Sports
Liverpool Have Bigger Problem as Alexander Isak Drops Stinker vs Inter
Mohamed Salah was the talking point ahead of Liverpool‘s 1-0 win against Inter Milan on Tuesday night, but Arne Slot may have another headache despite watching his Reds grab a much-needed victory at the San Siro.
Slot and the board decided to leave Salah at home for the encounter with Inter after the Egyptian forward said he felt he’d been “thrown under the bus” by the club. His teammates were tasked with trying to beat one of the best defensive sides in Europe, but settled and got the job done.
There was no Salah for Slot to turn to off the bench, but that didn’t prevent the Dutch coach from freshening up his attack in the second half. He opted to bring off one of his star men, who is struggling with form and has become a clear issue for the Merseysiders.
Slot didn’t need Salah to convert from the spot when his side were awarded a controversial penalty in the 88th minute. Dominik Szoboszlai converted, firing the ball past Yann Sommer to give his manager something to smile about.
Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool – Isak’s San Siro Stumble
That said, there was nothing for Slot to smile about regarding Alexander Isak, whose signature Liverpool spent most of the summer chasing and finally landed their man on deadline day for a Premier League transfer record £125 million. The Swedish striker was one of Europe’s most highly-regarded frontmen last season, but he has made a worrying start to life at Anfield.
Isak put in a disappointing display at the San Siro, barely involved and unable to best a resilient Inter defence. He won just two of six ground duels and managed one shot before Slot decided to bring him off in the 68th minute for Florian Wirtz, who perhaps should have started.
Hugo Ekitike was the visitors’ main threat, using his pace to try and cause problems and while Isak has made a poor start with the Reds, the Frenchman has been promising. That was the case on Saturday evening when he bagged a brace in a 3-3 draw against Leeds United.
Slot can’t decide on his best team following an expensive summer transfer window but he should have no doubts over Ekitike being his preferred starting number nine over Isak. The Swede’s world-class performances at Newcastle United last season haven’t followed him to Merseyside.
“Made of Twigs” – Liverpool Fans on Isak
Isak has just two goals in 14 appearances across competitions for Slot’s Reds, and his goal drought isn’t the only reason some of the Kop are running out of patience. His showing in Italy left much to be admired, especially given that the Inter defence had little to worry about.
The 26-year-old’s tame outing was handed a 5/10 by The Express and called out by one fan who feels his club aren’t getting their money’s worth. They wrote on X:
“Need more from our £125m striker Isak. No excuses left, must start producing. He is also letting Inter CBs just run past him, zero pressing intensity.”
Another highlighted how Ekitike feels more like the £100m+ player:
“When you watch Ekitike and Isak it’s like the price tags are reversed.”
One fan recalled Isak’s dominant performances up against Arsenal duo William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes:
“I’ve watched Isak duel with Gabriel and Saliba and come out on top many times. How can a couple of months of not training with your team mates do this to you.”
Another added:
“Isak is making me wince. It’s like he’s made of twigs.”
One supporter took aim at Slot as well as the Swede:
“Isak, this has been brutal man. Last player I would’ve thought started like this. Although the clear explanation is non-functional team and clueless manager.”
Isak was arguably the Premier League’s best striker last season, scoring 23 goals in 34 games for Newcastle. He was crucial for Eddie Howe’s Magpies in their Carabao Cup win, which included getting the better of Arsenal’s Saliba and Gabriel in the semi-finals and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the final.
There are question marks over his place in Slot’s starting lineup following another quiet display and he may well soon be following Salah to the bench. That could start on Saturday (December 13th) when the defending champions host Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield.
Chelsea have reportedly submitted a £26m offer to sign a Chelsea star in the summer transfer window, as personally requested by Xabi Alonso.
The Blues will be looking to back their new manager after he took over earlier this year.
It’s been a difficult period for Chelsea, who won’t be competing in the Champions League next season, and they did superbly to attract a manager of Alonso’s calibre.
The club now needs to back him with new additions in order to suit his style, while the squad also needs a refresh after their disappointing campaign.
GIVEMESPORT sources have confirmed that Chelsea are set to sign Atalanta wing-back Marco Pelestra, kick-starting their summer spending.
Chelsea Submit £26m Bid
According to a report from journalist Luca Cerchione, Chelsea have submitted a £26m bid to sign Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka in the summer transfer window.
The potential signing is believed to have been personally requested by Alonso, who managed Xhaka during his time at Bayer Leverkusen.
It feels unlikely that Sunderland would be willing to accept a bid of just £26 million for Xhaka, considering he was their ‘best‘ player last campaign and won their player of the season award.
Alonso knows the midfielder well, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that they are targeting that profile of signing.
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Chelsea Need to Add Experience
Chelsea have heavily focused their recruitment on bringing in young talent from around the world over the last few years.
Although it could be an effective method in the long term, they do lack experience in all positions.
The Blues are one of the most ill-disciplined sides in the Premier League, getting more red cards last season than any other team.
The signing of someone like Xhaka won’t only offer experience in himself. He’s also the type of leader who can help get the best out of other players.
Sunderland managed to qualify for European football last season, despite only being promoted the previous campaign, and Xhaka was a key reason behind that.
Manchester United look set to miss out on a potential new signing as he’s now agreed a deal to join another club in a record-breaking move.
The Red Devils have been incredibly busy in the summer market already, looking to strengthen their squad ahead of a season in the Champions League.
United showed they have a squad capable of finishing in the top four last season, but they were without the distraction of European football.
They are heading in a new direction under manager Michael Carrick, who was appointed as permanent boss earlier this year.
There’s no doubt they’ll need new additions in order to compete on all fronts next season, and they are working on multiple deals at the moment.
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Man Utd Miss Out on ‘Elite’ Star
Manchester United look set to miss out on one of their summer transfer window targets as he’s now agreed to join a different club.
According to a report from Team Talk, AC Milan have agreed a club record deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos.
Manchester United held talks with intermediaries representing Ramos earlier in the transfer window, and he was firmly on the radar of the Premier League club.
United didn’t make a formal offer for Ramos, who has been described as ‘elite’, and he is now set to join AC Milan for a fee in the region of £60m, eclipsing their previous record when they signed Rafael Leao for around £43m.
United were among a number of Premier League clubs to have held talks with Ramos, but it’s no surprise that PSG have accepted such a big offer from AC Milan.
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Man Utd in Market for New Striker
Manchester United do appear to be in the market for a new striker in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are looking to bring in an experienced forward to help develop and provide cover and competition for Benjamin Sesko.
Reports have suggested that their dream target for this position is Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, but a deal could be difficult due to the finances involved.
United need to ensure that they do not ruin the pathway of development for Sesko. They also need to ensure he has strong competition and cover, especially as they prepare to compete in the Champions League.
Tottenham have reportedly made a £100m offer to secure a new signing in the summer transfer window as they continue their big spending.
It’s already been a hectic window for the North London club, confirming three new additions with plenty of other deals being worked on.
Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi have all signed on the dotted line at Tottenham so far.
They certainly won’t be the only additions to arrive through the door in the coming weeks, with Spurs in talks to sign a number of players.
It’s no surprise that Tottenham are incredibly busy after such a disappointing season in the Premier League, finishing 17th for the second campaign in a row.
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Tottenham Make £100m Offer
According to reports, Tottenham have taken a big step towards securing their fourth signing of the summer transfer window.
Tottenham have submitted a £100m offer to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, and the Italian international wants to make the move to Spurs this summer to play under Roberto De Zerbi.
A few details are missing before Spurs can complete a deal, but Tonali, who has ‘incredible pace’ according to the Premier League, remains Tottenham’s number one target for the midfield position.
Tottenham are heavily prioritising signing new midfielders after strengthening their defence earlier in the window. Tonali does appear to be the priority target, with Spurs willing to pay a hefty amount of money to secure his signature.
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Tottenham Working on Fernandes Deal
Tottenham are also working on a deal to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the summer transfer window.
The north London club face competition from Manchester United for his signature, but Spurs are actively pushing to bring him to the club in the coming weeks.
The Portuguese midfielder could cost in the region of £85m to prise him away from West Ham, and it’s a competitive race to secure his signature.
Tottenham are clearly prioritising a move to sign a midfielder or two this summer, and it will be interesting to see if they try to bring in both Fernandes and Tonali.
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