Rakibul takes nine wickets in an innings for new side Mymensingh in NCL first round

Rangpur’s Naeem Islam became the second Bangladesh batter to cross 11,000 first-class runs

Mohammad Isam28-Oct-2025Defending champions Sylhet Division drew their NCL opening round match against debutant side Mymensingh Division. Although it was a drawn game, there were plenty of personal milestones, including Rakibul Hasan taking a nine-wicket haul in the first innings.At the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Mymensingh got off to a rousing start batting first. Maiden centuries from Ariful Islam and No. 8 Abu Hider, who remained unbeaten on 107, powered them to 401. Ariful’s 101 rescued Mymensingh from a bad start, after they slipped to 21 for 3 in the first half hour. Ariful added 127 runs with the veteran Abdul Mazid, who made 65.Later, Hider added 76 runs for the eighth wicket with Shohidul Islam, and another 51 runs with Rakibul, before reaching his century. Hider struck ten fours and six sixes in his 105-ball stay.Sylhet replied in style, with opener Shykat Ali slamming a career-best 175. He struck 19 fours and eight sixes, although he found little support from the Sylhet top and middle-order. This was also the game in which Mushfiqur Rahim returned to the Sylhet side after 17 years.Shykat eventually found help from No 10 Ebadot Hossain, who made his maiden first-class half-century. The pair added 148 runs, a ninth-wicket partnership record for Sylhet.While Sylhet was piling up the runs, left-arm spinner Rakibul became only the fourth bowler in Bangladesh’s first-class history to take nine wickets in an innings. He had figures of 9 for 168 from his 55.3 overs.Mymensingh replied with 272 for 9 with half-centuries from Mohammad Naim and Ariful, while the veteran Nabil Samad took four wickets for Sylhet.Khulna Division beat Barishal Division by seven wickets at the Khulna Stadium in a match marred by the death of Hasan Ahmed, the Barishal physio. Hasan suffered a heart attack at the stadium and died on the way to the hospital.Rangpur’s Naeem Islam became the second Bangladesh batter to cross 11,000 first-class runs•Associated Press

Khulna made 313 all out with fifties from captain Ziaur Rahman, who captained the side in place of the injured Mohammad Mithun, and Sheikh Parvez Jibon.Barishal were bowled out for 126 with Afif Hossain taking a six-wicket haul, that included a hat-trick when he removed the last three Barishal wickets. Barishal were not much better following on, this time bowled out for 224.Khulna struck the required 38 runs on the third day, losing just three wickets.Dhaka Division opened their NCL campaign with a drawn game against Rangpur Division. Batting first, Dhaka banked on Marshall Ayub’s 27th first-class ton to reach 221. Marshall struck 13 fours in his 161-ball stay as the rest crumbled around him.Rangpur replied well, scoring 358. Veteran batter Naeem Islam struck an unbeaten 137, his 34th first-class century. Naeem became the second Bangladeshi batter to cross the 11,000-run mark during this innings. Tushar Imran was the first to cross the milestone.Dhaka replied with 333 all out, with Jishan Alam scoring 97. Ashiqur Rahman Shibli also made a half-century. Rangpur ended the game on 115 for 6 on the final day, chasing 197.Yasir Ali and Mahmudul Hasan scored centuries for Chattogram•BCB

Chattogram Division got off to a solid start when they beat home side Rajshahi Division by 112 runs.Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Yasir Ali struck centuries to help Chattogram reach 401 runs in the first innings. Rajshahi were bowled out for 196 in reply, with left-arm spinner Hasan Murad taking 6 for 39.Chattogram replied with 277 for 9 declared, with Yasir missing out on twin tons by eight runs.Despite three half-centuries from Pritom Kumar, SM Meherob and Shakhir Hossain, Rajshahi fell way short of the fourth-innings chase, getting bowled out for 370. Murad added three wickets to take his match tally to nine wickets.

Paul Scholes calls out 'classless' Arne Slot for 'disrespectful' Ibiza trip that kicked off Liverpool's shocking decline

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has suggested that Liverpool's sharp decline in form has come off the back of the Reds partying in Ibiza before their Premier League title-winning season had ended. The Reds were deservedly English champions just over six months ago as Slot's swashbuckling team swept aside the competition. Now, the outlook is far bleaker and the Dutchman has come under fire.

Liverpool's results spiral out of control

After Liverpool won the league at a canter in late April, they failed to win any of their last four Premier League matches. Before the season was up, manager Slot took a trip to Ibiza, and ended up partying with Wayne Lineker. Fast forward to the present, and Liverpool are 12th in the table and have lost six of their last seven league matches in 2025-26. Now, Red Devils icon Scholes has hit out at Slot for his end-of-season actions.

He said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast: "I think this started towards the end of last season, do you remember when they won the league? The bad form started, they went away, went to Ibiza or something. Honestly, Arne Slot was DJing. DJing in Ibiza. But that’s before the season’s done, that’s what I mean. I think that’s disrespectful, before the season’s done. I think it’s classless."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSlot blames himself

While Slot hasn't addressed the topic of going to Ibiza, the Dutchman did admit he is feeling responsible for his side's "ridiculous" slump in form. The former Feyenoord boss has a lot of credit in the bank after guiding the Reds to the title last season, especially without properly strengthening the squad. But after spending more than £400 million ($527m) on players this summer, his position in the Anfield dugout is increasingly being scrutinised. 

Ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven, he said: "I would describe it as ridiculous, almost. Something I did not expect to be in. Not at any club I was going to work at, let alone Liverpool. That is unbelievable. If you can find an excuse, you will never find enough excuses to make you perform like this. Unexpected for the club, for me and everyone. But I am working at a club where if you need to face it, this is the best club to face it. The harder it gets at a club like this, the more we are together to achieve the things Liverpool usually achieve."

Liverpool's leaky defence

They come into this PSV test off the back of a 3-0 hiding at the hands of lowly Nottingham Forest. Captain Virgil van Dijk said the players are letting their manager down and together they have to get the club out of this "mess". Incidentally, last season, Liverpool conceded 41 goals on their way to the Premier League title. This term, they have already shipped 20 goals in their opening 12 matches. As a result, manager Slot said this was unacceptable and took responsibility for their soft underbelly. 

"Conceding far more goals than last season. The amount of goals we have conceded and the amount of goals from set-pieces is close to ridiculous for a club like us," he told reporters. "The biggest one is the goals we concede. From open play, we are still able to generate enough chances to get a result. I take the responsibility and feel guilty for it.

"It's difficult to say at this moment [what we can learn from these defeats]. I have said quite a lot of times, there are certain things that you can do better but this hasn't helped and hasn't been of use. You can think of quite a lot of reasons why you have lost. From our perspective, at Liverpool Football Club, it is not acceptable. It is a situation you do not want to have. Now it is time to start winning matches again but you have to do a lot to win a match. The simple things, they must do better. That is what we are not doing and that is quite easy to solve. Simple football is the most difficult thing."

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Getty ImagesWhat comes next for Liverpool?

Wednesday's home clash against PSV provides a perfect opportunity for Liverpool to bounce back from their latest defeat. They then round off the month away to West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday. If they can win both of these fixtures, the gloom may lift a touch around Anfield. If not, Slot could be under huge pressure to keep his job.

Shreyas Iyer begins new chapter with old stance in Australia

On an Adelaide pitch with extra bounce, he scored 61 off 77 balls using a more upright stance at the crease

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Oct-20252:31

Iyer: ‘Definitely hurts losing in this manner’

Shreyas Iyer believes that going back to a more upright stance has helped him counter extra bounce. He has used this “new” stance – adapted from one he used in the past – in domestic cricket, against Australia A, and now, in the ODI series in Australia. While India scratched around on a seaming pitch in the second ODI in Adelaide, Iyer negotiated the tough spells, scoring 61 off 77.Iyer’s game against short-pitched bowling at high pace has always been a talking point. Not part of India’s Test or T20I sides, Iyer spent the time off working on his game to counter extra bounce. “Since last year, I wanted to have an upright stance [for conditions] where the bounce is a little bit more than expected,” he said.”And based on that, I worked with my coach and we developed this new technique, and it was kind of suiting me pretty well. And the way I grew up playing, it was very much that I predominantly had an upright stance, and I just was like, ‘Let’s go back to my old technique and see how it, you know, [holds] up.'”So, yeah, I backed myself and then, from there on, I started [trying the technique] in the domestic [games]… Till now, I’ve been continuing with the same stance.”Related

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Iyer grew up batting with this upright stance, but perhaps the back injuries he has battled made him make changes. “Even in Mumbai, when we play on red-soil wickets – where the bounce is a little bit extra than expected – I think it helps with the upright stance,” Iyer said.”And yeah, you’ve got to keep chopping and changing every now and then, because you don’t play on the same wickets [all the time]. Whatever the wicket demands, you’ve got to change your stance accordingly, and I think I’ve changed so many stances [that] I’m able to adapt anywhere at the moment.”Iyer last played for India during their undefeated Champions Trophy campaign in the UAE in March. Since then, he has played the IPL, two first-class matches, and then captained India A in the three one-day matches against Australia A. At some point during this break, he reached the conclusion that his body, at the moment, is not supporting his first-class cricket, prompting him to request the BCCI for a six-month break from red-ball cricket.”When I played red-ball cricket after the IPL, I realised that if I field for long spells on the ground, my intensity starts to go down. And the intensity that you need to maintain in international cricket, I wasn’t able to match up to it. In ODIs, you know you will get rest after one day and be able to recover. Not in Tests. That is why I made that call, and conveyed that message.”

Cummins says he's 'less likely than likely' to play in the first Ashes Test

Australia captain Pat Cummins says he is “less likely than likely” to play in the first Test against England as he begins running for the first time following his back injury with less than six weeks to go before the series starts in Perth.Cummins’ back has been almost a daily talking point in Australia since it was revealed he has a lumbar bone stress issue in early September. He has not bowled a ball since Australia’s last Test series in the Caribbean in July.Speaking at Kayo Sports’ Summer of Cricket Launch in Sydney on Monday, Cummins was sober about his chances of playing in the first Test in Perth against England on November 21.Related

  • Confidence growing that Cummins will play 'major part' in Ashes

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“I’d say probably less likely than likely,” Cummins said. “But we’ve still got a bit of time.”I’m running today and running kind of every second day, and each runs a little bit longer, and then we get into bowling prep next week. So I’m probably a couple of weeks away before actually putting on the spikes and bowling out on the turf. But it’s been a good couple of weeks. Each session feels better and better.”Cummins was asked how long he would actually need to prepare his body to play in a Test match.”You’d want probably at least a month in the nets,” he said. “If you are to play in a Test match, you want to make sure you are right to bowl 20 overs in a day and you don’t have to think about it. Four weeks is pretty tight, but I think somewhere around that mark.”Cummins added his back was feeling better having taken a long time to settle after the lumbar bone stress was initially diagnosed.But he outlined that even going from low level running to bowling is going to be a slow process as he needs to do specific gym work to reactivate his bowling muscles and see how his back responds before heading to the nets.”It’s kind of a little bit stiff, just probably a little bit from the injury but then also because it hasn’t been used for a while,” Cummins said. “Each session you do a little bit of run and make sure you pull up alright. So I’m actually feeling really good at the moment. A few of the symptoms hung around for a little bit longer than I would have liked but they’re all gone now. I’m just trying to kind of increase the workload and make sure body’s responding.”Some of the gym work becomes a bit more bowling prep work. So you do a lot more kind of getting your muscles ready, side holds to try to simulate that. Maybe some med ball work, but trying to kind of transition before you actually go into the nets and start bowling.”Pat Cummins says ‘he’s less likely than likely’•Associated Press

Australia coach Andrew McDonald said last week that a decision on Cummins’ availability for the first Test would likely be made on Friday following a week of increased running and gym work. But the coach was confident his skipper would play a part in the Ashes even if he wasn’t ready for the first Test. Cummins was cautious about specifying how many Tests he could play in the series.”I think it’s a bit early to know,” Cummins said. “With these things it’s pretty hard to go from not bowling or anything at all to suddenly playing five Tests. First steps are trying to kind of give us a shot at being right, and then we’ll work it out a bit closer to time.”Cummins admitted he had some level of frustration surrounding the timing of the injury and the prospect of missing part of the Ashes series.”Some days I’m kind of annoyed because it’s the Ashes, and it’s a big summer and then other days I’m kind of realistic,” Cummins said. “I’ve had the last seven or eight years of almost uninterrupted home summers, so I felt like I’ve had a really good run as a fast bowler.”Someone like Josh [Hazlewood], he’s been a little bit more unlucky, so maybe it’s my turn. But it’s such a big summer ahead. Obviously, you want to be in a mix, even with the India One-Day series and T20 series, I wish I was part of that. But it’s not to be. It’s part of cricket. You’re going to get injuries.”Cummins was confident that the injury would not affect him long term given Australia has huge period of cricket looming in 2026 and 2027 beyond this summer’s Ashes and T20 World Cup.”It’s a back injury that I haven’t had for about seven or eight years, and I’ve played a lot of cricket between that,” he said. “So if anything looking back when I was, say, 20 years old and I had this injury, I was a bit worried about what my body could actually handle. But I know in myself that if I get it right, do it properly, when I come back I shouldn’t have to worry about it all. And hopefully I can play as much, even more cricket than I had previously in the last few years.”

'We'll see' – Harry Kane breaks silence on Barcelona transfer links as he admits Bayern Munich extension talks have yet to begin

Harry Kane has directly responded to reports linking him with a transfer to Barcelona. The England captain has also revealed that talks over a new Bayern Munich contract are yet to begin, at least raising the possibility that his career could take another step, but he insists there is no reason for fans in Bavaria to be worried about an imminent departure.

  • Bayern contract talks yet to begin

    Kane has responded to links with Barcelona while admitting that formal talks with Bayern Munich about extending his current deal have yet to begin.

    "I haven't had any contact with anyone, nobody has contacted me," he told . "I feel very comfortable in the current situation, even though we haven't yet discussed my situation with Bayern."

    Crucially, from a Bayern perspective, he added: "There's no rush. I'm really happy in Munich. You can see that in the way I'm playing. If there's contact, then we'll see. But I'm not thinking about the new season yet. First up is the World Cup in the summer. And it's very unlikely that anything will change after this season."

    His response to a question on whether Bayern fans should worry was: "I don't think so."

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    Barcelona eye Lewandowski's successor

    Kane has been heavily linked with Barcelona as the Catalans weigh up a potential future without Robert Lewandowski, who is out of contract at the end of this season and will turn 38 in August.

    Barcelona have enjoyed tremendous success by putting their faith in the veteran Pole, even at this late stage of his career, and could try to replicate that model with Kane, himself 33 in July.

    The former Tottenham Hotspur star is believed to have a release clause in his Bayern contract set at €65 million ($75m/£57m). It makes Kane eminently affordable in this market and could secure the No.9 position at Barcelona for the next three or four years. The only catch is that the clause has to be activated by Kane himself, obviously requiring him to be at least a little unsure about his future in Munich, and it needs to be done by the end of January.

    Local reports in Barcelona have claimed that Kane is "considering" the idea.

  • Kane's consistent message about Bayern

    Kane has openly said multiple times how happy he has been, and continues to be, with Bayern.

    "I've said throughout my whole career, I'm not someone who likes to think too far ahead. I'm extremely happy here," he told in April of this year.

    "I think we have a fantastic team, fantastic coaching staff and I just feel like whilst I feel like I'm in the best condition, I wanna play at the highest level possible, and this is as high as it gets, So I know a lot can change in football in a short space of time and things can happen, but ultimately my focus is here. I'm not thinking about any other league or any other team. And with football, I like to just go the flow and at the moment the flow is here at Bayern Munich."

    Just last month, Kane told the that he considers Bayern his "second home". 

    He said: "We've got a great chance for all the trophies this year. Whenever you start a season with Bayern, you're favourites. We haven't had great cup runs since I've been here so we want to try and put that right. Then in the Champions League, it's still early stages but ultimately it's about trying to win the competition. And going into the World Cup, you want to be at your best.

    "Bayern are known around Europe every year as one of the best and one of the favourites to win the Champions League. I wanted to test myself at that level and I’ve loved it on and off the pitch. It feels like my second home now. I'm enjoying every moment of it and hopefully it continues."

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    Barcelona need urgent decision from Kane

    Given Kane's comments about being happy where he is, it doesn't give Barcelona the best chance. That could feasibly change if Bayern contract talks aren't forthcoming, although his current terms don't run out until 2027 and, like the player himself said, there is "no rush" on that front.

    Conversely, Barcelona need it to be a rush because of the deadline in the release clause activation. But whether there is enough time for that when Kane's mind is firmly on the remainder of the season with Bayern and then the summer's World Cup with England, feels unlikely.

The Best 15 Centre-Backs in World Football Ranked (2025)

The role of a central defender has changed over time, with those at the very top now not just world-class in the air and in a tackle, but also brilliant in possession with the ball at their feet.

The new generation of centre-backs are crucial to their team’s build-up play and, in some cases, pass more than most midfielders, but who is the best in the world at the back at this moment in time?

Ranking factors

To help rank the centre-backs in order, we have considered the following criteria:

Current form – how well a player has been performing Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their team Role – how unique their skillset is Reputation – what others are saying about them 15 Willian Pacho PSG and Ecuador

Willian Pacho has gone from strength to strength after joining PSG from Frankfurt in 2024 and now appears to be a regular at the Parc des Princes.

The Ecuador international is still only 23 years of age and has been described as the ‘wall nobody saw coming’ next to Marquinhos.

The €40m fee PSG paid for Pacho is now looking like a smart piece of business, with the player’s market value already increasing to €65m.

Champions League

2025

Ligue 1

2025

UEFA Super Cup

2025

French Cup

2025

French Super Cup

2025

Belgian Pro League

2023

Belgian Cup

2023

Belgian Super Cup

2023

Copa Sudamericana

2019

Ecuadorian Serie A

2021

14 Antonio Rudiger Real Madrid and Germany

Antonio Rudiger has gone from strength to strength after joining Real Madrid from Chelsea back in 2022, so much so that he was linked with a return to Stamford Bridge.

Over the last 18 months, Rudiger has been praised by Carlo Ancelotti and Mesut Ozil, who have said the German “is playing at his best” and in his “prime”.

However, he has missed the majority of the 2025/26 season so far with a hamstring injury which has dropped him down the rankings.

La Liga

2024

Champions League

2021, 2024

Europa League

2019

FA Cup

2018

Copa del Rey

2023

FIFA Club World Cup

2022, 2023

UEFA Super Cup

2021, 2022, 2024

FIFA Intercontinental Cup

2024

Spanish Super Cup

2024

Confederations Cup

2017

13 Eder Militao Real Madrid and Brazil

Dropping down the list due to serious injuries in recent years is Real Madrid’s Eder Militao. The Brazilian was dubbed the “best in the world” at the back by Carlo Ancelotti in 2023 and has won multiple honours at the Bernabeu since 2019.

At the age of 27, Militao should still have plenty of high-level years ahead of him and will be looking to remain fit over the coming seasons.

Champions League

2022, 2024

La Liga

2020, 2022, 2024

Copa America

2019

Copa del Rey

2023

FIFA Club World Cup

2023

UEFA Super Cup

2022, 2024

FIFA Intercontinental Cup

2024

Spanish Super Cup

2020, 2022, 2024

12 Dayot Upamecano Bayern Munich and France

Transformed into Bayern Munich’s Mr. Reliable under Vincent Kompany has been Dayot Upamecano, who has partnered Kim Min-jae at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund has said in 2025 that the Frenchman “has become a leader” who “plays strongly and consistently at a high level.” At the age of 26, Upamecano appears to be entering his prime.

Nations League

2021

Bundesliga

2022, 2023, 2025

Austrian Bundesliga

2016, 2017

Austrian Cup

2016, 2017

German Super Cup

2021, 2022

11 Josko Gvardiol Man City and Croatia

Josko Gvardiol stars as a centre-back and sometimes as a left-back for Man City and Croatia.

Used as a centre-back in the Nations League for his country, Gvardiol turned out centrally under Pep Guardiola in the latter stages of the 2024/25 season, with City winning five out of six Premier League games with the 23-year-old at the heart of the defence.

Premier League

2024

HNL

2020, 2021

FIFA Club World Cup

2024

UEFA Super Cup

2023

DFB-Pokal

2021, 2022

Community Shield

2024

Croatian Cup

2021

Croatian Super Cup

2019

10 Alessandro Buongiorno Napoli and Italy

At the top of his game with a career-high €45m Transfermarkt valuation is Napoli and Italy’s Alessandro Buongiorno.

The 25-year-old is “extraordinary in one-on-one situations” and has been key for Napoli under Antonio Conte, winning the Serie A title in 24/25. Should his rapid rise continue, Buongiorno could climb up this list in years to come.

9 Dean Huijsen Real Madrid and Spain

One of the most in-demand defenders of the 2025 summer transfer window was Dean Huijsen, with Real Madrid winning the race to sign the Spaniard from AFC Bournemouth.

Wanted all across Europe, Huijsen starred in the Premier League after leaving Juventus and Tiago Pinto even said he “will be the best central defender in the world in two years”.

Coppa Italia

2024

8 Marquinhos PSG and Brazil

Paris Saint-Germain icon Marquinhos has been leading a new generation of stars at the Parc des Princes under Luis Enrique and has still remained at an extremely high level himself.

Now 31, Marquinhos continues to be a regular in a young PSG side and even became the first player in the club’s history to start 100 matches for PSG in the Champions League.

Ligue 1

2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Copa America

2019

Champions League

2025

Coupe de France

2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2024

Coupe de la Ligue

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020

French Super Cup

2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025

Copa Libertadores

2012

7 Ruben Dias Man City and Portugal

Ruben Dias is coming up to five years as a Man City player and continues to be a regular under Pep Guardiola, with Transfermarkt having the Portugal starvalued at €65m.

Rated as good as Virgil van Dijk by Jamie Carragher 12 months ago, Dias’ displays have dipped slightly at the Etihad in 2024/25, however, there is no denying his quality.

Premier League

2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Nations League

2019

Champions League

2023

FA Cup

2023

League Cup

2021

UEFA Super Cup

2023

Community Shield

2024

FIFA Club World Cup

2024

Liga Portugal

2019

Portuguese Super Cup

2020

6 Marc Guehi Crystal Palace and England

Marc Guehi is becoming one of the most in-demand centre-backs in world football after his move to Liverpool from Crystal Palace collapsed in the summer of 2025.

Now a regular for England and starring at Selhurst Park, Guehi is on course to become a free agent in 2026 and is being linked with the biggest clubs in Europe.

It shows just how good Guehi has been under Oliver Glasner, lifting the FA Cup and Community Shield with Palace in 2025.

FA Cup

2025

Community Shield

2025

صحف إسبانيا: محمد صلاح يتسبب في صداع جديد لـ ليفربول.. والرحيل يلوح في الأفق

نالت تصريحات النجم المصري محمد صلاح النارية ضد نادي ليفربول والمدير الفني للفريق، آرني سلوت، اهتمامًا من جانب كبرى صحف إسبانيا، بسبب محتوى الحديث الذي أدلى به مساء يوم السبت.

كان ليفربول قد خاض مباراته، مساء يوم السبت، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، في الجولة الخامسة عشر، ضد ليدز يوناتيتد حيث تعادلا بثلاثة أهداف لمثلها.

ومثلما حدث في آخر مباراتين لـ ليفربول، لم يدفع المدرب آرني سلوت بـ محمد صلاح في التشكيل الأساسي، حيث تواجد على دكة البدلاء طوال لقاء الأمس، وهي المرة الثانية في غضون 3 مباريات التي يظل فيها على الدكة طوال الوقت.

ولكن لم يمر الأمر مرور الكرام بالنسبة لـ محمد صلاح، الذي انفجر في تصريحات صادمة لوسائل الإعلام بعد وقت من المباراة، حيث شن هجومًا ضد ليفربول وخاصة المدرب آرني سلوت (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وقالت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: “وكأن ليفربول ليس لديه ما يكفي من أسباب الصداع، لم يتردد محمد صلاح في الحديث لوسائل الإعلام بعد تعادل السبت مع ليديز يونايتد، حيث تواجد على دكة البدلاء للمباراة الثالثة على التوالي ولم يشارك هذه المرة، واشتكى الجناح المصري بشكل صريح حيث أكد أنه لا يقبل ذلك ولا يعرف سبب حدوث ذلك له دائمًا، موضحًا أنه ليس مشكلة ليفربول الحالية عكس ما يحاولون إدعائه ضده”.

وأضافت: “كانت مفاوضات تجديد عقد محمد صلاح قد أثارت نقاشًا واسعًا، ورغم الانتقادات اللاذعة التي وجهها صلاح طوال الموسم السابق، والموجهة تحديدًا إلى مجلس إدارة ليفربول، والتي ألمح بعضها إلى وداعه، قرر المصري في النهاية تمديد عقده، وهو في الثانية والثلاثين من عمره، حتى عام 2027، وسيكلف هذا التجديد 23 مليون يورو سنويًا”.

وواصلت: “أكمل محمد صلاح لأحد أفضل مواسمه في مسيرته في موسم 2024-2025، مع 34 هدفًا سجلها في جميع المسابقات، وواصل إلى 250 هدفًا في 420 مباراة مع ليفربول، ويُعد الفرعون أسطورة في أنفيلد، ولهذا السبب تسبب جلوسه على مقاعد البدلاء ثلاث مرات متتالية، اثنتان منها دون أن يلعب ولو دقيقة واحدة، في حدوث شرخ غير مسبوق في ملعب الريدز”.

في حين قالت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية: “تغير وضع محمد صلاح في ليفربول بشكل جذري، من لاعب أساسي بلا منازع مع الريدز، بينما أصبح الآن يجلس على مقاعد البدلاء في آخر ثلاث مباريات، هذا الوضع تسبب في انفجار غضب المهاجم المصري الذي قال في تصريحات نارية (لا أعرف السبب، لكن يبدو أن هناك من لا يريدني في النادي، هذا غير مقبول بالنسبة لي، لا أعرف لماذا يحدث لي هذا، لا أفهمه)”.

وأكدت الصحيفة: “المهاجم المصري، الذي تواجد بديلًا في آخر ثلاث مباريات مع ليفربول في الدوري الإنجليزي، غاضب للغاية من وضعه الجديد”.

أما صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية، فقد قالت: “أزمة حقيقية في ليفربول، يوم السبت تعادلت كتيبة آرني سلوت مع ليدز يونايتد 3/3، رغم تقدمه بهدفين دون رد، وبعد المباراة اندلع جدل واسع بعدما تحدث محمد صلاح إلى وسائل الإعلام وانتقد النادي ومدربه بشدة، بعدما تواجد على دكة البدلاء للمرة الثالثة على التوالي”.

واسترسلت: “لم يشارك مهاجم ليفربول ولو دقيقة واحدة في مباراة التعادل ضد ليدز، وتراجع مستواه بشكل كبير هذا الموسم، لدرجة أنه يفكر في مغادرة النادي إذا لم تتغير الأمور، هذا ما أوردته العديد من وسائل الإعلام في إنجلترا، وبعد هذه التصريحات النارية قد تتسارع الأمور”.

Montagem de elenco e fraco desempenho em casa conduzem o Juventude à Série B

MatériaMais Notícias

É uma velha máxima, mas nem sempre o futebol é um esporte justo. O Juventude vem, nos últimos anos, tentando construir um cenário sólido, evitando gastar mais do que arrecada e, paralelamente a isso, formando elencos a partir de “oportunidades” de mercado para se manter na Série A. Em 2025, a estratégia não funcionou.

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Um exemplo prático foi Lucas Barbosa, emprestado pelo Santos em 2024 por uma temporada. Tratou-se de uma aposta que deu certo: o atacante disputou 54 jogos, marcou 14 gols e distribuiu sete assistências, sendo um dos destaques do time gaúcho nas últimas 15 temporadas. Em 2025, o Juventude não conseguiu repetir a receita.

— O rebaixamento do Juventude passa mais pela questão técnica que administrativa. O clube administrativamente está muito bem gerido, vem em crescimento e saudável financeiramente. A questão técnica prevaleceu. Como o Juventude não tem condições de fazer grandes contratações, de peso, com altos salários, o clube tem que fazer apostas em jogadores em busca de oportunidade. Em 2024 essa receita deu certo. Em 2025 as apostas não deram e tecnicamente ficaram muito a desejar — conta o jornalista Tiago Nunes, que acompanha o Juventude no “Pioneiro”, jornal que acompanha notícias de Caxias do Sul e região.

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➡️Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Um exemplo negativo está no atacante Gilberto, que teve dificuldades para manter regularidade em campo. Ele disputou apenas 25 jogos, marcou quatro gols e deu duas assistências. Considerado um dos principais nomes da equipe e um dos atletas de custo mais alto do elenco, não conseguiu corresponder ao investimento.

— Vejo que em 2025 o Juventude errou muito nas contratações. Esse foi o grande ponto. O clube fez muitas apostas e elas não deram resultado em campo. Até nos nomes mais experientes, como Gilberto. Com alto custo, o benefício dele em campo foi muito pequeno. Foram várias idas ao Departamento Médico e poucos gols para um camisa 9. No meio da temporada, o Juventude se desfez de 11 atletas, um time inteiro na parada para a Copa do Mundo de Clubes — completou Tiago.

continua após a publicidadeOs números do Juventude

O Juventude encerrou sua campanha no Brasileirão 2025 com 38 partidas realizadas e desempenho abaixo do esperado. A equipe somou 9 vitórias, 8 empates e 21 derrotas, resultando em 30.7% de aproveitamento. Ao longo da trajetória, marcou 35 gols e sofreu 69, números que ilustram um ano de rendimento instável e dificuldades em competir de igual para igual na elite.

Mesmo no Alfredo Jaconi, onde costuma ser mais forte, o Juventude encontrou muita dificuldade. Em 19 jogos como mandante, venceu 6, empatou 5 e perdeu 8, o que corresponde a 40.3% de aproveitamento. A campanha em casa, com 21 gols marcados e 26 sofridos, foi insuficiente para sustentar a permanência na Série A e influenciou diretamente o rebaixamento.

— O Juventude sempre fez do Jaconi a sua grande fortaleza. Esse ano esse foi um ponto determinante também para a queda. Foram só seis vitórias, oito derrotas e cinco empates. A queda passou muito pelos jogos em casa sim. A equipe também sofreu muitos gols, foram 26 em casa e marcou apenas 21. Nas últimas campanhas, a permanência passou pelo Jaconi — explicou Tiago.

➡️ Rebaixados na Série A precisam recalcular orçamentos e mudar rota financeira em 2026

Fora de casa, o cenário foi ainda mais duro. Em 19 partidas, o time venceu apenas 3 vezes, empatou 3 e perdeu 13, chegando a apenas 21% de aproveitamento. A defesa sofreu 43 gols, enquanto o ataque marcou 14, números que reforçam as fragilidades e ajudam a explicar o desfecho da temporada.

— Impossível citar somente um (momentos dolorosos na competição), mas falando de Brasileirão o grande golpe foi certamente a goleada sofrida pelo Flamengo que mudou o rumo das coisas ainda no primeiro turno e em segundo a virada sofrida pelo Fortaleza no Alfredo Jaconi com direito a pênalti perdido enquanto estava 1 a 0 para nós, com Gilberto que era um dos pilares do time sendo o vilão na ocasião — comenta o torcedor Giovane Zago, em entrevista ao LANCE!.

Dança das cadeiras

Na temporada, o Juventude teve três treinadores. O ano começou com Fábio Matias, que havia assumido a equipe em outubro de 2024 com o desafio de garantir a permanência na Série A do Campeonato Brasileiro. A meta foi alcançada com uma rodada de antecedência. Ele comandou o Verdão no Gauchão, competição em que chegou às semifinais, além da Copa do Brasil e do Brasileirão 2025. No nacional, foram cinco derrotas em sete jogos, resultado que levou à sua demissão.

Em seguida, Claudio Tencati assumiu o comando, mas permaneceu por pouco tempo. O treinador deixou a equipe após sete partidas, somando cinco derrotas, um empate e apenas uma vitória.

Por fim, Thiago Carpini assumiu com o objetivo de tentar evitar o rebaixamento. Personagem marcante na história do clube, foi o profissional que mais comandou o Juventude na temporada, porém não conseguiu impedir a queda para a Série B. Em 22 jogos, somou seis vitórias, seis empates e onze derrotas, com aproveitamento de 36,36%. O treinador não permanecerá para 2026.

— Eu acho que o que fica de lição é que era possível e que a gente conseguiu despertar nesses atletas um pouco mais da capacidade técnica, da competitividade, não se sentirem inferiorizados por conta de resultados momentâneos. Fico chateado pelo não objetivo alcançado, mas feliz pela performance coletiva e conseguir extrair mais desse mesmo grupo — disse o treinador após o empate com o Corinthians.

— O futebol hoje é de muita competitividade e para algumas situações nós conseguimos nivelar e aí foram os detalhes técnicos que nos custaram resultados. Fica esse legado de acreditar, de persistir, de buscar a melhora a cada jogo, de não achar que está no limite, independente da idade, se você é o Nenê com 44 ou o Scatolin com 17 — completou.

Estrutura do Juventude

A longa ausência do Juventude na Série A ainda deixa reflexos na realidade do clube. O período de 13 fora da elite impactou diretamente o desenvolvimento estrutural, que ficou estagnado por muito tempo. Desde o retorno em 2020/2021, o clube tem promovido melhorias no CT e no Alfredo Jaconi, mas os investimentos pesam no orçamento destinado ao futebol e geram divergências internas.

Parte da torcida cobra um elenco mais caro, enquanto a direção prioriza avanços estruturais considerados fundamentais para o futuro. Esse cenário, segundo Zago, influencia o desempenho da equipe dentro de campo porque o clube ainda atravessa um processo de reconstrução conduzido de forma responsável.

— O Juventude passou 13 anos longe da Série A, isso custou caro em diversos aspectos, entre eles o nível estrutural do clube que havia parado no tempo e que vem em crescente, tanto o CT quanto o Alfredo Jaconi passam por melhorias nos últimos anos desde sua primeira volta a elite em 2020/21. Mas essas obras tem um preço e refletem no orçamento para o futebol, ao mesmo tempo que o clube dá passos importantes em busca da estabilidade gera uma insatisfação grande em parte da torcida que preferia um time “mais caro” ao invés de melhorias essenciais para as ambições do clube. Então, impacta diretamente e fortemente no resultado de campo o nível estrutural, pelo simples fato dele estar em transformação e sendo executado de forma responsável — disse Zago.

A outra perspectiva dentro do próprio clube avalia que a estrutura atual já está em um nível satisfatório. Nos últimos anos, o Juventude entregou vestiários modernos, qualificou gramados e inaugurou um prédio exclusivo para o departamento de futebol profissional, elevando o padrão de trabalho oferecido aos atletas.

— Não vejo a estrutura do Juventude considerada ruim. Era ruim em 2020. Depois que subiu o clube vem investindo forte na sua infraestrutura. Os atletas contam com vestiários modernos e até um novo prédio somente do departamento de futebol profissional foi inaugurado no CT com tudo que os atletas precisam. Claro que se comparado aos gigantes do futebol brasileiro a estrutura do clube não é igual. Os gramados do Estádio e do CT são ótimos. E o Juventude vem investindo na sua estrutura. Não tivemos nenhum relato de atletas de descontentamento sobre isso. O rebaixamento não passou por isso — apontou Tiago.

O atual elenco tem salvação?

A temporada do Juventude teve em Gabriel Taliari o principal nome em participação direta nos gols. Ele liderou o elenco com 12 ações decisivas, além de ser o artilheiro da equipe com 8 gols e dividir a vice-liderança das assistências, com 4 passes para gol. Nenê e Marcelo Hermes também apareceram com destaque na criação e nas finalizações. Ambos somaram 7 participações diretas: o meia marcou 3 gols e deu 4 assistências, enquanto o lateral balançou a rede 1 vez e distribuiu 5 passes decisivos.

No quesito artilharia, a dependência ofensiva ficou evidente. Atrás de Taliari, Emerson Batalla anotou 4 gols e foi o segundo maior goleador da equipe, seguido por Nenê, com 3. Já nas assistências, Marcelo Hermes terminou como o principal garçom, com 5 passes para gol, mostrando regularidade mesmo em um ano de dificuldades coletivas.

Quanto à utilização do elenco, Jádson foi quem mais esteve em campo ao longo da temporada, com 35 partidas disputadas. Em seguida apareceram Gabriel Taliari, com 34 jogos, e Mandaca, com 32 atuações, reforçando a importância desse núcleo de jogadores no funcionamento da equipe ao longo do ano.

— Ao meu ver os maiores destaques foram Caique, Taliari e Mandaca, pilares nos melhores momentos do clube no ano e a maior decepção sem sombra de dúvida foi Gilberto, maior salário da história do clube conviveu com lesões novamente e quando esteve em campo tirando relapsos de lucidez foi insuficiente e impotente, Gabriel Veron merece menção honrosa, veio com grande expectativas pelo talento que tem mas foi totalmente sem sal, não dribla, não chuta e só toca para trás, se seguir assim pobre do Porto que terá rasgado dinheiro — disse o torcedor Giovane Zago.

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Nottingham Forest now keen on £117k-a-week UCL defender who may replace Murillo

Nottingham Forest are now keen on a January move for a Champions League defender, amid doubts over the future of Murillo.

Murillo's future at the City Ground up in the air

It recently emerged that Murillo has now become Barcelona’s top target, with Evangelos Marinakis willing to cash-in on the Brazilian for £53m, and journalist Pete O’Rourke has also named Premier League rivals Chelsea as potential suitors.

With the centre-back contracted until 2029, Forest are in a strong negotiating position, but there is certainly no shortage of interest in his services, with Mikel Arteta a big fan, and Arsenal have also now identified the 23-year-old as a top target.

Although results have improved under Sean Dyche, the Tricky Trees are still very much in a relegation battle as things stand, so it would be a risk to sell one of their key players this winter, but it would not be a surprise if the defender has his head turned, amid interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.

According to a report from Football Insider, Chelsea could make a big-money move for Murillo when the January transfer window opens, and Nottingham Forest are now keen on signing Inter Milan defender Stefan De Vrij, whose future at the San Siro is in doubt.

De Vrij’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and having not received much game time, he could be open to a move this winter, with a place in the Netherlands’ 2026 World Cup squad at stake.

Forest have set out to sign a new centre-back in January, with Dyche personally keen on bringing in new additions more suited to his style of play.

Perfect for Anderson: Nottingham Forest make £21m PL star their top target

Nottingham Forest have their eyes on another Premier League star ahead of the January transfer window.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 27, 2025 De Vrij would arrive at Forest with wealth of top-level experience

With the 33-year-old’s contract due to expire next summer, he could plausibly be available for a low fee, and the £117k-a-week defender’s vast top-level experience could be invaluable for Forest in their bid to avoid relegation and compete in Europe.

The Dutchman has 77 caps to his name for the Netherlands, while also making 48 appearances in the Champions League and 14 in the Europa League, and he was recently singled out for high praise from compatriot Rafael Van der Vaart.

The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder said: “In the air, he can clear those four balls from the goal, and he always stays calm. I’ve come to appreciate him immensely. Usually, I prefer a player with more style, but he doesn’t make mistakes.”

Given his age, De Vrij wouldn’t be a viable long-term replacement for Murillo, and Forest should look to hold onto the Brazil international for as long as possible, but he could be a savvy addition to the squad on a short contract, with an option to extend.

Gakpo upgrade: Liverpool open surprise talks to sign "magic" £70m PL star

Liverpool won at the weekend, but we have seen several times already this season that wins can prove to be false dawns as Arne Slot looks to restore consistency to his side.

Goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo snipped away the shocking run of form that had led to nine defeats from 12 in all competitions, six from seven in the Premier League, three from four at Anfield.

It beggars belief, so diametrically opposed is Slot’s second-season system from the slick and stylish outfit that defied everyone to romp to the league title last season, sealing the deal less than a year after Jurgen Klopp raised the microphone and waved goodbye to the red half of Merseyside.

Liverpool must stay grounded, as Slot said in his post-match interview. There is a long way to go.

One of the most curious aspects of the Reds’ victory was the boss’s call to drop Mohamed Salah. This glimpse into a brand new world has also played into rumours that FSG are looking to sign a wide forward in 2026.

Liverpool planning to replace Salah

Salah did not make it off the bench at the London Stadium, the first time the Egyptian has been an unused substitute in the Premier League since 2019/20, with Klopp’s title-winning campaign effectively wrapped up when the Reds played out a 0-0 draw in the Merseyside derby.

Last season, he was the best player in the Premier League. But that herculean effort has depleted the veteran’s resources, and he is struggling this year.

Goals scored

0.77

0.34

Assists

0.48

0.17

Shots taken

3.23

2.43

Shot-creating actions

4.51

3.27

Touches (att pen)

9.50

6.21

Pass completion (%)

70.6

68.1

Progressive passes

3.84

4.19

Progressive carries

4.14

3.94

Successful take-ons

1.55

0.92

Ball recoveries

2.70

2.77

As you can see, there’s been an undeniable drop-off. Liverpool’s wider crew have all slipped across the decking, but time is not on the 33-year-old Salah’s side.

To try and find a like-for-like replacement would be a fruitless task. What Liverpool need instead is a sharp and athletic winger with a flair for goal. Someone like Sadio Mane, perhaps (hardly an easy endeavour in itself).

Well, as per Foot Mercato, Liverpool have opened talks with rivals Everton for one of their star forwards, Iliman Ndiaye.

The versatile Ndiaye, 25, is both athletic and potent in the final third. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested, and the Toffees would be looking to bank around £70m for their star man.

What Iliman Nidaye would offer Liverpool

Woah. From Everton to Liverpool? Blue to red? Nonsense, right?

It’s certainly unlikely, but Liverpool have held an interest in Jarrad Branthwaite for a while now, and Everton explored a move for Ben Doak in the summer before he signed for Bournemouth.

And Ndiaye would be worth the stress. Hailed for having “magic in his boots” by Everton writer Lyndon Lloyd, he ranks among the top 5% of positional peers in the Premier League for successful take-ons and tackles won, and the top 1% for ball recoveries per 90 (as per FBref).

Presenter Jamie O’Hara has even gone as far as to claim that the Senegalese is “one of the best players in the Premier League”.

Ndiaye shares a homeland with Liverpool icon Mane, but they have more in common than merely nationality. The Everton winger, who can play across the frontline, is electric on the ball, combative when against the flow of play and devastating in the box.

Though he’s spent most of his time on the right wing this season, Ndiaye is probably a left-sided forward at heart. Considering this, there’s a good chance Ndiaye would take Cody Gakpo’s starting berth from him at Anfield, with a more protean threat than the clinical Dutchman.

The African talent was Everton’s top scorer last season with 11 goals in all competitions, and that trend has not been bucked this year, Ndiaye with four goals and an assist across 13 games.

When Mane moved from Southampton to Liverpool for around £35m in 2016, he levelled up. Ndiaye could follow his countryman in this regard, having added a range of instruments to his toolbox in recent years and in an up-and-down Everton team.

Liverpool perhaps made a mistake in failing to replace Luis Diaz with a like-for-like successor this summer, and the ramifications have been felt through Gakpo’s somewhat limited attacking approach. He scored and assisted against West Ham at the weekend, but lacked the kind of dynamism that Liverpool’s previous left-sided wingers have offered.

Mane is certainly one of them, probably the cream of the crop. It would be unfair to expect Gakpo to play such a role, but if Ndiaye were signed, Slot would have a player who could match the Netherlands star’s output while bringing so much energy and enthusiasm to the role too.

Mane, now 34 and playing in Saudi Arabia, was once one of the world’s finest forwards, deadly across so many years at Anfield and blending clinical goalscoring with physicality and an unflappable mentality.

One scout even hailed Ndiaye as being “Mane all over again”, and given this is a proven formula in the English top flight, it’s surely one FSG will be enticed in completing.

With the greatest respect to West Ham, tougher tests lie ahead for the Anfield side, whose win at Eintracht Frankfurt in August preceded defeat at Brentford. The elation over that remarkable victory over Real Madrid had crumbled after the triad of recent losses.

Liverpool are nothing if not inconsistent this season, but that can change. It has to change. Liverpool need balance and security, but they also need to be bold and courageous, offering more flair than the likes of Gakpo have been providing.

And what could be more bold than signing a rival in Ndiaye, who would elevate the skill in Slot’s team and also balance the squad’s slanting spirit level.

Shades of Thiago: "Incredible" star had his best game in a Liverpool shirt

This Liverpool star could become the new Thiago at Anfield after his best Premier League showing for the club.

ByDan Emery Nov 30, 2025

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