Soccer

STEVE COOPER has made his return to football four months after being sacked by Leicester.Cooper, 45, was given the boot in November after the Foxes won just TWO of the first twelve matches of the Premier League season.Steve Cooper has been out of work since being sacked by Leicester at the end of NovemberCredit: PALautaro Martinez celebrates scoring Inter’s opener against FeyenoordCredit: APThe former Nottingham Forest and Swansea boss is now back in the game in a new role with Uefa.According to journalist Henry Winter, Cooper covered his first official game as a technical observer last night, watching over Feyenoord against Inter in the Champions League.Technical observers analyse each match from a coaching perspective, and are tasked with selecting the Player of the Match for each fixture.Lautaro Martinez became Inter’s all-time top scorer in the European Cup/Champions League with his 18th goal for the Italian giants as they beat their Dutch opponents.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLMarcus Thuram poked home a looping ball shortly after half-time to give his side a commanding 2-0 lead going into the second leg.Cooper selected the Argentine as Player of the Match as he proved a nightmare for Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther.Cooper joins a talented pool of technical observers for the 2024/45 Champions League campaign, including a host of ex-Premier League bosses.Gareth Southgate, Rafa Benitez, David Moyes and Avram Grant have all taken on the role throughout the current campaign.Most read in SportGareth Southgate carried out the same role for Uefa earlier this seasonCredit: AlamyPrior to returning to management with Besiktas just last month, former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also had a go at it.Speaking to Uefa earlier in the season, Solskjaer detailed a day in the life of a technical observer.Fans convinced Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has an assistant to scratch his ear and can’t stop watching videoHe said: “My role entails travelling to matches and analysing the technical quality and tactical approach closely, as well as picking a Player of the Match.”It’s a really great way of watching the top teams closely and keeping up with trends.”I also get to meet new and old football acquaintances in a more relaxed setting.”Moyes, meanwhile, added that he had learnt a lot from carrying out the role.The new Everton boss revealed he had “brought information and ideas back from both the EURO and the Nations League”, learning new tricks which “can be exploited all the way down to junior teams”. More

JAMIE CARRAGHER and Micah Richards incredibly stormed off set during Alisson’s live TV interview.The Liverpool goalkeeper spoke to the media following his stunning performance away at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.Micah Richards and Jamie Carragher walked out of the CBS studioCredit: X @CBSSportsGolazoAlisson spoke to the CBS team after his heroics against PSGCredit: X @CBSSportsGolazoRichards was desperate to win over the Liverpool goalkeeperCredit: X @CBSSportsGolazoThe Brazilian, 32, made nine saves to keep a clean sheet in the French capital.Harvey Elliott secured a very late smash-and-grab winner just 46 seconds after coming on to take a 1-0 lead back to Anfield.But it was Alisson who was rightfully named man of the match – and tasked with being interviewed by the broadcasters.And Carragher and Richards were up to their usual antics on CBS Sports. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLPeter Schmeichel conducted the interview with Alisson from the Parc des Princes while Carragher, Richards and Thierry Henry joined host Kate Abdo in the studio.Richards went on the charm offensive – but it soon backfired.The ex-Manchester City right-back said: “Have you seen our show, Alisson? Have you seen our show?”Have you seen the clips online?”Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA laughing Alisson confirmed: “Yes, I did, I did.”Then the very excitable Richards responded: “Oh OK you did, perfect.Jamie Carragher exposes iShowSpeed’s ‘real name’ on live TV during Champions League coverage “So who is your favourite on the show?” Richards then even added a few words in Alisson’s native Portuguese.But the flamboyant pundit was left disappointed by the response.The keeper replied: “Well, well, nice Portuguese, by the way.”I think I will have to say as I think he played the biggest part out of the players here, Thierry. Legend.”Ex-Liverpool defender Carragher shouted back: “Alisson!”But Alisson continued: “When I was growing up, I watched a lot of Arsenal in the early 2000s when he was playing.”So it was the only team that was showing on the open TV in Brazil.”But as Alisson gave his explanation, Carra and Richards had seen enough – and silently got out of their chairs and walked off in a hilarious protest. Giggling and smug Henry chipped in with “obrigado” – meaning “thank you” in Portuguese – as he was left in the studio alongside Abdo. Schmeichel could not help but break into laughter, too, as the chaos unfolded. And the brilliant moment went down a storm with fans on social media.One said: “All football fans will say Henry, people that watch it just for the entertainment will say Micah.”Thierry Henry could not resist a giggle at the answerCredit: X @CBSSportsGolazoAlisson made nine saves in the 1-0 win over PSGCredit: APHe was named man of the match for his performanceCredit: GettyAnother wrote: “Why does Titi gets all the love?”A third added: “Liverpool players don’t even rate their legend imagine lol.”A fourth joked: “All I know is that @Carra23 will never be anyone’s favourite.”And a final user quipped: “Even Alisson is an Arsenal fan.”Thankfully for CBS fans, the jokers did return to their seats on what was another chaotic night for Abdo to oversee.Carragher exposed iShowSpeed’s real name during the coverage – but only after the American YouTuber was denied entry by the show’s security.READ MORE SUN STORIESEarlier on, Richards was on the end of yet another brutal introduction from Abdo. After hailing Henry’s speed and Carragher’s grit, she bigged up Richard’s power… to demolish his dinner before going on air. Kate Abdo handed Richards another brutal introductionCredit: x CBS SPORTSCarragher exposed iShowSpeed’s real nameCredit: TWITCH@ISHOWSPEED More

LIVERPOOL earned an incredible smash and grab win over Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes last night.Arne Slot’s men had their backs against the wall for much of the frantic match in the French capital.Harvey Elliott and Alisson were Liverpool’s heroes in ParisCredit: AFPPSG somehow didn’t convert their dominance into goalsCredit: GettyThe Reds managed just two shots in the entire game, compared with PSG’s 27.But crucially, one of them was Harvey Elliott’s 87th minute winner.The incredible shot map from last night’s match shows how the home side peppered Alisson’s goal – with 11 of their 27 shots coming from inside the box.Fortunately for the Reds their Brazilian stopper was in fantastic form, making NINE brilliant saves to keep PSG out – the most he has ever made in a match for Liverpool.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe French champions came flying out the blocks and will consider themselves particularly unlucky not to have gone ahead in the first half.Not included among their 27 registered shots was the effort that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia curled beyond Alisson on 20 minutes.The Georgian finished brilliantly, but the Reds were saved by the narrowest of offside calls.Liverpool also could have found themselves in a spot of bother later in the first 45, when Ibrahima Konate brought Bradley Barcola down as the last defender.Most read in Champions LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSPSG peppered Liverpool’s goal with 27 shotsCredit: X / @oilysailorAmazingly, the incident was not deemed to be a foul and Konate, who has been linked with both PSG and Real Madrid in recent weeks, breathed a sigh of relief.As it happened, Liverpool’s subs managed to combine for their improbable winner.Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards walk off CBS Sports set after Liverpool hero Alisson’s post-match interviewIn the 87th minute, Alisson hoofed the ball up towards Darwin Nunez.The Uruguayan, introduced for Diogo Jota on 67 minutes, subsequently bullied Marquinhos in the air.Nunez then stayed calm to find Elliott, who had been introduced barely 40 seconds earlier, in the space usually occupied by Mo Salah.The 21-year-old then did his best impression of the Egyptian King to calmly slot the ball into the bottom corner, leaving PSG incredulous.’IT’S A BIT WEIRD’After the game, boss Luis Enrique could barely hide his frustration.The exasperated Spaniard told French broadcaster Canal+: “That’s very unfair.”It’s the most complete game we played in the Champions League. They shot once, they scored.”Their best player was the goalie. It’s a bit weird. I’m very proud of my team. We were far better than Liverpool.”PSG midfielder Vitinha vowed that his side will overturn their one-goal deficit when they head to Anfield next week.The 25-year-old said: “We will show the team we are, we will show our character.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We’ll win there. With the match we played, the victory was more than deserved. Like at the start of the season, we had lots of opportunities, but we failed to score.”The two sides will reconvene on Merseyside next Tuesday. More