Head coach Arne Slot expects the improving form of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz to drive Liverpool forward in the future after seeing significant contributions recently.

The two most expensive signings in the club’s history – costing a combined £241million – have had largely underwhelming first seasons due to Isak’s ongoing injury problems and Wirtz’s struggles adapting to the physicality of the Premier League.

But the pair both scored in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace and look set to start their fourth successive match together at Manchester United on Sunday, which is their longest run of the campaign.

Slot accepts the new arrivals have had their difficulties, not helped by an underperforming team around them, but in the last month has seen glimpses that both are finally starting to find their feet.

“Converting chances into goals is something we haven’t done very well throughout this whole season but one of the players (Isak) we always thought could score goals for us was hardly available,” said Slot.

“Last week you could see it was a chance but it wasn’t the biggest chance we’ve had this season and he finished that one off really well by scoring the 1-0 and scoring a goal which is vital in football as it sets you in the right direction.

“Happy to have Alex back. I think there are some other players that haven’t scored the amount of goals that I think they are able to, or they have shown in the past they are able to, and that will go back to normal in a certain moment and the sooner the better.”

Wirtz would come into that category with seven goals and 10 assists – none of which have come against Premier League opposition currently occupying European places – representing a lower-than-expected return for a £116m player hailed as a generational talent when he arrived from Bayer Leverkusen.

“For me the development Florian has made throughout his Liverpool career, which has only been 10 months, is so clear and obvious,” added Slot.

“In the 93rd minute against Crystal Palace making a duel on the sideline, winning a throw-in and then making a sprint from 40 yards and hitting the ball in the top corner – that is something I am not completely convinced he could do the same eight months ago.

“That improvement will only continue as he is only 22. Almost every player in the world is at his best when he is 25, 26 but he is already an elite player now and he can only become better.”

As part of the improvements for next season there are plans afoot to bolster the backroom staff with the club being linked with Etienne Reijnen, with whom Slot worked at Feyenoord and would have followed him to Anfield had there not been work permit issues which have now been resolved.

“We are always keeping our eyes open to improve the club and that means it could be a player but also a staff. We always look around to see how we can strengthen,” added Slot, who lost Aaron Briggs from his coaching team in December after he paid the price for poor set-piece performances.

Slot also said it was “a big relief” the departing Mohamed Salah’s hamstring injury was only minor and he was likely to play again this season, while admitting goalkeeper Alisson Becker remained a doubt for Old Trafford as he had not yet trained after seven matches out injured.

The Nigeria Football Federation has released the fixtures for the playoff stage of this year’s President Federation Cup, officially setting the competition in motion.

The matches will begin on Wednesday, May 6, at different centres across the country after the completion of the State FA Cup competitions that produced winners and runners-up.

According to a statement signed by the NFF Director of Competitions, Ruth David, the men’s and women’s matches will be played at the same time in various venues nationwide.

One of the biggest matches in the men’s category will see Lagos club G12 FC face Dokkal Khairu FC of Osun State at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.

Ondo champions Sunshine Stars U19 will also battle Harmony FC of Ekiti in Osogbo.

Other fixtures will see Westgate FC of Edo take on Amanda FC of Anambra in Enugu, while Zamfara United Feeders face Kanta Warriors of Kebbi in Sokoto.

Adamawa Academy are scheduled to play against Elkanemi Junior from Borno in Bauchi, while Sporting Supreme U19 from Abuja will travel to Lafia to face Reigners FC of Kogi State.

In the women’s category, NAF Queens FC from Abuja will meet Model Queen FC of Kwara, while Kada Queens of Kaduna face Mighty Jets Mata FC from Plateau State.

Bayelsa Princesses FC will go up against Ikukuoma Queens FC of Imo, while Zorha Queens FC of Enugu are set to battle Esthington FC of Ebonyi.

The playoff stage will decide the teams that qualify for the main competition of Nigeria’s oldest domestic football tournament.

R Ashwin believes the entire vaping incident involving Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Riyan Parag could have easily been avoided. The 24-year-old was caught by the cameras vaping in the dressing room during the team’s IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 28.

He empathized with Parag and remarked that he would not want a youngster to go through a situation like this. However, the former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star opined that the players should not engage in such activities in public spaces.

Ashwin commented in his latest YouTube video:

“I think this is a situation that could have been avoided. I don’t want the players to get trapped in such things. I don’t really want that for a young player. And this is a bit sensitive as well. I think, in all quadrants, if we look at many things, this could have been avoided. Sometimes it is a personal choice, but your personal choice should be in your personal space. If you do all this in a public space, that can very well be avoided.”

The video of Parag vaping in the dressing room went viral. Apart from criticism from fans, the all-rounder was also fined 25 percent of his match fees and handed one demerit point by the BCCI.

“There is a responsibility” – R Ashwin’s advice to Riyan Parag amid vaping controversy

R Ashwin mentioned that Riyan Parag should have been more responsible as the captain of an IPL team. He added that the Guwahati-born cricketer should keep in mind that he is an inspiration to many young cricketers.

The legendary spinner said in the same video:

“As an elder brother, I just want to tell Riyan Parag that whatever happens in your personal life, nobody has any concern over it. No one can say anything about it. But whatever you want to do, do it in your personal space because you are a captain, the leader of a franchise, and probably an inspiration for many cricketers and young people around the world.

“So, there is a responsibility. I have my deepest empathy and sympathy for the young kid, but at the same time, I totally believe all these things should and can be avoided.”

Parag has struggled for form in IPL 2026. The talented batter has scored just 117 runs across nine games at a strike rate of 124.46.