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Andre Ayew and Swansea City’s first game at the Liberty Stadium since the resumption of the Championship ended on a sour note after they went down 1-0 to relegation-threatened Luton Town.

The South Wales club were in full swing last weekend when the English second-tier resumed with a 3-0 win at Middlesbrough, while Luton – who sit second from bottom in the standings - drew 1-1 with Preston North End at Kenilworth Road.

Ayew provided the assist for the opening goal from Liverpool loanee Rhian Brewster, while also adding his name to the scoresheet from the penalty spot.

It equalled their biggest win this season in the Championship and their biggest on the road.

On Saturday, the 30-year-old Ayew had the first chance of the game in the 14th minute for Swansea, but his effort from six yards out was saved by Luton goalie Simon Sluga. 

Franco-Congolese attacker Aldo Kalulu next drilled in a cross for Brewster 20 minutes later but last weekend’s hero sent his header wide.

The game remained goalless at half-time, and just after the restart Ayew was close to scoring his 14th Championship goal of the season, but again Sluga was very much equal to the task.

The Ghana international had two more scoring opportunities, in the 54th and 61st minute, but both went a-begging.

Swansea’s inefficiency in front of goal in their own backyard went on to hurt them after Luton opened the scoring in the 72nd minute via James Collins, who connected with Chelsea loanee Izzy Brown’s cross.

It went from bad to worse for Steve Copper’s men, who were reduced to 10 men eight minutes from full-time after Jordan Garrick was shown a straight red card for violent conduct from a scuffle that ensued between both sides.

Ayew’s overall contribution at the end of the 90 minutes included four total shots (two on target, two off target), 48 touches on the ball and 18 accurate passes from 24 at 75%.

Swansea have dropped to 10th place and are four points away from the final promotion spot which is presently occupied by their fierce rivals Cardiff City.

The Jack Army could fall further down to 12th position should Millwall and Bristol City get victories in their respective matches against Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday.

Mohamed Salah is a talent “on a completely different level”, says Peter Crouch, with the former Liverpool star of the opinion that the Egyptian should be a PFA Player of the Year contender as it is important not to become “immune to his greatness”.

Salah has claimed that prize on one previous occasion, with a memorable debut campaign on Merseyside in 2017-18 seeing him record 44 goals across all competitions.

Salah then secured a share of the Premier League Golden Boot for a second successive season last time out, while contributing a further 21 efforts to the Reds’ cause this term.

The 28-year-old has been so consistent that it is easy to overlook just how destructive he has been during a period of remarkable success for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Crouch believes Salah is deserving of more acclaim than he currently receives, with it difficult to maintain the stunning standards that he has set.

The ex-Liverpool striker believes a star frontman from the present would be a deserving winner of another PFA gong in 2020.

There are plenty of other contenders for that crown, including many from a Premier League title-winning squad on Merseyside, but Crouch feels Salah – who has topped legendary strikers such as Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez with his efforts for the Reds – should be drawing plenty of votes.

The ex-England international told the Daily Mail on the PFA race: “It’s got to be a Liverpool player.

“I love Kevin De Bruyne, but how could someone from Liverpool not win it after the season they have had?

“Jordan Henderson would have an outstanding chance and if he ended up being chosen, I wouldn’t argue.

“I remember when he signed for Liverpool, it felt as if he was lucky to be there. But now, really, they are lucky to have him. He took over the captaincy from a legend, did things his own way and now has the trophies to go with it.

“But my pick would be Mohamed Salah. It might sound boring but I look at it this way — he has now outstripped Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez, he scores in all the big games and he has been integral for Klopp.

“We shouldn’t be immune to his greatness. He is on a completely different level.”

Crouch has also been quick to pay tribute to the contribution of Klopp at Liverpool, with the German coach having ended 30 years of title pain at Anfield.

“There were some managers during my career who knew how to play the press,” said a man who spent three years at Liverpool.

“They would have a persona off camera that was nothing like the one they tried to portray in the media.

“But Jurgen looks to be the best manager you could play for — truthful and straight.

“I know Jamie Carragher once said Sir Alex Ferguson was worth 10-15 points a year to his Manchester United teams, but I couldn’t put a figure on what Klopp has given Liverpool.

“The best way to phrase it is that they have 86 points from a possible 93 and those numbers don’t flatter them.”

Thomas Muller made Bundesliga history as Bayern Munich capped off their triumphant campaign by defeating 10-man Wolfsburg 4-0 on Saturday.

Having clinched an eighth straight title 11 days earlier, Bayern finally got their hands on the trophy following a comfortable victory at the Volkswagen Arena on the final day of the season.

Muller laid on a record 21st assist of the season as Kingsley Coman got Bayern up and running, before Mickael Cuisance doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time.

Josuha Guilavogui was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Cuisance and Robert Lewandowski scored the resultant penalty in the 72nd minute, with Muller adding Bayern's 100th Bundesliga goal of the season in the closing stages.

With second-placed Borussia Dortmund defeated at home by Hoffenheim, Bayern finished the season with a 13-point cushion and Wolfsburg slipped to seventh and missed out on automatic Europa League qualification.

Coman got the celebrations started in the fourth minute, latching onto a brilliant throughball from Muller and guiding a fine finish across Koen Casteels and into the bottom-left corner.

Manuel Neuer kept out Josip Brekalo, and Casteels made a good save from Serge Gnabry at the other end.

Lewandowski was denied by Casteels but there was nothing the Wolfsburg goalkeeper could do to stop Cuisance's left-footed, 20-yard curler from finding the top-left corner.

Casteels survived a VAR review of a potential handball outside the box, while the video assistant upheld the decision to rule out Daniel Ginczek's stoppage-time goal at the end of the first half for a foul on Alvaro Odriozola.

After being denied by Casteels again, Lewandowski finally hit the target in the 72nd minute. The Poland international scored his 34th league goal of the season after Guilavogui felled the impressive Cuisance.

Bayern made the most of their numerical advantage by scoring a fourth seven minutes later, Muller drilling home at the back post and the celebrations stepped up a gear after the final whistle.

What does it mean? Bayern maintain momentum

A treble is well and truly on the cards for the Bavarian giants, who extended their club-record winning run to 16 games.

However, after the DFB-Pokal final next weekend they face a month off before continuing their Champions League campaign with the second leg of their last-16 tie against Chelsea.

With teams from the Premier League, Serie A and LaLiga having far less time to rest before Europe's premier club competition returns, Bayern will hope to continue riding this wave during their break.

History for Muller

Hansi Flick has brought the best out of Muller since taking over at Bayern. The World Cup-winning attacking midfielder surpassed Kevin De Bruyne's Bundesliga record of 20 assists in a single season by setting up Coman for the opener.

Gnabry not on form

There was nothing riding on the game for Bayern, but it would have been a far more comfortable finale had Gnabry been able to finish the chances that came his way. He missed a pair of great openings in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

What's next?

Bayern will aim to seal the second part of a prospective treble when they face Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal final next Saturday.

Yanga SC have moved to the second position in the Tanzania Mainland League after defeating the visiting Ndanda FC 3-2 on Saturday evening.

The hosts scored their goals courtesy of Deus Kaseke, who scored a brace, and Mrisho Ngasa while the visitors got theirs through Abdul Hamisi and Omary Mponda.

The 27-time league champions were keen on completing a double over the Mtwara-based charges.

Timu ya Wananchi started the game on a high and within six minutes they had managed to get an opener.

Ditram Nchimbi received a precise pass on the left, managed to get past his marker and crossed the ball to Kaseke, who managed to head the ball past the helpless custodian.

However, the visitors kept their cool and put up a spirited performance to level the scores four minutes later. 

Defensive lapses allowed Abdul Hamisi into the danger zone and he unleashed a fierce shot past Kenya custodian Faruk Shikhalo to bring the teams on level terms.

The visitors took the lead on the 15-minute mark through a free-kick.

Kevin Yondani fouled Vitalis Mayanga about 25 yards from the goal and the referee did not hesitate to award Ndanda a free-kick. Mponda rose for the occasion, beating the wall and the goalkeeper to give his team a second goal.

Yanga were not ready to go into the break trailing and they upped their tempo in search for an equalizer.

A long ball found its way into the danger zone a few seconds to the half-time break. The defenders were reluctant in clearing the danger, giving Kaseke a chance to head the ball and complete his brace.

After the break, both teams came back guns blazing in search of a goal. The defenders, this time around, were not entertaining any dangerous balls at the back and cleared whenever they had a chance to do so.

Wananchi sensed their Mtwara visitors were targeting at least a point and this gave them a reason to push harder for a third goal. They were rewarded in the 73rd minute.

Haruna Niyonzima picked out the overlapping Juma Abdul Jafari who crossed the ball to a fellow substitute. The latter capitalized on poor communication between the defenders and the goalkeeper to score what turned out to be the winning goal.

The result took Yanga to the second position with 60 points, one more than third-placed Azam FC who were held to a one-all draw by Biashara United.

Arjen Robben has announced a stunning return to professional football with his first club, Groningen. 

The winger retired from the game in July 2019 after a brilliant career, which included spells with Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich and more than 20 major title wins. 

Now, though, with his boyhood club reeling from the devastating effects of coronavirus, he is planning to return to the pitch to lend a helping hand at the age of 36. 

"I was 12 years old when I started playing in Groningen's youth academy, I made my home debut against Feyenoord when I was 16," Robben explained in a video released on the Eredivisie side's official Twitter account on Saturday. 

"After two years I made a transfer to PSV Eindhoven. After a wonderful adventure of 18 years we're coming home! Back to Groningen. 

"We're coming home during this difficult time of crisis, one that also hits FC Groningen. It's great to see how everyone is supporting the club, I've supported the club as well and it made me think about what else I could do for our club. 

"These past weeks I've had many conversations with club staff and maybe more than anything I've listened to the call of our supporters: Arjen, follow your heart!" 

The former Netherlands international went on to vow that, while there was no guarantee that he would regain enough match fitness to resume his playing career, he would do everything possible to make himself an asset to the Groningen squad ahead of what is bound to be a difficult 2020-21 season. 

"I want to make my comeback as a football player, a player of FC Groningen," he added.

"It started to itch and now it's my mission. I'm working on a comeback as a player, at FC.

"I don't know yet whether or not this will work, but I do know it will not depend on my commitment or motivation. It is my dream to wear the kit of FC Groningen again.

"It will be a tough physical challenge but I'm going for it! I am going to work hard and when everything feels right, I will join the team for the first training session of the new season. 

"I hope to see everyone as soon as possible because my dream is to play in an FC Groningen jersey. We're not there yet, but one can dream!" 

Andrej Kramaric netted four goals as Borussia Dortmund's campaign ended in a humiliating manner with a 4-0 thrashing by Hoffenheim.

It was the Croatian, rather than Dortmund forward Erling Haaland, who stole the show at Signal Iduna Park with a goal glut to ensure Hoffenheim finished sixth - good enough to qualify for the group stages of next season's Europa League.

BVB were already assured of a second-placed finish, and they left Achraf Hakimi and Jadon Sancho on the bench until half-time, but they suffered a heavy loss just two days after it was confirmed boss Lucien Favre will be back next season.

Former Leicester City striker Kramaric scored twice before the break and added another two within five minutes of the restart to take his tally for the season to 12.

Favre's men fell behind just eight minutes in as an unmarked Kramaric loitered at the edge of the box before curling home from Pavel Kaderabek's pull-back.

More lax Dortmund defending saw them fall 2-0 behind on the half-hour mark as Robert Skov's shot was turned in by Kramaric, who had been played onside by Lukasz Piszczek.

Favre called for Hakimi and Sancho at the break but it quickly went from bad to worse.

Mats Hummels twice failed to clear the ball and Piszczek had not accounted for Kramaric, who cut inside Dortmund's captain and rolled a finish through Roman Burki's legs for his hat-trick.

Moments later, Hoffenheim had a penalty, Hummels adjudged to have barged Munas Dabbur to the ground, with Kramaric squeezing a shot under Burki from the spot to give him a fourth of the afternoon.

Had it not been for Burki, the defeat could have been even heavier as he made smart stops to deny Dabbur, Skov and substitute Christoph Baumgartner.

For departing Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze - only in the stands because he had been unable to take the required coronavirus tests to allow him to play - this was a farewell he was probably glad not to be part of.

What does it mean? Embarrassing end for disappointing Dortmund campaign

This campaign had promised so much for Dortmund, particularly when Haaland arrived in January and hit the ground running, yet they have finished behind Bayern Munich again having lost three of their final four home games.

The absence of fans can perhaps explain that to a certain degree but, with Real Madrid loanee Hakimi seemingly not returning next term, and rumours persisting about Sancho's future too, you have to wonder if Dortmund will actually take a step back in 2020-21.

Goal glut for Kramaric

For the fourth successive season Kramaric reached double figures in the Bundesliga - a feat all the more impressive this term given his injury issues.

The 29-year-old, who has only made 14 starts this season, delivered a display of ruthless finishing, one that the much hyped Haaland would have admired.

Horror show for Hummels and Piszczek

Dortmund's two senior centre-backs were run ragged by Kramaric, failing to pick up runners and committing basic errors that you do not expect to see from players of their calibre.

BVB had kept three clean sheets in their past four games so we will put this one down to a bad day at the office.

What's next?

Dortmund's second-placed finish means they will be in the Champions League next term, while Hoffenheim will compete in the Europa League. 

Manchester United are only one Virgil van Dijk-esque signing away from being Premier League title challengers, claims Phil Neville.

The Red Devils have slipped a long way off the pace in recent years, with serious regression endured since Sir Alex Ferguson delivered the last of their record-setting 20 top-flight crowns in 2013.

Those at Old Trafford have seen their arch-rivals from across the North West secure domestic dominance this season, with Liverpool surging over the line in style.

Reacting to that success and closing a sizeable gap is the challenge now facing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Co.

Positive progress is considered to have been made in that quest over recent months, with much expected from January signing Bruno Fernandes and World Cup winner Paul Pogba.

United have also seen Anthony Martial find his shooting boots in a central striking role, while Harry Maguire is now club captain on the back of an £80 million ($99m) move in the summer of 2019.

Neville believes the England international centre-half could still do with somebody being brought in alongside him, with there defensive leaks for Solskjaer to plug.

Beyond that, though, a man who helped the Red Devils to six title triumphs in his playing days believes there is not a lot else to be done at the Theatre of Dreams, with the club already possessing plenty of potential to unlock in an exciting young squad.

Neville told Premier League Productions when quizzed on how far away United are from competing with the likes of Liverpool for the most prestigious of prizes: “I think one more signing.

“You think about Liverpool signing [Virgil] Van Dijk and Alisson in goal.

“One or two more signings or [Paul] Pogba and one more signing playing to their absolute best. I think United can get closer.”

Pressed further on the positions in which Solskjaer needs to add, Neville added: “Centre-back, you look at the impact Van Dijk had.

“Maguire has had a really strong impact but another real strong centre-back.

“They’ve still got to be defensively sound. One more signing and United can challenge.”

United have been linked with moves to bolster their ranks of centre-halves, with the Red Devils said to be among those mulling over a bid to prise Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly away from Napoli.

Eberechi Eze delivered an impressive performance although his efforts were not enough to save Queens Park Rangers from a 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic in Saturday’s Championship game.

The midfielder’s stock has continued to rise and at the Valley, he again delivered an eye-catching display after he was afforded his 28th league start and 31st appearance in the English second tier this season.

The 21-year-old played on the left-wing for QPR while his companion Bright Osayi-Samuel was deployed on the right-wing.

QPR’s six-game unbeaten run was halted last weekend by Barnsley and manager Mark Warburton made frantic effort to ensure his side bounced back to winning ways but it was not to be as Charlton secured all three points at the Valley.

Darren Pratley scored the only goal of the encounter in the 12th minutes after he was set up by Josh Cullen.

Every effort from Rangers to level proceedings was frustrated by Lee Bowyer’s men as Charlton held their nerve to secure a home win.

Eze, who has become the toast of the Championship fans with his dazzling skills, had an 88% successful pass rate, struck two shots and completed two dribbles in the game.

The midfielder featured for the entirety of the contest and has now played 40 matches in this campaign for QPR across all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists.

His compatriot Osayi-Samuel played for 71 minutes before he was replaced by Nigerian forward Aramide Oteh.

Olamide Shodipo was introduced for Ilias Chair on the hour mark while Charlton’s Chuks Aneke replaced Tomer Hemed, and Adedeji Oshilaja made way for Ben Purrington.

With the result, QPR are 13th on the league table with 50 points from 39 games while the victory steered Charlton clear of the relegation zone as they moved to 17th position with 45 points from the same number of matches.

Eze, who has long been a target for the Super Eagles, will hope to continue his impressive performances along with Osayi-Samuel in their next league outing.

QPR will take on fourth-placed Fulham at Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on June 30 and will look to return to winning ways in the match.

Dimitri Payet has signed a new deal with Marseille – and has taken an “unprecedented” pay cut in order to do so.

Having played a key role in Andre Villas-Boas’ side finishing second in Ligue 1, there was some doubt over his future at Stade Velodrome due to the club’s financial difficulties.

Payet still had two years to run on his deal but has elected instead to sign to fresh terms that contract him to OM until the end of the 2023-24 – by which time he will be 37.

But instead of these offering the player a boost in his salary, he has elected to take a substantial drop in his earnings to help the club.

“I’ve often said that I love this club and that my family feels good here,” the club's vice-captain explained. “The idea came into my head when the president said that the players should make an effort. And who better than me to lead by example?

“Saying you love the club is one thing, but showing it is better. I really want to be part of OM and help it grow.”

President Jacques-Henri Eyraud explained: “Dimitri came to me to tell me that he wanted to be, and I quote: ‘Marseillais for life.’

“He explained to me that he really wants to end his career here. And beyond finishing his career, pursue a real reconversion at the heart of the club he loves so much.

“He’s accepted to cut his salary for 30% for the 2021-22 season. In the two additional years, he has agreed that his basic salary will be cut between 40% and 60%. 

“He’s given up his qualification bonuses for European competitions and a very large part of his payment over the last two years of his deal will only be guaranteed if he is a starter. If he’s not in a position to speak on the park, then his wage will be dramatically reduced for a player of his experience and his quality.

“This unprecedented effort shows the attachment that Payet has to this club.”

During the 2019-20 season, which was aborted after 28 matches, Payet scored nine times and laid on a further four goals for OM.

Liverpool have no need to bring in “big signings” during the next transfer window, says John Barnes, with there a danger that high-profile additions will disrupt the “harmony” that has been established at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp has worked hard to bring the right amount of talent and character into his squad.

Considerable value has been found in both identifying and acquiring the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Mohamed Salah.

Further additions are being mooted, although Klopp has already resisted the urge to join the race for Timo Werner – who will now be linking up with Chelsea – and played down links to Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.

Barnes believes any moves made from this point will be minor ones, with the Reds likely to only look into countering the loss of Adam Lallana as a free agent.

They are not expected to invest heavily in ensuring that they retain depth in the creative midfield department, with the record-breaking 2019-20 Premier League title winners having already shown that they have enough quality on their books to compete for the grandest of prizes.

Reds legend Barnes told BonusCodeBets: "If Liverpool were to make big signings but then suddenly, those signings cannot play, and they cannot get into the team because of Salah and [Roberto] Firmino, it damages the harmony of the club.

"How does that big signing feel when he’s always on the bench? I don’t think they need to do it at all.

"And I don’t feel this was the reason Manchester City didn’t win the title this season.

"Pep [Guardiola] and Klopp, the two most successful managers in world football, both feel like they don’t have to make big signings to compete.

"So, who are we to question that? They are successful every year."

Barnes added: "If you have players you can put in the squad like [Takumi] Minamino and [Divock] Origi, Liverpool still have a large squad with people that can make an impact from the bench.

"It is not an issue to go and sign someone. I don’t see why there is a necessity to sign big.

"They are 23 points better off than everybody else...

"Lallana is on his way so maybe they will replace him, but I can’t see Liverpool making big signings.

"If they do there is pressure on their reaction, and the harmony they bring to the team."

Manchester United cannot allow Liverpool to equal their league title record and “dominate again”, says Dimitar Berbatov, with the Red Devils urged to fight for the right to remain on their “perch”.

Sir Alex Ferguson lifted those at Old Trafford to the top of a domestic tree, with 13 Premier League crowns secured during his iconic reign.

That remarkable haul saw United edge above their arch-rivals from Anfield and onto a record-setting tally of 20 title wins.

Liverpool have closed back to within one triumph of the Red Devils with their dominant displays in 2019-20.

Many have suggested that another dynasty is being pieced together by Jurgen Klopp, with the potential there for many more successes to be savoured by the current kings of English football.

Berbatov, who helped United to two titles during his time at Old Trafford, hopes the men from Merseyside can be reined in, with it up to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the Red Devils to force their way back into contention for major honours.

“When I was a player at Old Trafford, we thought United's success would go on forever, Liverpool are now dangerously close to United's record, and I'm sure they'd love to equal that,” Berbatov told Betfair.

“I'm not at United anymore, I can't stop it from happening, but I hope the current players will see Liverpool getting closer and try to make sure it never happens.

“They suffered and waited for so long, the way they play now that the way they won it will give them more ambition to win more. Klopp can make them title contenders for years to come.

“The United lads shouldn't need a message from anyone to tell them, they can't let them equal the record and dominate again, if they do then we have a problem. 

“They will have seen Liverpool, they will know they are close to the record and they must do everything to stop this happening.

“You want to be on top yourself and not let anyone take over, so they need to up their intensity. The United players cannot let Liverpool knock them off the perch that we fought so hard to take as our own.”

United’s last Premier League crown was secured in 2013, as Ferguson prepared to head off into retirement.

They have found themselves a long way off the pace since then, but there are considered to have been signs of encouragement under Solskjaer as he continues to oversee a long-term rebuilding project at the Theatre of Dreams.

Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller has set a single-season record for assists in the Bundesliga with his 21st of the season, surpassing the previous mark, which was set by Kevin De Bruyne.

Going into the final day of the 2019-20 campaign, the FCB attacker was on par with the Manchester City star, who chalked up 20 assists in the 2014-15 season while playing with Wolfsburg.

Before four minutes of the match had elapsed, he had set up winger Kingsley Coman to open the scoring.

The 30-year-old, who was a World Cup winner with Germany in 2014, has featured in all but one league fixture for Hansi Flick’s side this season, missing the recent 2-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach due to suspension.

His first assists of the season arrived in a thumping 6-1 victory over Mainz on August 31, while he chalked up multiple decisive passes on six occasions in the league this term, also doing so against Borussia Dortmund and Fortuna Dusseldorf in back-to-back November fixtures, against Koln and Hoffenheim in February, and versus Bayer Leverkusen earlier in June after the league restarted following the coronavirus suspension.

Previously, his highest tally of assists in a top-flight season had been 16 in the 2017-18 season, although he has hit double figures in all but one of the seasons in which he has been a regular in the starting XI.

While he has produced more assists than ever before, his goal scoring record has dropped, with seven scored in the Bundesliga this term. Indeed, his first goal did not arrive until the final day of November, when he found the net in a 2-1 loss to Leverkusen.

Muller has not scored double figures in a Bundesliga season since 2015-16, when he hit a personal best of 20, coincidentally recording a career low of seven assists.

The forward’s form has helped Bayern to secure another German title, while they retain an interest in the Champions League, which will be finished in August in a mini tournament that will be played in Lisbon. 

To reach that stage, though, Bayern will have to complete the second leg against Chelsea at the Allianz Arena, though they hold a 3-0 advantage from the first encounter, which was played at Stamford Bridge on February 25.

Ex-England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has described his former Manchester City teammate Marc-Vivien Foe as “the most amazing man” he met as he pays tribute to the fallen Cameroon legend.

Foe collapsed and died of a heart defect during a Fifa Confederations Cup semi-final match between Cameroon and Colombia on June 26, 2003.

Prior to his sudden death at the age of 28, the former midfielder had spent a season at City while on loan from Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon.

“He was the most amazing man I met as a young lad growing up,” Wright-Phillips told the official Manchester City website.

“He was so soft, humble, and whenever I needed help or a bit of guidance, he was one of the people that was always there for me.

"And as a player, he was just a beast. He was a big unit, he carried himself well, tackled, and he played good football. You could see that he was moving onto the next level.”

City have since retired the number 23 shirt Foe wore during his brief spell at the club, which was his second Premier League home, having previously spent one and a half-seasons at West Ham United.

Another former teammate of Foe at City, Kevin Horlock, remembered the former Lens midfielder as a player who brightened the Citizens' dressing room with his beaming smile.

"He was a great athlete, a great footballer and even more than that, a great bloke. He was a fair, old size and he covered every blade of grass,” said Horlock.

"He did a lot of my running and he took some stopping. He was one of those players who gave everything and the fans loved that and so did the players.

"I don't think I have ever seen a picture of him where he doesn't have a big smile on his face. He made the changing room a better place."

Despite Foe lasting 73 minutes during that fateful match against Colombia, Cameroon went on to edge the South Americans 1-0 to qualify for the final of the Confederations Cup.

The death of Foe attracted global sympathy and Cameroon went on to lose 1-0 to hosts France after extra time of an emotional encounter.

Borussia Dortmund have formally given up in the race to sign Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid on a permanent basis.

The right-back has been with Lucien Favre’s side for each of the last two seasons on loan, but he will not remain at Signal Iduna Park beyond the end of the current campaign.

Although Real Madrid will recall the player, reports suggest that he is set for a move to Inter, where he will be guaranteed the first-team football he craves under head coach Antonio Conte.

The 21-year-old has contributed significantly to Dortmund’s push to secure second in the Bundesliga, scoring five goals and adding 10 assists to date, but Saturday’s encounter against Hoffenheim, in which he was named only as a substitute, will be the last time he appears on a teamsheet for BVB.

“There have been developments only this week. The price is much higher now. And there is a point where we have to say: we do not want this and we cannot do this,” Michael Zorc to Sky Sports . 

Previously, Zorc had insisted that Dortmund were very much in the race to retain the player.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, he said: "His deal with Dortmund is ending. But we're interested in finding a solution with Real again and find a solution where he will be back playing at BVB next season."

It is reported that Inter will make a €40 million (£36m/$45m) offer for the player and will offer him a healthy salary, too.

In total, Hakimi has played 44 times in all competitions this season, notably scoring four goals in eight Champions League appearances, notching a crucial double in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Inter that helped his side progress to the knockout stages of the competition.

He has been contracted to Real Madrid for the duration of his professional career to date, having joined the Santiago Bernabeu side when he was only seven years old.

He made his debut for the reserve side in 2016 and graduated to the first-team squad in August 2017. Thus far, he has featured 17 times in all competitions for the Primera Division title hopefuls and scored two goals.

Meanwhile, the Madrid-born player has featured 28 times for Morocco, scoring two goals for his international side.

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Abednigo Netshodzwe says he understands how Bidvest Wits players feel following the club’s sale to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM).

The retired midfielder also shared advice to the Clever Boys players, urging them not to make decisions on their futures in haste because they might make bad decisions.

As things stand, both TTM and Wits have confirmed the sale of the club whilst coach Gavin Hunt’s future has attracted media interest.

“Bidvest Wits players' situation is sad. I know it very well. Not all the players will get new clubs, even if they get new clubs, they will not get the same money they used to get at Wits,” Netshodzwe told Isolezwe.

“[All] The players cannot all get new clubs as soon as possible and they must be patient and not put themselves under pressure because they might make bad decisions.

“If they get new contracts or offers, they must be careful not to be exploited when it comes to contracts.”

Following the Braamfontein-based club’s sale and news that it will relocate to the Limpopo province, a number of players are set to leave the club.

Skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo along with Sifiso Hlanti and Buhle Mkhwanazi are some of the key players linked with big moves to Orlando Pirates.

On the other hand, midfielder Thabang Monare and winger Deon Hotto are also linked with moves to the Buccaneers, while reigning PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns are also gunning for the duo.

Although the likes of Gift Motupa, Haashim Domingo, and goalkeeper Ricardo Goss have reportedly signed long-term deals with coach Pitso Mosimane’s troops, their futures are also the subject of speculation.

In addition, the move to sell the club has received contrasting remarks from legends and football bosses as the 2016/17 PSL champions’ heritage is set for an immediate demise when the 2020/21 season resumes.

Juventus have said that they continue to count on midfielder Adrien Rabiot, despite rumours linking him to the Premier League.

The 25-year-old arrived in Turin last summer from Paris Saint-Germain on a Bosman move but has struggled to establish himself in Maurizio Sarri’s plans.

With the player reportedly discontent due to a lack of playing time, he caused further controversy in May when he refused to cut his wages in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

This increased whispers that he could be on his way to England, with former PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti among the more interested parties with Everton.

Although the player seems to have re-established himself in Juve’s plans, starting in victories over Bologna and Lecce since the coronavirus suspension of the league, his long-term future remains uncertain.

Seeking to put an end to the speculation, Fabio Paratici, the technical coordinator of the Serie A side, has spoken of the player’s situation.

“Let’s not forget that Rabiot is in his first year in Italy, and the first year is always special,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “At the start of the season, we could see the same doubts over Matthijs de Ligt, who happened to be the best defender in the Champions League [with Ajax last season] at the age of 19. Now I see there is a different opinion of him.

“Rabiot also arrived from PSG after six months of inactivity. He had to catch up with his physical condition. That said, he is a great player, someone who is very important for Juventus today and will be for the future.”

Juve, however, are closing in on the addition of another central midfield player, with Goal able to confirm on Thursday that Barcelona player Arthur has agreed terms with the club, albeit with Miralem Pjanic likely to move in the opposite direction to Camp Nou.

The Turin club are closing in on another Serie A title as they lead the standings by seven points following a 4-0 victory over Lecce on Friday, although Lazio, the side who sit in second, have a game in hand against Fiorentina on Saturday.

Roberto Firmino is as important to the Liverpool cause as Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, says Graeme Souness, with the Brazilian likened to “a big cat walking through the jungle waiting for an opportunity to do damage”.

The South American frontman is not the most prolific attacking option that Jurgen Klopp has at his disposal.

He is, however, a perfect fit in a system that has delivered Champions League, Club World Cup and Premier League crowns over the course of the last 12 months.

While Salah and Mane are all about end product, team player Firmino is the glue that holds Liverpool’s frontline together and allows others to thrive around him.

Reds legend Souness considers the 28-year-old’s qualities to be integral to Klopp’s plans, with the Scot telling Sky Sports: “Mo Salah might score the most goals but it would be totally wrong to say this side’s attack is just about him. He’s one of three very special players.

“I love watching Roberto Firmino play. A couple of years ago, I likened him to Kenny Dalglish. He’s like a big cat walking through the jungle waiting for an opportunity to do damage.

“His radar is on all the time and he’s got a great football brain, whereas Salah and Sadio Mane, they will catch your eye more because they are direct and they score more goals.

“They are a wonderful attacking unit, but it’s so important to have a really good defence because you can’t play super football in every single game you play.

“When it’s not going well, you need to know that you won’t be conceding goals. Then, if you’re on the back foot but you don’t concede, you know that at some point in the 90 minutes, one of your special players is going to create something for someone else or score himself.

“That’s what we had with Ian Rush. We would be under the cosh, we would clear our lines and a couple of passes later Rushy would be on the end of something, putting the ball in the net, and we would nick the game.

“Liverpool have that now with their attacking players and that’s what makes them so dangerous. Even when they are not at their very best, they defend well and they're capable of nicking games.

“It’s so important to have those players, those goal-getters who can get you 25 in a season.”

Firmino is yet to find the target at Anfield in a Premier League game this season, but he does still have 11 efforts to his name – including a couple of match-winning strikes at the Club World Cup – and has taken his overall tally to 77 in 237 outings for Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp has ruled out a summer move for Jadon Sancho – despite admitting the England star would “look good” in a Liverpool shirt.

The Reds have been credited with an interest in the Borussia Dortmund star, who is also wanted by Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea, among others.

Sancho is valued at more than £100 million ($123m), meaning a switch to Merseyside this summer is unlikely.

Liverpool have already rejected the chance to sign one target, RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, due in part to concerns at the financial implications of the coronavirus crisis.

And it is anticipated that it will be a relatively quiet summer, transfer-wise, for the newly-crowned Premier League champions who already have a settled squad.

Klopp was asked directly about Sancho at a live event hosted by German publication BILD and replied: “A red jersey would look very good on Jadon. But I don't think such a transfer will take place this summer. 

“He is a very interesting player. If he moved to Liverpool, I would be the most surprised of all!”

Klopp also dismissed the idea that he was now the best coach in the world after guiding Liverpool to their first league title since 1990, insisting that rival Pep Guardiola remained top dog in that regard.

“I can't do anything with the title 'Best coach in the World',” he said. "But I know that, together with the whole coaching team, we are very good coaches. 

“But I think Pep Guardiola is the best coach of the world.”

Discussing his own side, who wrapped up the Premier League with an incredible seven games to spare following Manchester City’s defeat at Chelsea on Thursday, Klopp repeated his belief that Liverpool can kick on and win more trophies.

“This team doesn't need a change,” he said. “I cannot promise that we will dominate football now, nor do I know if it is time to talk about major upheavals, but I know that our goal is to keep the team together. 

“The boys are currently a great football age. We made a lot of right decisions together. If I have a talent, it is probably that I can bring extremely good people together. 

“For example, my coaching staff is exceptional, but there is no single recipe. It is also important that we have continued to develop. 

“The problem in Dortmund was that our team fell apart. That didn't happen here and now the team has been exceptionally consistent for two-and-a-half years. We play every game as if it were the last one because we have nothing else to do on weekends!”

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has revealed why he believes Liverpool are such a difficult opponent to play.

Jurgen Klopp’s side ended a 30-year wait for the Premier League title on Thursday as they were confirmed as champions due to Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City.

The crown, though, had been in their hands for a long while before the outcome of that clash at Stamford Bridge, with the Reds having dropped points in only three fixtures to date this season, posting only one defeat in that time.

Suarez, who played for the club from 2011-2014, has felt first hand the oppressive quality of the Merseyside outfit, having been on the wrong end of a 4-0 defeat to them with Barca in the Champions League semi-finals last season – a result that incredibly turned around a 3-0 first-leg deficit.

Given the mental fortitude that Liverpool showed as goals from Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum, who netted two each, eliminated the Catalans, it is perhaps unsurprising that he picked that out as their outstanding strength when speaking to the club’s official website.

Asked why Klopp’s men are such a formidable opponent, he explained: “I think the mentality of the players is so important on the pitch. We arrived in Liverpool 3-0 up, but when you play there they have the supporters and the manager, and the players are so focused and concentrated on the pitch. It’s difficult. 

“They scored in the first 10 or 15 minutes and they got the confidence to continue their play. In the second half they played fantastically. We need to accept that and if we’d have scored one goal, we would have had a really good chance to go through, but I think they are really good players.”

The Uruguay international forward, who helped the club to the League Cup of 2012 and was a member of the squad that came within a whisker of winning the title in 2014, is far from the first to praise the character of Klopp’s side.

Chairman Tom Werner had previously hailed the former Dortmund boss on the club’s website, stating: “He has just created such an atmosphere at Liverpool that there's no alternative except to win. He has created such an atmosphere.”

Liverpool have seven matches of the league season remaining as a victory lap, including a clash with dethroned champions Manchester City next weekend.