The Red Dragons lost their second straight home league game as they fell five points behind second-placed Wycombe Wanderers.
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Wrexham lose 2-1 to Leyton Orient
Beaten in two straight home league games
Orient five points behind their hosts
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Wrexham suffered a setback in their quest to win promotion from League One, losing 2-1 at home to in-form Leyton Orient.
Phil Parkinson's side got off to a positive start, Ollie Rathbone turning in James McClean's corner to give his side the lead after 15 minutes, but weren't able to press home their advantage.
Orient were a threat on the break all evening and fashioned an equaliser on the half-hour mark when Darren Pratley's pull-back was met by Charlie Kelman to score his 14th goal of the season.
And the east Londoners had the lead for themselves five minutes after half-time when Tottenham Hotspur loanee Jamie Donley produced a moment of Premier League quality, striking a sweet volley into the net from the edge of the box after a corner was cleared.
Wrexham continued to huff and puff but struggled to create too many clear openings, despite Pratley seeing red for a second yellow card late in the game.
Orient have now won 12 of their last 15 games and are only five points behind their hosts in fifth.
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DID YOU KNOW?
On a damaging night, Wrexham slipped five points behind second-place Wycombe Wanderers, who beat Bristol Rovers 2-0. Leaders Birmingham City have one foot in the Championship with their six-point advantage at the top of the table, while Stockport County and Orient themselves cannot be ruled out of the race to win automatic promotion.
THE MVP
The outstanding moment of the night was undoubtedly delivered by Donley, the Leyton Orient attacking midfielder who has shone all season on loan from Tottenham and did so again at the Racecourse Ground. Donley's sumptuous volley after 50 minutes was enough to win his side a huge three points, while it further enhanced his reputation for scoring spectacular goals after his halfway-line effort against Manchester City in the FA Cup last week.
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THE BIG LOSER
It was a quiet night for Wrexham's forward players, in particularly Jay Rodriguez, who is yet to score for his new side since joining from Burnley in January. The former England international did not threaten and was substituted after 65 minutes as Parkinson searched for a way back into the game.
Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes Chelsea will sack Enzo Maresca if the Blues fail to beat relegation-threatened Southampton and Leicester City.
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Chelsea in poor run of form
Maresca tipped for sack
Palmer's struggles explained
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Merson believes that if Chelsea are unable to beat Southampton and Leicester, who are 20th and 19th respectively in the English top-flight, in their next two Premier League games, the Italian will lose his job. The ex-England international also theorised that Palmer's drop-off in form is down to not having Nicolas Jackson playing alongside him, with the striker currently out injured.
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WHAT PAUL MERSON SAID
He said on Sky Sports: "If they don’t win their next two games, the manager won’t be there. They’re playing against two of the worst teams to play in the Premier League for I don’t know how long in Southampton and Leicester. So, if they don’t win those two games, he will do well to keep his job. Chelsea have got to get in the Champions League. They need the Champions League to keep players like Cole Palmer as he will want to play in that competition. They will have to finish in the top five, otherwise I dread to think what’s going to happen. I just don’t see what the plan is."
Merson added: "Even Palmer has struggled now, Palmer needs Nicolas Jackson, and Jackson needs Palmer. Without Jackson's movement, Palmer gets suffocated out of the game. He hasn't got any movement in front of him. People give Jackson stick but you can see how good he is now he's not in the team. Now, all of a sudden, they've got nothing up front, so no one's making the runs and Palmer's got no space. So he's getting deeper and deeper. Jackson's a massive miss."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Indeed, Chelsea have taken just nine points from their last 10 league matches and Palmer has failed to register a single goal or assist across his last five games. They are just one point outside the Champions League qualification spots, with fifth likely to secure a berth into next season's competition. But it is very tight in the fight for Europe and if the Blues' poor run continues, they could slide down the table quickly.
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WHAT NEXT?
Maresca's Chelsea host bottom of the table Southampton on Tuesday, followed by Leicester on March 9 at Stamford Bridge. In between those games, they take on Copenhagen in the last 16 of the Europa Conference League.
Chelsea are willing to splash the cash to secure the signature of another one of their teenage transfer targets, according to a new report.
Chelsea transfer news
Under the stewardship of Todd Boehly, the Blues have evidently been focussing on strengthening their squad with younger players, given that all of their summer acquisitions were 25 or under, and they continue to be linked with up-and-coming talents.
Enzo Maresca is said to be personally driving a deal for Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, with the manager trying to pip Juventus to his signature, while they have also set their sights on another Bundesliga star.
Reports suggest that Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz is another option being considered, with talks already being opened ahead of the January transfer window. Both Adeyemi and Wirtz are capable of playing on either wing, although the latter specialises through the middle. As such, it is evident that Maresca is looking to bolster his attacking options in the near future.
Chelsea eyeing Geovany Quenda
With that in mind, it is clear to see why the Blues are now being linked with a move for Geovany Quenda, as reported by Spanish sources. The 17-year-old winger is said to have attracted the attention of a number of the Premier League’s top clubs, including Liverpool and Manchester United, and the report details that he is now one of the most sought-after players in Europe.
At the moment, however, it is Arsenal that appear to have taken the most concrete steps towards securing the Sporting CP man’s signature, having already opened talks with his representatives. Although there is a ÂŁ84m release clause in Quenda’s contract, the clubs in question are willing to spend big to secure his signature, as they are all well aware of the enormous talent that he possesses.
Geovany Quenda for Sporting vs Manchester City.
It will clearly be very difficult for Chelsea to win the race for the Portuguese winger’s signature, given the level of interest, however if they are able to get a deal over the line he could prove to be a fantastic acquistion.
The starlet was recently hailed as an “unreal talent” by Statman Dave for his performance in Sporting’s emphatic 4-1 victory against Manchester City, during which he provided an assist for Viktor Gyokeres’ opening goal and achieved a 7.3 SofaScore match rating.
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This season, the Sporting academy graduate has very much burst onto the scene, having already chalked up 10 league appearances, and he has particularly impressed with his dribbling ability. Over the past year, the Bissau-born youngster has averaged 5.14 progressive carries per 90, which places him in the 99th percentile compared to his positional peers, while he is also in the 97th percentile for successful take-ons.
If Quenda continues to develop at his current rate, it seems likely he will attract even more attention from Europe’s top clubs, so if Chelsea are able to get a deal over the line then it would be a huge signal of intent as they look to start competing for major honours once again.
Real Madrid have turned their attention towards Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate to bolster their backline, with a Bosman move in 2026 the ideal scenario.
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Madrid eyeing Konate to strengthen their defence
Frenchman could follow Trent Alexander-Arnold to Bernabeu
Contract ends in June 2026 with no renewal talks yet
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WHAT HAPPENED?
According to a report from, Real Madrid are targeting Liverpool centre-back Konate for a high-profile transfer in the summer of 2026. The French defender is said to be on the club's radar, with the potential to follow in the footsteps of club teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been heavily linked with a move to Madrid after running down his contract and joining on a free transfer this summer.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Konate's contract with the Reds is set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season, and although the player's entourage entered talks with the club over an extension, there hasn't been any development yet. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is believed to be a huge admirer of the French centre-back, with Los Blancos ready to wait until next summer to sign him as a free agent.
DID YOU KNOW?
Madrid are not the only club monitoring Konate's situation at Anfield. Last month, it was reported that PSG were interested in acquiring the services of Konate, with the France international enticed by the prospect of playing in the city he was born in.
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WHAT NEXT FOR IBRAHIMA KONATE?
Konate was involved in a highly critical moment during Liverpool's first-leg clash against PSG in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday evening. The 25-year-old avoided a sending-off in the first half after making contact with PSG's Bradley Barcola. Konate will next be seen in action on Saturday, March 8, when the Reds welcome Southampton at Anfield for a Premier League encounter.
Looking to add the finishing touches to their midfield, Liverpool chiefs are now reportedly plotting a move to sign a player who’s been likened to Luka Modric ahead of Real Madrid and a whole host of Europe’s elite clubs in 2025.
Liverpool transfer news
Top of the Premier League, top of the Champions League and in a ruthless mood as of late, Liverpool have shocked the rest of European football by seamlessly adjusting to life without Jurgen Klopp and taking steps towards instant success under Arne Slot. Nottingham Forest and Nottingham Forest only have prevented the Slot machine from hitting jackpot, even following games against Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Now, transfer rumours suggest that the only way is up for the Dutchman’s side potentially set for further additions in 2025. The in-form Omar Marmoush has been among the names consistently mentioned. No player in Europe’s top five leagues has managed more goal involvements than the Eintracht Frankfurt star who could be destined to become the heir to Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool throne.
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Meanwhile, the Reds have also set their sights on improving their midfield once again. According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Liverpool chiefs are now plotting to sign Martin Baturina, who has been likened to Luka Modric and has attracted the interest of Real Madrid and the majority of Europe’s elite.
Having sent their scouts to Croatia to watch the 21-year-old Dinamo Zagreb midfielder in action, Liverpool could make their move for both Baturina and also reportedly his talented teammate Petar Sucic, who has also attracted plenty of interest from across Europe.
An attacking midfielder, Baturina would offer Slot yet another option to compete with the likes of Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and the returning Harvey Elliott – handing the Liverpool boss quite the strength in depth.
"Maestro" Baturina is a man in demand
If Liverpool were to beat Real Madrid to the next Modric alongside Premier League rivals Manchester United and Manchester City on top of other European clubs then it would represent an impressive piece of business. The 21-year-old has earned plenty of admirers in Croatia, including Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig, who dubbed Baturina a “maestro” earlier this season.
Taking his tally up to nine goal involvements in 17 games since that praise, it’s no surprise that Baturina has become a wanted man. The fact that Slot’s system accommodates an attacking midfielder could leave Liverpool in a strong position to land such a player, given how much he would match their current system. Whether the Reds make their move remains to be seen, however.
Nottingham Forest are now ready to table a big offer in January to bolster their frontline under Nuno Espirito Santo, it has been reported.
Nottingham Forest reliant on Wood
Consecutive Premier League losses have dampened the feel good factor around Nottingham Forest, and star striker Chris Wood has not scored in either.
The New Zealand international has found the net an impressive eight times so far this season and has the best conversion rate of any striker in the Premier League since Nuno arrived at the Midlands club.
He is rarely injured but was rested against Arsenal and came off the bench for the final few minutes as they look to preserve the 32-year-old’s fitness and form.
Chris Wood under Nuno Espirito Santo
Appearances
29
Goals
18
Assists
1
Minutes per goal/assist
126.8
However, they also remain keen to sign an alternative striker to provide cover and competition for the ex-Newcastle man, with the reliable John Percy explaining: “I think a striker has got to be the priority.
“They obviously looked in the summer and sort of rained back a bit and thought, let’s just wait, which we’ve all said at the time was another sign of the evolution of the club and maturity. But I think that’s going to be the number one priority.”
Taiwo Awoniyi is that backup, but did little to further his case for minutes against Arsenal, while his injury record suggests that he cannot prove a reliable backup for Wood over a prolonged period of time as Forest look to move away from relegation candidates and into serious top half contenders.
Now, they appear to be trying to land a replacement ahead of the January transfer window.
Nottingham Forest ready £19m+ bid for forward
That comes as reports out of Brazil, relayed by Sport Witness, claim that Nottingham Forest are ready to offer ÂŁ19m+ to sign Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto in January.
The January transfer window coincides with the end of the Brazilian season, making deals with South American giants more feasible, and Forest are keen to snap up the forward.
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To that end, they are ready to “propose an initial €23m fee” (ÂŁ19.1m) which could include further bonuses to tempt Corinthians into parting ways with the 23-year-old.
Alberto has been in fine form this season, netting 11 times and grabbing four assists in 26 outings, while Forest have a strong working relationship with Corinthians, having signed Murillo from the Brazilian side as well as goalkeeper Carlos Miguel in the most recent summer transfer window.
The Brazilian international Alberto could be the next cab off the rank, with a previous report adding that “he dreams of moving to England and his agent is determined to fulfil that wish in January”, something that will strengthen Forest’s chances of beating off the competition to sign him.
West Ham are also thought to have been interested previously, but it is unclear if that remains the case following the signing of Niclas Fullkrug. Clearly though, Forest are ready to move early to land their man.
A former Arsenal player has questioned if Mikel Arteta has the "personality" to manage a "big player" such as striker Victor Osimhen.
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Arteta comes under fire from ex-Gunner
Questioned if he can handle a "big player"
Arsenal told to sign striker Osimhen
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Former Gunners captain William Gallas has urged his old team to sign Napoli ace Osimhen, who is spending the season on loan at Galatasaray, in a bid to finally end their centre-forward issues. However, the Frenchman does not believe Arteta will be able to handle the Nigerian, something he claims managerial greats such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, and Jose Mourinho would be able to do.
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WHAT WILLIAM GALLAS SAID
When asked which striker Arsenal should sign, Gallas told Prime Casino: "I think Victor Osimhen would be the man I would try and sign. He’s been performing well for Galatasaray, obviously on loan from Napoli, and he’s only going to be there for a season. He’s a good player. Maybe not the player, but maybe he can score 20 a season. But if he doesn’t, he gives you movement, he gives space for the second forward to exploit and score goals. He takes the focus of defenders, so he could play with Kai Havertz or another striker. He will be a little bit more free and then he can score goals for the club. So that's why a striker like him would be good for Arsenal. I was talking about this many years ago. He was too good, I think, to go to Galatasaray. I'm still saying the same thing. I know the club’s fans are going to be on my back again. Is he too much of a big player for Arteta? Maybe Mikel Arteta doesn't have the personality to manage players like Osimhen or to deal with players with personality. Big managers like Klopp, Guardiola, Ancelotti, Mourinho and Ferguson. Even Arsene, he had the personality of being our friend, but he knew how to speak to players. You have to know how to speak to your players. It doesn't mean you're going to have arguments. You have to know how to deal with them, that’s all."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arsenal have failed to sign a striker over the past two seasons, something that has come back to haunt them off the back of the injuries to forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz this term. The Gunners look set to miss out on another Premier League title in 2024/25 and if they want to end their 21-year wait for that trophy, they may need a top striker.
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WHAT NEXT?
Arsenal, who sit 15 points behind league leaders Liverpool, host Chelsea in their next Premier League game on Sunday.
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The Orlando Pride picked right back up where they ended last season, exploding over Chicago Stars FC for a 6-0 win at Inter&Co Stadium over the weekend. Apart from the Pride, the Washington Spirit and the Kansas City Current were the only two other teams to walk away with wins after Week 1.
The other four games across rest of the league games ended in 1-1 draws.
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14Chicago Stars FC
Chicago Stars FC had a tough go in Week 1, yielding six goals to the Orlando Pride. Despite trying to hold on, and Sam Staab making her way back onto the pitch after a long absence, the team struggled on all sides of the ball. The question still remains if Mallory Swanson will be back, but from the look of this first week, they could use someone to create up top.
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13Portland Thorns
The Portland thorns had a challenging first test, facing the Kansas City Current in Week 1. Despite leaning into many new faces and young talents, the Thorns fell 3-1 to a dominant Current side. The Thorns will have to find a leadership solution after big-name retirements and Sophia Wilson announcing her pregnancy earlier this month.
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12Houston Dash
The Houston Dash came back against the Spirit, in a pretty even match, to at least get a goal. Despite falling in Week 1, they still put on a promising performance especially with the new faces in the lineup – Yazmeen Ryan and Messiah Bright. Maggie Graham scored the lone goal for the Dash in the 75th minute. Perhaps with a little more time, the Dash will continue to sync and find their rhythm this season.
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11Utah Royals
The Utah Royals are hoping to turn things around this season after falling to the bottom of the table last year. While strong through the midfield, especially by way of Ally Sentnor, the Royals seem to be struggling once again with attacking opportunities and cohesion defensively. Perhaps when they travel to San Diego next week it'll be a different story.
A common theme in Celtic’s recent history has been the presence of a playmaking genius in the heart of the side, offering that vital creative link between the midfield unit and forward line.
In Brendan Rodgers’ current crop, it could be said that despite splashing out ÂŁ11m on club-record signing Arne Engels – with both Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan also snapped up – the Old Firm side’s dominant creative force is that of Nicolas Kuhn, with the German wizard chipping in with 11 assists to go with his stellar haul of ten goals this season.
The 24-year-old – who is now courting attention from clubs in the Premier League – has taken on that mantle from a certain Matt O’Riley, with the Denmark international having notably contributed 27 goals and 35 assists in all competitions for the club, prior to departing for Brighton and Hove Albion.
O’Riley’s success followed in the footsteps of the likes of Tom Rogic and Ryan Christie before him, with Rogic registering 97 goals and assists in 272 outings for the Hoops, while Christie chalked up 86 goal involvements from just 151 appearances in green and white.
Most assists so far – Celtic (2024/25)
Player
Games
Assists
Nicolas Kuhn
17
11
Arne Engels
14
6
Alistair Johnston
17
5
James Forrest
16
4
Greg Taylor
14
4
Kyogo Furuhashi
16
3
Daizen Maeda
16
3
Alex Valle
9
3
Stats via Transfermarkt
Those high profile names have been undoubted stars of the last decade or so, although their impressive records do not come close to the return of another Parkhead hero, in the form of Kris Commons.
Kris Commons' time at Celtic
While the midfielder’s stint in Glasgow may have ultimately petered out as he was eventually shipped on loan to Hibernian prior to his exit and subsequent retirement in 2017, boy was he effective in those early years at the club.
Signed from EFL side Derby County in January 2011 for a modest fee of just ÂŁ300k, the then 28-year-old went on to take Scottish football by storm under the likes of Neil Lennon and Ronny Deila.
As former coach John Collins would later state in 2015, “in and around the opponent’s box there’s nobody more dangerous”, with the England-born, Scotland international a true weapon for the Hoops in the final third.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
In all, the one-time Nottingham Forest star contributed a mammoth tally of 161 goals and assists in just 227 games, with that haul no doubt helped by his stunning return in the 2013/14 campaign, in which he scored 31 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.
A devastating threat either off the flanks or in a central role, the now-retired ace proved a complete and utter bargain for the Premiership giants, with there perhaps a chance for the club to repeat that feat in 2025…
Celtic chasing the next Kris Commons
As reported by 67HailHail, Rodgers and co are believed to have a strong interest in Burnley captain, Josh Brownhill, with the Englishman having been spoken about within Parkhead as the club look to strengthen their ranks in the new year.
Kris Commons
The former Bristol City man – who signed for the Clarets on a ÂŁ9m deal in 2020 – could be up for grabs in January amid the chance to sign a pre-contract agreement, with his existing deal set to expire in the summer.
That scenario certainly evokes memories of the deal to capture Commons from the Championship, with the Celtic icon having also had just a matter of months left on his Rams contract, prior to making the move on the cheap.
Perhaps there could be an opportunity for Brownhill – who, like Commons was at the time of his switch, is now 28 – to also depart for a minimal fee in the winter window, helping to offer some real experience to Rodgers’ relatively youthful midfield unit.
Like Commons too, the Warrington-born talent also offers that natural threat from his central berth, having already scored five goals in England’s second tier this season – ahead of what that man Engels (three) has achieved in his early days at Celtic Park.
This early season form has been no flash in the pan either, with Brownhill also registering seven goals and ten assists in all competitions during the 2022/23 campaign, with a Premier League stint having been sandwiched in between.
A reported ÂŁ45k-per-week wage may prove an obstacle, yet the 5 foot 11 ace – who has 37 goals and assists during his time at Turf Moor – would be a worthy pick-up, particularly if a bargain deal can be struck.
Josh Brownhill
With Celtic having seen the benefits of snapping up a figure like Commons from the EFL when he was entering his prime, repeating that trick with the addition of Brownhill in January – or next summer – could help to strengthen an already dominant outfit.
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Contracts. Becoming quite the frustrating word on the red half of Merseyside. Liverpool have been brilliant this season and are chasing down the biggest prizes, but it’s getting toward kitchen sink time on that particular front.
Recent news, at least, has suggested that Richard Hughes, Michael Edwards and co are looking to extend Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deals, but whether FSG will be successful is another matter entirely.
Trent, Salah, Van Dijk
Contracts contracts contracts. It’s perhaps telling that The Athletic’s confirmation that Van Dijk has been offered a new deal and an official approach for Salah is being prepared, but it’s all quiet on the Trent front.
Though transfer guru David Ornstein claims that talks are active and ongoing, it suggests that discussions are at a different stage with the Scouse-born vice-captain. You can’t help but feel a sense of foreboding, however, with Real Madrid grinning like a hungry hyena in the background.
Real Madrid looking to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold
It’s pretty frustrating that Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool’s biggest academy success since Steven Gerrard, is a month away from being free to talk with suitors from overseas concerning a pre-contract agreement.
If he does leave, it seems patent that there’s only one destination in the right-back’s mind: the Spanish capital. Alexander-Arnold, 26, is entering the prime of his career and offers a breadth of passing and creative influence that Liverpool simply won’t be able to replicate through Conor Bradley or a potential transfer replacement.
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher said last season that “it’s like having Kevin De Bruyne playing at right-back” when discussing the England star’s ball-playing brilliance.
It would be a detrimental blow to lose an inspiring figure on a free transfer next summer. That said, Alexander-Arnold isn’t the only Anfield member to have caught Florentino Perez’s attention, and indeed, this other potential saga might be even more damaging for Arne Slot’s side.
Trent's not the only Red on Real's list
As per GIVEMESPORT, Real Madrid are keen on signing Ryan Gravenberch next year, having struggled for control and fluidity in the middle of the park this season in the wake of 34-year-old Toni Kroos’ retirement.
Anfield sources have attempted to placate the rumours by confirming Gravenberch’s devotion to the Liverpool cause, where he is happily cemented as Slot’s midfield linchpin.
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch
While Liverpool would fetch a pretty penny through the Dutchman’s sale, it’s hard to imagine it being anything other than a disaster to the Merseysiders’ high-flying system.
Losing Ryan Gravenberch would be a bigger blow
Make no mistake, it would be a calamity to lose Alexander-Arnold at the end of the season, but the very nature of Liverpool’s contractual quandary means that there has been ample time to prepare for the wretched eventuality.
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold
Last season, Gravenberch sat on the margins of Jurgen Klopp’s regular first-team crop, starting 13 top-flight fixtures and showing signs of promise but failing to maintain a regular berth with real conviction and quality.
How things have changed. Slot has unlocked a maturity and freedom of expression that his young compatriot has met warmly, now repaying the faith with monstrous midfield performances.
As per FBref, Gravenberch ranks among the top 3% of central midfielders in the Champions League this season for pass completion and the top 1% for interceptions per 90, highlighting his technical quality and robust athletic energy.
He’s started every single one of Liverpool’s matches in the Premier League and on the continent this term, deservedly regarded as one of the highest-performing midfielders in Europe this season, having been praised by journalist Steve Nicol for his “sensational” form.
It’s almost like he’s tailor-made for Slot’s brand of football, and it’s for that reason that losing him would be so damaging. Liverpool’s failure to convince Martin Zubimendi to join the cause this summer was met with derision from rival fanbases, who tittered at the Reds’ lack of strengthening at the beginning of a new era.
Week by week, Slot has stripped detractors of their excitement at Liverpool’s anticipated downfall, and Gravenberch has been the veritable life-juice at the centre. There’s no certainty that Zubimendi, whom FSG still harbour an interest in, would perform at the same level in a new land that he has expressed deep reservations about moving to.
League Stats 24/25 – Ryan Gravenberch vs Martin Zubimendi
Match Stats*
Gravenberch
Zubimendi
Matches (starts)
14 (14)
15 (14)
Goals
0
1
Assists
1
1
Touches*
73.8
70.%
Pass completion
89%
85%
Key passes*
0.6
0.6
Dribbles completed*
0.9
0.8
Ball recoveries*
5.4
4.4
Tackles + interceptions*
3.9
3.7
Total duels (won)*
5.5 (63%)
6.0 (64%)
Stats via Sofascore (* = per game)
Given that Gravenberch is already outperforming him, such fears are only corroborated. The most exciting part is that Liverpool’s dynamic anchorman is still only 22, and thus has so much more to learn, so much more to absorb.
Alexander-Arnold is also a world-class player, more so, but Liverpool already have a top prospect coming through in Bradley and demonstrated in recent victories against Southampton and Real Madrid that they can thrive without Trent in the mix.
Truthfully, Slot’s outfit aren’t going to want either sensation to leave the fold any time soon. The Reds squad have proved that they are capable of great things, sitting seven points clear at the top of the Premier League while at the summit of the Champions League group phase too.
However, Gravenberch is starting to show that he’s made of elite-level stuff, and cannot be allowed to leave.
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