Uncapped 21-year-old allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe has earned a call-up for the series

Madushka Balasuriya23-Jul-2024

Charith Asalanka had led Sri Lanka in two T20Is against Bangladesh in Sylhet earlier this year•ICC/Getty Images

Charith Asalanka is the new captain of the Sri Lanka men’s T20I team. The news was confirmed when Sri Lanka Cricket announced the 16-man squad to face India in a three-match series starting July 27.Asalanka, who takes over from Wanindu Hasaranga after the latter had stepped down from the role earlier this month following a six-month stint, is no stranger to captaincy, though. He had led Sri Lanka in two T20Is on the tour of Bangladesh earlier this year when Hasaranga, the captain at the time, was serving a suspension. He has also captained the Sri Lanka Under-19s and, most recently, led Jaffna Kings to the LPL title, after having taken over the reins from Thisara Perera at the start of the season.The other big news is the return of the 34-year-old Dinesh Chandimal to Sri Lanka’s T20I fold. He last played a T20I back in early 2022, but his form in the LPL this year, where he struck 287 runs across eight matches at a strike rate of 168.82 – far above his career strike rate of 123.03 – opening the innings, made a strong case for his inclusion. But with one stalwart entering another made way, with Angelo Mathews, now 37, left out of the squad despite also having had a good time in the LPL.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Included is another surprise inclusion, the uncapped Chamindu Wickramasinghe. The 21-year-old allrounder from Kandy, who has been putting in time at the MRF Pace Academy in India, caught the eye of selectors following a breakout LPL campaign this past month. A right-arm seamer who can also bat, he showed great maturity for his Dambulla Sixers franchise lower down the order, picking up seven wickets across eight games while also scoring 186 runs at a strike rate 131.91 – including two clutch fifties. His rise is all the more remarkable seeing that he went unsold during the LPL auction, but was signed by the Dambulla franchise after their forced ownership change had offered up the opportunity to bring in unsigned players.There are also returns for Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando and Binura Fernando, but this means there’s no room for Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva and Dilshan Madushanka.Madushanka’s omission might be the most surprising of the lot, but it’s also the position in which Sri Lanka now have the most depth. While his 21 wickets at the 2023 ODI World Cup might still be relatively fresh in the memory, he didn’t play a single game at this year’s T20 World Cup, and he picked up just two wickets over six games for the Dambulla Sixers in the LPL.Replacing Madushanka in the squad is Binura Fernando, largely on the back of an excellent LPL outing. The 29-year-old left-arm quick has been in the Sri Lankan system for quite some time now – he made his debut back in 2015 – but consistency eluded him, primarily down to a poor injury record. This year, though, has been a watershed moment, as an unencumbered Binura took the LPL by storm, his clever variations helping him pick up 13 wickets across eight games at a miserly economic rate of 6.81. Equally, he put his body to the test, ending the season having played four games across five days.Binura Fernando picked up 13 wickets from eight matches in LPL 2024•Getty Images

Two others staking their claims on the back of a solid LPL season are Kusal Perera and Avishka Fernando. The former, like Wickramasinghe, found his way to the Dambulla franchise belatedly having initially gone unsold in the auction, which itself followed a surprise exclusion from Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad. But Perera grabbed this fresh opportunity with both hands, crashing 296 runs across eight games at a strike rate of 169.14 – this included two fifties and a maiden T20 century, all at the top of the order.As for Avishka, after the disappointment of missing out on the T20 World Cup amid healthy competition in the top two spots, he made the No. 4 role his own to help Jaffna Kings to the title. Across 10 LPL innings he struck 374 runs at a strike rate of 162.60, including five fifty-plus scores. He ended the season as the third-highest run-scorer, and might have even topped the charts had he got an opportunity to bat in the final.The rest of the side comes through as expected, with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga completing a strong batting line-up.Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Wellalage will be the primary spin-bowling options with support from the ambidextrous Kamindu if needed. The seam-bowling contingent shows good variety with two slingers in Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana, Binura’s left-arm seam and Dushmantha Chameera’s right-arm pace, while Shanaka and Wickramasinghe can also roll their arm over when called upon.Sri Lanka squad for T20I series vs IndiaCharith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera (wk), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando

With Martin Zubimendi already on the way, Arsenal have also now reportedly held positive talks to sign a defensive target over Liverpool who’s worth more than £40m.

Arsenal complete paperwork for Martin Zubimendi deal

A year on from deciding to stay at Real Sociedad instead of joining Liverpool, Zubimendi is finally set to become a Premier League player. But it’s Arsenal who have reason to celebrate. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners have now completed all the paperwork and the Spaniard will become an Arsenal player for a fee around the €65m (£58m) mark.

Zubimendi could yet have the task of replacing Thomas Partey in Mikel Arteta’s side. The latter is yet to sign a new deal at the club and remains on course to depart as a free agent at the start of next month.

As replacements go, it’s clear to see why Arsenal have turned towards Zubimendi as speculation continues to grow about Partey’s future. The talented 26-year-old would slot straight in.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)	Martin Zubimendi	Thomas Partey
Minutes	2,962	2,797
Progressive Passes	195	185
Tackles Won	37	53
Ball Recoveries	140	138

Zubimendi’s best work undoubtedly comes in possession and Arteta’s system should provide him with the perfect platform to showcase that ability in the Premier League.

After agreeing a deal to sign the midfielder, however, Arsenal are not done there. They’re looking to deal Liverpool a blow with a focus on signing a defensive addition ahead of the Premier League champions this summer.

Arsenal hold positive talks to sign Jorrel Hato

According to reports relayed by Football Transfers, Arsenal have now held positive talks to sign Jorrel Hato from Ajax this summer. The Dutchman has also attracted the interest of Liverpool, but the Gunners are now hoping to steal a march on their rivals.

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The deal won’t come cheap, though. Reports are suggesting that Ajax are demanding as much as €50m (£42m) to sell their 19-year-old left-back in the coming months. Alas, it must be said that price tag becomes understandable when assessing just how talented Hato already is at such a young age.

Among those full of praise for the Ajax teenager, scout Jacek Kulig dubbed Hato a player with “immense quality” and a “fantatsic mix of complete full-back, playmaking full-back, and ball-playing centre-back” in traits that tick all of Arsenal’s boxes.

As the chaos of the transfer window continues, those in North London should do everything to ensure that they beat Liverpool to Hato’s signature this summer.

West Ham United have now made contact over a deal to sign a “world-class” player, who is desperate to move to the Premier League this summer, according to a report.

Kudus' West Ham future in major doubt

Mohammed Kudus has been one of West Ham’s key players over the past two seasons, making 65 Premier League appearances, but the winger’s time at the London Stadium could now be coming to an end.

As a result, Graham Potter could be faced with the difficult job of finding a replacement for the Ghanaian this summer, while the manager is also keen on bringing in a new central midfielder, having picked out a range of potential options.

Player

Current club

Potential price tag

Raphael Onyedika

Club Brugge

£25.5m

Harvey Elliott

Liverpool

£40m+

Rocco Reitz

Borussia Monchengladbach

£17m

Reitz has caught the eye after impressing at the U21 European Championships, but a new report has revealed the Irons have now made contact over a deal for a midfielder with a little more experience at the top level.

According to The Boot Room, West Ham have now made contact over a deal for Juventus’ Douglas Luiz, but there could be fierce competition for his signature from a number of their Premier League rivals.

Man United, Everton, Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur are also named as potential suitors for Luiz, who is desperate to return to the Premier League after leaving Aston Villa for £42m last summer.

The Brazilian failed to adapt to life in the Serie A, and believes that returning to the Premier League may increase his chances of going to the 2026 World Cup.

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ByDominic Lund Jul 7, 2025 "World-class" Luiz could be coup for West Ham

The maestro may have struggled to make an impact at Juventus, but he certainly left a lasting impression during his previous stint in the Premier League, being lauded as “world-class” by former teammate John McGinn.

As displayed by a fantastic assist for Ollie Watkins in the Conference League, the Brazil international is a threat on the front foot, while also proving himself to be a fantastic all-round midfielder with his performances in the 2023-24 campaign.

As such, Luiz could be a real coup for Potter, who will be looking to make a push for the European places next season, rather than flirting with relegation again.

Crystal Palace have submitted a bid worth £8.5 million to sign a 21-year-old rising star who wants to move to Selhurst Park, according to a recent report.

Crystal Palace chasing two new midfielders for Glasner

While the Eagles continue to wait for clarification on whether they will be playing in the Europa League or not next season, people behind the scenes are working hard on potential transfers, as Oliver Glasner and co. plan to improve many areas of the team regardless of how many fronts they are asked to compete on.

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Midfield appears to be the priority for the South Londoners at this moment in time, as they work on not just one but two new midfield signings. Last week, it was reported by Alan Nixon, via TBR Football, that Palace had made an approach to RC Lens over signing Andy Diouf.

Despite potentially having European football, Palace are aware they could lose Adam Wharton in this transfer window and therefore want to have a replacement ready. It would cost the Premier League side just £20 million to get a deal wrapped up.

As Palace weigh where to go next with a deal for Diouf, reports also claim the Eagles have made contact with Brighton & Hove Albion player Igor Julio over a potential move to Selhurst Park. The South Londoners are not the only Premier League team chasing a deal, as Wolverhampton Wanderers are also interested in signing the midfielder, but he is said to be prioritising a move out of England at this moment in time.

Crystal Palace submit £8.5m striker bid

Despite the excellent form of Jean-Philippe Mateta last season, the Eagles are in the market for a new striker as well as new midfielders. According to Africa Foot, Crystal Palace have made a 10 million euros (£8.5m) bid to sign Oumar Diakité from Stade de Reims.

The report states that given Stade de Reims’ relegation to Ligue 2, Diakite is among the players attracting interest across Europe. But Palace are the ones who have made a concrete move to sign the young striker, and the Eagles are in a good position to complete a transfer, as Diakite is keen on the move to Selhurst Park.

As well as making a bid, Palace have also offered the player a five-year contract and are ready to pay him 3.5 million euros a year, which is roughly £2.9 million. The concern Palace do face is that Stade de Reims are not rushing to sell the player and are waiting for more ‘miraculous’ offers to arrive.

Oumar Diakité’s 24/25 stats for Stade de Reims

Apps

33

Goals

4

Assists

1

Palace’s interest in the 21-year-old is not new, as back in November it was reported that the Premier League side had identified Diakite as a long-term replacement for Mateta. The Ivory Coast international has shown in the last couple of seasons he knows where the back of the net is, but the hope will be for him to learn under the French star, not replace him.

India captain provided the star turn with the ball, and his captaincy, as his team defended 137

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jul-20244:05

Takeaways – Suryakumar the captiain as funky as the batter

It was 30 needed off 30 balls again and India still pulled it off and like at the T20 World Cup final a month ago, Suryakumar Yadav was one of their heroes. Only this time he did it as bowler of the 20th over, where he defended five runs by picking up two wickets.Sri Lanka’s batting has been extremely brittle in this T20I series. They collapsed three times in three games – 9 for 30, then 7 for 31 and finally 7 for 22. Tuesday’s debacle would hurt particularly badly because they lost two wickets to Rinku Singh in the 19th over. He had only ever bowled 60 deliveries in his entire T20 career, which began way back in 2014. And two more wickets fell with the captain taking the ball. He’d only bowled twice in the last five years across first-class, List A and T20 cricket.Suryakumar’s inventiveness as captain – trusting two brand new bowlers to bowl the last two overs – pushed the game into a Super Over, where he hit the winning runs. At the presentation, he said he fully believed the win was possible even though India had only 137 on the board.”More than the last over, I feel when we were around 30 for 4 and 48 for 5, how the boys showed character in the middle and took the game away from them, I felt 140 was par score on that track and the way they batted. When we were going in during our fielding sessions, I told them I had seen such kinds of games. I think if we put our heart in for one, one-and-a-half hours we can pull it off.”All three games offered spin-friendly conditions which Suryakumar might have factored into his calculations because his bowling the 20th over was far from the plan.”It was fun,” Riyan Parag said, “And that’s why actually we didn’t feel the nerves. We planned it in such a fun way, it was very spontaneous, Rinku bowling the 19th over. I was pretty sure Siraj was going to bowl the last over but then Surya just came on to bowl and got it to a Super Over. So I think everyone was pretty chill. We were having fun. That’s one of our motto as well. We are being ruthless but we have fun and enjoy the game and that’s why we were able to pull this off today.”The specialist bowlers did their job too. Washington Sundar took two wickets in two balls in the 17th over, dismissing the Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka and their premier allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga to create chaos in the chase. Then he fronted up for the Super Over and took two wickets in two balls there as well.”I guess all work I’ve done, and a lot of blessings from God definitely helped me,” Washington said. “I just wanted to try and stay calm and just focus on what I’m supposed to do and very grateful to Surya especially to throw the ball to me in that [Super Over] situation.”We did a bit of homework against their batsmen. Obviously, there was a little bit of purchase in the wicket as well, so I didn’t really have to do too much. I just had to hit the right lengths often. The rest was there.”Suryakumar’s willingness to try unorthodox things was on show even in previous games, when he turned to Parag’s part-time spin to bowl in the death overs in previous games. Parag is actually India’s second most used bowler of the series (9.2 overs), behind only Ravi Bishnoi (12 overs). He was particularly pleased with the way his legbreaks are coming out.”I’ve been working on it,” Parag said. “Its taken some time. I’ve tried it out in domestic games. I had a few net sessions prior to the tournament and it was coming out pretty well. I just expressed myself. Surya said just go for it. I bowled it with a free hand and it turned out pretty well.”Parag’s plan in the third T20I, where he bowled four overs for 27 runs was simple. “It’s always easy to get carried away when its turning so much so the goal and the ideology behind todays’ bowling was to keep it stump to stump, get a lot of revs behind the ball and the wicket was helping so I didn’t really have to do much. I just had to hit the right areas. And then Rinku and Surya at the end [laughs]”

Will Celtic sign another Premier League superstar?

Kieran Tierney has already returned to Parkhead this summer, following in the footsteps of manager Brendan Rodgers and Jota, who’ve also both re-joined the club in recent times.

Now, could another boyhood Celtic fan fulfil his dreams of wearing the famous green and white hoops?

Celtic targeting another statement signing

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Celtic are ‘interested’ in signing Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson, while admitting that ‘financial constraints’ would prove to be a stumbling block.

The Scotland captain is widely expected to depart Merseyside this summer, with David Ornstein and Mario Cortegana of the Athletic documenting Atlético Madrid’s interest, given that the Reds are targeting Bournemouth’s Miloš Kerkez, who they view as an upgrade.

Robertson, who was in Celtic’s academy between the ages of nine and 15, has always been open about his desire to represent the Hoops one day, admitting that “Celtic was my life” growing up, adding that he’d “love to pull on the Celtic top and walk out at Parkhead” one day.

So, could this move really come to fruition this summer?

How Andy Robertson compares to Kieran Tierney

It is all change in terms of Celtic left-backs this summer.

Greg Taylor is highly likely to depart following the expiration of his contract. PAOK are the latest European club interested in securing his services, while it’s not yet clear if Jeffrey Schlupp will be staying, following a brief loan spell.

Meantime, Tierney has of course returned but, as has been an interminable debate surrounding the national team for nigh on a decade, is he better than Robertson?

Let’s attempt to find out.

Appearances

20

45

Minutes

447

3,320

Pass completion %

79.8%

83.0%

Interceptions

0.2

0.6

Tackles

0.5

1.2

Clearances

0.7

1.3

Ball recoveries

2.2

3.8

Ground duel success %

71%

50%

Touches

72.5

76.9

First things first, due to injuries and the fact he was not first-choice at Arsenal, Tierney played fewer than 500 minutes of club football this season, which does offer a very small sample size.

That caveat aside, Robertson’s per-90 statistics are still pretty much more impressive across the board.

When he was still Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp described Robertson as a “world-class left-back”, while José Enrique, a former incumbent of the Reds’ full-back spot, asserts that he has been “the best left-back in the world” for many years.

Now though, James Pearce and Mark Carey of the Athletic outline that the Scotland captain’s form ‘has come under intense scrutiny’ this season, while also asserting that he is far from ‘finished at the highest level’.

Robertson still ranked 17th in the Premier League this season for crosses into the penalty area, as well as 11th for crosses overall, according to FBref.com, an attribute that has been viewed as his superpower for many years.

Gillian Kasirye of Total Football Analysis claims that Robertson is ‘passed their peak’, but still has a lot to offer at the elite level, so could he really be tempted to make a move to Glasgow this summer?

Celtic may make shock bid to re-sign £10m star who Rodgers called "sublime"

Hoops supporters could absolutely love this.

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Katie Mack’s superbly-constructed 129 led Australia A to a four-wicket victory over India A which was more comprehensive that the final scoreline suggested in the first one-day match in Mackay.Mack’s hundred controlled the chase as she added 122 in 20 overs for the third wicket with captain Tahlia McGrath who continued the form she showed in the last two T20s with a brisk half-century.Mack took 106 balls to bring up her century and the innings ensured the home side was never under significant pressure. She added 50 for the first wicket with Maddy Darke and 65 for the second with Charli Knott before the latter was run out by a direct hit. Mack was yorked by Meghna Singh with five runs needed.”It swung a little bit early then died down,” Mack said. “Think the challenge was finding the boundaries on a bit of a slower wicket with not much pace on the ball so it was a bit of a slog with a lot of running, but I was super focused to make sure I made the most of the start. Got a couple of starts in the T20s so just wanted to make sure I capitalised today.”McGrath was given a life on 10 when Sayali Satghare dropped a return catch. She later appeared unhappy to be given out sweeping although by then the result was assured despite a flurry of late wickets which included two falling with the scores level.India A had earlier been put into bat and were soon under pressure as Nicola Hancock struck with the new ball, nipping one back through Shweta Sehrawat in the first over then having Priya Punia edging to slip.From 56 for 3 the innings was rebuilt by consecutive stands of 55, 52 and 68 all involving Raghvi Bist. Legspinner Grace Parsons again impressed, producing a sharp leg-break to remove Tejal Hasabnis for 53.Maitlan Brown closed out the innings well, ending Bist’s hopes of a century and then claiming three wickets in the final over.There are two more one-day games in Mackay on Friday and Sunday before a four-day match on the Gold Coast next week. Australia A won the T20 series 3-0.

The series win in the West Indies has left the team with a chance of making the final at Lord’s next year

Firdose Moonda18-Aug-2024

Shukri Conrad: Keshav Maharaj is ‘an absolute workhorse, an absolute professional, and he just keeps going’•AFP/Getty Images

South Africa’s search for the “nice pot of gold at the end of the rainbow” in this World Test Championship (WTC) cycle is on after they kept themselves in the hunt for a place in the title bout with a series win over West Indies.Red-ball coach Shukri Conrad described the incentive of reaching the 2025 WTC final at Lord’s as being at the back of the team’s mind even as they continue to transition.”We’ve got a big couple of months ahead of us to grow as a Test team. At the end of that, if we do very well and we win enough games, we can end up in the World Test Championship final,” Conrad said from Guyana, after South Africa’s 40-run win in the second Test. “But that’s not the only goal of the team. It’s also to grow as a team.”Related

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Only three of South Africa’s squad – Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj – have played more than 50 Tests and the squad is laced with inexperience. In the West Indies, this reflected most obviously in their batting. South Africa lost 4 for 29 in the first innings of the first Test to fall short of a total of 400, and 5 for 22 in the second innings of the second Test to set West Indies a potentially gettable target of 263. Conrad acknowledged the “batting department remains a little bit of an Achilles heel for us,” but believes time in the middle could help solve that.”With young and inexperienced batters, you almost factor in that every now and again you’re going to have a few aberrations with the bat. But the vital signs are there that we can go and become a really good test unit,” he said. “The skillsets are there. It’s really just experience we need. With experience, you’ll find fewer soft dismissals and less of the falling over when bowlers bowl well and we’ll be able to put up more of a fight with the bat.”Wiaan Mulder has made a case to be South Africa’s first-choice red-ball allrounder•AFP/Getty Images

There were glimpses of that potential from Tony de Zorzi, who scored 78 and 45 in the first Test, Tristan Stubbs, who made his first Test fifty in Trinidad, and the 85-run sixth wicket stand between Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder in Guyana, which revived South Africa from 139 for 5 in the third innings. Mulder’s contribution of 34 played a part in his being named Player of the Match in Guyana, where he also took six wickets, and, with Marco Jansen rested from the tour, made a case to be considered for the premier allrounder role in red-ball cricket.Mulder has only played three Tests in the last two years and has not been able to hold down a regular spot but Conrad indicated he could now be in line for a more consistent run. “Wiaan has obviously been in and around the Test side without getting a regular spot, and his performances sometimes haven’t warranted him getting a really good run. But at some stage, you give someone a run and you back them and you see where you come out,” Conrad said. “We always knew that Wiaan’s got the ability, and it’s great to see that he’s added a few yards [of pace] with the ball. He’d also be the first one to tell you that he’s slightly disappointed that he didn’t go on and convert the start he got in the second innings and make that a big one but that’s part of the process.”Ultimately, South Africa’s conundrum throughout the series was team combination and they did not seem to get it quite right in either match. In Trinidad, they included a seventh specialist batter and appeared a spinner short; in Guyana, they left that batter out for a second spinner on a seamer-friendly pitch. Conrad said both teams were “caught off guard” by conditions in Guyana and South Africa fared slightly better because of the quality of their attack.Despite Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales taking five-fors, South Africa had the edge through Rabada and Player of the Series Maharaj, who claimed 13 wickets in the two matches. In the process, Maharaj became South Africa’s most successful spinner in terms of wickets and his presence has added much-needed gravitas to their squad. “Kesh is an absolute workhorse, an absolute professional, and he just keeps going, And I’m thrilled that he nailed that record. It’s richly deserved,” Conrad said. “He’s great in the change room. He’s a great sounding board for players and coaches, a really good team guy and someone that you can easily dub Mr. Reliable. When you’re transitioning, you need someone like that in your team.”Maharaj is expected to continue playing an important role through the rest of this WTC cycle. South Africa have just six matches left – two in Bangladesh (scheduled for October) and two each at home against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the 2024-25 summer. Every game carries an enormous weight of expectation but Conrad is happy for the challenge. “We know that if we win every Test match that there is that possibility (of getting to the final). And we’re really thrilled that there might be something for us at the end of this,” he said. “There’s World Cups in every other format and no reason why Test cricket shouldn’t have something like this.”

ألمح أندي روبرتسون لاعب فريق ليفربول الإنجليزي إلى أنه كان قريبًا من الانتقال إلى أتلتيكو مدريد في السوق الصيفي، وتحدث عن مستقبله في ظل وجود ميلوس كيركيز المنضم حديثًا للفريق.

وتعاقد ليفربول مع كيركيز من بورنموث في السوق الصيفي، وانتشرت أنباء حول رحيل محتمل لروبرتسون إلى أتلتيكو مدريد، لكنه بقى في صفوف الفريق، وأصبح القائد الثاني خلف فيرجيل فان دايك.

وقرر آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول، الدفع بروبرتسون بدلاً من كيركيز خلال الشوط الأول في المباراة أمام بيرنلي، موضحًا أنه كان يخشى حصول لاعبه على بطاقة صفراء ثانية.

وسيلاقي ليفربول نظيره أتلتيكو مدريد يوم الأربعاء في الجولة الأولى لدور المجموعات ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وعندما سُئل عما إذا كان من الممكن أن يكون في صفوف أتلتيكو مدريد ضد ليفربول، قال روبرتسون في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “إندبندنت” البريطانية: “ربما في وقت ما كان ذلك ممكنًا”.

وأضاف: “أريد أن ألعب مباريات وأن أكون الظهير الأيسر الأساسي، وعليّ أن أواصل بذل قصارى جهدي لتقديم أفضل ما لدي”.

اقرأ أيضًا | حكم مباراة ليفربول وأتلتيكو مدريد في دوري أبطال أوروبا

وأردف: “كانت فترة التوقف الدولي مفيدة لي، حيث تمكنت من اللعب مباراتين كاملتين، واستعدت لياقتي البدنية، وحققت نتيجتين جيدتين مع اسكتلندا، واكتسبت ثقة كبيرة من ذلك”.

وواصل: “كيركيز لاعب شاب، وأعتقد أننا ننسى ذلك، نحاول مساعدتهم قدر الإمكان، لكن في الوقت ذاته تريد أن تضعه تحت الضغط وتريد خوض المباريات”.

وتابع: “سيكون الظهير الأيسر الأساسي لليفربول في المستقبل، ومسؤوليتي هي دفعه هذا الموسم ومساعدته على التطور”.

وأشار روبرتسون: “يحتاج فقط إلى مواصلة العمل الجاد وعدم ترك ما حدث أمام بيرنلي يؤثر عليه (الاستبدال)، وهو أمر لن يحدث لأنه شاب واثق في نفسه، وسأساعده قدر استطاعتي”.

وعن تشابه وضعهما في الانتقال من ناد متواضع إلى ليفربول، علّق: “إنها قفزة هائلة، أنا من هال، وهو من بورنموث، وربما يكون الوضع مشابهًا تمامًا”.

وأوضح: “هناك أنظار أكثر عليك وأنت ترتدي قميص ليفربول مقارنةً بهذين الناديين، لقد تطور كيركيز بشكل جيد، هناك الكثير من المعلومات وأساليب لعب مختلفة، ويحتاج فقط إلى الاستمرار والحفاظ على ثقته بنفسه”.

وأتم روبرتسون تصريحاته: “ليس لدي شك في أنه سيكون في المستقبل ظهيرًا أيسرًا رائعًا لليفربول وهذا هو الشيء الرئيسي”.

Liverpool have set their sights on signing a striker this summer, with FSG finally tiring of Darwin Nunez’s wastefulness in front of goal and engaging in transfer talks with Serie A champions Napoli.

The Uruguayan joined Liverpool from SL Benfica in a deal initially worth £64m back in 2022, but three years on, he’s only scored 25 times across 94 Premier League appearances, missing 55 big chances in the process, as per Sofascore.

The maverick’s troubles led to Luis Diaz being placed in a focal role at number nine, with Arne Slot recognising the Colombian’s dynamic qualities to establish him as a moonlit striker, a move which proved invaluable given Liverpool fought their way to the league title – winning comfortably in the end.

Diaz is one of the best around, but he’s 28 and entering the second-to-last year in his £55k-per-week contract. With FSG reluctant to extend the versatile forward’s deal, he may well be playing in different colours come August.

The latest on Luis Diaz's Liverpool future

When Barcelona came calling for Diaz at the start of June, Liverpool’s chiefs responded in the negative. Emphatically. Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards had concurred that it might be best to run the South American’s contract down, thus eking out his value on the field.

However, suitors have persisted, and Diaz appears keen on a switch, with Saudi clubs and Bayern Munich also showing a vested interest.

Liverpool’s winger-striker scored 17 goals and supplied eight more across all competitions last season, but he ebbed and flowed on the clinical front, his potency often coming in rich bursts.

If Liverpool were to cash in this summer, they’d be looking for a significant amount. And while Cody Gakpo has nailed down a starting berth on the left flank and Liverpool have signed Florian Wirtz in a move rising to a British-record £116m too, a direct replacement would be needed.

Ideally, someone with similarly electric qualities and a natural versatility. FSG have just the man in mind.

Liverpool plot bid for Diaz heir

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are now planning to launch a late-window bid for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, the interest likely a product of Diaz’s potential sale.

Last summer, the Reds were heavily linked with a move for the Three Lions star, but Newcastle ended up managing to balance the books through less damaging means, thus keeping Gordon on board.

The 24-year-old is believed to have told friends he was “very keen” on re-joining the club he left as an 11-year-old, and though Slot would love to sign him in the coming weeks, the Magpies privately value him at £100m.

Why Liverpool want Anthony Gordon

Liverpool’s interest in Gordon has stood long enough that faith should be placed in Hughes and Edwards and the club’s data analysts, who are so envied across the Premier League.

For have they not earned our trust? Have Liverpool not proved time and time again that they are capable of hitting the jackpot when it comes to signings which might at first split opinion?

Diaz is a fantastic player, more refined and accomplished than Gordon, but that’s not to say that the England international doesn’t have the skill set to succeed him.

Indeed, in January 2023, after joining Newcastle from Everton in a £45m deal, Gordon went on to win Newcastle’s 2023/24 Player of the Year, notching 26 goal contributions in the Premier League.

It’s for this reason that he could emulate Diaz, especially when considering the gains he could make in Slot’s system, coached by a man who has raised talents like Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch, turned them into elite-level players.

Diaz’s haul for the Reds last season, after all, totalled 25 contributions, the same as Gordon in 2023/24.

He might have taken a step down somewhat last season, but injuries played their part there, and he demonstrated previously an ability to step up when his team needed him most, something Diaz did with such aplomb on Merseyside last year.

Anthony Gordon – Newcastle Stats by Position (23/24 & 24/25)

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Left winger

65

18

17

Right winger

10

1

6

Centre-forward

7

2

0

Attacking midfield

4

0

0

Data via Transfermarkt

He’s also positionally versatile in a similar manner to Diaz, strengthening the argument that he would be a fitting heir. While Gordon would expect to play in his favoured left-wing role, where he has described himself as being “a nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, he will expect to be fielded across various positions, as he has done at Newcastle.

Liverpool’s ability to adapt and overcome is a staple that runs deeper than Slot’s tenure, than Jurgen Klopp’s legendary dynasty. It’s woven into the club’s very fabric. It’s what makes Liverpool special.

Gordon will know this, of course, for he is a boyhood fan and would leap at the chance to return. FSG have a big decision to make, but Diaz is approaching 30 and perhaps renewing his contract wouldn’t be the most prudent move, even if he is a high-level player.

Wirtz and Gakpo would help Gordon transition, and Slot’s coaching would indeed help the Three Lions talent bloom into something truly frightening.

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Who knows, maybe this time next year we’ll be celebrating more silverware at this special football club, with the new Luis Diaz having played an instrumental role in the success.

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Posts 2 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 10, 2025