..::Football III::..

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Hiddink denies lack of ambition at Chelsea

Guus Hiddink insists he sees plenty of ambition in his Chelsea side, despite their unadventurous display in the 0-0 draw with Manchester United.

Louis van Gaal's side controlled proceedings at Old Trafford and twice hit the woodwork, while both Thibaut Courtois and David de Gea made crucial saves to keep the scores level.

Chelsea, three points above the relegation zone, deployed Eden Hazard as a false nine in the absence of Diego Costa, Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao and struggled to pose any kind of persistent threat on the United goal.

But Hiddink is adamant his players are full of belief as they seek to turn their dismal season so far around, telling the media: "The players have experienced a very bad half year.

"They have to lift it up and that's what we have talked about in the locker room. Everyone is convinced we couldn't go on the same path and we have shown that in the last three games.

"It's normal to see the character and desire of the players but they have shown a lot ambition in the last three games. That's what we are asking and automatically when everyone is on board hopefully then we can use the quality of the players as well.

"I would have been more worried if there was a lack of confidence or ambition but I don't see that at the moment in this team."

Speaking of his side's display at Old Trafford, he said: "Tactically it was okay, defensively we were well organised.

"We didn't have full power to hurt Man United - as everyone knows we have some problems in the striker position due to suspension and injuries so we had to think how to solve that problem.

"Hazard has done it before and he is capable of doing it because he's a very versatile player.

"I'm pleased because we had some good opportunities in the second half. Man U pressed although they didn't create a lot of chances.

"The two best chances were tremendous saves from the goalies, De Gea and Courtois. So no win but we have to consider the situation where Chelsea were and are."

Hazard complained of a number of fouls during the match and Oscar took a kick from Wayne Rooney in the closing stages, but Hiddink hopes to have both players - as well as Cesc Fabregas, who missed the game through illness - ready for the trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

"Fabregas has a temperature and we will see how he is the day after tomorrow. Oscar is okay and so is Hazard who also got some whacks," he added.

 

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Blanc: PSG are ready to deliver in the Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Laurent Blanc insists his side is finally ready to deliver in the Champions League.

The Ligue 1 big spenders have struggled to make a significant impact in Europe's elite club competition in recent seasons, despite significant investment from their Qatari backers.

Blanc's side have failed to make the semi-finals since the club were taken over in 2011 and must beat Chelsea for a second season in a row if they are to take a step closer to reaching the last four this time around. And the former France national team boss believes his team are well placed to do so.

He said: "A season is judged on every trophy there is to win. In France last year we had a perfect season but quite rightly the expectation for a club of our size is to have a big performance in the Champions League.

"To be good in the Champions League, you have to be good in the league. It's easy to say we need to qualify for the semi-finals, but harder to achieve. I believe my players are ready to reach that goal this year, however."

The runaway league leaders in France are currently enjoying a mid-season break in Doha where they are due to play a friendly against Inter on Wednesday, and Blanc insists it is only natural that a club of PSG's ambition takes part in such promotional activities.

"We realise that PSG has changed dimension," he said. "We are very happy to represent the club but we are here. People are aware of the ambition of PSG at national and European level. But winning the Champions League is not easy."

If PSG are to progress to the latter stages of the Champions League they are likely to do so with the squad that helped them reach the knockout stages as runners-up in Group A to Real Madrid, after Blanc admitted he was unlikely to be busy in the January transfer window.

"I know of some interest in some of my players but there is nobody out of contract in January. There are some who might leave, you know the names. We will discuss with them at that time. The winter transfer window for me is not a good thing and I don't think much will happen."

 

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'Man Utd board could turn on Van Gaal despite new beginning' - Henry

The board at Manchester United could soon turn on Louis van Gaal despite an improved performance against Chelsea, according to Thierry Henry.

The Arsenal legend felt the Red Devils proved in their performance against Guus Hiddink's side that there is a spark in their squad that could reverse their eight-match winless run.

But the former France international is concerned for Van Gaal and is unsure whether improved displays have come too late to save him from the sack in a similar fashion as to how Jose Mourinho lost his job at Chelsea.

"It's another game without winning, that's eight now, and another 0-0 draw at Old Trafford," he told Sky Sports.

"I don't think I would have ever said that in my lifetime. But there was something about them on Monday that maybe sparked something, a new beginning maybe.

"But how much was that down to Chelsea not playing well? They allowed United to be on the ball, there wasn't much pressure, they didn't have a striker, with [Eden] Hazard playing as a false No 9.

"Van Gaal said that he has the board with him. I think they better start to win football games because he will have to deal with a tricky situation, and at one time the board may find themselves dealing with the same situation the Chelsea board had not that long ago."

Henry feels the key reason for United's struggles is Van Gaal being unsure of his best team and has questioned some of the selection decisions made by the veteran Dutch coach.

"Does he know his squad? Does he know who he wants to play? At times they are a bit too rigid, too predictable, it's not the Manchester United I know.

"They were looking for goals and pace, and they got that in Anthony Martial. He scored goals, and then suddenly he's on the left, another day on the right.

"Ashley Young one day is left winger, then right back, then left back. [Marcos] Rojo starts, then suddenly he doesn't start for a month, and then he comes back.

"Daley Blind is the guy, and then suddenly he's not the guy anymore. I think he doesn't know his team, he doesn't trust guys yet."

 

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Real Madrid should stop firing coaches - Baptista

Julio Baptista believes Real Madrid's lack of stability is preventing them from gaining consistent success.The Spanish side have gone through nine coaches in the last 10 years, during which time they have won just three Liga titles and a Champions League crown.

And former Madrid player Baptista feels that the constant upheavel of the coaching staff is severely affecting the capital club, insisting that a lot of their changes are unneccessary.

"At Madrid if in a year you gain nothing, you don't have to change the coach," Baptista told AS."In 2015 under Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid won nothing, but the year before that they won the Champions League.

"Sometimes you have to put things in perspective to see if it is worth making a change."In his two full seasons at the club, Baptista played under three coaches and he feels that such a lack of consistency affects the Madrid players.

And with Rafael Benitez under pressure as the club sit third in the league and just two points off Barcelona at the top, he maintains they must resist making any hasty decisions."Players need stability and changing the coach is no guarantee of success," Baptista said.

"You can hire the best in the world, but there are dynamics and if the players do not understand the coach, it is very difficult to achieve anything in the first year.

"I'm not saying there is a fault, but you have to look at it."Currently without a club since he left Cruzeiro in the close season, the 34-year-old said he was looking to return to Europe but does not have many options.

"I would prefer to return to Europe, I love Spain," he said."But if there are no good choices, I would prefer to play somewhere other than Brazil."

 

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Luis Enrique dismisses Neymar to Real Madrid talk

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has brushed off speculation suggesting that Real Madrid want Neymar to follow in Luis Figo's footsteps by swapping Camp Nou for the Santiago Bernabeu.

Reports in Spain have suggested that Madrid president Florentino Perez is eager to acquire the Brazil captain in a move reminiscent of Figo's controversial switch in 2000.

Neymar's Barca deal runs until 2018 and, with discussions over a renewal ongoing, Luis Enrique has dismissed talk of a transfer.

"Those are just parts of the typical football rumour mill," he told reporters.

Leaders Barcelona return to La Liga action against Real Betis on Wednesday following their Club World Cup victory in Japan earlier this month.

With their domestic, Champions League and Copa del Rey title defences all in good shape, Luis Enrique is buoyed by the condition of his squad ahead of the second half of the season.

"I've always said in these situations, especially after seeing them train yesterday [Monday] and today [Tuesday], that everyone looks fresh and hungry and ambitious," he added.

"I don't think we could be any better. I won't be extremely optimistic but I see them on the right path at the end of the year.

"We'll see if we can convert that into performances on the pitch."

 

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Zouma issues 'apology' to Martial after Chelsea's draw with Manchester United

Kurt Zouma has issued a mock apology to Anthony Martial after he helped stop the striker from finding the net in Manchester United's stalemate with Chelsea on Monday.

Louis van Gaal's side have now gone eight games without a win after the goalless draw at Old Trafford, while Guus Hiddink is still searching for his first win since taking charge of Chelsea after Jose Mourinho's exit.

But Zouma has sent an apology to his fellow Frenchman after stopping the striker from racing through on goal with an excellent tackle in the second half...

 

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Leicester City 0-0 Manchester City: Stalemate gives Arsenal advantage in title race

Leicester City and Manchester City played out a 0-0 draw in the Premier League on Tuesday night, giving Arsenal the upper hand in the title race.

Manuel Pellegrini's men had the better of the first half, but found Kasper Schmeichel in fine form as Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling were denied by the Dane.

Leicester carried a threat of their own, though, and could have gone in ahead had Marc Albrighton been able to hook Christian Fuchs' delivery into the net after Joe Hart had been taken out of the equation.

Jamie Vardy spurned an even better chance when he blazed over the target after being put through one-on-one, while the returning Sergio Aguero was uncharacteristically wayward with an excellent opening early in the second half.

The Argentina striker saw penalty appeals waved away just past the hour, only seconds before he was substituted, and Nicolas Otamendi brought another save from Schmeichel in the next attack.

Ultimately neither side could find a way through, despite having shared 74 top-flight goals between them this season, and Pellegrini's charges remain without a win on the road in the Premier League since September.De Bruyne had a clear sight of goal in the 17th minute, but his side-footed effort from Sterling's cut-back was parried away by Schmeichel.

A sloppy piece of play from Aleksandar Kolarov gifted possession to Riyad Mahrez midway through the half and the in-form forward's curling effort narrowly cleared Hart's crossbar.

Schmeichel was called into action again a minute later when Sterling's precise volley was tipped away from the bottom corner by the 29-year-old, who kept out the same player's long-range strike soon after.

Leicester – whose owners laid on free drinks for the fans to celebrate a fine year – almost delivered the perfect sucker punch with two excellent chances in the dying embers of the half as a stretching Albrighton turned Fuchs' searching cross into the side netting with Hart stranded.

Then Vardy collected a pass from N'Golo Kante, who had capitalised on Fernando's error, but the England striker blasted his shot over.He could have been made to pay within two minutes of the restart, but Aguero – in for Wilfried Bony – skied De Bruyne's low cross from just a couple of yards out.

While the match fell short of the quality you might expect from a top-of-the-table clash, it still had its talking points and Aguero felt he should have had a penalty when Gokhan Inler barged into him, but referee Craig Pawson was unmoved.

Otamendi's downward header was superbly kept out by Schmeichel from the subsequent corner as the visitors continued to push for a first away league win since their triumph at Crystal Palace more than three months ago.

Hart saved from Fuchs and substitute Bony saw his first-time effort blocked in the final 10 minutes as Leicester ended 2015 second to Arsenal on goal difference and three ahead of City.

 

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Van Gaal won't change his way of speaking to the players, admits Manchester United defender

Chris Smalling insists Louis van Gaal has not changed his way of handling players despite increasing pressure over his future at Manchester United.

Van Gaal has now gone eight games without a win following United’s stalemate with Chelsea on Monday evening, while Jose Mourinho continues to be linked as the frontrunner to replace the Dutchman.

Reports have also claimed that several senior players in the United dressing room, including the captain Wayne Rooney, have spoken to Van Gaal about his strict regime, but Smalling believes the 64-year-old is unlikely to change his ways.

“No, he has been himself from day one that we met him to how he is now,” said the England defender.

“He is not going to change and that is why he has had a a lot of success throughout the years. I can't ever see him changing because he's got a track record.

“I think obviously after the game it was difficult for much to be said and then yesterday was literally a case of turning our attentions straight to Chelsea.

“I think we were quite lucky we had another game straight after and that we could put it right.

“We need that win because we want to stick at the top end of the table and when you dominate games like these, you need to win them, but we will take the positives from this and really make sure that next week we get the win.”

 

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Cech names the SIX goalkeepers who have influenced his career

Petr Cech has named the six goalkeepers who have helped him shape his career in football.

The Arsenal goalkeeper now holds the record for the most clean sheets in the Premier League after he surpassed David James’ tally in Monday’s 2-0 victory over Bournemouth.

And Cech has revealed that he has modelled his own game based on the abilities of Oliver Kahn, Santiago Canizares, Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar, Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas.

“When I was a kid I didn’t have one goalkeeper to look up to. I was watching all the game and realised there are so many keepers with something which stands out,” said the 33-year-old.

“Oliver Kahn and his determination, Canizares you could see the concentration and focus on his eyes, Schmeichel and his overall presence.

"And then came Van der Saar who started playing at Ajax as a libero and you had never seen that before.

“People then thought the keeper is not just there to save the ball, you have an extra player. So you try to take the best of all the best keepers around and make a puzzle for yourself.

"You know what will work and how you can improve things.

“Then you had Casillas and Buffon playing when they were really young.

“Iker is only one year older me and you think ‘if he can play for Real Madrid at 18 why can’t I?’

"So you realise it’s not only about age, but how well you train and play. This was my approach to it and I learned from everyone.”

 

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Mourinho's exit has improved the atmosphere, admits Chelsea midfielder

Jon Obi-Mikel has admitted that Jose Mourinho's sacking has brought new life to Chelsea, and is confident the results will soon follow.

Mourinho was dismissed from Stamford Bridge just five months after lifting the Premier League title, following a dreadful start to the domestic season.

And while Chelsea remain rooted in the bottom half of the table going into 2016, Mikel believes the mood in the dressing room has been lifted since Guus Hiddink took over.

"We've moved on from and the atmosphere has improved since the change of manager," Mikel affirmed.

"It's fine now, we've just not been getting results.

"Jose is a fantastic manager and will always be a fantastic guy. But sometimes football is a cruel game and you have to move on.

"He came back to the club a second time and won two trophies, but now he's gone and we have to move on. Is it the right decision? Who knows? We'll only see in the future."

The Nigeria international had struggled for playing time this season, and said that lack of minutes means he struggles to see where things went wrong.

"I've been as confused as everyone else," he confessed.

“It's difficult when you're not playing, as you don't really know what the problems are.

"I wasn't playing that much under Mourinho so couldn't put my finger on what was going wrong. It was a collective thing - the players and the manager were not performing."

 

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Shaqiri: Stoke can finish top four

Stoke City have every chance of finishing in a Champions League spot this season, according to Xherdan Shaqiri.

Mark Hughes' side are ninth in the Premier League having beaten the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton so far this season.

However, losses at home against West Brom, Watford and Crystal Palace, as well as an away defeat to Sunderland, have hurt them in the first half of the season.

However, Shaqiri believes the Potters are capable of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

"You never know with football," the 24-year-old told the Daily Star. "The Premier League this season is so all over the place, some teams are really down and some are really up like Leicester [City]. Anything can happen in this league.

"We must work like this, play good and at the end of the season we will see where we are.

"For us it is important to play as a team, we can win only as a team. If we can keep going like this anything can happen.

"We are beating the big teams but we have to do it against the teams who we are expected to beat too.

"Maybe it is mentality but also the smaller teams are good now, they have new players. Every game is tough in the Premier League."

Stoke play West Brom in the league in the New Year, before a League Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool three days later.

 

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'Superb' Rooney can save Van Gaal - Ferdinand

A free and motivated Wayne Rooney could save Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, according to Rio Ferdinand.

The United captain was benched against Stoke City before returning to the starting line-up for the 0-0 draw against Chelsea on Monday.Rooney's display impressed former team-mate Ferdinand, who believes the 30-year-old England international could turn United's season around.

"Wayne will have been hurt and desperate to prove a point," Ferdinand wrote in a column for The Sun."He didn't score and was lucky not to be sent off for a nasty tackle on Oscar. But other than that, his all-round game was superb."So, one of two things must have happened.

"Van Gaal may have taken the shackles off and allowed Rooney to go out and express himself.

"Either that or Wayne has thought, 'Sod it, I’ll play how I want to play'. Whatever it was, it worked."Ferdinand said he saw a change in United thanks to Rooney's impact, despite Van Gaal's men seeing their winless run stretch to eight games.

The 37-year-old, a six-time Premier League winner with the club, said Rooney provided a much-needed option for United in attack."Rooney played with freedom against Chelsea and you could see how the team grew in confidence as a result," Ferdinand wrote.

"He was coming off the centre-back to help link the play or spin round and mount an attack. Then he was drifting out to collect and hit those fantastic diagonal balls and, most importantly, he was getting in the box as well."Every time United had the ball, Rooney was finding space to make himself available.

"And, crucially, his team-mates were giving it to him with a forward pass hit at pace."

 

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Hart: Man City are underachieving in the league

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart believes his side are not where they should be in the Premier League title race this season after a frustrating draw at Leicester City on Tuesday night.

The England international left King Power Stadium disappointed after City played out a 0-0 draw with the league's joint-top side, missing the chance to over-take them into second place.

And the 28-year-old admits the club should be higher than their third-place position.

He told the club's official website: "We’re not where we should be right now in the table, but we’re right in the mix without really playing that well.

"We started the season strongly but we’ve not been great over the last 12 games or so but we’re in a good position and the two teams above us deserve to be there.

"Without doubt, to push on, we need to win – win all our home games and be damned hard to beat in our away games as well. We need to take victories where we can and enjoy it with our fans."

City goalkeeper Hart was happy to keep a clean sheet in a battle between the two highest scorers in the league this season, but believes his side should have beaten Leicester.

"It’s a game we could and should have won but we didn’t," he said.

"Kasper Schmeichel did well and made a few good saves but we maybe should have done better with the chances we had."

 

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Smalling: We are playing for our own futures

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has hit back at reports suggesting he and his team-mates are not playing for manager Louis van Gaal.Van Gaal has endured a difficult second season at United, with the club sitting five points off the top four at the midway point of the 2015-16 Premier League campaign.

United have lost five times in the league, and were knocked out in the Champions League group stages last month.

Smalling, who has played 90 minutes or more in all but two of United's 29 games this season, insists the players are behind Van Gaal, but also said there is more than just the manager's job on the line."If anything we are all playing for our own futures as well," the 26-year-old said. "To say we're not playing for the manager is silly."

The England international also believes Van Gaal should not change his approach just because of their poor results."He has been himself from day one that we met him to how he is now," Smalling added.

"He is not going to change and that is why he has had a lot of success throughout the years. I can't ever see him changing because he's got a track record."

 

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Verratti wants Ancelotti reunion

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti wants to work with future Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti again.

The Italy international previously played for Ancelotti during the 56-year-old's spell in charge of PSG, and hopes to be reunited with his countryman - who will take over from Pep Guardiola at Bayern ahead of next season - at some point, either at club level or with Italy."I would love to play under Carlo again one day," Verratti said at a news conference.

"Maybe we will be reunited with the national team. He would be a great coach for Italy."All the players have fond memories of Carlo. He teaches you a lot and is a very warm person."

Verratti is in no rush to leave his current club, though."I am very happy at PSG," he added."It has been four years since I joined PSG and I know that I made the right choice."

 

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Klopp: English weather hurts my footballing philosophy

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has had to adapt his style of football due to the windy English weather.

Klopp has had a mixed start to life at Anfield after taking charge in October - but he believes the conditions have played a part.

"The English game is not faster than the German game. Perhaps there are a few more sprints. But there is a different style of football here, partially due to the weather," Klopp told Sport Bild.

"The wind can be quite extreme in England. We are not familiar with that in Germany and you have to keep things simple. Stoke City's first goal against Manchester United was a perfect example of the extreme winds. Players who are not from the UK have to get used to the winds.

"I have to adapt my style of football as a result as well. Often, you are forced to keep things simple. And there are a lot more duels for the second ball here, and more duels in general. That makes the game even more intense."

Klopp has also noticed a difference in refereeing in the Premier League compared to the Bundesliga."English referees are not like their German colleagues," he added.

"Of course, you will not get away with brutal fouls, but the duels are more intense here."Duels that would have resulted in a foul in Germany are often okay here."

 

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Wenger promises 'busy' transfer window... but no medical for Elneny yet

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal will be looking to add to their squad in January, but the signing of Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny is not a done deal yet.A number of reports have suggested the Egypt international has already undergone a medical with the Gunners and is set to complete his transfer in the coming days.

However, Wenger says fans will have to wait a little longer for the club to wrap up their first outfield signing in almost a year, though has promised to be be very active in the winter window.

"Elneny undergoing a medical? You know more than me," he told a news conference. "We cannot announce any transfers at the moment. Nothing has been concluded."But I will be busy, that is for sure. I have already said before that we are a bit short in numbers."

Former Villarreal centre-back Gabriel, who scored his first goal in European football on Monday night, is the last outfielder Arsenal have recruited, with only Petr Cech brought in over the summer.

The Czech international, though, has proved a valuable acquisition in the first half of 2015-16 and Wenger lavished yet more praise on the 33-year-old after he broke the Premier League clean sheet record in the win over Bournemouth."I have already said many times that goalkeeper is maybe the most underrated position in football," Wenger said. "When you look at Petr's record, he's absolutely fantastic.

"I must say I'm surprised how quickly he integrated into our team. He looks like he's always been here with us and he became important inside the team."

 

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Wenger admits Debuchy could leave Arsenal in January

Arsene Wenger has admitted that Mathieu Debuchy could be allowed to leave Arsenal during the January transfer window.

The 30-year-old was signed as a replacement for Bacary Sagna last season but his Gunners career has been hindered by two serious injuries and the emergence of Spain Under-21 international Hector Bellerin.

Debuchy, who has made just eight appearances in all competitions this season and none in the Premier League since the start of November, recently admitted he would consider leaving in January to enhance his chances of making France's Euro 2016 squad.

On the possibility of Debuchy leaving next month, Wenger said: "It is not impossible that he leaves. We will see."

The former Newcastle and Lille player was France's first choice right-back at the 2014 World Cup but has not represented his country since September with Sagna and Lucas Digne providing stiff competition for places in Didier Deschamps's squad.

 

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Klopp: Henderson can play through pain

It is up to Jordan Henderson whether he wants to face his former club Sunderland on Wednesday, according to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.Henderson has been slowly regaining match fitness after a foot injury kept him out of action for over three months.

The Liverpool skipper made his return in the side's 1-0 win over Swansea City at the end of November, and has played 90 minutes in each of their last three Premier League fixtures.However, Henderson is still feeling soreness from a troublesome heel injury, and Klopp is wary of playing him regularly throughout a busy schedule.

"We always talk and always speak to Hendo and it’s up to him. Together we will decide," Klopp said.

"I know he is a player where pain up to seven - no problem."But we have to work together with Andy [Massey, doctor] and Chris [Morgan, physio].

"We try to give him time but he’s also a player who needs rhythm."While everything is OK we say, 'Yes, it's OK' and I think we should give him time to play.

"How much we shall see but we are very interested in having him in the team but it's not a problem to change some positions for some games."Following their trip to Sunderland, Liverpool take on West Ham three days later.

 

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Every club would love to have Lukaku, says Martinez

Every club "would love to have a Romelu Lukaku in their squad", according to Everton boss Roberto Martinez.

Lukaku has scored 11 goals in his last 10 appearances in all competitions and has fully justified Martinez's decision to spend a club-record £28million to sign him from Chelsea in July 2014.

The Belgium international has voiced a desire to play in the Champions League - an ambition he may struggle to achieve at Goodison Park.

But Martinez played a straight bat to questions on Lukaku's future ahead of the January transfer window.

He told a media conference on Wednesday: "Over the calendar year we can see he is in a really mature stage of his career.

"If you look at the way he works for the team, he has taken his game to the next level with the way he holds the ball up and brings other players into the game.

"He doesn't want to stand still. For such a young boy to have such a high level of consistent performance is important to us.

"We're under no illusions that everyone would love to have a Romelu Lukaku in their squad and that's why we made such a big investment in him."

The future of Lukaku's fellow forward Steven Naismith is less clear, however, with reports Norwich City have revived their interest in the Scotland international.

Martinez added: "We all know there was one Premier League club showing interest in Steven in the previous window, that's an open secret. There's nothing to comment on [now].

"During January we know how we need to need to move forward. We need to make sure we go through the window in the best possible way."