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أثارت صورة محمد صلاح “السيلفي” مع جماهير ليفربول بعد هدفه في مرمى توتنهام، الجدل بين المشجعين، عندما احتفل النجم المصري ليلة تتويج الريدز في ملعب أنفيلد.

وفاز ليفربول 5-1 أمام توتنهام بملعب أنفيلد في الجولة 34 من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وسجل محمد صلاح الهدف الرابع في شباك سبيرز.

بعد الهدف ركض محمد صلاح للاحتفال مع جماهير ليفربول، وإذ به يلتقط صورة “سيلفي” مع المشجعين الذين تواجدوا بمدرجات أنفيلد في لقطة مثيرة للجدل.

محمد صلاح بعد المباراة أكد أن ذلك الاحتفال، كان فكرته بعدما كان يلتقط “سيلفي” مع لاعبي ليفربول على مدار الموسم كلما سجل أي منهم هدفًا في كل مباراة.

وحسب ما أفادت صحيفة “ديلي ميل”، فإن السبب الحقيقي وراء احتفال محمد صلاح، كان القيام بإعلان بشكل غير مباشر للهاتف الذي التقط به الصورة.

المهاجم تلقى الهاتف من امرأة ترتدي ملابس النادي، مع ارتداء تلك السيدة بطاقة اعتماد حول رقبتها، في حين أن الهاتف المحمول هو “Google Pixel 9″، لأحد الرعاة الرئيسيين للنادي الإنجليزي.

ونشرت الصحيفة البريطانية آراء بعض المشجعين، الذين أعرب بعضهم عن استيائهم ووصفوه بأن الأمر حيلة تسويقية، مع تعبيرهم عن الشكوك حول الاحتفال.

القصة تعود لعام 2023، عندما تعاقد نادي ليفربول مع شركة جوجل بيكسل بعقد طويل الأمد، لتكون تلك الشركة ضمن رعاة فرق الرجال والسيدات في النادي، لإنشاء محتوى حصري بالإضافة إلى تجارب أعمق مدفوعة بالتكنولوجيا.

يأتي ذلك باستخدام ميزات الكاميرا المدعومة بالذكاء الاصطناعي من جوجل على الجهاز لتجارب المشجعين في أنفيلد وكذلك الجماهير التي تشاهد في المنزل.

الأمر لم يتوقف عند احتفال محمد صلاح بالهدف فقط، حيث حصل على الهاتف مرة أخرى والتقط العديد من الصور مع اللاعبين والجماهير عقب المباراة.

The IPL 2022 playoffs – one eliminator, two qualifiers and the final – will be held in Kolkata and Ahmedabad between May 24 and May 29, the BCCI confirmed on Tuesday. As reported by ESPNcricinfo earlier, the first two of those matches will be hosted at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, and the rest at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The BCCI has also confirmed that the Women’s T20 Challenge will be held at Pune’s MCA Stadium between May 23 to May 28.Related

• Six players to watch out for in the Women's T20 Challenge

• IPL playoffs with full-capacity crowds

The three group games of the three-team Women’s T20 Challenge, between Trailblazers, Velocity and Supernovas, will be held on May 23, 24 and 26, with the final on May 28. Supernovas won the trophy the first two years, while Trailblazers won the tournament in 2020. The tournament was first held in 2018, in Mumbai, and was played in Jaipur and Sharjah respectively the following years. However, the tournament was cancelled last season because of the Covid-19 pandemic.It was also confirmed that the IPL playoffs will be held in front of capacity crowds for the first time since the 2019 edition. The IPL governing council had initially allowed a 25% capacity, which was increased to 50% later on.All the IPL 2022 league-stage games had previously been scheduled only in the state of Maharashtra, at the Wankhede and Brabourne stadiums in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, and the MCA Stadium in Pune, with the BCCI being cautious owing to the pandemic situation. However, with the situation better in India now, the board has decided to branch out to other cities for the playoffs and final.

After such a disastrous start to the season, Rangers have been back to their best in recent weeks, and could now get another boost in the form of a returning player for the first time in 15 games against Ross County.

Rangers injury news

Still 11 points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic despite their recent resurgence, Rangers may be left with no choice but to set their focus on moving ahead of Aberdeen and at least into the top two once again. It’s a more realistic goal given that they sit just four points behind them with a game in hand, with the Gers having been boosted by seven games without defeat.

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Among their improved results have been victories over Nice in the Europa League in thumping fashion and a recent 6-0 thrashing of Kilmarnock ahead of their clash against Ross County this weekend.

The good news, in what is a relief for the under-pressure Philippe Clement, looks set to continue for those at Ibrox, who are set to receive a welcome injury boost ahead of Sunday’s game.

As confirmed by Clement, Oscar Cortes could now make his long-awaited return against Ross County after missing the last 15 games in all competitions through injury. The winger may finally have the chance to get a run of games under his belt after suffering constant setbacks on the injury front.

Providing an update on the potential returns of Cortes and Rabbi Matondo, Clement told reporters (as relayed by Football Scotland): “Rabbi Matondo and Oscar Cortes were in full training today for the first time, so that is positive news.”

Of course, the Belgian won’t want to rush either player back, but there’s no doubt that Cortes’ return in particular should provide Rangers with another much-needed boost.

"Direct" Cortes can finally make his mark

After injury cut his loan spell short last season, it looked as though Cortes would make up for lost time when he arrived on a permanent deal during the summer transfer window, only for injury to strike the Rangers star once again.

Missing the last nine league games in what has been a mixed Rangers run, Cortes now finally has the chance to kickstart his Ibrox career.

Described as “direct” and someone who “has an eye for goal” as he was on his way to Rangers by South American football journalist Nathan Joyes, there’s clearly still a talented player in Cortes.

Whether the Ross County game comes too soon for a return remains to be seen, but forthcoming games against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League and a must-win Old Firm derby against Celtic could see the return of Cortes at last.

Pakistan batter Imam-ul-Haq has dismissed the debate surrounding the Rawalpindi pitch, insisting that the hosts were simply playing to their strengths, and that the pitch was the same for both teams. Imam went on to question whether Australia would ever prepare their pitches at home after consulting the opponent.The barren pitch in Rawalpindi became a talking point after only 14 wickets fell across five days in the first Test. While Pakistan managed to take all 10 Australian wickets in the first innings, Australia could pick up only four in total, as the hosts made 476 for 4 and 252 for 0 before the game ended in a tame draw.Imam, in particular, flourished, becoming only the 10th Pakistan batter – and third opener – to score a century in both innings of a Test. Imam and Abdullah Shafique also set a new record for most runs scored by an opening pair against Australia.After the game, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins suggested that the lifeless pitch was made to nullify the visitors’ pace attack, something PCB chairman Ramiz Raja also confirmed though he conceded that a draw wasn’t a good advertisement for Test cricket.”A draw is something nobody wants to see,” Imam said. “Obviously when it’s a five-day Test everyone anticipates for a result. But when we go to Australian conditions, they don’t make pitches consulting us but make it according to their will so I think we should see our strength and should live up to our strength.”But in Karachi, we are looking for a result in our favour. I think the Rawalpindi Test was played well as we managed to get all 10 wickets. Unfortunately 70 overs were not played out due to bad light and rain but had those overs been bowled the result could have been different because we intended to make them bat again.”Related

• Babar expects Pakistan to take 'momentum' into second Test after 'dominating' in Rawalpindi

• Rawalpindi pitch gets 'below average' rating from ICC match referee

• Ramiz Raja: Rawalpindi draw 'wasn't a good advertisement for Test cricket'

• Why did Pakistan sedate Rawalpindi, their liveliest Test pitch?

• Stats – Australia's worst bowling effort

Australia’s combined bowling average of 238.33 and strike-rate of 478 were their second-worst in 145 years of Test cricket. The visiting bowlers claimed just three scalps between them across 239 overs, with the other wicket coming through a run-out. Furthermore, none of the Australian batters managed to get into three figures.Imam, however, went about making runs on a docile pitch that barely tested him. Playing a Test at home for the very first time, Imam survived a dismissal on 94 when replays showed he had inside-edged a Nathan Lyon delivery to short leg, only for Australia to miss taking a review. But beyond that lapse, Imam dealt with Lyon without much fuss. According to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data, of the 45 length deliveries that Lyon bowled to him, Imam took 41 runs, including two sixes. On a slow pitch, Imam kept his focus intact, even expertly blocking 49 fuller-length deliveries from Lyon.”Regardless of my settled or unsettled position in the team or even whether I am performing or not, I will always be criticised,” Imam said. “It’s been nearly five years and 60 games I have played so far for Pakistan and yet I face criticism but I am not sad because that’s very normal to me.My job is to score runs and the quality of innings should be judged on the basis of my intent. For me, my captain, my coach and the think-tank are the important ones and what they are expecting from me and how they rate my innings. It is not really important what people say from outside and what perception is made about me that doesn’t matter at all and I don’t care about it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that any judgement coming from the people in the dressing room is what is all important for me.”I didn’t tell the curator to make a pitch according to me, nor is he my relative. It was the same for Australia, yet we got their 10 wickets and none of them managed to score 100. I didn’t ask for the pitch so that I can score a hundred in each innings. The Karachi pitch will be the same as it has been in first-class cricket and I won’t be playing at it for the first time. But at the same time whatever Test I had played before this I played outside in South Africa, Ireland and England in away Tests. So whatever the pitch will be – either it’s green, yellow or brown – my job is to play cricket and I will play and keep believing in my practice.”The second Test starts from March 12 in Karachi, where in the last five years the spinners have taken 275 first-class wickets at 33.16 while fast bowlers have dominated with a better average of 31.44 and 499 wickets.

Gerard Pique has boldly stated that teenage wonderkid Lamine Yamal would not get into Barcelona’s dream team alongside Lionel Messi and Co.

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Blaugrana dominated under GuardiolaTeenage star shining in the presentInformed he wouldn't make star-studded XIFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Between 2008 and 2012, with Pep Guardiola calling the shots, the Blaugrana dominated Spanish and European football. They collected three La Liga titles during that period, along with two Champions League crowns and a couple of FIFA Club World Cups.

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Argentine icon Messi was the undoubted star of the show, as he helped himself to more Ballons d’Or, but one all-time great was ably assisted by others in the form of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Thierry Henry.

WHAT GERARD PIQUE SAID

There were few chinks in the armour of that star-studded squad and, with that in mind, ex-Barca defender Pique has told when asked if a leading light from the class of 2024-25 would make Guardiola’s starting XI: “My feeling is that Lamine Yamal would not be playing in our generation.”

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That is some shout, as Yamal has been breaking all kinds of records since making his senior debut for Barcelona at the age of 15. He is a now a European Championship winner with Spain and the proud holder of Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy awards.

Logistical challenges around Covid mean there are “lots of parts to the jigsaw” for England coach

Alan Gardner17-Jan-2022England’s attempts to regain the Women’s Ashes and defend their 50-over World Cup title during the same winter trip to the southern hemisphere have already taken in a series of logistical challenges, with head coach Lisa Keightley admitting that there are “lots of parts of the jigsaw” still to piece together ahead of the T20I leg starting later this week.The schedule for the Ashes was rearranged earlier this month, with the T20Is moved forward in order to accommodate the quarantine requirements for getting into New Zealand for the World Cup, which begins on March 4. That has left England with just eight days of preparation, with patchy weather in Canberra affecting the squad’s ability to train and off-field concerns adding to the list of distractions.England had to leave a support staff member behind when they departed for Adelaide on Monday due to a positive Covid-19 test, and there are fears on both sides about how the virus could affect their respective World Cup campaigns. The England and Australia squads are due to arrive in New Zealand on February 10, just two days after the completion of the Ashes, and under current guidelines they must enter the country as one group before doing 10 days of quarantine.Related

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Covid-19 positive hits England party ahead of Women's Ashes start

Jonassen not feeling extra expectation with Wareham, Molineux out

With three T20Is, a Test match and three ODIs to be played in just two-and-a-half weeks, Keightley said that rest and rotation was likely to be a factor throughout the Ashes.”There’s a lot of parts of the jigsaw this trip,” she said. “Firstly, we’ve got to see how everyone pulls up each game. I think that’s most important. Second, we’ve sometimes got different players for different formats. So there’s some players potentially getting ready for a Test match now, where other players – we’ve got a selection meeting coming up tonight, before the first [T20I], where we’ve got to make some big decisions.”We’ll be thinking about the World Cup throughout this Ashes. And I think Australia will be too. Yes, we will be concerned that we don’t get injuries and we’ve got full squads to select from, so that will be on the forefront of our mind coming into the back end of the Ashes. We know we’ve got a 10-day quarantine where you don’t want a key player to have injuries because they can’t be treated throughout that 10 days. So there’s a lot of things and sometimes we just have to wait and see how it’s all panning out.”Perfect world they’re all fit come the end and we can select our best team for every game. That’s what we’ll be planning to do, but I’m not hiding away that we do think about, gosh, we want our full squad to be available for the World Cup. That’s for sure. Especially when we’re the holders of it and we want to defend the title.”Mental well-being will also be high on the agenda, with the touring party already having effectively isolated within their households for two weeks before departing for Australia, where bio-security restrictions were tightened while England were in transit.”I really do hold my hand up if someone is in that space and we need to think of their mental health, the cricket comes second,” Keightley said. “We’re trying to look after our staff and players the best we can. We treat them all individually and I think what I’ve learned on this journey of Covid is that everyone’s bucket gets full at different times and you can’t pick it. You think one day they’re okay and you can talk to them two days later and they’re not coping so it is a challenge.”It’s a challenge in sporting teams, and being an athlete over the last 18 months. But we do try our best, we’ve got a fantastic medical support staff who do everything they can to make sure we’re all okay. But it is challenging being in coaching this time as there’s so many moving parts.”From a playing perspective, England’s build-up has been far from perfect (when they have been able to get out on to the field). Three intra-squad practice games were held in Canberra over the weekend – a 35-over fixture that was rain-affected, and two T20s – with England being beaten by England A on all three occasions.Heather Knight, England’s captain, had previously described the squad’s preparation as “pretty average”, with players forced to rope in family members for help with practice in the period before flying out, and Keightley echoed the view that there was work to be done.”I wouldn’t say we’ve started that well, to be totally honest,” Keightley said. “We’re trying to get up to speed as best we can.”With Covid you’ve got to be flexible. You’ve got to change and adapt. We’ve learned that over the last couple of years. We’ve got a really big couple of training [sessions] coming up over the next two days that we’ve got to get right. We’ve got to get the players hitting the ball well and bowling in good areas and sharpening up.”I think the [warm-up] T20s, they were trying to go too early. They wanted to click, wanted to get off and going really well in the practice matches, [but] they probably didn’t do the basics first. Then expand, get up and down, hit the ball in the middle and then go and then build from there. They probably went too early, which didn’t play out that well for us, but they know what they need to do.”We’ve got two good trainings prepped over the next couple of days. So I’m confident when we get to that first T20 they’ll be in a better place than what they are now and we’ll do our best to go 2-0 up.”Having originally planned for the one-off Test in Canberra to be the series opener, Keightley said that adapting mentally would be the key to getting off to a good start in the T20Is. England will also hope early success can help “dim the flame” of Australian expectation, after the men completed a thumping 4-0 victory in their version of the Ashes at the weekend.”I know Australia is very excited about winning the Ashes and we’ve got to turn it around and try and dim the flame, so to speak, and get a few wins on the board and put them under pressure, and get into our Ashes as quick as we can.”

Dominant half-centuries from Grace Harris and Georgia Redmayne have helped Brisbane Heat regain top spot on the WBBL table after a tight win over Hobart Hurricanes in Launceston.Mignon du Preez gave Heat a fright in the chase making 73 from 49 balls, but Jess Jonassen took 3 for 25 as the Heat held on by 14 runs.Harris became the WBBL’s leading runscorer with 75 from 51 balls while Redmayne continued her excellent form making 64 from 50 deliveries. The Heat openers piled on a 140-run partnership in just 15 overs. Harris had enough time left to reach three figures after thrashing six fours and two sixes, but she was run out having been sent back by Redmayne attempting an ambitious second run.The run out stalled Heat’s momentum as they scored just 30 runs from the last 29 balls. Redmayne was out off the last ball of the 19th over, having struck nine boundaries in her 64.Hurricanes’ chase got off to a disastrous start with Rachel Priest and Ruth Johnston falling cheaply in the powerplay, with Jonassen claiming the key scalp of the Hurricanes captain. Mignon du Preez held the innings together with an outstanding innings that kept the Hurricanes in it. The South African veteran got great support from Nicola Carey during an 87-run stand. They reduced the chase to just 34 from 21. But du Preez was strangled down the leg side off Anneke Bosch.Carey fell three balls later to all but end the Hurricanes’ hopes. Heat held their nerve with Jonassen returning in the 19th over to pick up a third wicket. Nicola Hancock had 18 runs to play with in the final over and picked up three wickets for just four runs to close out the match.
Another Super Over, another win for Sophie Devine•Getty Images

A Super Over. Sophie Devine. You know how this ends, right? For the second time this season Perth Scorchers got across the line the decider and on this occasion it took Devine just two balls – both hit for six against Megan Schutt – to get the job done over Adelaide Strikers who had only been able to muster nine from their six deliveries.It was tough on Schutt who, in the initial 20-over contest, had made an excellent return in her first game of the season. Her first three overs cost just nine in what was overall a very impressive display by Strikers which also included the outstanding figures of Amanda-Jade Wellington who took 2 for 12 with 14 dot balls.Wellington’s spell ensured Scorchers couldn’t really build on an opening stand of 59 between Devine and Beth Mooney. Devine only managed a run-a-ball before falling to a tight stumping call and Wellington would go on to claim both Mooney and Chamari Athapaththu. Scorchers could only make 57 off their last 10 overs.However, they defending superbly in the field with Lilly Mills’ offspin again impressive and at 7 for 88 they were favourites for victory. But Tegan McPharlin and Sarah Coyte took the game deep until two were needed off the last ball but they could only score a single. Marizanne Kapp then did her bit with the ball, aided by a superb boundary save by Alana King fourth ball. Devine did hers with the bat.Harmanpreet Kaur raced out of the blocks in her innings•Getty Images

Well-paced innings by Harmanpreet Kaur and Jess Duffin followed by an important brace of wickets for Ellie Falconer took Melbourne Renegades top of the table – at least briefly – against a Sydney Sixers sides heading the opposition direction.After Renegades lost two wickets in the powerplay things were rebuilt by Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues as the pair added 51 in six overs. That was aided by Harmanpreet’s brisk start as she was 14 off three balls having dispatched a free hit from Stella Campbell for six second delivery. She eventually fell to India team-mate Radav Yadav but Duffin, who struck two wickets, took 17 off the final over from Nicole Bolton.Sixers had restructured their batting order with a return to opening for Ellyse Perry but they stumbled again. Alyssa Healy missed a wild stoke against Sophie Molineux and Ash Gardner was run out from to leave them 2 for 12. The recovery was sluggish and then came off the rails when Perry picked out long-off and next ball Bolton was run out after poor communication with Shafali Verma who batted at No. 5.When Angela Reakes fell it was 5 for 50 and almost game over, but Maitlan Brown hit 31 off 20 balls to give Sixers a glimmer. However, that ended when her and Shafali fell in the space of three deliveries to Falconcer although replays showed Shafali was unlucky with the ball having come off her hip to the keeper.Sydney Thunder were excellent in the field•Getty Images

Defending champions Sydney Thunder got their first win of the season on the board with an impressive performance in the field.Thunder’s five main bowlers all played a part after they had made 5 for 133 based around a second-wicket stand 89 between Tahlia Wilson and Phoebe Litchfield. Samantha Bates was named player of the match for her 2 for 14 in a spell that included 12 dot balls and the wicket of Meg Lanning. Issy Wong, the English overseas bowler, produced a gem of a delivery to clean up Annabel Sutherland as Stars struggled in the powerplay.Elyse Villani and Maia Bouchier gave a platform but the pair fell in the space of three deliveries – Bouchier lbw to Bates and Villani missing a pull against Sammy-Jo Johnson – which derailed their chances. Deepti Sharma then claimed three wickets including a pair of return catches.After he first significant score of the tournament against Melbourne Renegades, Smriti Mandhana fell cheaply as she chipped to mid-on. Litchfield played out a maiden against Sutherland but got herself going with a pair of boundaries in the allrounder’s next over. She was one short of fifty when a lofted drive found long-on but Wilson was about to reach a maiden WBBL fifty from 49 balls.

Virgil van Dijk refused to commit his future to Liverpool after dropping a sensational performance against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

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Van Dijk will be a free agent in the summerYet to sign an extension at MerseysideRemains a key figure in defence for The RedsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Van Dijk was once again at his brilliant best for Liverpool during their 4-1 aggregate victory over Tottenham. Capping off an impressive performance, the Dutch defender sealed Liverpool’s ticket to the final by heading in the team’s final goal. Moreover, his leadership at the back was instrumental, which ensured a comfortable passage to Wembley, where Liverpool will now face Newcastle United in the title decider.

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Van Dijk has enjoyed a resurgence in form this season under manager Arne Slot, with Liverpool currently leading the Premier League table, topping their Champions League group, and competing on multiple fronts. Earlier he gave a rare insight into his long-term ambitions, hinting at a desire to continue playing at the highest level for several more years, which lent hope to Liverpool fans. Still, his latest admission should be a cause of concern.

WHAT VAN DIJK SAID

After securing the Carabao Cup final berth, Van Dijk was asked about his future but provided little clarity. Speaking to Sky Sports, he stated: "I am feeling good, what the future brings I have no idea. Anyone who says they know, they are absolutely wrong."

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While contract talks continue behind closed doors, Liverpool’s attention now shifts to their FA Cup fourth-round fixture against Plymouth Argyle on February 9.

The Cityzens are in need of some dynamism and fresh blood in attack, but they aren't alone in their admiration of the Egypt international

For the first time in a long, time, Manchester City are in the midst of a crisis season. Whatever cycle they had going on up at the Etihad Stadium has ended and they went into the January window knowing that they were desperately in need of some new talent for Pep Guardiola to work with.

Their only reliable goal-scorer this term has been Erling Haaland, and even then he's been wildly out of form since telling Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to "stay humble". The likes of Jack Grealish and Phil Foden haven't held up their end of the bargain when it comes to finding the net, and City needed reinforcements if they're going to salvage something from this campaign.

City's search for such a player took them to Germany's newest sensation, Omar Marmoush of Eintracht Frankfurt. The Egypt international has been a well-respected Bundesliga attacker for a while now, but his 2024 form saw him enter a different conversation altogether.

City weren't the only side linked with a move for Marmoush, as Liverpool were long reported as an alternative destination, either as a replacement to or to be a partner for countryman Mohamed Salah, while Arsenal and Manchester United were linked with moves over the autumn too.

The Premier League champions have paid an initial €70 million (£59m/$73m) to move to the front of the queue mid-season and while that is undoubtedly a lot to spend on a player who has never previously hinted at reaching the heights he has this term, there's little reason to think Marmoush won't be a success at City over the next few seasons, particularly with his peak years still ahead of him.

GOAL has done some digging into the forward's rise:

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWhere it all began

Born in Cairo on February 7, 1999, Marmoush joined local side Wadi Degla as a youngster. A relatively modest club on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital, he was able to quietly go about his development, despite the team's minor affiliation with Arsenal threatening to expose his budding promise. Such was his talent that he played an age-group up for much of his youth career.

At the age of 18, Marmoush was handed his senior debut for Wadi Degla in an Egyptian Premier League match with Al Ittihad Alexandria in July 2016, coming off the bench to grab an assist in a 3-2 win. He played and matured under Egypt legend Mido, who took an immediate shine to the youngster and afforded him more first-team opportunities.

And that's when the European clubs began to circle. Marmoush received offers from Borussia Dortmund and Malaga, but instead opted to join Wolfsburg in 2017, later citing star striker Mario Gomez and Freddie Ljungberg – who enjoyed a brief coaching spell at the Volkswagen Arena – as major influences on his decision.

Not yet fully polished, Marmoush spent three years in Wolfsburg's reserve team honing his craft before making a smattering of senior appearances. In 2020, he was sent on a season-long loan to St Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga, where a return of seven goals in 21 games signalled he was finally ready for top-flight football.

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Wolfsburg recognised Marmoush's potential, but wanted him to test the Bundesliga waters elsewhere before returning to don their garish green colours. "Over the past year, Omar has come on in leaps and bounds with good performances in the U23s, and that has seen him dip his toes into the Bundesliga and with the senior squad. Now he needs to gradually get used to playing at Bundesliga level, so that he can take it to the next step," ex-Wolfsburg director Marcel Schafer said at the time.

Another loan, this time to Stuttgart, followed for 2021-22, though the conditions were hardly ideal for him to truly flourish – the season was spent battling relegation and a 15th-placed finish surmised the club's struggles.

Despite Stuttgart's troublesome slide, injury problems and time away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Marmoush caught the eye with performances primarily from the left wing. There was a dynamism and explosiveness that made him perfect for Bundesliga football. At long last, it seemed he was ready for Wolfsburg.

That's why it came as a disappointment when, despite missing only one league match all season and playing largely as a centre-forward, Marmoush returned only five goals. Wolfsburg decided to cut ties and let Marmoush walk away for free at the end of his contract, with Eintracht stepping forward to afford him a fresh lease of life. And boy have they not had a single regret since…

AFPHow it's going

Marmoush is now firmly among the Bundesliga's best forwards, no question about it. After joining Eintracht for 2023-24, he managed to match his career-best season tally of seven goals and three assists in only 14 games, and he ended the campaign with a mightily-impressive return of 16 goals and six assists in all competitions.

Mido, still monitoring one of his favourite footballing sons from afar, took to social media to plead with his former club Tottenham to sign Marmoush, comparing this recommendation to a prior one over Salah which fell on deaf Spurs ears. Other European giants were touted with an interest, notably United and Liverpool, but he remained at Deutsche Bank Park.

"The goals I scored and my performances during the season were not by chance," Marmoush said in July. "I worked hard for all of this. Here at the club, you get great support and the best help to develop your talent. I have a very good feeling towards my team. It seems to me like a family, and this is the way we have to deal with our matches later."

Eintracht must be thanking the heavens that they were able to keep hold of Marmoush with such little fuss having started the season in incredible form. He leaves the club having already clocked up 20 goals and 14 assists in just 26 matches. In the Bundesliga, only Harry Kane has bettered his return of 15 goals at this stage.

There aren't many players in Europe who are in better form than Marmoush at the moment, so what is it that makes him special?

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AFPBiggest strengths

The lazy comparison is to say Marmoush plays like Salah because they share a nationality, but the two do share some similarities. It is Marmoush's pace that is perhaps most distinguishable feature, though he does love sitting a defender or goalkeeper on their backside before firing home in a similar vein to Liverpool's current 'Egyptian King'. When in stride, he's almost impossible to stop.

But unlike Salah, Marmoush's quickness is a little more immediate and allows him to pose a threat on either flank as well as through the middle, while he is a little more selfless in his pursuit of wins.

"If there is a 30 percent chance that I will score a goal and my team-mate has a better chance and is in a better position, then I will pass the ball so that we can score a goal as a team, not just Omar," Marmoush has previously commented.

Eintracht boss Dino Toppmoller said of his star attacker: "He's responsible for producing danger up front, firing in goals and setting up others. He's very difficult to defend due to his pace and how fast he can run in deep. He can also sneak in from close range, take a great touch and play some great passes. He's in outstanding form at the moment, and he's feeling comfortable. That's the key to his success these days."

It should also be noted that Marmoush is an intense and aggressive presser, which is becoming the norm among football's leading stars. He isn't afraid to do that dirty work.

It's been an incredible year for some clubs, coaches and players, but it's been a nightmare for others

What a year 2024 has been for the sometimes not-so-beautiful game! A dispute between players' unions and FIFA over the match calendar is now likely to be settled in court, while we're still awaiting the verdict in the legal battle of the century between the Premier League and its current champions, Manchester City.

However, there have also been some beautiful success stories over the past 12 months, with the likes of Bologna and Brest qualifying for the Champions League, and Atalanta lifting the Europa League trophy after a stunning win over another terrific team in Bayer Leverkusen, who finally ended their Bundesliga hoodoo – and in record-breaking fashion too.

So, who have been the big winners and losers of 2024? GOAL breaks down the good, the bad and the ugly below…

AFPWINNER: Rodri

It might seem a little strange to make a player who suffered a serious ACL injury one of the 'winners' of 2024, but Rodri has still had a year well worth celebrating. If anything, Manchester City's slump since the Spaniard was sidelined in September has only made a mockery of those who questioned the midfielder's subsequent Ballon d'Or success.

He is, quite simply, the most influential player in the game today, the key cog in Pep Guardiola's winning machine that claimed a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title in May. Rodri also ran the show for Spain at Euro 2024 before being forced off at half-time in the final. "[He] is a perfect computer, who administers everything, the emotions, all the moments in a magisterial way," La Roja coach Luis de la Fuente said. "That’s just a great help for everyone."

In that sense, it was a delightful surprise to see such a team player win the ultimate individual accolade.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLOSER: Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe's dream move has been something of a nightmare thus far. But perhaps we shouldn't be so surprised. Maybe we should have seen this coming.

Mbappe never looked quite right during the European Championship in Germany, where he managed just one goal in five appearances for France. He was, of course, hindered by having to wear a protective mask after breaking his nose in his nation's tournament-opener against Austria, but that still didn't fully explain his sub-standard showings in Germany, and even he conceded that the campaign had been a "failure".

What's more, several former France internationals were claiming long before Mbappe left Paris Saint-Germain on an acrimonious free transfer that he had stagnated as a player. It's become obvious over the past few months, though, that Mbappe's problems are not merely physical or tactical. For the first time in his career, he's struggling mentally right now too, as underlined by his omission from the last two France squads amid a variety of vague and contradictory explanations.

Mbappe recently stated in his first interview with the French press for almost a year that "he's very happy" in Madrid, but he also acknowledged that he's presently dealing with a number of serious issues, on and off the field. It will, therefore, be fascinating to see if the real Mbappe returns in 2025.

Getty Images SportWINNER: Lamine Yamal

Believe the hype: Lamine Yamal is the real deal. Countless other prodigies have understandably found 'The new Lionel Messi' label a burden too heavy to bear – but Yamal doesn't appear to feel pressure. The kid only turned 17 on July 13 – and yet the following day he went out and won the European Championship, teeing up Nico Williams for the opener in Spain's 2-1 win over England.

Everything we've seen from Yamal since (he's got more assists than any other player in La Liga this season) suggests he's only going to get better and better – which is just ludicrous. The kid brought homework with him to Germany is already one of the very best players in the world!

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Getty Images SportLOSER: Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp will forever be a legend at Liverpool and he received a fittingly grand send-off at Anfield after sensationally stepping down as manager at the end of last season. In his subsequent public appearances, he's also looked rejuvenated, as fresh and as healthy as he's looked in years – which is hardly surprising given just how much time and effort he invested in putting the Merseysiders back on their perch.

However, the timing of Klopp's exit is now being questioned in some quarters, with the Liverpool side he constructed top of both the Premier League and the Champions League under Arne Slot, who some have suggested is actually making his predecessor look bad. That's nonsense, of course; Klopp's record with the Reds was remarkable, and he'd have undoubtedly had them flying this season too. But that's precisely why their current form might feel a little bittersweet.

Certainly, Klopp would be forgiven for privately cursing the fact that Manchester City went through their worst ever run of results under Pep Guardiola just a few months after he left Liverpool – and his spirits can hardly have been lifted by the bitter backlash at former clubs Mainz and Borussia Dortmund to his unexpected decision to take a lucrative but highly controversial job within Red Bull's footballing empire.

Klopp has explained that he simply didn't want to be a coach anymore and that tallies up, given he had already stated last season that he was running out of energy. In that sense, he couldn't have found a better gig. The Red Bull role should revitalise him and earn him an awful lot of money. But one cannot help but wonder if it'll also come with a few regrets.