Jurgen Klopp has called on Liverpool fans to show Roma the respect they deserve when the teams meet in Tuesday s Champions League semi-final first leg.
Merseyside Police have vowed to crack down on any troublemakers to avoid a repeat of the incidents before the clash with Manchester City in the quarter-finals, when missiles were thrown from within a crowd of Reds supporters at the visitors team bus as it made its way to Anfield.
Klopp does not want Roma to receive the same welcome and has urged fans to show their opponents the positive side of their fantastic support.
In the stadium – do it again, and do it better. Out of the stadium, please show the respect we need to show, he told a news conference.
This is such a fantastic football club, an outstan…
Alisson hailed the importance of Roberto Firmino to Liverpool after the forward s winning goal against Flamengo in the Club World Cup final.
Firmino netted two winners in as many games for the European champions at the tournament, which Liverpool won for the first time thanks to Saturday s 1-0 victory.
The 28-year-old is often questioned due to his lack of goals – he has six this season – despite his vital contributions, but Brazil team-mate Alisson talked up his importance.
We know and he knows how important he is for the team. And we value him a lot. I think he is one of the most important players for us, the goalkeeper said.
He doesn t just score, but he assists too. He makes the team play from behind, he helps us a lot and makes a difference.
Antonio Conte is not convinced that missing out on Champions League football will hinder Chelsea next season, the coach offering a reminder they won the title in 2016-17 after finishing 10th.
Chelsea go into their final match of the Premier League campaign two points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool in the final Champions League qualification spot, meaning they are in danger of missing out.
Liverpool host Brighton and Hove Albion, while Chelsea travel to Newcastle United as the English top flight draws to a close on Sunday.
The Reds also have the advantage of a goal difference which is 15 better than Chelsea s, essentially requiring Jurgen Klopp s men to lose for their rivals to stand a chance.
But Conte suggested a top-four spot is not quite as importan…
Jack Wilshere is seemingly open to making other plans after reportedly being overlooked for England s World Cup squad, having playfully accepted an offer of a holiday to Zante from a stranger on social media.
The Arsenal midfielder has not appeared for the Three Lions since Euro 2016, but appeared to be in the running for a place on the plane to Russia.
However, a series of late-season knocks are said to have convinced Gareth Southgate to look elsewhere.
And Wilshere suggested he will be free over the off-season with his response to someone inviting him on a trip to Zante with the lads .
Alongside two laughing emojis, he replied on Twitter: Let me know the dates and I m in.
let me know the dates and I m in
— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilsher…
Villarreal have boosted their striking ranks immediately after selling Luciano Vietto to Atletico Madrid by taking Leo Baptistao from the Vicente Calderon on loan.
Vietto scored 20 goals in his maiden season for Villarreal last term, form enough to prompt a reunion with Atletico boss Diego Simeone, who coached the striker at Racing Club in Argentina.
With a UEFA Europa League campaign on the horizon, Villarreal have been quick to bolster their attacking ranks.
Baptistao joined Atletico from Rayo Vallecano in 2013, but has made just a handful of appearances since, spending most of his time on loan away from the club, with Real Betis and back at Rayo.
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Sean Dyche concedes he finds the level of spending power in the Premier League astounding , but he is ready to steer Burnley s tight financial ship to top-flight safety.
The 45-year-old led the Clarets to the Championship title last season, the second time he has masterminded a promotion to the top division.
Burnley were relegated from the Premier League in 2014-15, having stuck steadfastly to a thrifty approach to their transfer business, and Dyche insists the inflated market will not make them change tack.
I think the market has gone up again so everyone made a big deal out of the financial package that the TV offers, he said ahead of Saturday s visit of Swansea City.
Everything has gone up from two years ago. It has jumped again and some of the numbe…
Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes the Swedish media are responsible for his World Cup omission.
Ibrahimovic retired from international football after Sweden s underwhelming Euro 2016 campaign, when they were eliminated at the group stage.
Since then, the fiery striker has continued to impress in front of goal with Manchester United and now LA Galaxy and he appeared to be eager on a return to the Sweden team for the World Cup, hinting several times that he would play in Russia.
Coach Janne Andersson then shut the door on Ibrahimovic in April, saying in an interview: If you rejected the team, I do not think you should come back.
But Sweden s record goal-scorer thinks media coverage back home has counted against him more than his retirement.
. talks …
Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal need a psychological “reset” after they could not capitalise on chances in their 2-0 FA Cup third-round loss to Liverpool at the Emirates.
The Gunners dominated the first half but Jakub Kiwior conceded an own goal after 80 minutes before Luis Diaz’s neat finish in second half added-time was enough for Jurgen Klopp’s men to claim victory.
Arteta’s side now have just one win in seven matches across all competitions and the boss agreed his side risk falling into a mental slump after failing to find the finishing touch.
Every word from the boss post-Liverpool press conference can be read now
— Arsenal (@Arsenal)
He said: “Probably it has (become a psychological issue). Especially after today, more than it …
Tottenham keep working on Radu Dragusin deal, club still confident to make it happen — no changes.
Spurs want to close the deal as soon as possible. Negotiations at final stages, key 24 hours ahead.
FC Bayern have not sent any formal bid to Genoa for Dragusin so far.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)
Players to watch
Hugo Ekitike: Wolves are reportedly interested in signing the 21-year-old Paris St Germain forward, according to French outlet L’Equipe.
Jonathan David: The 23-year-old Canada forward, currently at Lille in France, has attracted interest from Manchester United and Aston Villa, Football Transfers reports.
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Stoke City striker Cameron Jerome has joined Crystal Palace for the remainder of the season on a loan deal.
The 27-year-old was the final addition in a flurry of last-minute activity for Ian Holloway s side, with defender Adrian Mariappa and Scotland international Barry Bannan also coming in on deadline day.
His arrival marks the 14th for the newly promoted club during the window, and could signal a chance at first-team football for the striker who made just eight Premier League starts for Stoke last season.
And after playing less than 10 minutes for the club in the opening three matches of the new campaign, the former England Under-21 international will look to make an impact once again.
He will be hoping to make his bow on September 14 when Palace visit Old Tra…