Rodgers praises Mignolet, insists Reina has Liverpool future
Brendan Rodgers insists the possible signing of Simon Mignolet from Sunderland does not signal the end of Pepe Reina's Liverpool career.
Liverpool boss Rodgers has spoken of his admiration for 24-year-old Mignolet amid reports that the two clubs have agreed a fee for the highly-rated goalkeeper.
Reina's future has been the subject of much debate in recent weeks after being linked with a return to Barcelona, but Rodgers is adamant the Spain international, who is currently away at the FIFA Confederations Cup, is still part of his plans for next season.
Rodgers told talkSPORT: "One of the things we're trying to build is
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Date: 23.06.2013 - 22:19
Almeria promoted to La Liga
Almeria have been promoted back to La Liga after a 4-0 aggregate win over Girona in the Segunda Division play-off final.
Javi Garcia’s side have spent two seasons in Spain’s second tier following their relegation in 2010-11, but they secured this year’s final promotion place on Saturday after finishing third in the regular season.
Thanks to a solitary goal from Brazilian striker Charles, Almeria picked up a valuable away win in Wednesday’first leg before recording a comfortable 3-0 victory at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos to confirm their passage back to the La Liga.
Charles bagged a double after highly-rated youngster Aleix Vidal gave the hosts a 17th-minute lead, and the Brazilian forward’s goals took his season tally to an impressive 32
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Date: 23.06.2013 - 22:17
Neymar a football genius, says Scolari
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has hailed Neymar as a genius following his star turn and wonder strike against Italy on Saturday.
The 21-year-old scored a brilliant free-kick in Brazil's 4-2 triumph in Bahia, giving the host nation three wins from three to seal top spot in Group A, meaning they are likely to avoid a semi-final clash against Spain.
Bayern Munich defender Dante also got on the scoresheet for Brazil, who had a second-half brace from Fluminense striker Fred to thank for the victory.
Scolari was delighted with the form of Neymar, who left Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon stranded with his breathtaking strike.
"He is the hero of every Brazilian and of everyone who loves football," Scolari said.
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Date: 23.06.2013 - 22:16
Holman: It was difficult leaving Europe
Former Aston Villa midfielder Brett Holman said it was a tough decision to leave Europe and sign for UAE Pro League side Al Nasr.
The 29-year-old joined Villa from AZ Alkmaar last year, but was not at his best in 29 appearances for the club in all competitions.
He fell out of favour with manager Paul Lambert in the second half of the 2012-13 season and said he has moved on in the hope of securing regular first-team football.
Holman needs to be playing regularly if he is to continue being picked by Australia, who qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil earlier this month.
"It was difficult (leaving Europe) but (this is) a decision that I know I have made with 100 percent of my heart," said Holman after being unveiled at his new club.
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Date: 23.06.2013 - 22:15
Commons urges Celtic to start well
Celtic midfielder Kris Commons has stressed the importance of his side starting their 2013-14 campaign in style. The Scottish Premier League champions will play up to nine matches before the end of August, of which six could be in the UEFA Champions League if the qualifiers go their way.
Celtic are bidding to return to the group stages of Europe's premier club competition again, having beaten Barcelona and progressed into the round of 16 last term before losing out to Serie A giants Juventus.
Neil Lennon's side will learn their opponents in the second round of Champions League qualifying – which is followed by the third round and the play-offs – at Monday's draw in Nyon.
Of the qualifiers, Commons told The Daily Record: "They're the first games but they're the most importantw
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Date: 23.06.2013 - 22:12
Ambrosini awaits Fiorentina decision
Massimo Ambrosini's agent has confirmed that the midfielder is still waiting for Fiorentina to decide whether to sign him.
The 36-year-old is a free agent after Milan opted not to renew his contract and the veteran has made his desire to join Vincenzo Montella's side clear.
However, a deal with the Tuscany outfit has yet to be agreed and Ambrosini's representative Moreno Roggi admitted that his client is eager to hear from the Stadio Artemio Franchi club.
"There is no news over the last few days, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens next week," Roggi told Radio Blu.
for him in the squad.
"We’re waiting to know if Fiorentina think Ambrosini would be of use to them or not."
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Date: 23.06.2013 - 22:11
Parma in advanced talks with Cassano
Parma managing director Pietro Leonardi remains confident of signing Antonio Cassano but insisted the deal was not yet done.
The Inter striker made 36 appearances last season but his return of just eight goals in that time played a part in the club's ninth-place finish in Serie A.
Andrea Stramaccioni lost his job as head coach following Inter's poor campaign, and new manager Walter Mazzarri has been tasked with reviving the clubs fortunes starting with a reshuffle of the playing staff.
Cassano looks set to be one of the first players to leave the club, and Parma are in pole position to sign the Italy international, although the deal is not done yet.
Parma would be the seventh club of Cassano's ca
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Date: 23.06.2013 - 22:09
Redknapp hails promoted trio of British managers
QPR manager Harry Redknapp has praised British managers Malky Mackay, Steve Bruce and Ian Holloway for their efforts last season.
The trio all guided their clubs into the Premier League last term, with Mackay's Cardiff City and Bruce's Hull City winning automatic promotion.
The new group of British bosses set to manage in the top flight next year was completed when Holloway's Crystal Palace edged Watford in the Championship play-off final.
And Redknapp is delighted to see a new influx of homegrown talent in the Premier League, and hailed their achievements as good as anything Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have achie
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Date: 23.06.2013 - 22:08
Lazio losing patience in pursuit of Felipe Anderson
Lazio will pull out of a deal for Santos' Felipe Anderson if the player's third-party owners do not meet their deadline.
The Serie A side tried to sign the attacking midfielder in January but the deal fell through after a delay in the paperwork meant it missed the closing of the transfer window, but the club from the Italian capital are keen to sort a deal out before the start of the new season.
Lazio finished seventh in the league last season and the 20-year-old would give them a different option in midfield, something that Vladimir Petkovic is keen to do as they look to strenghten ahead of a UEFA Europa League campaign after winning the Coppa Italia.
An agreement between the two clubs has been reached but the player's third-party owners, English inves
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Date: 23.06.2013 - 22:07
Friedrich announces his retirement
Arne Friedrich has announced his retirement from professional football after a back injury restricted his appearances for Chicago Fire.
The former Wolfsburg and Hertha Berlin defender moved to the MLS in March 2012 on a free transfer after injury cut short his spell at the Volkswagen Arena.
During his eight years at Hertha Friedrich made 231 appearances and also became a regular for Germany, making 82 appearances for his country.
When the club were relegated from the top division in 2011 he moved to Wolfsburg, but after one season and just 15 appearances, he was released and made the decision to move to America.
He made 23 appearances in his debut season with Chicago and
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Date: 23.06.2013 - 22:06