FOOTBALL UPDATE

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain credited a second-half "rampage" from Liverpool with ending Manchester City's unbeaten run in the Premier League. The former Arsenal midfielder set in motion a thrilling 4-3 win for Jurgen Klopp's men, who responded to Leroy Sane's equaliser five minutes before half-time by putting City to the sword after the break. Roberto Firmino caught out John Stones to get on the end of Oxlade-Chamberlain's throughball and dink a finish past Ederson, the first of three goals in a dizzying nine-minute spell, with Sadio Mane and the excellent Mohamed Salah also getting in on the act. It meant a first loss in 23 Premier League outings for Pep Guardiola's side this term, whose heads cleared in the closing stages as substitute Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan set up a grandstand finish. "It's a nice statement for us. They've been brilliant all year, they’re a fantastic side," said Oxlade-Chamberlain, who felt Liverpool t...

After spending considerably less money in recruiting players, several clubs opt to sell prized assets in order to earn a handsome profit.  Here are the 10 biggest mark-ups in European football.  10) Everton (2017) - ROMELU LUKAKU - Mark up: £40m Chelsea – Everton £28m (2014), Everton – Manchester United £75m (2017) 9) Juventus (2001) - ZINEDINE ZIDANE - Mark up: £45m Bordeaux – Juventus £3m (1996), Juventus – Real Madrid £48m (2001)   8) Liverpool (2014) - LUIS SUAREZ - Mark up: £52.2m  Ajax – Liverpool £22.8m (2011), Liverpool – Barcelona £75m (2014)   7) Southampton (2018) - VIRGIL VAN DIJK - Mark up: £62m Celtic – Southampton £13m (2015), Southampton – Liverpool £75m (2018) 6) Manchester United (2009) - CRISTIANO RONALDO - Mark-up: £63m  Sporting Lisbon – Manchester United £17m (2003), Manchester United – Real Madrid £80m (2009) 5) Tottenham (2013) - GARETH BALE - Mark-up: £76m Southampton – ...

Barcelona players welcome Philippe coutinho to the team. Coutinho expressed his gratitude to the club on social networks: "A dream comes true, thanks Barcelona. I can't wait to start our journey together." Luis Suarez on his Twitter account: "Welcome friend, how nice it is to share a dressing room with you again, a lot of achievements await us in this new era, we will achieve them together." Coutinho with Bartomeu Iniesta on Twitter: "Welcome Coutinho! A pleasure to have you at Barcelona!" Coutinho with Paulinho Bezerra Coutinho with Cillessen

Coutinho's first full day as a Barcelona player included a welcome message from former Liverpool team-mate Suarez.  Luis Suarez has vowed to help Philippe Coutinho achieve his dreams following his transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona. The Brazil star finalised his move to Camp Nou on Monday, signing a five-and-a-half-year contract after a reported fee of €160million was agreed between the clubs. Suarez, who played alongside Coutinho at Anfield until he joined Barca in 2014, is looking forward to great success alongside his new team-mate. Writing on Twitter alongside a picture with Coutinho, Suarez said: "Welcome my friend, how nice [it] is to share [a] team with you again. "Lots of success in this new stage [sic], we will achieve them all together!" Coutinho had earlier met Gerard Pique and Paulinho on his first full day at the club.

Barcelona presented new signing Philippe Coutinho to their fans on the pitch at Camp Nou on Monday. Philippe Coutinho thanked Barcelona fans for their warm welcome as he was presented on the pitch at Camp Nou on Monday. The Brazil international completed his move from Liverpool to Barca earlier in the day by undergoing a medical and signing a five-and-a-half-year contract. Coutinho then ventured out onto the playing surface for the first time and, despite the thigh injury that is set to keep him out for three weeks, performed kick-ups to the delight of the thousands of fans in attendance.  "I'm happy to be here because of the history of the club and the players that have played here through history," he said. I want to thank everybody for the great welcome, especially on social media. "I hope to be able to play soon and live up to the high expectations."  Coutinho, who will address the media later on Monday, has reportedly cost Barca a club-record...

Barcelona and Liverpool are close to sealing the transfer of Philippe Coutinho having agreed on a fee for the Brazilian. Philippe Coutinho's dream of joining La Liga giants Barcelona is about to be realised after the fee and payment schedules were agreed between the two clubs. The Catalans were planning to fly the Brazilian out on Saturday for a medical examination to be completed on Monday, which is why Coutinho didn't join the rest of the Liverpool squad on their trip to Dubai.  As soon as the deal worth £145 million is concluded, Coutinho will travel to Spain to meet up with his new teammates, becoming the second-most expensive signing of all time.  Liverpool bought Coutinho for £8.5m from Inter Milan in 2013 and are set to make a handsome profit when the transfer is officially announced in the coming hours.

The Barcelona are preparing a fourth offer for the Liverpool midfielder and are ready to smash the British transfer record to get the deal done this month.  The 25 year old wants to seal his dream move to Spain before the transfer window closes and Barcelona are willing to pull out all the stops to make it happen after three failed bids in the summer. But Kop boss Jurgen Klopp has no fears about his players being distracted by the Coutinho circus ahead of tonight’s Merseyside derby. Klopp refused to be drawn on the future of the Brazilian – who will miss the Cup clash with a thigh injury – but insists the team will not lose focus in their FA Cup third round clash against Everton at Anfield.  He said: “Sometimes they are in the middle of the story and sometimes they are sat next to the guy in the dressing room who is in the middle of the story. “These young boys are used to this from a really early age and are used to ignoring things around them. If they are smart e...

Liverpool Former defender Jamie Carragher has urged Philippe Coutinho to stay at Anfield until the end of the season. Carragher gave his advice on the potential transfer of Coutinho from Liverpool to Barcelona on Twitter. On Tuesday that the Reds' playmaker has played his last game for the club, according to Spanish media reports, but it will take a British transfer record to sign him.  Carragher said: 'Best thing is agree the BIG fee for Coutinho to go in the summer like we’ve done with Keita, not now. 'What do the club gain by doing it now? Top 4 & CL progression seriously risked if they sell in Jan, & difficult to replace him now. 'If he goes on strike he damages himself.' Gary Neville mocked Carragher's thoughts on the Coutinho saga referring to them as 'a lovely story'. He then tweeted his Sky Sports colleague with Lisbon-based journalist Marcus Alves' tweet and added 'Strike / Strike / Strike!!' with a crying laught...

Philippe Coutinho finally completing his desired move to Barcelona but Ernesto Valverde has given nothing away in the week the transfer window opens.  Reports in England suggest that Liverpool may be ready to open negotiations for the Brazilian and consider a club record deal."[Coutinho] is a player for another team," noted Valverde at his pre-Copa del Rey press conference. "He is a great player, of course. "I don't know what will happen, but I like mine much more."One player who will be pulling on the Blaugrana jersey in January is Ousmane Dembele, who Valverde declared fit before considering the future of the winger's countryman, Samuel Umtiti."Having a player like Ousmane back is very positive for us," added the coach. "He got injured just as he was adapting to the team, so let's see if he can help us. He is ready to play."[Umtiti] is a great player and we hope he stays at Barcelona for many years."Celta Vigo a...

Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah are doubts for Liverpool's FA Cup tie with Everton on Friday after missing the Premier League win at Burnley. The attacking pair were absent from the matchday squad at Turf Moor, where the Reds claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory in stoppage-time to secure a third successive win. And their respective minor thigh and groin injuries will need assessment ahead of the Merseyside derby, with both ‘at least a doubt’ as it stands. “Phil are Mo are injured, not massively but enough for today [to be] no chance. And [they are] a doubt, at least a doubt, for Everton,” said Jürgen Klopp.

Transfer window hours away from opening, Barcelona are set to return for Coutinho. Having failed to find common ground with Liverpool in recent weeks, one final bid is in store to wear down the Premier League outfit.  Klopp has repeatedly insisted the club has no plans to sell Philippe Coutinho, frustrating the Catalans giants. Much like the events that transpired in last summer's transfer saga, Barcelona have run into a brick wall when trying to negotiate for the Brazilian. At least one big signing is expected to arrive at the Camp Nou in January and Barca chief Josep Maria Bartomeu is ready to press the situation for a player that is fundamental in Liverpool's Champions League aspirations. As reported by Spanish daily 'MARCA', Barcelona want to go all in for Coutinho who, if the transfer eventually does follow through, would not be elegible to play in Europe. With the potentially record-breaking fee Barcelona have lined up, they would hope for a recruit th...