Football Briefs: Liverpool thrash Bayern; Arsenal owner under fire

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge was substituted with a thigh injury as the English Premier League club beat Bayern Munich 3-0 in a pre-season match in Germany on Tuesday.

Sturridge, whose career has been blighted by a string of injuries over the last three seasons, scored Liverpool's third goal, but immediately pulled up and was substituted in the 87th minute.

"He hurt his thigh. He has really prepared well, really well, so I hope this is just a small injury and that he can play again soon," Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp told reporters.

"It's a shame and I hope it's nothing serious."

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah also scored for Liverpool, who open their Premier League campaign at Watford on August 12.

Liverpool's Sturridge does not need scan on thigh injury

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge will miss Wednesday's pre-season Audi Cup final match against Atletico Madrid with a thigh injury but does not need a scan, the Premier League club said.

Sturridge, who has been blighted by recurring hip, thigh and calf injuries over the past few seasons, felt a pain in his thigh after scoring Liverpool's final goal in their 3-0 win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday and was substituted immediately.

Liverpool said on their website that the substitution was a precaution and they would continue to monitor the 27-year-old.

"There are currently no plans for a scan to take place in Germany," the club added.

Sturridge said after the match that the injury was not serious and put it down to fatigue.

Liverpool play Athletic Bilbao in their final pre-season match on Saturday before kicking off their Premier League campaign at Watford on Aug. 12.

Arsenal owner Kroenke under fire for hunting channel

More than 11,000 people have signed a petition calling for Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke to sell his shares in the club after the American launched a TV service in Britain that will show hunting and shooting.

The online channel, My Outdoor TV, is run by Outdoor Sportsman Group which is part of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment.

It has been available in the US since 2016 but was launched in Britain at the weekend and says that it shows "thousands of hunting, fishing and shooting episodes".

Kroenke, who is the majority shareholder of Arsenal, has been criticised for his involvement in My Outdoor TV by fans and animal rights groups, despite the channel saying its content will be ethical and legal.

An online petition at change.org called for him to sell his 67 percent stake in the Premier League club.

"Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has launched a sickening blood sport channel in the United Kingdom which not only advocates the hunting of defenceless animals, but encourages it," the petition, which was launched on Monday, said.

"We believe that, not only is this not compatible with being the majority shareholder of Arsenal Football Club, but it is also not compatible with the Premier League or any of its sponsors."

A spokesperson for the channel said on the Independent website: "MOTV will present ethical, fair chase hunting and as long as it's legal it will be on there."

A spokesperson for Arsenal said: "Arsenal Football Club is not directly connected to this TV programme in any way."

Inter Milan sign Fiorentina midfielder Vecino

Uruguayan midfielder Matias Vecino has signed a four-year contract with Inter Milan, completing his move from Fiorentina, the Serie A club said on Wednesday.

"I have been in Italy for a few years now and I believe that I am the right age and have the experience to make this a positive adventure," said the 25-year-old on the club's website.

Italian media report that Inter Milan paid a buyout clause of 24 million euros ($28.4 million) in full to sign the Uruguay international, who has been capped 13 times.

Vecino, who made 31 league appearances and scored three goals last season, will continue to play with fellow midfielder Borja Valero, who also joined from Fiorentina in July.