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Fernando Llorente warned he was looking for revenge on Liverpool in Napoli's Champions League opener on Tuesday, after being beaten by the Reds in last season's final with former club Tottenham. Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti (right) and Spanish forward Fernando Llorente (left) attend a press conference before their Champions League opener against Liverpool. (AFP/Andreas SOLARO) The Spanish striker, 34, signed a two-year deal with Carlo Ancelotti's side in the summer after being released by Tottenham and is looking for some payback for Spurs' defeat in Madrid. "It was very painful to lose the final, there is a desire for revenge, yes, but it is especially the opportunity to show that we can be at the level of a team as strong as Liverpool," Llorente told reporters in Naples. Liverpool have reached the last two Champions League finals, beating Tottenham in the Spanish capital in June after losing to Real Madrid 12 months earlier. But Jurgen Klopp's side lost their opener last … [Read more...] about Napoli”s Llorente aiming for “revenge” in Liverpool rematch

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has signed a new contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until at least June 2023, the Premier League club said on Monday (Sep 16). Manchester United's David de Gea. (Photo: AFP/Adrian Dennis) United said in a statement that the club had an option to extend the deal by an additional year. De Gea, 28, had entered the final year of his contract and would have been able to open talks with clubs outside England over a possible move in January. The new deal, which will see De Gea earn between €395,000 (US$437,000) and €423,000 (US$466,000) per week, has made the Spaniard the world's highest-paid goalkeeper. The Spain international has made 367 appearances for United since joining the club in 2011. "It has been a privilege to spend eight years at this great club and the opportunity to continue my career at Manchester United is a genuine honour," De Gea told United's website. "Since I arrived here, I could never have imagined … [Read more...] about Manchester United keeper De Gea signs new long term deal

Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool that retaining the Champions League will be even harder than their incredible march to victory in Madrid last season. Liverpool are aiming to defend their Champions League crown AFP/Paul ELLIS Klopp's side start their bid to win a seventh European Cup with a trip to Napoli for their Group E opener on Tuesday. The Reds have reached the last two Champions League finals, beating Tottenham in the Spanish capital in June after losing to Real Madrid 12 months earlier. But Klopp believes Liverpool face a daunting task to make it to the final in Istanbul's Ataturk Stadium - a venue which carries extra resonance for the club after they won the 2005 Champions League with an astonishing comeback against AC Milan in the same stadium. Before Liverpool can dream of emulating Steven Gerrard and company's triumph by the banks of the Bosphorus, Klopp knows they will have to run the gauntlet in what he expects to be a fiercely contested tournament. Napoli are … [Read more...] about Klopp expects daunting ride as Liverpool eye Istanbul return

Cong Phuong’s market value rises to EUR200,000 This increase comes following Cong Phuong signing a one-year deal with Belgium side Sint-Truidense FC in July. Before signing to the Jupiler Pro League team the forward’s estimated market value was at EUR150,000, approximately VND4 billion. The current estimated transfer value of Cong Phuong is equal to that of HAGL FC midfielder Xuan Truong, although it still lags EUR100,000 behind Muangthong United’s Vietnamese goalkeeper Dang Van Lam. Van Lam’s market value is estimated to be at EUR300,000 or nearly VND6 billion. These three Vietnamese players alone helped to increase the estimated market value of the Vietnamese national team from EUR1.55 million to EUR1.60 million. Elsewhere, despite receiving an annual salary of EUR436,000 before tax, Dutch side SC Heerenveen’s new signing Doan Van Hau has an estimated market value just EUR150,000, according to Transfermarkt. … [Read more...] about Cong Phuong’s market value rises to EUR200,000

  Hà Nội FC's Nguyễn Quang Hải celebrates with teammates after scoring his second goal during the match against Viettel yesterday. Hà Nội won 5-2. - VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đạt Football HÀ NỘI - Hà Nội FC all but sealed the V.League 1 crown on Sunday as they came from behind to beat local rivals Viettel 5-2 after second-placed HCM City dropped points. The win at the closed-doors Hàng Đẫy Stadium in the capital means the defending champions sit on 49 points, seven clear of HCM City, who drew 1-1 away to Nam Định earlier the same day. Hà Nội were forced to play in an empty stadium after being censured for flare trouble in their last outing against Nam Định. However they still received loud support from fans who set up screens and speakers outside the ground. The pressure of the crucial encounter was evident early, as the home side got off to … [Read more...] about Comeback brings Hà Nội FC to precipice of league title