Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has praised midfielder Jordan Henderson for his attitude and says he is constantly improving tactically.
Henderson has not started any of Liverpool s past four games, and had previously attracted criticism from fans following his 16-million pound move from Sunderland in 2011.
But Rodgers insists the midfielder is improving, and the starting 11 for his side depends not only on ability, but who they are up against.
Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo: It s just the balance and it depends on the opponent.
Jordan has been excellent and his attitude has been great. The team has been winning as well.
But Jordan has been excellent, he s a good player, he s improving tactically all the time and I know if I need to call on …
Former Juventus striker Daniel Fonseca has urged the Serie A champions to sign Liverpool striker Luis Suarez this off-season.
Edinson Cavani has been a long-term target for Massimiliano Allegri s side but Goal.com revealed last Thursday that Juventus could pull out of a deal for the Napoli forward after growing frustrated with the potential length of negotiations.
But Fonseca said his former side should scrap plans to land Cavani this summer and instead opt for his Uruguay strike partner from Liverpool.
Suarez is more powerful and killer than Cavani. Both are confirming as two great strikers in last years. Everyone should sign. Juventus will be a good choice, Fonseca told Tuttosport.
Suarez and Cavani would be easy to fit in the Juve system, they are d…
Villarreal boss Unai Emery has acknowledged the Yellow Submarine may be forced to sell young winger Yeremi Pino, amid reports linking him with a move to Arsenal.
The Gunners have reportedly been in the market for another versatile attacker since top target Raphinha opted to join Barcelona earlier in the transfer window, while the Spanish press has also touted Liverpool as potential suitors for Yeremi.
The 19-year-old played a key role as Villarreal made the Champions League semi-finals last season, making 40 appearances for Emery s team in all competitions.
Yeremi recorded seven goals and four assists in a strong campaign, also creating 32 chances for LaLiga s seventh-placed finishers.
But Emery told reporters on Friday the club may be powerless to ke…
Liverpool s Club World Cup semi-final opponents Monterrey will have to up their game when they face Jurgen Klopp s Reds, the Mexican side s head coach Antonio Mohamed has said.
Monterrey beat Xavi s Al Sadd 3-2 in Qatar on Saturday to seal a last-four clash against Champions League holders Liverpool.
Leonel Vangioni scored a stunning goal, Rogelio Funes Mori made it seven goals in his past five matches and Carlos Rodriguez also found the net, yet Mohamed was not pleased with the level of performance.
Abdelkarim Hassan scored Al Sadd s second goal after Baghdad Bounedjah got their first to give them hope and Mohamed insisted a similar performance against Liverpool in the semi-final will result in defeat.
It was a difficult match and we have to flip the…
Rafael Benitez warned Napoli fans that Michu will take time to settle into his new surroundings, but has backed the Spaniard to prosper.
The forward arrived on a season-long loan from Swansea City with a view to a permanent move a fortnight ago, and has linked up with the squad at their training camp in Trentino.
Michu enjoyed a prolific debut season in the Premier League with Swansea, scoring 18 goals during 2012-13, but an injury-plagued campaign last time out meant the 28-year-old scored just twice in 17 appearances.
Benitez, who led the club to a third-place finish last season, believes the attacker will need time to adjust to his new role.
He played in midfield for Rayo [Vallecano] and has scored many goals in many positions, he said.
At Sw…
David Silva has called on his Spain team-mates to remain focused as the newly-tagged favourites look to secure a third straight European Championship.
Spain headed into the tournament as double defending champions but a less-than-impressive performance at the 2014 World Cup meant Vicente del Bosque s side were not the clear favourites.
But after solid showings in their opening two group games 1-0 and 3-0 wins over the Czech Republic and Turkey respectively Spain have staked their claim at Euro 2016.
Silva believes the side can cope with being favourites, but insists they must stay focused if they are to secure Euro glory once again.
At this stage it is normal that they make you favourites. We have won the last two European Championships and als…
AC Milan-linked David Beckham could match Bobby Moores England appearance record next week should manager Fabio Capello follow up on a hint to field him now he is playing regularly.
Capello is putting the final touches of the jigsaw to his squad to face Spain in a friendly in Sevilla on February 11 and Beckham s good form for the San Siro outfit has put him into the frame for possible selection.
Should Beckham play, he would equal 1966 World Cup-winning captain Moore s outfield player record of 108 caps, before possibly breaking it against Slovakia at Wembley on March 28.
Although he has only played three matches for the Serie A giants since arriving on a short-term loan, the former England skipper has been a revelation.
Each start has brought more prais…
Serie A giants SS Lazio are preparing a new and improved contract for star midfielder Hernandes, according to Il Messaggero.
The 27-year-old developed into a key player for the Biancocelesti soon after arriving to Olimpico from Sao Paulo and has seen his name linked with a number of Europe’s top sides.
Hernanes further established himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in Serie A with some impressive showings at the start of the season.
Lazio officials are now keen to ward off interest from clubs like Tottenham, Milan and Barcelona by offering the player a new contract at Olimpico.
La Messaggero claims the Biancocelesti are prepared to increase the Brazilian’s salary from €1.8m to €2.5m as well as insert a €50 million release clause i…
Arsenal have competed the signing of Belgium Under-21 midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht.
The Premier League club announced Lokonga has signed a long-term contract and, although a fee was not disclosed by either club, the transfer is reported to be worth an initial £15million (€17.4m).
Lokonga, 21, is a product of the same Anderlecht youth system that oversaw the development of Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemens and Leander Dendoncker among others, and made 78 senior appearances for the Belgian Pro League outfit.
It s a big move because I ve been playing for Anderlecht for 10 years, he told Arsenal s official website.
It s a big step but I feel confident because in the football world you have to feel confident about yourself.
I m lo…
Lionel Messi will miss Barcelona s clash with Eibar on Tuesday after being granted an extended Christmas break.
The club captain and his family went to Rosario for the festive period and he is not expected to be back in Catalonia until the new year, ahead of the LaLiga match against Huesca on January 3.
Barca returned to training on Sunday after being given four days off following a 3-0 victory at Real Valladolid.
The club confirmed Messi is expected to be back at the Camp Tito Vilanova facilities after the league meeting with Jose Luis Mendilibar s men at Camp Nou.
Back to training!
Tito Vilanova pitch
Leo Messi is expected to rejoin training after
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)
According to Sport, head coach Ronald Koeman gra…