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Malaysian Paper

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Winning start for Iraola New Liverpool boss sees positives despite early injury setback for defender Gomez A NDONI IRAOLA began his reign as Liverpool manager with a 4-2 pre-season victory over Premier League new of Liverpool’s squad in recent seasons due to his versatility across the back line, and Iraola admitted losing him so early in pre-season was a major disap pointment. Despite the injury setback, Iraola will have been encouraged by the per formances of several players as Liverpool began adapting to his high intensity style following the departure of long-serving manager Arne Slot.

Negotiations ‘heat up’ as Romero transfer edges closer TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR’S summer shake up under the Lewis family looks set to rumble on, with Cristian Romero now emerging as the next major figure heading for the exit. The Argentina international’s agent, Ciro Palermo, has been spot ted in Milan as talks progress over a move to Inter, who are pushing hard to land the centreback after his standout World Cup campaign. Spurs are expected to part ways with their captain in the coming weeks, and Inter are currently viewed as frontrunners after hold ing discussions with his representa tive. Barcelona have also shown interest, though Romero’s valuation – reported at £42.7 million (RM222m), places them behind in the chase. His departure would represent the first significant, big money sale since Daniel Levy’s exit, aligning with the Lewis family’s pledge to reshape the club’s direction follow ing two turbulent seasons. Spurs narrowly escaped relega tion last season, 12 months after a 17th-placed finish, somewhat over looked by some following their Europa League triumph. While the club may not have faced genuine threat of the drop in 2024/25, last season’s performance was genuinely worrying and had it not been for Roberto De Zerbi’s arri val, Spurs could have found them selves competing in the Championship this term. At the conclusion of last season, the Lewis family issued a statement which read: “To the fans, as owners of 25 years, we have lived the highs and lows of Spurs with you. Finishing 17th this and last season does not reflect the stature or potential of this football club. “We are bitterly disappointed and share your frustration. You, and we, expect more than this. We knew this must never happen again. “Our approach to running the club is, and has been, to trust the experts to do that, while backing them to be successful. The prob lems we found were deeper than we realised and were allowed to build over the last few years. “We care deeply about Spurs. The rebuild the club needs, and you deserve, has begun. The change required is deep. It will take time and commitment, but change is happening. We know that actions will speak louder than words. The Lewis Family.” Thus far, the Lewis family have remained true to their promise and supported De Zerbi in the transfer market with the £100 million (RM520m) acquisition of Sandro Tonali, £85 million (RM442m) spent on Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United, and a £52 m (RM270m) deal for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke. Coupled with the shrewd free transfer additions of experienced duo Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, the club have moved swiftly to remedy last season’s shortcomings. – Express Newspapers

out playing with a shoulder injury, so I think we are going to take it easy with him,” Iraola said. “He will play probably the last game of this U.S. tour and he will have time to have minutes.” Liverpool continue their prepara tions for the new season with friendlies against Wrexham, Leeds United, AS Monaco and Como before opening their Premier League campaign away to Newcastle United on Aug 23. Although it was only a pre-season fixture, the win offered an early glimpse of the changes Iraola hopes to implement as Liverpool seek to chal lenge for major honours again. The result will provide confidence, but the extent of Gomez’s injury is now likely to be the club’s immediate con cern as they continue their prepara tions for the new season. – Reuters/Agencies

comers Sunderland yesterday, but the encouraging start was overshadowed by an early injury to defender Joe Gomez. Liverpool showed flashes of the attacking football Iraola is expected to bring to Anfield, with goals from Kieran Morrison, Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas securing victory in the Spaniard’s first match in charge. However, the afternoon took a wor rying turn when Gomez was forced off inside the opening 10 minutes after picking up an injury, handing Iraola an early setback ahead of the new cam paign. The 29-year-old England interna tional had been an important member

“A lot of things to correct, obviously, it’s the first day,” Iraola told Liverpool’s official website after the match. “You could feel the heavy legs, the players have been training. So, we lacked some freshness. But it will give us a good starting point to improve things.” While pleased with the result, the former Bournemouth boss said Gomez’s injury was the biggest con cern to emerge from the match. “Probably the worst news has been straight away the injury of Joe,” he said. “We were happy because we were kind of going through all the training without losing any player. Unluckily for us, straight away we’ve lost Joe.”

Youngster Morrison opened the scoring before midfielder Szoboszlai doubled the lead. Italy international Chiesa added a third before academy graduate Koumas completed the scor ing, with Sunderland managing two goals in reply. Iraola also provided an update on French defender Jeremy Jacquet, whose first season at Liverpool was dis rupted by a shoulder injury before making his summer move to Anfield. The Spaniard said the club would not rush the centre-back back into action after his lengthy spell on the sidelines. “He has been a lot of months with

Arsenal eyeing shock Vinicius Jr deal

ARSENAL are exploring a sensational move for Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior (pic) as manager Mikel Arteta looks to add another marquee signing to his Premier League champions. According to the Press

Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, Paris Saint Germain winger Bradley Barcola and RB Leipzig youngster Yan Diomande also on the club’s radar. The north London club had also targeted England international Morgan Rogers but were unwilling to match the British record £117 million Chelsea paid Aston Villa for the midfielder. Vinicius’future has become the subject of increas ing speculation since Mourinho’s appointment at Real Madrid. Their relationship has previously been strained after Mourinho, while managing Benfica, made controversial remarks following an incident in

Association, the Gunners have made enquiries about the Brazil international, whose future at the Bernabeu has become uncertain following Jose Mourinho’s return as Real Madrid coach. Vinicius, 26, has just one

which Vinicius accused Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him during a Champions League match. Mourinho had commented that “something happens, always” in matches involving Vinicius, remarks that drew criticism. Prestianni was later banned for six matches after admitting he had used homophobic language towards the Brazilian. Arsenal have already com pleted the permanent signing of defender Piero Hincapie after his successful loan spell and added goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer from Leeds United as Arteta continues to reshape his squad following last season’s Premier League title triumph. While Arsenal’s interest in Vinicius is still in its infancy, the

year remaining on his contract, raising the prospect that Real could consider selling the winger this summer rather than risk losing him on a free transfer next year. Any deal remains at an early stage, with no formal offer made, but Arsenal are monitoring the situa tion closely as they seek to strengthen an already formidable squad. The Brazilian enjoyed

another outstanding season, scoring 22 goals for Real Madrid while adding four more for Brazil during the World Cup. Arteta is keen to add elite

attacking quality despite Arsenal already bolstering their forward line with the £34 million signing of Greece winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge earlier this week. Vinicius is among several high-profile for wards being considered by Arsenal, with

possibility of one of world football’s biggest stars becoming available has handed the Premier League champions an unexpected opportunity to make one of the biggest transfers of the summer. – The Independent/Agencies

Howe uncertain if Guimaraes will stay amid Gunners interest NEWCASTLE MANAGER Eddie Howe admitted on Saturday he does not know if Bruno Guimaraes will stay with his club amid interest from Premier League champions Arsenal. But Arsenal’s mooted interest in Guimaraes is providing a headache for Howe, who lost Alexander Isak to Liverpool after a protracted transfer saga last year. World Cup. “I don’t know what’s going to hap pen with Bruno’s future. That’s for other people to, one, speculate about, but also conversations that I’m not part of.”

Morgan Rogers. But Howe is hopeful Newcastle captain Guimaraes will opt to stay at St James’ Park. “There’s nothing to say Bruno won’t be back training with us. You’ve got to look at it in its own right,” he said. “Bruno is the captain of our football club. He’s been an unbelievable player and person all through the time we have worked together. “I speak on behalf of everyone at the football club. We absolutely love him and, of course, everyone will want him to stay.” – AFP

Isak effectively went on strike, refus ing to take part in Newcastle’s pre-sea son preparations 12 months ago, in a bid to force through his move to Anfield. Arsenal are keen on Guimaraes after opting not to match Chelsea’s bid in their British record £117 million (RM608m) swoop for England forward

Speaking after Newcastle’s 1-1 draw in a pre-season friendly at Gateshead Howe said: “We don’t want to lose our best players “I’ve spoken to him (Guimaraes) as I would do. Bruno is just a fantastic per son. We’ve had some really good con versations, both before the World Cup, during the World Cup and after the

Brazil midfielder Guimaraes is reportedly the subject of a £70 million (RM364m) offer from Arsenal. Guimaraes is currently on holiday after Brazil’s World Cup last 16 defeat against Norway earlier in July. The 28-year-old is set to return to Newcastle on Friday ahead of the club’s pre-season training camp in Spain.