Key events
The word is that Nuno has a dream of going back to Wolves, and so do they. Nuno, of course, was the first client of Jorge Mendes, who is the club’s owner’s “football adviser”, but who couldn’t get Julen Lopetegui, also his client, to Molineux. He was also Bruno Lage’s agent.
Talks have opened over a shock Nuno comeback at Wolves. It’s believed the former head coach has told the club he’s eager to return to Molineux
Details here ⬇ #WWFC https://t.co/B26XGetqhQ
— Tim Spiers (@TimSpiers) October 14, 2022
It’s hotting up in the MLS, though no playoff place for the David Beckham/Pippin Neville dream team in Miami. Always next year, lads.
The World Cup Qatar from next month will have areas for drunk fans – and journalists – to sober up as the first to be held in a Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol yet still sponsored by a certain American beer brand.
Per Reuters.
Qatar will let ticketed fans buy alcoholic beer at matches starting three hours before kickoff and for one hour after the final whistle, but not during the match, Reuters reported in September, citing a source with knowledge of plans for the tournament.
Qatar 2022 chief executive Nasser Al Khater told Sky News in an interview published on Thursday that anyone who overdoes it would be looked after. “I know that there are plans in place for people to sober up if … they’ve been drinking excessively,” Al Khater said, adding that it was to make sure they were safe and not harmful to others or themselves and said it was “a good idea”.
Al Khater also repeated assurances that LGBTQ+ fans were welcome and would feel at ease in Qatar. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, as it is in many countries in the Middle East. “Everybody is welcome here and everybody will feel safe when they come to Qatar,” he said when asked for his message to LGBTQ+ fans. When asked if that included gay fans holding hands in public, he said: “Yes” and said “yes” again when asked if that was a message of reassurance.
Tournament organisers have previously stressed that everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or background, is welcome in Qatar, while also warning fans against public displays of affection. Qatar and several countries in the region banned Disney’s animated film “Lightyear” from screening in cinemas this year for featuring characters in a same-sex relationship.
Crisis club latest, from Reuters.
Barcelona will sport the owl logo of Drake’s OVO Sound label on their jerseys instead of main sponsors Spotify when they take on Real Madrid on Sunday to mark the Canadian rapper surpassing 50 billion streams on the music platform.
Barcelona, who were one of the last major clubs without a shirt sponsor, said the move was part of their efforts to bring soccer and music together. Four-times Grammy award winner Drake posted an image of the limited-edition jersey on Instagram to his more than 120 million followers. Barca lead La Liga on goal difference ahead of Real Madrid.
To “bring soccer and music together” is an interesting concept. Why didn’t anyone think of that before? Well done, Drake, on 50 billion streams. Don’t spend the $20 cheque all at once, mate.
Recap of last night’s Europa League news and events.
Our overnight 10 things starts off with this from Andy Hunter
One “freak” result – as Jürgen Klopp put it – has transformed the mood inside Liverpool after they condemned Rangers to the joint-heaviest defeat in their history at Ibrox on Wednesday. The next, and more onerous, challenge is to ensure an emphatic first away win changes the momentum of an inconsistent season. Manchester City and a rested Erling Haaland pose the most formidable threat but the 7-1 win in Glasgow, or certainly the standard of the second-half display, has to be the benchmark for a team that comfortably beat Rangers at Anfield last week before underperforming in defeat at Arsenal. With 13 points separating the two teams who have dominated the title race in recent years, Liverpool cannot afford another false dawn. Their intensity will be key, according to Andy Robertson. “We need to get consistency back into our game, back into our performance,” said the fit-again full-back. “We have to play with that intensity again. At our best we know we can cause problems to any team. Anything below that and it will be a difficult afternoon.” Andy Hunter
Preamble
If Liverpool’s visit to Arsenal last week was a last-chance saloon for the title race, then maybe Sunday and the visit of Manchester City represents something akin to Douglas Adams’ Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Should Erling Haaland do Erling Haaland things then there’s a possibility it puts an end to the club’s latest golden era, a doomsday that means the top four becomes a distant prospect, too. Of course, we are talking about a team that gubbed Rangers 7-1 just two days ago but then again the 9-0 defeat of Bournemouth rings out. Bournemouth are two points above Liverpool at the time. There was a time when there was nothing between Liverpool and City, a matter of two points over four seasons, but not now.
There’s loads of other stuff to look forward to including Brentford v Brighton tonight, with the home team struggling for form. Saturday sees the latest examination of Brendan Rodgers when Crystal Palace visit Leicester. There’s also an unlikely mid-table class between Fulham and Bournemouth, managerless Wolves v Nottingham Forest, that bastion of incredulity.
Sunday is where the main action can be found with Aston Villa, Steven under severe pressure, welcoming Graham Potter’s Chelsea. Table-toppers Arsenal go to Leeds Leeds Leeds. Manchester United v Newcastle now feels like a big match again, which is what a decent run of form in red and an injection of Saudi cash will do for you. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s tightrope walk continues when Southampton welcome West Ham, before the big one takes place at Anfield.
Unlike last week, when Everton played Manchester United, there’s no game in the Hi de Hi/Last of the Summer Wine slot, and long may that continue.
Beyond that, all the big news from the EFL and around the world game. Join us.