Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold during the warm up before the match.
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in training and available for Sunday’s Premier League game at Leicester City after missing their last four games in all competitions through injury, manager Arne Slot said on Friday.
With a 13-point lead at the top, Liverpool could win a record-equalling 20th English title on Sunday if Arsenal lose to Ipswich Town and they win at 19th-placed Leicester.
Alexander-Arnold, 26, hobbled off during last month’s Champions League loss to Paris St Germain with an ankle injury.
“Trent trained with us yesterday and every time he plays with us and trains with us he shows his commitment,” Slot told reporters, saying he might be on the bench.
“He has worked so hard to be back, and the moment he is on the pitch he shows me what a great football player he is and how much he is involved in us trying to achieve our goals this season.”
Following contract extensions for Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, fans are now focused on the future of local boy Alexander-Arnold, with speculation he may go to Real Madrid.
“The fans of Liverpool, everyone who watches football for the last five, six or seven years, knows he is an incredible full-back, has been an incredible full-back for this football club and let’s see what the future brings,” Slot said.
“Maybe the players don’t know what is being said in the media but we have held on to two of those, so it is already a big summer, so let’s see what the summer brings.”
Asked if he was looking forward to potentially lifting the title on Sunday, Slot said: “I don’t look back or forward a lot … People tell you to enjoy, but as a manager you think of the game at the weekend and you need to win that and then the next.”
Spain’s LaLiga will be represented by at least five teams in the Champions League next season after Italy’s Lazio were eliminated from the Europa League on Thursday while Athletic Bilbao progressed to the semi-finals.
LaLiga earned the second of two European Performance Spots handed out by UEFA, which go to associations “with the best collective performance by their clubs” in UEFA competitions.
England’s Premier League was the first to secure an extra berth in Europe’s top competition, on top of the four granted to the top four teams in the domestic table.
Villarreal are fifth in the LaLiga standings, with 51 points from 30 matches.
They are three points ahead of sixth-placed Real Betis and eight in front of Celta Vigo and Mallorca, with all three clubs having played one more game than Villarreal.
Cricket-Indian premier league- IPL- Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals – Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, India – April 16, 2025 Delhi Capital’s Axer Patel and Mitchell Starc celebrate after the match.
The captain, Axer Patel of Delhi Capitals marvelled at Mitchell Starc’s ability to bowl precise yorkers under pressure after the pace spearhead propelled the side to a thrilling Super Over victory over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday.
Chasing the 189th victory, Rajasthan were cruising at 161-2 in the 18th over when Starc dismissed a well-set Nitish Rana (51) to turn the match on its head.
Rajasthan needed nine from the last over with six wickets in hand but Starc sent down a series of yorkers that held the visitors in check and forced the Super Over.
The 35-year-old was Delhi’s natural choice to bowl the Super Over and Rajasthan managed 11 runs from five balls before losing both their wickets.
Delhi needed just four balls to get over the line and register their fifth win in six matches to top the table.
“At that time, I was seeing only one option and that was Mitchell Starc,” Axar said of his decision to let Starc bowl the last overs.
“To execute 12 out of 12 yorkers – I think he missed one there – but, that’s why he’s an Australia legend. No praise is high enough.
“In a pressure situation, despite changing the fielding positions, he was always clear in his thought process and execution, and that tells us how strong his mindset is,” he added.
Starc was named player of the match but was modest about his performance.
“I just backed my execution. Run in with a clear plan and try to execute it – sometimes it doesn’t come off, today it did,” Starc said.
“I’ve played long enough for everyone to know what I’d do, but if I execute then I know I’ll get by. A bit of luck goes a long way.
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The 22nd world cup was hosted in Qatar. This is the first time an Arab nation is hosting the world cup and the second time the world cup is being hosted among an Asian country. The competition consists of 32 nations. This competition would be played in eight venues across 5 cities. Due to Qatar’s intense summer heat, the world cup is taking place in November and December making it the first world cup not holding in the summer. It would be played in a shorter time frame of 29 days.
The world cup started with a blistering performance from Morgan Freeman and BTS’ Jung Kook who headlined the world cup ceremony. Thereafter, the opening match of the tournament began which was between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayat Stadium, Al Khor. The host nation was brought down to nothing after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Ecuador. The goals were scored by Ecuador’s captain Enner Valencia. He has now scored Ecuador’s last 5 goals in the FIFA World cup.
Qatar vs Ecuador 2-0
Qatar’s loss makes them the first host nation to lose the opening game of a FIFA World cup.
Match day 2 which will see two games, including the England national team going up against Iranian a trashing 6-2 defeat having England emerge winners. Later on the crowned African champions, Senegal, going head to head against Netherlands they face a late minute defeat of 0-2.
Senegalese players after a thrilling 2-0 defeat
There is no denying that it has been an exciting start to the 2022 World Cup, with plenty of surprises and spectacular encounters on show in the first two match days of the group stages.
There was Saudi Arabia’s shock win over Argentina, Germany throwing away a one-goal lead versus Japan and Belgium losing to Morocco to name just a few upsets.
And there has been no shortage of goals either, with Spain smashing seven past Costa Rica, Cameroon and Serbia playing out a hugely entertaining 3-3 draw and England hammering Iran 6-2.
With that being said, we head over to the knockout stages, leaving 16 teams including the Netherlands who topped Group A, with Senegal coming second ahead of Qatar and Wales. England and the USMNT advance from Group B, while Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to the top of Group C after their upsetting opening-game against Saudi Arabia. Poland joins the Albiceleste as Group C runners-up.
France and Australia qualified from Group D, while Morocco sprung an upset on Belgium as they failed again to live up to their Golden Generation status, they topped the table of group E, with Croatia advancing as the runners-up. Japan were shock winners of Group F, topping the table ahead of Spain and Germany, with Hansi Flick’s side bowing out.
Portugal qualified as winners of Group H, with South Korea clinching second place ahead of Uruguay. Brazil, meanwhile, won Group G ahead of Switzerland
This year’s World Cup has already been a football spectacle: Steamrolls, upsets, dramatic goals, penalty kicks, pelvic contusions, tears of joy, tears of devastation, mere millimeters of shoulder and football making all the difference between elimination and ecstasy.
Sad moments for the German supporters
And that was just the group stage.
Now, the knockout stage begins. A thrilling mix of Goliaths and Davids alike are set in a bracket of 16. Each will play until only one remains undefeated, crowned the champion for four years of glory and bragging rights.
And a true World Cup it is this year: For the first time ever, teams from all six populated continents are represented in the knockout stage, including two teams from Africa and two teams from Asia. No team from outside Europe or South America has ever played in a World Cup final. This year, six teams hope to break that streak.
Unfortunately, it is painful that the dream of playing in the FIFA World Cup comes to an end for some nations leaving the stronger contenders for the quarter finals.
The second round of FIFA World Cup 2022 saw some thrilling battles, tiebreakers, and goal-flourishing matches. Eight teams have reached the quarter-finals after crossing the barrier of the last sixteen. The Netherlands, Argentina, Croatia, Brazil, France, England, Morocco, and Portugal made it to the last eight after winning the pre-quarterfinals. After 56 matches of the World Cup, 24 teams have left. In the group stage, the underdogs, who are behind in strength and ability, have seen incredible victories; now, all but one match in the last sixteen have been won by all the favourite teams.
Quarter final qualifiers
The third round of the tournament Is up In a dramatic fashion as cup favourites lose to Croatia In a thrilling game that led to penalty shootout with results of 5-3. Taking Croatia a step further to the tournament finals. Argentina on the other hand drew the match against Netherlands after a 2-0 lead at the 80th minute. The match will later end with another penalty shootout 6-5 having the Argentines In the semi-final. England then lost their first game of the cup against previous World cup winners France In a 2-1 defeat.
Brazil lost to Croatia in penalties
Meanwhile the only Arab and African country left In the tournament breaks another record after defeating the Portugal 1-0 and becoming the first African nation to ever qualify for the FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
Some sad moments of the quarter finals
The Semi finals was thrilling with Argentina facing the previous world cup finalist Croatia and the Previous winner France facing Morocco , the first African country ever to reach a semi finals.
It started with Argentina vs Croatia. It was a one sided match with Argentina dominating throughout the score ended 3-0 with Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez(x2) getting on the score sheet.
Argentina 3-0 winner against Croatia
France kicked of their semi finals with Morocco the won 2-0 although Morocco dominated the game it brought an end to their historic world cup run which led to them playing the playoffs for 3rd and 4th position against Croatia. This encounter brought about Morocco’s second defeat in the tournament they lost 2-1 to Croatia and finished fourth the highest an African country has ever finished in the FIFA world cup.
Hakimi and kylian Mbappe after the match
And on the final day of the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022, France face Argentina. Europe vs. South America. Mr supernova Kylian Mbappé vs. aging sky lord Lionel Messi. Defending champs vs. legends of soccer history. This is pure final battle. The match started of with an emphatic 2-0 lead in the 36 minutes favouring the Argentines with France yet to even have a shot. Everything was looking good for Argentina until France were awarded a late penalty which Kylian Mbappe converted. few minutes later he got another chance and scored a wonderful goal to make it 2-2 which took them to extra time. Argentina took the lead again with Messi scoring the goal, afterwards France were awarded another penalty which Kylian Mbappe scored again then the game went into penalties and Argentina won 4-2 to lift the world cup for a 3rd time.
The argentines lifting the World Cup trophy
Messi was named player of the tournament and given the Golden Ball award.
However, there was only one golden prize he had his eyes on…winning the World Cup which he did.
Latest reports from SPORT state that two possible routes can facilitate Neymar’s return to Barcelona. The Brazilian has once more been at the heart of plenty of speculation regarding a return to his former side. However, Barcelona’s complicated financial situation makes any dealings at the moment extremely difficult. Paris Saint Germain are reportedly in talks with their star player over a contract renewal. However, there are still links to Barcelona which many believe could be the reason an agreement hasn’t been reached yet. Neymar has iterated his desire to reunite with Lionel Messi on many occasions as well.
PSG are also being constantly linked to Messi after his infamous burofax saga last season, but the Argentine may end up continuing at Barcelona. The Ligue 1 outfit have reportedly put an asking price of 150 million euros for Neymar, which is impossible for Barcelona to pay for many reasons. Above all, it would be extremely unrealistic to pay such a sum for a player whose contract expires in a year.
However, the Spanish outlet reports that despite the financial hurdles, the Neymar operation is possible, albeit unlikely. If they want to sign him this season, it would be via a swap deal that we see Antoine Griezmann or Ousmane Dembele head to Paris. Dembele is a player who PSG already have on their radar, which could provide further incentive.
If they wait, they can sign him on a free transfer after his contract with the French giants expires in 2022. Either way, the operation will not be easy and Barcelona’s wage situation will not improve since Neymar will have to be offered a lucrative contract.
The report also outlines that Barcelona are not willing to pay any amount for the 29-year-old and that his signing this summer is not even being considered. The primary agenda remains signing a top striker. The number one candidate is Haaland, but his price can force Barça to look into plan B, which would go through Lautaro Martínez or Harry Kane.
Marcus Rashford was not involved in Tuesday’s training session before Manchester United head abroad to take on Granada.
As we all know, our best chance at silverware this season comes in the Europa League. Manchester United have been handed a favourable draw, going against La Liga side Granada.
Over two legs, you’d hope that the Old Trafford club have more than enough quality to get the job done – whatever side is named by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, the gaffer will likely be without one key star in Marcus Rashford, who missed training on Tuesday ahead of the game. That leaves the Reds sweating on his fitness and availability.
we all know, Rashford has been carrying issues all season, Back, shoulder, ankle, You name it, Rashford’s had it. Heck, there’s even talk of him having surgery this summer and the only reason he’s putting it off is to finish out the season and take part in the European Championships.
It could be suggested that Solskjaer is anticipating Rashford missing this one hence why Anthony Elanga has been called up into the Europa League squad over the last 24 hours.
Honestly, though, there’s only so much pain you can put your body through before it just becomes too much. I wouldn’t be against Rashford going under the knife sooner rather than later – so he’s fully fit for the start of the 2021/22 season.
Knowing Rashford, he’ll continue to show us all just how much of a fighter he is, putting his body on the line for his teammates. That’s one of the reasons why we all love him so much. He’s a true man of the people – on and off the field.
Should Marcus Rashford continue to be risked? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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