Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was in contact with Real Madrid through his entourage last season regarding a potential free transfer in the summer. Van Dijk rejected offers from several other clubs, including Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, as his priority was to join Madrid. However, the Spanish side chose to look elsewhere and instead signed defender Dean Huijsen.
Van Dijk's wish to play for Madrid
According to Spanish outlet AS, Madrid were reportedly unconvinced about signing Van Dijk due to concerns over his age and the serious ACL injury he suffered in 2020. Despite having a contract extension offer on the table from Liverpool last season, the Dutch defender was keen on a move to the Spanish giants and offered his services to them through his agents. Van Dijk’s desire to join Madrid saw him turn down approaches from several other clubs, with Al-Hilal offering a lucrative deal.
However, Madrid ultimately choose instead to sign young defender Huijsen from Bournemouth as part of their long-term defensive planning. With Madrid no longer an option, Van Dijk eventually accepted Liverpool’s two-year contract extension.
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Van Dijk's glorious career at Liverpool
Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for what was then a world record fee for a defender. Since his arrival, Van Dijk has made 333 appearances for the club, scoring 30 goals. The Dutchman has been a key figure under both Jurgen Klopp and current manager Arne Slot, helping Liverpool secure major trophies including two Premier League titles, one Champions League and one FA Cup. His influence goes beyond team success, as he redefined the role of a modern defender with his consistency, positioning, and reading of the game.
Individually, Van Dijk was named UEFA Men’s Player of the Year for the 2018–19 season and finished second to Lionel Messi in the 2019 Ballon d’Or rankings, recognition of his outstanding performances and immense contribution to Liverpool’s rise to the top of European football.
Van Dijk in for criticism amid Liverpool struggles
Liverpool have struggled for consistency this season despite retaining Van Dijk and investing heavily during a major summer transfer window. The Reds began the campaign strongly, winning seven consecutive matches across all competitions, but their form has since dipped sharply. A series of poor performances has raised concerns about the team’s balance and defensive stability. Their slump was highlighted by six defeats in seven games, including four consecutive losses to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea and Manchester United in the Premier League and Champions League. The disappointing run has cast doubt over Liverpool’s ability to challenge for major honours despite their strong start and talented squad.
The recent results have drawn criticism towards Van Dijk, with United legend Wayne Rooney questioning his leadership. Rooney said: "Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, they've signed new deals but I don't think they've really led that team this season.
"I think body language tells you a lot, and I think we're seeing slightly different body language from the two of them. They are the top two players in that team and if their body language is not right, that affects everyone else."
Meanwhile, Real Madrid sit comfortably at the top of La Liga, five points clear of rivals Barcelona following their recent 2-1 victory in El Clasico. Xabi Alonso’s side have been in exceptional form, losing only once across all competitions this season. Their success has been built on a solid defensive foundation, boasting the best record in La Liga with just 10 goals conceded. The signing of Huijsen has proven instrumental, further strengthening Madrid’s already resilient backline.
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Liverpool facing Madrid test
Liverpool will host Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League today. Van Dijk will be aiming to help turn Liverpool’s form around and silence his critics with a big performance and a crucial win over Madrid.
Antonio Cassano has jumped to the defence of Juventus boss Igor Tudor after their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, insisting the Croatian shouldn’t be blamed for the team’s poor run. The outspoken former striker instead called out the Bianconeri’s squad quality, warning the club that sacking Tudor would be a huge mistake.
Cassano backs Tudor after Real Madrid defeat
Juventus’ winless run stretched to seven games after a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League, leaving boss Tudor under growing scrutiny. Despite the result, the Italian giants showed flashes of promise at the Bernabeu, pushing Madrid for large spells before English starlet Jude Bellingham’s close-range finish decided the game.
Former Italy striker Cassano has, however, leapt to Tudor’s defence, claiming the problem lies with Juventus’ underwhelming squad rather than the manager. Speaking to , Cassano praised the Croatian’s tactical organisation and mentality, arguing that the 46-year-old is doing his best with limited resources.
“Igor Tudor is great: a great person, a great coach, a great communicator, he has a great personality, and I'm on his side,” Cassano said. “At the Bernabeu, he showed that he played a great match, in a world-class stadium. He could have scored a couple of goals, he could have conceded, he played the game brilliantly. But then, guys… what kind of players does Juve play with?”
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‘Tudor is not the problem’ – Cassano's verdict
Cassano continued his defence by stressing that Juve’ tactical discipline and effort under Tudor were clear to see in Madrid. Despite missing several chances, including Dusan Vlahovic’s late opportunity denied by Thibaut Courtois, the Bianconeri competed toe-to-toe with Xabi Alonso’s side for much of the contest.
“Juve played a great 65 minutes, they attacked, they had space to attack, but then when they finished… guys, they don't have Juve-caliber players,” Cassano said. “And it's not the coach's fault, he's trying to get what he can out of them. And Juve played a great match. Real Madrid didn't steal anything because they had their chances, but if you have 3-4 players of a certain level at your disposal in that team, this time you'll score three or four goals against Real Madrid. Maybe you concede four, but if you score three, you scare them.”
His comments reflect growing frustration among pundits who believe Juve have been weakened by years of poor recruitment and short-term planning. Tudor, who took over amid a turbulent period, has been credited with bringing back intensity and structure, but Cassano warned that without better players, results will remain inconsistent. “With a team like that… Tudor is the best coach right now, the one who can keep the ship afloat,” Cassano concluded.
Juventus improving under Tudor but still lacking bite
Tudor’s Juventus have shown signs of tactical evolution, especially in defensive structure and pressing organisation. The Croatian deployed a 5-4-1 system against Real Madrid, ensuring defensive solidity while allowing width through wing-backs Andrea Cambiaso and Pierre Kalulu. Players like Teun Koopmeiners and Khephren Thuram brought physicality in midfield, while Vlahovic led the line alone.
The plan initially worked, and Juventus frustrated Real for long spells, creating several chances before Bellingham’s decisive strike. However, the lack of a clinical edge and creative spark continues to haunt the Turin side. Key absences, including Federico Chiesa and Nicolo Fagioli, have also limited their attacking variety.
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Lazio clash offers chance for reset
Juventus now turn their focus back to Serie A with a crucial away fixture against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, October 26. The Bianconeri have not won in seven matches across all competitions, piling pressure on Tudor to deliver a turnaround.
Statistically, Juve remain one of Serie A’s most active attacking teams, ranking third for total shots behind Inter and Napoli. However, their conversion rate and decision-making in the final third continue to undermine their efforts.
Juventus have historically dominated this fixture, winning 87 of their Serie A meetings with the Biancocelesti. Yet Lazio, backed by their home crowd, will be eager to exploit Juve’s fragile confidence.
For Tudor, the message from Cassano is clear, Juventus must hold their nerve, but Cassano’s warning could prove timely if Juventus are to avoid yet another managerial reset.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has described his fifth yellow card of the season as “mind boggling”.
The Everton midfielder will miss Sunday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace after reaching the threshold for a one-game suspension after only six Premier League matches.
Dewsbury-Hall’s latest yellow card came in Monday night’s 1-1 draw against West Ham for a challenge on Kyle Walker-Peters where he appeared to clearly get the ball. Writing on X, the 27-year-old said:
“Forgive me if I’m wrong, and I might be, but some of these decisions are so hard to take. Mind boggling.”
Dewsbury-Hall for Everton
Match ratings
Everton 1-1 West Ham
6.43
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
6.86
Everton 0-0 Aston Villa
6.72
Everton 2-0 Brighton
6.75
Leeds 1-0 Everton
6.77
Dewsbury-Hall has impressed for the Toffees since making the move from Chelsea this summer, scoring his first goal against Wolves last month. Everton boss David Moyes agreed with the midfielder’s assessment, saying:
With more and more money being pumped into the Premier League every season, transfer fees and player wages are ballooning. With that in mind, we have taken a look at what teams are paying their star players, specifically Aston Villa.
In 2025/26, those at Villa Park have an annual payroll of £123,110,000, with the average first team player collecting more than £4.3m per season. Here are the Villans’ best-paid players this year, per Capology.
Disclaimer – only the club and the players themselves truly know their wages, so take each of these figures as you will.
Rank
Player
Wage per week
Wage per year
1
Jadon Sancho
£200,000
£10,400,000
=2
Emiliano Martinez
£150,000
£7,800,000
=2
Boubacar Kamara
£150,000
£7,800,000
=2
Youri Tielemans
£150,000
£7,800,000
=5
Amadou Onana
£140,000
£7,280,000
=5
Donyell Malen
£140,000
£7,280,000
7
Lucas Digne
£135,000
£7,020,000
8
Ollie Watkins
£130,000
£6,760,000
=9
John McGinn
£120,000
£6,240,000
=9
Victor Lindelof
£120,000
£6,240,000
11
Tyrone Mings
£110,000
£5,720,000
=12
Pau Torres
£100,000
£5,200,000
=12
Ian Maatsen
£100,000
£5,200,000
14
Matty Cash
£80,000
£4,160,000
=15
Emiliano Buendia
£75,000
£3,900,000
=15
Ezri Konsa
£75,000
£3,900,000
=15
Evann Guessand
£75,000
£3,900,000
=15
Morgan Rogers
£75,000
£3,900,000
19
Harvey Elliott
£65,000
£3,380,000
20
Ross Barkley
£60,000
£3,120,000
21
Marco Bizot
£45,000
£2,340,000
22
Lamare Bogarde
£30,000
£1,560,000
=23
Andres Garcia
£15,000
£780,000
=23
Samuel Iling-Junior
£15,000
£780,000
25
Lewis Dobbin
£7,500
£390,000
26
Joe Gauci
£5,000
£260,000
Here is a look at Aston Villa's top 10 earners… 10 Victor Lindelof £120,000 per week
After being released by Manchester United in 2025, Aston Villa eventually swooped in and signed Victor Lindelof on a free transfer.
The Swedish defender signed a two-year deal at Villa Park and will collect just under £12.5m in wages during his time in the Midlands.
9 John McGinn £120,000 per week
Since he joined the club from Hibernian in 2018, John McGinn has been a consistent performer for Aston Villa, and when he’s at his best, he can pull some magic out of nowhere.
The club clearly value the 29-year-old as he signed a new deal in 2023 that will keep him in the Midlands until the summer of 2027. We’d argue McGinn has more than earned his spot on this list.
8 Ollie Watkins £130,000 per week
Striker Ollie Watkins has had the time of his life at Villa Park, and his form in front of goal helped the club achieve regular European qualification.
Watkins isn’t far off 100 goals in a Villa shirt, therefore a fine justification of his £130,000 per week wage, and he is under contract until 2028.
7 Lucas Digne £135,000 per week
Lucas Digne’s time at Villa Park is rather hard to judge due to injuries derailing his momentum whenever he looked like he had found some form.
In fairness to the Frenchman, he did make his way into Unai Emery’s plans at the start of the previous season, though he is under contract until 2028.
6 Donyell Malen £140,000 per week
Donyell Malen
5 Amadou Onana £140,000 per week
Amadou Onana, signed in 2024, was one of the club’s marquee additions that summer, with Villa putting the lure of Champions League into full effect by winning the race for the Belgian.
Onana arrived from Everton for around £50m and looks set to be a mainstay in the side, potentially over the next five years of his contract. He will only be 28 years of age in 2029 as well, so Villa may have secured a shrewd deal over time.
4 Youri Tielemans £150,000 per week
Youri Tielemans was the first signing of the 2024 summer and helped set the tone for the calibre of player that fans could expect to come in.
The Belgian has been a Premier League regular ever since he joined Leicester City from Monaco in 2019. In fact, it was quite the coup for the Villans to land the midfielder as he had been linked to Arsenal for well over a year.
3 Boubacar Kamara £150,000 per week
Boubacar Kamara made the move to Birmingham in 2022 after his contract with Ligue 1 giants Marseille expired.
He has had his injury issues, however, the midfielder still done enough to earn a huge new £150,000 per week deal which was signed in 2025.
2 Emiliano Martinez £150,000 per week
Emiliano Martinez in action for Argentina.
Emiliano Martinez is another on a hefty £7.8m per year salary. However, given his international pedigree and general performances in the league since joining the Villans, he’s probably well worth it.
The World Cup winner joined the Villans in the summer of 2020 for just £17m from Arsenal and has been brilliant in Claret and Blue, although he did nearly leave in 2025.
1 Jadon Sancho £200,000 per week
Jadon Sancho tops the charts as Aston Villa’s top earner after joining on a season-long loan from Manchester United over the summer.
The winger spent the 2024/25 campaign with Chelsea, however, the Blues turned down the chance to sign the Englishman on a permanent basis. He also wasn’t in Ruben Amorim’s plans at Old Trafford, leading to Villa making a late swoop.
O Palmeiras se reapresentou na manhã desta quinta-feira (8), na Academia de Futebol, após a virada conquistada sobre o Barcelona-EQU, por 4 a 2, nessa quarta (7), no Allianz Parque, pela Libertadores. Com o resultado positivo, o Verdão garantiu antecipadamente a classificação para as oitavas de final pelo sétimo ano consecutivo – apenas quatro vezes em 22 participações o clube não passou da fase de grupos.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasEndrick volta a ter oportunidade, desencanta na Libertadores e Palmeiras garante bônus do Real MadridPalmeiras08/06/2023PalmeirasANÁLISE: Palmeiras é o time da virada, do amor, da América e da históriaPalmeiras08/06/2023PalmeirasVÍDEO: Piquerez analisa virada do Palmeiras na Libertadores e projeta clássico diante do São PauloPalmeiras08/06/2023
+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
No trabalho, os atletas que atuaram por mais de 45 minutos seguiram o cronograma de atividades regenerativas pós-jogo na parte interna do centro de excelência. Os demais foram a campo e disputaram um coletivo com a presença de alguns jovens do grupo de apoio do sub-20.
Os desfalques por lesão para o jogo de domingo seguem os mesmos: Marcos Rocha, que se recupera de edema na coxa esquerda, Murilo, que se recupera de cirurgia no ombro direito, e Atuesta, que se recupera de cirurgia no joelho direito. Já por suspensão, o desfalque é o capitão Gustavo Gómez, que levou o terceiro amarelo e deve ser substituído por Naves. Quem retorna é Richard Ríos, que estava suspenso na Libertadores.
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Vale lembrar que o Palmeiras não permite a presença de jornalistas para acompanharem os treinos na Academia de Futebol. As informações são fornecidas pela assessoria de imprensa do clube.
+ ANÁLISE: Palmeiras é o time da virada, do amor, da América e da história
A equipe iniciou a preparação para o clássico com o São Paulo, que será disputado no domingo (11), às 16h, no Morumbi, pela décima rodada do Brasileirão. Atual campeão, o Palmeiras é o vice-líder do torneio nacional com 19 pontos, dois a menos do que o Botafogo. O elenco volta a treinar nesta sexta-feira (9), às 16h, na Academia de Futebol.
Ronaldinho is regarded as one of the most skilful footballers of all time, however, the Brazilian icon once admitted he was jealous of one England legend’s ability.
The former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan star almost signed for Manchester United, with those at Old Trafford viewing him as a replacement for David Beckham. However, those at the Nou Camp hijacked any deal with the attacker going on to become a Barcelona star.
Eze, Ronaldo, Beckham: The biggest hijacked transfers of all time
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Ronaldinho never played his club football in England but did break the Three Lions’ hearts in the 2002 World Cup, scoring the winning goal by lobbing David Seaman in the quarter-finals.
The 2005 Ballon d’Or winner also came up against Premier League sides in the Champions League, a competition he won with Barcelona in 2006.
During his playing days, one specific Premier League and England icon caught Ronaldinho’s eye.
Ronaldinho wanted to be like England legend Paul Scholes
Talking previously, Ronaldinho shared his admiration for Manchester United and England legend Paul Scholes.
Regarded as one of the best midfielders the Premier League has ever seen, Scholes starred under Sir Alex Ferguson after coming through the Red Devils’ academy.
Known best for his range of passing, technical ability and midfield intelligence, Scholes won 11 league titles and scored over 150 goals in more than 700 appearances for Man Utd.
Ronaldinho came up against Scholes in the 2002 World Cup and then again in the 2009/10 Champions League round of 16 with AC Milan.
Man Utd and Scholes got the better of Ronaldinho and AC Milan, defeating them 7-2 on aggregate, and the Brazilian admitted he was jealous of the Englishman’s passing ability.
Thierry Henry was “scared” of Man Utd icon Scholes
Arsenal icon Thierry Henry was someone who Scholes faced more regularly during his career, with the French forward losing eight times in 19 games against the Englishman and Man Utd.
Henry once revealed that he and his Gunners teammates were “always scared of what Scholes could do” with the ball at his feet.
Newcastle United have had a helter-skelter of a summer transfer window, and Eddie Howe’s side haven’t reached the end of the tunnel just yet.
Of course, the frenetic nature of this window doesn’t necessarily mean it’s been a poor one for the Magpies, even though a slew of transfer targets have slipped through Toon fingers, namely at centre-forward.
And so we have the Alexander Isak conundrum. Will the Sweden striker play in black and white two weeks from now?
If Newcastle stick to their guns and resist the player and Liverpool’s attempts, his threats of maintaining his self-ostracisation might seem somewhat shallow, for the 25-year-old would surely not jeopardise his career in such a manner, with Champions League football looming and a World Cup campaign looming on the horizon across the pond.
However, keeping Isak at St. James’ Park comes with the huge caveat that there is no telling what version – if any – will front Howe’s ship over the coming year.
That’s why sealing a move for Yoane Wissa is so important.
The latest on Yoane Wissa to Newcastle
Wissa was one of the most prolific forwards in the Premier League last season, scoring 19 goals across the term. Bryan Mbeumo often took the plaudits under Thomas Frank’s wing, but the DR Congo striker was every bit as effective.
Frank, now manager at Tottenham Hotspur, wants to sign Wissa before the closure of the transfer window, thus putting another spanner in the works for Howe.
Luckily, the 28-year-old is determined to sign for Newcastle this summer, having removed all Brentford affiliation from his social media footprint as he looks to seal his move to England’s North East.
Yoane Wissa celebrates for Brentford
A deal for Wissa has always been a separate entity when considering the fight to keep Isak on Tyneside.
That’s why – while Newcastle are prepared to keep their star striker at the club – plans are still being explored for a potential successor.
Newcastle consider rejoining transfer battle
According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle are willing to forgo their interest in Nicolas Jackson if it means Aston Villa secure the Senegalese’s services, because then they could re-enter the race for Ollie Watkins.
Villa have been hindered by the trammels of PSR this summer, but the public stance at Villa Park is that their 29-year-old talisman is going nowhere, even if they land Jackson from Chelsea.
However, this hasn’t stopped Newcastle from preparing to register their interest once again, though it would seem that Aston Villa are sticking to their £50m valuation.
Why Newcastle should sign Ollie Watkins
Despite the late advance of Tottenham, Wissa continues to keep his sights on Newcastle’s first team, and at some stage, Brentford are sure to ease their resistance.
Whatever happens, Newcastle must also put their focus into signing Watkins, for he would do a half-decent job at stepping in for Isak.
Described as “one of the best 9s in the world” by Statman Dave, Watkins has proven time and time again his expertise as a Premier League frontman, and that could remain so with a one-way trip to Tyneside at this later stage of his career, leading the line as Isak’s replacement, should that come to pass.
He has a good record against Newcastle: five goals and three assists across ten matches. Watkins blanked, however, last weekend.
Even so, it wouldn’t hurt to take from the Premier League a striker rich in potency when pitted against United, and fronting their team with him.
Last season, Watkins wasn’t at his best, but he still managed to finish the league campaign with a return of 16 goals and eight assists.
A willing runner behind defences and a combative forward with a wide breadth of ways to hurt opponents, Watkins would be the cream of a new crop of attacking talent at Newcastle, for sure.
While Wissa and Watkins could cohabit within Howe’s Newcastle frontline, it’s hardly controversial to suggest that the former might outrank the other. The Villan star has proven himself and then some in the world’s toughest league, and he’s also got more variation to his attacking game than the Brentford sharpshooter.
Indeed, as per FBref’s data, Watkins ranks among the top 3% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 19% for progressive carries per 90.
Quite the player. And he’s something of a star on the big stage too, boasting some pretty impressive individual records against the English top flight’s legacy ‘big six’.
As Howe looks to mastermind the latest success in his growing list of triumphs as Newcastle manager, there’s every chance that Watkins at the spearhead would allow Newcastle to reprise their place in the Champions League at the end of the season while competing for further slices of silverware, having gotten a taste for the big prizes during last season’s Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool.
Would Watkins definitively prove to be an upgrade on Wissa? It would appear so. He’s got more about him, and even after a ‘poor’ campaign in the Premier League last year, the Three Lions star still managed to trail Wissa in his pomp by just three goals.
Newcastle have a problem in Alexander Isak. He has divorced himself from the Newcastle squad and appears willing to stay in isolation.
But with Watkins added to the fold, United would have what they need to attack the season. He’d certainly be an upgrade on Wissa, but given the two forwards would be competing alongside each other, that doesn’t really matter, does it?
Superior to Wissa & Watkins: The "next Gyokeres" is Newcastle's new target
Newcastle could sign the new Viktor Gyokeres before the deadline.
Noni Madueke has been told that he is "better than Bukayo Saka", with Paul Parker questioning Chelsea's' "strange" decision to let the England winger join Arsenal. Madueke completed a £50 million ($67.8m) switch to Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old starred for England on Tuesday as Thomas Tuchel's side thrashed Serbia 5-0.
Madueke told he is 'better than Saka'Chelsea slammed for selling MaduekeStarred in England's win over SerbiaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Madueke featured in Thomas Tuchel's starting lineup in both of England's World Cup qualifying games in September and contributed with a goal in the Three Lions' 5-0 rout of Serbia. Tuchel's side maintained their 100 per cent win record in the qualifiers and took a step closer towards sealing a berth at the 2026 tournament in North America.
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After his impressive performances for the national team, Madueke garnered praise from former Chelsea and England defender Paul Parker, who claimed that the Gunners' new signing is a better player than their star winger Bukayo Saka. Parker also questioned Chelsea's "strange" decision to let Madueke leave the club.
WHAT PARKER SAID
Speaking to , Parker said: "Chelsea let Noni Madueke go to Arsenal even though he’s one of England’s best wingers, and he was probably their best player against Andorra. He came on when Arsenal were behind against Liverpool and I think he looked really positive. I thought it was a strange decision for Chelsea to let him go.
"With the way he plays, I actually think he’s better than Bukayo Saka. Saka doesn’t go on the outside, he doesn’t have a great change of pace and he doesn’t frighten defenders. Madueke does strike that fear into defenders because he wants to run at players and go past them."
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Saka continues to recover from a hamstring injury that he suffered against Leeds United last month. The Gunners star is not expected to return for a few weeks and will not feature for Arsenal in their next Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
New Zealand are still 68 runs away from their target of 275
Madushka Balasuriya22-Sep-2024New Zealand 340 and 207 for 8 (Ravindra 91*, Jayasuriya 3-66, Ramesh Mendis 3-83) need another 68 runs to beat Sri Lanka 305 and 309 (Karunaratne 83, Chandimal 61, Ajaz 6-90)Rachin Ravindra led New Zealand’s charge as they scored 194 runs in the final two sessions of day four in pursuit of their target of 275, but a fast-deteriorating Galle surface and relentless pressure from Sri Lanka’s spinners meant they have only two wickets in hand to notch the remaining 68 runs.At stumps, Ravindra was unbeaten on 91, but he was fast running out of company; Ajaz Patel just about managed to survive through to stumps. New Zealand will, no doubt, fancy their chances of completing this chase, but it will not be easy when the nature of the surface is taken into account.This was a day, therefore, that belonged to the spinners, starting with Ajaz’s five wickets in the morning session – he finished with 6 for 90 – and ending with Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis grabbing three apiece. In all, 14 wickets fell in the day, 13 of them to spin.Related
Ajaz 'grateful' for 'world class' Ravindra keeping New Zealand in the contest
But on a day when the pendulum got a solid workout, it was Sri Lanka who found themselves in the ascendancy at the close. That was largely down to a final session in which they grabbed four wickets.However, it had not exactly started that way, as New Zealand came out following the tea interval with renewed intent. Sri Lanka started the session with the pace of Lahiru Kumara from one end, but that was a short-lived ploy after Ravindra and Tom Blundell plundered his shortish lengths for 14 in an over. That ushered in a period of quick runs with Ramesh targeted for a pair of boundaries two overs later.Ramesh Mendis dismissed Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee in quick succession•AFP/Getty ImagesBefore long, Ravindra and Blundell had added 56. At that point, New Zealand needed only 123 more with six wickets in hand. But on this surface, one was never truly in and so it proved when Blundell opted for a reverse sweep only to be bowled around his legs.Glenn Phillips was the new man in. Given his blistering 49 not out amid a lower-order collapse in the first innings, his wicket was always bound to be crucial. As it turned out, Phillips didn’t bother the scorers all that much, edging to second slip for 4 while attempting a forward defence.Mitchell Santner batted time in order to support Ravindra’s solo offensive at the other end, but he ran out of patience and drove a tossed-up delivery straight into the hands of short cover.Into the tail proper, Sri Lanka needed little time to dismiss Tim Southee, who struggled to come to terms with the spin being extracted outside his off stump by Ramesh. After several close calls, one hit him on the back leg in front of middle and leg. The appeal was huge, but the umpire did not move. But Ramesh was able to convince his skipper to go upstairs, and New Zealand lost their eighth.The game had undergone a similar up-and-down trajectory earlier in the day as well. Play had begun with Sri Lanka losing six wickets for 72 runs as their second innings was wrapped up inside the morning session. Ajaz took five of those in a little over an hour and Will O’Rourke, who bowled a slightly off-colour spell with the second new ball, ended with 3 for 49.Sri Lanka, though, would finish the session with the wicket of Devon Conway, who chopped a sharp in-seamer from Asitha Fernando. But the post-lunch session once again began with the visitors fighting back.Ajaz Patel holds up the ball after his six-for•AFP/Getty ImagesWhile Jayasuriya and Ramesh were consistent with their line and length, Tom Latham and Kane Williamson were keen to sweep and use their feet to ensure the spinners didn’t have it all their own way.Williamson, in particular, was busy throughout, at times sliding deep into the crease and other times stepping out to get to the pitch of the ball. A lofted six over extra cover, with the spin, against Jayasuriya was a session highlight. Just before that, he had hit a sumptuous cover drive.But Jayasuriya had the last laugh, dragging one shorter having seen Williamson step out one time too many, and turning it past a panicked forward defence as Kusal Mendis whipped off the bails. Such was the turn, it left Williamson briefly confused and gesticulating in frustration at the pitch as he walked off.That ended a threatening 45-run stand between two players who had caused considerable damage in the first innings.Before the session was over, Sri Lanka also had the wickets of Latham and the dangerous Daryl Mitchell in the bag, the former done in by Dhananjaya de Silva’s an arm ball and the latter by one that spun back prodigiously from Mendis.But then New Zealand, led by Ravindra and Blundell, fought back once more before the spinners hurt them once again.
أعلنت رابطة البريميرليج عن الفائز بجائزة رجل مباراة ليفربول وبيرنلي في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لموسم 2025-2026.
وحل ليفربول ضيفًا على بيرنلي في إطار مباريات الجولة الرابعة لبطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج”.
وتحصل ليفربول على ضربة جزاء قبل إطلاق صافرة نهاية المباراة، لوجود لمسة يد على لاعب بيرنلي، حنبعل المجبري.
وتمكن محمد صلاح من تسديد ضربة الجزاء وتسجيل هدف فوز ليفربول في الدقيقة الرابعة من الوقت المحتسب بدلاً من الضائع.
وحصل على جائزة رجل مباراة ليفربول وبيرنلي، النجم المصري محمد صلاح، بعدما قاد فريقه للفوز في توقيت قاتل.
وجاءت نسبة التصويت لمحمد صلاح عبر موقع البريميرليج الرسمي، 69%، ويليه زميله وقائد ليفربول فيرجيل فان دايك بنسبة 16%.
ورفع ليفربول رصيده للنقطة 12 في صدارة ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، ساعيًا للحفاظ على اللقب الذي حصده في الموسم الماضي بقيادة المدرب الهولندي آرني سلوت. ملخص لمسات محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول وبيرنلي