48 h. ago ‘Perfect modern player’: Hugo Ekitiké has all the attributes to thrive at Liverpool

Frenchman’s display of natural ability during spells in Denmark and Germany is a positive indicator for his move to AnfieldHugo Ekitiké is a £79m striker who has swapped the Bundesliga for the Premier League champions and is preparing to test himself against the best defenders in England and Europe. Four years ago, he was struggling to make the breakthrough at his boyhood club Reims and was sent on loan to Denmark to learn about football and himself.Ekitiké arrived as an 18‑year‑old in the city of Vejle in January 2021 to join a club primed for a relegation battle, a world away from what he can expect at Liverpool. Although a naturally confident person, he took time to settle into life away from home. But it was quickly apparent Ekitiké possessed natural ability and electrifying pace with which to torment teammates in training and excite his manager. First, though, he needed to get up to speed with the Danish league and began with a cameo off the bench in a goalless d...

Sport

6 d. ago Interest rates LIVE: Bank of England set to make major cut as economy struggles

Interest rates are set to be slashed to 4% this afternoon, marking the fifth cut since last August - and taking the cost of borrowing to its lowest level in more than two years

Economics

1 week ago Split Bank of England will struggle to give clear outlook on interest rates, say economists

Investors expect a cut this week, but a divided MPC is keeping its options open

Economics

3 w. ago 'Climate change doesn't exist,' says Reform UK mayor Andrea Jenkyns despite third heatwave of summer

Her comments came as the East and West Midlands became the latest areas of England to fall into drought as the country struggles with the driest start to the year since 1976

Society

4 w. ago Neighbours are urged to SNITCH on one another if they catch them using hosepipes during ban... so will YOU grass if a homeowner waters their begonias?

Water firms have different policies on what people should do if they spot someone flouting the ban as England struggles with the driest start to the year since 1976.

Politics

4 w. ago Football transfer rumours: Arsenal’s Trossard to snub Fenerbahce for Bayern?

Today’s rumours are without a lightbulbManchester United have realised they still have a Scott McTominay-sized hole in their midfield and want to fill it with the former Bayern Munich playee Corentin Tolisso. The box-to-box midfielder turns 31 in August but has just had one of the best seasons of his career at Lyon – scoring 10 goals and registering nine assists in all competitions – and, given the French club’s financial problems, there may be a deal to be done for around £15m.After weeks of negotiations, United are also reportedly closing on a move for Bryan Mbeumo after agreeing terms with Brentford. The fee is thought to be north of £60m, with the shrewd Bees keen on using some of that money to buy a replacement in Omari Hutchinson. The winger flickered in a struggling Ipswich side last season but was one of England’s best players in their under-21 Euros campaign, scoring in the final against Germany. Continue reading...

Sport