sign in sign up
<<
Home , Caretaker manager, James Milner, Paulo Sousa, Steve Walsh (footballer), Steve Walsh (scout)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017 SPORTS

Juergen Klopp’s concerns mount as Liverpool sputters

ANFIELD: With his eccentricities, his pas- only six points in seven games since the hit when a team underperforms even if complacency? Are they too easy to pick ure to significantly improve Liverpool’s sion on the sidelines and his quirky com- start of the year. The Reds have dropped the players are as much to blame. off on the counterattack? defense in the three transfer windows he ments to the media, Liverpool manager to fifth place and are only a point ahead Klopp, who has been manager for 17 “What has happened here, has hap- has had at Anfield might be his biggest Juergen Klopp has quickly established of resurgent Manchester United, which months, has to take his share of the pened too often this season,” Klopp said mistake. No other team in the top eight himself as a cult figure at Anfield and a has played a game less. increasing criticism coming Liverpool’s at . has conceded as many goals as Liverpool darling of English soccer in general. The 2-0 win over Tottenham two way. He doesn’t seem to have a “Plan B” if Liverpool simply wasn’t ready for (33) so far this season. Liverpool’s American owners were so weeks ago proved to be a false dawn. the team’s high-energy pressing game Leicester, despite having two weeks to Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius are sure that Klopp was the perfect man for Liverpool’s players put in one of its worst isn’t working. When Liverpool’s players prepare. The defense left space behind mistake-prone goalkeepers who have the club, they handed him a six-year con- performances of the season at Leicester: are on their game, they can blow oppo- for Vardy - one of the league’s quickest been in and out of the side, Milner isn’t a tract in July. But as another title chal- They were out-ran, out-fought and out- nents away - see, for example, how they strikers - to exploit, which is unforgiv- long-term solution at left back, and they lenge sputters in the thought. Liverpool’s squad spent some overwhelmed Tottenham and the fact able. And Liverpool didn’t match the are too weak at center back no matter and even Champions League qualifica- time at a training camp in La Manga, they scored more than four goals in a work rate of an opponent from whom who plays out of Joel Matip, Lucas, Dejan tion looks in doubt, questions are being Spain, during its recent 16-day break single game on eight occasions from there would obviously be a reaction fol- Lovren or Ragnar Klavan. asked about whether Klopp can make from competitive activity. The trip was August to December - but otherwise lowing the criticism of Leicester’s players There is no immediate threat to Liverpool - England’s biggest team in the meant to refresh the players ahead of they are easy to play against when their because of their perceived role in Klopp’s position - he is too highly late 1970s and 1980s - great again. the Premier League run-in, but it felt at intensity drops. Ranieri’s departure. “We didn’t adapt well thought of at Liverpool - but there is a And front of line is Klopp himself. times as if their heads and legs were still in the game,” Liverpool sense of deja vu at a club that hasn’t won “It’s getting more serious now. We all in Spain. “It looked like a friendly game,” COUNTERATTACK said. “We were not the English league since 1990 and can- play for our futures, myself included,” a Klopp said when describing his players’ There’s also an alarming trend of loss- ready at the beginning of the game.” not compete financially with other dismayed Klopp said after Liverpool’s 3-1 sluggish reactions during Leicester’s es to lower-ranked teams. All five of And then there’s the seemingly annu- heavyweights in English soccer. loss at Leicester on Monday, its latest set- build-up to the first goal by . Liverpool’s losses al concerns about Liverpool’s defense, In the six-team race for the four back in a forgettable 2017. As the recent firing of Leicester’s title- in the league have come against which featured two - Lucas Champions League spots, two big teams The team, first-place Chelsea’s nearest winning coach, , has teams in the bottom eight, including Leiva at center back and James Milner at will miss out. Liverpool increasingly challenger over Christmas, has earned proved, a manager will always take the four who were in the bottom five. Is it left back - against Leicester. Klopp’s fail- looks like being one of them. — AP

Former FIFA official Valcke appeals 10-year soccer ban

GENEVA: Former FIFA official Jerome hand man to former president Sepp Blatter Valcke has appealed to the Court of since 2007. Arbitration for Sport to overturn his 10-year His main role was overseeing the trou- ban from soccer for unethical conduct. bled preparations for the ultimately suc- The court outlined a procedural cessful 2010 and 2014 World Cups hosted timetable yesterday that should take sever- by South Africa and Brazil, respectively. al months to reach a verdict. However, the South African connection Valcke’s case will go ahead while he implicated him in a U.S. Department of remains under criminal investigation by Justice indictment which rocked FIFA, and federal prosecutors in Switzerland. He is eventually removed Blatter, when it was also an expected target witness in an published in May 2015. American federal investigation of corrup- In 2008, Valcke’s office transferred $10 tion implicating senior FIFA officials. million on behalf of South African World Valcke was fired as FIFA’s secretary gen- Cup officials to senior FIFA officials in North eral in January 2016 after being implicated and Central America. American federal in irregular World Cup ticket and broadcast prosecutors allege they were payments in a rights sales, plus expenses abuses includ- bribery conspiracy for World Cup hosting ing personal use of private flights. votes. Switzerland’s attorney general’s The FIFA ethics committee later banned office opened a case against Valcke in the French former TV presenter and mar- March 2016 “on suspicion of various acts of keting executive for 12 years, and also said criminal mismanagement.” — AP he destroyed evidence during the investi- gation. “Mr. Valcke acted against FIFA’s best interests and caused considerable financial damage to FIFA, while his private and per- Matches on TV sonal interests detracted him from his abili- (Local Timings) ty to properly perform his duties,” the ethics committee said when ruling in February SPANISH LEAGUE 2016. Valcke is now challenging a FIFA LEICESTER: Liverpool’s Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet (R) vies with Leicester City’s English striker Jamie Vardy during the English Premier League appeal committee ruling to cut the sanc- Barcelona v Sporting Gijon 21:30 football match between Leicester City and Liverpool at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on Monday. — AFP beIN SPORTS tion by two years. Though his initial appeal Osasuna v Villarreal 21:30 verdict was announced in July, he received beIN SPORTS SOCCER the written reasons from FIFA only this Celta de Vigo v RCD Espanyol 23:30 month, CAS said. Valcke has repeatedly beIN SPORTS denied wrongdoing in statements issued Real Madrid CF v Las Palmas 23:30 by his United States-based lawyers. beIN SPORTS Vardy scores twice as The FIFA ethics investigation was pro- Granada v Deportivo Alaves 23:30 voked by allegations in September 2015 beIN SPORTS that Valcke sought to profit from a black ITALIAN CUP market ticket deal for the 2014 World Cup SS Lazio v AS Roma 22:45 Leicester stun Liverpool in Brazil. The deal, with a contracted FIFA beIN SPORTS ticketing partner, later fell through and no money was paid. ENGLAND FA CUP to head in Christian Fuchs’s cross. points. Coutinho scored in the 69th minute with a FIFA was also conducting an internal Manchester City v Huddersfield 22:45 Leicester’s fans roared “3-0 to the champions” cool side-foot finish and the visitors suddenly came investigation into his conduct as right- while also chanting the name of Ranieri and it was to life, although it was too little too late for Juergen Leicester 3 easy to imagine they had been transported back to Klopp’s side who have won only once in seven last season when their team took the title by 10 league games. — Reuters Liverpool 1 Late Belotti brace LEICESTER: Leicester City returned to form in stun- ning fashion on Monday as Jamie Vardy scored twice in a 3-1 Premier League defeat of Liverpool stuns Fiorentina that lifted the champions out of the relegation zone. In their first match since manager Claudio MILAN: Italy striker Andrea Belotti made Fiorentina, who were whistled off the park Ranieri was sacked after five successive defeats in amends for missing a second-half penalty for by unhappy fans at the Artemio Franchi, remain which they failed to score a goal, Leicester pro- Torino with a late brace that secured a share of in eighth place at six points behind AC Milan, duced the kind of vibrant display that carried them the points in a 2-2 draw at Fiorentina in who sit 19 points off leaders Juventus. to glory last May. Monday. In a clash helpful to both sides’ Embattled coach said he could Liverpool were simply overwhelmed as their chances of qualifying for Europe next season, understand their frustration: “The fans pay for hopes of a top-four finish suffered a severe setback. Fiorentina raced to a two-goal lead before half- their tickets so they have a right to express Vardy gave Leicester the lead in the 28th minute time after Riccardo Saponara, in the eighth themselves. “We could have settled it earlier, with his first league goal since December. Danny minute and Nikola Kalinic, with a 38th minute but the lads really gave it everything for the Drinkwater made it 2-0 with a stunning volley six header, beat in the Torino net. shirt. I can’t have any complaints.” Torino are minutes before halftime and Vardy headed rejuve- Hart was otherwise heroic in a one-sided ninth, five points adrift of Fiorentina and saw nated Leicester’s third on the hour as Liverpool first half that saw the England ‘keeper save at their late fightback prompt applause by some crumbled. the feet of Kalinic then Borja Valero in the open- of the home fans as they left the pitch. Liverpool enjoyed plenty of possession and ing minutes, then deny Cristian Tello later on as “That’s one of the nice things about our foot- Philippe Coutinho gave them a lifeline after 69 the hosts piled on the pressure. Those stops ball,” said Belotti, who was nevertheless disap- Jerome Valcke minutes but Leicester held on for a crucial victory proved crucial in a more balanced second half, pointed not to have taken the sole lead of the which took them up three places to 15th. in which Fiorentina added to their current woes Serie A scoring charts. “It feels good, we need to enjoy it while it lasts by throwing away a two-goal lead for the sec- “I’m on 19 now, but it could have been 20 if I and build on this,” Drinkwater said. “You could call it ond game in succession. When Carlos Salcedo hadn’t missed the penalty. But I want to keep Everton boss Koeman a reaction, we have come under a bit of stick.” Vardy fouled Lucas Boye, Torino were handed a life- challenging. “I haven’t set a target but I want to said he could not put his finger on why Leicester line, only for Belotti to sky his spot kick just after score as many as possible.” had suddenly produced a performance worthy of the hour. But the Italy front man was soon per- Juventus, aiming for a sixth consecu- open to Rooney return champions after a pitiful defence of their title. forming his trademark ‘rooster’ celebration-run- tive scudetto, boast a seven-point lead over sec- “We’ve been working hard on everything we’ve ning away with his hand to his head imitating a ond-placed Roma, who saw Radja Nainggolan LONDON: Everton manager Ronald , Everton’s director of foot- been asked to do but it’s not been happening. rooter’s crown-after reducing arrears only three hit a spectacular brace in a 3-1 win at Inter Koeman paved the way yesterday for ball, endorsed Koeman’s comments, Tonight it all clicked.” Leicester’s players looked minutes later by firing a loose ball in the area Milan on Sunday to keep the title race alive. The ’s return to the club of adding: “Wayne Rooney is one of the great- fired-up from the first whistle and Vardy caught past Ciprian Tatarusanu. win was all the more important after Napoli’s his youth by saying he would make the est players that has ever played the game Sadio Mane with an ugly tackle inside a minute. Five minutes from the end, Belotti was left title bid was dented by a 2-0 defeat at home to side “stronger”. Last week Rooney said he in England and for us not to be interested Liverpool, well-rested after a two-week break unmarked at the back post to collect Daniele Atalanta on Saturday which left ’s was staying with Manchester United fol- would be wrong. “He started his career and some warm weather training in Spain, lacked Baselli’s cross past the Fiorentina ‘keeper to men in third place, 12 points off the pace. lowing persistent speculation he could here and if the opportunity arose that he any rhythm and keeper Simon Mignolet was called claim his 19th goal of the campaign, pulling lev- Atalanta are fourth, one point ahead of Lazio make a lucrative move to the Chinese could come back and it sat well with every- into action to stop a header. el with leader Edin Dzeko of Roma. and three ahead of Inter. — AFP Super League. one it is something we would consider. “He Leicester’s Craig Shakespeare But doubts still surround the long-term is a class apart, he sees things, and all the made only one change from the side that took to club future of the 31-year-old Rooney, the things that have been said about Wayne the field for Ranieri’s final game-last week’s 2-1 loss England national side’s record goal-scorer, are true. He comes into that category of in Sevilla in a Champions League last-16 first leg- and Koeman appears ready to try to bring being one of England’s greatest ever play- bringing in Shinji Okazaki for Ahmed Musa. him back to Liverpool-based Everton. “I ers, so why wouldn’t we be interested? “But Okazaki’s flying header forced Mignolet into believe that Wayne Rooney is still playing at let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Wayne is another save before Vardy scuffed a volley at the a high level,” Koeman told . contracted to Manchester United and Liverpool keeper having produced a wonderful “I think he made a good choice to stay made a decision to continue to play for piece of skill to control a high ball. at Manchester United and in the Premier them. “Let’s wait and see what happens in The England striker, playing higher up the pitch League because he has still two or three the future.” Rooney, born in Liverpool, on Shakespeare’s instructions, made no mistake in years in front of him to play on a high level,” joined Everton as a nine-year-old and the 28th minute though, racing on to Marc the former Dutch international added. made his senior debut aged 16 on the Albrighton’s perfectly-weighted pass before “What will happen at the end of the sea- opening day of the 2002/03 season against drilling a powerful shot past Mignolet. son? I don’t know but in my opinion he is Tottenham Hotspur. It was Leicester’s first goal for 638 minutes, and one of the players who can make Everton Six weeks later, Rooney became 11 minutes later they had another. James Milner’s more stronger. “It’s all about what the play- Everton’s youngest scorer with two goals clearance bounced towards Drinkwater 25 metres er likes, what Manchester United needs to against Wrexham in the League Cup. out and the midfielder steadied himself before do, and we are not involved in that project. Rooney catapulted to national attention launching a rocket that flashed into the net. The FLORENCE: Fiorentina’s Nikola Kalinic, left, and Torino’s , right, vie for the ball “But every player that we at Everton when he scored his first Premier League expected Liverpool response never materialised during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Fiorentina and Torino, at the Artemio think can make the team stronger is wel- goal-a last-minute winner against Arsenal- after the break and Leicester went further ahead Franchi stadium in Florence, Italy, Monday. — AP come to Everton.” five days before his 17th birthday.—AFP on the hour when Vardy timed his jump perfectly