Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes it is about time someone other than captain Steven Gerrard has to lead the team out of trouble. The England midfielder came off the bench on Sunday just before the hour with his side trailing 3-1 at Oldham and although it prompted an improved display it could not stop a shock FA Cup fourth-round exit. Rodgers rested the 32-year-old, who has played e...Full Story »

The Spain coach is confident his side can cope in the absence of their captain, and also promises to usher new faces into the fold Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque has admitted Iker Casillas' absence will be a blow, but insists he has faith in the goalkeepers lower down the Roja pecking order. The 31-year-old is set to miss Spain's friendly with Uruguay next week due to a fractured hand, an inj...Full Story »

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has revealed that he is playing youngster M'Baye Niang because he is unsure whether Robinho will stay at the club next season. Robinho was heavily linked with a move back to Brazil in the winter transfer window but recently insisted that he is staying at Milan for the forseeable future. He was benched on Sunday's 1-0 win over Atalanta, with Giampaolo Pazzi...Full Story »

The 23-year-old has underlined the importance of beating Brendan Rodgers' side in the race for Champions League qualification, calling for focus from his team-mates Arsenal striker Theo Walcott has underlined the importance of Wednesday's clash against Liverpool, with both teams fighting for fourth spot. The 23-year-old is predicting an "intense" encounter, and has called for the need to be ...Full Story »

Aaron Ramsey is ready to reinvent himself as Arsenal's midfield enforcer after being thrust into the role by manager Arsene Wenger.  Brighton was Ramsey's second successive match playing in front of the Gunners back-four following Wednesday's 5-1 thrashing of West Ham. Wales star Ramsey, who had spent his entire career as an attacking midfielder, fell down the pecking order at the Emira...Full Story »

Cristiano Ronaldo is refusing to make any excuses as his Real Madrid side prepare to face "one of the most difficult sides in the world". Ronaldo was the star of the show on Sunday with a hat-trick which fired Real to a 4-0 win over Getafe. The big win - and Ronaldo's sublime performance - certainly gives Jose Mourinho's squad a much needed boost ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final ...Full Story »

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has signed his two-year contact extension with the Catalan giants. The Spain international was at the Nou Camp this afternoon to put pen-to-paper on the deal which ties him to the club until June 30, 2016. Xavi follows in the footsteps of club captain Carles Puyol who signed his new contract committing him to Barca until the same date last week. Barca announced las...Full Story »

Swansea City goalkeeper Michel Vorm has emerged as a shock target for Barcelona. The Spanish giants were recently stunned after long-standing number one Victor Valdes revealed he would not be extending his contract beyond the summer of 2014. As such, the 2009 and 2011 Champions League winners have been linked with a host of goalkeepers, with Liverpool's Pepe Reina and Manchester United's Dav...Full Story »

Marco Materazzi has hit back at Rafael Benitez after he was called a liar 10 times by Chelsea's interim manager in an interview last week. Materazzi, who played under the Spaniard at Inter Milan in 2010, claimed Benitez ‘could not be trusted’ and describe him as ‘weak’. The Italian, who gained notoriety when he was butted by Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final, ...Full Story »

As Rafa Benitez complains of the fatigue eating away at his thin squad, Chelsea have an army of 22 players on loan to clubs around the world. They include 19-year-old Lucas Piazon at Malaga and Michael Essien at Real Madrid, but Benitez insists none of these players are able to help ease the burden. Some are locked into long loans, unable to return mid-season, and most are simply too young and...Full Story »