Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace: Nunez red card costly in Anfield stalemate
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp left his expensive summer signing Darwin Nunez to sleep on the moment of wild indiscipline that saw him make an early and undignified exitfrom his home debut in the Premier League, BBC reported.
Nunez, signed from Benfica in a deal worth an initial £64m, will have a restless night before facing Klopp after making the worst possible introduction at Anfield.
The Uruguayan has made a fine early impression with goals in the Community Shield win against Manchester City and the opening league draw at Fulham, but this incident which saw him sent off demonstrated a side of his character that will alert the more mischievous Premier League defenders and ensure Klopp must deliver some home truths ahead of his forthcoming three-match ban.
If there is one thing Nunez can take from his embarrassment, it is that it is better to learn your lessons early in the Premier League, and the 23-year-old certainly suffered a harsh one here.
Yes, there was what may be politely termed 'argy-bargy' with Palace defender Joachim Andersen, but Nunez's response was mindless - a headbutt that sent his opponent to the floor and referee Paul Tierney reaching for his red card.
It rules Nunez out of Liverpool's trip to Manchester United next Monday for starters, even more costly as Klopp needs all hands on deck as he juggles injury problems. He will also miss home games against Bournemouth and Newcastle United.
Nunez had worked tirelessly but gave the impression of someone trying just a little to hard to make the big impression, volleying one good chance over at the far post then bundling another opportunity against an upright in the closing seconds of the first half.
There is no doubt that graphic illustration of a short fuse will see Nunez's temperament tested now, but this chastening evening will surely form the basis of a vital learning experience, according to BBC.
Nunez has huge shoes to fill following the departure of Sadio Mane but Klopp is aware of the pressures and is more likely to adopt the arm around the shoulder rather than the big stick when it comes to handling his new striker, who looked shattered as he made his way to the dressing room.
Klopp, rightly, made no attempt to mount a defence or give an excuse for Nunez. It was an open and shut case.
Liverpool deserved the point Luis Diaz's brilliant equaliser gave them, a show of resilience with a numerical disadvantage, but Palace will also feel they earned theirs.
There was a sense of anticlimax at the final whistle at Anfield, with anxious Liverpool supporters already flagging up Manchester City's four-point advantage after only two games as they made their way out.
Of course, it is nonsensically premature to talk about this in the long-term context after only two games of the Premier League season, but so high has the bar been set by City and so imperious have they looked after the addition of Erling Haaland that such concern is almost understandable.
City have put their rivals under pressure from the start to such an extent that they know they cannot afford too many slip-ups from day one - and Liverpool have had two in two games.
It is, however, early days and Klopp will be hoping the list of injuries to key figures reduces so that Liverpool can hit their familiar, irresistible stride.
And Liverpool can take some heart from the outstanding display from 19-year-old Harvey Elliott, mature beyond his years, prompting, probing, always demanding the ball and fully deserving of the standing ovation he received when he was substituted.
Diaz was the goalscorer and much more. He led from the front after Nunez's dismissal, scoring a brilliant equaliser four minutes later, making a slalom run past Palace defenders from the left flank before firing home a 20-yard finish, BBC reported.
Liverpool were far from their best and it has been an undistinguished opening two games.
They will hope the sight of the Manchester United side they thrashed on two occasions will provide inspiration at Old Trafford next Monday - even without Nunez.
Stalemate for Barcelona in La Liga opener
Barcelona were frustrated in their opening La Liga game as Rayo Vallecano held on for a goalless draw, BBC reported.
Robert Lewandowski was among the summer recruits that were making their debuts, but he could not break the deadlock.
The Poland striker was adjudged offside with a first-half effort, and smashed the best chance after the break wide.
Sergio Camello nearly grabbed a winner for Vallecano, while Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card.
Having registered four of their new signings to play only 24 hours before kick-off, there was a cause for optimism around the Nou Camp as the game began.
Barca had been unable to register new players because of La Liga financial regulations, but freed up funding with several "economic levers" which allowed Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen and Raphinha to start this game, while Franck Kessie was named on the bench.
The hosts had 21 shots to Vallecano's four, but as the game wore on. tensions began to grow as the visitors remained resolute in defence.
Lewandowski, signed from Bayern Munich for £42.6m, had the best chance after the break when he spun his marker but could only fire wide as he failed to score on the opening day of a season for the first time in eight years, according to BBC.
Serena Williams says ‘countdown has begun’ to retirement
Saying “the countdown has begun,” 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williamsannounced Tuesday she is ready to step away from tennis so she can turn her focus to having another child and her business interests, presaging the end of a career that transcended sports, Associated Press reported.
In an essay released Tuesday by Voguemagazine, and a post on Instagram — the sorts of direct-to-fans communication favored these days by celebrities, a category she most definitely fits — Williams was not completely clear on the timeline for her last match, but she made it sound as if that could be at the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 29 in New York.
“There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction. That time is always hard when you love something so much. My goodness do I enjoy tennis. But now, the countdown has begun,” Williams, who turns 41 next month, wrote on Instagram. “I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just (as) exciting Serena. I’m gonna relish these next few weeks.”
Williams, one of the greatest and most accomplished athletes in the history of her — or any other — sport, wrote in the essay that she does not like the word “retirement” and prefers to think of this stage of her life as “evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.”
“I feel a great deal of pain. It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I hate it. I hate that I have to be at this crossroads,” she wrote. “I keep saying to myself, I wish it could be easy for me, but it’s not. I’m torn: I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next.”
That she would be publicly contemplating the end of her playing days is not all that surprising, given her age — her 10 Grand Slam titles after turning 30 are unsurpassed — her history of injuries and her recent record: one victory in a singles match in the past 12 months (that win arrived Monday in Toronto; she is scheduled to play again on Wednesday), according to Associated Press.
“Serena Williams is a generational, if not multigenerational, talent who had a profound impact on the game of tennis, but an even greater influence on women in sports, business and society. At a time when our nation and the world have wrestled with essential issues of identity, Serena has stood as a singular exemplar of the best of humanity after breaking through countless barriers to her participation and ultimate success,” U.S. Open tournament director Stacey Allaster said. “She leaves an indelible legacy of grace and grit that will inspire athletes, female and male, for many generations to come. We can’t thank her enough for all she has done for our sport.”
Williams’ status as an athlete, and a groundbreaker, is obvious to everyone.
Indian coach Prabhakar appointed as head coach of Nepal national cricket team
Manoj Prabhakar has been appointed as the head coach of the Nepal national cricket team.
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Monday appointed Indian coach Prabhakar as the head coach of the Nepal national cricket team.
Former Indian cricketer Prabhakar has played 39 Tests and 130 One Day Internationals for India.
After being appointed as the head coach, Prabhakar said that he is excited to work with the Nepal national cricket team.
He had also worked as the coach of national team of Afghanistan and cricket association of Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
