Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has conceded in his pre-Leeds press conference that the Reds need to get Alexander Isak more involved in games.

Isak, 26, joined the Anfield side this summer for a British record £125m fee. Last season, Jamie Carragher declared him “the best striker in the Premier League”. He scored 27 goals in all competitions for Newcastle United, including the winner in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, against Liverpool.

But he’s toiling away at his new club, and to little avail at that. This speaks of the wider tactical imbalances at the club right now, with the forwards all struggling and the midfielders and defenders too.

Change is needed, but with new and elite centre-forward options strapped in, FSG are turning their attention to Liverpool’s attacking flanks.

Liverpool lining up a wide forward

Last month, Slot was quizzed on Liverpool’s transfer plans ahead of the January transfer window, as the dismal form raged on. That stain has only spread since, but the coach hinted that the Premier League champions’ priority lies not with the rearguard but on the wing.

Liverpool didn’t replace Luis Diaz when selling the versatile Colombian to Bayern Munich in August, and that was clearly a mistake. Cody Gakpo knows where the back of the net is, but he’s somewhat one-dimensional, with fans annoyed by the regularity of his cutting inside when the ball finds him down the left lane.

Perhaps that is why rumours have resurfaced of Liverpool interest in Real Madrid star Rodrygo, with TEAMtalk suggesting this week that Anfield is one of the few places the Brazilian would consider joining; Arsenal have also been mooted.

Rodrygo may be undergoing a divorce with superstardom at Los Blancos, but that doesn’t mean Florentino Perez will let the 25-year-old leave on the cheap, tentatively transfer-listing him for around €90m (£79m).

Why Liverpool should sign Rodrygo

It’s no secret that Liverpool are interested in signing Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo in January, but Rodrygo is cut from finer cloth, the Brazil international having conquered Europe and Spain too during his time with Real Madrid.

Across 286 senior appearances, he has scored 68 goals and supplied 53 assists, and last year, Jude Bellingham said “he’s probably the most gifted player in the squad”, with frightening speed and deadly finishing and a versatile take on the attacking game.

Though he has served Real Madrid’s wishes out on the right flank for most of his career, Rodrygo actually prefers playing off the left. The right-footer believes he is at his most clinical in that role, and last season, though he struggled on the whole, he scored six goals and supplied six assists across just 12 outings.

Rodrygo would surely displace Gakpo and cement a regular starting berth under Slot’s wing at Liverpool. Gakpo, scapegoated at times this season, is still not the multi-faceted wideman that Diaz was, and Rodrygo would restore that presence that FSG are so intent on replacing.

Hailed as a “world-class superstar” by former teammate Luka Modric, he is the real deal, alright, with pedigree on the biggest stage and so much more still to give. Rodrygo has lost his way in Spain, but at Liverpool, he could become a leading man, especially with Mohamed Salah ostensibly winding down.

He is a man of many dimensions, and indeed has more in his locker than Gakpo, even with the Dutchman averaging 2.2 created chances per game in the Premier League this season, the most frequent of any Liverpool player and the fifth-highest average in the division.

But Rodrygo, even at his lowest ebb, ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, the top 15% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for progressive carries and the top 18% for tackles won per 90, as per FBref.

There is little question that Rodrygo would raise Liverpool’s level, adding width and pace and dynamism down the left flank and maybe serving out on the right when called upon.

Gakpo enjoyed plenty of success last season, scoring 18 goals and supplying seven assists across all competitions. He is a potent threat. But he also needs a counterpoint to jockey with out on the left, and Rodrygo would provide that presence and then some.

Wirtz will love him: Liverpool could hire "one of the best managers in the world"

Liverpool’s title-winning head coach is skating on thin ice this season.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 5, 2025

يستعد ليفربول لمواجهة سندرلاند مساء اليوم على ملعب أنفيلد ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وقد أجرى آرني سلوت بعض التغييرات على تشكيل ليفربول في مباراة اليوم، وسيبدأ النجم المصري محمد صلاح من مقاعد البدلاء.

ويرغب ليفربول في مواصلة انتصاراته بعد تحقيق الفوز في المباراة الماضية أمام وست هام يونايتد، وقد تكون هناك فرصة أمام النجم المصري محمد صلاح للمشاركة في الشوط الثاني.

ووفقاً لـ “Rousing the kop” فإن محمد صلاح يسعى لتغيير ما يمر به هذا الموسم مع ليفربول، حيث لم يسجل النجم المصري سوى أربعة أهداف فقط في البريميرليج.

اقرأ أيضاً.. ألارديس ينتقد كاراجر بسبب محمد صلاح: مثير للشفقة.. ويريد البقاء في دائرة الضوء

وسيرغب محمد صلاح في حال مشاركته أمام سندرلاند أن يسجل، حيث يعد هذا الفريق واحدًا من أربعة فرق فقط لم يسجل في مرماها خلال مسيرته في الدوري الإنجليزي.

أما عن الثلاث فرق الأخرى التي لم يسجل في شباكها النجم المصري محمد صلاح، هي سوانزي سيتي ولوتون تاون، وليفربول خلال فترة لعبه مع تشيلسي.

ولم يلعب محمد صلاح أمام سندرلاند سوى مرة واحدة في مسيرته، وجاءت هذه المباراة على ملعب ستامفورد بريدج خلال فترة لعبه مع تشيلسي في موسم 2013-2014 وخسرها الفريق بهدفين لهدف واحد وقد لعب 66 دقيقة في هذه المباراة.

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch believes Travis Head remains best suited to batting at No. 5 in the day-night Test at the Gabba despite his barnstorming century opening in Perth, while both he and Michael Clarke are convinced that Nathan Lyon has to play as the home side weigh up the best balance of side to face England after their demolition job in the opening match of the Ashes.Usman Khawaja’s spot has come under scrutiny after Head’s spectacular century at the top when he was promoted after Khawaja suffered further back spasms on the second day, having also been unable to take his usual spot in the first innings with England collapsing so quickly he couldn’t make up enough time on the field.Related

• Head adds to career catalogue of mind-blowing knocks on the biggest stage

• Switch Hit: Travball 1-0 Bazball

• The world where Lyon doesn't play at the Gabba

• Hazlewood returns to training, Cummins arms himself with pink ball

However, Finch said that the pink-ball factor of the second Test adds another layer on how Australia may structure their side and argued that in this case having Head in the middle was the favoured option.”If this wasn’t a pink-ball test match coming up at the Gabba, I would tend to agree and say, you know what, maybe it is time to throw him [Head] up there and you just launch into it from day one of a Test,” Finch told ESPN’s .”But I just feel as though the fact that it is a pink-ball test, the impact that that brand new ball can have and the impact that Travis Head can have batting at No. 5 when the pink ball does go a bit soft and the game can sort of, the wicket can flatten out. I like him at five still, just to be that real explosive player through the middle order.”Khawaja batted at No. 4 on the first day in Perth and gloved a rising delivery from Brydon Carse. His form was a talking point ahead of the Ashes after making one Test century in his last 44 innings prior to the series.Brisbane would be a home Test for Khawaja – where he is the leading run-scorer in day-night first-class cricket at the Gabba with 502 runs at 50.02 – and Clarke does not see Australia shifting from the original plan for now.Usman Khawaja’s position is being debate after Travis Head’s stunning success as an opener•AFP/Getty Images

“I think he plays. I think if he’s fit, they give him another chance,” Clarke said. “I think a few days and Uzzie will be sweet. He hasn’t had this back problem that many times throughout his career, so I think he will be fit.”Meanwhile, both Clarke and Finch agreed that Lyon should be a lock for Brisbane despite only sending down two overs in Perth and having been left out of the day-night Test in Jamaica earlier this year.”He’s in for sure,” Clarke, who was Lyon’s first Test captain, said. “He’s in my XI every Test match. Unless it’s an absolute raging green seamer. Like even Perth, the wicket certainly didn’t look that bad. I’m still picking a spinner in my team.”Finch added: “The impact that Nathan Lyon has in that side is huge. We saw him not selected for the Test in Jamaica…and they were extreme conditions. So Australia decided that they probably weren’t going to use a spinner at all. I can see from that point of view why it happened in Jamaica. At the Gabba, 100%, it should not ever be talked about, Nathan Lyon not being in an Australian XI.”The other decision that will need to be made will be around the fitness of Pat Cummins who is pushing for a return in Brisbane. He bowled with the pink ball in Sydney on Tuesday and speaking during the Perth Test gave himself “half a chance” of being ready for the Gabba.”I think Australia will stick to the plan,” Finch said. “If he’s 100% fit, he plays. If he’s 95% fit, he doesn’t play. I think that’s the way that they’ll go. They’ve been really consistent with how they’ve picked squads, how they’ve picked the XI. And for me, it’s a long series. You don’t want to rush it.”

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A web não perdoou o Bahia pela eliminação na semifinal da Copa do Nordeste neste domingo (26), diante do CRB, na Arena Fonte Nova. O Esquadrão de Aço não conseguiu superar a defesa do Galo de Campina e, nos pênaltis, acabou derrotado por 8 a 7. O time alagoano irá encarar o Fortaleza na decisão.

➡️ A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!

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Torcedores de diversos times comentaram o resultado na partida via redes sociais. A queda do Tricolor para um adversário considerado inferior tecnicamente surpreendeu o mundo do futebol, que tinha a equipe como favorita par conquistar a competição. Internautas citaram a quantia milionária gasta pelo Bahia na temporada e relembraram o vice-campeonato no Baiano para o Vitória.

➡️ Fortaleza atropela Sport e está na final da Copa do Nordeste

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Confira abaixo algumas postagens de torcedores na web sobre a eliminação do Tricolor na Copa do Nordeste:

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Wolvaardt and Beaumont’s fifties paved the way for a tense finish

AAP25-Nov-2025South African powerhouse Laura Wolvaardt smacked a half-century in Adelaide Strikers’ tense six-wicket WBBL win over battling Brisbane Heat. After Heat posted 169 for 5, Strikers nudged two a leg bye from the final ball in a thriller at Adelaide’s Karen Rolton Oval.Wolvaardt set an ominous early tone with 51 from 33 balls in a decisive Tuesday night knock, while Bridget Patterson (32* from 22) played a cool hand in the frenetic finale. The Strikers required 31 from the last three overs, an equation reduced to seven from Nadine de Klerk’s final over. With scores tied on the last ball, Patterson tried a leg-side flick, the ball hitting her pads and running to a vacant fine leg.Heat remain winless from six games while Adelaide logged a second win of the campaign.Chasing the tricky total, Wolvaardt and opening partner Tammy Beaumont (51 from 33 deliveries) made early inroads. The pair put on 92 before Wolvaardt fell in the 10th over. She’d struck 10 fours and was caught on the midwicket fence attempting another from the left-arm spin of Jonassen (1-36). Tahlia McGrath (16 from 17) chimed in before Patterson’s final flurry lifted the Strikers to victory.Earlier, the Heat’s innings was powered by Lauren Winfield-Hill (47 from 36 balls), Georgia Redmayne (36* from 20) and Jess Jonassen (37 from 35). Winfield-Hill lost her opening partner Charlie Knott (11 from 14 balls) in the sixth over but attacked Adelaide’s bowlers. She struck a six, and six fours, and was on the cusp of a half-century when she missed a reverse swat and was out lbw to the spin of Jemma Barsby (1-13).Winfield-Hill’s exit left the Heat 87 for 2 after 11 overs and Jonassen continued the momentum until a late flourish. Redmayne and de Klerk (25 from nine balls) produced cameos against a Strikers attack led by legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington (2-31) and Sophie Ecclestone (2-36).

Adrien Rabiot has hailed his stunning strike against Torino as the "play that changed the game," sparking a dramatic AC Milan comeback that saw Christian Pulisic score twice to seal a 3-2 victory and send the Rossoneri back to the summit of Serie A.

• Milan pull off important comeback

  The pressure was palpable at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Monday evening. For the opening 25 minutes, it appeared that the Rossoneri were destined not just for a slip-up, but for a humiliating collapse.

  Max Allegri’s side endured a nightmare start, conceding twice in quick succession to Nikola Vlasic and Duvan Zapata, leaving them staring down the barrel of a damaging defeat. The team looked lethargic, disjointed, and seemingly unable to cope with the hosts' intensity.

  However, just as the game threatened to spiral out of control, Rabiot stepped up. The French international produced a moment of individual brilliance in the 24th minute to drag his side back into the contest, halving the deficit and shifting the momentum entirely before substitute Christian Pulisic stole the headlines with a decisive brace.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Rabiot opens up on Rossoneri's revival

  Speaking to the media after the whistle, Rabiot offered a brutally honest assessment of Milan’s opening exchanges, while also praising the character shown to turn the result around.

  "We were soft at the start, we need to work on that because we can't always turn things around like that," Rabiot admitted. "At half-time, we told ourselves to be more aggressive, and we immediately saw a change in pace. Pulisic's introduction then did us good.

  "As for the rest, it was good, because we need to look at the positives too. The goal? It wasn't the most important, but it gave something to the team. We've changed. A nice goal, which brings us the three points. Every now and then you need a play that changes the game."

  Rabiot's "nice goal" was undeniably the turning point. Picking up the ball in midfield with his side trailing 2-0 and morale flagging, the Frenchman drove forward and unleashed a powerful effort that gave the goalkeeper no chance.

• Pulisic's impact praised by Rabiot

  Rabiot was also quick to highlight the contribution of Pulisic. The American winger, who had started on the bench due to illness, was introduced in the second half and immediately transformed the attack.

  Pulisic's first goal levelled the scores, and his second, which was a clinical finish inside the box, completed the turnaround, sending the travelling fans into rapture. The victory extends Milan’s unbeaten run and reinforces their credentials as serious title contenders, showing the grit required to win "ugly" when necessary.

  "Two days ago I was truly dead, today I felt much better," Pulisic said. "I'm happy to have come here to help the team. Yesterday we didn't know if I could play, but this morning I felt much better. I'm happy with the goals, but the important thing was to win the match."

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  Allegri's army back on top of Serie A

  The victory sees AC Milan move to 31 points, leapfrogging Napoli to return to the top of the Serie A table. It is a massive psychological boost for a side that many questioned following a turbulent summer.

  For Rabiot, who arrived on a free transfer to add experience and winning mentality to the midfield, nights like this validate the club's decision to bring him in. His ability to recognise the need for a "game-changing moment" and then deliver it is exactly the kind of leadership Allegri needs as the season heads into the crucial winter months.

  Milan will now look to consolidate their lead when they host Sassuolo at San Siro next weekend. They will be hoping for a cleaner performance than the one produced in Turin, but as Rabiot emphasised, the "three points" are ultimately all that matters in a title race. With Pulisic firing and Rabiot running the engine room, the Rossoneri look ready to fight for every inch of ground in the battle for the Scudetto.

Stina Blackstenius came to the rescue as a beleaguered Arsenal limped to a nervy 2-1 win over Women's Super League basement side Liverpool on Saturday. Former Reds star Olivia Smith banged in a sublime individual goal before Beata Olsson levelled up for a well-earned first-half equaliser. The Gunners were poor for lengthy spells but substitute Blackstenius' quality finish gave the home fans a huge sigh of relief.

Much of the build-up to the game centred on Canada international Smith facing her old side, and, sure enough, the livewire forward gave Arsenal the lead with a 25-yard strike after beating three defenders in the 16th minute. But an all too familiar story played out on the pitch for the Gunners as they failed to grab a second and were punished on the half-hour mark when Olsson tucked the ball home for a relatively soft equaliser. The Swedish forward, who became the first WSL player to score in four of her first five starts, was the home side's tormentor-in-chief as the north London team were second-best for sustained periods. 

England forward Alessia Russo spurned some good opportunities in front of goal as Arsenal regrouped in the second half, and then substitute Stina Blackstenius was denied by some heroic, last-gasp defending by Gemma Evans. But the Swede grabbed the winner three minutes from time when she emphatically whacked a terrific finish into the top corner in front of nearly 35,000 fans. The result sees Arsenal climb up to third in the WSL for the time being, whereas Liverpool are rock bottom.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Emirates Stadium…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Anneke Borbe (4/10):

The pressure was on the keeper on her Arsenal debut but she didn't look convincing in between the sticks. She was flat-footed and didn't get a strong enough hand on the ball to keep out Olsson's goal. Not a good first outing.

Emily Fox (5/10):

Got into some dangerous positions but some of her decision-making at important moments wasn't quite good enough.

Lotte Wubben-Moy (6/10):

Probably should have given Arsenal an early lead but her header from two yards out somehow hit the post. However, she did make some good recovery tackles.

Steph Catley (5/10):

Was undone by Mia Enderby's through ball, but she was well out of position anyway. Her place could now be under threat.

Taylor Hinds (6/10):

Fired in some nice crosses into the box against her old team and didn't do much wrong before being taken off.

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Frida Maanum (5/10):

The experienced campaigner didn't do a great deal on and off the ball and was hooked before the hour mark.

Mariona Caldentey (6/10):

The Spaniard was one of Arsenal's few lively players in the first half as her creativity and crosses into the box caused problems. But even some of her passing was downright sloppy.

Kyra Cooney-Cross (5/10):

Even though she isn't a defender, Cooney-Cross' slack marking allowed Liverpool to draw level – an opportunity they duly took. Not the Aussie's best day.

Getty Images SportAttack

Beth Mead (5/10):

The England stalwart provided some dangerous deliveries into the box but was part of an attack that was too cumbersome.

Alessia Russo (5/10):

Played with her back to goal on a number of occasions but when she did get into good positions, she wasted some big chances. 

Olivia Smith (7/10):

Was able to conjure something out of nothing as Arsenal's lukewarm attack uninspiringly huffed and puffed. Faded as the game wore on.

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Caitlin Foord (4/10):

Initially added a bit more dynamism off the bench but made a right meal out of a golden chance after the hour mark and some of her passing was very shoddy.

Katie McCabe (6/10):

Didn't really have much to deal with as Arsenal turned the screw in the second half.

Stina Blackstenius (7/10):

The striker was caught offside on too many occasions, with the Swede not needing to make her runs so early. She should have made it 2-1 but wasn't clinical enough when one-on-one with the keeper, but spectacularly took her goal at the end.

Kim Little (6/10):

The captain was competent enough when she was introduced. 

Laia Codina (N/A):

Had no time to make an impact.

Renee Slegers (6/10):

Her second-half substitutes helped wrestle the game's momentum back to Arsenal but she will be worried how her players don't put away teams and have lengthy lulls. 

After deciding to send infielder DJ LeMahieu to the bench earlier this week, the New York Yankees announced on Wednesday that they have designated him for assignment. The shocking move puts an end to his seven-season tenure in the Bronx.

LeMahieu responded "O.K." to the news, according to manager Aaron Boone—who also noted that the 36-year-old did not ask for his release. A three-time All-Star, he had been slashing .266/.338/.336 with two home runs and 12 RBIs this season. A logjam in the infield, however, seemingly forced New York's hand.

Given that LeMahieu has been a staple in this era of Yankee baseball, the MLB was understandably stunned by the news. Here's a look at some of the reactions that came in across social media:

LeMahieu signed a six-year extension with New York in 2021 and is still owed $22 million through next season.

For the second time in three months, Alex Verdugo is looking for his next stop.

Ken Rosenthal reported Wednesday that the Atlanta Braves have designated Verdugo for assignment, clearing room for Jurickson Profar, who was suspended 80 games for a performance-enhancing substance.

Verdugo went unsigned for most of the offseason until he landed a deal with the Braves in late March. In 56 games with the Braves, Verdugo batted .239/.296/.289 with 10 doubles and 12 RBIs. His 65 OPS+ is by far the worst mark of his career.

Verdugo, once ranked as one of the top prospects in all of baseball, starred for four years for the Boston Red Sox from 2020 to '23 and batted .281/.338/.424 in 493 games. Boston flipped him to the arch rival New York Yankees ahead of the 2024 campaign, and he went on to struggle in pinstripes, logging a .233/.291/.356 slash line in 149 games.

Verdugo wasn't able to turn around his 2024 hardships in '25.

Profar, after serving his 80-game suspension, went 3-for-15 in three games with the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers during his rehab assignment.

The Braves signed Profar to a three-year contract worth $42 million in January after his career year with the San Diego Padres in 2024 when he hit .280/.380/.459 with 24 homers. He was suspended by MLB in March after four games.

Pick between two Tests where teams overcame great odds to snatch victories

Hemant Brar08-May-2025Update: This poll has ended. The NZ-ENG 2023 Wellington Test moves to the round of 16.New Zealand win after follow-on – Wellington, 2023New Zealand became only the fourth team in Test history to win after being asked to follow-on when they beat England by one run in Wellington. With Harry Brook and Joe Root scoring hundreds, England Bazballed their way to 435 for 8 declared. In response, New Zealand slipped to 103 for 7 before Tim Southee’s 49-ball 73 lifted them to 209.Following on, they put in a much more resolute performance, led by Kane Williamson’s 132, Tom Blundell’s 90 and Tom Latham’s 83. Chasing 258 with more than a day left, England would have still fancied their chances. Instead, they collapsed to 80 for 5. Ben Stokes then decided to drop the anchor, while Root did the bulk of the scoring. They took England past 200 but fell soon after.In the end, it came down to the last pair with seven to get. Jack Leach got off the mark with a single, as he had during the famous Headingley Test of the 2019 Ashes. But this time it was James Anderson, and not Stokes, at the other end. Anderson did smash a four but then edged Neil Wagner down the leg side for Blundell to complete a diving catch and the win.Australia hoodwink Pakistan – Sydney, 2010Pakistan were coming off a 170-run defeat in the first Test but had Australia on the mat here. Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Sami shared nine wickets to bundle out the hosts for 127 before Pakistan posted 333 to take a first-innings lead of 206.When Australia lost their eighth wicket in the second innings, they were only 51 ahead, and a Pakistan victory looked like a mere formality. It is said that catches win matches. The reverse is also true, as Kamran Akmal and Pakistan found out. Akmal dropped Michael Hussey three times, each time off Danish Kaneria, and the batter went on to score 134 not out, setting Pakistan a target of 176.By then, Pakistan seemed to have lost all confidence. Imran Farhat and Salman Butt gave them a brisk start of 34 but it remained the highest partnership of the fourth innings. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually fell short by 36, with Nathan Hauritz causing the damage with a five-for.