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    Man Utd and Liverpool slapped with £8k fines by Uefa after Simeone is pelted by fans and delay in kick-off vs Benfica

    MANCHESTER UNITED have been given a fine by Uefa after fans threw missiles at Diego Simeone at the end of their defeat to Atletico Madrid.Simeone oversaw a second leg 1-0 win at Old Trafford that saw United knocked out of the Champions League.
    Diego Simeone sprinted to the tunnel at the end of his team’s win over Manchester UnitedCredit: PA
    Bottles, cans and even a pie were thrown at the Atletico Madrid boss
    His team frustrated United throughout and fans’ anger boiled over after the full-time whistle.
    Simeone immediately sprinted down the touchline to head to the tunnel but furious fans began pelting him with bottles, cans and other objects – including a pie.
    United have also launched an investigation into the incident and will try to identify those responsible for throwing objects.
    Simeone said after the incident: “No, when I came off the pitch, I ran because I was happy and I like to enjoy it in the dressing room.
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    “So I don’t know what happened. What you just said, all I was thinking about was getting into the changing room to the dressing room, and I was really happy.”
    Uefa’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body have now fined the club £8,500 for the incident.
    It is the third time Uefa have dished out such a punishment with the Red Devils also fined the same amount after three fans invaded the pitch in a match against Young Boys this season.
    A similar incident in United’s win at Villarreal, which included missile throwing and a pitch invasion, resulted in a £7,400 fine from Uefa.
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    Liverpool have also been slapped with a fine by Uefa after kick-off in the first leg of their tie against Benfica was delayed.
    The Reds were judged to have been the cause of the delay and Jurgen Klopp has been given a written warning over the incident. More

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    “If I’m Matip, I’m fuming” – Ferdinand shocked at Klopp’s tactics after Konate starts Liverpool win over Villarreal

    MANCHESTER United legend Rio Ferdinand says Joel Matip should be angry about not starting Liverpool’s semi-final win over Villarreal. Matip, 30, has featured 38 times in the Reds defence this season, forming an excellent partnership alongside Virgil van Dijk.
    Joel Matip has been one of Liverpool’s standout performers this seasonCredit: Getty
    Rio Ferdinand thought Jurgen Klopp’s decision to bench Joel Matip was harshCredit: Getty
    Ibrahima Konate came into the side making his sixth Champions League appearance in a Liverpool shirt.Credit: Getty
    But he was replaced by Ibrahima Konate, 22, on Wednesday night.
    He has made 23 appearances in all competitions this season but only eight have come in the Premier League.
    Ferdinand said on BT Sport: “‘If I’m Matip, I’m fuming.
    “Because he’s been exceptional this season. You’re talking one of the best defenders in the league this season. 
    “But set-pieces are a big thing, so that’s why Konate is in, 100 per cent.”
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    Fellow pundit Peter Crouch agreed: “Other than Matip, you could argue between him and Konate, that for me is the strongest side available. 
    “Konate, the reason for that is at set-pieces he’s proved in previous rounds that he can be a difference.”
    Ex-Liverpool striker Michael Owen added: “That’s a bit of a toss of a coin (between Konate and Matip).”
    Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp spoke about his team selection saying: “It’s because of the situation that we are in and the needs of the game, the opponent.
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    “I could have lined up ten other players with no problem at all. They’re all in good shape, want to play and all fine.”
    In the end, Liverpool sealed a convincing 2-0 win at Anfield, putting themselves in a strong position to make the final.
    Ferdinand also went on to praise Klopp’s outstanding recruitment.
    He highlighted the signings of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah admitting when they joined he didn’t think they’d become world-class players.
    He said: “The recruitment, it’s amazing what they’ve done.
    “They don’t get many wrong. The important part is when players come through the door here, they improve.
    “When Mane came, you wouldn’t have said he was going to be a world class finisher.
    “Salah, even when he came, you’d never imagine he’d be doing what’s he doing.” More

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    Liverpool 2 Villarreal 0 LIVE REACTION: Reds stamp one foot into Champions League final with dominant Anfield display

    LIVERPOOL stamped one foot into the Champions League final with a 2-0 win over Villarreal in their semi-final first leg. A Pervis Estupinan own goal and Sadio Mane’s effort were enough to seal a two-goal lead heading into next week’s second leg.

    RESULT: Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Diaz, Salah, Mane
    Villarreal XI: Rulli, Albiol, Torres, Parejo, Capoue, Foyth, Chukwueze, Estupinan, Danjuma, Lo Celso, Coquelin

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    Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
    Jurgen pleased with performance
    The Liverpool boss outlined how it was important they kept to their game plan today even when Villarreal were frustrating them tonight:
    We kept them quiet, which was important because of the type of threat they are. We tried to create, tried to be direct. You show the respect to the opponent by the way you defend them, that is why we won the game. This is not over, we know that.Jurgen KloppLiverpool
    Make sure you have FINAL say
    Liverpool know all too well how easily Champions League can chew you up and spit you out when you think the job is already done.
    Having turned around a 3-0 deficit against Barcelona at Anfield, Klopp will make sure his side do not take anything for granted.
    When the game kicks off in Spain, the scores are level and he will be sending his team to win yet another game.

    Games come thick and fast
    Liverpool travel to Newcastle on the weekend to keep their bid for a quadruple alive in their hunt to chase down Man City.
    At one stage, 14 points behind their rivals, with five games left they hope that should City drop points that they capitalise.
    Then the trip to Spain to finish the job off against Villarreal.
    Villarreal undone by Spanish maestro
    The man of the match award goes to Thiago Alcântara.
    From the off he was orchestrating things in midfield and pulling the strings for Liverpool, finally helping unpick the visitors defence.

    All attention turns to Spain
    Both semi-finals will be settled on the shores of Spain.
    Liverpool head to the east coast to Estadio de la Ceramica while Man City travel to The Bernabeu in Madrid.
    Jurgen Klopp’s side will know the job is only half complete.
    Rampant reds march on
    They huffed, they puffed and they blew the wall down.
    Finally, in the second-half Liverpool managed to knock down the yellow wall that frustrated and denied them for so long.
    Potentially, with their two-goal lead, Liverpool may have turned it into a yellow brick road all the way to Paris.

    FT: Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    The referee brings the game to a close.
    It is half-time in the semi-final but it is advantage Liverpool.
    They will travel to Spain with a two-goal lead to defend.
    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    90+1. Liverpool look to get the ball up towards Origi.
    Albiol has been solid at the back for Villarreal and wins it again.
    They are looking to get back to Spain with some remnants of the yellow wall still in tact.
    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    90. The Yellow Submarine has been ready to dock for some time now.
    They seem content just keeping the ball from their goal now.
    Liverpool look to stretch them one last time.
    We will have two additional minutes.

    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    88. Ball played over the top by the visitors.
    Dia hits it on the volley and forces Alisson into his first save.
    He was offside anyway so it wouldn’t have counted.
    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    86. Danjuma is coming off for Alcácer.
    Emery hoping they could still steal a goal.
    Liverpool looking dominant at the moment.
    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    84. We are at the stage now where both teams will be thinking about sticking with what they already have.
    For Villarreal, 2-0 isn’t the worst result considering the opposition and venue.
    Liverpool will want at least one more to make it a pleasing performance.
    Liverpool 2-0 Villareal
    82. Thiago and Fabinho have been faultless today.
    The work they do to break up play and get Liverpool moving in the other direction is heavily underrated.
    Alisson may as well be having a cuppa in the club shop at this stage.

    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    80. Serge Aurier puts in a vital tackle for the visitors.
    Joe Gomez is coming on to replace Alexander-Arnold.
    Klopp able to rotate his squad such is the depth.
    Diaz makes way for Divock Origi.
    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    78. Diaz goes close for Liverpool.
    He beats his man and takes it slightly wide onto his left foot.
    Shooting at goal, it goes across the face with no one there to knock it in.
    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    76. It seems Emery has told his team to get forward more.
    The Spanish manager has realised this will only get worse if they sit back and defend for the remainder of the game.
    Albiol is down as he is clattered by Jota.
    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    74. Villarreal haver a rare corner.
    It does not beat the first man and is cleared for a throw in.
    Professional footballers not able to cross a ball baffles me.
    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    72. Trigueros and Dia come on for Villarreal.
    Keita and Jota for Liverpool.
    Both teams looking to freshen things up.

    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    70. It looks like Jota and Keita are about to join the party.
    Mane and Henderson expected to make way for them.
    The Yellow Submarine is starting to spring some leaks.
    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal – Diaz chance!
    68. Fabinho makes a brilliant tackle to win the ball back.
    He passes the ball to Diaz.
    The winger drops the shoulder and looks to bend it in the bottom corner but it deflects off Albiol wide for a corner.
    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    66. Salah picks the ball up down the left and cuts inside.
    He knocks the ball to Mane looking for the return.
    Mane tries to backheel it into his path but the Villarreal defence snuff the attack out.
    Liverpool 0-0 Villarreal
    64. Alexander-Arnold swings a ball into the box.
    He finds Robertson perfectly who knocks the ball into the net.
    Flag is up, he was clearly offside.

    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    62. Villarreal try a rare attack.
    Liverpool break play down and counter attack.
    Robertson is passed Lo Celso so the player hauls him to the ground.
    Lo Celso is shown a yellow card.
    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    60. This is attack versus defence stuff now.
    The visitors cannot get out of their own half.
    Salah goes to ground, referee not interested at all.
    Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
    58. The Anfield crowd are in full voice now.
    Liverpool keep pressing forward looking for more.
    The yellow wall is starting to show some cracks.
    Load more entries… More

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    Liverpool 2 Villarreal 0: Reds put one foot in Champions League final as rapid double ends stubborn visitors’ resistance

    FROM the glorious unpredictability of the Etihad to the bleeding obvious at Anfield.Liverpool virtually sealed their passage to a third Champions League Final in five years – and they will surely now be in Paris on May 28 to face either Manchester City or Real Madrid.
    Jordan Henderson wheels away after watching his shot deflected inCredit: Reuters
    Pervis Estupinan was unlucky to fire the ball over his own keeper for 1-0Credit: Reuters
    There is a sense of destiny about Jurgen Klopp’s quadruple-chasers and a sense of inevitability for those who dread ‘The Unbearables’ taking a clean sweep of trophies.
    City are surely the only side who can stop that – in the Premier League or in Europe – as this relentlessly brilliant Liverpool team would surely overpower Madrid’s stately side if they make it to the showpiece at the Stade de France next month.
    This semi-final first-leg was a mismatch as one-sided as Tyson Fury’s defeat of Dillian Whyte – even if Klopp’s men had to play patience for 53 minutes before a fortunate own goal finally broke the stubborn resolve of Unai Emery’s underdogs.
    Sadio Mane prodded a second soon after and the shot count ended up 19-1 in favour of the utterly-dominant Merseysiders.
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    Villarreal’s entire starting line-up cost less than Virgil Van Dijk and the gulf in class was glaringly obvious. They were only marginally more ambitious than Everton had been during Sunday’s Merseyside derby.
    Klopp was even able to rest Mane for the final 20 minutes as he prepares for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle, with Liverpool needing only to claw back a point to overhaul Pep Guardiola’s champions in the title run-in.
    This was a colourful occasion – red pyrotechnics as the team coach arrived, Spain’s Yellow Submarine in the hometown of The Beatles and sweet silver songs from the Scouse larks on The Kop.
    Nobody was predicting a repeat of the previous night’s thriller in Manchester – especially with Villarreal so staunch in defence and so lacking in attacking threat.
    Liverpool players celebrate Sadio Mane’s second goal that could prove crucialCredit: Reuters
    Mane held his nerve to poke his side 2-0 upCredit: Getty
    INCREDIBLE STUFF! ⚡️⚡️Moments after Jordan Henderson’s deflected cross found the net, Sadio Mane doubles Liverpool’s lead! 🔴All of a sudden the Reds are dominating Villarreal 💪#UCL pic.twitter.com/PDphIrPTAx— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2022

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    But for all the talk of Villarreal’s English ‘rejects’ – including three players not wanted by Tottenham in their starting line-up – they had been building up a proper European heritage of their own.
    Villarreal had defeated Manchester United in last season’s Europa League Final, as well as Juventus and Bayern Munich to arrive at Anfield.
    They are the kind of over-achieving smalltown club which made Liverpool’s American owners and their cronies wet their pants and attempt a Super League breakaway last year.
    And Emery has four Europa League trophies to his name including one final triumph over Klopp’s Liverpool back in 2016.
    Liverpool have won 12 straight Premier League home games – but had actually not won at Anfield in the Champions League knock-out stages since their famous comeback against Barcelona in the 2019 semi-final.
    Jurgen Klopp will have been delighted with his side’s performance – but probably wanted more goalsCredit: PA
    “This is the best Liverpool team I have ever seen.”The Reds are in cruise control heading into the second leg 💪FT: Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal#UCL pic.twitter.com/cJIZQ5ban6— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2022

    That winless run of four games over three seasons never looked likely to be stretched in this one, however.
    Mane squandered two early chances – first the Senegalese failed to get a shot away after Ibrahima Konate won a header from a corner and then, unmarked six yards out, he made a hash of a header from a Mo Salah cross.
    Liverpool pressed high like a pack of hungry dogs, rattling their opponents. And while Villarreal keeper Geronimo Rulli has a christian name which suggests a certain urgency, he was taking an age to take each goal-kick, enraging the locals.
    A Jordan Henderson cross-shot clattered the near post, then Salah cut in and swerved a shot just over the bar.
    The dangerous Luis Diaz had a shot pushed out by Rulli and Villarreal’s canny defensive veteran Raul Albiol made a critical block from a Salah centre and Mane had a shot deflected wide.
    Villarreal’s former Arsenal boss Unai Emery had no answer to the Liverpool juggernautCredit: EPA
    Villarreal were played off the parkCredit: Getty
    As the first half ebbed away, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s artful volleyed cross was steered over the bar by Salah and then Thiago Alcantara clattered the top of the post with a powerful long-ranger.
    Liverpool had enjoyed two-thirds of possession and out-shot the Spaniards 12-1 but they could not find a way through before half-time.
    Van Dijk was booked for a body-check on Samuel Chukwueze when Emery’s men attempted a rare break but this was largely a prolonged attack versus defence drill.
    After the interval, Pervis Estupinan dragged back Salah on the edge of the box but Albiol – a defender in love with his art – powered another header away.
    Fabinho had the ball in the net but his effort was ruled out because of an offside flag against Van Dijk and Diaz fluffed a great headed chance from an Alexander-Arnold centre.
    Luis Diaz was a constant threat but will have been surprised himself not to get on the scoresheetCredit: AFP
    But when the breakthrough arrived, it was freakish.
    A crossfield move ended with Henderson crossing from the right but a major deflection off Estupinan foxed Rulli, who could only help it into his own net at full stretch.
    The second arrived just two minutes later, Salah nutmegging Pau Torres with the through-ball and Mane poking past Rulli, narrowly surviving a tight VAR check for offside.
    Andy Robertson netted soon after but his effort was scrubbed out by an offside flag.
    But Liverpool continued to rain down shots on the Villarreal goal and the only shock was that they did put the tie beyond any shadow of a doubt. More

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    Phil Foden has as many Champions League goals at 21 as Wayne Rooney… but Man City star wants to improve killer instinct

    PHIL FODEN says he needs to work on his killer instinct after admitting he let Real Madrid off the hook on Tuesday.On his 100th start for City, Foden scored a header to go level with Wayne Rooney on nine Champions League goals by the age of 21.
    Phil Foden scored a crucial goal in City’s Champions League clash with Real on TuesdayCredit: Rex
    And he now has as many European goals to his name as Wayne Rooney did at the same ageCredit: GETTY
    But despite a sensational display, Foden insists he must be more clinical in front of goal.
    And the England star could not forget the chances both he and Riyad Mahrez missed which may have put the game beyond European heavyweights Real.
    Foden said: “It was important we got the win. But on the other hand, we are a bit disappointed that we didn’t kill the game in the first half.
    “We had some great chances. It is something to work on.

    “I had a great chance in the first half and Riyad had a chance as well. If those two go in, then it kills the game.
    “I just need to keep my form up now and hopefully the second leg is much better.”
    Club captain Fernandinho says Manchester City will head to the Bernabeu next week convinced they can ‘hurt’ the Spanish giants.
    Boss Pep Guardiola’s men have a slender one-goal advantage to take into the second leg after a 4-3 win — but that did not reflect their superiority on the night.
    While some City fans were disappointed to only win by one goal, Foden says they will take heart from the way they dominated the tie.
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    The 21-year-old said: “We can take a lot of confidence. We hurt them when we were attacking.
    “It is going to be an interesting second leg and we are going to have to control it more.
    “We know that they can hurt us at any time with great players like Karim Benzema who can score a goal out of nothing.
    “The manager touched on it before the game that Real Madrid have won the Champions League so many times and they never seem to be out of the game, no matter what the score is. They always find a way to make chances.
    “It could have been a better result, but we cannot be too disappointed because it is still a good result.”
    Meanwhile, Fernandinho insisted there will be no disappointment that they did not end the tie on the night — and they will go to Spain looking to win again.
    City could have had at least four more goals at the Etihad and the veteran Brazilian says that will ensure they go into the second game in good spirits.
    Manchester City lead Real Madrid 4-3 in their Champions League semi-final tie with RealCredit: AFP
    Plus, City have now beaten the Spanish giants in their last three meetings — having won both legs of their last 16 clash two years ago.
    And the veteran skipper says there is no danger of them just trying to protect their slender advantage in the return on Tuesday.
    Fernandinho said: “It is a different situation, a different occasion.
    “We’ll try to play as we’ve been playing — try to hurt them as much as we can.
    “And obviously we need to be a bit smarter, defend better and not concede any chances over there.”
    Fernandinho had a mixed night after coming on as a first-half sub to replace injured John Stones, out of position at right-back.
    The Brazilian midfielder set up Foden’s header with a rampaging run.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}VLAD’S THREAT .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Russia threatens to strike targets in Britain over UK weapons in Ukraine
    But he was later beaten by Vinicius Jr as his countryman flew down the left to score Real’s second goal.
    Fernandinho added: “They have top players, the victory here will give us confidence for the game over there in Madrid.”
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    The rise of Benfica star Darwin Nunez, from surgeries and tears to being Man Utd target and goals against Liverpool

    DARWIN NUNEZ is set to be the face of one of the summer’s biggest transfer sagas.West Ham came close to snapping up the £60m-rated Benfica striker in the January window on deadline day before a late collapse.
    Nunez showed his ability against Liverpool in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
    The Benfica striker has attracted attention from the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
    And now, some of the biggest clubs in Europe are set to join the chase in a bid to secure the services of a Uruguayan who has announced himself on the European stage this season.
    As well as scoring an incredible 25 goals in 21 starts domestically, Nunez, 22, has six goals in six Champions League starts.
    This includes a brace against Barcelona, one against Bayern Munich, one against Ajax and most recently two versus Liverpool in Benfica’s quarter final defeat.
    Now strongly tipped for a summer move to Manchester United, it is important to understand the player and the person behind the incredible goal-scoring statistics that could soon be arriving in the Premier League.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Benzema goal sends Real to semis despite Blues’ heroic effort
    Nunez grew up in a poor neighbourhood called Los Piratas in Artigas – a Uruguayan village on the borders of Brazil.
    His upbringing in football was a tough one, suffering potentially significant knee injuries that required surgery as an 18-year-old.
    Despite this, his biggest attribute was always one of physicality and power, and after scoring 16 goals in his first season with Spanish second division outfit Almeria, Benfica took a punt on Nunez in September 2020 signing a five-year deal for a club-record £20m.
    Upon completing that move, it is said Nunez cried with his father in their family home having achieved his dreams after overcoming his knee issues.
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    But despite adapting well to the Portuguese league in his first season, the tears soon returned as his knee troubles resurfaced in May 2021.
    Those closest to him explain how emotions spilled over after he was subbed during a game against Farense, sobbing on the bench clutching his knee, raging with then-boss Jorge Jesus.
    Another poor performance against Sporting Lisbon, where he was clearly playing through the pain, saw him delete his social media account after feeling the wrath of the Benfica fans.
    More knee surgery that summer meant he missed the first few weeks of the 21/22 campaign but came back strong, and has been an unstoppable force since.
    Nunez is described by those who know him best as reserved and now in control of his emotions, especially as he has recently become a father.
    And since returning to social media, he has even embraced a meme targeting his long hair, and now often celebrates goals by pointing to it.
    WHERE WILL HE GO?
    Should he get his big move abroad, no one will be laughing at him. His representatives believe he is ready with Portuguese football always seen as a launch pad.
    But which club will he choose? SunSport understands that despite admiring Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, Nunez and his camp do not see it as the perfect fit.
    In their eyes, he needs space to run, a physical style of play and a guarantee of minutes, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham all preferable locations, while Manchester United is viewed as more of a risk due to their current situation.
    Just watching him against Jurgen Klopp’s men in the quarter final first leg in Lisbon showed what he is capable of, bravely battling with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate before pouncing on the latter’s mistake with a true poacher’s finish.
    Benfica manager Nelson Verissimo claims Nunez should be valued at the same amount that Joao Felix was when he left for Atletico Madrid for £113m in 2019.
    But Benfica were willing to part with Nunez for around £65m in January, and there is an understanding he will be allowed to leave for a similar fee in a few months.
    Especially given that super-agent Jorge Mendes will be leading the negotiations.
    Wherever he ends up, Nunez will be ready and determined to seize his moment.
    It is unlikely Nunez will choose Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City as his next clubCredit: Reuters More

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    Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool won’t take Villarreal lightly in Champions League after shock Bayern and Juventus wins

    JURGEN KLOPP says Villarreal have lost the shock factor — but he will not be taking them lightly.The Liverpool manager claims the Spanish underdogs were under-estimated by powerhouses Bayern Munich and Juventus in earlier Champions League knockout stages and Klopp is wary ahead of tonight’s first-leg semi-final tie at Anfield.
    Jurgen Klopp is not under-estimating Villarreal as he leads his Reds into battleCredit: Reuters
    Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold will need to be on top formCredit: Getty
    The German has warned Virgil van Dijk and Co they will have to be at their best to see off Unai Emery’s men.
    He said: “We face very, very difficult opponents made for this competition in the way they set up.
     “I think there might have been a little advantage for them in the last two games as Juventus and maybe Bayern underestimated them.
    “But it never happens with us and after those four games, maybe their advantage has gone.
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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}READ 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Liverpool vs Villarreal .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Reds look for Anfield win over Unai Emery’s giant killers
    “They are a really good team and this could be the first time they reach the final, so it is a massive thing for them but it’s of the same importance for us.”
    Villarreal shocked Juve 4-1 on aggregate in the last 16 and then stunned Bayern 2-1 over the two ties in the quarter-final.
    But former Arsenal boss Emery admitted: “The surprise factor goes down — the first tie against Juve the surprise factor was maybe more important.
    “Against Bayern it was important. That’s not present any more but every team who is in the semi-final deserves it, we know they will respect us.
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    “Of course they will feel favourites as that is natural. They have built a Liverpool team like their coach, with that smile, that energy.
    “We will try to surf the wave of experience we started accumulating last season.”
    Klopp added: “It is absolutely special to be part of the semi-final. It is crazy. A massive game.
    “So many coaches and so many players work their socks off their whole life and have no chance to be close to a semi-final so we have to cherish it.”

    Emery has won the Europa League FOUR times, including last season when he led Villarreal to victory over Manchester United.
    Klopp said: “Unai is a detail-obsessed manager who is ready for all situations in a game.
    “Different ways to build up, to press, to react. Really impressive. Unai is a world-class coach and is doing an incredible job.
    “We have had a hectic schedule with City, United and Everton. Now, bring on Villarreal.”
    Unai Emery has plenty of experience of winning in EuropeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Villarreal sparked chaotic scenes with their late goal at the AllianzCredit: Reuters More

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    PSG star Kylian Mbappe receives ten votes in French Presidential election after helping country to World Cup win

    KYLIAN MBAPPE bizarrely received ten votes in the French presidential elections.Mbappe, 23, helped fire the national team to World Cup glory in 2018, securing young player of the tournament.
    Mbappe got 10 votes in the French presidential race last weekCredit: Getty
    Emmanuel Macron defeated Marine Le Pen on Sunday and declared he is “everyone’s president”.
    He will become the country’s first leader to be re-elected in 20 years, thumping his far-right rival by 17 percentage points, according to exit polls.
    But L’Est Républicain report that in Tallenay – a village in Eastern France 227 miles from the capital – 10 votes were cast in favour of the PSG striker.
    The French outlet claim that the voters “printed out pre-prepared ballot papers” with Mbappe’s name on them.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Liverpool vs Villarreal .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Reds look for Anfield win over Unai Emery’s giant killers
    Unfortunately for fans of the hot shot, the ballot papers were declared invalid.
    The superstar has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer as his contract with the newly-crowned Ligue 1 champions expires.
    And Real have been working tirelessly for months to ensure the France international is playing at the Bernabeu next season.
    Last month, it was reported that Mbappe had agreed to join the La Liga giants on a free transfer when the season ends.
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    But in a dramatic turn of events, it seems as though he could be staying at the Parc Des Princes.
    Mbappe’s mother sparked a nine-figure bidding war by jetting to Doha in order to meet chiefs from the Paris club.
    And PSG are “optimistic” of a deal being completed to keep their top goalscorer this season. More