Oxlade-Chamberlain relieved to join Liverpool from Arsenal, says Klopp

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain s move to Liverpool from Arsenal came as a relief to the midfielder, according to Reds boss Jurgen Klopp.

The England international joined the Anfield club on transfer deadline day for a reported initial fee of £35million.

Oxlade-Chamberlain s final Arsenal appearance was in the 4-0 thrashing by Liverpool on Merseyside and claimed leaving the Emirates Stadium was the right step for his development.

Speaking ahead of his side s EFL Cup match at Leicester City on Tuesday, in which Oxlade-Chamberlain is in line to make his first start for the club, Klopp says it made complete sense for the 24-year-old to join.

A new start is, very often, kind of a relief, he said. You are in a situation in your old club – I don t say it now for Al…

Torres linked with Premier League return

Fernando Torres could be set to make a return to the Premier League, according to the Mirror.

The thirty-three year old has eighteen months remaining on his current deal at Atletico Madrid and is keen to end his career with his hometown club.

However, having barely featured for Diego Simeone’s side this season he is keen to have one last crack in England’s top flight.

In four years with Liverpool he netted sixty-five times in one hundred and two league games however, his form declined after he secured a big money move to Chelsea in January 2011.

He played eight more league games for the Blues than he had for the Reds, but managed just twenty goals before securing a return to Atleti via a loan spell with Milan.

Southampton and Newcastle U…

Klopp accepts Liverpool can´t land all their targets as reports claim Reds are out of Bellingham rac

Jurgen Klopp accepts Liverpool may have to step aside and do different stuff in the transfer market amid reports they have given up hope of signing Jude Bellingham.

The Reds manager only briefly directly addressed the suggestion Liverpool are out of the running for Borussia Dortmund and England star Bellingham, as he spoke ahead of Monday s Premier League trip to Leeds United.

Reports earlier in the week suggested the club have decided the 19-year-old midfielder would take up too much of their budget in a transfer window in which they will need to sign more than one player.

It s nothing to say about, to be honest, Klopp told a press conference.

If we don t speak about players we sign, or not sign, why would we now speak about this kind of speculation an…

Prediction: West Bromwich vs Swansea

Verdict: Swansea Draw no bet

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Sitting 10 points adrift of safety with eight games to go, West Bromwich could be effectively relegated if they fail to defeat struggling Swansea City on Saturday afternoon. The Swans are now three points clear of the bottom three and a win over out-of-sorts Baggies could go a long way towards securing Premier League survival.

West Bromwich

Ever since they returned to the Premier League back in 2010, West Bromwich managed to establish themselves as genuine mid table side, finishing in top 10 on three of last seven occasions and only once being in serious danger of getting relegated. However, the club’s run of eight consecutive Premiership campaigns look set to end this year as the Baggies sit at rock bo…

Everton 3 Newcastle United 0: Lennon and Barkley end hosts´ slump

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alties secured Everton a 3-0 victory over Newcastle United to end a run of five Premier League games without a win.

Lennon scored after 23 minutes of a game that Everton did not have to be at their best to win, such is the dearth of confidence in the Newcastle team this season.

The former Tottenham winger was then brought down by Rolando Aarons to allow Barkley to convert from the spot for the first time with two minutes left. 

Barkley then kept his cool again from 12 yards in stoppage-time after being upended by Jamaal Lascelles, who subsequently received his marching orders for a second yellow card. 

The performance of Lennon overshadowed the debut of Newcastle s £12million signing Andros Townsend and manager Steve McClaren s spending s…

Aguero planning to leave Manchester City for Independiente

Manchester City star Sergio Aguero said he will leave the Premier League giants in 2020 to return home to boyhood club Independiente.

Argentina international Aguero, 29, started his career at Argentine outfit Independiente in 1997 before leaving for Atletico Madrid nine years later.

Aguero has since moved on to City, where he is contracted until 2020 having helped the club to two Premier League titles since 2011, while they are poised to claim a third crown under Pep Guardiola this season.

Discussing his future during the international break, Aguero – sidelined with a knee injury – reiterated his desire to return to the Estadio Libertadores de America when his contract expires.

My contract with Manchester City will expire in 2020, then I will return …

Prolific De Bruyne form a surprise for Pellegrini

Kevin De Bruyne has surpassed expectations in his debut season at Manchester City, according to boss Manuel Pellegrini.

The Premier League club made De Bruyne their record signing last August after he scoo
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ped the Bundesliga s Player of the Year award at Wolfsburg.

The Belgium international has comfortably dealt with the pressure attached to his weighty price tag by scoring 15 goals and providing 14 assists in City colours – making light of a previously fruitless spell in England with Chelsea.

He didn t get many chances at Chelsea but was outstanding at Wolfsburg, Pellegrini told Marca.

He may not be very expressive but then he impresses you with his analysis of the game. He plays well with the ball, scores goals, is versatile, can play in …

Mali v Egypt: Salah leads Pharaohs´ bid for AFCON glory

Egypt will be defending a proud Africa Cup of Nations record when they kick off their 2017 campaign against Mali in Port-Gentil on Tuesday.

The Pharaohs have won the competition on each of their last three appearances in 2006, 2008 and 2010 and hold the overall record of seven titles.

Egypt have not qualified for the three editions since, but are back this time around after topping a tough qualifying group that included Nigeria.

They are fancied to go far in the tournament, boasting a squad featuring some high-profile players from European clubs and others with significant international experience.

Roma s Mohamed Salah and Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny complement Egypt stalwarts like Essam El-Hadary and Ahmed Fathy, both of whom have over 100 caps.

Gvardiol, Arteta, Mount, and more: The Daily Transfer Round Up – Sunday, June 25

Manchester City agree personal terms with Josko Gvardiol

Manchester City have reportedly found common ground with the representatives of Josko Gvardiol over the personal terms for the Croatian defender.

Gvardiol is ready to make the move, but RB Leipzig, who still own his contract for another four years, still need some persuading to agree to sell under reasonable terms. For the time being, they re determined to make the 21-year-old the most expensive defender ever should he leave the Red Bull Arena this summer, and it remains to be seen if City can do something to make them relax their demands.

Arsenal boss Arteta plays down PSG speculation

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has played down suggestions that he might leave the club to succee…

Prediction: Celje vs Shamrock Rovers

Best Odds: 5/6

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Two camps who will be desperate to claim a first-leg advantage on Thursday night, Shamrock Rovers will travel to Slovenia when they meet Celje.

Celje

Starting with the hosts, dragging themselves to what was just a second domestic crown last season, Celje will be looking spring another public upset this time around. However, despite getting the 2024/25 campaign underway with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at home against Bravo on July 21st, Albert Riera’s men do have the feel of a squad seeking some welcomed stability. Watching their Champions League qualifying adventure come to an abrupt end last month as they slumped to a 6-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Slovan Bratislava, the Counts have shown some extended issues at the back. Faili…