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      Liverpool ace Darwin Nunez angrily PIES referee and Toulouse goalscorer after being left fuming at disallowed equaliser

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      LIVERPOOL star Darwin Nunez angrily pied both the referee and a Toulouse goalscorer.That’s after being left fuming at his side’s disallowed equaliser in the Europa League last night.
      Darwin Nunez pied both the ref and a Toulouse goalscorer after Liverpool’s 3-2 defeatCredit: Rex
      Nunez refused to shake hands after Liverpool had a late equaliser disallowedCredit: https://twitter.com/footballontnt

      Nunez was a sub as Liverpool suffered a 3-2 group stage defeat in France on Thursday.
      Liverpool were 2-0 down before pulling one back through an own goal with 15 minutes left.
      Toulouse made it 3-1 just moments later before Diogo Jota gave his side a glimmer of hope with a goal in the 89th minute.
      And deep into stoppage time, Jarell Quansah pulled the trigger on a fine finish to rescue a dramatic point.
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      However, the goal was eventually ruled out by VAR for a handball committed by Alexis Mac Allister earlier in the build-up.
      The controversial decision left Jurgen Klopp enraged after the final whistle.
      And he was even more angry when he had to hold his press conference in a TENT, allowing Toulouse fans to interrupt.
      But it wasn’t just the Reds boss who was upset by the disallowed strike.
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      Jarrell Quansah’s 97th minute strike was chalked off for handballCredit: Reuters
      Jurgen Klopp had to hold his press conference in a tentCredit: AFP
      Uruguay striker Nunez came off the bench in France and cut an unhappy figure at full time.
      As players from both sides shook hands with each other, Nunez had other ideas.
      He first blanked referee Georgi Kabakovafter, seemingly in protest at Liverpool’s 97th minute heartbreak.
      But Nunez also pied Toulouse goalscorer Frank Magri, who attempted to shake the Liverpool man’s hand.
      However, Nunez simply swiped his hand up in the air in a point-blank refusal.
      And fans reacted on social media to the incident, with one saying: “No outrage from the pundits here.”
      Another joked: “He even missed the handshake.”
      One noted: “Liverpool is a big club, their players should have been trained to respect their opponent and have good sportsmanship.”
      Another added: “Imagine the fume if this happened the other way round, we would never hear the end of how disgraceful it is.” More

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      Jose Mourinho rages at ‘horrible performance’ and names only player who ‘didn’t deserve defeat’ in Slavia Prague shocker

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      JOSE MOURINHO let rip at Roma’s “horrible performance” in the Europa League.And he singled out his only player who walked away with any credit and didn’t deserve to lose.
      Jose Mourinho slammed his Roma flops after they lost 2-0 to Slavia PragueCredit: Getty
      Mourinho’s side faced Slavia Prague away looking to extend their lead at the top of Group G.
      However, they slipped to a painful 2-0 defeat in the Czech Republic – with the Portuguese boss watching from the stands as he served his touchline ban for insulting ref Anthony Taylor after last year’s Europa League final.
      Vaclav Jurecka and Lukas Masopust scored in the second half to take Slavia above Roma on goal difference with two games to go.
      And fiery Mourinho was in no mood to support his flops publicly – instead piling in with a brutal assessment.
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      The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss raged: “We lacked everything today. I don’t want to talk much and nor should anyone else.
      “The result was absolutely deserved, both in a positive sense for Slavia Prague and a negative sense for us.
      “I did not like anything about our performance. I already spoke to the players in the locker room, which is something I never do.
      “What we said will remain between us. I want to be honest and fair with the Slavia Prague lads, who fully deserved this win.
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      “We had the opportunity to score for 1-1, but overall it was a horrible performance.
      “Absolutely nothing worked.
      “On an individual level, there were very few players with the attitude I like to see, with what was the right attitude for a game like this.”
      Mourinho named Romelu Lukaku, Diego Llorente, Houssem Aouar and Andrea Belotti in his starting XI – with Paulo Dybala, Bryan Cristante and Renato Sanches all coming off the bench.

      But he did reserve his one positive reflection for a rising star and product of the Roma academy.
      Mourinho added: “I’ll tell you one thing I did like, Edoardo Bove.
      “He is a 21-year-old kid and one guy is not enough to win us a match.
      “All of us deserve defeat tonight except for Bove.”
      Roma face arch-rivals Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday with both sides playing catch up on the top four.
      It was a painful night for Roma in the Europa LeagueCredit: Getty
      Edoardo Bove got the credit for his display from his managerCredit: Getty More

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      Europa League side plead with fans to stop bringing guns, knives, machetes and PETS to games ahead of huge clash

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      OLYMPIACOS have warned their fans travelling to West Ham not to bring laser pens, weapons, or their pets.Hammers players were targeted with lasers shone by supporters in their 2-1 Europa League defeat against the Greek side last month.
      Olympiacos fans gave West Ham an intimidating welcome a fortnight agoCredit: Reuters
      The Greek side’s supporters caused a complaint by one Hammers starCredit: AFP
      Defender Angelo Ogbonna revealed he and his team-mates had the beams pointed in their faces at the raucous Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens.
      “It’s part of the game, but it is a little bit unfair to play with the lasers,” said the Italian.
      “As a British club we are more respectful with that part of the game, but they are very passionate fans.
      “That’s something you rarely see in football. Everyone was targeted.
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      “The problem isn’t just for strikers, it’s for all the players, but that is in the past.
      “We are focused for our game. Hopefully the lasers are going to be banned.”
      Olympiacos have responded by issuing a statement telling their supporters what not to take to the London Stadium on Thursday evening.
      As well as laser pens, they have been warned not to bring guns, knives, machetes, chains, clubs, explosives, fireworks, clothing “that contains foul language” and, perhaps most bizarrely of all, pets.
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      West Ham go into tonight’s clash top of Group A on six points.
      Freiburg are second, also on six points.
      While Olympiacos sit third with four, with Backa Topola bottom with just one.
      The Greek side’s clash with Panathinaikos was recently abandoned due to crowd trouble.
      A halt was called to the action after Panathinaikos star Juankar was struck by a firecracker.
      Jarrod Bowen and Angelo Ogbonna applaud the travelling West Ham fans after their 2-1 defeat in GreeceCredit: Getty More

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      Ajax 0 Brighton 2: Seagulls streets ahead of fallen Dutch giants as Ansu Fati and Adingra both score and assist

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      BRIGHTON played out their wildest dreams in the city of sin – taking a huge stride towards knockout European football on one of the club’s greatest nights.Ansu Fati and Simon Adingra scored either side of half-time to seal back-to-back wins over Euro greats Ajax – something no Seagulls fan could have dreamt up just a year ago, regardless of what they had been smoking.
      Brighton played out their wildest dreams in HollandCredit: Rex
      Brighton had started to find their feet in Europe after three games, triumphing over the Dutch giants at The Amex last time out.
      The four time European Cup winners have improved since, with a new manager and two wins in the Eredivisie lifting them away from the bottom of the table.
      But other than a little more possession and a couple of pot shots from range, there was no huge sign of improvement in the opening stages.
      De Zerbi’s side suffered slow starts against AEK Athens and especially in Marseille. But here in their second ever overseas trip in the competition, the Seagulls got off to a flier thanks to some quick thinking by Adingra.
      Adingra, who is getting plenty of chances following Solly March’s injury, pounced on a loose ball from Silvano Vos before quickly playing in Barcelona loanee Fati.
      The nimble Spaniard raced in behind the red and white back line before finding the bottom left with a cute finish.
      With back-to-back goals in Europe for the Seagulls, Fati is starting to sparkle and took to one of Europe’s most storied stages with ease.
      There were tricks and flicks on the halfway line before he returned the favour for Adingra.

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      Fati drove forward from the centre circle, gifted space by the retreating Ajax defence, and slipped in the Ivorian winger to his right.
      Adingra set himself with a touch and lifted a fine finish into the far corner for his first goal in European football.
      Fati departed with a goal and an assist from an hour’s work as Brighton began rotating and resting, just to make this evening all the more surreal for their travelling fans.
      Ajax are the only side to face the Seagulls this season and not score, though Brian Brobbey came closest in an improved second half – almost finding a way back when his strike hit the inside of the post but rolled across the line before being put behind.
      Bart Verbruggen had to be sharp to stop from Chuba Akpom and protect a rare clean sheet.
      Brighton’s brilliant night was not without concern.

      Ansu Fati opened the scoringCredit: Alamy
      Fati and Simon Adingra celebrate the openerCredit: Getty
      Pervis Estupinan returned from injury as a second half sub only to have to be hooked again shortly after.
      Both James Milner and captain Lewis Dunk were also lost in the first half.
      Dunk, who was named in the England squad on Thursday, suffered a groin injury after Milner had hobbled off after just eight minutes.
      With the Seagulls struggling to cope with the extra burden of Europa League football back home, they are five without a win in the Premier League, more walking wounded is the last thing they need.
      But that was a problem for the morning, the Brighton fans in Amsterdam had some serious celebrating to do – this was a night to toast and the perfect city to do it in.

      Simon Adingra doubled Brighton’s leadCredit: Rex
      Adingra put the game to bedCredit: Rex More

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      Rangers 2 Sparta Prague 1 LIVE RESULT: Danilo and Cantwell fire Gers to crucial Europa League win

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      RANGERS held on to pick up three crucial points in their Europa League Group C clash against Sparta Prague.Danilo and Todd Cantwell’s first-half goals were enough to maintain the Gers’ European hopes.

      RESULT: Rangers 2-1 Sparta Prague
      TV channel/live stream: TNT Sports 3/discovery+

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      West Ham 1 Olympiacos 0: Paqueta strikes to guarantee Hammers European football in the New Year

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      UPON their arrival in East London, the travelling Olympiacos fans were given the starkest of warnings to behave themselves.In a club statement before kick-off, the Greeks produced an astonishing list of banned items deemed inappropriate for the London Stadium, including ammunition, pets and machetes.
      Lucas Paqueta’s volley separated the sidesCredit: Getty
      And after a lengthy VAR check, he was able to celebrate with Said BenrahmaCredit: EPA
      Ward Prowse’s chip provided a great assist for PaquetaCredit: Rex
      Thankfully, that list did not contain West Ham’s Brazilian maestro Lucas Paqueta, who lit up this otherwise dull affair with a beautiful 73rd minute match-deciding volley.
      It was initially given as offside, but VAR came to the rescue to show Paqueta was kept on from James Ward-Prowse’s clever dink thanks to Francisco Ortega’s lazy positioning.
      Having lost their record-breaking 17-match unbeaten run in Europe with defeat out in Athens last month, this crucial result ensures the Hammers are in pole position to top their Europa League group with two games remaining. Victory away at Serbia’s Backa Topola after the international break could clinch it.
      Moyes left his skipper Kurt Zouma at home, the French defender still nursing a troublesome knee injury with Sunday’s clash against Nottingham Forest in mind. Konstantinos Mavropanos was drafted in again to face his compatriots.
      Jarrod Bowen led the line, and not for the first time this campaign, with Michail Antonio left on the bench, a sign perhaps that the Jamaican is falling out of favour.
      You can hardly blame Moyes, who right now is enjoying watching a free-flowing and exciting attacking trio of Bowen, Paqueta and Mohamed Kudus strut their stuff.
      That threesome helped create the first big chance as the hosts began with plenty of zip and aggression. Said Benrahma’s curling effort was tipped wide by Alexandros Paschalakis.
      From the resulting Ward-Prowse corner, the Olympiacos keeper was forced into another save as Nayef Aguerd connected with a header six yards out.

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      But frustration crept in. West Ham have proven already this season they struggle to create when they have more of the ball, and so it was playing out that way.
      Edson Alvarez, only just back from suspension, picked up another booking for a mistimed lunge, while Kudus also saw yellow for a petulant rant at the officials.
      The only consolation for Moyes’ Irons was that Olympiacos looked pretty toothless on the counter. Wolves loanee Daniel Podence shanked their best opening just inside the box.
      West Ham huffed and puffed, and it was much of the same after the break. Olympiacos were sent out to eradicate any rhythm this game had to offer with timewasting, and were succeeding.
      That was until Ward-Prowse and Paqueta combined with devastating effect, although the latter’s eventual celebration in front of the seething away end was perhaps unwise.
      Nerves were jangling in the final seconds as Olympiacos defender Mady Camara struck the post, but the Irons hung on with all their might. More

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      Toulouse 3 Liverpool 2: Klopp left raging as Quansah’s late equaliser bizarrely ruled out for handball by confused ref

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      ANOTHER day, another completely bonkers game.The week which keeps on giving once again once produced a completely crazy game, just like the previous ones between Spurs and Chelsea along with Manchester United’s loss at Copenhagen.
      Jarell Quansah was denied his special momentCredit: Reuters
      Alexis Mac Allister was adjudged to have handled the ball in the build-up to the goalCredit: TNT Sports

      It may only have been the Europa League but do not tell that to anyone inside this stadium who could not believe what they were seeing.
      Unbelievably, Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah thought he had scored a 97th-minute equaliser after Diogo Jota made it 3-2 in the 89th minute.
      While there was mayhem on the touch with players arguing with each other, Bulgarian ref Georgi Kabakov – having pointed to the centre circle for a goal – was called over to the screen after VAR spotted that the ball bounced up off Alexis Mac Allister’s chest and on to his sleeve.
      After a long check, Kabakov ruled the goal out so Liverpool were denied a remarkable recovery.
      Thousands of Liverpool fans have booked their accommodation for the Europa League final in Dublin next May and there is no room for panic. Certainly not yet.
      But here was a reminder that even though Jurgen Klopp’s men will surely still qualify for the knockout stages, the route to Ireland on May 22 will not necessarily be that straightforward – even against teams as seemingly poor as Toulouse.
      Yet with just two wins in their previous 13 games, the Ligue 1 strugglers were deserved winners over Jurgen Klopp’s mix-and-match team in what was another bonkers game in this crazy week of football.
      A first-half strike from Norwegian winger Aron Donnum and a cracking second-half goal from Thijs Dallinga put Toulouse in control.
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      Even when Liverpool pulled one back through an own goal from Cristian Casseres, Toulouse restored their two-goal lead through sub Frank Magri with Klopp’s defence all over the place.
      Jota scored to set up a tense finish although no one could have expected another huge twist right at the end.
      Luis Diaz was celebrating the news that just hours before kick-off, his father had been released by kidnappers in Colombia.
      Having scored a leveller in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Luton, Diaz started here in southern France but lost possession for the second goal, not that it will bother him considering what he has been through.
      Mac Allister pleaded his innocence to the refereeCredit: Reuters
      Aron Donnum celebrated his goal in styleCredit: EPA

      Ultimately, this was a night Klopp will rather forget knowing a win at home to LASK in three weeks will be enough to get them through.
      For much of the first half, Liverpool were in control against a Toulouse team who were desperately poor.
      Yet they capitalised on a really poor effort from Konstantinos Tsimikas which merely illustrated why the injured Andy Robertson cannot return soon enough.
      Tsimkas was caught dithering and he was dispossessed by Donnum who charged into the Liverpool area and saw his shot deflect off Quansah and over Caoimhin Kelleher.
      Klopp made three changes at half-time, including the introduction of Mo Salah, and the German boss was clearly unimpressed with Tsimikas who was replaced with Trent Alexander-Arnold coming into the defence and Gomez moving across to left-back.
      Liverpool lost their perfect Europa League record in dramatic fashionCredit: EPA
      Cristian Casseres scored an unfortunate own goalCredit: Reuters
      Diogo Jota pulled one back on 88 minutesCredit: Rex
      Not even Mo Salah could rescue the Reds in FranceCredit: Reuters
      Yet Liverpool actually got worse in the second half. Toulouse striker Dallinga thought he had scored a second but was penalised for a shove on Joel Matip.
      He celebrated wildly, not releasing the referee had blown for a free-kick yet the Dutch striker did not have to wait too long before scoring one for real as he smashed a shot via the far post after Diaz lost the ball.
      Niklas Schmidt thought he had made it 3-0 but the goal was ruled out for offside and then Liverpool pulled one back when Gomez’s header was turned into the net by the arm of midfielder Casseres.
      Toulouse moved into a 3-1 lead Kelleher spilled a cross into the path of Magri who had only been on the pitch for six minutes.
      Yet in the 89th minute, Diogo Jota scored the best goal of the night, tearing past three players before finishing from inside the area.
      When the ref signalled seven minutes of injury-time, the locals feared the worst and when Quansah scored they feared the worst – before VAR struck.
      Here’s how the action unfolded… More

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      Luis Diaz STARTS for Liverpool in Europa League clash just hours after dad is dramatically freed from kidnap hell

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      LUIS DIAZ started for Liverpool against Toulouse just hours after his dad was dramatically freed.Diaz’s father was finally released 12 days after being kidnapped by ELN guerrillas in Colombia.
      Luis Diaz started for Liverpool in Toulouse this eveningCredit: Reuters
      The Colombian scored as a substitute against Luton at the weekendCredit: Reuters
      Luis Manuel Diaz, middle, poses with two priests in Colombia following his releaseCredit: AFP
      Diaz starts this evening following his father’s releaseCredit: Twitter
      Luis Manuel Diaz spent 12 days as a hostageCredit: Colombia Police
      The Liverpool star remained in training during the ordeal, and came on as a late substitute against Luton last weekend.
      After he scored a last-gasp equaliser for the Reds, Diaz revealed a message on his undershirt, reading: “Libertad Para Papa” – meaning “Freedom for my father”.
      Luis Manuel Díaz Jimenez, 58, was finally freed after it was agreed a commission from the United Nations and the Catholic Church would liaise with the ELN.
      He was seen earlier on Thursday getting out of a chopper in the border area between La Guajira and Cesar.
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      Diaz’s dad waved before getting into a car to be transported to hospital for a checkup.
      He was initially taken hostage at gunpoint alongside his wife on October 28 in Barrancas.
      Diaz’s mother was saved by cops but his dad was dragged away following a pursuit.
      The kidnapping caused outrage in Colombia, where Diaz is a popular figure.
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      It is believed to have been planned by by a female guerrilla fighter called Patricia – who has spent more than half her life trying to overthrow the Colombian government.
      While this was happening, Diaz missed Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on October 29.
      He then made a late cameo against Luton.
      The clash with Toulouse marked his first start since the ordeal began.
      After his goal at Kenilworth Road, Diaz wrote on Instagram last weekend: “This is not Luis Diaz the player speaking.
      “Today it is the son of Luis Manuel Diaz speaking.
      “Mane, my dad, is a hard-working family man, the pillar of our family and he’s been kidnapped.
      “I ask the ELN for the prompt release of my father, and I ask international organisations to work together for his freedom
      “Every second, every minute, our anguish grows.
      “My mother, my brothers and I are desperate, distressed and without words to describe what we are feeling.
      “This suffering will only end when we have him back home.
      “I beg you to release him immediately, respecting his integrity and ending this painful wait as soon as possible.
      “In the name of love and compassion, we ask you to reconsider your actions and allow us to have him back.
      “I thank Colombians and the international community for the support received, thank you for so many demonstrations of affection and solidarity in this difficult time that many families in my country find themselves experiencing.”
      Following news of Diaz’s rescue, Liverpool wrote in a statement: “We are delighted by the news of Luis Diaz’s father’s safe return and we thank all those involved in securing his release.”
      The Reds missed the opportunity to seal qualification for the knockout phase of the Europa League, losing 3-2 in Toulouse.
      Aron Donnum gave the French side the lead, before Thijs Dallinga made it 2-0 just before the hour mark.
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      Cristian Casseres’ own goal gave Liverpool a lifeline, only for Frank Magri to restore Toulouse’s two-goal lead just moments later.
      Diogo Jota’s 89th minute strike set up a grandstand finish and the Reds thought they’d levelled deep into stoppage time – only for Jarell Quansah’s goal to be eventually be disallowed for a handball by Alexis Mac Allister following a lengthy VAR check.
      Diaz is in Europa League action for Liverpool this eveningCredit: Reuters More