Looking for Soccer News?

Fulham manager Scott Parker has showered encomium on Ademola Lookman following his performance against Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday’s Premier League game.

The Nigerian forward has been delivering fine displays since he teamed up with the Craven Cottage outfit in the summer on a season-long loan from German club RB Leipzig.

Lookman was afforded his 13th Premier League appearance for the Cottagers against the Lilywhites and again made a telling impact in the encounter.

The forward was brought on in the second half of the game as a replacement for Kenny Tete and helped his side avoid defeat.

Lookman provided a key assist for Ivan Cavaleiro to cancel out Harry Kane’s first-half opener and ensured his side ended the match with a share of the points.

Fulham boss Parker has expressed his delight with the contribution of the Nigerian star against Jose Mourinho’s men.  

"After the Covid-19 problems, he came on and showed his quality. He helped the team with the assist and boosted his chances with us," Parker told BBC Sports.

"The second half, the way the game was going I felt the second goal was coming. You have someone on the pitch there like Ademola Lookman who carves chances out of nothing.”

Lookman has now made 15 appearances for Fulham since joining the Premier League club, scoring two goals and providing three assists.

Despite the draw against Tottenham, the Craven Cottage outfit remains in the bottom three with 12 points from 16 games.

Lookman will be expected to continue his fine form when Fulham square off against Chelsea in their next Premier League match on Saturday.

The forward played for Charlton Athletic before joining Everton in 2017 and spent two years with the side.

Lookman left the Goodison Park outfit for Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in 2019 after his inability to establish himself at the club.

The winger has featured for England youth teams but has pledged his allegiance to the Nigeria national team.

Having completed his switch to the West African country, he will hope to continue his impressive performances for Fulham for a chance to get a call-up to the Super Eagles.

Wafa operations manager George Ofosuhene reveals his side is poised to beat Asante Kotoko to three points in their Ghana Premier League (GPL) meeting on Sunday.

The two sides are set for a matchday nine fixture at the Wafa Sports Complex in Sogakope.

For the home side, who announced the demise of club president Henri Wientjes earlier this week, their motivation goes beyond just picking three points, to boost their position on the league table.

"We are not afraid of Kotoko. The demise of our president is motivating us to beat them in his honour. Henri Wientjes does not have time and so there are matches he sometimes comes down to watch," Ofosuhene told Bryt FM.

"Matches between Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, and Ashanti Gold are games he loves to watch during matchdays.

“In fact, when he is around, the motivation is high and that propels us to beat any team. He gives a lot of incentives when the team wins, so, in his absence we have decided to win the game to honour him”

“We will play them squarely to win this game. Matches between us and Kotoko are not difficult. If we need the three points, we don’t care about the team we are playing.”

Wafa come into Sunday's game with eyes on a return to winning ways following a 1-0 loss to Legon Cities on the last matchday.

Kotoko, meanwhile, will want to make it two wins in a row following a 2-0 victory over Liberty Professionals.

The players are gradually getting used to the system we have adopted because at first we did little running but now things have changed with the players making more incisive runs and it has changed our play,” Kotoko coach Johnson Smith said after Monday's win.

“So you can attribute our recent display to confidence and determination,” he added.

“You don’t need intensive training to bring the best out of the players but sometimes you have to psyche the players because they’re very good individually, so you have to build their confidence and not pressure them too much."

Wafa are fourth on the league table, one point above Kotoko. 

The Football Association (FA) and Premier League are confident that the 2020-21 season will be completed and urged clubs and players to fully comply with restrictions.

The two bodies, plus the English Football League (EFL) and Barclays Women’s Super League have increased measures to combat the spread of Covid-19.

Several matches have been postponed in the Premier League recently. An outbreak of Covid-19 cases forced Aston Villa's clashes against Tottenham and Everton, which was originally scheduled to go ahead on Sunday, to be called off. The game between Burnley and Fulham earlier this month was also postponed, while the Toffees saw their match against Manchester City rescheduled in December. 

Despite the disruption, the chief executives of the FA, Premier League and EFL do not expect the season to be curtailed and called for players to "set the right example to the public" by following Covid-19 protocol.

"The Football Association, Premier League, EFL and Barclays Women’s Super League have this week introduced enhanced Covid-19 measures and stressed their importance to everyone in the game," the statement read.

"Safety is a collective effort and football requires the ongoing support of clubs, managers, players and all those involved in staging matches to continue to manage the spread of infection and set the right example to the public on and off the pitch.

"We will offer guidance, education and support as well as reviewing our practices to ensure they remain of the highest standard.

"Our three organisations have confidence in our Covid-19 protocols and our ability to bring the season to a successful conclusion.

"Throughout this crisis, the health, safety and wellbeing of all participants have been our No. 1 priority and, by following the national rules and football’s own strict medical and scientific advice, football has been able to maintain its privileged position and continue to engage and entertain millions of people around the country.

"The game has a responsibility, and during this critical period it is down to everyone involved to ensure they follow Government rules and our protocols.  

"We have seen the huge contribution players have made to the national effort and they must continue to use their influence in demonstrating the importance of following the rules.

"With full compliance to our Covid-19 protocols - alongside effective testing regimes - we are confident at the halfway point of the season that, with the support of all, the 2020-21 campaign will continue to its conclusion in May."

Harambee Stars midfielder Johanna Omolo has bid goodbye to his former side Cercle Brugge after completing his Buyuksehir Belediye Erzurumspor transfer on Wednesday.

Omolo, who had signed a contract extension with the Belgian side five months ago, made the surprising move to join the struggling Super Lig side on Wednesday.

The Harambee Star described his moments at Cercle Brugge as an ‘adventure which has closed’.

“An adventure closes in at Cercle Brugge, a place I have called home for the last four fantastic years,” the midfielder said on a Facebook post. “Always difficult to say goodbye.

“I would like to thank players and staff members of Cercle Brugge for the magical moments. Special thanks to the amazing Cercle fans, you made me and my family feel at home, thanks always for your support.”

As he joined the Turkish side, a huge task awaits him as Buyuksehir Belediye Erzurumspor are at the bottom with just 13 points from 18 games.

The former Coast Stars midfielder has been a regular first-teamer with the national team and scored a goal that helped Harambee Stars draw 1-1 against Togo in November 2019 during the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.

After a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 loss to Comoros, Omolo and his fellow Harambee Stars must work extra hard if they are to realise the dream of back-to-back Afcon qualification. Kenya will host five-times African champions Egypt and face Togo in Lome in the other remaining fixture.

The 31-year-old has featured for a number of clubs, including Coast Stars, Vise, Fola Esch, Beerschot, and Lommel United.

At Vise, between 2007 and 2009, the midfielder featured in 68 games and scored eight goals before he joined Fola Esch and stayed between 2009 and 2011, where in 46 games, he scored eight goals.

It is at Beerschot that the Kenyan star made fewer appearances as compared to every club he has played for, he only featured in five games and scored no goal.

He left on a loan deal to Lommel United in 2013 before he made the move permanent and stayed until 2014, played in 19 games and left for Royal Antwerp.

Omolo made the most appearances in a single club at Cercle Brugge as he played in 69 games and scored on four occasions.

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns will face Stellenbosch in the Last 32 of the 2021 Nedbank Cup following Thursday’s draw.

The tournament will kick off on the first weekend of February.

Sundowns will seek to retain the Cup starting with what looks like a tough fixture at home against Stellies who are having a fine run in their Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign.

Kaizer Chiefs have been paired with GladAfrica Championship side Richards Bay FC and will also start at home as they seek for a first major trophy since they lifted the 2015 PSL title.

Also getting a second-tier league team in the Last 32 are Orlando Pirates who will host Uthongathi FC.

Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer will be looking to guide his side to a second title this season under his charge after claiming the MTN8.

Last season’s Nedbank Cup runners-up Bloemfontein Celtic will seek to get past Cape Town City whom they have been drawn against.

This term’s edition of the premier knockout competition will only involve PSL and Glad Africa Championship teams.

Non-professional sides who usually also take part have been excluded due to the banning of amateur sports under the current South African government’s lockdown regulations.

“The South African Football Association [Safa] has apologised to the PSL and indicated that the association will not be able to provide eight teams to participate in this season’s Nedbank Cup due to the fact that non-professional football is not continuing due to Covid-19,” the PSL said in a statement.

“The PSL has discussed the matter with Nedbank and agreed that the only appropriate way to deal with the matter is to restore the eight GladAfrica championship teams recently knocked out in the qualification competition to the Nedbank Cup. “The 2020/21 Nedbank Cup will consequently proceed with 32 teams, being 16 DStv Premiership teams and 16 Glad Africa championship teams.”

This means teams that had been eliminated at the preliminary round like Cape Town All Stars, University of Pretoria, Polokwane City, Jomo Cosmos, Cape United and Uthongathi are back in the tournament.

Simba SC Chief Executive Officer Barbara Gonzalez has alleged she was attacked on Tuesday night after a late training session in Zanzibar.

According to Mwanaspoti, Gonzalez claimed her assailants attacked her after she had completed her evening prayer at the Amaan Stadium just as the team had concluded their training sessions.

“When I was praying, some people came and started pushing and pulling me. I was injured after the incident,” the top official is quoted by the publication as saying.

The CEO said she reported the matter to Ng’ambo Police station where her case was recorded on occurrence book NGB/RB247/2021.

Some suspects have been arrested and are expected to be arraigned in court to answer a case on assault and the intention to cause bodily harm.

Before the Mapinduzi Cup, Yanga were training at Mao while Simba were at the main facility, Amaan Stadium.

“This act has just happened after a few months when our supporters were attacked in Morogoro by our rivals,” she said in another interview. “This is contrary to sportsmanship and that is why we took the decision to report the matter to the police.

When reached for comment, the policemen at the station referred reporters to Zanzibar’s Police Commissioner Awadhi Juma Haji, who on his part, said the matter is yet to reach his desk.

“For now I have not received the matter unless I ask for the details,” Haji said. “Maybe the case has been dealt with like any other matter at the police’s hands.

“But I can assure you if the issue is there, it will be dealt with to its end.”

Yanga and Simba met in the Mapinduzi Cup final and Timu ya Wanachi emerged as champions after a 4-3 penalty shoot-out. 

Simba have already stated they have moved on from the defeat and are focused on the Caf Champions League group stage duties as well as their Premier League title defence.

Jamshedpur FC were consigned to a 3-0 defeat by FC Goa which leaves them at the seventh spot on the Indian Super League (ISL) table. 

After a second consecutive loss, Jamshedpur FC head coach Owen Coyle blamed lack of continuity and rhythm for the poor result. He also mentioned that a lot of his players were not at their 100 per cent and chose to focus on the positives from his side's display. Coyle stated that the team created some wonderful chances but some brilliant saves from FC Goa goalkeeper Naveen Kumar kept them from scoring.  

"We lost the rhythm, continuity and everything we had. Again tonight a number of our players were probably playing not at a100 per cent because of the injuries this season. That been said we missed some wonderful chances. I think their keeper was the man of the match. He made great saves. But We have to be better defensively," Coyle said after the game.

"I think we didn't take our chances tonight and we didn't defend well enough. We weren't caught off guard. We did not play to our capabilities. Goa, I think, are one of the very best," he added. 

Coyle was also might impressed with FC Goa's playing style and mentioned that they pass and move well. He, however, mentioned that his team created as many chances as the Gaurs did throughout the game. 

"No, I don't think so. I think Goa have a separate style. But if you look at the shots on target and chances we had as many as Goa. But they are a wonderful team. They pass and move well. They are a wonderful team," Coyle said.

FC Goa opted to play with Jorge Ortiz as a forward (instead of Igor Angulo) and he scored a brace for the side as Jamshedpur FC failed to contain him. Coyle accepted that Ortiz moved well with the ball and created problems for his side. He, however, mentioned that his side will pick themselves up and prepare for the next game.

"Angulo has been a wonderful player. We didn't plan for Angulo playing. Ortiz is a wonderful player. He picks the ball and travels well and did cause problems today," he said.

"What we have to do. We take the criticism. But we pick ourselves up and we are ready to go," he added. 

Ghana striker Richmond Boakye-Yiadom has hailed former AC Milan and current Red Star Belgrade coach Dejan Stankovic in a heartfelt message to fans as he draws down the curtain on his adventure with the club.

The Ghanaian is on his way out of the club after a three-year stint.

He made over 100 appearances for the Red-Whites in all competitions, scoring 60 goals.

"What an amazing journey with one of the best clubs I played [Red Star Belgrade]," Boakye posted on social media.

"When you are moving out from an amazing family like this, you cannot stay silent but rather show love and appreciation to all that made my life in [Belgrade] special.

"A very big thank you goes to Miodrag Bosovic who requested for me, an amazing coach, and two coaches who helped to make me wilder in scoring: Vladan Milojevic - he was really an amazing [person]. I can say a full story of him. I salute you Vladan Milojevic.

"And to finish with one of the most prolific footballers of football history, Dejan Stankovic, a warrior, a coach who empowers both senior and young players to get to the level that they are meant to go. I salute you Dejan Stankovic.

"Thanks a lot to Ivica Pablovic, an amazing man who did all his best to see me content and satisfied with all I needed. Thanks once again."

This season, Boakye has scored twice in 13 appearances for Belgrade in all competitions. He joined the Serbian giants from Italian side Latina in 2017, initially on loan.

"To speak of my teammates will be like the 300 Spartans or the year of Mourinho at Inter  - discipline, dedication, love and humility that helped me to achieve any goal that I scored as a player at [Belgrade]. My teammates, both old players and new ones, I salute you all. God will grant you all of you what you deserve," the striker added.

"Thanks [and] one love to the medical stuff. I salute [the Belgrade] fans - [they] made scoring my hobby, food and drink. The amazing support from these amazing and loving fans gingered my spirit in a different way.

"I greet everyone who supports and loves [Belgrade]. It’s your player [Boakye] who takes this time to thank everyone in the country of Serbia and [Belgrade] for all the care and love and support you have given me all these years, even in times of injuries.

"I love you all dearly and I hope that the God who brought me to you will take both country and club higher and higher. Thanks to everyone. God bless Ghana, God bless Serbia."

Boakye, once on the books of Italian giants Juventus, has been linked to Polish outfit Legia Warsaw, amid the reported competing interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

A clinical performance saw FC Goa rout Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa on Thursday. By the virtue of the victory, the Gaurs moved to the third spot in the table with 18 points from 11 outings. 

FC Goa head coach Juan Ferrando was a happy man after the result. 

"I'm happy today because we have three points and we exploited the space and controlled some important moments of the game," Juan Ferrando said after the game.  

Jorge Ortiz started for FC Goa in place of star striker Igor Angulo and shone on the day with a brace. Ferrando revealed that Angulo was not keeping well for the last two days. 

"Igor was ill the last two days. Yesterday, he felt better. We have 25 players. We believe in all the players. Most important is to work with them," Ferrando said.

"At the end, every game is different. Of course, it is not the same game against Kerala. We prepare every game. Today we prepared with Ortiz as the striker. In a different game, we will have different plans," he added. 

Despite putting up a clinical performance and creating ample opportunities, Ferrando pointed out that his team needs to work better on winning key one on one battles, and continue to improve throughout the season.  

"At the end, this is football, when you had six-to-seven opportunities it is important to get goal no. We are not happy because some opportunities, we should've taken it," he said. 

"Happy with defense. Happy with Naveen Kumar in goal. It is important to improve. Step by step, we continue working," he added. 

Ferrando also immediately shifted his focus on the forthcoming fixture against ATK Mohun Bagan on Sunday. The Kolkata giants, along with Mumbai City FC, have dominated the ISL 2020-21 season and are one of the prime contenders to reach the play-offs.

"The most important is to put the focus on ATKMB. We need to get three points. It will be very very difficult game in two days and this is our target. Don't prefer to talk about playoffs," he said. 

FC Goa blanked Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the Indian Super League clash at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa on Thursday. As a result, the Men of Steel registered their second consecutive loss in the season, and sit at the seventh spot with 13 points.

Jamshedpur FC head coach Owen Coyle blamed lack of continuity and rhythm for the poor result. He also mentioned that a lot of his players were not at their 100 per cent and despite that his team created some wonderful chances but some brilliant saves from FC Goa goalkeeper Naveen Kumar kept them away from scoring.  

"Absolutely. We lost the rhythm, continuity and everything we had to. Again tonight a number probably playing not 100 per cent because they had to obviously because of the injuries this season. That been said we missed some wonderful chances. I think their keeper was the man of the match. He made great saves. We have to be better defensively," Owen Coyle said after the game.

"I think we didn't take our chances tonight and we didn't defend well enough. We weren't caught off guard. We did not play to out capabilities. Goa, I think, are one of the very best," he added. 

Coyle was also might impressed with FC Goa's playing style and mentioned that they pass and move well. He, however, mentioned that his team created as many chances as the Gaurs did throughout the game. 

"No, I don't think so. I think Goa have a separate style. But if you look at the shots on target and chances we had as many as Goa. But they are a wonderful team. They pass and move well. They are a wonderful team," Coyle said.

FC Goa opted to play with Jorge Ortiz in the forward and he scored a brace for the side as Jamshedpur FC failed to contain him. Coyle accepted that Ortiz moved well with the ball and created problems for his side. He, however, mentioned that his side will pick themselves up and prepare for the next game.

"Angulo has been a wonderful player. We didn't play for Angulo playing. Ortiz is a wonderful player. He picks the ball and travels well and did cause problem today," he said.

"What we have to do. We take the criticism. But we pick ourselves up and we are ready to go," he added. 

Holstein Kiel forward Jae-Sung Lee says he felt like he was playing against a wall when he took on Niklas Sule in his side's shock DFB Pokal win against Bayern Munich.  

The 2. Bundesliga side drew 2-2 with the German champions in normal time before going on to win the second round tie 8-7 on penalties on Wednesday.

Lee, 28, lined up in the centre of the home side's attack but had a difficult time against Bayern defenders Sule and Lucas Hernandez.

The South Korea international was impressed by the strength of some of the Bayern squad, highlighting Sule as a particularly challenging opponent. 

"You can't even describe how good they are. They are definitely wonderful players," he told Goal.

"It’s a great chance to play against players like them. This game made me think about more and more what I need to make up for and which things I am short of.

"I was like, am I playing against a wall?! Sule is physically very, very good. In the league, it was not that hard to compete with the opposing defenders, but with Niklas it was definitely another thing."

It took a Hauke Wahl goal deep into second-half stoppage time to secure the draw that kept Holstein Kiel's hopes alive.

After the shock victory, Lee had a sleepless night and his mind drifted back to South Korea's win against Germany in the 2018 World Cup. 

"I couldn’t sleep even a second. I don’t know what happened! I feel like dreaming right now and I just remembered the game against Germany, where we won," he added.

"It’s a similar feeling. But I think this Pokal match touches me more because the match was just yesterday.

"When the score was 2-1, I was like: 'Ok, We did a good job, though'. At the very moment, Hauke ran from back side to forward very quickly and evened the score! I could even not imagine it like that situation. It's not over until it's over."

He added: “I already knew we're doing an excellent job [when the DFB Pokal second round draw was made]. We have good passing play and have had a good season as well.

"So I wondered what it would be like when we meet a team like Bayern, who won the treble last season. I was wondering if we can play our game as usual.

"For sure, it was a very difficult game, but I’m very proud of my team in terms of that we showed our own game to Bayern, we didn’t give up that easily. I’m so proud of it.”

The official Premier League 2021 Panini sticker album is out now and the hunt is on to find every item in order to complete the collection.

A popular hobby among football fans since the 1970s, Panini books retain a special appeal, with seasoned collectors and fresh-faced initiates getting plenty of enjoyment from the challenge.

Whether it's a shiny red-ribboned Premier League trophy, Aston Villa's Jack Grealish or the Manchester United badge, there are hundreds of stickers to accumulate.

So, how much will it cost and how can you fill in missing players? Goal brings you everything you need to know about this season's must-have collector's item.

On this page

How much do Premier League 2021 Panini stickers cost?

A single packet of Premier League Panini stickers costs 70p and there are five stickers per packet.

The softcover sticker book and 20 stickers can be bought for £3.99 in most shops, but a hardback album (sold with two sticker packets) will cost £25.

Sticker packet bundles of varying numbers can also be purchased, with the box of 100 packets (500 stickers) priced at £70.

Where can you buy Premier League 2021 Panini stickers?

Premier League 2021 Panini stickers can be purchased at all major supermarkets and newsagents, including WH Smith, Asda, One Stop, Waitrose and more.

Stickers and sticker books (as well as other merchandise) can also be bought online using the official Panini web store - collectibles.panini.co.uk - or online retailers such as Amazon.

How many stickers do you need to fill the Premier League 2021 Panini book?

In order to fill the Panini Premier League 2021 sticker book you will need to get all 642 stickers. 

There are 29 stickers for each team, plus a section for 20 'Elite' players and 20 'Star Signings'. 

On the first page, there is space for the Premier League trophy and the official Premier League ball, with 20 stickers for the contents pages.

Space is also available at the back of the book for 48 'Transfers Update' stickers, which will take into account any new signings made during the transfer window.

So, your Premier League 2021 Panini book could have as many as 690 stickers in total.

How much will it cost to fill the Premier League 2021 Panini sticker book?

It is difficult to put a precise figure on how much it will cost to fill the Premier League 2021 Panini sticker book because of the variables involved.

With 642 stickers required, that means you need to buy at least 129 packets at a minimum cost of £90.30 in order to fill it. However, you will need to get no duplicates whatsoever in those packets and the chances of that happening are so slim as to be practically impossible.

The cost of filling the Premier League 2021 Panini book will increase significantly the more duplicates you receive in packets, but the rising price of the hobby can be mitigated by swapping with other collectors.

When Panini launched the official World Cup 2018 sticker book, Professor Paul Harper estimated that the average collector would have to spend around £775 on 967 packets in order to fill the book. However, that particular sticker book had 682 unique sticker spaces, so the average cost for the Premier League 2021 book, with 642 stickers to collect, would be slightly lower than that.

As mentioned, if one is able to swap with other collectors then the cost drops dramatically, so it makes sense to seek swaps instead of rushing out to buy more and more packets.

How to fill in missing Premier League 2021 Panini stickers

The best way to fill in missing Panini stickers in the Premier League 2021 book is to swap with other collectors and this can be where the fun of the pursuit is found for many.

Mobile apps, such as the official Panini collectors app, are available for iPhone and Android devices to help collectors find the missing pieces of the puzzle.

Swap exchange websites have also been set up to help facilitate sticker swaps, while Facebook groups exist too, so it is worth doing your homework on those.

On Twitter, some collectors make use of the hashtag #GotGotNeed to signal to other collectors what they need and what they are trading away.

If you are having difficulty locating the stickers you need to complete the collection, Panini has a missing stickers service which allows collectors to identify exactly which ones they need.

A limit of 50 stickers can be ordered through this service on the official Panini website.

Timo Werner is capable of playing on the left for Chelsea, according to Frank Lampard, who has called for patience amid the striker's struggles for form at the start of his career in England.

Werner has largely failed to live up to his £47.5 million ($65m) price tag since joining Chelsea from RB Leipzig back in June.

The 24-year-old has only scored nine goals in his first 25 outings for the Blues in all competitions, having seemingly lost the killer touch in the final third that saw him emerge as one of the most deadly strikers in Europe at Red Bull Arena.

He went 12 games in a row without finding the back of the net before scoring his first goal in 827 minutes of football in a third-round FA Cup tie against Morecambe last weekend, which ended in a 4-0 victory for Lampard's side.

Werner played through the middle against the League Two outfit, but he has been deployed on the left-hand side of a front three more often than not in recent months, with it suggested that Lampard does not yet know how to get the best out of the Germany international.

However, the Chelsea boss has insisted that the former Leipzig star has the versatility to play in several different positions, while calling for calm among supporters as he continues to find his feet in the Premier League.

“With Timo through the middle, is clearly a position he likes to start from,” Lampard told a press conference ahead of the Blues' clash with Fulham on Saturday.

“With Leipzig and Germany he played centrally, from the left, as a lone striker, and as one of two strikers. So there is definitely room for manoeuvre in how you use Timo. 

“We are, and I pride myself on this as a manager, a good, hard-working team off the ball which means a lot of high pressure. And it’s very normal for Timo and the other forward players who have come in that it will take some time to get used to my ideas and their team-mates’ ideas. 

“We haven’t had time on the training pitch for that. That can only be done at full pace in training, to work on the high press. That’s why the last two weeks have been really useful.

“I think his performances have been pretty good and I think they will get better the more he works with his team-mates. I think it’s going slightly unspoken that a lot of players, unless they are at a club like Chelsea, are given time to come into the team, come out of the team, feel their way in. 

“Players who have come into the Liverpool team in recent years have been given time to feel their way into how the team plays. With Timo, we didn’t have that opportunity because of certain injuries and because we bought him to make an impact in our first team straight away. 

“Everyone has to be patient, though. We will maximise Timo’s talents in this team. And that’s a two way street of his work and our work. It will take time.”

Lampard went on to address speculation over Fikayo Tomori's future at Stamford Bridge, with the 23-year-old currently being linked with a move away from the club.

The Chelsea head coach hasn't ruled out letting the defender leave on loan this month, but he still expects him to have a long and successful career in west London regardless of his current role in the squad.

“He absolutely has a long-term future at this club and we will see if and when he goes out on loan,” Lampard said of Tomori. “The moment I got close with Fikayo is when I took him on loan to Derby and he was the player of the year and one of the best players in the Championship that year. 

“He came back last year, played 20 plus games for us at a young age and then got in the England squad. 

“There is a long-term plan for Fikayo in my head about his career here. And if he goes out on loan it will be to enhance his personal development, hopefully, help the team he goes to, and come back as a better player.” 

Manchester United may be “vulnerable”, particularly at the back, but Liverpool are “in a fragile state and not the greatest form” heading into a crunch clash at Anfield, admits Jason McAteer.

There is always plenty on the line when two old adversaries lock horns, but the stakes are being raised ahead of an eagerly-anticipated meeting on Merseyside this weekend.

Liverpool are the defending Premier League champions and the favourites for many to defend that crown in 2021.

United, though, have overcome questions of consistency and leadership to make their way to the top of the table, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side now looking down on the rest of the division.

McAteer is not convinced that they deserve that standing, but the former Liverpool midfielder concedes that Jurgen Klopp’s men are not in the best of shapes either, telling FreeSuperTips: “Even if Manchester United were to go to Anfield on Sunday and beat Liverpool, the Premier League title isn’t won in January so I’m sure there won’t be too much panic around Liverpool. 

“Liverpool are in a fragile state and not in the greatest form. This is due to physical and mental tiredness as the squad is stretched with so many injuries.  

“The one thing that worries me about Manchester United is even though they don’t have the best team or that great of a squad, defensively they are so vulnerable - they have the worst defensive record out of the top 11 teams, conceding 24 goals - they’re grinding out results, similarly to the Burnley victory on Tuesday night which bodes well for them.  
 
“Manchester United haven’t faced any real injury adversities this season. Ole Gunnar Solskjær has always been able to pick from a big pool of players and he’s not lost any of his key men e.g., Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and Fred. 

“At this current moment in time, Manchester United are doing okay. You can’t deny where they currently are and you have to give them some credit for currently sitting on top of the Premier League, which makes this weekend’s match all the more exciting. 

“Liverpool have the best home record and so far United haven’t lost away from home, so it could be a classic, which is something we’ve not had for a long time.” 

Liverpool will be without a number of key men once again when they face United, with McAteer admitting that untimely injuries have become a cause for serious concern.

He added: “The fact that Jurgen Klopp has had to keep changing the squad due to all of the injuries disrupts the flow of the team. Since Jurgen Klopp came to Liverpool, the team has had 41 or 42 different centre-back combinations which is phenomenal.

“Jordan Henderson played at centre-back recently alongside Fabinho, the two young kids (Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams) have been rotated in and out of the team, and the rhythm has been non-existent. When you take Fabinho out of the midfield, there is a big gap that forms. Especially when Liverpool play away from home, it entices the opposition to attack more which makes teams less frightened of asking questions of Liverpool.

“In Liverpool’s games this season against Everton, Brighton and Fulham, they’ve dropped points when usually you feel Liverpool would win. However, in this current climate with the way Liverpool play and how they are set up away from home, teams are more confident and aren’t as frightened to attack as they were previously. Liverpool have made mistakes and been punished for them.

“However, come May at the end of the season, Manchester City and Liverpool will be fighting for the league title and Manchester United will combust as the season develops.” 

Riyad Mahrez was a little “predictable” when joining Manchester City, admits Paul Dickov, but the Algerian winger is now considered to be a “top player” who can look “unplayable” at times.

The Blues have invested heavily in a man who inspired Leicester to a remarkable title triumph in 2016, with the PFA Player of the Year award winner snapped up for £60 million ($82m) in 2018.

That deal made Mahrez City’s record signing and thrust him under the brightest of spotlights at the Etihad Stadium.

Fierce competition for places meant that he was not always assured of a starting berth under Pep Guardiola.

He has, however, edged his way up the pecking order and has now taken in 116 appearances for the Blues – collecting another English top-flight crown along the way.

Mahrez’s ability to create from the flanks has never been in doubt, but Dickov says his game has become more complete in recent times as he no longer relies solely on working the ball onto his left foot.

The former City striker told the club’s official website of a player with 30 goals and as many assists to his name: “Over the last 18 months he’s mixed it up a bit.

“We know he likes to play on the right-hand side. I wouldn’t say he was predictable because he has fantastic talent, but he was coming inside on his left a lot.

“Now he’s making defenders think a lot more because he’s checking and going on his right. He’s releasing the ball early sometimes.

“The pass to Kevin De Bruyne against Birmingham for Bernardo Silva’s second goal was world-class.

“He’s got everything. When he’s playing with a smile on his face and he’s got the space to express himself he’s a top player.”

Dickov is not the only former City star to have been singing Mahrez’s praises, with Michael Brown another to have seen notable progression from the 29-year-old during his time in Manchester.

He has said after witnessing a 1-0 victory over Brighton on Wednesday: “When he’s smiling and enjoying his football, it’s brilliant.

“In such tight areas he is great, but if there is space there for him, he can cut left or right, he likes to come inside. Once he’s in the box, you can’t go near him with that late chop that he’s got.

“I wouldn’t want to play against him! He’s got such ability and at times he’s unplayable.”

Mahrez was replaced after 67 minutes of City’s narrow victory over Brighton, with Phil Foden grabbing the only goal of a game that saw Raheem Sterling miss another penalty for the Blues.

Real Madrid outcast Luka Jovic has returned to Eintracht Frankfurt on loan until the end of the season.

The Serbian striker, who moved to Santiago Bernabeu from Deutsche Bank Park for €60 million (£53.5m/$73m) in the summer of 2019, will see out the remainder of the current campaign in Germany, with no option to buy included in the final agreement.

Jovic established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in the Bundesliga during his first spell with Frankfurt, but has struggled to live up to the same high standards in the Spanish capital.

The 23-year-old has only scored twice in 32 games for Madrid to date, and has been restricted to just five appearances for the club under Zinedine Zidane in 2020-21.

He will now hope to rediscover his best form in familiar surroundings, with Frankfurt sporting director Fredi Bobic delighted to see a talismanic figure retrace his steps after a frustrating period in La Liga.

“Luka didn't have an easy time in Madrid recently. It is important for him to get back on track. It was his great wish to return to Eintracht," Bobic said at Jovic's unveiling on Thursday.

"Luka can use the next few months to find his way back to old strength in a familiar environment. Real Madrid know that he is in good hands with us and that he can develop here. 

"And it is clear to us that we have another excellent option in the storm centre."

Jovic could be in line to feature when Frankfurt play host to Schalke in the Bundesliga on Sunday night.

Adi Hutter's side are currently sitting in ninth in the German top-flight, just five points adrift of the Champions League places, but they were knocked out of the DFB Pokal at the second round stage after suffering a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

Frankfurt fans will hope that Jovic can help fire the team back into Europe come May, at which point he will make his way back to Madrid, where he is still under contract until 2025.

Gor Mahia bounced back to winning ways with a convincing 3-1 win over Mathare United in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League game played at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday.

Charles Momanyi, Kenneth Muguna, and Alphonse Onyango scored for K'Ogalo while Dani Lual scored Slum Boys' consolation

The reigning champions came into the match targeting maximum points after back to back defeats against Tusker FC and Kariobangi Sharks respectively. The team had managed to get just three points from the three games they had initially played.

For the 2008 champions, this was their second league assignment. They had opened their season with a 4-2 loss away to Sofapaka in Wundanyi Stadium and needed at least a point against their hosts.

It took the hosts just three minutes to score their first goal. The Slum Boys conceded a corner in the third minute and Clifton Miheso took it. Momanyi was in a good position and did not waste time to node it in and ease the pressure on his team.

K'Ogalo continued pushing for the second goal to increase their chances of winning the game. They were eventually rewarded in the 16th minute when captain Muguna doubled the advantage. 

The creative midfielder was let loose in the danger zone and he unleashed a low drive which was too much for Job Ochieng' to handle.

Mathare coach Salim Ali was forced to replace Tyson Otieno for Daniel Otieno after a half an hour mark in his bid to destabilize his team.

The half-time ended with the hosts enjoying a 2-0 lead.

More changes were made by the visitors after the break. Lennox Ogutu and Dani Lual were introduced in place of Alphonse Ndonye and Eugene Luthuli.

In the 73rd minute, Chris Oduor was fouled in the danger zone by Onyango and the referee had no option but to award the Slum Boys a penalty. Lual stepped up to half the deficit.

But hopes of a comeback came down tumbling when Onyango scored Gor Mahia's third and record their second win in four league games.

The forward received the ball from Muguna before getting past the defenders and firing home.

Both teams ended with 10-players on the pitch after James Kinyanjui and Nicholas Kipkirui were sent off for unsporting behavior 

Gor Mahia XI: Boniface Oluoch, Philemon Otieno, Geoffrey Ochieng', Joachim Oluoch, Charles Momanyi, Earnest Wendo, Samuel Onyango, Bertrand Konfor, Jules Ulimwengu, Kenneth Muguna, Clifton Miheso.

Subs: Gad Mathews, Kelvin Wesonga, Frank Odhiambo, Andrew Juma, Alphonce Onyango, Nicholas Omondi, Sydney Ochieng', Tito Okello, Nicholas Kipkirui 

Mathare United XI: Job Ochieng, Austin Ochieng', David Ochieng', Marvin Ongori, Norman Ogolla, Alphonse Ndonye, Chris Oduor, John Mwangi, James Kinyanjui, Tyson Otieno, Eugene Wethuli.

Subs: David Okello, Lennox Ogutu, Daniel Otieno, Dani Lual, Danson Kago, Klinsman Omulanga, Khalid Jumaan, Boniface Akenga, Martin Werunga
 

Trent Alexander-Arnold is facing the kind of criticism that has been aimed at Mohamed Salah in the past, says Jason McAteer, with the former Liverpool claiming that while the 22-year-old’s brain “looks fried” he remains “England’s best right-back".

Having been a regular for club and country since bursting onto the scene in his teens, the demands of top-level competition have started to catch up with an Anfield academy graduate of late.

So high have the standards been that he has set in his career to date that any dip is going to be dissected in minute detail.

Questions are being asked of Alexander-Arnold’s contribution to the Liverpool cause for the first time, with it suggested that he may need a break in order to recharge his batteries and come again.

McAteer concedes that the highly-rated defender looks a little lost at present, but he is not about to start doubting the overall ability of a man who has starred for a dominant Reds side over recent years.

“Despite Trent Alexander-Arnold struggling a bit this season, he’s still England’s best right-back,” ex-Liverpool midfielder McAteer told FreeSuperTips.

“However, there isn’t such a thing anymore as the ‘perfect right-back’ nowadays. Years ago, your right-back was a defensive player who was there to protect the back four, he was there to help the winger and every so often he’d get forward. However, the modern right-back is practically a winger. 

“Trent’s best qualities are when he goes forward. His crossing and fitness are sublime, but defensively that there are question marks over him.

“As a manager, you need to decide if you want this defensive player in your side or someone who is more attacking, which is what Klopp wants and that’s why Trent is a perfect fit. For Gareth Southgate, it depends on what he wants for each game and who fits the position best against each opposition.  
 
“There have been games this season where he has lacked quality, which is surprising given how high he has set his own bar for performances. But when you’re in the media spotlight playing for Liverpool and you don’t reach the level of performance that you did previously, you are going to get scrutinised. 

“It’s similar with Mohamed Salah in his first season where he scored so many goals, when he didn’t match that the next season, people said he was finished, when in hindsight, his stats are simply phenomenal.

“What Liverpool have done under Klopp in the last few seasons is brilliant, and there was bound to be a drop off point somewhere.

“When a player is slightly older and more into their career, you can handle it better, but with Trent, he’s young, he’s played football at the highest level and playing every week. It’s a lot of mental pressure for a young player to deal with. He looks worn out mentally and physically, and his brain looks fried.

“Despite this, you still have to play him in the game against Manchester United. It’s the biggest game of the season in the Premier League so players don’t feel tired in the build up to it. If Klopp wants to rest him for a few games, you do it after the United game.”  

Defending Premier League champions Liverpool are due to play host to old adversaries United on Sunday, with that contest at Anfield set to be taken in with the resurgent Red Devils having moved to the top of the table.