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Mohamed Salah made more history for Liverpool on Thursday when he scored in their blistering start to the Europa League clash against Sparta Prague.

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• Salah scored in hammering of Sparta Prague
• Has netted at least 20 goals in seven straight years
• Also grabbed two assists in incredible start

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Just 10 minutes into the game, Salah scored his team's third goal as they rolled over the Czech visitors in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie. It is the Egypt international's 20th goal in all competitions this season, making him the first Reds player to reach that figure in seven consecutive seasons.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The forward also grabbed two assists in the early stages of the clash at Anfield, setting up Bobby Clark and Cody Gakpo as Jurgen Klopp's team strolled to a 4-0 lead inside the first 15 minutes of the clash, giving them a 9-1 aggregate lead.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Salah remains in the race to finish as the top scorer in the Premier League, having struck 15 times to help keep Liverpool in the race for the title. However, he is three goals behind current top scorer Erling Haaland, while Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins has 16.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SALAH?

  After Thursday's annihilation of Sparta Prague, Salah and his Liverpool co-stars will turn their attention to the weekend's highlight showdown. They take on Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Liverpool have returned to the sort of form this season that has seen them challenge for trophies over the previous few years as Jurgen Klopp has revitalised his side.

Having failed to win a trophy during the 2022/23 season while finishing fifth in the Premier League, the German had a lot on his mind heading into the summer transfer window, a summer rebuild was clearly one of his thoughts.

Out went the likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner, while new arrivals included young talent such as Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister, while Waturo Endo added some experience in the heart of the midfield.

Klopp had worked wonders over the summer with his transformation of their midfield options and the Reds have lost just once all season, a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last month in the Premier League.

The return to form of some of their big hitters has also been key. Luis Diaz struggled with injury problems last term yet has scored three times and grabbed an assist across ten matches in all competitions so far this season.

Mohamed Salah is another player who is continuing to impress for the Anfield side and his influence in the squad could well thrust them back into the limelight as they chase more success under the German.

How has Mohammed Salah performed this season?

The winger has already scored six goals and registered four assists across just ten matches, and it is evident that he is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, despite turning 31 in June.

His performances in the Premier League have been a joy to behold, and he is currently one of Liverpool’s better players over a range of metrics.

Indeed, the Egyptian ranks first across the squad for goals and assists (nine), along with ranking first for shots on target per game (1.5), big chances created (nine) and second for key passes per game (2.1), clearly indicating just how impressive he has been in the final third this season.

Salah is imperative to any success the Anfield side wish to have this term and at the time of writing (19/10/2023) he has currently scored 192 goals in 315 matches for the club and there is a chance that he will hit the 200 mark before the turn of the year.

However, Klopp’s side might have been be doing better had they not sold Sadio Mane back in 2022, as the winger is now currently scoring just as often as Salah this term and could still have been a useful player for the Reds.

How much did Liverpool sell Sadio Mane for?

Following the 2021/22 season, in which the Reds came just two matches from sealing an unlikely quadruple, the Senegal international stated his intentions to leave the Merseyside outfit, bowing out having won the FA Cup and League Cup.

Since joining from Southampton in the summer of 2016 ahead of Klopp’s first full season, Mane had netted 120 goals and registered 48 assists across 269 matches while winning everything there had to be won in the process, including the Champions League and Premier League.

He was even hailed by Klopp following a tie against Aston Villa towards the end of his final season, with the German saying: “He’s a machine, I told him after the game. A massive player, massive player. The physicality he has is brutal. The mix of technique, desire and then physicality.

“Now [even] in the moment when everybody obviously has a few yards in the legs, like you can see it with him to be honest, [he can do this]. Top goal. Just a fantastic, world-class player.”

All good things must come to an end however and after six productive seasons at Anfield, Mane left the club to join Bayern Munich in a deal worth around £35m in 2022.

His spell in Germany failed to live up to expectations, however, and perhaps he might have been better staying at the Reds instead of opting for a new challenge elsewhere.

What happened to Sadio Mane?

Overall, he featured 38 times for the Bundesliga giants, yet he managed to score just 12 goals for them during his maiden campaign, representing a drop-off from the 23 goals he netted during his final season under Klopp.

Perhaps the pressure at Bayern was simply too much and while he won the league title, it looked clear that he was not going to be a long term option for Thomas Tuchel, who took over from Julian Nagelsmann in March following his sacking.

This led Mane to look for another club, just one year into his Bayern contract, and he ended up joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr for a fee believed to be €40m (£35m), meaning the German side ended up recouping the fee they shelled out just over a year prior.

Mane has certainly put his disappointment from 2022/23 behind him as he has managed to score six goals across just nine Saudi Pro League matches, while adding in another effort in the King’s Cup and it looks like he is returning to some sort of form.

These seven goals actually meant he has outscored Salah this season so far and suggests he still could have been an extra attacking option which Klopp may have utilised.

He has scored seven times in 12 matches in all competitions (once every 1.7 outings) in comparison to the Egypt international's aforementioned six in ten (once every 1.7 games), which shows that they are both scoring at the same rate this term.

Across the squad, Mane ranks only second to Cristiano Ronaldo for goals and assists (eight) in the league, while also ranking second for key passes per game (2.3) and first for successful dribbles per game (2.9), demonstrating a clear return to his vibrant best in Asia.

Klopp and Mane have both clearly moved on, yet the two enjoyed some excellent times as part of the Liverpool side and the Senegal international's attacking abilities have been on full show during the current campaign.

With the Anfield side still mainly relying on Salah for goals, they could have added a few more had they managed to convince Mane that Liverpool was the perfect place to continue his career.

His return to form signifies that last season was just a blimp, yet the gem would still be able to offer something different to the current Liverpool attacking lineup if they had kept him on Merseyside.

Bayern Leverkusen winger Florian Wirtz took just seven seconds to open the scoring for Germany against France on Saturday.

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• Wirtz scored the opener in the seventh second
• Launch a piledriver after receiving pass from Kroos
• Kroos registered assists upon returning to international football

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  After kick-off, Toni Kroos briefly moved backwards before lofting a pass towards Wirtz. The German attacker spotted a huge space in France's midfield and took a couple of touches before launching a long-range piledriver that went straight into the goal, via the crossover.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kroos was playing in his first international match for the German national team since Euro 2020 in June 2021 on Saturday. After his country's early exit from the continental competition, the veteran midfielder announced his retirement from international football only to return recently.

  Wirtz's goal on Saturday was only the second-fastest goal ever scored in international football, with the fastest being Austria's Christoph Baumgartner, who netted the opener within six seconds. Incredibly, both happened on the same day.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Per Germany's men's official page, Wirtz's effort is the fastest goal in German international history.

Liverpool have suffered a setback in the race to sign a new player, with a fresh report revealing that an overseas admirer are the first to make an official move ahead of January.

Do Liverpool need any more midfielders?

Over the summer, Jurgen Klopp secured the services of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch meaning that he has now got a completely revamped midfield compared to the end of last season, but that hasn’t stopped him from assessing further options. The Merseyside outfit have recently been linked with individual moves for Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, Boca Juniors’ Ezequiel Fernandez and most predominantly Fluminense’s Andre, but should the boss fail to secure the services of any of those at the start of next year, he appears to have an his eye on an alternative.

At the Veltins Arena, FC Schalke’s attacking midfielder Assan Ouedraogo has recently been linked with a switch to Anfield, Everton and Brighton and Hove Albion, with the trio of clubs in the Premier League monitoring the 17-year-old’s progress, but chiefs from all of his top-flight potential suitors have now been dealt a transfer blow.

Assan Ouedraogo transfer update

According to TEAMtalk whilst delivering a transfer update on Assan Ouedraogo, Liverpool are no longer at the head of the pack chasing the teenager in the Bundesliga.

“Liverpool must act quickly if they are to win the race for Schalke midfielder Assan Ouedraogo with one of the Bundesliga’s big boys making early inroads over his signing, TEAMtalk has learned.

"Jurgen Klopp is also another who has marked the Germany youth international as an option for January. The Liverpool boss is understood to be a huge fan and would be keen to bring him in before he moves elsewhere and the Anfield side are forced to pay a premium in order to facilitate a move to England.”

How good is Assan Ouedraogo?

According to football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Ouedraogo is an “absolute star” in the making having posted 31 contributions, 17 goals and 14 assists, in 46 appearances since the start of his career (Transfermarkt – Ouedraogo statistics), so it will certainly be a blow if Liverpool were to miss out on securing his signature.

The Germany youth international also currently ranks in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons (FBRef – Ouedraogo statistics), showing that he loves to use his pace, dribble past his marker and create as many chances as possible for both himself and his fellow teammates in the final third.

Additionally, Ouedraogo has already had a taste of what it’s like to compete and be successful having been crowned U17s Champion in both the Bundesliga and internationally, so getting an up-and-coming talent who possesses a winning mentality in the building like him would do no harm.

Darts star Luke Littler and Brentford's Neal Maupay have been involved in a hilarious back and forth on socials over the forward's latest trolling.

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• Maupay aims dig at McTominay
• Littler bites back at Brentford star
• Maupay continues banter with Littler

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Littler, a Manchester United fan, took on Maupay after the Brentford forward trolled Red Devils midfielder Scott McTominay by calling the Scotland international a 'fan' after Brentford pulled Manchester United to a dramatic 1-1 draw in injury time. Maupay has now shot back at the darts sensations on X.

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• WHAT LITTLER AND MAUPAY SAID

  On a social media post about Maupay's McTominay comments, Littler responded: "He [Maupay] talks more than he scores.

  Following the comment going viral, Maupay responded on X: "Talk about a big fish," in a hilarious nod back to Littler's famous fishing celebration after he scored a clinical 170 checkout.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Maupay hasn't held back from publicly taking on his fellow athletes over the past few months. During a 3-2 loss earlier in the season, Maupay unintentionally upset Maddison by imitating the English midfielder's 'darts' celebration. Following a brief confrontation on the pitch, Maddison and Maupay traded barbs on social media.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR MAUPAY AND LITTLER?

  The two athletes are very well known for their banterful behaviour, and it is likely that the duo will stay at it over the course of the next few days. Maupay will next be in action when Brentford take on Brighton on Wednesday, April 3.

Tyrell Malacia has been absent for close to a year from Manchester United after undergoing a complicated knee surgery.

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• Malacia underwent knee surgery last summer
• Has not yet recovered from the injury
• Might return to action during the pre-season of the 2024-25 campaign

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The talented left-back has been conspicuously absent from the pitch as his journey from injury to recovery has been marked by setbacks and challenges. Malacia sustained a knee meniscus injury last summer, prompting surgery that initially aimed for a return during the autumn season. However, according to Malacia's return has been delayed and could miss the entire season.

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  Upon returning to training at Carrington in July, Malacia continued to experience discomfort in his knee, leading to the decision for surgery. Although United had suggested a surgeon in London, Malacia insisted on getting the surgery done in the Netherlands with his chosen specialist. Despite the initial hope for a swift recovery, scans later revealed remaining cartilage fragments around the meniscus, necessitating another surgical intervention. This setback extended Malacia's rehabilitation timeline, delaying his return to action.

  Throughout his recovery process, questions arose regarding the handling of Malacia's rehabilitation. Concerns emerged over his communication with the club while undergoing treatment in the Netherlands and also on the quantum of attention provided by United's medical department.

• WHAT TEN HAG SAID

  “It’s going to be difficult for him this season to be available,” Ten Hag said back in February. “He will fight. He’s back on the pitch, but not in the team and the process had setbacks. He’s going forward really slowly and the season is coming to an end.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  In recent weeks, Malacia has been rehabilitating away from Carrington, training abroad in Barcelona and the Netherlands. This decision was made in agreement with the club and external specialists to ensure optimal recovery. Regular reports and feedback are provided to United on his progress.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly made contact over a possible move to sign an "amazing" left-footed player.

Wolves under Gary O’Neil

The Old Gold have had an eventful 2023 so far, with the club avoiding relegation from the Premier League under former manager Julen Lopetegui. However, over the summer, Lopetegui left Molineux just three days before the season began. Gary O’Neil arrived as his replacement and has made a respectable start to the campaign, although defeat to Sheffield United on Saturday was the club’s fifth from 11 top flight games.

You could argue that O’Neil is doing an adequate job so far, especially as, over the summer, resources were limited in the transfer market, although loan moves for Matheus Cunha and Boubacar Traore did become permanent.

It looks as if attention is already on the January window, though, with Wolves looking to ensure they aren’t involved in another relegation battle. Additions in attack appear to on the agenda under O’Neil, with those behind the scenes at Molineux working on one move already.

Wolves make contact to sign Amad Diallo

According to Football Transfers, Wolves are interested in signing Manchester United’s Amad Diallo after previously scouting him during Nuno Espirito Santo’s time in charge back in 2021. The report adds that contact has been made by Wolves for the attacker over a potential loan deal. Those at Old Trafford could look to use him in the U21s when he returns from injury, although a move to Molineux is seen as a strong alternative.

Diallo has only made nine senior appearances for the Red Devils, but he starred out on loan with Sunderland in the Championship. Last season, the 21-year-old contributed to 18 goals in all competitions as the Black Cats reached the playoff semi-finals. (Amad Diallo stats – Transfermarkt)

He came in for praise from Tony Mowbray during the campaign, with the Sunderland boss labelling Diallo an “amazing footballer”.

“He’s an amazing footballer. He finds the game too easy sometimes. I need to poke him to make sure he’s giving everything for the team because the game’s too easy for him as an individual.”

Diallo, primarily left footed, can play as a right winger, left winger or attacking midfielder, so would provide plenty of versatility for O’Neil who has Cunha, Pedro Neto, Pablo Sarabia, Hwang Hee-chan, Fabio Silva and Sasa Kalajzdic as his current attacking options. A move for Diallo could be one to watch over the coming months, and Wolves could finally get their man years on from initially showing an interest.

Leeds United are in a good run of form in the Championship and could soon take steps to resolve an off-field matter before too long at Elland Road, according to reporter Dean Jones.

Leeds continue to march on together…

The Whites are in a strong place under Daniel Farke as they continue to consolidate their credentials as promotion contenders, which received a major boost last Friday at the King Power Stadium against Leicester City, courtesy of a strike from in-form attacker Georginio Rutter. The Whites occupy third spot in the English second tier, having taken 28 points from their opening 15 fixtures in the division. However, they will have a tough task trying to catch second-placed Ipswich Town, who are seven points above them with a game in hand.

Casting one eye to the January transfer window, Leeds United are reportedly keen on AFC Wimbledon forward Ali Al-Hamadi, who attracted interest from Peterborough United and Barnsley in the summer transfer window, as per South London Press. Nevertheless, AFC Wimbledon hope to receive a record fee for his services in the event Al-Hamadi does depart Plough Lane in the New Year, which would suggest that Leeds United could have to pay a fee in excess of £1.2 million to land the Iraq international.

According to Football Insider, Leeds United are also aware of interest in star man Crysencio Summerville from the Premier League, though they have no plans to let the Dutchman leave Elland Road mid-season. Summerville is believed to have a valuation in the region of £25 million or more on his head; nevertheless, the Yorkshire outfit are keen to keep him around as they believe he still has plenty of room to develop, besides the fact that his market value could skyrocket if they achieve promotion to the Premier League.

Now, it looks as if Leeds could finally clear up some important internal matters at Elland Road, according to fresh developments provided by reporter Jones.

Liam Cooper and Luke Ayling could sign Leeds United contract extensions

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, reporter Jones has indicated that both Leeds United captain Liam Cooper and experienced right-back Luke Ayling could sign new deals at Elland Road in 2024. Both players are currently scheduled to be out of contract come the end of 2023/24; however, Jones told the outlet that the pair may finally resolve questions over their future, as he stated:

"I think it's important that you have the experience of players like Cooper, Ayling and Bamford around the place, but of course, you want a freshness to come into the squad as well. You want a new generation of Leeds that you can identify with. They've been fantastic servants, particularly Cooper and Ayling, in terms of what they have bought, even recently to the club, and have been good in the Premier League.

"I still think that those guys will be around beyond this season. Both have the potential to sign new contracts in the new year. So, I can see why they'll still be hanging around. I think that that depth is going to be important, and the mix of experience, as well as current quality, is going to be key to helping Leeds get over the line.”

Leeds may be in somewhat of a new era under Farke; nevertheless, keeping both Cooper and Ayling at the club could help to provide some stability moving forward at Elland Road, making this one to watch.

Cristiano Ronaldo was shown a red card for seemingly elbowing an Al-Hilal player as he lashed out at the end of a frustrating Saudi Super Cup clash.

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• Al-Nassr had goal disallowed in first half
• Ronaldo booked for arguing with referee
• Was shown red card late in the match

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Al-Nassr thought they had taken a 1-0 goal lead when Otavio diverted into the net at the end of the first half of the Saudi Super Cup semi-final on Monday. However, the flag soon went up and replays showed that it was disallowed because Ronaldo made an attempt to play the ball from an offside position.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The decision sent Ronaldo into a fury as he argued with the referee about the call. Ronaldo failed to connect with the ball in the middle of the box and it made its way through to Otavio, who was onside when the ball was played.

  Ronaldo was shown a yellow card by the referee because of his protest, but his day got worse when he lashed out at an Al-Hilal player and was shown a straight red card late in the game while his team were 2-0 down. He raised his fist at the referee after the card came out and sarcastically applauded the official as he walked off.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Sadio Mane did pull a goal back for Al-Nassr but Al-Hilal went on to win the game 2-1. The Saudi Pro League leaders now go on to the Saudi Super Cup final to face Al-Ittihad who beat Al-Wehda 2-1 earlier in the day.

Substitute Martha Thomas scored an extra-time winner to send Tottenham through to their first FA Cup final at Leicester City's expense.

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• Tottenham beat Leicester 2-1
• Thomas scores extra-time winner
• Spurs reach first FA Cup final

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  TELL ME MORE

  Spurs dominated the early stages but the visitors took the lead in the 12th minute when Rantala breezed past Amanda Nilden, before rifling a left-footed strike past goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer from the edge of the box. The game looked to be getting away from Tottenham but Jessica Naz capitalised on a defensive mistake and raced away before calmly slotting past Lize Kop in the Leicester goal seven minutes from time. Just when it looked like penalties beckoned, substitute Thomas' looping header made it 2-1 in the 117th-minute to break Leicester's hearts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

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• THE MVP

  Martha Thomas: While Naz kept Spurs' FA Cup dream alive with a neatly taken goal, the substitute showed so much desire to leap above Leicester's defence and secure her team's passage into a first FA Cup final.

• THE BIG LOSER

  Josie Green: Leicester were heading to a deserved 1-0 victory until the defender failed to clear a ball up field and Naz pounced on her poor clearance to give Spurs a lifeline. Without that mistake, the Foxes may have won.

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  WHAT COMES NEXT?

  Tottenham will face either Manchester United or Chelsea in the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley on May 12. Before then the Foxes face Arsenal in the Women's Super League next Sunday, whereas Tottenham take on the Red Devils on the same day.