Manchester United's Antony is "really grateful" to Cristiano Ronaldo for taking him under his wing since his arrival at Old Trafford.

With his goal in last Sunday's 2-1 win at Everton, Antony became the first player to score in his first three Premier League appearances for United.

Ronaldo also scored his 700th career club goal in that contest at Goodison Park, as Erik ten Hag's side made it seven victories in their past nine fixtures in all competitions.

Antony has impressed since signing from Ajax in September and says he is very thankful for the help Ronaldo has given him and his fellow young players.

"Since I arrived here, Cristiano Ronaldo has really helped me feel at ease," Antony told United's official website. "He speaks to me a lot, on matchdays as well.

"He always tells me to be calm and confident. He's achieved so much in football and I learn from him every day.

"I'm really grateful to have such an experienced person teaching us young players every day."

Antony, who joined from Ajax in the close season for a deal potentially rising to €98.6million (£85m), has three goals in six appearances overall for United.

When asked what he found most impressive about Ronaldo, Antony replied: "His mentality, it's so strong. He's very intelligent.

"This mentality of his, looking to the next day, everything still to play for, it's what I'm trying to take on board and keep for the rest of my life."

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hailed Cristiano Ronaldo's "phenomenal" record of scoring 700 club goals and joked "not many players even achieve 700 games".

Ronaldo hit the latest milestone in his remarkable career with the winning strike in last Sunday's 2-1 win at Everton after being introduced from the substitutes' bench.

The Portugal forward has endured a frustrating time of things under Ten Hag, having so far started just one of United's eight Premier League matches under the Dutchman.

But ahead of facing Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday – a match Ronaldo looks set to start – Ten Hag lauded the superstar forward's goalscoring longevity.

"It's phenomenal. Football is [about the] team and we express this in a way," Ten Hag told United's official website. 

"I think Cristiano, he knows we can't do it without the team but I must say it's a huge individual performance. If you achieve this, it's incredible. 

"Seven hundred club goals. Not many players even achieve 700 games, and he scored 700 goals. I'm really happy for him. I really want to tell you that and I congratulate him."

Of those 700 goals scored by Ronaldo, five came for Sporting CP, 118 in his first spell at United, 450 with Real Madrid, 101 at Juventus and 26 in his second stint at Old Trafford.

The 37-year-old will be looking to add to that tally against Cypriot side Omonia as United aim to avoid an unwanted first.

They have lost their past two home European matches, against Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad – never before have they lost three in a row, with this their 198th game.

United recovered to beat Omonia 3-2 last week and are second in Group E at the midway stage, three points ahead of Sheriff and three behind leaders Real Sociedad.

"It's another important game for us," Ten Hag said. "We want to be first in the group. We are three points behind Sociedad and so we have to win. 

"That is the first [target], and we have to score goals, that is the second [target]. So we have to prepare for the game properly because we are playing against a tough opponent. 

"They will be ambitious and they will be fighting so they are well organised. It's not easy to score goals. We had that experience last week, so we have to be good."

Real Madrid had a drawn-out pursuit of Kylian Mbappe earlier this year but ultimately missed out on the France forward.

Mbappe opted to sign a lucrative contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain in May, tying him to the Parisians until 2025.

But earlier this week, Fabrizio Romano reported the situation between PSG and Mbappe had got tense, with the player keen to depart.

TOP STORY – MADRID MOVE ON FROM MBAPPE AMID TRANSFER TWIST

Marca claims that Real Madrid are no longer have interest in signing Mbappe amid reports that he is unsettled at PSG and wants to leave.

The report claims that Los Blancos are observing the situation from afar with no desire to participate in the latest drama.

Romano also said PSG had no intention of selling Mbappe in January amid the speculation he wanted out. PSG director Luis Campos denied the report on Tuesday.

ROUND-UP

– Bayern Munich will turn to Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram should they fail to land Tottenham's Harry Kane , reports TZ. Thuram's Gladbach deal ends at the end of this season.

– Sky Sport's Florian Plettenberg reports that Toni Kroos and Real Madrid are set to commence talks on a new deal running until 2024, with his currently deal expiring at season's end.

– Barcelona will try to lure Chelsea pair N'Golo Kante and Jorginho to Camp Nou as free agents at the end of this season, claims the Evening Standard. The Blues are currently trying to convince both to re-sign.

– 90min claims Manchester City have told Bayern Munich and Inter that defender Nathan Ake is not for sale in January, following speculation about their interest.

– West Ham have joined Roma and Manchester United in pursuing a deal for Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi, according to Calciomercato.

– Football Insider reports Brentford have commenced discussions with England international striker Ivan Toney on a new deal, with Tottenham linked to him.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp claimed Wednesday's 7-1 Champions League win away to Rangers has completely changed the mood within the group ahead of Sunday's clash with Manchester City.

The Reds have endured a difficult start to the 2022-23 season, particularly in the Premier League, where they are 10th with 10 points from eight games. Klopp's side also lost their opening Champions League game with a poor 4-1 loss away to Napoli, compounding their issues.

Wednesday's emphatic win in Glasgow, which included a record-breaking Mohamed Salah hat-trick within six minutes and 12 seconds, came after losing 3-2 to Arsenal.

Klopp argued the win had made the mood "completely different" and even joked about getting drunk amid the celebrations.

"It changed the mood, definitely," Klopp told reporters. "It is completely different. We usually drink a beer after away games, but it is that long ago that I drank beer and I probably will be drunk after one.

"It changes the mood completely and that's good, but we all know who we are welcoming on Sunday and this will be a different game. It is better to go into a game with the feeling we've got tonight than any other."

Klopp utilised Salah off the bench against Rangers, coming on in the 68th minute, along with Diogo Jota, who was a 73rd-minute substitute before providing the assists for all three of the Egyptian's goals.

Andy Robertson returned from a knee injury to make his first appearance since Napoli loss in early September as a 67th-minute substitute as well.

Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson were among those brought off, although Klopp declined to give much away when asked if the changes were in preparation for City.

"The changes tonight were because we could do it, but Diogo Jota didn't start because I got a call this morning that he feels a little bit his muscle," the German said.

"He could play but he should not play for too long, so it was my decision to decide do I start him for 30 minutes or do we bring him [on] for 20? So that was obviously the right thing to do.

"Hendo played a lot, Darwin now played a lot after not playing that much and you have all of these kind of things in your mind when you do the changes.

"Actually, the first 11 was really good but the changes made gave us the next step with us and that was very, very pleasing. It was good, but that’s it and now we recover and prepare for the next game."

On taking on City, who are second in the Premier League, he added: "We don’t have to make a big thing of it, but the best football team in the world right now is coming to Anfield on Sunday.

"We will see what we can do, but it's not now that we are with a big mouth and telling them come and we are waiting. Not at all. It was for us tonight, for different reasons, incredibly important. Yes, 7-1 is a freak result, we know that."

Sergio Aguero has compared Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland to the likes of Lionel Messi and Ronaldo Nazario, backing the Norwegian to continue breaking records with Pep Guardiola's team.

Haaland has scored 20 goals in just 13 appearances since joining City from Borussia Dortmund, sending records tumbling during an incredible start to life in England.

The 22-year-old set a new Premier League record in August by scoring nine times in his first five outings, and he became the first player to score a hat-trick in three consecutive home games in the competition by starring in a 6-3 win over Manchester United this month.

Haaland's spectacular start in Manchester has earned him lofty praise from City legend Aguero, who has compared him to two South American greats.

"There's been many strikers worthy of awe I can think of," Aguero told Stake.com. "One of my favourites was Ronaldo Nazario, who time and time again proved to be the full package as a player, and a menace before the goalposts.

"Each era usually has two or three players with that ability – and usually with different styles. 

"Diego [Maradona], Romario, [Robert] Lewandowski, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, and Leo, of course! Each had their own flair, but they were all tremendous scorers to a fault.

"Speaking of Haaland specifically, he's got potency, athleticism, and a particular instinct for goals, which makes him very dangerous. 

He's got everything to keep racking up amazing stats, especially being part of an offensively-minded team like City. That in turn means plenty of opportunities to score. 

"He's young and has a lot of potential to continue breaking records. Key to this, of course, will be consistency."

Aguero – City's all-time top scorer with 260 goals for the club in all competitions – believes Haaland, supported by the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, is the ideal man to lead the club into a new era.

"When I left City, I shared how proud I was to have been part of a generation of players that made it one of the top clubs in the world," he added.

"That was a re-foundational period, with many big changes, that allowed City to become a force to be reckoned with.

"I also said it'd be up to a new generation to maintain this status and reach new heights. I think this new team is ready for that. 

"Kevin [De Bruyne] has an amazing record as a player, Haaland is on the right path. But it's not just the two of them. Phil Foden – my own favourite, Bernardo [Silva], [Ilkay] Gundogan, Rodri, [Aymeric] Laporte... each of their contributions make the team stronger."

Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof believes increased competition for places is helping to improve the Red Devils' fortunes.

Lindelof missed United's poor start to the season with injury but has since fought his way back into the defence, starting the past two matches alongside Lisandro Martinez, who recently signed from Ajax.

Martinez was brought in to bolster a backline that includes the likes of Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane, both of whom have featured this season alongside the Argentina international, who is the only centre-back to have started every league game so far this campaign.

United have improved of late, winning seven of their past nine fixtures in all competitions, and Lindelof believes a battle for places partly explains their upturn in form.

"Obviously, I had a tough start to the season," Lindelof told reporters ahead of Thursday's Europa League tie with Omonia Nicosia. 

"But it's always very important for this team to have good players in the squad and competition for places.

"It's not a problem for me. I am always available if the manager needs me and if I have the opportunity, I will do my best.

"I always want to push myself and play games. I think everyone in the squad wants that."

Lindelof also credits new manager Erik ten Hag for the recent developments in his own game, adding: "The way he wants to play suits me.

"He's demanding a lot from us, how we control the game from the back and start the build-up.

"Hopefully I can keep improving a lot under him."

Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney believes the unity that has characterised the Gunners' flying start to the new season has been years in the making under Mikel Arteta.    

Sunday's thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool at Emirates Stadium ensured Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League, where they lead Manchester City by a solitary point after nine games.

The Gunners have won eight of their opening nine games in a top-flight campaign for just the fourth time in their history, having also done so in the 1947-48, 2004-05 and 2007-08 seasons.

Meanwhile, the last time Arsenal led the Premier League at a later stage of the season was on December 10, 2016, when they did so after 15 games. 

Arsenal's form represents quite the turnaround for Arteta, who has come under fire at various points during his three-year stint at the club, but Tierney believes recent campaigns laid the foundations for their current run.

Asked about the atmosphere around the club, Tierney told Arsenal's website: "I'd say it's the best since I've been here and I think that's a credit to all the fans, and the players and the staff. 

"It just feels like it has clicked – everybody has come together. You hear reactions after we concede goals, you very rarely hear that in football. 

"Our fans ended up drowning out the Liverpool fans after they scored, just to try and cheer us on, go again and try and get another goal. I think you need that.

"It's been building, even last season you could see it's been getting better and better between the players, the staff and the fans, and this season it's all just come together and we're one club, one unit."

Arsenal's victory over Liverpool – their eighth successive home league win – put them 14 points clear of last season's runners-up in the early-season standings, but Tierney is refusing to set any targets for his side. 

"It's only been nine games and you can't say anyone is anything after nine games," the Scotland international added. "If you look at last year, we were down in the table and we climbed our way up, so there's a long way to go and there's no point in even thinking like that.

"You want to stay [at the top] of course. I've got a bit of experience at Celtic when we were expected to be at the top and stay on the top as well, so it is familiar in that way for me that the pressure is on you to stay there. 

"The other teams are chasing you, and we want to keep that going as long as we can. Progress is the main thing. We've progressed every year, so we want to keep progressing well. 

"You just want to finish up as high as possible, and we know what we want and we'll keep working towards it."

Reece James is hopeful that an injury sustained during Chelsea's 2-0 Champions League victory against AC Milan is "not a bad one", with the World Cup on the horizon.

After an awkward landing, the 22-year-old England international had to be brought off the pitch on the hour mark - raising further concerns for the Three Lions ahead of the tournament in Qatar, after Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up a knock in Liverpool's defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

James took to social media to address the worries about his injury and, while unable to offer any decisive updates, shared hope that he will not be sidelined for an extensive period.

He said: "Fingers crossed it’s not a bad one. Love for all the messages, I appreciate you all."

Graham Potter was unsure as to the extent of James' injury, stating he was unable to provide an outlook until further tests are done this week.

"We're hoping Reece will be OK. It will be 24, 48 hours to find out, so it's too early to give you anything more than that," he said in his post-match press conference.

The Blues' win marked an end to a run of seven winless away trips to Italian teams in the Champions League, a record that stretched back to 2003, and leaves Chelsea sat top of Group E with fixtures against RB Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb to come.

Potter added: "To come here and win is certainly not easy, that is for sure. Credit to the players. They were really good, I thought."

Chelsea travel to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, beginning a sequence of three league games in six days with fixtures against Brentford and Manchester United on the horizon.

Cristiano Ronaldo will not accept his Football Association (FA) charge for throwing an Everton supporter's phone, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said.

A video emerged on social media of United forward Ronaldo appearing to smash a fan's phone as he left the field after Everton's 1-0 Premier League win in April.

The Portugal captain was questioned by Merseyside Police in relation to an alleged assault and criminal damage and received a caution in August.

The FA last month charged the 37-year-old for breaching Rule E3, which relates to "improper and/or violent conduct", but the case now looks set to proceed to a hearing.

Asked if Ronaldo accepts the charge, Ten Hag told reporters on Wednesday: "We have talked about that. He will not accept it."

Ronaldo issued an apology on Instagram at the time, stating: "It's never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments such as the one we are facing.

"Nevertheless, we always have to be respectful, patient and set the example for all the youngsters who love the beautiful game.

"I would like to apologise for my outburst and, if possible, I would like to invite this supporter to watch a game at Old Trafford as a sign of fair-play and sportsmanship."

Ronaldo has endured a disappointing time of things on the field for United this season, having started just one of their opening eight Premier League matches.

However, he scored his second goal of the campaign in all competitions in Sunday's 2-1 win at Everton after being introduced from the substitutes' bench in the first half.

And Ten Hag is pleased with the way the superstar forward has gone about returning to top fitness after missing almost the entirety of United's pre-season for personal reasons.

"I want to support him as good as possible," Ten Hag said at a pre-match news conference ahead of Thursday's Europa League group-stage match with Omonia Nicosia. 

"We have certain demands from players, what we expect in certain positions. I want to get the best out of him and he's in better shape now and can contribute more."

Asked if a lack of fitness is the reason Ronaldo has not started more occasionally this season, Ten Hag said: "At the start that was the case. 

"It's proven once again that no one can miss a pre-season."

Ronaldo was brought on against Everton after Anthony Martial sustained another injury, with the forward yet to return to training as of Thursday.

"I've had several talks with him and I'm really disappointed for him," Ten Hag said. "We'll see how he develops ahead of Sunday [against Newcastle United]."

Ten Hag also confirmed Harry Maguire is still absent, while Donny van De Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are "longer-term" absentees.

United beat Omonia 3-2 in Cyprus last week and are second in Group E, three points ahead of Sheriff and three behind leaders Real Sociedad.

Ten Hag's side face a gruelling run of fixtures on the domestic and European front, but the Dutchman says it is important his side seal top spot in their group.

"I told the players weeks ago, before the break, it was important to win the group," he said. "We want to win all the games. It's clear, we want to avoid [finishing second].

"I think all the clubs that play in Europe have the same problem. We have a squad to cover that. Injuries and suspensions will happen, but you have to deal with it as a squad."

New Zealand winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is hoping to emulate his namesake Cristiano Ronaldo – who he is named after – when the 2021 Rugby League World Cup gets under way this month.

The Cronulla Sharks winger is making his tournament bow with Michael Maguire's Kiwis, as the world number one-ranked nation look to dethrone holders Australia and hosts England among others over the next few weeks.

While New Zealand will raise the curtain on their campaign in Group C against Lebanon at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium, it is up the road at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, where the final will take place.

Mulitalo is aiming to guide his side to the November 19 showpiece, revealing his name is indeed inspired by the Portuguese talisman who calls it home, though he admits it is a moniker he struggles to relate to.

"My mum loves him," he stated. "I don't like telling people around here because they are looking at my like 'you are a fake Ronaldo' ... the bush version. So I don't really tell everyone my name around here.

"But it would be a bit of a surreal moment [to play at his ground]. It would be nice. Before we even think about getting to Old Trafford we have a bit of work to do."

Following their opener against Lebanon, New Zealand will face tournament debutants Jamaica at Hull's MKM Stadium before wrapping up their group campaign against Ireland at Leeds' Headingley Stadium.

Any path to the final is likely to see them have to go through Australia to get there, with the Kangaroos on their side of the knockout draw, while England, Tonga and Samoa make up the major contenders on the other pathway.

Jurgen Klopp sarcastically described Dietmar Hamann as "a fantastic source" after the former Liverpool player suggested the club's poor form may lead to a change of manager.

Liverpool head into Wednesday's Champions League group game at Rangers with just four wins to their name from 11 matches this season in all competitions.

Sunday's 3-2 loss to Arsenal leaves Liverpool with 10 Premier League points this term, with that their lowest tally after eight games since the 2012-13 campaign (nine points).

And speaking on Tuesday, Hamann said Liverpool chiefs may soon have to discuss Klopp's future at Anfield after seven years in the job for his German compatriot.

Klopp did not take kindly when asked for a response to Hamann's comments during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Rangers match.

"Who said that? Didi Hamann? Oh great. A fantastic source, well respected everywhere," Klopp said.

"[Being a former Liverpool player] does not give you the right to say what you want, especially when you have no idea.

"I actually think Didi Hamann does not deserve that you use his phrase to ask a question. Do me a favour and ask your own question."

Liverpool have won back-to-back matches in the Champions League, including a 2-0 win over Rangers last week, since going down 4-1 to Napoli in their Group A opener.

That loss to Napoli came in their most recent away match in the competition, though not since September 2019 have they lost successive games on their travels on the continent.

Klopp's mood was not improved after it was confirmed that Luis Diaz will miss the next two months, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip are out for a fortnight.

But the Liverpool manager, whose second-place side sit three points behind Napoli and three ahead of Ajax, insists he is up for the challenge of turning things around.

"If you sleep on a problem, sometimes you realise life goes on. I just stood there at Arsenal and we had lost the game. I knew already that we had three big injuries," he said.

"This is a tough situation but it also a challenge. We always face challenges but we go for it.

"I am sorry to all our people that after last season we go again and it's not the case that we are competing for everything.

"I cannot promise that we will fly [against Rangers] but we will fight, definitely, until someone tells us the fight is over. 

"It hasn't got easier since Sunday because of the injuries but the team I saw in training I liked a lot. So let's give it a go."

Jim Ratcliffe says he has been told Manchester United are not for sale by the Glazer family and he "can't sit around waiting" for the club to become available.

Britain's richest man, chairman of INEOS, stated in August he would be keen to strike a deal should the Glazers be willing to sell up.

There have been multiple protests against the club's owners from supporters, including one in May 2021 that saw United's match against Liverpool postponed.

But any hopes fans had of a changing of the guard at Old Trafford have been dampened by Ratcliffe, who met with Joel and Avram Glazer.

"Manchester United is owned by the Glazer family, whom I have met," Ratcliffe, told the Financial Times. "I've met Joel [Glazer] and Avram [Glazer] and they are the nicest people, I have to say.

"They are proper gentlemen, really nice people, and they don't want to sell it. It's owned by the six children of the father and they don't want to sell it."

Ratcliffe was one of several figures who made bids to buy Chelsea before Todd Boehly's successful candidacy earlier this year, and the boyhood United fan acknowledged he would have tried to make a bid in the wake of his Blues failure.

"If it had been for sale in the summer, yes, we would have probably had a go following on from the Chelsea thing," he added. "But we can't sit around hoping that one day Manchester United will become available."

Manchester United are joining Milan in the chase for midfielder Davide Frattesi, with Sassuolo reportedly willing to cash in on him if their asking price is met.

Frattesi, 23, burst onto the scene this past season after returning from three consecutive loan stints in Serie B, earning 35 league starts before taking a step forward this term with three goals in nine games.

His rapid ascension earned him his first senior international cap for Italy in June, and he has since started in big Nations League fixtures against Germany and England.

There was a belief he could leave the club this past transfer window, when Sassuolo also sold Gianluca Scamacca to West Ham, but his continued improvement means he could be gone in January.

TOP STORY – UNITED PONDER MOVE FOR SASSUOLO'S FRATTESI

According to Calciomercato, United sent scouts to Sassuolo to get a closer look at the six-foot tall midfielder, and were told he could be available for a price of €35million.

United may find that a bit rich after recent reports their financial position will only allow them to make a move for one of Jude Bellingham or Frenkie de Jong, but they could receive a cash injection of their own if they are to part ways with 23-year-old defender Diogo Dalot. Calciomercato also claims Dalot wishes to leave the club, and Juventus have a strong interest in him. 

Frattesi's contract ties him to the Serie A side until 2026, giving them all the leverage in the negotiation, and with Milan's interest already established, that price tag may not be an unreasonable demand.

ROUND-UP

– Gazzetta dello Sport are reporting Juventus are preparing a January move for Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who will only have 18 months remaining on his contract.

– After reportedly turning down a bid of €60m from Paris Saint-Germain in the most recent transfer window, Tuttosport now claims Inter will accept a bid in the range of €25m for centre-back Milan Skriniar in January, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

– Sky Sport's Florian Plettenberg believes PSV forward Cody Gakpo has no interest in joining Leeds United, who are said to have launched a move for him on deadline day, and will instead hold out for a bigger move.

– According to Record, Tottenham are keen on signing 21-year-old Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte, although his price is believed to be set at €80m.

– The Athletic are reporting Erling Haaland has a €200m release clause in his Manchester City contract that can be activated by any team outside of England as soon as 2024.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is looking forward to Sunday's trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool, allowing some key players to rest during Tuesday's 0-0 Champions League draw against FC Copenhagen.

City were bright early and had chances to take the lead, with a disallowed goal in the 11th minute and a saved penalty from Riyad Mahrez in the 25th, before Sergio Gomez was shown a straight red card that changed the game.

After controlling 66 per cent of the possession in a comfortable first half, that figure dipped to 46 per cent after the break as Copenhagen found a foothold into the game and fought hard for their point.

Speaking after the match, where star striker Erling Haaland was rested and starting midfielders Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were only used as late substitutes, Guardiola said the compressed schedule with multiple games per week had finally started to catch up to some players.

"Many players didn’t start today because they were really, really, exhausted, tired and fatigued and had some niggles," he said.

"Erling [Haaland] didn’t feel very good after the game against Southampton, Phil [Foden] had some problems, Bernardo [Silva] was so tired yesterday, he told us. 

"The players, they feel better and I of course, didn’t want to take a risk. Of course, it was so important, but when we have nine points already in our pocket, we need one more game to qualify mathematically, ok we took one point, we played for that and we started really well. 

"We cannot deny how well we played for the first minutes, knowing that it’s difficult. Their defence is so deep and well-organised and after that, those situations, the goal disallowed, the penalty, the sending off, the game changed, especially playing almost for an hour 10 against 11."

When asked if this is a perfect time to face Liverpool – coming off a loss to Arsenal and with one fewer day of rest after they play Rangers on Wednesday – Guardiola said form goes out the window in fixtures this big.

"It’s the scale of the fixture when you have to go to Anfield," he said. "It’s not about how you arrive, good or bad, you have to perform every time. 

"We have four days [to prepare] – we travel right now, tomorrow we have regeneration, one day off, clear our minds, because for one or two weeks we’ve not had a day off with a game every three days, and after that we’ll prepare the game against Liverpool."

Garang Kuol is an "excitement machine" and can thrill for Australia at the World Cup in Qatar, Socceroos great John Aloisi has told Stats Perform.

Teenager Kuol is the most promising talent in Australia's A-League and has already agreed a January move to Newcastle United in the Premier League.

The 18-year-old, who can play across the front line, only made his full debut for Central Coast Mariners in an Australia Cup tie in July.

But Kuol had previously made nine A-League appearances as a substitute, scoring four goals in just 189 minutes.

He also starred in the A-League All Stars Game against Barcelona and during his Australia debut versus New Zealand.

Aloisi, who played and scored for the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup, now hopes to see Kuol given the opportunity to impress again in Qatar next month.

The 46-year-old now coaches Western United, who lost 1-0 to a Kuol goal in their last meeting with Central Coast in April.

"Well, I'm excited about Garang Kuol because having coached against him, watched him closely, he's an excitement machine," Aloisi told Stats Perform.

"And I don't want to put too much pressure on him as well, because there's still a long way to go in his career.

"But it's great that he's able to sign for a Premier League club. Hopefully he becomes the next big thing for Australian football. But we have to help him and also guide him.

"It's exciting, and I'm sure that if he does get that ticket on the plane and he does come on, it will excite everyone watching, and all Australians will be following him and seeing how good he is."