05/07/2025

SPORTS SATURDAY | JULY 5, 2025

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Garnacho gets brutal warning after ‘stupid’ actions EX-MANCHESTER UNITED skipper Roy Keane would have given Alejandro Garnacho a stern lesson on the training ground for his recent display of petulance, according to one former star. training to put him in his place. “Back in my day, I think Roy would have welcomed Garnacho back to the training ground with a few crunching tackles to help him understand what he thought of him,“ Saha remarked.

EX-LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp has paid emotional tribute to his former star striker Diogo Jota following the player’s tragic passing. Klopp brought Jota to Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2020, where he went on to earn a cult following as one of English football’s most potent finishers. Jota recently won the Premier League title with Liverpool as well as the Nations League with Portugal. He married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso less than two weeks ago, with whom he had three children. “This is a moment where I struggle,” Klopp wrote on Instagram . “There must be a bigger purpose. But I can’t see it. “I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing Health issue that forward heroically played through DIOGO JOTA had been courageously battling a lesser-known condition known as a pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, in the weeks leading up to his tragic death, according to his physiotherapist Miguel Goncalves. The forward was so determined to help Liverpool secure their second Premier League title that he postponed his surgery for the condition. He also wanted to play in Portugal’s Nation’s League match against Spain in June, which Portugal won on penalties. Just five hours before the fatal car crash in Zamora, Spain, 28-year-old Jota and his younger brother Andre, who also died in the accident, visited Goncalves The brothers were planning to drive to Santander to catch a ferry to England, opting to travel in the cooler evening weather. Speaking to Portuguese publication Record , Goncalves, who is predominantly based at a hospital in Porto, revealed: “Diogo was very aware of his professionalism. “They were only supposed to arrive in Santander today (Thursday), catch the boat and then go to England. Jota was counselled against flying due to potential health risks after recently undergoing surgery. Consequently, he was set to travel via the Brittany Ferries service from Santander, expected to dock in Plymouth, Devon, on Friday. Goncalves lauded the footballer’s commitment to professionalism, expressing his disgust at vile online rumours insinuating Jota had been partying prior to the accident. The physio said: “I’ve read some things on the internet that are regrettable, and I’ve even heard some in the media. To be clear, Diogo and Andre weren’t partying at all.” Goncalves remarked on Diogo’s remarkable recuperation, saying: “He made an extraordinary recovery, he was undoubtedly an unparalleled professional. He strictly followed what I told him, as you could see in the way he was recovering.” He further detailed the medical progress, saying: “The base of his right lung had collapsed a little, but with the post-surgery physiotherapy he was practically flawless. “When I left him yesterday he was no longer in pain and was going to return to Liverpool. He was excited, confident in his recovery and enthusiastic about the next season.” – Express Newspapers Ű BY WILL CASTLE

makes demands, acts without respect. It’s a shame, but there are other factors than just the player. “The club and the squad, they’ve already lost the leaders. The bad influences have already taken over. They think they’re bigger and better than they are. “Keane, Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham, Gary Neville, they would all make sure you understand what wasn’t allowed. They wouldn’t give players the luxury to act like this. “He’s been let down because he’s been given too much responsibility for a player who hasn’t earned it yet. “It’s fine if you’re playing like Wayne Rooney. If you score 20 or 30 goals a season, do what you want, demand what you want. Garnacho has five goals and he’s carrying on like this. It’s crazy.” – Express Newspapers

Garnacho, who has fallen out of favour at United, stirred controversy by posting a picture of himself donning an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford’s name and number on social media. Rashford was loaned to Villa for the latter half of last season following a falling out with manager Ruben Amorim, and Garnacho’s audacious move was perceived as a jibe at the United boss, having experienced a similar fallout with him. Former United forward Louis Saha suggested that Keane, known for his no-nonsense approach, would have dealt with Garnacho’s antics by subjecting him to a series of tough tackles during

“I can’t say for sure, but I really doubt Keane will agree with what Garnacho did. It’s the type of things we see from new generations. “To be honest, I can’t only blame Garnacho. The way the squad has been built, it’s why Garnacho thinks he has the right to do something like this. “It’s why he thinks he can make stupid comments and say things on social media. He thinks he’s going to get something out of it and, right now, United are the club who are giving him the platform to act this way. “He already thinks he’s a top player, already

Real chance at glory Alexander-Arnold settling in as Madrid take on Dortmund in CWC quarters R EAL MADRID paid extra to bring defender Trent Alexander-Arnold in early from Liverpool to compete in the Club World Cup and it is paying off as they prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals. The England international Arnold has benefitted from playing as a right wing back in their last two matches. That is where he is set to continue against German outfit Dortmund in New Jersey tomorrow (4am Malaysian time) at the MetLife Stadium. Alexander-Arnold’s floated cross for Gonzalo against Juventus was the precise kind of attacking output that led Madrid to bring him in.

position now that Alexander-Arnold has arrived. Madrid paid as much as €10 million (RM58m) according to reports to sign the 26-year-old a month before his Liverpool deal expired, but have already made approximately €54 million (RM260m) for reaching the Club World Cup quarterfinals. As well as beating Dortmund in the 2024 Champions League final, Madrid came from two goals behind to thrash them 5-2 this season in the group phase of the same competition. However both teams have changed significantly since then. They have new coaches, in the newly appointed Alonso and Dortmund’s Niko Kovac, who has done a fine job since arriving in January, helping them secure qualification for next season’s Champions League. “We know (him) very well, he worked two and a half years in Germany, and he did a fantastic job,” said Kovac. Madrid’s French striker Kylian Mbappe did not score in the rout of Dortmund in October amid a crisis of confidence, but since then has found top form. After returning from a stomach bug as a substitute against Juventus, Mbappe will be keen to start against the Bundesliga side and add to his tally of 43 goals. The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who is on a collision course with his former club in the semifinals should they both progress, could come in for Gonzalo, despite the 21-year-old scoring three goals at the tournament. “It’s inexplicable,” said the forward, whom Alonso compared to former Madrid great Raul, saying Gonzalo had some of the same qualities. “I saw a great ball coming in from Trent, I saw Rudiger didn’t get to it and I said to myself, ‘this is mine!’” added Gonzalo of his goal against Juventus. – AFP Liverpool teammate Darwin Nunez said: “There are no words to comfort you for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, as a good teammate on and off the field.” “I send all my strength to your family, from where I am sure he will always be with you, especially your wife and three children. RIP Diogo and Andre.” Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher posted on X : “Devastating news about Diogo Jota and his brother Andre this morning. “Thoughts are with everyone of their family and friends, especially his wife Rute and their three lovely kids.” Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard also posted: “RIP Diogo. Condolences to his family and friends during this incredibly sad time.” – The Independent

created the only goal of the game for Gonzalo Garcia as Xabi Alonso’s side beat Italian giants Juventus 1 0 in the last 16. With Alonso moving to a back three as soon as he had the personnel available, Alexander

Madrid skipper Dani Carvajal is back from a long-term injury but may end up being used more as a centreback than in the wing-back Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates with Gonzalo Garcia. – REUTERSPIC

Klopp ‘heartbroken’ over tragic Jota passing

“To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.” In a statement, Liverpool Football Club said it is “devastated” by the “tragic” news of Jota’s death. “The club have been informed the 28-year old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre,” Liverpool said. “Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support.”

of Diogo and his brother Andre. Diogo was a not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father. “We will miss you so much. All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them. Rest in peace - Love J.” Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, helping guide the club to two Carabao Cups and one FA Cup under Klopp between 2020 and 2024. Tributes have poured in from vast numbers of former players, clubs, sporting figures, and footballing fans, hailing the person behind the footballer. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo posted on Instagram . “It doesn’t make sense. We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married.