ARSENAL beat Leeds 4-2 while Manchester United drew 1-1 with West Brom in the Premier League on Sunday.
On the transfer front, in-demand Dayot Upamecano has signed for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
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Read our live blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
POSITIVE STEP
Premier League Covid positives fell to a new season low last week.
Just two out of 2,915 tests across the 20 clubs gave positive results.
It is the lowest number this season and further indicates the success of the Prem’s enhanced Covid measures introduced last month.
Premier League chiefs have confirmed there were no positives from the first round of 1,428 tests between Monday and Thursday.
The two positives came from the second round of 1,487 tests of players and staff across the 20 clubs.
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BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Barcelona host Paris Saint-Germain in a tasty-looking Champions League clash on Tuesday night – with their combined XI worth a staggering £536million.
We take a look at a combined XI of Barcelona and PSG stars, worth over half a billion pounds.
But who makes the cut in terms of pure value? Check out the team below…
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DIO NO-GO
Man Utd’s Diogo Dalot may have scuppered the chance of landing a permanent move to AC Milan.
The defender was fiercely criticised for his disastrous performance in the loss to lowly Spezia over the weekend.
The Italian media did not hold back assessing his display, with Milan Live saying he had a ‘largely negative performance, which was rejected by everyone’.
But that was tame compared to others, with Milan News describing his display as ‘disastrous’ and ‘horrible’ while Sky Italia pundit Stefano De Grandis dubbed him ‘the worst’ player in the game.
He added: “It is not the first time that Dalot has not shown himself up to par.
“Apart from the San Siro match against Europa League opponents Sparta Prague, in which he scored a goal and an assist, his performances have never been really positive.”
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NEW BALLS PLEASE
New Champions League and Premier League balls have been released for the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.
Adidas’ Finale Istanbul 21 – named after the host city of May’s Champions League final – celebrates the 20th anniversary of the iconic ‘starball’ design, synonymous with memorable big European nights over the years.
The new ball subtly features every design from the last 20 Champions League finals, and the year and city of each final is written in a thin red strip on the corresponding panel.
Meanwhile, the latest Nike Flight football features the old-school Total 90 ring famously used in the Premier League between 2004 and 2006.
It also incorporates Nike’s AerowSculpt technology, used in the two previous models this term with 634 goals scored so far.
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BATTLE RED-Y
Jurgen Klopp has denied rumours he has quit Liverpool after insisting: ‘I don’t need a break.’
He said: “I don’t need a break. I am fully of energy, honestly. I see an interesting challenge.
“We will sort it by playing football, we will sort it together by fighting with all we have. That’s the plan.
“Nobody has to worry about me.”
PAUL OVER?
Paul Merson has insisted Liverpool will be title contenders NEXT season.
Writing for Sky Sports, the pundit said: “They will be back, 100 per cent.
“As soon as Van Dijk is back, this is a different team. I have no doubt about that.
“I still think next season, they will be the team to beat. If everyone is back fit, it’s 50-50 for me, heads or tails with City for the title.”
Credit: PA:Press Association
STICKY RICE
West Ham star Declan Rice claimed he was taught a ‘big lesson’ when he came up against Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara.
The England international told BBC Radio Five Live: “When I played against Thiago the other day for Liverpool, obviously he is a holding midfielder, it was a big lesson.
“He ran the game. The ball was like on a string.
“It was like he dictated the tempo of the game and he has been there and done that.”
ED IN THE GAME
Arsenal have been told that transfer target Odsonne Edouard could be available for a cut-price £15million this summer.
The Gunners were interested in a move for the French striker last summer but were put off by the Hoop’s £40m valuation.
Edouard is in the final 18 months of his contract in Scotland with Celtic forced to sell to avoid losing him for nothing.
Former Parkhead star Andy Walker told the Scottish Football Podcast: “It all depends on how much they’re willing to accept, but if they got anything around £15m now I think you’re absolutely doing business.”
Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
RAM RAID
Sergio Ramos definitely WILL leave Real Madrid when his contract ends in June as there’s ‘no way back’ for him at Los Blancos.
Spanish journalist Josep Pedrerol claiming the star is going to exit the Bernabeu amid interest from Manchester united and PSG.
Pedrerol told El Chiringuito: “Sergio Ramos is leaving Real Madrid. I don’t think there’s any possibility of him staying. There’s no way back.
“Real Madrid believe it’s a fact and believe that Ramos deserves to sign for whatever team he wants to earn one last big contract before finishing his career.
“In these circumstances, Real Madrid won’t offer him more money.”
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Fernando Torres has stepped away from his Atletico coaching role for ‘personal reasons’, reports say.
The ex-Liverpool and Chelsea striker has been working with Atletico Madrid’s B team.
And reports in Spain state the 36-year-old has asked for short-term leave.
Diario AS say the former Spain forward’s absence is ‘due to personal reasons’.
Credit: EPA
FLIPPIN’ HECK
Iranian centre-back Nader Mohammadi has left fans stunned after his somersault throw-in from his own half won his side a corner.
The 23-year-old pulled out the acrobatic move during Pakyan’s 1-0 defeat against Persepolis in the Persian Gulf Pro League on Sunday.
Mohammadi incredibly hurled the ball into the box from the halfway line, with the opposition’s goalkeeper Hamed Lak forced to punch the ball behind.
However his efforts were in vain as his side failed to get back in the match, with Pakyan remaining 11th in the table.
MOUR TO PAY
Jose Mourinho would reportedly be entitled to a significant payout if he is sacked by Tottenham with no break clause in his contract.
The Athletic claim the Portuguese signed a deal to stay at Spurs until the summer of 2023, with no exit option for either side.
The report adds that Daniel Levy is not considering replacing Mourinho with the absence of a break clause indicating their long-term plans.
The Special One — who is among the highest-earning managers in football — would command a huge fee should the club change its mind.
FAB RETURN
Liverpool are sweating on Fabinho’s fitness ahead of a tricky Champions League clash against Leipzig.
The Reds travel to neutral territory in Budapest for their last 16 first leg tie on Tuesday night.
And Jurgen Klopp’s men hope Brazilian Fabinho returns in defence after a defensive calamity.
Here’s how SunSport’s Sunni Upal thinks Liverpool will start the match…
THE SACK RACE
Jurgen Klopp is odds-on favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his position, according to Paddy Power.
The German tactician was the LEAST likely boss to be axed at the beginning of the season having guided Liverpool to their first league title since 1990.
But he’s now the MOST likely at 8/15 after capitulating against Leicester on Saturday.
Liverpool are now fourth in the division 13 points behind leaders Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
Credit: Reuters
AL STAR
Manchester City are prepared to offer David Alaba a whopping £370k-a-week deal, according to reports.
Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to hijack Real Madrid’s attempts to sign the Bayern star.
And Spanish outlet AS say City are willing to meet Alaba’s demands in the middle with a £370k-a-week contract offer.
But ESPN claim that the Austria international is holding out for £400k-a-week.
Credit: AP:Associated Press
GET WELL SOON
Portsmouth will be without boss Kenny Jackett for a short period from Thursday while he undergoes a ‘medical procedure’.
His No2 Joe Gallen will take charge of first-team affairs on a caretaker basis, assisted by first-team coach Jake Wigley.
It is not known exactly how long Jackett will be off work for.
The League One promotion chasers announced yesterday he will not be at matches or training procedures while he rests and recuperates.
PORT OF CALL
England could be set for a ‘tug-of-war’ with Portugal for Ezri Konsa.
The 23-year-old defender has shone for in-form Aston Villa to help them up to eighth in the Premier League.
He is well-known to the FA already having been part of the Three Lions’ 2017 Under-20 World Cup-winning squad and he has also been capped at U21 level.
He is also eligible for a number of other nations, including DR Congo and Angola.
But The Athletic claims they have ‘learned he would also be eligible to turn out for Portugal’ and that they ‘are following him closely’ ahead of this summer’s European Championship.
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CAN’T ADAM AND EVE IT
Tony Adams has slammed the club’s loan signing of Martin Odegaard as well as the acquisitions of Willian and Nicolas Pepe.
He told Premier League Productions: “To be honest, there’s an argument that you don’t need Martin Odegaard.
“I got so annoyed that we bought Pepe and Willian in when you’ve got two kids [Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka] bursting into the team.
‘There’s other areas in the team that you could look at, there’s holes in that team, we saw how fragile they are defensively. The defence has always been the weak link.”
LEAGUE OF HIS OWN
Rio Ferdinand reckons Jack Grealish is the BEST player in the Premier League right now.
Rio was asked by fellow BT Sport pundit Robbie Savage which Prem star he’d pay to watch.
And Ferdinand responded: “Grealish. I love watching him.”
Before he added: “Grealish is the best player in the league right now, on form. He’s been the best player this season.”
Credit: AFP
PIERRE PRESSURE
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his 200th league goal on Sunday.
Only six players have scored more since the Arsenal captain’s 2009 debut.
Despite going ice-cold for much of the 2020-21 campaign, Aubameyang is still incredibly the seventh-highest goal-getter since his league debut in 2009.
Since making his first Big Five league start with Lille, Aubameyang has scored 201 top-flight goals.
HELPING HEND
Joey Barton claims Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson ‘is not even in the same stratosphere’ as Steven Gerrard.
Speaking on Robbie Fowler’s podcast, he said: “I’ve played against Jordan loads of times. He’s done incredible, but he wasn’t Stevie Gerrard.
“He’s not even in the same stratosphere as Stevie Gerrard, but will be talked about as a Liverpool great for what he’s done.”
Credit: PA:Press Association
SUN EXCLUSIVE
Riyad Mahrez’s wife asked cops “don’t you like to party?” as they raided a London home for breaching Covid rules.
Video footage shows Covidiot model Rita Johal, 28, surrounded by officers as they served her a fine for partying at the flat in London.
The model was with at least half a dozen people at the property on Friday night in videos she uploaded to her half a million Instagram followers.
They show at least ten Metropolitan Police officers quizzing the revellers as Rita asks them: “Guys is this what life is? Don’t you guys like to party anymore, guys?”
A female officer can be heard telling her: “Not during lockdown.”
KANT GO WRONG
Thomas Tuchel could reshuffle his side for the clash against Newcastle as Chelsea look to climb back into the top four.
Following Liverpool’s defeat to Leicester on Saturday, the Blues know that victory on Monday night will see them leapfrog the Reds into fourth spot.
And should the West London outfit beat the Magpies, they will also trail second-placed Manchester United by just four points.
Here’s how SunSport reporter Jake Lambourne thinks the Blues will start…
FOR KEEPS
Gary Neville says Manchester United MUST sort out their goalkeeper situation amid doubts over David De Gea’s future.
He told the Webby and O’Neill YouTube channel: “There’s a real problem brewing for Ole in the next few months. He has Henderson issues building behind De Gea.
“There comes a point where (De Gea) is making mistakes too regularly. Man United need to win a title, no team can win a title without a great goalkeeper.
“David De Gea was a great goalkeeper, but it’s not just the mistakes he’s making – the saves are less. He’s not the same level he has been.”
‘REAL TALENT’
Arsenal legend Tony Adams has compared Emile Smith Rowe to Robert Pires.
He told Premier League productions: “Smith Rowe has picked Aubameyang out for that goal.
“The kid’s got talent, he’s got feet like Robert Pires. Pires could run faster with the ball than I could without the ball.
“Smith Rowe has got real talent. He plays everything with one touch. He’s intelligent and seems to know where the ball is going before he even receives it.”
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
