Middlesbrough’s search for their new manager looks set to be over, with a significant update emerging regarding the club’s process to replace Rob Edwards.

The exit of Edwards to Wolves has hurt Boro at a key point in the season where they are sitting second in the Championship table and pushing for promotion. He sent a message to the supporters upon leaving for Molineux, wishing the club well.

“This has been one of the toughest decisions of my career. In truth, I wouldn’t have considered leaving Middlesbrough for any other club. Wolves is a special club for me. It’s where I grew as both a player and a coach, it’s still where my family calls home. It has always been my dream to come back and these opportunities do not come around too often.

“Middlesbrough is an incredible club, with a fantastic owner, staff and passionate supporters. I want to thank everyone at the club for the opportunity to lead this squad, it is a great group of players that I genuinely hope and believe will deliver success this season. I could not be prouder of the environment we built together and how it all gelled together so quickly – the players, the staff, and the fans, who drive it all. I sincerely wish everyone at Middlesbrough all the very best for the rest of the season and beyond. Rob.”

It’s now a case of Boro nailing Edwards’ successor at the Riverside Stadium, and it looks as though their new boss may have been found, following a big new claim.

Middlesbrough reach verbal agreement with Kim Hellberg

According to Fotboll Skanalen, Middlesbrough have now reached a verbal agreement with Kim Hellberg over a move to the club, seeing him as the right man to come in for Edwards.

Boro look set to swoop in from under the noses of Championship rivals Swansea City, with the club having a meeting with Hellberg’s representatives in London.

Hellberg may be something of an unknown to some Boro supporters, considering he is only 37 and hasn’t managed in Europe’s top leagues yet, but he looks like an exciting young choice.

IFK Varnamo sporting director Enes Ahmetovic, who worked with the Swede in the past, has said of him: “An incredibly skilled football coach. He spends a huge amount of time on every detail. I’m completely convinced that Hellberg will coach much bigger clubs than IFK Varnamo.”

"Impressive" manager now interested in taking Middlesbrough job after talks

Would he be the right man to replace Rob Edwards?

ByHenry Jackson Nov 16, 2025

The 4-2-3-1-playing Hellberg is something of a gamble, at a time when promotion has to be the aim for Boro, but assuming he is the choice to come in, it will be fascinating to see how he fares.

How Middlesbrough feel about Raphael Wicky as Swiss manager holds Riverside talks

Mikel Merino was the hero yet again for Arsenal, picking up a goal and an assist as the Premier League leaders saw off a stubborn Brentford side 2-0 at the Emirates to restore their five-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City. The Spain international, still playing as Mikel Arteta's makeshift striker, scored a fine header early on to open the scoring and then set up substitute Bukayo Saka in the closing stages to wrap up a crucial win for the Gunners.

Arteta took the opportunity to make some changes following Sunday's draw at Chelsea, with Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard and Ben White coming in for Saka, Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber. And it was Madueke and White who combined superbly to set up Merino for the opening goal, with the Spaniard smartly heading home the former's cross at the near post.

Gabriel Martinelli had a chance to double Arsenal's lead before half-time but fired over, while at the other end David Raya produced a wonderful point blank save to tip Kevin Schade's header onto the crossbar. 

Arsenal had to endure some nervy moments in the second half as Brentford looked for a leveller, but they made sure of the win late on when Saka – who had replaced Madueke – finished off Merino's pass to restore Arsenal's five-point advantage at the top of the table.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Emirates Stadium…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (8/10):

Outstanding save to tip Schade's point-blank header onto the bar and his handling was good throughout.

Ben White (8/10):

Back in the starting XI and reminded everyone just how good he is in the first half. Excellent down the right, linked up really well with Madueke. Lovely assist for Merino's early goal.

Cristhian Mosquera (6/10):

Arsenal's latest injury victim. Forced off before half-time after an awkward landing.

Piero Hincapie (7/10):

Solid enough. Coped pretty well with the pace and direct style of the Brentford attack.

Riccardo Calafiori (7/10):

A typically strong showing, popping up all over the pitch. Did well defensively and almost scored late on.

AdvertisementAFPMidfield

Martin Zubimendi (7/10):

Calm and steady as always. Just kept things ticking over nicely.

Declan Rice (7/10):

Made some driving runs into the box and was so close to providing a great assist for Madueke before Henry's last ditch block. Limped off late on with what Arsenal will hope was cramp.

Martin Odegaard (6/10):

Positive signs on his first start since his return. Heavily involved, linked up well down the right and looked fit. Important minutes as he looks to get back to his top level.

AFPAttack

Noni Madueke (7/10):

Really lively when on the ball in the first half and caused Henry so many problems. Lovely flick to release White in the build up to the early goal. Set-piece delivery needs work though. Faded after half-time.

Mikel Merino (8/10):

Brilliant centre-forward play to open the scoring. The run and header were superb. Good display, covered so much ground and added an assist for Saka late on.

Gabriel Martinelli (6/10):

Fired one shot over in the first half. Willing runner, but was on the fringes of things before being replaced by Eze.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

Getty Images SportSubs & Manager

Jurrien Timber (7/10):

Replaced the injured Mosquera at centre-back in the first half. Solid.

Bukayo Saka (7/10):

Made sure of the points in stoppage time from Merino's pass. 

Eberechi Eze (6/10):

Saw quite a bit of the ball, but Brentford dealt with him well.

Viktor Gyokeres (N/A):

On for the closing stages.

Mikel Arteta (7/10):

Made some changes to give some players a rest. Unlucky that Mosquera picked up an injury which forced Timber on early.

The defending champions had looked like taking a strong lead, but ended up in trouble themselves later in the day

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff06-Oct-2025

Peter Handscomb reminded Test selectors of his talents, scoring another Sheffield Shield century against South Australia.After the Victoria captain top scored with 103 on Monday at Adelaide Oval and declared seven runs behind the home side, a crucial sixth-wicket stand rescued the day for SA.Related

Fergus O'Neill averages 20 with the ball, but can he play Test cricket?

Run out thwarts Harris after promising half-century

'Stripped back' Labuschagne takes leap towards Ashes recall with 160

Daniel Drew (42 not out) and Harry Nielsen (41 not out) took SA from a precarious 82 for 5 to 169 for 5 at stumps, a lead of 176 going into the last day.Resuming on 38 with the score 167 for 3, Handscomb anchored the Victorian innings on day three. In reply to SA’s 350, they were in trouble at 199 for 6 before Handscomb combined with Fergus O’Neill for a seventh-wicket stand of 125.Spinner Lloyd Pope had O’Neill caught-and-bowled for 64 and Pope dismissed Handscomb, caught by Jordan Buckingham in the deep for the eighth wicket.Handscomb, whose most recent Test was in March 2023, faced 180 balls and hit seven fours and two sixes. Half of his 18 Shield tons have been against SA.SA steadily lost early wickets in their second innings. After a duck on the opening day, No.3 and Test hopeful Nathan McSweeney was dismissed for 6 when he edged a pull against David Moody.Opener Henry Hunt and Jake Lehmann starred with centuries in SA’s first innings. But when impressive Victorian left-arm spinner Doug Warren dismissed them in successive overs – Hunt top-edging a sweep and Lehmann bowled through the gate on the drive – the home side was five down for not nearly enough.That brought together Drew and Nielsen, who grew in confidence as they batted through to stumps.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras encara o Flamengo neste domingo (21), no Allianz Parque, em jogo válido pela 3ª rodada do Brasileirão 2024 e o duelo entre Abel Ferreira e Tite é um dos ingredientes principais da partida.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras pode não ter importante titular para encarar o Flamengo no Allianz ParquePalmeiras20/04/2024DicasPalmeiras x Flamengo: odds, estatísticas e informações para apostar na 3ª rodada do BrasileirãoDicas20/04/2024PalmeirasPalmeiras quer encerrar tabu contra o Flamengo, e Mayke avisa: ‘Gostamos de jogos assim!’Palmeiras20/04/2024

➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão

O técnico do Flamengo volta a encarar o Palmeiras no Allianz Parque após oito anos e o torcedor palmeirense espera que Tite saia da casa do Verdão igual após a sua última visita no estádio: derrotado.

Comandando o Corinthians pelo Brasileirão de 2016, Tite perdeu por 1 a 0 para o Palmeiras de Cuca, que terminaria aquele Brasileiro como campeão nacional após 22 anos.

continua após a publicidade

Aquele foi o último jogo de Tite pelo maior rival do Palmeiras antes do técnico confirmar que seria o novo comandante da Seleção Brasileira, onde ele ficou por seis anos e comandou o Brasil por duas Copas do Mundo.

➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!

Este será o segundo duelo entre Tite e Abel Ferreira na carreira dos dois treinadores. O primeiro encontro foi pelo Brasileirão de 2023, quando o Flamengo saiu vencedor no Maracanã, por 3 a 0.

continua após a publicidade

Tudo sobre

Allianz ParqueFlamengoPalmeirasTite

Big picture: Ghosts to bury for South Africa

We often have poignant memories of certain places that come rushing back when we return to them. As much as they would want to avoid it, South Africa could experience this on their return to Guwahati, where they began their World Cup 2025 campaign by being dismantled for 69 in just 20.4 overs. On Wednesday, they will play a semi-final at the same ground, against the same opponents, England.South Africa’s batters had seemed to overcome that opening-match shock, firing in five successive wins, until they ran into Australia in their last match of the league stage. If they had succumbed to Linsey Smith, Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean in the game against England, it was spin again that undid them now, the magic right wrist of Alana King sending them hurtling to 97 all out.Related

• Tactics board: Kapp vs Knight and Sciver-Brunt and SA vs spin

• For Nonkululeko Mlaba, cricket was a means to a better life but then she fell in love with it

• South Africa take hurt, hope and hard lessons into the semi-finals

• Powerplay Podcast: Can anyone stop Australia?

If their net sessions on Tuesday were anything to go by, South Africa will look to counterpunch, whether England throw spin or pace at them. Their batters had a hit in the sun, hitting uninhibitedly in the air, getting plenty of appreciative yells and thumbs up from head coach Mandla Mashimbyi.It isn’t just spin demons that South Africa must exorcise to reach their maiden ODI World Cup final. Their only semi-final appearances so far came in the last two editions of the tournament, and England shattered their dreams both times, heartbreakingly in 2017 and more comprehensively in 2022.At the start of this year, England themselves wouldn’t have expected to be the second-best team at this World Cup, having changed their captain and coach after a 7-0 blanking in the Ashes. But they buried their own ghosts, overcame wobbles against Bangladesh, snatched a game from hosts India, and crashed Sophie Devine’s farewell party before flying to Guwahati.Despite their volatile results in recent times, England have a lot more World Cup pedigree: they are four-time champions, they have made the semi-finals in each of the last six editions, and have turned out in all but one of the last four finals. If South Africa want to beat their nemesis, they will hope to make the most of a helpful Guwahati strip to break open England’s middle order. This is perhaps the only base England haven’t covered yet; they tried to fix it in their last league match, bringing in the experienced Danni Wyatt-Hodge.2:33

Kapp vs Knight, and other key match-ups to watch out for

Form guide

England WLWWW (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
South Africa LWWWW

In the spotlight: Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Marizanne Kapp

Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 34 and in her fourth ODI World Cup, brings a wealth of experience that she finally brought to the XI when she came in for Emma Lamb well after England had booked their semi-final berth. She got all of seven balls to face in a modest chase of 169 against New Zealand, and will hope to channel the 2022 semi-final, which she dominated with a 125-ball 129 as opener. She has since moved down the order, hasn’t scored another hundred yet, and has gone past 50 just twice in 24 innings. She will hope she can put her hand up on Wednesday and put behind her an English summer during which she was dropped from the ODI set-up.Marizanne Kapp has hardly been herself at this World Cup, at least in terms of numbers. Barring her two half-centuries against Pakistan and Bangladesh, she hasn’t gone past 20 yet, and her seven wickets so far don’t quite reflect her body of work and skills with the ball. Having finished the 2017 edition with 13 scalps and the 2022 one with 12, she would definitely want to get into double-digits in her fifth ODI World Cup.

Team news

Sophie Ecclestone bowled just four balls against New Zealand and hurt her left shoulder while fielding. An MRI scan showed a “minor injury” close to her collarbone, and she trained on Tuesday evening, but bowled for barely 15 minutes before she switched to batting. While Ecclestone may not yet be 100% fit, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said she would be “wanting to get out onto that pitch regardless of how she’s feeling.” If she doesn’t make it, England could bring in legspinner Sarah Glenn, who has so far only featured in the rain-hit match against Pakistan.England (possible): 1 Amy Jones (wk), 2 Tammy Beaumont, 3 Heather Knight, 4 Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), 5 Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 6 Sophia Dunkley, 7 Alice Capsey, 8 Charlie Dean, 9 Sophie Ecclestone, 10 Linsey Smith, 11 Lauren Bell.South Africa may not feel the need to make any changes to their XI from the Australia game, unless they want to bring in a third frontline spinner for the slower conditions in Guwahati.South Africa (probable): 1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Sune Luus, 4 Annerie Dercksen, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Sinalo Jafta (wk), 7 Chloe Tryon, 8 Nadine de Klerk, 9 Masabata Klaas, 10 Ayabonga Khaka, 11 Nonkululeko Mlaba.2:55

‘SA will be confident in their batting unit’

Pitch and conditions

Guwahati has not had a game in over two weeks, which effectively makes the pitch for the semi-final a fresh one. The surfaces here so far have offered plenty of purchase for the spinners, with grip, turn and a lack of pace that has made run-scoring more challenging than it has been in Indore, Visakhapatnam and Navi Mumbai. The weather in Guwahati looked ominous a few days ago, but has mostly cleared since.If there’s not enough time to complete the game on Wednesday, the reserve day will come into effect on Thursday.

Stats and trivia

• Marizanne Kapp needs four more wickets to go level with Jhulan Goswami (43) at the top of the overall list of wicket-takers in ODI World Cups. Kapp and Megan Schutt are on 39, along with the retired Australian Lyn Fullston.
• England dominate the head-to-head between these two teams, with a 36-10 win-loss record.
• Laura Wolvaardt is 48 runs away from becoming the first South African woman to reach the 5000 mark in ODIs.
• Nonkululeko Mlaba needs just one wicket to reach 50 in ODIs
• Heather Knight (944) Tammy Beaumont (897) are closing in on 1000 ODI World Cup runs.

Quotes

“I think we were a totally different-looking side. They’ve got a lot of different players as well. So I think it’s sort of a fresh opportunity and it starts from zero. So I’m looking forward to the challenge and hopefully we’re able to learn from those semi-final victories that we’ve got and maybe stay a bit calmer under pressure.”
“That was obviously a long time ago in the tournament and I guess since then we’ve played a lot of games. But, yeah, South Africa obviously have had some brilliant games since then and are a dangerous side.”

Luis Enrique shared his reaction to a horror challenge on Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier by Lamine Camara. The night ended in frustration and anger in equal measure as the reigning champions fell 1-0 to Monaco on Saturday evening. But the result was overshadowed by a rash early challenge on Chevalier that astonishingly went unpunished by VAR.

• Chevalier survives horror challenge

  PSG arrived riding the momentum of a breathless 5-3 Champions League win over Tottenham earlier in the week. Yet within the opening quarter-hour, the tone of the night changed dramatically when Monaco midfielder Camara lunged recklessly at Chevalier, catching the goalkeeper flush on the right ankle with vehement force. Referee Clement Turpin brandished only a yellow card, a decision that immediately prompted disbelief from the PSG bench. Chevalier remained on the pitch, rolling in agony as the medical team rushed to him. For a moment, it appeared the 22-year-old’s night, and possibly his season, was over. Shockingly, VAR did not intervene despite replays showing Camara’s studs planting high and hard into the goalkeeper’s ankle. After several minutes of treatment, Chevalier somehow returned to his position between the posts. 

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  What Chevalier and Luis Enrique said

  Speaking to , Chevalier admitted the severity of what had unfolded: "As for my ankle, listen… I think everyone saw it… I think my career could have taken a different turn today, and I was very lucky. I didn't dwell on it; it was over. But I think sometimes there are certain actions you have to avoid. Today I just know that I was very lucky and that I'll be able to continue playing football every week."

  While Luis Enrique is known for avoiding refereeing debates, he could barely hide his disbelief when questioned about the incident.

  "He was very lucky today," he told "I think…I'm not going to say anything more because it's not my job, but it's incredible…Lucas Chevalier was very lucky."

• Monaco edge PSG after sustained first-half pressure

  Beyond the controversy, the match itself unfolded with Monaco pushing relentlessly in the first half. Chevalier, once recovered, was forced into several interventions as the home side pressed with energy. PSG, by contrast, appeared sluggish and disjointed, a far cry from the impressive attacking performance that had dispatched Tottenham just days earlier. Their passing patterns lacked sharpness, and they repeatedly ceded possession in vulnerable areas. The breakthrough came midway through the second half. In the 68th minute, Takumi Minamino punished PSG’s hesitancy by guiding a precise finish past Chevalier after yet another incisive move from the hosts. 

  It was a deserved lead for a Monaco side who had spent much of the match dictating tempo and exposing PSG’s defensive vulnerabilities. With nine minutes left, PSG were handed an unexpected numerical advantage. Monaco defender Thilo Kehrer was dismissed for what Turpin judged as a denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity. Despite a frantic final push in stoppage time, PSG could not find a response. Their late surge was spirited but insufficient, mirroring Chevalier’s post-match assessment of the team’s performance. 

  "There were quite a few things that didn't go our way today. We lacked impact, we lost possession a bit silly. I think we weren't at 100 per cent. Monaco were a bit sharper," Chevalier told Ligue 1+. "We pushed hard in the last 10 minutes, but it wasn't enough. We've had a lot of injuries since the start of the season, we're playing a lot of games in quick succession. It's a different season compared to last season."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• AFP
  

  Table trouble looms for PSG

  Saturday’s defeat marked PSG’s first league loss since falling to Marseille in September, and it could prove particularly costly in the title race. Should Roberto de Zerbi's men win against Toulouse and Lens defeat Angers, PSG could tumble from first to third place in the Ligue 1 standings. With Rennes awaiting them on December 7, Enrique knows that his side cannot afford any more slip ups. Nonetheless, on Saturday, the manager was relieved that his goalkeeper was able to walk out of the stadium, despite being at the receiving end of a horrific challenge. 

The Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 9-5, on Monday night. While Shohei Ohtani stole the headlines with his league-leading 17th home run, Corbin Carroll may have turned in the play of the game with a triple in the fourth inning.

Facing a 3-2 count to lead off the inning against Landon Knack, Carroll ripped one down the first-base line into the left field corner. The ball took a favorable bounce towards Teoscar Hernandez who fielded the ball cleanly and hit his cutoff man who had no chance.

Carroll had gone first-to-third in just under 11 seconds. The only person who has done that faster this season is Corbin Carroll. And maybe Elly De La Cruz.

For a little perspective that's about as much time as it took Juan Soto to reach first on a ball that hit off the Green Monster on Monday night.

Whatever your stopwatch says about how fast Carroll made it to third on this hit, the fact that the ball rolled right towards Hernandez is probably the only thing that stopped Carroll from a stand up inside-the-park home run. The ball had barely reached second base by the time Carroll was sliding safely into third.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Walker Buehler and manager Alex Cora were both ejected from Tuesday's game against the New York Mets in the top of the second inning after losing their cool following a heinous call from home plate umpire Mike Estabrook.

When pitching to Juan Soto, Buehler threw a pitch that was practically right down the middle of the zone. Soto took the pitch as Francisco Lindor was attempting to steal second base, however, Estabrook ruled it a ball because catcher Carlos Narvaez jumped to his feet in an effort to mow down Lindor.

Buehler was irate that Estabrook ruled the pitch a ball, and rightfully so, but he took things a bit too far when angrily protesting the decision from the home plate umpire.

Have a look at Buehler's meltdown on the mound:

Lip readers won't have to work too hard to decipher what Buehler shouted at Estabrook, as it was immediately clear that their verbal exchange was anything but friendly.

After Buehler was tossed, Cora came out from the dugout to give the umpiring crew a piece of his mind. It didn't take too long for him to follow in Buehler's footsteps on a one-way trip to the locker room, though he didn't leave the field before airing out his grievances.

Buehler pitched 2 1/3 innings in Tuesday's game before his ejection, after which he was replaced by Brennan Bernardinho.

A Brazil international says his friends and family members are now urging him to join Arsenal, describing the Gunners as the ‘perfect’ club.

Arsenal prepare for Chelsea after statement Bayern Munich win

Arsenal’s commanding 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday night has set the stage perfectly for Sunday’s blockbuster Premier League clash with second-placed Chelsea this weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s side maintained their perfect Champions League record with a dominant second-half performance that overwhelmed the previously unbeaten German champions.

Jurrien Timber’s header from Bukayo Saka’s corner opened the scoring before teenage sensation Lennart Karl equalized with a composed volley to end Arsenal’s clean sheet streak in the competition.

However, the second period belonged entirely to the hosts. Substitute Noni Madueke, after returning from two months out with a knee injury, broke the deadlock with his first Arsenal goal before Gabriel Martinelli capitalized on Manuel Neuer’s catastrophic error to seal all three points.

The result sends Arsenal three points clear at the top of the Champions League table and represents their first victory over Bayern in a decade, ending a winless run against the Bavarians dating all the way back to October 2015.

Martin Odegaard’s late comeback appearance off the bench provided even more encouragement ahead of the weekend’s crucial encounter at Stamford Bridge.

The captain’s return offers Arteta additional midfield creativity just when Arsenal need it most, facing a Chelsea side riding high after their own impressive European victory over Barcelona.

Sunday’s clash represents a genuine title race test. Arsenal arrive in excellent form, having thrashed Tottenham 4-1 in the North London derby before dispatching Bayern, and they’re currently on a phenomenal 16-game unbeaten streak.

Chelsea, meanwhile, sit just six points behind the league leaders following their Champions League demolition job.

Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal star will miss Chelsea clash through injury

The Spaniard is gearing up for one of their biggest games of the season.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 28, 2025

Away from the pitch, sporting director Andrea Berta continues to weigh up how best to strengthen Arteta’s squad for the long-term.Reports suggest that Arsenal have already held ‘initial’ talks over Elche sensation Rodrigo Mendoza, amid his comparisons to Pedri, but someone else has now opened the door for a potential N5 move.

Luiz Henrique makes Arsenal transfer admission

That man is Zenit St. Petersburg winger Luiz Henrique.

The Brazilian, who boasts 11 caps for his country, joined the Russian Premier League side back in January following a brief stint in his homeland at Botafogo.

Before that, he was at Real Betis in La Liga after coming through the ranks at Fluminense, and he’s been discussing his next career moves in an interview with Globo Esporte.

Speaking to the outlet, as translated by Arsenal News, Henrique claims that his close circle have told him to join Arsenal, expressing how he is a “huge fan” of that idea.

The 23-year-old, who’s bagged one goal and three assists in 14 league appearances this season, is in Carlo Ancelotti’s thinking for the 2026 World Cup.

He was included in the Brazil squad for recent friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia, making appearances off the bench, and Henrique’s versatility to play almost anywhere in attack would appeal to Arteta.

However, as yet, there’s been no links to the forward from an Arsenal perspective, at least not this year.

That being said, Henrique has clearly invited the north Londoners to make a move, so the door is wide open.

أكد آرني سلوت، مدرب نادي ليفربول، أن مواجهة فريقه أمام بي إس في آيندهوفن، هي فرصة جيدة للريدز لإظهار ردة فعل اليوم، محملًا في الوقت ذاته مسؤولية نتائج النادي الإنجليزي السيئة هذا الموسم.

ليفربول سوف يستضيف مساء اليوم الأربعاء آيندهوفن، ضمن الجولة الخامسة من مرحلة الدوري في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويسعى ليفربول للظهور بشكل مختلف في لقاء اليوم وتحقيق الانتصار، عقب السقوط أمام نوتينجهام فورست يوم السبت والخسارة 3-0 بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويتعرض ليفربول إلى انتقادات لاذعة مع سوء نتائج ومستوى الفريق، لكن سلوت وعد أن يغير وضع الريدز الحالي.

وقال سلوت لموقع ليفربول الرسمي: “عادةً ما أقول بعد الهزيمة إن المباراة التالية فرصة للرد، هذا صحيح تمامًا في هذه الحالة، ليفربول ليس ناديًا تصبح فيه الخسارة أمرًا طبيعيًا بأي حال من الأحوال، ما يعني أن الخيار الوحيد المتاح لنا هو الرد بالطريقة الصحيحة”.

وأضاف: ”أوضح طريقة لشرح معنى هذا عمليًا هي أن يبذل كل منا قصارى جهده لتحقيق النتيجة الإيجابية التي نحتاجها، هذا هو الحد الأدنى المطلوب، ليس فقط الليلة بل في كل مباراة نخوضها”.

وأوضح سلوت: ”يوم السبت، لم نلعب المعايير التي وضعناها لأنفسنا وهذا واضح، قلت لاحقًا إنه في ظل هذه الظروف ساندنا الجمهور بطريقة ربما لا تحدث في أندية أخرى، لكن هذا ليس أمرًا مفروغًا منه”.

وأردف: “مرة أخرى، يقع على عاتقنا تهيئة الظروف للدعم الإيجابي من خلال تقديم كرة قدم جيدة والتنافس في جميع الأوقات، وإظهار الروح المعنوية التي تشتهر بها فرق ليفربول، هذه مسؤولية يجب أن نتحملها جميعًا لأننا نعلم من التجربة مدى إيجابية الوضع في مثل هذه الظروف”.

وتابع سلوت متحدثًا عن الخسارة ضد نوتينجهام: “يجب أن أؤكد أن النصف ساعة الأولى من مباراة السبت كانت أكثر انسجامًا مع هذه المعايير مما هو معترف به”.

وواصل: “كنا الفريق المسيطر في تلك الفترة ضد نوتينجهام لكننا لم نحقق ما كنا نتمناه، وبينما أكون أول من يعترف بأن ما حدث بعد ذلك لم يكن جيدًا بما يكفي، يجب ألا نتجاهل جوانب لعبنا التي كانت أقرب إلى ما كنا نتوقعه”.

واستكمل: ” إنه مزيج من هذه المعرفة،وما رأيناه من هذا الفريق سابقًا ، وإن لم يكن كافيًا مؤخرًا ، وما نعرفه عن جودة لاعبي فريقنا، وهذا ما يمنحنا الثقة بأن التحسن سيأتي إذا تماسكنا وواصلنا العمل بأقصى جهد ممكن”.

وقال: “الليلة، علينا أن نفعل ذلك في مسابقة مختلفة ضد خصم أعرفه جيدًا بالطبع، يتصدر آيندهوفن الدوري وفاز بالمسابقة في الموسمين الماضيين على التوالي، لذا فإن تاريخه يتحدث عن نفسه، مع بيتر بوس، لديهم أيضًا مدرب يحظى باحترام كبير، ليس فقط في هولندا بل في عالم كرة القدم بشكل عام”.

أضاف: ” أود أن أرحب ببيتر وجهازه الفني ولاعبي وإداريي وجماهير آيندهوفن في ملعب أنفيلد لحضور هذه المباراة، التقينا في هولندا الموسم الماضي، بالطبع في مباراة فاز بها ايندهوفن بنتيجة 3-2، لذا من الجيد أن تتاح لنا فرصة مواجهتهم مجددًا ونأمل أن نحقق نتيجة أفضل هذه المرة”.

اقرأ أيضًا .. فان دايك يتوجه بطلب لجماهير ليفربول قبل مواجهة آيندهوفن

وأوضح: “أجرينا العديد من التغييرات في تلك المباراة، بالطبع لأننا كنا قد تأهلنا بالفعل إلى الدور التالي من دوري أبطال أوروبا بحلول ذلك الوقت، لكن هذا لا يعني أننا لا ندرك إمكانيات ايندهوفن وتحدياته”.

وأردف سلوت: “آيندهوفن فريق قوي جدًا ويضم لاعبين ممتازين، يكفي أن ننظر إلى فوزهم الأخير على نابولي لنرى ذلك، مما يجعل هذه المباراة فرصة لإظهار أفضل ما لدينا”.

تابع: “لقد قلت سابقًا وكذلك بعد مباراة السبت، إنني ممتن جدًا لوقوف جماهيرنا إلى جانبنا بهذه الطريقة، وأود أن أضيف أن هذا يعزز رغبتي في تقديم كرة قدم مثالية وتحقيق النتائج التي تستحقونها”.

وواصل: “لقد تمكنا من تحقيق ذلك في الموسم الماضي وفي بداية هذا الموسم، لكننا مؤخرًا لم نحقق هذا الهدف، أتحمل مسؤولية هذا الأمر وسأظل دائمًا على نفس النهج”.

واختتم سلوت في حديثه: ”علينا أن نغير مجرى الأمور لصالح جماهيرنا وأنفسنا، والليلة ستكون فرصة مناسبة للبدء في ذلك”.