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Frustrated Mohamed Salah trudges into Anfield after being benched AGAIN by Arne Slot against Brighton – as pundits tear into moody Liverpool forward: ‘You can’t have him around the club’
Mohamed Salah has come under fire by pundits who have blasted the Reds forward’s attitute as he was named on Liverpool’s bench against Brighton.
The Egyptian, who claimed Liverpool had ‘thrown him under the bus’ after being named on the bench for a third successive match during the Reds’ 3-3 draw with Leeds last weekend, did not travel to face Inter Milan in midweek.
Instead, the 33-year-old he trained alone at Anfield while the Reds nabbed a 1-0 victory in Milan and their fans chanted Arne Slot’s name around the San Siro.
However, after peace talks with Slot on Friday, the Liverpool superstar has returned to squad for his final match before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations, with the Premier League champions taking on Brighton at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
But Sky Sports pundits Tim Sherwood and Paul Merson criticised Salah as he made his way back into Anfield.
Sherwood said it was a ‘poor look’ as their cameras focused on the Egyptian making his way back into the ground, adding that Salah looked ‘miserable’ as he starts his fourth out of the last five matches from the bench.
Mohamed Salah has been named on Liverpool’s bench against Brighton on Saturday afternoon
Merson, meanwhile, quipped that Salah ‘looks like me when I came out the betting shop’ and even said ‘you can’t have him around the club’ in a pointed suggestion that the saga has been disruptive to the Liverpool squad.
Slot, whom Salah claimed to have no relationship with during his bombshell interview with reporters, shook hands with Egyptian on Friday after a week that threatened to plunge the club into civil war.
Daily Mail Sport reported on Friday that talks were positive and that Salah was expected back in contention against Brighton.
Slot said on Friday that he has ‘no reasons for not wanting [Salah] to stay’ amid uncertainty over his future after AFCON.
But Salah plunged his own future into chaos when he spoke inside Elland Road’s mixed zone after starting three consecutive games from the bench.
‘I’m very disappointed,’ the 33-year-old said. ‘I’ve done so much for this club – everyone can see that – over years, especially last season, sitting on the bench I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel it.
‘It’s very clear that someone wants me to take all the blame. The club promised me a lot in summer. So far I am on bench for three games, so I can’t say they have kept those promises.
‘I say many times I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship, I don’t know why. It seems like someone does not want me in the club.’
His comments sparked discourse from club legends Jamie Carragher – who labelled Salah a ‘disgrace’ in the aftermath – and Steven Gerrard who said it was ‘wrong’ to claim he had been thrown under the bus.
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Frustrated Mohamed Salah trudges into Anfield after being benched AGAIN by Arne Slot against Brighton – as pundits tear into moody Liverpool forward: ‘You can’t have him around the club’
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NBA sensation Victor Wembanyama opens up on emotional breakdown over life-changing health scare
San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama revealed the emotions he felt when he discovered he was suffering from a blood clot.
Back in February, the 7-foot sensation was diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder – a surprising prognosis for the 21-year-old.
In a sit-down interview with ESPN, the French phenom revealed he suffered a ‘breakdown’ when doctors told him the news.
‘I remember clearly, it’s going to be one year soon since I learned,’ Wembanyama told the network.
‘It was five minutes of total breakdown, probably. Obviously, crying and sadness and feeling the fragility of life and health.’
Quickly after his diagnosis, the Spurs shut Wembanyama down for the season – giving him enough time to allow for his recovery.
Wemby on finding out he had a blood clot:
“It was 5 minutes of total breakdown. Obviously crying and sadness. Basketball wasn’t my priority all of a sudden. It was just the whole motor all summer and I think it’s gonna be for the rest of my career” pic.twitter.com/Swa2Fz5qu9
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) December 13, 2025 
Victor Wembanyama opened up about the emotional rollercoaster he went through after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his shoulder last year
He revealed he was briefly afraid that he might not play basketball after the scary diagnosis
Wembanyama said that it was enough of a scare for him to put sports to the side.
‘I was thinking about this as… Like I just said, I wasn’t thinking about basketball. Basketball wasn’t my priority all of a sudden,’ he said.
‘At a time like this where you have to take measures quickly, you unfortunately have to make choices. There’s this worry of maybe not doing the right thing.’
When asked if he was worried that he might not ever take the court again, Wembanyama replied, ‘In those five minutes? Yes, but it wasn’t justified.
‘I needed time to find myself again and then to get better. It was just the whole motor all summer, and I think it’s going to be for the rest of my career.
‘It’s the best example that life is short, career is short. It can end just like this. So There’s no time to waste.’
By the summertime, Wembanyama was cleared for full basketball activities after his treatment was successful.
After undergoing treatment, Wembanyama did eventually make his return to the court
However, a calf strain has sidelined him for a significant portion of this season
He got off to a strong start, leading the Spurs in points (26.2), rebounds (12.9) and blocks (3.6) across 12 games.
But he’s missed the last 12 games due to a calf injury. The last time he took to the court was against the Golden State Warriors in mid-November.
Wembanyama is expected to return on Saturday night in the semifinals of the NBA Cup.
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NBA sensation Victor Wembanyama opens up on emotional breakdown over life-changing health scare
•Chukwueze provides an assist in Fulham’s victory at Burnley
Duro Ikhazuagbe
Nigerian International defender, Calvin Bassey, signed off 2025 club duty in the English Premier League on a glorious note last night as he scored in Fulham’s 3-2 victory away at Burnley.
Elsewhere in Turkey, another Super Eagles star, Victor Osimhen, also ended the year on high for Galatasaray, scoring in the Istanbul giant’s 4- 1 drubbing of Antalyaspor on Saturday evening.
Bassey who has become the corner stone of Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles’ Back Four, netted his first EPL goal since February at Turf Moor.
Now, he will head to the AFCON 2025 with Super Eagles hoping to continue his brilliant form to help Nigeria to a fourth continental title in Morocco.
Last night, Bassey was the perfect beneficiary of Harry Wilson’s high cross into the box, and wasted no time in flying high above Burnley defenders to power a header into the bottom right corner,his first in nearly 10 months.
That goal restored Fulham’s 2-1 advantage on the night in the 31st minute. Earlier, Emile Smith Rowe had given Fulham the opening goal barely nine minutes into the game while French-born player with Nigerian ancestry, Lesley Ugochukwu restored parity for the hosts in the 21st minute.
However, 13 minutes after resumption from the half time break, Bassey’s Super Eagles teammate, Samuel Chukwueze, picked out Harry Wilson with his through pass that the Wales international classically guided into the far corner of Martin Dubravka in goal for Burnley.
Bassey however missed another opportunity to increase his tally on the night when he miscued the ball in the box after taking out Burley defenders.
Harry Wilson who set up two Fulham goals before scoring their third was however the star of the night for The Cottagers.
Oliver Sonne scored his first goal for the Burnley to take the game to 3-2 and the hope of the hosts salvaging a point from the game. It however came too late. Haphazard defending earlier in the match was the greatest undoing of burley in the five-goal thriller.
Burnley remain five points from safety, a gap which could widen after Sunday’s games, while Fulham rise to 13th and have a seven-point cushion over the bottom three.
In Turkey, Victor Osimhen put his Champions League disappointment against Monaco midweek behind him, getting on the scorer’s sheet as Galatasaray defeated Antalyaspor 4-1 on Saturday evening.
The Nigerian forward, who endured a quiet outing in the 1–0 defeat to Monaco, made amends in the second half at the Corendon Airlines Park Antalya Stadium by netting Galatasaray’s third goal. Latching onto a sublime pass from Yunus on the left flank, Osimhen drove toward goal with a brilliant run before unleashing a powerful strike from a tight angle to double the advantage.
Roland Sallai, Leroy Sané, and Mario Icardi were also on target for the champions and further strengthened their grip on top spot in the league.
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LAWRENCE BOOTH: Harry Brook is a generational talent but his careless Ashes performances are a major concern – and not just with the bat
These are the hot-take Ashes, with podcasts sprouting like heads on the Hydra, and opinions jostling for elbow room. But on one question most pundits can agree: how do you solve a problem like Harry Brook?
First at Perth, then at Brisbane, Brook’s output has mirrored England’s, his scores of 52, 0, 31 and 15 reflecting on the one hand their all-too-fleeting highs and on the other their overriding carelessness. Twice he has lost his wicket driving on the up, the stroke that is in danger of defining England’s tour.
He is both an emblem of their troubles and their likeliest means of a remarkable comeback. Above all, he is never dull. No wonder the podcasters and columnists can’t stop talking and writing about him.
Alyssa Healy, wicketkeeper for the Australian women’s team and wife of Mitchell Starc, who induced one of those loose drives from Brook at the Gabba, got stuck in on her Willow Talk podcast: ‘How about taking a little bit of load off your captain?’ she said. ‘Hi, my name’s Harry Brook, I played a shocking shot twice this Test match and I put our team under the pump unnecessarily twice.’
Geoff Boycott, meanwhile, a very different type of Yorkshireman, wrote of Brook in his newspaper column: ‘You get the feeling he is batting with a disregard for the team situation. So far the penny has not dropped, maybe it never will. I hope not, because it would be sad to watch a guy with once-in-a-lifetime talent fail to grasp that the object is using that special talent is to win.’
It felt more than symbolic that, following England’s eight-wicket defeat at Brisbane, Brook dropped from No 2 in the ICC rankings to No 4, while the steadier, less headstrong Joe Root – who, unlike Brook, adapted his game after defeat in the first Test at Perth – has remained peerless at No 1.
Brook is an emblem of England’s troubles – and their likeliest means of a remarkable comeback
Brook spent a decent chunk of England’s four-day holiday in Noosa relaxing at the bar with fast bowler Brydon Carse, as Ben Stokes’s team sought respite from a draining few weeks
Brook has been at the pinnacle himself, including making 158 against India at Edgbaston earlier in the summer, but he has never stayed at the top for long – and that must be his next challenge
Brook has been at the pinnacle himself, replacing Root when he scored 171 against New Zealand at Christchurch a year ago, and again after making 158 against India at Edgbaston in the summer. But he has never stayed top for long, and that must be his next challenge.
Of his talent, there is little doubt. He averages 55 from his 32 Tests, scored England’s first triple-century for 34 years against Pakistan at Multan, and ticked off 10 hundreds in 50 innings, a landmark achieved more quickly among England batsmen only by Herbert Sutcliffe and Denis Compton.
When Ricky Ponting bought Brook in the IPL auction two years ago in his role as head coach of Delhi Capitals, he salivated about ‘a generational type of player’. Stuart Broad, meanwhile, has suggested he ‘might just be the best batter we’ve ever produced’. These are expert witnesses, not armchair pundits. And it’s what makes his performances so far in Australia so anticlimactic.
Brook spent a decent chunk of England’s four-day holiday in Noosa, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, relaxing at the bar with fast bowler Brydon Carse, as Ben Stokes’s team sought respite from a draining few weeks. But the value of that break will, inevitably, be determined by what happens next, starting with Wednesday’s third Test in Adelaide.
Key to Brook’s chances will be his ability to learn from his mistakes. When he first came into the England team, for the deciding Test against South Africa at The Oval in 2022, Stokes half-jokingly described him as ‘a bit dumb’. When that assessment was put to Brook, he smiled. ‘I wasn’t very good at school,’ he said, ‘but my cricket brain is all right.’
And that discrepancy has formed the basis of England’s calculation. So long as Brook is making the right calls on the field, it doesn’t matter if he isn’t quoting Tolstoy. When, as Jos Buttler’s stand-in, he averaged 78 in a five-match ODI series at home to Australia in September 2024, with an astonishing strike-rate of 127, there were few doubts about his trajectory. It’s why he eventually replaced Buttler as England’s full-time white-ball captain, and later Ollie Pope as Test vice-captain.
But the jury remains out at precisely the moment many had hoped for a verdict. First came England’s ill-fated ODI series in New Zealand, a trip that was supposed to be their warm-up for the Ashes. After his side were bowled out in the first game at Mount Maunganui for 223, to which Brook contributed an outrageous 135 with 11 sixes, he responded: ‘The question I would ask is, can we probably go a little bit harder? I think so.’
In the next two games, England were dismissed for 175 and 222. The longest of their three innings, in matches designed to be 50 overs a side, was 40.2 overs. It was not a ringing endorsement of Brook’s ability to react to circumstance, supposedly one of Bazball’s central tenets.
The key to Brook’s chances to turn his series around will be his ability to learn from mistakes
As England’s vice-captain, Brook ought to be one of the first shoulders to lean on alongside Joe Root, but his lack of obvious support for Stokes is as worrying as his form with the bat
Of equal concern has been a lack of obvious support for Stokes. As vice-captain, Brook ought to be one of the first shoulders to lean on, along with Root. But Stokes finished the Brisbane Test with his instantly famous observation that ‘Australia isn’t a place for weak men’. And it is clear that, while he craves better decision-making from his team-mates with bat and ball, he also wants more help in the field.
Matt Prior, the former England wicketkeeper who was at the Gabba as a pundit for TNT and unloaded on their performance during a hard-hitting interview with Daily Mail Sport, pointed out: ‘Brook is an unbelievable player. But he has to get in the battle – not just with his batting, but in the field. He needs to create an intensity.’
Everyone is asking a lot of Brook, which – if he’s paying attention – he will regard as a compliment. Those closest to him wondered before this tour whether his first trip to Australia would be about finding his feet. But England need quicker results than that, and they need them as early as this week.
Yerson Mosquera’s stoppage-time own goal gave Premier League leaders Arsenal victory over bottom of the table Wolves in a dramatic finish at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were frustrated for large parts of the match by a stubborn five-man Wolves defence and it took until the 70th minute for them to take the lead, when Bukayo Saka’s curling corner was pushed on to the post by Sam Johnstone and the ball bounced off the goalkeeper’s back to put Arsenal ahead.
Arsenal were nervy as they looked to see out the win but that allowed Wolves to put numerous balls into the box and Mateus Mane crossed for Tolu Arokodare to head home in the 90th minute.
Supporters had their heads in their hands as it looked as though they had given title rivals Manchester City the chance to move level on points on Sunday against Crystal Palace before the late drama ensued.
Saka cut in from the right and curled a cross towards substitute Gabriel Jesus and Mosquera, trying to head the ball clear, got it all wrong to head past his own keeper to immense scenes of relief in the home support.
BBC
Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare was on target as Wolves lost 2-1 to Arsenal in Saturday’s Premier League game.
The Nigerian international, who was making his 12th appearance, netted his first Premier League goal for Wolves this ongoing season.
Read Also:Serie A: Lookman Plays 90 Minutes In Atalanta Win Vs Cagliari
Arsenal dominated possession throughout but struggled to break their defensively disciplined opponents down.
That was until midway through the second half, when a Sam Johnstone own goal from a Bukayo Saka corner broke the deadlock.
Wolves thought they had snatched a point when Tolu Arokodare headed in a 90th-minute equaliser but Rob Edwards’ spirited side were hit with a late sucker punch to remain 13 points adrift of safety.
ABS FC forward Jamiu Sa’ad has expressed his desire to help the club secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.
DAILY POST recalls that ABS last played in the NPFL in 2010.
Sa’ad, who has scored three times in the Nigeria National League, NNL, said he is determined to increase his goal tally and help the club achieve its target.
“I’m grateful for the goals so far, but I want to score more,” Sa’ad told ABS FC Media.
“My focus is to stay consistent and keep delivering for the team every game. Our main target this season is to promote to the NPFL.
“That is the dream for everyone at the club, and I’m ready to give everything to help us achieve it.”
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has praised Victor Osimhen for his performance in the club’s 4-1 win over Antalyaspor.
Osimhen scored Galatasaray’s third goal of the game in the 56th minute.
Leroy Sane, Burak Yilmaz and Mauro Icardi were also on target for the Yellow and Reds in the away win.
Osimhen has so far scored 12 goals in 16 appearances for the Turkish Super Lig champions this season.
Read Also:Turkey: Osimhen On Target In Galatasaray’s Win Over Antalyalspor
Buruk highlighted the forward’s role in the win.
“Sané’s, Osimhen’s, and Barış’s performances; with Torreira and İlkay’s contributions in midfield, and adding the defense as well, overall we had a very good team performance” Buruk was quoted by the club’s official website.
“In this intense fixture schedule, there will be times when we need to calm the game down a bit and keep possession of the ball. We did this better after scoring the third goal in the second half. At the end of the day, we secured a very valuable victory. I thank my players.”
“I also want to thank our fans who always support us. There was incredible support at the airport, in front of the hotel, and at the stadium. They were with us today as well.”
By Adeboye Amosu
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Arsenal vs Wolves – Premier League LIVE: Team news and updates as Gunners bid to avoid upset and put title bid back on track
Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Arsenal welcome Wolves to the Emirates, with Matt Barlow and Isaan Khan reporting from the grounds.
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Arsenal vs Wolves – Premier League LIVE: Team news and updates as Gunners bid to avoid upset and put title bid back on track
Chelsea eased back onto the winning path in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge.
During the Premier League game in West London, Chelsea set the tone early and never really loosened their grip. The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute when Cole Palmer timed his run perfectly to meet Malo Gusto’s pass and steer the ball home.
The hosts continued to play with purpose and were rewarded again deep into first-half stoppage time. This time, Gusto completed a fine all-round display by finishing off a move started by Pedro Neto, giving Chelsea a commanding lead at the interval.
Everton showed greater urgency after the restart and enjoyed spells of pressure, reflected in their seven corners compared to Chelsea’s four. Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish were at the heart of Everton’s attacking efforts, but clear chances went begging and Chelsea’s back line remained composed. In the end, the difference lay in Chelsea’s sharpness before the break, with Gusto’s goal and assist proving decisive.
The result lifts Chelsea back to the Premier League top four temporarily. Everton, sitting seventh, saw their hopes of closing the gap on the European spots take a dent.
At Anfield, Liverpool also recorded a timely 2-0 win over Brighton, a match shaped by early drama and a notable tactical call from manager Arne Slot.
Hugo Ekitike struck almost immediately, finding the net inside the opening minute to give the hosts a flying start. Moments later, Liverpool were forced into an early change when Joe Gomez went off injured, prompting Slot to introduce Mohamed Salah in the 26th minute.
It was a significant moment, marking Salah’s first appearance since he criticised the club, saying he felt the Premier League giants “have thrown him under a bus”. His presence instantly lifted the crowd and sharpened Liverpool’s attacking edge.
Brighton threatened in patches and forced Liverpool to stay alert, but struggled to make their chances count. Salah tested the visiting goalkeeper just before the hour mark, and seconds later Liverpool doubled their lead. From the resulting pressure, Salah delivered the assist as Ekitike rose highest to head home and complete his brace.
Liverpool were ruthless, converting their only two shots on target into goals. Brighton, despite enjoying plenty of possession and creating openings, managed just one effort on target and were left frustrated by their lack of cutting edge.
The win has pushed Liverpool up to the 6th spot on the Premier League table pending the outcome of other Matchday 16 games. As for Brighton, they are currently occupying the 9th spot.
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Legendary wrestler, Undertaker, has reacted to John Cena’s decision to retire from the sport.
Cena is set to step aside after 23 memorable years of fighting.
The 17-time champion meets Gunther in the main event of Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Undertaker wrote on X: “‘Nice job’
“Those were the words I said to you 23 years ago when you debuted. Now, on the day of your final match, I say again…nice job.
“Hustle, loyalty, and respect is more than just a catchphrase. For 23 years you have lived by those words. Your passion for our business and dedication to our fan base is unmatched.
“To have shared the ring with you and have been a part of your journey has been an honour. As your in-ring career winds down, be proud of the body of work and the memories you’ve created.
“Enjoy the last ride tonight my friend and one final time…nice job.”