Liverpool Whip Barcelona 4-0 At Wembley

Sadio Mane, Divock Origi, Marko Grujic and a Javier Mascherano own goal saw Liverpool thrash Barcelona in a pre-season friendly at Wembley.

Mane scored for the first time in a Reds shirt and Origi grabbed an assist and a goal in the space of a minute, but Sturridge and James Milner gave Klopp a potential headache before the big Premier League kick-off. There are once again question marks over Sturridge’s fitness ahead of next week’s opener at Arsenal after the England striker missed out with what the club explained was a slight hip injury.

Nevertheless, the Anfield boss would have been hugely encouraged by his side’s display against Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and others. Suarez was facing his old club for the first time since moving to the Spanish giants having scored 82 goals in 133 appearances during three-and-a-half memorable years with the Reds. 

The Uruguayan was cheered by Liverpool’s fans and hugged his former team-mates, while the convivial atmosphere at the International Champions Cup friendly was also evident on the touchline where Klopp and opposite number Luis Enrique chatted warmly.

Klopp took in much of the action perched on an icebox, while Enrique, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, could hardly have been more casual. Mane, Liverpool’s £34million summer signing from Southampton, looked eager to impress and got off the mark thanks to a slick move after 15 minutes. Adam Lallana stole the ball from Munir on the halfway line and surged forward, playing a neat one-two with Roberto Firmino before setting up Mane to slot home.

Suarez and Messi almost combined to grab an equaliser but the latter’s finish from his strike partner’s flick cannoned back off the far post. Milner then denied Arda Turan with a last-ditch tackle and Simon Mignolet spread himself to keep out a trademark Suarez volley. After Milner had been withdrawn, Klopp introduced Jordan Henderson, Origi and Kevin Stewart at the break, and their impact was instant.

Just a minute had gone when Origi darted down the right and crossed for Henderson, who bundled the ball home with the help of former Red Javier Mascherano, who got the final touch for an own goal. And 60 seconds later Stewart, who began last season on loan with Swindon, robbed none other than Spain star Sergio Busquets before playing in Origi to roll home number three.

Meanwhile, another substitute, Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic, grabbed a superb fourth with a looping header in stoppage time to cap a commanding Liverpool display.

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Ahmed Musa scores twice as Leicester City fall to Barcelona (Watch Goal)

Barcelona have defeated Leicester City 4-2 at the Friends Arena in a thrilling friendly contest to keep alive their hopes of winning the International Champions Cup.

The Foxes trailed by three goals midway through in Stockholm, but were soon back in it when Ahmed Musa came off the bench to score twice and put the opposition under real pressure.

Barca did well to wrest back control of the match late on and put the game beyond doubt, though, meaning two wins from two in the competition ahead of their meeting with Liverpool on Saturday.

Leicester's famous title success was largely built on their ability to quickly counter and punish teams, something Barcelona nearly fell victims to just three minutes in when Danny Drinkwater got on the ball.

The midfielder sprayed a pass out to Damarai Gray, but the youngster fluffed his lines when through one on one with Jordi Masip to the dismay of Jamie Vardy who was closing in alongside him.

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That came during an explosive start to the match, in which Denis Suarez saw his shot parried by Ron-Robert Zieler right into the path of namesake Luis, yet the Uruguayan was thwarted from close range by the covering Wes Morgan.Munir El Haddadi's first chance arrived 20 minutes in when slipped through down the left, only for his shot to lack the conviction required as it sailed high over the bar.

The youngster did get his name on the score sheet soon after, however, much like he did in the win over Celtic in Dublin last weekend, with Danny Simpson failing to cut out Lionel Messi's through-ball which allowed Munir to tuck the ball home.

Some quick interplay between Suarez and Munir should have ended with the ex-Liverpool man bagging a second, but Zieler was this time quick out to deny his opponent.

Leicester struggled five minutes later when Suarez took down Messi's lofted ball and eased his way into a shooting position; putting the ball through Robert Huth's legs and brushing aside youngster Ben Chilwell before flicking it past Zieler.

City enjoyed their best spell of the game in the minutes leading up to half time, as Huth so nearly slid in a free kick that dipped perfectly to him a few yards out, while Vardy and Andy King came close through headed attempts at the end of Chilwell crosses.

Barca, who only flew into Sweden this morning, looked to put the game out of reach when hitting their opponents on the counter through a Messi-led attack.

The ball was shifted out to Suarez on the left, and with one look forward he was able to lift the ball over the Leicester backline into the feet of Munir, who took one touch to control the ball and another to slide past Zieler.

Claudio Ranieri used half time to make a raft of changes, having also used 18 players in the meeting with PSG last time out, and it took just three minutes for one of them to make a telling difference.

Former @PillarsFC forward, Ahmed Musa just scored for Leicester against Barcelona.
3-1*pic.twitter.com/D5lBI956aJ

— Bayo Psalm Adeoye (@BayoPsalm) August 3, 2016

Record signing Musa burst through on goal and made light work of Jeremy Mathieu, simply knocking the ball around his rival and calmly picking his spot to cut the deficit.

Ranieri's charges used that breakthrough as a platform to push on, nearly bagging a second through another half-time sub in Jeffrey Schlupp, who saw his shot well kept out.

The Premier League champions did have a second with a little under 25 minutes to go, however, when Musa powered the ball into the roof of the net after Schlupp won possession high up on the right.

Musa was proving a real danger, refusing to give up any lost ball and nearly being rewarded once again when tripped by Javier Mascherano - back in training for just one day after cutting his holiday short - inside the area.

There was to be no penalty on that occasion, and Barca nearly used that as their own springboard when Sergio Busquets fired a shot on target for Zieler to push wide with his fingertips.

Any hopes the Foxes had of an impressive scalp came to an end five minutes from time, after a cross from the left was converted by youngster Rafa Mujica to seal the win for the Catalan giants.

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FC Barcelona opens Academy in Lagos

The Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu, on Tuesday said the government would ensure the smooth operation of FC Barcelona Academy in Nigeria by supporting its plans for youths.

Tinubu made the promise at the unveiling of the academy, named “FCBESCOLA’’, which is to be sited temporarily at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

He said that football, one of the cardinal programmes the government wanted to use to encourage youth engagement in the economy would continue to get the desired attention.
“Gov. Ambode made a promise at the inception of his administration that sports will be part of his drive towards a vibrant economy in Lagos State.

“The state wants to use sports and entertainment to put itself on the world map; through youth engagement and economic prospects; not
only the youth but also the entire citizenry.

“The FC Barcelona Academy in Lagos is the first of its kind in Africa and this tells us that when people talk about football in Lagos they
are talking about Barcelona.

“The club as one of the biggest brands in modern day football will open its first football academy in Africa in Lagos and every child in
the state will learn about their values,’’ he said.
Tinubu declared that he would personally fund the training of 10 children in the academy as part of his support.

Speaking, Seyi Akinwunmi, Ist Vice-president, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said the birth of the academy was a fulfillment of
the prophesy made about five years ago.

“I predicted it about five years ago that Barcelona will come to Lagos to have a model of how to play good football and here we are to witness the fulfillment.

“I am happy that the academy is starting off from Lagos, football in Nigeria is back to its root and we will be having great ideas as a model.

On the vision, mission and the model which the academy will adopt in its operation, the academy’s Sport Director in Nigeria, Lesile Oghomienor, said it would be a world standard.

“We are planning to have a 7,000 capacity academy stadium with all the sports facilities such as gyms offices and training pitches.

“The academy will also admit children from ages six to 18 that are good for grassroots development. We hope to do that within the next
two years.

“We hope that in the next few years, products of our academy will win the U-17 World Cup for Nigeria.

The Project Manager for FC Barcelona in Europe and Africa Football Schools, Inaki Gonzallo, said the academy would adopt the same curriculum used to train the successful products of the academy in Nigeria.

“We have produced many world class footballers from our academy and we will use the same curriculum in the Nigerian academy.

“The academy has been successful in bringing up great footballers around the globe playing for big clubs, I hope Nigeria’s case is not
far from that,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FCBESCOLA will open on Sept. 17 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium as temporary site. (NAN)

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DONE DEAL: Barcelona Defender Daniel Alves Signs for Juventus

Juventus have announced on their ​official site the signing of Barcelona and Brazil right-back Daniel Alves on a two-year deal.

The transfer has been long on the horizon but has now finally been completed as of Monday afternoon. Alves signs for the Bianconeri on a two-year deal but also has the option of an additional year in Turin.

Dani Alves is definitely one of the best and most decorated defenders of the last decade, achieving a great deal of success with Barcelona. 

He is the second most successful player in UEFA competition history, and, according to most pundits, deserves to be known as not only a Barcelona legend, but also an all-time great. 

Alves enjoyed an eight year spell with Los Cules, and won an total of 23 major trophies, including six league titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies. The Brazilian international has been included in the La Liga Team of the Year once and featured in the FIFA World XI five times.

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Photo: Barcelona star Neymar pictured with Serena Williams

Barcelona star forward Neymar has taken full advantage of his free summer by jetting off to Las Vegas. 

Neymar was left out of Brazil's Copa America Centenario squad and took the opportunity to catch some sun to relax and recharge his batteries ahead of next season. 

During his trip the 24-year-old bumped into Serena Williams and posed for a picture with her, before the WTA world number one uploaded the image to Instagram with a caption 'Always be ready for summer. You never know when @neymarjr will show up'.

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Bellerin: I have no future plans to dump Arsenal

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin insists that he has no plans to leave the gunners this summer amid reported interest from Spanish champions Barcelona.   

Hector Bellerin has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers since breaking into the first team two seasons ago.   The Spain International has been linked with a return to boyhood club Barcelona in recent weeks following another solid season for the Gunners.   However. 

Hector Bellerin insists that he has no plans at all to quit Arsenal and says that he can see himself staying at The Emirates for many years to come.   Bellerin is quoted as saying by 

 “I am very happy at Arsenal. “I renewed last year and have many years left. I am very happy.   "In football you can always spend a lot, but I’m in the Arsenal, giving everything for the club.   “I do not think about going to anywhere else.”

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Arsenal Offer Bellerin New Contract to keep Barcelona away

Hector Bellerin has been offered a new contract at Arsenal, according to reports.

Bellerin, who has been linked with moves to Bayern Munich as well as a return to boyhood club Barcelona,  is one of Europe's most sought-after talents after an impressive two seasons with Arsenal.

Barcelona could be in the market for a new right-back, with Dani Alves being linked heavily with an exit from the Nou Camp, with Juventus supposedly interested, which would leave Aleix Vidal as Barca's only option at right-back.

He broke into the Arsenal team during the 2014-15 season due to injuries to Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and Nacho Monreal, and has since become the first choice right-back at the Emirates, becoming renowned for his impressive sprinting and dribbling ability.

And Arsenal are keen to ward off interest from Europe's biggest clubs by offering the young Spaniard a new improved deal, despite the 21-year-old signing a new contract in July last year. His latest deal expires in June 2019, but this latest extension could be worth around £80,000 a week, and is expected to be signed before pre-season.

Bellerin is currently training with Spain's Euro 2016 squad, after Dani Carvajal's injury in the Champions League final ruled him out of the summer's tournament, with Bellerin being called up as a replacement.

He impressed this season, being named in the PFA Team of the Year as Arsenal's sole representative, as the Gunners finished second in the Premier League. He made 36 appearances in the league this season, scoring once and creating five assists.

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Transfer Rumours: Manchester United wants Messi

Manchester United have approached Barcelona over the prospect of signing Lionel Messi.

That is the claim from the Daily Mail, which says United have contacted Barca twice in the last three weeks to explore the possibility of bringing the Argentina star to Old Trafford.

The paper claims any move would likely wait until next summer, by which time United hope to be back in the Champions League, when Messi has only a year remaining on his contract at the Nou Camp.

“Sources close to Messi refused to rule out of the possibility of a move.
They admitted to that the player is increasingly ‘frustrated and hurt’ by the media circus in Spain that has surrounded a legal case investigating his tax affairs.”

United have consistently chased the world’s biggest names over the last three years, with Gareth Bale, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo all pursued to no avail.

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Lionel Messi and his dad may face two year Jail term over tax evasion.

 In the dock: Lionel Messi sits in court with his father Jorge Horacio Messi

Lionel Messi insisted he had no knowledge of any attempts to avoid over €4 million in tax as he gave evidence in his and his father's trial over tax evasion.

Both Messi, 28, and his father, Jorge Horacio, declined to take questions from the state prosecutors but gave testimony in the court in Barcelona.

And the Argentina skipper, who is due in San Francisco for his nation's Copa America opener in just four days, stuck largely to the same defence that he had employed in his 2013 witness declaration as he spoke for around 12 minutes.

"I didn't know anything, all I know about is playing football and winning. I left it all to my Dad," he said, wearing a dark suit and tie."I only knew that sponsors would pay some amount of money, that I had to do adverts, photos and things like that."I never read anything... I would sign where [the lawyers] said."I signed [the adidas contract] when I was 18, I was in another world."

The FC Barcelona star and his father Jorge stand accused of defrauding Spain of over €4 million in taxes by using offshore companies in Uruguay and Belize to conceal image rights earnings in the period 2007-2009.

Tax authorities are asking that both serve nearly two years in jail for the offence, but the public prosecutor is only pursuing Messi Sr.

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Messi nets two assists in extra time, Barcelona wins Copa del Rey title

Ten-man Barcelona retained the King's Cup with a 2-0 victory over Sevilla to complete a domestic double thanks to extra-time goals by Jordi Alba and Neymar at the Vicente Calderon stadium on Sunday.

Luis Enrique's La Liga champions had Javier Mascherano sent off in the 36th minute but kept the score at 0-0 before Sevilla had Ever Banega dismissed in added time at the end of 90 minutes.

With both teams down to 10 men, Barcelona began to take control in the extra period and left back Alba burst down the wing to score in the 97th after a superb defence-splitting chip from Lionel Messi.

Sevilla were then reduced to nine players when defender Daniel Carrico was sent off for dissent late on and Neymar doubled Barcelona's lead after also being set up by Messi.

It was the 28th time Barca had won the trophy.

They had struggled after Mascherano's red card as Unai Emery's side, who won the Europa League for the third time in a row last week, piled on the pressure.

But Barca, who lost top scorer Luis Suarez to injury just before the hour mark, stubbornly refused to cave in and eventually came out on top in a tense, spiky encounter. 

"It has been really great. It was tough and we had to dig deep," said Barca captain Andres Iniesta. "It has been a magnificent season."

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Suarez claims Pichichi prize to end Messi-Ronaldo dominance

The Uruguay international has finished the season on 40 goals, five ahead of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, who claimed the prize last season.

Suarez is the first player to beat either Messi or Ronaldo to the award since compatriot Forlan in the 2008-2009 campaign.

He is also the third player to score 40 goals in a Liga season, with Messi and Ronaldo each achieving the feat three times.

"It's a unique moment to enjoy," he said. "I'm happy with everything.

"For the title, the goals, the happiness we've given to the fans."

Suarez added that he wanted to give thanks to all his team-mates for helping him score 53 goals in all competitions this season.

"Thanks to everyone because without them I couldn't have done it," Suarez said. "Without them, I wouldn't be in this situation.

"I only had to nudge the ball. They looked for me and I'm grateful for it, thanks to everyone once again."

Suarez is also set to claim the European Golden Shoe for the second time in his career, after he shared the award with Ronaldo in 2014.

Suarez and Barcelona now look ahead to next weekend's Copa Del Rey final against cup specialists Sevilla as they seek to win the double, but not without some La Liga celebrations first.

"Now we have to think about the cup, but today it's time to enjoy La Liga," the Uruguay international said.

"It's a competition we've worked for very hard over the year and in the end, we've got our reward."

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