Liverpool midfielder Lucas believes he is finally rediscovering his best form after a succession of injury problems.
The Brazilian matured into a key figure at Anfield following the departures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, but saw his campaign cut short last season by an anterior cruciate ligament injury picked up in December 2011.
His return was further hampered by a torn thigh muscle in August, but since returning to the side in December he has been ever-present, and now he believes the stellar performances of old are returning.
I am not there yet but I feel I am getting very close to my best level, Lucas told the Daily Mail.
It feels like a good time again. I was sure if I worked hard, I could make it happen. I’m very happy it …
Liverpool expect to be without Diogo Jota for between six to eight weeks, Jurgen Klopp has announced.
Jota sustained a knee injury during Liverpool s Champions League draw with Midtjylland on Wednesday.
Early reports from Portugal suggested the 24-year-old, who has scored nine goals for Liverpool across all competitions this season, would be out for around two months.
Klopp revealed on Sunday that the ex-Wolves attacker could be absent for around that duration – dealing the Premier League champions another blow ahead of a hectic festive schedule.
The Reds have arrived
— Liverpool FC (@LFC)
Liverpool manager Klopp told Sky Sports the club had fears at one stage there could be a long-term injury absence for Jota.
It s wors…
Zlatan Ibrahimovic can play for another five years and then change the world despite wasting two years in MLS, according to Mino Raiola.
Ibrahimovic is now 39 but still performing at the highest level, leading Milan to the top of Serie A this season in his second spell with the club.
The former Sweden striker has 10 league goals in 2020-21 a tally only matched by Cristiano Ronaldo and has scored with 28.6 per cent of his 35 shots.
Indeed, of players to net multiple times in Serie A this term, Ibrahimovic has struck more regularly than anyone else, once every 53 minutes.
That eye-catching statistic is in part due to a hamstring injury that has limited the veteran to six appearances one fewer than Ronaldo although he returned to training on Mond…
Jamie Vardy is happy for Leicester City to be considered underdogs once again ahead of the 2016-17 season.
A sensational campaign ended with Leicester, who narrowly escaped relegation a year prior, claiming a first top-flight title with a 10-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal in May.
Despite being defending champions and having retained Vardy s services with a new contract, Claudio Ranieri s team are not expected to repeat the feat.
However, the England international believes Leicester can continue to flourish under such circumstances and, with a first Champions League campaign approaching, expects them to continue growing.
Vardy told reporters: I feel the club is still going up. It s like one of those fairground rides, the volcano ones where you …
Gus Poyet has spoken for the first time since he was sacked as Sunderland head coach by declaring his pride at the part he played in the club s miracle battle to avoid Premier League relegation last season.
Poyet was dismissed on Monday, leaving Sunderland again embroiled in a battle to safeguard their top-flight status, with Dick Advocaat replacing him at the Stadium of Light initially until the end of the campaign.
That Sunderland are still a Premier League club at all is down to Poyet inspiring a late upturn last term that included wins at Chelsea and Manchester United and a 2-2 draw at Manchester City to haul themselves out of the mire.
It remains an achievement that the Uruguayan – who also steered Sunderland to the 2014 League Cup final – holds i…
Scotland assistant coach John Carver admits getting another win over Spain would be all the sweeter given the “disrespectful” comments some of their opponents made in the wake of their Hampden defeat.
Carver was “agitated” by criticism from the likes of Manchester City midfielder Rodri after Scotland beat Spain 2-0 in March.
But the former Newcastle interim manager believes his players will not be distracted by the issue ahead of Thursday’s return fixture in Seville, in which Scotland can qualify for Euro 2024.
Spain captain Rodri claimed the way Scotland played was “rubbish” as he accused them of wasting time, provoking his team-mates and falling over, while debutant David Garcia argued the Hampden grass was too long.
Carver said: “I have…
Everton midfielder Seamus Coleman insisted he is ready to challenge for a regular first-team spot after impressing in the League Cup.
The 23-year-old played a key role in Everton s Premier League campaign in 2010-11, helping them finish seventh and earning a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination.
Coleman was blighted by injuries last season, but now feels fully fit and able to stake his place in David Moyes plans again, after impressing in Everton s 5-0 dismantling of Leyton Orient at Goodison Park.
He told Everton s official website: It is going to be hard to break into the team this season as we have some quality players and everyone is playing well, but hopefully I can work hard, play well and reproduce that form I once showed.
My first season was …
Liverpool could have Nathaniel Clyne back for Saturday s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.
Clyne played in the Under-23 team s 3-1 loss to Middlesbrough last week, having missed the whole of the 2017-18 season to date with a back problem.
Klopp has confirmed the full-back is a very good option for the meeting at Selhurst Park against his old club.
One or two games more would be nice but the situation is like it is, the Reds boss told the club s official website. He has been back for a few weeks already but he has come closer and closer.
He will be part of the squad, at least. That s good for us.
It s ANOTHER Liverpool goal!
Four years ago today, the Reds put past Spurs
— Liver…
Real Madrid publicly highlighted the perceived injustice of multiple unsuccessful penalty shouts following their goalless Clasico draw against Barcelona on Wednesday.
Raphael Varane had two strong appeals turned down in the first half, the first for a high challenge from Barca defender Clement Lenglet at Camp Nou following a free-kick midweek.
Barca s Ivan Rakitic had grappled with the defender in the seconds before that incident and then tugged Varane s shirt when competing for a corner moments later in the LaLiga blockbuster showdown.
Referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez let play continue and neither incident was checked using the VAR pitchside monitor.
Sergio Ramos described them as pretty clear penalties and Madrid called attention to the two …
Italy international Emanuele Giaccherini would relish the chance to reunite with Antonio Conte at Chelsea, according to the player s agent.
The 31-year-old excelled for Italy in their run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, where they were beaten by Germany on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Giaccherini impressed during a loan spell with Bologna last season after falling out of favour with Premier League side Sunderland, for whom he has made just 11 appearances since the start of the 2014-15 campaign.
The midfielder s agent, Furio Valcareggi, says Torino have enquired about a potential deal, while Fiorentina and Bologna remain interested, but the prospect of joining Conte s revolution at Chelsea would be tough to turn down.
Do we have an agreement with the G…