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Jurgen Klopp Slams Rafael van der Vaart For Virgil van Dijk Comments

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Jurgen Klopp has hit out at Rafael van der Vaart for his comments about Virgil van Dijk at the 2026 World Cup.

Liverpool star Van Dijk, now 34, was included in the Netherlands’ 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

He was named in his nation’s starting lineup for their tournament opener against Japan, scoring as the match ended 2-2.

Van Dijk, still considered one of the best centre-backs in the world, started once again in the Netherlands’ second group game against Sweden on Saturday afternoon. He played the full match as Ronald Koeman’s side ran out comfortable 5-1 victors.

Van Dijk’s former manager at Liverpool, Klopp, appeared on German TV ahead of the Netherlands’ second game, and he felt the need to address comments made by Van der Vaart about Van Dijk.

Jurgen Klopp Slams Rafael van der Vaart

Virgil van Dijk in action for the Netherlands at the World Cup Pawel Andrachiewicz/PressFocus via Reuters

Van der Vaart has developed a reputation for being one of the most outspoken pundits in world football. He isn’t afraid to criticise players and speak his mind.

The Dutchman was not very complimentary of Van Dijk at all for his performance against Japan. Speaking between the first and second Netherlands games, he said on NOS TV, per the Daily Mail:

“I have to be honest: I was quite shocked by Van Dijk. With him, I thought: that doesn’t look good. Especially while turning. It is proving very difficult. A bit like a Boeing 747 turning. I hope he starts turning a bit faster during the tournament.”

Klopp has now fired back at Van der Vaart as he addressed his comments about Van Dijk. He said: “I’m not entirely sure if it’s worth mentioning Van der Vaart.

“But if he ever says something positive about any player at some point, then I’ll be happy to take him seriously again. You get the feeling he sees something, and then it has to be formulated in a flowery way, and then he’s really against it. But that way it’s really not important.”

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Virgil van Dijk Suffers Injury Scare vs Sweden

Virgil van Dijk suffers an injury in Netherlands vs Sweden at the 2026 World Cup REUTERS/Phil Noble

Van Dijk suffered an injury scare against Sweden when he collapsed to the ground. The 34-year-old was able to shake off the knock and continue, though.

Speaking after the match, Van Dijk detailed the injury, revealing he ‘couldn’t feel his upper leg’. He told NOS TV after the match, per Goal:

“I took a hard hit to my hip and I couldn’t feel my upper leg anymore, so that was a little bit crazy. But it was probably just a pinched nerve. I think it is not too bad, but we will see shortly.”

Netherlands currently top Group F, having picked up four points from their opening two games. They’ll be looking to clinch top spot with a victory over Tunisia on Thursday, June 25.

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Celtic Plot Move For ‘Brilliant’ World Cup Star

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Now they have sorted out who will be leading the team on a permanent basis, Celtic can start to make plans for the summer transfer window.

Having sacked Brendan Rodgers and then Wilfried Nancy during the 2025/26 campaign, the Bhoys turned to familiar face Martin O’Neill to guide them in the final few months of the Scottish Premiership season.

And the Northern Irishman did a stunning job, turning Celtic‘s fortunes around and winning the title in dramatic style on the final day of the season with victory over Hearts, who had led the way for much of the season.

O’Neill eyes move for New Zealand star

New Zealand winger Elijah Just attempts to win the ball

It was only supposed to be an interim spell, but O’Neill has been handed the reins at Parkhead on a permanent basis once more and he will now be looking at what business he can do in the summer transfer window.

One player who has been linked with a move to the Glasgow giants is Elijah Just, who came to the fore at the World Cup, showing anyone who has not watched a lot of Scottish football just what he is capable of with a brace in New Zealand’s 2-2 draw with Iran in the opening Group G encounter.

Speaking after that game, Just said: “It’s difficult to put into words, I was just buzzing to score the first and then I got the opportunity in the second half and I saw it in the back of the net, it was an incredible feeling.

“Running over and seeing my team-mates and how happy they were – that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

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Just plays his football with Motherwell, where he scored seven goals and laid on eight assists in the 2025/26 campaign, averaging a goal involvement in every other game he played.

Celtic have been long-term admirers of the 26-year-old Kiwi and according to Football Insider they are preparing to accelerate their interest in the winger once his involvement in the World Cup comes to an end.

Just could be a player in demand this summer

Celtic caretaker manager Martin O'Neill looks on during win vs Stuttgart

Celtic are likely to face competition from a number of other clubs in his signature, but Just is high on O’Neill’s wishlist when it comes to new signings this summer as he looks to strengthen in forward areas.

Just arrived in Scotland last summer from the Danish league, having also played in the Austrian league since making the move over to Europe from New Zealand.

And he made Motherwell captain Paul McGinnn eat his words.

McGinn said: “I looked at him and thought, ‘Scottish football, you could be in bother here’. When you look at a player like that, a guy who is diminutive and left-footed, you think he’s a flair player. But he’s not. He’s a grafter, he works his socks off, he’s been absolutely brilliant.”

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Liverpool Line Up ‘More Than €100m’ Bid For Yan Diomande

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Liverpool are preparing a second bid for Yan Diomande after seeing their first offer knocked back by RB Leipzig.

That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who has revealed that the Reds are putting in a huge amount of effort behind the scenes with the player to ensure a deal is completed this summer.

Liverpool are in the market for wide forwards in the transfer window, with Mohamed Salah already having said goodbye to the club where he made himself a legend after nine seasons and question marks over the futures of Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa.

Diomande is showing his quality at the 2026 World Cup

Yan Diomande vs Germany Thomas Mukoya via Reuters

Diomande is set to be one of the hottest properties in the summer transfer window, particularly after playing a starring role for the Ivory Coast at the World Cup.

The 19-year-old won the man of the match award against Ecuador in the opening round of group fixtures and then impressed in defeat to Germany on Saturday night.

ITV pundits Gary Neville and Ian Wright were raving about his performance against the Germans. Neville said: “Diomande on this left-hand side has been absolutely brilliant. Even when they double or triple up it’s not enough to contain him, he’s too good.”

Wright agreed. He said: “He’s lived up to the hype. His pressing is brilliant, his taking on is brilliant, his pace is scary.”

Leipzig have maintained that they are not willing to sell for anything less than €100million (£87million) this summer and are reluctant to sell at all, with attempts continuing to tie the teen sensation down to a new contract.

Having qualified for next season’s Champions League, the German outfit believe they can convince the teenager to stay for another season, by improving the terms of his current contract and then selling him for an even bigger fee next summer.

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As such they have already rejected a bid from the Reds for his signature this summer.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “Liverpool had a bid rejected, €100million which was €90million plus €10million but Liverpool will bid again, I can confirm that they will bid again.

Liverpool are being “very aggressive” in their attempts to sign Diomande

RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande celebrates a goal REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

“They are pushing on the player’s side, they are trying their best in terms of financial proposal and project to get the player on their side 100% because RB Leipzig keep insisting they want to keep Yan Diomande.

“Game after game, day after day it’s more difficult to keep Yan Diomande, now there are several clubs interested, Liverpool are very aggressive, Liverpool will bid more than €100million, it’s going to be a big proposal coming to try and change the situation.”

Diomande has previously stated his desire to play at Anfield, revealing that his father was a Liverpool fan and dreamt of playing for the Reds.

Liverpool are going all out to sign him, with PSG are also interested in signing him this summer.


Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande in World Cup action against Ecuador


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The 19-year-old produced a man-of-the-match display in Ivory Coast’s win against Ecuador

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Turki Alalshikh Makes Devastating Confession About Health After Cancer and Brain Tumour Diagnosis

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One of the most influential figures in modern boxing has revealed a heartbreaking update on his health, admitting he is in a race against time to achieve his ambitions for the sport before his cognitive abilities begin to decline.

Turki Alalshikh, a Saudi government official and chair of the General Entertainment Authority, who has played a central role in making some of boxing’s biggest fights possible in recent years, has spoken publically about his long-term battle with cancer.

He was diagnosed with various kinds of cancer in 2015, with the most serious being a tumour located in his brain, close to his pituitary gland.

In a rare and emotional interview with Ring Magazine, Alalshikh opened up about his fears for the future and the urgency driving his plans for boxing.

“I want to do it before losing my memory,” Alalshikh said while discussing his hopes for the sport.

“I am afraid in 2028, or 2029, I’ll forget my name.”

Turki Alalshikh

The revelation sheds light on why the Zuffa Boxing co-founder is pushing so hard to bring together some of the sport’s most powerful figures.

Alalshikh revealed plans to organise a meeting involving Dana White, Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren, and Nick Khan in an attempt to bridge longstanding divides within boxing.


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For decades, promotional rivalries and competing broadcast deals have often prevented the biggest fights from happening. Since becoming one of the sport’s most influential organisers, he has helped deliver major events, including the undisputed heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, while also helping unify divisions across the sport.

Now, he hopes to create a lasting framework for cooperation before his health worsens.

“I’ll do my best to have a meeting soon and to make peace and revolution for boxing. I hope I succeed and fans see the white smoke rise from the chimney.”

Support Comes in For Turki Alalshikh After Revelation

His comments have prompted an outpouring of support across the boxing world. Ryan Garcia was among those to respond on social media, praising Alalshikh’s impact on the sport and writing that his work has already been a revolution.

No date has yet been confirmed for the proposed summit, but the Saudi’s comments have added extra significance to what could be a landmark moment for boxing. While the sport has often struggled to unite its various factions, one of its most powerful figures is now hoping to bring them together while facing the biggest fight of his life away from the ring.

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