Boss of Goss Kevin Darling on an apparent audacious bid by Jose Mourinho's Europa League hopefuls to land the world's best player.
No matter how boring it gets watching Manchester United, there will always be something good for their fans to read about them. And today is one of those moments when Red Devils supporters can feel like they’re following the most exciting club in the world.
The Daily Mail has reported that Lionel Messi could be on his way to Old Trafford in a world record transfer.
The Red Devils have reportedly made “two approaches in three weeks” for the Barcelona superstar as they “explore the potential of a sensational move”. We’re not told what Barca’s response was to these approaches, so we can assume for now that it was complete silence.
But the Mail has helpfully dug up some “sources close to Messi” (agent? butler? cat?), who have revealed that the 28-year-old Argentine is “frustrated and hurt” by the media circus surrounding his tax evasion court case in Spain. What this has to do with any potential transfer is unclear.
The Mail then goes on to add that Messi would not move to Old Trafford until next season, because even they aren’t foolish to suggest that the world’s best player would sign for a club that wasn’t in the Champions League.
The paper ends by saying that Messi will “require certain assurances” if he is to remain at the Nou Camp beyond his current contract (ending 2018) but it gives no indication of what this assurances are.
So in summary, Man Utd would like to buy Messi but there is absolutely nothing to suggest that they will.
It’s the poor United fans you have to feel sorry for in all this, reading all these stories and getting their hopes up.
If that transfer has about a 2 per cent chance of happening, let’s move on to another one that seems a bit more likely (probably about 13 per cent). The Sun claims that new Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has made Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere his “number one target” at the Etihad.
Although the occasionally fit England midfielder may find this flattering, the reasons for Pep’s pursuit aren’t very romantic, with City seemingly interested just to boost the quota of English players in their squad (currently there are just three - Joe Hart, Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling).
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman’s proposed move to Everton could prompt an exodus (another one) from St Mary’s, with the Sun claiming that Victor Wanyama, Graziano Pelle and Shane Long will seek moves if the Dutchman leaves.
Elsewhere, Stoke have won the race to sign £10m-rated Norwich winger Nathan Redmond (Mirror), Barcelona have joined Chelsea and Man City in the pursuit of Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez (Talksport) and Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel is wanted by a couple of clubs in Turkey(Liverpool Echo).
Finally, at the exact opposite end of the scale to the Messi to Man Utd rumour, Talksport have claimed that West Ham are in talks to sign Besiktas’ 33-year-old Canadian midfielder Atiba Hutchinson. WOW!
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gives fitness update on Reds trio ahead of Wednesday's Merseyside derby.
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Divock Origi will be available for Liverpool’s clash against Everton in Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby.
The Belgium international suffered an injury scare on Sunday afternoon after the 21-year-old came off the bench in the second half of Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Bournemouth at Dean’s Court.
Klopp confirmed after the narrow victory that the former Lille forward struggled with cramp during the Premier League clash on the south coast and was a doubt for the visit of Everton mid-week.
Speaking at his pre-match media conference ahead of Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby at Anfield, Klopp confirmed that Origi’s fitness setback wasn’t serious and the striker should feature against the Toffees.
“Divock was only a little bit [of a problem] with the back – maybe from sitting on the bench! It was not a real issue,” Klopp told Sky Sports.
“He felt it a little bit in the game and so we left him out of training yesterday but that was only not to take a risk. So that is OK.”
On the fitness of centre-halves Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure, Klopp added:
“In the game against Bournemouth, I think – and what I have heard so far is – it was cramp with Kolo.”
Klopp continued: “Before the [Bournemouth] game, Martin Skrtel had a little groin problem but with all the other things [players], there’s nothing new.”
Origi has scored four goals in his last five games in all competitions for the 18-time English champions, although the Belgian forward was unable to get on the score sheet against the Cherries.
The Belgian forward completed a £12m move to Liverpool from Lille following the 2014 World Cup last summer.
The Liverpool defender is reportedly considering moving on.
According to a recent report from ESPN, Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel is considering his options after slipping down the pecking order at Anfield this season.
Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho appear to be Reds manager Jurgen Klopp’s preferred defensive pairing right now, with Kolo Toure and even midfielder Lucas Leiva also playing at the back ahead of Skrtel in recent weeks.
With Joel Matip arriving this summer on a free transfer, the competition for places is only going to get tougher, so if Skrtel does leave could a Premier League rival snap him up?
Arsenalare in desperate need of quality centre-backs after a season to forget for Brazilian Gabriel Paulista and with Per Mertesacker lacking pace, and given his experience of the English top flight, Skrtel could be perfect forthe Gunners.
At 31 Skrtel has plenty of experience and while Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may prefer a slightly younger signing there is always a risk when bringing in a player unfamiliar with the division.
There would be no such risk with Skrtel, whose no-nonsense defending is exactly what Arsenal need as they bid to get over the missed opportunities of this season.
With 317 appearances for Liverpool Skrtel would be an interesting addition to Arsenal’s squad; a player who could be available relatively cheap but one who could form an effective partnership with Laurent Koscielny.
Skrtel (hamstring) has begun training outside, but he "still needs his time," manager Jurgen Klopp said Friday.
ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
With Skrtel and Dejan Lovren sidelined, Mamadou Sakho will continue to start, though it's unclear if he'll partner with Kolo Toure of Steven Caulker until Lovren is able to return.
Now the Reds boss has a full complement of players, Kristian Walsh looks at the main decisions he will have to make as far as his team goes.
For the first time since becoming Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has near enough a full squad to choose from.
After having to make do with whoever was fit for most of his time at Anfield, the German is now spoilt for choice.
Here Kristian Walsh from the Liverpool Echo looks at the big decisions facing Klopp.
Jurgen Klopp will not know which way to turn at Melwood. After a touch over five months in the Anfield job, his training ground is no longer full of the incapacitated and walking wounded. His deserted island has been inhabited. In his words: “Finally, we have more players than matches.”
A glance at the away dugout at Selhurst Park would have confirmed that. It was a bench so strong, it could have held seven sumo wrestlers. Philippe Coutinho and Christian Benteke came on in a bid to salvage the game; Daniel Sturridge watched on.
It has been a luxury he has not been afforded since moving to Merseyside in October. Juggling a healthy squad can create dilemmas. After the game, the German shrugged it off in typical fashion.
“We need all these guys,” said Klopp. “I will never complain about having players available. I could play them all together – we could play 4-1-4!”
Quick mental arithmetic is not his strong point, clearly. He soon corrected him. “Hang on,” he laughed. “I’ve forgotten a player, haven’t I? Okay, 4-1-5!”
He was speaking in relation to the strike force, which, once so barren, now looks so prosperous.
But these puzzles are emerging across the pitch, not just at the top end.
Some issues look sorted. Simon Mignolet is the first-choice goalkeeper and, with Lucas Leiva out for over a month, Jordan Henderson and Emre Can are the obvious choice in central midfield.
There are big questions elsewhere, though – not just for the Europa League double-header with Manchester United, but for the remainder of the season, too.
After five months of asking plenty of questions about life on Merseyside, now Klopp will have to answer a few and figure out his strongest side for the rest of the season.
‘Strongest’ is an archaic term in the modern game, of course, but a reliable best 11 is something most managers will strive for.
Here is what he has to figure out in order to find that.
WHO PLAYS IN CENTRAL DEFENCE?
Spare a thought for Steven Caulker. Brought to Anfield on loan in January to deal with a defensive crisis, he now finds himself sixth-choice. Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren have completed their comebacks, with Martin Skrtel still awaiting game time after his recovery from injury. In their absences, both Kolo Toure and Lucas emerged as viable options at the back.
With five of their six centre backs now fit – Lucas is out for the next five to six weeks – and Klopp traditionally deploying a back four, a lot will depend on which partnership works best.
Skrtel and Lovren often struggled to impress last season, while Sakho’s inconsistency can be a worry. Lovren has improved under Klopp – perhaps as a result of playing on the right-hand side – but still needs to strike an understanding with his French team-mate. Toure brings experience to the mix, if not able to do so twice in one week, while the imminent arrival of Joel Matip complicates matters further, as does Joe Gomez's return to fitness.
HOW MUCH DOES JON FLANAGAN PLAY?
Never claim Klopp does not admit his mistakes. With Jon Flanagan still recovering from a knee injury that saw him out of action for 629 days, the Reds boss was cautious with his management of him and left him out of the Europa League squad.
Since then, he has become a viable option at full back once more.
Flanagan has lined up only as a right back since his return – rather than the left, as he did under Brendan Rodgers – but that facilitates Nathaniel Clyne to move to left back, if needed. It was a set-up that worked well against Manchester City.
Liverpool are short at full back, though Brad Smith deserves consideration against Alberto Moreno – if only to rest the Spaniard’s legs in a position that relies upon plenty of high-intensity sprints.
But ultimately, it is Flanagan – out of contract this summer - whom the dilemma revolves around, and just how much league action he should see, and on which side he should see it.
WHEN DO YOU UNLEASH THE FANTASTIC FOUR?
The formula up front might not be as hard as some think. Divock Origi has been superb, but still remains raw; Benteke, despite his lively cameo at Palace, still has much to prove.
Adam Lallana has been praised by Klopp for his understanding and ability to counterpress. Firmino is the Premier League’s most in-form player, with no one scoring more league goals since the turn of the year. Sturridge is widely considered Liverpool’s best striker. Coutinho is widely accepted as Liverpool’s best player.
It could be a fearsome foursome, one that combines everything Klopp wants from a front four.
Yet he has been able to play it for just nine minutes this season – in the second half against Manchester City at Wembley.
But despite the quartet seemingly syncing well on paper, there is still creases to be ironed out. Much like the central midfield problem, perhaps the Firmino, Lallana and Coutinho trio – as an attacking midfield – are all too alike, all no.10s at heart. It worked as an attacking trident, but Sturridge’s presence could disrupt that. Sturridge, himself, will also take time to fully adapt to Klopp’s demands.
It would also mean losing the shape, solidity and reliability of James Milner. The balance he gives often goes unnoticed, but is nevertheless crucial.
Danny Ings' return from his cruciate injury next season makes tough decisions even harder, as well.
WHAT FORMATION?
Klopp has utilised a number of systems already since arriving at Anfield. 4-4-1-1, 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-2-1 – there is no set style under the German just yet.
A lot of that is dependent on the opposition, granted. His decision to match Leicester’s 4-4-2 at Anfield with one of his own was a masterstroke, and led to just one of the Foxes’ three defeats in this league campaign. Likewise, bringing in the extra man in midfield against Manchester City at the Etihad was a vital foundation to the mesmerising attacking play that steered them to a 4-1 victory.
Maybe, though, some point soon, Klopp has to decide what formation suits him and his players best.
HOW DO THE YOUNG BOYS PROGRESS?
It feels a long time ago now, but Liverpool won plaudits for their use of their Academy stars. Deserved praise, too, although it was also forced upon them.
What happens now to Smith and Connor Randall, or midfield duo Cameron Brannagan and Kevin Stewart, or Sheyi Ojo and Joao Carlos Teixeira? Smith may still appear on the bench and Stewart might feel unfortunate to be injured, as central midfield looks a little thin, but a lot of the attacking players will likely not feature again this season.
Their rise to superstardom – under the bright lights of Exeter and West Ham, no less – ended with their FA Cup involvement this season.
Klopp will keep a watchful eye on their progress from the youth teams, no doubt. Whether an opportunity arises to give them more minutes will be dictated on the next month of results.
Martin Skrtel has declared his delight at the return to fitness of both Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson for Liverpool. Henderson made his first start under Jurgen Klopp in Thursday's goalless draw with Sion in the Europa League having been out since August with a heel problem. Brazilian playmaker Coutinho also returned after a recent hamstring injury, and Skrtel is pleased to have the influential duo back in the side. The defender told the club's official website: "It's good news for us because both of them are very important players for us. "Hendo was out of the team for such a long time, so it's good to have him back. The same for Philippe; he was in good form before the injury. We're happy they're back and they'll definitely help us. "They've shown their quality so many times. I hope they can put their injuries behind them, stay fit and we see more of them on the pitch. " Liverpool host West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
THE happy smiles on the faces of Roy Hodgson and Chris Coleman revealed the truth about the draw for the Euro 2016 tournament.
Never mind a mouth-watering Battle of Britain between neighbours England and Wales, who have been squaring up to each other since 1879 and whose players meet up and down the Premier League every weekend.
Both managers were simply delighted to land up in Group B with Slovakia and Russia as the other two opponents.
It allows them to feel equally optimistic about progress to the knock-out stages without fear that their meeting in the second group game in Lens is a win-or-bust showdown.
That’s partly because of the expanded nature of this tournament, with four third-placed teams reaching the last 16 alongside the group winners and runners-up.
Just as significant is that, on current form, England and Wales should be superior to their rivals from Eastern Europe.
They avoided far tougher teams like Italy, Austria and Poland. In the case of Wales, they also missed world champions Germany, hosts France, as well as Spain.
“I feel good about it,” confessed Hodgson, whose young developing team qualifi ed with an impressive 100 per cent record.
“We are very pleased Wales have done so well, and whichever of the teams we got in that pot would be tough. Why not have a tough one close to home?”
It was far easier to say that, surveying what was a distinctly kinder draw for England than the one they landed in the group stages of their last tournament, the 2014 World Cup.
An immediate thought among many English sports fans was plain enough.
Here is a chance for England to get revenge for the disastrous defeat at home to Wales in the Rugby World Cup a couple of months ago.
Many Welshmen had the oval ball game in mind, too.
Former striker John Hartson was swift to say: “We beat them in the rugby, now we have to try to do it in the football.”
In the build-up to the draw, Wales manager Coleman had said he would prefer to avoid England because of the hype that might surround a Battle of Britain.
Afterwards, he was clearly content, saying: “It will be a great game between two good teams.
"When you get to a tournament it’s all about the 90 minutes on the day, and you just have to get that right.”
Wales begin with a match against Slovakia, captained by Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel.
They are an inconsistent team without star quality.
The opener for England is against Russia in the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
The last English national team to play there was the rugby union side who beat Australia in a World Cup quarter-final.
Russia struggled to qualify, dispensing with former England manager Fabio Capello along the way.
His successor Hodgson will say all the right things during the next few months about respect for opponents, but there is no doubt this was a favourable luck of the draw last night. Not since 1958 have three British nations and the Republic competed in the same tournament.
Then, Northern Ireland and Wales went the furthest – both reaching the quarter-finals.
Northern Ireland drew with reigning world champions West Germany, while Wales were only knocked out by Brazil, the goal scored by a 17-year-old Pele.
Yesterday’s draw pitted Northern Ireland against Germany once again, along with Poland and Ukraine.
There is every possibility they could progress to the knock-out stage.
Whether the same can be said for the Republic of Ireland is less certain.
Martin O’Neill’s team qualifi ed via the play-offs and the reward is the toughest looking of all six groups.
They face Belgium, currently ranked the No 1 team in the world, and also heavyweights Italy.
Then there is Sweden, inspired by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“It couldn’t be tougher,” said O’Neill. “I haven’t really enjoyed this draw. Effectively, we have two topranking teams in our group.”
