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      Liverpool could face Champions League heartbreak even if they beat Tottenham and Newcastle to top four

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      LIVERPOOL could be set for more Champions League heartbreak this season – even if they finish fourth.It has been a torrid campaign for the red half of Merseyside on all fronts.
      Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool only have the top four left to play forCredit: Getty
      The Reds could still miss out on the Champions League even if they finish fourthCredit: Reuters
      They were dumped out of the Champions League with a 6-2 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid last week.
      Jurgen Klopp’s side are also out of the FA Cup, which they won last season, and failed to retain the League Cup.
      And now they face a fight for a top four finish with their dismal season leaving them seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.
      However, they do have two games in hand and will be battling all the way until the last whistle on the final day to get in the top four.
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      But even if Liverpool finish fourth this season, they could yet be denied their spot in the Champions League.
      And they will have Manchester United and Chelsea to blame.
      Uefa rules allow for a maximum of five teams from the same nation to play in the Champions League.
      Chelsea remain in the hunt for a third European crown.
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      Meanwhile, United are hoping to go all the way in the Europa League. 
      Should Liverpool finish fourth, and both rivals finish outside the top four while winning their continental competitions, it would see them drop out of the Champions League and into the Europa League.
      By triumphing in Europe, Man Utd and Chelsea would clinch the first two of five places straight away.
      The Premier League’s top three would then take the remaining spots.
      And despite finishing in the top four, the fourth-place side would be denied entry to the Champions League as they would become “team six”.
      It means Klopp and his boys will be keeping their fingers crossed for Real Madrid to beat Chelsea, with United playing fellow Spaniards Sevilla. More

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      Barcelona could be BANNED from the Champions League even if they win La Liga

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      BARCELONA could face a Champions League ban – but only if they are found guilty of the ref-fixing charges against them.Spanish prosecutors have opened a legal case against the Catalan side, who are accused of paying the country’s referees’ chief Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira more than £6million over a 17-YEAR period.
      Spanish giants Barcelona are sweating on the legal caseCredit: Getty
      Xavi has led Barcelona to a 12-point lead in LaLigaCredit: Reuters
      Barca are said to have made the payments between 2001 and 2018, including the four-year spell they were coached by Pep Guardiola – although there are no suggestions the Manchester City boss was aware of the agreement.
      The club and former Presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, as well as Negreira, have all been hit with official corruption charges.
      Rival clubs, including Real Madrid, have demanded massive sanctions against the Nou Camp outfit.
      And while Spanish FA rules, which have a three-year statute of limitations on “serious” offences, mean that La Liga and the national association cannot impose a punishment, Uefa regulations open the door to a ban from European competition if the charges are proved.
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      Sun Sport understands that Euro chiefs – who may see the situation as a wedge to drive between Barca and Real over their Super League involvement – will not consider any action until the end of the legal proceedings in Spain.
      That is despite Uefa’s legal department asking the Spanish FA for a full report on what the investigation has uncovered.
      Uefa regulations say clubs must “refrain from any conduct that damages or is likely to damage the integrity of matches and competitions”.
      That includes anybody using a “third party” to act “in a manner that is likely to exert an illegal or undue influence on the course and/or outcome of a match or competition”.
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      Any club breaching that rule is liable to a one season ban from playing in European competition.
      Real have already joined a private prosecution, adding to the pressure on Barca, which has also been told it has a budget of MINUS £200m this summer. More

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      PSG ‘flops had to be forced onto plane home by owner following Real Madrid loss… after planning night out in Spain’

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      PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi reportedly had to force some of the club’s stars onto the plane back to Paris after last year’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.The Ligue 1 side went out after Karim Benzema’s hat trick inspired Madrid to a second-leg comeback.
      PSG stars were reportedly forced onto the plane after their defeat to Real Madrid last seasonCredit: Getty
      Nasser Al Khelaifi is said to have had to convince the players to cancel their night outCredit: Alamy
      According to a report from RMC Sport, PSG stars had planned a night out in the Spanish capital for after the game.
      It was a bitter disappointment for PSG as they had won the first leg 1-0, but after the 3-1 result in Madrid, it was the end of their Champions League campaign.
      However, after the defeat, some still wanted to stay, leading Al Khelaifi to intervene himself and get them on the plane back to Paris.
      The Qatari businessman is said to have brought “them to their senses” in order to convince them to board the aircraft.
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      The story was included in a report discussing the player power at the French giants.
      Manager Christophe Galtier is said to face the challenge of keeping the club’s high-profile players, such as Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi happy.
      The report suggests that the former Lille coach is more lenient with the players, according to club sources.
      This is different to his time at Lille as he is believed to have “locked horns” with players when needed.
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      Whereas sporting advisor Luís Campos had a heated exchange with the team during the defeat to Monaco last month.
      After this season’s Champions League and French Cup exit to Bayern Munich and Marseille, PSG are only competing for the Ligue 1 title.
      The club is currently seven points ahead of second-placed Marseille with ten games left to play. More

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      ‘Helpless and desperate’ – Lionel Messi slammed by Bayern Munich legend with PSG star subject of ultras’ protest

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      LIONEL MESSI has been labelled as “helpless and desperate” by Bayern Munich legend Philipp Lahm. Lahm was critical of the Argentina superstar following Paris Saint-Germain’s exit from the Champions League against Bayern Munich.
      Philipp Lahm blasted Lionel Messi as ‘desperate’Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      Messi was booed by PSG ultras during the 2-0 defeat against RennesCredit: Getty
      Speaking to Sport Bild, he said: “Messi also showed his extra class in moments in Munich.
      “But his skill is used without purpose, aim or direction.
      “Individuals at PSG just don’t know how to score a goal together and what to contribute to it. Messi was helpless and desperate.”
      Lahm was also critical of the performance of Kylian Mbappe.
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      He added: “In Munich, he just waited for the ball to fall at his feet. I have no imagination of how Mbappe’s career should flourish in Paris.”
      Messi and Co were knocked out against the German champions in the Last 16 following a 3-0 aggregate defeat.
      The second leg in particular saw the French champions struggle, with PSG fans making their thoughts well known.
      Last Sunday the club’s ultras whistled and booed Messi throughout the Ligue 1 clash against Rennes, which they lost 2-0.
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      Cameras picked up a fed-up Messi walking down the tunnel, leaving many fans convinced he will not be staying at the club at the end of the season.
      A number of clubs are said to be interested in his services, including Inter Miami and a host of clubs from Saudi Arabia.
      In the meantime, Messi has reported for international duty for Argentina after his World Cup heroics in Qatar.
      He was swarmed by adoring fans as he left a restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina. More

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      Real Madrid stars reckon Carlo Ancelotti WILL become Brazil boss as cheeky Man City ace Ederson aims to speed up process

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      REAL MADRID stars believe that Carlo Ancelotti will leave to become Brazil boss, claims Selecao goalkeeper Ederson.The Italian has been linked with the post left vacant by Tite’s exit following their World Cup quarter-final exit to Croatia.
      Carlo Ancelotti could depart Real Madrid at the end of the seasonCredit: Rex
      Ederson will line up against Real Madrid in the Champions LeagueCredit: Alamy
      For now he remains with Real Madrid, where his side are fighting to retain their Champions League crown.
      Having spoken to his Brazilian compatriots that play for Madrid, Manchester City keeper Ederson reckons that Ancelotti will be his new national team boss.
      And the cheeky stopper even raised the stakes ahead of their Champions League quarter-final clash with Madrid.
      After reporting for international duty, the 29-year-old said: “I spoke to Casemiro, Vinicius and Militao… there’s a big possibility that Carlo Ancelotti is gonna become the new coach of Brazil.”
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      He then cheekily added with a grin: “We will try to eliminate Real Madrid so that Ancelotti can come to Brazil as quick as possible!”
      Asked to describe Ancelotti, Ederson said: “An exceptional coach, everyone in his group likes him, a victorious career.”
      He then added: “Just look at his CV. We will know shortly whether he will be here or not.
      “I hope we can have a new coach quickly. I feel the anticipation too because there’s too much speculation.
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      “Is it a Brazilian or a foreign coach?
      “We are also living that phase of anxiety.”
      Brazil will take on World Cup semi-finalists Morocco this weekend, managed by Under-20s coach Ramon Menezes. More

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      Fans all aim same dig at Loris Karius as stunning Wag Diletta Leotta poses with Champions League trophies at Real Madrid

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      FANS have trolled Loris Karius’ girlfriend Diletta Leotta after she posed with Real Madrid’s Champions League trophies.The blonde stunner paid a visit to the Bernabeu to take a look at their latest renovation work.
      Diletta Leotta posed next to the Champions League trophy on her visit to the BernabeuCredit: Instagram @dilettaleotta
      Fans trolled her about boyfriend Loris KariusCredit: Instagram @dilettaleotta
      Diletta checked out the latest Bernabeu renovationsCredit: Instagram @dilettaleotta
      Fans joked that Karius was responsible for one of Real Madrid’s Champions League trophiesCredit: AP
      She was given a tour of the famous old ground and took time to pose next to their gigantic trophy cabinet.
      TV host Diletta shared some photos of her visit on Instagram.
      The Italian captioned the post: “Behind every great success, there is great teamwork!
      “If you need to renovate a stadium, you know who to call😂💪🏼”
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      But fans were quick to point out the Madrid had Delitta’s boyfriend Karius to thank for one piece of silverware on show.
      Real’s 2018 Champions League triumph vs Liverpool is remembered for Gareth Bale’s stunning overhead kick – but even that was overshadowed by keeper Karius’ two horror errors.
      First the German threw the ball into his own net, via Karim Benzema’s leg. Then he let Bale’s long-range effort slip through his hands and in.
      One fan reminded Diletta: “They got one of those cups thanks to your boyfriend.”
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      Another added: “They won it in Kiev thanks to your Karius😂.”
      A third said: “Out of all the Champions League trophies she had to choose to take the picture right in front of that one…”
      Karius and Diletta have dated since the end of last year and she was very supportive of the goalkeeper after he made his first appearance for two years in the Carabao Cup final last month. More

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      Newcastle set for summer overhaul with SIX transfers targeted and shock first-team star could be sold

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      NEWCASTLE are reportedly quietly preparing to sign players for a European campaign next season.The Magpies are currently 5th in the Premier League, five points clear of Liverpool.
      Both Conor Gallagher (L) and James Maddison (R) could be boughtCredit: Rex
      Kieran Tierney is also believed to be a target for NewcastleCredit: Getty
      While qualification for the Champions League is not out of the question, this spot would be good enough for them to qualify for the Europa League next season.
      However, if their form were to drop, they could still qualify for the Europa Conference League should they finish 7th.
      A European campaign would be the club’s first for a decade, as they played in the Europa League in the 2012/13 season.
      And to prepare for this, The Telegraph have reported that the club are looking to sign six players to improve the squad.
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      One position is at left-back with Dan Burn being an effective player to cover the role, but the report suggests that it is an area to improve on.
      The club has been heavily linked with a move for Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney, who would fit the description.
      The second spot that would be upgraded is at centre-back, as the club would like to find a world-class partner for summer signing Sven Botman.
      Newcastle would also be keen on signing two central midfielders, with the report picking Conor Gallagher and James Maddison as targets.
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      The club tried to buy Maddison last summer, but a move fell through as Leicester City did not want to lose their star player.
      While Gallagher could be keen on a move up north with the promise of more game time then he is currently getting at Chelsea.
      The other two spots that would be strengthened would be in the attack with a striker to replace injury-prone Callum Wilson.
      Alexander Isak has impressed in recent weeks, but some quality competition can only benefit the club’s firepower options.
      The final spot that could be invested in is at the winger position.
      Allan Saint-Maximin has been a star for the club since his arrival from Nice but injuries have seen his influence start to drop.
      The report suggests that the winger could be sold should “he agitate for a move” and therefore the club would need a replacement.
      Allan Saint-Maximin could be sold in the summerCredit: Getty More

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      How Newcastle could be denied Champions League spot by Man Utd even if they finish fourth

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      BRAVE Newcastle are looking to cement their spot in next season’s Champions League.Eddie Howe’s Toon Army have enjoyed a stunning campaign following last year’s Saudi takeover.
      Newcastle could finish fourth and still miss out on the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      And fans are dreaming of competing with giants like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Europe’s top competition.
      But even if Newcastle finish fourth this season, they could yet be denied their spot in the Champions League.
      And they will have Manchester United and Chelsea to blame.
      Uefa rules allow for a maximum of five teams from the same nation to play in the Champions League.
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      Chelsea remain in the hunt for a third European crown.
      Meanwhile, United are hoping to go all the way in the Europa League having already pipped Newcastle to the Carabao Cup.
      Should Toon finish fourth, and both rivals finish outside the top four while winning their continental competitions, it would see Newcastle drop out of the Champions League and into the Europa League.
      By triumping in Europe, Man Utd and Chelsea would clinch the first two of five places straight away.
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      The Premier League’s top three would then take the remaining spots.
      And despite finishing in the top four, the fourth-place side would be denied entry to the Champions League as they would become ‘team six’.
      It means Newcastle will be keeping their fingers crossed for Real Madrid to beat Chelsea, with United playing fellow Spaniards Sevilla.
      Toon were closely involved the last time a similar occurrence happened in England’s top flight.
      Newcastle narrowly missed out on fourth place to Tottenham in the 2011/12 season.
      Spurs were delighted to gain entry into the big time.
      But Chelsea, who finished sixth that term, spoiled the party with their famous penalty shootout win against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

      Back then, Uefa rules only allowed for a max of four teams from the same country to play in Europe.
      And it meant Chelsea went through to next season’s competition at the expense of rivals Tottenham. More