Champions League: Lucas Moura finally reacts to Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, speaks on Pochettino

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Champions League: Lucas Moura finally reacts to Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, speaks on Pochettino

 

Tottenham Hotspur forward, Lucas Moura, has finally reacted to his side’s Champions League final 2-0 defeat to Liverpool over the weekend at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.

Moura stated that he respected Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino’s decision for benching him against Liverpool, adding that he was sad and very proud of his teammates despite the loss.

Pochettino opted to play Heung-min Son, Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen against the Reds as goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi ensured Jurgen Klopp’s side defeated Tottenham.

“I was very, very sad. It is normal, I wanted to win. I really thought it was possible,” Moura was quoted by Evening Standard as saying.

“I am sad but very proud of my teammates, my team. I think we had a wonderful season. It was not easy to reach the final.

“He [Pochettino] must choose a starting XI, I must respect it. Most importantly, I was ready to play. I was on the bench thinking about what I could do to help the team.

“When I entered, I tried to do the best but it was not possible. It is football; you have to respect the coach.”

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Champions League final: Michael Owen predicts Tottenham vs Liverpool

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Champions League final: Michael Owen predicts Tottenham vs Liverpool

 

Former Premier League star, Michael Owen has backed Liverpool to beat Tottenham Hotspur in tonight’s Champions League final in Madrid.

Owen, a former Liverpool star, believes it’s the Reds’ time to win the Europe top-flight competition having lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League final last year.

Liverpool reached the Champions League final after defeating Barcelona in the semi-final encounter played last month, while Mauricio Pochettino’s side dumped Ajax out of the competition.

Owen told BetVictor, “Liverpool have lost their last four Cup Finals, but I don’t think that will count a jot in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

“This Liverpool team have come of age. They probably weren’t quite ready in Kiev 12 months ago – but they are now. Let’s hope Spurs going forward have their own day in the sun. They, too, deserve it.

“Jurgen Klopp has lost two Champions League finals; his Borussia Dortmund side lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich at Wembley in 2013 and his Liverpool side lost 3-1 to a Gareth Bale inspired Real Madrid in the Ukraine 12 months ago.

“Forget third time lucky – this is the Reds’ time.”

Owen added, “Harry Kane reported earlier in the week that he is fit for the Final although I would expect Mauricio Pochettino to start his star striker on the bench in lieu of his lack of match fitness.

“That said, you could say the same thing about both teams who start in Madrid given it will be just shy of 20 days since the clubs played their last PL game of the season. Too long? I wonder although at least it is a level playing field on Saturday.”

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Tottenham vs Liverpool: Pochettino releases strong starting XI for Champions League final [Full list]

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Tottenham vs Liverpool: Pochettino releases strong starting XI for Champions League final [Full list]

Tottenham Hotspur have released a strong squad to tackle Liverpool in tonight’s Champions League final in Madrid.

According to Evening Standard, Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino, released a list of 11 players to start the match at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Tottenham reached the Champions League final after defeating Ajax in the semi-final encounter last month, while Jurgen Klopp’s side dumped Barcelona out of the competition.

Below is Tottenham’s starting XI against Liverpool:

Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Winks, Sissoko, Alli; Eriksen, Son, Kane.

The kick-off time for the match is 8pm.

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Champions League final: Danny Murphy predicts Tottenham vs Liverpool

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Champions League final: Danny Murphy predicts Tottenham vs Liverpool

 

Former Liverpool star, Danny Murphy has backed Jurgen Klopp’s side to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final this Saturday in Madrid.

Murphy believes Liverpool will be too strong for Spurs, adding that the Reds have been winning under a lot of pressure recently.

Liverpool reached the Champions League final after defeating Barcelona in the semi-final, while Tottenham dumped Ajax out of the competition.

Speaking on Champions League final, Murphy was quoted by Mirror UK as saying: “It will be a good game but overall, Liverpool will have too much for Tottenham.

“Liverpool have been winning under a lot of pressure recently and it becomes a habit. Also, last year’s defeat to Real Madrid will want to be put to bed.

“Once you have done one or two finals, it does get easier and that will be a plus for Liverpool.

“But always in football, one bit of brilliance from Tottenham or a silly tackle from Liverpool then things will change. In football, anything can happen.

“I am an ex-Liverpool and ex-Tottenham player, but I was brought up on Liverpool and I want them to win but if they do lose, then they have lost to the humblest of managers and a team that has not been built of millions of pounds. It is a win-win for me.”

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EPL: Golden Boot Race, Kane Warns Salah He Is Back To Reclaim His Spot

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EPL: Golden Boot Race, Kane Warns Salah He Is Back To Reclaim His Spot

Tottenham Hotspur striker, Harry Kane has warned Liverpool winger, Mohamed Salah, that he is back to claim his Golden Boot hat-trick.

Kane won the award for the last two seasons, but missed the last three weeks with a ligament injury. The England striker made his return on Sunday, in their 3-1 win at Chelsea.

In that time, Salah pulled five goals clear in the race to become the Premier League’s top scorer.

The Egyptian now has 29 top flight goals compared to Kane’s 24.

“Salah’s done fantastic, he’s a great great player. Yeah, it’s competition. I had the same last year.

“For me, I’ve got to focus on my own game and my own team, and we’ll see what happens come the end of the season.

“He’s obviously got a bit of a head start now, and we’ll see what happens. I can’t control what he does, so I’ve just got to make sure I prepare well for games and just be ready,” Kane said.

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EPL: Chelsea Boss, Conte Reveals Morata's State Ahead Of Tottenham Clash

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EPL: Chelsea Boss, Conte Reveals Morata's State Ahead Of Tottenham Clash

 

Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte says striker Alvaro Morata will play an important role in the final stretch of the English Premier League, EPL.

He also said Morata now has the chance to boost his call up for Spain’s squad for the World Cup this year.

Chelsea hosts Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Yeah

Morata scored the last of his 10 league goals in this campaign in December as Chelsea beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0.

The 25-year-old was left out of Julen Lopetegui’s Spain squad for last week’s international friendlies against Germany and Argentina, but Conte said Morata had used the time during his enforced break to raise the level of his game.

“He has been working very well, and he needed to work hard. Now he is really fit and is ready to have an important end to the season for Chelsea,” Reuters quoted Conte as saying on Thursday.

A win for fifth-placed Chelsea in Sunday’s London derby will take them to 59 points, two points behind Tottenham in fourth.

The defending champions are looking to overtake Mauricio Pochettino’s side and seal a top-four finish that will ensure Champions League action next season.

Chelsea are also in the semifinals of the FA Cup where they take on Southampton and Conte is aware of the need to ensure a strong finish to a difficult season.

“These are our targets. Sunday is an important game because if we win we go very close – otherwise we continue to stay not so close and with seven games to go it will be difficult to take a place in the Champions League.”

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could miss the game after picking up a hamstring injury on international duty with Belgium while defender David Luiz is still battling a knee injury.

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EPL: Chelsea Buys A New Player, Beats Tottenham On The Bid For Nunn

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EPL: Chelsea Buys A New Player, Beats Tottenham On The Bid For Nunn

Chelsea have beaten Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of Crewe Alexandra youngster, George Nunn.

The striker rejected a deal to stay with the League Two side.

Nunn, 16, had attracted interest from the Premier League’s elite after some promising performances in Crewe’s Under-16 side.

Chelsea officials have now snapped up the player.

Nunn scored more than 20 goals before being promoted to the U18 team and he scored a double from the bench on his debut for that outfit.

The 16-year-old has, however, not featured for Crewe’s first team.

Chelsea paid Crewe around £300,000 for the youngster.

The Sun, UK, reports that Nunn will continue his development at the Stamford Bridge.

Spurs had been sniffing around the forward but he snubbed a move to White Hart Lane.

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EPL: Chelsea Boss, Conte Provides Goalkeeper, Courtois Injury Update

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EPL: Chelsea Boss, Conte Provides Goalkeeper, Courtois Injury Update

Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte has provided updates on goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois’s injury.

Courtois last played for Chelsea in their 3-0 defeat against Barcelona in the Champions League.

The goalkeeper was absent from the Blue’s 2-1 FA Cup win at Leicester City last Sunday.

Speaking with BBC, Conte said “It will be difficult because Courtois is injured”.

He added: “He has a muscular problem”.

“And don’t forget Caballero has played every game in his absent and has played very well. I trust him”.

Courtois, who is still struggling with a hamstring injury, may miss out on Belgium’s international friendly game against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Chelsea will be hoping Courtois is fit to return to action against Tottenham next weekend.

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