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      Chelsea’s Millie Bright is ready ‘to put body on the line’ in push to win Women’s League Cup 

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      CHELSEA captain Millie Bright has a Blue-print for success in the League Cup final. The Blues’ longest-serving player, 31, knows all about pushing herself to the limit in pursuit of prizes. Millie Bright and her team-mates hope to emerge victorious from their League Cup final clash with Manchester CityCredit: ReutersThe Cityzens are aiming to lift their first trophy this term under interim boss Nick CushingCredit: GettyBlues captain Bright says the adrenalin rush of winning trophies makes her want to do it all over againCredit: GettyShe has plenty of those – with another in her sights as Chelsea face Manchester City today in this year’s Women’s League Cup decider.And she says whoever is willing to put their body on the line will triumph. Bright knows what she is talking about, with 13 trophies in her 12 years at the club, as well as winning the 2022 Euros with England.To date the tenacious player, who joined the Blues from Doncaster Rovers Belles 12 years, ago has won six domestic cup competitions. Read More Football StoriesShe hopes to make it seven when Chelsea battle the Cityzens at 12:15pm at Pride Park, 33 miles away from the Derbyshire town of Chesterfield where she was born. The WSL star said: “Games like these are about who is best prepared, who’s willing to do everything to win and put their body on the line.”A Chelsea-City final is something that everyone always wants to see. “It’s always a great game coming up against them, but ultimately we want to win. Most read in Football”We want to lift that trophy, but we have to put in the work.”Hard graft is what Chelsea will need to produce across 12 days during their next four games. Every time you lift a trophy it gives you that hunger to just do it all over again. You never want to experience any other feeling.Millie Bright Aside from today’s showdown these include two season-defining duels with Man City in the Champions League quarters and a Women’s Super League tussle. Facing a fierce rival four times in a row is something of an oddity for Bright. The Blues captain adds: “I don’t think that has ever happened before. “But our mentality is always to just go game-by-game. Everyone’s just excited for the final.”With the WSL leaders unbeaten this term, and City picking up some mixed results, Bright and team-mates will fancy their chances of ending a recent run of three League Cup final losses. Their last triumph occurred in March 2021 when they trounced Bristol City 6-0 at Vicarage Road. Bright is one of the six players left in her team who were part of that League Cup-winning side then managed by Emma Hayes.The first time she ever triumphed in a cup final was ten years ago against Notts County. A goal scored by former Blue Ji So-Yun sealed Chelsea’s first ever FA Cup triumph. But after 13 trophy wins with the Blues, Bright admits memories of this first are becoming a little blurry. The England ace said: “All those firsts are a bit of a blur now because everything was such a shock and a hit in the face, like a new experience. “I have to think really hard about what they felt like. “But instantly it’s that adrenaline rush of ‘this is amazing, I want to do it all over again’.”And then you actually want to get straight back out on the pitch and compete for the next potential trophy. “Every time you lift a trophy, it gives you that hunger to just do it all over again.”You never want to experience any other feeling.”Today’s game comes nine days after Bright signed a new contract with Chelsea which runs until next summer with the option to extend for a further year. On March 12 her team-mate Erin Cuthbert also penned a new deal with the Blues which expires in the summer of 2027.Both players are thriving in a post-Hayes era with head coach Sonia Bompastor so far steering the team on an unbeaten run across all competitions. Of  Cuthbert’s impact Bright said: “Everyone knows what Erin means to this club and to this team. Her energy is infectious. “She’s a massive part with her mentality, her drive and quality on the ball.“We saw that the other night (against Leicester) she comes on and slots one in the bottom corner nice and composed.”Bright and Cuthbert are among the Blues stalwarts thriving under boss BompastorSo far the France-born former Lyon manager has steered her side on an unbeaten run across all competitions. What Bright values most is her manager’s willingness to allow her players to express themselves. Bright adds:  “Sonia is good at that and tells us to enjoy every single minute that we play because we should. “She really gives us that confidence to express ourselves. “And if we make mistakes then fine. We’ve got each other’s backs, we’ll figure it out and we’ll work together. “Sonia’s really really good at giving that confidence, but if I can help the players in any way,  they know I’ve got an open door policy. “They can come to me for literally anything. You need support on the pitch or a shoulder to cry on – I’ll do it.”On the day Bright signed her new contract her mum Nicola and her dad Steve joined her at Stamford Bridge. She feels her family have played a huge part in the “blood, sweat and tears” of a career that has yielded much success. Bright adds: “Your family and your supporters – they’re the ones that are there every single week, travelling all around the world to support you. Chelsea’s last League Cup triumph was back in 2021 when they beat Bristol CityCredit: Getty”That’s how I’ve always seen it and that’s why I want to do so well and win.  “The blood, sweat and tears you put into it – it’s all for that success and those moments with your loved ones and your team-mates lifting trophies. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I don’t think there’s any other moment that will compare to that.” The Subway Women’s League Cup final can be watched live from 12:15pm today on BBC One. More

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      If Newcastle beat Liverpool it could be the catalyst for a new dynasty, the first trophy in a new golden era

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      JUNE 11, 1969, is not a date most football fans will remember.Unless, of course, you support Newcastle.A few weeks later, Neil Armstrong would take his giant leap for mankind on the moon but, for Newcastle, it marked the start of a big step backwards.Eddie Howe is desperate to end Newcastle’s decades of hurtCredit: GettyAlexander Isak is set to lead the Toon’s hopes in attackCredit: GettyThe Toon Army sank several battalions of Newcastle Brown Ale in 1969 as it was the last time their club — by common consent one of the best supported in the land — actually won a trophy.Winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the forerunner of the Uefa Cup and Europa League, came so long ago that the match was only covered for TV in black and white.The Magpies beat Hungary’s Ujpesti Dozsa 6-2 over the two-legged final but have since had to endure heartbreak, false dawns and decades of near misses.That could all change this weekend, 56 years later.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShould they win the League Cup at Wembley on Sunday, Toon boss Eddie Howe will achieve Tyneside immortality as the manager who finally brought home silverware.Many have tried, all have failed, but Howe could be the one to end 56 years of hurt for Newcastle.This match represents so much more than just a trophy.It’s about proving that Newcastle are a serious force again.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnd that the investment under their new owners is translating into real success —  that this is just the beginning, not the end, of a new era for the club.Howe has done a remarkable job turning Newcastle from relegation candidates into genuine contenders for silverware in just a few seasons.Dan Burn’s gone from pushing trolleys at Asda to potential England glory – he fully deserves his call-upWinning this final would be a statement of intent, a sign that they are not just here to challenge but to dominate.Yet they have one major obstacle — and that’s the best team in the country at the moment, Liverpool.Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup — you name it, they’ve won it.Tuesday’s unexpected Champions League exit means there’s no doubt they will approach this game like wounded tigers — dangerous and determined.Quiz question? How many trophies have Liverpool won since 1969. I looked it up.The Reds have lifted 12 league titles and are almost certainly about to make it another.They have also racked up six European Cups, seven FA Cups, ten League Cups, three Uefa Cups and a Club World Cup.That’s 39 major trophies, to Newcastle’s none. Liverpool, quite simply, are a club that knows how to win.Arne Slot hopes Liverpool bounce back quickly from their PSG exitCredit: RexI suspect many neutrals will be wanting a Newcastle victory to end that tale of woe and the Toon Army hope and pray this weekend finally ends that astonishing streak.Newcastle’s last domestic success came even further back, when they won a third FA Cup in just five seasons in 1955.For a club which gets 52,000 into St James’ Park every home game, they are on a remarkably bad run — especially when you consider some of the managers who have been on Tyneside, including the late Sir Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan.They both got very close to trophies but Howe could be the one who finally delivers.It will be fascinating to see how Arne Slot’s Liverpool react to their European exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in midweek. It could galvanise the players to show their boss that PSG was just a blip on an otherwise memorable season that sees them poised to win a record-equalling 20th league title, level with their local rivals Manchester United.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor Newcastle, losing this final would be gut-wrenching. Another painful chapter in a long history of near-misses.But if they win? It could be the catalyst for a new dynasty, the first trophy in a new golden era for the club. More

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      ‘It was clear why’ – Mikel Arteta lifts lid on why ‘brave’ Arsenal star Ben White refused to play for England

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      MIKEL ARTETA saluted “brave” Ben White after he told Thomas Tuchel he wants an England return.The Arsenal defender has not played for his country since leaving the 2022 Qatar World Cup early amid an alleged fallout with assistant Steve Holland.Mikel Arteta says there is no way Ben White let England downCredit: GettyEmirates ace White allegedly fell out with England coach Steve HollandCredit: GettyBut White, 27, told new England boss Tuchel he would “love” to end his exile — although was not fit enough to be in yesterday’s squad.This is despite Three Lions legend Stuart Pearce warning: “If players let you down once, they will always let you down.”But Gunners chief Arteta hit back: “What Ben did was very brave and not a lot of people would have done it.“I was very involved in [White refusing to be called up].READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I know how Ben felt and it was very clear for me the reason why he made that decision.“It wasn’t about [letting his country down]. It was about facing the situation and saying, ‘I can’t handle it now and I am not the best person to represent the country the way I feel right now’.“So it was completely the opposite. What a lot of people would do is hide in that environment.“Whatever the outcome, what I want is for Ben to be happy.Most read in FootballNew Three Lions, boss Thomas Tuchel has opened the door for WhiteCredit: ReutersWhite won four England caps under Gareth Southgate from 2021-2022Credit: GettyBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“Knowing Ben, he won’t be influenced by somebody else.“And if they found that chemistry between Thomas and him, that’s great. If he wants to come and Thomas wants him, great.Ben White set for England return as Thomas Tuchel confirms Arsenal star ‘would love to be back’ in squad “He has the level and the potential to achieve great things with the national team.”Tuchel held talks with right-back White before leaving him out of his first England squad to face Albania on Friday and Latvia three days later. White made a first start since November in Arsenal’s 2-2 Champions League draw with PSV Eindhoven after a knee op.Tuchel said: “He loves to be back in the squad. It’s a bit too early, given the injury he had.“We’ve been monitoring his training. We are on it and are speaking to Ben. I’m delighted he’s back.“It’s a question about getting more minutes and rhythm. He has every chance to be back. He’s glad to be back.”Arsenal superkid Ethan Nwaneri earned a first England Under-21s call.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe forward, 17, will be involved for friendlies with France and Portugal.Academy kid Nwaneri has enjoyed a stunning breakout season under Arteta — with eight goals in all competitions — and was even touted for a senior call-up.Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, 17, has leapt up into the England U-21s squadCredit: Getty More

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      Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel reveals he’ll sing national anthem on one condition as he prepares to lead out England

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      NEW England boss Thomas Tuchel will sing the national anthem — but only after we win a few games.The new German manager revealed yesterday that he will not be belting out God Save The King when he takes charge for the first time at Wembley next week.Thomas Tuchel will sing England’s national anthem when he gets the Three Lions winningCredit: ReutersHarry Kane, Jordan Pickford and Harry Maguire sing the anthemCredit: The TimesTuchel revealed he was proud to receive the royal seal of approval from Prince WilliamCredit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaceBut he promised he will join in with the players when they get a few wins under his leadership, and he has “earned the right”.His revelation comes after England’s then-interim manager Lee Carsley sparked controversy last year by refusing to sing the national anthem.Tuchel, 51, also revealed he was proud to receive the royal seal of approval from Prince William, who told The Sun he is the “best manager for the job” and could even win us the World Cup.As he unveiled his first England squad yesterday, Tuchel joked the heir to the throne had been “pushing hard” for him to include players from his beloved Aston Villa.Read More on SportFA patron William and Tuchel have met twice since the former Chelsea and PSG boss took on the England job, including at Windsor Castle last month.But they did not discuss the national anthem. Tuchel said yes­terday: “I didn’t tell him at this point. “It didn’t come up. Most read in Football“But I made my decision.“I think first of all, you have a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem, and I could not be more proud to be on the sideline and be in charge of the English national team.Dan Burn’s gone from pushing trolleys at Asda to potential England glory – he fully deserves his call-up“It means everything. “It means a lot to me, I can assure you. “But I can feel because it’s that meaningful and it’s that emotional and it’s so powerful the national anthem, that I have to earn my right to sing it.“I feel that it’s not just a given. “You cannot just sing it. “That’s why I decided that I will not sing it in my first matches.”Tuchel will therefore be keeping silent when it is played at a sold-out Wembley Stadium before the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Albania on Friday night, and Latvia next Monday.But he said: “I will earn it with results, with building a group, with doing my job properly and by creating a feeling where maybe even you guys say at some point, ‘Now it’s time you sing it, it feels like you proper earn it and you’re a proper English guy now’!“Maybe I have to dive more into the culture and earn my right from you, from the players, from the supporters, so everyone feels like, ‘He should sing it now, he’s one of our own, he’s the English manager, he should sing it’.”Speaking exclusively to The Sun this week, William said the former Bayern Munich manager is the “best person for the job” and winning the World Cup next summer is “definitely possible”.Opening up about their meetings, Tuchel said yesterday he was honoured to get the prince’s backing, adding: “It makes me very proud.”Asked if William’s prediction that a German could end 60 years of hurt “adds pressure”, he said: “Yeah, of course. “The pressure comes with the job, and the pressure is a privilege to be in this role.”He went on: “I met His Royal Highness once during a match and we then had another meeting in Windsor Castle and it was just nothing but impressive the way he speaks and how emotional he supports Aston Villa and of course the national team.Tuchel said: ‘It is so powerful the national anthem that I have to earn my right to sing it’Credit: GettyJordan Henderson has been recalled to the England squadCredit: GettyMarcus Rashford has been called up for dutyCredit: Getty“It’s just so impressive. “It was so nice to speak to him about football. “He has a strong opinion.”Tuchel then joked: “He was pushing hard for the Aston Villa players, which was not needed because we admire them a lot and we admire a lot what is happening there in the club.“But it means a lot and it’s just something very, very special that comes with the role and it’s an honour and a privilege and comes with big responsibility.”Aston Villa stars Ezri Konsa and Morgan Rogers plus Marcus Rashford, currently on loan from Manchester United, all made Tuchel’s first 26-man squad.Rashford’s recall was not the only surprise — as there was also a return for Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson, who last played for England in November 2023.Newcastle defender Dan Burn got his first call-up at the age of 32 while Arsenal starlet Miles Lewis-Skelly, 18, also features for the first time. But Manchester City’s Jack Grealish has been left out.William, FA president for 19 years before stepping down after Euro 2024, recalled consoling the players immediately after their heartbreaking loss to Spain at the final in Berlin. He told The Sun it was “the hardest changing room atmosphere I’ve ever walked into”.After boss Gareth Southgate quit, he hailed his “humility, compassion and true leadership under the most intense pressure and scrutiny”.Appointing a foreign replacement sparked criticism for the FA but William told The Sun this week Tuchel was the right candidate.He said: “I understand the debate around having an English manager but, to me, it should be the best person for the job — and Thomas is exactly the right person.Tuchel’s first England match is against Albania next FridayCredit: Reuters“He’s one of the top five managers in the world. “It would be amazing if he could win the World Cup — it’s definitely possible.”The prince also described his love for Aston Villa before watching them beat Club Brugge on Wednesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.He also revealed he goes undercover on online fan forums. And he was praised for his admission that he found the TV blackout on 3pm games on Saturdays “irritating” as he cannot always get to Villa Park.One fan on the Reddit AVFC forum said: “Truly the people’s prince.”Another added: “Nice bit of humility there from him especially as he can’t get to Villa Park easily.“I imagine his entourage is huge. “You know around him are many bodyguards and there’s a reason he’s always at the back.”Another joked: “I wonder what his Reddit handle is.” On fan forum Heroes And Villains, even non-royalists were delighted he was there to see Villa. One, Rob Bridge, said: “Good. Regardless of my preference for an elected head of state it is excellent PR for the club.”And Villa Tim added: “He loves the Villa. “Great to see it and him enjoying himself.”A third — called Brazilian Villain — referred to the club’s glory days when they won the 1982 European Cup. He quipped: “He was born in June 82. “Who else could he choose but the reigning European champions?”Another, Purple Trousers, joked: “I am Prince William.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe prince is planning to travel to France for Villa’s quarter-final first leg against PSG next month.But he is set to miss Tuchel’s first England match next week due to commitments in Estonia, where he will be supporting British troops on Nato’s western frontier.Jack Grealish has been left out of the Three Lions squadCredit: The Times More

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      Jack Grealish’s refreshingly honest conversation with Thomas Tuchel over England future revealed

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      JACK GREALISH has been promised he still has an England future despite not being selected by Thomas Tuchel.The Manchester City midfielder missed out on Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad but returned to the side under interim boss Lee Carsley for the Nations League games last autumn and said it had brought back “enjoyment in an England shirt.”Jack Grealish has often been on the bench for Man City this seasonCredit: PAThomas Tuchel has named his first England squadCredit: GettyYet Grealish, 29, has only started six Premier League games and he is regularly seen out partying in pubs and clubs.Tuchel said: “I love Jack. I love everything about him. I love his personality, I love his quality.“The guy has courage, he can take the heat, he’s not afraid of the Bernabeu whistles when he’s on the ball.“So is he a player that should be available and can have an impact in our squad? Yes, 100 per cent. But lately, he simply has no rhythm and he and I agree 100 per cent with this.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“He said ‘listen Thomas, I’m not a start-stop player. It is so hard for me to influence a match from the bench and then be on the bench again, and then two weeks later I start again’.“I’m not judging anyone, not at all, but it’s just a characteristic of Jack. He gets better with every minute.”The more he plays, the better he gets and then he becomes a proper machine.“And he has, of course, a character to him that he can be the glue also in the team.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe human tuchENGLAND’S new boss Thomas Tuchel has announced his first squad – to mixed reaction.”It’s very easy for youngsters, for experienced players to be attached to him and to be close to him.“But this comes also with responsibility off the pitch and, of course, it’s not ideal that he’s in the newspapers and out there in public.Ben White set for England return as Thomas Tuchel confirms Arsenal star ‘would love to be back’ in squad “We want to have him more calm. No-one wants to have it, but this was not the reason for not picking him.“It was sporting and in his position Anthony Gordon has just more rhythm, more minutes, more intensity and Marcus (Rashford). So these were the two picks ahead of him.” More

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      ‘This is not what we want’ – Thomas Tuchel fires order to Harry Kane and reveals his England ‘expectation’

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      HARRY KANE has been ordered to avoid dropping into midfield by  Thomas Tuchel.The Three Lions manager, who signed Kane from Spurs for Bayern Munich in 2023, understands criticism of the striker, who was dropping too deep during Euro 2024.Harry Kane wilL lead the line for Thomas Tuchel’s England in their World Cup qualifiersCredit: GETTYThe Bayern Munich hitman has a tendency to drop deep into midfieldCredit: GETTYThree Lions gaffer Tuchel doesn’t want to see Kane to frequent the midfieldCredit: APThe 31-year-old, who has scored 69 times in 103 appearances for England, has struck 32 times for Bayern this term.Tuchel said: “I know Harry as a top, top professional who does what is asked of him and he does it now with Bayern Munich.“They play with a very high press – they almost man-mark.“I saw him here for England dropping deeper and deeper in his game and this is maybe not exactly what we want with Harry.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Making him drop as a No.9 is not a problem, but it should not be the No.6 position.“Dropping as a No10, turning and shooting from range and delivering from outside the box is not a problem.”But then we need to make sure that around him is enough speed and high position to take advantage of the space.“We have the highest expectations when we bring him in. He is our captain.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“He will maybe never be the most outspoken person, never be the most emotional leader out there on the pitch.“But in the group, we have high expectations he has to live up to.Harry Kane scores incredibly rare German hat-trick in Bayern Munich’s 4-0 win over Stuttgart”And, of course, in terms of intensity in the game, pressing, closing down players, we will not take any exceptions of the rule.”Tuchel also plans to travel to Saudi Arabia to watch Ivan Toney even though he was not selected with Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke getting the nod.The former Brentford striker plays for Al-Ahli and Tuchel said: “We had an Ollie Watkins decision to make because of inflammation of the patella which disturbs him too much and makes no sense to pick him.“So we had the question of do we pick Dominic or Ivan?“ I have much more evidence and more observations live in the matches from Dominic so straight away I made the choice.“It will be important in the coming weeks to actually visit Toney to watch a game there live and watch maybe training live, to get more of a feeling for him. “He was on the list, it was a purely sporting decision for Dominic.”Thomas Tuchel named his first England squad on FridayCredit: REX More

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      Newcastle legend gives Eddie Howe blueprint on how to beat Liverpool and finally end 70-year trophy drought

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      CHRIS WADDLE has told Newcastle boss Eddie Howe to stick to “bold” Geordie traditions to break the club’s trophyless habit of a lifetime.The Tyneside legend insists all-out attack is the only way to end a painful silverware drought and beat Premier League leaders Liverpool in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.Harvey Barnes, Leo Shahar and Co are gearing up for LiverpoolCredit: GettyEddie Howe has been told to focus on attack against Arne Slot’s menCredit: GettyChris Waddle reckons Toon fans have expectations of exciting footballCredit: RexEx-Toon and England winger star Waddle is urging Howe to order Alexander Isak and Co to get at Arne Slot’s side right from the off at Wembley.If fortune does favour the brave, it will secure Newcastle a first domestic trophy since the FA Cup 70 years ago and a first piece of silverware since the 1969 Fairs Cup triumph.“I’d love to see Newcastle end their hoodoo and I hope they do it with the fearless, exciting attacking style the club is famous for,” Waddle told SunSport.“For me, they need to be bold because Newcastle are always at their best on front foot and when they’ve tried alternative ways which are less exciting it’s not suited them.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“That’s been the case right down the years and when managers have tried to apply the brakes and exercise more caution, more often than not it’s backfired.“So, Newcastle will have to burst out of the blocks and press Liverpool from the off to try to catch them cold, get ahead early and work their socks off to stay there.“And that will get the fans plenty to shout about because that front-foot, high tempo approach is what they want to watch.“The last thing they like to see a Newcastle team park the bus at Wembley because they know the script.Most read in FootballAlexander Isak is rated as the man who could make the differenceCredit: PABEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“They don’t want to see boring football – they’ve traditionally preferred to see a 4-3 and hope and pray for the best. That’s the Newcastle way, whether we like it or not.”Waddle, 64, believes red-hot striker Isak could be the hero who brings back the glory days to Tyneside.Dan Burn’s gone from pushing trolleys at Asda to potential England glory – he fully deserves his call-upHe said: “It will require a massive performance from Newcastle to win but I think Isak could make the difference.“I’ve always liked centre-forwards who can create and make the most of their own goal-scoring opportunities and so I love watching Isak.“He’s shown so many times that he’s capable of picking the ball up 40 yards from goal, going it alone and scoring.“That’s because he’s not only blessed with pace and dribbling ability but he’s got a really positive mindset as well which is why he suits Newcastle so much.“He will always cause opposing defenders problems and that’s why he’s vitally important to Newcastle.“The side is set up to bring the best out of him when it comes to build-up play with wingers with purpose and three adventurous midfielders who are creative and love to get in the box.”But if things do go according to plan and their team’s high-octane start pays off, Waddle reckons the Geordies could end up watching the game unfold through their fingers.He added: “Liverpool will have a bit of a hangover from the PSG game but they’ll know what they need to do.“And they showed how good they are at managing games when they beat Manchester City last month.Kieran Trippier and team-mates hope to stun the Prem leadersCredit: GettyNewcastle must try to launch relentless attacking, says WaddleCredit: Getty“They didn’t go chasing them and played a good tactical game which showed how savvy Arne Slot is.“Everyone expects Liverpool to be on the front foot, attacking everyone and pushing teams back especially at Anfield, but they’ve got other styles of play.“And they’ve got Mo Salah, who seems to be getting better with age because his sense of where to be at the right time and what strings to pull is stronger than ever.“Tino Livramento will have to have one of the best games of his life to make sure he doesn’t do the damage for Liverpool.“It will be a real game of cat-and-mouse because Salah has the licence to roam.“So the Newcastle defence will need to have eyes in their back of their heads and be alert to him as he’ll be a constant menace.”Waddle spent five years at St James’ Park, helping Newcastle win promotion to the old First Division in 1984 alongside future Toon boss Kevin Keegan who is synonymous with near-misses on Tyneside.His side was beaten to the Premier League title by Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side.And since then they’ve reached the FA Cup final twice and the Carabao Cup Final two years ago and headed back up to the North East empty-handed on each occasion.“Sadly, there’s been decades of under-achievement at Newcastle,” Waddle added.“For the sake of the fans if nothing else I hope things change as they’ve had to have the patience of a saint.READ MORE SUN STORIES“They’ve been treated to exciting players, exhilarating seasons and but they’ve never got over the line despite investing in top individuals.“But that’s why if they beat Liverpool every single member of the team will instantly become Tyneside legends.” More

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      Jamie Carragher’s son, 22, gets first international call up but will not play for England like Liverpool legend dad

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER’S son James has been called up by the Malta national football team.James, 22, has been a regular in League One for Wigan this season.Jamie Carragher’s son James has receivedCredit: Instagram @jcarragher31James Carragher has been a regular for Wigan this seasonCredit: GettyThe defender’s former Liverpool legend dad, 47, earned 38 England caps during his playing career.But after being awarded Maltese citizenship last month, James will represent a different country.The Latics star qualifies for Malta via his paternal grandfather.His dad has also been awarded Maltese citizenship.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCarragher has been named in boss Emilio De Leo’s squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Poland.Last month Malta Football Association president Bjorn Vassallo confirmed that conversations had taken place with Carragher.Vassallo said: “We’ve been in talks with James and his father Jamie for the last few months now; he is open to it, but we’re still working on it.”Malta drew 0-0 with Andorra in Ta’ Qali last time out.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCarragher earned 38 England caps during his careerCredit: PA:Empics SportCarragher has played 22 times in League One for Wigan this season.The Liverpool-born defender has split duties between right-back and centre-half.’I could have been tidier’ Jamie Carragher addresses controversial Afcon comments and explains his ‘mistake’Carragher spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Oldham Athletic.He then played 20 times for Inverness Caledonian Thistle during the second half of last season.As well as Malta national team chiefs, Carragher will also be looking to impress his new club manager.The Latics confirmed the appointment of former Plymouth Argyle and Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe earlier this week. More