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Only 19 overs possible on final day as Lancashire consolidate top-three placing

ECB Reporters Network29-Jun-2022Miles Hammond and James Bracey batted Gloucestershire towards safety before rain wiped out the last two sessions of the LV= County Championship match with Lancashire at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.Only 19 overs were possible at the start of the final day, which began with the home side precariously placed on 99 for three in their second innings, just 34 runs ahead.Overnight pair Hammond and Bracey negotiated them with few alarms on the placid pitch, both reaching half-centuries in taking the score to 176 for three by the time rain started to fall at 12.20pm.Hammond was unbeaten on 58 and Bracey 55 when play ceased. An early lunch was taken, and play almost restarted at 2.05pm, with umpires and teams ready to take the field.But more rain started to fall and became heavier, to the frustration of the groundstaff, who had been on and off with the covers.Umpires Rob Bailey and Neil Pratt abandoned any prospect of further play at 3.10pm.Lancashire took 14 points from the drawn contest to consolidate their position in the top three of the First Division, while Gloucestershire’s 12 points (they had one deducted for a slow over-rate) left them still occupying bottom place.The hosts have still not won a Championship game this season in eight attempts, but will take some comfort from having competed well in a closely-fought contest.Bracey, eager to overcome a poor run of form stretching back to the second match of the Championship campaign, was positive from the outset, cover-driving the opening delivery of the day from Will Williams for four.Unbeaten on 14 overnight, the England player was the first to his fifty, having faced 90 balls and hit seven boundaries.Fellow left-hander Hammond followed suit in the same over, bowled by Jack Morley, having just dispatched the spinner over long-on for six.His half-century occupied 124 deliveries and also featured five fours. But the time the rain came, Gloucestershire were 111 ahead and, with precious little assistance in the pitch for the bowlers, a draw looked the only likely outcome.

Maya Jama and Ruben Dias were reportedly "celebrating to 3am" after Portugal vanquished Denmark in the Nations League.

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Portugal brushed aside Denmark to seal a last-four berthJama was in Lisbon to watch Dias in actionThe couple reportedly celebrated the win until late at nightFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to Jama & Dias were spotted celebrating into the early hours following Portugal’s thrilling 5-2 victory over Denmark in the UEFA Nations League. The 30-year-old television presenter shared a photo on Instagram at 3:30 AM, capturing a cozy fireside moment in Lisbon, which sent the rumour mill into overdrive.

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Jama traced her way into a hospitality box at the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon alongside a friend. Georgina Rodriguez, the longtime partner of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, was also present. Following the match, Jama and Dias reportedly returned to the footballer’s home in the Cascais region, from where she posted her late-night fireside snap, seemingly relishing the celebratory atmosphere.

DID YOU KNOW?

Jama and Dias were first introduced at the MTV EMAs in Manchester last November. Their romance blossomed following Jama’s split from rapper Stormzy last summer. Since then, the couple has been inseparable, spending New Year’s Eve together in Ibiza and even sporting matching Cartier bracelets worth £5,000, engraved with the word "LOVE." At the Brit Awards earlier this month, it was revealed that Jama has been taking Portuguese lessons, further solidifying her connection with Dias and his heritage.

Getty/InstagramWHAT NEXT FOR DIAS?

With his international duties now complete, Dias is set to rejoin Manchester City as they prepare for an FA Cup quarterfinal clash against Bournemouth on Sunday.

Nida Dar, Bismah Maroof see off chase with useful batting contributions

Danyal Rasool24-May-2022Legspinner Tuba Hassan enjoyed a fairtytale debut as she spearheaded Pakistan to a straightforward six-wicket win in the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Karachi.Brought on in the tenth over, her four-over stint blew through the Sri Lankan middle order, as she conceded just eight runs, bowling a maiden along the way and taking three wickets. A slightly conservative Sri Lanka were kept to 106 for 8. Pakistan started slowly and lost three early wickets of their own, but a 51-run stand between Bismah Maroof and Nida Dar put them back on track, with Dar’s unbeaten 27-ball 36 ensuring Pakistan got to the target with ten balls to spare.Choosing to bat first, Sri Lanka lost wickets in each of Anam Amin’s first two overs, including the all-important wicket of Chamari Athapaththu. Pakistan were keeping things tight, and even a 38-run third-wicket stand never quite threatened to take the game away from them. With Sri Lanka content to take singles instead of looking for boundaries, the spinners felt emboldened to flight the ball generously, getting into their rhythms from the outset. When Aiman Anwer rocked Nilakshi de Silva’s leg stump, Sri Lanka had lost their most dangerous batter, and any hopes of pushing the target to a run-a-ball faded.If the fans – and there was a sizeable contingent – thought Pakistan would make light work of the target, Sri Lanka’s bowlers disabused them of that notion fairly quickly. Keeping things tight, Pakistan were forced to retreat into their shell early on, with Sugandika Kumari removing Gull Feroza in the first over. Muneeba Ali and Iram Javed, who both fell for 18, spent much of the powerplay regrouping and trying to take the sting out of the early attack, and that meant the run scoring was somewhat staid.But Iram Javed, who had a penchant for skipping down the crease without quite getting to the pitch, paid the price upon trying that once too often, and finding herself stumped. Kavisha Dilhari struck to remove Muneeba as she tried to lap over fine leg, and by the halfway stage, Pakistan were behind Sri Lanka in the game.It was Dar who took control of the game decisively for Pakistan. With Maroof a reliable anchor at the other end, Dar was proactive in her search for runs, with regular ones and twos mixed in with the occasional boundary. Before you noticed, the asking rate and the runs required were both coming down, and Pakistan were suddenly coasting to a straightforward win. By the time Maroof holed out at mid-on, Pakistan required just 11 further runs. In the 19th over, it took Dar just two balls to get there with panache, smashing the innings’ only six off the first, before an easy single finished the job.

Aston Villa have taken the lead in the race to sign a young international goalkeeper, according to a recent report. The Villans’ run of three straight wins ended on Saturday night, as they were beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest. Unai Emery will be hoping this is just a bump in the road as his side prepare to face Manchester City at the weekend.

Aston Villa keen on signing 21 y/o Real Madrid gem seen as ideal for Emery

He’s come through the academy.

ByCharlie Smith Dec 15, 2024 Aston Villa transfer news

The inconsistent form for Villa this season will have alerted Emery to areas in his team that need addressing. Indeed, the Premier League side have already been linked with plenty of new faces ahead of next month’s transfer window.

Villa have made contact with the representatives of defender Antonio Silva, so they can get an understanding of the costs of a possible transfer. The Benfica centre-back is admired a lot by the Midlands side but they are not alone, as other Premier League teams, as well as big European sides, are also keen on signing the talented defender. The president of Benfica is reportedly set to meet with Silva’s agents ahead of the January transfer window.

As well as looking at Silva, Villa are also in signing Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio, but again face competition from their Premier League rivals. The young man has impressed in his limited appearances for the Spanish giants, and Emery sees him as someone who could improve his side’s defence, given where he has been playing his football.

Aston Villa lead transfer race to sign youngster after impressing scouts

According to Birmingham Live, Aston Villa have taken the lead in the race to sign Pierce Charles from Sheffield Wednesday. The 19-year-old came through the academy at Manchester City, but he left the Premier League side and joined the Owls in 2020.

Charles has worked his way through the club’s under-18s and under-21s, and he is now a part of the first team picture. The goalkeeper has yet to appear in the Championship, but he has been on the bench for every league game this season apart from two.

Despite him not being Wednesday’s regular keeper, Charles has been capped four times by his country, Northern Ireland. It is on the international stage where Charles has left scouts impressed, with them coming away from recent Nations League games giving the player “glowing reports”.

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The young man’s ability to play out from the back has meant top clubs from the Premier League have identified him as a top target, and that includes Villa. The Villans are willing to move second-choice keeper Robin Olsen on in favour of bringing in emerging talent should the opportunity arise. Villa can offer Charles a number two slot in their squad, and he may see this as his chance to move into the Premier League.

Reliable journalist Simon Phillips has shared BlueCo’s transfer “priority”, which they could fulfill as early as January, with Chelsea looking at signing a £75 million England international for Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea seal 4-3 comeback at Tottenham but Maresca plays down title talk

The west Londoners are looking more and more imperious as the weeks go by, with their 4-3 comeback at Tottenham bringing them to five straight wins in all competitions as Chelsea also maintain their unbeaten record since October.

Real Madrid now want to sign £130k-p/w Chelsea star instead of Reece James

He would likely be Chelsea’s record sale if he left.

1 ByBen Browning Dec 9, 2024

Two slips from Marc Cucurella, who promptly threw away his boots, handed Spurs a two-goal lead early in the first half – with Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski both pouncing on the Spaniard’s costly errors.

However, Ange Postecoglou’s joy was short-lived, as summer signing Jadon Sancho grabbed one back just minutes later to remind the home side that this wasn’t going to be an easy afternoon by any stretch of the imagination.

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Following the second-half restart, with Chelsea dominating play, they were rewarded for their efforts when Cole Palmer levelled the scores through a spot-kick just past the hour mark.

At 2-2, it didn’t take long for them to complete their comeback, with Enzo Fernandez’s striking a sweet half-volley beyond the outreached Fraser Forster – sparking jubilant celebrations in the Chelsea away end.

Palmer was then handed another penalty to all but seal an impressive three points for Chelsea – which he took in extremely confident fashion – dinking a cheeky panenka beyond Forster who stepped the wrong way.

Son Heung-min’s 96th minute strike was too little, too late for Spurs, with Chelsea sealing a 4-3 victory on enemy turf and bringing them to within four points of Premier League frontrunners Liverpool.

Maresca has been continuously asked about the club’s prospects of a potential title win this season, but the Italian has refuted all suggestions they could challenge, and did so once again after their win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“After the game, my message to the players is to be focused in the day‑by‑day, our sessions, the next game on Thursday and then Sunday,” said Maresca after Chelsea’s 4-3 win at Tottenham.

“The main focus has to be to enjoy the day off and when we come back train well, go for the game. The fans can dream because from the outside it is quite clear and inside the reality is we are not ready. The important thing is we improve day by day.”

Transfer "priority" shared as Chelsea look at signing Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite

Their near-perfect form, especially in the attacking third, prompts debate over how Chelsea can strengthen their squad without upsetting the applecart.

Phillips, writing via his Substack, says signing a centre-back is one of their “priority” transfer missions, and it could potentially be the “main priority”, despite Chelsea’s widely reported interest in a new striker.

It is believed BlueCo may even seriously consider one for as early as January, with uncertainty surrounding the likes of Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile, who Chelsea would’ve apparently sold in the summer.

Of the targets on their radar, England international and Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is shortlisted as a viable option.

The Toffees centre-back commands a price tag of around £75 million, so he’ll be no easy signing to pull off, but Phillips writes that Chelsea are looking at signing Branthwaite in their pursuit of a new central defender.

The towering 6-foot-4 22-year-old has played around seven Premier League games this season, missing out on some minutes, but did start 35 league games last term as a real mainstay under Sean Dyche.

Gloucestershire fight their way into lead but remain some distance from safety

David Hopps16-Apr-2022″I’m not a bad batsman, even though I averaged two. I’m not a bad keeper, even though I dropped a few balls.” Such was James Bracey’s reflection last December on one of the most traumatic starts to an England career of modern times.Called into England’s squad as top-order cover for the series against New Zealand last June, he found himself keeping wicket and batting at No. 7 after Ben Foakes slipped in the dressing room at the Kia Oval and tore a hamstring. The malaise remained when he retreated back to county cricket, but his form had steadied by the end of the season.All that now appears to be behind him. His orderly hundred against Yorkshire was his third first-class century in succession, following one for the Lions against Australia A in Brisbane shortly before Christmas (about the only good thing that happened to England on the entire Ashes misadventure) and 117 against Northants in the season’s opener at Wantage Road. Disciplined and correct, it was easy to see why England convinced themselves that he could offer the top-order stability they need. He still might: they are no nearer to finding it since.Bracey has responded to his England adversity by seeking a balanced outlook – trying to control his intensity, concentrating on scoring heavily for Gloucestershire and allowing life to take its course. “England is still an ambition, but I’ve learned not to over-focus on it and let it dominate my thoughts – it’s a new perspective I’ve got,” he said. He said it seriously so might still be persuading himself.Related

Rossington keeps cool in a crisis as Essex seal nail-biter at Somerset

Overton presses England claim with five-wicket haul in resounding Surrey win

His hundred has held up Yorkshire’s victory push, although it would take a much greater reversal of fortunes yet to turn the game in Gloucestershire’s favour. Trailing by 149 on first innings, they closed the third day on 253 for 6, a lead of 104, and would need to turn that into 240-plus, or a touch-and-go run chase, on a pitch that has flattened out under constant sunshine.Yorkshire, incidentally, can rest easy at suggestions that their new coach, Ottis Gibson, could be shortlisted for England’s white-ball role. Gibson, who said upon joining Yorkshire that he had tired of the international treadmill, has privately indicated that his ambitions remain at Yorkshire, where he has only been a matter of weeks. The relief in that in the Broad Acres will be substantial because he has a huge role to play in the county’s regeneration.Bracey’s shakiest moment came on 70 when he hooked at Haris Rauf and took a nasty blow on the helmet. He batted on, but he must have feared concussion when he heard the strains of “Wonderwall”, sung in his honour by a stag party dressed in cricket whites and conducted by a groom-to-be dressed as an Easter chick. Well, when you lose your England place, you must take your accolades wherever you can.”I was trying to work out for a session who they were and then I realised they were people I knew, from the Frocester club,” he said. “My brother used to play there. It was good to have a bit of support with my head ringing. It was a bit of a bang but I passed my concussion test so I was happy to bat on. I think I’ve learned to be careful pulling 90mph fast bowlers.”Gloucestershire have a glorious history when it comes to chickens. In their limited-overs heyday at the turn of the century, the ritual of the chicken dance took hold, in which Gloucestershire supporters celebrated every success by waving a salmonella-ridden chicken heavenwards while burring: “We’ve got the whole chicken in our hands.” This demonic tradition had a remarkable effect and stretched back to a match at Lord’s in 1997 when, the story had it, a supporter unpacked what he imagined was his pack-up only to discover he had taken a whole chicken out of the fridge by mistake. Clearly, dressing up as a chicken in Gloucestershire could be a perilous business. It is to be hoped that George, the prospective groom, has built a spot of exorcism into the service.Following his blow, Bracey was treated to a bouncer next ball from Rauf, which he ducked (but did not chicken), and he thick-edged a boundary later in the over, but he soon recovered his poise. He was particularly assertive against Matthew Fisher (who appears to be transmuting into Matty Fisher now England have come calling), but for the most part his innings was impressive more for its intelligent accumulation than any moments of flamboyance.With half the side out of 138, still 11 behind, Yorkshire must have fancied a three-day victory. Fisher made short shrift of Ben Charlesworth, bowled through the gate; the old fox, Steve Patterson, shaped one away from Marcus Harris from around the wicket for Harry Brook to hold the catch at first slip; and Rauf bowled Graeme van Buuren around his legs. The best ball of the lot came from Jordan Thompson, who bowled Tom Lace with one that left him off the pitch.But Bracey wore them down. He was 101 by the time he offered a chance, a tough one to his right off Dom Bess which Adam Lyth could not hold at slip. Yorkshire looked a little footsore in the final hour of a warm day, enough for Patterson to take the new ball late on, but that ball will have plenty of hardness left on the fourth morning and they will be anxious to push home their advantage.

Leroy Sane's future remains uncertain as contract talks with Bayern Munich continue, allowing Arsenal to pursue the star winger.

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Sane is out of contract this summerBayern will continue talks after the international breakArsenal have approached the 29-year-old's representativesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 29-year-old is willing to take a pay cut to stay in Bavaria, according to reporting by Sky Deutschland, but with his current deal ending in the summer, a window of opportunity has opened for suitors. It is believed that Arsenal have already made contact with Sane's representatives, with a view to completing a free transfer come season's end.

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Sane's deal is next on the docket for sporting director Max Eberl who has recently finalised extensions for key players like Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies and Joshua Kimmich. Both parties plan to sit down after the international break, but there's no guarantee of a deal.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sane has fallen down the pecking order at Bayern following the signing of Michael Olise. The German winger has started just 12 matches in the Bundesliga, making nine appearances from the bench. He has scored six goals, and contributed four assists.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LEROY SANE?

Sane's attention turns to Saturday's fixture against away at Union Berlin, before he departs for international duty. He is part of a Germany squad that takes on Italy in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League.

Leicestershire’s Ed Barnes bags five as visitors lose their last six first-innings wickets for 27

ECB Reporters Network23-Apr-2022Derbyshire are within reach of a first victory of the LV= Insurance County Championship season after Leicestershire finished day three at the Uptonsteel County Ground six wickets down in their second innings and still 172 behind.Leicestershire seamer Ed Barnes took five wickets in an innings for the first time earlier in the day as Derbyshire lost their last six first-innings wickets for 27.But after a maiden century from Mattie McKiernan enhanced the value of Shan Masood’s superb double-hundred on Friday, Derbyshire still totalled 531 for a lead of 318.It left Leicestershire, who had to fight rearguard actions to emerge with a draw from both of their opening Division Two matches, faced with surviving two sessions just to take the contest into the final day. They succeeded in that but it will need an extraordinary effort from their tail to avoid defeat this time.The morning belonged to McKiernan and latterly to Barnes, the Leicestershire seam bowler, whose dismissal of McKiernan launched an extraordinary spell within a spell that brought him all of his five wickets in the space of 26 deliveries at a cost of just eight runs.McKiernan, a 27-year-old legspinner who spent more than 12 years at Lancashire without making a senior appearance, has played more white-ball cricket than red since joining Derbyshire in 2018 but that should soon be corrected on this evidence.After playing an important role as one of double-centurion Masood’s partners on Friday, sharing a stand of 129 for the fourth wicket, McKiernan cut Callum Parkinson’s left-arm spin for three fours before moving into the 90s by pulling Barnes for six. His century came off 189 balls and contained 11 fours as well as that six.Against a Leicestershire attack in which Will Davis could not participate because of injury, McKiernan and Leus Du Plooy took Derbyshire’s first-innings total beyond 500 for the second successive match – and in consecutive innings for only the second time in the county’s history – but when Barnes thudded one into McKiernan’s front pad to have him leg before, the narrative of the morning changed dramatically.Barnes, who was nought for 93 before umpire Neil Bainton granted him this success, dismissed Anuj Dal lbw and had Alex Thomson caught behind from consecutive balls, before Nick Potts chopped on and Sam Conners was bowled. His final analysis read 5 for 101 but his 10-over spell on the day was worth 5 for 28.After Parkinson wrapped up the innings on the stroke of lunch when Suranga Lakmal chipped him straight to short midwicket, Derbyshire made important inroads before tea as opener Hassan Azad and Leicestershire skipper Colin Ackermann both fell, along with George Rhodes.Thomson accounted for Azad, the off-spinner’s turning delivery finding a thin outside edge that turned into a looping catch to Wayne Madsen at slip, seemingly via the left glove of wicketkeeper Brooke Guest. He then bowled Rhodes before the introduction of Dal’s medium pace induced a miscued drive from Ackermann that went straight to short cover.A stubborn 33 from Sam Evans ended when he was leg before to Sam Conners and Wiaan Mulder’s rather more entertaining 25 was terminated by the same method by the 19-year-old Potts, then Thomson held a stunning low return catch to remove Harry Swindells, with Louis Kimber 33 not out at the close.

Manchester United succumbed to yet another home Premier League defeat, this time at the hands of Nottingham Forest 3-2.

It was a frustrating evening for new boss Ruben Amorim, who watched the same flaws in his side re-surface yet again. Defensive vulnerability with crosses into the box struggling to be dealt with and a lack of fluidity and creativity in attacking areas.

Despite getting on the scoresheet in the second half to get United back to 3-2, captain Bruno Fernandes was substituted in the 76th minute with the game still in the balance.

Often United’s talisman, it seemed boss Amorim was unhappy with his captain’s performance, who lost possession 19 times and had a passing accuracy of just 75%.

Bruno Fernandes' below-par season at Manchester United

Skipper Fernandes carried his Manchester United side at times last season, producing an exceptional 28-goal contributions across all competitions.

So far this campaign, those numbers do not look like reaching the heights of the 23/24 season with Fernandes contributing just five goals so far in 2023/24.

The Portuguese midfielder never shies away from the ball and is always looking to make something happen for his side but recently it seems he has been far more careless in possession.

In his last five appearances for Man United, Fernandes has a passing accuracy of just 76.42% with his lowest total coming against Everton with an accuracy of just 67.6%.

Furthermore, Fernandes has failed to chalk up a single goal-creating action in three out of his last five games and with Amorim hooking him off at a vital time against Forest, it seems that the United captain has food for thought on his own performances.

What they might do for a prime Angel Di Maria at the club. As it happens, their former £60m signing is now outperforming the Red Devils’ club captain.

Angel Di Maria vs Bruno Fernandes in 2024/25

In the words of former teammate and goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, Di Maria now “hates Man United” after leaving the club. That being said, he is flourishing at the ripe old age of 36.

The Argentine is now back at Benfica in Portugal, a club that Di Maria initially joined back in 2007 from his hometown club of Rosario Central for a fee of around £7m.

Following spells at Real Madrid, Man United, PSG and Juventus, Di Maria has returned to the Estadio Da Luz and is now playing his part in Benfica’s title charge, where they sit just two points off leaders Sporting Lisbon.

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It seems that Di Maria is showing no signs of letting up just yet in his illustrious career. In fact, the ex-United midfielder is still outperforming current United captain Fernandes in a number of key attacking metrics, perhaps the most significant being goals scored this season.

Di Maria has a higher number of progressive carries than Fernandes and has attempted more crosses into the box in order to create chances for his high-flying Benfica side.

The attacker has at times drifted deeper to collect the ball this term and his long pass completion percentage of 50.5% is over 2% more accurate than his United counterpart.

Whilst it is fair to say Di Maria’s Man United career never really took off, scoring just four times in 32 appearances across his solitary season, the Argentine veteran is still showing that he is capable of mixing it with Europe’s best and, who knows, may even help to fire his beloved Benfica to another Portuguese title this season.

He lost the ball 20x: Amorim got it wrong by giving Man Utd star 90 minutes

The Man Utd ace was poor against Nottingham Forest

ByJoe Nuttall Dec 8, 2024

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has voiced his desire to tie down Reds captain Virgil van Dijk to a new contract with his deal up this summer.

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Van Dijk's contract set to run out soonSlot wants Liverpool to tie captain downRemains cryptic over three stars' futuresFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Liverpool are sweating on the futures of their three biggest stars this season as Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk's deals are set to run out this summer.

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Van Dijk has been a major star for Liverpool ever since he joined the Merseyside club in 2018, while he was named the club captain in 2023 after Jordan Henderson left the Reds. The towering centre half has recently admitted he is unsure whether he will be at Liverpool next season, while he was pictured with PSG chiefs following Tuesday's loss to the French giants in the Champions League.

WHAT SLOT SAID

Speaking to the media about Van Dijk's future, Slot said: "I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face. I don’t know what’s happening next season as well, in terms of results. But that’s not what you mean.

"The only thing I know is that I want Virgil to be here next season. All the rest, talks about his contract, that’s not what I do over here."

Questioned on whether it affects his planning for next season, the Dutchman replied: "Interesting way of asking things! No, it doesn’t, not for me."

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR VAN DIJK?

Van Dijk has the chance to lift another piece of silverware as Liverpool captain on Sunday when the Reds take on Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.