Philippa Kaur

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    Champions League draw puts Arsenal and Liverpool on collision course with horror ties – as Gunners avoid frosty reunion

    ARSENAL, Liverpool and Aston Villa are on a Champions League collision course after all the Prem trio were handed tricky draws.Liverpool landed the most difficult of the lot in Friday’s ceremony, facing French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16.The draw for the Champions League knockout stage has been completedCredit: ReutersArsenal face PSV in the last-16Credit: AFPChampions League draw LIVEThat’s despite Arne Slot’s Reds finishing top of the League stage and, in theory, earning an easier tie.Meanwhile, Arsenal, who finished third in the League, have been drawn against PSV Eindhoven.And Aston Villa, who also made the top eight, take Club Brugge for a place in the quarters, having already lost to the Belgians earlier in the competition.Read More in FootballBut, while those ties might sound relatively friendly, it what comes next that may give Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery sleepless nights.All three Premier League clubs were placed on the same side of the draw, meaning a high possibility of at least one all-English encounter.While it also ruled out the possibility of an all-English final.Should Liverpool defeat PSG – who smashed French rivals Brest 10-0 on aggregate in the playoff round – across two legs, they could meet Aston Villa in the quarters.Most read in Champions LeagueThe winners of that could then face Arsenal in the semis.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSLiverpool will take on PSGCredit: APBut it will NOT be simple for the Gunners to get the far, with defender champions Real Madrid – who just dumped out Manchester City – or bitter local rivals Atletico Madrid awaiting in the last-8.A potential Liverpool vs Arsenal semi-final match-up would mean an incredible THREE games in just 11 DAYS between the two sides.Wayne Rooney rips into Man City after just three seconds of Amazon Prime jobThe pair are already scheduled to meet in the Premier League on May 10 in what could be a blockbuster title decider – just three days after the conclusion of the semi-finals.Arsenal’s draw did see them avoid a potentially awkward reunion with ex-striker Robin van Persie.Van Persie agreed to become the new manager of Dutch side Feyenoord, who were the Gunners’ other potential last-16 opponent.The 41-year-old left Arsenal in 2012 to join rivals Manchester United – a decision which saw him dramatically fall out of favour with fans.Instead, Feyenoord will face Inter Milan for a spot in the quarter-finals.Benfica are set to take on Barcelona, with Borussia Dortmund in line to face Lille.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut the biggest match on that side of the bracket sees Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen go head-to-head.Last-16 ties with commence next month with the first legs played on March 4 and 5, with the return games the following week.A Madrid derby is set for the round-of-16Credit: Alamy More

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    Man City vs Liverpool: Get your Super Sunday bet matched up to £50 with talkSPORT BET

    IT’S been a title-deciding fixture in recent years and there’s plenty on the line again this afternoon when Liverpool travel to Manchester City.Ahead of the latest renewal between two of England’s best, talkSPORT BET are giving Dream Team players the chance to have their first bet on the game matched up to £50!How to claim…talkSPORT BET offerCreate your talkSPORT BET account HERE*Opt in to this promotion via the Offers tab or Sign Up pageMake your first deposit of £10 or morePlace your first bet of minimum £10 (maximum £50), on Man City vs Liverpool at odds of Evens or greaterYou must do this before the game startsOn settlement of your qualifying bet – whatever the result – talkSPORT BET will match the stake on your first bet on Man City vs Liverpool in free betsGet your bet matched up to £50 with talkSPORT BET – Claim Here*Arne Slot’s men dropped more points on the road in midweek and their lead at the top is slowly diminishing.Their run of fixtures looked difficult and with a run of just three wins from their last seven games heading into Sunday’s contest, they could do with a big result to get themselves back on track.It’s just one win away from Anfield in their last five, too and they head to a wounded City side, still hurting from their Champions League dumping on Wednesday.The thumping at Real Madrid broke a number of unwanted records for the club and Pep Guardiola.Losing 6-2 on aggregate meant City didn’t reach the last 16 for the first time in 12 years, while the opening Kylian Mbappe goal was the earliest they’d conceded since 2018.For Pep, it’s the first time when managing in the Champions League he hasn’t reached the knockout stages and defeat on the night made it 13 for the season in all competitions – the most he’s ever suffered in a season when managing.He says the aim now is to ensure they are back in Europe’s elite competition next season and they’re place in the top four (or five) is under serious threat.A win over the league leaders would certainly help. History is in their favour too with Liverpool not winning a league game at the Etihad since 2015.Looking to have a punt on the big game? Well talkSPORT BET have a sensational offer for new customers.If you’re new to talkSPORT BET, sign up HERE* and stake a bet up to £50 on Sunday’s huge game at the Etihad and talkSPORT BET will match that first bet with a free bet!Here’s what you’ll get:On settlement of your qualifying you’ll receive your initial stake credited in free bets up to a max of £50 – with a min stake of £10.For example, if your first stake was £10, you’ll receive £10 in football free betsHowever, if your first stake was £50 you will receive £50 in football free betsRemember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware – www.gambleaware.orgFor help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.*18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet min £10 (max £50) on any Man City v Liverpool markets (odds 2.00+) by 16:30 on 23/02/25. Get your initial stake credited in Free Bets, up to £50. Free Bets are for football and expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly More

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    ‘When we go down…oh God’ – Red-faced Plymouth owner accidentally admits club are getting relegated with 15 games left

    PLYMOUTH ARGYLE owner Simon Hallett made a “Freudian slip” during last night’s fans’ forum by inadvertently admitting that his club are getting relegated.Chairman Hallett took questions from supporters alongside Argyle CEO Andrew Parkinson.Plymouth Argyle owner Simon Hallett spoke at a fans’ forum last nightCredit: YouTube/Plymouth ArgyleArgyle drew 1-1 at Luton on Wednesday nightCredit: ReutersDuring the event, Hallett and Parkinson were asked about the club spending money on infrastructure, “rather than the playing squad”.Parkinson revealed that increased revenue generated via improved infrastructure is used to fund the playing squad – pointing to the fact that the club’s wage expenditure has gone up from around £2.5million annually 4-5 years ago to being “just under £15million” now.After building on his colleague’s point, Hallett then made an unfortunate slip of the tongue.”It’s generating revenues that can go into the football squad for many, many years,” the Argyle owner said.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”This is why when we go down to League One… if we go down to League One – oh God.”Host Charlie Price interjected calling Hallett’s gaffe a “Freudian slip”, before the chairman added: “Oh God… get it right. If we go down to League One, we will be one of the strongest clubs in League One, financially.”The last time we got promoted from League One we were in the middle of the pack.”Suggesting inevitable relegation again, Hallett added: “When we go back we’ll be at the top.”Most read in ChampionshipJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe Pilgrims sacked Wayne Rooney on New Year’s EveCredit: GettyArgyle have had four permanent managers in the last 15 months.League One title-winner Steven Schumacher left for Stoke City in December 2023, with the Pilgrims opting for former England youth coach Ian Foster as his successor.Wayne Rooney Eyes Pundit Spot on BBC’s Match of the DayFoster was sacked after just three months at the helm, with Wayne Rooney eventually appointed as his successor.After a promising start Rooney’s tenure soured, with the Manchester United legend sacked on New Year’s Eve as Argyle sat bottom of the Championship.Argyle subsequently pivoted to new boss Miron Muslic, who guided them to a famous FA Cup victory over Liverpool earlier this month.The Pilgrims opted for a style change in Muslic, who favours a direct style of football, rather than reappointing title-winner Schumacher.’WE WERE SO BAD’On the decision, Hallett said: “Clearly Steven was in consideration during the process that Andrew described.”At the end of the day we decided, among the people on the shortlist, which is not to say that Steven was on the shortlist at all, we ended up going with Miron because we felt we had to do something different.”Coming with any manager, not just Steven, with a similar style to what we had… we were so bad both in attack and defence, that trying to do the same thing but a bit better would be inadequate to increase the probability of survival.”So one of the attractions of Miron was that he was very different. I mean all the other attractions are obvious.”The guy is a fantastic communicator, he’s a wonderful human being, he has that emotional intelligence to be able to deal very well with the players, they all love his clarity of thinking, his ability to communicate, all of that stuff is fantastic.”But in some ways, the core issue is that we were trying something different.”READ MORE SUN STORIESArgyle drew 1-1 with bottom side Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Wednesday night.They are 23rd in the Championship table with 15 games remaining.Argyle opted against bringing back Steven SchumacherCredit: RexMiron Muslic was appointed Argyle manager last monthCredit: PA More

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    Lionel Messi grants referee’s unusual request after Inter Miami win but waited until they’d left the pitch

    LIONEL MESSI had a very unusual interaction with a referee this week.Messi, 37, has done and seen it all throughout his glittering 21-year career.Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi was asked for his shirt by the REFEREECredit: GettyMessi played in the sub-zero temperatures of Kansas against Sporting KCCredit: RexMessi handed over his prized No10 shirt to the referee backstageCredit: APReferee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nara approached Messi after the full-time whistleCredit: ReutersThe star forward has won eight Ballon d’Or awards, four Champions League trophies, 10 LaLiga titles, two Copa America honours and the World Cup.And the Argentina international has played all around the world against the best football has to offer.But perhaps nothing could prepare the Inter Miami superstar for what he encountered on Thursday in the sub-zero temperatures of Kansas.Messi and co visited Sporting KC at the freezing Children’s Mercy Park in the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup.Read More on FootballThe visitors braved the awful cold, with temperatures going as low as -22C.The Barcelona legend led Javier Mascherano’s side to a 1-0 win thanks to his winner on 56 minutes, which marked his first official goal of the calendar year.Messi’s performance finally put to bed the cliche theory of whether he could produce the same magic on a “cold Tuesday night in Stoke” as he shone bright against Sporting.According to ESPN, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star then received a very unusual request from the referee.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMexican official Marco Antonio Ortiz Nara approached Messi after the full-time whistle.And Nara asked the Argentine great for his SHIRT as a memento – a tradition usually reserved for players.Watch incredible moment Lionel Messi’s son recreates Barcelona and Argentina icon’s goal against Getafe for inter Miami The MLS superstar agreed but passed on his prized No10 jersey backstage in the dressing room later on.That wasn’t because of the freezing temperatures, but rather that the Inter Miami star wanted to avoid any potential controversy on the field. More

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    Champions League Last 16 draw EXACT start time – how to watch big draw today

    THE Champions League is set to enter the round of 16, with Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool set to learn their opponents. Manchester City won’t be joining the party in the round of 16, as they were beaten by a Kylian Mbappe inspired Real Madrid 6-3 on aggregate.Kylian Mbappe knocked Manchester City out the Champions LeagueCredit: John Walton/PA Wire.Mo Salah and Liverpool finished top of the Champions League group stageCredit: gettyMadrid will face Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.As is the way with the new format, everyone knows who they could be facing.Aston Villa will either travel to Dortmund or Club Brugge, Liverpool will either take on Benfica or PSG, and Arsenal will go to the Netherlands to take on PSV or Feyenoord. Read more FootballAfter narrowly beating Celtic, Bayern Munich will face whoever doesn’t get drawn to Real Madrid, meaning there is potential for an all-Madrid and all-German round of 16 tie. When does the Champions League round of 16 draw startCoverage of the draw is set to begin at 11am GMT.Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille and Aston Villa all qualified automatically as the top eight teams.How to watch Champions League round of 16 draw, and is there a live stream?The Champions League round of 16 draw will be live stream on UEFA.com and Uefa’s YouTube channel.As well as this, it will be shown on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+.Streaming starts at 11am GMT.SunSport will also blog the draw as it happens.Who can face who in the Champions League round of 16?As with the new format, each side has an idea of who they will be playing:Most read in Champions LeaguePSG
    (1) Liverpool(2) BarcelonaClub Brugge
    (7) Lille(8) Aston VillaReal Madrid
    (5) Atletico Madrid(6) Bayer LeverkusenPSV
    (3) Arsenal(4) Inter MilanFeyernoord
    (3) Arsenal(4) Inter MilanBayern Munich
    (5) Atletico Madrid(6) Bayer LeverkusenDortmund
    (7) Lille(8) Aston VillaBenfica
    (1) Liverpool(2) Barcelona More

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    Erling Haaland seen in second brand new motor of the week as he buys £350k Aston Martin special edition F1 SAFETY CAR

    ERLING HAALAND drove home from Manchester City’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in his brand new lime green Formula 1 SAFETY CAR.Pep Guardiola’s side were beaten 3-1 by Real Madrid in Wednesday night’s second leg.Erling Haaland drove his lime green Aston Martin away from Manchester AirportCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeHaaland, 24, penned a new contract last monthCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeAfter arriving back at Manchester Airport, Haaland walked to his incredible new car.The £350,000 Aston Martin DBX 707 is a special edition Formula 1 safety car.Usually appearing on track in British Racing Green, Haaland’s is more of a lime colour.Having sealed a lucrative new contract last month, the Norwegian has clearly been busy upgrading his garage.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHaaland’s new 10-year deal is worth a staggering £260million, £500,000 a week backdated to the start of this season.The 24-year-old was spotted in an Porsche 911 GT3 earlier this week – in another outlandish colour.He left City’s training ground in the plush car, which is worth more than £200,000.Fans were left in awe by the sports car as they took to social media, with some poking some fun at Haaland’s choice.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHaaland’s car is a special edition of Aston Martin’s F1 safety carCredit: AlamyHaaland was spotted in an orange motor earlier this weekCredit: TIKTOKOne fan wondered: “Why orange?”Another commented: “GOAT Haaland.”Erling Haaland falls down in training as Man City prepare for Real Madrid clash A third wrote: “That new salary is hitting.”Haaland travelled to Madrid earlier in the week but did not play in City’s defeat.He was left on the bench for the duration of the match alongside the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish.On Sunday, City host Liverpool in the Premier League.Haaland was an unused substitute against Real MadridCredit: Getty More

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    ‘Not at his wisest’ – Jordan Henderson booked despite not even being on pitch after Ajax star’s bench antics

    JORDAN HENDERSON was booked during a heated spat, even though he wasn’t even on the pitch during Ajax’s Europa League clash.The Dutch giants just managed to book their place in the Last 16 on Thursday despite a 2-1 loss to Union Saint-Gilloise at the Johan Cruyff Arena.Ajax star Jordan Henderson was booked while on the benchHenderson came off the bench against Union Saint-GilloiseCredit: GettyHenderson, 34, started as a substitute but played a major role during a scuffle in the second half.It all started when USG ace Promise Akinpelu fouled Ajax’s Jorthy Mokio.Akinpelu’s team-mate Sofiane Boufal was left surprised at the decision and picked up the ball, only for opponent Anton Gaaei to try and snatch it from his hands.Ajax ace Gaaei then pushed his head into Boufal’s chest and the two briefly grappled.Read More on FootballThe row moved in front of the benches and players from both sides rushed over.Henderson moved towards Boufal but was forcefully shoved back by a USG member.The Liverpool legend was then seen gesturing with his hand as if to say his opponents talked too much.All that led to the former England international getting a yellow card from a Premier League referee.Most read in Europa LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSChris Kavanagh also booked Gaaei, Boufal and USG ace Christian Burgess for their respective roles in the fracas.The TNT Sports commentator wasn’t impressed with the midfielder’s antics as he said: “Not at his wisest.”Furious Jordan Henderson goes off at journalist after being grilled over ‘wanting Monaco transfer’That led to a mixed reaction from fans who took to social media after the incident.One fan tweeted: “Henderson’s bench passion explodes!”Another commented: “Henderson’s influence is so strong, even the bench can’t keep him out of the action!”A third wrote: “That wasn’t necessary to get booked.”This fan wondered: “Why?”And that one said: “Bro didn’t even do nothing.”READ MORE SUN STORIESHenderson came on during stoppage time and helped Ajax earn a penalty that Kenneth Taylor converted at extra time to send the Dutch giants through with a score of 3-2 on aggregate.The hosts were playing with 10 men since the 25th minute as Davy Klaassen was sent off. More

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    Lewis Hamilton handed luxury watch worth £375k at Ferrari – more than 30 times value of what ex-Mercedes team-mate gets

    LEWIS HAMILTON has been handed a new luxury watch at Ferrari worth a whopping £375,000 – 30 times more than the timepiece of former Mercedes team-mate George Russell.Hamilton stepped out with Formula One pals at the O2 Arena for the launch of their 2025 liveries.Lewis Hamilton stepped out with a new luxury watch at a Formula One eventCredit: GettyThe amazing timepiece is worth £375,000Credit: GettyThe seven-time world champion dazzled fans as he wore the famous red of Ferrari for the first time.But there was an even bigger sight to behold on Hamilton’s wrist.While talking on the microphone, a large glittering watch was clearly visible.And it turned out to be an amazing timepiece from watchmaker Richard Mille.READ MORE IN SPORTExperts identified it was none other than an RM 74-02 Automatic Winding Tourbillon.It’s worth a mind-boggling £375,000.And the watch was way more expensive than the one adorned by ex-Mercedes mate Russell.The fellow Brit showed off a Big Pilots Top Gun Edition Mojave Desert as he soaked up the atmosphere in London.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSHis watch is worth a tasty £10,000.But that’s still a long way off Hamilton’s exotic number.Lewis Hamilton models new Ferrari gear but fans notice ‘hideous’ issue Former Mercedes teammate George Russell also showed off a watchCredit: SplashIt was worth a lot less than Hamilton’s at £10,000Credit: SplashSpeaking at the event, the F1 legend admitted he could not wait to drive his first race for Ferrari.And Hamilton revealed his new car is totally different to the ones he’s been driving for Merc.Hamilton said: “It’s nothing like the car that I had before, or the last 10, 12, 17 years.“It’s unique in its own. And to feel the vibration of the Ferrari engine for the first time, wow!“That’s what I think ultimately put the biggest smile on my face.” More