Goal Zone

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers: 'Players need to stay together'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that togetherness is vital for the players if they are to successfully turn around their season.

The Reds came within two points of winning the Premier League title last season, but they now languish in 11th place after securing just two victories from their last eight games.

After failing to make the knockout rounds of the Champions League, the Merseyside outfit suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Sunday.

"If you look at our record over the last 10 or 11 games, we haven't scored in a lot of them," Rodgers told the club's official website. "We've got to keep working, stay focused and make sure the group stays together, then take the confidence from our creativity into the game."

Tomorrow night, Liverpool will face Bournemouth away in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup.

Wayne Rooney: 'Manchester United can win Premier League title'

Wayne Rooney has insisted that Manchester United can still win the Premier League title this season.

Louis van Gaal's side thumped Liverpool 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday for their sixth straight win to stay eight points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Rooney has helped the Red Devils to five league titles in his 10-year spell at the club, and the 29-year-old feels that experience can help them bridge the gap at the top.

"I think we have to believe we can win the title," he told talkSPORT. "We are eight points behind and coming into a busy period.

"If we can win our games and the others have one bad result then there is nothing there. We have to keep winning our games and hopefully get back to the top and you never know.

"We have been here before but we have a lot of new players and this is where the experience of myself, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher can rub off on the other players."

United, who won five points from their first five games, travel to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Roberto Martinez: 'Ross Barkley is Everton's Michael Ballack'

Roberto Martinez has claimed that Everton midfielder Ross Barkley can be as influential for the Toffees as Michael Ballack was in his illustrious career.

The 21-year-old starred in Monday's 3-1 win at home to Queens Park Rangers, opening the scoring from 25 yards in an unfamiliar deeper role due to Gareth Barry's absence.

Asked if Barkley is worthy of comparisons with the legendary German, Martinez told the Daily Mail: "Yes, absolutely. How quickly he takes concepts on, his power and technical ability makes him special.

"He has played in the no 10 role, but in a deeper position he makes good decisions on the ball. It's good for him at his age to experiment in different roles.

"The work he has put in to training recently has been very impressive and he deserved that goal for wanting to take responsibility. It was a lesson in how a midfielder can execute a strike with such quality."

Ballack helped Chelsea and Bayern Munich to multiple league titles throughout a trophy-laden career that also saw him earn 98 caps for Germany.

Martinez's side sit 10th in the Premier League table ahead of facing Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday.

Paris Saint-Germain to avenge "painful" Chelsea defeat

Marquinhos has warned Chelsea that Paris Saint-Germain are keen to avenge their "painful" Champions League elimination last season.

The French giants were minutes away from moving into the semi-final of the competition when Demba Ba struck late on to seal the Blues' progression on away goals.

Both clubs were paired in the last-16 stage this time around, and the PSG defender says that revenge is very much on the agenda.

"At this level, there are only great teams," Marquinhos told PSG TV. "We will train and work hard to prepare for the two games.

"Chelsea have already won the Champions League and is at the top of their championship. They will give everything to qualify.

"The elimination suffered last season was painful. We will build on this to avoid repeating the same mistakes."

Jose Mourinho's side travel to Parc de Princes for the first leg on February 17, before welcoming the Ligue 1 giants to Stamford Bridge for the conclusion on March 11.

Alex Song admits he wants to stay at West Ham United

Alex Song has admitted that he wants to stay at West Ham United beyond his loan agreement.

The 27-year-old signed for the Hammers from Barcelona on a temporary deal in the summer, but the London club's owners have indicated that they want to seal a permanent contract for the midfielder.

It appears that Song is also keen to remain at the Premier League club and he has insisted that he has no regrets over making the move.

"I want to stay here," Song told a French newspaper, according to The Mirror. "There were offers on the table from clubs in Italy, France and Turkey. People ask me why I joined West Ham, but I don't regret it."

West Ham are currently fourth in the Premier League table, three points behind third-placed Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney: 'David de Gea is the best keeper in the world'

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has hailed David de Gea as the "best keeper in the world" following his recent displays for the Red Devils.

The Spaniard put in an excellent performance to guide Louis van Gaal's men to victory over Liverpool as he made several crucial saves, and Rooney is adamant that the 24-year-old will only continue to improve at the club.

"He's the best keeper in the world," Rooney is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "He's shown great form and some of his saves are incredible.

"Edwin van der Sar had the best years of his career when he was with us in his late 30s so David has a great future ahead of him. If he keeps working hard the way he is, he will have many years at the top."

United are reportedly ready to offer De Gea a new contract with the club to secure his long-term future amid speculation linking him with a move away from Old Trafford.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry: 'I retire from football with no regrets'

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has insisted that he has "no regrets" after deciding to hang up his boots after a 20-year playing career.

The 37-year-old was linked with a possible coaching role at Arsenal after leaving MLS side New York Red Bulls at the start of the month.

However, the Frenchman has opted to embark on a media career by joining Sky Sports as one of their football experts from 2015.

"It's hard to leave the game you love behind, but I'm at peace with what I've done in the game," Henry told Sky Sports News. "I've got no regrets."

The former France international, who scored 175 goals for Arsenal during an eight-year spell, also played for Monaco, Juventus and Barcelona.

Everton line up Curtis Davies move

Everton are lining up a move for Hull City defender Curtis Davies, according to a report.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Tigers after recently finding himself out of the Steve Bruce's starting eleven, although he was recalled to the team in their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Davies is unhappy that he wasn't handed a new deal with the club in the summer after being voted their player of the season, and that has alerted the Toffees to a potential swoop in January, reports The Mirror.

Sunderland and Leicester City are also interested in the former Birmingham City man.

Carlo Ancelotti aware of Cruz Azul threat

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that his side will not underestimate Cruz Azul in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup.

The Spanish side will enter Tuesday's clash as the overwhelming favourites to advance to the final on Saturday.

However, Ancelotti has claimed that his team will "have to play a good game" if they are to make the final.

"They are a Mexican team with a lot of experience. I know the style of their play. All teams that reach the semi-finals are dangerous," Ancelotti told reporters.

"We have to play a good game. Cruz Azul play good football and they utilise the characteristics of the team."

Real Madrid have won their last 20 games in all competitions.

Gary Neville: 'Manchester United have to tie up David de Gea future'

Gary Neville has insisted that Manchester United need to tie keeper David de Gea to a long-term deal at the club.

The Spaniard has established himself as one of the top keepers in world football due to his impressive displays at the Red Devils, which was highlighted in his match-winning performance against Liverpool on Sunday.

Neville is adamant that Louis van Gaal has to do everything in his power to ensure that the 24-year-old remains at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future.

He told Sky Sports News: "He's winning Manchester United match after match, which is what I would expect from a Manchester United goalkeeper. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said it was a performance he had not seen in 15 years of going to Old Trafford and I would agree with him.

"He has now become a great goalkeeper, a fantastic goalkeeper. Manchester United are ranked third in the league in the most errors leading to shots but in errors leading to goals they're the best in the league because their goalkeeper pulls them out of the mire every single time.

"It's fantastic performances, great goalkeeping and Manchester United have got to get this lad signed up because he's a big, big player for them now."

De Gea joined United in 2011 from Atletico Madrid.

Thierry Henry announces retirement from football after a 20-year career

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has announced his retirement from football after a 20-year career in the game.

The 37-year-old confirmed at the start of the month that he was leaving MLS side New York Red Bulls after scoring 52 goals in 133 games for the team.

Henry spent three years at Barcelona, but he is best known for his eight-year spell at Arsenal, where he played 258 games and scored 175 goals, making him the all-time leading goalscorer for the Gunners.

During his career, the former striker won a plethora of trophies, including the Premier League and FA Cup with Arsenal, the Champions League and La Liga with Barcelona, the French Ligue 1 at Monaco and the MLS Shield with the New York Red Bulls.

On the international stage with France, Henry has lifted the World Cup and the European Championship, and remains the nation's all-time leading goalscorer.

Now, the retired sportsman has switched his attention to media work and will join Sky Sports' punditry team from the start of 2015.

On his Facebook page, Henry wrote: "After 20 years in the game I have decided to retire from professional football. It has been an incredible journey and I would like to thank all the fans, team mates and individuals involved with AS Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls and of course the French National Team that have made my time in the game so special.

"It is now time for a different career path and I am pleased to say that I will be returning to London and joining Sky Sports. I will hopefully share some of the insights, observations and experiences I have learnt over the years with you guys.

"I have had some amazing memories (mostly good!) and a wonderful experience. I hope you have enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed taking part. See you on the other side..."

In terms of individual honours, Henry has won the Premier League Golden Boot four times, the European Golden boot twice and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year at Arsenal three times.

The Frenchman is also a five-time winner of the French Player of the Year and two-time winner of the PFA Players' Player of the Year.

Martin Montoya to join Juventus

Spanish defender Martin Montoya will reportedly leave Barcelona for Juventus when the January transfer window opens.

The right-back has been with Barca since 1999 – emerging through the club's youth system before making his first-team debut in the 2010-11 season.

However, the 23-year-old has struggled for football over the last 12 months and has made just one appearance this season.

According to talkSPORT, Juve have won the race for Montoya after agreeing terms with his current club.

Liverpool and Arsenal are also believed to be interested.

Roma determined to keep Kevin Strootman

Roma general director Mauro Baldissoni has insisted that the club have no plans to sell Kevin Strootman when the transfer window opens in January.

Manchester United have been continually linked with a move for the Netherlands international since Louis van Gaal was installed as manager, but the Red Devils have never made a formal bid Strootman's signature.

Baldissoni told Radio Anch'Io Lo Sport: "Our [club] president [James Pallotta] has already spoken about this and he gets angry with the rumours that link him to Manchester United.

"Our policy is that of investing in players that have quality but have room for improvement. Kevin is a young player with experience, and we want to build our future with players like him."

The 24-year-old missed the World Cup in the summer due to a knee injury, which has limited him to playing just three matches for Roma this season.

Cesc Fabregas: 'Chelsea are using me the right way'

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes that his early success at the club is due to him being utilised in his best position by Jose Mourinho.

The 27-year-old joined the Blues in a summer switch from Barcelona, and has become an instant success at Stamford Bridge as he has notched 11 assists in 15 matches in the Premier League this season.

Fabregas feels that he wasn't played in his best position at the Catalan club, which led to inconsistent displays during his spell at the Camp Nou.

He told Chelsea's official magazine: "Where I am playing right now is the position I like the most because I feel I can dictate the play and I feel in control.

"At Barcelona, I was playing as a false nine, as a No.10, everything except what I felt was my best position, but I was feeling comfortable because we had a great team and great players, so it was going well."

Fabregas is expected to return to action for Chelsea against Derby County after missing their 2-0 win over Hull City last Saturday.

Gilberto Silva reveals Arsenal approach

Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva has revealed that manager Arsene Wenger has asked him to return to the club in a coaching capacity.

The Brazilian midfielder, an ever-present in the Gunners' famous 'Invincible' season a decade ago, claims that Wenger is keen to re-sign him as a coach.

In an interview with Globo Esporte, the 38-year-old - who has not yet retired - said: "I have had an invitation, yes.

"Anything is possible, it makes me happy when you have these invitations, people see you with a different profile, you can contribute.

"It makes me happy and motivated, and it makes me want to learn from others, seek knowledge and develop my own style."

Gilberto left Arsenal in 2008 after six years in North London to join Greek giants Panathanikos, before returning to his homeland with spells at Gremio and Atletico Mineiro. He is currently without a club.

Last month, Wenger said that he would also welcome the club's all-time leading goalscorer Thierry Henry to take a place on his coaching staff.