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The West Indies captain believes that consistency, in selection and performance, could play an important role in the outcome of the Test series against Zimbabwe

Liam Brickhill in Bulawayo20-Oct-2017West Indies have had a topsy-turvy year. They lost the first and last Tests in both three-match series against Pakistan and England, while winning in Bridgetown and Leeds between times. But that has not lead to chopping and changing in what can sometimes be a revolving selection door for unpredictable teams, and ahead of the first Test against Zimbabwe, consistency – in selection and performance – was the keyword for both captain and coach.”I think we’ve had a pretty reasonable year in terms of improvement,” said captain Jason Holder. “The guys have been getting attuned to Test cricket. We’re still not the finished product but we’re headed in the right direction. With a young and inexperienced side you have to give guys opportunities and be as consistent as you can. We’ve got to stick with a set of players who we believe can take the team forward.””We’re not about trying to pick players and discard after only a couple of games,” agreed West Indies coach Stuart Law, who has now been in the job for 10 months. “That just creates an atmosphere in the dressing room where you’re always looking over your shoulder. We want to get away from that. We want to make sure that we are consistent with our selections. We’re trying to give everyone a fair shake at putting something up on the board, something substantial.”Along with consistency, Holder suggested that reverse swing could play a crucial role in the outcome of the first Test. “With the Kookaburra balls, reverse swing is always a factor. They tend to reverse earlier than most and go a bit softer. I would expect some reverse swing in these dry conditions. The square looks pretty decent but you never know what to expect.”There too, Law was in agreement: “With the characteristics of this ground, it does favour spin bowling more than medium pace bowling. Having said that, we’ve got two or three guys who can crank it up to over 90mph and that pace it doesn’t really matter where you play, it’s hard to bat against. We will be focussing on the dryness of the conditions, the dryness of the pitch, and maybe spin will play a huge part, but also reverse swing.”Law has backed his team when they have been under fire after poor performances, and has also said he wanted a settled unit going into the World Cup qualifiers in March next year. The upcoming matches are obviously of a different format, but building a cohesive, successful team has to start somewhere. So does responsibility for performance, Law is quick to add.”There also comes a time where the players are responsible for their performances in the middle. They’ve got to perform, that’s the number one thing. It’s a game of performances. I’ve been involved in teams and campaigns before in domestic and international cricket, and you can’t focus on the end result,” Law explained. “You’ve got to focus on the little steps you’ve got to take to get through that. We have targets, we have goals.”The boys want to make sure that we’re giving ourselves every opportunity to win every contest we’re going in to. We just had a reasonable result in the UK, where the second Test was outstanding. We lost the other two Tests but we started to show some fight. After that first Test, to come back the way we did was an outstanding effort. What happened, for example at Edgbaston, really toughens you up. We’ve got to be that tough from ball one coming up on Saturday. Hang in the contest for as long as we can and push ourselves.”

Liverpool suffered from the failure to sign Chelsea-bound duo Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo this month, but Jurgen Klopp is looking to right the wrongs and ensure his outfit can thrive this season.

What's the latest on Wataru Endo to Liverpool?

According to a wealth of sources – including Fabrizio Romano – Liverpool are homing in on the signing of Wataru Endo from German Bundesliga side Stuttgart for roughly €18m (£15m).

This one's moving pretty quickly, with the Japanese midfielder undergoing his medical on Merseyside today and poised to sign to bolster Liverpool's midfield.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

The Anfield side lost James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in June after their contracts expired, while Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were sold to Saudi Arabian sides for a combined £52m, leaving the Reds desperate for depth, and Endo could be the industrious presence to enhance the club's centre.

Who is Wataru Endo?

Let's not beat around the bush, 30-year-old Stuttgart midfielder is not among the names that Liverpool supporters have been craving over the past days and weeks, but this "proper warrior and leader", as he has been proclaimed by Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard, could prove to be the most astute of signings.

There will, of course, be an expectation from the fans that another, perhaps more lucrative signature will be brought in to replace Fabinho and ensure the club have a midfield anchor to hold up against the Casemiro's, Declan Rice's and Rodri's of the Premier League, but then Liverpool have oft opted for the shrewder route.

Endo, nonetheless, is a tenacious and unrelenting midfield force, and those who have watched him in action over the past several seasons will sing his praises resoundingly.

As per Squawka, the 50-cap international has made the most clearances, aerial duel wins and possession wins in the defensive third since the start of the 2021/22 league season.

Indeed, the 5 foot 10 ace ranks among the top 6% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for clearances and the top 5% for aerial wins per 90, as per FBref, highlighting a tenacity and presence unfelt at Anfield for a while now, with Fabinho, who was at the epicentre of the club's plight last year, ranking among the top 36% and 34% for the same metrics.

The "terrific" midfield "monster" – as Endo has been called by Bundesliga commentator Dan O'Hagan – would provide Liverpool with the stability and assiduousness to rekindle the vigour and intensity, and while he is not a 'world-class' phenom that the club covets, he will surprise more than a few.

Endo would also prove to be a masterful signing when considering the possible success of World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, with the Argentine signing for Liverpool for £35m this summer, having been hailed as "outstanding" by an awestruck Klopp already.

The 24-year-old machine ranks among the top 15% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for shot-creating actions, the top 18% for progressive carries and the top 14% for successful take-ons per 90,

The £150k-per-week dynamo can also play in the pivot role in midfield, as he did against Chelsea in the season opener at Stamford Bridge, and while he impressed during that match, completing 88% of his passes, winning seven of his 11 ground duels and making three tackles, his creativity is best utilised further up the pitch.

Endo could be the solvent to hold the ship together, and serving as a veritable brick wall in the centre, blocking the advances of the opposition and sweeping the danger aside, Mac Allister could be emboldened in his efforts and unlock the full scale of his potential on Merseyside.

Shaun Marsh had weightier matters on his mind as the Brisbane Test loomed, but when it is all over he will turn his thoughts to a two-year deal with Glamorgan

David Hopps22-Nov-2017Shaun Marsh, who won a surprise recall by Australia for the start of the Ashes series, has been named as Glamorgan’s overseas player for the next two seasons.Marsh’s main concern 24 hours before the start of the first Test at the Gabba was to recover from a stiff back, which curtailed his final practice session, but when the Ashes are done and dusted he will be heading to south Wales.Glamorgan have secured Marsh in all three formats of the game and he will be available for the full county season subject to the 2018 IPL draft. If he gains an IPL contract, he will join up with Glamorgan following his commitments in India.Marsh has played in nine out of 10 IPLs, only missing the second season of the tournament in 2009, but at 34 his presence in 2018 cannot be taken for granted.There again, he has just won his eighth recall to Australia’s Test squad in a career that has spread over 23 Tests, as well as 68 matches in limited-overs formats, in the past decade.His pedigree in T20 is impressive – he is also a three-time winner of BBL with Perth Scorchers.Marsh is reasserting county cricket loyalties. He played for Glamorgan during the T20 campaign of 2012, as well as being a member of the Australian touring party for the 2015 Ashes played in England and Wales. He spent part of last season with Yorkshire.”I’m extremely excited to join Glamorgan for the 2018 season,” he said, lifting his attention from Ashes preparations for a few seconds. “I have some great memories of the club when I played in Cardiff in 2012 and I’m glad to be back.”Securing my county future for the long term has always appealed to me so I jumped at the opportunity when it came. There is a lot of exciting young talent at the club and hopefully I can put in some good performances so we can bring some silverware to Wales.”Marsh’s experience makes him a road-tested option and he will blend will with Glamorgan’s exciting new crop of homegrown products.Hugh Morris, Glamorgan’s director of cricket, said: “We wanted to bring in someone who is experienced at international level, can bat at the top of the order and can play in all three formats of the game, and Shaun ticks all of those boxes for us.”In many ways that makes Marsh a direct replacement for the South African Jacques Rudolph, who spent four seasons at Glamorgan as a captain and top-order batsman before retiring at the end of last season.

Despite Australia having claimed the Ashes, both the hosts and England will have something to play for, especially in light of the World T20 in the Caribbean next year

Adam Collins in Canberra18-Nov-2017One benefit of the multi-format Women’s Ashes system is that it takes quite a lot for a rubber to be truly dead. So now, despite the series, at large, having been determined on Friday with the trophy in Australia’s safe-keeping for another two years, both sides still have something to play for. The remainder of the series assumes greater currency for them when casting their gaze forward to the World T20 – their next major global assignment, this time next year, in the Caribbean.Elated as Australia captain Rachael Haynes was after the home side retained the trophy, there was no suggestion of tinkering with her XI for the final two contests between the teams, in Canberra on Sunday and Tuesday. “We want to win the series,” she said of the T20I leg. “So we will pick the best team as we have done throughout.”That sentiment was shared by seamer Megan Schutt, who popped her head up to speak the day after the night before, where a few drinks and an enthusiastic singalong were enjoyed after the home side easily accounted for England in the opening T20. “We want to win the series 12-4,” she said. “We haven’t won a T20 series in a little while and that is something we are quite aware of.”Both acknowledged the strip that they will be presented with at the Manuka Oval will be hard work for bowlers. Comparisons to the barren Federal Highway that leads into town are supported by the volume of runs scored at the ground in recent summers.The Australians arrive in the nation’s capital satisfied with what they have achieved after a tough year. “It really hit us then that we have regained the Ashes on home soil,” Schutt said. “For me, it has been a little bit emotional. Just the way this team sticks together is something really brilliant. We really do have a special group.”For Haynes’ part, she said it was made all the better after the “bitter disappointment” of having been bundled out of the World Cup in July in the semi-final. “That was obviously a hard loss,” Schutt added. “We did some clear planning coming into this and it has paid off. We have plans and are accountable for what we said we are going to do.”The South Australian has bowled exceptionally across the four white-ball fixtures to date, capturing 14 wickets at an outstanding average of 9.71. Her returns of 4 for 22 on Friday earned Schutt her third four-wicket haul in the limited-overs contests. By contrast, in the World Cup, she took 10 wickets at close to 31 and conceded 4.79 runs an over, the most profligate non-spinner on the list of those with double-digit victim counts.”It is swinging again,” Schutt, the right-arm opening bowler said simply of her return to top form. “I don’t really know why that is, so I am just really happy it is going that way at the moment.”England were shattered that they had not been able to bounce from their World Cup win to also capture a rare Ashes triumph away from home. It was visible that they were exhausted, a risk that coach Mark Robinson spoke of before boarding the plane following on from their most taxing home summer since turning full professional in 2014.”It was quite a hard ask,” he said after the North Sydney Oval loss. “We came here at the request of Cricket Australia because they wanted to do this one-off, standalone series. It didn’t really suit us.” This raises a secondary question about scheduling, but that is a debate for another day as the England camp doesn’t want to take any gloss over the hosts’ victory.England captain Heather Knight said her team had learned the hard way what a difficult place Australia can be as a touring side under pressure. “We came out here to try and get [the Women’s Ashes] back and we haven’t done that and it hurts,” she said.But she was also quick to offer praise to her team for fighting back after a top-order collapse in Sydney. She was particularly praiseful of Danielle Wyatt, who made her maiden international half-century on Friday in what was her first innings of the tour and saved the tourists from embarrassment. “I couldn’t be more proud of how the girls have fought and stood up to that toughness and tried to throw a few punches back.”

Rajneesh Gurbani’s 5 for 38 gave Vidarbha a 70-run first-innings lead, and Faiz Fazal built on it with an unbeaten 51 against Kerala in Surat

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Dec-2017
ScorecardPTI Medium-pacer Rajneesh Gurbani’s second five-wicket haul in two matches bowled out Kerala for 176 and handed Vidarbha a 70-run first-innings lead. Captain Faiz Fazal then made an unbeaten 51 – his fifth fifty-plus score of the season – to extend the lead to 147 at stumps on the third day in Surat.In reply to Vidarbha’s first-innings 246, Kerala kept losing wickets as allrounder Jalaj Saxena top-scored with 40. Resuming on 32 for 2, Jalaj and Rohan Prem stretched their overnight stand to 47 before legspinner Karn Sharma dismissed Prem for 29 in the 20th over. Jalaj and Sanju Samson then put on 44 for the fourth wicket to push the score beyond 100. Samson’s wicket, however, triggered a collapse as Kerala went from 115 for 3 to 176 all out. Gurbani cut through the middle and lower order to finish with 5 for 38 in 14 overs.Vidarbha began their second innings on a positive note with Fazal and Sanjay Ramaswamy adding a 53-run opening stand. The partnership ended when Jalaj had Ramaswamy caught behind in the 17th over. Akshay Wakhare, the nightwatchman, hung around with his captain to see Vidarbha through to stumps.

Celtic have made advances to sign a winger as Brendan Rodgers looks to finally secure a replacement for Jota at Parkhead, according to reports.

What's the latest news involving Celtic?

Last week, Celtic suffered a shock defeat in the Viaplay Cup at the first hurdle away to Kilmarnock and subsequently lost their grip on aspirations of being able to complete a second successive domestic treble, as per BBC Sport.

Cited by The Scotsman, Hoops boss Rodgers has admitted that he feels some additional reinforcements would be beneficial for his squad and didn't rule out bringing in some established stars to bolster the ranks, as he stated:

“We want good players, whatever age they are. We need quality, that’s for sure. Hopefully between now and the end of the window we can improve the squad. Clearly the model of the club is to bring the players in at a younger age and develop them and improve them. But we are not against bringing in someone at 26 or 27 if they can improve the squad."

On the face of it, Celtic are in the midst of a mini-injury crisis at the minute as several of their first-team stars are crocked in the lead-up to the renewal of their rivalry with Rangers at Ibrox early next month. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki, Stephen Welsh, Marco Tilio, Oh Hyeon-gyu, Yuki Kobayashi, Mikey Johnson and Reo Hatate are all sidelined at present due to various concerns.

Celtic face St Johnstone at Parkhead on Saturday and Rodgers could be forced into fielding a central defensive pairing of Gustaf Lagerbielke and out-of-favour Irishman Liam Scales, who was previously mooted with a return to former loan club Aberdeen, as per The Daily Record.

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph has given an insight into where the Hoops' transfer priorities lie between now and the end of the window, stating on X: "Celtic are likely to be busy before the end of the transfer window, with the club targeting a goalkeeper, left-back and left winger as priorities. They would also be keen to bolster their centre forward options."

Are Celtic signing Luis Palma?

According to Mailplus, Celtic have lodged a £3.5 million bid for Aris Thessaloniki winger Luis Palma, who has previously been targeted by their arch-rivals Rangers as a potential replacement for Ryan Kent.

Celtic are keen to fill the shoes of Portuguese wideman Jota after he departed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad last month for £25 million and Honduras international Palma is now firmly on their radar following advances for Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Daniel Podence and Newcastle United ace Ryan Fraser being complicated due to their hefty wages.

Dubbed a "huge player" by Aris Thessaloniki manager Apostolos Terzis, Palma has been a smash hit during his time in Greece, registering 17 goals and 11 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Sky Bet Championship side Watford and Belgian giants Anderlecht have also expressed interest in the 23-year-old this summer; however, he now looks like he may be set for a move to Celtic in the final days of the window.

Chelsea could still make an attacking signing in the remaining days of the transfer window, and they have turned their attention to La Liga for a potential addition, according to a new claim.

Do Chelsea need to sign another attacker?

The Blues have enjoyed a productive few months when it comes to transfer business, with Mauricio Pochettino coming in as manager and rebuilding the squad.

A number of players have moved on, including Kalidou Koulibaly, N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic, while the likes of Axel Disasi, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Nicolas Jackson represent good incoming signings who can possibly take the club forward.

In the early weeks of the new Premier League season, however, there have been signs that further attacking reinforcements could be needed, with Mykhailo Mudryk struggling to make an impact and too much onus arguably on Raheem Sterling and Jackson to produce end product currently.

There is still enough time for that to change at Stamford Bridge, should Pochettino feel the need to make another signing, and a new update suggests that further business isn't out of the question.

Will Chelsea sign Raphinha?

According to The Daily Mail, Barcelona winger Raphinha is seen as an option to come in this summer, as is fellow teammate Ferran Torres, with internal talks held by Stamford Bridge chiefs.

"Names floated for Chelsea as potential forward targets include Ferran Torres and Raphinha at Barcelona and Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe. Interest is not particularly advanced but that trio are among the names being discussed by the Chelsea hierarchy at this stage."

Raphinha could be a great signing for Chelsea before the end of deadline day, having shone so much for Leeds United during their time in the Premier League. The Brazilian has scored 17 goals and registered 12 assists in the competition, once scoring a penalty at Stamford Bridge, and his pace, trickery and end product from the right wing could be a great option for the Blues.

Granted, Sterling is currently in superb form in that position, but the Englishman has shown how good he can be on the left flanks throughout his career, and could still thrive there for Chelsea. If they had him and Raphinha on either flank, and Jackson leading the line, it could be a formidable-looking attacking unit for Pochettino, while simply having the Brazil international would also improve squad depth.

Former Leeds teammate Dan James has described the 26-year-old as a "magician" in the past, highlighting the technical quality he has in his locker, and he could jump at the chance to join the Blues, having not always managed to be a regular for Barcelona since arriving from Elland Road last year.

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE…

While he still featured in 36 of Barca's La Liga game last season, only 25 of them were starts, and if he was promised more regular playing time by Pochettino in west London, it could be a move that really appeals to him, also helping improve Chelsea significantly at the time.

At 26, Raphinha is still at a young enough age to improve further and be a long-term signing for the Blues, so they could look to bring him in before the transfer window slams shut.

It was a contest between the sophistication of Pakistan’s bowling attack and the raw power of two New Zealand batsmen named Colin. And as with all other games on this tour, it was the home side who emerged victorious

The Report by Danyal Rasool16-Jan-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsIt was a contest between the sophistication of Pakistan’s bowling attack and the raw power of two New Zealand batsmen named Colin. But as with all other games on this tour, it was the home side who emerged victorious, chasing down 263 with five wickets and four overs to spare.Colin Munro wreaked havoc at the top of the order, while Colin de Grandhomme outdid him towards the end, bludgeoning Pakistan into submission with 74 of 40 balls, just when it looked like they may finally get off the mark this series. Pakistan may take heart from the fact that this was, by some distance, the most competitive game thus far. Equally, however, they will be disappointed not to emerge with a win, having reduced New Zealand to 154 for 5, with just the lower order to bowl at.New Zealand began the chase in typically brash fashion. Munro attacked the opening bowlers, particularly Hasan Ali, the decision to open the bowling with him backfiring. He was often a touch too short and Munro was excellent punching off the back foot. An example of his front foot play was the six he struck off Mohammad Amir; the ball disappeared over cover.Colin de Grandhomme sent the ball to all parts•Getty ImagesAfter leaking 86 runs in 13 overs, Pakistan finally turned to Shadab Khan and things started happening. He deceived Munro in the flight in his first over, and the left-hander was caught at deep midwicket. A googly took care of Martin Guptill, and for the first time, Zealand began to look a little unsure. Rumman Raees exploited that superbly when he trapped Ross Taylor, playing his 200th ODI today, lbw for 1. Tom Latham was caught at slip off Shadab, a victim of extra bounce, and New Zealand were reeling from the loss of four wickets for 11 runs.The only one thinking clearly in the mayhem was the unflappable Williamson, who set about restoring the innings with Henry Nicholls. The pair bided their time, rotating the strike when they could, and quietly built up a 55-run partnership.But Haris Sohail struck just as New Zealand crossed 150, snaring Williamson in the most unexpected fashion. Having looked comfortable all innings, a sudden rush of blood prompted him to launch the left-arm spinner into the air. It was agonisingly close to being a six, but Raees positioned himself inches from the boundary, leaned back with both hands over his head and took one of the coolest catches. At the time, it looked the decisive moment.But out came de Grandhomme, playing his first match since returning from Zimbabwe following the death of his father. Any notions of rust were brushed aside as they took the sledgehammer to a Pakistan attack that had looked impregnable for the previous hour. Haris was the first to feel the allrounder’s might, consecutive sixes setting the stage for the astonishing assault that was incoming.De Grandhomme lifted Amir majestically over midwicket to clear the rope, then Shadab was dispatched over extra cover with an even classier shot. This was no feat of pinch-hitting, it was an extraordinary display of power combined with technique that belied his batting position, reputation and match fitness as he took New Zealand towards their target in delightfully uncomplicated fashion.Pakistan were shellshocked; there simply wasn’t a response coming from them. The errors in the field mounted and the shoulders began to sag. Henry Nicholls brought up an understated but fully-deserved half-century to level the scores, and just like that, Pakistan found themselves 4-0 down.Shadab Khan led Pakistan’s fightback with a flurry of wickets•Getty ImagesThey might now think back to those familiar problems at the top, which showed no signs of abating on Tuesday. It took fifties from Fakhar Zaman and Haris Sohail, and a late onslaught to spare their blushes. From 130 for 5, a 98-run partnership between Mohammad Hafeez and captain Sarfraz Ahmed prevented their innings from falling apart in the middle overs as they finished with 262. New Zealand put in a disciplined bowling performance and the pick of their bowlers was, surprisingly, Williamson himself, taking two wickets in his 10 overs.The allrounder Faheem Ashraf, who was sent in to open the batting, fell in the third over, and Babar Azam followed suit. That, though, was when Pakistan’s resistance began. Haris – who looked so good one wondered why he wasn’t playing the previous three ODIs – and Zaman took the attack to the bowlers. They rode their luck somewhat; Fakhar was dropped early and a top edge carried for six, but the pair applied themselves well, bringing up the fifty partnership in 47 balls.Santner broke through with a carrom ball Zaman failed to read, and with that partnership ending, normal service seemed to resume. Haris had played beautifully to reach a half-century in his first ODI in three years, but threw it away next ball, driving Williamson straight into deep extra cover’s hands.At 130 for 5, it looked bleak for Pakistan again, but for the second time in the innings, the batsmen dug in. Sarfraz and Hafeez went about rebuilding the innings once more, pacing their fightback quite well, but the pitch began to slow down towards the end, making it difficult to hit the ball cleanly.New Zealand used seven bowlers during their innings, which meant they had plenty of overs left from their frontline seamers. Trent Boult wasn’t quite on the money, and Pakistan cashed in on that, Hafeez picking him up beautifully and, on four occasions, sending him into the stands. Pakistan scored 62 runs in the last five overs – and 22 off Boult’s final over – as Hafeez finished with a vital 81 off 80 balls.It might have been the decisive knock of the game, had de Grandhomme not had other ideas.

Liverpool have shaken off last year's malaise and are now pushing for a more successful season, securing ten points from the opening four games of the Premier League campaign.

The important point, however, is not the points tally itself but the rekindled verve and cohesion that has suffused across the squad in such a short time; where previously Jurgen Klopp's side was bereft of inspiration, now a course to success looks attainable once more.

The focus was on rebuilding the midfield after the disappointing campaign, with a fifth-placed finish ending an illustrious seven-year streak in the Champions League.

James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left in June after their contracts expired, while Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were sold to Saudi Arabian sides and Fabio Carvalho left on loan.

Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch made up the additions to replenish the ranks, and while it looks an impressive reconstruction, the defence is still untouched despite growing concerns over the Reds' defensive ranks.

Last season, the Merseyside outfit conceded 47 goals to compound a miserable year, a far cry from the 26 strikes shipped across the 2021/22 Premier League season, with a 92-point season leaving the club just one point behind champions Manchester City.

For now, Liverpool will endure with the same backline, but change is needed to ensure a lasting spot is cemented among England and Europe's elite. One move could well be to replace Joel Matip.

Is Joel Matip leaving Liverpool?

It is likely that veteran centre-half Matip is nearing the end of his time at Anfield, having now entered the final year of his contract and unlikely to reclaim a starting berth with regularity.

Signed on a free transfer in 2015 following the culmination of his contract with German side Schalke, Matip has made 189 appearances, scoring 11 goals, and played an important role in the whole gamut of silverware secured under Klopp's stewardship, praised for his "outstanding" performances by pundit Jamie Carragher.

The 32-year-old was culpable for poor displays last season, however, and it does not look like a new contractual proposal is on the horizon, with Liverpool's pursuit of fresh faces to bolster the defensive line well-documented over the past several months.

And indeed, as Klopp's team orchestrated a late-season purple patch at the business end of the 2022/23 campaign to salvage European football, Matip was left on the periphery, starting only three of the final divisional matches of the calendar.

The £100k-per-week centre-back is a very distinctive defender and boasts an array of arresting qualities, ranking among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 4% for shot-creating actions and the top 1% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Accurately replacing his presence will be no easy task, but given Liverpool's desire to sign a left-sided central defender, when that bridge is crossed it might be wise for Klopp to opt for a shrewder path when landing the perfect heir to his position in the squad.

As such, rising talent Jarell Quansah, who is projected for his most prominent role yet on Merseyside this season, might be the man for the job. Here's why.

Who is Jarell Quansah?

The 20-year-old titan has been on Liverpool's books for a considerable time, rising through the club's youth ranks from the age of five and captaining the U18 outfit to the FA Cup youth final in 2021.

Blessed with electric pace and an innate technical ability, Quansah completed a loan move to League One side Bristol Rovers last season as Klopp and co sought to nurture him closer to the fore, with Rovers boss Joey Barton proclaiming that "the sky's the limit" after he made 17 appearances, completing 78% of his passes and averaging 4.3 tackles per game, as per Sofascore.

Having also been been described as "impressive" by reporter Ben Bocsak following his England call-up for the U20 World Cup, Quansah has been building a foundation on Merseyside, and while some supporters will bemoan the decision to make do with the current crop of centre-backs, it is the opportune moment for the 6 foot 3 colossus to shine on the major stage.

His chance came against Newcastle United. Liverpool had gone a goal down at a raucous St. James' Park and looked destined for a date with disaster after captain Virgil van Dijk's botched challenge on a box-surging Alexander Isak resulted in a red card.

The Reds pulled through and clinched an unlikely victory through substitute Darwin Nunez's clinical double following a commendable display of defensive resilience, with Quansah entering the match action in the 77th minute and looking the part as a momentous result was achieved.

After that eye-catching debut, Scouted Football said: "An imposing centre-back, he defends on the front foot, holds his own in the air, and is comfortable on the ball."

His second appearance, another substitute showing against Aston Villa last weekend, was even more arresting, with the defensive giant completing 96% of his passes (22/23), succeeding with his one attempted dribble and making one clearance.

As Liverpool search to sign a left-footed defensive ace to continue the renaissance and allow Van Dijk to shift onto his favoured right side, it might be unwise to break the bank on a right-sided centre-back to replace Matip when Quansah currently waits in the wings.

The current campaign will be telling, and as the season progresses, Quansah's qualities will be more easily discerned, but after such a promising ascent from his formative years to top level football, he looks like he may well prove to be an invaluable asset.

There is also the matter of the holding midfield; Fabinho's £40m sale to Al-Ittihad this summer left a gaping hole in Anfield's centre, and while Endo and Gravenberch have both been signed, the former is not quite the first-class phenom to make the role his own for years to come, while the talented Dutchman is more of a multi-functional midfielder than a specialist No. 6.

Allowing Quansah to develop within the Liverpool first-team could prove to be a masterstroke, and with Matip ostensibly headed for the door next summer, he is the shrewd and suitable replacement.

Batsman omitted to ensure no recurrence of the anxiety issues that plagued her in build-up to World Cup

George Dobell07-Mar-2018An investment in Sarah Taylor’s long-term health was behind the decision not to include her in England’s squad for the tour of India.Taylor and Katherine Brunt were two of the familiar names left out of the squad but, while Brunt’s absence was explained by a back injury, Taylor’s was a more preventative measure to ensure she suffered no recurrence of the anxiety issues that caused her to take time away from the game in 2016.While insisting there were “no issues” with Taylor, England coach Mark Robinson accepted her condition required some management.”Any player’s well-being is the most important thing at any time,” Robinson said. “And that’s why Sarah is not going on this tour.”I want her for the long term. I don’t want her to over-do it and go ‘ping’ again. We want her to be able to spend more time doing stuff with her support network to fortify herself for what’s to come. It was not for any negative reasons, it’s a thought-out plan. The idea from a long way out was to give her this window as a person.”The other aspect of Taylor’s absence is that it will provide another opportunity for Amy Jones. While Jones’ international record to date is modest, she remains highly rated by the England management and in contention for a place should injury befall Taylor, in particular.”It creates an opportunity for Amy to gain exposure,” Robinson said. “It’s so we’re not just turning out the same old players and we not suddenly stuck if things go a bit wrong.”Taylor remains very much the No. 1 choice as keeper, though. “If it was a competition for keeps she’d be on the plane,” Robinson said. “I promise there are no issues at all with Sarah. She’s doing brilliantly.”When she made her comeback she focussed a lot on her well-being and worked hard with her support team and on her cricket as well. Then we went into the World Cup and that went straight into the Super League. Then we went straight into the Ashes and she had no time to breathe. So we always tried to earmark the next four months after the end of the Ashes to focus on herself as well as her cricket.”There’s a really good network behind Sarah. She has a good mum and dad; a good partner. Sarah is incredibly brave to speak openly about her issues. She’s a great example to us all.”England squad for India: Heather Knight (capt), Tammy Beaumont, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Katie George, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Amy Jones (wk), Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Bryony Smith, Fran Wilson, Danni Wyatt