يستعد فريق الكرة الأول بالنادي الأهلي لاستقبال نظيره إيجل نوار في إياب دور الـ32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، مساء اليوم السبت.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع إيجل نوار البوروندي، في إياب دور الـ32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، على استاد القاهرة الدولي.

طالع.. سر استبعاد محمد الشناوي من مباراة الأهلي وإيجل نوار

ونجح الأهلي في تحقيق الفوز خارج الديار على إيجل نوار بهدف نظيف، ويحتاج إلى التعادل فقط لجز مقعده في دور المجموعات بدوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وكان الأهلي قد نجح في تحقيق الفوز في آخر مبارياته على الاتحاد السكندري بنتيجة 2-1، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن لقاءات الجولة 11 من بطولة الدوري المصري. موعد مباراة الأهلي وإيجل نوار في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

يلتقي الأهلي أمام إيجل نوار بمباراة العودة اليوم السبت 25 أكتوبر، في تمام الساعة الثامنة مساءً، بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي وإيجل نوار اليوم

تنقل مباراة الأهلي أمام إيجل نوار اليوم السبت، على قناة “أون سبورت 1”.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Rhianna Southby, Abi Freeborn score 70s with Linsey Smith, Chloe Brewer in the wickets

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay23-Apr-2025Women’s county cricket started in scintillating style in Birmingham as Warwickshire and Hampshire tied an absolute thriller in their Metro Bank One-Day Cup women’s competition opener at Edgbaston.On a pitch which never yielded runs easily, Hampshire chose to bat and were bowled out for 208 in 48.3 overs, as only Rhianna Southby (72 from 95 balls – her maiden 50-over half-century) and Abi Norgrove (28, 46) passed 20. Chloe Brewer took 3 for 40 and there were two wickets apiece for Emily Arlott and Georgia Davis.Warwickshire then were also all out for 208, their last wicket falling from the final ball of the 50th over. Abi Freeborn’s composed 70 (96 balls) put them on top but Linsey Smith, with 4 for 39, cut through the lower middle order to leave Warwickshire’s last two wickets needing to find 44.In fading light, Charis Pavely, Georgia Davis and Hannah Baker did brilliantly to find 43 before skipper Davis was run out off the last ball.As women’s county cricket dawned in Birmingham, the first delivery of the new era, by Emily Arlott to Maia Boucher, was met by a forward defensive. The batter may reflect that she should have repeated that stroke 26 balls later when she went back to Arlott and played on.On a cloudy morning, batting was far from straightforward and Ella McCaughan was bowled by a lovely in-ducker by Brewer. Charli Knott and Georgia Adams tried to break the shackles by hoisting the spinners straight but found only mid-off off Hannah Baker and Georgia Davis respectively.Southby and Norgrove built a responsible stand of 62 in 14 overs before the latter looked skyward in disbelief after flicking Davis straight to mid-wicket. Southby passed 50 from 75 balls but the innings petered out as the last five wickets fell for 25 runs in 33 balls.Smith was run out by Davina Perrin’s throw. Southby dragged an attempt cut at Brewer onto her stumps. Arlott hit Nancy Harman’s leg-stump and the innings ended with wickets in successive balls when Poppy Tulloch was run out by Perrin’s direct hit and Brewer struck Freya Davies’ middle-stump.Warwickshire openers Freeborn and Sterre Kalis started solidly with 35 in eight overs before the latter edged Lauren Bell behind. Freeborn and Perrin added 51 but Hampshire struck back when Smith turned one past Perrin’s defence to win an lbw decision and George ran herself out, going for a second run that didn’t exist.At 134 for 3, with Freeborn in quiet control, Warwickshire were on top but two wickets in five balls reversed the flow of the game. Freeborn missed a sweep at Knott and was lbw and Natasha Wraith sent a leading edged off Bell to cover.Smith added the wickets of Arlott, caught at mid-on, Brewer, who chipped to mid-wicket and Bethan Ellis, lbw, and suddenly Warwickshire’s last two wickets had 44 to find. Pavely and Davis valiantly garnered 24 in the gathering gloom but Pavely played on to Davies with 20 still needed.Davis and Baker chipped away to leave four required from the last over, bowled by Adams. Three singles from the first four balls took the scores level and, her side assured at least a tie, Davis was run out going for an impossible single off the last ball.

MatériaMais Notícias

Não há outro opção para o palmeirense que não seja um cenário de classificação nesta noite diante do Atlético-MG, no Allianz Parque, em jogo que vale a nossa vaga para as quartas de finais da Libertadores 2023.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras vai com força máxima e time 100% para buscar classificação na LibertadoresPalmeiras09/08/2023PalmeirasVocê lembra? Veiga castigou o Galo no Allianz Parque no dia em que Abel Ferreira chegou ao PalmeirasPalmeiras08/08/2023Atlético MineiroApós quebra de jejum, Atlético-MG precisa vencer o Palmeiras para avançar na LibertadoresAtlético Mineiro08/08/2023

+ Veja tabela da Libertadores-2023 clicando aqui

Sem a Copa do Brasil que já ficou pelo caminho e o Brasileirão que está muito longe de ser reconquistado, o time de Abel Ferreira joga praticamente a sua vida nesta temporada logo diante de Luiz Felipe Scolari.

A classificação significará mais paz e confiança para um elenco que ganhou tudo e mais um pouco nos últimos anos, mas que pode provar que ainda tem sede de mais história pelo continente ainda neste ano.

continua após a publicidade

Uma vitória ou até o empate, também pode fazer bem para a equipe que terá mais tranquilidade para seguir pontuando no Brasileiro longe dos protestos da torcida, que segue magoada com a direção que não se reforçou na última janela de transferências.

Chegou a hora da gente se unir, parar de brigar por narrativas fúteis (e algumas inúteis) e jogar junto de quem nos deu tanto nos últimos anos.

continua após a publicidade

Chegou a hora de transformar o entorno do Allianz Parque naquela atmosfera de apoio e energia positiva que a gente sabe que carrega o Palmeiras em dias fáceis e difíceis.

Chegou a hora de cada um dos 40 mil pagantes entender o seu papel e de como a sua voz é importante para o resultado em campo. Não é dia de silêncio em canto algum da nossa casa.

É dia de barulho, sinalizador, apoio, vaia (ao adversário), palma e qualquer ato que se faça importante para quem está em campo.

Se a gente tá com receio de perder a vaga, o visitante tem que estar com 10 vezes mais.

Não importa quem jogue. Muito menos quem comande ou quem mande. Por essa camisa em campo numa noite de Copa a gente se entrega até não se aguentar mais.

+ Veiga castigou o Galo no Allianz Parque no dia que Abel Ferreira chegou no Brasil!

Jogaremos juntos e seremos juntos. Sempre.

Até mais tarde, Palmeiras.

Rajat Patidar, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain, chose to bowl after winning the toss against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in IPL 2025. He expected the pitch to remain good to bat on through both innings, and was confident of his team’s ability to chase a target.RCB were forced to make one change to their side, with a fever ruling out the opener Phil Salt. This meant they handed the England allrounder Jacob Bethell an IPL debut. It remained to be seen where Bethell, who bats left-handed and bowls left-arm orthodox spin, would bat, and whether he would take Salt’s place at the top of the order alongside local boy Virat Kohli.DC welcomed back Faf du Plessis for the first time since he suffered a groin injury in the reverse fixture between these sides in Bengaluru on April 10. With du Plessis coming in for Ashutosh Sharma, DC had four overseas players in their XI again, after naming just three in their last match against Lucknow Super Giants. Ashutosh, however, could come in as an Impact Player if DC need him to bat, given their batting-first XI already has six bowling options.The winner of this contest will become the first side to get to 14 points this season.Delhi Capitals batting-first XI: 1 Faf du Plessis, 2 Abishek Porel, 3 Karun Nair, 4 KL Rahul (wk), 5 Axar Patel (capt), 6 Tristan Stubbs, 7 Vipraj Nigam, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Mukesh Kumar.DC’s Impact Player options: Ashutosh Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Madhav Tiwari, Tripurana Vijay.Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowling-first XI: 1 Virat Kohli, 2 Jacob Bethell, 3 Rajat Patidar (capt), 4 Romario Shepherd, 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Tim David, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Suyash Sharma, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Yash Dayal.RCB’s Impact Player options: Devdutt Padikkal, Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Liam Livingstone, Swapnil Singh.

It was their second-highest successful chase, bringing them only their third win over India in the format

Andrew Fidel Fernando04-May-2025

Nilakshika Silva’s innings changed the game•SLC

A spectacular injection of big-hitting energy from Nilakshika Silva, a steady half-century from Harshitha Samarawickrama, and meaningful contributions from Kavisha Dilhari, and the lower order saw Sri Lanka pull off one of their most impressive ODI chases. It was their second-highest successful chase, bringing them only their third win over India in the format.At the toss, Chamari Athapaththu said a total of around 250 would be par. India surpassed that easily on a slow deck, putting up 275 for 9 on the back of Richa Ghosh’s 58 off 48, which would have been the best innings of the match if not for Silva’s 56 off 33 balls.Sri Lanka’s batters hunted as a pack and reeled the big target in 49.1 overs, at a venue which is notoriously challenging for chasing sides. There were contributions all through the innings. Vishmi Gunaratne struggled through the early overs but scratched her way to a 33. Dilhari made a busy 35 off 32.Harshitha Samarawickrama scored a steady 53•SLC

And then Sri Lanka’s Nos. 8 and 9 – Anushka Sanjeewani and Sugandika Kumari – aced the final assignment. Kumari was the more impressive of the two, as she breezed her way to 19 not out off 20 – her highest international score. Sanjeewani made 23 not out off 28, and hit the winning runs – an aerial sweep that floated over short fine leg, sparking joyful celebrations in the Lankan dugout.The best part of Sri Lanka’s victory, strangely, will be the lack of a major contribution from their talisman captain, even as they were pursuing a big total. Athapaththu came in at No. 4, unusually, with Sri Lanka experimenting with their top five this tournament. She hit 23 off 33, which, in the context of this chase, was only a middling effort. But the team-mates that her lone performances had propped up for years had now come through to steal some limelight for themselves.Chief among the big performers was Silva, who produced arguably the innings of her career so far. She signalled her intentions early – fourth ball, she leapt down the track to Sneh Rana, India’s form bowler, and muscled her over long-on for six. This was only one of three big hits, as she motored her way to a 28-ball 50, hitting five fours as well, targeting the square boundaries either side of the wicket, though she also hit two fours through fine leg. Her best six came off left-arm spinner Shree Charani, whom she ran at and thumped over long-on. No other Sri Lanka batter cleared the rope.When Silva arrived at the crease at Athapaththu’s dismissal, Sri Lanka needed 124 off 107 deliveries. When she was dismissed, they needed 38 off 44. India still had the opportunity to charge back into the game at this point, but Kumari’s early boundaries kept Sri Lanka surging, and Sanjeewani added heft to that final partnership.Richa Ghosh lifted India with a half-century•SLC

Earlier, Samarawickrama had produced a smooth 53 off 61 balls, having been the aggressor in the 78-run second-wicket partnership with Gunaratne.For India, Sneh Rana produced another outstanding performance, picking up three wickets in her ten overs, while conceding 45. Arundhati Reddy, Charani, and Pratika Rawal all claimed a wicket each, but also went at more than six an over – largely Silva’s doing. Reddy’s seventh over, the 37th of the innings, was something of a turning point, as Silva and Dilhari plundered 20 from it, and breathed new life into a doddering chase.India would have been the happier team at the innings break, after Ghosh’s dynamic half-century. She scored her runs almost exclusively in the traditional V, each of her three sixes coming in the narrow arc between straight long-on and wide long-on. Her fours she tended to pump through wide mid-on. Like Silva later, she too was a shot of adrenaline to the India innings, which had been marching to a score of about 250 when Ghosh got there in the 30th over, the score at 145 for 4. But then Ghosh whipped it into a higher gear, in the company of Deepti Sharma in particular.Though Athapaththu did not make a significant contribution with the bat, she took 3 for 43 with the ball (although she did also spill a very simple catch, dropping Jemima Rodrigues on 0). Kumari took 3 for 44, making hers an all-round effort.

The Bangladesh legspinner has taken nine wickets in five matches so far this season

Mohammad Isam22-May-2025

Bangladesh legspinner Rishad Hossain has returned to Lahore Qalandars ahead of their eliminator match in the PSL on Thursday. Qalandars take on Karachi Kings from 8:00pm local time in Lahore.Rishad was in Sharjah on Wednesday, playing in the third T20I between Bangladesh and UAE. He featured in two of the three matches in the series that UAE won 2-1.Related

Shafique powers Lahore Qalandars into Qualifier 2

No DRS for remainder of PSL 2025 games

Mehidy to join Lahore Qalandars for PSL 2025 playoffs

Nahid Rana pulls out of Bangladesh's tour of Pakistan

Faheem's all-round show leads Gladiators into final

Rishad was one of several overseas cricketers who were transported out of Pakistan when the tournament was suspended amid the border tensions earlier in the month.Qalandars now have a three-man Bangladeshi spin attack. Alongside Rishad they have Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz joining the side. Shakib has played one game, while Mehidy joined a couple of days ago.Rishad has already played five games for Qalandars, taking nine wickets at 16.44 average. However, he didn’t have a good time against UAE in the two matches, taking three expensive wickets.Qalandars face some interesting selection decisions around their bowling line-up as they have covered most of the variations. They have fast bowlers in Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, but who they choose among the three spinners will be worth looking at.Rishad will remain available for the rest of Qalandars’ PSL campaign. The BCB has extended his No Objection Certificate (NOC) from May 22 to 25. Bangladesh’s first T20I against Pakistan is on May 28 in Lahore, while the PSL final is on May 25.

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.

Leeds United are competing well in the Premier League and could turn to an exciting Brazilian in their bid to improve the quality of their squad at Elland Road.

Leeds frustrated after draw with Bournemouth

Despite a spirited performance against an established top-flight outfit, Leeds will feel a sense of frustration at dropping two points against Bournemouth in the dying embers of their 2-2 draw in Yorkshire.

Joe Rodon and Sean Longstaff forced the home side into the lead after Antoine Semenyo’s opener. However, Eli Junior Kroupi had the last word to steal a share of the spoils for Andoni Iraola’s men courtesy of a fantastic finish in stoppage time.

Speaking post-match, Daniel Farke chose to remain positive after his side were held, paying tribute to his players for their impressive levels of chance creation.

“It was a really good point against a good side, but if you concede that late and should deservedly have won this game of course it doesn’t feel great. Just compliments for our lads today. We’ve outperformed them in terms of expected goals, 19 shots. Just one team was missing big chances, normally we should have won.

“First half we had enough chances to win two Premier League games and sadly missed them all. There was not one big mistake but we’re in possession on 94 minutes then there’s a sloppy touch on the ball. We would not need to be there with a foul.”

Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie admitted his side were relieved to leave Elland Road with a point, illustrating the distance Leeds have come in a short space of time and the progress they’ve made.

Behind the scenes, the Whites and the 49ers Enterprises are already plotting a transfer swoop that could add another intriguing option to his talented squad if all were to go to plan.

Leeds look to sign Gustavo Prado below release clause value

According to South American reports via Sport Witness, Leeds are considering a £17 million move for Internacional youngster Gustavo Prado, who is capable of playing on either flank and is someone viewed as a market opportunity for the Elland Road club.

The Whites have increased their scouting focus on the Americas and have sent a scout to Chile to watch the star in action for Brazil’s Under-20 side at their World Cup. Despite his release clause standing at £51 million, they could look to swoop at around the £17 million mark, a valuation that he could be made available for by his current employers.

Related Leeds told Farke could sign and "get the best" from Man Utd star if he "loves" him

They’ve been told to chase his signature.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Sep 27, 2025

Prado, 20, has scored twice in 22 appearances across all competitions in 2025, and his potential arrival may provoke nostalgia over his compatriot Raphinha, who is now one of the world’s best wingers at Barcelona following his spell in Yorkshire.

Nevertheless, Stuttgart and Atalanta are also keen on his services, signifying that there is work to be done before he indeed signs on the dotted line at Elland Road, a deal that won’t come cheap.

Everton left it late but secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon thanks to Jack Grealish’s stoppage-time strike.

The win ended Palace’s remarkable 19-match unbeaten run, dating back to April, and kept momentum building under David Moyes.

However, while the result lifted the Toffees into eighth place on 11 points, the performance was far from convincing, with two summer signings failing to impose themselves on the game.

For long stretches, Everton were second best, trailing at the break after Daniel Muñoz’s first-half finish.

David Moyes’ side lacked tempo and fluency in possession, forcing the manager into half-time changes.

The introduction of Carlos Alcaraz and Beto injected fresh energy, but it was Grealish who ultimately delivered the decisive blow, scoring in the 93rd minute to cap off a memorable turnaround.

Everton can take confidence from their resilience, but questions remain over two new faces who were hauled off at the interval.

Barry’s subdued performance against Palace

Much was expected of Thierno Barry following his £27.6m summer move from Villarreal.

The France U21 international had impressed in Spain, scoring 11 goals and supplying four assists last season.

At 6 foot 5, his aerial dominance stood out. Barry’s physical profile drew comparisons to Dušan Vlahović and Ollie Watkins, offering Everton a forward capable of stretching defences and leading the line.

But against Palace, those strengths were nowhere to be seen.

Barry touched the ball just 19 times, completed only four of his eight passes, and failed to register a shot.

His attempts to dribble past opponents – two in total – both ended unsuccessfully, while he surrendered possession ten times.

Minutes

45

Shots

0

Passing Accuracy

50%

Ground Duels Lost

4

Possession Lost

10

Substituted at half-time for Beto, it was a sobering reminder that he will need time to adapt to the physicality and tempo of the Premier League.

Moyes himself has acknowledged Barry will require a bedding-in period, but with expectations high and Everton looking to sustain their push for Europe, patience may wear thin if his output doesn’t improve soon.

Everton star was as bad as Barry

While Barry’s struggles were evident, he was not the only Everton player to falter.

Tyler Dibling, the club’s marquee £42m summer signing from Southampton, also endured a frustrating evening.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Much was expected of the 19-year-old England U21 international, who arrived after interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich.

Everton had pursued him for months, and his signing was viewed as a statement of intent.

Dibling’s pedigree is clear. Last season, he made 33 Premier League appearances for Southampton, scoring twice and assisting once across 1,874 minutes.

His statistical profile stood out – ranking in the 92nd percentile for fouls drawn (2.49 per 90), 98th percentile for penalty kicks won (0.10 per 90), and 81st percentile for successful take-ons (2.16 per 90).

He also impressed defensively, sitting in the 88th percentile for tackles in the middle third (0.86 per 90) and 98th percentile for percentage of dribblers tackled (61.5%).

In short, he is a winger capable of carrying the ball and working hard out of possession.

But his Palace display told a different story. Dibling managed only 19 touches and completed six of his seven passes. He attempted three dribbles without success, lost possession eight times, won 30% of his duels and failed to register a single shot.

Withdrawn for Alcaraz at the break, it was a day to forget for a teenager still adjusting to his new surroundings.

Everton’s investment in Dibling reflected a determination to strengthen the right-hand side following the departures of Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrøm.

Moyes wants a winger who can combine industry with end product, and Dibling has the tools to be that player.

But against Palace, he struggled to impact the game in either half of the pitch.

With matches against Manchester City and a packed festive schedule looming, Everton will need more from their high-profile recruit or he can expect to find himself dropped to the bench again.

The raw talent is undeniable, but his first few weeks in blue have shown that even the most promising prospects can take time to settle.

Elsewhere, Palace may point to fatigue following their midweek Europa League trip to Dynamo Kyiv, but Everton will be encouraged by their fighting spirit.

Grealish’s winner showed the difference a match-winner can make – a lesson both Barry and Dibling will be eager to learn as they adapt to life under Moyes.

Fewer touches than Pickford: 4/10 Everton dud was saved by Grealish & Ndiaye

Everton ended Crystal Palace’s 19-game unbeaten run with a 2-1 win.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 5, 2025

Liverpool have opened the 2024/25 season in perfect fashion, sitting top of the Premier League with four wins from four.

Under Arne Slot, they’ve quickly shown resilience and attacking flair, but the journey has not been without its flaws.

Three times already this season – against Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Atlético Madrid – the Reds have let two-goal leads slip, only to be rescued by late winners. The most special of all perhaps being Rio Ngumoha’s strike at St James’ Park.

That ability to find decisive moments in the dying stages has become a hallmark.

The 93rd-minute strike against Atlético was Liverpool’s fourth goal scored in stoppage time across all competitions this season, underlining the winning mentality that carried them to their second Premier League crown last season.

While Dominik Szoboszlai has been central to the team’s fluid play, it is a different player who increasingly embodies the leadership once associated with the great Steven Gerrard.

Szoboszlai: A creative hub and tactical fix

Szoboszlai’s start to the season didn’t go smoothly.

Slot publicly criticised him for his role in Bournemouth’s opening goal during the 4-2 win at Anfield on the opening weekend.

Since then, however, the 24-year-old has responded with consistent excellence and versatility.

Last season, the Hungarian produced 12 goal involvements this campaign, a reminder of his value in the final third. His numbers reflect a midfielder who drives play forward relentlessly:

Progressive Carries per 90

2.60

Progressive Passes per 90

4.73

Shot-Creating Actions per 90

4.30

Pass Completion Rate

84.3%

Progressive Passing Distance per 90

131.4m

These metrics paint a picture of a player who not only initiates attacking moves but sustains them with precision passing and clever movement.

His decisive 30-yard free-kick against Arsenal was the standout moment of Liverpool’s season so far, sealing a 1-0 win that kept their perfect record intact.

What makes Szoboszlai even more valuable is his tactical adaptability.

Against Newcastle, with Liverpool stretched at St James’ Park, he filled in at right-back and barely put a foot wrong all evening. He did the same when Arsenal came to town a few weeks ago.

This flexibility makes him a manager’s dream – a midfielder capable of influencing games both with creativity and discipline.

It’s tempting to compare Szoboszlai to Gerrard, as many pundits have, but this season he is functioning as Liverpool’s alternative to Florian Wirtz.

While Wirtz has struggled to adapt since his high-profile Premier League arrival, Szoboszlai has thrived in high-pressure situations, reinforcing why Liverpool chose him as a centrepiece in midfield.

That said, the Hungary international isn’t quite as iconic as Gerrard just yet.

Liverpool's new Gerrard

If Szoboszlai is Liverpool’s creator, Virgil van Dijk is their leader.

At 34, the Dutchman remains a colossal presence at the back, but this season he has added moments of attacking inspiration too.

His stoppage-time winner against Atlético epitomised a player taking responsibility in decisive moments.

Football analyst Josh Williams has described Van Dijk as “outrageous” this season, adding that he “takes responsibility like Gerrard used to.”

It is rare for a centre-back to be compared with Liverpool’s most iconic midfielder, but the parallels are clear.

Just as Gerrard dragged teams through games with moments of inspiration, Van Dijk is now doing the same from defence.

Statistically, his influence remains elite and he showcased that against Atletico.

To illuminate his qualities, Van Dijk ranks in the 86th percentile among his fellow central defenders for pass completion (91.5%) over the last year, ensuring that Liverpool can build calmly from the back.

He is also in the 90th percentile for progressive passes (5.24 per 90), showing how often he breaks lines with distribution from deep.

Defensively, he dominates in the air, winning 3.02 aerial duels per 90, placing him again in the 86th percentile among centre-backs.

Statistical comparisons with Ronald Araújo and Gabriel Magalhães highlight his profile: a defender who combines physical dominance with elite ball progression.

But Van Dijk’s role extends beyond numbers. As club captain, with a contract running until 2027, he is the figure setting standards in this rejuvenating side.

Liverpool’s start has not been flawless. Throwing away leads three times already is a warning sign for a team with ambitions of another title.

Yet those setbacks have been countered by players willing to step up in decisive phases.

Szoboszlai has driven the creative rhythm with his passing and chance creation, while Van Dijk has shown the authority and timing to decide contests late on.

Together, they have shaped Liverpool’s early-season identity: a side capable of brilliance, but reliant on its big leaders to seize the big moments.

Not Salah or Van Dijk: Liverpool star is now "one of the best in the world"

Liverpool left it late once more to collect a Champions League victory at Anfield over Atletico Madrid.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 18, 2025