Jurgen Klopp explains the reaction from the Liverpool squad to new signings Alexis Mac Allister & Dominik Szoboszlai.

Jordan Henderson has been hit with criticism from a Liverpool LGBT fan group over his potential move to Saudi Arabia. The England midfielder is reportedly considering transferring to Al-Ettifaq to join up with his former teammate Steven Gerrard, who was announced as manager earlier this month. Henderson is reportedly considering a £700,000 per week offer to join the side. The 33-year-old has been vocal about supporting LGBT+ initiatives in the past, and the potential move to Saudi Arabia – where homosexuality is illegal – has attracted controversy. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Henderson made headlines back in 2021 when he tweeted his support of England fan Keith Spooner after Spooner shared their experiences attending games. Henderson was subsequently nominated for 'Football Ally' at the LGBT+ Awards. The Liverpool LGBT+ group, the Kop Outs, posted on Twitter: “Kop Outs have valued the allyship shown by Jordan Henderson. “We are appalled and concerned that anyone might consider working for a #sportswashing operation for a regime where women & LGBT+ people are oppressed & that regularly tops the world death sentence table?” They added: “Gerrard's participation in this sportswashing is particularly galling given his previous support for LA Galaxy teammate Robbie Rogers. “When someone's made a fortune, should money tempt them to go to work? Maybe they should be asking themselves those questions. “We hope that Jordan Henderson proves to be a man of his word and stays true to the values of our club, which so far he has been an absolute embodiment of.” Henderson has played 360 games for Liverpool since joining in 2011. He has also been capped 77 times for England. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Women’s football is continuing to set the standard for inclusivity in the sport as the men’s game lags far behind, according to a player from the London Unity League. While several of the big-name players preparing for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand are openly gay or bisexual, the lack of LGBTQ+ representation in the men’s game is in stark contrast. Joshua Day, a 30-year-old striker for London Titans in the LUL – a league set up to give members of the LGBTQ+ community a safe environment to play competitive football – had previously been in a professional club’s academy. He quit, largely due to casual homophobia within the dressing room, and has since come out as gay and found his home in the LUL. A Chelsea fan, who has previously left matches when homophobic chants have been heard, Day believes the men’s game has a long way to go to catch up with the inclusive nature of their female counterparts. On Thursday, a Fulham supporter was fined and banned from football for three years after admitting a public order offence relating to homophobic chanting during a match at Stamford Bridge – the latest in a string of similar incidents. “I think there’s a lot that the men’s game can learn from the women’s game at the minute in terms of inclusivity,” Day told the PA news agency. “Fans can learn a lot more from fans in the women’s game, too. There is a better vibe, more inclusivity, more acceptance and that is something we need in men’s football. “Women’s football has players at the very top of the game who are open about their sexuality but that shouldn’t be the catalyst for change in men’s football. “For me, personally, I’m not even sure that (a top-level men’s player coming out) would change things. “If you look at the trans movement at the minute, trans people are under so much scrutiny by being more visible and fighting for their rights much more out in the open – that has brought more trans hate than a decade ago. “Football and sport fits into society and, until we get to a point in society where LGBT people in sport is being much more normalised – and I think that’s why the LUL is really important – I’m not 100 per cent convinced that would mean fans chanting or tweeting homophobic abuse would stop.” Day was part of a Nike advertisement campaign ahead of the Women’s Euros won by England last summer – it was the first time the company had included a gay kiss in an advert, with the online backlash against Day and Nike leading to the comments section being disabled on the post. Rather than having players come out, Day feels having more visible allies for potential LGBTQ+ professionals is key. For me, personally, I'm not even sure that (a top-level men's player coming out) would change things Joshua Day “Players could do more in the men’s game,” added Day. “You see the odd interview saying ‘we’d have no issue with players coming out’ but they are few and far between. “I think if we had more players come out in support of LGBT players, even in lower leagues, the fans are behind players and if players are visibly on board, that’s what I think might help fans change the way that they look at LGBT people in sport. “I remember my first Chelsea game when I was 13 – at that age, I knew that I was gay, I was just not out and I can remember hearing the chant, and just feeling so withdrawn in myself, and I felt so uncomfortable. “I never, ever wanted to feel like that again. No-one should feel like that at a football stadium and eventually that fight for equality will be won.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Football rumours: Barcelona looking to reunite with Thiago Alcantara Denise O’Sullivan not shying away from Republic’s momentous World Cup debut Rory McIlroy returns to Hoylake looking to end nine-year major drought at Open

Friday's football transfer rumours, with updates on Thibaut Courtois, Thiago, Neymar, Harry Kane & more.

Daniel Levy met with Bayern Munich in London this week, with Harry Kane's future among the topics discussed.

Basketball star Russell Westbrook has revealed he is a part of the consortium led by 49ers Enterprises which is poised to take full ownership of Leeds. Los Angeles Clippers point guard Westbrook, who won the NBA’s most valuable player award in 2017, has followed American golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas in becoming a minor stakeholder in Leeds. Westbrook, according to Forbes the 14th highest-paid athlete in the world, said he had invested in the Yorkshire club at a sports and entertainment summit held by Sportico. The 34-year-old said: “I was lucky enough to have conversations with some of the partners in this deal, who already have ownership, the 49ers. “So I was lucky enough to talk through that with friends, talking with my business partner as well about different things and having conversations, figuring out if this was the right deal and how we could make it different.” Westbrook, who signed with the Clippers from the Los Angeles Lakers in February, is a nine-time NBA All-Star. Three-time major winner Spieth has confirmed he and Thomas had become minority stakeholders in Leeds earlier this week, but fellow golfer Rickie Fowler pulled out of a deal when the club were relegated from the Premier League in May. Leeds’ joint-owners 49ers Enterprises, the financial arm of NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers, have bought former chairman Andrea Radrizzani’s majority 56 per cent shareholding. The English Football League is currently carrying out its owners and directors test before it sanctions the 49ers’ full takeover.

What the papers say Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move for Thiago Alcantara. The Daily Mail, citing Spanish outlet Sport, says the Spanish giants are eager to reunite with the Liverpool midfielder, with club bosses at Anfield believed to be willing to listen to offers for the 32-year-old. Alcantara came up through Barcelona’s youth system and made 68 appearances for the first team. The Mail also reports that Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad are preparing a bid for Reds midfielder Fabinho. Via The Athletic, the paper says the offer would be worth £40million, with any decision on a potential transfer likely to happen quickly. Meanwhile, Liverpool may be in the market for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia. According to the Daily Mirror, manager Jurgen Klopp is leading the charge for the 19-year-old, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea. And the Daily Mail says Aston Villa are circling a bid for 22-year-old Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson. Social media round-up Players to watch Riyad Mahrez: The Athletic reports Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli are preparing a £30m offer for the Manchester City winger. Moussa Diaby: Aston Villa have made a formal approach for the Bayer Leverkusen winger, says Sky Sports Germany. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

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Republic of Ireland midfielder Denise O’Sullivan is less than a week away from making her World Cup debut in front of more than 80,000 people – but confesses it was perhaps the fanfare-filled Knocknaheeny farewell in front of far fewer that will ultimately prove the more intimidating atmosphere. O’Sullivan’s name will go down in history as one of the 23 women who were chosen to represent the Girls in Green at their maiden World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where they will take on the Matildas in their July 20th tournament opener at Sydney’s sold-out Stadium Australia. When the North Carolina Courage captain steps onto the pitch in front of that cauldron of Aussie support she will particularly feel the absence of a few familiar faces in the crowd. Though her family was unable to make the trip, they did their best to compensate with a spectacular home send-off in front of the hundreds who descended on her mum’s house and decorated the neighbourhood to wish her luck. O’Sullivan said: “I was mortified, but it was class to be fair. A few weeks before that I got permission from (manager) Vera (Pauw) just to go home to see the family because unfortunately, they weren’t coming over here to the World Cup. “The minute I told them that, they were organising something and I knew it! But I didn’t know they were organising to that extent, to be quite honest – band and everything. “Rappers, bands, oh my goodness. It was mad. My family have always been a great support and you can see what football does. It just brought the whole community and everyone together that night to support me. It was a great send off.” O’Sullivan, 29, was speaking at Brisbane’s Meakin Park a few days before the Republic’s final friendly against Colombia. Group B encounters with Olympic champions Canada and Nigeria follow the opener against FIFA world no 10 Australia, with the top two from each group advancing to the last-16 knockout round. The long journey is now behind Vera Pauw’s squad, who have been adjusting to the nine-hour time difference through a strict training regimen of shifting start times. On Wednesday, they hosted an open session and invited local Irish fans to watch the team in action. Those kids in the crowd sporting tiny green kit – whether in Queensland or Cork – are what motivate O’Sullivan to keep going. She said: “In that field where I was that night with my family and everyone, that’s where I grew up playing football. That’s where I played street football with my brothers and all the boys. That night, I was there signing autographs for kids sitting in that same field, so just to look forward and look how far I’ve come and what I’m doing now. “Look, I have a platform to inspire people and I think that’s what this team is doing. I want to leave this green shirt in the best condition I can for when I’m about to retire – not anytime soon [laughs], but that’s definitely what it’s all about. It’s about inspiring the next generation.” O’Sullivan was just a young girl herself when father John brought her to a bar early in the morning to watch the Republic face Germany in the 2002 World Cup, when Robbie Keane scored his historic equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time. In 2016, O’Sullivan, who was preparing to move to America to play for Houston Dash, lost her beloved dad just five weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer. Her World Cup debut is the realisation of a long-held dream shared by them both. She added: “He was the biggest supporter for me in my journey to get to where I am. Obviously, to have him here would be a dream but I know he’s looking down. He’s proud anyway. He pushed me along the way to get to where I am today.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Rory McIlroy returns to Hoylake looking to end nine-year major drought at Open From Lauren James to Sam Kerr – Players set to light up Women’s World Cup 5 talking points ahead of the Women’s World Cup

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