LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian had one of the quietest nights of his career. Villarreal barely came into his penalty area. Getty
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian had one of the quietest nights of his career. Villarreal barely came into his penalty area. Getty
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6. The 23-year-old had the latitude to get forward at will because the opposition sat so deep. His crossing was not as effective as usual and he was substituted for Gomez with nine minutes left. Reuters
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6. The 23-year-old had the latitude to get forward at will because the opposition sat so deep. His crossing was not as effective as usual and he was substituted for Gomez with nine minutes left. Reuters
Ibrahima Konate – 7. The Frenchman miscued a header early on but did not put a foot wrong after that. He was not placed under pressure. EPA
Ibrahima Konate – 7. The Frenchman miscued a header early on but did not put a foot wrong after that. He was not placed under pressure. EPA
Virgil van Dijk – 7. The Dutchman was not unduly tested and was in control for the majority of the game. A very comfortable performance. Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk – 7. The Dutchman was not unduly tested and was in control for the majority of the game. A very comfortable performance. Getty Images
Andrew Robertson – 7. The Scot could afford to forget about his defensive duties and push forward. He was always available as an outlet ball and sent in some probing passes. AP Photo
Andrew Robertson – 7. The Scot could afford to forget about his defensive duties and push forward. He was always available as an outlet ball and sent in some probing passes. AP Photo
Jordan Henderson – 8. The captain may not have the finesse of his midfield partners but his appetite for work was impressive. His deflected shot gave Liverpool the breakthrough before he made way for Keita in the 72rd minute. Getty Images
Jordan Henderson – 8. The captain may not have the finesse of his midfield partners but his appetite for work was impressive. His deflected shot gave Liverpool the breakthrough before he made way for Keita in the 72rd minute. Getty Images
Fabinho – 8. The Brazilian’s pressing unnerved the Villarreal midfield. His distribution was good and he was not afraid to tackle. Reuters
Fabinho – 8. The Brazilian’s pressing unnerved the Villarreal midfield. His distribution was good and he was not afraid to tackle. Reuters
Thiago Alcantara – 8. The 31-year-old was prominent as Liverpool dominated the middle. His quick passing kept the team on the move and his pressing was superb. AP Photo
Thiago Alcantara – 8. The 31-year-old was prominent as Liverpool dominated the middle. His quick passing kept the team on the move and his pressing was superb. AP Photo
Mohamed Salah – 8. The Egyptian had to work to find space in the crowded defence but he managed to fire in a couple of threatening efforts. His astute pass set up the second goal. EPA
Mohamed Salah – 8. The Egyptian had to work to find space in the crowded defence but he managed to fire in a couple of threatening efforts. His astute pass set up the second goal. EPA
Sadio Mane – 8. The Senegalese never gave Villarreal the chance to relax. He should have done better with a first-half header but he more than made up for that with the second goal. Jota came on for him with 17 minutes left. Getty Images
Sadio Mane – 8. The Senegalese never gave Villarreal the chance to relax. He should have done better with a first-half header but he more than made up for that with the second goal. Jota came on for him with 17 minutes left. Getty Images
Luis Diaz – 7. The Colombian engaged in a compelling battle with Foyth and came out on top. He produced a couple of shots that were too close to the goalkeeper. Origi replaced him with nine minutes left. Reuters
Luis Diaz – 7. The Colombian engaged in a compelling battle with Foyth and came out on top. He produced a couple of shots that were too close to the goalkeeper. Origi replaced him with nine minutes left. Reuters
SUBS: Naby Keita – 7. The Guinean replaced Henderson in the 72rd minute. He made sure the pressing remained effective until the final whistle. AP
SUBS: Naby Keita – 7. The Guinean replaced Henderson in the 72rd minute. He made sure the pressing remained effective until the final whistle. AP
Diogo Jota – 6. The Portuguese joined the action at Mane’s expense in the 73rd minute. He kept the defence honest without threatening too much. Getty
Diogo Jota – 6. The Portuguese joined the action at Mane’s expense in the 73rd minute. He kept the defence honest without threatening too much. Getty
Divock Origi – 6. The Belgian came on for the last nine minutes when Diaz was substituted. He offered himself as a target man and held the ball up well. AP
Divock Origi – 6. The Belgian came on for the last nine minutes when Diaz was substituted. He offered himself as a target man and held the ball up well. AP
Joe Gomez – 6. The 24-year-old entered the fray for Alexander-Arnold with nine minutes to go. His short cameo was efficient and secure. Getty Images
Joe Gomez – 6. The 24-year-old entered the fray for Alexander-Arnold with nine minutes to go. His short cameo was efficient and secure. Getty Images
VILLARREAL RATINGS: Geronimo Rulli – 5. The Argentine displayed a tendency to punch the ball and was insecure in his handling. He did not inspire a sense of security in the defence. Action Images
VILLARREAL RATINGS: Geronimo Rulli – 5. The Argentine displayed a tendency to punch the ball and was insecure in his handling. He did not inspire a sense of security in the defence. Action Images
Juan Foyth – 6. The Argentine got tied up in a tussle with Diaz. He did well in the first half but looked weary as the game went on. Getty Images
Juan Foyth – 6. The Argentine got tied up in a tussle with Diaz. He did well in the first half but looked weary as the game went on. Getty Images
Raul Albiol – 7. The 36-year-old used all of his experience to keep Liverpool at bay. But for his presence, the scoreline could have been much uglier. AFP
Raul Albiol – 7. The 36-year-old used all of his experience to keep Liverpool at bay. But for his presence, the scoreline could have been much uglier. AFP
Pau Torres – 6. The Spaniard made a sharp early clearance and continued in that vein. He was not afraid of bringing the ball out when under pressure but he might have done better for the second goal. Reuters
Pau Torres – 6. The Spaniard made a sharp early clearance and continued in that vein. He was not afraid of bringing the ball out when under pressure but he might have done better for the second goal. Reuters
Pervis Estupinan – 4. The Ecuadorian was given a severe examination by Salah and the strain began to tell on him in the second half. He was replaced by Munoz in the 72nd minute after deflecting the first goal into the net. EPA
Pervis Estupinan – 4. The Ecuadorian was given a severe examination by Salah and the strain began to tell on him in the second half. He was replaced by Munoz in the 72nd minute after deflecting the first goal into the net. EPA
Giovani Lo Celso – 6. The Argentine was let down by his control when a clear chance looked possible. He got back and helped out in his own area and made a good block from a Salah shot. AFP
Giovani Lo Celso – 6. The Argentine was let down by his control when a clear chance looked possible. He got back and helped out in his own area and made a good block from a Salah shot. AFP
Etienne Capoue – 4. The Frenchman allowed the Liverpool midfield to dominate. He was bypassed by the play much too often. Getty Images
Etienne Capoue – 4. The Frenchman allowed the Liverpool midfield to dominate. He was bypassed by the play much too often. Getty Images
Dani Parejo – 4. The Spaniard struggled against the Liverpool press. He found Lo Celso behind the defence from a long free kick but the Argentine could not control the ball. Aurier came on for him in the 72nd minute. EPA
Dani Parejo – 4. The Spaniard struggled against the Liverpool press. He found Lo Celso behind the defence from a long free kick but the Argentine could not control the ball. Aurier came on for him in the 72nd minute. EPA
Francis Coquelin – 4. The Frenchman could not stamp his mark on the game. Ineffective throughout, he made way for Pedraza in the 57th minute. PA
Francis Coquelin – 4. The Frenchman could not stamp his mark on the game. Ineffective throughout, he made way for Pedraza in the 57th minute. PA
Samuel Chukwueze – 3. The Nigerian could not get on the ball and surrendered possession when the defence needed respite. The climax of a peripheral performance came when he was taken off in the 72nd minute for Dia. Getty Images
Samuel Chukwueze – 3. The Nigerian could not get on the ball and surrendered possession when the defence needed respite. The climax of a peripheral performance came when he was taken off in the 72nd minute for Dia. Getty Images
Arnaut Danjuma – 3. The 25-year-old played a slack pass with his team threatening to open up the defence on one of the rare occasions he got support. He offered little and was substituted for Alcacer with four minutes left. AFP
Arnaut Danjuma – 3. The 25-year-old played a slack pass with his team threatening to open up the defence on one of the rare occasions he got support. He offered little and was substituted for Alcacer with four minutes left. AFP
SUBS: Alfonso Pedraza – 5. The winger replaced Coquelin in the 57th minute. It was difficult for him to get involved because Liverpool were in control. AFP
SUBS: Alfonso Pedraza – 5. The winger replaced Coquelin in the 57th minute. It was difficult for him to get involved because Liverpool were in control. AFP
Serge Aurier – 5. The Ivorian entered the game for Parejo in the 72nd minute. He could do little to change the course of the game. AFP
Serge Aurier – 5. The Ivorian entered the game for Parejo in the 72nd minute. He could do little to change the course of the game. AFP
Manu Trigueros – 4. The 30-year-old came on for Estupinan in the 72nd minute. He barely saw the ball. AP Photo
Manu Trigueros – 4. The 30-year-old came on for Estupinan in the 72nd minute. He barely saw the ball. AP Photo
Boulaye Dia – 5. The 25-year-old replaced Chukwueze in the 72nd minute. He offered options up front but not a cutting edge. Reuters
Boulaye Dia – 5. The 25-year-old replaced Chukwueze in the 72nd minute. He offered options up front but not a cutting edge. Reuters
Paco Alcacer – 4. The 28-year-old was Villarreal’s final substitute, for Danjuma, with four minutes left. The striker hardly got a touch. AFP
Paco Alcacer – 4. The 28-year-old was Villarreal’s final substitute, for Danjuma, with four minutes left. The striker hardly got a touch. AFP

Sport

Football

Liverpool vs Villarreal player ratings: Mane 8, Salah 8; Danjuma 3, Capoue 4

Sadio Mane on target as Liverpool win Champions League semi-final first leg at Anfield 2-0

Tony Evans

April 28, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

An own goal and a Sadio Mane strike earned Liverpool a 2-0 victory in their Champions League semi-final first-leg against Villarreal on Wednesday, putting Jurgen Klopp's side on course for their third European Cup final in five seasons.

Villarreal defended in numbers in the first half to frustrate the six-time European Cup winners, with Thiago Alcantara going closest to breaking the deadlock with a thunderous strike from distance that hit the post.

Liverpool turned it up a notch after the break and moments after Brazilian midfielder Fabinho had seen one effort ruled out for offside, Jordan Henderson's cross was deflected into his own net by Pervis Estupinan to break Villarreal's resistance.

Able to express themselves with the deadlock broken, Mohamed Salah threaded a sublime pass through for Mane to put the game beyond the visitors 133 seconds later.

To read Tony Evans' player ratings from the match simply scroll through the picture gallery above.

Liverpool had chances to make the result more comprehensive, but will be firm favourites to finish the job in next week's second leg in Spain.

THREE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Kalra's feat
  • Becomes fifth batsman to score century in U19 final
  • Becomes second Indian to score century in U19 final after Unmukt Chand in 2012
  • Scored 122 in youth Test on tour of England
  • Bought by Delhi Daredevils for base price of two million Indian rupees (Dh115,000) in 2018 IPL auction
ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

While you're here
F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

Read
RESULTS

4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)

4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jordan Sport, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Jungle Cat, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Kimbear, Patrick Dobbs, Doug Watson

6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

MATCH INFO

Sheffield United 2 Bournemouth 1
United: Sharp (45 2'), Lundstram (84')
Bournemouth: C Wilson (13')

Man of the Match: Jack O’Connell (Sheffield United)

MATCH INFO

Manchester City 1 (Gundogan 56')

Shakhtar Donetsk 1 (Solomon 69')

At a glance

- 20,000 new jobs for Emiratis over three years

- Dh300 million set aside to train 18,000 jobseekers in new skills

- Managerial jobs in government restricted to Emiratis

- Emiratis to get priority for 160 types of job in private sector

- Portion of VAT revenues will fund more graduate programmes

- 8,000 Emirati graduates to do 6-12 month replacements in public or private sector on a Dh10,000 monthly wage - 40 per cent of which will be paid by government

The view from The National
GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50

Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)

What is Diwali?

The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.

According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.

In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.  

 

Brighton 1
Gross (50' pen)

Tottenham 1
Kane (48)

The biog

Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology

Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India

Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur

How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993

Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters

Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

The Sky Is Pink

Director: Shonali Bose

Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf

Three stars

AS IT STANDS IN POOL A

1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14

2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11

3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5

Remaining fixtures

Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am

Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm

Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm

Updated: April 28, 2022, 3:03 AM`
LiverpoolSadio ManeMohamed SalahChampions League