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Liverpool back to winning ways; Gordon Elliott apologises for controversial photo

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

Champions Liverpool ended their losing league run by beating Sheffield United last night. Photograph: Getty Images
Champions Liverpool ended their losing league run by beating Sheffield United last night. Photograph: Getty Images

Liverpool are back to winning ways after breaking Aaron Ramsdale's resistance at Bramall Lane last night. The Sheffield United goalkeeper produced an inspired performance but receded after Curtis Jones struck on 48 minutes for the champions. Roberto Firmino's deflected effort made sure of the victory shortly after the hour mark. Earlier Arsenal came from a goal down to beat Leicester 3-1, and Manchester United and Chelsea played out another dour goalless draw. In his column this morning Ken Early (Subscriber Only) explains how, with the Premier League title race effectively over, conspiracy theories about decisions will fill the void.

Top trainer Gordon Elliott has apologised for a controversial photo which appears to show him posing on top of a dead horse on his gallops. Racing's most successful ever amateur jockey Patrick Mullins will leave any decision on whether or not to turn professional until as late as possible before the Cheltenham Festival.

Leinster punished Glasgow's ill discipline with a bonus point win at the RDS on Sunday. They now head for next Saturday night's Pro14 rendezvous with Ulster in Belfast with a six-point lead at the top of Conference A. Following Ireland's Six Nations win over Italy on Saturday, Gerry Thornley explains why there's plenty for Andy Farrell to muse on after an encouraging display: "Saturday's inventive, ambitious and clinical performance should instill timely belief for the remaining two games against Scotland and England." Second half replacements in Rome, Craig Casey and Ryan Baird, gave a glimpse of Ireland's future. Fifteen inches may separate the youngsters, but they will always have the same life altering days in common . . .

Meanwhile, Sean Moran reviews Saturday's GAA congress where the major motions were passed, despite technical glitches: "It was probably just as well that only two motions proved sufficiently heated to require a vote at Saturday's first remotely held annual congress, given the technical glitches that bedevilled the event, but they were very significant proposals."