SPORTS

Belgium international has defended his previous record at Anfield and insists he remains focused on a season-long loan stint in the Bundesliga.

Manchester United duo Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have shared an attacking role on the left this season, but Ryan Giggs hopes to see them in the same team more often.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has confirmed his commitment to Spain following the controversy generated by his vocal support for the referendum on Catalan independence.

Xabi Alonso says Gerrard has all the skills required to become a Liverpool manager of the future as he begins his coaching career in the academy.

Roger Federer will kick off his 2018 season by partnering Belinda Bencic at the Hopman Cup in January in Perth.

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is set to decide on Friday if Romelu Lukaku will play against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo this weekend.

Reading midfielder Dave Edwards believes Woodburn is "cut from the same cloth" as injured Real Madrid forward and will relish potential opportunity.

Barcelona are expected to step up the pursuit of Leon Goretzka in January with Schalke keen on selling in order to avoid losing him for nothing in the summer.

Former Germany defender Christoph Metzelder believes that Klopp is a "top man-manager" and could make the complex power relationship "work wonderfully".

Valencia youngster Ferran Torres has a release clause of just €8m with Barcelona and Real Madrid ready to pay up for the youngster likened to Spain sensation Marco Asensio.

Liverpool failed in their attempts to sign Southampton captain Virgil van Dijk this summer but also looked into signing Davinson Sanchez and Kalidou Koulibaly.

PSG were interested in signing Alexandre Lacazette this summer, but the striker chose to join Arsenal in the Premier League.

United have won all and drawn only once thus far in the league this season.

Bale, 28, has been ruled out for a month after picking up a calf injury in Real's Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund.

Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren will miss Croatia's crucial World Cup qualifier against Finland on Friday due to separate back and achillies injuries.

Romelu Lukaku has already scored 10 goals this season.

Hamilton questioned Vettel's decision-making after he crashed into Stroll after the chequered flag dropped at the Malaysian GP.

Barcelona have not given up on signing Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool with the Brazil international being still keen on a move to the Nou Camp.

Everton and West Ham are keeping tabs on Theo Walcott who has played only 46 minutes of Premier League football this season.

Batshuayi, 24, has only made one start in the Premier League for the Blues this season and is yet to score.

Real Madrid are plotting a £177m move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane as president Florentino Perez looks to overhaul the club's frontline.

Stuart Pearce claims Liverpool will sign Virgil van Dijk in January or next summer. The Southampton defender was heavily linked with Jurgen Klopp's side in the last transfer window.

England's all-rounder was arrested last month after being involved in a brawl outside a nightclub in Bristol.

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata will undergo further tests this week to determine the severity of the hamstring he suffered during the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Nadal can extend his 1960-points lead at the top of the world rankings over Federer by reaching the latter stages of the China Open.

Aguero has scored eight goals in seven games across all competitions for City and looks likely to miss at least seven matches.

Pogba is expected to be sidelined until later in the year, but Fellaini has proved an able deputy in the Frenchman's absence.

The Reds are undefeated against the last season's top six and Gerrard remains confident that Liverpool can bounce back.

Gerrard believes clinical Spurs frontman is the in-form player in world football right now and a "perfect role model and ambassador for the game".