..::Football IV::..

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Galaxy interested in Ibrahimovic but admit former United striker wants Europe stay

LA Galaxy president Chris Klein confirmed the MLS club's interest in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though he conceded the former Manchester United striker wants to remain in Europe.Ibrahimovic is available on a free transfer after his contract was not renewed by United following a serious knee injury suffered in April.

Jose Mourinho and United have hinted the 35-year-old – who scored 28 goals in all competitions as the Manchester side won the Europa League and EFL Cup last season – may return to Old Trafford in 2017-18.

But the Galaxy are ready to welcome Ibrahimovic to LA, with Klein telling reporters: "We have an incredible relationship with Zlatan and his agent. He loves our club, and he loves LA."We have an interest in him. I think, for now, he wants to stay in Europe.

"Our doors are open for a player like that. We have rights to him in our league. We'll see where that goes."This week, the Galaxy signed Mexico international Jonathan dos Santos from Villarreal and replaced head coach Curt Onalfo with Sigi Schmid.

 

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'You have to be selfish' - Dani Alves urges Neymar to join PSG

Paris Saint-Germain full-back Dani Alves has called on Barcelona star Neymar to be selfish and move to the Ligue 1 side.

Neymar could be set to leave Barca, with French giants PSG ready to meet the 25-year-old's €222 million release clause.PSG's pursuit of Neymar has dominated headlines and former Barca defender Alves urged the Brazil international to be brave in his decision.

"I speak with him every day, but not always about football," Alves said after scoring in PSG's 2-1 Trophee des Champions win over Monaco on Saturday,
"I try to keep him calm because in these times when you listen to people from all over you can go crazy."You have to be selfish because the clubs don't think of you once you don't produce results, as I am an example of.

"I told him one thing, which is to be brave, as this world is for the brave."Decisions are for the brave and I am the bravest, deciding to leave Barcelona and Juventus."He must now make a decision to keep progressing. I just want my friend to be happy wherever he is, although if that is here then that's obviously better."

Neymar was at his brilliant best against Real Madrid in Miami on Saturday, setting up two goals as Barca prevailed 3-2 at the International Champions Cup."I hope [Neymar signing for PSG] happens, but I don't have anything to do with his decision," Alves continued.

"It is an important decision for him and these are the types of decisions that men must make."He is one of my best friends and I always want my friends by my side, but I can't interfere in his decision."

 

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Ramos: I hope Neymar leaves Barcelona for PSG

Sergio Ramos wants Neymar to leave Barcelona as it would be "less of a problem" for Real Madrid, amid talk of interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar's future at Barca is in serious doubt, with Ligue 1 side PSG ready to meet the Brazilian's €222 million release clause .The 25-year-old showed why he is the subject of interest after dazzling against bitter rivals Madrid at the International Champions Cup on Saturday, setting up two goals in a 3-2 triumph .

Asked about Neymar's future after the game, Madrid captain Ramos said: "I do not know, everyone is free to choose their future."I hope [he leaves]. It would be less of a problem for us."Ramos, who made his first pre-season appearance for Madrid, added: "I changed the shirt with him and I hope it is the last one I have used with Barca."

 

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Fellaini 'close' to swapping Man Utd for Galatasaray

Galatasaray are closing in on the signing of Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini, according to club director Cenk Ergun.

The Belgium international emerged as a key figure for the Red Devils in 2016-17, with Jose Mourinho often turning to him in big games.Fellaini also saw the option of a 12-month extension to his contract taken up in January, with that agreement taking him through to 2018.

He could, however, be set to depart Old Trafford during the current transfer window, with United pursuing other midfield targets and Turkish giants Galatasaray willing to offer him a new challenge.Ergun told Ajansspor: "Fellaini will leave Manchester United and he is now on our radar."There will be surprises, we are in talks with Fellaini.

“We have made an approach, we are close and if we get Fellaini we will end our pursuit of [Villarreal's Alfred] N'Diaye.“We need a player like Fellaini who can move around in midfield."Fellaini made 47 appearances for United in all competitions last season – his highest tally since signing from Everton in 2013.

He helped the Red Devils to three pieces of silverware, with Mourinho starting him in the Community Shield and Europa League final and bringing him off the bench in an EFL Cup final victory over Southampton.

Despite being a favourite with his current boss, the 29-year-old has struggled to win over a sceptical fan base since making a £27.5 million switch to Old Trafford.
If he is to move on, though, then he will do so having made 133 appearances for United and netting 15 goals.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fellaini last season 1ke samahara matches wala pissu keliya sahenna.Ath ewagema thamai samahara matches waladi hoda contribution 1kakuth dunnaSo thawa year 1kak deela baluwanam hodai kiyalath hithenawa.​

 

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Liverpool ‘100 per cent’ won’t sign Naby Keita this summer - RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl insists Naby Keita will "100 per cent" be staying with the Bundesliga club for the upcoming season, ending speculation linking him with a summer move to Liverpool.

The 22-year-old midfielder was the interest of two bids from Jurgen Klopp's side, the second in the region of £66 million, though the Premier League club refused to up their most recent proposal due to the German club's unwillingness to sell 'at any price'.

Keita remains a target for Liverpool though claims of a third bid to be tabled by the Mersyside club are false , and any deal taking the Guinea international to Anfield will have to wait until next summer when the midfielder's £48m release clause comes into play.

Leipzig boss Hasenhuttl has all but confirmed that the Reds' interest is over, claiming Keita will certainly remain in Germany ahead of the new season, and has stressed the midfielder's importance as the club prepares for their debut Champions League campaign."The chance [of Keita leaving] is null," the manager said. "It's 100% clear that Naby Keita will play this year in Leipzig.

"At the beginning of the transfer period that we said we would start with the same team and of the players we had last year no-one will go."For us, everyone can see how important Naby is for our game. It's 100% sure that he will be with RB Leipzig in the Champions League."

Leipzig's excellence in the Bundesliga last season was aided by the brilliance of Keita, who scored eight goals and assisted seven as the top-tier newcomers stormed to a second-place league finish behind behemoths Bayern Munich.

And Keita's emergence of one of the most sought after players in European football comes as no surprise to his manager, who is looking forward to another "fantastic" season with the midfielder in his ranks. "When you play such a famous season as last year it is normal players get interest, that other clubs are watching us is normal," he said.

"I said for all the players it is very important to stay together as it's the first time we play Champions League and that is a new situation for every one of us."He is more focused on us and has more fun now than last year. He knows this season it will be fantastic for us."

 

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Joao Mario talks up Milan move for Sanches, but to AC rather than Inter

Inter midfielder Joao Mario would like to see Portugal team-mate Renato Sanches in Italy, even if he does end up at AC Milan.Several clubs have expressed an interest in the highly-rated midfielder, with Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealing that Premier League champions Chelsea are among the chasing pack.

Sanches is, however, reported to favour a loan move to Serie A over a stint in England and that has opened the door for big-spending Milan, with Mario believing a switch would make sense for a teenage talent seeking to rediscover his best form after a testing debut campaign in Germany.

The Euro 2016 winner told La Gazzetta dello Sport on the Sanches transfer rumours: “We spoke after Thursday’s game [between Inter and Bayern Munich in Singapore].

“He is young and strong, so I understand that he wants to play consistently and there is a lot of competition for places at Bayern.“I told him that if he goes to Milan, he’ll find a great club and I’d have another friend in the city.”

It may come as a surprise to find Mario talking up the qualities of a direct rival, but the 24-year-old insists that Inter are not overly concerned about the dealings of their San Siro neighbours.

Milan have embarked on an elaborate spending spree this summer, but those on Inter’s books are focused solely on their own efforts in 2017-18.Mario added: “If we want to be competitive, then we can’t think like that.

“We need to take on the best, just as we did against Bayern and Chelsea.”
Inter have enjoyed a productive pre-season, capturing the Singapore edition of the International Champions Cup with victories over Lyon, Bayern and Chelsea.

They will open the new Serie A campaign at home to Fiorentina on August 20.

 

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Anderlecht name €25-35m asking price for Man Utd midfield transfer target Dendoncker

Manchester United will need to pay over €25 million to sign Anderlecht defensive midfielder Leander Dendoncker, according to the Belgian club's sporting director Herman van Holsbeek.

Dendoncker, 22, featured twice in the Belgian side's Europa League clashes with United and gave a good account of himself, leading to reports that Jose Mourinho is an admirer of the youngster.

It has been said that Mourinho has sent scouts to monitor Dendoncker's progress amid a seemingly difficult transfer window for United, who are struggling to tie up deals for Ivan Perisic and Nemanja Matic.

If reports are to be believed, Mourinho could turn to Dendoncker as an alternative to Matic in midfield, and Anderlecht director Holsbeek has made things simple with regards to being open about the club's valuation of one of their most prized assets.

"We want to cherish him," Holsbeek told Het Belang van Limburg, "but if a club is willing to pay between €25m and €35m then we have a problem."He showed twice against Manchester United that he has the potential to play at a top European club.

"We are lucky that the Champions League does not start until September, otherwise we definitely would have lost him."We would like to see Leander stay here for one more season and work together on a transfer for next summer – just as we did with [Youri] Tielemans [who this summer joined Monaco]."

 

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Coutinho tipped to join Barca, but Liverpool legend Carragher hopes for another 12 months

Jamie Carragher concedes that Philippe Coutinho is likely to leave Liverpool at some stage, but hopes Barcelona can be fended off for 12 months.

The Brazil international has been heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou for some time, with the speculation intensifying amid exit talk surrounding Neymar in Catalonia.

Barca are said to view Coutinho as the ideal replacement for his fellow countryman and continue to remain coy when it comes to their reported interest and summer transfer plans.

Carragher appreciates that such a switch will appeal to Liverpool’s prized asset, but is looking for a man who committed to a new contract in January to be talked into giving another year to the Reds.He told 5times.co.uk: “Hopefully we can get 12 more months out of him.“When he signed his five-year deal, I didn't think that he would see it out.

“There is no doubt that at one stage in his career Philippe will want to play for one of the Spanish giants as many of the South American players do.“Barcelona and Real Madrid are seen as the two biggest teams in world football who always have the best players.

“I think that Liverpool fans should really enjoy him over the next 12 months as if a big-money offer does come in at the end of next season and if the player wants to play for Barcelona then there is not really much LFC can do.

“Let’s just hope we see him in a Liverpool shirt next season, which I think we will, and then let’s see where things go from there.”Amid the ongoing rumours regarding possible departures at Anfield, there has not been too much movement on the arrivals front.

Mohamed Salah, Dominic Solanke and Andy Robertson have been signed, but Carragher hopes Jurgen Klopp has a late flurry of activity up his sleeve.He added: “To be honest, I think we were all hoping that we would have been a lot happier at the stage.

“However, you’ve got to have patience. I’m sure the club are working 24/7 behind the scenes to bring players in, not only to keep the supporters happy, but to strengthen the squad for the big season ahead.

“I mentioned a lot last season that our squad isn’t strong enough. Despite the first XI being very good, with Champions League football coming up the squad needs a few more additions and these numbers are yet to come in.“Saying this though, I think Jurgen Klopp is looking to bring in quality rather than quantity, which is something that I’m personally happy with too.

“Regarding [Naby] Keita, I don’t think that Klopp will go out and buy another midfielder. I think he would be willing to wait until next season as supposedly Keita has a buyout clause.

“I reckon the [Virgil] Van Dijk saga will go right down to the wire. I don’t think Liverpool have ended all their interest in him at all. Nevertheless, if we go into the new season with what we’ve got now, I think there will be a lot of trepidation amongst the Liverpool fans.”Liverpool open their 2017-18 Premier League campaign away at Watford on August 12.

 

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Arsenal 1 Sevilla 2: Lacazette strikes as hosts win Emirates Cup despite defeat

Alexandre Lacazette scored on his first home start for Arsenal as his side defended their Emirates Cup title, despite Steven N'Zonzi's wondergoal consigning the Gunners to a 2-1 loss against LaLiga side Sevilla on Sunday.

Arsenal knew they were guaranteed to win the pre-season tournament for the fifth time if they avoided defeat against Sevilla, who had to win by two clear strikes due to the competition's unusual awarding of an extra point for each goal scored.

Sevilla had already hit the post when they scored the opener after 49 minutes, Joaquin Correa swapping passes with Wissam Ben Yedder and beating the offside trap to slip a cute finish beyond Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Club-record signing Lacazette hit back for the tournament hosts, finishing off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's low cross to score his maiden goal at the Emirates Stadium.
Sevilla went back in front through N'Zonzi's exquisite strike, the reported Juventus target picking out the top-right corner with a first-time shot from 25 yards.

But Eduardo Berizzo's men could not find a third goal that would have given them 10 points leaving Arsenal to top the standings on goals scored thanks mainly to their 5-2 win over Benfica on Saturday, despite the Spanish side winning both of their games having also beaten RB Leipzig 1-0.

Sevilla had the first clear chance after 14 minutes, but Wissam Ben Yedder's effort struck the post after he was slid through on goal by Ever Banega.With Arsenal employing the back three, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Hector Bellerin pushed forward and the latter blazed the England international's cross over the top from six yards.

Danny Welbeck failed to test David Soria after outpacing Daniel Carrico, while Aaron Ramsey was off target after jinking away from three Sevilla defenders.

Nolito volleyed narrowly wide and Gabriel Mercado pulled an effort off target after robbing Joe Willock on the edge of the Arsenal box as Sevilla's pressing caused Arsene Wenger's men problemsAnd the Liga side took the lead shortly after half-time, Correa beating Cech with a neat finish after a clever one-two with Ben Yedder.

Lacazette could only pick out substitute goalkeeper Sergio Rico from Aaron Ramsey's first-time lay-off as Arsenal sought an equaliser, but the striker found the net from his next opportunity.

Oxlade-Chamberlain showed pace and strength to burst down the right flank and, although Welbeck mishit his low cross, Lacazette was on hand to tap in at the back post.

That left Sevilla needing two goals to overhaul Arsenal in the table and they got one through N'Zonzi's brilliant effort when a throw-in dummied by Ganso gave the midfielder space to bend in a whipped finish that gave Cech no chance.


But Sevilla failed to add a third and Arsenal's rout of Benfica was enough to secure a second pre-season tournament title for Wenger's side after their previous success at the International Champions Cup.

 

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Roma 1 Juventus 1 (4-5 on penalties): Allegri's side close out International Champions Cup with win

Mario Mandzukic's goal was cancelled out by Edin Dzeko but Marco Tumminello missed the crucial penalty to allow Juventus to defeat Roma.Juventus closed out the International Champions Cup with a penalty shoot-out win over Roma after a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

A first-half goal from Mario Mandzukic was cancelled out by Edin Dzeko with 16 minutes left of the encounter in Massachusetts in a match that offered a glimpse of a potentially engrossing Serie A title battle in the coming season.

Massimiliano Allegri and Eusebio Di Francesco named strong starting line-ups and clear-cut opportunities were scarce in a balanced and often combative encounter.
Mandzukic made the most of his lone chance in the first half with a clinical finish, but only the woodwork denied Kevin Strootman an equaliser early in the second period.

Roma's pressure began to mount in the final half-hour as Juve sat deeper, and Dzeko capitalised on a rare piece of slack marking to tap in a cross from Aleksandar Kolarov.

The capital city club, who snatched an injury-time winner against Tottenham in their last outing, pushed for a second in the closing stages but youngster Marco Tumminello then missed the crucial spot-kick to hand Juve the win in the shoot-out.
Dzeko should have done more than shin the ball out for a goal kick when picked out in clear space in the Juve box, as Roma began the game looking the more threatening.

Juve began to assume control, with Miralem Pjanic rasping a shot inches wide from the edge of the area, and Mandzukic pounced with his first real opportunity on 29 minutes to give them the lead.The Croatian raced onto Alex Sandro's curled pass in behind the Roma defence, before rounding goalkeeper Alisson and slotting home, despite the best efforts of the covering Juan Jesus.
Roma responded well after the break, Strootman crashing a strike against the crossbar from 25 yards out before Dzeko forced Gianluigi Buffon into a save with a volley from Radja Nainggolan's cross.

Juve missed a clear chance to double their lead just shy of the hour mark, though. Douglas Costa cut in from the right and drilled low towards the bottom-right corner, and although Alisson spilled the ball into Gonzalo Higuain's path, the Argentina striker could not find a way past the goalkeeper.

Dzeko soon went into the referee's notebook after catching Giorgio Chiellini in the face with his forearm – an incident that prompted a furious reaction from Strootman – before Chiellini himself was booked for hauling down Cengiz Under as the match became increasingly gritty.

But Roma's persistence finally paid off with quarter of an hour to play. Kolarov found space to the left of the penalty area and fired the ball low into the six-yard box, where Dzeko arrived unchallenged to convert past substitute goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio.

Allegri introduced €40million signing Federico Bernardeschi for his debut but it was Roma who finished the strongest, although a Kolarov free-kick saved by Pinsoglio was the closest they came to another late winner.


Pinsoglio proved the hero as the match went to penalties, as he made a good save to deny 18-year-old Tumminello's opening spot-kick before Costa eventually sealed the 5-4 win.

 

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Valerenga 0 Manchester United 3: Fellaini, Lukaku and McTominay seal routine win

Manchester United got back to winning ways in pre-season with a 3-0 victory over Valerenga in Oslo on Sunday.

Headers either side of half-time from Marouane Fellaini and Romelu Lukaku, followed by a Scott McTominay strike, enabled Jose Mourinho's side to bounce back from their International Champions Cup loss to Barcelona on Thursday.Fellaini was something of a surprise starter in Norway, Galatasaray having confirmed they are in talks to sign the 29-year-old, with United expected to finalise a deal for Nemanja Matic in the coming days.

A relatively strong United line-up controlled the early possession and Paul Pogba was inches from giving them a prompt lead, cutting inside to the right of the penalty area before curling a left-footed shot off the far post.

Mourinho's side continued to dictate the play but chances were scarce against a compact Valerenga defence, with a speculative effort from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and a teasing Daley Blind cross looking likely to be the closest they came to a first-half breakthrough.

That was until Fellaini struck with just over a minute to go before the break, the Belgium international's header from a Mkhitaryan cross deflecting past goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey and into the net.

Mourinho made nine changes to his side at half-time and it was two of his substitutes who combined to double the lead in the 48th minute, Andreas Pereira bending in a corner that was powered into the net off the head of Lukaku.

Sergio Romero and the excellent Pogba were withdrawn for Joel Pereira and McTominay as Mourinho made good on his promise to give everyone a chance to impress, just before Valerenga missed their first clear chance of the opening hour, Ghayas Zahid blazing over from 12 yards out.

United made the win safe with 20 minutes to play, as McTominay collected a deflected Anthony Martial throughball before turning and curling home his first senior goal from inside the penalty area.

The visitors now travel to Dublin for a meeting with Sampdoria on Wednesday – their last pre-season game before the UEFA Super Cup clash with Real Madrid on August 8.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!

Lukaku ge header 1ka patta & Martial ge pre-season form 1ka godak hodai

​

 

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'Matic wants Man Utd move very,very much' - Mourinho

Jose Mourinho says Nemanja Matic is desperate to finalise a move to Manchester United but stopped short of confirming that the transfer has been finalised.The Chelsea midfielder reportedly underwent a medical on Sunday and a picture of him wearing United training gear began to circulate on social media.

Mourinho, who signed Matic as Chelsea boss in 2014, says the 28-year-old is keen on a reunion at Old Trafford but insisted that he will not discuss the matter in detail until the deal is concluded.

"I'm waiting for news," the United manager said after watching his side beat Valerenga 3-0 in a friendly in Oslo. "I know that he wants it very, very much and when a player wants it very, very much, the chance is bigger.

"We have a chance. In football, until it's official, I saw many things happen... I refuse to say more than I'm telling you now."The photograph of Matic showed him wearing a training kit adorned with the number 31, which was vacated by Bastian Schweinsteiger when he left for Chicago Fire in March.

Mourinho, however, said he does not know if a medical was conducted while he has been with the senior squad in Norway."I don't know because I was not there," he said. "Number 31 is a free number. It was Schweinsteiger but it's a free jersey. We have a few free."

 

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Mourinho plays down Fellaini to Galatasaray reports

Jose Mourinho has ended speculation linking Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini with a move to Galatasaray, claiming it would be easier for the Turkish club to sign him as manager than buy the midfielder.

Gala's sporting director Cenk Ergun suggested his side were in pole position to land Fellaini, who has split opinion during his time at Old Trafford.But despite United reportedly being on the brink of signing another midfielder in the form of Chelsea's Nemanja Matic, Mourinho insisted Fellaini - who is in the last year of his contract - will not be allowed to leave."It's easier for Galatasaray to get me than to get Maroaune," Mourinho told reporters. "Forget it. He's too important to me."

The Portuguese was speaking to the media after United's 3-0 friendly victory over Valerenga, a game in which £75million arrival Romelu Lukaku was on target with a header from a corner."It's nice. Strikers like to score goals," Mourinho said of Lukaku's strike. "It's not important for me but probably it is for him, for his confidence.

"We managers are many times happy with strikers, even when they don't score, because of the way they participate in team organisation and game plans. But to them, scoring goals is always important."
Defender Victor Lindelof was mostly untested as United kept a clean sheet with ease but Mourinho picked out the centre-back, who received criticism amid some uneven displays on the club's tour of the United States, for praise.

"Step by step," Mourinho said. "Benfica is a giant club, I always think that players coming from Benfica come mentally ready because they're a big club and the responsibility to play for them makes players ready.

"But the Portuguese league is different. Benfica is one of the dominant teams so he's more used to playing with the ball. He needs his time. We'll give him his time. Manchester United is a huge club, huge responsibility. But I'm happy with what he's doing."

 

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Lallana: I want the best players to sign for Liverpool

Adam Lallana has welcomed Liverpool’s emphasis on recruiting elite talent this summer as he feels minor tweaks rather than a reconstruction of the squad is required to meet their ambitions.

The Reds have already added the explosive Mohamed Salah - a club record signing at an initial £36.9 million - as well as Under-20 World Cup winner Dominic Solanke and left-back Andy Robertson to their roster ahead of 2017-18.

The trio provided Jurgen Klopp with encouragement during the 3-0 pre-season friendly victory over Hertha Berlin on Saturday evening, with the latter making an impressive first impression and the forwards both finishing expertly.

To further their incomings, Liverpool had designs on making RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita one of the most expensive players in Premier League history, but shelved their pursuit with the German outfit repeatedly insisting the midfielder is not for sale at any price.Securing a pedigreed centre-back remains a priority, with Virgil van Dijk still intent on a switch to Anfield after making himself unavailable for Southampton.

The Merseysiders had to publicly apologise and end their interest in the Netherlands international after a tapping-up fiasco in June, and despite admitting the defender is “psychologically not 100 per cent" at present, Saints maintain he is not on the market.There are more moves to be made in the window for Liverpool, with Lallana believing the business they’ve already done has elevated the quality and depth in the squad.

The 29-year-old has also been enthused by the calibre of players the club have targeted, noting that premier signings automatically force a higher standard out of the rest of the group.“I want the best players to be linked with Liverpool and coming to Liverpool,” he said after the Reds completed another intensive pre-season run-out at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

“If you are talking about it from a personal point of view, the pressure to get better and the competition for places is healthy.“That is what we need. At times last year, our bench probably wasn’t as strong as we would have liked it to be.

“If we are going to achieve something, we are going to need a strong bench. We need a strong squad and players need to be on their toes. It is all good.“I think there are 30 players out here with the three goalkeepers and a few young lads. That is a hell of a lot of players.

"You only have to look at the subs that the manager makes. He is now replacing pace with pace and goals with goals.”Lallana feels the flexibility within the squad is also beneficial to Klopp’s selection process. “Philippe [Coutinho] can play in different positions; he can play central and out wide,” the England ace pointed out.

“Sadio [Mane] can play on the left or the right. It is only little tweaks. It’s similar to me, I used to play out wide and I now play more central.“It’s not major surgery, you’re right. We are looking good at the minute.”Another reason to be enthusiastic is the sharpness of Daniel Sturridge, who Lallana rates as a priceless asset when he’s in peak condition.

“Studge has been absolutely brilliant in pre-season so far. He is looking really sharp and to have him firing on all cylinders would be like having two new signings if we can keep on the pitch and get him scoring goals," said the midfielder.

“He is a world class player. He has come back this summer looking absolutely brilliant, so fit. He is going to be a massive player for us this season. I can feel it.
“You couldn’t put a price on him. Every footballer gets injuries – Jordan [Henderson] has had a tough couple of years.

"We all have to deal with it at some stage in our career. But we have got plenty of options and if we keep everyone fit, who knows what can happen?”Liverpool will compete in their final pre-season games on Tuesday and Wednesday with Bayern Munich their opening opponents in the Audi Cup tournament.

The winner of that clash will tackle the victor between Atletico Madrid and Napoli in the showpiece, while the losers will contest a third-place play off.James Milner and Loris Karius both returned to full training on Sunday after nursing a quad and hip issue respectively.

 

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Jones banned and Man Utd charged for breaching anti-doping rules in Europa League final

Phil Jones has been banned for two European matches after UEFA charged the Manchester United defender with "insulting and directing abuse" at a doping officer following his side's victory over Ajax in the Europa League final in May.

Jones will miss the UEFA Super Cup against Real Madrid in Skopje on August 8, as well as the first game of United's Champions League campaign, while he was also fined €5,000.Daley Blind was also charged and fined €5,000 after the defender failed to report immediately to the doping control station after his side's 2-0 win in Stockholm.

UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body confirmed United were fined €10,000 for infringements of its Anti-Doping Regulations, which state "teams are responsible for ensuring that the players drawn to undergo doping controls are taken by the respective team representatives to the doping control station straight from the pitch as soon as the match is over. This applies even when chaperones are appointed by UEFA".

The club and both players can appeal.The UEFA statement read: "The player Philip Jones has been charged for insulting and directing abusive language towards the Doping Control Officer (Article 15 (1) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations), as well as for a lack of cooperation and respect towards the doping control procedure (Article 6.05 ADR).

"The player Daley Blind has been charged for violation and non-compliance with Article 6.05 (a) of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations, which states that 'every player designated to undergo as doping control is personally responsible for reporting immediately to the doping control station as notified'."

Jones and Blind both started the final, which Jose Mourinho's men won due to a deflected Paul Pogba strike and Henrikh Mkhitaryan's goal to earn a place in next season's Champions League.

 

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First Bailly and now Jones​

 

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'Coutinho NOT for sale’ - Liverpool boss Klopp warns Barcelona to stay away from transfer

Jurgen Klopp has again warned Barcelona they are wasting their time pursuing Philippe Coutinho as Liverpool will refuse to sanction a sale.The Reds rejected a £72 million offer from the Spanish giants on July 20 with that exact message: the 25-year-old is not on the market at any cost.

And speaking at the Audi Cup press conference in Munich, the manager re-iterated his club's position. "He is not available for sale," Klopp said. The word 'not' means there is no other interpretation. It's nothing new, is it?"

Barca have not improved on their opening proposal and the Brazil international has shown no signs of agitating for an exit. His output has been at a typically high level in Hong Kong and during the second phase of Liverpool's pre-season preparations in Germany.Coutinho, who turned in a masterclass against Leicester in the 2-1 Premier League Asia Trophy final victory, followed that up with pure genius against Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

For Liverpool’s final goal in a 3-0 win, he received the ball before casually turning Vladimir Darida and transforming five markers into bystanders.The midfielder spotted Mohamed Salah’s readiness to exploit the space between Karim Rekik and Fabian Lustenberger, delivered a phenomenal pass into his path, which the speedster dinked over goalkeeper Rune Jarstein.

As Goal reported last week, suggestions from Spain that Liverpool have named a fee for him - with contradictory amounts ranging from £89m to £134m - are inaccurate as no negotiations have taken place.

The Merseysiders are calm over the situation given Coutinho signed a new five-year deal in January without a release clause.Barcelona had originally shelved their interest in the Brazilian following that development, but have been pushed into making their move this summer following Paris Saint-Germain’s world-record pursuit of Neymar.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Neymar to PSG could prompt FFP investigation from UEFA

Neymar's proposed €222 million move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain would be examined by UEFA to ensure it does not breach Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

PSG are reportedly ready to break the world transfer record to sign the Brazilian in a bid to regain the Ligue 1 title and challenge for their first Champions League crown.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has indicated he will report PSG over the deal, while Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said it would be impossible for a club to buy Neymar without contravening FFP rules.

PSG - owned by Qatar Sports Investments - were hit with a €60m fine over FFP breaches in 2014 and UEFA said it will take a close look if the Ligue 1 side complete a deal for Neymar, although no complaints have yet been received.

UEFA's chief executive director for financial and sustainability Andrea Traverso told Spanish news agency EFE: "PSG have to respect FFP rules like any other club in Europe. They have to prove that they have no losses of more than €30m within three years.

"The potential impact of Neymar's signing with PSG would affect the economy of the club for many years. It is very difficult to judge this kind of transfer in advance because we do not know the plans of the French club. They could sell some players for a similar or higher price. Only afterwards can we make a calculation and make sure the rules are met.

"Regardless of whether we receive a complaint or not, we will discuss the details of the transfer in any case in order to ensure FFP rules are respected. Previous cases are taken into account if a potential sanction is decided, but now there is no open case and there is no reason to speculate on any hypothetical outcomes.

"Clubs are keenly aware of the rules. The fact that the debts of European clubs have dropped from €1.7 billion in 2011 to less than €300m now shows that the rule has had a positive impact on the stability and sustainability of European football."