Klopp ‘full of energy’ to meet challenge of Liverpool slump

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp. (Reuters)
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Updated 16 February 2021
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Klopp ‘full of energy’ to meet challenge of Liverpool slump

  • Klopp’s men turn their attention to the Champions League on Tuesday when they face RB Leipzig in the first leg of their last 16 tie

LONDON: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted he still has the energy to turn around the English champions’ season after three consecutive defeats ended the Reds’ realistic chances of defending their Premier League title.

Klopp’s men turn their attention to the Champions League on Tuesday when they face RB Leipzig in the first leg of their last 16 tie.

Social media speculation after Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Leicester that Klopp could walk away was dismissed by the German, who thanked supporters who placed a banner reading “YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone) Jurgen” outside the club’s Anfield stadium on Sunday.

“I might not look like this, my beard gets more and more grey, but I am full of energy,” said Klopp at his pre-match press conference on Monday. “The situation is a challenge, an interesting challenge.

“We will sort it. We will sort it by playing football, by being even more together, by learning more than you can learn in each season we played before.”

It was reported last week that Klopp’s mother Elisabeth had died last month at the age of 81. Due to coronavirus restrictions, the Liverpool boss was not able to return to his native Germany for the funeral.

The same restrictions mean the match with Leipzig has been moved to Hungarian capital Budapest with Liverpool not offered an elite sport exemption from the German authorities.

“The last thing I want to do is talk about private things. Privately we had a tougher time. That is not just the last three weeks but a much longer time and we always deal with it as a family,” added Klopp.

“Thanks for all the support. I am very grateful for these type of things but nobody has to worry about me.”

At 20 years Klopp’s junior, Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann is seen as the heir to his crown as one of Europe’s best managers.

At just 33, Nagelsmann already has a wealth of experience having led Leipzig to the Champions League semifinals last season, knocking out Tottenham and Atletico Madrid
on the way.

The Germans got the better of Manchester United to reach the knockout stages this season and are Bayern Munich’s closest challengers in the Bundesliga.

“Julian is an extraordinary talent,” added Klopp. “He’s still young as a coach, but he’s already proven everything you can as a manager. He’s young, fresh but still experienced and serious.

“An outstanding manager and when we are all old, he will be even better.”


LIV Golf’s Herbert in charge at Australian Open, Smith two back

Updated 10 sec ago
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LIV Golf’s Herbert in charge at Australian Open, Smith two back

  • Smith, who finished second at last week’s Australian PGA Championship, is yet to win an Australian Open and has made no secret of his desire to do so
  • In the women’s tournament, Australia’s Su Oh shared a one shot lead with South Korean teenager Yang Hyo-jin ahead of major winner Hannah Green

MELBOURNE: Lucas Herbert drained an eagle at the last in a flawless eight-under-par 63 Thursday to lead the Australian Open in Melbourne and upstage LIV Golf teammate Cameron Smith who trails by two.

In the women’s tournament, Australia’s Su Oh shared a one shot lead with South Korean teenager Yang Hyo-jin ahead of major winner Hannah Green.

Starting on the 10th, Australia’s Herbert sunk six birdies to no bogeys before his sensational eagle propelled him into the outright lead at the second event of the DP World Tour’s 2025 season.

He ended one clear of Rintaro Nakaro — Japan’s amateur champion in 2023 — and American Ryggs Johnson, with 2022 British Open champion Smith a shot further back in a four-way tie.

The mixed Australian Open involves men and women teeing off in alternating groups on the same courses.

Kingston Heath in Melbourne’s famous sandbelt region is the main venue across all four days with Victoria Golf Club also hosting play on the opening two days.

“I felt like there was a lot of shots left out there,” said Herbert, a three-time winner on the European circuit, after negotiating soggy fairways and soft greens.

“I feel like that with every round of golf, to be fair, but didn’t really think I holed that many. Just hit it quite nicely.”

Nakaro was the early pacesetter with eight birdies, but his round was spoilt by a bogey at the last.

“I’m surprised but very happy,” said the 21-year-old, who plans to turn professional next year.

Smith, who finished second at last week’s Australian PGA Championship, is yet to win an Australian Open and has made no secret of his desire to do so.

He was one-over after three, but then reeled off six straight birdies to remain in the hunt.

“I mean the greens are soft and there wasn’t much wind out there this morning, so a lot of those par-fives played really quite short whereas typically you get one hole into the wind or something like that,” he said.

“So yeah, I was just able to take advantage of that.”

At stake for the men is a place at next year’s British Open at Royal Portrush with the top three earning a spot.

Chilean defending champion Joaquin Niemann, Smith and Englishman Jordan Smith are already exempt.

Niemann, also on the LIV Tour, had a day to forget with 73 while Smith carded 70.

Australia’s Su shot nine birdies in her 66 to lead the women’s field alongside Yang, just 17.

But they have Green, a three-time winner on the LPGA Tour this year, breathing down their neck.

“I’ve worked really hard the last few months and felt like I was hitting the ball a lot better and just happy and proud,” said Su.

South African defending champion Ashleigh Buhai struggled to 73 to be seven adrift.


Record number of local golfers to take part in 2024 Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club

Updated 18 min 22 sec ago
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Record number of local golfers to take part in 2024 Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club

  • Four Saudis, including Othman Almulla and Faisal Salhab, will participate in next week’s tournament
  • Locals join Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Tyrrell Hatton and Bubba Watson in stellar line-up

RIYADH: For the first time in its history, the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers will feature an unprecedented line-up of Saudi Arabian players with four representatives from the Kingdom in the event, which takes place from Dec. 4-7 at Riyadh Golf Club.

Othman Almulla, Faisal Salhab, Saud Al-Sharif and Khalid Walid will take part in the competition, marking a groundbreaking moment for Saudi golf on a global stage. They are joined by Golf Saudi ambassador, the UK-born Shergo Al-Kurdi, who represents Jordan internationally.

Almulla, Saudi Arabia’s first professional golfer, has paved the way for the game’s growth in the Kingdom and remains a key ambassador for the sport. Before turning professional in 2019, he became the first Saudi golfer to win the Qatar Open and qualify for two professional events, the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic and the 2008 Qatar Masters.

“It’s an honour to be part of this milestone for Saudi golf, competing alongside my fellow countrymen on such a prestigious stage,” Almulla said. “The PIF Saudi International is a testament to the incredible progress golf has made in the Kingdom and the bright future ahead. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without Golf Saudi’s support, and I’m proud to represent Saudi Arabia while inspiring the next generation of golfers to elevate the game even further.”

Salhab turned professional last year and has represented Saudi Arabia at various international tournaments, including the Pan Arab Golf Championships. Attieh, meanwhile, made history in February 2024 at the International Series Oman when he became the first amateur player from Saudi Arabia to make the cut.

Almulla, Salhab and Al-Sharif are also Golf Saudi ambassadors, whose mission is to elevate the game in the Kingdom.

The growing number Saudi players, who will be competing alongside global superstars such as Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Tyrrell Hatton, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, reflect the targets set by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global golf destination.

Alongside the professional action, the Saudi International aims to encourage more individuals, particularly young Saudis, to take up the sport.

Through its Go Golf initiative, Golf Saudi offers three months of free lessons for all new golfers in the Kingdom, followed by 12 complimentary rounds, as well as discounted memberships and coaching. Golf Saudi is committed to expanding access to the sport for players at all levels and building a vibrant golf community in the Kingdom.


Trae Young inspires Hawks to victory over Cleveland

Updated 21 min 20 sec ago
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Trae Young inspires Hawks to victory over Cleveland

  • Young put the game beyond the Cavs with a 39-foot three-pointer to make it 129-122 with 1:43 remaining just moments after he had turned the ball over
  • Serbian Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a convincing 122-103 win at the Utah Jazz with 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists
  • Led by Anthony Davis with 19 points and 14 rebounds, the Los Angeles Lakers ended the San Antonio Spurs four-game winning streak with a 119-101 victory

MIAMI: Eastern Conference leaders the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered their first home loss of the season with a surprise 135-124 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Cleveland’s second loss of the season came afer a strong second half display from Atlanta with De’Andre Hunter scoring 26 points off the bench, Jalen Johnson adding 22 points and Trae Young contributing 20 with a career-high 22 assists.

Young put the game beyond the Cavs with a 39-foot three-pointer to make it 129-122 with 1:43 remaining just moments after he had turned the ball over.

Johnson said Young’s assists had been crucial to the victory and that he deserved more credit for his role on the team.

“He was really getting off the ball and finding everyone... a lot of people don’t necessarily talk about him even though he’s leading the league in assists, but they don’t talk about him as the playmaker,” Johnson said.

The win moves the Hawks to 8-11 on the season and Young said the team had shown what they were capable of.

“They are a really good team who have been playing well all year and I feel we have been a little inconsistent but the times that we have played well, we’ve played really well,” he said.

Donovan Mitchell scored 30 for Cleveland and Evan Mobley put up 22 points and 12 rebounds, but the Cavs missed out on a chance to become the first team to start with an 18-1 record.

Serbian Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a convincing 122-103 win at the Utah Jazz with 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Denver had come back from an early 12-point deficit with a 21-4 run midway through the game turning the contest in their direction.

The Houston Rockets needed overtime to beat the 3-14 Philadelphia 76ers, with Alperen Sengun scoring 22 points and claiming 14 rebounds and seven assists.

Half of Turkish center Sengun’s points came in overtime where the Rockets made sure of moving to 14-6.

“My teammates trusted me in overtime and I didn’t want to fail them,” Sengun said. “It was ugly but a win is a win in the NBA.”

James Harden scored 43 points for the Los Angeles Clippers as they beat the struggling Washington Wizards 121-96.

Harden scored 23 of his points in the first quarter and left the game late in the third quarter with the Wizards already condemned to their 13th straight defeat.

“We have to continue to find ways to win,” said Harden of the 12-8 Clippers.

“Defensively we need to do a lot better, sometimes we get a little too comfortable... we just need to continue to get better as a unit.”

The Miami Heat defeated the Charlotte Hornets 98-94, with Tyler Herro scoring 27 points and Duncan Robinson draining six three-pointers in the win.

“He’s a shot-maker, he’s not afraid of the moment,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Herro.

Bam Adebayo claimed 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Heat while LaMelo Ball had 32 points and 10 rebounds for Charlotte.

Miami’s star Jimmy Butler left the game in the third quarter with a tight back and did not return.

The Hornets were closing in on the lead but Herro made a 29-foot three-pointer and then grabbed Ball’s attempted pass to Brandon Miller for the crucial turnover.

Led by Anthony Davis with 19 points and 14 rebounds, the Los Angeles Lakers ended the San Antonio Spurs four-game winning streak with a 119-101 victory.

LeBron James helped with 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds while France’s Victor Wembanyama top scored for the Spurs with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Despite being without injured Slovenian star Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks had a comfortable 129-114 win over the New York Knicks with Kyrie Irving scoring 23 points.

Dennis Schroder top scored with 29 points as the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Phoenix Suns 127-117. Kevin Durant put up 30 points and 8 rebounds for the Arizona team.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and had 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the Oklahoma City Thunder in an impressive 105-101 win at the Golden State Warriors.

The Thunders lost forward Jalen Williams to an eye injury in the second quarter of the game while Stephen Curry was missing for the Warriors due to a knee injury.


Pakistan hopes for fair deal from ICC on Champions Trophy impasse with India

Updated 28 November 2024
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Pakistan hopes for fair deal from ICC on Champions Trophy impasse with India

  • PCB says it’s unacceptable that Pakistanis play in India while Indians don’t come to Pakistan
  • Pakistan has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of three stadiums chosen for tournament

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hopes it will get a fair deal on “equality” when the International Cricket Council (ICC) holds a virtual meeting on Friday to finalize details for next year’s Champions Trophy.
There’s an impasse for the eight-team, 50-over format tournament after India declined to tour Pakistan for the event, scheduled to be held from Feb. 19 to March 9.
A decades-long tense political situation between the two South Asian countries hasn’t seen India playing international cricket in Pakistan since 2008 when it competed in Asia Cup.
Both nations have competed in ICC tournaments with Pakistan touring India last year for the 50-overs World Cup.
“I promise we’ll do what is best for Pakistan cricket,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in Lahore. “We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know.”
The ICC board could decide the issue in a vote among members.
“Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said. “But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here.”
Earlier this month, the ICC told the PCB that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had informed the game’s governing body it will not tour Pakistan for the event. The PCB sent an email, asking the ICC reasons behind India’s refusal.
Naqvi said he’s been in “constant touch” with the ICC chairman Greg Barckley, but didn’t say whether he got the answers from the game’s governing body as to why India was not willing to tour Pakistan.
Naqvi, who is also the interior minister in the Pakistan government, said that whatever decision the ICC makes on Friday, he will go to his government for the final approval.
Pakistan has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of three stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi — the three venues chosen for the Champions Trophy. Naqvi said he hoped the renovation of three stadiums will be completed well in time to host the event.


Bencic and Badosa join strong line-up at 2025 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open

Updated 28 November 2024
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Bencic and Badosa join strong line-up at 2025 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open

  • Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic returns having won the inaugural tournament in 2023
  • Ons Jabeur and Beatriz Haddad Maia already confirmed to compete next February

ABU DHABI: Belinda Bencic and Paula Badosa are the latest entries confirmed for the 2025 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, with the third edition of the WTA-500 event scheduled for Feb. 1-8 at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City.

Swiss star Bencic, 27, became the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open’s inaugural champion in 2023 when she beat Liudmila Samsonova to clinch the title. She was unable to defend her crown earlier this year because she was pregnant.

The former world No. 4 is an eight-time singles winner on the WTA Tour, having also claimed Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games, held in 2021, when she defeated the Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova in three sets.

Bencic produced a stunning comeback to claim the 2023 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, overturning a one-set deficit and saving three match points against Samsonova.

"I’m so excited to return to the UAE and compete in the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open once again,” Bencic said. “Winning this tournament in 2023 was an unforgettable moment in my career, and I’m looking forward to coming back as a new mother and experiencing the amazing atmosphere.

“It’s been a special journey returning to the tour after giving birth, and I can’t wait to be back on court in a place which holds such special memories.”

Bencic will be joined in the competition by Dubai resident Badosa, who is currently 12th in the rankings. She clinched a fourth WTA Tour title with the Mubadala Citi DC Open in August after entering as a wildcard, defeating Marie Bouzkova in the final.

Badosa, 27, will be making her Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open debut after missing the previous two tournaments through illness and injury respectively.

“I’m thrilled to be competing in the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open,” she said. “It’s a tournament I’ve wanted to play since it began in 2023, but unfortunately, I had to withdraw previously due to injuries, however I’m determined to make the most of this opportunity in 2025.

“Abu Dhabi is an incredible city with amazing fans, and the tournament always attracts such a strong field. I’m feeling good about my form right now, and I’m looking forward to showing what I’m capable of in February.”

Bencic and Badosa will be joining a line-up of 28 leading players, which includes three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur of Tunisia, who joins the field after a lengthy lay-off with a shoulder injury, along with Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, a semi-finalist in the last two editions of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open.