Category Sports News

It was an extremely quiet transfer window for Liverpool last summer, with Federico Chiesa the only immediate signing that was made.

But despite the lack of additions, the Reds cruised to the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first season in charge.

This time, however, they are doing things differently.

Liverpool have already brought in Netherlands international Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5m, are closing in on his Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Florian Wirtz for a fee in the region of a club record £109m and are in talks to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez for between £45m and £50m.

After seeing his side close out their title-winning campaign with a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Anfield, Slot reflected on the club’s lack of transfer business last summer.

Chiesa arrived late in the window and while the Reds did also agree a deal to sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, he stayed with the Spanish side until this summer.

“We did things differently”, he said. “Apart from signing Federico Chiesa we didn’t do a lot so that makes it maybe even more special”.

If the lack of transfer activity made for a “special” title win, why the change of tack?

“It will be just as tough or even tougher next season because the clubs we’ve competed with this season have always in every window invested a lot of money and they will probably do so this summer as well”, Slot added.

“We just want good players. Ideally you sign them as soon as you can but it is not always easy”.

The arrival of Wirtz would take Liverpool’s spending to £138.5m already, with a mini-transfer window having opened earlier than usual because of the Club World Cup.

“Liverpool have been outside of the top 10 spenders on player signings since 2019, but their model is a classic case of being smarter rather than bigger”, says football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

“They certainly have the capacity to spend £200m but whether that fits with their model is another matter”.

This is also a first proper summer transfer window for sporting director Richard Hughes, who joined the Reds in March last year.

Given how much the Reds have spent already, there is every chance they will spend the £200m Maguire mentions, with several positions still being targeted as areas to strengthen.

Liverpool moved quickly to address the departure of full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold with the signing of Frimpong, who can play anywhere down the right-hand side.

Wirtz, meanwhile, is seen as a key acquisition for Slot, which is why Liverpool are prepared to pay a club-record transfer fee for him.

Manchester City – Liverpool’s likely main challengers for the title next season – had also been interested in the Germany international, having viewed him as a successor to Kevin de Bruyne.

But Pep Guardiola’s side were ultimately put off by the potential cost of the deal, leaving Liverpool to press on.

Left-back is also an area Slot wants to strengthen with Milos Kerkez – who plays for Hughes ‘ former club Bournemouth – a key target.

No agreement has yet been reached between Liverpool and Bournemouth, but the Reds have stepped up their efforts to sign him over the last couple of days.

Hughes was Bournemouth’s sporting director when Kerkez moved to the South Coast from AZ Alkmaar in 2023.

The Hungary defender dropped a small hint over his future on Instagram recently, posting: “I don’t know what will happen in the next week but Cherries family thank you”!

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Sport: “Kerkez from Bournemouth is a really good option. He’s quick, he’s got good feet, likes defending one-on-one. He is very tenacious, great energy, and is only 21.

” It fits the criteria of Liverpool’s recruitment team measured by ability to progress and become more of an asset. I think that’s quite likely to happen. “

The left-back ranks second for most distanced covered of all Premier League full-backs this season (behind only Fulham’s Antonee Robinson) and third for most sprints.

He has made the third-most open play crosses in the Premier League and has eight goal involvements this campaign (two goals and six assists).

His arrival would raise questions about the future of Andy Robertson and Konstantinos Tsimikas, with the Reds unlikely to need all three left-backs next season.

Tsimikas would be the expected departure but, with Champions League interest in Robertson, his exit instead is a possibility.

Liverpool were also one of a number of Premier League clubs interested in Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen before his move to Real Madrid was confirmed, so a centre-back may also be on the radar, particularly as Ibrahima Konate is into the final year of his contract with no news on a new agreement.

A new striker could also be pursued, although that will likely be dependent on outgoings in that position.

Slot could be tempted to refresh his attack and both Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez have been linked with moves away.

Diaz joined the Reds in 2022 but enjoyed his best goalscoring form under Slot with 17 in all competitions including 13 in the Premier League.

However, potential summer moves to either Barcelona or Saudi Arabia have been touted, and speculation over his future has only increased after Diaz and his girlfriend both wrote lengthy posts on social media to Liverpool fans that could be interpreted as farewell messages.

Meanwhile, Nunez has struggled to start regularly under Slot, who has also made public criticisms of his attitude.

He has had three full seasons at Liverpool since completing a move worth up to £85m from Benfica – and while his effort is praised by Liverpool fans, he has struggled to score consistently.

” It’s time for a freshen up in attack, “added Murphy.

” I think Darwin has had a lot of chances. If you just simplify it to what we’ve seen in terms of his contribution and minutes played, Slot obviously doesn’t fancy him.

“Slot has played a winger, Luis Diaz, ahead of him as a striker at times. That tells you everything you need to know.

” I would be amazed if Darwin stayed. I think the writing is on the wall for him. “

Another player whose future is unclear is Harvey Elliott.

The midfielder made 18 Premier League appearances for the Reds last season but started just two games and recently suggested his future is uncertain by saying” you never know what’s going to happen”.

French Open 2025

Location: Roland Garros, May 25 – June

After defeating fellow American Madison Keys in the French Open semifinals, world number two Coco Gauff praised her “will to win.”

Gauff advanced to her third semi-final at Roland Garros by beating Court Phillippe Chatrier 6 (6) 6 6-4 6-1.

Although both players were far below their best, Gauff eventually found her rhythm in the third set before going on to dominate.

Gauff, age 21, responded to a question about her fighting spirit: “I think it’s just a love for winning and the will to win, and I’ve always had that in me, not just in tennis but in everything.” I have a very competitive personality.

My theory is that if I can just leave it all out there, the loss will be much less painful than regrets about not giving it your all.

Gauff hasn’t won any titles on clay this year, reaching back-to-back finals in Madrid and Rome, respectively, against Aryna Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini.

Gauff and Keys traded early breaks, but Keys quickly regrouped as her rival continued to struggle, giving them a 4-1 lead.

Gauff’s accomplishment was that she fought back and held set point, but Australian Open champion Keys prevailed in the tie-break.

At a double break down, Keys found herself quickly on the back foot as a result of forced errors beginning to creep into the game in the second set.

However, Keys’ opponent equaled the lead with another break and a hold, just as Gauff did in the first set when she restored the advantage.

Gauff had already made nine double errors in the opening two sets, but Keys made the final six errors, compared to Gauff’s 41.

After finding her serve, Gauff raced through the decisive set, which ultimately proved to be the difference.

She said, “I’m very happy I made it,” and it wasn’t an easy match.

Keys is undoubtedly a very good player, and her forehand is probably one of the best, if not the best, on tour.

“I was aware that I just needed to run today. I knew I had to punish her for it as soon as the ball fell.

The 2023 US Open champion Gauff has defeated Keys three times before, and this is her first time doing so on clay.

Lois Boisson, the world number 361, says she wants to fulfill a “dream” from her youth by winning her home Grand Slam and that she is unhappy with beating the odds to reach the French Open semi-finals.

With a 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 victory over Mirra Andreeva, Boisson, who had been a wildcard, ensured her fairytale run would continue.

The Frenchwoman will meet Coco Gauff, the second-ranked player, in the final four after defeating three seeded players.

Every tennis player has the potential to win a Grand Slam, according to Boisson, 22.

“I will pursue the dream because I want to win, not to be in the semi-final.” Therefore, I’ll make every effort to help.

Boisson, who was playing in her first Grand Slam main draw, was supposed to be the wildcard last year but had to withdraw due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her knee a week before the French Open was scheduled to begin.

She continued, “I don’t believe it’s a miracle.”

“I’ve had a little bit of luck, but I think it’s just the work I’ve put in since I started playing tennis and since my rehab last year.

It is the result of diligent work. Nothing more. “

Boisson, who won matches against world number 31 Elise Mertens, third-ranked Jessica Pegula, and now Russian Andreeva, returned to the WTA Tour in April after suffering a knee injury. She has since proved to be the surprise package of her home major.

Early breaks were traded before 18-year-old Andreeva regained control in a testing first set.

Boisson, who has the word “resilience” tattooed on her arm, did, however, get a crucial break when 5-4 down.

Boisson eventually won the tie-break after she had three shots at set points, but Andreeva held on for the final three.

Boisson broke in her first service game and led 3-0 in the second set before launching her defense with the aid of a partisan crowd who yelled her name.

A vicious forehand down the line gave her a 3-2 lead and established a strong forehand in her favor.

Andreeva reacted by slamming her fist into her knee and throwing a ball into the crowd as Court Philippe Chatrier’s cauldron over the roof.

Boisson won her fifth game in a row after a second break gave her control of the set before surviving two break points to win the match.

Boisson, who turned professional in 2021, last year was competing on the third rung of the women’s tennis team.

In the run-up to the 2024 French Open, she won three ITF Circuit titles and a WTA Challenger competition in May to claim a wildcard for her home Grand Slam.

Boisson’s desire to compete at Roland Garros was thwarted by an ACL injury to her left knee, which prevented her from being able to watch the tournament unfold.

Boisson used neurovisual training, including sight tests, buzzer reaction tests, and using virtual reality headsets to keep her reactions focused, to speed up her recovery.

When she made her way back to the WTA Tour in February, she made a comeback and defeated Briton Harriet Dart to win the tournament’s opening match.

After Dart was forced to apologize to Boisson after asking the umpire to order her opponent to use deodorant, that match became famous.

However, Boisson recognized the humorous side of the situation and later corrected it by posting a photo of her putting on some deodorant and telling the company Dove they “need a collab.”

Between his return from injury and the start of the French Open, Boisson only participated in one of the eight matches.

By the time her run is over, Boisson will have made a significant climb up the world rankings, placing her live in 65th place.

She is now the French No. 1 despite starting the tournament as the 24th-ranked female player in her country.

Before this run at Roland Garros, the right-hander from Dijon had never even played a player who was in the top 50 of the world, and he has since won three games, two of which are in the top 10, including two that were in the top 10.

Boisson had already won 130, 000 euros (£109, 492) in career prizes before beginning her campaign at the French Open, but her semi-final victory has already earned her 690, 000 euros (£581, 152).

After 28 years and 51 transfers, Jefferson Louis, a pioneer in football, has called it quits on his long, distinguished career.

The 46-year-old made his professional debut for the Risborough Rangers in 1996 at the age of 17; this marked the start of a distinguished career in lower-league English football.

Prior to his retirement, he spent three seasons with Thame United.

He also spent time at Lincoln City, Mansfield Town, Oxford United, Mansfield Town, Wrexham, Crawley Town, Mansfield Town, and many others throughout his career.

For Louis, “It was my dream to play football professionally,” Louis said on BBC Radio Oxford.

I later met some lovely people while traveling, and that inspired me to pursue a career there. I later played on some fantastic grounds and with some fantastic players.

I’ve played professionally for a long time and I must be doing something right because I’ve still had more managers ask me to come play for them. “I have a good circle of friends that really encouraged me to overcome the dark days and strive for more.

Louis was well-known for his winning header against Swindon Town in the FA Cup second round in 2002, which earned him 10 goals in 64 appearances for Oxford United.

The U’s were able to draw their former team Arsenal at Highbury in the third round, which they then lost 2-0.

Before the game [against Swindon], I wasn’t aware of how much hatred existed between the two sides, Louis said.

On that day, I’ve never heard the Kassam so loud; when I scored, it was wonderful, and it later hit me with what I had done.

“And when we were drawn against Arsenal in the following round, it was a moment I will never forget, and I will share it with my little boy. I can’t fully explain how it felt.

He was expected to work with the club’s strikers in particular, but he also promised to give some of their younger players valuable mentorship.

Louis made five appearances for Slough between 2022 and 2023. In the summer of 2023, he also served as the club’s performance coach.

The closet holds the boots, according to Louis. “I won’t play them again.”

I’m going to take a break from playing, according to the pitchmen, “aside from showing them what to do in training.”

Louis also volunteers at a pupil referral center for school-aged children who have been expelled from the classrooms.

When he was 22 years old, he was imprisoned for dangerous driving.

Every person must make mistakes in order to learn, Louis said.

I tell them that I’ve made mistakes and that I’m learning them because I’ve lived them so I can better understand them.

Michael Dunlop won the Isle of Man TT on Wednesday, earning his third victory of the week in the delayed race two category. He continued to dominate the Supersport category.

The Northern Ireland rider’s overall career winning streak in the four-lapper reached an all-time record-breaking 32 as a result of their success.

Dean Harrison and Davey Todd were both 26.1 seconds ahead of Dunlop, who was a further 15.8 seconds adrift in third.

The 36-year-old has won 15 Supersport TT events in a row, including four doubles in a row between 2022 and 2025.

The county Antrim rider, who was first in Monday’s opening Supersport event, was also notable for being Dunlop’s seventh different manufacturer with success over the 37.73-mile Mountain Course, which had earned the Italian marque their first TT victory for 30 years.

After the race, a delighted Dunlop declared, “The wee bike]Ducati Panigale V2 is mint and never missed a beat.”

I’m happy because we choose our own bikes, our own manufacturers, and winning races. It’s great to be in the 30s.

Due to weather issues, a road traffic accident, and a medical emergency that did not relate to racing, Wednesday’s race started two and a half hours earlier than planned.

On lap one, Dunlop struggled to overcome Harrison and Todd’s challenge on their respective Hondas, with his lead fluctuating, and the team’s yellow livery was predominantly yellow in recognition of one of Ducati’s preferred colors in addition to their customary red.

Before the Hampshire rider retired on the second lap, he had 1.9 seconds to spare over Harrison and James Hillier moved into third.

After his second circuit, Dunlop gradually increased his lead to 15.9 seconds, which he increased to 21.5 seconds by lap three before increasing to 4.5 seconds.

Due to the gloomy conditions, his fastest lap of the race, 129.297mph on lap 2, was a little slower than the 133. 313mph he managed in race one.

The TT wins record holder will have the opportunity to win a fifth four-timer of his career when he competes in Friday’s second Superstock and Supertwins races and Saturday’s Senior TT, the blue riband event.

Paul Jordan placed fourth, James Hind placed fifth, and Josh Brookes placed sixth behind Harrison, who earned his fourth podium of the week, and Todd.

1 Ducati’s Michael Dunlop

2 Honda’s Dean Harrison

3 Honda’s Davey Todd

4 Honda, Paul Jordan (NI).

5 Suzuki Engineer James Hind

6 Honda vs. Josh Brookes

7 Mike Browne (Yay Yamaha)