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The Reds have made a strong start to life under their new boss, but expiring contracts and competition for places are going to complicate things

It was all going so well for Arne Slot, even better than expected, in fact. Mohamed Salah had just put Liverpool 2-0 up against Brentford on Sunday, thus sealing a second consecutive Premier League victory for the Reds under their new Dutch coach.

Consequently, Slot decided to give some game time to three very deserving players. Darwin Nunez took over up top from Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo replaced Luis Diaz on the left wing, while Conor Bradley came on for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.

Both Jota and Diaz, who had combined for the game's opening goal, accepted their substitutions with good grace. Alexander-Arnold, though, was visibly frustrated by his early exit, and Slot even sat down beside the disgruntled right-back as he attempted to explain the thinking behind the decision.

However, Alexander-Arnold, who was also taken off towards the end of the opening-weekend win at Ipswich, still looked miffed when he made his way back onto the pitch at Anfield after the full-time whistle had blown, despite Jota's very obvious attempts to lift his spirits.

It was the one blemish on an otherwise flawless afternoon for Liverpool, who have kicked off their 2024-25 campaign by scoring four unanswered goals. However, the Brentford win, coupled with Alexander-Arnold's obvious irritation, perfectly illustrated that while the Reds are enjoying a smooth transition under Slot from a tactical perspective, keeping every member of the squad happy is going to be immensely difficult for Jurgen Klopp's successor – particularly when it comes to the homegrown hero with the expiring contract.

Getty Images Sport'We need Trent for the whole season'

The petulance we saw from Alexander-Arnold on Sunday is hardly a rare event in football. Players always want to play every minute of every game, and some managers state – at least publicly – that they actually like it when their charges express dissatisfaction at being benched or taken off, as it's interpreted as evidence of the hunger and desire required to thrive at the highest level.

There was certainly nothing to suggest that Slot was put out by Alexander-Arnold's reaction (he was in fine form in his post-match interview with , even getting an amusing dig in at pundit Jamie Carragher) – or that back-to-back substitutions were any kind of negative reflection on the defender's displays at either Portman Road or Anfield.

"Trent had a few weeks off, came back and it is only his third game and we have to take care of him," Slot told reporters. "We need him for the whole season and not only for the first two games.

"The good thing for me is that I have a very good back-up as well with Conor, so that means we are taking care of Trent. But he played a good game."

AdvertisementGetty Images'Freedom to go anywhere'

Alexander-Arnold has certainly not shown any ill-effects of being cruelly scapegoated during England's Euro 2024 campaign, with the 25-year-old making a hugely impressive start to the season that has seen him create seven chances in two games – no other Liverpool player has managed more.

It's already abundantly clear that he will be just as integral to Slot's Liverpool as he was to Klopp's. The only difference is we're likely to see a little less of him in the middle of the park, particularly as Slot favours a double pivot in front of the back four, which means less space in the engine room for Alexander-Arnold but more opportunities for him to get forward because of the extra cover provided by the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.

"Trent has many qualities, and one of them is the crosses from the side," Slot told on Sunday. "If we only play him in the midfield, he can only pass the ball, which he can of course do quite well. But I also want him in dangerous crossing positions. So, he has the freedom to go anywhere, [which is why] Trent is a difficult one to play against."

However, he could also prove a little difficult to manage the longer his contract saga drags on.

GettyWill he stay or will he go?

There can be no questioning of Alexander-Arnold's love of Liverpool, but he might well be a little frustrated with the club right now. He made light of the media's desperation to speak with him after last week's win at Ipswich but, as feared, the speculation around his future is only intensifying, and will continue to do so until the Real Madrid target signs a renewal.

Sunday showed precisely why. Under normal circumstances, Alexander-Arnold's sulking would have been quickly forgotten, but this is an extraordinary situation: the season is now well under way, the transfer window closes in less than 72 hours, and yet Liverpool's vice-captain is no closer to extending a contract that expires next summer.

As a result, every comment and gesture is being analysed in great detail, with journalists and fans desperately trying to detect whether Alexander-Arnold is more likely to stay or go. This kind of incessant scrutiny and speculation is no good for anyone, particularly Slot, who is also having to bat away questions about Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who, as it stands, will also be free agents next summer.

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Getty Images SportPotentially damaging distraction

Both Van Dijk and Salah seem utterly unperturbed by the fact that they've yet to agree new contracts with the club – at least on the field – and Alexander-Arnold's performance level hasn't dropped either. Furthermore, the latter's poor reaction to being subbed is only really a story because his future remains in doubt – but that doesn't diminish the risk of the constant questions about Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah becoming an annoying and potentially damaging distraction for Slot, who really could have done without this level of uncertainty surrounding three of Liverpool's leading lights in his first few months at the club.

Encouragingly, the squad appears to have fully bought into his more measured footballing philosophy, but he obviously doesn't have as much credit in the bank with the players as his predecessor. It would be only natural if some don't feel as favoured by Slot as they did by Klopp.

After all, it already appears as if the new boss has a preferred starting line-up – the only change made on Sunday to the side that won at Ipswich was Ibrahima Konate replacing Jarell Quansah alongside Van Dijk – and although Slot has been at pains to point out that the season is long, meaning every squad member will have a role to play, it will not be long before certain big names come knocking on his door if they're restricted to the role of impact sub.

South Africa’s coach was hired on a deal that would keep him in place until the originally scheduled end of the tournament

Firdose Moonda20-Jul-2020Cricket South Africa’s board will need to consider if Mark Boucher’s contract as head coach will extend to the rescheduled 2023 World Cup after the ICC moved the tournament from its original February-March window to October-November.Boucher was hired in mid-December 2019 on a deal that would keep him in place until the World Cup’s originally scheduled finish in the first quarter of 2023. With the competition moved back by seven months, the duration of Boucher’s tenure could be reconsidered.”The board may need to consider the fact that with the World Cup being moved, the dates no longer doesn’t align with World Cup,” CSA acting CEO Dr. Jacques Faul told ESPNcricinfo.Boucher has so far overseen South Africa through one summer, in which they lost a home Test series to England and won only one of five trophies on offer. His next assignment was due to be a white-ball series in Sri Lanka in June, followed by a two-Test, five-T20I series in West Indies.In the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Sri Lanka tour has been postponed and the Caribbean trip will have to be rescheduled, with West Indies due to be in England until July 29. CSA is in ongoing discussions with Cricket West Indies on when and where to play the series, especially as South Africa’s coronavirus cases rise.The news of the rescheduling of the ICC’s next three global tournaments also means that South Africa’s Future Tours Programme is likely to be reworked. They were due to host India for three T20Is in August, but the matches could be played as late as March in order to ensure they take place in the 2020-21 financial year. The fixtures will earn CSA USD 10 million.

The interim boss made quite the impression in the build-up to his first game in charge against Ireland

Lee Carsley dialled up the humility following his first game in interim charge of England on Saturday. Any notion that the Three Lions' swaggering victory over Ireland represented the dawning of a bold new era of 'Cars-ball' was emphatically rebuffed by the man himself. Instead, the 50-year-old swiftly awarded the players all of the responsibility for the team's perfect start to their Nations League campaign.

“Definitely not,” Carsley said. “It’s definitely not my style. It’s the players that are capable of receiving the ball in tight areas and playing through. I’m just lucky I’m coaching them. I don’t see this as my style. They should take all the credit for the way they’ve been.”

It was good management. All the best modern coaches use press conferences to make their players feel twice as tall. However, Carsley deserves a sizeable helping of the praise afforded to England following the victory in Dublin.

At the Aviva Stadium, the Three Lions did things they simply hadn't towards the tail end of Gareth Southgate's reign. The team created seven 'big chances', more than any game in the Euros, and every player was fielded in their strongest role.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's playmaking abilities from right-back breathed new life into midfield; Declan Rice made the most of his license to burst forward by scoring and assisting; while Anthony Gordon's addition to the front line decongested that much-maligned left-hand side. The entire occasion was a strong response to anyone predicting that Carsley's ascension to the top job would be business as usual for England.

Getty Images SportNot an FA 'yes man'

Indeed, when Carsley was confirmed as interim boss in August, the most extreme dissenting voices suggested he was simply a Southgate clone. Another FA 'yes man', not worthy of directing one of the nation's most talented generation of players.

This was, in truth, a minority view. But more widely, Carsley was seen as the safest choice imaginable. Probably fairly too. Graduating from the Under-21 side to the seniors is a path that Southgate trod to great success in recent memory. The short-term nature of his contract, which offers both parties the chance to move on quickly if it doesn't work out, added to the sense that his appointment was made with stability in mind.

There's nothing intrinsically wrong with attempting to keep things on an even keel – England did just reach a European Championship final after all – though it did mean that fireworks were hardly expected ahead of Nations League competition getting back underway.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportRocking the boat

Despite these conceptions, Carsley's first proper week in charge has suggested that his reign will be anything but boring – regardless of how long it turns out to be. His very first squad selection was full of fresh ideas.

Angel Gomes, long overlooked despite impressing for Lille, was handed his first-ever call up, while Morgan Gibbs-White was also recognised for his Nottingham Forest displays over the past 12 months or so. Tino Livramento, Rico Lewis and Noni Madueke were among those selected too, with Levi Colwill similarly given a chance after missing out on the Euros squad. And then there was Jack Grealish, welcomed back in from the cold after what he described as the "worst summer" of his life.

The reasons for Carsley making these calls varied. But a common theme throughout was a willingness to take bold decisions, even if the absences of several historically key players, such as Jude Bellingham and Luke Shaw, made it easier to justify some of the choices he made.

Getty Images SportLeaving out key names

Carsley's willingness to rock the boat was also reflected in the players he opted to leave out. The timing of Kieran Trippier's international retirement seemed to suggest that the Newcastle star would not have been selected for these Nations League games anyway. Previously one of Southgate's most trusted lieutenants, this was a bolder call than it might seem at first glance.

And after all of the clamour for him to start over the summer, Carsley also sent Adam Wharton down to the U21s, while fellow Euros squad members Ivan Toney, Aaron Ramsdale and Joe Gomez all paid the price for their lack of minutes at club level.

By far and away the most noteworthy snub was Kyle Walker. A near ever-present for England in the Southgate era, even after a slow start to the Premier League campaign, the prospect of him being overlooked seemed extremely remote before Carsley made the call. Walker wasn't happy about the snub either, voicing his frustrations on his podcast, but did accept that the decision might have been the correct one.

"I’m disappointed," Walker acknowledged. "You have to accept it and just try to prove them wrong. With a new manager, you are always expecting a few changes. I'm disappointed because to represent your country is always the highest thing. But I haven't played any minutes this season so you have to take it on the chin. I've not performed at any level since coming back from the (Euro), so I think it's the right call from him."

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AFPHandling the Greenwood situation

Carsley has handled the media in similarly forthright fashion. As well as explaining his selection decisions in straightforward terms, he has also navigated more thorny issues with refreshing candour.

Ahead of the Ireland game, he was asked about Mason Greenwood's international future. Greenwood has not played for England since 2020 and was charged with rape, assault and coercive and controlling behaviour in 2022. Those charges were dropped last year, but the social media posts that led to him being arrested – and turned the stomach of anyone who saw them – resulted in Manchester United letting the forward leave, first on loan to Getafe and then permanently this summer to Marseille.

He has scored five goals in his first three Ligue 1 games this season, but Carsley made it abundantly clear that there was no Three Lions future for the attacker. "Mason wasn't a player that we can consider to be honest, no. I'm aware of how he's doing but he wasn't under consideration," he said.

In these comments, there was no attempt to muddy the issues linked with Greenwood's potential return. The topic was instead decisively put to bed, with the 22-year-old expected to switch allegiances to Jamaica in the near future. It could not contrast more starkly with the clumsy way United, Getafe and Marseille have dealt with the Greenwood problem over the past few years.

Manchester United could part ways with yet another one of their stars this summer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks to complete a massive overhaul of the club ahead of the new season.

Manchester United's European future unclear

A vital 3-2 win over Newcastle United has boosted Manchester United's hopes of finishing in a European football spot via the Premier League, with a place in next season's UEFA Conference League confirmed if they better the Magpies' result on the final day of the season.

Goals from young trio Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund ensured that Erik ten Hag's side picked up all three points against the Tyneside outfit, despite a late goal from Lewis Hall making the final moments perhaps more difficult than they could have been, and it also made sure that their European hopes remained.

£52k-p/w defender failing to agree new deal and "dreams" of Man Utd move

He could be the perfect addition for Manchester United this summer.

ByBen Browning May 15, 2024

Facing a potentially tricky trip to Brighton, they will be boosted by the fact that Newcastle also face an away game, against Thomas Frank's Brentford. The Red Devils need Newcastle to drop points to have any hope of leapfrogging them, with their -3 goal difference meaning that a win for both sides would retain the status quo.

Premier League race for 7th

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

Goal Difference

Points

Newcastle United

37

17

6

14

21

57

Manchester United

37

17

6

14

-3

57

There is also the chance that Manchester United are playing Europa League football next season, and leaving Newcastle without any European football, but that would require the Red Devils to lift the FA Cup in 9 days time, where they face Manchester City at Wembley.

No matter the outcome, there is likely to be major change this summer, and it has already been confirmed that Raphael Varane will leave the club as a free agent, with Anthony Martial almost certain to follow him out of the exit door. Now, another high-earner could be leaving.

Question marks over forward's future

That comes in the form of Antony, whose time at Manchester United has been nothing short of a disaster. The Brazilian, signed at the request of Ten Hag when he took over, arrived for £86m but has done nothing to justify that transfer fee. This season, he has picked up more yellow cards (6) than goals and assists combined (5) across all competitions, and has managed just a single goal and assist in the Premier League.

His £200,000 a week wages make him the seventh highest-paid player at the club (a table he will climb when Varane and Martial depart), and TalkSPORT claim that this hefty take-home could see him become a casualty of the new regime because United are "having to trim their wage bill for their planned rebuild".

The criticism of the Brazilian has been widespread across his stint at Manchester United, led by former United star Gary Neville, who dubbed him "absolutely ridiculous" and "embarrassing" during one Manchester derby after a swipe at Jeremy Doku.

The recent emergence of Diallo has only served to underline the disappointment that Antony has been at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils have now decided to cut their losses on the 24-year-old, it is reported.

Of course, this would involve finding a buyer for the Brazilian, while United would have to accept a massive loss on the initial transfer fee and Antony may also have to take a hefty wage cut, something that he may be reluctant to do given his contract at Old Trafford runs until 2027.

With a deal to sign Lloyd Kelly reportedly on the cards upon the expiry of his Bournemouth contract this summer, Newcastle United have seemingly turned their attention to a second defensive reinforcement.

Newcastle transfer news

Kelly enjoyed another impressive campaign at the Cherries as they surprised many by finishing as high as 12th in Andoni Iraola's first season in charge at the club. Nonetheless, it was Kelly's last with the defender's contract running out and Newcastle increasingly likely to be his next destination. The centre-back, who can also play as a left-back, will join to provide some much-needed defensive depth for Eddie Howe and his side.

Even after Kelly, however, those at St James' Park are still looking for an extra boost within their backline, with reports mentioning names such as Tosin Adarabioyo, who is also set to be a free agent at the end of his Fulham contract this summer. That said, it looks as though the Magpies also have an eye on the Serie A.

Newcastle eyeing Barnes upgrade who Shearer thinks is a "huge talent"

He’s excelled this season despite his recent injury problems.

ByEthan Lamb May 21, 2024

According to Tutto Juve via The Boot Room, PIF and Newcastle are now eyeing a move to sign Riccardo Calafiori this summer after the defender played an important part in Thiago Motta's Bologna side, who shocked Italian football to qualify for the Champions League this season.

The defender reportedly likes the idea of Newcastle, but has also attracted the interest of Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus and invincible Bundesliga winners Bayer Leverkusen.

In quite the race for his signature, Newcastle will be hoping to lure Calafiori to St James' Park in arguably one of the coups of the summer.

"Insane" Calafiori can replace Lascelles and more

Still just 22 years old, it's no surprise that Calafiori is attracting plenty of attention, especially after the season that he and Bologna enjoyed in Italy. The centre-back, who can also play left-back in similar fashion to Kelly, would provide Newcastle with quite the defensive boost both instantly and in the long-term if he completed a move in the coming months. He would also provide an instant upgrade on Jamaal Lascelles, whilst competing with Sven Botman and Fabian Schar.

Progressive Passes

96

31

133

35

Tackles Won

37

9

24

13

Interceptions

56

5

36

9

Ball Recoveries

194

53

174

70

What's most impressive is the number of ball recoveries that Calafiori managed this season. If Newcastle want to become a side who are able to step onto the front foot even against the very best, then a player with that ability should be seen as one of the keys to unlocking such football.

Praised for his "insane performance" in a recent 3-3 draw against Juventus by Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, Calafiori is certainly one to watch this summer.

Erling Haaland could reportedly miss Manchester City's Premier League clash with Brentford with Pep Guardiola ready to approve a compassionate leave.

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Haaland has lost his close friend Ivar EggjaGuardiola is ready to give him time to grieveStriker might sit out the Brentford clashWHAT HAPPENED?

The Haaland family is grieving the loss of Ivar Eggja, a long-time family friend and confidant after he passed away at the age of 59. He played a vital role in Haaland’s career and personal life, offering both guidance and support during the striker’s meteoric rise to football stardom. Haaland, who affectionately referred to Eggja as ‘uncle’ is understandably devastated by the loss.

AdvertisementGetty/InstagramTHE EXPLANATION

According to the, Haaland trained with the team on Thursday but could still miss the weekend’s clash if he chooses to take time off. Guardiola prioritises the player's emotional well-being and will grant him a "compassionate leave" if the striker puts in a request.

WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID:

"It was a tough moment for him and his family," Guardiola said on Friday. "It was sad news for a close person of him and his family. Our thoughts are for them. It's sad and we will see tomorrow if he is able mentally and physically to play."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Eggja’s influence on Haaland cannot be understated. He was present for Haaland’s unveiling at the Etihad Stadium in 2022 and also accompanied the striker to prestigious events like the Ballon d'Or ceremony, where he was celebrated among the world’s footballing elite. After his demise, Haaland put out a social media post that read: "You are a legend, Ivar. Words cannot describe how much you meant to me! Words cannot describe how much you will be missed! I don't give a sh*t! I don't give a sh*t! That's exactly what I'm going to do. Thank you for everything, you madman. We will see each other again. Rest in peace, Ivar.”

Reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano says yet another player could now leave Arsenal this summer, alongside the usual suspects who've already been linked with departures.

Arsenal ready summer overhaul of fringe players

As Mikel Arteta and Edu continue to consider ways to evolve the current squad, reports suggest that a few players could be sacrificed to bolster the club's transfer kitty.

£120,000-per-week star is Mikel Arteta's dream signing for Arsenal

The Gunners boss is a “massive, massive fan”.

ByEmilio Galantini May 26, 2024

It is believed Arsenal want a new midfielder, with expensive Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes among their transfer targets. To fund what would be a marquee move for the Brazilian, some outlets have claimed that Arsenal are ready to sell Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe.

As well as the aforementioned, uncertainty continues to surround the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus. The latter's role in Arteta's first team somewhat diminished over 23/24, thanks partly to the stellar form of Kai Havertz in a makeshift forward role.

Bukayo Saka

7.67

Declan Rice

7.38

Martin Odegaard

7.37

Kai Havertz

7.16

Gabriel Magalhaes

6.99

Partey, meanwhile, played far more of a bit-part role in comparison to previous seasons – making just 14 Premier League appearances last season. This was largely down to injury problems, with the African also forced to miss this year's AFCON with Ghana.

Both Jesus and Partey are attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, so there could be a good opportunity for Edu to make some money back off the duo who cost a combined £90 million to bring to the Emirates Stadium. They also reportedly earn a combined £465,000-per-week at Hale End, which is a sizeable chunk of Arsenal's wage bill.

Renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, speaking to JD Football last week, also confirmed that Partey will be leaving Arsenal this summer.

“There are several players in the list," said Romano on Arsenal signing a new midfielder.

"One player they’ve always appreciated is Douglas Luiz, but negotiating with Villa is never easy. They have several players lined up. There is a good chance they will bring in a new midfielder, Thomas [Partey] will leave, Jorginho has extended."

Fabio Vieira could also leave Arsenal this summer

Now, as per Romano again, another midfielder who could find himself on the Arsenal chopping block is Fabio Vieira. The Portuguese playmaker, who cost around £35 million to sign from FC Porto in the summer of 2022, has failed to live up to his previous hype.

Indeed, Romano says Vieira could leave Arsenal this summer in the event of a suitable offer.

“It’s also been reported that Fabio Vieira could leave Arsenal after a lack of playing time. My understanding, however, is that it depends on proposals,” Romano said.

“So far it’s quiet but for players like Vieira (not all of them) there’s a chance to leave in case of a good proposal coming in. We just have to be patient on that one.”

The England captain has echoed coach Chris Silverwood’s openness to a possible tour of the country

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Aug-2020Joe Root has echoed England head coach Chris Silverwood’s openness to a possible tour of Pakistan. While conceding that it wasn’t his decision to make, Root said he personally looked forward to such an opportunity, especially after seeing the reaction of fans to the return of Test cricket to the country late last year.”I’d love to go and visit Pakistan,” Root said at the end of the drawn second Test against Pakistan in Southampton. “It would be a great opportunity to go and play there personally. Unfortunately, it’s not my decision to make, but it looks a wonderful country to go and play cricket in. The wickets look nice and flat, which will be a nice change to what we have just played on here.”You could see the emotion of everyone back in Pakistan when Test cricket was there back-end of last year. Also, speaking to a few of the players, how much it meant to them as well and they really appreciated being able to play back in Pakistan too. We’ve such a busy schedule already with backlogging due to Covid, it will be interesting to see how that would work.”As such, according to the FTP, England are scheduled to tour Pakistan next in 2022, but it became a topic of discussion during the first Test at Old Trafford earlier this month when, speaking on Sky Sports during the first day’s play, PCB chief executive Wasim Khan expressed hope that England could visit Pakistan for a reciprocal tour. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Khan hoped England could send over their T20 side, or at least that the ECB could send over its developmental Lions side – which he had pushed for even before the Covid-19 pandemic struck world cricket.Silverwood had responded positively to the suggestion, saying he would personally “have no problem going”.On Monday, Pakistan great Wasim Akram had expressed similar sentiments to Khan, while speaking on Sky Sports. Given that Pakistan had toured England in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, Akram felt a reciprocal visit was only fair. “You boys owe Pakistan cricket, and the country, a lot, with the boys coming over here. They’ve been here almost two-and-a-half months in the biosecure environment,” Akram said. “So if everything goes well, England should tour Pakistan. I promise you they’ll get looked after on and off the field there and every game will be a packed house.”England haven’t toured Pakistan since 2005-06, largely due to security reasons. The 2009 attacks on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore led to a cessation of regular international cricket in Pakistan, with the national team playing most of its “home” games in the UAE since then. Big cricket has slowly returned to Pakistan in the last few years, with a steady increase in visits from international sides, culminating in Sri Lanka’s December 2019 tour to play the first Test matches in the country in over a decade.

Mason Greenwood has reacted to Marseille “beating the odds” in an incredible win that saw them prevail in a five-goal thriller with Lyon.

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Had a man sent off inside five minutesFell behind before battling to 3-2 victoryEx-Man Utd star impressing in FranceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Roberto De Zerbi’s side found themselves a man down inside five minutes as Leonardo Balerdi was given his marching orders. The game remained level until the 53rd minute, when Lyon finally forced a breakthrough against stubborn opposition.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Marseille battled back to take the lead, only to concede again in the 93rd minute. There was, however, to be even more drama to come as Jonathan Rowe grabbed the most dramatic of winners two minutes later. A stunning victory with 10 men has lifted De Zerbi’s team to the top of the Ligue 1 table.

WHAT GREENWOOD SAID

Greenwood was unable to add to his goal tally against Lyon, having already found the target on five occasions this season, but formed part of wild dressing room celebrations afterwards and has posted on social media: “Down to 10 men but never down in spirit! Incredible win beating the odds!”

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WHAT NEXT?

Marseille remain unbeaten in the 2024-25 campaign, with 13 points collected from five fixtures. Greenwood has been impressing through the early weeks of his French adventure, with the 22-year-old completing a £27 million ($36m) transfer from Manchester United during the summer window.

Nathan Coulter-Nile might be in line to make the playing XI after missing the first game through injury

Saurabh Somani22-Sep-2020Big pictureBefore IPL 2020 began, Mumbai Indians were everyone’s favourites, and with good reason. A batting order that had four or five players capable of changing a match, a bowling attack that married striking ability with parsimony, great depth, and possibly the best think-tank in the business. All of that still holds true, but the opening game loss against Chennai Super Kings showed up some cracks in the team. It also showed the effects of little to no cricket for a majority of the players, with uncharacteristic sloppiness in the field, and errors while batting.Are they cracks Kolkata Knight Riders can exploit successfully? They certainly have the tools to do so, and as the franchise that start the latest in this IPL, they will have had a chance to suss the conditions in the UAE well.However, one of the issues Mumbai have is a quick thinning of the batting order after No. 7, which could conceivably be a problem for the Knight Riders too. The injury to Nathan Coulter-Nile affects Mumbai’s batting depth, and though he trained with the team on Tuesday, whether plays on Wednesday remains to be seen. For the Knight Riders, the batting order almost takes the form of a bell curve, thanks to possibly the competition’s most power-packed middle order in Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell.Mumbai’s bowling is potent, and one off-day against the Super Kings wouldn’t warrant grave changes, unless it’s for fitness reasons. The Knight Riders will be hoping that Sunil Narine is good for four overs. He was very effective when he bowled in the CPL, but he played as often as he didn’t in the competition. The Knight Riders have had a couple of promising quicks in their ranks for what seems like ages, without having them fit. But both Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi enter this season free of injury worries, and you would imagine at least one of them will be in the starting XI.In the news If Coulter-Nile is fit, he will most likely replace James Pattinson in the Mumbai XI. Pattinson had a reasonable outing against the Super Kings, bowling quick and getting a couple of hits lower down the order, but Coulter-Nile’s all-round ability is likely to swing things his way. Bowling at the death in T20 cricket requires a different set of skills than almost anything else, and Trent Boult reckons it’s “the biggest challenge in the game”. That challenge only gets bigger when the batsmen you’re bowling to are Russell and company.Likely XIsKolkata Knight Riders: 1 Shubman Gill, 2. Sunil Narine, 3 Nitish Rana, 4 Eoin Morgan, 5 Dinesh Karthik (capt, wk), 6 Andre Russell, 7 Rahul Tripathi/Rinku Singh, 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Kamlesh Nagarkoti, 11 Prasidh KrishnaMumbai Indians: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Saurabh Tiwary, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 James Pattinson/Nathan Coulter-Nile, 9 Rahul Chahar, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Jasprit BumrahKolkata Knight Riders will hope Sunil Narine can get through his four overs•BCCIStrategy punt The Knight Riders’ powerhouse trio of Morgan, Russell and Karthik have excellent records against Boult and Jasprit Bumrah. Karthik has taken 50 runs off 23 balls he has faced from Bumrah without being dismissed. Russell has scored 49 off 33, being dismissed once. Against Boult, the trio’s combined record is 82 runs off 43 balls, with three dismissals. If these three batsmen are batting at the death, they could take a heavy toll on Mumbai’s bowlers. A possibly counter-intuitive strategy for Mumbai could be to look at only keeping the runs down at the start without looking for wickets – thus delaying the entry of these three and not giving them time to get set at the death. Narine’s record as a batsman against Mumbai isn’t too great. He has only 32 runs in eight innings, at less than a run-a-ball. The extra pace Mumbai have been able to call on during most seasons is perhaps part of the reason. The Knight Riders have indicated Narine will partner Shubman Gill at the top of the order for them, but in light of his record against Mumbai, perhaps Narine could bat lower down. They do have an option in Rahul Tripathi to partner Gill at the top. Russell is destructive against any bowling, but relatively speaking, quick and short bowling has had him in more trouble than other types. In IPL 2019, his strike rate (155) and balls per boundary (4.0) against the short ball were the lowest he had for pace bowlers. He simply slaughtered length balls, back of length balls, fuller ones and full tosses. So bowling pace into his body might be the way to go, as soon as he comes in to bat.Stats that matter The Knight Riders and Mumbai have the most lopsided head-to-head record in IPL history. Mumbai have won 19 of their 25 matches, with the Knight Riders victorious only six times. Mumbai’s win percentage of 76 is the best among any two teams in the IPL. However, the only time the two teams met in Abu Dhabi, the Knight Riders won, back in 2014. Mumbai, in fact, are on a six-match losing streak in the UAE, having lost five out of five in the country in 2014 to go with their opening game loss this year. This will be Kieron Pollard’s 150th match in the IPL.ALSO SEE: KKR vs MI live score 23rd September 2020