The Minnesota Lynx lost their first six games but have rebounded nicely to reach

Virgil Van Dijk has weighed into the debate over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s best position by proclaiming his Liverpool team-mate as the complete package. Alexander-Arnold delivered another reminder of his attacking talents as he got forward to strike a fine equaliser for the Reds in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at champions Manchester City. The 25-year-old right-back had spent a lot of a tight Premier League encounter in defensive mode, trying to contain City’s tricky Belgium winger Jeremy Doku. It was a sweet moment for Alexander-Arnold after plenty of debate over the past fortnight over whether or how he can fit into the England team. Van Dijk, the Liverpool captain, said: “I think everyone this season, as a defender, one v one against Doku will have a tough afternoon. He’s a very good dribbler. “But I don’t think he had a tough afternoon on the whole. It’s how you defend them together and try to get two v one in situations and, in the end, I’m pleased for him that he got the equaliser. “He offers a lot defensively and, obviously in possession, he has qualities that are very special and he shows that as well, so he has the complete package. “He has to keep doing what he’s doing, keep improving, keep that high standard he has for himself and we all have for him as well.” Alexander-Arnold has expanded his game over the past year, not only playing as a conventional attacking full-back but also in a hybrid defence-central midfield role. His recent England outings against Malta and North Macedonia were also in midfield and Van Dijk admits he does not know where he will ultimately end up. “I don’t know, that’s for the coaches that work with him,” said the centre-back. “I think for the moment he’s playing just fine where he is right now. “He has that freedom to mix it up and he has to do that because you see teams are working it out at times, so he has to be able to switch from staying on the outside and going on the inside as well. “I think it’s a good learning curve for him as well and (on Saturday) he did that well because obviously he was playing against one of the most in-form wingers at the moment.” Saturday’s result kept Liverpool within a point of title favourites City and, after the frustration of failing to challenge last season, Van Dijk hopes the 2020 champions can push them much closer this time. The Dutchman said: “It’s no secret we want to challenge for everything we are competing in and this year we are looking consistent, something we were missing last year. “But we are in November with a difficult period coming up, difficult games ahead of us. Anything can happen but hopefully, if we don’t get many injuries or no injuries, we have to confident and give it everything.” Read More Man City boss Pep Guardiola taking safety-first approach with John Stones Jacksonville Jaguars hold off Houston Texans to remain in charge of AFC South All-conquering Jannik Sinner inspires Italy to Davis Cup glory Beth Mead scores first goal in over a year as WSL top three maintain momentum Alejandro Garnacho has the potential to do some amazing things – Erik ten Hag Players and fans evacuated from York Barbican as fire disrupts UK Championship

The struggling Bears are headed to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Chiefs on Sunday

During Saturday's Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians game, Tim Anderson and Jose Ramirez got into a fist fight after a slide into second base.On Saturday, the AL Central rival Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians faced off in the second game of their three-game series. This just...

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Gio Reyna scored his first two internationals goals since a family feud with coach Gregg Berhalter erupted at last year’s World Cup, leading the United States to a 4-0 rout of Ghana in an exhibition

Pep Guardiola has no doubt “goal machine” Erling Haaland is ready to fire in Manchester City’s two upcoming finals. The prolific Norwegian’s output has slowed in recent weeks with just one goal in his last six games. For someone who has plundered 52 in a remarkable season that is a relative drought but that is hardly troubling Guardiola ahead of the FA Cup and Champions League finals. Premier League champions City face Manchester United at Wembley next weekend before travelling to Istanbul to take on Inter Milan for the European crown seven days later. City manager Guardiola said: “I’m not going to doubt about the scoring machine, Erling, right now. “We had the chances. Maybe he’s waiting for the right moment. He will be ready in the right moment to score the goals. He’s ready. “I’m very pleased he’s achieved all he’s achieved, and the goals and the records. “Then he goes to Brighton and plays the way he played. He still did damage (without scoring). “He could say, ‘I’m waiting for the two finals’ but it’s completely the opposite and I like that.” Guardiola has been impressed by how Haaland has dealt with expectation in his first season in English football. “I don’t feel he’s felt much pressure,” Guardiola said. “I think he’s handled it really well. He laughs, I think, when people (mention) expectations. “I remember in the Community Shield, we lost 3-1 and he missed one clear chance – all the memes, all the people talked about that. “I was close to him and he said, ‘Don’t worry, I will score goals’. He’s this type of guy. He has incredible self-confidence in himself that all he needs is the chance to score the goals. “It doesn’t matter what happened, he’ll never lose confidence. You define the football players and the athletes in the bad moments. It’s how you react.” City, who secured the title last weekend, wrap up their Premier League campaign at Brentford on Sunday. The Bees inflicted City’s only home defeat of the season when they won 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium with an Ivan Toney double in November. Toney will not be involved this time after the striker was banned for eight months for breaching betting regulations. Guardiola hopes the player bounces back after he has served his punishment. Guardiola said: “Everyone has problems. If he made a mistake, you accept it and learn from that and (take) a new opportunity. I’m pretty sure he will be (back) better.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Rob Edwards relieved to hear skipper Tom Lockyer is doing okay after Luton win Roberto De Zerbi wants to help Jason Steele follow Lewis Dunk into England squad I am on my phone all the time – David Moyes finds it difficult to switch off

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Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson spent several hours over three days this week watching cutups from a team not even on Jacksonville’s schedule