Golden Soccer 360

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits Real Madrid will most likely start Saturday's Champions League final with more confidence. Madrid approach the game in Kiev having won three of the previous four Champions League finals - two on the trot - while Liverpool's most recent European final was a defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League two years ago. However, Klopp is optimistic his Liverpool side pose a unique threat to the reigning European champions. "I'm pretty sure that in the second before the game Real Madrid will be more confident than we are, but that's not a problem because the game doesn't end in that second, it only starts," said Klopp. "We have had now two weeks to prepare that game and everything is clear. You see Real Madrid playing against different teams and you think, 'Wow - they are really strong'. But, they've never played us and that's part of the truth." Klopp added: "Spirit is our bigg...

Liverpool will refund the cost of a match ticket to any supporter who is not able to travel to the Champions League final because of flight cancellations. Hundreds of fans were affected when three flights were cancelled after Widnes-based travel operator Worldchoice Sport failed to secure landing slots at Boryspil Airport in Kiev. One of those planes was rescheduled to leave Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Friday morning but the other two flights remain cancelled leaving 650 supporters stranded. Liverpool issued a statement on Friday afternoon, which read: "In light of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the belated cancellation of flights to Kiev, Liverpool FC is offering affected supporters a full refund on match tickets bought directly from the club. "Supporters who were booked on flight numbers ET8704 and ET8706, and those who were unable to travel on the rearranged ET8700 flight booked through Worldchoice Sport, will be able to claim the refund. Liv...

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk admits he may have to adapt his laid-back style of play ahead of Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid. Van Dijk, 26, has brought calmness and composure to Liverpool's defence since joining the club for £75m from Southampton in January. However, the world's most expensive defender says his laid-back style almost cost his side during their quarter-final second leg against Manchester City, when his early mistake allowed Gabriel Jesus to open the scoring inside two minutes. The Netherlands international insists he has learned from that mistake and vowed to not make a similar error when Jurgen Klopp's side take on Real Madrid in Kiev on Saturday. "To be calm, that is sometimes a very good thing to have, but personally sometimes I have to learn, too," he said. "Against Manchester City in the away game I was a little bit too calm in the beginning for example. That is something I have to learn as we...

Former England midfielder David Beckham has begged his former Real Madrid team-mate Zinedine Zidane to beat Liverpool in the Champions League final. Madrid are aiming for their third consecutive Champions League title - a feat that has not been achieved before - but they must beat Jurgen Klopp's side on Saturday. Beckham played in Madrid alongside the Frenchmen from 2003 to 2006 - the latter year Zidane decided to retire from international and club football. The former Manchester United player is dreading the possibility of his bitter rivals Liverpool winning the title and hopes Madrid can stop their winning parade. He said: "To have been successful as a player and now to be successful as the boss, the big boss, is incredible. I just want to wish Zizou, the boss, the president, the club good luck in the Champions League final. "And please beat Liverpool, please!" Beckham won the Champions League with United in the 1998-1999 season. He crossed in two co...

Jurgen Klopp has warned Real Madrid that their experience of playing in Champions League finals will only take them so far on Saturday. Real are bidding to win the Champions League for the third successive year and Klopp admits that may give them a psychological edge prior to kick-off. However, the German also pointed out that the teams have not met competitively during that period and Liverpool's own record in Europe is not to be sniffed at as they chase a sixth crown. "Experience is very important and I'm pretty sure that in the seconds before the game Real will be more confident than we are," he said. "But it's not a problem because the game doesn't end in that second, it only starts. "We have had two weeks to prepare and everything is clear. We've analysed Real Madrid playing against different teams and thought, 'wow they are really strong', but they have never played us. "We are Liverpool. Not only are we a real...

Mark Hughes has signed a three-year deal to stay on as the manager at Southampton. The former Stoke and Manchester City boss guided the Saints to Premier League safety, which included beating relegation rivals Swansea 1-0, after taking over from Mauricio Pellegrino in March. His assistant manager Mark Bowen and first-team coach Eddie Niedzwiecki have also signed long-term contracts. "Mark, Eddie and I are thrilled to have signed long-term contracts with the club," Hughes told the club website. "It was the only option we considered, having spent the last eight weeks with the club. "Now it is vital that we take the unbelievable support we received from the fans during the last few games into next season. "The staff and the players will work hard every day to deliver the success this club deserves, and with everyone pulling together we will achieve our goals." Sky Sports News reported earlier this week the 54-year-old was close to a new deal ...

Andres Iniesta says he will be moving to Japan and is expected to sign for Vissel Kobe. Iniesta, 34, played his 674th and final game for La Liga champions Barcelona on Sunday as they beat Real Sociedad 1-0 in the final game of the season. The Spain midfielder lifted the league trophy and addressed supporters at the Nou Camp after the final whistle. He tweeted on Wednesday evening while pictured on a flight with Vissel Kobe chairman Hiroshi Mikitani, saying: "Heading to my new home, with my friend." Vissel Kobe have announced a news conference for Thursday where the J-League club are expected to confirm the signing of the midfielder. They signed German World Cup winner Lukas Podolski in 2017 and according to reports from Spain they beat off competition from Australia's A-League to sign Iniesta. During his 16 years at Barcelona, the 34-year-old won nine Liga titles and the Champions League on four occasions. He also won the World Cup and two European...

Jordan Henderson believes a rousing speech by Jurgen Klopp two years ago has ultimately led Liverpool to the Champions League final against Real Madrid on Saturday. Immediately after one of the lowest points in his career, having watched the 2016 Europa League final 3-1 defeat to Sevilla as an unused substitute because he was not fully fit, the Liverpool captain says he was inspired by his manager's words when they got back to the team hotel. Klopp told his players there would be more finals to play, outlining his vision of where he wanted the club to go, and Henderson says he was hooked. "We were obviously down but when we got back to the hotel the manager had something different to stay," he said. "He looked at the bigger picture and the future and he felt as though it could be a big moment in our careers to learn from the experience. "He had this sort of vision that made me think in the future we'd get to another final. "He wanted to...

Wayne Rooney has arrived in Washington for talks and a medical ahead of a proposed move to DC United, according to Sky sources. The Everton striker and his agent Paul Stretford will meet DC United's managing general partner Jason Levien and general manager Dave Kasper. It is also understood the pair are due to visit DC's new Audi Field stadium. Sky Sports News  reported two weeks ago that the 32-year-old was closing in on a switch to the US. Although negotiations are far from complete - and no transfer fee has been agreed - Rooney's 48-hour visit to the States is an indication that a deal is close. On Tuesday night, the Washington Post quoted one source as saying that Rooney had already done some preliminary house-hunting in Northern Virginia. "Wayne is genuinely interested in the city and wants to get a better feel for it," one source told the Washington newspaper. Rooney's potential new team-mates are on the West Coast ahead of Saturday'...

Outgoing Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure says he is not ruling out a move to Manchester United as he looks towards the next move of his career. The 35-year-old announced earlier this month that he would be leaving the Etihad after eight years with the club, but does want to keep playing elsewhere. In an interview with the  Manchester Evening News , Toure has not ruled out a move to local rivals United, who are looking to replace the experience of Michael Carrick in the middle of the park. When asked about the retiring midfielder, Toure said: "Yeah he just left. Let's see, let's see. I don't rule big teams out. The big teams are very important for me. What they want to achieve, the way they want to go, for me is very important. "I want to go somewhere I can win and achieve. It's going to be hard one day to play against City, but I have to do that. It is part of my job. "I've been playing football for such a long time, I'm no good...

Unai Emery says a return to the Champions League is crucial for Arsenal as he begins work as the new head coach at the Emirates. The Spaniard was announced as Arsene Wenger's successor at the Emirates on Wednesday following Arsene Wenger's departure after 22 years at the club. Arsenal finished sixth in the Premier League last season, consigning the club to a second consecutive season in the Europa League, and Emery says a return to the top four is vital. "Our objective is to be among the best teams in Europe, to win titles and to be in the elite of European teams," he said. "I also want the team to make the fans proud. I know they are already and I want them to be even more so. "I believe in the players who are here. The objective is to work hard together. "That is very important for the club after two years outside the Champions League to work in this way. To be the best club, the best team in the Premier League and also in...

Napoli have confirmed the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as the club's new manager. Ancelotti held talks with Napoli's president Aurelio De Laurentiis in Rome last week before replacing Mauricio Sarri, whose departure was confirmed on Wednesday. The 58-year-old Italian has been out of management since he was sacked by Bayern Munich in September 2017, while his last job in Italian football was with AC Milan, who he left in 2009 to become Chelsea manager. Sky Sports News  understands Ancelotti, who signed a three-year deal with the Serie A runners-up, turned down several other offers including the Italy national team job to take control at Napoli. Sarri, meanwhile, is considering an offer from Russian club Zenit St Petersburg, according to Sky in Italy. He was visited by club officials last week and during a meeting, they presented him with a deal to succeed Roberto Mancini, who left the club to become Italy boss earlier this month. De Laurentiis took to Twitter o...

Raheem Sterling is back with the England squad after being granted extra time off by Gareth Southgate to deal with a personal issue. The Manchester City forward - who helped Pep Guardiola claim the Premier League title this season - reported to St George's Park last night and will remain part of the group going forward. England's first training session ahead of this summer's World Cup took place yesterday with Harry Kane and Dele Alli among the players who took part. England will be captained by Kane, who said it was an "amazing honour" to wear the armband in Russia. Chelsea defender Gary Cahill and Manchester United quartet Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford will arrive on Saturday after recovering from the FA Cup final. Meanwhile, Liverpool duo Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are not expected to join the rest of the England squad until next month as they prepare to face Real Madrid in the Cha...

Neymar's recovery from a foot injury has been "better than expected" ahead of the World Cup, according to Brazil's medical staff. Neymar was back in training with the national team on Tuesday after being sidelined since late February with a broken bone in his right foot whilst playing for Paris Saint-Germain. He underwent surgery in Brazil on March 3 and on Wednesday took part in Brazil's first fitness training in Teresopolis, outside Rio de Janeiro. Brazil's fitness coach Fabio Mahseredjian said: "We don't know how far a top athlete like him can go, but I can say his development has been above what we expected. "We have started working one month before our World Cup opener, and until the end of the group stage there is more than a month. "I believe that training with the squad, being monitored like he is now, with daily follow-ups, Neymar is very well taken care of. ... It will be important [to see Neymar] when he pl...

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Liverpool and Roma following their Champions League semi-final first leg at Anfield. Liverpool have been charged with setting off fireworks and throwing objects while both clubs have been charged for crowd disturbances based on incidents that took place outside the stadium. The Merseyside club raised concerns over police security ahead of the second leg in Rome. This was due to a Liverpool fan, Sean Cox, being left in a critical condition following an incident outside Anfield. Two Italian men were later charged and remanded in custody. Ahead of the second leg, Merseyside Police confirmed to  Sky Sports News they had not received any reports of disturbances between Liverpool and Roma fans in the Italian capital in the lead up to kick-off. Jurgen Klopp's side face Real Madrid in the final of the Champions League on Saturday in Kyiv after beating Roma 7-6 on aggregate. The case will be dealt with by UE...

Harry Kane is England's captain at the World Cup, winning a two-man battle for the armband with Jordan Henderson. In the end, it came down to the first man on the teamsheet. "He's the obvious choice," one former England international told us at St George's Park. "He's England's best player, the only world class player, it had to be him." With the title comes great responsibility. As figurehead of the side, Kane will face more time in front of the cameras, an increased number of media interviews and be the man disgruntled referees go to to tell the players to calm down. "It is an amazing honour. You always dream of playing for England growing up and to be the captain is that little bit more," said the Spurs striker. "I'm so excited for the World Cup. I can't wait to be there and experience it. To be leading the lads out is going to be special. "But for me, nothing changes. I'm still the person, the s...

Unai Emery intends to make Aaron Ramsey central to his plans at Arsenal, according to Sky sources. The imminent new Gunners boss is understood to have revealed in his interview his hopes for Ramsey, who has just a year left to run on his current contract, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to play important roles. Ramsey has been in talks with the north London club over a new deal for several months that have yet to result in agreement, and his future at the club following Arsene Wenger's departure has been widely speculated on. Ramsey did not feature in the promotional material for Arsenal's new home kit on Tuesday, however, and neither did Jack Wilshere, whose contract expires next month. But Wilshere, who missed out on the England World Cup squad, is understood to be close to agreeing a new deal. Aubameyang scored 10 goals since signing for the Gunners in a club-record £60m deal from Borussia Dortmund in the January transfer window. Former Paris Saint-Germain and S...

Carlo Ancelotti has held talks with Napoli's president in Rome about becoming their new manager, according to Sky in Italy. The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich boss looks set to succeed Maurizio Sarri, who hinted on Sunday he was leaving the club. "Everything in life ends and it is better to finish things after writing a beautiful story," Sarri said after Napoli's 2-1 win over Crotone, which saw them end the season with 91 points, four behind Serie A champions Juventus. Sarri reportedly met with representatives of Zenit St Petersburg last weekwhile Chelsea have been also linked with the 59-year-old. Ancelotti has been out of management since he was sacked by Bayern last September, while his last job in Italian football was with AC Milan, who he left in 2009 to become Chelsea boss. Napoli have twice finished as runners-up to Juventus in the past three seasons. Their last league title success was in 1990. via Sky Sports

In his latest column, Guillem Balague pays tribute to Andres Iniesta and Fernando Torres as they leave La Liga, gives an update on Unai Emery to Arsenal plus hands out his end of season awards... After Barcelona's game on Sunday, Iniesta stayed at the Nou Camp until 1am, taking pictures and reflecting on the pitch, sitting on the grass. He actually finished the season as a regular starter, not just a veteran, but as someone who was crucial to Barcelona this season. Finally, Spanish football are giving the homage to the people that deserve it. Until now, it was a bit of a send-off in the last game and that was it, but the likes of Iniesta, Torres and Xabi Prieto at Real Sociedad, they have got the sending off they deserve. Iniesta was the best midfielder for Barcelona this season and that's an important point to make because there is still Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique who looked for him so if you take that out, and suddenly, the midfield of Barcelona become...

Jurgen Klopp admits Real Madrid hold the edge over Liverpool in terms of experience but has backed his side to more than match the European champions for desire and work-rate in the Champions League final. Liverpool face Real in the showpiece event in Kiev on Saturday, where the Spanish team will hope to secure a third consecutive European title. Klopp admits Real are more accustomed to matches of this stature but insists his side will not be at a disadvantage when the two teams meet at the Olympic Stadium. "They are more experienced, that is a fact," said Klopp. "If there was a market for experience that should sell it, because they would be even more rich than they are already. "Experience is very important in life, but not the only important thing in life. Especially in football. "It is an advantage to be more experienced but you can level it with desire, with readiness, with attitude, with work-rate. You can level it. That is what I love in f...

Alvaro Morata has missed out on a place in Spain's squad for the World Cup in Russia, with Cesc Fabregas, Marcos Alonso, Ander Herrera and Hector Bellerin also omitted by Julen Lopetegui. Lopetegui named his 23-man squad for the tournament on Monday, with four Premier League players included - David de Gea, Cesar Azpilicueta, Nacho Monreal and David Silva. However, there was no place for Chelsea striker Morata, with Isco, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez, Rodrigo and Diego Costa preferred in attack. Morata has struggled for fitness and form since joining the Blues from Real Madrid last summer, and has scored 11 goals in the Premier League since arriving in England. Meanwhile, Andres Iniesta has been included in the squad the day after playing his final game for Barcelona. "We've taken the players we feel are the best and feel that we have the ingredients to challenge for the title and are just anxious for things to start now," said Lopetegui. "We fee...

Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi, joint top-scorer in Serie A, has been left out of Argentina's 23-man World Cup squad, while Juventus' Paulo Dybala has been included. Argentina boast a wealth of attacking talent with Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Juventus' Gonzalo Higuain and Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, alongside the 24-year-old Dybala. Including Aguero, Argentina head coach Jorge Sampaoli has selected six Premier League players in his squad - Nicolas Otamendi, Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo, Manuel Lanzini and Willy Caballero. Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria is also involved, he also featured in Argentina's last World Cup campaign in 2014 when they finished runners-up to Germany in Brazil. Former Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano, who joined Chinese club Hebei China Fortune in January, has been named in the squad but among the midfielders - a position he played for Liverpool. Argentina line up against Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria in Group ...