after that incident betweenjordan pickford and virgil van dijk. fternoon that jordan pickford won't receive any retrospective action for that challenge on van dijk — a challenge that we now know will keep him out for at least six months. now, the fa decided not to take any action because they say the incident was seen at the time by the referee, michael oliver, and the var. so that's only going to add to the frustrations of liverpool fans, who were disappointed enough at the time because there wasn't even a foul given against pickford. now, that was because van dijk was offside in the build—up to the challenge. well, the former premier league referee mark halsey told me earlier that the blame has to lie with var team. you've got the referee, which i can understand not seeing the incident, because i've been in the same situation, where i have not seen an incident because of players blocking my view. but you would expect one of the team to pick that incident up. and it's no doubt in my men it is a clear red card offence. the per merely have come stat

but without the injured virgil van dijk, their defending was at times desperate. before the break but, boy, it was close. and so was this. moments into the second half, davy klaassen rattling the post. in the final seconds, a final chance for ajax but they couldn't take it. a tricky night for liverpool but they're off to a winning start. meanwhile, manchester city's latest quest for that elusive champions league title began against porto, and it didn't begin well. luis diazjust kept running and running with impressive results. but porto's lead didn't last. a clattering challenge on raheem sterling and from the penalty spot sergio aguero just fired them level. and aguero scores. porto, though, were still posing plenty of problems and it took some serious scrambling from kyle walker to keep city level at the break. after it, though, they set about turning on the style. it is gundogan, it's outstanding! as free kicks go, ilkay gundogan's was pretty special and so was this. we are going to have to end the sport as we go to barack obama who is speaking. hello philadelp

one other line from the premier league, liverpool centre—back virgil van dijk will have surgery.as injured in the 2—2 draw at everton yesterday. the defender was unable to continue following a rash challenge by toffees keeperjordan pickford in the first half. it's not clear how long he will be out as he recovers from the injury. just one game in the championship today. cardiff kept up their impressive away form beating preston by a goal to nil. sheyi ojo who is on loan from liverpool scored the games only goal. in the women's super league, arsenal's vivianne miedema put her stamp on the record books this afternoon. she became the all—time leading scorer in wsl — in arsenal's 6—1 hammering of tottenham in the north london derby. the dutch striker cooly slotted home to put them two up, breaking the tally of 49 she held with nikita parris going into the match. miedema went on to score her hat—trick, and pull further clear. arsenal have now won 5 out of 5 — and sit top of the table. manchester united are still unbeaten after a 4—2 win against west ham. alessia russo scored twice, and

that ten one —— four tagliafico but liverpool weren't complaining to stop without the injured virgil van dijking was at times desperate. the rubinho rescuing them before the break but it was close. and so was this. moments into the second half, rattling the post. liverpool were living dangerously. in the final seconds, a final chance to ajax but they couldn't take it. a tricky night for liverpool but they are off toa night for liverpool but they are off to a winning start. meanwhile, manchester city's latest quest for that elusive champions league title began against porto and didn't begin well. diaz kept running and riding with impressive results. but their lead didn't last. a clattering challenge on raheem sterling and from the penalty spot sergio aguero just fired them level. porto were still posing plenty of problems and it took some serious scrambling from kyle walker to keep manchester city level at the break. after it, they set about turning on the style. level at the break. after it, they set about turning on the stylem is gundogan, outstanding! as free kicks go, it was pretty special

liverpool say defender virgil van dijk has had a "successful" operation on his knee ligament injury.e with everton goalkeeper jordan pickford in the merseyside derby two weeks ago. former world champion kimi raikkonen will remain in formula one for a 19th season. he's signed a new deal with alfa romeo. he's a1. this year he broke the record for the number of grand prix starts. chris gayle has become the first batsman to hit 1000 sixes in t20 cricket. the west indian achieved the feat for his ipl side — the kings 11 punjab — as he made 99. it wasn't enough though as they lost to the rajasthan royals. there's a huge night to come at wembley arena tomorrow night for british boxer derek chisora. he takes on the undisputed criserweight champiosn oleksander usyk — a man who is unbeaten as a professional. this is though just his second fight in the heavyweight division. and will be a test. sumbal syed reports. for derek chisora, fight number 42, and it's a tough one. his opponent? oleksander usyk. the undisputed champion of the world. for many, he is the king. but will derek chisora's 13 ye

they've travelled without virgil van dijk, his injury is a huge blow for them.oes. i think when you think of the quality that he brings to liverpool as a team as ask what he has improved since he joined the club and you are going to get effective when you lose a pair of his quality and use a world—class defender. even before van dijk was injured, liverpool were conceeding goals, alisson is out injured too. major problem defensively? they do a little bit because people are learning now to run from deep and counteract at the play and teams are going on the past that and the most glaring statistic is when they don't play and they are 53% as opposed to 80% when they do to show the impact they had on the team. i think they will probably play at centre back as well and they drop into that position and liverpool so it's an opportunity to put him back there and it looks like he has picked up an injury after the derby so picked up an injury after the derby so he is out injured as well. jordan henderson played last season so humility can call if needed as well. for manche

where virgil van dijk not signing up side, this would have been a penalty but it only ended his matchhere, 1—1. jurgen klopp is unnerved, liverpool conceded seven in their last match and with all the tactical manoeuvring, sometimes it is about the pure instinct of players like mo salah. 0nce everton might have voted but in dominic calvert—lewin they have a striker who keeps reaching more improbable heights. his tenth of the season already, but still we we re of the season already, but still we were not done, after richarlison was set for everton, it seemsjordan henderson had won it for liverpool. now there is always a check. sadio mane offside by an edge. that is the finest of margins. this was a derby that really was that close. patrick geary, bbc news. it was also the old firm in the scottish premiership. rangers are now four points clear of celtic at the top of the table after beating them 2—nil at celtic park. defender conor goldson scored both the rangers goals. leeds rhinos have won rugby league's challenge cup. they beat salford red devils 17—16 behind closed doors at wembley.

and the other big talking point came in the first half with virgil van dijk forced off injured after kford. so, it is not good. virgil played for us i don't know how many games in a row. he plays with pain, he plays with pretty much everything, but he could not play on. that is not good. i do not want to say jordan pickford wanted to do it, but it is of course not a challenge a goalie can do in the box, because there is another player and if it is not offside it is a 100% penalty. manchester city manager pep guardiola got the better of his former assistant mikel arteta as city won 1—0 at the etihad, raheem sterling with the only goal of the game. manchester united also won, while chelsea and southampton drew 3—3. celtic manager neil lennon says his side can't afford to live off the past as scottish premiership champions after losing the first old firm derby of the season at home to rangers. two conor goldson goals earned rangers a 2—0 victory and takes them four points clear at the top of the table. lennon was furious even before the match started, because his team selection was leake

england goalkeeper jordan pickford won't face disciplinary action, following his collision with virgil van dijkn saturday's merseyside derby. safa and marwa were born joined at the head — conjoined twins — a very rare condition. they were flown to london from their home in pakistan last year. after more than 50 hours of surgery and months of hospital care at great ormond street, they were finally ready to go home. our medical editor fegus walsh spoke to the family before they left. twin sisters with a special bond. it is nowjust over a year—and—a—half since safa and marwa were separated. back to safa. that's it. that's good. to marwa. they're still having physical therapy, which they clearly enjoy. but they've been through a lot to get here, and neither has emerged unscathed. the girls were born joined at the head — an extremely rare condition. they'd never seen each other‘s faces. the bbc followed their incredible journey as, over four months, they underwent more than 50 hours of surgery. safa and marwa's skull was one long tube, their brains were misshapen and interconnected. separating them

in the last hour thatjordan pickford will not face retrospective action over his challenge on virgil van dijkyside derby. the everton keeper's reckless tackle left van dijk needing surgery on his knee. it's unclear how long the netherlands defender will be out for. meanwhile van dilk says he's fully focussed on his recovery. he posted this on social media yesterday, saying... van dijk‘s injury in that merseyside derby was just one of the talking points from the match and once again var has been under scrutiny. liverpool had — what would have been the winning goal in the match — ruled out for offisde by the slenderest of margins. so what does former tottenham manager harry redknapp make of the video assistant referee? for me, destroying everything. all the excitement, you get a goal, yup, you're happy, suddenly, i will, the excitement, you get a goal, yup, you're happy, suddenly, iwill, var, and you have to sit for a couple of minutes waiting for a decision. that last goal of henderson's, how could it be disallowed as? when you look at it 100 times how could it be offside anyway? you are still

you‘d rather play liverpool without virgil van dijk, that‘s undoubtedly...at least a month. england‘s netballers have lost the second test against new zealand — and with it the series. the roses started well in hamilton, and they had a two—goal lead at half—time, but the world champions came back in dominant style, winning by 5a—a7. this is a young england squad, with seven players that have fewer than 10 international caps. acting head coach kat ratnapala said there were lots of positives to take from their performance ahead of the third and final match on sunday. olympic champion adam peaty has been showing yet again why he‘s one of the world‘s dominant competitors in match five of the international swimming league. peaty was in action for the london roar and he took a narrow win in the 50 metres breaststroke. this competition is different to traditional swimming events. the athletes compete for one of 10 franchises rather than their country or themselves. live action from the event in budapest continues on iplayer, red button and the bbc sport website and

virgil van dijk has tweeted a message of thanks and says he'll be back as soon as he can after surgeryntinue following a rash challenge by toffees keeper jordan pickford in their 2—2 draw at everton on saturday and it's not yet clear how long he'll be out as he recovers from the injury but he says he's ready for the challenges that lay ahead. british cyclist tao geoghegan hart has claimed a grand tour stage victory for the first time in his career at the giro d'italia. the 25—year—old from london left it till the finish line was almost in sight, at the end of stage 15 to make his move. it sees him jump to fourth in the overall standings and just a second off the podium places. joao almeida's overall lead has been cut to just 15 seconds, with monday a rest day. leeds united could move third in the premier league with victory over wolves at elland road later. marcelo bielsa's side have adapted well to the rigours of the top flight, wining two of their opening four games and bielsa's opposite is aware of what they need to do to if they're take something away from the game. by by competing

virgil van dijk of course injured and fabinho has dropped back from midfield to attempt to fill his theonship this evening. here are the latest scores. cardiff 0—1 bournemouthqueens park rangers 0—1 preston north end sheffield wednesday 1—2 brentford stoke 0—1 barnsley watford 2—1 blackburn rovers you can keep up to date with all those games on the bbc sport website. arsenal midfielder mesut ozil has spoken out for the first time since being left out of their 25—man premier league squad — registered yesterday. he hasn't played for the club since seventh march and can now only play for arsenal under—23s until his deal expires next summer. he posted an emotional statement on social media, claiming he's been showing a lack of loyalty. he says he's deeply disappointed, and that, "upon signing my well, here's the response of the arsenal manager, mikel arteta. he has had the opportunity like everybody else. i'm sad that i had to leave three players out of this list which is not replacement. i feel at the moment today that i failed because i want the best possible message for the team. to do i

the six time champions are again without injured defender virgil van dijk.andard in the team. we all expect pretty much, not perfection, but not too far from perfection from us. and that means there is space for improvement, that's ok. but we need, everybody needs time to replace a massive player or person or whatever. but so far we did 0k. manchester city also have injury concerns ahead of their match in marseille. they have problems in the centre forward position with sergio aguero joining gabrieljesus on the sidelines. aguero suffered a muscle problem against west ham at the weekend, and manager pep guardiola thinks the packed fixture list this season might be to blame for the number of injuries yesterday, everyone got the statistics that in the premier league we have 47% more injuries than this period last time. it's hurting everywhere. a few months, we arrived at the moment, november, december, january, i guess we will be the same. increase a lot because it's normal. so, now we have two just protect the players were that's possible, the strongest ones w

liverpool defender virgil van dijk says he's already fully focussed on his recovery after learning herday's derby match. it's unclear just how long van dijk will be out for. he took to social media yesterday and posted that, "i'm going to make sure i return better, fitter and stronger than ever before with the support of my wife, kids, family and everyone at liverpool, i'm ready for the challenge ahead." vivianne miedema became the women's super league record scorer as arsenal thrashed tottenham 6—1. miedema claimed a hat—trick for the league leaders. she's the first player to reach 50 goals in the wsl, and her total now stands at 52. manchester united are still unbeaten in the wsl after a a—2 win over west ham. us summer signing kristen press scored the fourth goal. elsewhere, everton and brighton drew, as did reading and manchester city. birmingham putfour past bristol city. britain's tao geoghegan hart claimed a grand tour stage victory for the first time in his career at the giro d'italia. the 25—year—old londoner left it till the finish line was almost in sight, at the end of sta

without the injured virgil van dijk, their defending was at times desperate.vy klaasen rattling the post. liverpool were living dangerously. in the final seconds, a final chance for ajax but they couldn't take it. a tricky night for liverpool but they're off to a winning start. meanwhile, manchester city's latest quest for that elusive champions league title began against porto and it didn't begin well. luis diazjust kept running and running with impressive results. but porto's lead didn't last. a clattering challenge on raheem sterling and, from the penalty spot, sergio aguero just fired them level. and aguero scores. porto they were still posing plenty of problems and it took some serious scrambling from kyle walker to keep city level at the break. after it though they set about turning on the style. commentator: gundogan. it's outstanding. as free kicks go, gundogan's was pretty special, and so was this. substitute ferran torres coolly completing a 3—1win. a great start for city and one their manager, it's fair to say, rather enjoyed. andy swiss, bbc news.

they are already without virgil van dijk, probably for the rest of the season, and jurgen klopp saysbut we still have to play the next game and in our case we have got to win it and we try with everything we have. i'm happy with that. manchester united and chelsea both play this evening. united are home to leipzig, semi—finallists last season. chelsea, who drew last week in their first group match, are in russia facing fc krasnodar people will will consider this group and maybe consider that it will be a co mforta ble and maybe consider that it will be a comfortable game for us but we have got to have edge to make sure we get through it. england's netballers have made a losing start to their three test series against new zealand in hamilton. it was the the roses‘ first competitive match since march and they were well beaten 58—45. they've been through a lot to just make the series happen, having to quarantine for two weeks in new zealand and take five five covid—19 tests before being allowed to play. their head coachjess thirlby never got that far, having to stay behind in the uk fol

liverpool defender virgil van dijk says he's already fully focussed on his recovery after learning heurday's derby match. it's unclearjust how long van dijk will be out for he took to social media yesterday and posted that... vivianne miedema became the women's super league record scorer as arsenal thrashed tottenham 6—1. miedema claimed a hat—trick for the league leaders. she's the first player to reach 50 goals in the wsl and her total now stands at 52. manchester united are still unbeaten in the wsl after a 11—2 win over west ham. us summer signing kristen press scored the fourth goal. elsewhere everton and brighton drew, as did reading and manchester city. birmingham putfour past bristol city. britain's tao geoghegan hart claimed a grand tour stage victory for the first time in his career at the giro d'italia. the 25—year—old londoner left it till the finish line was almost in sight, at the end of stage 15 to make his move. it sees him jump to fourth in the overall standings and he's just a second off the podium places. portugaljoao almeida's overal lead has been cut to 15 seconds

and the other big talking point came in the first half with virgil van dijk forced off injured afterd if it is not 100 —— off side it is a 100% of here. —— penalty. manchester city manager pep guardiola got the better of his former assistant mikel arteta as city won 1—0 at the etihad — raheem sterling with the only goal of the game. manchester united also won, while chelsea and southampton drew 3-3. celtic manager neil lennon says his side can't afford to live off the past as scottish premiership champions after losing the first old firm derby of the season at home to rangers. two conor goldson goals earned rangers a 2—0 victory and takes them four points clear at the top of the table. lennon was furious even before the match started, because his team selection was leaked. he says he'll investigate the matter. and northern irishmanjonathan rea won his sixth consecutive world superbikes title yesterday. a fourth place finish in the first race of the weekend at estoril in portugal was enough to give rea the title. victory in today's race would be his 100th in superbikes. enormous numbe

liverpool defender virgil van dijk says he's fully focussed on his recovery after learning he needs surgeryyesterday, saying... "i'm going to make sure i return better, fitter and stronger than ever before. with the support of my wife, kids, family and everyone at liverpool, i'm ready for the challenge ahead." cycling's vuelta a espana starts tomorrow, and it will be chris froome's last race with his current team, ineos grenadiers. froome is aiming to win the vuelta for a third time. it'll be his first major ride since he suffered an horrific crash in a practice ride in france last year. i don't remember the crash itself so that doesn't haunt me at all. i have a blank there. mentally, i have been waiting for this moment is just to be back on the start line of a grantor it for ages. it has been a long road back and i'm looking forward to being in the race again. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. the labour mp has put out a statement saying that she has been admitted to hospital with pneumonia after she has been tested positive for covid—19. she said that

they have achieved both those victories without virgil van dijk, who is probably out for the rest ofore muscular injuries than in the last period last year. i guess november, december, january will be the same. it increases a lot because it is normal. now we just have to protect the players as much as possible. the strongest ones will survive, the other ones will fall down. sean maitland has been dropped by scotland for their six nations match against wales on saturday. he was one of the barbarians players who broke covid protocols, forcing the cancellation of their game against england on saturday. head coach gregor townsend says they have to ensure that their training camp remains secure, but will review the situation in the coming weeks. england will be without their captain, sarah hunter, for the match against italy on sunday in the women‘s six nations. she has a hamstring injury. the red roses have already won the title, but will complete back—to—back grand slams if they beat the italians. emily scarratt has been given the captaincy there was an upset in the superleague as salfo

they are already without virgil van dijk, probably for the rest of the season.is in good and in lesser good times you have to stick together, and that is a moment, that is a tricky one, so, a moment, that is a tricky one, so, a lot of games player after player says goodbye for a while and then we still have to play the next game, and in ourcase still have to play the next game, and in our case we have to win it and in our case we have to win it and we try with all we have, and i am really happy with that. manchester city have no front—line strikers at the moment, but still ran out 3—0 winners at marseille. torres, gundogan and raheem sterling with their goals to make it two wins out of two in their group. northern ireland's women can still qualify for the european championship next year. despite having their keeper sent off, they won 1—0 in belarus and they can still catch wales in theirgroup. the welsh lost 1—0 to norway in cardiff. they're still second in their group, but have only one game left to play to secure a play—off spot. scotland have slipped to third

with virgil van dijk and joel matip already out, fabinho was forced off with a hamstring problem.their premier league troubles. they won 3—0 in marseille, raheem sterling with their third. northern ireland women can still make the european championship play—offs after they beat belarus 1—0, despite having their goalkeeper sent off early on. but wales's bid to qualify automatically for their first major tournament is out of their hands now, following a 1—0 defeat to norway in cardiff. they're still second in their group, but wales only have one game left to play. scotland lost 1—0 to finland — that's their first defeat of the campaign. they're second in their group with four games left to play. the men's 100m world champion christian coleman has been banned from the sport for two years. coleman took gold in doha last year but he won't be able to compete at next year's olympics in tokyo, after missing three drugs tests by failing to tell the authorities where he was. if you are an elite athlete, you've got all these wonderful opportunities, travelling around the world, competing. yo

liverpool are in amsterdam to play ajax, and the focus is still on captain virgil van dijk.shouldn't have happened in a football game. difficult to accept, let me say it like this. we all accept that injuries can happen but it should be in a normal challenge. the best centre half in the world isn't playing for us for a long time. we will see how long and how we work, we work on solutions for now. talks have been held about creating a big, new breakaway league that would involve the top sides from across europe. it's apparently got the backing of fifa. five premier league clubs have been approached about becoming founder members of the league, including champions liverpool and manchester united. it would cost more than £4.5 billion to set up, but the project is said to have a "long way to go" and the deal "may not happen". so, we will wait, that's your sport. as we've heard this morning, greater manchester is being placed into the highest level of covid restrictions on friday, despite talks over a financial support package collapsing. we're joined now by the communities secre

the six—time champions are again without injured defender virgil van dijk.standard in the team. we all expect pretty much, not perfection, but not too far from perfection from us. and that means there is space for improvement, that's ok. but we need everybody needs time to replace a massive player or person or whatever. but so far we did 0k. there was a surprise in super league, with salford beating leaders st helen's, 12—8. salford recovered from being 10—0 down, and krisnan inu struck late to deny saints their 11th super league win in a row. st helen's remain on course for the league leaders' shield despite the defeat. elsewhere, leeds beat castleford 28—24 dojoin me in an hour. i do have cycling's man of the momentjoining me here on breakfast. very excited about this. the giro d'italia champion, tao geoghegan hart, 25 yea rs champion, tao geoghegan hart, 25 years old, the fifth briton to ever wina grand years old, the fifth briton to ever win a grand tour. he is going to be here at half past seven. really looking forward to that. thank you. in just one we