The narrative of Liverpool’s transfer window has been one of an observing nature, as Jurgen Klopp eyes reinforcements to strengthen his squad for what’s to come in the season ahead.

Having made three signings so far this window, with Alexis Mac Allister arriving in June and Dominik Szoboszlai following a few weeks later, the only recent capture has been that of Wataru Endo.

While others have been making sufficient signings and progress through the market period, the Reds seemed to have been stalling, though recent reports have identified a potential new target for Klopp to eye.

Who could Liverpool sign this summer?

A host of players have been linked to Anfield throughout the course of the window, none more of a sucker punch than the rejection of Moises Caicedo after a bid worth £111m was accepted by Brighton.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

However, another wave of worry has hit Merseyside, with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad eyeing star man Mohamed Salah, as relayed by The Athletic.

It’s not expected that anything will come of the links to the Egyptian, but reports in Italy have identified a player that could be targeted by Liverpool amid rumours of Salah’s future.

As reported by CalcioMercato, it’s believed that the Reds are keen to ‘return to the market’ in the bid to sign players to bolster their attack, with one name listed being Karim Adeyemi.

The Borussia Dortmund whiz is said to be a fan of Klopp and could be an exciting acquisition for the German to target, with his market value sitting around the €37m (£31m) mark, as per Football Transfers.

What is Karim Adeyemi’s style of play?

Identified earlier this year as the quickest player in Bundesliga history, the 21-year-old clocked a top speed of 36.7km/h, telling a lot of the type of threat he can bring to a side from the flank.

Deployable across the front line, the speedster is most comfortable on the left flank, where he can exploit his pace and cause havoc with his direct approach to play.

Hailed as “special” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the young German could be a huge upgrade in attack at Anfield as a player with the versatility to usurp the position of Diogo Jota.

Having scored 42 goals since arriving at Liverpool from Wolves, the Portuguese gem has been a reliable source in attack as a backup to those above him in the pecking order. However, there is a sense that the 26-year-old could exert higher levels at times.

A talent as bright as Adeyemi, who has also been dubbed a “wonderkid” by Mango, could bring competition to the former Molineux ace, who has undergone spells of droughts in front of goal.

The German contributed to 12 goals last season in the Bundesliga in 24 appearances, scoring six and assisting six in his debut campaign at the club.

Prior to joining the Yellows, the youngster had a phenomenal 2021/22 campaign, in which he netted 23 goals and produced nine assists for former club RB Salzburg, highlighting just how much of a menace he can be.

For Klopp, Adeyemi could prove to be a brighter spark in his setup to Jota, with his numbers last season suggesting that he could offer more to the manager’s setup to the Portuguese.

As per FBref, the direct forward averaged 2.21 successful take-ons and 1.82 key passes per 90 for Dortmund in the Bundesliga, numbers exceeding the averages of Jota in the Premier League, who totalled 1.11 successful take-ons and 1.35 key passes per 90.

Adding depth and competition to the squad could be the missing ingredient to getting the Reds performing to the levels they were over the past few years, with change welcomed to keep the progress rolling on Merseyside.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na Arena Pantanal, em partida válida pela 9ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro da Série B, Cuiabá e Figueirense ficaram no empate por 0 a 0, em jogo de poucas emoções. Com o resultado, o Dourado vai para 15 pontos e permanece em 4º lugar. O Figueira foi para 6 pontos e saiu da zona de rebaixamento.

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Na próxima rodada, o Cuiabá enfrenta o Oeste, na Arena Pantanal. O Figueirense visita o América, no estádio Independência. Ambos os jogos serão realizados no dia 19 de setembro.

A partida

Cuiabá e Figueirense não fizeram um primeiro tempo que agradasse os olhares de quem estava acompanhando o jogo. Uma partida muito amarrada e sem jogadas de perigo.

Vale destacar que o Figueira foi quem pelo menos tentou alguma coisa. Os catarinenses tentaram surpreender apostando nos chutes de fora da área, mas a falta de pontaria não ajudou e nenhum dos arremates chegou a assustar o goleiro Matheus Nogueira, do Dourado.

Se o primeiro tempo não teve nenhuma chance de perigo, o segundo tempo começou com o Figueirense criando duas oportunidades logo no comecinho. Na primeira, Diego Gonçalves tentou surpreender o goleiro e quase marcou em arremate de fora da área. Na segunda, Everton levantou a bola na área, mas Marquinho não conseguiu acertar a cabeçada no gol.

O Cuiabá acordou com os sustos e começou a pelo menos buscar o gol. Mas o time não conseguia furar a defesa do Figueirense.

Já que o Dourado não oferecia perigo, o Figueira foi com tudo para cima em busca do gol. O time catarinense na base do toque de bola conseguiu criar boas oportunidades e pressionar o time do Cuiabá, mas faltou capricho na hora das finalizações.

Para não falar que o Dourado não teve nenhuma chance na etapa complementar, Jean Patrick bateu muito bem uma falta da entrada da área, a bola passou raspando a trave.

No último lance da partida, o Figueirense ainda chegou a fazer um gol com Marquinho em rebote do goleiro, mas o árbitro anulou marcando impedimento.

David Warner, Steven Smith, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are some of the other players retained by their IPL franchises

Nagraj Gollapudi04-Jan-20184:20

Dasgupta: Surprised KKR didn’t retain Gambhir

Virat Kohli is the only player to be retained by an IPL franchise for an amount greater than that set by the IPL (INR 15 crore) for the first player retained: Kohli will be paid INR 17 crore (US $2.67 million) by Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 2018 season. RCB batsman Sarfaraz Khan was the only uncapped player to be retained at the player-retention event in Mumbai on January 4.The following players were retained by the teams. The figures next to the names are the amounts they will be paid by the teams.Chennai Super Kings
Players retained: MS Dhoni (INR 15 crore/US $2.36m), Suresh Raina (INR 11 crore/US $1.73m), Ravindra Jadeja (INR 7 crore/US $1.1m)Deduction from salary cap: INR 33 crore (US $5.2m)Salary cap remaining for player auction: INR 47 crore (US $7.4m)Right-to-match cards left at auction: 2Mumbai Indians
Players retained: Rohit Sharma (INR 15 crore), Hardik Pandya (INR 11 crore), Jasprit Bumrah (INR 7 crore)Deduction from salary cap: INR 33 croreSalary cap remaining for player auction: INR 47 croreRight-to-match cards left at auction: 2Royal Challengers Bangalore
Players retained: Virat Kohli (INR 17 crore), AB de Villiers (INR 11 crore), Sarfaraz Khan (INR 1.75 crore/US $268,000)Deduction from salary cap: INR 31 crore (US $4.8m)Salary cap remaining for player auction: INR 49 crore (US $7.7m)Right-to-match cards left at auction: 2Kolkata Knight Riders
Players retained: Sunil Narine (INR 8.5 crore/US $1.3m), Andre Russell (INR 7 crore)Deduction from salary cap: INR 21 crore (US $3.3m)Salary cap remaining for player auction: INR 59 crore (US $9.2m)Right-to-match cards left at auction: 3Delhi Daredevils
Players retained: Rishabh Pant (INR 8 crore/Us $1.26m), Chris Morris (INR 7.1 crore), Shreyas Iyer (INR 7 crore)Deduction from salary cap: INR 33 croreSalary cap remaining for player auction: INR 47 croreRight-to-match cards left at auction: 2Kings XI Punjab
Players retained: Axar Patel (INR 6.75 crore/US $1.05m)Deduction from salary cap: INR 12.5 crore (US $1.97m)Salary cap remaining for player auction: INR 67.5 crore (US $10.6m)Right-to-match cards left at auction: 3Sunrisers Hyderabad
Players retained: David Warner (INR 12 crore/US $1.89m), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (INR 8.5 crore)Deduction from salary cap: INR 21 croreSalary cap remaining for player auction: INR 59 croreRight-to-match cards left at auction: 3Rajasthan Royals
Players retained: Steven Smith (INR 12 crore)Deduction from salary cap: INR 12.5 croreSalary cap remaining for player auction: INR 67.5 croreRight-to-match cards left at auction: 3The player retention is the first step towards the franchises reforming their squads ahead of the 2018 IPL player auction. After the 2017 IPL, the tenth year of the tournament, the existing squads were disbanded, apart from the players retained by the teams.The IPL set the salary cap to form a squad for 2018 at INR 80 crore (approx $12.4 million). A franchise is allowed to pick up to five of their existing players through a combination of retention ahead of the auction and the right-to-match card during the auction.A team could retain up to three players ahead of the auction, and they can use a maximum of three right-to-match cards during the auction.Franchises that retained the maximum of three players before the auction have lost from their salary cap INR 15 crore for the first player, INR 11 crore for the second, and INR 7 crore for the third. The exception here was RCB, who lost INR 17 crore on Kohli – the rules say the franchises lose the pre-defined amount or the actual amount paid to the player, whichever is more. So where franchises negotiated with the player to pay an amount lower that what was pre-defined, it was the amount specified by the IPL that was deducted from the salary cap.Franchises that retained only two players lost INR 12.5 crore from their salary cap for the first player retained, and INR 8.5 crore for the second. Where only one player was retained, the franchises lost INR 12.5 crore from the salary cap.The IPL also imposed a salary cap of INR 3 crore for uncapped players retained.Each franchise was allowed to retain a maximum of three capped India players, two overseas players and two uncapped Indian players.

Doubts put to bed, as battling performance in front of parents brings England batsman to the brink of tears

George Dobell in Perth14-Dec-2017An emotional Dawid Malan admitted he almost broke down in tears after reaching his maiden Test century towards the end of the first day of the Perth Test.Malan, playing his eighth Test, knew he needed to provide a substantial innings to sustain both his own career at this level and England’s hopes of retaining the Ashes. Shortly after he came to the crease, England were 131 for 4 and facing the prospect of squandering first use of a pitch that may offer bowlers pace and bounce, but also looks full of runs.But in partnership with Jonny Bairstow, Malan saw England through to the end of play. Despite conceding he had to look away when England’s opener, Mark Stoneman, sustained a crushing blow to the side of the head, Malan led the way as the pair produced not only their side’s highest partnership of the series to date – an unbroken 174 for the fifth wicket – but took them to their highest total so far.While England’s batsmen still have work ahead of them on day two – their bowlers could struggle to find much encouragement from this surface – Malan and Bairstow’s efforts represented perhaps England’s best day of a tour in which they have tended to make the headlines for the wrong reasons.Rendering the occasion all the more special for Malan, he played the innings in front of his parents, Dawid and Janet, who had flown in from South Africa to watch him. He pointed his bat in their direction upon reaching three figures and hugged his mum as he left the pitch at the end of the day.”It was so emotional, I didn’t really know what to do,” Malan said afterwards. “I almost started crying when it happened.Dawid Malan shapes to sweep•Getty Images

“To make my maiden Test century in front of my parents after the amount of sacrifices my old man and mum made for me made it very special. It’s nice to repay them for all the time they’ve given me.”Reflecting on the off-field issues that have dogged England’s tour, he said: “We made the headlines for the wrong things and the only way to put those things to bed is to win games of cricket. We’re in a position now when we’ve got one foot in the door and we need to capitalise on that on day two.”Malan concedes there were moments during the first few weeks of his Test career when he doubted he was good enough to make it. Feeling he was picked for his Test debut in July just as he had lost a bit of form, his first innings brought him just one run and ended when Kagiso Rabada both bowled him and knocked him off his feet with a perfect yorker. After his first four innings yielded just 35 runs, he feared he may be dropped.But now, with a century behind him, he hopes he has proved to himself he belongs at this level.”After those first two games, I never thought I’d score a run in Test cricket to be honest,” Malan said. “It was quite tough. But I’ve adjusted my game here and there to work at Test cricket.”I was under a bit of pressure coming into the game. And there was a tough period at the start of my innings and then another about an hour later. In other innings I’ve felt comfortable but given it away. Here I was ruthless. It was especially nice to get some runs when the team needed it.”It’s good to put the doubts to bed. We always felt we have the backing from the coach and captain, but every time you open the newspaper you read how poor you are and how bad you are. So it’s nice to tick a box and prove to yourself you can play at this level and score hundreds.”Anything you do is about self-belief. You need to prove to yourself you belong. When you get that first hundred or first five-for, you have the belief to trust your game going into the next match. It doesn’t mean you’ll be successful, but you have the belief you need to perform at the highest level.”He endured a couple of nervous moments, most notably when he was dropped on the slips on 92, but says he generally relished the pace of the bowling and the challenge it offered.”I got a bit ahead of myself there,” he said. “I knew I was two or three shots away from scoring a hundred and premeditated my shot a bit. I thought the ball would be full, so I set up to clip through midwicket but it swung away a bit. It was a good time to have a let-off. It put me back in my box.”When I saw Mark Stoneman hit on the head, I wanted to walk away and have a chat with someone in the back of the dressing room. But I’ve really enjoyed the pace that these guys bowl. When you play county cricket you’re more worried about being nicked off with 78mph dibbly dobblies, so I’ve really enjoyed the challenge. It tests you in different ways: not only technically but your heart as well.”Now we need to capitalise on the moment. We need to put as much pressure on them as we can and score as many as we can. That first hour will be crucial and if we give them a sniff, we’re going to be on the back foot.”

Tom Curran became the third England bowler in recent years to miss out on a maiden Test wicket because of a no-ball – but it was because of over-ambition rather than carelessness

George Dobell in Melbourne26-Dec-20172:10

‘A rollercoaster of emotions’ – Warner’s relief and Curran’s pain

Tom Curran revealed that he had checked his foot position with the umpire the ball before his maiden Test wicket was ruled out because of a no-ball.Curran, on Test debut, celebrated wildly when he thought he had dismissed David Warner caught at mid-on for 99. But no sooner had Warner started trudging off the field than TV replays showed that Curran had over-stepped and a no-ball was called. Warner returned to complete his century and Curran finished the day wicketless.That left Curran as the third England bowler to miss out on a maiden Test wicket because of a no-ball in the past four years. The incident invited reminders of the Adelaide Test four years ago when Ben Stokes was denied the wicket of Brad Haddin when replays showed he had overstepped. Mark Wood also saw his celebrations cut short when he transgressed against New Zealand in 2015.But Curran could not be accused of carelessness – he had checked his foot position with the umpire the previous delivery only to over-calculate in his ambition to get as close to the line as possible after hearing the advice.”It’s been a mixed day,” Curran said. “It was great to make my debut, so it’s a very proud day. I asked the umpire how my foot was the ball before that and he said it was ‘half-and-half’ so I moved a little bit forward. I am gutted. It was horrible. The worst feeling I’ve had. But looking at the positives, I get to get my first wicket twice.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Celebrating Warner’s reprieve became the most jovial moment of an attritional day for the packed MCG crowd. Warner took the chance to deride Curran at the end of the over before Jonny Bairstow and Jimmy Anderson chimed in on behalf of Curran.It was the second time in 12 months that Warner had been dismissed off a no-ball on his way to a century at the MCG. In the 2016 Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, Warner was bowled by Wahab Riaz on 81 before replays showed the left-armer had crossed the line.Anderson suggested “adrenalin” may have responsible for Curran’s overstepping. Anderson claimed his 100th Test wicket against Australia and drew level with Courtney Walsh with 519 Test dismissals on the first day. Now only four men – and one seam bowler in Glenn McGrath – have taken more.”I was gutted for Tom,” Anderson said. “It was hard to watch, really. We saw the elation in his face and then watched it drain from his face a few seconds later when the big screen came up. It’s one of things you learn the hard way, on Boxing Day at the MCG.”Anderson claimed England do try to ensure they don’t bowl no-balls in the nets – though that hasn’t always been the case on this tour – and said umpires tend to warn bowlers if they are getting close to going over the line.”The umpires do work hard to let you know when you’re pushing the line,” he said. “The third umpires are in their ear telling them when you’re over. If it gets called, then you’re more likely to definitely come back. It’s difficult, you want to be behind the line as much as possible, but with the adrenalin, and Tom wanting to impress in his first Test match, he just put a bit of extra effort.”In the nets we have an umpire standing there more often than not, telling us where we’re standing on the crease. In game situations it’s difficult for a bowler. There’s adrenalin, you’re trying to bowl quicker, and you can push it. But no-balls happen in cricket, they have done for 100-odd years, and now he has experienced something like that he’ll really try hard to stay behind the line.”Getty Images

Anderson admitted England “didn’t start very well” but felt they “dragged it back really well”. He had particular encouragement for Stuart Broad who he conceded had not bowled well in Perth.”Being brutally honest, I think Stuart’s really disappointed with the way he bowled in the last game,” Anderson said. “Being a senior player, you want to help the team in big series. Unfortunately for Broady, it’s not gone his way this trip so far. But having seen him practise this week, he still has the hunger. He’s worked on his run-up and his action to try and get back to his best. I thought he bowled brilliantly.”I don’t think we started very well. We didn’t adjust to the conditions of the pitch quick enough and when you bowl to someone like Warner on pitches like that, he’s going to hurt you. We regrouped at lunch and dragged it back really well. But there’s just no pace in the pitch.”It’s hard but I think days like today, in a slightly strange way, I get satisfaction out of knowing I’ve put in a good shift. I’ve put in everything today, I couldn’t have thought about how I could get wickets any more. I enjoy putting that stint in knowing that you’ve done a good day’s work.”

يخطط المدرب الإسباني تشافي هيرنانديز، للاجتماع بمسؤولي برشلونة، يوم الثلاثاء، حسبما أفادت تقارير صحفية إسبانية اليوم.

وانتهى مشوار تشافي هيرنانديز مع برشلونة، أمس، بخوض آخر مباراة في الدوري الإسباني ضد إشبيلية.

كان برشلونة قد أعلن يوم الجمعة الماضي الإطاحة بـ تشافي من منصبه، حيث من المتوقع قدوم هانزي فليك لخلافته.

ووفقًا لما ذكرته صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية، فإن تشافي يخطط لتسوية عقده مع برشلونة يوم الثلاثاء، حيث كان ممتدًا حتى 30 يونيو 2025.

وأوضحت أن تشافي مستعد للتخلي عن الحصول على المكأفاة المتعلقة ببقية عقده، ولكن مقابل هذا سيطالب بالحصول على تعويض مالي للطاقم المعاون له.

ويضم طاقم تشافي 8 أشخاص، حيث هناك مساعديه أوسكار هيرنانديز وسيرجيو أليجري، والمدرب البدني إيفان توريس، وإخصائي العلاج الطبيعي كارلوس نوجيرا، والكشافين ديفيد براتس، سيرجيو جارسيا وتوني لوبو، إلى جانب مدير العلاقات إيدو بولو، ويمتلك جميعهم عقودًا مع برشلونة مستمرة عام 2025، بمبالغ تعويضات مختلفة جدًا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أستون فيلا يتخذ قرارًا بشأن لينجليه ويضع برشلونة في مأزق

وأفادت بأن تشافي لن يطالب بالحصول على المبلغ المالي الذي يحق له الحصول عليه، البالغ 12 مليون يورو، ولكنه يصر على منح موظفيه كافة حقوقهم خاصة أنها لا تصل جميعها إلى 3 ملايين يورو فقط.

وأشارت إلى أن حاشية تشافي تؤكد أنه سيكون متعنتًا عندما يتعلق الأمر بالتفاوض بشأن تعويضات موظفيه، لأنه يدرك أن المبالغ مقبولة للنادي، ومن ثم لن يتخل عن يورو واحد للجميع.

وإذا لم يضع خوان لابورتا أي عائق في النهاية، فسيوقع تشافي وباقي مساعديه على إنهاء ارتباطهم بـ برشلونة.

وبمجرد إغلاق ملف تشافي، سيتمكن النادي من الإعلان رسميًا عن التعاقد مع فليك فليك مدربًا جديدًا لبرشلونة للموسمين المقبلين.

New Zealand took a 2-0 lead in the series after hunting down their DLS target of 151 with seven balls to spare

The Report by Danyal Rasool08-Jan-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
For the second time this series, rain intervened before the match was finished with New Zealand in front. This time, it subsided early enough for further play to be possible, and for Martin Guptill to storm back to form. An explosive innings from the opener – who scored 86 off 71 balls – ensured New Zealand carried a 2-0 lead into into the third ODI at Dunedin with an eight-wicket win.After a two-hour delay, New Zealand’s target was revised from 247 to 151 in 25 overs, with a further 87 required in 11 overs after the resumption. Guptill made it look supremely straightforward, smashing Hasan Ali for consecutive sixes in his first over back. The sixes were hit at will for Guptill – five of them in total – while Ross Taylor provided suitable support. Pakistan fell apart spectacularly in the field, and New Zealand completed the chase with seven balls to spare.AFPBefore the interruption, New Zealand spent much of the game enjoying the upper hand, and barring the salvo of a 49-ball 70 run partnership between Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan, Pakistan couldn’t quite lay claim on any passage of play.Sarfraz Ahmed might have made a different decision at the toss, but that didn’t change how the innings panned out. Pakistan, batting first, turned in another limp batting performance. All five regular bowlers chipped in with wickets, and it was left to Pakistan’s lower order to respond with a magnificent rearguard action as half-centuries from Hasan and Shadab took Pakistan – once tottering at 141 for 7 – to a more presentable 246.De Grandhomme back in ODI squad

Colin de Grandhomme has been added to New Zealand’s squad ahead of the third ODI against Pakistan. De Grandhomme had missed the series against West Indies, and the first two ODIs against Pakistan following the death of his father. George Worker has been excluded from the squad.
“It’s been a difficult time for Colin and I know the group are excited to catch up with him,” selector Gavin Larsen said. “Everyone has been thinking of him while he’s been away, He’ll play for Auckland on Wednesday and, all going well, will join the team in Dunedin on Thursday.”

The surface in Nelson looked dry, and even Kane Williamson admitted he would have much preferred to bat first, but his opening bowlers didn’t leave him wistful for too long. Tim Southee and Trent Boult were at the openers straightaway, Azhar Ali and Imam-ul-Haq – in for the injured Fakhar Zaman – struggling against generous early swing. At the same time, Boult was dangerous with the short ball, with Azhar survived a caught behind after a review showed it was in fact his helmet that had grazed the ball on the way through to the keeper.Boult wasn’t to be denied in his next over, though. It was the short ball that brought the breakthrough, as Imam was unable to get on top of the bounce, and the pull shot went straight to Colin Munro at square leg.Azhar followed him in the next over. Tim Southee got the wicket in almost identical fashion to the first ODI, Azhar falling over to off stump and missing a straight one that thudded into his pads.Babar Azam played a loose shot unbecoming of the reputation and class to leave Pakistan wobbling at 39 for 3, and it was up to old hands Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez to regroup. A 45-run partnership provided some hope of a Pakistan revival, as the pair began to rotate the strike regularly and use their feet to the spinners. But just as the momentum was shifting, Malik danced down the wicket and hit one straight to long-on.Sarfraz and Hafeez were Pakistan’s last recognised batsmen, but both fell to indifferent shots. Sarfraz’s was shocking, coming down the wicket to a short ball from Todd Astle and getting himself stumped. A few overs later, Hafeez, after compiling 60 classy runs, charged Mitchell Santner in similarly unseemly fashion, only succeeding in chipping to short cover.The innings looked to be petering out well under 200, and it took a whirlwind partnership between Shadab and No. 9 Hasan to restore some competitiveness to the contest. Hasan took charge in their stand, striking four boundaries and four sixes, beginning his assault with successive sixes off Mitchell Santner. Ferguson struck him with a vicious bouncer around the neck, but he wasn’t dissuaded, taking the attack to the quicks as well as New Zealand lost their discipline. Astle went for 21 runs in an over, while Boult bowled two full tosses around waist height – only one of which was called – as the runs began to flow freely.Southee was smashed for 12 in three balls to bring up a 30-ball fifty, but the bowler dismissed Hasan off the next ball. Shadab continued to attack, as Pakistan took 13 off Southee’s final over. Boult wasn’t spared either as a gorgeous cover drive off the left-armer brought up Shadab’s half-century.New Zealand started their chase shakily, Mohammad Amir – looking near his fearsome best – forcing a false shot from Munro to send him back for a duck. Williamson and Guptill restored some order, before a superb diving catch at point from Shadab left New Zealand at 47 for 2.Pakistan may have felt they were right back in the game, before the rain break. By the time the rain subsided, Guptill appeared to be a different batsman, one against whom a lackadaisical Pakistan stood no chance.

On a quiet Tuesday, as the Cape Town suburbs poured into offices in town, four India players woke up nice and early, packed their bags, and made their way to the Newlands nets. This is rare for Indian teams to do: to go straight into the nets after a defeat. The players in the nets were those who didn’t play in the XI – KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane, Parthiv Patel and Ishant Sharma – but, still, it is a move that suggests India realise they need all the help they can muster after their batting struggled badly and their bowlers let the game slip before making a stellar comeback.This is something that should please traditionalists such as Sunil Gavaskar who keep asking India to go to the nets and prepare harder after losing. The team’s refrain usually has been: “What will an extra nets session achieve?” The team didn’t even train a day before this Test, sending Sanjay Bangar, the batting coach, to look at the pitch and address the pre-match press conference, which is usually handled by the captain.The four players who turned up for nets could well be called upon in the rest of the series. Rahane seemed a certainty to start in Cape Town, but lost out to Rohit Sharma based on “current form”. As Shikhar Dhawan struggled with his “minor injury” at the start of the tour, Rahul would have thought he would make the playing XI, but Dhawan recovered, and his left-handness prevailed. Ishant was not well three days before the Test, but the team management says that was not the reason he was left out to make way for Jasprit Bumrah. Parthiv could be a left-field choice if Wriddhiman Saha continues to struggle against quick bowling.The order in the nets was unusual. One was kept for throwdowns from Bangar, throwdown specialist Raghavindra and fielding coach R Sridhar. The other net was where Ishant and the net bowlers bowled. Two batsmen would go into the nets, and the third would wait outside. They would face an over each and switch: the idle batsman would take one of the nets, the batsman in that net would switch to the other net, and the remaining batsman would watch from the outside.Ishant bowled with new balls, and the throwdowns were intense, not shy of bouncing the batsmen. This could be more of an individual enterprise than a team order for players who feel they could be asked to play as the series wears on. If they are going to be asked to play, then it makes complete sense to prepare as hard as they can, because the word around is that the pitches up in the north are going to test India even more without necessarily seaming as much as the one in Cape Town did.If Rahul comes in, he will have to replace Dhawan. To fit Rahane in could be trickier because Rohit now has only had one chance. Ishant’s selection, too, may pose a few challenges, considering Bumrah made an impressive comeback in the second innings of the Newlands Test. If he plays as the fourth specialist fast bowler, that could further weaken the batting. The decisions only become tougher as India travel north, but it seems they want everybody prepared should those changes be made.

Liverpool surely need to sign another midfielder before the transfer window slams shut this week, but whether Jurgen Klopp's side do as such is another question.

Will Liverpool sign anyone before transfer deadline day?

According to The Athletic's Carl Anka, Liverpool have held an interest in Bayer Leverkusen holding midfielder Exequiel Palacios this summer following Fabinho's £40m sale to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad.

Despite this, Klopp has received a blow after the Bundesliga club's managing director for sport, Simon Rolfes, has stated that Palacios is going nowhere this year.

The report alludes to embryonic Manchester United interest, and while the 24-year-old is deemed untouchable by Leverkusen, the late stage of the window means Liverpool need to test some outfits' resolve to complete their rebuild.

How good is Exequiel Palacios?

Palacios might be a name few have heard on Merseyside, but Xabi Alonso and the Leverkusen support are waxing lyrical over the Argentine's midfield skills over in Germany, with his manager lauding his "excellent" progress over the past year.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

Having basked in footballing glory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Argentina, the 25-cap international would link up with compatriot Alexis Mac Allister at Anfield in a move that would likely enhance the cohesion at the club.

Liverpool were left hot under the collar after missing out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea earlier in August, despite agreeing lucrative deals for both, and were forced to swoop for 30-year-old Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo for £16m to combat the absence of a No 6.

Caicedo, in particular, would have been a superlative addition to a prestigious club targetting a resurgence after falling by the wayside last term, having dazzled for Brighton & Hove Albion last season, earning an average league rating 7.08 – as per Sofascore – after completing 89% of his passes and averaging 2.7 tackles per match, also earning praise as a “machine man” by renowned scout Jacek Kulig.

The Ecuadorian ranks among the top 4% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 11% for passes attempted, the top 12% for tackles and the top 17% for interceptions per 90, as per FBref, emphasising his stunning skill set that left the Reds and Chelsea oh-so desperate for his services.

Caicedo happens to be listed as a comparable player via FBref to Palacios, who ranks among the top 7% of positional peers for passes attempted, the top 4% for tackles and the top 3% for interceptions per 90.

As a result, Liverpool could land a tailor-made alternative, if they are able to complete an unlikely swoop.

The £15m-rated hotshot recorded an average league score of 7.03 last season, completing 83% of his passes and averaging 2.3 tackles per outing, highlighting a similar level of robustness to the new Chelsea phenom.

Klopp must now push to sign the Leverkusen ace before the market closes later this week, eradicating the doubt that has seeped into the club's early-season efforts after a tumultuous transfer window.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have endured a transfer window to forget, with the club yet to spend on new arrivals due to the financial difficulties in place at Molineux.

Battles with Financial Fair Play (FFP) have consumed any hope that the Old Gold will be able to bolster their squad for the 2023/24 season, with restrictions proving too much for former boss Julen Lopetegui.

Just five days prior to their Premier League opener, the Spaniard parted ways with Molineux, making way for new manager Gary O’Neil to battle the storm.

The Englishman may have the chance to welcome a new addition before the end of the window if latest reports are to be believed, however the player in question could be a questionable asset.

Who could Wolves sign this summer?

After welcoming Matt Doherty and Tom King on free-transfers earlier in the window, there was little promise that any further arrivals would prevail before the end of the transfer period.

There has however been some light shed on the situation, with Burnley’s Josh Brownhill linked with a potential move, as well as latest reports speculating that Barcelona’s Marcos Alonso could be eyed by Fosun.

Journalist Gerard Romero took to social media his week to relay that the Spanish champions could offload the defender this summer, with the former Chelsea man said to be ‘evaluating’ a proposal from the Premier League.

While Wolves were not explicitly named by Romero, some reports in Spain have named the Midlands side as potentially being the side interested in the 32-year-old’s services.

Should Wolves sign Marcos Alonso?

With 179 Premier League appearances under his belt already, theoretically, Alonso’s experience in the top-flight would make him a valuable addition for Wolves, however, his on-field performances tell a different story.

Deployable at both left-back and left-midfield, the Spaniard had a hand in 52 goals in all competitions for the Blues, scoring 29 and assisting 23, but was criticised frequently over his lack of defensive balance.

Having once been described as being “awful defensively” by BBC Sport contributor Raj Chohan during his time at Stamford Bridge, signing Alonso could be a disaster for Wolves, especially when considering their financial climate.

The lack of economic stability has hindered the club’s opportunity to endeavour into the market, making a move for an ageing and questioned defender a risky piece of business.

Added to that, the Old Gold have sufficient cover in such areas, with both Rayan Ait-Nouri and Hugo Bueno being impressive youthful talents to call upon at left-back.

If there is a chance that Wolves could sanction a move for Alonso, the Fosun should consider looking for reinforcements elsewhere, with a potential move having the ability to slow the progression of the likes of Bueno, who is currently second-choice to Ait-Nouri.

The 32-year-old was slammed during his time in England by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, who shunned the Spaniard as a figure that “cost Chelsea” during a defeat to West Ham United back in 2020.

Wolves need points on the board, with the last thing required at Molineux being a previously slandered defender who could take up significant finances with Alonso currently earning £100k-per-week in Catalonia.

O’Neil could make his first big blunder in charge of the Old Gold by integrating the former Chelsea dud into his side this summer, should the Wolves hierarchy secure a move for him before the deadline on September 1st.