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Liverpool have asked the Premier League to review the use of VAR during their fiery Merseyside derby draw with Everton.

The Reds were left incensed by two decisions in particular during their 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Firstly, they felt Blues goalkeeper Jordan Pickford should have been shown a red card for his first-half challenge on Virgl van Dijk. 

Van Dijk was forced off injured as a result of the England No.1’s reckless lunge, with Liverpool now facing an anxious wait to discover the severity of the issue.

But David Coote, the VAR, failed to flag up the incident to match official Michael Oliver. The game, in fact, resumed with a free-kick to Everton, with Van Dijk given offside as he attempted to reach Fabinho’s pass ahead of Pickford. 

“We lost a player in a situation where VAR was not used,” Klopp complained post-match, while captain Jordan Henderson revealed that Pickford had sought him out to pass on an apology to Van Dijk.

Pickford was involved in the second controversial moment of the afternoon, too. His stoppage-time fumble looked to have given Henderson the winning goal, only for VAR to rule that Sadio Mane, who scored the game’s opener, was marginally offside in the build-up. The goal was disallowed. 

Replays failed to offer clarity on the offside decision, and since the game Liverpool have made the Premier League aware of their concerns surrounding both issues. 

“When I came back to the dressing room, there were people stood there with a laptop and others stood around it and I asked what's on,” Klopp said of the Mane decision. “They say, 'We watched the situation back and we don't understand why they whistled offside.'

“Look, I'm a real supporter of VAR but you would expect that, especially with offside, you then do the right decision. We scored a goal one time at Aston Villa and they said the armpit was offside – sounds funny, we got it. 

“This time, the picture I saw now once on the laptop, there is no armpit, there is nothing, we are just not offside. Since then I had 10 interviews around about and everybody tells me it was not offside and that doesn't lift my mood obviously.”

Goal understands that Liverpool will seek clarity on which part of Mane’s body was deemed to be offside as well as the moment VAR decided to freeze the frame to calculate their finding.

They will also ask for an explanation as to why VAR didn’t intervene during the Pickford incident.

Speaking as part of BT Sport’s coverage of the game, former Premier League referee Peter Walton stated that Pickford should have been sent off.

“The foul from Pickford is still relevant,” he said. “The whistle may have gone but players are still accountable for their actions. The VAR will have looked at that to see if there was serious foul play happening.

“Personally I think it was serious foul play, I think Pickford was a lucky player not to be sent off there.”

Both Van Dijk and Thiago Alcantara, who finished the game despite being on the end of a red-card challenge from Everton forward Richarlison late on, will undergo scans on potential knee injuries, with fears growing that both could be set for a spell on the sidelines. 

Andre Ayew was on the scoresheet as Swansea City lost 2-1 against Huddersfield Town in Saturday’s Championship game.

The winger continued his impressive form in front of goal after starring for the Ghana national team during the international break.

The 30-year-old featured prominently for the Black Stars against Mali and Qatar in their international friendlies.

The forward bagged a brace against the 2022 World Cup host to ensure the West Africans returned to winning ways after losing against the Eagles.

On his return to Swansea, the forward quickly settled down with the club and got a starting role against Carlos Corberan’s men.

Ayew formed a three-man attack along with Viktor Gyoekeres and Jamal Lowe for the Liberty Stadium outfit and impressed in the encounter.

Swansea started the game on the back foot after allowing Harry Toffolo to open the scoring for Huddersfield with just 23 minutes into the game after benefitting from Juninho Bacuna’s assist.

10 minutes later, the Ghana international then levelled proceedings for his side, converting from the penalty spot for his second Championship goal of the season.

Josh Koroma then scored the winning goal in the 67th minute after receiving a timely assist from Richard Stearman.

Besides his goal, Ayew made two key passes, had 43 touches on the ball, completed one dribble and had an 80% successful pass rate in the encounter.

The winger featured for the duration of the game while the Democratic Republic of the Congo descent Isaac Mbenza played for 62 minutes to help his side secure all three points in the match.

With the defeat, the Liberty Stadium outfit is fourth on the Championship table with 10 points from five games. 

Ayew will hope to continue his impressive showings and help Swansea City return to winning ways against Coventry City on October 20.

Raul Jimenez continues to “keep doors open” on the transfer front at Wolves, with the Mexico international continuing to spark talk of interest from the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid despite committing to a new contract.

The prolific frontman has agreed fresh terms at Molineux through to the summer of 2024.

It remains to be seen, though, whether that deal will be seen out in the West Midlands.

Wolves have ensured that a prized asset on their books retains full market value, with a long-term agreement ensuring that they can demand big money from any sale.

Jimenez has offered no indication that he will be looking for a way out, with the 29-year-old feeling settled in his current surroundings.

He is, however, aware that anything can happen in football and concedes that further speculation regarding his future is set to be sparked in upcoming windows.

Jimenez told Sky Sports of the transfer rumours he has been generating, with clubs across Europe said to be monitoring his prolific strike rate in England: “I was on my days off, on holiday, and every day that I woke up I was at a new club.

“It was just rumours, that’s it. I’m happy here and happy to stay here.

“You always have to keep doors open for everything but never lose your mind. It’s going to be like this for all the transfer windows.

“If I stay, I’m very happy and I’m going to keep playing the same. If I have to leave, well it’s going to be part of it. We are professional football players and it is part of our life.”

Jimenez has made no secret of his desire to grace a Champions League stage and believes Wolves are capable of providing him with that platform.

“I think so,” he said when asked if a top-four finish can be chased down.

“If we continue working like we are doing in the last two seasons, we did very good.

“Last season I think we deserved more. The last games we didn’t get want we want but we are a great team, a great family and if we stay together we can do it.”

While European football forms part of collective ambition at Wolves, Jimenez also has personal targets to chase down, with club legend Steve Bull challenging him to eat away at a club-record haul of goals that stands at 306.

“He was a very good player here at Wolves and I’m looking to make my own history. I’m here to help the team in our tasks,” Jimenez, who has 46 efforts to his name said of following in the footsteps of an icon.

“He asked me to beat his goal marks. I told him it will be difficult but I will try.”

Harambee Stars defender Clarke Oduor was involved as Barnsley fought to pick up a point from 2-2 draw against Bristol City on Saturday at Oakwell Stadium.

Oduor flew back to join his club teammates after he had featured in the Harambee Stars vs Zambia October 9 friendly where he made his international debut after coming on in the second half.

Michal Helik and Cauley Woodrow were Barnsley’s scorers at home as Jack Hunt and Tyreeq Bakinson scored for Bristol City who had a 100% run before the Saturday encounter.

Bristol City conceded inside the opening two minutes as Helik managed to head Romal Palmer's corner beyond goalkeeper Max O'Leary.

But within the first seven minutes of the second half, the Robins equalised through Hunt and took the lead via Bakinson as both earned goals with deflected shots.

Barnsley, who are operating without a manager, were staring at another defeat at the hands of Bristol City but a 102nd-minute penalty by Woodrow ensured they salvaged a point at home. The effort ended the unblemished run the Robins had enjoyed since the start of the season.

Woodrow came on in the second half after Michael Sollbauer was injured. He had to wait for eight minutes as Sollbauer was being attended by the medics and when he finally came on, he managed to convert the penalty by planting the ball into the top corner for the eventual draw.

Oduor’s teammate Sollbauer had to be stretchered off with a neck brace fitted after Callum O'Dowda clattered into him inside the penalty area.

Bristol City’s 100% record was the only perfect run remaining in the Championship.

The result must be an encouraging outcome for Barnsley whose record against Bristol City in recent years has been rather poor.

Oduor’s side has failed to beat the Robins in the last nine matches and their last victory came way back in 2012. In this millennium, Barnsley have had six wins in 30 matches against their Saturday opponents across all competitions.

Barnsley Starting XI: Walton (GK), J.Williams, Andersen, Woodrow, Chaplin, Thomas, Palmer, Oduor, Sollbauer, Mowatt, Helik.

Subs: Collins (GK), Brittain, Kane, Christie-Davies, Schmidt, Simoes, Frieser.

Bristol City Staring XI: O'Leary (GK), Hunt, Mawson, Martin, Paterson, Weimann, Wells, Moore, Rowe, Vyner, Bakinson.

Subs: Wollacott (GK), Diedhiou, O'Dowda, Semenyo, Kalas, Massengo, Sessegnon.

John Obi Mikel helped Stoke City grab their second win in the Championship this season with a 2-0 victory over Luton Town on Saturday.

The former Nigeria captain delivered an impressive performance in midfield as the Potters kept a clean sheet on the road.

After a goalless first-half, efforts from Steven Fletcher and Nick Powell in the 46th and 55th minutes respectively secured all three points.

Mikel was in action for the entire duration and he has played every minute of Stoke City’s league matches in this campaign - 450 minutes.

During the game, the 33-year-old managed the best pass accuracy for the Potters with 82.1 per cent, the second-highest tackles (3) and three clearances.

Senegal midfielder Badou Ndiaye was an unused substitute in the encounter while DR Congo descent Kazenga LuaLua also watched on from Luton Town’s bench.

Mikel will shift his focus to Wednesday when Stoke City welcome Barnsley to bet365 Stadium for their next Championship fixture.

The victory fired Michael O'Neill's side to eighth in the league table with eight points after five matches.

Timo Werner is only 50 per cent happy to have opened his Premier League goal account for Chelsea, with the Blues throwing away two points in a home date with Southampton.

The Germany international striker is now up and running in the English top-flight.

His ability to deliver end product at Stamford Bridge has never been in doubt, with the 24-year-old establishing a reputation as one of European football’s most prolific frontmen.

He has had to bide his time before finding the target in Premier League competition, but bagged a brace against the Saints and will hope that the floodgates have now opened.

Werner was, however, unable to celebrate a welcome win alongside his two goals on Saturday, with Frank Lampard’s side seeing Southampton hit back in style to snatch a dramatic 3-3 draw.

“The first half we played very well,” Werner told BBC Sport when reflecting on an eventful contest.

“When you get a goal two or three minutes before half-time it is not easy. You have to think with a clear head.

“Southampton make a lot of pressure on us and pressed us high. We gave them too much in terms of opportunities. We have to win the game.

“I am happy about the goals but I want to win the game - 50 per cent I am happy, 50% not.

“I don't know if we have a problem but the last three games we concede six goals and it is not where we want to be, to compete for titles.

“In Germany we always say defence wins titles. If we concede so many it is hard to win games and win titles.”

Lampard has struggled to plug defensive leaks throughout his time in charge of Chelsea, but he is pleased to see summer signing Werner proving his worth.

The Blues boss said: “They are great goals. The second in terms of the team was class but it is a lot to do by Timo.

“Those moments will come from him and other players. But we need to be more solid and making individual mistakes gives other teams chances.”

Lampard is unable to explain why his side are finding it so hard to keep opponents at bay and close games out, with consistency still proving to be elusive in west London.

He added when assessing a meeting with the Saints: “You go two goals up, you want to finish it off.

“It was the best we've played this season for sure at this stage. But Southampton are a good side. They put pressure on us off the ball. They put us under pressure after the first goal.

“My message at half-time was that the goal shouldn't change too much. We never got to the same levels in the second half. We can do better.

“We are seeing lots of goals across the league and no manager is happy. I don't know why it is.

“There are attacking players in this league and maybe pre-season and lack of working time plays a part. But we have to get better at it.”

Luis Suarez was back among the goals for Atletico Madrid on Saturday, with only Cristiano Ronaldo hitting 150 in La Liga quicker than the Uruguayan in the 21st century.

The Uruguay international arrived in Spanish football during the summer of 2014.

Barcelona prised him away from Liverpool in a big-money deal, with those at Camp Nou buying into the ability of a forward who almost guarantees goals.

Six productive years were spent at Camp Nou, with the target found on 198 occasions through 283 appearances.

Of that haul, 147 strikes were recorded in the Spanish top-flight.

Ronald Koeman took the surprising decision to cast Suarez aside when he was handed the managerial reins at Barca over the summer.

Atletico were happy to do business with a domestic rival, allowing a proven 33-year-old to join their ranks.

Suarez has hit the ground running in the Spanish capital, with three goals recorded through just four outings.

The most recent of those came against Celta Vigo, in a 2-0 victory for Diego Simeone’s side.

Three points were most welcome for Atletico as a collective, while Suarez has now reached another notable landmark as an individual.

He has reached 150 goals in La Liga in just 195 games, with only a five-time Ballon d’Or winner who sent records tumbling while at Real Madrid able to better that return.

Suarez’s former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi would have been expected to figure prominently on that chart, but he was eased onto the senior stage while still in his teens.

He was not as prolific through his early years, with his goalscoring exploits bursting into life from 2008-09.

A remarkable haul has been recorded since then, with Messi fast closing in on 450 in the Spanish top-flight.

Suarez has no chance of chasing down the mercurial Argentine, but he can take his tally much higher in the coming years.

He has committed to a deal at Atletico through to 2022 and could earn an extension if he is able to maintain his current standards through to that point.

Simeone’s side will be back in La Liga action on October 24 against Real Betis, with a Champions League opener away at Bayern Munich – the holders of that crown – set to be taken in on Wednesday.

Kevin Akpoguma was in action as Hoffenheim lost 1-0 against Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

The centre-back was handed his fourth start for the Kraichgauer this season despite only recently rejoining the side after he left for international duty.

The 25-year-old was handed his first call-up to the Nigeria national team after committing his international future to the West Africans last month.

The defender was subsequently afforded his Super Eagles debut against African champions Algeria in a friendly as a second-half substitute.

He also featured for the three-time African champions in their draw against Tunisia on Tuesday before returning to Rhein-Neckar-Arena.

Akpoguma paired Kevin Vogt and Stefan Posch at the heart of the Hoffenheim defence and gave a good account of himself in the encounter.

The defender made 63 touches, won one aerial contest, made one tackle, three interceptions and blocked two shots.

Marco Reus scored the only goal of the game after he set up Erling Braut Haaland to halt the impressive form of Hoffenheim.

Akpoguma featured for the duration of the game while his teammate and Algeria international Ishak Belfodil played for 60 minutes before he was replaced by Christoph Baumgartner.

The loss saw Hoffenheim drop to the eighth spot on the Bundesliga table after six points from four games.

Akpoguma has now made more than 30 league appearances for the Kraichgauer since his promotion to the first team.

The 25-year-old will hope to continue his solid defensive display when Hoffenheim take on Crvena Zvezda in a Europa League game on October 22.

Theo Walcott marked his first Southampton appearance for almost 15 years by setting up the late equaliser that secured a dramatic 3-3 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

German stars Timo Werner and Kai Havertz scored their first Premier League goals for Chelsea, but there were familiar failings in the home team's ranks and Frank Lampard's men were punished.

Chelsea were thrilling going forward at times, with Werner, who also had a goal disallowed, netting twice before setting up Havertz for what looked set to be the winner.

But between Werner's double and Havertz's strike it had been the same story for the Blues' defence, with Danny Ings and Che Adams taking advantage, and Walcott's shot from the edge of the penalty area in stoppage time was nodded in by Jannik Vestergaard to pinch a point.

Chelsea were two clear after 28 minutes as Werner raced onto Jorginho’s pass, held off Bednarek and flicked the ball coolly over McCarthy before heading in.

Ings ran through a dozing defence to haul Southampton back into contention in the 43rd minute, and a Chelsea calamity came early in the second half.

The error-prone Kepa pulled out of a challenge to meet an under-hit backpass from Kurt Zouma, and that allowed Adams to win the ball and thrash in from close range.

Havertz turned in a short pass from Werner to nudge Chelsea 3-2 in front two minutes later, but there was a sting to come.

A Southampton free-kick was only half-cleared and Walcott – a teenage star at St Mary's who has returned on loan from Everton – lashed a strike goalwards, with Vestergaard applying the decisive touch.

What does it mean?

Werner and Havertz became the fifth and sixth Germans to score in the Premier League for Chelsea, following Michael Ballack, Andre Schurrle, Antonio Rudiger and Marko Marin, but questions persist at the back. Kepa is a consistent liability, which was borne out again here, and it reeks of neglect that Chelsea’s central defence is still so patently not up to the job.

Lucky 13 for Werner

Southampton had kept opponents down to an average of 7.25 efforts on goal in their opening four games of the Premier League season, but by half-time here they had faced nine attempts. Werner, who had 11 efforts without reward in his first four league outings for Chelsea, finally got lucky with attempt number 13 and was on punishing form throughout.

Walcott turns on the style

Former Arsenal forward Walcott took a while to get up to speed, but before his vital late role there were signs he was rolling back the years. Good movement and a neat pass into the feet of Adams almost brought about a goal before Vestergaard's equaliser. He made five key passes in the game, out of a team total of eight.

Key Opta Facts 

- Chelsea have lost just one of their last nine home Premier League games (W7 D1), after losing four of the seven before that (W2 D1). 
- Adams scored and assisted in the same game for the first time since October 2018 for Birmingham against Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
- Since the start of last season, only Robert Lewandowski, Ciro Immobile and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored more goals in Europe's top five leagues than Werner (30).
- Southampton have lost only one of their last eight away Premier League games (W4 D3) after losing two in a row directly before that in February.

What's next?

Chelsea have a Champions League home game against Europa League holders Sevilla coming up on Tuesday. Southampton's next assignment is a home clash with Premier League leaders Everton.

SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo admitted his side lost their focus in the second half against Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) but was ultimately content with the 3-2 win in an MTN8 quarter-final at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

First-half strikes by Bradley Grobler, Iqraam Rayners and Ghampani Lungu had put Matsatsantsa in a commanding position.

But goals either side of half-time by Mogakolodi Ngele pulled the Limpopo team right back into the game and in the end it took some determined defending and a few crucial saves from Ronwen Williams to see the Pretoria team into the next round.

Being the first game of the new season, Tembo was not overly fazed, but he did caution his men to be more ruthless in future.

“It was a game of two halves, we took our chances in the first half and played very well,” the Zimbabwe-born coach told SuperSport after the game.

“Second half we were a little lethargic. But what was important was to get to the next round and now we have 90 minutes in the bag, that’s very key for us.

“When you are leading 3-0 you need to try and be a bit more professional and close the game. But they [TTM] scored a very good goal and that gave them belief. Second half they were pushing.”

For TTM coach Joel Masutha, it was a case of mixed emotions. He was not pleased by some elementary errors, but found positives in the character his men showed.

“I’m happy with the way the guys applied themselves, especially in the second half. And also in the last part of the first half," he told SuperSport as well.

“It's a big lesson to all of us. You need to do all the aspects of the game properly. Defending, first 25 minutes we were caught wanting. We also have to work on our finishing because we got chances to come back into the game.

“But only five [training sessions] sessions and the guys did what they did.

"Its a good sign and we’ll soldier on. With what they did today, it shows that they are hungry and they want to make a mark and that bodes well for the team.”

Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways as Luis Suarez's 150th LaLiga goal and Yannick Carrasco's stoppage-time header handed them a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo.  

Diego Simeone's side failed to register a shot on target in their 0-0 draw with Villarreal before the international break, which followed a similarly dismal performance in a goalless meeting with Huesca.   

Suarez settled any nerves early on at the Balaidos, though, scoring his third Atleti goal in the sixth minute to become the second fastest player to reach a 150 in LaLiga in the 21st century after Cristiano Ronaldo.   

Atleti confirmed a 200th LaLiga win under Simeone late on when Carrasco headed home after Joao Felix's effort  crashed back off the crossbar. 

The visitors started with a spring in their step and Suarez's shot from 12 yards squirmed underneath Ivan Villar after the Uruguayan was picked out by Manuel Sanchez following a slick move down the left.    

The hosts carved out two clear opportunities to level midway through the first half. Sergio Carreira crashed an effort against the upright after stealing in unmarked at the back post, before a clean-through Santi Mina was denied by Jan Oblak's outstretched foot.   

Thomas Lemar saw his corner bounce back off the crossbar with Villar flailing, but another goal for Atleti before the break would have been harsh on Celta, who ended the first half with 10 attempts on goal to the visitors' three.  

Suarez was denied a second immediately after the restart as Villar diverted his close-range effort from Diego Costa's pass over the crossbar.   

Atleti looked far more robust at the back in the second half, limiting Celta to a series of half-chances, while at the other end Villar got down well to push substitute Marcos Llorente's low strike past the post with 15 minutes remaining.  

The visitors' jump to fourth in the table was sealed in the fifth minute of stoppage time when substitute Carrasco headed past Villar after sublime skill from Joao Felix had resulted in his powerful strike rebounding off the crossbar and into his path. 
 

What does it mean? Atleti bounce back with trademark win  

It was rarely pretty but Simeone will hardly care as he became the second head coach to win 200 LaLiga games a single club – former Real Madrid boss Miguel Munoz (257) is the only man with more. Like so many of those wins, the three points did not come easily for Atleti. They were indebted to a combination of wasteful finishing from Celta and typically robust goalkeeping from Oblak to claim a second win of the campaign.  

Torreira wastes little time making his mark 

Making his first start since a loan move from Arsenal earlier this month, Lucas Torreira was an industrious presence at the heart of Atleti's midfield. The Uruguay international gained possession six times - a team high alongside Stefan Savic - and led the way for interceptions with five.  

Costa labours before early departure  

Aside from one incisive pass to Suarez, Costa looked a shadow of his former self. He managed only one shot on goal and made just 12 passes before he hobbled off injured in the 50th minute.

Key Opta facts
- Simeone recorded his 200th win in his 330th game for Atletico in LaLiga, making him the second coach to reach the milestone for the same club in the competition, after Miguel Munoz (257).
- Atletico are unbeaten in their last 20 LaLiga games (W11 D9), equalling their best unbeaten streak in the competition (20 in 2017, W13 D7).
- Lucas Torreira completed 53 passes in his first game for his new team (59 total passes), more than any other Atleti player on their LaLiga debut since at least 2005-06.
- Celta Vigo have lost 63 of their 105 games against Atletico in LaLiga (W23 D19) - that is more than any other opponent in LaLiga.
- Suarez is the first player to score three or more goals in his first four appearances for Atleti in LaLiga since Radamel Falcao in 2011 (five goals).

What's next? 

Atleti start their Champions League campaign with a trip to holders Bayern Munich in Group A on Wednesday, before hosting Real Betis in LaLiga three days later. Celta, meanwhile, travel to Levante in the league on October 26. 

Victor Osimhen has joined thousands of Nigerians in calling for an end to police brutality in the country after scoring his maiden goal in Serie A on Saturday.

Osimhen sealed the hosts’ 4-1 victory over Atalanta at the Stadio Sao Paolo with a 43rd-minute strike.

Napoli had a perfect start to the encounter thanks to Mexico star Hirving Lozano's four-minute brace, in the 23rd and 27th minutes, while Matteo Politano made it 3-0 in the 30th minute.

Osimhen then connected with goalkeeper David Ospina's long ball to break his duck in the Italian top-flight, just two minutes before the break.

He celebrated the goal in style as he joined his compatriots in demanding an end to police brutality in Nigeria.

Over the past week, Nigerians have trooped out in numbers in protest against a unit of the Nigeria Police Force alleged with extrajudicial killings of civilians, and global football stars, including Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, and Arsenal's Mesut Ozil have shown their solidarity.

Since the start of the season, Osimhen has now contributed a goal and an assist in three league matches for the Partenopei.

Senegal centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly played from start to finish for Napoli while Algeria left-back Faouzi Ghoulam replaced Politano in the 61st minute for his second appearance of the season.

Saturday's win pushed Napoli to third on the Serie A table with eight points after four games, although on the pitch they boast a perfect record of three wins in three.

During the week they were punished by the league authorities for not honouring their last Serie A match against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium and the Serie A champions were handed a 3-0 win, with Napoli additionally docked a point for the no-show.

Osimhen will be looking to help Napoli build on this latest win when they host AZ Alkmaar for their opening UEFA Europa League match on Thursday, before they travel to Benevento for their next league fixture on October 25.

Jurgen Klopp admits the injury that forced Virgil van Dijk out of Liverpool’s eventful derby date with Everton is “not good”.

The Dutch defender lasted less than 11 minutes against the Toffees in a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

He was forced from the field and went straight down the tunnel after tangling with Jordan Pickford.

The Everton goalkeeper came flying out to meet the Liverpool centre-half as a looping ball dropped inside the box.

Pickford connected with Van Dijk at knee height, leaving a talismanic figure for the Reds writhing on the deck.

The Dutch defender got back to his feet after receiving treatment, but was in no position to continue and had to be replaced.

Klopp has now suggested that Van Dijk could be set for an untimely spell on the sidelines, with Liverpool preparing to open their Champions League campaign against Ajax on Wednesday and already without first-choice keeper Alisson, although no timescale has been put on his recovery as yet.

Quizzed on the severity of Van Dijk’s ailment, the Reds boss told reporters: “I don’t know. It’s not good.

“Virgil played I don’t know how many games in a row, he plays with pain, he plays with pretty much everything.

“But he couldn’t play on. That’s not good.”

Pickford has apologised for the rash challenge that laid Van Dijk low, but that offers little consolation to the Reds.

Klopp is still confused as to how the Everton shot-stopper escaped any punishment for a wild challenge, despite the offside flag going up.

VAR reviewed the incident and decided no red card was required, with technology also working against Liverpool towards the end of a dramatic encounter as Jordan Henderson saw a late goal ruled out on the back of a marginal offside call.

On the decision not to punish Pickford up for his wild lunge, Klopp added: “I haven’t seen it again. Only in the game, and for me it was a clear penalty that I saw.

“Obviously, we saw the flag went up for offside. I still thought it was worth having a look for the foul but that didn’t happen.

“We have no power there. We just sit here and we discuss it. We have to ask other people about that, not me.

“It’s not a challenge a goalkeeper can do in the box. If it’s not offside it’s a 100 per cent penalty.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice to give Milan a 2-1 win over Inter in a dramatic Derby della Madonnina as he marked his return from having coronavirus in style.

The 39-year-old had missed four games and not played for almost a month after contracting COVID-19, but he put Stefano Pioli's men two goals up inside 16 minutes on Saturday.

Romelu Lukaku got Inter back in it before the break but, despite second-half pressure, Antonio Conte's side could not force an equaliser as their four-match derby winning streak was ended.

Milan stunned Inter with two goals in the space of three minutes, both scored by Ibrahimovic.

After being sent through on goal by Hakan Calhanoglu, the Swede drew a clumsy foul from Aleksandar Kolarov and took the resulting penalty himself.

Samir Handanovic dived to his right to make an impressive save, only for Ibrahimovic to convert a left-footed rebound.

Ibrahimovic then struck again after a superb counter-attack that also involved Calhanoglu resulted in Rafael Leao sending in a superb cross from the left, which he impressively converted with a controlled first-time finish.

Lukaku made no mistake in the 28th minute as he tucked in from close range after Gianluigi Donnarumma inadvertently touched Ivan Perisic's driven cross into his path.

Lautaro Martinez then had a header cleared off the line by Simon Kjaer and an even better chance in the air, this time from Lukaku, was somehow sent wide by the unmarked Belgium striker at the end of a breathless first half.

A third headed chance went begging after the break, Achraf Hakimi off target with a diving effort as Inter upped the pressure, while substitute Rade Krunic fired wide when he should have wrapped up a Milan win at the other end.

There was one more twist when Inter were awarded a penalty when Donnarumma was adjudged to have brought down Lukaku in the closing stages but VAR ruled the striker had strayed offside before the incident as in-form Milan held on to celebrate a famous triumph.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has sent an olive branch to his opponents whom he thrashed during the national elections held on Saturday.

The 41-year-old clinched another term to run Kenyan football for another four years after he managed 77 votes out of the 85 cast to trounce his four opponents in what turned out to be a one-sided exercise held at a Nairobi Hotel.

Former Gor Mahia CEO Omondi Aduda with his running mate Athanas Obango came second with just five votes. Herbert Mwachiro, who once served as the FKF deputy CEO alongside Harold Ndege, who is a former Kenya international, walked home with three votes.

Journalist Boniface Osano and his running mate had nothing to smile about since they walked home empty-handed, same as Dan Mule, who had presented Peter Lichungu as his running mate.

Mwendwa has now extended an olive branch to all those who participated in the exercise to come together and help him to improve Kenyan football.

“I am very humbled for the overwhelming win we scooped as Team Blue,” Mwendwa told Goal after the polls.

“I knew going into the elections that I will retain my seat but I didn’t know I will do it with such an emphatic style, I thank the delegates for giving me another mandate to lead them and I promise I will achieve my targets in the next four years.

“I also want to ask those who were competing against me, and even those who lost in various positions here today [Saturday] I am welcoming them to my side, let them come we work together, let us put our heads together to improve our football.

"I cannot do this on my own or with the team you have given me, I need everyone on board so we can achieve our set targets.

“We have several targets we must achieve in the next four years, I want to see Kenya in the World Cup, for both men and women national teams, I know it might sound like a dream or even a joke, but we can make it, we need proper planning and that is why I want everyone on board.”

Mwendwa continued: “We are starting work immediately, on Monday it will be business as usual at the secretariat [our offices at the Goal Project], we don’t have time to waste, we have wasted time-fighting in courts but now that we are done with elections, then it is time to give back and fight for football, we want to make sure football is back with a bang.

“The overwhelming win is a clear indication that delegates have trust in our management, they have trusted us again with football, and we will do our best to make sure that everyone enjoys every bit of football in the country.”

In the race for the Federation Women Representative, Violet Kerubo Momanyi was narrowly beaten by Margaret Omondi. The latter managed to get 43 votes, one more than Momanyi.

Former Gor Mahia treasurer Sally Bolo had zero votes.

Michael Ouma Majua won the Nairobi National Executive Council (NEC) ticket after downing Tom Onyango Alila comfortably. The former managed to collect 59 votes while Alila came second with 25. Isaac Macharia got none.

Ahmedqadar Mohamed Dabar got 82 votes against Mohammed Abdi Farah, who managed to get just three votes. As a result, Dabar will represent North Eastern in the NEC.

The Upper Rift will be represented in the executive by Bernard Korir, who succeeded David Gikaria.

Joseph Andere retained the Nyanza seat after managing to get 79 votes, ahead of his only competitor Laban Jobita, who managed just five.

The new office will now be focused on helping Kenya continue growing in football with the 2026 World Cup a target.

However, the main focus will now shift on the Harambee Stars' Africa Cup of Nations qualifier double-header against Comoros in November.

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Mosa Lebusa has boasted that the Tshwane giants’ "quality" can deliver them the MTN8 title if they beat Bloemfontein Celtic in Sunday’s quarter-final match at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Masandawana welcome the Free State side as they bid for a trophy that they have struggled to win.

For all their dominance on the domestic football scene, enjoying success especially under former coach Pitso Mosimane, Sundowns have failed to win the MTN8 trophy since 2007.

But Lebusa feels that passing the Celtic hurdle could be the right tonic that can push them to win the Cup this time around.

“Ever since I joined the team, whenever we play the MTN 8, I know that the guys want to win this trophy,” Lebusa was quoted as saying by the Sundowns website.

“It has been a while since we last won it. It has been more than ten years and I think that we have been unlucky because we are so desperate to win it. We have to be calm and give our best.”

Lebusa is a previous winner of the MTN8 after claiming it with his former club Cape Town Spurs in 2015.

“I have won the trophy and one thing about this competition is that it has a very short format, once you win the opening game, you are already in the semi-finals,” Lebusa said.

“With the quality that we have in the team once we get through the first round, who knows, we might win the Cup. We are going to do our best to make sure that we fight and bring the Cup home! It all starts this weekend in our clash against Bloemfontein Celtic.”

Sunday’s match will showcase the capabilities of Sundowns technical bench made up of co-coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena, as well as senior coach Steve Komphela.

Much expectation is on the trio continue from where Mosimane left off after the club won a treble last season.

Liverpool were denied a dramatic winner in an action-packed Merseyside derby with Everton as the intervention of VAR saw a stoppage-time effort from Jordan Henderson ruled out.

Jurgen Klopp’s side took the lead on two occasions at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Sadio Mane recorded the Reds’ fastest Premier League goal in a Merseyside derby, only to see that effort cancelled out by Michael Keane. Mohamed Salah’s 100th goal for the club had Liverpool back in front, but the Toffees hit back again through the in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The reigning champions thought they had snatched all three points in the closing stages, with club captain Henderson turning a close-range effort past a despairing Jordan Pickford, who got his hands to the effort but could not keep it out.

Ecstasy turned to agony, though, during the standard review process that follows every goal.

According to those making VAR calls at Stockley Park, Sadio Mane had strayed offside by the narrowest of margins.

With a big decision having so much riding on it, technology was once again the subject of much of post-match discussion after the final whistle blew.

Liverpool will be pleased with the response they offered to the 7-2 defeat suffered at Aston Villa in their last Premier League outing, but can feel aggrieved at having missed out on a morale-boosting success.

Everton, meanwhile, have seen their 100 per cent start to the season ended, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side have shown once again that they can go toe-to-toe with the very best in the business and will be a force to be reckoned with in 2020-21.