Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is not in active talks over a move to Saudi Arabia, talkSPORT understands.
The 32-year-old is currently set to become a free agent this summer when his contract expires at the end of the season.
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Salah tops the Premier League’s charts for goals and assists this seasonCredit: Getty
Salah is known to be a key target for Saudi Pro League chiefs, where he would be the latest high-profile player to make the move to the Middle East.
A whopping £150million offer from Al Ittihad in 2023 was swiftly rejected by the Reds for the Egypt international, with fans fearing interest could be renewed ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
The ex-Chelsea forward has done little to shut down speculation – insisting he is ‘more out than in’ when discussing his future in November.
But in a boost for Liverpool, it is understood that as it stands, he is not in negotiations with any Saudi club.
Club chiefs meanwhile are hopeful that the player – as well as skipper Virgil van Dijk – will commit to their futures in Merseyside beyond the summer.
And it appears that Saudi Pro League bosses are losing hope of securing Salah’s services as they believe he wants to continue in Europe.
That is despite being willing to hand the former Basel man a three-year deal worth in excess of £160m-per-year.
It would make Salah one of the richest footballers in the Gulf nation alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, who pockets around £177m-a-year.
Saudi chiefs have been able to speak to Salah regarding a free transfer since January, but the winger has prioritised contract talks with Liverpool.
Salah is enjoying a stunning season so far – where he leads the Premier League’s charts for goals and assists.
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The Reds winger has earned legend status at Anfield since joining in 2017Credit: Getty
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Salah has started all 29 of Liverpool’s top-flight matches this term
With 27 goals and 17 assists already, he is on course for his best ever campaign in the English top-flight.
He is just three assists shy of equalling Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s record of 20 in a single season.
And he needs just five more strikes to tie his record tally of 32 he set during his first year at the club following his move from Roma in 2017.
But it’s not all good news for Liverpool despite the positivity surrounding Salah’s future.
That is because academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold has agreed to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.
The 26-year-old will leave Anfield after agreeing personal terms over a five-year deal worth in excess of £220,000-per-week.
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England international Alexander-Arnold has been in discussions with Los Blancos since the New Year.
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The biggest moment of the Socceroos 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign has arrived.
Weren’t we there five days ago? Yep, all of Australia’s remaining three games in the third round are likely to be played with an all-or-nothing undercurrent.
Next up, China in Hangzhou tonight (10pm AEDT kick off) and once again it is must win.
PROJECTING CALM WHILE THE STAKES ARE HIGH
Milos Degenek made his first appearance for the Socceroos in 528 days last week when he was sent on as a second half substitute against Indonesia in Sydney.
The versatile defender, now with 46 caps to his name, is tailor made to handle the eve of a match like the one that looms against China.
Usually, a player guaranteed to feature in the game would accompany coach Tony Popovic to the final press conference. Degenek might just be in line for cap number 47 given his presence in-front of a packed media room or maybe he was sent to handle questions about pressure like Roger Federer used to hit a cross-court backhand or Ricky Ponting a pull shot.
Those who have followed Degenek’s journey in life and football would’ve known what was coming when he was asked about the magnitude of the game. His perspective is shaped by the testing route his family took to even get to Australia in the first place from Croatia. The 30-year-old has told stories of a childhood spent dodging bombs in underground bunkers.
“I think there’s no pressure. Pressure is something that when you wake up in the morning and you have to provide food for your family; that’s pressure. This is just joy and love,” said Degenek.
“The fact that we do this, we’re very grateful and we’re very happy to be able to play in games like this that are of very high importance.”
Mitchell Duke of the Socceroos heads the ball against Saudi Arabia.Source: Getty Images
FITNESS OF THE SQUAD
Popovic has 25 fit and healthy players to choose from.
Strikers Adam Taggart (groin) and Kusini Yengi (hamstring) were left behind in Sydney and they’ve since returned to the Perth Glory and Portsmouth in England respectively.
Mitch Duke was recalled to the squad at short notice after initially missing selection due to a lack of game time and goals at Japanese side Machida Zelvia, while Western Sydney Wanderers forward Brandon Borrello was sent on when Taggart was substituted at half-time against Indonesia.
Popovic was giving little away when asked about the make-up of his strike force.
“Mitch has come in. He’s looking good, he looks sharp and well. He’s very accustomed to the Socceroos shirt and what’s required so he’s fitted in easily,” he said.
“We have options for [tonight] in that striker position and we have some ideas that the players are aware of.”
SET PIECE PSYCHOLOGY
The Socceroos scored two goals from corners against Indonesia and in the psychology stakes, defender Cameron Burgess believes that could help Australia before a ball has even been kicked in Hangzhou.
Australian players had been used to running around the region and using their size and strength to dominate set pieces. The Socceroos scored four set piece goals from six games in the second round of World Cup qualifying. One came in each of the first four outings.
It has led to a quirk where injured centre back Harry Souttar has the equal fourth most goals of any Socceroo that is still playing professionally. Only Mathew Leckie (14), Jackson Irvine (13) and Mitch Duke (12) have more. The defender is level on 11-goals with Jamie Maclaren. But Australia had only scored one goal from a set piece from its last eight World Cup qualifiers prior to kick off against Indonesia at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night. Lewis Miller and Irvine both nodding home from corners signalled that a key weapon in the side’s arsenal was firing again.
“If you look across world football, set pieces play a massive part in the game,” said Burgess.
“They’re a huge weapon and we see it as such, and then you have the psychological factor where, if you’re scoring goals from set-pieces, you’re going up with that extra little thing in the back of your mind that we can score off this and then the opposition feel the same way.”
The 1.94m Burgess, who plays for Ipswich Town in the Premier League, hopes China was paying attention to the rout of Indonesia and the way Australia cashed in on corners.
“They’re obviously going to be worried about that I guess and that’s just human nature, that’s the psychological factors in how the game of football works. They’re huge weapons for us and we’ve always seen it that way and that’s something we definitely work on.”
Craig Goodwin and Cameron Burgess of Australia celebrate a goal by teammate Lewis Miller against Indonesia.Source: Getty Images
WHAT WILL CHINA BRING TO THE TABLE?
The last time Australia played China was Popovic’s first match in charge. The new era got off to a shaky start with China scoring first at Adelaide Oval in October. That’s one of just six goals China has scored in seven games as the Socceroos recovered to win 3-1.
Burgess believes Australia will have to ride out an early onslaught.
“They came out firing and obviously got the goal as well. They’re a pretty direct team and look to do things quickly,” he said.
“We’re expecting a fast start. The same as the other night really so we have improvements to make on that and hopefully we can start the game better than we did the other night.”
The other night Burgess is referring to is the 15-minute period where Indonesia put Australia under immense pressure in Sydney; a period where they could easily have been 2-0 down and on the ropes. The fact the Socceroos recovered to win 5-1 showed maturity and character.
While this game could follow a similar pattern – China sit in last place in group C and must win to have any hope of securing an automatic qualifying spot to the World Cup next year – Australia’s quality should see them through if they can take their chances like they did against Indonesia. And they will have their chances. China’s opponents have had an average of 13.71 shots per game during the third round and enjoyed 72% of possession.
“They’re going to be coming out swinging,” said Burgess.
“They’re playing at home in-front of what looks to be a big crowd as well. Under no illusions it is going to be a difficult task for us. We need to stamp our authority on the game and do what we can do to hurt them as well.”
TIME FOR BURGESS TO LEAD THE BACKLINE
Any side would struggle without the giant presence of Harry Souttar, but as the towering Socceroo rehabilitates a ruptured Achilles tendon, the responsibility for organising the central defensive trio is likely to fall on the broad shoulders of Burgess again.
“I think I put that leadership pressure on myself a little bit anyway,” said Burgess.
“I’ve been doing that for a number of years. I think it comes with age and experience.”
Popovic wasn’t happy with Australia’s backline against Indonesia. He felt they “weren’t great,” on edge and “a little bit sloppy.”
Burgess has struggled for consistent game time at Ipswich this season and while his timing and movement looked a little off initially against Indonesia, he insists he still feels sharp. Burgess’ 11 Premier League appearances have included minutes against Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Manchester United to name a few. A similar situation faced good mate Souttar last season, who was limited to four games in all competitions at Leicester but enjoyed the continued confidence of former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold. Burgess is hoping the national team can also offer him refuge.
“It’s not great not playing. I’d love to be playing every minute of every game as would everyone. However, the one upside is how hard we train there,” said Burgess of life at a top flight club.
“You get a real buzz because you’re here to play games. When you do get the chance to play it’s a great feeling. So, coming into camp to try and play minutes and help the team you get that adrenaline buzz.”
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.Source: Getty Images
THE STATE OF PLAY
Australia sits second in group C behind Japan. Three points against China will see them stay there and allow the side to prepare for the final window in June against Japan and Saudi Arabia with confidence.
The Socceroos are on 10 points with Saudi Arabia on nine and the chasing pack of Indonesia, Bahrain and China on six.
The reward for finishing first or second in the group is a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Third and fourth from each of the three groups progress to the fourth round and will be split into two groups of three. The group winners there also automatically qualify for the expanded 48 team tournament.
The runners-up of each of those groups advance to the fifth round for a home and away showdown. The winner advances to an inter confederation play-off for the final spot at USA, Canada and Mexico.
The fourth and fifth rounds are appointments the Socceroos are desperate to avoid.
New Zealand reached the World Cup for only the third time with a 3-0 win over New Caledonia but lost in-form Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood to injury.
The All Whites join already qualified Japan and co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico at next year’s finals thanks to three second-half goals.
But the victory in Auckland in the final of Oceania qualifying came at a cost, with skipper Wood suffering what appeared to be a hip injury.
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New Zealand’s Chris Wood goes down injured during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania qualifiers group final football match between New Zealand and New Caledonia at Eden Park Stadium in Auckland on March 24, 2025. (Photo by DAVID ROWLAND / AFP)Source: AFP
Soon after half time at Eden Park, Wood hurt himself swivelling for a shot and required treatment before hobbling off in the 54th minute.
“It’s not great for us losing our captain and our goalscorer. It was a difficult thing for the team but they came through so well,” said New Zealand’s English coach Darren Bazeley.
The hosts looked out of ideas after dominating the first half, but then up popped veteran defender Michael Boxall on 61 minutes to head home from a corner with his first goal for his country.
Five minutes later Wood’s replacement Kosta Barbarouses chipped the ball over advancing New Caledonia goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine.
Substitute Eli Just put gloss on the scoreline from close range with 10 minutes left.
New Caledonia’s unlikely World Cup hopes are not over and they will go into an intercontinental playoff.
Next year’s World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, meaning direct entry for the first time for the team that won the qualifying competition in Oceania.
The region’s top side previously had to go through an intercontinental playoff, with New Zealand falling at the final hurdle to Mexico, Costa Rica and Peru in recent editions.
New Zealand have been to the World Cup twice before, in 1982 and 2010, but are yet to win at the competition in six matches.
“Once the World Cup expanded we expected this of ourselves,” said Boxall. “It’s not about getting there, it’s about what we do when we get there.”
Chris Wood acknowledges the crowd after their victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania qualifiers group final football match between New Zealand and New Caledonia at Eden Park Stadium in Auckland on March 24, 2025. (Photo by DAVID ROWLAND / AFP)Source: AFP
Facing a side ranked 152 in the world, 63 places below them, hosts New Zealand immediately went on the front foot.
New Caledonia, a French Pacific territory of about 300,000 people which has never been to the World Cup, twice cleared off the line in quick succession after 20 minutes.
Wood, who is in the form of his life at Forest with 18 goals in the Premier League this season, had a chance in the 32nd minute but Nyikeine saved comfortably.
The 33-year-old Wood then headed over the bar from a corner and at the half-time whistle, with the game unexpectedly level, the New Caledonia players mobbed Nyikeine.
Bazeley had seen enough and made two changes at the break, bringing on winger Just and defender Francis de Vries.
Despite losing talisman Wood, New Zealand’s pressure eventually paid off against a rapidly tiring New Caledonia to put the All Whites into the World Cup.
Bournemouth star Justin Kluivert has dropped a bombshell on teammate Dean Huijsen’s future that no Cherries fan will want to hear.
Andoni Iraola’s side have been one of the biggest surprise packages of the Premier League this season as the club sits just five points off the Champions League places.
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Kluivert suggested knows one of his key teammates won’t be at the Vitality next seasonCredit: @RadioMARCA on X
The Cherries are also just one win away from an FA Cup semi-final berth as they host Manchester City in the quarter-finals on Sunday, live on talkSPORT.
Kluivert has been one of the brightest spots for Bournemouth this season with 13 goals and seven assists across all competitions.
Full-back Milos Kerkez has also shot to prominence with his barnstorming displays up and down the left flank along with his whipped crosses that cause plenty of havoc for opposition back lines.
But it is teenage centre-back Dean Huijsen who has arguably garnered the most attention from rival clubs.
The 19-year-old arrived on the south coast last summer from Juventus for a fee just shy of £13million.
However, his assured displays at the back and a recent maiden call-up for Spain have seen his value skyrocket.
The Cherries need no reminding they face a serious battle to keep Huijsen in the summer, especially given he has a £50m release clause in his contract.
But according to Kluivert, it appears Bournemouth’s players are already resigned to losing the teen as he made the worrying admission in an interview with MARCA on Sunday.
“I know that next year he won’t be with us,” Kluivert said.
There will be no shortage of clubs keen to snap up Huijsen in the summer.
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Huijsen has quickly become one of the most wanted defenders on the planetCredit: Getty
Carlo Ancelotti’s side has been hampered by injuries to key defensive players including David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal throughout the campaign.
The depths of Los Blancos’ defensive woes were laid bare when midfielder Federico Valverde had to deputise at right-back during the second leg of their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid.
A move to Liverpool or Real Madrid would represent a major step up in difficulty for Huijsen.
However, Iraola believes the 19-year-old will be more than capable of handling himself at that level.
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The 19-year-old looks right at home in the Premier League and has the stats to show it
When asked about Huijsen’s best attributes, Iraola said: “I think his mentality, his head.
“I think he’s confident. He is not afraid of marking any forward and I think he’s calm on the ball.
“He knows what he’s doing, he’s under control. Sometimes he will make mistakes like all the others, but there is always a reason for the things he does.
“And for someone that is 19, it’s really strange to find this at this level.”
Bournemouth owner Bill Foley reveals they are trying to persuade Andoni Iraola to stay amid Tottenham and Real Madrid interest
It has been the case for the fourth and fifth rounds and now the quarter-finals are going to have their own dedicated couple of days.
However, that means the Premier League’s return to action has been delayed.
The first fixtures back will be held on Tuesday, April 1, meaning there will have been a two week gap in the schedule since Leicester hosted Manchester United on March 16.
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Aston Villa are one of the teams left in the FA Cup quartersCredit: Getty
Upcoming Premier League fixtures
Tuesday, April 1
Arsenal vs Fulham – 7:45pm
Wolves vs West Ham – 7:45pm
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United – 8pm
Wednesday, April 2
Southampton vs Crystal Palace – 7:45pm
Bournemouth vs Ipswich – 7:45pm
Brighton vs Aston Villa – 7:45pm – live on talkSPORT
Newcastle vs Brentford – 7:45pm
Manchester City vs Leicester – 7:45pm – live on talkSPORT 2
Liverpool vs Everton – 8pm
Thursday, April 3
Chelsea vs Tottenham – 8pm – live on talkSPORT
But the break does mean all eyes will be on some huge FA Cup games instead, with a new champion going to be crowned this year.
As mentioned, there are seven Premier League teams involved in the tournament still.
Bournemouth will host Man City while Fulham play Crystal Palace, Brighton take on Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa face Championship Preston.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will keep you up to date with all the latest on all of the FA Cup quarter-finals over the weekend.
Fulham vs Crystal Palace will be live on talkSPORT for their 12:15pm kick-off on Saturday, with commentary coming from Sam Matterface and Scott Minto.
Then later that day at 5:15pm, our commentary of Brighton vs Nottingham Forest will come from Jim Proudfoot and Stuart Pearce.
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On Sunday at 1:30pm, Preston vs Aston Villa is on talkSPORT too, while Bournemouth vs Man City is exclusively live with us at 4:30pm.
Commentary from the south coast will come from Jim Proudfoot and Troy Deeney.
Premier League clubs will discuss moving the date of the summer transfer window to before the season starts.
Last summer’s market was open from June 14 until August 30, with the latter date coming two weeks after the season started.
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This summer’s transfer window could close earlier than usualCredit: Instagram / avfcofficial
All 20 clubs will discuss the idea of closing the window on August 14 instead in a meeting on Thursday.
This would come two days before the start of the 2025/26 season.
talkSPORT understands there will be push-back from Premier League clubs with the German and Italian leagues expected to stay with a September 1 transfer deadline.
The Saudi Arabia transfer market is also eyed as a threat this summer.
MORE ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE
A vote is set to decide the outcome of the proposal, with a super-majority of 14 clubs needed for it to pass.
However, if there is an early sense that there will be little support for the change, then a vote may not even take place.
Premier League sides are set to meet with the idea mapped out last month amongst the 20 clubs’ sporting directors.
FIFA rules state that transfer windows must last for a maximum of 89 days.
The 2018 summer window opened on May 17 and closed on August 9, with the following season spanning from May 16 to August 8.
However, Premier League clubs returned to the more familiar system in 2020, when the market closed on October 5 amid the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Chelsea topped the spending charts last summerCredit: Getty
Around £2billion was spent on new signings by top flight clubs last summer, a decrease from the near-£2.4billion in 2023.
Chelsea were the biggest spenders with circa £220million ahead of Manchester United’s approximate £206million and Brighton, who hit £192million.
Amid the gradual rise in transfer fees, Premier League sides look set to collectively spend close to £2billion once again this summer.
However, they could also generate income with big-money sales, with the Saudi Pro League likely to eye top talents once again.
Sean Dyche has revealed the extent of the challenges he overcame at Everton before leaving the club ‘in good shape’.
He also recalled his honest conversation with successor David Moyes before his return to the Toffees at the beginning of the year.
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Dyche says a lot of work needed to be done when he joined Everton in 2023Credit: Getty
Dyche became the Everton manager in January 2023 and was crucial to ensuring their Premier League survival across two seasons.
A poor run of form at the beginning of 2025 led to his dismissal and the return of Moyes in the Goodison Park dugout.
However, Dyche believes that his Everton tenure was a success as he insisted a lot needed changing on and off the pitch at the club.
Speaking exclusively on talkSPORT, he said: “I was really positive about it when I left and I still am. People only see what they see and that’s fine. Fans don’t understand the amount that we had to do behind the scenes, not just me by the way.
MORE ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE
“There was a lot that needed doing. Another thing I need to be clear about, because when you talk about the club when you took over people presuppose its managers and all that.
“I’m not questioning managers. Everyone has their own style. Everyone has their own way of doing things, but there was a lot that needed correcting. I’m not talking about just on the pitch.
“All sorts of it needed correcting. I went in there with an idea of thinking it was this. And it wasn’t. It was miles away from where I was. It was in a lot worse shape. I don’t want people to misconstrue it.
“I don’t mean on the pitch. Frank [Lampard] was previous to me trying to do everything he could to get that team to win. But there was a lot of things away from the pitch.
“Externally, people can measure it differently and I’ve always been a bit Marmite anyway. But there’s probably that split of Evertonians who go, ‘Yeah, but look at the job he did in the bigger picture’.
“If they knew the depth of what we did not just me, the players included, and all the challenges we went through I’d be surprised if there’s many who went we didn’t do at least a half decent job. I think we did a very good job. So I’m very proud of it.”
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Dyche has revealed his pride of the job he did at EvertonCredit: talkSPORT
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Moyes has since carried on the good work upon his Toffees returnCredit: Getty
Moyes succeeded Dyche nearly 12 years after he left for Manchester United and has so far enjoyed a successful return.
The Scotsman has steered Everton 17 points clear of the relegation zone with nine games left to play.
Dyche insists he left the club in a good position and despite the challenges, he told Moyes that there’s ‘a lot of good’ at Goodison.
“I left it in good hands. I’ve left it in good shape. I said that and I got batted for that as well. I said it was in good shape. Moysey has taken over and he knows it and he gave me a shout out about it.
“I said to him they’re in good shape. They’re fit, but the weight of a club sometimes gets too much. I think for the players it got too much. You know I was okay with it. I learnt about the size of the club and the feel and the weight of it, I was alright.
“But you could see it in the players, and it was time for me to go and have a chat with Kev Thelwell [director of football] and go, ‘Listen, this is what I’m seeing, this is what I’m thinking’.
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Dyche passed the baton onto Moyes in JanuaryCredit: Getty
“I’m putting it out there for the club because I insisted that it was in a better shape when I left than when we got there, we’d come through the challenges.
“And I knew deep down, they just needed a new… Football’s a weird business, sometimes you just need a new voice. You know, small details can change, a new manager going in. And Moysey, who I admire a lot, I think he’s a fantastic manager and a good bloke as well.
“Spoke to him as well, by the way, very open about that. I told him there’s a lot of good there, and I’m delighted for him, I’m delighted they’re going well.”
Dyche also responded to those who believe that he’d be disappointed with Everton’s progress since he’s left by dismissing any sense of resentment.
“You know what I can’t get my head around, people go, ‘Oh, you must be disappointed they’re doing well’.
“What? After two years of grafting out, why would I want them to struggle, why would I want failure? We fought to keep it right, I wouldn’t want it to do anything else than be successful.
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“There’s not a single bone in my body of any resentment, any anger, nothing like being gutted they’re doing well. I wish them well.”
Everton return from the international break with a Merseyside derby away at Liverpool, weeks after their dramatic 2-2 draw at Goodison.
Listen to the full two hour show of Sean Dyche alongside Jonny Owen on talkSPORT on our YouTube channel.
Manchester United have been told to seek wisdom from darts sensation Luke Littler over how to handle high-pressure situations.
That’s the view of club legend Jaap Stam, who believes the teenage darts champion and United fan can inspire the next generation of Red Devils stars.
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Littler is the world number two having scooped five majors from his short career so farCredit: Getty
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Stam is regarded as one of United’s great ever defenders having starred between 1998-2001Credit: getty
Littler is the biggest draw in darts having won 13 PDC titles and five majors at the age of just 18.
Having won the World Championship and UK Open already in 2025, Littler is well on his way to becoming the world number one in the future.
Stam knows all about silverware having enjoyed a trophy-laden three-year spell at Old Trafford between 1998-2001.
During his time in England, he won three consecutive Premier League titles, as well as the Champions League, FA Cup and the International Cup.
READ MORE ON MANCHESTER UNITED
And the Dutchman, regarded as one of the finest centre-backs in top-flight history, is desperate for United’s next crop to have a winning mentality installed in them.
Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have made the transition from the academy to the first-team and, with Ruben Amorim‘s side struggling for consistency, more youngsters could soon be called to action.
Speaking to Swedish news outlet Makthavare, Stam stressed how those in the United academy should take a leaf out of Littler’s book.
He said: “I’ve been so impressed with how Luke Littler has been performing.
“He is doing such an amazing job at a young age and I spoke to him at Old Trafford last season.
“I told him how impressive it was that he can still perform with all the noise and the shouting behind him at tournaments, it’s so hard to have that concentration and that focus.
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Littler is the reigning world champion having beaten Michael van Gerwen in the 2025 finalCredit: Getty
“I think it’s different for certain personalities in how you approach certain situations and how you deal with that, Luke’s been doing a great job at that.
“For young footballers who are going from the academy to the first team at a big club it can be very difficult.
“You have to think about all the social media attention and pressure put on these players.
“I think it would be good for these young players to talk to Luke about his experience and how he handles high pressure situations.
“I have seen players in the past who go from the academy to the first team and then they seem to struggle.
“It’s so important to have people within the club who can help that transition and make it easier for those young people to handle it and reach their potential.”
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United’s FA Cup heartache to Fulham earlier this month proved to be the catalyst for Littler to triumph over James Wade in the 2025 UK Open final.
Since that success, he has won two nights in the Premier League, while also emerging victorious at the Belgian Open in the PDC European Tour.
Peter Crouch has scored his first goals for Liverpool in nearly 17 years and he made sure to celebrate accordingly.
Crouch netted the opener for the Liverpool Legends against the Chelsea Legends at Anfield with a trademark header.
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Crouch rose to float a header over Rob Green during the Legends matchCredit: Liverpool TV
Florent Sinama-Pongolle whipped in an inviting cross from the right flank and Crouch towered above to nod home past Rob Green with a looping header.
The 44-year-old couldn’t hide his delight as he celebrated with his teammates and the fans.
He then did the robot dance, a celebration he made iconic during his playing days.
Crouch’s celebration ensured he made good on a pre-match promise.
When asked if he would celebrate with the robot dance if he scored, Crouch said: “Do you know what, I don’t think I’ve thought that far.
“First, I want to get through the game unscathed.
“Secondly, I’d like to get near the goal.
“Third, I’d like to score. And if I do, the robot will be out, no doubt.”
It marked the first time Crouch scored in a Liverpool shirt since April 26 in 2008, when he netted in a 2-2 draw against Birmingham City.
Crouch wasn’t content with one goal against the Chelsea Legends though.
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The 44-year-old whipped out his legendary robot celebrationCredit: Liverpool TV
Mark Gonzalez floated a cross in from the left towards Crouch, who was waiting at the back post.
He tried to head it towards goal but it couldn’t quite get enough power on it.
Luckily the ball fell to his feet and he produced a delightful lob over Green from close range.
Green rolled his back in frustration knowing there was nothing he could do about Crouch’s effort.
Crouch was substituted immediately after his second of the day to a standing ovation.
Crouch’s heroics at Anfield come just over a week after he found himself on the wrong side of a bet on day three at Cheltenham.
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Crouch capped off his afternoon with a delightful lob for his second goalCredit: Liverpool TV
The former England international backed a British horse to win the Stayers’ Hurdle while bookmakers Paddy Power backed an Irish horse to win, with the loser to buy an entire round of Guinness for those in the Guinness Village.
Unfortunately for Crouch, Irish horse Bob Olinger prevailed and meant he had to pay for 1,000 pints of Guinness.
Nottingham Forest are plotting a club record move for Matheus Cunha if they qualify for the Champions League, talkSPORT understands.
Forest made enquiries for Cunha in January but Wolves were adamant they were not prepared to sell.
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Cunha has scored 13 goals in 26 Premier League games for Wolves this seasonCredit: Getty
The Brazilian has since signed a new contract at Molineux with a £62million release clause that kicks in this summer.
Elliott Anderson is currently Forest’s most expensive player ever at £35m.
Nuno Espirito Santo has sensationally guided the Tricky Trees to third place in the Premier League with nine matches remaining.
They are seven points clear of sixth-place Newcastle, with England’s top five clubs set to qualify for next season’s Champions League in the current UEFA co-efficient rankings.
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Wolves, meanwhile, are still looking over their shoulders in 17th place, with nine points separating them from the drop zone.
Their next two matches – against West Ham and relegation rivals Ipswich – could all-but seal survival.
However, star man Cunha will play no part in either fixture after being given an extended four-match ban and a £50,000 fine for violent conduct during the FA Cup defeat at Bournemouth.
Arsenal have expressed an interest in Cunha – with a striker being the Gunners’ top priority this summer amid long-term injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Cunha has been a revelation for Wolves this season despite his disciplinary issues
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Nottingham Forest and Wolves are competing at opposite ends of the table
In front of goal, Cunha has been crucial to Wolves’ survival bid, scoring 13 times in 26 games and grabbing four assists.
Since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2023, the Brazil international has 27 goals in the top-flight.
Forest, meanwhile, have been inspired by the outstanding form of striker Chris Wood – who is fourth in this season’s Golden Boot race behind Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak.
The 33-year-old has played every match for Forest in the Premier League this campaign, netting 18 times.
Speaking after the most recent 4-2 win over Ipswich, Espirito Santo insisted there is still a long way to go before Forest secure a most unlikely Champions League spot.
“You know what I think about the table,” Nuno said.
“What we have to do is focus on ourselves. Work as much as we can because there is a lot of football to be played yet.”
