FEKIR URGED TO STAY AT LYON BY AULAS

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has reiterated that Nabil Fekir will not be leaving the club this season, suggesting he could extend his contract. The France international became the subject of interest from Liverpool, who looked set to seal a £60 million ($80m) transfer before Lyon confirmed the deal fell through, even though France FA president Noel Le Graet said a medical had already been completed. Fekir, 25, has since been linked with a switch to Real Madrid and Lyon coach Bruno Genesio admitted the star player was still considering offers. Aulas said earlier this month that he still expects Fekir to remain in Ligue 1 for the time being, and the club chief now insists they will keep the newly crowned World Cup winner. "In football, nothing is ever stopped," Aulas told Canal+. "Nabil will be here this season, we need him. He is one of the best French players. "I immediately told him that if he wanted to stay, we could extend his contract. I had said before that we didn't need to sell. "The current idea is that we won't let anyone go so we have the best team and strengthen as planned." Fekir scored 18 goals in 30 Ligue 1 appearances for Lyon last season, setting up a further seven as he captained them to a third-place finish in the French top flight.

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MATCHWEEK 8; AGUERO AIMING TO END ANFIELD DUCK

Ahead of Matchweek 8's Premier League fixtures, here are the standout facts on each match. Friday, 5 October Brighton v West Ham In-form Brighton & Hove Albion striker Glenn Murray has scored five goals in his last four league matches against West Ham United, including three last season for the Seagulls. Saturday, 6 October Burnley v Huddersfield Burnley have been ruthless in front of goal during their recent resurgence, scoring with six of their last seven shots on target in the Premier League. Crystal Palace v Wolves Wolverhampton Wanderers are more dangerous after the break, scoring a league-high 88 per cent of their Premier League goals in the second half of matches this season. Seven out of their eight goals have come after the interval. Leicester v Everton The first goal in this match has traditionally been crucial. The team opening the scoring in this PL fixture have never gone on to lose the match. Everton have done so 15 times, winning seven and drawing eig...

WHEN IS THE FPL GAMEWEEK 1 DEADLINE?

It's almost a ritual for Fantasy Premier League managers to spend their Saturday morning agonising over their team. Be it a late transfer or a last-minute captain swap, these vital moments before a Gameweek deadline can decide where mini-leagues are won or lost. But be warned. If you leave it until Saturday this time it will be too late. Because the 2018/19 season starts on Friday 10 August, all Gameweek 1 teams must be finalised an hour before the opening match of the season kicks off. That means managers must submit their final selections by 19:00 BST on Friday 10 August... a week from today! Don't get caught out Similarly, those waiting for the transfer window to close before starting on their FPL team are at risk. While big-name signings could yet be added to the game before 17:00 BST 9 August, managers putting off registration could pay a big price. Remember, the speed with which managers register their FPL teams can affect their chances of winning mini-leag...

LORIS KARIUS PRAISES LIVERPOOL FANS' HUGE SHOW OF SUPPORT AS HE MAKES ANFIELD BOW AFTER CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DISASTER

Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has praised Reds fans for the standing ovation they gave him during a pre-season friendly. In his first Anfield appearance since the fateful Champions League final, the German replaced new signing Alisson Becker with just 18 minutes remaining against Torino last night. The Brazilian number one came on to a rousing reception, and the crowd stayed on their feet to welcome Karius. The German stopper has suffered a torrid time since his mistakes in the defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev in May,

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