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Klopp Not Wishing Salah Too Much Luck at Africa Cup Of Nations

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Salah - File Photo DPA
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Salah - File Photo DPA
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Klopp Not Wishing Salah Too Much Luck at Africa Cup Of Nations

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Salah - File Photo DPA
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Salah - File Photo DPA

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp joked Friday that he is not wishing Mohamed Salah too much luck at the Africa Cup of Nations as he prepares for a crucial spell of games without his top scorer.

Salah is away with Egypt for the tournament in Ivory Coast while Japan captain Wataru Endo will be involved at the Asian Cup in Qatar, with both players expected to go deep in the respective competitions.

That could mean they will not be back until the second week in February but Klopp said he sent them on their way this week without wishing them too much success.

"I said if I wish you good luck it would be a lie," Klopp said ahead of Liverpool's FA Cup third-round tie at Arsenal on Sunday.

"From a personal point of view, I would be happy if they go out in the group stage but that's probably not possible. They can go on and win it.

"So it was 'Good luck and come back healthy'. We have to deal with it and we will deal with it. I am pretty positive that we will find a way."

Klopp does not really have a suitable replacement for Salah, who plays on the right side of his attack and has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season.

Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai was touted as a potential option but he has been ruled out for at least two matches with a hamstring injury sustained in the New Year's Day win over Newcastle.

But Klopp, whose side are top of the Premier League, is confident Liverpool can fill the hole left by Salah.

"I think we played against West Ham (in last month's League Cup quarter-final) without Mo on that side and Harvey Elliott played there," AFP quoted Klopp saying.

"We have different offensive options who can all play that wing in a different way. Nobody else can play like Mo, it is not possible -- we just have to use the boys with their skills.

"Do we want to play without Mo? No. In the past we didn't have to do it often but we always found a way.

"But we play Arsenal and you can lose to Arsenal with Mo Salah so it's possible to lose to them without him."

Klopp said he was braced for a challenging January, even though there are fewer Premier League games due to a mid-season player break.

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Napoli Keep Pace in Title Race After Defeating Lazio in Stormy Contest

Napoli's Italian defender #37 Leonardo Spinazzola (R) celebrates with Napoli's Scottish midfielder #08 Scott McTominay (C) after scoring his team first goal during the Italian Serie A football match between Lazio and Napoli at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on January 4, 2026. (AFP)
Napoli's Italian defender #37 Leonardo Spinazzola (R) celebrates with Napoli's Scottish midfielder #08 Scott McTominay (C) after scoring his team first goal during the Italian Serie A football match between Lazio and Napoli at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on January 4, 2026. (AFP)
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Napoli Keep Pace in Title Race After Defeating Lazio in Stormy Contest

Napoli's Italian defender #37 Leonardo Spinazzola (R) celebrates with Napoli's Scottish midfielder #08 Scott McTominay (C) after scoring his team first goal during the Italian Serie A football match between Lazio and Napoli at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on January 4, 2026. (AFP)
Napoli's Italian defender #37 Leonardo Spinazzola (R) celebrates with Napoli's Scottish midfielder #08 Scott McTominay (C) after scoring his team first goal during the Italian Serie A football match between Lazio and Napoli at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on January 4, 2026. (AFP)

First-half goals from Leonardo Spinazzola and Amir Rrahmani helped Napoli claim a 2-0 victory at Lazio on Sunday in a heated contest that featured three red cards.

The result left Napoli one point adrift of leaders AC Milan, who are on 38 points, while Inter sit third on 36 ahead of their ‌match against Bologna ‌later on Sunday.

Despite being hampered ‌by ⁠the absence ‌of a number of injured players, including Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Billy Gilmour, Napoli appeared largely in control as they patiently built their attacks.

Napoli seized control in the 14th minute when a teasing cross drifted to the back post, where an unmarked Spinazzola ⁠fired a volley home to give the visitors the lead.

Antonio Conte's ‌side underlined their dominance in the ‍32nd minute when a ‍free kick was floated into the box and ‍Rrahmani headed into the bottom corner to double the visitors' lead.

Napoli came close to stretching their advantage just minutes later when Eljif Elmas rose to meet a delivery but his header crashed against the crossbar.

Napoli's injury concerns deepened in the second half when David ⁠Neres was seen limping off. The stoppage sparked a brief flashpoint between the two sides, ending with yellow cards for Rrahmani and Lazio’s Tijjani Noslin.

Lazio’s afternoon unraveled further in the 81st minute when Noslin was sent off for a clumsy challenge on Alessandro Buongiorno.

Tempers flared again minutes before full time as Lazio’s Adam Marusic and Napoli’s Pasquale Mazzocchi became embroiled in a heated confrontation, prompting Napoli coach Antonio Conte to intervene ‌in an attempt to separate the pair. Both players were subsequently shown red cards.

Sports

Cunha Strikes as Man Utd Snatch Point in 1-1 Draw at Leeds

Football - Premier League - Leeds United v Manchester United - Elland Road, Leeds, Britain - January 4, 2026 Manchester United's Matheus Cunha celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Leeds United v Manchester United - Elland Road, Leeds, Britain - January 4, 2026 Manchester United's Matheus Cunha celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
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Cunha Strikes as Man Utd Snatch Point in 1-1 Draw at Leeds

Football - Premier League - Leeds United v Manchester United - Elland Road, Leeds, Britain - January 4, 2026 Manchester United's Matheus Cunha celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Leeds United v Manchester United - Elland Road, Leeds, Britain - January 4, 2026 Manchester United's Matheus Cunha celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)

Manchester United snatched a 1-1 draw at Leeds United on Sunday after Matheus Cunha cancelled out Brenden Aaronson's opener in a frantic three-minute spell that epitomized a chaotic Premier League encounter.

The Brazilian forward shouldered the creative burden for United with several key players missing, proving a constant menace before silencing the raucous Elland Road crowd with his second-half equalizer. The draw between the two age-old rivals lifted the visitors provisionally to fifth place with 31 points while Leeds remain 16th on 22 points.

"We know how big this game is for everyone. But it's good to have a point here also," Cunha told TNT Sports.

"It was so hard. We know what to expect, what to bring to the ‌game. They try ‌to do everything to win."

SCRAPPY FIRST HALF

Leeds set an aggressive ‌tone ⁠early in a ‌scrappy first half that produced few clear chances despite the intensity.

United thought they had drawn first blood when Cunha volleyed home from range, only for the goal to be chalked off for offside in the build-up.

The home side nearly broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin's glancing header from a cross struck the far post with United keeper Senne Lammens beaten.

At the other end, Leny Yoro's header forced a fine reflex save from Leeds keeper Lucas Perri as ⁠the teams went into the break goalless.

Leeds finally found their breakthrough just after the hour mark when Pascal Struijk played Aaronson ‌through behind United's defense.

The American sprinted past an unsuspecting Ayden ‍Heaven before beating Lammens to send Elland Road ‍into raptures, but their celebrations were short-lived.

ZIRKZEE MAKES INSTANT IMPACT

United substitute Joshua Zirkzee made an ‍instant impact moments after entering the fray, setting Cunha through on goal and the Brazilian slipped his shot past Perri to level the score, silencing the home crowd in the 65th minute.

The drama continued as both sides pressed for a winner. Noah Okafor nearly restored Leeds' lead with an acrobatic overhead kick from a set-piece, but Lammens produced a fine save to deny the Swiss forward.

Cunha himself hit the post when he tried to curl home what would ⁠have been the winner while Zirkzee nearly set up another goal, only for Benjamin Sesko to fire it wide.

"Overall, if you see the game we had more control. We created more chances, we controlled well," United manager Ruben Amorim told BBC.

"So, if you look at the game you feel the frustration that we had the chance to win. It is a tough match in tough conditions."

Leeds substitute Joel Piroe nearly snatched victory for the home side when put through on goal, but the Dutchman's first-time curling effort sailed over the bar as both teams settled for a point in an entertaining Yorkshire thriller.

"If you play Manchester United as a newly-promoted side it's always a good point," Leeds boss Daniel Farke said.

"We were a bit tired today, nevertheless we found a way. We forced ‌an opener and would have taken all three points, so for that I'm a bit disappointed. But if I calm down I have to say it's a fair point."

Sports

Barca Boss Flick Hails Garcia After Goalkeeper Stars Against Former Club

Barcelona's Spanish goalkeeper #13 Joan Garcia jumps to make a save during the Spanish League football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on January 3, 2026. (AFP)
Barcelona's Spanish goalkeeper #13 Joan Garcia jumps to make a save during the Spanish League football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on January 3, 2026. (AFP)
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Barca Boss Flick Hails Garcia After Goalkeeper Stars Against Former Club

Barcelona's Spanish goalkeeper #13 Joan Garcia jumps to make a save during the Spanish League football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on January 3, 2026. (AFP)
Barcelona's Spanish goalkeeper #13 Joan Garcia jumps to make a save during the Spanish League football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on January 3, 2026. (AFP)

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick hailed Joan Garcia as one of the best goalkeepers in the world after the former Espanyol player delivered a decisive performance against his old club in a Catalan derby on Saturday.

Garcia was instrumental in Barcelona's 2-0 victory, producing a series of outstanding saves, with the league leaders extending their lead at the top of the LaLiga standings to 49 points.

"The first thing I have to do is thank Joan Garcia," Flick told reporters. "He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. We suffered, ‌but we ‌took the three points and that is ‌the ⁠message we ‌send to LaLiga."

Flick praised the goalkeeper's composure, particularly given the hostile reception he faced on his return to the RCDE Stadium, where he had previously come through the ranks.

"Fantastic," the German manager said when asked about Garcia's mental strength. "I think he will not forget what he lived here, because he played for Espanyol ⁠and they gave him his opportunity. Now he plays for us, and he ‌was one of the reasons for the ‍win."

Garcia was jeered from the ‍warm-up, with banners aimed at him displayed in the ‍stands, including images of rats and mock banknotes bearing his face. Flick said the 24-year-old appeared unaffected before kickoff.

"Of course I spoke with him," Flick said. "I saw him calm, as always. Focused, convinced. The great teams have the best goalkeepers, and he is one of them."

Espanyol coach Manolo Gonzalez, whose side ⁠created several clear chances but failed to score, declined to discuss Garcia's performance.

"I'm not going to talk about Joan," he said. "Whatever I say will be twisted. I don't want to go into that.

"We were very close to winning and it slipped away... today we should have won."

Turning his attention to the Super Cup, Flick added that the victory would give his side a morale boost ahead of Wednesday's clash with Athletic Bilbao.

"It's not easy after the Christmas break to play this match and go ‌straight into the Super Cup," the German said. "But this victory will give us confidence."