Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacts during his team's Premier League match against West Brom on Sunday in the Premier League. Carl Recine / Action Images / Reuters / December 13, 2015
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacts during his team's Premier League match against West Brom on Sunday in the Premier League. Carl Recine / Action Images / Reuters / December 13, 2015
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacts during his team's Premier League match against West Brom on Sunday in the Premier League. Carl Recine / Action Images / Reuters / December 13, 2015
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacts during his team's Premier League match against West Brom on Sunday in the Premier League. Carl Recine / Action Images / Reuters / December 13, 2015

West Brom’s McClean on Liverpool’s Klopp: ‘He’s a bit of an idiot’


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West Bromwich Albion winger James McClean has labelled Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp "a bit of an idiot" following the German's behaviour after Sunday's fiery Anfield match between the teams.

At various times during the 2-2 draw in the Premier League there were words exchanged between Klopp and West Brom counterpart Tony Pulis, and at the final whistle there was no handshake between the pair.

Listen: Jon Turner and Steve Luckings discuss where Chelsea are left in a post-Jose Mourinho world

Klopp raced to celebrate Liverpool’s late equaliser with his players, although he was confronted by a member of West Brom’s backroom staff, coach Mark O’Connor.

McClean played the whole match, and the 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international was unimpressed by what followed the full-time whistle.

He said of Klopp: “I’ve got respect for the man because he’s done a great job at Dortmund, but I think he’s a bit of an idiot if I’m being honest.”

Speaking to BBC West Midlands, McClean added: “In the game on Sunday ... you can’t act that way. Win, lose or draw, you’ve got to be respectful.”

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The National photo project

Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).

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Dr Graham's three goals

Short term

Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines


Intermediate term

Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations


Long term

A prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness  

Series result

1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets

2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets

3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets

4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets

5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets

Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.

Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.

The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.

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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.