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La Liga president Javier Tebas vows to "eliminate" the tournament before its next edition in 2029

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Tebas not on board with revamped CWCVows to eliminate the competitionConsiders it a threat to 'sustainability of football'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

La Liga president Tebas is not at all on board with the ongoing Club World Cup organised by FIFA, revealing that he will be working towards "eliminating" the tournament as the revamped version is a major threat to the "sustainability of football."

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FIFA revamped the Club World Cup with a new format, which sees 32 teams from all confederations contesting in the group stages followed by knockout stages, much like the World Cup. Originally, the Club World Cup would be held right before the end of the year or right after the turn of the year, with just the winners of the premier continental competitions organised by each of the six confederations participating in the tournament.

Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowWHAT JAVIER TEBAS SAID

Speaking at a football industry event, Tebas was asked how FIFA can revise the current Club World Cup. Tebas responded: "By eliminating it. My goal is to ensure there are no more Club World Cups, that's very clear to me."

He was then asked whether there was a way to make the tournament more compatible with the rest of the calendar. Tebas explained: "There are no dates. There's no need for yet another competition that moves money to a sector of clubs and players and comes from somewhere. There's no more money here; we have to maintain the ecosystem and eliminate it. Keep it as it was before, which was a weekend. There's no way, neither in terms of dates, nor economics, nor maintaining the sustainability of football."

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There has been quite some criticism regarding the Club World Cup, which will now take place every four years. The competition is believed to take a toll on the players' physical conditions, with games scheduled at noon and 3pm kick-off times under the scorching heat of the USA sun. In fact, PSG boss Luis Enrique slammed the scheduling of the games following his side's 4-0 hammering of Atletico Madrid.

If KL Rahul is not fit to play the Asia Cup, India face quite a juggling act with Kishan, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill – here’s Ravi Shastri, MSK Prasad and Sandeep Patil’s take

Shashank Kishore17-Aug-20236:15

Shastri: India need three left-handers in the top seven

Where does Ishan Kishan fit in to India’s ODI jigsaw if KL Rahul is not ready in time for the Asia Cup? This will be one of the big decisions the team management and the selectors face when they pick India’s Asia Cup squad later this week.Kishan has scored 425 of his 694 ODI runs so far at the top of the order. These have come in six innings at an average in the vicinity of 80 and strike rate of 125, with a best of 210 against Bangladesh late last year.So the numbers clearly suggest Kishan best fits in at the top, but that’s where Rohit Sharma bats alongside Shubman Gill, whose ODI numbers for 2023 are particularly compelling too: 750 runs in 12 innings, including three hundreds and two half-centuries.Related

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Jaiswal and Gill pack a punch and why that matters

Is there a workaround, then? Where does Kishan bat?”At the top of the order, nowhere else,” former India allrounder and coach Ravi Shastri said on Star Sports’ show . “The others have to be flexible. Between Rohit, Virat and Gill, that can be 2-3-4.”Like Shastri, former India keeper and chairman of selectors MSK Prasad, who picked India’s 2019 World Cup squad, also felt Kishan needed to be given a run in a spot he’s most comfortable in, even if that meant Rohit dropping down the order.”I think that’s the tough part right now,” Prasad said, on the same Star Sports show, of India’s top-order juggling. “If you’re looking at Gill to open with Rohit, then where to send Ishan Kishan is a cause for concern. If you see some of the roles he’s played at No. 4 or 5, I don’t think he has justified his place there.”The best thing is he enjoys batting up the order. Somehow, we need to accommodate him at the top of the order. Probably that left-right combination of Rohit and Ishan Kishan might come in handy.”Because Rohit always enjoyed the wonderful company of Shikhar Dhawan (they put on 18 century stands together). If you see, post-Dhawan, the form of Rohit has also been a cause of concern. The best place for Ishan Kishan to bat is up the order.”ESPNcricinfo LtdShastri, who was coach during the 2019 World Cup, said Dhawan missing the latter half of that tournament was a major miss. Dhawan fractured his finger during the course of his century against Australia and was replaced in the squad by Rishabh Pant. India opened with Rohit and KL Rahul for the remainder of that World Cup.”People don’t give the credit that Dhawan deserves,” Shastri said. “That guy was an amazing player. You mention the World Cup, when we lost the semi-final [to New Zealand at Old Trafford] after a brilliant World Cup, he was the missing man there. That made such a big difference.”A left-hander at the top of the order as opposed to three right-handers with the ball just swinging away, and allowing teams to get a grip on where to bowl and bowl consistently, was missing. And Rohit is a different player when he has a left-hander at the other end. He’s a totally different player altogether.”We’ve seen the stats, stats don’t lie over a period of time, so I think a left-right batting combination at the top will help. If you tinker with his [Kishan’s] batting position, if you put him at 5-6, it’s useless. He doesn’t know how to play. The pressure is on him to bat differently. He’s got a double-hundred at the top of the order, he’s got some runs, he scores quickly. The thing with Kishan is if he’s there for 30-40 balls, he’ll go, he’ll get you off to a flier.”Former India batter and chief selector Sandeep Patil, another guest, differed. Patil, who chaired India’s selection panel from 2012-2016, felt making a change at this juncture, with the World Cup less than two months away, was unwarranted, especially given the kind of year Gill has had across formats.”I’ll go with Gill [at the top],” he said. “I’m not sure if I agree with Ravi and MSK’s point where they say Rohit is comfortable if his partner is a left-hander. Like they say, [I agree] only position Ishan can bat is No. 1. So it’s a big decision to take.”Shastri cut in here, saying Rohit would play a very important role in the whole process. “It’s a very good point… Shubman has had a fabulous 2023. This where flexibility comes in. Rohit as captain is vastly experienced. He can go at 1-3-4. This is where you have to see the frame of mind of the player.”How will Gill feel if he’s asked to bat at 3-4 as opposed to batting at the top? If he feels he’s best at the top – and the runs he’s got of late is phenomenal – this is where flexibility comes into play and the captain will have to take a hard decision.”

Former Tottenham and England star Dele Alli was spotted spending his off-season in Paris as he caught up with Amadou Onana.

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Dele spending pre-season in ParisMet ex-colleague OnanaRecently split with girlfriend KimberlyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The English midfielder, who joined Serie A side Como in January, is currently working on his fitness and spending his pre-season in Paris. He shared some photographs of himself working in a gym where he also caught up with ex-Everton colleague Amadou Onana.

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Dele shared a couple of Instagram stories. In the first story, he can be seen exercising with a trainer and in the second story, he posted a photo of Onana and wrote in the caption: "Look who I found in the gym."

IG:@dele

IG:@dele

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Earlier this month, reports emerged that the ex-England international has split from girlfriend Cindy Kimberly after a three-year romance. Kimberly reportedly removed all reference to Dele from her Instagram account, while also unfollowing the 29-year-old. It is not the first time that the pair have faced split rumours, but it may be the last.

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WHAT NEXT FOR DELE?

The former Spurs and Everton star will hope to regain full fitness, as he attempts to rediscover a lost spark and kick-start his career with Como in the 2025-26 campaign.

Ronald Araujo has returned early to training under Hansi Flick, but Barcelona’s financial concerns may still force a decision on his future.

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Barca may consider €60m clause sale to meet financial rulesAraujo viewed as key by Flick and DecoPremier League and Serie A interest still presentFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to a report from , Barcelona may consider activating Araujo’s temporary €60 million (£51m/$65m) release clause amid ongoing financial fair play pressures. The clause is active from July 1 to July 15 and allows other clubs to sign the centre-back for that fixed amount. Araujo came back from his summer break early and is going to start training this week with Flick before the official beginning of pre-season.

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Barcelona extended Araujo's contract until 2031 in January, including this short-term release clause. Although sporting director Deco and Flick view the Uruguayan defender as a key part of the project, financial difficulties and fair play regulations may force the club to consider offers. Arsenal and Juventus had both expressed interest in the winter transfer window, while Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich were recently said to be eyeing him. There are reports that some board members support a sale if it contributes to the club's financial stability.

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite being sidelined by injury earlier in the season, Araujo made 25 appearances for the club in the 2024-25 season. He won La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup with the squad.

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Barcelona must navigate the July 1-15 period carefully, balancing squad needs with financial constraints. Flick expects Araujo to play a prominent role if no club triggers the €60m clause. However, offers from Premier League or Serie A sides during the release window could lead to a forced sale if financial pressures intensify.

Former Lancashire spinner played once for England before making comeback with Northamptonshire

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Sep-2023Simon Kerrigan, Northamptonshire’s former England spinner, has announced his retirement from the game. Kerrigan, 34, made a comeback at Wantage Road in 2020 but has only played once in the County Championship this season.Slow left-armer Kerrigan was prolific in the early part of his career at Lancashire and played one Test, against Australia at The Oval in 2013. But after a suffering a chastening debut, he faded from contention and stepped away from playing in 2018.He subsequently made a return with Northants after three years out of first-class cricket, having previously played for the club on loan.”I would like to thank all the players and staff for my time at Northamptonshire, especially David Ripley for allowing me the opportunity to get back into the professional game and also John Sadler for showing faith in me and giving me a long term contract,” Kerrigan said.”The goal when I signed with David Ripley was to strive for the fairytale ending to the second part of my career, disappointingly though over the last couple of seasons that dream has moved further and further out of reach and it feels like the right time for me to move on.””I’m proud throughout my career to have given 100% and fought back from each setback along the way.”Kerrigan shot to prominence in 2011 when he helped bowl Lancashire to their first outright County Championship in 77 years and was soon involved with England Lions. For a few years he was the leading young spinner in the country, but his confidence appeared to be dented by his one appearance at Test level, when he bowled a single spell of 0 for 53 from eight overs.In all, Kerrigan took more than 300 wickets for Lancashire across formats before being released in 2018. Having briefly decided to focus on coaching, he made a playing comeback with Northants, claiming 54 first-class wickets and 11 in List A across four seasons at Wantage Road.

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham is loving his new role at the club under Xabi Alonso as he can finally showcase his versatility at the centre of the park. The English midfielder is preparing to achieve a new landmark with Los Blancos when they take on European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup.

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Bellingham thanked Alonso for new roleSet to play his 100th match for MadridLos Blancos face PSG in CWC semi-finalsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Bellingham, who has reached several impressive milestones since joining Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023, is on the verge of unlocking a new achievement as he will appear in his 100th game for the club against PSG in the Club World Cup semi-finals.

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Ahead of the crucial clash, the 22-year-old told of his new role under Alonso: "It's different because every game I feel fortunate to be able to tactically analyze how I've played. I have different roles in the same game. I have defensive responsibilities and different ones with the ball. Every game is an opportunity to play differently. I like it when I look at the lineup and figure out where I'm going to play.

"I like that. As I've always said, I'll do whatever it takes for the team, no matter what position I play. One of my strengths is that I can play in different positions, and I like the coaches to see that in me. I can fulfill any role for them. I feel good, I can play comfortably. I want to make the team play well. We're a team that enjoys playing, as always, but especially with the new ideas and this renewed enthusiasm from the new coach and his staff. We're in a good place, and I'm enjoying this new phase."

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In his 99 appearances for Los Blancos across all competitions, Bellingham has scored 38 goals and provided 28 assists, and the England international is hoping to represent the Spanish giants for many more years. He added: "I'm very proud to be able to achieve this. Everyone knows that 100 appearances for Real Madrid is a huge dream come true and a huge achievement. I can't believe what it means to play for this club. The level you have to be at, the effort you have to put in to play. Being able to represent this club 100 times is incredible, a huge achievement for me and my family. I hope there are another 100 to come. here are many dreams fulfilled. Winning the Champions League, La Liga, playing with incredible players, having played great matches, scoring important goals, achieving big goals.

"All of this is part of the dream of being a Real Madrid player. I want to continue achieving great goals. Helping the team win the two remaining matches, bringing the title back to Madrid, and continuing to perpetuate the club's dazzling greatness. The expectations are enormous because it's the biggest club in the world, but I love all of this and I'm convinced I want to be a part of it."

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Xabi Alonso's in-form Real Madrid side will hope to set up a Club World Cup final clash with Chelsea by beating Luis Enrique's fearsome PSG at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Wednesday.

Cameron Bancroft made 100 against South Australia, to push his case for a Test recall, while Aaron Hardie made 99 to put Western Australia in a strong position

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff28-Oct-2023Cameron Bancroft enhanced his chances of a Test recall by posting another Sheffield Shield century.Bancroft’s 100 gifted Western Australia the upper hand against South Australia in their Adelaide Oval fixture. WA were 377 for 8 at stumps after Saturday’s third day of play, a lead of 354 runs over the Redbacks.Related

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Bancroft’s latest ton boosts his case to replace David Warner as Australia’s Test opener when the incumbent retires from the format in January.The WA righthander’s Shield season includes scores of 100, 57, 91 and 122. Those feats follow his stellar Shield achievements last season when he was the competition’s leading run-scorer with 945 at an imposing average of 59.06.Bancroft’s 25th first-class hundred put the reigning Shield champions in a strong position entering the last day. He absorbed 221 balls and struck eight fours in his century, and his team-mate Aaron Hardie narrowly missed a milestone when dismissed for 99. He was given out lbw to Harry Conway after striking 13 fours and a six in his 131-ball stay.Hardie combined with Bancroft for a century stand before the latter fell just after his milestone against the second new ball, edging Nathan McAndrew behind.Sam Whiteman made 51 in a 104-run opening stand with Bancroft to continue his good form but was run out by a direct hit from Jake Carder although replays showed it was a very close call.Conway, Wes Agar and Ben Manenti took two wickets each for the home side to ensure WA never got away from them but they will need to bat well on the final day if they are to win or avoid defeat.

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill has revealed the club's massive expectations on new arrivals Liam Delap and Joao Pedro. The Blues signed Delap from Ipswich Town just before the Club World Cup, while Pedro sealed a transfer to Stamford Bridge from Brighton earlier this week. Colwill is currently in the US with the Blues squad who have progressed to the quarter-final of the competition.

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Colwill revealed Chelsea's expectations from new signingsDelap and Pedro joined this summerChelsea face Palmeiras on SaturdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPWHAT HAPPENED?

Colwill, who has featured in three out of Chelsea's four Club World Cup matches thus far, spoke about the legacy of the club while revealing what the Blues squad expect from the young players in the team's roster and those who have joined them this summer.

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Speaking to the club's official website, the young defender said: "We all know how big this club is and how the culture of the club has always been to win. We’re just trying to reinforce that to young boys and the boys coming in – this club is for winners only. It’s something we all need to do, and we need to strive together. Everyone coming to Chelsea knows the history of the club, and they know that they’re coming here only to win. We’ve got a great team, and everyone is on the same wavelength to try and win.

"I think the fans are the main [driving force]. We feel their energy when we’re playing, and we know what they want us to do – and that’s win. They will never let us forget that. They will push us to try and win for the club and I think they’re the biggest thing that reminds us. To go as far as possible [in the competition] would be amazing, we’re not really thinking about a holiday at the end of the day."

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Delap had an impressive outing with Ipswich in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign as he scored 12 goals, although the club faced relegation. Since making the switch, the striker has scored a goal and provided an assist in the four Club World Cup games he has played thus far. Pedro, on the other hand, recently completed his move and is all set to don the number 20 shirt at the west London club.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Enzo Maresca's side will be back in action this Saturday as they take on Brazilian giants Palmeiras in the last-eight stage.

Khawaja to miss Queensland’s trip to Hobart after missing the match against Victoria with the 36-year-old resting ahead of a seven-Test summer

Alex Malcolm24-Oct-2023Australia Test opener and Queensland captain Usman Khawaja will miss a second straight Sheffield Shield game as Cricket Australia manages his workload in order to keep him mentally and physically fresh for the Test summer, which will feature seven Tests against Pakistan, West Indies and New Zealand.Khawaja, who turns 37 in December, played in Queensland’s first Sheffield Shield match of the summer against New South Wales in early October and played in two Marsh Cup games against Western Australia and New South Wales either side of that. He was set to play another Marsh Cup game against South Australia in late September but it was washed out without a ball bowled. They are the only matches he has played since the final Ashes Test finished on July 31.But he has not played since that last Marsh Cup game on October 9 after he was rested from Queensland’s Shield and Marsh Cup clashes with Victoria in Mackay. Queensland coach Wade Seccombe stated that Khawaja, CA’s high-performance department, including the Australia selectors, and Queensland were all on the same page as far as his workload management for the summer.Related

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Michael Neser returns to Shield clash after mid-match withdrawal for personal reasons

Burns ends 980-day wait for century to put Queensland on top

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Jhye Richardson sidelined after another shoulder dislocation

That management is ongoing as he will miss another Shield match against Tasmania this week in Hobart in order to continue resting, despite being fully fit, before building up his preparation for the first Test against Pakistan in December.Jimmy Peirson will once again lead Queensland’s side against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval starting on Thursday with the Bulls naming an unchanged 13-man squad in the hope of making it two wins in a row after belting Victoria by an innings.Meanwhile, Western Australia have rested fast bowler Lance Morris for their upcoming clash with South Australia with CA also managing his workloads ahead of the Test summer. Morris has only played one of the first two Shield games for WA. The two-time defending champions were hoping to bring back Jhye Richardson in his place but Richardson has been sidelined for several weeks after dislocating his shoulder.Left-arm swing bowler Joel Paris has been named to make his return from a hamstring strain he suffered while playing for Australia A in late August after he got through a WA second XI match unscathed last week. Cameron Gannon has also been recalled for WA after missing the draw with Tasmania due to quad tightness.Queensland squad vs Tasmania: Jimmy Peirson (c), Joe Burns, Jack Clayton, Liam Guthrie, Matthew Kuhnemann, Ben McDermott, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Gurinder Sandhu, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street, Mitchell Swepson, Jack WildermuthWestern Australia squad vs South Australia: Sam Whiteman (c), Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin, Aaron Hardie, Liam Haskett, Joel Paris, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Charlie Stobo, Ashton Turner, Teague Wyllie

Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo both got on the scoresheet and dedicated their goal celebrations to Diogo Jota in an emotional day at Deepdale.

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Liverpool and Preston dedicated game to JotaReds won 3-1 with Nunez & Gakpo scoring22 players featured for Slot's sideFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱TELL ME MORE

Liverpool left an emotional Deepdale with a 3-1 victory against Preston North End in the Reds' first game since the passing of Jota. Though just a pre-season friendly, this game meant so much more and the Reds will be glad to have won in the name of their much-loved Portuguese forward. Conor Bradley scored the opener from close range midway through the first half before a defensive error allowed substitute Nunez to double the Reds' advantage. Preston got on the scoresheet from a late corner through Liam Lindsay but a way back into the game was not forthcoming, as Gakpo scored a third late on to secure a deserved Liverpool victory.

Sunday was a day for Jota, of that there is no doubt. It was Liverpool's first pre-season game since his tragic passing alongside brother Andre Silva ten days ago and the emotion prior to kick-off was poignant. No.20 shirts – a number now officially retired by Liverpool in honour of Jota – and Portuguese flags were seen all around the ground. Preston's club anthem "Can't Help Falling in Love" was belted out prior to kick-off and touched all four corners of the ground, but the most powerful moment was when "You'll Never Walk Alone" was sung as the players began to walk out onto the field. It was a touching tribute worthy of the occasion. Both sets of players and fans took part in a minute's silence before the game got underway.

In an understandably slow start for both sides, 16-year-old Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha was a bright spark in the early stages. The teenager showed supreme confidence to skip past two Preston players and find a yard to shoot in the penalty area on 17 minutes, but his shot deflected wide. Ngumoha was not the only academy player who caught the eye, as 18-year-old Trey Nyoni was also impressive in midfield in the first half.

The whole stadium broke into Jota's famous chant for over five minutes on the 20-minute mark before the Reds upped the intensity after a water break offered a chance to reset. Dominik Szoboszlai had a couple of chances on goal before the Premier League champions took the lead in the 33rd minute through Bradley. Ngumoha was involved down the left, before a jinking run by Federico Chiesa found Szoboszlai and then Bradley, who was on hand to tap in from close range after the Hungarian mis-hit a shot into his path.

Preston had a couple of chances at the other end in a strong end to the half, Milutin Osmajic stretching to poke wide before Andrew Hughes headed onto the roof of the net following a long throw.

Arne Slot's visitors made a full 11 changes at the break, coming out for the second half with an entirely different line-up to outline the quality throughout the Reds' squad and academy. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez came on at the break for their Liverpool debuts, but, remarkably, there was still no sign of record signing Florian Wirtz or captain Virgil van Dijk, neither of whom were in the squad.

It took just eight minutes for Liverpool's second-half team to get on the scoresheet, Nunez profiting from a short back-pass by Jordan Storey to round goalkeeper Daniel Iversen and slide the ball home in front of Liverpool's 6,000 supporters. Nunez celebrated with Jota's iconic video gaming celebration to honour his late teammate and friend.

The second half offered little goal-mouth action with Liverpool comfortable in their lead, though a couple of great defensive blocks in a 76th-minute scramble prevented Lewis Koumas or Curtis Jones scoring a third. Preston got an 83rd-minute goal through Lindsay's thumping header from a corner but Gakpo sealed the deal late on with a smart finish, after Nunez dummied the lively Ben Doak's cross into the Dutchman's path. Chants of Jota's name continued long after the final whistle and surely will for many more months and years to come.

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Liverpool fielded 22 players in the match, giving a chance to almost all squad members and several academy players. Arguably the player who caught the eye the most was 16-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha, who continues to impress whenever given a chance by Slot. Ngumoha signed from Chelsea's academy in a major coup last year and became Liverpool's youngest-ever starter against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup in January.

Ngumoha was a livewire throughout the first half. Involved in the first goal, he could have scored himself after tricking inside multiple Preston defenders from the left. He may not be the finished article in terms of his end product just yet, but Ngumoha's talent was clear to see and will have made Liverpool fans increasingly optimistic about his future with the club.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Football is not the most important thing around Liverpool right now as players and fans alike begin to come to terms with the passing of one of their own. The Reds will begin their title defence in Jota's honour when Bournemouth visit Anfield for their opening-day Premier League game on August 15. Before then, pre-season games against the likes of AC Milan and Athletic Club and a Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace lie in wait.

As for Preston, they begin their Championship campaign at QPR on August 9 and will hope for a strong remainder of pre-season as they head into Paul Heckingbottom's second season at the club.

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