Jacob Whitehead and Luke Bosher
April 4, 2022 at 9:56 AM EDT
April 4, 2022 at 9:56 AM EDT
News: Liverpool will have full squad available to them for Benfica match — Klopp
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that he has a full squad to choose from for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg against Benfica.
It also bodes well for their title aspirations, with Liverpool meeting Manchester City — who they trail by a point — in the Premier League on Sunday.
There appeared to be issues with Curtis Jones — who was taken off as a substitute — and Joel Matip — who had to wear a head bandage — following Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Watford on Saturday. Diogo Jota opened the scoring before a Fabinho penalty sealed the points in a closely-fought match.
Asked about Jones and Matip’s availability, Klopp replied: “Yes. Full squad available. Absolutely. It’s nothing. Curtis was just a little swelling which disappeared over night.
“Same with Joel, which is really helpful, because it looked a little strange, and Trent (Alexander-Arnold) has now been training for around four or five days, so he’s ready as well.”
More here.
(Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Jacob Whitehead
April 4, 2022 at 9:42 AM EDT
Derby Council statement on future of Derby County
“The council has been working as part of Team Derby to try and ensure the survival of Derby County Football Club, and we will continue to do so. Our preference is for a buyer to purchase the club and stadium outright.”
They are currently six points adrift of safety with six games to go, and sit 23rd in the league.
Jacob Whitehead
April 4, 2022 at 9:17 AM EDT
Real Madrid name squad for Chelsea fixture
They play at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Jacob Whitehead
No Isco, Hazard or Jovic for Madrid’s trip to Stamford Bridge. Ancelotti making flight still unsure, he wasn’t at training ground today as awaits negative COVID test. pic.twitter.com/PNnZeq0uh3
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) April 4, 2022
April 4, 2022 at 8:17 AM EDT
News: Guardiola jokes about ‘overthinking’ criticism: ‘There will be incredible tactics tomorrow. We’ll play with 12’
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has joked about a perception that he “overthinks” in big matches, saying: “There will be incredible tactics tomorrow. We’ll play with 12.”
His side face Atletico Madrid in the first-leg of their quarter-final in the Champions League at the Etihad on Tuesday evening.
In a humorous defence of his approach, which also hinted at his historical success, he said: “In the Champions League, always I overthink. I overthink a lot. Absolutely.
“That’s why I’ve had good results. I love to overthink and create stupid tactics. Tonight I take inspiration and there will be incredible tactics tomorrow. We’ll play with 12.”
Full story here.
Jacob Whitehead
Seeing as ‘overthinking’ is back in the news cycle (the day before a game, that’s a first!). Here’s an article that we did with @honigstein about it, speaking to Torrent, Muller, Kroos and more. Their views are fascinating https://t.co/Vw6eV8gnIH
— Sam Lee (@SamLee) April 4, 2022
April 4, 2022 at 7:54 AM EDT
News: Matt Doherty tells Tottenham team-mates every game is ‘must-win’ as they push for top four
Jacob Whitehead
April 4, 2022 at 7:32 AM EDT
Champions League should have an opening ceremony — PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman of the European Club Association and president of Paris Saint-Germain, believes the Champions League should have an opening ceremony.
Al-Khelaifi was elected chairman of the ECA in April 2021, replacing Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli, who stepped down from the role after backing a proposed European Super League.
Speaking to The Athletic’s Adam Crafton, the 48-year-old executive stated his desire for the Champions League final to feel bigger than the Super Bowl.
“I can’t understand how the Super Bowl (can feel) bigger than the Champions League final,” he explained. “The Super Bowl, and the US generally, have this mindset, creativity and entertainment.
“That’s what I have suggested; to have an opening ceremony to the Champions League, to have one match on the opening night where the winners take on a big team — maybe it is not a good idea, but at least let’s challenge the status quo.”
Read more below.
Jacob Whitehead
GO FURTHER
‘The Super Bowl should not feel bigger than the Champions League’ – PSG’s Nasser Al-Khelaifi on how he wants to grow the game
April 4, 2022 at 7:03 AM EDT
News: Manchester United may need two or three transfer windows to match Liverpool and City — Rangnick
Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has said that the club may be able to rival Manchester City and Liverpool after “two or three transfer windows”.
The interim manager was speaking after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Leicester, in which United were outclassed for large spells of the game at Old Trafford.
Rangnick, a former sporting director of RB Leipzig, has outlined United’s need for a rebuild. On joining United, it was revealed that he has a two-year agreement to take up a consultancy role at the club from the end of the season.
Click here for more.
Jacob Whitehead
April 4, 2022 at 6:55 AM EDT
News: Frank wants Eriksen to sign new deal at Brentford: ‘It’s no secret that I want him to continue next season’
Jacob Whitehead
April 4, 2022 at 5:35 AM EDT
Footballers, fashion and how a player’s image is now more important than ever
Football and fashion have not always been easy bedfellows.
It’s not long ago that players were singled out for anything approaching an ostentatious dress sense. “It changed a lot over the years,” former Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers defender Nedum Onuoha tells The Athletic. “At the start of my career, in the early 2000s, there was almost a bully culture. If you came in wearing something people didn’t like, they’d literally cut your clothes up, or hang your shoes somewhere you couldn’t get to them.”
Now, with Jack Grealish set to sign a seven figure contract with Gucci, what is football’s relationship with fashion? James McNicholas reports.
Jacob Whitehead
GO FURTHER
Footballers, fashion and how a player’s image is now more important than ever
April 4, 2022 at 5:15 AM EDT
Manchester City attacker Jack Grealish set to agree major endorsement deal with Gucci
Manchester City attacker Jack Grealish is on the verge of agreeing a major endorsement contract with major fashion house Gucci.
He became the most expensive British footballer of all time last year when he joined Manchester City from Aston Villa for £100 million, a move that saw the midfielder’s profile rocket. He also helped England reach the European Championship final earler that summer.
It has led to an array of new sponsorship opportunities, with the 26-year-old largely avoiding team rivalries to establish himself as an iconic figure during the tournament.
Grealish has often been photographed wearing Gucci items, but these will usually be purchased or gifted to such individuals. Instead, this partnership would make him an official ambassador of the luxury Italian company, which is thought to be pretty much unprecedented for a sportsperson.
Discover more with David Ornstein’s Monday column.
Jacob Whitehead
GO FURTHER
Ornstein: Jack Grealish to sign seven-figure deal with Gucci
April 4, 2022 at 4:57 AM EDT
News: Mbappe insists he has not made a decision on PSG future but notes “new elements”
Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has insisted that he has not made a decision on whether he will leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but noted that there are “new elements” in play.
His comments came after PSG’s 5-1 win over Lorient on Sunday evening, in which Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe all scored in the same game for the first time. Mbappe scored the second and third goals of the match.
Asked about his future by Amazon Prime, Mbappe replied: “I haven’t made a decision but there are new elements.
“If I had made a decision I would have said it, I would have fronted up. I always front up. I don’t have to hide. I want to make the best possible decision. But it’s not an easy decision.”
Read more here.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Jacob Whitehead
April 4, 2022 at 4:36 AM EDT
News: Fans shouting ‘shoot’ is putting off our players — Brighton manager Graham Potter
He was speaking after Brighton’s 0-0 draw with bottom-place Norwich on Saturday, the sixth time that his side have failed to score in their last seven games.
Against Norwich, Brighton had 30 shots, but only four on target. Neal Maupay also missed a first half penalty.
Asked about the discrepancy, Potter replied: “The build-up suggests we’re getting there. Of course, the longer you go, you can hear the crowd, ‘shoot, shoot, shoot’, and that sometimes is a challenge for the players.
“Because sometimes there’s an opportunity to shoot – sometimes it’s a chance for the block and then the transition. And sometimes maybe one more pass gets you in a better position but, if you miss the pass, you should have shot.”
(Photo: Getty Images)
Jacob Whitehead
April 4, 2022 at 4:06 AM EDT
News: Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal announces he is battling prostate cancer
Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has announced he is receiving treatment for prostate cancer.
The 70-year-old, who was in charge of Manchester United between 2014 and 2016, has already said that he will step down from his third spell with the national team after the 2022 World Cup.
He has previously managed Ajax, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich in a sparkling career.
Speaking about the disease on Dutch television programme Humberto on Sunday, Van Gaal said: “I didn’t want to tell it to my players because it could have influenced their performances.
“In each period during my time as manager of the national team I had to leave in the night to go to the hospital without the players finding it out until now. While thinking I was healthy, but… I am not.”
(Photo: Getty Images)
Jacob Whitehead
April 4, 2022 at 3:51 AM EDT
Good morning!
And welcome to another day of football news. The international break has given way to a feast of football, with the Champions League following hot on the heels of the Premier League.
Benfica play Liverpool and Manchester City face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday – stay here for build-up throughout the day. Plus, Arsenal meet Crystal Palace in Monday Night Football this evening.
Jacob Whitehead
April 3, 2022 at 4:55 PM EDT
Howe hopeful on Trippier return
The Newcastle head coach did admit that Trippier wouldn’t be able to step up his recovery process as quickly as anticipated, but there’s still hope the right-back can return this season.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
April 3, 2022 at 4:50 PM EDT
Pedri is money
The Diamond from the Island does it again for Barcelona.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
MAGIC from Pedri! 😱😱
The Sevilla defence left scrambling as the youngster bided his time before smashing Barca in front 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/OfTA56YxI4
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) April 3, 2022
April 3, 2022 at 4:34 PM EDT
PSG are having fun
The Ligue 1 leaders are 4-1 up against Lorient, with Mbappe, Neymar and Messi the scorers.
The sensational Mbappe has two goals and two assists…
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
April 3, 2022 at 4:14 PM EDT
Chelsea are back on top of the WSL
Arsenal threw the gauntlet down with a 5-0 win at Leicester earlier today, but Chelsea responded in kind by beating Reading by the same scoreline this evening to retake the lead at the top of the WSL.
Both sides have four matches left to play.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
April 3, 2022 at 3:46 PM EDT
HT in the Derby d’Italia
Absolute carnage at the end of the first half, as Hakan Calhanoglu misses a controversially awarded penalty… before a lengthy VAR check sees a retake ordered after Matthijs de Ligt encroached – with the referee having blown for a foul by Inter as Juventus scored an own goal.
Cahanoglu went the same way again but this time Wojciech Szczesny could not keep it out, and Inter lead 1-0 at the break.
Just the five yellow cards in the first period, with 10 minutes of added time played…
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
Absolute madness 🤯
Inter awarded a penalty, which Szczesny saves.
The referee rewards a retake and Calhanoglu’s 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 converts on his second try. pic.twitter.com/6GPGOdOXcF
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 3, 2022
