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      Liverpool 4 Chelsea 1 LIVE REACTION: Conor Bradley the star man as Klopp’s Reds run riot at Anfield – latest updates

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      LIVERPOOL regained their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League after beating Chelsea 4-1 at Anfield.Northern Ireland star Conor Bradley was the star man with his first Reds goal plus two assists.
      Diogo Jota, Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz also scored for the Reds, while Christopher Nkunku pulled one back for the Blues.

      Liverpool XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones; Jota, Nunez, Diaz
      Chelsea XI: Petrovic; Disasi, Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sterling; Palmer

      That’s all from Anfield
      Jurgen Klopp described it best when he said “What a performance. What a night.”
      There won’t have been too many better displays among his 200 Premier League wins as Liverpool manager, and it’s a result that puts the Anfield club five points clear at the top of the table.
      Chelsea, meanwhile, have plenty to ponder as they begin the long trip back to London.
      It’s Arsenal next for the Reds in another match that could go a long way to deciding the eventual outcome of the title – and we’ll be at the Emirates on Sunday for every kick. You’d do well to join us.
      Until then, thanks for reading and goodnight,
      Copy linkCopiedPoch: Penalty decisions not to blame
      Mauricio Pochettino refused to hide behind decisions not going his side’s way after Chelsea fell to heavy defeat an Anfield.
      The Blues had four penalty appeals turned down over the course of their 4-1 defeat, two of which looked pretty damning on replay.
      However, the Chelsea boss admitted that his team were second best throughout the contest despite feeling aggrieved by VAR outcomes.
      It’s not a final excuse. They deserved to win. They were better than us. I don’t want to talk about the [penalty decisions] because it’s part of football.Mauricio PochettinoTNT Sports

      Copy linkCopiedKlopp delighted by Liverpool showing
      Jurgen Klopp may just be the happiest he’s ever been after any of his 200 Premier League victories.
      The Liverpool boss was all smiles in his post-match interview as he paid tribute to his players and the support they received throughout.
      What a performance. You have to play outstandingly well to keep Chelsea calm, but the way we started was really strong. A great night. What an atmosphere. What a football game.Jurgen KloppTNT Sport
      Copy linkCopiedExtra! Read all about it!
      If anybody thought Liverpool’s players and supporters were going to wallow following the news of Jurgen Klopp’s impending departure, then they have once again been proved wrong – as Phil Thomas points out in his match report of the Reds’ 4-1 win over Chelsea.
      “They have always known how to party on Merseyside – but this is stretching the point even for them.
      “Because at this rate, Jurgen Klopp’s Anfield farewell is going to turn into the longest leaving bash in living memory.
      “All those Liverpool loyalists certainly weren’t joking when they said they’d make his final few months in town extra special.
      If Liverpool carry on like this, Klopp will need a bigger suitcase to fit all his medals in when he heads back home.Phil ThomasThe Sun

      Copy linkCopiedTwo hundred up for Klopp
      With a 4-1 win at Anfield this evening, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has became the seventh manager to clock up 200 wins in the Premier League games.
      Only Pep Guardiola (269) has made it to the milestone in fewer matches than the German coach (318).

      Copy linkCopiedReds move five points clear
      Liverpool’s victory this evening means that they are now five points clear of both Arsenal and Manchester City, who beat Burnley earlier tonight.
      Reigning champions City do have a game in hand on the Reds, but their March meeting an Anfield may already be one to pencil in the diary.

      Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea
      Man City 3-1 Burnley
      Tottenham 3-2 Brentford

      Credit: premierleague.com
      Copy linkCopiedMatch stats from Anfield
      Liverpool’s 28 shots tonight is the joint-most on record (since 2003-04) that any side has had in a Premier League match against Chelsea.
      Meanwhile, their 13 shots on target is the most that the Blues have faced in a league match in that time.

      Copy linkCopiedFull time – Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea 
      The final whistle is blown, and so ends another excellent Liverpool performance.
      It’s been four more goals for Jurgen Klopp’s team, who go five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
      Conor Bradley was the star of the show, scoring his first Liverpool goal and setting up another two for Diogo Jota and Dominik Szoboszlai.
      Luis Diaz completed the scoring, but there was no such luck for Darwin Nunez, who became the first player in Premier League history to strike the woodwork four times in one game.
      Christopher Nkunku bagged a consolation for a Chelsea side that were second-best throughout.
      It’s time for Klopp to head towards the Kop…

      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea 
      90+3. You’ll Never Walk Alone starts up again as the game enters its final moments.
      If Liverpool were to reach the final of every competition they remain in, Jurgen Klopp has 29 games left as manager. He should savour every one.
      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea 
      90. There will be six minutes of additional time to be played at Anfield.
      Enough time for Darwin Nunez to score twice, hit the woodwork three times and headbutt a streaker.
      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea 
      89. In perhaps the least surprising news of the night, Conor Bradley has been awarded Man of the Match by Ally McCoist.

      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea 
      87. Casadei is in the thick of the action immediately, crashing into Mac Allister in the middle of the pitch.
      There’s no malice in the challenge, but the Liverpool man is certainly feeling the effects and will require treatment.
      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea – Chelsea substitution
      85. Here’s another youngster getting some minutes.
      Twenty-one-year-old Cesare Casadei is on for Chelsea, taking over from Cole Palmer.
      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea
      83. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed by the Opta nerds that Darwin Nunez has become the first ever player to strike the woodwork four times in a single Premier League match.
      One day it’s going to click for the chaotic forward and he’s going to end the season with 240 goals.

      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea – Liverpool substitution
      81. With the points in the bag, it’s another runout for Liverpool youngster Bobby Clark.
      The son of former Fulham and Newcastle star Lee replaced Curtis Jones.
      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 4-1 Chelsea
      79. Darwin Nunez may not have got his goal tonight, but he does have an assist to his name – and a fine one at that.
      This time Liverpool open up Chelsea down the left, and their maverick striker whips in a peach of a cross between goalkeeper and defence.
      At the far post, Luis Diaz takes the gamble in front of Benoit Badiashile to slam home from close range.
      It’s the eighth of the season for the Colombian, and this Liverpool forward line are once again showing that they are not reliant on Mo Salah.

      Copy linkCopiedA fourth for Liverpool!

      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 3-1 Chelsea
      75. Nunez hits the woodwork again!!
      This time it’s a thumping header at the back stick that leaves the goal frame shaking.
      Astonishing stuff.
      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 3-1 Chelsea
      73. Chelsea have impetus and belief, and now they want a penalty!
      Out of their four appeals tonight, this is the most convincing as Nkunku goes down on the edge of the box under pressure from Van Dijk.
      Paul Tierney says no, and despite replays showing that the Dutch defender went through the Chelsea substitute, VAR John Brooks agrees.
      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 3-1 Chelsea
      71. Too little, too late or the start of a magnificent fightback?
      Either way, it’s finally something for the Chelsea fans to cheer, and another glimpse of Christopher Nkunku’s immense talent.
      The substitute shows off some lovely close control inside the Liverpool penalty area before poking a shot into the bottom corner of Alisson’s goal.

      Copy linkCopiedConsolation!

      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 3-0 Chelsea – Liverpool quadruple substitution
      68. Bear with me…
      Right. On comes Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo.
      Off goes Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai and Diogo Jota.
      Note to Premier League managers: stop doing that.
      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 3-0 Chelsea – Chelsea substitution
      66. Mauricio Pochettino responds to the latest setback by making his fourth change.
      As Anfield celebrates, Moises Caicedo sheepishly departs to be replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka.
      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 3-0 Chelsea
      65. If the game wasn’t over before, it is now.
      It’s brilliant football from Liverpool in the build-up once again, pulling the Chelsea defence all over the pitch.
      Eventually it’s worked to Conor Bradley on the right, who dinks over the perfect cross for Dominik Szoboszlai to thump a header beyond Djordje Petrovic.
      It’s Bradley’s second assist of the evening, sandwiching his first Premier League goal, and will surely mean he is named man of the match.

      Copy linkCopiedIt’s three!

      Copy linkCopied More

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      Chelsea player ratings: Nkunku offers bright spark on return from injury but Badiashile suffers defensive horror show

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      CHELSEA boss Maurico Pochettino had absolutely nothing to smile about at Anfield tonight.His side suffered another humiliating Premier League defeat, this time to title-challengers Liverpool.
      Chelsea suffered another dismal Premier League defeatCredit: PA
      There was a significant gulf in class between the two teams in every area of the pitch, with 20-year-old full-back Conor Bradley running the show.
      Diogo Jota walked straight through the Chelsea defence to break the deadlock in the 23rd minute before Bradley doubled Liverpool’s advantage just before half-time.
      Dominik Szoboszlai scored the third before Christopher Nkunku got one back for the Blues.
      But Luis Diaz restored the three-goal advantage from close range to seal the three points.
      Read More on Chelsea
      On another dismal day for Chelsea, here’s how SunSport’s Emillia Hawkins rated the performance.
      Djordje Petrovic – 4
      Made an excellent save to deny Darwin Nunez from close range in the opening 20 minutes.
      There wasn’t too much he could’ve done about the goals – he was let down by his defence.
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      Axel Disasi – 3
      Failed to challenge Szoboszlai in the air before the midfielder scored Liverpool’s third with a header.
      Most read in Football
      Thiago Silva – 2
      The Brazilian just stood and watched while Jota dribbled past him before scoring the opening goal.
      Benoit Badiashile – 2
      Outmuscled by Jota in the build-up to the opening goal, but was offered little help by Silva.
      His nightmare continued when he gave away a penalty on the brink of half time for a foul on Jota.
      He was also outmuscled by Diaz for the fourth goal.
      Benoit Badiashile gave away a penalty for a foul on JotaCredit: AP
      Ben Chilwell – 2
      Cheaply gave the ball away to 20-year-old right-back Bradley while on the attack – a mistake that ultimately contributed to Liverpool’s opening goal.
      He then received a booking for a blatant dive in the penalty area.
      Moises Caicedo – 3
      Was overrun in midfield for the majority of the game and struggled to provide anything going forward.
      Conor Gallagher – 3
      Looked lively at the start of the game and arguably should’ve been awarded a penalty within the opening 10 minutes, but was dominated in midfield for the majority of the first half before being hauled off.
      Enzo Fernandez – 3
      Booked for a very late challenge on Curtis Jones at the half-hour mark.
      Was overrun in midfield for the majority of the game.
      Noni Madueke – 3
      The winger failed to make any impact during the first half before being hauled off at the break.
      Cole Palmer – 3
      Didn’t offer too much going forward and rarely saw much of the ball throughout.
      Raheem Sterling – 3
      The winger appeared to switch off in the build-up to Liverpool’s second goal, giving Bradley plenty of space to make a run down the right. 
      Liverpool made the most of their chances
      Substitutes
      Mykhailo Mudryk (for Madueke, 46)  – 3
      Had a fantastic opportunity to get a goal back for Chelsea just five minutes after coming on, but his shot flew so far over the crossbar that it could’ve landed in Goodison Park.
      Christopher Nkunku (for Gallagher, 46) – 5
      One of the only positives for Chelsea on a miserable evening.
      The striker scored his second Premier League goal with a pinpoint strike into the bottom-right corner following a clever turn.
      Christopher Nkunku scored Chelsea’s only goalCredit: Reuters
      Malo Gusto (for Chilwell, 46) – 4
      Injected some energy into the Chelsea defence after coming on and looked to play out from the back with great composure.
      Carney Chukwuemeka (for Caicedo, 65) – 4
      Added a huge spark to the Chelsea XI as soon as he came on.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Played a significant role in the build-up to Nkunku’s goal by driving forward with the ball from midfield.
      Cesare Casadei (for Palmer, 85) – 4
      The 21-year-old didn’t have too much time to make an impact. More

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      Liverpool 4 Chelsea 1: Reds run riot and Nunez sets unwanted record as Blues fume over two penalty decisions

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      THEY have always known how to party on Merseyside – but this is stretching the point even for them.Because at this rate, Jurgen Klopp’s Anfield farewell is going to turn into the longest leaving bash in living memory.
      Conor Bradley roared in delight after scoring his first Liverpool goalCredit: PA
      Darwin Nunez hit the woodwork four times – including with his penaltyCredit: Alamy

      All those Liverpool loyalists certainly weren’t joking when they said they’d make his final few months in town extra special.
      They certainly haven’t wasted any time in getting down to work. If it carries on like this, Klopp will need a bigger suitcase to fit all his medals in when he heads back home.
      So much for those who reckoned his mid-season announcement of an end-of-season departure would derail the bid for glory.
      The way they have reacted to the news that stunned football suggests a quadruple isn’t such a fanciful dream after all.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Not if tonight’s demolition of Chelsea is anything to go by anyway. Although when your opponents are as witless as the Blues, admittedly it does help.
      Yet for all Mauricio Pochettino’s men were woeful, Liverpool were wonderful. Whisper it quietly – please! – but Klopp could indeed go out as a title winner.
      And so much, too, for everyone who thought losing Mo Salah’s firepower first to Africa Cup of Nations duty and then to the treatment table would leave them firing blanks.
      In five games without the Egyptian, they have rattled in 17 goals. And by rights they should have had a whole lot more as well.
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      Not, you understand, that there will be too much complaining as long as they continue scoring at least one more than those in front of them.
      Tonight it was four, should have been at least double, could have been even more. They flew out of the traps, never broke stride and never looked like losing.
      Poise, class, energy, determination, persistence… the men in red had them all, the ones in blue had none.
      The goals came from Diogo Jota, the magnificent Conor Bradley, summer signing Dominic Szoboszlai – thank Heavens they missed out on Moises Caicedo, eh – and Luis Diaz.
      But really there could have been half a dozen others in Liverpool shirts who ended up on the scoresheet.
      Liverpool were red-hot, they were rampant and they simply ran riot from start to finish. The way Klopp is beaming his way through matches these days, they could use him to light up the city.
      Mind you, no one did that quite as brightly as young right-back Bradley, making only his second Prem start.
      Well, however many games this kid – he only left his teens in the summer – plays by the time he does hang up his boots, he will rarely have an evening like this one.
      Bradley’s sweet strike nestled into the bottom cornerCredit: AP
      Jurgen Klopp congratulated Bradley on his superb performanceCredit: PA

      By the time he finally took his bow 20 minutes from the end, everyone inside Anfield was on their feet and applauding. Rarely has a standing ovation been so richly deserved.
      In a game when they were hardly short of heroes, Bradley outshone all the likely candidates. He was stunning. He was superb. He was unstoppable.
      It was Bradley’s toe which initially nicked the ball from a marauding Ben Chilwell for the first on 23 minutes, following up by drilling the ball to Jota just outside the box.
      Jota’s left foot, right foot step bundled him between Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile and although he got lucky with the ricochet, the finish couldn’t have been more clinical.
      Seven minutes before the break a night to remember became a never-to-be-forgotten one for the youngster from the Northern Irish town of Castlederg in County Tyrone.
      When Luis Diaz picked it up on halfway, Bradley hared off down the right. One touch earned space, the next was a perfect finish for his first Reds goal.
      Diogo Jota opened the scoringCredit: Reuters
      Dominik Szoboszlai thundered in a superb headerCredit: Reuters
      Sensational stuff. And more to come – this time in a laser-guided delivery from the right flank midway through the second half for Szoboszlai to thunder in a header.
      Had Darwin Nunez not gone on a one-man mission to set a new record for striking the woodwork, Chelsea’s faces would have been redder than their opponents’ shirts come the end of it all.
      A record FOUR times he rattled the bar or post, once from the penalty spot after Jota was sent tumbling by Badiashile’s clumsy foot. And he was superb, as well.
      Maybe that’s why he eventually thought blow this for a game of soldiers, I’ll turn provider instead, and teed up Diaz for the fourth, 11 minutes from time.
      By then Chelsea had got the most irrelevant of lifelines when Christopher Nkunku dragged one just inside the far post.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      They can rightly feel hard done to in that they should have had spot kicks when Virgil van Dijk escaped with fouls on Conor Gallagher and Nkunku.
      Yet don’t for one minute think Chelsea were unfortunate. They were damn lucky not to get an even bigger hiding. Party time anyone?
      Christopher Nkunku pulled one back to make it 3-1Credit: Reuters
      Luis Diaz sent Anfield wild with the fourthCredit: AP
      It was another frustrating night for ChelseaCredit: AP More

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      Maddison ‘shuts down’ Maupay live on TV after pair clash over Brentford star mocking Spurs ace with his celebration

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      JAMES MADDISON took brutal revenge on Neal Maupay as they clashed on the pitch and online — after the Brentford striker’s “s***house” celebrations.Fans initially thought Maupay had hit the bullseye for trolling – as he fired the Bees ahead in Wednesday’s Premier League game and mimicked the Tottenham star’s dart-player goal salute.

      James Maddison and Neal Maupay clashed in the Prem derbyCredit: TNT Sports

      Brennan Johnson helped Maddison get his own back by doing the darts celebration when Tottenham went in frontCredit: Getty
      But as the row rumbled on, Spurs’ England star ended up getting more than his own back – and not just because his side recovered to win 3-2.
      After Destiny Udogie levelled at 1-1, Maddison taunted Maupay when Brennan Johnson put Tottenham ahead – by doing his own oche-style rejoicing.
      More exchanges followed – and after the final whistle the ex-Leicester playmaker went on live TV to reveal his cutting words to the Frenchman over his rip-off goal tribute.
      A smiling Maddison told TNT Sports: “It was too early for that, too much time left in the game.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “I just said to him he probably hasn’t scored enough goals in the last few years to have his own celebration so he probably had to copy mine.”
      Maddison then posted on Instagram -with “A short story… COYS” plus a laughing emoji and a picture of Maupay’s imaginary darts’ celebration.
      England team-mate Jude Bellingham and darts sensation Luke Littler were among the superstars to respond to that post.
      Meanwhile, Maupay continued the extraordinary back-and-forth online.
      Most read in Football

      Maupay and Toney sparked a string of confrontations with this celebrationCredit: Reuters
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      He posted: “Gutted we couldn’t get the win. More goals and less relegations in my career than James Maddison. We go again Monday Bees.”
      That response came after Ivan Toney joined his frontpartner in marking Brentford’s opener by darting off for some Maddison-style fake arrows.
      Maupay and Maddison then met awkwardly as both teams walked away after the goal.
      Stony-faced Maddison patted the ex-Brighton man on the back of his head a few times.
      Maddison and Co enjoyed giving it back to Maupay
      And it soon turned into a frosty exchange.
      Maupay patted Maddison on the chest in return a few times and, as the two stars tangled, they swapped what appeared to be testy words.
      One viewer responded: “Maupay & Toney doing Madders celebration for the Brentford goal. Top s***housery stuff.”
      Other fans labelled the taunt “so bitchy” while Maddison’s reposte was called “very salty”.
      But variations on the word “s***house” dominated the descriptions.
      One observer said just that along with the words: “Giving it the Maddison celebration after that finish, unreal.”
      It’s certainly not the first time Maupay has been accused of winding up rivals he was the focus of attention online.
      And he has admitted getting a kick out of annoying opposition supporters.
      In particular, he has a reputation for angering Arsenal and their fans.
      As a Brighton star, he infuriated Gunners’ players over an incident that injured keeper Bernd Leno and  flared up with Matteo Guendouzi, who ended up grabbing his throat.
      Then in February last year Maupay blocked Oleksandr Zinchenko with his body and collapsed to the ground clutching his face.
      Maddison later cast off Maupay’s antics and here celebrates Richarlison making it 3-1 to Tottenham in Wednesday’s Prem clashCredit: PA
      And his relationship with Crystal Palace followers is equally lacking in affection.
      After Wilfried Zaha cupped his ears towards Brighton fans to celebrate a goal, Maupay did the same to Eagles’ supporters after he equalised.
      But the Brentford ace was eventually on the receiving end on Wednesday night – as Spurs revived.
      He skirmished with Maddison on the touchline when Johnson put Tottenham 2-1 in front.
      One fan said of Maddison’s revenge: “Fair play, embarrassing stuff all round” while another wrote: “I’m crying now they’re mocking Maupay.”
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Richarlison netted a third for Spurs, although Toney grabbed a consolation on 67 minutes.
      Outwardly at least, Maupay and Maddison appeared to calm their feud in the closing stages but fans weren’t totally convinced – and then came their jousting on social media. More

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      Chelsea fans rage after being denied ‘stonewall penalty’ vs Liverpool as Gallagher goes down under Van Dijk challenge

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      CHELSEA fans fumed at being denied a “stonewall ” penalty against Liverpool. Conor Gallagher pleaded with referee Paul Tierney to point to the spot after he went down after a Virgil van Dijk challenge.
      Conor Gallagher goes down following a challenge from Virgil van DijkCredit: TNT Sports
      Chelsea fans raged after being denied the ‘stonewall penalty’Credit: TNT Sports
      Gallagher breezed past the defender in the Liverpool box and appeared to clash with Van Dijk.
      But Tierney waved play on and VAR refused to intervene – leaving Chelsea fans raging.
      One said: “That’s a stonewall penalty like how has it not been given?”
      Another added: “That was a clear penalty.”
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      One fumed: “Van Dijk wraps his hand around Conor Gallagher like they are married. How is that not a penalty.”
      Another argued: “How is that not a penalty? Gallagher is literally getting a shot on goal otherwise.”
      Gallagher had the ball cut back to him before taking a touch and replays revealed Van Dijk’s knee collide into the England star.
      And former Chelsea and Liverpool player Joe Cole said: “For me, it’s a penalty.”
      Most read in Football
      Chelsea woes worsened after Diogo Jota put Liverpool ahead on 23 minutes.
      Ben Chilwell also saw his appeal for a spot kick denied on 34 minutes and was even booked for diving.
      Conor Bradley made it 2-0 before half-time and Darwin Nunez had the chance to make it three from 12 yards.
      But his penalty crashed back off the post leaving the Anfield faithful speechless.
      Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz made it four for Liverpool but Christopher Nkunku did pull one back in between.
      Chelsea saw ANOTHER penalty appeal waved off after Van Dijk kicked through Nkunku with VAR somehow agreeing with the on-field decision as the result remained 4-1. More

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      Mo Salah teases Liverpool fans with shock comeback to ‘cook Chelsea’ as injured star shares training ground picture

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      MO SALAH left Liverpool fans dreaming of a shock early return to Premier League action by sharing an enigmatic training picture.And despite Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp ruling the AFCON crock out for two games, some supporters even hoped in vain that Salah would be back to “cook Chelsea” at Anfield on Wednesday night.
      Mo Salah suffered an agonising injury for Egypt vs GhanaCredit: EPA
      Liverpool star Salah sent many fans into a frenzy of speculation with this picture, which he posted without any wordsCredit: X @mosalah
      The Egypt hero, 31, faced a backlash after returning early from the Africa Cup of Nations.
      Salah suffered a hamstring injury against Ghana on January 18 that his country believed would have kept him out until the quarter-finals this Friday and Saturday.
      As it happened, Egypt crashed out at the last-16 stage, losing 8-7 on penalties to DR Congo in a massive shock following a 1-1 draw.
      But Liverpool supporters were encouraged by Salah’s teasing post on social media on Wednesday afternoon.
      READ MORE TOP STORIES
      He was shown gently jogging along the side of a training field – with no-one else in the picture and no words to explain his situation.
      One fan responded: “My guy is back” while another wrote “Are you thinking what I am thinking?” and a third said, “Back stronger, King”.
      A fourth supporter even claimed: “This pic is scary to Chelsea fans.”
      But Klopp’s more realistic approach was confirmed when he left Salah out of his match-day squad to face Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues.
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      The German said earlier: “Mo’s not ready for this game or the next. He’s injured and a muscle injury takes time.”
      Salah himself posted on X earlier in the week: “I will do everything possible to be ready as soon as possible and return to the national team as was agreed upon from the beginning.
      “I also love it and its people… try harder.”
      Egypt had hoped Salah could return to AFCON in the Ivory Coast if he recovered smoothly.
      But that potential headache for Liverpool was removed by Egypt’s shock exit.
      Salah netted a late penalty equaliser against Mozambique in the group opener but went off hurt in the second game against Ghana as his country scraped through to the KO stage via three draws. More

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      Facundo Pellistri’s agent blasts Erik ten Hag and claims Man Utd manager has ‘not treated player like a professional’

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      ERIK TEN HAG has been blasted by Facundo Pellistri’s agent.Pellistri joined United in 2020 for £9million from Penarol and spent two seasons away from the club on loan.
      Erik ten Hag has been blasted by Facundo Pellistri’s agentCredit: PA
      He returned last season under manager Ten Hag but made only 11 appearances, staring just ONCE and failing to score.
      And this term has not been much better having gone goalless in his 14 games in all competitions.
      The winger now looks set join Granada until the end of the season but not before his agent Edgardo Lasalvia took a swipe at Ten Hag.
      In a Spanish-speaking interview with Sport 890, stressing that he was expressing a personal opinion, Lasalvia said: “Whether he returns to Manchester in the middle of the year will depend on the performance he shows.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “If Ten Hag continues, it’s going to be difficult. Ten Hag hasn’t used him, valued him, or treated him like a professional.”
      Just two months ago, Ten Hag said: “For Pelli he has to make a step from a bench player, often having a very good impact, to a starting XI player.
      “We will see how quick that process will go.”
      Pellistri has made nine appearances for United in the Premier League this season, with just one of these being a start.
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      Credit: The Sun
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      The Uruguayan has appeared a total of 24 times for United, but is yet to score for the club.
      He has been on loan to Alaves twice since joining United in 2020.
      Granada are currently second bottom of LaLiga on 11 points, six points off safety with Celta Vigo sitting in 17th.
      Facundo Pellistri is set to join Granada on loanCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd fans say ‘we about to feast’ as Ten Hag confirms double injury boost ahead of Wolves clash

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      MANCHESTER UNITED celebrated a double injury boost ahead of the Wolves game.The Red Devils travel to Molineux tomorrow night eyeing their first Premier League win since Boxing Day.
      Erik ten Hag confirmed Tyrell Malacia will return to action soonCredit: EPA
      Mason Mount is also back training on the grass as he nears a comebackCredit: Getty
      With plenty of the attention on Marcus Rashford’s Belfast antics and the transfer window closing on Thursday night, United supporters will be keen to put the focus back on on-field matters.
      And they were given the positive news that two long-term absentees will return to action soon.
      Erik ten Hag confirmed both Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount are back in training – although the Wolves clash comes too soon for the pair.
      The manager said: “Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount, they are on the grass.
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      “Not ready [to play] but I don’t think it takes long.
      “The good thing is we have a strong squad and can now pick.
      “That is the difference with many games in the autumn, in 2023, in the period we had only 11 or 12 players.
      “That was a challenge, every time, to put 11 players on the pitch, but now we can pick a team.”
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      Left-back Malacia, 24, had knee surgery in the summer and needed a second operation towards the end of 2023.
      It means he is yet to feature this season.
      Mount, meanwhile, has endured a stuttering start to life at Old Trafford.
      He joined from Chelsea in a £60million summer deal but is on just 12 appearances in all competitions for his new club.
      Mount, 25, missed more than a month of action early on in the campaign before being sidelined in November with a calf injury.
      The 36-cap England midfielder will be hopeful of being reintroduced into the first team in February as United push for European qualification.
      And the news went down well with jubilant fans on Twitter.
      One said: “My boy Malacia is back – we ’bout to feast.”
      Another wrote: “Good to hear. Can’t wait.”
      A third added: “Let’s gooo.”
      And a final user replied: “This is great news.”
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      Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Casemiro all returned for United against Newport and look set to be involved at Wolves, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a doubt.
      Andre Onana should be available following Cameroon’s early Africa Cup of Nations exit but all eyes will be further up the pitch and whether Rashford is involved. More