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Slot Says He and Salah Want 'What’s Best for Liverpool' before Brentford Finale

25 April 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah with manager Arne Slot after being substituted during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa
25 April 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah with manager Arne Slot after being substituted during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa
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Slot Says He and Salah Want 'What’s Best for Liverpool' before Brentford Finale

25 April 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah with manager Arne Slot after being substituted during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa
25 April 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah with manager Arne Slot after being substituted during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said on Friday that he and Mohamed Salah both care about the club's success after the Egyptian questioned their style of play in a social media post.

Slot, however, declined to confirm whether the forward, who is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, would feature in the club's final game of the campaign at Anfield against Brentford on Sunday.

In a post on X, Salah urged the club to rediscover their attacking identity after a painful 4-2 defeat by Aston Villa left Champions League qualification in the balance

"Mo and I have the same interests, we want the best for this club, we want it to be as successful as possible. We were both part of giving our fans their first title for five years, but we are also aware we haven't brought that same level this season," Slot told reporters on Friday.

"What we and I want is for the club to be as successful as last season. And that is where my main focus is on now because the game on Sunday could give us a really good base for next season.

"I never say anything about team selection, so it would be a surprise to you if I did that right now."

Salah, third on Liverpool's all-time top-scorers list, had highlighted the club's inconsistent campaign and called for a return to the aggressive style that brought previous success under former manager Juergen Klopp.

However, the Dutchman said the forward's criticism had not affected the team's training as they prepare to host Brentford.

With one more Champions League spot up for grabs, fifth-placed Liverpool, on 59 points, will aim to maintain their three-point lead and six-goal-difference advantage over sixth-placed Bournemouth.

"I don't think it is important what I feel, what is important is we qualify for the Champions League on Sunday," Slot added.

"So I prepare Mo and the whole of the team in the best possible way, that is what matters. I was very disappointed after our loss against Villa, as a win would've given us Champions League qualification, and now there is one game to go and it is vital for us as a club."

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker resumed training on Friday and is expected to be fit for the final game, Slot said, after being sidelined since mid-March with a hamstring injury.

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Rybakina Withdraws from Wuhan with Injury after China Open Exit

Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns a ball to Alina Charaeva, of Armenia, during the second round of the women's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns a ball to Alina Charaeva, of Armenia, during the second round of the women's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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Rybakina Withdraws from Wuhan with Injury after China Open Exit

Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns a ball to Alina Charaeva, of Armenia, during the second round of the women's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns a ball to Alina Charaeva, of Armenia, during the second round of the women's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

World number one Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from this month's Wuhan Open due to a foot injury, tournament organizers said on Sunday, a day after the Kazakh suffered a shock defeat in her opening match at the China Open.

Rybakina, who lost to world number 118 Alina Charaeva in Beijing, said she would take time away ⁠from competition to ⁠recover.

"I'm very sorry to the fans who were looking forward to seeing me play," Reuters quoted Rybakina as saying in an Instagram story shared by the tournament.

"I'll take some time ⁠to rest and recover. Thank you for your understanding and continued support."

The 27-year-old has been managing a lingering lower leg and foot problem that also forced her to retire from her Cincinnati quarter-final against Iga Swiatek in August.

Despite the setback, Rybakina recovered in time for the US Open, where ⁠she ⁠claimed her third Grand Slam title, rose to world number one and became the first player to qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals.

Rybakina is next expected to compete in Ningbo, where she will attempt to defend her title.

The Wuhan Open is scheduled to take place from October 12 to 18.

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Verstappen Wins Rain-delayed Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

04 October 2026, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur: Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen of team Red Bull Racing celebrate after winning the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain in Malaysia at Sepang Circuit on Photo: Mohd Faizol Aziz/BERNAMA/dpa
04 October 2026, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur: Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen of team Red Bull Racing celebrate after winning the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain in Malaysia at Sepang Circuit on Photo: Mohd Faizol Aziz/BERNAMA/dpa
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Verstappen Wins Rain-delayed Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

04 October 2026, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur: Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen of team Red Bull Racing celebrate after winning the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain in Malaysia at Sepang Circuit on Photo: Mohd Faizol Aziz/BERNAMA/dpa
04 October 2026, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur: Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen of team Red Bull Racing celebrate after winning the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain in Malaysia at Sepang Circuit on Photo: Mohd Faizol Aziz/BERNAMA/dpa

Red Bull's Max Verstappen won a chaotic rain-hit Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on Sunday for his first victory of the season after the race start was delayed by more than 90 minutes due to treacherous conditions at the Sepang International Circuit.

Verstappen was the last driver to win in Sepang in 2017 before it was taken off the calendar and the Dutchman, who had also taken pole, gave Red Bull a first victory with their own power unit despite an early setback when he lost the lead before turn one.

"It's a really nice one after the year that we've had and the progression that we've made. So I'm incredibly proud of everyone. It is super nice to win here," Reuters quoted Verstappen as saying.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was second for Mercedes and now has an 84-point lead over his closest rival and teammate George Russell, who was third when he retired with a suspected power unit issue with five laps remaining.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finished third despite a tire gamble that had dropped the Briton down to 18th at the start of the race.

"Obviously, we had the wrong call at the beginning, which was so difficult and I could see everyone just pulling away," Hamilton said.

"I thought that ⁠was kind of ⁠race over for us, but I just kept my head down. The guys did a great job with the pit stops."

Antonelli held on to second from Hamilton in the closing laps.

"Today was the maximum we could have done... On our side, a lot of work to do," Antonelli said.

"We've been struggling a bit more than usual, but still really happy to come away with P2."

The last four laps were a straight shootout for podium places after a lengthy safety car period and that was when Hamilton, who had been chasing Red Bull's Isack Hadjar for several laps, made his move.

Charles Leclerc, who had also been closer to the back of the grid at ⁠the start of the race amid the chaos of a wet track, salvaged fourth for Ferrari when he overtook Hadjar with two laps to go.

Hadjar finished fifth ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri. Liam Lawson was seventh while Fernando Alonso was eighth for Aston Martin, their best result of the season.

The season had not yet had a wet race where the 2026 cars could be tested and the rain - which had stayed away in practice and qualifying - arrived with heavy showers sweeping across the circuit, delaying the start.

After a suspended start procedure, the second start had drivers split between intermediate and slick tires but it was the former that thrived early in the race.

When the lights went out, Antonelli accelerated through the middle from third on the grid to take the lead from Verstappen while Russell shot past on the outside to move up from seventh to second.

But Verstappen's recovery began on lap six when he attacked Russell, overtaking the Briton by diving down the inside of turn four ⁠to set his sights on Antonelli.

The ⁠Italian had to defend his position until lap 10 when Valtteri Bottas spun his Cadillac into the gravel, bringing out the safety car as Verstappen pitted while the two Mercedes cars double stacked to switch to slick tires.

When the safety car came in, Verstappen stayed glued to Antonelli's rear tire before overtaking the Italian on turn three, with Russell also surging past his team mate on the next turn to flip the order.

Verstappen looked comfortable setting the pace up front as he set fastest laps and extended his lead over Russell to over four seconds as a frustrated Antonelli informed the team that he had the pace to chase the Dutchman.

An impatient Antonelli overtook Russell on lap 21 to move up to second while behind them Hamilton had quietly been chipping away on his ageing soft tires to move up to fifth behind Hadjar.

But Antonelli missed his braking point at turn 15 and went briefly off track, hitting the pit lane bollard and costing him valuable time as Verstappen extended his lead to eight seconds.

When the second safety car came out towards the end for Alex Albon's Williams that was stuck in the gravel, Russell suddenly parked his car on the main straight and shook his head as he got out of the car with a suspected power unit issue.

Sports

Marquez Wins Japanese GP to Cut Martin's Lead

Ducati Lenovo Team rider Marc Marquez of Spain displays his Ducati team's 100th victory sticker at the Parc Ferme during the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at the Mobility Resort Motegi in Motegi, Tochigi prefecture on October 4, 2026. (Photo by Toshifumi KITAMURA / AFP)
Ducati Lenovo Team rider Marc Marquez of Spain displays his Ducati team's 100th victory sticker at the Parc Ferme during the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at the Mobility Resort Motegi in Motegi, Tochigi prefecture on October 4, 2026. (Photo by Toshifumi KITAMURA / AFP)
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Marquez Wins Japanese GP to Cut Martin's Lead

Ducati Lenovo Team rider Marc Marquez of Spain displays his Ducati team's 100th victory sticker at the Parc Ferme during the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at the Mobility Resort Motegi in Motegi, Tochigi prefecture on October 4, 2026. (Photo by Toshifumi KITAMURA / AFP)
Ducati Lenovo Team rider Marc Marquez of Spain displays his Ducati team's 100th victory sticker at the Parc Ferme during the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at the Mobility Resort Motegi in Motegi, Tochigi prefecture on October 4, 2026. (Photo by Toshifumi KITAMURA / AFP)

Ducati's Marc Marquez won his fourth Japanese Grand Prix to complete a sprint-race double at the Motegi Circuit on Sunday and cut title rival Jorge Martin's championship lead to two points.

After several riders experienced extreme degradation of their soft rear tires during Saturday's sprint, the entire grid opted for hard rear tires and the first few laps of the race were a cagey affair.

Polesitter Martin managed to hold on to his advantage off the line and appeared comfortable in the opening eight laps as Marquez waited ⁠for the perfect ⁠moment to pounce.

That opportunity came on the 11th lap when Martin left a sliver of space on his inside, which Marquez exploited to take the lead.

The reigning champion then controlled the race to the chequered flag, finishing ahead of Aprilia's Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.

"The race was ⁠tough, especially when I was behind Jorge, but I knew that if I was able to lead the race, my pace was good," Reuters quoted Marquez as saying.

"Jorge tried to attack, but then I just increased a bit more the pace and it was enough to do the last two laps more relaxed."

Martin is on 333 points, ahead of Marquez on 331, with six rounds remaining in the season.

"I wanted to win but I think today it was really ⁠difficult to ⁠beat Marc," Martin said. "I rode almost perfectly. I was really smooth, really confident and even then I couldn't win."

Martin's teammate Bezzecchi also kept his slim title hopes alive, fending off a late charge by Tech3's Enea Bastianini to finish third.

LCR Honda's Diogo Moreira, who clinched his first-ever podium on Saturday, crashed out, as did Gresini's Alex Marquez after serving a double long lap penalty for his role in a three-rider collision during the sprint.

Japan's Ai Ogura (Trackhouse) finished sixth after a thrilling battle with teammate Raul Fernandez and KTM's Pedro Acosta.