LIVERPOOL, England: Dominik Szoboszlai scored the first goal for Liverpool and Mohamed Salah scored his seventh goal in seven games against Aston Villa as the hosts won easily 3-0 in the Premier League at Anfield.
Juergen Klopp’s squad, who have won 10 of their last 12 games against Villa, moved up to third in the league with 10 points from four games while Villa collected six points.
Salah, who is reportedly being targeted for a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, scored the 188th goal of his Liverpool career after grabbing a back pass in the 55th minute.
Szoboszlai gave Liverpool a dream start with a left-footed strike from outside the box after the third minute.
Liverpool doubled their advantage when finisher Darwin Nunez was hit by the crossbar and bounced into the goal when he touched Villa defender Matty Cash.
NEWCASTLE: Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s comeback down to 10 men at Newcastle was his best ever win as a manager – a dramatic encounter he has never experienced.
Darwin Nunez scored two late goals after coming on as a substitute for Liverpool, who lost Virgil Van Dijk in the first half for a foul on Alexander Isak and missed a late strike from former Everton man Anthony Gordon.
Klopp, who had appeared dissatisfied with the referee’s decision throughout the game, said it was his best win in two decades in charge.
“He was more difficult than the Barcelona game (Liverpool came back from losing 3-0 in the first match back). In 1,000 games as a coach, I’ve never had a game like this.
“With 10 players in this atmosphere and an opponent like this, I’m sure it never happens. These moments are rare and very special.
“At the break I told the players that at the moment maybe it’s something we can tell our grandchildren about. We can’t concede a second goal, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) can’t get a second yellow card – and we’ll have opportunity,” said Klopp.
According to Klopp, scorer of the winning goal, Nunez was eager for action after not starting the game and used this opportunity to prove his worth.
“He’s not happy but you can’t have more than 11 players playing all the time, so you need stability. Players are not happy. We need to invent a new way of playing football and Darwin can be a big milestone for him,” he said.
Klopp was also furious with the referee’s decision to send a red card to Van Dijk. The German controller said the defender’s mistake was too light.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was disappointed his side lost to an opponent playing with 10 men.
“It’s the same as last year’s game at Anfield (defeat at the end). I think the boys did well, good start.
“The second goal (for Newcastle) would have changed everything and we didn’t get it. If Nunez came on they were looking for one goal and got two,” said Howe.
LONDON: Manchester United and Mason Greenwood have jointly agreed for the forward to leave Old Trafford after he was charged with facing criticism, the club announced on Monday.
The 21-year-old forward has been suspended by the Premier League (EPL) since 30 January 2022 for being charged with having an affair with a young woman after his images and videos were posted online, but investigations into the case were not continued.
Prosecutors said last February that they dropped cases involving the attempted robbing and sexual assault that resulted in Greenwood following the withdrawal of witnesses and new evidence being found.
However United, citing today’s facts, said: “Everyone involved, including Mason, went through the trouble of continuing their careers at Manchester United.
“It was agreed the best way for him was to leave Old Trafford, and we are now working with Mason to achieve that goal.”
Greenwood, whose contract expires in June 2025, said: “I did not do what was charged against me, and in February I was acquitted of all charges.
“The best decision for all is that I will continue my football career not at Old Trafford, when my presence will not be a hindrance for the club.” –
LONDON: Mohamed Salah will stay at Liverpool while rejecting a hefty offer from Saudi Arabia, the Egyptian’s agent said last night.
The Anfield star is reportedly a target for Al-Ittihad, who are willing to pay Liverpool £52m in addition to offering the forward a £77m a year contract.
Al-Ittihad has tied up Salah’s team-mates at Liverpool, Fabinho while captain Jordan Henderson moved to Al-Ettifaq.
But Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas, confirmed the 31-year-old is happy to stay in action at Anfield.
“If we were considering leaving LFC this year, we would not have renewed that contract last summer,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Mohamed remains committed to LFC.”
Salah signed a three-year contract last summer, making him the highest-paid player in Liverpool’s history.
He scored 30 goals last season and racked up 186 goals in six years on Merseyside.
LONDON: Arsenal are rushing to sign Neymar to complete the Premier League squad.
Former Arsenal player Julio Baptista says the Brazil star is in need of a fresh break after being too comfortable at Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar, 31, is one of the players the Ligue 1 club will let go of in this summer’s transfer window.
“I think Neymar is comfortable at PSG, but the best step for him is to create a new atmosphere at another club – maybe one that gives him the support and confidence he needs. He didn’t feel that at PSG.
“Arsenal is one of the best clubs in Europe. We are aware, since eight years ago, Arsenal have not shown their true achievements.
“But now, with Arteta, Arsenal are a different team. They are building something very powerful. Maybe this is the key.
“In Brazil we say, you have a house, you have everything, and you only need a key to open it.
“Maybe Neymar is the key to unlocking and completing everything at Arsenal. He’s an amazing player,” said Baptista.
Neymar will also have no problem settling in at the Emirates as Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes are also his team-mates in the Brazil squad.
PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) made a pretty hefty offer for Kylian Mbappe worth 865 million pounds.
According to the Defensa Central report, PSG made an extraordinary offer to Mbappe by offering a 10-year contract.
It will tie the French international forward to the club until the age of 34 and essentially serves as a lifetime deal.
In fact, it will also be the most lucrative sports contract in history.
However, Mbappe has reportedly told PSG that he is not motivated by money and dreams of playing for Real Madrid where he can win every trophy there is.
The striker has already told the club that he has no intention of signing a new contract and plans to leave the club on a free next summer.
However, PSG gave Mbappe an ultimatum that he must sign a new contract or be sold this summer.
The striker is a legend in France when he scored 212 goals in 260 games in addition to 98 assists.
Mbappe is still yet to win a Champions League title despite lifting the World Cup with France in 2018 and helping the team to the final in 2022.
MILAN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic brought to an end his illustrious career as a footballer by announcing his retirement last night.
The veteran striker announced his decision after AC Milan’s 3-1 win over Verona.
“The time has come to say goodbye to football, not just to you.
“Too many emotions for me now. Forza Milan and goodbye,” Ibrahimovic said after the last Serie A action at the San Siro.
The 41-year-old from Sweden was only expected to say goodbye to Milan fans after announcing he would be leaving the seven-time European champions last Saturday.
He returned with Milan in 2019. Before that he helped Milan win Serie A in 2011.
Ibrahimovic helped Milan return to contention in the top flight of the league and won the Scudetto last season.
“The first time I came here you gave me happiness, the second time you gave love.
“You welcomed my arrival with open arms, you made me feel at home, I will be a Milanista all my life,” he said.
Throughout his career, Ibrahimovic won league titles in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France, with his lone European trophy being the Europa League win with Manchester United in 2017.
MANCHESTER: Manchester United are among the clubs interested in signing Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic to try their hand at attacking gear.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, United, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are now in contention for the 23-year-old’s honor, although Juventus have yet to express a desire to let him go at the end of the season.
“It is understood Chelsea have not made a bid for Dusan Vlahovic so far. He is one of the most admired strikers at the club but there have been no talks or offers yet.
“Bayern and Man United are in constant contention for Vlahovic, but it is up to Juventus to decide,” said Romano.
Chelsea were previously reported to have made a 70 million pound bid for the former Fiorentina man – who joined Juventus in January last year for 66.6 million pounds.
The Serbian player is said to have a style of play like Manchester City star Erling Haaland.
However the Juve star has struggled to match the acumen of Haaland – who has scored 52 goals in all competitions this season – with Vlahovic netting just 23 goals in 62 appearances for the Old Lady so far.
While with Fiorentina, Vlahovic scored 49 goals in 108 matches.
With United likely to let go of Anthony Martial this summer, Vlahovic is the best option to take on United’s neighbors Manchester City who have already clinched the Premier League title this season and are still in the running for a treble.
MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola says his legacy as manager of Manchester City has been extraordinary with the defending Premier League champions now looking to extend their dominance on the European stage.
City will host visiting Real Madrid for Champions League semi-final second leg this Thursday morning with the two teams tied 1-1 on aggregate.
Victory over the Spanish giants would put Guardiola’s men on course to become just the second team to win the treble – the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in the same season.
City need just one win from their last three Premier League games to secure a fifth title in six seasons under Guardiola but they have never been crowned European champions.
They may not have a better chance with the winner of their clash against Real being favorites to beat either AC Milan or Inter Milan in next month’s final.
“My legacy, our legacy is extraordinary,” said Guardiola at a press conference ahead of the match against Real.
“We’re not stupid (not) knowing how important tomorrow’s game is. It’s one of the most important and that’s why we’re here.
“We cannot deny that, for the competition, for many things. I tell the players to take advantage of this opportunity and enjoy it.
“We’re very lucky to be here. It’s in our hands, it’s up to us, we don’t have to do anything extraordinary, just be ourselves and win one game to get to the final.”
City’s dreams were dashed by Real’s late comeback when the two teams met in the semi-finals last season.
However, Guardiola’s men this time have home advantage and have a good record at the Etihad Stadium.
City have not lost at home in the Champions League for five years and have won all 14 of their games at home in 2023.