Sports

Liverpool s shock home defeat to Burnley was sort of emblematic of the odd times football, and indeed wider society, continues to live through.

The Reds had not suffered defeat in a Premier League fixture at Anfield since April 2017 – a staggering run of 68 home matches – prior to Ashley Barnes penalty securing a famous three points for the Clarets.

It leaves Jurgen Klopp s defending champions six points adrift of the top at a time when rivals Manchester City and Manchester United – who beat the Reds in the FA Cup on Sunday – are absolutely flying.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic means this season has been another strange one, with congested schedules, hastily rearranged fixtures and empty stadia becoming the norm.

It has meant that the domina…

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted he was unconcerned about Anthony Martial s form.

Martial went without a shot at goal as United were held to a 1-1 draw by West Brom in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Frenchman has scored just four league goals in 19 games this season, but Solskjaer backed the forward, who was racially abused on social media after the draw.

I know Anthony is working hard to get back to where he was. He ll score goals, his work and his attitude is very good, he told a news conference.

Form is sometimes temporary but class is permanent and the kid s got class.

United are held at The Hawthorns.

— Manchester United (@ManUtd)

And we know that when he works hard, we re go…

Burton claimed a first win in nine Sky Bet League One games as Bobby Kamwa’s early goal sealed a 1-0 victory over play-off hopefuls Blackpool.

Kamwa’s strike came almost a year after his last goal, in the final game of 2022, and gave Albion something to build on.

Goalkeeper Max Crocombe picked him out on the left wing and some superb chest control allowed him to cut inside and swing in a cross that evaded Burton forward Bez Lubala before nestling in the far corner of the net.

Jordan Rhodes squandered a good chance for the visitors, firing over from 12 yards and ex-Blackpool man Lubala saw a long-range effort deflected wide.

Sam Hughes almost doubled Albion’s advantage two minutes into the second half, his header from Joe Powell’s corner deflecting…

Manchester City s Alex Greenwood has penned a three-year contract extension, fixing her future ahead of next year s World Cup.

The 29-year-old, who signed for City in 2020, has agreed to extend her stay at the club until June 2026.

Greenwood, a member of England s Euro-winning squad under Sarina Wiegman earlier this year, has made 80 appearances for City.

Feeling settled at a club for me is so important, she told the club s official website. I just love being here.

I have a really good relationship with Gareth, and the way he wants us to play marries up exactly with how I want to. It s the perfect match for me.

We just want to keep winning football matches and trophies, which is what we expect of ourselves here. It s an exciting time to be at…

Goodbye Quique Setien?

Barcelona s Champions League horror show against Bayern Munich is reportedly the final straw for the club s hierarchy.

Who will replace the former Real Betis boss at Camp Nou?

TOP STORY – BARCA TO SACK SETIEN

Barcelona have decided to sack head coach Quique Setien, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

LaLiga giants Barca were humiliated in the Champions League quarter-finals on Friday following an 8-2 defeat to Bundesliga holders Bayern Munich.

Barca have already decided Setien – who replaced Ernesto Valverde in January – will not continue in 2020-21, and former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has already been linked, while club great Xavi and Massimiliano Allegri are other possible options…

Best odds: 7/10

Bookmaker:

The clash between Serbia and Hungary in Group G of the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign promises to be a closely contested battle. Both teams have performed well in their opening three fixtures, remaining unbeaten and collecting the same number of points.

The match in Belgrade will be a crucial one as both teams look to continue their strong start to the qualifying campaign and gain an advantage in the group standings.

Serbia

Serbia are looking to make amends for their disappointing performance at the 2022 World Cup and qualify for another major tournament. While they drew 1-1 against Bulgaria in their last match, they had previously won their opening two qualifying games against Lithuania and Montenegro.

The upcoming mat…

Kylian Mbappe returned to Paris Saint-Germain training on Wednesday, three days on from France s World Cup final defeat.

Mbappe scored a hat-trick in Sunday s showpiece match against Argentina, becoming only the second man to net a World Cup final treble.

But it was only enough to earn a 3-3 draw and take an out-of-sorts France team to a penalty shoot-out, where they lost 4-2 despite Mbappe again converting his spot-kick.

Mbappe now owns the record for the most World Cup final goals, having also netted once in France s 2018 success, and took home the Golden Boot ahead of PSG team-mate Lionel Messi.

Messi and Argentina were still celebrating their Qatar 2022 triumph back at home this week as Mbappe made a swift return to club duty, having celebrated his 24…

Manchester City continued their stuttering start to the Premier League season with a 1-1 draw at West Ham. 

The Hammers last beat City in September 2015 but Michail Antonio s magnificent overhead kick gave them an 18th-minute lead. 

City produced more of the ponderous play that saw them drop points against Leicester City and Leeds United until Phil Foden came off the bench to inspire their most convincing passage of the match. 

Foden struck a 51st-minute equaliser but, as they did in the first period, Pep Guardiola s side tailed off and even the appearance of a fit-again Kevin De Bruyne from the bench could not inspire a victory. 

City have eight points from five games and are 11th, below West Ham on goal difference.

Raheem Sterling drove at…

Dylan Levitt has joined Hibernian from Dundee United on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old Wales midfielder moved to Tannadice from Manchester United on loan in August 2021, before signing a two-year deal the following summer.

Hibs manager Lee Johnson said: “Dylan adds real quality to our midfield. We have strong competition for places in there now and have a lovely blend of qualities.

“He joins us with good pedigree, has a great passing range, and will fit seamlessly into our evolving squad.

“We are delighted to have secured his services and look forward to working with him.”

Levitt came through the youth ranks at Manchester United and made his debut in the Europa League, before gaining further senior experience on …

Raphael Varane says the suffocating schedule of top-level football was behind his decision to retire from France duty.

The Manchester United defender announced on Thursday he has called time on his career in international football, after winning 93 caps in a 10-year stint, landing World Cup glory in 2018 along the way.

The former Real Madrid centre-back, who joined United 18 months ago, featured in six of France s games at the recent World Cup in Qatar, where they were beaten on penalties by Argentina in the final.

At the age of 29, he could realistically have targeted another World Cup campaign, but Varane decided the punishing schedule of modern football was too much for him.

I gave everything, physically and mentally, Varane told Canal Plus. But the v…