Football

Mohamed Salah's cryptic social media post has sparked speculation about his future at Liverpool. The Egyptian forward, who scored the winning goal in Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Brighton on Saturday, hinted that he may be considering leaving the club.Salah's contract expires at the end of the season, and he has yet to agree to a new deal. He will be able to negotiate with non-English clubs in January, and his latest social media post has fueled rumors that he could be ready to move on."Top of the table is where this club belongs. Nothing less. All teams win matches but there's only 1 champion in the end. That's what we want," Salah wrote on Twitter. "Thank you for your support last night. No matter what happens, I will never forget what scoring at Anfield feels like."Salah's comments come after he revealed that he had not yet been contacted by Liverpool about a new contract. "To be fair I was coming to the game, it could be the last time (playing at Old Trafford)," he told Sky Sports in September.Liverpool manager Arne Slot is not concerned about Salah's future, or fans' concerns about defenders Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who are also out of contract at the end of this term."The contract situation becomes a problem if players don't perform as well as they are now," he said. "At the moment all three are in good places performing really well. There are ongoing discussions with the people Virgil says he has to talk to, and that's not me as you know."Salah is one of the most important players in the Liverpool squad, and his departure would be a major blow to the club. He has scored 174 goals in 284 appearances for the Reds, and has helped them win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.If Salah does leave Liverpool, it will be interesting to see where he goes. He has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain. However, he has also said that he is happy at Liverpool and wants to stay at the club.

Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to nine points on Sunday with a 3-1 victory over local rivals Espanyol, as Dani Olmo marked his first start since injury with a brace.Olmo, who had been sidelined since mid-September, opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a clinical finish after a delightful pass from Lamine Yamal. Brazilian winger Raphinha doubled the lead just six minutes later, lofting the ball over Espanyol goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte. Olmo added his second in the 31st minute with a powerful low drive, giving Barcelona a commanding 3-0 advantage.Espanyol fought back in the second half, with Javi Puado pulling one back in the 57th minute. However, Barcelona held on for the victory, despite Espanyol having three goals ruled out for offside.The win sees Barcelona move nine points clear of Real Madrid, who have a game in hand. It also marks the 10th victory in 11 La Liga matches for Hansi Flick's side, who have been in sensational form since his arrival."I'm back, enjoying it, playing, winning, and I want more," said Olmo after the match.Barcelona's summer signing was electric in the first half, showcasing his goalscoring prowess."He knows how to score goals, this was very important for us today," said Flick. "This is also why we won this match, and these important three points."Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid moved into third place with a comfortable 2-0 win over Las Palmas. Diego Simeone's son, Giuliano, netted his first goal for the club, opening the scoring in the 37th minute. Nahuel Molina provided the assist with a long ball that found Simeone darting in behind the defense.The striker, deployed on the right wing by his father, burst into the box and swept the ball into the far corner."I'm very happy for my first goal for Atletico but we can't ignore everything that's happening in Valencia, all the victims there. I send my support and strength to them," said Giuliano Simeone.Atletico sealed the victory in the 65th minute when Antoine Griezmann converted a penalty.The win sees Atletico move above Real Betis into third place, with 27 points from 13 matches.

Manchester United's hopes of a resurgence under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy were dashed as Chelsea held them to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Despite Bruno Fernandes' penalty putting United ahead, Moises Caicedo's swift response denied them victory.United, still reeling from Erik ten Hag's dismissal, showed signs of improvement but struggled to overcome their familiar flaws. Chelsea, on the other hand, extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to nine games.The match began with Chelsea threatening through Noni Madueke's header that struck the post. United gradually gained momentum but failed to capitalize on chances, with Marcus Rashford hitting the crossbar before halftime.After the break, Chelsea's Pedro Neto nearly broke the deadlock, but his shot went wide. United's breakthrough came when Robert Sanchez fouled Rasmus Hojlund in the box, allowing Fernandes to convert a penalty.However, Chelsea responded swiftly. A corner was cleared to the edge of the box, where Caicedo unleashed a stunning strike into the bottom corner. Chelsea nearly took the lead when Enzo Fernandez missed a golden opportunity with Andre Onana stranded.United pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but Garnacho's acrobatic effort flew over. The draw leaves United in 13th place, six points adrift of the top four, while Chelsea move above Arsenal into fourth on goal difference.Van Nistelrooy, who will be replaced by Ruben Amorim later this month, acknowledged the team's shortcomings. "We showed some good things, but we still have a lot of work to do," he said. "We need to be more clinical in front of goal and improve our decision-making."Chelsea manager Graham Potter praised his team's resilience. "We showed great character to come back after going behind," he said. "We're still a work in progress, but we're moving in the right direction."

Tottenham Hotspur stormed back from a first-half deficit to thrash Aston Villa 4-1 on Sunday, reigniting their hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League.After Morgan Rogers gave Villa the lead in the first period, Spurs exploded in the second half with a flurry of goals. Brennan Johnson equalized shortly after the break, setting the stage for Dominic Solanki's heroics.Solanki's delicate dinked finish in the 75th minute put Spurs ahead, and he doubled his tally four minutes later, converting substitute Richarlison's cross. James Maddison added the icing on the cake with a stunning free kick deep into stoppage time.The victory lifts Tottenham to seventh in the table, just two points behind Villa, who missed out on the chance to climb into third spot.Villa, who wore training tops reading "Fuerza Valencia" in solidarity with the victims of the deadly floods in Spain, started brightly but failed to capitalize on their early chances.Spurs, despite the return of captain Son Heung-min from injury, struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in the first half. However, they came out firing after the break, with Johnson's equalizer setting the tone for a dominant second-half performance.Solanki's goals were the result of Tottenham's increased intensity and attacking prowess. The England international showed great composure and skill to put Spurs ahead and then seal the victory.Villa, who had been in good form under Unai Emery, were unable to match Tottenham's second-half surge. They failed to create any real chances and were punished for their defensive lapses.The result is a major boost for Tottenham's top-four hopes. They are now just two points behind Villa and have a game in hand. Villa, on the other hand, will be disappointed to have missed out on the chance to move into the top three.

Manchester United, under the interim leadership of Ruud van Nistelrooy, will face off against Chelsea in a highly anticipated Premier League clash on Sunday (IST) at Old Trafford. The Red Devils enter the match reeling from a disappointing 2-1 defeat to West Ham, which led to the sacking of manager Erik ten Hag.Chelsea, on the other hand, come into the game on a high after securing a 2-1 victory over Newcastle. The Blues currently occupy sixth place in the league standings, while Manchester United languish in 13th.Key Players to Watch:* Manchester United: Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford* Chelsea: Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, Mason MountMatch Preview:Manchester United will be eager to bounce back from their recent setback and prove that they can compete with the league's top teams. Van Nistelrooy will be tasked with instilling a sense of urgency and discipline into the squad.Chelsea, meanwhile, will be looking to continue their winning ways and consolidate their position in the top six. Manager Graham Potter will be hoping for a strong performance from his attacking trio of Sterling, Havertz, and Mount.Match Details:* Date: Sunday, November 3* Time: 10 PM IST* Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester* Live Telecast: Star Sports Network* Live Streaming: Disney+ HotstarPrediction:Chelsea are slight favorites to win this match given their recent form and superior squad depth. However, Manchester United have a history of performing well against their rivals and will be determined to make a statement under their new interim manager. A close and competitive match is expected, with Chelsea likely to edge out a narrow victory.

Bengaluru FC's unbeaten run in the 2024-25 Indian Super League came to an abrupt end as FC Goa inflicted a resounding 3-0 defeat on the Blues at the Fatorda Stadium on Saturday. Despite the setback, Bengaluru remains atop the standings with 16 points from seven matches, three points ahead of Mohun Bagan, which has played a game less.FC Goa, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief with its second win in seven contests. The victory was orchestrated by a trio of second-half strikes from Armando Sadiku, Brison Fernandes, and Dejan Drazic.Goa began the match as the aggressor, with Drazic's creativity on the wings causing problems for Bengaluru's defense. The hosts also threatened from set-pieces, but the Blues held firm to keep the tie goalless at the break.However, the pressure eventually told on Bengaluru, which was forced to reshuffle its defense after Aleksandar Jovanovic was unable to continue. In the 63rd minute, Sadiku's shot from Mohammad Yasir's low cross took a couple of deflections before trickling past goalkeeper Gurpreet Sandhu.Substitute Brison doubled Goa's advantage with a deft chip from outside the box after Gurpreet was robbed off the ball by Sadiku inside the Bengaluru penalty area. Drazic netted Goa's third in stoppage-time after latching onto Iker Guarrotxena's chip.The result marked Bengaluru's first defeat of the season and highlighted the depth and quality of FC Goa's squad. The Blues will look to bounce back in their next match, while Goa will aim to build on this momentum and climb up the standings.

Barcelona vs Espanyol: La Liga Derby Returns with High StakesThe highly anticipated Catalan derby between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol is set to ignite the top flight of Spanish football, La Liga. Barcelona, riding high on a resounding 4-0 El Clasico victory over Real Madrid, will face off against Espanyol, who are precariously perched just above the relegation zone.Barcelona's attacking trio of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal have been in scintillating form, boasting the most goal contributions in La Liga 2024/25. Their dominance has propelled Barcelona to a commanding six-point lead at the summit of the standings.In contrast, Espanyol find themselves in a precarious position, hovering one point above the relegation zone. They will be desperate to secure a positive result against their illustrious rivals to avoid being dragged into the relegation battle.Match Details:* Date: Sunday, November 3 (IST)* Venue: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona* Time: 8:45 PM IST* Live Streaming: GXR World app and websiteKey Players to Watch:* Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski (striker), Raphinha (winger), Lamine Yamal (midfielder)* Espanyol: Joselu (striker), Sergi Darder (midfielder), Leandro Cabrera (defender)Match Preview:Barcelona will be the overwhelming favorites in this derby clash, given their superior form and quality. However, Espanyol have a history of upsetting their more illustrious neighbors and will be determined to make a statement.Espanyol's defense, led by Leandro Cabrera, will have their work cut out for them against Barcelona's potent attack. The visitors will need to be disciplined and organized to contain the likes of Lewandowski and Raphinha.Barcelona, on the other hand, will be looking to continue their impressive run of form. They will be confident of securing a victory that would further extend their lead at the top of the table.

Atlanta United's dramatic 2-1 victory over Inter Miami on Saturday has reignited their MLS Cup hopes and dashed Lionel Messi's aspirations of leading the Florida club to glory.In a thrilling playoff encounter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta fought back from a 1-0 deficit to level the best-of-three series 1-1. Portuguese winger Xande Silva emerged as the hero, scoring a sensational winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.The match began with Inter Miami taking the lead through David Martinez in the 40th minute. A blunder by former US goalkeeper Brad Guzan allowed Federico Redondo to set up Martinez for an easy finish.Atlanta responded with a furious second-half onslaught, equalizing through Derrick Williams' header in the 58th minute. The game remained end-to-end, with both teams creating chances.In the dying moments, Atlanta launched a desperate attack. Aleksey Miranchuk found Silva, who buried a winner into the top corner."Words can't describe it," said Atlanta coach Rob Valentino. "They're such a resilient group. I said to the team before the game it's everybody together, it's not going to be one person. And then a substitute comes on and wins us the game."In other MLS playoff action, New York City FC defeated FC Cincinnati 3-1 to force a decisive game three in their first-round series. Alonso Martinez, Thiago Martins, and Santiago Rodriguez scored for New York, while Luca Orellano netted for Cincinnati.The winner-take-all game three between Atlanta United and Inter Miami will take place in Miami next Saturday. New York City FC will host FC Cincinnati in the decisive game of their series on the same day.

Harry Kane's brace and assist propelled Bayern Munich to a commanding 3-0 victory over Union Berlin, extending their lead atop the Bundesliga standings to three points. The England captain opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Michael Olise was fouled in the box. Before halftime, Kane turned provider, setting up Kingsley Coman for a thunderous strike. Kane completed his brace in the second half, capitalizing on a loose ball ahead of Jamal Musiala.Despite recent setbacks in the Champions League, Bayern have maintained their dominance domestically, scoring 16 goals without conceding in their last four Bundesliga matches. Kane expressed confidence in his team's abilities, stating, "We've not started the Champions League well, so the pressure is on in every Champions League game now. I think if we use the confidence that we've played the last few games with, we can cause any team a lot of problems."In other Bundesliga action, Borussia Dortmund eased the pressure on coach Nuri Sahin with a 2-1 home win over RB Leipzig. Benjamin Sesko gave Leipzig the early lead, but Maximilian Beier and Serhou Guirassy scored to secure the victory for Dortmund.Eintracht Frankfurt continued their impressive form with a 7-2 thrashing of Bochum. Omar Marmoush, who now trails Kane by one goal in the scoring charts, contributed a goal and two assists. Hugo Ekitike scored a brace, while Ansgar Knauff, Nathaniel Brown, Mahmoud Dahoud, and Can Uzun also found the net.Promoted sides St Pauli and Holstein Kiel celebrated victories, boosting their hopes of avoiding relegation. Kiel earned their first Bundesliga win with a 1-0 home triumph over Heidenheim, while St Pauli defeated Hoffenheim 2-0. Bochum remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just one point from nine games.