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Declan Rice has offered no indication that a potential move to Chelsea is on his mind, with a West Ham star who is “loving life” in east London more concerned with becoming the next Yaya Toure or Patrick Vieira.

The versatile 21-year-old has seen a retracing of his steps to Stamford Bridge mooted six years after he left the Blues’ academy system as a teenager.

West Ham have offered him the opportunities that Chelsea believed would never come, with Rice going on to become a senior England international and Hammers captain.

Frank Lampard is said to be mulling over a bid to buy back into the ability of a player that the Blues allowed to slip their net, with another transfer window set to open in January.

Rice, though, is aware that he has everything he needs at the London Stadium and believes his previous snub from Chelsea has been a positive in his route to the top.

“I think that’s the making of me to be honest with you,” he told Sky Sports.

“I had to move to West Ham at 14, away from my family. I’m a family boy, love my mum and dad, live at home with them, and to leave them at 14 to play with people I don’t know from Monday to Friday, I think that shaped me into the person I am.

“I had to start being responsible for myself, but look, I’ve come here and flourished. I’ve had three managers that have really looked after me, I’m loving life here.”

Rice has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence at West Ham, with his ability to perform in a number of different positions being embraced.

It is those qualities that have him back on Chelsea’s radar, but a man who started out as a centre-half is eager to nail down a role in a holding midfield berth – allowing him to follow in the footsteps of Manchester City and Arsenal icons.

“I see this as my position, 100 per cent,” Rice said on operating in the engine room.

“I’ve played in midfield for the last three seasons and I think a lot of people get carried away with what they want me to do!

“My role is a holding midfielder and there’s not really any flair in that. I’m disciplined, I make sure I’m always available for the team, I’m always in position, I get my passes off quick, I intercept and I tackle. I think a lot of people want to see things like stepovers and I’ve got that in the locker, but that’s not my role!

“I can play at centre-half, but I’ve got much more to give and I think my confidence is growing in midfield. The more I start driving forward with the ball like I’ve done in recent games, the more I’ll grow into that position.

“I watched the top players like Yaya Toure and Patrick Vieira and every time they see a bit of space, they’d drive into it and look powerful and strong and as a holding midfielder that’s rare these days, so if I can keep adding that into my game, I can keep catching the eye.

“They, as well as [Roy] Keane and [Claude] Makelele, were wonderful footballers but they never overcomplicated things and knew what their games were and knew what their weaknesses were, and I do too.

“I think some fans are calling on social media for me to get the ball off Lukasz Fabianski and run the whole length of the pitch and score with the back of my head, but that’s not my job!

“My job is to protect the team, have good positional awareness, get on the ball, keep it simple and keep it ticking.

“I know what my strengths are and what to base my game around.”

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has revealed what may jolt him to retain the seat in the 2025 elections.

After almost one year of prolonged court battles, Mwendwa was finally elected for a second four-year term in October. He now eyes a seat in the Fifa Council and should he clinch the seat, he says, he will need to retain the FKF presidency in order to preserve the Fifa one.

“I will be running for the Fifa Executive Committee or the Fifa Council after five years at the federation,” Mwendwa told Radio Jambo.

“There are seven sits at Fifa where two are given to the French-speaking federations, and a similar number of seats go to the English-speaking members.

“Anyone from the general category is accorded one seat and another is given to the Caf president. I am running for one seat that is preserved for the Anglo-speaking federations.

“We are six contestants in Africa and I would not have qualified to contest for that seat had I lost the election to secure another term.

“One must be a president to run for that position and I have forwarded my nomination papers already.

“When one is elected into Fifa Council, one does not run for one term as one must run for at least two terms.

“That means, if I will be elected, it will be my interest to run again in the 2025 FKF elections for a third term and a second one at Fifa.”

Mwendwa said his election into the Fifa Council will bring a lot of benefits to the country as well as making history.

“Should I get elected, I will be the first man from the Cecafa region to serve at the Fifa Council. While at the council, then you also serve at Caf Executive Committee automatically,” he added.

“When serving in those positions, one gest s a chance to get elected even for bigger seats, one can easily be a Fifa president and maybe I will be the first Fifa black president.

“Let me be clear, in 2025, I will run for the FKF president because if I exit the stage I will have to leave even the Fifa Council seat and that means Kenya will be losing.”

Mwendwa is set to become the first FKF president to run for the Fifa seat.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has confirmed some adjustments to the Premier League schedule with the Gor Mahia versus Tusker match among those affected on day one of action.

The 2020-21 FKF Premier League is set to kick off on Saturday with eight matches lined up for matchday one which will also see a total of three matches screened live by FKF partners Startimes.

According to the revised fixture obtained by Goal, the Gor Mahia vs Tusker match which was scheduled for Nyayo Stadium has now been postponed while AFC Leopards, who were supposed to start the season against Western Stima, will now kick off against Posta Rangers.

The Gor Mahia vs Tusker opener has been postponed as the champions will be involved in the preliminary round of the Caf Champions League, where they are scheduled to face Armee Patriotique Rwandaise FC (APR) of Rwanda on November 28 in Kigali.

In the opening day, on November 28, three matches will be played with AFC Leopards taking on Posta Rangers at Nyayo Stadium, the game will also be live on TV, while Mathare United will come up against Kakamega Homeboyz and Bandari host Zoo FC.

On Sunday, two matches will be beamed live, Kariobangi Sharks against Wazito FC at Kasarani Stadium and Western Stima against Bidco United at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

In other matches set for Sunday, promoted side Nairobi City Stars will open their campaign against Nzoia Sugar, Sofapaka host KCB at Narok Stadium, while Ulinzi Stars will come up against Vihiga United.

The Kenyan league is returning for the first time since it was prematurely ended in mid-March owing to the coronavirus pandemic, and it is now under the management of the FKF after the federation refused to renew the contract with Kenyan Premier League (KPL), who had managed the division on their behalf for over a decade.

While 14 clubs have signed the undertaking to start the season, four clubs – led by Gor Mahia, Mathare United, Zoo FC, and Ulinzi Stars – have not signed the same with FKF president Nick Mwendwa warning them they risk being kicked out of the league if they don’t commit by season kick-off.

“We don’t have time to waste, it is either they sign or they forget about playing in the league,” Mwendwa told Goal on Monday.

“We only have one league in Kenya which is run by FKF, so I don’t know which league the four clubs will play in, it is either they sign or forget participating in the same.”

Already Bidco United players have been tested for Covid-19.

Arsenal’s need to spend again in upcoming transfer window is “obvious”, says Freddie Ljungberg, who says the Gunners are still a long way behind Liverpool and Manchester City.

Arsenal have plenty of international talent on their books, but Ljungberg feels they are light in some areas.

He wants to see those issues addressed, either in January or next summer, saying Mikel Arteta requires more funds in order to make the Gunners consistent and serious contenders for major silverware.

Ljungberg, who spent time in north London as a player and coach, told Sky Sports after witnessing Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Leeds: “It’s not easy. Like he [Arteta] said, he thinks it’s going to be a bit of a roller coaster.

“If you look at it in the last couple of years, I think they’ve got good players there, but of course they need to invest in their squad. It’s obvious for everyone to see.

“I think they did some good business in the centre-back position this summer, but if you look at the big clubs - City or Liverpool - they have top, top players in certain positions.”

Arsenal have found value in Thomas Partey and Gabriel Magalhaes, but big-money additions such as Nicolas Pepe – who collected a reckless red card at Elland Road – have failed to deliver.

Finding a solution to those dilemmas is all part of the rebuilding process for Arteta, with Ljungberg convinced that the Spaniard will get things right he can count on the full support of his board.

The Swede added: “I think you need to give Arteta a bit of time, it’s his first job in management. He needs time, like he says, he needs time in order to implement his ideas, but of course, it’s difficult.

“When he first came in, people were a little bit surprised with how he played, when we went back against the big teams, we used [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang for the counter-attack, with opposition full-backs that were too offensive.

“What I see now, when you see the Leicester game at the Emirates, they sat back a little bit, with not so much space for the full-backs to run into. I think people have seen how they play, then it comes to, how do you create the chances in a different way?”

Young Africans (Yanga SC) technical and administrative advisor Senzo Mazingisa has explained the need to have the Bernard Morrison saga resolved before the December transfer window.

Morrison’s move to Simba SC after six months with Yanga in August prompted the latter to protest before the Tanzania Premier League Players’ Status Committee. The committee later ruled that the Ghanaian was a free agent and available to sign for any club.

Dissatisfied, Yanga moved to the Tanzania Football Federation’s (TFF) legal committee but the case is yet to be concluded and the South African now wants it determined before the next transfer window opens.

“We have Morrison’s case that we still believe is a contract that is deficient legally. We asked questions but no one has yet reached back to us on that matter with sufficient answers,” Mazingisa told Mwanaspoti.

“What worries a lot is that that the December transfer window will soon open and they may end up taking advantage of the window to make changes to the current contract.

“We would like to have TFF hear and make a determination on the case well before the window opens up.”

The administrator also touched on other matters after he was recently summoned by police over claims he took part in match-fixing activities against his former side Simba SC.

“Another issue is the football propaganda that has been on the rise but Yanga are a stable and professional club and this also goes to the officials and the sponsors,” stated.

In addition, Mazingisa spoke about the proposed construction of a new stadium and hostels for the club.

“Everything is going on in a direction we like and especially when the committee sat and got to understand what is going on,” the South African concluded.

“We have already announced we are receiving tender applications and anyone with interest should apply for the same.

“We will start with a turf of natural grass first, an artificial one and a swimming pool, the hostels and the main office then the other facilities will follow.”

When the project is completed, Yanga will be the third Tanzania club with a training facility and hostels just like their Kariakoo rivals Simba as well as Azam FC, who have the Chamazi Sports Complex.

A road accident has tragically claimed the life of Bafana Bafana right-back Anele Ngcongca, reports have emerged on Monday morning.

Various reports on Twitter have confirmed the news, as has reputable news outlet eNCA.

"He was involved in a car crash in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday morning," read the eNCA report.

"Ngcongca was thrown from the vehicle and died on the scene. His female companion is in a critical condition in hospital."

Although the name was not mentioned, KwaZulu-Ntal Brigadier Jay Naicker has confirmed an accident took place.

"At 05:00, a vehicle with two occupants lost control and overturned on the N2 freeway near Mtunzini. A 33-year-old man was declared dead at the scene," he said.

"The driver sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for medical attention. The circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation. A case of culpable homicide has been opened for investigation by Mtunzini SAPS."

Ngcongca was only 33-years-old at the time of his passing and has played for Bafana Bafana on 52 occasions.

The Cape Town-born player unfortunately joins an ever growing list of former Premier Soccer League (PSL) stars who have been killed in motor vehicle accidents, including Lesley Manyathela, Gift Leremi (both Orlando Pirates), Mondli Cele (Maritzburg United), Richard Henyekane (Golden Arrows) and Cecil Lolo (Ajax Cape Town).

Ngcongca made his initial inroads into professional football with FC Fortune, then playing in South Africa's second tier.

A move to Belgium followed where he enjoyed a lot of success with Genk, where he played over 200 matches and helped the team win the Belgian Cup twice as as well as the Belgian Pro League and the Belgian Super Cup.

The Khayelitsha-born defender then moved to France and had a brief spell with Troyes before returning home to play for Sundowns in 2016.

During his time in Pretoria he was part of a Sundowns squad which won the league title three times as well as the Nedbank Cup and Telkom Knockout. He did battle with injury with the Brazilians although he did still play 104 times for them.

Ngcongca had seemingly signed for Belgian second-tier side KSV Roeselare in July, but then an about turn transpired when it emerged just like last week that he was signing for AmaZulu.

AmaZulu had however not yet confirmed the signing and Ngcongca was not in the squad which lost 4-3 to Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday.

His signing was however expected to have been announced soon.

Jamie Carragher has backed Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's call for five Premier League substitutes, insisting it's "inevitable" the change will be made.

A motion to allow managers the chance to continue making five changes per game was denied in August after the initiative was brought in post-lockdown to help the 2019-20 campaign reach its conclusion.

The original three substitutes rule was reinstated for the start of the new season, but with the calendar shortened by four weeks amid the scheduling issues caused by the coronavirus outbreak, clubs are now finding it more difficult than ever to keep their players fit.

After seeing the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Fabinho, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson pick up injuries varying in severity, Klopp called for the top flight to start allowing five subs again ahead of a top-of-the-table clash against Leicester on Sunday.

"We need it. For the players, not the clubs. December and January in a normal season is brutal," the Liverpool boss said last week.

"We know that. But this year, for the Champions League and Europa League clubs, October is like December.

"November is like December. December is still December, then January, then February.

"It’s not about me. It’s not about Liverpool. It’s about player welfare."

The Reds ran out 3-0 winners against the Foxes at Anfield thanks to an own goal from Jonny Evans and headers from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, but the victory was soured somewhat by Naby Keita limping off in the second half with a hamstring problem.

Carragher can understand why Klopp is reaching the end of his tether over the demands placed on the players in the current climate, and thinks the Premier League will soon be forced into action.

“It’s a big talking point now. I think Jurgen Klopp feels like he’s banging his head against a brick wall," the Liverpool legend told Sky Sports.

"You can see there, it’s the hamstring. You talk about Klopp and the five subs, I think there’s a lot more managers on board now. I think it’s maybe inevitable that it happens in the end. The EFL have gone to five subs.

"I was totally against it at the end of last season, but when you look at how many injuries there’s been in the Premier League this season - the numbers are massively up.

"People question Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola not making three in one game, so why do they want five? I don’t think that’s a reason not to make five subs, I actually think it’s a reason to do five subs.

"What it shows is, it doesn’t mean the managers are gonna make five subs in every game, it’s just that when maybe, Jurgen Klopp thinks they’re out of sight from the opposition, it gives them the opportunity to maybe make two or three subs in the end.

"You saw against Man City, Jurgen only made two subs and Pep only made one because the game was in the balance. They’re not gonna make subs for the sake of it - they need to win the game.

"It gives them the opportunity, when the game is dead, as Liverpool’s was in Atalanta, and you can make them changes in the Champions League - you then make them changes."

Express FC coach Wasswa Bbosa is optimistic of a successful 2020/21 Ugandan Premier League season.

The Red Eagles players were on a retreat from Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 23 in preparations for the forthcoming campaign. The experienced tactician believes the outing was a success and it will positively impact the team.

"This [retreat] is one of a kind; I have been at Express FC for a while but I have never seen such a level of organization," Bbosa said as quoted by the club's website.

"I am glad and happy that this retreat was a success and I know this will go a long way for us having a successful season."

Betway Uganda county director Adella Agaba Nyaruhuma emphasized discipline which he believes will be key in their bid to secure silverware.

"I would like you [players] to understand that the brand you are representing is huge and I kindly request you to be disciplined," the official said.

"You can’t achieve anything if you don’t have discipline.

"We have organized this retreat to ensure that players get a different environment as we prepare for the new season and I am sure we have achieved our goal.  

"Going forward I expect teamwork, discipline, and focus and I am sure we are getting silverware at the end of the season."  

The six-time league champions signed 18 players in preparation for the forthcoming campaign.

Coach Bbosa had pointed out initially nothing has changed as far as the team targets are concerned. He further exuded confidence that experienced defender Murushid Jjuuko will have a positive impact on the Red Eagles.  

"Our targets haven’t changed, and in three years we will at least win a trophy for Express, as we promised when getting this job," he added.

"And our bosses know about it because Express are here to compete and that is what it is known for; to be victorious. 

"We are so grateful for players like Murushid Jjuuko who adds a lot on our defence especially in experience and confidence because every other team is built starting from the defence."  

The Wankulukuku Red Eagles finished ninth in the abandoned 2019/20 season with 31 points.

Vipers SC were crowned as champions and will be playing in the Caf Champions League while KCCA FC, who finished second, got the right to play in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Olivier Giroud would score goals for Chelsea if the Blues gave him game time, says Gael Clichy, with the France international striker being urged to move on in January and find the opportunities he deserves.

The World Cup-winning frontman was given just three minutes off the bench in the 2-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday, taking him to 36 for the season in the Premier League.

Giroud needs goals and games if he is to remain part of the national team set-up under Didier Deschamps, with Les Bleus’ boss admitting as much.

The former Arsenal frontman has conceded that he will be weighing up his options when the winter transfer window opens, with Clichy calling on a proven performer to leave Stamford Bridge.

The ex-Gunners and Manchester City defender told Stadium Astro: “It’s been a few months, a few years, that we hear the same speech around Giroud, that he is not needed, he is not good enough, if he doesn’t play enough he will not get into the national team.

“All those questions, all those question marks, have been solved and resolved by Giroud himself.

“Give him time and he will actually score goals. When I say give him time, I’m not asking to give him 10 games in a row to get his first goal. Give him 20 minutes here, half-an-hour there, 40 minutes here, cup game, Champions League game, he will score goals and he will show people that that kind of profile in the team, within the group, is essential.

“You want players that can create something, but you also want players that can hold the ball and score goals.

“If you look at where he is in terms of goalscoring for France, I will not name all the names but he’s second and seven goals behind [all-time leading scorer] Thierry Henry, and this for me is enough. That is the answer to everybody telling me that he shouldn’t be there.

“So obviously if the manager of the national team is saying that he needs game time to go to the Euros, well if you look at that direction, you need to go and you need to find a place where you will play.

“Again, we’ve heard that many times in his career, many times, he’s always been there and scored goals, and he’s always kind of put people straight in terms of what he’s doing on the football pitch, or in this club, or in the national team. For me that’s a great example of attitude and commitment.”

The Confederation of African Football Caf) alongside other football federations across the continent have sent their condolences to the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) following the death of its president Sidy Augustin Diallo.

Diallo was confirmed dead on Saturday, two weeks after he tested positive for coronavirus.

Diallo has been a leader in Ivorian football since the early 1990s. He was first elected the vice-president of the FIF from 1991 to 1994, before he won the Ivorian FA presidency in 2011.

During his tenure, he helped Ivory Coast win their second Africa Cup of Nations title in 2015 amongst other achievements, which include their qualification for the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany.

“For the past 30 years, Mr. Augustin Sidy Diallo served football with immense passion, and his name will remain closely linked to numerous successes of the Ivorian national team,” Caf president Ahmad Ahmad stated.

Also on Saturday, the African football family was struck with more sad news as Caf Honorary vice-president and former president of the Togolese Football Federation, General Seyi Memene died after a long illness.

"General Memene will remain in our hearts as one of the great architects of our institution’s history. He contributed to write one of Caf most beautiful pages,” Ahmad noted in another statement.

“Caf president paid him a deserved tribute for "his inestimable contribution to the development of African football in general, and Togolese football in particular.

“My sincere thoughts of support and solidarity are with the family of General Memene for the loss of this great figure.”

The Ghana Football Association also paid tribute to the families of Sidy Diallo and General Memene.

“The Ghana Football Association wishes to express its deepest condolences to the families of late African football administrators, General Seyi Memene (Togo) and Augustin Sidy Diallo (Ivory Coast),” a statement read.

“Late Augustin Sidy Diallo, also passed on Saturday, November 21, 2020, two weeks after testing positive for the deadly corona virus.

“The thoughts and prayers of the GFA and the entire football fraternity are with their families at this time.”

The president of the Football Kenya Federation, Nick Mwendwa described the death of his 'friend' Diallo as shocking news.

The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick also joined his counterparts in paying tribute to the fallen football administrators.

Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder Themba Zwane wants to continue to add even more goals and assists to his name.

It was quite some week for the player known affectionately as ‘Mshishi’ – after scoring twice for Bafana Bafana in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe in Port Elizabeth on Monday, he followed that up with a hat-trick in Sundowns’ 4-3 win over AmaZulu at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday afternoon.

All of his goals came in the first half in a blistering 11-minute spell. He now has four goals in four league matches this term and seems determined to better last season’s feat of 11 goals in the Premiership, as well as an impressive eight assists.

“As a player I want to score more,” Zwane said in his post-match interview with SuperSport TV in his capacity as Man of the Match. “When I get chances I want to score, I want to create more chances, I want to work for my team.”

Zwane was also later booked in what was a somewhat strange incident – he went off the field to change his muddy shirt but entered play again without waiting for the referee’s approval. For a player who generally stays clear of trouble and being cautioned, it shouldn't matter too much in the greater scheme of things.

“To be honest I was not aware, I wanted to rush because they were putting us under pressure so I wanted to change quickly,” he explained. “It was my mistake and I apologize to the coaches.”

Currently the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Player of the Season, the 31-year-old seems to be at the very top of his game at present.

And yet he feels there is more to come from him, which is bad news for those teams hoping to challenge Masandawna.

“I’m focusing on improving on the Mshishi of last season, trying to get more goals, more assists, help my team win trophies,” Zwane said.

The Brazilians, treble winners last season, are top of the league standings. Their next action is against Stellenbosch FC at Loftus on Wednesday.

Nicolas Pepe has been branded “unprofessional” by Martin Keown on the back of his needless red card at Leeds, with the Arsenal forward urged to take a leaf out of Kieran Tierney’s book when it comes to displays of passion.

The big-money Ivorian forward lost his cool during the Premier League trip to Elland Road, the £72 million ($96m) man butting heads with Ezgjan Alioski on his way to taking in an early bath.

Mikel Arteta admitted afterwards that Pepe's actions were “unacceptable” with Arsenal having to dig deep with 10 men to secure a goalless draw.

Keown is another who believes that Pepe let himself and his team-mates down in a contest that could have kick-started his season, with others showing the kind of commitment that needs to rub off on everyone.

Scotland international Tierney confronted Alioski at the final whistle, as the North Macedonian saw his theatrics called into question with Keown looking for the rest of an inconsistent squad to follow the lead of the fiery full-back.

The former Gunners centre-half told the Daily Mail: “This was only Nicolas Pepe’s second Premier League start of the season despite arriving with that £72m price tag in the summer of 2019.

“Arsenal’s club-record signing could have used this opportunity to launch his campaign. Instead, his unprofessional behaviour put his team under pressure and, in the end, manager Mikel Arteta had to be satisfied with earning an away point with 10 men.

“This is a team that are rebuilding under Arteta. I was impressed with some of the fighting spirit on show.

“The way Kieran Tierney was trying to have a word with Leeds United’s Alioski at full-time - the player he saw as the protagonist in Pepe’s sending off - showed impressive fighting spirit.

“Tierney typified that spirit in the game itself, too. He’s not just at the back trying to keep a clean sheet. He bombs forward and puts in those extra yards for his team.

“Tierney might have felt incensed to see Granit Xhaka with his arm around Alioski at the end of the game after what had happened. I would have certainly felt like that if I’d seen one of my team-mates practically fraternising with the enemy.

“Xhaka then pushed Tierney away from the situation when he tried to confront Alioski, but the dust will settle from that incident. Tierney is just the type of personality Arsenal need in their team.”

Nicolas Pepe has "let everybody down", according to Ian Wright, who says the Arsenal winger "needs better advice around him".

Arsenal survived an onslaught to escape Elland Road with a valuable point after being outplayed by Leeds United on Sunday.

The hosts had to settle for a 0-0 draw despite being aided by a numerical advantage in the final forty minutes, with the Gunners reduced to ten men following a moment of madness from Pepe.

The Ivory Coast international was shown a straight red card for headbutting Ezgyjan Alioski, having been handed a rare start ahead of Alexandre Lacazette.

Mikel Arteta condemned Pepe's actions post-match, telling reporters: “It is unacceptable. I’ve spoken to him; it is unacceptable.”

Wright has also singled the 25-year-old out for criticism, with it his belief that a man who cost Arsenal a club record fee of £72 million ($96m) is still showing no signs of living up to his price tag.

"I’m not saying that it’s a proper full-on headbutt but you can’t do that to people in this day and age," the Gunners legend told Premier League Productions. "You can’t get into people’s face like that. Alioski has gone down like he’s really got a proper headbutt but at the same time that’s just totally unprofessional and just poor from him.

"From somebody that has been complaining about not getting enough game time, somebody that has now got his chance and he’s let everybody down.

"He has let everybody down and I’m very disappointed in him simply because I don’t know who his team is around him but he’s come to the club, we’ve spent a lot of money on him.

"He’s someone that we have a lot of faith in and he seems to me that he’s not getting better, he’s actually getting more in himself and more frustrated, where you want to see him improving. He needs better advice around him."

Brendan Rodgers questioned the narrative about Liverpool being "depleted" after Leicester City were well beaten on Sunday.

Rodgers' Leicester suffered a 3-0 loss at Anfield as Liverpool extended their unbeaten home run in the league to 64 games – a club record.

Jurgen Klopp was without the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Thiago Alcantara for the Premier League encounter, but Leicester manager Rodgers suggested there had been too much focus on the injury concerns of his former side, who moved level on points with Premier League leaders Tottenham.

He also pointed to Leicester's own absentees, with Ricardo Pereira, Caglar Soyuncu, Timothy Castagne and Wilfred Ndidi all missing from the game.

"We don't dwell on it. We've had a terrific start. We were beaten by the better team," he told a news conference. "Everyone talked about Liverpool's injuries and that was the narrative leading into this game but it's still a top-class team with players at the front end of the pitch who can hurt you.

"There's still a number of players out but the players have been great, doing everything and it just wasn't our night, so we move on."

With Van Dijk and Joe Gomez out, Fabinho slotted into the centre of defence alongside Joel Matip, while James Milner started at right-back due to Alexander-Arnold's calf injury.

Rodgers said it was still a strong Liverpool defence, as Klopp's side kept their fourth clean sheet in seven games in all competitions.

"I don't really see it as a depleted backline," he said. "I know they're missing Virgil van Dijk, but Matip is a top defender, Fabinho has filled in, he played there against Chelsea and played there against top players.

"Andy Robertson has always played, Alisson is the number one goalkeeper and wherever James Milner plays he does an incredible job. I don’t go with that narrative, they're still very strong with top players.

"You look at their midfield, players who have always played. They're just an outstanding team, super organised, play really hard with quality and were the better team."

After Jonny Evans' 21st-minute own goal, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino scored for Liverpool, the result leaving Leicester in fourth in the table – two points adrift of Spurs and Klopp's men.

The end of the international break unfortunately did not see Malaysian stars based abroad obtaining any domestic minutes.

In Thailand

Just days after it was revealed that Norshahrul Idlan Talaha will not have his contract extended by BG Pathum when it ends next month, he was missing from the Thai League 1 leaders' matchday squad, in their 3-2 league win over Trat on Saturday.

Dominic Tan and Mohamadou Sumareh also did not see any competitive action over the weekend. However, their absence was due to the fact that Police Tero did not have a match scheduled.

Dominic Tan and Mohamadou Sumareh

In Europe

Luqman Hakim Shamsudin was not listed on the KV Kortrijk matchday squad that would go on to lose 1-0 to league leaders Club Brugge on Saturday. De Kerels are now in twelfth place in Belgium's First Division A standings.

Despite coming closer to his first ever competitive appearance for Portuguese Premeira Liga club Portimonense Safawi Rasid, the Malaysia star has been made to wait again. He was an unused substitute for their Portugal Cup clash against third tier side Union of Leiria, with the favourites ending the clash in a shock 1-0 defeat and cup exit.

Dion Cools, the Belgian-born right back who is also eligible for Malaysia, however had a better weekend. He played the full 90 minutes of FC Midtjylland's 2-1 league win over Aarhus Gymnastikforening on Sunday. The win has allowed the Danish Superliga defending champions to move up to the top of the standings. The match was also Cools' seventh league appearance this season.

Fagiano Okayama's Hadi Fayyadh and Sporting Kansas City's Wan Kuzain did not see action for their respective clubs and were not on the bench over the weekend.