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Liverpool can secure their place in the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday night when LASK visit Anfield.

For that to happen, the Reds must better Toulouse's matchday five result, with the French outfit hosting Union Saint-Galloise.

Jurgen Klopp's side are still in pole position to avoid the extra two games that come with finishing second and entering the knockout play-off round. They're two points ahead of Toulouse while four points from their remaining two fixtures will confirm their status as group winners.

Klopp has used this competition as an opportunity to rotate his side and give key first-team stars a chance to rest. This has opened up the door for several youngsters, including Ben Doak, Jarell Quansah and Harvey Elliott to shine.

Klopp must now bench 3/10 Liverpool ace for his "unbelievable” player

The Reds must unleash this press-resistant machine going forward.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 29, 2023

With the above trio expected to be three of ten changes from the recent draw with Manchester City, here's what a predicted Liverpool XI could look like tomorrow evening…

1 GK – Caoimhin Kelleher

Kelleher has played in three of Liverpool's four Europa League outings this term and although he hasn't painted himself in the brightest of lights, conceding five goals, his place in the team against LASK is solidified.

First-choice goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, picked up a hamstring injury in the draw against Man City, so the 25-year-old must now impress in Europe to fill Klopp with confidence moving forward, especially if the Brazilian is out for a lengthy period.

2 RB – Joe Gomez

Etihad hero Trent Alexander-Arnold will be wrapped up in cotton wool on Thursday which means Joe Gomez should get the nod at right-back. The Englishman has featured across all four matches in this competition and captained the side in their 3-2 defeat against Toulouse last time out.

Once dubbed by Klopp as a "sensational footballer", Gomez has been a reliable back-up this term and whilst he can't offer the same attacking threat to Trent, he does provide steeliness defensively having made 2.5 tackles per game and won 63% of his duels in Europe.

3 CB – Ibrahima Konate

A man-mountain of a centre-back, who has suffered multiple spells on the sideline this term, Ibrahima Konate has a chance to show Klopp he's a better option than Joel Matip at the heart of the Liverpool defence.

Hailed by defensive partner Virgil van Dijk as "incredible", the Frenchman is held in high regard at Anfield and considering he ranks in the top 15% against his positional peers for tackles per 90 across Europe's top five leagues in the past year, it is clear to see why those close to him have waxed lyrical about his talents.

4 CB – Jarell Quansah

Quansah has made a seamless transition into the Liverpool first-team this term and the 20-year-old has impressed with his exceptional ball-playing abilities and defensive attributes.

Lauded as "absolutely phenomenal" by fellow academy graduate, Alexander-Arnold, the centre-back has starred across his three appearances in Europe, registering an impressive 91% pass completion and he's only been dribbled past 0.3 times per game. If he continues to perform at a high, the world is Quansah's oyster.

5 LB – Kostas Tsimikas

Left-back stalwart Andrew Robertson is expected to return from his shoulder injury in January 2024 but until then, Kostas Tsimikas will continue to deputize for the Scot on the left side of defence – acting as the only player to keep his place from the trip to the Etihad.

The Greek international is unable to match Robertson's quality down the left flank having yet to create a big chance and has only registered 0.7 key passes per game across three matches in Europe.

6 CM – Wataru Endo

Wataru Endo has yet to truly impress since arriving from Stuttgart in the summer, but he'll get another chance to demonstrate his qualities on Thursday night.

The Japanese international was expected to become the ball-winning machine to replace Fabinho, however, Alexis Mac Allister has been preferred by Klopp in that position. Having made four appearances in this competition, it's unlikely he'll get dropped against LASK.

7 CM – Ryan Gravenberch

Ryan Gravenberch was starting to come into his own in a Liverpool shirt, especially in the Europa League, having supplied an assist and scored twice across his first three matches.

The 21-year-old had since suffered a minor knock, which meant he didn't start on Saturday, however, the silky Dutchman has averaged the highest Sofascore rating of any Reds player in this competition (7.97), made the most key passes per game (3) and created the most big chances (2).

8 CM – Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott has been dubbed as "exceptional" by Jamie Carragher for his performances this term and although he hasn't been awarded the requisite game time to go with that praise, another audition awaits on Thursday night.

The midfield metronome, who has started in all four Europa League matches, has terrorised opposition defenders with his tremendous low centre of gravity. He is capable of gliding past his opponents with ease, completing 75% of his attempted dribbles in this competition.

9 RW – Ben Doak

One of the most exciting prospects to be unleashed from the Liverpool academy in recent years, Ben Doak is one of several blessings in disguise to come from Thursday jaunts to rogue destinations.

A direct and pacey winger, who has been described by van Dijk as a "Tasmanian devil" for how he strikes fear into opposition defenders, Doak's precocious talents have rewarded him with two appearances in Europe and a third is looking likely.

10 LW – Luis Diaz

For what Luis Diaz has had to go through off the field this term following the kidnapping of his father – who has now been released – it is remarkable that he has still managed to focus on delivering excellent performances on the pitch.

Dubbed by Klopp as a "special" talent, Diaz scored and assisted in the return fixture against LASK and will be looking to terrorise his Austrian opponents once more.

Premier League rule makers have been blasted over “ludicrous and unfair” FFP plans, with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea standing to benefit.

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Everton & Nottingham Forest docked pointsBig-spending rivals waiting on cases to be heardChanges to FFP & PSR protocols are plannedWHAT HAPPENED?

Reigning champions City have 115 charges hanging over their head, but no punishment has been handed out as yet. Chelsea are also considered to have breached the current regulations, after splashing out over £1 billion ($1.2bn) in the transfer market since the Todd Boehly-led consortium took control at Stamford Bridge.

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Others, such as Everton and Nottingham Forest, have already been sanctioned – with points deductions keeping them locked in the 2023-24 relegation battle. Changes to the current Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) are now being mooted, which could see “extreme punishments” avoided in the future.

WHAT NEVIN SAID

Ex-Chelsea and Everton star Pat Nevin is among those questioning what the Premier League are doing, with the Scot saying in the : “Everton have had another two points taken off them. It is painful, losing 10, getting four back and then losing another two. This entire story has felt like a shambles on all sides. As the rules change – and they most certainly will radically again – will teams who fall foul in future suffer the same extreme punishments? I doubt it, which will mean and feel like Everton, and to a degree Nottingham Forest, will have been singled out for especially egregious treatment.

"I hope this is now over, but I suspect the more that rules are being made and then judged by people with no feel for or love of the game, the more ludicrous and unfair the future of the game will be. The Premier League is a fantastic product that the world loves, despite – not because of –what the game’s controllers are currently doing. PS: I know I am biased as an Evertonian, but I would feel the same if it happened to Liverpool, Manchester United or Tottenham.”

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Everton remain two points clear of the drop zone for now, while Forest – who have seen four points taken off them – are only outside of the bottom three on goal difference. Both clubs are appealing their latest penalties, while City and Chelsea wait to discover what their fate will be.

It has been reported that a "sensational" player could well leave Arsenal in January after being left "frustrated" by a Mikel Arteta call.

Arsenal form this season

The Gunners and north London rivals Tottenham remain the Premier League's only unbeaten sides following their excellent starts, with Arteta's side boating six wins from their opening nine top-flight encounters. That record was greatly threatened by Chelsea last Sunday, though, who took a 2-0 lead against them after Arsenal's arguable worst first half of the campaign so far. Arsenal did stick in long enough for two quick-fire goals to hand them a 2-2 draw, courtesy of late strikes from both summer signing Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard.

"We changed the level after 20, 25 minutes, especially in the second half then it’s a different game," said Arteta after the game.

"We became a much better team even though we conceded the second goal and it’s a disappointment. The way the team reacted to the second goal is phenomenal from the players on the pitch and the players on the bench thinking how the hell am I going to change this game. I loved that. I really liked as well going into the dressing room and it’s really quiet, after drawing 2-2 with Chelsea and coming back from 2-0 down, because I know that they wanted more. That’s the positive."

Building upon that, the Gunners got their Champions League campaign back on track with a 2-1 win away to last season's Europa League winners Sevilla on Tuesday evening.

Who could leave Arsenal in January?

Star players like Rice, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and others have proved pivotal for Arteta this season, but the same cannot be said for the likes of Thomas Partey, despite being very important for Arsenal last campaign. The Ghanaian, partly due to injury, has found consistent starting places difficult to come by and also missed last night's clash through unavailability.

However, despite this, a report from 90min this week has shared the latest update on Partey and his future; stating he has grown "frustrated" by a lack of consistent starting opportunities. As a result, if things don't improve in this regard, it is believed the former Atletico Madrid star could consider leaving in January. It's added that his camp have grown increasingly "agitated" at the lack of chances for Partey.

Partey actually started three matches as a makeshift right-back before being sidelined earlier in the season, and returned from injury in their 1-0 win over Man City prior to internationals. However, he was unused substitute against Chelsea, with Jorginho being preferred ahead of him.

Passing

Aerial duels

Long shots

Dribbling

Tackling

There is no doubting the 30-year-old's quality, though, with La Liga expert Gerry Armstrong calling him "sensational" and Ray Parlour once branding Partey a "very efficient" and "mobile" player.

"I think Partey has been so important," said Parlour last year.

"If Arsenal are going to go anywhere near trying to win a title, he’s got to stay fit because last season, he had so many injuries. But he’s been real instrumental in that midfield, just keeping it ticking over, very efficient player, can get around the pitch, very mobile."

Fernando Torres was tearing the net with some outrageous goals in Liverpool Legends training as Sven-Goran Eriksson watched on.

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Torres back the AXA Training CentreLooked in fine scoring touchWill be in action against Ajax Legends at AnfieldGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Liverpool legends were sweating it out in a pre-match session at the AXA Training Centre on Friday under the watchful eyes of Eriksson – who is set to see his Liverpool dream come true in a Legends clash with Ajax.

Torres was in scorching form in training as he found the net on several occasions. He was seen scoring a trivela after a deft first touch, his second was a typical poacher's goal from inside the box, went on to pierce the net for the third time with an outrageous back-flick and completed his scoring spree with a bullet shot from outside the penalty area.

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Apart from Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Martin Skrtel, Ryan Babel, Maxi Rodriguez and many more Liverpool legends went through their paces in Kirkby. It will be a special afternoon at Anfield as the stars from the past will get an opportunity to roll back the years in front of the Kop against the Ajax Legends.

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It will be a packed house at Merseyside on Saturday afternoon as the charity match has been sold out. And if Torres can replicate his training form on matchday, the fans will be treated to a gala time before serious business resumes in the Premier League next weekend with a clash against Brighton lined up.

TalkSPORT pundit Ally McCoist has said that Ange Postecoglou is regularly selecting a "very frustrating" Tottenham Hotspur player.

Tottenham fixtures and results

Spurs' climb under their popular new manager has continued after the international break with a 2-0 win over Fulham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday. Goals from Son Heung-min and summer signing James Maddison gifted Postecoglou his seventh win from nine Premier League, and they're now gearing up for another London clash against Crystal Palace this Friday.

There have been some suggestions that they could even be title contenders, with Postecoglou officially enjoying the best ever start of any new manager in Premier League history. It's also their best start to a campaign since the 1960/1961 season, where they went on to win a domestic double. Journalist Alex Howell, writing for the BBC this week, most perfectly summed up the joy around Spurs:

"It is unbelievable to think that Tottenham ended last season with an interim manager, without European football to look forward to and then lost their talisman in the summer," wrote Howell.

"The feeling around the club is one of positivity and excitement with the way the team is playing. Ange Postecoglou has led his side to the top of the Premier League after nine games and they are currently undefeated. Under previous manager Antonio Conte, supporters were frustrated with their 'safety first' style of football. There is none of that under Postecoglou, with free-flowing football played by an attacking, fearless team."

The likes of Maddison and Son stand out as two of Postecoglou's key performers over their meteoric, early-season rise; while both Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr have become star regulars after being largely shunned by Conte.

Richarlison update

Other brilliant performers in the squad, like Destiny Udogie, Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Dejan Kulusevski have been praised for their efforts in a Lilywhites jersey. However, Richarlison, who has featured in every single league game for Spurs so far this season, still continues to divide opinion.

The Brazilian has contributed well in parts, most notably winning the game against Sheffield United with his goal and assist in the dying minutes of added time. Overall, he's bagged a goal and assist in the top flight, with journalist Paul Brown also tipping him for a big role this season.

"I think he will have a big part to play this season because, with no Kane there, there will be opportunities for the forwards," said Brown to GiveMeSport.

“He can play in more than one role. He could find a niche playing slightly to the left of a centre forward, whether Son or somebody else."

Richarlison strengths

Key passing

Defensive contribution

(via WhoScored)

talkSPORT pundit McCoist, though, believes he is a "very frustrating" player at times, and we don't see his "extreme talent" enough.

“I just think he can be a very frustrating player, I really do," said the Rangers legend (as transcribed by The Boot Room).

“As you say there’s nobody doubting there’s a player in there with extreme talent. I just don’t think we see it enough.”

Chelsea have a habit of unearthing talented youngsters and this has been reinforced by the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine has a keen eye for nurturing young talent and earned a reputation at Tottenham Hotspur for doing just that having developed youngsters Dele Alli and Harry Kane into a deadly partnership at White Hart Lane.

When scouring through Chelsea's team sheets this season, it appears he's continuing to bolster his reputation for throwing youth players into the deep end, naming a total of eight homegrown talents on his bench in the Premier League this term.

While the academy setup at Cobham has provided a platform for current players Reece James, Levi Colwill and Conor Gallagher a path to stardom, it also hosts the next generation of talent, including Bashir Humphrey's, Alfie Gilchrist, Josh Brooking, Mason Burstow and Ronnie Stutter, who have all featured in the first-team squad this season.

However, there is one name missing from that list and he's arguably the most talented player in the Chelsea setup. Step up, Leo Castledine.

Who is Leo Castledine?

In 2020, Leo Castledine departed AFC Wimbledon after seven years to join Chelsea's prestigious Cobham academy, impressing with every step of his development so far and is now within touching distance of breaking onto the senior scene.

According to Chelsea's official website, Castledine is "an attacking midfield player who can play box-to-box, he likes to create and score goals and is very tenacious in the tackle."

A tackling machine, but also a player who has an exquisite passing range and composure beyond his years in the final third, the 18-year-old sensation is on the right path to becoming a complete midfielder and this is demonstrated by the impact he's having in the U21s.

The "huge talent" – as described by journalist Felix Johnston – has plundered two goals and provided four assists in six Premier League 2 appearances this season, continuing from where he left off last term with 17 goal contributions in 38 matches across the underage groups.

Castledine is earning praise from all angles for boasting tenacity and creativity in abundance, including from U21s coach Mark Robinson, who waxed lyrical about his talents in an interview with the Athletic last year, drawing similarities to the profile of Gallagher.

He said: “In terms of energy, he is similar to Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher. I think he has more elements of Conor out of the two of them. He can be very dangerous when he arrives in the box and is really good in the air, and we have to make sure we keep working on that as well. He is going to be a goal-scoring midfielder.”

Regarded by many as one of the finest talents to graduate from the Cobham Academy in recent times, comparisons like the one above provide a glowing indication that Castledine is knocking on the first-team door.

Who would Castledine replace in the Chelsea first-team?

If Pochettino was to unleash the youngster into the first-team picture, he'd likely replace Gallagher, possessing an ability to produce similar robust and combative performances to the 23-year-old.

Gallagher's main strength is sweeping up the danger and putting in energetic displays, the sort that can often leave the masses unaware of just how sublime his defensive work can be.

The Englishman ranks seventh in the entire league, as per Sofascore for tackles won per game (3.1) and interceptions (1.9) while recovering possession 7.3 times, an inclination – if it was ever needed – that the all-action midfielder gets through an obscene amount of defensive work.

Castledine, although not on the same level currently, would bring the energy and industry that is so readily associated with Gallagher but also the ability to operate in a variety of positions, having been utilised as a box-to-box midfielder, a number 10 and even on the right side of defence.

Not only that, the 18-year-old – who was tipped by Robinson to have all the qualities to become a "goalscoring midfielder" – can perhaps offer the Blues a bigger threat going forward than his compatriot, with the £50k per-week warrior falling short in attack.

With only 0.81 for expected assists (xG), 0.8 key passes per game and three big chances created in the top flight this term, the attacking side of his game has been neglected and has lacked composure in the final third, something that Castledine possesses in abundance.

There is no doubt that in a tough start to the season so far, Gallagher has been one of Chelsea's standout performers, however, if Pochettino did want to improve the quality being served up in attack, he should give the youngsters precocious talents a chance to shine.

Stokes picked up a back problem during the one-day series, which was his return to international cricket, and was unable to bowl in the first Test at Eden Park

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Apr-2018

Ben Stokes returned to the bowling crease•Getty Images

Ben Stokes has been “frustrated” by his back injury in New Zealand but has also been heartened by the pace he has been able to achieve off a shortened run-up.Stokes picked up a back problem during the one-day series, which was his return to international cricket after missing the Ashes and one-day series in Australia, and was unable to bowl in the first Test at Eden Park. In Christchurch he sent down six overs in New Zealand’s first innings and is hopeful he will be back towards full tilt in a couple of weeks.”It’s been frustrating. I had a few injections into an injury I had when I was a kid,” Stokes told . “At the same time it’s getting slowly better. It’s a patience game, a day-to-day thing. Hopefully in a week or two times it will be good to go.”Stokes has been working with Chris Silverwood, England’s bowling coach, on trying and get his delivery stride into a straighter line to ease the pressure on his back.”I’m working alignment…it’s more a long-term plan,” he said. “I think if I can cancel out my dip-in, which obviously loads my lower back where I’ve had the pain recently, that will do me good in the future”When I was looking at my paces off that [short run-up] I was bowling as fast as I normally do. I don’t think I’ll resort to that short of a run-up but it proves to me that I don’t need to over-try. Sometimes I’ve been guilty of that.”Stokes most significant performance so far in the two Tests was his second-innings 66 in Auckland which gave England hope of saving the game before he fell to ill-judged hack at Neil Wagner in the over before dinner. Stokes batted at No. 5 in that match, a position coach Trevor Bayliss sees as a long-term option, though he was back to No. 6 in Christchurch.”I won’t look back on the dismissal with too much pleasure but I had time at the crease which was a pleasing thing,” he said. “Going forward it’s a template I can use, I have the game to push games on but also the patience to survive.”Stokes will head to the IPL at the conclusion of the New Zealand tour to join Rajasthan Royals before returning to England ahead of the Test series against Pakistan which starts on May 24.

Arsenal have had their outlook changed since Mikel Arteta’s rein, with the Spaniard reconnecting the squad with the core values of the club to conjure up a stronger work environment.

Gone are the days when high-profile names saw the Emirates as a stepping stone in their career, as Arteta’s current wave of stars are opting to commit their future to the project that the former midfielder is building.

An area of development that the manager has put a lot of work into is the objective to give young players vital roles in the side, as communicated by the Gunners boasting the second-youngest squad in the Premier League.

As relayed by Football365, the north Londoners have just one player over the age of 25 in their favoured 11, with newly summoned David Raya being the oldest in the strongest rotation at 28-years-old.

With an average age of 24.1 in the current squad, Arteta’s young team haven’t let their age define their quality and experience as the Spaniard watched his side go toe-to-toe with Manchester City, missing out on the club’s first Premier League title since 2004 by five points.

The good times are rolling once again in N5 after some years of mediocrity, with a lot of Arsenal’s success being attributable to their youthful revamp.

There is an abundance of young talent in the ranks at Hale End, as some prospects wait in the wings to get their chance to showcase their ability to the manager, with one player from the academy given the opportunity to shine just this week.

Who is Charles Sagoe Jr?

Last Wednesday night, 19-year-old Charles Sagoe Jr was named in the starting 11 to face Brentford in the Carabao Cup at the Gtech Community Stadium, in what was his first taste of senior football in red and white.

Prior to Wednesday, Sagoe Jr’s only association with the first team was being named on the bench against Sporting CP in the Europa League last season, where he played the evening out as an unused substitute.

It’s been a journey of hard work and persistence for the London-born forward, who joined the Hale End academy aged 11 in 2015 from Fulham, and has since progressed through the ranks in north London.

Described on Arsenal’s official site as a “composed and intelligent” player, the teen is utilised most prominently on the left wing, with the capability to play in both central attacking midfield and as a number nine.

The teen has recorded 72 appearances for the Gunners at both U18 and U21 level, with his one senior appearance hopefully marking the start of a special adventure for the wide player at the Emirates.

How much does Charles Sagoe Jr earn?

In the summer of 2022, Sagoe Jr signed his first professional contract at Arsenal, a moment of his career that he dubbed an “amazing feeling” after spending seven years developing to hit such a milestone.

The winger touched upon the project that is being built beyond the academy at the club, telling the club’s media that he wishes to “be a part of” the development of young players at the Emirates under Arteta.

Earning a reported £2.4k-per-week representing the Gunners, the starlet is on the right path to progress in north London, with plenty of stars that have graduated Hale End to look up to and to follow the paths of.

How much is Charles Sagoe Jr worth?

As recorded by Football Transfers, the 19-year-old has a current expected transfer value (xTV) of €0.8m (£700k), which is a less exciting figure to others at the club, however, one that epitomises the journey he is on.

Now worth an eye-watering €102.5m (£88.7m), fellow academy graduate Bukayo Saka took the exact path that Sagoe Jr is exploring, reinforcing just how quickly value can rise and careers can change.

Saka made his senior debut in the winter of 2018, where that summer he was valued around the €3.3m (£2.8m) mark, a figure that was quickly abolished after just a year as it rose to €9.1m (£7.8m) by the summer of 2019.

Since his 22 minute cameo against Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League, the PFA Young Player of the Year’s status at Arsenal has monumentally changed, with him being the driving force behind the Gunners’ change in trajectory under Arteta.

Not many could have anticipated that a teenager valued at £2.8m would become the £195k-per-week sensation he is today, but all it took was one opportunity, and the forward took the challenge in his stride to inspire the next generation of hopefuls at Hale End.

Having made his first senior appearance, Sagoe Jr has completed the first step to his entry to the first team, and his £700k valuation could be poised for interesting reading in years to come.

What is Charles Sagoe Jr’s style of play?

As touched upon, the 19-year-old’s favoured position is on the left flank, with him being described by Arteta as a “versatile” attacker after his debut against Brentford.

In the post-match press conference, the Spaniard explained his decision to hand the Englishman his full debut against Premier League opposition, dubbing him “one of the most consistent players” in the academy of late.

The manager’s description of Sagoe Jr as being consistent was not wrong, with his tally of goal contributions over the past three campaigns fitting the demographic of consistency.

In the 2021/22 U18 Premier League campaign, the teen scored nine goals and registered three assists, followed the year after in the Premier League 2 with six goals and three assists, displaying that he can perform at the higher level of the academy set up in England.

In a feature with Arsenal’s media team earlier this year, Hale End graduate Reiss Nelson shared some words of encouragement to Sagoe Jr, explaining that he has “everything” it takes to become a winger in the first team.

Nelson, who joined the Gunners at the age of eight, hailed the U21’s star as “unpredictable” and a player capable of scoring and assisting goals, praise that has been reinforced by the starlet already this season.

In the 2023/24 Premier League 2, the forward has made an electrifying start to the campaign, having contributed to five goals in five appearances, scoring once and assisting four times.

The season has started in a fairytale way for the 19-year-old, with plenty of minutes still to play for in the senior team as time progresses.

What does the future hold for Sagoe Jr?

It’s one thing making your debut for Arsenal, and another thing making a difference, which is just what Sagoe Jr did against Brentford in the league cup.

Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Special, former Premier League striker Glenn Murray was full of praise for the teen after the match, singling out him and goalscorer Nelson for their performances to see the Gunners advance in the tournament.

There is a long way to go for the winger to fully impose himself in Arteta’s senior squad, however, one element that the Londoner will not be short on is inspiration, seeing the likes of Nelson, Saka, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe in and around the first team.

Saka was once simply a prospect and is now a Ballon d’Or nominee, highlighting just how far the pathway can lead once the door has been unlocked.

Arteta handed Sagoe Jr the keys to his future at Arsenal with his debut on Wednesday, allowing him to be well-poised to follow in the footsteps of those who stood there before him.

A surprise transfer target has emerged for Liverpool this week, with manager Jurgen Klopp looking to end the transfer window on a high and complete his side's midfield rebuild.

The Reds missed out on signing both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia this month after selling Fabinho to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad Club for £40m in July, and have since opted to delve down the shrewder road and sealed an unlikely £16m move for Stuttgart's Wataru Endo.

Klopp could now be set to seek another astute option, with dynamic Feyenoord midfielder Mats Wieffer attracting the Merseyside outfit's attention, per reports.

What's the latest on Mats Wieffer to Liverpool?

According to FootballTransfers, Liverpool are interested in signing Wieffer to add depth and quality to their midfield before the transfer window closes in one week.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

Alongside Endo, the Premier League side have completed deals for engine room duo Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wieffer could add the multi-faceted sheen to close the door on the central signings this summer.

Who is Mats Wieffer?

The 23-year-old Dutchman played 37 times across all competitions last season, scoring three goals and providing seven assists, and was instrumental in Feyenoord's emphatic Eredivisie triumph.

While Wieffer can thrive across a range of midfield roles, he occupied the deep-lying role on 33 occasions last year, and could be the dream fit to compete against Endo – more of a traditional No. 6 – for the holding midfield role under Klopp.

Indeed, the midfield machine ranks among the top 7% of midfielders across Men's Next Eight divisions for assists, the top 5% for passes attempted, the top 7% for progressive passes, the top 14% for successful take-ons, the top 20% for tackles, the top 18% for blocks, the top 8% for clearances and the top 1% for aerial wins per 90, as per FBref.

This exhaustive list underscores the kind of all-encompassing ace Liverpool would get their hands on if they are to forge ahead with a move during the business end of the transfer window, and given the likeness to Newcastle United's star man Bruno Guimaraes, it might be the move to make.

Hailed as "world-class" by teammate Dan Burn, Guimaraes has been the centrepiece of the Magpies' momentous exploits over the past two years, having chalked up after completing a £40m transfer from French side Lyon in January 2022.

A deep-lying midfielder, Guimaraes ranks among the top 18% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 14% for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes and the top 18% for successful take-ons per 90.

He also made 2.4 tackles per game in the Premier League last season and won 57% of his ground duels, remarkably composed and emblematic of Newcastle's ascent of late.

Similarities can be drawn from the Brazilian's skill set and Wieffer's, with the latter man being described as an "elite" midfielder "controller" by data analyst Ben Mattinson.

If Klopp can utilise Wieffer's ball-playing skills and tenacity in the tackle, he could wield a star capable of matching Guimaraes' influence on English soil, and given that Liverpool have actually registered an interest in the 25-year-old machine earlier this year, he evidently offers a profile that is capable of slotting into the Reds' team.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em duelo eletrizante, Goiás e Coritiba empataram por 3 a 3. Com o resultado, o Verdão fica na lanterna, com 5 pontos. O Coxa é o 16º, com 8 pontos.

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Na próxima rodada, o Goiás joga em casa diante do Internacional. O Coritiba faz clássico diante do Athletico, na Arena da Baixada.

O duelo

A etapa inicial foi agitada e comandada pelo Coritiba. Mesmo fora de casa, o time de Jorginho tomava a iniciativa e o gol parecia questão de tempo. Aos 12 minutos, Sassá aproveitou o cruzamento e ajeitou para Robson fuzilar, 1 a 0.

Melhor em campo, o Coxa ainda teve a chance de ampliar com Sassá, mas o centroavante mandou no poste. Na casa dos 36 minutos, Edilson e Tadeu se atrapalharam, a bola bateu em William Matheus e morreu dentro da rede, 2 a 0.

Na base da vontade o Goiás conseguiu diminuir. Após pênalti marcado pelo árbitro, Rafael Moura balançou a rede do Coxa, 2 a 1.

Antes mesmo do intervalo o Coritiba ficou com 10 em campo. Em lance infeliz, Rodolfo Filemon acertou o adversário e recebeu o cartão vermelho.

Na etapa final o panorama mudou. Em vantagem numérica, o Goiás se lançou ao ataque e apostava na bola aérea para pressionar. Em dois momentos, através de Bessa e David Duarte, o time da casa quase empatou.

Ao melhor estilo ataque contra defesa, o Goiás conseguiu empatar o jogo. No cruzamento de Keko, Jara completou e deixou tudo igual.

Empolgado pelo gol, na saída de bola o Verdão recuperou a bola e foi ao ataque. Sabino tentou cortar a descida do rival e jogou contra o próprio patrimônio, 3 a 2 e festa Goiânia.

Quando tudo parecia decidido, Rafael Vaz cortou uma cabeçada com a mão e o juiz deu pênalti. Na cobrança, Sabino se redimiu e deixou tudo igual, 3 a 3.

GOIÁS 3 X 3 CORITIBA
Local: Serrinha, Goiânia (GO)
Data-Hora: 09/9/2020 – 20h
Árbitro: Caio Max Augusto Vieira (RN)
Auxiliares: Eduardo Gonçalves da Cruz(RN) e Jean Márcio dos Santos(RN)
VAR: Pablo Ramon Gonçalves Pinheiro(RN)
Público/renda: pagantes/R$
Cartões amarelos: Edilson, Rafael Vaz, Miguel Figueira, Mike (GOI), Hugo Moura, Matheus Bueno(COR)
Cartões vermelhos: Rafael Vaz (GOI) Rodolfo Filemon (COR)
Gols: Robson (12’/1ºT) William Matheus (36’/1ºT) Rafael Moura (44’/1ºT) Ignacio Jara (35’/2ºT) Sabino (36’/2ºT) Sabino (50’/2ºT)

GOIÁS: Tadeu; Edilson (Pintado, aos 23/2ºT), David Duarte, Rafael Vaz e Jefferson; Gilberto, Breno (Miguel Figueira, ao 0/2ºT) e Daniel Bessa (Ignacio Jara, aos 34/2ºT); Vinicius (Keko, aos 29/2ºT), Mike (Victor Andrade ao 0/2ºT) e Rafael Moura. Técnico: Thiago Larghi.
CORITIBA: Wilson; Jonathan, Rodolfo Filemon, Sabino e William Matheus; Hugo Moura (Luiz Henrique, aos 39/2ºT), Matheus Sales (Matheus Galdezani, ao 0/2ºT) e Matheus Bueno (Rhodolfo, aos 18/2ºT); Igor Jesus, Sassá (Natanael, aos 19/2ºT) e Robson (Giovanni Augusto, aos 39/2ºT). Técnico: Jorginho.