It’s a fool’s notion to claim that a football team, however well they are playing, are bankers for a title before reaching the midpoint of a campaign.

However, Liverpool fans should rightly celebrate the way in which Arne Slot has taken to life in Jurgen Klopp’s old chair. While things are going well for the Reds at the moment, a lot can change in the business months of the season.

But Liverpool should still stand proud as one of the most exciting and impressive clubs of the 2024/25 campaign so far, top of the Premier League and Champions League tables and firing on all cylinders, with the defence imperious, the midfield industrious and the attack deliciously potent.

Most of the attack, anyway…

Liverpool's frontline in 2024/25

Obviously, Liverpool’s attacking success leans heavily into one third of the frontline, with Mohamed Salah currently riding the crest of one of the biggest waves of his career – and there have been many, many waves.

Mohamed Salah

22 (20)

16

12

Cody Gakpo

22 (11)

8

2

Luis Diaz

21 (14)

9

2

Darwin Nunez

19 (11)

3

2

Diogo Jota

10 (9)

4

2

Federico Chiesa

3 (1)

0

1

With Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz both principally playing at left wing this term, rotating, it’s rather concerning that Liverpool’s central striking position is the area most notably lacking in goals.

To his defence, Diogo Jota has been injured for the past few months and bagged four goals from just nine starts beforehand, but Darwin Nunez has now played plenty of football under Slot’s wing and is yet to prove himself as a high-class focal frontman, even if he has some neat attributes.

Why Darwin Nunez could still succeed at Liverpool

It’s beginning to feel like Nunez will never be the kind of assured goalscoring presence that Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is, but that’s okay.

He’s still got a wealth of qualities that make for a high-class footballer, it’s just whether Liverpool can continue to operate with him as their central talisman, especially if Salah leaves at the end of the season, meaning that the need for goals from other areas will be heightened.

This season, for example, Nunez might have only posted three goals and two assists across 19 outings, but he’s also succeeding with a Liverpool-career-high 55% of his dribbles in the Premier League, as per Sofascore, while also winning more duels on average than across either of his first two seasons.

For all his issues, Nunez still manages to provide some underlying data that speaks of his capacity for a brighter future, ranking among the top 4% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shots taken, the top 4% for touches in the attacking penalty area, the top 17% for progressive carries and the top 6% for tackles, as per FBref.

But is this enough? As per The Athletic’s James Pearce, it’s possible that Slot prioritises the signing of a new striker in the coming windows, for Nunez, talented as they come, can’t seem to harness and focus his own quality.

To be honest, it might be that the Uruguayan needs to be sold, with suitors sure to circle from various circles of the footballing world. Reading between the lines, it feels like Slot wouldn’t be wholly against the idea, were the right offer to arrive.

Why Slot should sell Darwin Nunez

Nunez is certainly a divisive member of the Liverpool squad. Many fans adore the 25-year-old for his work rate, personality and multi-dimensionality in attack, but others are frustrated by an unending search for consistency in front of goal.

Unfortunately, unless Nunez showcases a whole new level of potency and consistency at the front of the Liverpool line-up, it’s going to be hard for him to stake a claim for a fourth successive term at the club as the designated number one at number nine.

Some might claim that Nunez requires a certain system to flourish, operating as the spearhead of a frenetic, high-intensity line that allows him to capitalise and rise chaotic phases, but Klopp and now Slot have both tried to bring the best out of the Uruguayan, who has failed to hit the desired heights on both accounts.

Last season, Liverpool-focused writer Sam McGuire called the South American a bit of a “problem” within the Merseyside squad, and for all his ability, if he can’t finish his dinner, then it is indeed an issue going forward.

Especially when considering that Gakpo and Diaz both earn less than him, with the former on £120k-per-week and Diaz taking home just £55k-per-week, as per reports. Nunez, meanwhile, rakes in a reported £140k-per-week.

Both wingers have enjoyed a rich vein of form this season and they are jockeying with each other for a starting berth on the left flank, though that is to the detriment of neither, which makes an interesting comment on the regard that Liverpool fans have for the respective stars.

Nunez, conversely, feels like he’s only occupying the striker’s position because Jota has been sidelined with an injury.

Slot featured the Portugal international prominently throughout the opening months of the campaign and you’d wager that he will do so again once he has returned to full fitness.

Jota has returned to training as he strives to hit full match fitness in the coming weeks. Nunez will be eyeing the forthcoming Premier League fixture at home to Fulham, who are missing key defenders through injury, with an air of suppressed desperation.

He knows that an upswing is needed quickly if he is to finally reach the heights that Klopp envisaged when bringing him to Merseyside for a record fee.

Slot's own Firmino: Liverpool ready to sign "magical" £54m Nunez upgrade

Liverpool are growing frustrated with the misfiring Darwin Nunez.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 12, 2024

Julen Lopetegui seems to be on the brink of losing his job at West Ham, having only won once in their last five games, including their most recent 3-1 loss to Leicester City.

Whilst the Hammers have improved in certain metrics this season, holding more of the ball (46.4% possession), taking more shots (14.7 per match), and conceding fewer shots (15.8 per game), the results have not followed, as they sit 14th in the Premier League.

This has led to the owners drawing up a shortlist of potential managers who could take over if they do pull the trigger and sack Lopetegui, and two favourites seem to have emerged.

West Ham's managerial shortlist

Three main names have emerged on the West Ham shortlist according to journalist Ben Jacobs, with Graham Potter, Sergio Conceicao and Edin Terzić.

Terzic, who made his way to the Champions League final with Dortmund last season, losing 2-0 at the final hurdle against Real Madrid, is said to be on the list, but the other two names seem to be gathering more traction in the media.

Potter, whose last job was with Chelsea in the 2022/23 season, has taken his time off to assess, and wait for the right opportunity to get back into management. In his time at Chelsea, they held the fifth most possession in the division (58.8%), took the eighth most shots per game (12.7), and conceded the seventh fewest shots per match (11.5).

There are many coaching qualities to like about Potter. He is an adaptable manager who will change things in order to give his side the tactical edge, and he has proven himself in the league already, mainly in his time at Brighton.

However, one thing to consider would be his time out of management, and how he struggled with the pressure at Chelsea, and this West Ham job wouldn’t be an easy one to come into with the state it is currently in.

Conceicao, on the other hand, was in a job at Porto from 2017-2024, only leaving the Portuguese giants this summer, after delivering the Portuguese Cup for a third time. In his final season at the club (2023/24), Porto averaged the highest amount of possession in the division (63.6%), averaged the second most shots per game (16.8), and conceded the second-fewest shots per match (8.3).

All of these metrics show how Conceicao would be a brilliant appointment, with an ability to deploy a good defensive strategy, keeping opposition shot totals low (something the Hammers have really struggled to do this season). However, the Portuguese coach has never managed in England, and the risk would be implementing his style at speed in another country, in order to turn things around quickly at the club.

That leads us to possibly the best option for the Hammers, someone not even on this list, and instead an ex-player, who is now showing his class in management, generating the highest xG in the Championship so far this season, with 33.1 in 18 games played.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

West Ham's best option to replace Lopetegui

Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough side have been rampant in the Championship this season, currently sitting fifth in the league on 30 points, just eight points off 1st placed Sheffield United. Carrick’s side have scored the second most goals in the Championship, with 32, and are averaging the second most shots per game, with 16.1.

The 43-year-old coach played for West Ham, Tottenham and, of course, Manchester United in his playing days, before starting his coaching journey as the Manchester United assistant manager back in 2018, keeping that role until 2021. He then took over as caretaker manager for three games, winning two of the three, before Erik ten Hag took the reins, leaving Carrick out of a job.

But in 2022, Middlesbrough hired the ex-midfielder, and since then, he has taken charge of 107 matches, averaging a points per match of 1.67, and brandishing a lovely style of play that mirrors that of the elites. This is the type of football West Ham want to play, and Carrick could be the perfect appointment to bring that to the club, whilst also connecting with the fans.

Carrick sets his team up in a 4-2-3-1 from the start, often adopting that familiar 3-2-5 shape in possession, and adjusting how he forms that shape on the ball, depending on which players he has on the pitch. The most common rotation includes the left-back providing width, with the left-winger drifting inside, to become that second number ten behind the striker.

And it’s the formation of this exciting attacking triangle (left-winger, number ten, striker) that has seen Carrick’s Middlesbrough side blow teams away this season, so who could fit the bill in these roles for him at West Ham?

The West Ham players who would thrive under Carrick

West Ham’s two key men last season, Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus, would both thrive in this system, allowing them to get into these central pockets of space closer to goal, and create chances for themselves and one another.

Instead of seeing the left-back overlap to provide width, West Ham could deploy the right-back in this fashion, allowing Bowen to drift infield from the right wing, whilst Kudus could then start at number 10. This would form a triangle of Bowen, Kudus and a striker, which could improve the Hammers’ ability to score goals, getting their best players into dangerous areas.

Goals

0.31

0.23

Assists

0.19

0.12

xG

0.20

0.37

Progressive Carries

3.72

4.63

Progressive Passes

3.80

3.17

Shots Total

2.84

3.60

Key Passes

2.34

1.10

Shot-Creating Actions

4.45

4.02

Carries into Pen Area

1.68

2.07

Touches in Pen Area

4.45

5.61

By getting these higher shot-volume players into these central areas, and allowing them to be the difference makers, it would undoubtedly see an increase in attacking output for the Hammers. Something Carrick has done well with Middlesbrough is platform his best players, in order to get the best from them, which has an overall positive effect on the team.

Not only would Carrick be a young and exciting manager for the fans to get behind, but he is also well-known in England, has managed in the country before, and plays a style which is guaranteed to translate to the Premier League, which could be exactly what the Irons need to get back on track.

Better than Potter: West Ham eyeing up 3x title winner to replace Lopetegui

Lopetegui’s time at West Ham could be up with an appointment even better than Potter

1 ByConnor Holden Dec 5, 2024

da supremo： Tottenham Hotspur’s recent run of bad form was extended in Glasgow last night.

da esoccer bet： Ange Postecoglou returned to the city where he made his name in British football, but instead of facing his old club, Celtic, an intense Europa League clash with Rangers awaited him and his side.

The hosts looked the far better of the two teams, and while Dejan Kulusevski managed to salvage a point for the North Londoners, it was another display that has only cast more doubt on the Australian’s project.

Rangers vs Tottenham Hotspur

Ranger

Statistics

Spurs

41%

Possession

59%

1.49

Expected Goals

0.87

1

Goals

1

2

Big Chances

0

15

Total Shots

12

7

Corners

7

9

Fouls

9

379

Passes

563

All Stats via Sofascore

There were poor performances all over the pitch for the visitors, but there were two that perhaps stood out, with one of them being Timo Werer.

Timo Werner's game vs Rangers

It would probably be fair to say that even going back to when he first arrived at the club midway through last season, Werner has been an underwhelming, boarding-on poor addition to Spurs’ squad, and last night showed that yet again.

The former Chelsea flop started off the left, and aside from a shot he sent miles over the bar early on, he offered pretty much no attacking threat whatsoever, which made life incredibly easy for Rangers’ right-hand side.

Moreover, the RB Leipzig-loanee seemed unable to track back either, so Destiny Udogie was left to deal with the marauding Václav Černý and James Tavernier all alone at times.

It was such a dire display that Postecoglou hooked him at half-time and told the press his performance “wasn’t acceptable” in his post-match comments, which makes the 3/10 match rating he received from the Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick look almost too kind.

While this all could sound hyperbolic, it’s entirely backed up by his statistics, as in 46 minutes of action, the Stuttgart-born dud amassed a combined expected goal plus assists figure of 0.09, failed to take a single shot on target, failed in 100% of his crosses and dribbles, lost 100% of his duels, lost the ball 18 times was unable to play a single key pass and only completed 69% of his passes.

Werner’s game in numbers

Minutes

46′

Expected Goals

0.05

Expected Assists

0.04

Shots on Target

0

Dribbles (Complete)

3 (0)

Duels (Won)

5 (0)

Crosses (Accurate)

2 (0)

Lost Possession

16

Key Passes

1

Passing Accuracy

18/26 (69%)

All Stats via Sofascore

In all, it was an abysmal showing from the 28-year-old, although one of his teammates was arguably as poor on the other flank.

Pedro Porro's game vs Rangers

Yes, the player we are talking about is Spanish right-back Pedro Porro, who put in yet another dreadful performance for Spurs last night.

Like his German teammate, the former Sporting CP ace was utterly hopeless going forward, with the only meaningful contribution he made being a shot midway through the second half, which was saved by Jack Butland.

However, the biggest issue with his game last night was the same problem that’s been singled out multiple times this year: his defensive fragility.

For example, he lost Hamza Igamane for the opening goal and was constantly being attacked as Rangers could sense he wasn’t up to the battle, making Kilpatrick’s 4/10 match rating feel more than justified.

Unsurprisingly, his statistics from the game were also poor, as in 93 minutes of action, the defensive “horror”, as dubbed by journalist Mitch Fretton, amassed an expected goal plus assists figure of 0.08, was dribbled past four times, lost six of nine duels, lost the ball 20 times, committed one foul, misplaced seven of eight long balls and two of three crosses.

Porro’s game in numbers

Minutes

93′

Expected Goals

0.04

Expected Assists

0.04

Dribbled Past

4

Duels (Won)

9 (6)

Lost Possession

20

Fouls Committed

1

Long Balls (Accurate)

8 (1)

Crosses (Accurate)

3 (1)

All Stats via Sofascore

Ultimately, it was a night to forget for the entire Spurs team, but Werner and Porro were particularly woeful and must be dropped for some time.

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Plays of the day from the opening match of IPL 2015 between Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians

Sidharth Monga08-Apr-2015The breakIf this were a tennis match, Gautam Gambhir would have been down 0-2 in the first set. The first ball he faced from Vinay Kumar, he charged down the wicket, looking to counter the movement he can extract and reassured by his lack of pace, but this time the ball hit the splice of the bat, and broke it into two. Gambhir was left with the handle of the bat in his hand with the rest flying towards cover.The brief returnAmbati Rayudu last played in match atmosphere on January 30, in an ODI against England in Perth. Back then he was squared up, he opened the face and edged Stuart Broad to the wicketkeeper. Since then he watched the World Cup from the bench. He would have expected some relief coming to the lower and slower pitches of India, but Gautam Gambhir denied him any. He had the tall and strapping Morne Morkel bound in at Rayudu and had two slips in. Morkel bowled short of a length, extracted disconcerting bounce, and two balls into his innings Rayudu was hopping and opening the face again. This time first slip took the catch.The returnFrom the moment it was cleared by the BCCI, Sunil Narine’s action was the most looked forward to aspect of the IPL opener. While he did continue wearing long sleeves, Narine’s was a changed action. The first ball he bowled was a full toss driven away for four. His team Kolkata Knight Riders have shown exceptional trust in him by keeping him for the final few overs, but here they bowled him out early. Narine went for 28 runs in his four overs, looking less effective, but this might be too early to judge a spinner just coming back into action. He did continue taking the ball away from the right-hand batsman, and had Rohit Sharma dropped off the outside edge.The missThere is nowadays a remarkable predictability to Rohit Sharma and big feats. His 264 at the same venue was more predictable than a century used to be not long ago in ODIs. The way he sets up at the start and explodes in the end, Rohit almost always looks set for an otherwise unprecedented score, be it a double hundred in ODIs or a hundred in T20s. When he began to attack Umesh Yadav in the 15th over, he was only 46, but 18 runs in that over later, you knew he was on track for a hundred. Almost uneventfully he reached 93 with the final over to go. Corey Anderson, though, hit the first two balls big and Rohit got the strike only on the fourth ball. He hit a four on the fourth ball, but hit the fifth straight to long-on, which meant he could get just the single and was stranded on 98.

54 days on from sacking Erol Bulut, Cardiff City could finally be planning to appoint their next permanent manager after one candidate reportedly travelled to meet with owner Vincent Tan.

Cardiff's managerial search

The Bluebirds parted ways with Bulut over a month ago and remain without a permanent option in charge. Having initially shown their former manager the door after he left them in an early relegation sack, the Welsh club can’t exactly say that things have gotten a lot better in his absence, given that they still sit inside the Championship’s bottom three on goal difference.

In charge whilst that search for a permanent candidate goes on has been Omer Riza, who has coincidently emerged as a strong option to take the job on a full-time basis, despite the fact that Cardiff remain in a perilous position.

In fact, according to Glen Williams of Wales Online, Riza has travelled to meet Vincent Tan in Malaysia as Cardiff look to end their search for a permanent manager. The interim boss reportedly has a lot of credit and could now end the Bluebirds’ 54-day wait by officially replacing Bulut.

Cardiff have last candidates to replace Bulut; includes Real Madrid legend

The Bluebirds may finally make their choice…

1

By
Tom Cunningham

Oct 12, 2024

A young, unproven manager and, therefore, the type of candidate that Tan reportedly wants to give an opportunity with his next appointment, there won’t be many who know the club better than Riza.

Whilst their next appointment is crucial, Tan must make his decision sooner rather than later. He can’t let this saga go on for much longer as a make-or-break festive period approaches. If it is to be Riza, meanwhile, then he will have quite the task on his hands.

Riza's Cardiff record so far

In charge since Bulut was sacked on September 22, Riza has enjoyed moments to forget and, to his credit, victories to savour in a mixed nine game period in the Championship. As things stand, of course, Cardiff remain inside the relegation zone but only on goal difference. Things can quickly change in the Championship and Riza has proved his ability to get results out of this current side.

Omer Riza’s	Record in charge of Cardiff
Games	9
Wins	4
Draws	2
Defeats	3
Goals For	13
Goals Against	8

The numbers are certainly on Riza’s side, even if the league table doesn’t reflect those numbers as of yet. With more wins than losses and just eight goals conceded in nine games – four of which came in the interim manager’s first game in charge against Hull City – Riza has earned the chance to take the role on a permanent basis.

On form, the Bluebirds are on course to battle all the way for survival and perhaps secure their place in England’s second tier for another campaign. Amid such inexperience, it’s Riza who deserves the credit for such a promising run in the last 54 days.

Pakistan were beaten by the Governor General’s XI but had the hosts in trouble early on

AAP13-Jan-2023

Amanda-Jade Wellington impressed with four wickets•Getty Images

Governor-General XI 235 (Burns 74, Knott 66, Dar 4-46, Sana 3-27) beat Pakistan 182 (Maroof 74, Wellington 4-33)Legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington reminded Australian selectors of her talents with a match-winning display with the ball in the Governor General’s XI’s 53-run victory over Pakistan in the 50-over clash in Brisbane.Wellington was dropped from the T20 squad for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa, losing her place to fellow leggie Georgia Wareham who has returned from a long injury layoff to reclaim her place.Wellington overcame that disappointment to take 4 for 33 against Pakistan at Allan Border Field in a classy spell.The Governor General’s XI were dismissed for 235 in the 50th over and bundled Pakistan out for 182 in the 45th.Governor General’s XI captain Ash Gardner said Wellington was one of the best spinners in the game and would fight her way back into the Australian team.”It has been quite tough for her. Over the last couple of years she has bowled really well in all competitions and I do feel for her,” Gardner told AAP. “It is a tough decision to make. You look at the likes of who is in our squad at the moment and it is so hard for people to find their way in.Bismah Mahroof made 74 against Governor-General’s XI•Getty Images

“I know Wello’ will keep striving. I know she is playing in New Zealand as well as the WNCL so she is playing in as many competitions as she can to get better. She is a class bowler and I am sure we will see her around for many more years to come.”Wellington said she had spoken to chief selector Shawn Flegler during the match to say she understood the decision.”Coming into this game I thought it was a good opportunity for me to put my case forward for other series or other events,” she said. “I know selection is hard…it’s disappointing but I know those tough calls have to be made. It’s hard to get there, but it’s even harder to keep your spot. You have people fighting you for your spot.”Veteran Erin Burns and rising star Charli Knott earlier came together with the Governor General’s XI in dire trouble at 8 for 3 but combined for a 129-run fourth-wicket stand.Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof outlined her immense talents with the bat ahead of the visitors’ upcoming ODI and T20 internationals against Australia.The Australians won’t have it all their own way in a six-game series which begins with a one-dayer at the same venue on Monday.Pakistan opening bowlers Diana Baig and Fatima Sana were accurate and picked up wickets to showcase the threat they will pose.