Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was close to phoning into a radio show when he heard criticism of Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag has got off to a dismal start at Manchester United, who head into Monday s clash with rivals Liverpool on the back of two defeats in their opening games.
A 2-1 home defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion was followed by a humiliating 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Brentford last weekend.
But Klopp, whose team have hardly set the world alight in their two matches so far, drawing to both Fulham and Crystal Palace, said he has been angered by the harsh criticism of Ten Hag.
Using the example of talkSPORT pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor, Klopp suggested the reaction from some in the media has been overblown.
It was obviously not nice fo…
According to a recent report from Bild, RB Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund has denied that RB Leipzig, their sister club in association with Red Bull, will be able to sign Erling Haaland for a reduced fee during next year’s summer transfer window. There’s still a possibility that Germany is where he’ll end up playing, but Leipzig are likely going to have to pay the full fee.
The teenage sensation continues to break records this season, to the point where many think he’s going to slot straight into the starting XI of whichever team he agrees to play for.
Haaland has a few really, really big decisions to make over the course of the next few months as he prepares to take the next step in his young career. For the time being, though, Salzburg are g…
Newcastle United want to sign Christian Pulisic from Premier League rivals Chelsea in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that Manchester United are also keen on securing the services of the USA international this summer.
Pulisic, who has been on the books of Chelsea since 2019, can operate as an attacking midfielder or as a winger. The USA international has not been a massive success at the Blues, but he is only 23 years of age and can still develop and improve his game. The youngster has scored 19 goals and created 12 big chances in 76 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career.
Newcastle are a big and ambitious club, but it is unlikely that Pulisic would fancy a move to St. James’ Park. After all, Eddie Howe’s side will…
Barcelona are interested in signing Chelsea midfielder N Golo Kante in the summer of 2023, according to . The report in the Spanish publication has claimed that former La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners are looking at signing free agents next summer, and that France international midfielder Kante on their radar.
Kante has been on the books of Chelsea 2016 when he joined from Leicester City and is one of the best players in his position in the world. The France international midfielder has won the Premier League, the FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup once each other the Blues.
Barcelona are at the top of the La Liga table at the moment with 22 points from eight matches, level on points with la…
After a second round of fixtures full of goals and drama, we head into the third weekend of the 2020-21 Premier League season.
Liverpool take on Arsenal in the headline fixture, while Manchester United kick-off the weekend with a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion.
Crystal Palace and a rejuvenated Everton have both made a fine start to the season, and the pair go head-to-head at Selhurst Park, while Manchester City face Leicester City on Sunday, after a mouth-watering Yorkshire derby between Sheffield United and free-scoring Leeds United.
But before settling down to watch all the action unfold, why not warm-up your minds with our Opta-powered quiz?
1. Brighton have won just one of their 10 Premier League home games so far in 2020. Which team have they beate…
Fluminense rode their luck as they progressed into the FIFA Club World Cup final with a 2-0 victory over Al Ahly in Jeddah.
Jhon Arias converted a 71st-minute penalty awarded when Marcelo was hacked down by Percy Tau, but the goal came in a second half controlled by the Egyptian champions until they ran out of steam.
Tau was presented with a superb chance to redeem himself soon after but his shot failed to match the quality of the long ball played in by Hussein El Shahat.
Calm as you like.
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup)
Veteran midfielder Felipe Melo had to come to Fluminense’s rescue earlier in the half, El Shahat forced a save from Fabio and Mohamed Hany also went close.
Al Ahly were open to the counter attack as they searched fo…
The race for Jude Bellingham s signature continues, with Liverpool having pulled out last week.
Numerous top clubs are keen on the 19-year-old England international who is contracted with Borussia Dortmund until 2025.
Bellingham signed his initial deal with Dortmund in 2020 but is set for a major pay rise if he moves or pens fresh terms.
TOP STORY – MADRID TO USE DIAZ IN BELLINGHAM DEAL
Real Madrid are plotting a potential player swap-plus-cash deal to land Jude Bellingham in the off-season, according to Cadena SER.
Los Blancos are investigating potentially using Brahim Diaz, currently on loan at Milan, in a deal to help reduce Dortmund s reported €150 million asking price.
Madrid are currently in the process of extending the stays of …
Didier Deschamps vowed the show must go on for France after the latest crushing blow to their World Cup hopes saw Karim Benzema ruled out of the tournament.
Pain in the quadriceps of his left thigh – a femoral rectus injury to be exact – means Real Madrid s Ballon d Or winner will play no part in the Qatar 2022 finals.
Benzema, who missed Les Bleus triumph at Russia 2018 while out of favour amid an ongoing blackmail investigation, was hoping to play a big part in the trophy defence this time.
He was battling to prove his fitness after recent injury strife with Madrid, and Saturday s training session was his first full on-pitch activity with the France squad of this camp.
The 34-year-old could not make it through unscathed though, pulling out after fee…
Xabi Alonso is looking for a big improvement from Bayer Leverkusen against fellow Champions League side RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
After a 3-2 league win at Borussia Monchengladbach, Leverkusen edged to a narrow 1-0 victory at fourth-tier FC Carl Zeiss Jena in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday.
Despite winning their opening two games of the season, and maintaining their impressive unbeaten streak, Alonso said his double-winning side are far from their best selves.
We know that we can play better and have not yet reached our top level yet. We need to work on that, Alonso told reporters on Friday.
That s why we want to carry on working. It s a process to achieve that level, but it s our aim, and we re focused on that. And I m con…
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes the club’s recent slump has delivered a much-needed reality check.
Guardiola says he and his treble-winning players have enjoyed being stroked “like a cat” for too long after their recent successes and it was time they were given a shake.
City were not only beaten but outplayed at Aston Villa on Wednesday – a result which extended their winless run in the Premier League to four games and saw them slip to fourth in the table.
“As a manager I sometimes need that, I need that challenge,” said Guardiola at a press conference to preview Sunday’s game at Luton.
“I think for everyone it is good. I think it’s necessary to live that.
“For a long time, we’ve lived like a cat (strokes head) an…