Mohamed Salah warmed up for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United with a record-breaking goal in Liverpool’s 6-1 Europa League demolition of Sparta Prague at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were already virtually guaranteed a quarter-final place after their 5-1 first-leg victory but four goals in the opening 13-and-a-half minutes started the rout.
They were only the second team in major UEFA competition history to score four inside the first 14 minutes, after Chelsea against Jeunesse Hautcharage in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971-72, but Salah is one for setting standards not matching them.
Salah with three assists and a goal tonight
— Liverpool FC (@LFC)
The Egypt international, playing his first 90 minutes since New Year�…
Paris St Germain boss Luis Enrique insists his side want to be crowned champions “as soon as possible” as they prepare to visit Montpellier on Sunday.
Despite drawing their last three matches, the reigning champions sit 10 points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table and also have hopes of securing a treble as they still remain in the Champions League and Coupe de France.
Luis Enrique hopes to wrap up their third straight league title as quickly as possible to free up squad members heading into the home straight of the season.
He told the PSG website: “We want to keep improving. It won’t be an easy game, it’s never easy away from home. We need to be focused. We’re fighting to win titles and win every game. We want to continue our good run.
Lu…
Didier Deschamps is confident Franck Ribery will not miss the FIFA World Cup despite being ruled out France s friendly with Paraguay.
The Bayern Munich man has been struggling with back pain and underwent further medical tests in Paris prior to the team s departure for Nice.
His absence for Sunday s friendly was confirmed by Deschamps at a press conference on Saturday, but the coach remains confident Ribery will not miss the showpiece in Brazil.
France open their World Cup campaign against Honduras on June 15 and Deschamps is still hopeful that the winger will be available for selection for that Group E clash.
It is not difficult, it is a situation to manage, he said.
I remind you that the goal is for everyone to be ready on June 15.
Ribery confirm…
Ligue 1 club Valenciennes have prised Daniel Sanchez from French second-tier side Tours, to replace Philippe Montanier as head coach.
Montanier took over Valenciennes in 2009, guiding the team to 12th place in the table last season before agreeing to join La Liga club Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Sanchez, 57, takes over after spending four seasons in charge of Tours, who finished 12th in the 2010-11 Ligue 2 season.
I m happy to be back (in the top flight) as a coach, Sanchez said.
Valenciennes is the place to come in Ligue 1. It is a thriving club.
We will stick to the spirit of the game and what has been done by my predecessors.
By playing well, we will get more chances to win and I want to see attacking football.
Sanchez w…
Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross joked his England career was ended by Sweden star Zlatan Ibrahimovic before it even started.
Shawcross has not played for England since Ibrahimovic s memorable four-goal haul in a 4-2 win in November 2012.
The 28-year-old defender earned his one and only cap on that remarkable night in Stockholm and while he made just a 16-minute cameo off the bench, it seemingly shaped his international career.
Shawcross came off the bench and watched helplessly as Ibrahimovic scored three goals in 12 minutes, including a stunning long-range bicycle kick, despite the former s last-ditch effort on the line.
It is a match that lives long in the memory, with Shawcross not expecting an England recall, at least not while manager Roy Hodgso…
Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz is hoping to move to German Bundesliga in the winter, according to his official representative.
The highly rated footballer is desperate to leave Craven Cottage following a largely disappointing spell and it appears Germany will be his next destination.
After missing out on a summer switch to Werder Bremen, Ruiz clearly hopes the Weserstadion outfit will rekindle their interest in his services.
“Werder is still an interesting option for Bryan. I hope we make it there in January,” agent .
“The Bundesliga would be a good option for him. I believe it is the strongest league in Europe.”
Bryan Ruiz has largely struggled to prove his worth in English Premier League having joined Fulham from Twente in the summer of 2011…
Paulo Dybala says it is a childhood dream come true to be handed the number 10 jersey by Juventus for the new season.
The jersey vacant since Paul Pogba left for Manchester United last year has also been worn by legends such as Omar Sivori, Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero and is recognition of the Argentina international s contribution since arriving from Palermo in 2015.
Dybala has been touted as a potential replacement for Neymar at Barcelona, but Juve seem unsurprisingly keen to keep hold of their man, who previously wore 21.
And Dybala, who has scored 42 goals in 94 appearances for Juve, wrote on Instagram: When they asked me to change my shirt number, I waited and thought if it was right to leave the 21 that was – and still will be …
Real Valladolid have announced the signing of goalkeeper Jordi Masip, following his exit from Barcelona.
The 28-year-old s contract expired at the end of last month and no new deal was signed, allowing the academy graduate to leave Camp Nou and begin talks with other clubs.
Masip has now agreed a three-year deal with Valladolid, who finished seventh in the second tier last season.
Jordi Masip Lopez has become the eighth Real Valladolid signing for the 2017-18 season, the club confirmed in a statement.
The Catalan, third goalkeeper of the Barcelona team over the last three seasons, signs until June 30, 2020.
Masip made his competitive debut in an 8-1 Copa del Rey thrashing of Huesca in December 2014 but he only made three further appearances f…
West Ham United are interested in signing Josh King from Bournemouth before the summer transfer window in England closes on October 16, according to . It has been reported that the Hammers are in a good position to sign the Norway international striker.
The Hammers are looking for a new striker for the 2020-21 campaign. Sebastian Haller could not make a huge impact at the London Stadium last season, and while Michail Antonio is doing well playing upfront, and the former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest man is a winger by trade.
According to , King has played 23 minutes in the Championship for Bournemouth so far this season. During the 2019-20 campaign, the 28-year-old made 24 starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League for the Cherries, scoring …
Is Cristiano Ronaldo s time at Juventus coming to an end?
Ronaldo swapped LaLiga giants Real Madrid for Serie A champions Juventus in 2018.
But the 35-year-old superstar reportedly wants out of Turin.
TOP STORY – RONALDO EYES JUVE EXIT
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Juventus as Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United circle, according to Diario GOL.
The report claims Ronaldo has an offer from Ligue 1 champions PSG, who want to partner the five-time Ballon d Or winner with Kylian Mbappe.
Ronaldo has also received a proposal from former club United and the 35-year-old wants to restore the glory days at Old Trafford, though it depends on Champions League qualification.
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