Craig McMillan named Bangladesh batting consultant for Sri Lanka tour

Former NZ batsman takes over from Neil McKenzie who had resigned on Thursday

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Aug-2020

PTI

Former New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan has been appointed as Bangladesh’s batting consultant for their upcoming tour to Sri Lanka. He takes over from Neil McKenzie who had resigned on Thursday.The BCB stated that McMillan will work with the Bangladesh side only for the Sri Lanka series although Akram Khan, the cricket operations chairman, had said recently that the board is looking for a permanent batting coach.McMillan had served as New Zealand batting coach from 2014 to the 2019 World Cup before taking up an IPL role with Kings XI Punjab. McMillan had also worked with Canterbury in Middlesex in the past.ALSO READ: Neil McKenzie resigns as Bangladesh batting coachThe BCB wanted McKenzie to fulfill the role for the Test series in Sri Lanka, even though he was predominantly Bangladesh’s white-ball coach, but he pulled out, citing family reasons.McKenzie was appointed as Bangladesh’s batting consultant in July 2018 under Steve Rhodes, and was one of the few survivors in the coaching staff after Bangladesh’s early exit from the 2019 World Cup. McKenzie became an effective instructor and has often been credited by many Bangladesh batsmen for their progress in ODIs and T20Is.Bangladesh will play three Tests in Sri Lanka, the first of which begins from October 24. The squad is set to leave for Colombo a month earlier to complete the mandatory quarantine before training.

فيديو | رونالدينيو يتألق وبرشلونة يهزم ريال مدريد في كلاسيكو الأساطير

التقى أساطير برشلونة وريال مدريد في مباراة كلاسيكو ودية أقيمت في قطر، اليوم الخميس، وانتهت بتعادل إيجابي بهدفين لمثليهما.

وشهدت المباراة مشاركة أبرز نجوم الفريقين السابقين، مثل رونالدينيو ولويس فيجو وسيدورف وخوليا بابتيستا وريفالدو.

وعاد أسطورة برشلونة رونالدينيو بالذاكرة بعد تسجيله هدفاً مذهلاً من ركلة حرة في مباراة استعراضية في الكلاسيكو.

وتقدم برشلونة بهدف مبكر عن طريق خوان بابلو سورين، قبل أن يحصل على ركلة حرة من مسافة 22 ياردة.

وتقدم رونالدينيو وسدد تسديدة رائعة بقدمه اليمنى في الزاوية اليسرى العليا لمرمى حارس المرمى السابق فرانسيسكو بويو.

ولكن حارس مرمى ريال مدريد السابق البالغ من العمر 66 عامًا، لم يتمكن من التصدي، وضاعف رونالدينيو النتيجة لبرشلونة.

وفي نهاية المطاف، تمكن أساطير مدريد من العودة إلى المباراة، وسجل الجناح البرتغالي السابق فيجو، هدفًا لريال مدريد في الشوط الثاني، وأدرك إدوين كونجو التعادل بتسديدة في الدقيقة 63.

اقرأ أيضًا | هنري يشيد بلاعب ليفربول: انتظرنا تألق محمد صلاح ومبابي ولكنه خطف الأضواء

وحصل برشلونة على ضربة جزاء، لكن حارس المرمى البديل بيدرو كونتريراس تصدى لتسديدة كلويفرت.

احتكم الفريقان إلى ركلات الترجيح ونجح برشلونة في الفوز برباعية لهدفين، ليتوج بالكأس.

سيلعب الأساطير في مباراة كلاسيكو أخرى قبل نهاية العام، ويستغرق كل شوط 40 دقيقة. أهداف وركلات ترجيح مباراة أساطير برشلونة وريال مدريد

Após cumprir suspensão, Chay viaja e se junta ao elenco do Botafogo para a partida contra o CRB

MatériaMais Notícias

Marcelo Chamusca terá um “reforço caseiro” para o próximo compromisso do Botafogo. Após ter cumprido suspensão, Chay está de volta e já se encontra em Maceió, palco da partida contra o CRB, nesta terça-feira, às 21h30, pela 10ª rodada da Série B do Brasileirão.

+ Veja a tabela da Série B

O atacante não pôde atuar contra o Avaí, no último sábado, pelo acúmulo de cartões amarelos e estar cumprindo suspensão automática. O camisa 14, porém, retorna à delegação diante do CRB.

RelacionadasBotafogoAutor do gol de empate, Marco Antônio exalta empenho do Botafogo: ‘A gente não merecia sair derrotado’Botafogo04/07/2021BotafogoMarco Antônio participou diretamente de mais de um terço dos gols do Botafogo na Série BBotafogo04/07/2021BotafogoDe virada, Botafogo vence a Chapecoense e segue invicto no Brasileirão sub-20Botafogo04/07/2021

Chay chegou em Alagoas na noite do último domingo. Ele participará do treino do Alvinegro nesta segunda-feira, o último antes de enfrentar o CRB, e deve retornar ao time titular para o duelo.

Por outro lado, Guilherme Santos, que não poderá atuar por estar suspenso pelo terceiro cartão amarelo, não está na delegação. O lateral-esquerdo retornou ao Rio de Janeiro e fará treinos acompanhados pelos profissionais do Botafogo que não viajaram no Clube da Aeronáutica.

Southampton’s big-money flop would be worth as much as £36m in 2024 money

Southampton could well still sneak back into the Championship automatic promotion picture after all hopes of the top two looked dead and buried, benefitting from Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Leeds United all slipping up at the final hurdle.

Russell Martin's men nearly didn't beat Watford this weekend however to keep up their end of the bargain, needing a last-gasp Flynn Downes winner to beat Watford 3-2 to breathe life back into their faintest hopes of a top-two finish.

Downes wasn't the only goalscoring midfielder for the Saints at St. Mary's, with one of his two partners in the middle of the park in Will Smallbone netting within the first minute on the South Coast to set the tone for an enthralling contest.

Whilst the West Ham United loanee continues to look like a great bit of business for Martin's side, Southampton haven't always managed to strike gold with their signings, with one dud sticking out as a particularly stinging misfire of years gone by.

Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes

When Southampton signed Gaston Ramirez

Southampton must have thought they had hit the jackpot by signing attacking midfield star Gaston Ramirez in 2012, winning the Uruguayan's services for a hefty £12m but a sizeable fee that was justified at the time.

Fresh off a stint at Bologna which saw Ramirez amass 15 goals and eight assists from 60 appearances – with 13 of those coming in his final Serie A campaign – Southampton must have thought the 6-foot creator would set the Premier League alight on his arrival.

The move wouldn't quite work like that in reality, with Ramirez shining bright during his debut campaign on the South Coast before seeing his Saints career eventually fizzle out.

In his first full season, Ramirez translated his excellent form playing in Italy to the tough demands of English football.

Ramirez would manage to bag five goals and pick up three assists in the Premier League, taking to his new surroundings with ease.

1. GK – Kelvin Davis

2. RB – Nathaniel Clyne

3. CB – Jose Fonte

4. CB – Jos Hooiveld

5. LB – Danny Fox

6. CDM – Morgan Schneiderlin

7. RM – Jason Puncheon

8. CAM – Steven Davis (Gaston Ramirez)

9. CAM – James Ward-Prowse

10. LM – Adam Lallana

11. ST – Rickie Lambert

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Yet, although the former Bologna man starred alongside the likes of former Saints heroes James Ward-Prowse and Adam Lallana during this honeymoon period at Southampton, his time at the club would eventually turn sour.

His second season would see him make just 18 appearances, falling down the pecking order under then-Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Ramirez would only help himself to a single goal and three assists when given a rare first-team opportunity that campaign, moved on after this forgettable individual season.

Two loan spells away from St. Mary's would follow, with a stint at Middlesbrough enabling the South American midfielder to enjoy his football again after an unmemorable switch to Hull City passed him by.

What Ramirez did after leaving Southampton

Ramirez would eventually join Boro permanently after amassing eight goals and four assists from just 18 Championship appearances on loan, with the Saints cursing their decision in the end to fork out £12m for the Uruguayan.

Even if his time at Middlesbrough ended up being as short-lived as his spell with Southampton, with Ramirez moving back to the comforts of Serie A in 2017 after just two seasons at the Riverside Stadium, his adoring Boro fanbase will always have this sublime strike against AFC Bournemouth to look back on.

Whereas, Southampton only have regrets about the deal to bring the 6-foot midfielder to England over any slight positives.

If this transfer happened in today's far-inflated market too, courtesy of Totally Football's Transfer Index, the move would become even more of a blunder from a Saints perspective.

How much Gaston Ramirez's move would be worth in 2024

If the same transfer mishap went through in 2024, according to the Transfer Index, Ramirez would have cost Southampton an eye-watering £36m.

To add further context to that, Southampton's record signing comes in at €26.2m (£22.4m) currently in Tino Livramento. But, if Ramirez's deal was in today's market, the South American would be way out in front as their record buy.

1. Tino Livramento

€26.2m (£22.4m)

2. Danny Ings

€25.1m (£21.5m)

3. Kamaldeen Sulemana

€25m (£21.4m)

4. Jannik Vestergaard

€25m (21.4m)

5. Sadio Mane

€23m (£19.7m)

Staggeringly, the Transfer Index suggests that Ramirez would be worth nearly £20m more than past Saints superstar Sadio Mane demanded to win his services who would go on to dazzle under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Moreover, when assessing the current crop of talent at Martin's disposal, Ramirez would be worth nearly £30m more than Kyle Walker-Peters who boasts a humble €8.6m (£7.3m) worth, as per Football Transfers, despite being touted for a move back up to the Premier League without the Saints.

It's fair to say the 34-year-old, who is now seeing out his career back in his native Uruguay with CA Peñarol, won't look back on this patch of his career at St. Mary's with many fond memories still attached.

Instead, he knows he is viewed as an expensive flop when everything looked to be pointing in the direction of Ramirez being a great buy who could go on to be a star for many years to come.

Southampton manager Russell Martin.

If Southampton do end up sealing an immediate return to the Premier League, the South Coast outfit will be cautious not to overspend and have another blunder like Ramirez on their hands away from any talk about other incomings.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

حلمي طولان: التحكيم دائمًا شماعة للأخطاء.. وإرهابهم ليس في محله

علق حلمي طولان مدرب الزمالك الأسبق، على الهجوم الكبير والاتهامات الموجهة ضد الحكام المصريين في مباريات الدوري المصري.

وكان مجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة، عقد اجتماعًا طارئًا الخميس الماضي، لمناقشة الأحداث الأخيرة بعد مباراة الزمالك والبنك الأهلي، وقرر خلاله إقالة لجنة الحكام، وتشكيل لجنة جديدة برئاسة ياسر عبد الرؤوف.

وقال حلمي طولان في تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “حزين لما يحدث للحكام، بداية غير موفقة بالمرة، وهجوم كاسح عليهم وإرهاب التحكيم ليس في محله، لن نأتي بحكام من الخارج أو من البلاد التي حولنا”.

طالع أيضاً.. “توقف عن ذلك”.. فرج عامر يوجه رسالة قوية لـ الهاني سليمان بعد خطأه أمام الزمالك

وأكمل: “يجب أن نعطي الثقة للحكام ولا نحاول أن نؤثر عليهم وعلى قراراتهم، التحكيم دائمًا هو الشماعة اللي نعلق عليها الأخطاء، التحكيم دائمًا مدان”.

وأتم: “أتمنى أن تهدأ الأمور بعض الشيء، ونعطي الثقة للحكام، لأنه كلما لعبوا تحت ضغط ستكون هناك أخطاء كثيرة”.

Dermot Desmond eyeing specific top Celtic signing after new transfer update

Celtic have identified a priority signing during the summer transfer window, as Dermot Desmond looks to oversee more important business.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops have been linked with plenty of potential new signings of late, as the club look to bolster the squad, regardless of what happens in the Scottish Premiership title race.

Desmond is reportedly keen on bringing in a new striker in the summer, with Celtic even willing to set aside "huge funds" to bring in a top-quality player to lead the line. Liel Abada's exit to MLS side Charlotte FC has heightened the need to bring in attacking reinforcements.

Celtic striker Adam Idah in action for the Republic of Ireland.

There is also the potential for Adam Idah's loan move to become a permanent one at the end of the current campaign, although his situation appears to be a little unclear at the moment. That's because Mark Lawwell didn't include an option for Celtic to buy the striker in his contract at Parkhead, having arrived on loan from Norwich City in January.

FC Twente left-back Gijs Smal is another player who has been backed to seal a move to the Hoops in the coming month, having been compared to AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini in the past, which is incredible praise.

Whatever happens this summer, it certainly looks as though the Hoops have identified their attack as a primary area of focus, and now a new update has emerged.

Celtic's priority summer target revealed

According to a fresh update from Football Insider, Celtic have made a new winger in the summer window a top priority, following the recent exit of Abada. They are keen to "fill the void" that the 22-year-old has left "as quickly as possible" come the end of the season, ensuring they look healthy in attacking areas.

Liel Abada

While no specific player is mentioned in the update, it is encouraging to see Desmond clearly sanctioning moves for attacking stars, given the aforementioned report about a new striker also arriving at Parkhead.

This is a crucial period in Celtic's recent future, at a time when rivals Rangers are threatening to become more of a force again, and the Hoops cannot afford to let their high standards drop.

Matt O'Riley

11

Kyogo Furuhashi

9

David Turnbull

7

Luis Palma

6

Adam Idah

5

Oh Hyeon-Gyu

5

Brendan Rodgers is far from secure in his job, with a new claim suggesting that those high up at the club don't see him as the long-term answer as manager – he will likely have to win the league in order to stay in the job – and it is imperative that funds continue to be available to strengthen the squad.

Reporter drops “huge” Celtic transfer plan involving marquee striker

Dermot Desmond is not messing around.

ByHenry Jackson Mar 9, 2024

If Celtic can pip Rangers to title glory, though, keeping Rodgers on as manager in the process, and then sign both a winger and a striker, it could only enhance their hopes of more success moving forward, adding some much-needed firepower to a squad not littered with goals this season.

David Sullivan could now offer 34 y/o a player-coach role at West Ham

West Ham United chairman David Sullivan and the club's board could now move to offer a 34-year-old a player-coach role at Rush Green.

Moyes future remains unresolved at West Ham

Just when manager David Moyes was beginning to ease the pressure on himself with back-to-back Premier League wins, West Ham unfortunately lost the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie on Thursday evening.

West Ham eyeing Moyes replacement who's won 9 major trophies in his career

The east Londoners have been repeatedly linked with a new head coach in recent weeks.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 7, 2024

Freiburg snatched a 1-0 win over West Ham in Germany, giving Moyes' side the task of turning over their deficit if they're to reach the quarter-finals and potentially go on another impressive run. Moyes was vocal in his praise for West Ham's record in Europe before their defeat to Freiburg, but the Scotsman was in less good spirits when commenting on his side's denied last-gasp penalty appeal.

"If we'd had it given against us, we'd probably think it was harsh, but ultimately I have to say what are you doing with your hands above your head?" said Moyes on West Ham's denied penalty against Freiburg.

James Ward-Prowse

7.15

Mohammed Kudus

7.14

Lucas Paqueta

7.14

Jarrod Bowen

7.09

Tomas Soucek

6.97

"They are trying to claim there might have been a slight push and that's why it wasn't given – but they should have restarted the game with a free-kick if they said it was a push. It certainly wasn't enough of a push to warrant a free-kick, so that shouldn't mean that it should even come into consideration. The boy has two arms above his head.

"In the Premier League, I am not sure that would be given, but in UEFA competitions in Europe they're normally given by the referees. I watch Spanish football and German football and nearly every handball is seen. If you think of the one we had against Kurt [Zouma at Everton] the other day, but we just have to take it and move on."

This defeat abroad perhaps reminds the Hammers hierarchy of an imminent decision facing them over Moyes' future. The 60-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season, and there have been reports that West Ham are assessing alternatives to Moyes.

In the meantime, though, it is believed Sullivan and co are plotting another staff change.

West Ham could offer Aaron Cresswell player-coach role

According to Football Insider and journalist Wayne Veysey, defender Aaron Cresswell could be set for quite the promotion.

Indeed, as per their information, West Ham could offer Cresswell a player-coach role to remain at the London Stadium past 2023/2024. The left-back has been a wonderful servant for West Ham over his near-decade-long spell, and with his contract expiring this summer, it is believed the Irons may offer him a route into staying for the foreseeable.

The former Ipswich Town defender has been a bit-part member of Moyes' squad this season, playing just four league games.

Ramiro projeta sequência do Corinthians na Sul-Americana e reconhece necessidade de secar rivais

MatériaMais Notícias

Após ser titular no empate em 2 a 2 contra o São Paulo, no último domingo (2), pela décima rodada do Campeonato Paulista, na Neo Química Arena, o meia Ramiro, do Corinthians, tem grandes chances de começar jogando contra o Sport Huancayo, nesta quinta-feira (6), às 21h30, pela terceira rodada do grupo E da Copa Sul-Americana.

>> Confira a tabela da Copa Sul-Americana e simule as próximas rodadas

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Com experiência internacional, inclusive com um título da Libertadores, em 2017, pelo Grêmio, no currículo, o camisa oito reconhece que a missão corintiana de avançar às oitavas de final é muito complicado, já que dos primeiros seis pontos em disputa, o Timão conquistou apenas um. Portanto, além de fazer a parte do time no Peru, será importante que os corintianos coloquem o secador para funcionar contra, principalmente contra o Peñarol (URU), líder da chave onde apenas um clube se classifica.

– Expectativa é a melhor possível, porque pela nossa possibilidade de classificação a gente sabe que nós temos que somar os nossos pontos e dar uma secada nos nossos adversários, mas temos que fazer a nossa parte. Enquanto tiver chance de classificação a gente vai até o final, e amanhã é um jogo importante para a gente ir com vida até o final – disse o meio-campista à Corinthians TV antes do último treinamento do Corinthians antes do confronto contra o Huancayo, nesta quarta-feira (5), no CT da Seleção Peruana, em Lima.

No momento, o Timão é o terceiro colocado do seu grupo, que tem o Peñarol na ponta, com duas vitórias em dois jogos, entre elas o 2 a 0, em plena Neo Química Arena, contra o Corinthians, na última semana, e o River Plate (PAR) na segunda colocação, com um empate, contra o Alvinegro do Parque São Jorge, e uma vitória.

Para o Corinthians, é imprescindível que a vitória seja alcançada nos próximos quatro jogos somado a pelo menos uma derrota dos uruguaios e um empate dos paraguaios, e ainda assim a vaga ficaria por conta dos critérios de desempate em relação aos aurinegros.

مدرب سيراميكا كليوباترا يوضح موقفه من التعاقد مع أحمد قندوسي بعد أزمته مع الأهلي

أوضح أيمن الرمادي المدير الفني لنادي سيراميكا كليوباترا، رأيه في تصريحات أحمد قندوسي الأخيرة بشأن أزمته مع النادي الأهلي، وموقفه من التعاقد معه بشكل نهائي.

أحمد قندوسي يلعب مع فريق سيراميكا كليوباترا خلال الفترة الحالية معارًا من الأهلي، بداية الموسم الحالي.

وكان أحمد قندوسي تحدث عبر إحدى البرامج التلفزيونية، عن فشل صفقة انتقال مواطنه زين الدين بلعيد لـ الأهلي خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية، موضحًا أن إدارة الأهلي فرضت وكيلاً معيناً على بلعيد.

وبناء على ذلك قررت إدارة النادي الأهلي، إحالة تصريحات اللاعب إلى التحقيق، وأعلن النادي الأهلي، نتائج التحقيقات في ذلك الشأن، حيث قرر عرض اللاعب الجزائري أحمد قندوسي للبيع مع إعادة تشكيل لجنة التعاقدات.

وقال الرمادي خلال تصريحات عبر قناة المحور في برنامج “ستاد المحور”: “أحمد قندوسي متواجد حاليًا مع منتخب بلادها وهذا شيء يسعدنا كثيرًا، الجزائر من المنتخبات الكبيرة جدًا، وانضمامه لمنتخب بلادها شيء كبير جدًا وانضم للجزائر من خلال نادي سيراميكا”.

وأضاف: “لا أعرف ما الذي حدث في موضوع قندوسي مع الأهلي لأنه وقتها لم ينضم لسيراميكا”.

طالع | قبل مواجهة الأهلي.. سيراميكا كليوباترا يضم رباعي بيراميدز

وأكمل: “تواصلت مع قندوسي هاتفيًا لأنه من الواجب علينا أن نقف مع لاعب لدينا، قندوسي إنسان أقل ما يقل عليه أكثر من محترم، ولديه احترام شديد جدًا للأهلي والزمالك وكل المنافسين، عندما أحرز هدفا في مرمى الأهلي رفض الاحتفال”.

وواصل: “قندوسي لم أعهد عليه اللف والدوران وهذه طبيعية أغلب اللاعبين الجزائريين، شاهدت تصريحاته هو تحدث بعفوية مطلقة ولم يخطط لذلك، من المخطئ ومن على صواب؟ لا نستطيع أن نحكم، لأن القضية ليست أمامنا”.

وعن موقفه من شراء عقد أحمد قندوسي بشكل نهائي من الأهلي، أوضح: “عرض بيع اللاعب أتى مساء الأحد، يجب أن ندرس القرار الأصح بالنسبة لنا، حاليًا نحضر للسفر إلى الإمارات لخوض السوبر المصري، إذا تحدثنا فنيًا نتمنى تواجده معنا”.

واستمر: “كان لا بد أن يكون هناك عدالة في مواعيد مباريات كأس السوبر، لأن الأجواء بالإمارات حاليًا حارة والرطوبة العالية، اللعب في خلال 4 أيام صعب، كان يجب أن يكون هناك قرعة لمواعيد المباريات”.

وأتم: “رفضنا عرض من الزمالك لضم أحمد رمضان بيكهام، كما أن النادي الأهلي طلبه في آخر يوم للقيد واعتذرت لإدارة الأحمر، لحاجة الفريق له”.

Liverpool could sign Van Dijk’s new Gomez in "incredibly fast" £13m titan

The January transfer window is now approaching the final stretch, and while there is still plenty of time for Liverpool to make a move, it's looking increasingly unlikely that Jurgen Klopp will do anything dramatic over the coming weeks.

Defence is surely the priority in the market but with the emergence of Jarell Quansah, it looks like the pursuit of a new star is on pause until the summer, though potential arrivals have been earmarked.

Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah.

Liverpool looking at signing a Bundesliga star

Sporting Lisbon defensive duo Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande are reportedly both on Liverpool's radar but neither would come cheap, and if Klopp and co desire a shrewder alternative, then advancing negotiations for Japan international Ko Itakura might be the best move.

According to Sky Sports reporter Patrick Berger, the Borussia Monchengladbach star – who has a €15m (£13m) release clause in his contract, active in the summer – is being considered by the Anfield side, with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur also interested.

How Ko Itakura would fit in at Liverpool

In 2022, Gladbach signed Itakura from Manchester City for €5m (£4m), though he had never actually reached Pep Guardiola's first team during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

Nonetheless, numerous loan spells – including a stint in the Netherlands that led pundit Hans Kraay to dub him "one of the very best central defenders in the Eredivisie" – culminated in a promotion-clinching campaign in Germany's second tier with FC Schalke, convincing his current club to swoop in and sign him on a permanent.

Ko Itakura for Japan

The 26-year-old has been injured for large parts of the 2023/24 season but has bagged two goals from just seven outings, though a better reflection of his defensive armoury can be pulled from last season, having completed 91% of his passes in the German Bundesliga, also winning 62% of his duels and succeeding with 89% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 16% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 13% for pass completion and the top 5% for blocks per 90.

Such metrics underscore the player's excellent ability to thrive across different facets of the defensive game, and with the £31k-per-week ace also noted for his "incredibly fast" pace by Kraay, he could prove to be Virgil van Dijk's next Joe Gomez in the Liverpool rearguard.

Gomez and the Dutchman were once considered the finest partnership in English football and won the Premier League and Champions League under Klopp's guidance with some imperious and dynamic displays together, serving as foils to each other's skill sets.

While Van Dijk is arguably the best defender in the world right now, Gomez fell by the wayside last year and while he has now picked himself back up, his protean talent is being used at full-back with greater regularity this season.

But Itakura could serve the England international's former role and provide the Reds captain with a fleet-footed presence beside him to ensure that Liverpool's multi-dimensional system maintains its fluidity.

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez

Gomez ranks among the top 5% of positional peers for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90 to emphasise this point.

Given the small outlay that would be required to secure Itakura's services, this might be the move to make for Liverpool as they look to add depth and something different to their ranks, maintaining the cohesive and free-flowing nature of their squad.

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