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Old 16-09-2018, 10:27 PM   #21
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Old 16-09-2018, 10:30 PM   #22
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Old 17-09-2018, 09:22 PM   #23
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Default PSG perfect ahead of 'big test' at Anfield



Two teams boasting 100 per cent winning records so far this season will collide at Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Paris Saint-Germain make the trip to Liverpool in the opening round of Group C fixtures having started their Ligue 1 campaign with five successive victories - a run matched by the Reds in the Premier League.

Thomas Tuchel’s side - who kicked off 2018-19 by beating AS Monaco 4-0 in the Trophee des Champions, the French equivalent of the Community Shield - have netted 17 times and conceded four in their domestic division this term.

Four of those goals scored came in a 4-0 home success over Saint-Etienne on Friday, with Julian Draxler, Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria and Moussa Diaby on the mark for the Ligue 1 leaders.

Neymar (rested) and Kylian Mbappe (suspended) missed that match at Parc des Princes, but are set to be available against a Liverpool outfit Tuchel expects to provide PSG with a ‘big test’.

“We know that Anfield is one of the toughest trips in Europe. Saint-Etienne was a good rehearsal,” said the French champions’ boss.

“It was good for our confidence ahead of Tuesday's match at Anfield against Liverpool. It will be a big test for us. We are confident, though.”
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Old 17-09-2018, 09:27 PM   #24
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Default Loan watch: Gerrard lauds Rangers goalscorer Kent



Steven Gerrard hailed Ryan Kent after the Liverpool loanee opened his account for Rangers in a 4-0 victory over Dundee on Saturday.

Kent netted Gerrard’s side’s second goal at Ibrox, playing a pair of neat one-twos before finishing coolly.

The 21-year-old forward was substituted 25 minutes from time, with his manager explaining afterwards that his decision was made with Thursday’s Europa League trip to Villarreal in mind.

“I thought Ryan was certainly Man of the Match while he was on the pitch,” Gerrard said.

“I wanted to get him off because I’m going to need his energy and going to need another performance of that level on Thursday night.

“He was superb and I knew the goals would come. I knew as soon as he started relaxing in front of goal the goals would come. He’s in a terrific place, well done.”

Another Reds loanee at Rangers, Ovie Ejaria, missed the game versus Dundee due to a minor injury, but Gerrard is hopeful of being able to call on the midfielder against La Liga outfit Villarreal.

The Gers boss continued: “It's a small niggle he got in training [on Friday], he felt a bit of hip flexing. It's days [Ejaria’s expected lay-off], he should be available for Thursday, worst case for the weekend.”



Elsewhere over the weekend, Loris Karius played in Besiktas’ 2-1 home win over Yeni Malatyaspor, while Marko Grujic completed the 90 minutes as Hertha BSC drew 2-2 with Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

Sheyi Ojo and Corey Whelan were both involved in goalless stalemates. Ojo came off the bench with 17 minutes remaining of Stade Reims’ game against Nantes in Ligue 1, and Whelan made his Crewe Alexandra debut in their League Two fixture with Cheltenham Town.

There were victories for Herbie Kane and Adam Bogdan, though, with the former’s Doncaster Rovers beating Walsall 4-1 in League One and the latter’s Hibernian overcoming St Johnstone 3-2 in the Scottish Premiership.
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Old 17-09-2018, 09:30 PM   #25
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Default Liverpool FC launches new partnership with TigerWit



Liverpool FC has welcomed UK-headquartered global financial technology company TigerWit Limited as its new official online foreign exchange trading partner.

The global partnership will focus on driving forward technological development throughout the UK, Europe and Asia, where the Reds have vast numbers of fans, providing TigerWit with a high-profile opportunity to increase its brand recognition and visibility and drive downloads of its innovative new trading app, developed with blockchain-based settlement technology.

It will also benefit from club hospitality and matchday sponsorship as it uses the partnership to raise brand awareness in its target markets.

First-team players Naby Keita, Alisson Becker and Georginio Wijnaldum will feature in a TV commercial which is due to launch today.

Billy Hogan, managing director and chief commercial officer at LFC, said: “We are very happy to add TigerWit as our newest club partner and our official online foreign exchange trading partner.

“Our worldwide following will generate global exposure for TigerWit, whilst their core markets of the UK, Europe and Asia each have tremendous numbers of Liverpool FC supporters.

“Through this new partnership with TigerWit, we look forward to marketing activations, which help offer our fans activities and experiences to bring them even closer to the club.”



TigerWit CEO, Tim Hughes, said: “Today is a proud day for TigerWit, we are launching our innovative blockchain-based trading app and partnering with Liverpool FC.

“TigerWit believes in a market that does not discriminate or play favourites. We have developed a pioneering blockchain-based settlement system that instils trust by delivering greater security and process efficiency. Trading should be, and can be, more transparent and fair for all traders, regardless of experience or the size of their account.”
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Old 17-09-2018, 09:32 PM   #26
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Old 17-09-2018, 09:43 PM   #27
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Default Liverpool's Andy Robertson on coping with Neymar and PSG star's diving

Andy Robertson says Liverpool won't be drawn into a diving war with Neymar on Tuesday – but admits they'll be at the mercy of the officials over the Brazilian.

Neymar will be part of the Paris Saint-Germain side that visits the Reds for the Champions League Group C opener.

The attacker has acquired a reputation during his career of going to ground easily, criticism of which reached a crescendo during the recent World Cup.

Neymar is expected to be given a hostile reception at Anfield, particularly having recently declared Jurgen Klopp's side won't finish in the Premier League's top four this season.

And while Robertson is aware of the PSG man's undoubted talent, he accepts only referee Cuneyt Cakir and his fellow officials can stamp out any simulation.

Asked how Neymar will be received by Reds supporters, the Scottish defender said: “That's not up to me, it's the fans. What I do know is that he's a world-class player and we need to be wary of him.

“His skills speak for themselves. Yeah, people say he goes down to easily, but that's not up to us. It's up to the referee to decide. We'll stay away from that.

“For us, we've got to concentrate on the qualities. Unfortunately for us, he has a lot of them. It's one player that we'll have to be wary of. The bad thing for us is that they've got quite a lot of players that we'll have to be wary of.



“On the another side, a good thing for us is that we've got a lot of players that can cause them problems.”

Liverpool, like PSG, go into the game having won their first five league games, and have conceded only twice since the start of the season.

They defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday, and Robertson said: “We've shored up at the back, which is pleasing. We've all walked into the dressing room on Saturday a bit disappointed we've lost the first goal for them.

“It shouldn't happen so late on. We've got be switched on from set-plays and we put ourselves under pressure for the last two minutes when it was a very comfortable performance.

“That was a wee bit disappointing. Obviously conceding two in the first five and maintaining our unbeaten run are the positives.”

Saturday's game began a run of seven games in 23 days, with Liverpool also facing Southampton, Chelsea and Manchester City in the Premier League, travelling to Napoli in the Champions League and entertaining Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

“I think we've passed this test, yeah,” said Robertson of the Wembley win. “It was our toughest game out of the first five – no disrespect to the other teams.

“But coming away to Tottenham is always a tough game, but to get the three points we're delighted with.

“Now that task is over and we've got a hell of a run in the next six games. We will have tougher tests now, but ones that we'll look forward to.

“This was probably our best performance all-round. We played well against West Ham and the next three weren't our best but we managed to get results. And that's what you need to do in this league.

“I think it's still too early for a statement or whatever. But we've just got to keep doing what we're doing, winning games that are put in front of us.”
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Old 17-09-2018, 09:49 PM   #28
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Default PSG boss Thomas Tuchel won't fall into Liverpool Champions League trap

The flags. The noise. The songs. The atmosphere. The lights. And, of course, that anthem.

Champions League football returns to Anfield on Tuesday with the visit of Paris Saint-Germain.

European nights have become entwined in Liverpool's illustrious history, the dates and opponents tripping off the tongue of supporters privileged enough to have been in attendance.

For the visiting team, though, the occasion is often memorable for somewhat different reasons.

It can be a chastening, remarkable, unsettling, humbling experience.

And that's exactly why PSG coach Thomas Tuchel will know not to be swept up in the atmosphere having been on the receiving end of one of Liverpool's most incredible European fightbacks.

Tuchel was the boss Borussia Dortmund when they were beaten 4-3 in their Europa League quarter-final second leg in April 2016.

Consider what he said in the immediate aftermath of that match, with the Reds coming from 3-1 down early in the second half to win in injury time.



"I can't explain it, it was not logical," said Tuchel. "It was very emotional. At the end at 3-3 everyone here believed it was meant to be, it was destiny.

"If you have such a strong belief then things can happen. We had a goal and we have not achieved it.

"We lost control. I don't know why exactly, but it never felt we could lose this game. If you don't smell the fear you're not at the highest level."

Tuchel knows what to expect on Tuesday. He knows the smell.

Of course, explaining something is rather different than first-hand experience. And for all their travels, those PSG players who haven't sampled a European night at Anfield will have their eyes opened.

Tuchel, though, will acknowledge the power of the famous stadium - and the supporters in it.
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Old 17-09-2018, 10:20 PM   #29
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Alisson Becker's adjustment, Joe Gomez's perfection and other moments missed in Liverpool win at Tottenham

Liverpool continued their perfect start to the Premier League campaign with a deserved 2-1 victory against Tottenham.

Goals from Gini Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino ensured a fifth straight victory - and their first win at Wembley since 2012.

Away from the obvious highlights - including Wijnaldum's first away goal in England - there were several moments you might have missed on Saturday.

Gomez vs Moura

The stock of Joe Gomez continues to rise. The 21-year-old has exploded onto the scene alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back this season, and has contributed hugely to the Reds' 100% start.

After a crucial challenge in Liverpool's 2-1 win over Leicester, denying James Maddison as he bore down on goal, Gomez produced an even better moment of defensive resilience at Wembley.

With the score at 2-0 and Spurs seeking a way back into the game, Moura was set free down the left-hand side.

The Brazilian is renowned for his searing pace but Gomez matched him, stride-for-stride, before timing his challenge to perfect to avert the danger.

It was the latest glimpse of a player who could become very special at Anfield.

Spot kick karma

In the furore of Spurs' flinging of the kitchen sink, the final moments inside the Liverpool penalty area were forgotten soon after the full time whistle.

But should Spurs have been awarded a penalty when Sadio Mane clashed with Son Heung-Min as the South Korean shaped to shoot?

Those supporters still behind the goal at Wembley thought so, as their hopes of an unlikely point were dashed with the shake of Michael Oliver's head.

It was borderline, a decision which could have been given on another afternoon.

Yet Liverpool could afford themselves a little smirk given what happened at Anfield last season.

On that occasion, a debatable penalty shout went in the favour of Tottenham, with Harry Kane converting a last-minute penalty to level the scores after Virgil van Dijk's challenge on Erik Lamela.

Jonathan Moss pointed to the spot. Mr Oliver did not. A moment of karma, perhaps.



The 'La Bamba' song

It had been heard on transportation and concourses, and was given an airing otherwise at Leicester.

Against Spurs, however, the new iteration of an old classic was well and truly heard.

To the tune of 'La Bamba', the Spanish stars of Rafael Benitez's side have now been replaced by Jurgen Klopp's charges.

Naby Keita, Bobby Firmino, Salah and Mane.

And Andy Robbo.

Of course.

It has the potential to be one of the sounds of the season at Anfield - and beyond.
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Old 17-09-2018, 10:23 PM   #30
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Wijnaldum's nod to Rome

There was a strange symmetry to Gini Wijnaldum's header against Tottenham.

A goalkeeper mistake, a looping ball, a header into an unguarded net.

The same moment to take in it was the Dutchman who notched was present, too.

Much like Wijnaldum's first-ever away goal at Roma in last season's Champions League semi-final, this one possessed spooky similarities.

It also was in keeping with Wijnaldum's habit of scoring big goals, having also scored against Manchester City and Arsenal in the past few years.

A big game player is becoming of utmost importance to Jurgen Klopp.

Alisson Becker's alteration

After his error against Leicester, Alisson Becker admitted he would have to pick his moments.

That was in evidence against Spurs.

The Brazilian spent less time on the ball, often opting to kick it first-time, rather than take his trademark touches.

He completed just 68% of his passes, with only six of his 14 'non short' passes finding its target.

Tottenham are a pressing outfit, with the former Roma man afforded less time on the ball than he was against Crystal Palace or Brighton.

It remains to be seen whether this was an approach for this game alone, or part of a wider adaptation to his game.
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