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Leeds draw with Liverpool as Klopp criticises Super League; Lions itinerary incoming

The Morning Sports Briefing: Keep ahead of the game with ‘The Irish Times’ sports team

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has criticised the European Super League plan being pursued by his own employers at Liverpool. Photograph: PA
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has criticised the European Super League plan being pursued by his own employers at Liverpool. Photograph: PA

Leeds held champions Liverpool to a 1-1 draw on a strange night at Elland Road. Talking before and after the match Jurgen Klopp and James Milner were both critical of their club owner's decision to commit to proposals for a controversial breakaway European Super League. Uefa's president, Aleksander Ceferin, has insisted that players who join the new league will be banned from World Cups and European Championships if it materialises. Also on Monday Tottenham sacked manager Jose Mourinho just days before he aimed to end their trophy drought in the Carabao Cup final.

The itinerary for the proposed British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa this summer, which is due to be confirmed today, is expected to feature a three-Test series as originally scheduled rather than a mooted four-Test series. In his column this morning, Gerry Thornley explains why this tour could be the most daunting of them all. Leinster have ruled Johnny Sexton out of their opening Rainbow Cup match against Munster at the RDS this Saturday.

Dublin footballer Noelle Healy has brought the curtain down on a 14-year intercounty career, which has seen her win five All-Ireland titles. Conal Keaney has also retired from intercounty hurling. In a tweet on Monday the Dublin dual player announced the decision. The Leinster football and hurling draws take place this morning. While the Ulster football draw will take place later this evening on the 6.01pm News.

Meanwhile, TG4 has agreed a new broadcasting deal directly with World Athletics which will bring live international meetings onto Irish television this summer for the first time in over 20 years.