently on borrowed time in this system.

A midfield trio of Gravenberch, Wirtz and Szoboszlai feels like the way to go from now on and with Curtis Jones also waiting in the wings, it’s not as though Slot is short of options.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Los Angeles Dodgers' $325 million starting pitcher, was given the ball in the club's biggest contest of the season, a winner-take-all Game 5 in the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres on Friday night.

Yamamoto, who struggled in Game 1 of the series, was up to the task, as he pitched five shutout innings en route to the Dodgers' 2-0 win, a victory that advanced to the club to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2021.

And Yamamoto's teammate and fellow countryman Shohei Ohtani was so proud of him.

Television cameras spotted Ohtani good-naturedly patting Yamamoto on the head after he was pulled from the game.

What a moment. And it wasn't the only memorable moment between the two Dodgers stars, who seemed to debut an amusing handshake.

And then had the time of their lives celebrating the Dodgers' victory.

As long as the Dodgers keep on winning, there are likely to be more memorable moments authored by Ohtani and Yamamoto. Los Angeles will take on the New York Mets in Game 1 of the NLCS on Sunday at 8:15 p.m. ET.