Champions League

JAMIE CARRAGHER was involved in a heated row with Micah Richards after Jude Bellingham had a goal controversially ruled out against Manchester City.The Borussia Dortmund midfielder thought he had equalised for the Bundesliga outfit at the Etihad, only to be wrongly judged to have fouled goalkeeper Ederson.

Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards were involved in a heated debate regarding Jude Bellingham’s disallowed goalCredit: Twitter @UCLonCBSSports
Borussia Dortmund ace Bellingham was judged to have fouled Manchester City goalkeeper EdersonCredit: Getty
The incident led to Jadon Sancho to tweet that Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan ‘needs checking’ as the German side were robbed of a fair goal.
Manchester City ended up winning the Champions League quarter-final first leg 2-1 after Phil Foden swept home late on from close range.
However they should have left England with two vital away goals, had match official Hategan not blown his whistle for a foul before Bellingham tucked home his strike.
If he had waited until after the ball crossed the line, then VAR would have intervened to overrule his decision with Bellingham clearly robbing Ederson of possession instead of fouling him.
Discussing the incident on the CBS Champions League show, former Citizens right-back Richards said: “We’re talking about VAR and how we’re spoiling the game because we’re taking away from the referee managing the game…”
Interjecting, a fuming Carragher stated: “I know why you didn’t want VAR tonight, Jesus Christ! It should be 2-2.
‘That’s nonsense. It’s a unique situation, it’s not normal, that doesn’t happen often. How can you not understand this? This is the most bizarre thing I’ve ever heard.
“Right, he goes through and thinks it’s a foul, not a problem… but he knows if he blows that whistle it takes VAR out of the equation… yes?
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As the referee blew for a foul before Bellingham scored, VAR was not allowed to interveneCredit: EPA

“We all know what’s going to happen. He will roll the ball in the net and then we can have a look.”
Richards then argued that nowhere in the rule book does it say that a referee must let play continue in order for VAR to intervene.
To which Carragher posed the question: “‘Do you think tonight when he goes back into the room, the people at UEFA or FIFA looking at his performance will say ‘he got that right’?”
After Richards agreed the referee made the wrong call, lead presenter Kate Abdo stepped in, where she loudly told viewers: “Men love to argue, don’t they?”
Commenting on the awful decision, Bellingham told BT Sport: “I definitely think I won the ball fairly.
“All I got told is that I’d got booked and it was a free-kick. I had my studs up apparently.
“They’ve got so many cameras and TVs watching but didn’t wait for me to then check it. You’ve got to get on to it.”
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Dortmund star Jude Bellingham reacts to being robbed of a goal in Man City defeat for ‘foul’ on Ederson More

JURGEN KLOPP admitted it was ‘difficult’ playing at Real Madrid’s training ground on Tuesday night.Liverpool were well beaten 3-1 by Los Blancos in the Champions League at Real’s Alfredo di Stefano training pitch.
Jurgen Klopp bemoaned playing at Real Madrid’s training groundCredit: EPA
Los Blancos beat Liverpool 3-1 at their 6,000 seat Alfredo di Stefano stadiumCredit: Getty
The Spanish giants have been playing games at the 6,000 capacity ‘stadium’ since the coronavirus outbreak as they refurbish their Bernabeu home.
Despite the fact no fans have been allowed into any stadiums in recent months, regardless of capacity, German gaffer Klopp said the ‘strange’ environment made it tougher for his team.
Mo Salah scored for Liverpool while Vinicius Junior scored either side of a Marco Asensio strike to give Real a 3-1 win in the first leg of the quarter-final.
And after the game, Klopp said he was looking forward to getting back to a ‘proper stadium’ in Anfield.
He said: “It must be a really tricky task for Real Madrid at Anfield.
“This was strange tonight because it was really difficult with the stadium (at Madrid’s training ground) but Anfield is at least a proper stadium and it will be good for us.
“If you want to have some emotional memories you watch the Barcelona game back and 80 per cent of it is the atmosphere in the stadium.
“It’s not like I sit here and say ‘Comebacks are our thing’. We had supporters then and I don’t know if we can do it.”
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This is not the first time Klopp has summoned a bizarre excuse after a poor performance.
In December 2015, Klopp blamed ‘extreme wind’ in England for Liverpool struggling to implement his ‘Gegenpress’ philosophy.
And in January last year, Klopp claimed broadcaster BT Sport ordered minimal stoppage time in the fourth-round FA Cup loss to West Brom.
Another game against West Brom, another disappointing performance – this time throwing away a 2-0 lead to draw with the Baggies in April 2018.
Rather than accept the lack of defensive concentration, Klopp took aim at the dry pitch.
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Jurgen Klopp blasts ref as Liverpool boss accuses Felix Brych of making ‘personal’ decisions against Reds ace Sadio Mane More

RIO FERDINAND branded Jude Bellingham the ‘real deal’ after his scintillating performance against Manchester City.And Owen Hargreaves believes the Borussia Dortmund ace must start for England at the Euros.
Jude Bellingham was praised for his performance for Borussia Dortmund at Manchester CityCredit: AFP
Erling Haaland was in the spotlight, but Jude Bellingham shone brightest in Manchester 💛🖤It’s time to get very excited about Dortmund’s English sensation! 💫 pic.twitter.com/4qGlTYSCDU— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 7, 2021

Bellingham, still just 17, was one of the stars of the show at the Etihad despite the German side losing 2-1 on the night.
And BT Sport pundits lauded the two-cap senior Three Lions international – especially for his tender age.
Ferdinand tweeted: “Bellingham aka the real deal… has put on a clinic….a teenager! Driving licence still not through yet I think.”
Speaking before kick-off, Hargreaves said: “I think Bellingham will start for Gareth [Southgate] at the Euros.
“His all-around game is so good, he plays like a grown man. He’s already a star and he’s going to be one of the best in a short time.”
He added after full-time: “Bellingham has got the lot, he’s special. He gives you a bit more power in the midfield.
“Mason Mount’s going to start. If you play Declan and Bellingham just in front… Gareth has unbelievable options.
“But Bellingham is playing in a Champions League game like this. I don’t care if he’s 17, he’s playing up to the level.
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Bellingham aka the real deal… has put on a clinic….a teenager!Driiving licence still not through yet I think 😂@BellinghamJude 👏🏽 #UCL— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) April 6, 2021

“He’s so mature, he’s so good in every phase of the game. He plays because everybody trusts him.
“I thought he was one of the best players on the pitch, from both teams.
“I can’t get over how good he is, in and out of possession. Real credit to him.”
Bellingham joined Borussia Dortmund in a £30million transfer from boyhood club Birmingham City last summer and has one goal and four assists this term.
At 17 years and 281 days, the midfielder became the second-youngest starter in a Champions League quarter-final – only behind Barcelona’s Bojan in 2008.
“He’s so mature, he’s so good in every phase of the game.””I thought he was one of the best players on the pitch, from both teams.”Owen Hargreaves and @JoleonLescott couldn’t believe Jude Bellingham’s maturity at the age of 17 vs. Man City 🌟 pic.twitter.com/MkzlhfdK50— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 6, 2021

17y 281d – Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham is the second youngest player to start a Champions League quarter-final (17 years, 281 days), behind only Bojan in April 2008 for Barcelona vs FC Schalke 04 (17 years, 217 days). Platform. pic.twitter.com/YsREYIwA64— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 6, 2021

He played a key role with the pre-assist for Marco Reus’ Dortmund equaliser and was cruelly denied a goal for himself despite seemingly pinching the ball fairly from Ederson.
Analysing the crucial away goal, Hargreaves continued: “Just watch this from a 17-year-old, Jude Bellingham, that’s crazy. Composure, calmness.”
Joleon Lescott was covering the game alongside Hargreaves and commented: “Jude Bellingham was outstanding tonight.
“From a personal and England point of view, it’s exciting he’s going into the Euros with that kind of form.
“It’s remarkable. There’s not another English midfielder playing at this level.”
Bellingham was denied an equaliser when he picked Ederson’s pocket but the whistle blewCredit: EPA
The English teenager linked up with Marco Reus and Erling Haaland for the crucial away goalCredit: Getty
Owen Hargreaves is excited by what he is seeing and wants to see Bellingham start at the EurosCredit: BT Sport

Dortmund star Jude Bellingham reacts to being robbed of a goal in Man City defeat for ‘foul’ on Ederson More

THE damning stats behind Trent Alexander-Arnold’s horror night in Madrid make grim reading – including giving the ball away a whopping 23 times.Alexander-Arnold endured a torrid time at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Tuesday as Real Madrid put one foot in the Champions League semi-finals at Liverpool’s expense.
Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a nightmare evening for Liverpool away at Real MadridCredit: Getty
The Reds right-back, 22, failed to track Vinicius Junior’s run for the opening goal and then gifted Marco Asensio the second with his misjudged header.
He was undone defensively throughout a ragged opening 45 minutes and was booked late on for his reaction to giving a foul away – then finally showed some fight by squaring up to Vinicius.
And Alexander-Arnold will want to avoid his numbers from the 3-1 defeat.
The defender lost possession on 23 occasions – the most by anyone on the field – and was dribbled past twice.
He made two errors leading to shots, including the present for Asensio.
No one bettered his tally of four interceptions or nine recoveries – but also his three fouls conceded.
To make matters worse, last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year failed to make a single tackle in the 90 minutes and won just two of his eight duels.
Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher criticised his defensive diligence.
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It’s gone from bad to worse for the Reds 😳Real Madrid lead Liverpool 2-0 before half-time…Major work to do in the second half! pic.twitter.com/YRHou8El2v— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 6, 2021

Speaking on CBS, Carra said: “He doesn’t have that intensity in his legs and the focus to defend. ‘This guy is not going to go past me.’
“It’s like he feels like defending is not his job. [That he] should be on the ball.
“He’s not out of position, he’s in position – now he’s got to defend, and he’s got to make it difficult against top wingers at this level.”
Alexander-Arnold was already in the spotlight after Gareth Southgate omitted him from the England squad for the March internationals.
And SunSport’s Charlie Wyett believes his performance in Spain secured his spot for the Euros this summer… in front of the telly.
He wrote: “What a wretched season this has been for everyone at Liverpool but, apart from those who have suffered injuries, Alexander-Arnold has probably suffered the most misery.
“And now this. Exposed and caught out by Real with Ferland Mendy and Vinicius Junior causing so many problems down the left.
“Despite being under pressure, the header to Asensio was unforgivable from Alexander-Arnold. Imagine if this had been in the knockout stages of the Euros.”
Ferland Mendy, left, and Vinicius Junior ran the right-back ragged throughout the gameCredit: Getty
The defender gift-wrapped Los Blancos’ second goal when he headed the ball to Marco AsensioCredit: BT Sport

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JURGEN KLOPP blasted referee Felix Brych’s performance in the Champions League quarter-final and accused him of making ‘personal’ decisions against Sadio Mane.The Liverpool boss, 53, saw his side slump to a 3-1 defeat away at Real Madrid in the first leg on Tuesday night.
Jurgen Klopp made his frustrations with referee Felix Brych clear at full-timeCredit: Getty
But he came out firing at the officials, unhappy with a series of decisions that went against the reigning Premier League champions.
One particular incident saw Mane brought down by last-man Lucas Vazquez.
But play was allowed to continue and within 27 seconds Marco Asensio had made it 2-0 by capitalising on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s error.
And to make matters worse, Klopp’s German compatriot Brych showed Mane a yellow card three minutes later for tripping Vazquez.
Klopp fumed: “The situation with Sadio – what the ref did tonight I don’t understand.
“For me that was something personal because he dealt with the situation with Sadio, which was a clear foul, like he was a diver or whatever.
“From that moment on whenever Sadio went down he didn’t get anything. That is not right.
“That is what I told him after the game, that I thought he was unfair with Sadio.
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It’s gone from bad to worse for the Reds 😳Real Madrid lead Liverpool 2-0 before half-time…Major work to do in the second half! pic.twitter.com/YRHou8El2v— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 6, 2021

“That doesn’t change anything at all. He didn’t lose the game.
“We were not good enough to get a better result, but in these moments you need just an ‘OK’ ref. That would have been enough.”
Brych then waved away more Liverpool appeals late on when Mane appeared to be fouled on the edge of the Real box to complete a miserable night for the Reds.
Vinicius Junior’s double either side of the Asensio finish secured a comfortable win for the hosts.
Mo Salah did get an away goal but it is Real Madrid who hold the advantage before the second leg at an empty Anfield.
Klopp added: “Most importantly, we didn’t deserve to win tonight. We didn’t play good enough for that.
I don’t know if we can go through but we will give it a proper tryJurgen Klopp
“We conceded the first goal and served the second on a plate but that was not the real problem of the game.
“We scored our goal and that is ‘the’ positive of the night. Did we deserve more than 3-1? I’m not sure.
“Of course, it is completely different [without fans for second leg]. If you want to have some emotional memories you watch the Barcelona game back and 80 per cent of it is the atmosphere in the stadium.
“We had supporters then and I don’t know if we can do it but we will give it a proper try.
“It must be a really tricky task for Real Madrid at Anfield with or without supporters.”
The Liverpool boss accused the referee’s treatment of Sadio Mane as ‘personal’Credit: Getty
The Senegal star was booked three minutes after the incident with Lucas VazquezCredit: AFP

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says it is ‘not on a revenge tour’ against Real Madrid More