Sports
Alexander Isak: Will Liverpool striker’s goal against Crystal Palace be a turning point?
On the corresponding weekend last season, Isak scored for Newcastle United in a win that relegated Ipswich Town.
It was his 26th goal of a successful season that would help propel Eddie Howe’s side into the Champions League.
He ended the campaign with 27, and a little over three months later joined Liverpool.
“I want to create history,” said Isak, after an acrimonious move before which he had trained away from Newcastle‘s first-team squad.
“I want to win trophies. This is the perfect place for me to grow even further and take my game to the next level.”
Yet that dream move has turned into something of a nightmare for both player and club.
Isak suffered a serious ankle injury in December that included a fractured fibula.
Prior to that he had been starting in place of Hugo Ekitike, who many fans thought deserved to be selected. There were suggestions Liverpool were struggling to fit Isak into their system.
Four months later, he is still a shadow of the player he was last season and has still to complete a full 90 minutes in a Liverpool shirt.
Against Palace he had 18 touches and registered one attempt, from which he scored, before being replaced by Ryan Gravenberch in the 79th minute.
He has now played 1,009 minutes for Liverpool – well down on the 3,319 he managed for Newcastle last season.
But Martin Keown, a pundit on Saturday’s Match of the Day, believes there could be brighter days ahead for Isak.
“It’s been a long time coming for someone who cost a British record transfer fee,” said three-time Premier League winner Keown.
“But that feeling of celebrating with the home fans is something for him to build on. Isak showed us a little bit of what we thought we’d see from the start of the season.
“If Liverpool can get him fully fit and back to the form he showed at Newcastle, then clearly he’s an outstanding player – and someone the club will still have big expectations for.
“With Mohamed Salah leaving in the summer and Hugo Ekitike likely to miss the rest of the calendar year, the Reds are going to need him back to his best.”
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Sports
St Mirren 1-0 St Johnstone

Highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between St Mirren and St Johnstone
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Sports
'That is another crunching finish!' | Hickey lands DEVASTATING knockout

Sam Hickey’s huge right hand knocked out Brad Axe in the seventh round of their contest.
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Sports
WNBA commissioner stresses integrity, respect on topic of transgender athletes in league-wide memo
In a memo sent to team presidents, general managers and coaches Friday, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert advised the league’s leaders on their approach to the topic of transgender participation in women’s sports. The commissioner stressed approaching it with integrity and respect, without specifically defining the league’s stance.
The issue has dominated conversation around the WNBA in the wake of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s recent comments in favor of excluding trans athletes from women’s sports.
Engelbert listed three guiding principles for the league in the discussion but did not clarify whether or not trans athletes are allowed to play in the WNBA.
“First, we will always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the long-standing values of our league,” she wrote in the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Athletic. “Second, our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained. Lastly, preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities.”
There is no mention of trans athletes in the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, although the document does state that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”
Engelbert wrote in the memo that the league has a previously scheduled meeting of a task force of presidents and GMs in the coming week that will address this conversation and other league issues.
In the wake of Cunningham’s comments and the subsequent rallies that have followed the Indiana Fever at road games, the commissioner acknowledged that she expects “this topic will continue to receive significant attention.” She praised team leadership for their response to increasing questions and invited them to continue reaching out to her with questions and perspectives.
Coaches around the league have frequently been asked about the issue since Cunningham first told ESPN she wants to “protect young girls in a locker room” and that “they shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Cheryl Reeve has been the loudest voice in favor of inclusion of transgender kids in particular. Golden State Valkyries All-Star Gabby Williams welcomed transgender athletes joining the WNBA, while the Women’s National Basketball Players Association released a statement denouncing “hate, abuse, and demonization” of the transgender community.
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