LiveScore Daily: The latest football news in bite-sized chunks

LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.

Living the dream

Ibrahima Konate is still coming to terms with the fact he will play in the Champions League final on Saturday. 

The Liverpool defender, who has already savoured Carabao Cup and FA Cup success this term, will tackle Real Madrid in hometown Paris.

And he will have to pinch himself when he walks out at the Stade de France. Konate, 23, said: "It's unimaginable. 

"If you'd asked me what I wanted, I don't think I could've dreamt of anything better. 

"That said, we know that we'll be playing against a very good Real Madrid team, so we'll need to prepare well. 

"Certainly, when you talk about the Champions League [final] being in my city, I'm honestly speechless."

Time to get Real

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool will beat Real Madrid — but old rival Gary Neville disagrees. 

Having been involved in numerous battles between the Reds and Manchester United during their playing days, Carragher and Neville now lock horns on friendlier terms as Sky Sports pundits.

But while Carra believes his old side will secure Champions League glory against Carlo Ancelotti's side on Saturday, former United ace Nev is not convinced. 

Speaking on The Overlap podcast, the ex-Liverpool centre-back said: "Real Madrid are a very good team but they're not as good as Manchester City and I don't think they're as good as Chelsea — even though they beat both of them.

"If City or Liverpool were playing Real Madrid in a one-off game and were near their best, they'd win the game. I'm confident."

In response, Neville, 47, said: "I don't think Liverpool will win the European Cup.

"I've thought a lot about [the final in] Paris and I've thought about Real Madrid and why they've won their games, why they keep coming back.

"I look at Real Madrid's midfield in Casemiro, [Toni] Kroos, [Luka] Modric, plus the two that come in late with [Federico] Valverde and [Eduadro] Camavinga, those five players drive them right from the first minute and right to the end. 

"I think Liverpool's midfield is their weak point and in the last 15 minutes that midfield for Real Madrid will see them win the game on Saturday."

Return fire

French football chief Vincent Labrune has hit out at LaLiga president Javier Tebas for describing Kylian Mbappe's money-spinning Paris Saint-Germain contract as "as insult to football".

Mbappe, 23, was widely expected to quit for Real Madrid, who were reportedly preparing a package worth £300million, but opted instead to sign a new three-year deal with the Ligue 1 champions. 

That decision prompted a furious response from Tebas, who attacked PSG's "non-compliance with UEFA's financial fair play". 

But Labrune, president of Ligue de Football Professional, said: "Two our your clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona, have broken a multitude of records in the past decade. 

"In terms of transfer fees, these two clubs have broken the world record six times. In terms of player salaries, Real Madrid currently have two of the highest-paid players in the world sat on their bench.

"The fact that you publicly and repeatedly take this position against Ligue 1 on this topic and denigrate our league and our clubs is both unacceptable and manifestly false. 

"It is also not lost on anyone that the pinnacle of competitive imbalance was the recent breakaway European Super League — founded and still maintained by your two clubs."

Gunner stay

Eddie Nketiah is reportedly set to sign a new contract at Arsenal — ending months of speculation about his future. 

The striker's current deal is due to expire at the end of next month and he was widely expected to seek pastures new this summer after rejecting numerous offers from the Gunners. 

But more game time towards the end of the season appears to have convinced Nketiah he has a major part to play in MIkel Arteta's first-team plans. 

And having bagged five goals in his last seven Premier League games, the Londoner is now set to commit his future to Arsenal. 

New balls please

LaLiga have unveiled a new match ball for next season. 

The ORBITA, from sports brand PUMA, will be used throughout the 2022-23 campaign in the Spanish top flight. 

It is inspired by the hypnotic effect of a kaleidoscope and reflects the healthy obsession football provokes in supporters. 

Palace land new shirt sponsor

Crystal Palace have signed a new shirt sponsorship deal with online car marketplace cinch. 

The multi-year contract covers both the men's and women's teams, as well as the club's training gear. 

Palace commercial director Barry Webber said: "This landmark partnership is yet another statement of progress at the club, both on and off the field. 

"This is an incredibly exciting time for our partnership to begin as we enter our 10th successive season in the Premier League with a squad packed full of international talent."