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Luukkonen gets first career shutout as Sabres blank Avalanche 4-0
Luukkonen gets first career shutout as Sabres blank Avalanche 4-0
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 26 saves in his first career shutout and JJ Peterka, Casey Mittelstadt, Tyson Jost, and Rasmus Dahlin scored for the Buffalo Sabres in a 4-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday.
2023-10-30 12:48
Christian Eriksen explains role in Rasmus Hojlund's move to Man Utd
Christian Eriksen explains role in Rasmus Hojlund's move to Man Utd
Christian Eriksen explains how he helped convince Ramsus Hojlund to join Man Utd.
2023-08-12 19:29
Red Bull salute team founder after Verstappen wins at home
Red Bull salute team founder after Verstappen wins at home
A triumphant Max Verstappen delivered another perfect performance in Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix as Red Bull saluted their founder on 'home' turf...
2023-07-03 01:15
New signing Wataru Endo compared to ‘one of the biggest Liverpool legends’ by Jurgen Klopp
New signing Wataru Endo compared to ‘one of the biggest Liverpool legends’ by Jurgen Klopp
Instead of the third most expensive footballer in history, Liverpool have unveiled the third most expensive midfielder they have signed this summer and the third they targeted in swift succession. A dizzying week that began with a British record bid for Moises Caicedo ended with Romeo Lavia joining the Ecuadorian at Stamford Bridge and the arrival of Wataru Endo at Anfield, almost £100m cheaper than one of the men who preferred Chelsea to Liverpool and seemingly out of the blue. This, Jurgen Klopp accepted, was not how many supporters hoped their search for a No 6 would go. “It is a transfer that is not in the public eye,” he said. “It’s not ‘Oh my God!’ and probably nobody at this moment is texting a new song for him.” That said, though, Klopp did get a text from an influential figure in German football, congratulating him on the signing of the former VfB Stuttgart captain. If Caicedo can be billed as the new N’Golo Kante, and not merely because of the Ecuadorian’s choice of club, Klopp looked into Liverpool’s recent past for a comparison for his latest buy. He settled on perhaps the most unglamorous figure of their recent glory years, James Milner. He urged fans to look beyond the bare facts about Endo – a 30-year-old relegation firefighter in the Bundesliga – and embrace an unlikely addition. “I know how football fans are, they would prefer to bring in a player who is £110m,” he said. Normally when a manager pleads that a player should not be judged on his price tag, it is because he is costly, not cheap. “But wait: he has something that Liverpool supporters will love, definitely,” added Klopp. “He is already used to red a little bit [from Stuttgart], so that’s good, and when he puts that shirt on he will throw everything on the pitch and the people will love that, I know that. We had this with James Milner a little bit. Obviously a slightly different profile but could you respect James Milner more for playing 15 minutes at the end and just closing a game down?” Milner, Klopp added, was “one of the biggest Liverpool legends of my time and arrived here he was 29”. The German came to Anfield a few months later and since then he had only signed one outfield player in their thirties: defender Ragnar Klavan in 2016, also from a bottom-half Bundesliga club. But if Klopp has to convince the Anfield public Endo is not too near the end, he also had to persuade his employers. “The way our owners see it he was already too old when he joined Stuttgart,” he said. “The owners really want 200 games at 20 years old. That is pretty difficult. I didn’t need any kind of convincing. I know that the best time for a football player is from 27 to 33 in a normal career.” If Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai conform to the usual model for Liverpool signings in the Fenway Sports Group era, Endo is an anomaly. His new manager’s view is that the Japan captain is a young 30. “When you see him, you think ‘is he allowed to drive a car?’” Klopp asked. Certainly, a four-year contract reflects Liverpool’s belief that, like Milner before him, Endo will retain his running power deep into his thirties. His age, he feels, is a reason his new recruit was overlooked; why he is the exception to FSG’s rule. “He is a late bloomer and he improved every year since he was on the proper football screen,” he said. Klopp has always savoured an underdog tale; for him, there is much to enjoy in the way Endo took a long and winding road to Liverpool, via Shonan Bellmare, Urawa Red Diamonds, Sint-Truiden and then Stuttgart. “I am really happy these kind of stories are still possible in this crazy world of football,” he said. “It feels just right.” And Liverpool definitely feels right for Endo. “A dream come true,” said a player for whom such a move would long have seemed utterly unrealistic. After Caicedo and Lavia showed rather less enthusiasm to sign, Klopp grinned as he stressed Liverpool finally reached an agreement with “the club and the player”. There can be no pretence Endo was Liverpool’s first choice but he sought to address the perception that desperation ruled. “He was on my list from the beginning,” he said. He had watched Endo since he joined Stuttgart in 2019. He moved for him after Liverpool had just 35 per cent possession against Chelsea – “crazy,” Klopp said – when, in the absence of a specialist defensive midfielder, Mac Allister had to impersonate one. But it was such a shock that even Endo pronounced himself surprised. He is the £15m man, not the £115m midfielder. “But in the end the pitch is the same size,” Klopp said. “The player will not grow with the money he costs, it’s rather the other way around.” But even Endo has grown into a Liverpool player late in his career, Klopp is hoping he has a Milner-esque impact for a price a fraction of Caicedo’s. Read More Wataru Endo: Liverpool strengthen midfield by signing Bundesliga ‘machine’ Moises Caicedo completes Chelsea’s dream midfield — but £115m deal could haunt them Chelsea and Liverpool serve up entertaining glimpse of football without defensive midfielders
2023-08-19 13:27
Today at the World Cup: Philippines stun New Zealand as Norway are held
Today at the World Cup: Philippines stun New Zealand as Norway are held
Debutants Philippines stunned co-hosts New Zealand to claim their first Women’s World Cup victory. Norway’s hopes are in the balance after their draw with Switzerland while Colombia cruised past South Korea. Here, we take a look at all of Tuesday’s action. Philippines pull off shock result Sarina Bolden’s first-half winner made World Cup history as the Philippines grabbed their first-ever win after beating New Zealand 1-0 in Group A. Bolden’s 24th-minute header was the difference as the co-hosts wasted their chance to build on their opening win over Norway with Jacqui Hand hitting the post and having a goal disallowed. The Philippines struck midway through the first half when Bolden headed past Victoria Esson from close range. Norway off the boil Norway’s World Cup hopes hang by a thread after a stalemate with Switzerland. Norway, who were stunned by New Zealand in their opener, lost star forward Ada Hegerberg to injury just before kick-off. Swiss goalkeeper Gaelle Thalmann kept them out and Norway will now need to beat Philippines and hope results elsewhere go their way to avoid an early exit. Colombia kick off with win Colombia brushed aside South Korea 2-0 in their Group H game in Sydney. Catalina Usme – Colombia’s all-time top scorer – broke the deadlock from the spot after Shim Seo-Yeon’s handball. Real Madrid’s 18-year-old Linda Caicedo doubled the lead soon after with her shot slipping past Yoon Young-Geul in the Korea goal. Post of the day Quote of the day I don't know if there's been a bigger win for Philippines' sport. It has to be one of the biggest wins in the history of the country Philippines manager Alen Stajcic Up next Group B: Canada v Republic of Ireland (7am, Perth Rectangular Stadium)Group C: Japan v Costa Rica (6am, Dunedin Stadium)Group C: Spain v Zambia (8.30am, Eden Park) Read More Japan fans stay behind after Women’s World Cup match to clean stands Today at the Women’s World Cup: Bonmati shines as Spain make statement Today at the World Cup: Australia and New Zealand celebrate winning starts 3,000 runs and 200 wickets – Moeen Ali reaches impressive Test landmark New Zealand squad stayed calm after hearing of Auckland shooting Auckland shooting takes place just 5km from venue of World Cup match
2023-07-26 01:49
Kolisi watches on as Racing claim Parisian derby spoils
Kolisi watches on as Racing claim Parisian derby spoils
South Africa's two-time Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi watched from the stands as his new club Racing 92 beat Stade Francais 13-9 on Saturday in the French Top 14 but their local...
2023-11-19 06:57
Rachel Daly frustrated to start England’s opening World Cup game on the bench
Rachel Daly frustrated to start England’s opening World Cup game on the bench
Rachel Daly admits it was difficult for her to have been benched in favour of Alessia Russo for England’s World Cup opener against Haiti on Saturday. Georgia Stanway’s retaken penalty secured the Lionesses a nervy 1-0 victory at Brisbane Stadium to begin their quest for a maiden World Cup, but they have not scored in open play since Ella Toone netted against Brazil in April’s Finalissima at Wembley. The Russo-or-Daly dilemma was a much-debated topic ahead of the 2023 finals, with Tottenham’s Beth England also amongst boss Sarina Wiegman’s attacking options. Asked how she felt about her manager’s decision, Daly said: “I think anyone would be (frustrated). No one is happy to sit on the bench. If you are, then you are not in the right place, not in the right career. “It’s a tough place for Sarina to be, to pick the team. I respect her decisions and I will support Alessia all the way and obviously I know Beth will do the same.” Versatile Daly started at left-back for every game of the Lionesses’ Euro 2022-winning run last summer, but has always played as a striker at club level and was selected as a forward for this tournament. The Harrogate native’s 22 goals for Aston Villa in the 2022-23 Women’s Super League season were enough to secure her the Golden Boot, while she also finished joint first for penalties converted with three. England was the WSL’s third-best scorer with 14, while Russo was joint fifth on 10 with Manchester United team-mate Leah Galton. Saturday’s Group D contest, against a Haiti side 49 places below the FIFA world number four-ranked Lionesses, did not do much to assuage fears about England’s attacking form. While Daly has full confidence in Wiegman, she did not rule out the possibility of trying to convince her boss to give her a shot in one of England’s two remaining group games against Denmark or China. Daly, who came on for Russo in the 76th minute on Saturday, said: “I think that’s the beauty of having a competitive squad. I think everybody is digging out for a position. It’s a headache Sarina has to have in multiple positions. I wouldn’t like to be in her shoes, obviously making such big decisions coming into tournaments. “But she’s a fantastic manager, we respect all of her decisions. It proved tonight that it works, so we are happy. “I think movement is probably one of my strengths. I just tried to come on and make a nuisance of myself for the defenders, stepping in off the back of Alessia’s big shift. She did brilliantly again, and I’m just ready when I’m called upon.” The retirements of striker Ellen White and midfielder Jill Scott last summer combined with injuries to Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead meant there were five differences between Wiegman’s line-up on Saturday and her unchanged Euro 2022 starters, while Daly’s position switch also created an opening in the back line. All that change, Daly speculated, could have factored into why England did not look near their dominant best in a match many expected they would win handily. She added: “I mean you could put it down to a number of things, but I think we are quite a new side, a relatively new side. We have lost a lot of players through injury, retiring. We are still building, but I don’t think it’s a worry and a concern at the minute. Hopefully, more will come.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Erik ten Hag happy with display in Manchester United’s victory over Arsenal Emile Smith Rowe ready to bounce back from injury-plagued season On this day in 2017: Anya Shrubsole bowls England to Women’s World Cup victory
2023-07-23 19:18
England wins toss and will field in Cricket World Cup match against India
England wins toss and will field in Cricket World Cup match against India
England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to field first in its Cricket World Cup match against India
2023-10-29 16:55
NHL free agency: Ranking the best defenseman options
NHL free agency: Ranking the best defenseman options
Every offseason, talented unrestricted free agents hit the market in NHL Free Agency. The current crop of pending defensemen is loaded.Each NHL team has different needs to fill out their roster. In the offseason, general managers analyze the unrestricted free agent options to see who would fit w...
2023-05-30 22:29
Caeleb Dressel struggles to 29th in 100 freestyle at US swimming nationals
Caeleb Dressel struggles to 29th in 100 freestyle at US swimming nationals
Caeleb Dressel has finished 29th in the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. nationals, falling far short of qualifying for the world championships in an event he won at the Tokyo Olympics
2023-06-28 01:17
Kentucky Sign-Up Promos Ending: Win $300 Bonus This Week Only
Kentucky Sign-Up Promos Ending: Win $300 Bonus This Week Only
This is your last chance to lock in $300 worth of pre-registration bonuses at DraftKings and FanDuel in Kentucky. Read more to learn how you can secure your bonus funds in minutes.
2023-09-23 18:21
Mark Wahlberg follows Joe Rogan’s recovery method to test his sneakers’ capabilities: ‘It’s cold as s**t'
Mark Wahlberg follows Joe Rogan’s recovery method to test his sneakers’ capabilities: ‘It’s cold as s**t'
Mark Wahlberg's sneakers P448 were put through a variety of tests including one used by Joe Rogan
2023-08-19 17:45