After six trophy-laden seasons with the club, it looks like Sadio Mane will leave Liverpool this summer.

The Senegal forward has been a revelation at Anfield, taking centre stage for Jurgen Klopp’s juggernaut over the past few years.

However, reports claim that Mane is ready for a new challenge and a switch to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich could be on the cards.

Mane has matured into one of the best players in world football and Liverpool will have to adapt to cope in his absence next season.

Having signed from Southampton for an estimated £34 million, he is likely to go down as one of the club’s best signings in the Premier League era.

Sports betting odds suggest he has one foot out of the exit door and Reds fans are fearing the worst. Here, we look at Sadio Mane’s greatest moments in a Liverpool shirt…

Makes Mark On Dream Debut

The Senegal star endeared himself instantly to the Liverpool faithful as he made a sparkling debut in the Reds’ 4-3 victory over Arsenal.

Critics had doubts over Mane’s suitability in Jurgen Klopp’s system but he quickly silenced the haters by notching a late winner at the Emirates Stadium.

It was a stunning individual effort and one that sparked jubilant scenes in the away end. In many ways, it was the perfect introduction to life at Anfield.

That was a sign of things to come and the Liverpool forward went from strength to strength, ending the 20216/17 campaign with 13 goals in 27 league games.

Merseyside Madness

Four months into his Liverpool career, Mane enjoyed his first taste of a Merseyside Derby and boy was it a sweet one.

With the Reds dominating possession but struggling in front of goal, the Senegal forward popped up with an injury-time winner to claim an invaluable three points.

The blue half of Merseyside were crestfallen while the travelling Reds were overjoyed, with crazy scenes in the away end at Goodison Park that will live long in the memory.

Mane enjoyed plenty of success against Everton but lost his unbeaten record against the Toffees in February 2021 after a shock 2-0 defeat at Anfield.

Champions League Glory

Mane drew Liverpool level in the 2017/18 Champions League final only for Real Madrid to go on and win 3-1, much to the disappointment of Reds fans around the world.

However, 12 months later and Liverpool were lifting the European Cup for the sixth time in their illustrious history – and Mane was key to their success.

His four goals were crucial to Liverpool’s passage to the final, with the brace against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena proving the difference in their last-16 tie.

While Mane failed to score in the showpiece against Tottenham, it was his cross that won the controversial penalty after just 24 seconds.

Ballon d’Or Recognition

Mane was rewarded for his sensational form with a nomination for the sport’s most coveted individual accolade – the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

The Liverpool forward was outstanding in 2019 and finished fourth in the voting, behind Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and teammate Virgil van Dijk.

Messi, celebrating his sixth Ballon d’Or award, admitted that he had voted for Mane after a superb individual campaign and the Senegal forward was incredibly gracious in defeat.

In addition, Mane was directly involved in four goals as Senegal reached the Africa Cup of Nations final, earning a place in the AFCON Team of the Tournament.

Golden Boot Winner

In the same season, Mane shared the Premier League Golden Boot award with Mohamed Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

All three players struck 22 times in 2018/19 to claim the prize and it was fantastic to see three African footballers at the summit of England’s top flight.

While Jurgen Klopp’s side were unable to clinch the Premier League title, Mane and Salah led by example and the former earned a spot in the PFA Team of the Year.

Mane has been unable to match those goal-scoring exploits in recent years but he has been a key figure in Liverpool’s attack, contributing 45 goals in the past three seasons.

Champions of England

Twelve months on from joining the Premier League Golden Boot winners list, Mane added a Premier League winner’s medal to his glittering trophy cabinet.

Liverpool’s ambition under Jurgen Klopp was to win the Premier League title and the Anfield club did just that in 2019/20 – much to the joy of Reds fans across the country.

Mane and co were ruthless that season, finishing 18 points clear of their rivals and the former Southampton forward was central to Liverpool’s attacking play.

The Senegal striker bagged 18 Premier League goals alongside Salah and Roberto Firmino, with the Liverpool front three proving too strong for their rivals.

Sadio Mane Liverpool Statistics:

• Appearances – 269

• Goals – 120

• Assists – 38

Sadio Mane Liverpool Honours:

• Premier League – 2019/20

• FA Cup – 2021/22

• EFL Cup – 2021/22

• Champions League – 2018/19

• UEFA Super Cup – 2019

• FIFA Club World Cup – 2019

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Expert Steve Mullington gives his daily racing tips, including a NAP, NB and a Longshot. Scroll down now to find out horse racing Tips Friday 3rd June at Epsom, Goodwood & Doncaster...

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Today's NAP (Best Bet)

4.30 Epsom - Nashwa

I’m absolutely convinced that destiny will come into play this Platinum Jubilee weekend and that Hollie Doyle will become the first ever female to ride a Classic winner.

Doyle has already tasted Group 1 glory aboard Trueshan, but the Oaks will raise her to another level completely and she has the ideal filly to ride in Nashwa.

By Frankel, Nashwa is out of Princess Loulou, who ran second in the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet over 1m2f, and her pedigree looks absolutely A1 for this fillies’ Classic.

She jumped right into the Oaks picture with an impressive success in the Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies’ Trial at Newbury with the Prix De Diane then being muted as her next target before the Gosden’s had a change of tack.

Those punters placing their horse race bets online with us should consider taking an early price as Hollie Doyle and Nashwa will prove to be a popular choice on the day.

Today's NB (Next Best)

7.02 Goodwood – Adjudicator

Just by their nature, Apprentice Handicaps are often very tricky conundrums; however the booking of the young Gosden ace for this Kevin Philippart De Foy grey gelding stands out like a sore thumb.

Adjudicator finished third last time to Golden Spice, who franked that form this week by scooting up at Leicester.

With the rest of the runners looking pretty average, De Foy’s runner can be backed with a certain degree of confidence.

Today's Longshot

7.16 Doncaster – Golden Apollo

It’s very uncharacteristic to find Golden Apollo in the longshot section of any betting column, but there’s no denying he’s really out of form at the moment.

However, the eight-year-old has slipped to a really attractive mark and racing off just 8st 12lb, and with James Sullivan aboard, has to be worth a speculative each-way punt.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 1st June 2022

Expert Steve Mullington gives his daily racing tips, including a NAP, NB and a Longshot. Scroll down now to find out horse racing Tips Thursday 2nd June at Redcar and Leopardstown...

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Today's NAP (Best Bet)

4.45 Redcar – Bollin Joan

The Tim Easterby-trained mare Bollin Joan is in rude health at the moment and she can continue the winning thread here in the Zetland Gold Cup.

The seven-year-old is already a course and distance winner here after taking the spoils back in August 2018, and she is a 13-time winner from 52 starts, which a great strike rate for a seasoned handicapper.

After her last win at Ripon she has been raised 4lbs by the handicapper but that really shouldn’t be enough to stop her and she can be backed with confidence in our 888sport online horse racing betting.

Dangers on paper include the very in-form Baryshnikov for the Barron stable, while Cockalorum could well bounce back at this venue where he is also a course and distance scorer.

Today's NB (Next Best)

6.15 Leopardstown – Patrick Sarsfield

Joseph O’Brien’s Patrick Sarsfield looks to have a gilt-edged opportunity on Thursday evening to get his career back on track and can capture this Listed Glencairn Stakes over 1m 1f.

The two-time Prix Dollar contender, hasn’t won now since July 2020 but he been up against some of the best middle distance horses around including St Mark’s Basilica.

This target looks much more realistic for the Australia-gelding and the only conceivable danger in the field appears to be from Ger Lyons’ Georgeville.

It would actually make perfect sense to include them both in a reversed forecast to cover your bases.

Today's Longshot

7.50 Leopardstown – Gibraltar

It’s not so often you see a Willie Mullins runner trading at a double-figure price but his horse Gibraltar is currently trading around the 14/1 mark at the time of writing and I can see those odds contracting in a fair few points on the day.

It’s a mere 669 days since Gibraltar last ran on the Flat, but in the meantime he’s tasted success over hurdles and the switch from Michael Bell to Mullins appears to have rekindled his enthusiasm somewhat.

An entry in this (50-85) Apprentice Handicap looks like a really shrewd placement by Mullins and Gibraltar can run a decent each-way race under Mikey Sheehy.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 31st May 2022

Expert Steve Mullington gives his daily racing tips, including a NAP, NB and a Longshot. Scroll down now to find out horse racing Tips Wednesday 1st June at Ripon, Cartmel and Kempton...

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Today's NAP (Best Bet)

6.35 Ripon - Mark’s Choice

Formerly trained by Ruth Carr, the now Sam England-trained Mark’s Choice rarely runs a bad race at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse and can be backed again with confidence over this six furlong trip.

The six-year-old last won here over this distance in August 2021, when taking the consolation race for the Great St Wilfrid at the whopping odds of 20/1.

He’ll be nothing like that price in our horse racing betting on Wednesday evening, but can give his supporters a great each-way run for their money.

Claiming jockey Oisin McSweeney takes a useful 5lbs off his back which further enhances Mark Choice chances.

Of the others, Fortamour is somewhat of a standing dish at Ripon at present and should be in the frame once again. Take City Walk to complete the tricast.

Today's NB (Next Best)

4.50 Cartmel - Grageelagh Girl

The Hunters Chasers are back out in force again this week at Cartmel and Fergal O’Brien’s Grageelagh Girl can give daughter Fern a Cumbrian day out to remember.

The eleven-year-old has been in cracking form of late, dominating proceedings at Garthope just ten days ago, with that victory coming on the back of a comfortable win at Dingley.

Back under rules today, I expect the mare to be in the van all the way and to outpoint the rest of the field with her slick jumping which will be well suited to a unique track like Cartmel.

Those punters looking for an alternative runner to chase our selection home should consider Glen Forsa who is a five-time winner under rules and ran well at Southwell last time out.

Today's Longshot

7.30 Kempton - Bethersden Boy

A 25/1 winner on debut twelve months ago at Newmarket, the Richard Hughes-trained Bethersden Boy didn’t quite progress as a two-year-old and his season somewhat fizzled out.

Now a three-year-old, I dare say he will have filled out and will be a physically stronger horse.

Trading at around the 20/1 mark in our online betting market, he’s got to have some sort of each-way chance on his seasonal bow.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 30th May 2022

• The Premier League has housed some of the world’s deadliest finishers

• This fearsome eleven have won 18 Golden Boots between them

• Two stonewall legends share the top spot

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They are the headline-makers who come alive inside the area.

With a single shot from their boot, they have the power to change the Premier League outright odds at a stroke while turning our hopes to mush or our dreams into reality.

With goals as their currency, a lethal centre-forward can be the difference between what-ifs and glory so it stands to reason that the actual currency they go for is far greater than for any other player.

These sharp-shooters, though. These sharp-shooters were priceless.

10) Luis Suarez

When the Uruguayan shoulder-nibbler signed for Liverpool in 2011 his reputation flew in separately with its own baggage.

Here was a player who found trouble with unerring ease and sure enough controversy blighted a stint in England that was never less than interesting.

Look past the incidents however, and what we’re left with is an incendiary talent who could terrorise an entire back-line single-handedly.

His pace was frightening. His technique was off-the-scale. His ability to score jaw-dropping goals on a regular basis meant that he left for Barcelona in 2014 with a clean sweep of individual merits including a European Golden Shoe.

9) Dennis Bergkamp

There are forwards on this list it was impossible to omit due to the sheer number of goals they scored. The non-flying Dutchman is not one of them.

Eighty-seven goals in 315 appearances for Arsenal is a respectable haul but it’s hardly prolific, amounting all told to a strike every 330 minutes. There are no doubt forwards with a tenth of Bergkamp’s rare ability who can better that.

Goals though were not his main purpose: that’s what Ian Wright was for. Instead, the player named after the great Denis Law was an artist, a creator of beautiful things.

Plugged into football’s matrix, the Amsterdammer saw patterns of play that were hidden from mere mortals and had the gifts to capitalise.

8) Andy Cole

A Golden Boot winner with Newcastle and the golden boy of the St James Park faithful, Cole’s record-breaking switch to Manchester United in 1995 sent shockwaves through the game.

Imagine Mo Salah today moving to Manchester City for £150m. That’s close enough.

Once at Old Trafford and once the storm had died down, the forward who was prematurely rejected by Arsenal as a teen simply continued where he left off, scoring a hatful of goals, even bagging five in one game just a few months into his United tenure.

A highly productive partnership with Dwight Yorke meanwhile played a huge role in the Reds ascendancy.

With our latest Premier League predictions not expected to be overly kind to United, what they wouldn’t give to have this deadly duo back in tandem and at their peak.

7) Harry Kane

One of only two forwards on this honours roll still playing, who knows what records might be smashed, and personal achievements attained, by the time the Walthamstow goal-machine hangs up his spurs.

England’s record goal-scorer? That’s perfectly feasible. The Premier League’s deadliest ever front-man? Kane will have to go some to beat Alan Shearer but second-best would still be a colossal feat.

On three occasions, Tottenham’s legend-in-the-making has won the Golden Boot, even topping the assist chart in 2020/21 to illustrate that he is infinitely more than a finisher of chances.

6) Didier Drogba

Drogba’s overall goal-tally in the English top-flight may lag behind those of Fowler or Owen, Van Persie or Vardy; strikers who can consider themselves unlucky not to have made the grade here.

Yet the Ivorian’s importance to four title-winning campaigns for Chelsea cannot, and should not, be easily dismissed, his stylish and empassioned marauding constantly proving a key factor in the Blues’ successes.

From his fighting spirit, to this immaculate touch, to his eye for goal, Drogba was one of the most complete centre-forwards to have ever graced a Premier League pitch.

5) Mo Salah

The Premier League Player of the Year odds were mighty short on the Egyptian winning this season as early as the springtime, a result that eventually came to pass.

That’s because by March, the Liverpool ace had already scored 20 league goals and was well on his way to securing a third Golden Boot merit, testimony once again to Salah’s astonishing prolificacy.

It is a sustained strike-rate made all-the-more impressive by his starting position, charged by Jurgen Klopp to torment the opposing full-back and drift in from out wide.

In times past the two-time African Footballer of the Year would be considered a winger. Now, he’s everything and more to Liverpool’s era of excellence.

4) Eric Cantona

What is there left to say about ‘King Eric’? Very little, if truth be told.

Perhaps then, it’s more pertinent to remind ourselves of some stats and facts that have become submerged by the folklore that surrounds this unique individual.

Stats such as his strike-rate at Old Trafford that is just shy of one in two. That’s some going for a player who so often was the provider, performing his alchemy from deep.

Cantona was also the first player to bag a hat-trick in the newly conceived Premier League.

Yes, he gave us unforgettable moments and yes, he wore his collars up. But the French genius was also a striker of genuine substance and threat.

3) Wayne Rooney

Only Alan Shearer tops the Manchester United megastar in the Premier League goal-scoring stakes. Only Ryan Giggs and Cesc Fabregas have ever bettered him for assists.

That raw and fearless kid, who curled a beauty past David Seaman, aged just 16 to ignite Goodison Park, sure turned into a special player.

And a generational one, too. Voted England’s greatest ever player in a 2022 poll, Rooney’s achievements in a club jersey surpass even his record-breaking feats with the Three Lions on his barrelled chest.

On five occasions he was United’s leading scorer in seasons that saw the Reds stretch out their dominance well into the 21st century.

2) Sergio Aguero

The lethal Argentine boasts the best goals-per-minute ratio of them all, remarkably netting every 106 minutes across a trophy-laden decade at Manchester City.

What’s more, no-one else comes close in what can reasonably be considered the purest measure of a forward’s consistency and accuracy in front of goal.

That consistency is born out by five consecutive campaigns of notching 20+ top-flight strikes while against Newcastle in 2015 the arch-poacher converted five in a single game.

That alone is impressive. Then you acknowledge that ‘Kun’ was subbed just past the hour mark.

It should surely matter too that City’s all-time record goal-grabber was responsible for the most famous moment in the competition’s history.

1) Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer

Granted, it’s an easy ‘out’ to place this pair side-by-side on the highest pedestal but there is a point to be made so bear with us.

Shearer was the archetypal ‘number nine’, the like and quality of which we will never again see. He led the line better than anyone. He hit the target more than anyone, before or since. He was, by every conceivable metric, a goal-scoring force of nature.

Henry meanwhile was the most pre-eminent modern attacker we’ve been privileged enough to witness in the Premier League.

Blessed with searing pace and a bountiful supply of continental elan he was as likely to be found out wide as exhibiting his genius in the box.

Together they were Premier League Golden Boot winners on seven occasions. Together, they scored 435 top-flight goals. You try separating these phenomenal legends who truly excelled at the same craft but via very different means.

Ultimately, neither deserve the runner-up as both were second to none.

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The King's Stand Stakes is one of several Group 1 races that take place during Royal Ascot week which is hosted annually in June. This sprint race is held over a distance of five furlongs and is a highly prestigious event.

Established in 1860, the Group 1 race takes place on the opening day of the famous meeting at Ascot Racecourse.

It is open to runners aged three years or older with three-year-old runners running off 8st 12lb and the older runners off 9st 4lb, with fillies and mares getting a 3lb allowance.

It was purely by chance that the race came into being in the first place. The year the King's Stand Stakes was introduced, the weather was battering the racecourse.

The track was so rain damaged by the rain that it was impossible to host the 2 mile Royal Stand Plate. The only segment of the track that was still raceable was a five furlongs section, so they race over that and the rest is history as they say.

This new improvised race was first call the Queen's Stand Stakes, in honour of Queen Victoria, but changed upon her death to the King’s stand when King Edward VII inherited the throne.

• The jockey with the most wins is Lester Piggott, winning the King's Stand Stakes on seven occasions from Right Boy in 1957 through to Never So Bold in 1985.

• The trainer with the most wins is Vincent O'Brien who won the race six times from Cassarte in 1962 to Bluebird in 1987.

• While several horses have won the King's Stand Stakes more than once, only a couple have won it twice whilst it was a Group 1 affair. The two are: Equiano (2008, 2010) and Sole Power (2013, 2014).

The top three fastest run Kings Stand Stakes over the last 20 years are:

• 2007 - Miss Andretti (57.44)

• 2017 - Lady Aurelia (57.45)

• 2005 - Chineur (57.55)

King’s Stand Stakes Winners

• 2021 - Oxted 4/1 Cieren Fallon/Roger Teal

• 2020 - Battaash 5/6f Jim Crowley/Charlie Hills

• 2019 - Blue Point 5/2 James Doyle/Charlie Appleby

• 2018 - Blue Point 6/1 William Buick/Charlie Appleby

• 2017 - Lady Aurelia 7/2 John R Velazquez/Wesley Ward

• 2016 - Profitable 4/1 Adam Kirby/Clive Cox

• 2015 - Goldream 20/1 Martin Harley/Robert Cowell

• 2014 - Sole Power 6/1 Richard Hughes/Edward Lynam

• 2013 - Sole Power 8/1 Johnny Murtagh/Ed Lynam 

• 2012 - Little Bridge 12/1 Zak Purton/C S Shum

You can view recent Royal Ascot results by clicking this highlighted link.

King’s Stand Trends

• Age: 8/10 winners were aged 4-6 years old.

• Starting Price: Only 1 of the last 10 winners went off the favourite, 8/10 winners came from the top three in the betting.

• Last Run: 5/10 winners won on their last start before the King’s Stand Stakes, 8/10 winners at least placed on their last run, 10/10 winners had their last run within the last 66 days.

• 4/10 winners ran in the Temple Stakes (Haydock) on their last run, 1 of the 4 won, 1 placed.

• Course Form: 9/10 winners had at least Two previous runs at Ascot, 7/10 winners had at least one previous win at Ascot. Course winners are generally included in many people’s Royal Ascot tips.

• Distance Form: 9/10 winners had at least four previous runs over 5 furlongs, 9/10 winners had at least two previous wins over 5 furlongs.

• Flat Form: 10/10 winners had at least twelve previous flat runs, 10/10 winners had at least four previous flat wins.

• Official Rating: 9/10 winners had a rating of 113 or higher, In 2015 Goldream was rated 111.

• Group Wins: 7/10 winners had at least one win in a Group 1 race, 10/10 winners had at least one win in a Group 1-3 race.

• Season Form: 10/10 winners had at least one run that season, 8/10 winners had at least one win that season.

King’s Stand Jockeys

The leading jockey in the Kings Stand Stakes over the last 20 years is Jim Crowley who has won the race twice. Those 2 winners were Prohibit (2011) & Battaash (2020).

Several well known jockeys have had numerous rides in the same time frame but have failed to lift the trophy.

Ryan Moore (0-13), Jamie Spencer (0-11) and Frankie Dettori (0-11) are all surprising omissions from the honours board.

King’s Stand Trainers

Trainers Robert Cowell, Edward Lynam & Charlie Appleby having all won the race twice apiece in recent years.

Robert Cowell scored with Prohibit (2011) & Goldream (2015). Edward Lynam winners were with Sole Power (2013) & Sole Power (2014), while Charlie Appleby tasted success with Blue Point in 2018 and 2019.

Cold list trainers who cannot buy a winner for love nor money in the Kings Stand Stakes are Kevin Ryan who has saddled 11 runners in the race without recording any wins.

An even bigger surprise is Aidan O'Brien has come over to Ascot with 10 challengers and has gone home empty handed on each attempt.

King’s Stand Stakes Trial Races

Sprint races such as the Temple Stakes (Haydock), Nunthorpe (York), Flying Five (Curragh) and the Prix de l’Abbaye (ParisLongchamp) have all given us valuable pointers to Royal Ascot’s King’s Stand Stakes over the years.

King’s Stand Starting Prices

Looking back at the starting prices over the last 20 renewals, the biggest priced winner was Choisir in 2003 at odds of 25/1 under jockey Johnny Murtagh.

If as a punter you sided with the runners at the head of the market over the same time period there has been just three winning favourites of the race, so the percentage call has been to look at the next few after the market leader when finalising your horse racing online bets.

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Who makes our expert's combined Champions League XI following the conclusion of the 2021/22 campaign? Scroll down to find out...

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Real Madrid were crowned champions of Europe for a record 14th time on Saturday night as Carlo Ancelotti’s men edged past Liverpool in Paris.

Los Blancos came up trumps on the biggest stage once again to lift the Champions League trophy, with Vinicius Jr’s second half strike proving the difference.

While the Brazilian doesn’t make the cut for our Champions League season XI, three Real Madrid players do feature while four Liverpool players are in the team.

Without further ado, it’s time to get down to it. Who makes our Champions League XI for this season? There's only one place to start and that's with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Thibaut Courtois

The Real Madrid goalkeeper was imperious in the Champions League final, making nine saves to keep Liverpool at bay for 95 minutes.

He has been a man mountain throughout the knockout stages, coming up with crucial stops against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City.

• Find PSG betting tips on every match this season!

As well as being named Man of the Match in Saturday’s victory over Liverpool, Courtois kept five clean sheets in this year’s competition – with only two goalkeepers matching his tally.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

He switched off for Real’s goal on Saturday night but it would be unfair to put the blame on Trent Alexander-Arnold after a superb campaign, both defensively and going forward.

The Liverpool full-back has been key to their success in the Champions League this season, recording four assists en route to the final.

A leading figure for Jurgen Klopp’s side over the past few years, Alexander-Arnold is a shoo-in for our 2021/22 Champions League XI.

Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk makes the game look simple and his leadership qualities were central to Liverpool’s success throughout Champions League predictions this season.

In eight appearances, the Liverpool star recorded 62 ball recoveries, three clean sheets and an assist – making him one of the most effective defenders in the competition.

While he was unable to guide his team to victory, Van Dijk and co restricted Real Madrid to just three shots in Saturday’s final. Like Trent, his spot is guaranteed.

Ibrahima Konate

Arguably Liverpool’s best player in the Champions League final, Konate was a man mountain from start to finish against one of the hottest strikers in European football.

He quickly established himself as one of Klopp’s favourites, featuring in nine European games after missing the first four group stage fixtures.

While his unbeaten record in a Liverpool shirt is now over, Konate is influential at the heart of the Reds defence and deserves his place in this XI.

Joao Cancelo

While not quite an ever-present this season, Cancelo missed just three Champions League matches in 2021/22 and he was heavily involved at both ends of the pitch.

The Manchester City star registered three assists while scoring twice in a fantastic season for the full-back.

His impact and influence is perhaps best recognised by the fact that City won just one of the three games Cancelo missed. You won’t find many fans arguing with this pick.

Riyad Mahrez

So talented yet somehow criminally underrated, Mahrez is the second Manchester City player to make our Champions League XI for 2021/22.

The City winger notched seven goals in 12 appearances for the Blues this season, starting 11 of the club’s 12 matches in the competition.

Mahrez scored some crucial goals this campaign and was one of Pep Guardiola’s trusted figures in Europe. Without a doubt, his impressive statistics support his inclusion in this squad.

Toni Kroos

Kroos was instrumental for Real Madrid in Saturday’s final, controlling the tempo of the match from start to finish – he was a genuine Man of the Match contender.

He leads all players in pass attempts and ranks second for completed passes – recording a sensational 91.9% pass accuracy throughout 2021/22.

With that in mind, Kroos walks into our combined Champions League XI. He will be sorely missed when he decides to hang up his boots.

Rodri

Like Kroos, Rodri also ranks favourably in the distribution statistics – he is second to Kroos in attempted passes but tops the German for pass completions.

What makes Rodri’s achievements even greater is the fact that he made just 10 Champions League appearances – but he certainly made his presence felt throughout.

An exceptional talent and an important cog in Pep Guardiola’s winning machine, Rodri is an easy choice to partner Kroos in central midfield.

Mohamed Salah

Directly involved in 10 goals in 13 Champions League appearances this season, Salah was instrumental for Liverpool from the group stages to the final.

While you could make an argument for Sadio Mane, we’ve gone for his teammate here and Salah remains one of the best players in world football.

Even in the final, Salah had six shots on target but Courtois had the game of his life. It would be foolish to ignore Salah’s positive impact throughout the campaign.

Robert Lewandowski

Lewandowski is one of the most prolific strikers in the sport and the Bayern Munich forward finished the 2021/22 Champions League campaign with 13 goals in 10 games.

While he was unable to lead Bayern to the semi-finals, the Poland striker finished as the second highest goal scorer in this year’s competition.

While his future at Bayern Munich is up in the air, his future in our Champions League XI for this season is in no doubt whatsoever.

Karim Benzema

The first name in our XI. Benzema finished as this season’s top scorer in the competition with 15 goals and he was absolutely outstanding in the knockout stages.

Kept quiet by Van Dijk and Konate in the final, Benzema played a major role in Real’s triumph – scoring crucial goals at important moments over the past few months.

He has led by example, inspiring his fellow strikers to get into dangerous positions and the France international is a worthy figure to spearhead our attack.

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Champions League final news updates will take centre stage this week, with millions of fans eagerly anticipating the closing of the curtain on another fascinating European campaign.

Without a shadow of a doubt, it is one of the biggest matches in football, watched by millions of fans around the world and this year's showpiece has all the makings of a classic.

Liverpool and Real Madrid, two of the most successful clubs in the competition’s history, will compete on Saturday night for the ultimate prize in club football.

Paris is the location and the Stade de France is the venue – the stage is set and Liverpool or Real Madrid will lift the Champions League trophy this weekend.

Thousands of Reds fans will make the short trip across the English Channel and there will be an electric atmosphere across the city throughout the week.

While an unprecedented quadruple is now off the table, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool can cap off to a superb season with a third trophy in Paris.

You can find all of our Champions League final news articles below, including one or two more specific prediction articles for Saturday's contest. So, what are you waiting for? Get your Champions League fix here…

Champions League Final News & Tips

• Fabrizio Romano previews the Champions League final

• Champions League final betting preview: How Liverpool can beat Real Madrid

• Champions League predictions: Liverpool vs Real Madrid

• The greatest ever Champions League finals

• Ranking the 10 greatest Champions League final goals

• Champions League final locations: a history

• The most embarrassing defeats in Champions League history

• The five greatest comebacks in Champions League history

• Champions League trophy: everything you need to know

• Champions League top scorers: a history

• The five greatest goals in Champions League history

• The oldest goal scorers in Champions League history

• The youngest goal scorers in Champions League history

• Most hat-tricks in Champions League history

• The longest unbeaten runs in Champions League history

• Should UEFA restructure the Champions League?

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There is no more famous a race at Royal Ascot than the Gold Cup, a contest packed with history and prestige.

The Gold Cup is the centrepiece of Royal Ascot week and is the world’s top race for distance horses. This Group 1 horse race is run over a marathon trip of just shy of two miles and four furlongs.

First staged in 1807, the inaugural winner, Master Jackey, was a three-year-old who under today’s rules wouldn’t qualify to run. Nowadays the rules stipulate that horses must be four or older to enter.

The race has provided some of the Royal meeting’s greatest moments. In 2013 Her Majesty The Queen’s filly Estimate won and there was public joy around the world on the back of the pictures and footage of her beaming smile.

Yeats won this race four years on the trot (2006-2009) which made him the most successful horse in the history of the race. He always featured annually in any Royal Ascot tips.

Between the years 1957 and 1982, Lester Piggott won the race an incredible 11 times. These are the top three fastest run Ascot Gold Cup’s over the last 20 years are:

• 2010 - Rite Of Passage (4:16.92)

• 2005 - Westerner (4:19.49)

• 2003 - Mr Dinos (4:20.15)

Ascot Gold Cup Winners

• 2021 - Subjectivist 13/2 Joe Fanning/Mark Johnston

• 2020 - Stradivarius 4/5 f Frankie Dettori/John Gosden

• 2019 - Stradivarius Evs f Frankie Dettori/John Gosden

• 2018 - Stradivarius 1/4 f Frankie Dettori/John Gosden

• 2017 - Big Orange 5/1 James Doyle/Michael Bell

• 2016 - Order Of St George 10/11 f Ryan Moore/A P O'Brien

• 2015 - Trip To Paris 12/1 Graham Lee/Ed Dunlop

• 2014 - Leading Light 10/11 f Joseph O'Brien/A P O'Brien

• 2013 - Estimate 7/2 f Ryan Moore/Sir Michael Stoute

• 2012 - Colour Vision 6/1 Frankie Dettori/Saeed bin Suroor

Ascot Gold Cup Trends

• Age: 10/10 winners were aged between 4 and 6 years old.

• Price: 7/10 winners have been the favourite/joint favourite, 9/10 winners came from the top three in the horse race bets online.

• Last Time: 9/10 winners won on their last run before Ascot, 10/10 winners had their last run within 50 days.

• Course Form: 9/10 winners had at least one previous run at Ascot, 7/10 winners had at least one previous win at Ascot.

• Distance Form: 10/10 winners had at least one previous run over 2 miles or further, 8/10 winners had at least two previous runs over 2 miles or further, 10/10 winners had at least one previous win over two miles or further.

• Flat Form: 10/10 winners had at least 8 previous flat runs, 10/10 winners had at least 5 previous flat wins.

• Rating: 9/10 winners had a rating of 117 or higher.

• Group Wins: 7/10 winners had at least one win in a Group 1 race, 10/10 winners had at least one win in a Group 1-3 race.

• Season Form: 10/10 winners had at least one run that season, 10/10 winners had at least one win that season.

Ascot Gold Cup Statistics

• 19 of the last 20 winners had run no more than twice that season.

• 18 were sent off no bigger than 6/1 last time out.

• Just two horses older than six have won in 20 years.

• 19 of the last 20 winners had four or more previous career wins.

• 20 / 20 - No bigger than 20/1.

• 19 / 20 - At least 4 career wins.

• 19 / 20 - No more than 2 season runs.

• 19 / 20 - Previously won over 14f+.

• 18 / 20 - No bigger than 6/1 last time out.

Ascot Gold Cup Trainers

The leading trainer in the Ascot Gold Cup over the last 20 years is Aidan O'Brien who has taken the race a total of seven times.

The seven winners Yeats (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009), Fame And Glory (2011), Leading Light (2014) and Order Of St George (2016).

Other trainers with multiple win in the Ascot Gold Cup are John Gosden (3 wins), Saeed bin Suroor (2 wins) and Mark Johnston (2 wins).

On the training cold list is Andrew Balding who has saddled seven runners in this race without any success.

Ascot Gold Cup Jockeys

The top jockey in the Ascot Gold Cup over the last 20 years is Frankie Dettori who has picked up the silverware five times.

Those five winners were Papineau (2004), Colour Vision (2012), Stradivarius (2018, 2019, 2020) The only other jockey to have recorded multiple wins in the is Ryan Moore (2 wins).

Surprisingly, William Buick has had a total of eleven mounts in race without recording any wins.

Ascot Gold Cup Trial Races

Several of the seasonal long distance races give the odd pointer to this feature but in the main the Group Three Sagaro Stakes is the main key trial for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Ascot Gold Cup Starting Prices

A careful study of the Royal Ascot results over the last 20 years flags up the biggest priced winner as being Rite Of Passage (20/1) in 2010 when winning for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen.

At the more fancied end of the market and over the same time span, there have been a total of 11 winning favourites in the race.

 

First run in 1840, the Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 race open to horses aged four years or older and is run over one mile.

The race takes place on the opening day of the Royal Ascot meeting and is one of the more lucrative races on the British Flat Racing calendar.

There are always plenty of Royal Ascot tips available for the Queen Anne in the betting columns.

Originally a Group 3, the contest was upgraded in 1984 to a Group 2 before being upgraded again in 2003 to a Group 1 when it also changed from a 3-y-o+ affair to a 4-y-o+.

Any fillies and mares that enter get a 3lb allowance whilst any 4-y-o runners from the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, Japan etc) get a 1lb allowance.

When the Queen Anne Stakes was established in 1840, it was originally known as the Trial Stakes. It wasn’t until 1930 that the name of this event was changed.

The race name now honours Queen Anne, who was the monarch that introduced horse racing to Ascot area in the early 19th century.

Since Flambeu won the very first race in 1840, several great horses, trainers, and jockeys have graced the Queen Anne stakes honours board.

• Sir Gordon Richards and Frankie Dettori were both tied on 6 winners apiece until 2021 when Dettori moved to 7 wins after victory aboard Palace Pier. Dettori’s other winners were: Markofdistinction (1990), Allied Forces (1997), Intikhab (1998), Dubai Destination (2003), Refuse to Bend (2004), Ramonti (2007).

• The most successful trainer for this event is Saeed bin Suroor with 7 wins: Charnwood Forest (1996), Allied Forces (1997), Intikhab (1998), Cape Cross (1999), Dubai Destination (2003), Refuse to Bend (2004), Ramonti (2007).

• The leading owners are Godolphin Stud with 8 titles: Charnwood Forest (1996), Allied Forces (1997), Intikhab (1998), Cape Cross (1999), Dubai Destination (2003), Refuse to Bend (2004), Ramonti (2007), Ribchester (2017).

• In its entire history, no thoroughbred has won the Queen Anne more than twice. Only these four horses have won more than once: Flambeu (1840-1841), Toastmaster (1885-1886), Worchester (1895-1896), and Dean Swift (1906-1907).

The top three quickest Queen Anne’s over the last 20 years are:

• 2017 - Ribchester (1:36.60)

• 2005 - Valixir (1:36.64)

• 2007 - Ramonti (1:37.21)

Queen Anne Stakes Winners

• 2021 - Palace Pier 2/7f Frankie Dettori/John & Thady Gosden

• 2020 - Circus Maximus 4/1f Ryan Moore/A P O'Brien

• 2019 - Lord Glitters 14/1 Daniel Tudhope/David O'Meara

• 2018 - Accidental Agent 33/1 Charles Bishop Eve Johnson Houghton

• 2017 - Ribchester 11/10f William Buick/Richard Fahey

• 2016 - Tepin 11/2 Julien R Leparoux/Mark Casse

• 2015 - Sollow 11/8f Maxime Guyon/Freddie Head

• 2014 - Toronado 4/5f Richard Hughes/Richard Hannon

• 2013 - Declaration Of War 15/2 Joseph O'Brien/A P O'Brien

• 2012 - Frankel 1/10f Tom Queally/Sir Henry Cecil

Queen Anne Stakes Trends

• Age: 7 of the last 10 winners were aged 4.

• Starting Price: 6 of the last 10 winners have been sent off as the favourite, 8/10 winners have come from the top three in the betting.

• Last time out: 6/10 winners won on their previous run before the Queen Anne Stakes, 10/10 winners ran within the last 31 days. 6/10 winners ran in the Lockinge Stakes on their last run, 4 of the 7 won, 0 placed.

• Course Form: 7/10 winners had at least one previous run at Ascot, 7/7 had a previous win at Ascot. Check out previous Royal Ascot results here.

• Distance Form: 10/10 winners had at least 4 previous runs over a mile, 9/10 winners had at least one previous win over a mile, 10/10 winners had at least two previous wins over a mile.

• Flat Form: 10/10 winners had at least 8 previous flat runs, 10/10 had at least 4 previous flat victories.

• Rating: 9/10 winners had a rating of 112 or higher.

• Group 1 Wins: 9/10 winners had at least one previous win in a Group 1 race.

• Group 2 Wins: 7/10 winners had at least one previous win in a Group 2 race.

• Season Form: 10/10 winners had at least one run that season, 7/10 winners had at least one win that season.

Queen Anne Stakes Trainers

The leading trainer in the Queen Anne Stakes over the last 20 years is Aidan O’Brien who has saddled the winner four times.

Those winners were Ad Valorem (2006), Haradasun (2008), Declaration Of War (2013) and Circus Maximus (2020).

The only other trainer to have registered multiple wins in the Queen Anne is Saeed bin Suroor (3 wins in the last 20 years, 7 wins in total).

Sir Michael Stoute, David O'Meara, Richard Hannon, Eve Johnson Houghton, Andre Fabre, Mark Casse, Richard Fahey and John & Thady Gosden have all had runners but produced only a single winner each.

Queen Anne Stakes Jockeys

The leading jockey in the Queen Anne Stakes over the last 20 years is Frankie Dettori who has lifted the silverware four times.

His winners since the turn of the millennium have been Dubai Destination (2003), Refuse To Bend (2004), Ramonti (2007) and Palace Pier (2021).

One jockey on the Queen Anne cold list is Jamie Spencer who has ridden in the race twelve times without enjoying any success.

Queen Anne Stake Future Winners

4 of the last 10 winners won on their next run after the Queen Anne Stakes so it is well worth following the form of this race going forward.

Many opt for the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood for their next run, so punters should check out the antepost markets as soon as they are compiled.

Queen Anne Stakes Starting Prices

If you are a favourite backer you will find that the market leader has obliged a total of 7 times in the last 20 renewals.

Horses from the top three in the online horse racing betting have had the most success except for 2018 when Accidental Agent won at 33/1, and the following year Lord Glitters went in at 14/1.

Those are the only two betting upsets in this last 20 year period.

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