Klopp savors his ‘most special trophy’ as Liverpool win English League Cup

Liverpool players pose with the trophy after the English League Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley stadium, in London, on Feb. 25, 2024. Virgil van Dijk scored the only goal deep into extra time as Liverpool won the League Cup for a record 10th time. (AFP)
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Updated 26 February 2024
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Klopp savors his ‘most special trophy’ as Liverpool win English League Cup

  • Klopp: It is in my more than 20 years, easily the most special trophy I ever won. It is absolutely exceptional
  • Van Dijk might have produced the decisive moment but it was the efforts of a string of young players that had Klopp so enthused

LONDON: Jurgen Klopp just couldn’t keep the smile from his face.

It was deep into extra time at Wembley on Sunday and the English League Cup final against Chelsea was locked at 0-0. A penalty shootout loomed.

Yet, with tensions running high, Klopp turned to the Liverpool fans, savored the moment and produced that trademark toothy grin.

Perhaps he knew what was coming. That Virgil van Dijk was about to score a 118th-minute winner to finally break down Chelsea’s resistance and secure a record-extending 10th League Cup trophy for Liverpool.

Perhaps not.

“That would be cool if I could see goals coming. That would relax a lot of moments in my life,” Klopp said afterward — his voice hoarse, likely from the wild celebrations that greeted his eighth trophy as Liverpool manager.

Klopp is stepping down at the end of the season and this may well be his last Wembley final with the club.

He said he was simply taking it all in and enjoying watching a new generation of Liverpool players that may turn out to be his lasting legacy after he goes.

“I loved it ... What I see today is so exceptional, we might never see it again. Not because I am on the sidelines but because these things don’t happen in football.

“It is in my more than 20 years, easily the most special trophy I ever won. It is absolutely exceptional.”

Van Dijk, Liverpool’s 32-year-old captain, might have produced the decisive moment but it was the efforts of a string of young players, called upon to help ease Liverpool’s extensive injury list, that had Klopp so enthused.

Seven of his winning team were aged 21 or under.

Jayden Danns, aged 18, came on for only his second senior performance. Bobby Clark and James McConnell are both 19.

Their efforts meant that even without the injured Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold and more, Liverpool still triumphed.

“I got told outside there is an English phrase, ‘You don’t win trophies with kids,’” Klopp said. “I didn’t know that. Yeah right.

“Sometimes I’m asked if I am proud of this, proud of that. I don’t know. I wish I could feel pride more often. Tonight was an overwhelming feeling of ‘Oh my God, what is going on here?’ I was proud of everybody involved.”

Victory keeps Klopp on track for a quadruple of trophies in his final year with Liverpool as he looks determined to go out on a high.

His team is currently top of the Premier League and still in contention to win the FA Cup and Europa League. But even if Klopp cannot add those trophies to the full set he has already delivered, he provided Liverpool with another memorable day at Wembley.

Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, must wait for his first piece of silverware in English soccer after failing to lift trophies with Southampton and Tottenham before taking charge at Chelsea.

While he won three trophies including the French league title with Paris Saint-Germain, he is still to taste glory in England.

A first trophy at Chelsea would have eased the pressure after a troubled season in the league.

“If you ask the players how they feel, I feel the same. (It is) so disappointing, so painful,” Pochettino said. “I am a guy that (has) less time to win titles (than the players). They are younger than me, they have time. In football it is always about when you have the opportunity (you take it).

PREMIER LEAGUE

Sheffield United’s players showed the wrong kind of fight after suffering a 19th loss of the season to stay at the foot of the Premier League.

Pablo Sarabia’s 30th-minute header secured a 1-0 win for Wolves at Molineux in the league’s only game Sunday, but perhaps the most notable incident in the match was a clash between Sheffield United players Jack Robinson and Vinicius Souza.

The teammates pushed each other in a heated exchange that led to a VAR review.

Not that Blades manager Chris Wilder seemed too concerned.

“That happens at every club up and down the country, three or four times a year,” he said. “They were told about their responsibilities at halftime. We talked to the boys and they are fine and cool.”

Defeat left Sheffield United eight points off safety.

West Ham host Brentford on Monday.


Kings League MENA drops line-up of superstar team presidents

Updated 08 June 2025
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Kings League MENA drops line-up of superstar team presidents

  • Region’s biggest content creators join SURJ Sports Investment-backed Kings League MENA as team presidents
  • Tryouts open, giving talented amateur players from across the region an opportunity to join Gerard Pique’s seven-a-side competition

PARIS: Kings League, former Barcelona player Gerard Pique’s revolutionary seven-a-side football competition, is set to debut its new Middle East and North Africa league in Riyadh, in autumn 2025, under a joint venture with SURJ Sports Investment announced last week.

As SXB FC, the team led by Saudi Arabian streaming sensation SHoNgxBoNg, took the field for its second game at the Kings World Cup Clubs 2025 in Paris, the first team presidents of Kings League MENA were unveiled.

At the same time, the application portal for player tryouts was opened for the newest competition in Kings League’s growing global ecosystem. Talented amateur players from across the MENA region have a life-changing opportunity to play in Kings League, as the selection process gets underway.

Kings League MENA is the latest expansion of the rapidly-growing Kings League global competition ecosystem. This covers leagues in Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Latin America and Spain, plus two annual international competitions: the Kings World Cup Clubs and the Kings World Cup Nations.

Through this partnership, SURJ is revolutionizing sport in the region — bringing the MENA region its first digitally native, fast-paced, always-on, creator-powered football league, as it continues to drive investment that helps elevate the area’s sporting ecosystem.

In a dramatic video presentation before the start of last night’s Kings World Cup Clubs match between SXB FC and Kunisports (the team led by football legend Sergio “Kun” Aguero), the first Kings League MENA team presidents were announced:

SHoNgxBoNg (27.6 million social media followers) — The Saudi Arabian streamer vies with Drb7h for the title of number one streamer in the Arab world. He is a two-time winner of Best Influencer at the regional Joy Awards and one of the founding figures of the POWR esports team. He is currently taking part in his second Kings League World Cup, after leading the Saudi Arabian national team to the Kings World Cup Clubs in Italy in January 2025.

Drb7h (8.6 million followers) — Drb7h and SHoNgxBoNg are considered the leading streamers in the Arab world. Drb7h is also from Saudi Arabia and is part of the Falcons Esports team. In 2024, he won the Best Streamer award from the Saudi Esports Federation.

Ilyas Elmaliki (3.9 million followers) — Morocco’s biggest streamer, the man from El-Jadida led the national team that rocked the Kings League universe with a sensational run to the semifinals at the Kings World Cup Clubs 2025.

Tarboun (11.2 million followers) — After a long break from streaming, the gaming legend from Egypt is back and has his eyes on glory in Kings League MENA.

Maherco (12 million followers) — The veteran PUBG and Fortnite streamer is representing Jordan. He will aim to make experience count against his young gun rivals.

Fwaz (861,000 followers) — A rising star of streaming from Kuwait and a key member of the TheUltimates.gg esports team.

Absi (9.9 million followers) — Another up-and-coming streamer, representing Jordan’s next generation.

MENA fans can expect big announcements about more team presidents, the participation of iconic football players, and other exciting developments in the build-up to Kings League MENA.

In the coming months, the players selected during the tryouts will be allocated to their Kings League MENA teams at a draft.

Then, at a special presentation in the weeks leading up to kick-off, the team names, kits, and logo designs will be revealed.


Brazilian star Neymar tests positive for COVID-19

Updated 08 June 2025
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Brazilian star Neymar tests positive for COVID-19

  • The 33-year-old began showing symptoms on Thursday and was immediately removed from team activities
  • The former Barcelona forward’s future at Santos remains undecided, with his contract set to expire on June 30

Brazil forward Neymar has been sidelined after testing positive for COVID-19, his club Santos said in a statement as quoted by Brazilian media.

The 33-year-old began showing symptoms on Thursday and was immediately removed from team activities. Medical tests later confirmed the viral infection, the Brazil Serie A side said on Saturday.

The club did not disclose how long Neymar will be out of action and did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Neymar is already ruled out of Thursday’s league match at Fortaleza through suspension.

The Fortaleza match will be Santos’ last outing before the Brazilian league pauses for the June 14-July 13 Club World Cup in the United States.

The former Barcelona forward’s future at Santos remains undecided, with his contract set to expire on June 30. Limited by injury, he has made 12 appearances for Santos across all competitions this season, contributing three goals and three assists.


Turkiye rally for 2-1 win in friendly against US, who lose 3rd straight under Pochettino

Updated 08 June 2025
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Turkiye rally for 2-1 win in friendly against US, who lose 3rd straight under Pochettino

  • With a year to go before co-hosting the World Cup, the US play Switzerland on Tuesday at Nashville, Tennessee, in another friendly, then open the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Trinidad and Tobago on June 15
  • Preparing for the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign in September, Turkiye have six wins, one loss and one draw in their last eight games

EAST HARTFORD, Connecticut: Turkiye took advantage of a sloppy defense to beat the US 2-1 in a rainy friendly on Saturday, dealing the Americans their third straight loss as Arda Guler and Kerem Akturkoglu scored in a 2-minute, 20-second span midway through the first half.

Jack McGlynn scored 59 seconds in for the US, who were missing many regulars as coach Mauricio Pochettino revamped his roster following a dismal performance at the CONCACAF Nations League final four in March.

With a year to go before co-hosting the World Cup, the US play Switzerland on Tuesday at Nashville, Tennessee, in another friendly, then open the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Trinidad and Tobago on June 15.

The Americans dropped to 5-4 under Pochettino, who took over after first-round elimination last year’s Copa America led the US Soccer Federation to fire coach Gregg Berhalter. They have lost three straight for the second time in a year.

Pochettino changed eight starters from the Nations League loss to Canada in March, keeping only left back Max Arfsten, winger Diego Luna and forward Patrick Agyemang.

Defender Alex Freeman, a 20-year-old son of former NFL All-Pro receiver Antonio Freeman, started in his US debut. Matt Freese, a starter at Major League Soccer’s New York City, made his debut in goal. Matt Turner, the usual starter since 2022, didn’t play for Crystal Palace after March 1.

McGlynn scored when he ran onto a pass from Malik Tilman, took several touches, cut inside and curled a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area inside the far post for his second goal in five international appearances. It was the earliest US goal since Shaq Moore scored 20 seconds in against Canada during the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Turkiye tied it in the 24th minute when Freese tapped the ball to Johnny Cardoso, whose pass ricocheted off a leg and past Freese for Guler’s fifth international goal.

Then in the 27th, Miles Robinson tried to clear Oguz Aydın’s shot and the ball went to Akturkoglu, who one-timed a bouncing shot past Freese for his 12th international goal and sixth in eight games.

Turkiye goalkeeper Berke Ozer also made his international debut. Preparing for the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign in September, Turkiye have six wins, one loss and one draw in their last eight games.


Tuchel slams England’s lack of ‘seriousness’ in win over Andorra

Updated 08 June 2025
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Tuchel slams England’s lack of ‘seriousness’ in win over Andorra

  • Tuchel’s side were booed at the final whistle in Barcelona after Harry Kane’s 50th minute tap-in saved England from a humiliating draw
  • “I liked the attitude how we started the game, the first 25 minutes, but I didn’t like the last 25 minutes, the last half an hour,” Tuchel said

BARCELONA: Thomas Tuchel slammed England’s attitude and accused them of a lack of “seriousness” during Saturday’s lacklustre 1-0 win against minnows Andorra.

Tuchel’s side were booed at the final whistle in Barcelona after Harry Kane’s 50th minute tap-in saved England from a humiliating draw with a team ranked 173rd in the world.

Although England have won all three of their World Cup qualifiers since Tuchel took charge, they have struggled to fulfil the German’s desire for a more attacking style of play.

Their labored efforts against Andorra infuriated Tuchel, who saw alarming signs that his players threw in the towel in the closing stages.

“I didn’t like the attitude how we ended the game,” he said.

“I liked the attitude how we started the game, the first 25 minutes, but I didn’t like the last 25 minutes, the last half an hour.

“I think we lacked the seriousness and the urgency that is needed in a World Cup qualifier.

“We played with fire and I didn’t like the attitude in the end. I didn’t like the body language and I think it was not what the occasion needed.”

England sit top of Group K as they progress toward next year’s World Cup, yet they will need to improve signficantly to make an impact in the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Tuchel was relieved to secure the victory after Andorra pushed for a late leveller, but he conceded his team had played with a lack of energy.

“In the end we played with fire, honestly. I felt it almost like in a cup game where the favorite does not smell the danger,” he said.

“I didn’t feel a team that is aware it’s only 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier because we were not happy with ourselves.

“I’m not blaming them. I even feel like they felt ‘OK, we’re not happy and this is stuck today, it will not happen today’.

“Step by step the energy dropped. We needed exactly the opposite but we couldn’t deliver and so we got away with a win.”

Tuchel had admitted before the game that it might be hard to crush Andorra by a huge margin because his players were tired after a draining domestic campaign.

Nine of England’s squad will jet off to the Club World Cup after Tuesday’s friendly against Senegal in Nottingham.

First, Tuchel will demand a more positive performance at the City Ground next week.

“We will not stop to encourage them and make clear after we have a proper look at the match what we want from them,” he said.

England supporters made up the majority of the crowd at the RCDE Stadium and their displeasure was audible throughout a limp game that felt more like a pre-season friendly.

Tuchel could not blame them for expressing their frustration, with jeers for the team mixed with abusive songs about British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“The booing is OK.”

“They were underwhelmed and not happy with our performance, especially how we ended the first half, so I don’t think we can blame them for that,” he said.

“We cannot even blame them how we ended the match. In the opposite. I thought they were fantastic throughout the whole match.

“I did not hear anything about what you said about abusive songs or chants (about the Prime Minister), so if it happens of course it’s not acceptable but I didn’t hear it.”


Italy already fear missing yet another World Cup after Norway nightmare

Updated 07 June 2025
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Italy already fear missing yet another World Cup after Norway nightmare

  • Norway already had two wins under their belt in Group I before Friday’s match in Oslo
  • A 2-1 defeat at the San Siro in the first leg left Italy chasing the tie in Germany

OSLO: Italy’s World Cup qualification campaign has barely begun and already the country is worried about the shocking possibility of failing to reach the final tournament for a third consecutive time after a humiliating defeat by Norway.

Norway already had two wins under their belt in Group I before Friday’s match in Oslo, while Italy had yet to play, having been involved in the Nations League quarter-finals in March, losing out to Germany.

A 2-1 defeat at the San Siro in the first leg left Italy chasing the tie in Germany and they found themselves 3-0 down at the break before staging a second-half comeback to salvage a draw, and some pride.

It was the same story on Friday for Italy at the Ullevaal Stadium, at least as far as the opening act went. Norway roared into a 3-0 lead in the first half but this time there was no Italian fightback in a goalless second half.

“Enough!” screamed the Gazzetta dello Sport front page on Saturday, after Italy suffered their third loss in a four-game winless run, with the newspaper adding that for Italy the “World Cup is already at risk.”

Next year’s World Cup takes place in the United States, Canada and Mexico but in the two decades since Italy won the tournament for the fourth time, they have struggled to perform or, more recently, to even get there.

Berlin 2006 seems a lifetime ago now, with Zinedine Zidane sent off for his head butt to Marco Materazzi’s chest and Italy lifting the trophy after a penalty shootout win over France.

The next two World Cups saw Italy exit at the group stage, and while they triumphed at Euro 2020, on either side of that success they missed out on the World Cup after playoff defeats to Sweden and North Macedonia.

With Italy now playing catch-up and only the group winners qualifying automatically, La Repubblica’s front-page headline “Azzurri humiliated in Oslo, the playoff nightmare returns” hints at the frightening possibilities ahead.

Italy’s loss came less than a week after Inter Milan’s 5-0 mauling at the hands of Paris St. Germain in the Champions League final and on both occasions the tired-looking losers were outclassed by a hungrier, more creative side.

Italy manager Luciano Spalletti was spared following last year’s dismal Euros but is now under real pressure and nothing but a convincing win at home to Moldova on Monday will do, with media and fans increasingly calling for a change of leadership.