Christian Vieri has tipped Inter’s 20-year-old striker Francesco Pio Esposito to become “a great striker,” stressing that the pressure of playing for a club like Inter will accelerate his growth. Esposito has already made his mark in Serie A with his first goal and is now being asked to step up in the absence of Marcus Thuram.

Esposito tipped for greatness at Inter

Inter youngster Esposito has enjoyed a rapid rise this season, marking his breakthrough with a goal against Cagliari in just his third Serie A appearance. The forward has mostly featured as a substitute but has shown glimpses of his talent and potential. His form has already drawn praise from both his manager Cristian Chivu and former Italy striker Vieri.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportVieri backs Esposito to grow into Inter’s next great striker

Speaking at a press event, the Nerazzurri legend highlighted the unique challenge of playing for clubs like Inter, AC Milan or Juventus, but insisted that pressure is exactly what will help Esposito develop.

“When you’re at Inter, Milan, or Juventus, you’re always under pressure. Like at Barcelona or Real Madrid. Last year he was at Spezia, he didn’t have the pressure Inter have, but it’s better to play in Serie A and the Champions League. Then there are those who are ready at twenty, and he’s already physically ready: he can handle the strain at international level, where you have to be a beast," he said.

“He has no problems, he’s really hungry to improve, and I often talk to his teammates: they tell me he’s really hungry. He’s a great talent, he’s under pressure, but it’s better to have it: he plays for a great team and has started off great, he has everything it takes to become a great striker.”

Esposito’s breakthrough highlights Inter’s rising star in Serie A

The Italian striker's goal made him the fourth-youngest Italian to score for Inter in Serie A this century, underlining his promise. Already praised by his manager for his strong display against Sassuolo, the youngster has proven he can link up effectively with senior forwards like Lautaro Martinez. With his pace, energy, and ability to stretch defences, Esposito is positioning himself as an exciting long-term option for the Nerazzurri.

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Getty Images SportWhat’s next for Inter’s rising striker

Esposito recently featured against Slavia Prague in the Champions League and could be handed more opportunities with Marcus Thuram sidelined by injury. Inter face Cremonese next as they look to maintain momentum in Serie A, and all eyes will be on whether the young striker can earn a starting role alongside Martinez.

Big picture: After losing Gaikwad, CSK could lose control of Chepauk

Murphy’s law has taken a special liking to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025. After losing four games in a row, they have now lost their captain Ruturaj Gaikwad for the rest of the tournament to injury. CSK have sent out an SOS to MS Dhoni, who will take over as captain.The last time Dhoni batted at Chepauk, something strange happened: the crowd began to leave. Chepauk is usually a pulsing bowl of noise, but there was pin-drop silence when CSK’s chase petered out against Delhi Capitals (DC) with Dhoni at the crease last weekend. CSK are now on the verge of entering unfamiliar territory: if they go down to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday, it will be the first time that they will have lost three IPL games in a row at Chepauk.Related

• Ashwin and Jadeja, an unhappy reunion

• Rahane will discuss Eden pitch with IPL authorities

While the reunion of Rachin Ravindra with Devon Conway at the top has remedied some of CSK’s powerplay troubles, the dearth of firepower in the middle order continues to hurt them. Their middle-order batters (Nos. 4-7) have the lowest strike rate (126.04) this season. While KKR’s middle order has a higher strike rate of 147.18, it’s not on par with the top teams in the competition either.Like CSK, KKR are also currently in the bottom half of the points table. The two teams have also made public their discontent with the pitches being rolled out at home. What will Chepauk throw up on Friday?KKR’s Caribbean stalwarts Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are yet to fire, but they will be pleased with Varun Chakravarthy, who continues to be unhittable. The mystery spinner has fond memories of Chepauk, having won both the IPL and TNPL here last year.

Form guide

Chennai Super Kings LLL
Kolkata Knight Riders LWL

New loyalties

Ajinkya Rahane, who enjoyed a T20 career revival at CSK, will lead KKR against his former franchise. Dwayne Bravo, who was a more familiar face at CSK as a player and bowling coach, will plot against CSK, along with Rahane, in his new role as KKR’s mentor.

Team news and likely XIIs

Apart from Dhoni taking over as CSK captain, Rahul Tripathi could return to the team in place of Gaikwad.Chennai Super Kings (probable): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Rahul Tripathi, 3 Rachin Ravindra, 4 Shivam Dube, 5 Vijay Shankar, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 MS Dhoni (capt, wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Noor Ahmad, 10 Mukesh Choudhary, 11 Khaleel Ahmed, 12 Matheesha PathiranaMoeen Ali could be back for KKR if the conditions are conducive to spin•BCCI

If the conditions are conducive to spin, KKR might bring Moeen Ali back in place of left-arm quick Spencer Johnson, who has gone at almost 12 runs an over.Kolkata Knight Riders (probable): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Sunil Narine, 3 Ajinkya Rahane (capt), 4 Venkatesh Iyer, 5 Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Ramandeep Singh, 9 Moeen Ali/Spencer Johnson, 10 Harshit Rana, 11 Vaibhav Arora, 12 Varun Chakravarthy

The big question

Russell hasn’t batted above No. 7 in four innings so far in IPL 2025. Against Mumbai Indians (MI), he came in at No. 8. Perhaps KKR could push him up the order unless they don’t want to expose him to R Ashwin. The offspinner has dismissed Russell twice in 17 balls while giving away just 16 runs in T20s. Against Ravindra Jadeja, Russell has fared much better, taking him for 69 runs off 38 balls while being dismissed twice. Russell has faced just seven balls from Noor Ahmad for 12 runs while being dismissed once.

In the spotlight: Shivam Dube and Venkatesh Iyer

On Wednesday, Punjab Kings (PBKS) denied Shivam Dube the spin of Yuzvendra Chahal or Glenn Maxwell. Instead, they served him the extra pace and bounce of Lockie Ferguson with a packed leg-side field. Dube scored 17 off 12 balls from Ferguson before being bowled. He could face a similar test against Russell on Saturday.After starting the season with a pair of low scores, Venkatesh Iyer has found his groove with scores of 60 and 45 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). If he gets cracking at Chepauk, he might keep Jadeja away from the attack. The last time Venkatesh played at this venue, he sealed KKR’s third IPL title with an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls.Venkatesh Iyer has found his groove with scores of 60 and 45•BCCI

Pitch and conditions

The Chepauk surface continues to be a mystery, with CSK coach Stephen Fleming saying that they haven’t been able to come to grips with it in recent years. The weather is expected to be clear.

Stats and trivia

• Watch out for Dhoni vs KKR’s spinners. Dhoni has faced 16 balls from Varun in the IPL for only 11 runs while being dismissed three times. His struggles against Narine are even starker: 39 runs off 74 balls at a strike rate of just 52.70, and one dismissal.
• CSK have hit 31 sixes in five innings, the least among nine teams who have played at least four games this season. In comparison, KKR have hit 42 sixes in five innings.
• Narine has dominated Ashwin with the bat, hitting him for 94 runs off 39 balls at a strike rate of over 240 while being dismissed once in the IPL.
• Vaibhav Arora will relish bowling to Conway and Ravindra in the powerplay. Since IPL 2024, against left-hand batters in the powerplay, Arora has picked up eight wickets in 11 innings at a strike rate of 7.00 and an economy rate of just over six.

Quotes

“It’s just that we struck a young man who had the night of his life, and we weren’t able to shut him down.”

“We rate them as a highly-skilled team, and we will look to go out there and play the game and win.”

أكد معتز البطاوي المشرف العام على الكرة بنادي سيراميكا كليوباترا، أن النادي الأهلي كان يرغب في التعاقد مع أحمد هاني الظهير الأيمن للفريق في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الماضية.

وكان الأهلي قد دخل في مفاوضات مع أحمد هاني لاعب فريق سيراميكا كليوباترا خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الماضية. 

طالع.. مدرب سيراميكا كليوباترا: الحديث عن صدارة الدوري ما زال مبكرًا.. والأهم تحقيق الفوز

وقال البطاوي في تصريحات لبرنامج “لعبة والتانية” على راديو “ميجا إف إم”: “نرفض تماما فكرة أن يستغلنا أي لاعب للانتقال من للأهلي الى الزمالك والعكس صحيح”.

وتابع: “الأهلي كان يسعى لضم أحمد هاني الظهير الأيمن للفريق خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الماضية، ولكن توقفت المفاوضات في اللحظات الأخيرة”.

وأضاف: “علي ماهر المدير الفني لفريق سيراميكا كليوباترا لا يشبع من الطموح وهذا الأمر أثر إيجابياً على نتائج الفريق، كما أنه يعمل 18 ساعة يومين مع الفريق ويبذل مجهودات كبيرة”.

واشار: “أحمد قندوسي لاعب مميز وقدم مستويات رائعة مع سيراميكا كليوباترا لكنه خارج حساباتنا ولا نسعى للتعاقد معه، وعلاقتنا جيدة بالزمالك ولم نمنع قندوسي من الانتقال للأبيض”. 

واختتم: “صدارة جدول ترتيب الدوري الممتاز تمنحنا الثقة ونسعى لتثبيت أقدامنا على القمة والبقاء في المربع الذهبي”. 

 

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has named a “technically brilliant” central midfielder as his toughest-ever opponent, ahead of both Patrick Vieira and Steven Gerrard.

Keane names most difficult opponent

Keane came up against a number of tough opponents during his Man United career, but perhaps the most iconic rivalry was with former Arsenal man Patrick Vieira, with the midfielders famously clashing in the Highbury tunnel back in February 2005.

The Irishman also had regular battles with Steven Gerrard, and he has since claimed the ex-Liverpool captain was at a higher level than he ever was, saying: “When you compare me to players – people talk about Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard – these guys were way better than me.”

There can be no debate over which player had the more successful career, however, with the Cork-born midfielder winning seven league titles, four FA Cups and the 1998-99 Champions League during his time with the Red Devils.

Having led United to so many trophies as captain, the central midfielder was clearly a force to be reckoned with, but he was playing in an era where there were a number of top central midfielders, including the likes of Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes.

However, despite regularly facing off against Gerrard, Vieira and Lampard, Keane has named Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane as his most difficult opponent, saying:

Man Utd want to beat Liverpool to one of the best talents in Europe when he turns 18

The Red Devils are looking to make a statement by securing his signature.

BySean Markus Clifford Sep 14, 2025 Zidane clearly among the greatest-ever midfielders

It should come as no surprise that Keane named the Frenchman as his toughest opponent, considering everything he achieved during his career, winning the Champions League, World Cup and Ballon d’Or.

The 108-time France international also scored one of the most iconic goals in Champions League history, finding the back of the net with a remarkable volley against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 final.

Not only that, but the 53-year-old also maintained a solid record against Man United throughout his career, picking up one goal and five assists in eight matches against Keane’s former club.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side did manage to get the better of the Italian club across two legs in the 1999 Champions League semi-finals, but even then, Zidane was responsible for the ex-Ireland international being suspended for the final, being brought down after cleverly earning a foul in midfield.

Both Keane and Scholes have expressed their disappointment at missing the famous final against Bayern Munich, with the latter saying: “Obviously I was really pleased that we won the game and completed the treble but, as Roy said, you didn’t feel like you’d won it. You didn’t feel like the medal was yours.”

This was the fourth time that Hardik had dismissed Gill in T20s in just 18 deliveries

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Mar-20251:54

How does Hardik get the better of Gill almost every time?

The ball dug in short. The pitch making it sit up and not zip through. On middle and off. Shubman Gill does what he must, play the pull. He hits it superbly. But straight to the fielder in the deep. And that’s the fourth time Hardik Pandya has dismissed Gill in just 18 balls in T20s.”It’s just the right length [to Gill]. Hardik tends to bowl that back-of-length [delivery] and he’s been using that short ball quite effectively,” Cheteshwar Pujara said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show after the match. “Gill is someone who has a little bit of vulnerability when it comes to that length. It is his scoring opportunity, but at the same time, when he doesn’t get it right, you do get dismissed from that length.”Maybe Hardik knew that – there’s very little cricketers don’t know these days when it comes to data and numbers, strengths and weaknesses of opponents. Hardik stood there, looking pleased as punch. Of course he knew it would – or could, at least – work. Gill looked like he couldn’t believe he had fallen into the trap.Related

Gujarat Titans show how home advantage is done

'You know the match is almost done' – Gill's praise for Prasidh

Hardik: 'Batters have to come to the party, hopefully soon'

Unwittingly, though, Hardik might have laid a trap for his own batters in the process. On a black-soil pitch, with the ball gripping in the slow surface, slow, slower, slowest was the way to go. Not that Gujarat Titans (GT) or Mumbai Indians (MI) wouldn’t have known that anyway before their IPL 2025 match in Ahmedabad on Saturday evening, but seeing the proof in Hardik’s plan of action helped – GT stopped MI 36 short after putting up 196, and at no point did it really look like their wouldn’t.”There were some shots that were easy to hit on that wicket, there were some shots that were difficult [to hit], so we were making sure that we make sure that they were hitting difficult shots on that wicket. Which we thought were difficult when we were batting,” Gill said in the press conference afterwards. Prasidh Krishna, for one, made the most of the conditions. Going against his nature, so to say, he kept it slow, and into the pitch. And emerged Player of the Match for his 2 for 18.And Hardik, only half in jest, possibly, agreed that he might have helped Prasidh with the planning. “Definitely, I was just thinking that,” he told the host broadcaster. “Maybe I bowled way too many balls – they were able to see that it’s gripping.”On this wicket, I think those were the toughest balls because some were shooting down, some were bouncing and some were gripping. So when you have this much variable bounce or difference, I think as a batter it becomes difficult.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras viaja até Porto Alegre para encarar o Internacional pela 15ª rodada do Brasileirão e a partida terá um sabor especial para o técnico Abel Ferreira.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasApós eliminação, Palmeiras se reapresenta e inicia preparação para duelo com o InternacionalPalmeiras14/07/2023PalmeirasDesafio de Abel Ferreira em crise do Palmeiras é maior do que em 2021Palmeiras14/07/2023Fora de CampoJornalista critica deboche do São Paulo ao Palmeiras na web: ‘Zoeira é para torcida’Fora de Campo14/07/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Vivendo um período de turbulência e pressionado por vitória após cinco jogos sem saber o que é vencer, o português celebra a gigantesca marca de 200 jogos no comando do clube, sem muitos motivos para comemorar.

De ressaca da eliminação da Copa do Brasil para o São Paulo, o maior técnico da história do Verdão precisa dos três pontos no Beira-Rio para não ver o seu time despencar ainda mais na tabela do Brasileirão. Já são quatro rodadas consecutivas sem vencer, o que fez o Verdão cair para a 5ª posição da tabela e ver o líder Botafogo abrir doze pontos.

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Abel chega ao seu jogo de número 200 no Palmeiras com um ótimo aproveitamento, além das oito taças conquistadas, Até aqui foram 199 jogos, 117 vitórias, 44 empates e 38 derrotas, com 340 gols marcados e 160 gols sofridos.

+ Diretor do Palmeiras fala da dificuldade na busca por reforços após eliminação na Copa do Brasil: ‘Temos que ter tranquilidade’

Lembrando que esses números são somente de Abel Ferreira na beira do campo comandando o Palmeiras. Com a sua comissão técnica, o número de jogos sobe para 222 partidas, sendo 129 triunfos, 53 empates e 40 derrotas, com 387 tentos feitos e 180 sofridos.

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Apesar dos dois títulos já conquistados em 2023, Abel Ferreira talvez viva a maior ‘crise’ no comando técnico do Verdão e apesar da nítida falta de reforços por falta da diretoria, muitos torcedores também questionam algumas escolhas do treinador e a falta de repertório ofensivo do alviverde nas últimas partidas.

A bola rola para Internacional x Palmeiras neste próximo domingo (16), a partir das 18h30 (horário de Brasília), e o jogo será transmitido apenas pelo Premiere FC.

Arsenal are widely reported to be pursuing a late deal for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie, but sporting director Andrea Berta is known to have a plan B.

Hincapie has already agreed personal terms and gave his resounding ‘yes’ to Mikel Arteta’s project at N5, according to reliable media sources, and this move will have a correlating effect on defender Jakub Kiwior’s exit to FC Porto.

Many believed Arsenal were done and dusted for this window after sensationally hijacking Tottenham’s deal for Eberechi Eze, but with Kiwior potentially departing, Berta is lining up a replacement for the Poland international.

Kiwior deputised excellently in the absence of Gabriel Magalhaes.when the Brazilian was injured towards the back end of 2024/2025, and Arteta reportedly viewed the 25-year-old as an ‘important’ player in his squad as a result.

Once, or if, the ex-Spezia starlet leaves for Portugal, Arsenal need a replacement and solid back-up to the likes of Gabriel and William Saliba – especially if they’re serious about ending their two-decade-long wait for a Premier League title.

As Arteta found out last season, injuries can take a major toll on their charge, so the Spaniard cannot risk relying on Saliba and Gabriel to stay fit all season long – as that is very unlikely to be the case.

Their move for Hincapie makes perfect sense, with the Ecuador international fresh off a solid campaign at Leverkusen and proven at the top level.

However, the 23-year-old also commands a price tag of around £52 million, and it remains to be seen whether the Bundesliga side will sell to the Gunners this late in the transfer window.

While Hincapie is keen on the move, Leverkusen remains a major obstacle, and a potential alternative who’s been on Berta’s radar comes in the form of Palmeiras starlet Luis Benedetti.

Arsenal have made Luis Benedetti offer to Palmeiras

The 19-year-old is vastly inexperienced compared to Hincapie, making just a handful of senior appearances for Palmeiras, but he’s been praised by sections of the media as a “towering” and “aggressive” rising star defender.

According to journalists Diego Firmino and Felipe Lemos, sharing a scoop to TV Espirito, it is believed that Arsenal have offered around £8.5 million for Benedetti, but it was a no from Palmeiras, who are seeking £13 million plus bonuses to sell the teenager.

The Brazilian interestingly works with the same representatives as Arsenal defender Gabriel, so that connection could help them to facilitate a deal if Arteta’s side opt to go back in for Benedetti.

Harry Kane opened up on his relationship with Nicolas Jackson after Bayern Munich's Champions League rout of Pafos. The Bavarians unleashed a merciless storm in Cyprus, tearing apart Pafos with a crushing 5-1 continental triumph. Kane bagged a brace, Raphael Guerreiro and Michael Olise also chipped in, and Jackson grabbed his first goal since arriving from Chelsea in the summer window.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Bayern blitz leaves Pafos in ruins

  Bayern had the game in the bag by half-time, storming into a 4-0 lead. The demolition was historic too: the third time Bayern have rattled in four goals within the opening 35 minutes of a Champions League away clash. Roma in 2014, Viktoria Plzen in 2022, and now Pafos all know the feeling of being steamrolled by the German giants.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Kane gives credit to Jackson

  After the final whistle, Kane was quick to shine the spotlight on his new strike partner Jackson. The England captain also explained how the duo worked in tandem to wreak havoc, which could serve as a blueprint for the rest of the season.

  "Jackson played from the start today. At times, I dropped back a bit, more like a number 10; he came in, received balls," Kane explained. "I think it's important to keep surprising the defenders and not do the same thing the whole game. Nico was fantastic today: a goal, an assist, and almost another goal at the end. I'm very happy for him."

  Kane made it clear that Jackson isn’t just a stopgap loan signing, but a crucial weapon. 

  "We'll need him all season; he should stay fit and fresh," he added. "Today was a really good game from him. It might have looked easy, but that was due to how we played. With our pressing, the second balls, the way we played through the lines. We have this momentum and we're determined to maintain it."

• Jackson delighted to get off the mark

  For Jackson, the strike was more than just a number on the scoresheet; it was a release. After a rough few months, the forward admitted he’s still rebuilding his sharpness.

  “It wasn’t easy, but we played a very good game and worked hard,” Jackson said. “I’m very happy to score my first goal for the club. I’m still getting back to full fitness because I hadn’t played and trained alone for two months. I’m working hard every day.”

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• Nine wins, no slip-ups

  Bayern are looking unstoppable on all fronts so far this season. The thumping victory over Pafos extended their perfect start to nine wins from nine this season, leaving rivals across Europe on notice. Not a single point has been dropped, nor a single ounce of momentum wasted.

“We waited, waited until we thought it was necessary,” says Ruturaj Gaikwad of the decision

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Apr-20251:59

Should CSK have retired out Conway earlier?

Devon Conway became the second batter to be retired out in IPL 2025, after Tilak Varma in Mumbai Indians’ (MI) chase against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) earlier in the tournament. On Tuesday, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pulled out Conway when he failed to get a move on with the asking rate against Punjab Kings (PBKS) rising. But, in the opinion of Piyush Chawla and Wasim Jaffer, CSK might have waited too long for the decision to have an effect on the result.”Conway is the kind of batter who is more technically strong and he doesn’t try to play that [many shots] in the air. You saw that in the middle overs also, when he was trying to hit a pull shot also, he was rolling his wrists like a proper technical batsman,” Chawla said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show. “That’s where they missed that point. When Shivam [Dube] was trying to hit those bit shots, Conway didn’t even try that. At one point, I felt he just wanted to take it deep. But if you want to take the game deep, you don’t want your [asking] rate to go out of hand.”Playing his second game of the season, Conway had a 61-run stand with Rachin Ravindra up top in CSK’s chase of PBKS’ 219, and after Ruturaj Gaikwad fell cheaply, added 89 more with Dube. That partnership came off just 51 balls, with Dube scoring at 155.55. But after Dube was gone, and with 69 needed off 25 balls, Conway made nine more runs off six balls. MS Dhoni was in the middle, and Ravindra Jadeja and Vijay Shankar walked out after Conway left, but CSK fell 18 short.Related

Fleming: 'We were sloppy in the field, we lacked accuracy under pressure'

Sehwagesque Arya puts on a masterclass in see-ball, hit-ball batting

Conway joins Tilak as retired-out batters in IPL 2025

“You expect that change [of gears] to happen at some point of time when you know the batsman is struggling,” Gaikwad said of the decision at the presentation ceremony. “Initially we thought that he was still striking the ball [well]. We waited, waited until we thought it was necessary and then we thought, yes, why not change.””If they wanted to do that, they could have done that at least two-three overs before that also,” Chawla said. “Because if he is not getting those big shots, you want somebody to come in and you want to give that kind of a sighter, at least two to three balls, and then got for it. By the time they retired him out it was too late, I felt.”Jaffer, however, felt that CSK didn’t have a choice at that point because they didn’t expect the big shots to come from Jadeja or Vijay Shankar either.”You could have retired him and you could have retired him a little early. But, again, Jadeja was the only one [left]. I don’t think they would have trusted [Vijay Shankar]… you needed one more batter there who could have done that [score quickly],” Jaffer said. “But, unfortunately, they didn’t have anybody. Even Jadeja for that matter, he has his restrictions [in terms of how fast he can score].”17:35

Bangar: Dhoni not playing for the crowd, he has a clear role at CSK

As it turned out, while Dhoni was quick in scoring 27 in 12 balls with three sixes, Jadeja and Vijay Shankar scored 11 runs in seven balls. But, to be fair to them, by the time they got out, it was perhaps too late to change anything.Stephen Fleming, the CSK coach, agreed that the innings had “lost some momentum” in the middle overs, but was pleased that they had crossed 200 for the first time this season.”We had an innings of substance at the top [from Conway]. In the IPL, you need your top three/four to get a majority of the runs. We haven’t been doing that,” Fleming said. “It was pleasing that we got off to a more solid start. We weren’t able to just maintain a high momentum through the middle, partly good bowling and maybe we were trying to push too hard. It’s something we will review.”But it’s not a bad chase. About three hits away. But we just lost a bit of momentum through the middle.”

With a 100% record to maintain, Liverpool travel to newly-promoted Burnley as the undeniable favourites and a certain Alexander Isak lying in wait to make his debut.

Burnley vs Liverpool team news

If Burnley are anything as resolute as they were against Manchester United before the international break, then a shock may still be on the cards. Alas, there is no denying that the prospect of squaring off against the Premier League champions is a different challenge entirely to the Red Devils these days.

Whilst there’s no guarantee that Scott Parker will field the same side as that cruel late defeat against Man United, injury doubts for Jordan Beyer and Connor Roberts, who may join Zeki Amdouni on the treatment table, could yet force his hand.

The Burnley boss told reporters when asked about the challenge that lies ahead in his pre-match press conference: “For us it comes down to control and courage.

“Control in how we play and react in every moment, and courage to step forward and back ourselves against the champions. We’ll need to be disciplined and composed, keep calm in certain moments. And we’ll need to be brave and believe in each other, which is something this squad has in abundance.”

As for the Premier League champions, the mood in their camp couldn’t be much better. New signing Isak is finally a Liverpool player and could be in contention to receive some minutes this weekend – although Arne Slot has urged fans to be patient as he gets up to speed.

The likes of Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez could also complete their returns from injury, whilst the only fresh concern that the Reds have regards Curtis Jones.

The midfielder’s injury may see Dominik Szoboszlai return to his usual role in the middle of the park rather than right-back, where he thrived against Arsenal. And, in turn, Frimpong or Conor Bradley could get themselves an immediate start after the international break.

Burnley (4-2-3-1): Dubravka; Walker; Ekdal; Esteve; Hartman; Cullen; Ugochukwu; Larsen; Mejbri; Antony; Foster

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley; Van Dijk; Konate; Kerkez; Gravenberch; Szoboszlai; Salah; Wirtz; Gakpo; Ekitike

Burnley vs Liverpool recent results

Of course, the last time that these two sides met came in 2024 when Liverpool eased to a 3-1 victory at Anfield. Then, it was goals from the late Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez that saw the Reds wrap up all three points. This weekend, however, the Reds will need to rely on new stars to get the job done.

Liverpool 3-1 Burnley

Premier League

Burnley 0-2 Liverpool

Premier League

Burnley 0-1 Liverpool

Premier League

Liverpool 2-0 Burnley

Premier League

Burnley 0-3 Liverpool

Premier League

Without a defeat against the Clarets in their last five games, Liverpool last failed to beat Burnley in 2021 when their 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield came to an end in shocking fashion.

Away from head-to-head records, Burnley have endured an inconsistent start to their Premier League campaign – losing at Tottenham Hotspur, defeating Sunderland and then suffering defeat against Man United.

Liverpool, by some contrast, have won all three of their games but needed three late goals to do so. That, even if only small hope, should hand Burnley some encouragement.

Burnley vs Liverpool predictions and odds

As Premier League champions and the only side with a 100% record this season, Liverpool are undoubtedly the favourites against Burnley, with the odds reflecting that. The Reds are priced at 3/10 by the bookies, whilst the odds for Burnley to pick up a shock victory sit at 8/1 and a draw is priced at 9/2.

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Although Slot’s side have needed late goals to survive a number of scares this season, their visit to Turf Moor should see the return of their dominance and perhaps even the true arrival of Florian Wirtz.

Prediction: Burnley 1-3 Liverpool