Yoro wants 'revenge' for last season
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
17 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ekitike, Wirtz, Kerkez and Frimpong make Anfield debuts to reveal a new side to Arne Slot's Liverpool
Anfield got its first glimpse of what the best part of £300m gets you. Quite a lot, it seems. Which, given the numbers involved, it really should. But the Anfield bows of five lavish arrivals offered an insight into Arne Slot 's remodelled Liverpool. The goals came from the old, with Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo scoring to defeat Athletic Club 3-2, the intrigue from the new. Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike made Anfield bows, albeit in an unofficial outing and after each has featured further afield in preseason. Even as the £110m bid for Alexander Isak indicated Liverpool did not necessarily intend their business to stop with those five, it is half a team. Jurgen Klopp called the side he left Liverpool 2.0. Perhaps this is 2.0 for Slot's Liverpool, significantly different to the title-winning outfit. A blistering first quarter of an hour offered the most encouragement and hints of a shift in style. Liverpool could be quicker than last season. They weren't exactly slow then. The statistics for goals from fast breaks may need to be amended to denote those from very fast breaks. The challenge may be to lure opponents sufficiently far forward to open up the space to burst forward at pace. 'Florian has a lot of creativity in the final third,' said Slot. 'He brings that. We've added a few, in my opinion, extra weapons. The pace of Hugo, the pace of both full-backs, Milos and Jeremie.' If Ekitike was quick to make an impression, it is because of his most obvious attribute. Defenders may find themselves gasping for breath when he turns on the afterburners. With searing speed, the £69m forward set up Salah's opener. It might prove a profitable combination and, while the Frenchman's 22 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt last season formed part of his appeal, he also recorded 12 assists. 'Definitely he is going to be a very good player for us,' added Slot. Ekitike was explosive, Wirtz elusive. The £100m man can have an expensive anonymity and then a sudden a prominence. The German has the capacity to ghost into space and materialise in the penalty box. It yielded two early chances and indicated that Wirtz is likelier to be a goalscoring No 10 than Dominik Szoboszlai, relocated into a deeper role. Sleek and skilful, Ekitike may be a more stylish antidote to Darwin Nunez, for whom the first of a double header with Athletic could prove an Anfield farewell if either AC Milan or Al-Hilal turn their interest into a bid. Ekitike played 56 minutes, going off to choruses of his first name. He sometimes wandered over to the left, though the question of where Isak may fit in could remain hypothetical or suddenly become particularly pertinent to Slot. There were points where Liverpool's formation resembled a lopsided 4-2-2-2. Salah was often in the inside-right channel; Frimpong may play outside him and, for now, there may be one full-back operating wider and deeper than the other, with Kerkez tucked in at times and more reserved in his positioning. The fifth newcomer made a couple of fine late saves but after conceding twice. Mamardashvili is likely to be on the bench for the Community Shield, with Alisson expected to return. He was beaten before he had a meaningful save to make after a clinical equaliser from Oihan Sancet. Then Maroan Sannadi's near-post header deflected off Gakpo and flashed past the Georgian; minus Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool had less height at the back. The captain was ill, Joe Gomez injured and Liverpool fielded Wataru Endo alongside Ibrahima Konate. It was a reminder that, for all the talk of Isak, the addition they require most is a fourth specialist centre-back to replace Jarell Quansah, Konate nevertheless showed evidence of their ambition, trying to score with a bicycle kick. Predictably, he didn't succeed. A more regular goalscorer provided less memorable goals. Gakpo tucked in the rebound after Ryan Gravenberch's shot was parried by Unai Simon and then squeezed a shot under the Spain international. Salah chipped a penalty into the Kop as standards slipped towards the end. The opening game had brought a 4-1 win and featured a star turn from 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, whose precocity suggests that, despite Luis Diaz's departure, Liverpool do not need to buy a winger. As it is, they have spent a lot already. The remaining issue is whether they spend more, and on which players.
Daily Mirror
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Alan Shearer has sent Arne Slot telling message about Liverpool's Alexander Isak pursuit
Alexander Isak is the subject of interest from Liverpool after taking the Premier League by storm, and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has predicted even bigger things are in store for the Swede Alan Shearer has tipped Newcastle ace Alexander Isak to develop even further as Liverpool continue their pursuit of the Swedish sensation. The striker is reportedly valued at a whopping £150million amid interest from the Reds, who recently saw their opening bid for the player rejected. Liverpool have already splashed out on Florian Wirtz in a deal that could break the British transfer record. They've also bolstered their squad with the additions of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike and Giorgi Mamardashvili. Arne Slot 's side had a hefty offer for Isak worth £110m plus add-ons turned down, and it's now up in the air as to whether they'll come back with a higher bid. Newcastle are holding their ground given the player has three years left to run on his contract, yet Isak appears to feel unsettled. Following a January sit-down with Isak, Tyneside icon Shearer was convinced the forward has even more potential to unlock. And that could make for an exciting prospects if Liverpool manage to successfully navigate his signing this summer. "He's like an assassin, the way he puts chances away, but what I really liked from talking to him is that you can tell he is still looking for ways to improve his game at the age of 25," Shearer told BBC Sport (via the Liverpool Echo) when speaking about their conversation. "I feel that Isak has put himself into the ' world class' category now, with his performances for Newcastle over the past two seasons. "Along with Mohamed Salah at Liverpool and Manchester City's Erling Haaland, he is one of the three standout forwards we have got in the Premier League. "I remember talking to Isak this time last year [2023], and Howe and his assistant Jason Tindall walked in and said one of the things he could do better at was tap-ins, those kind of two or three-yard finishes where you are just in the right place at the right time. "Isak felt the same way, and he has clearly worked on that, in terms of his positioning and where you need to be to get on the end of balls into the box. As he says himself, small details can change a lot. He feels it has got him other types of goals, as well as more goals. "I loved hearing about that – and all the different aspects of his game – 12 months on. You can understand why he keeps getting better and better as a player." The Isak situation remains a bold gamble, particularly after he told Newcastle he wanted to weigh up his options elsewhere. He also skipped their recent pre-season tour of Asia and began training individually with his previous club, Real Sociedad. One crucial element that could decide whether he stays or departs St. James' Park is Newcastle's ability to land a proper replacement. RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko is currently leading the race, with the club submitting a club-record bid for the Slovenian. The latest developments surrounding Sesko suggest he's willing to join either Newcastle or Manchester United, who have maintained a long-standing interest in him. And German publication Bild has reported Sesko would favour a switch to Old Trafford.
Daily Mirror
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Managing Wrexham as Ryan Reynolds smashes club transfer record and lands Ajax star
Wrexham are fast approaching their opening Championship game away at Southampton and more tweaks could be made before the Hollywood-owned side get their campaign underway Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has had a very busy summer after leading his team to promotion from League One last season. The former Bolton and Sunderland manager has received significant backing to improve his squad from the club's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Red Dragons have so far brought in seven new players, with an eighth imminent in Sheffield United striker Kieffer Moore. There have also been several notable outgoings, including Wrexham legend Paul Mullin's loan move to Wigan Athletic. The Welsh side will kick off their Championship campaign with a tough test at Southampton on Saturday. And Parkinson has indicated there could be more fresh recruits on their way before the season starts. Speaking on the club's YouTube channel, he said: "Are we completely ready? I hope there's a bit more transfer activity this week but by next Saturday we will be ready for action." Wrexham find themselves in the second tier for the first time in 43 years after registering an astonishing three consecutive promotions. Their ambition shows no sign of slowing either as their owners' once-unlikely dream of reaching the Premier League edges closer. So, how might Wrexham find themselves lining up against the Saints as they look to bring in more new signings? Here, Mirror Football takes a closer look at some of the key moves which could happen, both inwards and outwards. Club transfer record smashed as £7.5m winger arrives Wrexham have already beaten their club transfer record twice so far this summer. The £2.1million acquisition of Empoli left-back Liberato Cacace was the first to top the marker previously set by striker Sam Smith's arrival from Reading in January. That was followed by Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien being signed for a reported fee of up to £5m. The record could potentially be surpassed again as Wrexham chase down a deal to sign Ipswich winger Nathan Broadhead. Club officials have tabled a £7.5m bid for the Wales international, but are waiting on an answer from their Championship rivals. A combination of injuries and transfer interest in other Ipswich forward could hamper the move. However, all is not lost, and there is a possibility that the Tractor Boys may find a replacement to grease the wheels of Broadhead's switch to North Wales. Ajax star joins in £4m swoop Despite already bringing in several reinforcements in the centre of the park, Wrexham still appear to be in the market for a defensive midfielder. Ajax man Sivert Mannsverk is one target who has got fans talking after he spent the end of last season out on loan at Cardiff City in the second tier. Reports suggest Mannsverk's signature would cost them up to £4m in total. Ajax are said to be willing to let the 23-year-old leave permanently this summer. The Norway Under-21 international has only managed 18 appearances for the Dutch giants. However, he would significantly boost Wrexham's options in the defensive midfield role. Parkinson cuts players loose to trim bloated squad Wrexham's bloated squad could prove to be a problem for Parkinson unless he takes action soon. The Red Dragons currently have more than 30 senior players on their books after a flurry of transfer activity. Championship clubs can only have squads of up to 25 players under league rules. It means Wrexham could be left with some unhappy faces who find themselves surplus to requirements. Parkinson has already sanctioned loan moves for Mullin and Jake Bickerstaff, while Luke Bolton and Will Boyle have left permanently for Mansfield and Shrewsbury respectively. More departures are needed though, with reports that striker Ollie Palmer could be on his way out. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
