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Gatland questioning feedback was 'poor' - Jenkins
Former Wales flanker Ellis Jenkins feels Warren Gatland's decision to question the lack of winning experience of many involved in the recent independent review into Welsh rugby was "poor".
Following a record 12 successive Test defeats, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) conducted a post-Autumn Nations Series review in a bid to improve all aspects of the game in the country.
But speaking of the review at his squad announcement for the 2025 Six Nations, Gatland said: "The questions I ask sometimes, of the players that have given feedback and stuff, what has their experience been in a professional winning environment?"
The Wales head coach added: "Even with regards to the people doing the reviews or being part of the process, those are the questions I asked myself. What is their experience or involvement in high-level professional sport winning environments?"
Ex-Wales back-row Jenkins feels Gatland was wrong to question the validity of some of the feedback given as part of the review.
"I was really surprised with his answer," Jenkins told Scrum V: The Warm Up.
"To question the players and the validity of their feedback just because they haven't been involved in an international winning environment is poor in my view.
"If you're going to do a review, you don't have to action all of the feedback, but you at least take it on board.
"Just because they haven't been involved in a winning campaign, which realistically there's not many players in Wales that have been part of a successful international campaign in the last couple of years, it doesn't invalidate their feedback.
"The way it's worded and to question the process and the people involved doesn't sit well with me at all."
TULSA, Okla. Emerson Axsom was on top of the world after winning Wednesday nights preliminary feature for the 39th Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink.
Steering a Keith Kunz Motorsports Agajanian Curb midget, Axsom took the lead on lap three and held off all comers to win his first Chili Bowl main event inside the SageNet Center.
It feels amazing. It is like a weight being lifted off my chest. I havent really been comfortable, Axsom acknowledged after the race. Even in the qualifier, I didnt feel that great. It came to my style there, and feature tracks usually fit my style better than heat race or qualifier tracks. I figured we would be alright there, especially starting on the front row.
But I didnt think we would be that good. I figured (Spencer) Bayston would be good and Corey (Day) would be good. To beat them you have to be really good, so our stuff must be really good.
Axsom gave team owner and crew chief Keith Kunz credit for preparing the winning No. 68k midget, which was powered by Toyota.
He (Kunz) kind of told me before the race that he was going to get after it on the car and it would be tight, and I said, Well, you have only won 85 times here, so I am going to let you do your job, Axsom said with a smile. Dont listen to me, just give me a race car where I can turn on entry and well be alright.
And he was alright, beating Daison Pursley to the checkered flag.
Axsom, 20, is locked into Saturdays main event for the third time in his short career. Axsom made his Chili Bowl debut in 2021 and made the Saturday feature for the first time in 2023 when he finished fifth. He returned to the main event last year and came home 11th.
It would probably be the biggest win for the rest of my life. I dont care if I won the Knoxville Nationals, I mean I do, but Chili Bowl to me at this point in my career is my No. 1 race, maybe because my ability in a midget is by far a lot better than my ability in a winged sprint car right now being so young in my career, said Axsom, who is a full-time winged sprint car driver these days. Obviously, my shot to win the Chili Bowl is a lot greater right now than my chances to win the Knoxville Nationals. I feel like I have a shot.
To me the Chili Bowl is the race and it has gotten away from me a lot. In past prelims, Ive spun out on my own, got spun out, started 20th and run fifth. There have been a lot of times that Ive done dumb stuff myself and it feels really good not to not do something dumb tonight.
Editors Note: In recognition of A.J. Foyts 90th birthday today, his public relations staff headed by Anne Fornoro prepared the following interview with the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner.
HOUSTON A.J. Foyt turned 90 years old today.
The milestone birthday is remarkable for several reasons: his record-setting achievements in one of motorsports most dangerous eras, his comeback from death-defying accidents both on track and off, and his incredible resilience with several health issues.
We asked this tough Texan a few questions:
When you look back over your career, what makes you most proud?
A.J.: I think my mother and daddy seeing me win Indy four times. When I was coming up racing local here in Houston, my dream was to someday go to Indianapolis. I did. My daddy always changed my right rear tire, he was part of my success. Having my mother and daddy seeing me win my fourth before they died made me real proud.
What is it about you that you were able to achieve such incredible success?
A.J.: I would say the best thing that made me was that I had such great fans and I wanted to satisfy them. I think that gave me a lot of motivation in my racing career, my fans. And I still love em.
But what was it in you, before you had fans?
A.J.: I always drove hard, even at the local tracks because I liked to win. And when I got to Indy, the fans made want to win even more. I know they loved winning and I loved winning so we had a good combination together.
What are some of the best advances in racing that youve seen?
A.J.: I would say that they made the cars so much safer than what they used to be. They carry a lot less fuel and thats the biggest thing that racing has gained. I dont say its any better but its a lot safer. Im always looking for safety too cause I had a lot of friends that lost their lives. I was one of the lucky ones cause I made it through all that.
How did you survive all that? It was such a deadly era particularly in 1964 when you won 10 of 13 racesstill a record.
A.J.: I really cant answer that because I lost a lot of friends. Thats the reason I didnt run with too many people, I kinda stayed by myself cause I didnt want it on my mind.
How did you put it out of your mind In 58 when you lost Pat OConnor and in 64 when you lost Eddie Sachs (and Dave MacDonald)?
A.J.: I just tried to not think about it. Im here today but I might be gone tomorrow. I knew that. After I won Indy, everybody couldnt believe I went sprint car racing and midget racing. Theyd say after you won Indy, youd lose your life within a month or two or get hurt real bad. I just didnt pay attention to that. I had a life to live and I was enjoying it. If I lost my life, thats the way Id have to go.
Whats the toughest recovery you had to come back from?
A.J.: It was when I was burnt pretty good at Milwaukee (1966). I got broke up worse than the burns I had on my hands and face but I think the burns were the worse thing I suffered really. You get broken bones, you heal them quicker. But the burns take so much time.
I had gotten Jimmy Clarks Lotus from Colin Chapman and in practice, it broke the rear suspension going in Turn 1 and it put me into that gate and it just blew up. We didnt have fuel cells and all that stuff back then. You could carry 75 gallons of fuel. I didnt have that much on there, dont get me wrong, and when it hit in the front end, it caught on fire. I was kind of hung in it, I couldnt get out. I had to put my hands in it and pry myself out and I slid the skin off my hands. It was pretty painful.
A burn is one of the worst things you can have. I dont think racings any better than when I raced but what is better is that you dont see a lot of guys getting burnt real bad. Thats the one beautiful thing about racing is that its so much safer.
Note: Although Foyt remembers he was out of the car seven months, actually he was back in a car three weeks later at Atlanta. Mechanical issues ended his race in five laps. A month later he ran Indianapolis Raceway Park, again out after five laps with mechanical issues. He returned a month later to qualify second and finish third in a 100-lapper at Springfield.
Is there anything you would change over the course of your career?
No. I raced local and I had a dream of going to Indy and then be fortunate enough to win it, how many people have dreams that come true? It was my dream when I went up there and bought tickets and sat up in Turn 2. A couple years later, I was lucky enough to get a ride. People saw me run Salem, Indiana in a sprint car and I think thats what really helped me get a ride at Indianapolis. They said if I was brave enough to run the high banks, Id be good at Indy. (laughs) Hell, I didnt know any better, it was just a race track to me.
The high speeds never scared you?
A.J.: Not really. That never entered my mind. I went to the race track and whatever it was, I tried to adjust to it. I went to Daytona (in a stock car) and I was fortunate enough to win that. Then went to LeMans Dan Gurney and I what a super guy he was to pick me and be on Shelbys team and be fortunate enough to win LeMans. Ive had a wonderful life and if I passed on today, nobody couldve had a better life than I had.
If you had to pick out the best day of your life, what would it be?
A.J.: I think passing my drivers test at Indianapolis. I would say that was one of the greatest thrills of my life. I know it was.
What did you do after you passed it?
A.J.: There used to be the White Front (restaurant and bar) down from the track on 16th. After I qualified, I went there and Bettenhausen (Tony, Sr.) and Bob Veith and Freeland (Don), all of them were up there cause thats where they all hung out. They said, What are you doing here? And I said, Im gonna have a Coke. They said, Heres a Screwdriver, its like orange juice. I said, Well Ill try one. So I had one, then two, then three, and I had to go to the restroom. I stood up and the room kind of spun and I said, Damn, I cant see! Well, the next day they had all the rookies out, and I was one of the quickest ones [in fact he was the fastest rookie qualifier starting 12th] but I had hugged onto the toilet all night long! I havent had a Screwdriver since 1958. And I dont plan on having another one.
Thats one of the highlights and after I won Indy, someone said, I bet you and your wife went out and really celebrated. And I said, Yeah. They had a White Castle Hamburger right there in front of the Speedway and my wife and I had two White Castle hamburgers, I think they were eleven cents a piece. We really celebrated.
You really wouldnt change anything?
A.J.: Nope, I come from nothing and had a wonderful life. Whod ever think Id be here now at 90 years old?
What do you think about being 90 years old?
I dont think Im sposed to live this long! Im living for a reason but I dont know why!
How do you occupy your time these days?
I keep buying land and try to develop it. I love to get on my bulldozers and tractors. I do that almost every other day. People say youre out there by yourself. And I say, Its peaceful. I dont have to listen to anybody but me.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. NASCAR announced today multiple media rights deals that bolster its presence in Canada, the sports largest international market, highlighted by the expansion of its decades-long partnership with Bell Media.
For the first time, Bell Media will be Canadas home for all three NASCAR national series as it adds NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series programming to its long-standing NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series rights.
Races, as well as associated practice and qualifying sessions will be broadcast across Bell Medias linear and digital platforms, including CTV, TSN, USA Network and TSN+. Bell Media also secures additional rights to NASCAR Canada Series and ARCA Menards Series events.
REV TV comes on board as the host broadcaster of the NASCAR Canada Series it will be the exclusive English-language home of all live and/or first-airings, producing all races as well as highlights and other supplemental content around the series. REV TV will also have rights to the full suite of NASCAR international series races, as well as the ARCA Menards Series.
Were thrilled to extend our long-running partnership with Bell Media and look forward to bringing REV TV on board, said Nick Skipper, NASCAR Managing Director, Media Strategy. Both are top-class partners that will help us best serve our passionate Canadian fan base across all of our racing series and continue to grow the sport in this important market.
Our long-standing, successful partnership with NASCAR underscores Bell Medias dedication to bringing world-class motorsports to Canadian fans and this season were debuting a new place to watch NASCAR with USA Network, said Shawn Redmond, VP, Bell Media Sports. With the addition of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series bringing even more dynamic content to our platforms, well continue to showcase the energy and intensity of NASCAR to our passionate fans all season long.
As Canadas home for motorsports and motoring, we are thrilled to have Canadas premier motorsports series, the NASCAR Canada Series, as a part of our diverse programming lineup, said Mike Garrow, CEO of REV TV. We are eager to present Canadian fans their homegrown heroes in new and exciting ways, alongside NASCARs other global series from Mexico, Brazil and Europe. REV TV will also be the home of the ARCA Menards Series where stock car stars of tomorrow will shine today, he added.
STATESVILLE, N.C. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and LEGACY Motor Clubs co-owner Jimmie Johnson announced his racing plans for 2025.
Johnson, who ran nine NASCAR Cup Series races in 2024, will once again attempt the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16th marking his 22nd appearance in The Great American Race.
Additionally, Johnson will race in NASCARs longest event, the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, on May 25. Both races will have the branding and colors of Phoenix, Arizona-based Carvana on the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE, as the special partnership between Johnson and Carvana enters its fifth season together.
Im so proud of the relationship we have built with Carvana, said Johnson. They have always been supportive of my dreams and always find innovative ways to connect with fans. As my days behind the wheel of a race car continue to wind down, the partnership with Carvana continues to celebrate my career and its such an honor.
Should Johnson qualify for the Daytona 500, the 600 will mark his 700th NASCAR Cup Series start. It is such a fitting place to make a significant start at, noting that he has visited victory lane at Charlotte eight times throughout his career, four of which coming from the Coca-Cola 600.
Carvana, an industry pioneer for buying and selling used cars online, and a partner known for its innovative and thoughtful paint schemes, will announce Johnsons livery in late January, just ahead of the two-time Daytona 500 winners return to the iconic Florida track.
Were incredibly excited to support Jimmie and LEGACY Motor Club for a third season, said Ryan Keeton, Carvanas co-founder and Chief Brand Officer. Jimmies legacy in NASCAR is unparalleled, and our team is committed to creating a special livery that measures up to his 700th start milestone. Stay tuned for what we have in store!
Im thrilled to be returning to competition in 2025, said Johnson. These two races hold a special place in my heart, and Ive always loved the energy and excitement that surrounds them. The Daytona 500 is a crown jewel of NASCAR theres nothing like it. Charlotte Motor Speedway is where I made my first start in the NASCAR Cup Series, and its always felt like home to me.
TULSA, Okla. Three-time Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink winner Christopher Bell will return to the event Wednesday night for the first time in several years.
Thanks to Bells NASCAR team owner, Joe Gibbs, approving his return to dirt-track racing beginning with a Tulsa Shootout victory earlier this month, the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Chili Bowl champion will wheel the No. 71w entry for Keith Kunz Motorsports Curb-Agajanian during Hasty Bake Qualifying Night.
An eight-time preliminary feature winner during the Chili Bowl, Bell is among the early favorites to claim Saturday nights $20,000 top prize in the 39th running of the event.
Racing to me is all about those moments rolling down the ramp for the Chili Bowl heat race, Bell said. Im going to nervous as can be and it all comes down to putting it all together. You just want everything to go right. I am cautiously optimistic. I had a really good race in the Race of Champions. The car felt really good.
Bell wont be the only Chili Bowl winner on the track Thursday, as Tanner Thorson, who topped the event in 2022, returns to his familiar No. 88 midget in an attempt to win the event for a second time.
Winged sprint car racers Spencer Bayston and Chris Windom each return to their midget racing roots with Bayston driving for RMS and Windom wheeling a Chad Boat Industries machine.
Four-time USAC sprint car champion Brady Bacon, non-winged sprint car star C.J. Leary and full-time USAC midget racer Jacob Denney will also be among the contenders on night four of the Chili Bowl.
Frequent national midget winner Karter Sarff and veterans Shane Cottle, Casey Shuman, Matt Westfall, Frank Flud and Ryan Bernal also get the green flag on Wednesday.
Indy car and road racer Katherine Legge will handle an Abacus Racing midget and frequent 360 sprint car winner Jordon Mallett takes his first crack at the Chili Bowl in a Swindell Motorsports machine.
Brazil do not have a chance to win the 2026 World Cup unless Neymar plays, according to the legendary Romário.
A 1994 World Cup winner with Brazil, Romário believes the national team has quality but has not played well.
"With Neymar in the next World Cup, Brazil will have difficulty winning," Romário told ESPN Brasil. "Without Neymar, it will be impossible to win. There are good players [in the squad], who play their brilliant role in their clubs, but unfortunately, in the national team they were unable to demonstrate that."
Brazil have not won the World Cup since 2002.
Neymar, 32, is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances and has played in three World Cups.
He recently expressed his desire to play at the 2026 World Cup which will be played in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Brazil have been without injured Neymar since October 2023 when he tore his ACL and meniscus in his left knee while on international duty.
Neymar returned to play in October for his club Al Hilal after a one-year absence only to pick up a hamstring injury in his second game back.
He has yet to return to action. Brazil expect to have Neymar back in action for the March World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina to return to the national team.
Brazil are fifth in their World Cup qualifying group, seven points adrift of leaders Argentina after 12 games.
Dorival's side have won five and lost four of their qualifiers.
Manchester City have registered their interest in defender Andrea Cambiaso with his club Juventus, a source has told ESPN.
City are exploring the possibility of a January deal for the 24-year-old Italy international, although they have not yet made a formal offer.
A source has told ESPN that talks are not at an advanced stage, but progress could be made over the coming days if Juventus show a willingness to negotiate.
Cambiaso is predominantly a left-back, but can play at right-back.
Kyle Walker's future remains up in the air after he told City he wants to explore the possibility of moving abroad in the January transfer window.
Sources have told ESPN that AC Milan are interested in the 34-year-old, who has been omitted from the City squad for the last two games.
Neighbours Inter Milan have also been linked with the England defender, but have distanced themselves from a move.
City are already close to securing deals for two young defenders.
Palmeiras centre-back Vitor Reis is travelling to Manchester to finalise his move while Abdukodir Khusanov is also on the verge of arriving from Lens.
Sources have told ESPN that City remain in talks with Eintracht Frankfurt for forward Omar Marmoush.
The Egypt international is keen on a move to the Etihad Stadium but the two clubs are yet to agree a fee.
Who could replace Salah, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk if they leave Liverpool?
Liverpool are facing a problem. In six months they could lose three of their best players -- Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk -- for nothing when their contracts expire.
The chances are that at least one of the high-profile trio will extend their deal -- Salah, 32, and Van Dijk, 33, are more likely, while Alexander-Arnold, 26, seems set to move to Real Madrid -- but the club should certainly think about possible replacements for all three in case the worst happens.
Here's a list of new players who could be the best fit for each position next summer.
Centre-back (to replace Virgil van Dijk)
On the surface, finding a world-class central defender might not appear the trickiest task given the quality of candidates. Yet Van Dijk is arguably the best centre-back in the world, and no data or traditional scouting methods are going to miraculously toss up a ball-playing defender who is such a natural leader, fast, unbeatable in the air and whose game-reading skills are so impressive that he hardly needs to make a tackle.
BEST FIT: Jonathan Tah, 28, Bayer Leverkusen
Tah was outstanding for Leverkusen last season, and has been equally dominant this campaign. There are several factors that make his profile a pretty close match to that of Van Dijk: he's physically imposing, a leader who plays with an air of calm, is an extraordinary distributer of the ball (4.6 progressive passes per 90 minutes) and his elevated reading of the game ensures that he only goes to the ground as a last resort (0.5 tackles per 90 minutes.) In addition, he hardly ever misses a game through injury, and his contract expires in the summer, meaning he will be available as a free agent.
Barcelona and Bayern Munich are reported to be interested in making a summer move, and there still are a few doubts for Liverpool. Tah hardly covered himself in glory during Leverkusen's 4-0 defeat at Anfield in November, mostly features in a back three, and is coming towards the end of his career. But he's the best fit to replace Van Dijk.
OTHER OPTIONS
Marc Guéhi, 25, Crystal Palace: The England international has been linked with a 70m return to his former club Chelsea, but could also see Liverpool come in for him. This season he lined up as the left centre-back in a duo (prior to Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner switching to a back three), despite being right footed, and has even deputised as a defensive midfielder.
Further to his credit, he is club captain when Joel Ward is out and is often lauded for his leadership. He has pace in abundance and defends the box well, but his aerial game leaves something to be desired (62% success rate is on the low side) and his progressive passing may be exposed in a possession-heavy side.
Castello Lukeba, 22, RB Leipzig: Lukeba has been on the radar since he broke through at Lyon at the age of 19, though he has had an underwhelming debut season at Leipzig. Exceptionally quick and agile, Lukeba is also a fine passer of the ball who is typically tasked with bringing it out of defence.
Being left-footed, he'd naturally slot well into the spot vacated by Van Dijk and much like the Liverpool captain, he prefers to use his strength, speed and agility to dispossess opponents instead of diving into tackles. He is also years away from his prime.
Ousmane Diomande, 21, Sporting CP: One of the strongest defenders around, Diomande is brilliant in the air and plays with admirable supplies of confidence for one so young. He's so good on the ball, but is likely to be viewed as too adventurous and still needs to improve his decision-making.
He could have been an intriguing signing to play alongside Van Dijk rather than replace him.
Micky van de Ven, 23, Tottenham: One of the quickest centre-backs around, Van de Ven anticipates the game well, defends on the front foot and is left-footed. Few can match the Dutchman for his attacking contributions -- progressive passing and advancing with the ball -- but he is under contract for another 4 years and there's no way Spurs would entertain offers from a rival.
Alessandro Bastoni, 25, Inter Milan: Another dominant left-footed central defender. Bastoni is solid at the back -- though being supported by two additional centre-backs makes life easier -- and he's one of the most productive in Europe from an attacking perspective (distribution, carries). However, his transfer would cost around 100m.
Julien Laurens and Nedum Onuoha discuss Real Madrid's interest in Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Right-back (replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold)
Just as with centre-backs, scouring the European football scene for a readymade right-back to replace Alexander-Arnold is tricky. Accomplished right-backs at the right age and available for a cheap fee are in short supply, so it's just as well that the ideal candidate is already wearing Liverpool colours.
BEST FIT: Conor Bradley, 21, Liverpool
Along with Chelsea's Malo Gusto, Manchester City's Rico Lewis and Tottenham's Archie Gray, Bradley is among the top U21 right-backs in the Premier League. Though his technical profile differs significantly from Alexander-Arnold, he's shown enough to suggest that he'll flourish as a regular.
While you may lose something in Alexander-Arnold's composure, playmaking quality and set-piece proficiency, with Bradley you gain the more classic full-back abilities such as ferocious, high-speed ball-carrying, relentless take-ons, and a contagious attacking mindset. Bradley may not have played as much as he'd hoped to under new boss Arne Slot this season, but given the youngster's impact from the bench (and last season's displays), he will surely be a regular soon.
Of course, Liverpool would then need to find a backup for Bradley as well, so one solution could be to look at one player who could cover two positions.
OTHER OPTIONS
Jules Koundé, 26, Barcelona: A player who could actually help replace both centre-back (Van Dijk) and right-back (Alexander-Arnold). Excellent in both positions, signing Koundé could turn out to be a masterstroke. Landing an indisputable starter for Barcelona and France might divert from Liverpool's usual modus operandi but given the chaotic state of the Catalan club's finances, an opportunity may arise. Though Koundé mostly occupies the right-back slot these days for club and country, he has vast experience playing centrally as it was his original position at Sevilla.
Entering negotiations over an indispensable player with two years to run on his contract won't be easy. The huge upside, however, makes it worth a try. Koundé would have little trouble adapting to the Premier League and would offer Slot confidence in playing out from the back, the pace to push the defensive line up the pitch, and the smartness to intercept the ball early.
Amar Dedic, 22, RB Salzburg: If you promote Bradley, you'll need a backup and the Bosnia & Herzegovina international could be a good fit. He may have gone off the boil since his fine debut season two years ago, yet with his all-action, aggressive interpretation of the right-back role, Dedic would be worth a look. His 2.7 successful take-ons and 3.5 possession regains in the opposing half per 90 minutes paints a picture of a defender who is extremely attack-minded and capable of shifting into pressing mode in a split second.
Comfortable on his left foot too, Dedic could even be an option as a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson in the left-back role where Liverpool's depth is questionable.
Jürgen Klopp speaks about his hopes of Mohamed Salah extending his contract at Liverpool.
Forward (replacing Mohamed Salah)
If the other two were tough, it gets even more complicated here. How do you replace a floating forward/winger hybrid who guarantees 20-plus goals per season, a ton of assists, and is playing the best football of his life at 32?
The Liverpool hierarchy are not short of creative minds, yet even with their track record they're up against a challenge here. Most of the like-for-like replacements -- such as Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, Chelsea's Cole Palmer, or Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. are untouchable, while an up-and-coming youngster won't get anywhere near Salah's numbers yet.
The club's most likely way out comes through team effort, but if Salah leaves, then at least one new attacker is needed in addition to the tactical measures that Slot can employ in order to grind more goals out of the group. Recruiting an out-and-out centre-forward is arguably the most logical step.
BEST FIT: Victor Osimhen, 26, Galatasaray (on loan from Napoli)
Half a year on from his bizarre loan move to Galatasaray, the Nigeria international is still one of the most prolific strikers in world football. While his stint in Turkey has been successful (10 goals in 13 league appearances), some suitors -- Chelsea and Man United reportedly being among them -- may have moved on to other targets due to the lack of clarity in negotiations with Napoli. But he does reportedly have a 75m release clause that comes into effect at the end of the season.
Though Osimhen is unlikely to settle for a wage package significantly short of what Salah is earning now, the 26-year-old is still one of the top penalty area strikers, with pace to burn and experience that could easily see him score 20+ goals a season in the Premier League.
OTHER OPTIONS
Benjamin Sesko, 21, RB Leipzig: Young and full of potential, Sesko is more like a typical Liverpool signing. It's likely that the 6-foot-5 Slovenia international was already under consideration last summer before the club decided to give Darwin Núñez more time to settle.
As much as he's highly rated across Europe for his tremendous shooting ability, long-distance running and opportunistic positioning, Sesko presents an interesting dilemma for Liverpool. Can they justify paying the required 70m to sign a centre-forward who averages only 14 goals per season in the Bundesliga? Should they wait until he averages 20? And if they do, will another club move in first?
Alexander Isak, 25, Newcastle United: The Sweden international is as close as you come to a guarantee when looking for a striker who can score 20+ goals a season in the Premier League. With three years left on his contract, the chances of prising him away from St. James' Park are microscopic, regardless of how keen Newcastle are on trimming their squad and any move would be over 100m.
Viktor Gyökeres, 26, Sporting CP: Isak's strike partner for Sweden may have scored a goal for every league game he's played for Sporting (50 in 50), but having spent 80m to bring in Nunez from Benfica in the same league this is a non-starter. As unfair as it seems -- different teams, different skillset, different nationalities -- Liverpool (regardless of whether the analytics say they should) will surely leave this 80m bet to Manchester United given he only has a year or two at the top level under his belt. And they will take the punch if they live to regret it.
Jonathan David, 25, Lille: If Liverpool didn't already have Jota and Nunez on their books, David might have been a sound option. Out of contract in the summer, he is a first-class finisher who boasts excellent movement and has plenty going for him. What he's not, though, is a legitimate successor to Salah. And at the current stage of his development, adding the Canada international would unnecessarily clog up the attacking pecking order.
Karun Nair stars again for Vidarbha to set up finale date with Karnataka
Vidarbha 380 for 3 (Rathod 116, Shorey 114, Nair 88*) beat Maharashtra 311 for 7 (Kulkarni 90, Bawne 50, Nalkande 3-64, Bhute 3-68) by 69 runs
Nair narrowly missed out on a fifth straight List A century only because he ran out of time. That he even got close to one is because of a sensational end-overs acceleration. On 51 off 35 balls with two overs remaining, Nair hit four sixes and three fours in the last two overs. This included a sensational sequence of 4, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6 in the final over against Rajneesh Gurbani, who was up against his former team. Nair took his run tally to 752 runs while being dismissed just once.
The only time Nair didn't middle something was while attempting a couple of reverse sweeps early in his innings to build on the platform laid by the openers. But that didn't stop him from being enterprising, as he played some delicate paddles, audacious scoops as well as some clean strikes down the ground - he hit nine fours and five sixes in all.
Maharashtra's chase didn't take off till the 30th over, when they were 153 for 3. Except for a four-over window from here, where Ankit Bawne and Arshin Kulkarni upped the ante with an array of stunning shots, the intent to make a serious pitch to scale down their target seemed missing.
It didn't help that they lost Ruturaj Gaikwad in the third over when he top-edged a pull off Darshan Nalkande and was sensationally caught by Jitesh, who covered nearly 30 yards to his left before diving full-stretch to pluck a one-handed stunner.
Rahul Tripathi, their other big-match player capable of taking the attack to the opposition from get-go, made an attractive 27 off 19 before a heave across the line had him nicking behind in the ninth over. This is when Kulkarni appeared to have gotten stuck, on the face of some impressive bowling from Vidarbha, particularly from Yash Thakur, who was zippy, and Harsh Dubey, who was able to keep it tight with his left-arm spin.
Despite Kulkarni putting on a half-century stand with Siddhesh Veer, Maharashtra lacked the middle-overs firepower that allowed them to put any kind of pressure on Vidarbha as the game meandered until it briefly came alive in that short window after the 30th over. But those hopes ended when Kulkarni and Bawne fell in quick succession after scoring 90 and 50 respectively. Kulkarni's runs came at a strike rate of 89.10 when the requirement was much higher.
Earlier in the day, Shorey began with three fours in the very first over off Gurbani, while Rathod brought the typical left-hander's flair to get going as he climbed into left-arm seamer Mukesh Choudhary. The pair accelerated steadily, bringing their half-centuries in the 19th over.
Rathod was the more adventurous against spin and used his feet superbly to hit both with and against the turn. He brought up his second List A century of the season off just 90 balls in the 31st over and then tried to up the scoring. Shorey got there soon after, zipping through the 90s with two back-to-back boundaries and then bringing up his second straight hundred off 104 deliveries.
Maharashtra had their chances but they didn't take. In the 24th over, they should have had Shorey for 57 when he got a bottom edge to wicketkeeper Nikhil Naik off Siddesh Veer. Had Maharashtra opted to review, they would have been able to overturn the on-field decision of not out. In Veer's next over, Naik missed a stumping chance to dismiss Rathod on 76.
Then in the 45th over, Jitesh was put down on 19 when Naik failed to latch on to a skier to make it a forgettable day that even his 49 late in the second innings couldn't quite compensate for. Nair, too, received a reprieve when, on 30, he was put down by Pradeep Dadhe at fine leg.
Whatever Nair did on the field from there on worked magically as Vidarbha recorded their eighth successive win to secure a maiden entry into the Vijay Hazare final.
Shashank Kishore is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
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