Tag Futebol

Liverpool have ended 2025 on the front foot, reclaiming agency and focus after Arne Slot’s side got lost for much of the first half of the 2025/26 campaign.

After winning the Premier League title and spending record-breaking numbers on new signings, Liverpool were billed as odds-on favourites for a back-to-back trophy, but many things have gone wrong for the Reds this term, tactically imbalanced and unable to defend against this new direct culture in the English game, evidenced by their shocking defensive record against set-pieces.

Most Set-piece Goals Conceded 25/26 (Top 5 Leagues)

Club

Games

Conceded

Liverpool

18

12

Bournemouth

18

12

Nott’m Forest

19

12

FC Koln

15

11

West Ham

18

11

Fiorentina

17

10

Data via ThisIsAnfield

Liverpool stare at the imminent January transfer window with centre-back signings in their eyes. But it’s not only defensively that the Anfield club have struggled, with attacking issues leading to a flurry of speculation over Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, who now looks like he’s joining Manchester City.

Liverpool's transfer plans in attack

Alexander Isak broke his leg this month, aggravating an already struggling frontline. This might have prompted Liverpool to follow up on their November calls with Semenyo’s representatives, but FSG have decided against matching the intensity of City’s interest.

Could this be because sporting director Richard Hughes has been tasked with signing an even more exciting attacking talent?

Well, this week, Anfield Watch have confirmed that Liverpool have registered their interest in Eintracht Frankfurt winger Jean-Mattéo Bahoya, with the 20-year-old making waves in the Bundesliga.

This won’t be an easy one to pull off. Arsenal also have a vested interest, and Frankfurt don’t want to let him go, pricing the up-and-coming talent at around £71m.

Why Liverpool should sign Bahoya

Bahoya is exceptionally fast and intelligent in his movement and decision-making.

After leaving Angers for his current German employers in 2024, the snappy winger has only gone from strength to strength, starting eight league games this season and proving that he has the kind of quality to see him succeed at a top club in the Premier League.

Given that Liverpool have spent so much money on new forwards recently, Bahoya’s younger and less experienced presence might actually bear dividends for the overall fluency of Slot’s frontline.

Analyst Spencer Mossman has even said that he’s “like a younger Bukayo Saka”, and that bodes well for the France U21 international’s potential on the grand stage, given he shares with Arsenal’s talisman (and Semenyo) a combativeness and energy to match his final-third potency.

Though he has not yet found the kind of clinical form Semenyo is riding in the Premier League, with nine goals and three assists to his name this season, there is much to like from an underlying perspective.

Bahoya vs Semenyo (League Form 25/26)

Stats (per 90)

Bahoya

Semenyo

Goals scored

0.29

0.39

Assists

0.19

0.17

Touches (att pen)

4.33

4.78

Shots taken

1.73

2.60

Shot-creating actions

3.46

3.57

Pass completion (%)

75.1

72.2

Progressive passes

2.31

3.34

Progressive carries

4.04

3.70

Successful take-ons

1.88

1.60

Ball recoveries

4.33

4.20

Tackles + interceptions

3.75

1.82

Data via FBref

As per Sofascore, Bahoya has completed 62% of his dribbles and won 64% of his ground duels in the Bundesliga this season, with a precision to his movements that bespeaks his prodigious physical skillset.

Subscribe for in-depth Liverpool transfer and tactics insight Join the newsletter for focused Liverpool transfer and tactical coverage — player profiles, comparative stats, and market context that explain why targets like Bahoya matter and how they could affect the squad. Subscribe for expert analysis and clear context.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

He’s also intelligent and coded for success in Liverpool’s frontline. Analyst Ben Mattinson singled out Hugo Ekitike’s “link-up prowess” for Frankfurt last season after setting up a Bahoya goal. There’s a combination that could wreak havoc on the Premier League next season.

There’s a sense that Liverpool opted against signing Semenyo because they have bigger plans shelved. Bahoya could become a bona fide superstar in the Premier League, surpassing the kind of level Semenyo would offer Slot’s side.

Related Bigger talent than Gabriel: Liverpool in bid to sign £35m "monster"

Arne Slot knows his Liverpool squad is flawed heading into the January transfer window.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair

Steve Harmison spent a lot of time discussing his action during England’s net session in Colombo © Getty Images

Steve Harmison is in line for his first Test appearance since the West Indies series in June, after Peter Moores, England’s coach, conceded that Matthew Hoggard’s prospects of being fit in time for Sunday’s second Test at Colombo are extremely doubtful. Though Hoggard batted in England’s training session at the Premadasa Stadium on Friday, he has not attempted to bowl since injuring his back during Sri Lanka’s second innings at Kandy, and Moores conceded that time was running out.”His back’s still sore,” said Moores. “It’s got better as backs do, but tomorrow’s the key day. He’s going to have to bowl tomorrow to be available for selection.” The likelihood of that happening, however, is slim in the extreme, and worryingly for England, Hoggard is not the only seamer in the wars. Ryan Sidebottom missed training with a stomach complaint, while James Anderson bowled with strapping on the left ankle he injured during the warm-ups.Both men are still expected to be fit for selection, which leaves a straight choice between the experienced Harmison and the rookie Stuart Broad, who has yet to make his Test debut. From the evidence of their performances at nets, there was only one man showing any relish for the contest. Harmison was listless for long periods of his spell, and spent several minutes between deliveries discussing his action andrun-up with Moores and the bowling coach Ottis Gibson. Broad, on the other hand, plucked out Michael Vaughan’s middle stump with a seaming delivery, and was lively and eager to impress throughout.Even so, the indication from the England camp is that they are prepared to trust in the greater knowhow of Harmison, for what has become a must-win match. “We’ve seen Steve over the last two weeks, not just in the last few net sessions,” said Moores. “He’s an experienced Test-match cricketer, and in Steve we’ve got someone whocreates bounce, creates pressure, and is someone who Sri Lanka won’t like to face.”The final point is the crucial one as far as England’s permutations go, because their seam attack at Kandy was lacklustre once the friendly first-day conditions had evaporated. “Our line and length wasn’t too bad, but we’ve got to be a bit more savvy and streetwise,” said Moores. In Harmison, England have a cricketer whose reputation for devastating menace precedes him. If he doesn’t play in this contest, there seems little point in ever calling on his services again.Moores, though, gave the impression of a man who was prepared to disregard the evidence before his eyes, and trust Harmison’s big-match instincts to kick in on the day. “Whenever you play someone in a Test match, you never quite know what you’re going to get,” he said. “There’s always an element of risk. Steve worked hard during the last Test match, but one of the challenges during Tests is that you bowl by yourself in the middle. He needs time against batters, so netting today was good.

Stuart Broad picked the right time to dismiss Michael Vaughan in the nets, but Peter Moores is concerned about his ability to withstand a demanding Test © Getty Images

“The real challenge comes when he pulls on an England shirt again and goes out to play for his country,” said Moores. “We all know that nets are different. You get fantastic net players who can’t translate that in the middle, so we can only take so much from that. You have to take stuff from how the player is around the team – how he’s talking, how he’s feeling. Steve’s doing everything right, both on the fitness and technical side, and if he’s the best man for the job, he’ll play.”Another omission for Broad would be a tough break for a player who has been waiting patiently for his debut since the start of the English summer, but at the age of 21, there is no question that his chance will come before long. Moores, though, wasn’t going to be rushed into giving him that first call-up. “The challenge with Stuart is to know when to release him into Tests,” said Moores. “There’s no doubt he’s pushing very hard. He’s playing well and offers some options with the bat as well, and he’ll be very much talked about in selection, as will everyone.”Broad’s willowy frame is a concern for the team management, however. He has the height to be a fast bowler, but so far lacks the meat on his bones that will make him a durable England prospect. “He’s adaptable, he’s got a knack of getting wickets, and he’s getting stronger all the time,” said Moores. “But part of Stuart’s thing is getting the physical strength to deliver his skill over a decent length of time, in what are pretty harsh conditions.”He’s earned his right to be in this squad because of how he’s performed,” said Moores. “He’s probably physically ready to bowl three spells a day over five days, but he’d be pushing the limits of it, to be honest. Mentally, for a young bloke, he’s very strong and I think he’s got a Test match in him, but whether he’d be able to play three on the bounce, I don’t know yet.”Both men could yet be called upon if Sidebottom and Anderson fail to recover fully from their respective ailments. England do have previous in that regard, having purged their entire new-ball attack between the first and second Tests in Sri Lanka four years ago, but Moores implied that Hoggard’s enforced absence would be sufficient change among the seamers. “I saw enough from the England team that we can still win the series,” he said. “If we play to our ability, and put them under pressure. The challenge is to do that, and sustain the pressure over longer periods with bat and ball.”

John Bracewell: “England are a side that’s reliant on the vital few as opposed to the group” © Getty Images

John Bracewell hopes England’s string of defeats to Australia will improve New Zealand’s chances of a strong CB Series campaign, which they begin in Hobart on Sunday. The competition starts in Melbourne on Friday with Australia playing England and Bracewell, whose team has landed in Australia, would like another defeat for the tourists.”[England is] a side we hope have taken a dreadful towelling and will be blown apart in terms of morale by the time we arrive,” Bracewell said in . “But I doubt it somehow because they have some quality batting within their side and if [Andrew] Flintoff stands up they’re a dangerous team.”All three teams will be focussing on the World Cup starting in West Indies in March and Bracewell expects New Zealand will have an edge over England because of their all-round make-up. “[England are] a side that’s reliant on the vital few as opposed to the group, the greater number, which we rely on,” Bracewell said. “If that vital few hit form at the right time, they are in with a shout. If they don’t, then they really haven’t got a price.”

‘I need to take more wickets’ – Mohammad Sami © Getty Images

Mohammad Sami, the Pakistan fast bowler, has said he would play against India with a positive outlook and the will to prove his critics wrong that his temperament was not suited for international cricket. Sami, 24, said while carrying out bowling exercises advised to him by former Pakistan captain and great Imran Khan on Friday that he had been boosted with the positive remarks about him made by Imran. “It has not been easy for me. People tend to look at my averages but don’t see how many Tests I have played abroad or at home on generally batting tracks. They don’t see the number of times luck has simply not supported even some good wicket taking balls,” he said.But Sami said he had always been encouraged and supported by his captain, coach and teammates and Imran’s visit to pass on some advice to him had come as a big confidence booster for him before the series against India. “It is a big series for me, no doubt about that. I know there are expectations from me and I need to take more wickets. But I have had some good spells and after some tips passed on by Imran I am positive about the coming series,” Sami said while targeting one stump with the new ball.Imran specially visited the Pakistan camp at the National Cricket Academy here on Friday and spent over an hour working with Sami, whose selection has been criticised by many critics and some former players who point out to his Test bowling average of 46. Sami has taken 65 wickets in 24 Tests and another 105 in 74 One-day Internationals. Sami said getting advice from Imran had come as a big help and he learnt one or two new things from the former fast bowler. “But he made it clear to me what line of attack I should adopt and spoke about the importance of being disciplined in the basics of fast bowling,” he added.Sami said he was looking forward to the Tests against India despite their strong batting line-up. “I am preparing myself for the challenge because they have some quality batsmen. But I am confident because I have bowled a lot to them in the last two years and I have got a feel of their individual batting traits at the crease.”

ScorecardSreekumar Nair’s stroke-filled 132 helped Kerala out of a difficult situation and gave them control of the game against Jammu & Kashmir at Palakkad. At the day’s end, J&K were 23 for 1, still 296 behind Kerala’s 319. Nair came in when the score was 20 for 2, and proceeded to play largely a lone hand as batsmen came and went frequently. At one point Kerala were 142 for 7, but Suresh Kumar assisted Nair with a quick 52. They added 101, then Nair and Sony Cheruvathur put on 62 for the ninth wicket. Nair faced 200 balls for his 132 and hit 22 fours, while Abid Nabi was the most succesful bowler for J&K, taking 4 for 83 off 18.1 overs.
ScorecardManinder Bisla turned the heat on Jharkhand with 135 at Jamshedpur. But the bowlers did well to dismiss the others for low scores, and limit Himachal Pradesh to 275. Sumit Panda ended with 4 for 55, and caught Bisla off his own bowling. Bisla struck 13 fours and two sixes, and scored his runs off only 160 balls. He made 99 more than the next-highest scorer, Ashok Thakur, who remained unbeaten on 36. Jharkhand finished the day at 4 for no loss.
ScorecardThe action at Agartala bordered on inaction. Goa played out 89.4 overs to reach 192 for 4, with neither the batsmen nor Tripura’s bowlers able to make much headway. However, Shami Asnodkar remained unbeaten on 87, off 251 balls, and the effort took him over six hours. The most successful bowler for Tripura was Sujit Roy, who ended with 3 for 51.
ScorecardRajasthan recovered from a poor start to reach a respectable total by the close at Udaipur. Their total of 269 for 8 was built on efforts by Gagan Khoda, Nikhil Doru and Naresh Gehlot. Khoda faced 214 balls for his 74, while Doru and Gehlot both made 47. Having got through the middle order, Haryana came up against more resistance in the form of Rohit Jhalani at No. 8, who remained unbeaten on 30.
ScorecardFazil Mohammad rocked Vidarbha early in the day at New Delhi to have them reeling at 12 for 2, but Services could not press on from there. When play ended, after only 40.1 overs, Vidarbha had recovered to 85 for 3, chiefly due to a 64-run stand between Pravin Londase (41) and Alind Naidu (29 not out).

Hampshire’s woefull Frizzell Championship season continued at The Riverside ground of Durham on the third day, being forced to follow on 304 runs behind the home side. They then lost a further five wickets before the close.Resuming at 88 for 4 overnight, John Francis and Nic Pothas belied what had gone on the previous evening by surviving untill just before the lunch interval, when Pothas, back after injury continued his good form, reached a half century before being caught in bizaare fashion off his own foot to Nicky Peng at forward short-leg.Having batted soundly for 285 minutes, Francis pulled the ball to square leg and was superbly caught by Peng diving to his right for 65, it was his highest first-class score of the season.Hampshire’s last three wickets fell without any addition to the score and the follow on was enforced.Hampshire’s second attempt fell immediatly into disarray with Simon Katich and John Crawley both back in the pavilion for a joint return of 6 runs. James Adams and Robin Smith then batted stoically but the perservering Neil Killeen accounted for Adams caught behind, then Smith one short of a half century fell lbw.Nic Pothas continued to show why he has been missed during his injury spell by battling out to close, but the fourth day would need a miracle that only the nearby “Angel of the North” could perform.

The question of the captaincy of the Barbados cricket teamfor next year’s Busta Cup seems to be a big talking pointbut it makes you wonder why there’s a debate in the firstplace.The incumbent Sherwin Campbell was only appointed thisseason and Barbados won the Cup even though it is a factthat Ian Bradshaw who deputised while Campbell was on tourwith the West Indies also played his part in the overalltriumph.Why in heaven’s name would there be any suggestion that theselection panel might recommend his removal?The only logical reason would be that they feel it would bebetter to relieve him of the pressure that goes with beingcaptain so that he can concentrate primarily on his battingnow with renewed vigour in his quest to regain his place atthe top of the West Indies batting order.Even so, I believe that if these were Campbell’s ownthoughts he would have been keen to give up the captaincyvoluntarily.That there has been no indication of this from him meansthat he is still very interested in doing the job. And if heis, he should retain the reins.Leadership is nothing new to Campbell and as a youth playerhe was a prolific scorer while at the helm of both theBarbados and West Indies teams.Responsibility has helped him rather than burdened himtherefore I see no reason why this outlook should change.Besides, like everyone else, Campbell would have recognisedthat events in Sri Lanka recently may have made it possiblefor him or any other aspirant to open the innings soonerthan they had imagined.A renewed focus could reap great rewards and if Campbellscores big in the Busta Cup he could be back in business bythe time the Indians reach the Caribbean.Of course, at this stage, too, it is clear that he needs toregain lost confidence.To relieve him of the captaincy now could only dent his selfesteem and embroil him in more self doubt than he currentlyneeds. The selectors must by all means keep Campbellcaptain.

Chris Adams Photo © Paul McGregor

Chris Adams struck a captain’s innings of 100 runs off 95 balls to powerSussex Sharks to a 43 runs win at Wantage for only their second National League success this summer.Chris Adams hammered a quickfire century as Sussex Sharks overcameNorthamptonshire Steelbacks by 43 runs at Wantage Road — only their secondNational League success of the season.Adams put on 98 with Tony Cottey (47) following the departure of openerRichard Montgomerie. Then Michael Bevan and Will House hit 58 runs in the last 24 balls to shatter the opposition. The Australian’s whirlwind 54 from 29 balls included two sixes and six fours: House was even more devasting in hammering 26 runs from ten deliveries.For a while Northamptonshire countered effectively thanks to Matthew Hayden(45) and Graeme Swann (30) putting on 47 runs at fractionally under two runs a ball. At 132-2 with 15 overs remaining the game was not lost. then David Sales, who had smashed 35 runs from forty balls, Matthew Hayden and Jeff Cook were out in the space of 14 balls. When Kirtley knocked back Adrian Rollins’ middle-stump after his 51 runs stand with David Ripley the match was as good as over.

South Africa 131 for 7 (de Villiers 52*, Patel 2-17) beat New Zealand 129 for 7 (Mills 33*, Pollock 3-29) by three wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Happy returns: Shaun Pollock return to South African colours with three wickets © AFP

The last time South Africa played a Twenty20 they choked in memorable style against India in the ICC World Twenty20 and nearly imploded again this time before coming through by three wickets with a ball to spare against New Zealand at the Wanderers. AB de Villiers, with an unbeaten 52, kept his cool as the home side did their best to hand New Zealand a morale-boosting win, but it was left to Johan Botha to strike the penultimate ball for four.For three quarters of the match South Africa had everything under control following an impressive performance with the ball. But Jeetan Patel brought New Zealand back into the contest by removing Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock as de Villiers struggled to find anyone to partner him to the end. With three overs to go they needed 14 but just seven came from the next 12 balls and South Africa started having nervous flashbacks.To add to the tension Vernon Philander was run out on the second ball of the final over and de Villiers, who’d reached his first Twenty20 fifty off 43 balls, couldn’t get the strike. In the end it was down to Botha and he flicked Kyle Mills through midwicket to send the crowd into raptures. Disappointingly it wasn’t a full house, a stark contrast to the ICC World Twenty20 final staged on this ground two months ago, but those present witnessed another match which showed how much fortunes can change during 40 overs.South Africa rested Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel, and the strength of their reserves was indicated with Pollock collecting three wickets on his return. The home side caught well, although they couldn’t hit a barn door with their attempted run-outs, as New Zealand threatened to fall inside the 20 overs before Mills flayed a defiant 33 at the death.Chasing 130 shouldn’t have proved as testing as it turned out. Jacques Kallis, who was controversially omitted from the ICC World Twenty20, looked intent on showing his aggressive side but picked out fine leg after being rushed by Mark Gillespie’s bouncer, and Graeme Smith’s poor run was extended when he edged Mills.JP Duminy kept the innings on track with a punchy innings at No. 3. He showed a panache for the pull shot and was shaping to take South Africa home on his own when he slog-swept Daniel Vettori over deep midwicket. But the New Zealand captain had his revenge three balls later with a clever piece of bowling to draw Duminy out of his crease.Normally secure in the field, New Zealand’s catching then began to let them down. de Villiers launched Vettori high into the night sky and Mills couldn’t steady himself under the chance at long-off, but that was nothing compared to Gillespie’s howler at midwicket to reprieve Boucher. Patel then made his double incision, trapping Boucher lbw – although there was a doubt – and removing Pollock thanks to a fine catch at deep midwicket by Ross Taylor.The equation reached a run-a-ball as Patel proved difficult to score off, but a meaty six over midwicket from Albie Morkel appeared to seal the result. Not so. Morkel slapped Scott Styris’ second ball to cover before Taylor and Lou Vincent combined to run out Philander in the final-over panic. Although New Zealand ultimately couldn’t pull off the heist, their fightback should have at least boosted spirits ahead of the one-day series.Their earlier efforts had been depressingly familiar as the batting slumped to 98 for 7. Brendon McCullum slapped a wide delivery straight to point and Jamie How picked out cover after a promising start in his first outing of the tour. Pollock was the beneficiary on both occasions, making the most of an outing in international colours after missing the recent Tests. Smith was confident enough in his bowlers – or dismissive enough of New Zealand’s chances – to keep a slip, or sometimes two, throughout much of the innings.Morkel bowled a nippy spell to keep the pressure on as Taylor fell in familiar fashion, pushing away from his body and sending an edge to slip, and collected Gareth Hopkins in his final over when the reserve wicketkeeper limply guided a wide ball to point. Vincent scratched around for 20 balls before trying to reverse sweep a low full toss from Botha, whose impressive economy was helped by batsmen tied to their crease.Styris played an almost lone hand with his 30, but it wasn’t until Mills opened up in the closing overs that New Zealand showed real intent. It is no coincidence that Mills wasn’t involved in the Test hammerings. He cleared long-off against Dale Steyn and in the final over creamed Charl Langeveldt straight down the ground with a little help from the altitude. In the final reckoning it hadn’t quite given New Zealand enough to play with, but if they show the same spirit the one-day series could be a worthwhile contest.

England were on top when Andrew Symonds joined Matthew Hayden at the crease © Getty Images

When Australia were 5 for 84 on day two at the MCG, it was tempting to believe England were finally fully switched on. Australia’s danger men from the first three Tests, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, were back in the pavilion and England had the chance to take a first-innings lead despite their own modest total of 159.What happened next can be looked at in two ways. Did Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden rip the game out of the visitors’ hands with their initially careful and composed 279-run partnership? Or did England throw away their strong position with defensive field placements and strange bowling changes?John Buchanan said it was another example of England’s inconsistency. He said they had shown “glimpses” in each of the four Tests, but failed to capitalise each time. In the Adelaide Test, where Australia made a remarkable comeback to win after England declared at 551 in the first innings, he felt the visitors made their biggest mistake.”England lost that Test in the first innings, not in the second innings,” Buchanan said. “They laboured over 550 – played very cautiously. They had the opportunity there with players like Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff to impact on the game much earlier and if they were going to make 550 they could have made it much quicker than what they did.”When the series opened at Brisbane, Buchanan was impressed by England’s performance in the fourth innings, although the match was virtually decided after their shambolic first innings of 157. “They made 370 in 100 overs, which I’m sure everyone thought was pretty encouraging,” he said.By the time the third Test at Perth came around, England could still not reach their best despite the impressive Ashes debut of Monty Panesar, who took eight wickets. Again, there were signs England could threaten Australia, but once more their efforts were not enough. “They managed to put together 350 in the second innings, which again was no mean feat,” Buchanan said.Buchanan’s opposite number Duncan Fletcher admitted England had made mistakes but preferred to push the line that Australia had been simply too good. At 5 for 84 on Wednesday he felt Australia would be “very nervous”, but Symonds and Hayden then played superbly. While they compiled the match-winning partnership Flintoff held back on his own potential match-winner, using Panesar only in short spells.”He was probably trying to protect Panesar to a degree,” Fletcher said. “He had two batters who love to hit it over the top. You’ve got to give credit – they [Symonds and Hayden] changed their plan and thought on their feet when they were out there.”He said his team had been devastated by the losses after admirable performances for parts of all four games. But Fletcher would not accept that his side lacked fight at Melbourne, even though they lost in three days and managed totals of 159 and 161.”There’s no way that side didn’t put up a fight, they tried to the best of their ability,” he said. “I think it was a very difficult wicket to bat on … two guys arrive there and bat exceptionally well and take the game away from us.”