Liverpool are riding on the crest of a wave right now, and they face Manchester City at precisely the right time.

While the Anfield side are currently on a 15-game unbeaten run across all competitions, City have failed to win any of their previous six games, going through their most difficult period under Pep Guardiola.

The Reds hold an eight point lead at the top of the table and should Arne Slot’s side go on to defeat City this afternoon, it could put another dent in Guardiola’s title ambitions.

Manchester City’s defensive frailties

Since their win over Southampton on October 26, the club have conceded 17 goals in just six games, scoring only seven times during that time period.

Guardiola’s defenders certainly struggled, most notably Kyle Walker, who was helpless against Tottenham Hotspur last week as they ran riot, scoring four without reply to inflict one of the heaviest defeats the former Barcelona manager has endured.

Walker may have won four of his five total duels contested, yet the right-back made just one tackle and one clearance in the defeat as he was run ragged by Heung-min Son for Spurs, who shone on the left wing.

If Liverpool aim to secure all three points, then targeting the 34-year-old could be one way of piling on more misery for City this weekend, that’s for sure.

Who will Slot unleash on the left flank, however?

The Liverpool star who can terrorise Walker

There is no denying how impressive Luis Diaz has been this term, registering 11 goal contributions – nine goals and two assists – in just 18 matches under Slot.

Against Real Madrid in midweek, Diaz wasn’t quite at his sparkling best, missing two big chances, winning just two of his nine ground duels and losing possession ten times during the clash.

Cody Gakpo entered the game with 20 minutes left, taking over from Darwin Núñez, and he ended up getting on the scoresheet along with succeeding with 100% of his dribbles and making one key pass.

Although he was deployed through the middle against the La Liga side, perhaps Slot could unleash the Dutchman on the left flank so he can terrorise Walker this afternoon.

In the Premier League last season, Gakpo ranked in the top 15% for successful take-ons per 90 (1.69) and in the top 28% for progressive carries per 90 (2.35), clearly indicating that he could be a major threat out wide for the Reds.

During the 2022 World Cup, Statman Dave hailed his performance against Qatar as “unstoppable” and if he can replicate this sort of form, Walker is in for a rough 90 minutes, that’s for sure.

The Anfield side have a wonderful chance to stretch their advantage at the top of the table with a victory against City. If they do, then Slot’s men could be difficult to catch in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool eyeing move for "amazing" ace who stole show in front of scouts

He could become their replacement for Mohamed Salah.

1

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 30, 2024

Neymar and his girlfriend Bruna Biancardi showed they remain a happy family amid claims the Santos hero was seen partying with escorts.

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• Neymar & Biancardi appear with daughter
• Santos star said to have partied with escorts
• Was reportedly confronted by his girlfriend

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 33-year-old was reported to have attended a party alongside around 20 escorts, raising claims he was unfaithful to Biancardi while she is pregnant with the couple's second child. Biancardi is said to have confronted Neymar after she received videos of him surrounded by women.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Neymar's representatives have denied that the Brazil international was there and the player himself has responded with an Instagram post. The forward shared an image of himself, Biancardi and their daughter, Mavie, captioning the post with a heart emoji.

  instagram/neymarjr

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Neymar is starring in his homeland since returning to his boyhood club Santos, having scored three goals in seven matches so far. However, a new injury has delayed his long-awaited return to the national team ahead of Brazil's World Cup qualifying games against Colombia and Argentina.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?

  The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star will hope to make a quick recovery from his latest injury ahead of the start of the new Brazilian Serie A season.

Matty Potts grabs two early wickets in reply as visitors wobble before close

ESPNcricinfo staff12-May-2022

Glamorgan 31 for 2 (Potts 2-18) trail Durham 311 (Stokes 82, Petersen 78, Hogan 4-67) by 280 runsBen Stokes scored an impressive knock of 82 to continue his strong start to his LV= Insurance County Championship Division Two season as Durham were bowled out for 311 against Glamorgan at the Riverside.Following his blistering innings of 161 against Worcestershire last week, Stokes fell 18 runs short of a second-straight century as he top scored for the hosts. Keegan Petersen was also in solid form with an innings of 78, although the home side will feel that they left runs on the field after being dismissed before the close.Michael Hogan was on point with the ball for the Welsh outfit with figures of four for 67, including the key wicket of Stokes, that allowed the visitors to keep Durham in check. Two late strikes from Matthew Potts began a fightback, leaving Glamorgan with work ahead of them on day two, with Marnus Labuschagne unbeaten overnight on 16.Glamorgan won the toss and elected to field, facing the leading run-scorer in the County Championship heading into the contest, Sean Dickson. However, the opener only added five runs to his total before Michael Neser found his outside edge and Sam Northeast clung on at second slip.Alex Lees and Petersen responded against the new ball by building a solid foundation with a stand worth 62. Lees appeared set for another score of fifty after driving David Lloyd to the fence, but then chopped on from the following delivery to fall for 44.After lunch, Scott Borthwick and David Bedingham fell cheaply for the home side to Hogan and Andy Gorvin respectively, but Petersen worked his way past fifty for the second innings in a row.The South African was fortunate on two occasions against Neser, edging a bouncer between Chris Cooke and Andrew Salter at first slip and seeing a top edge land safely. Petersen looked to have come through a tough period, but he then presented Lloyd with his second wicket as he played a loose drive that landed in the hands of Labuschagne.Stokes made a measured start to his innings, but after the departure of Petersen he began to free his arms. His first signal of intent came with an element of fortune against his Ashes rival Labuschagne, edging his medium-pace over the slips. The left-hander then found his range with two crisp strikes to the fence against Lloyd, scattering the Glamorgan fields to the ropes.The England captain brought up his half century from a sedate 74 balls compared to his exploits against Worcestershire. However, he soon delighted the Riverside crowd by dispatching Labuschagne over the leg-side boundary with his first six of the innings, bringing up the Durham 250 in the process.A promising partnership of 61 between Stokes and Ben Raine allowed the hosts to push towards 300 at speed. Raine matched the intensity of his team-mate at the other end before Salter turned one through the gate, earning revenge after being struck for 10 from the first five balls of the 79th over.One wicket quickly brought a second as Hogan secured the vital scalp of the England captain with the new ball, with a rising delivery that he could only fend behind to Cooke for 82. Hogan then wrapped up the tail with two further strikes, but only after Durham scrambled past the 300-run mark to secure a third batting bonus point.Potts responded for the hosts by taking two wickets to remove Salter and Govrin to swing momentum back into their favour before stumps.

MatériaMais Notícias

É bem verdade que o trabalho da equipe considerada como principal do Athletico tem poucas partidas (apenas seis) em relação a outros times da prateleira mais alta do cenário nacional.Também é válido destacar que o goleiro do time venezuelano, Alain Baroja, teve papel a ser considerado com suas quatro defesas difíceis nas jogadas formuladas pelo sistema ofensivo do Rubro-Negro.

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>Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS

Entretanto, o volume de oportunidades apresentado no empate sem gols diante do Caracas, na estreia da Libertadores, proporcionou ao Furacão uma chance clara de fazer seus três primeiros pontos na competição. Algo que, de quebra, acabaria com o tabu que dura quatro edições de Liberta sem vencer na estreia como visitante.

Principalmente nas jogadas em que conseguia acionar o duelo particular entre Cuello e Fereira, os espaços pareciam se abrir com maior facilidade e o panorama para finalizar acabava facilitado. Mesmo assim, além de Baroja, faltou precisão onde o domínio territorial e de chances se transformaria em gols.

Vale ser ressaltado que, dentro dessa equação, também entra a fragilidade demonstrada pelo time da capital venezuelana em que o início ruim de temporada no campeonato nacional (11° colocado depois de sete jogos) transpareceu nas poucas ideias dos comandados de Francesco Stifano. Fragilidade essa que só foi ligeiramente “maquiada” pelos poucos momentos em que Bento foi obrigado a trabalhar de maneira mais enérgica, já na reta final.

Antes de novamente se concentrar na Liberta, o Athletico tem compromisso de estreia pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. O Furacão visita o São Paulo, no Morumbi, às 18h (de Brasília) do próximo domingo (10).

Lyon are prepared to cash in on Rayan Cherki as Liverpool have reportedly been monitoring him as a replacement for Egyptian star Mohamed Salah.

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Lyon ready to offload Cherki in the summerLiverpool keen to get his services at AnfieldFace competition from Bayern & DortmundFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 20-year-old playmaker has enjoyed a standout season with Lyon, showcasing his creativity and attacking flair. Having contributed eight goals and 18 assists across all competitions, he is regarded as one of France’s brightest young stars.

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According to while Liverpool’s scouting team is keeping a close eye on Cherki, they are not the only European giants monitoring his progress. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have both expressed serious interest in the France Under-21 international, while clubs from Italy are also keeping tabs on his development.

Cherki’s ability to control the game, create opportunities, and deliver in key moments was on display when France U21s defeated England U21s 5-3 in a recent friendly. The young midfielder was instrumental in the victory, scoring one goal and providing two assists, all while dazzling with his trademark skill and flair.

DID YOU KNOW?

Cherki’s reputation has been rising over the past few seasons, attracting attention from several clubs. Fulham and Crystal Palace were both eager to secure his services, with the Cottagers making a serious attempt to sign him in January 2024. However, their efforts fell short, as Lyon rejected their bid. Borussia Dortmund also made a move in the 2025 January transfer window, tabling a £19 million offer in the belief that it would activate a release clause in his contract. However, Lyon turned down the proposal, making it clear that they would not let him leave mid-season.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Despite previous resistance to selling him, Lyon have now reportedly reached an understanding with Cherki that they will not block a move once the season concludes. With his contract running until the summer of 2026, the French side is aware that this summer presents a prime opportunity to cash in on one of their most valuable assets.

Cherki will have the chance to further impress potential suitors when Lyon face Manchester United in their Europa League quarter-final on April 10 and 17. Strong performances in these high-stakes matches could increase his value even further and attract more concrete offers from top clubs across Europe’s elite leagues.

Division One leaders wrap up another innings victory inside three days at the Kia Oval

ECB Reporters Network07-May-2022Surrey’s five-man pace attack blew Northamptonshire away for the second time in 24 hours at the Kia Oval, dismissing them for 202 to complete an emphatic LV= Insurance County Championship victory by an innings and five runs inside three days.Dan Worrall picked up 3 for 37, Gus Atkinson 3 for 26 and Jordan Clark 2 for 43 as Surrey, who earlier in the day had finished off the Northamptonshire first innings for 194 with Colin de Grandhomme taking 4 for 39, strengthened their position at the top of Division One with a third win from five games.This was a real show of power by Surrey, who earned 22 points, despite the absence from this match of Ollie Pope with illness and the fact Sam Curran did not bowl in either Northamptonshire innings as he continues to manage his return from a stress fracture of the back. In addition, left-arm paceman Reece Topley was rested.Worrall, though, hugely impressed on his home debut, after being signed last winter from Gloucestershire, and the 30-year-old Australian – now classed as a home player due to his British passport – claimed the vital scalp of Will Young soon after Northamptonshire had been asked to follow on.Worrall produced an absolute beauty to have New Zealand Test opener caught behind for 3 in his fourth over with the new ball, leaving the visitors on 8 for 2 after Ricardo Vasconcelos had also edged to keeper Ben Foakes off Clark in the previous over.Emilio Gay, to his enormous credit, then shrugged off a series of nasty blows to both his right and left elbows to hit a number of lovely strokes in a brave 51 and hold up Surrey’s seam battery for an hour and a half. Gay twice needed on-field treatment to his right elbow in one Clark over just before lunch and soon after his arrival at the crease. Then, on 33, he was struck on his left elbow by a de Grandhomme delivery that spat up at him.But the most painful blow came just after he had reached a 56-ball fifty with a pull off de Grandhomme, his ninth four. The next ball from the New Zealand allrounder again lifted sharply and Gay initially looked as if he could not carry on after a stoppage for yet more treatment to his right elbow.Deciding perhaps unwisely to bat on, Gay was then beaten from de Grandhomme’s next ball and also nicked Jamie Overton just short of Foakes before Atkinson found his edge again and this time it carried to the Surrey and England keeper. Atkinson’s first spell of 5-17-2 had also accounted for Luke Procter, well caught just inside the deep square leg boundary by Curran for 9 when the left-hander slightly mishit a pull at the young allrounder’s second ball.Northamptonshire’s slide continued apace following Gay’s dismissal, with Saif Zaib leg-before for 8 to a searing Overton yorker, Rob Keogh bowled off stump for 15 by another superb Worrall outswinger and Lewis McManus giving Foakes a fourth catch of the innings off Clark.Tom Taylor sparred de Grandhomme to second slip on 18, soon after tea, but Matt Kelly and Simon Kerrigan both enjoyed themselves in a ninth wicket stand of 50 before Worrall returned to have Kerrigan caught at cover for 25 and Atkinson saw Kelly swing high to deep midwicket on 33.Northamptonshire’s first innings, meanwhile, had earlier lasted just another 10.4 overs after they began day three on 154 for 8, with Procter – who had resumed on 61 – remaining 83 not out from 196 balls and fully deserving of the crowd’s warm applause following a determined lone hand. One of Procter’s last defiant blows was a memorable six off Overton that flew out of the ground over the short boundary and into the Harleyford Road.de Grandhomme picked up the remaining two Northamptonshire first innings wickets, pinning Kerrigan leg-before for 12 with a full-pitched swinging delivery and then forcing Ben Sanderson sky to mid-on when the No. 11 miscued an attempted smear.

Liverpool have reportedly “gathered information” about an “interesting” player they could sign in January, according to a Sky Sports reporter.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds might be top of the Premier League and Champions League, but that hasn’t stopped the rumour mill circling about potential reinforcements manager Arne Slot could be looking to bring in after the New Year.

Among those being touted for a potential move to Anfield are Fulham’s American full-back Antonee Robinson, Sporting star Geovany Quenda and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro.

Prior to his provisional ban for doping, Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk was even linked with a shock move to Merseyside – though that is no doubt now out of the question.

Perhaps the most high-profile star to be linked with Liverpool, however, is RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons.

According to a recent report from Sport Bild, the Reds are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Simons, who is on loan at the Bundesliga outfit from Paris Saint-Germain.

Bild claim that Leipzig are exploring the possibility of making Simon’s move permanent following an impressive season-and-a-half at the Red Bull Arena, but that the 21-year-old would prefer to move to a club that can guarantee him Champions League football next season. Leipzig are currently fourth in the Bundesliga after 15 games played.

Liverpool gather information on Randal Kolo Muani

Another player who could soon find himself stepping out in the famous Red shirt is Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani.

On Christmas Day, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg took to X, the platform previously known as Twitter, to reveal that Kolo Muani is “set to leave” PSG in January after a difficult start to the 2024/25 season in the French capital.

The 26-year-old striker, who joined the Ligue 1 giants in 2023 from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth £76.4 million, is out of favour with PSG boss Luis Enrique, who has handed him just two league starts all term.

Plettenberg said that there is a “strong chance” Kolo Muani will move to the Premier League after the New Year, with “concrete talks with potential teams about a loan deal” ongoing.

The Sky reporter added that Liverpool and by extension, Michael Edwards have “gathered information, but nothing further has happened yet,” and that Manchester United, Tottenham, and Leipzig are also interested.

Despite his recent struggles at PSG, Kolo Muani still remains a regular for the France national team.

To date, he’s made 27 appearances for Les Bleus, scoring eight goals. Speaking about Kolo Muani earlier this year, France boss Didier Deschamps said: “He’s interesting, he’s radiant, He is confident and has a very specific profile where in his runs with the ball there is presence. He is a good header and with us he is very often successful.”

يلتقي الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي بيراميدز اليوم الجمعة، مع نظيره أورلاندو بايرتس الجنوب إفريقي ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويستضيف بيراميدز، نظيره أورلاندو بايرتس، على ملعب الدفاع الجوي في القاهرة، في إطار لقاء العودة بنصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا موسم 2024-2025.

طالع.. أحمد الشناوي: أسعى لتحقيق ما فشلت فيه مع الزمالك.. وهدف بيراميدز الثلاثية

وكان لقاء الذهاب الذي جمع الفريقين على ملعب “سوكر سيتي” في مدينة جوهانسبرج، قد انتهى بالتعادل السلبي، ليبقى الحسم قائمًا في مواجهة الإياب بالقاهرة.

ويأمل بيراميدز، في التأهل إلى المباراة النهائية للمرة الأولى في تاريخه، حيث لم يسبق له أن وصل للأدوار الإقصائية في البطولة.

ومن المنتظر أن يواجه الفائز من بيراميدز وأورلاندو، المتأهل من مواجهة الأهلي وماميلودي صن داونز التي ستقام اليوم. موعد مباراة بيراميدز وأورلاندو بايراتس اليوم

وتنطلق مباراة بيراميدز وأورلاندو، اليوم في تمام التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والتاسعة مساءً بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة بيراميدز وأورلاندو بايراتس اليوم

وتنقل شبكة قنوات بي إن سبورتس المباراة عبر قناة beIN Sports HD 6.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.

Enzo Maresca has fully turned things around at Chelsea since his arrival, the Blues finding themselves second in the Premier League after 16 games played, and top of the UEFA Conference League after five games.

In their five Conference League games, Chelsea have scored 21 goals, including an 8-0 victory against Noah. Meanwhile, they have only conceded four goals in five games.

Maresca has shown faith in the squad options he has, including academy graduates, making 11 changes in most games, in order to keep his entire squad fresh, and competing on all fronts.

The same is expected against Shamrock Rovers in their next game, with plenty of rotation set to take place, as one eye is already on the weekend.

Chelsea team news

Wesley Fofana and Reece James both remain out through injury. Whilst neither would likely play in cup competitions, the knock-on effect on the squad means Tosin Adarabioyo is likely to start in the Premier League, meaning he is less likely to also feature against Shamrock.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Benoit Badiashile is also unavailable due to an injury picked up last week, further adding to the centre-back issues when rotating the team, and Mykhailo Mudryk is also out for the time being through suspension, which could see minutes for Tyrique George at left-wing.

João Félix is also a doubt, whilst others such as Cole Palmer and Roméo Lavia aren’t available due to not being selected in the Conference League group stage squad.

The absence of Felix could be a big one which requires multiple rejigs to Maresca’s plans, as the Portugal international has often taken the Palmer role in this second unit.

Maresca's attacking options

Christopher Nkunku has been playing as a striker in the Conference League, with Nicolas Jackson being rested for Premier League games. The 27-year-old Frenchman has made 23 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring 12 goals and providing two assists in 903 minutes played.

But in the absence of Felix, Nkunku would likely drop slightly deeper, playing in his preferred number ten position, able to drop deep, link play, get on the ball more often, and create for others alongside himself. This would see the striker position become available, with Marc Guiu being the player who has benefited from these sparing minutes this campaign.

Stats (per 90 mins)

Nkunku

Guiu

Goals

1.03

1.03

Assists

0.19

0.00

xG

1.09

0.71

xAG

0.26

0.11

Progressive Carries

2.58

1.79

Progressive Passes

3.33

1.43

Shots Total

3.27

5.17

Goals/Shot

0.26

0.20

Key Passes

1.52

1.07

Shot-Creating Actions

4.55

2.86

Aerial Duels Won

0.91

0.00

Guiu has made nine appearances since joining the Blues this summer for a fee of around £5m, scoring three goals, all of which have come in the Conference League, where 224 of his 382 minutes have been played.

The 18-year-old striker has shown his ability to be a nuisance in the box, willing to get his shots off (shown by his 5.17 shots per 90), and pressing with high intensity, always looking to do his part off the ball, as well as on it. Nkunku has shown his creative numbers are far superior, and by dropping him to the number ten position, he will have even more chances to impact the game in this way.

But there is another option Maresca could choose to hand those minutes to upfront, with an academy graduate who has been called “the next big thing from Cobham” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Why Shumaira Mheuka must be unleashed

Shumaira Mheuka made his debut against Astana last week, coming from the bench in the 78th minute, taking one shot (off target) and winning two of his three ground duels.

The 17-year-old has made 14 appearances for the U21 side this season, scoring two goals, providing one assist and totalling 1,003 minutes played.

The young English forward thrives in and around the box, having excellent movement to find himself in dangerous positions, having brilliant ball manipulation in order to shift it himself and find a yard to get a shot away, and also using his body well to protect the ball.

Maresca will have a tough decision on his hands, as Guiu will be knocking on the door for minutes after scoring twice against Astana last week. However, whilst Mheuka might not start the game, it should be a good chance to give him more minutes in the senior team, as he looks to gain his reps and experience this season.

And Mheuka isn’t the only academy graduate in line for some minutes against Shamrock Rovers, as two players, in particular, are even expected to start the game on Thursday night, having also started last week against Astana.

Other academy graduates who could feature

Both Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong are expected to be involved in the Conference League game this week, with Mudryk unavailable, and Jadon Sancho likely being rested ahead of the Premier League game against Everton this weekend.

This will likely see George start in his favoured left-wing position, allowing him the freedom to cut inside on his stronger right foot.

In the absence of James and Fofana (both right-side defenders), extra pressure is on the likes of Malo Gusto and Adarabioyo, which will likely mean they are also rested for the weekend’s game. This could see a second consecutive Conference League start at right-back for Acheampong.

Both George and Acheampong are highly rated by the club, with the latter even signing a new five-year contract yesterday, with Maresca stating he believes “Josh needs to stay close with us rather than going on loan”, insinuating the 18-year-old defender is a part of the plans not only for the future, but also the present.

Exciting times, indeed, in both the short-term and long-term at Stamford Bridge.

Beware Jackson: Chelsea chasing "monster" who'd be their own Gyokeres

Chelsea can sign their very own Gyokeres with “true monster”

ByConnor Holden Dec 18, 2024

Virat Kohli believes a big innings is around the corner, his IPL captain Faf du Plessis has said, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Mike Hesson is not ruling out that big innings in their final league match, which could well be a must-win affair.Kohli has not scored an international century since the end of 2019, but his T20 batting has been cause for bigger concern. In this IPL, he has scored three golden ducks, has been run out twice, and on Friday he managed to get caught at short fine leg off his thigh pad, which left him frustrated because he had got himself in and was looking good.”He is seeing the lighter side of it,” du Plessis said. “Every single way you can think possibly to get out. Just how the game works, doesn’t it? Sometimes when you are under pressure, the game finds ways to keep you under pressure. What you can really do is keep working hard, keep up a good intensity, a good attitude, keep staying positive, knowing that it’s around the corner. He played some really good shots tonight. Obviously he would have liked to have kept going but he is handling it really well. Tough patches are difficult for all of us but he is in good spirits. He also believes it is around the corner.”Related

• Kohli open to taking a break to 'rejuvenate' himself mentally

• Shastri: 'Overcooked' Kohli needs a break

• Livingstone, Bairstow set up winning total for Kings

• Scenarios: Kings almost certain to make playoffs if they win their last two games

Hesson also spoke of Kohli’s poor luck. “Virat, I thought, looked very good today,” Hesson said. “He looked in good touch, he was aggressive, and he is doing everything off the park as well in terms of making sure he prepares well. I thought today was going to be his day but once again… it hits the other side of the thigh pad and goes down and he gets a single. He hasn’t had a huge amount of huge fortune especially when he has got himself set, when he has got himself in. He is as frustrated as anybody. We thought today was going to be the day.”Hesson doesn’t believe much is wrong with Kohli’s game. “Look he is the best we have ever had in terms of RCB,” Hesson said when asked what was going wrong. “He is an incredible player. He hasn’t scored the volume of runs he would have liked. Today he looked in really good touch. It is not a technical thing. As I said, he is putting in a lot of work behind the scenes. He looked in really good touch today. He was unfortunate. I thought we were going to see something special. Virat is as frustrated as anyone but we know that the epic one is around the corner. We have got a huge game coming up. So there is no reason why it won’t be in a few days’ time.”Kohli’s lack of big runs in any format of cricket has been a matter of debate over the last year or so. During this period he has given up – in phases – his India captaincy and also RCB captaincy. His former India coach and confidante Ravi Shastri has said he is overcooked and needs a break.