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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has once again bemoaned the decision not to allow five substitutions in the Premier League this season, claiming Premier League CEO Richard Masters sold it "completely wrong". 

Trent Alexander-Arnold had to be substituted during the second half of Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday, having suffered an apparent calf injury.

The full-back was due to be part of Gareth Southgate's England squad for games against the Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Iceland during the November international break.

However, Klopp has said Alexander-Arnold will not be available for those upcoming fixtures during a hectic schedule in a 2020-21 season that will climax with the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.

Premier League clubs voted down the use of five subs for this term, a rule that was utilised when the previous campaign resumed after the coronavirus-enforced break. Klopp has express his disbelief at that decision.

"It's a lack of leadership," Klopp said in his post-match media conference. "Richard Masters sold it completely wrong.

"It's not an advantage [to be able to use five substitutes], it's a necessity. It happens in other countries, it was sold completely wrong and now you have this situation.

"Trent will be out for England, [he] will not be the last or only one Gareth will have to deal with either."

City counterpart Pep Guardiola echoed Klopp's views on the decision to revert back to three changes per team in the top tier, which was taken at a shareholders meeting in September.

Asked about what he had discussed with the Liverpool manager at full-time, Guardiola – who used just one change during Sunday's clash – told Sky Sports: "We did not speak about the result. We spoke about how we have to fight again about five substitutions.

"Look, an international England player – Trent Alexander-Arnold – is injured. All around the world, five substitutions. Here, we believe we are more special and have only three.

"We don't protect the players. That's why it is a disaster. I will demand that we come back with five substitutions to help the players, the managers everywhere. If not, it is difficult to sustain it." 

Klopp also backed up Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's criticism of the schedule, the Manchester United boss having hit out at his side being made to feature in the early kick-off on Saturday just over 48 hours after returning from a Champions League fixture in Istanbul.

"We have to find solutions, it’s so tough and we need to play football but Wednesday night and 12:30pm [Saturday] must not be allowed," Klopp said.

"If the Tuesday teams are in contention for Saturday that's okay, but the Wednesday [teams] should not be in contention for those games.

"Tonight we lost Trent and I'm pretty sure Gareth is not fine. If we play the Euros, we will see who is involved in that."

Ollie Watkins took his tally to six Premier League goals for the season as Aston Villa claimed a shock 3-0 victory at Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

Villa had taken lead when Arsenal defender Bukayo Saka accidentally slid the ball into his own net, before Watkins made the result certain in the second half.

The striker finished off a fine team move when he headed in from close range, and then fired an angled shot through the legs of Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno a few minutes later.

It was Arsenal's second consecutive home league defeat of the season following a 1-0 loss to Leicester at the Emirates last month.

Villa had the ball in the net inside the first minute when John McGinn fired home, only for referee Martin Atkinson to decide via a VAR review at pitchside that Ross Barkley had obscured the view of Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno from an offside position.

A weak pass from McGinn at the other end almost let in Thomas Partey shortly afterwards, but Emiliano Martinez reacted quickly to clear the danger.

Villa were the more positive side, however, and took the lead just before the half-hour mark when Barkley's pass pierced the Arsenal defence and Matt Targett's cross – intended for Trezeguet – was misdirected into the net by Saka.

Alexandre Lacazette went close to equalising late in the half when he got on the end of a superb cross from Kieran Tierney but could only head over.

Arsenal had only won one of their six games under Mikel Arteta when trailing at half time (D2 L4) before this encounter, and some clinical finishing from Watkins stifled any hopes of a fightback.

The striker, who netted a hat-trick against champions Liverpool earlier in the season, got his head on the end of a volleyed cross from Barkley, leaving Leno with no hope.

Villa added another shortly afterwards when Jack Grealish burst forward, as Arsenal were caught on the counterattack, and fed the ball to Watkins who finished confidently.

What does it mean? One step forward, two steps back for Arteta

Last weekend's victory over Manchester United seemed to be a significant moment for Arteta, but this home defeat is a setback.

It is still early days, but the Gunners missed the chance to keep the pressure on their rivals for a place in the top four. Worryingly for Arteta, they have also failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven home league games, since beating Norwich 4-0 in July.

Villa, meanwhile, seem watertight at the back and Dean Smith's team are the third side in Premier League history to win each of their first three away games in a season without conceding a goal, after Chelsea in 2005-06 and Manchester City in 2015-16.

Watkins in wonderland

Watkins has now scored six goals in seven games for Villa in the Premier League this season - only Dean Saunders (seven) and Dion Dublin (nine) have ever netted more in their first seven appearances for Villa in the competition.

His finishing – scoring twice from a total of three shots – was clinical at the Emirates as he helped Villa's fine start to the season continue.

Saka well below his best

At 19 years and 64 days old, Saka became the fourth-youngest player to score an own goal in the Premier League, and youngest since Southampton's Martin Cranie in May 2004 (17 years 218 days v Chelsea).

The mistake capped a miserable evening for the promising young defender as he failed to get to grips with the threat posed by Villa's attacking players - winning just one tackle.

What's next?

Both teams are back in Premier League action after the international break. Arsenal face Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday, November 22 while Villa host Brighton And Hove Albion a day earlier.

Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo has confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo suffered an ankle injury in the 1-1 draw with Lazio on Sunday.

The Portugal star, who gave his side the lead in the first half at Stadio Olimpico, picked up a knock in a clash with Lazio midfielder Luis Alberto and was replaced by Paulo Dybala in the 76th minute of the game.

Pirlo could not give any details on the severity of the injury but told DAZN: "Ronaldo is a key player not only for us but for all the teams he has played for. Unfortunately he had an ankle problem and was forced to leave the field."

The reigning Italian champions held on to their lead until the deep into second half stoppage time, when Joaquin Correa laid it off for substitute Felipe Caicedo to smash into the bottom corner and earn a point for the home side.

Pirlo was happy with his side's performance overall, but warned that such slip ups could cost them the Serie A title.

"We had a good match, they had never shot us on goal, there were no signs, but we have to take care of every little detail," the former midfielder said. "We didn't manage the ball in the last 10 seconds. We are satisfied with the game, unfortunately not with the result.

"The head comes first of all, today all the boys have given their best, shown that they can play these matches. if you go on to the pitch with a negative attitude, you have bad performances.

"We were missing the malice to achieve the decisive results. When they do it like they did today, they see the solutions.

"We are always working to improve, we put new ideas into every game. Today [Federico] Chiesa was unable to play, [Giorgio] Chiellini is injured and Alex Sandro and [Matthijs] de Ligt are out, but we can’t use these as excuses.”

Pirlo's men are now three points behind Serie A leaders AC Milan, who host Hellas Verona at San Siro on Sunday evening. Lazio, meanwhile, are ninth in the table and five points adrift of the Rossoneri.

Bayern Munich youngster Jamal Musiala remains at the centre of a tug of war between England and Germany despite his recent call up to the Three Lions' Under-21s squad for the first time.

The 17-year-old has three national team options through his British-Nigerian father and his German mother, but it is understood that he is unlikely to opt to play for the Super Eagles in future.

The DFB have already called up the Stuttgart-born youngster to their Under-16s, but having come through at Chelsea's academy before moving to Munich, he has played more for English youth teams.

It is understood that despite his call up to Aidy Boothroyd's Under-21s, his future won't be secured until he formally debuts in a competitive senior team fixture. This would see him tied to that nation through FIFA's rules, as the youngster prioritises his development and is torn between both nations.

Boothroyd spoke about his decision to call up the young attacking midfielder who has been making a big impact with the European champions this season.

“Jamal has been doing really well at Bayern Munich, getting a couple of starts and making a number of cameo appearances and when you’re involved in a team of Bayern Munich’s quality you have to take notice of that,” he added.

“We’ve been tracking him for quite a while and he has been in the system. I work very closely with not only Les Reed but John McDermott and Lee Carsley, as well as Gareth, in terms of when it is right for players to come into the squad.

“We think it’s the right time for Jamal to get into the U21s, so we can get a close look at him. He’s been playing really well, getting Champions League exposure and he is one of those players who has forced himself into our plans.”

Musiala is just one of many England stars to have ongoing dual nationality considerations with Conor Gallagher having Irish ancestry, Tariq Lamptey with Ghana and Eberechi Eze having trained with Nigeria's national team already.

The hype around Musiala has risen as he becomes the youngest player to play and score for Bayern Munich as he breaks a series of records in 2020.

Hansi Flick has now made the youngster a permanent fixture of his squad after he turned down a lucrative new contract at Chelsea to make a move to the Bundesliga.

"I'm really happy about my years in England," Musiala said upon his arrival at Bayern. "There were a few interested teams in Europe, but if such a big club in Germany is interested, you can't say no. I loved Bavaria from an early age."

Derby County defender Lee Buchanan also earned his first U21 call-ups to Boothroyd's squad for games against Andorra on 13 November and Albania four days later.

The Young Lions already secured their qualification for next year’s European Championship finals last month, thanks to a victory over Turkey at Molineux.

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has expressed his concern about the international travels of four players of the club for 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying assignments amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Striker Jordan Ayew and midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp have been summoned by Ghana for a double-header against Sudan. Attacker Wilfried Zaha has been called up by Cote d'Ivoire for back-to-back games against Madagascar while midfielder-cum-centre-back Cheikhou Kouyate is in the Senegal squad for matches against Guinea-Bissau. 

Hodgson's worry has been elevated by the outcome of the last international break where some players, including Ayew, tested positive for the disease upon their return to the club. 

"I am a little bit disappointed that players are going to go as far as Africa to play matches," Hodgson has said, as reported by his club's official website.  

"I don’t know that in this Covid world and environment in which we live, it is really great news to be sending your players to places like Sudan and Mauritius.

"But it is something that we probably have to do, but I am just hoping this time the countries that they go and play for will look after them well because the last time we lost Jordan Ayew for two weeks."

Hodgson was left fuming after the last international break when Ayew contracted coronavirus upon joining Ghana for international friendly matches against Mali and Qatar in Turkey. 

"Unfortunately he [Ayew] tested positive for Covid in our last test on Friday," Hodgson said last month, per the Evening Standard.

"He's been away with Ghana, which we weren't exactly delighted to accept that he had to do. Like several other Ghanaian players, I believe when they have gone back to their clubs they have tested positive.

"Now we have to follow the relative government and Premier League guidelines before we see him again.

"I don't know [when we'll have him back]. Don't ask me to stand here and explain all of the Premier League government guidelines when it comes to Covid."

About six other Ghana players also tested positive for coronavirus after their last set of internationals.

Celta Vigo defender Joseph Aidoo, Hoffenheim centre-back Kasim Nuhu Adams, Vitoria Guimaraes left-back Gideon Mensah and Besiktas midfielder Bernard Mensah were among the infected players.

Ghana are set to host Sudan in a first leg fixture on November 12 before travelling away for the reverse fixture five days later. 

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has said he felt no hurt seeing Liverpool celebrate the Premier League title last season.

The Etihad Stadium side had set the standard in the two previous campaign, winning the crown in back-to-back seasons, yet Liverpool blew them out of the water in 2020-21.

The Reds won the title with a record number of games to spare, while they accumulated an impressive 99 points despite a relative slump in form towards the end of the campaign.

Guardiola, whose side go head-to-head with the Anfield club in their first meeting of the season on Sunday, has said that he was unmoved by Jurgen Klopp’s triumph.

Asked how much he hurt after the loss, he said: “Absolutely zero because they well deserved it.

“I am professional enough to know we are not going to win all the titles. In football and sport you lose more than you win and the important thing is how you learn from your mistakes.”

Meanwhile, he will not get carried away, no matter the result of Sunday’s fixture.

“We are not going to win the Premier League on Sunday and we are not going to lose it on Sunday,” he said of the match, which could see City close the gap to the Reds to two points with a game in hand. “Of course being close to Liverpool would be important and being up the table would be important.

"The team is ready, like they always have been in these type of clashes. We know how important it is but we have a lot of games to play and incredible months ahead.

"This kind of game against the top, top teams show you the moment you are in right now."

Ahead of the match, City lie 12th in the standings on 11 points, six behind provisional leaders Tottenham. Liverpool, though, could reclaim their familiar spot at the head of the standings going into the international break with a victory.

City won the last clash between the sides 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium in July, although that was something of a dead rubber as the Reds had already been crowned champions.

Aleksey Miranchuk struck 11 minutes from time to earn Atalanta a 1-1 draw against Inter in Sunday's cagey Serie A clash, denying Lautaro Martinez the match-winning glory.

The Lombardy rivals have now won just two of their last 13 games between them and neither side really got going in a low-quality contest at the Gewiss Stadium.

Martinez guided Ashley Young's cross away from Marco Sportiello just before the hour mark to open the scoring for Inter, who had Alexis Sanchez back in their line-up and brought on Romelu Lukaku in the second half.

Arturo Vidal squandered a glorious chance to double the visitors' tally and that proved a costly miss as Miranchuk found a late equaliser, leaving Inter sixth in the table and a point below their opponents.

Hans Hateboer had a header routinely kept out by Samir Handanovic and Ruslan Malinovskiy fired over from a good position in a first half of few chances.

The closest Inter came to a breakthrough before half-time was through Vidal's looping header that dipped too late and ended over the crossbar.

Yet it was the visitors who took the lead 58 minutes in thanks to Martinez's glanced header after being picked out by Young eight yards from goal.

Vidal should have doubled Inter's lead seven minutes later but he was denied from a one-on-one by Sportiello, who also kept out Nicolo Barella's follow-up attempt.

Inter have struggled for clean sheets this season and they were unable to hold on to their lead here as substitute Miranchuk controlled the ball and drilled into the bottom corner.

That made Miranchuk the first Russian to score in Serie A since Viktor Boudianski for Ascoli against Palermo in May 2007, and Atalanta could easily have snatched the win, only for Luis Muriel to plant a diving header wide from six yards.

Both sides had late penalty shouts turned down, with Lukaku going to ground moments after Danilo D'Ambrosio got away with a high boot in the other box, as the contest finished all square.

What does it mean? Inter still stuttering

After going three games without a win in all competitions prior to this, Antonio Conte acknowledged the importance of his Inter side picking up a victory at the Gewiss Stadium.

Atalanta shipped five against Liverpool at this ground in midweek and were there for the taking, especially after Martinez had given the visitors a goal to build on.

But Inter were once again caught out at the back, conceding for the 16th time in 10 matches. Going further back, it is now one win in eight and Conte will surely be feeling the heat over the two-week break.

Martinez makes his mark

With Lukaku still not fit enough to return to the starting XI, it was left to Martinez to lead the line alongside Sanchez, who is also still attempting to regain full fitness.

Martinez scored his fifth goal of the campaign from one of his game-high five shots on target - Malinovskiy was next best with three - and it was only after he went off that Inter conceded.

Inter's lax defending

Miranchuk was picked out on the edge of the Inter box, allowed to swivel, knock the ball out of his feet and then fire away from Samir Handanovic into the bottom-right corner, almost in one swift movement.

As good as the goal was - his first in Serie A - he should never have been allowed to get the shot away in the first place. Stefan de Vrij could not get near him and was the only outfield Inter player who took part in the full match and did not attempt a tackle.

What's next?

Atalanta travel to Spezia on their return to Serie A action, while Inter resume duties after the international break with a home match against Torino.

Geoffrey Kondogbia has highlighted the positives of his debut game for Atletico Madrid in Saturday’s 4-0 La Liga triumph over Cadiz.

The Central African Republic international joined the Red and Whites from Valencia on a four-year deal as a replacement for Ghana’s Thomas Partey, who joined Arsenal.

Eventually, he made his much-awaited bow against the Yellow Submarine after coming on for Koke with 18 minutes left to play.

The 27-year-old held sway in the middle, albeit, he was cautioned in the 85th minute after lunging into Salvi Sanchez.

In the end, Diego Simeone's side got maximum points at stake thanks to goals from Marcos Llorente, Luis Suarez and a brace from Joao Felix.

Kondogbia is delighted to play his first game for Atleti while assuring that he would keep working hard.

He also talked about the depth of quality in Simeone’s squad and he believes with them, he would adapt quickly.

“It was an incredible night. We took the lead early and things went well for us after that. I also had my debut, so I think it’s positive for the team and myself,” he told club media.

“I’ll try to work hard and help the team. Now it’s time to get to know my teammates and understand what they and the coach want from me. I’ll slowly adapt to the team.

“They’ve welcomed me really well. I already knew Yannick, and Thomas [Lemar] a little bit, who played for AS Monaco.

“I’ve found a fantastic group of players and I think that will help me to adapt quickly.”

After the latest result, the 10-time Spanish top-flight kings are third on the log having accrued 17 points from seven matches, while Alvaro Cervera's men occupy the sixth position with 14 points having played two games more.

Atletico Madrid return to action after the international break with a blockbuster clash against Barcelona on home soil on November 21. For Cadiz, they are next in action in La Liga against Real Sociedad on the road on November 22.

Kondogbia is expected to be in action for Central African Republic when they take on Vahid Halihodzic’s Morocco in this week’s double-header Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has earned his return to the England squad, says Micah Richards.

The 20-year-old has been included in Gareth Southgate's squad for the upcoming matches against Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Iceland.

It is just the second time Foden has been called up, having made his debut in September before he and Mason Greenwood were sent back home after breaching coronavirus protocol in Iceland.

Foden issued a lengthy apology for his behaviour in Iceland, but he and Greenwood were overlooked by Southgate for the international games in October.

While Greenwood has once again been left out, the manager has decided to give Foden another chance and ex-City right-back Richards says it is "fully deserved".

“Every player has got their own journey. They have to learn from their own mistakes," he said on Sky Sports.

“The best way to do right is to do well on the pitch, and he does that, time and time again. He's been recalled to the England squad and he fully deserves it. 

“In England we always talk about how we can't retain the ball, we need all these technical players, and then when they come around, they don't play and don't get a chance.I'm glad he's in the squad because he's a top player.

“The important thing for Foden now, like any young player, is to play regularly.

“Obviously he's had one or two opportunities over the last year or two.”

Foden has made 10 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side this season, scoring twice in the Premier League and once in the Carabao Cup. 

Former Manchester United star Roy Keane has been impressed by the way the youngster has stepped in to replace David Silva following his summer departure.

"Silva's now left, it is unfair to compare them because Silva's one of the greatest players we've ever seen in the Premier League," Keane said

"The key for him now, he's got all the talent, is can he do it week in, week out? He's made one or two mistakes. He's a talented kid."

Former Maroons FC head coach Asaph Mwebaze has revealed how Montreal Impact defender Mustafa Kizza helped them get Ugandan Premier League (UPL) promotion five seasons ago.

Mwebaze stated he approached KCCA FC – Kizza’s immediate former side – looking for players he thought would help them fight for a UPL slot after their relegation.

“In the season of 2016/17 KCCA had several young stars that had just graduated from their junior side while Maroons had just suffered relegation to the second tier and was trying to assemble a team for the long haul,” Mwebaze told Football256.

“I contacted coach Mike Mutebi to take some of those players and specifically asked for [Peter] Magambo, [Mustafa] Kizza and [Allan] Okello to bolster my young side in Luzira.

“I was told that I could have Kizza, [Paul] Willa and [Ronald] Kikonyogo, I ran off to Fufa house on deadline day with then Maroons CEO [Innocent] Oguda to have these players transferred on the Fifa matching system.”

The former Nyamityobora head coach further explained how the left-back brought a new lease of life at Maroons.

“Kizza reported for training the next day and I knew I had just completed the jigsaw for promotion. I had a defence of Kizza, Eddie Kapampa, Richard Ayiko, Maxwell Okello and Allan Anguyo,” he continued.

“That season we played a 3-5-2 formation and we went the first round unbeaten with Patrick Kaddu firing on all cylinders.

“Kizza’s ability to deliver the ball in dangerous areas provided us with a very lethal attack with compliments from Kapampa on the right.

“He became our dead ball specialist as his ability to hit the target was jaw-dropping. He was profoundly known as ‘Muchezaggi’ translated as a player in English.

“His assists contributed to the proficient attack at Maroons led by Kaddu with Solomon Walusimbi, Pius Obuya and Kikonyogo in tandem.”

Subsequently, Kizza signed a deal with Montreal Impact for two years with an option for an additional three.

Kizza was a key member of the Kassasiro Boys side which lifted the UPL title in 2019.

In the abandoned 2019/20 season, in which KCCA surrendered the title to Vipers FC, the full-back-cum-winger scored five goals and gave 12 assists from 19 games.

He has already started training with the Canadian side after he was unveiled on Friday and given jersey number 12 just the same number he wore at KCCA.

Former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o is in stable condition after he was involved in a road accident around Nkongsamba-Douala road in Cameroon.

Eto'o was said to be returning from a wedding celebration when his car was hit by a public transport bus on Sunday morning.

Although the car was badly damaged in the front, the 39-year-old was immediately moved to a hospital where he is doing well under the doctors' watch.

"The crushed car Samuel Eto'o was in. I can confirm that he is fine, we spoke again. Doctors taking care of additional examinations," a Cameroonian journalist tweeted.

According to France Football, the Barcelona legend suffered a head injury but no life was lost in the crash.

Eto'o who is a special adviser to Caf President Ahmad Ahmad, announced his retirement from football in September 2019 after a playing career that spanned 22 years.

He won several laurels across Europe which include four La Liga crowns, three Uefa Champions League titles, two Coppa Italia, the Fifa Club World Cup amongst others.

On the international scene, Eto'o is the all-time top scorer in the Indomitable Lions' history with 56 goals and the second-most capped player with 118 appearances after Rigobert Song (137 caps).

The 39-year-old won two Africa Cup of Nations trophies in the 2000 and 2002, and he also has an Olympic Gold medal in his cabinet, after helping the Central African country win the football competition at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia.

Jose Mourinho said Harry Kane's brilliance is about much more than goals after the Tottenham star reached 150 in the Premier League.

Kane nodded in Matt Doherty's delivery to secure a 1-0 win for Spurs at West Brom on Sunday.

The England striker has managed a remarkable 13 goals and 10 assists in just 14 matches for Spurs in all competitions this season, having celebrated scoring his 200th for the club on his 300th appearance against Ludogorets in the Europa League this week.

Only Alan Shearer (212) and Sergio Aguero (217) reached 150 Premier League goals in fewer games than Kane (218), with the 27-year-old now level with Michael Owen on the all-time list in the competition's history.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Son Heung-min (eight) are the only players to score more in England's top flight this season than Kane (seven), but his tally of eight assists is more than double that of any other forward.

He has also made 11 headed clearances, more than any other attacking player, highlighting his importance in both boxes for Spurs.

Indeed, Mourinho believes Kane's all-round contribution sets him apart from most other elite strikers in the world.

He told reporters: "When you go to stats, in relation to strikers, I always say the stats should be how many goals the striker scored and what he did for his team in the matches where he didn't score, and many of the strikers, their history would be [the] incredible number of goals that they score plus zero.

"Harry Kane, you have to say: this number of goals, this number of assists, this number of balls recovered, this number of duels won, this number of balls that he saved his team in a defensive set-piece. This is Harry Kane: it's goals, plus this, and this, and this, and that. 

"For me, it's not about one more goal or one less goal, it's about what he is as a player."

Spurs have won all four of their opening away league games this season, only the fourth time they have done so, and they head into the international break with 17 points and just one defeat from eight matches.

Mourinho thinks his side would be good enough to win the title in many of Europe's top divisions, but he feels a Premier League challenge will not be so easy.

"When a team is champion or plays for the title, there is always a direct relation to your direct opponents," he added.

"I would say this team could be champion in many European countries. In the Premier League, it's the most difficult one because in the Premier League you can do a good season, you can have lots of points but in the end, you know, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Leicester [City], Arsenal... so you can have a good season and not be champion.

"What can we do? We go match after match, we try to win, we don't care about the others, I promise you I'm not worried about Leicester-Wolves or City-Liverpool. If Liverpool win, it's because City lose points; if Leicester win, it's because Wolves lose points. I don't care. I just want the team to play match after match and, at the end of the season, let's see where we are."

The Harambee Stars have suffered a huge blow after it emerged that they will miss two of their key players against Comoros in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Goal can exclusively reveal captain Victor Wanyama and striker Michael Olunga will not make it for the Comoros double-header owing to Covid-19 restrictions in their respective countries.

Wanyama is based in Canada where he features for Major League Soccer (MLS) side Montreal Impact while Olunga turns out for Kashiwa Resysol in the Japanese J1-League.

A close source within the national team camp has confirmed to Goal the two players, who were among the professionals summoned for the double-header, will not be available.

“Both Michael [Olunga] and Victor [Wanyama] will not make it to Kenya for the match against Comoros,” the source, who did not want to be named told Goal on Sunday.

“The two have been restricted back in their previous countries because of Covid-19 and they will not be available.”

Goal had revealed earlier that Olunga might not travel for the match as the Kashiwa camp has been hit by three coronavirus cases, including their coach, and recently Japan's Professional League (JPL) confirmed the match between Kashiwa and Vegalta Sendai had to be rescheduled.

Olunga’s head coach Nelsinho Baptista was among the confirmed members of the team who had contracted the virus but the identities of the other people who tested positive have not been made public.

The absence of Olunga will give coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee a chance to play either John Avire, who plays for Tanta SC in Egypt, and arrived in camp on Saturday night, or give a chance to Gor Mahia youngster Benson Omalla, who has been impressive in training.

Apart from Olunga and Wanyama, other professionals who have already reported to camp include Avire, Ismael Gonzalez, Ayub Timbe, Cliff Nyakeya, and goalkeeper Arnold Origi.

The Comoros qualifiers - set for November 11 and 15 - offers Kenya a chance to fight for a first group win since they drew 1-1 against both Egypt and Togo in the first two games.

The Harambee Stars are in the hunt for back-to-back Afcon qualification since they took part in the 2019 edition but were eliminated in the group stage.

Gilbert Selebwa doubts whether newly-promoted side Vihiga United will get quality players to help them offer stiff competition in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League.

Despite winning the first leg 2-1 of the playoffs, Kisumu All-Stars could not protect the advantage as they lost 2-1 in the return fixture and thus the tie ended at 3-3 after the two-legged affair, prompting the match referee to order for penalties in which Vihiga triumphed 5-3.  

The Kenyan transfer window was closed on Friday, November 6, but the Western-based side have until Friday, November 13 to complete their deals.

"I am not sure whether they can come across competitive premier league players," Selebwa told Goal on Sunday.

"Other teams had a head-start as compared to Vihiga United unless they recruited in anticipation. The best thing for them to do as they start the league is to employ a cautious approach in the first 10 games. It will be key with the squad they or will have.

"I believe they have done a tremendous job to knock out an immediate former premier league team. It shows they have what it takes to compete."

The experienced coach has also opined on what the FKF- PL newbies should do to avoid the axe like in the 2018/19 season where they finished 17th with 26 points.

"I expect the management to motivate the players especially after making it to the top tier," Selebwa added.

"They should try and get at least 10 points in batches of four games and in the first round, at least finish in the top 10. It is something they can achieve.

"Then the team must learn to take full advantage of the home matches. This being a league, winning your home games is very important. They should learn the art of making the home ground a fortress.

"Finally, it is all about consistency, that is what will make them survive in the league."

The Kenyan top-tier is scheduled to start on November 20 with AFC Leopards hosting Western Stima at Nyayo Stadium. Vihiga United will play a day later away at Afraha Stadium against Ulinzi Stars.

John Boye was in action while Mama Balde and Pape Yade were on the scoresheet as Metz played out a 1-1 draw against Dijon in Sunday’s Ligue 1 game.

Ghana international Boye was afforded his ninth appearance this season and impressed to help his side extend their unbeaten run at Stade Saint-Symphorien.

Guinea-Bissau international Balde and Senegalese forward Yade scored the goals for their respective clubs in the encounter.

Dijon started the game impressively as they dominated possession and dictated the pace in the opening 30 minutes but Metz had the first chance to open the scoring.

Algeria international Faris Boulaya was brought down in the area by Sacha Boey and after consulting with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), a penalty was awarded to Frederic Antonetti’s men.

Senegal international Opa Nguette, whose goal-bound effort was blocked in the encounter earlier, had the opportunity to put his side in front but missed his spot-kick.

Balde then opened the scoring for Dijon in the 13th minute, firing his effort past Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja after he was set up by Moroccan Mounir Chouiar.

After conceding the goal, Metz continued to push for an equalizer and it came in the 21st minute when Senegalese forward Lamine Gueye played Yade through on goal and the 21-year-old fired home his strike.

Balde continued his impactful showing in the encounter when he won a penalty for the Owls after he was tripped in the area by Dylan Bronn.

Chouiar took the resulting penalty but failed to get his effort past Algeria goalkeeper Oukidja.

Despite efforts from both sides to claim all three points, the game ended in a draw at Stade Saint-Symphorien.

The African stars will hope to continue their impressive performances for their respective clubs after the international break.

Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer dedicated the MTN8 semi-final victory over Kaizer Chiefs to the supporters.

The Buccaneers brushed aside Amakhosi 2-0 in the semi-final second-leg match at FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon and they reached the final after winning the tie 5-0 on aggregate.

Two second-half goals from Fortune Makaringe and Linda Mntambo handed Pirates the win as they reached the MTN8 final for the first time since 2014. 

Zinnbauer, who was on the bench after returning from Germany, was pleased with his charges' overall performance. 

"It was important we had a good game and won the game," Zinnbauer told SuperSport TV. 

"I'm happy about this. We didn't have a target of having to score, we had time, so we were very calm and we worked very well in the defensive positions.

"And then we could wait on the right moment to counter-attack. We've said it before. Wait for the right moment."

Bucs will now take on Bloemfontein Celtic in the final after Siwelele eliminated the defending champions SuperSport United in the semi-finals. 

The German tactician lauded Pirates' Namibian winger Deon Hotto, who was involved in both goals, and he was deservedly named Man of the Match. 

"Maybe in the second half they are more tired, then we get a chance, then we can score. And then the result was on our side. We could have maybe scored one or two more," he continued. 

"Congratulations to the team, to Hotto for being the best player on the day. I'm happy. We work very hard against the ball and we work as a unit."

The Buccaneers will take part in their first major cup final since 2018 when they were stunned by Baroka FC under coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic's guidance.

Zinnbauer is already looking forward to their next match which is against SuperSport on October 21 in a league match after the international break. 

"This is what we need in the next days. Now we have a break, we can come back, we can recover and then we have to focus on the next game," he added. 

"We are happy we are in the final. I think it's a long time since we were in a final and this win is for the supporters. They give us the belief and I'm happy we are in the final."

Ansu Fati is to undergo surgery on the torn meniscus he suffered in Barcelona's 5-2 win over Real Betis. 

The 18-year-old forward was substituted at half-time in Saturday's contest at Camp Nou and Barca later confirmed that he had sustained damage to his left knee. 

"Fati had some discomfort in the first half and we replaced him at half-time so as not to take risks," coach Ronald Koeman told reporters after the game.

Fati is now set to have an operation on Monday, after which Barca said they will release further details about the possible length of his absence.

A club statement read: "The first team player Ansu Fati will undergo surgery [on] Monday for the injury to the meniscus in his left knee by Dr. Ramon Cugat under the supervision of the club's medical services.  

"Once this intervention is completed, a new communication will be provided with information on the result and the approximate time of withdrawal." 

Fati is Barca's top scorer in La Liga so far this term having netted four times in seven appearances, while he was also on target in the 5-1 hammering of Ferencvaros in the Champions League.

His form has been a bright point in an inconsistent start Barca have made under new boss Koeman, who had seen his side fail to win four on the bounce in La Liga prior to the Betis win. The Catalan giants are now eighth in the table with 11 points from seven matches, nine points behind leaders Real Sociedad, who have played two more games.

Only Lionel Messi, with 48, has attempted more dribbles in La Liga for Barca in 2020-21 than Fati’s 28, while the club captain is the only Blaugrana player to create more chances (13) than his team-mate's return of nine.

Fati had been called up to the Spain squad for this month's international matches against the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany, but has since been replaced by Real Madrid's Marco Asensio in the wake of his injury.

Jurgen Klopp has explained the reasons behind his decision to start Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino together at Manchester City, saying ”you have to be brave” to get a result at Etihad Stadium.

Eyebrows were raised when Klopp decided to select all four of his attacking players for the clash with Pep Guardiola’s side.

Mane and Salah are undisputed first choice, but the Reds boss has tended to rotate Firmino and summer signing Jota so far this campaign.

Portugal forward Jota has made a fine start to life at Anfield since his £41 million ($53m) move from Wolves in September.

The 23-year-old has scored seven goals in 10 appearances for the club in all competitions, with six of those coming in his last four matches. That includes a hat-trick in the 5-0 Champions League win at Atalanta in midweek.

That display in northern Italy meant his inclusion in the starting line-up for the City game was not unexpected, though the presence of Firmino in what was effectively a front four was something of a surprise.

Speaking about the decision before the game, Klopp said he needed to throw caution to the wind in order to give his side the best chance of securing a result.

“I thought it made sense," he told Sky Sports. “We had a couple of days to recover, couple of days to train, couple of days to prepare and that’s the line-up we decided to go for.

"I wanted quality on the pitch in different areas. If you want to get something here you have to be brave.

“That’s an offensive line-up but if everyone is doing their job it’s an even more solid defensive formation, so we will see.”

The quartet were also named in the starting XI for Liverpool’s clash against Sheffield United last month, with Firmino and Jota on target in a 2-1 win.

Klopp says he was pleased with what he saw during that game, but insists it had no bearing on his selection for Sunday’s clash.

“Second half, yes. Second half I liked it, we got more and more naturally," Klopp added.

“But it’s a completely different game, obviously, different areas to play for so that was not an example we used.

“It’s just for us, in the moment, looking to use fresh legs and who is in shape, performing and stuff like this so that’s why we decided it like this.”