Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season.
In an emotional announcement, released via Liverpool's media channels on Friday, Klopp confirmed this campaign would be his last at the helm at Anfield.
Klopp, who is under contract at Liverpool until 2026, claimed he is running out of energy, and after nearly nine years in charge, he will be leaving the club as a legend.
While Liverpool will hope to round off the German's time in charge with a second Premier League title, and possibly further trophies – they are already in the EFL Cup final – the Reds will also have to face the daunting prospect of what comes next.
Regardless, Klopp is set to leave as one of the club's most successful managers.
With the help of Opta data, we break down Klopp's time in charge.
An Anfield giant
Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Kenny Dalglish. Klopp will take pride and place among the list of great managers to have taken charge of one of England's most successful clubs.
Since replacing Brendan Rodgers in October 2015, Klopp has taken charge of 466 matches, winning 283 of those. His win percentage of 60.7 makes him the best Liverpool manager in that metric, at least as far back as Opta's records go.
Klopp has lost just 78 games, while drawing 105. His team have scored 972 goals, an average of 2.1 per match.
Not that it has always been easy. In his first season – 2015-16 – his win rate was 44.2 per cent. However, it has never dropped below 50 per cent in a single campaign since then, with the low mark coming last term (50 per cent).
Klopp is the only Liverpool manager to win each of the top-flight, European Cup/Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup with the club, while he has five major honours as it stands, which ranks him behind only Dalglish, Paisley (both six) and the great Shankly (13).
His Liverpool side peaked between 2018 and 2020. After reaching the Champions League final in 2017-18, the Reds won their sixth European Cup the following season, before then breaking their Premier League duck in 2019-20, albeit they wrapped up that title behind closed doors. They had also won the Super Cup and Club World Cup earlier that term.
The FA Cup and EFL Cup were both won in 2022 en route to what could have been a historic quadruple.
Liverpool still have four trophies left to play for this season. They sit top of the Premier League as it stands; they will face Chelsea in the EFL Cup final; they are into the knockout stage of the Europa League and they have a home tie against Norwich City in the fourth round of the FA Cup coming up on Sunday.
Klopp's best season based purely on win percentage came in 2021-22, when Liverpool won a remarkable 73 per cent of their games in all competitions, only to fall short of pipping Manchester City to the title on the last day of the Premier League season, before losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
A European master
Klopp started as he meant to go on when it came to European football with Liverpool, leading the Reds to the Europa League final in his first season in charge.
Though they lost to Sevilla on that occasion back in 2016, Liverpool have gone from strength to strength in continental competitions. They were undone by Gareth Bale's magic and Loris Karius' error in Kyiv in 2018, but left all in Europe in their wake when they overcame Tottenham in Madrid a year later, having signed Alisson to ensure they had a top-class goalkeeper between the posts.
Liverpool were back in the showpiece match three years later. Again, it was Madrid they faced, and again Los Blancos came out on top – Vinicius Junior's goal and Thibaut Courtois' heroics enough to deny Klopp his second Champions League crown.
Klopp will not manage Liverpool again in the Champions League, meaning his 61.5 win percentage (40/65) in the competition will be maintained. His Liverpool team have scored an incredible 144 Champions League goals - an average of 2.2 per game.
Unbeaten runs, Guardiola rivalry and dominating the derby
The rivalry between Klopp's Liverpool and Pep Guardiola's Man City has been the lifeblood of the Premier League over recent seasons.
While Liverpool are not exactly cash-strapped, they do not have the state-backed wealth that City enjoy, yet Klopp has managed to keep the Reds highly competitive – on two occasions, they have finished just one point below City with points tallies that in almost any other circumstance would have surely seen them win the title.
Since Klopp's first Premier League game, Liverpool have taken 671 points, a tally that trails only City (716), while the Reds have a positive goal difference of 367 (675 goals for, 308 goals against).
As it stands, Klopp is the Premier League's third-most successful manager based on points per game, with his 2.12 ranking behind only Alex Ferguson (2.16) and Guardiola (2.34).
His next victory in the top flight will bring up his 200th as Liverpool manager, from what will be his 318th such match in charge.
Only Guardiola (18 with City between August and December 2017) has been on a winning run as long as Klopp has in the Premier League, with Liverpool having rallied off 18 straight wins between October 2019 and February 2020. The Reds had previously gone on a 17-game winning streak between March 2019 and October 2019, a run that was ended by a 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
Liverpool went on a 44-game unbeaten streak, meanwhile, between January 2019 and February 2020. Arsene Wenger (49 games between May 2003 and October 2004) is the only Premier League manager to have gone more successive matches without defeat.
Klopp has gone up against Guardiola on 24 occasions, making City the team Liverpool have faced the most in his time at the club. He has claimed 10 wins (41.7 per cent), lost six times and drawn eight games.
Of the four other 'big six' clubs, Chelsea rank as Klopp's least favourite, with just a 27.3 per cent win record from 22 matches (six victories). Klopp has faced Manchester United, meanwhile, on 18 occasions, winning seven times (36.8 per cent).
Meanwhile, Klopp has dominant form in the Merseyside derby. From 18 such meetings, Liverpool have lost just once to Everton, with that defeat coming at Anfield, behind closed doors, in 2021. The Reds have beaten the Toffees 11 times under Klopp (61.1 per cent).
Of the current Premier League sides, Klopp has claimed 12 victories over Bournemouth from 15 meetings, with that win percentage (80) his best against any side he has faced over six times.
Superstar Salah, fearsome front threes and flying full-backs
The story goes that Klopp was not initially in favour of signing Mohamed Salah from Roma back in 2017, but his arm was twisted by Liverpool's then-recruitment guru, Michael Edwards. If that is indeed true, then Klopp will no doubt be thrilled he was swayed to bring in the Egyptian.
Salah has scored 204 goals in 332 appearances for Liverpool, 84 goals more than any other player under Klopp (Sadio Mane – 120 goals from 269 appearances).
Only Roberto Firmino (355) has played more times for the Reds in Klopp's tenure than Salah, whose 306 starts puts him out in front. The 31-year-old has totalled up 27,037 minutes, over 2,000 more than next-best Firmino (24,903).
Salah also tops the charts for goal contributions (286), having added 82 assists on top of his strike tally.
Firmino and Mane, Salah's partners in crime in what was arguably the most feared forward line in world football, chipped in with 182 and 157 goal contributions respectively.
Meanwhile, Klopp has given more debuts to teenagers than any manager in Liverpool's history (42). One of those teenagers was Trent Alexander-Arnold, who along with Andrew Robertson, became pivotal to Klopp's heavy metal football.
The flying full-backs have been assist machines: Alexander-Arnold has created 78 goals in 298 appearances, while Robertson has crafted 63 from 275 games.
Just Firmino and Salah have played more minutes under Klopp than Alexander-Arnold (24,323) and Robertson (23,498).
What's next?
Whoever replaces Klopp has big shoes to fill, and this might well end up being Salah's last season at Anfield too, as Saudi Pro League clubs circle.
Xabi Alonso and Julian Nagelsmann have been some early names touted around, but until the end of May, it will be all about the Kop bidding goodbye to Klopp.
He deserves a hero's farewell.
Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri insists his side will face a “good challenge” when they take on struggling Empoli.
Juve are top of Serie A after losing just once in the competition all season and recording five straight wins following a 1-1 draw at Genoa in mid-December.
In contrast, Empoli are 19th in the table after four wins and four draws from 21 games, although their most recent match saw Szymon Zurkowski’s hat-trick secure a 3-0 win over Monza in Davide Nicola’s first game in charge.
“It’s an important match tomorrow,” Allegri told a pre-match press conference.
“We are well physically and mentally, but a good challenge awaits us too. Empoli deserves respect, they have quality players and coach Nicola’s arrival has given them solidity, so it won’t be an easy match.”
Juve can extend their lead over Inter Milan at the top of the table to four points on Saturday, with Simone Inzaghi’s side not in action until a trip to Fiorentina on Sunday.
The top two sides then meet at the San Siro on February 4 in a game which could go a long way to deciding the destiny of the Scudetto, although Allegri is not ruling out the challenge of AC Milan.
“After Inter-Juventus there are still many games to play, and let’s not forget Milan who scored more points than last year, have overcome a difficult period and can get back into the title race,” he added.
“The important thing is to stay balanced, keep the bar high and try to provide continuity.
“The Scudetto-winning points tally? It’s difficult to say right now, we’re up against a strong team in Inter who are favourites and have scored a lot of points. Being close to them is a great thing given that we’re on a different path.”
Federico Chiesa remains sidelined through injury and Allegri said he will decide whether to play or rest captain Danilo.
New signing Tiago Djalo has been assessed by the club’s medical staff after completing his move from Lille, the 23-year-old having not played since suffering an ACL injury last March.
“I feel good. My knee is fine,” Djalo said on Thursday. “Now it’s a question of opportunity. I’m ready. I’ll give everything for the team.
“I trained with the squad yesterday and this morning. My knee is recovering well. We’ll decide with the coach what to do. I’m very calm about it.
“I’ve come here to take an opportunity and make myself available to the coach. I know I have the attributes needed to help out. It’s just a matter of getting opportunities.”
Jeriko Du Reponet has the chance to lay down a marker for the Cheltenham Festival when he lines-up in the rearranged SBK Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster on Saturday.
Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten prospect is disputing favouritism with Willie Mullins’ Mystical Power for the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival, but was not in the original field for this race when it was due to be run at Haydock last weekend.
Haydock’s abandonment has led to Town Moor’s gain as Henderson has abandoned plans to run in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon to head to South Yorkshire and owner JP McManus’ retained rider in Ireland Mark Walsh makes a rare trip to partner the exciting five-year-old, who has won both starts under rules with ease.
“Nicky was happy to go up there with him and he’s in good form,” said McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry.
“We will see how he gets on and it’s another step up the ladder for him.
“He’s done everything right up to now, so let’s hope for more of the same. Nicky has been very happy with him and we hope he gets a good round of jumping in.”
Five go to post with Ben Pauling’s Fiercely Proud and Sam Thomas’ Lump Sum also arriving at Doncaster unbeaten over obstacles, while Nicky Richards’ The Kalooki Kid has won his last two and will carry northern hopes.
There is further Grade Two action with the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle, in which Paul Nicholls’ Welcom To Cartries will attempt to go one better than stablemate Stay Away Fay, who finished second in the race 12 months ago.
Stay Away Fay went on to score at the Cheltenham Festival and having got off the mark in style at Ascot last month, hopes are high Welcom To Cartries will take all the beating as he steps up to three miles.
“He won his only point-to-point and has shown plenty of promise in his first two starts for us over hurdles at Ascot,” the champion trainer told Betfair.
“The experience he gained when narrowly beaten on his hurdles debut was put to good use as he won handsomely next time just before Christmas. He worked stylishly on Thursday morning, will relish the step up to three miles and has a chance in a tough race.”
Kim Bailey’s Destroytheevidence missed out on a hat-trick when second to Shanagh Bob at Cheltenham, while Lucinda Russell’s Esprit Du Potier and Stuart Crawford’s Irish raider I Love My Baie both got on the scoresheet at Ayr in their most recent outings and bring strong form to the table.
Gordon Elliott saw Wodhooh maintain her unbeaten record over hurdles at Newbury in December and now sends the four-year-old on another raiding mission in the Listed SBK Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle.
It was a race won by Joseph O’Brien two years ago and he is another Irishman with a strong hand in the race, saddling eye-catching Fairyhouse third Green Sky for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
Dominica’s Stephan Pascal hit a half-century while St. Maarten’s Nathan Edward starred with ball and bat to help the West Indies U-19s secure a narrow two-wicket victory over England to confirm their progression through to the Super Sixes stage at the ICC Under-19 World Cup at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.
Edward, 18, got the ball rolling almost immediately with the wicket of England opened Jaydn Denly just four balls into the contest after the West Indies won the toss and put England in to bat.
Skipper Ben McKinney and Noah Thain then put on 50 for the second wicket before McKinney was Edward’s second victim for 26 in the 11th over.
Thain and new batsman Hamza Shaikh then added a further 47 for the third wicket before Thain went for 40 in the 21st over.
England then lost their next four wickets at 99, 120, 135 and 147 before eventually being bowled out for 192 in 46.3 overs.
Shaikh went on to top score with 53 while Edward, who also took two catches, finished with 3-28 from his 6.3 overs.
He was well supported by Raneico Smith (2-28), Isai Thorne (2-40) and Tarrique Edward (2-40).
The West Indians then lost eight wickets in a nervy chase, eventually bringing up the win reaching 196-8 after 41 overs.
Captain Stephan Pascal led the way with 58 off 84 balls while Edward made a match-winning 49* off 80 balls including five fours and a six.
After the wickets of Jordan Johnson for a rapid 17-ball 31 including four fours and two sixes, Mavendra Dindyal for 14 and Jewel Andrew, the tournament’s leading run-scorer heading into this game with scores of 130 against South Africa and 64* against Scotland, for just two, the West Indies were reeling at 98-5 in the 16th over.
Pascal was then joined at the crease by Edward and the pair put on 51 before Pascal inexplicably tried to go over the top off leg-spinner Tazeem Ali only to be caught at mid-off in the 32nd over.
The subsequent quick dismissal of Nathan Sealy for one in the 35th over put the Windies in a tough spot at 156-7 but Nathan and Tarrique Edward were able go hold their nerve.
Tarrique Edward was eventually dismissed for 5 in the 40th over with the Windies needing just one to win.
The West Indies are now through to the Super Sixes phase of the competition.
The top three from each group qualify for the Super Sixes stage. From there, the 12 teams will be divided into two groups of six each. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
Barcelona boss Xavi is wary of the dangers that a “very aggressive” Villarreal side may pose as they prepare to meet in La Liga on Saturday.
Barca come into the match on a three-match winning streak in the league but sit eight points behind league leaders Girona, who have played one game more.
At the opposite end of the table, Villarreal are lingering just five points above the drop zone and are without a win in their last three in the league.
Xavi understands Saturday’s opponents are going through a tough spell but is still alert to their threat.
Quoted on Barcelona’s official website, he said: “Villarreal are going through a bad patch.
“But Marcelino’s teams are always very aggressive and well-organised, and work hard on defence. They still have a lot of standout players who can make all the difference.
“We still have every chance of catching up in the league and these next two games at home are a key part of that. And the team is very united, we have a very strong-minded squad. I have never seen a squad with so much human quality in my whole career.”
Barcelona are currently suffering with several injury issues which have depleted their squad slightly, which have seen the likes of youngsters Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Hector Fort get regular game time.
Those on the injury list include Gavi, Marcos Alonso, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, Raphinha and Alejandro Balde.
Xavi has praised his young players for stepping up to the mark in recent games.
He added: “At their ages they shouldn’t be shouldered with these responsibilities, but given our current situation it’s what we have to do.
“They are ready to play and a lot of credit has to go to Lamine, Cubarsi and Fort. They are the present and future of the club and that’s very good news for Barca.”
Barcelona narrowly came out on top in a seven-goal thriller the last time the two sides met, Robert Lewandowski’s goal clinching a 4-3 win for the Catalan side.
Villarreal boss Marcelinho is expecting the best of Barcelona and thinks his team are becoming more competitive.
He said: “They’re a team that has only lost two games. It’s true that they are conceding more than last year and that is taking points away from them and, although they are not at their very best, I’m expecting a good Barca side.
“The most important thing in football is consistency. We’re more competitive now but at specific moments we’re being punished too much by our opponents’ finishing, which we often lack.
“We’re not always showing that level on a regular basis and our job is to identify why and work on it.”
Barry Connell “couldn’t be happier” with Marine Nationale ahead of the Goffs Irish Arkle next weekend.
Last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner has only been seen once this campaign but that was when he made a seamless switch to fences at Leopardstown over Christmas.
The Irish Arkle has been the aim since, with the perfect gap to the Cheltenham Festival.
“All is 100 per cent, I couldn’t be happier,” said Connell.
“To have a horse that had so much ability over hurdles to take to chasing so well is very exciting indeed.
“All roads lead to Leopardstown now. It’s coming to crunch time, once the Dublin Racing Festival is over and the Cheltenham previews start it will ramp up and soon be here.
“His preparation has been very straightforward and we are happy with where he is and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Connell had two Grade One-winning novice hurdlers last season but the fortunes of Good Land could not be more different.
He suffered a tendon injury in October which required a full year on the sidelines.
“Good Land is doing well. He did a tendon and the time frame on that is about 12 months,” said Connell.
“His treatment will be finished by May and then he’ll go out for the summer at grass, hopefully when he comes back in we’ll be able to train him for a novice chase campaign.
“At least he managed to win his Grade One last year, a lot of good horses get an injury before they manage to do that and fulfil any of their potential, so that’s the other way of looking at it.”
Connell also has high hopes for recent Navan bumper winner William Munny who downed Willie Mullins’ well-touted C’est Ta Chance with the pair 12 lengths clear of the rest.
“We always thought he was up to winning a bumper but in the run up to Cheltenham, the big yards are all trying to get qualified so it takes an exceptional horse to win one,” said Connell.
“We’ve given him a lot of time, he’s six now, and I think there could be plenty more to come from him.
“If you took out the other horse, our horse was a wide-margin winner and would probably be favourite for the Cheltenham bumper.
“We’ll probably give him one more run in a winner’s bumper this year and go novice hurdling next year. The DRF would come too soon. There’s one at Naas we could look at.”
Kalvin Phillips has revealed his loan move to West Ham ends a near two-year long pursuit by manager David Moyes.
The England midfielder has joined the Hammers for the remainder of the season after struggling for game time at Manchester City.
The 28-year-old has made just two Premier League starts for Pep Guardiola’s side since moving to the Etihad Stadium from Leeds in a £42million deal in the summer of 2022.
Phillips completed the move on Friday after West Ham rekindled an interest they first showed when he left Leeds.
Phillips told the club’s Iron Cast podcast: “I’m delighted. I was in Abu Dhabi with City, a warm-weather training camp, and all I could think about was getting a loan sorted.
“I spoke to ‘Moyesy’ over the phone while I was there. He reassured me that this was probably the best place for me to come on loan and that I’ll love every second and minute of it, and so far I have done. I’m very happy coming here. I’m looking forward to getting going.
“I think, honestly, if City hadn’t come in for me 18 months ago, then West Ham would have been the club I would’ve come to. It was always in the pipeline.
“Moyesy, he’s been after me for two years, he told me on the phone. So eventually, it was going to happen.”
Phillips was part of City’s treble-winning squad last season but, on a personal front, it was a frustrating campaign.
Injury initially restricted his opportunities but Guardiola could not find a clear role for him in his side and he rarely featured.
With the situation not improving this season, Phillips decided to seek opportunities elsewhere.
It was initially thought the loan move would include an option for West Ham to buy the player this summer but it is understood that is not part of the final agreement.
Phillips’ future beyond this summer will therefore be determined at a later date. In the meantime, he has a chance to build form and fitness that might boost his chances of retaining his place in the England squad ahead of Euro 2024.
He could also be part of an exciting end to the season with the Hammers, who are sixth in the Premier League and through to the Europa League knockout stage.
His debut may come as the club host Bournemouth in the league next Thursday.
Phillips said: “I’ve looked at the fixtures. Bournemouth and then United in Manchester. I’m ready and raring to go.
“I’m very excited to be here. It’s been a whirlwind few days but I’m here, I’m ready to play and I’ll give everything for the team.”
Moyes believes Phillips will be a good addition at the London Stadium.
The Scot said: “We’ve been big admirers of him for a long time and we believe that he will add strength and competition to our squad.
“Kalvin is an England international midfielder with proven Premier League experience. We’re excited to welcome him into the group and look forward to working with him.”
World number one Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from next week’s German Masters.
O’Sullivan, who has already won the Masters, UK Championship and World Grand Prix this season, will not contest the event in Berlin in order to prioritise his “health and wellbeing”.
In a statement on X, the 48-year-old wrote: “I just want to let my fans in Germany know that sadly I’ve decided to withdraw from the German Masters next week.
“I love the event and fans in Germany but I have to make my health and wellbeing the priority.
“It’s been a tiring and challenging season for me so far, despite how it may seem with the tournament wins so hope you understand.
“I’m sorry I won’t be there and I hope to see you all soon.”
Earlier this week, O’Sullivan limped through his World Open qualifier against Alfie Burden in Barnsley to book his place in the final stages of the tournament.
The seven-time world champion, who has been given special permission by World Snooker to wear trainers due to a foot injury, kicked them off midway through the fourth frame while Burden was on a break of 61.
O’Sullivan then slightly delayed the start of the fifth frame whilst he restored his footwear and breaks of 83 and 58 eventually secured a 5-3 win after Burden had levelled at 3-3.
AC Milan defender Alessandro Florenzi believes the time for talking about racist abuse in football is over and has called for “concrete action” to tackle the issue.
Milan’s players walked off the pitch during last Saturday’s 3-2 Serie A victory Udinese after goalkeeper Mike Maignan had reported gestures from the crowd behind his goal to referee Fabio Maresca.
The Udine club, which has banned one spectator for life as a result of the incident, have since been ordered to play their next home game behind closed doors, while police have handed out five-year bans to four more supporters.
However, asked about the events at the Bluenergy Stadium and the fall-out since, Florenzi told Milan TV: “I think that Mike has felt supported by a family, which is exactly what we are.
“When these incidents occur, I think it’s wrong to just say ‘enough’. The time for talk has long gone, concrete action is needed.
“Saying ‘enough’ is pointless. We need to lay solid foundations to tackle the issue. That’s what all institutions should do to stop such incidents occurring.
“As a team, I think we made an important gesture. I’d also like to commend the referee, Maresca, who I think dealt with the situation in the best way possible.”
Milan return to action on Saturday evening, when they host seventh-placed Bologna at the San Siro.
They head into the weekend sitting third in the table, but five points adrift of derby rivals Inter, who are second with a game in hand on both their neighbours and leaders Juventus.
Milan have won their last four league games and have tasted defeat only once in the nine fixtures they have played in all competitions since.
In contrast, Bologna are without a win in four in all competitions and have not collected all three points in Serie A since they beat fifth-placed Atalanta 1-0 on December 23.
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Florenzi said: “We’re building our path and taking it game by game. We’re focused on Bologna and not thinking about other matches and other teams.”
Bologna will once again be without the injured Alexis Saelemaekers and are working to get 20-year-old defender Mihajlo Ilic up to speed following his arrival from Partizan Belgrade, and head coach Thiago Motta knows they will have their work cut out at the San Siro.
He told a press conference: “They [Milan] are one of the candidates for the Scudetto, they always start very strongly.
“On Saturday we will have to try to impose our game, trying to be determined about what we want to do.”
Noble Yeats will take on the challenge of Cheltenham’s McCoy Contractors Cleeve Hurdle as he plots his way back to the Grand National in the spring.
Emmet Mullins’ 2022 Aintree hero had a plethora of high-quality assignments last term, but has only been seen once this winter, bumping into the improving Sa Majeste at Limerick over the Christmas period.
Remarkably, that was just Noble Yeats’ second run over the smaller obstacles and the nine-year-old now returns to a more suitable distance with Harry Cobden deputising for usual pilot, the injured Sean Bowen.
“It’s a classic Emmet Mullins move to say ‘let’s see how we get on over hurdles’ and he needs a couple of outings so we can get him in first-class order for the Grand National,” said owner Robert Waley-Cohen.
“This is the route we are taking at the moment and we will be able to plot our course depending on what we learn.
“I don’t think Limerick on heavy was his idea of an ideal day out on course and I think he will find the better going and track at Cheltenham more to his advantage. I think the horse who beat him at Limerick was a pretty nice horse on the substantial upgrade.
“It was only his second hurdle race and this will be his third, which is slightly weird for a horse that has won the Grand National. We will learn a lot on Saturday.
“Harry Cobden is booked because he hasn’t got a ride otherwise and poor Sean Bowen is off games. Sean is top of the current championship list and Harry is number two and is a first-class rider.”
There is a quality field of seven heading to post, with Emma Lavelle’s Paisley Park bidding for a record fourth success in the Grade Two event.
The 12-year-old has proven age is no barrier this season, going down on his shield in both Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle and the Grade One Long Walk at Ascot last month, and his handler believes he deserves to taste victory for the 12th time in his decorated career.
Lavelle said: “Touch wood, he seems good and everything has gone to plan (since Ascot). Hopefully he brings his A game with him.
“He seems in very good order and has run two super races this season – hopefully he can keep that going.
“He is just extraordinary in how he keeps turning up and it’s exciting to think we are still in the position to be running in these races with him.
“I think he deserves a win at this stage of the season, but it is a good race and we will give it our best shot.”
Paisley Park’s winning run in this race was ended by French raider Gold Tweet 12 months ago, with Jeremy Scott’s admirable veteran Dashel Drasher picking up the silver medal.
The 11-year-old would go on to fill the same spot behind Sire Du Berlais in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and has again proven his quality this term, holding off Paisley Park at Newbury before running valiantly to finish third at Ascot last time.
Nicky Henderson’s Champ is another at the twilight of his career and was not disgraced when fourth behind his fellow veterans in the Long Walk.
“First time back he ran fresh, but he ran a good race and kept staying on and Nicky is hoping he has come on for the run,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.
“He’s been a brilliant horse over the years and it’s nice to see him being so competitive in these races at his age.”
Gary Moore’s West Yorkshire Hurdle hero Botox Has finished sixth at Ascot prior to Christmas and will now sport a first-time visor as he searches to rediscover his Wetherby form, while Olly Murphy’s Strong Leader tries three miles for the first time having brought up the rear here in the Relkeel Hurdle.
The field is rounded off by Deborah Cole’s bargain buy Flight Deck, who was not far off the protagonists in third at Newbury in November and has been given a break since.
Erik ten Hag says financial fair play restrictions will prevent Manchester United from acting in the January transfer window to fill the “gap” in attack left by Anthony Martial’s extended absence.
This has been a quiet month across the board and the Red Devils have focused on streamlining the squad rather than bolstering it.
Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek and Hannibal Mejbri are among those to have left on loan, with United always expected to do little to nothing in terms of signings.
And not even the fact that Martial has been ruled out until April after undergoing surgery on a groin injury is likely to change things due to Premier League profit and sustainability rules.
“I looked but there is no space,” United boss Ten Hag said. “No space on FFP to do something about this lack of quantity in the striker position.
“Of course, we have (Marcus) Rashford who can play as a striker, I think also we have some other alternatives, creative.
“It’s clear now Anthony is out for a couple of months. It’s a gap in our squad. Clear.”
Ten Hag was speaking to the media for the first time in a fortnight – a period in which United raised eyebrows by coaxing Omar Berrada from rivals Manchester City as their new chief executive.
The move was driven by Ineos as British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe prepares to become minority owner and take control of football operations at United, where there is a renewed drive to improve across the board.
“It gives spirit in this whole club,” Ten Hag said of the impact felt even before Ratcliffe’s deal is given the green light.
“Everyone notices that this club is going into a period of changes but it’s because we want to achieve high targets, so standards have to change.
“We started with this one-and-a-half-years ago, but I’m sure Ineos and me are very aligned on this.
“We understand we have to change, and we started that process last season with the dressing room.
“But also many departments so I am very happy that I get support.
“That also other departments has to raise the standards, to collaborate more and Ineos can have a big impact on that.”
The long-term prospects look brighter but United’s immediate attention is on keeping their FA Cup hopes alive in a fourth-round tie at Newport.
It is the only competition the Red Devils can win this season and Sunday’s game will see summer signing Altay Bayindir finally make his debut between the sticks.
“Yeah, he will be in the goal,” Ten Hag said of the former Fenerbahce goalkeeper.
“I think it’s clear what we can expect from him. He waited for his chances but he is experienced.
“He played in a big club in Turkey under big pressure, so he knows how to deal with it.
“We were all very convinced when we brought him into this club. It’s not a decision from one man.
“We’re looking forward to Sunday. Altay, very motivated of course and he can’t wait for this moment.”
James Owen’s Burdett Road will look to consolidate his place at the head of the Triumph Hurdle market when he contests the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The four-year-old, a Royal Ascot winner last June, has made the perfect start to his hurdling career.
After winning his debut at Huntingdon by 12 lengths, he then claimed a similar contest to this by an easy six and a half lengths.
The form from that race has since been boosted by the subsequent success of the second-placed An Bradan Feasa, a comfortable winner when returning to Cheltenham in December.
Harry Cobden has ridden Burdett Road in both hurdling starts and will do so again at the weekend after partnering the gelding in a pleasing schooling session at home.
“We couldn’t be happier with him at home and he has schooled well. Harry was in on Thursday morning and schooled him and he did well and we’re looking forward to Saturday,” said Owen.
“This is a much tougher race (than before), there’s Sir Gino and we’ve got to give weight to the (JP) McManus horse that comes over from France (Milan Tino) and might improve. This is a lot tougher and should shed a lot of light on the Triumph Hurdle, it’s a trial and it should do.
“Hopefully we’re still favourite for the Triumph at 10 past 12 on Saturday.”
On choosing this race ahead of the Unibet Hurdle, the trainer added: “We made the decision just before declarations and if Harry was available in the Unibet, we were actually swaying that way with the allowances. But Harry was riding for Paul Nicholls in that, so it just made sense to stick amongst the juveniles where Harry was available.”
Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino is also unbeaten over hurdles, with a French Listed success followed up by a 14-length Kempton win on his British debut in late December.
“His jumping was far from perfect at Kempton, so he’s had plenty of practice in that department and is a person we like a lot,” said Henderson via his Unibet blog.
“This is a competitive race and Burdett Road has looked very good, therefore I should imagine whoever wins will likely be favourite for the Triumph.
“Sir Gino’s work has been very good, and he would be right up there with some of our previous good juveniles we’ve had down the years.”
Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s Milan Tino was third behind Burdett Road at Prestbury Park in November and will receive 5lb from the two aforementioned horses when he takes his chance under Jonjo O’Neill jr.
Harry Fry’s Gidleigh Park heads the market for the SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Hurdle, a Grade Two event run over two miles and four and a half furlongs.
Unbeaten in three under rules, his latest win was a nine-length Newbury triumph, his first attempt at a two-and-a-half-mile trip and a performance that inspired a step up in grade.
“We couldn’t have asked for any more than what he has done up until this point,” said Fry.
“We stepped him up in trip the last day and he showed improved form and now we are stepping up in grade, so he will have to progress again.
“We feel he is doing that at home and is maturing and progressing with his racing. It’s his first run at the track, but I don’t anticipate that giving him any problems and I’m hoping he can continue to progress as he has done so far and keep the dream alive.”
Jonjo O’Neill’s Johnnywho is a key rival, a McManus-owned gelding who was last seen finishing fourth when beaten two lengths in the Grade One Challow at Newbury.
“He’s come out of the Challow well and Jonjo was happy with him and hopefully he can come forward again and run a nice race,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus.
“He looks a nice staying horse and hopefully there is more to come.”
Paul Nicholls runs Isaac Des Obeaux, a six-year-old from the family of Clan Des Obeaux who won his last two outings at Chepstow by decent margins.
“He is taking on stronger opposition after bolting up twice in ordinary races at Chepstow,” the trainer said via Betfair.
“Positive tactics seem to suit Isaac Des Obeaux who stays well, is a decent prospect and should run another tidy race. He will be a lovely chaser in time.”
There is a valuable handicap over fences in the Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase, with Nicholls set to saddle two short-priced contenders in Hitman and Il Ridoto.
The latter was narrowly beaten in the December Gold Cup over course and distance last time out and is the reigning champion in the contest having prevailed by a length 12 months ago.
“He seems to reserve his best for Cheltenham and won this race a year ago off a mark of 138,” the trainer said.
“He is now 10lb higher after a career best when he was just beaten in the last stride by Fugitif in the December Gold Cup after looking like the winner landing over the last fence with a clear lead.
“Il Ridoto has been working beautifully at home, looks great and must have a strong chance.”
Hitman is the other runner, a horse Nicholls is hoping will improve for a wind operation.
He said: “We cauterised his palate after he ran below-par at Aintree late in October.
“He is in great shape now at home and if he runs like he did in the Ryanair Chase in March (third), he must have a live chance off a mark of 156 with Freddie Gingell taking off a valuable 5lb, but I have a feeling he might just improve a bit for the run.”
Patrick Neville is optimistic The Real Whacker can re-establish his Gold Cup claims in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The eight-year-old won each of his three starts over fences at Prestbury Park last season, completing his hat-trick with a thrilling victory over Gerri Colombe in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Festival in March.
As a result The Real Whacker headed into the new campaign as one of Britain’s leading Gold Cup contenders – and while he has not troubled the judge in two starts so far this term, Neville believes he can show his true worth this weekend.
“He’s all ready to go and we’re looking forward to it,” he said.
“We’ve had a great run with him. He came out of the King George fresh and well and we’re very happy.
“I’m hoping the ground dries out a little bit, but it is what it is.”
The Real Whacker was pulled up on his reappearance in Cheltenham’s Paddy Power Gold Cup in November before making late gains to finish fourth in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Neville’s stable star is now as big as 66-1 for the blue riband, but the North Yorkshire-based Irishman is not giving up on his Gold Cup dream.
He added: “I wouldn’t take any notice of his first run (of the season), it was only a starting point for him really. It probably wasn’t the proper race to run him in, but we had to start somewhere.
“We were happy enough with the run in the King George and happy with how he came out of the race, so we’re hoping for a big run on Saturday.
“He is better on better ground, but we couldn’t be happier with him and he’d want to be showing up well there on Saturday and giving a good account of himself (to go for the Gold Cup). I think he will.
“We’ve had a clear run with him, so I’d be happy there’s no ifs or buts with him.”
The Real Whacker’s rivals include the Venetia Williams-trained Betfair Chase hero Royale Pagaille, rerouted here following the abandonment of last week’s Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock, while star novice Stay Away Fay bids to give trainer Paul Nicholls a sixth Cotswold Chase success.
The latter has plenty to find on ratings following just two chase starts so far, but the Ditcheat handler is rarely averse to a challenge.
He told Betfair: “He won the Albert Bartlett with a brilliant performance at this track in March and I’ve been thrilled with his progress as a chaser this season.
“He has taken really well to fences, winning both times and is a strong stayer who will gallop all day.
“He is schooling smartly, looks fab and worked great on Thursday morning, but I appreciate that he is in at in the deep end in this and has it all to do. I’d rather run him this weekend than wait three weeks for Ascot (Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase), which is a bit close to Cheltenham.”
Last year’s winner Ahoy Senor is back to defend his crown, but has a bit to prove having been pulled up on each of his two starts so far this term.
Jamie Snowden’s Datsalrightgino, on the other hand, lines up off the back of a career-best performance when landing last month’s Coral Gold Cup at Newbury under an inspired Gavin Sheehan.
“We thought we would try going up in trip in a big race like the Coral Gold Cup and thankfully it all paid off,” said Snowden.
“This was a race that I earmarked after Newbury. He has got to step forward again coming out of handicap company as he won the Coral Gold Cup off 148, so this is a different kettle of fish.
“Off a mark of 159, it does make life tough in handicaps. If we are not up to Gold Cup class then we will probably have to look at decent handicaps, which could include the Grand National.”
The Willie Mullins-trained Capodanno, last seen finishing a distant third behind Gold Cup-winning stablemate Galopin Des Champs in Leopardstown’s Savills Chase, completes the field.
Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: “It’s a very competitive race, but Capodanno ran a cracker at Christmas behind Galopin Des Champs.
“Last season he just got held up a few times, but he was a Grade One novice chaser and we thought rather than banging heads with Galopin Des Champs again (in next weekend’s Irish Gold Cup) and maybe Fastorslow, this race might be a cleverer choice.”
Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso is not thinking about the possibility of becoming the next Liverpool manager, insisting he is in the “right place” in Germany.
The former Reds midfielder is one of the early frontrunners to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield after the German’s bombshell announcement on Friday that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Alonso, who enjoyed great success with Liverpool as a player and said “once a Red, always a Red”, is earning himself a reputation as one of the top coaches in Europe after guiding Leverkusen to a four-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga.
However, the Spaniard is not thinking about his future amid immediate speculation linking him to the job.
“Speculation is normal. My focus is here in Leverkusen,” he told a press conference ahead of his side’s Bundesliga match with Borussia Monchengladbach.
“First of all, it was a huge surprise. I have huge respect for Jurgen, huge admiration for what he has achieved and the way he has achieved it.
“At the moment I’m really happy here. I’m enjoying my work here, I’m feeling that each day is a challenge, each game is a challenge.
“We are in an intense and beautiful journey here in Leverkusen and I’m trying to give my best to help my players be ready for the next thing and that is my goal.
“What is coming next, I don’t know. I’m not in that moment to think about the next step. I’m thinking about right now and I think I’m in a great place and I’m enjoying it.
“I think it is the right place and that is all I can say. What is going to happen in the future I don’t know and I don’t really care, to be honest.”
Alonso played over 200 times for the Reds between 2004 and 2009, winning the Champions League and the FA Cup before joining Real Madrid.
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