Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a move for an exciting winger compared to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, with Arsenal and Barcelona also in the mix.

Mohamed Salah’s struggles this season continued on Sunday afternoon, with the Egyptian largely ineffective in Sunday’s 3-0 defeat away to Manchester City in the Premier League.

Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has now even called for the 33-year-old to be dropped by Arne Slot, following a dramatic dropoff from last year’s title-winning brilliance.

“The guy is not giving you anything! You could look at it the other way and say: ‘He’s going to be away for two or three months so we may as well try and figure something out now. Why am I going to wait on a guy who’s giving me nothing? I need to be proactive here. I can’t just sit on my hands and let it happen and hope and pray that all of a sudden somebody waves a magic wand and he becomes the Egyptian King again.’

“I absolutely think he needs to do something and my own person opinion, I would sit him.”

Salah’s form is increasingly showing the importance of Liverpool finding a successor to him, and it looks as though Fofana could be a leading option.

Liverpool keen on signing Malick Fofana

According to Sport [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are tussling Arsenal and Barcelona for the signing of Lyon’s Malick Fofana, who has emerged as one of the most talented young attacking players in Ligue 1.

It is claimed that Barca have made contact with the 20-year-old’s agent over a potential switch, but the Reds and the Gunners are showing the “most interest” in him from the Premier League. He could cost as much £44m, with Lyon refusing to budge on their asking price.

It is easy to see why Liverpool like Fofana so much, with scout Jacek Kulig comparing him to Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr, as well as describing him as “magnificent”.

The Belgian is a left winger by trade, so he could be seen as an upgrade or long-term replacement for Cody Gakpo, but he can also shine on the opposite flank, allowing him to provide competition for Salah.

More than Wirtz: £36m Liverpool star is becoming a "serious issue" for Slot

Liverpool were condemned to a fifth defeat in six Premier League matches at the Etihad.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 10, 2025

Fofana has already bagged 17 goals and eight assists in 74 appearances for Lyon, and those numbers should only improve as he matures with his end product.

As bad as Salah: Liverpool flop who lost 100% duels vs. Man City must be on borrowed time

He is set to join the team ahead of Yorkshire’s game against Somerset starting September 8

Shashank Kishore04-Sep-2025India opener Mayank Agarwal is set to join Yorkshire on a short-term deal for the remainder of the County Championship.Agarwal, who is expected to link up with the squad ahead of their match against Somerset on Taunton starting September 8, will play three matches in all before returning to India in time for the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. This will be Agarwal’s first county stint.He was most-recently in action at the Maharaja T20 Trophy, Karnataka’s flagship T20 tournament. Prior to that, he was part of an IPL-title winning campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, after being signed as a late replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal.Agarwal, 34, is no stranger to England, having been on two tours previously with the Test side – in 2021-22 and for the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023.He had been in line to open during the 2021-22 tour, which India drew 2-2, but was ruled out prior to the series opener due to concussion. He has also been on two tours with the India A team.Agarwal, currently Karnataka’s all-format captain, comes with rich first-class experience. He has 8050 runs in 190 innings at an average of 43.98 with 18 hundreds and 44 half-centuries.In all, Agarwal has hit 1488 Test runs in 36 innings at an average of 41.33, with four Test centuries, including a best of 243 against South Africa. He played the most recent of his 21 Tests in March 2022 against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru.Other prominent Indians to feature in the UK domestic season this year are Khaleel Ahmed (Essex), Tilak Varma (Hampshire), Yuzvendra Chahal (Northants), Ishan Kishan (Notts) and Sai Kishore (Surrey). Jaydev Unadkat is set to join Sussex this month.

Southampton and Sport Republic have seemingly made their permanent St Mary’s manager decision during the international break.

Southampton's manager targets

The Saints are yet to announce Will Still’s full-time successor after parting ways with the 33-year-old following the 2-0 defeat to Preston North End earlier this month.

A number of candidates have been linked with the St Mary’s vacancy, including former Wolves manager Gary O’Neil, Stoke City’s Mark Robins and even Frank Lampard at league leaders Coventry City. There have also been suggestions that former West Brom and Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray could be an option on a short-term basis.

Tonda Eckert has been in caretaker charge of the Saints following Still’s exit, recording back-to-back Championship victories against QPR and Sheffield Wednesday to steer Southampton clear of the relegation zone.

He was quizzed on taking the role on a permanent basis prior to the win over the Owls, to which Eckert said:

Eckert is still in his role as interim manager during the international break, and by the looks of things, it could get even better for the 32-year-old.

Southampton on course to appoint Eckert as full-time manager

According to talkSPORT, ‘Eckert is going to be given the job full-time’ at St Mary’s after impressing in his two games in charge.

The Saints are seriously considering their caretaker and appear to have made the decision, should this claim prove accurate.

Tonda Eckert’s coaching career

Role

Years

1.FC Koln U17

Assistant manager

2013-2016

RB Salzburg YL

Assistant manager

2016-2017

RB Leipzig YL

Assistant manager

2017-2019

FC Bayern U17

Assistant manager

2019-2020

Barnsley

Assistant manager

2020-2022

Genoa

Assistant manager

2022-2025

Eckert has already impressed supporters with back-to-back victories, and he has also come in for praise from Saints star Finn Azaz, who called him “top level”.

“Since his first meeting, I was really impressed. It hasn’t been drastic changes. He’s been able to watch from outside and tweak a few things. He has been able to instil his message and new energy and his drive and a new voice. As I say, it hasn’t been drastic changes.

“We are playing in the same shape almost. We went out there with similar personnel, [there were] just a few tweaks. I would like to thank him. He’s been top level.”

Southampton can land Still upgrade by hiring manager who's won 13 trophies

تحدث آرني سلوت، المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول، من جديد عن قراره باستبعاد النجم المصري محمد صلاح من مباراة يوم الأحد الماضي ضد وست هام في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي.

واستضاف ملعب “لندن الأولمبي” مباراة فريقي ليفربول ووست هام، حيث حقق حامل اللقب فوزًا بهدفين دون رد، في لقاء شهد غياب محمد صلاح الذي تواجد على دكة البدلاء.

وقال سلوت، في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “إندبندنت” الإنجيزية: “كان محمد صلاح رائعًا لهذا النادي لسنوات عديدة، وسيظل كذلك معنا في المستقبل، هذا الأمر (جلوسه على دكة البدلاء) ليس بالأمر الجيد بالنسبة له، ولا لمشجع ليفربول، ولا لي أيضًا”.

وأضاف: “إنه لاعب بالغ الأهمية بالنسبة لنا، نرغب برؤيته في الملعب، أنا أفضل رؤية محمد صلاح في الملعب، يسجل أهدافه ويقدم أداءً مميزًا، بدلًا من أن تُركز عليه الكاميرات وهو لا يشارك في المباراة”.

وواصل: “لقد كان مهمًا جدًا لنا لسنوات عديدة، وسيظل كذلك في الأيام القادمة حيث سيشارك بعد ذلك رفقة مصر في كأس الأمم الإفريقية”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. بول ميرسون: سأتعرض لصدمة إذا قرر سلوت شيئًا ما تجاه محمد صلاح

وأردف: “رد فعل كل لاعب في هذه المجموعة، سواء كان يلعب أم لا، هو تقديم أفضل ما لديه كل يوم في هذا النادي، وعندما نلعب، هذا بالضبط ما أظهره يوم الأحد وأمس أيضًا”.

حل دومينيك سوبوسلاي محل محمد صلاح في مباراة وست هام، ولكن سلوت أكد أن المجري ليس بديلًا للمصري، حيث قال: “لا أرى دومينيك لاعبًا في الجناح الأيمن على المدى البعيد في هذا النادي”.

وشدد: “دومينيك لاعب وسط يمكنه مساعدتنا كظهير أو كجناح إذا لزم الأمر، لا أتوقع أن نكون في فبراير أو مارس ويكون سوبوسلاي يلعب دائمًا هناك، لكنني لا أعرف حتى الآن”.

وأوضح: “إنه لاعب وسط أكثر منه جناحًا، لكن الميزة فيه أنه يمكنه مساعدتي ومساعدتنا في عدة مراكز إذا احتجنا إليه في ذلك المركز، على المدى البعيد، يجب أن يكون لدينا أجنحة يلعبون كأجنحة، ولاعبو وسط يلعبون كلاعبي وسط، ومدافعون يلعبون كمدافعين”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Preterido pela diretoria do Santos após o término do Campeonato Paulista, Morelos pode receber uma sequência como titular pela primeira vez desde que foi contratado pelo clube, em setembro do ano passado.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSantosSantos tem estreia garantida, mas duas baixas confirmadas para enfrentar o AmazonasSantos07/05/2024SantosCarille exala sinceridade e manda recado para titular do SantosSantos07/05/2024SantosGol anulado do Santos contra o Guarani gera revolta em dirigente; vejaSantos06/05/2024

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

Com uma lesão na coxa esquerda, Julio Furch ficará afastado por tempo indeterminado e não tem prazo de retorno para reforçar o Santos na Série B. Assim, Morelos irá disputar posição com Willian Bigode, que retornou de lesão e ganhou minutos contra o Guarani.

➡️ Tudo sobre o Peixe agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Santos

Tanto a diretoria quanto a comissão técnica do Santos não ficaram satisfeitas com o desempenho apresentado por Morelos durante a disputa do Paulistão. Após o vice-campeonato para o Palmeiras, o Peixe topou negociá-lo, mas encontrou dificuldades no mercado para vendê-lo. O jogador balançou as redes contra o Guarani, mas escutou de Carille que pode render mais.

continua após a publicidade

Morelos chegou ao Santos em 2023, como uma das maiores contratações da temporada. Ele tem vínculo até agosto do ano que vem e aceitou redução salarial para seguir no Peixe, mesmo com uma cláusula contratual que facilitava sua saída em caso de rebaixamento no Brasileirão. A cada gol marcado pelo atacante, ele tem direito a um bônus de R$10 mil, previsto em contrato.

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários de todos os jogos da Sul-Americana

Tudo sobre

Alfredo MorelosSantos

Predicting what's about to happen in a sporting event has become more commonplace during live broadcasts in recent years because it's objectively awesome when those predictions come true. Greg Amsinger of MLB Network's is the latest voice to prove prophetic as he saw Toronto Blue Jays leadoff man George Springer's first inning homer coming a mile away.

Here's Amsinger during Springer's at-bat. Amsinger pointed out that Springer has hit more leadoff homers than everyone in baseball history not named Rickey Henderson to explain his hunch. Then he went a step further and said that he only wanted credit for predicting the outfielder would go deep on Tuesday if Springer accomplished the feat in his first attempt.

As soon as those words left Amsinger's mouth, Springer connected with a deep drive to left field.

Amsinger really reveled in the moment, jokingly saying that it's his mission to teach baseball and conducting himself as though he had a sixth sense.

His desk partner Dan Pleasac, knowing he'd be hearing about this for a while, simply wandered away.

Great television.

The Giants announced on Monday morning that they have fired manager Bob Melvin. San Francisco missed the playoffs after being just two games back from the Cincinnati Reds, who took the final NL wild-card spot.

Melvin led the Giants for two seasons, finishing his tenure there with a 134-136 record. The Giants went 81-81 in the 2025 season. The team's president of baseball operations Buster Posey exercised Melvin's club option for the 2026 season, but that won't be necessary now that he's been fired.

"After meeting with ownership, I met with Bob today to inform him of my decision,” Posey said in a statement. "On behalf of the organization, I want to express my appreciation to Bob for his dedication, professionalism, and class. I wish him all the best.

“After careful evaluation, we determined that making a change in leadership was in the best interest of the team. The last couple of months have been both disappointing and frustrating for all of us, and we did not perform up to our standards. We now turn our focus to identifying a new leader to guide us forward.”

This move doesn't come as a huge surprise as there was uncertainty surrounding Melvin's future in San Francisco. After the Giants' final season game on Sunday, which was a 4-0 win over the Rockies, reporters asked Melvin if he had been given an idea about his future with the team. He bluntly said "no."

“It is what it is,” Melvin said. “We’ll see what the next day brings.”

Additionally, Giants general manager Zack Minasian seemed to keep the team's options open regarding a coaching change when he was asked about it last week.

"As the season ends, we’ll evaluate the team, evaluate our system and our options going forward,” Minasian said last Wednesday, via MLB.com.

The Giants had a lot of pressure on their shoulders this season to make the postseason for the first time since 2021. The team acquired Rafael Devers in a surprising trade back in June, and the expectations for San Francisco grew even more. But, the team only went 40-50 since adding Devers to the roster. It seems like the Giants didn't play up to the standard the organization hoped for.

Both were masterly on a pitch that had enough to keep them interested, but not enough to give maximum results for their efforts

Sidharth Monga10-Jul-20250:57

What explains England’s ‘Blockball’ approach?

This Test is being played more on an upside-down ground than merely a sloped one. England are the toss and batting at home for only the second time since the start of 2022. Jasprit Bumrah’s deliveries aren’t carrying to the wicketkeeper. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s are surprising everyone with the extra bounce. Reddy is India’s highest wicket-taker in the game at the moment. England are playing according to the conditions and the bowling, and are Bazwalling at 3.02 an over.For a moment, it seemed the gods sent locusts out 20 minutes after the scheduled close of play to deliver judgment on what could be seen as an immoral day’s play in times of moral victories. Thankfully, they were just black ants, arguably the most threatening form of non-human life in England. Some argued they were ladybugs.Whoever they were, hopefully they stayed back to watch two masters at work. Also, the complaints about the ball and the eventual change around the 42nd-43rd over lent bits of normalcy to proceedings. It was only the last bits of it, but Bumrah and Joe Root were masterly on a pitch that had enough to keep them interested, but not enough to give maximum results for their efforts.Related

• Bumrah uses money in the bank for Lord's honours

• For Crawley and Pope, the struggle gets real

• Root holds the fort with 99* as India put brakes on Bazball

• England sweat on Ben Stokes as spectre of injury looms

Curiously, Root faced just 21 balls from Bumrah. That’s just 21 out of 72 that Bumrah bowled with Root at the wicket. It included Root facing just one ball from Bumrah’s first spell after lunch. Only Washington Sundar bowled less often to him.If it was a conscious thing that Root did, it is another masterful thing for a master batter to do, letting poor Ollie Pope face the brunt of a red-hot Bumrah. During that ten-over period, Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj gave away just 15 runs. All told, Root faced just 24 balls in those ten overs. Pope later said it wouldn’t be so smart if it were a conscious move. Ollie, Joe did you in there.Through the day, Bumrah drew 34 false shots. That’s about two per over. That deserves more than the one wicket, but the Pavilion End, the one that alpha bowlers of every team take at Lord’s, hardly had any bounce. The first ball he bowled to Ben Duckett took the edge but didn’t carry to slip. Immediately, he asked everyone behind the wicket to move up. He bowled just four overs in that spell, and moved to the Nursery End, which had more bounce.1:12

Manjrekar: Reddy looked like India’s best seamer

Through the day, there was more swing and seam available than on any of the first days of the three Tests so far, but the lack of pace and bounce made it hard work to take wickets. The lack of pace gave batters time to adjust to the movement, and if they did edge them, they hardly ever carried. Except, of course, when Reddy bowled great balls of fire.It also took away one of the more profitable scoring avenues for Root: the dab behind square on the off side. He kept middling those dabs, but they just didn’t have enough pace on them to go past gully. That showed in his strike rate, and in the number of inside edges that missed the stumps. That’s the little luck you deserve as a Test batter when you are batting at 86% control on a pitch doing a bit.Bumrah tried both ends but had little luck even though he, and India, stuck to good lengths and kept testing the batters. Movement in the pitch notwithstanding, India’s fast bowlers remained on the good length 54% of the time as opposed to England’s 37% on the first day in Leeds and Birmingham. That has been the general trend in the series. India will have reason to feel good about their work, having kept England down to 251 on a day on which only four wickets came about.1:21

What makes Root a special batter?

After tea, Bumrah went back to the Pavilion End, where by now the length to hit the top of stumps had shortened by a metre as compared to the first session. If Ben Stokes felt Birmingham was subcontinent-like, this was subcontinent-like with seam. Just what Bumrah needed then to bowl the ball of the day: one that swung away 2.5 inches and then nipped back in about six inches to hit the top of Harry Brook’s off stump.Root kept doing his work like a busy bee at the other end. Against Bumrah, even he played six false shots in 21 balls. Against others, he accumulated in peace, even though it never looked as easy as milking them.If Root had an asterisk of struggling against Bumrah, India had an asterisk of not hitting the stumps enough. But they did improve as the day progressed: 5.33% in the first session to 10.6% in the second to 15.79% in the third.It was the best first day of the series, even though it was the slowest. There were no clear winners or losers, both sides could be pleased with their work with room for improvement still, and there was a promise of more to come should the pitch deteriorate in the 28-degree heat that is making everything fall apart in England. Of course, the flying ants saw only bits of it.

GOAL’s writers found no shortage of drama in the Conference semis, highlighted by Messi’s Miami rolling on and Son Heung-min’s LAFC crashing out in dramatic fashion.

And then there were four. After a month of playoff chaos – interrupted by that odd two-week break due to international duty – MLS finally has its Conference finalists: Inter Miami, NYCFC, San Diego FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps. All four got here after a wild weekend. Miami went on the road to their biggest Eastern Conference rivals and dismantled them behind another dose of Lionel Messi brilliance. NYCFC followed by taking down the Philadelphia Union on their own pitch — a result that somehow feels both surprising and strangely predictable.

Out West, things were a little more intriguing. Vancouver and LAFC played out what was, without a doubt, one of the best MLS games in history. Tied 3-3 before extra time, and pens needed to win it? Yes please. Had Son Heung-Min's penalty kissed the inside of the post rather than slamming off it, we'd have a totally different story here. And then, a word for San Diego, who managed the ugliest of 1-0 wins over a predictably resolute Minnesota United. 

What we’re left with is genuinely compelling. It was a chaotic weekend, and the picture is suddenly much clearer – so what does it all mean now? Are Miami truly unstoppable? And what’s been the standout element of these predictably unpredictable playoffs? With the conference finals now set, GOAL U.S.’s writers break down the MLS postseason so far.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Can anyone stop Lionel Messi's Inter Miami now?

  Tom Hindle: In the East? No way. NYCFC did an admirable job by springing an upset on Philadelphia, and will put up a good fight. But Miami are a tier above – especially the way a certain Argentine is playing. Beyond that, it's tough to say. match up well with San Diego, and would certainly be favored there. But Vancouver are a trickier side to play against – and have already beaten them convincingly earlier this year. Right now, that's the dream final. 

  Ryan Tolmich: It sure doesn’t seem like it! Even compared to his usual form, Messi is on another level right now and seems totally determined to lift this team to a trophy. When he’s in that type of mood, and at this fitness level, more importantly, there’s not much anyone can do to stop him. Have fun, NYCFC!

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• Are Messi's playoff performances the best in MLS history?

  TH: Yes – and it's not particularly close. Messi has been at his best for a month now, and that form has only continued. He's on fire, and Miami are, too. 

  RT: We all know how to really answer this question. Ultimately, none of this matters unless there’s a trophy in the end. What we can say, though, is if that trophy lift does happen in Florida, yeah, this was the one, for sure.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Was Vancouver vs. LAFC the GOAT playoff game?

  TH: If not, what more would you like out of a game? Aside from a physical fight, a couple (more) red cards or some sort of act of a divine power, this has a pretty good claim. Perhaps the better one is the LAFC and Philadelphia Union final from a few years back. But even that simmered for a while. This was mad from the first minute. That Thomas Muller signing now looks like absolute genius. 

  RT: Not the GOAT, but in the top five or 10. There have been some classics over the years: Toronto vs. Montreal and LAFC vs. Philadelphia both come to mind. Let this serve as a reminder of how good the playoffs can be when they’re at their chaotic best.

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  How big of an upset was NYCFC over Philly?

  TH: BIG. NYCFC went to Philadelphia, suffering from injury and suspension, and managed a pretty convincing win. This was no 1-0 smash and grab, either. Philly certainly had their chances, but NYCFC played football, and were rewarded for it. Most had this pegged for a comfy victory for the Union. What happened was the opposite. 

  RT: A little? The biggest factor were the injuries, as NYCFC went into this game so, so shorthanded. The Union, however, showed signs of weakness all season long against the league’s good teams, the ones that wouldn’t wilt to their tactics. NYCFC are one of those teams, so no surprise they were able to at least make it a 50-50 game and come out on the right side of their 50 thanks to some great goalkeeping.

Sam Allardyce has named a Crystal Palace star in his Premier League Team of the Season so far, with an Arsenal counterpart snubbed.

Palace pushing for Europe once again

Off the back of winning the first major trophy in their history last season, Palace have started the current season in style, having taken 20 points from their opening 12 Premier League games, which leaves them just three points adrift of second-placed Chelsea.

Oliver Glasner has made his side very difficult to beat, with only Everton and Arsenal chalking up wins against the Eagles so far this season, and a solid defensive record has been the key to their success, keeping clean sheets in four out of the last five matches in all competitions.

Having managed to retain the services of Marc Guehi in the summer, despite deadline-day drama, Glasner’s side have shipped just nine goals in the Premier League this term, the second-fewest of any side, behind only league-leaders Arsenal.

However, Guehi hasn’t been the only player to catch the eye, with Allardyce recently naming another Crystal Palace star in his Premier League Team of the Season so far.

Speaking on the ‘No Tippy Tappy Football’ podcast, the former manager chose Dean Henderson ahead of David Raya between the sticks, while also adding: “He’s so confident in himself, he believes when someone’s got a penalty he’s gonna save it – you can see, it’s bordering on a bit arrogant.”

The 71-year-old justifies his decision by asserting that Raya doesn’t face enough shots to make it into the team, given the Gunners’ fantastic defensive record, most recently limiting Tottenham Hotspur to an xG of just 0.06 in the 4-1 North London derby thrashing.

Henderson must be in Tuchel's thoughts ahead of World Cup

Jordan Pickford has been England’s first-choice goalkeeper for quite some time, having now amassed 81 caps, and it is difficult to envisage Thomas Tuchel dropping him for the World Cup next summer, but the Palace shot-stopper is certainly pushing the Everton star all the way.

Player

Club

Premier League clean sheets

David Raya

Arsenal

7

Robert Sanchez

Chelsea

7

Dean Henderson

Crystal Palace

6

Nick Pope

Newcastle United

5

Gianluigi Donnarumma

Manchester City

4

Robin Roefs

Sunderland

4

Jordan Pickford

Everton

4

Guglielmo Vicario

Tottenham Hotspur

4

Djordje Petrovic

AFC Bournemouth

4

The 28-year-old has already picked up six clean sheets in the Premier League this season, two more than Pickford, while also saving two penalties in the shoot-out against Liverpool to help the Eagles clinch the Community Shield for the first time in their history.

Raya may have kept more clean sheets than the Englishman, but the Spaniard won’t be happy by Richarlison recently lobbing him from distance in the North London derby…

As such, Henderson’s selection is fully justified, and the goalkeeper has a huge part to play as Palace look to qualify for Europe for the second year running.

Crystal Palace star who "they don't want to lose" now has his agent testing an exit

The Eagles must look to keep hold of their star striker.

ByHenry Jackson Nov 25, 2025