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Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen called Luis Suarez 'a hero and an idol' for his team after his hat-trick in their 4-0 win over Wigan.

The 26-year-old forward is now two strikes ahead of Manchester United's Robin van Persie with 21 league goals in an outstanding personal campaign, despite the fact Brendan Rodgers' seventh-placed side have struggled for consistency this season.

Former Swansea player Allen has heaped praise on Suarez, revealing that the Liverpool squad look to him for inspiration. 

Allen even thinks the controversial forward could scoop the PFA Players' Player of the Year award.

Gary van Egmond has blamed Newcastle Jets' inability to carry out pre-game orders as they lost 5-0 to Melbourne Victory on Sunday.

Victory scored twice in the opening 15 minutes of their 5-0 win over Newcastle at AAMI Park and had a third goal disallowed soon after as they consistently found space behind the Jets' back four.

In a frank post-match interview, Van Egmond conceded that his team pushed too far up the pitch, which allowed Melbourne's speedy forwards Archie Thompson, Marco Rojas and Connor Pain too much space, and the Jets boss made it clear his players had not done as he had instructed.

Juergen Klopp has apologised to Jupp Heynckes and Bayern Munich after accusing the club of buying their success.

Klopp's incendiary comments came after seeing Dortmund crash out of the DFB Pokal in a 1-0 loss to the Bavarians thanks to Arjen Robben's first-half strike.

"At the moment, it's a bit like what the Chinese do with industry. They look at what the others are doing and imitate it, but with more money and different players," the 45-year-old said.

Heynckes retaliated: "It's very important to show dignity in victory, and especially in defeat."

Klopp has since backtracked on his initial remarks and, speaking after the club's 3-1 win over Hannover, appeared to offer his apologies.

Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell believes Arsene Wenger must change his transfer policy if the club are to be a force in Europe again.

The Gunners look likely to finish the season without a trophy for the eighth year in a row after losses to lower-league opposition Bradford City in the League Cup and Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup, while a heavy 3-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich leaves their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

Arsenal lost key player Robin van Persie to Premier League leaders Manchester United last summer in a 24-million-pound deal, and Campbell - after seeing the impact the 29-year-old has made at Old Trafford - feels similar bold moves in the transfer market could help the Gunners progress.

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill criticised referee Mark Halsey after Saturday's 2-2 draw with Fulham.

Sunderland came from two goals down to clinch a share of the spoils at the Stadium of Light in a match clouded by controversy.

Dimitar Berbatov put Fulham in front early on after Ashkan Dejagah took a delayed tumble over Craig Gardner's leg to earn a penalty.

"At that point I thought the referee was going to book their player for simulation," O'Neill said.

"But that said we still got caught in the midst of it all and we then found ourselves two goals behind.

Campeonato Paulista leaders Ponte Preta were held to their fourth draw in five matches, while Botafogo climbed to third place on Saturday.

Ponte Preta travelled to Linense for a 0-0 stalemate, with neither side able to break the deadlock in a tense clash.

Despite the result, Ponte Preta remain unbeaten on top of the table, one point clear of Sao Paulo, who have two games in hand.

Meanwhile, 10-man Botafogo held on for a 1-0 victory against bottom-placed Sao Caetano.

Francis scored the decisive goal in the 72nd minute, with Botafogo securing the win despite the dismissal of Cris for a second offence three minutes later.