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Inter Miami midfielder Federico Redondo has been sidelined for up to eight weeks after injuring his knee upon his return from Argentina duty.

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Redondo suffers LCL injury for Inter MiamiSidelined for 6-8 weeksReliance on Busquets during absenceWHAT HAPPENED?

After arriving shortly after the start of the MLS season, the son of Real Madrid legend Fernando Redondo signed with the Herons on a multi-year deal that saw them send a fee of $8 million to Argentinos Juniors.

He made four appearances across all competitions for the Herons before joining the the Albiceleste U-23's for the March international break, but upon his return he suffered the problem. In a release, Miami said: "Redondo has suffered an injury to his left lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and is expected to be sidelined for approximately eight weeks."

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A silky midfielder on the ball, Redondo was ironically labelled a Sergio Busquets regen before his arrival at South Beach, where he's now teammates with the Spanish legend.

The 21-year-old's injury, which could see him sidelined for two months, will force the ex-Barcelona great to step up even more. However, the timing of Redondo's absence aligns with the return of another star off the injury table, with USMNT prospect Benjamin Cremaschi returning to first-team training this past week. Regardless, Redondo's absence will be felt, and it's now up to Busquets to occupy the defensive midfielder role for the Herons until his return.

DID YOU KNOW?

Redondo's father, Fernando, made 165 appearances across all competitions for Los Blancos in Spain, scoring four goals.

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The Herons host NYCFC this weekend in Eastern Conference action, and with both Redondo and Lionel Messi sidelined, Inter Miami will be without two of their biggest stars. However, a new arrival at the South Beach club this week in defender Marcelo Weigandt could spark them to life at the weekend.

Lancashire have been relegated to Specsavers County Championship Division Two after they failed to secure a third batting bonus point against Hampshire

ECB Reporters Network25-Sep-2018
ScorecardLancashire have been relegated to Specsavers County Championship Division Two after they failed to secure a third batting bonus point against Hampshire, although they remain on course for victory.Lancashire needed to reach a minimum of 300 and beat Hampshire, while elsewhere requiring Nottinghamshire to fall short 200 – which they did – and then lose to Somerset at Trent Bridge. But after Fidel Edwards blasted through the tail with the second new ball they fell 27 runs short of the 300 mark and their demotion to the second tier was confirmed.Next season will therefore be the first time since 2015 that Lancashire will play their cricket in Division Two. On that occasion they only spent one year in the second before they were immediately promoted back to Division One.They join Worcestershire in dropping down this season, although they remain on top of their clash at the Ageas Bowl, restricting Hampshire to 178 for 8 – a lead of just 92.Rob Jones had brilliantly batted Lancashire in the right direction to stay up with a morning half-century. Jones, who had come into the game with an average of less than 10 in seven Championship innings this season, added 84 runs with Dane Villas for the sixth wicket, after Liam Livingstone had been yorked by Edwards, his 50th scalp of the season, in the second over of the day.But after a classy, attacking fifty, Jones departed two overs after lunch when Ian Holland had him lbw – the Australian’s third wicket in figures of 3 for 48.That left Lancashire needing 59 from the last three wickets, and Josh Bohannon and Tom Bailey kept the score ticking until the second new ball. But on 273, Kyle Abbott and Edwards reconvened and took three wickets between them to send the visitors down.Abbott needed just three deliveries to find Bohannon’s outside edge, with Joe Weatherley taking a good catch at third slip. Former West Indies fast bowler Edwards then sealed Lancashire’s fate by bowling Bailey with a fierce full ball before Saqib Mahmood was lbw two balls later.The difficulties of batting on a bowler-friendly pitch, despite blue skies above, were proven by Hampshire’s upper order. With a first-innings deficit of 86, Hampshire lost Oli Soames to a fine head-high catch by Vilas at second slip, before Joe Weatherley was caught behind – both off the bowling off Richard Gleeson.That brought Jimmy Adams to the crease for his final innings in first-class cricket, accompanied by warm applause from the crowd and away team players. He rode his luck when he was dropped by Jones at second slip on 2, before departing lbw for 13, and ending on 14,145 first-class runs.Adams was given a guard of honour by his Hampshire team-mates before hugging his father on his way to the dressing room for the last time as a professional batsman.Bohannon then took three wickets to leave the hosts 88 for 6. The bowler had Sam Northeast lbw to the fifth ball after tea, James Vince caught behind and then, a ball later, Holland bowled.Liam Dawson and Lewis McManus added 43 for the seventh wicket to start a recovery, before the former was strangled down the leg side.Gareth Berg was caught at second slip but Kyle Abbott and McManus guided Hampshire to the close eight down.

The first round of the 2018 NCL had an unprecedented 13 centuries, but the Khulna batsman’s twin centuries against Rajshahi stood out

Mohammad Isam04-Oct-2018Best batsmenTushar Imran stood out among the 12 centurions in the opening round of the 2018 National Cricket League, with his twin centuries against Rajshahi Division in difficult circumstances, while Rony Talukdar and Ariful Haque racked up double-hundreds.Tushar nearly accounted for half of Khulna Division’s 210 all out with his first-innings 104. It wasn’t until the arrival of the No. 9 Nahidul Islam, with whom he added 88, that he found support. Tushar followed it up with 159, with the help of 21 fours and a six, as Khulna fought hard to earn a draw. He added 250 runs for the third wicket with Anamul Haque, who also started the season with a century.In Fatullah, Rony’s third double-hundred came in Dhaka Division’s second innings, in which he and Abdul Mazid shared a Bangladesh first-class record opening stand of 350 runs. They beat the previous best of 341 runs between Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mizanur Rahman from the 2017-18 NCL. Rony made 228 off 252 balls with 18 fours and seven sixes.Ariful’s 231 was his maiden double-century, which arrived with the help of 21 fours and four sixes in a near-eight-hour stay at the crease in Bogra. In the same match, Barisal’s No. 3 Fazle Mahmud missed out on a double ton, perishing on 195, having spent more than eight hours, and 424 balls while hitting 18 fours and three sixes.Best bowlersThe best news to come out of the bowlers’ camp was legspinner Jubair Hossain’s five-wicket haul against Dhaka Division, his first five-for in four years. Jubair had been a neglected figure in Bangladesh cricket ever since he burst on to the scene in 2014.He played only a single first-class game last season, and largely spent the Dhaka Premier League List-A competition on the bench. In a bid to revive his career, Jubair has been working with a legspin bowling coach in the last six months.Among the fast bowlers, Shahadat Hossain took his best match figures in ten years, finishing with 8 for 106 against Chittagong, and Shafiul Islam took a five-wicket haul in the first innings against a strong Khulna batting side.Meanwhile, Afif Hossain doubled his first-class wickets tally with a seven-wicket haul against Rajshahi. Having dismissed Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Junaid Siddique in the top-order, he removed the last five wickets, although Rajshahi had a healthy 352-run lead.Best matchRajshahi Division knocked down Khulna Division, the defending champions, for 210 in their first innings in Rajshahi, a body blow for the side that has won the last three NCL tournaments.Rajshahi’s reply with the bat was even better, as they took a 342-run lead having posted 552 in the first innings. Mizanur Rahman and Jahurul Islam struck centuries, and with several substantial partnerships throughout the innings, Khulna had little respite.But their powerful batting line-up responded to the deficit superbly, with Anamul Haque and Tushar Imran putting together 250 runs for the third wicket and taking the fight into the fourth day with eight wickets intact. Even after they fell in the space of four overs, Soumya Sarkar struck a quickfire century, only his second in first-class cricket and one that came after more than two years.Khulna fought back hard and finished the game with 2.5 points. Rajshahi took 4.8 points, but they would treat this game as an opportunity lost.Points to noteTwelve batsmen scored 13 centuries in the NCL’s first round, an unprecedented start to a cricket season in Bangladesh. Almost the entire front-row of the country’s first-class batsmen made good starts.The bowling, however, wasn’t as impressive, with only two fast bowlers, Shahadat and Shafiul, standing out with wickets. The usual cast of left-arm spinners took five-wicket hauls, although Jubair’s first five-for in four years was a point of interest.Players to watchAmong the Bangladesh players who were part of the Asia Cup squad, Soumya Sarkar and Nazmul Islam stood out with a century and five-wicket haul respectively.The national selectors would also look at Anamul Haque (who was dropped from the Asia Cup squad), Mizanur Rahman, Abdul Mazid and Shadman Islam for Bangladesh’s opening slot, as all four struck centuries.Naeem Islam and Jahurul Islam also reminded the selectors about their form with centuries, while Sohag Gazi started the season with a century and four wickets in the match.

Coventry City have failed to get going this season after falling at the final promotion hurdle last campaign, Luton Town clinching an unbelievable promotion at the expense of the Sky Blues at Wembley in the second-tier playoff final – Mark Robins' men cruelly losing out on the lottery of penalties.

Losing key individuals in the form of Victor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer was always going to impact Robins' side, Coventry only winning three wins of their first 16 second-tier matches this campaign since the ex-star duo departed the west Midlands outfit.

Robins could well look to the January transfer window as an opportunity to significantly strengthen his faltering side, with this predicted Sky Blues lineup not out of the realms of possibility if everything goes to plan…

1 GK – Ben Wilson

Wilson has had a tricky last few matches in goal for the underperforming Sky Blues, dropped from Robins' first-team plans altogether last time out in a goalless draw versus Stoke City.

The experienced shot-stopper will hope he's picked by his manager again for Championship contests to come, responding to recent poor performances to become a reliable figure again in between the sticks.

2 RB – Joel Latibeaudiere

Plying his trade more commonly as a centre-back throughout his career, the 23-year-old since relocating to the CBS Arena has been switched to a right-back position frequently for his new employers.

Making an appearance in all 16 Coventry games so far this season in the second tier, Latibeaudiere will stick in this right-back spot for his side for the immediate future especially if Robins decides to add more bodies in central defence.

3 CB – Cameron Humphreys

Previously in the running for the current Rotherham United defender before he relocated to the Millers last year, Coventry could reignite interest in the 25-year-old defender to take advantage of the South Yorkshire's side current predicament.

The Sky Blues do ideally need fresh legs in defence – shipping 21 goals in 16 second-tier games to date – so a deal for Humphreys could be back on the table.

Rotherham could, however, seek some comfort in the fact that their former Manchester City man is currently sidelined with a hamstring knock, meaning Robins might not risk pursuing the 25-year-old again this January.

4 CB – Bobby Thomas

Purchased this summer alongside regular centre-back partner Liam Kitching who drops out of his predicted eleven, Thomas has performed adequately for the Sky Blues to date since leaving Burnley behind.

Last time out versus Stoke, Thomas was resolute and brave from the back to shore up his side to pick up a rare clean sheet – winning four of his five aerial duels on the day per Sofascore.

5 LB – Jake Bidwell

Going into his third straight season at Coventry, Bidwell should be retained in the starting eleven in January even with the allure of the transfer window tempting Robins to bolster his full-back personnel.

Bidwell hasn't started very many games for the Sky Blues this season, but he could see his minutes increase after an impactful display versus the Potters last time out – accurate with five of his 12 crosses in the match per Sofascore, the expansive full-back attempting to help his side break the deadlock in the 0-0 stalemate.

6 CDM – Josh Eccles

Eccles' importance for the Sky Blues has significantly increased ever since the exit of Hamer, the west Midlanders needing a new hero centrally after Hamer departed for the Blades.

Coventry's number 28 has been remarkably consistent for Robins' men this season in a campaign where the Sky Blues haven't hit the heights expected of them collectively.

Eccles has managed an average 7.28 Sofascore rating from all Championship encounters so far, a standout display coming against Rotherham United recently with Eccles winning four tackles at the New York Stadium.

7 CDM – Ben Sheaf

Similar to holding midfield partner Eccles in his overall game on the pitch, Sheaf will also retain his spot even if Robins is on the hunt for a new midfield face in January.

Amassing a staggering 100 touches at Deepdale versus Preston as per Sofascore, Sheaf was also excellent in forays forward for his team with five of his seven dribble attempts paying off.

8 RM – Ellis Simms

Deployed as an unorthodox winger option versus Alex Neil's men in Championship action last time out, Simms could be a regular option down the channels in the weeks to come for his pace and forward-thinking attitude on the ball.

The ex-Everton man has only netted twice since making the move to the CBS Arena official in the summer, but the 22-year-old will stay and has aspirations that he can morph into a reliable goalscorer for the Sky Blues soon even from down the wing.

9 CAM – Callum Styles

Callum Styles is a man the Sky Blues should consider signing to potentially replace the aforementioned Hamer. Indeed, he could well be the man for Coventry in central attacking midfield if Robins utilises the 4-2-3-1 formation consistently, the Hungary international itching for second-tier football after finding himself stuck in Barnsley quarters.

Styles' ceiling is arguably above League One, and with Jamie Allen failing to impress this campaign for Robins' performers, the current Tykes number 20 could be a like-for-like swap if a potential move is back on the cards.

10 LM – Haji Wright

Wright has needed time to bed himself into the Coventry squad, the American attacker showing signs of promise in recent matches with two goals scored up against Preston in a 3-2 defeat when played up top.

However, Wright was also equally effective down the left-hand side up against Stoke – unlucky not to break the deadlock, skewing two opportunities wide as per Sofascore.

The Portuguese is just 38 years of age but is presently closing in on a second Primeira Liga title in four seasons

Spare a thought for Sporting CP fans right now. As soon as Jurgen Klopp announced his decision to step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season, they knew what was coming: incessant speculation over the future of their own coach, Ruben Amorim.

That's just how it works. Every time a top job in England becomes available, Amorim's name gets mentioned. He has previously been linked with – and in some cases courted by – Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea. It was absolutely inevitable that he would be touted as a potential Klopp successor.

And the annoying thing for Sporting supporters is that the speculation has only intensified since Xabi Alonso expressed his intention to stay at Bayern Leverkusen for another year. The Spaniard was considered Liverpool's top target, but he's now been removed from the shortlist.

Amorim is still on it, though, and although he is likely to face stiff competition for the vacancy from Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, the interest in the Portuguese's services might actually materialise into a move this time around. Consequently, Sporting supporters are now seriously worried about losing the coach that they initially didn't want…

Getty Sporting's Nagelsmann

Amorim first came to the attention of Europe's elite after ending Sporting's 19-year Primeira Liga title drought in 2021. It was an amazing achievement, given Benfica and Porto's dominance of the Portuguese top flight, and made all the more remarkable by the fact that the championship-winning coach was just 36 years of age at the time.

Sporting, it seemed, had found their very own Julian Nagelsmann, and club president Frederico Varandas couldn't have been more chuffed with himself, because many pundits and fans had questioned – and in many cases criticised – the decision to hire Amorim.

Firstly, there was the fact that he had spent the majority of his playing career, during which he was capped 14 times by Portugal, at Sporting's hated Lisbon rivals Benfica. Secondly, he was, as his age would suggest, incredibly inexperienced. He had only previously worked at third-tier Casa Pier, where he stood down after being suspended over lacking the required coaching credentials, and Braga, first with the club's reserves and then the senior squad.

Thirdly, and most significantly of all, Sporting had to hand over €10 million ($12m) to secure his services – which made him the third-most expensive coach in the world, after Andre Villas-Boas and Brendan Rodgers (Nagelsmann and Graham Potter have since moved to the top of that particular list, pushing Amorim down to fifth).

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The fee incensed supporters, believing it to be the latest demonstration of Sporting's perceived wastefulness. Amorim, after all, had only been in charge of Braga's first team for 13 matches, following the December 2019 sacking of Ricardo Sa Pinto. He did win 10 of them, though, including a shocking League Cup final win over Porto, and Braga's first away win over Benfica in 65 years.

By that stage, Sporting had seen enough to convince them that Amorim was the man to put them back on top of Portuguese football – and they were right, with the midfielder-turned-coach proving money very well spent.

He didn't get off to a particularly promising start, with Sporting failing to win any of their final three games of the coronavirus-affected 2019-20 season to lose third place in the Primeira Liga table to Braga – of all teams. However, when Sporting beat Amorim's former club in January 2021, they were already romping towards the title.

It was all so surprising. Porto and Benfica had both spent big during the summer of 2020; by contrast, Sporting, because of their financial difficulties, had been forced to put their faith in youth academy products such as Nuno Mendes and Goncalo Inacio, as well as a smattering of shrewd signings including Pedro Goncalves (€6.5m/$8m) as well as Joao Mario and Pedro Porro, both of whom arrived on loan, from Inter and Manchester City, respectively.

An early and embarrassing 4-1 loss to Austrian outfit LASK in the play-off round of the Europa League did not bode well, but the work done by Amorim during his first pre-season at the Estadio Jose Alvalade began to bear fruit.

Getty Almost-invincible

Sporting effectively counter-attacked their way to the title, relying on an outstanding defensive unit led by captain Sebastian Coates (formerly of Liverpool) and protected by the brilliant ball-winning midfielder Joao Palhinha to frustrate the life out of opponents, before hitting them on the break with quick vertical transitions that were often finished off by versatile attacker Goncalves, who hit 23 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions.

Wing-backs Mendes and Porro, who hit the winner in the League Cup final win over Braga, provided the width in Amorim's 3-4-3 formation, but also played pivotal roles in the backline that conceded just 20 goals.

Sporting's system worked so well, in fact, that they came desperately close to going the whole season undefeated, only losing for the first time in their penultimate game, against Benfica, four days after the title had been clinched.

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The following season, Sporting pipped Borussia Dortmund to second spot in their Champions League group, and although they suffered a 5-1 aggregate loss to Manchester City in the last 16, Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Amorim ("one of the best coaches around at the moment") and his players (Matheus Nunes, in particular).

He further enhanced his reputation in England by taking four points off Tottenham in the group stages of the 2022-23 Champions League, before knocking out Arsenal out of the Europa League. All of those impressive European results were achieved while Sporting continually sold their most promising players, from Mendes to Nunes. In spite of the talent drain, though, Amorim's team has evolved. While they no longer concede fewer goals than Benfica and Porto, they score far more.

Coates and Inacio, who are both integral to the way in which Sporting build from the back, are serious threats in the opposition box, Goncalves is still a constant threat while Paulinho has proven a reliable source of goals since being prised away from Braga in 2021.

The key, though, was last summer's acquisition of Viktor Gyokeres, the former Coventry City striker who is now attracting attention from all across Europe with his record of 36 goals in 39 competitions. The Swede is obviously the focal point of the attack, but he regularly drifts wide and switches positions with wingers Marcus Edwards and Francisco Trincao in what is a very fluid forward line.

USMNT goalkeeper Drake Callender committed a horrific error in Inter Miami's Champions Cup clash with Rayados to give the Liga MX side an early lead.

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Inter Miami fall to CF Monterrey in CCCCallender's error starts collapseHerons exit tournament in embarrassing fashionWHAT HAPPENED?

Callender received the ball in his own box and was given plenty to offload the ball, but somehow blundered the situation. The 26-year-old took far too much time in his area, eventually playing a lackadaisical pass forward to Sergio Busquets outside the box.

However, the ball lacked pace and instead landed at the feet of Vazquez just yards from Callender, with the Rayados striker slotting home in composed fashion.

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This was the second-straight evening of CONCACAF Champions Cup action where an MLS Goalkeeper who represents the USMNT committed a horrific error. Columbus Crew shotstopper Patrick Schulte conceded a nearly identical goal Tuesday evening for the Crew against Tigres, but lucky for the 23-year-old, he made up for it by standing on his head in an eventual penalty shootout to see his team through to the semifinals.

Callender and the Herons, however, couldn't replicate the Crew's performance against their Mexican opposition. Rayados won 3-1 on the day (5-2 agg.), advancing to the semifinals and sending Miami home with their heads down.

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The Herons will take on MLS side Sporting Kansas City in league action at the weekend. The highly anticipated match will take place in front of an expected crowd of 70,000 at Arrowhead Stadium – home of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Manchester United have set their sights on bringing a defensive gem to Old Trafford and are attempting to fend off competition from Liverpool among others for his signature, according to reports.

Man Utd's transfer activity…

In the near future, the Red Devils could be set for some big changes behind the scenes that could alter the landscape of their approach to life both on and off the field, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe close to purchasing a minority 25% stake in the Premier League giants.

According to a report from The Sun, Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo and Sporting Club's Goncalo Inacio are being lined up by Ratcliffe's new regime, who have also green-lit the sale of France international Raphael Varane amid his recent struggle for form. Erik ten Hag could be set to offload the former Real Madrid man to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich; however, his £340,000 per week wage may prove to be a stumbling block if he is to depart Old Trafford for Germany.

As per A Bola via Sport Witness, Man United have also acted to make exploratory contact with Benfica to find out the potential conditions for a deal involving midfielder Joao Neves. Nevertheless, Benfica won't let the 19-year-old leave in January, meaning the only way he will be able to speak to other clubs is if an interested suitor triggers his €120m release clause. The Portuguese giants are keen to keep hold of Neves as they believe he can play a huge role in their push for the Primeira Liga title.

Now, it appears that Ten Hag has his focus on bringing in a defender at Old Trafford to bolster his squad for the long term, according to a report.

Man Utd look to beat Liverpool to Sam Curtis

90min report that Manchester United have entered the race to sign St Patrick's Athletic full-back Sam Curtis in January, who is just 17 years old and also happens to be attracting interest from Liverpool.

Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Hull City, Middlesbrough, Leeds United and Celtic are also tuned into his situation and could look to strike a deal for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 wonderkid, as dubbed in the report, who registered three goals and three assists in 39 appearances this term (Curtis statistics – Transfermarkt).

Named in the PFAI Team of the Year, Curtis could also help to scratch an itch for the Red Devils in the long run, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka being courted by West Ham United and appears to have an uncertain future at Old Trafford, with his contract set to expire at his current employers in the summer of 2024.

There is an option to extend his deal by a year that United could elect to activate; however, it remains to be seen how his situation in the North West will be resolved. Although Curtis probably wouldn't be signed straight away as a first-team player, he is making rapid progress and is reportedly in line to receive a call-up for the Republic of Ireland senior team in the near future.

The Red Devils could do with strengthening the right-hand side of defence and may not want to lose out on a chance to snap up a prodigious talent, especially when Liverpool are lurking as an alternative potential destination for Curtis to continue his development.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama is also back in the squad, while Kaushal Silva has missed out

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Nov-2018Batsman Lahiru Thirimanne has been recalled into Sri Lanka’s Test squad, with wicketkeeper-batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama also picked in the 17-strong outfit heading to New Zealand for two Tests in December.Dinesh Chandimal, who missed the last two Tests of the recent series against England with a groin strain, is back to lead the side. His deputy is the opener Dimuth Karunaratne, who has been elevated to vice-captaincy ahead of fast bowler Suranga Lakmal, who led Sri Lanka in Chandimal’s absence against England.The only major omission is that of offspinner Akila Dananjaya, who is awaiting the results of his biomechanics test, having been reported for a suspect action. Also failing to find a place in the squad is opener Kaushal Silva, who produced four modest innings in the recent series against England. Danushka Gunathilaka, who also had a poor Test at the SSC, and has been in various disciplinary scrapes over the past 18 months, has been selected, however.The composition of the five-member seam-bowling contingent is largely as expected. Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara, who had both impressed in the West Indies, are in the squad. Dushmantha Chameera, who had a good tour of New Zealand in 2015, has been chosen as well. Senior seamers Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep are in the squad as well. Pradeep has not played a Test for over a year, but that has largely been down to injury concerns rather than form reasons.Thirimanne, who had had an extended poor stretch before being dropped in 2017, makes his way back into the squad via runs for Sri Lanka A. He had been the highest scorer in the A team tour to Bangladesh in July, having scored 347 runs at an average of 173.5, across four innings. The 23-year-old Samarawickrama, meanwhile, has not been in particularly prolific form in the high-profile domestic competitions this year, but has been picked largely on potential. He had played four Tests toward the end of 2017 and made a high score of 38.Sri Lanka Test squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera

After a challenging year, Liverpool supporters look ahead with optimism once again, with Jurgen Klopp's summer transfer activity paving the foundation for this season's exploits, which has so far hinted at a silver-laden crescendo.

As the campaign enters the winter period – a time that can so often shape and sculpt a side's narrative – Liverpool are third in the Premier League, two points off first-placed Arsenal, having topped their Europa League group with a game to spare and host West Ham United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals later this month.

Such feats have only been possible courtesy of the impressive midfield rebuild, with Klopp wiping away the scourge of last year's demise and replacing the engine room with a shinier, louder and meaner crop of players.

While the Reds would still be wise to complete the centre by signing a specialist No. 6, there's no inclination that this will take priority in January; Alexis Mac Allister has assumed the deep-lying role since joining in July.

Really, what should take precedence is the fortification of the backline, especially given that Ibrahima Konate is the only senior centre-back to have been signed on a permanent deal since Virgil van Dijk's transformative arrival in January 2018.

Liverpool transfer news – Jean-Clair Todibo

According to the Evening Standard, Liverpool are among the host of Premier League outfits eager to sign OGC Nice ace Jean-Clair Todibo in January, with the Frenchman among the finest defenders in Ligue 1 this season.

It's understood that Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are both monitoring the 23-year-old's situation, with all three suitors prioritising the augmentation of their backline.

Man Utd could sign a "super expensive" Harry Maguire upgrade

Ten Hag will be eyeing up a potential signing or two when the January transfer window opens

ByRoss Kilvington Oct 30, 2023

Nice have valued the centre-back at £39m and are competing against Paris Saint-Germain in the title race, and while Todibo would want assurances over his playing time, Liverpool will certainly be eager to add him to the fold.

Jean-Clair Todibo's style of play

Todibo would be a tailor-made fit for Klopp's system, bringing physicality, technical skill and a progressive nature to the Liverpool fold.

Considered to be a "Rolls-Royce" of a centre-back by journalist Antonio Mango, Todibo ranks among the top 8% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 18% for progressive passes, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 5% for tackles per 90, as per FBref.

Player

Club

Fikayo Tomori

AC Milan

William Saliba

Arsenal

Antonio Rudiger

Real Madrid

Sven Botman

Newcastle United

Andreas Christensen

Barcelona

*Sourced via Football Transfers

Such metrics underline his credentials as one of the finest ball-playing defenders around, something that has been embedded in him after his days as a Barcelona prospect.

And given Football Transfers' compilation of similar players, it's clear that he boasts the attributes necessary to succeed on English shores with a top-class team such as Liverpool.

The £22k-per-week titan has made some exceptional progress over the past few years and is now comfortably one of Ligue 1's biggest talents, with Todibo essential to Les Aiglon's efforts this season in challenging PSG and boasting the best defensive record, shipping just four goals from 13 matches.

Todibo has been crucial in this regard, starting 11 matches in the French top-flight, completing 90% of his passes, making two tackles and 2.8 clearances per game and succeeding with 88% of his dribbles and 62% of his duels, as per Sofascore.

A veritable "rock" at the back – as has been said by talent scout Jacek Kulig – Liverpool have to seal a swoop in 2024, inhibiting the development of divisional rivals and unearthing Joel Matip's dream heir, with the veteran defender's contract set for expiry at the end of the season.

Todibo is the perfect Joel Matip heir

The two-cap France international has earned his stripes in his homeland and now appears ready for a move to England, and while he clearly has options at his disposal, Matip's ostensible departure in June opens the door for his acquisition.

Matip, aged 32, has completed 200 appearances for the Anfield side since joining on a free transfer in 2016, and is undoubtedly one of the most distinctive and quirky centre-halfs in Europe.

Renowned for his blitzing, penetrative runs up the pitch, Matip's forays through the thirds have led his Liverpool affiliates to dub such endeavours the "classic Joel dribble", with the 6 foot 5 colossus ranking among the top 7% of centre-backs for shot-creating actions and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.

This style is not easily replicated in a defender but is something that Todibo could certainly emulate, with his aforementioned dribbling and progression statistics bespeaking his athletic and dynamic quality.

Because of this, Klopp must forge ahead with a move for the France star, providing him with a place and not relying solely on Jarell Quansah yet.

Quansah has been sensational since rising from the youth ranks and has made ten appearances this term, looking very much comfortable in front of – usually – Alisson's goal and undoubtedly touted for a starring role on Merseyside in the future, but he's not ready for that yet.

Statman Dave remarked that Todibo has "complete control" on the pitch and is exemplary when dictating the play, both catching the eye with his passing and progression on the ball.

Much like Matip, the 23-year-old is somewhat unorthodox as a central defender and would be the perfect replacement, with the Cameroonian undoubtedly departing Anfield a stalwart, crucial and reliable throughout the Klopp era.

Quansah is an exceptional talent and looks so comfortable in the rearguard, but he's still in the embryonic stage of his career and it might be unwise to entrust him with a starring role at this point.

By signing Todibo, Klopp can land an instant replacement while allowing Quansah to continue to hone his craft, only increasing Liverpool's chances of returning to the very forefront of European football. And staying there.

Danushka Gunathilaka was dropped after managing only 16 runs in four innings in New Zealand

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jan-2019Batsman Kusal Perera has returned to Sri Lanka’s Test squad for their two-Test series in Australia, which starts from January 24. Opener Danushka Gunathilaka, meanwhile, was dropped following scores of 1,3, 8 and 4 in New Zealand.Gunathilaka’s omission means Dimuth Karunaratne is set to have his third opening partner in as many series (Kaushal Silva had opened alongside him against England, in November). Kusal Perera may be among those vying for the opening spot, but Sadeera Samarawickrama and Lahiru Thirimanne are almost certain to be considered for the role as well, despite neither having played a Test in the last year.Angelo Mathews, who had been sidelined from the limited-overs series in New Zealand with a grade two strain in his left hamstring, has also been ruled out of the Australia Tests.Mathews’ injury aside, Kusal Perera’s inclusion is the only change from the Test squad that toured New Zealand. Kusal Perera’s recent Test form isn’t encouraging – he had only played three Tests in 2018, scoring 92 runs in six innings in the Caribbean. He did, however, show more impressive form in the ODI series in New Zealand, making 149 runs in three innings, including an excellent hundred, albeit in a losing cause.Bowlers Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep as well as batsmen Thirimanne and Samarawickrama have all been retained in the squad, despite not playing a Test in New Zealand. Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha and offspinner Dilruwan Perera comprise the remainder of the bowling contingent.The first Test in Australia begins on January 24 in Brisbane, with the second Test due to start on February 1 in Canberra.Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kusal Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha