• LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher – 8: The 22-year-old made an important save from Podence’s chip in the first half and was sure-handed against the aerial threat. The Irishman has had a wonderful week. PA
    LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher – 8: The 22-year-old made an important save from Podence’s chip in the first half and was sure-handed against the aerial threat. The Irishman has had a wonderful week. PA
  • Neco Williams – 7: Unaffected by a second-minute yellow card that could have destabilised the 19-year-old. Replaced by Alexander-Arnold with 22 minutes to go. Reuters
    Neco Williams – 7: Unaffected by a second-minute yellow card that could have destabilised the 19-year-old. Replaced by Alexander-Arnold with 22 minutes to go. Reuters
  • Joel Matip – 8: Good in the air and ensured Williams always had support. The German grows in stature every game. Relished scoring into the Kop goal. AP
    Joel Matip – 8: Good in the air and ensured Williams always had support. The German grows in stature every game. Relished scoring into the Kop goal. AP
  • Fabinho - 7: The Brazilian’s partnership with Matip continues to develop. Sat down by Traore in the first half but it was a rare lapse. Reuters
    Fabinho - 7: The Brazilian’s partnership with Matip continues to develop. Sat down by Traore in the first half but it was a rare lapse. Reuters
  • Andy Robertson - 7: The Scot was troubled early by Traore but battled well. Was more dangerous going forward in the second period when Wolves began to tire. Getty
    Andy Robertson - 7: The Scot was troubled early by Traore but battled well. Was more dangerous going forward in the second period when Wolves began to tire. Getty
  • Jordan Henderson - 8: The captain worked diligently to protect the defence while controlling the tempo in midfield. Substituted for Keita with nine minutes left. Reuters
    Jordan Henderson - 8: The captain worked diligently to protect the defence while controlling the tempo in midfield. Substituted for Keita with nine minutes left. Reuters
  • Georginio Wijnaldum - 9: The Dutchman showed his full range of abilities. Covered lots of ground in midfield and scored a splendid goal to show how dangerous he can be going forward. AP
    Georginio Wijnaldum - 9: The Dutchman showed his full range of abilities. Covered lots of ground in midfield and scored a splendid goal to show how dangerous he can be going forward. AP
  • Curtis Jones - 7: The 19-year-old used the ball cleverly and showed a mature approach tactically. Does not waste the ball very often. PA
    Curtis Jones - 7: The 19-year-old used the ball cleverly and showed a mature approach tactically. Does not waste the ball very often. PA
  • Mohamed Salah – 8: The opening goal illustrated how much fear the Egyptian instils in defenders. Great cross for Matip’s goal, too. AP
    Mohamed Salah – 8: The opening goal illustrated how much fear the Egyptian instils in defenders. Great cross for Matip’s goal, too. AP
  • Roberto Firmino – 7: The Brazilian’s confidence is returning. The forward ran through his repertoire of nutmegs and scissor kicks. Withdrawn for Jota in the 73rd minute after an entertaining display. Getty
    Roberto Firmino – 7: The Brazilian’s confidence is returning. The forward ran through his repertoire of nutmegs and scissor kicks. Withdrawn for Jota in the 73rd minute after an entertaining display. Getty
  • Sadio Mane – 8: Another lively effort from the Senegalese. Semedo will quake with fear at the thought of the reverse fixture. EPA
    Sadio Mane – 8: Another lively effort from the Senegalese. Semedo will quake with fear at the thought of the reverse fixture. EPA
  • SUBS: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7: Replaced Williams in the 68th minute and slotted back with ease after returning from injury. His teasing cross forced Semedo into scoring an own goal. Getty
    SUBS: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7: Replaced Williams in the 68th minute and slotted back with ease after returning from injury. His teasing cross forced Semedo into scoring an own goal. Getty
  • Diogo Jota – 7: Given a run-out against his former club when Firmino was withdrawn with 17 minutes left. Produced a threatening cameo
    Diogo Jota – 7: Given a run-out against his former club when Firmino was withdrawn with 17 minutes left. Produced a threatening cameo
  • Naby Keita – 6: The Guinean needs more playing time after a series of injuries. Came on for Henderson for the final nine minutes and eased into the action. EPA
    Naby Keita – 6: The Guinean needs more playing time after a series of injuries. Came on for Henderson for the final nine minutes and eased into the action. EPA
  • WOLVES RATINGS: Rui Patricio - 5: The goalkeeper could do little to stop the Liverpool onslaught. Perhaps he could have done more to cut out the cross before the fourth goal. Getty
    WOLVES RATINGS: Rui Patricio - 5: The goalkeeper could do little to stop the Liverpool onslaught. Perhaps he could have done more to cut out the cross before the fourth goal. Getty
  • Nelson Semedo - 3: Will wake up shaking with fear at the thought of Mane. The own goal capped a woeful night for the right back. AP
    Nelson Semedo - 3: Will wake up shaking with fear at the thought of Mane. The own goal capped a woeful night for the right back. AP
  • Willy Boly - 4: The centre half was bamboozled by the movement of Liverpool’s front three. Never looked comfortable and always seemed a yard too slow. EPA
    Willy Boly - 4: The centre half was bamboozled by the movement of Liverpool’s front three. Never looked comfortable and always seemed a yard too slow. EPA
  • Conor Coady – 3: Dreadful night for the captain. The Scouser committed an awful error to gift the first goal to Salah. Tried to fool the referee to win a penalty with a preposterous dive. EPA
    Conor Coady – 3: Dreadful night for the captain. The Scouser committed an awful error to gift the first goal to Salah. Tried to fool the referee to win a penalty with a preposterous dive. EPA
  • Marcal – 4: Unable to contain Firmino. Not the worst Wolves defender but that is faint praise after a poor performance. PA
    Marcal – 4: Unable to contain Firmino. Not the worst Wolves defender but that is faint praise after a poor performance. PA
  • Leandro Dendoncker – 4: Outrun and outplayed by the Liverpool midfield. The Belgian’s effort was as poor as his technique. Disappointing. EPA
    Leandro Dendoncker – 4: Outrun and outplayed by the Liverpool midfield. The Belgian’s effort was as poor as his technique. Disappointing. EPA
  • Joao Moutinho – 5: Unable to influence the game despite working hard. The Portuguese showed for the ball but did little when in possession. Reuters
    Joao Moutinho – 5: Unable to influence the game despite working hard. The Portuguese showed for the ball but did little when in possession. Reuters
  • Ruben Neves – 4: Shrunk from the challenge. The midfielder was replaced by Fabio Silva in the 62nd minute after having little impact on the game. EPA
    Ruben Neves – 4: Shrunk from the challenge. The midfielder was replaced by Fabio Silva in the 62nd minute after having little impact on the game. EPA
  • Adama Traore – 6: Put a bit of pressure on Robertson but faded as the match went on. Did not use his pace to its best effect. AP
    Adama Traore – 6: Put a bit of pressure on Robertson but faded as the match went on. Did not use his pace to its best effect. AP
  • Pedro Neto – 4: Saw little of the ball and never disturbed the Liverpool back four. Taken off for Vitinha with nine minutes left. Reuters
    Pedro Neto – 4: Saw little of the ball and never disturbed the Liverpool back four. Taken off for Vitinha with nine minutes left. Reuters
  • Daniel Podence – 5: The winger had his team’s best moment when he attempted to chip Kelleher. Fluttered around the periphery of the game. Replaced by Ait-Nouriat after 71 minutes. EPA
    Daniel Podence – 5: The winger had his team’s best moment when he attempted to chip Kelleher. Fluttered around the periphery of the game. Replaced by Ait-Nouriat after 71 minutes. EPA
  • Fabio Silva – 4: Was on the pitch for 28 minutes when Neves was withdrawn. Anonymous and ineffective, albeit in difficult circumstances. AP
    Fabio Silva – 4: Was on the pitch for 28 minutes when Neves was withdrawn. Anonymous and ineffective, albeit in difficult circumstances. AP
  • Rayan Ait-Nouri - 4: On for Podence for the final 19 minutes. Managed to fire in a shot at the Liverpool goal. Vitinha – 4: The Portuguese entered the fray in the 81st minute and was unable to change the flow of the game in any way. PA
    Rayan Ait-Nouri - 4: On for Podence for the final 19 minutes. Managed to fire in a shot at the Liverpool goal. Vitinha – 4: The Portuguese entered the fray in the 81st minute and was unable to change the flow of the game in any way. PA

Football

Mohamed Salah 8, Georginio Wijnaldum 9; Conor Coady 3: Liverpool v Wolves player ratings

A thumping 4-0 win for the Premier League champions at Anfield

Tony Evans

December 07, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Mohamed Salah scored one and made another as Liverpool thrashed a hapless Wolves 4-0 in front of 2,000 fans in the Premier League.

The occasion marked a triumphant return to Anfield for Liverpool's supporters, who had to watch on TV due to the Covid-19 pandemic as their club secured a first league title since 1990.

The win over a lacklustre Wolves lifted Liverpool back up to second in the table on 24 points, behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference.

Salah gave Liverpool the lead in the first half after Wolves defender Conor Coady misjudged a long ball from Jordan Henderson.

Georginio Wijnaldum added a second after the break when he curled a precise shot into the top-right corner from long range before Joel Matip's thumping header and Nelson Semedo's scrambled own goal completed the scoring.

Assessing the performances from Anfield, Tony Evans has provided his player ratings in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

Results

5pm: Reem Island – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Farasah, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi

5.30pm: Sir Baniyas Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: SSR Ghazwan, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Astral Del Sol, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6.30pm: Al Maryah Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Toumadher, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar

7pm: Yas Island – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Saadiyat Island – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,400m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Gary Sanchez, Ismail Mohammed

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 390bhp

Torque: 400Nm

Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,000mm, Winners: Mumayaza, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winners: Sharkh, Pat Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi

6pm: The President’s Cup Prep - Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Harrab, Ryan Curatolo, Jean de Roualle

7pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Gold Cup - Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7.30pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

8pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nibras Passion, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ismail Mohammed

Company profile

Name: Tratok Portal

Founded: 2017

Based: UAE

Sector: Travel & tourism

Size: 36 employees

Funding: Privately funded

'Brazen'

Director: Monika Mitchell

Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler

Rating: 3/5

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

FIXTURES

All games 6pm UAE on Sunday: 
Arsenal v Watford
Burnley v Brighton
Chelsea v Wolves
Crystal Palace v Tottenham
Everton v Bournemouth
Leicester v Man United
Man City v Norwich
Newcastle v Liverpool
Southampton v Sheffield United
West Ham v Aston Villa

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