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Daily Mail
a few seconds ago
- Daily Mail
Liverpool fans mock Trent Alexander-Arnold's 'stinker' Real Madrid LaLiga debut as woeful numbers give new boy brutal reality check
Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a tough LaLiga debut for Real Madrid - and some Liverpool fans revelled in his struggles. The Englishman wrapped up one of the transfer sagas of the year when he joined Real Madrid in June to end a 20-year stint with his boyhood club. There were mixed emotions and opinions on his exit: many were grateful for his years of service and respected his right to move on, while others were bitter at how it was handled. And it appears that some resentment persists among sections of the fanbase as they celebrated his tough LaLiga debut against Osasuna on Monday night. Alexander-Arnold was taken off on 68 minutes after failing to win a tackle or a duel, losing the ball 15 times, and getting nutmegged during Madrid's 1-0 win over Osasuna. However, 49 of his 52 passes were accurate. Football is not played on a spreadsheet - sometimes the eye test can reveal different results to the data - but some Reds supporters were all too happy to hear of his struggles. 'Isn't it class not having to pretend Trent is the best right back in the world?' said one fan on X. 'He will be back at Aston Villa in about 18 months.' 'You have no idea how refreshing and freeing it is not having to watch him anymore,' another said. 'Trent impressing for Osasuna tonight,' one quipped. 'Every Trent stinker I will be there front row,' another vowed. However, lots of fans retain fondness for the 26-year-old, or were at least measured in their response to his debut. 'Some of those were great crosses, just no one in the right spot to get on the end of them,' one wrote. 'It takes time to settle into a new team he was a class player for us he will be a top player for Madrid. Liverpool new boys haven't settled in yet either,' another said. 'Respect your best academy player ever,' one commented. 'As a Liverpool fan l would laugh at anyone underestimating this guy,' another said. 'You guys are like bitter exes that wouldn't move on,' came one's verdict. Many pointed out that although only one of Alexander-Arnold's seven crosses found the target, the problem was as much that Kylian Mbappe isn't the most physical of strikers to meet them. He is also adapting to a new system under Xabi Alonso and learning his team-mates' patterns of play and runs, which may explain why none of his trademark long balls found the mark. Ian Hawkey, writing for The Times from Madrid, felt that Alexander-Arnold had a 'satisfactory, largely tidy home debut'. It is not a certain that he will start every game, given he is in competition with Dani Carvajal, 33, who has won 26 trophies with the club. Before the LaLiga season opener, Xabi Alonso said of the rivalry: 'I'm clear that it's a great competition. And I love that we have two players in each position who can play. Carvajal is getting closer to his level.
Daily Mirror
a few seconds ago
- Daily Mirror
Virgil van Dijk sends message to Alexander Isak after explosive Liverpool transfer statement
Virgil van Dijk has hailed Alexander Isak as one of the toughest forwards to face in the Premier League as the Newcastle forward continues to push for a move to Liverpool Virgil van Dijk insists Alexander Isak is one of the toughest opponents to come up against as Liverpool continue to eye the Newcastle frontman - who has given an explosive statement on his situation. The Swede is looking to force his exit from St. James' Park and has made it clear he won't play for the club again. That would be a major blow for the Magpies with Isak crucial to their recent success. He scored against Van Dijk and Liverpool as Newcastle claimed Carabao Cup success last year - their first domestic trophy in 70 years. Isak also notched in a Premier League draw with the Reds, meaning he has found the net four times against the Merseysiders in six outings. And that quality has not gone unnoticed by Van Dijk, who was quizzed on the most difficult strikers he's had to combat in the Premier League. Whether he was giving Isak a deliberate compliment or not is unclear, but he put the Swede in the top bracket. He told Cecil Thomas on a TikTok live stream: "[Erling] Haaland, Isak, [Ollie] Watkins, Harry Kane. Speaking about the last couple of years in the Premier League, there are plenty. Everybody has a different challenge so I respect everyone playing in the Premier League because it's the hardest league in the world." Isak was not present at the PFA Awards in Manchester, but was named in the Premier League Team of the Year, as voted for by his fellow peers after a stellar season for Newcastle. Only Mohamed Salah outscored him, but the Swede took Tuesday night as the opportunity to break his silence. The striker said: "I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors." Newcastle have already rejected a bid from Liverpool in the region of £110million and are demanding a far higher fee. That said they've maintained their star man won't be sold. Isak is thought to be angered after a promise to look at his contract was u-turned on and now he's demanding that he's allowed to leave. He claimed: "When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Sky Bet betting guide for Day 1 of the York Ebor Festival today - as thousands flock to the Knavesmire for a blockbuster seven-race card
More than 70,000 fans are expected to descend upon the York Racecourse for the highly-anticipated York Ebor Festival this week. For those who will be following the action closely - let's take a look at each of the races on Day 1 of the Festival today There are seven races scheduled to take place on the opening day - with the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes the feature fixture. Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap (13:50) The opening fixture of the day is shaping up to be a highly competitive sprint - with 20 thoroughbreds lining up over a five-and-a-half-furlong dash that is sure to whet the appetite of horse racing fans. Richard Spencer's The Man is the favourite to come away with the win in the first race of the meeting - with the Irish horse priced at 6/1. The Man looked strong at York in May, winning by more than two lengths from Loom. Meanwhile, for those anticipating the three-year-old to be upset - Jordan Electrics, Trefor and Air Force One are joint second-favourites at 15/2. Trefor has finished third or higher in each of his last four starts, including two wins. Meanwhile, Air Force One was victorious at York in late July, finishing first past the post in a five-furlong contest. Acomb Stakes (14:25) The Charlie Appleby-trained Distant Storm is an 5/4 favourite to win this Group 1 seven-furlong affair. Distant Storm impressed on debut at Newmarket in July - with the talented colt winning by a short-head from Aidan O'Brien's Constitution River. His victory at Newmarket bodes well - with the July maiden meeting throwing up six next-time-out winners. Therefore, if you're anticipating Distant Storm to win and win well - there are enhanced odds of 5/2 for the two-year-old to win by one or more lengths courtesy of a Sky Bet Price Boost. Meanwhile, O'Brien's Italy is considered the biggest threat when looking at the betting lines - with the Irish thoroughbred valued at 2/1. Italy has looked strong in two appearances in his career to date, winning on debut at Leopardstown before securing a second-place finish at Newmarket last time out. Lastly, Gewan rounds out the three favourites in the market with Sky Bet at 15/2 odds. Great Voltigeur Stakes (15:00) Heavy favourite Lambour is a BOOSTED 6/4 to win the Great Voltigeur Stakes. The three-year-old has looked extremely impressive in seven starts - winning five and claiming a second-place finish in another. He has particularly been in great form of late, with the thoroughbred finishing first past the post in each of his last three races - of which includes a win in the Irish Derby in June. Additionally, he won by more than three lengths in a Group One contest at Epsom a little over two months ago. Carmers, Arabian Force, Stay True and Mount Kilimanjaro are next in the market at 9/2, 8/1, 8/1 and 10/1 respectively. Meanwhile, if you're after a considerable outsider in the market - Pride of Arras is 11/1, while Thrice is the widest at 14/1. Juddmonte International Stakes (15:35) In what is the feature race of the day - six elite horses will compete over one mile and two furlongs in the Juddmonte International Stakes. John and Thady Gosden's Ombudsman is the best-backed with Sky Bet at 2/1 to reign supreme. If successful - it will mark the colt's sixth career win in eight starts, including an impressive outing in a two-furlong victory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot in June. Delacroix is a 9/4 second-favourite, while Danon Decile is third in the market at 4/1 odds. Both Delacroix and Danon Decile enter Wednesday's race in fine form, with the former winning three of his last four, while the latter has been victorious in each of his last two starts. See The Fire, Daryz and Birr Castle round out the remainder of the field at 6/1, 10/1 and 80/1. Stayers Handicap (16:10) The Stayers' Handicap is one of the most highly-anticipated fixtures on Day One of the York Ebor Festival - with the gruelling two-mile contest oftentimes one of the most open fields of the meeting. That is tipped to be the case once again this year, with the three best-backed thoroughbreds barely separated in the betting lines. At the time of writing, Santorini Star is the shortest-priced at 9/2, closely followed by Dancing in Paris, Alphonse Le Grande and Terrorise - all of whom are 5/1. Alphonse Le Grande's most recent win came at Newmarket last October, while Dancing in Paris finished second last time out. Meanwhile, it is Dancing in Paris who has arguably been in the best form - winning back-to-back fixtures at Brighton and Goodwood in April and May. Heritage Handicap (16:45) Luna A Inbhir Nis is a 13/2 favourite with Sky Bet to win the Heritage Handicap, while Fluorescence is next at 7/1. Luna A Inbhir Nis has had an exceptional calendar year to date, winning six of eight starts. Additionally, the three-year-old boasts recent course form after securing a victory at York last month. Meanwhile, Fluorescence won at Redcar in a handicap in Redcar earlier this month. Nursery Handicap (17:20) Sky Bet are offering a Price Boost valued at EVENS (1/1) for this six-furlong contest - which requires Temple of Athena to secure a top six finish. For those interested in the above bet - Temple of Athenaa is the third-favourite in the market at 13/2 odds. Additionally, the two-year-old has had solid performances across her first two career starts - with the filly winning on debut before finishing third most recently. She is behind that of Utmost Respect and Dublin Bay in the market - with the duo the best-backed at 7/2 and 11/2 respectively. Utmost Respect won at Hamilton last time out, while Dublin Bay has won each of his last two fixtures.
