Sports
Alexander Isak: The saga which damaged two seasons
One of the many reasons why Isak pushed so hard to leave Newcastle was because he was hellbent on winning the biggest prizes in the game.
Isak looked well placed to quickly realise that ambition with Liverpool, the then Premier League champions.
Liverpool had been widely considered to be favourites for another title after landing Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and others in a bumper summer transfer window.
However, Arne Slot’s sacking at the end of the 2025-26 campaign spoke volumes about what proved to be Liverpool‘s underwhelming trophy defence.
Liverpool may have “won” the transfer window, as many in the game widely felt at the time, but they ended up finishing 25 points behind champions Arsenal, in a disappointing fifth place.
After a chaotic summer, in which he went on strike to force through a British record move, and a series of injuries, Isak endured his worst goalscoring season since the 2017-18 campaign for Borussia Dortmund in which he only played 12 times.
It will now fall to a new manager to get the striker firing again. Liverpool have begun formal talks with former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
Those at the club firmly believe 2025-26 was a freak campaign for Isak, who only played 21% of the total minutes for Liverpool in the Premier League.
Isak suffered a severe fractured ankle and fibula in December and, by the latter stages of the season, Liverpool were unwilling to risk him whenever he picked up minor concerns.
They are confident that once he is fit, the Sweden international will deliver, just as he did for his country with a brilliant goal in the 3-1 defeat against Norway on Monday night.
Isak requires players around him to create more, but he also needs to get involved more in games.
In the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris St-Germain at Anfield, for example, Isak managed just five touches in 45 minutes.
Isak lives a quiet life and has, of course, struggled with not being able to play, but he is well aware of the expectation on him leading into the World Cup and next season.
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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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