Alan, Miller and Vish reflect on another comprehensive Bazballing in the Mount Maunganui Test
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Feb-2023England continued their striking run of Test form with a crushing 267-run victory in the day-night Test at Mount Maunganui, making it 10 wins out of 11 since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took charge of the team’s fortunes. Harry Brook was Player of the Match for the third game running, while James Anderson and Stuart Broad took their wickets tally in Tests together past 1000. On this week’s pod, Alan Gardner was joined by Andrew Miller and, on the line from Wellington, Vithushan Ehantharajah to breakdown another emphatic display of “Bazballing”, marvel at two old-stagers enjoying their part in the revolution, and preview England’s final Test assignment of the winter.
Lauren Hemp has spoken about a surprising and amusing routine she does before games, fake tanning in the buildup to be freshly bronzed out on the pitch. Speaking to ex-England internationals Karen Carney and Jill Scott, the Lionesses winger joked that she can't always be bothered do it properly and the Manchester City star laughed it off as 'a ritual of mine'.
Hemp's surprising pre-match tanning routine
During a lighthearted appearance on the podcast, Hemp shared her quirky tanning habit before matches. She explained that she often only tans her quads, leaving her calves – usually covered by socks – untouched, which has led to some amusing looks in the past. Both Carney and Scott teased her, but Hemp stood by the routine as something she always does.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesHemp shares the details behind her 'tan'
Explaining her approach, Hemp revealed: "Oh, I can't be bothered to do, like, my whole body. I just do, like, half and half. If I forgot, then I'll just do quads. I fake tan before every game? I just think, 'I'll do the bit people can see,' and then I leave the rest."
She went on to add with a smile: "That [tanning] is a ritual of mine. I can't really think of many other things I have. It's funny really, because you'd expect me to be talking about football preparation, but this is actually one of my matchday habits."
Hemp currently out injured for Man City
Hemp's jovial admission comes amid injury concerns at Manchester City. The winger was forced off in the first half against Tottenham with an ankle problem, leaving in a protective boot. Head coach Andree Jeglertz confirmed that she will likely miss the clash with the London City Lionesses, as she did in the Women's League Cup against Everton on Wednesday.
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Getty Images SportMan City continue to focus on WSL campaign
Manchester City will be monitoring Hemp's recovery closely as they continue their Women's Super League campaign against the ambitious London City Lionesses. The club will hope the injury is not as serious as last season's knee issue, which sidelined her for over five months. Supporters will be eager to see her return soon – tan ritual and all.
The 42-year-old is hoping for his first deal in the competition after year extension with Lancashire
Matt Roller03-Mar-2025James Anderson wants to play in the Hundred this summer and has registered his name for next week’s draft, ESPNcricinfo has learned.Anderson has not played professionally since his final Test appearance against West Indies last July and has been working for England as a consultant coach this winter, including at the Champions Trophy. But he signed a one-year contract with Lancashire in January to cover the 2025 season, and is now eyeing a first appearance in the Hundred.It is nearly six years since Anderson played white-ball cricket, and over a decade since his most recent T20 appearance, but he hopes to play in the T20 Blast for Lancashire this year. Anderson has entered the draft – which will be held on March 12 – without a reserve price and could still feature in the Hundred as a wildcard or injury replacement if he does not find a suitor.Related
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The batch of balls used in the Hundred last summer moved prodigiously off the seam and through the air, prompting Anderson to say at the time: “Watching the Hundred this year, seeing the ball swing around, it makes me feel like I could do a job there.” He even registered for December’s IPL auction, though went unsold.Anderson will turn 43 shortly before the Hundred starts on August 5, and would become the tournament’s second-oldest player after Imran Tahir (in 2022) if he plays this year. Michael Hogan and Wayne Madsen have previously appeared in the Hundred in their 40s, and Faf du Plessis will be 41 when he plays for Southern Brave this season.More than 300 male overseas players have registered for the draft and will be competing for 10 spots across the men’s Hundred teams, with 14 already retained or recruited directly. There are availability doubts for most active international players due to clashes with bilateral series, while a two-week clash with Caribbean Premier League will rule most West Indies players out of contention.Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Ellis and Josh Inglis are among the Australians to register for the draft despite a looming clash with a white-ball series against South Africa in August, while David Warner – who has retired from international cricket – has also signed up. New Zealand’s players are expected to be available for the majority of the Hundred, with Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra all registered for the draft.Noor Ahmad has entered the draft with a £200,000 reserve price•SA 20Noor Ahmad, the Afghanistan spinner, has signed up with a reserve price of £200,000, the Hundred’s highest salary. He is expected to sign for Manchester Originals, having played for their new co-owners RPSG Group’s SA20 team (Durban Super Giants) earlier this year. London Spirit have the first pick of the draft, and are thought to be interested in signing Jamie Overton after he left Originals.Jason Roy and Dawid Malan are among the domestic players who have entered the draft with a reserve price, and may consider playing overseas if they are not picked up. Mark Wood, who is yet to play in the Hundred, has a £200,000 reserve price and is only likely to feature in the tournament as a late replacement.Other recent England internationals expected to attract interest include Rehan Ahmed, Zak Crawley, George Garton, Lewis Gregory, Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Reece Topley, David Willey and Luke Wood. Several recent England Under-19 internationals also feature in the longlist, including Rocky Flintoff, Ben McKinney, Harry Moore and Archie Vaughan.The ECB confirmed last week that Jamie Smith and Chris Woakes will be the designated ‘central contract’ players at London Spirit and Welsh Fire respectively this year, as revealed by ESPNcricinfo. Both players have previously turned out for Birmingham Phoenix.
On Saturday he edged to slip five short, and on day three he could only make four runs before falling to Prasidh Krishna
Andrew McGlashan05-Jan-2025For the second time in two days, Steven Smith fell agonisingly short of reaching the 10,000-run landmark.On Saturday he edged to slip five short. Then 24 hours later, with a crowd approaching 40,000 watching on during Jane McGrath Day of the Pink Test in Sydney, Prasidh Krishna made a delivery climb from short of a length as Smith advanced down the pitch and he could only fend it into the gully. He became the second batter after Mahela Jayawardene to fall on 9999 runs.Smith will now have to wait until the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle later this month for his next opportunity to become the 15th batter to join the 10,000 club.Often termed the best since Bradman, Smith will be the fourth Australia batter in the group after Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. Ahead of this SCG Test, Border paid tribute to Smith and where he stands among the game’s greats.”Averaging 57 or so is in the top echelon ever, if you take one certain bloke [Bradman] out of it and he’s right up there with the very, very best,” he told newspapers. “As far as Australia’s concerned, we’ve had Greg Chappell, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, those sorts of players.”But now Steve [Smith] ranks equally with that group, no problems whatsoever. I’m a huge fan of Tendulkar and Lara, they were phenomenally good cricketers, but Steve is definitely up with that lot, for sure.”It has felt like a run-scoring feat that Smith was destined to achieve – he was the fastest to 8000 Test runs and second fastest to the 9000 mark – although the final climb to the summit has taken longer than expected after a relatively lean 2023-24 season which included a brief spell as opener following David Warner’s retirement. Back-to-back centuries in Brisbane and Melbourne left him on the brink, but now the wait goes that big longer.Smith is likely to captain Australia on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka where Pat Cummins is expected to miss at least one Test for the birth of his second child.
Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis was spotted at the Emirates watching Arsenal thump Nottingham Forest 3-0. Sudeikis attended the game alongside the co-writer and co-star of the hit Apple TV comedy Brendan Hunt, better known to viewers as Lasso's right-hand man Coach Beard. Both men are presumably in London working on season four of the show, which is expected to hit screens in 2026.
Sudeikis spotted at Emirates for Arsenal victory
Sudeikis was spotted sporting a flat cap and an Arsenal jacket, proudly showing off the club's old badge. The Hollywood star has previously suggested an affinity for the north London club, but has also hinted at his admiration for Manchester City after appearing alongside Pep Guardiola in a season 2 episode of the Apple TV hit.
AdvertisementWatch the clip: Coach Lasso and Beard at the EmiratesMikel Arteta's side put on a show
Hunt and Sudeikis were treated to an outstanding display by Mikel Arteta's men, as they consigned former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglu to a chastening defeat in his first game as Forest boss. Martin Zubimendi bagged a brace, while Viktor Gyokeres bagged his third of the season.
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Apple TVWhat we know about Ted Lasso Season 4
Production on season 4 of Ted Lasso started earlier this summer. The story will pick up with Ted coaching a girl's team in his native Kansas City, with familiar fan favourites including Hunt as Coach Beard overseeing the fate of AFC Richmond. While there is no confirmed release date for the new season, it is expected to drop on Apple TV in 2026.
Sri Lanka lost five wickets for 19 runs in 62 balls in a lower collapse that undid their work from the previous day
Firdose Moonda09-Dec-2024South Africa have moved to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) table after a 109-run win over Sri Lanka at St George’s Park. They swept the series 2-nil after bowling Sri Lanka out for 238 in 69 minutes on the final morning with the second new ball still 10.5 overs away.Keshav Maharaj completed his tenth Test five-for, and fourth at St George’s Park, and took four of the final five wickets on the last morning. Sri Lanka lost five wickets for 19 runs in 62 balls in a lower-order collapse that undid their work from the previous day. They were fairly well set overnight and resumed on 202 for 5, with two batters well-set on a fairly placid pitch. Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva’s sixth-wicket partnership was worth 83 and they both looked comfortable against a South African attack who admitted to searching a little too hard on the fourth day.They returned fresh on the final morning, with a fired-up Kagiso Rabada still finding a hint of away movement in the easterly breeze. Maharaj broke the Kusal-Dhananjaya stand in the seventh over of the morning with a delivery that turned away from Kusal as he drove with hard hands. Aiden Markam took the catch low to the ground and the third umpire needed to check that he had fingers underneath it to confirm Kusal’s dismissal.Related
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Fourteen deliveries later, Rabada was rewarded for spells of accuracy and menace through the series with the wicket of the Sri Lankan captain. Dhananjaya drove at a ball that tailed away, edged and was caught behind.With no recognised batters left, it was only a matter of time for Sri Lanka’s tail. Prabath Jayasuriya’s eyes lit up when Maharaj produced a long-hop and tried to smoke it over the offside but found the hands of Temba Bavuma at extra cover. Sri Lanka made it to the drinks’ break but in the second over after the interval, Vishwa Fernando slogged across the line and sent the ball aerial. Marco Jansen at mid-on had enough time to get under it and take a simple catch. Jansen was given the ball in the next over and only needed one short delivery to get rid of Lahiru Kumara, who swung hard and top-edged. Ryan Rickelton, at short mid-wicket, judged the catch well in a mild swirl and completed South Africa’s series win.South Africa are now one win away from a guaranteed place at next year’s final. They can get there with a victory over Pakistan at home in either the Boxing Day and New Year’s match, which are their last of this cycle. Sri Lanka remain in contention but must beat Australia at home early next year and hope other results go their way.
Their partnership provided the base as Sri Lanka comfortably chased down a DLS-adjusted target of 232 in Pallekele
Madushka Balasuriya20-Oct-2024A 137-run stand between Charith Asalanka and debutant Nishan Madushka provided the base as Sri Lanka comfortably chased down a DLS-adjusted target of 232 in Pallekele, to take a 1-0 lead in the series.Asalanka top-scored with a 71-ball 77, while Madushka finished with 69 off 54. Both departed unable to see the chase through, but considering the precarious position at which they had come together – 45 for 3 in the seventh over – they had done more than enough to ensure the win.Kamindu Mendis was there at the end to see the win through, with an unbeaten 30 off 21, and alongside him was Janith Liyanage on a run-a-ball 18.Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors, with figures of 3 for 47, while Alzarri Joseph grabbed two. Despite having reinforced their spin reserves in preparation for a dry Pallekele surface, none were able to offer as much penetration as Motie.While Motie too went at over six an over he at least posed a wicket-taking threat. This was not something the pair of Roston Chase and Hayden Walsh Jr. could boast, as they gave up 80 runs in the 10 overs between them.While this was down to a combination of errant bowling and ruthless batting, the West Indian spinners were also impacted by a wet ball as a result of a wet outfield. The rain also meant that the pitch had become easier to bat on by the time Sri Lanka took lease of the wicket.Earlier, Sherfane Rutherford’s counterattack had been cut short by rain to bring to a premature close the West Indies innings on 185 for 4 after 38.3 overs.But even with that caveat, the way Sri Lanka approached their chase made them well worth their victory. Madushka, making his debut in place of the injured Pathum Nissanka, opened the innings alongside Avishka Fernando but by the time he faced his fifth delivery in ODI cricket, Sri Lanka had found themselves already two down.Alzarri Joseph struck twice early•Getty ImagesAvishka drove a widish delivery straight to point, while Kusal Mendis – who had looked in good nick with a trio of enterprising boundaries – top-edged an attempted pull. This brought Sadeera Samarawickrama to the crease, and he wasted little time taking the initiative, striking Jayden Seales for three boundaries in the fifth over of the chase.With the threat of rain looming, Sri Lanka’s game plan was clear – get ahead of the DLS equation. But when Sadeera fell, courtesy an absolute peach from Motie that knocked back off stump, Sri Lanka were suddenly at the risk of letting the game slip into dangerous territory – even with the safety of being able to bat until No 9.But if those watching on were feeling nervous, Sri Lanka’s skipper hardly let it show. Off just the second delivery he faced he swept Motie for four, before driving him exquisitely through the covers an over later. Madushka, who up until this point was content to turn over the strike to his more aggressive partners, finally notched his first boundary in the 10th over.And this partnership scarcely took the foot off the gas as the West Indies struggled to maintain tight lines and lengths. Between the 10th and 20th over only two overs didn’t contain a boundary, as Sri Lanka racked up 72 runs in that period. And the scoring only accelerated from that point on, with a further 41 runs scored between overs 20-25.Madushka eventually edged to slip, with Asalanka following shortly after trapped leg before – both off Motie – but the required run rate had dropped to nearly four an over by that point, and any peril long since neutralised.Nishan Madushka celebrates his maiden ODI fifty, which came on debut•Associated PressWest Indies’ best period of the game had occurred much earlier. Prior to the rain intervention, they had been in the process of regaining some lost momentum with Rutherford and Chase in the middle of an 85-run fifth-wicket stand off 78 deliveries.Wanindu Hasaranga had taken two wickets, while Jeffrey Vandersay and Asalanka had one apiece. But on a dry Pallekele surface, West Indies knew a trial by spin was always on the cards after they had won the toss and elected to bat.Dunith Wellalage was into the attack as early as the fifth over – and even before that medium pacer Liyanage had resorted to offcutters on a hard length – while spin was in effect from both ends not long after.Despite a promising opening stand it wasn’t long before West Indies had stumbled to 54 for 3, with Rutherford joining Keacy Carty in the middle, and the scoring rate now hovering at around four an over. It was during this period that Sri Lanka’s spinners took total control, as West Indies were content to play it safe, racking up numerous dot deliveries, and picking up the odd ones and twos.A Rutherford cut for four in the 17th over was the first West Indies boundary in 47 deliveries; by the traditional halfway point of 25 overs, they had inched to 94 for 3. It was here that a frustrated Carty unleashed a powerful one-handed loft over long-on for six to break the shackles somewhat, but that relief was shortlived as he fell going for a repeat performance the very next delivery. That brought to an end a 46-run partnership – the West Indies’ best of the innings until that point.But with the dependable Chase alongside him, Rutherford continued as before, picking off singles and attempting to pounce on any rare loose deliveries. But as their confidence grew and a persistent drizzle greased the surface, the pair struck 43 in the last five overs they faced. With the death overs still to come, a total in the region of 275 was on the cards. But then the rains came.
County successfully appeals “disproportionate” punishment for outsized bat during Blast match
ESPNcricinfo staff26-Sep-2024Worcestershire have received a suspended two-points deduction for the next season’s Vitality Blast, after their allrounder, Josh Cobb, was deemed to have used an illegally-sized bat in their North Group match with Durham in July.Cobb admitted a breach of ECB Directives 3.2 and 3.3 after his bat failed a bat-gauge test during the Durham match, at which stage he had not yet faced a delivery. The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) adjudicator originally imposed a straight points deduction, but this was amended on appeal to a suspended penalty, which will be imposed if Worcestershire commit a further breach of this nature.It is the second such penalty to be levelled in county cricket this summer, following the 12-point deduction that Essex were last month handed in the County Championship, following Feroz Khushi’s breach of the regulations during their opening fixture of the season, against Nottinghamshire in April.Essex issued a scathing riposte to that verdict, with Keith Fletcher, the club president, decrying it as “stupid”, not least because it wrecked the club’s hopes of challenging for the County Championship, with their final match of the season, at home to Surrey – who have already been crowned champions – taking place this week.Worcestershire were similarly aghast at the original verdict, and explained in their appeal that the loss of two points could mean the difference between reaching the knock-outs of the Vitality Blast and an early elimination.”Being docked points next year potentially/effectively puts a club of our size, with our resources, out of contention for qualification to the later rounds in 2025,” the club wrote to the adjudicator, Chris Tickle. “This has an impact on next year’s squad, coaching team, sponsors and, therefore, the club’s finances. This impact is potentially devastating to us and is disproportionate.”In his amended verdict, Tickle wrote: “Given those circumstances, I am persuaded that it is in the interests of justice to review my decision.”Dave Lewis, the interim director of the Cricket Regulator, said: “I am pleased that we were able to work with Worcestershire CCC and the Cricket Discipline Commission and that the adjudicator was able to reconsider their original decision in this case.”We also note that this is the second oversized bat case this year, and the Cricket Regulator will be working with counties, players, and officials to inform them about the issue with a view to preventing a recurrence next season.”The Cricket Regulator is the independent body which enforces the rules for domestic professional cricket as well as working to educate participants and prevent potential breaches. The Cricket Regulator investigates and prosecutes cases but does not decide on any penalties.The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) is the independent adjudication body which hears cases, rules on responsibility for breaches of rules and issues penalties to teams and participants.
With promotion to the Premier League sealed, Burnley have reportedly already turned their attention towards the summer transfer window and the signature of a struggling Chelsea ace.
Burnley still fighting for Championship title
Promotion may be sealed for both Burnley and Leeds United but the Championship title is set to go down to the final day with the former desperately hoping for Daniel Farke’s side to slip up. As things stand, the Whites will win the title with 100 points on goal difference if both sides win on the final day of the season – representing the quality that both have shown throughout the majority of the campaign.
After being named the Manager of the Season, Burnley boss Scott Parker told reporters: “I’m really excited and proud of the achievement on an individual level, but of course, I couldn’t do this without a group of people and a group of staff that have supported and been the main driver all season.
“This is a group that has been on a journey this year, which has probably epitomised everything that a team may go through at times. I’ve witnessed the progression of this group as players and human beings to the point where they achieve success.
“We’ve worked hard as coaches, but you need a group of players that can engage. With the defensive record and everything else we have gone through this year, we’re well worthy of being promoted out of this division.”
Burnley want to sign Fulham ace who previously won promotion under Parker
Burnley are now looking to sign a player who has worked with their manager before.
ByBrett Worthington Apr 24, 2025
Away from their promotion party, meanwhile, the Clarets are already reportedly thinking about Premier League reinforcements, which could yet include a struggling midfielder who’s desperate for a move this summer.
Burnley keen to sign "fantastic" Dewsbury-Hall
According to TeamTalk, Burnley are eager to win the race to sign Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall this summer, who is free to leave Chelsea after just one season at the club. The former Leicester City star has struggled for game time since arriving at Stamford Bridge and now needs to summer switch if he is to get back to his best.
Whilst his preference is to play European football, Dewsbury-Hall may have little choice but to revive his career outside of the spotlight and under Parker at Burnley next season. It’s there that all parties would benefit if the £80,000-a-week ace returned to his talented best in the middle of the park.
Dewsbury-Hall
Despite his struggle for game time, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has never had to question his midfielder’s work rate, telling reporters in March: “I am very happy for Kiernan. He is now much better compared to the start of the season, probably because he is understanding his role. He is working very well every day in training, even if he doesn’t get many minutes in the Premier League.
“It’s not easy to work every day with the same intention, but he is working fantastic. He showed how important he can be for us, and hopefully he can be even more important from now on.”
Liverpool are on the verge of winning their second-ever Premier League title in the coming weeks, as they sit 13 points clear at the top of the table with just six games left to go.
The Reds have only won the Premier League once in the history of the competition, winning under Jurgen Klopp in the 2019/20 campaign, and are not set to secure their second.
Arne Slot is on course to claim the title in his first season as a manager in England, having arrived from Feyenoord last summer, and he will go down as the latest in a long line of impressive recruits from the Eredivisie.
Liverpool have tapped into the Dutch market for players in the past, whether that has been directly from the Eredivisie or not, and have now done so to find a brilliant manager, having been successful in the past on the playing side of recruitment.
Liverpool Manager ArneSlotcelebrates at the end of the match
One Dutch recruit, who did not come directly from the top-flight in the Netherlands, was integral to the first Premier League title success, as central midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum played a key role.
Why Wijnaldum was integral to Liverpool's title win
The Netherlands international played 37 of the club’s 38 Premier League matches that season, starting 35 of them, as part of a regular midfield trio of himself, Jordan Henderson, and Fabinho.
Of the players to start at least one game, no Liverpool star completed a higher percentage of their passes than Wijnaldum (90.8%), which shows how reliable he was with the ball at his feet.
He also averaged 4.20 progressive passes and 2.27 progressive carries per 90 to build up play from a midfield position, which shows that the Dutch ace did not always play it safe with the ball at his feet.
Wijnaldum’s development at Anfield was interesting because he was signed from Newcastle United in the summer of 2016 off the back of a return of 11 goals and five assists in the Premier League for the Magpies during the 2015/16 campaign.
The Dutch star arrived at Liverpool as an attacking midfielder who had proven his quality at the top end of the pitch in the top-flight for his previous club, but Klopp developed him into an all-round midfielder who could be a solid option as a number eight.
He ended his Liverpool career with just 22 goals, four of which came in the Premier League in the title-winning campaign, in 237 matches, which illustrates his change in style from Tyneside to Merseyside.
Jurgen Klopp and Gini Wijnaldum
That change in style, however, made him integral to Klopp’s title-winning team because Wijnaldum was a consistent performer, hence his 35 starts, who offered reliability and progression in possession, putting in the hard yards whilst providing quality on the ball.
Instead of being a consistent goalscorer or constantly creating chances, the former Newcastle star did his job in the middle of the park without too much fuss, chipping in with the odd goal here and there, to make himself a reliable figure for the German head coach.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Liverpool have, now, unearthed their new version of Wijnaldum in the current squad, and it is not Alexis Mac Allister – despite his impressive form of late, with a goal and an assist in his last two matches.
Liverpool have unearthed their new Georginio Wijnaldum
Mac Allister did arrive at Liverpool off the back of scoring ten goals in the Premier League for Brighton & Hove Albion in the 2022/23 campaign, but six of those strikes came from the penalty spot.
This meant that the Argentina international only provided four goals and two assists in the top-flight outside of penalties before his move to Liverpool to become a well-rounded midfielder at Anfield.
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates for Liverpool
Whereas, Dominik Szoboszlai scored ten goals and provided 13 assists as an attacking midfielder for RB Leipzig in all competitions during the 2022/23 campaign before his switch to England, and only two of those goals were penalties.
The Hungary international, as Wijnaldum did when he joined from Newcastle, arrived at Anfield as an incredibly promising attacking midfielder who had the potential to provide goals and assists, and has followed the Dutchman’s path to becoming an all-rounder in the middle of the park.
Szoboszlai has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 63 appearances for Liverpool in the Premier League to date, which illustrates the shift in style in his game since his time in the Bundesliga.
The Hungarian dynamo has been moulded into a perfect box-to-box midfielder for the Reds since switching Germany for England, utilising his fantastic work rate and engine in midfield more so than his ability to score and create goals.
He has started 24 of his 30 appearances in the Premier League so far this term and, interestingly, offered more than Wijnaldum did during the title-winning campaign under Klopp in several parts of the game as a midfielder.
As you can see in the chart above, Szoboszlai has been far more creative with his use of the ball than the Dutchman was, whilst also doing more out of possession by making blocks, tackles, and interceptions.
That chart shows that the 24-year-old Liverpool star, who was described as “unstoppable” by Fabrizio Romano earlier this year, is a brilliantly well-rounded midfield figure because he can combine quality on the ball with hard work and defensive quality off it, making him a key player for Slot in the middle of the park.
Appearances
30
Goals
5
Big chances created
9
Assists
3
Tackles + interceptions per game
1.3
Duels won per game
2.9
As you can see in the table above, Szoboszlai has still found a way to incorporate his attacking qualities into his game, with eight goal contributions, but they are not as prevalent as they were during his time with Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
Therefore, Liverpool have repeated the masterclass they played with Wijnaldum, turning him from an attack-minded midfielder into an all-round number eight, with the Hungary international, who is now set to have played an integral role in the club’s second-ever Premier League title success.
Liverpool strongly positioning themselves for £68m goalscoring midfielder
He would offer a goalscoring boost from midfield.
ByTom Cunningham Apr 16, 2025
Hopefully, this trophy will be the first of many titles in his Premier League career with the Reds, as they will hope that this season is far from a one-off success.