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Liverpool star Mohamed Salah's has been described as a "real-life hero" after stepping in to stop the abuse of a homeless man near Anfield. 

In late September, Salah pulled up to a petrol station in Liverpool and noticed a homeless man, David Craig, being verbally harassed by a small group. 

Not liking what he saw, the Egyptian star intervened, warned the abusers that they could one day face a similar fate and handed the homeless man some money. 

The gesture, which was caught on CCTV, clearly meant a lot to the man in question, who has now paid tribute to Salah for stepping in on his behalf when many others wouldn't have. 

“Mo was every bit as wonderful as he is for Liverpool on the pitch," Mr Craig was quoted by The Sun. 

“He heard what a group of lads were saying to me, then turned to them and said, ‘That could be you in a few years’. I only knew I wasn’t hallucinating when Mo incredibly handed me £100. What a complete legend.

"Mo had seen a couple of the lads hassling me. They were calling me names, asking why I was begging and telling me to get a job.

"He saw what was happening and said something to them and then he went to the cash machine. I was more than chuffed. I’m a massive fan.

"Mo is a real-life hero in my eyes and I want to thank him.”

Salah's heroic moment came on the same night that Liverpool defeated Arsenal 3-1 in the Premier League with the attacker playing the full 90 minutes that night at Anfield. 

The Reds winger is well known for his charitable efforts having funded the construction of a medical centre and a school for girls in Egypt two years ago. 

More recently, the star paid tribute to Moamen Zakaria by imitating his trademark celebration after the Al Ahly midfielder was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) - a disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and means Zakaria will not be able to play football again.

On the pitch, Salah has enjoyed a strong start to the 2020-21 season, scoring five goals from just four league games so far. 

Junior Flemmings of Phoenix Rising has been banned for six matches for a homophobic insult aimed at San Diego Loyal's Collin Martin.

The Jamaican was found to have directed "foul and abusive language in the form of a homophobic slur" at Martin, who is the only openly gay player in football in the United States.

The incident in last Wednesday's USL Championship match prompted San Diego to walk off the pitch in protest. The referee had mistakenly sent Martin off, apparently thinking he was the abuser as he reported Flemmings' comments to the officials.

A heated discussion between head coach Landon Donovan, opposite number Rick Schantz and the referee followed. San Diego returned to the pitch after half-time but only to take a knee before walking off again.

Flemmings issued a statement on social media denying the abuse, but Rising placed him on administrative leave last Thursday while the league conducted an investigation into the incident.

The USL Championship is one tier below Major League Soccer in the United States.

On Tuesday, the league confirmed the punishment stating: "The USL Championship announced on Tuesday, following an investigation that included interviews with 11 individuals, including players, coaches and match officials, that it has issued a six-game suspension and undisclosed fine to Phoenix Rising FC's Junior Flemmings for the use of foul and abusive language in the form of a homophobic slur during the club's match against San Diego Loyal SC on September 30.

"Per the player's contract, Flemmings could also be subject to additional discipline from Phoenix Rising FC and remains on administrative leave.

"Flemmings' suspension covers the entirety of the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs."

Martin released a statement on social media in the aftermath of the incident thanking his team-mates for the solidarity shown in the walk-off and saying he hopes it will eventually help "kick hate out of our game."

"I truly want to focus on and that is the response of my coaches, team-mates, and the organisation," Martin said. "Their collective decision to walk off the field in solidarity and forfeit the match speaks volumes of their support for me and what this organisation is standing up to.

"Ultimately, I hope this can be another example that we have a long way to go in educating ourselves and kicking hate out of our game."

Head coach Donovan - whose playing career included stints at Bayern Munich and Everton - also explained after the incident that the Loyal declared they would say "I will act, I will speak" if any offensive comments were made toward the team's players.

Manchester United are lacking leaders and need Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to show his ruthless side, according to former striker Dwight Yorke. 

It has been a difficult start to the season for the Red Devils, who have just three points after three Premier League matches in 2020-21.

Solskjaer's men were put to the sword by former manager Jose Mourinho and Tottenham on Sunday, with Spurs running riot in a 6-1 win. 

Solskjaer would call the match at Old Trafford "the worst day I've had as a Manchester United manager" and star forward Marcus Rashford felt the need to issue an apology after the lopsided defeat.

Yorke has said that his former side is currently lacking leadership and has called on his former team-mate to have some harsh conversations with his players.

“The manager has to believe he can inject that energy. It looked a bit lacklustre. We need some leaders. We need winners on the football pitch," Yorke told talkSPORT.

“Until we get that on a consistent basis, we seem to make one step forwards and two steps back at the moment. We need to find a way to be consistent.

“I’m not sure he’s going to get them by the scruff of the neck. He’s not a Roy Keane by any means. He has a different style of management but I expect him at least to be having some stern words.

“He has to address the players in no uncertain ways and get people to be pulling their weight in the team.

“I’m sure there will be some harsh words said. We haven’t seen this side of Ole but I’m sure he’s got that ruthlessness inside him as well.”

United did respond to the defeat the following day, making a host of new additions on Monday before the transfer window closed.

Edinson Cavani, Alex Telles, Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo were all officially signed, with Diallo set to move to Old Trafford in January.

United also landed highly rated 16-year-old defender Willy Kambwala from Sochaux.

Following the international break, United will be back in action on October 17 when they travel to face Newcastle in the Premier League.

Egypt international Mohamed Salah pipped Xherdan Shaqiri and Sadio Mane to Liverpool’s Goal of the Month award for September.

The former Chelsea and AS Roma star scored a hat-trick in the Reds’ 4-3 triumph over newly promoted English topflight side Leeds United, and his second strike against Marcelo Bielsa’s team claimed the club’s monthly accolade.

With Andy Robertson's free-kick into the heart of the penalty area only half-cleared, the two-time African Player of the Year had space and time to pick his spot and blaze a shot high into the right corner of goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

That stunner garnered the most votes from a shortlist of 10 across all levels.

When the 28-year-old finds the target, Jurgen Klopp’s team tend to win, and that proved to be the case against Leeds, with the Reds emerging victorious in a 35th successive contest in which Salah has hit the net.

That run has set a new Premier League record, with Manchester United’s all-time record scorer Rooney having to relinquish top spot on a notable roll of honour.

Shaqiri’s splendid free-kick at Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup took second place.

Mane’s header in the 2-0 defeat of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge finished settled for the third position.

Two other goals from the tie against Lincoln made the top five.

Takumi Minamino’s curler from 20 yards – was voted fourth, while Curtis Jones’ second solo strike at the LNER Stadium finished fifth.

Having their 7-2 decimation against Aston Villa, Klopp’s team will hope to get back on track after the international break with a Merseyside derby against Everton.

England manager Gareth Southgate has led a team-wide meeting where the players were reminded of their responsibilities after recent coronavirus guideline breaches. 

Ben Chilwell, Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham will likely miss a friendly match against Wales this week after attending a surprise party for the Chelsea striker. 

While Abraham has since apologised, the incident has led to the entire squad being reminded of their responsibilities.

Leicester City star Harvey Barnes revealed Southgate and the players themselves have since discussed how they should be behaving on and off the pitch.

"As players we haven’t spoken to those boys so we don’t know exactly what has gone on but as a group we had a chat yesterday, just a reminder to make sure we are all on the same page and we all understand the responsibility that comes with representing your country," Barnes said.

"It wasn’t a telling off, it was more reminding ourselves of what is acceptable and what’s not. We are all very clear on that. We are all very supportive of the whole group.

"It was a general meeting with the squad - not just Gareth but as players we all spoke as well and made sure we are all on the same page with it.

"We realise the responsibility that we have now and as players we know that we are in the public eye.

"I suppose the responsibility and the actions that we make are going to be out there so it was just really a reminder to everyone, making sure we’re doing stuff right on and off the pitch."

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin adding: “We’re human beings at the end of the day, we’re still learning and still growing.

"Everybody is likely to make mistakes at times but it’s important we learn from it, apologise, recognise where you’ve gone wrong and keep improving.”

Southgate's side face Wales at Wembley on Thursday before playing both Belgium and Denmark in the Nations League. 

England have avoided defeat in their past five matches and haven't conceded a single goal in the process. The Three Lions' last loss date back to October 2019 when they fell 2-1 to the Czech Republic. 

Former Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton has hit out at Graeme Souness, who accused the Midlands club of intentionally leaving their grass long for Sunday's 7-2 win over Liverpool.

Villa stunned the Premier League champions as Ollie Watkins notched a hat-trick in the first half and Jack Grealish added a brace in a spectacular result for a team that was nearly relegated last season.

With Villa up three goals at half-time, Souness suggested on Sky Sports that Villa had left their pitch long to prevent Liverpool from playing their usual passing game.

"What I would say, Villa, and it's the same for both teams, I think they've left the grass longer than normal to slow Liverpool's movement," Souness said. "All the top teams want short grass, a fast pitch. That doesn't look like a fast pitch to me."

Hutton, who spent eight seasons at Villa Park during his playing career, did not take kindly to his fellow Scot's accusations against his former club.

“Graeme Souness is a Rangers legend in my eyes so I don’t really like to go against him but that was a bit of nonsense. I just think he was trying to pick holes in it," Hutton told Football Insider.

“The amount of times I’ve played at Villa Park and the pitch is in pristine condition all year round, there’s not a blade of grass out of place. Villa are not a long-ball team, they’re not a team who just want to hoof it up the pitch, they will play football.

“In my whole time and including now, they would never, ever have played those sort of games. He’s way off the mark with that in my opinion.” 

Liverpool's abject display at Villa Park went beyond the length of the grass, as several simple mistakes in defence led to goals for Villa. 

Former Liverpool star John Aldridge was alarmed by what he saw from Jurgen Klopp's side, saying the performance was "like something out of Sunday League football."

“Liverpool were abysmal,” the former Reds striker said in the Liverpool Echo. “You don't like giving the team stick because they are winning so much and bring so much enjoyment. You leave that to the manager. This was alarming though."

Saido Berahino is part of the Burundi national team that will land in Tanzania on Wednesday morning ahead of the international friendly scheduled for Sunday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The 32-man contingent will then have a rest before getting a chance to train, while coach Jimmy Ndayizeye trimmed his initial squad of 36 players to 20.

All eyes will be on the former Stoke City striker Berahino who currently plays for Belgian outfit Zulte Waregem. The 27-year-old has 12 appearances for the national team and managed to score one goal in the process.

Coach Ndayizeye hopes the striker can inspire the East Africa nation to victory over their hosts.

Most probably, he will be paired with striker Namungo FC striker Blaise Bigirimana, who has managed to score two goals for the Tanzania Mainland League outfit this season.

Of the 20 players who have been selected to do the job on Sunday, nine are locally-based with the rest based abroad.

The Swallows are using the friendly match to prepare for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier doubleheader against Mauritania. Burundi will be hosting them on November 9 before playing away eight days later.

Burundi started their campaign in Group E away to the Central African Republic but ended up falling 2-0 after strikes from Vivien Mabide and Louis Mafouta.

They followed it up with another 3-0 loss, this time around to the North Africa giants Morocco, with Noussair Mazraoui, Youssef En-Nesyri, and Achraft Hakimi Mouh getting onto the score sheet. 

Burundi squad:

Local players: Onesime Rukundo (Messager Ngozi), Eric Ndizeye (Musongati), Issa Hakizimana (Flambeau Du Centre), Emery Nimubona (Musongati), Blanchard Ngabonziza (Aigle Noir), Asman Ndikumana (Aigle Noir), Danny Cedrick Urasenga (Messager Ngozi), Alberto Mugisha (Musongati), Saido Ntibazonkiza.

Foreign players: Saido Berahino (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Cedric Amissi (Al-Taawoun, Saudi Arabia), Mohamed Amissi (Eredivisie club Heracles Almelo, Belgium), Philip Nzeyimana Oslev (Akademisk Boldklub Gladsaxe, Denmark), Frederic Nsabiyumva (Chippa United, South Africa), Bonfils Caleb Bimenyimana (Pohronie, Slovak), Youssuf Nyange Ndayishimiye (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey), Abdoul Razak Fiston (ENPPI, Egypt), Jonathan Nahimana (Goalkeeper – Namungo, Tanzania), Blaise Bigirimana (Namungo, Tanzania), Steve Nzigamasabo (Namungo, Tanzania)

Bafana Bafana legend Bradley Carnell has been relieved of his duties as New York Red Bulls' interim manager.

This comes after the Major League Soccer (MLS) side announced the appointment of Gerhard Struber as the club's new manager on Tuesday.

Carnell had been serving as the club's interim manager after the Metro dismissed Chris Armas early last month.

Red Bulls' head of sport Kevin Thelwell explained why Struber has been brought in to take charge of the team after he left English Championship side Barnsley. 

"Gerhard is a bright coach, and we’re very pleased to welcome him to the club," Thelwell told the club's official website. 

"Gerhard’s playing style and experience in youth development align with our philosophy and above all, as a person, he fits into our culture.

"We look forward to him getting here and working together to achieve the goals we have set as a club." 

Carnell took charge of six MLS matches as the Metro registered three wins and three defeats which sees the team placed seventh on the Eastern Conference standings.

The former Kaizer Chiefs left-back watched on as Red Bulls succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to Orlando City in their most recent match on Saturday. 

"We are really pleased with the process over the last month and are proud that our league's policies are in line with our own when it comes to diversity in hiring," he continued. 

"We met and spent time with several great candidates of diverse backgrounds and experiences.

"The quality of the candidate pool further solidified our confidence in Gerhard as a top choice to lead our team." 

Thelwell went on to thank Carnell for leading the team well as the Metro look to qualify for this season's MLS playoffs. 

"I would also like to commend Bradley Carnell and the rest of the coaching staff for their leadership during the last month as we continue to work towards securing a playoff spot this season," he concluded. 

Red Bulls did not indicate whether Carnell will return to his former role as the club's assistant manager.

He served as an assistant coach at Free State Stars and Orlando Pirates before moving to the Metro in March 2017.

Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo has been named as ambassador of Nigeria’s leading hygiene brand Dettol.

The striker arrived from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua on a temporary loan deal on the final day of the January transfer window, to provide Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with cover for the injured Marcus Rashford who was sidelined with a back issue.

Announcing the pact via his social media handle, the 31-year-old said that as a sportsman, he shares similar values with the Dettol Cool brand – which includes staying protected from germs as well as staying fit and healthy.

“As a professional footballer, staying healthy and germ-free is a critical part of my life,” the former Watford man said.

“I’m very excited about the new Dettol offering because nothing  feels more refreshing after a game, than the minty freshness that comes after a bath with the  new Dettol Cool Soap.”

The new Dettol Cool soap combines the trusted Dettol protection against 99.9% odor causing germs, with an extra burst of menthol freshness to protect and refresh Nigerians as they go through their daily activities.

General Manager of RB Nigeria Dayanand Sriram is pleased about the partnership which he described as a ‘winning combination’.

“Odion Ighalo is a great success on and off the field.  He is a role model and inspiration to all Nigerians,” he said.

“We are very excited about the Dettol Cool partnership with him and we are confident that this would be a winning combination.”

After playing 35 matches and scoring 16 goals, which ranks him as the seventh all-time highest goalscorer in the Super Eagles history, the striker took the decision to bow out for younger ones to 'learn and grow'.

He was awarded the top scorer's prize at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt after scoring five goals in seven appearances for Gernot Rohr’s team.

Ighalo commenced his career as a youth player in the U20 team and later made his senior debut during an international friendly match against Uganda in March 2015.

The Premier League has released an open letter urging the UK Government to allow fans back in stadiums as soon as possible. 

The letter, which was co-signed by representatives from the English Football League (EFL), Football Association (FA), and Women’s FA, argues that recent test matches have demonstrated that fans can be allowed to safely return back into grounds in limited numbers.

Last month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that new government restrictions designed to contain the spread of coronavirus could be in place for the next six months, which postponed plans for the return of fans to live sporting events in England starting on October 1.

Fans in some European countries, such as Germany, have been allowed to return to stadiums in a limited capacity, with supporters also able to return to UEFA club and international matches starting with the upcoming international break.

Though fans have not been allowed back for official matches in the UK, the letter argues that 11 test matches have shown it is possible to have supporters attend games safely.

"With the EFL, Premier League, Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship already staging 11 successful test events recently, we have demonstrated that we can deliver matches safely," the letter reads.

"The sooner we can return, the sooner we can reunite communities and support local jobs, livelihoods, regional businesses and also the national economy.

"We will continue to urge Government to allow us to return fans safely to stadiums. It is positive progress that major arts and music venues have been told they can run socially-distanced events indoors.

"And now football should be allowed to do the same - in highly regulated and stewarded outdoor environments."

The letter goes on to outline how teams will look to ensure as safe an environment as possible for fans. 

"Stadium environments can be modified and carefully managed," it reads. "Measures could include screening spectators before they enter the ground, installing temperature checks, requiring masks to be worn, one-way systems and providing a code of conduct for all those attending on a matchday.

"This will all be bolstered by deep-cleaning practices to help further reduce the risk of virus transmission."

U.S. men's national team forward Josh Sargent admits that he wasn't a huge football fan as a kid as he revealed that LeBron James was his biggest role model growing up.

Sargent has scored five goals in 12 appearances for the USMNT, and the Werder Bremen striker is expected to be a major part of the team going forward.

He is one of several young stars rising through the ranks with the U.S., joining the likes of Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams.

However, while Sargent is expected to be a key figure for the USMNT, the Werder Bremen forward admits he wasn't much of a football fan growing up as he preferred watching basketball and American football.

“It’s hard not to admire LeBron James," Sargent told the Bundesliga's official site. "I know he’s probably a lot of people’s go-to person but the example he sets for the younger generation is amazing with his work rate but also how he is off the field, he’s just a great guy.”

He added: “To be honest, when I was young I didn’t watch much football. I think I thought it was pretty boring actually! I played a lot of different sports, I preferred watching American football and basketball the most! That’s how it was.” 

Sargent has scored one goal in three appearances for Bremen this season, having been held to four goals in 34 games last season as the club narrowly avoided relegation.

He's already emerged as a favourite of manager Florian Kohfeldt, who said that he “can’t imagine a starting XI that doesn’t include” the 20-year-old forward.

And Sargent says he's feeling more confident knowing that he has Kohfeldt's belief as he aims to take his game to the next level this season.

“Of course having the manager's confidence makes me more confident in how I can play," he said.

"At the same time, I know it’s not guaranteed that I’ll be in the starting XI, I know I have to work as hard as I can, and anything can happen. If I don’t play a good game, I’m sure his mindset can change very quickly. I just have to keep working hard."

“It should be any striker’s goal to be the top goalscorer, whatever team you’re in," he added. "If you’re not shooting for the highest then there’s not really any point, that’s just how my mindset is.”

Bremen have won two of their first three games and will visit Freiburg following the international break.

Brentford attacker Tariqe Fosu Henry has been handed a late Ghana call-up for the upcoming friendly games against Mali and Qatar, the English second-tier side announced.

The 24-year-old joins up with the Black Stars squad for the first time, having missed an opportunity in March when a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sudan, for which he was invited, was rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He becomes the third player handed a late invitation for Friday's clash with Mali and Monday's duel against Qatar.

"Tariqe Fosu has joined up with the Ghana squad for the first time ahead of two games in Antalya this week," Brentford announced on their official website on Tuesday.

"The Black Stars head to the largest city on Turkey's Mediterranean coast to face Mali this coming Friday, 9 October, kick-off 6pm, before a game against Qatar on Monday, 12 October, kick-off 4.30pm. Both games are in preparation for next month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan.

"It is the first time Tariqe, who was capped at England under-18 level, has met up with his Ghana teammates. The 24-year-old was previously included in March's squad just before football was suspended due to Covid-19."

Born to Ghanaian parents in the United Kingdom, Fosu was eligible to represent either of England or Ghana at senior international level.

He was called up to England at U18 level but in February pledged his senior future to Ghana following a meeting with Ghana coach CK Akonnor in February.

After earning his maiden call-up for March's round of internationals which were later postponed, the London-born was overlooked when Akonnor announced his 23-man squad for the October friendlies last month.

The withdrawals of goalkeeper Richard Ofori Antwi, defender Lumor Agbenyenu and striker John Antwi, due to visa challenges have, however, worked in favour of Fosu.

The Turkey-based duo of Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor) and Joseph Paintsil (Ankaragucu) have similarly been handed late call-ups.

Fosu will hope to make a good impression on Akonnor in the upcoming games to boost his chances of earning a second call-up when Ghana return for Afcon qualifying assignments in November.

Al Nassr’s Ahmed Musa and Genk’s Paul Onuachu have arrived in Nigeria’s camp ahead of this week’s international friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia.

The duo are the last of the players to arrive at the team’s base in Austria as Gernot Rohr now has his players available for training.

Onuachu was handed a late call-up after Victor Osimhen of Napoli was excused from the Desert Foxes and Carthage Eagles’ games because of travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

After seven seasons at FC Midtjylland, the gangling striker joined the Belgian elite division outfit in 2019. This season, he has been impressive for Jess Thorup’s men having scored seven goals in seven games in the 2020-21 campaign.

For Musa, who naturally takes over the mantle of leadership from John Obi Mikel, he is expected to add attacking bite to the squad in the games that will serve as build-up for November’s double-header Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.

This term, he is yet to feature for Rui Vitoria's Najd’s Knight as speculation about him leaving the King Fahd Stadium, Riyadh became intense.

Four days after taking on the reigning African champions, Rohr’s team will face the Carthage Eagles at Jacques Lehmans Arena.

Since defeating Lesotho 4-2 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Maseru's Setsoto Stadium on November 17, 2019, Nigeria are yet to play a match in 2020 owing to the Covid-19 outbreak.

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Dele Alampasu (FK Ventspils, Latvia); Matthew Yakubu (SKF Sered, Slovakia); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)

Midfielders: Mikel Agu (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, Netherlands); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Samson Tijani (TSV Hartberg, Austria)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Paul Onuachu (Genk, Belgium); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Cyriel Dessers (KRC Genk, Belgium); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia)

Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum has revealed that there was "nothing concrete" in Barcelona's reported interest in his services this summer.

The Dutch star was linked with a move to Camp Nou after his former international coach Ronald Koeman took over from Quique Setien at the Catalan side. 

Wijnaldum has entered the final season of his contract at Anfield and with no new deal in sight, there was speculation the defending champions could look to cash in on him rather than risk losing him on a free transfer.

However, the transfer deadline has now passed and Wijnaldum remains on Merseyside. Speaking ahead of the Netherlands' friendly against Mexico on Wednesday, Wijnaldum attempted to downplay how close he was to linking up with Lionel Messi and co.

“I don’t think [the Barcelona interest] was that serious, otherwise you would have read a bit more, or more would have happened," Wijnaldum said at a press conference.

“There was nothing concrete. I didn’t have to think about it. I will stay on [with Liverpool] it looks like now. My contract will run for another 10 months. It could still change, of course you never know that in football. So we’ll see.”

When asked about his midfielder's future last month, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that he was “completely fine” with the exit talk that Wijnaldum continued to generate.

“I cannot speak about the future in a few years but it is all fine. It’s all good for the moment," Klopp said. “You know the situation. Between me, Gini and the club, everything is completely fine."

Wijnaldum has become a vital cog at Anfield since making a move from Newcastle in 2016, with the Premier League and Champions League winner making 192 appearances for the Reds.

The 29-year-old has started all four of Liverpool's Premier League matches in 2020-21 thus far, including Sunday's shocking 7-2 capitulation at Aston Villa. That defeat left the Reds in fifth place, level on points with the clubs in second through fourth place; Arsenal, Leicester City and Aston Villa. 

Liverpool's next match is against the surprise leaders in the season's early going, Everton, with Carlo Ancelotti's men winning all four of their opening league matches. Klopp's men will travel to Goodison Park on October 17 for a much-anticipated early-season Merseyside derby.

Edinson Cavani says he is ready to accept the responsibility of wearing the No 7 at Manchester United, with the Uruguayan saying he takes "great pride" in becoming the latest star to wear the shirt.

Cavani completed his move to Old Trafford on Monday, joining Man Utd on a one-year deal with the option for a further year.

Now officially signed, Cavani will wear the No 7 shirt, following the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Eric Cantona and George Best, and the former Paris Saint-Germain star says he understands the responsibility that comes with that number as he gets ready to begin his United career.

"It will give me great pride to wear the No 7 shirt for Manchester United," Cavani told ESPN Argentina's 90 Minutes. "Now I am going to prepare for this responsibility, do my best to be ready and enjoy it and I hope to make my mark at Manchester United.

"I have two years of a contract with Manchester United. I want to give it my all here. I feel good."

Cavani revealed on Monday that he nearly quit football this past summer after he and his girlfriend battled Covid-19. The Uruguayan said he seriously considered retiring and moving to the countryside, leaving the game behind altogether.

Cavani hadn't publicly revealed that he battled the virus, saying that he did not want to discuss it at the time.

"There was no need to tell anyone or say anything," said Cavani.

"It would have been different if I had been playing, but it happened after we took vacation in Spain. After we arrived in Paris, we tested negative, but later, after that, my girlfriend showed symptoms so we repeated the test and she was positive and because she had it, I also had it. I am talking about it now because it already happened."

Manchester United will not play this weekend due to the international break, giving the team an extra week to simmer following a lopsided 6-1 loss to Tottenham on Sunday.

They will return with a match against Newcastle United before then looking ahead to a Champions League clash with Cavani's former club PSG.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was sat wearing the England badge having scored nine goals in his first six games this season, but recalled an early career moment that prepared him for this day.

Gareth Southgate will likely grant the Everton No 9 his international debut as the Three Lions prepare for a friendly with Wales before competitive Nations League matches against Belgium and Denmark.

However, looking back at his loan at non-league Stalybridge Celtic, the 23-year-old was recalling his senior debut as he was headbutted early on in the 4-2 win over Hyde United in the Conference North.

Six rungs down the football pyramid, Calvert-Lewin had a wake-up call as a youngster, although it is an experience that has helped him grow into the player that he is today.

"I don’t know if you can see – I’ve still got the scar under my eye from the first 20 mins of playing for Stalybridge," Calvert Lewin told reporters. "It was from a throw-in and I went to flick it on and I flicked my head one way and he’s gone ‘bang’ and headbutted me in the face so I knew from pretty early what was required.

"I played the rest of the game with one eye because this one closed up. I’ve always felt I’ve enjoyed the physical battle and enjoyed the tough tests. I went on to score two goals in that game and it was a good experience and one I enjoyed getting beaten up, to be honest.

"That experience at the time – it was the most I’d ever enjoyed my football up to that point. It was thoroughly enjoyable and it just gave me that sense of what it was to play in front of fans and to play proper men’s football and play for three points.

"At 17 it was what I needed, definitely a catalyst in propelling me forward and helping me get here.

"Sometimes you can when you go through the academy and then you’re a scholar, everything’s quite nice and easy and then you realise that players are playing to put food on the table, they are playing for three points and it means that much more.

"It’s an eye-opener at a young age and I’m glad I had that experience because now I don't take it for granted and it was a humbling experience as well but definitely part and parcel of men’s football."

Part of Calvert-Lewin's talent is his physicality, and it is something that he is throwing around to dominate defenders in the Premier League.

For a time, many thought what would hold back the striker was his lack of goal-scoring instinct and his friendly personality. Calvert-Lewin admits that he has had to learn why his power is so important through former Toffees caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson.

"Duncan told me to back myself more and believe in my stature and back my strength and I think it’s a confidence thing – once you realise you can do it once, you start to do it more consistently and then it becomes part of your game which I think is what’s happened," he said.

"When I first came on for Everton and I was learning and I was still relatively young when you go under the lights of the Premier League, you come under much more scrutiny than perhaps if you were playing elsewhere and rightly so, it’s the top league in the world.

"I think now I’m grateful for that and it’s definitely toughened me up and mentally made me into the person I am now."

Playing alongside an attack that boasts James Rodriguez and Richarlison under manager Carlo Ancelotti, Calvert-Lewin is thriving. Part of his early-season flurry of goals has been through his aerial ability and he cherishes seeing the ball crossed into the box.

"For me, it’s something that has come natural," he said. "It’s not something I have particularly worked on. I remember as a kid I loved heading the ball and maybe that’s had an effect on where I am now.

"You could say it is a dying art in football - a lot of games are played on grass with tika-taka football. I enjoy being a presence in the box. If you can get the ball in the box, there is always a chance I can head the ball into the back of the net."

Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic has joined Porto on a season-long loan deal.

Grujic nearly joined Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen on Monday, but the Serbian's proposed £18 million (€20m/$23.5m) move fell through.

After lengthy negotiations between the two sides, sources told Goal that Bremen were ultimately unable to match Liverpool’s asking price.

Liverpool have been adamant that they would not entertain any loan offers for Grujic this summer, instead preferring to sell the 24-year-old outright, but the Reds eventually changed their mind as the October 20 deadline for Premier League clubs to register a 25-man squad approaches. 

Having failed to sell either Grujic or Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri on deadline day, Liverpool now have 18 non-homegrown senior players available, one more than the 17 permitted in Premier League and Champions League squads.

With Grujic facing the likelihood of missing out on Liverpool's squad entirely, and being without first-team football until January, the Reds have sanctioned a loan move to Porto with the Portuguese league's transfer window still open.

Grujic will join up with Sergio Conceicao's squad after Serbia's international fixtures against Norway, Hungary and Turkey in the coming week, with an opening in the Portuguese champions' squad created by Danilo Pereira's loan switch to Paris Saint-Germain on Monday. 

There is no option to buy included in the loan agreement, but the player is understood to be enthused about the prospect of testing himself at Champions League level. Porto have been drawn in a group with Manchester City, Marseille and Olympiacos. 

Grujic spent the last two seasons on loan in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin, where he impressed while making 54 appearances and scoring nine goals.

He is highly thought of at Anfield, and impressed in two Carabao Cup appearances for the Reds against Lincoln and Arsenal this season. 

The Serbian international was one of several Liverpool players, along with Shaqiri and Welsh winger Harry Wilson, who were tipped to leave the club before deadline day but ultimately stayed at Anfield. 

Though Shaqiri had interest from clubs in Germany and Italy, an offer for the Swiss international never arrived. It was announced on Monday that Shaqiri was the latest Reds player to test positive for Covid-19, with the 28-year-old now entering a period of self-isolation.

Wilson, meanwhile, was looked at by a host of Premier League sides, but none of them made a bid that matched Liverpool's £15m (€16.5m/$19.5m) valuation. 

After they were surprisingly hammered 7-2 by Aston Villa at the weekend, Liverpool return to action after the international break with a Merseyside derby encounter against first-placed Everton on October 17. 

PSV have confirmed the signing of former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund star Mario Gotze on a two-year deal.

Gotze joins on a free transfer after his second stint with Dortmund ended at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season when his contract expired. 

“I had a lot of offers this summer but I am a man of feeling and make my own decisions," Gotze told PSV's official website.

"I feel I am ready for a very different challenge and I am confident that this should be a very comfortable transition for me.”

More to follow...