Atalanta are on the comeback trail ahead of Sunday night's visit of Serie A leaders Inter Milan, with coach Raffaele Palladino leading the charge for the revitalised Bergamo club.

Since Palladino replaced Ivan Juric last month Atalanta have rediscovered their groove, as witnessed by the way they dealt with Eintracht Frankfurt and Chelsea in the Champions League.

Atalanta sit fifth in the Champions League, level on points with mega-bucks Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, and now they're heading back up the Serie A table.

A last-gasp win at Genoa last weekend put Atalanta back in the top half of Italy's top flight and only three points off the European spots.

"It wasn't one of our better performances but today winning was what counted," said Palladino after the victory over Genoa. 

"Those three points were hugely important for us to keep our run going and get us up the right end of the table."

Sunday's clash in Bergamo is the first of three fixtures against direct rivals for Champions League football.

Fourth-placed Roma, who are eight points clear of Atalanta, travel north at the turn of the year before the short journey to Bologna, who sit in the Conference League spot.

Atalanta have won six of their eight matches in all competitions under Palladino, who already looks more like the right replacement for Gian Piero Gasperini than Juric ever did.

However, Palladino will be without key attacker Ademola Lookman and defender Odilon Kossounou who are representing Nigeria and Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

"We keep scaling a mountain that a month ago seemed impossible," said Palladino. 

"Let's enjoy the moment because we've got three big matches coming up and we can take them on in the right spirit."

Inter lead local rivals AC Milan -- who host Verona -- by a single point at the top of the table with champions Napoli a further point back in third ahead of their tricky trip to Jamie Vardy's Cremonese.

But Inter have been on a trip to Saudi Arabia for a failed attempt to win the Italian Super Cup, a tournament won by Napoli which has further clogged up their schedule and left them, Milan, Napoli and Bologna with a game in hand on Roma and fifth-placed Juventus.

The first two weeks of January each have midweek rounds of matches in store for the Super Cup clubs, with the following two weeks containing the decisive final fixtures of the Champions League's expanded league phase.

Inter coach Cristian Chivu has lost Ange-Yoan Bonny to a knee injury picked up in training, the Frenchman joining Denzel Dumfries, Franceco Acerbi and Hakan Calhanoglu on the treatment table.

Man to watch: Daniele De Rossi

De Rossi will make an emotional return to the Stadio Olimpico on Monday night when his Genoa team travel to the Italian capital hoping to bounce back after two unfortunate defeats to Inter and Atalanta.

The Roma icon and World Cup-winning midfielder took his boyhood club to the 2024 Europa League semi-final but was fired after a poor start last season.

He was sacked following a draw at Genoa in September last year, sparking furious protests from Roma fans, and he will be given a hero's welcome from home supporters.

Genoa sit two points above the drop zone while Roma are three points behind Inter having played a game more. 

Key stats

4 - The number of points which separate leaders Inter from fifth-placed Juventus.

3 - Atalanta have already won one more league match under Palladino than the two won with Ivan Juric.

Fixtures (times GMT)

Saturday

Parma v Fiorentina (1130), Lecce v Como, Torino v Cagliari (1400), Udinese v Lazio (1700), Pisa v Juventus (1945)

Sunday

AC Milan v Verona (1130), Cremonese v Napoli (1400), Bologna v Sassuolo (1700), Atalanta v Inter (1945)

Monday

Roma v Genoa (1945)

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Amad Diallo and Riyad Mahrez starred as defending champions Ivory Coast and former winners Algeria had contrasting victories on Wednesday when the first round of African Cup of Nations (AFCON) group matches concluded in Morocco.   

Manchester United winger Diallo struck early in the second half with a close-range shot to give the Ivorians a hard-earned 1-0 Group F victory over Mozambique in wet Marrakesh.  

Earlier, Algeria cruised to a 3-0 Group E win over 10-man Sudan in Rabat with another winger, former Manchester City star Mahrez, becoming the third player to bag a brace at the tournament. 

Elsewhere, an early Karl Etta Eyong goal gave Cameroon a tense 1-0 win over Gabon in Agadir and Burkina Faso scored twice deep in added time to beat Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in Casablanca.

Ivory Coast, who face Cameroon and Gabon in their remaining group matches, are aiming to become the first nation since Egypt in 2010 to successfully defend the premier African football title.

Defeat prolonged the Mozambican pursuit of an AFCON victory -- they have drawn four matches and lost 12 since their 1986 debut.   

Winger Elias 'Domingues' Pelembe came off the Mozambique bench on 67 minutes at the age of 42, making him the second oldest player to compete at an AFCON after 44-year-old Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary.

Diallo ended the brave, well-organised resistance of the Mozambicans early in the second half, firing past Siluane from inside the box after a cross was headed into his path.

Cameroon needed only six minutes to score the lone goal of a fiery central African showdown with Gabon as Etta Eyoug slammed the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba.

Captain Mahrez scored in each half as 2019 champions Algeria eased to a 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan.

Mahrez got the opener after just 82 seconds to the delight of the Algerian fans who made up the vast majority of the 16,115 crowd at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium.

Now with Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia, Mahrez got his and his team's second goal just after the hour mark and Ibrahim Maza wrapped up the win late on as Algeria started in the best possible fashion.

- Zidane watches son -

Among the spectators in the Moroccan capital was France legend Zinedine Zidane, whose parents came from Algeria and whose son Luca was starting in goal for the Desert Foxes.

His appearance on big screens in the ground drew huge cheers from Algerian supporters who will have been delighted to see their team produce a convincing performance.

Algeria were eliminated in the first round without a win at each of the last two AFCON tournaments but wasted no time in breaking the deadlock against the group outsiders.

The match was little over a minute old when Mohamed Amoura's ball across the penalty box was met by a back-heel from Hicham Boudaoui to tee up Mahrez. He took a touch before firing in.

Zidane then did well to save at the feet of Sudan's Yaser Awad Boshara but Algeria were by far the better side.

Sudan's chances of getting back into the game were then severely dented when Salaheldin Adil was sent off six minutes before the interval for a second booking for chopping down Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Ramy Bensebaini had a goal disallowed for offside moments later but Mahrez made it 2-0 on 61 minutes as he connected with a lovely outside-of-the-boot assist from Amoura.

Mahrez, appearing at his sixth AFCON, now has eight goals at the tournament. He came off to an ovation from the Algerian fans late on.

Substitute Maza, of Bayer Leverkusen, finished from Baghdad Bounedjah's knockdown with five minutes left to score Algeria's 100th AFCON goal and make it 3-0.

Sudan have now won just once in 17 Cup of Nations matches since lifting the trophy in 1970.

Earlier in the same group, Burkina Faso came from behind to beat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2-1 thanks to two goals deep in injury time.

Basilio Ndong was sent off just after half-time for Equatorial Guinea but they looked set to win the game when substitute Marvin Anieboh headed in on 85 minutes.

However, Georgi Minoungou equalised in the fifth added minute before Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba grabbed a dramatic 98th-minute winner.

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Spain-based striker Karl Etta Eyong scored after six minutes to give five-time champions Cameroon a 1-0 victory over Gabon in a tense Africa Cup of Nations clash on Wednesday in Agadir. 

His goal earned Cameroon three points, bringing them level in Group F with title-holders Ivory Coast, who edged Mozambique 1-0 in Marrakesh earlier.

It was the first time Cameroon have beaten central African neighbours Gabon in the AFCON after a loss in 2010 and a draw seven years later.

The final first-round group match featured teams seeking solace after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.   

Morocco hosted play-offs last month and Gabon suffered a heavy loss to Nigeria while Cameroon conceded a late goal to be eliminated by the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The match also marked the debut of Cameroon coach David Pagou after a long-running feud between football federation president Samuel Eto'o and Marc Brys led to the Belgian tactician being axed. 

Pagou then surprisingly dropped goalkeeper Andre Onana, on loan to Trabzonspor from Manchester United, and veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar when naming his AFCON squad.

There was also confusion over who would replace Aboubaker as captain with Manchester United striker Bryan Mbeumo initially named.

Then it was announced that three players -- goalkeeper Devis Epassy, defender Nouhou Tolo and striker Christian Bassogog -- would share the captaincy. Tolo led the Indomitable Lions against Gabon.   

It did not take Cameroon long to go in front through Etta Eyong from La Liga outfit Levante, although his celebrations were delayed by a lengthy VAR review for potential offside.  

Mbeumo was the architect of the goal, stroking a superb pass to Etta Eyong, whose movement off the ball created space and he beat Loyce Mbaba with a shot between the legs of the goalkeeper.

Star Gabon striker and 2015 African player of the year Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who had reportedly been ruled out of the match due to a knock playing for Marseille, came on after 33 minutes.   

But despite the presence of Aubameyang and regular Los Angeles FC scorer Denis Bouanga in the Gabon frontline, it was Cameroon who continuously looked likelier to score.  

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Manchester United winger Amad Diallo scored as Ivory Coast began their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 1-0 victory over Mozambique in Marrakesh on Wednesday.

Diallo struck after 49 minutes of a Group F match the three-time champions dominated against opponents 60 places lower in the world rankings. 

Ivory Coast, who will face Cameroon and Gabon in their other group matches, are aiming to become the first nation since Egypt in 2010 to successfully defend the premier African football title.

Defeat prolonged Mozambican dreams of an AFCON victory -- they have drawn four matches and lost 12 since their 1986 debut.   

Winger Elias 'Domingues' Pelembe came off the Mozambique bench on 67 minutes at the age of 42, making him the second oldest player to compete at an AFCON after 44-year-old Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary.

Ivorian teen Yan Diomande was the first to threaten, dribbling past several opponents before slipping in the box when poised to shoot. 

There was immediate alarm for the title-holders as the 19-year-old, who scored a Bundesliga hat-trick for RB Leipzig this month, fell awkwardly and needed medical treatment.

Diallo had a chance midway through the first half from a free kick just outside the area, but he fired the ball into the defensive wall.

Diomande, wearing a protective mask, then came close to breaking the deadlock with a looping cross that was heading into the net until goalkeeper Ernan Siluane tipped it over.   

Defender Ghislain Konan, a survivor from the 2024 AFCON-winning team, squandered a golden chance to put Ivory Coast ahead when he fired wide from close range.  

An even better chance for the Elephants came in added time at the end of the first half when captain Franck Kessie headed goalwards from close range only for well-positioned Siluane to grasp the ball.

Rain, which has fallen at many AFCON matches throughout the kingdom since the tournament kicked off on Sunday, greeted the sides after the break.

Diallo ended the brave, well-organised resistance of the Mozambicans early in the second half, firing past Siluane from inside the box after a cross was headed into his path. 

As the match passed the hour mark, Kessie had a chance to increase the lead, but headed a cross just wide. 

Ivory Coast were not content with the narrow lead and attacked repeatedly, greatly limiting Mozambican opportunities to seek an equaliser.   

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Cristian Romero could be hit with an extended suspension after he was charged by England's ruling Football Association with failing to leave the field and acting in an "aggressive" manner when he was sent off against Liverpool last Saturday.

The Tottenham Hotspur captain received a second yellow card for kicking out at Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate before being ordered off the field by referee John Brooks during a 2-1 defeat. 

Romero's dismissal left Spurs down to nine men as Xavi Simons had already been shown a red card for serious foul play in the first half.

Argentina centre-back Romero had first been booked for dissent after complaining he had been pushed by Hugo Ekitike when the forward scored Liverpool's second goal.

Romero's red card means he will serve a one-match ban, missing Sunday's match away to London rivals Crystal Palace.

But he now faces additional punishment, and a longer ban if found guilty. He has until January 2 to respond to Wednesday's charge. 

Spurs travel to Brentford on New Year's Day before hosting Sunderland on January 4 and visiting Bournemouth three days later.

"It's alleged that he (Romero) acted in an improper manner by failing to promptly leave the field of play and/or behaving in a confrontational and/or aggressive manner towards the match referee after being sent off in the 93rd minute," said an FA statement.

Romero went into the game on seven bookings in the Premier League this season and Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank accused Brooks of failing in his duties by sending the defender off the field. 

"There is a massive mistake by John on the pitch," said Frank. 

"Two hands on the back by Ekitike. I don't understand how he didn’t see it. OK, luckily we have VAR so they will bail you out when you need it, which they didn’t. That was the second mistake."

The Danish boss added: "I think if you go back to that (second Liverpool goal) and the referee did his job, then it would not have been a first yellow (for Romero). Is that fair to say? 

"I have a player that is extremely passionate, and if you have a passionate player then you need to go to the line sometimes."

Defeat left Spurs a lowly 14th in the table and added to the growing pressure on Frank, who took charge after Ange Postecoglou was sacked in June.

jdg/bsp 

The decision by African football bosses to change the Africa Cup of Nations from a biennial competition to a tournament held every four years has been met with a mixed reaction on the continent with some seeing it as simply caving in to pressure from European clubs and FIFA.

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe made the landmark announcement following a meeting with FIFA chiefs in Rabat on the eve of the 2025 edition currently taking place in Morocco.

The next Cup of Nations is set for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in 2027, and Motsepe said another tournament will take place in 2028 after which the AFCON will be held in four-year cycles.

It is a radical shift for a competition regularly held at two-year intervals since the first edition in 1957, and the money generated by the Cup of Nations is crucial to the finances of national federations.

To that end, the creation of a new African Nations League -- modelled on the UEFA Nations League -- is seen as a way of boosting coffers instead. It is set to take place annually from 2029.

Motsepe's announcement has generated controversy even within CAF.

Many inside African football's governing body believe the change simply grants European clubs what they have long demanded –- something previously opposed by former CAF presidents Issa Hayatou of Cameroon and Ahmad Ahmad of Madagascar.

A source within the CAF's competitions department told AFP that they were taken by surprise.

"Organising two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations in consecutive years is extremely difficult, especially since the 2027 tournament will be held in the (northern hemisphere) summer," the source said.

There will be little time to stage qualifiers for 2028, and it will be difficult to find a suitable space in the calendar for that tournament -- Euro 2028 will dominate attention in June and July that year and will be immediately followed by the Los Angeles Olympics.

- 'Africa must be respected' -

The source acknowledged the Cup of Nations was held in consecutive years in 2012 and 2013 but pointed out: "Back then, the tournament only included 16 teams, not 24, and the qualifiers were based on head-to-head matches, not group stages, which is difficult to replicate now."

South African Motsepe acknowledged the move was made at least partly due to pressure from Europe, where so many African stars play.

Major European clubs have long complained about having to release African players every two years in the middle of their season to participate in the Cup of Nations.

"Dates are secondary and won't change the level of African football or its contribution to Europe by providing many talented players," hit back Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi.

Meanwhile Tom Saintfiet, Mali's Belgian coach, said the move was "abnormal", adding that "Africa must be respected".

- More attractive? -

Paul Put, another veteran Belgian coach who is at the ongoing AFCON in charge of Uganda, pointed out that African football was being squeezed from all sides by FIFA's taste for expanding competitions.

"I honestly don't understand CAF's decision, and we are unfortunately not happy. That's my initial feeling. Perhaps the problem lies with the World Cup and the Club World Cup," he said.

Lesser lights like his team will now have fewer opportunities to impress on the continental stage while Walid Regragui, coach of Morocco, sees the positives and negatives.

"Having it every two years helped a lot of teams develop and progress, and it is going to be even harder to win it now," he said.

"Football is changing. I don't necessarily agree with the changes but we need to adapt.

"I think this competition is as strong as the Euros. In the next 15 to 20 years this competition will be followed by even more people and an AFCON every four years will be an event nobody wants to miss."

"I think it will make the competition more attractive," insisted Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez, currently appearing at his sixth AFCON.

"There won't be so many players who have played in as many tournaments."

mm-as/bsp 

Nicolas Jackson scored twice as much-fancied Senegal began their Africa Cup of Nations bid with a convincing 3-0 win over Botswana on Tuesday, while Nigeria's Super Eagles made harder work of their opening match against Tanzania before claiming a 2-1 victory.

Elsewhere there were also wins for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tunisia as the first round of group matches continued in Morocco, often in torrential rain.

Senegal, champions in 2022, are perhaps the biggest threat to Morocco's chances of winning the title on home soil and the Lions of Teranga made light work of Botswana in their Group D opener in Tangier.

Jackson, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich from Chelsea, struck either side of half-time with Cherif Ndiaye completing the scoring late on.

It was a predictable outcome to the first match of the tournament for both teams as Senegal are 119 places above Botswana in the world rankings.

Heavy rain greeted the teams as they walked onto the pitch at the 75,000-seat stadium, the biggest by capacity of the nine being used in Morocco for the tournament.

Two-time African player of the year Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye and Jackson all came close to breaking the deadlock for Senegal before the opener arrived on 40 minutes.

Germany-born Ismail Jakobs and Germany-based Jackson combined for the goal, with the former cutting in from the left and pulling the ball back for the latter to finish.

A flowing move from midfield with quick, crisp passing then set up Jackson to double the lead just before the hour mark, and Cherif Ndiaye put the cherry on the cake for Senegal as he finished smartly at the end of another fine team move.

"The players did the job. We know how important it is to start well in a tournament," said Senegal coach Pape Thiaw.

"You could see how much the lads wanted the victory. They played really well."

Senegal are level on three points at the top of the group with DR Congo, who edged out Benin 1-0 at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat.

Theo Bongonda of Spartak Moscow pounced to score the winner on 16 minutes after the Benin defence left a long ball, while a Cedric Bakambu effort was ruled out for offside early in the second half.

- Tunisia cruise -

"It was a very difficult match. I didn't really know anything about Benin but they are a really good side," said Bongonda.

DR Congo were semi-finalists at the last Cup of Nations and are also hoping to qualify for the 2026 World Cup -- they will do so if they win a play-off against New Caledonia or Jamaica in March.

Senegal edged out the Leopards to top their World Cup qualifying group and the teams now renew their rivalry in Tangier on Saturday, while Benin and Botswana will look to open their accounts as they clash the same day.

Nigeria have come to Morocco aiming to make amends for their failure to qualify for the World Cup and the 2024 AFCON runners-up got off to a winning start in Fes despite being wasteful in front of goal.

Star striker Victor Osimhen was among the culprits -- he failed to score but could have claimed a hat-trick with better finishing.  

Akor Adams hit the crossbar before centre-half Semi Ajayi opened the scoring for the three-time African champions late in the first half as he nodded in Alex Iwobi's cross.

Charles M'Mombwa levelled soon after half-time for outsiders Tanzania but they could not build on that to go and claim a first ever win at an AFCON.

Instead Atalanta attacker Ademola Lookman, the 2024 African player of the year, hit back to spare Nigeria's blushes as his rising shot from just outside the box made it 2-1.

Nigeria's next Group C outing will be on Saturday against Tunisia, who top the section after easing to a 3-1 win against Uganda at the Rabat Olympic Stadium.

Elias Achouri of FC Copenhagen was the star of the show as he scored twice either side of half-time for the 2004 champions. Ellyes Skhiri had given them an early lead while Denis Omedi netted a late consolation for Uganda.

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Elias Achouri's double helped Tunisia ease to a 3-1 win over Uganda in their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.

Ellyes Skhiri headed in an early opener and FC Copenhagen winger Achouri then scored twice either side of half-time in a game played in relentless rain in Rabat. Denis Omedi netted a late consolation for Uganda.

The result leaves Tunisia on top of Group C after the opening round of matches, above Nigeria on goal difference following a 2-1 victory for the Super Eagles against Tanzania earlier in Fes.

Tunisia, who have qualified for next year's World Cup, are appearing at a 17th consecutive AFCON and were eager to do better than at the 2024 edition in Ivory Coast in which they were eliminated in the group stage without winning a game.

The Carthage Eagles duly got off to a triumphant start on a drenched surface at the Rabat Olympic Stadium, with French-born Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Skhiri opening the scoring after only 10 minutes.

Achouri then took centre stage, doubling the lead with a lovely cushioned finish from an Ali Abdi cross as the interval approached.

He got his second goal and Tunisia's third shortly after the hour mark, following in to score after an Abdi shot was saved by Uganda goalkeeper Jamal Salim.

Uganda were well beaten but salvaged some pride when Omedi scored in stoppage time, his shot finding the net via a big deflection off Tunisian defender Yan Valery.

Tunisia meet Nigeria next on Saturday in Fes in what looks set to be a decisive game in deciding who wins the section, while Uganda and Tanzania will hope to register their first points when they clash in Rabat.

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Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has hit back at Arne Slot after the Liverpool boss criticised Micky van de Ven for a "reckless" tackle that left Alexander Isak with a broken leg.

Defender Van de Ven crashed into Isak with a sliding tackle in a failed attempt to stop the Sweden striker scoring in Liverpool's 2-1 win at Tottenham on Saturday.

Isak, who limped off after Van de Ven's challenge, underwent surgery on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.

The 26-year-old is expected to be sidelined for at least two months after the injury to his left leg.

Slot launched a scathing attack on the centre-back when he faced the media on Tuesday, saying he was guilty of a "reckless challenge".

"If you make that tackle 10 times, I think 10 times there's a serious chance that a player gets a serious injury," he said.

But Frank defended his player in his own press conference.

"I am obviously disagreeing in many ways," he said. "We are talking about a defender that will do everything he can to avoid the goal.

"It is a transition, there is a ball down the side and he is doing everything he can to block the shot so he is sliding. 

"Unfortunately, Isak plants his foot so it makes it look worse than it is, but that is a natural action for a defender.

"Put it this way, if my defender does not do that, they are not true defenders."

Frank said Van de Ven would not put an opponent's health at risk with a dangerous foul.

"Reckless challenge? I don't think you see anything like that from Micky," he said.

"I see him as a very fair and competitive player. That's one thing. I know the two players have sorted it out, so that's a good sign."

Tottenham's defeat against Liverpool added to the mounting pressure on Frank.

The former Brentford boss has struggled since arriving in north London in the close-season to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou.

Postecoglou ended Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League, but the poor domestic form that haunted the Australian has continued under Frank's watch.

Tottenham are languishing in 14th place in the Premier League ahead of this weekend's trip to Crystal Palace, but Frank remains confident he can turn the tide.

"This is one of the biggest clubs in the world so it makes it a bigger and different challenge," he said.

"Where this makes it extra challenging is we also play Champions League and Premier League at the same time. We are trying to improve when at 100 miles per hour."

smg/jw/nf

Alexander Isak faces two months on the sidelines after fracturing his leg in a "reckless challenge" from Tottenham's Micky van de Ven, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said on Tuesday.

The Sweden striker was injured in a tackle from the defender in the act of scoring the opening goal in Saturday's 2-1 victory at Spurs.

The Premier League champions said in a statement on Monday the forward had undergone surgery on "an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture" in his left leg.

"It's going to be a long injury, for a couple of months," Slot told reporters. "So, yeah, that's a big, big, big disappointment for him. And as a result also of course for us."

The Dutchman, whose team are fifth in the Premier League, described Van de Ven's tackle as "reckless".

"The tackle of Van de Ven, if you make that tackle 10 times, I think 10 times there's a serious chance that a player gets a serious injury," he said.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank was unimpressed with Slot's verdict and jumped to Van de Ven's defence when he faced the media just hours after the Liverpool manager's blast.

"I am obviously disagreeing in many ways. Unfortunately Isak plants his foot so it makes it look worse than it is, but that is a natural action for a defender," Frank said.

"Reckless challenge? I don't think you see anything like that from Micky. He is very fair and I know the two players have sorted it out, so that's a good sign."

Isak's injury is the latest setback for the 26-year-old after he signed from Newcastle for a British record fee of £125 million ($168 million) on transfer deadline day in September.

He arrived at Anfield lacking match fitness after his protracted move and subsequently suffered a groin injury, which set him back further.

- 'Difficult period' -

Slot admitted it had been a "challenging and difficult period" for his new striker, who has scored just three goals in 16 appearances in all competitions.

But he believes Isak could still play a valuable role later in the season.

"You join a new club, usually when you join a new club, he was very excited of course as well, but you want to show immediately all the qualities you have, but that was simply impossible," said Slot.

"Maybe no one understands, but if you haven't trained for three or four months on a serious level with the team, and you are playing in this league you need to be on top of your game to impact a game of football."

Slot added: "We always knew it would take him time and that's why he's so unlucky that he's now injured because we all saw with his goal against West Ham, with this goal, that he was getting closer and closer to the player he was last season at Newcastle."

Isak's absence will be a major blow for Liverpool, with Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations and Cody Gakpo a doubt for Saturday's home match against bottom club Wolves.

Hugo Ekitike, who has scored five goals in his past four games, and the little-used Federico Chiesa are the only fit senior forwards.

Isak's injury means Liverpool could boost their attacking options in the January transfer window but Slot was tightlipped when asked about a potential move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.

jw-smg/pi

Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez is confident his side can make up for poor showings at the last two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations as the 2019 champions prepare to begin their campaign in Morocco on Wednesday.

The Desert Foxes won their second AFCON title the last time it was played in North Africa, six years ago in Egypt.

However, their title defence three years later in Cameroon ended in first-round elimination with just a single point, and they also failed to win a match in going out in the group stage in Ivory Coast in 2024.

"There is no doubt that we were not good at the last two AFCONs but that is in the past now. All that is behind us," Mahrez said Tuesday in Rabat, where Algeria play Sudan on Wednesday.

"Now we have the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to make up for what has happened and do better. Tomorrow it is time for this generation."

Algeria will be aiming to live up to their billing as the fourth-best side in Africa according to the FIFA rankings.

A strong showing in Morocco will also set them up for the World Cup in North America in six months, after Algeria qualified for the first time since 2014.

Former Manchester City winger Mahrez, now playing for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, turns 35 in February and so these tournaments may mark his swanswong at international level.

But he is excited about Algeria's new generation, including VfL Wolfsburg forward Mohamed Amoura and the goalkeeper Luca Zidane.

Son of France legend Zinedine, Luca Zidane was born in Marseille and plays for Granada in the Spanish second division.

He made his Algeria debut in October and it is hoped he can be the solution to what has been a problem position for coach Vladimir Petkovic.

"Luca has integrated well into the squad and is trying to give everything for the team," said Mahrez, who was born in France to an Algerian father and a Moroccan mother.

"I know his name is a big weight to carry but he is not letting that get to him."

After Wednesday's game Algeria will also play Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea in a tricky Group E, and their path in the knockout phase could be complicated too.

Winning the section would mean a last-16 tie against the runners-up in Group D which includes Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Meanwhile, finishing second would mean a clash with the winners of Group F, which includes reigning champions Ivory Coast and Cameroon.

as/pi