عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Liverpool's Lead in Premier League Grows to 16 Points as Man City Loses Again

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield in Liverpool, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield in Liverpool, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
TT
TT

Liverpool's Lead in Premier League Grows to 16 Points as Man City Loses Again

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield in Liverpool, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield in Liverpool, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's lead in the Premier League has grown to 16 points.
Mohamed Salah's lead in the Golden Boot contest is up to seven goals.
Both races are turning into a procession after Salah converted two second-half penalties for his 26th and 27th goals of the campaign to clinch a 3-1 win for Liverpool at home to last-placed Southampton on Saturday, The Associated Press reported.
It seems a matter of when, not if, Liverpool secures its record-tying 20th English top-flight championship, even if Arsenal — way back in second place — has two games in hand. Liverpool's players have nine games left but surely won't need all of them to seal the title.
Maybe a more staggering statistic is that Manchester City, the winner of the last four titles, is now 23 points behind Liverpool after a 1-0 loss at third-placed Nottingham Forest, whose 83rd-minute winner came from Callum Hudson-Odoi.
City is in fourth place, at least for overnight, and has a fight on its hands just to finish in the top five, which should be enough to qualify for the Champions League this season. Only five points separate City from Fulham in 10th place.
Erling Haaland had a quiet match and — stuck on 20 goals — is now struggling to be the league's top scorer for the third straight season.
Instead, it's Salah heading for the Golden Boot, which he won outright in 2017-18 and shared in the 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons, and is now up to 184 goals in the Premier League — tied with Man City great Sergio Aguero at No. 5 on the all-time list. Aguero and Salah are the top-scoring foreign players since the Premier League was founded in 1992.
Liverpool not holding back ahead of PSG For Liverpool, the meeting with Southampton came in the middle of two matches in a six-day span against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League's last 16.
Liverpool holds a 1-0 lead after the first leg in Paris on Wednesday and manager Arne Slot opted against mass rotation ahead of the return match on Tuesday. Indeed, Salah played the whole match.
Darwin Nunez started after setting up Harvey Elliott's winner in the French capital and scored himself in the 51st minute, canceling out Will Smallbone's shock opener for Southampton in first-half stoppage time.
Nunez then was fouled for the first penalty slotted home by Salah in the 54th, before the Egypt star notched his second in the 88th after a handball.
“The manager, his head was going for us but it's something you need sometimes," Salah said of Slot's halftime reaction. “Because the first half it was sloppy and we were slow.”
Southampton stayed 13 points from safety and looks destined for an immediate return to the Championship.
Forest on course for Champions League Forest’s improbable bid for Champions League qualification was strengthened by beating City, whose goalkeeper Ederson Moraes was beaten at his near post by Hudson-Odoi’s shot late in a tight game at the City Ground.
A few minutes earlier, Ederson had tipped a curling strike by Hudson-Odoi onto the post.
“I knew I'd get another chance and that one went in, so I'm buzzing,” Hudson-Odoi said.
Forest was battling relegation last season and finished 59 points behind City. Now it is four points ahead of the soon-to-be-deposed champions and has 10 games remaining as the club looks to get back into Europe’s top competition, which Forest famously won in 1979 and ’80 under Brian Clough.
City has lost three of its last five league games, to the current top three of Liverpool, Arsenal and now Forest.
“Every season the Premier League gets better and better,” Guardiola said. “We have 10 finals (to go).”
Narrow wins for Brighton and Villa Joao Pedro converted a penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage time to earn Brighton a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Fulham and lift his team to sixth place — level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea.
Since losing 7-0 at Forest on Feb. 1, Brighton has won six straight games in all competitions — including four in the league.
Aston Villa is a point behind in seventh place after winning 1-0 at Brentford, with Ollie Watkins scoring from a deflected shot in the 49th against his former club. The England striker, who was jeered throughout by the home fans, has six goals in his last six appearances against Brentford.
Crystal Palace beat Ipswich 1-0 thanks to Ismaila Sarr's 82nd-minute goal, while fourth-from-last Wolverhampton pushed six points clear of the relegation zone after drawing 1-1 with Everton in the late game.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

AlUla Prepares to Launch AlUla Trail Race 2026 With Global Participation

The 2026 edition features a range of races catering to various categories - SPA
The 2026 edition features a range of races catering to various categories - SPA
TT
TT

AlUla Prepares to Launch AlUla Trail Race 2026 With Global Participation

The 2026 edition features a range of races catering to various categories - SPA
The 2026 edition features a range of races catering to various categories - SPA

Fans of running and endurance sports are turning their attention to AlUla Governorate, which will host on Thursday the start of the AlUla Trail Race 2026, an iconic sporting event bringing together participants of different ages and skill levels from within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and abroad, running from January 22 to 23, 2026, SPA reported.

The race is part of the global sports events calendar, as AlUla continues to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for runners and challenge-seekers, thanks to its breathtaking landscapes and diverse routes that combine exploration with endurance testing in one of the world’s most prominent running experiences.

The 2026 edition features a range of races catering to various categories, including a 50-kilometer race that passes through the Old Town and distinctive natural trails, and a 100-kilometer race, considered among the toughest endurance challenges for professional runners.

It also includes a 10-kilometer race for the general category, a Sunset Race for age groups 5 to 12, a 1.6-kilometer Kids Race, and a 3-kilometer race for participants aged 13 and above, as well as specialized races for highly experienced runners that require advanced fitness and endurance.

The first day of the race is scheduled to begin tomorrow with the start of the 50-kilometer race, alongside a number of accompanying cultural and community activities, as well as the Kids Race and sports performances.

The following day, the 100-kilometer race will launch at sunrise, followed by the 10-kilometer race, and the day will conclude with the winners’ award ceremony and medal distribution.

The AlUla Trail Race is not limited to athletic competition, but also offers a comprehensive sports and community experience, featuring cultural and entertainment events, musical performances, a variety of food options, and recreational facilities within the race village, creating a festive atmosphere suitable for families and supporters throughout the weekend.

During the race, runners pass several of AlUla’s iconic landmarks, from mountains and desert rock formations to valleys, as well as UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Hegra and Maraya Hall, giving the event a cultural and tourism dimension that reflects the governorate’s growing status on the map of global sporting events.

Sports

Sabalenka Shuts Down Political Talk After Ukrainian’s Ban Call

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Bai Zhuoxuan of China in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Bai Zhuoxuan of China in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP)
TT
TT

Sabalenka Shuts Down Political Talk After Ukrainian’s Ban Call

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Bai Zhuoxuan of China in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Bai Zhuoxuan of China in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP)

Aryna Sabalenka Wednesday said she "didn't want to talk politics" after Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova called for Belarusian and Russian players to be banned from tennis.

The 25-year-old Oliynykova, whose father is fighting on the front lines in Ukraine, had said on Tuesday that the presence of players from those two countries was "very wrong" while the conflict continued.

Oliynykova, after losing to defending champion Madison Keys on her Slam debut, wore a T-shirt at her press conference emblazoned with: "I need your help to protect Ukrainian women and children but I can't talk about it here."

Under Grand Slam tournament guidelines, players are prohibited from making political statements at competition venues.

But in an interview with Melbourne's The Age newspaper she took aim at Russian and Belarusian players, who are competing under a neutral white flag.

"I think it's very wrong that they are not disqualified in tennis like in other sports," she said.

"Because I know that here is the picture that we are, like all tennis girls playing, but the people don't see the things behind it."

Sabalenka, who is Belarusian, has previously said she believes that sport "is nothing to do with politics" and on Wednesday reiterated her position.

"I have spoken a lot about that before, obviously," said the world number one after powering into the third round.

"I want peace, and if I could change anything, I would definitely do that.

"Other than that, I have nothing else to say."

Pressed on Oliynykova's call for her to be banned, she replied: "I'm here for tennis. It's a tennis event. I have said enough in the past and just don't want to talk politics here."

Belarus is a close ally of Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Oliynykova said she did not speak with Russian and Belarusian players in the locker rooms or on the practice courts.

"I don't communicate with them. But, you know, people are not informed about this and if I need to say it, I will, because I feel (it is) unfair."

- Apartment shook -

Unlike other professional Ukrainian tennis players, Oliynykova still lives and trains in her homeland despite the constant threat of Russian attacks.

Just before she came to Australia, the Kyiv native came close to being hit in one such incursion.

"There was an explosion just near my home and a drone hit the home just across the road," she said. "My apartment was literally shaking because of the explosion."

Fellow Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk has also been outspoken about the war and refuses to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players, most recently Sabalenka after losing in the Brisbane International final.

Another Ukrainian, Elina Svitolina, said it was important to keep the conflict in the public eye.

"The war has been ongoing for four years. I mean, we talked about it many, many times," the world number 12 said Wednesday after joining Sabalenka in the third round.

"For me, now it's gone, the topic. I mean, the stand has been taken already. A decision has been made by WTA, ATP," she said, referring to Russian and Belarusian players being allowed to compete.

"Right now what we can do is go out there, try to perform well, try to represent our country in the right way, and not forget that we can use our voices to bring the help, to bring the attention to our homeland."

Sports

Liverpool, Barcelona Risk Missing Automatic Qualification to Champions League Round of 16

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah talks to Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike during a team training session at their training ground in Kirkby, Liverpool, northwest England on January 20, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Olympique Marseille in Marseille. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah talks to Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike during a team training session at their training ground in Kirkby, Liverpool, northwest England on January 20, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Olympique Marseille in Marseille. (AFP)
TT
TT

Liverpool, Barcelona Risk Missing Automatic Qualification to Champions League Round of 16

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah talks to Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike during a team training session at their training ground in Kirkby, Liverpool, northwest England on January 20, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Olympique Marseille in Marseille. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah talks to Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike during a team training session at their training ground in Kirkby, Liverpool, northwest England on January 20, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Olympique Marseille in Marseille. (AFP)

Liverpool and Barcelona are leaving it late to secure automatic qualification to the Champions League round of 16.

With just two rounds remaining, the defending champions of England and Spain currently sit outside of the top eight spots that will advance automatically.

Teams placed from nine to 24 enter a two-legged playoff to go through to the round of 16.

Liverpool topped the league phase last year, but then faced the daunting task of playing eventual winner Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16. Arne Slot's team is going a different way about it this time around and may have to navigate a playoff to advance.

Liverpool is away to Marseille on Wednesday and could be boosted by the return of Mohamed Salah from the Africa Cup of Nations. He headed off to represent his country last month after a public row with Slot raised doubts about his future.

Salah was unhappy with his lack of game time and aired his views in an explosive interview. He returns to Liverpool at a time when the Merseyside club needs more firepower following injury to record signing Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, who has only recently returned to action.

Barcelona was runner-up to Liverpool during the league phase last year and progressed to the semifinals before losing to Inter Milan.

Now it is playing catch up as it heads to Slavia Prague.

Chelsea's new coach Liam Rosenior takes charge of his first Champions League game with the club at home to Pafos.

Rosenior replaced Club World Cup-winning coach Enzo Maresca this month after leading Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg to the top of the third-tier Conference League standings.
Bayern Munich — one of this season's favorites — hosts Union Saint-Gilloise.