Sports
Isak Confesses As Goal Drought Ends
Alexander Isak admitted a weight had finally lifted after breaking his Premier League duck for Liverpool in a badly needed win at West Ham.
Isak struck on the hour at the London Stadium, guiding Cody Gakpo’s pass into the bottom corner to set Arne Slot’s side on their way to a 2-0 victory that stopped a grim run of nine defeats in twelve matches.
The £125million striker had been denied repeatedly by Alphonse Areola before he finally scored, ending a ten-game wait that summed up Liverpool’s wider struggles during a damaging spell for their new manager.
Asked if the goal felt like a release, Isak said: ‘Yeah of course, I’m aware that it’s been a long time coming and I’ve been trying to get back to my best form. I’m still on the way, but I’m happy to have that goal.’
‘The best feeling today is that we win the game, that’s the best way to get a good spirit within the group. That’s helpful for the individual as well. Of course I’m a striker, so scoring goals will always help me.’
Isak warned Liverpool could not allow one result to distort their judgement, reflecting that consistency had been missing across recent setbacks.
‘We have to use this win in a good way but also be humble, because we’ve had a tough time. One win doesn’t necessarily mean we’re back; we have to stay focused and keep working hard to keep this momentum.’
His breakthrough came on a night when Slot reshaped his attack. Mohamed Salah was dropped to the bench and Florian Wirtz returned, bringing the sharper movement behind Isak that Liverpool had lacked during their slump.
Wirtz drifted between the lines, linked with Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch and helped Liverpool control the game during a composed opening hour in which they created the better chances and kept West Ham at arm’s length.
Slot’s calls followed scrutiny after the Champions League defeat to PSV, and the Dutchman argued that his side showed more balance after a period in which structure and confidence had wavered.
He said his overriding feeling at full time was relief, and he thanked the travelling support for backing him during a difficult run.
He said: ‘(It means) a lot. It says a lot about the club and fans that they were not only supportive of me but the whole team.
‘If you have such a run of form we are having, and have an away game, and the away end is so full and supports the team from start to finish, including me, that is special.’
Liverpool now move into a decisive week, with Sunderland travelling to Anfield in midweek before Slot’s side head to Leeds on Saturday in fixtures that will show whether this win is a turning point or merely a pause.
Real Madrid boss José Mourinho has weighed in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s dramatic retirement from international football.
The 41-year-old Al Nassr striker shocked the footballing world on Thursday by announcing his permanent withdrawal from the Portugal national team, drawing the curtain on a legendary 23-year international career.
Addressing the media fallout during his Friday press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s upcoming LALIGA fixture against Valencia, Mourinho offered a supportive perspective on the situation.
Mourinho, who previously managed Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabéu, insisted that the veteran’s controversial exit should not overshadow his monumental contributions to the country.
“His decision must be respected, and I do respect it,” Mourinho daid
However, the Portuguese tactician also expressed visible regret over the sour circumstances surrounding the departure of his nation’s greatest-ever player.
“The only thing I wish for is that the moment of his retirement as a player will be different from his farewell yesterday,” the Real Madrid boss added.
While Ronaldo’s international days are officially over, Mourinho was incredibly quick to remind reporters that the forward remains a devastating force in domestic football.
“He hasn’t ended his career; those who know him are aware that he still has goals,” Mourinho stated emphatically.
Kelechi Iheanacho was on target as Bursaspor played out a 1-1 draw against Antalyaspor in their TFF 1. Lig encounter on Friday night.
The Nigeria international had previously scored in 12 consecutive league matches for Bursaspor before his remarkable scoring run came to an end against Bandırmaspor last weekend
Iheanacho restored his scoring touch by opening the scoring against Antalyaspor in the 26th minute.
However, an own goal from Tural Bayramov brought the visitors level before the half-time break.
The striker has now recorded an impressive 17 goals and four assists in 14 league appearances for Bursaspor this season.
Despite dropping points, Bursaspor remain top of the league standings with 37 points
England manager Thomas Tuchel has left Cole Palmer and Phil Foden out of his latest squad for the final Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.
However, Jobe Bellingham and Fulham midfielder Josh King have received their first senior call-ups.
Tuchel said Palmer had missed too many opportunities to represent England, despite scoring five goals and providing three assists for Chelsea this season.
Jobe Bellingham joins his elder brother, Jude, in the squad after impressing at Borussia Dortmund.
King also earns his first call-up following a strong start to the season, with two goals and one assist in the Premier League.
Defender Ben White returns to the squad for the first time since March, while Declan Rice is also back after missing the previous camp through injury.
Djed Spence has also returned after recovering from injury.
England will host Croatia at Wembley on November 12 before travelling to Madrid to face Spain three days later.
Tuchel’s side are second in Group A4, three points behind leaders Spain. The top two teams will qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals.
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