Cody Gakpo has put Liverpool's recent upturn in form down to the spirit and togetherness of Jurgen Klopp's squad, saying: "When it's difficult, a real team shows up".

Liverpool failed to win any of their first four league games of 2023, leaving Klopp facing the most severe criticism of his Anfield tenure to date, but back-to-back wins have improved the mood on Merseyside.

Gakpo claimed his first Liverpool goal in a 2-0 victory against local rivals Everton last week, before scoring in another 2-0 win over fellow top-four contenders Newcastle United on Saturday.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg with Real Madrid, Gakpo suggested Liverpool's mini-revival may have come at the perfect time.  

"I think it's difficult to put your finger on something that has really changed, but everyone knows when you're not winning the games, it's difficult," Gakpo said.

"I think the games we won, we played better than in the games before, and the result is maybe the outcome of the greater intensity we had in those games.

"As a newcomer, I sense that the group is really good, we come together and stay together in difficult moments. It was difficult to try to stay positive and keep helping each other, it has helped us go on to better things.

"When it's difficult, a real team shows up. This is one of those times. We really stuck together and stayed positive and tried to help each other in the difficult moments.

"Just in time, we started winning games again, and now we have a big opportunity to show we are back on track."

Despite spending the majority of his time with former club PSV stationed on the left flank, Gakpo has largely been used as a central striker since his arrival at Liverpool.

However, the Netherlands international feels comfortable playing either role, adding: "I played the last three years on the left side, but at the World Cup under Louis van Gaal I already played in the centre.

"I already tried to adapt to that, and when I came here the coach said it was possible for me to play on the left or in the centre, so I'll try to adapt quickly to that position and improve."

Liverpool owner John Henry says the Premier League club is not for sale but talks are ongoing with potential investors.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) stated in November that they are open to new investment, but remain "fully committed" to achieving more success with the Reds.

Despite FSG making clear they are looking for investment rather than a sale, there have been reports that a takeover could be on the cards.

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner said the club's owners were "exploring a sale" in November, though FSG partner Sam Kennedy stressed it was "early days" in terms of a deal being struck.

However, speaking to the Boston Sports Journal, principal owner Henry ruled out the prospect of a change of ownership, though he revealed talks have been held with possible minority investors.

"I know there has been a lot of conversation and quotes about LFC (Liverpool Football Club), but I keep to the facts: we merely formalised an ongoing process," he said.

"Will we be in England forever? No. Are we selling LFC? No. Are talking with investors about LFC? Yes. 

"Will something happen there? I believe so, but it won't be a sale. Have we sold anything in the past 20-plus years?"

Liverpool have won eight trophies – including the Premier League and Champions League – since FSG bought the club.

However, FSG have been criticised by some supporters over several issues, including Liverpool's attempts to join the European Super League in 2021, the furloughing of staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and a perceived lack of investment in the playing squad.

Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi looks likely to miss the second leg of their Champions League tie against Chelsea after sustaining torn muscle fibres.

Adeyemi raced clear on the break to score a memorable winner as Dortmund claimed a 1-0 victory over the beleaguered Blues in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday.

At the age of 21 years and 28 days, that strike made Adeyemi the youngest player to net against Chelsea in the Champions League since Victor Osimhen did so for Lille in October 2019 (20 years, 277 days).

Adeyemi followed up that effort by opening the scoring in BVB's 4-1 Bundesliga win over Hertha Berlin on Sunday, while he also recorded an assist for Donyell Malen.

However, Adeyemi was forced off before the interval after suffering an injury in the move that led to his cross for Malen's goal, and was seen clutching his left thigh before being helped from the field.

Dortmund revealed the Germany international is expected to miss around three weeks of action on Monday, which would rule him out of their trip to Stamford Bridge on March 7.

"Borussia Dortmund's attacking player Karim Adeyemi sustained torn muscle fibres in the home game against Hertha BSC on Sunday," read an update from the club. "He will be unavailable to play for the team for approximately three weeks."

Adeyemi's injury comes at an unfortunate time, with the former Salzburg man having scored on each of his last four BVB appearances, after only netting twice in his first 20 outings for the club.

Russell Westbrook will stay in California as he has opted to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Westbrook's time with the Los Angeles Lakers came to an end before the trade deadline as he was used as part of a deal with the Utah Jazz.

The 2017 NBA MVP struggled to rediscover his previous form after joining the Lakers in 2021, but has another chance to prove himself in L.A. with the Clippers.

According to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Westbrook's agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, confirmed his client has chosen the Clippers as his next team, once he and the Jazz have finished negotiations on buying out the remaining $47million owed on his deal.

Westbrook made a name for himself with the Oklahoma City Thunder, including his standout season in 2016-17 when he averaged 31.6 points per game in the regular season from 81 appearances, as well as 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists.

He left Oklahoma in 2019 for one season with the Houston Rockets followed by one at the Washington Wizards before making the move to the Lakers as they looked to surround LeBron James with star power.

It did not work out, with Westbrook struggling in his first campaign, averaging just 18.5 points per game, while he has only started in three of his 52 appearances this season, averaging 15.9 points per game.

Westbrook – who had also talked with the Wizards, the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat – will be reunited with former Thunder team-mate Paul George, who had expressed his desire for the 34-year-old to join him at the Clippers.

They sit fourth in the Western Conference on a record of 33-28.

Jurgen Klopp says Darwin Nunez has a chance of being fit to face Real Madrid on Tuesday, having suffered a knock during Liverpool's win at Newcastle United on Saturday.

Nunez scored his sixth Premier League goal of the season as Liverpool sealed a 2-0 victory at St James' Park, bringing down Trent Alexander-Arnold's long pass before firing home to open the scoring.

However, the Uruguay international was forced out of the contest after an hour, when a collision with Kieran Trippier left him holding his right shoulder.

Asked about the prospect of Nunez recovering to face Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 clash, Klopp told reporters: "There's a chance. 

"We have to see how he can deal with the pain, and when we know that, we'll make a decision."

Nunez has recorded seven goal contributions (five goals, two assists) in his 13 league starts for Liverpool, while he also hit the net three times in their Champions League group-stage campaign.

While Liverpool hope they can rely on Nunez to cause problems for Madrid, they will have to be wary of the threat posed by Vinicius Junior at the other end.

Vinicius scored the winner as Madrid beat the Reds in last May's Champions League final in Paris, and his tally of 24 goal involvements this term (16 goals, eight assists) is more than any other Blancos player.

Asked whether Liverpool have devised a particular plan to stop the Brazilian, Klopp said: "You always have to try to deny passes to them. 

"But the problem we have is that if you can defend Vinicius properly, they have [Karim] Benzema. If you defend him properly as well, they have Rodrygo or whoever.

"If you defend all three properly, Toni Kroos fires the ball from 25 yards into the corner, Luka Modric has an idea, or [Aurelien] Tchouameni picks up the ball and fires it from 25 yards.

"That's how it is with world-class teams, they have world-class players and you have to defend them collectively, that's what we will try to do."

Jurgen Klopp hopes Liverpool have found their feet at the ideal time ahead of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid, as the Reds look to avenge the "torture" of last year's final defeat.

Having failed to win any of their first four league games of 2023, Liverpool have recorded morale-boosting 2-0 wins against Everton and Newcastle United ahead of their return to European action on Tuesday.

While things are looking up for Liverpool in the Premier League, they have failed to win any of their last six matches against Madrid (D1 L5), including a 1-0 defeat in last year's Champions League final in Paris.

Klopp is under no illusions as to the threat the 14-time European champions will pose at Anfield, but believes Liverpool have timed their upturn well.

"It's one of the biggest games in the world, and with the recent history with one of us being in the final, grinding results out… it will be a top football game," Klopp said on Monday.

"I'm really happy we can play it now. Four weeks ago, it would have been different. Life is all about timing and maybe we found our feet right in time for this game. 

"We have these two results and hopefully we can build on that, and we need to. We need to play two super games to get through, but I have no problem with that. 

"If you don't play your best, you don't have a chance. Real Madrid don't have to play their best and they still have a chance, and that's the difference."

Vinicius Junior's second-half goal guided Madrid to victory against Liverpool at the Stade de France at the end of last season, in a match which was marred by heavy-handed policing resulting in supporters being tear-gassed and a delayed kick-off.

"Different things happened to us – and to me – with Real Madrid," he said. "They're one of the biggest, most successful clubs in the world and won this competition I don't know how many times. 

"We played this final in Paris and I didn't watch it back since then, until this weekend. I realised why it didn't watch it back, it was proper torture.

"We played a good game and could have won the game. You could see in this game how experienced Madrid are, how little they are fussed when the other team has chances.

"This is the competition and that's what you can learn from them. These are the same clubs, but different teams, different times. There's a history – in the last few years one of us was always in the final, that's how it feels."

Tuesday's game will represent Madrid's fourth trip to Anfield for a Champions League fixture. Having been thrashed 4-0 on their first visit in March 2009, Los Blancos have gone unbeaten in the last two without conceding a goal (W1 D1).

Stefano Pioli believes Milan could have ridden out their recent slump and still won the Serie A title if not for Napoli's "exceptional" season.

Milan are fourth in the table, having gone a costly five league matches without a win across January and the start of February.

Still, the Rossoneri were not in a dissimilar position at this stage of last season, in third place before rallying to win the Scudetto.

Pioli received the top honour at the Panchina d'Oro – Italian football's coaching awards – on Monday in recognition of that stunning Milan triumph.

But the coach knows there will be no repeat this year as leaders Napoli are 18 points ahead.

Although Milan are five points down on where they were after 23 games of 2021-22, they still only trail Inter in second by three points. Napoli are the clear outliers.

"We were in position until the 'famous' period of decline," Pioli told reporters at Coverciano. "And then anyway we would still be in position if Napoli were not having the season they are having.

"We must be honest in saying that Napoli are doing something exceptional, we must congratulate them.

"Otherwise all the other teams of our level would be there to play for the title within a few points – as it was last season."

Joe Root is still trying to find his role within Ben Stokes' England set up but believes his second-innings knock against New Zealand is a good starting point.

Root gave up the Test captaincy last year and England have thrived under Stokes and new coach Brendon McCullum, winning 10 of 11 matches after a 267-run victory over the Black Caps last week.

Former skipper Root enjoyed a brilliant 18 months from the start of 2021 until the middle of last year, though the 32-year-old's form has since dropped off.

His 57 at the Bay Oval was his second-highest score since August, after a haul of 73 against Pakistan in December, and Root is confident he can rekindle his best form.

"I've not performed for a little while, so I had the bit between my teeth in the second innings," said Root ahead of the second Test at Basin Reserve in Wellington.

"It's given me a little sharpener, a kick up the backside, that this is how I need to play my cricket, how I can be consistently useful in this group.

"There was the initial relief of coming out of the captaincy and now I'm just trying to find out what my role is within this team.

"I've maybe got a bit caught up in it, but I'm not too far away from what's given me success.

"I didn't feel I tried to force it in the second innings and when I'm playing well that's one of my strengths: I can score freely and I can rotate the strike.

"I felt like I found a really good tempo in how I wanted to bat."

Root's trademark reverse-scoop saw him come unstuck in the first innings at the Bay Oval, though that setback will not stop him from playing bravely when the opportunity presents itself.

He added: "You take calculated risks. I've got where I've got to by trusting my gut. It just didn't quite work out.

"It's not going to stop me playing it. It's now part of my Test game and I'll continue to utilise it when it's the right time."

England have won their last four men's Tests against New Zealand, after going winless across their seven meetings prior in the format.

The last time they enjoyed a longer winning run against the Black Caps was a six-match span from February 1963 to July 1965.

Jon Rahm insists he does not need the validation of being the world's number one golfer after returning to the top of the rankings with his win at the Genesis Invitational.

Rahm held off Max Homa to claim his third PGA Tour title of 2023 on Sunday, having gone back-to-back at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and The American Express in January.

The Spaniard is the first player since Johnny Miller in 1975 to win three PGA Tour titles in a calendar year before the start of the March, while he has now triumphed on five of his last nine worldwide starts.

Rahm's win at California's Riviera Country Club – at a competition hosted by Tiger Woods – secured his fifth stint atop the world rankings, but the 28-year-old has little interest in that accolade.

"I've never had three PGA Tour wins in a season, and to do it this early on is incredible – and to do it at this golf course," he told reporters after his victory.

"You talk about the history of Riviera as a golf course, the history of Tiger Woods as a player… it's a pretty big deal. As a historian of the game, to win the tournament hosted by Tiger is pretty incredible.

"I've won five out of my last nine starts and I've won three tournaments already. 

"I don't a ranking to tell me… to validate anything, right? I'm having the best season of my life and hopefully I can keep it going." 

Erling Haaland is the striker Manchester City needed and suggestions the Norwegian only scores "easy" goals are "a lie", according to his team-mate Ederson.

Haaland has scored 32 goals in 31 appearances for City across all competitions since his move from Borussia Dortmund last year – more than any other player from Europe's top five leagues.

He has hit 26 of those goals in the Premier League, but with City struggling to pull clear of Arsenal and Manchester United in the title race, the 22-year-old has attracted criticism recently.

Arsenal great Thierry Henry suggested Tottenham's Harry Kane may have been a better fit for City, while former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said Haaland "might have picked the wrong club".

However, Ederson believes Haaland is well-suited to City's style, though he acknowledges Pep Guardiola's men have had to adapt to his characteristics. 

"When he arrived, we said he was going to score a lot – and that's been happening. He is a brilliant goalscorer, he always looks to score and help the team," Ederson told UEFA.com.

"He is the striker we needed, because in comparison to Gabriel [Jesus], they are different players. Gabi likes to come in from out wide, he is stronger and more versatile. Haaland plays more centrally, looking to get into the box, he is a target in the area. 

"That has been the major difference. When you get into the final third you have someone who will always be in the area.

"Many people say most of the goals he scores are easy – but that is a lie. It's his positioning – that's his best ability. He doesn't score easy goals, he positions himself very well. 

"I hope he continues to score many goals, making us happy and we'll keep working together for all the titles."

City return to Champions League action when they visit RB Leipzig for the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday, and with Haaland netting 28 times in 23 appearances in the competition throughout his career, the club hope his finishing ability will help deliver their first European crown.

Ederson is in no doubt as to the importance of continental success to City, saying: "That's our main objective, the main objective of the club. 

"We've been trying [to win it] and will carry on trying. We haven't won it yet, we reached the final [in 2021], and a few semi-finals, and we didn't come out of it with a good result. 

"But I think this year, we're more than capable of getting to the final and challenging for the title.

"Now this title is what the club needs, it's what we athletes need and it's what Guardiola needs here at the club, too. This year, we're going to try. We're going after it."

Haaland scored six goals in four appearances against Leipzig during his time with Dortmund, averaging a goal every 60 minutes against them. 

Real Madrid will be without key midfielders Toni Kroos and Aurlien Tchouameni for their trip to Liverpool but Karim Benzema has made Los Blancos' squad.

Benzema, last year's Ballon d'Or winner, has had an injury hit campaign and missed Saturday's win over Osasuna.

Yet the 35-year-old, who has scored 14 goals this season, returned to training ahead of Tuesday's Champions League last-16 clash at Anfield and has subsequently been named in Carlo Ancelotti's travelling party.

However, Madrid will not be able to call on Kroos or Tchouameni.

The injured duo did not play against Osasuna and were not included in Madrid's squad, which was confirmed on Monday.

Ancelotti will be hoping Kroos and Tchouameni return to fitness in time to face city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday in LaLiga, with a Copa del Rey Classico against Barcelona following on March 2.

Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in last season's Champions League final, a match that was overshadowed by policing issues outside of the Stade de France.

Vinicius Junior scored the only goal as Thibaut Courtois turned in a fine display to help Madrid claim a 14th European crown.

The second leg of the last-16 tie will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 15.

Cameron Norrie was not the only opponent Carlos Alcaraz had to overcome in the Argentina Open final, as he battled feelings of guilt after not doing "the right things" to recover from injury.

Alcaraz made it one title from one tournament in 2023 as he overcame Norrie 6-3 7-5 in Buenos Aires on Sunday.

Last year's US Open champion dropped just one set through the tournament as he marked his return to action in style, with the 19-year-old having missed the Australian Open due to a hamstring issue.

Alcaraz had not featured since November, and the world number two admitted he did not feel his application during his extended break was always as good as it should have been.

"This trophy is special. During those four months I had a hard time and I didn't do the right things off the court, and I felt a bit guilty after the injury," Alcaraz said.

"Fighting against this is not easy. Coming here, my first tournament after four months, and winning the first tournament since the US Open is very special for me."

Alcaraz won seven games on the bounce to swing the final in his favour, and believes he hit peak performance during the match.

"I felt very comfortable playing the final," Alcaraz added.

"I knew that it was going to be really difficult. I started really focussed on what I had to do at the beginning, my game, my level. 

"This is the level that I have to play in finals."

Alcaraz has already collected seven titles in his young career, with five of those coming on clay.

His idol and compatriot Rafael Nadal won 13 clay-court tournaments prior to turning 20.

Combined with Alcaraz's haul, that total of 18 betters the 13 managed by all other players combined on the ATP Tour in the 21st century before turning 20.

Alcaraz is now set to play in the Rio Open, where he is the reigning champion, this week.

Novak Djokovic claimed a share of yet more history on Monday as he started his 377th week as world number one.

Djokovic has won 22 major titles, the joint-most among men, and has long since held the record for the most weeks at the top of the ATP rankings.

His nearest rival on the men's tour – since the rankings were introduced in 1973 – is the now retired Roger Federer, who spent 310 weeks in top spot.

But Djokovic has also matched Steffi Graf, the WTA leader, in making it to 377 weeks.

Graf was the women's number one 45 weeks longer than second-placed Martina Navratilova (332), with Serena Williams in third (319).

The WTA rankings began in 1975.