Mohamed Salah dropped by Liverpool after revealing 'disappointment' at captaincy decision and hinting at Spain move

Mohamed Salah was omitted from Liverpool’s starting lineup against Crystal Palace, hours after giving an interview in which he admitted he was "disappointed" to be overlooked as the club's stand-in captain and hinted that he could entertain a move to Spain. Salah scored twice as a second-half substitute in Liverpool’s sensational 7-0 thrashing of Palace at Selhurst Park, with manager Jurgen Klopp saying the forward was being rested. Klopp added that he had “nothing to say” about Salah’s interview. In the piece with Spanish publication AS, the Egyptian international said he thought he would be handed the role for the Champions League dead rubber against Midtjylland after Jordan Henderson started on the bench, and with vice-captains James Milner and Virgil Van Dijk unavailable due to injury. But Klopp opted to reward youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold with the temporary leadership role, a position the academy graduate is expected to absorb full-time later in his career. Salah said he was not happy with the decision. “Honestly, I was very disappointed,” he told AS. “I was expecting to be the captain. But it's a manager's decision, so I accept it.” The timing of the remarks, and the fact that they could be construed as disrespectful to Alexander-Arnold, is certain to cause consternation at Anfield. It also prompted speculation that Salah’s omission from the team against Palace was a form of punishment. Asked after the game about the decision to leave Salah on the bench, Klopp said: “It is the first time for a while we had the opportunity to do something like this. We played Sunday and Wednesday so we needed fresh legs today. “Mo missed only seven minutes from the last four games. It is a massively intense period, so it was clear it would be him. Bringing him in for the last half an hour, I thought it was a good idea.” When he was pressed on Salah’s comments in the interview, Klopp replied: “Nothing to say from my side about that. All fine.” The fact that the interview appeared in one of Spain's biggest-selling publications will only add to the suspicion that Salah's representatives could be laying the groundwork for a transfer. Asked if he has ambitions to move to one of the La Liga clubs, Salah told AS: “I think Madrid and Barcelona are top clubs. We never know what is going to happen in the future, but right now I'm focused on winning the Premier League and the Champions League again with my club.” Salah signed a new five-year contract in 2018, but when asked how long he will stay at Anfield, he replied: “That's a tough one, but right now I can say that everything is in the club's hands. Of course I want to break records here and, I repeat, every record in the club, but everything's in the hands of the club.” Liverpool have never offered any hint of wanting to sell one of the modern legends who helped them win the Champions League and Premier League. Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have formed what is widely considered the most effective front three in Europe over the past years, each of them rewarded with new deals during that time. Football stat collect from isports API, for more details please visit www.isportsapi.com .

Charles Barkley on the James Harden trade package he’d accept immediately from the Nets

James Harden returned to the court alongside his Rockets teammates earlier this week, and while the former NBA MVP says he’s “focused on being here” in Houston at the moment, trade rumors continue to swirl following Harden’s reported trade request. NBA legend and TNT analyst Charles Barkley isn’t so sure that Harden will be able to adapt to a new team’s system if and when he leaves Houston. During an appearance on ESPN’s Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin show, Barkley said that he hopes the Rockets will work out a trade with the Brooklyn Nets – just so he can see the Nets implode with Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant struggling to share the basketball. Barkley said Houston should agree to the trade immediately if they can get a package including Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen. “If I’m [Houston], give me that kid with the afro that I like a lot. Allen. Give me Dinwiddie, and give me LeVert and let the Rockets go forward with a really pretty good, solid team. I’d take that trade tomorrow if I’m the Rockets. Because like I say, you give me Allen, Dinwiddie and LeVert, and you’ve got John Wall now? We’re just as good as we were gonna be, but we’re not going to have that drama, and we’d have a pretty solid team.” Per the ESPN’s trade machine, this exact 3-for-1 for Harden wouldn’t work – but could go through if the Nets add another player on a small contract like Bruce Brown. Barkley also questioned whether Harden could adapt his game to a different offensive system. Basketball stat collect from isports API, for more details please visit www.isportsapi.com .

Fans React After Giannis Antetokounmpo Signs Supermax Extension With Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo is not leaving the Milwaukee Bucks. After months of speculation swirling around the NBA star, Giannis opted to re-sign with the Bucks and dash the hopes of fans hopeful that the Greek Freak might one day join their favorite team. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Giannis signed on for a five-year, $228.2 million supermax extension, which is te largest deal in NBA history. In the days leading up to his decision, Giannis said that he would make up his mind based on the Bucks' ability to remain competitive moving forward. In a tribute to his adopted home after news of the deal broke, Giannis seemed optimistic about what lies ahead. "This is my home, this is my city," he wrote on Twitter. "I’m blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years. Let’s make these years count. The show goes on, let’s get it." Antetokounmpo has arguably been the best player in the league over the last two years. He's led the Bucks to two straight seasons as the winningest team in the NBA, winning the MVP award and falling short in the playoffs both times. With a potential free agency approaching for the superstar, front offices and fans in cities like Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Toronto were salivating at the idea of acquiring his services. While Giannis, his accountant, and the city of Milwaukee are presumably ecstatic that they were able to strike a deal, that joy wasn't matched by disgruntled fans throughout the league. The Basketball stat collect from isports API, for more details please visit www.isportsapi.com .

Harden practices with Rockets; coach says he'll play Tuesday

HOUSTON (AP) -- James Harden practiced with the Houston Rockets on Monday for the first time this season after missing the early part of camp while talk swirls that he wants out. Harden reported to camp late amid reports he is looking to be traded. He was absent for Houston's first two preseason games as he went through the NBA's COVID-19 testing protocols. Coach Stephen Silas said he spoke with the superstar Monday, but they talked strictly basketball and neither addressed a possible trade. ''We had a good conversation and I'm just going to leave it at that,'' Silas said. ''You can ask him about his commitment and all that sort of thing. But we had a good conversation. He was locked in. He was asking good questions. He's bringing up good points.'' So far asking Harden anything hasn't been an option - the Beard hasn't spoken to reporters since reporting to camp. Silas said that Harden will make his preseason debut Tuesday night when the Rockets host the Spurs. The Rockets traded Russell Westbrook to Washington for John Wall and a first-round pick on Dec. 2 to cap a short offseason that was plagued by rumors that both Westbrook and Harden wanted to leave Houston. Some thought the Westbrook trade would change Harden's mind about the Rockets, but the reports that he wants to leave have persisted in the almost two weeks since the deal. Silas, in his first year in Houston after taking over for Mike D'Antoni, has said he expects Harden to be ''all in'' this season. The coach also denied that speculation about the eight-time All-Star's future has been a distraction to the team. ''It's been something that the media has been talking about quite a bit and I've had to answer a lot of questions about it,'' Silas said. ''But as far as our growth and our pushing forward this season, we've been right on pace.'' Veteran P.J. Tucker also practiced Monday after missing the first two preseason games. He is being worked in slowly after he reported to camp a day late. Tucker is in the final year of a four-year, $31.8 million contract and some have suggested he is also unhappy in Houston because he hasn't been given an extension. He did speak to reporters Monday but didn't provide much clarity on the situation. ''It not even just in the contract extension,'' he said. ''That's not the total goal. The goal is to be in a place where you you're wanted, where you want to be ... that's what every player wants. No one wants to be somewhere they don't want them. And there's certain ways to show that and it's not just contract extensions.'' Tucker was asked if he feels the Rockets no longer want him. ''You should ask them. Because you're asking me a question about what they think, and I can't tell you,'' he said. Basketball stat collect from isports API, for more details please visit www.isportsapi.com .

Messi saves lacklustre Barca, Sociedad reclaim top spot

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Lionel Messi saved Barcelona from another embarrassing result by scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over lowly Levante, while Real Sociedad returned top of La Liga on Sunday. Messi struck with 14 minutes remaining of a lacklustre display from Barca at the Camp Nou which will do little to ease fan fears following their 3-0 hammering at the hands of Juventus midweek. Ronald Koeman's side are still way off the pace in the title race, nine points behind Sociedad who reclaimed first place despite only drawing 1-1 with Eibar. Barcelona do however have two games in hand on the Basque outfit. Atletico are level on 26 points with Sociedad and also have two games in hand while Real Madrid are now just three points behind the leaders having played one less after beating their local rivals 2-0 on Saturday. Villarreal are four points off the lead in fourth after drawing 1-1 at Real Betis, who are one point behind Barca in ninth. "The team is working well, they gave the maximum," said Koeman. "We still lack a little confidence in ourselves, in our game, but we had a lot of chances, and I have nothing to say about the attitude of the players in this match." Barca managed to force several saves from Aitor Fernandez, with the Levante goalkeeper doing particularly well to push away a stinging shot from Martin Braithwaite in the 16th minute and Antoine Griezmann's header five minutes later. However the best chance of the opening period fell to Jorge de Frutos in the 12th minute, the Spaniard somehow shooting straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen after the ball broke kindly for him right in front of goal. - Messi saves day - Barca continued to dominate possession in the second half but if anything looked less threatening, with Fernandez being called into action largely for shots that were hit straight at him. However with Levante looking more comfortable than a side of their level should at the Camp Nou, Messi saved his team with a clinical finish off the post after collecting Frenkie de Jong's pass. It was hardly the sort of display to honour Sergio Busquets' 593rd appearance for the club, which takes him level at fourth of all time for matches played for Barca alongside Carles Puyol. However the three points are a boost ahead of the visit of Sociedad on Wednesday, which is then followed up by another home clash with Valencia on Saturday. Earlier Ander Barrenetxea gave Real Sociedad the lead in San Sebastian with a thumping strike in the 20th minute, but Sergi Enrich turned home with 25 minutes remaining to send his team 10th on 15 points. Sociedad would have had a bigger gap between them and Atletico had Igor Zubeldia's 80th-minute tap-in not been ruled out by VAR for an extremely tight offside. Sunday's draw was Sociedad's sixth in as many games in all competitions, and came after another 1-1 draw at Napoli on Thursday which saw them squeeze into the last 32 of the Europa League. Granada won 1-0 at Elche in Sunday's other match, a win that keeps them one point ahead of Barcelona. Football stat collect from isports API, for more details please visit www.isportsapi.com .

‘If we win, Lionel Messi will renew his contract,’ says Barcelona presidential candidate

Jordi Farre has expressed his confidence in tying down Lionel Messi to a new contract if the Barcelona presidential candidate is to win the club’s upcoming election. Farre is running against Victor Font, Toni Freixa, Joan Laporta and Lluis Fernandez as January’s election approaches, and a key question for each candidate has been how they will solve the issue around Messi’s future. The club captain is entering the last six months of his existing deal and announced in August his desire to leave Barca, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain touted as potential destinations for the Argentina forward. Messi’s wish to avoid a legal dispute with the club at which he has spent his entire professional career led him to decide to stay this season, though then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned following the saga, but an exit could be possible next summer when the 33-year-old’s contract expires. Farre is confident, however, that such a scenario will not arise if he is elected president of the Balugrana. “If we win the elections in January, Leo will renew his contract on the 25th,” Farre is reported as having told Onda Cero. “He is the best player in the history of football and we have to offer him an exciting project. “We will be capable of motivating him and, the day after becoming president, I hope to have him renewed.” Man City manager Pep Guardiola last month signed a two-year contract extension, potentially increasing the chances of Messi moving to the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season. Messi played under Guardiola at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012, winning two Champions League trophies, three La Liga titles and two Copa del Reys. Read More

Latest on Nets trade target James Harden: Rockets reportedly want either Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving

The Nets have been connected to Rockets superstar James Harden via trade rumors for a long time now, and though he has shown up to Houston's training camp, it still continues. Here's the latest... Dec. 10, 11:34 a.m. While adding that the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat are now on the list of preferred trade destinations for Harden, The Athletic's Shams Charania said the Rockets want either Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving in a proposed deal. If not, there's no interest there. If that's the case, it would likely turn off Brooklyn from making anything happen. Head coach Steve Nash has already praised Durant and Irving early in training camp, and at the end of the day, the two All-Stars chose Brooklyn for a reason. Dec. 8, 5:52 p.m. Harden is reportedly open to other playoff contenders in a trade – not just the Nets. The 76ers were among his list, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, and a main reason could be due to former Rockets GM Daryl Morey in place there. However, Morey has been adamant about wanting to keep Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid in place in Philly. Given Harden’s status, it would be hard to see the Rockets not wanting one of them in a deal. Dec. 7, 2:08 p.m. Nets head coach Steve Nash downplayed the Harden trade rumors in his recent presser. Addressing the “elephant in the room,” Nash wants to just talk about his current players – not one that isn’t in the building. “I guess we let the elephant be," he said. "I love our guys and hopefully they all feel valued and wanted and respected. We have so many guys that bring so much to the table. When I’m in the gym with them everyday, I feel fortunate. So hopefully they feel that and they don’t feel like we’re looking out the window at greener pastures.” Nov. 16, 9:19 p.m. Harden reportedly turned down a max extension with Houston that would’ve set an NBA record. He would’ve been in the first player to ever make $50 million per season with the extension, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is hearing that he didn’t want it. And on top of that, he’s focused on a trade to Brooklyn. Harden supposedly had conversations with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving about joining the Nets and is now focused on that. The idea of it “resonated” with him and his “focus” shifted recently. Nothing has come out of conversations with the Rockets and Harden regarding a deal. Nov. 15, 5:18 p.m. Harden trade rumors to the Nets have been buzzing lately, but SNY’s Ian Begley is hearing from sources that it isn’t universally accepted by Nets players. Some players were supportive, but not all players contacted about a potential Harden-to-Brooklyn deal were in favor. On Sunday, ESPN reported that a deal to Brooklyn “resonated” with Harden and that was his primary focus at the moment. Basketball stat collect from isports API, for more details please visit www.isportsapi.com .