DAN PRIMED FOR CORKER

Slot could get something to whine about

- by ALEX HANKIN

RAISE a glace, or maybe even a monument, to Danny Welbeck this afternoon.

The veteran striker is maturing like “a good red wine” according to Brighton chief Fabian Hurzeler who knows a decent vintage when he’s got one.

It’s not entirely clear that Liverpool boss Arne Slot has a similar nose for a mature Red.

The news that Lionel Messi is today unveiling a 70ft statue of himself in Kolkata as part of his GOAT tour of India comes at an awkward time for Mo Salah, whose status as an Anfield GOAT is being hurriedly downsized.

Plans for a 70ft Salah statue have been scrapped, and he will now be honoured with a discreet plaque near the site of a proposed speed bump on the Scottie Road, though I might have dreamt that.

Whether the Egyptian wizard will play any part at home to Brighton (3pm) remains to be seen, and whether he's ever seen again for Liverpool after the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations is amazingly also up for debate.

Slot would surely need his bumps felt if he’s even pondering allowing Salah’s reign to end with a whimper.

That said, the Dutch coach presumably green-lighted spending £125million on poor Alexander Isak, who's reign has certainly started with one.