Jake Paul said, 'I’ll do MMA, I’m not afraid, I’ve wanted to do that my whole career'

If there’s one thing football fans never learn from, it’s the year-to-year optimism which flourishes right ahead of a new season’s kick-off. Suddenly, regardless of disappointments or despair which came only a few months earlier, positivity and possibility reigns supreme once more. Naturally, that can ebb and flow once the campaign actually gets started, not just with results but with those within the club talking up, or down, the prospects of success. For Liverpool fans, while 2022/23 was a year to forget as fast as possible, the regeneration in the centre of the park and promise of still-new attackers taking another step up offers the tantalising prospect of an immediate return to fighting for honours in 23/24. For that to happen, it’s almost certain that one factor needs to play out perfectly: the qualities and availability of Trent Alexander-Arnold, the team’s greatest creator and new vice-captain, must be consistently on show in the roving, scheming role he occupied in the final months of last term. Add that to the reduced initial midweek demands of a club in the Europa League instead of the Champions League, and there’s a real possibility of Jurgen Klopp’s team going full tilt across 38 domestic matches this time around. Good news for Kopites, bad news for defences around the country: that’s precisely what the England international expects, and demands, to happen. “It gives a chance to focus on the Premier League a lot more. We respect the competitions we play and want to win them all but definitely going into the season, our aim is to win the Premier League,” Alexander-Arnold told The Independent from an Under Armour training camp. “[The Europa League] gives us a good chance to focus on it. It’s not about coming second or third and building on that, we’re a team full of winners. We know what it takes, we have the culture and the manager to win. “It’s positive pressure to go and do it again because we’ve got the team to win it.” Bold words, and ones the Anfield faithful will be desperately hoping ring true. But even the hardest of Liverpool fans would find it tough to align what was on show at times last year with potential title-winners this time, regardless of summer dealings and an effective reset. Failing challenges, though, before overcoming them in an even more emphatic manner, is arguably what this team has been built on. “It was a difficult season but that’s football. We’ve faced those times before and definitely will again. We’ll learn from it and move forward; as long as last season was a one-off that’s a good thing. We never want those kinds of seasons but if this one is much better then we’ve proven to ourselves we’re still a top team,” Alexander-Arnold added. His own campaign mirrored that of the team: uneven in parts, way out of form in others – and yet he ended the season in more influential, impactful form than any other Premier League central player, with the possible exception of Ilkay Gundogan. He certainly noticed when he had an upturn in fortunes, but the Reds’ No 66 never wavered in his approach, he insists. “Nothing changed for me throughout the whole season mentality-wise. You keep working. I just wanted to be the best player on the pitch and that never changed – but toward the end of the season I felt I had my powers back, being able to do it consistently.” That switch came after Klopp altered the midfield dynamic, Trent drifting centrally from right-back to play-make from deep. That the alteration came around quickfire fixtures against Arsenal and Chelsea might have been a surprise; that he adapted so well definitely wasn’t. “It wasn’t weeks of planning, it was more information-based rather than practice on pitch,” he explained. “The coaches trust me to fulfil my role when I do have a change. This was probably the biggest one so far but I asked a lot of questions and we were able to make it work – it’s just a lot of information, learning how to make it work and everybody bought into that. “Most enjoyable is the freedom to drift, get on the ball and make things happen. That comes with challenges too, you have to be disciplined and stick to a game plan. There are pros and cons, it’s freedom but with a lot of responsibility to control the game.” Liverpool, as a whole, struggled with the latter aspect last season and the same has perhaps been on view in pre-season, too. Alexander-Arnold acknowledges it’s “still being worked on”, particularly with regards “to nail down the spaces and who fills them” along with “who covers around” when he has made runs from deep and the other defenders are dealing with counter-attacks. It’s not the most simplistic of tactical roles to deal with, either for himself or the team, but Alexander-Arnold has never shied away from the unusual. Even this particular interview can be termed as such: he’s preparing to receive an AI-generated “ultimate team talk” designed as the most inspirational, motivational one possible. He’s on board with taking on “unconventional” off-pitch projects if they pique his interest; after all, this is a player who has raced a Formula E car from standstill and competed against a chess master. “I do what I’m passionate about, to be honest – I like anything that brings the best out of me. I’ve had hundreds of team talks; some hit you, some don’t. The project is exciting and something I’m looking forward to.” Back to on-pitch matters, the Scouser hailed new teammates Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister as “two quality players” and the type that Liverpool “needs to continue to make”. It’s notable that even Klopp has acknowledged more needs to be done in that same area of the park and Alexander-Arnold makes the point that “the best teams have the best squads”, which probably – with still almost a month of the window left – doesn’t immediately point to Liverpool at this moment. More arrivals will likely follow. And more honing of the Reds’ newest system will take place in the meantime. Uncertainty currently reigns with regard to both. But elsewhere there’s absolute certainty: for the title or other silverware this season and for how long that summer optimism lasts, Alexander-Arnold will play the biggest and most central of roles. :: We were speaking to Trent Alexander-Arnold from Under Armour’s Human Performance Centre in Portland where he was taking part in a pre-season training camp. Trent features in Under Armour’s new Protect This House campaign, where Under Armour has used generative AI technology to create the “Ultimate Team Talk,” a motivational speech that is scientifically proven to be the most effective of all time. See www.underarmour.co.uk for more details. Read More A new era for old empires? How a summer of rebuilding could change the Premier League Liverpool left with midfield muddle – but Reds handed reason for optimism Jurgen Klopp wanted a midfield change at Liverpool – instead he got a revolution Man United join Lavia chase as midfield transfers shape the market A new era for old empires? How a summer of rebuilding could change the Premier League Liverpool transfer news: Lavia, Andre, Doucoure, Thiago and more

The Flash movie is officially in cinemas and it's fair to say that it has received a lukewarm to negative response from fans and critics. Although the movie pays a lot of fan service to the character and history of DC Comics it has been criticised for its shonky CGI and 'grotesque' cameos of deceased actors. There is also the issues and numerous controversies surrounding lead actor Ezra Miller. Now one particular scene in the movie has raised eyebrows just for how absurd it is. Warning: This article obviously contains spoilers for The Flash so don't read any more if you want to see it. Early in the movie The Flash, aka Barry Allen is called into action to save citizens from the collapsing wing of a hospital which includes several babies falling from a great height. Sign up to our new Indy100 weekly newsletter Now due to the Flash being able to move at incredible speeds, he is able to do seemingly complex things in the blink of an eye. So, in order to save the falling babies The Flash places one of them in a microwave to protect it from the flying debris and shrapnel. Yes, a microwave... Only one baby goes into a microwave while the other kids are placed in a line and safely fall on to a stretcher that the Flash has laid on the ground. Now, this is all fairly standard goofy superhero fare and isn't unlike anything that you would see in comic books but the scene has since gone viral and out of context looks very strange indeed. Yet people who have seen the movie are still completely baffled by what they had just witnessed. It remains to be seen how successful The Flash will be despite the negativity but Deadline does report that it is protected to make $72 million at the box office in its first 4 opening days. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

'This production crew is shameless. Glorifying domestic violence for $$,' wrote a fan

Max Verstappen took pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix despite an X-rated radio row with his race engineer. Verstappen was embroiled in a squabble with Gianpiero Lambiase after he only just made it through to Q3 during a wet-dry session at Spa-Francorchamps. But the championship leader regained his composure at the business end of qualifying to demolish the opposition, finishing eight tenths clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with Sergio Perez third in the other Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton qualified fourth. However, Verstappen will only start Sunday’s race from sixth position as he serves a five-place grid drop for exceeding his gearbox allocation. Follow live updates from the Belgian Grand Prix with The Independent Read More Carlos Sainz interview: ‘All of us at Ferrari expected more – we haven’t done the best job’ Daniel Ricciardo is back - and this time he wants to go out on top Max Verstappen receives penalty for Belgian Grand Prix

After specializing in beef, lab-grown fish is next up on the futuristic 3D-printed menu.

Ohio looked ready to pass an abortion rights amendment. Then Republicans planned another vote.

House Oversight Republicans laid out their intention to accuse President Joe Biden of corruption even without direct evidence that he financially benefited from Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings, a clear shift in their strategy that they said was launched to investigate the president.

A couple on a 13-hour flight were refunded over £1,000 after being seated next to a farting dog. Gill and Warren Press were travelling from Paris to New Zealand with Singapore Airlines when an emotional support dog started snoring loudly during the first leg of their trip. "I heard this noise – a heavy snorting," Gill told Stuff. "I thought it was my husband’s phone, but we looked down and realised it was the dog breathing. I said, ‘I’m not having this sitting next to us the whole trip." They also claimed the dog wouldn't stop farting during the journey. It was then the couple alerted staff and asked to move, but there were no spaces available. "They couldn’t have the dog out in the aisle because they couldn’t get the trolleys through, so it had to come in further, which meant his head was under my husband’s feet," she continued. "My husband was in shorts and was getting the dog’s saliva goo on his leg." The pair were offered $116 in travel vouchers – which they were unhappy with. They pushed for a refund and have since been given approximately $1,410 which they plan on donating to a charity for guide dogs. A spokesperson for Singapore Airlines said: "Singapore Airlines (SIA) apologises to Mr and Mrs Press for their experience on board their flight from Paris to Singapore. "SIA endeavours to notify customers who may be seated next to an assistance dog prior to boarding. In circumstances where customers seated next to an assistance dog request to be moved, we will assist to re-seat customers within the same cabin if space permits. "In this instance, we were unable to move Mr and Mrs Press within the same cabin as the Premium Economy Class cabin was full. Our crew offered to move Mr and Mrs Press to two empty seats in Economy Class, which they accepted after take-off." Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

By Jody Godoy U.S. appeals court judges questioned a 2-1/2-year pause in a shareholder lawsuit against PG&E Corp

A Ford joint venture to build three new electric vehicle battery plants is set to receive up to $9.2 billion in US federal loans under a program backed by...

Pep Guardiola accepts Manchester City must adapt to the artificial surface they face in Switzerland this week – but claims “common sense” dictates grass is better. The holders will play on unfamiliar terrain in their latest Champions League outing on Wednesday when they take on Young Boys on their synthetic pitch at the Wankdorf Stadium. Guardiola insists there are no complaints on his part, and he has changed his team’s routine to ensure they are prepared. Normally City do not take up the option available to them of training at the stadium when they play away games in Europe, instead preferring to work in Manchester before travelling. However, on this occasion City flew to Bern on Tuesday morning and had a run out on the pitch in the evening. Yet the City manager could not hide the feeling that he would prefer to be playing on a natural surface. Speaking at a press conference, the Spaniard said: “It is what it is. If UEFA allows games to be played here it’s because it’s in good conditions. “That’s one of the reasons we never train away but this is an exception. This is why we travel in the morning for the players to feel how the ball runs, how to move left, right, backwards, forwards. That’s why. “We’ll try it and the players will know it immediately.” Asked if he was concerned about injuries, Guardiola said: “I don’t know – hopefully not, for both sides, but I don’t know. “We are not used to it. Any team that plays here is not used to it. It suits the Swiss league and, in the Champions League, the teams that come here have to adapt. “We will not be the first in this situation. We have to use it as a benefit but the grass is better.” Asked why, Guardiola said: “Because 99.9 per cent of the teams who play in a high level play on grass, otherwise UEFA and FIFA would decide to play on artificial pitches. It’s common sense, I would say.” City go into their third match in Group G looking to maintain their 100 per cent record after victories over Red Star Belgrade and RB Leipzig. Victory in their back-to-back games against Young Boys, who travel to the Etihad Stadium next month, could see City qualify for the knockout stages with two matches to spare. City have no fresh injury concerns, with long-term casualty Kevin De Bruyne their only notable absentee. Guardiola also played down concerns about the form of Jack Grealish, who is taking time to get back to his best after a month out with a dead leg. The City boss said: “I don’t have one doubt about Jack and his quality and what he has done for us since he arrived, especially last season. I’m calm and confident. He is an incredibly important player for us.” Read More Manchester United remember Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of Champions League clash Sean Longstaff pinching himself after change in fortunes at Newcastle World Rugby to launch new international competition from 2026 Simona Halep files appeal with CAS against four-year doping ban Just Stop Oil protesters sentenced for aggravated trespass over Lord’s stunt It helps a lot – Dejan Kulusevski says Spurs must make absence from Europe count