Jurgen Klopp and Diogo Jota have been encouraged by Darwin Nunez's displays ahead Liverpool's Champions League meeting with Rangers.

Nunez struggled to hit the ground running at Liverpool following his arrival from Benfica and has only featured in five Premier League matches – for a total of 267 minutes – due in large part to a three-game suspension he received for lashing out at Crystal Palace's Joachim Andersen in August.

The Uruguay forward was foiled on several occasions as Liverpool beat Rangers 2-0 last week. He has had nine shots in the Champions League without scoring this season – only Mohamed Salah (10) has had more attempts for the Reds. It is in stark contrast to last term, when he netted six times in the competition for Benfica.

However, after Nunez scored his second league goal of the season in Liverpool's 3-2 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday, Klopp is hopeful the 23-year-old is hitting his stride.

"It's very important for him to be confident," Klopp said in a press conference ahead of Wednesday's match at Ibrox Stadium. "He had a lot of good moments against Rangers, in moments he was unplayable but still, big goalie saves. 

"He got the goal, he was really hard-working, so his performance was a positive, for sure."

Fellow Reds attacker Jota is also convinced Nunez will soon show his true quality, adding: "He started really well and people started to think his adaptation was never a problem, but maybe he required a few more games to get used to that level.

"With this run of games he's having, he's already scoring and people in the squad are already understanding his game. So, it's good for everyone and tomorrow there will be proof of that, I hope."

Although Liverpool are bidding for a third successive Champions League win on Wednesday, their return of just 10 points from eight Premier League games is their worst tally at this stage of a campaign since the 2012-13 season (nine), when they went on to finish seventh.

Klopp, however, remains up for the challenge, adding: "It's really tricky, yes, we can play better, and we did not go to Arsenal to show how good we are, we went there to win.

"This is a tough situation but it's a challenge. We always face challenges, and we'll go for it. 

"I feel sorry for people who thought after last season that we'd go again and fly again and compete for everything. 

"Now it's not the case. I can't promise we will fly tomorrow, but we will fight, definitely, until someone tells us the fight is over.

"It didn't become easier since Sunday because of the injuries but the team I saw today in training I liked a lot. Let's give it a go."

Kylian Mbappe became Paris Saint-Germain's top scorer in the Champions League with a penalty against Benfica on Tuesday.

Reports this week suggested Mbappe wants to leave the French capital despite signing a bumper three-year extension in May amid continued interest from Real Madrid.

PSG football advisor Luis Campos said Mbappe had not told him of this wish ahead of the Group H clash with Benfica at Parc des Princes, where the 23-year-old soon made club history.

The World Cup winner coolly converted from 12 yards in the 39th minute to open the scoring after referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot following Antonio Silva's careless foul on Juan Bernat.

That took Mbappe's PSG tally to 31 goals in 48 Champions League appearances, surpassing Edinson Cavani as the club's leading marksman in the European Cup.

The France international, who previously netted six Champions League goals for Monaco, has scored four in as many games in Europe this season.

Garang Kuol is an "excitement machine" and can thrill for Australia at the World Cup in Qatar, Socceroos great John Aloisi has told Stats Perform.

Teenager Kuol is the most promising talent in Australia's A-League and has already agreed a January move to Newcastle United in the Premier League.

The 18-year-old, who can play across the front line, only made his full debut for Central Coast Mariners in an Australia Cup tie in July.

But Kuol had previously made nine A-League appearances as a substitute, scoring four goals in just 189 minutes.

He also starred in the A-League All Stars Game against Barcelona and during his Australia debut versus New Zealand.

Aloisi, who played and scored for the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup, now hopes to see Kuol given the opportunity to impress again in Qatar next month.

The 46-year-old now coaches Western United, who lost 1-0 to a Kuol goal in their last meeting with Central Coast in April.

"Well, I'm excited about Garang Kuol because having coached against him, watched him closely, he's an excitement machine," Aloisi told Stats Perform.

"And I don't want to put too much pressure on him as well, because there's still a long way to go in his career.

"But it's great that he's able to sign for a Premier League club. Hopefully he becomes the next big thing for Australian football. But we have to help him and also guide him.

"It's exciting, and I'm sure that if he does get that ticket on the plane and he does come on, it will excite everyone watching, and all Australians will be following him and seeing how good he is."

Anhelina Kalinina progressed to round two of the Transylvania Open after opponent Eugenie Bouchard retired injured in Cluj.

Ukrainian world number 45 Kalinina took the opening set 6-3 before a hip injury prevented Bouchard from continuing.

The Canadian revealed she had retired as a precaution having undergone an MRI on Monday, and did not wish to aggravate the issue any further.

"I'm just disappointed to have ended my tournament in Romania this way because I really loved being here in Cluj," she said. "I pulled my hip flexor a few days in practice. I tried everything to be ready for this match.

"I got an MRI yesterday, and didn't show anything too bad, so I thought I could play. But it was getting worse as the match went on. To avoid a big injury, I figured it would be best to retire.

"I absolutely hate retiring, I wish I could've done better here, but I hope to be back."

Fourth seed Anastasia Potapova beat Ann Li 6-2 7-6 (7-5) to set up a clash with Viktorija Golubic, who overcame Diane Parry in straight sets.

Seventh seed Xiyu Wang advanced in straight sets against home favourite Jaqueline Cristian, while Harriet Dart required just 64 minutes to wrap up a commanding 6-2 6-0 victory over Oceane Dodin.

Liverpool winger Luis Diaz is set be sidelined until after the World Cup, with Jurgen Klopp confirming the knee injury he sustained against Arsenal will keep him out for six to eight weeks.

The 25-year-old, a January buy from Porto who played a key role in Liverpool's FA Cup and EFL Cup triumphs last season, was forced off before half-time against the Gunners on Sunday.

While initial scans showed Diaz will not need to undergo surgery, he is nevertheless ruled out for the foreseeable future, with a return to action unlikely until the festive period.

Diaz was not the only Liverpool player to sustain an injury at the Emirates Stadium, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip joining him in the treatment room.

Speaking to the media ahead of Liverpool's Champions League meeting with Rangers, Klopp revealed the expected timeframe for Diaz's recovery and expressed relief his injury was not worse.

"I thought we were a little bit lucky with Trent because ankle didn't look good," Klopp said on Tuesday.

"Lucho [Diaz], it's six to eight weeks or whatever. He looks a quick healer, but we have to be careful. It could have been worse. It's not great, but it's the situation, and we have to deal with it. 

"Joel felt his calf a little bit and had a scan and is out as well."

While both Alexander-Arnold and Matip are only expected to return in good time before the mid-season pause, Diaz's injury represents a blow to Liverpool's hopes of reviving their flagging Premier League title bid.

Diaz has scored four goals in 12 appearances in all competitions this season, a tally only bettered by Roberto Firmino (six) and Mohamed Salah (five) among Liverpool players.

Klopp's team will host Southampton in their final Premier League match before the World Cup break on November 12, and they resume with a trip to Aston Villa on December 26, by which time Diaz is expected to have returned to fitness.

Kylian Mbappe has "never" told Paris Saint-Germain he wants to leave in January, says Luis Campos, despite continued reports of the forward's discontent.

World Cup winner Mbappe signed a new three-year deal with the Ligue 1 champions ahead of the 2022-23 season, seemingly ending speculation around a potential move to Real Madrid.

However, new reports have claimed the France international wants to leave Paris in January, with Madrid again said to be his preferred destination.

Ahead of a crucial Champions League clash with Benfica on Wednesday, PSG football advisor Campos refuted the suggestions Mbappe wants to depart.

"It's information. We have rumours every day, and we can't come and talk about them every day," Campos told Canal+.

"In this case, it's special, because we are a few hours away from a very important match; it is serious. It is serious because my name is also mentioned. And especially because I am with Kylian every day, [and] he never spoke to me about leaving in January.

"I was with the president, and to the president, Kylian never talked about leaving in January, too. That means it's not a statement from the player, it's information.

"Before a match like this, it's very serious and that's why I'm here: it's to deny and say clearly that Kylian never spoke, neither to me nor to the president, about leaving PSG in January. This question never came up."

Reports suggested Mbappe had become unsettled in the French capital, citing his role within the PSG attack, a failure to bolster their defensive options and a breakdown in his relationship with team-mate Neymar.

"Compared to me, I have a three-year contract with PSG, I am very happy to be here in this house, and I work every day so that PSG, at the end of my contract, have something special," Campos added.

"We speak with Kylian daily, as with Neymar, [Lionel] Messi, Danilo [Pereira], Vitinha, [Marco] Verratti, all the players. We discuss.

"Regarding recruitment, I have already said what I had to say last month [about a disappointing transfer window], I was very clear.

"The most important thing is to let people know that we work very hard every day, we are very happy to be here, and we are giving our all to satisfy PSG."

Sergio Gomez was sent off and Riyad Mahrez missed a penalty as Manchester City were held to a goalless draw by Copenhagen in the Champions League.

City knew a win would seal their place in the round of 16 with two games to spare, but they endured a frustrating Tuesday evening at Parken.

Rodri had a goal disallowed for a handball by Riyad Mahrez, who then had a spot-kick saved by Kamil Grabara before Gomez was dismissed for a professional foul in an eventful first half.

Erling Haaland was an unused substitute as City's six-game winning run came to a halt and they lost their 100 per cent Group G record, but they remain on the brink of qualifying for the next stage.

Rodri rifled a thunderous long-range strike into the top-left corner in the 11th minute, but referee Artur Dias ruled the goal out for a Mahrez handball after a being instructed to look at the pitch-side monitor.

Mahrez wasted a chance to make amends from the spot after Nicolai Boilesen was adjudged to have handled following another VAR check, but Grabara dived to his left to deny the winger midway through the first half.

There was another big blow for City on the half-hour mark, when Dias was once again summoned to the touchline and the busy Portuguese official deemed that Gomez had pulled Hakon Haraldsson down to deny him a goalscoring opportunity.

Pep Guardiola's side were dominating possession despite being a man down and Grabara punched away a Kevin De Bruyne strike early in the second half.

Isak Johannesson came agonisingly close to Victor Kristiansen's teasing cross from the left at the other end as Copenhagen scented a famous victory.

Grabara produced more heroics by diving to his right and palming away Joao Cancelo's drive as neither side could fashion a winner.

Juventus' hopes of progressing to the Champions League last 16 suffered a massive blow as they were stunned 2-0 by Maccabi Haifa. 

The Bianconeri went into their third Group H encounter trailing pacesetters Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica by four points.

And their deficit to at least one of that duo will grow after they were outplayed by the Israeli champions on Tuesday at Sammy Ofer Stadium.

Omer Atzili's first-half double was the difference, but the margin of victory could have been greater for Maccabi as they claimed a famous win that will increase the scrutiny on under-fire Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Frantzdy Pierrot had Wojciech Szczesny scrambling to make a diving save in the fourth minute, but the goalkeeper could do nothing to deny the hosts soon after when Atzili flicked home Pierre Cornud's left-wing cross.

Tjaronn Chery then struck the top of the crossbar with a free-kick before Atzili forced Szczesny into action once more at the end of a rapid counter-attack as Maccabi continued to pile pressure on Juve.

That pressure told again in stunning fashion just before half-time, Pierrot laying off for Atzili to shape a superb finish into the top-right corner after Juve had been dispossessed in their own half.

Juve eventually threatened a response, but Joshua Cohen was equal to Dusan Vlahovic's header to preserve Maccabi's two-goal advantage at the break.

Having replaced the injured Angel Di Maria with Arkadiusz Milik in the first half, Allegri threw on Filip Kostic and Manuel Locatelli at the start of the second half.

But neither had the desired impact as Maccabi hung on with relative comfort to leave Allegri's men facing the legitimate prospect of a group-stage exit.

Julian Nagelsmann insisted his Bayern Munich side are "good enough" as questions continued over the attacking capabilities of his Bundesliga champions.

Robert Lewandowski scored 50 goals in 46 matches for Bayern last season in all competitions, making him the top scorer in Europe's top five leagues, but departed for Barcelona in July.

Nagelsmann's side brought in Sadio Mane from Liverpool prior to the Poland international's exit, though the Senegal forward has failed to fill the void with questions persisting over Bayern's attacking options.

Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo have both repeatedly been suggested as potential solutions for Bayern, whose lack of clinical finishing to kill games off has led to criticism.

When asked about the profligate nature of his forwards, Nagelsmann responded: "We have a lot of chances. Statistically we have even more chances than last year.

"It's a good thing that we have more flexibility up front. You have to see the big picture. When you're scoring fewer goals, it's always easy to say 'We're missing a striker'.

"My job is to manage it so that we can compensate. I've commented on this topic many times now. There's always the question of what's available on the transfer market. The squad is good enough."

Nagelsmann was speaking ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Viktoria Plzen, with Bayern aiming for their fourth win in as many games to further their commanding position in Group C.

The Bundesliga side are unbeaten in their last 31 group stage matches in the competition (W28 D3), a record run, but Nagelsmann is targeting another victory to ensure his team progress to the knockout stages.

"The predictability of the line-up isn't a big problem for me. With twelve points we'd be in a good position to go through to the next round," he added. 

"That would give us the rest we need, including for Sunday's game against Freiburg. It's an extremely important game for us. It's up to us to maintain this haven of peace in the Champions League.

"Every one of my players wants to play tomorrow and on Sunday. You always play a game to win it, no matter who you are against."

While Nagelsmann aims for early qualification to offer some of his players a rest, the Bayern coach confirmed he will be without goalkeeper Manuel Neuer against Plzen, with Sven Ulreich likely to deputise.

"Sven has a lot of experience. He's used to performing well when he's needed," he continued. "Manu wouldn't have played in a knockout game tomorrow either.

"The pain in the shoulder area is too great. We'll have to see how it goes. Luckily we still have a few days left to see what it looks like before Sunday."

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield will not require surgery on the high ankle sprain he suffered in the defeat to the San Francisco 49ers, which means he will not be placed on injured reserve.

The 2018 No.1 overall pick is set to be sidelined for this weekend's matchup with the Los Angeles Rams but, having avoided IR status, will be available to return within the next four games.

Mayfield, signed in a trade from the Cleveland Browns in July, suffered the injury in the loss to the 49ers, leaving the Panthers with a 1-4 record for the season, but was given a verdict of 'no major damage' after receiving second opinions on the injury, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

His absence is a blow to the Panthers, who are yet to find full flow with their new cornerstone franchise QB; Mayfield having 962 passing yards, four touchdown throws and a pass completion of 54.9 per cent – which ranks as the lowest across the entirety of the NFL in 2022.

P.J. Walker is set to take over as the Panthers' starting QB while Mayfield is absent, having totalled 60 yards and an 83.3 per cent completion rate following his introduction against the 49ers in Week 4.

Across his three-year career in the NFL, Walker has played in 10 matches, twice as a starter, accumulating 790 passing yards and two touchdown throws.

The Panthers' trip to LA will be the first under the guidance of interim head coach Steve Wilks, following the dismissal of Matt Rhule on Monday.

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett remains "clueless" regarding the controversial roughing the passer call which followed his hit on Tom Brady on Sunday.

Brady equalled the NFL record for most victories by a quarterback against a specific opponent without defeat (11) as he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 21-15 win over the Falcons.

However, Atlanta looked set to get a chance to complete a memorable comeback when Jarrett sacked Brady on third down with three minutes remaining.

But referee Jerome Boger called roughing the passer against the 29-year-old, later explaining the decision was made due to Jarrett unnecessarily throwing Brady to the ground.

The call has been met with controversy, with subsequent reports suggesting the NFL's competition committee will discuss amendments to roughing penalties after this season.

Jarrett is yet to come to terms with the decision two days later, saying: "Looking back on it, I'm still kind of left clueless on what I'm expected to do in that situation."

Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones was on the receiving end of a similar call against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, leading Jarrett to call for change.

"I did see Chris' sack last night, and that was questionable as well," Jarrett said. "All these other things that we can review… I'm not saying that it cost us the game, but it cost us an opportunity to win the game.

"If it's costing people games, it's going to cost people livelihoods. It's going to cost people opportunities. You never know who is going to go down and make a crazy play.

"Obviously this happened to us, the Falcons, but forget all that, it's about the sport. When people watch us to be entertained, to see some game-winning drives and then when you do it right, the right way, that's what makes it so frustrating.

"So let's give the game what the game is owed, and that's the best product we can put on the field."

Speaking on SiriusXM's Let's Go! Podcast on Monday, Brady described the incident as an "unwelcome hug" from Garrett and steered clear of discussing the decision.

"It was a long hug, a long unwelcome hug from Grady," Brady said. "And he was in the backfield all day. So as I said after the games, I don't throw flags.

"What I do throw is tablets, and I didn't have one accessible at that time. He had a hell of a game. I'll leave it at that.

"I woke up this morning, I was looking around the corner everywhere for Grady Jarrett jumping out and hitting me again.

"He played such a good game against us yesterday and I had nightmares last night thinking about him. But I'm glad we're through with that game. I'm glad we won."

Xabi Alonso is relishing his "very special" first taste of managing in the Champions League as Bayer Leverkusen aim to ignite their European campaign with victory over Porto.

The 40-year-old replaced Gerardo Seoane as Leverkusen head coach last week and made a winning start to his tenure against Schalke in the Bundesliga at the weekend.

Focus now turns to Wednesday's visit of Porto in UEFA's flagship competition, which Alonso won as a player with Liverpool in 2005 and Real Madrid nine years later.

Leverkusen are third in Group B at the midway stage after last week's 2-0 loss to Porto, who they are level on points with, while Club Brugge lead the way with a perfect record.

Asked about managing in the competition for the first time, Alonso said at Tuesday's pre-match news conference: "It is something very special, for sure. 

"It is one thing to play, but it is something different to coach. Hopefully this will be the first of many games in the Champions League. 

"But it is always special: the lights, the atmosphere, the noise of the stadium. I think it is the most beautiful competition. 

"Every game is big, and you always have to show your highest level when you play these games."

Saturday's 4-0 win over Schalke at BayArena was the highest victory for a coach in their first match in charge of Leverkusen.

That was only the German club's third victory in 13 outings this season and moved them out of the Bundesliga relegation zone.

Leverkusen are now looking to win successive home games in a single Champions League campaign for the first time since October 2014 when Porto visit.

The visitors will be without experienced centre-back and captain Pepe, who Alonso previously played with at Madrid, in what the Leverkusen boss says will be a loss.

"We were team-mates in Madrid and had a great time. He's a great guy, one that you want to have on your side," Alonso said. 

"I wish him a great recovery. Well, from tomorrow! He's a very important player for them, the captain, but he's a leader as well.

"His absence is what it is. You never know if it's good or bad, but we know what Pepe means for Porto. 

"Because of the qualities he has, because of the big personality he has. He's been able to show that hunger and that motivation the way he plays on."

Patrik Schick had a penalty saved in last week's reverse fixture and is without a goal from 12 shots in this season's competition – at least twice as many shots as any team-mate.

However, Alonso has backed the Czech Republic international – Euro 2020's joint-top scorer – to find his scoring touch once again.

"His goals will come, for sure," said Alonso, who previously spent three years managing Real Sociedad B and a period with Madrid's youth sides. 

"He has the quality, the personality and the desire to work on these things. He will help the team and the team will help him."

Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte described Harry Kane as "not only a top player but a top person" after the England captain launched a foundation to change attitudes towards mental health.

On Monday, which was World Mental Health Day, the striker launched the Harry Kane Foundation, with the aims of normalising conversations regarding mental health and tackling stigma.

Kane said he hoped to use his platform to "encourage others to look after their mental health, be their best and not be afraid to ask for help," during Monday's launch.

Speaking on the eve of Tottenham's Champions League fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt, Conte highlighted Kane's suitability for such a role.

"Harry, for me, is the best person to represent this type of campaign, because he's not only a top player but a top person," Conte said.

"He's a really good example and to give him this type of responsibility is good, because you invite people to follow this campaign.

"I'm sure at the same time Harry is really focused on football. I like that he is involved in this type of situation."

Kane hopes his own journey to the top level, which saw him endure several loan spells at lower-league sides, can act as inspiration to anybody experiencing doubts over their abilities.

"It's always been part of my personality to prove people wrong," Kane said.

"When you look back at my career, going out on loan, the things I had to achieve to get to where I am now… for sure, that's part of my identity.

"It's a really important message for any young boys or girls wanting to become footballers or anything in life.

"There are going to be knocks along the way, and ups and downs, but it's about how you cope with that, keep working and keep moving forwards."

Meanwhile, Kane is set to take part in another campaign at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, joining the captains of several other European nations in wearing a rainbow armband as part of an anti-discrimination effort.

Kane intimated on Tuesday that those involved were still prepared to wear the armband in the event of disciplinary action being taken against them, saying: "We've decided that we want to wear it and that's our thought process going forward.

"It'll be down to FIFA, and the FA, I'm sure, will be in contact with them. I haven't heard anything personally yet, so at the moment we're in line to wear it. If anything changes, we'll cross that bridge when it comes."