The Marc Guehi regret that could plague Liverpool’s season
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Liverpool’s season so far has been defined by good fortune in the final 10 minutes. Late winners may remain ever-present for now, but there are signs that their luck is beginning to run out. Giovanni Leoni, their gargantuan 18-year-old Italian centre-back, is out for about a year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, one suffered 80 minutes into what was a near-impeccable debut in the Carabao Cup. “He is not in a good place of course because he tore his ACL so he will be out for around a year,” Slot said. “Being so young, coming to a new country, playing so well in your first game, it is very hard to take a positive – there is no positive but he is still so young, has so many years to go after he recovers from a terrible injury like that.” It’s a desperately unfortunate setback for the player, whose assured first appearance showcased his very high ceiling and swiftly justified the hype that surrounded him. It also leaves Liverpool in a serious predicament with nearly all of the season to play. open image in gallery Giovanni Leoni will be out for “around a year” after tearing his ACL (Getty Images) Arne Slot’s arsenal now holds just three senior centre-backs: Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez. This doesn’t include the likes of midfielders Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, who have stood in as makeshift centre-backs before. Slot says this isn’t such a bad thing, stating that he prefers to work with smaller squads. “That’s the choice we make because I believe that every player needs to have perspective of development or playing time,” he said. “If I every time have to say that, on a day like today, I have to disappoint four or five players, I believe that is not the right energy that you want to have in the building.” He still concedes that such an approach has its dangers. “On the other hand, that means if you get one injury, you don’t have two replacements anymore, so you don’t have two players for every position anymore. That’s the risk you take.” Leoni was nevertheless brought in to replace last season’s fourth-choice centre back Jarell Quansah, who was sold to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. But of course, there should’ve been a fifth – and on Saturday afternoon, they’ll face a pertinent reminder of “what could’ve been”. Marc Guehi would’ve had 27 September down in his calendar as a return to his old stomping grounds when he was wrapping up his Liverpool medical on the afternoon of deadline day. Crystal Palace’s inability to find replacement – namely Igor, who ditched his own medical at Selhurst Park to move to West Ham – saw that transfer collapse. There was vast speculation that the way events unfolded had infuriated Guehi, with talk that the England international would release a tell-all statement – Alexander Isak-esque – in the days that followed. open image in gallery Marc Guehi has rebelled against Crystal Palace since his failed move to Liverpool (PA Wire) Such a statement never came. In line with his impeccable summer behaviour, Guehi has epitomised professionalism as he returned to work with Palace, still with the captain’s armband. And as he welcomes Liverpool to SE25, acting in hindrance rather than as an asset, it’s the visitors who look the real losers of the saga. Slot was unwilling to go into depth about a player who is not his own. “I don’t think one day before we play them to talk about that again,” he said. “He is a Crystal Palace player and has been very important for them as long as he was there.” But in preparation for the trip, Liverpool could have done with a bit of Guehi’s insider knowledge on the Eagles. Oliver Glasner’s side are the only team yet to foil the Reds this season, coming from behind twice to nip them to the Community Shield on penalties. It was a deserving victory, with Palace’s all-action attack making Van Dijk and Konate look unusually amateur – a rude awakening in the season curtain-raiser. Liverpool, while unconvincing, have since gone undefeated in 2025/26. As have Palace. They’re the only two Premier League sides with a zero in the L column, albeit one has three more wins than the other. That should be expected given the near £400m difference in summer expenditure. Yet despite the gulf in wealth, Palace are rightly being treated as one of the biggest threats to Liverpool’s winning beginning. The reigning champions have been dependent on their goalscoring exploits this season due to defensive frailty. They’ve thrown away leads in five of their first seven – most recently against Southampton in midweek – and they’ve required late winners in six of their first seven – again, most recently against Southampton in midweek. Their need for last-gasp heroics is very much a thing of the present. Glasner’s defence, shepherded by skipper Guehi, does not let goals in easily, however. They’ve conceded just two in the
Youngsters turn up in numbers at hockey comp – FBC News
The presence of high school students at the Eastgate Memorial Hockey Tournament in Suva over the past two days highlights the growing development of hockey in Fiji. The tournament—the largest in the country—kicked off yesterday, and Marist Hockey Club president Paul Fraser expressed his delight at seeing so many young players taking part. Article continues after advertisement Fraser also said he was impressed with how well these younger athletes held their own against much older and more experienced opponents. He praised the support from fans and spectators and encouraged the public to come out in full force for the final day of competition tomorrow. The tournament features 10 teams from across the country and will wrap up tomorrow at the National Hockey Centre in Suva. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Orlando Pirates star Mofokeng misses training
Relebohile Mofokeng was a notable absentee at Orlando Pirates’ Friday training. The Sea Robbers gear up for a CAF Champions League showdown with Lioli FC in Soweto today at 15:00. The Sharpville-born winger has been exciting as ever with another enterprising display against Siwelele FC on Wednesday. ORLANDO PIRATES TO MISS RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG IN THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THIS WEEKEND? After the training session, head coach Abdelsam Ouaddou was rather coy when speaking to the media about Mofokeng’s absence. “Rele is an important player, but we have to speak with the medical department. I cannot tell you more about him,” the French-Moroccan mentor said. Last season, Mofokeng proved his worth with 12 goals and 15 assists in 49 games, highlighting his importance to the team and explaining why overseas clubs are circling. Orlando Pirates have reportedly turned down three offers for Mofokeng this transfer window: Al Ettifaq (Saudi Arabia): R26.9 million Minnesota United (USA): R34.9 million Akron Tolyatti (Russia): R26 million. RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG TO AFCON Meanwhile, Mofokeng is expected to be a key player for Bafana Bafana when AFCON 2025 kicks off in Morocco in December, an event Orlando Pirates believe will offer high exposure for the 20-year-old winger. Bafana will kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on 22 December against Angola at the Grand Stade de Marrakech in Morocco. Their second group game is against Egypt on 26 December at Le Grand Stade d’Agadir. They will close out their group stage on 29 December against Zimbabwe at Stade de Marrakech. Also read: Zongo names three of his favourite Orlando Pirates signings
Former Manny Pacquiao rival vows to take world champion to ‘a bad place’ in title fight
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Keith Thurman has delivered a serious warning to WBC champion Sebatian Fundora ahead of their super welterweight world title clash on October 25. The former WBC and WBA welterweight champion believes Fundora has been proven to be beatable, having lost by knockout to Brian Mendoza in 2023, and intends to remind him of that feeling. “I know you’re feeling yourself right now, Fundora,” Thurman told Fight Hype. “But like I’ve told the people. He’s been stopped before, he’s been rocked before, and he’s been dropped before. “When I get my hands on him, he’s going to remember what it felt like to be in a bad place, to be in a bad situation.” Fundora is coming off a career-best win in his rematch with former world titlist Tim Tszyu, where he upgraded his split decision from the first fight to forcing the Aussie to retire in the seventh round in the rematch. Thurman was hoping to secure a fight with Tszyu this summer, but with him now taking a break to reenergise himself for a comeback, the former welterweight champion said he was never going to reject a shot at a world title. Thurman said: “With Tszyu out of the picture, Thurman’s a big thinker when it comes to the world of boxing, and I’m ready to do great things, always anticipating the next move. “See, boxing is like chess, you have to watch the pieces move on the board and you have to analyse them before you attack, and I was presented with a world title shot, how could I say no?” Subscribe to DAZN now to watch over 185 fights a year open image in gallery YE-Top Photos-Sports-Photo Gallery (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The American was a world-class operator in the welterweight division, claiming wins over notable names such as Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia. Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime. Buy Now ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime. Buy Now ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. He most famously had a rivalry with Manny Pacquiao that culminated in a fight for Thurman’s WBA welterweight title in 2019. Pacquiao got the nod via split decision to become a world champion again at 40 years old. Thurman has since only fought twice – with a comeback win against Mario Barrios in 2022 before a serious bicep injury kept him out of the ring until March of this year, where he bounced back again with a stoppage win over Brock Jarvis. Now 36, Thurman believes he knows why he has been selected as an opponent for Fundora. He explained: “Fundora wants to upgrade his resume with somebody of my calibre, of my stats, even though I’m moving up from the welterweight division. “He doesn’t have the plethora of elite names on his resume, so I’m pretty sure his team said, ‘let’s get Thurman now, let’s do it. He’s 36 years old…’ I’m here to throw a wrecking ball into their vision, and that’s what October 25th is all about for me.” Watch James DeGale vs Matt Floyd live on DAZN BKFC 81 sees Olympic boxing champion James DeGale make his Bare Knuckle debut. Watch the fight and whole fight card live with a DAZN subscription. Annual and monthly options available, click here for pricing and options.
Kadavu women create history – FBC News
Fiji Rugby has a new Bosco Trophy winner after Kadavu won it for the first time in history at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva defeating Nasinu 37-31 in a tight contest. The Bosco Trophy is the women’s version of the Farebrother where the holders get to put their title on the line when they host a game in the Marama Cup. Kadavu was playing in the Ranadi competition last year and had their first shot at the Bosco Trophy today and managed to wrestle the title away from Nasinu. Article continues after advertisement Trailing 31-37, and with time up on the clock, Nasinu got the ball from inside their half, and was close to score. They were just five meters out from Kadavu’s tryline when the referee blew the whistle after seeing the Nasinu ball carrier was behind the player she gave the ball to. The Nasinu players were not happy with the call and Police and tournament officials had to step in and escort the referee off the field. Kadavu also ended Nasinu’s unbeaten run in the Marama Cup this season. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
British Open 2025 results: Mark Selby beats Mark Williams to continue British Open defence
World number 91 Mann has only previously featured once in the quarter-finals of a ranking tournament – reaching that stage of the 2021 Northern Ireland Open. Four-time world champion John Higgins was made to sweat by world number 88 Louis Heathcote after the Englishman took the first two frames with ease. But Higgins turned on the style thereafter, winning five straight frames – including 135 break – to win 5-2 as Heathcote scored just 39 more points. Higgins will meet fellow Scotsman Anthony McGill in the semi-finals after he fought back from 3-1 down to win 5-3 against 19-year-old Stan Moody, who eliminated Ali Carter in the previous round. McGill has not featured in the last four of a ranking event since the 2022 Northern Ireland Open. Saturday’s semi-finals will be the best of 11 frames (first to six), while Sunday’s final will be the best of 19 (first to 10). Each player has won £20,000 for reaching the semi-finals, while the runner-up will receive a further £45,000 and the winner £100,000.
Scottie Scheffler must break a Ryder Cup curse to avoid becoming USA’s next Tiger Woods
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more How do you explain it? The voodoo. The curse. The magic. What is it about the Ryder Cup that used to somehow make Ian Poulter into one of the greatest golfers to ever live? Or, more pertinently given Friday’s events at Bethpage Black, what is it about the Ryder Cup that somehow makes Scottie Scheffler no longer one of the greatest golfers to ever live? We will likely never know, and yet theories were abound on Long Island after another disastrous day of Ryder Cup golf as Scheffler’s worst nightmare played out again. At one point in the morning, the world number one was 12 down through his last 16 holes in foursomes play. Barely credible numbers for one of the best to ever swing a golf club. On BBC radio they theorised that it could be the weight of carrying a partner, on the American broadcast they hypothesised that it could be the pressure of being world number one. And it does hark back to the player that Scheffler aspires to emulate. The only players to lose twice on the first day of a Ryder Cup while top of the world rankings are Ian Woosnam (1991), Tiger Woods (1999, 2002)…and now Scheffler himself (2025). Not the emulating he was hoping for. It means American world number ones have lost five straight foursomes matches at Ryder Cups; a record going back to 2010. open image in gallery Europe’s Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka celebrates after their win against United States’ Scottie Scheffler and J.J. Spaun on the 16th hole (AP) As wild and excitable as the crowd were on the first tee before dawn, people packing into grandstands and clinging onto the course’s undulations in hope of seeing Bryson De Chambeau’s unique display of brawn and brain, a relaxed-looking Scheffler went off in the second match knowing that De Chambeau’s putt on the first green had already put the USA ahead. The wind was in his sails. Yet what followed was a tempest, and at its centre, often gazing with his mouth slightly agog in disbelief as another putt rolled past its intended target was the best player on Earth. He and Henley won just two of the 15 holes they managed in the morning session and never had a lead. Rather, they trailed by five by hole 12 and only managed to prolong their agony by birdieing the par-five 13th. “I felt like Russ and I did some good things,” he said by the 15th green, where Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick had completed a 5&3 win over the American duo. open image in gallery Team USA’s Scottie Scheffler celebrates after holing his putt on the 15th hole (REUTERS) “We just didn’t hole enough putts early. We had some chances. I think the putts just didn’t fall.” A couple of years ago there was a feeling that if Scheffler were to figure out his putting then he could be great. He has somehow exceeded those expectations, and easily so. On tour he is rarely less than imperious, not simply the best player in the world but the best player by far. Per Data Gold’s rankings, widely considered the best publicly available analytical model, the distance from Scheffler to the second-best player in the world (Rahm) is the same as from Rahm to Chris Kirk, the 49th-ranked player in the world. The prophecy came true. But repeatedly it was the flat stick that let him down here, on the biggest stage in team golf and when his team needed its best player to step up. If you were looking to pep up Scottie Scheffler after an opening session from hell, you’d struggle for silver linings. The best you could probably find is that at least he got some unexpected rest, having been so thoroughly vanquished that his morning was done and dusted by the 15th hole. It did not help his cause. open image in gallery Scottie Scheffler of Team United States watches a greenside bunker shot on the 14th hole (Getty Images) Sent straight back out to play with J.J. Spaun in the first of the afternoon fourballs, the American duo won the first hole and then didn’t win another all day. Scheffler has played in both sessions but is yet to set foot on the 17th tee box and once again it was the putting that deserted him, missing key attempts on 11, 12 and 13 then finding some form only for Jon Rahm to step up his own game in what became a spectacular bout of two heavyweights slugging it out. Scottie Scheffler’s Ryder Cup record through nine matches (2021, 2023, and 2025) is now two wins, four losses, and three ties (2-4-3). He is 0-3 in foursomes, 1-0-2 in fourballs, and 1-1-1 in singles matches. 3.5 points from nine matches simply makes no sense. And it was in trying to make sense of it that thoughts turned to others who have suffered a similar fate. Tiger Woods is probably the greatest golfer of all-time and yet
Bundesliga highlights: harry Kane scores in Bayern Munich win over Werder Bremen
Harry Kane scores twice in Bayern Munich’s win over Werder Bremen to become the fastest player this century to reach 100 goals for a club playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues. MATCH REPORT: Bayern Munich 4-0 Werder Bremen Available to UK users only.
Police stop boxing showdown – FBC News
The Bluewater Boxing Promotion at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, was abruptly stopped last night after running past its scheduled time, leaving fans without the main bout. Promoter Samir Ali said organisers had booked the venue only until 11pm. When the fights extended beyond the permit, police moved in and halted the event at 11.30pm. Ali expressed frustration, saying similar events at the same venue had previously gone on until 1am. He apologised to fans and promised to make it up to them. Article continues after advertisement “Many times before have event like this goes on until 1am, even at this same venue, but why we’re we not allowed to continue. I apologise to all our fans and spectators, I will make it up to all of you.” Boxing Commission Chair Adi Narayan said four extra fights were added to the card at the last minute, which likely caused the delays. The early closure left both fighters and fans disappointed, as the headline contest never took place. FBC News has sought clarification from police on why the event was stopped after 11pm and we are awaiting a response. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Rory McIlroy appears to make offensive gesture towards the crowd at Ryder Cup
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Rory McIlroy appeared to react to a fan at the Ryder Cup by making an offensive gesture on Day 1 at Bethpage Black. The Northern Irishman helped inspire Europe to a 5.5-2.5 advantage after two sessions but after being heckled during his fourballs match alongside Shane Lowry, McIlroy could be seen raising a finger on his left hand as he walked off the 11th green. McIlroy and Lowry had just gone two up against the American pair of Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay when a video circulating on social media showed him gesturing in the direction of the crowd. There is no explanation as to what provoked the gesture, with McIlroy enduring a mixed relationship with USA fans. Luke Donald was asked about the gesture, but revealed he was not aware that it took place, stating: “Sorry I’m not aware of that, I’m proud of the guys, how they handled the situation, tough environment out there.” Lowry was also spotted making an offensive gesture towards the crowd with supporters heard making personal insults at both players. On the first tee as McIlroy stepped out before his foursomes match, USA supporters could be heard singing: “F*** you, Rory!” As Day 1 developed, the New York crowd started to become more rowdy, with heckling becoming more common as Europe came under pressure in a more hostile environment than the morning foursomes. Robert MacIntyre also had a spiky interaction with an American member of the crowd after a comment on his weight on the 17th tee. McIlroy endured the atmosphere to record a victory with Tommy Fleetwood in the morning foursomes, dispatching Collin Morikawa and Harris English 5&4. While McIlroy missed a putt on the 18th green to secure another victory, having allowed a 2 up lead through 11 to slip away. McIlroy had been amicable with rival American supporters in the build-up this week. open image in gallery Rory McIlroy helped Europe off to a superb start at the Ryder Cup (PA Wire) McIlroy’s wife and daughter are American and he stated that the USA is “the best country in the world”, having lived there since 2008 after becoming a full-time member on the PGA Tour. “Everyone wanted to make it in America,” McIlroy recalled a day out from the first day of the Ryder Cup. “It’s the land of opportunity. And I still believe it’s the best country in the world, and if you come here and work hard and dedicate yourself, you can be or do whatever you want. open image in gallery Shane Lowry of Team Europe hugs teammate Rory McIlroy as they talk to Captain Luke Donald of Team Europe (Getty Images) “I am unbelievably grateful and lucky that I got to come to America early on. I think success is celebrated here. I think there’s a wonderful sense of work ethic. And yeah, I live here. “My wife is American. My daughter is American. I have a lot of affinity towards this country, and I think everyone that lives here should have that same affinity because it is, it’s a wonderful — it is a wonderful place.”