PEP TO UNLEASH FODEN
WEST HAM have made a move to sign Austrian international right-back Stefan Lainer from RB Salzburg when the transfer window opens next month.
The Hammers are keen to bolster their defence and want to get a jump on Italian outfit Napoli, who are also interested in signing the 26-year-old. Lainer has been a key player for Salzburg, helping them reach the Europa League semi-finals last season.
TVisitors as classy as Manchester City and Roma were among the helpless victims last season when Jurgen Klopp’s team powered to the final of the Champions League.
Liverpool need another such powerful occasion this week in their final group match against Napoli; on a night when the permutations surrounding qualification or exit would test the finest mathematicians.
But if one rival manager, more than any other, is best placed to resist the Anfield magic, it is surely
Napoli’s veteran boss
Carlo Ancelotti. He has a long history with
Liverpool, winner and loser against them in the Champions League finals of 2007 and 2005 with AC Milan, and a victor at the ground in 2010 as he led Chelsea to a Premier League crown. Napoli won the home match 1-0 in this group against Klopp’s team, and it prompted acclaim for the manager who has also worked for PSG, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
“The preparation of the game was perfect, Ancelotti did a masterpiece,” said former England boss Fabio Capello, struck by the decision to use three at the back and play through Liverpool’s pressing tactics.
Another Italian football legend, Andrea Pirlo had a similar verdict, saying: “Ancelotti won the game for Napoli with his tactics. He deserves the praise.”
Klopp admitted his team were not “smart or calm enough” in that MANCHESTER CITY are set to unleash Phil Foden as they look to progress in the Champions League as group F winners this week.
Pep Guardiola’s men need just a point against bottom side Hoffenheim at the Etihad on Wednesday night to finish top.
And Guardiola will give Foden only his third start of what was expected to be a breakthrough season.