Paul Merson explains why Liverpool fans should be ‘worried’ about Virgil van Dijk
Metro Sport ReporterFriday 29 Mar 2019 10:44 amShare this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messengerShare this with Share this article via emailShare this article via flipboardCopy link250Shares Liverpool and Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk (Picture: Getty)Paul Merson believes Liverpool fans should be a ‘little worried’ about Virgil van Dijk ahead of the Premier League run-in.With just six weeks left of the 2018-19 season, Liverpool find themselves two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, although City have a game in hand.Jurgen Klopp’s side face Tottenham this weekend, with City travel to west London to meet relelgation battlers Fulham.Van Dijk has been in superb form throughout the campaign but made an uncharacteristic error in the 2-1 victory over Fulham before the international break.ADVERTISEMENTMore: FootballRio Ferdinand urges Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop Manchester United starChelsea defender Fikayo Tomori reveals why he made U-turn over transfer deadline day moveMikel Arteta rates Thomas Partey’s chances of making his Arsenal debut vs Man CityAnd, playing for Netherlands this week, the centre back failed to prevent Serge Gnabry from scoring a fantastic goal as his team were downed 3-2 by Germany.AdvertisementAdvertisementMerson, speaking to Sky Sports, said: ‘We saw a little glimpse of the old Van Dijk while he was on international duty with the Netherlands.‘He’s removed that lackadaisical element of his game this season at Liverpool, but we saw it against Germany when he casually strolled over to Serge Gnabry, and he whipped the ball into the top corner.‘That has not been Van Dijk this season, he has defended properly week in, week out. Paul Merson explains why Liverpool fans should be ‘worried’ about Virgil van Dijk Comment Former Arsenal and England star Paul Merson (Picture: Getty)‘I would be a little worried if I was a Liverpool fan seeing that because you cannot afford to do that against Kane.‘It may be easy for Van Dijk all afternoon but he has to remain focused throughout, because it only takes a second for someone like Kane to punish you.’Asked to identify the key battle in Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Spurs, Arsenal hero Merson added: ‘There will be battles all over the place, but it has to be Van Dijk versus Kane.‘I watched Kane play against Montenegro and, at times, it was like England were playing with 10 men.More: FootballBruno Fernandes responds to Man Utd bust-up rumours with Ole Gunnar SolskjaerNew Manchester United signing Facundo Pellistri responds to Edinson Cavani praiseArsenal flop Denis Suarez delivers verdict on Thomas Partey and Lucas Torreira moves‘He was having a bad game and he does have bad games now and then, but he still popped up with a goal.‘The biggest compliment I can pay to Kane is that his confidence never wanes, he could be having the worst game but he’ll never shy away, he will keep on trying things and getting involved.‘The problem for Liverpool is that Van Dijk could have Kane in his pocket for 89 minutes and then, bang, Kane does something out of the ordinary.’While Liverpool can retain their position at the top of the table this weekend, Spurs will hope to bounce back after suffering a worrying dip in form before the international break.MORE: Eddie Hearn speaks out on potential Wladimir Klitschko comeback after £60m DAZN offer Advertisement Advertisement
The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) is working on a project which includes maintenance dredging of the Kherson seaport.The company on Friday, August 18, invited interested bidders via the ProZorro electronic procurement system to participate in the tender.Kherson seaport is located on the right bank of River Dnipro. The design depth of the port’s waters is 8.25 meters, but the declared draft is 7.6 meters.According to USPA, the estimated cost of dredging work is $1.75 million. The volume of soil to be removed from the bottom of the port’s waters is 152,000 cubic meters. The deadline for completing the work is three months.The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority expects both Ukrainian and foreign dredging companies to show interest and submit their offers by September 18.This is not the only project the company is working on, USPA is also preparing maintenance dredging of the ports of Reni (tenders have already been invited via the ProZorro procurement system), Odesa, Mariupol, and Berdiansk in 2017.In addition, maintenance dredging of the approach channel to the Mykolaiv seaport (the 13th tributary of the Dnieper-Bug Estuary) and the Kherson maritime channel will be performed.
Promoted ContentTop 10 Tiniest Phones Ever Made5 Of The World’s Most Unique Theme ParksThe Very Last Bitcoin Will Be Mined Around 2140. Read MoreEverything You Need To Know About Asteroid Armageddon8 Superfoods For Growing Hair Back And Stimulating Its Growth9 Facts You Should Know Before Getting A TattooThe Best Cars Of All Time2020 Tattoo Trends: Here’s What You’ll See This Year10 Risky Jobs Some Women DoPlaying Games For Hours Can Do This To Your Body6 Incredibly Strange Facts About HurricanesWhat Is A Black Hole In Simple Terms? Read Also: Rivaldo: Messi right to challenge AbidalRonaldo has been in blistering form this season for the Old Lady, with the ex-Real Madrid ace chipping in with 23 goals in 28 games in all competitions.He made history in the recent 2-1 defeat against Verona, as he became the first player to score in ten consecutive Serie A games.But he was reportedly left fuming after the shock loss, with it claimed that Ronaldo ignored fans and refused to take selfies after the match.FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail分享 The 35-year-old uploaded the clip on social media, which showed his performing sit-ups while balancing on an exercise ball with his child, 2, sitting on his lap. The video has incredibly been watched over 22 million times by people on Instagram since the five-time Ballon d’Or posted it on Monday evening.Captioning the clip, he simply stated: “No excuses.”During the short video, Ronaldo’s other daughter Eva can be seen walking around the room, while her brother Mateo watches on.Fans were loving his cute training regime, as one commented: “Love that father and daughter bond.”Another added: “Daddy’s little girl.”A third simply stated: “Family goals.”One then claimed: “That’s why you are the best in the world.”It’s not the first time that Ronaldo has incorporated his children into training, with the forward doing press-ups with his son Cristiano Jr back in 2015.
Loading… Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo has left fans cooing after the Portuguese legend shared a video of him training at home with his daughter Alana.Advertisement
Josh Gilman, William Gould, Jordan Grabouski, Richie Gustin, Michael Hale, Jeff Hoegh, Scott Hogan, Bobby Hogge IV, Darrell Hughes II, Jason Hughes, Bricen James, Justin Kay, Billy Kendall, Eddie Kirchoff, Brekken Kleinschmidt and Oliver Kollofski. William Gould won Grayson County Speedway’s Busby Memorial and Justin Dunn was a weekly winner at Perris Auto Speedway. Ricky Alvarado was the opening night winner in the Wild West Tour at Aztec Speedway and Danny Wagner topped the Donnie Tilford Tribute at Placerville Speedway. VINTON, Iowa – Six more IMCA Modified drivers have put their names on the ballot for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. Johnny Whitman aced the “Red” race of 141 Speedway’s Red, White and Blue troika and Brendon Gemmill led the way to the checkers at Dodge City Raceway Park’s Modified Stampede. Brandon Conkwright, Curtis Cook, Brian Cross, Jon DeBenedetti, Nick DeCarlo, Colin Deming, Jesse Dennis, Zane DeVilbiss, Shane DeVolder, Myron DeYoung, Zach Dockter, Justin Dunn, Scott Foreman, Jaden Fryer and Brendon Gemmill. Dennis LaVeine, Tyler Limoges, Ryan McDaniel, Josh McGaha, Hunter Marriott, Rich Michael Jr., Trevor Miller, Clay Money, Bob Moore, Rodney Morgan, Jason Noll, Guy Norton, Kyle Olberding, Jake O’Neil and Toby Patchen. Tyler Peterson, Joey Price, Clint Reichenbach, Ryan Roath, James Roete, Anthony Roth, Joel Rust, Ryan Ruter, Cory Sample, Robby Sawyer, Johnny Scott, Marlyn Seidler, D.J. Shannon, Kelly Shryock and James Slawson. Barring crazy wet weather in the next four weeks, the All-Star ballot will see an influx of candidates as nearly 30 qualifying events are on the schedule through mid-June. Jeffrey Abbey, Chris Abelson, Jeff Aikey, Ricky Alvarado, Drew Armstrong, Casey Arneson, Chaz Baca, Jerry Bailey, Eric Barnes, Brandon Beckendorf, Eddie Belec, Tanner Black, Steven Bowers Jr., Brad Calhoun and Cayden Carter. Drivers already vote eligible winning qualifiers were Jordan Grabouski, Zane DeVilbiss and Ricky Thornton Jr. The list of Fast Shafts All-Star candidates now includes: Rob Slott, Brad Smith, Kelly Smith, Alex Stanford, Andy Strait, Kyle Strickler, Chris Swenson, Ricky Thornton Jr., Shadren Turner, Dominic Ursetta, Danny Wagner, A.J. Ward, Tim Ward, Johnny Whitman, Jason Wolla and Marcus Yarie.
Published on January 25, 2011 at 12:00 pm Comments Unprompted by any question, Jim Boeheim took time out of his postgame press conference to make something clear.Boeheim felt the need to remind everyone that his Syracuse basketball program lost three great players from last season’s squad. And that although this year’s Orange has four veterans who are left to shoulder the load, they haven’t done so on a consistent basis. That those four — Rick Jackson, Kris Joseph, Scoop Jardine and Brandon Triche — left a lot to be desired Tuesday.‘Not good college players,’ Boeheim said, referring to last year’s star trio of Wes Johnson, Andy Rautins and Arinze Onuaku. ‘Great college players.‘Scoop and Ricky and Kris and Brandon, they have not played like they did earlier in the year. We’ve got to get them playing better.’And just about anything would have been better than Tuesday’s performance, which led to the worst home loss for Syracuse in more than a decade. Seton Hall’s veteran starters came into the Carrier Dome and got the better of the No. 9 team in the nation, just 17 days after the Orange won at SHU.AdvertisementThis is placeholder textAlthough all four key players for SU finished the game in double figures scoring-wise, they failed to guide Syracuse out of its recent losing streak.‘At the end of the day, it’s on us, the leaders, the veterans on this team, to make a difference,’ Joseph said. ‘We knew coming in that this is what we would have to do.’Syracuse is in the midst of a three-game tailspin after one of the best starts to a season in school history. Throughout an eight-minute press conference after the game, Boeheim kept returning to one theme: the play of his four veterans. It’s those four, Boeheim said, who need to lead SU out of its current funk.‘For us to win, we have to be balanced,’ Boeheim said. ‘For us to have balance, Brandon and Scoop have to play to the level that they played earlier in the year. Those guys are crucial for us.’Against the Pirates Tuesday, the quartet did what it could. Jackson finished with a double-double and an impressive six blocked shots. Joseph finished with a team-high 17 points, and Jardine and Triche each chipped in 11 points apiece. Yet it still wasn’t enough.Inefficiency on both sides of the ball sunk the Orange against a team it was heavily favored to beat.Boeheim said it wasn’t the defense — which allowed SHU to knock down its first seven shots of the game — that worried him. Early on, it was the Orange’s offensive cohesiveness. In each half, Syracuse struggled to get on the board. With four players averaging double figures, that’s something that shouldn’t happen. Especially at home against an unranked team.The 34 percent shooting mark from the field in the first half from the veteran group coincided with a 13-point halftime advantage for Seton Hall. Joseph scored 16 of his points in the second half, but that was after the Pirates jumped out to a 50-30 lead. The damage had already been done.‘We can’t come out slow,’ Triche said. ‘If we have to come from behind, we’re going to spend too much energy, and we’re probably going to run out of gas toward the end of the game. … Our starters have to play better earlier.’It’s not a concept the Orange has failed to embrace. The leaders of this year’s Syracuse team know it’s on them to return to the form that allowed SU to reel off 18 consecutive wins to start the season. Boeheim knows the four veterans on this year’s team have it in them. This is the same Syracuse team that was ranked No. 3 in the nation just a week ago.But 21 games into the season, the head coach is still reminiscent of the veteran leadership of last year’s team. Leadership that, in SU’s past three games, has been lacking.‘The teams that are winning have upperclass players, every one of them,’ Boeheim said. ‘Every one of them has four or five upperclass veteran players. Our four veteran players have got us to where we are, with a little bit of assistance some games.‘Those four guys have to be there every night. They have to be there every night for us.’aljohn@syr.edu
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“More good heads are better than a few. As stakeholders of the game, sports journalists have a responsibility to serve as watchdogs and also to make recommendations that will steer the ship of Nigeria sports to better shores.”NFF President Amaju Pinnick congratulated Sirawoo on his election, and pledged that the present NFF administration will work together with the new SWAN executive council and listen to its advice and suggestions from time to time.With Sirawoo on the visit were SWAN secretary general, Mr. Olawale Alabi, Chairman of FCT chapter, Mr. Kayode Adeniyi and some other members of the executive council.Share this:FacebookRedditTwitterPrintPinterestEmailWhatsAppSkypeLinkedInTumblrPocketTelegram Newly-elected President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Honour Sirawoo, yesterday pledged that the rank and file of the association will give ample support to the present NFF administration to return Nigeria football to glory days.Speaking during a visit to the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, where he met with NFF President Amaju Pinnick and other members of the NFF Board, Sirawoo assured that his leadership would ensure that sports journalists in the country observe the fine ethics of the profession in their daily practice.“In truth, there are several challenges facing football, nay sports in our country today. Yet, the times call for constructive criticisms and for putting heads together to come up with workable solutions that can drive us to new heights.
Police in the Eastern Caribbean island of Barbados are reporting a major breakthrough in their investigations into the murder of 49-year-old British businessman Steven Weare, who was reported missing last month.Lawmen have also confirmed that the body of a British man, which was discovered in a remote area at Melverton, St George on Friday, September 1, was Weare’s.The British car salesman, from Kirkham in Lancashire, was last seen alive in Burger King’s car park at University Drive, Black Rock, St Michael on August 23.The director of Fylde Motor Company, who was reportedly staying at Newcastle Plantation House in St John at the time, visited the island, popularly called ‘Little England’, regularly.As a result of the gruesome discovery of his body, police in the island have arrested and charged 35-year-old Sunil Decourcey Brome of #7, Alamanda Drive, West Terrace, St James; 30-year-old Keino Nakito Griffith of Pounders Gap, Westbury Road, St Michael; 26-year-old Christopher Darnley Michael Clarke of Oughterson, St Philip; 26-year-old Torio Akiro Watson of Block 6D, Field Road, Wildey, St Michael and 27-year-old Basil Alphonso Branch of Morris Gap, Westbury Road, St Michael.
28-year old Church is presently recovering from a long-term hip trouble and is a free agent after leaving Dutch side Roda JC. He has already turned down an offer from Scottish Premier League (SPL) side Hibernian. RelatedBig Blow! Real Madrid Star Out Of World Cup QualifiersOctober 3, 2017In “Europe”Coleman Names 23-Man Squad For Upcoming World Cup QualifiersSeptember 28, 2017In “World Cup”Senior Welsh Players Urge Their Manager To Stay After World Cup HeartbreakOctober 10, 2017In “FIFA” Injured Welsh striker Simon Church has revealed that the team can prove doubters wrong again after being written off due to the injury to star man Gareth Bale.Real Madrid forward Bale dealt Wales a huge blow earlier in the week after he was ruled out of their final two World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and the Republic of Ireland with a calf strain.Wales are second in Group D and need at least four points from the aforementioned two games to keep their Russia 2018 hopes alive but the loss of Bale to injury has dampened expectations.Speaking about the crucial games ahead, Church said: “A lot of people will write us off now, but we’re used to that.”“Time and again we’ve proved people wrong, so it’s a great opportunity to do that again.“We’ve had a lot of injuries in the past campaign where someone has had to come in and fill a role and they have done.” he added.Wales face Georgia in Tblisi on Friday, October 6 before facing rivals Republic of Ireland in Cardiff three days later but worryingly for the team, they have not won a qualifier without Bale since 2013 against Macedonia with Church scoring the winner. In addition, their last qualifying victory away from home was in 2009 against Azerbaijan.Speaking further, Church pointed out that the loss of Bale to injury is a big blow. He said: “It’s a big blow [Bale’s injury], everyone knows what he can do… but I’m sure that’ll create a good opportunity for someone to come in.”“Ben Woodburn has proved he can do that, there’s a lot of players have played in that position before.“We always knew we had quality in the team, other players right through the spine.“There’s Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey, Gareth – we’ve got a lot of Premier League experience.“Even on the bench and in reserve we’ve got players playing at a very good level.“We’ve got a good squad and the togetherness is why we’ve achieved so much.” he concluded. 
Source: Footy-ghana.com Ghana’s Black Queens, on Tuesday, eliminated Gabon 5-0 on aggregate to reach the third round of the Caf Women’s qualifiers to the 2020 Olympic Games.On the back of a 3-0 first-leg advantage from Libreville, skipper Portia Boakye and midfielder Juliet Acheampong scored in either half for coach Mercy Tagoe’s side to win the second leg 2-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium.Boakye, who scored in the first leg, broke the deadlock on 16 minutes before Acheampong’s strike from distance went past the Gabon goalkeeper in the 70th minute.Though the Queens could not produce an inspiring performance, they were good enough to go past Les Panthères.Ghana advance to face Kenya who eliminated Malawi 5-3 on aggregate also in a second round qualifying tie.The Black Queens will host the East Africans first in Accra on September 30 before travelling for the second leg in Nairobi scheduled for October 4.The African qualifiers to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will run through to the fifth and final round later in January 2020.Africa has 1.5 slots for the women’s football tournament next summer.
President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku, has revealed that his outfit is in constant touch with the Minister of Youth and Sports and the Embassy of Ghana in Ethiopia, working on evacuating 21 stranded Ghanaian footballers in Ethiopia.On Tuesday, a viral video emerged of Ghanaian players pleading on the government to help get them home following the cancellation of the Ethiopian Premier League season due to the coronavirus pandemic.According to one member of the team, former Black Stars defender Lee Addy, the Embassy in Ethiopia is demanding $2000 from them before they are put on a cargo plane to Ghana.“We have made contact with the Ghanaian embassy here and the only thing they are telling us is that we should pay two thousand dollars so that they can put us in a cargo plane.They say unless we do that there is nothing that can be done about our situation,” he explained.But it appears help could soon be on the way with the GFA President writing on facebook:“Ethiopia update:“We now know that 21 Ghanaian footballers are currently in Ethiopia wanting to come home. Hon Issac Kwame Asiamah is in touch with the ministry of foreign affairs. Soon, this too shall pass.”Ghanaian footballers in Ethiopia appealing to Ghana Gov’t to evacuate them to Accra.Lee Addy, Muntari Tagoe etc pic.twitter.com/opCBKWyf8l— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) June 23, 2020Backgroundhe players have been stuck in Ethiopia for close to two months following the decision of the Ethiopian football federation to cancel 2019/2020 league season on May 5, 2020.Aside Lee Addy, the other players faced with the crisis include Muntari Tagoe, Yakubu Mohammed, Abdul Latif Mohammed, Fuseini Nuhu, Alhassan Nuhu, Rahim Osumanu, Aaron Amoah, Edwin Frimpong Manso, Osei Mawuli among a host of others.In a video that has since gone viral Muntari Tagoe passionately outlined their current status.“We beg the government, we are footballers and now our season has been cancelled.“Our teams have sorted us out and we have also squandered all the money with have for food and rent.“On the 30th our rent will also expire.“We have our own return tickets, we are not asking anyone to do anything extraordinary for us.“We beg the officials to come to our aid to rescue us because after our resident permit expires that will further complicate the situation.” he stated.According to the players other countries are evacuating their citizens and want the Ghanaian government to do same for them.
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