Arne Slot has confirmed that British record signing Alexander Isak is line to make his Liverpool debut against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday – but made clear it will not be for the whole 90 minutes.
Liverpool take on the Spaniards in their opening Uefa Champions League group-stage clash at Anfield having enjoyed four wins out of four so far in the early stages of their bid to retain the Premier League title.
All four of those matches have needed late goals to secure all three points, the latest of which down to an injury-time penalty from Mohamed Salah against Burnley on Sunday.
Reds coach Slot revealed before the game at Turf Moor that Isak – signed for £125 million from Newcastle United after a protracted transfer that dominated the summer headlines – had not played enough football to be considered and had been left out of the match-day squad.
The Swedish striker had not kicked a competitive ball since the end of last season until the recent international break when he twice appeared off the bench in World Cup qualifiers.
But Slot said on Tuesday that the 25-year-old was in the squad to take on Diego Simeone's side and could make his debut.
“Definitely a chance because he's in the squad and the chance to play, I would usually say 99.9 per cent sure but I can say 100 per cent sure he will not play 90 minutes but he's part of the squad," said the Dutch coach in Tuesday's pre-match press conference.
“It's already a Champions League game to look forward to but if people look forward to his playing time that could mean that could happen tomorrow as well.”
On whether Isask might start the match, Slot added: “The only thing we're sure of is he will not play 90.”
Isak, who scored 62 goals in 109 games for Newcastle, spent a majority of pre-season training on his own after demanding a move from Merseyside to Tyneside – not playing in any of the Magpies' friendly matches or opening games of the Premier League campaign.
But Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk revealed that his new teammate was clearly keen to make an immediate impact during training despite his summer of inactivity.
“Very good impression, very eager,” said Dutch defender Van Dijk. “Obviously the quality he's been showing already since the first session.
“Only positives and off the pitch as well, we're having conversations – I spoke to him during the international break once everything was sorted.
“It's now about getting him as fit as possible and to understand each one of us as quickly as possible. How we train, how we press, our set pieces so it's been a good week for him and let's see tomorrow.”
Slot, meanwhile, insisted he was pleased with the team's perfect start to the new campaign after undergoing a major squad overhaul over the summer.
Apart from Isak, the likes of Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike arrived on Merseyside, while Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Jarrell Quansah were among those heading for the Anfield exit.
“We are far above my expectations during the summer.,” said Slot. "We all know what happened this summer and for us to be on 12 points from these fixtures is so much more than I expected, especially after so many changes in our group.
“I think we can do better but we're not every time going to face Newcastle away and Arsenal at home. Someone told me that it's the first time Burnley lost a home game and it tells you how hard it is to play these games and win.
“There's so much focus on our new signings and especially pundits who favour, not us, but some other clubs in the country that cannot stop talking about £450m, I repeat £450m, £450m but always forget the £300m that we've sold.
“These players we've brought in are a lot of money but are playing now with players worth the same amount of money.
“If we want to strengthen the squad we have to spend that money. If we were to sell Dominik Szoboszlai tomorrow he'd be worth £100m as well.”
Wednesday's opponents Atletico secured their first victory of the season at the weekend when they defeated Villarreal 2-0 at the Metropolitano Stadium, thanks to goals in each half from Pablo Barrios and Nicolas Gonzalez.
Their opening three games had yielded just two points so Saturday's victory brought welcome relief to Atleti, although manager Simeone suffered a blow when forward Julian Alvarez failed to appear for the second half.
The Argentine World Cup winner – and former Manchester City player – has been ruled out of Wednesday's match.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla
Verdict: Three stars
Other key dates
-
Finals draw: December 2
-
Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
-
Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
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if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
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Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
Janet Yellen's Firsts
- In 2014, she became the first woman to lead the US Federal Reserve
- In 1999, she became the first female chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
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MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
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Most F1 world titles
7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)
7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)
5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)
4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)
4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
The nine articles of the 50-Year Charter
1. Dubai silk road
2. A geo-economic map for Dubai
3. First virtual commercial city
4. A central education file for every citizen
5. A doctor to every citizen
6. Free economic and creative zones in universities
7. Self-sufficiency in Dubai homes
8. Co-operative companies in various sectors
9: Annual growth in philanthropy
