Sports
Shaqiri scores debut stunner as Reds run riot
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Real Madrid produced a spectacular comeback against Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final with Joselu striking twice late on, earning them a 2-1 win on Wednesday to progress 4-3 on aggregate.
Alphonso Davies smashed the visiting German giants ahead in the second half but record 14-time winners Madrid produced a sensational comeback with Joselu netting in the 88th and 91st minutes.
Bayern Munich’s Canadian midfielder #19 Alphonso Davies scores his team’s first goal in spite of Real Madrid’s Ukrainian goalkeeper #13 Andriy Lunin during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP)
Spanish champions Real Madrid face another German side, Borussia Dortmund, in the Wembley final on June 1, after they stunned the team they call their “black beast”.
Squad player Joselu, on as a late substitute, wrote his name in Madrid’s history books with his last-gasp brace.
Bayern Munich’s English forward #09 Harry Kane reacts to their defeat after the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
“There have been a lot of times we have looked dead and buried, but we have that mentality of never say die,” said Real midfielder Jude Bellingham.
“Joselu deserves it all, he has been an amazing squad member this season.”
Madrid had enjoyed the better of the match but it seemed Davies’ superb strike had set up a repeat of the 2013 all-German final in London.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel made three changes from the first leg, benching veteran Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka.
Dani Carvajal started for Madrid after missing the first leg suspended and was heavily involved as the hosts dominated the opening stages.
Real Madrid players celebrate their second goal scored by Real Madrid’s Spanish forward #14 Joselu during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
Rodrygo Goes was inches away from converting Carvajal’s low cross and the Spain defender then cleverly set up Vinicius Junior with a pass nutmegging a defender, and Manuel Neuer tipped the Brazilian’s shot against the post.
The rebound fell to Rodrygo but his effort was weak and with a desperate arm Neuer was able to claw it out to complete a fine double save.
Bayern’s Serge Gnabry limped off injured with Davies replacing him before Harry Kane’s first flash of danger.
Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was alert to push the England captain’s vicious long-range volley around the post.
Neuer palmed away a Vinicius free-kick as the teams ended a high-intensity, relentlessly frantic first half level.
The second period was just as fraught, with Davies’ cross deflecting onto the roof of Lunin’s goal.
Vinicius was unplayable down Madrid’s left and Rodrygo prodded his low cross agonisingly wide of the far post.
The 38-year-old Neuer made superb saves to deny both Brazilian forwards again before the hour mark as Madrid controlled the game and ratcheted up the pressure.
However just as in Munich, when Los Blancos were at their strongest, Bayern pounced.
Kane fed Davies and the Canada international cut inside from the left and smashed a shot beyond Lunin into the far top corner after 68 minutes.
Madrid thought they had levelled moments later through Nacho but after a VAR review the strike was ruled out as the defender had grabbed Joshua Kimmich’s face before shooting.
Tuchel took off Kane in the final stages to try and hold on to victory but it slipped through his fingers as Madrid produced more indelible European memories.
Neuer, who had been sublime to this point, fumbled what appeared a simple Vinicius strike and Joselu gratefully bundled home from close range.
With Bayern reeling Madrid struck again, decisively. It was Joselu once more, the striker on loan from second division side Espanyol, turning home after Antonio Rudiger cut the ball back to him.
The goal was ruled offside but officials overturned the decision after review, and after nearly 15 minutes of stoppage time, Madrid earned the chance to go for their 15th Champions League trophy.
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