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• Al-Ittihad 0-5 Al-Ettifaq: Ekambi scores hat-trick in five-star display

  Karl Toko Ekambi netted a hat-trick as Al-Ettifaq got back to winning ways in style with a 5-0 thrashing of Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.

  He scored twice in four minutes at the end of the first half to send the visitors into the break 4-0 up before getting his third just 10 minutes after the break.

  Seko Fofana had already given Steven Gerrard’s side the lead five minutes into the contest, while Moussa Dembele doubled their advantage from the penalty spot.

  Al-Ittihad had the chances, but they could not find the back of the net, as they stayed fifth, but are now just six points above Al-Ettifaq. 

  Data Debrief: Clinical finishers

  Al-Ettifaq had five shots on target against Al-Ittihad, scoring with all of them while creating an xG of 3.62.

  With his hat-trick against Al-Ittihad, Ekambi has now scored 11 goals for the season, netting more than once for the first time since joining the club.

• Jurgen Klopp defends 'unlucky' Darwin Nunez amid Liverpool exit talk

  Jurgen Klopp insists he is not aware of any speculation regarding the future of Darwin Nunez as he defended the out-of-form forward.

  Nunez missed a good chance in last weekend's 4-2 win over Tottenham as his run without a goal extended to an eighth game in all competitions.

  The Uruguay international came in for criticism and later deleted all images of himself in a Liverpool shirt on his personal Instagram account.

  Rumours regarding a possible end-of-season exit for Nunez have circulated in recent weeks, with Barcelona supposedly among those interested. 

  However, when asked about the 24-year-old at Friday's press conference, Klopp said: "There is no speculation. That must be external. 

  "I'm not involved in that anymore. It's just the situation we're in. He was definitely not happy missing that chance [against Tottenham].

  "He has been unlucky in so many situations. He does everything right and the ball doesn't go in. There are no alternatives but going through it."

  Nunez has 31 goals and assists combined in all competitions this season - a tally only Mohamed Salah (38) can better among Liverpool players.

  He is in contention to feature for Liverpool against Aston Villa on Monday as the Reds look to end Klopp's tenure on a winning run.

  The German has just two games left in charge, with the contest at Villa Park followed by the visit of Wolves at Anfield six days later.

  Klopp risks having to watch that Anfield finale from the stands, though, as he will incur a touchline suspension should he receive a yellow card against Villa.

  Asked about that possibility, Klopp told reporters: "I've known this for a long time. I've only got two yellow cards [this season]. A few of my colleagues have already got suspended, so I've got calmer over the years.

  "I don't need to be on the touchline [for the final game with Wolves], but it would be cool. It will not be from my side, but I will try absolutely everything not to be involved in any discussions!"

• McGinn focusing on 'astronomical achievement' of Champions League qualification after Aston Villa heartbreak

  John McGinn is quickly turning his focus to the "astronomical achievement" of Champions League qualification after Aston Villa suffered heartbreak in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League.

  Villa were among the favourites to lift Europe's third-tier trophy but a 2-0 defeat at Olympiacos on Thursday consigned Unai Emery's men to a 6-2 aggregate loss over the two-leg tie.

  It means Villa end what has largely been viewed as an excellent season without a trophy but they can still finish on a high by securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.

  They lead fifth-place Tottenham by seven points with two games left in their domestic season, albeit Spurs do have a game in hand.

  McGinn apologised to the travelling support in Piraeus but, speaking to TNT Sports after the game, said there is still an opportunity to finish the season on a high.

  "We went into this competition as favourites and we handled that pressure throughout the competition, I think it’s been a huge learning curve for us," he said.

  "It's not been a smooth journey, we got to the semi-finals down to the bare bones a bit.

  "However, those of us who were out there over the two legs, we lost to who were the better team and I think the scoreline proves it."

  "Our instant feeling is absolutely gutted. We all wanted to be back here for the final.

  "Olympiacos gave it absolutely everything, played out of their skin in both legs, and overall the scoreline proves they were the better team.

  "We'll reflect, there's a lot of things we could have done better, but over the season, of course, we can be proud of the journey.

  "Obviously, we need to apologise to the supporters who have travelled here, they've travelled the whole campaign with us.

  "We wanted to deliver a trophy to them, we all wanted it as players. We’'e all bitterly disappointed, but we need a big push in the last two games to try and get over the line for the Champions League, which would be an astronomical achievement.

  "But here, the overriding feeling is disappointment, frustration and an opportunity missed. Congratulations to Olympiacos and we wish them all the best in the final."