There are different ways of ending Liverpool careers. Steven Gerrard’s was among the most ignominious, a Champions League-winning captain departing after a 6-1 defeat to Stoke City. Kenny Dalglish’s was more sentimental, as a substitute in a team who had already won the league in 1990.

Dalglish was brought on by the manager – himself – which meant he had two further exits, standing down in 1991, being dismissed in 2012.

Mohamed Salah has arguably joined Gerrard and Dalglish in a trinity; of Liverpool’s three greatest ever players. He stands third for goals, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt, with a better goal-per-game ratio than either.

Indeed, of the Anfield centurions, no one since World War 2 has scored at a faster rate than Salah. In as much as assists can be calculated in previous eras, Salah lies fifth – Dalglish and Gerrard are at the top of that particular table – and, of those with at least 40, only the Scot and Alan A’Court – who starred in the old Division 2 – created more goals per game.

And that is despite Salah’s anti-climactic, at times angry, final year. A man who has rarely even been booked was in effect suspended by Liverpool for the Champions League trip to Inter Milan, after saying he had been “thrown under the bus” and that he had no relationship with Arne Slot.

His penultimate appearance, in a 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa, was less noteworthy than the social-media posts the following day; Liverpool, he said, were “crumbling”.

There will be a fond farewell at Anfield on Sunday, and there are tributes aplenty from teammates past and present. Yet this has the feel of less of a celebration of Salah than it might have been; with relations frayed, with Salah in decline, with the sense the contract that seemed a coup when signed last year is now a mistake, when he goes a year before its end.

The Anfield public are nevertheless likely to serenade their Egyptian king one last time. Slot could be forgiven for having more nuanced feelings; not mentioned by name, he nevertheless felt the target of Salah’s social-media messages.

But he has spent much of the season praising Salah in public. He has kept his dignity and displayed his diplomacy. “Mo and I both have the same interest, we want the best for this club,” he said. The Salah he will remember, he claimed, was the unstoppable figure of 2024-25, not the more unhappy version apparent at times of late.

“One hundred percent last season,” said Slot. “I think he said and that means even more than when I said it because he has won so many things at this club, he said the most special thing I have won was last season’s Premier League title.

“Now I can safely say that was the most special thing I have won in my life so I will remember that and how important he was in that season for the club and as a result also for me with all the goals he scored. We, as a club, as a team, weren’t on the same heights this season but I will 100 percent mainly remember him for last season and the fans should maybe remember him for all these seasons that he played for us.”

Salah’s penultimate campaign, and his first under Slot, was arguably his finest of an outstanding set of eight. He scored 44 in the first, threatening Rush’s club record of 47. But his first year under Slot produced 34 goals and 23 assists in all competitions, scoring 29 and making 18 in the Premier League alone. He was named Footballer of the Year for a third time.

That was the Salah that Jurgen Klopp called an all-time great, who Trent Alexander-Arnold said had a relentless drive to be the best, who Alisson called one of the most important footballers in Liverpool’s history, who Virgil van Dijk described as a once-in-a-lifetime player.

This season, as Salah’s powers have waned, as Liverpool have struggled, as he lost his place in the team, as his goal tally dropped to seven in the Premier League and 12 in all competitions, has had a cruelty for him. But whereas Slot – in conjunction with the club hierarchy – dropped him for December’s display of dissent, the peacekeeper in him is unlikely to deny him a farewell and the pragmatist in him knows Liverpool may need a goal against Brentford.

There is one last goal for a man who scored in Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League final win: to simply get Champions League football. Liverpool must hope Salah’s last game is more like Dalglish’s than Gerrard’s.

But Slot said: “I think it was also one of the things Mo said in his post that he also understands how important qualification for the Champions League is for us.” A 258th goal could be part of his legacy. But if Slot may be relieved the Salah era ends there, he will think of the Egyptian at his best. And for eight years, that was astonishingly good.

After disappointing back-to-back exits in the group stage at recent major tournaments, Germany national football team enter this summer’s World Cup under pressure to rediscover the winning identity that once made them one of international football’s most feared sides. 
The return of Manuel Neuer into the squad has also boosted their credentials even further this year and things are looking on the up for Julian Naaglesman.

With four World Cup trophies to their name, Germany remain among the most successful nations in football history. However, since lifting the title in 2014, Die Mannschaft have struggled to deliver on the biggest stage, raising questions about the team’s ability to compete with the world’s elite.

Now, a new generation led by Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz has the opportunity to change that narrative. Drawn alongside Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curaçao in the group stage, Julian Nagelsmann’s side will view the group as a strong chance to build momentum and confidence early in the tournament.

Germany’s road to qualification was not entirely smooth, beginning with a surprising 2-0 defeat to Slovakia. But the team responded impressively, winning their next five matches while scoring 16 goals and conceding only once. Rising striker Nick Woltemade played a key role with four goals as Germany comfortably topped their qualifying group.

Germany’s Group E in FIFA World Cup 2026

Germany

Curacao

Ivory Coast

Ecuador

Will Die Mannschaft bounce back this year? 

Jamal Musiala is expected to be the driving force behind Germany’s attack at the tournament. Known for his close control, vision and ability to unlock defences in tight spaces, the attacking midfielder will play a crucial role in creating chances for Die Mannschaft. 

His movement between the lines and composure under pressure make him one of Germany’s most dangerous players in the final third. Germany will also be relieved to have Musiala fully fit again after recovering from the serious leg and ankle injury he suffered during last year’s Club World Cup. 

Nick Woltemade has rapidly emerged as one of Germany’s most exciting young attackers. After earning a high-profile move to Newcastle United, the forward has gained wider attention for his technical quality, intelligent movement and finishing ability. Many international opponents are yet to witness his full potential, making him a player capable of surprising teams on the world stage.

Germany’s Key Strengths

One of Germany’s biggest advantages lies in the fluidity and versatility of their attacking players. Stars like Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz can operate in multiple positions, giving the team tactical flexibility during matches. Their ability to adapt to different systems and switch roles seamlessly makes Germany unpredictable in attack.

Germany’s Main Weaknesses

Despite their creative quality, Germany still lack a consistent clinical goalscorer capable of finishing chances regularly in high-pressure moments. Squad depth is another concern, with the bench not carrying the same level of quality as some of the tournament favourites. Injuries or poor form among key players could therefore become a major issue during the competition.

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Scottie Thompson during a game in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Barangay Ginebra may have tied its PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series with Rain or Shine on Friday, but the crowd favorites know that they haven’t imposed their character on this series just yet.

Especially against a team which, in Scottie Thompson’s mind, looks like a mirror image of the Gin Kings.

“May dugo din silang ‘never say die,’ (they also have that never say die blood)” Thompson said after Ginebra’s 109-101 win at Mall of Asia Arena that square their best-of-seven duel as the Gin Kings bounced back from squandering a 10-point lead two nights ago in Antipolo.

Coach Tim Cone was convinced after that 115-111 defeat that Ginebra is playing Rain or Shine’s uptempo, free-flowing style. He didn’t change his tune even after getting on the board.

So will Cone and the Gin Kings buy time to make a 180-degree turn, or do it as quickly as possible?

“It really comes down to the energy war,” Cone said. “We don’t want to play a break-neck pace and wear our guys down because our guys play a lot of minutes than their guys do. We have to be conscious of that and that dictates what our gameplan’s all about.

“Right now, if you ask me, if I have to be honest with you which I don’t like to be,” he continued before taking some long pauses. “I think the pace and the way the game’s being played is at Rain or Shine’s favor at this point.

“And even if it’s at 1-1, we have to figure it out.”

Game 3 is set Sunday at the same venue, as Ginebra hopes to make key adjustments in a short amount of time to set up a possible shift to its benefit.

Cone will be glad to see his big guns deliver, like Justin Brownlee who erupted for 31 points on the night he played his 270th game, tying Sean Chambers—also a Cone import at defunct Alaska—for second on the all-time list among imports.

RJ Abarrientos also played big for the Gin Kings and finished with 25 points and six assists, although his status for Game 3 could depend on how well he can recover from a broken nose he suffered from an inadvertent hit from Jhonard Clarito in the fourth quarter.

Abarrientos assured that he’s going to be good to go, hoping to help the Gin Kings solve the Elasto Painters puzzle.

“We need to match Rain or Shine’s tempo. We can’t let them play their game,” Abarrientos said.

Meanwhile, TNT’s chances of going further in the playoffs took a big blow when import Bol Bol was carried to the locker room during Game 2 of the other semis series with Meralco being played at press time.

A TV report said that the Tropang 5G were fearing a potential Achilles injury on Bol, the much-talked figure during the course of the midseason tournament.

Key Galway angle: Damien Comer and Shane Walsh looked sharp against Roscommon, while Matthew Tierney and Cian Hernon returning to the starting side gives Galway a much stronger balance heading into the All-Ireland series.

Chennai Super Kings’ head coach Stephen Fleming, left, with MS Dhoni (PTI Photo)

Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has strongly criticised the Chennai Super Kings management over the handling of MS Dhoni’s fitness during IPL 2026, accusing the franchise of misleading supporters throughout the season. Speaking on his YouTube channel after CSK’s crushing 89-run defeat to Gujarat Titans, Srikkanth said the constant uncertainty surrounding Dhoni’s availability created false hope among fans. The former chief selector took aim at captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, head coach Stephen Fleming and the support staff for repeatedly suggesting the veteran wicketkeeper could return soon despite him missing the entire campaign. “Before the season started, they said he has got a leg injury and that they are hoping to have him soon,” Srikkanth said. “Fleming also sang the same song, Ruturaj Gaikwad also sang the same: ‘He might be ready for the next match’. And then before the match, CSK will have a video of Dhoni training to show the fans and hint he is fit and he might play.” Dhoni was initially ruled out because of a calf injury suffered before the tournament. While the injury was expected to keep him sidelined briefly, reports later mentioned a thigh strain and eventually suggestions emerged that he was being rested due to team balance concerns. Despite the uncertainty, CSK never officially confirmed that Dhoni would miss the entire season. The veteran batter also did not travel with the squad for away fixtures and was seen only during CSK’s final home game at Chepauk, where he participated in the customary lap of honour. Even then, speculation about a comeback continued. Ironically, after CSK’s final league game, Gaikwad fuelled more speculation when he responded to broadcaster Graeme Swann’s question on Dhoni’s future by saying: “You will know next year.” Srikkanth believes the franchise should have been transparent with supporters from the beginning rather than keeping fans guessing throughout the campaign. “Then they said, ‘no, no. He is still recovering from the injury’. And then they said he got injured in the thigh,” Srikkanth said. “Stop this deception. You should make it clear. If he is not going to play the entire season, fair enough. Fans would have been mentally prepared had you made that clear.” The former opener added that the management continuously created expectations on a game-by-game basis instead of openly addressing Dhoni’s status. “If you ask them on a match-by-match basis, Ruturaj will say ‘the big man will be available for the next game’. He kept repeating it. That is where the management, the captain and Stephen Fleming should have said it forthright: ‘He is not playing this season, he is not fully fit’. Fans would have agreed and moved on,” he added. Srikkanth also stated that CSK supporters are prepared for life after Dhoni and no longer expect the franchise icon to continue indefinitely. “If you look at it honestly, nobody is missing Dhoni. Nobody is asking for Dhoni in the matches. I think people are asking why he is not in the dressing room, but how many are asking that he is not playing? The Dhoni era is over. Dhoni is one of the greatest cricketers the IPL has produced and one of the greatest captains. You should have made it clear. Why do you keep deceiving fans?” CSK’s disappointing season ended with the franchise missing out on the playoffs for the third consecutive year. The five-time champions finished with only 12 points from 14 matches and are set to remain in the bottom four of the standings.

New York Giants starting quarterback Jaxson Dart put himself in a complex position on Friday. After a solid rookie season, Dart brought hope to Giants fans, even though they only won four games in the 2025 season.

With free agency and the draft in the books, the Giants look like a potential candidate to contend in 2026, led by Dart and new coach John Harbaugh.

However, the relationship between the quarterback and the fans could get strained ahead of the upcoming season. On Friday, journalist Aaron Rupar shared a video of Dart introducing none other than Donald Trump before a New York rally.

Plenty of fans reacted to the video to criticize the quarterback’s decision.

“Here we go, now Dart is the most hated football player in the world,” one fan said.

“Never going to another Giants game they lost so much $$$$ after this clown went and sold his soul,” another fan said.

“As soon as you bring in politics I will be a JETS fan Inly wish Dart would read this,” another fan said.

The criticism didn’t stop there. Fans turned against Dart.

“As a Giants fan I am sick to my stomach,” one fan said.

“He got the Trump curse. Giants 0-16 season incoming,” another fan wrote.

“Added to the hate watch let’s go,” another fan added.

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Jaxson Dart, New York Giants have renewed expectations for 2026 NFL season

After a disappointing start to the season by Russell Wilson, Brian Daboll replaced the quarterback with the rookie out of Ole Miss. Jaxson Dart played 14 games in 2026, going 216 of 339 for 2,272 yards and 15 touchdowns with five interceptions.

He created a terrific duo with running back Cam Skattebo, although the fellow rookie saw his season cut short due to injury. Dart, Skattebo and wide receiver Malik Nabers are the future of the Giants.

After a productive offseason, they could compete against anybody in 2026. Matt Nagy will lead the offense from the sideline, which adds to the expectations.