lazy

“It doesn’t hurt me. Just to come back to this particular player, obviously a legend, a big player of the game who inspired so many, I can say only positive things but I feel that comment is just I would say it’s a bit of a lazy criticism.

“It’s easy to blame the other players but he knows we do it together, trying to help each and every one of us to try to get out of this. Last year when things go well you don’t hear that at all. It is what it is.

“[Pundits] have to do that job. He has an opinion and we have to deal with it. There’s no hard feelings. I don’t take it personally.”

Liverpool are third in the Premier League and seven points behind leaders Arsenal heading into a two crucial games this week.

Slot’s side host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday before they visit Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

“I’ve heard the reports as well about [Slot] being under pressure, but I don’t think we play at a club that makes rash decisions,” added Van Dijk.

“We all felt that we can work our way out of this. It’s not a guarantee, but we can do it together. As long as we believe, stay humble and keep working, we can do it, and we all have that feeling.”

Asked if Emery had called his players lazy privately, Konsa added: “No. The boss is not a big speaker. Sometimes he keeps himself to himself.

“As players, we have been in the game a long time and we know what we need to do. It is down to us at the end of the day. We are on the pitch, not the manager. We have to figure it out for ourselves as well.”

Speaking before Bologna’s visit to Villa Park in the Europa League on Thursday, Emery said he was “angry” after the match against Sunderland.

“I was frustrated and disappointed but when I analysed it I was getting the balance,” said Emery.

“I am demanding and always trying to understand how we can feel stronger. After the match I told the players we have to be more demanding.”

The draw against Sunderland left Villa 18th in the Premier League and winless in their opening five games, out of the Carabao Cup and having scored just one league goal.

Konsa, though, says the club are not in “crisis”.

“I don’t think we are at the stage where we need to have meetings,” he said. “People will talk about crisis meetings and things like that but we have got a great captain in John McGinn, who really takes the lead in stuff like that.

“After the game, he said a few words to keep us going, to keep encouraging us. Look, we haven’t started the season well. We know that. But I’m sure it’s going to go well soon.”

“It shows how far we have come over the last three years [that people have criticised Villa’s start to the season]”.

For years, I kept my emergency fund in the same savings account I opened in high school. It was convenient. I didn’t have to think about it. But when I finally looked at what I was earning in interest, I wanted to kick myself.

Here’s the mistake: Leaving money in a traditional big-bank savings account that pays practically nothing.

The difference in dollars

Let’s do the math with $20,000 in savings:

• A typical big-bank account pays around 0.01% APY. Over five years, that balance would earn you about $10 total.
• Move that same $20,000 to a high-yield savings account paying 4.00% APY, and you’d earn about $4,330 in interest over five years.
• That’s a gap of more than $4,300, just for clicking a few buttons.

Double that balance to $40,000, and you’re looking at nearly $8,700 in lost interest over the same period.

This isn’t about taking risks, it’s about not leaving money on the table.

Why people stick with bad accounts

The number one reason people stick with bad accounts is laziness. It feels easier to leave things where they are. Banks know this, and they’re counting on your indifference. But the truth is, switching to a high-yield savings account takes less than 10 minutes, and plenty of online banks have $0 minimums.

Where your money should go instead

With an HYSA, your money stays safe, liquid, and actually earns a return. It’s the simplest upgrade you can make to put your savings to work.

The Strand Lido in Gillingham, Kent, is the only riverside tidal salt water pool in the UK – and it’s been a hit with visitors for more than a century.

A treasured lido in Kent has been compared to a Mediterraen resort by experts who say it resembles a Greek holiday resort.

The Strand Lido in Gillingham – a treasured destination amongst residents for nearly 130 years – features on the Historic Pools of Britain register. It earns its place as the sole riverside salt-water pool in the UK.

Initially opened in June 1896, The Strand Lido has remained a cherished location for countless families. With water sourced straight from the River Medway and treated with chlorine for secure bathing, it’s a beloved location for a sunny day out.

For fitness enthusiasts, the lido provides six 25-metre swimming lanes. There’s additionally a paddling pool for toddlers, alongside a 300-metre gentle current river, elephant-themed slides and water fountains to keep young guests amused, reports MyLondon.

With its pristine white surfaces and azure-painted aquatic zones, the entire venue resembles a Mediterranean holiday destination rather than a location beside the River Medway, according to experts writing for The Lido Guide. The review reads: “Nothing about the exterior gives away what lies within.

“What lies within is a riot of Mediterranean-resort-style colour and fun. Any children in the party will be completely unable to contain their excitement.

“The whole thing is a freeform riot of bright white painted concrete, edged in royal blue, that gives the treated river water that fills the pool a hue that is more reminiscent of Greece than Kent.”

The entertainment factor wasn’t overlooked either, with the guide noting: “It takes a special sort of curmudgeon not to grin like a loon while hurtling down a pink elephant’s trunk into brilliant clear water.”

Catering to all needs, the venue boasts sunbathing areas, an on-site café (though you’re welcome to pack your own picnic), changing facilities, loos, poolside showers and a shop selling inflatables, but you’ll have to hurry to enjoy it – it’ll soon closes until next year.

The pool remains unheated, meaning it only opens its gates during warmer months, from May 25 to September 1. Advance ticket booking is essential, with two daily sessions running from 10:30am to 1:30pm and 2:30pm to 5:30pm.

One delighted visitor shared their praise on Tripadvisor, writing: “So impressed with this place and feel lucky to have it in Medway. Very clean, love that the water is sourced and filtered from the Medway, not too much chlorine as lots of natural salt!

“Could easily spend the day here sunbathing and slipping in and out of the water at own pleasure.”

Another visitor dubbed it a “hidden gem” whilst recounting their visit. They said: “What a great place to go. Went for the first time this summer and was pleasantly surprised.

“It was very clean and well maintained. The parking was super cheap and the numbers were controlled so it never felt overcrowded which was lovely.”

Close by, the Strand Park features a delightful miniature railway, an open-air fitness centre, a parkour course, tennis facilities, picturesque waterside strolls, and children’s playground areas.

Another fan remarked: “This place is full of great things to do. Walk along the river, Crazy Golf, a mine railway and, of course, the wonderful Strand Lido Swimming Pool. Something for all really.”

Formerly a Hyatt Regency, this expansive resort underwent a $64-million property-wide renovation in 2024 and rebranded to fall under the luxury Grand Hyatt umbrella. The rooms, villas and restaurants all saw a major facelift, as did the poolscape with new decorative archways, landscaping and seating. The showpiece is the HyTides water park, which is a holdover from the Regency days with a 450-foot lazy river and 30-foot dueling waterslides that overlook a whopping eight pools, including an adults-only sanctuary. One of my favorite new areas is a newly refreshed hideout for kiddos with a splash pad, a mini waterslide and a 1-foot-high wading pool. Forgot swim diapers or a flotation vest? The amenity stand at the pool provides them for free.

At many times, the pool area takes on a summer camp vibe with free group activities ranging from chalk art to bracelet making, fishing, tie-dye and bingo. On many Friday and Saturday evenings, outdoor movies are screened under the stars with s’mores kits available to purchase.

Pool chairs are plentiful, even in peak season, and wherever you sit, food and drinks are served poolside or available to purchase at a walk-up counter. I especially like bringing my kids here, not just for the ample places to splash around, but also for the outdoor game area, which comes with oversized Connect Four, cornhole, foosball, ping-pong and giant Jenga.

Just know that parking is not included and costs an extra $12. You can buy your pass on ResortPass, but unlike most other hotels in the area, the Grand Hyatt also sells them directly on its website, and you’ll save $4 per adult and $2 per child if you do so. Plus, in my experience, this hotel sells out fast on ResortPass, so you might have better luck if you purchase entry through the hotel, though weekends in high season are often blocked out.

Day pass: $50 through the hotel, $54 on ResortPass