Liverpool Fc news:Mohamed Salah speaks out on Liverpool future amid Real Madrid rumours

Mercy Lank

Liverpool star says he is not bothered by speculation.

Barcelona's swoop for Coutinho has led to speculation Real Madrid will push for his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah. Spanish newspaper Sport reported this week Real have made Salah their top target for the summer. Salah is the reigning African Footballer of the Year and is set to star for Egypt at the upcoming World Cup. The Premier League sensation has responded to the speculation and insists he is not concerned with such talk. Quoted by Marca, Salah said: "I have heard so many rumours that it doesn't bother me anymore. They have treated me very well in Liverpool and at this moment, I belong to Liverpool and I am happy at Anfield." Salah is the Premier League's second highest goalscorer behind Harry Kane after a blistering start to the season. The £36 million Liverpool paid to sign Salah in the summer from Roma is already looking like a bargain, but the Reds are unlikely to be willing to entertain any approach from Real Madrid, especially just months into his spell at Anfield. Liverpool need to make a stand after letting Coutinho leave this January, and a major sale in the summer would ask major questions about the club's direction, no matter how much money is on offer.

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Stoke v Liverpool – Confirmed lineup

Mercy Lank Stoke confirmed XI: Grant, Zouma, Shawcross, Indi, Diouf, Fletcher, Allen, Pieters, Shaqiri, Crouch, Chuopo-Moting Subs: Haugaard, Wimmer, Berahino, Jese, Afellay, Adam, Ramadan Liverpool confirmed XI: Mignolet, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Wijnaldum, Can, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mane, Solanke, Firmino Subs: Karius, Milner, Coutinho, Salah, Henderson, Sturridge, Alexander-Arnold.

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Watford vs Manchester United, LIVE: Jose Mourinho's side aim to keep up Premier League title push

Mercy Lank

Manchester United will hope to apply the pressure on local rivals Manchester City when they visit Watford in their midweek Premier League clash. The Red Devils trail the league leaders by eight points heading into the midweek set of top flight fixtures but will have to be wary of a Hornets side flying high under Marco Silva. Jose Mourinho's team have lost their previous two Premier League games on the road and fell to a 3-1 defeat at Vicarage Road last season. Follow all the action here as it happens.

And so it's back to Premier League duty for Manchester United. Watford the hosts, as Jose Mourinho's men arrive at Vicarage Road knowing a win is vital if they are to stay on the tail of runaway leaders Manchester City. Following their less than convincing victory over Brighton on Saturday, the pressure is on. Watford enter the tie on the back of their commanding 3-0 win over Newcastle at St James' Park, hoping to carry that form into tonight's clash. Team line up to come soon...

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Wenger Rules Out Sanchez, Ozil Exits In January

Mercy Lank

Arsene Wenger has ruled out January departures for Arsenal pair Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil unless “something unbelievable” happens even as the clock ticks down on their contracts. The players are out of contract at the end of the season as both have so far refused to sign new deals at the Emirates. Ozil has been linked with a move to Barcelona while Sanchez almost joined Manchester City on the final day of the summer transfer window, only for Arsenal to pull the plug when they failed to land Monaco’s Thomas Lemar as his replacement. Wenger says he has no concerns over the commitment of the pair, with Sanchez scoring a last-gasp penalty as the Gunners won 1-0 at Burnley on Sunday to move into the Premier League top four.

Arsenal host Huddersfield on Wednesday, with Ozil likely to be missing because of the illness that ruled him out at Turf Moor but Wenger believes the influential pair will not be sold in January — even though they could then walk away from the club for free six months later. “Yes, I rule it out,” Wenger said at his pre-match press conference when asked about potential departures. “I do not think about that every day. At the moment, as long as they are here, they have to give their best for the team and for the club. “In my head, they stay until the end of the season and that’s a decision that was taken at the start of the season. Unless something unbelievable happens, I can’t see why that would change.”

No Assurances

However, Wenger could not offer Arsenal supporters assurances that either player would be tempted to sign new deals and extend their stays beyond 2018. “They’re into the final year of their contract,” he said. “Will they stay longer? That’s impossible to answer today because I don’t know. They have a contract until the end of the season. “I am not the only one who can decide that. They have a part to play in that as well. If it’s my decision, yes (they would stay longer).”

Another player whose contract expires at the end of the season is England midfielder Jack Wilshere, who has been restricted to just three substitute appearances in the Premier League. “He’s a football man and I will always decide what is best for him. That is my first priority no matter what kind of decision I make,” Wenger said. “I have to consider the interests of Jack Wilshere and Arsenal Football Club together.”

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Watford vs Manchester United LIVE updates: Team news, latest updates and more from Vicarage Road

Mercy Lank

A win tonight would see Manchester United close the gap on leaders Manchester City to five points. Jose Mourinho's men travel to Vicarage Road knowing they cannot afford another slip up at this early stage in the title race. But they face a tough test against high-flying Watford. The Hornets, who have kept hold of manager Marco Silva despite strong interest from Everton, have won back-to-back Premier League games and are sitting comfortably in eighth place. Will Watford make it three wins in a row this evening - or will United keep the pressure on their title rivals with a victory? Don't miss a kick and join us for all the action as it happens.

Mourinho ready for tough test

Jose Mourinho believes Marco Silva’s Watford are a far better side than the one that gave Manchester United a bloody nose last season. The Red Devils were condemned to their third defeat in a week in September 2016 as late goals from Juan Zuniga and Troy Deeney gave the Hornets a 3-1 win. That period remains the lowest ebb of Mourinho’s Old Trafford reign and the United boss is aware just how hard it will be to exact revenge on Tuesday evening. Watford are eighth in the Premier League after their impressive 3-0 win at Newcastle, with manager Silva’s fine work leading to admiring glances from rudderless Everton. “Against Watford I was very upset with Watford’s first goal after some guy sent (Anthony) Martial to the hospital and the referee let it go,” Mourinho said. “That is the reason why I was very, very upset at Watford. I think Watford made also progress. “They have an unusual squad for a mid-table team.1

“They have a squad full of very good players who are not normal to be in these mid-table teams. They have a good coach. “They have improved a lot from last season too.”

Mourinho failed to get the better of Silva in their last two meetings, with his Hull side holding United to a goalless draw in the league at Old Trafford just a week after beating them 2-1 in the EFL Cup semi-finals in January - albeit a scoreline that did not prevent the Old Trafford giants from progressing. Zlatan Ibrahimovic starred as the Red Devils went onto triumph at Wembley and is now pushing for his first start since April, having made three substitute appearances after returning from serious knee ligament damage. Marcos Rojo has started the last two matches after being sidelined by a knee issue of his own, although should Phil Jones or Eric Bailly return from injury the Argentina international could be protected. As soon as we get the teams, we’ll let you know. Keep track of all the build-up and latest action here.

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Eden Hazard reveals why he dribbled so much against Liverpool

Mercy Lank

Chelsea were not the most dominant team this weekend in the Premier League, as their opponents, Liverpool rode on their recent attack minded philosophy to cause some fears in the technical minds at Chelsea prior to the game. Antonio Conte chose to drop Cesc Fabregas, maintaining afterwards that it was to rest the Spaniard rather than play defensively. The decision seemed almost a masterstroke, had Danny Drinkwater scored when he was put through on goal in the first half. After a 1-1 result at Anfield, several Chelsea players were rather satisfied after the dizzying flight their players had to endure in the Champions League in midweek.

Star man Eden Hazard started the game but could not shine the entire 90 minutes after he claimed he was isolated with Alvaro Morata up field. He however, was one of the best performers on the day with a record nine dribbles in the game, according to Whoscored. Hazard says he decided to dribble as much against a quality opposition because of how Conte lined up.

 It is a good point because when you are 1-0 down at Anfield, it is not easy to score. We should have scored more, but one point at Liverpool is satisfying. We changed the system, Danny Drinkwater was on the pitch and then we were a bit more defensive. The only player around me was Alvaro Morata, so if we wanted to win we had to do something together, just me and him. That’s why I tried to pass my opponent every time, and in the first half we did well. ‘In the second half it was more complicated but we scored so I am happy.

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