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Sunderland supporters won't quite know what to expect from their side this Championship season as the Black Cats head into the great unknown with an unproven EFL manager at the helm.

Regis Le Bris was eventually appointed as the fresh face to lead the Wearside outfit after much deliberation from the powers that be at the Stadium of Light, hopeful that the ex-Lorient manager can be a rip-roaring success from the dug-out, and not another disappointment akin to Michael Beale.

The expectant Sunderland masses will be hopeful that the new French manager can help their side regain their mojo and fight again for a playoff spot in the challenging division, having very much lost their way last season with a revolving door of managers, falling to a dire 16th place finish come the conclusion of the sobering 46-game schedule.

There has been some positive business that will excite even the most pessimistic set of supporters, with experienced Championship midfielder Alan Browne a shrewd capture from Preston North End, but a new potent striker still manages to elude the Black Cats.

Any apprehension about the campaign to come will soon be pushed to one side if Sunderland manage to collect an opening day win at the expense of Cardiff City however, as a lengthy trip to Wales now awaits.

Who will start the clash? We're predicting the following XI to take to the field…

1

GK – Anthony Patterson

Sunderland have added more depth to the goalkeeper spots this summer, with the arrival of ex-Brentford shot-stopper Simon Moore into the ranks, but Anthony Patterson will undoubtedly remain as the number one option even under the new regime of Le Bris.

The 24-year-old only missed one Championship clash all season long last time out and even helped himself to an admirable clean sheet return of 13, which will stand him in good stead to remain in between the sticks for the lengthy journey to Cardiff to start the new campaign.

2

RB – Trai Hume

Likewise, Trai Hume's spot in the Black Cats first-team is similarly set in stone, with Sunderland fans just relieved that the Northern Irishman is still available for selection for the Bluebirds contest, rather than lining up for a new team.

The energetic full-back can actually one-up Patterson, having played every game possible to him last season in the second tier, and he has been present for all of the friendly matches under Le Bris leading up to competitive football starting again.

3

CB – Aji Alese

It's less than ideal for the new Sunderland boss that both Dan Ballard and Jenson Seelt are out injured on the eve of a new season starting, but this will have been known to Le Bris for some time, hence Aji Alese's involvement in pre-season seeing him line up in a centre-back spot.

The former West Ham United defender will hope he can have a more positive campaign individually alongside his teammates, having only been fit enough to make eight second-tier appearances, starting with Cardiff away.

4

CB – Luke O'Nien

Luke O'Nien will aim to be a steady head again this season, particularly away at Cardiff, lining up next to his potential makeshift partner in Alese.

The gritty Black Cats number 13 was present for 43 games last campaign in the Championship as a mainstay of the starting XI, averaging 6.1 ball recoveries per clash.

Le Bris will want his troops to be energetic and brave from minute one against the Bluebirds, with O'Nien potentially setting the tone.

5

LB – Dennis Cirkin

The Black Cats were plagued with injury issues during their dire 23/24 showing, with Dennis Cirkin a regular fixture of the Stadium of Light treatment room, as the former Tottenham Hotspur youth player made just eight league appearances in total.

Cirkin will pray that he is now free of these constant setbacks, with his performances in pre-season presumably impressing Le Bris, with the attack-minded full-back firing home a strike in the 2-2 draw with Olympique de Marseille that closed out the pre-season run-outs.

6

RM – Patrick Roberts

Roberts will be thankful that Ian Poveda isn't quite at the required match sharpness to usurp his spot in the Sunderland first-team just yet, meaning the former Celtic ace will more than likely start the opening clash of the season.

The experienced winger did manage to tee up Cirkin's goal against Marseille and will be eager to drastically improve on his numbers from last campaign in the second tier, with no goals registered whatsoever from the ex-Fulham youth player.

7

CM – Adil Aouchiche

Although Browne will have been purchased to start week in week out for his new employers, the former Lilywhites midfielder could find his central midfield spot is taken up by Adil Aouchiche for the trip to Wales.

Aouchiche only needed two minutes of action against Marseille to fire home, converting a penalty late on to help his Championship side draw 2-2, and he could well get the nod over Browne subsequently.

Moreover, Le Bris might well take a shining to the young French presence, having overseen his development partly when the pair were together at Lorient.

8

CM – Dan Neil

There could well have been a very different reality at the Stadium of Light this summer, with a worry at one point that Dan Neil was reluctant to stay put in Wearside, owing to the ongoing no-manager saga.

Now, Neil will aim to have another positive personal season, that could help the Black Cats put together a promotion charge, with the Black Cats captain amassing four goals and five assists from 42 league games.

9

CM – Jobe Bellingham

Jobe Bellingham will equally want to push on and have an even more stellar campaign to come, having had his major breakout moment in the spotlight at Sunderland during the 23/24 season, by firing in seven strikes from 47 clashes.

The Black Cats might well not want their 18-year-old wonderkid to perform too well, however, owing to interest still being there from the likes of Serie A titans Lazio, but he looks certain of a starting spot against Cardiff.

10

LM – Jack Clarke

Likewise, Sunderland will be anxious about their chances of keeping Jack Clarke beyond this August, but will still want Clarke to be at his tricky best rampaging forward down the left in the opening Championship contests.

Losing the ex-Tottenham Hotspur attacker would be a major blow, with the slick winger picking up 15 league goals to become his team's top scorer last season, but it could be a reality they'll have grow accustomed to very soon.

Newcastle United may have won their opening Premier League match of the season, but their performance was far from the standard expected if Eddie Howe is looking to take them back into the top four.

This was despite playing with ten men, and it is clear a couple of new signings have to be made before the end of the transfer window.

There were several excellent displays against the Saints, as Joelinton showed why he could be key player for Howe this season.

Joelinton's game in numbers against Southampton

The midfielder was arguably one of the Magpies' finest performers last week. Not only did he score the only goal of the day with a well-taken finish, but the Brazilian was solid defensively, winning four of his five aerial duels during the game along with making six clearances and one tackle.

This set the tone for what could be a stunning campaign for the player, although it is clear Howe needs another midfielder added to his squad in order to challenge for a Champions League spot.

Could Howe be keeping tabs on a former PSG and Juventus midfielder who has plenty of experience playing at the highest level? He could be Joelinton 2.0 for Howe.

Newcastle chasing move for France midfielder

As reported earlier this week, Newcastle are battling it out with Manchester United in order to secure the signature of Adrien Rabiot.

Liverpool and Arsenal are also keen on luring the Frenchman to the Premier League in the next few days, meaning Howe faces plenty of competition.

Rabiot made 35 appearances in all competitions for Juventus last term, scoring five times while chipping in with three assists in the process.

He also starred for France in their run to the semifinals of Euro 2024 and his signing could benefit Newcastle this season.

Indeed, according to FBref, Rabiot is the tenth-most comparable player to Joelinton in Europe’s top five leagues. Given how impressive the Brazilian has been in a midfield role for the Magpies, signing a player who is similar could be advantageous.

The duo registered similar domestic statistics last season for their respective teams with regard to shots per 90 (1.29 vs 1.34), pass success rate (82.2% vs 83.6%), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.17 vs 3.3) and successful take-on percentage per 90 (51.9% vs 48.6%), underlining how alike they are statistically.

Lauded as “extraordinary” by former Juventus striker David Trezeguet, Rabiot has all the required qualities at his disposal to improve the current Newcastle midfield.

Coming off of stints in Italy and France, the 29-year-old would certainly be a good fit under Howe, with his experience at the highest level key to taking the club back to Europe’s premier club competition.

They will face plenty of challenges in order to complete a swoop for him, but if they do pull it off, Rabiot will represent a major statement of intent from the club.

Offer pending: Newcastle plot move for £325k-p/w star who's like Gordon

He could be the player to end the club’s hunt for a new forward.

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 24, 2024

Emi Martinez has explained his epic 2022 World Cup tattoo, which includes a nod to his iconic final save from Randal Kolo Muani.

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• Enigmatic keeper was a hero in Qatar
• Vital stops in extra-time & penalty shootout
• Boasts a lasting memento on his left leg

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Argentina were, despite leading 2-0 and 3-2 at different points of the game, in danger of seeing their dreams dashed late in extra-time when Kolo Muani raced through on goal. Martinez dashed off his line to spread himself, with a sprawling stop keeping the scores level and giving Lionel Messi and Co a shot at claiming a global crown in a thrilling penalty shootout.

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  Martinez delivered more heroics in a test of nerves from 12 yards, as Argentina savoured their first World Cup triumph since the Diego Maradona-inspired days of 1986, and several members of the squad had already vowed to get lasting mementos of a special day.

• WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

  Discussing his body art with the podcast, which sits on his left calf, Martinez said: “It’s amazing. We made a bet with some of my mates in the national team after we lost the first game [against Saudi Arabia]. I said: ‘If we win the World Cup, we are going to do a tattoo with our names and shirt numbers’.

  “When I saved that ball and we won the World Cup, they all said ‘we know where you are going to do the tattoo, you have to do it there in that spot’. I just did a star in the exact spot that the ball hit. In my tattoo, the 22 star is exactly where the ball hit.”

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  Martinez went on to say of the emotions that are conjured up every time that he looks at the World Cup inking on his leg: “Just proud. I came to England at such a young age, without speaking the language, different weather, different people and different culture. Looking back 16 years ago, I’m proud to be here, being a world champion, winning so many titles and individual awards. It just makes me proud and keep going.”

West Ham United failed with a late offer to sign a "sensational" former Julen Lopetegui star pre-deadline, with the Hammers otherwise enjoying a very busy transfer window and perhaps their best of this decade.

West Ham spend £120 million on 9 signings this summer

In what was a real statement of intent for Lopetegui's debut campaign, and a major rebuild, West Ham signed nine senior players and spent £120 million over what was a hectic few months at the London Stadium.

West Ham have already hit gold on amazing star who's worth more than Soler

West Ham have enjoyed plenty of success in the transfer window this summer

By
Ross Kilvington

Aug 31, 2024

Lopetegui saw centre-back Max Kilman, winger Crysencio Summerville, centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, forward Niclas Fullkrug, Brazilian starlet Luis Guilherme, right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, midfielder Guido Rodriguez, backup goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and midfielder Carlos Soler join the east Londoners, with many players also going out the other way.

Over the course of deadline day, Nayef Aguerd, Maxwel Cornet, James Ward-Prowse departed West Ham on season-long loan deals. Aguerd made a temporary switch to Real Sociedad, while both Cornet and Ward-Prowse signed for Southampton and Nottingham Forest respectively.

Lopetegui and Steidten's major squad shake-up is now over, though, with the August 30 deadline now passed as the former looks ahead to what will be a very interesting Premier League season in the dugout.

West Ham were also linked with a deadline day swoop for Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea, but that didn't come to fruition. As well as Chukwuemeka, the Irons registered a late interest in ex-Lopetegui man Lucas Ocampos.

West Ham failed with late offer for Ocampos after opening talks

The Argentine, who ended up staying at Sevilla despite late interest elsewhere from Mexican outfit Monterrey, played under Lopetegui during their time together in southern Spain, and it is believed the West Ham boss wanted a reunion with him in east London.

According to TYC Sports reporter German Garcia Grova, West Ham opened talks to sign Ocampos and made a proposal to the 30-year-old, but it didn't come to fruition despite their best efforts.

Ocampos, who has scored 44 goals and registered 22 assists in 208 appearances for Sevilla across all competitions, has been called "sensational" for his contribution there by members of the Spanish media.

He would've provided both experience and versatility given his ability to play on the right and left, but Lopetegui may not be too disheartened after a very productive last few months of incomings.

Manchester City and Newcastle United have held concrete talks with Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov but Real Madrid are now set to challenge them.

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• Man City and Newcastle lead race for Khusanov
• Uzbekistan centre-back likely to leave Lens
• Real Madrid enter race for 20-year-old

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Lens' Khusanov has caught the eye of a number of clubs this season as the defender has been in top form and impressed scouts that have travelled to watch Will Still's side in action as Les Sang et Or boast the second-best defence in Ligue 1. Manchester City and Newcastle United have maintained the lead in the race to sign Khusanov this winter but are now set to face competition.

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  Journalist Santi Aouna has now reported that Real Madrid have entered the race to sign Khusanov this January as Carlo Ancelotti struggles with injuries in his defence. As per the report, the 15-time European champions have already initiated contact with Lens over a potential move.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Khusanov's entourage claims that while the possibility of the Uzbek centre-back leaving are good, the decision is set to be left on the 20-year-old's shoulder to make the final decision as he will hope to continue developing his game.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR KHUSANOV?

  The 20-year-old is yet to make a decision on his future at Lens and will likely remain a starter for Still's side as long as he is at the club. Lens are in action next when they take on Le Havre on January 12.

Even the most rose-tinted Sunderland supporter wouldn't have anticipated this electric start from their Wearside team, as the Black Cats finished off a flawless August in the Championship with a fourth win on the bounce.

The 3-1 away victory at Portsmouth last time out saw the likes of Romaine Mundle and Eliezer Mayenda cause all sorts of havoc, but both players didn't really get much luck last campaign in the first-team, with the feel-good atmosphere currently helped by Regis Le Bris' methods from the sideline clearly working.

One standout performer so far this season has been Chris Rigg, as the sublime 17-year-old continues to dazzle second-tier defences as a livewire in the middle of the park, alongside equally promising prospects in the form of Jobe Bellingham among others.

Rigg's start to the season

Rigg was given moments in the first-team to impress last season, notably during Mike Dodds' up-and-down interim spell in charge of the Black Cats, but he has become a consistent starting figure so far under Le Bris.

The teenage sensation has started three of his confident side's four opening victories, with his showing against Sheffield Wednesday in particular standing out, as the homegrown product amassed three key passes during the emphatic 4-0 win.

Last time out, away from stylishly spraying the ball about the pitch, Rigg's grit came in handy as a crunching tackle in the middle of the park from the Sunderland number 11 eventually saw Mundle power home a quick counter-attack move away at Fratton Park, to make it 3-0 and clinch another three points.

Once on the radar of Newcastle United, in what would have been an extremely controversial switch, Rigg will be fully focused now on the tricky mission ahead in helping his Sunderland side stay near the top of the Championship summit as the gruelling season chugs on.

Now up to 29 senior Sunderland appearances, despite not yet reaching his 18th birthday, there should be plenty more to come from Rigg over the campaign ahead, with the potential for Le Bris to add more youth to his side in the form of young hotshot Tom Watson.

Sunderland's next Chris Rigg

Much like Rigg, the early Championship pace-setters have had to bat away interest from some top clubs for the services of young Tom Watson, with the 18-year-old reportedly wanted by Brighton and Hove Albion this summer.

Sunderland held their nerve and have kept hold of Watson for the time being, with the left winger another extremely promising prospect for the future.

Combining both their numbers for the U18s and U21s, Watson really stands out for his prowess in front of goal and creating chances as a daring attacking option, with a ridiculous 42 goal contributions managed across 64 clashes in the esteemed Sunderland youth structure.

He could well go on to fill the void left behind by Jack Clarke's exit to Ipswich, with outlandish comparisons made between the two skilful attackers in the past by football journalist Josh Bunting, who also labelled Watson as "superb".

Described as an "exciting" talent for the future too, when penning his first professional deal back in 2023 by Sunderland Academy manager Robin Nicholls, Watson will hope his time to shine in the men's set-up comes very soon, with the potential there for the 18-year-old to compete with Mundle down the left flank.

After such a topsy-turvy campaign last season, everything seems to be fitting nicely into place during the early regime of Le Bris, with the future looking bright at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland have struck gold on “magic” star who's worth more than Mendy

Sunderland fans will be glad to see this star back to his best.

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 24, 2024

Manchester City have acted immediately to bolster the defence in the January transfer window after Lionesses star Alex Greenwood had knee surgery.

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• Man City lost Greenwood to knee injury last month
• Absence of Lionesses star felt in two subsequent defeats
• City have now bolstered defence in January window

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Greenwood, City's club captain, had to be stretchered off in the first half of victory over St. Polten in the Champions League in mid-December and her absence was massively felt in the Cityzens' last two fixtures before the winter break. The defence looked particularly poor in a 2-1 loss to lowly Everton, a result which was followed by a 3-0 defeat at Barcelona which allowed the Catalans to clinch top spot in their Champions League group, rather than the English side.

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  Greenwood has had to have surgery after damaging the medial collateral ligament, making any quick return to action unlikely. Unsurprisingly, then, City have wasted no time in bolstering the back line, announcing the signing of former Germany youth international Rebecca Knaak on the first day of the January transfer window. The 28-year-old arrives from Swedish side Rosengard, where City's new director of football, Therese Sjogran, had been sporting director before moving to England back in October.

• WHAT KNAAK SAID

  "It feels exciting to be here. I think the WSL is the best league in the world right now. When I heard about the interest, I didn’t have to think about it because it’s such a big, big opportunity which I wanted to take," Knaak said upon signing.

  “It was helpful for me that I already know Therese. I really trust her and her abilities, so it gives me a good feeling. The club has the highest ambitions and goals, and this also matches my own ambitions. I’m very proud and I feel honoured to be part of this big club. I can’t wait to get started.”

  Sjogran added: "Rebecca played some of the best football of her career to date last season – culminating in her being named the Damallsvenskan defender of the year – and I’m pleased to bring such a seasoned professional to the club. She gives her all on and off the pitch, which will help us challenge for trophies. I’m looking forward to seeing Rebecca make her mark.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  As well as that individual accolade Sjogran mentions, Knaak won three major trophies at Rosengard, including the 2024 Damallsvenskan title. Prior to joining the Swedish club, she played for Bad Neuenahr, Bayer Leverkusen and Freiburg in her native Germany.

Pep Guardiola will not block Kyle Walker from heading through the exits at Manchester City, admitting that a call on his future is “not my decision”.

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• Veteran full-back seeking new challenge
• Linked with move to Serie A heavyweights
• Switch could happen during January window

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The vastly-experienced defender, who is club captain at the Etihad Stadium, has expressed a desire to take on a new challenge outside of England. Walker, who has not started a game for City since the Manchester derby on December 15, played no part in an 8-0 FA Cup third-round demolition of Salford.

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  Guardiola revealed after that contest that Walker has requested a move elsewhere, with a switch to join USMNT star Christian Pulisic at Serie A giants AC Milan being rumoured. City will have to sanction any deal as their skipper is tied to a contract through to 2026.

• WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  Guardiola will not, however, be standing in anybody’s way. City’s boss has said of the 34-year-old full-back that he believes can play on at the highest level for several more seasons: “He is an incredible player with his incredible physicality. When he is focused he is unstoppable as a right-back. He’s a top-class player.

  “If he is fit he can play one, two, three, four more years as a professional. I have never seen a player with these physical conditions in my career. But if he wants to explore (other options), the club is going to explore, and he has to decide, not me. It’s not my decision.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  It remains to be seen whether Walker, who has seen individual standards slip this season during an uncharacteristically inconsistent campaign for City, will be freed to leave Manchester during the January transfer window. Guardiola added: “It depends on him. The transfer window will finish when it finishes and I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Bayern Munich have joined fellow European heavyweights Real Madrid in the race to sign a Premier League star, as transfer chiefs Max Eberl and Christoph Freund continue work on Vincent Kompany's squad behind-the-scenes.

Kompany records winning Bayern start after summer spree

It has been a brilliant start to life for Kompany at the Allianz Arena, following the Belgian's switch to Bayern's dugout from Burnley over the summer.

The German giants, aiming to wrestle the Bundesliga title back off Bayer Leverkusen, started this 2024/2025 season with a thrilling 3-2 win away at Wolfsburg – with Jamal Musiala, an own goal from Jakub Kaminski and Serge Gnabry's late strike rounding off a crucial win at the Volskwagen Arena.

"I enjoyed it, it was my first Bundesliga game as a coach," said Kompany on Bayern's comeback win at Wolfsburg.

"The first half was dominant, as it should be. We didn't concede any chances. The second half wasn't good at the beginning, we conceded two quick goals. The third point is that our mentality was right at the end, and that's why we won the game.

"Mistakes happen, the important thing is how the team reacts. That took a while in the second half. Thomas Mueller and Kingsley Coman came in with the right mentality and the tempo came back. At the end of the second half, we had a lot of courage to win the game. It wasn't perfect, but we'll keep going."

Bayern then downed SC Freiburg 2-0 in Kompany's first ever home league game as manager, courtesy of Harry Kane's first-half penalty and Thomas Muller's late goal, with an all-important opening Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb awaiting the Bavarians next week after their clash against Holsten Kiel this weekend.

Kompany's promising start comes after Bayern spent nearly £120 million to back him over the summer window, sealing multi-million pound deals for Michael Olise, Joao Palhinha, Hiroki Ito, Bryan Zaragoza, Armindo Zieb and Eric Dier on a free transfer.

Bayern also attempted to add Chido Obi-Martin to Kompany's ranks over the summer, but they were ultimately beaten to the ex-Arsenal wonderkid by Manchester United.

Bayern join Real Madrid in race for Arsenal star William Saliba

Now, according to CaughtOffside, Eberl and Freund have turned their attention towards north London once again – as they eye a move for Arsenal's superstar defender William Saliba.

The France defender has been nothing short of imperative since coming into Mikel Arteta's first team at the beginning of 2022/2023, and Real Madrid have been monitoring Saliba for a while now.

However, it is believed Bayern have now joined Real and PSG in the race for Saliba, as they European big-wigs consider adding an illustrious Premier League defender to their ranks.

It won't be an easy deal to pull off, though, as CS believe Saliba will command a £120 million-plus price tag to prise away from the Emirates Stadium. The 23-year-old is also thought to be on around £190,000-per-week, so the total cost of a move could be very expensive.

“Saliba has been absolutely outstanding, a giant on the pitch," said Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville towards the end of last season. “A special mention to Gabriel as well, who wasn’t far behind in his performance. But this has answered the question of how much Saliba was missed last season.”

Arne Slot has revealed that his father is the biggest critic of his Liverpool team and did not like the way the team played against Lille.

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• Slot says his dad is Liverpool's biggest critic
• Did not approve of the team's performance against Lille
• Reds face Ipswich on Saturday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Dutch coach is having a dream outing in his maiden season at Anfield. Liverpool lead the Premier League table by six points and also have a game in hand over both Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. They have also qualified for the Champions League knockout stage, having won all of their group-stage matches. Despite the Reds' dream run in the 2024-25 campaign, Slot claimed that his father has been his team's biggest critic and also revealed that he did not approve of the way the Merseyside club played in their win over Lille in the midweek in Champions League.

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• WHAT ARNE SLOT SAID

  Speaking to , the Reds boss said: "That is difficult for fans, and my father is a fan as well. When I call him after a game he says, ‘Ah, it wasn’t as exciting as other games of Liverpool’ [and that happened] when he watched the game against Lille. I had to try to explain to him you can easily lose these games if you are starting to force all kinds of difficult balls, but he’s not always agreeing with me then.

  "There have definitely not been many [Liverpool] games where he has said: ‘Oh! I like what I saw!’. I think his favourite games would be one of the ones in which we had a comfortable lead far before the end, because he is always a bit nervous. Every game for us is tight, so I think [his favourite] would be West Ham away [when Liverpool won 5-0] or Tottenham away [when they won 6-3]."

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  The 46-year-old also revealed which Liverpool performances in the current season have impressed his father, as he added: "But since he was in the stadium against [Manchester] City and Real Madrid, I think if you were to ask him now he would tell you those were his most special moments because he was there with my mum as well.

  “He might even know your names. I think he reads everything that is written! He is an ambassador for his amateur club and they play in Holland at a similar time to us. He has a lot of troubles, so the first half he goes there and then goes home really fast so he can see our game. He is following everything like most dads do. The funny thing is he was always quite critical [when I was playing] so when my son is playing I am like: ‘Oh! Well done! Well done!’ I think maybe my son will go to being critical again."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  The Premier League leaders will be back in action on Saturday as they host Ipswich Town at Anfield.