All posts by h716a5.icu

The Reds have pulled off some remarkable wins during their German coach's nine-year stay at Anfield – GOAL counts down the greatest

It's still a little hard to believe but Jurgen Klopp is leaving Liverpool. The German manager has completely transformed the fortunes of a club he arrived at in October 2015, winning seven major trophies, including the Champions League and the Reds' first English title in three decades.

There have been so many remarkable results along the way, so many games in which Liverpool either overwhelmed opponents with their "full-throttle football" or proved themselves "mentality monsters" with stunning comebacks.

Below, GOAL counts down the most memorable matches of Klopp's incredible and unforgettable nine-year stay at Anfield. Fair to say, the man responsible for so many magical nights is going to be sorely missed on Merseyside…

Getty14Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool (August 27, 2023)

Nobody was entirely sure what to expect from Liverpool ahead of the 2023-24 season after the loss of some key leaders during the summer transfer window and a midfield overhaul that hadn't gone quite according to plan. A patchy performance on the opening day against Chelsea appeared to confirm that the Reds were a team in transition.

However, fans got their first sign that the "mentality monsters" were back when they came from a goal down to defeat Newcastle despite having been down to 10 men from the 28th minute following Virgil van Dijk's dismissal.

Klopp's in-game management had been key, with the manager making a couple of positive second-half substitutions, including the introduction of Darwin Nunez, who scored twice in the final nine minutes. "With 10 men, in my history, I have never had something like that at Newcastle, in this stadium with that atmosphere," Klopp told . "It is crazy!"

AdvertisementGetty 13Liverpool 4-3 Tottenham (April 30, 2023)

Klopp was absolutely fuming after seeing his side race into a 3-0 lead over Totteham at Anfield inside 15 minutes, only to drop off and concede an injury-time equaliser to Spurs striker Richarlison. Liverpool weren't done, though, with Diogo Jota deciding a ridiculous game in the hosts' favour with just seconds to go.

The Reds boss, who has never been a fan of referees, responded by running to celebrate in the face of the fourth official, but injured himself in the process, leaving him more than a little red-faced in his post-match interviews.

"I'm not sure if it's the hamstring," he explained to , "it could be the adductor. But I got punished. Little sins. I turned around for the celebration because the fourth official got nothing wrong the whole time. I didn't say anything bad, I just gave a look, which is bad enough. The hamstring or whatever the muscle [is] gave up in that moment. That's fair."

Getty 12Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool (November 2, 2019)

Liverpool's 10-month unbeaten run in the Premier League looked set to come to an end at Villa Park, with the hosts 1-0 up with just three minutes of normal time remaining thanks to Trezeguet's first-half strike. However, Andy Robertson headed home an equaliser before Sadio Mane nodded in Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner in the sixth minute of injury-time.

The victory restored Liverpool's six-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table and continues to be considered a pivotal moment in the club's first championship success for 30 years.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty 11Norwich City 4-5 Liverpool (January 23, 2016)

Klopp unsurprisingly found it tough going early on in his Liverpool tenure, as he attempted to clean up the mess left behind by Brendan Rodgers, and results weren't particularly good during those first few months at the helm.

However, it was clear that he was forming a special bond with his players during the crazy 5-4 victory at Carrow Road that saw Adam Lallana break Klopp's glasses during the spirited touchline celebrations that followed the attacking midfielder's 95th-minute winner against Norwich.

"Usually I have a second pair, but until now I couldn't find it because it's really difficult to look for glasses without glasses," Klopp joked afterwards.

There is a feeling that a hugely influential figure at Newcastle United could leave the club, according to a key update from journalist Ben Jacobs.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have had a disastrous season so far in truth, having struggled to replicate their brilliance in the Premier League and crashed out of the Champions League group stages.

Eddie Howe has been dogged by endless injuries to important players, and it has led to tiredness within the squad due to a lack of rest, and that has heightened the need for new signings to arrive in the January transfer window.

Newcastle have been linked with plenty of players, with VfB Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy an exciting target who has taken the German Bundesliga by storm this season, scoring 17 goals in just 14 appearances in the competition. A move for Kalvin Phillips also isn't out of the question, with the 28-year-old looking almost certain to leave Manchester City this month and a loan exit appearing to be most likely for the time being.

Meanwhile, sporting director Dan Ashworth is the man who has played a pivotal role in the Magpies' transfer business of late, having taken up the role just under two years ago, but a key update has now emerged regarding his future.

Dan Ashworth could leave Newcastle

Speaking to GiveMeSport, reporter Jacobs admitted that there is an increasing feeling "within the industry" that Dan Ashworth could leave Newcastle for pastures new, with Manchester United looking his most likely next destination.

He said: "The feeling within the industry is that an approach will come and the feeling within the industry is that Newcastle wouldn't stand in Ashworth's way if he wants to move. But Ashworth did an interview only a few months ago saying he's happy at Newcastle and he likes the project.

"But clearly what helps is not only Manchester United's history and the INEOS factor, because Ashworth knows them well, but also the fact that Newcastle may not be able to build on last season. So Newcastle qualifying [in] back-to-back seasons for [the] Champions League is one thing, but Newcastle ninth in the table, and not able to consolidate on last season, versus Manchester United with fresh new plans under INEOS might just tempt Ashworth."

This is clearly a concerning update for anyone of a Newcastle persuasion considering the impact that Ashworth has enjoyed at the club, having such a strong relationship with Howe and playing a key role in the signings of some wonderful players in a short space of time.

Former United defender and current Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has heaped praise on him in the past after bumping into him at a match, saying of the 52-year-old:

"He transformed the FA’s structure, set Brighton up for this incredible period of success and has now built a strong foundation for the new owners at Newcastle. He’s competent, highly qualified and knows what he’s doing. Will work with his coach, recruitment team and other departments coherently and calmly."

PIF eyeing Newcastle move to sign "incredible" Sunderland talent

The Magpies could make a return for an old target…

ByTom Cunningham Jan 5, 2024

Newcastle surely must do all they can to retain Ashworth's services given the superb job he has done, but if he feels the club are going backwards and wants to test himself at Old Trafford, it could be hard to keep him.

The Ashes hopefuls shared eight wickets between them as Victoria rolled the hosts to all but guarantee a home final at Junction Oval

Daniel Brettig14-Mar-2019Ashes hopefuls Peter Siddle and James Pattinson shared eight wickets between them as Victoria rolled New South Wales to all but guarantee a home Sheffield Shield final at Junction Oval after a low scoring affair in Sydney ended comfortably inside three days.Set 166 for victory, the Blues never recovered from the early strikes by Siddle and Pattinson with the new ball, as the latter plucked 5 for 25 on his return to the Victorian team from injury, while Siddle finished with six victims for the match.Pattinson’s speed and swerve were particularly striking, while Siddle’s reliability and experience made him the ideal counterpoint. Uncertain injury returns for Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have left the national selectors thinking more broadly in terms of their Ashes options, with Harry Conway’s swing and bounce also a feature of the match.The hosts slipped as low as 9 for 54 in their pursuit of the target before the captain Peter Nevill and the last man Steve O’Keefe added a last gasp 48 to briefly give the visitors something to worry about. However Scott Boland teased out O’Keefe to finish the match, and leave the Victorians a game clear of the rest on the Shield table, pending the outcome of Western Australia’s match against Tasmania in Hobart.

Bayern Munich Frauen star Georgia Stanway vowed to wrestle the DFB Pokal cup from Wolfsburg next season after a 2-0 final loss to their German rivals.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Bayern beat Wolfsburg to Bundesliga titleLose to German rivals in DFB Pokal finalStanway says they will come back strongerWHAT HAPPENED?

Less than a week on from retaining their Bundesliga crown ahead of Wolfsburg, their rivals exacted revenge on Stanway's side on Thursday in the cup in front of 44,400 fans at RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne. First-half goals from Jule Brand and Dominique Janssen secured the victory, something Lionesses ace Stanway and her side have vowed to bounce back from.

AdvertisementWHAT GEORGIA STANWAY SAID

She tweeted on X, formerly Twitter: "Massive massive thank you to all the fans yesterday! An atmosphere to remember…. We’ll be coming back for that one @FCBfrauen ❤️ Proud of our season so far, 2 more to go and time to celebrate the Deutscher Meister TOGETHER 🥳."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Bayern were aiming for a domestic double but Wolfsburg were deserved winners in the end. That result ended their unbeaten run in German football this season but they still won the league title and midfielder Stanway, 25, played a big part in that.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT?

Bayern round off their season with a home clash against lowly Nurnberg on Sunday afternoon, followed by a trip to fourth-placed Hoffenheim on May 20.

Mitchell Claydon took his tally of wickets to eight in the match but Somerset still harboured hopes of setting a testing target

Paul Edwards at Taunton07-Apr-2019Taunton folk have warm hearts. “Hello, my lovely!” says Lucy, joint-owner of Wickets, the finest café on the circuit, as she greets each customer. And next door is The World of Bears, which is not an outlet for merchandise linked to Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy but an altogether fluffier enterprise offering visitors “18,000 cuddles”. So let us hope both establishments have a hug ready for Somerset’s skipper, Tom Abell, should he drop in on Monday morning.Abell’s contributions to this game may seem modest but it is not so. By the game’s end he will probably have batted longer (four hours) and made more runs (79) than anyone else. Until Mitch Claydon took three wickets in 19 balls deep in Sunday’s final session, it seemed possible Abell’s 58-run partnership with Steve Davies – their second half-century stand of the match – would ensure Somerset set a formidable target. And even now, all is not settled. George Bartlett and Craig Overton’s unbroken 60-run alliance for the eighth wicket has given the hosts a lead of 133 and Bartlett’s confident cover-drive to Harry Podmore’s last ball of the day symbolised the game’s shifting balance. One doubts Kent will find it easy to chase anything above 150 on the final afternoon.Abell is a lovely bloke and a fine batsman who is young enough to become a much better one if he just concentrates a little more. He captains his team well and scampers after the ball with the enthusiasm of a spaniel in the bracken. His 49 was the highest score in Somerset’s first innings, a feat which hardly ranks with slaying the Stymphalian birds but revealed more application than anyone else displayed.On Sunday morning, Abell watched as his seamers bowled their side back into the match. He took a catch to get rid of the palpably dangerous Matt Renshaw and then early in the afternoon session took the last wicket himself after Kent had chiselled out a modest 38-run lead on first innings.Yet for a few absurd moments in the afternoon session it seemed that 38 might be just about enough to see Kent to victory in their first top division game in nine years. Operating from the River End, Darren Stevens brought one back off the seam to have Marcus Trescothick lbw and next over moved one away enough to take the edge of James Hildreth’s bat. Stevens possesses the craft of the ages but Trescothick’s bat was far from the ball and few home supporters wondered if they heard the sound of the boatman’s oar. Either way, it was the first time a bowler aged over 42 had dismissed a batsman over 43 in a County Championship since John Childs accounted for John Emburey at Chelmsford in 1996.Things got worse for Somerset before their deficit was cleared. Azhar Ali edged a good ball from Podmore to Zak Crawley at third slip and Eddie Byrom fenced fatally at the fourth ball of Matt Milnes’ first over to give a catch behind. Abell was on 8 when that wicket fell and Somerset were -6 for 4. Joined by Davies, a batsman whose totals have not always matched his ability, the captain remained as vigilant as a barn owl in daylight. This will be a low-scoring game, one in which every over has represented a tiny triumph to someone.The pair took their side to tea without further disaster and played a little more expansively on the resumption. The lead grew and some called the situation promising. The temperature rose, too, though it could hardly do otherwise. Encouragements to the Kent bowlers from their colleagues rang out across the County Ground but Davies cover-drove Podmore for two fours and hit him straight for three runs in the 31st over. Riches, indeed. Then five overs later Abell played a mimsy cut to a ball from Claydon he could well have left alone and Ollie Robinson took the catch. Davies and Lewis Gregory soon joined him in the pavilion. We thought Kent might be batting again at a time when some people are attending evensong but Bartlett and Overton resisted and there will be vital decisions for Abell to make tomorrow.Sunday’s late sunlight and balmy air contrasted sharply with the conditions that greeted the players when they had arrived at the ground some nine hours earlier. Yet the morning’s play showed how gloriously absorbing this championship can be. Kent scored 88 runs but lost five prime wickets and the cricket was so well contested it took one’s mind off the cheerless conditions. Late October, you might have said, and a bleak one, had you been standing outside and not glanced at the trees. The session was neatly bookended by Hildreth’s straightforward snare to get rid of Sean Dickson off Josh Davey for 43 and then by Trescothick’s brilliant two-handed reflex effort high above his head which accounted for Daniel Bell-Drummond 15 minutes before the interval.Bell-Drummond’s 84-ball 33 was an essay in restraint and his 47-run fifth-wicket stand with Heino Kuhn took up almost an hour of the session. The partnership ended when Overton nipped one between Kuhn’s bat and pad, then Alex Blake played a dreadful stroke somewhere between a cut and a drive but only edged the ball on to his off stump. That seemed a vital dismissal at the time and still does. Every wicket has mattered in this game and Mother Cricket is not done with it yet.

Manchester United could do with some new additions as they continue to navigate an inconsistent run of form and are reportedly eyeing up a high-profile swoop in 2024.

Man Utd's January plans…

Ending the year at the City Ground, Manchester United came up short against a resurgent Nottingham Forest side as Marcus Rashford's equaliser wasn't enough to claim anything in the East Midlands courtesy of strikes either side from Nicolas Dominguez and Morgan Gibbs-White.

Languishing seventh in the Premier League table, it is clear that Erik ten Hag's side could do with some reinforcements once the window opens to freshen things up at Old Trafford. Nonetheless, Red Devils' football director John Murtough revealed at a recent fans forum that his side aren't expected to be too busy in the mid-season market, saying:

"Looking ahead to the January transfer window, we are not expecting it to be particularly busy. There will always be the possibility of deals around the edges of the squad, particularly in terms of finding opportunities for players who are not playing as much football as they would like.

Serhou Guirassy

19th December

Nico Williams

19th December

Donyell Malen

8th December

Max Moerstedt

7th December

Timo Werner

1st December

"However, we've always been consistent in saying that we do not see January as the optimal time to do business and our recruitment strategy remains focused on summer windows."

Despite this, names of several players continue to be mentioned in connection with Manchester United as they prepare for a month of incomings and outgoings, with the likes of Mauro Icardi, Jean-Clair Todibo and Serhou Guirassy all believed to be on the radar in the North West. Now, the Red Devils are plotting a potential high-profile deal that could see one of Europe's best midfielders move to Ten Hag's side in 2024.

Man Utd keen on Joshua Kimmich

According to reports from Spain, Manchester United are keen to sign Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich in 2024, who is also being eyed by their rivals Liverpool. The outlet claim that Manchester City and Barcelona have been keen on the Germany international in the past; however, they won't go to insane lengths to land his services and United could make an offer next summer.

Joshua Kimmich key statistics in 2023/24 – Bundesliga (Sofascore)

Accurate passes per game

70.7 (90%)

Tackles won per game

2.0

Balls recovered per game

6.3

Expected assists

3.56

Big chances created

3

Average match rating

7.37/10

Versatile Kimmich is out of contract at the Allianz Arena in 2025 so could be sold on this summer if he doesn't renew his deal at the Bundesliga giants in light of the danger they would face of prospectively losing him on a free transfer.

Labelled "phenomenal" by Jose Mourinho, the Rottweil-born utility man has made 20 appearances in all competitions this season, registering one goal and six assists in the process (Kimmich statistics – Transfermarkt).

Manchester United are no stranger to a statement signing, though if they were able to pull off the capture of Kimmich it could be lauded as, on paper, an impressive deal for the Red Devils.

Arsenal have announced a contract extension for Stina Blackstenius, just a week after deciding to part ways with Vivianne Miedema.

Blackstenius commits her future to ArsenalHas scored 43 goals in 83 appearancesEidevall delighted with Blackstenius' extensionWHAT HAPPENED?

The Gunners offered a fresh deal to Blackstenius, whose initial contract was set to expire at the end of the season, with the forward having initially moved to north London in January 2022. With 43 goals in 83 appearances, she has established herself as a reliable and prolific scorer for the Gunners. She found the net in both of their League Cup final victories against Chelsea which has further endeared her to the fans.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The extension of Blackstenius’ contract comes just a week after Arsenal’s decision to let Miedema leave the club. Initially replaced in the centre-forward position by Blackstenius in the 2021-22 season, Miedema had to settle for a midfield role. However, her playing time became increasingly limited following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the 2022-23 campaign and the signing of Alessia Russo last summer.

WHAT BLACKSTENIUS & EIDEVALL SAID

“I’m so happy to have signed a new contract here at Arsenal,” Blackstenius said. “In the space of two-and-a-half years, this club has come to feel like home — that’s thanks to my team-mates and the staff of course, but most of all because of our wonderful supporters. There is such a special atmosphere around this club and we are all hungry to achieve more together. Your support means the world to me and I can’t wait to get back here to go again next season.”

Head coach Jonas Eidevall also shared his satisfaction with the new deal, emphasising Blackstenius’ overall contribution to the team. “Stina is a top-class striker and I’m delighted that she has signed a new deal with us," he said. "Her goalscoring naturally takes a lot of the focus, but Stina’s game is so much more than that. She’s incredibly hard-working and brings so much to the team with her clever running and physicality. I know she’ll continue to be a huge part of what we’re building here at the club."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Looking ahead, the contract extension is expected to bring stability and focus to Arsenal’s attacking strategy. With Blackstenius committed to the club, Eidevall can continue to build a formidable and effective offensive unit as they look to challenge for multiple honours in the 2024-25 season.

With the series decided, Headingley offers a final chance for those on the brink of World Cup selection to impress

The Preview by Alan Gardner18-May-2019Big PictureAny more for any more? As has become customary on the pristine one-day pitches of England – not so green and really quite unpleasant for bowlers – these two teams have served up an uninterrupted sequence of free-scoring frolics. This is currently the second-fastest scoring bilateral ODI series in history (minimum of three matches) and we can probably expect more of the same in the finale as both England and Pakistan conclude their World Cup preparations.The result is already a foregone conclusion, with England 3-0 up and extending an unbeaten run at home that stretches back to 2015 – or the year dot, as far as Eoin Morgan and his World Cup hopefuls are concerned. Everything else was pre-history, which is fitting given how often England have rewritten the record books since.Victory in Nottingham on Friday was not quite so straightforward, however, and but for a more clinical Pakistan fielding effort the series might still be alive. England have developed a machine-like reliability when chasing but they threatened to malfunction after Jason Roy had lit the path with a blazing hundred at Trent Bridge. Despite a collapse, England were able to regroup around Ben Stokes and launch a late sortie on the target as Pakistan’s nerve failed them.ESPNcricinfo LtdWinning when the going gets tough is a mark of an accomplished side, and doing so in the absence of captain Eoin Morgan and regular opener Jonny Bairstow – suspended and rested respectively – suggests a strong competitive spirit within the team. Jos Buttler, standing in for Morgan, said afterwards that it was a performance that boded well ahead of entering the pressurised environment of tournament play.Having seen his side rack up a third consecutive score in the region of 350 only to lose, Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed gave an obligatory nod to the positives in the form of Babar Azam’s immaculate hundred and a solid return to active service for veteran pair Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. Perhaps, too, he can console himself that very few teams at the World Cup will be able to reel in such big targets in the manner of England. But with questions still surrounding the exact make-up of Pakistan’s final 15, for a couple of players this could be the last chance to leave a positive impression.Form guideEngland WWWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Pakistan LLLLLIn the spotlightFew of England’s players know as much about fulfilling great expectations as Joe Root. The one concession to reliability over rock’n’roll in England’s batting order, Root pootles along at No.3 averaging 50 and scoring a century roughly every nine innings. A run of white-ball scores against Ireland and Pakistan comprising 7, 47, 40, 43, and 36 will be of concern to no one within the England set-up but the man himself would surely love to crack on for the big innings that takes him into the World Cup with a bounce.After a tough audition process, Pakistan’s pace bowlers may all be feeling a little nervy in the face of the World Cup guillotine. Mohammad Hasnain gave glimpses of his potential in an otherwise expensive outing at Trent Bridge, while Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi have managed six wickets between them, with economy rates between 7.01 and 8.15. With Mohammad Amir unscathed thanks to his bout of chicken pox – though currently outside the preliminary squad looking in – and only one match to go, natural selection may be about to take its course.Job done: Ben Stokes and Adil Rashid celebrate victory•Getty ImagesTeam newsTrevor Bayliss has said England will play their strongest team, which would mean Bairstow and Morgan returning, although the bowlers’ workloads will be monitored. Tom Curran’s performance with bat and ball could encourage further rest for Chris Woakes, while Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will hope to continue in their newly minted 90mph new-ball partnership. Roy’s young daughter is improving after being taken to hospital on Friday morning but the opener is unlikely to play* meaning another opportunity for James Vince.England: (possible) 1 Jonny Bairstow, 2 James Vince, 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Jos Buttler (wk) 6 Ben Stokes, 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Tom Curran/Chris Woakes, 9 Adil Rashid, 11 Jofra Archer, 11 Mark Wood.Imam-ul-Haq was forced off the field after being hit on the elbow at Trent Bridge, although he did come back to bat at the end of Pakistan’s innings. Sarfaraz described the injury as a “bit of a bruise”, although back-up opener Abid Ali is waiting for some game time if there are any concerns about Imam. Amir’s status after illness is less clear, and he could perhaps be forgiven for wanting to stay out of the firing line.Pakistan: (possible) 1 Imam-ul-Haq/Abid Ali, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Sarfaraz Ahmed (capt/wk), 6 Mohammad Hafeez, 7 Asif Ali, 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Hasan Ali, 10 Mohammad Hasnain, 11 Junaid Khan.Pitch and conditionsHeadingley generally loses some of its capricious edge for white-ball games, although India’s powerful line-up struggled to 256 for 8 there last year only for England to knock them off two down. In this season’s Royal London Cup, it is behind only Trent Bridge as the fastest-scoring ground, with runs coming at 6.81 an over. The forecast is for a cloudy day with minimal chance of rain and mild temperatures.Stats and trivia At Trent Bridge, Pakistan became the first team in ODI history to score 340-plus in three consecutive ODI innings; England then became the second. On their previous visit to Headingley, Pakistan again ran into Stokes as he top-scored in England’s tight, four-wicket win. Sunday’s match will see the unveiling of Headingley’s new Emerald Stand, the £34m redevelopment of the old Football Stand that was underway when Pakistan played a Test at the ground last year. Shoaib Malik is one appearance away from overtaking his namesake Saleem to become Pakistan’s fourth-most capped player.Quotes”You’ve got to find a way to win and we’re going to have situations where we play poorly during a phase of the game. We’ve managed to come out the other end of that and win.”

“The way we’ve fielded here in three matches is not up to the mark. We have to improve.”
*1900 BST – Story updated with news on Roy’s availability

The January transfer window has been open for business for over two weeks and Tottenham Hotspur have been one of the busiest sides in the division.

Ange Postecoglou has not wasted much time in going about his work to bolster the playing squad after a host of injury issues during the first half of the season.

Despite losing a number of key players, including James Maddison and Micky van de Ven, to injury, Spurs remain in the hunt to secure a top four finish in the Premier League.

Liverpool

1

20

45

Man City

2

20

43

Aston Villa

3

21

43

Arsenal

4

20

40

Tottenham

5

21

40

West Ham

6

20

34

They are now looking to build on their strong start and have snapped up two new recruits this month; Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig and Radu Dragusin on a permanent deal from Serie A side Genoa.

Spurs' search for a centre-forward

Tottenham, however, still lack an out-and-out number nine to consistently find the back of the net, since Harry Kane's departure to Bayern Munich last summer.

Richarlison, who has also been deployed in a wide role at times, has shown promise with six goals in his last six Premier League matches – to take his tally to seven in 18 outings.

However, the Brazil international has only scored 11 goals in 55 appearances for Spurs since his move from Everton and is yet to prove himself to be a reliable centre-forward for the club.

Football Insider recently claimed that Tottenham are one of a number of clubs considering a swoop to sign Santiago Gimenez from Feyenoord in the summer transfer window.

The outlet reported that Spurs, Arsenal, and Fulham are all eyeing up a possible deal to bring the Mexico international to the Premier League.

Although, it was also stated that West Ham are stepping up their efforts to snap up the lethal marksman this month as David Moyes looks to bolster his attack.

Football Insider claimed that it would take at least £30m, and possibly up to £40m, to secure his services and that Feyenoord would prefer to cash in on him in the summer, rather than sell to the Hammers midway through their 2023/24 campaign.

This suggests that Spurs are safe to wait until the end of the season to make their move for Gimenez and they may not be forced to accelerate their plans this month.

Whether it happens in January or the summer, Postecoglou could unearth his own version of Manchester City and Premier League star Erling Haaland in a swoop for the impressive finisher.

Erling Haaland's record-breaking brilliance

The Norway international returned to his country of birth at the start of last season when he was signed from Borussia Dortmund by Pep Guardiola.

Haaland had plundered an eye-catching 86 goals in 89 appearances for the German side in all competitions and there was no guarantee that he would be able to translate that outstanding form over to English football.

The Leeds-born superstar has done exactly that with a staggering 71 goals and 14 assists in 75 matches for the Cityzens over the past 18 months.

His debut season in England was an extraordinary one as the 23-year-old dynamo broke the record for the most goals in a single Premier League season with 36 goals in 35 matches during the 2022/23 campaign.

Haaland also became the fastest player in the history of the English top-flight to reach 50 goals this season as he did it in 48 games. The previous record-holder was former Manchester United forward Andy Cole, who made 65 appearances en route to 50 goals in the league.

The former Dortmund ace fired City to the treble – the Champions League, the Premier League, and the FA Cup – last season and has started the 2023/24 campaign with 19 goals and five assists in 22 outings in all competitions.

These statistics show that Halaand has been incredibly prolific for the Cityzens over the past 18 months and Spurs could now unearth a player with the potential to be Postecoglou's own version of the impressive number nine.

Santiago Gimenez's "prolific" record for Feyenoord

Scout Antonio Mango hailed Gimenez as the most "prolific" striker in Europe earlier this season and it is not hard to see why when you look at his statistics.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig, who once described the Feyenoord star as a Mexican "machine", claimed that he is similar to Erling Haaland -with both players being lethal left-footed strikers – and his record backs that up.

Gimenez has plundered an impressive 44 goals and eight assists in 68 matches for the Dutch side to date, and been in particularly eye-catching form this season.

The Mexico international has racked up 21 goals and five assists in 23 appearances in all competitions, which includes 19 goals in 17 Eredivisie outings.

Appearances

17

20

18

Nine

Goals

19

12

Seven

Two

Assists

Four

Five

Three

One

Big chances missed

13

Three

Six

Two

As you can see in the table above, the Feyenoord marksman has outperformed Postecoglou's current forward options in front of goal so far this season.

He has produced 19 goals from 15.08 Expected Goals (xG) in the Eredivisie and this suggests that the Argentine-born star is a terrific finisher who does not waste many opportunities to find the back of the net.

Gimenez is an efficient finisher who scores at an exceptional rate, just like Haaland for City in the Premier League, and this is why the potential is there for him to be Postecoglou's own version of the Norway international next term.

There is no guarantee that the 22-year-old forward will be able to translate his form over to English football but that guarantee was not there with Haaland either and Spurs should take a gamble on him for £30m, as the reward could be spectacular.

Tottenham could end up with their own prolific centre-forward who could help them on their way to competing for titles and trophies in the years to come under the Australian head coach.

Ecuador's best record at the tournament has been a fourth-place finish, twice. But who is in their 2024 Copa America squad?

Ecuador will be looking to leave a lasting impression at the 2024 Copa America as they are set to make their 30th appearance at the tournament.

Former AFC Asian Cup winner with Qatar, Felix Sanchez Bas was appointed as the head coach of La Tri in March 2023. The Spanish gaffer has garnered a W3 D2 L1 record at the World Cup 2026 qualifiers so far.

Drawn alongside Mexico, Venezuela and Jamaica for the upcoming Copa tournament, Ecuador will play preparatory international friendly games against Argentina, Bolivia and Honduras on June 10, 13 and 17, respectively.

GOAL takes a look at Sanchez's 26-man final Copa America squad announced on May 29.

Getty ImagesGOALKEEPERS

LDU Quito goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez is likely to be the first-choice goalkeeper, with Huracan's Hernan Galindez as the second-choice in goal.

Independiente de Valle's Moises Ramirez was eventually picked over Barcelona SC's Javier Burrai as the third choice.

Name Club

Alexander DominguezLDU QuitoHernan GalindezHuracanMoises RamirezBarcelona SCAdvertisementGettyDEFENDERS

Despite Pervis Estupinan not making the cut, Sanchez has several natural full-backs in Angelo Preciado, Piero Hincapie and Jose Hurtado, with Hincapie also capable of playing as a centre-back especially when there are three at the back.

At the same time, Preciado can double up as a right winger, with Felix Torres and Willian Pacho making the main centre-back options.

Meanwhile, the uncapped duo of Andres Micolta and Layan Loor have made the final squad ahead of Sao Paulo's Robert Arboleda.

Name Club

Andres MicoltaPachucaAngelo PreciadoSparta PragueFelix TorresCorinthiansJackson PorozoKasimpasaJoel OrdonezClub BruggeJose HurtadoRed Bull BragantinoLayan LoorUniversidad CatolicaPiero HincapieBayer LeverkusenWillian PachoEintracht FrankfurtGettyMIDFIELDERS

The midfield has experienced campaigners such as Chelsea's Moises Caicedo, Carlos Gruezo of San Jose Earthquakes and Alan Franco of Atletico Mineiro.

Teenage sensation Kendry Paez has become an emerging option on the right side, giving veteran Angel Mena a run for his money, while Janner Corozo has been picked over Al-Sadd's Gonzalo Plata alongside the likes of Jose Cifuentes and Jeremy Sarmiento.

Alan Minda, Joao Ortiz and John Yeboah complete the list of midfielders.

Name Club

Angel MenaLeonAlan FrancoAtletico MineiroAlan MindaCercle BruggeCarlos GruezoSan Jose EarthquakesJanner CorozoBarcelona SCJeremy SarmientoIpswich TownJoao OrtizIndependiente del ValleJohn YeboahRakow CzestochowaJose CifuentesCruzeiroKendry PaezIndependiente del ValleMoises CaicedoChelseaENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesFORWARDS

Internacional's Enner Valencia will be the frontrunner to start in attack, with Jordy Obano and Kevin Rodriguez making the final cut, while Barcelona SC's Allen Obano has been left out.

Name Club

Enner ValenciaInternacionalJordy CaicedoAtlasKevin RodriguezUnion SG