Liverpool Boss Slot: Salah Fit for Cameo Against Aston Villa

09 May 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah waves to fans ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa
09 May 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah waves to fans ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa
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Liverpool Boss Slot: Salah Fit for Cameo Against Aston Villa

09 May 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah waves to fans ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa
09 May 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah waves to fans ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa

Forward Mohamed Salah could make his return from injury in Liverpool's Premier League game at Aston Villa this week, manager Arne Slot said on Thursday.

Salah has not played since he was forced off during a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last month with a hamstring concern, sparking fears his campaign and potentially his Anfield career could be over, with the Egyptian set to leave at the end of the season.

However, Liverpool later confirmed the injury was not as serious as initially feared.

"Mo (Salah) will be available tomorrow but only for a few minutes. Hopefully he can come in," ⁠Slot told reporters ⁠ahead of Friday's trip to Villa, according to Reuters.

"Alisson trained with us again, let's see tomorrow whether he is ready or has to wait one more week. Florian (Wirtz) had a stomach infection and is on antibiotics. Let's see if he is ready to play tomorrow."

Liverpool, fourth in the league standings and level on ⁠59 points with Villa, can secure a spot in next season's Champions League if they win at Villa Park, but there is little else for fans of the Merseyside club to look forward to in the final weeks of the campaign.

Slot's side have been unable to build on last season's Premier League success and will go without silverware, leading to questions over the Dutch manager's future at the club.

Asked if he would still be at Anfield next season, Slot said: "I don't think ⁠I am ⁠deciding that myself alone. I have every reason to believe that I am the Liverpool manager next season.

"First of all, I am contracted to this club, and second of all from all the talks we are having.

"If you don't have the best season, especially if you compare it with last season, this has definitely not been a great season. Then it is normal that criticism comes, and we've all had our share. That is how things work nowadays, if you don't win the league."

Liverpool host Brentford in their final league game of the season on May 24.



Turki Alalshikh Announces Riyadh Season Sponsorship of 2027 Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Turki Alalshikh Announces Riyadh Season Sponsorship of 2027 Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Turki Alalshikh announced Riyadh Season’s sponsorship of the 2027 Spanish Super Cup, which will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, as part of Riyadh Season’s continued presence at major international sporting events.

Istanbul will host the Spanish Super Cup under an agreement between the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and Sela, in cooperation with the Turkish Football Federation.

The tournament will take place at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, one of the most iconic venues in football history, which hosted the UEFA Champions League finals in 2005 and 2023, and will now welcome some of Spain’s leading football clubs, SPA reported.

As part of this collaboration, Sela will oversee the Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul and will be responsible for managing the tournament’s commercial rights and operational delivery, in cooperation with the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Turkish Football Federation, ensuring a world-class experience for clubs, players, broadcasters, partners, and fans.

Riyadh Season’s sponsorship of the tournament extends its role in supporting major sporting events and strengthening its international presence through partnerships with leading global sports institutions and competitions, helping reach new audiences and further enhance Riyadh Season’s presence on the global stage.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, and Atlético Madrid will participate in the tournament. The match schedule, ticketing details, as well as the accompanying fan programs and activities, will be announced at a later date.


Spanish Super Cup Will Be Held in Türkiye in 2027

Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer
Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer
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Spanish Super Cup Will Be Held in Türkiye in 2027

Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer
Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer

The 2027 Spanish Super Cup will be held in Türkiye at Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium, the Spanish Football Federation said Thursday.

The Final Four tournament will take place from February 2 to 7 and feature Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, the federation said in a statement.

 

Barcelona are reigning Super Cup champions after beating Real Madrid in the 2026 final.

The Spanish Super Cup features the winners and runners-up of La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

 

 

 

 


Arbeloa Sent off and Fulham Walks off Before Penalty Shootout in Preseason Game Against Malaga

Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)
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Arbeloa Sent off and Fulham Walks off Before Penalty Shootout in Preseason Game Against Malaga

Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)

Fulham's preseason match against Malaga turned out to be not too friendly when the English club walked off and coach Alvaro Arbeloa was red-carded for complaining with the referees.

La Liga host Malaga scored a 90th-minute equalizer for 2-2. Malaga said a penalty shootout was scheduled. Fulham said there wasn't. Malaga kicked a penalty into an open net and claimed the Costa del Sol trophy on Wednesday.

Fulham said on X: “We can confirm that prior to the match, both teams agreed that there would not be a penalty shootout in the event of a draw."

Former Real Madrid coach Arbeloa was sent off for arguing with the officiating crew at the end of the match.

Malaga said a penalty shootout was scheduled but “Fulham left the pitch claiming that a shootout had not been included in the contract.”