London, United Kingdom | AFP | Liverpool’s long wait for a major trophy could come to an end on Saturday with a sixth European Cup, but the foundations for a return to the pinnacle of Europe were laid last January in trusting Jurgen Klopp’s judgement to make Virgil van Dijk …
Read More »Klopp says Liverpool are best team he has taken to a final
Liverpool, United Kingdom | AFP | Jurgen Klopp says his current Liverpool team are the strongest side he has taken to a final as he plots Champions League glory against Premier League rivals Tottenham on Saturday. Liverpool are preparing for their second successive Champions League final after a run that included …
Read More »Liverpool or Tottenham to finally reap rewards of Klopp, Pochettino’s good work
London, United Kingdom | AFP | The transformation of Liverpool and Tottenham’s fortunes under Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino has so far been measured in progress rather than trophies. That will all change for the winner of Saturday’s Champions League final with one of the two claiming the biggest prize in …
Read More »Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League loss to Liverpool as they face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday. After winning La Liga by 11 points, Barca can complete …
Read More »All change? What next for European club football
Paris, France | AFP | Plans by UEFA to reform European club competitions would see 128 clubs playing a total of 647 matches starting in the 2024 season (with 407 per season 2021-2024) spread over three continental competitions, according to a document seen by AFP on Friday. The 128 teams would …
Read More »Chaos and comebacks: Champions League proves the ultimate in sporting drama
Amsterdam, Netherlands | AFP | After all that, why exactly would you want to change it? Just as moves are being stepped up that threaten to change the Champions League into more of a closed shop than ever, along comes the drama of this week at Anfield and in Amsterdam of …
Read More »UEFA considering Champions League with promotion/relegation
Nyon, Switzerland | AFP | UEFA has drafted a controversial plan to introduce promotion and relegation to the Champions League at a meeting at its Swiss headquarters in Nyon, sources told AFP on Wednesday. There would be four groups of eight teams from 2024 if the proposal is put into action …
Read More »Son back as Tottenham target comeback in Ajax semi-final
Amsterdam, Netherlands | AFP | Mauricio Pochettino describes being in the last four of the Champions League as “a bonus”, but Tottenham Hotspur are still hopeful of going all the way to the final as Son Heung-min returns for Wednesday’s second leg against Ajax. Spurs come to Amsterdam needing a special …
Read More »Origi, Wijnaldum complete historic Liverpool Champions League comeback
Liverpool, United Kingdom | AFP | Liverpool produced one of the most stunning comebacks in Champions League history as Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice to beat Barcelona 4-0 and progress to the final for the second consecutive year 4-3 on aggregate on Tuesday. The Reds not only had a …
Read More »Liverpool seek new ‘heroes’ without concussed Salah against Barcelona
Liverpool, United Kingdom | AFP | Liverpool must turn to unlikely heroes to overturn a 3-0 Champions League semi-final, first leg deficit against Barcelona on Tuesday according to defender Trent Alexander-Arnold after top scorer Mohamed Salah was ruled out with concussion. Roberto Firmino will also be absent against the Spanish …
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