Sports
With UCL league phase in rearview, Liverpool, Newcastle square off
September 20, 2023 Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah during training Liverpool and Newcastle United have both secured advancement in the UEFA Champions League. But each could use a good result when they meet at Anfield in Saturday’s late kickoff if they intend to return to the continental competition next season.
Sixth-place Liverpool (10-7-6, 36 points) qualified directly for the round of 16 by winning five of their last six continental fixtures to finish third in the UCL league phase. That included a 6-0 home win over Qarabag of Azerbaijan on Wednesday night paced by Alexis Mac Allister’s rare brace.
Mo Salah also scored his first goal since his return from the African Cup of Nations after striking four times in the tournament for Egypt. Liverpool manager Arne Slot’s hope is that, with a goal or an assist in three of his last four club appearances, perhaps Salah could regain the form that saw him register 47 league goal involvements en route to the 2024-25 Premier League title.
“I think it’s always about the team and the team has to make sure he gets in good positions,” Slot said of Salah, who only has four goals and four assists in the league this campaign. “I think that’s what we are doing more and more — not only with him but with many players.”
Liverpool may no longer be in realistic contention for a second consecutive league crown. But with 15 matches to play, they’re only two points off the pace for the fourth and final automatic berth to next year’s Champions League.
The ninth-place Magpies (9-8-6, 33 points) are also in that discussion despite a run of one win in six across all competitions that dates back to Jan. 10.
Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at reigning UCL champions Paris St. Germain felt like a victory, with Nick Pope saving Ousmane Dembele’s early penalty and Eddie Howe’s men eventually pulling level through Joe Willock in first-half stoppage time.
Injuries also kept captain Bruno Guimaraes (ankle), fellow Brazilian midfielder Joelinton (groin) and English defender Valentino Livramento (hamstring) out of the pivotal contest, which helped Newcastle seal a 12th-place league phase finish and a seeded playoff phase spot.
Guimaraes was able to make the midweek trip to Paris for moral support, and while it feels unlikely he’d return for Saturday’s contest, Howe did not rule it out.
“It’s slightly unknown at the moment. He did really well to be with us in Paris — that was down to the fact he was desperate to support the players,” Howe said on Friday. “He did very, very light training. He trained with us yesterday but that was more of a test so we’ll see how he is today. This will be where we decide (for Saturday).”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: LIV Golf sued for $1.13M by technology company
Apr 6, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; The LIV Golf logo is on display along the 10th hole during the second round of LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images Mobii Systems Group Ltd., which provided the “Any Shot, Any Time” live features during LIV Golf’s broadcasts, sued golf league for $1.13 million last week, referencing unpaid invoices and lost revenue, ESPN reported.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Miami on Friday, claims that LIV did not pay the Canada-based technology company its $820,600 licensing fee and a $104,500 usage fee for the 2026 season.
Mobii is also seeking $209,531 in lost revenue after LIV informed the company it would no longer be using the product for its final six events of the 2026 season, the lawsuit claims.
LIV did pay all fees for the 2025 season, the first year of its two-year deal with Mobii, which was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2026.
After Mobii’s legal team sent a demand for payment notice on May 8, giving LIV until May 15, LIV senior vice president of technology Nick Connor notified Mobii on May 25 that the LIV would no longer continue using the ASAT technology for the final six events of its 2026 season, starting later that month at the South Korea event.
“We recognize that delays in payment have caused strain in our relationship, and we understand this is a frustrating time,” Connor wrote. “While we understand your frustration, our view is that litigating outstanding invoices will not be a productive use of either of our time and resources.
“Please know that this decision is not reflective of the quality of work or services provided, and we are truly grateful for your partnership over the last several years.”
Mobii terminated its agreement with LIV the day it received the notice.
The lawsuit is another hurdle in an uncertain future for LIV, with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund announcing in April that it would no longer fund the tour after investing more than $5 billion since its launch in 2022.
LIV and the PIF also were sued earlier this month for damages between $210 million and $630 million by the World Golf Group and Premier Golf League, who allege that they created the idea for a world golf league.
LIV CEO Scott O’Neil is attempting to raise $300 million in capital to keep LIV going in 2027.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Matisse Thybulle agrees to 1-year deal with Lakers
Mar 23, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Matisse Thybulle (4) shoots the ball during warm ups before the Trail Blazers play against the Brooklyn Nets at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with free agent forward Matisse Thybulle, ESPN reported on Monday.
Thybulle, 29, has appeared in just 45 games over the last two seasons due to a rash of knee, ankle, hip and thumb injuries. However, the former first-round pick was named to the second-team All-NBA defensive team in 2020-21 and 2021-22 with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Over 377 regular-season games across seven seasons with the 76ers (2019-23) and Portland Trail Blazers (2023-26), Thybulle has career averages of 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
He’s a career 34.9% 3-point shooter, but he improved dramatically from his time with Philadelphia (32.5%) to Portland (37.4%) and made 41.1% of his perimeter shots the last two seasons.
This signing would put the Lakers at 16 guaranteed contracts for the 2026-27 season, one above the roster limit. The Lakers have also reportedly explored a sign-and-trade agreement with the Atlanta Hawks for Jonathan Kuminga, but ESPN reported Monday that those talks have not progressed any closer.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Mets activate OF Luis Robert Jr. (back) from IL
Apr 14, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) reacts after he was called out on strikes to end the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images The New York Mets activated outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the injured list on Monday ahead of the opening game of their road series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Robert, 28, had been out since April 27 with a lumbar spine disc herniation in his back. He was acquired from the Chicago White Sox via trade in January. He hit .224 with two homers and eight RBIs in his first 24 games with the Mets before sustaining the injury.
He has a $20 million team option for the 2027 season. But with New York reportedly exploring trading away players due to having the second-worst record in the National League (42-58), he could be an option to be sent elsewhere ahead of the August 3 trade deadline.
Over seven seasons with the White Sox (2020-25) and Mets, he has a .258 average with 104 homers and 306 RBIs over 601 games.
In a corresponding move, the Mets optioned first baseman Eric Wagaman to Triple-A Syracuse.
Wagaman, 28, has gone 6-for-37 (.162) with two homers and four RBIs in 21 games this season.
–Field Level Media
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