Premier League

LIVERPOOL’s win over Crystal Palace saw manager Arne Slot join an exclusive club as fans claimed he is “turning doubters to believers.”The Dutch ace had no hesitation in taking charge from Anfield legend Jurgen Klopp this summer.Arne Slot has joined an exclusive club after Liverpool’s win at Crystal PalaceCredit: AlamyAnd despite Liverpool having a quiet transfer window with just one signing, Slot has already ticked all the boxes.The Reds sit top of the table with six wins from seven games.Their sole defeat came at the hands of Nottingham Forest.And today’s 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace saw Liverpool record their third win on the bounce.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, that was not the only milestone for the Merseysiders.With the win coming at Selhurst Park, it saw Slot just the fourth manager in top-flight history to win his first four top-flight away games.Former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, ex-Aston Villa gaffer John Gregory and Coventry City icon Bobby Gould are the only other tacticians to achieve the same feat.Slot’s record also sees him become the first-ever Liverpool boss to win four away games on the bounce.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut for now, the Dutchman remains behind his three managerial pals.Gould and Gregory both ended up winning their first five respective matches.Arne Slot aims dig at Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss says ‘I’m a stupid manager if 12.30pm kick offs are more difficult’ Gaffers to win first four top-flight away gamesLuiz Felipe Scolari, Chelsea – 8John Gregory, Aston Villa – 5Bobby Gould, Coventry City – 5Arne Slot, Liverpool – 4Luiz Felipe Scolari holds the record after winning his first eight away games at ChelseaCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdJohn Gregory won five on the bounce at Aston VillaCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdBobby Gould also achieved the same feat at Coventry CityCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdWhile Scolari took Chelsea on an EIGHT-game winning away run.However, Slot could end up being matched fairly soon by Enzo Maresca.The Chelsea boss has also enjoyed a strong start to life in his role.And Maresca’s next away victory will also see him do four in a row.Yet Slot himself can put the dent in his Italian rival’s dream.That’s because Chelsea’s next away fixture is at Anfield against Liverpool after the international break.Enzo Maresca is also on for four in a row provided Chelsea beat Liverpool at AnfieldCredit: AFP More

LIVERPOOL triumphed at Selhurst Park in the early slot loathed by their former boss Jurgen Klopp.The German often grumbled about 12:30 kick offs, but his successor Arne Slot has a wholly different attitude.Arne Slot was all smiles despite being in the early kick-off slotCredit: PALiverpool celebrate their ninth minute openerCredit: ReutersAnd the Dutchman was positively loving the early start when Diogo Jota gave his side the lead after just nine minutes.Following the Reds’ 1-0 triumph, here’s how SunSport’s Martin Lipton rated each Liverpool performer on the day.ALISSON – 7Smart low save to foil Ismaila Sarr at the end of the first half after being a virtual spectator for 45 minutes.Second-half saves from Eberechi Eze and Eddie Nketiah before hamstring twanged to spark major concernsREAD MORE IN FOOTBALLTRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 7Took advantage of Palace’s lack of threat to maraud forward and into the middle.Dead ball delivery was on the money, too. IBRAHIMA KONATE – 7Rarely flustered as Liverpool kept the home side at arm’s length and knew when to bring his physicality to bear.Will have tougher lunchtimes in the club canteen.  Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSVIRGIL VAN DIJK – 8Calm as ever and barely got out of first gear as he neutralised Palace’s limited danger with positional and tactical intelligence.Lucky to escape punishment for his wrist-pull on Marc Guehi.Fans stunned as Arne Slot ‘cooks’ Man Utd with savage statement after Red Devils’ Tottenham humiliationKOSTAS TSIMIKAS – 7Greek defender was targeted early on but played his part in the opener.Settled down and unruffled for much of what followed.RYAN GRAVENBERCH – 8Patrolled deep and able to set the tempo from midfield with impunity.He looks utterly at home and comfortable in a Liverpool shirt now although one mistake might have been punished.Ryan Gravenberch was impressive for the RedsCredit: AFPALEXIS MAC ALLISTER – 7Spotted the gaps in the Palace rearguard from the start with his constant movement into space to create clever passing angles.Booking might have been a reason for his replacement at the break.MOHAMED SALAH – 7Sharp intakes of breath from home fans whenever he got the ball told the story.Even when not at his best he creates menace but a surprising substitution. Mo Salah was all smiles at Selhurst ParkCredit: PACURTIS JONES – 6Slotted into the middle on his first Prem start of the season.Might have wanted to make more impact but did little wrong. CODY GAKPO – 7Supplied the opener with a smart run and low cross from the left but left frustrated afterwards.Somewhat unlucky to be booked for a skirmish with Sarr and always available. DIOGO JOTA – 6Cold-blooded finish to get Liverpool on their way.Missed a similar chance before half-time and a simple header after the break. Diogo Jota fires Liverpool into an early leadCredit: AlamySUBSTITUTESDominik Szoboszlai (for Mac Allister, 46) – 6Struggled to make an initial impact after replacing Mac Allister but influence grew as the game wore on and tested Henderson with one effort.Luis Diaz (for Salah, 73) – 5Colombian went right when he came on for Salah rather than his usual role on the other flank.Andrew Robertson (for Tsimikas, 79) – 6On to shore things up at the back as the introductions of Will Hughes and Jean-Philippe Mateta finally gave Palace some attacking impetusVitezslav Jaros (for Alisson, 79) – 6Czech keeper would have been excused for being nervous at being summoned with a few minutes to go but delighted that Eze shot straight at him when in on goal.READ MORE SUN STORIESWataru Endo – (for Jones, 89) – 5Barely time to make any real impact but helped see out the win.Dominik Szoboszlai did not make a big impact after coming onCredit: Getty More

LIVERPOOL have suffered a major injury blow after Alisson was forced off with a serious hamstring injury.The Brazilian shot-stopper was replaced late on in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace by debutant Vitezslav Jaros.Alisson limped off late in the game against Crystal PalaceCredit: TNT SportsIt is Alisson’s second injury of the season after he suffered thigh problems last monthCredit: AFPAlisson was replaced by third-choice keeper Vitezslav JarosCredit: ReutersAlisson immediately went down after clearing the ball away and manager Arne Slot has confirmed he does not expect him back before November.Caoimhin Kelleher was unavailable due to illness, leaving 23-year-old Czech Jaros to come on in between the sticks.His previous match in English football was for Stockport against Salford in October 2022 as he kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win.And he was immediately forced into action as Eberechi Eze was played through and forced a smart save from the replacement Liverpool keeper.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAlisson missed Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth last month due to a thigh injury.He was also absent for their 5-1 Carabao Cup victory against West Ham.Now he is set for more time on the sideline as he went down and clutched his hamstring before being replaced.But while Alisson’s injury will be a blow to Liverpool manager Arne Slot, their positive start under the Dutchman continues.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe 1-0 win over Liverpool ensures they will head into the second international break of the season top of the Premier League table.They have won six of their seven matches – with their only dropped points coming in a 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.Ex-Liverpool star John Arne Riise shows what he is made of on the training pitch Liverpool have also won their opening two Champions League games against AC Milan and Bologna. More

TYRONE MINGS has made his long-awaited return to football after starting for Aston Villa’s under-21 side.The England international has not featured for Villa since suffering a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury 14 months ago.Tyrone Mings has returned to football after 14 months on the sidelinesThe 31-year-old has started Villa’s U21s game against NewcastleMings tore his ACL in Villa’s 5-1 defeat to Newcastle on the opening day of last termMings picked up the serious knee injury on the opening day of last season in Villa’s 5-1 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park.The centre-back has made strong progress in his rehabilitation considering the nature of the gruesome setback.And after a gruelling year-long absence, Mings has made another huge step forward after starting against Newcastle’s under-21s today.The 31-year-old played the first 45 minutes, with the score at 1-1.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSMidfielder Boubacar Kamara also marked his return to the pitch by playing the first half against the Toon’s youth side.Kamara injured his ACL in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford in February.Unai Emery said last month that he hopes Mings and Kamara will be able to return to his matchday squad after the October international break.Mings returned to full training at Bodymoor Heath last week and will be keen to get stuck into Villa’s success.Most read in FootballMings Instagram post showed as he started getting back to doing mobility workCMidfielder Boubacar Kamara was also back in actionFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe veteran defender told Villa TV last month: “I’m super excited to get back playing, to see what the season holds. “I’m so proud of the players to finish fourth in the Premier League. To be part of it this season will be special.”Prince William wildly celebrates historic Aston Villa win against Bayern Munich Mings would have been disappointed to have missed out on Villa’s historic 2023-24 season, as they defied expectations to finish fourth in the Prem and reached the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League.He also missed out on a memorable night on Wednesday as Emery’s side beat Bayern Munich 1-0 at Villa Park in the Champions League.Pau Torres and Diego Carlos have formed a solid defensive partnership in his absence at the heart of Villa’s defence since.Fans left were taken aback after seeing both the extent and ramifications of Mings’ leg injury in March.An Instagram video highlighted the “muscle wastage” on Mings’ leg, with his right leg looking far thinner than his left.This is a condition known as muscle atrophy, which is the decrease in the size of muscle tissue due to a lack of physical activityREAD MORE SUN STORIESHe underwent surgery and spent three weeks in the USA as part of his rehab programme.He missed the chance to compete for a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.Mings shared video footage of him doing exercise on a machine More