Liverpool only got half the job done in their Champions League semi-final against Villarreal and must prepare for the worst against Unai Emery’s team in the second leg, manager Juergen Klopp says.
Liverpool have only got half the job done in their Champions League semi-final against Villarreal and the Premier League side must be prepared for the worst against Unai Emery’s team in the second leg, manager Juergen Klopp said on Monday (May 2).
Liverpool beat Villarreal 2-0 at Anfield and have won every away game in the competition this season, but Emery has an 84% success rate as a coach in European knockout ties since 2010.
“We didn’t win the games by sitting deep and counter-attacking,” Klopp told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s second leg in Spain.
“We tried to play as ourselves and we have to do that again. We have to be ready to suffer and sit back in moments, but not as a general approach.”
Liverpool have lost only once this year as they seek an unprecedented quadruple of trophies.
“We must’ve done something right in the last few months. The problem now is everything is perfect, then the next game we start on the wrong foot and all of a sudden the game is different,” Klopp said.
“We know we’re in a good moment. But… what do you do if you lose 2-0 away? Why should I think about the past?”
Klopp added that “maturity and experience” will be important but not decisive factors.
“They will try to play much more football than we allowed them in the first game,” he added.
“Unai will surely try to adapt a few things. It will be really interesting. Maturity is important but not the only thing.”
Klopp said forward Roberto Firmino has started running again after a foot injury but was still experiencing pain and will not play in the match.
Thailand will focus on excelling in Olympic disciplines at the 2021 Southeast Asian Games as there is a low chance of topping the total medals tally, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) said.
The 2021 Southeast Asian Games will held in Hanoi, Vietnam from May 12 to 23.
SAT governor Kongsak Yodmanee said on Monday that there were many factors that reduced Thailand’s chances of heading the medals table.
Kongsak said the biggest obstacle in preparing athletes for this edition of the SEA Games was the Covid-19 situation. As the competition was postponed from 2021 to the following year, sports associations and the SAT had tight schedules to prepare the athletes. However, the SAT said it had received support for every dimension, especially in sports science.
He said SEA Games is important for Thailand’s sports development because it is a competition of pride to which Thai fans attach high importance.
Kongsak assured that Thai athletes are 100 per cent ready and will travel to Vietnam in early May as some competitions will get under way before the opening ceremony, such as the men’s football team’s match against Malaysia on Saturday.
The SAT has set the target of bettering its performance at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, in which Thailand finished third with 92 gold medals, 103 silver, and 123 bronze.
Kongsak said the SEA Games should be seen as a stage to prepare young athletes for the Asian Games and Olympics in the future. He urged Thai fans to evaluate performances in Olympic disciplines while looking at the total medals tally.
Ralf Rangnick was frustrated that Manchester United saved one of their best performances until his final match in the Old Trafford dugout as Cristiano Ronaldo shone once again in the win against Brentford.
Played out to a backdrop of fan anger against the Glazer family, the final home game of a miserable season ended in a comfortable 3-0 victory against Thomas Frank’s Bees.
Bruno Fernandes, Ronaldo and Raphael Varane struck for United on a night Rangnick wished he could have enjoyed more often after succeeding Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the end of last year.
The interim manager’s inability to get a consistent tune out of the squad means they are set to miss out on Champions League qualification and he admitted he was disappointed that they did not play like that more often.
“I think tonight we probably showed one of our best performances in the last six months in possession of the ball,” Rangnick said.
“We were in control of the game in most parts. We still had a few gaps defensively but in general I was pleased with the performance we showed tonight.
“The season is not yet over, we have another two games to play away at Brighton and Crystal Palace.
“We have to divide (my time) into different parts. We had very good games, very good performance to start with and in-between, the home games against West Ham, Tottenham, away at Leeds.
“But what we lacked in general was just consistency. At times we had problems to score goals. We scored three today, we scored four against Leeds.
“To start with it was important to stabilise the team and help them to concede not that many goals, but what was lacking was consistency.
“We also lost quite a few important players. This also didn’t help us.
“Obviously I am not completely happy with those six months. I would have expected us to qualify for Champions League. This was the goal that we had but in the end we were just not consistent enough.”
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick with Manchester United
Old Trafford said farewell to Rangnick and midfielder Nemanja Matic on Monday, with Juan Mata and Edinson Cavani also featuring before their expected summer exits.
Rangnick admits he made a mistake in only handing Mata his first league start of the season on Monday – a night when fellow veteran Ronaldo shone in another man-of-the-match display.
The 37-year-old moved onto 18 league goals for the season and his future will be of keen interest this summer as Erik ten Hag prepares to take over.
“The way that he played again tonight, not only because he scored a goal, he also won the penalty, he also helped defensively tonight,” Rangnick said.
“So, why should he not be a player that could still be part of the squad and help the team?
“This is a question you have to ask Erik once he’s here and obviously it’s also important how Cristiano sees his role and his position.”
Brentford counterpart Frank left Old Trafford frustrated not to have done better against on song United.
“I am a bit disappointed because I think we could have performed even better, especially the first half,” he said.
“Actually I think we start fantastic, the first five minutes, then I felt United were more on top of the game without creating chance after chance.
“They had one top moment for the first goal so of course credit to them for that situation but we should have done better.
“They didn’t really create much but I know they were a bit on the ball first half.
“I felt that we lacked to be brave enough in the high pressure, we should be more aggressive and more cool on the ball. In spells we were too hectic.
“But OK, fair play to Man United. I think they hit a very high performance first half – some of their better performance that I have seen so far so they did well.
“Second half much more the Brentford team I want to see, much more front footed.
“We had momentum with chances and half chances and we were definitely on top and then we make a stupid mistake for the penalty, an unnecessary mistake and that of course killed the game off I would say.
“If you want to win here at Old Trafford, we can’t make a penalty and concede on a set piece.”
UEFA has banned Russia from the Women’s European Championship in July and from participating in qualifying for next year’s World Cup following the country’s invasion of Ukraine, European soccer’s governing body said on Monday
Portugal will replace Russia for the July 6-31 tournament in England, having lost to them in the qualifying play-offs, and will join the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland in Group C.
UEFA also ruled Russia’s bid to host the men’s Euros in 2028 and 2032 ineligible, which means Britain and Ireland’s joint bid to host Euro 2028 is rivalled only by Turkey, who also declared an interest in hosting the 2032 tournament.
Additionally, Russian clubs will not compete in UEFA’s Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League next season.
The winners of the Scottish Premiership will take the place of Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg in the 2022-23 Champions League group stage.
UEFA said in a statement its executive committee took the decisions to “ensure their smooth staging in a safe and secure environment for all those concerned”.
The statement also said Russia will not participate in the Nations League, which begins in June, and will be automatically relegated from their second-tier group.
UEFA and world governing body FIFA suspended Russian clubs and national teams from their competitions until further notice after the invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”.
As a result of the sanctions, German club RB Leipzig advanced to this season’s Europa League quarter-finals at the expense of Russian side Spartak Moscow after their last-16 clash was called off.
In March, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected a request from Russia’s football association (FUR) to freeze FIFA’s suspension, effectively ending its hopes of competing at the World Cup in Qatar, before the FUR withdrew its appeal.
Several national soccer associations announced they would not play against Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, including those of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic.
Teen prodigy Chanettee Wannsaen continued her domination on the Thailand TrustGolf Tour following a four-shot victory over the Sangchai Kaewcharoen in the final round of the Bt3 million Thailand Mixed hosted by TrustGolf at Rayong Green Valley Country Club on Sunday.
Despite an inconsistent play that led to four birdies against four bogeys, the 18-year-old girl, thanks to a nine-shot advantage at the start of the round, shot a final 71 and a total 15 under-par-269 to claim her third straight Thailand Mixed title this season.
“I was so proud of myself to win for the third time. It was quite a challenging day as I didn’t make as many putts as I would want to,” said Chanettee who has won five titles since January.
Her Thailand Mixed hat-trick win was achieved within a week after she celebrated her fourth crown of the year in the Thai LPGA Tour event at Laem Chabang International Country Club last Sunday. Prior to that, she won the first two Thailand Mixed series in Cha-Am, Hat Yai and the LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers in Pattaya.
As the current leader on the Thailand TrustGolf Tour Order of Merits, Chanettee and No 2 Arpichaya Yubol, as No 2, will earn their births into the TrustGolf Women’s Scottish Open scheduled between July 28-31 at the Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, Scotland. Chanette hopes to make the cut after failing to advance to the weekend rounds last year.
“The course is totally different from courses in Thailand. I really want to go back there to gain experience one more time and hopefully to make amends,” said Chanettee from Chiang Mai.
2021 Thailand PGA Tour No 1 Sangchai rallied from nine shots behind to reduce the gab to just three coming to the final hole. But it was to late for him to turn the situation around as he had to settle at second with a final 66 on 11 under-par-273.
Brilliant Chanettee Goes Wire-to-Wire to Win 3rd Thailand Mixed
“I was trying to give it a fight but Chanettee but she was too good. At least, I reached my goal by hitting under par in the final day,” said Sangchai after his best finish on the TrustGolf Tour.
Coming at lone third on 278 was 2021 All Thailand Golf Tour Rookie of the Year winner Denwit David Boriboonsub who carded a final 70.
Former champion Arpichaya signed off with a 71 on three under-par-281 to take the fifth position which propelled her to the second place on the Order of Merits standing, earning her a slot to the Scottish Open.
“It’s my goal to win that second ticket as Chanettee already secured the first one. I’m excited to play at the Dundonald Links. I must be well prepared for a link course. I need to practise how to hit the ball straight and play under strong winds,” she said.
Manchester City maintained a one-point Premier League lead over Liverpool with four games to go after seeing off Leeds 4-0 on Saturday as Norwich were relegated after a 2-0 loss at Aston Villa.
Earlier, Liverpool had moved to the top of the table with a 1-0 win at Newcastle thanks to Naby Keita’s first-half goal.
Both the title contenders each made five changes with tricky away trips sandwiched between both legs of their Champions League semi-finals.
City boss Pep Guardiola could afford the luxury of not even calling on Kevin De Bruyne as the champions kept the fate of the title race in their own hands.
Rodri headed home Phil Foden’s free-kick on 13 minutes to settle any City nerves.
Nathan Ake then turned home Ruben Dias’ knockdown as the visitors struck again from a set piece early in the second-half.
Gabriel Jesus kept his fine scoring form going with a thumping finish 12 minutes from time before Fernandinho rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.
“It’s not about the pressure – it’s simple,” said Guardiola.
“We have to win all our games to be champions. If we don’t, Liverpool will be champions.”
Liverpool’s top scorer Mohamed Salah, Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold were among those rested by Jurgen Klopp from the start.
But they still had far too much for one of the form sides in the league.
The decisive moment came in the 19th minute when, with the home side appealing in vain for a free-kick, Jordan Henderson and Diogo Jota combined to feed Keita, who stepped inside before dispatching the ball past the helpless Martin Dubravka.
The Reds could have made life easier for themselves but Sadio Mane and Jota squandered chances and they survived a late scare when Alisson Becker saved from Bruno Guimaraes.
Klopp said he was delighted with his players’ ability to produce a winning performance after so many changes as they chase sporting immortality in an unprecedented quadruple.
“I thought it was a top-class game in extremely difficult circumstances,” said Klopp, who had voiced his anger at being handed a lunchtime kick-off just three days after facing Villarreal.
“That’s why I’m really happy. You want to win football games and in the best case you deserve to win. We did today 100 percent against a team in great form in a great atmosphere.”
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates with Luis Diaz after the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
– Burnley bounce continues –
Norwich are heading back to the Championship after just one season in the top flight after goals from Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings sealed their fate on manager Dean Smith’s return to Villa Park.
“I’m disappointed with our result,” said Canaries captain Grant Hanley. “It is probably fair, we haven’t been good enough this season.”
Burnley’s turnaround to beat Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road sealed the Canaries fate.
The Clarets looked to be heading towards the trap door when they sacked long-serving boss Sean Dyche two weeks ago but have taken 10 points from a possible 12 since.
James Tarkowski’s early own goal gave the visitors an uphill task but late goals from Jack Cork and Josh Brownhill turned the match on his head.
“Credit to the boys, the staff, everybody — we have rallied each other and we want to be in this division,” said Brownhill. “We are hard-working and we deserve to be in this division.”
The result means Watford are all but doomed while 18th-placed Everton, who host Chelsea on Sunday, are in desperate trouble — five points from safety and facing playing outside the English top-flight next season for the first time since 1954.
Brighton hammered Wolves 3-0 and Crystal Palace beat Southampton 2-1.
Soccer agent Mino Raiola has died at the age of 54 in an Italian hospital after battling illness, his family said in a statement on Saturday (April 30).
Born in Italy, Raiola grew up in the Netherlands before becoming one of the most powerful soccer agents in the world, with clients including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Erling Haaland and Paul Pogba.
“In infinite sorrow, we share the passing of the most caring and amazing football agent that ever was,” the statement published on Raiola’s official Twitter account read.
“Mino fought until the end with the same strength he put on negotiation tables to defend our players. As usual, Mino made us proud and never realised it.
“Mino touched so many lives through his work and wrote a new chapter in the history of modern football. His presence will forever be missed.”
One of the biggest deals overseen by Raiola was Pogba’s return to Manchester United from Juventus for a then world record fee of 89 millions pounds in 2016.
Promising teen Chanettee Wannasaen remained on course for her third straight Thailand Mixed hosted by TrustGolf title after she established a convincing nine-shot lead during the third round actions at Rayong Green Valley Country Club on Saturday.
While the rest of the field were struggling at the tricky layout, the 18-year-old made it look so easy to shoot scores as she fired eight birdies with one bogey on the 15th hole for a third round 64 and 15 under-par-198. She left a daunting task for Parinda Phokan and Sangchai Kaewchaoren, each with 207, to catch up with her in the Sunday’s final.
“I hit the approach shots close to the pins and made several easy birdies at the front nine. But the back nine is still a challenge for me,” said Chanettee who crafted six birdies before the turn.
With a huge lead going into the final round, the red-hot teenager stands a great chance at winning three successive Thailand Mixed series which will make her the first player to win three times on the Tour. Currently, she and Prom Meesawat are the only multiple Thailand Mixed winners, each with two wins.
“I will try to stay at the present, not thinking too much about the outcome. If I’m not focused with my game plan, I may commit errors I shouldn’t have like I did in the second round. I will stick to the same routine and play carefully. I expect the pin positions will be tougher in the final round,” Chanette added.
Parinda, who started the day by following Chanettee just one stroke, proved less accurate with her putting game. Two bogeys, one double bogey on the 15th hole against three birdies saw her finish with a 72 on six under-par-207.
“I was out of my rhythm and struggled to hit the greens in regulation. I need to fix my approach shots and hope to raise my game in the final round,” said the 2017 Thai LPGA Tour No 1.
2021 Thailand PGA Tour Order of Merits’ winner Sangchai was one of a few players who enjoyed a bogey free round. He carded four birdies for a 67.
Young gun Denwit David Boriboonsub fell a stroke behind on five under-par-208.
With four birdies against a bogey for a 68, former champion Arpichaya Yubol followed by one stroke on 209. She must finish ahead of Trichat Cheenglab ( on a total 214) on Sunday to earn one of the two slots into the Women’s Scottish Open. The other slot has already been secured by Chanettee as the current leader on the Thailand TrustGolf Tour Order of Merits.
Fans can watch live coverage of the third Thailand Mixed either on AIS Play APP and TrustGolf Facebook and Youtube.
The Thailand Mixed is organised by TrustGolf, an indoor training center with advanced technology. It is supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, the National Sports Development Fund, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Bangkok Bank, B.Grimm Company, Bond Holdings, AISPLAY, Bridgestone, Trust Pharmacy, Trust Live Streaming, Adidas Golf, the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration and Rayong Green Valley Country Club in Rayong.
Precocious teenager Chanettee Wannasaen recovered from a double bogey to shoot a second round 69 and lead the midway stage of the Bt3 million Thailand Mixed hosted by TrustGolf at Rayong Green Valley Country Club on Friday.
The winner of four events in 2022 committed a double bogey on the 12th hole by teeing to the woods before raising her level to fire three straight birdies from holes No 3-5 to settle with a 69. Her two-day total was at eight under-par-134, one shot ahead of Parinda Phokun.
“I didn’t play as well as I did in the first round. The flag positions are trickier, and I didn’t hit to ball to the positions I would want to. I hit several good chip shots to the greens but the ball rolled way back to the fringe,” said Chanettee who just turned 18 a fortnight ago.
Once again, she will enter the weekend rounds in the penultimate group. Thus far this season, she has accumulated four crowns: the two previous Thailand Mixed series in Cha-Am and Hat Yai, the LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers in Pattaya and the Thai LPGA Tour event in Chonburi last Sunday.
“I don’t want to set my expectation too high this week. I just want to keep improving each day. The course sets up tough especially the pin positions. I must be extra careful on Saturday,” Chanettee added.
Parinda, who has 7 trophies on the Thai LPGA Tour in her cabinet, endured a roller-coaster day before settling with a 67. She produced a brilliant form to shoot five out of her eight birdies at the front nine only to commit a double bogey on the 11th hole and back-to-back bogeys on the 14th – 15th holes.
“I played unbelievably well at the front but I lost my momentum at the back especially on the 14th and 15th holes which are tough,” said the 25-year-old who is seeking her first victory of the season.
“On Saturday, I have to be more consistent with my chipping and putting game. I also have to be more prudent on the 14th and 15th holes. If I hit to the wrong spots, I will be in trouble,” added the 2017 Thai LPGA Tour No 1.
Pannapa Polnamin, with a second round 69, sat three strokes back on a total 137.
Following two shots behind were up-and-coming Denwit David Boriboonsub, the only man in the top five, who carded a 68 and Princess Superal who hit a 66, both with a total 138.
Only nine players hit under par after two days. The other four were Sangchai Kaewcharoen, two under, and Chaiyapond Ouitragoon, Kusuma Meechai and inaugural champion Arpichaya Yubol, each with one under and a total 141.
A total of 72 players made the cut at 10 over-par-152.
Fans can watch live coverage of the third Thailand Mixed either on AIS Play APP and TrustGolf Facebook and Youtube.
The Thailand Mixed is organised by TrustGolf, an indoor training center with advanced technology. It is supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, the National Sports Development Fund, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Bangkok Bank, B.Grimm Company, Bond Holdings, AISPLAY, Bridgestone, Trust Pharmacy, Trust Live Streaming, Adidas Golf, the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration and Rayong Green Valley Country Club in Rayong.
Thai golfer Thaworn Wiratchant won two consecutive tournaments after he won the second tournament of the Thai Senior Tour 2022 on Friday.
The NSDF-Thai Senior Panorama Open was held at Panorama Golf And Country Club in Nakhon Ratchasima from April 27 to 29.
Thaworn won the tournament with an eleven-under-par 205. He also won a trophy and prize money of 120,000 baht,
Thaworn said that he was glad to win two consecutive tournaments. He won the previous tournament NFDF-Thai Senior Alpine Open which was held at Alpine Golf Resort in Chiang Mai from March 21 to 25.
He said he had no pressure as the course is great. However, he mentioned that greens and other senior golfers were tough.
Meanwhile, Prayad Marksaeng was the runner-up with a four-under-par 68. He received prize money of 80,000 baht.
Moreover, the Thai Senior Professional Golf Association gave 20,000 baht to Ban Nong Han School in Nakhon Ratchasima to build a library.
Brilliant Chanettee Goes Wire-to-Wire to Win 3rd Thailand Mixed
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates with Luis Diaz after the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
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