02/08/2025

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Reds ready to splash the cash Liverpool would never hesitate to sign someone if given the chance: Slot L IVERPOOL head coach Arne Slot insisted the club would never hesitate to sign a player if the chance pre There has been a considerable turnover this summer with senior players Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz departing, in addition to second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, Jarell Quansah, Nat Phillips and Darwin Nunez – and Federico Chiesa expected to leave before the end of the window. Top of that quality list is Wirtz, one of Europe’s hottest prospects at just 22. Liverpool beat Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to his signature and were prepared to agree to a record £116 million (RM661m) deal because of what he offers currently and the potential for growth. Ű BY CARL MARKHAM

Five things Amorim learned from Bournemouth win

MANCHESTER UNITED continued their winning streak on their US tour, trouncing Bournemouth 4-1 at Soldier Field in Chicago on Thursday. The triumph saw Ruben Amorim’s side flourish with Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad and Ethan Williams netting goals amidst the rain-soaked chaos of the windy city, as the club also make progress in the summer transfer window. United’s victory also keeps them as the only team boasting a flawless record in the four-team Premier League Summer Series, as they gear up for the final round of matches in Atlanta this Sunday and look to add to their squad with some new firepower. Here are five key takeaways from United’s breezy win in Chicago: Hojlund’s timely strike On the same day United made their play for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, their current frontman, Hojlund, served up a timely display of his scoring prowess by bagging the first goal. Hojlund struggled last season, managing a mere 12 goals across all competitions, which prompted United to prioritise signing a proven striker during the summer transfer window. Sesko and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins emerged as top targets, especially after seeing Liam Delap head to Chelsea, Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal and Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool. If United manage to secure Sesko or Watkins, Hojlund might find himself out in the cold next season, potentially leading to a departure or loan spell. However, his commitment and work ethic remain unquestionable, even if he lacks the consistent scoring touch required to spearhead United’s attack. Shaw shows his class After a season largely spent on the sidelines due to injury, playing in just 12 of United’s 60 matches, the upcoming campaign is crucial for Luke Shaw. Deployed as a left centreback, Shaw kicked off with a bang, pulling off a well-timed tackle to strip Antoine Semenyo of possession as the Bournemouth forward charged towards United’s goal. Shaw continued to play with assurance, even after a fright when he took a tumble after Semenyo stepped on his left foot. Shaw emerged victorious from their personal duel and his standout performance was a massive lift for Amorim, who had previously labelled the 30-year-old as “world class” in a tour interview and plans to make him a pivotal figure next season. “I really like this formation,“ Shaw shared before the match. “But, honestly, I don’t mind wherever the manager wants me to play. I’m happy to play anywhere. “I’ve been playing left-centre

back this pre-season and I’m just really happy to be doing this pre season as I missed the last pre season.” Mount makes his mark Another Red Devil keen to make an impact, following two seasons marred by injuries, was Mason Mount who, like Shaw, was given a starting spot. Mount mirrored Shaw’s intensity and determination, striking up a promising early partnership with Bruno Fernandes, with the pair swapping passes before the United captain’s shot was saved. Mount was instrumental in United’s first goal just eight minutes in, his savvy off-ball movement pulling a defender out of position and creating room for Patrick Dorgu to find Rasmus Hojlund, who deftly headed the ball past Djordje Petrovic in Bournemouth’s net. At the 25-minute mark, Mount’s quick wit set up United’s second goal when he spotted Dorgu’s run and swiftly took a free-kick, lofting the ball for him to chase down and slot past Petrovic. Mount’s first-half performance certainly hinted that, fitness permitting, he could be a key player for United next season. Cunha too tired to play Amorim shuffled his pack with six changes from the starting XI that clinched a 2-1 victory over West Ham in New Jersey in their US tour opener. The most glaring omission was Matheus Cunhaw, who didn’t even make the match-day squad after reporting feeling worn out ahead of the Bournemouth clash. “We need to assess all the players,”said Amorim.“We have to be careful with everyone. He’s available for the next one. “Matheus felt a little bit fatigues. He was ready to play, he wants to give everything, but we gave to be careful.” Manchester weather in Chicago Soldier Field, the 61,000-seat home ground of NFL team the Chicago Bears, was barely half-filled for United’s match against Bournemouth and the preceding game between West Ham and Everton. As the weather took a turn for the worse with gusty winds and pelting rain, and no shelter in any of the four stands, the crowd thinned out even more as supporters chose to beat an early retreat due to the grim conditions. The remaining die-hard fans donned ponchos to shield themselves from the unrelenting downpour. After the blistering heat of the previous week, where temperatures in Chicago soared into the high 90s, the players likely welcomed the Manchester-like weather. – Express Newspapers

sented itself. Despite having spent close to £300 million (RM1.7b) already this summer, the Reds continue to be linked with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak in what would be a British transfer record deal. While the

The response has been to spend a club-record fee on Florian Wirtz, while also bringing in his Bayer Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong, Eintracht

“We don’t just think, ‘Let’s bring a midfielder in’. This is a long-term project for the club,” Slot added. “It’s the way this club has worked over several years: targeting a specific player who we think can strengthen the squad and can bring us quality. Then we try to bring him in. “I think this club has always worked like this. We do spend, but if we spend, then we always need to recoup some money. “It’s what we already started last summer when we only brought in Federico Chiesa, but we sold three or four players, which meant a big profit. “So if you balance things out, we’ve spent, for sure, but we’ve also recouped money.” For all the money spent so far, the player who made the biggest impression in matches in Hong Kong and Tokyo was Rio Ngumoha, a 16-year-old who only joined the club last summer from Chelsea but has already made a rapid rise through the youth ranks. He scored a fine solo goal in the 3-1 win over Yokohama F Marinos but also impressed against AC Milan before that and is already being talked about a viable first-team option to play on the left following the departure of Diaz.

Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. But Slot said the spending may not stop there. “I always say, another thing about Liverpool is that if we see a chance in the market, we never hesitate to bring someone in,” he told reporters before departing Japan at the end of their trip to the Far East. “In the end it’s about quality and we have already made some very good signings. In terms of quality, we are already in the right place.”

club have held an interest in the Sweden international for some time, there has been no approach but Isak’s decision to absent himself from Newcastle’s pre-season trip to South Korea has only increased speculation about a potential switch to Anfield.

Isak

“I’m not trying to rush because I’m still only young,” he told the club’s website. “But at the same time, I just want to show the manager what I can do and not get too complacent. I

just want to do bigger and better things for me and the club.” – The Independent

North London derby makes historic Hong Kong debut

ARSENAL and Tottenham Hotspur delivered a slice of football history yesterday by staging the first North London derby outside the United Kingdom as nearly 50,000 fans packed Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium for a pre-season friendly. The mouth-watering clash proved so popular that around 20,000 people turned up just to watch the two teams train, underlining the rarity of Premier League local rivals facing off in pre-season friendlies. Despite tickets costing as much as HK$2,500 (RM1,360), fans considered the historic occasion worth every penny as the North London rivalry finally crossed continents. “I’m extremely excited. Firstly,

club here, so it was great to witness,” Arteta said. Spurs supporters, meanwhile, were eager to see their captain Son Heung-min, with many fearing it could be their last chance to watch the 33-year-old South Korea forward in the club’s colours amid transfer speculation. “Sonny has stayed for a decade in Tottenham,“ said Spurs fan Patrick Lau, who held a placard with pictures of the talismanic forward. “No matter whether Sonny decides to stay or maybe move to the next chapter, we are so glad that Son has stayed for Tottenham for a decade. He is our legend forever!” – Reuters

watching Arsenal, it’s my second time. I was excited then, I’m still excited now, but this is the North London Derby,” said Khalid Saleh, a 33-year-old Arsenal fan from Perth. “This is the one game where we’re very nervous... It’s probably a childhood dream, man, to come watch a North London derby.” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he was “amazed” by the support, thanking them for their patience after Arsenal returned to Hong Kong for the first time since 2012. “It just makes you feel how wonderful and big this football club is and how lucky we are to have the support with the level of intensity as well that people love our football