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Liverpool new boy Ryan Gravenberch has turned down a call-up from the Netherlands Under-21 squad.

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Midfielder has moved to AnfieldEager to make a positive impressionWill not figure for country at U21 levelWHAT HAPPENED?

The 21-year-old midfielder has passed up the opportunity to form part of plans for 2025 Euro U21 qualifiers against Moldova and North Macedonia. He was included in the Dutch ranks for the European Championship that took place in Romania and Georgia over the summer.

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Gravenberch has also figured at senior level for his country in the recent past, earning 11 caps, but has opted to stay out of the Dutch camp entirely during the latest international break. That is because the youngster wants to focus on adjusting to life at Anfield following his £34 million ($43m) transfer from Bayern Munich.

WHAT THEY SAID

A statement from the Dutch national team confirming the absence read: “Ryan Gravenberch will not travel to Zeist this international break to join the Dutch Juniors. The Liverpool midfielder has indicated to KNVB coach Michael Reiziger that he wants to focus on his new club during the international matches in September and will therefore not make himself available.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Gravenberch was left out of Ronald Koeman’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He also endured a tough time at club level last season, as he made just three Bundesliga starts for Bayern, but he will have been cleared to make his debut for Liverpool by the time that they travel to Wolves on September 16.

Leeds United winger Jack Harrison may leave the club this summer following their relegation to the Sky Bet Championship, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Jack Harrison?

According to talkSPORT, Leeds United are 'preparing for the departure' of Harrison this summer amid interest from Premier League clubs in his services.

The £90k-a-week ace is said to have a relegation release clause in his contract, which has alerted West Ham United and Aston Villa to his potential availability as he would be allowed to leave on a cut-price deal.

Despite Harrison signing a new contract at Leeds United, they will not stand in his way if he chooses to seek a new challenge in the off-season, according to Leeds Live.

In the Whites' final Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur, Harrison applauded supporters after being substituted off in the encounter in what looked like a farewell gesture at Elland Road.

Earlier this year, Harrison was the subject of interest from Leicester City; nevertheless, he turned down the opportunity to move to the King Power Stadium in the January transfer window, as per Football Insider.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones has said that it will be a 'test of loyalty' to see whether Harrison chooses to stay or leave Leeds United given their relegation to the English second-tier.

Jones stated: "It will be interesting. I mean, he's obviously committed to Leeds at the moment, but being in a different division now might change that – he's probably a bit too good for that level. It will be a test of loyalty, really."

What were Jack Harrison's stats like in 2022/23?

Harrison enjoyed a productive 2022/23 campaign, all things considered and was a little unlucky to be part of a side that eventually got themselves relegated from the Premier League.

All in, the 26-year-old winger made 40 appearances in all competitions for Leeds United and registered ten goals and six assists in total, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored also show that Harrison earned an average match rating of 6.72/10 for his exploits on the field, making him Leeds United's second-most consistent performer this term behind Tyler Adams.

According to FBRef, Harrison also managed to successfully carry out 114 shot-creating actions for Leeds United this campaign, showing that even in a dark moment for the club, he was a shining light that offered a beacon of hope regarding survival.

The former Manchester City star will have a big decision to make this summer; however, it looks hard to see how Leeds United will be able to keep hold of him in the Sky Bet Championship.

Journalist Charles Watts has claimed that Auston Trusty will probably never play for Arsenal amid recent transfer exit rumours.

What are the latest AFC rumours?

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Scottish Premiership outfit Rangers are hoping to land the American centre-back this summer with a £2m transfer fee being touted.

The defender appears to have caught the eye while impressing out on loan in the Championship with Birmingham – where has picked up the club's Player of the Year.

After such a good season, Trusty may well be hoping to now return to Arsenal and get a shot at some first-team minutes next term.

However, while speaking about the £14k-p/w centre-back on his YouTube channel, Watts seemed pessimistic about the likelihood of this happening.

He explained (13:05): “Trusty has been linked with Rangers. I think, you know, Auston Trusty has had a fantastic loans spell with Birmingham this season. He's never played for Arsenal. I don't think he will. I'll be surprised if he does.

"Whether he is part of the US [preseason] tour in the summer we'll wait and see. It might make sense to have Trusty with them for that.

“But I did an interview with him a couple of months ago and you know he was telling me that his dream is still to come back and make a name for himself Arsenal.

"But I don't know, you look at the defenders Arsenal have already got. I think they'll probably sign a centre-back in the summer. Will Trusty be a part of that long-term future? I doubt it."

Is Trusty going to join Rangers?

After initially joining the Gunners in January 2022, Trusty spent the rest of the campaign on loan with Colorado Rapids – who happen to be run by Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke.

Then at the end of the season, when he came over to England, he was immediately loaned out to Birmingham and so is yet to actually play for Mikel Arteta's side.

But if Rangers can make an acceptable offer which would see Arsenal turn a profit on the player, then they may well happily allow him to move on.

As Watts says, the Gunners may well be in the market for a new centre-back in the summer and with Champions League football to play, they will likely prefer to bring in someone who has more proven quality in the European game,

Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to end the season on a high note as Liverpool are on a four game winning run and with European football now looking like a real possibility, how they perform over the next few matches will determine which competition they will enter next term.

The summer will be one of transition for Liverpool, much like their season, with plenty of transfer activity planned in order to shape up a squad – midfield in particular – ahead of an assault on trophies next season.

One player who must be ditched is Naby Keita, and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, it’s the ideal time to let him part ways with the club, especially after an injury-plagued time in Merseyside.

The £120k-per-week liability has missed 22 games due to injury already, making only 13 appearances during 2022/23 and an average Sofascore rating of just 6.47 certainly suggests that freeing up space in the wage budget by releasing him could allow Klopp to bring in a younger, more talented midfielder.

The Anfield side have spoken to Sporting CP behind the scenes regarding midfielder Manuel Ugarte according to reporter Bruno Andrade and it has been reported that he has a £53m price tag, which is more than affordable for the club.

What is Manuel Ugarte's playstyle?

Signing a midfielder is arguably top of Klopp’s priority list this summer, especially with the stagnation on show throughout this season. As such, Ugarte could be a wonderful signing.

The Uruguayan won't give Liverpool goals, as he has scored just once for Sporting in 87 games, however, that doesn’t matter as Klopp will be signing a combative player who can win duels in the middle of the park with ease as the 22-year-old has previously been dubbed a “midfield machine” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Ugarte’s influence in the heart of the Portuguese side's midfield is evidenced by the fact he currently ranks in the top 1% across the globe's next 8 best leagues (outside of the big five) for pass completion rate and tackles won, while ranking in the top 5% for aerials won, ball recoveries and interceptions, suggesting he could be incredible for Klopp as his midfielders this season have failed to show their usual bite.

That tackling stat is particularly appealing with Jordan Henderson (worst 17%), Naby Keita (51%), Fabinho (54%), Stefan Bajcetic (52%) and Thiago (top 8%) ranking below him when compared to positional peers in the top five leagues.

Statically, therefore, Ugarte is one of the finest defensive midfielders on the continent. £53m perhaps sounds a lot on the surface yet taking a look at his figures across the previous 12 months, this could represent a real bargain, especially considering he has just turned 22 years old.

This summer could be the most important during Klopp’s eight-year association with the club, and he will be under pressure to bring in the correct players ahead of next term.

Signing Ugarte would not only improve the midfield, but it would also allow the German to ditch the injury-riddled Keita in the process, thus giving the Reds a solid base to build their midfield around.

Tottenham Hotspur survived VAR controversy to seal a vital 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon, with the Lilywhites moving to within just three points of fourth-placed Manchester United as a result of that narrow victory.

While there may be a sense that the Seagulls were "robbed" due to some "horrendous" officiating – as per pundit Chris Sutton – the home side held their nerve to snatch victory, with talisman Harry Kane netting his 23rd top flight goal of the season with a typically clinical finish late on.

The north London outfit had initially gone ahead through milestone man Heung-min Son – who became the first Asian player to reach 100 Premier League goals in the process – before Lewis Dunk headed home a bullet header just before the break, after Kaoru Mitoma had seen his earlier effort disallowed for handball.

The away side were again denied by handball after the interval as Danny Welbeck thought he had completed the comeback, while the aforementioned Mitoma saw his appeals for a penalty waved away despite a potential foul on the Japanese winger by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

The south coast side's frustration was ultimately increased as that man Kane swept home, with the England skipper having warranted that strike as a result of his all-round display, notably winning eight duels and providing two key passes on the day.

The 29-year-old – who recorded a stellar 7.9 match rating, as per Sofascore – was not alone in having impressed earlier today, however, with January arrival Pedro Porro having also been something of a shining light at right wing-back.

How did Porro perform against Brighton?

The Spain international – who is currently on loan at Spurs with an option to buy of around £39m – is beginning to adjust to life in English football, having showcased real signs of his quality down the right flank against Roberto De Zerbi's men.

The 23-year-old provided 'lots of attacking intent' throughout the contest, according to 90min's Jude Summerfield, having notably headed wide from an Ivan Perisic cross after showcasing a real desire and willingness to get involved in the final third.

That forward-thinking approach was also lauded by football.london's Alasdair Gold, who awarded the Sporting CP loanee an 8/10 match rating, while also writing that: 'A bright first half and sent a header on to the roof of the net at the end of it. Worked hard in the second half defensively down the right-hand side and little got past him.'

That hard-work ethic against the lively Mitoma was showcased by the fact that Porro won seven of his 11 duels and was not dribbled past at all in his 90-minute outing, having emerged from the battle with the in-form winger 'without too many bruises', as per Summerfield.

While the one-time Manchester City asset did lose possession on 12 occasions from his 43 touches, he is clearly seeking to make his mark in his new surroundings, with the Evening Standard's Dan Kilpatrick hailing him as looking 'technically sound and impressive at attacking the back post.'

That promising performance should well be of encouragement to Cristian Stellini and co, with the hope being that Porro can continue to go from strength to strength over the coming games.

The English Premier League (EPL), or the English Football League as it is commonly known, has been the top division of English football since it was founded back in 1992. It was formed by a breakaway of the 22 clubs from the Football League First Division and replaced the old First Division and Second Division system. Since then, this impressive competition has become one of the best leagues in Europe and has seen some of the biggest names in world football grace its fields.

This article will illustrate why watching the Premier League is definitely worth your time.

Unrivaled excitement

Watching the Premier League is a thrilling experience for viewers, as players take part in a fierce competition to prove themselves and look to win games. Some people seek thrills by betting on these football matches or playing online casino games, for example. If you want to feel the thrills by watching sports, then you should watch the Premier League. This is one of the most exciting football leagues in the world.

What makes it exciting? For starters, even the smaller clubs, like Blackburn or West Bromwich, to name a couple, have the opportunity to win the league title or even qualify for the European competitions. The best example of this is when Leicester City clinched the Barclays Premier League championship in 2016. It is regarded as the greatest underdog season in sports history.

In addition to the unpredictability of every match, another great reason to watch the Premier League is the bitter rivalries between opposing teams, some even from the same cities.

The best managers

Some of the best managers in the world coach in the Premier League, showcasing their coaching prowess against other top-tier managers.Among the best managers in the EPL is former Spanish professional coach and player "Pep" Guardiola who currently coaches at Manchester City. One of his rivals, Jürgen Klopp presently holds the title of Premier League Manager of the Season after leading Liverpool FC to a second-place finish last season. Guardiola and former EPL coach José Mourinho are the only managers other than Sir Alex Ferguson (Man Utd) to win the Manager of the Season award in consecutive seasons.

The best rivalries

One thing that makes football amazing is the passion people have for it. Such passion is heightened during derby matches. Among the most legendary rivalries in world football is on display in the derby match between Manchester United and Manchester City.

From world-class players and top-tier coaches to intense competition and unparalleled rivalries, it's easy to see why the Premier League is one of the most-watched and exciting leagues in sports today.

Photo by Unsplash

Manchester United secured their second visit to Wembley in just one season, as Erik ten Hag’s men squeezed past a resolute Fulham who went into complete meltdown as they closed in on victory.

Despite boasting more of the ball and far more shots than their visitors, it was the Cottagers who stole the lead through Aleksandar Mitrovic as he powered home a left-footed strike to send the away fans into raptures.

With about 15 minutes left to play, it seemed as though they might record a famous FA Cup victory to continue their impressive season, but a moment of madness saw Willian first sent off for a ‘professional handball’ before the Serbian goalscorer was dismissed for contesting the decision and then manager Marco Silva was also given his marching orders.

Bruno Fernandes would convert a penalty just three minutes later before Marcel Sabitzer all but confirmed their place in the semi-finals with his strike.

In just five minutes this matchup was completely flipped, but the Red Devils were lucky that Silva’s side went into such a meltdown.

That said, it wasn’t all in the home side’s favour, as midfielder Scott McTominay would find out. Indeed, the Scot disappointed in the centre of the park before his substitution.

Who was Man United’s worst player?

Having been handed one of few starts this campaign, it was expected that the 26-year-old would perform as if his place in the squad depended on it. With the absence of Casemiro, it was particularly important that he step up, not only to benefit the team but to convince Ten Hag that he could be far more than a squad player.

However, his partnership with goalscorer Sabitzer unsurprisingly marked a huge gulf in class from what the Manchester club have become accustomed to of late, with journalist Chris McKenna noting how they were “struggling to deal with” the visitors.

This was outlined through McTominay’s 29 touches all game, of which goalkeeper David De Gea recorded more (31). He struggled to gain a foothold in the engine room and losing this battle was exactly what afforded Fulham the respect they needed to go on and take the lead.

Billed as a defensive-minded asset, he even lacked in this department where he recorded zero tackles, interceptions or blocks all game (via Sofascore). This was paired with just an 84% pass accuracy too.

With his future in doubt, as the quality around him only grows, the midfield dud failed in his big opportunity to stake his claim and prove his worth. Instead, he only solidified himself as someone who should be sold as soon as Ten Hag gets the chance.

It’s clear that the Scotland international simply cannot be trusted and as the club’s quality begins to grow, casualties will be found. McTominay will likely be chief among them.

Journalist Pete O'Rourke has shared how Tottenham Hotspur are planning to replace the out-of-favour Eric Dier in the January window.

Who have Spurs signed 2023?

Popular new Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou moved to bring in goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, young centre-back Ashley Phillips, defender Micky van de Ven, playmaker Maddison, winger Manor Solomon, striker Alejo Veliz and forward Brennan Johnson over the summer.

The aforementioned stars, while not all set to be an immediate part of the first team, come in as the first crop of new players tailored towards Postecoglou's new-look, open and attack-minded Tottenham system.

Thus far, Tottenham and Postecoglou's off-field decisions have proved totally justified, with Spurs currently sitting second in the Premier League table after a run of three wins over their opening four top flight matches.

In that time, the Lilywhites have racked up 11 goals over what has been a very impressive unbeaten streak; a run which showcases Postecoglou's exciting philosophy to devastating effect.

Who is leaving Tottenham?

Chairman Daniel Levy, before Chief Football Officer Scott Munn's arrival, also offloaded striker Harry Kane, Sergio Reguilon, Joe Rodon, Djed Spence, Harry Winks, Alfie Devine, Troy Parrott, Dane Scarlett, Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele during what was a busy summer transfer period.

Other members of the Spurs squad face uncertain futures, as the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Hugo Lloris and Dier are all repeatedly linked with departures.

The latter defender, who is yet to play a single minute of Postecoglou's debut campaign, is reported to have even held talks with Levy over his future at the club.

This is despite being a previous favourite of ex-Spurs boss Antonio Conte, who lavished him with praise last campaign.

"What I can tell you is that Eric has improved a lot since I arrived," said Conte.

"I can also tell you he is a really good guy, with great will, desire to work and improve. He knows he has space for improvement and I see every day in his eyes the desire to become stronger, to become a top defender."

Dier's contract expires in 2024 and Spurs couldn't find a suitor before September 1, meaning they could look to January for a solution.

As per Football Insider and journalist O'Rourke, a transfer plan has come to light on how the club may seek to replace the Englishman.

Indeed, it is believed the north Londoners, and by extension Postecoglou, are "plotting to sell" Dier and sign Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo as a replacement.

Tottenham were interested in signing the 25-year-old this summer, O'Rourke writes, and are likely to revisit a move for him in January – on either a pre-contract agreement or there and then for a cut-price fee.

Adarabioyo's deal expires in 2024, meaning Fulham aren't exactly in a position to demand high figures for his signature.

How good is Tosin Adarabioyo?

Adarabioyo has played just a one solitary league minute under Marco Silva this season, but did stand out as one of Fulham's best performers by average match rating over 2022/2023, according to WhoScored.

He's even been called "magnificent" by members of the media for some of his displays over the years.

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has called on Sir Jim Ratcliffe to 'aggressively' invest in the women's team after acquiring a stake in the club.

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United struggling in the WSL Skinner wants Ratcliffe to invest in team Red Devils next in action against BrightonGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Skinner's side are currently 10 points adrift of Women's Super League leaders Chelsea and were also dumped out of the Champions League at the first hurdle earlier this season. The Red Devils' stuttering form had led to some fans calling for the manager to be sacked – with supporters loudly voicing their grievances at recent games. However, speaking after United's much-needed 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, Skinner suggested that the club needed a change of approach at the top level if they are ever to properly challenge the WSL's elite clubs.

AdvertisementWHAT SKINNER SAID ABOUT JANUARY TRANSFERS

Asked whether he wanted United to strengthen the squad before the January transfer window closes, Skinner said: "It’s key, if we’re being very clear, I think it’s clear that we need quality in depth. If we’re going to chase down Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, we’ve got to continue to invest to the levels that they are.

"I think the players are doing an exceptional job. I’ve got players who are tired and have had three-game weeks and the depth in that backline needs to improve. We need to try to get more experienced players in to support the quality of our team – I’m happy with the quality of them – but they just need additions. I can’t hit that home hard enough, can I?

"We still have a lot of highly talented young players, I know we’ve got talented players, but we need to continue to support around that, to have players of high experience, Champions League winners, Champions League experience, league winners, cup winners, we need to add that into them to give them a platform over many years at Manchester United to be successful."

Getty ImagesWHAT SKINNER SAID ABOUT CHELSEA

Skinner went on to point at Chelsea's world-record acquisition of Colombian World Cup star Mayra Ramirez as evidence of the gulf that exists between the two clubs.

"It’s interesting when I see Chelsea have an injury to a player and they can just go ‘bang’ and sign another forward. We have to continue to support our team to kind of be aggressive and win things," he added.

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United were handed a double blow in the summer when both Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle departed on free transfers after the club failed to tie the pair down to new contracts. The hits are likely to keep on coming too, with Lionesses star Mary Earps also out of contract at the end of the season.

The appointment has been made with Vision 2019 – South Africa’s plan for the World Cup in England – and beyond in mind

Sidharth Monga in Centurion03-Feb-20182:08

Amla and de Kock’s favourite ODI venue

In a big call, with the 2019 World Cup in mind, South Africa have unveiled Aiden Markram, all of two ODIs old, as their 50-overs captain for the remaining five ODIs against India in the absence of the injured Faf du Plessis.Markram will be second-youngest player to captain South Africa in ODIs. He has previously led the Under-19 side, with whom he won the world title in 2014, his franchise, the Titans, and the South African A team as well. “Part of our plan is to make sure we look at our Vision 2019 and also making sure that part of our plan is to develop young leaders in view of the post-2019 plans,” Linda Zondi, the selection convenor said. “I think Aiden fit in.”Markram is among the most inexperienced members of the squad. Only Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada are younger, and only Ngidi and Khaya Zondo have played fewer matches. “We are aware that Markram is new to our set-up,” Zondi said. “Part of our plan is to also build that pool of leaders within the set-up. I think Markram has always been in our plans since he was U-19 captain, leading up to SA A, and now joining the Proteas. Yes, there will be pressure in terms of him maybe understanding his role and also being able to perform as a player. For us, we want to see if he can handle pressure, because part of leadership is to be able to adjust and perform under pressure. We think he has the right skill and the right capability to do so.”Markram has been chosen ahead of more established players such as Hashim Amla (he might have been reluctant to take up the job again), Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy and David Miller. “Yes, it can be an intimidating thing,” Markram said of the prospect of leading the seniors. “But the culture in the team is so good. It allows for a young player like myself to go and engage with a guy like Hashim Amla, who’s a legend of the game. It makes it a lot easier for me, it’s not something I see as intimidating.”I’ll keep Hash close to my side in the field, and obviously other experienced players as well. It’s going to be something very exciting, it’s going to be a new challenge. But it’s a positive challenge to look forward to.”Zondi singled out Markram’s ability to make independent decisions while also being open to advice as a quality that helped them make the decision. “His awareness of the game, his confidence when making decisions… To lead senior guys, it is always challenging when you are a young guy and you have to make decisions. He is the kind of guy, in our opinion, who is willing to open himself to advice. He has got that supporting structure around the team at the moment. We have got Hashim Amla and JP, guys who are going to be here. Captaincy is a special skill. You don’t just wake up one morning and become a captain. He has been there, he has done that, it is a matter of us giving him an opportunity.”Aiden Markram looks to play a shot•Getty Images

Markram has come up dreaming about captaining South Africa. “It’s a big honour,” he said. “Obviously as a little boy you grow up and you want to captain your country one day. Unfortunately for the team’s sake, Faf misses out. It’s a big loss to the side. But then the selectors showing confidence in me to take over, it means quite a bit. It’s a super humbling experience, but yes, we’re going to need to do this for Faf, I believe.”Markram heard he was in line for the job on Friday night, and once he confirmed he was willing to do it, the official decision was conveyed to him on Monday morning. “I managed to sleep, yeah,” he said. “Luckily I really enjoy captaining. It’s going to be an additional pressure to deal with, but I believe it’s a good pressure. You get good and bad sort of pressures, and for me it’s really a pressure that hopefully I can thrive on.”In addition to taking on du Plessis’ responsibilities as leader of the side, Markram will also bat at No. 3 in the batting order. “Faf’s sort of taken me under his wing since I’ve been involved in the environment,” Markram said. “We’ve spoken a lot and this morning, throughout the training session I’ve been almost side by side, spending time chatting about plans, how he goes about things, and obviously passing on some advice to take into the game.”I’ll keep him close to me, he’s luckily going to be here throughout the game. I’ll keep sending messages on and off the field, asking for advice, asking for any hints. But at the end of the day, it’s going to be my decision to make on the field, though. Fortunately, like Linda said, there’s plenty of experience within the squad, and it won’t be a decision made just by myself. I’ll definitely consult the senior players, obviously for the better interest of the side as well.”Zondi won’t commit if Markram will be named the vice-captain for the Australia series in March, but he said handing over the captaincy to him for the ODIs against India was not a difficult choice. “If AB de Villiers was around, and other senior players, we would have probably looked at different options. But at the moment, with both our so-called former captains not around, it was an ideal opportunity for us that here is Markram, let’s see what he can offer. We are confident. He wants to do it as well. It just gives us an opportunity to open it up and see what he can offer.”