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The United head coach speaks about the importance of being flexible, their numbers-driven approach and more

Danyal Rasool09-Mar-2024Islamabad United had one idea, and licked the bottom of the glass with it before any other side had the chance to sit down for a drink. It comprised a strong, young local core combined with an overseas top order that filled in the power-hitting gaps that existed in Pakistan at the time. They used data analytics to tease out the best match-ups against each opposition, creating an internal flexibility that meant they adapted to live in-match situations more effectively than any other side.They batted deep, fostered a culture where there were no recriminations for erring on the side of belligerence. They would occasionally crash and burn, but for the most part, sizzled, and at that bubbling best, there wasn’t a PSL side in the land that could live with them. In Pakistan, where the stale, conservative ideas that dominated had seen them being dumped out of the 2016 T20 World Cup, such ideas were little short of revolutionary.Mike Hesson, then coach of New Zealand, watched from afar, but he had his eye on this side. “I’ve got a bit of a link to Islamabad United back to when Dean Jones was coach,” he tells ESPNcricinfo, sitting in the lobby of the Pearl Continental Hotel in Lahore. “I worked with Deano a lot at Star [Sports] when he was setting up the franchise from an original perspective. So I remember having coffee dates with Deano and talking through strategy, getting up to the initial drafts around Islamabad and looking at players like Shadab [Khan] and Faheem [Ashraf]. So I had a bit of inside knowledge into Islamabad and how they operated, and into Deano with his little red book.”Related

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Hesson was highly regarded at the time, but it wasn’t until this year that the chance to be more involved with the PSL sprung about. A four-year stint with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL ended, and the New Zealander was on the market once again. United’s owner Ali Naqvi had a very short shortlist for head coach, and his name was at the top of it.”When Ali rung up, I was certainly very interested in talking further,” Hesson says. “They were talking to other people, so I just displayed my interest, and a week or so later we had another chat and then we agreed terms. And both of us were pretty happy to get stuck into it because it was a pretty quick turnaround.”United had swept to the title in two of the first three seasons, winning the battle of ideas so comprehensively every franchise serious about winning had little choice but to fall in line behind that. United had given the PSL the DNA for success, but DNA is great at printing out copies of itself to survive, and soon enough, mini-Uniteds proliferated across the league.

“For some players, [data] helps them and it gives them information that they want to get. There are others for whom it just clouds their judgment. It’s a matter of understanding the player rather than giving everybody the same information.”Mike Hesson

Hesson has not necessarily been sought because the franchise is in crisis, but there is no doubt its heyday of imperious dominance has long passed. Every side bar one has won the title since United’s last win in 2018, and this is the only team not to have reached any of the last five finals.”Oh, I just think competition [explains the results of recent seasons]” Hesson says matter-of-factly. “Any competition as it evolves, you’ve got to move with the times as well. The competition is tight and you can’t take anything for granted. And I think that’s what a good league is about.”Multan Sultans, who unashamedly took their data-driven blueprint from United, have surpassed them to become the most consistent winning machine in the league, their win-loss ratio of 1.43 is the eighth best among teams in top T20 leagues (min 50 matches). By contrast, United’s plan of going hard – and if that doesn’t work, going harder – suddenly appears to lack the brash ingenuity the franchise oozed in its early years. Their win-loss ratio since their last title epitomises the hit-and-miss nature supporters have come to associate with them – 32 wins and 32 losses.Hesson doesn’t have a complete overhaul on his mind, but a coach of his stature doesn’t come into any side and let things drift. “I think United have, through my discussions with Ali [Naqvi, the owner], clearly recognised that we need to adapt a little bit. A lot of the things that Islamabad have been doing have been great, but we still need to tweak a few areas as well. And that’s part of my job, to come in and identify what’s worked really well and the areas that haven’t how can we just tweak those slightly. It’s about being a little bit smarter to give us more ways of winning games rather than just one.Islamabad United last won the trophy in 2018•AFP”Our slogan is , isn’t it”, he says, turning to the media manager to ensure he’s got the pronunciation right. “To me that means playing smart, and that’s one of my philosophies. It’s all very well if conditions suit to be able to play that way that you referred to [attacking from first ball to last]. And we’ve got a lot of players who can play expansive cricket and if conditions suit, absolutely we want to play that way.”But there are some times you need to modify that slightly. And it might not mean be cautious in the powerplay because we might actually be in a pretty good position in the powerplay [to attack], and it might not even be in the middle overs. All it is, is being able to adapt your skills to those conditions. And that’s about problem solving.”The almost stubborn rigidity to one gameplan has cost United at crucial times over the years. Earlier this season, they needed 21 runs in 13 balls against Peshawar Zalmi with seven wickets in hand, before a slew of ill-judged shots saw them lose five wickets in seven balls, and the match by eight runs. In a famous Eliminator in 2022 against Lahore Qalandars, they lost their heads in a chase that boiled down to 10 runs off as many balls, with tailenders refusing singles and playing low-percentage swings as the Qalandars stole a six-run win.Islamabad United like to go hard, and failing that, go harder•PCBUnited have almost made a virtue of insisting data plays a significant role in the way they set up for games. Captain Shadab Khan is a huge believer, having bought wholesale into the strategy ever since being appointed captain in 2019, and, especially in his early years, mentioned it at almost every opportunity. Hesson, who calls Shadab “a very fine captain” and isn’t bashful of highlighting the crucial role of the edge attention to data can give a T20 side, says there is more to data than just knowing numbers.”I always want context to be surrounded by data,” he says. “Data is no good unless it’s got some context around it. You need to have some cricket nous to be able to interpret what data is important and what is just data. Also, who in your group can benefit from getting some of the information? We’re lucky we’ve got Cricviz with us with us who have a really good understanding of not just the data, but what actually makes a difference to a game. We’ve also got a coaching staff that can identify that and then probably share it with those that can understand it, and interpret it so it makes them better. That’s the whole idea of using data is to try and make a side more efficient.”From a scouting perspective as a bowler, you’ve got to be aware of what your strengths are first. And then if there are some clear deficiencies in your position, you can exploit that by doing things that you do well. No one’s providing data to try and say you have to bowl a delivery or do something you’re not capable of doing.”But while Hesson’s deconstruction of the value of such numbers can essentially be described as well-researched analysis, the word itself – perhaps like Bazball – is in danger of being lost to the culture wars in Pakistan. Qalandars, who have often been described as an “anti-data” side, and at times even proudly embraced that sobriquet, were something of a laughing stock in the first four years of the PSL, when United scooped up title after title.In the last four years, though, they made three finals, without necessarily leaning into the numerically academic side of T20 cricket; there is no reference to data when the Qalandars players and staff talk about their consecutive titles in 2022 and 2023. With Shadab’s enthusiastic buy-in to the concept, contrasted with several players’ dismissal, if not outright hostility, of it, the numbers themselves have become an emotive talking point within the PSL.”I think some players are far more interested in data than others,” Hesson concedes. But I don’t think it’s resistance [from others]. For some players, it helps them and it gives them information that they want to get. There are others for whom it just clouds their judgment. It’s a matter of understanding the player rather than giving everybody the same information.Islamabad United enjoyed significant early successes•Pakistan Super League”When we have those discussions and we share that data with players, we have to have it in a way where it actually applies to these guys. Otherwise, we won’t share it. It’s our job to understand it and see what’s usable. And if there’s something that’s just a little bit grey and not really definitive, then it’s not worth sharing. Knowing that someone scoops, or that someone can reverse lap, knowing when someone’s under pressure they come down the wicket straight, is important information to have. So when we know that we share it.”Hesson is also eager to break United’s historic dependence on needing to bowl first to win games. No other side’s results in the PSL have as deep a correlation between success and chasing totals – United have 14 wins and 24 losses when batting first, as opposed to 33 wins and 16 defeats when hunting down a target. As you’d expect for a numbers-oriented side, they are perfectly aware of this; just four times in 45 matches have they won a toss and opted to bat first. So far this season, though, their record is more balanced: two wins and two losses when batting first, and exactly the same chasing.”This year is quite different than the last few years” Hesson, who followed the PSL even when he wasn’t involved, says. “In previous years, United have been stacked from a batting perspective and probably haven’t had the depth of bowling. Here, we’ve almost defended scores around 140. So from a bowling point of view, it’s been exceptional. From the batting point of view, we’ve had one middle phase and one finishing phase with the bat where we were quite poor, and those are probably the difference in very close games. You do either one of those phases half well, and you potentially win by 10 or 15. We know those things are within our control. So I think we a far better balanced side in terms of bat and ball than potentially we’ve had in the past.”But Hesson is just settling in, enjoying the PSL and is optimistic of the changes he can effect at United. He revealed he was surprised by the pitches, especially in Lahore and Multan, which were slower than they have at times been in the past. That, theoretically, isn’t what suits United’s game best, but for this franchise under Hesson, it’s a good early test of their flexibility.”It’s actually good in terms of challenging you from a skill perspective rather than just being flat. I’ve actually enjoyed that challenge, and the closeness of the competition so far. We’ve got a depth in the squad so it doesn’t really affect that. Our squad can cater for all different surfaces. I think when you do your research, in the last couple of years, the scoring rates have been incredibly high. Night games, there’s been a lot of dew. There hasn’t been a huge amount of dew other than the first game we played, and that evens the game out which I like. You don’t want games to be decided by the toss. It’s just whether we are able to play some smart cricket when we need to.”As the game evolves and as the ball softens and conditions change, it’s about being able to just instinctively know to shift gears in terms of how you operate, what your high-percentage options are and what aren’t. What is the par score now rather than what did it start at? It’s that problem solving and problem solving as a batter is so crucial. And that’s the skill we are trying to develop at Islamabad United, and. we’ve got a lot of highly experienced, highly talented players who over the next little while will show that they’re good problem solvers.”Jones’ revolution was a trailblazing success. Now it’s time to see whether Hesson’s evolution can follow in its wake.

Even India’s spinners were outbowled by their South African counterparts

Hemant Brar21-Jan-20221:36

Pant: India didn’t get enugh wickets in middle overs

Jasprit Bumrah is a world-class bowler – both in Test cricket and in the limited-overs versions. But in the last couple of years, he has lacked the potency with the new ball in ODIs. Since the 2019 World Cup, he has picked up just one powerplay wicket in 43 overs across 11 innings.Bhuvneshwar Kumar hasn’t fared much better: in the same period, he has three powerplay wickets from 41 overs.That has resulted in India being by far the worst bowling side in the first ten overs. Since the last World Cup, their bowlers have picked up only ten powerplay wickets in 23 ODIs. They have also given away 5.74 runs an over – the most by any team – and their bowling average of 132.10 is more than double that of the next worst (Zimbabwe’s 63.45). In comparison, India’s opponents in those games picked up 24 wickets in 22 innings at an average of 53.00 and an economy rate of 5.78.Stand-in captain KL Rahul was asked before the South Africa series if that concern was addressed in team meetings. “We have talked about this and we have some ideas, some plans, and we want to try those in the coming series,” he said. “That will give us an indication about whether we’re doing things right, and if our strategies or tactics are right.”Clearly, whatever India tried didn’t work as their new-ball woes haunted them again during the second ODI in Paarl. Chasing 288, South Africa cruised to 66 for no loss in the first ten overs. On a surface that was supposed to make batting difficult in the second innings, they registered their highest successful chase since 2017.Apart from the sub-par returns with the new ball, what has hurt India in this series is the lack of a third wicket-taking fast bowler in the playing XI.In the absence of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, they are forced to play both Venkatesh Iyer and Shardul Thakur, leaving no place for someone like Mohammed Siraj. But they are caught between a rock and a hard place. They need someone from the top six to chip in with a few overs if a regular bowler goes for too many or, worse, breaks down. And the importance of Thakur’s batting was highlighted today, as without him, India would have struggled to cross 275.2:41

Manjrekar: Time for India to go back to Kuldeep Yadav

But what was baffling was the Indian spinners being outbowled by their South African counterparts on a pitch that resembled one from back home. The last time India visited South Africa, in 2017-18, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal had wreaked havoc. They topped the bowling charts, picking up 33 wickets at a combined average of 15.09 to help India win the six-match ODI series 5-1.This time, with Kuldeep out of form and favour, and Chahal not at his best, India struggled to take wickets in the middle overs too. R Ashwin, playing his first ODI series since June 2017, wasn’t very effective either.In the first ODI, Chahal and Ashwin had combined figures of 1 for 106 from 20 overs, while Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and Aiden Markram had 4 for 124 from 26 overs. On Friday, the Chahal-Ashwin combo went for 1 for 115 from their 20 overs, while Maharaj, Shamsi and Markram picked up 4 for 143 from 26.In the first match, Ashwin started by flighting the ball but soon switched to a flatter trajectory, which neither stopped runs nor fetched wickets. Chahal bowled a few good deliveries but also erred in line from time to time. The South African batters, especially Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma, cashed in on it, using sweep as their main weapon.Today, Ashwin was introduced into the attack as soon as the fourth over after Quinton de Kock took Bhuvneshwar apart. He started in the same manner, tossing the ball up and even bowling a maiden to Janneman Malan. In his third over, he produced a stumping chance but Rishabh Pant fluffed it. To rub it in, de Kock, the man reprieved, hit the next ball for a six and went on to score 78 off 66 balls, setting the platform for a series-clinching victory.Chahal bowled a little better, picking up 1 for 47, but it wasn’t good enough.”I think they [the South African spinners] were a little more consistent in their lines and lengths,” Pant said after the match. “Yes, our spin unit could have done a little better but you have to see we are playing one-dayers after a long time, we are just getting used to the momentum of the 50-over cricket. So there are lots of factors we can talk about. Hopefully, we can correct all these mistakes in the coming matches.”

Tottenham Hotspur return to action at the end of this week with a clash against Aston Villa at home in the Premier League after the international break.

The Lilywhites are currently third in the table, with one loss in seven matches, and Thomas Frank will be hoping that his team continues to thrive in the top-flight.

He may, however, look for more from certain players in the coming weeks. Xavi Simons, for example, is yet to score a goal since his move from RB Leipzig in the summer.

The Netherlands international, as shown in the graphic below, hit double figures for goals in the 2024/25 campaign for the German outfit before his move to England.

These statistics suggest that there is more to come from the attacking midfielder, who played in a central midfield role against Leeds United last time out, as a goalscoring threat.

Frank needs the Dutchman to step up with more goals and assists this season because the Danish tactician will be without James Maddison for some time yet.

Why James Maddison's injury is a big blow for Spurs

The England international suffered an ACL injury in pre-season and is set to be out for the majority of this season. He recently revealed that his target is to return before the end of the campaign.

This means that the former Leicester and Norwich star will not be available for selection to Frank until near the end of the season at the earliest, which is a big blow because of the quality that he can provide at Premier League level.

Maddison, who has 107 goals and assists in his top-flight career (Transfermarkt), ended the 2024/25 league campaign with a return of nine goals and seven assists in 21 starts for Spurs.

The English attacking midfielder proved that he is worthy of wearing the number ten shirt for Tottenham with his performances in the Premier League, with a consistent stream of goals and assists at the top end of the pitch.

As you can see in the table above, Maddison ranked as one of the most effective attacking midfielders in the Premier League last season when it came to scoring and creating goals per 90.

The likes of Rafa van der Vaart, Harry Kane, Robbie Keane, Teddy Sheringham, and Glenn Hoddle all donned the number ten shirt before the Spurs star inherited it from Kane in the summer of 2023.

Maddison’s impact at the top end of the pitch, with goals and assists, shows that he is worthy of being a number ten for the club, but it remains to be seen whether or not he will be able to get back to his best after an ACL injury.

If the England international does not get back to his best in an attacking midfield role for Spurs, that number ten shirt could be up for grabs in the not-too-distant future.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Whilst some may look to Xavi Simons as a potential successor to Maddison’s number ten shirt, there is an exciting young star in the academy system who could steal the number ten from the vice-captain.

Luca Williams-Barnett made his first-team debut for Tottenham off the bench against Doncaster in the League Cup earlier this season, and could have a bright future in North London.

Why Luca Williams-Barnett can steal the number ten shirt for Spurs

Per Transfermarkt, the 17-year-old starlet has worn the number ten shirt for Spurs at U18, U19, and U21 level so far, which shows that he is a fan of the number.

This suggests that his dream would be to wear the number ten shirt for Tottenham at first-team level in the future, but he currently has Maddison in his way and will need to emerge as a star for Frank’s team to have a shot at claiming it.

Williams-Barnett’s form for the club’s academy so far this season suggests that he is well on his way to breaking into the senior side, which would then put him into contention to steal that shirt number.

The teenage talent, who was hailed as “special” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has scored eight goals and provided five assists in ten appearances in all competitions this season, per Transfermarkt, which includes a three-minute appearance for the first-team.

Williams-Barnett, typically deployed as an attacking midfielder, has delivered consistent performances at the top end of the pitch as both a scorer and a creator of goals in his number ten role.

As you can see in the table above, the 17-year-old starlet’s form since the start of last season has been breathtaking, with a goal or an assist every hour or so on average.

Not only is Williams-Barnett an output machine who can score and create goals at an exceptional rate, but the Spurs sensation also “scores bangers”, per analyst Ben Mattinson on X.

That comment from Mattinson is backed up by the two goals from the attacking midfielder in the video above, as it shows that he is an effective finisher from range.

However, it is now down to Williams-Barnett to prove that he can score and create goals at an impressive rate for the senior team, as he has done at U18, U19, and U21 level so far.

18-year-old Spurs gem is a "superstar" with more talent than Vuskovic

Tottenham Hotspur have a whole host of exciting youngsters to watch out for.

By
Kelan Sarson

Oct 13, 2025

If Frank provides the England U18 international with a chance to play regular minutes for the first-team, the impressive attacking midfielder may just steal Maddison’s number ten shirt in the future.

It is not controversial to say that Tottenham Hotspur have struggled in the Premier League this season, though, adopting a glass-half-full mentality, it could also be suggested that Thomas Frank’s project, in its infancy, has the potential to be a success.

However, we need to see a more synergised frontline and a sharper overall build-up strategy. Spurs have struggled for stable home form and fluency in their creativity this season, and that has formed the crux of their struggles.

Many players have flattered to deceive, but Johnson’s poor performances have perhaps gone somewhat under the radar as Frank continues to hand the Wales international a second-string role.

Brennan Johnson's struggles at Spurs

In keeping with the wider narrative at Tottenham, Johnson has ebbed and flowed since joining the club from Nottingham Forest for around £47.5m in 2023. However, he will be desperate for an uptick in form after a tough start to the Frank era, peripheral after scoring 17 goals across all competitions last year.

Johnson may have an eye for goal, but Frank clearly doesn’t fancy him as a regular starting option for the Lilywhites at the moment, with the Welshman only starting three of the past 11 fixtures in the Premier League.

Despite scoring in both of Tottenham’s opening league outings, he has offered very little in regard to ball-carrying and creative metrics, clinical when afforded space in the danger area but offering very little else for an outfit desperate for more dynamism.

See below for how Johnson’s data from the top-flight terms matches up against the form of Mohamed Kudus, and you’ll get a sense of why Frank is loath to give him a starting berth.

Matches (starts)

13 (13)

13 (6)

Goals

2

2

Assists

5

0

Touches*

52.4

17.8

Shots (on target)*

1.5 (0.5)

0.4 (0.2)

Accurate passes*

20.9 (87%)

6.7 (70%)

Chances created*

1.6

0.4

Succ. dribbles*

3.1

0.2

Ball recoveries*

5.1

0.9

Tackles + interceptions*

1.9

1.1

Duels won*

6.5

1.8

This isn’t good enough. Johnson has the physicality and electric nature to provide much more. After all, he has been hailed by content creator HLTCO in the past for his “frightening” pace and directness down the flank, right or left.

But time is surely running out for him to nail down a regular starting berth. He’s unlikely to displace Kudus, and while most Lilywhites have left something to be desired this season, there’s a lot of quality there.

And there’s more still to come, with an out-on-loan star sure to be eyeing a place above Johnson in the north London pecking order next season.

The Spurs star who could replace Johnson

Analyst Ben Mattinson has described Mikey Moore as a prospect with “superstar potential”, having taken his first steps in Tottenham’s first team last season, scoring his first senior goal in the Europa League and racking up two assists besides across 19 matches in all competitions.

Moore is currently sidelined with a muscular injury, approaching one month since last playing in the Scottish Premiership, and though he struggled to impose himself throughout the early weeks of the campaign, Rangers’ abject form made it difficult for the youngster to hit the ground running.

His natural potency in the final third and underlying athleticism suggest that he might be the perfect Johnson heir, especially since he is comfortable playing across both flanks.

Spurs writer James Harris has even said that he could “bring back the old Aaron Lennon” to north London, so dangerous and dynamic when running with the ball.

Lennon racked up 364 appearances as a right winger for Tottenham, and pace and potency were staples of his game. Like Moore, he was an incredibly direct winger; though he offered far more from a creative standpoint than, say, Johnson, there’s a sense that Moore might share the retired England star’s protean threat.

Though it hasn’t been plain sailing for Moore in the highlands this season, it’s probably fair to say that the experience has toughened him up some, and that could prove instrumental in nailing down a starting spot down the line at Tottenham.

Already, he is showing that he has more in his locker than Johnson, a wider and more threatening array of skills.

Expect big things from this kid in the future, even if that comes at Johnson’s expense, it will help elevate Frank’s project.

The new Son: Spurs prepared to pay £65m to sign "world-class" talent

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to fork out a hefty sum to land a new attacker for Thomas Frank.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 3, 2025

How the mighty have fallen at Liverpool.

Expectations for the season heading into this campaign would have been that Arne Slot and Co could achieve the tricky feat of lifting back-to-back Premier League titles, having splashed the cash on the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in the summer.

Yet, the Reds are now deep in a depressing patch of form that has seen them lose a staggering nine matches from their last 12 outings – which has left them marooned in mid-table in the top-flight – with a 4-1 defeat at the hands of PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday night surely the pick of a bad bunch.

Not a single Liverpool shirt would trudge off at the end of the shambolic loss at Anfield with much credit left in the bank, as Ibrahima Konate’s error-ridden season continued against the Dutch visitors.

Konate's disastrous season continues

Liverpool will want January to come around in a flash now, having been linked with Marc Guehi to fix their leaky defensive issues.

Konate wasn’t the only ropey figure in the Reds’ porous backline against PSV, though, with Virgil van Dijk setting the tone for what was in store when giving away an early penalty from a brainless handball.

But, after a “nightmare” showing against Nottingham Forest last time out in the Premier League, as it was branded by the Athletic’s James Pearce, the Frenchman did himself no favours in trying to get back into the good books of Anfield supporters, by putting in another shaky showing against Peter Bosz’s fortunate away side.

His woes were summed up when he failed to clear the ball away for PSV’s rampant third of the one-sided affair, which then resulted in second-half substitute Ricardo Pepi breaking forward with pace to play a major part in the Eredivisie outfit’s game-clinching strike.

For Konate’s sake, who has now been in the heart of a “disgraceful” defence – as it was bluntly branded by Reds-based content creator DAVEOCKOP – across Liverpool’s last three games, where ten goals have been given up, Slot should ditch him for the next away match at West Ham United.

Yet, worryingly, Konate was far from the worst performer on a night that will live long in Anfield infamy. Indeed, another underperformer faces the axe for their must-win clash at the London Stadium.

Not just Konate: Liverpool star faces the chop

Indeed, although it meant very little come the full-time whistle, Konate would, at least, come away from the game with just one misplaced pass next to his name and three ground duels won.

Unfortunately for the under-fire number five, though, his horror moment leading to PSV’s third is all that will be remembered, with Cody Gakpo also another figure that generated a lot of criticism come the full-time whistle, as his goalless stretch of form shows no signs of stopping.

Games played

6

Minutes played

315 mins

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

It’s now been six games in November for the Dutchman with no goals or assists coming his way, but it could have been very different against PSV on another occasion, as Gakpo spurned a big opportunity against his former employers when the score was just 2-1.

On top of fluffing his lines to the dismay of Anfield, the hot-and-cold 26-year-old also lacked the same cutting edge that PSV showed throughout when bursting forward with pace, with possession given away 21 times by Gakpo when attempting to set his teammates up for chances.

On an evening when the defence received the majority of the pelters, Gakpo wasn’t completely immune from scathing criticism himself, with Liverpool World’s Will Rooney handing him a very low 3/10 post-match rating after the dust had settled on the harrowing loss, noting that he needed to “be better” in various attacking scenarios to up his score.

Further labelled as “laughable” on the ball by one Reds content creator, Gakpo will surely be worrying now that he will be shoved down to the substitutes bench for the tie with the Hammers up next, as Slot makes selection decisions that he hopes save his skin.

Journalist David Lynch has stated that he doesn’t think Slot can “survive” his predicament, whatever he does next, but it does look like a smart immediate call anyway to drop both Konate and Gakpo, to attempt to steer the collapsing ship back on course.

Ranked: The worst title defences in Premier League history

Look away now, Arne Slot…

ByTom Cunningham Nov 25, 2025

Liverpool have now reportedly set their sights on hiring a Premier League manager, who Pep Guardiola called “incredible”, in a fresh concern for Arne Slot.

Carragher delivers "honest" Liverpool verdict after PSV defeat

Before the international break, Liverpool could at least fall back on the excuse that much of their bad form came on the road. Anfield, for the most part, remained a fortress. Just weeks later, however, and that fortress has been set ablaze by humiliating defeats at the hands of Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven.

Not everyone is ready to call time on Slot’s time at the club, however, and Anfield legend Jamie Carragher sent a timely reminder on punditry duty that Liverpool aren’t a sacking club, historically speaking.

He said: “Liverpool is not a sacking club, Liverpool, I think, are different from almost every club in European football where the manager is the king, you know, the managers get time.

“Liverpool have never sacked a manager who’s won the league, never in the history. They’ve all, you know, after a few years they’ve gone, they’ve resigned.

Related Slot must drop 3/10 Liverpool flop who was just as bad as Konate vs PSV

Arne Slot must now axe this Liverpool flop after he put in an extremely poor display at Anfield against PSV Eindhoven.

Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson Nov 27, 2025

“I couldn’t believe over the weekend that people were talking about the manager’s job when I spoke to Liverpool supporters after losing at home to Nottingham Forest.

“It’s only going to amplify now and I’ve always been in the camp of you stick with the manager because I’m angry with the players if I’m being totally honest, I’m really angry with the players but it does get to a stage with any manager at any club where I always use this word untenable, where it almost feels like it can’t go on any longer.”

Whether Liverpool chiefs share that view is the big question. Recent reports linking them to the likes of Andoni Iraola certainly suggests that they’re at least preparing for life without Slot.

Liverpool eyeing Andoni Iraola move

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are now eyeing a move to hire Iraola from Bournemouth if they decide to sack Slot. The Cherries boss is someone that Richard Hughes knows well, given that the sporting director hired the Spaniard during his time on the South Coast, and could now turn to him for a second time.

Iraola is one of the most well-respected managers in the Premier League these days. He’s taken Bournemouth to new heights and transformed the likes of Antoine Semenyo, who’s attracting interest from Liverpool ahead of the January transfer window.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been one of the many figures around English football to hand the Bournemouth boss praise, telling reporters earlier this season: “Andoni is an incredible, well-respected manager in Spain and did an incredible job in Rayo Vallecano.”

It doesn’t get much better than praise from the Man City boss, and Iraola could yet get the chance to become one of his biggest rivals if Liverpool make their move.

Gravenberch upgrade: Liverpool ready record bid for "best CM in the world"

Manny Machado is feeling good for the first time in years.

The six-time All-Star had surgery on a long lingering right elbow injury in October of 2023 and was never fully healthy during the 2024 season. Despite that, he put up excellent numbers. Now, he says he's finally fully healthy.

On Monday, Machado met with the media at spring training and was asked about his health. When asked if he was ever at 100% during the 2024 campaign, the 32-year-old said, "No."

In a follow-up, he was asked when was he last at 100% and with a laugh he said, "Today. And then it's back to not being at 100%."

When asked to clarify if he arriving at starting spring training at 100% he said, "Today? Yes. Yeah, absolutely."

Machado started slowly in 2024, but wound up putting together an excellent campaign. He finished the year slashing .275/.325/.472 with 29 home runs, 105 RBIs, a .797 OPS, a wRC+ of 122 and 3.6 fWAR. He was named second-team All-MLB and helped lead the Padres to within one game of the National League championship series.

A fully healthy Machado could be a big problem for opponents in 2025.

Mikel Arteta is excited about the return of the "very unpredictable" Gabriel Jesus from injury following a lengthy rehabilitation. The Brazilian forward has been sidelined by a brutal knee injury since January in an FA Cup encounter with Manchester United. The striker clashed awkwardly with Bruno Fernandes and had to be stretchered off from the pitch as Jesus was in visible pain.

A long road back from the brink

Repeated knee setbacks have stopped him from realising his full potential, and the striker, who knows his body all too well, guessed that he was staring at another lengthy spell on the sidelines. Subsequent scans showed Jesus had suffered a serious ACL tear. Now, after an almost season-long fight for recovery, the striker returned to full training, sparking fresh hope in north London. Arteta couldn’t hide his excitement when speaking about Jesus’s long-awaited comeback as he views the Brazilian as a dependable force who could add further spark to Arsenal's frontline. 

"I’m thrilled to have him," Arteta said. "I think he’s going to add something extra to the team that we don’t have, and make sure that very soon we see him on that pitch making an impact for the team. It's about making the steps day-by-day in a different surrounding. He's been doing everything on his own; now he's got players around him, very competitive players around him, and let’s see how he copes with that. But he's full of energy, I love the reaction of all his teammates when he first joined us and great to have him back."

AdvertisementAFPArsenal's attack in flux

Jesus' return couldn’t have been better timed. Arsenal’s attacking line has been hit by constant injuries and just when Arteta thought his forward options were finally stable, new problems have surfaced. Summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, brought in for £60 million from Sporting CP to add firepower, is now sidelined with a hamstring issue sustained in the win over Burnley. The Swedish international is expected to be out for around two weeks and will miss the clash against Sunderland. However, the international break will provide him with some respite. 

Speaking about the injury, Arteta said: "I am concerned because he hasn't had many muscular issues and he needed to leave the pitch and he was feeling something. That's obviously never a good sign, especially for a player that is very, very explosive. So we are digging in a little bit more to understand where we are in terms of the injury and we'll announce the moment we know."

Jesus ready to fight for his place at Arsenal

While Arteta’s focus remains on fitness and form, rumours about Jesus’s long-term future have refused to go away. Reports from earlier this month claimed Arsenal could be open to selling the forward, with Brazilian giants Flamengo and Palmeiras both interested in bringing him back home. Everton, too, are said to be weighing up an ambitious January approach. But Jesus himself has moved swiftly to quash those whispers. Speaking to Placar, as reported by , the 28-year-old was adamant that his future lies in north London. 

"Every day, the [Arsenal] coach and the board say they're eager for my return," he said. "I don't see myself outside the club's plans. I have a contract until 2027, and if it's not renewed by then, I'll be at the club at least until 2027."

That said, the Brazilian didn’t shy away from acknowledging his love affair with Palmeiras, the club where he began his professional career. 

"Palmeiras' interest will always be there, both from them and from me," Jesus said. "But there's been nothing formal. It's the natural interest of a kid who came through the Palmeiras youth system, went to Europe, and obviously wants to return one day. Everyone at the club knows that. I'm a player, and it's a little harder to say, but when I feel like returning to Brazil, which isn't the case right now, my desire is and always will be Palmeiras."

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AFPArsenal’s balancing act with their finances

Financially, Arsenal find themselves in a delicate position after a lavish summer of spending close to £250m ($332m). The acquisitions of Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze alone have stretched the club’s wage structure, leading to whispers that certain high-earning players could be moved on to balance the books. They have already shipped out Reiss Nelson, Jakub Kiwior, and Albert Sambi Lokonga, and it remains to be seen if Jesus is deemed surplus to requirements.

MLS, in partnership with EDGE Sound Research, will debut “Embodied Sound” during the Oct. 29 playoff match between LAFC and Austin FC – which also marks Son Heung-min’s first MLS postseason appearance. The technology uses real-time object tracking to isolate the soccer ball as its own audio source, letting viewers hear and feel every touch, pass, and strike with unprecedented clarity.

• Getty Images
  

  Revolutionary ball-tracking audio system

  The technology marks the first-ever use of isolated ball audio in a live soccer broadcast, offering audio engineers unprecedented control and clarity. By routing the ball's sound into a dedicated channel, the broadcast mix will deliver more precise and immersive effects, capturing the energy of each kick, post hit, and player reaction without being overwhelmed by ambient stadium noise.

  This innovation provides mixers with a clean, controllable "ball channel," enabling them to emphasize key moments in real time without affecting other ambient sounds.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  MLS's commitment to technological innovation

  EDGE Sound Research, a U.S.-based leader in multimodal audio, has collaborated closely with Major League Soccer over the past year to adapt their Virtual Sound Engine platform specifically for soccer broadcasting. The company's CEO, Valtteri Salomaki, explained that the development process involved optimizing audio-focus tools to leverage tracking data and automatically generate field effects mixes for broadcasts.

  “Over the past year, we’ve collaborated closely with Major League Soccer to adapt our Virtual Sound Engine platform supporting the automation and enhancement of broadcasting [for] soccer,”  Salomaki said as per Sportsvideo.org. “Early on, we optimized our audio-focus tools to leverage tracking data and automatically generate the field FX mix for broadcasts. 

  “As we began working in various stadiums, we quickly realized how the sheer loudness of the crowd can wash out the sounds from the field of play. That challenge led us to build a new machine-learning and DSP infrastructure that allows us to rapidly fine-tune models to specific sports sounds, such as the kick of a ball.”

• Evolution of technology

  EDGE Sound Research, a member of the MLS Innovation Lab, had previously applied earlier versions of this technology in stadium environments, including the Minnesota Twins' Target Field, where it enhanced the in-venue experience for hearing-challenged fans. The company later tested iterations of the technology at the NBA's Summer League in Las Vegas earlier this year.

  The MLS application represents a significant evolution, taking the ball-tracking capability from venue enhancement to broadcast application, with this week marking the first live production where the full Virtual Sound Engine platform will be deployed for MLS.

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  MLS Innovation Lab's impact

  The audio initiative comes through the MLS Innovation Lab, which identifies, supports, and accelerates startups driving the next wave of sports technology, fan engagement, and on-field performance.

It was a significant show of faith in Rio Ngumoha’s potential when Liverpool opted against directly replacing Luis Diaz this summer.

Diaz, 28, had been a steady source of positivity down the left flank for over three years on Merseyside, and he was instrumental in winning the Premier League last season, posting 17 goals and eight assists across all competitions.

But he and FSG had reached a contract dispute, and his openness to moving for new pastures saw Bayern Munich’s £65.5m offer accepted in August. He brought four major honours to Anfield.

Liverpool welcomed a wealth of talent to their ranks this summer, but they didn’t sign an out-and-out left winger. Partly, this was because of Cody Gakpo and £116m arrival Florian Wirtz’s ability to play out on the flank, but Ngumoha’s emergence also played a factor.

However, the up-and-down start to the season will have shown Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes that perhaps that was a mistake. And if rumours are to be believed, the Reds hierarchy are considering rectifying that blunder.

Why Liverpool need a left winger

When Wirtz joined Liverpool in July, it was expected that he would settle in as one of the Premier League’s best players. That is still the anticipation, though his start to life in England has left much to be desired.

After assisting Hugo Ekitike on his debut in the Community Shield, the 22-year-old has since blanked across each of his eight appearances, lacking the quality and confidence in the crucial moments to make a difference.

That quality is in there, but Liverpool’s wider tactical struggles this term have exacerbated Wirtz’s slow start, with the attacking midfielder struggling to find his feet across central and wide berths.

While the German international can play out wide, this is not his most effective role, and with that in mind, Liverpool might want to sign a Diaz-like winger in 2026 to help balance the system out once again, perhaps raising Wirtz’s game concurrently.

And, according to Spanish sources, FSG are preparing an official €75m (£65m) offer for Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, though the Basque outfit are holding out to see that their €90m (£78m) valuation is met.

Williams, 23, was reported by Fabrizio Romano this summer to be Arsenal’s “dream target”, but the Gunners failed to make a breakthrough and went down a different track.

Liverpool are aware of interest from other suitors and hope to close a deal swiftly, so keep a close eye on this one.

What Nico Williams would bring to Liverpool

A maverick of a winger, Williams rose to prominence for his performances at the 2024 European Championship with Spain, vital to the Iberian nation’s triumph, hailed for his “incredible” talent by Barcelona’s Pedri.

During that summer tournament, Spain were simply a cut above the rest, and Williams and Lamine Yamal drew so many plaudits for their electric performances, uncontainable.

The fast-footed talent has played 171 matches for Athletic Bilbao and earned 30 caps for Spain. For his club, he has posted 32 goals and assists apiece.

A groin injury has disrupted his start to the current campaign, but with a goal and two assists to his name already, the £276k-per-week ace is sure to hit form once fitness levels have been recovered.

Last season wasn’t one of seamless success for Williams, who only scored five times in La Liga, but he notched 14 goals across all competitions and showed through his underlying data his high-level ability. As per Sofascore, he completed 2.3 dribbles and won 4.9 duels on average each game.

It’s more than Williams operates in a similar way to Diaz, and thus could be an invaluable puzzle piece for Slot as the Dutch manager works on recalibrating his out-of-sorts Liverpool team.

You would hope that the Merseysiders’ struggles would have been combatted by the end of the campaign, but Williams could prove a long-term success and an upgrade on Wirtz down the left channel.

Goals scored

0.29

0.34

Assists

0.35

0.23

Shots taken

2.59

2.48

Shot-creating actions

4.89

5.17

Touches (att pen)

5.21

5.13

Pass completion (%)

78.9

71.0

Progressive passes

6.33

3.22

Progressive carries

3.95

5.91

Successful take-ons

2.53

3.66

Ball recoveries

4.03

4.77

Curiously, there are quite a few similarities between the respective players, even though stylistic differences are clear when observing them in action.

Both players are adept at taking on defenders, with staggering close control. Wirtz is artful on the ball. However, Williams is more of a relentless carrier, and that is something Slot’s side need to stretch lines and accommodate Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak in the centre.

In fact, he has been described in the past as a “world-class prospect” by journalist Zach Lowy, who went on to say that the “absolute menace” was proving a terror for Spanish defences across the 2023/24 campaign.

It’s clear that Wirtz is a talented footballer and that he could become one of the Premier League’s leading figures at Liverpool. But Liverpool need to sign a first-class winger to add width and energy to Slot’s flanks.

Williams is that man, with his “unpredictable” and “relentless” dribbling, as noted by analyst Ben Mattinson, bound to add a dimension to the Liverpool fold, especially when Mohamed Salah lacks his one-time athleticism on the alternate wing.

Is Williams a more technically talented footballer than Wirtz? Does his ceiling stretch higher than the German playmaker’s own? In both cases, probably not.

However, Liverpool haven’t looked quite right this season, and the Spaniard’s electric pace and Diaz-like qualities as a winger might prove the upgrade needed to restore the tactical equilibrium.

Their answer to Semenyo: Liverpool have a future "best winger in the world"

Liverpool have so much talent within Arne Slot’s squad.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 16, 2025