12/08/2025

SPORTS TUESDAY | AUG 12, 2025

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Another blockbuster on the cards Liverpool spend big to hold off Arsenal, City in Premier League title fight

L IVERPOOL have splashed out to defend their Premier League title as champions but face stiff competition from an Arsenal side desperate to shake off their tag as nearly men and a rejuvenated Manchester City. After storming to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title in Arne Slot’s first season in charge, Liverpool have looked to build from a position of strength during a summer marked by tragedy. Portuguese forward Diogo Jota was killed in a car accident alongside his brother last month, plunging the club into mourning. Tributes to Jota will continue throughout the season with “Forever 20” – his shirt number, which the club have now retired – printed on Liverpool’s jerseys. The Reds have already spent £300 million (RM1.74b)) on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. However, after the departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, they are not yet done in strengthening their forward line and are expected to launch a fresh bid for Alexander Isak, with Newcastle demanding a British transfer record fee for the Swedish striker. SHORTS I love big moments: Henderson CRYSTAL PALACE goalkeeper Dean Henderson enjoyed his moment in the spotlight as he saved two penalties in their shootout win over Liverpool in the Community Shield. Liverpool’s new signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong both scored in the first half but were pegged back each time by goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and, after the break, Ismaila Sarr. Mohamed Salah missed his second penalty in a week as one of three failures from the spot in the shootout and Justin Devenny scored Palace’s fifth to make it 3-2. “I love the big moments, I love being in that pressure moment. The homework we did on penalties was great,” Henderson told TNT Sports. “They have unbelievable players and have a great team but two trophies in three months is incredible. “These emotions are fantastic. With them 2-1 up you think we are out the game. The manager said we’d get chances and we did. We stuck by it, defended great, and we deserved that in the end.” Palace make Guehi admission MARC GUEHI could be sold this summer, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has conceded, with just one year remaining on the Eagles captain’s contract. Palace defeated Liverpool on Sunday in the Community Shield and knocked back offers from Newcastle for the England centreback in January, with the highest bid thought to be worth in the region of £65 million (RM377m). But with Guehi yet to sign a new deal and links with Liverpool, who have experienced defensive problems in pre-season, Palace could salvage some value in the player to avoid losing him on a free transfer next summer. “We’d have to do that, of course,” Parish said. “For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem for us, unfortunately. “Joachim (Andersen) went (to Fulham last summer) and we couldn’t afford to lose both. “We then had another bid (for Guehi) in January but that was a different situation. “We’ll just have to see what happens. But, you know, it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.”

The Blues finished fourth, 15 points behind Liverpool last season, but their transfer policy of investing heavily in scores of young prospects is beginning to bear fruit. Joao Pedro made an instant impact with three goals in three games at the Club World Cup after a £55 million (RM319m) move from Brighton and could solve Chelsea’s need for a world class goalscorer. Manchester United have transformed their forward line with the signings of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo after finishing 15th last season. Beating United in the Europa League final was not enough for Ange Postecoglou to keep his job as Tottenham manager and former Brentford boss Thomas Frank has taken over in north London. Promoted trio Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley are aiming to avoid a worrying trend for the competitive balance. For the past two seasons all three promoted clubs have gone straight back down as the gap between the riches of the Premier League and the second tier continues to grow. – AFP

year-old failed to make a breakthrough in the Premier League during his previous experience in England. After coming up short at Brighton, Gyokeres scored 41 goals in 121 games in England’s second tier with Coventry and Swansea. “He’s a player that, when you leave him with the space one against one, he’s going to destroy you,” said Arteta of his new striker. City were dethroned last season after an unprecedented run of four consecutive titles as the wheels came off for Pep Guardiola’s men without Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. The Spaniard has been ruled out till September due to a setback in his return from a serious knee injury, but City have refreshed their squad with the additions of Rayan Ait Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki. After a first trophyless season since 2016/17, City expect to be back in the fight for the title. Chelsea were the last side other than City and Liverpool to lift the title back in 2017 and showed they are a coming force once more by winning the Club World Cup in the US last month.

Liverpool’s rivals will hope Wirtz and Ekitike take time to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League after shining in Germany’s Bundesliga, while there are defensive doubts for Slot’s men to answer. The Dutch coach said his side need to defend better after leaky performances in pre season were followed by defeat in the Community Shield to Crystal Palace on Sunday after twice blowing the lead. After finishing second for the past three seasons, Arsenal are longing for their first title in 22 years and have backed Mikel Arteta with another near £200 million (RM1.16b) investment in the transfer market. Spanish international Martin Zubimendi will be the new anchor of the midfield, while the signings of Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga add depth to the squad. But Arsenal’s season is likely to be defined by whether Viktor Gyokeres proves to be the answer to their need for a prolific striker. The Swede struck 97 times in 102 games during two years at Sporting Lisbon, but the 27

Van Dijk criticises fans who disturbed Jota tribute

Liverpool fans display a banner in memory of Diogo Jota inside the stadium before the match. – REUTERSPIC

Ű BY RICHARD JOLLY

both from everywhere around the world, this is what I have in my head,” said Slot. “I don’t think this was planned or it was the idea of the fan that made some noise. Maybe he wasn’t aware that it was a minute of silence. He was just still happy and tried to cheer for his team.

“Then the fans of Palace were trying to calm that person or those persons down. I don’t think he had a bad intention the guy or people that made noise. “Our fans reacted with ‘ey, what’s happening here?’ So I don’t think there is a bad intention to it because the fans of Crystal Palace and fans around the world have paid huge respect to Diogo and Andre. This was an unlucky… I don’t think there was bad intention.” Liverpool will play their first Premier League game since Jota’s death when the new season begins on Saturday (3am Malaysian time). “We will see Friday

VIRGIL VAN DIJK criticised the small number of Crystal Palace fans who disturbed a silence in tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva before the Community Shield at Wembley. The brothers died on July 3 July in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, after a suspected tyre blowout. The tragedy occurred only 11 days after Jota, a 28-year-old father of three, had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso. While the majority of Palace fans stood and respectfully observed the silence, a small group could be heard chanting “Eagles”. Other Palace supporters urged them to be quiet and Liverpool fans at the other end of the stadium booed, before the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the tribute. “Disappointing,”Van Dijk said.“That’s the only thing I can say. I don’t know who did that. There were plenty trying to shush it down but that didn’t help it. It is what it is. “How many fans were there, 80,000? It’s disappointing to hear that, but if those people can go home and be proud and happy then…” After the game, which Palace won via a penalty shootout, the Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, defended the Palace fans involved, suggesting they may not have been aware of the tribute. “I am a positive person and if I look at the respect that has been paid to them

when Bournemouth come to our stadium how respectful that will be,” Slot added. “It’s also one, one and a half month ago I think, five weeks ago. That’s why maybe this fan was just so happy for them to be here in the Charity Shield

that he forgot in that second.” – T h e Independent

Van Dijk. – REUTERSPIC