Chipper Jones Questions 'Illegal' Manny Machado Play From Pivotal Game 3 of NLDS

Manny Machado has a lot of baseball people questioning what they know.

During Game 3 of the National League Division Series between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, Machado pulled a baserunning move that puzzled a lot of observers. Hall of Famer Chipper Jones is the latest to be confused by the play.

In the bottom of the second inning of Tuesday night's contest, Machado was on first base with no outs. Rookie Jackson Merrill grounded a Walker Buehler pitch to Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman. He made the stop on the infield grass from his knees and attempted to throw to second to get Machado. The Padres' first baseman saw where Freeman was set to field the ball and veered onto the grass on his way to second base. Freeman's throw hit Machado and bounced into the outfield, allowing him to reach third base. That sparked a six-run rally for the Padres who won 6-5.

Here's video of the play:

And here's Jones's reaction:

To answer his question, no this is not illegal. By rule, runners can establish their own running lanes unless an opposing fielder is attempting to make a tag. So on that play, Machado can run wherever he wants to unless he's trying to avoid a tag. The route he took was completely legal and is actually how runners are taught to do things on these types of plays. It's on the fielder to avoid him with the throw.

It's worth noting, that rule is different when players are running to first base since there is an established running lane.

After the game, Freeman was asked about the play and said the ruling was correct and he would have done exactly what Machado did.

After the game, Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts was asked about it and had a similar answer. He said, "Manny, you can create your own base path if you're not avoiding a tag. And it was a heady play."

So there's the answer. Machado's play was completely legal which is why he was not called out.

Novorizontino x ABC: onde assistir ao vivo, horário e escalações do jogo pela Série B

MatériaMais Notícias

Novorizontino e ABC se enfrentamnesta segunda-feira (25), às 21h, no Estádio Jorge Ismael de Biasi, no encerramento da 29ª rodada doBrasileiro Série B. O Tigre do Vale é 4º colocado, com 48 pontos, enquanto o alvinegro potiguar, com 16, vê sua situação se tornar irreversível a cada resultado negativo.

+Olho no Brasileirão! Assine o Prime Video e acompanhe todos os jogos do seu time do coração!

O Novorizontino chega embalado após a goleada sobre o Ceará, que vinha em ascensão no campeonato: 4 a 1, com grande atuação do atacanteDouglas Baggio. César Martins, Aylon, Geovane e Tiago Pagnussat, contra, marcaram os gols do time paulista, que tem seis dos dez jogos restantes a serem disputados em seu estádio, onde tembom aproveitamento.

O ABC tem 10 rodadas para conseguir omilagre da salvação do rebaixamentoou confiimar as expectativas e disputar aSérie Cem 2024. O alvinegro potiguar está a 14 pontos do primeiro time fora do Z-4 com 30 por disputar. Contra o Sport, Thonny Anderson foi punido com o terceiro amarelo e será desfalque na equipe comandada porArgel Fuchs.

ONDE ASSISTIR/TRANSMISSÃO: SPORTV e PREMIERE

+Confira a classificação do Brasileirão Série B!

NOVORIZONTINO X ABC
29ª RODADA DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO SÉRIE B

Data:25 de setembro de 2023
Horário:21h
Local:Estádio Jorge Ismael de Biasi, em Novo Horizonte, São Paulo.
Onde assistir:SPORTV e PREMIERE

Possível escalação do Novorizontino: Jordi; Ligger, Adriano Martins e Reverson; Willean Lepo, Geovane, Marlon e César Martins; Douglas Baggio, Rodolfo (Ronaldo) e Aylon. Técnico: Eduardo Baptista

Possível escalação do ABC: Michael; Jucimar, Afonso, Fabrício e Jhonnathan; Ramon e Nathan Melo; Anderson Cordeiro; Matheus Anjos e Fábio Lima; Paulo Sérgio. Técnico: Argel Fuchs.

Recreational drug in Rabada case was cocaine

SAIDS confirmed the presence of Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in its findings

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Jun-2025

Kagiso Rabada will feature in the WTC final•Gallo Images

The recreational drug which resulted in South Africa seamer Kagiso Rabada’s one-month suspension from cricket has been confirmed as cocaine by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS). The organisation, which is a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), publishes the findings of adverse drug tests a month after the appeal period for sanctioned athletes lapses.SAIDS published its findings today, June 3, which confirmed the presence of Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in Rabada’s results. Benzoylecgonine is formed in the liver after the ingestion of cocaine, and is excreted in urine.Rabada was tested on January 21, during the SA20. He played in the entirety of that competition, for MI Cape Town, and for South Africa at the Champions Trophy before his results were known. He was informed of his positive test in late March, and served a one-month ban between April 1 and May 1, which kept him out of a significant part of the IPL, though his absence from the tournament was put down to personal reasons.Related

Rabada sorry about drug use but 'won't be Mr-I-Apologise'

SA hope Rabada puts ban behind him as WTC final beckons

Rabada cleared to play again after serving doping suspension

The duration of Rabada’s sanction was determined by the nature of the drug (recreational and not performance enhancing), his commitment to an educational program, and that he ingested the substance on a non-match day, which is classified as out of competition. All that reduced his ban to one month. Rabada did not appeal against the one-month ban.On May 3, Rabada issued a statement through the South African Cricketers Association, in which he admitted use of a recreational drug but did not provide any further details. By then, he had already served his sanction and returned to the IPL, where he played two matches for Gujarat Titans before joining up with the South African squad for the World Test Championship final. Rabada has received support from CSA, national coach Shukri Conrad, and captain Temba Bavuma, who all said they had drawn a line under the issue.Last Friday, when South Africa left for the United Kingdom, Rabada made his first public statement since serving his ban and said he would not be seen as “Mr I apologise” but would discuss it in more detail with his team-mates.Rabada also anticipates a backlash from Australia, whose former captain Tim Paine has already criticised the secrecy around Rabada returning to South Africa from the IPL in early April. Rabada indicated he was ready for whatever they throw at him. “They come at you, and I think that gets the best out of me – and they have been notorious for that over the years, right? So yeah, let’s see.”

KKR bat first vs CSK at Eden Gardens; Pandey replaces injured Venkatesh

CSK handed Urvil Patel a debut, while also bringing Devon Conway and R Ashwin back

ESPNcricinfo staff07-May-2025Ajinkya Rahane, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain, has chosen to bat first against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), in Eden Gardens’ last league game of IPL 2025. KKR are still in the playoffs race with three league games left, but likely need to win all three to stay in contention. CSK are already out.KKR come into this game having won their last two matches. They batted first in both those games, and this, Rahane said, was one of the reasons for his decision at the toss. The pitch at Eden Gardens wore a tacky look before the start of play, with a few loose plates on its top surface – spinners from both sides could come into play as the match goes on.KKR were without Venkatesh Iyer, who picked up an injury while training on the eve of the match, and has stitches in his hand. Manish Pandey came in for him. KKR named a starting XI that bats deep, with Moeen Ali slotted at No. 9. Harshit Rana will be their likely Impact Player, though Anukul Roy or Mayank Markande could also come in if the pitch proves particularly spin-friendly.CSK made three changes, handing Urvil Patel, recently signed as a replacement for the injured Vansh Bedi, a debut and bringing back offspinner R Ashwin and the New Zealand top-order batter Devon Conway. They replaced Shaik Rasheed, Deepak Hooda and Sam Curran. Shivam Dube, who starts on the bench, is expected to come in during their chase as their Impact Player.Kolkata Knight Riders: 1 Sunil Narine, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3 Ajinkya Rahane (capt), 4 Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 5 Manish Pandey, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Ramandeep Singh, 9 Moeen Ali, 10 Vaibhav Arora, 11 Varun ChakravarthyImpact Player list: Anrich Nortje, Mayank Markande, Harshit Rana, Anukul Roy and Luvnith SisodiaChennai Super Kings: 1 Ayush Mhatre, 2 Urvil Patel, 3 Devon Conway, 4 Ravindra Jadeja, 5 Dewald Brevis, 6 R Ashwin, 7 MS Dhoni (capt, wk), 8 Anshul Kamboj, 9 Noor Ahmad, 10 Khaleel Ahmed, 11 Matheesha PathiranaImpact Player list: Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda, Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Ramakrishna Ghosh.

Postecoglou has his new Maddison at Nottingham Forest & it's not Gibbs-White

Nuno Espirito Santo has officially been axed at Nottingham Forest. It’s time for a new era at the City Ground.

Despite picking up 30 wins in charge of the Tricky Trees, with Europa League football also on the menu this season, the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers boss’ fiery relationship with chairman Evangelos Marinakis and Edu has ultimately been his downfall.

Forest have moved swiftly to secure an immediate successor to Nuno, with the Premier League side having announced Ange Postecoglou as their new boss on Tuesday afternoon.

He, of course, guided Spurs to a Europa League triumph just last campaign and is seen as the man to take the Midlanders to the next level.

Known for an exciting brand of attacking football while situated in North London, he could well be a breath of fresh air away from Nuno’s more attritional approach.

That means Morgan Gibbs-White could thrive even more under the Australians’ new methods.

Why Gibbs-White could thrive under Ange

Postecoglou will walk into the dug-out at the City Ground pretty content with the attacking options at his disposal.

Of course, he will have the imposing goal machine of Chris Wood to rely on – who has two Premier League strikes already this season – alongside knowing he also has an enthralling playmaker setting him up with chances galore in the aforementioned Gibbs-White.

Staggeringly, it wasn’t too far back that Forest fans were resigned to the prospect of their star man defecting to Postecoglou’s ex-employers.

Now, however, he could be the 60-year-old’s leading attacking force alongside Wood, with a bumper 15 goal contributions last season from 34 Premier League clashes setting the very high standards.

After all, Postecoglou, when back at Spurs during his up-and-down stint, got the very best out of similarly skilful, but potent presences in attack, as seen in him overseeing Maddison picking up a whirlwind 23 goals and assists last campaign.

The former Celtic boss would even herald Maddison as “loveable little rogue” during their time together at the Lilywhites.

Therefore, you might well expect Gibbs-White’s numbers to rise to these lofty heights shortly.

However, the soon-to-be new Tricky Trees manager might well see even more promise in a rising star at Forest as his next potential Maddison-style project.

Ange Postecoglou and James Maddison celebrate

Ange's new Maddison at Nottingham Forest

Despite Nuno falling out with Marinakis regularly at the City Ground, it’s fair to say the now jobless 51-year-old was backed in the summer transfer window, before parting ways dramatically.

Indeed, the likes of Dilane Bakwa would join on deadline day for a whopping £35m to bolster the options available on the right wing, on top of plenty of exciting English talent also entering the building in the form of record signing Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee.

In particular, the brand-new Forest number 24 might well have caught the eye of the incoming manager, with McAtee once being noted as being a “special” talent by his former Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, before severing ties with his boyhood side to join Forest.

More first-team opportunities should come the ex-Sheffield United loanee’s way at the City Ground, with a hope on Postecoglou’s end that he can get even more out of another entertaining and captivating number ten who was previously seen as the next best thing, like he did so effortlessly with Maddison at Spurs.

Games played

75

200

Goals scored

16

67

Assists

21

37

Trophies

1x

9x

After all, much like his fellow compatriot who scored and assisted a bumper 96 times for Leicester City, McAtee has shown off his class for the Citizens at both a senior and youth level, as well as starring out on loan at the Blades, with a mammoth 67 goals and 37 assists to shout about for his fledgling career to date.

With Postecoglou managing to extract 16 goals and 21 assists from Maddison in North London, it remains to be seen what magic the Australian can now conjure up with yet another thrilling attacking midfielder.

The up-and-coming 22-year-old will likely have to fight it out with Gibbs-White for a starting spot under Postecoglou.

But, if he can shine when thrown into the action, it could well be that McAtee goes on to be the former Spurs manager’s second coming of Maddison, as he embarks on a daunting new adventure himself in a fresh Premier League dug-out.

Nottingham Forest join race for "intelligent" Man City gem who Pep loves

He’s a wanted man…

ByTom Cunningham Sep 6, 2025

Weakened Australia look for Champions Trophy answers

Four players originally selected are absent meaning there is uncertainty for the ODI World Cup champions as they prepare to head to Pakistan

Andrew McGlashan11-Feb-2025

Steven Smith and Charith Asalanka ahead of the ODI series•Getty Images

Big Picture: Australia hit by injury, retirement; SL not at the partyAustralia’s four-day victory in Galle gave them an extra 24 hours before flicking into one-day mode as they enter a brief period of preparation for the Champions Trophy 2025. Originally there was just going to be a single ODI in Colombo but a second was squeezed in which will basically be the team’s warm-ups before heading to Pakistan.Injuries to Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh along with the surprise retirement of Marcus Stoinis means there is a bit of a patched-up feel to the Australia squad although a familiar core of the 2023 World Cup-winning team remains with the likes of Travis Head, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa around.Related

Stoinis makes shock decision to retire from ODIs, out of Champions Trophy

Cummins and Hazlewood ruled out of Champions Trophy

Sri Lanka leave out Chamindu Wickramasinghe for two-ODI series against Australia

Six players have been added to the originally selected group: Jake-Fraser McGurk, Cooper Connolly, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha. It is likely they will all get at least one of the two matches in Sri Lanka as some of those who played both Tests are given a short break. Smith appears set to take the captaincy.It appears likely that Head and Matt Short will form the first-choice opening partnership although Fraser-McGurk could make a late entry. He and Short struggled in the home series against Pakistan in November. Another point of interest is whether Alex Carey finds himself a place in the middle order.Sri Lanka missed out on the Champions Trophy due to their poor ODI World Cup so these matches have little immediate context although they can have half an eye on the road to 2027. They have, however, played the most matches in the format since the previous World Cup (21), notching 13 wins in that time including five series victories. Ironically, they are probably as attuned to the one-day format as anyone.Form guideSri Lanka WLLWW
Australia LLWWLAustralia’s depth will be tested due to injury•Associated Press

In the spotlight: Dunith Wellalage and Matt ShortIt was during Australia’s previous visit to Sri Lanka in 2022 that Dunith Wellalage burst onto the international scene with nine wickets in five matches. He only played a bit-part role in the 2023 World Cup but either side of that tournament claimed five-wicket hauls against India in the Asia Cup and last year’s ODI series. He has also shown his prowess with the bat with a top score of 67 not out in a tied match against India. Clearly a key part of Sri Lanka’s future.Matt Short couldn’t quite take his opportunity at the top of the order against Pakistan but the absence of Mitchell Marsh means he’s likely to find a spot in the first choice XI. His 109 off 54 balls for Adelaide Strikers against Brisbane Heat in the BBL was a reminder of what he can bring against the white ball. His offspin is another handy string to his bow and he’s an excellent fielder.Mitchell Starc could be rested for the ODIs•Getty Images

Team news: Starc likely to restGiven the odd nature of this series and the short turnaround, it’s tricky to know what each side will do. It was announced on Wednesday that Mitchell Starc had withdrawn from the Champions Trophy and was also unavailable for these two ODIs.Australia squad: Travis Head, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Tanveer SanghaSri Lanka squad: Charith Asalanka, Nishan Madushka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga, Mohamed Shiraz, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith WellalagePitch and conditionsThe R Premadasa Stadium has not staged a day ODI since 2014 so statistics are not that relevant although in recent times, matches at the venue have been on the lower-scoring side. The forecast is for warm and sunny days.Stats and trivia Glenn Maxwell needs 50 runs for 4000 in ODIs and Alex Carey needs 22 for 2000
Wanindu Hasaranga needs five wickets for 100 in ODIs
Overall, Sri Lanka have a 35-64 win/loss record against Australia

USMNT’s Max Arfsten reportedly extends Columbus Crew deal after Middlesbrough links

U.S. international Max Arfsten has reportedly extended his contract with MLS side Columbus Crew, ending speculation over the near future for the wingback. Arfsten was linked with a move away from Columbus, with Middlesbrough reportedly being the most interested club. Now the Crew secure a player whose stock is rising under USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino.

  • Getty Images

    Staying in Ohio

    An invaluable member of the Crew, Arfsten has also become a rising player in the USMNT setup. He received his first cap under Pochettino in January and played in 12 matches overall in 2025. 

    The Crew reportedly ensured that they'll retain a homegrown player who has a good chance of making next year's World Cup roster. Arfsten is also in the midst of another banner year for the club, having four goals and six assists in 26 games.

  • Advertisement

  • Getty Images Sport

    A growing trend

    The U.S. Gold Cup roster featured 15 MLS players, reflecting a growing trend of U.S. internationals choosing to extend their futures in the league or return after stints abroad. 

    Goalkeeper Matt Turner rejoined the New England Revolution on loan, while Paxten Aaronson signed with the Colorado Rapids after a season at Utrecht. Homegrown talents such as Matt Freese and now Max Arfsten have also opted for new deals with their MLS clubs instead of testing the waters in Europe.

  • Growing USMNT influence

    According to U.S. Soccer Players, there are 86 players with at least one U.S. cap in MLS. 

  • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

  • USA Today

    Big matches ahead for the Crew

    The Crew, uncharacteristically, find themselves scrapping to stay in the playoff chase after being one of the Eastern Conference's perennial contenders under manager Wilfried Nancy. They sit eighth in the conference and have a pivotal match against No. 9 team, the Chicago Fire, on Saturday. 

Pedrinho diz que dispensa do São Paulo foi injusta e alega ser vítima em caso de agressão: 'Baseado em vazamento criminoso'

MatériaMais Notícias

Dispensado do São Paulo na sexta-feira (28), o meia-atacante Pedrinho divulgou nota no início da madrugada deste sábado (29), assinada em conjunto com seu advogado, Daniel Leon Bialski, criticando o clube do Morumbi pela decisão. O texto ainda pontua a versão do jogador para a acusação de que teria agredido a ex-namorada, uma influenciadora digital de 20 anos, no final de fevereiro. O caso é investigado pela Polícia Civil paulista e o ex-camisa 12 tricolor alegou ser inocente.

Na tarde de sexta, o São Paulo divulgou nota oficializando o fim do empréstimo de Pedrinho junto ao Lokomotiv, da Rússia, em razão do vazamento de imagens de um aplicativo de mensagens por celular onde o jogador ofende e supostamente ameaça a ex-namorada. O acordo entre tricolores e o time europeu ia até o final do ano.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSão PauloCoritiba x São Paulo: onde assistir, escalações, desfalques e arbitragem do jogo pelo BrasileirãoSão Paulo28/04/2023Lance! BizFutebol brasileiro inicia 2023 com alta nos índices de público e bilheteria; veja comparaçãoLance! Biz28/04/2023São PauloEm seu segundo ano como profissional, Pablo Maia renova contrato com o São PauloSão Paulo28/04/2023

+Corinthians tem novo técnico na mira, Neymar atrai interesse de outro gigante europeu… O Dia do Mercado!

Em sua versão, Pedrinho alega que existia medida judicial favorável a ele que impedia a divulgação das mensagens e o permitia voltar a atuar pelo Tricolor. O meia-atacante ainda definiu como ‘incompreensível’ a decisão do clube.

– Infelizmente, a rescisão contratual foi baseada em criminoso vazamento seletivo de antigas e editadas mensagens, que desobedeceu a medida judicial existente a meu favor. Aguardava, como aguardarei, o arquivamento da caluniosa acusação contra mim lançada – diz o texto.

– Reitero, mais uma vez, respeitando os limites do segredo de justiça imposto ao caso, que não agredi ninguém, mas, sim, fui agredido, o que, no meu entendimento, me torna apto a exercer minha profissão – completa o posicionamento de Pedrinho.

A medida judicial favorável ao jogador foi revelada no último dia 17, quando Henrique Gomes, o Baby, presidente da Torcida Independente, principal organizada do clube, divulgou manifesto pedindo a utilização do jogador.

Desde que o caso veio à tona, Pedrinho e São Paulo decidiram que o ideal era não mais utilizá-lo nas partidas. Chegou-se a anunciar seu afastamento, mas o jogador vinha trabalhando normalmente no cotidiano do CT da Barra Funda, participando inclusive dos jogos-treinos comandados pelo então técnico Rogério Ceni na inter-temporada. Ele, inclusive, chegou a ser inscrito para a disputa da Copa Sul-Americana.

Dirigentes do clube alegaram na ocasião que faltava amparo jurídico para separá-lo do elenco. E que aguardariam o desfecho das negociações para tomar uma decisão mais concreta.

– Desde o dia 3 de março, em comum acordo, eu e o clube entendemos que era melhor demonstrar que, em realidade, fui vitima, o que, recentemente, se concretizou com o deferimento das medidas protetivas a meu favor. Eu vinha treinando normalmente com o elenco principal. Inclusive, realizei todas as atividades de hoje, junto com os meus companheiros – aponta Pedrinho em sua nota.

– Nunca deixei de cumprir minhas obrigações e sempre exerci, com profissionalismo e alto rendimento, meu contrato, aguardando o momento de ser relacionado, novamente, para as partidas – completa.

O texto foi publicado também nas redes sociais de Pedrinho e jogadores do elenco demonstraram solidariedade curtindo a mensagem, entre eles Arboleda, Jandrei e David, pelo menos até a publicação desta reportagem.

O LANCE! apurou que o caso Pedrinho vinha sendo tratado internamente pelo novo técnico são-paulino, Dorival Júnior, com a diretoria. Em conversas com líderes do plantel, o comandante teria ouvido pedidos pelo retorno do meia-atacante. Mas foi orientado pelos cartolas a esquecer o ex-camisa 12 de seus planos.

O caso segue investigado pela 4ª Delegacia de Defesa da Mulher, da Zona Norte de São Paulo (SP), onde a ocorrência foi registrada como violência doméstica, ameaça, injúria e lesão corporal. Segundo a polícia, a vítima ‘apresentava sinais de lesões, que foram fotografadas e anexadas ao inquérito policial. Além disso, ela representou criminalmente contra o autor.’

Primeiro reforço do São Paulo para 2023, Pedrinho chegou ao clube ainda no ano passado. Atuou ao todo em dez partida, duas delas como titular, marcando três gols.

Liverpool may now be offered Real Madrid star to sell £86m Slot favourite

With Liverpool approaching their return to competitive action under unprecedented circumstances, Arne Slot will take pride in what his side has managed to do in the transfer window up until this point.

Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, among others, will add considerable strength on top of a squad that managed to claim Premier League glory in his debut campaign.

Nevertheless, there is more to come at Anfield, and Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is the dream target for Liverpool, even if they are more likely to turn their attention towards Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike due to financial demands relating to the former.

Speaking of Ekitike, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the France Under-21 international wants to come to England in light of interest from the Reds, albeit there are also clubs around Europe and in Saudi Arabia circling.

He stated: “There is movement on Hugo Ekitike, with interest from Saudi, but the priority of the player remains England. And with Newcastle interested in Hugo Ekitike, there is still interest also from more clubs. Because clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea have been calling for the player for weeks, since June, for example, being informed on the situation of Hugo Ekitike.”

Hughes lining up Liverpool move for £34m Guehi alternative who's Konate 2.0

Liverpool’s search for a new centre-back continues, amid uncertainty over Ibrahima Konate’s future

ByRobbie Walls Jul 13, 2025

Moving away from the search for attacking prowess, Liverpool could also move for Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez, solidifying the thought that they could look to strengthen the engine room.

Recent developments could point them in that direction, but not in the way supporters would expect, given previous events this window.

Liverpool could be offered Arda Guler in exchange for Alexis Mac Allister

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool could be offered Real Madrid star Arda Guler as the La Liga giants look to sign Alexis Mac Allister, and it is claimed the Argentina international may be tempted by the prospect of working with former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso.

However, the 26-year-old hasn’t shown any major signs of wanting to change clubs and is said to be ‘happy’ in England, though Los Blancos may throw Turkish sensation Guler into the mix to try and bring down the cost of any potential deal with the Reds valuing their star at £86m.

Alexis Mac Allister in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

49

Goals

7

Assists

6

Arda Guler in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

49

Goals

6

Assists

11

Intriguingly, Guler, who has previously been labelled “tremendous” by Carlo Ancelotti, has outperformed £150,000 per week earner Mac Allister in the field of goal contributions, certifying that he would be able to replicate his creative influence at Anfield.

However, the latter is someone who Arne Slot believes holds a unique standing in the football world, so it is hard to envisage the Dutchman entertaining any notion of a sale under any circumstances.

Jayasuriya wraps up victory, SL leapfrog NZ on WTC table

New Zealand batter fell for 92 just eight balls into the final morning, before Jayasuriya bagged five in the second innings

Madushka Balasuriya23-Sep-2024Sri Lanka didn’t need long on the final morning in Galle to wrap things up, taking just 15 minutes to grab the final two New Zealand wickets and secure a 63-run win in the first Test. The result means Sri Lanka go 1-0 up in the two-match series, while also leapfrogging New Zealand up to third place in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table.Prabath Jayasuriya was at the forefront of Sri Lanka’s charge, finishing with figures of 5 for 68 – his eighth five-wicket haul, and his seventh in Galle. He ended with match figures of 9 for 204, taking home the Player-of-the-Match award.After having fought so hard the previous day, Rachin Ravindra lasted just eight deliveries into the first session of the final morning as Jayasuriya trapped him in front with an arm ball for 92 off 168 balls. Coming around the wicket, Jayasuriya tossed one up on leg as Ravindra was caught in the crease playing down the wrong line. He reviewed, but once it was confirmed to be pitching in line, there would be no saving him.And any lingering hopes of a famous rearguard were then swiftly quashed, as Will O’Rourke kept out just five deliveries before the sixth slipped past his forward defence and on to off stump to hand Jayasuriya his fifth wicket of the innings.O’Rourke wouldn’t quite be satisfied with how the game ended after an impressive showing in the game as he finished with eight wickets to his name – the second-most across the Test, and the same as Ajaz Patel.In terms of how this result impacts the WTC, it keeps Sri Lanka’s outside hopes of a berth in the final alive. But for New Zealand, it makes their task considerably tougher, with an away series against India and a home series England coming up in the next few months.There will be no time to dwell on this result for either team, with just a two-day break before the second Test gets underway on Thursday – also in Galle.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus