Liverpool Boss Iraola Downplays Frimpong Injury Concerns

Head coach Andoni Iraola of Liverpool FC reacts during the second half of a preseason friendly against Leeds United at Soldier Field on August 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Getty Images/AFP)
Head coach Andoni Iraola of Liverpool FC reacts during the second half of a preseason friendly against Leeds United at Soldier Field on August 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Liverpool Boss Iraola Downplays Frimpong Injury Concerns

Head coach Andoni Iraola of Liverpool FC reacts during the second half of a preseason friendly against Leeds United at Soldier Field on August 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Getty Images/AFP)
Head coach Andoni Iraola of Liverpool FC reacts during the second half of a preseason friendly against Leeds United at Soldier Field on August 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Getty Images/AFP)

Liverpool manager Andoni ‌Iraola was hopeful that Jeremie Frimpong had avoided injury during their 4-2 pre-season defeat by Leeds United in Chicago on Sunday after the defender asked to be substituted midway through the second half.

Liverpool can ill afford to lose the 25-year-old with the club already suffering several injury setbacks ahead of the new Premier League season.

Defender Joe ‌Gomez is ‌expected to miss the start ‌of ⁠the campaign after ⁠suffering a muscle injury in their win over Sunderland, while Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined as they continue to recover from injuries.

"Jeremie asked for the sub but I don't think it's ⁠an injury," Iraola told Liverpool ‌media after the ‌game.

"It was just some overload and I hope he's ‌not injured in that way. I ‌don't think we've lost anyone."

Spaniard Iraola, who joined Liverpool in June after Dutchman Arne Slot was sacked, said the match had provided valuable ‌lessons as they concluded their US tour.

"Obviously it's not the result you ⁠want ⁠but I think it was probably the most useful friendly we played – in a positive way in the first half and in a negative way in the second half," he added.

"We've learned a lot from today and I think we can take good conclusions and solve some things."

Liverpool, who finished fifth last term, visit Newcastle United in their opening Premier League fixture on August 23.



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.”