Santos president Marcelo Teixeira has confirmed that renewing Neymar's contract is a major priority, days after the Brazil international admitted he was unsure where his future lies. The former Barcelona star returned to his boyhood team at the start of the year and helped them avoid what would have been an embarrassing relegation from Serie A, but his current deal is now set to expire.

• Neymar facing uncertain future at Santos

  Neymar has endured some difficult times since returning to boyhood club Santos, once again struggling with injuries after his spell in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal was dogged by similar issues. The Brazilian club were staring at the possibility of relegation from the country's top division, but their talismanic attacker stepped up to inspire a crucial 3-0 victory over Cruzeiro, playing through the pain of a new meniscus injury in his knee to ensure they will remain in Serie A.

  However, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star immediately cast doubt over his short-term future. When asked what's next for him, Neymar responded: "I do not know, really. I don’t know. I need some days now, I need to rest, disconnect then decide my future. For sure my priority always goes to Santos."

  Neymar finished the 2025 season with eight goals and one assist in 20 league games as he started to feature on a more consistent basis for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign, his last in France with Paris Saint-Germain.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Club president reveals latest on contract talks

  While Neymar is unsure where his future lies, those at the boardroom level seem set in their belief that he should extend his contract.

  Teixeira said: "Renewing Neymar's contract is a priority for Santos right now. Everything depends on the budget. We have a budget that is based on what we can spend. We are talking and negotiating in search of a common ground, adapting Neymar's current contract to 2026.

  "There is good intention on his part, on the part of NR [the company that manages the striker's career], and on the part of Santos. That's already a good start. We need this adjustment to lead to a positive financial outcome for both sides.

  "We are in talks regarding some contract renewals, especially Neymar's, and we are very confident. Neymar's project is also aimed at next year's World Cup, and we are in this dialogue to ensure he stays."

• Neymar's World Cup dream in the balance

  Neymar has previously featured in three World Cups for Brazil. He was their shining light in 2014, scoring four goals before suffering a tournament-ending injury. The Selecao were later eliminated by Germany in the semi-finals with a crushing 7-1 defeat. He then scored two goals apiece at the 2018 and 2022 showpieces, but Brazil were eliminated at the quarter-final stage in both competitions.

  Now 33 years of age, Neymar is undoubtedly past his best, with recent injuries robbing him of his renowned agility and pace. He will hope to be part of Brazil's squad for the 2026 tournament, especially given that the only piece of silverware he has won at international level remains the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, but he has not played for his country since 2023. National team manager Carlo Ancelotti also has plenty of other options in wide positions to choose from, including Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Estevao, Matheus Cunha, Joao Pedro and Raphinha just to name a handful.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  What comes next for Neymar?

  For now, all eyes will be on Neymar's current injury situation, with the forward set to undergo minor surgery on his knee issue. It's been reported that the legendary Brazilian attacker will soon see a 'miracle doctor', a physiotherapist by the name of Eduardo Santos, in the hope of regaining full fitness in quick time before the World Cup rolls around.

  Ancelotti recently revealed he will refuse to call up players who aren't 100% fit and claimed he doesn't "owe anyone a debt" when it comes to his Brazil squad selection for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but did say Neymar would make the cut if he "deserves" it.

Manchester United are now about to sign a South American wonderkid, according to reports, who is “on his way” to seal his move.

Man Utd have "no excuses", says Amorim

After a frustrating defeat against Everton at Old Trafford on Monday, the last thing that Man United need is a trip to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Those are the cards they’ve been dealt, however, and Ruben Amorim’s side now have the task of getting back to winning ways at one of the toughest grounds in the Premier League.

Man Utd in contact and lead race to sign attacking talent likened to Neymar

The Red Devils have a keen eye for talent overseas and could be about to rock the South American market in their latest pursuit.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 29, 2025

The Man United boss has no time for excuses this season, though – telling reporters in the build-up: “In our club it’s the same thing because last year we had to win every game all the time and we took a lot of things, a lot of criticism because we were not winning.

“So, in our club, there is no excuses. About Europe, I already talked about Europe, and I said the same thing last year when we were in Europe and I say the same thing this year, the advantage and the disadvantage of not being in Europe. So, there is no excuses. Last year or this year, we have always to win games.”

Victory could take the Red Devils to as high as fourth if other results go their way in what would be a major boost after 13 games. Defeat, meanwhile, could see them drop down to as low as 14th in familiar territory to last season.

INEOS and Amorim will know just how important Champions League qualification is on and off the pitch. Away from the action, it would allow them to attract the likes of Elliot Anderson, who now also has the interest of Manchester City.

It would also make them an attractive option for more young players, having already agreed a deal to sign South American youngster Cristian Orozco.

Cristian Orozco now "on his way" to sign for Man Utd

According to Fabrizio Romano, Orozco is now “on his way” to sign for Man United and travelling with lead scout Giuseppe Antonaccio after INEOS completed a deal worth $1m (£750,000) with Fortaleza.

Those at Old Trafford have signed the 17-year-old in the hope that he follows the same path that others have done so many times before in South America.

The Premier League is littered with several stars who launched careers in South America before reaching stardom in English football. Usually, it’s been the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion taking full advantage, but Chelsea and now Man United are beginning to take full advantage.

The Blues now have one of the best teenagers in the world in Estevao Willian and if Orozco is anywhere near as talented as the winger then United have hit the jackpot.

Man Utd eye move for £80m star who Man City would "love" to buy in January

Both Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars are currently on 11 points, only behind Hobart Hurricanes

AAP03-Dec-2025Less than a fortnight after Sydney Sixers were mauled by Melbourne Stars, they have won the return bout to continue their late-season WBBL surge.Ash Gardner starred with her highest score in the league for more than two years, as well as taking three wickets, in the 16-run win on Wednesday at Drummoyne Oval. The Sixers improved to equal-second in the standings with Stars, and have a game in hand.On November 20, Stars great Meg Lanning unleashed a batting masterclass against Sixers, and her 135 remains the top score of the season. But since that heavy loss, Sixers are on a three-game winning streak, with one no-result. By contrast, Stars have lost their past two matches to fall three points behind top side Hobart Hurricanes.After Sixers won the toss on Wednesday, Gardner headlined their innings with a quickfire 50 from 31 balls, featuring seven fours and two sixes. It was her highest WBBL score since October 2023.Maia Bouchier’s 67 went in a losing cause•Getty ImagesOpener Sophia Dunkley contributed 41 and Sixers reached a healthy 164 for 5.Stars looked shot when Gardner trapped Lanning lbw for just eight, leaving them 30 for 4.Enter Maia Bouchier, playing her first game of the WBBL season as a replacement for Marizanne Kapp. Bouchier combined with Kim Garth for a fifth-wicket stand of 82 that put Stars back in the hunt.After Gardner dismissed Garth for 17, Dani Gibson immediately hit three fours and suddenly the pressure was on Sixers.Stars were 131 for 5 in the 18th over when Bouchier rifled a low drive off Mady Villiers and Lauren Cheatle took an outstanding catch at cover. With Bouchier out for a match-high 67 from 40 balls, and Gibson dismissed in the next over for 17, Sixers could breathe again.Stars reached 148 for 8 as Gardner snared 3 for 31 from four overs.Sixers will close out the regular season against Melbourne Renegades and Adelaide Strikers, while Stars will play Sydney Thunder.

All the stats from an extraordinary batting onslaught in the second T20I at Old Trafford

Sampath Bandarupalli12-Sep-2025304 for 2 England’s total in the second T20I against South Africa at Manchester. It is their highest total in men’s T20Is and the third highest by any team in the format.Zimbabwe’s 344 for 4 against Gambia in 2024 and Nepal’s 314 for 3 against Mongolia in 2023 are the higher totals.England’s total is also the fourth-highest in all men’s T20s and the highest in England, surpassing Somerset’s 265 for 5 against Derbyshire in 2022.141* Phil Salt’s score against South Africa is the highest for England in men’s T20Is, surpassing his own score of 119 against West Indies in 2023. It is also the seventh-highest individual score in men’s T20Is and the highest against South Africa.228 Runs scored off boundaries by England batters on Friday, the third-most by a team in a men’s T20I. Zimbabwe scored 282 runs off boundaries against Gambia during their record total, while India scored 232 boundary runs against Bangladesh in last year’s Hyderabad T20I.ESPNcricinfo LtdEngland batters hit 30 fours against South Africa, the joint-most by any team in a men’s T20I. The 48 boundaries they hit, including 18 sixes, are the second-most, behind the 57 by Zimbabwe (30 fours and 27 sixes) against Gambia.146 England’s margin of win by runs against South Africa is their biggest in men’s T20Is. It is also the heaviest defeat by runs for South Africa in this format.The margin of 146 runs is the third-biggest in a men’s T20I between two Full Member teams, behind India’s 168-run win against New Zealand in 2023 and their 150-run win against England earlier this year.462 Runs aggregated by England and South Africa at Manchester on Friday, the most for a men’s T20I match in England. It is also the eighth-most aggregated match in men’s T20I cricket.ESPNcricinfo Ltd39 Balls that Salt needed to complete his hundred, the fastest for England in men’s T20Is. The previous quickest was off 42 balls by Liam Livingstone against Pakistan at Nottingham in 2021.3 South Africa bowlers conceded 60-plus runs in England’s innings – Kagiso Rabada (70), Marco Jansen (60) and Lizaad Williams (62). It is the first instance of three bowlers conceding 60-plus runs in an innings in all men’s T20s.4 Number of hundreds for Salt in his 45-match T20I career. Only Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell, five each, are ahead of Salt, while Suryakumar Yadav also has four tons.16.2 Overs needed for England to bring up 250, the joint-fastest team 250 in men’s T20Is, where ball-by-ball data is available. Zimbabwe also reached the 250-run mark in 16.2 overs against Gambia last year.12.1 Overs that England needed to reach the 200-run mark. Only one team got there quicker in men’s T20Is – in 11.5 overs by Turkey against Bulgaria earlier this year (where ball-by-ball data is available). The fastest team 200 in all men’s T20s is off 10.5 overs by Baroda against Sikkim in 2024.England reached the 150-mark in 9 overs, which is also the second-fastest in men’s T20Is, behind Turkey’s effort in 8.3 overs against Bulgaria in that game.ESPNcricinfo Ltd166 for 1 England’s total at the halfway point of their innings, the second-highest by any team in men’s T20Is, a run behind Turkey’s 167 for 1 against Bulgaria (where ball-by-ball data is available).100 for 0 England’s total in the powerplay at Manchester is their highest in that phase in men’s T20Is. England’s effort is only the seventh instance of a three-figure total in the powerplay in men’s T20Is (where ball-by-ball data is available).Only one of the previous six has been against a full-member team – 102 for 0 by South Africa against West Indies in 2023.2 Salt and Jos Buttler are only the second opening pair to score fifties in 20 or fewer balls in men’s T20Is (where ball-by-ball data is available). Romania’s Taranjeet Singh and Ramesh Satheesan were the first to do so, against Serbia in 2021.70 Runs conceded by Rabada in his four overs, the most by a bowler for South Africa in a men’s T20I. Kyle Abbott’s 68 against West Indies in 2015 were the previous most. Rabada’s 70 runs are also the joint-fifth most conceded by a bowler in a men’s T20I.Rabada conceded only seven runs in his first over, but the next three overs went for 20, 23, and 20 runs, respectively, making him the first bowler to concede 20-plus runs in three different overs in a men’s T20I.2.1 Overs in which Williams conceded 50 runs. Only two bowlers conceded 50 runs in a quicker time in a men’s T20I than Williams (where ball-by-ball data is available).Romania’s Vasu Saini gave away 50 runs in only 1.4 overs against Belgium earlier this year, while Mongolia’s Mungun Altankhuyag conceded 50 in 2 overs against Nepal in 2023.

That will open up fresh possibilities for Sri Lankan cricket with day-night Tests becoming more viable in the country

Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Nov-2025The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in Colombo will get floodlights and other upgrades in preparation for the Men’s T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosts with India in February and March next year. Although the SSC has occasionally hosted daytime limited-overs internationals – especially women’s games – Colombo’s day-night games have all been played at Khettarama (R Premadasa Stadium), which in any case is the highest-capacity stadium in the country.SSC’s first match that will require lights will be the T20 World Cup Group B game between Oman and Zimbabwe, scheduled to start at 3pm local time on February 9. It is one of five matches the SSC is due to host at this World Cup. The first of those – between Netherlands and Pakistan on February 7 – will begin at 11am local time whereas the third fixture – between Pakistan and USA on February 10 – is the only match there to start at 7pm local time. Khettarama is set to host at least eight matches, and possibly the first semi-final and the final if Pakistan make it that far. Pallekele, the only Sri Lanka World Cup venue not in Colombo, will host seven games.Building floodlights at the SSC will open up fresh possibilities for Sri Lankan cricket with day-night Tests becoming more viable in the country. Although Khettarama is the preferred limited-overs venue in Colombo, the SSC and the P Sara Oval are still preferred for Tests, owing partly to their reputation for being boutique Test venues.Related

• 2026 T20 World Cup: Packed run-in for India, no games for Bangladesh

• SL consider moving on from Asalanka as T20I captain

• T20 World Cup: SL and Australia in Group B

Sri Lanka has never hosted a day-night Test, but Sri Lanka’s Test captains have also asked their board to arrange such a fixture, over the years.SLC confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that floodlights construction were already under way at the SSC.The ICC announced the schedule for the T20 World Cup on Tuesday, with the tournament set to run from February 7 to March 8 across five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka.

تحدث لونيل ميسي، قائد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي إنتر ميامي بعد فوزه بكأس الدوري الأمريكي، أمس السبت، على حساب فانكوفر، كما وجه رسالة إلى زميليه بوسكيتس وألبا، بعد اعتزالهما كرة القدم رسميًا.

واستضاف ملعب “لوكهارت” مباراة نهائي بطولة الدوري الأمريكي لتلك النسخة، بين إنتر ميامي بطل القسم الشرقي وفانكوفر بطل القسم الغربي، حيث توجت كتيبة ليونيل ميسي باللقب، بعدما فازت بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف. (للتفاصيل اضغط هنا).

وقال ميسي عن حصوله على جائزة أفضل لاعب في المباراة في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “سبورت”: “قبل ثلاث سنوات قررت القدوم إلى الدوري الأمريكي وها نحن أبطال الآن”.

وأضاف: “كان هذا أحد أهدافنا عندما وصلنا، كان لدينا عام رائع في جميع المسابقات، نهائي كأس الرابطة، نصف نهائي دوري أبطال الكونكاكاف”.

وأكمل: “في العام الماضي فزنا بالدوري العادي لكننا خسرنا في الدور الأول، هذا العام، كان الفوز بالدوري الأمريكي أحد أهدافنا الرئيسية”.

واستطرد: “بذل الفريق جهدًا كبيرًا، كان عامًا طويلًا جدًا، مع العديد من المباريات وكنا قادرين على المهمة طوال الموسم، هذه هي اللحظة التي كنت أنتظرها وكفريق، كنا ننتظرها، إنه شيء جميل جدًا للجميع، لقد استحقوا ذلك”.

وعن اعتزال بوسكيتس وجوردي ألبا: “بالنسبة لما كانا عليه كلاعبين كلاهما من أعظم اللاعبين في التاريخ، كل منهما في مركزه، بمسيرتهما المهنية والألقاب التي فازا بها”.

وأتبع: “من الرائع أنهما يستطيعون الاعتزال بهذا اللقب في الدوري الأمريكي، أعتقد أنهما لا يزالان غير مُدركين تمامًا لما يمران به، وما يعنيه الاعتزال، اليوم ينتهي شيء جميل جدًا بالنسبة لهما، شيء سخرا له حياتهما كلها”.

وأتم: “الآن تبدأ حياة جديدة لهما، أتمنى لهما كل التوفيق، لأنهما صديقان أحبهما كثيرًا، أنا سعيد لأنهم يستطيعون الخروج بهذا اللقب”.

The 2025 MLB season concluded earlier this month with the Dodgers defeating the Blue Jays in the World Series. In recognition of the best players from this past season, MLB is announcing the winners of the league’s top honors and awards this week, before the offseason kicks into high gear.

The MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year awards are voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America. A combination of fans, media members, executives, managers, and/or players vote on the other awards. For a closer look at the voting process, click here.

Without further ado, here’s a look the 2025 MLB award winners.

MLB Award Winners 2025

Award

American League Winner(s)

National League Winner(s)

Gold Gloves

1B Ty France, 2B Marcus Semien, 3B Maikel Garcia, SS Bobby Witt Jr., OF Steven Kwan, OF Ceddanne Rafaela, OF Wilyer Abreu, C Dillon Dingler, P Max Fried and UT Mauricio Dubón

1B Matt Olson, 2B Nico Hoerner, 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes, SS Masyn Winn, OF Ian Happ, OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF Fernando Tatis Jr., C Patrick Bailey, P Logan Webb and UT Javier Sanoja

Silver Sluggers

1B Nick Kurtz, 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr., 3B José Ramírez, SS Bobby Witt Jr., OF Aaron Judge, OF Byron Buxton, OF Riley Greene, C Cal Raleigh, DH George Springer and UT Zach McKinstry

1B Pete Alonso, 2B Ketel Marte, 3B Manny Machado, SS Geraldo Perdomo, OF Corbin Carroll, OF Juan Soto, OF Kyle Tucker, C Hunter Goodman, DH Shohei Ohtani and UT Alec Burleson

Platinum Glove

Bobby Witt Jr., Royals

Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres

Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year

Nick Kurtz, Athletics

Drake Baldwin, Braves

Manager of the Year

Stephen Vogt, Guardians

Pat Murphy, Brewers

Cy Young

Tarik Skubal, Tigers

Paul Skenes, Pirates

MVP

Aaron Judge, Yankees

Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers

Hank Aaron Awards

Aaron Judge, Yankees

Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers

Rivera/Hoffman Reliever of the Year

Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox

Edwin Díaz, Mets

Comeback Player of the Year

Jacob deGrom, Rangers

Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves

In the most anticipated award of the season, Aaron Judge edged out Cal Raleigh to win his third AL MVP. Both Judge and Raleigh each had exceptional campaigns, but Judge nabs the award after leading the league with a .331 batting average, 1.144 OPS and hitting a fourth-best 53 home runs.

Shohei Ohtani wins MVP for the fourth time and has now won either AL or NL MVP in three straight seasons. Ohtani takes MVP unanimously after hitting 55 home runs, third in MLB, and recording a 2.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts after returning to the mound this season. Ohtani is the second player in MLB history to win MVP more than three times in a career, joining Barry Bonds, who has a record seven MVP wins. 

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was named the AL Rookie of the Year over finalists Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony and teammate and shortstop Jacob Wilson. Kurtz led all rookies with 36 home runs in 2025, 15 more than any other rookie this season. Braves catcher Dake Baldwin claimed the NL Rookie of the Year award over finalists Brewers third baseman Caleb Durbin and Cubs right-hander Cade Horton.

The Brewers’ Cinderella season didn’t quite end the way they hoped when they were swept by Los Angeles in the National League Championship Series, but manager Pat Murphy has been named the NL Manager of the Year. Murphy has won the award for the second year in a row after leading his team to the No. 1 seed an MLB-best 97-65 record.

Like Murphy, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt has won back-to-back AL Manager of the Year awards. Vogt wins the award after Cleveland pulled off an incredible comeback by erasing the Tigers’ 15.5 game division lead to end up winning the AL Central.

After winning Rookie of the Year last year, Paul Skenes has upgraded to winning his first Cy Young award. The Pirates ace posted a 1.97 ERA during his second season, the best in MLB. Skenes also threw 216 strikeouts, tied for fourth in the league. 

In the American League, Tarik Skubal takes home his second consecutive Cy Young award. The Tigers ace finished second in the league in both ERA and strikeouts, with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts. Skubal earned 26 of 30 first-place votes, while runner-up Garrett Crochet earned the other four.

Along with these awards, Mookie Betts was named the winner of the Roberto Clemente Award during the World Series.

MatériaMais Notícias

Estabelecido como novo goleiro titular do Corinthians, Carlos Miguel iniciou conversas com para renovar seu vínculo com o clube. O atual contrato do jogador é válido até dezembro de 2025, mas a diretoria planeja aumentar a multa do atleta, que recebeu sondagens no início da temporada, e se proteger de eventuais propostas.

continua após a publicidade

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

Isso porque a multa rescisória de Carlos Miguel para clubes do exterior será reduzida de forma drástica em 2025. O valor, que é fixado em 50 milhões de euros até dezembro, cai para apenas 4 milhões de euros a partir da virada do ano.

– Carlos Miguel tinha um contrato que a multa até dezembro era 50 milhões de euros. Em janeiro, se torna 4 milhões de euros. Nunca vi isso. Já chamamos empresário, Carlos quer ter sequência, conversei com ele. Certeza que não teremos problema – revelou o presidente Augusto Melo, em entrevista ao canal “Cross”.

continua após a publicidade

No Corinthians desde 2021, Carlos Miguel recebeu sua primeira sequência como titular sob o comando de António Oliveira. O camisa 22 venceu a disputa com Cássio, barrado após a partida contra o Argentinos Juniors, pela Copa Sul-Americana e que, posteriormente, acertou sua ida ao Cruzeiro.

Ao todo, o goleiro possui 22 partidas pela equipe profissional do Corinthians, sendo metade delas nesta temporada, e apenas duas derrotas.

Tudo sobre

CorinthiansFutebol NacionalMercado

The Dodgers have been dominant this postseason as they've only dropped one game on their route to the World Series, where they could become back-to-back champions.

If it's not broke, then don't fix it, they say. And, Los Angeles seems to be following that motto as they announced the same starting pitcher rotation for Games 1 and 2 that the team used in the NLCS vs. the Brewers. Blake Snell will start Game 1 on Friday, Oct. 24 in Toronto, followed by Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting Game 2 on Saturday, Oct. 24 in Toronto, per ESPN's Alden González.

Snell pitched in Game 1 of the NLCS vs. the Brewers, which the Dodgers won 2–1. He recorded 10 strikeouts and just one hit over eight innings. Milwaukee's only run came in the ninth inning when Snell was out. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has been dominant all postseason so far, and will be looking to continue that with a Game 1 win.

Yamamoto pitched the entire nine innings of Game 2 vs. the Brewers, which resulted in a Dodgers' 5–1 win. He recorded seven strikeouts, and had three hits and one home run hit against him.

If the Dodgers continue with their starting pitcher rotation as they did in the NLCS, then Tyler Glasnow would start in Game 3 and Shohei Ohtani would start in Game 4. So far, no decision on those games has been reported.

This is getting serious now. Liverpool’s abject run of form under Arne Slot’s management this season has been a massive concern, but one which all of a Reds persuasion have been steadfast in their belief that the blip will be overcome.

Mohamed Salah’s flaming comments at the weekend have threatened to split the Slot machine wide open, with terms such as civil war and crisis being bandied about like never before.

What sparked this latest drama in a season weighed further and further down by setbacks? Well, Liverpool blew a two-goal lead at Elland Road in the Premier League, and Salah did not get even a flash of the action.

Liverpool's implosion at Elland Road

Liverpool just can’t pull all the strings together at the moment, having blown their two-goal advantage over Leeds United to draw 3-3. Dominik Szoboszlai thought he’d salvaged a draw late, but the hosts struck deep into stoppage time to condemn the Reds to their latest in a long litany of disappointments.

The frustrating part is Liverpool were comfortable and well worth their lead until spineless, error-riddled habits crept in after the break.

It was Konate’s lunging challenge, clumsy, needless, which started the Leeds fightback, and this underlines the point that Liverpool keep putting themselves through the wringer, incapable of playing to their strengths and retaining balance and composure throughout 90 minutes.

Konate is only months away from the end of his Liverpool contract, and while FSG continue to keep a door open regarding the France star’s renewal, Spanish sources suggest they could be open to cashing in for £15m this summer.

It would possibly be unwise to sell Konate right now, given the dearth of depth across Slot’s backline. Salah, too, is a player FSG wish to keep, but there is another struggler who flattered to deceive at Leeds and should be sold first.

FSG must get rid of Liverpool's "major issue"

Two things can be true: Salah has been well out of sorts this season, and he cannot convincingly tout the undroppable status he has carried through his glittering Liverpool career on his current form; Salah has every right to feel aggrieved, with players like Cody Gakpo reprising their starting berths in spite of dire performances.

It is Gakpo who is becoming a “major issue” for the Anfield side, and in more ways than one, as has been observed by analyst Raj Chohan.

Though the Dutchman has been a moderately efficient force on the left flank this season, scoring four goals and providing three assists in the Premier League, it’s clear that he is limited in his approach, and that the Reds could do with a more dynamic left winger to replace Luis Diaz, sold to Bayern Munich in August.

Gakpo, 26, has been at Liverpool for three years, scoring 46 goals and providing 21 assists across 149 appearances. He is versatile and has played his role throughout his time on Merseyside, but the Netherlands man has been exposed as lacking dimensions as Liverpool’s main man on the left wing.

There’s no doubt that Gakpo is a naturally prolific player, but if anything, this underscores the significance of the concerns surrounding his name: thee is a lack of expansiveness about his skillset, and he is averaging just 0.4 shots on target per Premier League match this season, ranking among the bottom 4% of league forwards for percentage of shots on target per 90, as per FBref.

Most G+A under Arne Slot (Liverpool)

Player

G + A

Total

Mohamed Salah

39 + 26

65

Cody Gakpo

23 + 11

34

Dominik Szoboszlai

12 + 14

26

Luis Diaz

17 + 8

25

Alexis Mac Allister

8 + 8

16

Data via Transfermarkt

Someone like Antoine Semenyo, perhaps, who is ostensibly gearing up for an exit from Bournemouth in January, with Liverpool right at the top of the shopping list.

Liverpool may need a central defender, but there is a reason Slot suggested during a presser last month that he and sporting director Richard Hughes are looking further up the pitch as a priority position to smooth out the many wrinkles in the tactical fabric.

Though it would be foolish to start thinking about selling Gakpo in January, and an upgrade on the left is desperately needed, and bringing someone like Semenyo in would solve a ‘major issue’ and help launch Slot’s squad back into the ascendancy.

Salah and Konate’s respective futures are in doubt, but it might be that getting rid of Gakpo is the move Hughes needs to make first.

Related Salah upgrade: Liverpool prepare British record bid to sign £131m magician

Mohamed Salah may leave Liverpool in January after an extraordinary outburst at Elland Road.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair 4 days ago