Jurgen Klopp rules out Coutinho sale

Sergio Ramos says Real Madrid must focus on improving their performances after the captain provided yet another late winner in the 2-1 victory against Real Betis.

The centre-back s 10th goal of the season came in the 81st minute at the Santiago Bernabeu to send Zinedine Zidane s side back to the top of LaLiga, after Barcelona lost at Deportivo La Coruna earlier on Sunday.

Ramos scored a crucial goal to help Madrid overcome Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday, having netted 90th-minute goals to beat Depor and snatch a draw from Barca earlier in the campaign.

The Spain international dedicated his most recent strike to his wife, but says Madrid must now aim to please their fans as they go in search of a first league title since 2012.

In football what …

Gareth Bale marked his return to a Premier League starting line-up with a brace in Tottenham s 4-0 thumping of Burnley.

Bale had only been named from kick-off twice in the top flight since re-joining Spurs from Real Madrid last September, but a goal in each leg of the Europa League win over Wolfsberger AC persuaded Jose Mourinho to give the Wales international a chance.

Tottenham s recent run of five defeats in their past six Premier League matches became a fast fading memory as Bale notched after 68 seconds and set up Harry Kane s second.

It was 3-0 after the half hour thanks to Lucas Moura, who kept Dele Alli on the bench despite the England midfielder s similarly impressive European form, and Bale s eighth goal of his second Tottenham spell came in the 55th mi…

Philippe Coutinho will only consider returning to the Premier League to play for Liverpool and a potential move to Manchester United would be near impossible, according to agent Kia Joorabchian.

Coutinho moved to Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018, the Reds receiving a transfer fee that could hit €160million (£142m) with add-ons.

He initially appeared to be a good fit, producing some solid performances in his first few months at Camp Nou as he finished the 2017-18 season with eight goals in 18 LaLiga matches.

But he flattered to deceive last term, netting only five times in 22 league starts as he failed to live up to expectations.

He has been linked with a transfer to United, with Barca said to be eager to free up funds to sign Neymar, but hi…

Vitesse Arnhem youngster Marco van Ginkel has been advised to take the chance to join Chelsea by team-mate Theo Janssen.

The 20-year-old is widely expected to make a €10 million switch to Stamford Bridge in the transfer window, after scoring eight goals and registering 10 assists in 33 Eredivisie appearances last term.

Janssen himself left Vitesse for title-chasing Twente in 2008, before returning last term.

And he told NUSport: I gave him (Van Ginkel) a call and told him my opinion. I said he must follow his feelings.

If he thinks he’s ready for the next step, then he must do it. I think he is ready for a next step, but the step to Chelsea is very big.

Eventually I think he will reach that level. The question is only if he will reach that level already…

Harry Kane saluted Jordan Henderson s leadership qualities following his goal in England s 3-0 victory over Senegal.

The Three Lions vice-captain opened the scoring with a neat first-time finish from Jude Bellingham s square pass while Kane doubled the lead, before Bukayo Saka s second-half strike secured the Three Lions World Cup quarter-final place in Qatar.

Aged 32 years and 170 days, Henderson became England s second-oldest scorer at the finals, after Tom Finney against USSR in 1958 (36 years, 64 days).

Gareth Southgate s side have looked a more cohesive unit since the Liverpool skipper was introduced into the starting line-up for their final Group B match against Wales, and Kane highlighted his impact on the team.

Jude Bellingham

— Jordan H…

Udinese midfielder Alexander Merkel would welcome the opportunity to sign for Bundesliga club Hoffenheim.

The 21-year-old only joined the Serie A side in January after signing a five-year deal from fellow Italian side Genoa.

But he has found his opportunities limited and made just five appearances for Udinese since his move, with Merkel admitting a switch to Hoffenheim is one that appeals to him.

Hoffenheim has a great, young team that plays attractive football, Merkel told Bild.

I would listen to everything. Because the situation at Udinese is unsatisfactory for me. In the plans of coach I play no role.

Should the youngster join Hoffenheim it would mark a return to Germany for Kazakhstan-born Merkel after he started his career in Stuttgart s youth team be…

Jermaine Pennant has signed a new deal at Stoke City which will keep him at the Britannia Stadium for another season, the club have confirmed.

The winger had been expected to move on this summer after his contract expired, though he has been kept by new manager Mark Hughes.

The Welshman has admitted to being impressed by the 30 year old, who signed for the Potters from Spanish side Real Zaragoza back in 2010, have initially joined on loan.

He spent a proportion of last season on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers, though was unable to help them avoid relegation to League One.

Pennant began his career at Notts County, but joined Arsenal before making a first team appearance for £2million, a then record for a trainee.

Loan moves to Watford, L…

Goalkeeper Keylor Navas has warned that a failure to fight for maximum points in the Clasico would be unworthy of Real Madrid.

Zinedine Zidane s side head into Saturday s game at Camp Nou with a 10-point deficit to opponents and La Liga leaders Barcelona, making victory vital to keep their slim title hopes alive.

We can t give up, that s not worthy of Madrid, Navas said in a video posted on his official website.

It s a very important game for us and we re going to give everything. We ll try to do our best and hopefully we will win.

In spite of the difficult circumstances, we have to give everything for the shirt. It s a game that the whole world watches and, irrespective of the three points, it s important to win it.

Madrid have not beaten Bar…

Borussia Monchengladbach have confirmed Havard Nordtveit will not continue with the club next season as he looks to make a move to the Premier League. 

Nordtveit, 25, spent three years at Arsenal between 2007 and 2010 but failed to make a senior appearance at the Emirates. 

The Norway international then signed on with Bundesliga outfit Monchengladbach, where he has gone on to make almost 180 appearances in all competitions across six seasons.  

However, with the defensive midfielder s contract expiring at the end of the season, Nordtveit is intent to make a return to England. 

Havard Nordtveit has opted not to extend his contract and will move to England in the summer.

— Borussia (@borussia_en)

West Ham are reportedly the front…

Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale admits he may celebrate a winning goal against former club Tottenham in the Champions League.

The European champions were drawn alongside Spurs, Borussia Dortmund and APOEL in Group H, but will have to wait until next month for their meeting with the Premier League side.

Bale left Tottenham for Madrid in 2013 and the Wales international has won three Champions League crowns during his time in Spain.

The 28-year-old said he may struggle to control himself if he nets a late winner when he faces his former club.

I scored against Spurs in a pre-season game a couple of years ago and I didn t really celebrate then, Bale told the Daily Mail.

I suppose it depends on how you feel on the day. If it s a 91st-minute winner, …