..::Football III::..

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Torres slams Uefa after red card against Barcelona

Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres says hit out at Uefa after being sent off against Barcelona, suggesting referee Felix Brych was not ready for such a big game.

Torres was given his marching orders after picking up two yellow cards in the first half at Camp Nou, with defending champions Barca eventually emerging 2-1 victors against 10 men.

The former Liverpool striker took responsibility for his side's defeat but accused Uefa of being more interested in potential kit clashes - with both sides wearing their away strip on the night - than competent refereeing.

"It's a shame that UEFA are so preoccupied with changing our kits and putting a referee that has failed to be at the level of a Champions League quarter-final," Torres told reporters after the match.

 

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UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals 1st Leg Fixtures 2016.04.06

UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals 1st Leg Fixtures 2016.04.06

PSG Vs Manchester City

Wolfsburg Vs Real Madrid

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Smalling: Blind deserves more credit - he keeps United ticking

Daley Blind is a "joy to play alongside" and deserves more credit than he receives, according to Manchester United team-mate Chris Smalling.

Blind was one of Louis van Gaal's first signings at United, joining from Ajax after playing a key role for Netherlands as they finished third at the 2014 World Cup.
Blind has showcased his impressive versatility, filling key roles in midfield and defence as he slotted in alongside Smalling in the heart of the back line this season to help maintain the Premier League's second-best defensive record.

His strong performance against Everton in which he nullified star striker Romelu Lukaku has drawn particular praise, but Smalling says he has always been a top performer.

"I think he deserves more plaudits and I think he will get them if he carries on playing the way he is playing," he told the Manchester Evening News."Everyone is sitting up and taking note that Daley is one of the mainstays of this team and he is keeping us ticking.

"He is a joy to play alongside. It is a good partnership. We know we can rely on each other."When there is a situation you don't have to over cover because you don't trust your partner.

"We trust each other fully and we bring out the best in each other as the games have gone on and the more games we have played together.

"It is great knowing that obviously as he is naturally a midfielder he has that passing range and ability down to a tee and defensively he is very sound as well. He brings a lot to our defensive line in being able to play the ball out and cut through teams."
Smalling said Blind's fitness was particularly impressive, given injuries to Phil Jones, Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo to limit United's defensive options.

"Ever since Daley joined the club he has rarely been injured. He has been able to bang out the games and have a very high consistency," said Smalling."By each performance he is putting any critics out there to bed. He has been one of the top centre-backs this year."

 

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Blind ge contribution 1ka godak watinawa​

 

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Marcelo: I celebrate every win like a title

Real Madrid defender Marcelo has hit back at Gerard Pique after the Barcelona man took a swipe at their rivals' celebrations following Saturday's Clasico win.

Madrid came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory at Camp Nou - their first at Barca's home ground in La Liga in almost four years.

The win closed Madrid's deficit to La Liga leaders Barca to seven points, sparking some wild celebrations in the dressing room.Pique said Madrid now celebrate wins instead of titles, prompting a response from Brazil international Marcelo.

"Everyone has their own opinion and you have to respect that," the 27-year-old said."I celebrate every win like a title because to play and win is very hard."I celebrate all of the victories."

 

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Luis Enrique: Suarez looks half-Catalan!

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique tentatively branded Luis Suarez an honorary Catalan after the striker's vital double in the 2-1 Champions League win against Atletico Madrid.

The holders fell behind to a Fernando Torres strike in the all-La Liga quarter-final first leg at Camp Nou, but the goalscorer then saw red after picking up two bookings in quick succession to hand Barcelona the initiative.

Suarez might also have been sent off for kicking out at Juanfran but escaped censure and went on to score twice inside 12 minutes in the second-half to turn the tie around ahead of next week's return clash at the Vicente Calderon.The Uruguay international has 45 goals in as many club matches this season and Luis Enrique feels he has fully embraced the local spirit and mentality.

"He has settled extraordinarily at Barcelona," he said of Suarez, who moved to Camp Nou from Liverpool after the 2014 World Cup.

"He looks, not Catalan because Uruguayans could kill us, but he looks half-Catalan!"What Luis Suarez does for us, not just his goals, but his work and character, is why we decided to sign him."

It was another display from Barcelona which lacked their customary fluency, on the back of Saturday's Clasico defeat to bitter rivals Real Madrid.Star man Lionel Messi is in the unusual position of being without a goal for three club matches but his boss is unconcerned.

"I've seen Leo be very participative, not just on Tuesday but also in El Clasico,” he said."Our challenge is very difficult and playing football is very complex.

"Despite having top quality players you can go through difficult periods like this and we shouldn’t become crazy or be too worried."There is not going to be an easy game against Atletico Madrid. None of us expects it to be."

 

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Firmino in Liverpool squad for Dortmund clash

Roberto Firmino has travelled with the Liverpool squad for their Europa League clash against Borussia Dortmund on Thursday.

The Brazil international missed Saturday's draw with Tottenham due to a hamstring injury and had been rated as a doubt for the first leg of the quarter-final clash against Thomas Tuchel's side.

However, Firmino has made the trip over to Germany with his team-mates which is a huge boost for the Reds ahead of the encounter at Signal Iduna Park.

Jurgen Klopp comes up against his former paymasters for the first time as Liverpool lock horns with Dortmund, with both sides in good form of late.

The Merseysiders have lost just one of their last six games in all competitions prior to facing Tuchel's outfit, who themselves haven't been beaten since December as they chase a lucrative treble.

Liverpool squad for Dortmund clash: Mignolet, Ward, Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Sakho, Skrtel, Moreno, Smith, Henderson, Can, Allen, Milner, Ibe, Ojo, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino, Origi, Sturridge.

 

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Ter Stegen: There is no Man City agreement

Marc-Andre ter Stegen has denied he has agreed to leave Barcelona for Manchester City at the end of the season.

The Germany international encouraged speculation over his future last month when he admitted he will seek talks with the Camp Nou hierarchy after growing frustrated with a lack of Liga exposure under boss Luis Enrique.

Reports in England last week claimed Ter Stegen was on the verge of sealing a move to City, with incoming boss Pep Guardiola having identified him as a priority target.

However, the 23-year-old has refuted the rumours and says his future will become clear once the season has come to a close.

"It's best not to talk about my future at this moment, it's better to do nothing until the end of the season. We'll wait until the summer," he told Onda Cero."Barcelona is an incredible team, but we'll see how things go. Although it's not true that I'm going to City."

Ter Stegen played in Barca's 2-1 Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, in which Fernando Torres opened the scoring before being sent off for two yellow cards in the first half.

Filipe Luis accused the officials of protecting Barca after the match, while Diego Simeone refused to risk voicing his true opinion on the red card, but Ter Stegen felt referee Felix Brych was correct."For me it was a correct dismissal," he said. "It was the decision of the referee, who I think did very well."

 

[Ashman]

BUMP

 

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Martial: Schneiderlin and Fellaini my best friends at Man Utd

Anthony Martial has revealed that his best friends at Manchester United are Morgan Schneiderlin and Marouane Fellaini, and says his English is improving all the time.

The Frenchman completed a shock £36 million move to Old Trafford from Monaco in the summer, arriving as a largely unknown talent, but he has made a significant impact in Manchester.

Martial has scored 14 goals in all competitions - including a superb strike on his debut against Liverpool - and says that he has made a number of friendships at the club in the past seven months.

“[Morgan] Schneiderlin and Fellaini,” Martial told France Football, when asked who were his best friends at United. “At first, I took English lessons, but because we played every three days, I stopped. It’s fine, though, I’m getting better and better at it, hearing it and speaking it all the time.

“The manager doesn’t really have an accent, so I understand him, more than the English players! I also get along well with Memphis and [Adnan] Januzaj. They’re good guys.”

The 20-year-old has also praised the performances of Marcus Rashford, the 18-year-old who has scored five goals for the senior team in eight appearances in all competitions.

“There’s good young players at Manchester. Marcus has benefitted from the injuries of other players to get some game time. The manager gave him a chance, and he took it," he added.

“He’s played really well, and already has five goals. I’m happy for him. When I played as a nine, sometimes I didn’t score. I hope Marcus will continue to score and help us win.”

 

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Martial: The most important moment of my career

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has cited his debut goal against Liverpool as the most important moment of his footballing career.

The French forward made the switch from Monaco to Old Trafford in a £36 million deal in the summer of 2015 and became an instant hit with the Red Devils faithful after finding the net in his first appearance."It's my most intense [memory]," Martial told France Football.

"It was my first appearance in front of the [English] public and people didn't know me."I felt a lot of emotion when I scored – it's probably the most important moment of my career."

Originally a questionable signing due to the possibility of Monaco's fee rising to £58m, Martial has retained his place in the hearts of the United fans due to good form and - most recently - netting the side's 1000th Premier League goal at Old Trafford.

 

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Alexis blames injury fears for faltering form

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez admits that the fear of picking up another injury is the reason for his hit-and-miss form this season.

The Chile international spent two months on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury in November's 1-1 draw at Norwich City.

Sanchez scored 16 Premier League goals in his debut campaign at Arsenal last season, but has just eight to his name this term.

His strike in the 4-0 win over Watford on Saturday was his first league goal at Emirates Stadium since October and only his third goal in all competitions since returning to action in January, and the former Barcelona star concedes that his concerns over another spell on the sidelines are continuing to play on his mind.

"Before my injury I was 100 per cent fit. I was feeling well," he told Premier League World. "After the injury I wanted to get back but it was hard.

"I had a setback and when I played a match, I was scared I would get injured again because the thing I like most in the world is playing football and when I can't play, I feel sad."

The Gunners face a huge battle to avoid a trophy-less season as they sit 11 points behind league leaders Leicester City, but Sanchez still harbours hopes of adding to his one FA Cup medal in north London.

"I think I have adapted well to the club but I am never satisfied with what I do. I want to win the Premier League, the Champions League. I always want to win everything," he added.

"Football is my passion, my life and I always want to win.

"If I lose, I always go home sad, I can't sleep and that upsets me. When I win, my team-mates are happy and enjoy their families the next day. Football is my life."

 

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Ranieri wins Italian Coach of the Year Award

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has won the 2016 National Enzo Bearzot Award, a prize given to the Italian coach of the year.

Established in 2011, a jury composed of representatives from several Italian sports newspapers each vote for the best performing candidate.The trophy - named after Italy's triumphant 1982 World Cup winning coach - is then granted to the top ranked Italian coach.

Ranieri has enjoyed an extraordinary past 12 months, inspiring the Foxes' upturn in domestic fortunes at the King Power Stadium.

Under the 64-year-old's tutelage, the East Midlands club have gone from relegation survivors to Premier League title favourites with just six games yet to play.

Officials from the award also gave special mention to Cesare Maldini, after the former Italy national team coach and AC Milan legend died at the age of 84 on Sunday.

Past winners of the prize include Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri, former Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti and ex-Italy national team boss Cesare Prandelli.

 

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Dortmund not affected by Klopp return - Castro

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Gonzalo Castro claims his team-mates have not spoken much about Jurgen Klopp's return to Signal Iduna Park with Liverpool.

Dortmund host the Premier League side and their former boss on Thursday in what is set to be an emotionally charged first leg of the Europa League quarter-final tie.
Klopp enjoyed phenomenal success at Dortmund, crowned by back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

But Castro joined the club from Bayer Leverkusen at the end the 48-year-old's reign as coach in May last year and appears to be benefiting from the distance that grants him."We're not affected by the return of Klopp. We haven't really talked about it," he told a pre-match news conference.

"We need to perform well and forget about Klopp for the moment."We need to prove we're the better side and produce a similar type of performance to the one we produced against Tottenham [in the last 16] over two legs."

Klopp's high-pressing, intense style of play became world-renowned at Dortmund, although Castro points out this means his team-mates know exactly what to expect from Liverpool."We know Klopp. Liverpool are going to press and try to prevent us having possession, but we'll play our own game," he added.

"I don't think it's the first time players have come up against a former manager."We're taking it seriously so it doesn't matter what our opponents do – it's down to us to perform."

 

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Lewandowski in no rush to resolve Bayern future

Robert Lewandowski is in no rush to resolve his Bayern Munich future amid speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

The Poland international has a contract with Bayern until 2019 and his agent recently revealed they have already opened talks over a new and improved deal.
However, Lewandowski's representative has also claimed interest from Madrid as the 27-year-old's future at the Allianz Arena remains unclear.

The former Borussia Dortmund star remains unperturbed by all the speculation about his future, though, and is focused on winning silverware this campaign."I do not have a specific plan for my future," Lewandowski told Sky Sport News. "I do not have a career path set out or a plan where I want to play next.

"I am feeling very good at Bayern and my future is not really an issue right now. I do not feel any pressure [that other clubs are keeping tabs on me].

"I do not have to think about what to do next, but I have to stay calm. Winning titles with Bayern is my top priority now. I just want to help the team and I am giving my all."Lewandowski has netted 36 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions for Bayern in 2015-16.

 

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Ranieri: Vardy is a fantastic horse

Claudio Ranieri has described Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy as "a fantastic horse" who serves as an inspiration to his team-mates.

Vardy, who has struck 19 goals so far this season, has been heralded as one of the driving forces behind Leicester's stunning Premier League title push which has seen them open up a seven-point gap at the top of the table with six games to play.

Ranieri, who proclaimed himself "the sausageman" earlier this term after learning of a local butcher who had designed some produce in his honour, has employed another irreverent turn of phrase to describe his star striker's impact upon Leicester's campaign.

"Jamie Vardy, for example. This is not a footballer. This is a fantastic horse," he said on US website The Players' Tribune. "He has a need to be free out there on the pitch.

"I say to him, 'You are free to move however you want, but you must help us when we lose the ball. That's all I ask of you. If you start to press the opposition, all of your team-mates will follow you'."

Ranieri, who revealed he was told at the start of the season that the club's target was simply to avoid relegation, has not been surprised by the form of Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N'Golo Kante given the early impressions he was given in training.

Indeed, he has described Kante - who has earned a place in the senior France team for his performances - as having "a pack full of batteries" driving his displays.

"When I arrived for my first day of training and I saw the quality of these players, I knew how good they could be," he said.

"This player Kante, he was running so hard that I thought he must have a pack full of batteries hidden in his shorts. He never stopped running in training.

"I had to tell him, 'Hey, N'Golo, slow down. Slow down. Don't run after the ball every time, okay?'"He says to me, 'Yes, boss. Yes. Okay.' Ten seconds later, I look over and he's running again."

 

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Klopp: Dortmund started by beating favourites, so must Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp issued a reminder that his successful Borussia Dortmund spell started with his former club toppling favourites as he encouraged Liverpool to do the same against them in the Europa League quarter-finals.

The Reds boss returned to the Westfalenstadion for the first time after ending a seven-year tenure with the club last May, and was speaking ahead of the first-leg tie on Thursday night.

With Dortmund odds on to progress at Liverpool’s expense, Klopp was quick to point out that the advancement of his old side was built on being a nuisance for stronger opposition.

“If there’s one little advantage for us then everybody here knows that the way Borussia Dortmund started a few years ago was by beating favourites,” he said.“It’s not important to sit here and know about who is the better team or something like this; it’s football so a lot of things can happen, especially in this stadium.

“We have to really do our best and we have to play top, top, top level football.
“Only then we have a chance. But if we are good, as good as we can be, then it’s a tight match and that’s what we want to have.”

Klopp admitted that ousting Thomas Tuchel’s side over two legs would make Liverpool one of the teams to beat in the tournament, however that is inconsequential to him in this round.

“I don’t think we are favourites to win the title in this moment,” he said. “But if we beat Borussia Dortmund then we have won against the strongest team in the competition and maybe we become something like the favourites.

“But it depends who the other teams still in the competition are. I don’t think in these categories, it’s not important for tomorrow.

“We had a lot of good moments in our season but we didn’t get all the benefit from it, especially in the table. We had a few really good moments and if we have a good moment tomorrow night, then it’s a real challenge for both teams.

“If we are not good tomorrow then it will be easy for Borussia Dortmund. But why should I think about this? And why should I think about the next round? We have the highest mountain to climb – Borussia Dortmund.

“But it’s possible, it’s absolutely possible and that’s all we need. So let’s play football and talk about it afterwards. It’s a real challenge, hopefully for both sides.”

 

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PSG 2-2 Manchester City: Fernandinho bags vital equaliser to save Fernando's blushes

Manchester City scored two crucial away goals in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain but were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw in a hectic contest at the Parc des Prices on Wednesday.

After Joe Hart saved Zlatan Ibrahimovic's early penalty, the visitors struck first at the Parc des Princes when Kevin De Bruyne finished off a quick counter-attack, thrashing a shot beyond PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp to register his 14th goal of the season.

However, a shocking error from Fernando gifted Ibrahimovic an equaliser, the Swede's attempt to block a pass ending up in the net to make amends for his earlier profligacy.

Adrien Rabiot put PSG ahead when tapping home from close range after the hour, but Fernandinho made the most of a lucky break inside the box to grab Manuel Pellegrini's men what could be a crucial draw in the French capital.

With two away goals, Manchester City - playing in the last eight for the first time in their history - hold the upper hand ahead of the second leg, particularly as yellow cards for Blaise Matuidi and David Luiz mean the duo are suspended for the return fixture in England.Both PSG players were involved in two penalty appeals in an action-packed first half.

While Matuidi's fall inside the area after colliding with France team-mate Eliaquim Mangala was ruled as accidental by referee Milorad Mazic, Luiz was awarded a spot kick after enticing an ill-judged challenge from Bacary Sagna.However, Ibrahimovic's attempt was was kept out by Hart, who dived low to his right to turn the ball aside for a corner.

The Swede also fluffed his lines when again facing up to Hart - back in action after suffering a calf injury in the Manchester derby on March 20 - in the 24th minute, sending a curling effort over the top when put clean through by Rabiot.

However, City were far more clinical on the counter in the 38th minute. Fernando robbed possession from Rabiot in the centre circle, allowing Fernandinho to set up De Bruyne for the opening goal.

But, having done so well for his side's goal, Fernando gifted PSG an equaliser three minutes later. Dealing with a goal-kick, the midfielder's casual attempt to play a square pass on the edge of his own area was blocked into the open net by Ibrahimovic, with Hart in no position to make a save.

The England goalkeeper was in the right place to keep out a flicked header from Edinson Cavani in the second half - only for the rebound to break perfectly for Rabiot to tap into the net in the 59th minute.

City needed the woodwork to keep out a looping headed effort from Ibrahimovic before not one but two lucky breaks at the other end led to their equaliser.

A low cross from Sagna was touched by a stretching Serge Aurier - playing his first game since being punished for insulting manager Laurent Blanc and a number of team-mates on Periscope in February - onto Thiago Silva, with the deflections setting up Fernandinho to scuff home an equaliser.

There were to be no more goals in an enthralling encounter, with City heading into next week's return at the Etihad Stadium holding the advantage.

 

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Wolfsburg 2-0 Real Madrid: Zidane's men shocked by battling hosts

Real Madrid's hopes of taking the Champions League crown were dealt a blow thanks to exceptional Wolfsburg, who downed the Spanish giants 2-0 to take a commanding lead in the quarter-final tie.

Ricardo Rodriguez found the net from the penalty spot after Casemiro was adjudged to have fouled Andre Schurrle inside the area, before Arnold added a second midway through the opening half of the quarter-final first-leg tie at the Volkswagen Arena.

Madrid created a number of chances to pull one back, with Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo all threatening, but they were unable to beat goalkeeper Diego Benaglio for an important away goal.

Wolfsburg could even have made it three as they caused the visitors all kinds of trouble with their quick counter-attacks, but Schurrle failed to get his shot on target.

Madrid now face a tough task to turn things around when both sides meet again at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, after a disappointing display coming four days after their Clasico triumph at the home of fierce rivals Barcelona.

Ronaldo - who netted the winner at Camp Nou on Saturday - rightly had a goal disallowed for offside after only two minutes here, having found the net after a clever throughball from Benzema.

Benzema himself could have opened the scoring after turning Dante inside out in the Wolfsburg area, but Benaglio's trailing leg successfully kept out the Frenchman's low shot, with Bale blasting the rebound wide.

Rodriguez then earned Wolfsburg the lead in the 18th minute, coolly converting a penalty after Casemiro felled Schurrle as Madrid went a goal down for the first time during this Champions League campaign.

The opener served as a huge boost for Wolfsburg and Arnold doubled his side's lead just seven minutes later. Bruno Henrique sent in a low cross from the right and the Germany international beat Sergio Ramos to the ball before tapping home from close range. Madrid created a number of chances to pull one back before half-time, with Benzema, Toni Kroos and Bale all going close.

Zinedine Zidane's men were then dealt another blow when Benzema was forced to leave the pitch due to injury shortly before the break, with Jese Rodriguez taking his place in attack.

Ronaldo looked to lead his team early in the second half, trying his luck from outside the box on two occasions, before heading over the bar after a fine cross from Bale.

Schurrle could have piled even more misery on the Bernabeu side halfway through the second period after a quick break, only to wildly fire over the bar from 10 yards out.Benaglio again showed his class with 20 minutes left on the clock as he denied Ronaldo with a fine save after the Portugal star had been set up by substitute Isco.

Madrid pushed hard for an away goal in the closing stages of the game, but Wolfsburg held out for a famous victory, as Dieter Hecking's men stunned the 10-time champions and took a significant step towards the last four.

 

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Milner: Liverpool can beat anyone

James Milner believes Liverpool can beat any one when they are on top of their game as they prepare for the first-leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie with Borussia Dortmund on Thursday.

Liverpool saw off Manchester United 3-1 on aggregate to reach the final eight, and come into the tie on the back of a hard-earned draw with Tottenham in the Premier League.

Milner is eagerly anticipating the clash with Dortmund as Jurgen Klopp returns to Signal Iduna Park for the first time since leaving the Bundesliga club in June 2015 – having won two titles in seven years.

"It's two top teams with great European history. This tie wouldn't look out of place in the Champions League," Milner told a news conference.

"The Europa League is a great competition to be in and another chance of silverware. We know we can beat anyone on our day.

"They have a lot of good individuals, but we have prepared well. We will need to be on top of our game.

"I don't think we have to score but an away goal is always important. A scoreless draw would be a good result as well. But we're going out to win the game on the night. We will be positive."All the attention on Klopp makes it very easy for us, we can just focus on the football."