Virgil van Dijk is one of the best defenders of his generation. The Dutchman has won it all in English football and he has often done so without even breaking a sweat. But that doesn’t mean that he’s breezed through his time at Liverpool without squaring off against some incredibly difficult opponents.
The Premier League took a breath of anticipation when Erling Haaland and Van Dijk found themselves one-on-one at Anfield not so long ago in a battle that ended with the Norwegian’s wayward shot. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has never even scored against the towering Liverpool captain and many others have ended afternoons to forget in his ruthless grasp.
Games
5
Goals
0
Assists
0
Endless players have endured their toughest games against Van Dijk and that includes Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, who is now on loan at Barcelona. The England international name-dropped his former Premier League rival when asked about the most difficult defender he’s faced.
Whilst so many have struggled to leave their mark against Van Dijk, however, the same can’t be said for Lionel Messi. When an immovable object met an unstoppable force, Van Dijk may have come away with a shock victory courtesy of Liverpool’s dramatic Champions League comeback, but Messi still had his moment at the Nou Camp – scoring twice.
The fact that one of this generation’s greatest defenders could not keep Messi quiet sums up just how other-wordly the Argentine icon is, more than it sums up Van Dijk’s own shortcomings on a difficult evening. But the Dutchman, to his credit, was not fooled twice by Messi’s magic and sent him crashing out of the Champions League in historic fashion in the second leg.
That Nou Camp thrashing courtesy of Messi will be one that Van Dijk remembers even to this day, but it wasn’t enough to make the Barcelona legend his toughest opponent. Instead, the central defender dropped an unexpected name.
Van Dijk names "annoying" Giroud as toughest opponent
Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap, Van Dijk named Olivier Giroud as his toughest opponent despite having squared off against the likes of Messi, Ronaldo and Haaland.
Olivier Giroud
The Liverpool captain looked back on the Frenchman’s knack for a goal against the Reds before labeling him an “annoying” striker to play against.
Although Messi seems the obvious choice, the fact that Giroud has scored three goals in five games against Van Dijk throughout his career makes him a worthy candidate for his toughest opponent.
Manchester City are now “leading” the chase for a “special striker”, who is keen on a move to the Etihad Stadium, according to transfer expert Graeme Bailey.
Guardiola looking to trim squad ahead of new campaign
The new Premier League campaign is a matter of days away, with Man City set to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home this Saturday, and Pep Guardiola will travel to Molineux with a new-look squad.
City have not been afraid to splash the cash this summer, bringing in new options in attacking midfield and between the sticks, given that Kevin De Bruyne left upon the expiration of his contract, while Ederson is also expected to depart.
New signing
Transfer fee
Position
Tijjani Reijnders
£46.5m
CM
Rayan Ait-Nouri
£36.3m
LB
Rayan Cherki
£34m
AM
James Trafford
£31m
GK
Sverre Nypan
£12.5m
CM
Marcus Bettinelli
Undisclosed
GK
To make way for the new arrivals, there have also been plenty of departures, with Jack Grealish becoming the latest player to leave, joining Everton on a season-long loan deal.
Guardiola has also suggested he is looking to trim the squad even further, saying: “A lot of players should leave. New players, I don’t think so. We need a little bit less. I don’t like (lots) of players. One reason we sent Vitor Reis to Girona is for that.”
However, there may be room for Man City to make one last statement signing, having recently entered talks over a deal for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, which could amount to around £86m.
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Speaking to The Boot Room, Bailey has now revealed that Man City are “leading” the chase for the Madrid star, alongside Arsenal, with the reporter adding: “Both clubs really appeal to him – they are both Champions League contenders and look like a good fit.”
Bailey also suggests the Spanish side are willing to part ways with the Brazilian, adding: “Rodrygo has been told the situation – Real love him but they are ready to move on, and the player is in full agreement with them, he also believes that the situation needs resolving.”
Rodrygo could be "special" signing for City
It would be difficult for any centre-forward to compete for Erling Haaland’s starting spot, but Carlo Ancelotti has waxed lyrical about the Brazil international in the past, saying: “He is a special striker, he can play in all positions. He is fast, smart and effective one on one. The learning is over. He is a Real Madrid player for all purposes.”
Rodrygo in action for Real Madrid.
However, the former Santos man has predominantly featured on the wing throughout his career to date, indicating that he could be brought in as a direct replacement for Grealish.
Given his exploits in a Madrid shirt, there is every indication the 24-year-old would be an upgrade on Grealish too, chipping in with 68 goals and 51 assists in 270 appearances for the Spanish club.
Guardiola seems hesitant to make more additions to his squad, but he should make room for Rodrygo, as the Brazilian could take his forward line to the next level.
Pressure is mounting on the ICC to act amid the announcement of fundraising efforts to support Afghanistan’s exiled women’s cricketers, who played their first match together this week.The Pitch Our Future campaign, led by former Australia cricketer turned commentator Mel Jones, launched on Friday aimed at attracting online donations to support the players’ sporting, physical and mental needs so that they can continue to compete regularly as a team.Meanwhile, the MCC and MCC Foundation have set up the Global Refugee Cricket Fund to support refugees worldwide, backed by a £100,000 donation from the ECB and with an initial focus to raise money for Pitch Our Future.Related
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In announcing the fund and the establishment of an advisory board, the MCC “invited” the ICC’s participation, while Clare Connor, the ECB’s deputy chief executive, hoped the fund’s launch would “inspire other cricketing organisations” to lend their support.The announcements follow pleas to the ICC to ring-fence funding for the players on the basis that Afghanistan remain full ICC members despite no longer being able to fulfil the requirement to field a women’s team under its Taliban government.The players wrote to the ICC last July asking for help in establishing themselves as a refugee team. In lieu of a response, they formed an Afghanistan Women’s XI with the help of Jones and a team of dedicated volunteers, and played their first game on Thursday.As told to ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast, Jones was instrumental in helping 19 players formerly contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board and their families escape to Australia after the Taliban took over in 2021 and banned women’s sport in their country. Since then, women have been subjected to increasingly restrictive laws in Afghanistan which have effectively excluded them from public life.Jones was helped by Emma Staples, Cricket Victoria’s Head of Diversity and Community, and Dr Catherine Ordway from the University of Canberra among others, whose efforts resulted in Thursday’s T20 exhibition against a Cricket Without Borders XI.
Cricket Without Borders won the fixture by seven wickets but the match represented a significant step for the Afghan players, not only in their development as cricketers but in raising awareness of their plight.Jones said that for their first couple of years in exile, the Afghan players feared for their safety if it became known that they were in Australia playing cricket for various club and community sides.”Now, we want to build a really strong community and high-performance programme around these young women, so they can develop not only as players, but also as coaches and administrators, so that they can stay within the sport and progress,” Jones said.The exiled Afghanistan women’s team played their first game at Junction Oval in Melbourne•AFP/Getty Images
Pitch Our future aims to raise A$1.5 million for an initial three-year program which will also include education and life-skill support for the players, some of them not even 18 years old when they escaped and many of whom couldn’t speak English when they arrived in Australia.Meanwhile, the MCC and MCC Foundation have launched the Global Refugee Cricket Fund to support refugees worldwide and with an initial focus to raise money for Pitch Our Future.The Global Refugee Cricket Fund aims to provide access to facilities, offer education and mentorship, promote advocacy and awareness and build high-performance and community programs for players, coaches and administrators.Announcing the fund in a press release on Friday, MCC said an advisory board would be set up including representatives from the MCC Foundation, MCC, ECB, Pitch Our Future, refugee organisations, and community leaders such as Afghan women’s advocates. “The ICC is also invited to participate in this effort,” the statement added.Aiming to raise £1 million initially, the fund was boosted by the ECB’s donation.Connor said: “The cricket community must take action, to support the brave Afghan women, and to give hope that cricket can be a sport for any woman or girl. We hope the launch of the Fund will inspire other cricketing organisations to support this cause, and to unlock cricket’s power to unite communities around the globe.”Dr Sarah Fane, Director of the MCC Foundation, said: “With Pitch Our Future leading the way in Australia, we hope to amplify their efforts and inspire the global cricketing community to join us in making a difference.” Donations to Pitch Our Future from Australia can be made here and from outside Australia via Global Refugee Fund here.
The home side were in danger of defeat midway through the final day but an unbroken sixth-wicket stand came to their aid
AAP18-Nov-2024
Ben McDermott ensure Queensland survived despite following on•Getty Images
Queensland held on for a draw on the final day of their Sheffield Shield match against a Tasmania side that dominated from the outset.The hosts were in dire straits on Monday’s final day at Allan Border Field until Ben McDermott and wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson combined for an unbroken 99-run stand for the sixth wicket.The match was called a draw with an hour to play with Queensland 225 for 5 in their second innings, a lead of 55. Queensland have not won any of their past six games in Brisbane, a run comprising four losses and two draws.Related
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Tasmania posted 461 in the first innings but the weather conspired to cruel their hopes of a first win of the season after most of day two was lost to rain.Queensland resumed at 274 for 7 and immediately lost day-three centurion Matthew Renshaw who added just one to his overnight tally.Pace bowlers Riley Meredith and Lawrence Neil-Smith, both with three wickets in the innings, cleaned up the tail and the hosts were quickly bundled out 20 runs short of avoiding the follow on for 291. Tasmania skipper Jordan Silk had no hesitation sending Queensland back in.Mitchell Owen picked up Renshaw and Bryce Street before lunch to brilliant diving catches by first slip Beau Webster and wicketkeeper Jake Doran.Meredith was the destroyer in the hour after the interval and took three wickets to have Queensland teetering at 126 for 5, still 44 runs shy of making the visitors bat again, before McDermott and Pearson knuckled down to ensure there was no embarrassing loss.Tasmania opener Jake Weatherald was named man of the match for his superb 186.Queensland captain Mitchell Swepson conceded Tasmania had dominated the game.”We play Shield cricket to win and unfortunately we haven”t been able to get into positions to win,” he told AAP. “Tassie were driving the game from the first day when we weren’t quite on with the ball. We were lucky to get away with a draw here.”A day-night clash with top of the table Victoria starts on Sunday at the Gabba. Queensland must win to get their season moving in the right direction.”Where we are on the table, we need a few wins and we have great belief in this group,” Swepson said. “The Gabba has been a fortress for us and is somewhere we think we can play an aggressive brand of cricket. The pink ball adds a different element and you’d like to think there would be a result at the Gabba where the wicket is pretty spicy for Shield games.”Tasmania will play NSW away on Sunday as they also look for an elusive first victory of the summer.
Newcastle United have now identified their next target after a move for Anthony Elanga is completed, according to an update from Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.
Newcastle agree deal for Elanga
The start of the new Premier League season is edging closer all the time, with Eddie Howe and his players hoping to kick on again in 2025/26, aided by sparkly new signings. Anthony Elanga has been the leading target to come in and make the Magpies even more of an attacking force, arriving as an upgrade on the departed Miguel Almiron, and a deal has now been agreed for aorund £55m.
It also feels like a matter of time until Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford is a Newcastle player, with the young Englishman seen as the perfect long-term replacement for Nick Pope. It would be a shock if he didn’t complete a move in the near future.
A centre-back appears to be near the top of Newcastle’s list of priorities, with interest in Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi refusing to go away, and the likes of Giorgio Scalvini and Leonardo Balerdi also linked with summer moves to St James’ Park.
However, Newcastle’s focus after Elanga will be further up the pitch, with Downie revealing on Tuesday morning what’s coming next.
Newcastle set to target new striker in coming days
Now, according to Downie on X, Newcastle ‘will turn their attention to bringing in a striker’ once they wrap up a deal with Forest.
Elanga has the potential to be a real favourite at St James’ Park, possessing blistering pace and end product, bagging six goals and 11 assists in the Premier League last season for a Forest side who set up more defensively than the Magpies.
Still only 23 years of age, there is so much more to come from the Sweden international, who has even earned praise from the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the past.
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A new winger is essential for Newcastle and Elanga fits the bill perfectly, but another number nine to support Isak is perhaps even more important.
The Magpies’ main man has missed games through injury in each of his campaigns with the club, and while his durability certainly improved last season, the presence of four competitions again next term is simply too much for the Swede, with only young talent William Osula available to lighten the load in the current squad.
Timm van der Gugten was the pick of the Glamorgan bowling, grabbing the first four Leicestershire wickets to fall, while Dan Douthwaite also chipped in with four wickets to justify the decision to bowl first.Leicestershire fast bowler Chris Wright made his first-class return from a drugs ban to help his side to a batting bonus point, his side recovering to 251 all out on a hybrid pitch in Cardiff.Wright, who was banned for nine months but found not to be at fault after a banned substance was contained in a fruit supplement, combined with debutant Sam Wood and Tom Scriven as the last two wickets added 75 runs.Glamorgan lost both openers early in reply, but moved onto 114 for 2 at the close with Colin Ingram, 63 not out, and Kiran Carlson, 42 not out, putting on an unbroken partnership of 87 to put their side in the driving seat.After winning the toss and inserting Leicestershire in overcast and drizzly conditions, Glamorgan would have been hoping for an early breakthrough, which was delivered from a familiar source.Van der Gugten has been the spearhead of the Glamorgan attack this season and he delivered once again, taking all three wickets to fall before the lunch break with arrow-like accuracy.He bowled opener Rishi Patel for 7 with a delivery which clipped the top of off stump, then fellow opener Ian Holland played on with one which jagged back slightly when on 13.The Dutchman returned to have a spell just before lunch and added a third, this time LBW as captain Lewis Hill did not get far enough forward to depart for 25.Ned Leonard, on loan from Somerset, should have had a wicket when Indian star Ajinkya Rahane top-edged a pull shot, but deep midwicket Douthwaite was slow coming forward and ended up spilling the low chance.It was the ever-reliable van der Gugten who brought the downfall of Rahane, finding the outside edge after lunch and helped by a sharp catch at second slip by captain Sam Northeast.After looking good, England all-rounder Rehan Ahmed gave things away when he lifted a short ball from Douthwaite straight to Billy Root on the deep square leg boundary.Then out of the blue Australian Peter Handscomb went for 46, trying to dab Douthwaite down to third man but instead just feathering a catch to wicketkeeper Chris Cooke.Then New Zealander Fraser Sheat got into the act with his first wicket in county cricket, a rather tame dismissal of Liam Trevaskis who chipped the ball to mid-on.The tame-ness was copied by Louis Kimber who also chipped the ball in the air, aiming a leg side half volley at catcher Asa Tribe off the bowling of Douthwaite.That brought Sam Wood to make his debut in confident style as he and Scriven put on a half-century partnership, Wright and Wood doing the rest to reach the first batting bonus point.Glamorgan’s innings could not have got off to a worse start, captain Sam Northeast promoting himself to open and then departing first ball of the innings, caught behind by Handscomb from the bowling of Holland.The same bowler accounted for debutant Asa Tribe, who played on for 4. Ingram and Carlson saw out the rest of the day’s play to put Glamorgan in a strong position.
Arsenal have been told exactly what it will take for Benjamin Sesko to leave RB Leipzig this summer, as his agent speaks out about reports linking his client with a move away from the Red Bull Arena.
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2
By
Emilio Galantini
Jun 19, 2025
Sesko has just finished a career-best Bundesliga campaign, bagging 21 goals in all competitions, but he couldn’t quite guide Leipzig to a European spot – with the Germans missing out on a place in the Conference League, Europa League and Champions League.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)
Money on new signings
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
It is the first time Leipzig haven’t qualified for Europe since their top-flight arrival in 2016, and this will surely get Sesko thinking about his immediate future as Arsenal reportedly circle to offer him a route out.
The Slovenia international is a top target for Gunners manager Mikel Arteta, who’s been chasing his signature for 12 months.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates their second goal scored by Lukas Klostermann
Arsenal had a proposal rejected for Sesko last summer, who instead put pen to paper on a contract extension to remain at Leipzig and further his development, with the north Londoners also having an attempt rebuffed in January (Ben Jacobs).
They’re now trying to make it ‘third-time-lucky’ with another move for Sesko, and “concrete talks” have been taking place since late May (Florian Plettenberg). However, as things stand, Sky Germany are reporting that Arsenal are unwilling to match Leipzig’s financial demands for the centre-forward.
With plenty of work still to do, the 22-year-old’s own representative, Elvis Basanovic, has now provided an update on his client’s future in an interview with GiveMeSport this week.
Arsenal told key transfer condition by Benjamin Sesko's agent
Speaking to GMS, Basanovic has revealed the key condition for Sesko to depart Leipzig before summer deadline day on September 1.
The agent claims he’ll only leave Leipzig for a “special” new destination, refusing to clarify whether Arsenal fall into this category. When asked if the plan for Sesko is to find a new club, Basanovic said: “Well, his numbers at his age compared to some strikers with already great careers at his age are confirming my words.
“He will move from RB Leipzig only when we recognise a special club, a special project with a special coach.”
More worryingly for Arteta, the intermediary even suggested that Sesko could stay at Leipzig for years if they deem it the right call.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskoscores their first goal from the penalty spot
“It can be next week, or next year, or in 3 years,” Basanovic continued.
“Even if there may be – or will be – a strong desire of the player to move to a certain club, we will never force or blackmail RB Leipzig. I believe this is not the right way, because the way you actually exit from the club shows your values. Values that you are bringing into a new club.
“I can understand in very big transfers, there are a lot of different interests, but no matter what, I believe in the football world ‘there’ should be more respect. So that’s why we do things in the right way, or we don’t do them. It’s very simple, even maybe in the media it looks very complicated.”
After announcing the return of Kieran Tierney on a free transfer, Celtic and Brendan Rodgers are now reportedly plotting another bargain move to sign an impressive playmaker.
Celtic seal first major summer signing
Six years on from swapping Glasgow for North London and Arsenal, Tierney is officially a Celtic player for the second time. The Scotland left-back initially got off to an excellent start in the Premier League, but injuries soon struck and eventually controlled the narrative of what was ultimately a frustrating six-year period at The Emirates. Now back where he burst onto the scene, however, Tierney will be desperate to put those problems behind him.
After putting pen to paper to officially seal his return, Tierney told Celtic’s media channels: “Everybody’s known for a few months and just to be here with the Celtic strip on again just feels amazing.
“I spoke with the manager, and obviously I had worked with the gaffer before and I’ve always kept in touch with him. He’s one of the best so I’m so lucky and grateful that he’s given me the chance to come back again.
“He never had to convince me much but it’s just a huge bonus that he’s the manager because I loved working with him. He knows how to get the best out of me, and I just loved my time under him.
Celtic manager BrendanRodgersbefore the match
“He’s a great person that I’ve always kept in touch with, John Kennedy as well, who is also someone I’ve kept in touch with and who I still meet regularly when I’m back, and Cal and Jamesy, who I’ve been close with now since I was 17.”
Even after Tierney, though, Celtic could just be getting started with their summer business, having also reportedly set their sights on an impressive 16-goal playmaker.
Rodgers personally plotting Nygren move
As reported by The Scottish Sun, Brendan Rodgers is now personally plotting a Celtic move to sign Benjamin Nygren from Nordsjaelland this summer. The winger has just six months left on his current deal and is not set to put pen to paper on fresh terms, meaning a departure from the Danish club is likely in the coming months.
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Celtic could land their target for a bargain price as a result of his contract situation too. Reports suggest that Nygren could leave Nordsjaelland for just £2m this summer in what would be an excellent deal for a player who scored 16 goals in the 2024/25 campaign.
After already signing Tierney on a free, signing a player who has been praised for an “incredible” season by a Danish scout for just £2m would represent another piece of excellent business from Celtic this summer.
Leeds United have the opportunity to cement their place in the Premier League next season, ending their two-year exile from the top-flight after promotion from the Championship.
The Whites will need to invest heavily in the playing squad to hand Daniel Farke the chance to consolidate next year, in what’s likely to be an extremely difficult campaign.
The last six teams who have achieved promotion to such a division have all been relegated the following year, with the German aiming to be the man to buck such a trend.
Daniel Farke
However, if he is to achieve such a feat, he will need to be brutal with his squad, cutting players out and signing top-level talents to boost his ambitions of achieving his goal.
With the summer window rapidly approaching, the manager and the hierarchy have already wasted no time in identifying players who could bolster the side at Elland Road.
Leeds’ pursuit of new signings this summer
Even though the transfer window isn’t officially open yet, Leeds have already made moves for multiple players to try and provide needed talent and depth to key areas of the squad.
It was reported in recent days that they had made contact to sign Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters this summer, with the 28-year-old’s deal at St Mary’s set to expire at the end of June.
Southampton'sKyleWalker-Petersapplauds their fans after the match
However, the opposite side of the pitch has also been one of interest, with the Whites earmarking Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas as a summer target, according to the Daily Mail.
The report claims that the Reds are open to allowing the 29-year-old Greek international to depart this summer, potentially moving in a double deal with goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher during the off-season.
It also states that he may want to leave Anfield this summer to gain valuable first-team minutes elsewhere after starting just eight league games under Arne Slot in 2024/25.
Why Leeds’ target would be the dream Firpo replacement
Junior Firpo has set the Championship alight this campaign, playing a vital role at both ends of the pitch in the club’s success and ability to claim promotion.
The Dominican international featured in 32 league matches this season, registering 14 combined goals and assists, a simply staggering tally for a left-back.
However, the 28-year-old’s future looks up in the air this summer, with his contract set to expire at the end of June, with no new deal appearing on the horizon.
He’s since been touted with a return to former club Real Betis this summer, which could see his four-year spell in Yorkshire conclude in the coming weeks.
However, whilst supporters would be devastated, they shouldn’t worry, with a deal for the £17m-rated Tsimikas allowing them to forget about the departing full-back.
When comparing the pair’s respective figures from the recent campaign, the Liverpool star has managed to outperform him in numerous key areas – offering Farke the added quality he’s been searching for in the defensive department.
The Greek star, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one journalist, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has registered more progressive passes and more passes into the final third – highlighting the threat he poses with the ball at his feet.
Games played
18
32
Goals & assists
1
14
Progressive passes
8.6
5.4
Shot-on-target accuracy
50%
35%
Pass accuracy
84%
80%
Passes into the final third
4.9
6.5
Tackles won
2.2
1.1
Interceptions made
1.3
1.2
He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted and registered a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – still handing Farke an excellent attacking option.
However, defensively, Tsimikas has dominated, winning more tackles per 90 and making more interceptions – offering added defensive quality to a backline which will come under huge pressure in the Premier League.
Any deal for the Liverpool ace would be one that could allow for an excellent option at full-back for the manager, also offering him the needed top-flight experience within the squad.
Whilst a new deal for Firpo is something which most supporters want, the 29-year-old offers a superb alternative should the Dominican depart Elland Road this summer.
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Liverpool have veered down into that later-season dip that seems to be a perennial occurrence for the Anfield side.
You could say that Arne Slot’s side have run out of steam, but then this would be a shallow and overblown viewpoint on a team that has been nothing short of brilliant for so long and now, perhaps, is feeling the effects of such gruelling, incredible efforts.
After all, Liverpool are set to lift the Premier League despite losing to Fulham at the weekend. That loss, bitter though it was, was Slot’s first on the road this season, ending a 26-game unbeaten run in the division.
Multiple players were culpable at Craven Cottage, but away from the error-strewn nature of the defensive efforts, those further up the field toiled too.
Dominik Szoboszlai, so impressive in recent months, certainly flattered to deceive, raising a question once again: do Liverpool need more creativity in midfield?
A look at Liverpool’s Szoboszlai
Saudi swoops for Fabinho and captain Jordan Henderson widened the scope of Liverpool’s summer rebuild in 2023, but the plan was always to sign a creative and robust midfielder in the mould of Szoboszlai.
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho
Red Bull Leipzig’s attacking midfielder moved to Anfield after stand-in sporting director, Jorg Schmadtke, activated his £60m release clause.
The 2024/25 Premier League title will soon be added to the Reds’ bulging trophy cabinet and Szoboszlai has played a crucial part, hailed as a “vital cog in Slot’s slick Liverpool machine” by The Athletic’s James Pearce.
However, he’s only scored seven goals and added six assists this term, with his 3/10 performance against the Cottagers on Sunday, as per The Liverpool Echo, underlining his lack of bite. A lot of running but not much substance.
Minutes played
55′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
34
Shots (on target)
2 (0)
Accurate passes
22/28 (79%)
Key passes
0
Dribbles
0/0
Tackles + interceptions
0
Duels (won)
1/2
More is needed, and Liverpool wouldn’t be unwise to turn to the transfer market, should the right chance reveal itself.
While attacking midfield isn’t FSG’s priority, there’s little question that Liverpool would pounce on one of the world’s finest if they could. That opportunity may have presented itself.
Liverpool join race for elite midfielder
As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have joined Manchester City in the race for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.
Transfer Focus
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The four-in-a-row champions need to replace the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne, but Liverpool could strike a deal themselves given their need for more attacking impetus.
And few stars shine brighter than Wirtz, whose performances under Xabi Alonso’s wing over the past several years have seen him valued at a whopping €100m (£87m).
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz.
Though Bayern are unquestionable favourites in the race, Wirtz will be sure to keep his options open and might just be tempted by the Premier League.
Liverpool will need to weigh up their options, especially when considering the efforts that must be focused across other areas of the park, but Wirtz is the gold standard and would surely dovetail right into Slot’s starting lineup.
Why Liverpool should sign Florian Wirtz
Wirtz, still only 22, has already completed 191 appearances for Leverkusen, racking up 119 goal involvements. He was invaluable through the staggering success achieved last year, winning the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal without swallowing a single defeat.
While Die Werkself have struggled to reach the same heights this year, Wirtz has still been an elite-class option from attacking midfield, notching 15 goals and 13 assists across all competitions.
While he isn’t quite the same type of player, Wirtz could prove to be Anfield’s own version of Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £115m in 2023, a race that Liverpool ceded defeat in months earlier.
Real Madrid'sJudeBellinghamcelebrates
While Bellingham is one of his era’s generational talents, Liverpool packaged their midfield with Szoboszlai and more and are now heading toward the Premier League title.
Industriousness aside, though, you feel that a player of Bellingham’s technical level, with his flair, could take Liverpool to the next stage, and that man might be Wirtz.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 2% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 5% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for progressive passes and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90.
Positionally, this pertains to attacking midfielders and wingers, however, while most are restricted to one particular role, Wirtz has proven that he can maintain absurd levels across a vast range of areas.
Attacking midfield
153
47
52
Centre-forward
15
7
7
Right winger
11
4
3
Left winger
9
2
3
Central midfield
5
0
3
Interestingly, Wirtz maintains his potency no matter his positional placement, something that could play right into his possible future in Slot’s Liverpool system.
However, like Bellingham, he’s at his best when occupying the number ten role, playing as his team’s attacking “mastermind,” something noted by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz
Such a decisive factor could prove a trump card for Liverpool in the years ahead. Expected success in the Premier League is fantastic, but fans have been left frustrated after poor efforts in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain and the Carabao Cup final, losing to Newcastle United.
Couple that with the woeful loss against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round and you see why something a bit different, someone truly devastating in attack, could bear dividends for the Reds in the long run.
Bellingham, indeed, has posted 13 goals and 13 assists apiece for Los Blancos this term – almost identical to Wirtz – which add to last season’s haul and take the Three Lions star’s haul to 62 contributions across 86 matches for the Spaniards.
Real Madrid'sJudeBellinghamreacts
Szoboszlai, by comparison, has scored 14 goals and added 11 assists across 87 Liverpool outings. You can see where his deficiencies lie.
Bellingham is out of reach, but make no mistake, signing Wirtz could be a goal for FSG to work towards. It might just make all the difference over the coming years.
Liverpool hit gold on "special" academy ace playing like a £66m superstar