Liverpool set a record for the biggest away win by an English side in Europe s top club competition with their 7-0 thrashing of Maribor.

Jurgen Klopp s men have endured an indifferent start to the campaign, but they came to life at the Ljudski vrt in Slovenia.

Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino scored braces and Philippe Coutinho struck in the first half before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain netted his first Liverpool goal and Trent Alexander-Arnold complete the scoring with a deflected effort.

The win was the biggest margin of victory by an English club in an away game in the European Cup or Champions League, overtaking Leeds United s 6-0 victory over Lyn in 1969 and Manchester United s 6-0 thrashing of Shamrock Rovers in 1957.

7 Maribor 0-7 Liverpool is the bi…

England international Stewart Downing is set for a remarkable return to Middlesbrough, .

The 30 year old has spent the last two seasons with West Ham United, where he has racked up seventy-four appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals.

However, the East London club have given the midfielder permissions to talk to his former club, who were beaten by Norwich City in last season’s Championship Play-Off final at Wembley.

Downing originally left Teeside in the summer of 2009, when he secured a move to Aston Villa, while two years later he was transferred to Liverpool before eventually joining the Hammers in July 2013.

He has thirty-five caps for his country, with his last appearance for Roy Hodgson’s side coming in a 3-1 friendly victory o…

La Liga club Barcelona have given their backing to forward Lionel Messi as he faces the prospect of standing trial alongside his father over tax fraud allegations.

It was widely reported in the Spanish media on Thursday that the 28-year-old, under investigation along with father Jorge over alleged fraud dating back to a period of time between 2007 and 2009, is set to stand trial after the state attorney overruled the advice of prosecutors.

Previously, it seemed as though the Argentina international would avoid a trial on the basis that father Jorge had full control of his affairs.

Messi s management company hit out at the decision initially and argued that his defence would, over the coming weeks, prove that the prosecutor s position in not accusing Lione…

Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has dismissed suggestions Inter and Juventus are favourites to take the Rossoneri s Serie A crown next season, declaring: They also said it last year.

However, the England international acknowledged Inter s loan signing of Romelu Lukaku – who he described as special – represents a major coup for Milan s cross-city rivals.

Tomori enjoyed a stellar campaign as Stefano Pioli s men ended an 11-year wait to win the Scudetto last season, contributing to 13 clean sheets in 31 Serie A appearances. 

Meanwhile, the former Chelsea defender topped the Rossoneri charts for blocks (23), interceptions (45), clearances (77) and tackles (73) in his first campaign since making a permanent move to San Siro last June. 

No team conceded f…

Cristiano Ronaldo has made history by becoming the first player to score in four separate European Championships after netting in Portugal s Euro 2016 contest against Hungary on Wednesday.

The prolific Real Madrid forward etched his name into the record books with a cheeky flick with his back to goal to level the match at 2-2 after 50 minutes. 

Ronaldo then steered home a 62nd-minute header as Portugal came from behind for a third time to restore parity at 3-3 in a breathless final Group F encounter.  

Portugal s record scorer started his love affair with the Euros in 2004 on home soil, although it was not a particularly memorable result as they were beaten 2-1 by Greece the same opponents who defeated them in the final.

The former Manchester United s…

Burnley striker Lyle Foster is receiving specialist care for his mental health.

Foster has not played since Burnley’s 3-0 Premier League defeat at Brentford on October 21 and missed the Clarets’ last three games.

A Burnley statement read: “On behalf of Lyle Foster and his family they have asked us to share with you an update on Lyle’s illness.

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial)

“Recently, Lyle let us know that he continues to live with issues around his mental wellbeing and has reached out for help.

“He is currently in the care of specialists – giving him the support and care he needs to help him back to full health.

“With the love and support of his family and everyone at Burnley Football Club we will do all we ca…

Manuel Pellegrini has warned Manchester City not to expect uncertainty over the future of Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal to play into their hands in this weekend s derby match.

Fourth-placed City host United with a four-point advantage over their neighbours in six, with both clubs surprisingly distant from the Premier League title race.

Pellegrini has already announced he will make way for Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola at the end of this season and there is an increasing sense Van Gaal is also coming towards the end of a chapter in his own esteemed career.

United were knocked out of the Europa League by Liverpool on Thursday having salvaged an FA Cup quarter-final replay against West Ham last weekend and there is a growing frustration among the club…

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The upcoming match between Bulgaria and Hungary within the Euro 2024 qualifications features a clash between the bottom-ranked and top-ranked teams in Group G.

Originally planned to occur at Stadion Hristo Botev in Plovdiv on Thursday, a late change in the venue has shifted the fixture to the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia. The decision, prompted by ongoing construction work, has sparked criticism from the Hungarian federation, deeming it unsportsmanlike.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria are heading into their final two fixtures of 2023 under new management following the departure of former coach Mladen Krstajic. Krstajic s dismissal was prompted by a string of unsatisfactory results, including a nine-game winless streak dating bac…

Dejan Kulusevski has completed a permanent transfer to Tottenham from Juventus.

The Sweden international arrived in north London on an 18-month loan in January 2022 and has been influential during what has been a difficult period for Spurs.

He scored and registered an assist on his first start, a 3-2 victory against Manchester City at the Etihad in February last year, and has gone on to net seven goals in 57 appearances for the club.

Deki is here to stay

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Liverpool are interested in signing Jeremy Doku from Rennes in the January transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners Liverpool are among five clubs who are keen on securing the services of the 20-year-old winger.

Doku has been on the books of Rennes since 2020 when he moved from Anderlecht for €26 million. The winger has established himself as one of the best young players in his position in France and has been doing well for Rennes. Doku has made one start and five substitute appearances in Ligue 1 so far this season. The youngster has also played 12 minutes in the UEFA Europa League this campaign.

Last season, Doku made four starts and 10 substitute appearances in Ligue 1 for Rennes, scoring o…