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      What do Arsenal need to guarantee qualification to the Champions League Last 16?

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      ARSENAL are among the favourites to advance straight into the Champions League’s Last 16.The Gunners are fifth in the League Phase table with eight points separating them from high flying Liverpool, but Mikel Arteta’s men have a game in hand.Arsenal might need only one more win to advance to the Champions League’s Last 16Credit: GettyThe North Londoners have two more games to go in the revamped first round consisting of 36 teams.Mikel Arteta’s men face Dinamo Zagreb tonight at the Emirates and then visit Girona on January 29.Arsenal have amassed 13 points from six matches of which they won four and lost only once.Just one more win from the final two games could send the Premier League giants straight into the Round of 16.Read More on ArsenalThe teams who finish in the top eight spots automatically qualify for the Last 16.And those who find themselves between ninth and 24th place will face off in the play-offs to determine the other eight teams that make it to the next round.Arsenal are currently five points ahead of Dinamo, who are 25th in the Champions League table.Opta found that in 99 per cent of their simulations, teams who collected 10 points made it into the play-off round, which means Arteta and co might already be guaranteed at least a spot in those.Most read in Champions LeagueEven nine points proved to be enough in 69 per cent of the simulations, which were run 50,000 times.But Arsenal will want direct qualification for the Last 16.16 points proved to be enough in 98 per cent of the available scenarios.Arsenal ratings: Trossard turns creator to put Gunners in driving seat but Merino and Partey lapses cost Arteta’s sideAnd 15 points were sufficient for eighth place in 73 per cent of the simulations. On the other hand, 14 points were enough in just 28 per cent of the supercomputer’s simulations.That means 15 points could be the magic number for Arsenal to avoid two crunch clashes amid their gruelling bid for a first Premier League title since 2004.That would mean one win from their final two games will likely be enough. More

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      ‘Have you ever seen a goal like that?’ asks commentator as Barcelona score ridiculous goal in game of goalkeeper howlers

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      GOALKEEPERS were the pantomime villains in their nine-goal thriller between Barcelona and Benfica.The European giants went head to head in their penultimate Champions League league phase games of the season when the Catalan club scored THREE goals in the last 20 minutes to win 5-4.Goalkeepers were the headline makers for the wrong reasons as Barcelona pulled off an incredible 5-4 comeback against Benfica last nightCredit: RexWojciech Szczesny came out of retirement in October to seal a deal with Barcelona amid their goalkeeping crisis, but manager Hansi Flick might have felt his side would have been better served without the Polish international bothering.The former Arsenal and Juventus shot-stopper had a calamitous first half between the sticks as he dropped two clangers to concede a first-half hat-trick from Vangelis Pavlidis.There was nothing Szczesny could have done about Pavlidis’ opener, but his second and third were almost entirely down to the Pole.Just nine minutes after Robert Lewandowski had levelled the scores for Barcelona to 1-1, Szczesny inexplicably came charging out of his area to greet a “loose” ball played over the top by Nicolas Otamendi.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInstead, he clumsily clattered into his own defender Alejandro Balde, completely wiping out the left-back and allowing Pavlidis to score the easiest goal he’ll ever score as he ran through on an open net.The third was just as much Szczesny’s fault too as he came charging off his line once again, this time sliding at the feet of Benfica winger Karem Akturkoglu and bringing him to the ground inside the area for an undeniable penalty.Pavlidis converted the spot-kick and Benfica were 3-1 up inside 30 minutes.But the action didn’t stop there with the second half throwing up even more goals, drama… and goalkeeping howlers.Most read in FootballWojciech Szczesny clattered into his own teammate Alejandro Balde to gift Benfica a golden opportunity to scoreCredit: APThe Barcelona keeper came charging out of his areaCredit: TNT SPORTSHe clattered into BaldeCredit: TNT SPORTSBenfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis picked up the loose ballCredit: TNT SPORTSHe netted one of the easiest goals he will ever scoreCredit: TNT SPORTSSzczesny brought down Kerem Akturkoglu in the box to give away a penalty tooCredit: ReutersCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIn fact, Benfica keeper Antoliy Trubin made perhaps the worst goalkeeping mistake of the game after the break.Trubin tried to play the ball out of his own box after making a save from a long-distance Gavi effort and got the whole thing horribly wrong.Horror moment Barcelona star finds his tooth on the pitch after losing it in battle with Real Betis defender The Ukrainian goalkeeper hit his clearance straight into the head of Barca’s Raphinha, seeing the ball bounce right off the Brazilian’s head and into the back of the net. Trubin could have tried that 100 more times and wouldn’t have hit him, but the freak moment gave Barcelona a way back into the game and had TNT Sports’ commentator Ian Darke asking: “Have you ever seen a goal like that?”Despite Benfica managing to go up the other end and force a Ronald Araujo own goal just four minutes later to go 4-2 up, Barcelona’s freak goal had given them a spark to fight back in the game.Goals from Lewandowski, Raphinha and Eric Garcia did just that as the Spanish giants turned it around to score their winner in the 96th minute of the clash.All-in, the match had three penalties, nine goals, an own goal, three calamitous goalkeeper errors, six bookings, a hat-trick hero and ended with Barcelona sealing their spot in the next round of the competition.Antoliy Trubin tried to clear his lines in the second halfCredit: TNT SPORTSHe hit the ball directly onto the head of RaphinhaCredit: TNT SPORTSThe ball looped over his head and into the back of the netCredit: TNT SPORTS More

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      How Arsenal boss Arteta is using MUSIC to motivate his players with huge speakers positioned around training pitches

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      MIKEL ARTETA is willing to try anything to gain an extra inch in his pursuit of silverware.The Arsenal manager’s latest out-of-the-box thinking involves transforming the dreary weather of London Colney into a sun-kissed Samba Boys beach through the medium of MUSIC.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is hoping to get a tune out of his players for the title run-inCredit: Amazon Prime Video SportArsenal’s players trained with Samba music on speakers ahead of Euro clashCredit: GettyBoss Mikel Arteta spoke with Brazilian-born Eduardo at London ColneyCredit: GettyAhead of their penultimate Champions League group phase match against Dinamo Zagreb tomorrow tonight, Arteta’s injury-plagued Gunners squad trudged out for training in chilly conditions at their North London base.But their moods were instantly lifted by a popular Brazilian tune blasting through several speakers around the pitches as they started their warm-up – the song in question being Mais Que Nada by Sergio Mendes.A beaming Arteta was clearly enjoying its impact, getting involved in the Rondo’s with his players to a soundtrack most people associate with Samba legends Ronaldinho and Kaka.And Arteta explained: “It’s something we’ve been doing for many years now.read more arsenal“And as part of training we use music as another element of our sessions to build the energy, to change some purposes that we want in the training session and I think the players enjoy it.“It depends on the drill, depends on the day. Some players pick the first song, the first two songs, the last song. It’s definitely interesting.”Arsenal and Arteta are in dire need of a mood change after a gruelling month that has seen them crash out of the FA Cup to Manchester United in the third round on penalties and lose the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final 2-0 at home to Newcastle.Their Prem title dreams have also taken another knock, blowing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa on Saturday night – leaving them six points off Liverpool who have a game in hand.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMeanwhile, their treatment room is filling up with key figures Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu still on the road to recovery.In November 2021, Arteta tried to prepare his players for a trip to Anfield by playing the anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ during a training session, only to get smashed 4-0.’I’m flabbergasted’ – Paul Merson tears into Thomas Partey’s ‘schoolboy’ defending as Arteta blasts performance vs VillaArteta continued: “Music is very much part of our culture. We have music in a lot of different places, and music has the capacity to change your mood, to change your energy to a certain place.“It happens in all of us. You play a song and immediately you feel different, and we have certain songs that trigger something in our team, because they have some history as well with us.“I will use it when we believe it’s the right way to do it.“Sometimes I play a song many, many times with my family and [the kids] say: ‘Dad, can we stop it, please?’ I don’t know, it’s a feeling.”Winger Leandro Trossard – who is set to make his 100th appearance in all competitions for Arsenal after signing from Brighton two years ago this week – added: “I’m not sure who’s on the tunes when we’re doing the warm-up. You just get used to it, I guess.Bukayo Saka update as Arsenal star spotted at Emirates without crutches… but Gunners suffer fresh injury blow“At the start when I joined it was a bit weird for me that we had this, but now it’s just natural for us to have the music playing when we’re warming up.“[Arteta’s methods] are a bit different to any other manager I had. But it helps players on some days to focus more and get the meaning, the importance of the game.”Despite having two-and-a-half years with an option of a further 12 months left on his contract, Trossard has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this term.The Belgian has started just 14 Prem games term, and often shows his disappointment through grumpy facial expressions, with Arteta jokingly calling him a “moaner” in the past.Trossard laughed: “I wouldn’t use moan. I’m just a winner. If something goes against me and I think it’s unfair, I think that’s really personal, I would say. That’s how I am.“That should be the mind-set of every footballer. I don’t do it on purpose, maybe my body language at that point could be, but I am always ready. Even if I am on the bench, I can make an impact.”Arsenal can take a huge leap towards confirming a top eight spot in the new league format of the Champions League with victory over Fabio Cannavaro’s Dinamo Zagreb.With his men in third place with 13 points from six outings, Arteta said: “We are in a really strong position and now we try to capitalise.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I don’t want [my players] to feel unlucky with recent results. We have to control what we can control. Is there anything better we could have done to win [against Villa] by a big margin? Yes.“We focus on that. Now it is in our hands to change it and move forward.” More

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      Champions League LIVE SCORES: Liverpool CONFIRM place in Last 16, Barcelona BEAT Benfica 5-4 in thriller – updates

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      LIVERPOOL have confirmed their place in the Champions League Last 16 after beating Lille 2-1.The Reds made it seven wins out of seven with the victory over Lille to reach 21 points and guarantee automatic progression.Liverpool can still be caught for the top spot though in the final matchround – after second-placed Barcelona defeated Benfica 5-4 in incident-packed classic.While Aston Villa blew their chance to all-but confirm their Last 16 place after losing 1-0 at Monaco.Start times: 5.45pm/ 8pmLive stream: discovery+/ Amazon Prime VideoTV channel: TNT Sports/ Amazon Prime VideoCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow ALL the action from Matchday Six with our live blog below…Do it all again tomorrowHead over to the SunSport football page for more reaction to tonight’s bonkers Champions League night.Liverpool fans can sit back and watch tomorrow’s action knowing top of the table is pretty much secured ahead of next week’s final day.Can Arsenal, Man City and Celtic put themselves into a strong position? We’ll see tomorrow.Copy linkCopiedTomorrow’s gamesMore drama to come tomorrow? Hopefully!Here’s what we’ve got to look forward to (8pm unless stated)Leipzig vs Sporting 5.45pmShakhtar vs Brest 5.45pmMilan vs GironaArsenal vs Dinamo ZagrebCeltic vs Young BoysFeyenoord vs BayernPSG vs Man CityReal Madrid vs SalzburgSparta Prague vs InterCopy linkCopiedElite companyOptaJoe say Arne slot is only the second manager in Champions League history to win his first seven games in charge of a club.That feat was previously only done by Hansi Flick when at Bayern a few years ago.Copy linkCopiedMatch report – Liverpool vs LilleMo Salah claimed his 50th European goal for Liverpool as Arne Slot’s side stuck a red flag on the summit of the Champions League table.Harvey Elliott continued what has been an astonishing first campaign for the Dutchman who succeeded Jurgen Klopp.For while the German will always be seen as one of Anfield’s true icons, history so far suggests that Slot may yet over time be at least as revered. At this rate, anyway.Elliott’s 67th strike against a side reduced to ten men early in the second half means Slot’s men equalled the club’s best – ever sequence of seven successive wins the competition, a run set, of course, by Klopp.Yet when so many within the Kop feared his departure last summer might signal a down- sizing of intent, the current side just get better and better.Copy linkCopiedMatch report – Monaco vs Aston VillaAston Villa discovered the hard way.The last place in the world you can afford to be poor is Monte Carlo.Unai Emery brought his Premier stars to the millionaires’ playground in the South of France.But in front of watching royalty – Villa fan Prince William – his side performed like paupers.Wilfried Singo’s first-half header was enough to sink Villa who had 82 minutes to put things right but never came close.They trudged off at the end, deservedly beaten by Monaco’s energetic kids.Copy linkCopiedHot propertyJonathan David might well have added a few more million onto his price tag after his goal at Anfield tonight.The Lille man is hot property at the minute and has been linked with Newcastle, Arsenal and the Reds in the last couple of days, labelling the latter of those the ‘best team in the world’.Speaking to Amazon Prime after the game, he said: “We came against the first of the Champions League group so we knew it was going to be a complicated game even more so when we went to 10 men. It’s frustrating, we wanted to hold on as long as we could but it’s very difficult.”Today wasn’t our day. The togetherness. Everyone is very solid and compact. We want to play and play our game this is how we’re going to get further.”They’re a very good team. I think they might be the best team in the world at the moment.”Copy linkCopiedStrong showingA dominant night for Liverpool despite really getting out of first gear.Lille with plenty of the ball of their own and 461 passes is no mean feat at Anfield on a Champions League night.Copy linkCopied50 upMo Salah admits his pride at another landmark moment for Liverpool after his 50th European goal for the club.But he admits he hopes it’s not the last milestone for the club.He told Amazon Prime: “Hopefully not the last one but I’m very proud of it. I wasn’t focused on it before the game.”They have a really good game plan and they were unbeaten for 21 games so they’re a quite tough team. I’m glad we managed to win that game.”We got the ball and Curtis played the ball very well finally and I managed to score.”Copy linkCopiedHow we standA dramatic night then but it leaves us knowing that top spot will either be Liverpool or Barcelona.The Reds are in such a strong position having won all seven games and have a three-point gap to Barca, with just the final match day to go.Liverpool are at PSV, Barca host Atalanta.Elsewhere, Aston Villa are in a right scrap for a top eight finish, knowing they will need to beat Celtic next week!Copy linkCopiedLage rageBenfica boss Bruno Lage has taken a leaf out the Phil Brown playbook.The livid Portuguese boss kept his side out on the pitch to give them a dressing down in the torrential rain.The players still looked shell-shocked having thrown away that game to actually lose in the end.Copy linkCopiedChampions League resultsWhat a sensational night of Champions League drama.Here’s the results:Atalanta 5-0 Sturm GrazMonaco 1-0 Aston VillaAtletico Madrid 2-1 LeverkusenBenfica 4-5 BarcelonaBologna 2-1 DortmundClub Brugge 0-0 JuventusLiverpool 2-1 LilleRed Star 2-3 PSVSlovan Bratislava 1-3 StuttgartCopy linkCopied90+6 – GOAL!! Benfica 4-5 BARCELONAWow wow wow – what a stunning end to the game and a quite incredible comeback!RAPHINHA has won it for Barca!Benfica were pushing and thought they might’ve had a penalty for a shove in the back.Ferran Torres smashes it long and Raphinha is on the halfway line to run clean through. He drives in towards goal and waits to beat the defender on the inside before smashing beyond the keeper.4-2 down in the 78th minute, Barca have won with the final kick. Extraordinary.Copy linkCopiedFT! Job done for Liverpool at Anfield and they maintain top spot – and confirm their place in the top eight.Harvey Elliott’s second half goal the difference after 10-man Lille equaliser through Jonathan David.They’ll be hard to catch at the top now…Liverpool 2-1 LilleCopy linkCopied90 – GOAL! ATLETICO MADRID 2-1 LeverkusenJULIAN ALVAREZ with the winner!The Leverkusen players crumbling as tough as the referee in this one.Correa bundles his way through and a touch into his path inside the box works out to be a great pass for Alvarez.Kovar comes out to close the angle and the striker nips round him and taps into an empty net from a tight angle.Copy linkCopied87 – GOAL! Slovan Bratislava 1-3 STUTTGARTIt was game on for 60 seconds or so…Terrific counter attack ended by FABIAN RIEDER who slots beyond the keeper. Job done.Copy linkCopied87 – GOAL! Benfica 4-4 BARCELONAThe comeback is complete for the Spanish giants!They were piling on the pressure and this one comes from a corner taken short to Pedri and his cracking cross finds ERIC GARCIA to plant a header beyond the keeper.Wild scenes as the visitors celebrate but where was the Benfica marking!?Copy linkCopied86 – GOAL! SLOVAN BRATISLAVA 1-2 StuttgartIDJESSI METSOKO with the goal to make things interesting!Barseghyan with a stunning through ball for Metsoko who takes a great touch into the box and a clever dinked finish beyond the keeper.Copy linkCopiedClosing stagesEVERY game in the balance going into the closing stages as Slovan Bratislava have just scored!🔴 Atletico Madrid 1-1 Leverkusen 🔴Benfica 4-3 BarcelonaBologna 2-1 DortmundClub Brugge 0-0 JuventusLiverpool 2-1 Lille 🔴Red Star 2-3 PSV 🔴Slovan Bratislava 1-2 StuttgartCopy linkCopied77 – GOAL! RED STAR 2-3 PSVAn incredible comeback IS on the cards as Red Star get one back!Ivanic’s cross from the corner finds NASSER DJIGA who heads powerfully off the under-side of the crossbar and in!Copy linkCopiedFrom Ken Lawrence watching Liverpool vs LilleLiverpool got a little sloppy against Lille. But only for a little while.Jonathan David plundered an equaliser five minutes after Alissa Mandi got a second yellow card.But there is  a power and a presence about Arne Slot’s side and Harvey Elliott scored his first European goal at Anfield to send then further on the way to topping the Champions League table. And then some.Copy linkCopied76 – RED CARD – PIERO HINCAPIE (Leverkusen)Oh referee you’ve absolutely bottled it!He’s been itching and itching to level the teams up and crumbled under the pressure Atletico Madrid’s theatrics and their supporters’ noise.Hincapie is the victim of the referee’s crumbling, receiving a second yellow for a shoulder-to-shoulder clash on the right edge of the area. Copy linkCopied77 – GOAL! Benfica 4-3 BARCELONAGame on again in Lisbon!Again, it’s ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI and again it’s from the spot. So very harsh the decision as Lamine Yamal goes down easily but the Polish marksman makes no mistake. Now the joint-most penalty goals in this competition alongside Cristiano Ronaldo!Soccer Football – Champions League – Benfica v FC Barcelona – Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal – January 21, 2025 FC Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Rodrigo AntunesCopy linkCopied71 – GOAL! RED STAR 1-3 PSVThe home side back in it? Still work to do against the ten man as CHERIF NDIAYE gets it.Clever header. Too little too late?Copy linkCopied72 – GOAL! BOLOGNA 2-1 DortmundWhat a turnaround – Bologna trailed 90 seconds ago and now they lead through Englishman SAMUEL ILING JUNIOR.Just seconds after the restart they win the ball back and weak defending from Anton allows Dallinga in again but the keeper saves his effort.But it falls kindly to Iling Junior to smash home from eight yards. Incredible turnaround.Copy linkCopied68 – GOAL! BENFICA 4-2 BarcelonaJust as it looked like being game on, it’s not again!Benfica go back in front and it’s an own goal from Araujo. A great ball into the box is picked up at the back post and when played into the six-yard box, Araujo beats Wojciech Szczęsny to it and diverts it into his own net!Copy linkCopied More

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      Liverpool 2 Lille 1: Reds maintain 100% Champs League record as Salah & Elliott put Kop club on brink of winning league

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      MO SALAH claimed his 50th European goal for Liverpool as Arne Slot’s side stuck a red flag on the summit of the Champions League table.Harvey Elliott continued what has been an astonishing first campaign for the Dutchman who succeeded Jurgen Klopp.Liverpool welcomed Lille to Anfield in their penultimate Champions League group stage matchCredit: ALAMYMohamed Salah fired the Reds into a 1-0 lead in the 34th minuteCredit: RexSalah’s strike was his 21st in all competitions this seasonCredit: APFor while the German will always be seen as one of Anfield’s true icons, history so far suggests that Slot may yet over time be at least as revered. At this rate, anyway.Elliott’s 67th strike against a side reduced to ten men early in the second half means Slot’s men equalled the club’s best – ever sequence of seven successive wins the competition, a run set, of course, by Klopp.Yet when so many within the Kop feared his departure last summer might signal a down- sizing of intent, the current side just get better and better.They also sit top of the Prem. Nobody would suggest they won’t be there at the end. READ MORE UCL NEWSThey way things are going in Europe, nobody could say that they become the No.1 team on the continent – and follow Klopp’s 2019 success – is beyond them either.The most impressive aspect of Liverpool’s approach to this clash was their control.This didn’t need to be a raucous night. It was only really ever about ensuring progress and especially against opponents who were anything but mugs.Say what you like about French football and how soft it might be by comparison to the Premier League but Bruno Grensio’s side touched down boasting a club record 21 games unbeaten.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSJonathan David dragged the visitors level just after the half hour markCredit: GETTYLike Slot’s machine, they had also beaten the mighty Real Madrid and for over half an hour they threatened, probed and gave no impression whatsoever that they were intimidated in their hallowed surroundings.The Ligue 1 side are proper football team and they got the respect they deserved.Mo Salah calls out Jamie Carragher after Liverpool legend urged him to ‘take a leaf out of Virgil van Dijk’s book’Slot made four changes from the side that beat Brentford 2-0 thanks to the time added on double that proved Darwin Nunez actually can finish.The mercurial Uruguayan, who often has trouble hitting barn doors, was rewarded with a starting spot but there was no barn – storming for him in a cagey first third of the game.This was about cat and mouse. Precision. No gung-ho requirements, especially as Lille confidently stroked the ball around in possession.Then Curtis Jones dropped a bomb.Kostas Tsimikas robbed striker Jonathon David and the blossoming England midfielder pounced.In a flash, he delivered a fabulous fifty-yard pass into the path of Salah who motored forward, like he does and as Lucas Chevalier moved forward the icon of Anfield kept his cool and bent a trademark left-footer around him.Amazingly that was his first goal from open play in 440 minutes. You would never have known he’d gone that long.As finishes go for Liverpool’s all-time top European goal scorer, it was about as good as it ever was for him.Shortly after that landmark opener came another for the team that Brentford manager Thomas Frank described at the weekend as the best team in the world.They surpassed the first 36 minutes to set a new club record, beating the 572 set under Rafa Benitez without conceding a goal in season 2005-06 as Miracle of Istanbul Champions League holders.Harvey Elliot’s deflected strike fired the Reds back in frontCredit: AlamyHere was a team if not at the peak of their powers then one certain that most history could be written.In their previous six games of this Champions League campaign, they had conceded only once.They were now going for another major mark – bidding to become only the second team ever after Leeds United in the whole history of Europe’s premier competition to win six games in a row without their goalkeeper picking one out of his net.It all seemed to get more comfortable, too, in the 59th minute after Aissa Mandi got his marching orders.Already booked, his challenge on Luis Diaz was as stupid under the circumstances as it was cynical and German referee Felix Swayer had no option but to go yellow and red on him.Then Slot’s side got sloppy three minutes later. A low cross wasn’t dealt with and Jakan Haraldsson connected first – time.Alisson deflected that effort but then had no chance as David fired home the rebound to claim his 18th goal of a campaign – including five in Europe that is maker bigger fish than Lille across Europe take notice.Yet there was no real panic. Slot had replaced Jones and Ryan Gravenberch for for Alex Mac Allister and Elliott at the start of the second leg.Those fresher legs counted, too, for Mac Allister immediately got busy, pulling his midfielders into a tighter, more aggressive unit.Elliott got the reward in the 67th minute after that resurgence had pushed the French into retreat mode.He smashed home his first European goal at Anfield from around 25 yards after Lille half – cleared a corner.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt wasn’t the greatest of strikes, deflecting of a flailing Lille leg, but it didn’t matter. But it still meant job done. And then some. More

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      ‘It doesn’t suit you’ says brutal Jamie Carragher as fans join CBS Sports panel joking about Micah Richards’ new hairdo

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER rinsed Micah Richards over his new haircut.The punditry duo teamed up together in the CBS Sports studio for the first time this year on Tuesday night.Micah Richards has shaken up his look with a new, shorter haircutCredit: X @CBSSportsGolazoThe change came in for some ribbing from Jamie Carragher in the CBS Sports studioCredit: X @CBSSportsGolazoThey were joined by host Kate Abdo and Thierry Henry for Champions League coverage on the US network.But talk quickly went off the football – and on to Richards’ fresh trim.The ex-Manchester City defender swapped up his look with a shorter, neat style.Richards, 36, is clearly delighted with the cleaner cut and proudly announced: “I look fantastic don’t I?”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut blunt Carra was having none of it – and told him exactly what he thought of the shake-up.Carragher, 46, said: “It doesn’t suit you.”Then after a stunned silence in the studio, he continued: “I’m saying that as a friend.”No, no… why? You didn’t need to.”Most read in Champions LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSRichards replied: “You’re not feeling it? I just thought new year, new me.”Abdo chipped in: “I like it, nice and cripsy, a bit shorter. If you know you know.”Micah Richards is banned from analysing Brest during CBS Sports broadcast The CBS producers then flashed up a split screen of the previous iteration of Richards’ hair with the new version. But Carragher added: “That?! I mean, honestly, you look awful. You look so cool on the other one.”Richards burst into laughter then asked: “What do I look now?”Carragher hit back: “Not cool. Why did you do that? I know [you wanted a change] but why?”Abdo then asked if the former England right-back had lasered his eyes as he appeared in the studio without his glasses.But Richards explained: “I’ve got contact lenses in because obviously I had the height with the high top.”Now when I wear my glasses, my face looks too small. It’s not right.”Carragher then quipped: “So you never needed the glasses anyway, it was all a front? “Everything about this man is an act.”‘AIN’T BROKE DON’T FIX IT’Henry asked: “Are you happy with it?”And when Richards confirmed he was, the Frenchman reassured him: “That’s the most important thing.”Carragher suggested a social media poll – before suggesting the hair “looks like you’ve got a hat on” – while Abdo implied Richards may have had a hair transplant. That prompted a brilliant reaction from the three ex-footballers but Richards insisted: “I have not been to Turkey, not a chance. Wow. This is a grilling.”And the studio descended into chaos once more when Carragher joked he thought Richards had only been to Turkey to have his teeth done. Plenty of fans weighed in with their views on Richards’ new trim on Twitter.One said: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I don’t agree with Carra a lot of times, but I find myself having to admit that he’s right on this one.”Another replied: “This is the cutest Micah has ever been. We love the new look Micah.”READ MORE SUN STORIESA third added: “I gotta say I agree with Carra on this. He does look younger and fresher with his old style.”And a final user commented: “I think he looks better with the short hair personally. I actually did hate the longer hair on him.”Richards has ditched the glasses after going shorter on topCredit: Getty More

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      Kyle Walker’s Man City career OVER as AC Milan agree 12-month loan move – but deal end’s Rashford transfer interest

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      KYLE WALKER is to join AC Milan after agreeing a 12-month loan deal, SunSport can reveal.The Manchester City skipper, 34, is expected in Italy in the coming days before being unveiled to the Rossoneri.Kyle Walker has agreed a move to AC MilanCredit: GettyIt brings an end to a glittering career with Manchester City, for now at leastCredit: AFPThe England full-back won six Premier League titles at the EtihadCredit: ReutersHe was poised to join their fierce city rivals, Inter, after telling City of his desire to quit the Etihad but talks broke down over his wages.AC Milan have now agreed a deal that will see the Serie A giants pick up the majority of his £150,000 weekly pay packet.The deal brings Walker’s glittering eight-year career at City to a close – for now at least – and ends Milan’s long-running interest in Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.Under strict Serie A rules, clubs can only sign one British player a year. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLA source said: “The deal is done. Kyle is keen to get to Italy as soon as possible for the formalities.”He’s excited about the future and can’t wait to pull on the famous shirt.”He’s now an AC Milan player.”FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMost read in FootballThe race to sign Walker began just over a week ago after he informed the club he wanted to quit.Boss Pep Guardiola revealed his desire to leave after his side’s 8-0 mauling of Salford in the FA Cup.Roy Keane fumes at ’embarrassing’ Kyle Walker dive during Man City’s clash against Man UtdWalker was left out of the squad for the tie and was missing days later for the 2-2 draw with Brentford.Guardiola revealed: “Kyle asked to explore the option to play abroad.”He asked after the Treble, when Bayern Munich wanted him, but the offer was not good enough.”I prefer to play players whose mind is here. Kyle asked to explore but it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen because you never know.”We cannot understand the success that the club had these years without Kyle. It is impossible.”He has been our right-back and given us something we didn’t have. He’s been amazing.”But now in his mind, for many reasons, he would like to explore if he can go to another country to play his last years.”Incredible trophy haulWalker has won 17 major honours with City since his £50million move from Tottenham in 2017.His accolades include six Prem titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League.He ruled out a move to the Saudi league to keep alive his chances of winning more England caps.He feared a move to the Middle East would almost certainly end his chances of becoming the first black player to reach 100 caps for the Three Lions.He currently has 93 and would need to make the plane for the World Cup next year to reach the historic milestone.A source said: “He not about to give up on that dream. He’s achieved so much already – but 100 England caps would be his crowning glory.READ MORE SUN STORIES”To achieve that, he’s going to have to give everything. He knows his career is coming to an end but he’s not done yet.”Don’t write him off.” More

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      How Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal will pocket huge windfall if they finish in top eight of Champions League table

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      LIVERPOOL, Arsenal and Aston Villa are set to receive major financial windfalls if they finish in the top eight of the Champions League.The Premier League trio occupy first, fifth and eight place respectively in the 36-team table after Tuesday night’s games.Liverpool currently top the Champions League table and are on course to receive a hefty bonusCredit: GETTYArsenal will also receive a sizeable bonusCredit: GETTYAs will Aston Villa, who were eighth after their loss to MonacoCredit: REXEach of the teams participating in this season’s revamped competition will take home a guaranteed £15,744,700.But thanks to the new league ranking bonus system, as well as they’re final position in the table, they’re all in line to receive whopping bonuses.The overall bonus sum for the tournament is split into 666 equal shares which were initially each valued at £232,516 – the amount the last-placed team in the competition will receive.The 35th-placed side will take home two shares, which will be allocated until the table-topper is given 36 shares.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs it stands, current league leaders Liverpool will pocket a whopping £8,370,576 for 36 shares.Fifth-placed Arsenal are set to take home 33 shares, which equate to £6,742,964.Aston Villa, meanwhile, are on course to rake in £6,975,480 as a seventh-placed finish will earn them 30 shares.The shares, however, will be increased due to the undisputed prize money for draws – which increase the pot by £591,675 each time.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSTeams will also receive an additional £1,775,445 for each win they notched in the group stage.That means Liverpool’s seven wins have pocketed them a staggering £12,428,115.Aston Villa star Jhon Duran kicks water bottle in fury after he is sent off against NewcastleArsenal and Villa’s respective four wins apiece, meanwhile, have so far earned them £7,101,780.Arsenal will be back in Champions League action on Wednesday night, welcoming Croatian big boys Dinamo Zagreb to the Emirates.Villa, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from their defeat to Monaco against Scottish champions Celtic next Wednesday. More