Mohamed Salah’s ‘last’ Liverpool-Manchester United clash, Luke Littler’s crowning moment

Would you attend if the English Community Shield were staged in Hong Kong? Would you enjoy it more if it was in tournament form? Just a thought, but I’ll get into the reasons later. Anyway, while you ponder that, here’s a look at what happened in the world of sport while you were sleeping. No more Mo? For about the millionth time this season, Mohamed Salah has given an update on his contract situation. And for the millionth time, the update is that there is no update, this is his last season and there has been nothing from the club’s side. The Egypt forward is out of contract at the end of the season and can now talk to clubs outside England. And speaking ahead of his, and pretty everyone in the league’s favourite opponent Manchester United, he told UK broadcaster Sky Sports he was determined to land the Reds the title because this would be his final opportunity. “The first thing that was on the list was to win the Premier League with Liverpool,” he said. “In my interviews over the last seven or eight years, I always say [I want to win the] Champions League. “But this is the first time I’m saying I really want to win the Premier League with Liverpool.” Asked to elaborate, he added: “I have no idea. It’s probably because we didn’t celebrate the one we won in the way we wanted and also, coming back here too, it’s my last year in the club so you want to do something special for the city.” Salah’s sole Premier League title with Liverpool was won during the Covid-19 season of 2019-20. Italians abroad Back to my question in the intro. For years now, Italy has staged the Super Cup – their version of the Community Shield – abroad, with the United States and China hosting on occasion. Of late, Serie A has struck a deal with Saudi Arabia for the showpiece to be revamped as a tournament, including the runners up as well as winners of both the league and domestic cup with two semi-finals and a final. Now, personally, I’ve always thought this was the ideal match to stage abroad. No one really knows if it’s a competitive match, a friendly or a major honour, unless you’re Jose Mourinho then it warrants an open top bus parade (when he’s on the winning side). Anyway, each to their own. Last night saw the second Italian semi-final in Riyadh with Milan manager Sergio Conceicao celebrating his first match in charge with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory against Juventus. “After the first 45 minutes, in the changing rooms I didn’t give kisses, in fact I got a little angry because the team didn’t do the things we had prepared,” Conceicao said. Kenan Yildiz had given Italian Cup holders Juve a first-half lead before a Christian Pulisic penalty and own goal from Fabio Gatti turned it around. The Rossoneri will face city rivals Inter, who beat Atalanta 2-0 on Wednesday, in the final for the second consecutive year. Last season, Inter trounced Milan 3-0 in the Saudi capital. Modric inspires Madrid It looked like being a night to forget for Real Madrid’s star trio. Trailing 1-0 at Valencia, Jude Bellingham missed a penalty, Vinicius Junior was sent off and Kylian Mbappe had a goal ruled out. But, following the Brazilian’s red card for a push on goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti sent on a calm Luka Modric, who levelled just six minutes later. The momentum was all with Los Blancos then and they then netted a stoppage-time winner as Bellingham took advantage of a tired, defensive mix-up. Valencia almost equalised with the final kick of the match as Luis Rioja’s thunderous effort in the 99th minute powered past Thibaut Courtois but struck the inside of the post. Victory saw Madrid move back to the top of the table, with rivals Atletico two points behind with a game in hand, while Valencia continue to stare relegation in the face as they sit 19th. This match had been rearranged as the original fixture was postponed because of the devastating floods in the Valencia region in late October 2024. Littler the champ He was the favourite, but no one expected such a demolition coming from Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler. Just 17 years old, he crushed darts legend Michael van Gerwen on the biggest stage in the sport with a 7-3 victory in the World Championships final. Having shaken up darts last year when he reached the final at just 16 years of age, Littler came into this event as favourite – and lived up to the billing. Standing in his way was three-time world champion MVG and, though both started nervously with missed shots and, in the Dutchman’s case, even a few busts, it was the young Englishman who took control as he stormed into a 4-0 set lead in the first-to-seven clash. “I can’t believe it,” Little said afterwards. “We both played so well. “Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. You’ve got to get through a tough field. I can’t believe it. At 2-0 up [in the final set] I started getting nervous but I said to myself to ‘Just relax.’ I was throwing for the match and to get it over and done with then was special.” Van Gerwen showed glimpses of why he has been such a brilliant champion and refused to give in without a fight, but was second best. So, moving forward, who can stop the Nuke’s domination? And finally … Friday at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open saw seeded players tumble as China’s Jerry Shang Juncheng set up a semi-final with former grand slam finalist Kei Nishikori. Here is a round up of Friday’s action. It is a tournament which saw Hong Kong No 1 Coleman Wong Chak-lam exit in the first round against Shang, but he said the experience can only help his bid to break into the world’s top 100. Meanwhile, badminton Olympic champion Huang Yaqiong quit the Chinese national team, saying age and injuries had finally caught up with her.

Mohamed Salah’s ‘last’ Liverpool-Manchester United clash, Luke Littler’s crowning moment

Egypt forward is now able to speak to clubs outside England as he enters the final six months of his contract at Anfield

No more Mo?