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Trent Alexander-Arnold's absence from Liverpool's squad against Crystal Palace has been explained, with the Reds full-back ruled out through illness.

The 22-year-old has been denied the opportunity to form part of Jurgen Klopp's plans against the Eagles at Anfield as he takes in an enforced spell on the sidelines.

Liverpool have confirmed that Alexander-Arnold is not suffering with Covid-19, but he cannot line up in Premier League action as he feels under the weather.

What has been said?

With Alexander-Arnold missing out, the versatile James Milner has been asked to fill in at right-back.

Klopp said ahead of kick-off regarding the tweaks made to his side: "Trent was not planned. Trent woke up this morning and felt unwell. We just had to send him home. 

"It's all fine, it's not Covid. We tested everything but he didn't feel well.

"We need to make changes but we need rhythm as well, that's why there are not too many changes in midfield. We need all the energy we can get."

What other changes have been made?

Andy Robertson is another notable absentee for Liverpool in the full-back berths, with the Scot being rotated out as Kostas Tsimikas steps back in.

The Reds were in midweek Champions League action against AC Milan, when Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara all started on the bench.

They come back in against Palace, with summer signing Ibrahima Konate also making his debut at the heart of Klopp's back four.

Senegalese star Mane is one goal away from reaching 100 for Liverpool, while Mohamed Salah needs only two more to hit a century for the Reds in the English top flight.

Further reading

Barcelona's economic vice-president Eduard Romeu admits that Real Madrid are in a position to sign Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in 2022, with the Blaugrana being left behind in the transfer market due to a lack of "homework".

The Blaugrana are enduring much-publicised financial struggles, with a mass exodus of top talent over the summer seeing the likes of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann sever ties with the Catalan giants.

Ambition is having to be reined in for now at Camp Nou, with Barca in no position to compete with Clasico rivals Real for the most sought-after signatures even if they wanted to join those pursuits.

What has been said?

Romeu told Cadena Cope when asked if the Blancos could lure Mbappe away from Paris Saint-Germain and prise Haaland from Borussia Dortmund in the same window: "It is possible because Real Madrid is a great club which has great potential and strength.

"If we had done our homework in recent years we would be in the same situation as them.

"Florentino Perez has managed the club in a way that we have to take our hat off to. At a business level, no-one is going to question him."

Is more change coming at Barcelona?

More cost-cutting is expected at Barca, with there still a number of big earners that the club would like to get off their books - such as Philippe Coutinho and Samuel Umtiti.

Further change off the field is also being mooted, with there renewed speculation regarding Ronald Koeman's future as manager.

It has been suggested that the Dutchman is on borrowed time after opening their 2021-22 Champions League campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich, but Romeu says no sack discussions have been held as yet.

He added on Koeman: "We have not talked at all about firing him. 

"We were in the middle of a meeting and a colleague said that it was appearing in a newspaper that we were requesting his departure. It is rigorously false, it does not make any sense to do it and it was not on the agenda. 

"We have seven points from three La Liga games and we have had the worst possible rival in the Champions League. Losing to Bayern is part of an equation, although we were disappointed."

Barca will be back in domestic action on Monday when playing host to Granada.

Further reading

There is no hiding place for FAR Rabat, according to Les Buffles striker Henry Okpala, ahead of Saturday’s Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round, second leg fixture.

The Beninese side bowed 3-1 to the Moroccans in the first leg staged inside Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium with Zakaria Fati, Hamza Moujahid and Anouar Tarkhatt getting the goals.

Ben Dramane Sanou’s men got their only goal through Roland Beako in the 56th minute.

To have chance to advance, the 2021 Benin Cup winners must defeat the North Africans by at least two clear goals in Parakou – a feat which their Nigerian import claims is possible having learnt from their mistakes.

“In the first leg, the goals came in a rush and I don’t still understand how that happened. We conceded that much because the Moroccans outplayed us,” Okpala told Goal.

“Personally, I wanted to score but that did not happen as I was marking all through the encounter. We wanted at least a draw, but things didn’t just go our own way.

“The defeat was a learning curve for us, and it has formed part of our experience. One of the mistakes we made was rushing at every ball while our opponents were calm and converted their chances.

“We are fully prepared for them and trust me there is no hiding place for them as we are eyeing a place in the second round of the competition.”

The former Sunsel FC star is aware of the uphill task they face to overcome the 12-time Moroccan kings. Nonetheless, he remains bullish about his team’s chances while talking about his debut in Africa.

“I am upbeat we will qualify because we have addressed all our mistakes and we won't repeat on Saturday,” he continued.

“We know that we must overturn our deficit to progress and will the odds for us, we will achieve that.

“It was a thing of joy making my debut in the Caf Confederation Cup and making the starting XI made it more beautiful.

“I wish to play more games in the competition and next season I hope to participate in the Caf Champions League.”

Gonzalo Higuain has explained how he was initially frustrated that Real Madrid signed Karim Benzema and Kaka in a season that saw him finish as the club's top scorer.

The Argentine, who now plays for Inter Miami, represented Los Blancos between 2007 and 2013 but eventually left for Napoli having scored a total of 121 goals during his time in the Spanish capital.

He was, however, disappointed that Madrid signed Benzema and Kaka in 2009, with Cristiano Ronaldo also part of the squad, admitting that it left him wondering how many goals he had to score to stay in favour.

What's been said?

Higuain, who actually scored 27 La Liga goals during that 2009-10 campaign, told ESPN Futbol 360: "With Benzema it was a very healthy competition, but we had to do our best.

"The year Cristiano arrived, he scored 27 goals (sic) and I scored 26 (sic). The next transfer window (sic) they brought in Kaka and Benzema. That's when I said: 'how many goals do I have to score?'

"Karim came in and he brought out the best version of me and I brought out the best version of him. He's a tremendous number nine."

How did Higuain perform at Real Madrid?

The 33-year-old signed for Real Madrid from River Plate in December 2006, winning La Liga in his first season with the club although he only managed two goals in all competitions.

He would follow that up with another league title in the 2007-08 season, scoring nine in all competitions, while he would go on to net 53 times over the next two campaigns, when he was truly at his best for Los Blancos.

Higuain's output dropped in the 2010-11 season as he struggled with injuries, although he did earn a Copa del Rey winners' medal, and he then played a pivotal role in 2011-12, scoring 22 league goals to help Madrid claim the Liga crown once again.

Reflecting on his time with the Spanish club, the Argentine said: "I wasn't going to go to the first team of Real Madrid. They bought me and they were going to keep me at Castilla. There was the possibility of going on loan as well.

"My dad told me on the plane: 'The only thing I'm going to ask you is not to be afraid. Never be afraid, but be respectful...' and that phrase stayed with me.

"When I arrived, I trained with the first team and in the second training session [Fabio] Capello told me: 'You're staying with us'. Three or four days later I made my debut as a starter in the Copa del Rey. I ended up playing on the right wing."

Higuain's Real Madrid career stats

Further reading

Former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi feels the Soweto giants are blundering in immediately awarding new players with game time.

Pirates signed seven new players for the ongoing season and only Kwanda Mngonyama and Kwame Peprah are yet to play while Monnapule Saleng was sent out on loan to Swallows FC.

Goodman Mosele and Bandile Shandu have quickly established themselves as regulars by starting in all the team’s three Premier Soccer League games.

Nigerian defender Olisa Ndah, a late signing, made his debut last weekend while Ntsako Makhubela has featured just once. 

Lekgwathi feels the players should not be thrown right into the fray but introduced gradually.

“Our downfall is that we sign lots of players, and we want to play them at the same time,” Lekgwathi told iDiski Times.

“But we can introduce them gradually. I think that’s where we are going to do well. Last season if you remember winning the MTN8, we played a few new faces, and we managed to win the MTN8. 

“After that, we started to put new faces in the team, and we started to lose that momentum. I hope this season we can just learn from our mistakes that we mustn’t introduce all the new players, we must introduce them gradually.”

Last season, the likes of Thulani Hlatshwayo, Thabang Monare, Deon Hotto and Terrence Dzvukamanja started with some regular football soon after their arrival at the Buccaneers.

Pirates are bidding for their first league title in a decade and Lekgwathi explains how they handled new arrivals during some of their successful seasons.

“Remember I’m talking from experience, the team after winning the treble the chairman signed some very good players, I’m talking about the likes of Benni McCarthy, Siyabonga Sangweni, Ntshumayelo [Thandani], [Tokelo] Rantie and Thabo Matlaba,” said Lekgwathi.

“We introduced only two players first, Benni and Sangweni, then we won the MTN8 and after some few games we introduced Thabo Matlaba, we introduced Tokelo Rantie, and we managed to win another treble.”

It is yet to be seen if Mngonyama and Peprah will be given a run when Pirates visit Chippa United on Saturday.

Kaizer Chiefs are looking to pick themselves up from losing 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in their Premier Soccer League match last Sunday.

The Soweto giants host Royal AM at FNB Stadium on Saturday, keen to recover from the defeat which was their first league loss of the season.

After starting the season with a draw against TS Galaxy and victory over Baroka FC, Chiefs suffered a setback at Sundowns which they would want to atone for.

Their opponents Royal AM arrive in Gauteng bubbling with confidence after picking up their first set of maximum points last weekend, with a 1-0 win over Chippa United.

They could now be fancying upsetting Amakhosi. 

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

Squads & Team News

Kaizer Chiefs still have Leonardo Castro out injured in what has left Samir Nurkovic struggling alone upfront as the only recognisable number 9. 

The forward is recovering in his home country Colombia after undergoing surgery. 

According to coach Stuart Baxter, defender Siyabonga Ngezana is far from returning from injury.

Midfielder Dumisani Zuma has started light training but is not yet match fit. 

Royal AM coach John Maduka has not much to worry about since none of his players are suspended.

The KwaZulu-Natal side arrives at FNB Stadium with a full squad which could give Chiefs a good run for their money. 

Match Preview

This is the first time for Chiefs to meet the Durban-based side playing as Royal AM after acquiring the Bloemfontein Celtic PSL status.

But previously, confrontations between Amakhosi and Celtic were usually stormy and the same should be expected on Saturday since Royal AM has the same players who used to turn out for Siwelele.

Royal started the season on a low, losing their first two games; 1-0 to Swallows FC and a 2-1 home defeat against Cape Town City.

Interestingly, Amakhosi and Royal AM have a similar record when it comes to their goals conceded and scored so far this season.

Each side has scored two goals and conceded three times. 

Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha has revealed the reason he keeps "moaning" on the pitch when his side is in action.

The 28-year-old Ivory Coast winger has enjoyed a good start with Palace in the Premier League and last weekend he scored from the penalty spot as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 in the London derby at Selhurst Park Stadium.

Ahead of their next fixture against Liverpool on Saturday, a player who has managed 360 minutes under new manager Patrick Vieira’s campaign this term, has stated he always tries to lead by example.

"People see me moaning on the pitch it's just because I'm passionate - I don't like losing so I get annoyed," the winger told talkSPORT as quoted by Football London.

“It's not moaning for the sake of moaning, I just demand from my team. I demand the best from the team that's why I go around moaning, and it seems negative but it's like 'I know we're better than this, I see you lot week in, week out.

“Before games, I tell some of the players: 'don't fear these badges, don't fear these names, it doesn't matter.'

“I don't care who we're playing against. I'll still get it in a tight position and try and get out of it. It's difficult at times but once you get on the pitch I just get on with it.”

Ahead of their trip to Anfield, Vieira had admitted it will be a difficult challenge for his side and his team will need 100 percent belief and confidence to get something.

“Going to Anfield is going to be really challenging but there is no fear, there is the excitement of playing one of the best sides in Europe,” Vieira told the club’s official website.

“It’s going to be challenging, difficult, but we’re really looking forward to the game because we want to challenge ourselves against those teams.

“I think you are talking about one of the greatest teams in Europe, not just in the Premier League. If you look at their record in the last couple of years it’s up there with the best. We know their strength, what their front players are capable of doing. We know them well. We can’t be surprised by the way they’re performing week in, week out.

“We just have to go on the field with performing and give them problems, because there are also sides we can exploit. To exploit it we must be brave and go there thinking we can get something from the game. If we go there thinking about defending for 90 minutes, they will score goals because they have the ability to do that.

“We need 100% belief and confidence. If not, there is no point going there, because we know it will be tough and challenging but these are the kind of games you want to be involved in.”

Tusker FC coach Robert Matano believes he has enough options to stand a better chance of winning the Arta Solar 7 game on Saturday.

The Brewers and the Djibouti outfit settled for a 1-1 draw in the last meeting of the Caf Champions League first preliminary round. The Kenyans had to do with 19 players as the tactician points out, and it made it hard for him to make the necessary changes during the game.

How the squad is coming together

"Everybody is available and trained well; even Ibrahim [Joshua] who had a knock in the first leg is well. We had a chance of winning away but traveling in separate groups made it difficult," Matano told Goal.

"We are playing at home, and have had enough rest as opposed to the way we were in the first leg. The players have the energy and motivation to play, but our opponents are also keen on winning, but I am optimistic about getting good results.

"Of course we will make some changes since everyone is available and ready for the match. In the first leg we were just 19, even making changes was difficult because we were fewer. But right now it is different because we have options; it will be easier to decide who starts and who comes in later."

'We know how to approach them'

Meanwhile captain Eugene Asike believes the Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions are aware of how to approach their opponents after the last meeting.

The centre-back believes the Ruaraka-based charges have a good chance of advancing.
 
"We have had a good training week, and everyone is looking forward to Saturday's game.  Now that we have played them, we know how they play which makes our approach a little easier. In the first leg, we did not know much about our opponents, but after playing them, we picked up a few things that will help us on Saturday," the Harambee Star told Goal.

"We will go out with a positive attitude, positive energy and try to win the game. They are a good team and we are not playing as individuals; the preparations are on how to play them together."

The overall winner will be playing Egyptian heavyweights Zamalek.

Orlando Pirates will be pushing to build on their first Premier Soccer League win of the season when they clash against Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

After edging Swallows FC 1-0 seven days ago, the Buccaneers managed to ease some pressure on a difficult run.

The Buccaneers are still unbeaten in this PSL campaign but elimination from the MTN8 as well as drawing their first two league games had started to unsettle their fans before the Swallows victory.

They are now keen to maintain such momentum in a match that could see them spend Saturday night at the top of the table if Stellenbosch drop points against Cape Town City.

Currently placed fifth on the log, Pirates are a point better than their opponents Chippa who sit two rungs below. 

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

Squads & Team News

No Chippa United player is suspended for this match in what is a positive for coach Gavin Hunt.

But the Chilli Boys tactician will be hoping for the availability of Bienvenu Eva Nga who limped off in their defeat to Royal AM last weekend. 

The Buccaneers welcome back defender Ntsikelelo Nyauza who missed their last two matches due to suspension after being red-carded in their league opener against Stellenbosch.

The return of Nyauza widens the selection base at the back for the coaches who also have captain Happy Jele, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Kwanda Mngonyama and Olisa Ndah as centre-back options.

Pirates also welcome back Thabang Monare from injury and the midfielder could feature for the first time this season.

But goalkeeper Richard Ofori remains out after sustaining an injury while on international duty for Ghana against Bafana Bafana.

Defender Innocent Maela is in his second-week post-surgery on his adductor and is only expected to begin training in three months time.

He is facing the same predicament as Thembinkosi Lorch who also underwent surgery but on his shoulder and has been ruled out for the rest of the year.

Striker Zakhele Lepasa has not played competitive football in 2021 and is still out injured.

Match Preview

While Pirates are on a high coming from victory, their opponents Chippa are licking their wounds after losing their last match away at Royal AM.

This was after the Chilli Boys had started their season on a positive note with victory over Sekhukhune United and a draw against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

They are now eager to pick themselves up against the Buccaneers who arrive in Gqeberha high on confidence.

Pirates’ last visit to Chippa was a fruitful outing that saw them claiming a 3-0 win in March this year.

Under an experienced coach like Gavin Hunt, Chippa would be fancying beating the Soweto giants who have dominated them over the years.

Pirates boast 12 league wins over the Chilli Boys who have claimed just three victories, while one match between the two sides has ended in a draw.

Harambee Stars defender Andrew Juma has terminated his contract with the Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Gor Mahia, Goal can reveal.

Juma was signed before last season began and he was tipped to fill the void left by Joash Onyango, who moved to Simba SC but due to the financial struggles at the club, he has decided to end his association with the giants.

Roma - as Juma is widely known - was signed from Mathare United, and although he did not feature on a regular basis for K'Ogalo, his exit comes at a time when the club is facing a daunting task in landing their transfer targets. He has left Gor Mahia after Charles Momanyi - a defensive stalwart for the Premier League heavyweight before - joined Tusker.

"He has terminated his contract mainly because we have faced a lot of financial instabilities," a source at the club told Goal on Saturday. "Another reason why he never hesitated to make the decision is the allure of KCB's interest.

"KCB expressed interest in signing him, and as you know, for now, our opponents can assure anyone a relatively stable source of income. I understand Roma's situation and why it was so simple for him to leave, but again, I am more concerned with the state of our club.

"We are silent in this transfer window because we have encountered a number of headwinds; players we thought we would easily get them did not want to entertain our offers. The ones we thought could stay a little longer and build the team around them, have left.

"[Kenneth] Muguna joined Azam FC, Tusker took Momanyi and [John] Njau is about to be unveiled at Posta Rangers. Now we have Juma leaving. It is a difficult situation for anyone associated with our mighty club."

Recently, Goal revealed eight players who had been approached for potential moves to K'Ogalo but quickly turned down such offers. The 19-time Premier League winners, who began their pre-season preparations over a week ago, are yet to confirm a new signing.

Apart from domestic duties in the new season, they will be participating in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed Zambia midfielder Enock Mwepu is back in the matchday squad for the game against Leicester City after missing the previous one.

The 23-year-old has managed 64 minutes since he joined the Premier League side from Red Bull Salzburg and was missing in action when Brighton secured a 1-0 win against Brentford at Brentford Community Stadium in their last league assignment.

Brighton manager Graham Potter has confirmed Mwepu, who featured for Zambia in their 2-1 win against Mauritania in the 2022 World Cup qualifying fixture on September 3, will be available to face the Foxes at Falmer Stadium on Sunday.

While providing the team’s news update ahead of the fixture, Potter told the club’s official website: “Pascal Gross and Adam Webster will miss the game, Dan Burn is back in contention, as is Enock Mwepu. 

"Tariq Lamptey has made really good progress, he's looking better and better each day. He's still on target to be involved in the Carabao Cup next week.

“Adam [Webster] will probably be back the other side of the international break - it's not the best news, but not the worst news.”

Since joining the Seagulls, Mwape has only featured in two matches – during the 2-0 win against Watford when he came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute and the 2-1 away win against Burnley when he started but was pulled out in the 46th minute for Adam Lallana.

Meanwhile, Potter says his squad has grown in stature this season and believes they have even more to give.

“As a group, we have grown this season – it's a process you go through,” he said. “Last season the points tally didn’t always reflect in our performances,” Potter told the club website ahead of Leicester’s visit to Amex.

“There wasn't much time to reflect at the time because we were in a relegation fight but the boys came back in the summer with the mindset that they can deal with the challenge of playing at this level and an understanding of what we need to do.

“They have grown, but our mindset is the same as it was at the start of the season six weeks ago. Every game is an absolute battle because the Premier League has huge quality. This season the results in some games have gone for us but I’m not complaining!"