20/02/2026

SPORTS FRIDAY | FEB 20, 2026

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Malaysian Paper

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Ű BY CARL MARKHAM

Van Dijk backs Szoboszlai for Liverpool captaincy

VIRGIL VAN DIJK believes midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has all the qualities to one day suc ceed him as Liverpool captain having led by example this season. Szoboszlai has been the team’s most consis tent performer in a so-far underwhelming cam paign of ups and downs despite being asked to play a number of different roles, most signifi cantly standing in at right-back. The 25-year-old, hailed by Mohamed Salah last weekend as “one of the best players in the world right now”, reached 10 goals for the sea son against Brighton and has already surpassed his best return for the club. He is closing in on his career-best 12 he scored for RB Salzburg in 2019-20 but it is not just goals which have seen him stand out this

player this season – making just 12 appearances, most as a substitute – but Van Dijk insisted that should not see his influence within the squad under-estimated. “It’s not great, he is such an important and respected member of the team, he’s one of the leaders and he always leads by example as well,“ added the Dutchman. “On the pitch he gives everything. It’s a big blow but we have to deal with it and we will. Hopefully it’s not going to take too long but it looks like it will be a while. “But we are here for him, we are going to be together with him all the way and support him with everything he needs.” – The Independent

my opinion so hopefully he will be very impor tant for the years to come at Liverpool.” Talks are continuing over a new contract for the midfielder, who is still on the original deal he signed after his £60 million (RM324m) move in the summer of 2023 and has already been linked to Real Madrid. However, his agent Matyas Esterhazy said this week they were “not looking outside or else where”. Liverpool are still awaiting a final diagnosis on the foot injury sustained by Wataru Endo, another midfielder who was asked to play at right-back due to ongoing issues. The Japan international has been a fringe

season as he has been the driving force of the side. Andy Robertson, 32 next month, is currently vice-captain but is out of contract in the summer and his future remains in doubt. And while insisting that it’s “all on the man ager” when asking whether Szoboszlai could potentially inherit the Liverpool armband, Van Dijk said: “Obviously he has been very good. Also a player who I think can still make the next step in terms of being a leader for this team. “It starts by leading by example and that’s something he has done so far this season. “But also everything around it; there is still progress to be made and that’s a good thing in

Rooney explains why Carrick ‘makes sense’ urged Manchester United to consider interim manager Michael Carrick for the permanent role, arguing that his former teammate offers a crucial calming influence and deep understanding of the club. Carrick stepped into the caretaker position in early January following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim. United’s all-time leading goals corer believes Carrick could be the figure to finally bring stability to Old Trafford. Speaking on The Overlap , Rooney stated: “We’ve been there and tried different managers – (Jose) Mourinho, (Louis) van Gaal, (Erik) ten Hag and (Ruben) Amorim – and for me Carrick makes sense.” He elaborated on his reasoning, adding: “Not because we’ve played together and we’re friends, but because he is a real calming influ ence. “Having someone there who knows the club and cares for the club makes a big difference. Michael is managing the whole squad and managing them well.” Carrick’s tenure began with an impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford, fol lowed by a 3-2 win against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. His strong start, which includes four wins and a draw in his first five matches, has seen United climb into the Premier League’s top four. Rooney highlighted Carrick’s impact beyond the starting XI: “The players who are starting, they’re fine you don’t have to manage them, but the other lads – we’ve seen the impact on (Matheus) Cunha, (Benjamin) Sesko, (Harry) Maguire, (Lisandro) Martinez. He’s having an impact on the whole squad and foot ball club.” He concluded by suggesting that the club often overlooks internal tal ent in favour of external appoint ments. “Sometimes we’re quick to over look what’s right there in front of you and say we’ve got this manager from Turkey or from Spain, who is going to come in and do this, when they have no interest in the football club. “At least (with Carrick) this will give the foundations for the club to keep building, when in two or three years’ time the infrastructure will be back at the club.” – The Independent Ű BY MARK WALKER WAYNE ROONEY has

Premier League title race Do Arsenal or Man City have the easier run-in? T HE Premier League is build ing towards another thrilling run-in, as Arsenal and Manchester City face off in Ű BY JAMIE BRAIDWOOD Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta (left) and City’s Pep Guardiola in this season’s title race. – @fabriziorom/Instagram

the title race. After three second-place finishes in a row, Arsenal are bidding to finally end their 22-year wait for a League title under Mikel Arteta but yesterday’s draw against Wolves has cut the Gunners lead at the top to just five points. The Cityzens are once again fac ing competition from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who denied them in both 2023 and 2024, and can reduce their lead to just two points if they win their game in hand. Aston Villa, in third place under Unai Emery, are the closest challeng ers outside of the top two as the cam paign heads towards the final straight. Here’s how the crucial run-in is shaping up. It’s obviously the trip to Manchester City in mid-April, with just five more League games to fol low after that. Arsenal have not won at the Etihad since January 2015 and their title challenge went up in smoke there in a 4-1 thrashing in April 2023, before arguably playing too safe in a 0-0 draw in March 2024. Arsenal are in a good position to take a lead to the Etihad, though, and have shown they are made of stronger stuff under Arteta over the last couple of years: so a draw could be vital this time around. Potential banana skin? What about Everton? The Toffees admittedly have a woeful record at the Emirates, but they have the fifth best away record in the Premier League this season under David Moyes. Plus, it will fall in between the two legs of their Champions League last 16 tie, and a week before the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City. This is precisely the type of game where Arsenal can’t afford to take their eye off the ball. ARSENAL Played: 27 Points: 58 Toughest game?

Final straight? On paper, it’s looking good for Arsenal. In May, they will play Fulham and Burnley at home. Mid table Fulham will likely be in “noth ing to play for” territory while 19th placed Burnley could well be down by the penultimate weekend. West Ham, though, could be fighting for their lives, and Crystal Palace, too, could be dragged into danger by the final game of the sea son. Still, the Gunners might not have to play a top-half team in May.

final weekend of the season. Will Unai Emery’s side have Champions League qualification wrapped up by then, or could they even be in the title race? City could do with hoping Villa get to the Europa League final that midweek. VERDICT? This will be a run-in of two halves, with everything building up to the meeting between Manchester City and Arsenal in mid-April, and then everything that follows. But Arsenal’s fixtures before and then after going to the Etihad look more favourable than City’s, particu larly their final stretch. A crucial factor for both sides will be the other cup competitions and how their squad depth holds up: they will also meet in the Carabao Cup final on Match 22, and are both also through to the Champions League last-16 and FA Cup fifth round. – The Independent

“under the lights” at Elland Road, so a 5.30pm (1.30am Malaysian time) kickoff looks a real test. Chelsea are unpredictable but have risen to the occasion at home this season and Cole Palmer is start ing to come into form after an injury hit campaign. Potential banana skin? With Nottingham Forest looking for their third “new manager bounce” of the season – after Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche fell flat – could Vitor Pereira repeat last sea son’s wonders at Wolves by turning their form around and going on a winning run? Final straight? On paper, much tougher than Arsenal’s. Brentford and Bournemouth could be in the mix for European qualification over the final weeks of the season and City have to play them both in their final three games. Then, they host Aston Villa on the

MAN CITY Played: 26 Points: 53 Toughest game?

Pep Guardiola’s side have to be close to perfect before hosting Arsenal, so the two games that stand out are the away trips to Leeds and Chelsea. Leeds are unbeaten at home this season when playing