Liverpool
Tottenham pair ruled out, Hammers duo on sidelines, Arsenal star unlikely to figure
The 2020/21 Premier League season is heading into the final few weeks, and there are some eye-catching fixtures taking place this weekend. The action gets underway on Friday evening as Everton go head-to-head with Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Yerry Mina, Fabian Delph and Bernard miss out for the home side, while Matt Doherty and Ben Davies remain on the sidelines for Spurs. West Ham United visit Newcastle United in the early game on Saturday aiming to boost their hopes of a top-four finish. Declan Rice and Michail Antonio are still injured, but the Hammers will be confident of continuing their recent good form. There is one other game on Saturday, with Wolverhampton Wanderers facing Sheffield United at Molineux. Arsenal will turn their attentions back to domes...
‘It is never nice’: Takumi Minamino details Liverpool exit ahead of summer decision
Takumi Minamino has explained why he left Liverpool on loan in January, with the Japan international set for a big decision this summer. Minamino joined the Reds last summer with high expectations despite costing a modest £7.25 million. Shining in a team that also housed Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Braut Haaland, it was expected Minamino would provide adequate cover for Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah. However, the forward only managed four goals in 31 appearances and failed to replicate his form in Austria. As a result, Minamino joined Southampton on loan in January and has flourished under Ralph Hasenhuttl, scoring two goals in six games. Minamino has now spoken out about his decision to leave Liverpool temporarily. “It is never nice for a player if you don’t have the game ...
‘Let’s go!’: Liverpool star posts message on Twitter ahead of UCL clash vs Real Madrid
Liverpool will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash at Anfield on Wednesday. The Reds lost 3-1 in the first leg in Madrid, and they need a near-perfect performance to book a place in the semi-final of the competition. Mohamed Salah’s crucial away goal has given the Reds a glimmer of hope. Ahead of the match, Liverpool midfielder Fabinho took to social networking site Twitter to post a message for the Reds fans. All set and ready to the big one tomorrow. Let’s go! 🔴🙏🏾 #YNWA pic.twitter.com/8Mosx7mfAA — Fabinho (@_fabinhotavares) April 13, 2021 Liverpool have struggled this season at Anfield, with the absence of the Reds fans being badly felt. They needed a moment of inspiration and quality from Trent Alexander-Arnold to ...
Chelsea squeeze through to UCL semis after late Porto scare
Chelsea booked their spot in the Champions League semi-finals despite a late goal from Mehdi Taremi for Porto on Tuesday night. The Portuguese outfit tried to set a fast tempo from the off but struggled to break down Chelsea in a first period where neither side had a shot on target. The pattern continued after the interval and it wasn’t until the 65th minute that Edouard Mendy was forced to make a save when he easily kept out substitute Mehdi Taremi’s header. The Blues had the better of the half chances through Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic but seemed content with a stalemate that was broken four minutes into added time when Taremi struck to give Cheslea a late scare. Chelsea, who will meet either Liverpool or Real Madrid in the last four, will now shift focus to the FA Cup semi final ...
Key Chelsea stars return, two changes for reigning champions
The Champions League quarter-final second leg line-up features some intriguing UCL fixtures. We’ll update this story with reports, results and the latest Champions League highlights as the matches are played. Paris Saint-Germain were beaten 1-0 at home by Bayern Munich, but progress to the last four on away goals after securing a 3-2 win in the first leg. Chelsea are also through to the semi-finals despite losing 1-0 in their second meeting with Porto. The Blues triumphed 2-1 on aggregate. Liverpool will be on the comeback trail as they try to overcome a 3-1 deficit against Real Madrid on Wednesday. Manchester City’s tie against Borussia Dortmund is finely poised, with Pep Guardiola’s side leading 2-1 after the first leg. Champions League Quarter-Final Second Leg Results Tuesday, April 13 ...
Mino Raiola wants Erling Haaland to be 1st £1 millon-a-week player
Mino Raiola is determined to make Erling Haaland the first £1 million-a-week player. Haaland has grown into one of the deadliest strikers in world football, having scored a ridiculous 49 goals in 52 appearances for Borussia Dortmund. The Norwegian sensation is attracting interest from all of Europe’s elite but according to The Mirror, super-agent Raiola wants any transfer to be a “once in a lifetime deal”. Raiola, along with Haaland’s father Alf-Inge, recently travelled to spain for meetings with both Barcelona and Real Madrid. It’s said the two Spanish giants were shocked at the finances it would take to secure the former Red Bull Salzburg man, while Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are all aware how costly and complex a potential deal will be. Still only 20 but w...
‘Really pleased’: Jamie Carragher raves about one player after Liverpool win vs Aston Villa
Jamie Carragher has showered heaps of praise on Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold after the Reds beat Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday. The 22-year-old scored the winning goal in the dying minutes of the match as the Reds came from behind to earn a 2-1 victory on their home turf. The result was a huge relief for the Reds – who were without a win at Anfield for their past six games. They have now picked up three wins in a row in the Premier League to keep their top-four hopes alive. A lot has been said, debated and written about Alexander-Arnold after the youngster was dropped from the England national team by Gareth Southgate. While football pundits (in general) tend to agree that the Liverpool local boy is a terrific talent and arguably one of the best-attacking rig...
PSG want Liverpool star, have reportedly opened talks with his reps
According to French outlet TF1, Paris Saint-Germain have opened talks with the representatives of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah as they prepare for the potential departure of Kylian Mbappe this summer. Mais la piste privilégiée par les dirigeants du PSG au Qatar est celle menant à Mohamed Salah, sous contrat avec Liverpool jusqu’en 2023 Des premiers contacts ont même été établis entre le PSG et les représentants du joueur le mois dernier (@JulienMaynard) pic.twitter.com/cihNOVaBdV — Téléfoot (@telefoot_TF1) April 11, 2021 Talks between PSG and Salah’s reps began last month, and how Liverpool finish the campaign will most likely influence the player’s decision. Sportslens View If the Reds miss out on a top-four finish and end the campaign without a trophy, the Egyptian could be keen on movin...
President Buhari appoints new DTCA, NIIA chiefs
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Ambassador Rabiu Dagari as Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA). The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, in a letter dated April 8, 2021, addressed to Dagari, said the appointment was for an initial period of four years with effect from March 16, 2021. Letter read: “The terms and condition of your appointment is as provided in the appointment of Chief Executives of Government Parastatals and Agencies in the Federal Public Services. “It Is hoped that your performance at the Interview/screening exercise as well as your experiences as a seasoned Diplomat/Administrator will be brought to bear in the discharge of your duties as the Director-General of the Directorate,” Aduda...
Sir Kenny Dalglish reacts to Alexander-Arnold’s winner for Liverpool in four words
Liverpool move to fourth in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday. Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the winner for the Reds in the dying minutes of the match as Liverpool picked up all three points. Liverpool legend – Sir Kenny Dalglish – took to Twitter to express his reaction after the Reds right-back netted the winner in the injury time. Go on wee man!!! ☄️ https://t.co/2TEkhAbY1U — Sir Kenny Dalglish (😷 & 💉) (@kennethdalglish) April 10, 2021 Villa took the lead in the first half through Ollie Watkins. The England striker, who scored a hat-trick in Villa’s 7-2 win in the reverse game, scored his 12th goal of the season in the Premier League. Roberto Firmino fired home from close range but VAR ruled o...
Seven changes for City, forward axed completely, Leeds keep it simple
The 31st round of fixtures in the Premier League features some important matches at both ends of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway last night, with Wolverhampton Wanderers securing a 1-0 victory at Fulham – Adama Traore bagged the winner in stoppage time. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made seven changes to his starting XI for their home game against Leeds United. Ruben Dias and Kevin de Bruyne are amongst the players who drop down to the bench, while Sergio Aguero misses out completely. The lads to face Leeds! 💪 XI | Ederson, Cancelo, Stones, Ake, Mendy, Fernandinho (C), Zinchenko, Bernardo, Torres, Sterling, Jesus SUBS | Steffen, Walker, Dias, ...
“I won’t take anything for granted”: Van Dijk makes Liverpool injury vow
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has given an update on his injury problems, claiming he will not ‘take anything for granted’ when he does return to action. Van Dijk suffered his injury during the Goodison Merseyside derby back last October, following a late challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. That injury ruled him out of action for the rest of the season, with Liverpool struggling on multiple occasions in his absence. Speaking about his injury this week, Van Dijk has revealed he will not take anything for granted when he returns to action. “In this period of being injured, it makes you think about loads of stuff and appreciate even more what you’ve got,” Van Dijk explained in an interview with JBL. “Obviously, it’s not easy, but the most important thing for me is to stay tr...
