The Sun Newspaper

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Man City’s Benjamin Mendy in fight to save his £475k Lamborghini from being crushed after driving without insurance

      by

      MAN CITY star Benjamin Mendy is in a race against time to save his £475,000 supercar from being crushed.
      His white Lamborghini Aventador SVJ was seized by police last month.

      Benjamin Mendy is racing to save his Lamborghini Aventador from being crushed

      The Man City ace had his supercar seized after driving without a valid licence or insuranceCredit: Dave Thompson Telegraph Media Group

      They stopped the £52million ace for driving without a valid licence or insurance.
      But 20 days after the car was taken French defender Mendy has yet to come up with any documentation.
      Police usually keep a car for 14 days before selling it at auction or crushing it.
      A source said: “Ben is a great footballer but he’s not great on bureaucratic details like paperwork.

      “He didn’t realise he wasn’t insured so it’s a monumental blunder on his part.
      “He’s desperately trying to correct it but the fact it’s now 20 days since his car was seized, he’s at risk of it being destroyed.
      “The police know he wants it back and are happy to return it but only once he’s provided the necessary paperwork.
      “It’s worrying that after almost three weeks he still hasn’t managed to sort it out. It’s a beautiful car and he just wants it back in one piece.”

      The £475,000 car has been held at a secure pound for 20 days

      Mendy bought the car in France and was pictured driving it in Cannes this summer

      A source says ‘it’s worrying that after almost three weeks he still hasn’t managed to sort it out’
      Mendy, 26, was pulled over at 5am on November 15 in Prestbury, Cheshire.
      The motor, with a French number plate, was taken to Macclesfield police station and is now at a secure pound.
      Mendy, who joined City in 2017, bought the car in France and was pictured driving it in Cannes this summer.
      The SVJ, which can do 0-60mph in three seconds, is an improved version of the Aventador S, with only 900 made.
      According to the Cheshire Police website, any motorist who needs to reclaim a vehicle has just 14 days to do so.
      The force charges £150 to take a car and £20 a day for storage. A spokesman said: “Arrangements are being made for the vehicle to be recovered.”
      Last year 137,410 vehicles were seized for no insurance, according to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. Uninsured drivers face their cars being crushed, a £300 fine and six penalty points.
      In June, we told how Man United star Paul Pogba had his French-registered Rolls-Royce seized in Manchester.

      Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

      Top speed: 217mph
      0-62mph: 2.8seconds
      Engine: 6.5litre V12
      Power: 759BHP
      Price: £475,000 (that’s 21 new Ford Focus cars)

      The SVJ is an improved version of the Aventador S, with only 900 madeCredit: charliemagee.com

      The impressive supercar can do 0-60mph in just three seconds

      Foreign vehicles that have been in Britain for more than six months in a year must be registered with the DVLA and fitted with UK plates.
      But if the owner is a UK resident they must register their car within two weeks of import.
      Man City was contacted for comment.

      Man City insist Benjamin Mendy did NOT break coronavirus rules after ’15-guest party’ at his £2m mansion
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Olivier Giroud tells Frank Lampard ‘play me or I’m off’ as Chelsea striker eyes January transfer to boost France hopes

      by

      OLIVIER GIROUD told Chelsea manager Frank Lampard: Play me or I am off.
      The France striker hit four goals in the 4-0 Champions League victory away in Sevilla on Wednesday before delivering the sobering message.

      Olivier Giroud wants more game time at Chelsea or he will quitCredit: Rex Features

      Giroud, 34, says the next month will be crucial for both his club and international hopes as he bids for more first-team action ahead of the Euros next summer.
      He said: “I am ready to fight until the end. But obviously to be happy I need to be a little bit more on the pitch.
      “I have a good chance to be ready for the Euros if I play more than in the beginning of the season.
      “I had a conversation with France manager Didier Deschamps and he said if the situation stayed like that, you will have to make a decision in January.

      “But I’m pretty sure I can grab more game-time and stay at Chelsea because that’s what I want.
      “But you never know in football — everything is going very fast.”
      Giroud remains on good terms with Lampard, despite spending much of the season on the bench.
      It has not affected the World Cup winner’s sharpness as he helped Chelsea grab top spot in their Champions League group with a game to spare.

      He is the best pound-for-pound goalscorer at the club — with one for every 46 minutes he is on the pitch.
      Next best is Tammy Abraham on 155.
      The Blues face Leeds tomorrow with a strong call for Giroud to start his first Prem game this campaign.
      He said: “The best answer when you are not playing much is not being sad — it’s being positive.
      “I try to do that every single day. I believe in my qualities and keep calm and confident. I know what I am capable of.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Frank Lampard reacts to Olivier Giroud masterclass in Chelsea’s 4-0 win at Sevilla More

    • 175 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Jewish groups slam ‘disgraceful’ Sheffield United as Prem strugglers fail to sign anti-Semitism declaration

      by

      JEWISH groups slammed “disgraceful” and “scandalous” Sheffield United after the Saudi-owned club were the only team in the Prem not to sign up for a declaration against anti-Semitism.
      Premier League chiefs confirmed the League had adopted International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism as part of its campaign against discrimination.

      Sheffield United are the only Prem team not to sign up for a declaration against anti-SemitismCredit: PA:Press Association

      But while 19 of the 20 Prem clubs signed up individually to the statement, the Blades opted out.
      And that brought a furious backlash from Jewish and anti-discrimination groups.
      The Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “The Premier League’s adoption of the international definition of anti-Semitism is a momentous day for everyone who opposes racism in sport.
      “It is therefore all the more astonishing that Sheffield United alone would disgracefully decline to adopt the definition.

      “This sends the wrong message to fans and players and undermines the growing consensus that racism has no place in football.
      “Serious questions must now be asked of the owners and management of the club over this scandalous own goal.”
       Amanda Bowman, vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, added: “We would urge Sheffield United to follow the Premier League’s example and sign up as soon as possible.
      “That would be a sign of their commitment to identifying and combating the anti-Jewish racism which has for too long stained the reputation of English football.”

      The Bramall Lane outfit are owned by Prince Abdullah Al Saud, a member of the Saudi Royal Family.
      Saudi Arabia is one of 16 Arab nations which refuses to recognise the  existence of the State of Israel.
      While the Blades insisted the club “supported” the IHRA definition, Sheffield United did not promise to sign up independently and declined to explain if the decision was linked to their ownership
      Sheffield has a “small but active” Jewish population and the city’s “United Synagogue” is situated a mile or so from Bramall Lane.
      The club statement “acknowledged” the Prem decision and said the club supported it “as a shareholder”.
      United added: “We should also like to stress our ongoing work and commitment with regard to equality, diversity and inclusion, plus a zero tolerance approach to any form of discrimination, including anti-Semitism.
      “Through our support of a number of campaigns, we have consistently reaffirmed our deep commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.”
      However, Jonathan Metliss, of Action Against Discrimination, said: “We hope they come round to signing up.
      “Sheffield United and its supporters do not have a history nor record of anti-Semitism or anti-Semitic behaviour but it would be better to have them on board.”

      Sheffield United’s Sander Berge takes on intensive workout in training More

    • 200 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Barcelona reignite Lionel Messi war with Man City increasingly confident Argentina superstar still wants free transfer

      by

      MANCHESTER CITY are back in pole position for Lionel Messi after Barcelona reopened their rift with the superstar.
      The Spanish giants’ interim president Carles Tusquets claims they should have flogged the unhappy forward in the summer.

      Lionel Messi still wants to leave Barcelona after trying to force an exit last summerCredit: Reuters

      Barca’s stand-in chief has now admitted the club should have sold MessiCredit: Reuters

      And that could open the door for City to make another move for Messi, 33, in next month’s transfer window.
      SunSport understands Messi’s position has not changed since August when he tried to force his way out of the Nou Camp.
      None of the prospective candidates to take over as president in January’s elections have done anything to help smooth the path to him signing a new deal.
      And Tusquets has effectively heaped some of the blame on Messi for the club’s dire financial situation which forced them to agree to defer wages of the squad this season to save as much as £155million next month.

      Messi’s staggering £54MILLION-a-year wages are a huge pressure on Barca’s accounts and Tusquets says the club should have sold him at the start of the season when they had the chance.

      He said: “From an economic point of view, I would have sold Messi in the summer.
      “It would have been desirable for the money we would have received, and for what we would have saved.
      On the wage deferral, Tusquets added : “The agreement we currently have allows us to finish the season without cash flow problems. This season is saved.”

      Messi’s deal runs out at the end of June and Barca now face having to decide whether to sell him for a reduced fee in January to at least get something for him.
      It would also save them £27m in wages, a figure which would help go a long way to easing the pressures on their balance sheets.
      The Spanish giants announce losses of £88m in their annual accounts in October, and with the Coronavirus pandemic continuing to bite hard they are faced with having to sell players to reduce overheads.

      City have hardly hidden their admiration of Messi, who has been a long-standing target for the club.
      And with Pep Guardiola committing himself to another two years in charge at the Etihad it is thought that would be a major boost to their chances of tempting him to the Premier League.
      Juventus and Inter have also shown an interest, but realistically it is only City and PSG who could provide the sporting and financial ambition to be able to get a deal done.

      Neymar sensationally admits he wants to he wants a reunion with Lionel Messi next year More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Sky Sports’ Chris Kamara tells The Sun he fears the chop after pals Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson were axed

      by

      FAVOURITE footie pundit Chris Kamara is one of our most unlikely pop stars.
      After his Here’s To Christmas album was a surprise Top Ten hit last year, the 62-year-old is back with a follow-up.

      And he has even won over his Sky Sports pals, including Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling and ex-colleagues Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson, who love to take the mick.

      Chris Kamara fears the chop after pundit pals Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson were axed
      In an exclusive chat, Chris says: “I told them that I was doing a Christmas album. I always remember, I was at a bar with Charlie, Thomo and Jeff and I played them Let It Snow.
      “And Charlie’s voice initially was about to go into a giggle, and then he started to listen to it and he went, ‘Flipping hell, it’s good’.”
      The success of the former player and manager — known to the football world as Kammy — has even led to suggestions he should follow 65-year-old pal Jeff’s lead and treat himself to a bit of Botox showbiz magic.

      Matt Le Tissier, 52, was given the boot in August
      But Anne, his wife of 38 years, is having none of it.
      Chris says: “My wife would kill me. She would absolutely go crazy if I even suggested it on my craggy old face. I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to get rid of that divot in the top of my head’ and she said, ‘Don’t you dare even think about that sort of stuff’. She loves me as I am.”
      Despite not following in Jeff’s footsteps, Kammy likes to pay tribute to him in one of his songs. He jokes: “Jeff’s a massive supporter of the album. He actually gets a mention on it. When we sing the Christmas song where it goes, ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire’, I sing, ‘Jeff’s nuts roasting on an open fire’.”
      The former Brentford, Swindon and Leeds midfielder is known for his sense of humour and banter-filled punditry.

      ‘This is serious, serious music’
      But he and his songwriter pal Richard Scott, who has worked with Robbie Williams, agreed the music should be taken seriously as a singer.

      Former Liverpool hero Phil Thompson, 66, was also axed from the pundit panelCredit: Sky Sports
      Kammy said: “Before we put the first album out, everyone was thinking, ‘Oh, what’s it going to be like? Is it gonna be a mess? Just a bit of a jokey-type album’.
      “But Richard didn’t want to be involved in even me having a little play with Frosty The Snowman.
      “He went, ‘No, no, no, no, no, this music is serious. You can do it with a smile on your face, but you don’t joke. I don’t want to be part of an album that is a bit of a joke. This is serious, serious music’.
      “So I followed his path and so far, so good.”
      That album reached No8 in the charts and paved the way for a tour that was due to take place in November and December but was cancelled due to coronavirus.

      Chris with wife Anne who won’t let him get BotoxCredit: Alpha Press
      The new songs he recorded for those 21 gigs have now been put together into his new album titled  . . . And A Happy New Year.
      It includes a cover version of Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, featuring the band’s singer Roy Wood, 74.
      Kammy says: “I’m quite critical of people who do covers of iconic songs.
      “I said to Richard, ‘As it was a swing version and you know Roy Wood, would you play it to him once we put the vocals on it. And if he likes it, then let’s go for it’.
      “So Richard said, ‘Yeah, deal’.
      “He played Roy the song, he loved it and he said, ‘You’ve got my consent. Not only that, I’ll introduce Kammy at the top with those iconic lines, ‘OK, you lot take it away’, but he says, ‘OK Kammy, take it away’.
      “It’s just surreal. It really is. It’s like, flipping hell, pinch me, it is really happening.”
      The ten-track album, out today, includes two brand new songs, Mr Claus and Happy New Year, written for Kammy by Richard and Kelvin Andrews.
      Chris says: “I’m just so lucky. The arrangement of the music, I think it’s been done to suit my voice as well.

      After his Here’s To Christmas album was a surprise Top Ten hit last year, Kammy is back with a follow-upCredit: Rex Features
      “Richard knows my tone, knows what it’s about, knows the song that we should sing. And there’s nothing where I’ve got a screech a big, massive high note that takes me out of my comfort zone.”
      Unfortunately for Kammy, he will not be able to see some of his Sky Sports pals’ reactions the second time around as Sky rejigged its line-up in the summer — a move Chris admits shocked him.
      Stalwarts Phil Thompson, 66, Matt Le Tissier, 52, and Charlie Nicholas, 58, were given the boot in August as part of cost-cutting measures and to bring in a more diverse line-up.
      Former Bradford City and Stoke manager Kammy said: “I was absolutely devastated.
      “You just think, ‘Crikey’. Being honest, when I started working at Sky I could never see the end of Rodney Marsh, George Best, God bless his soul, Frank McLintock, Alan Moore, Clive Allen.

      Chris is worried that both himself and Jeff Stelling are not expendable and could also get the bootCredit: BackGrid
      “They had such good banter and you thought they were going to be there for ever. Then Sky made the change to bring in Charlie, Thomo, Le Tiss, so that acceptance that it had to be them this time around took me by surprise.
      “But I’d seen it before. I’m just fortunate I wasn’t on the end of it as well. The boys accepted it. We were hoping to all go out together this Christmas. But that’s not going to happen now because of Covid. We’ll get it sorted next year.
      “They’re great people, they’ve been fantastic to work with all the time. We certainly had a lot of banter together and a lot of camaraderie.”
      In their place came Sue Smith, 41, Clinton Morrison, 41, and Glen Johnson, 36.
      The silver lining for Kammy, who experienced racism during his 21-year playing career, is that he believes more diversity is definitely a good thing.
      He says: “To be honest, it has been overdue, but the problem that people have got with it is because it’s happening so quickly.
      ‘I’ve turned down Strictly and the jungle’
      “So that’s why people are not happy with it. It’s taken this long for it to happen and now it’s flooded in.

      Chris is following last year’s hit with a new record
      “Initially it’s a bedding down process. Eventually it will settle down and become an acceptance and Sky will find their level and the companies will find their level. People will find that level and they’ll go back to not normal, not like it went before, but normal as it is, as it should be going forward from now.”
      Kammy has been with Sky Sports for 22 years now, which he compares to Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger’s tenures at Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.

      Me and Jeff, we’re not expendable, so we feel our time will come

      But he admits he and Jeff could be the next to get their marching orders.
      He says: “I could have went in the last one. Me and Jeff, we’re not expendable, so we feel our time will come. We are getting old as well.
      “These are young bloods coming through.
      “And there are people who think we were great a few years ago but probably think we’ve done our time now and let’s bring in the youngsters. But if it all ended tomorrow at Sky, I can honestly say that they have been fantastic to me.
      “To be with a company for 22 years, you don’t get a manager’s job 22 years unless you’re Sir Alex or Arsene Wenger.”

      Former Sky Sports pundits Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas Credit: Sky
      Kammy, who also co-presents ITV series Ninja Warrior UK, adds that he is so thankful for the loyalty Sky has shown him over the years that he has turned down annual offers to star in Strictly Come Dancing and I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here!.
      He says: “Football’s my life. The reason why I haven’t gone into the jungle or anything like that is because I couldn’t physically say to Sky, ‘Can you give me six weeks off from my job?’.
      “I’d hate to be in the jungle. I couldn’t do like Harry Redknapp a couple of years ago in Australia, and be away from it. But I suppose Harry’s not really tied to a company like I am.
      “I’m a loyal person. Sky have been loyal to me, so I should be to them. They gave me my chance 22 years ago.
      “I had football people who I knew at the time were doubting my credentials to be on the TV, and I understood that.
      “I understood that I didn’t have a glittering playing career.

      Kammy, who also co-presents ITV series Ninja Warrior UK, adds that he is so thankful for the loyalty Sky has shown him over the yearsCredit: Rex Features

      “So I understood how they felt. Certain players who got caps for their country or played to a higher level, I could see the envy in their faces and stuff like that.
      “Why should I be doing a job like that?
      “If social media had been around, then maybe I wouldn’t have survived.”

      Good Morning Britain in hysterics as Chris Kamara admits to not wearing any trousers during interview with Ben Shephard
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Boxing

      Daniel Dubois should watch greats like Muhammad Ali and Ken Buchanan to see why he is being dubbed a ‘quitter’

      by

      DANIEL DUBOIS must be distraught that his boxing brothers added insult to his eye injury by branding him a quitter. When Dubois dropped down on one knee, allowing the ref to count him out, he not only lost his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles to Joe Joyce, but the respect of many fellow pros. Carl […] More

    • 275 Shares169 Views

      in Boxing

      Joshua vs Pulev: AJ says small Wembley crowd is a positive and reminds him of amateur days before he sold out stadiums

      by

      ANTHONY JOSHUA is happy going Bak-u to the future and boxing in front of 1000 hushed fans instead of 90,000 beer-soaked revellers.
      AJ landed gold at the home 2012 Olympics – following low-profile tournaments in Baku, Azerbaijan and Hungary – which catapulted him into sold-out arena and stadium shows around the world.

      Triple-belt world champ Anthony Joshua will make a drastic step down from huge to humble when it comes to crowd size at Wembley on December 12Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Anthony Joshua fought in front of limited audiences as an amateur, such as in Baku nine years against Azerbaijan’s Magomedrasul Medzhidov Credit: Reuters

      Covid-19 floored an April homecoming defence against Kubrat Pulev and an £8million gate but the new Wembley Arena bout on December 12 will now let a few lucky fans in.
      And the 31-year-old reckons the drastic change in scenery and atmosphere might be a nice switch from the rowdy festival feel he has generated all over the country.
      “The last time I would have fought in front of a small crowd, I think it was Hungary in 2012. It was quite decent, you know. It is not bad. The pressure is off, you can get in your rhythm.

      “And I think I need that sometimes – I am under a lot of pressure. I am physically good but mentally you have to stay strong.

      “This year has been good to unload a lot of pressure and fighting in front of 1000 fans is not so bad. You have to take it as a positive and control what you can control.
      “A thousand fans are allowed in and I can’t add to it or take from it.
      “I am going to take it as a positive and say I am going to go in there and perform with no pressure and showcase the styles I have merged together, which is sticking and moving and aggression and knockout power.
      “When else would anyone get to watch a heavyweight world title fight with just 1000 people in the room?”

      Laughing over the Zoom call, he added: “It will be intimate and you won’t have to worry about your missus getting a pint of beer chucked over her head or 15 guys nearby getting into a fight.”

      Britain’s world heavyweight king Anthony Joshua says he will turn having just a small crowd to his advantage, taking the pressure offCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Joshua also revealed he will accept a massive pay cut to get a showdown with Tyson Fury in the UK in 2021.
      Both AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn and Fury’s matchmaker Frank Warren have admitted the best financial offers will come from the Middle East, America and China.
      AJ, 31, reclaimed his titles from Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia last year, after the controversial nation stumped up around a £100m site fee and Fury has wrestled there with WWE.
      The financial terms on a two-fight deal to battle the Gypsy King was agreed by the Watford hero back in March and he insists he will take another hit in the wallet to reward UK fans.
      “Yeah, why not?” he said. “Now I’m fighting Kubrat Pulev for a massive pay cut.

      “We have to keep the sport alive, Matchroom are taking pay cuts this year, we have to keep the sport alive.
      “We are all doing our part at the minute, It’s all experience. We are doing it now so I wouldn’t mind doing it again.
      “It’s not harming me, and it’s for a bigger cause as well, it’s a massive cause and a big fight but the main objective is how do we get Fury in the ring.”

      Bob Arum says that Tyson Fury will fight Deontay Wilder next year if Anthony Joshua loses to Kubrat Pulev More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is ‘biggest thing to happen to Cork since Roy Keane’, says his first ever manager

      by

      CAOIMHIN KELLEHER was the 30-goal-a-season striker tipped to become the next big thing in Irish football.
      Instead, Jurgen Klopp may have the next Manuel Neuer on his hands after the rookie goalkeeper became an instant Champions League sensation.

      Kelleher was terrific on his Liverpool debut in the 1-0 win over AjaxCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The 22-year-old made his debut in the 1-0 Anfield win over Ajax, coming in as a replacement for injured Liverpool No 1 Alisson.
      And his first manager Eddie Harrington has insisted: “He’s the biggest thing to happen to Cork since Roy Keane.”
      Harrington coached Kelleher for nine years as a striker at Ringmahon Rangers in the Irish city — he left for the Kop outfit aged 16.
      Two years before his departure he was still his team’s star centre- forward and seemingly going places.

      But Ringmahon’s Under-14 keeper quit and Kelleher’s dad Ray suggested his son could fill in.
      They took a chance and a rise to stardom had begun — yet his success is no surprise to Harrington.
      He said: “Almost from the first moment, we all realised Caoimhin was a complete natural in goal.
      “When his dad suggested he go in goal I was against it, he’d get us 20, 30 goals a season no problem.

      Roy Keane was born in Cork and became a world star at Man UtdCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Klopp embraces Kelleher following his clean sheetCredit: PA:Press Association
      “So I was loathe to give him a try and actually, in his first game, we lost 1–0 and he got chipped.
      “But after that he just got better and better — and now look at him.”
      Kelleher, who made just four domestic cup appearances last season, has now graced club football’s biggest stage.
      It is hard to believe he conceded SEVEN for Liverpool U23s against Manchester City only on Saturday.
      But that does not matter a bit to Harrington, who added: “We always stay in touch. I am expecting a text from him any time now.
      “Everybody at Ringmahon is so proud of what he’s achieved — once he settled in goal we always believed he was destined for great things.”
      Ringmahon coach Rob O’Leary admits he was gobsmacked when Harrington stuck his star frontman between the sticks.
      He said: “Up front he was pure class and we all thought he’d make it as a pro.

      When his dad suggested he go in goal I was against it, he’d get us 20, 30 goals a season
      Eddie Harrington

      “So when he went in goal I was saying, ‘What in the name of God is he going in goal for?’
      “But I remember I went to see one of his games and, Jesus Christ, he was even better in goal than he was outfield.”
      Now ambitious Kelleher has set German superstar Neuer as his benchmark.
      And after his stunning display against Ajax on Tuesday, Kelleher said: “I’m over the moon. I’m working hard every day in training, preparing myself.
      “I’m always thinking if a chance does come, I’ll have to be ready for it.
      “That’s why I work every day and, thankfully, all that work did pay off.
      “I like Manuel Neuer, the way he plays football.
      “He is good with his feet, the same as me because I was outfield. I like coming off my line. I think you have to now. It’s become a part of the goalkeeper’s game.”
      Indeed, boss Klopp revealed he was happy to take a gamble on Kelleher as opposed to veteran No 2 Adrian, 33, against Ajax: “We needed his natural football playing ability.
      “And because he’s a really good shot-stopper as well, we made that decision. They are all calm in the moment when they get the information but there’s a difference to be that on the pitch.”
      Kelleher’s demeanour was that of a hardened pro. No surprise, again, to Harrington who said: “He’s still got a baby face, calm and innocent.

      “But there’s steel inside even if he may come across as being quiet.”
      Kelleher is not the only sportsman in his family. Brother Fiacre plays centre-half for National League side Wrexham and another sibling, Tim, is a scratch golfer, while third brother Olan was atop hurling junior.
      Yet it was the striker–turned-keeper who was truly destined for stardom.
      He spent time at Blackburn and Aston Villa and, long before he forged his way into the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side, he might even have followed Keane from Cork to Old Trafford.
      Not only were Manchester United interested, but also Arsenal.
      Harrington added: “Once Liverpool came in that was it — decision made for him. And one day he’ll be No 1 at Anfield — I’m sure of it.”

      Referee Anderson Daronco works out pumping iron for bigger muscles More