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Tusker FC moved second on the FKF-Premier League table after a 4-2 win over Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.

Henry Meja and Brian Marita scored a brace each for the Brewers while Erick Kapaito replied with a brace as well for the Slum Boys.

The visitors were keen on extending their good run against their hosts and their early attacks proved so since the William Muluya-led charges could have taken a lead in the fifth minute.

Daniel Sakari found space on the right before bringing in a good cross in the danger zone. However, Peter Lwasa, who was in a good position, failed to make good contact with his effort.

In the 15th minute, the Ruaraka-based charges were forced to make a change when Robert Mboya injured his shoulder and Michael Wanjala had to replace him in goal.

A minute later, the Robert Matano-led team had a great chance to score, when the impressive Luke Namanda managed to get past his marker before finding Meja in a good position, but the latter narrowly missed the target.

The Brewers deservedly went ahead in the 26th minute after Sharks conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position. Rogers Aloro stepped up and picked out Marita, who headed in past the stranded Brian Bwire.

Four minutes later, it was 2-0 in favour of the former champions. Defender Kevin Monyi was brought down in the danger zone and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Meja, who scored the only goal in the win against Kakamega Homeboyz last weekend, stepped up and held his nerve to ensure the ball was in the back of the net.

In the 32nd minute, the visitors managed to half the deficit - James Mazembe picked out the league's top scorer Kapaito in the 18-yard area, and the striker took his chance.

However, Tusker restored their two-goal cushion seven minutes later when Namanda brought in another good cross from the right and Meja flicked it to Marita, whose volley gave the hosts their third goal.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 53rd minute when Aloro made a double footed challenge against Douglas Mokaya.

It mattered little as Tusker scored their fourth in the 57th minute when the red-hot Namanda picked out the run of Meja, who left his defender for dead before completing his brace.

Kapaito managed to get his second of the game in the 80th minute, but he could not inspire his team to a comeback.

Tusker XI: Robert Mboya, Kevin Monyi, Hillary Wandera, Rodgers Aloro, Eugene Asike, Hashim Sempala, Luke Namanda, Kevin Okoth, Henry Meja, Otieno Apollo, Brian Marita

Subs: Michael Wanjala, Erick Ambunya, Christopher Oruchum, Chrispinus Onyango, Humphrey Mieno, Jackson Macharia, Muchiri Boniface, Eric Zakayo, David Majak

Kariobangi Sharks XI: Brian Bwire, Geoffrey Shiveka, John Kuol, Boniface Onynago, Samuel Olwande, Daniel Sakari, James Mazembe, Douglas Mokaya, Peter Oudu, Erick Kapaito, Peter Lwasa

Subs: Brandon Obiero, Erick Juma, Thomas Teka, Vincent Likare, Shaphan Oyugi, Boniface Mwangemi, Ronald Reagan, Alphonse Omija, Joshua Onyango

Sadio Mane is excited by the 'magic' possessed by Thiago Alcantara, with Liverpool considered to have acquired themselves “one of the best" in the world in the Spain international playmaker.

Jurgen Klopp swooped to snap up another proven performer during the summer transfer window of 2020.

Thiago was allowing his contract to run down at Bayern Munich and, fresh from helping the German giants to a remarkable treble, opened himself up to a new challenge in the Premier League.

Injury issues have prevented him from making the desired impact at Anfield, but the 29-year-old is now back to full fitness and ready to build on the promising cameos he has put in to this point.

Mane is expecting the former Barcelona star to thrive in England, telling Liverpool’s official website of a talented team-mate: “I always said Thiago is one of the best in his position in the world, for sure.

“He was unlucky with the injury, but now he is coming back. It is not easy to come back from an injury and be 100 per cent on the pitch, but you can see Thiago [and his quality].

“From his first game I was impressed because I didn’t think he would be that impressive on the pitch! It is coming slowly, slowly and I think he is reaching his best level, which is very good for us and for Liverpool Football Club. I can’t wait.”

Mane added: “We have many great players in midfield and Thiago is one of them. He has this quality of pass, which is another advantage for our front three because we can see how good he is in passing.

“I think this makes the team even better. We are looking forward to seeing more of this – his magic! – to help the team together.”

Thiago is in contention to figure from the off when Liverpool take on old adversaries Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, but Klopp faces selection posers all over the field after working hard to add depth to his star-studded squad.

“Yes, not only in midfield,” Mane said of the competition for places.

“I think we have a great team, which is a good thing for everyone. We have a lot of competition, which is great for the team and for the club.

“For the players as well; it can make you better and can help to win trophies for the club and for the players as well, which for all of us is a dream.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits he cannot rule out further departures from Manchester United during the January transfer window, with the likes of Marcos Rojo, Sergio Romero and Jesse Lingard being linked with moves elsewhere.

The Red Devils have already parted with Timothy Fosu-Mensah, with the Dutch defender linking up with Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen.

Argentine duo Rojo and Romero have been told that they are free to find other clubs, or hit free agency in the summer, while England international Lingard is generating plenty of speculation amid a lack of regular game time.

Solskjaer will not be closing any exit doors at Old Trafford, but the Norwegian coach says deals will only be done if United’s demands are met.

He told the club’s official website when asked if he expects to part with more members of his first-team squad: “You can’t really say no because, in football, things just crop up.

“There are opportunities that we can’t really say no to and, if it’s the best for the club and the player, then it’s something we'll look at.

“At the moment I can’t update you on any of them, I don’t really know where any negotiations are [up to].”

Fosu-Mensah was given permission to head for Germany as his contract ran down and he struggled to make a breakthrough into the United side.

He had stepped out of a famed academy system to take in 30 senior appearances, but fierce competition for places meant that the 23-year-old always found himself some way down the pecking order.

Solskjaer added on a versatile operator who has won three caps for the Netherlands: “We wish Tim all the best – six-and-a-half years I think he was here.

“He’s an exciting talent and he’s got the attributes, but he needs to play.

“When he gets regular game-time I think we’ll see him for Holland and we’ll see how good a player he is.”

While transfer matters are ticking over behind the scenes at Old Trafford, on-field matters continue to dominate the thoughts of everyone connected with United.

A meeting with defending Premier League champions Liverpool is next on the agenda for the Red Devils, with a trip to Anfield set to be taken in with Solskjaer’s side perched at the top of the table.

Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson has hailed the progress made by Harry Maguire at Old Trafford and insists he has helped provide the leadership that has been missing from the first-team squad.

Filling the armband at Old Trafford requires a special kind of talent and personality.

Few fit the mould, but Maguire has shown that he is capable of following in the footsteps of some iconic figures.

He took on captaincy duties during a memorable debut campaign in Manchester, with rapid progress made by the England international following a record-breaking £80 million ($109m) transfer in 2019.

The odd question has been asked of Maguire’s contribution under the brightest of spotlights, but the 27-year-old has looked to lead by example in a welcome return to prominence for United.

Red Devils great Robson has saluted those efforts, telling The Sun: “I saw when Harry first arrived that he needed to organise people and communicate a bit more but he has grown into the job.

“Now you see him pointing and directing and helping people out. And a few of the new players have followed that lead – such as Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani.

“You can see them working hard to pull the side together and get the team’s shape back when they lose the ball.

“Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay have taken that on board as well so the team as a whole is improving on that side of things.

“Harry, he’s a top player. The only thing he might get criticised for is pace but he reads things really well, gets great blocks in, he’s brilliant in the air defensively.

“It just took him a little bit of time to get the confidence to come into a club like Manchester United and demand from people around him.

“Sometimes you go into a club and it takes you a little bit of time to settle down.

“You don’t want to look as if you’re bucking for captain and demanding and shouting at people when you don’t know them that well.

“Part of what Harry had brought has been missing from United over the last four or five years is that players haven’t demanded from each other.

“The Class of ’92, my team that had Paul Ince, Roy Keane, Steve Bruce, Eric Cantona – we demanded off each other and that’s why we got success.

“You can’t just go on a football pitch and look after yourself.

“You’ve got to demand not only from yourself but the others and push them to the limits. Sir Alex built three teams who did that.

“Now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is going down that same direction and the right lines are that every player has to want more of himself and everybody around him. To win things that’s what you’ve got to do.

“It’s not upsetting people for the sake of it – it’s about helping those around you to give that bit more to win things.

“And hopefully the team can keep on those lines with Harry and the other boys.

“Doing that you get a good team spirit going and the next thing then is just to win something to give that extra bit of confidence. Harry is going to be central to that.”

Maguire has helped United to push their way back into Premier League title contention this season, with a standing at the top of the table taken up some eight years on from the last of Sir Alex Ferguson’s 13 triumphs.

Uganda have unveiled their newly-designed home, away and third kits ahead of their African Nations Championship opener against Rwanda on Monday.

Goalkeeper Charles Lukwago, right-back Paul Willa, midfielder Shafiq Kagimu, striker Brian Aheebwa and head coach Johnathan McKinstry modelled the new colours in Douala, Cameroon.

Umbro, the makers of the new kits, explained what inspired their design work.

“Inspired by the Ugandan flag and its powerful symbolism,” the manufacturer said.

“Our award-winning design team has created three kits; each highlighting a component of the flag with geometric elements and woven with cutting-edge technology. 

“Collaboratively, Umbro and Fufa have refined these designs to ensure that they embody the dynamic spirit of the Cranes, as well as reflecting the passionate Ugandan football culture.”

The kits, according to Umbro, were made in a manner that will ensure complete comfort for the players while on duty.

“The kits feature the best of Umbro’s performance technology,” it added. The micro-eyelet fabrication is moisture-wicking and quick-drying; ensuring a light, breathable moisture managed garment for unrestricted play and comfort.

“Expertly tailored with ribbed sleeve cuffs, the three-dimensional rubberised logos add a subtle touch of elegance – a blend of performance and design.”

Fufa’s head of communication Ahmed Hussein is hopeful the supporters will be happy with the new kits.

“The latest designs will be loved by the fans,” Hussein said. “We are glad that the new designs meet the latest global sports fashionable trends enjoyed by the fans that follow the beautiful game and Uganda Cranes.

“The jerseys will cut across all the nine national teams [men and women] managed by Fufa.”

“We are all very pleased with the new match kit and training wear supplied by Umbro for the Uganda Cranes,” McKinstry said on his part. “The team will be playing in top quality apparel in the standards suitable for a team with ambitions such as our own.

“The training and leisurewear is also of the highest quality and something that all members can be very comfortable in and proud to wear when representing the nation across Africa and the world”

Midfielder Kagimu stated why his teammates cannot wait to turn out in the kit.

“It is a standard attire that will give us a lot of comfort and great feeling on our bodies to play for our nation and make our people back home proud,” the star said. “The players already like the kit. They are looking forward to wearing it on Monday.”

Uganda set up camp in Cameroon early and were part of the pre-Chan tournament – which also involved the host, Niger and Zambia - that ended on January 7.

Cristiano Ronaldo has become a 'different' player since leaving Real Madrid and will be looking to play into his 40s, Brazil and Blancos legend Ronaldo has said.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will turn 36 in February, with many starting to wind down when reaching that age.

He has, however, shown over the course of a remarkable career to date that he is far from being an ordinary footballer.

Ronaldo has stated in the past that he intends to remain at the top for as long as possible, with there being no sign of him slowing down at Serie A giants Juventus.

Brazil's Ronaldo sees no reason why an all-time great cannot emulate the likes of Gianluigi Buffon and Ryan Giggs by playing into the fifth decade of his life, with R9 telling Gazzetta dello Sport of CR7: “I don’t know, for sure he will try.

“He is different from the player I saw at Real Madrid, he knows how to manage himself now. Did you see him against Sassuolo? Even if he stays in the shadows for the whole game, he can hurt in the space of one minute.”

Ronaldo has hit 84 goals through 107 appearances for Juve, having previously posted a record-setting haul of 450 efforts for Real in just 438 games.

The Blancos have struggled at times in his absence, with attacking verve missing from their ranks, and the Brazilian has questioned the transfer policy at the Santiago Bernabeu.

There was little they could do to prevent Ronaldo from heading for the exit once his heart had been set on taking on a new challenge, but the decision to part with Achraf Hakimi – initially on loan to Borussia Dortmund and then in a permanent deal with Inter – has raised eyebrows.

Ex-Nerazzurri frontman Ronaldo added when asked if Antonio Conte can deliver title glory at San Siro this season, with defending champions Juve next on the agenda: “They have a great coach and a team with a precise identity. In addition to that they don’t play European competitions.

“That’s never a good thing, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Inter earn more points than their opponents in March, when European competitions will resume.

“They signed an extraordinary player in Hakimi. It was a mistake for Real Madrid to let him go, sometimes I think: ‘Ronnie, imagine you and him. We would go at a decent speed.”

Lautaro Martinez is confident of thrashing out a new contract with Inter.

The Argentina international forward’s present commitment does not expire until the summer of 2023, meaning there is no rush to find an agreement, but the club are keen to tie him to fresh terms in a bid to stave off any prospect of an exit.

“I am happy at Inter, Milan is a great city,” he told Sportweek. “My agent and the club are talking and I am calm. I only want to give everything for Inter, then we’ll reach an agreement.”

Lautaro has been linked with a move away from Inter, but he tries to keep the transfer speculation at arm's length.

“Talking about you and important clubs is a beautiful thing, but also a heavy one,” he said. “You go out to eat and they talk about you, go to the bathroom and they talk about you. You have to be strong in your head. It was a tiring summer.

“I'm at Inter today and I'm happy. I'm fine here.”

The 23-year-old is in his third season at Inter and is relishing working under manager Antonio Conte, who he claims is taking his game to new heights.

“He is a coach who works to improve you physically and tactically,” Lautaro said. “His arrival at Inter was fundamental for me, he made me grow a lot. And I don't want to stop.”

Lautaro plays alongside the great Lionel Messi for Argentina. The Barcelona man was linked with a move to Inter last summer, only to remain at Camp Nou, and the youngster has admitted he was excited by the prospect of his fellow countryman arriving in Serie A.

“It was a big dream for me,” Lautaro said. “It’s amazing to play with him, he is the best player in the world and I am lucky enough to play with him in the national team. He is an inspiration for young players.”

While Lautaro has contract talks to keep him occupied and dreamt of Messi’s arrival, his focus is on the Scudetto and Inter face Serie A champions Juventus on Sunday.

Inter are in the title mix, three points behind leaders and city rivals AC Milan, and Lautaro feels the current campaign is full of excitement after years of Bianconeri dominance.

"After so many years of Juve domination, this year the championship is more balanced,” he said. “Covid-19, the five substitutions, have changed things. It's more fun, less obvious.”

Barcelona are set to miss out on their top target in the January transfer window, with the club’s presidential candidates putting a move for Manchester City defender Eric Garcia on ice.

The Catalans have had their sights trained on Garcia, whose deal is winding down at City and has made no secret of his desire to move to Camp Nou.

Goal revealed earlier this week that Barca and Garcia had agreed personal terms, but work still needed to be done to persuade City to sell in January.

With virtually no prospect of Garcia extending his City contract - which expires in the summer - Barca were confident of being able to thrash out a deal to secure the transfer this month.

However, all Barca’s groundwork has come to nothing - with the club’s presidential candidates halting the move.

Joan Laporta is favourite to be named the club’s new president, and he wants no major financial decisions to be made until a new supremo has been elected.

Laporta feels it would be wise for the club to wait until the summer and pick up the player on a free transfer.

“We cannot demand that the Management Board make decisions like this,” Laporta told the assembled media on Friday. “We have concluded that if he is a player whose contract is ending, we must wait. 

“If we moved now we would have to pay the transfer fee plus the player's salary.”

The Barcelona presidential elections were scheduled to take place on January 24, which would have provided time to get a deal for Garcia over the line, but the club confirmed on Friday they had been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The development will come as a huge blow to Barca and Garcia. Technical secretary Ramon Planes had worked tirelessly to get a deal done, but must now keep things ticking over until the summer.

For Garcia, it will be a disappointment as he agreed personal terms in the hope of becoming a Barca player for the second half of the season.

He will now have to wait until the summer, and likely kick his heels on the sidelines at Manchester City due to the excellent form of Pep Guardiola’s other central defenders.

Mesut Ozil’s seven-and-a-half year spell at Arsenal could come to an end as early as this weekend, with the Gunners star on the verge of leaving for Fenerbahce.

Talks have been ongoing for weeks between the club and Ozil’s representatives in a bid to reach an agreement over ending his £350,000-a-week contract - which expires this summer and still had around £7 million left to run - early.

And Goal can confirm that an agreement which will allow the 32-year-old to end his stay in north London has now been reached in principle following a breakthrough in negotiations, with only a few finer details left to resolve.

Should things progress as hoped, sources at Arsenal expect Ozil to travel to Turkey in the coming days to complete a free transfer to Fenerbahce, the club he supported as a boy.

Speaking earlier in the month, Ozil’s agent Erkut Sogut said: “Everyone knows that Mesut is from Fenerbahce. Mesut is not just a football player. Mesut is Fenerbahce.

“He always said that if he came to Turkey, he would only play for Fenerbahce. I think it is very important that Mesut comes not only as a footballer but also as a lover of Fenerbahce.

“There is a process at the moment. We can't say it's over until we've signed it in the process. I hope so.”

Ozil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013 for what was then a club-record fee of £42m ($57m).

His arrival coincided with the end of Arsenal’s nine-year run without a trophy, with the Gunners going on to win the FA Cup in is first season in north London.

Arsenal won four FA Cups during his time at the club, but he has fallen out of favour in recent years, with former manager Unai Emery and current boss Mikel Arteta both leaving him out on a regular basis.

The World Cup winner has not played since March and was left out of Arsenal’s 25-man squad for the Premier League this season.

When asked if the playmaker was closer than ever to leaving the club after Thursday night’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, Arteta said: “I don’t know how close he’s been before. 

“There are some conversations going with Edu and the club at the moment, but nothing concrete yet.”

Mumbai City might have pulled five points clear of ATK Mohun Bagan at the top of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) table but the Mariners' head coach Antonio Habas feels his side can still trump the Islanders and finish top of the league. 

ATK Mohun Bagan are back in action against FC Goa on Sunday, six days after falling to a 1-0 defeat against Mumbai City.

"The last match (1-0 defeat to Mumbai City) is history and history can change. This is football. We have to continue fighting hard and win every day without thinking about the last match," Habas professed.

The two-time ISL winner also stressed that the reverse tie between ATKMB and Goa that resulted in a 1-0 win for his side will have no bearing on Sunday's game.

"We know that Goa has good players and a good team but so do we. The previous match is the past. Now it's a different match because in football, two matches are never the same. Goa is a compact team with technically good players. I don't want to mark one player in a more special way. They will be absolutely a very difficult opponent but we also have our proposal," Habas expounded.

Forward Roy Krishna, after a scintillating start to the season that saw him score four goals in four games, has only scored twice in the last six matches. The ATKMB coach was asked if the Fijian is suffering from a lack of support up front.

"I don't think Roy Krishna is playing alone because in the last match we played with all the strikers we have in the team - we played [David] Williams, Manvir (Singh), Roy, Edu (Garcia) and Javi (Hernandez). We don't have any more strikers. Also, the opponent also has value in their defence," said the former Celta gaffer.

Meanwhile, midfield mainstay Carl McHugh has been deemed fit by Habas. ATKMB have a full-strength squad at their disposal and Habas is looking forward to the upcoming matches.

"Last season's opponents are not the same this year. Teams have signed good players and have a new squad. It's an absolutely different situation. Now after the first half of the season, I am very happy. I understand that we must play better. This is our target now," he signed out.

It is not inconsistency that has plagued Jamshedpur FC in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season, but mistakes in defence according to head coach Owen Coyle. 

The Red Miners are not in good form right now and have lost their last two games against Kerala Blasters (3-2) and FC Goa (3-0). Coyle is looking for a response from his side in their next game against NorthEast United on Sunday.

"I don't think it's inconsistency," said Coyle. "We lost the first game (of the season) against Chennaiyin, then had a fantastic unbeaten run [of six games] and then obviously we had a break and came back into it with a loss. We know that we didn't play as we would have liked the other night (in the 3-0 loss to Goa) but we created numerous chances."

"We have some wonderful players and we have to be at our very best. All you have to do is show your quality. We have some great boys to work with," he stated.

Coyle felt that mistakes at the back have been costing his side lately and insists that Jamshedpur have the quality and must convert chances they create. 

"We've made mistakes, both individually and collectively, and we've been heavily punished for it. Certainly the Kerala game, we made a lot of mistakes. And even against Goa, Goa played very well but their chances and the goals that they scored came from our mistakes. So that's something that we have to rectify. 

"But we still create chances. We have an outstanding striker in Nerijus Valskis and players that can supply him with the ball. We have to work very hard to score goals. We never get too high when we win our games. So we won't go too low as well. We understand that we are all in this together and we need to perform better. So we want to get that smile back on our face," he remarked.

Though influential midfielder Alex Lima suspended for the NorthEast United tie, the former Burnley manager is confident that his side has enough quality. However, he did advice caution against the Highlanders who are in a slump themselves and have parted ways with coach Gerard Nus. 

"We have Alex Lima suspended. He is a wonderful football player. So that's a blow to any team. But we've shown before (that we can cope). When Aitor (Monroy) was suspended before, the boys showed their character. 

"I thought they (NEUFC) played well in their last match (1-1 draw against Bengaluru). NorthEast are dangerous opponents and every opponent you face presents different challenges. NorthEast may not be as fluent in passing the ball as Mumbai City or FC Goa but they have so many other qualities and that's what we have to be ready for. We have to be very respectful as we always are and look to impose our game and get our players on the ball.'

Meanwhile, Coyle has also suggested that Nick Fitzgerald and David Grande (long term absentees due to injury) could eventually feature against NorthEast United. He also brushed aside rumours linking Aniket Jadhav and Amarjit Kiyam with other clubs.

"Obviously, Nick and David are coming back into the team after long term injuries. So we're bringing them in gently. But of course, it gives us an option to bring another foreign player into our squad. 

"There are going to be rumours in any transfer window. Both boys (Aniket and Jadhav) are in our plans. We're trying to develop them and make them better players," the Jamshedpur coach asserted.

Coach Robert Matano has explained why Tusker need to work even harder in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League to keep the standards they have set.

The 2006 league champions will face off with Kariobangi Sharks at the Moi International Sports Complex on Saturday, and the tactician believes a win will ensure they keep the standard they have already established.

“Morale at Tusker is very high and we are very much ready after everybody trained well,” Matano said as was quoted by the club’s Facebook page.

“We know the challenge ahead of us but Kariobangi Sharks are a team like any other and this is going to be a game like any other. So, we are ready.

“Football is not a number you count that we have lost this or have won that, football is all different thing. Yes, we have lots before but still, we can win more and I think we are going to win.

“The motivation is high and if we win, that definitely will be the perfect motivation to any player. If we win that is only a motivation to win even more games.

“We must work extra hard to maintain the standard we have already set.”

Matano’s assertion of the importance of a win came after midfielder Apollo Otieno pointed out why he thinks they will win the Kasarani encounter.

“Looking at how we have recently played and won and how we have trained all through the week, we are very confident that we are going to win the three points,” Otieno said.

“They are a good side also and it is not going to be an easy game.”

Tusker started the season with a loss to AFC Leopards before they drew with Bandari in the second game of the campaign. They picked up their biggest win against Western Stima when they downed the Kisumu side 5-2 before defeating reigning champions Gor Mahia in the fourth game.

The Ruaraka outfit defeated Vihiga United, drew with Sofapaka and downed Kakamega Homeboyz in the last three games.

Against Kariobangi Sharks, they have played a total of seven league games where they have recorded three wins, two draws and two losses overall.

Jurgen Klopp has likened Thiago Alcantara to a new signing for Liverpool and suggested he could have a big role to play against Manchester United.

Thiago arrived at Anfield last year from Bayern Munich, but his start to life on Merseyside has been hampered by an injury picked up against Everton in October.

The Spanish midfielder took some time to work back to fitness but has made three appearances in the last couple of weeks and is making solid progress.

The Reds face Manchester United in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday, and Klopp talked up the quality of his creative midfield force.

“To put the pressure a little bit off the situation I said we should sign Thiago in the window [as a joke]. Now he is here, let’s hope he stays like this for a long, long, long, long time,” Klopp said.

“The most important thing is he is fit and he trained. He had 90 and 45 minutes in the last two games.

“We will see if he can play and which position he can play because there are different options.

“But it is really good to have him around now. He is a really good guy and an exceptional football player. It is like a new signing.”

The pressure has been ramped up ahead of the game, with Klopp becoming embroiled in a spat with former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg - who has accused the German of mind games.

Liverpool head into the game with United on a run of two losses and a defeat from their past three Premier League games, and Klopp says there were clear-the-air talks amongst the squad following the loss to Southampton.

“We lost against Southampton a week or so ago, which was absolutely not what we wanted, but the next day we spoke and the boys had their say as well, all that kind of stuff,” Klopp said.

“We are now in a place where we want to be. We know what we have to do. We know what went wrong. We want to change.

“Now, we have to put in place on the pitch. That is the situation. I’m really looking forward to this game, to be honest.”

Genoa have announced the signing of Jerome Onguene on loan from Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg.

The Italian side also has an option to acquire the Cameroon international permanently upon his satisfactory performances.

Onguene completed his move away from the Red Bull Arena outfit after successful medicals with the Red and Blues and has been handed jersey no.25.

“Genoa Cfc announces that it has acquired from Red Bull Salzburg, on a temporary basis with the option of definitive purchase, the right to the sports services of defender Jerome Onguene,” read a statement from the Genoa website.

“The player has already completed his first training session with his new teammates and has chosen the number 25 jersey.”

Onguene has been with Salzburg since the summer of 2017 when he teamed up with the side from VfB Stuttgart initially on loan before a permanent deal was sealed in the summer of 2018.

The defender has made 93 appearances for the Red Bull Arena outfit, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in addition to his impressive defensive displays.

In the 2020-21 campaign, the Cameroon international has featured 15 times for Salzburg across all competitions.

His fine showings helped Jesse Marsch’s men to their current top spot on the league table after gathering 25 points from 12 games.

The arrival of Onguene will be expected to help the Stadio Luigi Ferraris outfit maintain their top-flight status after narrowly avoiding relegation last season.

The centre-back could make his debut for Genoa when they take on Atalanta on Sunday, having already teamed up with the rest of Davide Ballardini’s side in training.

Onguene featured for France U16, U17, U18, U19 and U20 teams before switching his allegiance to Cameroon.

The 23-year-old made his debut for the Indomitable Lions against Malawi in October 2018 and has now featured six times for the West African country.

Onguene will be expected to deliver impressive performances for Genoa in order to get a call-up to the Cameroon national team for their next Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt says he will not make “too drastic” changes for Saturday’s Premier Soccer League clash against Cape Town City at Cape Town Stadium as he also revealed defender Erick Mathoho will not be available.

After being given compassionate leave to attend a family bereavement and missed the midweek trip to AmaZulu, Mathoho is isolating at home as per protocol since he was part of a gathering.

The centre-back’s absence could see Hunt starting Anthony Akumu and Ramahlwe Mphahlele as twin central defenders like he did in the 1-0 win over Usuthu, while Daniel Cardoso might remain as a defensive midfielder.

Halfway through January, it would be Chiefs’ fourth match of 2021 as Hunt also suggests there is no guarantee Willard Katsande and Lebogang Manyama could play after missing two league games and a Caf Champions League assignment.

“It’s very difficult since the start of the year,” Hunt told the Chiefs website.

“We have played a lot of games in a short space of time. We play Tuesday again after Saturday’s game. It is part and parcel of what is ahead of us. Wednesday’s game against AmaZulu was a physical one. We are going to make a few changes here and there but nothing too drastic.

“Lebogang Manyama is back in training. He is still not yet match fit but it’s great to have more options. Erick Mathoho is observing Covid-19 protocols and is in quarantine after attending the funeral of his late father.

“Willard Katsande has also started training and Reeve Frosler is running around but no contact training as yet. The right-back position was a big problem for us, but Siyabonga Ngezana has done very well there so far.”

Hunt has been tinkering with the right-back position in recent weeks, playing Ngezana and Cardoso, while Mphahlele and Yagan Sasman have also played in that area this season.

With Chiefs 10th on the table and four points better than basement side Black Leopards, they are facing a side that is eight points off leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Chiefs’ hands remain tied due to a Fifa transfer ban, but their opponents City have already made a January signing after securing the services of forward Justin Shonga.

“They [Cape Town City] are a good football side. They are a difficult side to play against and a very well-run club that needs a lot of respect,” said Hunt.

“The recent signing of Justin Shonga is a great move for them. He is someone many teams would have taken if they had the opportunity. He’s good striker, good finisher, quick and sharp. He will definitely add value for them.”

Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney has a "presence about him" and is hopeful the legendary forward will succeed in management after announcing his retirement from playing .

Rooney was officially named as Derby County boss on Friday, two months after replacing Phillip Cocu as interim coach.

The 35-year-old enjoyed an incredible playing career that spanned nearly two decades, during which time he won 16 trophies at Manchester United, the majority of those under Ferguson.

He retires as United and England's all-time leading goalscorer and while Ferguson believes that will be an advantage for Rooney, he warned the former forward results were all that mattered as a coach.

"He is England’s top goalscorer, he is Manchester United’s top goalscorer and he has had a fantastic career as a player and it will give him a starting point," Ferguson said on the 'A Team Talk With Legends' panel on Friday.

"But like anyone else it is a results industry and you need to get results. He will know that better than anyone.

"He has had a good start… and he has knowledge of the game, a presence about him and I hope he does well.

"It is a big step for him. He is quite a wealthy young man now with his career in football, so he probably doesn't need to go into management to look after his family, but he wants to do it and that is important.

"There is no point being a manager because someone asks you to be. He went there as a player-coach, he then become player-manager and now he has the manager's job and that's what he wanted. Hopefully he does well.”

England manager Gareth Southgate was also pleased to see Rooney take the helm at Derby.

Rooney joins former England team-mates Steven Gerrard (Rangers), Frank Lampard (Chelsea) and Scott Parker (Fulham) in management.

"He has had an incredible career. I am pleased we have the likes of Wayne, Steven, Frank and Scott Parker – we don't want too many [Jamie] Carraghers sitting on the sofa because those good football brains are gone from the game," Southgate said.

"What you want from an England perspective is young English managers and ex-players to come in and add to the game and help develop young players.

"Those lads have brilliant experiences and it will be a huge challenge of course, but Wayne loves football, has a fantastic brain for football and I wish I had the chance to manage him five years earlier – not be the one to leave him out of the England squad, I'd rather be the one picking him at his peak."

Mark Clattenburg has hit back at Jurgen Klopp, saying the Liverpool manager is a master of mind games and a bad loser.

Clattenburg used his column in the Daily Mail to suggest Klopp had made a “blatant attempt to influence a referee ahead of a big game” by questioning why Manchester United had received more penalties than Liverpool.

The two sides meet at Anfield on Sunday in a blockbuster Premier League clash, and the pressure is ramping up ahead of the game.

Klopp hit back at Clattenburg in his press conference on Friday, saying: “I’m not Sir Alex [Ferguson], I don’t try mind games. I was asked directly after the Southampton game and I didn’t think for one second about the United game. I saw the stats about penalties before the Southampton game, that was it.

“When people like Mark Clattenburg speak now, it always says much more about them than it ever could about me. Maybe if he was ever in my situation then he would play mind games, but unfortunately I have no skills for playing mind games!”

Clattenburg penned a response in the Daily Mail, saying Klopp is well versed in mind games and feels the German is on edge on account of the Reds’ indifferent run of form.

“Jurgen Klopp says he does not have the skills for mind games,” Clattenburg wrote. “So that will be the same Klopp who stands and stares at the opposition warming up before the game?

“He knows what he's doing, he's incredibly smart, it's why he's one of the best managers we've had in the Premier League.

“Klopp once tried to stare me out before a match. That's fine, he has a presence and an aura that he uses for the benefit of his team.

“I remarked how not since Sir Alex Ferguson had we seen such blatant mind games. Klopp denies this and said: 'I am not Sir Alex'.

“But then why did he mention United's penalties so specifically? I don't know if he was accusing United's players of diving or if he was suggesting they got favourable decisions. Only he knows his motivation.

“I also think he is getting prickly because of Liverpool's recent form. I've seen it before with him, he's not a good loser. Ferguson wasn't, either. They are more alike than he perhaps realises.”

Midfielder Apollo Otieno has revealed how Tusker are ready to dethrone Gor Mahia in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.

Tusker have always come close to winning the title but have faltered since winning it in 2016 and Otieno believes everyone is focused and are ready to fight for the award this time around.

“I have set my goals which I hope I will hit them so that I can move to the next level,” Otieno was quoted by the club’s Facebook page as saying. “Everyone is focused from the technical bench to the players as we all aim at achieving something.

“The greatest ambition is to win the league, I believe the title is ours this time. We are all set and handle every game with a lot of discipline and that is why we have been consistent.”

The presence of experienced players in the squad is another reason why the young midfielder feels they are ripe enough to win the league.

“There is a lot of competition in the team especially the presence of experienced players like Humphrey Mieno, Jackson Macharia and Hashim Sempala,” Otieno added. “They have been guiding us a lot and that is why sometimes matches appear to be very easy.

“Having such men will also make it easy to contain the pressure of the game because they regularly guide us and we end up knowing how to control games.”

Otieno has been a consistent member of Robert Matano’s first team and reveals why that has been the case.

“The season has been good but what I am thankful most about is the opportunity I have been given so far. It all depends on the system we want to apply and which team we face,” the dreadlocked star added.

“It is also about the mindset and the hard work I put especially during the training sessions. This is a new season and I came with the mindset of winning at least something and that is why I am working hard and gladly it has been noticed.

Tusker will play Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday and Otieno gave reasons why he feels they will emerge as winners against the Eastland’s club.

“Looking at how we have recently played and won and how we have trained all through the week, we are very confident that we are going to win the three points,” he concluded.

“They are a good side also and it is not going to be an easy game.”

The game will kick-off at 15:00 EAT at Kasarani.