Sports

Shaqiri scores debut stunner as Reds run riot

Published

8 years ago

July 29, 2018

Xherdan Shaqiri scored a stunning overhead kick on his Liverpool debut to hand Jurgen Klopp’s side an emphatic win.

Shaqiri, a £13million summer signing from Stoke, came on as a second-half substitute and marked his debut with a stunning bicycle kick in the 82nd minute.

In front of a crowd of 101,254 at Michigan’s Big House, Klopp’s side humbled Jose Mourinho’s side, with the new Premier League campaign just a fortnight away.

Sadio Mane gave Liverpool the lead from the penalty spot, with Andres Pereira equalising for United with a superbly-dispatched free-kick.

Liverpool scored three times thereafter, through Daniel Sturridge and Sheyi Ojo – from the penelty spot – before Shaqiris’s acrobatic effort.

Here are five talking points from the game…

Shaqiri’s stunning bicycle kick (Image: Propaganda)

Liverpool ran riot in Michigan (Image: Getty Images North America)

1. GRANT GETS THE NOD BUT HAS A MIXED GAME

Lee Grant has insisted he did not join United from Stoke to be third-choice behind David De Gea and Sergio Romero, and the new signing continued to impress on tour, producing a fine fingertip save after eight minutes to keep out a goalbound header from Mo Salah. That aside, Grant coceded a first-half penalty from Sadio Mane, and insisted on hoofing the ball long whenever he had a free-kick, a bizarre tactic given United had the diminutive duo of Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez up front.

Grant had a mixed game (Image: Manchester United)

Manchester City won the title last season building from the back, but United – on this evidence at least – are firmly rooted in the old-school approach, which was not at all effective. Grant was replaced at half-time by Joel Pereira, with De Ge not used after only joining up with the squad earlier this week.

2. TIME FOR ANREAS PEREIRA TO GET HIS CHANCE

After two loan spells at Granada and Valencia, Andreas Pereira has returned to United for the latest attempt to prove himself worthy of a run in the side. With Pau Pogba yet to return from his extended post-World Cup break, Nemanja Matic injured and new £52million signing Fred having just joined up with his new team-mates, the start of the season may afford Pereira the chance he craves.

Pereira scored a stunning free-kick (Image: John Peters)

The 22-year-old, currently playing as a No.6, is certainly doing all he can to impress boss Jose Mourinho, dispatching an exquisite free-kick to make it 1-1 after 31 minutes and playing with assurance throughout.

3. INJURIES MOUNTING UP FOR MOURINHO

Luke Shaw became the latest defender to join the growing list unavailable to Mourinho, with Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling and new signing Diogo Dalot also enduring enforced absences, with Ashley Young still on holiday following his extended post-World Cup break.

There is more frustration for Mourinho (Image: Getty Images North America)

Mourinho can ill-afford to grant Matteo Darmian – who wants to leave United – his wish to go, with so many defenders – particularly full-backs – unavailable for selection. Mourinho has targeted Leicetser and England star Harry Maguire, as well as Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld, but full-backs are his most pressing concern, with his personnel decimated in those positions.

4. LALLANA RETURN A HUGE BOOST FOR LIVERPOOL

Adam Lallana endured a tough season last season, injuries restricting him to just 15 appearances and a mere 236 minutes in the Premier League. Lallana’s thigh and hamstring problems ultimately cost him his England World Cup place, in what amounted to a testing campaign for the midfielder.

Lallana challenges Tuenzebe (Image: Getty Images North America)

But Lallana’s return from injury is a huge boost for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp, the midfielder adding an extra dimension and versatility to the squad with what he can bring. Fitness-wise, Lallana looked sharp, even though his passing was awry at times in his restricted outing as he looks to get back to his very best.

5. UNITED AND LIVERPOOL SHOWCASE THIRD KITS

There were more than 100,000 fans sporting the red of United and Liverpool in Michigan’s Big House stadium, while on the pitch their teams eschewed their traditional colours.

Both sides were in their change strips (Image: John Peters)

It was surely not asking too much for one of the teams to sport their traditional colour, but in keeping with the commercial and marketing ethos that drives these money-spinning pre-season tours around the world, both decided to showcase their third-choice kits – United in the blue strip inspired by their 1968 European Cup win, while Liverpool played in grey, the bland kits summing up what was a drab encounter.

Sports

‎Oseni Mobilises Supporters with Free Tickets for Shooting Stars’ Victory ‎

Published

7 days ago

August 29, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan on their 2-1 victory over newly promoted Inter Lagos in the opening fixture of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
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‎The Oluyole Warriors began their campaign on a winning note at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Friday, securing three points in front of their home supporters.
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‎Ahead of the encounter, the lawmaker mobilised hundreds of supporters to the stadium and provided free tickets for fans to enable them to watch and cheer the Ibadan-based club.
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‎The mobilisation, led by members of his youth wing, contributed to the strong home support for Shooting Stars as the team battled the Lagos-based newcomers in an entertaining opening-day encounter.
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‎In a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, who represents, Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said he was delighted with the victory and commended the players, coaches, management and supporters of the club for starting the new season on a positive note.
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The statement added that the gesture was a reflection of Oseni’s passion for sports and his belief that sustained support from the fans could inspire the team to greater achievements during the season.
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“ Oseni is a lover of sports and passionate about Shooting Stars. This is one of the ways, among others, that we can support the team and encourage them in their quest for victory,” the statement stressed.
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It further explained that the free tickets were provided to encourage more supporters to fill the stands and give the players the backing they needed, particularly in their first home game of the season.
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According to the statement, Oseni believes that sports provide an important platform for youth engagement, development and community pride, stressing that Shooting Stars remains a club with a strong place in the identity of Ibadan and Oyo State.
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‎On the pitch, Lucky Emmanuel put Shooting Stars ahead in the 15th minute before Inter Lagos equalised through Uchenna Njoku. Sodiq Ibrahim restored the home side’s lead from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time, with the score remaining 2-1 until the final whistle.
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‎The APC chieftain urged the Oluyole Warriors to build on the victory and maintain their winning mentality throughout the season, assuring the team of his continued support and encouragement.

Sports

Oyo APC Demands Probe of N5.5bn Lekan Salami Stadium Renovation

Published

3 weeks ago

August 18, 2026

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The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-graft agencies to investigate the N5.5bn reportedly spent on the renovation of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.

The party made the call following the reported rejection of the stadium by the Confederation of African Football as a venue for Shooting Stars Sports Club’s continental campaign.

Shooting Stars secured qualification for continental football after about 28 years but will reportedly play its home matches in Abeokuta after the Ibadan stadium failed to meet CAF’s requirements.

In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the development as disappointing and embarrassing to the state.

The party alleged that the CAF decision had raised questions about the quality of work carried out at the stadium and the funds reportedly committed to its renovation.

Sadare said the state government should explain why a facility said to have gulped N5.5bn could not secure approval to host a continental competition.

He said, “Everyone in the state should ask Governor Makinde to explain the circumstances surrounding the stadium’s failure to secure approval for the CAF Confederation Cup and provide details of the funds committed to its renovation and upgrading.”

The APC also criticised what it described as the alleged delivery of substandard projects by the Makinde administration, citing the recent erosion that reportedly damaged part of a road project in Bodija shortly after its commissioning.

The party said the stadium’s failure to host Shooting Stars’ continental fixtures was particularly unfortunate because the club’s return to African competition after nearly three decades should have provided Oyo State with an opportunity to showcase its sporting infrastructure to a wider African audience.

The APC therefore urged the EFCC and other relevant anti-graft agencies to investigate the award and execution of the stadium project, establish how the funds were spent and make anyone found culpable to face the law.

It also called on the state government to urgently address the deficiencies identified at the stadium and ensure that the facility is upgraded to meet international standards and capable of hosting major continental competitions in the future.

Sports

UCL Final: ‘I hope last year’s loss to PSG still hurts’ – Wilshere messages Arsenal

Published

3 months ago

May 28, 2026

OAdmiN

Former Arsenal star, Jack Wilshere, has sent a message to the Gunners ahead of their UEFA Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal will take on the French Ligue 1 giants in the Champions League final this year in Budapest on Saturday evening.

Mikel Arteta’s side had lost 3-1 on aggregate against PSG in the Champions League semi-final stage last year.

Speaking on TNT Sports (via GOAL), Wilshere remembered Arsenal about their last year’s defeat to PSG and urged them to use it as a revenge to get a win against Luis Enrique’s side when both sides meet again this weekend.

“Now that the Premier League is over the line, I know that the Premier League was the one. I know that Mikel wanted that. I know that the boys wanted that,” Wilshere said.

“Now you have to go through some tough times and learn from it. I hope that the Champions League semi-final [PSG 3-1 Arsenal] last year hurt them enough that they can go on and use that [against PSG].

“I think when you are on the pitch, and you are playing against your direct opponent, you learn so much about them. And to face them next year, they will be better for that.”