Latest news with #ex-Liverpool
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool told they're making pointless move in 'disastrous piece of business'
Liverpool have been urged to take action by a former player amid claims they could lose one of their key stars, with reported transfer interest from an overseas rival An ex-Liverpool striker has criticised the club for their handling of Andy Robertson's contract as Atletico Madrid eye a move for the left-back. The 31-year-old, who has lifted the Premier League title twice since his arrival from Hull City in 2017, is now entering the final year of his current deal at Anfield. Robertson has been a key player for Liverpool, helping them win the Champions League in 2019, with multiple domestic accolades under his belt. The Scotland international became the subject of reports linking him with a transfer to Atletico last week. Despite having initial discussions about his future at Liverpool, criticism has now been aimed at the club for not securing his services for longer. Former Liverpool forward Dean Saunders expressed dismay at the thought of Robertson leaving, likening it to Trent Alexander-Arnold's switch to Real Madrid. Liverpool appear eager to sign Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez as they plan for a long-term future without Robertson. However, Saunders has called for the Reds to prolong his stay. Speaking on talkSPORT, the ex-Wolves and Wrexham manager said: "It's another disastrous piece of business from Liverpool. They let Trent's contract run out. Don't blame Trent, blame the club. "With two years left on his contract, they should have called him in and said, 'Are you going to sign this contract? Or we're going to have to sell you.' "Andy Robertson is in the same position. He's only 31, and he's as good a left back as you can get anywhere. Why are you trying to change him? I don't know. He's got another three years left in him, so give him a new contract." Robertson recently confirmed that he has held initial talks with Liverpool over a new contract, but his long-term future at the club remains uncertain. Speaking to Sky Sports, Robertson said: "We have discussed it, of course we have. We've had good discussions with me and the club but what the future holds I am not sure. "I need a rest after a long season and then I look forward to pre-season, that's all my focus is, I can't look too far ahead. I never have done that so I am not going to start doing that now. "I know the position I am in and I have only got a year left and a lot is getting spoken about and getting said but my full focus is on being a dad for the next couple of weeks and enjoying that time with the kids. "Then I will try to come back in the best possible shape for pre-season and then we'll see what the future holds when these decisions come." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Metro
a day ago
- Sport
- Metro
Trent Alexander-Arnold tells Liverpool fans how long he's been learning Spanish
Trent Alexander-Arnold insists he has only been learning Spanish for 'a couple of months', despite producing a near-fluent speech at his Real Madrid unveiling last week. The 26-year-old ex-Liverpool right-back was named in Xabi Alonso's starting XI for the side's Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal on Wednesday to become the seventh Englishman to represent Madrid. Madrid were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw and it was a mixed debut from Alexander-Arnold in Miami, which perhaps should be expected given the full-back had only signed on the dotted line at the Bernabeu just six days earlier. Alonso's men looked to be heading for victory after Gonzalo Garcia broke the deadlock with a scuffed finish towards the end of the first half, only for Al-Hilal to equalise from the spot through Ruben Neves just seven minutes later. Los Blancos pushed for a winner after the break, but a combination of the woodwork and some goalkeeping heroics from Al-Hilal's Yassine Bounou prevented Los Blancos from sealing all three points. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. The La Liga giants will hope to make amends when they take on Mexican outfit Pachuca at North Carolina's Bank of America Stadium on Sunday evening. 'Incredible day. To have made my debut for Real Madrid, it's something that I think almost every player dreams be able to achieve that is huge for me,' Alexander-Arnold told DAZN shortly after the final whistle. 'Of course, there's some disappointment in there to have not won the game. 'That's the mentality you need to have as a Real Madrid player, to want and expect to win every game we play in. 'We're disappointed not to have done that, but there were a lot of positives, especially in the second half.' Alexander-Arnold, who was taken off for Lucas Vazquez in the second period, passed on his thanks to Madrid's 'truly amazing' fans who 'dominated the stands' at Hard Rock Stadium. 'Incredible. I felt the support from the moment I signed with the club, to be honest,' the England international added. 'Absolutely sensation. A fanbase that is global, truly global, all over the world. You feel it every single day. 'The fans are at the training ground, the hotel, all over social media. The support is incredible. A huge thank you for that. 'We dominated the stands today which is incredible. The support is truly amazing.' Liverpool supporters were left stunned by the speech Alexander-Arnold gave at his Madrid presentation, leading many to speculate that a move had been in the works for much longer than the defender had been letting on. But asked how long he had been learning the language, Alexander-Arnold replied: 'Not too long! A couple of months. 'It was something that I found was very important for me to do. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'I want to adapt and give myself the best start possible, going to a new city, a new country and a new team. 'It's important to show the intent and show that I want to embrace the culture, immerse myself in it and adapt as best as possible. 'That was very important for me to do that.' Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel joked that Alexander-Arnold must have been learning Spanish for at least a year while reacting to the defender's post-match interview in the DAZN studio. 'He's been a fantastic player for Liverpool, he spent 20 years there and won everything for Liverpool,' Obi Mikel said. 'But one thing I disagree with him now is that he spent a couple of months learning Spanish. I don't agree with that! 'I think it's a bit longer… about a year.' More Trending On Alexander-Arnold's debut display, Obi Mikel continued: 'You know when you play for Real Madrid that the scrutiny is going to get bigger. 'But, obviously, this is his first game. I don't think we need to judge him. 'Listen, what Trent gives you going forward is fantastic. Yes, sometimes we do criticise him about his defending, but I think now at Real Madrid, he's going to have time with Alonso to work on his defending. 'That's something he needs to tighten up. But going forward, what he gives you is absolutely fantastic.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Donald Trump stuns Juventus players with dig at transgender footballers MORE: Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly makes decision over Real Madrid transfer MORE: Micah Richards rates Liam Delap debut and tells Chelsea star to 'up his game'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Pep Guardiola reveals private Jurgen Klopp talks after Liverpool promise broken
Manchester City have added Pep Lijnders, the former No 2 to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, to Pep Guardiola's coaching staff as permission was sought before doing so Pep Guardiola revealed he asked Jurgen Klopp his permission before appointing Pep Lijnders to his coaching staff. Lijnders was one of former Liverpool boss Klopp's most trusted allies during their time at Anfield when they were also Manchester City 's biggest rivals. They locked horns on and off the pitch and therefore it was a major shock when City boss Guardiola appointed Lijnders this summer. Dutchman Lijnders will be Juanma Lillo's replacement at Manchester City and he will be keen to stamp his authority on how they play this season. But despite Klopp long since leaving Liverpool and Lijnders took another job as Red Bull Salzburg boss in the meantime and was sacked in December, Guardiola still felt the need to get Klopp's permission. Guardiola, talking ahead of City's Club World Cup opening fixture with Wydad in Philadelphia, "We had a conversation withn Jurgen but not about Pep. It was a long conversation. I suggested I was thinking about Pep and he gave me his high opinion. After I took time to reflect. 'I was in touch with Pep. I asked permission from Jurgen of course, I didn't want to interfere. I asked if it would be a problem and he said absolutely not. After one or two days we decided yes. 'I'm a fortunate guy with my assistants in my career: everybody helped me incredibly. They made me a better manager. I'm pretty sure Kolo Toure and especially Pep will. His knowledge, I drink from his knowledge. We talk a lot about football/training, he's been inspiring for me. I am so lucky to work and learn from so many great coaches during my time here.' Lijnders had enjoyed two spells on Merseyside having initially joined under Brendan Rodgers before he became a trusted ally of Klopp. Following his exit, the 42-year-old very quickly found a new job having been appointed as Red Bull Salzburg manager. Lijnders new job sees him go against the promise that he made to his ex-Liverpool boss Klopp. Upon leaving Anfield, he claimed that he would never be an assistant to anyone else and was solely focusing on his own managerial career. He said: '10 years of the club and my boys don't know anything else, they are Scousers. I owe this club everything. They don't owe me anything, to be honest. 'It's 10 years full of dedication. I always said I will finish with Jurgen (Klopp); the moment I will not assist anyone else, that's the moment I will go and I will manage. That was always the case. So when we spoke, it was clear for me: OK, then I go and manage, and we end this project together [that] we started." However, he has broken his promise by returning to the Premier League to help out Guardiola.
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Wednesday's briefing: Coote charged and Levy reflects on Postecoglou sacking
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy described sacking Ange Postecoglou as 'emotionally difficult'. Elsewhere, Jobe Bellingham followed in brother Jude's footsteps by making his Borussia Dortmund debut, while Trent Alexander-Arnold previewed a new era at Real Madrid. Sacked Coote charged by Football Association — FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) June 17, 2025 Former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged by the Football Association over remarks he made about ex-Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp. Coote was sacked in December by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) after a video circulated on social media the previous month of him making derogatory comments about Klopp. One of those remarks referenced Klopp's nationality, and the FA said that constituted an alleged 'aggravated breach' under its rules. In the video, Coote is heard saying it had been 's***' to be fourth official at a Liverpool match in the summer of 2020, describing Klopp as a 'German c***'. He also said Klopp was 'f****** arrogant'. Coote declined to comment when contacted via a spokesperson, while the FA has not shared a date by which he must respond. Dismissing Postecoglou was emotionally difficult – Levy Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy insisted he had no regrets about appointing Ange Postecoglou as he described the decision to sack him as 'emotionally difficult'. Despite guiding Spurs to a first trophy in 17 years by securing Europa League glory, Postecoglou was dismissed earlier this month and then replaced by Thomas Frank. Losing 22 Premier League matches and finishing 17th ultimately cost the Australian his job. 'We were over the moon to win a trophy but we need to compete in all competitions,' said Levy. 'We felt that we needed a change. Emotionally it was difficult but we believe we have made the right decision for the club.' Bellingham makes Dortmund debut The moment you've been waiting for. 🏴 — Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) June 17, 2025 Jobe Bellingham made his Borussia Dortmund debut from the bench as his new side scraped a goalless draw in their Club World Cup opener against Fluminense in New Jersey. The England Under-21 international played the final 31 minutes at the MetLife Stadium following last week's big-money switch from Sunderland but could not inspire a breakthrough in a tight Group F encounter. Bellingham, 19, followed in the footsteps of elder brother Jude, who spent three years with Dortmund before moving to Real Madrid in 2023. A crowd of 29,755 were in attendance at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium, where Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel make a fine double save to deny Fluminense a second-half winner. Alexander-Arnold ready for new challenge with Real 🤩 @TrentAA 🤩📺 Watch every FIFA Club World Cup 2025 game, FOR FREE, on DAZN!#TakeItToTheWorld | #FIFACWC — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 17, 2025 Trent Alexander-Arnold insisted everyone is 'starting from scratch' as they try to take on board the methods of new Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso. The former Liverpool defender is expected to make his Real debut in Wednesday's Club World Cup clash with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. While Alexander-Arnold is still getting to grips with new surroundings and a different language after joining the LaLiga club last week, head coach Alonso has only been in position since the start of the month. 'It's a new coach and a new coaching staff, so in that sense we're all starting from scratch,' he told RM Play. 'We're all trying to learn and absorb all the information and put it into practice as quickly as possible.' What's on today? Manchester City begin their Club World Cup campaign against Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia, while Alexander-Arnold could be involved when Real Madrid meet Simone Inzaghi's Al Hilal in Miami. England Under-21s will bid to qualify for the knockout stages of the European Championship in their Group B clash with Germany. Premier League fixtures for the 2025-26 season will be announced on Wednesday morning.
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Wednesday's briefing: Coote charged and Levy reflects on Postecoglou sacking
Former Premier League referee David Coote was charged over remarks he made about ex-Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy described sacking Ange Postecoglou as 'emotionally difficult'. Elsewhere, Jobe Bellingham followed in brother Jude's footsteps by making his Borussia Dortmund debut, while Trent Alexander-Arnold previewed a new era at Real Madrid. Sacked Coote charged by Football Association — FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) June 17, 2025 Former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged by the Football Association over remarks he made about ex-Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp. Coote was sacked in December by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) after a video circulated on social media the previous month of him making derogatory comments about Klopp. One of those remarks referenced Klopp's nationality, and the FA said that constituted an alleged 'aggravated breach' under its rules. In the video, Coote is heard saying it had been 's***' to be fourth official at a Liverpool match in the summer of 2020, describing Klopp as a 'German c***'. He also said Klopp was 'f****** arrogant'. Coote declined to comment when contacted via a spokesperson, while the FA has not shared a date by which he must respond. Dismissing Postecoglou was emotionally difficult – Levy Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy insisted he had no regrets about appointing Ange Postecoglou as he described the decision to sack him as 'emotionally difficult'. Despite guiding Spurs to a first trophy in 17 years by securing Europa League glory, Postecoglou was dismissed earlier this month and then replaced by Thomas Frank. Losing 22 Premier League matches and finishing 17th ultimately cost the Australian his job. 'We were over the moon to win a trophy but we need to compete in all competitions,' said Levy. 'We felt that we needed a change. Emotionally it was difficult but we believe we have made the right decision for the club.' Bellingham makes Dortmund debut The moment you've been waiting for. 🏴 — Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) June 17, 2025 Jobe Bellingham made his Borussia Dortmund debut from the bench as his new side scraped a goalless draw in their Club World Cup opener against Fluminense in New Jersey. The England Under-21 international played the final 31 minutes at the MetLife Stadium following last week's big-money switch from Sunderland but could not inspire a breakthrough in a tight Group F encounter. Bellingham, 19, followed in the footsteps of elder brother Jude, who spent three years with Dortmund before moving to Real Madrid in 2023. A crowd of 29,755 were in attendance at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium, where Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel make a fine double save to deny Fluminense a second-half winner. Alexander-Arnold ready for new challenge with Real 🤩 @TrentAA 🤩📺 Watch every FIFA Club World Cup 2025 game, FOR FREE, on DAZN! #TakeItToTheWorld | #FIFACWC — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 17, 2025 Trent Alexander-Arnold insisted everyone is 'starting from scratch' as they try to take on board the methods of new Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso. The former Liverpool defender is expected to make his Real debut in Wednesday's Club World Cup clash with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. While Alexander-Arnold is still getting to grips with new surroundings and a different language after joining the LaLiga club last week, head coach Alonso has only been in position since the start of the month. 'It's a new coach and a new coaching staff, so in that sense we're all starting from scratch,' he told RM Play. 'We're all trying to learn and absorb all the information and put it into practice as quickly as possible.' What's on today? Manchester City begin their Club World Cup campaign against Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia, while Alexander-Arnold could be involved when Real Madrid meet Simone Inzaghi's Al Hilal in Miami. England Under-21s will bid to qualify for the knockout stages of the European Championship in their Group B clash with Germany.
