Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp applauds fans after the match (Reuters)
Jurgen Klopp insists he won't fret about talk of Liverpool's owners selling the Premier League club until things are "not positive".
Fenway Sports Group, the Boston-based consortium that owns Liverpool, recently admitted they are looking at potential new investment, sparking reports that they are ready to sell up, AFP said.
The Boston Globe, the newspaper belonging to Liverpool's principal owner John W Henry, reported FSG president Mike Gordon -- the main link between the America-based group and Anfield -- was transferring some of his job responsibilities to Reds chief executive Billy Hogan.
Klopp had already responded to the takeover rumors by stressing his commitment to fulfilling a contract that runs until 2026.
The German has always had a good relationship with the owners but, while he admits a boost to the club's finances would be welcome, he sees no reason to concern himself by what happens next at boardroom level.
"In the structure we had, we were obviously able to spend money, but we always had to look and say 'What did we earn?" Klopp told reporters on Friday.
"The two biggest transfers we did in the past with Ali (Alisson Becker) and Virg (Virgil van Dijk), we all know how it happened, we got some money from Barcelona (£142million for Philippe Coutinho) and spent it wisely, I would say.
"For me, how we did it so far brought us to where we are. But fresh money is no mistake, let me say it like this!
"Nothing gets cheaper, and not only because of the inflation rate. Sometimes you have to spend.
"I have no idea what will happen, but I am positive about it. If in the end it is not positive, then I can start worrying, but I just think everything will be fine."
Australian Grand Prix Called off as Rain Spoils Phillip Island Send-offhttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5333330-australian-grand-prix-called-rain-spoils-phillip-island-send
MotoGP bikes are seen lined up after a farewell lap following the cancellation of the last Australian MotoGP Grand Prix to be held at Phillip Island on October 25, 2026, due to inclement weather conditions. (AFP)
TT
TT
Australian Grand Prix Called off as Rain Spoils Phillip Island Send-off
MotoGP bikes are seen lined up after a farewell lap following the cancellation of the last Australian MotoGP Grand Prix to be held at Phillip Island on October 25, 2026, due to inclement weather conditions. (AFP)
The final Australian MotoGP at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit was called off on Sunday due to heavy rain, ruining the farewell for one of the championship's most beloved circuits.
It was a crushing blow for the sold-out crowd at Phillip Island, with the Australian Grand Prix moving to the streets of Adelaide next year.
The Moto2 and Moto3 races were cancelled first and the MotoGP race was delayed by two hours due to the weather, before organizers threw in the towel and finally called it off at 3:40 p.m. (0440 GMT).
"Due to limited visibility affecting the operation of the medical helicopter the MotoGP Grand Prix race has been cancelled," MotoGP said in a statement.
"The MotoGP riders will do a lap behind the safety car and stop on the main straight to greet the fans. Pitlane will open for the farewell lap at 15:45 local time."
RIDER PARADE
The dark clouds and pelting rain brought down the visibility around the circuit, affecting the medical helicopter, which would take 45 minutes to reach the circuit from mainland Melbourne in an emergency.
Other than two years lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, the seaside track south of Melbourne had been a fixture on the world championship calendar for 30 years and produced some of Australian motorcycling's most memorable moments.
Australian two-times world champion Casey Stoner celebrated six wins in succession from 2007 to 2012, while compatriot Mick Doohan sealed his fifth and final world title with victory in the 1998 race.
The raincoat-clad fans who persevered through the rain were treated to a farewell lap from the MotoGP riders, who waved as they slowly made their way around a soaking wet track.
Home racer Jack Miller did his best to entertain his supporters with a series of tricks, including a stand-up wheelie over the finish line, before heading over to the grandstand and throwing his gloves and boots into the crowd.
MILLER DEJECTED, SIGH OF RELIEF FOR MARTIN
The Pramac Racing rider, a very strong performer in the wet, cut a dejected figure when he was interviewed after completing his lap.
"This is a tough pill to swallow," said the 31-year-old, who will be leaving MotoGP at the end of the season after more than a decade to join Pata Maxus Yamaha in the World Superbike Championship.
"You know, I was praying for rain all weekend. We got the rain, but obviously we weren't organized enough to get the racing going, so it's a tough one.
"You guys deserve better. Honestly, all of you have done a fantastic job turning out for Phillip Island, sitting through traffic, sitting through dog-shit weather, all the rest of it. You guys are amazing. Thank you very much."
Rain had been expected for the weekend, but MotoGP did not revive its 2023 strategy for the circuit, when the Grand Prix was moved ahead to Saturday and the sprint scheduled for Sunday.
That sprint race three years ago was eventually called off.
The cancellation of the race also ended the opportunity for seven-times MotoGP champion Marquez to extend his lead in the championship standings, with his title rival Martin declared unfit to compete in the race after fracturing his wrist.
Martin held the championship lead heading into the weekend but finds himself 10 points behind Marquez after failing to finish Saturday's sprint after a gruesome crash.
On Sunday, Martin's team Aprilia said he would not travel back to Spain to undergo treatment, however, boosting the 2024 champion's hopes of racing at next week's Malaysian Grand Prix and remaining in the title fight.
Man City Falls at Aston Villa and Arsenal Moves Level on Top of Premier Leaguehttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5333216-man-city-falls-aston-villa-and-arsenal-moves-level-top-premier-league
Aston Villa's Nicolas Jackson, left, challenges for the ball with Manchester City's Marc Guehi during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester City in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Morgan Harlow)
Man City Falls at Aston Villa and Arsenal Moves Level on Top of Premier League
Aston Villa's Nicolas Jackson, left, challenges for the ball with Manchester City's Marc Guehi during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester City in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Morgan Harlow)
Manchester City's perfect start to the Premier League ended in a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa, allowing Arsenal to move level on points atop the standings on Saturday.
Nicolas Jackson scored both goals for Villa against a City that was aiming for an eighth straight league win.
Victory extended Villa’s outstanding recent run to six wins from seven games in all competitions.
“It is incredible," The Associated Press quoted Jackson as saying. "It was difficult but we got the win and that is the most important thing. Now we can focus on the next one.”
After City's defeat in the early kickoff, defending champion Arsenal took advantage by beating Everton 2-0 at Emirates Stadium.
Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes scored in each half for Mikel Arteta's team, which is second on goal difference.
Arsenal's Brazilian defender #06 Gabriel Magalhaes (L) and Arsenal's English defender #15 Ezri Konsa (R) applaud fans after the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 24, 2026. Arsenal won the game 2-0. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)
Fulham beat Coventry 1-0 and Chelsea was playing Tottenham in the late kickoff.
Arsenal ends unlikely run Konsa scored his first goal for Arsenal since joining from Villa at the start of the season and ended the champion's run of 13 games without scoring from a set-piece.
Last season's title victory relied heavily on Arsenal's scoring efficiency from corners, in particular, but Konsa's scrambled goal after seven minutes was its first in any competition this term, excluding penalties.
“A goal from a set-piece has felt like it has been coming. Today was the day,” Konsa said.
Gabriel was also on target, heading in the second in the 68th for his first of the campaign.
After showing its Champions League credentials with a 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich midweek, Arsenal strengthened its title defense with victory against Everton to move to neck and neck with City, with just goal difference separating them.
“We’re very happy with the victory, the performance and the week, because we were given a terrible schedule,” Arteta said. “We just have to focus on what we can do, and we’re very pleased with 90% of the performances and results.”
Emery a ‘tactical genius’ Villa is rapidly climbing the standings after a desperate start to the campaign saw it fail to win its opening four games and picked up just one point.
The difficult start was understandable after a hugely disruptive offseason when a raft of star players left the club including Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, Konsa, Emi Martinez and Youri Tielemans.
Unai Emery, who transformed the club from relegation battler to Champions League contender, was forced to rebuild a team that won the Europa League last season, and has done that in double-quick time.
Villa's last defeat was on Sept. 12, to Nottingham Forest 2-1. Since then Emery's team is unbeaten.
Jackson is up to seven goals in all competitions. He fired the opener inside six minutes at Villa Park.
Erling Haaland headed City level in the second half, but Jackson got his second and the winner with a first-time finish that squirmed under goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
City fell to a fourth defeat at Villa Park in as many seasons.
“Emery is just a tactical genius. Especially against Man City at our place we have been really good," Villa defender Matty Cash said. “He always has a plan for something and is always coming up with new ideas. When you play against top teams you have to adapt and we did that today.”
Maresca not so perfect now Maresca said City would learn lessons from its first league defeat.
The Italian enjoyed a perfect start in England's top flight since succeeding Pep Guardiola in the offseason.
Villa joined Arsenal and European champion Paris Saint-Germain as the only teams to beat City in any competition this season.
“I don’t think we deserved to lose today, but we lost,” Maresca said. “You can always learn something.”
Oscar Bobb scored in the 80th to seal victory for Fulham at Coventry.
Al-Arabi Wins Second Round of Saudi Toyota Drift Championship in Al-Ahsahttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5333159-al-arabi-wins-second-round-saudi-toyota-drift-championship-al-ahsa
Al-Arabi Wins Second Round of Saudi Toyota Drift Championship in Al-Ahsa
Al-Amri finished second and Yousef Bahuwairth third. The result reversed the first round, which Al-Amri won ahead of Al-Arabi - SPA
Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Al-Arabi won the Professional category in the second round of the 2026 Saudi Toyota Drift Championship in Al-Ahsa, setting up a title decider with Oman's Ahmed Al-Amri in the final round.
Al-Amri finished second and Yousef Bahuwairth third. The result reversed the first round, which Al-Amri won ahead of Al-Arabi.
In the Semi-Professional category, Fahad bin Rubayyi won, ahead of Sultan Al-Aqili and Saud Al-Abbasi. In the Amateur category, Qaswara Hammam took first place, followed by Amir Al-Aqili and Osama Al-Asiri, SPA reported.
The round drew a large crowd and 47 drivers: 19 Professional, 19 Semi-Professional, and nine Amateur. It was supervised by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, managed by Bakhashab Motorsport, and held in partnership with Jameel Motorsport.
The third and final round, which will decide the 2026 champions in all three categories, takes place in Jeddah on November 26 and 27.
The championship is part of the federation's efforts to develop motorsport in the Kingdom, support national talent, and strengthen safety standards.
لم تشترك بعد
انشئ حساباً خاصاً بك لتحصل على أخبار مخصصة لك ولتتمتع بخاصية حفظ المقالات وتتلقى نشراتنا البريدية المتنوعة
