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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is facing several selection dilemmas as his side return to Premier League action on Tuesday evening.

After sharing the spoils with league leaders Manchester City before beating them in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, the Merseyside outfit now host Manchester United at Anfield.

Sat just one point behind Pep Guardiola’s side, the Reds will need to keep the pressure mounting by delivering a performance of note against the fifth-placed Red Devils, who could also do with three points to bolster their top-four ambitions.

Salah’s shocking form

One of the predicaments facing the German head coach is what to do with Mohamed Salah, who has struggled for form in recent matches.

Indeed, the Egyptian winger has provided only one direct goal contribution in his last six appearances since his return from international duty, where he missed a penalty was knocked out of 2022 World Cup qualification by Sadio Mane’s Senegal.

It’s evident that his confidence has taken a serious knock, as a result, and it would be foolish to persist with him for the time being – even in the win over City at the weekend, he was disappointing.

As per SofaScore, he was graded as Liverpools’s joint lowest-rated player (6.3), having fired two of his three shots off target, made only 71% of his passes and spurned possession 13 times from only 38 touches. He also won just 23% of his battles up against the Citizens’ backline.

Salah, who has not scored for the Merseysiders in open play since February, is lucky to be in the side, according to former striker John Aldridge.

“If you’re going by form, Mo wouldn’t get in the team,” he told Sky Sports. “As good as he is, as great as he is, as much as we love him, on present form he’s struggling.”

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Jota’s the man

Instead, Klopp ought to turn to the in-form Diogo Jota, who was named on the bench for Sunday’s clash and should be fresher than most after only featuring for the final five minutes plus stoppage time.

The £54m-rated forward is enjoying quite the season at Anfield, having found the net 21 times and provided four assists, via Transfermarkt. He has scored in each of Liverpool’s last three top-flight outings, including a strike in the 2-2 draw with City last time out.

Also capable of playing anywhere along the frontline, there won’t be a better candidate to fill the void that is currently left behind by an out-of-sorts Salah.

Once described as a “pressing monster” by assistant boss Pep Lijnders, Jota has been in much greater form than the 29-year-old since the international break.

Not only has he scored three goals, compared to Salah’s zero, but he also edges the charts for shots with the latter managing just the one effort against the league leaders.

Only a few weeks ago, Klopp waxed lyrical about the 25-year-old Portuguese, claiming that he was “growing into the top world-class striker role,” before later adding:

“It was always clear that Diogo is not a pure winger, Diogo is a striker who can play on the wing and defend the wing. Both wings, thank god.”

On the above evidence, the Liverpool boss should make the bold and brutal call to axe Salah in favour of Jota’s return to the starting XI, with Luis Diaz and Mane also available, there are plenty of different attacking options he can turn to for the wing positions.

The former Wolves gem, in this form, can absolutely terrify Ralf Rangnick’s United outfit – they’d probably welcome the sight of an out-of-form Salah right now, so Klopp must turn to Jota this evening.

AND in other news, Klopp eyeing Liverpool swoop for “world-class” 110-goal magician, Anfield would be buzzing…

Rangers secured their place in the final of the Scottish Cup in an enthralling Old Firm clash with their rivals on Sunday.

Gio van Bronckhorst’s side came from behind to seal a 2-1 win and they now have a chance to lift silverware next month.

After failing to capitalise on their good play in the first 45, Rangers were made to pay for falling asleep at a free-kick as Callum McGregor was afforded the time and space to feed Greg Taylor and the full-back’s shot deflected in off Calvin Bassey.

However, they found their equaliser with just over 10 minutes left as substitute Scott Arfield found the back of the net from James Tavernier’s assist.

This allowed them to take the game to extra time and they found their winner in the 115th minute as Carl Starfelt turned the ball into his own net after a ball into the box by Bassey.

Whilst Arfield coming on to level the scores set-up the win for the Gers, the player who really stole the show was James Tavernier at right-back.

Former Gers man Neil McCann lauded his display, saying: “James Tavernier has defended really well, the fitness that the boy shows is absolutely out of this world.”

Journalist Joshua Barrie also dubbed his and Connor Goldson’s play as “superb” in the build-up to the equaliser as the full-back’s cross – aided by Kemar Roofe – set up Arfield to score.

The £24k-per-week Englishman held his own defensively and was a constant threat in possession as he put in a complete performance on Sunday. He did not allow the likes of Jota and Liel Abada to expose him at the back as he remained strong in his one-on-one duels and this meant that Jon McLaughlin was not troubled as much as he could have been, with Celtic managing two shots on target all game.

Along with his great work for the equalising goal, the machine also almost scored the winner in extra time. He hit the post late on as he came inches away from being the match-winner before Starfelt turned the ball into his own net a few minutes later.

Van Bronckhorst will surely be delighted with his captain’s performance as the ex-Newcastle man stood up to the test and led by example throughout the match. It is now down to him and his teammates to continue to produce on the pitch in the coming weeks to win as many trophies as they can.

AND in other news, £10.1m in the bank: Rangers hit the jackpot on “brutally ruthless” £31.5k-p/w machine…

Scott Styris will return to Northern Districts for the 2010-11 domestic season after playing for Auckland Aces for the past five seasons.

Cricinfo staff23-Jul-2010New Zealand allrounder Scott Styris will return to Northern Districts for the 2010-11 domestic season after playing for Auckland Aces for the past five seasons. Northern Districts are the defending Plunket Shield (domestic four-day cricket) and domestic one-day champions from 2009-10.”Scott is a hugely experienced player and proved how significant his performances are at an international and domestic level, when setting up wins for the Blackcaps (New Zealand) and Aces last year,” Northern Districts chief executive, David Cooper, said. “He has continued to show that skill in the UK this winter. This ability to perform under pressure and being a Blackcap adds another string to our bow as we aim for more trophies this coming season.”Styris is currently in Sri Lanka with the New Zealand squad.

Michael Comber and Adam Wheater, both aged 20, were the Essex heroes as thehome side beat Northamptonshire by five wickets in their Clydesdale Bank 40clash at Southend

08-Aug-2010
ScorecardMichael Comber and Adam Wheater, both aged 20, were the Essex heroes as thehome side beat Northamptonshire by five wickets in their Clydesdale Bank 40clash at Southend.They came together with Essex struggling on 100 for 5 in the 22nd over inreply to a total of 215 for 6. But both displayed a cool head on young shoulders to see their side home with nine balls to spare.Comber, making his debut in the competition, made 52 while Wheater finished on55. Both completed their half-centuries from 47 balls, Comber reaching his with anon-driven six against paceman David Willey. He also dealt out similar punishment to off-spinner James Middlebrook and also struck two fours.Wheater’s innings included five fours as he and Comber excelled in theirrunning between the wickets. Their performance came after Essex had got off to a terrible start, losing Mark Pettini and Grant Flower without a run on the board. Lee Daggett was the man who plunged them into early trouble, having Pettini caught behind with his second ball and trapping Flower lbw with his next delivery.Ravi Bopara and Matt Walker repaired the damage with a partnership of 87 thatwas broken when Middlebrook, playing against his former county, accepted asimple return catch. Walker made 39 before Bopara and James Foster were both dismissed immediately after the total passed 100.Bopara fell lbw to Middlebrook for 42, having hit the previous ball for six,while Foster became a victim of spinner Tom Brett. But their removal from the scene only paved the way for Comber and Wheater to come together and steal the glory.Earlier, Northants made steady but unspectacular progress. Opener Mal Loyeneeded 77 balls to make 55 before he was dismissed by Bopara. The main impetus was provided by Stephen Peters, another former Essex player, and David Sales.Sales made 36 from 34 deliveries before he was superbly caught low down at deepsquare leg by Flower, while Peters was within four of his half-century when hewas caught at deep long off by Bryce McGain. His 53-ball effort contained justthree boundaries. During it Peters was hit on the arm and was unable to take any further part inthe match as he handed over the captaincy to Sales.

Somerset assured themselves of a spot in the semi-finals of the Clydesdale Bank 40 when they beat Surrey by 64 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method at Taunton

29-Aug-2010
ScorecardJos Buttler was Somerset’s topscorer with an aggressive 87•Getty ImagesSomerset assured themselves of a spot in the semi-finals of the Clydesdale Bank 40 when theybeat Surrey by 64 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method, with more than four overs to spare, at Taunton. The hosts produced a powerful batting display in a rain-affected match that wasreduced to 36 overs a side.Having been put in Somerset openers Marcus Trescothick and Craig Kieswetter raced on to 32 before Trescothick was out for 8, caught at midwicket by Matthew Spriegel off Chris Tremlett from the final ball of the third over.Kieswetter flayed 18, including a six and three consecutive fours, off the fifth over, bowled by Tremlett to take Somerset on to 55 and continued the plunder to bring up his half-century with a cover drive off Jade Dernbach in the 11th over. His fifty came from only 29 balls and included seven fours and two sixes.The keeper brought up the Somerset hundred in style, lofting legspinner Chris Schofield over midwicket in the 12th over. During the partnership between Kieswetter and Zander de Bruyn the players left the field twice for heavy rain as a result of which the game was reduced to 36over per side.De Bruyn went to his own 50 in the 19th over and off the first ball of the next over he brought up the 150 with a straight drive off Schofield. The bowler exacted revenge with his very next ball, however, having him caught at midwicket. Between them the third wicket pair had added 87 in 12 overs.Kieswetter was next to perish with the total on 156, stumped by Steve Davies off Schofield for 79. But James Hildreth was then joined by Jos Buttler, who continued his rich vein of one-day form. With an array of explosive and innovative shots, including a huge six over long-on off Dernbach, Buttler raced to his 50, off just 31 balls.The 19-year-old cracked successive sixes high over cover when Spriegel was introduced into the attack for the penultimate over. Though he was bowled off the next ball for 87, which came off 46 balls and included nine fours and four, he had already added 123 in just over 13 overs with Hildreth. Somerset eventually reached 290 for 6, Hildreth bowled for 38 by Tremlett offthe last ball of the innings, having played his part in helping to add 105 off the last 10 overs.Chasing a revised target of 292 for victory off 36 overs, Surrey lost their captain Rory Hamilton-Brown, caught by Pete Trego off Alfonso Thomas’ third ball of the innings. With the score on 23, Thomas also had a hand in the second wicket when he ran Steve Davies out in the fifth over.Mark Ramprakash came in to join Stewart Walters and the pair took control of the situation and brought up the 50 in the ninth over. Ramprakash was in fine form and hit the first six of the Surrey innings when he lofted Trego high over the midwicket boundary in the 13th over. Walters had moved on to 45 when he was bowled by Murali Kartik in the 16th over with the score on 91. Kartik then accounted for Jason Roy in the same over, stumped by Kieswetter.New batsman Spreigel brought up the hundred with an off-driven boundary from Trego in the 17th and after 20 overs Surrey had moved on to 125 for 4. Ramprakash looked threatening and had moved on to 73 when he hoisted the first ball of the 26th over, bowled by Trego, high to deep extra cover where Buttler took the chance.The England Lion struck again in the same over when he accounted for Schofield leg before wicket and going into the final 10 overs Surrey still needed 121 for victory. When Thomas gratefully received a caught-and-bowled chance from new batsman Gareth Batty and Tremlett was run out the visitors chances looked even slimmer.Spriegel and Dernbach added 44 for the ninth wicket before Dernbach was caught by Buttler for 31 and two balls later De Bruyn bowled Cheetham to wrap things up, Surrey all out for 227 in the 32nd over.

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons has expressed his frustration over the latest injury to fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza that has put him in doubt for the World Cup that will be held in the subcontinent next year

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Dec-2010Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons has expressed his frustration over the latest injury to fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza that has put him in doubt for the World Cup that will be held in the subcontinent next year. Mortaza injured his right knee while batting for his club Abahani in a Dhaka Premier Division League match earlier this week.”A fit and firing Mash [Mashrafe Mortaza] was obviously our first preference for the World Cup and this is a huge disappointment for Mash and the team as well,” Siddons told the Bangladesh newspaper from Australia.The final report of an MRI scan performed on Tuesday confirmed that there had been a near complete tear of the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament graft on his right knee. Mortaza had surgery on his right knee in August 2009 after he injured it during the first Test against West Indies at St. Vincent in July that year.An ankle problem ruled Mortaza out for most of the recent home one-day series against New Zealand which Bangladesh won 4-0. He came back for the five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe but said after the first two games that he needed more match practice to get his rhythm back. While Siddons was confident that the bowling attack would be able to cope should Mortaza not be fit in time for the World Cup, he said that Mortaza’s experience would be missed.”The inclusion of Rubel (Hossain) or Nazmul (Hossain) would change the dynamics of the opening attack but I believe that though it would be different it would not be weakened significantly,” he said. “The loss of Mash will be seen in his leadership and experience. We cannot cover this aspect of his loss.”This injury is the latest in the long line of injuries for Mortaza. He has undergone six knee reconstructions in the space of eight years, and is currently undergoing a non-surgical treatment for his knee, involving physical therapy and use of a knee brace.

Rahul Dravid has said he is confident the team can handle the threat posed by “mystery spinner” Ajantha Mendis when India tour Sri Lanka starting next month

Cricinfo staff28-Jun-2010Rahul Dravid is confident India can handle the threat posed by “mystery spinner” Ajantha Mendis on the tour of Sri Lanka next month. Mendis tormented India’s batsmen in 2008, taking 26 wickets in what was his debut series, as the home side emerged 2-1 winners over three Tests.Dravid said India had figured out Mendis over the last two years and should be able to play him well. “He is still a good bowler,” he told reporters. “He was completely new to us when we toured Sri Lanka last time. He got the measure our team last time, there is no doubt about it. He played a major role in the series. But hopefully, we have learnt our lesson.”I think we played him pretty well when he came to India. We learnt how to tackle him. Having said that international bowlers keep on improving, international bowlers come up with new tricks every time. But hopefully we will have the answers [to] whatever Mendis throws at us this time.”Mendis played just one Test on Sri Lanka’s tour of India last year, taking two wickets while conceding 162 runs.The last time Dravid played international cricket was in January, when he scored an unbeaten century against Bangladesh in the second of two Tests. Injury ruled him out the subsequent series against South Africa, but he was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore team that finished third in the IPL. He said he needed a little time to get back into the rhythm of Test cricket.”Sometimes, it is little bit of challenge to return to Test cricket after a long break but there is preparation time in Sri Lanka. I am looking forward to some match practice before the series.”However, Dravid said the break from cricket was good for him and he has been training hard over the last six weeks to get ready for the tour. He predicted a close contest between two rivals who have seen a lot of each other in recent times.”Sri Lanka is a very formidable team and they play tough cricket at home. In the last two times we travelled there, we won a Test match but did not win the series. It is a positive sign to win a Test there but it is now important for us to keep that performance going right throughout the upcoming series.”It is going to be a challenge but we have got a good team. We have got bowlers who are capable of taking 20 wickets, which is important to win a Test. If we can put runs on the board, hopefully we will have a good series.”Galle will host the first Test, which kicks off on July 18, while the next two matches will be held in Colombo, at the SSC and the P Sara Oval. The second and third Tests are between July 26 and 30 and August 3 and 7 respectively.

Roma goalkeeper and Sheffield United loanee Robin Olsen is set to have his loan deal at Bramall Lane cut short in order to join Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season.

What’s the story?

According to transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, Olsen is set to make the move from the Championship up to the Premier League and become Steven Gerrard’s third signing as Aston Villa manager after the exciting captures of Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne.

Romano tweeted: “Robin Olsen from Sheffield [United] to Aston Villa now at final stages, agreement in place. Last details to be resolved.

“AS Roma will cancel loan to Sheffield [United] and then will let Olsen join Aston Villa until the end of the season. Olsen already agreed personal terms with Villa.”

Olsen had spent last season on loan at Premier League outfit Everton, making 11 appearances for the Toffees as their second-choice behind Jordan Pickford.

The Sweden international was signed by former Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic as a short-term replacement for Aaron Ramsdale who joined Arsenal in the summer and has made 11 appearances in the Championship thus far.

However, it appears as though the 32-year-old will cut his spell in South Yorkshire prematurely and return to the English top-flight with Aston Villa.

Fans will be buzzing

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s status as first-choice ‘keeper is under very little scrutiny after another impressive campaign so far for the Villans with five clean sheets in 18 Premier League matches.

However, what Steven Gerrard does lack is a reliable backup should the Argentinian ever be absent from the Englishman’s side.

Jed Steer is currently the West Midlands club’s only other recognised goalkeeper and has only played two Premier League matches since Villa’s promotion in 2019.

With Olsen, Gerrard’s side will be better equipped should any factor that would make Martinez unavailable arise. Moreover, they will have a goalkeeper with plenty of experience, having played in Serie A, the Premier League, the Champions League and the Europa League.

There may be a slight concern regarding the fact that the 32-year-old hasn’t had the most impressive spell at Sheffield United, keeping just one clean sheet in 11 matches.

However, being a loan deal, it is an ideal solution to what is a major problem in Villa’s squad depth and the presence of Olsen will undoubtedly improve Gerrard’s squad.

In other news: Villa have “agreement†for £13k-p/w ace with a “big presenceâ€, Gerrard will be elated

Sessay from Yorkshire cruised to a seven-wicket victory over previous champions Shipton to win the npower Village Cup in front of an enthusiastic crowd at a sun-drenched Lord’s

Martin Williamson at Lord's12-Sep-2010 Sessay 228 for 3 (Wilkie 78, Till 56) beat Shipton-under-Wychwood 227 for 5 (Hemming 59) by seven wicketsJohn Flintoff and Nick Harrison celebrate Sessay ‘s winning runs•Martin WilliamsonSessay from Yorkshire cruised to a seven-wicket victory over previous champions Shipton-under-Wychwood from Oxfordshire to win the npower Village Cup in front of an enthusiastic crowd at a sun-drenched Lord’s. No side had successfully chased a target as big as 228 in the previous 38 finals, but Sessay did so at a canter with 17 balls to spare.After a few weeks where cricket has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons, this contest allowed traditionalists to argue the game still has its moments. The pre-match build-up had centred on 55-year-old John Flintoff who had been playing for Sessay for four decades. Back in 1976 he had to miss Sessay’s only previous appearance in a Village Cup final because of injury, but 34 years later he finally got another chance. It was fitting that he was in the middle when the winning runs were hit.Shipton, who came into the game as favourites, won here in 2002 and 2003 and seven of that side from the second victory played again today. While that experience held them in good stead, in the field they at times looked to be carrying a few passengers, and while that was not the difference between the sides, it made it very hard for them to sustain pressure on the Sessay batsmen at key points.But with the exception of Chris Panter, Shipton’s front-line bowlers never settled, and Paul Hemming found himself having to replace Craig Lambert and Charlie Brain after two overs each as both sprayed the new ball around. Thereafter, Hemming relied almost entirely on his spinners but while better, they too lacked consistency.After a circumspect start, Sessay’s openers Mark Wilkie and Matthew Till capitalised on the wayward bowling, aided by a liberal sprinkling of wides and misfields. Wilkie, who had spent a spell as an MCC Young Cricketer at Lord’s, accumulated steadily with some neat strokeplay off his pads. Had Paul Jennings stumped him early on off a routine chance the game could have taken a very different path. Till, meanwhile, used his reach well and hit anything short or wide with increasing power through the off side.Shipton-under-Wychwood’s Andy Hemming is spectacularly caught by Nick Harrison off Richard Till for 59•Martin WilliamsonThe opening stand of 127 ended when Till fell to a juggling catch by Tim Senior on the deep square-leg boundary for a 54-ball 56, but Man of the Match Wilkie continued to press on, and by the time he top-edged a sweep for 78 the game was all but won.Nick Thorne quashed any lingering Yorkshire hopes with 42 from 38 deliveries, and his departure, stumped down the leg side, brought in Flintoff. Hemming crowded the bat to try to put added pressure on the veteran, but he responded with two cracking off-side boundaries to take his side to the brink of victory. It fell to Nick Harrison to hit the winning runs, but Flintoff understandably led the celebrations like a man half his age.Earlier on, Shipton, who had been stuck in on a green pitch, made a solid start but Andy Hemming and Charlie Brain took their time to build any momentum ahead against some tight bowling and enthusiastic fielding. It took them ten overs to pass 30 and another eight to reach 60, but thereafter the scoring rate steadily increased.The breakthrough which ended the 88-run first-wicket stand was unfortunate, Hemming’s defensive shot trickling back into his stumps and barely dislodging a bail, and then Brain was well caught by a sprawling Harrison, one of the wicketkeeper’s three dismissals.Steve Bates upped the tempo with Tim Senior, but it was the arrival of Jason Hunt that really silenced the outnumbered Sessay support. On the extreme end of burly, he slammed five sixes off the first eight balls he faced, four over the short leg-side boundary on the Tavern side and a slashed cover drive into the Mound Stand. Had he stayed he could have put the game out of reach in a matter of overs; as it was, he scored 38 off 13 balls before unwisely trying to use his feet and being stumped.Bates kept attacking as the last ten overs produced 99 runs and enabled Shipton to post the fourth-highest score in a final. It appeared to be more than enough, but Flintoff had not waited all those years to be denied.

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has told the ICC Code of Conduct Commission that Mohammad Amir’s infamous no-ball during the Lord’s Test had surprised him “greatly” because it was very different from his normal delivery stride

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Dec-2010Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has told the ICC Code of Conduct Commission that Mohammad Amir’s infamous no-ball during the Lord’s Test had surprised him “greatly” because it was very different from his normal delivery stride. He said he’d taken up the issue with the bowler, only for the then captain, Salman Butt, to intervene before Amir could reply.Waqar’s statements, published in , formed part of his testimony to the commission investigating the spot-fixing case, which will hear testimony from the three players suspended by the ICC – Amir, Butt and Mohammad Asif – from January 6-11 in Doha. All three have denied their involvement in any spot-fixing.Waqar said he’d been “greatly” surprised by Amir’s no-ball during the Lord’s Test. “This was because Amir’s front foot stepped over the line by a great distance whereas usually, if anything, Amir tends to bowl from well behind the front-foot line.”I was so surprised by the delivery that when we went back into the dressing room at the end of that morning session I said to Amir in Punjabi, ‘What the hell was that?’. But before Amir had the chance to answer my question, Salman interrupted from across the dressing room, saying: ‘I told him to do it because the batsman was coming on the front foot. I told him to come forward and bowl him a bouncer’.”Following the exposé in the , Scotland Yard raided the Pakistan team’s hotel in London and questioned the trio as well as a fourth player Wahab Riaz, who was not suspended.The team’s security manager, Khawaja Najam, told the commission of vast sums of money being confiscated from the room of one of the players. “During the Scotland Yard search of the players’ rooms at the team hotel, two police officers found cash in a bag and a small suitcase which they seized. Most of the cash was in the suitcase,” quoted Najam as saying. “I asked the police officers to put on record the amount of money they had confiscated and they did so immediately.”I have retained that note and attached a copy of it which reads as follows: Room No. 714 – 24,300 UAE Dirhams, 29,787 pound sterling, 12,617 US dollars, 10 Australian dollars, 26,015 Pakistani rupees, 350 Canadian dollars and 440 South African rand.”While we were there, the police officers asked Salman why he had so much cash in his room and Salman stated: ‘It’s for my two sisters, they are getting married, it’s for their dowry’.”From Amir’s room, Najam said, the police found “a Tag Heuer mobile phone and possibly other mobile phones, 5,000 pounds in cash, a few hundred US dollars and a white envelope with 2,500 pounds.”Speaking to two weeks ago, Butt explained in detail the money found in his room. Part of the money [11,000 pounds], he said, came from his daily tour allowance; another 4,500 pounds was from his extra entertainment allowance as team captain, while 2,500 pounds was for the opening of an ice-cream parlour in south London. The rest of the money, he said, was advanced payment for bat stickers which he was under contract for.