Steve Nicol has named who he thinks is likely to be the next Liverpool manager if FSG were to sack Arne Slot, along with citing an alternative candidate he’d welcome in the job.

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The Dutchman has come under ever-intensifying scrutiny during a wretched season at Anfield, with Danny Murphy calling for a change in the dugout, and several names have already been mentioned as potential successors.

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The most prominent of those has been Xabi Alonso, given his previous ties with the club and his immediate availability, while Andoni Iraola has reportedly impressed the LFC hierarchy with his work at Bournemouth, who he’s leaving at the end of this campaign.

Nicol makes Liverpool manager prediction

Nicol was asked on ESPN FC whether he’d persevere with Slot or hire either of the aforementioned Spaniards at Liverpool for next season.

He answered: “I like Iraola. I like the way his Bournemouth play the game. Under normal circumstances I would’ve said Alonso, but he absolutely bombed at Real Madrid and you have to take that into consideration.

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“However, if Arne Slot is not going to be there at the start of the season, I don’t see how FSG don’t go with Alonso. I’m going to go Alonso I think, ultimately.

“If something happened with Alonso and he didn’t want it, or they weren’t keen with what happened at Real Madrid, I’d have absolutely no problem with Andoni Iraola next season.”

Do Liverpool stick with Slot, or make a move for Alonso or Iraola?

If Liverpool are on the lookout for a new manager over the summer, Alonso would appear to be the outstanding candidate, given his existing connection with the Reds from his playing days and his exceptional work in winning an unbeaten German double with Bayer Leverkusen two years ago.

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Nicol mentioned the 44-year-old’s brief and unhappy stint at Real Madrid earlier this season, but that owes more to the hideously demanding circumstances of working at the Bernabeu than any major failings on the Spaniard’s part.

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Iraola is also marking himself out as a legitimate candidate for a job at an ‘elite’ club with his work at Bournemouth, who as of Sunday morning sit just four points off the Champions League positions in the Premier League, a remarkable feat given how their budget compares to other top-flight outfits.

Furthermore, as football data writer Thom Harris outlined for The Athletic, the Cherries boss is renowned for an aggressive, high-pressing tactical approach which is reminiscent of what Jurgen Klopp implemented with huge success at Liverpool.

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For the time being, the debate as to who takes over in the dugout would appear to be moot, with David Ornstein reporting in recent days that FSG intend to keep faith in Slot even if the Reds fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Should that stance change and they decide to dismiss the 47-year-old, though, either Alonso or Iraola would appear to be solid options (unless they’re hired by other clubs in the meantime).

LeBron James is battling time in more ways than one. His 23-year defiance of Father Time is well-chronicled, and the undefeated conqueror of all athletes seemingly struck a blow at the four-time NBA MVP this week with rumors of a possible retirement growing louder. 

But there’s a more immediate battle playing out concurrently. James and his Los Angeles Lakers almost certainly cannot advance deep in the postseason in their current state. With Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves recovering from injuries, James is the lone star left standing in Los Angeles, and just asking him to beat the Houston Rockets four times singlehandedly is a bridge too far — even with Kevin Durant dealing with a knee injury.

James, right now, is fighting for time. He’s doing everything in his power to keep the Lakers alive long enough for reinforcements to arrive. Whether or not they can do so remains to be seen. The Grade 2 hamstring strain keeping Dončić out typically requires more than a month of recovery. Reaves, sidelined with a Grade 2 oblique strain, is on a 4-to-6 week timetable. Eventually, without the two of them by his side, James, 41, will lose this micro battle to Father Time. He is not his 2018 self. He cannot reasonably be expected to will his teams through entire postseasons in his 40s. 

But every game he wins, starting with Saturday’s Game 1 107-98 upset, is another few days he’s bought for Dončić and Reaves and another few percentage points of likelihood that they might be able to make it back onto the court in time to offer some support. A championship run — as James has made so clear he’s wanted all year — just isn’t in the cards. But a respectable showing, a chance to sneer at Father Time one more time, is a possibility James is still very much fighting for.

We figured he’d do so in the way that he used to, that his path to staving off the metaphorical reaper here meant turning back the clock. In his last three regular-season games before the throwaway season finale, James averaged 28 points on just shy of 13 assists and eight rebounds per game. He took 18.3 shots per game, just shy of his playoff averages in both his eight-year Lakers stint and four-year Miami Heat run. Though no longer the unstoppable force of nature he was at his peak, James appeared ready to uncork a vintage postseason performance. When asked what the Lakers needed out of him with Dončić and Reaves sidelined, he responded, simply, “everything.“

His Game 1 performance against Houston was marvelous. It wasn’t “everything.” He finished the night with 19 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds, two steals and a block, and led the Lakers with an on-court point-differential of plus-11. He was spectacular, but he was measured. He took only 15 shots. Since joining the Lakers, he has taken 15 or fewer shots in just two other playoff games decided by single digits. His defensive lift was relatively light. 

The Lakers hid him on Jabari Smith Jr., knowing that he rarely attempts to create his own shots, and Houston’s laughably bland offense did the rest to keep James relatively fresh. He switched and made plays when he needed to, but the key here is that he didn’t need to do all that much.

His teammates and coaches did their parts, of course, but more than anything, it’s a testament to the degree of control James is still able to exert over games mentally. He knew exactly how to ration his energy, when to push and when to react. Of those 13 assists, just three came with James as a pick-and-roll ball handler. His only true layup came as a transition trailer in the final minute. Otherwise, he was backing down smaller players in the post and making jumpers. There weren’t many hard drives to the basket. He didn’t even make a free throw. He spent the bulk of the game operating with his back to the basket, reading the floor and making the right play.

Can he still scale into “everything” LeBron? The regular season data is inconclusive. Those three great games in April came against terrible teams. He’d happily settled into a quieter role when the Lakers were healthy and thriving in March. We’re probably going to find out how far he can take this as the series progresses. The Rockets didn’t have Durant in this game. None of their remaining players had especially good games. There will be adjustments. There will presumably eventually be Durant. Realistically, the Lakers are probably going to need at least one “everything” game from James to win this series, or at least last long enough to potentially get Dončić or Reaves back.

Realistically, the odds of either returning are slim, making this particular round of his bout with Father Time a likely loss (the Lakers are still +185 underdogs at DraftKings even after winning Game 1). The “everything” games are, at best, meant to be a rare treat at this stage. If blemishing that undefeated record means consistently playing like a 25-year-old into his 40s, well, James is probably going to lose on that front as well. We’re talking about someone who once averaged a 33-point triple-double in the NBA Finals. That was never going to remain eternally sustainable.

But Game 1 against Houston is a reminder that James has come as close as feasibly possible to at least forcing a draw against a previously unbeaten foe. He will eventually age out of playing in the NBA. Though based on what we’re seeing now and the rumors of the past week, that will likely happen several years after he actually retires. As long as he does decide to keep playing, though, he has achieved a level of mastery over the mental component of the sport that makes him, in a sense, immune to the ravages of time.

James is not physically the same player he once was. Yet there doesn’t seem to be a realistic degree of physical decline capable of rendering James anything less than, at the very least, a winning basketball player. He’ll be able to make the passes he made on Saturday until he’s 50. He doesn’t need a burst to bully smaller defenders in the post. His understanding of how to manipulate and ultimately undo opposing defensive principles, not just as a passer but as a conductor of possessions, is eternal. 

James may not be a superstar forever. He may not have access to those “everything” types of games much longer. But what he did against the Rockets was timeless.

The Los Angeles Lakers shrugged off their injury worries to make a winning start to the NBA play-offs.

The 18-time champions were without key players Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Maxi Kleber but 41-year-old LeBron James produced another fine display in a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks were the other winners on day one of the play-offs, while the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic won the play-in tournament to book their places.

James controlled the floor while racking up 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds against a Houston side who lost key man Kevin Durant to injury just before play started.

“It’s just our play-off mentality,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.

“You can’t worry about who’s in or out of the line-up. It’s our gameplan. It’s our standards. It’s how we play, and we’ve built towards that.

“I thought our guys just responded well and met the moment. That’s the biggest thing. You’ve got to meet the moment in every game, and we were able to do that.”

Luke Kennard continued to step up as a starter with a career play-off high 27 points as the Lakers took the opening game in the best-of-seven series.

Durant, 37, has a bruised knee and could return for game two on Tuesday night.

Defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder begin their campaign on Sunday night against the Suns.

Shivam Dube was disappointed as he walked back after scoring 21 off 16 balls.

NEW DELHI: Is there something called black magic? Does black magic work? During the IPL 2026 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings, a bizarre moment – described by fans as black magic – was caught on camera. A Sunrisers Hyderabad supporter holding a lemon appeared to perform a ritual that seemingly worked in the team’s favour.The incident occurred in the 17th over of Chennai Super Kings’ innings, with Shivam Dube at the crease and CSK at 154/7 while chasing 194. With Dube known for turning games around, SRH were desperate for his wicket.In a video that has gone viral, a fan in the stands is seen taking a lemon, rotating it a few times while muttering words, and then gesturing towards Dube, who was preparing to face a delivery from Sakib Hussain. Moments after the gesture, the left-hander was bowled. The entire stadium erupted in celebration.How Dube got dismissed:Sakib Hussain to Shivam Dube – BowledSakib bowled a fast, full delivery at middle stump and Dube missed it completely. The ball came quickly off the pitch and hurried him as he tried to flick it. He was late on the shot, and the ball may have brushed his pad before hitting the stumps. Dube’s feet did not move much, and he looked like he was expecting a slower ball. He was disappointed as he walked back after scoring 21 off 16 balls.Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated CSK by 10 runs to move to fourth place in the points table, also snapping CSK’s two-match winning streak.“Lovely. When you have a bunch of young bowlers and you know they’re executing their plans well. They’re coming up with their own plans as well and bowling as per the plan. So it’s very good to see, you know, there’s a lot of less pressure on the captain to set the field because they are ahead of the game anyway. So it was lovely to see them doing their job today,” SRH captain Ishan Kishan said after the match.“(were they 20 short?) Yeah, 100% I feel, Abhishek got out pretty early, but still, after scoring 60-odd runs, always when we have ended up scoring 220, 230. We’ve always seen there are…. from the first three batters, there’s one batsman is always scored big runs. So we were missing on that today, but especially with this team, with this batting line-up, I feel, yes, we were 20 runs short maybe,” he said.“(trusting his young bowlers) Yeah, actually looking at them in practice sessions, giving their best, trying to get better and better day by day. So you have to trust your bowlers. This is a bunch of bowlers we have at this point of time and I think they are very keen on doing well. So that is the time when you just give them the ball and let them do what they want to. (on the pitch) I think it was a pretty good wicket to bat on, to be very honest. That’s why I’m saying we were, I think, 30-40 runs short. But yeah, a lot to learn from this game as well. Looking at the shot selection, I think we could have done better. (on the points table) Nah, to be very honest, we’re not looking at the points table right now. I know it’s a very long tournament. We need to keep our head down, take a game day by day, just one match at a time and let’s see how it goes,” Ishan said.SRH will next face Delhi Capitals on April 21.

LAS VEGAS – Seth Rollins was supposed to be going up against Gunther at WrestleMania 42 on Saturday night but he wasn’t expecting a freight train to run through him.

Rollins appeared to be in the driver’s seat toward the end of the match. He hit Gunther with a pedigree on the announce table and followed up with a storm. All he had to do was get Gunther back in the ring and finish the job. As the referee tended to Gunther, a wild Bron Breakker appeared.

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Bron Breakker performs during WrestleMania 42 Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (WWE)

Breakker ran down the side of the entrance ramp at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas at full speed and tore through Rollins with a gnarly spear. He rolled Rollins back in the ring, spat on him and waited for Gunther to finish the job.

Gunther put Rollins in a sleeper hold, forcing “The Revolutionary” to tap out.

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Gunther has his arm raised by the referee after defeating Seth Rollins during their match on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Gunther walked to the back as the winner. Breakker was hung around to pick apart the scraps.

Breakker sprinted back down the ramp and hit Rollins with another crushing spear, stunning the crowd.

Breakker has been out of action for a few weeks with an injury, likely costing him a match of some kind at WrestleMania 42. Nevertheless, he still had bad blood with Rollins as their rivalry turned up a notch.

Seth Rollins enters the arena before his match against Gunther on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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This will not be the last of Breakker and Rollins. On the flip side, Paul Heyman will now owe Gunther a favor. It’ll will be interesting to see how the favor gets cashed in.

Pound-for-pound icon Roy Jones Jr has assessed how Moses Itauma would fare if tasked with heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk in his next fight.

Itauma seems destined to rule in the heavyweight division, improving in each fight whilst extending his record to 14-0 and climbing the world rankings, despite having never fought beyond the sixth round.

The Kent-based sensation is heading towards a world title challenge in the near future, but some fight fans are encouraging Itauma to push for a challenge against Usyk for the unified heavyweight crown now, rather than wait for an easier shot at a possible vacant title or new champion.

Speaking to Grosvenor Casinos, four-division world champion Jones Jr labelled Itauma as the ‘most exciting heavyweight since Mike Tyson’ but stated that Usyk is currently the man to give him his ‘biggest problem’.

“Is Moses Itauma the most exciting heavyweight since Mike Tyson? Right now, yes, I think he is.

“He’s got the explosive punching power that Mike Tyson had; if you can hit them before they hit you, most of the time you’re going to knock them out. That’s what Mike did. Mike hit them before they hit him, and he got them out, because he was so explosive.

“So if he can do that, he will knock out most of the heavyweights, but with Usyk, he’s a little bit hard to hit.

“Moses gives all the heavyweights a hard time. You can’t say he beats them until you put them in front of them, because you haven’t really seen him get cracked yet, but the only one I see that gives him the biggest problem is Usyk.”

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Itauma is expected to return to action in July, where he could move one step closer towards a future crack at world honours.

The billionaire owners of Premier League side Bournemouth are closing in on a takeover of Exeter Chiefs.

It was revealed last week that an American consortium were on the verge of securing a major stake in the Prem club, with Exeter members set to vote in an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in May.

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It understood the group are Black Knight Football Club, who acquired Bournemouth at the end of 2022 and have stakes in Hibernian and French club FC Lorient as well as owning Auckland FC.

If the deal goes through, Exeter will be latest Prem club to secure major new investment.

Last August energy drinks giant Red Bull bought Newcastle, while Bath have been boosted by businessman James Dyson taking a 50% stake in the Prem champions.

Senior sources in the English game have indicated to the BBC other clubs are also of interest to external investors as the league looks to launch a new era following the decision to ring-fence the top flight and revamp standards on and off the field.

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Black Knight board member Ryan Caswell was a guest of Chiefs chairman Tony Rowe at Saturday’s thrilling 35-28 defeat by Northampton.

Rowe, whose businesses have propped up Exeter for the best part of three decades, has been open about his desire to seek fresh investment in the club.

“I’ve effectively run a business for the last 30-odd years for a shareholder who’s got no money,” Rowe told The Guardian last week.

“What I’m looking forward to is an investor who’s got some money. That’ll be a massive difference for me.

“I think it will put us in a really good place to take advantage of the future.

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“Whether you like it or not professional sport is all about money. We need money to survive.”

One of Chelsea’s more senior players, Marc Cucurella, tried to head straight down the tunnel at full time last night.

He had just played in Chelsea’s latest defeat, a 1-0 Premier League loss against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge – marking the fourth in a row in the league.

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The left back has been involved in a lot of drama at the club recently, speaking out about the project not being good enough and also mentioning he would join Barcelona if they came calling.

He’s supposed to be one of the leaders and more experienced players in this young team, yet he wanted to just run straight down the tunnel last night after they got beaten once again. A real sign of the times with this team.

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Cucurella told to come back out

Marc Cucurella looks sad. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Journalist Kieran Gill, who was at the game, posted on X last night:

“Didn’t mention it in my write-up, but Marc Cucurella tried dashing down the tunnel after full-time, only to be told to turn around by Willie Isa. Two years remaining on Cucurella’s contract this summer. Could end up one of those sold unless Chelsea convince him to extend.”

In other news today

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior spoke to the media after Chelsea’s defeat to Man United and tried to be positive about the whole thing.

Estevao’s injury last night was another black mark on Chelsea’s season, and after the game Liam Rosenior gave an update on it.

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Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

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