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      Champions League earnings so far revealed as Liverpool lead way on £83m and Man City bank £21m per WIN

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      LIVERPOOL have already banked a stunning £83million from the Champions League prize money fund despite losing their final initial stage match.And the Anfield side could end up earning £127m in total if they now go all the way to lift the trophy for a seventh time in Munich in May.Liverpool banked the most money from the Champions League group stageCredit: APBarcelona are also among the highest earnersCredit: APArsenal picked up £75.9m from six wins and a draw in their eight gamesCredit: AlamyArne Slot’s men took top seeding position for the knock-out stage as Barcelona conceded a late equaliser against Atalanta, even though an under-strength Anfield side were beaten by PSV Eindhoven.That secured their place as the top earners from the expanded competition so far, with the chance to add another significant sum of up to £43.9m in performance prize money in the knock-out stage.Liverpool’s run saw them earn £15.61m for qualifying for the competition, plus a further £12.32m for their seven wins – with each victory worth £1.76m.The Reds picked up a further £8.3m for topping the league phase table, £1.69m for finishing in the top eight and £9.22m for booking their place in the last 16.Read More in FootballIn addition, Liverpool had begun the competition guaranteed £35.44m, from the new version of the TV and historical market “pillar”, worth £715.5m of the total £2.07bn prize fund, plus a £570,000 share of the leftover £10.55m from the 18 draws across the 144 matches.Arsenal, who finished third in the table after their win at Girona, are the third highest earners so far.The Gunners have picked up £75.9m from six wins and a draw in their eight games to also go straight through to the last 16. Their share of the TV and market pillar was £29.8m.Barcelona, who split the two Prem sides in the table, also divided them in income so far, with the Catalans earning £76.3m.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThis season’s top earners so farMan City are the seventh-highest earners so farCredit: GettyDespite scraping through to the first knock-out stage with their win over Bruges, Manchester City are currently the seventh highest-earners in the competition so far.They will be hoping to overcome Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the first knock-out round.Shock moment Aston Villa & Celtic fans clash before Champions League showdown as FLARE launched towards home supportersSo far, City have bagged £62.7m, mainly due to them taking the second biggest share – £37.3m – of the broadcast and past performance pillar.That equates to just under £21m for every match they won in the group stage – against Club Brugge, Sparta Praha and Slovan Bratislava.That leaves them behind the two possible last 16 opponents, with Munich having earned £66.8m and Madrid £66.5m so far, as well as PSG, who have banked £67.1m courtesy of the French TV deal being the biggest signed with Uefa.But Pep Guardiola’s side would add a further £9.2m for winning next month’s last 16 clash, taking their total to £71.9m.By contrast, despite the win over Celtic which confirmed their place in the top eight, Aston Villa have only banked £58.8m so far, due to the Villa Park side only taking a £15.6m share of the market pot.Who faces who in the Champions League?Here’s a look at the ties across the competition…Teams who finished from ninth to 24th in the Champions League league phase will play off to decide who reaches the last-16. PLAYOFF ROUNDAtalanta vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeBorussia Dortmund vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeReal Madrid vs Celtic or Man CityBayern Munich vs Celtic or Man CityAC Milan vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSV vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSG vs AS Monaco or BrestBenfica vs AS Monaco or BrestWinners of playoff ties will then face the teams who finished in the top eight of the league phase in the last-16…LAST 16Liverpool vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestBarcelona vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestArsenal vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusInter Milan vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusAtletico Madrid vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityBayer Leverkusen vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityLille vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club BruggeAston Villa vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club Brugge More

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      Jordan Henderson ‘closing in on shock Champions League transfer which could see him link up with Marcus Rashford’

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      JORDAN HENDERSON is closing in on a stunning move to Monaco, it’s been claimed.The former England international is currently plying his trade in the Netherlands with Ajax, who he joined last January after terminating his multi-million-pound contract with Al-Ettifaq. Jordan Henderson is reportedly on the verge of leaving AjaxCredit: GETTYHenderson is reportedly on the brinking of agreeing a lucrative contract with MonacoCredit: REXBut it’s been claimed he’s on the verge of leaving the Dutch giants for a shock move to the Principality. That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims the former Sunderland and Liverpool ace has “almost agreed” an 18-month contract with the Ligue 1 side.He wrote on X: “AS Monaco are closing in on deal to sign Jordan Henderson from Ajax as new midfielder! “Permanent move almost agreed on contract until June 2026. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”Here we go, soon.”News of Henderson’s reported imminent exit from Ajax – who want to retain his services – comes just a few weeks after he vowed to stay at the Johan Cruyff Arena.When pressed about a potential return to boyhood club Sunderland, he said: “It’s my club [Sunderland], ever since I was a boy of six or seven years old. “Then I was in the stands. But I just hope I stay here [at Ajax]. I really like it here. Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMonaco are understood to be interested in signing wantaway Manchester United striker Marcus RashfordCredit: Getty“I want to help the club to grow further. We are also taking those steps. “But I also read it [the transfer speculation]. Marcus Rashford and Henderson OUT of Gareth Southgate’s England Squad for Euro 2024″I don’t even know where all this comes from, because there has been no contact.”A move to Monaco could potentially see Henderson link-up with his former England team-mate Marcus Rashford.Monaco are understood to be one of several European clubs interested in signing the wantaway Manchester United striker.The Ligue 1 outfit will be back in action on Saturday evening, welcoming Auxerre to the Stade Louis II. More

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      Man City hint at major Rodri injury boost as he’s set to be named in Champions League squad

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      MANCHESTER CITY plan to name Ballon D’Or winner Rodri in their squad for the knock-out stages of the Champions League.The Spain international was ruled out for the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury against Arsenal in September.Rodri is set to be named in Man City’s Champions League squadCredit: RexThe ace has been out since September with an ACL injuryCredit: RexBut Rodri has made excellent progress in his recovery and still believes he can be back in contention before the end of the current campaign.Boss Pep Guardiola wants to keep the door open for him to do that – even though City would have to go deep in the competition for him to be even in the frame.That in itself looks in some doubt as they will take on either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich when in the play-off round – with the draw due to be made on Friday.However after four months on the sidelines he is working hard towards his return.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEarlier this week he was pictured in his training gear on the eve of his club’s win over Club Brugge in the final game of the league stage.He also said in an interview in Spain earlier this month that he believes he can get back for his club before the end of the campaign.Guardiola will be able to add three new players to his squad and signed Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis last week.If they can add a new defensive midfielder or full-back to their squad before Monday’s transfer deadline, it would leave them with a dilemma.Most read in Champions LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAll clubs who have reached the knock-out stages have until Thursday February 6 to decide on their squad.Rodri joined City in a £62million move from Atletico Madrid in 2019.Rodri claims the 2024 Ballon d’Or and is congratulated by his motherHe’s since played 260 times under Guardiola, scoring 26 goals in total.And in that time he’s won four Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a Champions League — as well as October’s Ballon d’Or. More

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      ‘That’s better than Shrek’ jokes Wayne Rooney as Roy Keane reveals Hollywood star people mistake him for in the streets

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Roy Keane revealed he gets stopped on the streets by people who mistake him for a famous Hollywood star.Keane, 53, is one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the game and one of the most popular pundits in TV.Manchester United legend Roy Keane revealed the Hollywood star people mistake him forCredit: GettyKeane claims people mistake him for famous actor Mel GibsonCredit: GettyHowever, some still mistake the former Republic of Ireland international for someone completely different.Keane joined former team-mate Gary Neville as well as Ian Wright, Wayne Rooney and Jill Scott in the latest edition of Stick to Football.And the Irish great revealed sometimes people think he’s Mel Gibson – something he’s obviously not very excited about…Keane revealed: “A couple of people called me when I’m around and walking… They called me Mel!”Read More on Man UtdWright asked: “Mel Gibson…?”And Keane responded: “Yeah! [They say] I thought you were Mel Gibson.”I was like, ‘Mel Gibson is f*****g 80’!”Gibson, star of hit movie series Mad Max and Lethal Weapon, is in fact only 69.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSKeane’s fellow pundits agreed that was a compliment, especially Rooney, 39.Man Utd’s record goalscorer has received a lot less flattering comparisons throughout his career.Rooney quipped: “That’s better than Shrek anyway…”‘Are you alright-‘ – Gary Neville stunned as Wayne Rooney admits he STILL wants to manage and reveals unusual next stepThe legendary striker has recently crossed over to management but has been struggling greatly as he was sacked twice in 2024 by Birmingham and most recently Plymouth.Nevertheless, Wazza refuses to give up as he revealed he wants another crack at the dugout.The England great also weighed in on the Marcus Rashford drama revealing that he watched him training by himself and felt embarrassed for him.Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney insists Keane has it better than himRooney has been compared to Shrek throughout his careerCredit: Alamy More

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      England’s Georgia Stanway undergoes knee surgery ahead of Euros with midfielder expected to be ‘out for months’

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      GEORGIA STANWAY has undergone a knee operation after suffering a serious injury during training with her club Bayern Munich. The England midfielder, who underwent surgery yesterday, ruptured a lateral ligament in her right knee earlier this week.  Georgia Stanway’s last competitive game prior to her lateral knee ligament injury was against Arsenal in the Champions League in DecemberCredit: ReutersBayern Munich expect the midfielder star will be “out of action for several months” for themCredit: AlamyThe German giants expect the player, 26, to be out of action for several months for their team who are battling to win a seventh Women’s Bundesliga title. This means Stanway could miss the rest of this season and face a battle to be fit for this summer’s Euros with England hoping to retain their crown. The Bayern Munich star was part of the Lionesses side, who under boss Sarina Wiegman, became the first England team to win the contest in 2022. This year’s tournament in Switzerland is due to start on July 2 with England’s group stage opener against France taking place in Zurich three days later. Read More Football StoriesShould the 75-capped Stanway return to fitness by then, there is a chance she may have not have played in any competitive matches before the contest’s start. Her last competitive appearance for her club, who are currently second in Germany’s top tier, was on December 18. Back then the midfielder was part of the team that fell to a 3-2 group stage loss to Arsenal in the Champions League. Stanway, who joined Bayern Munich from Man City in May 2022, is a highly-regarded player for club and country. Most read in FootballShe began her senior club career at Blackburn Rovers in 2015 prior to signing for Man City later that year and then joining Bayern seven years after. Stanway, who was born in Cumbria, made an instant impact on her senior Lionesses debut scoring in a 3-0 friendly defeat of Austria in November 2018Five years later, she helped her national team make history by winning the Women’s Euros for the first time. On the way to defeating Germany in the final of the 2022 contest she scored a long-range quarter-final winner against Spain. Stanway’s injury comes a month on from Alex Greenwood damaging her medial collateral ligament whilst on Manchester City dutyCredit: ReutersStanway’s fitness blow comes just over a month after Lioness and Man City defender Alex Greenwood sustained a medial and collateral ligament injury. The Cityzens captain was stretchered off during her side’s 2-0 defeat of St Polten in the Champions League.She is currently working on her way back to fitness at the club after undergoing surgery following her MCL injury.  More

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      ‘It must be embarrassing,’ says Wayne Rooney as he opens up on seeing Marcus Rashford on visit to Carrington

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      WAYNE ROONEY was left embarrased for Marcus Rashford after seeing him train solo at Manchester United’s training ground.The United legend spotted the wantaway striker working with one of the club’s fitness coaches during a recent visit to Carrington to watch his son, Kai, in action.Marcus Rashford revealed late last year that he wants to leave Manchester UnitedCredit: GETTYWayne Rooney recently spotted Rashford training near the youth team pitches at CarringtonCredit: REUTERSWazza felt second-hand embarrassment for the wantaway strikerCredit: YOUTUBE@THEOVERLAPThe England international was working out in close promixmity to the pitches used by the junior Red Devils, which left Rooney with second-hand embarrassement.During a recent episde of the Stick to Football podcast, he recalled: “I went into Carrington on Sunday to take my kids to game day and Marcus Rashford was out on the training pitch with the fitness coach.”But he was right over towards where the parents were walking past for the kids’ games.”I looked at him thinking how embarrassing it must be for him as parents walked past. He’s there and all the parents are walking past him.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”I was surprised when this started over two years ago, but now I’m not.”Rashford stunned the Old Trafford faithful last December by revealing he wants to leave the club for a “new challenge” in an unauthorised interview.His bombshell came after he was exiled from the first team by manager Ruben Amorim, who has been critical of his efforts in tratining.And Rooney believes it’d be best for both parties if Rashford’s wish for a “new challenge” is granted.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe said: “I’ve spoken to Marcus a couple of times and I’ve given him my thoughts and feelings that he needs to leave the football club.”Because whatever is going on in his life and at Manchester United, he’s not the same. Marcus Rashford trains with Man Utd ahead of transfer deadline day “For him to have a fresh start, he needs to leave the club.”Rashford’s apparent lack of effort in training has stunned Rooney, who added: “The fact your manager is coming out saying you’re not training right is crazy.””It’s well known I asked Sir Alex Ferguson to leave the club but I still came in every day and trained.”With Marcus, it’s been going on for two years, it’s really sad. You have your personal pride.”Take the manager out of it, I’m coming in thinking, ‘I’ve got Roy Keane there, Ryan Giggs [and] Gary Neville.”‘I want to show them that I deserve to be here.'”United will be back in action this evening, travelling to Romania to take on Steaua Bucharest in their final Europa League group match. More

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      Champions League draw simulated in FULL as Arsenal and Liverpool find out when they’ll meet and City learn horror tie

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      THE new-look Champions League group stage has finally been completed, with 24 teams now preparing to learn their fate in the competition.Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Barcelona were among the clubs to earn automatic qualification to the last-16.Liverpool finished top of the group stage table this weekCredit: ReutersArsenal earned automatic qualification to the round-of-16Credit: GettyAston Villa also qualified with Morgan Rogers sealing that in style with a hat-trickCredit: GettyMan City will have to qualify for the last-16 via a play-offCredit: GettyWhile the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain will have to progress through a play-off.The Premier League champions face arguably the hardest pick of the bunch as they will be drawn against either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid for the grudge match.Meanwhile, we could also see a huge all-Serie A clash as well as two Dutch giants going head-to-head.With the play-off draw not scheduled until tomorrow, SunSport has completed a simulation to see which path each team could potentially face.Read More in FootballEach play-off club is in a position to face one of two possible opponents, giving them a 50/50 chance.For example, Man City have a 50 per cent chance of facing Bayern Munich and a 50 per cent chance of facing Real Madrid.This week’s draw will only determine the play-off fixtures, not which side of the bracket each of the 16 teams – not including the eight automatic qualifiers – will be on.We have selected each team one by one, placing them into brackets for the sake of the overall simulator.Most read in Champions LeagueThe first of each pairing has been put in the first half of the bracket and the second in the other.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSunSport’s simulated Champions League drawAccording to the simulated draw, City could face Arsenal in the quarter-finalsCredit: ReutersIn the simulated play-off draw, Man City have been pitted against Bayern Munich in arguably the pick of the bunch.The list of fixtures completing the first half of the draw are; Monaco vs Benfica, Brugge vs Borussia Dortmund and the all-Italian clash between Juventus and AC Milan.Arsenal ratings: Neto has nightmare debut to forget vs Girona but Ethan Nwaneri shines on first Champions League startIn the second half of the simulated draw, Dutch sides Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven have been put against each other.That side is completed with Brest vs PSG, Sporting Lisbon vs Atalanta and Celtic vs Real Madrid.The round-of-16, quarter-final and semi-final draws will take place on February 21, so we will not officially know which side of the bracket each of the play-off winners will be on until then.However, SunSport’s simulated draw sees Monaco/Benfica facing Barcelona, Brugge/Dortmund against Aston Villa, Man City/Bayern vs Atletico and Juventus/AC Milan vs Arsenal on one side.That means fixtures between Brest/PSG and Liverpool, Sporting/Atalanta and Lille, Celtic/Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen as well as Feyenoord/PSV vs Inter Milan will be on the other.Who faces who in the Champions League?Here’s a look at the ties across the competition…Teams who finished from ninth to 24th in the Champions League league phase will play off to decide who reaches the last-16. PLAYOFF ROUNDAtalanta vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeBorussia Dortmund vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeReal Madrid vs Celtic or Man CityBayern Munich vs Celtic or Man CityAC Milan vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSV vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSG vs AS Monaco or BrestBenfica vs AS Monaco or BrestWinners of playoff ties will then face the teams who finished in the top eight of the league phase in the last-16…LAST 16Liverpool vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestBarcelona vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestArsenal vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusInter Milan vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusAtletico Madrid vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityBayer Leverkusen vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityLille vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club BruggeAston Villa vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club BruggeShould this be the case, fans could look forward to some huge potential quarter-final games including Barcelona vs Aston Villa, Real Madrid vs Inter and Man City vs Arsenal.READ MORE SUN STORIESWe could even see an all-Premier League final if Arsenal or Man City and Liverpool go the distance.The Gunners are seeking their first-ever Champions League title, with City and Liverpool both looking to take it back after winning it in recent years. More

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      Champions League winners predicted by supercomputer with Premier League club tipped for glory… but it’s not Liverpool

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      A SUPERCOMPUTER has sensationally predicted the winners of this season’s Champions League.And it’s NOT the most in-form team of the tournament, which has just wrapped up its revamped group stage.Liverpool became the first-ever winners of the new Champions League group stageCredit: AFPBut the Reds aren’t the favourites to win this instalment of Europe’s elite club competitionCredit: GETTYDespite suffering defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night, Liverpool became the first winners of the new Champions League group phase.The Reds are many football fans’ favourites to lift the prestigious trophy in May.But according to a supercomputer, one of Kop club’s domestic rivals will reach and WIN the showpiece at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.BETSiE’s supercomputer has sensationally predicted that Arsenal will win their first-ever Champions League this summer.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe prediction has been made following 100,000 simulations of this season’s competition.The North Londoners have been given a 24.3 per cent chance of winning the tournament.Mikel Arteta’s troops have also been given 59 and 38.7 per cent chances of reaching the semis and the final respectively.Liverpool are the supercomputer’s second favourites to win the competition.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe Merseysiders have been given an 18.9 per cent chance of winning their seventh European Cup.It’s been calculated that they have 50.4 and 34.3 per cent chances of reaching the semis and the final.The Sun’s Shaun Custis and Martin Lipton break down the new changes for the UEFA Champions League format for 2024/25Defending champions Real Madrid are the third favourites, with the supercomputer calculating they have a 10.8 per cent chance of retaining the trophy. It’s been calculated that struggling Premier League champions Manchester City have just a 6.5 per cent chance of becoming two-time winners of the competition.Aston Villa, meanwhile, have a mere 2.7 per cent chance of replicating their stunning triumph in 1982.Liverpool, Arsenal and Villa sailed into the last 16 with respective first, third and eighth-placed finishes.Manchester City, meanwhile, will have to go through a two-legged play-off – in which they’ll either face Real or Bayern Munich – to join them in the knockout stages.Who faces who in the Champions League?Here’s a look at the ties across the competition…Teams who finished from ninth to 24th in the Champions League league phase will play off to decide who reaches the last-16. PLAYOFF ROUNDAtalanta vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeBorussia Dortmund vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeReal Madrid vs Celtic or Man CityBayern Munich vs Celtic or Man CityAC Milan vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSV vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSG vs AS Monaco or BrestBenfica vs AS Monaco or BrestWinners of playoff ties will then face the teams who finished in the top eight of the league phase in the last-16…LAST 16Liverpool vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestBarcelona vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestArsenal vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusInter Milan vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusAtletico Madrid vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityBayer Leverkusen vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityLille vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club BruggeAston Villa vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club Brugge More