How Arne Slot created another monster at Liverpool: Why he completely revamped the squad this summer, what he has demanded from his players and the injury 'luck' that's actually something entirely different
Some for pastures which they viewed as greener grass, some because the club knew their place in the food chain and needed to sell their best assets, some turfed out by Slot simply because they were not good enough.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
31 minutes ago
- Reuters
Bucs reverse course, will hold Baker Mayfield out of 2nd preseason game
August 15 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will sit out of the team's second preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday after head coach Todd Bowles originally said that Mayfield would play. Mayfield has been dealing with a contusion on his right throwing hand he suffered early in training camp, which held him out of the Bucs' preseason opener. However, the Tampa Bay Times reported that Bowles changed his mind and decided against playing Mayfield, not because of the injury but because of how strong a performance the starter had in Thursday's joint practice against the Steelers. Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, is entering his third season in Tampa Bay. He's led the Buccaneers to playoff appearances in each of his first two years with the organization. Along with Mayfield, star wide receiver Mike Evans and veteran linebacker Lavonte David will be held out of the Bucs' second of three preseason games. Without Mayfield, the Bucs will have recent free-agent signee Teddy Bridgewater, Kyle Trask and Connor Bazelak available to split the QB reps. --Field Level Media
Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Antoine Semenyo breaks silence after he was allegedly racially abused against Liverpool - as he responds to ANOTHER vile racist comment from sick troll
Bournemouth 's Antoine Semenyo has spoken out for the first time since he was allegedly racially abused while taking on Liverpool at Anfield. The Premier League got off to a thrilling start as the Reds overcame the defiant Cherries to win 4-2 on Friday evening. But what was a thoroughly entertaining game was arguably overshadowed by the shocking incident reported by Semenyo in the 28th minute. As the talented Ghanian international was preparing to take a throw-in, he appeared to be heckled by a Liverpool fan on the sidelines. After Semenyo brought the alleged abuse to the attention of referee Anthony Taylor, the match was temporarily paused with the score level at 0-0. The supporter, who it has been alleged was sitting in a wheelchair on the bottom row of Anfield's Main Stand, was escorted out of the stadium. During the stoppage, Semenyo's team-mates and opponents were seen rallying around him as he decided whether to continue playing. Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo in particular was spotted comforting the 25-year-old. Semenyo has now spoken out for the first time on his social media since the shocking incident. Responding to a vile racist comment left on his Instagram account, the footballer posted to his Stories: 'When will it stop...' Despite being the subject of the alleged abuse, the talented winger was at the top of his game on the opening day of the season. After Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo put the host's 2-0 up, the game seemed dead and buried. But Semenyo fired back with a brace, including an incredible solo goal fired past Allison in the Liverpool goal. It wasn't enough for Andoni Iraola's side however, as late strikes from Federico Chiesa and Mo Salah secured Arne Slot's side all three points on the opening day of the season. During the match, the Premier League released an official statement condemning the alleged abuse received by Semenyo. It came after an anti-discriminatory message was read out at Anfield. 'Tonight's match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. This is in line with the Premier League's on-field anti-discrimination protocol,' the league's statement read. 'The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs. Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society. 'We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.' At half-time, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher also expressed disdain towards the incident. Neville said: 'It overshadows what should be an amazing night, first game of the Premier League season. 'That boy [Semenyo] has basically been racially abused and had to complain about it. It's despicable. I can't even think what would be going through someone's mind [to say that]. Carragher added: 'The amount of campaigns we have, kick racism out, all over the world, it's shocking to see an incident like that. 'A shocking incident and rightly reported to the referee.' Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola also spoke out at full-time After the final whistle, Neville said: 'There needs to be strong consequences. It's what the game does. We see lots of statements, but the key thing is, what's changing?' Slot commended the attending fans for paying respects to the late Diogo Jota, and admitted that it was disappointing such an incident takes the shine off a memorable night. The Dutchman said: 'We don't want this in football, we don't want this in a stadium, but especially not in Anfield. 'It's unacceptable that something like this happens in a stadium, especially at Anfield. It takes the shine off - our fans were unbelievable with their tributes for Diogo. 'I didn't hear it but it should definitely not happen in a stadium.' In the other dugout, Iraola said: 'Antoine, the referee, everyone explained the situation. The person has been identified. 'It was a great game of football, everyone watching, and now we have to be talking about these things. We should have been past this stage but people don't behave correctly. Every step that you collectively do forward, with this it loses a lot of power. 'He did what he had to do. He said straight away, the referee explained the situation, I don't think he lost his mind, but in the next minutes he was probably thinking. It was a big shame we have to be talking about these things. 'The Liverpool managers, the players, they feel it. Even if it's a Liverpool supporter, they don't want them with them. Everyone understands these things have to be out from everywhere, especially from football.' In his post-match interview, Bournemouth captain Adam Smith said: 'Totally unacceptable, shocked that it happened in this day and age. 'It shouldn't be happening. I don't know how Ant has played on and come up with those goals. It's totally unacceptable. I just feel sorry for Ant. He's a little bit down and to carry on playing, something needs to be done. Taking a knee is having no effect. We'll support him and hopefully he'll be okay. 'I wanted him to react, because that's what I would have done. I would have gone straight over there, but it shows what type of man he is, to not react in the moment and to carry on. Coming up with those two goals shows the type of guy he is. 'I felt angry. Shocked. I said to the referee, I wanted him removed immediately, but they had to go through a process and the police will sort it. 'The Liverpool players were very supportive towards Antoine and the rest of the team. it was handled in the right way, but so angry. 'We've had discussions with the Premier League about it, so they are taking it seriously. I don't know what else we can do! We've been doing it for a long time now and no one is getting it. I don't know what to say anymore. 'I just feel sorry for Ant, that he's had to take that tonight. The whole country is watching and for that to happen is shocking.' Liverpool also released a club statement during the game to condemn the moment, and revealed a police investigation is ongoing.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Police investigate after Bournemouth footballer reports racist abuse at Anfield
Police are investigating after a man was ejected from Anfield Stadium after reports of a Bournemouth player being racially abused during the first Premier League game of the season against Liverpool. Visiting forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by a spectator, and match referee Anthony Taylor stopped play in the 29th minute. He spoke with managers Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola before the two captains Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith were called over to the dug-outs. An anti-discrimination message was read out to the Anfield crowd, and it is understood that police officers went into the referee's room at half-time. Merseyside Police said a 47-year-old man was removed from the ground, and an investigation was under way after his identity was confirmed. Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton, the match commander for the Liverpool v Bournemouth game, said: 'Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime of any form. 'We take incidents like this very seriously, and in cases like this we will be proactively seeking football banning orders, with the club, against those responsible.' He added: 'There is no place for racism and it is vital that anyone who witnesses such an offence reports it to stewards, or the police immediately, so we can take the necessary action like we did this evening. 'As with all matches, we work very closely with both Liverpool and Everton FC to ensure the safety of the public, and the players.' A spokesperson for Liverpool Football Club, said: 'Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against Bournemouth. 'We condemn racism and discrimination in all forms, it has no place in society, or football. 'The club is unable to comment further as tonight's alleged is incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will support fully.' After the incident, Semenyo scored twice in the second half to help bring Bournemouth back from two goals down at Anfield before Liverpool went on to eventually win the contest 4-2. Smith told Sky Sports News afterwards: 'It shouldn't be happening. I don't know how Ant's played on to be honest and come up with those goals. It's totally unacceptable. 'Something needs to be done. Taking the knee isn't having an effect. We're supporting him and hopefully he'll be OK. 'I wanted him to react because that's what I would have done, but this shows what type of man he is…to come up with those goals showed the type of guy he is. 'To be fair the Liverpool players were very supportive as well towards Antoine and the rest of the team. It was handled in the right way but…so angry. 'I don't know what else we can do. No one's getting it. I don't know what to say anymore. I just feel for Ant … shocking.' The Premier League said in a statement: 'Tonight's match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. 'This is in line with the Premier League's on-field anti-discrimination protocol. 'The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs. 'Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society. We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.' The incident comes two days after Tottenham Hotspur player Mathys Tel received racist abuse online after missing a penalty in his side's UEFA Super Cup win against Paris St Germain. The Football Association said it was 'concerned' about the allegation of racism towards Semenyo and that it would ensure 'appropriate action' would be taken. It said in a statement: 'We are very concerned about the allegation of discrimination from an area of the crowd, which was reported to the match officials during the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Bournemouth. 'Incidents of this nature have no place in our game and we will work closely with the match officials, the clubs and the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure the appropriate action is taken.'
