List of All Articles with Tag 'sport'

Jurgen Klopp was left fuming after his post-Toulouse game press conference was held in a tent - and fans chanted the entire way through it. The Liverpool manager could barely be heard as he attempted to discuss the team's 3-2 defeat, with banging heard on the tent's walls. "Who had the idea to do the press conference here? That will be a really interesting question. Wow", he noted. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter

Over the past few months, as Chelsea’s hierarchy started to settle into the club, they became fixated on a specific idea relevant to this weekend’s game. They began to study what makes 100-point seasons and record-breaking sides. That might seem some way off, to an almost comic degree, but you’ve got to have goals. Manchester City are the obvious case study, since they are the only club to manage a centurion season and they still break records. As regards what made that possible, the usual explanation might be “one of the most lavishly expensive football projects in history” but Chelsea’s owners also have huge resources and are clearly willing to spend them. Their outlay on transfer fees so far, if not quite wages, has recalled the dizzy days of Roman Abramovich between 2003 and 2006 and the first few years of the Abu Dhabi ownership at City. And Chelsea might have a more specific reason to look at the European champions for inspiration. Chelsea’s own grand project, which is an unprecedented football experiment, is based on bringing in young players of a similar talent profile to Jeremy Doku. That raises the obvious question of whether Doku would have the same impact if he was at Chelsea? Or, would he be just another young signing showing potential but requiring shape and direction? Recent form suggests the latter. There are caveats, of course. It is early days and, as good as Doku has been, the real tests will come later. Clubs like Manchester United and Newcastle had also looked at him, but felt he wasn’t yet developed enough. There was a sense he was too erratic as a player. However, his impact under Pep Guardiola, especially when contrasted with Raheem Sterling’s influence on Chelsea, speaks volumes about the two clubs. One significant difference between Doku and so many similar young players at Chelsea is the roles they’ve been signed for. The London club have attempted to overhaul their entire squad, and players of talent have just been thrust into the fray. It has been up to Mauricio Pochettino to make sense of it. City, from the benefit of over a decade’s planning, can be much more forensic. Their succession plans are so well defined and far-thinking, with most signings settled on at least 18 months in advance - barring any unseen changes like the sudden impact of Saudi Pro League money, which delayed this summer’s business. Doku was supposed to be next in line in City’s attack but, as occasionally happens in teams that are so high-functioning, a player of his talent has been able to slot right in. It has even gone a little bit in the other direction, in how Doku’s livewire play actually gives City’s smoothness something different. It’s hard not to have some sympathy with Jack Grealish. When he was signed, Guardiola worked on him for weeks, seeking to change his thinking on the game and add much more control to it. Grealish was still talking about how he needed to evolve by the end of a season where he’d won his first title. Doku, by contrast, has just been put in the team and let loose to also leave Grealish on the bench. This isn’t to say the English playmaker should be overly worried about his medium-to-long-term role. As Sterling knows better than anybody, Guardiola goes on and off players all the time. It is partly his way of keeping them on their toes, partly tactical experimentation, partly man-management and partly what fits at any given time. Sterling ultimately felt he didn’t have that time, and sought to be a more influential player at another major club. There is something of an irony there, though. While Sterling is Chelsea’s senior attacker, who has a huge burden in leading the play, his best role is probably as someone who works off other stars and does real damage there. That is when his running on the ball and off it can be devastating. The farcical match against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday showed how much focus there can be on Sterling in this Chelsea team, although it had the effect of releasing Nicolas Jackson for so many chances that he eventually got a hat-trick by sheer force of numbers. While there will be an obvious comparison between that and Doku’s impact against Bournemouth, they were very different types of performances. They are very different types of roles. At Chelsea, attackers like Jackson and Cole Palmer already have a huge responsibility, which increases the burden on Sterling. At City, Doku is able to play off a series of stars who know precisely what their job is. It means he can figure out his own game, as defences try to figure him out. Read More The future of football: Why the U-17 World Cup highlights an evolving game One point: Is this the worst score of the Fantasy Premier League season? Are England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham the best strike force in world football? Rumours: Man United could sell duo in January and Newcastle target midfield pair How can Man United qualify in Champions League? Champions League: What do Man United, Newcastle and Arsenal need to reach last 16?

A football club plunged its stadium into darkness after the team’s rivals celebrated their league title win. Alianza Lima pulled the plug and plunged the stadium into a blackout as Universitario Deportes celebrated their title glory. Universitario Deportes have now called for sanctions to be imposed on Alianza Lima after their actions prevented the award ceremony from going ahead. Universitario claimed a record-extending 27th league title after a 2-0 win at city rivals Alianza on Wednesday had wrapped up a 3-1 aggregate victory. But before the celebrations could get underway the lights went out at the Alejandro Villanueva stadium, an incident Universitario labelled both disgraceful and dangerous. Read More Jurgen Klopp reacts to release of Luis Diaz’s kidnapped father: ‘Really happy’ Sarina Wiegman reveals tough childhood decision she made to play football with boys ‘He’s still my captain’: Rob Burrow reflects on unique friendship with Kevin Sinfield

Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco likes the way Manchester City is taking care of Jeremy Doku by not making him play every minute of a demanding season

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Ange Postecoglou has revealed Tottenham are set to be without Micky van de Ven and James Maddison until January. Centre-back Van de Ven and midfielder Maddison suffered hamstring and ankle injuries respectively in Monday’s 4-1 loss at home to Chelsea. Spurs also had Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie sent off during their first defeat of the season, which means Postecoglou will be without several key players for Saturday’s trip to Wolves. “Fair to say a fair bit happened after Monday,” boss Postecoglou reflected. “Micky obviously with that hamstring injury, we knew it was fairly significant, probably a couple of months for him looking into the new year. “Madders is a lot worse than we thought. He came off with an ankle injury and the next day wasn’t great, so we sent him for a scan. Again probably into the new year for him. “Richy (Richarlison) should only be a month so not too long after international break, so they are the main ones, but we’ve got a couple of suspensions as well. “Ben Davies is back and available. (Pedro) Porro is fine, he trained no problem.” Read More Evan Ferguson signs new Brighton contract until 2029 Football rumours: Tottenham identify Lloyd Kelly as January transfer target On this day in 2014: David Moyes appointed Real Sociedad head coach

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has softened his opinion over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s versatility as a potential midfielder but still believes he best serves the team from his natural right-sided role. Just over two years ago, after the 25-year-old was deployed in a central position against Andorra by England boss Gareth Southgate, Klopp said there was no need to change the defender into a midfielder. Those lines have been blurred since Alexander-Arnold started performing the hybrid role of stepping into central areas when Liverpool are in possession and Klopp took it one step further in last month’s Carabao Cup win at Bournemouth when he brought him on to replace holding midfielder Wataru Endo for the final half-hour. Alexis Mac Allister has been performing the number-six role in the Premier League despite it being an unfamiliar one to him but the Argentina international is suspended for Sunday’s visit of Brentford after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season. Endo, who was a late addition to the squad in August, has started only one league game in the role but was already off the pitch by the time the side forged a late comeback at Newcastle. His starts have mainly come in the Carabao Cup and Europe but he was one of a number of players who underperformed in the 3-2 defeat by Toulouse and his display was not the best preparation – he was replaced at half-time – to step in for Mac Allister at the weekend. Klopp was asked whether Alexander-Arnold was a potential option, considering how thin the midfield resources are with Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic long-term absentees, Curtis Jones out till after the international break and Ryan Gravenberch doubtful with a knee problem. “(A) possibility, depends on the situation and the opponent, on a lot of things,” said the German. “We know he can play there but if we just put him there we lose one of the best right-backs in the world so we should not forget that completely. “Of course he is an option for that position.” We know he can play there but if we just put him there we lose one of the best right-backs in the world Jurgen Klopp on Alexander-Arnold's midfield capabilities Mac Allister was one of only two players retained from Sunday’s draw at Luton to start against Toulouse as Klopp knew he would get an enforced rest this weekend. But, even in his preferred position slightly further forward, the World Cup winner struggled like many of his team-mates as Liverpool’s three-match winning run in the competition came to an end and placed greater significance on their final two games – even though they are still group leaders. “We were not good enough defensively. We missed so many challenges and that cannot happen when we play with the high line,” Mac Allister told liverpoolfc.com. “It is what it is, we will try to improve and go again on Sunday because we have a very important game.” Mac Allister was involved in the most contentious incident of the night when Jarell Quansah’s last-minute equaliser was ruled out for a handball by the Argentinian after a VAR referral. “It’s a weird one because the referee said goal and then 10 seconds later he changed the decision,” he added. “I don’t know exactly how the rule is but it first hit my chest so it’s weird. But it’s not an excuse, we didn’t play well.” Read More Jurgen Klopp reacts to release of Luis Diaz’s kidnapped father: ‘Really happy’ Jurgen Klopp reveals his ‘main issue’ after VAR denies Liverpool in Toulouse Liverpool angered by VAR as Jarell Quansah goal ruled out in Europa League defeat Joe Cole splits opinion after VAR denies Liverpool late equaliser Luis Diaz ‘happy’ to start Liverpool match hours after kidnapped father’s release Toulouse v Liverpool LIVE: Latest Europa League updates

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has called up four new players including Girona midfielder Aleix García for the final two European Championship qualifiers with a place in next year’s tournament already secured

Korean Twitch streamer and YouTuber, Gamst, is going viral for his reaction to Manchester United conceding their fourth goal to Copenhagen. Kicking his chair over, throwing a giant stuffed animal, and generally just trashing the room he was in, Gamst made his feelings clear, screaming to the camera. 'That's how we all feel', one fan joked in the comments, while another added: 'Typical United fan'. The game finished up 4-3 to Copenhagen. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter

Peruvian football club Alianza Lima pulled the pettiest of stunts after losing 2-0 to a rival football team - by plunging the stadium into darkness. Universitario Deportes are calling for sanctions to be imposed on the team, after their celebrations were interrupted by someone turning the lights off so they had no choice but to leave. “We call on the authorities to punish those responsible,” Universitario said in a statement. “A sporting celebration should not be tarnished by disgraceful events." Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter

Dillon Danis might have lost his boxing match against Logan Paul, but he’s not shying away from the limelight. The fighter is looking to return to his MMA roots after pitching a UFC fight against Paddy Pimblett – but it's safe to fans aren't so sure. In fact, UFC fans have slammed him for his comments, claiming he’s not worthy of a match against rising British star Pimblett. It comes after Danis pledged to “make fighting entertaining again” after hinting at his latest career move. He clearly wants Pimblett to be his next opponent, but social media isn’t impressed one bit. “My UFC debut against Paddy Pimblett would be quite the show, the buildup alone would be electric!” Danis posted on Twitter/X. “And if we want to add some fun, we could be coaches on The Ultimate Fighter and have our fight at the end.” “Imagine the entertainment that would generate,” he went on. “Let’s give the people what they want and make fighting entertaining again!” He also posted a mocked up poster for a hypothetical fight against Pimblett. Danis has been in the spotlight this year, not necessarily for the right reasons either. Danis recently claimed he "won the war" despite his recent disqualification loss in the ring against Logan Paul. The two fought in a six-round heavyweight match which resulted in Paul defeating the MMA fighter by disqualification after a mass brawl broke out in the ring, prompting security to act. Danis posted misogynistic trolling online relentlessly about Paul's fiancé Nina Agdal in the buildup to the fight, who in response filed a lawsuit and restraining order against him. Now, UFC fans have criticised Danis following his latest posts about fighting Pimblett – and they’ve made their feelings pretty clear. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings

CeeDee Lamb says he doesn’t think the best stretch of his career happens without the Dallas receiver sounding off about his limited role in the blowout loss to San Francisco that preceded it