Latest news with #CarabaoCupFinal
Forbes
6 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Newcastle United Must Stand Firm As Liverpool Move For Alexander Isak
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Newcastle United player Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring the ... More second goal as Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk reacts dejectedly during the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by) Everybody knew this was coming, none more so than the decision makers at Newcastle United. Alexander Isak is arguably the best striker in Europe and clubs were always likely to try and sign him; Liverpool developed into the most likely chasers in the spring and has finally shown its hand, making contact over a potential British record £120m ($161m) move for the Sweden striker. The answer, as was always going to be the case, was a strong rejection of the advance, which is well below any sort of fee which would tempt Newcastle into selling at all. Liverpool insists it hasn't made an official bid for Isak because it knows what Newcastle thinks of the situation. The offer will only become concrete if Newcastle opens the door, but with three years on Isak's contract at St James' Park and the club already searching for a striker to replace the departed Callum Wilson, that looks very unlikely to happen. After Isak scored the winning goal against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley in March, the Governor of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, and Newcastle chairman, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, made it clear he was not to be sold. The strength being shown is also predicated on confidence within Newcastle that Isak is happy at the club and will not agitate to leave. Talks over a new contract are planned but will be made more complicated by Liverpool's position, and as much as Isak's camp haven't shut down the Reds advances, it is thought he would need to be explicit in his desire to make the transfer happen in order to change Newcastle's attitude. Even then, it would be difficult; the length of Isak's existing deal means the power is very much in the club's hands. Of course, things can change; but Isak has always insisted he is happy on Tyneside and there are big ambitions for the future, in the Champions League, with him very much at the forefront. The next 24 to 48 hours are said to be key. FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 02: Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt celebrates scoring his ... More team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Bochum 1848 at Deutsche Bank Park on November 02, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by) There are plenty of moving parts in this story, evidenced by how different the situation looks now from Tuesday morning. As mentioned above, Newcastle needs a striker as it is, and has seen a club record £70m bid for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike rejected. Talks with the club and player's representatives have stepped up over recent days, with meetings in Austria where Newcastle are in pre-season training. But Liverpool has identified Ekitike as a potential alternative to Isak, and as part of what has been seen as a 'temperature check' on any deal with Newcastle, will move on to try and sign him if Plan A fails. It has been seen as a huge power play by Liverpool in an attempt to change the narrative of something they don't have control over. It is true that Newcastle really wants Ekitike, having now made three attempts to sign the player in the last four years, but losing out on him would in no way compare to the blow of Isak's departure. The plan remains as it was for Ekitike to play alongside Isak in a busy season for Newcastle, with a possible succession plan in place if Isak leaves in a year or so. Liverpool's presence certainly alters the landscape in terms of Ekitike for Newcastle. It would be hard to see him opting for St James' Park over Anfield given there is a clearer route to the central striker role, a greater chance of immediate success and higher wages on offer. But he has been available all summer and Liverpool has only tentatively entered the race with reports the club is not fully convinced by the 23-year-old, who scored 22 goals in all competitions last season. It is imperative Newcastle shows a strong hand in response to this move by Liverpool. While it could be seen as an attempt to show who is boss, the bid wasn't actually made, the number was well below any interesting value and Isak himself is with the Newcastle squad training as normal. As of now, there is no threat. If Liverpool signs Ekitike, it would be back to the drawing board after a summer of frustration, having missed out on other top targets like Bryan Mbeumo and Joao Pedro already. But that isn't as certain as it may appear; the Reds have yet to make a bid for Ekitike, and Newcastle has pushed the narrative on. Sure, it may be more unlikely, but the plan was to pair Ekitike and Isak; it should continue to that end until it is no longer possible. Whatever happens, selling Isak now would have disastrous consequences. Fans are already disgruntled after such a lack of transfer activity over the last couple of years, and the squad, currently preparing for a Champions League campaign, would take a huge blow in both numbers and morale. It would also mean needing to buy two strikers, replacing one who scored 26 goals last season, with a month to go until the season starts. Newcastle's plan has always been to rebuke interest in Isak this summer and tie him down to a new contract with a huge pay rise. If that can't happen, then signing Wilson's replacement now and adapting to a likely exit next summer is the next best thing. Selling now makes no sense and puts everything in jeopardy for Newcastle. Standing firm has never been so crucial.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Liverpool permanently retire Jota's number 20
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Carabao Cup Final - Chelsea v Liverpool - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - February 27, 2022 Liverpool's Diogo Jota celebrates with the trophy after winning the Carabao Cup REUTERS/David Klein/File Photo (Reuters) -Liverpool are to permanently retire the number 20 worn by Portuguese international Diogo Jota, after his death in a car crash in Spain last week, the Premier League champions announced on Friday. Liverpool said on their website that after consultation with the player's wife Rute and family, the squad number would not be used at any level including the women's team and academy. "I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club's history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual," said Michael Edwards, CEO of football for owners Fenway Sports Group. "Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person. By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal -- and therefore never to be forgotten. "Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us (title) number 20, and he wore -- with honour, distinction and affection -- the number 20. As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20." Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, who played for Penafiel in the Portuguese second division, died in the crash in northwestern Spain on July 3. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Clare Fallon)
Evening Standard
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Ryan Mason: Tottenham braced for approach from West Brom over manager vacancy
Mason has held a variety of positions at Spurs, including two spells as interim manager. He was asked to take charge of the first team in 2021 after the departure of Jose Mourinho and led Spurs to a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘The best team in Europe' – Liverpool's Mohamed Salah opens up on PSG following Champions League exit
Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah (32) is adamant the Reds have been knocked out of the Champions League by the best team in Europe, PSG. The Egyptian international has given a wide-ranging interview to France Football and has opened up on Liverpool's Champions League early exit despite topping the league phase standings. Arne Slot's Premier League champions were drawn to play Luis Enrique's Les Parisiens in the last-16. The Ligue 1 champions eventually prevailed on penalties, knocking out Liverpool on their own Anfield turf. Salah has admitted that, despite losing the first leg at home with Harvey Elliott scoring an unlikely winner, PSG produced an outstanding performance. 'They were so unlucky, and we were so lucky', Salah said. 'Alisson produced his best-ever performance of his Liverpool career.' Unfortunately for Liverpool, Lady Luck favoured the visitors in the return leg. 'We struck the posts twice or three times. They did goalline clearances too. We were unlucky too.' Advertisement Salah could not tell which one of Liverpool or PSG was the more worthy team to go through, considering both teams dominated one game each. 'And then, you lose to penalties. Sometimes, it's your day. It was their day.' The Premier League season best goalscorer recalled that he shook the PSG players' hands to congratulate them, and cheered for them to win the Champions League. 'We were in great form all season, and in March alone, we hit a bit of a slump. And we ended up facing the best team in Europe at that time.' Salah added that playing the Carabao Cup Final against Newcastle United just days after this gruelling Champions League defeat at home was 'bad timing.' GFFN | Bastien Cheval
Scottish Sun
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Salah stats show he's ready to get Anfield rocking but Maddison could be in a foul mood – Weekend Wager's best bets
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUNSPORT'S Weekend Wager uses in-depth stats and detailed analysis to find the best value bets this weekend. And it could be a party for our experts, as well as at Anfield, if their tips come off - as Liverpool bid to seal the Premier League title. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 Mo Salah has an incredible 27 goals in 33 Prem games this term 3of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Final match between Liverpool vs Newcastle U Credit: Alamy 11 James Maddison & Co aim to delay Liverpool's title party with a shock Tottenham win at Anfield on Sunday Credit: Rex SunSport's Will Pugh was joined by football broadcaster Kweku Afari and Betfair expert Sam Rosbottom to give their verdict on this weekend's most enticing selections. Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa, FA Cup, Saturday 5.15pm Kweku: Rashford three or more shots 7/5 "It's hard to gauge Villa because that was a really good win against Newcastle but against Man City they failed to really capitalise. "If you look at Marcus Rashford, a player rejuvenated at Villa and Unai Emery seems to be getting the best out of him, and the stats back that up as well. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL KIDNAP TERROR Footballer hides under bed in terror as wife and son, 5, are kidnapped "Rashford has had at least three shots on target in both of his FA Cup starts for Villa this season which suggests he's going to be heavily involved if he does start. "I expect Villa to win and Rashford to have a very very good game." 11 Marcus Rashford is in hot form on loan for Villa Credit: PA BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 11 Villa might reckon the omens are good Will: Game to be decided via a penalty shootout 9/2 "Villa are having a brilliant season and this presents that opportunity to go that one step further and lift the cup that their fans are longing for. "Villa have won none of their last four matches against Aston Villa in all competitions, drawn one and lost three, conceded 13 goals and Palace knocked them out of the League Cup. "Everyone's going for a Palace win but I just can't see it. "I think Palace are a bit more switched on than people give them credit for. "A bit of a sluggish start to the season but coming into their own - a great performance, very much deserved that point, at Arsenal. And I just think it will be a cagey one that goes to pens." Sam: Konsa to have one or more shots at 5/4 "Villa have got an unbelievable squad - one of the best in the Premier League. On Tuesday night they brought on Ollie Watkins and Marco Asensio! "It's a semi-final at Wembley. These games are always cagey and tight. But I do think Villa will have just enough to get over the line with that squad depth. "With it being cagey and tight I can see set-pieces being absolutely crucial in this one and Villa have a good couple of threats in their team. "Looking at the centre-halfs, Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa - I am going to side with Konsa to have a shot at 5/4. 11 Villa defender Ezri Konsa could be a big menace from set-pieces Credit: Alamy "I think that's a really nice bit of value, especially when we're looking at corners. He's had four shots in his last four games, four shots on target in his last nine matches. "It could be one of those (games) where a defender pops up and makes the difference." Liverpool vs Tottenham, Prem 4.30pm Sunday Kweku: Liverpool to score 3 or more goals 4/6 "For Spurs forget about progressing or getting decent results in the league - it's all about the Europa league, so I'm very much backing Liverpool in this one. 11 The goal stats this season could be ominous for Spurs "Liverpool have been by far the best team in the Premier League this season. Arne Slot has done a fantastic job since coming in. "Liverpool have scored at least one goal in each of their last 29 Premier League games - stretching back to September, when they lost 1-0 against Nottingham Forest, their only home defeat this season. "Spurs have conceded 10 goals against Liverpool this season, losing 6-3 in the league and 4-0 in the League Cup semi-final second leg. "We expect Liverpool to be in celebratory mood and I expect them to score a few goals as well." Sam: Salah, three or more shots on target 2/1 "My bet's not much braver, to be fair! "Mo Salah's had seven shots in his last Premier League game, that 1-0 win over Leicester. "And he had four shots on target the last time Liverpool played Spurs, that 4-0 victory in the League Cup. I really fancy this bet." 11 Mo Salah will hope to again be the Reds' main man Credit: Reuters 11 Liverpool hitman Salah has been peppering in goal attempts Sam: Maddison to commit two or more fouls at 6/4 "Anfield is going to be in jovial, celebratory mood. "Spurs, while their eggs are very much in the Europa League basket, are going to want to spoil a little bit of the party, so they might want to stink the place out a little. "I'm thinking fouls here and there, and if there's a player who absolutely loves a little niggly foul it is James Maddison! "And for him to commit two or more fouls at 6/4 is something that I really like. "Maddison has committed seven fouls in his last three Premier League appearances, so again he could be the one for the fouls." Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn, middleweight boxing, Saturday. from 10pm Sam: Eubank Jr to win by a ninth-round stoppage 13/1 "There's a hydration clause. This is something that's a little bit new for him (Eubank Jr. 11 "We have odds boosted of him to win by TKO or KO at 23/10. "When you look at the records, these guys do love knockouts. "Conor Benn has got a record of 23 wins, 14 knockouts, no losses, so he's in good form. "Looking at that family history, Eubank Jr to win by a ninth-round stoppage 13/1, which would replicate Eubank Senior (against Nigel Benn) in 1990." 11 Here are some of the big-fight flutters that could be tempting Kweku fight verdict: "If Conor Benn gets it done, he gets it done early... but I think Eubank has got too much experience, and it's been at a higher level than Benn. "And we don't know what Conor Benn would look like if he's dragged into deep waters with Eubank, so I've got Eubank to win on points."
