Conor

It was only the shadow of brilliant Real keeper Thibaut Courtois that threatened to stop Liverpool getting what they merited, with a stunning individual performance that revived memories of how he defied them when Jurgen Klopp’s team lost the 2022 Champions League final in Paris.

The Belgian made a string of magnificent saves, including four from Dominik Szoboszlai and a remarkable reflex stop from Virgil van Dijk’s header, before even he was powerless to stop Mac Allister’s header from the Hungarian’s free-kick.

Liverpool’s narrow victory margin does not touch the sides of their domination from first whistle to last, these crucial three points pushing them into sixth place in the Champions League table, a standing that will put them in the last 16 without the need to resort to a play-off if maintained.

Szoboszlai and Mac Allister ruled midfield, while Florian Wirtz provided some of the subtle touches that made his name at Bayer Leverkusen. Hugo Ekitike was a constant menace.

Liverpool were, unlike so often this season, rock solid at the back as Kylian Mbappe was marginalised, delivering a dreadful, error-strewn display. Vinicius had been beaten by Bradley long before the end.

If it was a miserable night for Alexander-Arnold, it was not much better for Jude Bellingham, offered the Anfield stage to deliver a reminder of his class before England head coach Thomas Tuchel names his squad to face Serbia and Albania after excluding him last time.

He provided one moment of danger in the first half when he forced Giorgi Mamardashvili to save with his legs, but was otherwise anonymous as Real failed to establish any sort of stranglehold.

Bellingham conceded the free-kick in a dangerous position that led to Mac Allister’s goal, offering little as Real tried to force their way back into contention, although he was not alone there.

He offered words of sympathy to Alexander-Arnold: “Obviously, it is one of those things in football. The fans booing isn’t a reflection of how they feel about him.

“I think it is more to give their team the edge and throw him off a little bit. I am sure they’re appreciative of what he has done for the club.”

Alexander-Arnold, once an Anfield idol, probably could not wait to get back to his new Madrid home, while life for Liverpool suddenly looks much brighter ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.

Sport and reality show fans have different reasons to take not of the rumoured line up for I’m A Celebrity…. Get Me Out Of Here! 2025 as a major sporting event may be affected by plans

Boxing star Conor Benn is reportedly being lined up to star in the upcoming season of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! despite having fights planned incredibly close to the expected air date.

Long-time fans of I’m A Celeb will be used to watching stars parachute into the Australian jungle every November. This year will see the 25th season of the long-running show air on ITV – and an early November start date is anticipated.

One of the names linked to the upcoming series is 29-year-old boxer Conor, who is the son of former two-division world champion boxer Nigel Benn. Fans might be surprised to see his name tied to the series, as he is due to fight Chris Eubank Jr on November 15 for a hotly anticipated rematch.

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A source told The Sun: “The logistics are a challenge given how close the match is to the start of the jungle, but ITV and Conor are keen to make this happen if they can.” The Mirror has approached representatives of Conor and I’m A Celebrity for comment.

A string of other stars have been tipped to appear in the new season of the show, with EastEnders star Shona McGarty, Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, and comedian Ruby Wax among those thought to have signed up for gruelling tasks and infamous trials.

I’m A Celeb fans should have even more jungle action to watch in the coming months as a second season of the All Stars version has reportedly wrapped. Filmed in South Africa, the spin-off show sees past contestants return to take part in more tasks.

Gemma Collins, Harry Redknapp, Scarlett Moffatt, and Sir Mo Farah are among the names attached to the upcoming second season. The format of the show has disappointed fans, however, as it airs as a pre-recorded show.

This deprives viewers of the ability to vote for those they want to see take part in trials – and also to vote for a winner. The first All Stars season aired in April 2023 – six months after the filming process ended.

Former Hear’Say singer & presenter Myleene Klass was crowned the winner of the show, triumphing over second-place star Jordan Banjo and third-place star Fatima Whitbread.

ITV confirmed the show would return last month, with host Ant McPartlin saying in a statement: “The campmates really brought their A-game to the first series, so we can’t wait to be back for more trials, challenges and surprises amongst the beautiful South African landscape.”

Co-host Declan Donnelly added: “Having a live final is an exciting addition to the new series with the viewers choosing their IAC Legend and we’ve heard some of the new trials are truly epic, even by I’m A Celeb… standards!”

Meanwhile, Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Commissioning at ITV, said: “We were blown away by the love for the first series of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa. It was a true celebration of the show’s history, and viewers loved seeing their favourite campmates return to their screens. We can’t wait to do it all again next year with a whole new cohort, and have the audience crown the winner during a live final for the first time.”

And Tom Gould, Director of Entertainment & Formats, Lifted Entertainment, added: “We’re very excited to have some more of the most memorable campmates from previous series returning to take on terrifying trials and face challenging twists and difficult decisions, in the tougher setting of South Africa.

“It will test them to their limits, and with a live final, this time viewers will get to decide who truly deserves the title of I’m A Celebrity Legend”.

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Former Ireland star Conor Murray says the “shackles are off” as he launches a new BBC Sounds podcast – the Ireland Rugby Social.

Murray, who won international 125 caps, will join BBC Sport NI’s Gavin Andrews to give his unique insight into the mindset of a professional athlete as Ireland gear up for the autumn internationals and the 2026 Six Nations.

Each week, Murray will sit down with players, coaches and rugby insiders to dive into the sport’s biggest stories as Ireland face New Zealand, Japan, Australia and South Africa this autumn, before the Six Nations kicks off next year.

With five Six Nations titles and two United Rugby Championships with Munster, the three-time British and Irish Lion is uniquely placed to go beyond the headlines – and he says: “I can say what I want.”

“As a player you are always worried about protecting the team or the coach, or saying something the coach might not agree with after,” said Murray.

“But now the shackles are off. Now you can speak your mind and say things how you see it.”

Every Tuesday there will be podcast with a special guest who will offer their own insight into their life in rugby, whether that is playing, coaching or a role you may not know about.

Additionally, throughout November and Six Nations there will be a second podcast reflecting on the game that’s just been played and a look ahead at what is to come.

“Rugby has been such a big part of my life for so long, so I think staying connected to it is probably a good idea,” Murray added.

“I can give some insight, get some guests with some interesting stories – stories that you maybe haven’t heard before.

“I know the guests we have will be able to relax and tell us their true thoughts and stories.”

You can catch a first teaser episode here, or search Ireland Rugby Social on BBC Sounds to listen to every episode and subscribe.

Although that option is viable, it is much more likely Crocker will either face Benn or enjoy another big night in Belfast for a first voluntary defence.

However, much will depend on the outcome of November’s middleweight rematch between Benn and Chris Eubank Jr in terms of when Benn could be ready to return to the ring and drop back to welterweight.

The updated IBF rankings have former light-welterweight champion Liam Paro in the number two position with Donovan, who is understood to be appealing September’s decision at Windsor Park, in third.

A successful outcome for Donovan would most likely see him retain his high ranking and secure a final eliminator against Paro for the mandatory slot.

“Benn is the fight Crocker wants and he is confident he will beat him,” Conlan confirmed.

“That’s all well and good and the numbers are exciting, but you are putting Lewis’ livelihood on hold in hope of what will happen in another fight [Eubank-Benn II] and it doesn’t work like that, so get something booked for Belfast and most likely that’s what will happen next. If they [Matchroom] control the situation with the mandatory, then it can be pushed off and we can do Benn [after a first voluntary].

“There are still a few moving parts to happen, but I think Paro will fight Donovan or Karen Chukhadzhian next.

“Donovan’s team have appealed so his ranking hasn’t moved. That could be good news for ‘Croc’ as his mandatory will be kept on the long finger if Paro is out in the early part of next year. That could give us the opportunity of two voluntaries before we have a mandatory.”

Now, the side face the prospect of taking on the group favourites without their best player.

Bradley, who has also been booked three times in five Premier League appearances this term, was shown his second yellow card of the qualifying campaign in the 76th minute for a tackle on Lukas Haraslin.

O’Neill described the decision as “extremely disappointing” and felt his player had tried to pull out of the challenge.

“There were worse tackles in the game and one just before that was particularly poor on Isaac Price that the referee let go,” he said. “To produce a yellow card for that was disappointing.”

Speaking on BBC Sport NI, former Northern Ireland and Leeds United defender Stuart Dallas said Bradley had given “the referee a decision to make” but agreed with his old international boss that the decision ultimately was harsh.

If not for the resulting suspension, it would have been a mere footnote in an otherwise excellent performance.

Bradley was one of four players in the starting XI who went into the game knowing a booking would rule them out of Monday’s game, but Hume said they do not wish to curb his aggressive edge.

“We spoke before the game about the boys who were on yellows trying not to get one, but it’s one of those things,” he explained.

“You can’t go into a game trying not to get booked. You’ve got to play to your strengths.

“He’s full throttle. He’s 100% all the time.”

Since making his full Premier League debut in January 2024, Bradley has started 15 of his country’s 17 games, missing only the friendlies against Sweden and Switzerland in March.

Quite how to compensate for his loss gives O’Neill yet another thing to consider as he plots how to pull off what would be the biggest result of his second spell in charge.

While there is no like-for-like replacement in the squad, Oxford United’s Brodie Spencer figures to fill the void at right wing-back against the four-time World Cup winners.

“You’ve seen Brodie play left wing-back, right wing-back, he’s even played in a back three. We know how strong and athletic he is,” added Hume.

“Obviously Conor is going to be a big miss, but we’re a big group, we’re a strong team and we’re all together.

“It’s something we have to deal with and we’ll be ready.”

CONOR MCGREGOR has drawn the ire of UFC fans with his latest training footage.

The promotion’s former poster boy is slowly but surely ramping up training ahead of his long-proposed return to the octagon.

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McGregor, 37, has been putting in the work on the Thai pads during his recent stay in Italy and has since started sparring.

Footage of the former two-division champion trading heavy leather with two young sparring partners started doing the rounds on social media last weekend.

McGregor didn’t take it lightly on his training partners for the day, throwing some full-pelt shots their way.

The Dubliner’s apparent refusal to take it easy on the youngsters annoyed several MMA fans, one of whom wrote on X: “Hmmm. Not a good look for McGregor.”

Another said: “Still an embarrassing show. He is such a shell of his former self.”

And another said: “Bullying young fighters.”

One remarked: “Embarrassing, TBH.”

Another chimed in: “McGregor beating up 12-year-old kids – what a downfall.”

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Several fight fans, however, believed McGregor was giving the youngsters some invaluable experience, with one saying: “He is doing them a favour.”

Another said: “He’s a great teacher ’cause nobody will take it easy in them in the octagon.”

And another said: “Great training opportunity!”

McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier over four years ago.

He was set to make his grand cage comeback last June against Michael Chandler but withdrew from the Sin City showdown after breaking his left pinky toe.

McGregor took a major step towards returning to the cage late last month by re-entering the UFC‘s drug testing pool.

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He submitted random samples to drug testers earlier this month, both of which came back negative for any banned substances.

If McGregor fights again, his next outing will be his first since he was found civilly liable for having assaulted Nikita Hand at a Dublin hotel in December 2018.

McGregor appealed the verdict turned in at Dublin‘s High Court but lost his bid to overturn the civil verdict in July.

KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV has put aside his near decade-old feud with Conor McGregor to wish his former rival well for the future.

Nurmagomedov and McGregor, 36 and 37, respectively, took part in the biggest grudge match and PPV fight in UFC history back in October 2018.

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The blood feud didn’t end when ‘The Notorious’ was submitted in the fourth round of their UFC 229 showdown in Las Vegas.

McGregor has fired several shots the Russian’s way over the years and has often accused him of running away from a rematch with his retirement.

Nurmagomedov has seldom spoken about his old rival but is aware of all the legal troubles he’s had in recent years.

And the Dagestani recently revealed he hopes McGregor can get on the straight and narrow, albeit without mentioning his name.

During a recent Q&A event in New York, Nurmagomedov said: ““I don’t wanna mention his name.

“This is punishment… The most beautiful part of this is Allah always give the chance to come back.

“We always have in this world the chance to come back, and this is the most beautiful thing.

“It doesn’t matter how you’ve been, Allah is gonna give you a chance always to come back. I think he has a chance.”

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Nurmagomedov believes McGregor turning his life around would be a story which could inspire people across the globe.

The former undefeated and long-reigning lightweight champion said: “He has to change how he is living.

“Why am I talking about this? If he’s gonna change, he can change with him so many other lives too.

“That’s why I wish him to change himself. If he’s not gonna change, it will be punishment all his life.”

McGregor has only fought three times since losing the biggest fight in UFC history.

The Irishman got back in the win column against Donald Cerrone in January 2020 before suffering back-to-back stoppage losses to Dustin Poirier the following year.

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McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Poirier four years ago as injury scuppered his comeback clash with Michael Chandler last July.

The UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight world champion is hellbent on returning to the octagon and recently re-entered the promotion’s testing pool.

If McGregor fights again, his next outing will be his first since he was found civilly liable for having assaulted Nikita Hand at a Dublin hotel in December 2018.

McGregor appealed the verdict turned in at Dublin’s High Court but lost his bid to overturn the civil verdict late last month.

Wrexham are set to sign centre-back Conor Coady from Championship rivals Leicester City.

The two clubs have agreed a fee – believed to be around £2m – for the 32-year-old England defender, who passed his medical on Friday morning.

Signing Coady would be another major statement of intent from Wrexham, who are preparing for their first season back in the second tier for 43 years.

They have already broken their club transfer record twice this summer, first for Empoli left-back Liberato Cacace and then for Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien.

Wrexham are likely to smash it again as they are in talks over an ambitious £7.5m move for Wales and Ipswich Town forward Nathan Broadhead.

They also hope to complete the signing of another Wales international, striker Kieffer Moore, from Sheffield United.

He told BBC Sport: “We signed a two-fight deal, we were ready to go. The date was announced straight after the first fight for September, done a lot of negotiations in terms of venues, dates.

“They had all agreed September 20th, then Eubank came out and said he wasn’t ready.”

Asked if Benn was prepared to wait until the end of the year, Hearn added: “So we have to give them a chance.

“We just appeal to Eubank, if you’re not ready to go back to war with Benn and you’d rather sit at a poker table in Las Vegas, good luck to you. But let us move on.”

“We’re ready to move on, drop down to 147 and get a world title,” said Benn.

The first fight was organised by Ring Magazine, which is owned by Turki Alalshikh, and it was thought the rematch would also fall under the Riyadh Season promotion.

Appearing on Saturday’s broadcast before Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, Alalshikh said the Eubank-Benn bout could still happen and suggested January or February as potential alternative dates.

Eubank has not commented on the situation himself, and it is unclear when an official decision will be made.

The 35-year-old was fined £10,000 earlier this month by the British Boxing Board of Control over “misuse of social media” in the build-up to the first contest.

During a three-year stay at Wolves, Jota made 131 appearances for the club, scoring 44 goals, including consecutive hat-tricks in the 2019-20 Europa League victories over Besiktas and Espanyol.

In September 2020, he joined Premier League champions Liverpool in a £41m deal, with Wolves boss Nuno saying Jota is leaving “knowing that it will never be forgotten, especially by our fans, all the memorable moments that Diogo provided”.

“We were gutted we were losing him because he was that good,” said Coady.

“But at the same time, you gave him a big hug and you went, you know what mate, you deserve it more than anyone. Go and enjoy yourself. Go and make a name for yourself at one of the biggest clubs because you can certainly do that. And he has done for that a number of years.”

Coady posted a moving tribute to his former team-mate on his social media account after hearing the news, which he said he did while he “cried my eyes out”.

In the post, he describes how he felt grateful hearing his kids say “dad, you played with Jota” when the Liverpool player came up on the television screens – a feeling he reiterated again.

“People look at football and think it’s all about rivalry. But watching him win the Premier League with Liverpool, it filled me with immense pride – to say I played with him and he has gone on to do incredible things,” said Coady.

“He took it by storm, like he took us by storm. Like he then took the Premier league by storm. Like he then took Europa League by storm with Wolves.

“He’s then gone and done it with one of the biggest clubs in the land. A remarkable footballer, but an even better team-mate, which is 10 times more important than being a remarkable footballer for me.”

There was a surprise recoupling tonight with one unexpected couple raising eyebrows

Love Island fans have been asking the same question after an unexpected twist.

Alima and newcomer Ryan became the most recent contestants to be booted from the villa earlier this week after a shocking recoupling twist. The drama unfolded when bombshells Ryan and Billykiss each selected two islanders to accompany them on dates.

Ryan opted for Toni and Shakira, whilst Billykiss picked Dejon and Conor, before they made their entrance into the villa ahead of another revelation that caught everyone off guard.

The islanders were then asked whether anyone wanted to recouple with the fresh arrivals, reports OK!. Conor decided to pair up with Billykiss, leaving Alima without a partner and subsequently eliminated from the show.

Meanwhile, no one stepped forward for Ryan, sealing his exit from the villa as well. Tonight (July 4), saw yet another recoupling – but with an unexpected surprise.

The islanders received a message stating: “Islanders, today there will be a recoupling where the boys will choose which girl they’d like to recouple with”.

As the girls stood around the fire pit awaiting their fate, one boy made a surprise selection, explaining: “I don’t really know her as well as I should and I think this is a good opportunity to get to know her fully… I find her attractive and over the last few days she’s really changed my opinion of her.”

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Eyebrows were raised when Conor picked Yasmin to recouple with, leaving Giorgio to pair up with Billykiss. And people were quick to have their say as one fan wrote on social media: “Also Conor moving off Billykiss already basically means that Alima went home for NO REASON!”.

Another was puzzled: “Have I missed something? Since when did Conor and Yasmin like eachother?”.

One person asked: “Anyone else confused by Connor’s decision there????”. Another commented: “Have i missed an episode or something? connor and yasmin? #LoveIslandUK #Loveisland”.

In another coupling, Harry chose Helena. Earlier, Shakira had called it quits with Harry, refusing to be part of a “triangle” involving Helena.

She confronted him saying: “You said you’ve fully ended it with Helena, [and that] there’s nothing there with her… Then all of a sudden Meg stands up, who’s Helena’s best friend, and says that you’re telling two different girls two different things. Something’s not adding up there.”

The following day saw Harry and Helena escape to the Hideaway.

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Love Island fans hit out at Megan and Conor’s actions as the Irish duo left their current partners to share a night together in the Hideaway following their kiss on the Terrace

Love Island fans were left unimpressed as Irish duo Megan and Conor went for a cosy getaway in the hideaway. Despite not being coupled up, the duo are growing closer following a sneaky kiss on the terrace while Conor’s partner Emily was away from the villa.

After returning, Emily wanted clear the air talks with her man and headed to the Snug for a chat. There, however, he told her about his kiss with Megan.

Speaking of his actions, Emily said: “That’s quite intense… I thought Megan was more into Tommy to the point where she wouldn’t have done that…”

And in an honest confession, Conor told her: “My head has been with her [Megan].” Emily replied: “I wouldn’t have cared about the kiss…the words ‘while you were away my head was with her’ pushes me out of the equation.”

And later that evening, Conor told Emily that he and Megan will be spending the night together in the Hideaway. Megan and Conor then shared a kiss in and Conor went as far as giving Megan his bracelet.

His actions upset fans online, with one user on Twitter /X saying: “Conor didn’t care one bit about dumping Emily. She basically did it without him asking.” Another fumed: “OMG not Megan and Conor going to the hideaway MINUTES after dumping Emily and Tommy.”

While speaking to Tommy and Harry and the bathroom, Emily said: “I don’t expect anything from him, but from her [Megan], I would’ve expected more.”

The next day, Tommy and Emily caught up by the mini Firepit, as he told her: “I don’t know why I’ve been moving so closed off,” before Emily told him: “Now is your time to shine darling.”

Elsewhere, tensions in the villa have reached an all-time high as not one but two couples split after the fallout from unexpected Sleepover. Yasmin found herself hit with a difficult truth when Ben finally admits that his feelings have cooled.

After pulling his partner for a chat, Ben said directly: “I feel like we went from 0 to 100 real quick and I’m going to be taking a step back.”

The timing of Ben’s confession is particularly brutal, coming just one night after fans were left speculating about what may have happened between the two under the covers. Yasmin, unaware of his growing doubts, could be blindsided by the sudden change in tone.

Love Island continues tomorrow at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX

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