Category Archives: News

Rodgers adamant Sterling will sign new Liverpool deal

The 19-year-old has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent weeks but the Reds boss says his most prized asset will be staying at Anfield for the foreseeable future


Brendan Rodgers insists he is very confident that Raheem Sterling will sign a new contract with Liverpool.

A sparkling 2014 has seen the 19-year-old establish himself as a key man for the Reds, as well as England, and led to speculation in recent weeks that Real Madrid are monitoring his situation.

Sterling still has significant time left to run on the five-year deal he signed in December 2012, but it has been widely reported that there is a desire to see his wages rise in line with his increased status for club and country.

Rodgers is adamant that both Liverpool and Sterling’s camp are in favour of an extension and believes an agreement is only a matter of time.

“Yes. Absolutely adamant,” he told reporters when asked if Sterling wanted to stay at Liverpool. “I don’t think there is anything other than that. His agent is a good agent and he understands this is the perfect place for him.

“Ian Ayre has spoken with his representatives and he is quite relaxed.

“The club is dealing with the agent so everything is calm and the boy is remarkably happy here and there are no secondary thoughts about anything else other than continuing to play for Liverpool.

“Also, he wants to continue with his development because he still has a lot of growth and for that the best place for him to be is here. His representatives respect that and the club respects that. So that will get sorted out in time.”

Balotelli misses out on Italy squad but Pelle gets first call-up

The 24-year-old was not named in Antonio Conte’s first squad back in August and continues to miss out following his poor form for Liverpool this season


Mario Balotelli has once again been omitted from Italy’s national squad but Southampton’s Graziano Pelle has received his first call-up.

The Liverpool forward was not named in Antonio Conte’s first squad at the end of August, although he was suspended for Italy’s opening Euro 2016 qualifying fixture against Norway after receiving two yellow cards during the World Cup.

Balotelli has struggled for form following his €20 million arrival from AC Milan in the summer and has found the net only once in seven appearances for Liverpool this term.

Pelle, a summer signing from Feyenoord, has scored five goals in eight games for the Saints and the 29-year-old has been rewarded with the chance to make his debut at senior level for his national side.

Italy are top of their qualifying group after beating Norway 2-0 and travel to Azerbaijan on October 10 before facing another away tie against Malta three days later.

Italy squad in full…

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Perin (Genoa), Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain)

Defenders: Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Darmian (Torino), De Sciglio (Milan), Ogbonna (Juventus), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Ranocchia (Inter), Rugani (Empoli),

Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Bonaventura (Milan), Candreva (Lazio), Florenzi (Roma), Marchisio (Juventus), Parolo (Lazio), Poli (Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Verratti (Paris Saint Germain)

Strikers: Destro (Roma), Giovinco (Juventus), Immobile (Borussia Dortmund), Osvaldo (Inter), Pellè (Southampton), Zaza (Sassuolo)

What are you waiting for? Sign up for UEFA’s European Qualifiers Fantasy Football and Predictor now.

Balotelli misses out on Italy squad but Pelle included

The 24-year-old was not named in Antonio Conte’s first squad back in August and continues to miss out following his poor form for Liverpool this season


Mario Balotelli has once again been omitted from Italy’s national squad but Southampton’s Graziano Pelle has received his first call-up.

The Liverpool forward was not named in Antonio Conte’s first squad at the end of August, although he was suspended for Italy’s opening Euro 2016 qualifying fixture against Norway after receiving two yellow cards during the World Cup.

Balotelli has struggled for form following his €20 million arrival from AC Milan in the summer and has found the net only once in seven appearances for Liverpool this term.

Pelle, a summer signing from Feyenoord, has scored five goals in eight games for the Saints and the 29-year-old has been rewarded with the chance to make his debut at senior level for his national side.

Italy are top of their qualifying group after beating Norway 2-0 and travel to Azerbaijan on October 10 before facing another away tie against Malta three days later.

Italy squad in full…

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Perin (Genoa), Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain)

Defenders: Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Darmian (Torino), De Sciglio (Milan), Ogbonna (Juventus), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Ranocchia (Inter), Rugani (Empoli),

Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Bonaventura (Milan), Candreva (Lazio), Florenzi (Roma), Marchisio (Juventus), Parolo (Lazio), Poli (Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Verratti (Paris Saint Germain)

Strikers: Destro (Roma), Giovinco (Juventus), Immobile (Borussia Dortmund), Osvaldo (Inter), Pellè (Southampton), Zaza (Sassuolo)

What are you waiting for? Sign up for UEFA’s European Qualifiers Fantasy Football and Predictor now.