DELEITURAS

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita’s recovery from a thigh problem is ahead of schedule but he is unlikely to be fit enough to feature in the Champions League final.

The Guinea international could, however, be back in time for the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts on June 21.

Keita tore an adductor muscle in Liverpool‘s 3-0 semi-final first leg defeat in Barcelona and the initial prognosis was a two-month absence.

But having responded well to treatment the midfielder, who is out in Marbella with the rest of the squad preparing for the June 1 clash with Tottenham in Madrid, has now returned to running.

“Naby is, I would say, a bit ahead of schedule, but that doesn’t mean anything for the final,” manager Jurgen Klopp told liverpoolfc.com.

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“He is now doing straight runs and all of that stuff, he feels comfortable with 50 per cent intensity and these things – but there is still a way to go.

“I know about the issues with Guinea and stuff like that; we don’t want to keep a player out if he can play – maybe they think it is like this, but it is not like this.

“For me, it would be good if Naby would be 100 per cent fit and could play the Africa Cup of Nations, to be honest.

“But we don’t know, we will see, and we need to work together with their medical department because in the end, a player who is fit – from my point of view – who can play, should play for his country.

“If he is not 100 per cent fit, he cannot play. That’s how it is. It looks good, very positive and we will see if there is a chance.”

Forward Roberto Firmino is on course to play in the final after recovering from a thigh problem he aggravated in the Nou Camp.

“Bobby looks really good. It was not too long out, but of course we are still careful and want to make sure nothing happens,” added Klopp.

“We have a few days still and want to use them, that’s why he is in, out, in, out.”

According to Klopp Firmino was involved in “70 per cent” of the session on Wednesday and is set to play a full part on Thursday.

 

Manchester United are hoping to win the battle for Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt by tabling a better offer, according to reports.

Barcelona are said to be keen on landing one of the hottest properties in world football, although both United and Manchester City are also after his signature.

Reports this week suggested that the 19-year-old was heading for the Nou Camp, although a deal has not yet been agreed with his agent Mino Raiola.

That has given both United and City hope they could yet lure the teenager to England, although the former’s failure to qualify for the Champions League could play a major part in De Ligt’s final decision.

Sport (via Sport Witness) claims that De Ligt is still waiting for an improved offer from Barca for his services which has given other potential suitors some hope of landing the Dutchman.

The reports says the Red Devils are now ‘one of the top contenders’ after they ‘significantly improved’ their offer for the player.

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United hope De Ligt says ‘yes’ and the report claims their offer is ‘tempting,’ while the Premier League side have made it clear that it will be their last proposal.

If De Ligt rejects the fresh terms then United will move on to other targets as Sport claims the club have gone as far as they can.

 

Robin van Persie says he is “sorry” if he “hurt” any Arsenal supporters by leaving to join Manchester United.

The Dutchman made the move to Old Trafford for a reported £22.5million in 2012 after scoring 132 goals for the Gunners over a period of eight years at the club.

“At crucial moments you have to make tough decisions,” van Persie told the BBC. “It was a very tough decision and I get that fans were angry as I was the captain and top scorer.

“Sometimes you feel like you need a challenge and new adventure. If I hurt people I’m sorry. I made that decision and I stand by it.”

Van Persie worked under two of the greats of English football management in Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson and he was asked his thoughts on the duo.

“Me and Arsene Wenger never had an argument or a big fight,” Van Persie added. “Sometimes on certain levels we had different ideas.

“He was one of the big reasons why I signed. Sir Alex really pushed the guys to pass the ball to me and if it goes in in the crucial games and crucial moments then after a few months everyone at the club had the feeling it was going to be our year.”

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Liverpool would be “absolutely crazy” to let James Milner leave on a free transfer, according to former player Steve Nicol.

The 33-year-old started in Liverpool‘s unbelievable comeback victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals and could play in the final on June 1.

However, the former Leeds United and Manchester City midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season – although The Times suggest he has signed a one-year extension that simply hasn’t been announced.

“Absolutely no chance he goes anywhere other than his car to drive to Anfield to sign a new deal,” Nicol told ESPN.

“It would be absolutely crazy, he’s been a huge part of this year again.

“Regardless of his age, Liverpool will need him next year.

“Maybe he won’t play as many games, but he’ll be needed for cover all around the field.”

 

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Pep Guardiola has agreed a deal to leave Manchester City and become the new Juventus manager, according to reports.

Massimiliano Allegri will leave his position as Juventus head coach at the end of the season sparking more speculation that they want to appoint the Spaniard.

Guardiola completely denied rumours linking him with Juventus earlier in the season and he was again dismissive on Friday when asked about the Turin club following news that Allegri is to leave.

However, Italian outlet AGI claims that Guardiola has agreed to take over at Juventus and that he will sign a deal on June 4.

Guardiola won the domestic treble with Manchester City this season with triumphs in the League Cup, FA Cup and Premier League.

The report adds that Guardiola will sign for ‘four years with a fee of 24 million euros per season’ as his salary with his official presentation to the media coming on June 14.

 

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Liverpool’s efforts to organise a suitable behind-closed-doors friendly match ahead of their Champions League final have taken a blow, according to reports.

The Reds incredible semi-final comeback in the Champions League against Barcelona saw them book a place in Madrid where they will take on Tottenham in the final.

The showpiece event will take place on June 1, meaning there is a three-week break between the end of the Premier League season and the final.

Jurgen Klopp has taken his players to Marbella to train while The Times claim that Liverpool wanted to ‘arrange a game to maintain match sharpness’.

However, organising a match against a top-level opponent is proving difficult with the timing of a potential friendly coming as most players at other clubs jet off on holiday.

That could leave Klopp facing the prospect of preparing his side against an under-23 or academy side with the likes of Roberto Firmino – who has not appeared for the Reds since May 1 – in need of run out.

 

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Manchester United will appoint three former players to a new transfer committee as they look to avoid past mistakes in the transfer market, according to reports.

Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, United have struggled to reach the heights they enjoyed under their legendary manager.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed a honeymoon period when he was first appointed as caretaker boss earlier this season but the results and performances have taken a bad turn since he was appointed permanently.

The Norwegian will be tasked with re-shaping United’s squad after being left with a number of under-performing players on high wages.

The likes of Alexis Sanchez, who is reportedly on wages in the region of £500,000-a-week, are going to be tough to move out of the club with a lack of potential suitors.

And now The Sun claims that United are ‘assembling a committee’ of ex-players in a ‘radical rethink on player recruitment’.

Darren Fletcher, a title winner under Ferguson, will be asked to head up the three-man panel with Rio Ferdinand approached, while Nicky Butt was also at the meeting with Fletcher at Carrington.

In a change to their previous transfer policy, United will now be ‘seeking young hard-working and hungry players’ that want to succeed at Old Trafford.

 

Manchester United Under-23s boss Ricky Sbragia has left the club, Press Association Sport understands.

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Having previously had a spell in charge of the second string, the Scot returned to the club in 2017 to lead the Under-23s.

United were relegated from the top tier of Premier League 2 in 2017-18 and last season finished sixth in the 12-team second division.

Press Association Sport understands that Sbragia has now left the club by mutual consent, with head of academy Nicky Butt to focus on the youth system’s structure as United move forwards.

United’s former second-string boss Warren Joyce is available after leaving A-League side Melbourne City earlier this month.

 

Serie A side Napoli have joined the race to land Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne, according to reports.

Clyne was on loan at Bournemouth from the Reds for the second half of last season where he made 15 appearances in all competitions.

The former Southampton full-back has only played 10 matches for Liverpool in the last two seasons with a serious back injury in the 2017-18 campaign hindering his progress.

And Goal claims that Napoli, who are on the lookout for a new right-back, ‘have made an approach to sign’ Clyne from Liverpool.

Napoli ‘have made contact with the Reds’ over Clyne, who is understood to be valued at £15million by the Merseysiders.

Bournemouth and West Ham have also been linked with moves for Clyne but will now face competition from the Serie A outfit.

 

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to make all of his summer transfers before the players jet off on their pre-season tour, according to reports.

United had a resurgence after sacking Mourinho and appointing Solskjaer, who won 14 of his 19 games while in caretaker charge of the club, but it is now eight defeats in his last 12 matches, highlighting the scale of the rebuilding job ahead in the summer.

As part of that rebuilding job, the Norwegian is looking for young, hungry players that can make the step up with a number of surprising names linked to United in recent weeks.

The Sun claims that Solskjaer’s plan is ‘to have his squad in place when he returns to training at the start of July’.

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The report adds that there are four players in particular that Solskjaer is looking at including Daniel James, whose £15million transfer should be wrapped up next month.

Sean Longstaff is another named by The Sun, with The Telegraph saying on Wednesday that an offer for the midfielder is expected before the weekend.

The other two names are Stoke City’s Nathan Collins and Norwich City’s Ben Godfrey, who both play centre-back for their respective clubs.