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      Hugo Viana knows how to turn Man City around after overcoming violent fans and mass exodus to rebuild club with Amorim

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      REPLACING Txiki Begiristain, Pep Guardiola’s lieutenant for 12 years and a close personal pal, is a formidable task in itself.But when the new job means overseeing the mass overhaul of a club which has dominated for nearly a decade?Hugo Viana has the immense task of replacing Txiki Begiristain at Man CityCredit: GettyViana has completed a major rebuild before at Sporting Lisbon while dealing with furious fansCredit: GettyViana oversaw the rebuild of Sporting with Ruben Amorim as managerCredit: GettyNow that really is enough to get the knees knocking.Yet when Viana officially starts work in June, it will be City’s new director of football — as much as Guardioia — who is responsible for reshaping the future.Nearly half the side which won a record-breaking four Prem titles on the bounce — but have never been in the hunt for a fifth — are nearing their sell-by date.After a Champions League schooling from Real Madrid saw them miss out on the last 16 for the first time in 12 years, even manager Guardiola admitted it was the end of an era.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLKyle Walker has gone; Ilkay Gundogan looks to be in his final season, and big doubts hang over Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, John Stones and Bernardo Silva. Urgent and major surgery is needed.Some doubt whether Guardiola himself will stick around for the remaining two years of his contract.Viana, one of Europe’s most elegant midfielders as a player, faces a mission so intimidating many would buckle before they checked in.But not the new supremo from Sporting. He knows what it is like to walk into a club in REAL disarray.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSTwo months before Viana went to the Lisbon outfit in August 2018, raging fans stormed the training ground after missing out on the Champions League, attacking players and staff.Seven stars — including four of Portugal’s World Cup squad — terminated their contracts although Bruno Fernandes later stayed on. It was a club in chaos. Pep Guardiola admits ‘best team won’ as Real Madrid knock Man City out of Europe But Viana’s eye for talent and Midas touch in the transfer market brought a domestic cup double in his first season and first title in 19 years the next.There was a ruthless side, too, getting through three managers in 15 months, before taking a punt on an untried rookie from Braga in Ruben Amorim.The second of those was Jorge Manuel Rebelo Fernandes, known to Wolves fans as Silas, who made just 14 appearances in three dismal years at Molineux.Yet despite being axed for Amorim after six months, he still reckons his old Portugal pal from their playing days will have no trouble handling the heat at City.I worked with him for six months but saw his ability to revive a club that was in free fall when others would have thrown in the towel or collapsed.Jorge Manuel Rebelo FernandesSilas, now boss of Uniao Leiria, insisted: “You have to realise Hugo went to Sporting with almost no experience as a sports director when it needed a total reconstruction.“There was an internal rebellion, fans were violent and key men like William Carvalho, Rafael Leao and Rui Patricio — the backbone of the team — left, many for free. “It was a huge economic loss for Sporting and, a few months later, Hugo asked me to help — and you can’t say ‘no’ to a friend.“Sadly, I arrived in the midst of a crisis but in those difficult moments, with all these problems, Hugo did a fantastic job.“I worked with him for six months but saw his ability to revive a club that was in free fall when others would have thrown in the towel or collapsed.They made the perfect choice.Jorge Manuel Rebelo Fernandes“But Hugo was always so calm, never got angry and the results in his tenure spoke for themselves. There is no doubt he was the cornerstone of the resurgence.“Sporting was an intensive course for him where he learnt to solve problems in a high-pressure environment.”Viana’s stand-out success is his ability to rebuild a team, and when Amorim arrived, he did so virtually from scratch. City were certainly impressed.Silas added: “Hugo brought in the likes of Pedro Porro, Joao Palhinha and Morten Hjulmand, and made millions from selling Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, Matheus Nunes and others.“I am not surprised City didn’t hesitate to sign him.READ MORE SUN STORIES“In Pep, they have the best coach in the world and I’m sure the two of them will work well together.“They made the perfect choice.” More

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      Liverpool fans say ‘print this on a T-shirt’ as TNT Sports cameras pan to devastated David Beckham during win over PSG

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      LIVERPOOL fans poked fun at David Beckham after spotting the Manchester United legend’s reaction to their goal against Paris Saint-Germain.Liverpool produced a stunning smash-and-grab victory as they won 1-0 at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 clash.Liverpool fans have poked fun at David Beckham after he was spotted at Parc des Princes on Wednesday nightHarvey Elliott was the hero from the bench for LiverpoolThe runaway Premier League leaders were second best throughout against the PSG on Wednesday night.But goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s heroics kept Arne Slot’s side in it before super-sub Harvey Elliott scored the winner with his first touch at the death.Elliott’s incredible winner – which was Liverpool’s ONLY shot on target – came 47 seconds after he replaced Mohamed Salah.Man-of-the-match Alisson hit a long pass down the middle, which was beautifully collected by Darwin Nunez.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSNunez headed the ball down, cut inside and found an incoming Elliott inside the box, whose low finish beat Gianluigi Donnarumma into the bottom corner.As Liverpool fans, and players, went into raptures, the TNT Sports cameras quickly found former PSG star Beckham in crowd, watching on as Liverpool celebrated near the corner flag.Becks looked far from impressed, watching on solemnly in his dapper suit.And beaming Liverpool fans jumped at the chance to mock their old rival.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne wrote: “I’m off to get this picture printed on a T-shirt 🤣🤣🤣.”A second said: “Beckham’s face says it all as Liverpool shock PSG in the Champions League.”Football Fixers | Cutting it with Premier League Football StarsA third added: “Hahahaha what a finish. Tough luck Becks 😂.”Arne Slot’s side faced 27 of the game’s 29 shots and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a stunning goal disallowed for offside.Alisson made an incredible NINE saves as he repeatedly thwarted PSG’s lively frontline.Liverpool have accumulated many dominant wins under Slot this season, but they will cherish this even more.Ibrahima Konate was fortunate not to be sent off after a VAR review for his push on PSG’s Bradley Barcola, who was running through on goal in the 25th minute.The referee initially played on but VAR did not recommend a red card, seemingly because it was not deemed a clear and obvious error.But after defending for most of the game, Liverpool stole it in the end with just 30 per cent possession.Alisson’s nine saves were the most by a goalkeeper who also kept a clean sheet in a Champions League game this season. Beckham, meanwhile, played 14 games for PSG in 2013 before announcing his retirement from football.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe was reduced to tears on the field as he left the pitch for the final time at the club, and popped by to watch Luis Enrique’s men take on Liverpool leaders on Wednesday.He posed for photos alongside fans inside the iconic Parc De Princes.Beckham posed for snaps alongside dignitaries as he watched former side PSG take on Liverpool in the Champions LeagueCredit: AP More

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      ‘Professionalism that, of the highest order’ – Rio Ferdinand loves what Harvey Elliott did after stunning winner vs PSG

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      RIO FERDINAND commended matchwinner Harvey Elliott for his professionalism after Liverpool beat PSG.Elliott took just 46 seconds to notch the Reds’ winner in Paris after replacing Mo Salah from the bench late on.Harvey Elliott notched an unlikely winner for Liverpool against PSGCredit: GettyThe winger completed his warm down after the matchRio Ferdinand applauded his professionalismHe showed brilliant desire to burst into the box before sidefooting the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma with his first touch of the match.It secured a smash-and-grab victory for Arne Slot’s side, who take a 1-0 lead into the return leg at Anfield next week.Elliott, 21, spoke to media on the pitch after the match aongside man of the match winner Alisson, who kept Liverpool in it with a string of superb saves.But he also found time to warm down after the match and was put through his paces alongside his fellow subs.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRio Ferdinand, who was on commentary for TNT Sport’s coverage of the clash, applauded Elliott’s attitude after watching him complete his strecthes.The former defender said: “Professionalism that, of the highest order.”Elliott has had to remain patient for his chances this season, having made just four starts this campaign.But he has enjoyed playing in Europe this season and now has three goals in his last three Champions League appearances.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSElliott’s strike was just Liverpool’s second in the entire match, coming in the 87th minute.PSG had 27 shots and dominated the ball with 71 per cent possession, but were thwarted by a combination of Alisson and VAR, which ruled out Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s first half strike.Football Fixers | Cutting it with Premier League Football Stars More

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      ‘I know the consequences’ – Ruben Amorim insists he is right man for Man Utd but fears he’ll be axed before he shows it

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      RUBEN AMORIM insists he is still the man to lead Manchester United for the long term.But the Portuguese boss knows what the consequences will be if he cannot start to win more matches.Ruben Amorim has insisted he is the best option for Manchester United in the dugoutCredit: PAThe team have been training ahead of the Europa League clash with Real SociedadCredit: PAAmorim is confident he can turn things around at Old TraffordCredit: PAThe Red Devils crashed out of the FA Cup to Fulham on Sunday — Amorim’s TENTH defeat in just 24 games — and his 14th-placed side face their worst-ever Prem finish after a disastrous campaign.United’s only route to silverware is the Europa League, where they face a tough last-16 first leg at Real Sociedad tonight.Amorim said twice recently that he does not know if he will be at Old Trafford to realise the club’s vision of winning the Premier League by 2028.Asked if he is the man to take them forward, Amorim said: “That is clear, I know what to do. But sometimes there’s a lack of results.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS“So I know the consequences when you don’t win games.“I am really confident since day one. A little bit more frustrated now — but I am still confident.“I’m really confident on the big goal of this club. I’m trying to show the big picture to our supporters.”Amorim arrived from Sporting in November but many have questioned whether the 40-year-old’s favoured 3-4-3 formation is going to work — particularly with this current squad.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut he is not for changing and said: “The system is not the problem, it’s the way of playing.“I was always really clear. I have one idea. I am still really confident because I have an idea how to play football.‘We’ve broken the poor man, he must hate us’ – Ruben Amorim bizarrely stands on different pitch as Man Utd flops trainManuel Ugarte picked up a knock against FulhamCredit: GettyHarry Maguire will also be out for the match against Real SociedadCredit: Getty“I will not change that, no matter what. And I’m not talking about the system, it’s the way I see football.“I will not change that. We are going to do it. Or not, we’ll see.”Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte will miss the first leg in San Sebastian after both missed training and did not travel to Spain.England centre-back Maguire was substituted after 90 minutes of Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round penalty-shootout exit to Fulham, while Uruguay midfielder Ugarte was also withdrawn in the second half.The duo have minor injuries.Amorim added: “They are small things, so we are being careful with them because in this moment we cannot allow us to lose more players for a long time.“So we are taking care of them in Carrington, and they cannot play   this game because it will be a greater risk.”Man United’s travelling squadHere is a look at the 18-man travelling squad for Manchester United to take on Real Sociedad…Goalkeepers:Andre OnanaDermot MeeElyh HarrisonDefenders:Harry AmassDiogo DalotMatthijs de LigtPatrick DorguAyden HeavenVictor LindelofNoussair MazraouiLeny YoroMidfielders:CasemiroToby CollyerChristian EriksenBruno FernandesForwards:Alejandro GarnachoRasmus HojlundJoshua Zirkzee More

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      Fifa confirm biggest cash pot in football history at Club World Cup with Man City and Chelsea getting share of $1BILLION

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      CHELSEA and Manchester City will take shares of the biggest cash pot in football history when they play in this summer’s inaugural expanded Club World Cup.Fifa chiefs confirmed a stunning £776million cash pool for the 32-team tournament to be played in the USA in June and July.Fifa have confirmed the prize money for the Club World CupCredit: GettyA global TV deal with streamer DAZN will pay for the competition.It will see the 12 European teams getting the biggest up front payments.Prize money will be top loaded for progress to the latter stages with full details due to be confirmed next week.But getting to the last eight is expected to be worth £60m for the two Prem sides.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile there is a potential £100m reward if they win the tournament.Fifa will also give a large “solidarity” payment to clubs and nations not involved.Fifa President Gianni Infantino said: “The Fifa Club World Cup will not only be the pinnacle of club football.”But also a vivid demonstration of solidarity that will benefit clubs at large to a scale that no other competition has ever done.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“All revenue generated by the tournament will be distributed to the participating clubs and via club solidarity across the world as Fifa will not keep a single dollar.“Fifa’s reserves, which are there for global football development, will remain untouched.”Fans baffled as Donald Trump sends bizarre video message to pal ‘Jonny’ Infantino before Fifa Club World Cup draw More

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      PSG vs Liverpool LIVE RESULT: Harvey Elliott scores dramatic goal as Reds earn LATE win after Alisson MASTERCLASS

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      ALISSON delivered a goalkeeping MASTERCLASS – but Harvey Elliott stole the headlines with a dramatic late winner in Paris!Paris Saint-Germain dominated the game – with 71% possession and 27 shots – but couldn’t find a way past Liverpool stopper Alisson, who was in inspired form with 10 saves.Earlier, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a beautiful curling strike ruled out by the semi-automated offside system, before PSG had a strong penalty claim denied by the VAR.Arne Slot’s Reds were hanging on in the Champions League first leg against the French giants before Elliott scored with his first touch – less than a minute after coming on – and Liverpool’s ONLY shot on target.TV Channel: TNT Sports 1Kick-off: 8pm GMTPSG XI: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz, Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola.Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Diaz, Jota.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSFollow the blog below for live updates…Match reportIn a remarkable season for Arne Slot’s Liverpool, this was perhaps the most incredible result of the lot.It is a miracle that the runaway Premier League leaders are still standing in this Champions League tie and an absolute wonder that they kept a clean sheet.But that sub Harvey Elliott should have sealed the ultimate smash-and-grab victory with an 87th-minute winner was beyond miraculous, it was simply ridiculous.Copy linkCopiedNext upSouthampton at home next in the Premier League before a trio of huge games.They host PSG next midweek before the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on the Sunday.The small matter of a Merseyside derby is on the horizon too!Copy linkCopiedSlot reactsArne Slot said had Liverpool drawn tonight, they’d have still counted themselves as fortunate.He told Uefa: “Had we got a draw, we would still have been the lucky ones. “They were much the better team today. In the first half, they had many chances. In the second half, they were still the better team.“I saw again today how much quality they have. “Despite that, I felt we were in the game and could hurt them in the transitions. We had three or four chances to do so, but we waited until the last moment.”It’s a good result for us, but we felt the quality of Paris. “Every underlying stat shows you they were the best side in the Champions League. I wasn’t surprised at how good they were. “We were not under-par, it was just down to the quality of the opposition. They showed it today. Luis Enrique has created an incredible team here.”Copy linkCopiedTightOh how different it could’ve been!This was how close Kvaratskhelia was to being onside when he finished so superbly in the first half.Copy linkCopiedMore from HarveyOn Alisson’s display, he added: “I’ve got no words. He’s unbelievable, the best in the world. “He shows it in every game and keeps us in so many games. It was my opportunity to repay this man. It’s down to me to put the opportunity away and, thankfully, it went in. “Without him, I don’t know where we’d be. But it was a great team performance.”Copy linkCopied’I have no words’Tonight’s matchwinner Harvey Elliott told TNT Sports: “Full credit to the team. Paris became a little bit tired towards the end due to our workrate. “They were creating chances but [we kept a clean sheet] thanks to [Alisson] and the defence. It was a very solid game defensively.”Copy linkCopiedCelebrations in the dressing room?A late, great winner from Harvey Elliott means he’ll be celebrating with his teammates in the changing room, right?Well, no.The BBC say he is instead now back out on the pitch doing a warm down alongside the other Liverpool substitutes.Poor guy!Copy linkCopiedMore Alisson statsA third successive clean sheet. The opponents being Man City, Newcastle and PSG.Squawka also tweeted: “The Brazilian made 9 saves against PSG, his joint-most in a Champions League game.”He stopped a PSG side who had scored 40 goals in their previous 10 matches before tonight, from finding the back of the net. “That shutout also means he has now kept more Champions League clean sheets for Liverpool than any other GK in the UCL era (22), breaking Pepe Reina’s record.”Copy linkCopied’Performance of my life’On his performance, the team’s victory and man of the match award, Alisson told TNT Sports: “It was probably the performance of my life. “The manager was telling us how hard it would be to play against PSG, how good they are with the ball and that we would have to be ready to suffer. We knew what was coming.”We worked hard. We gave away so many chances, sometimes one v one but the biggest part of the chase is having someone make the player with the chance think a bit more.”All the efforts the team put in makes my job easier. Then at the end Harvey [Elliott] coming in and scoring the goal, it is a great story for us. A great night.”Copy linkCopiedMan of the matchNo surprises to see this man hold the award….Copy linkCopiedOne word – Smash-and-grabTwo shots at goal, only one on target. Which happened to be the only goal.Have you ever seen anything quite as ludicrous as this.TWENTY-SEVEN shots at goal for the home side without scoring. 10 on target too that Alisson matched.Very nearly three times as many completed passes as Liverpool managed and 14 corners. Copy linkCopiedTonight’s Champions League resultsFeyenoord 0-2 InterBayern 3-0 LeverkusenBenfica 0-1 BarcelonaPSG 0-1 LiverpoolCopy linkCopiedTonight’s heroCopy linkCopiedFT: PSG 0-1 LiverpoolRemarkable.Had Liverpool faced a deficit of a couple of goals going into next week’s second leg, they’d have had no complaints.PSG had an offside goal, missed the target with two glorious chances and when they did manage to hit the target, they were met with a brick wall.Alisson has had some outstanding nights in goal for Liverpool but this must be right up there. He kept them in it and when Mo Salah was eventually hooked after a rare, very poor night, substitute Harvey Elliott popped up with the winner with a few minutes to go with his first touch.Genuinely, remarkable.Copy linkCopiedFULL TIMEDon’t ask me how but Liverpool take a lead to Anfield next week!Harvey Elliott with the winner with his first touch – Alisson with a sensational performance between the sticks.PSG 0-1 LiverpoolCopy linkCopied90+5 – PSG 0-1 LiverpoolLiverpool defend it and Alisson collects.Copy linkCopied90+5 – PSG 0-1 LiverpoolDoue showing outstanding footwork down the left to create an angle for a cross.Endo matches him though and a well-timed block sees him stop the cross.But it is a corner!Copy linkCopied90+3 – PSG 0-1 LiverpoolNuno Mendes with a terrific run into the box on the left and smashes a cross towards goal.It’s read by Alisson who is equal to it again and catches it.Copy linkCopied90+2 – PSG 0-1 LiverpoolMarquinhos puts his foot through it on halfway to launch it into the Liverpool box.Endo is on the end of it and nods it back to Alisson, who controls with his knee before picking it up, just wasting a few more seconds.Great composure from both.Copy linkCopied90 – PSG 0-1 LiverpoolFive minutes added on at the end of this first leg.Copy linkCopiedGOAL DETAIL: PSG 0-1 LiverpoolExtraordinary. Slot should’ve made the change sooner!No, all credit to him for taking Salah off and bring Elliott on.It’s superb from Nunez, putting his weight about and be a physical presence to ruffle some feathers.He brings the ball down and plays in Elliott who arrives late into the box off the right and coolly with a first time finish passes it into the far corner with his left foot.Donnarumma has had nothing to do all night and got a touch but couldn’t keep it out – Alisson likely would’ve!A priceless goal!Copy linkCopied86 – PSG 0-0 LiverpoolOops, Slot obviously agrees….Liverpool change:OFF: SalahON: ElliottCopy linkCopied87 – GOAL!! PSG 0-1 LIVERPOOLWOULD YOU BLINKIN’ BELIEVE IT!!HARVEY ELLIOTT scores for Liverpool seconds after replacing Mo Salah!Copy linkCopied84 – PSG 0-0 LiverpoolOh Mo, what a waste!!!Dembele curls a great ball towards the back post and Alisson dives off his line to push it away with one hand superbly.Liverpool are then on the break and Salah races onto a pass on halfway and tries to play in Nunez with a right-footed pass with only one defender to beat but passes it to that one defender.He could’ve gone alone or made better use of the pass. That was a huge chance wasted by Salah again. He’s irreplaceable of course but he’s lucky to still be on!Copy linkCopied82 – PSG 0-0 LiverpoolHakimi gets space down the right as PSG continue to push.His cross is met by Alisson who comes off his line to gather.Copy linkCopied More

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      PSG 0 Liverpool 1: Sub Harvey Elliott scores with first touch as Reds seal smash-and-grab victory thanks to Alisson

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      IN a remarkable season for Arne Slot’s Liverpool, this was perhaps the most incredible result of the lot.It is a miracle that the runaway Premier League leaders are still standing in this Champions League tie and an absolute wonder that they kept a clean sheet.Harvey Elliott was the hero from the bench for LiverpoolCredit: PAPSG were made to rue their missed chancesCredit: AFPLiverpool had Alisson to thank for keeping them in itCredit: ReutersBut that sub Harvey Elliott should have sealed the ultimate smash-and-grab victory with an 87th-minute winner was beyond miraculous, it was simply ridiculous.The scoreline at the top of this page reads like a misprint.England’s champions-elect were subjected to a 90-minute pummelling from an electrifying Paris St Germain side.There were elements of sheer fortune, including two major VAR calls which went in their favour – ruling out a first-half strike from the phenomenal Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and allowing Ibrahima Konate to escape a red card.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Alisson conjured up a masterclass in the Liverpool goal and the rest was all about an obdurate Reds team who lose so rarely that they have simply forgotten how to do so.Elliott’s strike was his first touch since arriving as a sub less than a minute earlier.Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele had been magnificent all night but ended with nowt. Elliott sat on the bench for so long, yet went on and won it.It is supposed to be France’s perma-champions PSG who don’t get proper competition in their domestic league. In this match, it felt like Liverpool – who simply never get dominated in this manner in the Premier League.Most read in Champions LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSYet they will head back to Anfield on Tuesday as favourites to book a likely all-English quarter-final against Aston Villa.Both of these clubs are champions-elect in their homelands – both 13 points clear at the top.Arne Slot impressed as Liverpool brush off nervy displays to close in on title And if Liverpool’s form had been excellent, then PSG’s was even better – they had scored 40 goals in a run of ten straight wins.The Parisian Galactico era is over after Kylian Mbappe followed Lionel Messi and Neymar out of the exit door. In their place was a proper team.And Slot’s side were subjected to a magnificent pounding, pass-and-move football from the Gods as well as dribbling and nutmeggery from the Messi school.The fact that Alisson’s goal survived unscathed for 45 minutes was genuinely extraordinary.At the centre of it all were Dembele – the hottest forward in Europe with 14 goals from his previous 18 games – and the Georgian winger Kvaratskhelia – try to get the ball off him, try to spell his name.First, Dembele sprinted down the right, skipping past two Liverpool players and centring for Joao Neves to fire over inexplicably.Then Dembele nutmegged Mac Allister and sprinted through four Liverpool defenders before his shot was deflected wide off Virgil Van Dijk.And then on 20 minutes, PSG thought they had taken a well-deserved lead when Vitinha squared for Kvaratskhelia to bend a left-footed shot into the far corner.You could have headed into the centre of town and hung it in the Louvre – but then the VAR robot ruled it out for a fractional offside.If that was a stroke of luck for Liverpool, the next one was outrageous good fortune.Ibrahima Konate shoved over Bradley Barcola on the edge of the box but the incident was waved away by Italian ref Davide Massa.Liverpool launched a counter-attack but play was halted for a red-card check against Konate yet VAR Aleandro Di Paolo surprisingly allowed the on-field decision to stand.Here was the ‘high bar’ for VAR interventions, which we are supposed to have in the Premier League but clearly don’t.Then Kvaratskhelia – a nightmare for full-backs and spell-checks alike – produced a fierce long-ranger pushed out by Alisson.After that, Barcola fed Dembele, with Alisson rushing out to block – Barcola having a follow-up effort blocked by Dominik Szoboszlai before his next shot was skied.And then the Countdown conundrum man darted between defenders like a rat in a subway before he nutmegged Konate with a shot which Alisson clawed away.Liverpool’s defenders had seen so much of the name on the back of his shirt that they might even be able to spell it.It was difficult to recall such a sublime 45-minute performance going unrewarded. The scoreline read like a misprint.The Reds, simply not used to this kind of pummelling, were clinging on for dear life. The shot-count read 13-1 in favour of the French champions.Kvaratskhelia pinged a free-kick just wide, then forced another save from Alisson.When Liverpool did manage to break, Nuno Mendes had Mo Salah under lock and key.Van Dijk was booked for time-wasting – one of the most laudable yellow cards ever seen. Liverpool were desperately wishing these 90 minutes away.Darwin Nunez arrived in place of Diogo Jota and soon left PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma needing treatment.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd then came the ridiculous denouement as Alisson punted forward, Nunez held it up and angled a pass to Elliott who drilled past Donnarumma, who ought to have done better.It ended PSG’s 22-match unbeaten run. And it defied all reason. More

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      Ex-Man Utd keeper makes horror blunder to gift Musiala goal as Bayern Munich thrash Leverkusen 3-0 in Champions League

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      BAYER LEVERKUSEN goalkeeper Matej Kovar made a horror blunder to gift Bayern Munich the edge in their Champions League crunch clash.Jamal Musiala capitalised when Kovar – who spent three years at Manchester United between 2020 and 2023 – dropped Joshua Kimmich’s simple cross in the 55th minute.Former Manchester United keeper Matej Kovar made a horror blunder against Bayern MunichKovar failed to collect Joshua Kimmich’s cross in the 55th minuteCredit: GettyKovar never made a first-team appearance for the Red Devils, but did play 53 times for their under-21s.With Bayern 1-0 up at the time, Arsenal and Liverpool target Kimmich’s lofty long cross should’ve been a simple catch for the Czech Republic Euro 2024 stopper. But Kovar, 24, jumped and somehow let the ball slip through his fingers in the 55th minute, to double the home side’s lead.Musiala, who was lingering underneath Kovar, pounced on the mistake and tapped home his third Champions League goal of the season.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe camera turned to a devastated Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso on the touchline.During his three year stint at United, Kovar was shipped out on loan to Swindon Town, Burton Albion and Sparta Prague, before joining Leverkusen on a permanent basis in 2023.Things went from bad to worse for the visitors after Kovar’s howler when Nordi Mukiele was sent off for a second booking for a foul on Kingsley Coman in the 62nd minute.Meanwhile, Harry Kane marked his reunion with blunder referee Michael Oliver, with two goals – his 53rd and 54th in the competition.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSKane got Bayern off to a dream start after just nine minutes, with a high back-post header over Leverkusen’s Mukiele.The England captain met former Crystal Palace star and countryman Michael Olise’s blistering pristine cross. Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich shows off his skills on the training pitch Kovar spent three years with Manchester UnitedJamal Musiala was behind Kovar and capitalised on his faux-pas to put his 2-0 upCredit: GettyBlunder ref Michael Oliver was kept busy on Wednesday nightCredit: AFPKane then won a foul from Edmond Tapsoba inside the box and scored a penalty in the 71st minute to secure a 3-0 win for the Bundesliga leaders.The former Spurs star has now scored 30-plus goals in a season for the seventh time in his club career, since the first season he did so in 2014-15.Only Robert Lewandowski has more 30 goal campaigns (nine) for clubs in Europe’s big-five leagues.Olise looked at home in the Champions League and was a menace throughout.But it took just 16 minutes, for under-fire Prem ref Oliver to be sucked into his first bit of drama.Bayern stars crowded him when Kane’s free-kick, won by Olise, struck Mukiele’s arm, who was standing in the wall inside the box inside 15 minutes.Oliver waved on before a standard VAR check confirmed no penalty.The biggest controversy came when Kane escaped a red card after a David Beckham-style kick out at Granit Xhaka.Oliver was reunited with former Tottenham star Harry KaneCredit: AFPKane lashed out at Granit Xhaka with an apparent kickXhaka shoved Kane in the back, causing the striker to fall.The England captain then lashed out at Xhaka and appeared to throw out his leg as the ex-Arsenal star fell to the turf.Team-mates and the referee had to intervene to separate the former North London derby rivals, though neither were booked.Oliver was kept busy on Wednesday night after two red card checks across the 90 minutes.He might welcome a weekend off after being kept off the Prem schedule.It comes after Oliver’s stunning initial decision not to send off a Millwall player for a kung-fu kick on Saturday.Oliver, 40, needed a VAR intervention to persuade him to issue a red card to Lions keeper Liam Roberts for his outrageous challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.Meanwhile, 10-man Barcelona beat Benfica 1-0 away from home in their first-leg tie in Lisbon.Former Leeds star Raphinha broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, with a stunning low corner finish past Anatoliy Trubin.Barca star Pau Cubarsi showed his age when he was given a straight red for a last-man challenge on Vangelis Pavlidis in the 22nd minute.Cubarsi, 18, was hoping to execute the perfect challenge, but caught Pavlidis on the edge of the box.READ MORE SUN STORIESInsodoing, he became the the second youngest player to be sent off in Champions League history after Celestine Babayaro in 1994 (16 years and 86 days).Benfica keeper Trubin had been forced into a sensational triple save just moments before the red card.Pau Cubarsi was given a straight red for a last-man challenge on Vangelis PavlidisCredit: EPA More