Jurgen Klopp claimed last season s Champions League final showed why only the result matters as Liverpool prepare for another life-changer .

The Reds have reached European football s showpiece match for a second consecutive season and face Tottenham in Madrid on Saturday.

But Liverpool fell short against Real Madrid a year ago, losing a final in Kiev in which star man Mohamed Salah went off injured and Loris Karius made two dismal errors though it was later revealed the goalkeeper had suffered a bout of concussion during the contest.

Klopp insisted he recovered quickly from that setback yet pointed out that the nature of that defeat showed the result this weekend has far greater importance than the Reds performance.

I actually decided that nig…

Pep Guardiola wants his Manchester City players to treat Sunday s EFL Cup final against Arsenal like an exhibition game so they can leave Wembley without regrets.

Guardiola boasts a supreme record in finals as a club coach, triumphing three times in the Club World Cup and twice apiece in the Champions League, Copa del Rey and DFB-Pokal.

Indeed, the only time over 10 showpiece encounters in the dugout the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss tasted defeat was when Cristiano Ronaldo settled the 2011 Copa del Rey final in extra time at Barca s expense.

Last season at City was the first time in his coaching career Guardiola finished a campaign without silverware, although the manager of the runaway Premier League leaders did not speak like a man fearing reputation…

Jurgen Klopp claims Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will always be an outstanding player but suggested any expectation for the Liverpool midfielder to immediately rediscover his best form following injury is really dumb .

The former Arsenal man missed the majority of the 2018-19 season, playing only twice in the Premier League, following a serious knee injury sustained in the prior campaign s Champions League semi-finals.

Oxlade-Chamberlain s previously impressive form was widely considered to be somewhat steadier last term as he played a part in Liverpool s title success, and another knee blow in August has delayed his involvement in 2020-21.

But Klopp considered Oxlade-Chamberlain s early 2018 form the best moment of [his] career and so disapproves of ranking last seas…

Roma are getting close to completing a deal for Pau Lopez of Real Betis, according to .

Apparently, the talks between the two clubs have been ongoing for a while and Roma already had an offer rejected, but they ve now submitted a higher one €22 million, which leaves the difference in valuation of the goalkeeper very small indeed as Betis reportedly want €24 million. It is believed the deal could be agreed today (Friday).

By moving to the Italian capital, Lopez should be earning significantly more than before, and apparently enjoy more favorable tax rates in Italy that those in Spain.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper has apparently left Betis training ground  Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol where the squad had been doing medical tests as part of the pre-season pr…

Verdict: Home win

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Having all but secured seventh consecutive Serie A title, Juventus are now looking to make it four domestic doubles on the trot, which would be a remarkable achievement indeed. AC Milan, on the other hand, hope to get revenge on the Bianconeri for the extra time defeat in the 2015/2016 Coppa Italia final and win their first major title since 2011.

Juventus

Even though very good Napoli side gave them a real run for their money, Juventus ultimately managed to emerge victorious and secured yet another league trophy, recovering well from the shock defeat to the Azzurri to record back to back wins over Inter Milan and Bologna. Heading into the final two games six points clear of Napoli with a superior goal difference…

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic came off the bench to score a late header that set up Lazio s dramatic 2-0 defeat of Atalanta in the Coppa Italia final.

Atalanta had been the better side at Lazio s Stadio Olimpico home, hitting the woodwork either side of half-time in Wednesday s showpiece.

But substitute Milinkovic-Savic broke the deadlock for Lazio, powering home Lucas Leiva s corner, before Joaquin Correa wrapped it up with a second goal in the 90th minute.

Lazio s first Coppa Italia crown since 2013 will go some way towards making up for losing two of the past four finals to Juventus.

7 Lazio have won their seventh Coppa Italia, as many as Inter, less only than Juventus and Roma. Champion.

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo)

Marten de Roon hit the…

Morocco head coach Herve Renard has denied reports he has a list of demands that need to be met if he is to remain in charge.

The Frenchman  who took over in 2016  was at the helm as Morocco finished bottom of their World Cup group with just one point.

His contract runs until 2022 and newspaper reports in the past few days have suggested that he wants certain assurances before committing his long-term future to the Atlas Lions.

Renard, though, has taken to Twitter to pour cold water on those reports.

He wrote: Contrary to what can be said in some media, I didn t have any meetings since the end of our World Cup. So, I didn t have to express any particular requirements for the future.

Morocco were denied a famous win over Spain in their final g…

Florida Atlantic may be losing an emotional defender, but the United States of America may be gaining a determined leader.

Nate Ozdemir, a linebacker and rising fifth-year senior for the Owls, has decided to forgo his final year of eligibility to pursue a career in the United States Marine Corps.

Ozdemir announced Saturday that he will be giving up football to pursue his career as a pilot in either the Marines or with the Army in the coming years.

The 21-year-old missed the final four games of the season last year with a broken foot and has suffered multiple head and shoulder injuries over the last few seasons which prompted him to step away from the game for good.

I’m at this point where if I get hurt one more time, it sets me back big time,  . Pro…

Phillip Cocu has been appointed as Frank Lampard s successor at Derby County, the Championship club have confirmed.

Lampard was officially unveiled as Chelsea s new manager on Thursday, following an impressive debut season in management with Derby last term.

The Rams made it to the play-off final but went down 2-1 to Aston Villa in May s showpiece at Wembley.

And Derby have now announced Lampard s replacement, with former PSV and Fenerbahce coach Cocu handed a four-year contract at Pride Park.

It s time.

— Derby County (@dcfcofficial)

We are delighted to welcome Phillip as our new manager, Derby executive chairman Mel Morris told the club s official website.

We are continuing to develop our philosophy at Derby Coun…

Wesley Sneijder s Netherlands farewell ended in victory as Memphis Depay scored a brace in Thursday s 2-1 friendly triumph over Peru.

With luminaries from the team that Sneijder helped to reach the 2010 World Cup final looking on, the 34-year-old toiled throughout his 134th and final Oranje appearance as Pedro Aquino s first-half goal looked likely to take down an uninspired home side.

Ricardo Gareca s Peru impressed many at the World Cup despite their group-stage exit and they were once again well-organised, physical and opportunistic in Amsterdam, while Ronald Koeman s side showed little of the steel and flair that typified Sneijder s international career.

But the introduction of highly rated Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong helped to turn the game, the 21-ye…