Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Mohamed Salah will feature again this season following a recent injury scare.
The Egyptian forward was substituted during the recent 2-1 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace.
Fears had grown that the attacker might have played his final game for the Anfield club ahead of an expected summer departure.
However, the Reds boss alleviated those concerns ahead of this weekend’s crucial trip to Manchester United.
Relief over minor setback
The Dutch manager revealed the prolific goalscorer is working diligently on his rehabilitation.
“As we know for Mo, he is always working hard when he is fit and when he is injured to be back.”
Slot noted the player’s exceptional natural fitness levels mean a swift recovery is anticipated.
“He is usually fitter than others, so we expect him back for the final part of the season. Not for tomorrow.”
A fitting Anfield farewell
The Merseyside outfit currently have just four league fixtures remaining in the current campaign.
Ensuring the talismanic winger receives an appropriate send-off has become a priority for the coaching staff.
“It is always a big relief that his injury is minor to play for us and the World Cup. Any time a player who deserved a send-off, it’s great news.”
The former Roma man has cemented his legacy as one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players since arriving in 2017.
His imminent departure marks the end of a historic era for a squad undergoing significant transition.
Formula 1 faces the threat of a third consecutive race cancellation as severe weather and strict United States safety laws jeopardize Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix.
The sport returns this weekend following an unexpected five-week break prompted by the cancellation of both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds.
However, heavy rain and potential thunderstorms threaten to disrupt the highly anticipated 2026 event at the Miami International Autodrome.
Forecasters currently predict an 88% chance of rainfall during the race, accompanied by a 53% probability of lightning strikes.
Strict safety protocols risk race suspension
These ominous weather conditions have placed teams, drivers and the governing body on high alert ahead of the weekend.
Unlike many other host nations, US legislation mandates that outdoor public events must be halted if thunderstorms approach and pose a lightning risk.
Such treacherous conditions would inevitably ground the mandatory medical helicopter and force a complete evacuation of all spectators from the venue.
Should thunderstorms materialise, race officials will display the red flag and immediately recall all cars to their respective garages.
FIA regulations dictate clear restart procedures
The sport’s governing body previously reminded competitors that stewards possess the authority to suspend sessions to allow personnel to seek shelter safely.
Under Article 57 of the sporting regulations, a red-flag scenario requires all vehicles to stop in the fast lane before being wheeled inside.
Florida is notoriously susceptible to unpredictable and intense weather fluctuations, though current projections suggest dry running across Friday and Saturday.
If the grand prix is suspended, the race director must publish a new restart order at least 18 minutes before action can resume on track.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have advanced to the Western Conference semi-finals against the San Antonio Spurs after defeating the Denver Nuggets 110-98 to seal a 4-2 series victory.
Jaden McDaniels delivered a career-high 32-point performance to ensure the Minneapolis franchise progressed from their first-round match-up.
They will now host Monday’s series opener against San Antonio and could be bolstered by the return of Anthony Edwards from injury.
Jokic involved in another altercation
The Nuggets’ exit was marred by a tense scuffle with just under 10 minutes remaining in the final quarter.
Three-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic became entangled with Jaylen Clark and Naz Reid, resulting in technical fouls for all three players.
It was the second major incident involving the Serbian centre in this series, following his ejection for instigating a confrontation at the end of game four.
Despite registering a team-high 28 points and 10 assists, the Denver talisman took full responsibility for the elimination.
“I needed to play better. I must play better.”
Knicks make NBA post-season history
Over in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks shattered post-season records by thrashing the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 to clinch their own 4-2 series triumph.
The phenomenal 51-point margin of victory represents a franchise play-off record for the historic organisation.
They also established a new NBA post-season benchmark by opening up an unassailable 47-point advantage by half-time.
Karl-Anthony Towns orchestrated the offense with a brilliant triple-double consisting of 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Team-mate OG Anunoby led the scoring with 29 points as the New York side secured a fourth consecutive semi-final appearance.
76ers force decider against Celtics
The Knicks will now prepare to face either the Boston Celtics or the Philadelphia 76ers in the next round.
Philadelphia kept their championship hopes alive by claiming a vital 106-93 victory to level their series at 3-3.
Tyrese Maxey exploded for 30 points, while veteran forward Paul George contributed 23 points to stave off elimination.
The two Eastern Conference rivals will now meet for a decisive game seven in Boston on Saturday.
Star centre Connor McDavid admitted the Edmonton Oilers were an “average team” after they were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup play-offs by the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.
The Oilers fell to a 5-2 defeat in game six, ending their post-season ambitions at the earliest hurdle for the first time since 2021.
It marks a sharp decline for a franchise that reached the Stanley Cup Final in both 2024 and 2025, losing on both occasions to the Florida Panthers.
General manager Stan Bowman oversaw a roster that recorded its lowest regular-season points percentage in six years.
Injury woes hamper post-season hopes
Speculation regarding the fitness of the six-time NHL scoring leader circulated throughout the series.
The 29-year-old managed just one goal and six points across the matchup, looking visibly short of his usual dominant standards.
During the decisive game six loss, the Oilers captain failed to register a single point and finished with a minus-three rating.
“It was tough. We were an average team all year,” said McDavid.
“An average team with high expectations. You’re going to be disappointed.”
The Canadian superstar acknowledged that the locker room was dealing with significant fitness issues at a crucial time.
“Too hurt, too soon. The first round is always tough,” he added.
“It’s always chaotic, and it’s tough to play through things so early on as many guys did in here. That being said, it’s not an excuse, either.”
German forward Leon Draisaitl confirmed that Edmonton’s top three centres were all playing through injuries.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to find ways to win games. Injuries? Yeah, they suck, and it hit us at a bad time,” Draisaitl explained.
Early exit sparks future speculation
The premature elimination has immediately reignited conversations surrounding the long-term future of the franchise’s marquee player.
The highly sought-after forward signed a two-year contract extension last October, keeping him under team control until the summer of 2028.
At the time, he cited a desire to chase a championship with the current core group in Alberta.
However, they faced a revitalised Anaheim squad making their first play-off appearance since 2018 under new head coach Joel Quenneville.
The high-scoring Californian outfit quickly established a 3-1 series lead before ultimately closing out the matchup in six games.
Barcelona have contacted the representatives of Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero regarding a potential summer transfer worth up to £53m.
The Spanish club are actively exploring alternatives to Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni due to the prohibitive cost of securing the Italian.
Representatives for the Catalan giants have already reached out to the Argentinian’s camp ahead of the upcoming window.
The World Cup winner is currently sidelined with an injury that has ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.
Barcelona seek defensive reinforcements
Bastoni remains the primary target for the Camp Nou hierarchy, but financial constraints are forcing them to assess more accessible options.
The former Serie A defender could be available via a specific release clause inserted into his current contract.
Romero signed a new long-term deal with the north London club last year, tying him to the Premier League side until 2029.
Release clause details emerge
Victor Romero, the player’s father, recently confirmed the existence of a buyout option during an interview with Cadena3.
“He has two or three more years on his contract with Tottenham and a very high release clause.”
“The English club isn’t going to let him go for free; it’s between $50-70m [£37.8m-£53m].”
“For me, they’ll want to recover what they invested.”
Spurs would likely demand the upper limit of that £53m valuation to consider parting ways with their influential vice-captain.
Losing the combative centre-back would create a significant leadership void in the Tottenham defence ahead of next season.
Max Verstappen has given his full blessing to race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase’s upcoming departure from Red Bull to McLaren, insisting he would be an “idiot” to block the career move.
Red Bull confirmed earlier this month that their highly rated technical specialist will leave the team when his current contract expires in 2028.
The announcement arrived shortly after it emerged the engineer had decided to pursue a fresh opportunity with their Formula 1 rivals.
A significant shift in stance
The three-time world champion had previously indicated he would have no appetite for racing if his trusted confidant was no longer communicating over the team radio.
Following his maiden title triumph in 2021, the Dutchman famously declared that he would retire from the sport as soon as his engineer stepped away.
However, the 27-year-old has significantly mellowed his position and acknowledges that circumstances have evolved since that initial declaration.
“I will have to work with someone else, but I think times change, and the offer that he got, I would be an idiot to try and keep him,” Verstappen told reporters.
Looking toward the future
Lambiase has been a valued member of the reigning constructors’ champions since joining in 2015, forging a famously direct working relationship with his driver.
McLaren have already praised their future signing as a top talent, while Red Bull remain committed to securing further championships before the eventual separation.
The current championship leader stressed that an open dialogue within the team made processing the transition incredibly straightforward.
“It’s not only about me all the time, it is also about his career and moving forward, so for me, it was a no-brainer to be honest,” he explained.
Long-term commitment unaffected
The Red Bull star noted that the pair maintain an honest relationship and that there are absolutely no hard feelings regarding the transfer.
When questioned on whether this high-profile technical departure impacts his own long-term future with his current employers, the driver was unequivocal.
“It has got nothing to do with it,” Verstappen stated firmly.
Tyrese Maxey and Paul George combined for 53 points as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 106-93 on Thursday night to overcome a 3-1 series deficit and force a deciding Game Seven.
Maxey scored 30 points to lead the charge, while a resurgent George added 23 in what was Philadelphia’s most complete performance of the campaign.
The hosts led from start to finish to set up a winner-takes-all showdown in Boston on Saturday.
The Sixers have found new life following the early return of Joel Embiid from an appendectomy, rebounding emphatically from two earlier blowout defeats.
George finds vintage form
The 35-year-old George has endured a tumultuous season, missing 25 games due to suspension and struggling with injuries since signing his lucrative four-year contract last summer.
However, the veteran forward delivered a throwback performance when it mattered most, hitting five three-pointers to stretch the advantage.
His standout moment came in the third quarter with a dazzling behind-the-back pass to rookie VJ Edgecombe, who finished with a thunderous dunk to extend the lead to 15 points.
Embiid, still recovering from his early April surgery, contributed 19 points as the offence flowed smoothly through the supporting cast during his periods on the bench.
Celtics sweat on Tatum fitness
The momentum shift in this first-round matchup is a stunning turn of events given how comfortably the Celtics dominated their three earlier victories.
Boston’s night was further compounded by an apparent calf injury to star forward Jayson Tatum, who left the game in the third quarter after scoring 17 points.
Jaylen Brown was also hampered by early foul trouble, managing just 18 points as the Eastern Conference heavyweights went more than four minutes without scoring late in the third period.
The Celtics now face immense pressure to protect a flawless historical record, having won all 32 best-of-seven series in franchise history in which they have held a 3-1 lead.
The New York Knicks have set an NBA playoff record by establishing a 47-point halftime lead against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of their first-round series.
Holding their opponents to just 36 points in the opening two quarters on Thursday, the visitors forced 14 turnovers during a ruthless defensive display.
At the other end of the court, the Eastern Conference franchise enjoyed their most productive offensive half of the postseason, shooting over 60% from the field to amass 83 points.
Anunoby outscores entire Atlanta roster
Forward OG Anunoby spearheaded the remarkable scoring surge, finishing the second quarter with 26 points to his name.
At one stage in the contest, the British-born wing had individually registered more points than the entire opposition lineup.
Mikal Bridges also found his rhythm following a difficult start to the series, contributing a crucial 16 points to comfortably surpass his previous high of 11 in Game 1.
Shattering historical postseason benchmarks
Atlanta initially led 11-9 in the opening minutes before suffering a devastating collapse, being outscored by 53 points over the subsequent 18 minutes of action.
The previous playoff benchmark for a halftime advantage stood at 41 points, a milestone jointly held by the 2025 Indiana Pacers and the 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers.
New York remarkably reached that 41-point margin with more than seven minutes remaining in the second quarter.
According to historical data, this represents the fastest any team has built a 40-point advantage in the play-by-play era.
The relentless pressure continued as the lead swelled to 50 points by the 4:39 mark, setting another unprecedented milestone since tracking began in 1998.