AN AWKWARD billboard of Trent Alexander-Arnold has been unveiled in Madrid.

The Liverpool star has been the subject of transfer speculation linking him with a move away from Anfield.

Guess Jeans

And it appears there is only one likely destination – Real Madrid.

Naturally, some fans are now fearing the worst after a billboard featuring the defender was erected in the Spanish capital.

Alexander-Arnold models for GUESS Jeans in the advert, which has also been displayed in Amsterdam and Milan.

But some fans cannot ignore the obvious link between the billboard’s location and Real Madrid‘s interest in Alexander-Arnold.

One fan reacted saying: “It’s obvious he’s going, what I’m interested in is when he’s gonna announce it.”

Another added: “Liverpool bigger than one player. Best of luck to him ”

A third wrote: “He is already in Madrid in his head.”

Other fans pointed out the awkward nature of the billboard as Alexander-Arnold poses with his ex-girlfriend Iris Law in his arms.

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To make matters worse the England star is now dating model Estelle Behnke.

Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of the season and Real have reportedly opened up talks with his representatives over a move to the Bernabeu next summer.

WORKERS at the Irish Embassy in Kyiv have been ordered to work from home as tensions escalate in Ukraine.

Ukraine has started firing missiles into Russian territory following a block being lifted by US president Joe Biden this week.

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Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has confirmed that staff at the Embassy in the Ukrainian capital are working from home as a precaution.

He said: “Tensions are escalating. The war continues to escalate in Ukraine, and it is a savage war, where hundreds of thousands of young people and soldiers on both sides have been killed.

“It’s incumbent on Russia to end this war, and end it as quickly as possible… because the carnage is absolutely unacceptable.”

The US embassy in Kyiv has shut as Ukraine braces for a huge Russian revenge strike.

It comes a day after Ukraine used US-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time – and Moscow warned it would “react accordingly”.

The US embassy said it has received “specific” intel about a “potential significant air attack”.

It said: “Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place.”

In an unusual warning, the embassy told US citizens to “be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced”.

Both Spain and Greece have also shut their embassies – telling citizens to “take extreme security measures” due to “increased risk of air strikes throughout Ukraine”.

Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned that Moscow will respond to Ukraine’s strikes with US-made weapons deep into Russia.

In September, he said it would “mean that Nato countries are at war with Russia”.

And just days after the US approved Ukrainian use of its far-reaching rockets, Vlad signed a new doctrine to lower the bar for launching a nuclear strike.

Almost simultaneously, Ukrainian media reported the first use of the ATACMS missiles on Russian territory.

CROSSING OF RED LINE

Ukraine’s military did not comment on the use of the weapons – but took responsibility for a blaze at a weapons depot in the city of Karachev, Bryansk, 70 miles over the border.

The Kremlin claimed Ukraine had fired six ATACMS – claiming they caused no serious damage.

It said it marked the crossing of a red line – officially putting nuclear retaliation on the table.

Putin was left raging when US President Joe Biden finally approved use of the far-reaching rockets by Ukraine on Sunday.

His foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Moscow would “react accordingly” after Ukraine’s use of US-made missiles over the border.

He described the strike as a signal that Kyiv “wanted to escalate”.

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UKRAINE is looking to its Western allies to finally give them the green light to hit Vladimir Putin with more powerful weapons to help turn the tide of war.

The US allowed Ukraine to use longer-range missiles this week with the move reportedly also inspiring others to reconsider their stance and allowing Volodymyr Zelensky’s men to attack on all fronts.

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President Joe Biden granted Ukraine their long waited wish when he approved longer-range ATACMS missiles for use in Ukraine.

These weapons have a 190 miles range and have allowed Kyiv to strike deeper into Russia than they have ever previously been able to.

Biden also approved the use of anti-personal land mines, which spark often fatal explosions in battle.

Footage has emerged that appears to show Ukraine launching one of these ATACMS missiles into Russia.

The president has made this u-turn on longer-range missiles just weeks before he is set to hand over The White House to Donald Trump.

Ukraine has already taken aim and fired six of the US-made ATACMS missiles at Russian territory.

Five were shot down and one was damaged, causing no casualties.

British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles have also been seen in Russia for the first time in the war today – despite the UK still not giving formal permission.

Fragments of the powerful missile were found in the village of Marine, Kursk it is understood.

The move comes just days after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hinted at allowing Ukraine to fire Storm Shadow’s into Russia.

Ukraine will hope it is given the green light to use other war weapons by the US and its allies as they look to finally nail Putin and stop his European rampage.

Taurus missiles

These weapons are German made long-range missiles that are particularly powerful.

They have a range of 311 miles which is longer than both the ATACMS, at 190 miles, and the Storm Shadows, at just 155 miles.

Despite this, Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far refused to send these rockets to its ally.

Scholz told press at the G20 summit in Brazil that it would only be possible for Ukraine to use these rockets if both countries were to take responsibility for it, according to The Telegraph.

He said: “That is something that I cannot be responsible for, and don’t want to be responsible for.”

VAMPIRE missiles

These European-made weapons are a short-range air defence system.

They could protect important buildings from Russian cruise missiles and drones, according to RAND.

The weapons have a range of around 620 miles and a top speed of 56 miles per hour.

PATRIOT missiles

These US-made weapons are air defence interceptors.

Ukraine could use these to counter ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft.

They have a range of 42 miles and are an all-altitude and all-weather system.

These missiles are already used by some European countries like Poland, Sweden, and Romania.

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SAMP/T defence system

This European-made network uses Aster missiles.

It is the continent’s domestic ballistic missile defence system.

SAMP/T is designed to protect against medium and long-range missiles which could be important as the war continues to intensify.

It has a range of over 62 miles.

GMLRS missiles

These US-made weapons are precision strike missiles, which could give Zelensky’s men more accuracy in their attacks.

This system can hold six rockets per launch pod.

Its manufacturer said this weapon had an over 98 percent success rate.

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A HEARTBREAKING ‘daddy’ floral tribute from Liam Payne’s son Bear was left outside the church at the One Direction star’s funeral.

Liam’s ex-partner and mum to his child, Cheryl, as well as his former One Direction bandmates, attended the service in the Home Counties this afternoon.

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It was the first time Zayn Malik was seen with the rest of the band – Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan – since leaving in 2015, months before they split up for good.

Cheryl, 41, previously spoke of the grief she feels for her seven-year-old son following his dad’s sudden death in Argentina in October.

As friends and family gathered to mourn Liam Payne…

• Sombre Cheryl Cole led a raft of A-list mourners at the church
•  Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik were reunited at the funeral
•  It is the first time has Zayn publicly appeared with the band since their 2015 split
•  Girls Aloud stars supported Cheryl at the funeral
•  Liam’s grieving family gathered to say goodbye to their ‘little boy’
•  Simon Cowell was among the mourners at the church
•  A touching ‘daddy’ floral tribute was spotted at the service

Dozens of locals and fans gathered outside the church to pay their final respects.

The private service was attended by his family and closest friends, with celebrity pals also including X Factor mogul Simon Cowell and James Cordon.

The Gavin & Stacey writer and actor accompanied Harry Styles.

JLS star Marvin Humes and his wife The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes, and BBC Radio 2 host Scott Mills, ex-footballer Robbie Keane and broadcaster Adrian Chiles were among the other famous faces.

The entrance of the church was decorated with candle lanterns and white roses that have been arranged in surrounding shrubbery.

A horse-drawn carriage then arrived carrying a dark blue coffin with silver handles, topped with white roses.

On top of the carriage, there was a red floral tribute which said “son” and a blue tribute which said “daddy”.

Silence fell upon the crowd as Liam’s father Geoff Payne and his mother Karen got out of a vehicle and stood behind the reverend, next to the carriage.

The white horse-drawn carriage was then driven away and replaced by a black Jaguar hearse parked in front of the church.

A wake is taking place following the service.

It was snowing outside the 12th century church. A marquee was put up in preparation for guests’ arrival.

A floral tribute in the shape of bowling pins was also set up by the entrance. 

Autumnal floral displays, made up of red and orange leaves, and white roses, were placed around the doorways of the church.

Dan Charity/The Sun

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Florists were seen unloading dozens of bunches of white flowers from a van shortly after 9am. 

A source said prior to the service: “Liam’s funeral is taking place in the Home Counties.

“His family have gone to great lengths to put together the perfect service and give him the send off he deserves.

“Liam may have been a global superstar but to Geoff and Karen he will always be their little boy.

“It is going to be an incredibly difficult day.”

Cheryl was a judge on X Factor when Wolverhampton-born Liam found fame as a teenager – and the couple later began dating in 2016.

They welcomed Bear in 2017 and went their separate ways the following year.

In a short statement following his death, Liam’s family said: “We are heartbroken.

“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”

Liam passed away on October 16 after falling from his third floor balcony in Buenos Aires.

He had been in the country to renew his US visa having relocated to Florida with his girlfriend, American influencer Kate Cassidy.

During his trip he attended Niall Horan’s sell out concert at the Movistar Arena.

After news broke of his son’s passing, Liam’s brave father Geoff travelled out to South America to help authorities bring his son back to the UK.

Liam shot to international fame in 2010 when he auditioned for Simon Cowell’s The X Factor as a solo artist.

He was then put into One Direction by the judges.

Despite only coming third on the show, One Direction went on to become the biggest British group since The Beatles.

Throughout their five years together, they sold 70million records and landed four UK No1 singles and four UK No1 albums.

Speaking in 2022, Liam said he hoped to be remembered simply as being a “nice guy” rather than his musical accolades.

Liam said: “Honestly, just being a nice guy. I’d rather be known for being a nice guy than anything else.”

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