Zlatan’s PSG retain League Cup

LONDON: Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspired holders Paris SaintGermain to the first of a potential four trophies this season with a 4-0 win over 10-men Bastia in the League Cup final on Saturday. In a repeat of the 1995 final, a first half brace by the Swedish star, completed by Edinson Cavani’s second half double, kept Ligue 1 leaders PSG in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple.

The win teed up Laurent Blanc’s side nicely for Wednesday’s visit to Barcelona in the Champions League quarter final first leg with Auxerre awaiting them in next month’s French Cup final. “It’s our first title, it was our aim. We are very happy,” club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi told France 2 television.

RODGERS BACKS

IN-FORM COUTINHO LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that Philippe Coutinho’s “outstanding” recent performances mean he is rightly being considered as a candidate for the Premier League’s end-of-season prizes.

“He’s a young player that’s come into country and adapted incredibly well to the style of football in the Premier League,” said Rodgers. “He’s very strong in his mind, he’s got an incredible technique.”

After keeping their eyes on the prize in the FA Cup, Liverpool resume their fading pursuit of a place in the Premier League’s top four on Monday when they welcome Newcastle United to Anfield.

TV TIMINGS: Liverpool v

Newcastle United, Star Sports 4 & HD4, 12:30am (Tuesday)