Former West Indies captain Brian Lara highlighted lack of funds and technology as factors in the team’s recent decline, but also called upon the players to show more passion in order to compete better.After West Indies’ defeat to India in the first Test in Ahmedabad, Test captain Roston Chase highlighted “infrastructure problems” and the continuous “struggle for finances” in the Caribbean. This was touched upon by the cricket strategy and officiating committee of Cricket West Indies, of which Lara and Chase are both a part.”If you want to get things done, you have to have the capital to do it. So that is a major part,” Lara said on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai on Tuesday. “But at the same time, I would like to ask Roston Chase and the other guys to… do they have the cricket at heart? Do they really want to play for West Indies? And that is the most important thing because you would find a way.Related

• 'We just need to get that start and kick on' – Chase waits for change to come for WI

• India look for clean sweep in cool Delhi as West Indies continue search for solutions

• West Indies hand maiden ODI call-up to Ackeem Auguste for tour of Bangladesh

• Sammy: 'We did not reap financial rewards' of the legacy we have created

• West Indies' Test-match batting a symptom of far deeper issues

“I mean we did not have better facilities 30-40 years ago. Viv Richards didn’t bat on any better practice pitches or anything. We had to do the same thing, the same grind; but the passion was different. The passion to play for West Indies was different. So I urge the young players to realise that this is a wonderful opportunity. And I am almost sure that every single one of their parents would have had in the back of their mind, their son playing for the West Indies, their son doing well for the West Indies because it meant a lot back in those days.”So I agree with [Chase on West Indies’ struggles for finances], but I still believe there is an onus on each young player to create that love and desire to play for West Indies.”Saying that, Lara also acknowledged that the players should not be blamed for seeking lucrative deals in franchise cricket, and that CWI needed to find a way to make it financially attractive for them to represent the region.”I can’t blame any single player for wanting to pursue cricket as a career outside of the West Indies – because the disparity in what’s happening, playing five or six franchise leagues, compared to playing for the West Indies, is different [in monetary terms],” Lara said. “And you have to have empathy with that player. But you also have to feel that what can we do at home to make sure that that player, or future players, understand that playing for the West Indies is also very important.5:02

Chopra: Gulf between India, West Indies there for everyone to see

“The IPL has carved out a period of time where it’s exclusive to the IPL. But there’s six or seven different leagues that’s popping up around the world, and everybody’s wanting to do it. So I think the onus is on Cricket West Indies to find a way to create, unify the efforts of the young players who want to go out, but also have them playing for us.”And a series against India, we want to play good cricket against the best team in the world. So you want your best players out there. You don’t want your best players in America or somewhere else around the world.”Lara used an example of football legend Lionel Messi, who has spent his entire club career outside of his home country, but has been an integral part of Argentina’s national team.”I mean if you look at Argentina, Messi grew up in Europe, but he plays for Argentina. But he played for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and he was allowed [to play],” Lara said. “And there’s a lot more South American footballers that do that, and eventually go back and play for their country, and have the pride to do so.”Australia is able to do it. England is able to do it, to keep their players loyal to their country. So we have to find a way to do that and there’s no pointing any fingers at anybody. It’s just that we’ve got to come together as a team, as administrators, as coaches, as players. And really and truly if you have West Indies cricket at heart, you will find a way to move forward.””I am hoping I would like to see a stronger first-class performance before you get into the international scene” – Brian Lara•Associated Press

Batting has been one department where West Indies have struggled. The squad touring India don’t have a single batter who averages 30 in Tests. They have had promising talents like Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kavem Hodge and Mikyle Louis break into the team, but none of them has been able to establish themselves as a regular.”I believe that if a player is being picked on potential only and he does not have the stats to go with it, it is very difficult for him now to get to this higher level, and [to] expect so much from him,” Lara said. “I believe that because of that situation, you would find players that are maturing later on. So it is either you stick with them – age 22, 23, 24, 25 hopefully reap the benefit when they get into their late 20s – or you look at players that are seasoned, Jason Holder and the guys who may have matured.”And if you remember, Graham Gooch scored the majority of his runs in his 30s. A guy like Adam Gilchrist, Mike Hussey, all these guys started playing late, and they came out to be some of the best in the world. So you are going to find, once in a lifetime, the Tendulkars. Age 16, 17, Afridi, the Garfield Sobers who were in their teenage, they were able to cope with it immediately. Everybody is not going to be blessed with that sort of talent.”So I am hoping that I would like to see a stronger first-class performance before you get into the international scene. Back in my day, you had to break records. You sat and watched cricket for two years, 20 Test matches, carry the towel, carry the water before you finally got in. And during that period of time, you grew, you matured. And some mature faster than others.”

He once again came so close to sealing his place in popular legend, but it was not meant to be

Sidharth Monga14-Jul-2025

Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja and Ben Stokes added so much to this Test match•Getty Images

Ravindra Jadeja is a cricketer’s cricketer. Barring certain freakish geniuses, he is the first name many want on their team sheet. He is a solid, dependable player who contributes in many different ways.Everything he does – barring wielding his bat like a sword which can break weaker wrists – looks effortless and repeatable. As a bowler, he can hit the good length straight out of the bed, and can keep hitting it until he draws water out of the ground. He is a sensational fielder in the outfield.As a batter, Jadeja doesn’t need to premeditate or make trigger movements. A lot of it is just physical gifts that he has honed and trained. He hardly ever looks hurried. His batting is pure. He just reacts to what is bowled, as coaches teach you at grass roots levels. If it is short, go back. If it is full, go forward. If it is wide, leave it alone. Score off bad balls, keep good balls out.Related

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For years now, Jadeja has been the premier allrounder in the most demanding format of the game. He is also perhaps the closest to being an allrounder in the classic sense of the word. He can be genuinely picked as a specialist top-six batter in almost all conditions. He can be selected as a bowler alone in most conditions, barring ones that make it impossible for spinners to bowl in.Since Jadeja’s debut, only five men have bowled more deliveries in Test cricket. His batting took time to come along, but he is averaging 42.01 since 2018, the year in which he scored his first century. That is in the top 20 among those who have scored at least 2000 runs in this period.Yet, to the casual observer, Jadeja hasn’t delivered that one memorable performance to remember him by. It is the curse of being so good. When you win, you win big. His countless five-fors and runs at home are completely taken for granted in popular memory largely because they are not done in the epic matches that – no offence to him – Ben Stokes does, for example. Or Andrew Flintoff before him.This Test at Lord’s – a venue where Jadeja scored 68 priceless but chancy runs 11 years ago and clinched the match-winning run-out – was an opportunity for him to finally give storytellers a story to back his numbers with. He is just what this young, inexperienced unit needs. Just someone old-school to drive home the advantage they are capable of getting.Ravindra Jadeja notched up a fourth straight half-century•Getty ImagesThis was Jadeja’s fourth straight half-century. At a time when it was not easy to think straight, he calmed India down with his solid batting. When he went in, India had almost lost the match. Yet again, a Test they had been the better team for longer periods in. When Jadeja went to lunch, he had lost Nitish Kumar Reddy, the last recognised batter he had. India still needed 81 runs for the win. He scored 61 of the 99 runs that came while he was at the wicket. He faced over 30 overs out of the 55 bowled in that time.Jadeja is so old-school and so naturally gifted that he has not had to constantly upgrade himself. Sometimes it frustrates those who watch him. He still defends spin with his bat beside the pad, something that has been erased from the game with DRS taking over. Still, his basics are so good that he is one of the best Test players going around.It is this strength that can become a slight weakness at times. Let’s firstly get it clear that Lord’s doesn’t really have pockets to hit twos into. The square is lush, and it is not easy to use the bowler’s pace to run the ball behind square. The balls are soft; even Rishabh Pant doesn’t charge against the old ones because there is no guarantee they will travel.So once England set defensive fields for Jadeja, he was handcuffed. He doesn’t play the reverse sweeps and the ramps and the kind. With traditional shots, it was difficult to find gaps in the spread-out field for twos to transfer the pressure back on England. It was almost a situation of taking it one run an over, provided the Nos. 10 and 11 hold their end up for one or two balls every over.Ravindra Jadeja held his own after India lost three wickets early•Getty ImagesJadeja, though, was prepared to do it in singles. He clearly calculated these were not conditions where he could take the risk. He had the discipline and the physical strength to keep turning up over after over, and back himself to be the last man standing. He kept the sword celebration aside when he reached fifty.What started as just a “let’s see how far we can get” ended up as a heartbreakingly close defeat. Jadeja came this close to sealing his place in popular legend. A story mothers would tell their babies on their laps. It was not to be. His strengths brought him close. They perhaps kept him from attaining the ultimate win. People will argue whether he should have taken risks. There is no straight answer.Jadeja didn’t show much emotion when the ball wickedly bounced onto the leg stump off a seemingly solid defensive shot from Mohammed Siraj, who was on his haunches and almost injured himself punching his bat. As if asking it, “What did I do to deserve this?”A lot in life is about turning up. About being there. With equanimity. Jadeja has faced a lot of heartbreak in his life, including the World Cup semi-final six years ago in this country when he again nearly won India a lost match. Jadeja knows more than most about the value of turning up. His team has been the better team over way more time than their opposition in the series. Yet, they find themselves behind 2-1. If India need any inspiration to turn up and repeat doing the good stuff in Manchester, all they need to do is look at Jadeja.

Arsenal fans are jubilant right now, and they have every right to be.

Following a Saturday that saw Liverpool and Manchester City lose, the Gunners had a chance to extend their lead atop the Premier League table at home to Tottenham Hotspur, which is just what they did.

Mikel Arteta’s side were utterly sensational on Sunday evening, with summer signing and former Spurs target Eberechi Eze becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the derby since Alan Sunderland in 1978.

What made the victory all the more impressive was that Arsenal had several key players missing, including club captain Martin Odegaard, though another of Arteta’s starmen might be becoming his new version of the Norwegian.

The latest on Martin Odegaard

Arsenal might be flying, but this season has not been a good one for Odegaard.

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

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The former Real Madrid ace was hoping to make amends for his poor form last year, but so far has spent most of the campaign on the sidelines.

In fact, he became the first player in the competition’s history to be forced off before halftime in three successive Premier League fixtures.

The third game was the 2-0 win over West Ham United on the fourth of October, when he was forced off in the 30th minute with a knee injury that has kept him out since.

There was hope he might’ve made it back into the squad on Sunday, but that game must’ve come too soon, as he was once again watching from the sidelines.

However, the Norwegian international could finally be part of proceedings again against Bayern Munich, as Arteta said in his pre-match press conference, “We are hopeful that tomorrow he can be in the squad.”

This is undoubtedly a boost for the Gunners, as even when he’s not necessarily on song, the Drammen-born maestro can add something to the side.

Although he might find it challenging to get back into the lineup following Eze’s sensational display in the derby.

Eze’s Arsenal record

Comp

PL

UCL

EFL Cup

Apps

10

4

2

Starts

8

2

2

Goals

4

0

1

Assists

2

1

0

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, another Arsenal star has been fulfilling some of Odegaard’s responsibilities in his absence.

Arsenal's new Odegaard

Now, when thinking about an Arsenal player who could be Arteta’s new Odegaard, most people will probably go for Eze.

After all, the Englishman has been playing in the same position over the last few weeks and is the most attacking midfielder in the lineup.

However, the former Crystal Palace star is quite different from the club captain in the sense that he is more of a moments player; he is someone who can float in and out of games and tends to take fewer touches when looking for attacking opportunities.

Instead, the player who has been performing most similarly to the Norwegian has been Leandro Trossard.

Now, there are, of course, differences between the two players, but in the 26-year-old’s absence, the former Brighton & Hove Albion star has been doing some of the things he tends to do.

For example, the Waterschei-born winger is dropping further back in games and helping to link the play more, which is something his heatmap against Spurs makes quite clear.

Moreover, despite playing out wide and being on the pitch for 16 fewer minutes, the “cult hero,” as dubbed by content creator Alex Moneypenny, took just eight fewer touches than the hat-trick hero.

Against Sunderland, he took 55 touches to the Englishman’s 41.

This combination of dropping a little deeper and spending more time on the ball has also seen him take more control over the tempo of games than he used to, showing a more creative side to his passing than fans have seen before.

When you add these things together, along with his mentality and experience, it becomes clear that his influence on the team has helped mitigate the loss of the captain.

Ultimately, Trossard and Odegaard have been quite different players during their time at Arsenal, and likely will be again when they’re both in the team.

However, for now anyway, the Belgian has slowly transformed into a version of the former wonderkid for Arteta.

Related Trossard upgrade: Arsenal hold talks to sign "one of the world's best wingers"

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 25, 2025

Bangladesh government removes Ishfaq Ahsan for his ‘political links’

Mohammad Isam07-Oct-2025The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) landed in controversy immediately after their election results were announced on Monday. Within hours, the government removed one of the newly-elected directors, Ishfaq Ahsan. He was one of two government representatives in the BCB board, but his stay was short-lived.Ahsan’s political links forced the National Sports Council, the organisation that oversees sports in the country, to take this action. “We will appoint a new director [on Tuesday]. We have removed him for his political links,” Kazi Nazrul Islam, NSC’s executive director, told reporters on Monday.ESPNcricinfo understands that the NSC is likely to appoint a female board director in his place.A day-long BCB election, with physical votes as well as e-ballots, was held at a hotel in Dhaka on Monday. Aminul Islam was re-elected president. He will lead the working committee, the grounds committee and the BPL committee. Former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mashud, a first-time director, assumes charge of the High Performance centre.Former Bangladesh spinner Abdur Razzak, also a first-time director, was handed the post of chairman of women’s wing. Nazmul Abedeen will continue as cricket operations chairman while Ishtiaque Sadeuque will be game development chairman. Bangladesh’s age-group cricket will now be headed by renowned singer Asif Akbar.

Manchester United have now reportedly set their sights on signing an impressive Ligue 1 defender, who has left their scouts blown away.

INEOS draw up 2026 transfer plan

To their credit, Man United got their summer transfer window fairly spot on. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Senne Lammens all look like solid signings, whilst Benjamin has shown flashes of his true quality. And results proved before the international break that a turnaround under Ruben Amorim is still possible.

Even if Monday’s 1-0 loss against the 10 men of Everton brought them back down to reality, one defeat in their last five games represents much-needed improvement.

INEOS have never stopped backing their manager and recent reports have claimed that they’re ready to return to the transfer market to improve his squad even further in 2026.

The plan, according to the Express, is to sign two wing-backs and a midfielder next summer, with the likes of Elliot Anderson among their top targets.

The Nottingham Forest star has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season even as his side sacked Nuno Espirito Santo and then Ange Postecoglou before hiring Sean Dyche.

Thomas Tuchel has been impressed enough to grant Anderson a starting place next to Declan Rice in his England side, which is now his to lose ahead of the World Cup.

The unfortunate news for Man United is that his price will only increase if he enjoys a successful tournament, even though reports have already claimed he’ll cost them over £100m.

The midfielder is also not the only name on United’s shopping list. INEOS have also reportedly set their sights on signing Ligue 1 defender Jeremy Jacquet.

Man Utd plotting "bargain" Jeremy Jacquet move

According to Caught Offside, Man United are now plotting a move to sign Jacquet from Stade Rennais after the young defender impressed their scouts in France.

The Red Devils have reportedly joined Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace in the race to sign the 20-year-old and it’s easy to see why.

Dubbed “imposing” by Como scout Ben Mattinson, Jacquet is reportedly available for as little as €30m (£26m), which Caught Offside’s Mark Brus described as a “bargain” deal.

Having already signed Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven in recent years, adding Jacquet to their ranks would complete Amorim’s back three for years to come.

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With Harry Maguire still yet to sign a new contract ahead too, the young centre-back may have the chance to come straight into Man United’s starting side next summer in an attempt to make an instant impact.

Worse than Bruno & Casemiro: Amorim can't start Man Utd duo together again

The Dodgers are gearing up for their second consecutive NLCS appearance in hopes of defending their 2024 World Series title. After disposing of the Phillies in four games in the Division Series, Los Angeles will now set its sights on the Brewers, with Game 1 of the best-of-seven series slated for Monday night.

On Sunday night, Dave Roberts spoke to reporters and detailed what the Dodgers' pitching plans for the upcoming series would be, via Fabian Ardaya of . Roberts indicated that the team intends for starters Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to each start two games of the series and that Shohei Ohtani is also set to pitch "at some point," though he didn't specify when.

Snell is scheduled to start Game 1, and Roberts said the Dodgers would turn to Yamamoto in Game 2.

Tyler Glasnow also figures to start at least a game in the series, though he also pitched in relief earlier this postseason and had plenty of success doing so. It's possible he'll start Game 3 and Ohtani would then go in Game 4.

As for the Brewers, they've yet to name a Game 1 starter, though Freddy Peralta is in line to start in Game 2 against Yamamoto.

First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET from American Family Field in Milwaukee on Monday.

MatériaMais Notícias

A Conmebol anunciou nesta quarta-feira (11) os vencedores dos direitos de transmissão dos campeonatos de clubes da entidade para o ciclo 2027-2030. Na semana passada, a Globo e a ESPN já tinham sido reveladas como as primeiras emissoras que transmitiriam os torneios.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasLance! BizSBT perde direitos de transmissão da Sul-Americana; saiba quem assumeLance! Biz10/12/2025Fora de CampoCazéTV fecha com dois ídolos do Flamengo para a transmissão do MundialFora de Campo09/12/2025Lance! BizN Sports anuncia transmissão de campeonato europeu gratuitamente; saiba maisLance! Biz08/12/2025

O canal carioca vai ter os direitos da Libertadores e da Recopa Sul-Americana na plataforma aberta – que engloba a TV aberta e a GETV, no Youtube. Já a ESPN terá a Libertadores, a Sul-Americana e a Recopa Sul-Americana nas plataformas pagas. Acreditava-se que a Paramount+ pudesse ficar com algum pacote pago também, mas a emissora, que transmitia a Libertadores desde 2023, ficou sem nada.

➡️ Acompanhe os negócios no esporte em nosso novo canal. Siga o Lance! Biz no WhatsApp

Outro canal que também não vai transmitir nenhuma competição da Conmebol no triênio é o SBT. A TNT Sports adquiriu os direitos da Sul-Americana para as plataformas abertas. Os jogos poderão ser vistos gratuitamente pelo canal de Youtube da TNT Sports. A emissora também comprou o pacote com todos os clipes e melhores momentos das três competições e a possibilidade de exibição deles praticamente em tempo real, com o atraso de alguns minutos. Esse pacote pertence à ‘CazéTV’ atualmente.

continua após a publicidadeVeja a divisão dos direitos de transmissão para o ciclo 2027-2030:

Copa Libertadores da América

Plataforma aberta: Globo
Plataforma paga: ESPN

Copa Sul-Americana

Plataforma aberta: Warner Bros. Discovery através da TNT Sports
Plataforma paga: ESPN

Recopa Sul-Americana

Plataforma aberta: Globo
Plataforma paga: ESPN

Clipes e melhores momentos (todas as competições)

Warner Bros. Discovery através da TNT Sports

Tudo sobre

Futebol NacionalLibertadoresSul-Americana

أعلن الجهاز الفني لـ منتخب مصر المشارك في بطولة كأس العرب، بقيادة حلمي طولان، عن التشكيل الأساسي استعدادًا لمواجهة منتخب الأردن، في اللقاء المقرر إقامته عند الرابعة والنصف عصر اليوم الثلاثاء، على ملعب البيت، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة من المجموعة الثالثة في النسخة الحادية عشرة للبطولة.

ويخوض المنتخب المصري، بقيادة حلمي طولان، مواجهة حاسمة أمام الأردن، في اختبار قوي يمثل الفرصة الأخيرة لحسم بطاقة التأهل من دور المجموعات. وتأتي هذه المباراة بعد تعادل المنتخب في لقائه السابق أمام الإمارات بهدف لمثله، وهو التعادل الذي حافظ على آمال الفريق في الوصول للدور التالي، لكنه جعل مواجهة اليوم أكثر أهمية في ظل تقارب مستويات ونتائج منتخبات المجموعة.

ويقع المنتخب المصري في المجموعة الثالثة إلى جانب الأردن والإمارات والكويت، وهي مجموعة اتسمت مبارياتها بالندية منذ الجولة الأولى، ما جعل الجولة الثالثة بمثابة فصل ختامي سيحدد المتأهلين بشكل نهائي.

ويطمح المنتخب المصري لتحقيق فوز يمنحه بطاقة التأهل رسميًا، بينما يؤكد الجهاز الفني ضرورة التركيز طوال المباراة، خاصة أن المنتخب الأردني ظهر بمستوى قوي خلال الجولتين الماضيتين وضمن بالفعل صدارة المجموعة برصيد ست نقاط.

في المقابل، يملك المنتخب المصري نقطتين من تعادلين أمام الكويت ثم الإمارات. تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام الأردن في كأس العرب اليوم

حراسة المرمى: محمد بسّام.

خط الدفاع: كريم العراقي، محمود حمدي “الونش”، ياسين مرعي، يحيى زكريا.

خط الوسط: أكرم توفيق، غنام محمد، محمد مجدي “أفشة”.

في الهجوم: ميدو جابر، إسلام عيسى، مروان حمدي.

It might not have been pretty, but Liverpool have that winning feeling again, having ended their recent rut with a deserved 1-0 win away at Inter Milan on Tuesday evening.

There few highs, but also – more importantly – few lows at San Siro for Arne Slot’s side, with the reigning Premier League champions looking far more comfortable than they did just days earlier amid the chaos at Elland Road.

Perhaps that speaks to the gulf in quality that has opened up between the Champions League and England’s top flight, although, regardless, seeing off last season’s losing finalists is no mean feat. Slot needed that.

Having been vindicated in his decision to leave out Mohamed Salah for the trip to Italy, the title-winning Dutchman’s ruthless streak might well be beginning to pay off.

The issue is, the Egyptian isn’t the only problem still to be solved, with more members of last season’s glorious side still looking way off the pace.

Liverpool's worst performers against Inter in numbers

Now, this isn’t to try and pop the balloon following what was a much-needed victory for Slot and co, although the former Feyenoord boss himself would admit that his side were far from perfect on the night.

Indeed, a string of absences – and not just that of Salah – saw the Reds lineup with something of a new-look forward line, albeit with it taking a controversial Dominik Szoboszlai spot-kick to eventually settle the affair.

All eyes were on the pairing of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike – with the night marking just their second start together all season – yet, perhaps as to be expected, there was little in the way of fluency or dynamism, even with the visitors posing the greater threat during the first half, in particular.

Isak, in particular, endured yet another frustrating outing to continue his Merseyside woes, with the £125m Swede regularly failing to make things stick through the middle, losing the ball on eight occasions from just 25 touches, as per Sofascore, prior to being withdrawn on the 68-minute mark.

While the price tag may suggest otherwise, the 25-year-old shouldn’t necessarily be the only avenue for concern, with it also proving a difficult outing for Joe Gomez at right-back.

The Englishman was safe and steady, although he provided little attacking flair, having lost the ball 11 times himself, while failing to provide a single successful cross or key pass, having won just a solitary duel all night.

The Anfield side looked far more progressive and threatening with substitute Conor Bradley unleashed down that side, with the hope being that the Northern Ireland star can remain injury-free heading into a hectic festive period.

Slot will surely wish to bring the academy graduate into the starting lineup on a regular basis, although one man who could fall out of the reckoning is last season’s star, Alexis Mac Allister.

Liverpool's new Joe Allen & Lucas Leiva

Central to what made Slot’s side so impressive last term was the midfield unit, with the Dutchman reinvigorating Ryan Gravenberch in that deep-lying role, while also finally getting a tune out of Szoboszlai in an advanced, attacking berth.

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

It was also, however, another fine campaign for that man Mac Allister, with the 2023 summer arrival from Brighton having cemented his status as “one of the best signings” that the club had made in the FSG era, in the view of DaveOCKOP.

The World Cup winner was the key, the glue keeping it together in the centre of the park, having also showcased his attacking flair with 13 goals and assists in all competitions.

From that knack for delivering clutch moments, the Argentine has frustratingly tailed off this time around, with his effort against Real Madrid earlier this season having been his only goal to date in 2025/26.

With just two assists also added into the mix, the 26-year-old is morphing into Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen territory at present, representing a solid but unspectacular option at the heart of the midfield.

Indeed, neither man was particularly adept at making the difference in a creative sense, with Allen scoring just seven goals in 132 games during his time at Anfield, while cult figure Leiva also netted just seven times himself, albeit from 346 total games.

To compare Mac Allister to such a limited pairing might appear hyperbolic, although again on Tuesday night, he was distinctly lacking any spark or flair, having failed to provide a single key pass, nor attempt a single shot or dribble.

He did win six of his seven ground duels, while losing the ball just five times, but again, there was that risk-averse feel to his performance, echoing those sorry days of Allen and Leiva lining up in the Brendan Rodgers and early Jurgen Klopp era.

As already stated, Mac Allister’s prior work ensures he remains one of FSG’s “best signings”, not least considering his bargain £35m fee, although like many of his teammates, the former Seagulls star simply doesn’t look like the player of 2024/25.

As bad as Isak vs Inter: Liverpool mainstay must now be axed by Slot

Liverpool secured a significant victory at Inter Milan in the Champions League.

By
Angus Sinclair

2 days ago

Mohamed Salah's critical comments about Liverpool and manager Arne Slot have been slammed as "embarrassing". After the 33-year-old was an unused substitute in his side's 3-3 draw at Leeds United on Saturday, he claimed he had been "thrown under the bus" by the Reds. However, ex-Celtic striker Chris Sutton believes the Egypt international has "disrespected" his team-mates with his remarks.

• Salah 'thrown under the bus'

  In the wake of a thrilling draw at Elland Road, the former Roma man said he no longer has a good relationship with Slot, and it is "very clear" someone wants him to "get all of the blame". He added that he will always support the Merseyside outfit but this situation is "not acceptable" and that he earned his position in the team.

  In a remarkable interview with journalists after the match, Salah said: "I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame. I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don't have any relationship. I don't know why but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn't want me in the club. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame. This club, I will always support it. My kids will always support it. I love the club so much and I always will. It [the situation] is not acceptable to me, to be fair. I don't get it. It's like I'm being thrown more under the bus. I don't think I'm the problem. I have done so much for this club. I don't have to go every day fighting for my position because I earned it. I am not bigger than anyone but I earned my position. It's football. It is what it is."

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  Salah thinks he's 'too good to be dropped'

  Last season, Salah played a huge role in Liverpool romping to the Premier League title as he scored 29 goals and bagged 18 assists in 38 appearances. This term, however, has been a different story. The Egyptian forward has scored four goals and added two assists in 13 league outings at a time when the Reds' form has nosedived. Salah has not come off the bench in two of their last three league games and it seems that he thinks he is unfairly being singled out by manager Slot. Sutton, however, has no sympathy for him. 

  He tweeted on Saturday night: "Embarrassing from Mo Salah and disrespectful to his team-mates and his manager. Salah is no different from any other player … if a player’s form drops as Salah’s has he is the same as anyone else and has to accept being benched… but he thinks he’s too good to be benched sadly…"

• Salah in another bombshell interview

  In November 2024, Salah told reporters that he was "probably more out than in" as his contract ticked down into its final eight months. This prompted Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher to call him "selfish".

  "I must say I am very disappointed with Mo Salah. Liverpool have Real Madrid midweek [in the Champions League] and Man City at the weekend. That's the story right now. If he keeps putting comments out, his agent puts out cryptic messages, that is selfish. That is thinking about themselves and not the football club," he said. 

  Last month, Carragher said he only ever hears from Salah – who eventually signed a new two-year deal earlier in 2025 – when he wins a Man of the Match award or when he wants a new contract. Now, it seems the Sky Sports pundit's prediction has come true following the veteran's latest outburst. 

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  What comes next for Salah?

  Unless Salah is brought back into Liverpool's starting lineup soon, this could lead to a parting of ways between him and Slot's team. The January window is fast approaching, potentially giving both parties a chance to cut ties. However, manager Slot is under pressure to keep his job, so perhaps Salah is waiting to see how that unfolds. The Dutchman is likely to be quizzed on this topic ahead of their trip to Inter Milan on Tuesday in the Champions League.