Latest news with #StanCollymore
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex Red Urges Liverpool to Give Núñez One More Season
Darwin Núñez's Liverpool Future Hangs in the Balance: Will He Dance One Last Time at Anfield? Changing Faces in Liverpool's Attack As Liverpool look to reshape their attack under Arne Slot, one major talking point surrounds the future of Darwin Núñez. Despite finishing the Premier League season as the highest-scoring team, the Reds often lacked the kind of cutting-edge striker that title-winning sides usually possess. Núñez, Liverpool's number nine, has failed to consistently deliver, and this summer could mark the end of his time at Anfield. Advertisement 'He has had plenty of chances in a Liverpool shirt but has been cut a frustrated figure too many times over the past three years, with this perhaps the summer when both parties call it quits.' Highlighted By The Echo. It is a telling line and one that captures the sentiment around Núñez. There have been sparks of brilliance, yet those moments have too often been eclipsed by missed opportunities and misfortune in front of goal. Stan Collymore's Plea for Patience There is one voice offering defiance to the wave of criticism: former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore. Collymore, who knows a thing or two about the pressures of leading the line at Anfield, believes Núñez's story need not be over just yet. Advertisement 'The pressure on a striker's shoulders is already great before they have a huge transfer fee dangling above their hand, so it is no surprise to see Núñez, to some extent, flop.' Photo: IMAGO However, Collymore's point is not to excuse failure but to contextualise it. He recognises that adaptation is difficult, particularly with Mohamed Salah occupying the dominant attacking spotlight. 'Sometimes people show clips of Darwin at Benfica and ask what's happened. Well, teams play differently, there are different people around you and the attacking momentum and intent has always been through Mohamed Salah,' Collymore told the Liverpool Echo. Advertisement While this statement won't quieten the doubters, it speaks to the broader challenge of fitting into a system built around a different kind of star. Transfer Market Opens Wide for Núñez Whether Liverpool will listen to Collymore's rallying cry is another matter. The club appear to be open to offers, and a long list of suitors is beginning to queue. Despite an underwhelming spell, Núñez remains a tantalising prospect for many elite sides. Photo IMAGO 'Although he has had a very underwhelming three years and seen his valuation drop significantly, plenty of clubs are still willing to take a punt on him and the Reds, somehow, will not lose too much money.' Advertisement From AC Milan and Napoli to Atletico Madrid and Saudi Arabia's wealthier clubs, the Uruguayan striker's name remains on scouting shortlists. A bidding war would be ideal for Liverpool, who paid a hefty £85 million to bring him from Benfica. One Final Chapter or Time to Close the Book? The romantic notion of Núñez staying for 'one last dance' still flickers among some fans and pundits. If Arne Slot sees a role for him, then perhaps a reinvention is possible under the Dutchman's guidance. 'So I am sure conversations are ongoing with Arne Slot and if he says he wants Darwin as a valued member of the team then I think he should stay.' Advertisement But realism is biting. The tone from within the club and around Anfield feels like one preparing for a farewell. Should Núñez leave, he will do so with the bittersweet label of a Premier League champion, even if his contribution to that success remains uneven. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis It's hard not to feel a sense of what could have been. Darwin Núñez arrived with raw electricity — pace, power, unpredictability — and for fleeting moments, he looked every inch a Liverpool striker. But flashes are not enough at a club chasing major honours. Most supporters will feel disappointed more than angry. Núñez clearly cared, wore his heart on his sleeve and never shied from the challenge. The frustration came from his inconsistency, not his effort. One week he'd look unplayable, the next he'd miss a sitter and fall flat. That volatility drained patience, especially in a season where margins were razor-thin. Advertisement Collymore's words may resonate emotionally, but sentiment rarely wins titles. With Slot likely to want a sharper, more cohesive forward line, it's understandable why the club are looking to move on. If AC Milan or Napoli can help Liverpool recoup a decent chunk of the fee, it might be best for all parties. Still, there's a lingering sadness. Núñez gave us chaos and colour, and in another system, he might have thrived. Unfortunately, at Liverpool, it just hasn't worked out. Let's hope he succeeds wherever he goes next.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Some of Liverpool's most exciting signings since 1992
So, with Liverpool in final negotiations over a club record £114m deal for Germany star Florian Wirtz, the excitement levels among supporters is reaching fever got us thinking... which signing during the Premier League era has got Reds fans most excited?We're not pretending this is a definitive list - you will have your own views - but we've come up with eight names, including Wirtz as we're assuming this deal gets over the line, that had the fanbase buzzing when Liverpool moved for isn't based on what they actually went on to achieve at Anfield, just the feeling when they arrived. And it's just a bit of have a look through the list - which is in chronological order (with some honourable mentions at the end) - then you've got the chance to order them yourself as well as get in touch with your own Collymore broke the British transfer record when Liverpool signed him for £8.5m in 1995. He scored 35 goals across two seasons at Anfield, forming a potent strike partnership with Robbie Fowler. In his first season, he scored five goals in Liverpool's FA Cup run, which ultimately ended in defeat by Manchester United in the on joining Liverpool: "I didn't want to look back at my career and say I hadn't achieved as much as I might have done. That's one of the reasons I came here. I want to win things and I do believe I can do that sooner rather than later with Liverpool."Harry Kewell turned down a move to arch rivals Manchester United and signed for Liverpool from Leeds United in 2003. Injuries hindered the Australian from reaching his full potential on Merseyside, but the winger still managed to win a Champions League and FA Cup in his five seasons at Anfield. He scored 16 goals in 139 appearances for the boss Gerrard Houlier on signing Kewell: "We had spoken about bringing in players who would have the fans on the edge of their seats and I can't think of a better description for the qualities that Harry will bring to Anfield."Robbie Fowler's romantic return to Liverpool in 2006 saw him score 12 goals across a second coming that lasted one and a half seasons. Reds fans inside Anfield made it abundantly clear about how excited they were for Fowler's return, displaying a sign that read "Fowler. God. 11. Welcome back to heaven" at his first game back against Birmingham who had left Anfield for Leeds in 2001, said on his return: "Leaving was probably one of my biggest regrets I have had in football. I'm chuffed to bits. I mean, I can't really believe it's happened again, so I'm ecstatic to be honest."Fernando Torres signed from Atletico Madrid for a then club record £20m in 2007. 'El Nino' won the club's player of the year in his debut campaign, and scored an impressive 81 goals in 142 outings for the Reds before breaking the British transfer record with a £50m move to rivals Chelsea in Garcia, who coached Fernando Torres at junior level: "He'll probably become world famous. Directness, pace, power, excellent in the air and the mindset of a born winner make Fernando an extraordinary player." Joe Cole joined on a free transfer from Chelsea in the summer of 2010 making him Roy Hodgson's first signing at the club. There was lots of buzz after Liverpool landed the 28-year-old England star ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham, but his Premier League debut lasted just 45 minutes before he was sent off for a poor challenge against the Gunners, and it didn't get much better from there. Cole was sent out on loan and then eventually sold in January 2013, after making just 26 appearances and scoring three goals for the Gerrard on Cole: "Messi can do some amazing things - but anything he can do, Joe can do as well, if not better."Virgil van Dijk joined in January 2018 from Southampton and remains Liverpool's most expensive transfer at £75m. He reached back-to-back Champions League finals in his first one and a half seasons, winning it at the second time of asking. The Dutch colossus has since added two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups and the Club World Cup to his cabinet and took the captain's armband in Moss, the talent scout who brought Van Dijk to Celtic, said : "I used to say to Premier League clubs: 'Van Dijk is a man playing in a playground against kids, he stands out so much. He's 6ft 4in, can ping it from one end of the field to the other, can head it, scores goals, is quick … he's got everything.' And they'd still go and buy someone else. I'd despair."Thiago Alcantara left Bayern Munich for a £20m move to Liverpool in 2020 for what ended up being a patchy, injury-ridden spell. In four years on Merseyside, the Barcelona academy graduate made 98 appearances, scored three goals and won one FA Bayern manager Hansi Flick said: "Thiago is an extraordinary player and was very important for us. It was very emotional as we said goodbye. I can only congratulate Liverpool as they got a great player and especially a great person."As for likely £114m recruit Wirtz, he has come back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in 2022 to become a key part of Leverkusen's domestic double under former Red Xabi Alonso in 2023-24. With 23 goal contributions that campaign, he was named the Bundesliga's player of the said: "Why is Messi so good? Because he knows how and when to play simple passes. Messi says: 'You're in a better position? Here, there you have the ball!' It's not always about making the most brilliant move, but the best and smartest. Florian can do that. That's why he's so good."Honourable mentions:Now as we said, this is by no means a scientific list and there were other names who could have made the eight - including (but not limited to) Karl-Heinz-Riedle, Markus Babbel, Luis Suarez, Naby Keita, Alisson, Darwin Nunez... and yes, even El-Hadji-Diouf, who arrived with huge hype after the 2002 World now it's over to the eight names we narrowed it down to hereAnd as importantly, get in touch with your thoughts on those named - and tell us who else should have been on the list - here
Free Malaysia Today
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Premier League's first Black referee Rennie dies aged 65
In April, Uriah Rennie told the BBC he was learning to walk again after being left paralysed from the waist down by a rare condition. (The Mirror pic) SHEFFIELD : Uriah Rennie, the first Black referee in the Premier League, has died aged 65, the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association said yesterday. Jamaican-born Rennie, who grew up in Sheffield, made history in 1997 when he refereed a Premier League match between Derby County and Wimbledon. He went on to officiate over 300 matches – including 175 games in England's top flight. 'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie,' the association said on social media. 'Our thoughts are with Uriah's family and friends at this difficult time.' Rennie retired in 2008 and it would be 15 years before another Black official took charge of a Premier League game, with Sam Allison officiating a match between Sheffield United and Luton Town in 2023. In April, Rennie told the BBC he was learning to walk again after being left paralysed from the waist down by a rare condition. 'Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. 'A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref,' former England and Liverpool player Stan Collymore said on social media. 'Rest in peace, Ref'.
CNA
09-06-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Premier League's first Black referee Rennie dies aged 65
Uriah Rennie, the first Black referee in the Premier League, has died aged 65, the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association said on Sunday. Jamaican-born Rennie, who grew up in Sheffield, made history in 1997 when he refereed a Premier League match between Derby County and Wimbledon. He went on to officiate over 300 matches - including 175 games in England's top flight. "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former Chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie," the association said on social media. "Our thoughts are with Uriah's family and friends at this difficult time." Rennie retired in 2008 and it would be 15 years before another Black official took charge of a Premier League game, with Sam Allison officiating a match between Sheffield United and Luton Town in 2023. In April, Rennie told the BBC he was learning to walk again after being left paralysed from the waist down by a rare condition. "Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref," former England and Liverpool player Stan Collymore said on social media. "Rest in peace, Ref."
Reuters
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Premier League's first Black referee Rennie dies aged 65
June 9 (Reuters) - Uriah Rennie, the first Black referee in the Premier League, has died aged 65, the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association said on Sunday. Jamaican-born Rennie, who grew up in Sheffield, made history in 1997 when he refereed a Premier League match between Derby County and Wimbledon. He went on to officiate over 300 matches - including 175 games in England's top flight. "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former Chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie," the association said on social media. "Our thoughts are with Uriah's family and friends at this difficult time." Rennie retired in 2008 and it would be 15 years before another Black official took charge of a Premier League game, with Sam Allison officiating a match between Sheffield United and Luton Town in 2023. In April, Rennie told the BBC he was learning to walk again after being left paralysed from the waist down by a rare condition. "Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref," former England and Liverpool player Stan Collymore said on social media. "Rest in peace, Ref."
