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Celtic have tabled an offer for Brendan Rodgers' dream signing as they look to bolster their ranks in a bid to retain their Scottish Premiership title.

Celtic off to winning start

Despite the Scottish Premiership's new season only being one game old, Celtic already have an early advantage over Old Firm rivals Rangers. Brendan Rodgers' side thrashed Kilmarnock 4-0 in their season opener, with goals from Reo Hatate, Liam Scales, Nicolas Kuhn and Anthony Ralston ensuring that they romped to three points to take their place at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Rangers were held to a goalless draw by Hearts in their opener, handing the Bhoys an early advantage in what is certain to be a long and twisting title battle.

Celtic now want to sign "top" Brighton attacker amid talks for Matt O'Riley

The Hoops have been given a boost.

By
Charlie Smith

Aug 7, 2024

Despite this early lead, Rodgers is keen to continue transfer business right up until the transfer deadline, warning the club that they "cannot snooze" between now and the end of the summer window.

"We still have work to do. In transfers, there's always moving parts, it's never as easy as just seeing a player and bringing him in. But I would hope by the end of August we would have the team set up how we would've wanted it, because it's so important.

"You cannot snooze in this game of football. You always have to be developing and improving. We want to ensure that we have an improved squad this season in order to take on all the challenges that we have."

Now, he seems set to get his wish.

Celtic table new offer for "immense" striker

That comes as the BBC report that the Scottish giants have tabled a second bid for key transfer target Adam Idah as they look to force through a deal. The Bhoys have already seen one offer turned down for the striker, who scored nine times in 19 outings on loan at Parkhead in the second half of last season but still has four years to run on his £5,000 a week deal at Carrow Road.

Rodgers has been clear in his desire to land the 23-year-old since the end of last season.

“The board know how I feel on Adam, that was the reason for bringing him in,” the Celtic boss said. “He’s been a real catalyst for us, especially over the last few months.

“He’s been absolutely immense for us and he’s clearly someone I’d like to do something with. Hopefully we can do something. He has a long-term contract at Norwich but he is definitely one I would love to bring back here."

Now, he may be set to get his wish, with the BBC reporting that a "new and improved" second bid has gone in for the Republic of Ireland forward.

They add that "the Championship club have not accepted the fresh deal, but discussions between the clubs continue" as the Scottish Champions look to land their long-term summer target. It remains to be seen if Norwich will accept a sale, having already lost Gabriel Sara this summer and with Jonathan Rowe in talks with Leeds United over a potential move to Elland Road.

Patrice Evra claims Cristiano Ronaldo would "never" join Arsenal and turned down chances to join the Gunners, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain.

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• Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018
• Had chance to join PSG, Arsenal, and more
• Portuguese would "never" join the Gunners

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra has claimed that ex-Red Devils team-mate Ronaldo considered moving to Paris Saint-Germain before he swapped Real Madrid for Juventus in 2018. The Frenchman added that Chelsea were also interested in signing the Portuguese but he did not entertain the possibility of joining Arsenal.

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  WHAT PATRICE EVRA SAID

  He said on RMC Sport: "Has Cristiano ever wanted to come to PSG? Yes. There was Paris, Arsenal… That was before he signed for Juventus (in 2018). He had Chelsea, Juventus, Paris. He said he would never go to Arsenal. He was interested in the (Parisian) project. You can criticize Cristiano, but he would have adapted. He would have made an effort. Look at what he is doing in Saudi Arabia. He is a Saudi!"

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ronaldo has had a glittering career, playing for some of the biggest teams in the world and winning nearly every trophy available to him. The 39-year-old will go down as one of the greatest players of all time, no matter which team he did or didn't choose to play for.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  While Evra is retired, Ronaldo is currently enjoying his mid-season break before returning to action for Al-Nassr in early 2025.

Zinedine Zidane will only return to coaching if he is offered the managerial role in one of his two preferred teams.

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• Zidane willing to accept offers from two teams
• Left Real Madrid in 2021
• Was linked with a move to Bayern Munich and Man Utd

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The legendary former French midfielder has been without a job since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, with a year still left in his contract. He has been linked with a move to several top European clubs in between including Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Manchester United but he was never ready to accept any of those offers.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Per , Zidane has not ruled out a return to football management but he will only accept an offer if it comes from either Real Madrid or the French national team. The 52-year-old considers Los Blancos as the club of his life and has made it clear in the past that he would not join another team in club football. The same goes for Les Bleus with whom he had won the 1998 World Cup and guided them to the final of the 2006 edition in Germany.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Real Madrid are unlikely to appoint Zidane as their manager as they have their eyes set on Xabi Alonso once Carlo Ancelotti exits the club in the summer of 2025. France, on the other hand, will continue with Didier Deschamps at least until the end of the 2026 World Cup in North America after the manager penned a new deal in January 2023.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  The Spanish champions ended 2024 on a high with a 4-2 win over Sevilla on Sunday. After a short winter break, the club will be back in action on January 3 as they take on Valencia in La Liga.

Everton are ready to make late moves this summer and are exploring the chance to take a defender on loan before the transfer deadline on August 30th, it has emerged.

Everton hammered in opening game

Having narrowly avoided relegation last season despite two points deductions, the 2024/25 Premier League campaign started in the worst possible fashion for Sean Dyche's side.

Hosting Brighton at Goodison Park, they were thrashed 3-0 while Ashley Young made unwanted history as he became the oldest ever player to be sent off in a Premier League game.

Approach made: Everton make contact for versatile midfielder after Begovic

Everton could add another player to their squad after the Asmir Begovic deal.

By
Brett Worthington

Aug 21, 2024

It means that after just one game, they have already conceded 6% of the number of goals that they shipped last season (51). With their problem last season being finding the back of the net (they scored just 40 goals in 38 games), if they begin shipping goals more regularly, they will be a prime candidate to be relegated come the end of the season.

"It was a horrible game as a manager," said Dyche after the loss. "When you are doing everything you ask and then concede a pretty soft goal from our point of view – a soft pass, they counter and we are 1-0 down against the run of play.

"We then concede from a poor decision from a pass and then get someone sent off and the whole feeling changes."

But with Young now suspended and all of James Garner, Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson on the treatment table at Goodison Park, they arguably need reinforcements.

Everton in talks over Trippier loan move

Now, they have been linked with a late move to sign Kieran Trippier this summer. The defender was an unused substitute on the opening weekend, with Tino Livramento named as Eddie Howe's first-choice right-back against Southampton.

Down to the final two years of his £120,000-a-week deal on Tyneside, he has been backed to move on for much of the summer. But now, it could only be on loan. That is according to reliable reporter David Ornstein, who reveals that the Toffees are in talks to reunite him with Dyche, who he played under at Burnley.

Trippier "wants to leave" Newcastle before the window slams shut and Everton "have held initial conversations with Newcastle to express interest in bringing him to Merseyside on loan".

Though he will turn 34 years old this season, Trippier's arrival could be something of a coup given he was linked with a move to Bayern Munich just six months ago, while he is still a full England international.

Former England boss Gareth Southgate has always been a fan of the defender, and singled him out for praise during the most recent European Championship campaign, where he was asked to play on the left in Luke Shaw's absence.

"He’s been an absolute soldier for us. To fill in the way he has, on the wrong side of the pitch, with the injuries he’s had coming into the tournament, is exceptional."

Though another veteran, he could be just what Dyche needs to bolster his backline.

Magic Johnson, Denzel Washington, Bono, Michael J. Fox among those to attend White House ceremony, Messi absent

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• Messi awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
• But Argentina hero did not attend ceremony
• Inter Miami star absent due to 'scheduling conflict'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Lionel Messi was invited to the White House to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom Saturday but was conspicuous by his absence. The star-studded ceremony did feature such superstars as NBA Hall of Famer and soccer club owner Magic Johnson, along with Denzel Washington, Bono, and Hillary Clinton.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Messi was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts, according to the White House. His name was not read out when the 2025 recipients of the medal – the nation's highest civilian honor – were announced at the ceremony in Washington.

  According to the White House, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is "presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors."

  The award was established by Robert F. Kennedy's brother, the late President John F. Kennedy, in 1963.

• WHAT MESSI SAID

  Messi's management released the following statement: "The White House informed FIFA, which informed the club at the end of December that Leo was to be awarded this recognition. Leo, through the club, sent a letter to the White House saying that he feels deeply honored and that it is a great privilege to receive this recognition but that due to scheduling conflicts and prior commitments he will not be able to attend. He thanked the gesture and noted that he hopes to have the opportunity to meet with him in the near future."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Messi had been honored not just for his incredible success on the pitch but also for his charity work. The White House said in a statement: "He supports healthcare and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador."

Birmingham City have already shown that money is no issue this summer, but with the free agent market still open after the transfer window closed, Football FanCast have looked into three possible free signings to further boost their squad after an impressive start to the campaign.

Birmingham see massive overhaul

Chris Davies and Birmingham are not messing around as they look to ensure instant promotion back to the Championship this season. After breaking the League One transfer record twice, they obliterated it on transfer deadline day to sign Jay Stansfield from Fulham in a deal worth £10m plus bonuses.

He was the last of 17 new faces at St Andrews over the summer, but that upheaval hasn't had a knock-on effect on their performances, with the Blues currently sitting third after four games with three wins and a draw, level on points with the two sides above them.

But despite their lavish spending, there are still a couple of holes in the squad that could do with plugging as they look to sustain their form across a gruelling 46 game season, and we have identified three potential cheap additions that could well make the difference.

Jack Cork

Birmingham already boast several midfielders in their squad, but the majority have much of their careers ahead of them, while there is a lack of experience in Davies' engine room.

That is an issue that Jack Cork would easily fix, with the now 35-year-old a free agent after being released by Burnley. Unlikely to be able to play twice a week all season given his age, the midfield man would bring plenty of experience at the top level, having represented the Clarets in both the Premier League and the Championship, totting up over 250 appearances for them in the process.

He drew high praise from Sean Dyche back during his time at Burnley, who revealed he thought Cork was a "very good player".

“I looked at him and thought, ‘Well if they don’t want him I certainly think he’s a very, very good player’. Corky wasn’t form related. I’ve always thought he was a very good player down many, many years", the now Everton boss explained.

Available for nothing, he could help guide Davies' young stars back into England's second tier.

Sheyi Ojo

Still just 27-years-old, Sheyi Ojo has not yet delivered on the talent promised during his time at Liverpool, and now finds himself without a club.

The right-winger was released by Cardiff City over the summer, but could be useful squad player for the Blues, with Scott Wright their only recognised right-winger as things stand.

Ojo has made almost 150 Championship appearances during his career to date, alongside spells in Belgium and France, while he also spent a season playing Europa League football. Still in his prime, he could be a savvy pickup for a side in League One.

Brandon Williams

Perhaps something of a longshot, a move to sign former Manchester United academy star Brandon Williams would certainly be in line with Birmingham's recent audacious transfer policy, and could be a low-risk move with plenty of upside.

Comfortable playing at either left-back or right-back, the 24-year-old was released by the Red Devils this summer after failing to impress at either Ipswich Town or Norwich during loan spells.

During his time at Manchester United, he was highlighted for praise by manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, who dubbed him "brave as a lion".

"For me, Brandon was man of the match. He's been fantastic the few games he's played. The boy has no fear, he is as brave as a lion and he got us the win", he explained.

Now a free agent, a move to League One Birmingham could be the perfect place from which to relaunch his stalling career, though having played no lower than the Championship during his career to date it may be a difficult deal to complete.

After three games of the new Premier League season, Russell Martin's Southampton are now very much aware of the huge jump in quality between the Championship and the very top division, with three dismal defeats already making for worrying reading.

The dire Saints are only kept off the foot of the league by Everton currently, who spectacularly collapsed at home to Southampton's near neighbours AFC Bournemouth 3-2 last time out, but it does already looks grim for the South Coast outfit, who have only scored one strike from these opening contests.

There might well be a lot of regret in the air now at St. Mary's that they didn't push harder for more deadline day deals to strengthen, therefore, with Will Smallbone in particular worrying those with Southampton connections since making the jump up.

Smallbone's performances so far this season

Excelling as a key part of the Saints jigsaw last season as Southampton dramatically won promotion via the play-offs, Smallbone's weaknesses are arguably being exposed now moving up to the tougher division.

Scoring and assisting in those crucial play-off matches, with Smallbone even playing Adam Armstrong into space versus Leeds United at Wembley to seal an immediate return to the promised land, he hasn't been at the races so far for Martin's men in their three defeats on the spin.

Looking at the table above, Smallbone's performances in the infancy of this season so far have been largely hit and miss, with his display on the opening day against Newcastle United lively and energetic, with four shots attempted on Nick Pope's goal.

But, both performances since have been somewhat flat, with the Saints number eight routinely squandering possession to the detriment of his lowly side, with the ball given away a staggering 44 times from the three Premier League games that have already happened.

Martin might well be running thin on patience when it comes to the Republic of Ireland international, therefore, with Mateus Fernandes substituted on in his place at the half-time interval versus Thomas Frank's Bees last time out, as the new Portuguese recruit impressed with two shots registered on Mark Flekken's goal.

The Saints boss would have loved to call upon James Ward-Prowse as another body centrally away from Fernandes, however, with a last-ditch reunion falling through reportedly on deadline day for the ex-Southampton great to dramatically come home.

What Ward-Prowse could have offered

Ward-Prowse would have comfortably taken a spot in the middle of the park in the Saints XI if signed by Martin and Co at the death, with the 29-year-old unfortunately departing West Ham United at the very last minute for Nottingham Forest, instead of securing a loan move back to St. Mary's.

A firm fan's favourite whenever he pulled on a Saints strip in the Premier League, the stunning ace could well have given Southampton more of an attacking impetus away at Brentford.

Adam Armstrong was one Saints player crying out for more service in the 3-1 defeat, as the ex-Newcastle man only registered a pitiful 12 touches before leaving the pitch at the interval.

Away from regularly scoring unbelievable free-kicks across his 20-year association with the Saints, Ward-Prowse tallied up 45 assists from 381 top-flight contests, before departing for £30m to the Hammers, £5m more than new Saints signing Aaron Ramsdale.

In contrast, Smallbone, albeit from significantly fewer games across his playing days to date, has 23 assists from 195 games, as Martin attempts to find a different creative spark – away from Ward-Prowse – to make his top-flight new boys less goal-shy going forward.

Described as being "magic" by football journalist Benjy Nurick when at the peak of his powers on the South Coast, Southampton will now have to live with the fact that Ward-Prowse didn't re-enter the building on deadline day, and hope it doesn't cost them dearly in their battle to beat the drop.

After Ramsdale: Southampton were racing to sign Ward-Prowse 2.0

It didn’t happen, but the Saints were looking at this late move in the window…

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 30, 2024

Ange Postecoglou was uncharacteristically fuming in the aftermath of Tottenham's 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle on Saturday.

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• Depleted Tottenham beaten 2-1 by Newcastle
• Magpies equalised in controversial circumstances
• Postecoglou angry in post-match press conference

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Tottenham remain mired in the bottom half of the Premier League table after losing for the 10th time in 20 games already this season, with head coach Postecoglou facing scrutiny following a dreadful run of results in spite of mitigating circumstances.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Dominic Solanke gave Spurs an early lead, but this was wiped out two minutes later when Anthony Gordon grabbed an equaliser. However, despite the ball clearly striking the arm of Joelinton to win possession back seconds earlier, the goal was allowed to stand, much to the fury of the hosts. Alexander Isak then scored the winning goal shortly before the break, with Tottenham's second-half rally proving futile.

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  WHAT POSTECOGLOU SAID

  Postecoglou is usually a reserved and quieter character in his post-match press conferences following his side's typically enthralling games, but on this occasion he was defiant and furious.

  When asked if he was proud of his players' performance, Postecoglou replied: "Hugely proud. I'm shattered the boys didn't get the rewards they deserved because we were outstanding, our football was outstanding against a very good opponent in good form and a good place. I thought it was brilliant and outstanding, a game we deserved to win and on any other day we would have won."

  He was then asked if he had an opinion on the decision to allow Gordon's goal to stand, but did not take kindly to the question: "No, because I know what everyone wants me to say, but all I'll say is that on any other day, on a fair and even playing ground, we would have won that game. Simple as that. Don't keep asking me about the decision. If you guys have no opinion about it that's fine. I know what my opinion is and, as I said, if that was a different day and it was an even and fair playing ground we would have won that game."

  At the end of the press conference, he was asked to clarify whether these comments were regarding the handball non-call, to which he retorted: "I know you just want me to say something but I'm not going to. I think it's clear. Now whether people agree with me or not whether it wasn't handball or it was accidental, I'm just not interested in any of that discussion. What I'm saying is, on any given day with a fair and even playing field and logical thought processes we would have won that game, that's it. You can make what you want of that. I don't know what else to say about it."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Postecoglou named Spurs' youngest lineup since 2015, at an average age of 23 years and 336 days, due to injury crisis and sickness bug which has plagued his squad, while debutant Brandon Austin – their third-choice goalkeeper – was named man of the match by host broadcaster TNT Sports.

  "He was great," Postecoglou said of Austin. "Everyone was great, unbelievable. Considering what we had to put up with…Radu [Dragusin] and Archie [Gray] literally got off sickbeds to play today, and Radu was shattered at half-time. Brandon, obviously we found out yesterday was playing. I can't be prouder of the players, I'm just angry and disappointed it wasn't football that denied them getting the rewards today."

  Pressed on the illness in the camp, Postecoglou elaborated: "Just a bug. Radu and Archie were bed-ridden all week. Fraser [Forster], obviously he's still bed-ridden and struggling with it, there's a couple of others struggling. Like I said at half-time he didn't have any more to give. On Thursday, we literally had 11 fit players for training. But I don't care about that, what I care about is the players put in an unbelievable performance, fantastic football, created chances, denied them and having to defend strongly which we did. And it's unfair on them more than anything else that they didn't get the rewards today."

Despite a summer full of promising transfers and a general feeling of goodwill surrounding Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’ new minority stake in the club, Manchester United have not got off to a great start in the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag’s side beat Fulham at home but then lost back-to-back games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool before picking up their second win away to newly promoted Southampton.

However, while there isn’t much to cheer about in the immediate future for the Red Devils, they do look to be on the right path off the pitch and, with exciting youngsters like Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho becoming increasingly important in the squad, the future looks bright.

That said, Garnacho may have to start looking over his shoulder in the not-too-distant future, as United have an exciting youngster coming up through the academy who could eventually challenge him for a place in the team.

Garnacho's recent form

While Garnacho broke into the first team during the 21/22 campaign, the last two seasons have seen him develop from a fringe youth player into an essential part of the first team and someone with plenty of promise.

For example, in 22/23, the Madrid-born gem made 34 first-team appearances, totalling 1205 minutes, in which he scored five goals and provided five assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement once every 3.4 games or every 120.5 minutes.

Last season saw his involvement in the team significantly increase, and he made 50 first-team appearances, totalling 3574 minutes, in which he scored ten goals – including that screamer at Goodison Park – and provided five assists, equating to a goal involvement on average every 3.33 games, or every 238.2 minutes.

This year, the seven-capped international looks set to remain a key figure in Ten Hag’s squad, and as things stand, he’s scored two goals and provided one assist in five appearances, totalling 171 minutes, across the league and Community Shield, which is an average of a goal involvement once every 1.66 matches or 57 minutes.

In all, Garnacho is one of the most exciting and promising players in this United squad, but he could soon have some more competition from a youngster coming up through the academy.

Why fans should be excited about Shea Lacey

Yes, the young academy prospect in question is 17-year-old Shea Lacey.

The Liverpool-born winger has been turning heads in the Red Devils’ youth set-up for some time now, and while he’s still so young, he was rewarded with his first professional contract in April this year.

Like Garnacho, the “incredible” attacker, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, can play in a few positions on the pitch, including left-wing and attacking midfield, but has played the most off the right, where he loves to cut in and use his stronger left foot.

Over the last two seasons, the dynamic youngster has made 23 appearances for the youth sides, scoring five goals and providing six assists, meaning he’s maintained an average of a goal involvement every 2.09 games, primarily from the wings.

Unfortunately for the “very, very special player”, as BBC Sport’s Alex Turk dubbed him, he suffered a thigh injury in October last season, which disrupted his campaign and saw him spend 161 days on the sideline.

However, the good news is that he’s now back to full fitness and, with his new contract, has the chance to continue his development and hopefully push for the odd inclusion in the first team.

Ultimately, while it’s still early days, and his injury has seen his development slowed somewhat, Lacey looks like he has what it takes to make it at United, and who knows, in a few years, he could be challenging Garnacho for a place in the starting lineup.

Their own Haaland: Man Utd are set to sign exciting gem who's "Osimhen 2.0"

The incredible youngster should be on his way to Old Trafford.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Sep 13, 2024

Liverpool boss Arne Slot was honest in his assessment of his side's recent scoring struggles after their 2-0 win at Brentford.

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• Liverpool beat Brentford 2-0
• Nunez with two last-minute goals
• Reds had 37 shots at goal

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Reds recorded 37 shots during Saturday's victory at the Gtech Community Stadium – a record for the away side in a Premier League match since Opta started tracking such data in 2003-04. However, they had to wait until stoppage time at the end of the second half to breach the hosts' defence, with Darwin Nunez coming off the bench to grab a memorable brace.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League following back-to-back draws with Manchester United and Nottingham Forest – games in which the Reds failed to make the most of the many chances they created. In his post-match press conference, Slot claimed he didn't have faith in his team to snatch the three points having watched his men squander such opportunities in the recent past.

• WHAT SLOT SAID

  Slot told reporters: "If a goal was coming, I had any doubts? Yes, of course I had doubts about that. Before we scored the two goals, it felt as if I was looking at the same game again and again and again. The same pattern arose. I said it already a few times, against United, everybody was focused on the [Harry] Maguire chance, but seven minutes before we had three open chances. So many times in recent weeks, against Tottenham as well, we missed a lot of chances. Against Forest, we missed a lot. It would have been a bit surprising if I felt 'OK, after all these chances missed today, we will probably score in the last five minutes'! But the boys, the players proved me wrong…again."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL

  Liverpool are back to action on Tuesday when they welcome Lille to Anfield in the Champions League, before hosting Ipswich next Saturday as they resume their quest for the Premier League title.