The Decathlon: Liverpool’s Naby Keita will miss Champions League final
Ten things from the world of sport on Tuesday 28 May
1. Keita ruled out, Firmino in squad
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Naby Keita has been ruled out of the Uefa Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur.
The midfielder sustained an adductor injury in the semi-final first leg against Barcelona and will not be ready to play in Saturday’s final in Madrid.
Klopp did give an update on Roberto Firmino’s fitness. The Anfield boss is confident that the Brazilian will be fully fit to face Spurs.
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“Bobby trained, was part of training last week and looked really good, everything was fine,” said the German. “All that we saw so far looked really good and he will be fine, I’m pretty sure.”
2. Arsenal distracted by Emery rumours
Arsenal’s preparations for tomorrow’s Uefa Europa League final against Chelsea in Baku have received an unwelcome distraction with reports that Unai Emery is being lined up to replace Ernesto Valverde as head coach of Barcelona. Emery, Ronald Koeman, Massimiliano Allegri and Roberto Martinez are four names reported to be on the Barcelona shortlist.
3. Lewis and Mercedes out in front
Lewis Hamilton has extended his lead at the top of the 2019 Formula 1 drivers’ championship after securing victory at the Monaco Grand Prix. Hamilton’s fourth victory of the season moves him to 137 points in the drivers’ standings. He is 17 points clear of team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who has 120. Mercedes’s run of five successive 1-2s was ended in Monaco but the Silver Arrows remain out in front in the constructors’ championship. They have 257 points, 118 more than second-placed Ferrari.
4. Ramos asked for free transfer
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez turned down a request from captain Sergio Ramos to leave the club on a free transfer. Sky Sports reports that the defender had received an offer from a Chinese Super League club. Perez said: “Real Madrid could not afford to let its captain leave for free as that would set a terrible precedent for other players.”
5. Finns celebrate ice hockey glory
Finland won the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship after a 3-1 win against Canada on Sunday. The Helsinki Times called Finland’s victory a “Cinderella story” and the success sparked mass celebrations in the capital city.
6. Konta into second round at French Open
Britain’s Johanna Konta is through to the French Open second round for the first time in her career. After beating Antonia Lottner 6-4, 6-4 in round one, Konta will face Lauren Davis next at Roland-Garros. In the men’s singles the ‘big three’ - Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer - are all safely through to the second round.
7. Exeter to face Sarries in final
Exeter are through to their fourth successive Premiership Rugby final after defeating Northampton 42-12. They will face Saracens in the final at Twickenham on Saturday 1 June (3pm; live on BT Sport). Sarries beat Gloucester 44-19 in the other semi-final.
See the 2019 sport calendar and live TV guide
8. AJ wants Wilder fight ‘sorted’
Sky Sports reports that Anthony Joshua wants face-to-face talks with Deontay Wilder to plan a heavyweight unification super-fight. British boxer Joshua, who faces Andy Ruiz Jr this weekend, said: “They should sit us down face to face, that would be good. I think they should sit us down face to face and talk about what the issues are man to man and get this fight sorted this year.”
9. Southgate confirms squad
England head coach Gareth Southgate has confirmed his 23-man squad for the Uefa Nations League finals. Southgate originally named 27 players for the tournament in Portugal, but the final list sees Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier and Harry Winks and Southampton’s Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse miss out. England captain Harry Kane is included after returning to training following his ankle injury.
10. Villa back in the big time
Aston Villa are back in the Premier League after beating Derby County 2-1 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium on Monday. Goals from Anwar El Ghazi and John McGinn gave Villa the victory in a match that is reported to be worth between £170m and £180m to the winning team. Villa’s victory was given a “royal approval”, says Metro, as Price William cheered on his team at Wembley.
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