The Zoo created the Zoologic Empire training camp with the intention of passing on the skills and way of life to future generations

Perhaps this was another hint, another example, another reason why Trent Alexander-Arnold seems to both want to play further up and why, eventually, he must. The early knockings of this fixture looked like it might be about who performed the switching six role better: the Liverpool man from right-back as usual, or Manchester City’s central defender Manuel Akanji, stepping forward to sit alongside Rodri. That rotation of position has become commonplace for both teams and continued here, albeit in different ways, and hinted that it might be a decisive factor early on. But it wasn’t; not really, not for a vast majority of the game. Until it was, and Alexander-Arnold secured a 1-1 draw with his late, bottom corner strike. On the one hand, the attacking technique, the precision, the increased proficiency in the final third and in open play, all show why there have long been calls for the No.66 to be deployed in a more advanced role. It’s why that’s where Gareth Southgate has finally found a way to get Alexander-Arnold into the England team, and it’s why this alteration was ultimately landed upon by Jurgen Klopp and his coaches last term, when the old approach fell so badly short. One of those assistants, Pepijn Lijnders, was a driving force behind the switch to this system of pushing one defender into midfield, having utilised Alexander-Arnold at the base of his own centre of the park when in charge of the Reds’ youth teams several years ago. But on the other hand, too many quickdraw conclusions about pushing Alexander-Arnold forward as a consequence of a single goal will doubtless have Klopp pointing out the remainder of this match, a game where he did still play right-back and did still contribute to a very disciplined, highly deliberate performance to contain Man City. Defensively, he wasn’t perfect. That’s a hard thing to attain against anyone, let alone the European champions. Alexander-Arnold - along with Kostas Tsimikas and Dominik Szoboszlai, plus Alisson’s kicked clearance in the first place - were all culpable in City’s opener. They made it far too easy for Nathan Ake to waltz through unchallenged and play in Erling Haaland to score. So too is it true that Alexander-Arnold faced a tough time in keeping track of Jeremy Doku’s continual chop-backs, close control and dribbles. While he didn’t stop anywhere near all of those individual moments in City’s attacking play, he did hold the Belgian off at times, made a couple of vital tackles and followed the team plan of doubling up on the inside. Additionally, he made a big challenge to clear from inside the six-yard box in the first half with Haaland lurking, and defended his post well in the final knockings of the game as City sought a late winner. Winning possession nine times across the course of the game put Alexander-Arnold top of that particular defensive cover-all metric. No defender made more than his three tackles; no player on either side in any position made more than his two interceptions. It all adds up to show he more than played his part in a resolute showing, with Joel Matip alongside him outstanding, Virgil van Dijk continuing his recent excellent form and Kostas Tsimikas also improving on the left. Perhaps it’s as well for Liverpool that the back four were near pitch-perfect, given that behind them, Alisson was erratic and fortunate with a series of misplaced passes and one dropped corner, ruled as a foul as Ruben Dias thought he had scored. Alexander-Arnold was far more withdrawn, far less adventurous even when drifting infield to pair up with Alexis Mac Allister. He roved forward down the flank just twice in the first half; delivering a cross, winning a corner. Liverpool didn’t over-commit. They waited, they probed, they let Darwin Nunez create moments of possibility. And, as time began to run down, Alexander-Arnold it was who finally surged through from deep, finally got himself on the ball in a dangerous, central part of the final third - and who took a fine first touch from Mohamed Salah’s pass, and an even better second touch to score. A low, angled drive past Ederson into the bottom corner gave him a first goal of the season to go with three assists in all competitions. While not an outrageous tally yet by his own creative standards, he has already been disrupted by injury and needed a few games back on the pitch to hit top speed. There’s unquestionably more to come from Alexander-Arnold in an attacking capacity and he might yet become a vital man in the middle. But as he showed at the Etihad, the hardest ground Liverpool or any other team will go to this year, he still has a big part to play in the Reds’ defensive gameplan too - without stopping him shining at the other end. Read More Banner calling for release of activist in UAE flown over Etihad Stadium Erling Haaland makes history before Trent Alexander-Arnold earns a point Burnley vs West Ham LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Luton Town vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Newcastle vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Nottingham Forest vs Brighton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

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Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali deserves “empathy and support” for his gambling rather than a reported 10-month ban, campaigners have said. The Big Step campaign, part of the Gambling With Lives charity, claims asking a footballer who is addicted to gambling to play in stadiums plastered in betting logos is akin to making an alcoholic work in a pub. Tonali, 23, has been suspended for 18 months, eight months of which has been commuted, fined 20,000 euros and been ordered to partake in an eight-month course of therapy to address his issues after reaching a plea bargain following an investigation into illegal betting conducted by the Italian Prosecutor’s Officer and the Italian football federation (FIGC). The player’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, has said his client is living with a gambling addiction. The PFA is understood to be working with and continuing to support Tonali. “Footballers are human and if they are suffering from addiction they deserve empathy and support, not lengthy bans,” the Big Step said in a statement issued to the PA news agency. “Every football game is wall-to-wall with gambling ads, not just across shirts but around stadiums and related media content. “Sending someone addicted to gambling into this environment is like sending an alcoholic to work in a pub. If you force young footballers to endorse addictive products then don’t be surprised if they use them. “Ending all gambling advertising and sponsorship in football, including all parts of the shirt and in every stadium, will help to prevent harm to those on and off the pitch.” The FIGC confirmed Tonali’s ban on Thursday afternoon, less than 24 hours after he made what will be his final appearance for the club which paid AC Milan £55million for his services this summer as a substitute in Wednesday night’s 1-0 Champions League defeat by Borussia Dortmund at St James’ Park. A statement on the federation’s official website said: “The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has reached an agreement (pursuant to art. 126 CGS) with the footballer Sandro Tonali, following which he will be sanctioned with an 18-month disqualification, eight of which will be commuted to alternative prescriptions, and a fine of 20,000 euros, for the violation of art.24 of the CGS which prohibits the possibility of placing bets on football events organized by FIGC, UEFA and FIFA. “Regarding alternative prescriptions, Tonali will have to participate in a therapeutic plan lasting a minimum of eight months and in a cycle of at least 16 public meetings, to be held in Italy, over a period of eight months, at amateur sports associations, federal territorial centres, for recovery from gambling addiction, and in any case according to the indications and program proposed by the FIGC. “The Federal Prosecutor’s Office will ensure compliance with what is indicated and, in case of violations, will adopt the measures within its competence, pursuant to the CGS, with termination of the agreement and continuation of the disciplinary proceedings before the sports justice adjudicating bodies.” Earlier FIGC president Gabriele Gravina had told reporters in Rome: “The rules call for a certain number of years of suspension, but the plea bargain and extenuating circumstances have been taken into consideration and the players’ collaboration went above and beyond, therefore we must continue to respect the rules we have established for ourselves.” Tonali was one of several players named in the FIGC’s investigation, which also saw Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli banned for seven months. The suspension will mean he will not play again for Newcastle this season and will miss Italy’s Euro 2024 finals campaign should they qualify. Magpies boss Eddie Howe has promised his big money summer acquisition the club’s full support, although his absence could hardly have come at a worse time for the club with Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy both having picked up injuries during the defeat by Dortmund, which Sven Botman and Elliot Anderson missed with existing problems. Read More Jos Buttler: My future as captain out of my hands as England near World Cup exit Maro Itoje praises ‘courageous’ Tom Curry for reporting Mbongeni Mbonambi There’s a long way to go – Ange Postecoglou staying grounded despite Spurs form Celtic will only get better at game management – Matt O’Riley Sandro Tonali’s reported ban brings calls for ’empathy and support’ from charity It doesn’t add up – North Wales Crusaders chief on IMG’s new grading system

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