Anthony Gordon signing would represent a big issue for Arne Slot at Liverpool

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Anthony Gordon signing would represent a big issue for Arne Slot at Liverpool

Liverpool has plenty of forwards at present. Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo currently occupy all of the forward space at the club. Moreover, one could even count Harvey Elliott as a forward, considering he’s often filled in for Salah on the right-hand side.

With no Anfield exits in attacking areas so far, it remains to be seen why Liverpool is being linked with a move for Newcastle star Anthony Gordon. Both the Daily Star and HITC have speculated that the player could sign for the Reds this summer.

The English forward scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists for Newcastle last season, but the club might have to sell after failing to reach the Champions League places, finishing seventh. The lack of money from the Champions League, and the need to meet reach the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules before June 30, means Gordon could be sacrificed for the greater good, or rather to balance the books.

Yet the question needs to be asked, do Liverpool actually need Gordon at this stage?

The simple answer can be found in the opening paragraph of this article. Liverpool currently has five forwards, and there isn’t any need to add a sixth. Much will depend of course on what kind of system new coach Arne Slot interprets at Liverpool.

Jürgen Klopp was wedded to a 4-3-3 for most of his time at Liverpool, yet it remains to be seen if Slot will traverse down the same path. The system under Klopp meant it was vital the club had ample forwards, with many of them able to switch positions if needed.

Should Slot want to implement a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-2-1 system, then there isn’t even a need for five forwards, let alone add a sixth. The logical move would be to wait until someone leaves Anfield in the summer, with Salah and Díaz both linked with moves away from Merseyside this summer.

Díaz is continually linked with a move to Barcelona, although whether the Catalans could afford to buy the Colombian remains to be seen, considering its financial struggles. Salah is still within sight of the Saudi Pro League. Yet as for now, no bids have been made for either.

Gordon would be a good signing for Liverpool in itself, but when considering the number of forwards Liverpool has at the club, such a move makes little sense. Moreover, with Gordon’s best position on the left-hand side, what would it mean for Gakpo? Who has shown for The Netherlands at Euro 2024 that playing on the left-hand side is his ideal position.

The links make little sense, despite such reports claiming Liverpool has made ‘contact’ with Newcastle over the player.

Liverpool.com says: Gordon to Liverpool makes no sense, as of writing. Unless one of the current forwards leave this summer, it’s fair to assume that no attacker will arrive at Anfield. Yet of course everything can change from one day ot the next, but as for now, Gordon likely won’t be coming to Liverpool.

Read more..Wada considers appeal against Knighton decision

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) is considering an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) after American sprinter Erriyon Knighton avoided a ban for taking a banned substance.

Knighton, 20, tested positive for trenbolone – a banned substance used for muscle growth – in March.

An independent arbitrator ruled on 19 June that Knighton more than likely digested the substance by consuming contaminated meat.

The decision cleared the 200m sprinter to compete in the United States’ Olympic trials, which start in Friday in Oregon.

But Wada says it will await a breakdown of the decision before deciding whether to launch an appeal.

“Once Wada has the full reasoned decision, it will study that, along with the case file, with its usual scepticism and diligence,” a Wada spokesperson told BBC Sport.

They added it would be “extremely rare” to test positive for trenbolone by consuming contaminated meat.

Trenbolone is a known livestock growth promoter that is used legally in beef cattle produced in, and exported to, the United States.

Usada (United States Anti-Doping Agency) chief executive, Travis Tygart said “justice” had been served following Knighton’s clearance

On the same day that Knighton was cleared, China selected 11 athletes embroiled in a doping scandal for their swimming team for Paris.

Tygart had demanded sanctions on Chinese athletes ahead of the Games after 23 athletes that competed at the 2021 Tokyo Games were cleared for unintentionally ingesting heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ).

The issue sparked strong criticism of Wada from Tygart, who had alleged there had been a “cover up”, with the anti-doping body threatening legal action in reply.

“If this had been an athlete in China, we dare to think that Mr Tygart would be singing a different tune, and very loudly,” said the Wada spokesperson on Thursday.

Both Knighton and the 23 Chinese athletes have been cleared after positive results because of cases of contamination but Tygart argues the cases are not comparable.

“Unlike the China TMZ 23, in this case, as the rules required, we provisionally suspend the athlete, presented the issues before an independent arbitrator, and publicly announced the outcome,” Tygart told Reuters, external.

“It is sad to see but Wada has truly lost it and is crumbling before the world’s eyes.”

Read more…Wada considers appeal against Knighton decision

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) is considering an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) after American sprinter Erriyon Knighton avoided a ban for taking a banned substance.

Knighton, 20, tested positive for trenbolone – a banned substance used for muscle growth – in March.

An independent arbitrator ruled on 19 June that Knighton more than likely digested the substance by consuming contaminated meat.

The decision cleared the 200m sprinter to compete in the United States’ Olympic trials, which start in Friday in Oregon.

But Wada says it will await a breakdown of the decision before deciding whether to launch an appeal.

“Once Wada has the full reasoned decision, it will study that, along with the case file, with its usual scepticism and diligence,” a Wada spokesperson told BBC Sport.

They added it would be “extremely rare” to test positive for trenbolone by consuming contaminated meat.

Trenbolone is a known livestock growth promoter that is used legally in beef cattle produced in, and exported to, the United States.

Usada (United States Anti-Doping Agency) chief executive, Travis Tygart said “justice” had been served following Knighton’s clearance

On the same day that Knighton was cleared, China selected 11 athletes embroiled in a doping scandal for their swimming team for Paris.

Tygart had demanded sanctions on Chinese athletes ahead of the Games after 23 athletes that competed at the 2021 Tokyo Games were cleared for unintentionally ingesting heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ).

The issue sparked strong criticism of Wada from Tygart, who had alleged there had been a “cover up”, with the anti-doping body threatening legal action in reply.

“If this had been an athlete in China, we dare to think that Mr Tygart would be singing a different tune, and very loudly,” said the Wada spokesperson on Thursday.

Both Knighton and the 23 Chinese athletes have been cleared after positive results because of cases of contamination but Tygart argues the cases are not comparable.

“Unlike the China TMZ 23, in this case, as the rules required, we provisionally suspend the athlete, presented the issues before an independent arbitrator, and publicly announced the outcome,” Tygart told Reuters, external.

“It is sad to see but Wada has truly lost it and is crumbling before the world’s eyes.”

Read more…