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Rio Ferdinand sees Mason Greenwood on the “right track” at Manchester United, with the club’s latest teenage sensation only two goals away from matching Wayne Rooney’s return from his first season at Old Trafford.

Back in 2004, the Red Devils moved to snap up one of the most exciting talents in world football.

Rooney, who opened his spell at Old Trafford with a hat-trick, would go on to find the target on 17 occasions in his debut campaign and a record-setting 253 times across 13 years in Manchester.

Greenwood is among those looking to follow in illustrious footsteps, with the 18-year-old having burst onto a senior stage in 2019-20.

The highly-rated academy graduate is starting to nail down a place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans, with a well-taken brace in a 5-2 victory over Bournemouth seeing him to 15 goals for the season.

Ferdinand is among those expecting big things from the youngster, telling BT Sport: "Greenwood, we've been speaking about this young kid, you don't want to put him on the spot too much but when he's doing things like that what he's done [against Bournemouth], you've got to give him the credit he deserves.

"He pulls the trigger so quick, they're the strikers I used to hate playing against, doesn't matter how quick you are, Jermain Defoe was another one who didn't need much time or space to pull the trigger, the confidence in his own ability from that range was phenomenal."

United legend Ferdinand added: "His first full season, 18 years old - 15 goals. Rooney in his first full season he got 17 goals.

"The kid’s on the right track.

"The game is there for him, he can do what he likes in the future. He’s got that much talent, if he keeps his head on his shoulders – which I think he will – he will be a player for many seasons to come."

Greenwood is not the only United forward to be catching the eye at present, with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford also on target against the Cherries.

The France international, who took the No.9 shirt from Romelu Lukaku last summer, has been reborn in a central striking post, with Ferdinand admitting that Martial – who netted the first senior hat-trick of his career in a recent 3-0 win over Sheffield United – looks like a “different human”.

He added after seeing the 24-year-old curl home a spectacular strike to help down Bournemouth: "I was screaming in the studio. He cuts in, takes a look and says ‘top bin, here you come’. It’s an unbelievable strike.

"He looks like a different human, a different person. He looks like he’s enjoying his football, he’s smiling again and feels confident.

"There’s a passion inside of him now. This guy is a different character under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer."

From signing a new contract with Arsenal to scoring his first Premier League strike in the space of barely 72 hours: it certainly has been a "week to remember" for Bukayo Saka. 

The 18-year-old prodigy put pen to paper on a four-year extension to his Gunners deal, ending speculation over his future at the Emirates Stadium. 

And he marked that milestone in memorable fashion, opening the scoring for Arsenal on Saturday away to Wolves just before half-time on the way to a 2-0 victory at Molineux. 

While Saka had scored in both the Europa League and FA Cup this season, he was still waiting on his maiden league goal; and he admitted that he was delighted to have broken his duck just days after penning a new deal. 

"It is very big. We know how good Wolves are and how tough it was going to be. We fought for every ball and it is good to build some momentum," he explained to Sky Sports after the final whistle. 

"It has been a week I will remember for my whole life. You can see the manager is building and that I can tie down my future here.

"I anticipated the ball was going to come so I got there. I knew it was the far post where the gap was going to be so I tried to guide it there."

Alexandre Lacazette stepped up after the break to double Arsenal's lead, sealing a fourth straight victory in all competitions for Mikel Arteta's men after they suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Manchester City and Brighton following the end of the coronavirus lockdown. 

That recent upturn in form has seen Arsenal jump to seventh in the table and secure an FA Cup semi-final berth, and Saka had nothing but praise for the way his team-mates focused during the second half of Saturday's game in order to pick up three vital points. 

"It was a shift. Everyone fought for each other, together and that is why we got it over the line," he added.

"The subs helped us out so much and gave us a boost. It feels like we are more together.

"I am 18 and it has been a dream to play for this club. I have to take each game by game. Wherever the boss wants to put me, I want to play. It is a dream to be here."

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has revealed their main target is to finish the Mainland Premier League season on a high.

The Wekundu Wa Mzimbazi were crowned champions for the third season in a row despite securing a 0-0 draw against Tanzania Prisons, to reach 79 points, which second-placed Young Africans (Yanga SC) and Azam FC cannot reach with six matches to spare.

As they await the crowning moment after their match against Namungo FC on July 8, Simba are already in Mtwara to face Ndanda FC on Sunday.

Coach Vandenbroeck has now said their main target is to make sure they finish the season with style by winning all their remaining matches.

“We have already been crowned champions but that does mean we have finished the season, we still have six matches remaining and we want to make sure we win all the matches to finish the season on a high,” Vandenbroeck told the club’s official website.

“Our match against Ndanda will definitely be difficult because they will be playing at home, and the condition of the pitch is not that good, I have checked the pitch and I am not impressed with the condition it is in but we have to play there and we have no option.”

Simba are also chasing for the FA Cup after they reached the semi-finals and will face rivals Yanga on July 12.

In an earlier interview, coach Vandenbroeck told Goal he was eager to face Yanga and avenge the second round league defeat insisting it was the reason they had to beat Azam 2-0.

“We lost to Yanga in the second round fixture because my players lost concentration and we could not push ourselves to get an equaliser or even a winning goal,” Vandenbroeck told Goal.

“We wanted to play against them again before the season comes to a close so we can rectify the mistakes we committed against them and beat them, I know it will not be easy but I want to prepare my team to be ready.

“It is a match I am really looking forward to, it is a derby and you know the fans will come in large numbers, the derby is the game for the fans and we will do all we can to make amends and beat them to reach the final.”

The match against Yanga will be played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Zouhair Feddal scored his first goal in the 2019-20 La Liga season as Real Betis held Celta Vigo to a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Betis found themselves trailing for the most part of the encounter after Nolito fired the hosts ahead with his opener in his 22nd minute.

The Green and Whites were close to conceding their third straight defeat in the Spanish top-flight until Feddal drew them level with his strike in the 79th minute.

The goal came as a relief for the 30-year-old who recently fought his way into Alexis Trujillo's team, starting in their last four league matches after struggling for playing time earlier in the season.

Feddal partnered Algeria's Aissa Mandi at the centre of Real Betis' defence and they were both on parade from start to finish.

During the game, Feddal and Mandi managed an interception each while the former completed three clearances, the latter registered two.

The Moroccan centre-back made the most passes for the Green and Whites (58) and Mandi recorded the highest pass accuracy (87.2 per cent).

Meanwhile, Ghana’s Joseph Aidoo who has played 29 league matches for Celta Vigo this term was not involved in the encounter as he watched on from the bench.

The point earned leaves Real Betis 13th in the La Liga table with 38 points from 34 games, three points adrift of 17th-placed Celta Vigo.

Feddal has made 15 appearances for Real Betis in this campaign – starting 14 of those games, however, his aggressiveness has earned him eight yellow cards and two red cards in this campaign.

He moved to the Estadio Benito Villamarin on a four-year contract from Alaves in 2017 and his current deal at the Estadio Benito Villamarin will expire at the end of next season.

Next up for Real Betis is a home fixture against Osasuna on Wednesday and the African duo will be aiming to help Alexis Trujillo's side avoid defeat as they chase their first win since their 1-0 triumph against Espanyol on June 25.

Kelechi Iheanacho has now scored back to back Premier League goals for Leicester City on three occasions following his move from Manchester City in 2017.

The Nigeria international was on target for the Foxes in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat of Crystal Palace.

With the first-half 0-0 at the King Power Stadium, the 23-year-old put his team ahead after 49 minutes after heading the ball past Vicente Guaita.

Following Youri Tielemans’ run down the Eagles’ flanks, the Belgium international sent a teasing low ball across the face of goal which was fumbled by the goalkeeper.

The goal meant Iheanacho has scored in back-to-back Premier League games for Leicester, having netted in just one of his last 12 games in the competition according to Opta stats.

In his team’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Wednesday, the forward came from the bench to net the Foxes’ consolation – an effort that took him next to Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud as the substitute who has scored the most goals since his English elite division debut against Watford on August 30, 2015.

Iheanacho’s first back-to-back Premier League goals came in his maiden season with the former English champions. Having scored in the 3-1 demolition of Arsenal on May 9, 2018 - he followed it up with another brilliant effort in their 5-4 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner achieved that for the second time this season after netting in Brendan Rodgers men’s 4-1 obliteration of Aston Villa on December 12, 2019 – seven days after hitting the target in the 2-1 triumph over Everton.

This newly found form is a massive boost for Rodgers’ side who are chasing a place in next season’s Champions League. Currently, they occupy third spot in the log having garnered 58 points from 33 outings.  Also, that could convince his club to retain him amid speculation that he could be shipped out at the end of the season.

Leicester City travel to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal of Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium, with the Super Eagles’ star hopes to improve on the five goals he has scored so far this term.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admits to experiencing “strange” emotions on the back of Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph.

The Reds’ dominance of a domestic scene in 2019-20 had them on course to land a much-coveted top-flight crown from a long way out.

It appeared at one stage that the coronavirus pandemic could scupper their plans to bring a 30-year wait for title glory to a close.

Jurgen Klopp’s side, however, returned to action and saw themselves over the line with seven games to spare – a new record.

A humbling 4-0 defeat was suffered to Manchester City in their first outing after seeing a coronation confirmed, with Oxlade-Chamberlain revealing that those at Anfield are unsure how to react to what they have achieved.

The England international told BBC Sport: “I know it feels good because I know it's meant to feel amazing.

“But at the minute it hasn't really sunk in because the games are still coming thick and fast. We're still in the same mindset of finishing as strong as possible and win all the games.

“Usually I guess when guys become champions, there's one, maybe two games to go – sometimes the last day of the season – and once it's done it's holiday and it's a whole time to reflect on the season. 

“For us, it's a bit of a strange one because we haven't really had a chance to really sit back and sort take in what we've done for this season. 

“But I mean it obviously feels amazing to know that we made it over the line and we've got that silverware for the club. We haven't really had time to stop and take it all in properly yet.”

Liverpool still have the chance to better City’s record haul of 100 points before the current campaign comes to a close, while being aware that they are now there to be shot at after returning to the loftiest of perches.

Oxlade-Chamberlain knows that high standards must be maintained by all of those at Anfield, now and in and future.

He added: “It's a test of, ‘Right, now we need to go again and we need to go to the next stage and how far can we push this?’

“We don't know but we need to do everything we can to try and stay where we are now and develop again because the league develops every single year and all teams strengthen. 

“It's hard to keep up those levels and that consistency every year. We now need to keep pushing and pushing ourselves. 

“Playing for this manager, that's exactly what he does every day. That's what we know and what we've come to expect. That's just normal now.”

Arsenal gave their European hopes a major boost with a 2-0 win away to Wolves on Saturday.

A goal from Bukayo Saka, who this week signed a new long-term contract with the club, and a late strike from substitute Alexandre Lacazette extended the Gunners' winning run to four in all competitions.

It also lifts them into seventh in the table, three points behind Wolves and six adrift of fourth-place Manchester United, who earlier beat Bournemouth 5-2 at Old Trafford.

Although Chelsea can go back into the top four if they defeat Watford, the result at least keeps Arsenal's hopes of a Champions League return alive at the start of a difficult run of games that includes a north London derby and meetings with two of the top three.

Adama Traore twice tested Emiliano Martinez in the opening 10 minutes before Eddie Nketiah saw a shot turned onto the base of the right-hand post.

Arsenal found a breakthrough 43 minutes into a half of few chances, Saka steering a left-foot half-volley past Rui Patricio after Kieran Tierney's cross deflected into his path.

Wolves assumed control in the second half as Arsenal dropped deeper, and Traore lifted a golden chance over the crossbar after racing through on Martinez's goal.

The pressure continued but Arsenal's defence, so often criticised this season, restricted Wolves to zero shots on target in the second half, which will likely have thrilled boss Mikel Arteta.

Lacazette made the win safe with four minutes of normal time left, gathering Joe Willock's low cross and finishing across Patricio, and only a Ruben Neves clearance on the line denied Willock a third.

What does it mean? Gunners boost European hopes at start of daunting run

Given their next four games are against Leicester City, Tottenham and Liverpool in the league and Manchester City in the FA Cup, this could prove to be a huge three points for Arsenal.

For Wolves, this was a sizeable blow in their pursuit of an unlikely Champions League spot.

Saka is Arsenal's present and future

His new deal was announced to much relief from Arsenal fans this week, but Saka is already a key part of Arteta's plans.

This might have been just the 18-year-old's first Premier League goal, but he looks consistently like the Gunners' most threatening weapon.

Traore off target

Traore was his usual menacing self down the Wolves right, but this time the crosses to Raul Jimenez were too often wayward and he wasted their best chance for an equaliser.

Key Opta Stats: Lacazette ends drought

- Arsenal have won three consecutive league games without conceding for the first time since November 2017.
- Wolves suffered their first Premier League defeat in nine games, while this was their first league loss by more than a one-goal margin since September (5-2 v Chelsea).
- Lacazette's goal was his first away from home in the Premier League since February 2019 (v Huddersfield), ending a run of 16 away games without a goal for the Arsenal striker.
- Despite only coming on as a 76th-minute substitute, Willock created more chances than any other Arsenal player in this match (2), including providing the assist for Lacazette's goal.
- Martinez has kept a clean sheet in six of his eight Premier League starts for Arsenal (75%), the best ratio of any Arsenal keeper with at least five starts in the competition.

What's next?

Both teams now prepare for what could be key clashes in the battle for Europe. Arsenal have a meeting at home to Leicester next Tuesday, and Wolves head to eighth-place Sheffield United on Wednesday.

Bukayo Saka found the back of the net in the Premier League for the first time in his career in Arsenal’s game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

The versatile player was handed his 22nd league appearance in the encounter and made the most of the opportunity, opening his goal account.

The 18-year-old Anglo-Nigerian fired home a sublime effort, leaving Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio with no chance.

Saka’s effort thus ended the solid defensive display from Nuno Espirito Santo’s men, who have not conceded in 448 minutes, having last let in a goal against Tottenham Hotspur back in March.

The Super Eagles target, who recently penned a new deal with the Gunners has continued to enjoy a brilliant campaign with the Emirates outfit.

The defender won the Arsenal Player of the Month award for February and he is in contention to scoop the award for the second time in a row, having been suspended since the outbreak of coronavirus.

Saka has now made 34 appearances across all competitions in this campaign to help the Gunners continue in their quest to play in Europe next season.

The defender was promoted to Arsenal's first team in 2018 and made his Premier League debut against Fulham in January 2019.

Saka started as a winger before he was deployed to the full-back position by manager Mikel Arteta, where he has continued to impress.

The versatile player will hope to keep on with his fine performances when Arsenal take on Leicester City on Tuesday.

Said Benrahma maintained his excellent recent form on Saturday as he netted a hat-trick in Brentford’s 3-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in the Championship.

The Algeria winger, who has been increasingly linked with a move to the Premier League, troubled the Latics throughout as Brentford boosted their promotion hopes.

The hat-trick was Benrahma’s third of the campaign and, putting that achievement into context, only Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero now has more than the North African.

According to Opta, the Argentina striker has scored three times in one match on four occasions this term, with no player matching either him or Benrahma’s haul of three goals.

The victory means that, across their time in English football’s top four divisions, Brentford have now also won five consecutive matches without conceding a goal for the first occasion in their history.

It’s a statistic that underpins their promotion hopes, with the victory over beleaguered Wigan taking them up to 72 points.

Currently, in third, Brentford are two behind West Bromwich Albion—who occupy the second automatic promotion berth—having played a game more than Slaven Bilic’s side.

However, they at least look good for a play-off spot this term, and currently sit 11 points ahead of Derby County, outside the play-offs in seventh.

Benrahma has been the outstanding individual in a magnificent campaign, having scored 14 goals and contributed eight assists so far this term.

Overall, in his 76 outings for the Bees over the last two campaigns, he’s scored 24 goals and contributed 22 assists—numbers which demonstrate his effectiveness in the final third.

His form has prompted interest from the Premier League, with Chelsea, Arsenal and Leicester City among the clubs linked with the talented attacker.

According to The Sun, the Blues are in pole position to recruit the attacker this summer, with the tabloid noting earlier this month that Frank Lampard had already opened talks with Benrahma.

However, the report stated that Chelsea hadn’t yet submitted a formal bid for the wideman, and that it remains to be seen whether he would agree to leave Brentford.

While Benrahma might represent an ideal replacement for outgoing widemen Pedro and Willian, there is still the chance that he could seal promotion with the Londoners this term and opt to represent them in the top-tier next season.

The 24-year-old joined Brentford in 2018 from OGC Nice, having broken through with the Cote d’Azur heavyweights under Claude Puel during the 2013-14 season.

Timo Werner is a “great fit” for Chelsea, says Michael Ballack, with the German frontman considered to have made the right choice in avoiding competition with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane at Liverpool.

A move to Anfield was mooted for the prolific 24-year-old when the exit door swung open at RB Leipzig.

Werner had made no secret of his respect for the Reds, while his qualities were considered to be tailor-made for Jurgen Klopp’s ‘gegenpressing’ system.

It was, however, to be Chelsea who triggered a £54 million (€60m/$68m) release clause and offered the frontman a shot at life in the Premier League.

Former Blues star Ballack believes that decision will prove the best for all concerned, with Werner expected to make a greater impact in west London than he would have done on Merseyside.

“If Liverpool was really an option for him, he made the best decision for him, and only he can make that decision,” Ballack told i.

“You have to value certain things, like how much playing time you will get and how important a role in the squad you will have. Liverpool have won the Champions League and Premier League.

“How could Timo expect to come into that front three and start every week in place of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino or Sadio Mane?

“Chelsea are building a young team, a new team, with a young coach. It is a great project to be part of, given how young Timo is.

“To be the main striker, at a huge club like Chelsea, is the best place for him. He can have a much bigger impact than he could at Liverpool.

“Although Liverpool and Man City’s squad is much stronger than everyone else’s right now, Chelsea are starting to create a really competitive team.

“It will take time, and Timo is just part of that journey. You need the depth, but in Timo and Hakim Ziyech Chelsea have the start of a squad able to challenge for titles again.”

Ballack added: “Timo and Chelsea is great fit. Chelsea do not have this kind of player at the moment.

“If he plays to what he is good at, he will be an amazing signing for Chelsea. It is a great place to play football.”

Marcus Rashford sees “exciting times” for Manchester United, with an impressive 5-2 victory over Bournemouth seeing the Red Devils stretch their unbeaten run to 16 games across all competitions.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have been imperious form since the turn of the year, with a stunning resurgence enjoyed.

Having once appeared to be in danger of missing out on a top-four finish once again, United are now very much back in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

They are also through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and last 16 of the Europa League, with major silverware there to be shot at.

The odd scare was suffered during a Premier League clash with Bournemouth at Old Trafford, but three points were eventually secured with the minimum of fuss.

Rashford was back among the goals in that contest – reaching 20 for the season in the process – and admits a feel-good factor has returned to the Red Devils’ ranks.

He told BT Sport: "The lads enjoyed it today. Definitely exciting times. It doesn't matter who scores as long as we are scoring and picking up points in the table.

"It is always positive for teams if their forwards are scoring. It is important now to push on until the end of the season."

Anthony Martial also reached the 20-goal mark against Bournemouth, Bruno Fernandes crashed home a spectacular free-kick and Mason Greenwood bagged a brace to further enhance his blossoming reputation.

Rashford said of the 18-year-old frontman: "Left foot, right foot he can finish. Both sides are comfortable for him.

"I don't want to put too much emphasis on him, just let him play his football and that he is what he does. It is a big bonus to have him in the squad."

Solskjaer echoed those comments in his assessment of the youngster, saying: "He is a fantastic goalscorer.

"The moment he got the goals, they were very important moments for us. He is a very, very talented boy and we will nurture him and manage him as best we can."

Having seen his side sweep aside another rival, Solskjaer was quick to hail the collective effort of those at his disposal.

The Norwegian did, however, reserve special praise for his frontline, adding: "Very, very happy with today - with the energy in the team and the goals we scored. I think that was a game for the fans. That is definitely one the Stretford End would have enjoyed.

"They are on the same team and working towards one common goal. That is one of the positive things about the forwards they are good friends and keep challenging each other."

The only piece of bad news on another positive day for United was a slight knock suffered by Swedish centre-half Victor Lindelof.

Solskjaer said: "He struggled with his back but hopefully won't be too bad."

Nicolas Pepe has been ruled out of Arsenal’s Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

The 25-year-old is gradually settling in at the Emirates Stadium after struggling on his arrival from French side Lille last summer.

The winger has featured in 36 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners, including 27 in the Premier League, scoring eight goals and providing eight assists.

The Ivory Coast international, will, however, not play a part in the encounter at Molineux Stadium owing to personal reasons.

The forward was recently nominated for the club’s Player of the Month for June, following his impressive performances in the month under review.

His wonder goal against Brighton and Hove Albion is also in contention for the Premier League Goal of the Month for June.

The forward will hope to return to Mikel Arteta’s squad when they face Leicester City on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium.

Anglo-Nigerian Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, has been handed a return to Gunners’ lineup, after he started from the bench last time out against Norwich City.

Ghana target Eddie Nketiah will also be starting along with Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and will hope to help the London outfit secure a positive away result at Molineux Stadium.

Arsenal are currently eighth on the Premier League table with 46 points from 32 games. 

Kelechi Iheanacho scored his fifth goal of the season to help Leicester City defeat Crystal Palace 3-0 in Saturday’s Premier League game.

Both teams came into the encounter in dire need of a win to boost their chances for a place in Europe next season – however, it was Brendan Rodgers men’s who had the last laugh at the King Power Stadium.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future as a Fox, he got his first English top-flight goal of 2020 in their 2-1 defeat to Everton - five minutes after replacing Englishman Harvey Barnes.

That goal brought him only next to France international Olivier Giroud who is the competition’s most productive substitute since the Nigerian’s Premier League bow against Watford on August 30, 2015.

Starting in Brendan Rodgers’ attack alongside veteran Jamie Vardy, the 23-year-old gave Leicester a 49th-minute lead after a cagey first-half.

Iheanacho headed the ball past Vicente Guaita after Belgium international Youri Tielemans broke down the left flank before sending a teasing low ball across the face of goal – which was fumbled by the goalkeeper.

Victory was secured with Vardy’s effort in the 77th minute to notch his 100th Premier League goal. Of all the 29 players to have reached a century, only Ian Wright (28 years and 286 days) made his debut in the competition at an older age than Vardy (27 years and 232 days).

The Englishman completed his brace in the closing stages of the encounter – lifting the ball over the top of Guaita after profiting from an assist from Harvey Barnes.

The ex-Manchester City player's contribution lasted 64 minutes as he was replaced by Dennis Praet, while his compatriot Wilfred Ndidi was in action from start to finish. Ghana’s Daniel Amartey was not listed for the encounter.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Ghana superstar Jordan Ayew. Alongside Cote d’Ivoire’s Wilfred Zaha, he was on parade from start to finish, while Senegal’s Cheikhou Kouyate came in for Jairo Riedewald on the hour mark with no place for Jeffrey Schlupp.

Thanks to this result, Leicester City maintain third position in the log having accrued 58 points from 33 outings. They are guests of Arsenal on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium.

Jordan Henderson admits that “everything” angers Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, but the German is considered to have mellowed during his time at Anfield.

A proven winner was acquired by the Reds in October 2015 and charged with the task of delivering long-awaited silverware.

Final pain was endured across multiple competitions in that quest before a Champions League triumph was savoured in 2019.

Liverpool missed out on the Premier League title in that campaign, but have responded in style to claim a record-breaking top-flight crown in 2020.

UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup successes have also been taken in, with Klopp demanding that standards are not allowed to slip by those now accustomed to collecting medals.

He expects nothing but the best from those around him, with Henderson conceding that a man famed for his theatrical antics on the touchline can be difficult to please.

Asked by The Guardian what makes Klopp angry, the Reds skipper said: “Everything!

“He is very intense in training. I quite like that. I’d say he was a bit angrier at the beginning, when he first came, than he is now.”

Klopp’s character, along with his tactical nous, has helped to lift Liverpool to levels they could only dream of prior to his arrival.

He is considered to have improved many of those at his disposal, with 29-year-old Henderson fitting into that category after seeing his role slightly tweaked.

On that decision, the England international midfielder said: “When the gaffer came, I changed from wanting to be the player that maybe I thought I was – in terms of doing everything – to focusing on what the team needed.

“When you’re a No 6, you’ve got to be a lot more disciplined. You’ve always got to be thinking about protection, counter-pressing, being aware of the counterattack.

“Ultimately I wanted to become successful. If it meant playing a certain position, that was fine with me.

“A year ago we had a conversation when Fabinho signed. He was fantastic in that deeper role, definitely one of the best No. 6s in the world, and it was an opportunity to move a little further forward.

“That was over a year ago, and since then I’ve played No. 6 and No. 8 as much as each other. It doesn’t really matter.

“As time goes on, you learn different things tactically.

“I always felt as though my best position was a box-to-box midfielder who could get up and down. Tackle. Work hard. Assist. Get in the box, but do the defensive side. Counter-press.”

Olympique Lyon forward Tinotenda Kadewere “blew away”, by chance, a Diambars Academy coach who was on a scouting mission in Harare to watch Polokwane City forward Walter Musona, resulting in his move to Swedish side Djurgardens IF in 2015.

Kadewere was playing for Harare City, where he was a bit-part player, having been rejected by then Zimbabwean champions Dynamos a few months earlier.

Djurgardens wanted a replacement for injured former Highlands Park forward Elias Monene, who was a trialist there, and Diambars South Africa sent one of their coaches in Eric Bafana to Harare to have a look at Musona and then Zimbabwe national Under-23 captain Wisdom Mutasa.

Harare City were playing against Musona and Mutasa’s team, FC Platinum, in the Zimbabwe PSL that day.

The last 20 minutes of the match in which Kadewere rose from the bench proved to be career-defining.

“While I had been impressed by both Mutasa and Musona, I was blown away by the technical abilities of the substitute [Kadewere],’’ Bafana told The Herald.

“The boy had everything, I mean in terms of skill and technique. His strength was undoubted and his confidence was so encouraging.”

Prior to Bafana’s trip to Harare, Diambars chiefs, including Pierre Mathieu, had initially declined to consider Zimbabwean players to replace Monene but after some convincing, they finally gave in.

Again, when Bafana reported back that he was impressed by Kadewere instead of their targets Musona and Mutasa, his bosses could not accept that.

That called for Mathieu and his partners to travel to Harare themselves to watch the three players who were all part of the Zimbabwe Under-23 side playing a 2016 Olympic Games qualifier against Eswatini. 

“My bosses were apparently not happy and they kept on asking whether he was really that good given he wasn’t a starter for both club and country,” continued Bafana.

“We filmed that match and as usual, Kadewere started on the bench while Mutasa and Musona were in the first XI.”

Interestingly, former Zimbabwe coach Kalisto Pasuwa was the Dynamos coach who had snubbed Kadewere at his club and at that time also doubled as national Under-23 coach, where he gave the forward cameo appearances.

“Tino then showed his class when he was introduced about 20 minutes before time much to the amazement of my bosses," Bafana added.

"From then, we sent the video to Djurgardens and they invited Kadewere for trials."

What followed for Kadewere was a trial not only at Djurgardens, but also at Ligue 2 side Sochaux. He impressed at both clubs but opted to go to Sweden.

After three seasons in Sweden, Kadewere caught the eye of Ligue 2 side Le Havre where he top-scored in the French second division with 20 goals in 24 matches last season, to attract the attention of Lyon, who won his signature amid some reported Premier League interest.

But before his rise to stardom, Kadewere's then-agent Gibson Mahachi confirmed that Dynamos had frowned upon the forward.

“I took the boy [Kadewere] from Highfields Academy and tried to have him join Dynamos because he was very good. Unfortunately, Dynamos refused to sign him saying he wasn’t good,” Mahachi told the same publication.

“I then took him to Harare City where he was signed on loan by Taurai [Mangwiro]. Before long, I received a call from Bafana and his crew and Kadewere was actually accompanied by Mathieu to Sweden.”

Jamie Vardy has become the latest member of the Premier League 100-goal club and the first Leicester player to achieve that feat.

Only three other players in the Foxes’ history have recorded a century of top-flight goals for the club.

The last of those, Arthur Lochhead, hit that mark back in 1933-34.

Vardy now forms part of an illustrious group of stars, with the 33-year-old having been a model of consistency for Leicester.

His meteoric rise to prominence is well-documented, with a stunning surge made from the non-league ranks to a Premier League stage.

The Foxes snapped him up from Fleetwood in 2011, with a jump made from the Conference into the Championship.

Vardy helped to secure promotion into the big time, before going on to play a leading role in a remarkable title triumph in 2015-16.

He hit 24 league goals that season and was named Premier League Player of the Year.

The 20-goal mark has been reached again in the current campaign, with a landmark effort recorded in a meeting with Crystal Palace.

Vardy did not make his debut on a Premier League stage until the age of 27, with Arsenal icon Ian Wright the only centurion to have been older when making his bow.

Leicester will continue to look to Vardy for inspiration having worked hard to keep him on their books, with interest from afar having been shown at regular intervals.

His first Premier League goal for them was recorded against Manchester United in a 5-3 defeat to the Red Devils in September 2014.

He managed only five efforts all season in that campaign, but quickly got to grips with life among the elite.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have suffered a slip wobble as a collective since football returned amid the coronavirus pandemic, with questions being asked of their ability to secure Champions League qualification.

They are, however, very much in the mix for a top four finish and will need Vardy to continue leading by example when it comes to end product in the final third.