Liverpool manager Arne Sloat has expressed his optimism about the club's future, asserting that their strategy of signing young talent will provide the Reds with a solid foundation to compete for many years to come. Despite the team's current struggles and sixth-place position, Sloat believes the club's future is "very bright" thanks to the long-term vision of the management.

This announcement comes at a sensitive transitional period for Liverpool, who spent nearly £450 million (approximately $616 million) in the summer transfer window rebuilding the squad. Despite a slow start for some of the new arrivals, belief in the sporting project remains strong. Adding to the ongoing reinforcements, the club confirmed the arrival of promising French defender Jérémy Jacquet (20 years old) at the start of next season, from Rennes, in a deal that could reach £60 million.

Commenting on the Jacquet deal, Slot said: "He's a great talent and another example of the model we follow at this club. We target very young and talented players, some at the beginning of their careers and others with little experience, but they are all capable of improving our level in the short term and certainly in the long term." The Dutch coach added that the recent signings put the club's medium- and long-term future in an excellent position.

On the technical front, the French duo of Ugo Ekieke and the German Florian Wirtz, who cost the club around £200 million when they were signed from the Bundesliga, have begun to deliver the expected results. Ekieke shone by scoring twice in the resounding 4-1 victory over Newcastle, bringing his tally to 15 goals this season, while Wirtz has rediscovered his scoring touch, netting six goals in his last ten matches after a long drought.

Slot spoke about Werts' development and adaptation to the Premier League, noting that patience is key to success with young talents. He said: "As a coach, you have to keep giving the player playing time even if he struggles at the beginning. Werts didn't develop much on the ball because he was exceptional from the start, but the biggest improvement was in his off-the-ball performance and his understanding with his teammates, and that combination is what makes you ready for the Premier League.".

All eyes will be on a fiery football clash next Sunday, as Liverpool hosts its rival Manchester City in a match of crucial importance. The game carries immense weight in the title race and the battle for Champions League qualification, with City trailing league leaders Arsenal by six points, while Liverpool fights to secure a top-five finish and a place in the continental competition, especially given the fierce competition from Manchester United and Chelsea.

Slott is seeking redemption for his team after the crushing 3-0 defeat to City last October, stressing: "They were the better team then, but we want to show a different face this time," referring to the Reds' desire to prove their development and ability to compete with the big teams despite the challenges of the current season.

Saudi and Arab football fans will be glued to their screens tomorrow evening, Friday, as Al-Nassr hosts Al-Ittihad at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh in a highly anticipated clash in the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. This match carries particular significance as it comes at a crucial juncture in the competition. Al-Nassr aims to extend its winning streak and close the gap on the league leaders, while Al-Ittihad seeks to get back on track and return to contention for a top spot.

Al-Nassr enters the match with high morale, seeking its fifth consecutive victory, bolstered by home advantage and fan support, aiming to stay close to the top of the standings and keep pace with Al-Hilal. Al-Nassr currently sits alone in second place with 46 points, earned from a remarkable run that includes 15 wins, one draw, and only three losses. Despite recent absences within the squad, the coach's team has managed to achieve a perfect record, reflecting the depth of the squad and the team's strong character.

Historically, the "Clásico" carries a rich legacy of rivalry and excitement. Since the inception of the Saudi Professional League in the 2008-2009 season, the two teams have met 35 times, with Al-Nassr holding the advantage, having won 14 matches compared to Al-Ittihad's 12 victories, while 9 matches ended in a draw. In terms of goals, Al-Nassr's attack boasts the edge, having scored 59 goals against Al-Ittihad, while the latter's attack has netted 48, promising an open and attacking match from both sides.

On the technical front, Al-Nassr received a significant boost with the return of several injured stars. The team is expected to regain the services of Frenchman Kingsley Coman, Croatian Marcelo Brozovic, and defender Abdulilah Al-Amri. Al-Nassr's squad boasts a wealth of international talent, led by Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who has returned to training, along with his compatriot João Félix, Frenchman Mohamed Simakan, Brazilian Angelo Gabriel, Spaniard Iñigo Martínez, Senegalese Sadio Mané, and the outstanding full-back Sultan Al-Ghannam.

In contrast, Al-Ittihad is experiencing a period of inconsistent results, currently sitting in sixth place with 34 points (10 wins, 4 draws, 5 losses). Despite their recent victory over Al-Najma, the team is aiming for a completely different performance in the derby to secure all three points and improve their position in the standings. Al-Ittihad will rely on a formidable squad, led by new Moroccan signing Youssef En-Nesyri, Frenchman Moussa Diaby, Malian Mamadou Doumbia, Portuguese Roger Fernandes, Brazilian Fabinho, Algerian Houssem Aouar, and Serbian goalkeeper Rajkovic.

This encounter reflects the tremendous development of the Saudi League, where top matches now attract widespread global attention due to the presence of some of the world's best players on both teams. The importance of the match extends beyond just the three points; it also represents a chance to assert technical and psychological dominance in one of the strongest derbies in the Arab region.

A sense of uncertainty and anticipation prevails in Saudi sports circles, particularly among Al-Nassr fans, regarding the final decision of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo on whether to participate in the crucial match against Al-Ittihad in the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. Despite the 40-year-old's return to group training on Wednesday evening, doubts remain about his full physical readiness to start the match.

The Portuguese national team captain has been absent from Al-Nassr's training sessions in recent days as the team prepares for the highly anticipated derby. The club has not issued an official statement revealing the medical or technical reasons for his absence, fueling speculation. This ambiguity follows Ronaldo's absence from the team's previous match against Al-Riyadh, leaving the coaching staff, led by manager Luis Castro, in a difficult position just hours before kickoff.

Ronaldo's numbers and technical impact
are undeniable. The immense value the "Madeira Rocket" brings to Al-Nassr's squad is undeniable. The Portuguese star has participated in 22 matches across various competitions this season, scoring 18 goals and providing 3 assists for his teammates, totaling 1917 minutes of play. These figures reflect the team's heavy reliance on his scoring prowess and vast experience in deciding big matches.

The battle for the top spot and the implications of the derby
give this match added significance, transcending its status as a traditional derby between two giants of Saudi football. Al-Nassr enters the match in second place in the Roshan League standings with 46 points, just one point behind their arch-rivals Al-Hilal, the league leaders. This means any slip-up could jeopardize their title aspirations. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad, currently in sixth place with 34 points, seeks to get back on track and appease their fans with a morale-boosting victory that would restore their position in the standings.

The highly anticipated match
is scheduled to take place at Al-Awwal Park Stadium, where Al-Ittihad will be the visiting team against Al-Nassr at 8:30 PM tomorrow, Friday. All eyes will be on the starting lineup to be announced before the match, to see if the all-time leading scorer in football will be present to lead his team in one of the most crucial stages of the season.