John Barnes claims it would not be a failure of a season if Liverpool ended the campaign without any silverware, despite the Reds fighting for both domestic and European trophies. Jurgen Klopp’s side are currently second in the Premier League table, only behind leaders Manchester City on goal difference, and they resume their Champions League campaign at the round of 16 stage on Tuesday evening. Bayern Munich will not be easy opponents, but Liverpool made it all the way to the Champions League final last season to prove their quality at the highest level of the European game. Similarly, Manchester City are favourites to win the Premier League, though Liverpool…

Jose Gimenez and Juanfran were on target for the visitors as they clinched a place in the last four, leaving the coach pleased with his second string Diego Simeone was happy with the impact of his squad players after Atletico Madrid scrapped to a 2-2 draw at Eibar to secure a 5-2 aggregate victory and a place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Leading 3-0 from the first leg thanks to goals from Antoine Griezmann, Angel Correa and Kevin Gameiro, Atletico looked to be cruising through after Jose Gimenez headed in Nicolas Gaitan’s corner at Estadio Municipal de Ipurua. Eibar briefly threatened what would have been a remarkable comeback as…

QPR are bidding to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years when they welcome Watford to Loftus Road on Friday night. The Hoops are among a host of non-Premier League teams hoping to cause an upset in the fifth round, but they face a tough task against the in-form Hornets. Javi Gracia’s men are currently eighth in the English top-flight as they continue to exceed expectation this season. Steve McClaren’s side are not in such great form. Most recently, they threw away a 1-0 lead against Bristol City on Tuesday night to lose 2-1 and slip to 18th in the Championship. You can listen to…

The striker saw red against Atletico Madrid but the Dutch keeper thinks the Uruguayan’s understudy can temporarily fill the void Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has backed Paco Alcacer to step up in the Copa del Rey final as Luis Suarez’s red card means he is suspended for the clash. Barca need to improve without Suarez The Blaugrana narrowly progressed past a strong Atletico Madrid side in the semi final, edging their opponents out on away goals following a heated second-leg affair at Camp Nou. Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on…

The Copa del Rey round of 16 first leg clash takes place on Wednesday and both teams will have eyes on the trophy this year Girona host Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Wednesday. Both teams will be relatively happy with their seasons so far. Girona sit in ninth in La Liga whilst Atletico are in second, five points adrift of league leaders Barcelona. Atletico will be hoping to go far in the Copa del Rey this season with Diego Simeone hoping to pick up his second Spanish cup, after winning his first in 2013. Article continues below Editors' Picks Sarri…

A journalist published the brilliant advice Gordon Banks gave his young son who was an aspiring goalkeeper. Lee Marlow interviewed the World Cup winner while working at the Leicester Mercury. Marlow told Banks that his son, Lucas, who was eight at the time, played in goal and his response was brilliant. The advice never made it into the story but he transcribed it for his son and it is still on his bedroom wall today. Marlow posted the words from the former Leicester City and Stoke City stopper following the announcement of his death on Tuesday. “Hello Lucas, your dad told me that you want to be a goalkeeper? Good…

Paris Saint-Germain fans are in buoyant mood ahead of their club’s Champions League last-16 first leg match at Manchester United, lighting flares in the city’s Exchange Square ahead of Tuesday night’s match. The Red Devils, who have improved markedly since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge of the club in December, will fancy their chances, with PSG missing key players Neymar and Edinson Cavani. Leaked PSG line-up for Champions League first-leg However, the travelling away fans seem to be quite optimistic themselves and Manchester Evening News journalist Steve Robson captured the events in the square. However, flares are very dangerous and Robson later claimed a PSG fan was being treated by…

talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer gossip from Saturday’s papers and online… Former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker has told talkSPORT Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given the “best possible audition” to land the Manchester United job on a permanent basis. (FULL STORY HERE) Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has insisted he will not stand in Eden Hazard’s way if he wants to leave the club for Real Madrid this summer. (Star) But Cesc Fabregas believes his former team-mate Hazard will draw an end to the saga over his potential transfer and sign a contract extension at Chelsea. (Independent) Tottenham could make a £35million bid for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice despite competition from Premier League rivals Liverpool. (Daily Express) Former England captain Stuart Pearce,…

Valentine’s Day is here and while many associate this time with love, for others it is a time of loneliness and bitterness. Football is an extremely passionate game, filled with emotions, just ask Paul Gascoigne how much he wanted to play in a World Cup Final for England. When it’s good, it’s great to be a supporter. Everything just clicks on the pitch and it’s clear to see the chemistry on display. However, with player power taking full effect in modern football, it seems loyalty and devotion are two traits you would be hard-pressed to find at clubs these days. For instance, West Ham United fans felt like they were in an…

The Barcelona defender believes the cup competition is only declared as unimportant by players and teams who are prematurely dumped out of it Jordi Alba has suggested that Real Madrid are downplaying the importance of Copa del Rey because they have been knocked out of the competition prematurely. Barca saw off Real Sociedad to reach the semi-finals of the competition this week but their rivals suffered a surprising defeat to Celta Vigo over two legs. Barca draw Atleti in Copa del Rey Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a five-star…