Sports
Arne Slot Pushing Liverpool to Sign Tottenham Star Micky Van de Ven
Arne Slot is pushing Liverpool to get a deal done for Tottenham Hotspur star Micky Van de Ven this summer to take advantage of their woes, according to Sports Boom.
The Reds had a difficult season in 2025/26 as they finished fifth in the Premier League with 13 defeats and over 50 goals conceded, while they also went trophyless, just a year after winning the Premier League title.
Tottenham, on the other hand, avoided relegation on the final day of the season by defeating Everton, and have already moved quickly in the market to strengthen the squad, with deals agreed for Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi. But now Liverpool are considering testing their resolve to keep a top star.
Liverpool Consider Van de Ven Bid
Van de Ven, who has been described as ‘world-class’, has been heavily linked with a move away from north London this summer after their poor performances.
The Netherlands international is understood to be a fan of the Anfield club and would prioritise a move to Merseyside over any other, and Slot is keen to strengthen his defensive options with big question marks surrounding the future of Ibrahima Konate.
Jeremy Jacquet will be arriving after a deal was pre-agreed in January, but Slot is now pushing the club to make a significant bid for the Tottenham star to further strengthen their options with Virgil Van Dijk turning 35 before the new season starts, and Joe Gomez potentially on his way out too.
Van de Ven is understood to be open to a move away from the club, although he is unlikely to push now after enjoying his time under Roberto De Zerbi. Tottenham are braced for interest, however, and would demand ‘big money’ to let him leave after avoiding a drop down to the Championship.
De Zerbi wants to keep the 25-year-old, but accepts some members of his squad may look to move on to play European football, including Van de Ven.
Van de Ven Would Be Perfect for Liverpool
Liverpool need to prioritise strengthening their defence this summer, and a player like Van de Ven would be a real statement of intent.
While he struggled this year at Spurs, so did everyone else, and he has shown his quality in recent seasons in the Premier League and Champions League. He’s a weapon in both boxes at set-pieces, is incredibly quick, and can also play at left-back if necessary, which helps too.
Spurs obviously won’t make it easy for them to take him, but Liverpool have shown in the past that they aren’t afraid to splash the cash if they deem it necessary, and this should be one of those instances.
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Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha has caused quite a stir with what he said to the Japan player who claimed that “Brazil used to be a powerhouse” ahead of his side’s dramatic 2-1 World Cup victory on Monday evening. Carlo Ancelotti and co. left it late to complete the comeback in Houston and book their place in the Round of 16.
Kaishu Sano gave Japan a shock lead just before the 30-minute mark, but a series of second-half changes helped the five-time world champions wrestle back control and put their stamp on the contest. Casemiro powered home the equaliser in the 56th minute before Gabriel Martinelli emerged as the hero off the bench, poking in a dramatic 96th-minute winner after the ball trickled beyond the goalkeeper, kissed the post and crossed the line.
While Japan are renowned for their sportsmanship, there was no shortage of needle between the two sides. Before the showdown, Kento Shiogai had talked the talk by questioning Brazil’s standing among the game’s elite. But after failing to walk the walk, Cunha wasted little time in giving him a taste of his own medicine, firing back with a pointed response of his own after the final whistle.
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What Cunha Said to Shiogai in Heated Exchange After Brazil 2-1 Japan
In what Ancelotti later branded ‘mind games’, Shiogai had said: “I don’t hear much about Brazil these days,” after claiming: “Brazil used to be a powerhouse, but now only France and Argentina are strong.” He only played six minutes at this World Cup, and Cunha wasn’t prepared to let his comments slide as he could be seen saying after the final whistle (while holding up five fingers):
“Five World Cups… you small!”
Also asked about the statement from Shiogai, captain Marquinhos said he saw a bit of arrogance in the Japanese player’s attitude, but Brazil eventually found a way to get themselves over the line.
His Gesture has Caused a Stir
While many Brazilians applauded the five-word message, with one X user remarking: “He put him in his place” and another saying: “Pride and arrogance is back! That’s what we wanted!” neutrals have offered a different perspective on things.
Indeed, it seems the rest of the football world find the Man United winger’s comments a little bizarre, considering he hasn’t contributed to any of their success. In some ways, Cunha’s gesture proves his opponent right until he has something more recent to shout about, as one critic wrote: “Just setting himself up to be a meme.” Another also added:
“Cunha saying ‘5 World Cups’ as if he was part of it. Bro needs to understand that he plays for Man United, a club that hasn’t won the league in about 14 years. He needs to calm down.”
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Elsewhere, one last comment concluded: “Players bragging with trophies they didn’t win should be abolished.” Brazil will face Ivory Coast or Norway in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at 21:00 GMT on Sunday night.
Football fans are in agreement over which player needs to be axed from Brazil’s starting lineup following their narrow 2-1 World Cup win vs Japan on Monday evening. Despite winning it late on with Gabriel Martinelli squeezing in a 95th minute goal, Carlo Ancelotti will not have been happy with everything he saw in Houston.
For decades, Brazil have carried a certain kind of ‘aura’ into tournaments that made them a feared opposition, despite being a shell of their glorified past. Now, it feels like their rivals are finally taking advantage of the reality of which the South American giants aren’t as good as their five stars would suggest, even if they got away with it this time.
And one player, more than any, showed that some deadwood still lingers in squad selections, despite calls from fans for years for him to replaced. It is unlikely he gets to start again in the Round of 16.
Brazil Ace is Being Begged to Retire Despite Round of 16 Qualification
Reacting to Danilo’s performance, which saw him produce the lowest Sofascore rating of everyone at the Houston Stadium, one X user wrote: “How Daniel is still playing professional football is unreal to me,” as a second added about the Flamengo defender (see the full post below):
“It’s unacceptable for this guy to be a starter for Brazil. No, I’m not being opportunistic. We’ve been saying the same thing about Danilo since 2022.
“He’s an excellent leader, but he no longer has what it takes to be a starter for the Brazilian National Team. Unacceptable pass. How reckless.”
A third remarked: “The age is really showing in this Brazil team. You’re not gonna get away with playing Danilo in 2026, be for real,” as a fourth continued: “Danilo minutes is malpractice.” Elsewhere, a fifth concluded: “Danilo mistake. It was embarrassing to call him up in 2022 why is he still around in 2026??”
Danilo’s Performance in Numbers
Winners always find a way, but while the attackers put on a resilient showing in the second-half, it always felt like Brazil were one Danilo misstep away from gifting their opponents a way back into things as pressure built. Across 99 minutes, the right-back was responsible for an error that led to the goal, a foul, and general moments of disarray.
2026 World Cup: Brazil 2-1Japan Player Ratings and Match Highlights
A last-gasp Gabriel Martinelli winner breaks Japanese hearts.
He didn’t commit to any tackles, he won just two of his five duels, and his two defensive contributions are cause for serious concern given he had ample time to get involved with protecting Alisson between the sticks but chose to sit further forward.
Maybe he would have been forgiven had he done well in attack, but zero successful dribbles, losing possession 12 times, completing just two out of four long ball attempts and cross attempts shows he was ineffective from back to front.
Football fans are in agreement over which player needs to be axed from Brazil’s starting lineup following their narrow 2-1 World Cup win vs Japan on Monday evening. Despite winning it late on with Gabriel Martinelli squeezing in a 95th minute goal, Carlo Ancelotti will not have been happy with everything he saw in Houston.
For decades, Brazil have carried a certain kind of ‘aura’ into tournaments that made them a feared opposition, despite being a shell of their glorified past. Now, it feels like their rivals are finally taking advantage of the reality of which the South American giants aren’t as good as their five stars would suggest, even if they got away with it this time.
And one player, more than any, showed that some deadwood still lingers in squad selections, despite calls from fans for years for him to replaced. It is unlikely he gets to start again in the Round of 16.
Brazil Ace is Being Begged to Retire Despite Round of 16 Qualification
Reacting to Danilo’s performance, which saw him produce the lowest Sofascore rating of everyone at the Houston Stadium, one X user wrote: “How Daniel is still playing professional football is unreal to me,” as a second added about the Flamengo defender (see the full post below):
“It’s unacceptable for this guy to be a starter for Brazil. No, I’m not being opportunistic. We’ve been saying the same thing about Danilo since 2022.
“He’s an excellent leader, but he no longer has what it takes to be a starter for the Brazilian National Team. Unacceptable pass. How reckless.”
A third remarked: “The age is really showing in this Brazil team. You’re not gonna get away with playing Danilo in 2026, be for real,” as a fourth continued: “Danilo minutes is malpractice.” Elsewhere, a fifth concluded: “Danilo mistake. It was embarrassing to call him up in 2022 why is he still around in 2026??”
Danilo’s Performance in Numbers
Winners always find a way, but while the attackers put on a resilient showing in the second-half, it always felt like Brazil were one Danilo misstep away from gifting their opponents a way back into things as pressure built. Across 99 minutes, the right-back was responsible for an error that led to the goal, a foul, and general moments of disarray.
2026 World Cup: Brazil 2-1Japan Player Ratings and Match Highlights
A last-gasp Gabriel Martinelli winner breaks Japanese hearts.
He didn’t commit to any tackles, he won just two of his five duels, and his two defensive contributions are cause for serious concern given he had ample time to get involved with protecting Alisson between the sticks but chose to sit further forward.
Maybe he would have been forgiven had he done well in attack, but zero successful dribbles, losing possession 12 times, completing just two out of four long ball attempts and cross attempts shows he was ineffective from back to front.
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