..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Guardiola confident over new Aguero contract

Pep Guardiola believes Sergio Aguero will sign a contract extension at Manchester City, although he was keen to stress he does not know too much about the situation.

Goal understands that Aguero has already penned a new deal which will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2020.

Official FIFA records show the Argentine's agent was paid for his services as far back as January, and it is believed that the extension agreement has long been in place.The club are yet to make an official announcement regarding the situation, and Guardiola himself admits he is in the dark.

"I don’t know if I am the right person to talk about that," he said. "I think he’s going to extend the contract but it’s not official.

"I’m not the right person, I don’t know if it definitely will happen, that’s all. Simon [City's press officer], maybe you know better than me."Either way, Guardiola says he will be delighted if and when Aguero's new contract is announced.

"I think he’s a good player, no?," he asked rhetorically. "I think these players you wait to stay, they still have the patience to play in this club. We cannot discuss his quality. If he stays I will be so so happy."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba should stop trying to act like Messi - Scholes

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has told Paul Pogba to keep things simple instead of trying to replicate Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

The France international has endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford following his world-record move from Juventus and has received his fair share of criticism in recent weeks.

Scholes believes Pogba is trying too hard to make the difference and has advised the midfielder to focus on the parts of his game that made him stand out in Serie A."Pogba seems to be a little all over the place at times. I think he's trying to do too much on the ball," Scholes told BT Sport following United's 1-0 loss against Feyenoord in the Europa League.

"He's trying to beat three or four players. He's running with the ball. He should keep it simple for now. That’s not the player Manchester United bought. They didn't buy a Messi to go and beat five players and stick it in the top corner all the time. They bought a powerful, strong midfield player who can take the ball.

"He's got skill, he can pass it forward, he can run. If he just plays one-two touch, sticks the ball into Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] and runs, nobody can live with that. He's got so much pace, so much power."Scholes believes playing alongside the calming presence of Michael Carrick could benefit Pogba.

He added: "I think he [Pogba] needs, as he's shown at Juventus, a controlling midfielder next to him and I think Michael's got that controlled ability on the ball."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Simeone confirms Atletico contract cut by two years

Diego Simeone has confirmed his contract with Atletico Madrid now runs until June 2018 rather than 2020.

The coach signed a new deal with Atletico in March 2015, but both sides have now agreed on a two-year reduction to those terms.

The Argentine has been linked with top club and international positions in recent seasons, having guided Atleti to La Liga glory against the odds in 2013-14, as well as two Champions League finals.

"It is correct," Simeone told a news conference when asked to confirm the amended terms. "We have spoken with each other and have done what is best for the team and the club. We have made this decision together.

"This does not change anything, though. The situation remains the same. We are all calm. Things are fine and I am happy where I am. This does not affect a potential renewal [after 2018].

"The talk about my future does not bother me. It is only normal. But the reason I am here is because I want to be here. The only thing that drives me is my connection with this club. I follow my heart."

Simeone, 46, took charge of Atletico in December 2011 and has since won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa de Espana, the Europa League and the UEFA Supercup.

He is expected to lead the team in their transition to a new stadium when they leave the Vicente Calderon at the end of the campaign.Atleti are at home to Sporting Gijon in La Liga on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hart: I'm at Torino to improve

Joe Hart is excited by the opportunity to test his skills in Serie A with Torino and is already working on acclimatising to a new league.

The 29-year-old completed his loan move from Manchester City last month to become the first English goalkeeper to play in Italy's top flight for 86 years.

Hart made a mistake on his debut as Torino fell to a 2-1 loss against Atalanta on Sunday, but remains optimistic he can adapt to the fresh challenge of playing in Serie A, with Italian lessons already under way."There are differences with the Premier League and I'm working hard to integrate with the squad," he said at his introductory press conference.

"I was happy at Manchester City for 10 years and now I'm here. It's normal for a player to change and I'm grateful to Torino for giving me the experience to test myself in Serie A.

"Since I was young I have always watched matches from the Italian league. I already knew the history of Torino and of the Superga tragedy."I know Juventus are here too, but I'm glad to be Granata - Toro's history is unique.

"I'm learning Italian. I'm very happy to be here and I'm learning the words that a goalkeeper needs. I have a good Italian teacher who helps me to learn Italian and communicate with everyone. I will be able to do it."City gave me so many opportunities, but I'm at Torino to improve. City gave me the opportunity to choose and I did that, now I will work to do well in Serie A.

"I'm glad to be here and I don't know why there have been so few English goalkeepers in Italy. I'm here and it's a great opportunity for my career.

"There are big differences with England - the food is good, it's healthier and I'm glad to be here."Despite his debut error, Hart revealed he is already developing a bond with head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.

He added: "My mistake? They can happen. The coach has received me well and I'm working hard to improve day-by-day. I'm still only 29 and I have an open mind to learn more.

"I will give everything until the end of the season. I'm training and starting to understand what Mihajlovic wants. My mentality and Toro's are the same."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

We nearly cried at Champions League anthem - Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino refused to blame playing at Wembley for Tottenham's Champions League defeat to Monaco, revealing the atmosphere of being back in the tournament nearly made him cry.

Tottenham are playing their European matches at Wembley this season as White Hart Lane is being redeveloped.And Pochettino hailed the atmosphere of a club-record attendance at the match on Wednesday, while he was at a loss to explain his team's unusually flat performance.

"Sometimes you need to explain the reality," he told reporters ahead of Sunday's Premier League game against Sunderland. "The reality was tough to explain. They faced it, and I look at myself too.

"I didn't know how to get the motivation to play on Wednesday night. Maybe I put myself in question too. We share responsibility but we cannot repeat. You can lose, not play well but never concede two goals like we conceded.

"It was a collective problem, not an individual problem. I was the first one guilty in this situation. When we wait six years, many times to play Champions League, after 45 minutes you can't go to the changing room with this feeling.

"We had 90,000 people in front of us, waiting for us to play. The atmosphere was amazing. We nearly cried before when you hear the song from the Champions League, it's a dream come true."

Despite the defeat, Pochettino said his side performed at a higher level than Monaco, who won the game thanks to goals by Bernardo Silva and Thomas Lemar, and backed his team to qualify.

"I think the first half was difficult to manage because I felt very bad afterwards," Pochettino said. "The second half was much better, we played in a way we normally play. We deserved more."In the second half we showed a lot of passion and we played very well. [Monaco] didn't shoot, they had zero corners and I was happy with our performance.

"Only in this 45-minute period, we didn't show passion. Why? This is my big question - and not only me. We all have in our minds, why?"In the end we were much better than Monaco. If you give them a present like we gave it's impossible to come back again and get a result.

"No excuse, it wasn't Wembley that was the problem, it wasn't the pitch that was the problem, we were the problem and we need to be very critical with ourselves.
"We have time to win games, we have the possibility to go to the next round. It's early days."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lyon close to signing Adebayor, confirms Genesio

Bruno Genesio is set to meet with free agent Emmanuel Adebayor for discussions ahead of a potentially imminent move to Lyon.

Former Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid striker Adebayor is without a club after his six-month deal at Crystal Palace expired in June.The 32-year-old, who scored one goal in 15 appearances in all competitions for Palace, was reportedly close to joining Fulham on deadline day in August.

However, with star forward Alexandre Lacazette sidelined due to injury, Adebayor looks set to be drafted in as a reinforcement at Parc OL.Asked whether the experienced striker could join soon, Genesio said: "Indeed he could. He has come to Lyon and I'll meet him, then we'll see what happens.

"I have many questions to ask him, especially concerning his time at Crystal Palace. I want to know about his current level, his physical level, his level of motivation to join us, his career.

"This is not a job interview, this is a player-coach interview. A trusted discussion to get an idea of who the player and the man is."I always said that there is the player, who is a very important part, but there is also the man behind and I think it is at least as important."

Genesio added there is always doubt around a new player, but will try to get Adebayor through a medical on Friday."The transfer window is shut and so we're talking about players who are out of contract for various reasons," the coach continued.

"You could always find something bad to say about our choices but the final decision will be taken with the team's best interests at heart."There is always an element of doubt in a transfer. After our meeting, we'll see whether he can go and have a medical."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Higuain and Aguero recalled to latest Argentina squad

Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain has returned to the Argentina squad for the latest round of World Cup qualifiers, while Sergio Aguero is back after missing September's games. Higuain was left out of Argentina's clashes against Uruguay and Venezuela while Manchester City star Aguero missed the games through injury.

Lionel Messi grabbed the only goal in a win over the Celeste in the absence of his counterparts, before the side battled back from 2-0 down to grab a draw against Venezuela.

But having ignored Pipita for his first squad, new coach Edgardo Bauza has given the forward a chance to shine in the games against Peru and Paraguay.

Argentina's squad in full.

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres).

Defenders: Facundo Roncaglia (Celta), Mateo Musacchio (Villarreal), Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Martin Demichelis (Espanyol), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Matias Kranevitter (Atletico Madrid), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Augusto Fernandez (Atletico Madrid), Ever Banega (Inter), Erik Lamela (Tottenham), Nicolás Gaitan (Atletico Madrid), Angel Di Maria (PSG).


Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Lucas Pratto (Atletico Mineiro), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus).

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everything is new for Leicester - Ranieri

Claudio Ranieri is expecting a "tough battle" against Burnley at the King Power Stadium on Saturday as champions Leicester City adapt to juggling domestic and European commitments.

Leicester beat Club Brugge 3-0 on Wednesday to get their maiden Champions League campaign off to a flying start, but they have had a mixed opening few weeks to the Premier League season.

Ranieri's side lost 4-1 at Liverpool last time out and the Italian accepted it will be a different challenge this season for his team to play regularly in midweek and at weekends."For us everything is new," Ranieri said at his pre-match news conference on Friday. "I want to see how my players respond.

"They told me they are okay and they must show this on the pitch. It's a tough match [against Burnley]. We know very well that it will be a battle."Burnley are very strong and very solid. They play 4-4-2 and are narrow. I’m very impressed with them this season."

Record signing Islam Slimani could make his league debut for Leicester on Saturday, while Ranieri revealed regular right-back Danny Simpson is fit to return.
"I don't know if Slimani is ready for 90 minutes but it's important for him to understand the spirit of the Premier League," Ranieri said.

"Slimani is an intelligent player and I'm sure if he plays he will be fine."Danny Simpson trained very well and he's ready to play. Papy Mendy needs another week. Jeffrey Schlupp is ready."

Ranieri was happy with his side's showing in Bruges on Wednesday but is now turning his attentions back to Leicester's title defence."Our first Champions League match was a good victory," he said. "Everyone was happy and now we focus on the Premier League.

"I'm so pleased with our performance because after the Liverpool defeat I was expecting something. We played well in Bruges."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Caen 0-6 Paris Saint-Germain: Cavani shines in easy victory

Edinson Cavani struck four times in the opening 45 minutes as Paris Saint-Germain hammered Caen 0-6 in Ligue 1 on Friday to get back to winning ways.

Cavani opened the scoring in the 12th minute, finishing well from Maxwell's low cross, and the Uruguay international soon made it 2-0 from the penalty spot.

Syam Ben Youssef gave the ball away to Lucas Moura and then fouled the winger, with Cavani beating Remy Vercoutre with a well-struck spot-kick into the goalkeeper's bottom-right corner.

The hat-trick was completed seven minutes before the break, Cavani slotting in at the near post from another stunning move down the PSG left involving Angel Di Maria, before the striker scored again, finishing off Thomas Mounier's pass to make it a rout.Lucas added a fifth from range with 23 minutes to go and Jean-Kevin Augustin wrapped up the scoring with a powerful finish from the edge of the area.

PSG were winless in three matches going into this game but move top of the Ligue 1 table following their stunning return to form, while Caen remain in mid-table.

Cavani scored in the first minute against Arsenal in the Champions League in midweek and he almost broke the deadlock early again, shooting wide in the fourth minute after a terrific lofted pass from Di Maria.He did not have to wait long for the goal, though, as he found the back of the net after just 11 minutes.

Di Maria's throughball fed Maxwell on the left and, after Lucas failed to connect with the low cross, Cavani tucked a neat finish in off the post.

PSG were then gifted a second when Ben Youssef hauled down Lucas in the area, the Brazilian having robbed the defender before bursting into the box.Cavani thumped a low penalty home to double the lead and put PSG in complete control, although Vercoutre chose correctly when by diving to his right.

A rampant PSG continued to carve open Caen at will and saw Lucas and Di Maria go close, the latter crafting a wonderful lofted attempt that drifted over the crossbar.

Instead it was Cavani who added the third, the striker completing his hat-trick after 38 minutes, with Di Maria again the creator prior to Maxwell delivering the decisive cross.And it was four on the stroke of half-time with Cavani again the man on target, a scuffed finish from the in-form forward beating Vercoutre.

Cavani, who accepted the blame for PSG's draw with Arsenal, was withdrawn at half-time and the magnificent Di Maria was replaced on the hour-mark as PSG coach Unai Emery protected his stars ahead of Tuesday's home match against Dijon.

Lucas made it five after being given too much space to shoot from outside the box, Vercoutre only able to palm the powerful drive into the corner to make the score even more emphatic.Caen should have had a consolation when Ivan Santini's header was well saved by Alphonse Areola, but it would have only been a mere consolation.

Augustin made no mistake to register his first of the season, though, as the 19-year-old made it six to complete a sensational PSG performance.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sampdoria 0-1 AC Milan: Bacca seals late breakthrough

Carlos Bacca put aside rumours of a training ground bust-up with Vincenzo Montella by ensuring the AC Milan head coach enjoyed a winning return to Sampdoria in a 1-0 victory.

Reports this week suggested that Bacca had a falling out with Montella and the Colombia international was dropped for Gianluca Lapadula at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.However, Bacca came up trumps off the bench by coolly netting the winner with five minutes remaining to settle Friday's contest.

Bacca, who this week claimed he almost joined Paris Saint-Germain in the transfer window, scored Milan's goal at the end of a flurry of late activity in Genoa.

Sampdoria saw two goals disallowed and the visitors had appeals for a blatant penalty dismissed, while respective goalkeepers Emiliano Viviano and Gianluigi Donnarumma also made fine saves to keep the scores level.

However, despite having the better of proceedings throughout, Sampdoria duly slumped to their second consecutive defeat, with Milan holding firm to secure their second Serie A win under the tutelage of Montella, who departed Sampdoria for San Siro in the close-season.

Lapadula sought to make the most of his opportunity up front and almost marked his full Milan debut with an early goal, but Matias Silvestre made a timely intervention to head away M'Baye Niang's cross.

The home side created the first clear-cut chance, though, with Lucas Torreira's venomous hit bringing the best out of visiting goalkeeper Donnarumma.

Sampdoria went close again when Muriel's drilled cross into the six-yard box almost ricocheted in from Gabriel Paletta's block.Having weathered the storm, Milan should have taken the lead when Lapadula raced in behind Sampdoria's defence, only to skew his effort over the crossbar.

Muriel remained lively at the other end and the Colombian weaved his way in from the left before teeing up Edgar Barreto, but Donnarumma was equal to the midfielder's strike.

Sampdoria continued to look sharp after the restart, Muriel again the instigator as he combined with full debutant Dennis Praet, but Paletta was well-placed to intervene.

Marco Giampaolo's men were unfortunate not to have the lead with just over 20 minutes remaining as Barreto prodded an effort past Donnarumma, only for the strike to be incorrectly ruled-out for offside.

That chance seemed to provide a wake-up call for Milan, with Bacca – on as a substitute for Lapadula in the 64th minute – forcing a superb save from Viviano, who parried the forward's low shot onto the upright.

Determined not to be outdone by his counterpart, Donnarumma was the hero for Milan soon after, the 17-year-old ensuring Muriel's powerful strike hit the woodwork with a finger-tip stop.Sampdoria saw another goal disallowed with under 10 minutes remaining – Muriel having handled the ball before thumping home.

And the hosts were soon made to pay for their inefficiency in front of goal, Bacca prodding home after racing onto Suso's neat pass, wrapping up the points for Milan in the 85th minute.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool: Lovren & Henderson send Reds to victory

Jordan Henderson scored a sensational goal as Liverpool inflicted the first defeat of Antonio Conte's Chelsea reign with a 2-1 Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge.

A dominant first-half performance from Liverpool was capped by Henderson picking out the top-right corner with a stunning, looping effort from 25 yards in the 36th minute, which ultimately proved enough to end Conte's unbeaten start in his sixth match at the helm.

The Reds had already taken the lead when Dejan Lovren took advantage of slack Chelsea marking to convert from a Philippe Coutinho cross, the pair returning to the starting line-up with Lucas Leiva and Roberto Firmino, who suffered a groin strain, making way after the impressive 4-1 win over champions Leicester City last time out.

An error from Gary Cahill preceded Henderson's wonder-strike, and Conte will have been disappointed to see his defence prove vulnerable with David Luiz making his second Chelsea debut following his deadline-day move back from Paris Saint-Germain in place of John Terry.

Diego Costa earned the Blues a point away at Swansea City last weekend and he initiated another comeback attempt with his sixth goal in as many Premier League appearances with 29 minutes remaining.

However, this time there was to be no late equaliser, with Liverpool seeing out the win to join Chelsea on 10 points from five league games.

Matches between these sides often prove feisty affairs and there was a sign of that again within eight minutes when Branislav Ivanovic appeared to tread on the foot of Adam Lallana after conceding a free-kick for a foul on the midfielder.

Liverpool controlled possession and Chelsea appeared happy to sit back and soak up the pressure, but they were caught out by a quick free-kick in the 17th minute.Coutinho took the initiative before curling an excellent cross to the back post for an unmarked Lovren to side-foot home on the volley.

Chelsea were unable to engineer a response, Costa finding himself isolated and rarely involved, and they were two behind before half-time.

Cahill's attempted clearance was controlled by Henderson, who took one touch before sending a phenomenal bending strike beyond goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at full-stretch.The tempo was slow after the restart but the game burst back into life when Costa halved the deficit for the hosts in the 61st minute.

Joel Matip dived in and failed to stop Nemanja Matic reaching the byline, where he dug out a pass which the Spain international striker fired into the back of the net.

Chelsea were galvanised and four minutes later a knock-down from Oscar was controlled by Costa on the edge of the box, but his shot on the spin was straight at Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet.

That new-found energy quickly fizzled out, though, and Liverpool looked dangerous on the counter-attack, Courtois getting down to his left to keep out a header from substitute Divock Origi in the 81st minute.

A trio of Chelsea substitutions in the 84th minute were unable to inspire an equaliser, Cesc Fabregas hitting the wall with a 20-yard free-kick as the Reds secured their second successive top-flight win at the Bridge, as Conte lost a home fixture as a club head coach for the first time January 2013 when in charge of Juventus.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Conte: Chelsea lacked the attention of a great team

Antonio Conte felt Chelsea failed to pay the attention required to play like a great team in their 2-1 loss to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Friday.

Chelsea took on a passive role in the first half and their defence was caught short when a quick free-kick by Philippe Coutinho was volleyed home by Dejan Lovren after 17 minutes.

Jordan Henderson added a sensational second before half-time with a looping 25-yard effort that Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had no chance of stopping, but Diego Costa halved the deficit just after the hour-mark.

Chelsea had to come from behind to draw 2-2 with Swansea City last time out, and Conte, who suffered his first defeat since taking over the club, admitted his team are too often guilty of complacency.

"To find a reason [for defeat] sometimes is easy, sometimes hard. The goals we concede are strange. We must feel the danger and today we didn't," he told Sky Sports.

"We have to reflect a lot on this game because it is important to understand the situation if we don't want to repeat another bad season like last season. We don't feel the danger, never."In the second half, the approach was better, and we scored the goal – another through Costa – but in the end it's a pity.

"We played without intensity and you must pay attention to details if you want to play like a great team. Chelsea are a great team but we sometimes don't pay enough attention.

"With Liverpool when you concede space it's very difficult – they have three fast strikers all with good technique."At this level it's important to pay attention to the details."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho defends Pogba start - 'World record fee not a big deal'

Jose Mourinho has defended Paul Pogba's sluggish start to his second spell at Old Trafford, stating the world-record fee paid for him by Manchester United is not a "big deal" in relative terms.

Pogba left United for Juventus in 2012 but returned in August in a transfer costing an initial £89million, making him the most expensive player in the world.

After impressing on his debut against Southampton last month, the France international came under fire for disappointing displays in defeats to rivals Manchester City and Feyenoord.

United this week reported a club-record £515.3m revenue for the last financial year, and the Portuguese suggested such financial muscle makes other clubs paying £40m for a player more surprising.

"I think there are clubs that paid 20, 30, 40 [million pounds] which is a bigger deal than what Man United paid for Paul," said Mourinho, who takes his side to Watford on Sunday.

"When you make a relation between what you pay and the club revenue, you realise that other clubs paying 20, 30, 40 is a much bigger thing than what Man United did. I just want Paul to forget that and play his football."

Mourinho is unsurprised that Pogba has been unable to make a significant impact yet, but backed him, and his team-mates, to come good soon.

He continued: "[Pogba was in the] Euro final, no pre-season, holidays. He had a very good impact in the first game, but it's normal that after the first game he has a little decrease.

"But I'm full of trust with him because I know the player he is, I know he's a very good guy with a lot of ambition so the form will come naturally and will come with the team. The team improves, Paul improves, so no problem."

Pogba played as one of a midfield two against Southampton but was part of a trio in the centre against Feyenoord, though Mourinho does not believe there is any issue with finding his best position.

"He can play where he was playing before in the Premier League, he can play where he did [against Feyenoord], there's not a problem with his position," added the Portuguese.

"It depends on the situation. In the Premier League we were playing with Wayne Rooney as a number 10, and y we played with Schneiderlin in front of the back four [against Feyenoord] and we gave him [Pogba] more freedom to occupy other kind of spaces."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2016.09.17

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2016.09.17

Hull City Vs Arsenal

Leicester City Vs Burnley

Manchester City Vs Bornemouth

WBA Vs West Ham

Everton Vs Middleborough

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

LA Liga Fixtures 2016.09.17

LA Liga Fixtures 2016.09.17

Leganes Vs Barcelona

Atletico Madrid Vs Sporting Gijon

Eibar Vs Sevilla

Las Palmas Vs Malaga​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Serie A Fixtures 2016.09.17

Serie A Fixtures 2016.09.17

Lazio Vs Pecara

Napoli Vs Bologna​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool have to prove our quality every week – Klopp puts aside title talk

Jurgen Klopp brushed off questions about Liverpool's ability to mount a title challenge following their 2-1 victory at Chelsea on Friday, instead urging his players to prove themselves on a weekly basis.First-half goals from Dejan Lovren and Jordan Henderson proved enough to earn victory for the visitors to Stamford Bridge.

The result came on the back of a 4-1 success for Liverpool against Premier League champions Leicester City in their previous fixture, making it consecutive victories against direct rivals for the title.

However, Klopp broke into a smile when he was asked if Liverpool should be considered contenders to take the Foxes' crown and refused to commit to the objective.

"I'm really not interested in what people say," the German told reporters. "Actually, it was the same question somebody asked me here when we won 3-1, last time here against Chelsea.

"It was exactly [the same], someone asked me are you challenging, or whatever, for the title. My answer was 'are you crazy?' – I remember it.

"We have 10 points and that’s fantastic - really fantastic and I am really happy about it after these difficult fixtures. The season is not over, we have to play football – we know we can play football and we are convinced about our quality.
"That's all the truth, but in the end we have to prove it every week – or in this week, every three days, because on Tuesday we have the EFL Cup against Derby which will be a nice game too."

Klopp insisted there was no reason to be concerned over the fitness of striker Daniel Sturridge, who was replaced by Divock Origi after 12 minutes of the second half.

"I couldn't see that he could sprint anymore, so that's why we had to change. We had a healthy, young striker on the bench. That's all," added Klopp. "The first half was really good – really good – from Daniel.

"We need this player there in the centre who we can play with and if there's a ball behind the line sometimes, so that we can go there and can push up in the last line.
"I don't think there is an injury, it is only the situation. Nobody told me about an injury, so all is good."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool lath unpredicteble side 1kakHitapu gamang gahanawa 4-1,4-0 wageEwagema thamai hithanne nathi teams walin defeat wenawa ewagema margins walin.​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

PSG can trust Cavani completely to keep scoring, says Matuidi

Paris Saint-Germain star Blaise Matuidi is hoping Edinson Cavani's four-goal salvo against Caen will provide the striker with the confidence he needs to go on a scoring spree.

The Uruguay international has come under fire this season after initially struggling to fill the boots of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the central striking role at PSG – a position he has publicly craved for some time.

But the tide has been swinging in Cavani's favour of late, with his goal in midweek against Arsenal in the Champions League and four more – all in the first half – at Caen indicating an upturn in form.

And his displays in front of goal have provided Matuidi with evidence that his team-mate is starting to emerge from the Swede's shadow."He already scored against Arsenal and [against Caen] he got four goals so we are really pleased for him. I hope he will keep moving forward," the midfielder told reporters.

"We know that Edi is a guy who needs confidence. We know that. But he's a very talented player. He scores a lot of goals every season."We trust him completely. I know that he will score a lot of goals this year."

Close-season recruit Grzegorz Krychowiak believes Caen walked into a PSG backlash following their frustrating draw against the Gunners at the Parc des Princes.

The Poland midfielder said: "I think we've been a little disappointed because I think we could have won against Arsenal. We had several chances to. Unfortunately we lacked a bit of efficiency.

"The win against Caen is good for what lies ahead. We will keep going."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo and Bale both out for Madrid against Espanyol

Real Madrid will be without both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale for their game against Espanyol on Sunday, Zinedine Zidane has confirmed.

Ronaldo has only just returned to action following a knee injury picked up in the final of Euro 2016 but has been sidelined through illness, while Bale has a knock.Both players are, however, expected to be fit for Wednesday with Villarreal the visitors to the Bernabeu.

“Cristiano will not travel with us, he has a sore throat, and he will stay at home. He is not ready [for Espanyol tomorrow]," he told reporters."Bale had a strong knock on his hip and we will not take any chances. We have important players who can replace the ones injured.

"I want to have Gareth at 100% for very difficult game on Wednesday [against Villarreal]. Tomorrow he might get a bang in the same spot & be out for 10 days, or more."

One man who could profit from the duo's absence is James Rodriguez who set up Alvaro Morata's last-gasp winner against Sporting in midweek."James is training very well, he will play games," Zidane added. "Things have not changed. He is committed and wants to play."If Cristiano, Gareth and Karim [Benzema] are at 100 per cent, then they play. But that does not mean they must always play. We have many games.

"My idea is to always rotate, so that players think at any moment they will be called to play. They all need to play, that's my idea."