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Manchester United are "confident" that Donny van de Beek will make the grade at Old Trafford, according to Edwin van der Sar.

United invested £35 million ($47m) in Van de Beek's talents in the summer transfer window, prising him away from Ajax on a five-year contract.

The Netherlands international arrived in Manchester with a strong reputation as a creative midfielder with a penchant for unlocking defences and an impressive passing range but has so far struggled to earn a regular spot in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's line up.

Van de Beek has been restricted to just two Premier League starts during his first season with the Red Devils and has been left on the bench in each of their last five fixtures including a 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Solskjaer has deployed Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Fred ahead of the 23-year-old often, leading to question marks over the club's decision to bring him in from Ajax in the first place.

Former United goalkeeper Van der Sar, currently serving as chief executive at the Johan Cruyff ArenA, was involved in the deal that took Van de Beek to Old Trafford and keeps in regular contact with his old club to discuss his progress.

The Ajax chief insists that the playmaker is held in high regard by the Solskjaer and the rest of the coaching staff despite his lack of playing time, telling Ziggo Sport: “I do talk to a lot of people at the club. Fantastic attitude, he does well in training.

“It [fighting his way into midfield] is difficult. [Paul] Pogba is coming back, [Bruno] Fernandes is very important, [Nemanja] Matic and [Scott] McTominay are also there.

"It’s no shame at all, it’s also a big club, isn’t it? Of course, it’s a large amount (Van de Beek’s transfer fee), but they are confident that he will get there.”

Van de Beek's most recent outing for the Red Devils came in the FA Cup, as he took in a full 90 minutes of action during their 1-0 third-round victory over Watford on January 9.

Prior to that clash, Solskjaer offered firm assurances over the Dutchman's future, telling reporters: "There are so many examples of players needing a little bit of time, quality players, we have many examples ourselves and there are other clubs with examples and sometimes it takes time. I’ve spoken to him and made him aware of how much we rate him."

Luke Shaw has credited “competition” from Alex Telles with making him Manchester United’s go-to option at left-back, with the 25-year-old finding consistency in his game that has eluded him to this point.

Fitness problems have held the defender back at times, with a broken leg stunting his progress early on at Old Trafford.

Questions have been asked of his weight and commitment since then, with Jose Mourinho taking public aim at Shaw during his reign in Manchester.

The England international has shrugged off his critics to become a Player of the Year award winner for the Red Devils, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bringing the best out of him.

Lofty standards have been maintained in 2020-21, with Shaw fending off the threat posed by summer signing Telles and the added adventure that his presence could offer to United.

Solskjaer has been sticking with his tried and trusted, with left-backs needing to defend first and foremost, and faith is being rewarded by a former Southampton star performing at the peak of his powers.

Quizzed by MUTV on how he has reached this stage, Shaw said: “I feel really good, credit to Ole for that for believing in me and pushing me.

“Alex as well, we have a great relationship, he pushes me each day in training and we get on really well.

“It’s nice to have that competition, we pushed each other to get the best out of ourselves. It’s a positive way for both of us to look at it.”

Shaw’s value to the United cause was highlighted again during a crunch clash with Liverpool at Anfield, with the defending Premier League champions having to tinker with their plans on home soil.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah swapped wings at one stage in the first half, with Jurgen Klopp aware that the Egyptian frontman was getting little change out of the Red Devils’ left-back.

Shaw eventually helped Solskjaer’s side to a clean sheet, with a 0-0 draw enough to keep them at the top of the table, and he is pleased to have played a leading role in keeping formidable foes at bay.

He added: “This is why you come to clubs like this, to play against the best players in massive games, you look forward to tests like this, they’re the best in the world in their best position, but we all defended really well and we need to keep doing that.”

United will be back in action on Wednesday when they take in a trip to Fulham.

Glenn Hoddle considers Mason Mount to be a better player at 22 than Frank Lampard was, but admits a playmaking Chelsea star of the present will struggle to emulate the efforts of an iconic figure from the past.

One goal-getting England international is catching the eye again at Stamford Bridge in 2020-21.

Mount has nailed down a regular spot in the Blues team, with Lampard finding a regular role for him within ambitious plans in west London.

Chelsea have been crying out for someone to step into the boots of their current boss, with his on-field exploits set to live long in the memory of those who witnessed a golden era for Premier League heavyweights.

Mount has the potential to become a serious threat from deep, with a match-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Fulham taking him to three for the season.

He has some way to go before he can claim to be operating at the same level once enjoyed by Lampard – who regularly broke the 20-goal barrier – but his career curve to this point can be considered to have him ahead of his current boss, who did not arrive at Chelsea from West Ham until he was turning 23.

Former Blues player and coach Hoddle admits as much, telling the Evening Standard of Lampard’s claim that Mount is better than he was: “Frank is being very honest and I think he is probably spot on. Technically and his movement, I would agree with Frank.

“What Frank did, is he worked so hard at his game and eventually when he was going into his peak at 25 or 26 that was when he was at his very best, and he was a goal machine. He scored goals like no other midfield player.

“And I think that is where Frank focused in on that, and thought that is what I am going to become. I am going to focus on what I am extremely good at, and that was getting in the penalty area, and timing his runs. That is where he elevated himself and went into two or three more gears.

“I think Mason Mount is a terrific player but maybe when he is 26 or 27 I am not sure he will be anywhere near the same returns as Frank as a goalscorer.

“But he will get involved around the pitch in different aspects of the game much more than Frank. So that is a difficult one to answer. We will not know that until the future but he is doing fantastically well.”

Mount’s effort against Fulham has helped Chelsea to remain within eight points of table-topping Manchester United, with their next outing on Tuesday set to see them take in a trip to fellow title hopefuls Leicester.

Theo Walcott has revealed the deciding factor in his move to Arsenal back in 2006, while claiming he snubbed interest from both Chelsea and Liverpool.

Walcott enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence after graduating to Southampton's senior squad at the age of 16 in 2005.

The winger became the Saints' youngest ever player and goalscorer during his debut season with the first team, attracting attention from Arsenal in the process.

The Gunners forked out an initial fee of £5 million to bring Walcott onto their books in January 2006, and he went on to become a key member of Arsene Wenger's squad.

The former England international scored 108 goals in 398 games for the Gunners, getting his hands on three FA Cups in the process, and established himself as a cult figure among supporters despite never quite managing to live up to his early potential.

Walcott's 12-year stay at Emirates Stadium came to an end when he joined Everton in 2018, and he is now plying his trade at Southampton once again after returning to the south coast on loan last October.

However, his career could well have taken a different turn had he not elected to join Arsenal 17 years ago, with Chelsea and Liverpool having also been eager to bring him onto their books while he was making a name for himself at St Mary's.

“Chelsea came in, so did Liverpool and Arsenal. It was one thing that my idol was there – Thierry Henry. Plus Arsene Wenger gave so many opportunities to young players," Walcott told talkSPORT.

“I just thought I couldn’t say no to them and I wouldn’t change it for the world. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.

“As soon as I walked in, the first person I saw was Henry. I thought, ‘Bloody hell!’ I looked so starstruck. Then Robert Pires comes in, then Freddie Ljungberg, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole. I was like a kid with his autograph book.

“I’ve never changed from that little kid up to now.”

Walcott went on to insist that he considers Robin van Persie to be the best player he ever played alongside ahead of Henry, having linked up with the Dutchman in the final third to great effect between 2006 and 2012.

“The best team I’ve played in was when Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie were on song with each other and me in there as well," he added.

“I remember one season I set up around 14 of Van Persie’s 30-odd goals. For me, them two in a team, with me as well, was one of the best. That’s including England.

“My greatest team-mate would have to be Van Persie. For me, he was the best finisher I’ve ever seen, he was better than Thierry Henry, he made it look so easy.

“If you gave it to him, he would score for you. He was a dream to play with, I don’t think there will be a player like him ever again.”

Kakamega Homeboyz head coach Nicholas Muyoti believes it is just a matter of time before his team starts to win regularly in the FKF Premier League.

The Western-based charges have struggled to match last season's start and after seven games, they have managed to win just one game, drawn two, and lost the remaining four. However, the former Kenya midfielder is confident things will change for the better.

"It is just a matter of time before we start winning as we used to," Muyoti told Goal on Monday.

"My key players who were out owing to injuries are now returning and soon, we will see a change of results on the pitch. I am confident, it is just a matter of time; we still want to push harder for the top positions."

On Saturday, Homeboyz suffered a 4-3 loss to 10-man Bandari in the league assignment.

The Dockers scored through Abdallah Hassan, who scored a brace, William Wadri, and Yemi Mwana while Moses Mudavadi scored a brace for the visitors with another goal coming from Aston Esiye. 

"We were punished for a slow start, we didn't start the game as we should," Muyoti continued.

"It was not going to be a tight game and a tough one for that matter. But we gave away two easy goals that affected our game plan. But we did our best and scored three goals despite losing the game."

How did William Wadri's red card affect the game for both teams?

"It made things tougher for us because breaking a 10-man team is not easy at all," Muyoti stated.

"Bandari doubled their effort ensuring there were no gaps for us to capitalize on. The loss is not what we had anticipated considering our good preparations prior to the game.

"But now, this is done and we have to start preparations for our next game against Bidco United."

After Saturday's loss, Homeboyz are now placed in 14th position with just five points.

They will be hosting the Anthony Akhulia-led team who have managed to get eight points from nine games played, and as a result, they are placed 12th on the table.

Paul Pogba possesses “magic”, says Louis Saha, with the France international starting to produce the level of performance for Manchester United that he often does for his country because the right system is being found at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have been waiting a long time for an £89 million ($121m) club-record signing to find his spark back in English football.

Pogba was lured away from Juventus in 2016 and charged with the task of becoming a talismanic presence for a side that had suffered serious regression in the wake of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

There have been flashes of brilliance from a World Cup winner, but questions of his form, fitness and future are never far away.

A spark has been rediscovered of late, with a collection of impressive performances helping to fire United into Premier League title contention, and Saha believes that is due to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer putting the pieces in place that allow an enigmatic playmaker to express himself.

Pogba did endure a frustrating afternoon during a 0-0 draw with Liverpool, as he squandered a golden opportunity to snatch a priceless winner, but he has been looking more like the midfielder that often runs the show for France.

“I think they are two different players,” former United striker Saha told Stadium Astro of a fellow countryman who has often struggled to replicate his showings for Les Blues when with the Red Devils.

“You always have to analyse what type of players you have around. A team that is full of confidence and playing for the Champions League, it’s a different game.

“With Paul in the last few seasons he has had a team that is struggling confidence-wise, tactically. Trying to play like this, everyone is on your back asking you to score and do everything.

“Hopefully he has been helped by the introduction of Bruno [Fernandes]. This is where we will see that Paul Pogba can defend, go deep and help the team, and then bomb forward. This is what [Scott] McTominay and Fred allows.

“We need to find the players to let a magic player like him express himself. Manchester United are trying to find the balance.

“I think we have seen some big improvements. I still think that if Pogba and Bruno and the forwards that they pick start to really click, then you will see that they can do unbelievable things. The thing is consistency and I’m not sure they have found it.”

Saha added on the differences between Pogba for France and United: “It’s the same point, it depends on the players you have around you.

“When you have a [N’Golo] Kante that is going to defend, not lose one ball and give you the space to be free, then he can run forward. Kante will cover and he has more ability, for some reason, to drive the ball with France.

“The French team are in full confidence and this gives you time to do whatever you want and express yourself. In previous years, United didn’t have that – they were under pressure all the time.

“Now, there are players that are able to take the ball under pressure and this is giving time to [Anthony] Martial to do good runs.

“It’s different for Pogba in a team full of confidence rather than Pogba without those players around him.”

Pogba has taken in 23 appearances for United this season, with three goals and as many assists recorded across those outings.

Kalidou Koulibaly has stated Napoli will do everything to defeat Juventus in what would be a ‘difficult’ Italian Super Cup final on Wednesday.

The Senegal international is confident of the Blues' chances after they hammered Fiorentina 6-0 in a Serie A encounter on Sunday while Juventus bowed to a 2-0 defeat against Inter Milan in their league outing.

Napoli, last season’s Coppa Italia winners, are chasing a third Super Cup after previous successes in 2012 and 2014.

“I only expect to win. We know it’s going to be a difficult match, Juventus are a great team in a good moment. We’ll need the right mentality, it’s 50-50, we’ll do everything we can to win,” Koulibaly said after Sunday’s home win, via Football Italia.

Koulibaly was on cloud nine after Sunday's emphatic home victory over Fiorentina which pushed Napoli to third in the Serie A table with 34 points from 17 matches, six points behind leaders AC Milan.

He also urged his teammates to remain focus and maintain their good performances.

“It was a tough game, but we played well,” he continued. “It was important to win, and we are happy with our performance, but must work on our mentality.

"This was a good game, but we must remain focused, for now, we are happy with the three points.

“Despite that, we need to improve under many aspects. Opponents can score anytime, today we attacked and defended all together.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his decision to replace Bruno Fernandes during Manchester United’s draw at Liverpool was a “tactical one” and he has no problem with the Portuguese airing his frustration at having to come off.

A talismanic presence for the Red Devils saw his number held up in the closing stages of a cagey clash at Anfield.

He was reluctant to head from the field, with an angry exchange of words taken in with Georginio Wijnaldum before both men were forced to head for the touchline.

Fernandes made his feelings known as he trudged off the pitch, with there plenty of theatrical arm-waving and murmuring under his breath before patting hands with his manager.

Solskjaer is reading little into a show of petulance, with no player wanting to make way, and sticks by his call to send Mason Greenwood on in pursuit of a late winner against the defending Premier League champions.

“It was a tactical decision,” the United boss told reporters on his late change.

“Bruno has been running his socks off for us in every single game since he came here. Running, more or less, every game.

“Towards the end, I felt Paul [Pogba's] physical presence in there might be a chance for us.

“Mason, you know if he gets a chance he can score in the blink of a second. But it was a throw of the dice to get Mason on, even though he had to defend against [Andy] Robertson.”

United ultimately drew a blank in a goalless encounter on Merseyside, but Solskjaer was pleased with the effort on show from his side and the experiment of putting Marcus Rashford back in a central striking berth.

The Norwegian added: “I wanted Marcus up top. Because of his pace. We just missed a few moments in both the first half and the second half to play that ball a little bit quicker or with a bit more quality.

“It was there that we could hurt them a bit because we knew about their problems at centre-back.”

Solskjaer added on potential areas of improvement for the Premier League leaders: “We can be more composed, we can have the ball more, we had to defend really often and I thought we gave the ball away too often.

“Maybe some moments we missed, when Marcus makes his runs in behind – maybe sometimes we don’t pass it every time he runs and sometimes we missed it when he should have had it. So a couple of things that we need to improve on.”

United will be back in action on Wednesday when they put a 16-game unbeaten run away from home on the line against Fulham.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer "parked the bus against Liverpool just like Jose Mourinho" according to Paul Ince, who has slammed the Manchester United boss for his defensive tactics.

United missed the chance to move six points clear of the defending champions at the top of the Premier League table at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool extended their unbeaten home record to 68 games by securing a 0-0 draw, with the Red Devils leaving it too late before putting their foot on the gas in a tense encounter.

Solskjaer's side allowed the hosts to dominate possession throughout the first half, and it wasn't until the final 20 minutes of the game that United went for the jugular as Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba both saw clear paths to goal blocked by Reds No 1 Allison, who ultimately managed to record his fifth clean sheet of the season.

Mourinho, who is currently plying his trade at Tottenham, took a pragmatic approach to games against Liverpool when he was in charge at Old Trafford, and Ince was disappointed that Solskjaer followed the same blueprint in a game in which he felt United should have tried to set down a marker in the title race.

“You could see the game plan with Manchester United, you saw it from the first whistle – they defended very, very deep,” the former Red Devils midfielder told talkSPORT. “I thought United were very poor in the first-half.

“I remember a few years ago when Mourinho took United to Anfield, he parked the bus and got absolutely slaughtered for it – that’s exactly what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did in the first-half.

“We knew they were going to defend and rely on their quick players like Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford to counter-attack Liverpool, but I’ve played in Man United teams, you don’t go to Anfield to defend.

“Especially at a time where they’ve got two of their best midfield players playing at centre-half and they haven’t scored in the last two games.

“I wanted to see them have a go at Liverpool, because they were there for the taking.

“This was an opportunity for Man United to go there and show what they were all about, but they just sat deep and it disappoints me.”

United will now dust themselves down before another crucial fixture against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday, with Manchester City and Leicester now only two points behind them in the standings.

Uganda coach Johnny McKinstry is gearing up for a memorable reunion for a group of players he knows well when the Cranes meet Rwanda in their African Nations Championship opener on Monday.

The 35-year-old is currently in his third major role in African football, having previously held the reins with Sierra Leone and Rwanda, before later taking the Uganda job in 2019.

He now gets the chance to catch up with his former Amabuvi charges on Monday when the Cranes kick off their Chan campaign with a derby against their East African neighbours.

“[It’s] a game that bears significance beyond the tournament for Uganda,” McKinstry told Goal, “because it’s a very local rivalry that goes back, it’s a big derby game.

“But [it also bears significance] for myself, because 18 of the 30 players that Rwanda have named in their squad played for me when I was their head coach several years ago.”

McKinstry was appointed Wasps boss in 2015, ending their four-year wait for an away victory when they defeated Mozambique during the qualifying campaign for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, while also taking silver at the 2015 Cecafa Cup.

The Northern Irishman also took the East Africans to the latter stages of the 2016 Chan, and, memorably, was within two minutes of taking a point from Avram Grant’s Ghana during the Afcon qualifying campaign, only for Wakaso Mubarak’s late freekick to seal the win for the Black Stars.

“They come in with an experienced squad,” McKinstry continued, “and [for me] it will be meeting up with people again after not seeing them for several years face to face.

“A number of those Rwandan players I’ve kept contact with over the years including one who came to play with me in Asia [in Singapore], so they’re old relationships, but they will be set aside for 90 minutes as we look to go out and get the best possible start for Rwanda at Chan.”

While Rwanda reached the Chan quarter-finals under McKinstry five years ago, his current team—Uganda—have never before escaped the group stage at the biennial tournament.

In fact, despite qualifying for the tournament on five occasions, Uganda have won just one of 12 previous matches at Chan, and will be desperate to amend that underwhelming record this time around.

Giorgio Chiellini admits Juventus were “outplayed in every area” against Inter, but the veteran defender insists the reigning Serie A champions have not lost their spark under Andrea Pirlo.

A change in the dugout was made at the Allianz Stadium heading into the 2020-21 campaign. Maurizio Sarri was ushered through the exits despite delivering another title in Turin, with a club legend turned to for inspiration despite lacking top-level coaching experience.

Pirlo is finding the going tough in his rookie season with Juve slipping seven points off the pace in the Italian top-flight. A 2-0 reversal against old adversaries Inter has left them fifth in the table, with Chiellini conceding that there is much for a once dominant force to work on.

The 36-year-old centre-half told Sky Sport Italia: “There are times when you have to be humble and allow the opponents to have the ball, but our problem was that when we were on the ball, we made a lot of mistakes and were constantly giving it away or not finding a way through.

“We were outplayed in every area of the field, we kept taking too many touches, were moving the ball too slowly, we made too many mistakes.”

Chiellini added: “You can make all the preparations and tests you want, but it’s about putting that into action. We didn’t win a single duel on the field, Inter wanted it more and deserved the victory.

“It’s a blow, but it mustn’t be a knockout blow, because we have the time to make up for it and a long way to go this season, starting on Wednesday against Napoli in the Supercoppa. Fortunately, we are playing again in three days, so we can put this behind us and focus on winning the first trophy of the campaign.”

Chiellini remains confident that Juve can rediscover their spark and is and is adamant that they have not regressed since parting company with Sarri.

“We had a few sparks this season, for instance in Barcelona,” Chiellini said. “We had four wins in very tough games, but it becomes difficult to analyse a performance like this evening when there was such a big gap between the teams.

“It’s tough to talk about tactics and systems when you are so inferior on the night. The years go by, we are trying in every way to keep this era going and a 10th consecutive Scudetto would be truly incredible.

“It’s not easy, we are trying our best, but we had two blackouts and paid for them with heavy defeats to Fiorentina and Inter.”

Hyderabad FC coach Manuel Marquez is not worried about the standings as they take on Odisha FC in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) on Tuesday evening.

They are currently fourth on the table ahead of Chennaiyin FC's game against East Bengal on Monday. Hyderabad might go down to fifth should Chennaiyin pick a win in that game. However, Marquez is unperturbed. 

He also termed his side's 0-0 draw against Mumbai City last weekend as 'one of the most complete games of Hyderabad this season' but added that there's a long way to go. 

"We are focussing on this game without giving importance on the table. I don't think too much that 'if we win this game, we will be in the top four' or 'if Chennaiyin wins today, we will be out of the top four'.

"The confidence of our team is better after this (Mumbai City) game but we have to keep calm and be careful as we have played only 11 games and have nine games more. We didn't get a clean sheet from our second game (0-0 draw against Bengaluru). I think the players understood the plan of the game and played very compact. Mumbai couldn't find space between our lines and we deserved this clean sheet," he said.

Hyderabad began the season with an unbeaten run of five games and, after three consecutive defeats, have put together a good run of form that has seen them pick seven points from their last three games.

"All the moments in the season are important . When you start well, it's fantastic because you can add some points. After three defeats, [when] the team reacts, it's a very important moment too. Normally, in the second leg to get good results is more difficult because all the teams are trying to give their best performance," Marquez felt.

"We have 16 points. We deserve 16 points and the past is not important in this situation. What is important is how the team is playing. We could have more points or less points because you alway remember when you deserve more and forget the other situations."

On the other hand, Odisha languishing at the bottom of the table makes no difference to the Hyderabad coach who feels any team can beat any team in the ISL. 

"The first game in the first leg (against Odisha) was very different. I remember that Jacob Tratt, Vinit Rai, Jerry (Mawihmingthanga) were not in the team (unavailable for selection). In that game we played better than Odisha but finally won only 1-0 from a penalty. Odisha, in the last [few] games, are playing better. I know that they are at the bottom but we know that against all the teams you can win or lose. 

"If we want to manage the situation until the end of the season we have to continue with this line step by step. After Odisha, Jamshedpur, then Bengaluru. I know all the people say 'you can lose against Mumbai and win against Odisha'. We could win against Mumbai and we can draw or lose against Odisha if we don't focus on the game," Marquez apprised.

Odisha FC, after picking up their first win of the season in a 4-2 victory over Kerala Blasters earlier in January, would've hoped to kick on and improve. 

That win came after nine games in the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) season but it still remains Odisha's only victory as they picked just a point in their next two games, the last being a 2-1 at the hands of Chennaiyin FC.

"We were a little bit negative in our approach (against Chennaiyin) and we chose to play with too many long balls instead of playing through the lines which we normally do. Both Manu (Manuel Onwu) and Marcelinho were looking deep and it was empty higher up the game. So there was nowhere we could establish the game," felt the British manager.

As they gear up to face an in-form Hyderabad FC on Tuesday, Baxter stated that he would have to look into the composition of his team and make some forced changes.

"We don't play FIFA manager. We are looking at stats (statistics) of players who are into the danger zone (of getting injured). We can't just let them run through the pain barrier. So we have to make changes. The changes didn't work out optimally (against Chennaiyin) and I'm always of the opinion that we shouldn't change unless we have to. For this game, we will try to go with our strongest available team," he said.

The former South Africa national team coach also pointed out that they had to build their game around Diego Mauricio, who has scored six of the side's 11 goals so far, and hopes the Brazilian forward keeps performing at his peak.

"Diego, when we first came, was used to being available to finish any attack. We had to change that because we are not Manchester United in the league. We had to create the game and make sure to try to be on the front foot. Diego's attitude has changed as we've gone along and we have also fit him in our structure.

"Him being the goalscorer, people give him the ball more often which sometimes is detrimental to players like Daniel (Lalhlimpuia) or Manu who can also get the ball. I think we're learning to play with each other more and more all the time," Baxter explained.

The Odisha coach went on to reveal his admiration for Hyderabad who he tips as one of the best teams in ISL this season.

"I think they are one of the best teams [in the ISL]. I like the way they way. They can be quick on transition because they have good technical players and their game plan can also work when they spread out. In Aridane (Santana), they also have a striker [with whom] they can go a bit long if they want.

"So I think they are one of the most complete teams and the coach (Manuel Marquez) has done a very good job. In the first game we had against them, I think we gave them a good game especially that the match was decided on a penalty. This time around, I'm hoping we can deal with them a lot better," he signed out.

KCB head coach Zedekiah Otieno has stated a performing AFC Leopards is good for the development of the Kenyan Football Federation Premier League.

Ingwe handed KCB a first season loss after going for six games without losing one and the Bankers coach lauded their opponents.

Elvis Rupia scored twice after taking the advantage of goalkeeper Joseph Okoth’s poor position and clearance to hand Ingwe the win.

“It was a tough game and I had warned the players that they should be prepared for a tough game in earnest,” Otieno conceded in a post-match interview with reporters.

“But again I must say it was good after we had gone for six games and winning all of them and had conceded just a goal. That was a good job from my players.

“Let me congratulate the AFC Leopards side because they had a good game, a kind of a game that we want in our league if we are to grow.

“We played the way we were supposed to but credit has to go to AFC Leopards as they really played a better game. We need to see such performances so that we can claim our soccer is growing.”

Zico, as the former Gor Mahia head coach is famously known, said the loss will not affect them in a big way as they look forward to good results in future.

“There is no big harm in the loss as we will forge forward together despite the first defeat and we must plan for the next match well,” he concluded.

The next game for the Bankers look winnable on paper as they have Western Stima, Ulinzi Stars, Vihiga United, Nzoia Sugar lined up for them in January. The last two games for the month against Sofapaka and Kariobangi Sharks are the ties that promise to give Otieno’s side serious tests.

They will start February with a game against current champions Gor Mahia before facing Zoo FC and the third one will be another acid test, against Tusker.

Liverpool should be “alarmed” at how “wasteful” Roberto Firmino has become in front of goal, says Peter Crouch, with the Reds’ once fearsome attacking unit considered to be lacking balance.

Jurgen Klopp has seen the goals dry up for his reigning Premier League champions.

Three top-flight fixtures have come and gone without troubling the scorers, with a Merseyside heavyweight enduring its worst run in the final third since 2005.

Few could have predicted that such struggles would hinder Liverpool’s cause, with recent success at Anfield enjoyed while blowing opponents away.

Strength in depth within Klopp’s squad meant that individuals could suffer the odd dip as there was enough quality around them to maintain collective standards.

Too many key men are wobbling at present, though, with uncharacteristic issues in the final third holding an ambitious outfit back.

Mohamed Salah remains a contender for the 2020-21 Golden Boot, but has seen questions asked of his form on the back of an admission that he could head to Real Madrid or Barcelona at some stage.

Sadio Mane has found the target just five times in his last 20 appearances, while Firmino has been far from prolific for some time now.

Crouch believes the Brazil international, who faced losing his spot to Diogo Jota before a Portuguese forward suffered an untimely knock, is the biggest issue for Klopp to address.

The former Reds striker told the Daily Mail on the lack of firepower after witnessing a drab 0-0 draw with Manchester United: “The balance of the team is wrong at the moment.

“They have lost the energy of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in midfield and that has stopped Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson attacking as freely as they did in the last two seasons.

“It was a hard watch on Sunday but what alarmed me was how wasteful Roberto Firmino was in front of goal.

“I thought he was back in the groove when he sparkled at Crystal Palace last month, but it is just not happening for him — or his team.”

Firmino has just five goals to his name this season, with the 29-year-old South American failing to build on productive pre-Christmas outings that saw him hit the net in back-to-back fixtures against Tottenham and Crystal Palace.