Duffy starred with four wickets while Foulkes took three to skittle Pakistan for 105 in 221 chase

Srinidhi Ramanujam23-Mar-2025

Pakistan lost 8 for 56 in a tall chase•Getty Images

New Zealand’s fast bowlers crushed Pakistan in swinging conditions at Mount Maunganui and set up a massive 115-run win to help the home side clinch the series 3-1 with a match to spare. After chasing down 205 in Auckland to keep the series alive, Pakistan were all out in 16.2 on Sunday with New Zealand’s four-seam attack accounting for nine of the ten wickets. Jacob Duffy made early inroads, picking up three wickets inside the powerplay to dent Pakistan and they never recovered from the top-order collapse.Earlier, Finn Allen top-scored with a 20-ball fifty and cameos from Tim Seifert and Michael Bracewell powered New Zealand to 220 for 6. New Zealand made the intent clear from the beginning as they raced to 79 for 1 in the powerplay. Even though there was a slowdown in the middle overs, New Zealand managed to post their second straight 200-plus total in the series, which proved too much for the visitors.Duffy, Foulkes run through PakistanPakistan’s chase never took off with New Zealand troubling them with swing and seam on offer. Unlike the game in Auckland, Pakistan couldn’t take advantage of the dew factor. The chase began with Will O’Rourke, playing his first match of the series, removing Mohammed Haris with an excellent delivery that nipped back in to disturb his stumps. Duffy then dismissed Hasan Nawaz, centurion from the last match, and captain Salman Agha in the second over to dent Pakistan. Zakary Foulkes, one of the two changes that New Zealand made to the XI, also struck instantly, as he cleaned up Shadab Khan in his first ball with an inswinger.Eventually, Pakistan lost eight wickets for 56 runs. The game was all but over at the halfway stage of the chase even though the No.7 Abdul Samad fought a lone battle with his 30-ball 44.Duffy came back for his final over and added one more wicket to his tally to end with 4 for 20 while Foulkes scalped three overall. Duffy is now the highest-wicket taker in the series with 11 wickets from four matchesFinn Allen smashed a 19-ball fifty•Getty Images

Seifert takes off in powerplayTim Seifert continued to give flying starts for New Zealand. He drove the second ball of the innings, a juicy half-volley from Shaheen Afridi, straight down the ground for four and followed it up with a six over long-on off Khushdil Shah in the next over. Abrar Ahmed’s first over, fourth overall, was the expensive one in the powerplay as Seifert smashed 6, 4, 6 in the 19-run over. The team’s fifty came up in 3.5 overs. But Pakistan got the breakthrough immediately as Haris Rauf was brought in for the fifth over with Seifert pulling a short ball to deep midwicket where Khushdil took a stunning low catch. New Zealand ended the powerplay at 79 for 1 – the second-highest powerplay total for any team against Pakistan in men’s T20Is. Seifert made a 22-ball 44.Pakistan fightback after Allen’s fiftyAllen scored eight off his first six balls, but once the field was spread out, he took charge. Abrar, after his 19-run first over, conceded another 16 runs in his second as Allen hit him for two fours and a six. Allen continued his onslaught, slapping Shadab Khan for two fours and as many sixes in a 23-run 10th over to bring up his fifty off just 19 balls. But he perished the next delivery from Abbas Afridi after miscuing on to mid-off. From 134 for 2, New Zealand slipped to 149 for 5 as Pakistan bowled five boundary-less overs.Bracewell lift NZ at the deathNew Zealand finished the way they began, on a high, scoring 63 runs in the last five overs. Daryl Mitchell scored 29 off 23 after making 18 off his first 19 balls, but it was Bracewell’s cameo of 46 at No.7 which powered New Zealand past 200. He smashed five fours and two sixes in his 26-ball stay, including a 97-metre six to fine leg off Afridi in the 17th over.Rauf was the only Pakistan bowler to leak fewer than ten runs an over in the fourth T20I, as he returned 3 for 27 from his four overs.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras venceu o Cruzeiro no último lance nesta segunda-feira (14), no Allianz Parque, e terminou o primeiro turno na vice-liderança do Brasileirão.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Apesar do resultado positivo diante de 38 mil palmeirenses, o Verdão pouco convence de que pode brigar pelo título e buscar o Botafogo neste segundo semestre.

Confere aí a opinião do influenciador do Verdão, Gabriel Amorim!

Sean Dickson, Tom Abell batten down hatches as Somerset escape with draw on final day

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay21-Apr-2025Somerset 184 (Pretorius 47*, Fuller 4-42, Wheal 4-46) and 163 for 2 (Dickson 77*) drew with Hampshire 336 (Gubbins 82, Dawson 72, Pretorius 5-64) Hampshire continued their unbeaten start and Somerset their winless opening to the Rothesay County Championship season with a draw at Utilita Bowl.Sean Dickson, Tom Abell, and the weather quelled any chances of a final day route to a positive result in either direction – with a total of 175 overs, or around five sessions, lost in the match.Dickson ended up unbeaten on 77, and Abell 27, after a 56-run partnership which had wiped out Hampshire’s lead and taken Somerset away from any danger of losing.Ben Brown’s side took 13 points from the match, to Somerset’s 11, to total a healthy 43 points from their opening three rounds and remain within touching distance of the Division One pacemakers.The only thing stopping this match from becoming a draw was either an inspired morning of bowling or the forecasted rain blowing in the opposite direction. Neither happened, with the first part largely down to Dickson and Abell’s stoic batting.Hampshire had the ideal start as Tom Lammonby fell in the fifth over of the day having added two to his overnight score of 22. The left-hander couldn’t control a guide to third after Kyle Abbott had extracted some bounce off a length, and edged to Tom Prest at first slip.On three occasions, Abbott thought he had Dickson lbw but each time the vociferous Hampshire appeals were turned down.Abbott was the pick of the Hampshire bowlers with his unerring accuracy with his eight morning overs only conceding 12 runs, with 83% of the deliveries resulting in dots. But neither he, Brad Wheal, James Fuller, Liam Dawson nor Brett Hampton could do anything to move the steadfast Dickson and Abell.The duo blocked and left with clear heads while chipping away at Hampshire’s lead.A Dickson pulled two took the visitors in front – having been behind the match since losing six wickets for 40 runs in the first innings – shortly before rain brought an early lunch.Light and then heavy rain prevented a restart until after tea, and even then only three-and-a-half overs – in which the only action of note was a dropped catch at first slip – were possible before bad light suspended proceedings again.After two sessions had been lost on day one, and early finishes for bad light on the following two days, there was little surprise when the hands were shaken on a draw at 5pm, with Somerset sweating over a minus over rate and a potential points deduction.

رد أسامة حسني، لاعب الأهلي السابق، على تقديم نادي الزمالك شكوى ضده إلى المجلس الأعلى للإعلام بسبب تصريحاته في برنامج “اللعيب” المذاع على قناة “إم بي سي مصر”.

وكان نادي الزمالك تقدم بشكوى ضد أسامة حسني، بسبب تصريحاته التي وصفها المجلس بـ”غير اللائقة ” لنادي الزمالك ولاعبيه.

طالع | الزمالك يٌعلن تقديم شكوى ضد لاعب الأهلي الأسبق إلى “الأعلى للإعلام”

وقال حسني خلال تصريحات عبر برنامج “اللعيب” المذاع على قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “العلاقة بين الأهلي والزمالك كبيرة، وستعيش طوال الوقت”، مشيرًا أنه لم يقصد أي إساءة لنادي الزمالك في الحلقة السابقة”.

وأضاف: “كل الاحترام لنادي الزمالك، وعمري ما أقصد نهائي الإساءة لنادي لزمالك في أي موقف”.

وتابع: “الأهلي والزمالك قطبا الكرة المصرية، وكلامي في الحلقة كان ردًا على أحمد سليمان عضو مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك فقط”.

وأكمل: “عضو الزمالك كان يتهم الأهلي بأنه يشتري لاعبين بمليارات ثم يرحلون مجانًا، دون حساب”.

وأتم: “لم أطالب بحل مجلس الزمالك، والبعص حاول استغلال تصريحاتي لموقف مغاير للحقيقة”.

As their poor start continues in the Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly opened talks to sign a midfield star who already has a big-money offer on the table.

Latest on Wolves' Arokodare pursuit

Things may not have been much better on the pitch this weekend, with Vitor Pereira’s side suffering a 3-2 defeat against Everton, but there is an improvement on the way thanks to Wolves’ dealings away from the action. According to Fabrizio Romano, Tolu Arokodare has arrived in England and is set to complete his move to the Midlands club before the deadline.

The forward will add plenty of firepower to Pereira’s side, who were without Jorgen Strand Larsen against Everton amid an untimely injury as speculation continues to surround his future.

In an ideal world for Molineux chiefs, the Norwegian will be back fit and firing in a Wolves shirt after the international break and doing so next to new strike partner Arokodare.

Minutes

2,587

2,314

Goals

14

17

Assists

4

5

Expected Goals

10.3

22.7

If both players hit top form in the Premier League, then Wolves will have two strikers capable of hitting double figures for goals and that could be the difference between relegation and survival.

Meanwhile, Wolves’ business may not be done after Arokodare’s arrival. They’re still on the hunt for a midfielder and have reportedly submitted an opening offer to sign Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough, whilst also opening talks to land a bargain deal for another impressive option ahead of the deadline.

Wolves open talks to sign Brownhill

According to Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas, Wolves have opened talks to sign Josh Brownhill, who is still a free agent after leaving Burnley at the end of last season. The midfielder already reportedly has an offer worth around £100,000-a-week from Saudi Pro Leagie side Al-Shabab and is considering the big-money move, but Wolves could yet persuade him to stay put in English football.

Done deal: Wolves reach agreement to sign "great" £20m+ star for Pereira

They’re set to complete a late swoop.

ByTom Cunningham Aug 30, 2025

Given his free agent status, Wolves would be landing an excellent bargain. The 29-year-old was excellent for Burnley as they secured historic promotion last season and is more than talented enough to thrive in the Premier League.

Scott Parker didn’t shy away from recognising Brownhill’s influence last season, either. The Burnley boss told reporters: “There are not enough words to compliment Browny.

“He’s a driving force in this team, he’s got brilliant box habits and he’s always in and around the right areas. He’s got huge quality and he’s now got nine for the season, so he’s been fundamental for us.”

Former Manchester United defender James Chester has reportedly made a sensational return to Old Trafford; not as a player, but as a coach. Fourteen years after leaving the club that shaped him, the one-time academy prodigy is back on familiar turf, this time helping nurture United’s next generation of stars.

From youth hero to mentor

Chester, now 36, was one of the brightest prospects to emerge from United’s famed academy under Sir Alex Ferguson. The centre-back’s big moment in the first team came in 2009 when Sir Alex Ferguson handed him a senior debut in the League Cup semi-final against Derby County. The young centre-back replaced Gary Neville for the final 23 minutes of a 4-2 victory at Old Trafford, a night he’d never forget. Though his role was brief, it was enough to earn him a League Cup winners’ medal as United went on to beat Tottenham on penalties at Wembley. It was the kind of fairytale start every academy graduate dreams of, but bigger challenges awaited. And now he is back in his old stomping ground to forge a career as a coach, reported the

AdvertisementGetty Images SportA fresh chapter at Carrington

Chester has reportedly been invited to train with United’s youth teams at Carrington, working closely with the club’s U15 and U16 squads. The opportunity came through close friend Paul McShane, who left his own coaching role at United earlier this summer but was instrumental in helping Chester step in. The 36-year-old is believed to be working on a voluntary basis, spending three days a week at the training ground as he pursues his UEFA B Licence.

Ferguson sold Chester to Hull City in 2011. Chester flourished under Steve Bruce, becoming one of Hull’s most reliable defenders and writing his name into club folklore. He went on to have a stellar career across England’s top two divisions, turning out for West Brom, Aston Villa, Stoke City, Derby, Barrow, and Salford City before finally hanging up his boots earlier this year. The highlight? Scoring in the 2014 FA Cup final against Arsenal, helping Hull earn a shock 2-0 lead before the Gunners staged a remarkable comeback to win 3-2 in extra time. 

New face at the top at Carrington

While Chester makes waves in the academy, United are also preparing for a shake-up at the top. The club have appointed Ameesh Manek as their new Director of Football Operations, a move that signals Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s growing influence on day-to-day football affairs. 

Manek joins from Brentford, where he served as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing everything from logistics to facilities. At United, he’ll take control of operations at Carrington, handling travel, security, infrastructure, and staff management for both the men’s and women’s teams. His impressive resume includes stints at Arsenal, where he managed first-team operations between 2018 and 2020, before moving on to Brentford to help modernise their football structure. Manek will now report directly to Sporting Director Jason Wilcox, with INEOS expecting his arrival to steady the ship behind the scenes.

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Getty Images SportLiverpool test looms large for Amorim

Meanwhile, in the manager’s seat, Ruben Amorim can finally breathe a little easier. Despite a rocky start to the season and growing unrest among fans, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has moved to assure supporters that Amorim’s job is safe, even claiming that he will be given three years to prove his credentials. Last season’s humiliating 15th-place finish and the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham had many predicting the Portuguese coach’s dismissal. But Ratcliffe, keen to maintain stability, has told insiders that United will stick with the Portuguese. United’s first test after the international break couldn’t be tougher: a trip to Anfield to face arch-rivals Liverpool on October 19. That clash could be make-or-break for Amorim. Another defeat, especially a heavy one, might reignite the debate within INEOS about whether a managerial change is necessary before Christmas, and whether Ratcliffe will stick to his promise. 

First half into IPL 2025, GT have won five out of seven games, with Mohammed Siraj being among their top performers

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Apr-20254:39

Finch: Gujarat Titans are the team to beat

After winning the IPL in their first season in 2022, and then finishing as runners-up next year, Gujarat Titans (GT) finished eighth in 2024. Last year, GT were being led by Shubman Gill after Hardik Pandya was traded to Mumbai Indians, and managed only five wins in 14 games. This time, Gill has led GT to as many wins in half the number of matches. Seven games into IPL 2025, GT are table-toppers with ten points.Vikram Solanki, their director of cricket, believes Gill has “lots to learn” as a captain, but that he’s growing and has been “quite brilliant”.”The connections that he’s formed with his bowling group – we saw that last year actually. He’s grown into the role from one game to the next,” Solanki said ahead of GT’s next fixture, against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Monday. “He’s sort of developing as a captain – developing his captaincy style – which is very good to see…”Related

Siraj returns fresher, sharper and hungrier after Champions Trophy snub

Shubman Gill fined for slow over-rate in GT's win against DC

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“He’s got quite an experienced bowling attack to lean on as well, which is obviously very helpful. But he continues to go from strength to strength as far as his captaincy is concerned.”Among the bowlers at Gill’s disposal is the quick Mohammed Siraj, who has 11 wickets in seven games this season. He is GT’s joint second-highest wicket-taker so far, and has returned to form after being dropped by India for the Champions Trophy just before the IPL. Solanki highlighted the “big influence” which Ashish Nehra, GT’s head coach, has had on Siraj.”They obviously have a very good connection, but I don’t want, for a second, to take away from all of the hard work that Siraj has done also,” Solanki said. “Of course, he has all of the support of all of the coaches, and there is no doubt that Ashish has been a big influence. But we must also acknowledge the work that Siraj has done and respect that.”Solanki said that there was “no better coach” than Nehra when it came to instilling confidence in players. But while mentioning that, he also spoke of Siraj overcoming the disappointment of missing out on the Champions Trophy, a tournament which India went on to win undefeated.”It just seems as though we’ve got a guy that has something to prove,” Solanki said of Siraj. “I’m sure he was disappointed, but he’s channelled that disappointment in working hard, and, I suppose, having a real thought about what he wants to do. He’s got a great coach in Ashish Nehra helping him as far as his performance is concerned. Long may that connection continue and long may Siraj continue to thrive.”

Marcus Rashford appeared to take aim at Manchester United for his recent struggles, as he claims he was playing in an "inconsistent environment" before joining Barcelona on loan in the summer. The England international has scored three goals and registered five assists in 10 games for the Camp Nou club since making the move to Spain, and appears hopeful of remaining in LaLiga permanently.

• Rashford's return to form

  Rashford has been in fine form for Barca since moving to Spain and has remained in manager Thomas Tuchel's England squad as a result. Last season was an altogether different story, as he contributed seven goals to United's cause in 24 appearances, and was loaned to Aston Villa in the January transfer window. In Birmingham, he scored four goals and laid on six assists.

  His struggles for form at United had seen him left out of Gareth Southgate's squad for Euro 2024; indeed, prior to the tournament his last appearance came for England on March 23, 2024, in a 1-0 defeat to Brazil. He was restored to the squad almost exactly a year later, playing in the 2-0 win over Albania on March 21, 2025. 

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• Getty
  

  Blames 'inconsistent environment'

  In Rashford's final two seasons at United before moving to Barcelona, they finished eighth and 15th, and he appears to believe that the club had a detrimental effect on his performances, as he looked to explain his own inconsistency. 

  He told ITV Sport: "For sure, consistency is a massive part of it. I feel like I have been in an inconsistent environment for a very long time, so it is even more difficult to be consistent. But I completely agree, I think consistency is what I need to bring into my game and I am looking to do that.

  "I want to be at my best, not sometimes, but as often as possible. When people talk about consistency, in order to be consistent in anything not just sport, you need consistent variables in your life and the way you train.

  "We have just had so many changes so far in my career but I have to look forward and that it definitely one of the things I want to put right and improve on to be at my best more often. When I am at my best I really enjoy everything about the sport."

• Permanent stay hinted at

  Barca's sporting director Deco agrees with Rashford's assessment, and has hinted that the club do want to him to stay beyond this season. 

  He said: "It's too early to talk about decisions for next season, but what matters is that we're happy with him. What we thought he could bring to us, he's bringing.

  "He's a very high-level player. He exploded very early, then he had great seasons at United, then he had years of more complicated management with changes of coaches, and perhaps he struggled too because they demanded a lot of things from him there. But we're happy with him – that's the most important thing.

  "These aren't decisions for now. Now it's time to focus on the games to come. A decision will be made, but that's not being discussed right now. There's a contract between the clubs but it has to be discussed."

  Hansi Flick has been equally impressed, hailing him as "outstanding" after his brace against Newcastle in the Champions League, adding: "I am not surprised [by his goals]. I think he's a fantastic player. His skills are unbelievable and his finishing is unbelievable.

  "I think also in the first half, he tried to create chances, but the finishing wasn't there. In the second half it was.

  "For a striker, it's always good to score. I am really happy. He is an important player. When we spoke before the season about what we needed in the team, we felt we needed a player like him.

  "When we had this chance [to sign him], I said we have to do it. He's an outstanding player."

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• Getty
  

  What comes next?

  Barcelona play Girona in LaLiga once the international break is over, before taking on Olympiacos in the Champions League. Rashford has international commitments first; England face Latvia on Tuesday in their next World Cup qualifier. A win for Thomas Tuchel's side could see them qualify for the 2026 tournament, as the winger looks to play in his fifth major tournament, after Euro 2016 and Euro 2020, as well as the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. 

Following another disappointing start, Manchester United are already thinking about 2026 targets and are now reportedly interested in a bargain move to sign a Barcelona star.

Ratcliffe meeting routine, says Amorim

Since last weekend’s 3-0 thrashing at the hands of rivals Manchester City, rumours have circled around Ruben Amorim’s immediate future at Old Trafford. Some reports have even suggested that he has just three games to save his job, starting this evening against Chelsea.

The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe hardly helped end those rumours, either, but the manager has since clarified that meeting was simply routine whilst joking that he was offered a new contract.

For the time being, it seems as though Amorim has the support of INEOS. But that won’t last forever if current results continue. The owners invested around £200m to bolster United’s squad in the summer and will be expecting that to be reflected on the pitch sooner rather than later.

INEOS are unlikely to be finished with their investment, either. 2026 will hand them a fresh opportunity to complete Amorim’s side and reports have already suggested that there could be attempts to sign the likes of Eduardo Camavinga from Real Madrid.

Whether the Red Devils are willing to splash out on the Frenchman is another question, however. Instead, they may look towards a bargain deal to sign a Barcelona alternative.

Man Utd now eyeing De Jong swoop

According to reports in Spain, Man United are now eyeing a 2026 move to sign Frenkie de Jong. The Barcelona midfielder is set to be out of contract next summer and could, therefore, hand the Red Devils the perfect opportunity to land the deal of a lifetime.

There will undoubtedly be plenty of suitors if the Dutchman becomes a free agent next year, but United have surprisingly had little trouble attracting talent recently, despite missing out on European football last season.

League stats 24/25

De Jong

Manuel Ugarte

Minutes

1,143

1,785

Progressive Passes

120

61

Tackles Won

11

49

Key Passes

21

10

To say that De Jong would be an upgrade on Ugarte in possession would be an incredible understatement. The Barcelona midfielder is one of the best passers in Europe and would finally hand Man United the control that they’ve been desperate for.

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Described as “dynamic” by former manager and Barcelona legend Xavi during his time in charge at the club, De Jong will be one to watch if he is still on course to leave as a free agent by the time that the current campaign comes to an end.

Liverpool and Arne Slot have faced a hefty amount of criticism throughout the early weeks of the 2025/26 season, with analysts and rivals criticising the Premier League champions’ tactical imbalances.

Signs of defensive issues and a struggle to maintain a lead lend credence to this viewpoint, sure, but it only stretches so far. Liverpool haven’t quite been at the races this season, and yet they have pranced into a five-point lead at the top of the table, and they won their Champions League opener too.

Having won the league at a canter last term and having strengthened considerably this summer, the Reds would be forgiven for having started the year without the cast-iron sureness of last year, especially since many late goals have been scored already, and tough opponents such as Newcastle United, Arsenal and Everton have been put to the sword.

Alexander Isak has only just been integrated after his record-breaking move, and there’s no denying Florian Wirtz, 22, has left something to be desired since completing his £116m transfer from Bayer Leverkusen.

However, these things will come, and anyway, Liverpool’s pre-existing superstars remain at the top of their game, having been recognised for their talents at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday evening in Paris.

Liverpool's Ballon d'Or nominees

Ousmane Dembele completed his redemption arc and was crowned the Men’s Ballon d’Or winner after leading Paris Saint-Germain to a quadruple and their first-ever Champions League title.

The 27-year-old scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists across all competitions, and was awarded the Champions League and Ligue 1 Player of the Season honours.

There’s no question that he was a deserving winner; however, he bested several rivals who would have fancied themselves worthy of the award themselves.

Mohamed Salah might have felt a sense of grievance, and not for the first time. The 33-year-old Egyptian came fourth after scoring 34 goals and supplying 23 assists for Liverpool last season, spearheading Slot’s title charge.

It was one of the greatest individual campaigns in Premier League history, and that’s inarguable. But it wasn’t enough for Salah to reach the podium for the maiden time in his career.

Likewise, Virgil van Dijk may have furtively scratched his head after learning his spot was 28th. The captain and defender supreme for the English top-flight champions, he has been a monstrous presence in Slot’s system, but the fact that no centre-half ranked higher than him is perhaps a marker of the award’s lopsidedness.

Alexis Mac Allister was also on the list, coming in at 22nd.

New boy Wirtz came in at number 29, and fans are now eagerly anticipating his clicking into gear and making good on the “generational talent”, as he has been named by journalist Chris Stonadge, that prompted FSG to spend the big bucks.

Wirtz will fancy his shot at claiming that iconic golden ball in the future, but Salah and Van Dijk are approaching the end of their chances.

Who might challenge Liverpool’s German playmaker in the years to come? Well, Dembele might be the talk of the town right now, but the Anfield side actually have their own version, and he’s been slated for a shot down the line.

Liverpool's future Ballon d'Or candidate

Liverpool have a team that is replete with talent, both young and old. Many players’ ceilings reach high above, but none more so than Rio Ngumoha, who, having turned 17 last month, is already riding the crest of a wave in Slot’s squad.

Poached from Chelsea in the summer of 2024, Ngumoha quickly established himself as a cut above the others in the Reds academy system, making his professional debut aged 16 as Liverpool beat Accrington Stanley 4-0 in the FA Cup. He didn’t score, the electric-paced left winger, but he caught the eye.

However, Ngumoha clearly had a fan in Slot, featuring heavily throughout pre-season. Liverpool sold Luis Diaz this summer, but a direct replacement was not welcomed through the gates. Herein lies the biggest endorsement, with Ngumoha entrusted with a regular first-team role.

And Slot was vindicated at St. James’ Park, when Ngumoha finished coolly after Dominik Szoboszlai’s dummy to seal all three points at the last moment, silencing an until then raucous Newcastle crowd, relishing in their second-half comeback.

1

James Vaughan

16 yrs, 8 months, 27 days

2

James Milner

16 yrs, 11 months, 22 days

3

Wayne Rooney

16 yrs, 11 months, 25 days

4

Rio Ngumoha

16 yrs, 11 months, 26 days

5

Cesc Fabregas

17 yrs, 3 months, 21 days

One of the youngest goalscorers in Premier League history, Ngumoha is mooted for a starting berth when Liverpool host Southampton in the Carabao Cup third round, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see the England U19 international make a good impression once more.

The sky is the limit, and even then, it might be too low. Ngumoha must be inculcated into the way of things over a number of years, his prodigious potential drip-fed to the Premier League and to Europe, where he has already made his bow.

The teenager is in the right setting, to be sure. And there is no question that he has the capacity to succeed.

In fact, Ngumoha has actually been billed as having the talent to wedge his way onto the elite table down the line, with Chelsea youth coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst raving about the player’s brilliance even as a kid, saying, “he is one of the best academy talents I have come across.”

Isaksson-Hurst then took his effusions one step further: “I told his brother I expect him to see him on the Ballon d’Or list one day, I believe he can do that.”

Not bad, Rio. Of course, the toughest part is still ahead of him, and it’s a long and treacherous road at that. But Ngumoha has the potential to become a focal point at Liverpool, and fans must be excited as they watch him develop and bloom and grow into superstardom.

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This former Liverpool prospect has the potential to become a player worthy of a place in Slot’s squad.

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