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The Tampa Bays Rays are bulking up their bullpen ahead of the MLB All-Star break.

As first reported by Robert Murray, the Baltimore Orioles are trading relief pitcher Bryan Baker to Tampa. They will receive the No. 37 overall pick (Competitive Balance, Round A) in next week's 2025 MLB draft in return.

With the O's set for a 12:05 p.m. EST first pitch against the Mets on Thursday, Baker was in the clubhouse—alongside reporters—as he learned of his departure. According to the Jacob Calvin Meyer, the reliever was "in shock".

“It’s been everything," Baker said of his time in Baltimore. "They gave me an opportunity to get established in the big leagues."

Baker has appeared in 42 games for the Orioles this season, sporting a 3.52 ERA over 38.1 innings pitched. He's also logged 49 strikeouts while walking just nine batters and allowing 15 earned runs.

The 30-year-old now heads to a Tampa Bay team who has won just three of their last 10 games as they fight for a Wild Card spot in the American League. The Rays begin a four-game series against the Red Sox in Boston on Thursday night.

أعلن إبراهيم حسن، مدير منتخب مصر الأول لكرة القدم، عن موعد وملعب المباراة الودية ضد نيجيريا التي تقام ضمن الاستعدادات الأخيرة للفراعنة قبل كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025.

ويخوض منتخب مصر، معسكرًا مغلقًا بداية من اليوم 7 ديسمبر، استعدادًا لبطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا القادمة بالمغرب.

ويشارك منتخب مصر في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا، وأسفرت القرعة عن تواجده في المجموعة الثانية مع زيمبابوي وأنجولا وجنوب إفريقيا.

و⁠يبدأ منتخب مصر مبارياته ببطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا يوم 22 ديسمبر بمواجهة زيمبابوي ثم جنوب إفريقيا يوم 26 ويختتم دور المجموعات بمواجهة أنجولا يوم 29. موعد مباراة مصر ونيجيريا الودية قبل كأس أمم إفريقيا

وقال حسن خلال تصريحات للمركز الإعلامي لاتحاد الكرة المصري: “مباراة نيجيريا الودية، ستتم إقامتها يوم 16 ديسمبر الحالي بدلاً من 14 من الشهر نفسه، بعد طلب منتخب نيجيريا تأجيل المباراة لمدة 48 ساعة”.

طالع | سيناريوهات تأهل منتخب مصر إلى دور الـ8 من كأس العرب

وأضاف حسن أن ودية نيجيريا ستتم إقامتها باستاد القاهرة في الثامنة مساءً، في إطار الاستعداد لبطولة كأس الأمم الإفريقية 2025، التي ستقام في المغرب.

ومن المقرر إقامة بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025 في المغرب، خلال الفترة من 21 ديسمبر 2025 إلى 18 يناير 2026، بمشاركة 24 منتخبًا.

Tottenham have been given a clear path to sign Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo following an update from reliable journalist David Ornstein.

The 25-year-old, who has marked himself out as one of the Premier League’s most devastating forwards these last 12 months, is attracting serious interest from across England and beyond, with Spurs believed to be firmly in the mix for his signature.

Semenyo’s been involved in nine of Bournemouth’s 11 total goals scored in the league so far, contributing to 81 per cent of their total attacking output, which is the highest percentage of any Premier League player this season (The Analyst).

The African also boasts 10 goals from his last 18 top flight appearances going back to April, with a total of six goals and three assists this season alone thus far. Man City boss Pep Guardiola is among the experts to laud Semenyo’s “extraordinary” form, and Tottenham recruitment chiefs are said to be massive fans of his too.

Dejan Kulusevski

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James Maddison

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Radu Dragusin

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Ben Davies

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Mohammed Kudus

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Randal Kolo Muani

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Yves Bissouma

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via Premier Injuries

The former Bristol City star signed a brand-new contract earlier this year, which quashed hopes of Tottenham or any other Premier League giant tempting him away from the Vitality last summer.

Semenyo extended his deal until 2030, giving the Cherries plenty of negotiating power to demand a club-record fee for their star player.

However, while reports have suggested that Bournemouth value him at around £75 million, Spurs could now sign him for significantly less in January.

Tottenham given clear Antoine Semenyo path as David Ornstein update leaves Bournemouth exposed

That is because Semenyo’s new deal, according to Ornstein on X, contains a £62.5 million release clause which becomes active for a limited time when the transfer window reopens.

In Ornstein’s words, the clause leaves Bournemouth ‘powerless’, and could allow Tottenham or any other interested suitor to bypass negotiations with Andoni Iraola’s side and head straight to Semenyo’s representatives — giving the north Londoners an obvious route to his signature as early as the winter.

The links to Spurs are nothing new, and Frank has already made his feelings about Semenyo pretty clear when speaking to reporters about the player last season.

Semenyo’s potential arrival holds even greater appeal due to the fact he won’t be competing at the African Cup of Nations this season, with Ghana failing to qualify for the tournament in what is a serious boost for Frank, considering the Dane also gets to keep hold of Mohammed Kudus.

The prospect of Semenyo playing on the left and Kudus playing on the right is a very exciting one, but it is worth noting that they’ll have to contend with a host of rivals for his services as well, perhaps even more so after the news of a tantalising release clause.

Leeds United are ready to sell a first-team player in the January transfer window, and there is now interest from a Champions League giant.

Pressure on Farke ahead of Leeds vs Aston Villa

Daniel Farke arguably appears to be the Premier League manager under the most pressure as club football prepares to make a return.

The Whites go into Sunday’s clash at home to Elland Road off the back of two disappointing away defeats to Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

Leeds’ upcoming fixtures	Date
Aston Villa (h)	November 23rd
Manchester City (a)	November 29th
Chelsea (h)	December 3rd
Liverpool (h)	December 6th
Brentford (a)	December 14th
Crystal Palace (h)	December 21st
Sunderland (a)	December 28th

Now just a point above the relegation zone, Farke insisted that his side aren’t panicking.

Leeds have already been linked with numerous managers to replace Farke in Yorkshire, including former RB Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose and ex-Tottenham and Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou, both of whom are currently out of work.

However, the 49ers Enterprises are ready to give Farke until January to turn things around, and in the winter transfer market, one player exit could materialise.

Inter Milan keen to sign Leeds goalkeeper Meslier

According to reports in Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, Inter Milan are interested in signing Illan Meslier in 2026.

Leeds are ready to sell the goalkeeper in the January transfer window with his contract up at the end of the season, however, Inter, as well as rivals AC Milan, have their eyes on a free transfer in the summer.

Both Milan sides have a good relationship with Meslier’s agent Pini Zahavi, who is looking to find the Frenchman a new permanent home with the goalkeeper failing to make an appearance for Leeds in 2025/26, being preferred to new signing Lucas Perri and Wales number one Karl Darlow.

Of course, should Meslier’s situation remain the same, he’ll be able to pen a pre-contract agreement with Inter or AC Milan in the New Year.

The 49ers may find it tough to recoup the £5m they spent on Meslier back in 2020, which is something that would’ve been hard to believe a few years ago when the ‘keeper was once valued at £50m at Elland Road.

Inter are currently joint-top of the Champions League group with four wins from a possible four, conceding just once during that time.

They have Yann Sommer (36), Raffaele Di Gennaro (32) and Josep Martinez (27) as their current goalkeeping options heading into 2026, and by the looks of it, Meslier could join or replace one of the trio.

Academy star who's never played a senior minute for Leeds could replace Bijol

Brad Friedel has come up with “two reasons” why USMNT star Christian Pulisic is yet to pen a contract extension at AC Milan. Terms have been on the table for some time, but no deal has been signed off. During an exclusive interview with GOAL, Friedel has explained what Pulisic’s thinking will be as he prepares to make a huge decision on his immediate and long-term future.

Terms on the table: Pulisic leaves Serie A giants waiting

Pulisic is tied to terms at San Siro through to 2027, with the option for a further 12 months to be triggered beyond that point. Milan have, however, been looking to add at least another year to that agreement, while delivering a pay rise that recognises the 27-year-old’s value to their collective cause.

Despite several rounds of discussions, talks have now been put on hold with no paperwork completed. It was suggested over the summer that Pulisic wanted to wait and see how the Rossoneri rebuilt – after missing out on European qualification last season – before committing to anything.

AdvertisementGettyWhy has USMNT star Pulisic not signed new AC Milan contract?

Massimiliano Allegri has led Milan to the top of the Serie A table, but their talismanic American forward continues to delay any progress on the contract front. Could that be because he is not entirely convinced that his peak years should be spent in Italy?

Quizzed on whether Pulisic is leaving the door open to potential suitors, ex-USMNT goalkeeper Friedel – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “I think it suggests that he is leaving his options open. When I was at clubs, I always wanted to sign my contracts when I was happy at places. I can only go on personal experience, I liked having multiple years on the contract – you never know with injuries around the corner. If I was truly happy at a place, I really enjoyed having two or three years on a contract.

“There are only two reasons for not signing. One, you are not happy with the contract. Two, you are keeping your options open. Maybe he has given a verbal commitment. I would assume that he is keeping his options open. If you are happy somewhere and you are happy with the numbers, you sign the contract.”

Transfer advice: Should Pulisic embrace a new challenge?

Pulisic has already represented Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea, becoming a Champions League winner during his time at Stamford Bridge. Asked if the talented forward is considering something different, rather than bigger and better, Friedel added: “The only other thing that can come into play is if you aren’t convinced about the club itself. The way he is playing, it doesn’t seem like that’s the reason – he plays really well every week for them.”

Pulisic has posted career-best numbers with Milan, scoring 17 goals last season, but has seen a return to England speculated on – with Manchester United reported to have him on their recruitment radar.

Friedel has previously told GOAL of the advice that he would offer Pulisic: “It’s a huge club that is underperforming. I know he did well last season, but they finished eighth. If AC Milan are finishing in eighth, that means people are losing their jobs – which did happen last year. “If I was advising him, I would be looking at teams in Europe and seeing what’s happening at AC Milan, for sure. I would make sure, especially in World Cup year, that my client is playing. He is playing, so that’s the best thing. But I think I would have an eye open somewhere else.”

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Getty2026 World Cup: Could Pulisic use that event as a shop window?

Pulisic does have a home World Cup to think about at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, with FIFA’s flagship event heading to the United States, Canada and Mexico. The group stage draw for that tournament will take place on Friday.

As a contender to captain his country next summer, Pulisic will want to be in the best possible form when a shot at global glory rolls around. It could be that he uses the World Cup as a shop window, with Milan aware that they will need to cash in at some stage if a lucrative contract proposal remains unsigned.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has backed Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha to win the Ballon d'Or, while praising his side's display in a 5-3 Champions League defeat to the French giants. Spurs twice led the defending champions in Paris but Luis Enrique's team stormed back with a stunning second-half display. The Danish manager tipped his hat to the north London team and also the world-class Portuguese.

• Tottenham respond after Arsenal drubbing

  The anti-Frank rhetoric from some Tottenham fans reached fever point on Sunday as they were thrashed 4-1 by bitter rivals Arsenal in the Premier League. The drubbing was, naturally, difficult to take but the manner of the defeat was particularly galling for some supporters, who were frustrated with Frank's defensive tactics and lack of intent. But they looked like their old selves in the French capital with a performance of grit and character. Ultimately, they shipped five goals and came away with nothing on Wednesday night but Frank saw plenty of positives from the win. He also thinks Vitinha, who scored a hat-trick and came third in this year's Ballon d'Or, is the best midfielder in the world.

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• AFP
  

  'They have one Ballon d'or winner'

  He told reporters, via Football London: "I'm pleased with the performance. It was the reaction I wanted from the players, from the team. We've been working very hard on that, the players, the staff, me, to make sure that we responded well and bounced back because that's crucial after a bad performance. Today I saw more identity of the team I want to create, we want to create. Much more character, personality, aggressiveness. Three words you need to have in any team no matter how you want to do, how you want to play, whatever formation, whatever. Today we saw it, that I'm pleased with. 

  "Of course, I think it was performance that was up there where we could get something out of the game, a draw or a win. So that's a little frustrating thing that we conceded some goals. Of course, one with a little bit of margin from Vitinha, not top corner but top, top corner. And then, of course, goal three and four. Those are the ones we definitely need to avoid if we want to get something out of here, but something to build on. Strikers scoring two goals. The whole team, I think, all performed well. Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, positive. When we played against a decent team where they have one Ballon d'Or winner and I think the next one is playing in midfield. Vitinha. Wow, what a player."

  Frank added to TNT Sports: "Vitinha is the best midfielder in the world. He will be the next Ballon d'Or winner."

• Tottenham staying positive

  With this defeat, Tottenham have now conceded four or more goals in back-to-back games in all competitions for the first time since May 2003 under Glenn Hoddle. Moreover, Spurs let in five goals away from home in a major European competition for the very first time. Despite that, midfielder Archie Gray had a glass-half-full attitude.

  He told TNT Sports: "We played against a top opponent tonight, they are probably the best team in Europe at the moment. There were some good moments we can take into Fulham. We scored some goals, there are things we can work on, but they are a top, top team, and there are moments you will suffer against them. They are the best team in Europe, and they are relentless in every aspect of their game, and they have that individual class. They are a top team, and there are things we can learn from."

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  What comes next for Tottenham?

  While Tottenham can take some positives out of this match, that belief and optimism will evaporate if they are unable to beat lowly Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday night. Spurs have slipped to ninth in the table but if results go their way, they could climb as high as fourth. On the flip side, if they don't win, they could drop into the bottom half of the table.

Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali has rocketed up four places to No. 2 in the ICC Men’s Test bowling rankings after his ten-wicket haul in the first Test against South Africa in Lahore, which included a first-innings six-for. His 853 rating points are also a career-best for the spinner.South Africa quick Kagiso Rabada, who earlier occupied that second position, slipped down three positions to fifth after picking up just two wickets in Lahore.Allrounder Marco Jansen also saw a drop in his ranking, as he slid out of the top ten after he was left out of the South Africa XI in Lahore.

Full rankings tables

• Click here for the full team rankings

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Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi moved up three places to 19th after his second-innings 4 for 33 helped Pakistan seal a 93-run win.Ryan Rickelton, who made 71 in the first innings against Pakistan, moved into the top 50 for the first time in the batting rankings.Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood moved up six spots to 10th in the ODI bowling charts after Australia’s win over India in a rain-affected game in Perth. Mitchell Starc moved up four spots as well, to 21st.Adil Rashid, meanwhile, claimed figures of 4 for 32 in England’s win over New Zealand in Christchurch and shot up three spots to third among T20I bowlers.

The India women’s batter has broken records in her first six matches, but she’s relentlessly working on herself to get even better

Shashank Kishore26-Apr-2025
Pratika Rawal, 24, smiles at the wonder of it all – wearing the India blue and sharing the dressing room with idols she once watched from behind the boundary ropes.After a heady initiation into international cricket – the 444 runs scored by her are the most by any batter in their first six innings in women’s ODIs – she’s now coming to terms with where she’s at.”It was surreal at the start,” she says, smiling, “now it feels like I belong here.”Rawal has quickly formed a strong opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana, prompting selectors to overlook Shafali Verma despite Verma’s stellar WPL 2025 performance. Now, with a tri-series against Sri Lanka and South Africa coming up, a solid run-in to the 50-over World Cup that India will host later this year, Rawal has a chance to cement her place in the team.If you watched her bat against West Indies and Ireland in 2024-25 – crisp footwork, clean strokes, an uncluttered mind – you might have assumed Rawal’s calm is second nature. But it wasn’t always this way.Related

• Stats – Mandhana smashes fastest ODI century for India on record-breaking day

• Mandhana hails Pratika Rawal's 'calm head' and versatility

• ESPNcricinfo Awards 2024 Women's debutant nominees: Indian harvest

Her poise has been earned, over years of tireless work and small, deliberate choices: making her bed, decluttering her room, and slowing down her speech to match the pace of her thoughts.”The way you’re off the field is going to reflect how you’re going to behave on it,” she says. “I used to react a lot. I was short-tempered, I spoke very fast. But I worked on that too. I had to.”Rawal had a guiding hand in Deepti Dhyani, her coach, mentor, and unwavering anchor. “She doesn’t get enough credit,” Rawal says. “She worked on every part of me, my routines, diet, fitness, mindset. Everything.”There was a bit of technical work involved too. “Like punching the ball off the back foot, I didn’t know how to do it, I didn’t even know it was a shot when I started,” she says.Rawal credits her coach, Deepti Dhyani (left), for shaping her as a player and person•Pratika RawalAs Rawal started breaking ground in age-group cricket – she made her Delhi Under-19 debut at 14 – Dhyani also taught her how to carry herself after scoring a hundred, and how to rise again after a duck. Recently, conversations have revolved around channelling disappointment. Away from training, Rawal’s mother anchors her with her simplicity and faith. “She often says, ‘Whatever happens, happens for the best.’ And it stuck with me.”That mindset helped when Rawal wasn’t picked at the WPL auction ahead of the 2025 season. It must have hurt, especially after the high of her maiden India call-up just a day earlier. But Rawal looks at it differently. “It was an opportunity to improve. You need to have that hope. Like mom says, maybe it was all part of the plan.”Rawal began playing cricket around the time she was ten years old. Back then, she barely knew the names of players in the Indian women’s team. It wasn’t until her father told her about Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami that she began to follow the women’s game and see the possibilities. In 2017, when she watched India play at the World Cup final at Lord’s, Rawal’s motivation grew manifold.”Harry ‘s 171 in that tournament was epic, it got me even more excited. I knew I wanted to play like her,” Rawal says. Last year in Pune, she stood at training, trying to summon words in front of Harmanpreet Kaur when their paths crossed for the first time in domestic cricket. “I wanted to tell her how big a fan I was… but the only thing I managed to say was, ‘Good morning, .'”Off the field, Rawal brings her mind into the game with the help of psychology – not just as a subject, but a way of life. “One of my professors once said, ‘Psychology isn’t just about understanding others. It’s about understanding yourself.’ That hit home.”She still remembers when the former India allrounder and India women’s coach at the time, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, helped her connect the dots between a dropped head and a misjudged flick shot during a camp at the National Cricket Academy. “That’s when I realised even body language can cloud your decisions. He told me I was playing the shot perfectly in the nets, even to balls from outside off. But somehow in a match, I was lbw flicking a leg-stump half-volley.”Cricket, Rawal believes, is as much a mental game as it is physical. “If you’re nervous, your body language gives it away. Opponents can sense it. So why can’t we flip it – use our own mindset as a weapon?”She has seen that power first-hand, for instance, when she didn’t score in last year’s Senior Women’s Multi-Day Competition but then walked into a high-performance NCA camp and found resolve from Kanitkar’s critique. Or the time she stepped back from basketball – a sport she played at the national level – to give wings to her cricketing dream.Smriti Mandhana and Rawal’s 233-run opening partnership set India up for a record-breaking 304-run win over Ireland women earlier this year•BCCI”It was too much. I used to get injured – dislocated [my] shoulder and all,” she says. “My dad told me, ‘If you want to excel, you’ll have to choose.’ I chose cricket. It made me feel something different inside.”While cricket took priority, she was clear her education needed to progress in parallel. “I dropped U-19 once for my board exams,” she says. She also switched schools, moving to the well-regarded Modern School in Delhi, which she says helped develop confidence, not just in academics but as a communicator.”I wanted to be good at public speaking. I was shy. But I learnt how to express myself there.” Now that she’s done with her graduation, her parents are happy, and her coach is already nudging her towards doing a master’s in psychology.Rawal’s journey has been shaped by structure but not rigidity, as she has explored her interests and grown through the opportunities she has been given, like when she moved teams, from Delhi to Railways – a powerhouse side loaded with India players – after the 2023-24 season. Rawal saw it not as a step away from Delhi but a challenge worth embracing. “It’s hard to break into that side that is full of India players. But I like being challenged.”The first time she trialled for them in 2023-24, she wasn’t picked. So she worked harder. Scored runs. Then came the call. “When you get picked on performance, that respect, that’s what matters,” she says.Rawal remembers a semi-final in the Inter State Women’s One-Day Competition last year, when she scored a fifty for Delhi against Railways. “At the player-of-the-match ceremony, the match referee mentioned my name, and the entire Railways team hooted for me. That felt like respect.”When Rawal is not training, she’s sketching, which she says helps her focus. Or watching on repeat. Or gossiping with her mom. “I love staying at home. You’re out so much with cricket,” she says.And yes, she dreams of the World Cup. But she’s in no hurry. “I visualise things a lot – like how I celebrated my first hundred [against Ireland] by kissing the India flag. I’d seen that in my mind so many times before it happened.”Does she believe in manifestation? “Yes,” she says, without blinking. “Absolutely. Holding that World Cup trophy.”

In an astonishing set of quotes, Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah has thrown his own future at Anfield into doubt after being left on the bench in the 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday.

The Egypt international has been a substitute for the last three matches for the Reds, and has claimed that someone at the club does not want him there.

Salah also revealed that he has told his parents to go to the Brighton game because it is his last match before the African Cup of Nations and that he “doesn’t know what is going to happen” whilst he is there, during the January transfer window.

However, the situation could develop if there is a change in the dugout at Anfield in the coming days or weeks, as the Reds are reportedly looking at potential replacements for Arne Slot.

Liverpool considering Arne Slot replacement

According to Dave OCKOP, Liverpool have their eyes on managers to step in, as an interim or permanent appointment, if they decide to part ways with Slot.

Manager Focus

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The Dutch head coach has lost ten of his 23 matches in charge of the club this season, per Transfermarkt, and the Reds are currently eighth in the Premier League with six losses in 15 games.

This latest report claims that Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has been sounded out as a possible candidate to come in as an interim replacement for Slot, should he be sacked.

The English head coach, who has managed Aston Villa and Rangers, is under consideration to take the top job at Anfield, and it is a move that Salah would love.

Why Mo Salah would love Steven Gerrard at Liverpool

Gerrard, who was described as “a true legend of the game” by Xabi Alonso, played 710 matches for the club during his playing days, per Transfermarkt, and scored 186 goals.

Without trying to sound too cliché, the 45-year-old boss is a manager who would ‘get it’ at Liverpool and arrive as a unifying figure who could create a positive mentality at Anfield again, as a personality already loved by supporters.

Salah, in particular, would love it if Gerrard were appointed as Slot’s replacement because he would know that the Englishman respects and rates him incredibly highly.

Speaking earlier this year, Gerrard named Salah as the one player in history that he would have loved to have played with during his playing days.

As you can hear in the clip above, the Liverpool legend also declared the Egyptian as his favourite player in 2023, which is further evidence of the respect that he has for the left-footed superstar.

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Gerrard, as evidenced by the statistics above, is not a proven top-level manager who has won numerous league titles in the major leagues in Europe, but he did enjoy a good spell with Rangers when tasked with managing a dominant team.

He may not be the long-term solution in the dugout for Liverpool, although you never know, but as an interim appointment to steady the ship and repair the club’s seemingly fractured relationship with Salah, it could make a lot of sense.

Getting Salah, who produced 34 goals and 23 assists last season (Sofascore), back onside and at his best could be a better move than any tactical changes that a manager could make to the system, which is why Gerrard could be a shrewd appointment.

Bringing in a head coach who loves the Egypt international and would want to make him a key member of the team again could solve this problem, which has emerged from these latest quotes from Salah, and bring a feel-good factor back to Anfield.

As bad as Konate: Slot must axe 6/10 Liverpool star who made 0 tackles

Liverpool blew a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 against Leeds United at Elland Road.

ByAngus Sinclair 5 days ago

This could then buy Liverpool time to assess Gerrard’s suitability for the job on a permanent basis, whilst also giving them time to look at and identify a long-term successor to Slot.

Former Inter and Belgium defender Zinho Vanheusden has announced his retirement from professional football aged just 26, with the centre-back releasing a heartbreaking statement confirming his surprise decision. Vanheusden plied his trade in Italy, Belgium and Netherlands before heading to Spain this summer as he signed for third-tier club Marbella, but has now called time on his career.

A promising talent in Inter's youth system

After spending seven years in Standard Liege's youth academy, Vanheusden was scouted by Inter youth coaches and was brought to the club's academy in 2015. At 16, the defender was considered as one of the brightest prospects in Europe and was expected to shine for the Serie A giants' senior side in the future.

However, his progress halted at Inter due to a series of injuries as he never got to play for their senior side. He was on Inter's book, though, until 2025 as he played for clubs like Standard Liege, Genoa and AZ on a series of loan spells. Finally, in the summer of 2025, he exited Inter to join third-tier Spanish club Marbella to revive his career. 

At the start of the season, he made seven appearances for the club before a third anterior cruciate ligament tear of his career forced him to announce his retirement at the tender age of 26. Vanheusden also represented Belgium at the youth level and made his senior professional debut in 2020 against Ivory Coast in an international friendly which ended in a 1-1 draw. It was his first and only international cap.

AdvertisementAFPVanheusden released heartbreaking statement

On Instagram, the 26-year-old wrote: "Today I am making a decision I never thought I would have to make at this age. After 22 years of soccer — from my fourth year until now — my life as a professional soccer player is coming to an end. Football made me who I am today. It gave me a life I never dared to dream of as a child. From supporting my favourite club for years as a child with my dad at Sclessin, to then playing a hundred games for it myself, to scoring for the Ultras and even getting the honour of being a captain here. It didn’t stop there… I got the opportunity to make my national debut and to play in Serie A. All things that seemed unreal when I started.

"Besides all that beautiful, the last few years were tough. Much heavier than I ever seemed. Injuries, operations, injections, medication… I gave everything to go back, but it got harder every time. I was constantly searching for my level, overplayed through pain too often and lived after every workout or game uncertain about how my body would react the next day. I kept fighting to be the player I wanted to be, but every time a new fight came. In my heart I will always want to be a footballer, but my body has been saying enough for a while now. And that’s why — out of respect for myself, for my health and for my responsibility as a father — I am making this decision. As surreal as it feels writing this. But I want to be able to walk in my life without pain, play with my son and enjoy life with my family… I don’t know what it will be like to get up without football, but I’m going to find out now."

Ex-Inter star named after famous Brazilian footballer

Zinho's father Johan Vanheusden, in 2017, revealed that he had named his son after famous Brazilian footballer Zinho, who starred for the Selecao in their 1994 World Cup win.

Speaking to , Johan had said: "The 'h' in Zinho is actually pronounced like a 'j,'" said Johan Vanheusden. "Like in Portuguese. Our son is named after the Brazilian footballer Zinho. I thought he was fantastic at the '94 World Cup'. Five years later, in 1999, the name for a son was quickly chosen."

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AFPWhat will Vanheusden do next?

The 26-year-old will now work hard to regain full fitness and recover from the fresh setback. The former defender does not have clarity at the moment about his future, but like other retired footballers, he might try and get into management to remain in touch with the game, which he dearly loves.