Gary Lineker has brushed off criticism from his Match of the Day predecessor Des Lynam who said he should “get on with the football” and stay away from controversial topics outside the game. Lineker, 62, had to “step back” from presenting the BBC’s flagship football show earlier this year until he and the corporation reached an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media, the broadcaster said. His tweets have attracted controversy while he has been the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent for the sixth consecutive year and the only star to earn more than £1 million in the year 2022/2023, according to the corporation’s annual report. Lynam, 80, told BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House programme: “I like him as a chap, I like him as a broadcaster. But I think there are some areas that he should stay out of. “For example, the last World Cup was in Qatar and he went very, very strongly about the limitations of society in Qatar. And he’s right, there are, but he’s not the person to say it. Get on with the football”. Lineker, a former Tottenham and Leicester striker, later commented: “Des is entitled to his opinion… as, of course, am I.” His response came in a tweet replying to a comment by Adil Ray, the creator and writer of BBC1’s Citizen Khan show. He wrote: “Love Des Lynam but just heard a clip on Radio 4 this morning saying @GaryLineker should stick to football. In 2013, Lynam, still an influential figure, came out publicly as a supporter of Farage and UKIP.” Lineker has tweeted widely about refugees and immigration policy where he has voiced support for a liberal approach to border controls, and he also expressed support for a second EU referendum. During last year’s Qatar World Cup he led criticism of Foreign Secretary James Cleverly for suggesting LGBT+ fans be “respectful of the host nation”. He posted in response to the cabinet minister’s comments: “Whatever you do, don’t do anything gay. Is that the message?” Lineker has been the face of Match Of The Day for more than 20 years but his future at the BBC came under the spotlight in March amid questions about impartiality. He was taken off air by the broadcaster after posting a tweet in which he said the language used by the Government to promote its asylum plans was not dissimilar to 1930s Germany. Lineker missed one edition of the Saturday night show, before returning to his presenting role after a boycott by top on-air talent. Read More Peers to grill BBC bosses about governance following Huw Edwards furore Jeremy Vine agrees deal with Twitter user who wrongly named him in presenter row BBC should ‘stand up for itself more,’ Blair says amid Huw Edwards furore The Huw Edwards affair should remind us we are lucky to have the BBC Gary Lineker remains at top of list of BBC’s highest paid on-air talent Gary Lineker slams Tory MP for ‘outrageous’ Nazi claim comments

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed Ryan Gravenberch’s “obvious talent” as the midfielder paved the way for the 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise with his first goal for the club. The Netherlands international, a £34million summer signing from Bayern Munich, made only his third start of the season and after impressing in the first European outing another all-round performance was capped with what he described as “the easiest goal of my career”. Gravenberch capitalised on an error from goalkeeper Anthony Moris, who fumbled Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shot to present a tap-in for the 21-year-old a minute before half-time. It was a crucial goal as Liverpool had wasted a number of chances prior to that and although they were rarely in trouble Diogo Jota’s goal in added time at the end of the second half secured a second successive Europa League victory. “It is really obvious how good he is, the talent he is,” said Klopp of a player who arrived on transfer deadline so has had to be gradually introduced to English football with three Premier League substitute appearances. “He is enjoying the situation and it is very important the confidence back, that is really good to see. “We thought he might be able to play 90 (minutes), we wanted to give him 90 but we saw he dropped a bit so that’s why we took him off.” Jota responded to Saturday’s sending off for two yellow cards – which means he is suspended for Sunday’s trip to Brighton – with his fourth goal of the season. “How should he deal with it? I knew it would be difficult. That (controversial defeat to Tottenham) is long ago and we are over that and Diogo is over it as well. We are not children. “From a focus point of view, it was not a problem to focus on the game, in the game it was a problem to keep being focused because that was how it looked a little bit. “We got a bit sluggish, I didn’t like that too much but that was nothing to do with the last game or the last week. That’s the challenge in football any way.” Two successive wins puts Liverpool two points clear at the top of Group E and victory over Toulouse, two points behind, in three weeks’ time would put them on the verge of qualification for the knockout stages. But it was far from the sort of free-flowing performance seen by the side this season as they missed a number of chances and then started to lose their way in the second half. “(I liked) the start and the result. The goals, the chances we created. What I didn’t like is we lost rhythm after 25 minutes,” Klopp added. “It’s very difficult to keep rhythm in games like this but it’s important. We should have scored earlier but got the second in stoppage time. “We should use our chances better more often if we want to be successful in competitions but I’m not angry or concerned, it’s just how it is. We know we have to do better. “It was a mature professional performance, we got the result we wanted but know we can do better.” Union coach Alexander Blessin knew his side were up against it before a ball was even kicked but was disappointed they did not gain more confidence from keeping their hosts at bay for almost the entire first half. “In the end I’m proud of the team, but we saw the strength of Liverpool,” he said. “I had the feeling that the game changed (after Liverpool’s start) and in those moments you need it to go your way.” Read More Respect matters says Unai Emery after late goal gives Villa an important win Nothing’s changed with VAR, says Gareth Southgate Dan Burn’s dream comes true on a ‘special’ night for Newcastle Steven Davis remains confident in Rangers squad despite defeat to Limassol ‘Maverick’ Lucas Paqueta impresses David Moyes in West Ham’s Europa League win Roberto De Zerbi hails ‘incredible’ Brighton reaction to salvage Marseille draw

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ZURICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 10, 2023--

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