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حقق فريق الاتحاد الفوز على نظيره العروبة بهدفين مقابل لاشيء، في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم الخميس، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري السعودي.

وأقيمت المباراة بين الاتحاد والعروبة، في الجولة العاشرة من مسابقة الدوري السعودي، على الملعب الرياضي لجامعة الجوف، معقل العروبة.

طالع.. جوائز الأفضل في شهر أكتوبر لـ الدوري السعودي.. الاتحاد يسيطر وسجل صالح الشهري، هدف الاتحاد الأول في الدقيقة 25 من عمر المباراة بينما جاء الهدف الثاني عن طريق ستيفن بيرجوين في الدقيقة 52 من ركلة جزاء

ورفع الاتحاد رصيده إلى 27 نقطة في صدارة جدول ترتيب مسابقة الدوري السعودي للمحترفين، بفارق نقطتين عن الهلال صاحب المركز الثاني والذي لعب مباراة أقل.

وتجمد رصيد فريق العروبة عند 10 نقاط في المركز الثاني عشر من ترتيب مسابقة الدوري السعودي للمحترفين.

Tottenham have been told they could make a "great" signing in one club's standout £50 million star, who they're believed to be chasing.

The positions Spurs could strengthen this summer

Manager Ange Postecoglou has already admitted that Spurs could look to bring in another centre-back after Radu Dragusin, but there are other areas of the squad which also need addressing.

Related £51m attacker confirms summer transfer wish after claim Tottenham want him

He’s spoke out about his future.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Mar 22, 2024

The Lilywhites wish to add another attacker who can provide that extra injection of goals and assists in the final third (Fabrizio Romano), while there are many suggestions that they could look to replace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg with a more dynamic midfield running man.

The Dane is out of contract next year, and he recently changed agents, which could be a sure-fire indicator that Hojbjerg is open to the possibility of seeking a new challenge away from Spurs.

Tottenham are said to be admirers of Atalanta star Ederson as a potential successor for Hojbjerg, but their eyes also firmly remain on Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.

Rumours suggest that Chelsea could be forced to sell Gallagher this summer to comply with PSR rules and avoid breaches. The 24-year-old's contract also expires next year, meaning Mauricio Pochettino's side have precious little time to make a significant profit off his sale if he doesn't agree fresh terms.

Conor Gallagher's best league games for Chelsea this season

Match Rating (via WhoScored)

Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea

8.78

Tottenham 1-4 Chelsea

8.22

Chelsea 3-0 Luton Town

7.90

Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United

7.80

Burnley 1-4 Chelsea

7.72

Postecoglou is believed to be a real fan of Gallagher and has made him one of Tottenham's priority transfer targets (TEAMtalk), with Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson endorsing a move for the £50 million Englishman.

Conor Gallagher would be "great" signing for Tottenham

Speaking to Tottenham News, Robinson says Gallagher would be a "great acquisition" for Spurs, if they can sway Chelsea into doing a deal.

“I think the fact that the rumour is not going away and it’s growing legs as the weeks go by, I think from a Chelsea point of view I think a lot of Chelsea fans would be disappointed to lose him but I think a lot would be pragmatic and realise the situation the club’s in, it’s an easy way to recoup money isn’t it?," said Robinson.

“As far as Tottenham go, I’d love to see him come into the squad because he is a play who would improve the starting XI, would improve the squad, and with the way that Ange plays then next season the squad is thin in those areas.

“He could play as a holding midfielder alongside Bentancur, Bissouma or Sarr, he can play higher up the field, he can affect games up the field, and hopefully with Champions League football next season, the number of games that they’re going to have that could just draw him to Tottenham.

“But it’s players’ preference again, there will be no shortage of interest in him. he’s a homegrown Chelsea player there may be some personal dislike there. there’s no love lost, they don’t do deals with each other.

“The fans there’s a lot of animosity with each other and for his own future you wonder where the player would want to go but from a Tottenham point of view he’d be a great acquisition.”

Tottenham are reportedly in the "front row" to sign a "devastating" forward likened to Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, as Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou and the wider recruitment team look at attacking upgrades.

Spurs looking to sign clinical new attacker this summer

As now backed by reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the north Londoners are looking to sign a clinical new wide forward, and one who could inject more goals and assists into the side.

Tottenham bid ready for £21m attacker as they aim to beat Arteta and ten Hag

The north Londoners have an offer “already” prepared.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 21, 2024

As per Romano, the likes of Wolves winger Pedro Neto and Barcelona forward Raphinha feature among technical director Johan Lange's list of potential summer targets, as they seek an exciting player of that mould to come in and add that extra bit of flair.

"Look, a player they appreciate for a long time is Raphinha from Barcelona. We know the financial situation at Barcelona is not easy, so he could be one of the names. They will look at that kind of player," said Romano on JD Football.

"Another player they appreciate is Pedro Neto, but he has this issue with his injuries, so I’m not sure Liverpool, Tottenham or the other clubs following the player will be prepared to play big money for Pedro Neto this summer. That kind of player is the priority for Tottenham, I see them going for that kind of winger, a quality player to help with goals and assists."

Elsewhere, Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams is thought to be attracting Tottenham's interest, but he will cost around £43 million, the value of his release clause, to prise away from La Liga.

As Spurs also seek to bring in a new centre-back, as confirmed by Postecoglou himself, it may be prudent for the north Londoners to fish for potentially low-cost attacking options as well as bigger names.

A player who fits this mould is Genoa star Albert Gudmundsson. Lange and Tottenham chiefs are thought to have made contact over Gudmundsson already, but they aren't the only ones, with Serie A giants Inter Milan also interested (La Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness)

Tottenham enter "front row" to sign Gudmundsson

The Iceland international could certainly provide extra attacking impetus, as suggested by his impressive Italian top-flight numbers.

Udinese 2-2 Genoa

8.75

Genoa 1-1 Juventus

8.26

Genoa 4-1 Roma

8.17

Genoa 1-0 Salernitana

7.96

Sassuolo 1-2 Genoa

7.68

He's bagged a brilliant 10 goals and three assists over 27 league appearances this term, with a report by Calciomercato (translated by Sport Witness) following up on La Gazzetta's claim and stating that Tottenham are in the "front row" to sign Gudmundsson – who'll cost suitors just £26 million.

Interestingly, teammate Kevin Strootman has likened the player to Salah – which comes as pretty lofty praise.

“If he keeps improving, he won’t stay at Genoa for long,” Strootman told Il Secolo XIX newspaper.

“He reminds me of Salah when he was at Roma, in that every now and then he disappears. Much like Salah then, he would have four or five chances per match and only score at most one.

“They used to say that if Salah was more clinical, he would be playing for Liverpool, and that is exactly what happened. All joking aside, Gudmundsson is a devastating player and also an exemplary professional.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Na noite desta quinta-feira, o Corinthians estava disputando uma partida pela Sul-Americana, em que bateu o Sport Huancayo-PER por 3 a 0, fora de casa, mas paralelamente viu seu futuro ser definido no Campeonato Paulista, conhecendo o seu adversário nas quartas de final e sabendo que poderá decidir a eliminação ou a classificação do rival Palmeiras no estadual.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSul-AmericanaLuan brilha, Corinthians bate o Huancayo e se mantém na briga na Sul-AmericanaSul-Americana06/05/2021CorinthiansQuatro meses após a posse de Duilio, Corinthians anuncia novos nomes da diretoria; confira a listaCorinthians06/05/2021

TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Paulistão-2021 clicando aqui

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> Cazares já foi! Veja quem deixou o Corinthians para a temporada 2021

Com o empate do Botafogo-SP em 2 a 2 com o Novorizontino, o time de Ribeirão Preto, com 11 pontos, não alcança mais a Inter de Limeira que, com 15, já tem garantida a sua segunda posição no Grupo A, o que lhe garante a vaga nas quartas de final do Campeonato Paulista. Assim, será o adversário do Timão na próxima terça-feira, na Neo Química Arena, em jogo único.

Esse empate entre Botafogo-SP e Novorizontino também foi responsável por uma definição importante na competição, já que o Palmeiras venceu o Santos, por 3 a 2 e chegou aos 18 pontos no Grupo C, um a menos do que o time de Novo Horizonte, que está na segunda posição da chave, ou seja, o Verdão definirá sua vida na última rodada do Paulistão, no próximo domingo.

Mas o que o Corinthians tem a ver com isso? A resposta é: o próximo adversário do Timão é justamente o Novorizontino, que basta conquistar uma vitória para garantir a segunda posição em seu grupo, uma vez que o Palmeiras, mesmo vencendo a Ponte Preta, no mesmo horário, não alcançaria o adversário. Um empate ou uma derrota corintiana ajudaria o rival.

A tendência é que o Timão escale uma equipe alternativa no domingo, já que enfrentará uma sequência dura pela frente. Com um jogo na próxima terça, pelo Paulistão, dessa vez pelas quartas de final, e na quinta contra o Peñarol, fora de casa, pela Copa Sul-Americana, em outro duelo decisivo da semana.

Confira os cenários possíveis do próximo domingo:

– Vitória do Palmeiras e Vitória do Corinthians

Palmeiras vai a 21 pontos e Novorizontino fica com 19 – Verdão classificado

– Vitória do Palmeiras e Empate do Corinthians

Palmeiras vai a 21 pontos e Novorizontino vai a 20 – Verdão classificado

– Vitória do Palmeiras e Derrota do Corinthians

Palmeiras vai a 21 pontos e Novorizontino vai a 22 – Verdão eliminado

Glasgow Rangers eased to a 3-0 win over Livingston at Ibrox on the weekend and another Premiership victory tomorrow evening will see them level on points at the top of the table.

To think the Gers were eight points behind after only seven matches, it shows just how good a job Philippe Clement has done since taking over at the Light Blues in October.

Aberdeen travel to Glasgow as the opponents on Tuesday evening and with Neil Warnock taking over at the Dons until the end of the season, they will be fired up to secure a positive result.

The Belgian may make a couple of changes due to the sharp turnaround in fixtures from the weekend, and it will be interesting to see which team he selects.

With this in mind, here's a look at the starting XI that could take to the Ibrox pitch against the Dons tomorrow…

1

GK – Jack Butland

The Englishman kept yet another clean sheet on the weekend – his 19th of the season – and in truth, he did not have much to do throughout the clash against Livingston.

Aberdeen will pose a much greater threat and with 12-goal hero Bojan Miovski scoring for fun for the Dons, he will have to be at his best to prevent the striker from scoring.

2

RB – James Tavernier

Against Livi, the long-serving captain made his 300th league appearance for Rangers, and he has been a wonderful servant to the club since joining in 2015.

Tavernier is the Gers top scorer this season with 17 goals, but he has yet to find the back of the net in the Premiership in 2024 so far and the defender will be hoping this changes tomorrow evening.

Tavernier scored the winner against Aberdeen in the League Cup final just prior to Christmas and another decisive strike like that will please the Ibrox faithful.

3

CB – Connor Goldson

Connor Goldson will retain his place after securing another clean sheet against Livi, and he was barely troubled, restricting the Livi frontline during the clash.

The experienced centre-back has missed just four games so far this season, and he is crucial to any success Rangers plan on having during the remaining months of 2023/24.

4

CB – John Souttar

Against Livi, Leon Balogun started, but he suffered a facial injury which halted his game during the first half and was replaced by Souttar.

It is unclear when the Nigerian will be back, but for the clash against the Dons, the former Hearts centre-back will be given the nod to start the game.

5

LB – Ridvan Yilmaz

Borna Barisic was given his first start since the League Cup final a week before Christmas on the weekend, but Yilmaz will return for the clash at Ibrox tomorrow.

The Turkish defender faced plenty of talk about a possible departure from Rangers during the winter window, yet he is here until the end of the season and his recent performances indicate that he can play a big part in the chase for glory.

6

CM – John Lundstram

The former Sheffield United midfielder has entered into the final few months of his contract at Ibrox, yet if he keeps performing like he has since Clement took charge, there is no doubt the 29-year-old will be offered an extension.

Lundstram has missed only one match since mid-October, and it is testament to his consistency that has allowed him to be available for all but one game for the Belgian manager, meaning he will start tomorrow night.

7

CM – Nicolas Raskin

The 22-year-old has endured a tough campaign to date, missing 18 games through injury and was an unused sub against Livingston on the weekend.

With squad rotation paramount over the next few weeks, it makes sense for Raskin to come into the starting XI as a replacement for Ryan Jack and 90 minutes could do the midfielder the world of good.

8

RW – Ross McCausland

The young Irish winger has been on an upward ascent since properly breaking into the first team back in October, playing 22 matches for the senior side and registering five goal contributions in those matches.

The youngster impressed against Livingston, making three key passes, grabbing an assist, taking six shots in total, and even missing a big chance as he showcased his attacking abilities on the right flank.

The Dons could be tougher to break down than Livi and McCausland will need to be at his very best in order to carve some opportunities against their defence.

9

AM – Todd Cantwell

Slowly but surely, Todd Cantwell is returning to the form he displayed during the final few months of last season.

Having waited until November to score his first goal of the season, the Englishman now has four league goals in his previous six matches in the top flight and this is the sort of form which Clement has been waiting to see.

The former Norwich City man will be unleashed in the number ten slot yet again and if he replicates his recent displays, the Dons will be run ragged by the former Norwich City gem.

10

LW – Oscar Cortes

The January signing made his debut on the weekend, coming on for Rabbi Matondo in the second half and he looked keen to make an impression.

Rangers Journal founder Kai Watson dubbed the youngster as a “very promising young winger” and his pace and direct approach could be a big threat to the Dons tomorrow evening.

The 5 foot 10 starlet has all the attributes to make a success of his spell at Rangers, and he could endear himself to the Ibrox faithful by scoring against the Pittodrie side.

Arsenal are a club that have improved in almost every department over the last few years, be that behind the scenes, on the pitch or competing for sought-after players in the transfer market.

Granted, the Gunners were a real mess a few years ago, but the turnaround has been impressive to say the least, yet there is one area that the club still struggle with; selling players.

Whether it's an inability to offload ageing stars like Mesut Ozil or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or selling players for well below their market value like with Granit Xhaka, the Gunners just haven't ever been able to crack that aspect of the modern game.

However, there is a player who was allowed to leave for nothing just a couple of years ago who has gone on to outscore Bukayo Saka since.

Alexandre Lacazette at Arsenal

The player in question is French striker Alexandre Lacazette, who has been playing like a man-possessed for Lyon over the last two seasons.

However, before his return to France, he spent five years donning the red and white of Arsenal, and while he might not be remembered as one of the most prolific of nines, he was undeniably talented.

In his first season for the club following his £47m move from Lyon, the then-26-year-old managed to score 14 goals in 26 Premier League starts, and while it was an impressive beginning to his career in England, it would also remain his highest league return while playing for the Gunners.

In all, he would make 206 appearances for the club, score 71 goals and provide 36 assists, meaning he left north London averaging 0.51 goal involvements per game, although those numbers were skewed by a significantly more productive first couple of years for the club.

Alexandre Lacazette's Arsenal Career

Season (All Comps)

Appearances

Goals

Assists

2017/18

39

17

5

2018/19

49

19

13

2019/20

39

12

7

2020/21

43

17

3

2021/22

36

6

8

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Alexandre Lacazette at Lyon

It was announced in June 2022 that, after five years at the club, Lacazette was heading back to France to rejoin his old club, Lyon, on a free.

While he was a popular player among Arsenal fans for the effort he put in during games, his departure wasn't really seen as a problem due to his lacklustre return over the previous season.

However, his awe-inspiring performances throughout the 2022/23 campaign likely led to those same fans questioning if he should've been allowed to leave at all.

In all, the Lyon-born "goal machine", as former teammate Sokratis described him, made 39 appearances in all competitions in the 2022/23 season, scored 31 goals, and provided six assists.

While his rate of return has somewhat slowed this year, it's still well above what fans would have expected.

In comparison, Arsenal's star boy, Saka, who has been on fire himself over the last few years, managed to score 15 goals and provide 11 assists last season and has reached 24 goal involvements this season.

Alexandre Lacazette vs Bukayo Saka

Player

Lacazette

Saka

Appearances

59

78

Goals

42

26

Assists

8

24

Goal Involvements per Match

0.86

0.64

All Stats via Transfermarkt

At the end of the day, most fans and managers would still rather have the young Englishman in their squad over Lacazette, and rightly so, but the prolific nature of the 32-year-old over the last two campaigns begs the question, should he have been let go at all?

Related Arsenal struck gold on Emery signing whose value has skyrocketed 1333%

The 22-year-old has become a star in N5.The 22-year-old has become a star in N5.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 6, 2024

Ultimately, only Arteta will know the true answer, but with the recent talk of Arsenal's need for a new number nine, you can't help but wonder.

Manchester United's new minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has been accused of trying to turn the club into a "dictatorship".

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• Man Utd owner accused
• Has started cost-cutting measures
• Ex-Everton CEO slams Ratcliffe

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ratcliffe has instituted a number of cost-cutting measures at United, including an email in which multiple employees at the club were offered redundancy. He has also insisted that employees move away from working from home and return to the office.

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Now, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness has insisted that Ratcliffe is attempting to institute a "dictatorship" as he bids to flex his muscles as a new minority owner. Wyness believes that the billionaire can no longer run United in a similar fashion to that of his business, INEOS.

• WHAT WYNESS SAID

  Wyness told : “He’s got into the club and he’s got his feet under the table, and it’s been a couple of months since the whole thing was approved. Ratcliffe obviously doesn’t like what he sees. Whether that’s a knee-jerk reaction, I don’t know. But ever since he and his team have got near the building, he’s felt there’s too much waste, not enough engagement, not enough spirit.

  “He could be trying to compare it to his INEOS business, which would be a mistake. Football clubs are a lot more organic than industrial businesses – there are huge differences. Football is so heavily reliant on human beings. Whether that’s a knee-jerk reaction, I don’t know. But ever since he and his team have got near the building, he’s felt there’s too much waste, not enough engagement, not enough spirit.

  “He could be trying to compare it to his INEOS business, which would be a mistake. Football clubs are a lot more organic than industrial businesses – there are huge differences. Football is so heavily reliant on human beings."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  United are now on their summer holidays but Ratcliffe clearly believes he has plenty of work to do. It remains to be seen how much he will be willing to invest into the playing staff this summer.

Rangers are in a three-way tussle to acquire the signature of an "absolutely brilliant" Premier League player, according to a new transfer update.

Rangers transfer targets

Philippe Clement is looking to bring in some fresh faces during the January transfer window, as he gets his first opportunity to sign individuals who he feels are right for his style of play. Various players have been linked with a move to Rangers before the end of the month, with the club's interest in Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland refusing to go away. Hellas Verona left-back Josh Doig, formerly of Hibernian, is also seen as an option to come in and be a key player.

Everton's Ben Godfrey has been backed to move to Ibrox in the recent past, too, should Clement feel the need to further add to his defence, and Michy Batshuayi is another name who has been thrown into the hat, though that one looks to have hit a wall.

Rangers want Ben Johnson

Now, according to Football Insider, Rangers are interested in signing West Ham defender Ben Johnson, but they aren't the only club keen on snapping him up.

"Rangers, Leeds United and Sheffield United are among the sides keen on landing West Ham star Ben Johnson this month, sources have told Football Insider. It is believed Southampton are also in the mix for the 23-year-old – who could leave the London Stadium on loan before the 1 February deadline.

"Johnson is entering the final six months of his West Ham contract and is keen to play regular first-team football after struggling for game time with David Moyes’ side. He has rejected several offers from the Irons over a potential new deal. It is believed Johnson has lots of interest from clubs in England and north of the border – with Rangers, Leeds, Sheffield United and Southampton the most keen on a deal."

Johnson could jump at the opportunity to move to Rangers this month, having fallen almost completely out of favour under David Moyes at West Ham, only featuring twice in the Premier League this season, just one of which was a start.

At 23, the Englishman is a key point in his career, in terms of not wasting some of his best years, and he could add both quality and versatility to the Gers' defence, capable of playing at centre-back and in either full-back role, as well as in midfield. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has hailed him in the past, too, saying: "Johnson’s performances have been of such merit that he deserves to be in the team. There is no doubt about that in my eyes. He has been absolutely brilliant since he has come in."

Rangers officials now battling to bring in-demand defensive gem to Ibrox

The Gers could land a defensive boost…

ByTom Cunningham Jan 11, 2024

There is the threat that Johnson could want to remain in England, potentially giving Leeds United and Sheffield United an advantage, but a move to Rangers would give him a chance to win the Scottish Premiership title this season, and hopefully in the coming years as well.

The former Flamengo shot-stopper was sentenced to 22 years after being found guilty for killing his girlfriend

Eliza Samudio was born in 1985 into a life of poverty and hardship, in an abusive household in which her father would regularly beat her mother. As a result of the abuse, her mother fled, and ultimately left her husband to raise Eliza in Foz do Iguacu, a small municipality in Brazil.

At the age of 10, however, Eliza moved to be with her mum, who had remarried and was running a pepper production farm. As co-parenting continued, she dreamed of becoming a model in the big city, of heading to Sao Paulo to make it in the fashion industry.

She would ultimately be unsuccessful, as her life was tragically, and heinously, cut short by Brazilian goalkeeper Bruno Fernandes de Souza, her boyfriend. Eliza died in 2010, at the age of 25, and Bruno would be sent to prison for her murder, along with multiple accomplices. This is their story…

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  Bruno's background

  Bruno had grown into one of Brazil’s best goalkeepers throughout a short career. Having played for Atletico Mineiro and Corinthians, a move to Flamengo heralded a bright future for a young 'keeper making his way in the South American country. Flamengo paid €3 million to sign him, and while he was initially the backup to Diego – their first-choice shot-stopper – he was given a chance after injury struck his team-mate down.

  The Brazilian club had actually beaten Barcelona to his signature, and Bruno stole headlines after showing that he was as capable with his feet as he was his hands. He scored three free-kicks for the club, as well as a penalty, and he was even made the club’s captain.

  In 2010, though, an investigation was launched into the disappearance and alleged murder of Eliza; Flamengo suspended Bruno, and withdrew their legal support for the player.

  Just months prior, there had been rumours that he would be heading to the 2010 World Cup with Brazil, but he was not selected due to his on-field showboating, and penchant for taking set-pieces. Instead, he would end the year in prison.

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• Bruno and Eliza meet

  Eliza’s dreams of becoming a model did not work out in Sao Paulo, and so she had to find separate ways to earn. While she did feature in a variety of fashion photoshoots, the bills were still not paid, and so she began starring in pornographic films.

  In 2009, according to Bruno, he met Eliza at a barbecue and the pair had sex. Eliza subsequently left her fashion job to be with the soccer star, but he was married. While he claimed he would leave his wife, the relationship with Eliza came to a sudden end in the same year.

  She announced she was pregnant, and would not be having an abortion, despite being pressured to by the stopper. Publicly, Fernandes claimed he was breaking off the relationship; that is not what happened.

• History of violence

  The pair’s relationship was clearly volatile, and in October of 2009, a police report was filed by Eliza, claiming that Bruno and two of his friends, ‘Russo’ and ‘Macarrao’, kept her hostage. While she was imprisoned, she alleged that she was forced to take “abortive substances” at gunpoint and was beaten by the three men. Once DNA tests were completed, Eliza’s allegation was confirmed – she did have abortive substances in her urine, but the test results were only published after she had gone missing.

  Subsequently, a restraining order was requested by Eliza to be placed on Bruno, prohibiting him from being within 300 metres of her, but it was denied. He also denied all allegations, claiming she was simply a fantasist.

  He said: “It's not the first time she's made up this bunch of lies to try to harm me.”

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  Missed opportunity

  Eliza petitioned Brazilian courts to be further protected from the goalkeeper, such was her trauma from the kidnapping. That was denied by a judge, who argued “the protection of the family” was vital; Eliza was five months pregnant at the time.

  She gave birth in 2010 although at the time she was living with a friend. Bruno did not acknowledge that he was the father, although Eliza requested child support. She also claimed that she had been assaulted, and he was indicted once again.

  Thus, there were multiple chances for the courts and the law to protect Eliza, but they failed to do so.

Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League table as they secured a dramatic 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp's side were not at their best for much of the clash in London but were able to come away with all three points thanks to Harvey Elliott's stoppage-time goal.

They rode their luck in the first half as VAR had to intervene to overrule a penalty that was awarded to the hosts when Virgil van Dijk brought down Odsonne Edouard, due to a foul by Will Hughes in the build-up.

However, they were not as lucky the second time around as Jarell Quansah kicked through the back of Jean-Philippe Mateta, which caused VAR to send the referee to the monitor in order to award a penalty – which was stuck away by the French forward.

Goals from Mo Salah and Elliott completed the comeback but Klopp will surely be frustrated by the sloppy defensive errors at the back during the match, particularly after Joel Matip suffered a long-term injury blow this month.

The central defender is poised to miss a significant period of time and the German head coach could dip into the transfer market in January to find a replacement.

Latest Liverpool news – Joel Matip and Maxence Lacroix

Matip was substituted with 20 minutes to go of Liverpool's eventual 4-3 win over Fulham earlier this month and it has since been confirmed that the centre-back has ruptured his ACL.

This means that the Cameroon international is due to be out of action for the remainder of the season, which would also mean that he has played his last match for the club unless they decide to offer him a contract extension.

Klopp has suggested that Liverpool should provide him with a new deal in order to facilitate the rest of his recovery and ensure that the defender is not left in the lurch.

In the meantime, The Mirror have reported that the Reds have Wolfsburg central defender Maxence Lacroix on their radar ahead of the January window.

They have an eye on the French battler and the report stated that the club have been looking at long-term options in that position prior to Matip's injury.

The outlet has claimed that it would cost the Merseyside-based team a fee of at least £25m to secure the 23-year-old talent's signature ahead of the second half of the season.

It has also been reported that Liverpool are interested in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi but they face competition from Arsenal and the Eagles are prepared to demand a 'huge fee' for his services.

The Mirror added that Lacroix is a more likely immediate fix for the Reds as they look at who they could bring in next month to make up for the loss of Matip for the rest of the season.

Wolfsburg's star defender could be a dream replacement for the former Schalke man, who has been a reliable performer at the back this season.

Joel Matip's season in numbers

The 32-year-old enforcer has been an important player for Klopp so far this term as he has started nine Premier League matches and featured in ten.

Matip has showcased his quality in and out of possession with his dominant defensive play and ability to progress the ball forward to help his team in attack.

The veteran battler has made 2.1 tackles and interceptions and 5.8 ball recoveries – 1.1 more than van Dijk – per match in the top-flight to go along with a duel success rate of 61%.

This shows that the Reds star, who has not made a single error that has led to a goal or shot for the other team, has been able to get the better of opposition forwards far more often than not thanks to his impressive positioning and strength.

Matip has also made 3.92 progressive passes and 0.92 progressive carries per 90 in the Premier League this season, which ranks him within the top 48% of his positional peers.

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The towering defender, who has completed 88% of his attempted passes in the top-flight, has the ability and willingness to progress the ball through passes and dribbles in order to push his team up the pitch.

This places less of an emphasis on the midfielders needing to drop deep to collect the ball from the centre-backs, which then allows them to work their magic in more dangerous areas of the pitch.

Lacroix could now come in to provide similar qualities at the back if Liverpool are able to snap him up for £25m at the start of next year.

The statistics that show why Lacroix could replace Matip

The Wolfsburg colossus has been in impressive form for the German side and could offer Klopp another centre-back who can make an impact in and out of possession.

He produced solid defensive displays throughout the 2022/23 campaign for his club and has followed that up with superb performances this term.

22/23 Bundesliga	Lacroix (via Sofascore)
Appearances	24
Pass accuracy	87%
Clearances	84
Ground duel success rate	56%
Aerial duel success rate	60%

Lacroix has made three tackles and interceptions combined and 5.2 ball recoveries per match across 13 Bundesliga appearances during the 2023/24 campaign so far.

The 23-year-old ace has also won 61% of his ground duels during that period as opposition players have found it difficult to get the better of him on the deck.

Transfermarkt's Tobias Kröger once described the French tank as an "elite" defensive talent but he also has quality in possession to go along with his defending.

Lacroix ranks within the top 15% of his positional peers across the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions for progressive passes (4.39) per 90 over the last 365 days, as well as being within the top 20% for successful take-ons (0.41) per 90.

These statistics show that the 6 foot 3 whiz, who has completed 87% of his attempted passes in the Bundesliga this season, has the ability to progress his team through the thirds with his passing.

Therefore, Lacroix, who is nine years younger than the injured Liverpool star, could be a dream replacement for Matip as he has the defensive and in-possession qualities to slot straight into his position in the squad.