Madrid, Spain | AFP | Jurgen Klopp laughed off suggestions he is an unlucky manager as he looks to halt an unfortunate run of ending up on the losing side in his last six finals as a coach when he leads Liverpool into Saturday’s Champions League decider. “Since 2012, apart from …
Read More »Origi and Wanyama put Kenya on Champions League map
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Liverpool striker Divock Origi and Tottenham Hotspur’s Victor Wanyama are the talk of Kenya ahead of Saturday’s European Champions League final in Madrid. In football-mad Kenya, a nation of 50 million in East Africa, there is hope the two athletes can shine a positive spotlight on …
Read More »Time for Tottenham to be brave to sustain Champions League success
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Mauricio Pochettino used to wince when his pressing game was compared with Jurgen Klopp’s but Tottenham and Liverpool share more than just a love of the chase in their recent fight to join Europe’s elite. With star players sold and the proceeds, largely, squandered, Pochettino …
Read More »Mane has eyes on Champions League not Real Madrid links
Liverpool, United Kingdom | AFP | Sadio Mane admits he is flattered by suggested interest from Real Madrid but insists he is happy at Liverpool and fully focused on trying to help them win the Champions League. Reports from Spain in recent weeks have suggested that Real want to bring the …
Read More »Van Dijk lays the foundations for Liverpool’s return to the top
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 …
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