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      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp fears for players’ mental well-being faced with fixture pile-up during coronavirus pandemic

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      JURGEN KLOPP fears Prem stars are suffering emotional stress coping with fixture congestion amid the Covid-19 crisis.
      The Liverpool boss let rip at TV companies on Saturday, furious at a schedule he insists is damaging players’ bodies.

      Jurgen Klopp has bemoaned this season’s fixture pile-upCredit: PA:Press Association

      He said: “For players, it’s incredibly intense what we are doing.
      “We’re all happy and it is without any alternative that we play.
      “It’s great — love it — but it’s all on the backs of the players. They have to deliver.”
      Klopp told Uefa.com: “You don’t think about what they go through in the week. It’s pretty much the same for all of us, where you cannot see friends, your family.

      “Recovery is not only sleep — it is not only treatment.  It is giving yourself freedom to think about things you want to think about and not what you have to think about.
      “In the world at the moment, the biggest problem is we don’t have this time often enough and it keeps us tense.
      “It doesn’t help if then you have a game to play every three days at 110 per cent, in the best way.”
      Klopp will be missing a host of stars on Tuesday night, including Naby Keita who has not shaken off a thigh strain, as his side host Ajax in the Champions League.

      Klopp fumed as his side dropped two points late on at BrightonCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

      A draw will be enough for Liverpool to qualify for the knockout stage.
      And it means Klopp could rest players next week against Midtjylland.
      But the German said: “I actually don’t see it in that perspective. That would mean I could count on the points already.
      “We deal with how the situation is.”

      Abbey Clancy shaves off HALF of Peter Crouch’s moustache live on GMB despite ex-Liverpool star’s protests More

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      Jose Mourinho did not park the bus – the onus was on Chelsea to beat Spurs and they failed

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      TOTTENHAM may have had six at the back at times — but do not accuse Jose Mourinho of ‘parking the bus’.
      Mourinho, of course, made that infamous jibe about Martin Jol’s Spurs when they ground out a 0-0 draw at his Chelsea in 2004.

      The onus was on Chelsea to win so don’t have a pop at Jose Mourinho for ‘parking the bus’Credit: EPA

      In the Stamford Bridge stalemate Spurs were very strong and organised defensively and at times looked a threat on the counter-attack.
      Mourinho had Moussa Sissoko and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in front of the two centre-backs — Joe Rodon and Eric Dier — and they worked really well together.
      Hojbjerg is a magnificent addition, an early candidate for signing of the season.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      What would happen was that, when Serge Aurier and Sergio Reguilon were going forward, Sissoko and Hojbjerg were happy to go into those full-back positions in case of a turnover.
      Sissoko drifted over to the right and Hojbjerg to the left.
      They always had a back four together so they weren’t going to be caught on the counter.
      When defending, Sissoko and Hojbjerg sat in front of the two centre-backs.

      They made sure there was no space for Timo Werner to capitalise with his pace.

      Tammy Abraham has good movement and he can look to stretch the game or come short.
      But if he dropped off, instead of one of the centre-backs going, either Sissoko or Hojbjerg would pick him up.
      You looked at Tottenham and it was like a back six on occasions but it was very organised – even if some did accuse Jose of ‘parking the bus’.
      There seemed to be four centre-backs at times — Dier, Rodon, Sissoko and Hojbjerg — allowing the full-backs to push wider.
      But I don’t agree Mourinho was just parking the bus.
      Only Liverpool and Chelsea have scored more than Spurs — 22 compared to 21 — but they have got the best defence in the league, with just nine conceded. And, of course, Tottenham are top.
      It is getting that balance right and Mourinho has done that.

      The onus was on Chelsea, being at home, but the big thing for Spurs was if they went forward they weren’t leaving themselves open — with Sissoko and Hojbjerg ensuring that did not happen.
      After his Manchester United stint, plenty have accused Mourinho of being a busted flush.
      But there is an argument at Old Trafford his hands were tied, with the players he wanted to get in but wasn’t able to.
      This season Spurs have had an outstanding summer transfer window, bringing in Hojbjerg, Reguilon, Gareth Bale, Matt Doherty and Carlos Vinicius.
      They are 100 per cent title candidates, as are Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.
      This January is going to be one of the most important in a long, long time because the games are so condensed — and it could be the next batch of signings will decide who becomes champions.

      Lampard says Chelsea could have had more magic against Spurs More

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      Funeral parlour worker who caused outrage by posing next to Diego Maradona’s body hands himself in to police

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      A FUNERAL parlour worker who caused outrage by posing next to football legend Diego Maradona’s body handed himself in to cops — after rumours spread that he had been murdered.
      A picture of Diego Molina holding the body and giving a thumbs up went around the world.

      Diego Maradona died of a heart attack aged 60Credit: EPA

      Funeral worker Diego Molina took a selfie next to Maradona’s bodyCredit: Twitter

      He went into hiding after two other staff in Argentine capital Buenos Aires got death threats.
      Authorities there are investigating “negligence” after claims an ambulance took an hour to reach the 60-year-old national footballing hero after a heart attack.
      Meanwhile a senior virologist has lashed out at the President of Argentina for allowing huge crowds to gather as Maradona’s body lay in state.
      Hordes of mourners lined the streets to pay their respects, many without masks sparking a potential new Covid wave.

      Friends and family carry the casket of the football legendCredit: Reuters

      Dr Arnaldo Casiro said: ”We have been saying constantly to the people to make sacrifices so we can try and have a Christmas and New Year, we tell them to maintain social distance and then we see the scenes we saw in the streets. It’s totally inconsistent with what we have said.
      ”Of course I was very upset by Maradona’s passing but knowing full well there would be such a massive movement of the people everything should have been organised in a better fashion so as to minimise risks.”
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      Man Utd line up shock transfer move for Jonny Evans with former star’s Leicester contract up next summer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are keeping a close eye on Jonny Evans’ contract situation at Leicester.
      And if he has still not signed a new deal by the turn of the year, they are considering a shock move to bring their former defender back to Old Trafford.

      Man Utd are keeping a close eye on former star Jonny EvansCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would like to add a left-sided centre back to his squad, but has a kitty of just £20 million in January – unless he can bring in more from sales.
      Evans, 32, is in the final year of his deal with the Foxes, and although he has admitted he’d be happy to extend his stay, so far nothing has been agreed.
      And his name has been flagged up by United’s player acquisition team as a possible cut-price transfer option if he has not been nailed by Leicester when the next window opens.
      Evans came through the Old Trafford ranks as a schoolboy and spent a decade at the club before joining West Brom in 2015.

      He moved to Leicester two years ago, but a United source revealed: “Johnny’s name has come up in conversation.

      Jonny Evans won three league titles and two League Cups at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “There are still a lot of people here who have plenty of time for him – and that includes Ole and Mike Phelan.”
      Evans, who has played in six league games for Leicester this term, made 131 Prem appearances for United. 
      And the Belfast-born defender and his Leicester team-mates will take on Fulham in their tenth top-flight game this term.

      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Wayne Rooney reveals he was keen to swap Manchester United for Barcelona in 2010 More

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      Troubled former Man Utd ace Ryan Giggs loses £180,000 from investments during pandemic

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      TROUBLED former ­football ace Ryan Giggs has lost £180,000 from his business interests during the pandemic.
      The Wales manager, who is on bail for alleged assault, outlined his financial woes in accounts filed at Companies House.

      Ryan Giggs has been dealt a financial blow by the pandemicCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

      The report says the value of Ryan Giggs Limited, the firm he uses to manage his investments, has fallen two per cent after rising from £12million last year to £13.2million this March when lockdown began.
      It adds: “In terms of the financial effect (Covid), based on a valuation of the company’s listed investments as at 26 October 2020, it is known there has been a diminution in value of approximately two per cent and amounting to an estimated £180,000 reduction compared to the valuation carried out…at 31 December 2019.”
      It is not specified if Manchester’s Hotel Football is included.

      Wales international boss Ryan Giggs was recently arrestedCredit: PA:Press Association

      Ryan Giggs had been dating PR executive Kate GrevilleCredit: Jim Clarke – The Sun

      Ryan Giggs began dating Kate Greville after his divorceCredit:

      Kate recently moved out of the home she shared with Ryan GiggsCredit:

      Giggs was arrested for allegedly assaulting Kate earlier this monthCredit:
      Giggs co-owns it with fellow ex-Old Trafford stars.

      The accounts also show that former winger Giggs, 46 — who has investments in property, products and firms — paid himself £71,883 and had a £264,000 corporation tax bill.

      Giggs was arrested on November 1 for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend Kate Greville, 36, and another woman at his £1.7million pad in Worsley, Gtr Manchester. He denies it.

      Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs denies all charges against himCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Ryan Giggs’ girlfriend Kate Greville moves out of mansion after his arrest for allegedly assaulting her
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      Football pundit Steve ‘Tommo’ Thompson is suspended by BBC after describing players’ scuffle as ‘handbags’

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      A FOOTBALL pundit has been suspended by the BBC — for describing a scuffle between two players as “handbags”.
      Steve “Tommo” Thompson was relieved of his duties for using the familiar matchday phrase after ­listeners complained.

      Steve ‘Tommo’ Thompson was relieved of his duties after describing a scuffle between players as ‘handbags’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      He made the comment on BBC Radio Lincolnshire during Lincoln City’s 0-0 draw away at Accrington Stanley in the Sky Bet League One last Saturday.
      It is so common it appears in the Collins Dictionary as “an incident in which people, ­especially sportsmen, fight or threaten to fight, but without real intent to inflict harm”.
      Freelancer Steve, 65, who played for and managed Lincoln, was said to be “devastated” by the BBC’s decision.

      Steve made the comment on BBC Radio Lincolnshire during Lincoln City’s 1-0 win at Swindon Town in the Sky Bet League One on Tuesday nightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Lincoln fan Bernard ­O’Mahoney is campaigning for his reinstatement. He said: “As any football fan knows, ‘handbags’ is an incredibly well-known saying.

      “I can’t begin to think who’d be offended by it. The BBC has lost touch with the public.”

      ‘Handbags’ appears in the Collins Dictionary as ‘an incident in which people, especially sportsmen, fight or threaten to fight, but without real intent to inflict harm’

      Fan Marcus Greatorex added: “It’s just an old term. The BBC should pay more attention to songs on their stations promoting knife crime and drug use.”
      The BBC said: “After listeners raised concerns, Steve acknowledged some of his comments on air didn’t meet the standards we expect. He is taking a break but will be back in the New Year.”

      Freelancer Steve, 65, who has played for and managed Lincoln, was said to be ‘devastated’ by the BBC’s decisionCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      THE SUN SAYS

      THE BBC has been in the grip of “woke” madness longer than almost anyone.

      But dropping a footy pundit for calling an ineffectual on-pitch scuffle “handbags” is a new level of foolishness.
      Who exactly is offended by this term, so common it’s in the dictionary?
      No one outside the imagination of hyper-sensitive producers.
      The BBC is growing more distant by the day from the public whose licence fees it needs.
      It’s one own-goal after another.

      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk

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      Football clubs across the country will have fans back in stadiums this season if we work together

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      AFTER a year of sacrifices, we all need a bit of festive cheer.
      So it’s great to see the return of some of the things we love in the lead-up to Christmas.

      ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

      If we work together football clubs across the country will have fans back in stadiums this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      National measures are thankfully coming to an end.
      We committed to bring grassroots sport back as soon as possible – and from 2 December, kids will be grabbing their boot bags, and brave lido lovers digging out their swim hats after a month-long break.

      People can get back in the gym, and in large parts of the country, sports fans will finally start hearing the satisfying click of the turnstiles.
      We are making real progress, and it’s all thanks to your hard work. But we need one big winter push to carry us safely into the spring.
      TOUGHEST MEASURES
      We are going back into regional tiers to control the virus and deliver some normality at Christmas.
      To safeguard the gains we have made, we will move back into a regional, tiered approach from Wednesday.

      Where coronavirus cases are still high, we need to apply the toughest measures to stop the spread, protect the NHS and save the lives of our loved ones.
      I recognise how difficult this must be, particularly for those areas that have been under restrictions for so long, but we can’t undo the progress we have made.

      We all want to see the back of these measures, and the government is doing everything it can to help these areas step down the tiers.
      We’ll be reviewing the tiers every fortnight, and ploughing in extra help and community testing to Tier 3 areas.
      If everyone plays their part, we’ll be able reduce transmission in these areas and move them down into a lower tier.
      Look at Liverpool. People there have made a monumental effort to get cases down with support and community testing.
      ‘SADLY IT’S NOT OVER YET’
      As a result, this week they’ll be moving into Tier 2. Fans will be able to get back into Anfield and Goodison Park.
      I’d much rather get every fan back in – if only it was safe to do so. But in talking to sports bodies and leagues over recent weeks, we agreed that getting some fans in is better than nothing. It’s a welcome start.
      It shows the doubters it can be done safely with careful planning by clubs, clear guidance from authorities and the cooperation of fans.
      I’m confident that if we work together, clubs across the country will have fans back this season.

      In the months ahead, with the hope of a vaccine being rolled out, coupled with community testing, we’ll have a clear route to follow to get larger numbers together next spring.
      We still have work to do, and sadly it’s not over yet.
      But we’re making real progress towards normal life again. I for one am counting down the days.

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      Football fans ‘lose interest in sex when their team flops on the pitch’

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      FOOTBALL fans lose interest in sex when their team flops on the pitch, a poll found.
      Supporters suffer a dip in performance after a bad result — with ­followers in Middlesbrough the most likely to be affected.

      A defeat on the pitch can lead to football fans losing their sex driveCredit: Alamy

      Almost ten per cent there admitted that a loss dented their libido.
      Those in Dudley, West Mids, came next with 7.1 per cent flopping in the sack after a defeat.
      Supporters in Dundee suffered the next biggest hit to their sex drive, with those in Derby and Leicester in joint fourth. Overall, around one in 20 devotees said a defeat — especially at home — left them so deflated they would avoid a romp.
      Fans in Nottingham were least affected, with just 0.7 per cent losing their mojo.

      Middlesbrough supporters’ sex drives are most affected by their team’s resultsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Marcella Zanchi, of sexual wellness firm Lelo, said: “Our research shows football fans are letting their love for the game affect an entirely different game they have in the bedroom.
      “With the season in full swing, we challenge Brits to get playing a different type of sport that’s sure to leave you feeling much better than your team losing a football match.”
      Lelo quizzed 4,000 supporters nationwide.

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