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• Liam Boyce extends Hearts stay as club tease further news

  Liam Boyce has extended his current deal at Hearts until the summer of 2025 with Jambos fans told to “watch this space” for more good signing news.

  The 32-year-old Northern Ireland striker has returned to the first-team fold following a lengthy injury lay-off and his appearances this season have triggered a year’s option in his contract.

  Boyce joined Hearts in January, 2020 and has scored 36 times in 107 appearances.

  Sporting director Joe Savage told the club’s official website: “Boycie’s contract extension is great news and a testament to his drive and determination.

  “Our plan was always to give him the time he needed to come back feeling fit and then reintegrate him into the first-team scene.

  “There was never any pressure, it was about making sure Boycie had the best chance to get back to the level he’s capable of.

  “I think everybody can see he’s achieved that. He’s an influential player on and off the pitch so for him to trigger his contract extension is pleasing for everyone.

  “There’s been lots of positivity around the club recently thanks to the first-team’s winning run, moving up to third in the league and also Steven (Naismith) and Lawrence Shankland’s awards (manager and player of the month for November respectively) and  Boycie’s contract extension adds to it and we’re hopeful of sorting out a few more, so watch this space.”

  Naismith said: “Boycie’s experience is invaluable inside the dressing room and we’re all delighted that he’s going to be here for a further year.

  “I know from experience how difficult it is to return from a long-term injury but he has taken everything in his stride and you can see when he’s out on the pitch that it’s not affected him, he’s a quality player.

  “Competition for places is fierce and having top talent like Boycie challenging for a spot only helps push standards even higher.”

• Government stops short of introducing Hillsborough Law in response to report

  The Government has stopped short of introducing a Hillsborough Law called for by campaigners in its response to a report into the experiences of the bereaved families.

  Former bishop of Liverpool the Right Rev James Jones set out 25 learning points in his report The Patronising Disposition of Unaccountable Power, published in November 2017 following inquests into the deaths at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield – where 97 Liverpool FC fans died.

  In a response published on Wednesday, the Government said it had signed up to a Hillsborough Charter, pledging to place the public interest above its own reputation, but said a “Hillsborough Law” incorporating a legal duty of candour was not necessary.

  In the foreword to the report, Home Secretary James Cleverly and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk acknowledged the response had taken “too long, compounding the agony of the Hillsborough families and survivors”.

  They added: “For this we are deeply sorry.”

  Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The Hillsborough families have suffered multiple injustices and more than 34 years later there can never be too many apologies for what they have been through.

  “And I want to repeat that apology today and thank the Hillsborough families for their tenacity, patience and courage.”

  In his 2017 report, Mr Jones called for the Government to give “full consideration” to a “Hillsborough Law” or Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, which would include a legal duty of candour on public authorities and officials to tell the truth and proactively co-operate with official investigations and inquiries.

  But the response stated the Government was “not aware” of any gaps in legislation or clarifications needed that would further encourage a culture of candour among public servants in law.

  It is understood the Government believes that adopting the duty of candour would risk “creating conflict and confusion” because of the framework of duties and obligations already developed since the disaster.

  In 2021, retired officers Donald Denton and Alan Foster and former force solicitor Peter Metcalf, who were accused of amending statements to minimise the blame on South Yorkshire Police after the tragedy, were acquitted of perverting the course of justice when a judge ruled there was no case to answer.

  Mr Justice William Davis said the amended statements were intended for a public inquiry into safety at sports grounds led by Lord Justice Taylor, but that was not a course of public justice.

  In its report, the Government said the families and survivors were “entirely justified” in their frustration with the evasiveness they experienced from public officials.

  But it said much had changed in terms of expectations and requirements on public officials since 1989.

  It said that “continuing to drive and encourage a culture of candour among public servants” was essential and an important part of the Hillsborough Charter, which Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden had signed on behalf of the Government.

  The charter for families bereaved through public tragedy was proposed by Mr Jones in his report, in which he said “substantial change” was needed in the culture of public bodies.

  Leaders of public bodies who sign up to the charter commit to place the public interest above their own reputations, approach forms of public scrutiny – including public inquiries and inquests – with candour and avoid seeking to defend the indefensible.

  Other organisations which have already signed up to the charter include the National Police Chiefs’ Council, College of Policing, Crown Prosecution Service and Kensington and Chelsea Council, the report said.

  The Government response also states that it will consult on expanding the provision of legal aid for inquests following public disasters.

  Inquests into the deaths at the match, played between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15 1989, concluded in 2016 and found that fans were unlawfully killed and errors by the police and ambulance service caused or contributed to their deaths.

  The match commander on the day, David Duckenfield, was charged with gross negligence manslaughter in 2017 but he was cleared in 2019 at a retrial, after the jury in his first trial was unable to reach a verdict.

• ‘He will play where it is best for us’ – Jurgen Klopp on Trent Alexander-Arnold

  Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is not prepared to reassign Trent Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder and stressed he will continue to use his vice-captain as best befits his side.

  The 25-year-old was hugely influential in Sunday’s dramatic late comeback to beat Fulham 4-3, stepping into the number six position for the final 30 minutes and scoring the 88th-minute winner.

  Alexander-Arnold’s development from an attacking right-back criticised for his defensive short-comings to a hybrid role continues on an upward curve since it was first implemented in April.

  But it has progressed this season with him deployed as a genuine holding midfielder against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup, again for half-an-hour in the second half.

  There is a growing debate about how the creative abilities of the England international, whom national boss Gareth Southgate now seems to consider a midfielder in his set-up, could be used more permanently in central midfield.

  Klopp, however, has no intention of listening to that.

  “I’m not stubborn and don’t want to play him midfield, not at all, but I am not part of the discussion,” he said.

  “You can discuss it as much as you want but it will not have any influence.

  “We still have to make decisions on what is best for the team and Trent sees it exactly the same way.

  “He wants to play and from my point of view he has to be influential and we have to make sure we help him with the positioning.

  “He became one of the most successful players in the history of Liverpool, in the recent history, playing as a right-back. He became a Premier League player as a right-back. He can play more inside definitely.

  “He will play where it is best for us. What do we have available? Is Joey (Joe Gomez) there, is Conor (Bradley) there? If they both are there do we have to play one of them at left-back because Kostas (Tsimikas) cannot play all the games?

  “Yes, Trent can play midfield but we always knew that Trent can play the role we gave him now very well as well.

  “If you want to be good he has to be influential from all different areas because it just makes us better if he plays a good game.”

  Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is set to start back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time – he last played two games in a row in January 2022 but they were in different competitions – at Sheffield United on Wednesday as he continues to deputise for the injured Alisson Becker.

  He endured a difficult afternoon against the Cottagers, beaten at close range with their first two goals, but Klopp’s faith is unwavering in the 25-year-old he labelled the “best number two in the world” after his performance in the 2022 Carabao Cup final victory.

  “I really think he played a really good game. In possession he was good, especially with his feet,” added the Liverpool boss.

  “But then we concede two goals and the Harry Wilson one is an unlucky one as a goalie, if the ball goes through legs, it goes through the legs.

  “It has nothing to do with quality, it’s a philosophy thing and he could have saved that ball (for the second goal) as well with the same movement just a little bit more luck.

  “We need him to be there, offensive, and get off his line (at Bramall Lane). Besides that, absolutely fine with everything.”

  While the club await scans on the extent of Joel Matip’s knee injury, which Klopp said “doesn’t look good”, there was more positive news on forward Diogo Jota, injured at Manchester City 10 days ago.

  “He was running yesterday outside and everything goes in the right direction, but nobody told me he will be back in team training. There is still some time,” said Klopp.