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NEW YORK — Alejandro Pozo delivered the late dagger in 10-man Sevilla’s 2-1 friendly win over Liverpool in Boston on Sunday, a defeat made worse for the European champions when they saw Yasser Larouci stretchered off.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was furious at Joris Gagnon’s outrageous kick at an on-rushing Larouci in the 76th minute. Gnagnon was shown a straight red card after sweeping one of the Frenchman’s legs out from underneath him, toppling him to the pitch where his head bounced hard on the ground.

“[It’s] much too early in the season to create headlines with saying the things I think about the situation,” Klopp said at his post-match press conference, where he added that it appeared that the 18-year-old Larouci was “lucky” in terms of avoiding serious injury.

“But of course, how it always is with these things we have to wait a little bit. I don’t know 100 per cent. It looks like he was lucky but I only spoke quickly to the Doc and that’s what he said, but we have to see.”

Even with the La Liga outfit reduced to 10 men, Liverpool were unable find a way ahead, and Pozo sealed it in the 90th minute as he smoothly collected a pass from Munir El Haddadi, rounded Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet and knocked the winner into an unguarded net.

Sevilla had enjoyed by far the majority of scoring chances on a sweltering evening at Fenway Park — home of the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. Both Liverpool and the Red Sox are owned by groups led by John W. Henry.

Players were granted water breaks in the hot, humid conditions, and even the pitch created on the baseball diamond received extra water during the match.

The pro-Liverpool crowd weren’t treated to many of the club’s stars as Brazilian internationals Roberto Firmino and Alisson were both absent for the Reds following their Copa America campaign along with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, both missing due to the African Cup of Nations.

As in a 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Friday in Indiana, there was some shaky defending from Liverpool.

Nolito’s powerful shot in the 37th minute past Liverpool starting goalkeeper Andy Lonergan — who was at Middlesbrough last season — was Sevilla’s reward after a half-hour of pressure.

It needed a sprawling save from Lonergan in the 13th minute to deny Luuk de Jong after Liverpool lost possession in their own territory and de Jong was just wide with a header in the 23rd.

‘Not too cool’

Liverpool’s equaliser came off a scrappy set piece as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner was kept alive by Nat Phillips, the ball falling to an unmarked Divock Origi who swept in from close range in the 44th.

Both teams made wholesale changes at halftime, but even a match that was just one more step in both team’s pre-season preparations there was nothing laid back about Sevilla.

A foul was called on Ever Banega for a hard tackle in the 12th minute and when he slammed the ball to the ground in protest he was shown a yellow card.

Liverpool midfielder Harry Wilson took a smack to the face just before halftime — an infraction that paled in comparison to that of Gnagnon — who was arguing with the referee as Larouci received treatment.

“Harry got a knock on his jaw and a finger in his eye, so not too cool,” Klopp said. “He should be OK as well but couldn’t carry on as well.”

LAS VEGAS — Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao rolled back the years to become the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history with a thrilling split decision victory over WBA champion Keith Thurman on Saturday.

The 40-year-old Pacquiao, 10 years older than the previously undefeated Thurman, delivered a vintage performance before a sell-out MGM Grand Garden Arena crowd of 14,356 which included former welterweight king Floyd Mayweather.

Pacquiao floored Thurman with an electrifying combination in the first round and remained on the front foot throughout a pulsating 12-round duel.

Although the bloodied Thurman rallied in the later rounds to narrow Pacquiao’s lead, the judges scored it in the Filipino’s favour. Two judges scored it 115-112 for Pacquiao with the third scoring it 114-113 for Thurman.

“It was fun,” Pacquiao said afterwards. “My opponent is a good fighter and boxer. He was strong.”

Thurman had riled Pacquiao in the build-up to the fight by vowing to “crucify” his deeply religious opponent, and later promising to send the Filipino icon into retirement.

Pacquiao, who improved to 62-7-2 with 39 knockouts, was gracious in victory.

“I’m not that kind of boxer who talks a lot; we were just promoting the fight,” he said. 

“I want to clap my opponent. He’s very tough. He can fight. This guy is a warrior.”

Pacquiao, who earned an estimated $20 million from Saturday’s fight, is now a major player in the competitive welterweight division once again after capturing Thurman’s WBA welterweight ‘super’ champion belt.

The eight-division world champion said he will now return to the Philippines to resume his work as a senator before deciding on his next move inside the ring.

“I think I will fight next year,” said Pacquiao, who was due to fly out of Las Vegas for the Philippines shortly after the fight. “I will go back to the Philippines and work and then make a decision.” 

No complaints

Thurman meanwhile had few complaints in defeat, embracing Pacquiao after the final bell in recognition of an epic contest.

“I knew it was too close,” Thurman said. “He got the knockdown so he had momentum in round one.

“This was a beautiful night of boxing. I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe to toe. I felt like he was getting a little bit tired, but he did have experience in the ring. I would love the rematch.”

Official statistics showed Pacquiao landed 195 of 686 punches thrown, while Thurman connected with 210 of 571.

“My numbers just weren’t up to par to be victorious tonight,” Thurman said. “The fight just flew by. I knew I had to do something big in the later rounds but he was just too good.”

Earlier, a pumped-up Pacquiao had danced into the ring to the strains of Rocky movie anthem “Eye of the Tiger” to bring the crowd to its feet.

Deafening chants of “Manny, Manny” rolled around the packed arena as Pacquiao immediately set about building an advantage.

Towards the end of the round, the crowd erupted as Pacquiao sent Thurman crashing to the canvas, uncorking a left to the ribs before detonating a right hand on the American’s jaw.

That set the tone for the early rounds, with Pacquiao urging Thurman on before using his superior handspeed and footwork to bamboozle his rival.

A dazzling combination wobbled Thurman again at the end of the second, and Pacquiao delighted the crowd with an Ali shuffle as the round closed.

Although Thurman improved, Pacquiao was able to control the tempo and had Thurman in trouble again in the fifth round with blood pouring from his nose.

Thurman though was in no mood to surrender and he came back strongly, snapping Pacquiao’s head back with a right cross-left jab combination in the seventh round.

The younger Thurman appeared to be gaining momentum as the fight drew on, backing up Pacquiao with a clean combination in the eighth.

But again, Pacquiao responded strongly, swarming forward in the ninth round to have Thurman rattled again.

A ferocious Pacquiao body shot in the 10th had Thurman in trouble, again pushing the contest further out of reach.

Pacquiao drew on all of his experience in the 12th, skipping out of range cleverly to keep Thurman at bay and score a famous win.

CAIRO — Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi lauded his side’s “incredible” Africa Cup of Nations triumph on Friday as Baghdad Bounedjah’s early goal earned a 1-0 victory over Senegal in the final.

Bounedjah gave Algeria a dream start against Sadio Mane’s Senegal, the top team in Africa, in front of a large Cairo crowd when his deflected shot looped over Senegal goalkeeper Alfred Gomis.

The second-minute strike was enough to propel Algeria to a first Cup of Nations title in 29 years, and the country’s first on foreign soil, having lifted the trophy as hosts in 1990.

“I’m very happy. Our whole nation, our people were waiting for this second star for a long time,” said Belmadi, who took charge of a squad in disarray last August.

“It’s our first Cup of Nations won away from home. It’s incredible especially when you look at where we came from.

“I took over a team that was really struggling. To do what we’ve been able to do, and to put ourselves on the top of Africa in 10 months, is extraordinary.”

The steely Belmadi signalled his intent early in his reign when he said his ambition was to make a run at the title in Egypt, despite inheriting a team that crashed out in the 2017 group stage and then fared woefully in World Cup qualifying.

“I said we were going to the Cup of Nations to win. I wanted to send a strong message to the players, to tell them I was committing to a strong project. Titles are what interest me,” he recalled. 

“I was asked if it was a transitional period. No, we’re here [champions].”

For Senegal, which also lost to Algeria 1-0 in the group stage, the long wait for a first continental crown goes on as coach Aliou Cisse, the captain of the 2002 runners-up, again fell short in the final.

“We conceded the goal very early and on the whole I think we deserved to equalise but it didn’t happen,” said Cisse, on the losing end in the first title-decider to feature two African coaches since 1998.

“I want to congratulate my players. We’ve been working together a long time for this Cup of Nations and we wanted it but tonight it didn’t go our way.”

Slice of luck

Senegal had understandably feared the absence of Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly, banned after two bookings in the knockout rounds, although his replacement Salif Sane was desperately unlucky as Algeria grabbed the lead with scarcely a minute played.

Bounedjah took aim from 20 yards with his effort smacking off the defender before arcing high into the air and dropping underneath the crossbar and beyond a static Gomis, sparking delirious celebrations from both players and fans, some of whom arrived for the final on military planes provided by the Algerian government.

It was the first time Gomis had conceded in almost 400 minutes in Egypt having replaced the injured Edouard Mendy ahead of Senegal’s final group game.

A tetchy encounter saw both sets of players embroiled in a scuffle as they headed for the tunnel at half-time, while Senegal thought they had won a penalty on the hour after a suspected handball by Adlene Guedioura.

Cameroonian referee Alioum Alioum initially pointed to the spot but reversed his decision after a VAR review.

Rais M’Bolhi tipped over a fierce drive from Youssouf Sabaly after Mbaye Niang screwed wide from a tough angle having rounded the Algeria ‘keeper, and the Desert Foxes held on to emerge worthy winners of the expanded 24-team event. 

“It’s incredible. The win is for the whole country,” M’Bolhi told beIN Sports. “It’s a bit hard to soak in right now but I think we’ll realise what we’ve done when we return home,” he added.

AMMAN — Jordan finished the Asian ju-jitsu Championships with six medals after Yara Qaqish picked up silver on the final day in the Mongolian capital, Ulan Bator, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Qaqish’s silver in the ladies +60kg division joined previous successes from Basil Fanous (gold -94kg), Abdulkareem Al Rashid (silver -69kg) and Sameh Abu Ragheb (silver +94 kg). Hussein Al Rasheed (-77kg) and Zaid Sami (-94kg) won bronze medals.

CAIRO — Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane will renew their Premier League rivalry for a second time in Egypt, with Africa Cup of Nations immortality awaiting the victor of Friday’s final between Algeria and Senegal.

Algerian star Mahrez was part of the Manchester City team that edged out Mane’s Liverpool for the English title last season, grabbing a pivotal goal on the final day of the campaign.

Liverpool standout Mane, however, is attempting to fulfil his “wildest dream” as one of just a handful of Africans to win both the UEFA Champions League and Cup of Nations.

For the marquee name in a Senegalese side ranked top of the continent, and a surprising 46 places above Algeria, the ride to the final for Mane and the Teranga Lions has encountered its share of roadbumps.

Two missed Mane spot-kicks, a group stage loss to Algeria, and the loss of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to a broken finger have tested Senegal’s resolve in its quest for the Holy Grail of African football.

Coach Aliou Cisse is on a mission for personal redemption. He was the skipper of the side beaten on penalties in the 2002 final, with his missed kick handing the title to Cameroon.

“Having lost that final, I still have it on my mind,” said former Paris Saint-Germain and Birmingham City midfielder Cisse. 

“What motivated me to become a coach was to be able to take Senegal to the final. My players told me they would do better than my generation.”

A maiden Cup of Nations for his country is a prize for which Mane readily admitted he would trade in last month’s Champions League title.

“I’m ready to even swap a Champions League for a Cup of Nations. Going to Dakar with the trophy would be extraordinary. It would be my wildest dream,” Mane told France Football ahead of the competition.

Standing in the way, however, is an Algerian outfit that has undergone a remarkable transformation since the arrival of Djamel Belmadi as coach a year ago.

The Desert Foxes failed miserably in World Cup qualifying, but the steely Belmadi has healed divisions in the squad to lead them to the brink of a first Cup of Nations triumph since 1990.

“To the Algerian people, I want to say I’m not a politician, not a miracle worker or a wizard, but that we will fight like we have fought to this point,” Belmadi said after the semifinal win over Nigeria.

Algerians are the leading scorers in Egypt with 12 goals, including Mahrez’s spectacular last-gasp free-kick against Nigeria, and haven’t trailed at all in the tournament.

“Algeria is so well organised, so compact, so ‘Guardiolaesque’ in the way they recover the ball,” opined experienced international coach Claude Le Roy. “Perhaps it is the influence of Mahrez.”

The Algeria captain has been in fine form for his country here, brimming with confidence after helping City to the domestic treble.

“We are very happy to be in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations because it is something very special,” said Mahrez.

“It was our goal to do it for the people and for our families. We know they are behind us all the way. It’s my dream to win the Cup of Nations.”

“It’s going to be another battle against Senegal,” he added. “We’ve been very good in this competition. The [Nigeria] match has given us more confidence for the final and we’re capable of winning it.”

Their hopes will boosted by the absence of Senegal’s defensive rock Kalidou Koulibaly, whose yellow card in the semi-final victory over Tunisia cruelly ruled the Napoli star out of the final.

CASTRES, France — Team Ineos boss Dave Brailsford said on Tuesday his riders were perfectly poised for another Tour de France win at the halfway stage after 10 rollercoaster stages so far.

Reigning champion Geraint Thomas, backed up by team co-captain Egan Bernal, said that victory was within his grasp and all was well in the Ineos camp.

That is in stark contrast to last year when the outfit, riding as Team Sky, were booed and jeered on the road by a hostile public upset that team leader Chris Froome had been cleared to ride despite doping allegations.

“Without a shadow of a doubt this is the most positive start we have ever had, a dramatic change from last year,” said a relaxed Brailsford, speaking on a rest day before racing resumed on Wednesday.

At the same stage last year, Brailsford was engaged in a war of words with organisers about Team Sky’s treatment.

“We can all speculate as to why that is, but to be supported like this and have a positive experience adds to the joy of it,” said the man who has masterminded six titles from the past seven Tours de France.

“Ineos is a more open organisation and we are enjoying ourselves,” he said, despite the absence of Froome, forced out of the Tour by injury following a horrific crash in June.

Amazing route

Defending champion Thomas is currently second to Julian Alaphilippe, while 22-year-old Colombian Bernal is just four seconds behind the Welshman after a string of attacks from the Frenchman have lit up the opening section of the Tour.

“It’s been excellent,” said Thomas. “Things are really starting to heat up.

“The parcours has had a lot to do with it with tricky hills placed near the end of stages and stuff.”

Alaphilippe has launched three blistering attacks in such stages, in the Champagne region where he first took yellow, in a joint attack with Thibaut Pinot when he took it back from Giuloio Ciccone, and on the narrow crosswind swept road to Albi on Monday.

“Alaphilippe being so aggressive has made a difference. It’s been a great start, now for the second half of the race.”

Alaphilippe not a contender

With Froome absent, Thomas said he was enjoying being the “captain” and defending champion and felt no real threat from Alaphilippe for the overall title.

“We have one simple goal, to win the Tour, other teams are here to win stages and stuff like that,” said Thomas.

“It’s been a great 10 days, and would have been even better if we were just a couple of seconds behind Alaphilippe instead of over a minute.

“But Alaphilippe is not necessarily a [title] contender 

“By the second rest day we’ll know a lot more, and if he has increased his advantage we’ll be a lot more concerned,” said Thomas.

“He’s never raced for the overall title before and, I can’t say we were happy for him to get ahead by a few seconds, but we are taking more notice now.”

Confident Bernal

The slightly built Bernal has proven himself on the plains, the time-trials, in crosswinds and in the hills, but doubts remain over his maturity.

“The big difference is I’m more confident and more experienced, this year.

“Now I know everyone, it was a bit heavy last year,” he said.

“Having the white jersey is really special,” he said of the under-25’s tunic he is wearing after 10 stages.

“It’s something special, I’m really enjoying it, because this is the Tour and being here is amazing,” said Bernal.

“But our objective is more important. We want the yellow jersey, we want to win the tour.”

On top of the two road captains Ineos have the tough, straight-talking Welshman Luke Rowe, the influential rider who takes care of race incidents and who should be where during the stages.

“If the shit hits the fan, it’s down to me,” said Rowe, who Brailsford says has natural authority.

“I believe he [Thomas] can win the Tour de France and he has the belief that he can follow me and I’ll put him in the right position.”

SILVERSTONE, United Kingdom — Championship leader Lewis Hamilton has defended his victory in the British Grand Prix, saying the triumph was down to strategy rather than a favourable Safety Car intervention.

The defending five-time world champion made the most of the Safety Car’s arrival on lap 20 by opting for new “hard” compound tyres that carried him to the end of the race.

In the circumstances, it was effectively a “free” pit stop, which gave him a clear advantage over Mercedes teammate Valtterri Bottas who led from pole before making the first of his two scheduled stops on lap 16, the team having agreed to split their drivers’ strategies.

“I was going to do a one-stop and he [Bottas] was on a two, so it wouldn’t have made any difference,” said Hamilton, who won his home event for a record sixth time.

Hamilton said it was his decision to go for an off-set strategy.

“It wasn’t agreed, it was said that we could,” he explained late Sunday evening. “So I looked at the options and, of course, I want to always try and offset.

“So when ‘Bon’o [race engineer Peter Bonnington] came on the radio and said ‘what tyre do you want?’ I said ‘I want the hard’.”

Team chief Toto Wolff confirmed the split-strategy decision, but warned the team were now wary of decisions that may reveal an unconscious favouritism for one driver.

“In our strategy meeting in the morning, the drivers brought up whether there was an off-set strategy possible for the guy running second, because if you put them on the same tyre, this is probably how the race is going to end — turn one or lap one would lock in the result.

“We felt that, picking up on their suggestion, it would provide an interesting race. We knew they would be racing each other, but maybe with a different strategy so that’s what we tried.

“In hindsight, I think the argument [for variation of strategies] has value and I think we need to look at it.” 

Hamilton rejected a late pit-stop for new tyres on his way to a record sixth home victory and an extended 39-point lead on Bottas in the title race. 

“Did we know that we could do a one-stop with it?” he said. “Not really. But as soon as I got onto it, it was quite strong and didn’t look like it was particularly starting to give up any time soon. So I decided to stay out.”

He added that it had been his original plan to stay out on his opening stint until around lap 22.

“If I’d done another lap, I would have come out on my fresh ‘hards’ and I could have just sat behind him [Bottas] if I wanted to and then he would have had to pit,” he said.

“I would still have had that 21-seconds gap so it didn’t really make any difference.”

In the meeting, Bottas had suggested that a one-stop strategy was “out of the question” for him and stayed with a classic two-stop plan.

“I really enjoyed the early fight with Lewis and then, after my pit stop, I was controlling the gap to him, but then the Safety Car came out and he got a free stop and came out ahead of me ...

“I hoped there might be other chances, but I had to make another stop for a different compound anyway. The tyre life ultimately much better than expected so a one-stop was possible, but our simulations before the race had predicted a two-stop was the fastest option.”

Despite his disappointment, Bottas was consoled by encouraging words from Wolff who suggested he had taken step towards retaining him for next year.

“This was his best performance this season,” said Wolff. “He does not give up and he has what it takes to go up against Lewis in qualifying.”

LONDON — Novak Djokovic has vowed to convince fans that he is not public enemy number one even if he surpasses people’s champion Roger Federer as the greatest Grand Slam title winner of all time.

The World No. 1 saved two match points to clinch a fifth Wimbledon title and 16th major on Sunday, shattering Federer’s bid to become the oldest Grand Slam champion in the longest final ever contested at the tournament.

Despite being outplayed by the 37-year-old Swiss for large parts of the knife-edge encounter, the top seed emerged victorious 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 13-12 (7/3).

At four hours and 57 minutes, it was the longest Wimbledon final and the first to be settled by a final set tiebreak.

Djokovic is the first man in 71 years to win the title from match points down, saving two in the 16th game of the deciding set.

His major title tally is now just two behind Rafael Nadal and four off the all-time men’s Grand Slam record of 20 held by Federer.

He has time on his side, being a year younger than Nadal and more than five years younger than the legendary Swiss.

After Sunday’s epic triumph, Djokovic revealed he was able to turn the overwhelmingly pro-Federer, 14,000-strong Centre Court crowd in his favour by training his mind.

“I like to transmutate it in a way: When the crowd is chanting ‘Roger’ I hear ‘Novak’,” said the 32-year-old Djokovic.

“It sounds silly, but it is like that.”

Djokovic has spent the best part of his career in pursuit of Nadal and Federer and attempting to seduce fans sceptical of his character.

For many he is viewed as too intense, too insincere, too calculating and prone to fads.

Federer and Nadal, in comparison, are treated almost reverentially.

“It’s hard to not be aware of the crowd. You have that kind of electric atmosphere, that kind of noise,” said Djokovic.

“Of course, if you have the majority of the crowd on your side, it helps. When you don’t, then you have to find it within, I guess.”

Djokovic insists he won’t get distracted by the pursuit of Federer’s record haul.

“Whether I’m going to be able to do it or not, I don’t know. 

“I’m not really looking at age as a restriction of any kind for me at least. What I said on the court, I really meant it: Roger really inspires me with his effort at his age. “

When asked if he sees himself still playing at 37, Djokovic said the motivation to be treated with the same respect is strong.

Eventually, hearing screams of “Let’s go, Novak, let’s go” will be more than welcome.

“Hopefully in five years’ time I can be hearing the same chants.”

Djokovic is by far the most consistent of the ‘Big Three’ at the Slams.

Since the start of 2015, he has won nine of the 19 majors played with Nadal winning four and Federer three.

On Sunday, Djokovic saved match points in the 16th game of the deciding set, which ran for over two hours and was settled by a 12-12 tiebreak for the first time in a singles match at the tournament.

It was another display of stunning mental fortitude.

“I just try to never lose self-belief, just stay calm, just focus on trying to get the ball back, return, which wasn’t serving me very well today.

He was off the pace for large parts of the final, only carving out his first break points in the eighth game of the fourth set.

Federer won more points in the match with 218 to 204, broke serve seven times compared to three, hit 25 aces to 10 and 94 winners to Djokovic’s 54.