Category Archives: News

Europa League draw: Roma to face Feyenoord, Liverpool meet Besiktas

The Serie A outfit will have to deal with the Eredivisie giants, while Brendan Rodgers’ men await a trip to Turkey


Roma have been paired with Feyenoord during Monday’s draw for the Europa League round of 32 in Nyon.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will face Besiktas as they aim to redeem themselves after their disappointing Champions League campaign.

Other noteworthy ties include Inter versus Celtic and Tottenham against Fiorentina, while Athletic Bilbao will have to deal with Torino.

Holders Sevilla were paired with Borussia Minchengladbach, with Champions League drop-outs Sporting Lisbon meeting Wolfsburg.

The first legs of the round of 32 will take place on February 19, with the returns scheduled for February 26.

THE LAST 32 DRAW
Home Team (first leg)
 
Away Team
Young Boys vs Everton
 Torino vs Athletic Bilbao
Sevilla vs Borussia Monchengladbach
 Wolfsburg vs Sporting Lisbon
 Ajax vs Legia Warsaw
Aalborg vs Club Brugge
Anderlecht vs Dinamo Moscow
 Dnipro vs Olympiacos
 Trabzonspor vs  Napoli
Guingamp vs Dynamo Kiev
 Villarreal vs Salzburg
Roma vs Feyenoord
 PSV vs Zenit
Liverpool vs Besiktas
 Tottenham vs Fiorentina
Celtic vs Inter

Rodgers: Mignolet understands why he was benched for Manchester United clash

The Liverpool manager insists the Belgian goalkeeper is “a good professional” despite opting to play second-choice Brad Jones in the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday


Brendan Rodgers believes Simon Mignolet understands the reasons why he lost his place to Brad Jones in Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United.

The goalkeeper has faced criticism over his performances for Liverpool this season and was named among the substitutes for the clash at Old Trafford, with Rodgers handing Jones his first Premier League start since March 2013.

“Simon has been fine. He is a very good professional and he understood it [the decision],” said Rodgers.

“Brad has not had not much to do apart from pick the ball out of the net, but I felt I had to make the decision.”

Goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie handed United their sixth consecutive win in the Premier League, leaving Liverpool seven points behind West Ham, who currently occupy fourth place.

David de Gea also played an instrumental role in United’s victory by making key saves to deny Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli, and Rodgers admits Liverpool’s failure to capitalise on their chances has been the story of their season so far.

“I didn’t think we deserved to be on the end of the scoreline. Obviously they were a lot more clinical than we were,” said the Liverpool manager.

“It is not often you come here and create so many chances and we probably created more today than we did last season when we won 3-0.

“For the goalkeeper to get man of the match says everything the creativity we created more chances today than we did in the last five or six games.

“We had enough chances to get something from game, but it epitomised our season so far not enough goals from the team and that has clearly been an issue for us.

“The bottom line is that we have not been consistent enough over the course of of the season.”

Carrick vital in Manchester United’s win over Liverpool, says Van Persie

The Dutchman believes the 33-year-old’s distribution from central defence was key in helping Louis Van Gaal’s side register their sixth consecutive victory in the Premier League


Robin van Persie believes Michael Carrick’s performance in central defence played a key part in Manchester United’s 3-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday.

Louis van Gaal was forced into another defensive reshuffle following Marcos Rojo’s injury during training on Friday but a back three of Carrick, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones, along with a stellar display from goalkeeper David De Gea, was able to nullify Liverpool at Old Trafford.

“I think today Carrick at the back made a big difference,” Van Persie told Sky Sports.

“He’s so confident on the ball. Jones played really well, all the back four or five played really well. They were really calm today.”

Goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Van Persie secured United’s sixth consecutive victory which has given the club a three-point cushion over West Ham, who sit in fourth place.

“I think in those games it’s always important to score first,” said the Dutchman.

“It just gives you an extra bit of confidence, and although I think at times we were a bit sloppy, but overall we kept the ball well and played the ball well.”

Mata’s goal from close range doubled United’s lead five minutes before the break but Van Persie admits he got a touch on the ball, which put the Spaniard in a offside position when he fired past Brad Jones.

“I got a touch, yeah, I have to be honest,” Van Persie said. “I got a touch so you can put that down as an assist!”