LONDON: Manchester United’s problem in their 0-0 draw at Anfield, Jose Mourinho said, was that they kept waiting for the game to break but it didn’t. Jurgen Klopp then paid tribute to the way his side had countered “one of the best counter-attacking teams in the world” by not giving them space to break into.
It was a game of chicken in which neither side had blinked. Was that, the optimistic of Merseyside wondered, a sign of a growing maturity at Liverpool? Were they finally learning how to defend?
The answer came resoundingly last weekend: It was not. Tottenham ripped Liverpool apart. They scored four but could have had six or seven. Every sort of defensive calamity was there: General sluggishness and a failed offside trap for the first goal; a missed header and a lack of cover for the second; a weak header and a failure to pick up a lurker at the edge of the box for the third; further dead-ball lethargy for the fourth. With all of them there was a question as to whether Simon Mignolet might have done better.
It may not have been wise for Klopp to say that he could have done better had he been playing in his trainers, but it was probably true. Whatever mental fortitude his side had shown in maintaining their discipline against United had vanished, perhaps it had been no more than an illusion conjured by Mourinho’s negativity. Poor Dejan Lovren took most of the blame. Substituted after 31 minutes, he looked dazed when he came off, so much so that the assumption was he must be ill or injured; not so, said Klopp.
Except, of course, he is injured. In a recent interview in his native Croatia, Lovren said he had to take five painkillers before each game to help him play despite back and Achilles problems. Plus there have been various issues in his personal life that mean he is due a level of sympathy: Marital difficulties and a burglary at his holiday home in Croatia during which he fears he may have been drugged with a soporific gas.
At most clubs Lovren would probably have been given time out of the spotlight to recover from his injuries. But Liverpool have no other options. With Mamadou Sakho gone, the club targeted Virgil van Dijk and having failed to sign him had no back up. Klopp clearly doesn’t trust Ragnar Klavan and so Lovren is forced into regular action when it seems likely he would benefit from a break. That speaks of a clear failure of recruitment: Why spend £35 million ($45 million) on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain when there was there was such a clear shortfall elsewhere? And yet to speak in terms of transfers is perhaps to be side-tracked from the greater point, which is that this is not an issue of personnel. Or rather, it isn’t just an issue of personnel. Playing under Mauricio Pochettino at Southampton, Lovren was a good defender; that’s why Liverpool bought him. But at Anfield, first under Brendan Rodgers and now Klopp, he has become a laughing stock, cruelly nicknamed Dejan Vu for the familiarity of his mistakes.
While off-field circumstances have not helped, part of the problem is to do with structure. Whereas at Southampton, Lovren had Morgan Schneiderlin protecting him, at Liverpool he has had Steven Gerrard and then Jordan Henderson at the back of midfield. Both are fine, energetic players and good passers of the ball but both are box-to-box players rather than natural holders. Neither has the discipline or tactical inclination to hold their position.
At Dortmund, Klopp had the likes of Sven Bender, Sebastian Kehl and Ilkay Gundogan to hold that position. There is no equivalent at Liverpool. That is a major structural issue to do with both tactics and recruitment.
At the same time, it is hard to believe Mignolet radiates confidence from the goal. Panic and uncertainty prevail, and Lovren is caught in the midst of it, an easy man to blame. He must take some responsibility but he’s certainly not the only one at fault.
The worry for Liverpool is that a little over two years after he took the job, Klopp appears no closer to finding a solution.
Halo is starting to slip for Klopp as Liverpool flounder
Halo is starting to slip for Klopp as Liverpool flounder
Haliburton stunner sinks Cavs, Warriors down Wolves despite Curry blow
- Tyrese Haliburton’s 24-foot three-pointer with just 1.1 seconds remaining sealed a remarkable comeback from fourth seeds Indiana as they took a commanding 2-0 lead
- The Timberwolves had dismantled the third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the previous round, but struggled to get to grips with a steely Golden State defense
- The 11-time All-Star headed to the locker room for treatment and did not return, almost certainly ruling him out of Thursday’s Game 2
LOS ANGELES: The Indiana Pacers defeated the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 120-119 as the Golden State Warriors shrugged off a Stephen Curry injury to claim victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA playoffs on Tuesday.
Tyrese Haliburton’s 24-foot three-pointer with just 1.1 seconds remaining sealed a remarkable comeback from fourth seeds Indiana as they took a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Donovan Mitchell had almost single-handedly dragged an injury-depleted Cleveland to victory with a masterful performance, scoring 48 points in a game the Cavs led by 20 midway through the third quarter.
But Cleveland, missing injured starters Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter, wilted visibly down the stretch as a dogged Pacers lineup refused to roll over and steadily chipped away at the Cavaliers’ lead.
Cleveland forward Max Strus looked to have put the Cavs on course for victory after draining his fifth three-pointer of the night to put the home side 117-110 up with just over a minute remaining.
Indiana, though, closed with a 10-2 run, culminating with Haliburton’s winning three to set the seal on a sensational fightback.
“Cleveland hit us with a hellacious punch early in the game and it was difficult to get the ball over half court, let alone score,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said afterwards.
“We played from behind the whole game. But in the fourth quarter we just hung in there...our group has a belief in one another and we just keep executing and keep playing.”
Pacers point guard Haliburton finished with 19 points while Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner scored 23 points apiece. Six Indiana players finished in double figures.
Mitchell’s 48-point performance was backed by Strus with 23 points while Jarrett Allen added 22.
Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said his team had faded in the critical fourth quarter.
“We outplayed them for most of the game,” Atkinson said.
“We couldn’t really separate ourselves. Every possession, they just upped their physicality. We ran out of gas.”
Game 3 is in Indianapolis on Friday.
In Minneapolis, the Golden State Warriors were forced to dig deep before battling to a 99-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in their Western Conference semifinal series opener.
The Timberwolves had dismantled the third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the previous round, but struggled to get to grips with a steely Golden State defense in a low-scoring contest at the Target Center.
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards had a rare off-night, sinking just one three-pointer in his 23-point total.
The Wolves’ wayward long-range shooting proved the difference, with the team making just five of 29 from beyond the arc.
The Warriors by contrast made 18-of-42 from three-point range with Buddy Hield draining five threes to lead the Golden State scoring with 24 points.
Jimmy Butler added 20 points while defensive linchpin Draymond Green also chipped in with an important 18-point haul.
But the victory was clouded by a worrying injury to superstar Curry, who left the game in the second quarter clutching his left hamstring.
The 11-time All-Star headed to the locker room for treatment and did not return, almost certainly ruling him out of Thursday’s Game 2 and putting a question mark over his fitness for the rest of the series.
“We want Steph back, I tell you that — it’s hard playing without that man,” Butler told TNT television after the win. “Steph is our best player, and the game is much easier when we’ve got him.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the veteran would undergo an MRI scan on Wednesday.
“We’re definitely game-planning for him not to be available on Thursday,” Kerr said.
“We don’t know yet, but with a hamstring, it’s hard to imagine that he would play Thursday.
“I spoke to him at halftime and he’s obviously crushed. But the guys picked him up and played a great game. We’re all concerned but it’s part of the game.”
Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty won’t run in the Preakness, dashing Triple Crown possibility
- Sovereignty trainer Bill Mott on Sunday morning had foreshadowed skipping the Preakness in the name of long-term interests
- This is the fifth time since Justify won all three races in 2018 that the Preakness will go on without a true shot at a Triple Crown
- No decision has been made on second-place finisher Journalism, who was the Derby favorite, or third-place Baeza for the 150th running of the Preakness
NEW YORK: Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will not run in the Preakness Stakes, officials announced Tuesday, meaning there won’t be a Triple Crown champion for a seventh consecutive year.
“We received a call today from trainer Bill Mott that Sovereignty will not be competing in the Preakness,” said Mike Rogers, executive VP of 1/ST Racing, which operates the Preakness. “We extend our congratulations to the connections of Sovereignty and respect their decision.”
Mott told Preakness officials the plan will be to enter Sovereignty in the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the Triple Crown, on June 7 at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York. Mott on Sunday morning had foreshadowed skipping the Preakness in the name of long-term interests.
“We want to do what’s best for the horse,” he told reporters at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. “Of course, you always think about a Triple Crown, and that’s not something we’re not going to think about.”
Sovereignty won a muddy Derby with jockey Junior Alvarado at odds of 7-1 by passing favorite Journalism down the stretch.
Owner Godolphin’s US director of bloodstock, Michael Banahan, deferred an explanation to Mott in a text message sent to The Associated Press, calling it a team decision that “both feel it’s the right direction for the horse going forward.” A message left for Mott was not immediately returned.
This is the fifth time since Justify won all three races in 2018 that the Preakness will go on without a true shot at a Triple Crown. Elevated winner Country House and Maximum Security, who was disqualified for interference, each did not participate in 2019, the races were run out of order in 2020, Bob Baffert-trained Medina Spirit was DQ’d for a positive drug test in 2021 and long shot Rich Strike was held out in 2022 to rest him for the previously planned five weeks.
Mage finished third in the Preakness in 2023, and Mystik Dan was second last year after his owner and trainer also were initially reluctant to run him. The two-week turnaround from the Kentucky Derby to the Preakness and changes in modern racing have sparked debate around the sport about spacing out the races.
Prominent owner Mike Repole earlier Tuesday posted on social media a proposal to move the Belmont to second in the Triple Crown order, four weeks after the Kentucky Derby and sliding the Preakness back further with the aim of keeping more of the top horses involved.
“The Preakness being run two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, in this new day and age in racing, shows the lack of vision and leadership needed to evolve this sport,” Repole wrote. “I expect the top three finishers of this year’s Derby to skip the Preakness and go right to the Belmont.”
No decision has been made on second-place finisher Journalism, who was the Derby favorite, or third-place Baeza for the 150th running of the Preakness, the last at Pimlico Race Course before it is knocked down and rebuilt. The plan is for the 2026 Preakness to take place at Laurel Park between Baltimore and Washington while Pimlico is under construction.
Trump vows ‘seamless’ experience for 2026 World Cup fans
- Vice President JD Vance, the vice-chair of the World Cup task force, said while foreign visitors would be welcome they would have to leave at the end of the tournament
- Infantino, the president of football’s world governing body, said his organization had “full and entire” confidence in the Trump administration to help deliver a successful tournament
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that all fans from across the globe would be welcome at the 2026 World Cup despite concerns over his border crackdown impacting the tournament.
Trump, who has appointed himself chairman of the White House task force for the tournament, said visitors to the US could expect a “seamless” experience.
The US is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with neighboring Canada and Mexico.
“We can’t wait to welcome soccer fans from all over the globe,” Trump said at a White House briefing alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“Every part of the US government will be working to ensure that these events are safe and successful, and those traveling to America to watch the competition have a seamless experience during every part of their visit.”
Foreign traveler arrivals in the US are expected to decline by 5.1 percent in 2025, according to one recent study by Tourism Economics.
The World Tourism Forum Institute has said a mix of stringent US immigration policies and global political tensions could “significantly affect” international arrivals.
Vice President JD Vance, the vice-chair of the World Cup task force, said while foreign visitors would be welcome they would have to leave at the end of the tournament.
“I know we’ll have visitors, probably from close to 100 countries. We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to watch the game,” Vance told Tuesday’s briefing. “But when the time is up, they’ll have to go home.”
Infantino, the president of football’s world governing body, said his organization had “full and entire” confidence in the Trump administration to help deliver a successful tournament.
“The entire world will focus on the United States of America, and America welcomes the world,” Infantino told the meeting. “Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun, to celebrate the game will be able to do that.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said US officials were using next month’s FIFA Club World Cup as a testing ground for the World Cup, stating that the US expected 2 million overseas visitors.
“We’re processing those travel documents and visa applications already ... that is obviously going to be a precursor to what we can do next year for the World Cup as well,” Noem said. “It is all being facilitated.”
Trump, meanwhile, said he was confident of working closely with Canada and Mexico despite his broiling trade disputes with the two World Cup co-hosts.
“I don’t see any tension either,” Trump said, shortly after meeting Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney. “We get along very well with both.”
Inter beats Barcelona 4-3 after extra time to reach another Champions League final
- Substitute Davide Frattesi was the extra-time hero for Inter, firing home in the 99th minute to leave the Barcelona players slumped to the ground
MILAN: Inter Milan beat Barcelona 4-3 after extra time in another rollercoaster encounter Tuesday to reach a second Champions League final in three years.
In the end it took extra time, two astonishing Barcelona fightbacks and 13 goals — some of them mesmerizing — to separate the two sides and see Inter prevail 7-6 on aggregate.
Substitute Davide Frattesi was the extra-time hero for Inter, firing home in the 99th minute to leave the Barcelona players slumped to the ground and all his Nerazzurri teammates — including those on the bench — racing to celebrate with him.
Moments earlier, Frattesi had been encouraging the already loud San Siro crowd to make more noise and the atmosphere grew even more feverish after his strike.
Inter, which lost the final to Manchester City in 2023, will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in Munich on May 31. PSG beat Arsenal 1-0 in London last week in their first match.
There was little sign of the drama to come at halftime, with Inter comfortably leading 2-0 after Lautaro Martínez scored and earned a penalty, which was converted by Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
But Barcelona had been in that position before, having gone 2-0 down early in the first leg last week before securing a thrilling 3-3 draw.
And Eric García scored nine minutes after the break before Dani Olmo headed in the equalizer six minutes later.
Raphina appeared to have secured the win for Barcelona when he put the Spanish side ahead two minutes before full time, tucking away the rebound after Yann Sommer had saved his initial shot.
However, 37-year-old Francesco Acerbi astonishingly leveled in stoppage time — with his first goal in European competition — to add another 30 minutes onto the tantalizing encounter.
Frattesi had proved crucial off the substitutes’ bench before, both for Italy and Inter, and so he was again, controlling Mehdi Taremi’s pass and dummying round Pau Cubarsí before curling past Wojciech Szczęsny.
Barcelona almost leveled again but Sommer made a fingertip save to push Lamine Yamal’s shot past his post.
Report: PIF’s LIV Golf investments nearing $5 billion
- Money in Sport had previously projected an increase in the PIF investment of $5 billion by the end of 2025
NEW YORK: LIV Golf’s investors are reaching into their pockets again for funding, with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund nearing $5 billion in spending on the three-year-old league.
LIV Golf Investments, the parent company for worldwide LIV Golf operations, has increased its authorized share capital twice this year, once in mid-January and once late in April, for a total of $674.3 million, according to the Money in Sport newsletter on Monday.
This brings the total spend to $4.58 billion, with $1.9 billion of that coming since January 2024.
Money in Sport had previously projected an increase in the PIF investment of $5 billion by the end of 2025.
With a reference to $82 million in revenue from January to October 2024, PIF’s filing included the first time a consolidated revenue figure for LIV Golf has been publicly disclosed.
The filing shows the latest authorizations come with three conditions: a minimum number of events this season, a minimum revenue and a finalized TV deal with Fox Sports.
LIV Golf has made significant changes this year, including Scott O’Neill replacing Greg Norman as CEO in addition to altering its team format to make all players’ scores count in every round.
LIV Golf’s first event in the US of 2025 brought record viewership for the league, with 484,000 people tuning in to watch Marc Leishman’s triumph in Miami on April 8.
Unfortunately for the Saudi-backed league, that was still less than a third of the number of people who opted to watch a standard PGA Tour event the same day.
“I think we all hoped it would have been a little bit further along, and that’s no secret,” American golfer Brooks Koepka said ahead of the LIV Golf Miami tournament at Trump National Doral on April 2.
“No matter where you’re at, you always hope everything is further along. But they’re making progress, and it seems to be going in the right direction.”
