Champions League final: Liverpool dealt pre-match blow as AZ Alkmaar snub friendly with Reds ahead of Tottenham clash

Liverpool’s hopes of playing a friendly before the Champions League final have been dashed, according to reports in the Netherlands.

Jurgen Klopp hoped to prepare for the June 1 showpiece in Madrid by keeping his playing squad fresh with a pre-match fixture against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

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However, Dutch sources say Alkmaar told Liverpool to ‘abandon’ the plans as much of their first-team squad will be on holiday, as they have no more football to play with their 2018/19 campaign ending earlier this week.

The Alkmaar players not sent on holiday will be representing their countries on the international stage, to further decimate the Eredivise outfit’s squad.

Liverpool wanted to play the friendly in Spain roughly a week before the final, the reports claim.

The Reds take on Tottenham at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano stadium in a bid to be crowned European champions for the sixth time.

Both clubs have criticised UEFA over the governing body’s decision to allocate just 16,613 tickets apiece for the showpiece fixture, despite Atleti’s ground holding almost 64,000 spectators.

Liverpool group Spirit of Shankly and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust have issued a statement asking commercial partners to gift tickets back to the clubs.

The statement read: “Spirit of Shankly and Tottenham Hotspur supporters’ Trust – the independent official fan groups of LFC and THFC – are calling on the main sponsors of the UEFA Champions League to return a proportion of the tickets they have received for the Champions League final to the pot for supporters of both clubs.

“We ask Nissan, Playstation, Gazprom, PepsiCo, Banco Santander, Mastercard, Heineken and Expedia Group to help redress the balance in the current unfair allocation that means fans of both competing clubs receive less than 25 per cent of available tickets.

“As major sponsors of the UEFA Champions League, your companies appreciate the passion and dedication of the fans who follow their teams and make every game a spectacle.

“But many of those fans who have followed their club throughout this season will miss out on the biggest game of all. As will thousands more loyal supporters.

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“SOS and THST believe such a gesture by the sponsors would help lift the occasion by increasing the number of passionate fans inside the stadium, and increase each brand’s standing on a global scale.

“We also ask that each sponsor lobbies UEFA to allocate tickets for future finals on a fairer, more equitable spilt that has supporters benefit.”

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However, Leeds will be without Bamford for the next two matches following his charge of 'successful deception of a match official' by the FA, after he appeared to feign being hit by Aston Villa's Anwar El Ghazi. The Villa man was sent off but has subsequently had the red card rescinded.

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Chelsea news: Andres Iniesta recalls stunning goal for Barcelona in 2009 Champions League semi-final

Chelsea will play Champions League football next season thanks to an emphatic win over Watford and the failure of both Manchester United and Arsenal to get three points.

The Blues, who are now third in the Premier League, will be back among Europe’s elite after a season competing in the Europa League where they are a match away from the final.

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While those inside Stamford Bridge were revelling in the good news, others outside were remembering the venue for their own reasons.

Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, now with Vissel Kobe in Japan, faced Chelsea numerous times in the Champions League and famously inflicted heartbreak upon them in 2009.

With the west London side on course for a second successive final appearance against Manchester United, thanks to a stunning Michael Essien strike, Iniesta scored with Barcelona’s first shot on target – in stoppage time – to send the LaLiga giants through on aggregate.

And on Monday, a decade on from that controversial night, the midfielder posted a message on Twitter to mark the occasion.

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“10 years after, without words. What a moment!!!” he wrote along with an image of him celebrating the goal.

That night, referee Tom Henning Ovrebo rejected a succession of penalty appeals, including a blatant handball by Gerard Pique, while Eric Abidal was sent off for the visitors and Didier Drogba launched a foul-mouthed rant at full-time.

Barcelona won the competition that season, beating United 2-0 in Rome, while Chelsea waited another three years before they got their hands on the elusive trophy, winning a penalty shoot-out against Bayern Munich in 2012.

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Monchi thanks Arsenal for interest, explains why he rejected Premier League move to rejoin Sevilla

Monchi has revealed he rejected advances from Arsenal to return ‘home’ to Spanish club Sevilla.

Sevilla confirmed the reappointment of Monchi as their general sporting director on Saturday two years after he left the club for Serie A side Roma.

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The 50-year-old was heavily linked with a move to the Gunners following head of recruitment Sven Mislintat’s departure in Feburary.

Spaniard Monchi, who left Roma earlier this month, claims he received interest from Arsenal but the project set out by Sevilla president Jose Castro Carmona convinced him to rejoin the club.

Monchi said: “I thank Arsenal for their interest.

“It has been the club that has shown the most interest in me but, in the end, I evaluated all of the offers I had on the table and I chose the one that convinced me most.

“I had other options, and very important ones that were flashier, but I’ve chosen Sevilla because its sporting project convinced me.

“I want to thank everyone that contributed to my return to what I consider to be my home.”

Monchi left Seville in April 2017 to end a 17-year period where the LaLiga side won 11 trophies, including three Europa League titles with current Gunners boss Unai Emery the Sevilla manager.

He added: “Many people outside of Seville have told me that I’ve made the wrong choice, that sequels are never good.

“I’ve evaluated all of this. I’m here not because I’m a Sevilla fan, not to save someone’s skin, but because in the conversations I’ve had with the club president and other club executives, they have transmitted to me an idea of what Sevilla’s future could be that coincides with what I believe Sevilla’s future should be.

“My idea is to help Sevilla grow. I want to build a Sevilla team that can fight among the best.”

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Monchi has confirmed Arsenal's interest in him before the sporting director returned to Sevilla. Standard Sports understands the Gunners were keen on recruiting the transfer guru, with Unai Emery
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Mochi explained that he did reject interest from the North London side, because the sporting project in Sevilla convinced him more. "I thank Arsenal for their interest, It has been the club that has shown the most interest in me but, in the end, I evaluated all of the offers I had on the table and I chose the one that convinced me most."
Monchi reveals why he rejected Arsenal sporting director

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Monchi thanks Arsenal for interest, explains why he rejected Premier League move to rejoin Sevilla. Monchi worked behind the scenes at Sevilla for 17 years before leaving for Roma
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Monchi thanks Arsenal for interest, explains why he rejected

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Monchi has revealed he rejected interest from Arsenal to return 'home' to Sevilla. The La Liga club confirmed the reappointment of the 50-year-old as their general sporting director on Saturday
Monchi says he rejected Arsenal interest for Sevilla 'project

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Monchi has revealed he rejected interest from Arsenal to return 'home' to Sevilla. The La Liga club confirmed the reappointment of the 50-year-old as their general sporting director on Saturday, two years after he left for Serie A side Roma.
Monchi speaks out after snubbing Arsenal to return 'home' to

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Monchi thanks Arsenal for interest, explains why he rejected Premier League move to rejoin Sevilla Written by: fpnews Posted on: March 18, 2019 Monchi has revealed he rejected advances from Arsenal to return 'home' to Spanish club Sevilla.
Monchi says he rejected Arsenal interest for Sevilla 'project

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EXCITING PROJECT Sevilla confirmed the reappointment of Monchi as their general sporting director, two years after he left for Roma which quashed any speculation he was heading to north London Monchi has revealed he rejected advances from Arsenal to return 'home' to Spanish club Sevilla.
Monchi thanks Arsenal for interest, explains why he rejected
hollywoodadviser.com/monchi-thanks-arsenal-for-interest-explains-why-he-rejected-premier-league-move-to-rejoin-sevilla/
Spaniard Monchi, who left Roma earlier this month, claims he received interest from Arsenal but the project set out by Sevilla president Jose Castro Carmona convinced him to rejoin the club. Monchi said: "I thank Arsenal for their interest. "It has been the club that has shown the most interest in me but, in the end, I evaluated all of the
Monchi thanks Arsenal for interest, explains why he rejected

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Monchi has revealed that he rejected a move to Arsenal in favour of a return 'home' to Sevilla. The Gunners were keen to bring the Spaniard to the Emirates to fill their vacant technical director
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Monchi sends message to Arsenal. Monchi was unveiled by Sevilla today after agreeing to return as sporting director. The Spaniard was wanted by Arsenal, but turned down an offer to rejoin the Andalusians. Speaking at his press conference, he said: I thank Arsenal for their interest.

Transfer news: James Rodriguez wanted in £36million deal by Chelsea and Manchester United as Real Madrid put him up for sale

Chelsea and Manchester United are both showing an interest in James Rodriguez after he was put up for sale by Real Madrid.

The Colombian would cost a reported £36million, with Zindine Zidane not keen on bringing the midfielder back to the Bernabeu following his two years on loan at Bayern Munich, according to Marca.

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Rodriguez, who won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup and signed for Real Madrid that same summer, has also fallen out of favour under Bayern boss Niko Kovac and while the club have first refusal on making the player a permanent signing, that seems unlikely to happen.

Former Bayern midfielder Stefan Effenberg believes the 27-year-old should seek a move elsewhere for the sake of his career.

James must recognize that the best thing is for him to leave Bayern Munich.

“He has to be playing and enjoying his football. Yet, he can’t do that if he is only allowed to play seven, ten, 12 or 15 minutes per game.”

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Transfer news: James Rodriguez wanted in £36million deal by Chelsea and Manchester United as Real Madrid put him up for sale Saturday, 4 May 2019 ( 1 week ago ) Chelsea and Manchester United are both showing an interest in James Rodriguez after he was put up for sale by Real Madrid.
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Liverpool transfer news: Bournemouth ‘want to sign’ Reds goalkeeper Simon Mignolet

Bournemouth reportedly want to sign goalkeeper Simon Mignolet from Liverpool during the transfer window.

Mignolet has fallen out of favour at Anfield following the signing of Alisson from Roma last summer.

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The Reds paid Roma £66.8million for the goalkeeper and he has gone on to feature in every Premier League game as they finished runners-up.

He also won the Golden Glove award for keeping 21 clean sheets during the season.

This means Mignolet has been limited to just two cup appearances all season and he looks destined to head for the exit.

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The Sun report that Bournemouth are targeting a move for the Belgium.

Eddie Howe is thought to want a long-term keeper to compete with 39-year-old Artur Boruc and youngster Mark Travers.

Asmir Begovic has fallen out of favour at the Dorset club and the manager will not want a repeat of the 70 goals they conceded last season.

Liverpool are understood to be willing to let Mignolet leave for £15million.

He has made 204 appearances for the Reds since joining from Sunderland in 2013.

If he were to move to the South West club then he would be joining former Liverpool players Jordon Ibe and Dominic Solanke while Nathaniel Clyne also spent the second half of the season on loan with the club.

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These have been debunked as concept art. I don't think adidas would allow the home kit to look this… "busy". However, it's within the realm of possibility that the 3rd kits and/or training kits feature more designs and graphics which is pretty common if you look at what they've been doing for club jerseys.
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