Liverpool FC beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0.

Manchester City suffer first league setback with home loss to Stoke City

Jamie Trecker

Stevan Jovetic's Manchester City failed to crack Stoke's defense at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Manchester City hit their first speedbump on Saturday in their quest to repeat as Premier League Champions, falling 1-0 to Stoke thanks to a goal from Mame Biram Diouf.

It was only manager Manuel Pellegrini’s second home league loss -- only Chelsea, last March, had managed to derail the Citizens at their Etihad fortress -- but the Potters, playing a gritty and at times expansive game, were a good cut above what looked a very jaded City side Saturday afternoon.

Normally free-scoring City looked leggy and lethargic, and were kept off the board for only the second time in 71 consecutive league games. Several tough tackles -- usually at the boots of Ryan Shawcross -- set the tone for the Potters early on and the Citizens were never really able to get into full flow.

Samir Nasri did force a fine save from Asmir Begovic midway through the first half, but the best chance for the home side came late when Aleksandar Kolarov laid off a ball for Yaya Toure that was crashed off the crossbar.

But Stoke were arguably the unluckier side. They were denied a clear penalty in the first half when Diouf was hacked down by Gael Clichy after rounding Kolarov. So when Diouf scored on a clean breakaway in the 58th minute following another wild bit of play at the opposite end, it did feel deserved.

Toure had forced Begovic into making a good parry and on the break, Diouf simply ran the length of the field, nutmegging both Fernandinho and Joe Hart to ruffle the back of the net. It was a classic breakway goal, and it would be enough as despite a late flurry from City, it was Stoke who always looked the more threatening.

Mascherano signs 4-year contract with Barcelona

Devang Desai @desaidevang 11:15 PM

Barcelona bolted up a vital piece to their guarding unit on Tuesday.

The club proclaimed Javier Mascherano marked a four-year get that will see him stay with the Catalan titans through June 2018.

Mascherano's arrangement incorporates an alternative for a fifth year and in addition a purchase out proviso of 100 million euros.

"I'm focused on this club until the last day of the agreement," Mascherano told correspondents. "I trust I can satisfy desires of the club"

"I'm truly euphoric to be in this extraordinary club and be some piece of a squad with such incredible players. We should trust things go truly well for us this season. We're anticipating this season after some troublesome times last campaign."

The Argentine international has shown up for Barcelona since joining the club in 2010 and was one of the champion entertainers at the World Cup in Brazil.

Manchester United, Real Madrid agree to fee of £59.7M for di Maria

We are just about there: As per BBC Sport, Manchester United and Genuine Madrid consented to a £59.7-million expense for Heavenly attendant di Maria, which is a British record.

All that is left is his physical, yet the club is relied upon to affirm the arrangement on Tuesday. As BBC reported, he may see his first activity against Burnley on Saturday.

Di Maria marked a five-year contract with the Red Devil after finishing his turn from Real Madrid.

"I am completely enchanted to be joining Manchester United," said di Maria in an authority club explanation.

"I have completely reveled in my time in Spain and there were a great deal of clubs intrigued by me, yet United is the main club that I would have left Real Madrid for."

Manchester United Louis Van Gaal plot why he brought the 26-year-old to Old Trafford.

"Blessed messenger is a world-class midfielder however in particular he is a cooperative person," said the veteran Dutch supervisor. "There is no questioning his colossal characteristic ability."

"He is an immensely quick and sharp left-footed player who places dread into the most finished guard. His spilling abilities and his capacity to tackle and beat adversaries are a delight to watch. He is a magnificent expansion to the group.

Ángel di María and the problem of Manchester United’s central midfield

Manchester United are looking to have the British record signing of Real Madrid winger Ángel Di María wrapped up by Tuesday evening. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA

After another dismal Manchester United performance against Sunderland on Sunday came a Louis van Gaal revelation regarding his desperation to solve the dearth of central midfield talent at the club. “Kagawa – I have tried to play him in that position in the US and he could not fulfil my wishes and my philosophy,” the manager said of an experiment with the Japanese on the summer tour. “We have spoken about that and he is more of a No10. Mata was playing at No10 [at Sunderland] and I thought I had to change the other players, which is why I chose to bring on Januzaj.”

Van Gaal thereby signalled that Shinji Kagawa’s United career may be in critical condition and also illustrating why Ángel di María may be a £60m red herring. The Argentinian is a fine footballer, a member of the elite band below Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but he is no chief conductor of central areas.

To audition Kagawa for the role shows, in one stroke, Van Gaal’s assessment of Tom Cleverley, Marouane Fellaini, Darren Fletcher, Anderson and Ander Herrera as a squadron, and illustrates where the manager feels he really should strengthen.

To compound this Fellaini, Herrera and Anderson, plus Jesse Lingard, the forward Van Gaal is forced to deploy further back, are all unavailable. Michael Carrick, another central midfielder, is also injured. This caused the use of Adnan Januzaj – a No10 or wide man – in the engine room when the Belgian entered the fray in the 63rd minute of Sunday’s 1-1 draw.

“It is not usual that we have four injuries in midfield,” Van Gaal said. “Every club that has that has a problem. That is why I played Januzaj in midfield because as a coach I want to win. I have said that we need creative passing and I thought Januzaj could provide that. That is the reason.

“It is because of creation. Kagawa can also create, but I asked Adnan to play there because of the lack of midfielders. When he played in Belgium, he played in midfield so I asked if he could do it for us. I said to him: ‘You are on the bench as a midfielder,’ because I want him to focus. He played there and you could see it’s not so many times that he’s played there. But he did his utmost and I cannot demand more.”

The United midfield problem is not new. Doctorates could – and maybe should – be written about how and why it is yet to be resolved. Van Gaal joins Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes as managers who, since Roy Keane and Paul Scholes faded and Owen Hargreaves suffered a career-hobbling injury, have found the problem a puzzle.

The word is that Di María, a wide player by instinct, could be moved inside though into the No10 position at present given to Juan Mata by Van Gaal. Yet even here doubt hovers. “At this moment, we have five No9s and four No10s and don’t have wingers to give us attacking width,” the Dutchman said a couple of weeks ago, before describing Di María as a winger of the “highest level”.

This suggests Van Gaal is not paying a British record fee for Di María to be a fifth No10. So where will he play? As a wing-back in the 3-5-2? If not then in a 4-3-3, maybe?

The conundrums keep coming. Van Gaal switched United from a traditional four-sentry defence to a three centre-back system to accommodate the attacking trident of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Mata. To tear this plan up after a summer-long bedding-in period and the season’s opening matches may confuse a squad Van Gaal is adamant requires three months to adjust to his methods, as the 63-year-old retrains them to use “brains” rather than instinct.

A glance at United’s competitors shows how all harbour midfield gold. Manchester City boast the A-lister Yaya Touré, plus Brazil’s World Cup player Fernandinho, as well as Fernando and Frank Lampard. The latter was a £12m summer bargain from Porto and precisely the ilk of midfielder United should be acquiring.

At Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers has a Premier League great, Steven Gerrard, supported by Jordan Henderson, Lucas Leiva, Adam Lallana and Joe Allen, plus the potential of Emre Can. Chelsea have two gun midfielders in Cesc Fábregas and Nemanja Matic, who are complemented by Ramires and Mikel John Obi. And how Van Gaal might like to choose from Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Santi Carzola, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini. Or even Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who Arsène Wenger believes will one day be a deep-lying maestro “very similar to Steven Gerrard”.

Against Sunderland Van Persie and Rooney were starved of chances. Even Phil Jones hinted at the lack of creation. “We were dominant in possession and created glimmers of chances, but never really carved them open like we would have liked,” he said. “We need to keep working on everything.”

The hope is that the closing week of the window will prove to be a particularly long time in the club’s transfer fortunes. Juventus’s Arturo Vidal, Milan’s Nigel de Jong and Ajax’s Daley Blind, who is also a defender, are on Van Gaal’s radar. Any of these trio’s signature would strengthen midfield and transform hopes.

United would arrive at 2 September having ended the summer by adding Luke Shaw, Herrera, Marcos Rojo, Di María (assuming that he arrives) plus AN Other midfielder.

The continual line of players offering post-match promises to improve next time could then end. “We dropped two points today,” Van Persie said post-Sunderland. “We were a bit too sloppy in possession, and in that sense we made it too hard for ourselves. We’ve played two games and only picked up one point. We would have loved to have got six points but it didn’t happen, so we have to bounce back.”

Confirmed: ‪#‎LFC‬ have today completed the signing of Italy international Mario Balotelli from AC Milan

Confirmed: ‪#‎LFC‬ have today completed the signing of Italy international Mario Balotelli from AC Milan. The 24-year-old has penned a long-term deal with #LFC and becomes the club’s ninth new recruit of the summer. For the full story, an exclusive interview with our new boy, a photo gallery from his first day at Melwood and much, much more, head over to www.liverpoolfc.com. ‪#‎MarioLFC‬

Transfer Gossip: Welbeck, Pogba, Borini, Balotelli, Eto'o

TRANSFER GOSSIP

England forward Danny Welbeck, 23, has been told he can leave Manchester United as Louis van Gaal continues to reshape his squad - and Tottenham are interested. (Times, subscription required) 

Former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o, 33, has had a medical at Liverpool and will sign a one-year deal. (Daily Mirror)  

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has not given up on signing Liverpool striker Fabio Borini, 23, and wants to bring two more players in on loan too. (Daily Express) 

Barcelona made a £48m bid for 26-year-old Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria, but it was instantly turned down by Real president Florentino Perez. (sport.es) 

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, 21, has turned his back on a return to Old Trafford by signing a new five-year deal with Italian giants Juventus. (Daily Star) 

Liverpool have told striker Mario Balotelli, 24, he will lose £2m a year if he misbehaves after he agreed to a significant pay cut to join the club from AC Milan. (Sun, subscription required) 

AC Milan are looking at six options to replace Mario Balotelli, including 26-year-old Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, Roberto Soldado, 29, of Tottenham and Chelsea's Fernando Torres, 30. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Olympiakos defender Kostas Manolas, 23, as Arsene Wenger looks for a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen, who has joined Barcelona. (Goal) 

Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, 27, will not move before the end of transfer window, despite Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Real Madrid showing interest. (Daily Mirror) 

AC Milan want Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel, 21, on a season-long loan. (Inside Futbol) 

Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid to win Spanish Super Cup

Mario Mandzukic scored his first goal for Atletico Madrid who overcame star-studded city rivals Real to win the Spanish Super Cup 2-1 on aggregate.

Atletico won 1-0 on the night, with the Croat firing in low from inside the area after just two minutes.

Raul Garcia also went close for the league champions, who had coach Diego Simeone sent off for patting the head of the fourth official.

James Rodriguez had Real's best chances with two shots that flew past the post.

The Colombia World Cup star, who scored in the first leg, also had an effort pushed away by keeper Miguel Angel Moya and headed wide.

The £71m signing from Monaco was one of Real's better performers inside the Vicente Calderon stadium, with Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema all disappointing. And Cristiano Ronaldo barely threatened when he came on in the second half.

As for Atletico, they resembled the battle-hardened side who won the title much more than the team that drew 1-1 against Real in Tuesday's first leg.

Their coach also picked up where he left off in the Champions League final by being sent to the stands by referee David Fernandez Borlaban.

Simeone was seen protesting that right-back Juanfran had not been allowed back onto the field quickly enough after receiving treatment for a facial injury before he patted the fourth official on the head, which led to his dismissal.

The match on the whole was a more entertaining affair and was given an early jolt when Croatia striker Mandzukic scored moments after the kick off.

Moya, who replaced Thibaut Courtois in the summer, launched the ball downfield which found its way to Antoine Griezmann. The France international, acquired from Real Sociedad during pre-season, found Mandzukic who ran in on goal and drove his shot past Iker Casillas.

Real looked for an quick response with Rodriguez leading the fight. The midfielder was first denied by Moya, before twice shooting wide and directing his header off target.

That was the sum of Real's best efforts on the night, with Ronaldo, who started on the bench because of a back injury, barely troubling Moya with a 25-yard strike.

Real also ended the night with 10 men when midfielder Luka Modric was shown a second yellow for clattering into Cristian Rodriguez in stoppage time.

Atletico came close to adding more, with Raul Garcia - arguably the man of the match - going close on three occasions, the best of which was a header that came off the bar.

Simeone, who spent much of the match marching back and forth in the stands, has now guided the Rojiblancos to Spanish league title, the Europa League, Copa del Rey and Uefa Super Cup during his three years in charge.

EPL clubs show interest in Jets: Tinkler

The EPL Top Category club possesses come about just as one buyer to the Newcastle Aircraft, the particular A-League franchise's seller Nathan Tinkler possesses discovered.

Tinkler, which introduced in Fri their goal to market the particular Aircraft, explained discussions together with EPL groups in relation to buying the particular Newcastle permit had been presented.

"We're talking to many (English) Top Category groups and Western football groups in relation to having included generally there and still have been recently for some time, inches Tinkler advised Sky Athletics R / c.

"I imagine those people talks have been taking in the history and Let me acquire those people came to the conclusion therefore hence we now have removed open public using the decision to market. inches

Tinkler states that Stansted City's $11 zillion takeover connected with Melbourne Coronary heart is definitely an title product which may become more popular amid A-League groups.

"I think (for) any individual the master of a good A-League club or maybe sustains a good A-League club, inches which is the potential, inches he / she explained.

"We've acquired a lot of football skill in this country and (overseas title is) the very best deal, I think.

"What this costs to run a good A-League club is actually merely a (player) exchange price for this option at the conclusion with the morning.

"If that will leave the particular Aircraft within a much better location by having an seller like this I think that's a get to the local community and all people included. inches

Aircraft leader Robbie Middleby said it had been business as regular to the sports division.

"Until the particular change connected with title is actually comprehensive, all of us will certainly always carry out each of our options throughout getting ready to the 2014-15 time of year, inches he / she explained in the record.

The particular Basketball Federation connected with Questionnaire (FFA) explained within a record in Fri many people continued to get beneficial talk using the Aircraft with regards to detailed matters.

"FFA is actually more comfortable with the particular Newcastle Jets' options to the Hyundai A-League 2014-15 time of year and further than, inches the particular record explained.

Tinkler's decision to be able to aspect corporation using the Aircraft uses he / she walked far from NRL club, the particular Newcastle Knights, throughout May perhaps.

What's more, it comes after Thursday's headline that she is actually giving up thoroughbred sporting with his Patinack Town assets being auctioned to be in some sort of reported $40 zillion credit card debt to be able to retail california king Gerry Harvey.

Tinkler's 560 thoroughbreds will go underneath the retracted after a dispersal purchase presented through Harvey's bloodstock corporation, Wonder Thousands, delayed the following month.

Mario Balotelli has told Sky Italia he is leaving Milan for Liverpool.

Breaking News - Liverpool have agreed a 16m deal for Striker Mario Balotelli... They had to replace an idiot, with an idiot....!!!

Sky sources learned on Thursday Liverpool had approached Milan about the former Manchester City striker just weeks after Brendan Rodgers denied making a move.

And Balotelli later said: "Today is my last day (at Milan). I am going to Liverpool."

Rodgers has made no secret of his wish to bring in a new forward following Luis Suarez's summer departure, but any chance of Balotelli coming appeared dead in the water earlier this summer.

Speaking on Liverpool's tour of the United States, Rodgers said: "I can categorically tell you Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool.

Rodgers was instead targeting Monaco's Radamel Falcao, but the Colombia striker's preference is a move to Real Madrid.

Balotelli's three seasons at City were blighted by trouble, on and off the field, although he did manage 30 goals for the club in all competitions.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has questioned whether Balotelli would be an automatic starter at Anfield.

“They definitely need a striker, there’s no doubt about that,” he told Sky Sports.

“At the moment they only have Daniel Sturridge and Rickie Lambert - it looks like Fabio Borini is going to move on - and you need strikers.

“Would he be the final piece of the jigsaw? Would he make the starting XI if everyone was fit and firing? Who knows?

“At the moment Daniel Sturridge has got 36 goals in 50 games for Liverpool and at this moment he is the main man up front.

“Would Brendan then accommodate another striker, whoever that may be, like he did with Luis Suarez?

“He has lots of options now, Brendan Rodgers, and I don’t think he will play the same team too often so they do need those options.” [LINK]

Marcos Rojo on a five-year contract with MU

Manchester United is delighted to announce the signing of defender Marcos Rojo on a five-year contract from Sporting Lisbon for a fee of €20 million, with Nani joining the Portuguese club on a season-long loan.

Liverpool beat Southampton 2-1 at first game in EPL

Confirmed #LFC team and substitutes to face Southampton today - kick-off 1.30pm BST. Come on, Reds!

FULL-TIME: A dramatic opening match of the season ends with the Reds taking all three points thanks to Daniel Sturridge's late winner. It has finished #LFC 2-1 #SFC at Anfield!

EPL: recurring nightmare last season, United fell at Old Trafford

Saturday, August 16, 2014 @ 10:00 PM

MANCHESTER: Manchester United seemed to have not forgotten the humiliation created last season when fall 1-2 to Swansea at home, Old Trafford in the opening match of the English Premier League (EPL), a short while ago.

After a brilliant pre-season campaign, led United new coach Louis van Gaal the first half ended 1-0 through Ki Sung-Yueng explosive opening goal in the 28th minute.

Even managed to equalize in the second half through captain, Wayne Rooney struck pretty on 52 minutes, but nothing that can be done when Swansea's second goal burst through Gylfi Sigurosson in the 72nd minute.

Swansea victory steered young manager, Garry Monk has created a history of the club from Welsh win first league match in United's sacred sites.

Moreover, the goal Sung-Yueng of South Korea has also created a new history by becoming the first Asian player to burst EPL season opener.

Result: Manchester United 1 Swansea 2

Goal: Manchester United (Wayne Rooney, M52)

Swansea (Ki Sung-Yueng M28, Gylfi Sigurosson, M72).

Cuadrado & Blind deals ON: Manchester United step up £60 million double bid

Manchester United are pressing ahead with talks to sign Fiorentina star Juan Cuadrado and Ajax defender Daley Blind as they step up their preparations for the new season.

Goal understands that United have been in contact for several weeks over a deal worth up to £35 million for Cuadrado and are confident of signing the winger, who starred for Colombia at the World Cup.

Louis Van Gaal is also desperate for defensive additions and has identified Blind as a versatile target who can play either at centre-back or left-back. The United manager knows the 24-year-old well from his time as Netherlands coach and is ready to spend between £17m and £20m to bring him to Old Trafford.

United are planning to play a 3-5-2 formation this season and Van Gaal has instructed the club to pursue Blind in addition to Sporting defender Marcos Rojo, who was named in the World Cup team of the tournament.

Goal understands the Old Trafford club made a move for the 24-year-old on Tuesday but a deal for Argentine, who has been disciplined by his club and will not play in his side’s season opener against Academia, is likely to be held up by issues concerning third-party ownership.

United, however, are hopeful of clinching the deal to provide Van Gaal with a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title.

Blind, meanwhile, who worked successfully under Van Gaal as part of the Dutch side that finished third at the World Cup, recently revealed his openness to the possibility of leaving Ajax this summer.

He said: “I am happy here in Amsterdam. But if there comes another club I will have to think about it and then we will see. I will think about my options. For now I will focus on Ajax and we will see what happens next week.”

Cuadrado, 26, has been strongly linked with Barcelona but United believe they have the financial firepower to outbid the Catalans for his signature, although they have so far been unwilling to offer more than £30m for the former Udinese man.

Van Gaal wants a top quality winger to support strikers Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney and will keep tabs on Real Madrid wide man Angel Di Maria after Paris Saint-Germain pulled out of a deal to sign the Argentine.

Cuadrado, however, is considered a more realistic option and the player has told Fiorentina of his desire to move to a leading European club this summer.

United missed out on a place in Europe following a disastrous season under David Moyes but believe they still have the profile and finances to attract big names to Old Trafford.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has insisted that money is no object for United this season and suggested that they can afford to break the world record of £86m paid by Real Madrid for Gareth Bale.

Van Gaal has taken his time to assess the squad - which he feels drastically underperformed last term - and is now urging United to sign reinforcements to a group of players he has continually described as “unbalanced”.

United have already spent £60m this summer on the transfers of Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera but are understood to have a transfer budget of around £150m.