Monthly Archives: June 2013

Reina rules out Liverpool exit

The Spain international says that “there will be no changes for now” and declares that the Spain team are united in the Confederations Cup

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is adamant that he has no intention of leaving the club despite speculation linking him with a move away from Anfield.

The Reds are closing in on Sunderland No.1 Simon Mignolet as part of a €49 million splurge also including Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Luis Alberto and Christian Atsu.

Reina is thought to be keen on a return to Spain with Barcelona but the Roja keeper, who is currently in Brazil on Confederations Cup duty, insists that he wants to see out his contract at Anfield.

“It’s very clear,” he told AS. “I have a contract with Liverpool and there will be no changes for now.”

Spain opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Uruguay and Reina says that the squad are united as they prepare to face minnows Tahiti in their next game.

“Arguments are necessary in every group; you can’t always have a peaceful way and it’s impossible to get along with everyone. But you have to be respectful,” he added. “There have been tough moments in the national team but we always said: come on, let’s do it for us and for the whole country. Then the results come.

“Every player is looking forward to playing in such a mythic stadium like the Maracana.”

Reina also declared that he had no problem with Iker Casillas featuring for the world champions, despite his lack of game time at Real Madrid last season.

“Iker was not playing in the last months but he was training well and he has always been fit,” the Liverpool star continued. “Vicente del Bosque had to make a decision and we respected it, as we have always done.”

Transfer Talk: Real Madrid could reunite Suarez & Cavani but do Barcelona want Torres?

We run through the latest talking points in world football and which stars could be on the move this summer as James Richardson is joined by Gaizka Mendieta and Peter Staunton

The giants of the Clasico are in the market for strikers and we ask who might be drawn to La Liga’s biggest sides.

Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani are both making encouraging noises about Real Madrid while Barcelona have been linked with Chelsea misfit Fernando Torres. Tottenham, meanwhile, are closing in on Brazil international Paulinho while Spain Under-21s star Isco could be heading to the Premier League…

To discuss these and all the other rumours and whispers, James Richardson is joined by Goal‘s Peter Staunton and former Barca midfielder Gaizka Mendieta as we go through the latest talk from the transfer market.

Manchester United open up against Swansea as the 2013-14 Premier League fixtures are announced

David Moyes’ first league match in charge of the champions will be against the Capital One Cup holders while Jose Mourinho begins his second spell at Chelsea against promoted Hull

Premier League champions Manchester United will open the 2013/2014 season at Swansea.

OPENING DAY FIXTURES
Arsenal
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Liverpool
Manchester City
Norwich City
Sunderland
Swansea City
West Brom
West Ham
v
v

v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
Aston Villa
Hull City
Tottenham
Stoke City
Newcastle
Everton
Fulham
Manchester United
Southampton
Cardiff City

The fixture sees David Moyes take charge of his first league game as United boss against the same side that Sir Alex Ferguson faced in his last home game before retirement.

Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, will begin the start of his second spell in charge of Chelsea against newly promoted Hull City and last season’s runners-up Manchester City host Newcastle in what will be Manuel Pellegrini’s first league game in charge.

Elsewhere, Championship play-off winners Crystal Palace will host Tottenham in a London derby, while Arsenal host Aston Villa and Stoke visit Liverpool.

The first heavyweight contest of the season sees Manchester United entertain Chelsea at Old Trafford and a week later Moyes will take his new side to Anfield to face Liverpool on the same day Arsenal host Tottenham in the north London derby.

The first meeting of the Manchester powerhouses is due to take place on September 21 at the Etihad Stadium, while the return fixture is scheduled for March 1.

United will complete their league fixtures against Southampton at St Mary’s, while rivals Manchester City are scheduled to entertain West Ham on the final day. Chelsea will finish against last season’s Championship winners Cardiff, while Arsenal are due to travel to Norwich and Tottenham will host Aston Villa.

The fixture list – which can be seen in full with our club-by-club guide – has served up a host of box office clashes, including Mourinho’s first reunion with former protege Andre Villas-Boas – one of Goal‘s 10 games to look out for next season.

The Football League fixtures were also released today, which can be seen here, with relegated Premier League outfits QPR and Reading handed home ties, while FA Cup holders Wigan take on Barnsley.