Dean Smith backs ‘bright young kid’ Louie Barry to become a star at Aston Villa
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is excited by the potential of teenage striker Louie Barry and is confident the new signing will be a hit at the club.
Premier League
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley furious as details of Saudi takeover bid are leaked
Furious Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is demanding answers after details of a Saudi takeover bid, which had sparked accusations of “sportswashing” by human rights campaigners, were leaked.
The winter break’s winners and losers
The mid-season player break for Premier League players will take place next month, with one round of top-flight fixtures staggered over two weekends.
Premier League clubs were warned cup replays would fall during winter break – FA
The Football Association says Liverpool and other Premier League clubs were warned that FA Cup fourth-round replays would fall during the mid-season break, and says it “went to great lengths” to ensure a break could happen at all.
Carragher backs Klopp over winter break
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has backed Jurgen Klopp’s stance to respect the Premier League winter break even if it means his first-team stars miss the FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury.
Dewsbury-Hall joins Blackpool on loan from Leicester
Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has capped off a memorable couple of days by joining Blackpool on loan.
Amnesty International labels Saudi takeover bid for Newcastle ‘sportswashing’
A Saudi takeover of Newcastle would be “sportswashing, plain and simple” according to human rights body Amnesty International.
Burnley recall Nahki Wells from QPR loan spell
Nahki Wells has been recalled from his loan spell at QPR by parent club Burnley.
Football rumours from the media: Spurs and Chelsea chase Piatek
What the papers say Tottenham and Chelsea are in competition for AC Milan’s Poland forward Krzysztof Piatek, with Chelsea possibly enjoying the front running. The Daily Mail reports Spurs have targeted Piatek as the man to replace the injured Harry Kane and have opened talks with Milan. But the Daily Star reports Milan have told Chelsea they can have the 24-year-old.
Jurgen Klopp vows to respect winter break and play youth team in replay with Shrewsbury
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will risk the wrath of the Football Association and public opinion by fielding a youth team in their FA Cup replay with Shrewsbury.
All-change for Liverpool as Premier League clubs rotate in FA Cup
Runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool named an entirely changed starting line-up for their FA Cup fourth-round tie at Shrewsbury as top-flight sides made over six alterations on average.
Fikayo Tomori: FA Cup success would be huge for young Chelsea side
Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori believes FA Cup success would be huge in the development of Frank Lampard’s young side.
Moyes can keep West Ham up, says Bilic
Slaven Bilic has backed David Moyes to guide West Ham away from relegation trouble again.
Mourinho: Spurs not to blame for Eriksen situation
Jose Mourinho has appeared to criticise Inter Milan for drawing out their pursuit of Christian Eriksen.
Eriksen edging closer to Tottenham exit after squad snub at Southampton
Christian Eriksen looks set to have played his last game for Tottenham after he was left out of their FA Cup fourth-round game at Southampton.
MUST ‘understand’ why fans plan to protest in next Manchester United game
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust claim they “totally understand” the sentiments of fans who opt to stage a walkout protest over the running of the Old Trafford club.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley in talks with two potential buyers
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is in talks with two potential buyers, the PA news agency understands.
Leeds sign Ian Poveda from Manchester City
Leeds have signed midfielder Ian Poveda from Manchester City on a permanent deal.
Eriksen ‘to travel to Southampton despite Inter Milan transfer reports’
Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen is expected to travel to Southampton for Saturday’s FA Cup match, despite reports suggesting he is about to sign for Inter Milan.
Callum Whelan: Watford youngsters can learn form FA Cup defeat
Watford midfielder Callum Whelan feels the club’s young players will have learnt a valuable lesson from the shock FA Cup defeat at Tranmere.
Liverpool title ‘inevitable’? Klopp doesn’t know the meaning of the word
Liverpool’s bid to end their 30-year wait for the title this season may now seem ‘inevitable’ to many, but manager Jurgen Klopp insists he had never heard of the word let alone understood its meaning.
Chelsea still waiting to learn severity of Abraham injury
Chelsea are still sweating on the severity of Tammy Abraham’s ankle injury.
Ruben Neves takes heart from Wolves’ defeat to Liverpool
Ruben Neves insists Wolves must take confidence from their narrow defeat to Liverpool.
Football chiefs urged to reconsider fixture calendar to help protect players
An expert in injury prevention has called on football administrators to look again at the fixture calendar, saying players at all levels need to be treated as “people before athletes, and athletes before commercial enterprises”.
Manchester United fined for failing to control players against Liverpool
Manchester United have been fined £20,000 for failing to “ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion” during the Premier League game against Liverpool on January 19 at Anfield, the Football Association has announced.
Jesus Vallejo ends Wolves loan to join Granada
Defender Jesus Vallejo has brought an early end to his loan spell at Wolves and will see out the rest of the campaign with Granada.
Midfielder Mooy signs permanent deal with Brighton
Brighton have secured the permanent signing of midfielder Aaron Mooy from Huddersfield on undisclosed terms.
Football rumours from the media
What the papers say Danny Rose is a target for Bournemouth, while Newcastle and Watford are also interested in the Tottenham man, according to the Daily Mirror. Rose, 29, has been left out of Jose Mourinho’s squad in recent games and all three sides keen on bringing in the defender.
Klopp praises ‘outstanding’ Liverpool skipper Henderson after victory at Wolves
Boss Jurgen Klopp hailed captain fantastic Jordan Henderson after he helped Liverpool inch closer to the Premier League title.
Klopp dismisses talk of pressure as Liverpool secure narrow win over Wolves
Boss Jurgen Klopp dismissed any pressure as runaway leaders Liverpool moved another step closer to the Premier League title.