U.S. international Walker Zimmerman, a cornerstone of Nashville SC since its inaugural MLS season, is set to leave the club this winter when his contract expires, according to The Athletic. The two-time MLS Defender of the Year and team captain’s departure will close a six-year chapter in Nashville as he heads into free agency.
The South Africa allrounder has played an important role with the ball as a final tussle for the knockouts looms
Firdose Moonda12-Oct-20244:48
Takeaways: Mlaba too quick, South Africa too good for stifled West Indies
The beats that bring out the best in players at this World Cup include Lady Gaga’s , which was the tonic that turned West Indies around after their opening defeat and inspired two big wins, Punjabi music in the Pakistan camp that even has the injured Diana Baig dancing and a proverbial mix-tape of Afrikaans music and Amapiano – a mix of house, electronic, jazz and soul – that keeps South Africa’s squad connected.”We have a team playlist that we put together and we ask girls to add their music in, so we have a lot of music that we listen to and learn what kind of music everyone likes,” Chloe Tryon told ESPNcricinfo in Dubai. “I absolutely love it. It’s so nice to have a diverse team and I feel like we get along really well. We’ve gelled really well as a group in the last couple of months.”Related
Kapp sets the tone before bowlers combine in SA's NRR-boosting win over Scotland
October 12 at the T20 World Cup: NZ, SA look to boost semi-final chances
South Africa’s team spirit has not gone unnoticed at this tournament and squad members are regularly asked what it means for them to represent the country that have been in the last two T20 World Cup finals (at the women’s 2023 and men’s 2024 tournament) but have never won the trophy. They are serial semi-finalists and on track to qualify for another knockout but need a big win over Bangladesh and to keep an eye on Tuesday’s match between West Indies and England to secure their spots, and then things will really get serious.Expectation always stalks South Africa and, more so, their senior players at big tournaments, as Tryon is finding out.She is one of five South Africans to play 100 T20Is – three of them are at this event – and is playing her seventh World Cup. But she has yet to fire, especially with the bat, and hopes the time for big-hitting finishers like herself, is still coming.”On these wickets, when you come in to bat, you need to take a couple of balls to get yourself in. And as finishers, we can say that it hasn’t been that easy,” she said. “But our batting coach [Baakier Abrahams] spoke to us about out making an impact whenever get in, so I’m still playing really positively.”Chloe Tryon’s main impact has been with the ball•ICC/Getty ImagesTryon has been dismissed for 2 in each of her two innings at the tournament so far but has looked as though she wanted to maximise the limited opportunities she’s had at the crease. Against England, she was in during the 16th over as South Africa looked to push towards 140. She was aggressive from the second ball she faced when she got forward to Sophie Ecclestone and then charged Charlie Dean off the fifth ball, missed and was bowled. Against Scotland, she was in the 18th over, with South Africa two away from 150 and pushing for a big score. She started playing her shots from ball one, hitting to midwicket, then long-off, then swinging and eventually skying one to long-on.The slowness of the surfaces and the amount of pace-off bowling has meant batters have had to be innovative about run-scoring. The sweep shot has been one way of doing that, as players have struggled to get another ball, and for Tryon, strike rotation is another option.”As a finisher, you kind of have to back yourself from ball one and look at the options. With the outfields quite big as well, running hard between the wickets is something we’ve been doing really well,” she said. “And I think it’s about being a lot more proactive at the crease. If I’m going to sweep first ball, I need to be really confident and have to back myself to do that.”For now, that has happened more from a bowling perspective for Tryon. She has found herself in a slightly different role of operating in the powerplay, and in the last two games before fellow left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba. Both have been working with CSA’s spin-bowling coach Paul Adams – Mlaba on varying her pace, and Tryon with angling the ball in – using weighted balls to align themselves correctly. In Tryon’s case, it’s helped with her action and to make her more attacking.”As a spinner, you kind of have to get your hips over the front foot and when I first started, I was quite flat-footed and I’d fall to the side quite a bit,” she said. “So Paul spoke about that hip drive, going over the front leg and getting a really good motion into the ball. The more I started doing it, the more the motion felt really good and natural. And then obviously, there’s my variations. Paul has been helping me with getting it to angle in a lot more because on these wickets you can cramp the batter which I think is a good thing to do. It helps to have those options.”South Africa also have choice when it comes to the type of bowlers they want to use, including a reinvented Sune Luus. The former captain turned to offspin from legspin, after losing her confidence with the latter and identifying where South Africa had a gap. “I’m happy she took on the challenge of bowling offspin,” Tryon said. “It gives another option, especially with match-ups, whether it’s a left-hand batter or something like that.”South Africa have the chance to reach another semi-final•ICC/Getty ImagesWith 18-year old legspinner Seshnie Naidu on the bench, alongside two other seamers in Tumi Sekhukhune and Ayanda Hlubi, South Africa have all their bases covered but have, so far, opted to go batting-heavy into games. They use to Nadine de Klerk at No. 8 which, in the absence of runs from Tryon, and to an extent Luus, has papered over most cracks.”We have a long batting line-up which is something we haven’t had for a really long time,” Tryon said. “Since the last World Cup, we’ve got a lot more depth with the bat, which is important.”The last World Cup was the home tournament where South Africa enjoyed a dream run to the final. Tryon was part of that squad and “happy that in my career, I could play a home tournament and be part of a team that did that.” She believes this group can repeat the feat and perhaps go further because despite a string of results that saw South Africa fail to win a series between the end of the last World Cup and their trip to Pakistan last month, she feels they have a collective spirit.”Whenever we walk out there, we want to do our best, for South Africa and for our family and our friends. We just want to go out there and make them proud and bring the nation together; pull them close together. We know sport brings a lot of people together, and we just want to do that.”As for the music Tryon’s personal choices include “a little bit of R&B and some hip-hop,” which she thinks “everyone likes a bit of,” and a glimpse at her Instagram also shows she’s got some singing skills. There’s a little of Beyonce from her time with the Mumbai Indians at the WPL and some Flo Rida from CSA’s annual awards. The South African national football and rugby teams are known to sing in the tunnel as motivation before they walk out onto the field. Do the women’s cricket team do the same?”We just sing on the bus,” Tryon said. “Just some good Adele songs.”And Tryon is not expecting anyone to go easy on her.
India went into the tea break at 304 for 6, having gained a healthy lead of 281
ESPNcricinfo staff02-Aug-2025
Sealed with a kiss! Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his sixth Test ton•Getty Images
Tea Yashasvi Jaiswal struck his sixth Test century to ensure that England will need to break a long-standing record at The Oval to seal a 3-1 series win. Jaiswal cut a threadbare seam attack into oblivion during his 118 as India built a substantial lead, leaving England facing the challenge of becoming the first team in the venue’s history to chase a fourth-innings target in excess of 275.In the absence of Chris Woakes, England were left to rotate a three-man seam attack – with no frontline spinner – throughout an extended second session, with the exception of three overs of Joe Root’s offspin. They were much more threatening than they had been on Saturday morning, but India continued to rattle along at more than four runs per over as Jaiswal made hay.Gus Atkinson struck with the first ball after lunch, trapping Shubman Gill on the knee roll, and made life difficult for Karun Nair throughout his innings of 17. Nair was struck on the glove first ball, was dropped by Harry Brook at second slip – a tough chance, with Zak Crawley diving across him – and eventually caught behind as Atkinson found some extra bounce from a length.But Jaiswal pressed on, reaching his hundred – his fourth against England, and his second of this series – with a scampered single through backward point. It was a fitting way to bring it up: 72 of his first 100 runs came behind square on the off side, and he rode his luck as he cut, dabbed, steered and slashed England’s quicks past, through or over the slip cordon.He was given yet another life when Ben Duckett missed a tough chance at leg gully, but Jamie Overton held onto one at deep third to send him on his way for 118. England thought they had Ravindra Jadeja lbw when Josh Tongue hit him on the boot, but he reviewed successfully and steered them to the tea break along with Dhruv Jurel.
Arsenal look set to go through an extended period without key centre-back and squad leader Gabriel. The Brazilian defender has become a crucial part of the success Mikel Arteta's team has enjoyed in recent seasons, both as a defensive force and a threat at attacking set-pieces. But in the same way that a William Saliba injury derailed their 2022-23 Premier League title challenge, losing Gabriel is a huge blow.
Nottingham Forest have now made contact to sign Everton’s James Garner, amid a new update on the midfielder’s future at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Forest are looking to bolster their options in the engine room, amid widespread interest in Elliot Anderson, with Chelsea recently joining the race for the Englishman, who has managed to impress once again this season, despite his side sitting 19th in the Premier League table.
Anderson has also emerged as a regular starter for England, most recently putting in a solid showing as the Three Lions cruised past Serbia 2-0, completing 77 passes, while also winning seven duels, the joint-highest number of any player.
The Tricky Trees played a blinder by signing the 23-year-old from Newcastle United back in 2024, and they have now made an approach for another English midfielder…
Nottingham Forest make contact to sign James Garner
According to a report from Football Insider, Nottingham Forest have made contact over a deal for Everton midfielder Garner, who is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning his future at the Hill Dickinson Stadium is in doubt.
Forest have registered their interest in signing the 24-year-old, but there could be competition for his signature from Aston Villa, who have also made a move, while former club Newcastle United remain in the race.
The Merseysiders retain the option to extend the Englishman’s contract by an additional year, so they do not need to panic just yet, but they will be eager to tie him down soon, given that interest from elsewhere is now growing.
Sean Dyche knows the central midfielder well from their time working together on Merseyside, with the former Everton manager saying: “Jimmy Garner was terrific, he’s learning and improving. He’s just a good kid. He’s got that nice little edge about him that he’s a bit of a nark now and again, I like it.
“I think you need that as a footballer. The demands he places upon himself is very pleasing as he works very hard in training and I think he’s getting the rewards with his improvement.”
The Birkenhead-born midfielder has also performed well from a defensive point of view over the past year, even outperforming Anderson on some key metrics.
Average per 90 (past year)
James Garner
Elliot Anderson
Interceptions
1.35
1.02
Blocks
1.39
1.37
Clearances
2.24
2.01
Garner has been a key player for Everton this season, starting every match in the Premier League, which suggests he would be able to hit the ground running at Forest, so Dyche’s side should undoubtedly try and get a deal done this January.
Elliot Anderson makes decision on joining Man Utd Elliot Anderson makes Man Utd decision as INEOS ready £60m bid
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson could be set for a major move in January.
1 ByJames O'Reilly Nov 5, 2025
The BBL’s all-time leading run-scorer signs on for a fourth season at Strikers and is available for the full tournament
Alex Malcolm22-Sep-2025The BBL’s all-time leading run-scorer Chris Lynn is set to return for a 15th season in the competition after signing another one-year deal with Adelaide Strikers and is set to be available for the entire tournament.Lynn, 35, has signed for a fourth season with Strikers fresh off a stunning finish to the T20 Blast season in the UK, where he smashed 108 not out from 51 balls, with 11 sixes, to help Hampshire win their semi-final against Northamptonshire.He was unable to repeat the dose in the final but Strikers are thrilled to re-sign him and have him as a key cog in a top order that will also feature Australia white-ball batter Matt Short, and potentially Test star Alex Carey at the end of the Ashes series, given Strikers’ last four games fall after the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney is completed. Former Strikers captain Travis Head does not have a BBL contract this season after not playing a game while contracted last season but there is an outside chance he could be signed to Strikers under the BBL’s marquee player rule.Related
'Wanted six sixes more' – Lynn makes history with first Finals Day hundred
Jamie Overton out of Ashes amid 'indefinite break' from red-ball cricket
Lynn is just 45 runs shy of becoming the first player in BBL history to reach 4000 career runs. “I’m really looking forward to getting back to Adelaide Oval and helping the team go deep into finals this year,” he said. “We’ve got an exciting squad this season and I can’t wait to see what we can produce when we take to the field.”Lynn has not played a full season with Strikers. His first two seasons were short-term contracts that allowed him to miss the latter stages of the BBL to play in the ILT20 in the UAE, while he suffered a hamstring injury last season after only managing seven games. The ILT20 has moved to early December and more overseas players are set to be available for the back-end of the BBL than in previous years when there has been a max exodus of talent late in the season.Strikers coach Tim Paine was delighted to get Lynn back after making his re-signing a priority.”We’re thrilled to have Chris returning to the Strikers as we strive for a deep finals campaign,” he said. “While his batting exploits speak for themselves, his experience and leadership are equally invaluable to our emerging players within the squad.”Strikers have already added younger talent in Jason Sangha and Mackenzie Harvey to their squad after losing Jake Weatherald to Hobart Hurricanes and Brendan Doggett to Melbourne Renegades.They are also set to have overseas signing Jamie Overton available for the entire BBL after he elected to take an “indefinite break from red-ball cricket” which rules him out of the Ashes.
Hasan Ali (overseas), Cameron Boyce, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey, Mackenzie Harvey, Thomas Kelly, Harry Nielsen, Jamie Overton (overseas), Lloyd Pope, Alex Ross, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Henry Thorton, Luke Wood (overseas)
Allrounder speaks ahead of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Apr-2025Orla Prendergast talks to the Powerplay Podcast ahead of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign in Pakistan, reflecting on the pain of missing out to Scotland in T20 qualifying, how she manages her nerves when it’s all on the line, and why – after a promising start in football – she chose cricket.
After finishing 17th in the Premier League last season, it was vital that Tottenham Hotspur bounced back and rose up the table in the ongoing campaign.
Thomas Frank was handed the responsibility of leading the charge, after Ange Postecoglou was handed his marching orders despite winning the Europa League.
The Dane was appointed on a three-year deal in North London, but it was crucial that the supporters gave him time to make the changes he desired to the first-team squad.
He’s now 11 games into the 2025/26 campaign, with the Lilywhites currently occupying fifth place going into the third international break of the current season.
However, there are still improvements to be made across the squad, that’s despite Frank massively changing the fortunes of the squad in one area during his opening months at the helm.
During the 2024/25 Premier League campaign under Postecoglou, Spurs certainly had a year to forget, as they finished just one place above the relegation zone.
The Lilywhites conceded a staggering 65 goals in their 38 league outings, an average of 1.7 per 90, subsequently resulting in a total of 22 league defeats.
Such a tally was the highest of any side who have survived in England’s top-flight, with the club lucky not to have dropped into the Championship under Postecoglou.
However, Frank’s arrival has stemmed the flow of goals at the back, with his men only conceding 10 goals in the first 11 outings – the fourth best record of any side in the division.
They have also kept a total of four clean sheets in the process, with the likes of Micky van de Ven certainly deserving credit for his part in the defensive solidity.
The Dutch international has started every league game to date, registering a total of 1.2 tackles won per 90, along with 1.1 interceptions per 90 – with the latter ranking him in the top 20% of all players in the league.
He’s also thrived in playing out from the back, as seen by his tally of 92% passes completed, arguably being one of the best centre-backs in the division at present.
Van de Ven has been joined at the heart of the backline by Cristian Romero, with the Argentine international striking up an excellent partnership with the Dutchman.
The pair have operated together in eight of the 11 outings – but have only suffered defeat once in that time, with the loss coming against Bournemouth back in August.
The 27-year-old has ranked in the top 4% of all players in England’s top-flight for tackles won, whilst also placing in the top 15% for duels won per 90.
Given their partnership together, they are undoubtedly one of the best duos in Europe’s top-five leagues, with the defensive improvement under Frank certainly down to their performances.
Alongside Van de Ven and Romero, Spurs have had numerous players who have managed to catch the eye and contribute to their impressive start to 2025/26.
Central midfielder Lucas Bergvall has shown qualities way beyond his tender teenage years, even cementing his place at the heart of Frank’s side in recent months.
The Swedish international has featured in nine league outings this season, even registering his first Premier League goal in the 3-0 victory over West Ham United.
He’s ranked in the 97th percentile for successful dribbles to date, whilst also winning 2.8 tackles per 90 – showcasing his ability to operate in a box-to-box role in North London.
However, he’s not the only player to have cemented his place within the starting eleven, with full-back Djed Spence resurrecting his career with the Lilywhites.
He joined the club in a £20m deal from Middlesbrough back in the summer of 2022, but had to massively bide his time in making an impact in the first team.
The 25-year-old endured three unsuccessful loan spells at Leeds United, Rennes and Genoa, with many supporters undoubtedly expecting a cut-price transfer away from North London last summer.
However, the injury crisis within the squad last campaign handed the Englishman a rare opportunity to stake his claim for a regular spot in the first-team ranks.
He racked up a total of 35 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, even scoring his first Premier League goal against Ipswich Town – ending the year on a total of five goal contributions.
A little over a year on, it’s evident that Spence has taken full advantage of the chance pushed in his direction, with the full-back now one of Frank’s most important players.
He’s featured in all but one league outing in 2025/26, with his underlying stats highlighting how pivotal he’s been to the Lilywhites’ impressive defensive numbers.
|
Djed Spence – PL stats (25/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
10 |
|
Minutes played |
761 |
|
Pass accuracy |
82% |
|
Tackles made |
1.5 |
|
Duels won |
3.8 |
|
Aerials won |
47% |
|
Recoveries made |
3.4 |
|
Dribbles completed |
1.8 |
|
Stats via FotMob |
|
Spence has made an average of 1.5 tackles per 90 this season, whilst also coming out on top of 3.8 duels per 90 – often posing as a real solid defensive full-back.
The 25-year-old has also come out on top in 47% of the aerial battles he’s entered, whilst also making 3.4 recoveries per 90 – with his pace allowing him to get back and prevent the opposition from creating clear-cut opportunities.
In possession, the defender has been just as impressive, subsequently ranking in the top 20% of all defenders for dribbles completed – with one analyst labelling him as one of the “best in the world”.
As a result, he’s now a full England international, with Thomas Tuchel trusting him to be a key member of the squad ahead of the World Cup in the USA next summer.
His rise in North London over the last 12 months has been nothing short of remarkable, with the player deserving huge credit for his ability to get himself off the canvas.
Alongside Van de Ven and Romero, he certainly is part of one of the division’s best back fours, with the fans needing to enjoy every moment the trio spend together in North London.
Forget Simons: Spurs have an academy sensation who could be Dele 2.0
Tottenham Hotspur already have a sensation who could replace Xavi Simons in North London.
By
Ethan Lamb
Nov 13, 2025
Pollard smashed the fastest half-century of this CPL, off 17 balls, but it wasn’t enough
ESPNcricinfo staff07-Sep-2025
Dwaine Pretorius scoops away a full toss for six•CPL T20/Getty Images
Dwaine Pretorius’ late sixes trumped Kieron Pollard’s in a tense chase of 168 to start Guyana Amazon Warriors’ home stretch with a victory and boost their playoff chances. They are fourth now on the points table, just one point behind Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, but with three matches in hand compared to one for Falcons. Trinbago Knight Riders, second on the table and already through to the playoffs, were lifted to a competitive score single-handedly by Pollard’s unbeaten 54 off 18, but it didn’t prove to be enough on a night where batting got easier later on, according to Pretorius.Amazon Warriors were in a spot of bother once their set batters Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer were gone by the 16th over and they needed 38 to win off 18. Pretorius, fresh on the back of his 53 off 34 against Barbados Royals two days ago, ended the 18th over, from Andre Russell, with consecutive sixes to bring it down from 19 to 12, and further eased the nerves in the last over, of which they needed nine, with a hack over wide long-on off Pollard before they reached the target with a ball to spare.TKR got off to a sedate start after they were put in to bat. They kept attempting boundaries, but kept losing wickets in the process as Romario Shepherd rattled Alex Hales’ stumps and Moeen Ali did the same to Nicholas Pooran, leaving them on 40 for 3 at the end of the powerplay. Moeen and captain Imran Tahir slowed them down further with a spin strangle, conceding just 18 in the next four overs with just one boundary. Moeen finished with 4-0-11-1 before Darren Bravo broke the shackles but soon holed out off Tahir for 33 off 35.On 100 for 4 after 16, TKR got a massive late lift when Pollard faced 17 off the last 24 balls and smashed the fastest half-century of the season, off 17 balls, studded with his trademark swings across the line after going back and across. He started with consecutive fours against Pretorius and smashed back-to-back sixes off Shepherd before Keacy Carty retired out for 29 off 34 at the end of the 18th. Pollard took on Tahir too, with a six that travelled 103 metres back over the bowler. The innings ended with a sequence of 6, 6, 4 and 4 as Pollard tore into Shepherd for a 21-run over.Amazon Warriors’ start wasn’t very impressive either, as Akeal Hosein sent back Moeen and Keemo Paul in his first eight balls. Hope, however, broke free with 6, 6 and 4 off Russell before Hetmyer hammered Usman Tariq for three sixes in an over to place them on an impressive 66 for 2 after six overs. But Amazon Warriors, too, slowed down after the powerplay, with the introduction of Sunil Narine. He added to the hosts’ woes by having Hetmyer hole out for 49 and trapping Hope lbw for 53. But Pretorious held his nerve by being prepared for yorkers and variations, and putting a bunch of them away to the ropes to see Amzaon Warriors home.
Liverpool were comprehensively beaten by Manchester City on Sunday. That’s five defeats from six in the Premier League for Arne Slot’s side, and the crisis switch has been flicked back on.
As things stand, there are fears that the eighth-place Reds face an uphill battle to seal a top-four (or top-five, depending on UEFA coefficients), much less challenge against Arsenal and the resurgent Citizens for the throne they so spectacularly won last year.
This is a pale imitation of that title-winning team, and though Pep Guardiola tactically dismantled Slot and his men at the Etihad Stadium, Liverpool continue to come unstuck by their own self-destructive tendencies.
So sluggish and limp against City on Sunday. Liverpool’s press was non-existent, and neither has the stable framework of recent years been in sight since the summer.
But, right at the very epicentre of all this is Ibrahima Konate, who was targeted by the Sky Blues at the weekend and it worked out for them and then some as they sent Liverpool packing, having shipped three.
Why Konate is such a big problem for Liverpool
Against Manchester City, Konate took 88 touches of the ball, whereas captain Virgil van Dijk was in possession 58 times, data via Sofascore.
That tells the tale. Guardiola set his side up to put pressure on Liverpool’s France centre-back and he was unable to respond, having been at fault for the early penalty that Giorgi Mamardashvili saved and then again when Erling Haaland rose and scored soon after.
This is a defender whose form has gone beyond out of sorts. Konate is failing to do the basics, and he is now being preyed upon by opposition coaches. Sky Sports fan voice Lewis Anderson commented after the match that the 26-year-old “needs dropping like a hot stone”, given his consistent inconsistency this season.
But who to replace him? In spite of Liverpool’s thrilling transfer window success this summer, the lateness of their concerted effort to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace ended with FSG empty-handed, for the Eagles played hardball after struggling to find a suitable replacement.
Konate is one of the biggest flashpoints within Slot’s squad right now, and he needs to be dropped. Options are slim, admittedly, but there’s one man who will fancy his chances of taking the powerful defender’s place in the starting line-up in the future, albeit not for a while as he recovers from injury.
The teen who can end Konate's Liverpool career
There was a real buzz around Anfield when sporting director Richard Hughes swept over to Italy and returned with one of the region’s most prodigious talents in Giovanni Leoni.
The 18-year-old joined for a £26m and had also been sought after by the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle United.
However, this fairytale move to Liverpool quickly devolved into a nightmare for the Italian centre-back, who ruptured his ACL on his debut against Southampton in September, the severity of which is so great that Slot said afterwards that he would be sidelined for around a year.
From a wider perspective, this has been a damaging blow for a Liverpool backline lacking depth and balance. Moreover, Konate’s abject performances have left him droppable, save for the threadbare defensive line that is now forcing Slot’s hand.
With Konate out of contract at the end of the season and attracting interest from heavyweights such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, Liverpool chiefs face a decision as they continue to probe in discussions to try and make a breakthrough, extending the £70k-per-week talent’s stay on Merseyside.
However, could Konate’s departure on a free transfer actually be a scenario that would not prove detrimental? After all, Van Dijk is sticking around for a while longer, and when Leoni returns, he could establish himself as the next big thing.
After all, he caught the eye against Saints before that bitter injury.
Minutes played
81′
Touches
102
Accurate passes
88/91 (97%)
Possession lost
3x
Recoveries
3
Tackles won
0/1
Interceptions
3
Clearances
6
Ground duels
1/2
Aerial duels
3/3
Hailed as a “Rolls-Royce” of a defender who can “be the leader of that defence” in spite of his youth by one content creator, Leoni’s season-ending injury on his senior debut for Liverpool can only be described as agonisingly unfair.
But it has happened, and nothing can change that. The defender’s road to recovery is long indeed, but there remains every expectation on Merseyside that he will bounce back and realise his potential.
And, with the data analysts sure to be mulling over Konate’s future as the end of his contract edges ever nearer, we might even see that stance on the Les Bleus star slacken.
Crystal Palace’s Guehi remains a top target, and Leoni showed a glimpse of his quality in less than 90 minutes of football this season, proving he has what it takes to slip into his struggling senior peer’s seat.
Van Dijk must rally his Liverpool forces across the remainder of the campaign and ensure that this brutal dip in form does not fester and linger as a wider, more damaging issue.
However, this acclimatisation period of new signings struggling to bed into life under Slot’s wing will not go on forever, however interminable it seems right now.
But there’s no denying more is needed, and if Konate cannot bring himself together over the coming months, it’s hard to envisage Liverpool offering new and improved terms.
And given Leoni took to his Liverpool role like a duck to water before disaster struck, there’s every chance he will respond next season in a more stable tactical set-up, quickly vindicating the potential decision to let Konate leave when his contract expires this summer.
As bad as Salah: Liverpool flop who lost 100% duels must be on borrowed time
This Liverpool star who was as bad as Mo Salah against Manchester City must be on borrowed time in the starting XI.
ByDan Emery Nov 10, 2025