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☆ Chelsea sign Ecuador's Caicedo from Brighton for British record fee
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Chelsea have broken the British transfer record for the second time in a year by signing Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion on an eight-year contract on Monday. Financial details were not disclosed but British media said Chelsea will pay 115 million pounds ($145.96 million), eclipsing the 106 million pounds record fee the London club paid to sign Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in January. Caicedo still had four years to run on his Brighton contract but had told the south-coast club he wished to leave. 'TOP MIDFIELDER'Caicedo signed for Brighton in February 2021 for a reported 4.5 million pounds and was loaned to Belgian club Beerschot in August that year. He made his Premier League debut in April last year and scored his first Brighton goal against Manchester United in May.

Persons: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Caicedo, Juergen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, Todd Boehly, Moises, Tony Bloom, Roberto De Zerbi, Alexis Mac Allister, David Weir, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Nicolas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu, Robert Sanchez, Angelo, Chelsea, Rohith Nair, Trevor Stynes, Ken Ferris Organizations: Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion, London, Benfica, Premier League, Brighton, Arsenal, Liverpool, Liverpool swooped, Clearlake Capital, Belgian, Beerschot, Manchester United, Argentina, West Ham United, Thomson Locations: Brighton, Argentina, Merseyside, London, Belgium

☆ Moisés Caicedo: The £4.5m bargain who became the most expensive player in British soccer
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Moisés Caicedo has been sought after by some of the world’s biggest soccer clubs and it is Premier League side Chelsea who has pried the Ecuadorian away from Brighton. Multiple outlets including Sky Sports and the BBC report that it’s a British record fee of £115 million ($146 million) that Chelsea and Brighton have agreed upon. Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesAs the transfer fee may suggest, the record-breaking move didn’t come without its fair share of complications. Premier League giant Liverpool believed that it would be the team securing the signing of Caicedo after having a £111 million ($141 million) bid for the midfielder accepted just days ago. Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty ImagesThe 21-year-old will star in Chelsea’s midfield alongside former record British transfer, Argentinian midfielder Enzo Fernández.

Persons: Moisés Caicedo, Mike Hewitt, Caicedo, coy, Jürgen Klopp, Klopp, “, Tony Bloom, Bloom, Manan Vatsyayana, Enzo Fernández, Fernández, Chelsea Organizations: CNN, English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion, Ecuadorian, Independiente del Valle, Premier League, Chelsea, Sky Sports, BBC, Brighton, Liverpool, coy Liverpool, ”, Blues, Arsenal, Gunners, Getty, West Ham United Locations: Brighton, Chelsea, London, Instagram, Santa Domingo, Ecuador, “, Qatar, AFP

☆ Moisés Caicedo could be on the brink of record-breaking $141 million transfer – but to which club?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Liverpool has made a £111 million ($141 million) bid for the midfielder, but whether the Ecuadorian international signs for the 2019 Premier League champion remains to be seen. Matthew Childs/Action Images/ReutersLiverpool head coach Jürgen Klopp confirmed in a press conference on Friday that the club had agreed a transfer fee with Brighton for Caicedo. The BBC reported the fee for the Brighton star is $141 million, which would break the British and Premier League transfer record. Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty ImagesAfter arriving at Brighton from Independiente del Valle for £4.5 million ($5.7 million), Ecuadorian midfielder Caicedo has impressed during his time in the Premier League. During the January transfer window Caicedo took to Instagram to plead for a move away.

Persons: Moisés Caicedo, Caicedo, Matthew Childs, Jürgen Klopp, Enzo Fernandez, Klopp, “, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, ”, Liverpool’s, Andrew Powell, Instagram, Moises, De Zerbi, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, The Premier League, Chelsea, Liverpool, Brighton, Hove Albion, Ecuadorian, League, Caicedo, BBC, Premier League, London, Benfica, Argentine, Sky Sports, Liverpool FC, Getty, Independiente del Valle, Arsenal, Manchester City, Burnley Locations: Ecuadorian, Caicedo, Brighton, Saudi Arabia, ” Brighton, Liverpool

CNN —With some of the world’s leading soccer players being tempted by the money on offer from Saudi Arabian soccer clubs, the Saudi Pro League’s (SPL) new Director of Football, Michael Emenalo, says the Gulf state is “disrupting the industry, but we are disrupting to enhance. We’re adding value to the industry.”The Saudi Pro League consists of 18 clubs, four of which are 75% owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) – one of the world’s top 10 sovereign wealth funds. Cristiano Ronaldo, N’golo Kanté, Riyad Mahrez and current Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema are just a few of players who have joined a variety of SPL clubs over the last few months. That’s true, but there is also a sensible, logical, thoughtful process to making the league better,” said the SPL’s new Director of Football. The new 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season begins on Friday, August 11, with Al-Ahli hosting Al-Hazm.

Persons: Michael Emenalo, Cristiano Ronaldo, N’golo, Riyad Mahrez, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, Emenalo, Germain, Mbappé, Al Hilal’s, coy, ” Emenalo, Darren Lewis, “, that’s, he’s, Jurgen Klopp, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Al Ettifaq, Al Ittihad, ”, ” Michael Emenalo, Henderson, – it’s Organizations: CNN, Saudi Pro League’s, Football, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Saudi, Al Hilal, Paris Saint, PSG, SPL, Liverpool, Saudi FA, Al Locations: Saudi Arabian, Gulf, France, Paris, Al Hilal, Saudi, Al, Liverpool, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Mahrez, Ahli

☆ Relentless Man City seek record four titles in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

However, such is the nature of the Premier League that City will certainly not have everything their own way. Juergen Klopp's side's failure to qualify for the Champions League would have stung, especially with Manchester United finishing eight points above them. Newcastle United, who finished fourth last term, will be determined to prove it was no flash in the pan, although they will need to juggle the demands of battling for a top-four finish with the Champions League this time. The additions of winger Harvey Barnes from Leicester City and Sandro Tonali from Milan will certainly help. Postecoglou is the first Australian to manage in the Premier League and faces a big challenge at the north London club who endured a toxic 2022-23 campaign under Antonio Conte.

Persons: Phil Foden, Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias, Pep Guardiola, Guardiola, pacesetters, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic, Declan Rice, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Juergen, Erik ten Hag, Harvey Barnes, Sandro Tonali, Ange Postecoglou, Antonio Conte, Harry Kane, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Manchester, Victory, Champions League, FA, Premier League, Manchester United's, League, Inter Milan, pacesetters Arsenal, City, Arsenal, Etihad, LIVERPOOL Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Luton Town's, Luton, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Manchester City, Abu Dhabi, Spanish, Istanbul, Barcelona, Al, Ahli, Saudi Arabia, City, Milan, Postecoglou, London, Fulham

After six seasons in the Champions League, where Klopp's side reached the final three times and won the trophy in 2019, Liverpool now find themselves back in the Europa League. Premier League clubs sacked 14 managers last season but Klopp, currently the longest-serving coach at a single club in England's top flight, was never in danger of losing his job. Liverpool did not inject fresh blood into an ageing midfield while injuries in the forward line scuppered a title challenge. This year Saudi Arabian clubs have forced Liverpool's hand, with the cash-rich league tearing up the Anfield club's transition plans by luring away their two midfield stalwarts. Returning to the Champions League will be their first priority, which is why a top four finish -- or even winning the Europa League -- will be the bare minimum that is expected of Liverpool.

Persons: Klopp, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade, Chamberlain, It's, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Szoboszlai, Fabio Carvalho, Romeo Lavia, Thiago, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Trent Alexander, Arnold, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Rohith Nair, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Liverpool, Premier League's, Champions League, Europa League, Premier League, Anfield, Saudi Pro League, RB Leipzig, Thomson Locations: Liverpool, England's, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Bengaluru

☆ Klopp complains about Saudi transfer deadline, dismisses Mbappe links
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Premier League's transfer window closes on Sept. 1, the deadline for most of Europe's top leagues, but Saudi Pro League clubs can sign players until Sept. 20. Liverpool have already seen three of their key players move to Saudi clubs, including skipper Jordan Henderson and fellow midfielder Fabinho while striker Roberto Firmino moved on a free transfer. "The influence of Saudi Arabia is massive at the moment," Klopp told reporters on Tuesday, a day before their pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich in Singapore. "Pretty much the worst thing I think is that the transfer window in Saudi Arabia is open three weeks longer. Mbappe has also been linked with a world record move to Saudi Arabia, but media reports said he rejected the idea of playing in the Gulf kingdom as he eyes a transfer to Real Madrid.

Persons: Juergen Klopp, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino, Klopp, Ballon, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Frenchman, Mbappe, I've, Rohith Nair, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Christopher Cushing Organizations: FIFA, Liverpool, Saudi Pro League, Bayern Munich, UEFA, World, Al, Paris St Germain, Real Madrid, Sky Germany, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Europe, Qatar, Portugal, Bengaluru

☆ Henderson bids farewell to Liverpool after 12 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 26 (Reuters) - Midfielder Jordan Henderson said farewell to Liverpool fans in a video posted on social media on Wednesday, confirming his departure from the club after 12 years ahead of a reported move to Saudi Arabia's Al-Ettifaq. The former Liverpool captain will join the Saudi Pro League after Al -Ettifaq paid a fee estimated at 13 million pounds ($16.77 million), according to reports. "It's hard to put these last 12 years into words and it's even harder to say goodbye," the 33-year-old wrote on his Instagram account. He also captained Liverpool to the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup titles. Henderson will reunite at Al-Ettifaq with former Liverpool team mate Steven Gerrard, who was appointed as a coach on a three-year contract earlier this month.

Persons: Jordan Henderson, Saudi Arabia's, Ettifaq, You'll, Henderson, Juergen, Steven Gerrard, Janina Nuno Rios, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Liverpool, Saudi Pro League, Al, Sunderland, England, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Anfield, Mexico City

☆ Jordan Henderson looks set to join a Saudi Arabian club. Once seen as an ally for LGBTQ groups, his move has drawn criticism
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

On Thursday, the BBC reported that Liverpool had agreed to Henderson joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq in a £12 million ($15.4 million) transfer. Liverpool and Al-Ettifaq did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment on Henderson’s widely reported impending transfer. Except Henderson’s transfer has attracted more scrutiny than those other players who have moved to Saudi Arabia. Henderson wears a rainbow captain's armband in support of the Rainbow Laces campaign during a match. The country regularly receives criticism for its treatment of LGBTQ people, women and migrant workers, as well as its human rights record.

Persons: Jordan Henderson’s, He’s, Jürgen Klopp’s, Henderson, Ettifaq, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino –, Laurence Griffiths, ‘ Football Ally, Mr Henderson, ” “, ’, 3LionsPride, “, Robbie de Santos, Jordan Henderson, ” De Santos, ” Organizations: CNN, England, Liverpool, English Premier League, Champions League, BBC, Saudi Arabian, Saudi Professional League, Stonewall, ‘ Football, Human Rights, Ukraine, Twitter, LGBT, CNN Sport, Communications, Affairs Locations: Saudi Arabia, Dammam, Al, Saudi, England

☆ Summer transfer window: The biggest moves so far as Saudi Arabia becomes major factor
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —European soccer’s summer transfer window is in full swing, with several household names already moving to pastures new. Karim Benzema – Real Madrid to Al-IttihadIn the first major coup of the summer for the Saudi Pro League, Karim Benzema has agreed to join Al-Ittihad once his contract expires with Real Madrid. After a disappointing season, Real Madrid will be hopeful that Bellingham will be a star midfielder for years to come once the ageing Luka Modric and Toni Kroos depart. The 32-year-old midfielder has signed a contract worth around £86 million ($109.8 million) a year, according to UK media. Rice, who was in the youth ranks at Chelsea and then West Ham, was voted Conference League player of the season.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo’s, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema –, Karim Benzema, Ittihad, Benzema, Frenchman, Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid Jude Bellingham, Florencia Tan Jun, Bellingham, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, N’Golo Kanté, Ittihad N'Golo Kanté, Justin Tallis, Kanté, Christopher Nkunku –, Chelsea Christopher Nkunku, Annegret Hilse, Germain, Chrisopher Nkunku, Nkunku, Todd Boehly, Kai Havertz, Germany's, Maja Hitij, Kai Kavertz, Mikel Arteta, Havertz, Boehly, Declan Rice –, Declan Rice, Richard Heathcote, Rice, West Ham’s, Mateo Kovačić –, Mateo Kovačić, Pep Guardiola’s, İlkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva, Alexis Mac Allister, Alex Pantling, Lionel Messi, Mac Allister, Jurgen Klopp, Mac, Roberto Firmino’s, Rúben Neves, Al Hilal Rúben Neves, Naomi Baker, Al Hilal, Neves Organizations: CNN, Super League, CNN Sport, Saudi Pro League, Al, Real Madrid, League, La Liga, Real, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Birmingham City, English, Ittihad N'Golo, France, Getty, Benzema, Chelsea, Premier League, FA, Europa League, UEFA Super, Leicester, Leipzig, RB Leipzig, Bundesliga, Reuters, Paris Saint, Arsenal, Ukraine, Gunners, Manchester City, football’s, Europa Conference League, Gent, Manchester United, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Manchester, Argentina, Brighton, Liverpool, Anfield, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wolves, Everton, Molineux, Portugal Locations: England, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Portuguese, Saudi Arabian, Karim Benzema – Real Madrid, Al, Ittihad, Bellingham, Dortmund, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Leicester, Paris, Leipzig, Bremen, Germany, Declan Rice – West Ham, West Ham, Mateo Kovačić – Chelsea, Madrid, Spain, Croatian, Brighton, Argentina, Qatar, Barcelona

☆ Real Madrid confirm Bellingham signing from Dortmund
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID, June 14 (Reuters) - Real Madrid officially confirmed the signing of England midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday in a deal worth 103 million euros ($111.29 million) plus add-ons, the Spanish giants said. Bellingham, who will sit out England's upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers due to injury, will be unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Thursday at noon local time after signing a six-year contract. Dortmund said they had reached an agreement with Real last week in a deal that includes add-ons that could increase the total amount by up to 30%. Bellingham is the third player signed by Real Madrid for a fee of at least 100 million euros after Gareth Bale (2013) and Eden Hazard (2019). At Real Madrid, he will join a side rich in young midfield talent such as Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Persons: Jude Bellingham, Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard, Real, Gareth Southgate, Juergen Klopp, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Karim Benzema, Hazard, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, Fernando Kallas, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Dortmund, Real, Bundesliga, English, Birmingham City, France, Premier League, Liverpool, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Bellingham, Madrid, Dortmund, Germany, England's, Qatar, England, Real

☆ Europa League final: Jose Mourinho goes in search of sixth European trophy 20 years after his first triumph
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Sevilla hasn’t earned its ‘King of the Europa League’ moniker for nothing, with those tournament record six triumphs coming from six finals, including a run of four wins in just six years. Jose Mourinho gives instructions to his Porto players ahead of extra time in 2003 UEFA Cup final. Jose Mourinho celebrates after Inter Milan reaches the 2010 Champions League final. “I don’t think of Porto [in] 2003, I don’t think about Roma last season. Should he lead Roma to victory on Wednesday, he will become the first manager to win the Europa League with three different teams.

Persons: Jose Mourinho, Mourinho, Sevilla hasn’t, Ivan Rakitić, José Castro, Jose Manuel Ribeiro, ‘, ’, Pep Guardiola’s, Ben Radford, “, ” Mourinho, I’m, “ I’ve, ”, Roma, Riccardo De Luca, Roma’s, eason Organizations: CNN, AS Roma, Europa League, Sevilla, UEFA, Porto, Manchester United, Reuters, Real, Real Madrid, ‘ Sevilla, Tottenham, Inter Milan, Guardiola’s, Camp, Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen, Roma, Serie, League, Europa Conference League, Anadolu Agency, Conference League, Wednesday, oma Locations: Budapest, Hungary, Rome, Barcelona, Portuguese, Porto, England, Eternal

☆ Bundesliga set for thrilling final day title decider
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

In fact, the last season Bayern didn’t win the championship was the 2011/12 campaign, when now Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp guided Borussia Dortmund to the title. That leaves soccer fans looking to the Bundesliga for a dose of end-of-season drama with the championship set to be decided on the final day of the season. “We stopped moving, stopped helping, stopped showing courage.”Perhaps, Bayern had become complacent, suffering the shock loss despite taking a 25th-minute lead through Serge Gnabry. Former Chelsea and Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel took over at Bayern in March. Bayern travels to 10th-placed FC Köln on the final matchday hoping for a win and a surprise Dortmund slip up in what is set to be a tense final day.

☆ Roberto Firmino: Liverpool great in tears after final match at Anfield
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

But even a draw couldn’t dampen the emotion of the occasion as Firmino was reduced to tears by the crowd’s tribute to him. Liverpool fans waved jerseys and cries of “Si Senor” reverberated around Anfield while Firmino’s teammates formed a guard of honor for him and other departing players, including James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita. Peter Byrne/PA Images/Getty Images“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the win, it wasn’t the result that you want,” Firmino said afterwards, according to Liverpool’s official website. As for every player, it’s the same,” Firmino said, according to the club’s website. Without my teammates, my family, the manager, you cannot do this.

☆ 'I will cry 100%': Firmino braces for emotional Anfield farewell
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 20 (Reuters) - Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino expects his final game at Anfield to be an emotional affair and the Brazilian said he is bracing for a flood of tears as he prepares to leave the Premier League club after eight trophy-laden years. Firmino, who has scored 109 goals since his move from Hoffenheim in 2015, has won every major trophy with Liverpool including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. "I am trying to focus on the game, but after it I will cry 100%," Firmino told reporters ahead of Saturday's game against Aston Villa, Liverpool's last home game of the season. "I will miss everything -- my teammates, the club, the fans, especially the fans. At his peak, Firmino was the fulcrum in Liverpool's three-pronged attack, forming a devastating partnership with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

☆ Firmino scores late goal to keep Liverpool's slim Champions League hopes alive
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Juergen Klopp's side are fifth with 66 points with one game remaining, but three points adrift of fourth-place Manchester United who have a game in hand. The home side dominated a frenzied final few minutes as chants of "Si Senor" rang out in the stadium. Liverpool's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League appear all but over. Liverpool were missing Darwin Nunez due to a toe injury, while Aston Villa were without injured Philippe Coutinho. Gakpo pulled up his shirt to show the referee the mark, but after a VAR review, Mings was shown a yellow card.

☆ Liverpool manager Klopp suspended and fined for media comments
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 18 (Reuters) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has been suspended from the touchline for two matches and fined 75,000 pounds ($95,000)following his comments to the media after the match against Tottenham Hotspur on April 30, the Football Association said on Thursday. After Liverpool's 4-3 home win, Klopp accused referee Paul Tierney of having something "against" Liverpool. The referee's body reviewed the audio of Tierney's exchange with the Liverpool manager and said he acted in a professional manner throughout. Liverpool are fifth in the league standings with 65 points, seven points ahead of sixth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion but having played two matches more. ($1 = 0.7923 pounds)Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Klopp urges Liverpool to keep pressure on after win at Leicester
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 16 (Reuters) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp urged his team to keep the pressure on their Premier League rivals in the last two games of the season as they make a late charge for a top-four finish. Liverpool secured Europa League football for next season after Monday's 3-0 win at Leicester City and sit one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United and third-placed Newcastle United, though both teams have a game in hand each. Klopp, whose side are now on a seven-game winning streak, said six weeks ago he had doubts about their chances of playing in Europe next season. "... You wish anyway that the opponent was just losing and you have that kind of pressure off your shoulder. Liverpool host Aston Villa on Saturday before a trip for their final match to Southampton, whose relegation has been confirmed.

☆ Newcastle drop points in top-four race, Southampton down
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LEEDS, England, May 13 (Reuters) - Newcastle United suffered more jitters in their quest to finish in the Premier League's top four as they drew 2-2 at relegation-threatened Leeds United but Southampton's agony is over after being relegated on Saturday. Leeds defender Rasmus Kristensen's second-half equaliser denied Newcastle the victory that would have all but assured them a place in next season's Champions League. Southampton have 24 points from 36 games, 19th-placed Leicester City have 30 from 35 with Leeds on 31 points from 36 games and Everton on 32 from 35. Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was then hacked down by Maximillian Wober and Callum Wilson converted from the penalty spot. Newcastle were awarded a second penalty midway through the second half when Firpo handled and Wilson proved deadly once again.

☆ Sebastian Steudtner has turned to science as he chases the world’s biggest waves
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Matt Majendie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

CNN —Sebastian Steudtner holds the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed. Steudtner holds the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed. Win, win, win or perform, perform, perform. How boring is it to win and win and win? If I want to catch waves, I don’t think about you because you’re in my way, so you’re naturally competitive.

Liverpool fans have a history of booing the national anthem, most recently doing so before last season’s FA Cup final at Wembley – many also booed Prince William when he appeared on the pitch. So why exactly do Liverpool fans have a history of booing the monarchy? Booing of the national anthem at football matches when the team played at Wembley – which was frequent given Liverpool’s dominance of English football in this era – became widespread and remains so today. Liverpool fans have a history of booing the national anthem. And, in an article written on Friday, football journalist Dominic King suggested Liverpool fans might just sing the club’s own anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” instead of “God Save The King” on Saturday.

☆ Liverpool will not get drawn into transfer battles for overpriced players - Klopp
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 6 (Reuters) - Liverpool will look to bring in new recruits in the close season transfer window but the Premier League club will not be drawn into bidding wars on players they feel are overpriced, manager Juergen Klopp said. British media last month reported that Liverpool ended their pursuit of England international Jude Bellingham, who had been the club's top transfer target ahead of an overhaul next season following a disappointing campaign. Asked what Liverpool's approach would be if clubs demand inflated transfer fees for targets, Klopp told reporters: "We cannot buy the player then". I am pretty sure we will bring in the players we want and those who will help us. Liverpool, who are fifth in the Premier League standings, host Brentford later on Saturday.

☆ Top-four finish not in Liverpool's hands, says Klopp
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Other teams are in much better positions, as long as they win games we have no chance," Klopp told reporters ahead of Saturday's clash against ninth-placed Brentford. We have 59 points and United has 63, so we can get 71 maximum (at the end of the season). The way they played over this season, the top four teams, no one looks like losing more games than they win, Klopp said. James Milner is expected to leave Liverpool after eight years at the end of the season and Klopp described how highly he valued the 37-year-old midfielder. Klopp said Diogo Jota and captain Jordan Henderson will be assessed ahead of the match while Roberto Firmino remains sidelined.

☆ Man City face Leeds with points vital for very different reasons
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The pair were also brought in to try to save their teams from the threat of relegation this season. The match is a departure from the usual rules that ban the TV screening of live games on Saturday afternoon. Watching avidly no doubt will be everyone at Arsenal, hoping Leeds can do them an unlikely favour as the Gunners cling to the fading hope of their first league title since 2004. A loss at third-placed Newcastle coupled with a City win over Leeds would all but end Arsenal's title challenge. They are third with 65 points, six ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool, who have played a game more.

☆ Tragedy chanting: ‘Vile’ soccer songs about deaths fueled by ‘need to hurt’ opposing fans
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Described as “vile” and “unacceptable” and fueled by “the need to hurt,” ‘tragedy chanting’ is becoming an increasing concern to soccer authorities. Then, in 1989, overcrowding in the stands ahead of the FA Cup semifinal between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium led to the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans. Nottingham Forest fans hold up a banner in memory of the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster. The working group has also been in contact with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to discuss whether convictions can be pursued for fans that engage in tragedy chanting. Heysel Stadium Disaster, May 1985.

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