Liverpool’s unenviable search for Jurgen Klopp’s replacement is still in its infancy but there has been no shortage of potential successors touted both publicly and privately.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, a former Reds midfielder, continues to lead the bookmakers’ odds, followed by Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and Sporting’s Ruben Amorim.
However, as they did with the appointment of Klopp in 2015, the club will take a scientific approach and not just go for the man who appears to be the best fit.
Here, the PA news agency looks at how Liverpool will go about their search.
Where do they start?
Where Fenway Sports Group always start, with the data. Since buying the club in 2010 the American owners have instigated an analytical model for many aspects of the business, most notably in relation to their transfer policy which they modelled on a system pioneered by their Boston Red Sox baseball team. “The way we operate as a football club is to ensure that we’ve looked at all the information, all the data, we’ve done our proper due diligence and then we’ll make a decision,” said chief executive Billy Hogan.
How will that work?
Will Spearman, a Harvard PhD graduate in particle physics, was last year appointed successor to departing director of research Ian Gordon, a key figure in the data department since 2012, and will be significantly involved in identifying key areas which are not always immediately visible to casual observers of a manager’s style and performance.
Who else is involved?
Mike Gordon, FSG president, is the group’s main ‘football guy’ and the man who has been the transatlantic bridge between the two parties. It was he who received the bombshell phone call from Klopp saying he would be leaving at the end of the season. Gordon was the man who led the identification and pursuit of Klopp after Brendan Rodgers was sacked and will assume that key role for the ownership again. Theo Epstein, the former president of baseball operations for MLB team the Chicago Cubs and ex-general manager of the Red Sox, has joined FSG as a senior adviser and is likely to be involved in the consultation, as will Hogan to a lesser degree.
And what of the main candidates?
Alonso has been the favourite from the moment Klopp’s departure was announced. The former Spain, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder has extensive, top-level playing experience and this season has displayed a key FSG metric in elevating underrated players to a higher level having guided Leverkusen, unbeaten all season, to the top of the Bundesliga. His football is not as direct or as press-heavy as Klopp’s so there would be some adaptation required by the current squad. Brighton’s De Zerbi has impressed since his arrival in England last season and his place on the list is largely due to the similarities in his style with Klopp’s, however results have been up and down recently having scored four in a victory over Tottenham yet lost 4-0 to Luton. Amorim’s Sporting, who also have a similar pressing style, are two points off the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga with a match in hand having dropped just eight points all season.
Neil Warnock has been appointed as Aberdeen manager until the end of the season.
The 75-year-old takes over from Barry Robson, who was dismissed last Wednesday, with the club currently sat eighth in the cinch Premiership.
Warnock said: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge here at Aberdeen.
“I’ve made no secret of the fact I’ve always wanted to manage in Scotland so when I spoke to (chairman) Dave (Cormack) and (chief executive) Alan (Burrows) and they asked me to help out it just felt like the right opportunity.
“By all accounts there is a good group of lads here and it’s my job now to get the best out of them.
“Aberdeen is a big club with clear ambition and I’m hoping that during my time here the supporters will get behind the team and I can put a smile on their faces.”
What the papers say
Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are reportedly considering a second attempt to poach Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes. The Daily Mail, citing Portuguese outlet Record, says the Saudi side could make another run at luring the 29-year-old in the summer after failing to sign him in January.
Elsewhere, The Guardian reports Roy Hodgson is nearing the Crystal Palace exit following his side’s 4-1 loss to Brighton on Saturday. Chairman Steve Parish is said to be sounding out replacements to take over as manager, but is struggling to find a replacement willing to take over at this stage of the season.
The Liverpool Echo reports Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is the clear frontrunner to take over as Liverpool manager at the end of the season.
Social media round-upPlayers to watch
Michael Olise: The Daily Mirror says Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag views the Crystal Palace midfielder as the club’s next marquee signing.
Benjamin Sesko: According to footballtransfers.com, Chelsea and AC Milan could target the RB Leipzig and Slovenia forward in the summer.
The French footballers’ union is considering taking legal action over changes to football’s international calendar which it says are impacting on players’ physical and mental health.
David Terrier, the vice-president of the UNFP, claims FIFA has introduced a 32-team Club World Cup to an already congested calendar without proper consultation, and says its actions are driven by “a thirst for money”.
Terrier’s comments to the PA news agency follow a warning from Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango in December that the stage had been reached where “people are ready to take legal action” over this issue.
Terrier said: “Faced with the refusal of FIFA and UEFA, faced with the addition of competitions, the drastic increase in injuries, mental fatigue which is hitting more and more players, what other answer can we give than to initiate legal proceedings which will allow us to stop the headlong rush promoted by FIFA in its thirst for competition and – no one is fooled – for money?
“It is necessary that it stops. We are already studying at the UNFP the possibilities offered to us to bring the calendar issue before the courts. We can’t be blamed for not trying to find a solution through dialogue.
“The international calendar is adrift and it is up to us to bring it back to port as quickly as possible using all means at our disposal.”
PA understands any legal action taken by UNFP would not be directly against FIFA.
Terrier said the current schedule was “insane” even without the new-look Club World Cup, which is set to take place in the United States in the summer of 2025.
Terrier called on others to support players on this issue, adding: “What I don’t understand, apart from the words of the coaches, some too rare presidents and the medical profession, why (unions and) the players, are the only ones fighting against disruption of the calendar.
“Because this also impacts clubs, whose players are more often injured, and the national leagues which, as in France, are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain TV rights that live up to their expectations.
“It must be said that the repetition of matches ultimately harms the quality of the show and neither the broadcasters nor the spectators are fooled.
“Today and tomorrow will be worse, everyone loses. So why are we the only ones to fight? It’s incomprehensible.”
Domestic leagues are understood to be assessing their legal options in regard to the Club World Cup, over concerns of the direct impact it will have on start dates for their competitions and indirectly on the value of television rights, with only a finite amount of broadcaster cash available to spend.
Paris St Germain will be France’s sole representatives in the Club World Cup, and their president Nasser Al Khelaifi is the president of the European Club Association which has endorsed the tournament.
A FIFA spokesperson said: “The decision to enlarge the FIFA Club World Cup is in line with FIFA’s Vision as the tournament will provide a relevant platform for clubs from all continents, giving them the opportunity to compete on the world stage, thus taking club football to the next level.
“This is also in line with FIFA’s objective of making football truly global by having clubs competing at the highest level.
“The enlarged FIFA Club World Cup, which is supported by the European Club Association (ECA) and will take place once every four years, also fits into FIFA’s key objective to have meaningful football matches, while also recognising that many regions need more competitive football.
“When it comes to player welfare, it’s worth stressing that the FIFA Club World Cup replaces the FIFA Confederations Cup which was last played in 2017. FIFA has not simply ‘added’ a new competition but also annulled one.”
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the 2026 World Cup final and the 39-day tournament will kick off at Mexico City’s Aztec Stadium.
Governing body FIFA confirmed the match schedule on Sunday for the showpiece event, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will involve 48 teams for the first time.
The MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is home for NFL teams the New York Giants and New York Jets and has a capacity of around 82,500.
It was opened in 2010 and replaced Giants Stadium, which was one of the host venues for the 1994 World Cup held solely by the United States.
Mexico hosted the finals alone in both 1970, when Brazil lifted the trophy, and in 1986 – when Diego Maradona guided Argentina to success after scoring his ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the quarter-finals.
The Aztec Stadium is set to host opening match for the third time and will become the first ground to do so.
The AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas – home of the Dallas Cowboys – will be one of the semi-final venues, along with the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, home to the city’s Major League Soccer club as well as the Falcons NFL franchise.
The third-place play-off will be hosted at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
The Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the NRG Stadium in Houston, Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California are other US venues.
Dallas will host a total of nine matches – the most of any city at the tournament.
All of the co-hosts will play their three group-stage fixtures on home soil.
Canada’s first game will be held in Toronto on June 12, while the USA’s opening match will be played at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on the same day.
The USA’s other group match will be at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 19 before playing again in Inglewood on June 25.
Mexico will play a fixture in Guadalajara on June 18 and then be back in Mexico City on June 24, while Monterrey will also host other games.
After playing in Toronto, Canada will head west to Vancouver for two games at BC Place.
The 2014 and 2018 finals lasted 32 days, as did France in 1998. FIFA had already said the 2026 tournament would have the same 56-day overall ‘footprint’ of rest, release and tournament days as the three most recent summer finals.
The 2026 World Cup will feature 12 four-team groups and a last-32 knockout round for the first time, while 104 matches will be played in total.
The remaining match details will be confirmed following the draw for the finals, which is expected to take place towards the end of 2025.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “The most inclusive and impactful World Cup ever is no longer a dream, but a reality that will take shape in the form of 104 matches in 16 state-of-the-art stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the USA.
“From the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca to the spectacular final in New York New Jersey, players and fans have been at the core of our extensive planning for this game-changing tournament.”
The 2026 World Cup will kick off Mexico City’s Aztec Stadium on June 11, with the final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey 38 days later, governing body FIFA has announced.
The showpiece event, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will involve 48 teams for the first time.
Mexico hosted the finals alone in both 1970, when Brazil lifted the trophy, and in 1986 – when Diego Maradona guided Argentina to success after scoring his ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the quarter-finals.
FIFA later confirmed the 2026 final will take place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New York on July 19, which will see the tournament last a record total 39 days. The third-place play-off will be hosted in Miami.
Canada’s first game will be held in Toronto on June 12, while the USA’s opening match will be played in Los Angeles on the same day.
There will be a total of 16 host cities, including Monterrey and Guadalajara elsewhere in Mexico.
Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle had all been named as the other host cities in the US, with Vancouver the other venue in Canada.
The 2014 and 2018 finals lasted 32 days, as did France in 1998. FIFA had already said the 2026 tournament would have the same 56-day overall ‘footprint’ of rest, release and tournament days as the three most recent summer finals.
The 2026 World Cup will feature 12 four-team groups and also a last-32 knockout round for the first time. In all, the new format will involve 104 matches being played.
Winners and runners-up in each of the 12 four-team groups will advance to a new round of 32, where they will be joined by the eight best third-placed teams.
The game’s global governing body had ditched plans for 16 three-team groups, acknowledging the “risk of collusion” in that format while also having been persuaded to stick with four-team groups after the drama which unfolded at the end of the group phase at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which was the last tournament to feature 32 teams.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has challenged Real Madrid to make an offer for Erling Haaland if they really want him.
There were reports in Spain last week that Haaland dislikes life in Manchester so much that he wants to leave the club.
Perhaps inevitably, it was suggested Real Madrid were monitoring the prolific Norway striker’s situation.
The suspicion at City is that this could have been an attempt by Madrid-leaning media to unsettle the 23-year-old and edge him towards the Bernabeu Stadium.
Yet Guardiola, who has seen such activity before, is confident it will not work and suggests any interested club should just say so.
Guardiola said: “For one report, for one journalist or one Twitter account, one Instagram account, do you think they are going to change something that is going to happen? It’s not going to happen.
“It’s going to happen when Erling decides to extend the contract or not, when the club decides to extend a contract or not, or when we have potential offers to him or not.
“If someone wants Erling, it’s easy. Call Man City and ask. It’s what we do when we want to sign someone. It’s not more complicated than that.”
If Guardiola has his way, the answer to any enquiry would be a firm no.
Haaland scored 52 goals in a stunning first season at the Etihad Stadium and had already netted 19 this term before being sidelined by a foot injury early in December.
Guardiola said: “What do you think? That we don’t want Erling to stay here for one decade?
“We want him – for a long, long time at this club. For a long time. We are in love with him, we want him.”
Yet Guardiola admits he does not know what the future will bring.
He said: “I don’t have info. He arrived last season and the impact was incredible. The beginning of this season, the numbers were really good too. He’s had two months injured.
“What happens in the future? Honestly, I don’t know. We are happy to have him, hopefully he’s happy to be with us. That is what we know. And the rest? I don’t know.”
Guardiola insists he ignores transfer rumours but concedes having players linked with big clubs can be flattering.
He said: “It’s normal that Real Madrid want the best players, and Barcelona want the best players, or (clubs) in Italy, or PSG want the best players.
“We want the best players and United want the best players, and Liverpool and Arsenal and everyone. It’s normal, it’s not a surprise.
“A link like that is an honour for us. It means that we did a good job, and especially Erling. In his case he made an incredible job.
“Is it true? I don’t know. It’s just to make a little bit of noise. It’s fine. Of course I ignore it. It doesn’t bother me at all.
“As long as the players are focused on what they have to do, the rest is not important.”
Real Madrid squandered the chance to move four points clear at the top of LaLiga after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to city rivals Atletico.
Brahim Diaz’s early goal looked set to ensure Real took full advantage of Girona’s 0-0 draw against Real Sociedad on Saturday by extending their lead at the top of the table.
However, Marcos Llorente punished the home side for a lapse in concentration in the third minute of added time when he headed beyond Andriy Lunin as a static defence looked on.
The result left Real two points clear of Girona, who travel to the Bernabeu for a crunch top-of-the-table clash next weekend.
Real’s preparations for the third Madrid derby in less than a month suffered a major blow when Vinicius Junior picked up an injury in the warm up, but it was his replacement Diaz who opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a goal which owed a lot to two fortunate deflections.
The first saw Diaz’s attempted pass to Jude Bellingham rebound to an unmarked Lucas Vazquez, who also tried to cut the ball back to the England midfielder only for Koke to intercept. However, that only succeeded in diverting the ball straight to Diaz and he had the time and space to take two touches before lofting beyond Jan Oblak and into the net.
The visitors almost responded three minutes later, Axel Witsel’s header forcing a good save from Lunin and Stefan Savic glancing narrowly wide from the resulting corner.
It was a warning Real failed to heed and Atletico were somewhat unfortunate not to equalise just two minutes into the second half when Savic glanced Antoine Griezmann’s corner beyond a stationary Lunin.
The visitors’ celebrations were cut short however, with Saul Niguez adjudged to be impeding Lunin as he stood in an offside position, even though there appeared no chance the goalkeeper could have kept the ball out of his net.
That sparked Real into life and Toni Kroos fired a well-struck volley straight at Oblak from 25 yards before Rodrygo drew a more difficult save from the visiting goalkeeper, while Diaz curled a left-footed shot wide after playing the ball through the legs of Mario Hermoso.
But just when Carlo Ancelotti’s side appeared to have secured all three points, a hopeful ball into the box from Savic was flicked on by Memphis Depay and Llorente reacted quickest to direct a header into the top corner.
Inter Milan moved four points clear at the top of Serie A with a 1-0 win over title rivals Juventus 1-0 in the Derby d’Italia at the San Siro.
The Nerazzurri made the breakthrough just before half-time when Juve defender Federico Gatti diverted a cross into his own net.
Juve keeper Wojciech Szczesny produced a fine late save from Inter substitute Marko Arnautovic as Simone Inzaghi’s men put themselves firmly in the driving seat for the Scudetto.
Charles De Ketelaere scored twice as Atalanta consolidated their place in the top four with a 3-1 win over Lazio at the Gewiss Stadium.
Napoli came from behind to beat Verona 2-1 and close back up on the top six.
Cyril Ngonge scored against his former club to equalise after Diego Coppola’s opener with 20 minutes left before a fine strike from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the closing stages completed the turnaround.
Bottom club Salernitana fought out a goalless draw at Torino, but remain five points adrift of safety.
Real Madrid missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of LaLiga after derby rivals Atletico Madrid scored a stoppage-time equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu.
Girona were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Sociedad on Saturday, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men could not make the most of their opportunity which could have sent them four points clear.
Brahim Diaz – drafted into the side after Vinicius Junior suffered a problem during the warm-up, so started on the bench – put Real ahead from close range after 20 minutes.
Atletico saw Stefan Savic’s goal early in the second half ruled out by VAR for offside, but eventually were level through a looping header from Marcos Llorente in the third minute of added time to leave the home fans stunned.
Celta Vigo had earlier edged clear of the bottom three with a 3-0 win at Osasuna, while fellow relegation-battlers Cadiz picked up a point from a goalless draw at Villarreal.
Real Betis and Getafe drew 1-1 at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. Mason Greenwood put the visitors ahead through an early penalty before Isco’s spot-kick levelled things up ahead of the break.
RB Leipzig ended a three-game Bundesliga losing streak to get their top-four challenge back on track with a 2-0 win over Union Berlin, who finished with 10 men.
Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko were on target either side of half-time, before Union captain Christopher Trimmel was shown a straight red card with 20 minutes left.
Lovro Majer scored twice in the second half as Wolfsburg came from behind to draw 2-2 against Hoffenheim at the Volkswagen Arena.
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In Ligue 1, Canada forward Jonathan David scored twice as Lille comfortably beat Clermont 4-0 at Stade Pierre-Mauroy to keep up their top-four challenge ahead of Monaco, who drew 1-1 with Le Havre.
Second-placed Nice and Brest, who are third, cancelled each other out in a goalless draw at Stade Francis-Le Ble.
In Sunday’s late match, Alexandre Lacazette was on target with his 10th league goal as relegation-battlers Lyon beat Marseille 1-0 to move three points clear of the drop zone.
Panos Katseris’ second-half goal helped secure Lorient a 2-1 victory at fellow strugglers Metz, while Toulouse held off a second-half fightback to win 3-2 at Reims.
Inter Milan edged out Juventus 1-0 in the Derby d’Italia to move four points clear at the top of Serie A.
There was little to choose between the sides at San Siro, but the Nerazzurri made the crucial breakthrough just before half-time when Juve defender Federico Gatti diverted a cross into his own net.
Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny produced a fine late save from Inter substitute Marko Arnautovic as Simone Inzaghi’s men put themselves firmly in the driving seat for the Scudetto.
Inter had started brightly, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s long-range effort deflecting just wide.
Federico Dimarco went close in the 18th minute when he met a cross from Benjamin Pavard at the back post, but sent a volley into the side-netting.
Hakan Calhanoglu picked out Dimarco with a crossfield pass, which the Inter winger then laid on to Marcus Thuram, who looked set to slot the ball in – but Juve’s Brazilian defender Bremer made a superb saving tackle.
Juve threatened when Weston McKennie pushed forwards and played in Dusan Vlahovic, but the Serbian forward’s first touch was too heavy.
Inter – playing a first match at home in a month after two away trips were sandwiched by Super Cup success in Saudi Arabia – eventually made their pressure count in the 37th minute.
After Pavard missed his scissor-kick at a cross in from the right, Thuram just failed to connect with his diving header as the ball bobbled towards goal, then bounced off Gatti for an own goal.
After a slow start to the second half, Inter almost doubled their lead just before the hour when Calhanoglu’s shot hit the outside of the post.
Gatti nearly made amends with an equaliser when his shot flew just wide, before Szczesny saved from Nicolo Barella.
With three minutes left, Szczesny produced a brilliant save at full stretch to deny Arnautovic at point-blank range as he looked to knock in a cross through the Juve penalty area from fellow substitute Denzel Dumfries.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side suffered just a second league defeat of the season, bringing to an end their 19-match unbeaten run through all competitions.
The 2026 World Cup will kick off Mexico City’s Aztec Stadium on June 11, with the final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey 38 days later, governing body FIFA has announced.
The showpiece event, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will involve 48 teams for the first time.
Mexico hosted the finals alone in both 1970, when Brazil lifted the trophy, and in 1986 – when Diego Maradona guided Argentina to success after scoring his ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the quarter-finals.
FIFA later confirmed the 2026 final will take place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New York on July 19, which will see the tournament last a record total 39 days. The third-place play-off will be hosted in Miami.
Canada’s first game will be held in Toronto on June 12, while the USA’s opening match will be played in Los Angeles on the same day.
There will be a total of 16 host cities, including Monterrey and Guadalajara elsewhere in Mexico.
Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle had all been named as the other host cities in the US, with Vancouver the other venue in Canada.
The 2014 and 2018 finals lasted 32 days, as did France in 1998. FIFA had already said the 2026 tournament would have the same 56-day overall ‘footprint’ of rest, release and tournament days as the three most recent summer finals.
The 2026 World Cup will feature 12 four-team groups and also a last-32 knockout round for the first time. In all, the new format will involve 104 matches being played.
Winners and runners-up in each of the 12 four-team groups will advance to a new round of 32, where they will be joined by the eight best third-placed teams.
The game’s global governing body had ditched plans for 16 three-team groups, acknowledging the “risk of collusion” in that format while also having been persuaded to stick with four-team groups after the drama which unfolded at the end of the group phase at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which was the last tournament to feature 32 teams.
Leah Williamson’s first start in nine months could not inspire Arsenal to victory as their Women’s Super League title hopes suffered a setback with a 2-1 defeat at West Ham.
The England captain was back in the starting line-up for the first time since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury and looked set to enjoy a winning return when Arsenal edged in front just before the break through Alessia Russo’s back-post header.
Williamson was replaced at half-time and the Hammers were given an opportunity to equalise when Steph Catley brought down Riko Ueki inside the area. Viviane Asseyi stepped up and sent Manuela Zinsberger the wrong way to make it 1-1.
West Ham completed the turnaround in the 58th minute after a free-kick was headed back out to Hawa Cissoko, who finished expertly to give the hosts back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.
Nikita Parris bagged a brace as Manchester United earned a second consecutive win with a 2-0 victory over Brighton.
United were quick out of the blocks and opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Parris lashed home from Geyse’s low cross.
Parris was on the score sheet again midway through the second half in carbon copy fashion to the first as Geyse delivered a cross following some neat footwork down the right and Parris finished first time to condemn Brighton to their second successive defeat without scoring.
Manchester City left it late as Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly scored twice in the final eight minutes to beat Leicester 2-0.
City dominated the contest throughout but the Foxes stubborn defence held firm until the 82nd minute when Hemp’s acrobatic finish rolled into the back of the net.
They sealed victory three minutes later in superb fashion when Kelly whipped in directly from a corner for their 10th victory of the season.
Marie Hobinger scored in stoppage time to earn Liverpool a 1-1 draw with Tottenham.
Celine Bizet’s 72nd-minute strike looked set to send Tottenham above Liverpool in the table, but they failed to extend their lead as they missed golden opportunities through Wang Shuang and Amanda Nilden’s effort which struck a post.
And Liverpool made them pay at the death when Leanne Kiernan cut the ball back for Hobinger, who found the bottom corner.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham was booed and angry fans chanted for a refund after Lionel Messi did not play in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong.
Messi, who has been suffering with a hamstring injury, was left on the bench as his side beat a Hong Kong XI 4-1.
In footage posted on social media, fans could be heard chanting “refund” before a post-match speech from Beckham was greeted with boos.
The Hong Kong government said match organisers Tatler Asia could face a reduction in funding.
“The Government today expressed deep disappointment over Messi not playing at Tatler XFEST Hong Kong, Hong Kong Team vs Inter Miami CF, and the organiser failing to provide a detailed explanation promptly,” the government said in a statement.
“The event has been awarded “M” Mark status, as well as a matching grant of 15 million [Hong Kong dollars; £1.5m] and a grant for venue of 1 million by The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC).
“The Government has also provided a variety of coordination and assistance, including venue arrangement and crowd management, in order to offer football fans a wonderful game and an opportunity to witness the world-class player showcasing his skills.
“Many Hong Kong fans looked forward to the match with enthusiasm, and a lot of tourists came to Hong Kong particularly for the match.
“The Government, as well as all football fans, are extremely disappointed that Messi could neither play in the friendly match, nor explain to the fans in person upon request.
“The way that the organiser and Inter Miami CF handled the situation could not meet the expectations of the fans who showed strong support to Messi, especially those visitors who came all the way here for the match.
“The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the MSEC will rely on the terms and conditions of the agreement in requiring the organiser to take responsibility, including a reduction of the amount of funding as a result of Messi being not able to play in the match.”
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker made a brace of costly errors as the 10-man Reds lost 3-1 at Arsenal to see their lead at the top of the Premier League cut to two points.
The Gunners themselves had gifted an equaliser to the visitors as a Gabriel Magalhaes own goal on the stroke of half-time cancelled out Bukayo Saka’s opener.
But Mikel Arteta’s men would ultimately run out winners as a mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson allowed Gabriel Martinelli to round off a fine individual performance by re-establishing the lead before substitute Leandro Trossard fired straight through the goalkeeper’s legs in stoppage time.
It is just a second league defeat of the season for the Reds, who struggled to get into the game for the majority of the first half at the Emirates Stadium and ended with a numerical disadvantage as Ibrahima Konate was sent off late on.
Martinelli once again shone against Liverpool, hitting his fifth goal against Jurgen Klopp’s side – the departing German no doubt looking forward to seeing the back of a player he once described as “a talent of the century”.
Arsenal were without Gabriel Jesus, injured once more, but took the lead against Liverpool for the fourth Premier League encounter in a row.
They started well here, too, David Raya claiming a routine cross before bowling the ball out to Martinelli, whose pace was enough to see off Konate but Saka could not make telling contact as he met the cross with a diving header.
Arsenal have made a habit of scoring early against Liverpool, however, and that trend continued as Saka made amends in the 14th minute.
A great pass from Martin Odegaard found Kai Havertz in space, the German forward breaking through on goal only to shoot straight at Alisson, with Saka on hand to turn home the rebound.
Despite struggling with Arsenal’s high press and failing to register a shot on target in the first half, Liverpool would go in level at the break as the unwitting Gabriel turned the ball into his own goal off his arm after Luis Diaz had outmuscled William Saliba.
The fortuitous equaliser shifted the momentum as Liverpool came out for the second half with a more cutting edge with both Diaz and Curtis Jones getting shots away.
Jakub Kiwior had replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko at the break for the home side, who reacted well as Odegaard saw a shot deflected just wide of Alisson’s right-hand post
The hosts wanted a penalty when Havertz tangled with Alexis Mac Allister but referee Anthony Taylor was unmoved as VAR sided with the on-field official.
Arsenal would retake the lead soon after, with the Liverpool defence this time left red-faced as Alisson and Van Dijk left a clearance to one another, allowing Martinelli to collect and finish into an empty net.
Mac Allister flashed a shot wide as Liverpool looked to respond a second time having already rescued 19 points from losing positions this season.
The early exertion from Arsenal’s forwards saw them tire as both Martinelli and Saka were replaced by Trossard and Reiss Nelson, respectively, for the closing stages.
But it was another substitute, Poland defender Kiwior, who missed a fine chance to make sure of the points when he headed straight at Alisson.
Klopp, too, had turned to his bench with Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott, Andrew Robertson and fit-again Thiago Alcantara all introduced in a forlorn attempt to salvage a result.
Instead, Konate was dismissed – booked a second time for blocking Trossard – before Trossard’s low near-post shot flashed between the legs of Alisson to secure the points for Arteta’s men.
Marie Hobinger scored a stoppage-time equaliser to help Liverpool salvage a 1-1 Women’s Super League draw against Tottenham at Prenton Park.
Neither side made much of an impression in the first half but Celin Bizet’s 72nd-minute strike looked like it would earn Spurs a sixth league victory of the season and see her side leap-frog above their hosts into fifth spot.
Tottenham had chances to secure the three points but Amanda Nilden hit the post before Wang Shuang spurned another golden opportunity, and they were made to pay by Hobinger’s late leveller.
Liverpool, looking to bounce back from successive defeats, created the first opening of the game when Sophie Haug headed on to Ceri Holland but her tame effort was straight at Barbora Votikova.
Tottenham threatened next when Nilden drilled a ball into the box but Beth England could not get on the end of it.
Spurs goalkeeper Votikova looked nervous and caused confusion when she clashed with Liverpool forward Shanice van de Sanden in the hope of claiming a ball into the box, but the visitors were able to deal with the danger.
Liverpool looked the most likely scorers in an otherwise sedate half of football, with Holland letting fly with an effort that flew over the bar.
Tottenham had the last chance of the half as a ball was whipped onto the head of Martha Thomas, but the striker nodded into the hands of Rachael Laws.
The visitors opened the scoring against the run of play with 18 minutes to go when Thomas’ cross found Bizet who looped the ball over Laws and into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Spurs almost doubled their lead five minutes later after Nilden found space inside the area and crashed in a curling shot that hit the inside of the post.
Robert Vilahamn’s side still had not put the game to bed after they missed another golden opportunity to double their lead, this time Grace Clinton finding Shuang inside the area but the substitute slammed her effort straight at Laws.
And Liverpool netted a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time after Leanne Kiernan cut a ball back to Hobinger who smashed past Votikova into the bottom corner.
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