SHORT CORNER
'Naby Keita still adapting to life at Liverpool'
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits the "outstanding" Naby Keita has yet to reproduce the form that persuaded him to sign the midfielder -- but says he has a bright future at Anfield.
The 23-year-old started his Liverpool career brightly and has made 18 appearances so far this season but he has failed to feature in the past three matches for the Premier League leaders.
However, Klopp is prepared to give the Guinea international, who arrived from RB Leipzig during the summer, time to adapt.
"I spoke to Naby. Everything is fine. I am completely happy with Naby," said the Liverpool boss.
"Could he be a bit more confident in the games? Yes. Is he exactly the player in his best time at Leipzig? No. He is still adapting, that's how it is. " --Afp
Thailand axe coach Rajevac after Asian Cup horror show
Thailand have fired coach Milovan Rajevac following a humiliating 4-1 thrashing by India in their opening Asian Cup game at the weekend.
The 65-year-old Serb, who took charge of Thailand in 2017, paid the price after the War Elephants conceded three second-half goals to slump to a shock defeat in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Thai football chiefs took a dim view of their Group A flop and acted swiftly to remove Rajevac the morning after.
"The result is not what is expected of the Thai national team and that our supporters deserve," Thailand's FA president Somyot Poompanmoung said.
"Like all Thai football fans across the country, I am also disappointed with the result. But as president of the football association, I cannot stand still with this problem."
Former assistant coach Sirisak Yodyardthai will assume control of the team when they face Bahrain and hosts United Arab Emirates, Thai officials added. --Afp
Real sign Diaz from Man City
Real Madrid have signed Brahim Diaz from Manchester City, the European champions confirmed on Sunday.
Diaz, a 19-year-old winger, has agreed a contract for six and a half years with Real and will undergo a medical on Monday, before being officially unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A Real Madrid statement read: "Real Madrid and Manchester City have agreed to the transfer of the player Brahim Diaz, who will be linked to the club for the remainder of the season and the next six, until June 30, 2025."
Diaz's deal at Manchester City was set to expire in June. Madrid have reportedly agreed to pay 17 million euros up front, with a further seven million euros due depending on performance.
He will join a talented group of young Spanish players at Madrid, which already includes Marco Asensio, Dani Ceballos, Marcos Llorente, Alvaro Odriozola and Sergio Reguilon. --Afp
Sri Lanka spinner takes all 10 wickets in an innings
Left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara has bagged all 10 wickets during a Sri Lanka first-class cricket match.
Playing for Colombo Cricket Club against Saracens Sports Club, Pushpakumara took all 10 wickets for 37 runs to skittle Saracens out for 113 as they fell well short chasing a 349-run target. Having taken six wickets in the first innings, the spinner finished with match figures of 16 for 110.
Pushpakumara's 10 for 37 effort places him joint 13th in the list of best bowling figures in an innings in first class cricket. Hedley Verity's 10 for 10 while playing for Yorkshire against Nottinghamshire in 1932 places him top of the pile. --Agencies
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