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Liverpool trio Trent Alexander-Arnold, Naby Keita and Luis Diaz stole the show as the Reds overcame Benfica 3-1 at the Estadio da Luz in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. 

Jurgen Klopp’s side came away from Portugal with an all-important two-goal cushion ahead of the second leg at Anfield in a week’s time.

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Despite it being far from a vintage Liverpool display, the quadruple-chasing men in yellow were clinical at pivotal moments as the hosts afforded their visitors plenty of opportunities in front of goal. Ultimately goals from Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz and a first for the club for Ibrahima Konate saw Klopp’s side leave Lisbon with a healthy scoreline.

As per stats from Sofascore, whilst some of the usually exemplary stars fell below their best, three players in particular stood out on the night.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.6)

Back in the team following a minor hamstring niggle which ruled the 23-year-old out of contention for England recently, the marauding right-back was certainly back up to speed in Portugal.

Showcasing a sublime range of passing once again, the Liverpudlian completed 55 of his 64 passes (86%) on the night and was so often the man to unlock a well-drilled Benfica backline. Alexander-Arnold provided two key passes –  including one raking ball which led to the second goal – and completed 11 of his 13 long balls.

Not content with an attacking masterclass from full-back, the young defender also proved his defensive acumen with three clearances, one tackle and one interception. While Mane matched his overall rating, the right-back comes third on our list as, unlike the Senegal star who was substituted on the hour, he played almost the entire match.

Naby Keita (7.9)

So often the man to be replaced on the hour mark by Klopp, it was telling that the Guinean was left on the pitch on this occasion as Thiago was instead sacrificed.

The 27-year-old was a pivotal cog in the engine room for the Reds and an impressive all-around display was underpinned by a 102-touch tally for the energetic midfielder – the most by any Liverpool player.

Keita ended the evening with one assist and two key passes to add to a 55.5% ground duel success rate (won 10 out of 18).

Luis Diaz (8.1)

Diaz received the highest rating at the Estadio da Luz from both sides as the Colombian yet again proved to be a superb January transfer window capture.

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The 25-year-old was at the heart of everything in an attacking sense from Klopp’s charges and the ex-FC Porto forward marked his return to Portugal with a goal and an assist. Completing three of his six dribble attempts and creating one big chance on a plate delivery for Mane, this was yet another stellar outing from the flying winger.

In truth, it could’ve been even better for Diaz as the newest Kop icon squandered a big chance to further cement a nigh-on perfect European night for Liverpool.

In other news, Liverpool target could be set for summer exit. Read more here.

John Terry still considers himself a leader in the England World Cup dressing room despite being stripped of the international captaincy.

Chelsea skipper Terry claims his axing by Fabio Capello as international captain back in February following lurid allegations about his private life has not curbed his natural leadership characteristics.

He was replaced by Rio Ferdinand and then Steven Gerrard but still expects to be one of the most vocal players in the dressing room and on the pitch in South Africa.

"Nothing will ever change at Chelsea or England, whatever happens," Terry told The Sun.

"I always give my opinion in the dressing room and on the field and make my presence felt, whether I'm wearing the armband or not."

Speaking about his effective demotion earlier in the year, he added:"I haven't found it difficult not being captain.

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"When I met the manager I stressed to him I accepted his decision but that one thing he gets from me is completely the same character, the same person and I'm not going to allow my head to go down and beat myself up about it.

"I am here to win the World Cup like every other player and the manager and I will do everything possible for the team."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira slammed the performance of referee Massimo Busacca after South Africa's hopes of qualifying for the last 16 were left hanging by a thread following a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay.

Wednesday's defeat in Pretoria has left the hosts needing to overcome France in their final Group A encounter next week to reach the knockout stages.

Diego Forlan scored twice in the game but his second, which came via a penalty after South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was sent off for a professional foul, left Parreira frustrated and angry.

"I haven't seen it properly because there were some players in the way, (but) the players are really annoyed, very angry and very disappointed in the referee," he fumed.

"Myself and everyone else said it was the worst referring performance in this competition so far.

"He was very unfair against our team from the very beginning, the way he acted against our team.

"He was giving fouls that weren't fouls, giving yellows that weren't yellows and then he left the ground with a smile on his face.

"I hope we don't see his face again in this tournament because he doesn't deserve to be here."

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Meanwhile, Parreira still believes that South Africa can avoid the ignominy of being the first hosts in World Cup history to fail to qualify for the second round of the competition.

"Our hopes are not over," he added. "We need to beat France, but we will have to be more aggressive. Everything will be decided in the last game."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

The common belief is that the team that wins the Premier League; taking aside all complications, injuries, if’s and ‘might-have-beens’, the apt cliché is that the table does not lie. Chelsea may not have set the footballing world alight last year, but they were the most consistent. Plundering goals however, particularly in their home games, somewhat disguised the fact they that they are not the same force that won the league back-to-back in ’05 and ’06.

Players no longer carry the aura of invincibility that they carried during that successful period. It is perhaps unfair to judge how Mourinho’s teams defend, compared with anyone else, as that is what he does best. But with the exception of Branislav Ivanovich, Carlo Ancelotti calls upon essentially the same defensive unit that Mourinho did. Unfortunately for Ancetlotti, they are the same names, but not quite the same players.

Ricardo Carvalho has been one of the best defenders in Europe over the last five years, but ill-discipline, a series of injuries and a loss of form have seen his place in the team gradually fall into the arms of the more reliable Alex. A possible move to Real Madrid to reunite his relationship with Mourinho looks increasingly on the cards.

Alex has grown into his role at Chelsea and has become a more important player than many have first anticipated. The problem for Chelsea is that he will miss the start of the season after a thigh injury. When John Terry was the antithesis of dependency, it didn’t matter hugely who played alongside him as he ushered them through each game. While still a good player, there are doubts today over Terry that previously didn’t exist.

What can always help a defensive unit is the assurance of a good goalkeeper behind them. Petr Cech will also miss the start of the season. After three years of being the best keeper on the planet, Cech is another player struggling to live up to the freakishly high standards he set. Mistakes have crept into his game, and for periods last season there seemed to be a distinct lack of both trust and understanding between Cech and his defenders. Regardless of any drop in form, Cech is a far better player than either of his understudies: neither Hilario nor Ross Turnbull have provided the necessary security that a back-up keeper should, and it appears Hilario will begin the season filling in the Czech international.

Didier Drogba, who offers vital defensive duties at set-pieces, as well as his attacking prowess, is another summer casualty who will be absent come mid-August. Considering the dead ball was one of the Blues’ frailties last season, he will certainly be a huge miss at both ends of the pitch.

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There are however positives to draw upon: Michael Essien will return – with no World Cup hangover – to aid Mikel in midfield, and the opening fixtures have been relatively generous, with games against West Brom (H), Wigan (A) and Stoke (H) starting the campaign off. That said, it took a last-minute winner from Drogba to see off Hull in the first game of last season.

As with last season, there doesn’t yet seem to be vast improvements made by Chelsea’s rivals. Man City have continued to spend, but their credentials are still relatively unknown. Both Liverpool and Man United have ongoing conflicts between the pitch and the boardroom, Spurs will have to learn to juggle the Champions League with a Premiership campaign and Arsenal have spent the entire summer hoping that Cesc Fabregas will stay put. For Chelsea, it may simply be a matter of ensuring points are secured. If those surrounding them up their game, and Chelsea don’t, there could be a nasty wake-up call for Ancelotti’s men.

After Martin O’Neill’s shock departure from Aston Villa with James Milner to follow there may yet more implications thrust upon a quiet transfer market over the coming weeks as fears of an exodus begin to rear their ugly head at Villa Park.

Since arriving at the club in 2006, O’Neill has guided Villa to three consecutive top six finishes after building the team he felt were capable to do so and now that the former Leicester City boss has departed, a queue may form at the exit door.

Rumours that Ashley Young will head to the capital with Spurs are already beginning to intensify whilst Craven Cottage is being mooted as a possible destination for American goalkeeper Brad Friedel and ultimately the fears of seeing his squad crumble in front of his very eyes may have proved too much.

The indications that emanated from Villa Park with regard to O’Neill and owner Randy Lerner’s dwindling relationship refused to go away and the latest incitement into his exit lends itself to suggest cash-strapped owner Randy Lerner wanted to keep the fee for Milner in order to balance the books.

It comes at a bad time for Villa who start against West Ham in five days’ time, leaving Villa in disarray for the start of new campaign and the fans wondering where next?

There will be countless of names linked with the task of maintaining the work O’Neill did during his time at Villa, Sven-Goran-Eriksson, Bob Bradley and Martin Jol to name but a few just a day after his resignation but Villa really have lost one of the best managers around.

His tenure in the West Midlands has seen him linked with replacing Ferguson at Old Trafford and before now Benitez at Liverpool and another potential replacement for the Northern Irishmen would offer little consolation to the faithful who grew to adore him.

Anyone that arrives now would have to make a big impact but the question remains whether the funds would be there to do so.

Perhaps Lerner would prefer fellow countrymen Bob Bradley as the new manager who would be more suited to the ambassadorial approach that is being cited as one reason why O’Neill jumped ship as opposed to the likes of Jol and Billic who are more engaging and would demand control.

Martin Jol in particular would be adverse to policy that seems to have been installed after it was reported then director of football Damien Comolli selected the players Jol would purchase during his time White Hart Lane.

It is sure to be an interesting season for Villa who now face up to the grim reality of the last couple of days, a reality without Martin O’Neill.

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With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Greg Halford has revealed that he has changed his entire lifestyle in a bid to forge a successful future at Molineux.

The 25-year-old seemed set to be allowed to move on by Wolves boss Mick McCarthy this summer, but Halford has impressed during pre-season games after taking a long look at how he was preparing himself.

He told the Express & Star:"Hopefully I can be like a new signing this season.

"My problem is I've always done just enough. But I needed to look at everything – fitness, diet, sleeping and drinking.

"I began seeing our sports psychologist Bill Stevens towards the end of last season to get my head right.

"Maybe I haven't always had my head in the right place, but then I haven't been at a club long enough to feel settled.

"I've gone completely teetotal and I felt the difference straight away. We had a night out in Ireland after the Bohemians game and I got a bit of stick from the lads over why I wasn't drinking. But it's something that I have to do.

"The drinking wasn't a problem, but I felt going teetotal and eating well was the right thing to do.

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"I've also had meetings with the nutritionist because, although I didn't feel my diet was bad, everything can be improved.

"I'm not going to stop – everything I'm doing will be in place for the rest of the season and, hopefully, the rest of my career."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

West Bromwich Albion have landed former Wigan Athletic utility-man Paul Scharner.

Scharner, 30, left the Latics when his contract expired at the end of the last campaign and has now penned a two-year deal with the Baggies.

The Austria international arrived in the Premier League from Norwegian side Brann in January 2006 and made over 150 appearances for the DW Stadium outfit.

“He’s a proven Premier League player, having performed consistently for the past four-and-a-half years,” manager Roberto Di Matteo told the club’s official website.

“Paul is a powerful, competitive player who is good on the ball, excellent in both boxes, can play in numerous positions and also chips in with goals.

“He is obviously short of match practice at the moment but when he’s fully up to speed I’m sure his experience will prove invaluable as we strive to establish this club in the Premier League.”

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Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

It’s been a bad week for Tottenham. Losing to their rivals Arsenal in the Carling Cup and conceding 4 goals would not have pleased Spurs fans, and Harry Redknapp’s team followed that up with a disappointing loss against West Ham in the Premier League, with Tottenham failing to find the back of the net. Spurs will need to bounce back as they welcome FC Twente to White Hart Lane in the Champions League on Tuesday.

This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of Spurs blogs which has included… Who will be the casualty of this welcome dilemma? VDV proves the doubters wrong, and Just who is Peniel Mlapa?

Plus we have taken a look at the best Tottenham stories on the Web this week.

Why Spurs fans may have to get used to some cutbacks

Redknapp is right to challenge Wenger this time

The TOP 10 Fat Footballers in the modern game

Who is Tottenham target Peniel Mlapa?

Top 10 Brazilian Starlets who could set the Premier League alight

Van der Vaart proves the doubters wrong

TOP 10 memorable managerial quotes

Who will be the casualty of Tottenham’s welcome dilemma?

The TOP 10 Premier League ‘Wonderkids’ who failed to live up to their billing

Does the Champions League need re-formatting?

VIDEO: Andy Gray’s top commentary moments

Is this playing position set for a comeback?

Top TEN Premier League Summer Transfers

My Football Bugbears

Is FIFA’s respect campaign working?

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Best of Web

To dare is to turn up avoiding any lasagne pre-match – Dear Mr Levy

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Knees a Bit Trembly – Who Frames Ruel Fox?

Am I bothered? – Spurs Musings with JimmyG2

Spurs 1 Arsenal 4: Only One Thing To Say… – Tottenham Blog

Tottenham understudies show promise but fluff their lines at audition – Guardian

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Click on the image below to see the Top 10 Premier WAGs!

Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook recently went on record as stating that after this summers spending spree, the club would be looking to seriously cut down their outgoings as the owners look to make City a sustainable business whose huge losses will be reduced in the future, the Telegraph quotes Cook as stating

“It is safe to say that player acquisitions on the scale we have seen will no longer be required in the years ahead now that we have such a deep and competitive squad. These results (the club lost £121 million in the 2009/10 season) should come as no surprise. Investments made in the 2009-10 financial year are consistent with our owner’s vision to operate on a successful and sustainable footing in the future.”

I would have been sceptical over what Cook was claiming had it not been for a rule that will be introduced by UEFA which compels clubs who wish to enter their competitions to be run in a financially sound manner. The rules state that clubs must have not have a loss of a total greater than £39 million in the three years until the end of the 2013-14 season, those who do not adhere to this rule will not be permitted to enter UEFA run tournaments.

The Manchester City owners not only want glory domestically, but they will undoubtedly want to turn their club into one of the biggest and most successful in Europe, and they will obviously not be able to do this if they are not competing in the Champions League. The massive amount of spending we have seen since the Abu Dhabi group took over then, will probably not be seen again.

Manchester City’s proclamation that they will become a financially viable operation follows that of fellow big spenders Chelsea in the past couple of years. Roman Abramovich changed the face of English football when he took over at Stamford Bridge and the club saw unprecedented spending lavished on signing up some of the best talent from across the word. In the past few seasons however, Chelsea’s outlay on transfers has diminished greatly as the clubs hierarchy look to make put the club on an economically sound footing rather than posting huge losses season after season. Abramovich recognised that throwing money around left right and centre could not go on indefinitely, and now it seems the owners at Man City share the same view.

Man City though, will still be able to spend money this January without having to worry too much about UEFA’s new rules that are going to come into place in the next few years. You imagine if the club are in the running for the Premier League title, or if they are being pushed for a Champions League place, Sheikh Mansour and Roberto Mancini will have no qualms about spending a good deal of money to get them over the finishing line.

Manchester City are going to have to rein in their expenditure on players in the coming years. Not only will they have to in order to meet UEFA regulations, but from a footballing side it also makes sense. If a club is going out every close season and buying in a load of new players it does little for morale in the dressing room, and also prohibits a team from bonding and forging a united and winning mentality, a team needs time to gel in order to be successful, a fact that has been recognised at Chelsea for instance. I have no reason to doubt what Cook is saying, its the sensible thing to do in nearly every respect.

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Everton manager David Moyes was delighted to see striker Yakubu net his first goal of the season, a strike which clinched a narrow 1-0 victory at home to Stoke City.

The 27-year-old Nigeria international has struggled for form so far this term, but showed his finishing ability by rifling in the only goal of the game midway through the second half at Goodison Park.

Moyes told the Daily Post:"It is great for Yak to get the goal. If you work hard I think the supporters appreciate you and your team-mates appreciate you.

"I think Yak has certainly improved his work and he is starting to feel more confident himself. It would be great if we could get back the old Yakubu.

"He is certainly getting much more like it and I think you can sense the crowd feel that way. I thought he held the ball up well, brought people into the game.

"He had a chance in the first half and I am sure he will be disappointed he didn't do better.

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"You need your strikers to do something. Top clubs have strikers who do things to win games – Rooney, Drogba, Torres.

"We needed someone to do something and it was Yak skipping past a defender and rifling one home."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email