Soccer2day

Friday brought a surprise injury update, a brilliant Jurgen Klopp press conference and news (of sorts) from Arne Slot on taking over at Liverpool.   Van Dijk injury blow Liverpool are at home to Spurs in the Premier League on Sunday, but they may have to make do without Virgil van Dijk at Anfield. The Reds skipper hasn’t trained with his team-mates all week, with Klopp confirming that he is a doubt earlier on Friday: “Virgil wasn’t [training for] the whole week yet. Probably parts of parts of team training today, so we have to see what we can do there. That’s it.” On the plus side, Conor Bradley is back in contention after returning from an ankle problem, but Diogo Jota is still unavailable.   Klopp’s memorable press conference… EVERY word of Klopp’s brilliant dig at TNT Sports and fixture congestion! Klopp has admitted he hasn’t got over the referee’s role in Luis Diaz‘s offside goal at Spurs – you’re not alone there! Mohamed Salah‘s apparent row with Klopp last weekend is a “non-story,” according to the boss. Well what a surprise!   4 other things today: Slot speaks & Carvalho’s future Arne Slot has hinted at when his new Liverpool manager announcement will take place – it still feels surreal that it’s happening! Fabio Carvalho has made clear his stance on his Liverpool future under Slot – these are pleasingly bullish words from the youngster! Ruben Amorim and his “inept agent” have been blamed for those recent Liverpool headlines – the Sporting CP boss had a shocker there!   Other chat from elsewhere One of one. Marco Reus and Borussia Dortmund have reached a mutual understanding that his current contract will not be extended, as both parties will part ways this summer. Full focus will persist on the remaining league fixtures, alongside our unwavering commitment to… pic.twitter.com/uJct037moh — Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) May 3, 2024 Dortmund legend Marco Reus has announced he is leaving the club at the end of the season – ‘Sign Reus’, anyone? (BVB) Phil Foden has won the FWA Footballer of the Year award, pipping Declan Rice and Rodri to the prize (FWA) Mark Clattenburg has left his role as refereeing consultant at Nottingham Forest – that was always going to be a ridiculous appointment! (NFFC) West Ham are close to appointing Julen Lopetegui as their next manager – things have been growing stale under David Moyes (Guardian)   Match of the night Match of the night is Luton vs. Everton (8pm BST), in a huge Premier League game for the hosts. Victory would take Rob Edwards’ side two points clear of Forest and out of the relegation zone, albeit having played one game more. Meanwhile, Barnsley host Bolton in the first leg of their League One playoff semi-final (7.30pm).

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has big plans for Orlando Pirates star Patrick Maswanganyi, as does club coach Jose Riveiro. Speaking to the press, Broos highlighted the bright future of Maswanganyi. Bright future for Patrick Maswanganyi Broos believes that Maswanganyi could pull the strings for the national team from midfield. His recent efforts for Orlando Pirates have only backed that up. “So what I saw from him and I think he can be the one for the future [to replace Themba Zwane]” said Hugo Broos according to FARPost. “This is what I want to see from him in Bafana Bafana, so when he can achieve that level also with us, he can be someone for the future. He can be someone who can replace Themba [Zwane] in the future. “I don’t think about to replace Themba now. But we have to think: Themba is nearly 35, so he will be 36 or 37 in 2026. When you’re at that age, it can happen [retirement], and then we have to be ready. “So let’s hope that he’s [Patrick Maswanganyi] the one and that we solved that problem already for the near future.” Orlando Pirates fans in love with Patrick Maswanganyi Riverio believes Maswanganyi is widely loved for the type of football he produces. The coach backed his star to be named player of the season this term. “I think people are in love with him. Who am I to say who the people should love or identify as the player of the season? I think South African football fans have a good taste in football, they know the football they want to see, and let’s see [who wins],” said Riveiro according to SABC Sport. “In the end, it’s important that the team is getting good results, good performances and within that the individuals can shine, and [Maswanganyi] is a clear candidate, but let’s see.” Looking ahead Broos has said that he is looking to the future with these players. “Certainly, I am also looking to the future. I said it already, there are a few players in our group who will be 35, 34, 36 when the FIFA World Cup is jointly hosted in Canada, Mexico and the United States of America in 2026,” he told SAFA.net. “So yes, we have to look for replacements also. Firstly, we have to see those games as an opportunity to give new players, younger players, to show if they are at Bafana Bafana level. Secondly, we are playing against two different styles of opponents. On one side you have Andorra and you can compare them to Namibia. So, a tough team, a team who will wait and try to be dangerous in transition. “On the other side, you have Algeria, ranked fifth in the CAF rankings. So that means you have two different styles, and it is good for the South African senior men’s team, certainly also to play against Andorra, but certainly to play against such a good team like Algeria. “They have a new coach, they will have new players also in their selection. So, it will be a good test for those new players who are with us to prove themselves. Therefore, those friendly games are important, and you have to get the results if you want to keep your 10th place or maybe progress even further in the CAF ranking.”

0 Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has expressed optimism that his side can keep their captain Marc Guehi even as he continues to be strongly linked with a move to Manchester United. Guehi is believed to be on United’s transfer wishlist ahead of the summer transfer window. Central defence is an area of the pitch Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are keen to reinforce and Guehi is seen as a prime target to potentially come in and slot into Erik ten Hag’s backline. A previous report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Palace are set to demand a fee in excess of £55 million to part with their skipper’s services. It was made clear that on his part, Guehi is “ready to leave” Palace in search of pastures anew. In addition to United, Arsenal and Chelsea also retain an admiration for Guehi and could swoop in for him. Ahead of the Red Devils’ Premier League clash against the Eagles at Selhurst Park on Monday, the brilliant Guehi is expected to return to action for the first time since he sustained a knee injury in early February. Glasner spoke to reporters and one of the issues that came up was Guehi’s future as well as his teammates, Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze. Olise and Eze have also been mentioned to be on United’s radar. When asked how confident he is of the Eagles keeping Eze, Guehi and Olise, Glasner said, “I’m always optimistic as all these players have contracts with Crystal Palace.” He added about Guehi, “It’s May and many situations can change. Nothing is 100 per cent but he’s under contract, he [Guehi] is a good player, he’s our captain, so I’m very positive and confident that he plays for Crystal Palace.” “I also read that almost the whole squad of Man United is available, so maybe we can get 10 from them! Every game is an audition for the players and us as a team.” The Austrian coach encouraged his players to build on their previous wins over Liverpool, West Ham, Newcastle and the draw vs. Fulham to produce a dominant performance and pile further misery on Ten Hag’s men. He added that his stars are ready for whatever questions United ask of them. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

1 Manchester United’s famed academy has provided rare glimmers of hope in what has been a disappointing campaign for the senior team. Both Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have enjoyed breakthrough campaigns while four other starlets have gone on to make their first-team debut this season. Dan Gore, Willy Kambwala, Omari Forson and most recently Ethan Wheatley all won their first senior cap as the academy reached the prized number of 250 academy graduates who have gone on to represent the senior team. More could be on the way with Harry Amass, Habeeb Ogunneye and Jack Kingdon all making it to matchday squads this season while Shea Lacey missed out after suffering a cruel season-ending injury at the worst time. Academy’s rising status While the academy and the graduates are rightly being celebrated, plenty of fans might have forgotten about Shola Shoretire, who had broken through under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The 20-year-old got his big break against Newcastle United back in February 2021 when he was only 17 years 19 days, making him the seventh-youngest club debutant. The young Englishman then proceeded to break the long-standing record of Norman Whiteside when he made his European debut against Real Sociedad in the Europa League at the age of 17 years and 23 days, surpassing the previous record by 108 days. He was expected to become a bonafide first team member under Erik ten Hag but that never materialised as injuries started floundering his progress. Shoretire made it to the matchday squad in all competitions last term but this term, he was only on the bench for the game against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup. For the U21s, he has nine goals and four assists in 12 games and has even captained them but has not managed to make the squad since January, probably due to a minor injury as well as the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club. The England U19 international’s current deal expires in June and United’s contract offer remains on the table as relayed by The Peoples Person. Shoretire’s exit The club’s initial plan was to agree a new deal so as to protect his value and send Shoretire out on loan with plenty of EFL and foreign clubs interested including Turkish giants Galatasaray. United had mulled over a sale as well but as The Manchester Evening News have now reported, the Newcastle-born star could be set to leave the club on a free. “Manchester United remain hopeful youngster Shola Shoretire will sign a new contract with the club. “Shoretire, 20, is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the season and it looks increasingly likely the curtains could be brought down on his time spent in Manchester.” The versatile star has outgrown reserve football and needs regular minutes. With so many younger academy graduates already impressing the Dutch boss, a parting of ways might be the best way for Shoretire to get his career back on track. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

Arne Slot is yet to be confirmed as Liverpool’s new head coach, but the Feyenoord manager has given a big hint at when the official announcement will be made. Though the agreement has not been made public by either club, it has been widely reported that everything is set for Slot to succeed Klopp at Anfield. He will do so as a head coach, rather than manager, with a new structure in place at Liverpool with greater responsibility for sporting director Richard Hughes. Slot still has three games left in charge of Feyenoord, and on Friday previewed the visit of his former club PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie. His press conference was littered with questions on an imminent move to Liverpool, with Slot suggesting it would only become “really official” when the campaign is over. “I just think it’s appropriate to give all the answers to these questions at the end of the season,” he told reporters including AD. “Because I’m still busy with Feyenoord here and Liverpool is also still busy with their season.” Asked if he could be congratulate yet, Slot replied: “You can always congratulate me, but it is most appropriate to do so at the end of the season when it is really official.” Slot joked that it would become an “unpleasant” press conference if journalists continued to ask about Liverpool, but he did admit “confidence” that the deal would be completed. “There is nothing official yet and I am sitting here with a Feyenoord emblem on my chest, so the intention is for it to be about Feyenoord, but I think you will try anyway,” the 45-year-old said. “I still have the confidence that things will turn out well, but I really can’t give any further answers.” It was claimed that an announcement would be made at the start of this week, but that proved to be false as both clubs remain quiet on the topic. Like Liverpool, Feyenoord play the final game of their campaign on May 19, when they host Excelsior on an afternoon that will see thousands of supporters banned from attending. There is a chance that confirmation could be made when the title is officially PSV Eindhoven’s, with only one more point needed and Sparta Rotterdam their visitors on Sunday. But the likelihood is that, as Slot explained, both Feyenoord and Liverpool will wait until the season concludes, particularly as Jurgen Klopp prepares for an emotional exit.

Jurgen Klopp has taken aim at FIFA and slammed suggestions that Premier League games might be staged in the United States in the future. Lawyers representing world football’s governing body have recently admitted in court that rules barring domestic fixtures being played abroad could soon be relaxed. And that is sure to be news to the ears of Premier League chiefs, who have long been keen on taking their product Stateside. But Klopp is not impressed with that idea or its architects, and explained as much when asked about the chances of a move into football administration when his managerial career comes to a close. He said: “No, I never thought about it but they will need people in a normal age knowing the business. “But imagine me becoming FIFA president? It is obviously a well-paid job, that is why they all want to do it – not the official part obviously but you can make a living off it it looks like. “I don’t think I will spend my lifetime on these kind of things. In the end one person cannot put it right as long as all the rest think ‘ah, it will be all right, they earn millions, let them play there’. • READ: 5 best bits from Jurgen Klopp’s unmissable pre-Tottenham press conference “‘Let’s do the first three matchdays in America’ – all really good ideas (sarcasm). “Alone you can’t change anything. I probably wouldn’t survive in that sea of sharks. That is not the plan. I don’t think I will do that.”

Financial experts can put a value on anything, however, the value of a football club can be extremely nebulous and that is no different when it comes to Kaizer Chiefs. Kaizer Chiefs have had their struggles on the pitch, the club’s brand strength and commercial value remain high. While many would argue that a lot of the players on Kaizer Chiefs’ books have inflated values, and that collection of players fluctuates quite a lot over time. How much would Kaizer Chiefs cost? The first obstacle to discovering the price of Kaizer Chiefs is the current owners unwillingness to entertain the notion of a sale. Kaizer Chiefs belongs to the Motaung family and it doesn’t look like that will change any time in the near future. The club was founded by Kaizer Motaung Senior back in 1970 growing to become the most decorated club in South African football. Motaung Senior now has a reported net worth of R1.2 billion and it is believed that a sale discussion would only open if a potential buyer brought in an offer that was also north of the R1 billion mark. Given that the likes of Johan Rupert and Patrice Motsepe already have their toes in football club ownership it seems unlikely that a South African individual or even consortium could convince Kaizer Chiefs to sell. Ballpark figure A few years ago, TS Galaxy owner Tim Skukazi estimated that Kaizer Chiefs would cost the buyer at least R1 billion if not more. “If you’re talking Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates or [Mamelodi] Sundowns, then you’re talking something else, maybe even R1 billion,” Sukazi said in a conversation with the South African Football Journalists’ Association as per Sport24. “There’s no chance you could buy Kaizer Chiefs for less than R1 billion. You must look at what’s there at the club. “They have got a Vodacom sponsorship and maybe they spend R75 million or R80 million, alone. Then there’s Toyota and all the rest (of the sponsors). “It’s a well-decorated club from a sponsorship perspective, which has got monetary value in it. Before you wake up, their sponsorships would be in the region of R150 million or there about. “And then there are other things like their player values, goodwill, it’s got a rich history and that will count in the pricing model.” Naturally this is just conjecture because it isn’t likely that the club will be leaving the Motaung family any time soon.

Mark Clattenburg has stood down from his role as a referee analyst at Nottingham Forest, admitting he had become “more of a hindrance than a help” to the club. Clattenburg has been at the centre of two major controversies involving the club since he took on the advisory role in February, first speaking out over a drop ball incident in a match against Liverpool and then criticising the officiating in Forest’s game against Everton on April 21. The former Premier League official issued a statement via the club’s official website, saying that providing services to the east midlands side had caused “unintended friction” with other clubs and that he had become “more of a hindrance than a help” to Forest. Last month the Football Association asked Daily Mail columnist Clattenburg for his observations on the comments he made about the officials in the 2-0 defeat to Everton last month. Clattenburg, who is also now well known as a referee on the reboot of the Gladiators television series, said: “Since February this year, I have been proud to have done so under a consultancy agreement between NFFC and Referee Consultant Ltd. “I performed my services under the consultancy agreement in good faith, to the best of my abilities and in the hope of using my extensive experience as a match official to help NFFC understand how decisions in relation to key match incidents are made amid the workings of VAR. “However, it is now clear that the existence and performance of these consultancy services has caused unintended friction between NFFC and other participants, to the extent that it has become more of a hindrance than help to NFFC. “It has also led to the unmerited targeting of me, personally, by certain participants and pundits. “Such reactions and outcome was not expected and is regrettable, as it is my sincere belief that there is a place for and value in such a role in the modern game. “I am grateful to NFFC and wish them all the best during the remainder of the season and in the future. It’s been an honour.” Club sources said at the time of Clattenburg’s appointment they hoped he could become a ‘conduit’ between the club and referees’ body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). It was understood to be the first such appointment of its kind in the English game.

“I remember when my son was born, I had to go to the hospital and the next day I was in camp,” Mashego said. It will be a grudge match when DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns travel to the Western Cape to take on Stellenbosch FC in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup. ALSO READ: Mokwena dedicates league title to ‘supportive’ Motsepe Stellies ousted the Brazilians in the quarterfinals of the same competition last season and will be looking to cause another upset at the Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday. The side from the Cape Winelands hammered SuperSport United 4-0 to reach the last four while Masandawana needed penalties to get past the University of Pretoria. Defenders Grant Kekana and Terrence Mashego opened up about the team’s busy schedule ahead of yet another important game as they aim to reach the final of the season-ending competition. “My son started grade one this year and I couldn’t be there for his first day at school,” Kekena said ahead of the tricky encounter against Stellies. “I think at his age, he understands that daddy has to go to camp to work so that he’s able to go to proper schools. We want our kids to have better than we had and that is the reason why we are willing to go through all the sacrifices. It’s for a food purpose and for their future.” Mashego also touched on the sacrifices they make at the expense of family time in a season that has already seen them claim the inaugural African Football League and the domestic league title. “We sacrifice a lot normally with the schedule that we have. I remember when my son was born, I had to go to the hospital and the next day I was in camp,” he added. “It’s always difficult because even now, I don’t think he knows me that well. I don’t see him a lot and in a week I’ll see him twice. Those are the sacrifices that we have to make but it’s important for me to work hard so that he has a bright future.” Kekana, who was also part of the Bafana Bafana team that won a bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, talked about the secret to their unbeaten run in the league. “I think it’s the brotherhood within the team. We know how demanding it is when we get on the field,” he concluded. ALSO READ: No dream final: Fredericks predicts a Pirates vs Stellies Cup final “We try to make everyone feel at home and forget about stress, especially in the change room. We know what is expected and required from us once we get on the field. It’s good to have the right balance in the team and it makes us want to work even harder.”

1 Manchester United will reportedly be covering the arbitration costs of Dan Ashworth amidst the ongoing standoff with Newcastle United over his immediate future. Ashworth was placed on gardening leave in February by Newcastle after he informed his employers that he wished to leave St James’ Park to join Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s project at United. Since then, both clubs have held talks but a solution has not been found, despite Ratcliffe himself getting involved and having a dialogue with Magpies co-owner Amanda Staveley. It’s believed that Eddie Howe’s side want an unrealistic compensation package worth up to £20 million to let their executive circumvent his notice period and start work at Old Trafford immediately. INEOS on the other hand have made it crystal clear that they will not be held to ransom and will certainly not be forking out such an amount for non-playing personnel. A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Ashworth was set to take Newcastle to arbitration in an effort to break the deadlock. The Athletic have provided an update on this situation. The newspaper states, “Manchester United will be covering Dan Ashworth’s legal costs if he takes Newcastle United to arbitration.” “Manchester United were unwilling to meet that figure [the £20m compensation package] and the matter is set to be handled by a third party in a case anticipated to start in May, with Ashworth’s would-be employers covering his legal costs.” “Although it is standard industry practice for Ashworth’s expenses to be covered by Manchester United, it comes at a time when INEOS is cutting back on staff costs.” Indeed, INEOS moved to cancel the corporate cards of senior executives as part of Ratcliffe’s initiative to reduce operation costs at United. Club staff also found out a few days ago that they now have to pay for some of the perks they used to enjoy for free during FA Cup ties such as extra tickets and a club-provided coach to the final at Wembley. Dan Sheldon further notes on Ashworth, “The working assumption from Old Trafford is that Ashworth is unlikely to arrive before the end of the summer transfer window, so it is business as usual until then for Manchester United’s recruitment department.” The upcoming weeks are certainly shaping up to be crucial for United in their bid to finally land Ashworth and put a stop to Newcastle’s ludicrous games. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

Rising Kaizer Chiefs star Samkelo Zwane could ask for a loan move next season. Zwane is believed to be unhappy with the game time he is getting at Naturena. The club seem convinced of Zwane’s talents but have yet to make him a permanent fixture in the first team. Keep calm but Zwane wants to play Zwane’s representatives have pumped the brakes on transfer speculation. The player’s agent Mike Makaab explained to iDiski Times: “I think it would be premature to discuss anything of this nature, I would say that one would only look at [potential loan move] at the end of this season. “Obviously, we would, as we do with all football clubs, sit with the football club and discuss each and every player we represent, get feedback from the club, and if the club believes it’s worthwhile and better for the player’s development. “For him [Zwane] or any player, let’s forget about Samkelo but any player in general, for a player to go out on loan and if we believe and support the narrative, we’ll get behind doing it but making sure the loan is one where we believe the player has got an opportunity for game time and [good] minutes.” Makaab appears keen to keep Kaizer Chiefs onside with his charge. Premier League inspiration In an interview, Zwane’s father Eugene revealed that he has long worked with his son to ensure that he has grown up steeped in a passing game. Zwane made a big splash last season. He is a bit lost in the shuffle right now. His agent has urged patience but will Zwane force somehting? If it comes to fruition, it will be the result of years of work and dedication. “I started teaching him how to pass from a distance when he was young,” Eugene told Isolezwe. “I wanted him to reach the level of Paul Scholes. He also said: “I still encourage him that if there is an opportunity to display this skill, he should use it. “But most of the time he plays simple passes. He will learn the rest as the years go by and he gets experience.” The 22-year-old midfielder made 15 appearances in all competitions after being promoted from the Amakhosi reserve squad the previous season. Zwane has played in just one MTN8 match this season and has only made six appearances in the DStv Premiership. Although Cavin Johnson is obviously not interested in the gifted teenage striker, SuperSport United are reportedly intrigued by him.

Chippa co-coach Kwanele Kopo believes the Chilli Boys have what it takes to beat Pirates. Orlando Pirates will be looking to continue their dominance over Chippa United when the sides meet in what is expected to be a thrilling Nedbank Cup semifinal clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday at 3pm. ALSO READ: No dream final: Fredericks predicts a Pirates vs Stellies Cup final Based on head-to-head statistics, Pirates are overwhelming favourites to win this tie. Of the 22 matches played between the sides since 2012, the Buccaneers have won 15, the Chilli Boys four, with the other three having ended in draws. Ahead of this clash, Chippa co-coach Kwanele Kopo believes the Chilli Boys have what it takes to beat Pirates and advance to the final of the Nedbank Cup. “We would like to get into the final of the Nedbank Cup, and you have to beat Pirates to do it. So, tactically, can we do it? Yes, I believe so. “Do we have the players that are capable of going out there and competing against Pirates? Yes, I believe so,” said Kopo. Pirates captain Innocent Maela, on other side, is pinning his hopes on his team’s camaraderie to see them through to the final.   “All the players in the team, even those who are not part of matchday squads or travelling with the team, feel at ease at Pirates because of the environment that has been created in the team. That’s why we have so much confidence in the team,” said Maela. Key players Goodman Mosele – Chippa United Mosele, who is on loan at Chippa from Pirates, has been in good form for the Chilli Boys this season and his displays has seen him earning a recall to the Bafana Bafana squad. The midfielder has already scored against Pirates this campaign in a 1-1 draw in the DStv Premiership in August. Mosele will certainly have a point to prove against his mother club. Orlando Pirates – Tshegofatso Mabasa Mabasa is in fine goalscoring form coming into this clash against Chippa, having found the back of the net nine times in his last eight appearances for the Buccaneers. The striker is also Pirates’ joint all-time top-scorer against Chippa having netted three times against them in the past, the same number as Mpho Makola. He is also the competition’s joint top scorer this season with three goals. ALSO READ: Pirates coach Riveiro expecting a complex game against Chippa Meanwhile, Chippa will be without Baraka Majogoro, Rscoe Pietersen and Azola Ntsabo when the host Pirates on Saturday. The trio is suspended for this clash.

Jurgen Klopp is likely to make more changes when Liverpool host Tottenham in their 36th game of the Premier League season, with Virgil van Dijk set to miss out. With only three games left to play and their title hopes all but over, Klopp is hoping to see his side play without pressure. It starts with the visit of Spurs on Sunday, which comes after failing to win three of their last four fixtures in the Premier League with losses to Crystal Palace and Everton and last weekend’s 2-2 draw at West Ham. “That would be really cool if we could play really, really good football again,” he said on Friday. “That would be absolutely nice because obviously we were very tense in the last few weeks.” So how could Liverpool line up against Tottenham at Anfield?   Team News Following Klopp’s brilliant pre-match press conference, we know the following:   Liverpool’s XI vs. Tottenham Liverpool were far from their best last time out at West Ham, which ended a busy run of fixtures that saw Klopp rotate his squad throughout. That rotation is likely to end with only three more games to play in the space of two weeks, and it could see the manager revert to his strongest side on paper. However, the possible absence of Van Dijk does still present a conundrum. We could see: Those changes would leave this lineup: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Quansah, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Diaz, Nunez However, given Liverpool’s shaky form and the question marks over whether or not Van Dijk will miss out, the lineup is certainly not set in stone. It is certainly doubtful whether the likes of Konate, Jones and Nunez are deserving of their places, which could see tough decisions made: This would see the following Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo Klopp’s belief in the squad and the notion of ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’ does suggest that we are more likely to see as close to Liverpool’s first-choice XI as possible on Sunday. But there is still a chance of surprises when the teamsheet is released, with Gravenberch and Gakpo certainly ones to look out for.

Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned 2023/2024 DStv Premiership champions on Thursday evening when they thrashed Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium. Bet Anytime, Anywhere Quick and Easy with Betway Masandawana only needed to win the match to wrap up a seventh consecutive title – and the Tshwane giants did just that in impressive fashion, winning 5-1. Mamelodi Sundowns scored goals through a second-half brace by Tashreeq Matthews (52nd and 82nd minutes), Matias Esquivel (56th minute) and Lucas Ribeiro Costa (90th minute). Thembinkosi Lorch rubbed salt into Kaizer Chiefs’ wounds with a fifth goal in the 94th minute. Kaizer Chiefs replied with a penalty goal in the 85th minute which was converted by Mduduzi Shabalala. The Glamour Boys were reduced to 10 men when Given Msimango was shown a straight red card in the 19th minute. Mamelodi Sundowns predictably dominated the various match stats, given their one-sided win. KAIZER CHIEFS VS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STATS Kaizer Chiefs Stats Mamelodi Sundowns 4 Shots 18 2 Shots on target 9 22% Possession 78% 188 Passes 639 68% Pass accuracy 89% 7 Fouls 14 3 Yellow cards 3 1 Red cards 0 4 Offsides 2 2 Corners 7 Given Msimango receives a red card from referee Abongile Tom during the DStv Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 2 May 2024. Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix The title was Mamelodi Sundowns’ 14th since the PSL professional era kicked off in the 1996/1997 season. Their nearest “challengers” – Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates – have four titles each. Mamelodi Sundowns wrapped up this season’s title with six matches remaining. Meanwhile, Amakhosi remained in eighth place in the standings with just 33 points after 26 matches. The Glamour Boys have struggled this season, particularly in front of goal. They have only managed to find the back of the net on 22 occasions in those 26 fixtures to date. Only five teams in the 16-team league have found the back of the net on fewer occasions. Kaizer Chiefs will still be looking to finish the season on a positive note and claim an MTN8 spot next season. But the Soweto giants face an anxious few weeks with teams queuing up behind them to snatch that lucrative MTN8 berth from them. DSTV PREMIERSHIP LOG Good quiz question: The last team other than Mamelodi Sundowns to have won the DStv Premiership title was Wits back in the 2016/2017 season. Season Winner 1996/1997 Manning Rangers 1997/1998 Mamelodi Sundowns 1998/1999 Mamelodi Sundowns 1999/2000 Mamelodi Sundowns 2000/2001 Orlando Pirates 2001/2002 Santos 2002/2003 Orlando Pirates 2003/2004 Kaizer Chiefs 2004/2005 Kaizer Chiefs 2005/2006 Mamelodi Sundowns 2006/2007 Mamelodi Sundowns 2007/2008 SuperSport United 2008/2009 SuperSport United 2009/2010 SuperSport United 2010/2011 Orlando Pirates 2011/2012 Orlando Pirates 2012/2013 Kaizer Chiefs 2013/2014 Mamelodi Sundowns 2014/2015 Kaizer Chiefs 2015/2016 Mamelodi Sundowns 2016/2017 Wits 2017/2018 Mamelodi Sundowns 2018/2019 Mamelodi Sundowns 2019/2020 Mamelodi Sundowns 2020/2021 Mamelodi Sundowns 2021/2022 Mamelodi Sundowns 2022/2023 Mamelodi Sundowns 2023/2024 Mamelodi Sundowns Rank Team Titles 1 Mamelodi Sundowns 14 T2 Orlando Pirates 4 T2 Kaizer Chiefs 4 4 SuperSport United 3 T5 Manning Rangers 1 T5 Santos 1 T5 Wits 1

1 Manchester United have endured a difficult season, with many of Erik ten Hag’s first team squad struggling for form throughout the campaign. Better things were expected from United after their third place finish last time out, but consistent inconsistency means Europa League football is the best they can hope for at the end of Ten Hag’s second season. Only a handful of players can lay claim to having decent individual seasons and with just four league games remaining, returns to form will have to wait until next year. However, despite the poor performances, two United stars have received votes for the prestigious Football Writers Association’s Footballer of the Year award. As reported by The Daily Mail, Portuguese duo Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot were both named on the voted-for list. 16 other players received nominations across the league, with Manchester City’s Phil Foden the runaway winner, earning 42% of the overall votes. Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice came second, with Rodri of City and Spain making up the top three. Fernandes is no stranger to being shortlisted for such honours but the nomination for Dalot underlines a season of surprise progress for the full-back. Dalot has also arguably been United’s Player of the Season this year, a remarkable turnaround for a player whose days looked numbered at Old Trafford. Consistent rumours of Ten Hag upgrading his right back options have been rife since the Dutchman’s arrival, but Dalot has now made the position his own. Despite the nominations, both players will be acutely aware of the discontent surrounding the season overall and will desperately hope to salvage something from the poor campaign by winning the FA Cup at the end of the month. United travel to London for the showpiece occasion on May 25 in what will be a repeat of last year’s final against neighbours Manchester City. Barring injury, Fernandes and Dalot are certainties to start at Wembley as United look to avenge the painful defeat in the same fixture last season. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

Outgoing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp launched a lengthy and wide-ranging attack on the state of English football after claiming the Premier League is “overworked not overrated”. Klopp’s side were one of a number of English clubs who failed to get past the quarter-final stage in Europe this season, with Aston Villa – the last team standing – looking like they will struggle to reach the final of the Europa Conference League after a 4-2 first-leg defeat to Olympiacos. The Reds boss has been a long-term critic of fixture scheduling and the workloads put on players across the season, but as he prepares to leave the club at the end of the campaign he has let rip with his thoughts on the state of the game in England. “Aston Villa lost last night 4-2 means that if they go out then no English team is in any European final,” said Klopp. “You will all talk about it if you don’t decrease the intensity for the players. If you make of that fact that English teams are not in a final (because) we all underperformed, I am not sure about that. “That might be in moments – us against Atalanta – but in general, I watch a lot of football all over the world and the Premier League is the best league in the world. “That (Manchester) City and Arsenal are out in the quarter-finals, it is just not a reflection, that we are out in the quarter-finals is not a real reflection of quality but that we could not deliver on the day we had to. “It is not overrated, it is overworked. Easy as that. You can talk about that until everyone realises that but someone obviously needs to help the people. That is a little advice from an old man on the way out.”   TNT in the firing line No organisation associated with football escaped Klopp’s broadside as he took a swipe at broadcasters, the Premier League, administrators and FIFA. He laughed off the recent move to remove the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg and abolish FA Cup replays in the face of an extended Champions League campaign, which Liverpool will be playing in again after Sunday’s opponents Tottenham lost to Chelsea on Thursday. “You cut off one game. I am not sure how many more Champions League games we have next year – three? And you cut off for that the League Cup semi-final second leg and the discussion you all allow is, ‘What is that? They cut off one game’,” he added. “I had a discussion only the other day with colleagues from my favourite TV channel that I definitely will not watch again, TNT, and the conversation I have is always, ‘They pay you, they give money to football’. It is not like that, I see it the other way around: football pays them. “It is not like TNT or Sky are not doing extremely well. They have to become a partner of football again and not a squeezer. “Years ago we had four English teams in quarter-finals and then we take that and say, ‘It’s the quality of the Premier League’ and let’s make more of it but you have to change that approach. “You always think when I speak about it it is because of our last situation, the last game (a 1230 kick-off at West Ham) but it is a general problem. “They dare to give us Thursday-Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday 12.30 – it’s a crime! I was waiting for Amnesty International to go to them.”   “Imagine me becoming FIFA president?” Klopp will leave Anfield at the end of the season after nine years but currently has no plans for what he will do with his future. However, a job in football administration is not on his list. He added: “No, I never thought about it but they will need people in a normal age knowing the business. But imagine me becoming FIFA president? I probably wouldn’t survive in that sea of sharks. “In the end one person cannot put it right as long as all the rest think, ‘Ah, it will be all right, they earn millions, let them play there. Let’s do the first three matchdays in America’ – all really good ideas. Alone you can’t change anything. “I got yesterday an award from the PFA, I don’t know exactly for what, but I think for speaking up for players.” A PFA spokesperson said: “Jurgen has been an outstanding advocate for our members throughout his time at Liverpool, consistently speaking up for their rights and promoting the work they do off the field. “That’s something that has obviously been really important to Jurgen, and we’re really pleased to have been able to recognise his contribution.” TNT has been contacted for comment.

Dove has made 17 appearances in all competitions for Chiefs this season. Kaizer Chiefs are set to exercise the contract extension option on Edmilson Dove, ensuring they retain the defender for the next season, Phakaaathi has learnt. ALSO READ: Chiefs’ Johnson denies he was ‘outfoxed’ in Sundowns hammering Dove, who joined Chiefs from Mozambican side UD Songo in August 2022, will see his contract with Chiefs expire at the end of June. The Mozambican international is a regular player at Chiefs and has made 17 appearances in all competitions for Chiefs since recovering from the injury that kept him out of the team at the beginning of the season. A source has revealed that Chiefs are happy with him and they intend on exercising the two-year extension on his contract. “People don’t know this, but Dove has a two-year option on his Chiefs contract and an agreement is already in place for the two parties to sign and it’s a matter of time before Chiefs announce that Dove is staying,” said the source. “Dove is a leader and the club needs his leadership in order to reclaim the glory days next season. He is also happy to stay at Chiefs, so like I said, it’s a matter of time before he signs the new contract.” Dove is amongst the six players whose contract with Chiefs are coming to an end, the others being Itumeleng Khune, Sifiso Hlanti, Siyethemba Sithebe, Njabulo Ngcobo and George Matlou. ALSO READ: New Chiefs coach to decide on Hlanti future And as reported earlier, Jason Gonzalez, who is on loan at Chiefs until the end of the season, will also see his stay in Naturena coming to an end because the club has decided against taking up the permanent stay option on his contract. Khune, Sithebe, Ngcobo and Matlou are expected to leave the club, while Hlanti could stay on for another season, with news that Chiefs are ready to exercise the one-year extension on his deal.

It appears that Ruben Amorim was never a leading candidate for the Liverpool job, and the Sporting CP manager and his agent have been blamed for headlines. For a long period, it seemed as though Amorim was a dead cert to take over at Liverpool following the departure of Jurgen Klopp. The Portuguese was convincingly presented as the most viable contender following Xabi Alonso’s commitment to Bayer Leverkusen, and it was even claimed that a three-year deal was agreed. Only that proved not to be the case, with Amorim flying to the UK for talks with West Ham around the same time that Liverpool accelerated their pursuit of Arne Slot. Amorim was forced to apologise for the timing of his trip, which came in the buildup to Sporting CP’s clash with rivals Porto – a game which they eventually drew 2-2. And in a column for Record this week, journalist Eduardo Damaso described Liverpool’s interest in Amorim as a “mirage” created by his “inept agent.” “Not yet mature enough” “On the verge of a classic of the greatest importance, Amorim, known for the emotional intelligence he has shown in leading the Sporting team, made a huge false step that, ultimately, could have cost the Lions their title,” Damaso wrote. “He showed, after all, by himself and through the actions of an inept agent, that Liverpool was a mirage. “He showed that the quick trip to London to talk to someone from West Wam seemed like a botched auction and, much worse, that control of the team on the eve of a game with FC Porto would be a minor matter.” Crucially, Damaso concluded that, while Amorim’s “qualities as a coach are indisputable,” he is clear “not yet mature enough” to make the step up to a club like Liverpool. “After this episode, certainly softened by the upcoming title celebration, one thing is certain,” he wrote. “Amorim is closer to having to tell [Sporting CP president] Frederico Varandas that he is staying than asking him to let him go and take on some other challenge.” Meanwhile, Liverpool have agreed terms with both Feyenoord and their head coach Slot over a deal that will be announced in due course. Per Sky Sports‘ Melissa Reddy, the decision was made to move away from Amorim due to issues with his “playing philosophy” and that “his long-term vision didn’t align with the Liverpool way.”

Jurgen Klopp has admitted he is out to avenge Liverpool’s controversial defeat to Tottenham in September when the sides meet again at Anfield on Sunday. The Reds had two players sent off and saw a legitimate goal ruled out as a result of a catastrophic VAR error when the teams contested the reverse fixture in London. Their pain was then compounded by the concession of an injury time own goal that handed Spurs a 2-1 victory. And despite Ange Postecoglou’s side having little influence on the most contentious moments of that fixture, Klopp is still keen to set things right this weekend. He said: “I don’t want to make it the biggest subject but I cannot forget the [last] Tottenham game as well, it was just so strange. “Only the other night was the first time since Tottenham that Simon Hooper was standing next to me for 90 minutes in a game I didn’t enjoy in the first place against Everton. “I tried to get it out of my head and couldn’t. “Now we play Tottenham and that was obviously not their fault that night, they just played the game, but I would like to win that game for 500 reasons and that we lost there in the way we lost is one of them.” Having enjoyed a strong start to this season that fostered hopes of Champions League qualification, Tottenham‘s form has fallen away in recent weeks. They arrive at Anfield on a run of three consecutive defeats and with just two wins from their last seven outings, but Klopp still anticipates a test. He continued: “You expect a good footballing side. I watched the game last night and they said after the game they weren’t good enough, but I thought they put Chelsea under pressure. “Chelsea defended them well, pretty deep, scored the goals in the right moments. Chelsea did not bad – for the situation they are in, especially – but if you don’t defend Tottenham properly then they will play through it. “They made a few changes, Maddison didn’t start, Bentancur didn’t start, Hojbjerg, not sure if they come back. They have options to change; do they start with Son up front or on the wings? “I understand Ange doesn’t think it’s a great moment because of their expectations but you can always see a clear footballing idea and that is what they still kept. “So we will have to be prepared for that and defend really compact, if you don’t do that they will play through because the idea is really obvious. “Their season is similar to ours, maybe they didn’t think about becoming champion but for sure they thought about qualifying for the Champions League, which is now not that easy anymore.”

1 Manchester United’s new co-owners INEOS have plans to initiate a large-scale summer clearout as they seek to raise capital and steer clear of PSR concerns and then focus on getting the recruitment right. With the exception of a handful of young stars, nobody is reportedly safe from the cull and that includes high-profile names such as Casemiro and Marcus Rashford. Last season, it was almost unthinkable that the club would move on the Mancunian after a career-best campaign in which he knocked in 30 goals. The club rewarded his progress with a new five-year deal as well. This season, his form has fallen off a cliff and even more worryingly, he looks disinterested and hardly seems to be putting any real effort in for the club he has supported since he was a child. Rashford’s dismal season amid exit talks Even his most ardent believers are beginning to lose faith in a player whose off-field controversies are threatening to derail his on-field achievements. The Englishman was caught partying after a derby defeat while he was also spotted drinking in Belfast and the forward subsequently called in sick for training ahead of a crucial FA Cup game. His teammates and manager have been far from impressed and the rumour mill has gone on overdrive in the last few days linking the 26-year-old with a move to Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. Rashford should be entering his peak at his current age but instead, the same concerns over consistency continue to plague him and his current form is almost reminiscent of the displays he was putting in under interim manager Ralf Rangnick a few years ago. The England international reportedly plans to resist any attempts at selling him and he wants to stay and fight for his place and repay the club’s faith. United have placed a hefty £80 million price tag on him but there are likely to be few takers considering his form and his humongous wages. The Sun have now claimed that the academy graduate is set to meet Sir Dave Brailsford to try and sort out his uncertain future and in the process, INEOS will try and understand what is plaguing their star forward. There are also issues with manager Erik ten Hag that needs sorting out with the pair reportedly not even on talking terms at the moment. Rashford is currently sidelined and is likely to miss the upcoming Crystal Palace game. “Marcus Rashford is set for a showdown with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos staff to get to the bottom of his struggling season. Rashford-Brailsford meeting “Rashford wants to stay and new part-owner Ratcliffe has not given up on him and first wants to find out why the star has hit rock bottom. He also wants to resolve any issues with boss Erik ten Hag. “Ratcliffe’s right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford is likely to head the meeting with the 26-year-old player and his representatives.” With quite a few key Premier League games still left and with the all-important FA Cup final in May, these talks could potentially lead to a happier Rashford and that could make the difference in the end. United still need to cement their Europa League status and it will be far from easy and Rashford needs to step up and ensure a good end to the season personally and for his team to truly impress the new bosses and strengthen his claim of staying put. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

SuperSport pundit and Liverpool fan Robert Marawa insists that Jurgen Klopp has been let down by his players. Klopp’s final season at Liverpool appears to be ending with a whimper with a title challenge bottled. “As a Liverpool fan I am disappointed. I am disappointed by the way the season has panned out. “I’m disappointed by the way the league challenge has panned out. I’m disappointed by how Klopp will now have to exit. I’m disappointed with so many things,” says Marawa. Showmax’s Premier League ambassador believes Klopp’s men have let him down in recent weeks. Players let Jurgen Klopp down “I do believe that the players let Jürgen Klopp down,” says Marawa. “When you look at the collective effort and mistakes that were made, I do believe that they let him down. “If they really wanted to give him the perfect send-off, they would have done as best as they could to do that. “I believe that under a Steven Gerrard, under a Jordan Henderson, those kind of leaders and captains, without pouring any aspersions on anyone like our current captain, it wouldn’t have happened. “I know Virgil Van Dijk has been a strong leader on many different fronts. I’ve seen him protect players under difficult situations. But I just feel to get over the line, especially this line, I’m not too sure if it was good enough. “Van Dijk had a lot of decisions against his team with referees, and they got into plenty of arguments with referees when they were handed poor decisions, but I think defensively there were so many mistakes that were made. “As players they should take that responsibility. “That 2-2 draw against West Ham ended LFC’s title hopes. It was a four-goal thriller, which is beautiful for the Premier League. It was great for LFC to score two goals, but conceding two goals is where the problem lies. It’s our propensity to concede. “So Arsenal won that weekend, Man City won as well within that same week that we drew against West Ham, so literally the title was lost in that space.” No perfect send-off for Jurgen Klopp Marawa hoped that Klopp would get the perfect send-off before he departed Anfield. However, things haven’t quite gone to plan for the Reds. “The one thing I’ve learnt about the Premier League is that there is nothing perfect. “There is nothing perfect that is set out for Man City, there is nothing perfect set out for Arsenal. “You ask Arsenal fans about last season. They had the perfect season, the perfect lead, but then a not-so-perfect ending. “There is nothing that is like a Disney script in the Premier League and Liverpool have learnt that.” Marawa believes the timing of Klopp’s mid-season announcement to leave the club played a role. “I would have loved a perfect send off for Jürgen Klopp, trust me I would have loved that, but my biggest issue was with the announcement being made during the season. “I firmly believe that the announcement kind of took away certain power that a manager has. It took away certain powers from him and enabled a couple of players to do and say as they please. “Yes, I know the Mo Salah incident is fresh, but I don’t think Salah a season ago would have done what he did last weekend. “He felt that that the power that Klopp had all along was no longer there and he felt he could say or do or gesticulate in any way or manner that he did , which is unfortunate, but he did it. “And that is when we can go and look back at Sir Alex Ferguson’s announcement back in 2001 when he was leaving Man United. What effect did that have on the players? The authority somehow disappears, it goes away, and the same thing has happened to Jurgen Klopp.” Until the bitter end Asked whether he felt Liverpool could still win the league, having capitulated the way they have towards the end of the season, Marawa says: “I always believe. In a race that we have, I still believe that they could end victorious. “Man City and Arsenal know they can’t be dropping any points and that puts pressure on them. Pep Guardiola was very clear when he said if his team drew a game, they would lose the defence of their title, so this always gives hope to Liverpool. I am all for a league title, and supporting my team right until the end as disappointed as I am.” Jurgen Klopp should be proud Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Image by Oli SCARFF / AFP Marawa says Klopp can be proud of what he achieved with Liverpool despite the capitulation “I think that Klopp’s tenure at Liverpool brought so much, and Klopp could had achieved a great deal more, but he had a really talented Man City team ahead of him. “He had a world class coach in Pep Guardiola ahead of him, and with Man City having all the resources and players they have, Klopp knew deep down, that as good as he was at Liverpool, he was never going to win everything. “Jurgen Klopp was the perfect coach for Liverpool, the best that the team could ever ask for, and history should never be based on the West Ham result, the Man United result, the Palace result, or what happened against Atalanta. “I just think his tenure at Liverpool was glorious and we should always remember him for it. “The one time I did go to Anfield, I had the opportunity to ask Klopp a question at a press conference. His face immediately lit up when I mentioned Mo Salah, because he knew Salah was the best player in the world at that time. “The way it’s ended up with the very same player disappoints me a great deal, but Jürgen Klopp as Fergie says has big white teeth, a big smile, a positive attitude, and is one of the greatest managers. “He will sit amongst the best that has ever coached in the Premier League.”

Jurgen Klopp was in sensational form as he spoke ahead of Liverpool vs. Tottenham, with the manager clearly ready to tell everyone how he really feels! Here are the five best bits from Klopp’s pre-Tottenham press conference…   Perspective on Liverpool’s Champions League spot First things first, Klopp was asked about Thursday’s news that Liverpool had now guaranteed their place in next season’s Champions League. While he will not be there to lead them back into Europe’s elite, he was visibly delighted. “Everybody knew how important it would be to qualify for the Champions League again,” he said. “That’s what we did, and it’s super important for the future of the club.” • READ: New Champions League format explained as Liverpool guarantee top 4   He hasn’t forgiven Simon Hooper! Sunday brings the reverse fixture from September’s ridiculously controversial 2-1 loss at Tottenham, which featured a disasterclass from referee Simon Hooper. “I don’t want to make it the biggest subject but I cannot forget the [last] Tottenham game as well, it was just so strange,” Klopp admitted. “Only the other night was the first time since Tottenham that Simon Hooper was standing next to me for 90 minutes in a game I didn’t enjoy in the first place against Everton. “I tried to get it out of my head and couldn’t.” Just wait until Klopp finds out Paul Tierney is referee this time!   “Somebody says ‘Liverpool 12.30’ and the whole room bursts into laughter” The centrepiece of Klopp’s press conference was his lengthy rant on TV, fixtures and in particular TNT Sports, who have subjected Liverpool to a ridiculous number of 12.30pm kickoffs during his reign. “That they dare to give Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday 12.30 is a crime. I was actually waiting for Amnesty International to go to them,” he said. “It’s just somebody who sits there and decides that, and I would like to meet or be part of the meeting where someone says ‘Liverpool 12.30’ and the whole room bursts into laughter, ‘again!’. “I would like to be there.” Klopp added: “In the whole world, we have the quickest turnaround between games, that’s absolutely insane. “But they are still happy to collect subscribers – you can take me off that list!” • EVERY WORD: Jurgen Klopp’s brilliant dig at TNT Sports and fixture congestion!   A dig at FIFA, for old time’s sake Given his mood, Klopp was jokingly asked whether he would fancy the job of football administrator after he leaves Liverpool. “Imagine me becoming FIFA president!” he replied. “It’s obviously a well-paid job, that’s why they all want to do it. Not the official part of it, obviously, but you can make a living off it, it looks like. “I don’t think I will spend my lifetime on these kinds of things, because in the end, one person cannot put it right as long as all the rest just watch it and think ‘they will be fine, they earn millions!’. “[They think]: ‘Let them do that, let them play there, let’s do the first three matchdays in America, all really good ideas’. “Alone you can change nothing. I probably wouldn’t survive in that sea of sharks!”   “We smashed it! “?? ??????? ??!” ? ? Sounds like Jurgen Klopp actually enjoyed a press conference for once! pic.twitter.com/uQhugB5mk2 — This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) May 3, 2024 Klopp closed off his press conference with a laugh as he headed to a separate room for his briefing with national journalists. “We smashed it!” he joked. He certainly did. Klopp in his ‘I’m leaving anyway’ mood may be the best version of Klopp.

Stellenbosch will take this one (against Sundowns) and will see themselves in the final,” said the former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates star. South African football legend Stanton Fredericks believes Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC will beat Chippa United and Mamelodi Sundowns respectively and reach the final of the Nedbank Cup this week. ALSO READ: Three things we learnt from Sundowns’ 5-1 victory over Chiefs The Buccaneers are away at the Chilli Boys in the first semifinal at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, while Stellies will host the Brazilians at home on Sunday. Kickoff for both games is 3pm. “For the first one, I do think that Orlando Pirates will progress to the final. Just to quickly substantiate that, we look at the number of goals that Pirates have been scoring in the last couple of fixtures, it’s just phenomenal,” said Fredericks as he explained why Pirates would win. “In the last game, they made a few changes, six to be exact and still they managed to overcome Cape Town City away in Cape Town. “So, Pirates, for me, have the upper edge. They’re confident and they are the current holders. “And Chippa United lost their last two games after going ahead. I think they will be coming into this clash very cautious, and I think Pirates will have the upper hand.” “And the second semi-final, this is a big one; it’s just brilliant how the football has been set up here. The quality that Stellenbosch has been delivering, the prestige level that Sundowns have been maintaining for the last couple of years. “However, I think about the schedule, having played on Monday. In fact, before that they bowed out of the Champions League on Friday, they played on Monday, and tonight (Thursday) they’re playing a game against Kaizer Chiefs, and they’re playing on Sunday. ALSO READ: ‘Why not?’ Champions Sundowns target record-breaking season “Because of that, I’m going to say, and I’m going to boldly say this that I think, Stellenbosch being the fresher of the two teams and coming from scoring a lot of goals, playing good football, having that unbeaten record and having solutions from the bench, I do think that Stellenbosch will take this one and will see themselves in the final.”

Liverpool Football Club is delighted to confirm the next exciting milestone in the ongoing growth of its women’s first team, with an agreement reached for a new home stadium from next season. LFC Women will play their home games at the St Helens Stadium in Merseyside from the start of the 24/25 season. The club’s ambition is to play a number of fixtures also at Anfield. The new home is a huge positive step forward in the progress of the women’s team, with a brand-new high-performance Premier League standard pitch being laid, enhanced and exclusive use player facilities and an improved matchday experience for supporters. The stadium will continue to be home and property of St. Helens R.F.C., with the men’s and women’s Rugby League teams also benefitting from the pitch upgrade. With the Rugby League season running from February through to September, LFC Women will have sole occupancy of the stadium for almost half the season. The team will also enjoy having their own bespoke dressing room for the very first time, and the red stadium will be revamped for home games to make it look and feel part of the LFC family, including the addition of the club crest and other significant branding. St Helens Stadium was chosen as part of a wider review of stadium options with the Prenton Park agreement coming to an end this season, the decision was made in consultation with players, staff, fans via the club’s Supporters Board and fan surveys. LFC women will play their last home game at Prenton Park against Manchester United on Sunday 5th May. The new ten-year lease at St Helens demonstrates the club’s long-term commitment to its women’s team and the club’s ongoing desire to provide the players and staff with the best facilities possible, fulfilling the ambitions for LFC Women and support its continued growth. The club was keen to ensure the facilities provided for the women’s team on a matchday are the best possible for the players and also to provide a great experience for its growing supporter base. This move enables the club to deliver an improved matchday experience, not only around the ground, but inside with the covered concourses so fans can expect to see an enhanced offering from music, face painting, food and drinks through to kids kickabouts and lots more. There will also be an enhanced food and drinks offering for fans, as well as an opportunity to improve the retail provision for match goers. The move to St Helens Stadium follows the significant investment in the acquisition and redevelopment of the AXA Melwood Training Centre, making it one of the best women’s training facilities in the WSL. There is also continued investment in the squad, backroom and wider infrastructure the Women’s First Team and Pro Game Academy. Susan Black, Liverpool FC’s Director of Communications and Liverpool FC Women Executive Director, said: “This is another step forward for our women’s first team and we’re so excited to relocate to a new long-term home. “Our players and incredible supporters were at the forefront of our decision-making process. We are confident St Helens will be a great matchday home and will look and feel part of the Liverpool family. “We would like to place on record our great thanks to Mark Palios and the wider team at Tranmere Rovers for their great support over six seasons at Prenton Park on a matchday and of course at The Campus. “As founding members of the Women’s Super League, we want to continue the work we’ve put in place and continue to progress in the league both on and off the pitch. “Our next chapter for our women’s first team is about building solid foundation stones and today’s matchday venue announcement is another positive step forward on our journey.” LFC Women manager Matt Beard said: “This is the exciting next chapter on our journey, and I’m absolutely delighted with this investment from the club. “At the heart of this move are the two most important groups at the club, the players and the fans. “The players will have a wonderful new pitch and facilities to enjoy while the match day experience for the supporters will be so much improved. “We’ve built up a loyal following at Prenton Park and we look forward to welcoming them to St Helens along with hopefully opening up the women’s game to many new supporters as well.” Eamonn McManus, Chairman of St. Helens R.F.C. welcomed Liverpool FC Women to their home ground stating: “We are delighted to welcome LFC Women and their supporters to our stadium for their home games starting next season. “The arrangement will provide St. Helens R.F.C. with a new state-of-the-art pitch, as well as additional income streams for our Club. “Liverpool FC is a world-renowned football club and sporting institution and LFC Women are a leading participant in the rapidly growing Women’s Super League. It is high profile recognition that our stadium and its facilities meet the ever-increasing requirements of this prestigious competition.” David Hutchinson, General Manager of St. Helens R.F.C. said: “We are very proud to have secured this partnership with Liverpool FC Women at a time when women’s sport is at a pivotal stage in its growth and development. “This comes at a time when participation, media exposure, and commercial awareness for women’s football and rugby are at an all-time high. Hosting Liverpool FC Women will increase visitors to the stadium and offer up fantastic crossover opportunities for both our sports. “We are very excited to get things underway and thank everyone involved for their hard work in achieving this.” All season ticket holders have been informed of the new venue and will be contacted in the coming weeks about renewing for next season. For new enquiries on season tickets for next season, please register your interest here. The LFC Foundation will be expanding their reach and will look to launch projects specifically for the St Helens area to support girls in sport with more funding for community projects.

Jurgen Klopp is thoroughly embracing his final moments in front of the press, and he did not hold back on his assessment of broadcast issues, fixture intensity and which channel he won’t watch again! The visit of Tottenham on Sunday is Klopp’s penultimate home match in charge of Liverpool, and with his side all but out of the title race, the weight has clearly lifted. When previewing Sunday’s clash, the manager was not short of a few digs in the direction of TNT Sports – formerly BT Sports, whom he has had plenty of run-ins with – having failed to help with fixture congestion. What Klopp had to say was simply brilliant, and here is his every word…   Players are overworked and it’s not changing “In general, I think it’s an interesting subject, on the way out I could not be less interested in what you make of it, but seeing Aston Villa lost last night 4-2 would mean if they really go out no English team is in any European final. “If you make of the fact that English teams are not in the final, if you make of that that we all underperformed – that might be in moments, us definitely against Atalanta. “I watch a lot of football all over the world, the Premier League is the best league in the world. It’s not overrated, the players are overworked. Easy as that. “You can talk about that until everybody realises, but somebody obviously needs to help the people. “You cut off one game, League Cup semi-final, but next season there are three more Champions League games for the top teams, and the discussion you all allow is like, ‘what is that? Only cut off one game?’ “Now everybody has a reason to say ‘we cannot cut off these games, it’s important’, you can sort that situation out, but you cannot sort it out all the time.”   “Advice from an old man on the way out” “I had a discussion the other day with colleagues from my favourite TV channel (sarcasm intended) which I definitely will never watch again, TNT [Sports]. “It’s always a conversation that I have, saying that ‘yeah but they pay you, they give money to football’ – I don’t see it like that. “I see it exactly the other way around, football pays them. They broadcast it, they deliver it, but it’s not that TNT or Sky is not doing extremely well, they can pay all of you. “You have to become a partner of football again, not just the squeezer. “That’s a little advice from an old man on the way out. “I will watch a lot of football but not all because people can survive without matchdays from time to time. “City, Arsenal, that they are out in the quarter-finals [of the Champions League] is just not a reflection. That we are out at the quarter-finals is just not a real reflection of quality. “It’s just a reflection that we couldn’t deliver on the day we had to. “Yes, in other countries they have really good teams, no doubt about it, but it’s a sign. Years ago I think we had four English teams in quarter-finals and then we take it and say, ‘That’s the Premier League, let’s make more of it’. “But you have to change that approach. “You always think when I speak about it, it’s because of our last situation. No, it’s a general problem and nothing to do with our current schedule.”   TNT have lost a subscriber! “That they dare to give Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday 12.30 is a crime. I was actually waiting for Amnesty International to go to them. “It’s just somebody who sits there and decides that, and I would like to meet or be part of the meeting where someone says, ‘Liverpool 12.30’ and the whole room bursts into laughter, ‘Again!’ “I would like to be there. “This morning I got sent the stats that says the quickest turnaround in the whole world is Liverpool FC. “And we sit there, and I’m the same, and tell them ‘you have to do more, fight more, you have to go for it’. “In the whole world, we have the quickest turnaround between games, that’s absolutely insane. But they are still happy to collect subscribers, you can take me off that list!” And he finished off by saying: “If you are ever looking for a pundit, I speak English and I could do it!”

In 2022 the son of Kaizer Chiefs Scara Ngobese, Lwandle Yende made headlines after surfacing at Amakhosi.  There was a lot of speculation surrounding the future of Yende, before he ended up in Chiefs colours. There were reports that he had already signed for Chiefs, and in doing so they had beaten of a rival. That rival, was in the form of Mamelodi Sundowns. Yende is thought to be a talented player just like his father was, with lots of potential. A picture of him wearing Chiefs training gear then seemed to confirm that he was potentially following in his father’s footsteps at the club. This was before former Amakhosi coach Arthur Zwane confirmed that such news were premature. “10111” as Zwane is affectionally known as has confirmed that Ngobese hasn’t signed on at the club just yet, and is still on trial. “I have spoken to the coaches (at the Chiefs academy) and they said they are assessing the boy (Lwandle Yende). I don’t know if he is still around because I have not been there in the past three days. But the last time I was there, they were still assessing him. This to see if he could be given the opportunity to be part of our development structures. I will get feedback when I next go there. At the moment I don’t know whether he is going to be a part of us or not,” Zwane said back in May 2022. Yende failed trials at Chiefs? Zwane then sounded a warning with regards to the hype surrounding the player Yende. He said that it would be the Chiefs academy coaches who would have the final say. They would decide on whether he was talented enough to make it at the club, or not.  It then seems as if Yende didn’t end up making the grade at Chiefs. According to the latest pictures he is now part of the SuperSport United academy.  Scored against them for SuperSport Furthermore, Yende showed Chiefs what they missed out on, after he scored a goal and laid assist against their U19’s. His efforts last weekend helped SuperSport United to a 3-2 victory.

1 Manchester United’s goalkeeping department underwent a seismic revolution last summer with a club legend’s departure after 12 seasons and two new goalkeepers coming in. The thought was the club had followed manager Erik ten Hag’s instructions and done decent business and could now keep this stability moving forward. But rumours mills keep suggesting another summer of change could be on the cards with plenty of publications claiming that the new No 1 Andre Onana is yet to fully convince and a replacement could be brought in. The Peoples Person also relayed that reserve keeper Tom Heaton, who rejoined the club three seasons ago and whose contract ends in June , wants to play more and could be on the move. Backup keeper set to leave Backup keeper Altay Bayindir was signed from Fenerbahce but he has played only once this season, against Newport County in the FA Cup back when the Cameroonian was unavailable due to his AFCON commitments. Onana’s start was far from smooth with the 28-year-old committing a number of high-profile mistakes and there were calls to drop the new No 1. But the manager kept playing him in a bid to help him regain confidence and he even insisted that the former Inter Milan man leave late for international duty which created a lot of furore back home. So instead of getting the chance to play in three games, the Turk got his only one shot as the team conceded twice against League Two opposition. The Turkish international must have expected a few more opportunities with the manager praising his adaptation but so far, nothing has materialised. He has been linked with a shock return back home and now, Italian publication La Lazio Siamo Noi have claimed that the shot-stopper is attracting interest from Trabzonspor. And if he does end up leaving, the Red Devils will try and secure Lazio backup keeper Christos Mandas, who has impressed in Serie A this season. United have already been linked with primary Lazio keeper Ivan Provedel but the Greek understudy has risen to the occasion since the Lazio No 1’s injury in March. Mandas has made 10 appearances in all competitions, keeping five clean sheets in the process and the Rome-based club do not want to lose the 22-year-old. Mandas interest They are ready to sanction a loan move to help the young keeper gain further experience but the 20-time English league champions will try and secure a permanent deal. “Manchester United have their eyes on Mandas. In recent days, our editorial staff had learned that Lazio could decide to loan the Greek to a team that guarantees him a starting place, and then welcome him back with a greater wealth of experience. “From England, however, it would seem that the Red Devils are serious: Lotito could listen to United’s proposal, which however would not be oriented towards a loan, but towards a long-term investment to replace Bayindir (courted by Trabzonspor), Onana’s second.” The Greece U21 international’s contract with Lazio runs until 2028 and he has a market value of €1 million. Whether United are once again forced into an overhaul of the goalkeeping department remains to be seen. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

“The only way to answer what this means to the club is to dedicate this title to the chairman of this football club Mr Tlhopie Motsepe,” he concluded. Rulani Mokwena believes South Africans might never see a well-oiled machine like his current Mamelodi Sundowns team. ALSO READ: Chiefs’ Johnson denies he was ‘outfoxed’ in Sundowns hammering The Brazilians have just about bullied everyone in the DStv Premiership and breaking all sorts of milestones on the way to claiming a record-extending league championship. They are also chasing perfection by becoming the first PSL team to go the entire season unbeaten in the league. They remain on course to achieve that feat after 24 games with the latest casualties being Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Thursday. The 5-1 win over Amakhosi in enemy territory was enough to seal another championship crown for the Tshwane giants who are away to in-form side Stellenbosch FC in the Nedbank Cup semifinal on Sunday. “I really don’t think we will see a group this dominant, relentless and playing this way so consistently. It’s not just about the results but how we produce the results,” Mokwena said after the 5-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs on Thursday night. “You have a team that is so dominant in possession and yet dominant in the number of chances they concede and the goals they concede. That is against the common logic of football. Normally it’s the teams that sit low which have a very good defensive record but we’re a very offensive team and we dominate. “The other day I saw a study where they compared teams and it was close to 5000 teams in the world. We came third on the number of passes on average and the distances. First it was. Fluminense FC, second Bayer Leverkusen and I said to myself this is incredible.” With Sundowns still reeling from the pain of being knocked out of the Caf Champions League by Esperance last Friday, Mokwena dedicated the league title to the club chairman Tlhopie Motsepe. “The only way to answer what this means to the club is to dedicate this title to the chairman of this football club Mr Tlhopie Motsepe,” he concluded. “He has been so supportive in good and bad moments. I don’t know how many texts I’ve been receiving over the last couple of days after we were eliminated from the champions league from him. ALSO READ: ‘Why not?’ Champions Sundowns target record-breaking season “This one goes to the chairman and of course the club but because it’s a special one and the seventh one in a row, I’d like to officially dedicate it to the chairman of this football club.”

Amakhosi management have some big decisions to make with several Kaizer Chiefs players contracts expiring at the end of the season. The new coach will have his work cut out for him. He is tasked with returning Amakhosi to their glory days with fans growing frustrated with their poor run of form in recent seasons. Moreover, he is set to have the final say on which Chiefs players stay and which leave the club at the end of the current PSL season. This includes making a huge decision on Amakhosi legend Itumeleng Khune as well as their highest-paid player, Keagan Dolly. FULL LIST OF CHIEFS PLAYERS WITH CONTRACTS EXPIRING IN 2024 Itumeleng Khune Keagan Dolly Edmilson Dove Jasond Gonzales S’fiso Hlanti George Matlou Njabulo Ngcobo Siyethembe Sithebe Therefore, whoever Amakhosi appoint as their new head coach will have the final say on these eight players. However, early indications are that only Hlanti and Dolly could earn a contract extensions. This will depend on whether the new coach approves of Hlanti and if Dolly is willing to take a pay-cut. Meanwhile, management have mixed views on Sithebe with recent reports stating that they are leaning towards letting the Amakhosi midfielder leave Naturena. LIKELY EXITS ON THE CARD FOR SEVERAL AMAKHOSI STARS Furthermore, Matlou, Gonzales and Khune are all at risk leaving at the end of the season. “Matlou is only 25, so he has time to rediscover the form that saw him being signed by Chiefs, but he’ll do that somewhere else, not at Chiefs next season,” “He is not even making the match day squad these days, and that shows that he is not in the coach’s plans hence the club has decided to let him go at the end of the season,” the insider reported on Phakaaati. Meanwhile, as previously reported on the South African, management are set to let go of Gonzales after an underwhelming 12-month loan spell at the club. Finally, Amakhosi legend Khune looks set to take up a coaching role with his contract set to expire in June. That is unless the new coach sees him, or any of these players as a part of his mission. “Early indications are that Dove could be retained. “He has shown the right attitude, whether playing at left-back or in central defence. Unless something drastic happens, he’s likely to stay at the club for another two seasons,” a source told FARPost. As for Ngcobo, he has attracted interest from AmaZulu. So, it will be interesting to see what the new boss decides.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena called his team “the incredibles” after they trounced Kaizer Chiefs 5-1 on Thursday to seal a seventh straight DStv Premiership title. After a goalless first half in Johannesburg, a Kaizer Chiefs team reduced to 10 men on 19 minutes when Given Msimango was red-carded for a last-defender tackle, collapsed. Tashreeq Matthews (twice), Argentine Matias Esquivel, Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro and Thembinkosi Lorch scored for the champions while Mduduzi Shabalala converted an Amakhosi penalty. Mamelodi Sundowns have an unassailable lead Masandawana reached an unassailable 62 points with six matches to play, leaving Stellenbosch FC and Orlando Pirates to fight for second place and the other 2025 CAF Champions League slot. “This is a special squad – the incredibles. We may not see their likes again in South Africa for a very long time,” said Mokwena. “I also want to praise the ‘yellow nation’ (Sundowns supporters). They are amazing men, women, teenagers and children. I am humbled by the support they give me.” Matthews broke the deadlock on 52 minutes and four minutes later Esquivel doubled the lead at FNB Stadium. Matthews struck again on 82 minutes before Shabalala made it 3-1 from a spot kick. Ribeiro and Lorch then netted as Mamelodi Sundowns scored five in a league match for the first time this season. Unbeaten The Pretoria outfit now turn their attention to the Nedbank Cup as they seek a domestic double. They play Stellenbosch FC in the semi-finals on Sunday, 5 May in the Winelands. Kick-off is at 15:00. The romp against Kaizer Chiefs stretched to 48 matches the unbeaten run of Mamelodi Sundowns, whose last league loss was against Pretoria neighbours SuperSport United in September 2022. Having overtaken the record set in 2005 by Kaizer Chiefs when they went 31 matches unbeaten, Mamelodi Sundowns now want to become the first club to complete a PSL season without losing. Their remaining fixtures include hosting Royal AM and Cape Town City FC and travelling to Golden Arrows, Stellenbosch FC, TS Galaxy and Royal AM. LATEST DSTV PREMIERSHIP STANDINGS