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Tag: liverpool

  • UCL: Liverpool won’t give up despite deficit-Van Dijk

    Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has told ESPN Brasil Barcelona will come to Anfield for the second leg of their Champions League semifinal knowing the tie isn’t over despite their 3-0 deficit.

    Jurgen Klopp’s men impressed at Camp Nou in their first meeting on Wednesday. But Luis Suarez’s opener was followed by a Lionel Messi double to tip the tie in Barca’s favour.

    However, Van Dijk, who was recently named PFA Players’ Player of the Year, said Liverpool are still in it — and Barcelona know it.

    “We played a great game, despite the result,” the 27-year-old said. “We had a great chance to score as well.

    “I think if we had scored at least one or two, people would have been talking a lot differently.

    “We have to be realistic: we are 3-0 down at the moment. We have a big job to do at Anfield.

    “We won’t give up. We will definitely stay confident because we have to be. We have been having a fantastic season.

    “It’s going to be strange for them coming here with a 3-0 advantage but they still have in their mind that it won’t be over.”

    The clash at Camp Nou saw Van Dijk come up against Messi and, despite seeing Barca’s No. 10 score twice the Netherlands international said he enjoyed the challenge.

    “I think he’s the best in the world,” he added. “I said it before I even played against him.

    “He’s shown his class for the last 10 years. It’s fantastic to see him play for a neutral — but it’s also great to come up against him.

    “You can test yourself, you can see how you can cope against him. It was obviously great to come up against him but it’s not about me, it’s not about him.

    “It’s about Liverpool and Barcelona and both teams want to get to the final.”

  • Breaking: Barcelona vs Liverpool first X1

    Spanish giants FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC have released players that will defend their colours in tonight’s Semi Finals first leg.

    The match, which begins in another one hour at the Camp Nou, is the most anticipated contest in global football community.

    Barcelona

    • Ter Sergen
    • Pique
    • Lenglet
    • Jordi Alba
    • Sergio Roberto
    • Busquets
    • Ivan Rakitic
    • Vidal
    • Coutinho
    • Messi
    • Suarez

     

    Liverpool

    • Allison
    • Gomez
    • Matip
    • Van Dijk
    • Fabinho
    • Milner
    • Wildnajum
    • Keita
    • Mane
    • Salah

     

  • Liverpool CEO urges calm after arrest of six fans

    Liverpool CEO Peter Moore has told the club’s supporters to behave after six fans were arrested in Barcelona on Tuesday following disturbances in the Catalan city.

    Police sources confirmed to ESPN FC that six people were detained overnight, later confirmed by Merseyside Police, ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal first leg between Liverpool and Barcelona at Camp Nou.

    They were arrested after fights broke out on Plaza Reial, just off La Rambla, where hundreds of travelling supporters had gathered throughout the afternoon on Tuesday.

    Images emerged on social media of the disturbances, with one video showing a fan tipping a bystander into the fountain in the middle of the square.

    Reports said Merseyside Police are looking to identify the man.

    Police sources told ESPN FC that all of the arrests made so far were for public order offences.

    CEO Moore himself took to social media to urge Liverpool supporters to treat the Catalan city with respect in the build-up to the game.

    “We proudly sing that we’ve conquered all of Europe,” he wrote on Twitter.

    “But let’s treat this beautiful city with the respect that it deserves, and act in a manner that is befitting of LFC.

    “By all means have a good time, but we are Liverpool, and as such, let’s visit here with grace and humility.”

    Liverpool later added in a statement: “Liverpool Football Club is working with Merseyside Police and the authorities in Spain, who are endeavouring to identify those involved in the incident.

    “Such behaviour is clearly totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. It would be inappropriate to comment further while the situation is ongoing other than to confirm the club will follow due process in any and all cases of this nature.”

    Supporters were eventually forced out of Plaza Reial by local police later in the evening in a bid to break them up into smaller groups.

    But some of the travelling support told the Liverpool Echo that they felt the police’s force was unnecessary.

    A police source told ESPN FC they were surprised by the behaviour of a selection of the English club’s following, explaining that they hadn’t expected it because of the excellent way Manchester United fans conducted themselves two weeks ago.

    There will be increased policing and attention throughout Wednesday — which is a bank holiday in Spain — to avoid further problems before the game.

    Liverpool are hoping to make the Champions League final for the second successive year, while Barcelona are targeting a first final appearance since 2015.

    The second leg will take place next Tuesday at Anfield, with the winners facing either Tottenham or Ajax in June’s showpiece at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. (ESPN)

  • Van Dijk wins PFA Player of the Year award

    Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has won the PFA Player of the Year award, beating Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard to the prize.

    Netherlands international Van Dijk, who joined from Southampton for £75 million last January, has helped Jurgen Klopp’s side establish the best defensive record in the Premier League.

    They are second in the Premier League and in the Champions League semifinals, with the 27-year-old’s contribution seeing him win the honour.

    Van Dijk becomes the second consecutive Liverpool player to win the award after forward Mohamed Salah was crowned Player of the Year 12 months ago.

    He is the first defender to win the award since Chelsea centre-back John Terry in 2005.

    “I think it’s the highest honour you can get as a player to get voted Player of the year by the players you play against every week. It’s special. I’m very proud and honoured to win,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.

    Read Also: Liverpool apologises, dump Virgil van Dijk interest

    Speaking earlier this month, Klopp said he felt the defender would be a worthy winner.

    “He’s had an outstanding season. Will he have deserved it? Of course,” he said. “It was last season when Kevin De Bruyne and Mo Salah both played unbelievable seasons and Mo won it.

    “We were happy about that, and not because De Bruyne lost it — because he would have deserved it as well.

    “I think it is the same again in this case. It’s clear, the same again, I would be really happy for Virgil to win it.”

    Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and City’s Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva were also on the six-man shortlist, with the winner voted for by PFA members.

    Sterling did not go home empty-handed however, as the 24-year-old City standout took home the Young Player of the Year Award.

    Vivianne Miedema was voted women’s player of the year, on the day she won the Super League with Arsenal.

    Manchester City forward Georgia Stanway was voted women’s young player of the year.

    ESPN

     

  • ‘Barcelona putting La Liga title ahead of Liverpool UCL tie’

    Barcelona coach, Ernesto Valverde has said that the Spanish giants will put winning La Liga for the eighth time in 11 years ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League showdown against Liverpool.

    Barcelona host Liverpool in the first leg of their semifinal tie next week, but they have the chance to wrap up the Spanish league title by beating Levante on Saturday ahead of the UCL match.

    Valverde told a news conference that the boost which winning La Liga will bring outweighs the option of making wholesale changes ahead of the game against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

    “You always have upcoming rivals in your head — you’re watching their games, analysing them,” Valverde said when asked if a first European semifinal since 2015 could serve as a distraction.

    “But I want to try and put Liverpool to one side because of the importance of Saturday’s game. I want the Levante game to be the crowning moment of our league season. If we win, we’re champions and that will give us a huge push going into Wednesday’s game.”

    Valverde rested Lionel Messi, Ivan Rakitic and Jordi Alba for the midweek 2-0 win against Alaves, but all three are expected to start this weekend. There could be some subtle rotating elsewhere, though.

    “It’s possible that there will be some changes, but there are four days between the two games,” the coach added. “Winning the league would be a massive boost for the Liverpool match.”

    Read Also: UCL: 5 reasons Manchester United could upset Barcelona

    Barca could even be crowned champions before the Levante game if Atletico Madrid lose to Real Valladolid earlier on Saturday. The Catalans are nine points clear of their nearest rivals with just four games to go and have a superior head-to-head record over Atleti.

    They remain on track for a third Treble since 2009, too, with the Copa del Rey final against Valencia to come in May, but Valverde is particularly pleased with his side’s consistency in the league as they hone in on a 26th title.

    “What this team is doing is really difficult,” Valverde said. “Last year, we won the league with games to spare. We’re in the same position this year. That’s not easy.

    “We win titles because we have extraordinary players. We give a huge amount of value to winning the league, it’s what marks the season. I know there are other competitions, like the Copa and the Champions League, but they depend on certain moments.

    “The league is months of competition, of winning home and away and that has so much value. And the fact the club has won so many titles in recent years says a lot about how things are taken on a day to day basis.”

    ESPN

     

  • Salah, Mane earn braces to send Liverpool top of EPL again

    Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah both struck twice as Liverpool kept the pressure up on English Premier League (EPL) title rivals Manchester City with a 5-0 win on Friday.

    Liverpool beat already-relegated Huddersfield Town to move to the EPL summit on 91 points, two more than Manchester City.

    But Pep Guardiola’s side can regain top spot with a win at Burnley on Sunday.

    It took just 14 seconds for Liverpool to go in front, with Huddersfield defender Jon Gorenc Stankovic giving the ball away to Salah just outside the box.

    The Egyptian fed Naby Keita who slotted home off the inside of the post.

    Mane headed in the second in the 23rd minute.

    The Senegalese met a trademark Andy Robertson cross from the left after Virgil Van Dijk had started the move with a surge out from the back.

    On the stroke of half-time, Salah put the game beyond Huddersfield.

    He latched on to a long pass forward from Trent Alexander-Arnold and knocked the ball past the advancing Jonas Lossl.

    Mane scored his second and Liverpool’s fourth in the 66th minute, heading in a deep cross from Jordan Henderson.

    He also went close to a hat-trick in the 78th minute when he headed a Xherdan Shaqiri cross against the post.

    Salah made it 5-0 with a simple close-range tap-in from a low Robertson cross.

    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returned to action as a substitute, his first appearance since suffering a knee injury a year ago.(Reuters/NAN)

  • Manchester City, Liverpool dominate PFA team of the year

    English Premier League (EPL) defending champions Manchester City dominated the Professional Footballers’ Association’s (PFA) Team of the Year announced on Thursday, claiming six out of 11 spots.

    Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, forwards Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero, midfielders Bernardo Silva and Fernandinho, and centre back Aymeric Laporte were all named in the side, which also had four players from Liverpool.

    Read Also: Breaking: Manchester City beat Crystal Palace, back on top

    The 2018/2019 EPL leaders are a point ahead of Liverpool in the race for the title, with both teams having three games left to play.

    Liverpool dominated the defensive positions with centre back Virgil van Dijk joined by full backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the side and Sadio Mane named as a forward.

    Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was the only player not from either Manchester City or Liverpool to be named in the team.

  • Record-breaking Liverpool beat Cardiff City to regain top spot

    Liverpool has regained top spot in the Premier League table courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Cardiff City in South Wales.

    Jurgen Klopp’s side patiently toiled in the sunny conditions during the first half, but Georginio Wijnaldum broke the deadlock shortly before the hour mark and James Milner made sure of the points with a late penalty.

    The Reds had been knocked off the summit by Manchester City’s narrow win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, but the champions must now beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in Wednesday’s derby to retain control of the topsy-turvy title race.

    Regardless of whether they win the title or not, Liverpool has now broken its club record for number of points in a Premier League season and could end the campaign on 97 points but still miss out on the trophy.

    As expected, Liverpool quickly assumed control of possession and territory in South Wales, but Cardiff packed men behind the ball and made it difficult for the visitors to break through, with the only notable sight of goal from the opening 20 minutes seeing Sadio Mane slice an effort high and wide.

    The Reds should have taken the lead midway through the first half, though, when Mohamed Salah and Mane combined to set up Roberto Firmino, who lifted his effort over the bar when he only had Neil Etheridge to beat.

    Liverpool’s pressure increased as the half wore on and Mane had a half-chance to break the deadlock when he darted across his marker to meet Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low delivery, only to fire over with a difficult finish.

    Salah then came close just three minutes later when he span away from Bruno Ecuele Manga to leave himself through on goal, but Etheridge was quick off his line to thwart the Egyptian.

    Cardiff spent the majority of the first half focused on containing Liverpool, but they did almost score against the run of play on the stroke of half time when a scuffed Victor Camarasa effort bounced into the path of Oumar Niasse, who could not get enough on his shot on the turn to really trouble Alisson.

    Liverpool ended the half with 79% possession but were being made to work by the stubborn hosts, and Cardiff created another half-chance soon after the restart when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing swung a cross in to Sean Morrison, whose looping header landed on the roof of the net.

  • Liverpool back at EPL summit after 2-0 win at Cardiff City

    Liverpool regained their place at the top of the English Premier League (EPL) with a 2-0 win at Cardiff City on Sunday that restored their two-point lead over Manchester City.

    Juergen Klopp’s side, who have lost just once in the league all season, have 88 points, a club record in the Premier League era.

    Manchester City, who beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Saturday, are on 86 but have a game in hand.

    That extra game for Manchester City will be played on Wednesday when Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.

    Now the champions will make the short trip with the pressure firmly back on.

    Against a Cardiff side battling for Premier League survival, it was a confident, patient performance from Liverpool who have now enjoyed nine straight wins in all competitions.

    “It was prepared to be a proper banana skin and we knew that, the boys were unbelievable. It was clear, difficult for all of us,” said Klopp.

    “The boys tried really with all they have, we only speak about the things we have to do.”

    “Their attitude is outstanding and it’s a tough season but a very positive one as well,” added the German.

    Cardiff defended deep and in numbers and limited Liverpool’s opportunities, but Roberto Firmino missed a great chance to open the scoring in the 22nd minute.

    He found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Neil Etheridge but lifted the ball over the bar.

    Etheridge was then quick off his line to save with his legs from Mohamed Salah, while Cardiff offered a warning when Alisson Becker tipped over Oumar Niasse’s close-range effort.

    After an intense spell of pressure following the interval, Georginio Wijnaldum broke the deadlock for Liverpool in fine style with a first-time strike.

    It came from a clever short corner kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

    Sean Morrison then missed a golden opportunity for Cardiff to equalise, making a hash of a header when he had an open goal at his mercy after Alisson misjudged a cross.

    Late in the game, Morrison was judged to have pulled down Mohamed Salah in the box.

    Substitute James Milner converted the 81st minute penalty kick to make sure of the crucial three points for Klopp’s side.

    Liverpool’s ability to avoid slip-ups against lowly opposition has been a key part of their season.

    They have taken 52 points from a possible 54 against teams in the bottom half of the table.

    Cardiff remain in 18th place, the final relegation spot, and are three points behind 17th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion, having played a game more.(Reuters/NAN)

  • Salah shines as clinical Liverpool see off FC Porto in UEFA Champions League

    A resurgent Mohamed Salah scored one and set up another to inspire a Liverpool to a 4-1 win over FC Porto in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday.

    The 6-1 aggregate victory has however teed them up for a last-four clash with FC Barcelona of Spain.

    They held off FC Porto in the early stages at Porto before Salah and Sadio Mane combined for the Senegalese to put them ahead with their first shot on target.

    The goal was however given after a VAR review.

    Egypt striker Salah doubled the tally after the break and goals from Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk wrapped it up late on.

    The Portuguese side had briefly reduced the arrears through Eder Militao, but having lost the first leg 2-0 at Anfield, they never seemed in a position to overturn the deficit.

    FC Barcelona had advanced on Tuesday when they won 3-0 in their second leg tie against Manchester United, completing a 4-0 aggregate victory.

    Five-times European champions Liverpool, who had produced a scintillating display to beat FC Porto 5-0 in the last-16 at the Dragao stadium last season, had a totally different approach this time.

    They soaked up the pressure as Porto made an adventurous start, with Jesus Corona curling a powerful shot just over the bar in the opening minute.

    Juergen Klopp’s side looked temporarily toothless, but they were just waiting for their moment — which came in the 26th minute.

    Mane latched onto a cross from Salah to beat Iker Casillas from close range but he was initially flagged offside, only for referee Danny Makkelie to check the VAR.

    After a two-minute review, the goal was eventually given.

    Facing the huge task of scoring four goals to qualify, FC Porto looked stunned, in spite of having attempted 15 shots before the interval.

    Salah, who endured a goal drought in March, confirmed he was getting close to his best again when he coolly slotted the ball past Casillas.

    That was after collecting a perfect diagonal through ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 65th minute.

    It was Salah’s first 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League goal since December, and his first away from Anfield in the competition in 12 months.

    Militao soothed the home fans’ suffering a little, beating Roberto Firmino in the air to head home in the 69th minute.

    Brazilian Firmino, who had started on the bench as Klopp handed a rare start to Divock Origi, made it 3-1 with a downward header with 13 minutes left.

    And Van Dijk headed home a fourth from a corner kick eight minutes later to put the game beyond their hosts.

    Tottenham Hotspur will face Ajax Amsterdam in the other semi-final tie of the competition.(Reuters/NAN)