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Wataru Endo hails Liverpool spirit despite ‘difficult decisions’
Wataru Endo hails Liverpool spirit despite ‘difficult decisions’
Wataru Endo was disappointed but proud of the way nine-man Liverpool fought in the face of “difficult decisions” during the last-gasp defeat at Tottenham. Jurgen Klopp’s men saw their unbeaten start to the Premier League season end in north London as Joel Matip’s own goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time gave Spurs a 2-1 win. Liverpool had gone so close to a point after seeing Curtis Jones’ booking upgraded to red midway through the first half after his challenge was reviewed by VAR. Son Heung-min soon broke the deadlock only for the Reds to equalise through Cody Gakpo, whose half-time replacement Diogo Jota was sent off in the 69th minute for two yellows. But the main talking point was how Luis Diaz’s opener was wrongly ruled out for offside due to what the Professional Game Match Officials Limited called a “significant human error” by VAR Darren England. Summer signing Endo, who came on with Liverpool reduced to nine men, said: “At the end, a very tough game but there were 50-50 decisions in the game and yeah, it’s very difficult to play with nine players. “But I wanted to get one point so I am very disappointed about it. “I am just so proud of this team. I am just disappointed. “We have to learn from this result and of course we showed our spirit, even though we faced difficult decisions we fought until the end. “That’s Liverpool and always we have to try to win the game. We can learn from this game but we just keep going.” Liverpool will look to bounce back from their first Premier League defeat of the season at Brighton next Sunday before attention turns to international matches. Matip will be particularly desperate to win after his late own goal in the capital, but Endo says nobody in the dressing room is blaming the defender. “Actually, he played an amazing game today so no-one can say something to him,” he told the club website. “I am so proud of what he did today and I am so proud of what my team-mates did today.” Liverpool have a Europa League group match against Union Saint-Gilloise before heading to Brighton, but there are no continental distractions for Spurs this year. Tottenham missed out on European qualification in a poor 2022-23 campaign but have been reborn under Ange Postecoglou, with his new-look side second in the standings. “It was an important moment,” goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario said. “We were level, then we scored. We deserved this win all together. “We have to enjoy this moment, to rest then keep going because we have another challenge next week (at Luton) and then the international break. “We have to be focused and to prepare the best game by game. “This has to be our goal throughout the season – keep going, keep working.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live United States needing a ‘miracle’ as final day of the Ryder Cup gets under way Ryder Cup live – Europe look to finish the job in Rome Mason Mount aware Man Utd must improve after stuttering start to the season
2023-10-01 18:47
Late heartbreak for Newcastle and Manchester City march on in Champions League
Late heartbreak for Newcastle and Manchester City march on in Champions League
Newcastle suffered late Champions League heartbreak as Kylian Mbappe’s last-gasp penalty denied them a famous victory over Paris St Germain. The Premier League side, who won the reverse fixture 4-1, were heading for a memorable night in the French capital after Alexander Isak’s first-half goal. They were on the way to securing the three points which would have put qualification to the knockout stage into their own hands until Mbappe stepped up from the spot in the eighth minute of added time. The draw means it will be PSG who progress if they better Newcastle’s result in the final Group F game in a fortnight. Borussia Dortmund wrapped up top spot in the group with a 3-1 win over AC Milan. Manchester City came from 2-0 down to beat RB Leipzig 3-2 and assure themselves top spot in Group G. The reigning champions were staring defeat in the face after a first-half double from Lois Openda. But Erling Haaland got one back nine minutes into the second half, with Phil Foden drawing them level before Julian Alvarez won it with three minutes left. Both teams have already qualified, but Young Boys put themselves in pole position to go into the Europa League after beating Red Star Belgrade 2-0. Goals from Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix earned Barcelona a 2-1 win over Porto to take control of Group H. The Portuguese side took the lead when former Real Madrid defender Pepe scored in the first half, but their qualification fate will go down to the final game, with Shakhtar Donetsk also on nine points after they beat Royal Antwerp 1-0. Celtic crashed out of Europe for the season after a late double by substitute Ciro Immobile gave Lazio a 2-0 win in Rome. The Hoops went into the make-or-break game with one point from four Group E matches but gave as good as they got for most of the contest before the home side’s veteran attacker struck in the 82nd and 85th minutes to sink the Scottish champions. Celtic remain bottom of the section and cannot catch Lazio, Atletico Madrid or Feyenoord. Atletico beat the Dutch side 3-1 to remain top of the group. Read More Newcastle denied Champions League win after controversial Kylian Mbappe penalty Phil Foden inspires Manchester City fightback in win over RB Leipzig Beth Mead ‘smiling like a Cheshire cat’ on England return Rodrigo Bentancur set to be out until February after tearing an ankle ligament Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink wants aspiring black managers to get ‘a fair chance’ Ronnie O’Sullivan reels off six successive frames to advance at UK Championship
2023-11-29 06:56
Brendan Rodgers backed to win over sceptics as Celtic fans make ‘fraud’ statement
Brendan Rodgers backed to win over sceptics as Celtic fans make ‘fraud’ statement
Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill believes winning games will soon win over fans who are sceptical about the return of Brendan Rodgers. An influential group of supporters, the North Curve Celtic, quickly posted an old photograph of a banner declaring the manager a “fraud” over his professed love for the club, in the wake of his appointment as manager for a second time. Rodgers won seven trophies in a row first time round but his sudden exit for Leicester in February 2019 still stings some supporters. “Not every single Celtic fan will be happy with it initially after the way he left the club,” O’Neill told BBC Scotland. “But he was very successful, which is great. When you start to win a few football matches, you’re back in the rhythm again and everything’s going fine. “Ange Postecoglou did a really fantastic job with the team and everything seems to be in good hands. “Rodgers knows the club inside out and will still be working with some of the players that he left. If he wins some matches then everything else will fall into place.” Former Hoops striker and pundit Chris Sutton believes it is crucial that supporters put aside their negativity towards Rodgers. “Good luck to Brendan Rodgers going back to Celtic,” he wrote on Twitter. “He left previously under a cloud but no doubting his ability as a coach and his record last time round was phenomenal. “It’s important regardless of how Celtic fans felt with his previous departure that everyone gets behind him.” Former Celtic midfielder and coach Peter Grant believes the Northern Irishman can handle the added pressure that the scepticism will bring “The way Brendan left - that’s what gets the Celtic supporters,” Grant told BBC Scotland. “It’s not down to his talent or quality of the manager. “Outside of Manchester United, the pressure and expectation at Celtic is massive. It’s constant, it’s 24/7. Everybody is looking at what you are doing. If you have a draw, it’s a horrendous result. “Brendan knows the expectation. He came through it saying he was a Celtic supporter. He’s had the criticism he received when he left. He’s had all that to deal with and it takes a strong personality to come back and come under that pressure again. “There will be the extra pressure of supporters. I’m sure he can handle it and great credit to him for wanting him to come back and do it.” Former Celtic full-back Mark Wilson believes Rodgers has no reason to apologise to supporters for the manner of his departure. Wilson told Sky Sports News: “I genuinely think some fans want him to come out and say sorry and apologise. I don’t think that’s ever going to be the case and I don’t think he has anything to apologise for. He was a manager who wanted to progress his career in the richest league in the world. “But I think they will want to hear assurances that he is here for the long term. I know things can change quickly in football, but they will want to hear that he’s got a plan to take this club forward in Europe and spend some time doing it, not just jump ship at the first opportunity. “I think this time if an opportunity were to come up pretty quickly, he would turn it down, because I think he realises what a special club this is.” Former Bhoys midfielder and assistant manager John Collins feels the suitability of Rodgers outweighs feelings over his departure. “I was disappointed with how he left but the reality is you’ve got to look at what he did when he was at Celtic,” Collins told BBC Scotland. “He was an outstanding manager and he delivered entertaining football and trophies. “The supporters want the same thing and there’s not too many managers out there on the market that are ready-made for Celtic. It’ll be a seamless transition and he knows the club.”
2023-06-20 15:23
Sarina Wiegman keeping out of discussions over World Cup bonuses
Sarina Wiegman keeping out of discussions over World Cup bonuses
England manager Sarina Wiegman insisted she has not waded into a rumoured row surrounding World Cup bonuses. Wiegman’s side open their campaign in earnest on July 22 when they face Haiti in Brisbane, but they will first take on FIFA world number-seven ranked Olympic champions Canada behind closed doors on Friday at Queensland’s Sunshine Coast stadium. Some reports ahead of England’s arrival Down Under claimed the Lionesses were unhappy with the Football Association about performance-based payments, but Wiegman was adamant it has not been a topic of discussion in camp. “Players haven’t spoken to me about it,” she told Sky Sports. “We’ve been focusing on football and that is what I have seen. “They’re focused on football in meetings. I don’t see any problems. I know that it is something that needs to be solved and I hope for a quick solution. “I am not involved in those discussions. I hope it’s solved quickly before the tournament starts.” Under a new model, players will receive payments directly from FIFA, with amounts increasing the deeper teams go in the tournament. They range from 30,000 US dollars (£23,367) per athlete for the group stage to USD 270,000 (£210,305) allotted to each champion. Previously, it was up to individual national governing bodies to decide how money was allocated. Some federations have agreed to additional payments in 2023, though multiple reports have suggested the FA has no current plans to do the same. The PA news agency has contacted the FA for comment. The Dutch boss, who led England to their first major trophy at last summer’s home Euros, was more forthcoming when asked how her team feels about FIFA’s solution to the ‘One Love’ armband debate that swirled around the men’s World Cup in Qatar last autumn. Captains of the nations involved in the ‘One Love’ campaign, including England and Wales, were threatened with sporting sanctions starting at a yellow card if the rainbow bands were worn, because they would have been a breach of FIFA equipment regulations. The bands were seen as a potent symbol of tolerance in a country where same-sex relationships are criminalised. Instead, FIFA has partnered with the UN to create eight stakeholder-sanctioned armbands that can be swapped out or worn throughout the month-long tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Alongside inclusion, the other causes being highlighted are ‘unite for indigenous peoples’, ‘unite for gender equality’, ‘unite for peace’, ‘unite for education for all’, ‘unite for zero hunger’, ‘unite for ending violence against women’ and ‘football is joy, peace, love, hope and passion’. Team captains will also have the option to wear a ‘football unites the world’ armband for the entire tournament, if they do not wish to choose a single cause or support different causes round by round. None directly advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, of which a record number of players in the 2023 World Cup – including some Lionesses – are a part, so the decision has drawn some criticism. Wiegman added: “I think the players are happy with the solution. I think first of all it is good there is a solution ahead of the tournament. “I think that with the armband, the team can have a voice and now it is up to the team what armband they want to wear. I think we are in a really good place with it. “The players will decide and they will live by their values anyway. And we as staff will support them in any choice they make.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Wimbledon final places and world number one ranking up for grabs on day 11 Joe Marler reveals ‘weird encounter’ with Steve Borthwick over England hopes Alice Capsey says England can play even better after levelling Ashes series
2023-07-13 15:53
Three duels to savour in Rugby World Cup final
Three duels to savour in Rugby World Cup final
Defending champions South Africa and New Zealand battle it out on Saturday bidding to become the first team to win the...
2023-10-27 09:49
Kevin Magnussen’s car catches fire in scary flashpoint at British Grand Prix
Kevin Magnussen’s car catches fire in scary flashpoint at British Grand Prix
Kevin Magnussen’s car caught fire in a flashpoint during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The Dane, driving for American-owned team Haas, came to a halt on the Wellington Straight while under pressure from the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll. Magnussen weaved to the left of the straight before the engine of his car blew up, with a huge fireball forming at the rear. Fortunately, Magnussen rapidly disembarked the car, with the incident resulting in a safety car in which the majority of the field pitted. Max Verstappen currently leads the race with British driver Lando Norris in second and Lewis Hamilton in third. More to follow… Read More F1 British Grand Prix LIVE: Race updates as Lando Norris falls behind Max Verstappen at Silverstone
2023-07-09 23:21
Spot-on Vela sends Los Angeles to top in MLS
Spot-on Vela sends Los Angeles to top in MLS
Carlos Vela scored an injury-time penalty as Los Angeles FC surged to the top spot in Major League Soccer's Western Conference on Saturday, and Cincinnati maintained their charge at...
2023-05-21 15:17
How Harry Kane performed for Bayern Munich in Bundesliga debut
How Harry Kane performed for Bayern Munich in Bundesliga debut
Harry Kane put in a stunning performance in his Bundesliga debut, scoring and assisting in a comfortable 4-0 win for Bayern Munich.
2023-08-19 23:16
Is there a 2-minute warning in college football games?
Is there a 2-minute warning in college football games?
Football fans are well familiar with the 2-minute warning, but some are wondering if the stoppage at the end of halves is a thing in college football.
2023-10-08 07:59
3 second-round picks from the 2023 NBA Draft who could play big minutes
3 second-round picks from the 2023 NBA Draft who could play big minutes
Everyone is focused on the top picks from the 2023 NBA Draft but these second-round picks could have a big impact, playing meaningful minutes as rookies.Several of the league's top athletes were selected in the second round of the draft. For example, Nikola Jokic was a second-rounder. He wa...
2023-07-29 03:23
The stars signing up for Saudi's football project
The stars signing up for Saudi's football project
Saudi Arabia has emerged as a force in the football transfer market this year, offering eye-watering salaries that have lured a host of big names...
2023-08-10 10:17
Ohtani ties score with 35th homer, Angels beat Yankees 4-3 in 10 innings
Ohtani ties score with 35th homer, Angels beat Yankees 4-3 in 10 innings
Shohei Ohtani tied the score in the seventh inning with his major league-leading 35th home run and pinch-hitter Michael Stefanic hit a game-ending single in the 10th to give the Los Angeles Angels a 4-3 win over the New York Yankees, Los Angeles trailed 3-1 when Ohtani hit a two-run drive off Michael King, then made a demonstrative flip of his bat
2023-07-18 13:56