‘This Is Not Us’: Klopp Switched off TV When Liverpool Fans Booed Alexander-Arnold

23 May 2025, United Kingdom, Liverpool: German football manager Jurgen Klopp attends the LFC Foundation Ball at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. (dpa)
23 May 2025, United Kingdom, Liverpool: German football manager Jurgen Klopp attends the LFC Foundation Ball at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. (dpa)
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‘This Is Not Us’: Klopp Switched off TV When Liverpool Fans Booed Alexander-Arnold

23 May 2025, United Kingdom, Liverpool: German football manager Jurgen Klopp attends the LFC Foundation Ball at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. (dpa)
23 May 2025, United Kingdom, Liverpool: German football manager Jurgen Klopp attends the LFC Foundation Ball at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. (dpa)

A disappointed Juergen Klopp turned off the TV when he heard fans of his former team Liverpool booing Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set to leave this summer after two decades at the club, during a 2-2 home draw with Arsenal earlier this month.

Liverpool-born Alexander-Arnold, who joined the club in 2004 when he was six, debuted for the senior team when Klopp was the manager.

The 26-year-old, who is regarded as one of the best right backs in the world and can also play as a midfielder, has made 353 appearances for Liverpool, winning the Premier League, the Champions League and the Club World Cup during Klopp's tenure.

"I watched the game when he came on and I heard the booing," Klopp said at a fundraising event for the LFC foundation on Friday.

"I am old so I thought it might be my hearing, so I switched up the volume ... I needed another 10 seconds to realize and I switched the TV off. I honestly couldn't have been more disappointed in this moment. This is not us, 100% not us."

England international Alexander-Arnold also featured prominently as Liverpool won the Premier League again this season under new manager Arne Slot.

Slot earlier said he was not sure if Alexander-Arnold would make his final appearance for the club in Sunday's home game against Crystal Palace, after which Liverpool would hoist the Premier League trophy.

Klopp, who is set to attend Sunday's match, held up an Alexander-Arnold Liverpool shirt to show his support for the player.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who leads the league's scoring charts with 28 goals, also spoke out earlier in support of his teammate, saying Alexander-Arnold did not deserve the boos.

Klopp said Liverpool fans should not forget what Alexander-Arnold has done for the club.

"I don't tell you, you should not be disappointed, you should not be angry. I tell you, don't forget. This club doesn't forget," he said.

"Every day he gave absolutely everything for this badge ... after 20 years he decided he wanted to go somewhere else. If somebody should be angry about this, it's the owners, but they're not."



Israel Warns Lebanon It Would Hit Hard if Hezbollah Gets Involved in Any US-Iran War, Lebanese Officials Say 

People gather near a building damaged in an Israeli strike in the village of Bednayel in eastern Lebanon, 21 February 2026. (EPA)
People gather near a building damaged in an Israeli strike in the village of Bednayel in eastern Lebanon, 21 February 2026. (EPA)
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Israel Warns Lebanon It Would Hit Hard if Hezbollah Gets Involved in Any US-Iran War, Lebanese Officials Say 

People gather near a building damaged in an Israeli strike in the village of Bednayel in eastern Lebanon, 21 February 2026. (EPA)
People gather near a building damaged in an Israeli strike in the village of Bednayel in eastern Lebanon, 21 February 2026. (EPA)

Israel has sent an indirect message to Lebanon that it would strike Lebanon ‌hard, targeting ‌civilian infrastructure ‌including ⁠the airport, in ⁠the event that Hezbollah gets involved in any ⁠US-Iran war, ‌two senior ‌Lebanese officials ‌said ‌on Tuesday.

The office of the Israeli Prime ‌Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the ⁠Lebanese presidency ⁠did not immediately respond to requests for comment.


PSG Coach Luis Enrique Must Decide Whether to Protect Lead or Attack Against Monaco 

PSG's head coach Luis Enrique reacts during the French League One match between Paris Saint-Germain and Metz in Paris, France, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP)
PSG's head coach Luis Enrique reacts during the French League One match between Paris Saint-Germain and Metz in Paris, France, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP)
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PSG Coach Luis Enrique Must Decide Whether to Protect Lead or Attack Against Monaco 

PSG's head coach Luis Enrique reacts during the French League One match between Paris Saint-Germain and Metz in Paris, France, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP)
PSG's head coach Luis Enrique reacts during the French League One match between Paris Saint-Germain and Metz in Paris, France, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP)

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique may be unsure how to approach the second leg of the Champions League playoff against Monaco on Wednesday.

Although PSG is 3-2 ahead, protecting leads is not his style. But attacking too much against a technically strong Monaco side could expose his team to costly counterattacks.

Coach Sébastien Pocognoli's Monaco has 13 goals in the past six games. Although two of those have been defeats, the attack is looking much sharper.

Monaco went 2-0 up inside 20 minutes against PSG last week, only for clumsy defending to allow PSG back into the game. Against Lens on Saturday, Monaco overturned a 2-0 deficit with a three-goal burst in 10 second-half minutes.

PSG's defense looks weaker than last season — conceding against Monaco after just 55 seconds — and is not helped by uncertainty over the goalkeeper.

Since Gianluigi Donnarumma’s departure, Luis Enrique has alternated between Matvei Safonov and summer signing Lucas Chevalier.

Pairing Ansu Fati and Folarin Balogun in attack could be Pocognoli’s best option.

Fati has nine goals in 20 games, including a fine lob in against Lens on Saturday.

The former Barcelona teenage prodigy has been hampered by minor injuries this season. He went on as a substitute against Lens, but Pocognoli is likely to start him against PSG.

Balogun has also dealt with injuries but finally seems fully fit. The American forward's two goals against PSG last week and his opportunist strike against Lens showed he is back in form.

Their movement up front, allied to the runs of attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, may stretch PSG's defense and leave space for midfielders behind.

Fati and Akliouche can dribble at speed, while Balogun’s versatility allows him to play wide or through the middle.

Rapid counterattacks are Monaco's strength.

When Monaco beat PSG 1-0 in Ligue 1 in November the goal came from a quick break. On Saturday, the third goal against Lens was a slick counterattack ending with Fati's lob.

PSG showed vulnerability to quick balls played behind the full backs when it lost at Rennes 3-1 this month; while Monaco's first goal last Tuesday saw left back Caio Henrique finding space behind right back Achraf Hakimi and Aleksandr Golovin crossing for Balogun to head in.

Henrique and right back Vanderson both like to attack. This may force Luis Enrique to instruct his own attacking full backs, Hakimi and left back Nuno Gomes, not to push up too much.


Morocco Captain Saiss Announces International Retirement 

Romain Saiss. (Getty Images file)
Romain Saiss. (Getty Images file)
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Morocco Captain Saiss Announces International Retirement 

Romain Saiss. (Getty Images file)
Romain Saiss. (Getty Images file)

Veteran Morocco captain Romain Saiss announced on Tuesday his retirement from international football, bringing to a close what he called "the most beautiful chapter of my life".

Saiss's decision comes after repeated injuries, including in the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he only played 18 minutes in the opening match against Comoros before he was substituted due to an issue with his left thigh.

The 35-year-old former Angers and Wolverhampton Wanderers center-back said on social media the decision followed "careful reflection" and was made with "immense emotion".

"Wearing the colors of Morocco and becoming their captain will remain the greatest honor of my career," he wrote.

"Every time I wore it, I felt the weight of responsibility, but above all an indescribable pride."

His brief AFCON return in December had followed an 18-month absence, also due to injury, having skippered the side to the 2022 World Cup semi-final.

Saiss's retirement comes just three months ahead of this year's World Cup, in which Morocco are set to face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.

"I will now be your number one supporter," he said.

"I am leaving the national team, but I will forever remain a Lion."

Saiss will still play for Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd.