Klopp Unfazed by Liverpool Sale Talk

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp applauds fans after the match (Reuters)
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp applauds fans after the match (Reuters)
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Klopp Unfazed by Liverpool Sale Talk

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp applauds fans after the match (Reuters)
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."



Yamal on Target as Spain Hold Off Czech Republic

Spain's forward #19 Lamine Yamal kicks the ball during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Spain and the Czech Republic at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium in Oviedo on October 3, 2026. (AFP)
Spain's forward #19 Lamine Yamal kicks the ball during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Spain and the Czech Republic at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium in Oviedo on October 3, 2026. (AFP)
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Yamal on Target as Spain Hold Off Czech Republic

Spain's forward #19 Lamine Yamal kicks the ball during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Spain and the Czech Republic at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium in Oviedo on October 3, 2026. (AFP)
Spain's forward #19 Lamine Yamal kicks the ball during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Spain and the Czech Republic at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium in Oviedo on October 3, 2026. (AFP)

Lamine Yamal continued his superb goalscoring form as Spain secured a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic on Saturday in the Nations League.

The world champions moved three points clear of England at the top of Group A3, after Thomas Tuchel's side demolished Croatia 7-0 earlier on in Rijeka.

Spain cruised into a two-goal lead with Yamal and captain Rodri Hernandez on target but Jiri Slama gave the Czechs a chance by pulling one back with 20 minutes to go.

However, Mikel Merino wrapped up Spain's win late on after Ladislav Krejci was sent off for the Czechs as Spain racked up a 41st consecutive unbeaten game, including the World Cup final win over Argentina in July.

"They are well drilled, I thought it would be one of the hardest games and that's how it was," Rodri told Spanish broadcaster TVE after Spain claimed a third win from three group games.

"It was tricky but we got some chances. There are some matches in which you can't generate that much, but the team was able to manage the match."

The former Manchester City midfielder scored for the first time for Spain in over two years.

"It's always special to score for the national team, I'd not been scoring many goals, let's see if I've found that dynamic -- it's important, we all have to chip in with the goals," he added.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente made several changes in Oviedo from Tuesday's win over Croatia, including handing debuts to full-back Ivan Fresneda and striker Roberto Fernandez.

It was one of Spain's star names, though, who lit up the game early on, something he is beginning to make a habit of.

Yamal, who scored in the second minute of Spain's first two games against England and Croatia, waited as long as the sixth before breaking the deadlock.

- Red hot form -

The 19-year-old winger, a major candidate for the Ballon d'Or, produced an exquisite finish from the right of the box, curled into the top corner after taking a touch to earn himself room to shoot.

"We're doing well, I'm very happy. I was eager to return to the national team after the World Cup, and there's no better way than this," said Yamal.

Spain coach De la Fuente put his hands to his head in apparent shock at the quality of Yamal's superb strike, his 12th in his last nine games for club and country.

"I think he never stops surprising us -- I think all of us. He has so much talent, so much quality, that we still haven't seen the best version of Lamine by a long shot," said De la Fuente.

"He has a lot more to offer because he's so classy, so talented, with so much potential."

The winger's Barcelona team-mate Rodri doubled Spain's lead after 35 minutes, arriving in the box to drill into the top corner after the ball fell nicely for him.

De la Fuente took off Yamal at half-time to give the young Barcelona star a break before Tuesday's visit to face Croatia, and the pace of the game slowed.

The Czechs pulled one back through Slama, who produced an excellent low finish across David Raya after Adam Hlozek played him in.

Arsenal stopper Raya was fortunate a few minutes later when he conceded possession with a misplaced pass while out of his goal, but the visitors could not capitalize.

Raya also spilled the ball badly and Ryan Naderi turned home but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Robin Le Normand.

Czech Republic's determined efforts to battle back were derailed by Krejci's red card, with the defender shown a second yellow for pulling back Fernandez, before Merino rounded off Spain's win.


UAE Beat Oman to Reach Gulf Cup Final Against Saudi Arabia

Football - Gulf Cup - Semi Final - United Arab Emirates v Oman - Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 3, 2026 United Arab Emirates' Lucas Pimenta, Oumar Camara and Sultan Adil celebrate after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Gulf Cup - Semi Final - United Arab Emirates v Oman - Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 3, 2026 United Arab Emirates' Lucas Pimenta, Oumar Camara and Sultan Adil celebrate after the match. (Reuters)
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UAE Beat Oman to Reach Gulf Cup Final Against Saudi Arabia

Football - Gulf Cup - Semi Final - United Arab Emirates v Oman - Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 3, 2026 United Arab Emirates' Lucas Pimenta, Oumar Camara and Sultan Adil celebrate after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Gulf Cup - Semi Final - United Arab Emirates v Oman - Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 3, 2026 United Arab Emirates' Lucas Pimenta, Oumar Camara and Sultan Adil celebrate after the match. (Reuters)

Forward Ousmane Camara scored the only goal as the United Arab Emirates beat Oman 1-0 on Saturday to set up a final against Saudi Arabia in the Gulf Cup.

Saudi edged Asian champions Qatar 3-2 on penalties after 120 minutes ended goalless in an earlier, poor-quality semi-final.

Camara headed home from close range to lead Zlatko Dalic's side to the final for ‌the first time ‌since 2018. The UAE are seeking to ‌clinch ⁠the title for ⁠a third time after their triumphs in 2007 and 2013.

UAE playmaker Nicolas Gimenez squandered a penalty in the 56th minute.

"After we missed the penalty, of course we changed three players. We put in new guys, they brought something new to the team and the game, more energy, and changed the rhythm," Dalic ⁠told Abu Dhabi Sports TV.

"But we never gave ‌up. I told my players, ‌we worked hard for the last 20 days for what? For this ‌night, for this game," the former Croatia coach added.

Oman, ‌runners-up in the previous edition, had reached the semi-finals after advancing ahead of Iraq by lot when the two teams finished level on all Group A tiebreak criteria.

HEROIC AL OWAIS

Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais played ‌a huge role by making two saves in the penalty shootout, denying Jassem Gaber and ⁠Boualem Khoukhi ⁠from the spot.

Al Owais, 34, saved Khoukhi's penalty and then denied him again when the kick was ordered to be retaken.

Qatar were solid in defense and came closest to breaking the deadlock when substitute Edmilson struck the crossbar late in the second half.

However, the main talking point for Julen Lopetegui's side was talisman Akram Afif's frustrated reaction after being substituted in the 69th minute, with the forward appearing unhappy as he left the pitch.

Saudi Arabia will hope to end a 22-year wait to regain the Gulf Cup when they host the UAE in Tuesday's final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.


Qatar and Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix to Go Ahead, Says F1 Boss

The final races of the Formula One season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned. (Getty Images)
The final races of the Formula One season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned. (Getty Images)
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Qatar and Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix to Go Ahead, Says F1 Boss

The final races of the Formula One season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned. (Getty Images)
The final races of the Formula One season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned. (Getty Images)

The final races of the Formula One season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned despite tensions in the Middle East, the sport's CEO Stefano Domenicali said Saturday.

"Based on the information we have, everything is confirmed for (us to stay in) Qatar and Abu Dhabi," Domenicali told French broadcaster Canal Plus on the sidelines of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was relocated to the Sepang circuit in Malaysia this weekend.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, the boss of motorsport's premier series "confirmed the schedule for the final two Grands Prix" of the year in Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi on December 6.

The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia grands prix were scrapped earlier this season due to the start of the US-led war with Iran.

Italian Domenicali insisted "that everything was in order" and that "teams and drivers were being kept informed of the situation."

He added that 99 percent of tickets had been sold in Abu Dhabi and that the season-ending race was generating "great excitement".

However, not all drivers want to compete in the Gulf.

Dutch four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who will start from pole position in Malaysia on Sunday, said during the week he would prefer if the season did not finish in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

"Normally I am happy to go to Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but you know, when there is a war nearby, and if some of the countries are in conflict with each other, then I think we shouldn't go," he told ViaPlay.

"Then, it doesn't matter if you have a contract or not, I think. But it's not up to me."

One of the Plan B options discussed was moving the Emirati race to Imola in Italy.