Pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, Flamengo e Fluminense disputam o clássico no Maracanã, nesta quarta-feira (6). Além disso, o Santos enfrenta o Boca Juniors, na Argentina, pela primeira partida da semifinal da Libertadores da América.
Já no Velho Continente, Milan e Juventus entram em campo pela 16ª rodada do Campeonato Italiano. Enquanto isso, em Manchester, o dérbi entre United e City movimenta a semifinal da Copa da Liga Inglesa, no Old Trafford.
Confira abaixo os confrontos do dia e a programação de transmissão
11h – Sampdoria x Inter de Milão Campeonato Italiano Onde assistir: SporTV
11h – Crotone x Roma Campeonato Italiano Onde assistir: Bandsports e EI Plus
13h – Multivera x Real Betis Copa do Rei Onde assistir: ESPN
14h – Napoli x Spezia Campeonato Italiano Onde assistir: Bandsports e EI Plus
14h – Cornella x Atlético de Madrid Copa do Rei Onde assistir: ESPN Brasil
16h45 – Milan x Juventus Campeonato Italiano Onde assistir: TNT e EI Plus
16h45 – Manchester United x Manchester City Copa da Liga Inglesa Onde assistir: Fox Sports
17h – Athletic Bilbao x Barcelona Campeonato Espanhol Onde assistir: ESPN Brasil
19h15 – Grêmio x Bahia Brasileirão Onde assistir: Premiere
19h15 – Botafogo x Athletico Brasileirão Onde assistir: Premiere
CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA DA SÉRIE A DO BRASILEIRÃO 2020
19h15 – Boca Juniors x Santos Libertadores Onde assistir: Fox Sports
20h30 – Sport x Fortaleza Brasileirão Onde assistir: Premiere
20h30 – Coritiba x Goiás Brasileirão Onde assistir: Premiere
21h30 – Flamengo x Fluminense Brasileirão Onde assistir: Globo e Premiere
21h30 – RB Bragantino x São Paulo Brasileirão Onde assistir: Globo, SporTV e Premiere
21h30 – Vélez Sarsfield x Lanús Copa Sul-Americana Onde assistir: Conmebol TV
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol LatinoD’Alessandro não poderá atuar pelo Nacional; EntendaFutebol Latino05/01/2021Futebol InternacionalHackers continuam atacando os clubes de futebolFutebol Internacional05/01/2021SantosVenda de Veríssimo é a sétima maior da história do Santos. Veja lista!Santos05/01/2021
Ireland will begin their first overseas Test match on St Patrick’s Day – March 17 – when they take on Afghanistan in India
ESPNcricinfo staff30-Nov-2018Ireland will begin their first overseas Test match on St Patrick’s Day – March 17 – when they take on Afghanistan next year, in what will be a second Test outing for both of the game’s newest senior nations.The Test will be the culmination of a nine-match itinerary, which will also include three T20Is on February 23, 24 and 26, and five ODIs on March 2, 4, 7, 9 and 12 – all in the northern India city of Dehradun, Afghanistan’s home from home.Both teams made their Test debuts in 2018, with Ireland taking on Pakistan in Malahide in May, before Afghanistan played India at Bangalore in June.”Afghanistan are a quality side with world-class players – it’ll be a great challenge in their ‘home’ conditions,” said the Ireland batsman, Andrew Balbirnie.”The Afghanistan series is a major step forward for Irish cricket as the tour is the first one as a Full Member.””It will no doubt be a test for the entire squad – taking on Afghanistan in subcontinent conditions will require a level of adjustment by both our batting and bowling units.For Afghanistan, the limited-overs leg of the tour will form part of their preparations for next year’s World Cup – a tournament for which they qualified in remarkable circumstances in Zimbabwe last year.Ireland missed out on that showpiece event, but their highlight of 2018 promises to be a maiden Test match against England at Lord’s in July, a four-day affair that will form part of their hosts’ preparations for the Ashes which get underway on August 1.”The level and regularity of top-quality international cricket in 2019 will be exciting for Irish cricket fans,” said Balbirnie.”The year will start with this Afghanistan series, and will involve a busy home schedule of matches involving multiple Full Member nations – starting with an ODI against England at Malahide in May.”There’s also the Lord’s Test against England in July, and the year will end with the T20 World Cup Qualifier tournament in October.”
Within the frisson of excitement that coursed through Anfield as Liverpool dispatched Brentford 3-0 before the November international break, maintaining a 100% home record and advancing to second in the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp will have exhaled a sigh of relief.
Relief for the end of a two-match wobble – a minute crisis, but one that sent preliminary alarm bells ringing; a reminder of last year's struggles – and reassurance that his new-look midfield boasts enough energy and quality to charge the engine room to illustrious success.
It would also have confirmed to Klopp that two of his more debate-provoking players are making gains in different ways, having hailed the "top performances" of club-record £85m star Darwin Nunez and surprise summer signing Wataru Endo.
Nunez's calibre is clear. The Uruguayan striker met widespread ridicule – unjustly, perhaps – in Premier League discourse for his wayward finishing's lopsided effect on such a high price tag. But this year he has grown into his skin and already yields seven goals and five assists from just nine starts across the board.
Liverpool's Darwin Nunez.
Endo was brought in from Stuttgart in August after missing out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea, and while he is evidently not deemed the starting solution for the biggest moments, the depth and stability he has arrived with has aided the Reds across multiple fronts.
Kostas Tsimikas, who has been criticised for his displays over recent weeks, bagged two assists to remind the club of his creative qualities.
Deputising for the injured Andy Robertson, the Greek defender is probably one of the weakest senior players in the squad, however, and Klopp may well be searching for an upgrade – and boy would he land an improvement in Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies.
Liverpool transfer news – Alphonso Davies
According to 90min, Liverpool are among the host of top European outfits interested in signing the Canadian left-back, with his contract at the Allianz Arena set to expire in 2025.
Alongside Klopp's side, Chelsea and Manchester City are the leading contenders from the Premier League – with Paris Saint-Germain also monitoring the situation – but there are collective concerns that Davies' heart is set on a move to Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old's agent recently denied that he is headed down an irrevocable road to the Spanish capital, confirming that his "focus" is with Bayern, but it's clear that if Los Blancos earmark the whiz, the likes of Liverpool will have a tough task in turning his head elsewhere.
Alphonso Davies' career so far
When Bayern Munich signed a 17-year-old Davies from homeland outfit Vancouver Whitecaps in a transfer totalling $22m (£18m) in 2018, the German giants had evidently uncovered a star in the making.
Instantaneously, his blistering, breakneck speed and innate attacking instinct paved the pathway to prominence and hinted that his career could be one at the very top for many years to come.
So far, so good. Having made 171 appearances, scoring eight goals and supplying 28 assists, Davies has plundered the Champions League and two DFB Pokals, winning the Bundesliga across each of his five campaigns.
He has been dubbed a "real diamond" by former Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic, who also hailed his incredible dynamism, with his electricity up and down the left channel proving to be a deadly weapon for Die Roten, a weapon not easily defended.
Indeed, ranking among the top 6% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 5% for shot-creating actions, the top 3% for progressive carries and the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, his stunning offensive pedigree is punctuated.
Further, the "Roadrunner" – as he has been affectionately nicknamed by Thomas Muller for his speed – is still aged only 23, which speaks volumes for his talent and what is still to come, with his current market value at £70m, according to CIES Football Observatory.
A distinguished player, the 41-cap Canada star would be the dream acquisition for Klopp's side, and though it may be difficult to get this one over the line, an enticing package could surely be presented for the dynamo, who would be the dream heir for Anfield stalwart Robertson.
How Alphonso Davies compares to Andy Robertson
Robertson has indeed been inflicted with a shoulder injury sustained on international duty with Scotland in October, having an operation that has ruled him out of contention until the new year.
It's been a big miss, but one that the Merseyside outfit have combatted relatively successfully, though Tsimikas has received much rebuke for his performances, with journalist Paul Gorst claiming that he didn't enjoy his "finest hour" during one Europa League showing.
Robertson, contrastingly, had been excellent this term on the left wing of the backline, completing 86% of his passes and averaging 2.6 key passes, 1.9 tackles and 7.1 ball recoveries per game, as per Sofascore.
Having signed for Liverpool from Hull City for around £10m in 2017, few anticipated Robertson's sensational trajectory, having now chalked up 275 appearances for Liverpool, posting nine goals and 63 assists; he is the highest-assisting defender in Premier League history, ahead of even Trent Alexander-Arnold (for now).
And starring at the centre of the full sweep of silverware under Klopp's reign, he has been integral in the process, and while Robertson is only 29, the left side of the defence has been a priority point for the club recently and plans to secure a worthy successor will possibly be in the pipeline, hence the intrigue in signing Davies.
The £188k-per-week Davies could assimilate Klopp's philosophy and serve as the second coming of Liverpool's Scottish "Duracell Bunny" – as he has been called by Liverpool writer Leanne Prescott.
This season alone, the energetic Canadian has completed 90% of his passes and averaged 1.5 key passes and 7.5 ball recoveries per outing, highlighting the marauding brilliance of his craft.
And while Robertson is a bundle of bouncing energy, Davies boasts pace unseen, even blitzing to a speed of 36.21 km/h; to emphasise how quick this is, Salah, by comparison, has recorded a top speed of 33.90 km/h.
Klopp would harness the very best of Davies' qualities and turn them into something unstoppable, and while Madrid are ostensibly the frontrunner at the moment, the Reds will lurk and await the opportune moment to pounce.
West Ham's 5-0 triumph against Freiburg in the Europa League may provide some good news for the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham.
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West Ham beat Freiburg 5-0 in Europa League
England to get extra Champions League spot
Spurs and United in battle for fifth place
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Hammers overturned a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie to demolish the German side on home soil, sending David Moyes' team through to the quarter-finals of the competition.
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THE EXPLANATION
The win provides a huge boost to Premier League teams chasing a place in next season's Champions League. West Ham's win increases the chances of the Premier League being given a fifth Champions League place next season, while Serie A is also likely to be given an extra spot, too. With Italy's place all but secured, the two European nations in with a shot at that extra place were England and Germany. Given the Hammers' victory over German opposition on Thursday, that second slot now looks almost certainly headed to the Premier League.
In addition, that change would also extend the European places in the league so that as low as eighth spot would secure Europa Conference League qualification for the following campaign.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
With United, Tottenham and Chelsea all aiming to book a place in Europe but sitting outside the top four, they will be thankful to the east London side for giving them further hope of playing in the continent's top club competition next term. Spurs are currently the frontrunners to reap the benefits of the Hammers' win as they are currently fifth in the table, while United are six points behind in sixth. Chelsea, meanwhile, have a long way to climb if they are to be given a place in Europe as they sit 11th in the table, though they could still qualify for the Europa League if they win the FA Cup.
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WHAT NEXT?
The news may provide Spurs and United extra motivation heading into the final months of the Premier League campaign. The north London team can further strengthen their hold on fifth place with a win against Fulham this weekend, while United are in FA Cup action with a game against Liverpool.
Manchester United agreed a deal to sign a "brilliant talent" in the summer, and the reason a transfer fell through has now emerged.
Man Utd transfer news…
The Red Devils brought in eight new players over the summer, with eye-catching deals for Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund the stand-out transfers. It has proven to be a tricky start to the current season, though, with four defeats in the Premier League and back-to-back losses in the Champions League under Erik ten Hag. Injuries at the back have played their part, but club officials already appear to be looking at possible 2024 signings.
The likes of Goncalo Inacio, Joao Neves, Adrien Rabiot, Takefusa Kubo and Umar Sadiq have all been linked with moves to Old Trafford, and in a new update, it looks as if the Red Devils could have made it nine additions during the previous window.
Sport Witness relayed a Man Utd transfer update on Gabriel Menino in the last 48 hours, claiming the Red Devils actually had an £8m offer accepted by Palmeiras for the player in the summer.
Menino was seen as a ‘perfect element’ to join Ten Hag’s side after United scouts recommended him, however, as we know, a transfer failed to officially go through. That was due to problems at Old Trafford, with the player remaining in Brazil.
Soccer Football – Copa Libertadores – Quarter final – Second Leg – Palmeiras v Libertad – Allianz Parque, Sao Paulo, Brazil – December 15, 2020 Palmeiras’ Gabriel Menino celebrates scoring their third goal Pool via REUTERS/Sebastiao Moreira
Who is Gabriel Menino?
Menino, a Brazil U23 international, has progressed through the academy at Palmeiras and has spent the entirety of his current career with the club. The 23-year-old appears to be an extremely versatile player as well, capable of turning out as a central midfielder, defensive midfielder or right-back. Menino’s transfer value currently stands at €10m by Transfermarkt and he is under contract until 2025. Breaking the Lines also picked up on the player’s versatility, saying back in 2021:
“Whilst the central midfield position is Menino’s bread and butter, his versatility is one of his biggest attributes. Similar to RB Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer, Menino is a player who covers every blade of grass and who can thrive in various positions and functions, whether that be on the right side or the left side of the pitch. Whereas he was used as a right wingback in the second leg against River Plate, he started on the right side of attack in the Final against Santos.”
On the pitch, Menino, hailed as a “brilliant talent” by football scout Jacek Kulig and compared to Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich by BTL, has already made a whopping 193 senior appearances for the club, scoring 15 times and registering 17 assists. (Gabriel Menino stats)
He could still be a player to keep an eye on, should he continue to feature heavily and impress with his current employers, and with Man Utd previously agreeing on a deal, they could look to return in the near future.
Nem mesmo os Correios deixaram passar em branco os 80 anos de Pelé. Em parceria com o Santos, a empresa lançou no dia do aniversário do Rei (23 de outubro) um selo personalizado e carimbo comemorativo em homenagem aos maior jogador de futebol de todos os tempos.
Desde o último dia 23, a folha – no valor de R$ 47,80 contendo 12 selos de Primeiro Porte Comercial – poderá ser solicitada nas principais agências de todo o país e também na loja virtual dos Correios, por tempo limitado.
O carimbo comemorativo dos 80 anos do Rei Pelé permanecerá na Agência de Correios Santos por 30 dias, e poderá ser usado em correspondências e peças filatélicas. Após esse período, será destinado à Agência de Correios Central de São Paulo, no Vale do Anhangabaú, onde permanecerá por mais 30 dias, até ser incorporado ao acervo do Museu dos Correios, em Brasília (DF).
Este lançamento filatélico está ainda inserido no contexto da abertura da 25a Exposição Filatélica de Santos, a Sanpex, realizada pelo Clube Filatélico e Numismático de Santos, com o patrocínio da Federação Brasileira de Filatelia (Febraf). Na ocasião, também foram lançados selo postal e carimbo comemorativo dedicados à Sanpex.
Também no contexto da Sanpex, até 23 de novembro, no Memorial das Conquistas, no Santos Futebol Clube, estará em exposição uma coleção de 800 selos nacionais e internacionais relacionados ao Rei Pelé, de autoria do diretor do Clube Filatélico e Numismático de Santos, Sérgio Mastrorosa.
As peças filatélicas são uma homenagem especial do Santos ao Rei do Futebol, materializada por meio da modalidade “Soluções Personalizadas”, disponibilizada pelos Correios para ressaltar fatos relevantes, campanhas e personalidades.
A arte do selo foi concebida nas cores branca e preta do clube que lançou Pelé ao mundo, além do dourado, que representa as glórias do Rei do Futebol. O número 80 foi sobreposto ao 10, que é a máxima expressão da camisa que Pelé transformou em sinônimo de excelência.
The stakes could not be higher. A win on Thursday will put Sunrisers Hyderabad in the playoffs, and a loss will throw Delhi Daredevils out of the tournament, but wait, there’s more.Imagine Bhuvneshwar Kumar at the top of his mark. At the top of his game. One of the best bowlers in limited-overs cricket. And at the other end, an 18-year old, with scant international experience, but bursting with so much talent that he is already being compared to Sachin Tendulkar.
Form guide (last three matches, most recent first)
Delhi Daredevils: lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets, beat Rajasthan Royals by four runs (D/L method), lost to Chennai Super Kings by 13 runs Sunrisers Hyderabad: beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by five runs, beat Delhi Daredevils by seven wickets, beat Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs
We’ve been here before, of course. Prithvi Shaw scored 65 off 36 balls against Sunrisers on Saturday. Clearly, the battle between the next generation of Indian batsmen – Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant included – and some of T20 cricket’s finest bowlers – Rashid Khan and Shakib Al Hasan – is just so nice, you gotta see it twice, along with the bells and whistles of promotion and relegation.
In the news
Among Daredevils’ overseas batsmen, Jason Roy has scored 97 from three innings (including a 91*), Glenn Maxwell 133 from nine innings and Colin Munro 63 from five. Maxwell, however, has picked wickets in three of his last four games, and even bowled a Powerplay over for just four runs against Sunrisers. Given the drought of runs, Daredevils have started using two overseas slots for bowlers – Liam Plunkett and Trent Boult – apart from Dan Christian and could do the same on Thursday by picking only one of the above three batsmen. But who?
Previous meeting
Sunrisers just about chased 164, with Yusuf Pathan proving man has more lives than a cat. Should have been out on 0, but the catch was dropped. Was given out on 8 and seemed happy to walk off until his captain stopped him and demanded he use DRS. After the lbw decision was overturned, he walloped a full toss straight down the ground to all but seal the game. It was glorious, and hilarious.
Likely XIs
Delhi Daredevils: 1 Prithvi Shaw, 2 Jason Roy/Colin Munro/Glenn Maxwell, 3 Rishabh Pant (wk), 4 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 5 Naman Ojha, 6 Dan Christian, 7 Vijay Shankar, 8 Liam Plunket, 9 Amit Mishra, 10 Avesh Khan, 11 Trent BoultSunrisers Hyderabad: 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Alex Hales, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Shakib Al Hasan, 5 Manish Pandey, 6 Yusuf Pathan, 7 Rashid Khan, 8 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Siddarth Kaul, 11 Sandeep Sharma
Strategy punt
Shakib Al Hasan (54.5), Alex Hales (69.2), Yusuf Pathan (83.3), Manish Pandey (105.4) and Shikhar Dhawan (113.6) have struggled against legspin this IPL. Amit Mishra might have a lot of fun on Thursday.
Stats that matter
Shreyas Iyer against fast bowling in the IPL presents a pretty cool story. In 2015, he made 296 runs off 239 balls at an average of 29. In 2016, 28 runs off 41 balls at 4.6. In 2017, 238 runs in 171 balls at 26. In 2018, while vying to be an India player, he has made 191 runs in 134 balls at an average of 63.
Siddarth Kaul has an economy rate of 6.47 in the death overs this season: better than Andrew Tye (7.72), Rashid Khan (8), Jasprit Bumrah (8.22), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (8.22), Tim Southee (8.40), Mustafizur Rahman (8.94), Jofra Archer (9.50). On condition of at least five overs bowled between the 16th and 20th, Kaul stands behind only Piyush Chawla (6) and Liam Plunket (6.40)
In IPL 2018, Prithvi Shaw has a strike rate of 168.88 in the first 10 balls. Only KL Rahul and Sunil Narine have been quicker off the blocks (minimum 50 deliveries faced). Prior to Shaw’s inclusion in the XI, Daredevils scored at a rate of 8.07 in the Powerplay, which left them in sixth place out of eight teams. Now, they are second, with a run rate of 9.53
In defending totals of 118, 132, 151 and 146, Sunrisers have established the benchmark in bowling second. Their economy rate of 6.23 is unrivalled, with Rajasthan Royals (8.5) coming a distant second. So is their balls-per-boundary rate: 9.4 versus a second-best of 6 by Kings XI.
Rishabh Pant needs 43 runs to get to 1000 IPL runs. At 20, he will become the youngest player to the landmark
Fantasy pick
Sunrisers have banked on their overseas players for big runs – they have contributed 50.2% of their aggregate this season. Daredevils’ corresponding figure is 23.2%. So, basically, trust Kane Williamson and Shakib Al Hasan. Keep a safe distance from Glenn Maxwell.
And in their chase, Peshawar Zalmi cruised to a ten-wicket victory courtesy a hundred-run partnership between Kamran Akmal (57*) and Tamim Iqbal (37*)
The Report by Danyal Rasool03-Mar-2018
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In a nutshellThe template doesn’t change for Lahore Qalandars. They got off to a blazing start in the Powerplay again with Fakhar Zaman smashing 25 in the first two overs. Once the first six overs had ended, they began to lose wickets and the wheels came off rapidly. Peshawar Zalmi skittled them out for 100, the lowest total in the PSL this year. Soon after, they became the fifth team to inflict defeat on Brendon McCullum’s beleaguered side. This was the most resounding one yet, the first 10-wicket defeat in the history of the PSL.The collapse this time was even more dramatic than previous games, tempered only by its predictability. After reaching 57 for one at the end of the Powerplay, they failed to build on it through the middle overs, continuing to go for rash shots and losing wickets rapidly in the process. Before you knew it, the tail was in, and Peshawar, further strengthened by the return of Hasan Ali, prowled ominously.The chase was everything Lahore are not: calm, clinical, mature and professional. It required just openers Tamim Iqbal and Kamran Akmal to brush aside Lahore. Kamran scored a 47-ball 57, while Tamim was unbeaten on 36 as the chase effectively became a stroll early on. Lahore’s bowlers were toothless, their fielding uninspired, their captain out of ideas – and their side very likely out of the tournament already.Where the match was wonA chase of 101 isn’t daunting by any means, but many teams thought processes get muddled while assessing how to go about a small chase. Not Peshawar Zalmi, whose openers were as assured as could be hoped in the situation. They got their eye in for the first couple of overs, not letting the lack of runs worry them. Inevitably, the runs came once they were settled at the crease. Lahore weren’t good enough in the field either, dropping a catch early on, and allowing themselves errors they could ill-afford. It wasn’t Lahore’s charity to give, and Peshawar didn’t need it at any rate, the opening pair ensuring no one else in the dugout was disturbed.The men that won itHasan Ali hasn’t bowled for over a month, but he didn’t look any worse for it. Skiddy, quick and consistent, he bowled in the Powerplay when Fakhar was in blistering form, keeping that over to just three runs. He got rid of the McCullum, and was instrumental in orchestrating Lahore’s collapse, cleaning up Sunil Narine and wrapping things up with a third wicket for good measure.Another newcomer into the side didn’t do much worse either. Liam Dawson was brought in to replace Darren Sammy. It doesn’t bear repeating that those are big shoes to fill. But Dawson was up to the challenge, ripping the Lahore top order apart with his left-arm spin. He dismissed Fakhar and Dinesh Ramdin off just his second and third deliveries, and overall figures of 4-0-20-3 suggest he’s more than just a back-up in Peshawar side.Where they standLahore look to have taken out a lease on the basement of the table, firmly sixth after their fifth successive defeat. Peshawar are third, having won three of their five games.
The excitement factor has returned to Anfield following on from a disappointing Premier League campaign, with Liverpool now revitalised after an impressive summer transfer window.
For the first time during a full season under Jurgen Klopp's management, the Reds failed to secure a top-four finish, and despite a late purple patch only managed to secure fifth and consequently missed out on Champions League football.
This time around, the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and co have arrived to restore the sapped midfield and look to have done so with aplomb, with Liverpool securing three victories in the top-flight after (yet another) draw against Chelsea to start the season.
Who did Liverpool sell this summer?
Liverpool were widely rebuked last year for their inexcusable fall from grace. Klopp and his transfer team had failed to effectively bolster the midfield over the past few years and were left to rue their inactivity as the Merseyside outfit's issues were laid bare.
To combat this, the aforementioned signings – along with Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch – were brought in to comprehensively reshape and recharge the Anfield centre, but to facilitate this a wealth of established stars headed for the exit.
Jordan Henderson to Al Ettifaq
£13m
Fabinho to Al Ittihad
£40m
Roberto Firmino to Al Ahli
Free
James Milner to Brighton
Free
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Besiktas
Free
Naby Keita to Werder Bremen
Free
Fabio Cavalho to RB Leipzig
Loan
While Liverpool have welcomed an ostensible upswing in overall midfield quality, the depth has been slightly trimmed with the four summer acquisitions replacing six midfield departees.
The likes of Thiago Alcantara, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Stefan Bajcetic still ply their trade at the club, but there could now be an opportunity for a member of the youth fold to earn a chance to impress, much like Bajcetic did last season as his youthful exuberance was utilised to offer struggling Liverpool a new dimension, hailed for his "exceptional" impact by Klopp.
Bajcetic has yet to feature this season after his breakout year was cruelly ended prematurely through an injury sustained in March, but his rise is proof that the creme-de-la-creme of the Liverpool academy ranks can prosper at the highest level.
Thus, perhaps it's time for precocious teenage talent Bobby Clark to be handed an opportunity to thrive among the seniors.
Who is Bobby Clark?
Clark joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in 2021 after impressing at youth level, leaving The Chronicle's Lee Ryder to express his disappointment that the 18-year-old was allowed to leave.
The journalist said: "Bobby was Newcastle's most promising youngster.
"He is a really exciting player with bags of skill and talent. He could have lit up the stage at St James' Park but now he has gone to Liverpool and that is a real kick in the teeth."
After making one appearance for Newcastle's U18 outfit, Clark has been a thriving member of Liverpool's development squad, having now chalked up 62 displays, posting 16 goals and 11 assists.
Originally a left-winger, Clark has been transformed from a 'free-scoring left winger into a disciplined central midfielder' since joining the fold on Merseyside, and given that he looks so comfortable both in and out of possession, he could prove to emulate a certain Georginio Wijnaldum who followed a similar positional path under Klopp's sagacious stewardship.
How good was Georginio Wijnaldum for Liverpool?
Also joining from Newcastle, albeit at a different stage of his career, Wijnaldum arrived at Liverpool for £25m off the back of an impressive campaign on Tyneside despite suffering relegation from the Premier League.
Indeed, the Dutchman had plundered 11 goals and five assists in his first season in the English top-flight – including a four-goal haul over Norwich City – primarily on the left channel, while also utilised as a No. 10.
However, Klopp recognised his technicality might be best served in a more industrious role in the heart of the midfield, and it is there that his composure and crispness shone through in the engine room of one of the most successful outfits of modern times, praised as "irreplaceable" by Richard Jolly.
Having forged 237 displays for the Anfield side, Wijnaldum only scored 22 times, actually clinching half that amount in just one term with the Magpies, but this is not a discredit to his ability, rather, a testament to the incredible job he did in the centre of the pitch, the metronomic presence to keep the high-octane system flowing, never dropping under an 87% pass success rate.
A player of superlative energy and application, Clark could now emulate this endeared Liverpool star.
How good is Bobby Clark?
This season, Clark kicked off Liverpool's Premier League 2 campaign with aplomb, orchestrating a 4-0 victory over bitter rivals Everton and wreaking havoc as he bagged a goal and supplied two assists from central midfield.
Such splendid form for the academy in recent times hasn't gone without reward, however, as he was named on Tuesday among the club's squad for the upcoming Europa League campaign.
Hailed as "confident" by Goal's Neil Jones, the Newcastle-born youngster has already earned his first minutes among Liverpool's senior side, making his Premier League debut as the Reds decimated Bournemouth 9-0 last season and earning his maiden start in the Carabao Cup third round as his side defeated League One team Derby County on penalties.
While falling into the Europa League this season has hardly left the Liverpool support waxing lyrical after such illustrious success in the Champions League, it does present an opportunity for rising stars of Clark's ilk to earn senior action and impress Klopp, with rotation almost certain, especially in the group phase of the competition against weaker opposition than usually contested on European nights.
Liverpool midfielder Bobby Clark.
And given his dynamism, the "splendid" prodigy – as has been said by Liverpool reporter Keifer MacDonald – could prove to be a valuable utility option and one who could provide calmness and composure this season, replicating the skills of former phenom WIjnaldum.
Signing his first professional contract with the club in 2022, Clark looks destined for a date with prominence on the major stage, and given the success of the likes of Bajcetic and Trent Alexander-Arnold – who is now Liverpool's vice-captain – he might just realise his dreams under the Anfield lights.
Clark won't feature all the time this season, but now is his chance to shine, and based on the early evidence, he will glimmer under Klopp's wing.
Tyrone Theophile and Devon Smith put up a record stand for Windward Islands, the highest partnership of the season, after Devon Thomas led Leeward Islands’ dominance
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jan-2018
Devon Smith cuts•WICB Media
A 323-run stand, the highest of the season, between Windward Islands’ Tyrone Theophile and Devon Smith for the second wicket steered their match against Leeward Islands to a draw in Basseterre. Devon Smith, the leading run-scorer of the tournament so far with 1095 runs in 10 matches, racked up his sixth century this season.Electing to bat first, Windward Islands were off to a shaky start after losing their top-three batsmen within five overs. A 66-run stand between Kavem Hodge and Roland Cato, and a 53-ball 48 from no. 9 batsman Delorn Johnson, carried Windward Islands to 197.Devon Thomas led Leeward Island’ reply with 172 off 247 balls, his fifth first-class century, with 12 fours and five sixes. He struck a 148-run partnership with Montcin Hodge after the loss of two early wickets. Despite the efforts of Larry Edwards (3 for 109) and Kyle Mayers (3 for 64), handy lower-order contributions carried Leeward Islands to 405 for 9 before they declared.In their second innings, Windward lost opener Kirk Edwards early, but Smith and Theophile’s record partnership helped Windward Islands secure a draw.