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.

The Africa Institute 101

Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction. 

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Royal Birkdale Golf Course

Location: Southport, Merseyside, England

Established: 1889

Type: Private

Total holes: 18

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1. Fasting 

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3. Hajj 

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2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Sub Regional Qualifier

Event info: The tournament in Kuwait this month is the first phase of the qualifying process for sides from Asia for the 2020 World T20 in Australia. The UAE must finish within the top three teams out of the six at the competition to advance to the Asia regional finals. Success at regional finals would mean progression to the World T20 Qualifier.

UAE’s fixtures: Fri Apr 20, UAE v Qatar; Sat Apr 21, UAE v Saudi Arabia; Mon Apr 23, UAE v Bahrain; Tue Apr 24, UAE v Maldives; Thu Apr 26, UAE v Kuwait

World T20 2020 Qualifying process:

  • Sixteen teams will play at the World T20 in two years’ time.
  • Australia have already qualified as hosts
  • Nine places are available to the top nine ranked sides in the ICC’s T20i standings, not including Australia, on Dec 31, 2018.
  • The final six teams will be decided by a 14-team World T20 Qualifier.

World T20 standings: 1 Pakistan; 2 Australia; 3 India; 4 New Zealand; 5 England; 6 South Africa; 7 West Indies; 8 Sri Lanka; 9 Afghanistan; 10 Bangladesh; 11 Scotland; 12 Zimbabwe; 13 UAE; 14 Netherlands; 15 Hong Kong; 16 Papua New Guinea; 17 Oman; 18 Ireland

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Farage on Muslim Brotherhood

Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.

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Scoreline

Liverpool 4

Oxlade-Chamberlain 9', Firmino 59', Mane 61', Salah 68'

Manchester City 3

Sane 40', Bernardo Silva 84', Gundogan 90' 1

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The biog

From: Upper Egypt

Age: 78

Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila

Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace

Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace

E-cigarettes report
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

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Scores

Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
Arsenal 1-0 Huddersfield Town
Burnley 1-0 Brighton
Manchester United 4-1 Fulham
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace

Saturday fixtures:
Chelsea v Manchester City, 9.30pm (UAE)
Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur, 11.45pm (UAE)

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