Ibrahima Konate confirmed he is set for a spell on the sidelines ahead of Liverpool's blockbuster clash against Manchester City on Sunday. 

Konate was one of the standout performers for the Reds during their Champions League victory over Real Madrid in midweek but appeared to pick up an injury late in the game. 

The Frenchman tangled with Madrid's young Brazilian winger Endrick, which left him lying prone on the turf, though he was able to complete the 90 minutes. 

However, Konate is expected to miss this weekend's tantalising tie against Pep Guardiola's out-of-form City side, with reports suggesting he could miss up to 11 games. 

"So frustrating to pick up this injury right at the end of a great game on Wednesday night," Konate posted to Instagram. 

"Now we start the recovery process, but one thing I promise is I will come back and be the best I can be once again.

"Thank you for the amazing support at Anfield. Inshallah, we will keep going, and I will support the team every step of the way."

Konate's absence is a huge blow for Arne Slot's side, with the Frenchman having formed an imperious partnership alongside Virgil van Dijk this season. 

The Reds have conceded just 12 goals from their 19 games in all competitions so far this term, with Konate playing a huge role in their new-found defensive resilience. 

Only Van Dijk (40) has won more aerial duels in the Premier League for Liverpool this season than Konate (28), while the Frenchman has made more blocks (five) than any of his team-mates. 

Leicester City confirmed that Ruud van Nistelrooy has become their new head coach following the sacking of Steve Cooper. 

Cooper was dismissed following the Foxes' 2-1 defeat to Chelsea last Saturday, their fifth game in all competitions without a victory. 

Van Nistelrooy most recently took interim charge of Manchester United after they parted ways with Erik ten Hag following a poor start to the season earlier this month. 

The Dutchman won three of his four games at the helm, with two of those victories coming against Leicester in the Premier League and the EFL Cup. 

Speaking to LCFC.com, Van Nistelrooy said: “I’m proud, I’m excited. Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City football club is enthusiastic.

"They have great stories about the quality of the people working at the club, the supporters and, of course, the recent history of the club is impressive.

"I’m excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the Football Club.”

This is Van Nistelrooy's first full-time role since May 2023, when he spent one full season in charge of PSV Eindhoven. 

During his time with the Eredivisie side, he won 33 of his 51 games in charge (D10 L8), averaging a win percentage of 64.71%, while also scooping the KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield.

Leicester travel to Brentford this Saturday, with first-team coach Ben Dawson overseeing matchday duties ahead of Van Nistelrooy's arrival.

The Dutchman's first game in charge will be next Tuesday, when the Foxes host fellow bottom-half side West Ham at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League. 

The Chicago Bears have fired head coach Matt Eberflus, announcing the move a day after another embarrassing defeat extended their losing streak to six games.

Thomas Brown has been elevated to interim head coach.

The Bears’ 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday was final straw for the club’s ownership, which has been historically hesitant to make in-season moves.

Down 23-7 to start the fourth, the Bears rallied to within a field goal with 5:36 remaining. On their next drive, Chicago got within field goal range but were unable to tie the game due to poor time management.

During the Bears’ current six-game skid, they have lost four games by three points or fewer.

“This morning, after meeting with [chairperson] George [H. McCaskey] and [President and CEO] Kevin [Warren], we informed Matt of our decision to move in a different direction with the leadership of our football team and the head-coaching position,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement.

Warren added: “I support Ryan and the decision that was made this morning. We understand how imperative the head-coaching role is for building and maintaining a championship-caliber team, leading our players and our organization.

“Our fans have stood by us and persevered through every challenge, and they deserve better results. Our organizational and operational structure is strong, focused, aligned and energised for the future.”

The decision may have caught Eberflus by surprise, with the Bears announcing his dismissal mere hours after he told reporters he was “confident” he would remain the club’s head coach.

Eberflus’ sacking is just the latest marker in a season that began with great hope but has continually disappointed.

Brown will receive his second promotion this month. After starting the season as the quarterbacks coach, Brown took over as offensive coordinator when the Bears fired Shane Waldron.

Stuck in the middle of the upheaval has been rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who has produced mostly positive results after being the No. 1 overall pick in April.

Williams has completed 61.6 percent of his passes for 2,612 yards with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions.

For a franchise known for defence, Chicago will almost certainly make future coaching decisions centred on Williams’ development.

Enzo Maresca insists Chelsea are not in the Premier League title race despite their impressive start to the season.

The Blues are unbeaten in their last four league matches, including a 2-1 win over Maresca's former side Leicester City last weekend.

They have struggled at home at times this campaign though, with just 41% of their Premier League points coming in home games (9/22), the lowest ratio of any side so far this term.

However, Chelsea sit third ahead of this weekend's matches on 22 points, nine behind leaders Liverpool but just one behind reigning champions Manchester City.

Despite their high position in the table, Maresca played down hopes of Chelsea clinching the Premier League trophy in his first season.

"No [Chelsea are not in the title race], I said it many times," Maresca said. "I really like the pressure.

"I'd like to say: 'Yes, we're there' - but we're not there.

"It's nice to see the team improving, that is important; it is nice, a good feeling.

"At the same time, you need to be realistic, and you can see the difference between us and the rest at the moment.

"This doesn't mean we're not going to win games and not compete until the end, but the main focus has to be the feeling we're improving game after game.

"Arsenal is five years together [with manager Mikel Arteta], City more than eight years together [under Pep Guardiola]. Liverpool is a bit different, but they didn't make many changes from the past.

"This is the reason. It's not about points or difference in the table, it's just the time together."

Chelsea face Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola has said that he needs to "prove" he can end Manchester City's poor form and guide them back to the top. 

Guardiola's side have not won in six matches and gave up a 3-0 lead to draw against Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday, albeit ending their five-match losing run. 

City have lost their last three Premier League games, as many as they had in their previous 47 combined (W35 D9). They last lost four in a row between April and August 2008, while they last did so in the same season between January and March 2007 (five).

Their next outing is against Liverpool at Anfield - a venue where they have won just once in their last 21 trips in the Premier League, with Liverpool winning 13 and drawing the other seven.

"Of course, it's not nice, but what do you expect? That everything is red carpet? That everything is nice and easy?" Guardiola said.

"It's easy when you are [winning] 10, 12 games in a row, everyone is fit, everyone is in their prime and everyone is 26, 27, 28. When everything is going well, it is easy.

"I have to prove myself now."

Guardiola, who signed a new two-year contract extension this month, has won 18 major trophies during his time at the club, including City's first-ever Champions League in 2023 and six Premier League titles.

The new deal will take the Spaniard's tenure at the club to over a decade, making him City's longest-serving manager since Les McDowall in 1963.

But Guardiola hinted he could leave Manchester if he cannot turn around the club's season. 

"In long careers - nine, 10, 11 years - you live all the situations. We lost five games, drew the last one when we should have won, but it happens in football sometimes," the 53-year-old said. 

"[I have to] accept it. No complaining, no blaming, no pointing. Don't run away from your responsibility. I have absolutely all on my shoulders. I have it and I want it.

"At this football club, you have to win. If you don't, you will be in trouble. I know the people say 'Why is Pep not in trouble, why is Pep not sacked?' I have this margin because of what we have done over the last eight years. The people rely on me.

"What's for sure is, I want to stay. But the moment I feel I am not positive for the club another one will come. We will be back, I know that. I don't know when.

"In the situation we are in, it is not realistic to think about big targets. The situation is to think about the next game and what I can do to help the players. I don't want to run. I asked for this opportunity. I want to be there and rebuild the team in many aspects from now on until the end of the season and next season." 

Sunday's game will be the first-ever meeting between Guardiola and Arne Slot, who has made a bright start to his role at Liverpool by guiding them eight points clear of City after 12 matches. 

Novak Djokovic believes former rival Andy Murray is the "perfect" coach for him at this stage of his career as he still has "big plans".

The Serb, a 24-time grand slam winner, announced last week that Murray, who retired after the Paris Olympics, would be working with him during the off-season and through the Australian Open.

Djokovic failed to win a major title for the first time since 2017, though he did clinch a long-awaited Olympic gold medal in August. It is also the first time since 2005 that he did not win an ATP event despite reaching two finals.

Djokovic admitted Murray did not agree to the role straight away, but he thinks it is the best decision he could have come to.

"I took about six months to figure out what I needed at this stage of my career," he told Sky Sports.

"I realised the perfect coach would be someone who has been through the experiences I'm going through, possibly a multiple grand slam winner and world number one.

"We discussed Andy Murray, and I said I would give him a call and see how it goes. It caught him a little off guard. We connected really fast, and he accepted after a few days.

"I couldn't be more excited about it. This collaboration is a surprise to everyone, including me, but it's exciting for tennis."

Djokovic is currently level with Margaret Court for the most major singles titles by any player and needs one more to become the outright leader.

He has a good record in Australia, winning 10 times in Melbourne, beating Murray in four of those finals, with the first major of next season starting on January 12.

The 37-year-old is the only one of the 'Big Four' still playing after Murray and Rafael Nadal's retirements this year, and Roger Federer's in 2022, but he shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

"We all know we have to stop and say goodbye at some point," he added. "Even though it was expected for Rafa and Andy, both of them saying farewell to the sport is a shock for all of us.

"My body is serving me well; I still have motivation to win grand slams. The reason I asked Andy to work with me is because I still have big plans.

"I'll keep going as much as I can feel like I can keep being a candidate for the biggest titles."

Paulo Fonseca has urged Milan to find a balance between defence and attack after displaying a variety of weaknesses in their last two matches.

Milan were toothless but defensively sound in a dour 0-0 draw at home with Juventus last week, before having the opposite problem in a midweek 3-2 Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava.

After opening the scoring, the Italian side twice conceded and had a nervy finish to the game as their Slovakian opponents pushed hard for an equaliser.

Milan are already 10 points behind leaders Napoli in Serie A, though with a game in hand, and Fonseca is keen to find a solution to their problems when they face Empoli on Saturday. 

"With Juve, we were more organised, with Slovan better in transition. It seems to me that we improve in something, then other problems arise," Fonseca told reporters.

"But it's not because you win that you have to think everything is fine by closing your eyes to the problems. I can't close my eyes. We talked about the problems.

"It's important to work on the problem. We won [against Slovan]. Is everything OK? No. When we work on the problem we had in the game, the team has a positive response."

Milan have managed just one win in their last four league games, but have failed to score in their last two Serie A games played at San Siro (D1 L1). They last went without a win in three home matches between February and April 2021 (a run of four).

A home match against Empoli, who Milan have won six of their last seven Serie A meetings with (D1), could help the Rossoneri narrow the gap to the top and build some momentum.

"It's not easy in Italy to be dominant, it's not easy against Empoli," Fonseca said.

"What we want is balance, to feel that the team creates chances by having defensive security. In Bratislava, after scoring 0-1, there was a chance to dominate the game, but we conceded the equaliser and the team took it."

Midfielder Youssouf Fofana, a key player in Milan's set-up, is on four yellow cards and could receive a one-match suspension if he is booked on Saturday, which would rule him out of a key trip to second-placed Atalanta next week.

Asked if the Frenchman would be rested as a precaution, Fonseca said: "I can't take the risk of resting him, because tomorrow is the most important game.

"I expect Fofana to play an intelligent game. If Fofana makes mistakes, he makes mistakes, but I expect the others not to make mistakes."

Tristan Stubbs and captain Temba Bavuma scored centuries on the third day as South Africa are now five wickets away from an imposing win over Sri Lanka in the first Test. 

Resuming on 132-3, Stubbs and Bavuma built a 249-run fourth-wicket partnership for the hosts at Kingsmead with the former scoring his second Test ton in 183 balls before being bowled by Vishwa Fernando (2-64) for 122. 

Bavuma departed for 113, trapped leg before wicket by Asitha Fernando (1-54) in the last ball before tea as the Proteas immediately declared at 366-5. 

Sri Lanka, who capitulated to 42 all out in the first innings for their lowest-ever Test score, started poorly again as they chased a target of 516 set by their opponents. 

Kagiso Rabada sent back opener Dimuth Karunaratne (four) early while Marco Jansen, who got 7-13 in the first innings, collected the wickets of Angelo Mathews (25) and Kamindu Mendis (10).

Rabada then bagged his second by dismissing Prabath Jayasuriya, leaving Sri Lanka at 103-5 at stumps and needing 413 runs, with Dinesh Chandimal (29 not out) and Dhananjaya de Silva (zero not out) at the crease when play resumes. 

Data Debrief: Bavuma finally converts 

South Africa skipper Bavuma needed 202 balls to bring up only his third century in the 60th Test match of his career. 

The 34-year-old has developed a reputation for failing to convert his half-centuries into bigger scores, registering just 22 scores of 50 or more in Test cricket. 

Bavuma scored his maiden Test ton (102*) against England in Cape Town in 2016, before his second (172) against West Indies in Johannesburg last year. 

Sarina Wiegman is determined to get the better of "friend" Emma Hayes in England and United States' blockbuster clash at Wembley on Saturday.

The Lionesses will go head-to-head with the USA in front of 85,000 at Wembley in a friendly in what is former Chelsea boss Hayes' first encounter against England. 

A healthy rivalry has developed between the two national sides over the last decade, with an intriguing encounter expected. 

England won their most recent meeting with the USA in October 2022 (2-1), but not since their very first two games against them in 1985 and 1988 have they beaten the Stars and Stripes in back-to-back matches.

However, the USA have won 12 of their 13 matches in all competitions under manager Hayes (D1).

The only managers to win as many as 13 of their first 14 games in charge of the USWNT are Vlatko Andonovski (14 in 2021) and Pia Sundhage (13 in 2008).  

Wiegman explained she has a good friendship with Hayes, but revealed that relationship would be put to one side for 90 minutes on Saturday. 

"It's a fact," Wiegman said of her friendship with Hayes. "I think with friends, you really want to beat your friends. Even more, maybe, than [managers who are] not your friends.

"Under Emma, their style of play is a little more patient, but there's so much pace in their game."

Wiegman's side have been far from their best recently, losing 4-3 to Germany last month at Wembley before beating South Africa four days later.

The USA, meanwhile, are unbeaten in each of their last 19 friendly matches (W17 D2), keeping a clean sheet in 15 of those. 

However, they have lost their last two friendlies in Europe, against England in July 2022 and Spain in November 2022.

The Stars and Stripes have also struggled in games in England. They will face the Lionesses away from home for just the fourth time, with their only win in the previous three (L2) coming in February 2015 at Stadium MK thanks to an Alex Morgan header.

"We're really excited to play the US," Bronze said. "As long as I have been an England player, it has been one of the biggest games to be in.

"It is a rivalry that has blossomed out of nowhere in the last decade. It's such a competitive, high-level game.

"It is a good test because the US have just won the Olympic gold medal. To win [that], you have to have the crazy mentality that I think sums up the US perfectly.

"We have to show what we can do against a top team like that."

Xabi Alonso wants his Bayer Leverkusen side to show they have rediscovered their consistency when they take on Union Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday. 

After going without a win in three games in all competitions, Leverkusen have put together back-to-back victories, scoring 10 goals in the process. 

Leverkusen's 5-2 victory against Heidenheim last time out saw them come from two goals down to win a Bundesliga game for the first time since April 2016 (3-2 at Schalke). 

Their victory in the Champions League over RB Salzburg in midweek, however, was a little more straightforward after cruising to a 5-0 triumph against the Austrian side. 

It was Leverkusen's joint-biggest win in their major European football history, while also registering their third Champions League win this season, the first time they had done so since the 2014-15 season (four wins). 

Yet they have managed three consecutive victories across all competitions only once this season, something Alonso acknowledged must improve. 

"We want to have again a good feeling. After (the win over) Heidenheim it was better, and it was certainly better after Salzburg," coach Alonso told a press conference.

"Tomorrow is a different game... but it is a good moment to show that after two good games we can play a third good one in a row. I want another clean sheet tomorrow."

The reigning champions find themselves fourth in the Bundesliga table, nine points off leaders Bayern Munich, who face Borussia Dortmund in the late kick-off on Saturday.

Leverkusen have managed just one win in their last four top-flight games, though Alonso has reason to be confident of adding three points to their tally this weekend. 

They are unbeaten in their last 22 Bundesliga away games (W16, D6). In league history, only Bayern have ever put together longer undefeated streaks on the road (33 games from 2012 to 2014 and 26 games from 1985 to 1987). The Werkself have also scored in all 22 of these fixtures, an ongoing club record.

"We know we expect something different against Union and a big challenge in front of us," Alonso said. "We have to be prepared for a physical game."

Diego Simeone insisted that Atletico Madrid's six-game winning run does not overshadow the need for improvements ahead of facing Real Valladolid this Saturday. 

Atletico are now 15th in the Champions League table following their 6-0 victory over Sparta Prague in midweek, their biggest ever away winning margin in a major European competition.

Their triumph at the Stadion Letna made it six consecutive wins in all competitions, and Simeone will be confident of keeping that run going this weekend. 

Atletico have won six of their last seven LaLiga away games against Real Valladolid (D1), recording one more victory than in their previous 20 visits to the Blanquivioleta's home ground in the competition (W5 D7 L8).

And despite winning four of their last five games in LaLiga (L1), Simeone insisted that his team are not at the peak of their powers just yet. 

"It was not so bad before and not so good now. Extremes are never good and everyone can have their own opinion," Simeone said.

"We have a competitive team when we win and when we lose, even if there are bad moments that we always have to go through. The team is improving and growing.

"The basis is that those who come in are doing very well, not just the eleven who start.

"We can improve in all facets, defensively and offensively, we have to find stability and find the best version of each one of us.

"I am happy with what is happening to the team, but I know the responsibility we have."

Simeone has also not lost any of his 12 matches as Atletico boss against Real Valladolid in LaLiga (W11 D1). Only against Getafe (G23 W19 D4) has he managed more matches without losing in the competition.

Simeone's side sit third in the table, five points behind leaders Barcelona after 14 games so far this season.

Atletico have shown signs of replicating their 2020-21 LaLiga success with their performances this term, especially in defence, having conceded just eight times which is the fewest in the division. 

But when asked if he felt like his side were currently better than the two teams ahead of them in the table, Simeone said: "I don't compare myself to anyone.

"We look at ourselves and try to improve and grow as a team every day, regardless of what happens to everyone else."

Real Valladolid have lost 13 of their last 14 matches against Atletico in LaLiga, drawing the other match during this period.

It is the second-worst winless streak for Valladolid in the top-flight after a 16-match run against Real Madrid between 2009 and 2024 (D2 L14).

Though Paulo Pezzolano's side find themselves at the bottom of the table, Simeone insisted that his players must not underestimate their opponents. 

"They're a highly competitive team, they always play with great commitment and great collective behaviour," Simeone said. 

"Very intense, higher than in the last few games we've played."

Borussia Dortmund boss Nuri Sahin is hopeful striker Serhou Guirassy will be ready to play a bigger part against Bayern Munich after his return from a brief illness. 

Guirassy was down with a virus for a few days before returning as a substitute against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday and scoring in the 3-0 win. 

He has scored six times in the Bundesliga this season, a total only bettered by Jonathan Burkardt, Tim Kleindienst (both seven), Omar Marmoush (11) and Harry Kane (14). 

Guirassy's return will be a huge boost for Dortmund, who are aiming to maintain their unbeaten top-flight record at home this term, having won all six of their matches so far. 

Asked whether Guirassy will start in the crunch Bundesliga clash against leaders Bayern, Sahin said: "We expect that he will be a step further."

"Obviously, he is a very important player for us. A player like him can change a game's entire structure.

"He handled his substitute appearance in Zagreb well after his illness," the Dortmund boss added. 

This Saturday's meeting will be the 136th top-flight clash between the two sides, making this the most contested fixture in German professional football. 

Bayern have suffered more defeats to Dortmund in all competitions than against any other side (33, most recently 2-0 at home in March). 

However, Dortmund have also recorded more losses against Bayern than anyone else (67).

"It is the biggest game in Germany, the one that gets the most exposure and I think it will be the biggest for quite some time," said Sahin.

"It is special to be in this role for such a game."

Bayern have won their last five Bundesliga games without conceding a goal and can match a six-match run achieved under Pep Guardiola in 2014 if they win without conceding against Dortmund. 

"Bayern defend high and that creates spaces at the back but they keep the opponents away," the Dortmund coach said.

"There will be spaces for us to play in but they have not conceded a goal in some games now."

"We have the expectation to win at home. There's no reason not to have that expectation with six wins from six home games. But the fact is Bayern are ahead on points and it is a chance for us to close the gap."