Virgil van Dijk can be Liverpools Eric Cantona, says former Manchester United and Reds midfielder Paul Ince
Paul Ince believes Virgil van Dijk can be Liverpools version of Eric Cantona as the Reds aim to end their 29-year wait for a Premier League title.Jurgen Klopps men are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City with 14 games to go.Virgil van Dijk has been a huge hit at Liverpool2
Virgil van Dijk has been a huge hit at Liverpool
And Ince, who won two league titles with Manchester United before spending two seasons at Anfield in the 1990s, says Van Dijks influence on Liverpools team is similar to the one Cantona had at Old Trafford.United signed Cantona in 1992 and the Frenchman played a key role as the club ended a 26-year wait for a title, with him crucial to another three league triumphs.Since becoming the worlds most expensive defender 12 months ago, Van Dijk, a 75million signing from Southampton, has helped transform Liverpool into title contenders.Eric Cantona and Paul Ince celebrate Manchester United’s Charity Shield win in 19932
Eric Cantona and Paul Ince celebrate Manchester United’s Charity Shield win in 1993
Ince told The Times: When we brought Eric Cantona in, it was the final piece of the jigsaw.When he came into the changing room for the first time, he was a big man, a big presence of a man, and his attitude matched our attitude. He had a will to win titles, he wanted to be successful. Are we talking about the same thing with Virgil van Dijk? Is he the one? The goalkeeper [Alisson] has come in and done well but I look at Van Dijk and think he has made the rest of the players around him better.Liverpool have that presence about them. That presence that we had. Teams have got to be scared about coming up against you. People look and think, Jesus, we have got Liverpool next week.This team has that now and that is a good quality to have when you are going for a title.
Rafa Benitez has ruled out a New Year move for Jonjo Shelvey

Rafael Benitez claims he never threatened to leave Newcastle over transfers. Atlanta United playmaker Miguel Almiron joined in a club record £20m transfer while Monaco full-back Antonio Barreca
Newcastle pulls off club-record Miguel Almiron deal - Sportstar
Tony Casscarino is sceptical about Maurizio Sarri’s methods

Liverpool pair Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will share the Premier League's Golden Boot award alongside Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this season. Salah entered the weekend as the leading scorer with 22 goals, two ahead of his closest competitors, but the race for the Golden Boot took plenty of twists on the final day.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Arsenal striker admits to Golden
Aymeric Laporte was on the scoresheet for Man City in Lyon

Sheffield Wednesday want Steve Bruce as their next manager. Jos Luhukay was sacked on Friday at the end of a turbulent week at Hillsborough with the Owls struggling in the Championship with one
Sheffield Wednesday want promotion specialist Steve Bruce as
sportsalert.org/2018/12/22/sheffield-wednesday-want-promotion-specialist-steve-bruce-as-their-new-manager/
The struggling Championship club want an experienced boss to lead them away from trouble Steve Bruce is in line for a return to management with Sheffield Wednesday. The former Manchester United defender is the frontrunner to succeed Jos Luhukay, who was sacked on Friday after 11 months in charge.
Sheffield Wednesday want promotion specialist Steve Bruce as
Alexandre Lacazette will be supported by Mesut Ozil in attack

Gareth Southgate says he will bring on Wayne Rooney in good time for England to the 15,000 tickets they've sold since news emerged of Rooney's involvement. Wayne Rooney's England ahead
Football news - Wayne Rooney's England farewell drives
Neymar is consoled by his teammates

Man accused of punching three police horses outside Celtic Park BBC News. The football fan denied carrying out the attack before the Scottish Cup match between Celtic and Airdieonians.
Celtic vs Airdrie - Fan 'punched three police horses' and
Ipswich are 11 points adrift of the bottom three in the Championship

CHELSEA are preparing for life after Eden Hazard and reportedly sent scouts to watch João Félix, Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Dias as the Belgian's potential replacements, according to reports. But Benfica have recently slapped a staggering £105m price tag on their starlet who has been having a breakthrough season.
Chelsea send scouts to watch 'Hazard replacement' Joao Felix
The Spaniard has played the Eagles last three matches and kept two clean sheets so with his cheap price hes perfect for at least a bench role. If youre starting him be aware he has Chelsea, Wolves, Watford, and Liverpool in his next set of games but then has another decent run after.

The England international striker was not expected to play again this season, but his manager now thinks he could feature in the run-in for Tottenham Mauricio Pochettino feels sorry for Harry Kane
Harry Kane: Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino confident striker
Balotelli made it clear the story was NOT true

Best of the Rest XI: The Premier League's top performers this season outside of the Big Six James Maddison. but it could have been more as he created the most chances in the league with
Best of the Rest XI: Premier League's top performers outside
Sean Longstaff looks like being a fine player for the Magpies

Jan 27, 2019 · Notts County owner Alan Hardy has announced he has "very reluctantly" put the club up for sale but insisted the current league position, nor the current social media headlines surrounding him, are
Alan Hardy accepts offer to buy Notts County from 'credible


Football fans hilariously mock Richard Keys after bizarre tweet about former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard is now at the helm of Newcastle but his fortunes as Magpies manager have
WATCH: Darren Farley's hilarious impression of Rafa Benitez
Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge is in west London

Darrell Clarke has left his job as Bristol Rovers manager with immediate effect with the club lying 21st in Sky Bet League One after a difficult start to the season. The 40-year-old has been
Bristol Rovers sack Darrell Clarke | Sports Love Me
sportsloveme.com/soccer/bristol-rovers-sack-darrell-clarke/
The 40-year-old has been manager for four years, guiding the club to successive promotions from the Conference and League Two. But, with Rovers currently in the relegation zone having lost four on the spin, Clarke has left the Memorial Stadium. Darrell Clarke has been sacked by Bristol Rovers after six years in charge of the club
Bristol Rovers sack manager Darrell Clarke after six years
sportsalert.org/2018/12/13/bristol-rovers-sack-manager-darrell-clarke-after-six-years-with-the-club/
But, with Rovers currently in the League One relegation zone, Clarke has left the club after six years at the Memorial Stadium. A statement on the club's website read: "Darrell Clarke has been a loyal servant of Bristol Rovers Football Club for nearly six years, initially as John Ward's assistant, then progressing to first team manager.
Bristol Rovers sack manager Darrell Clarke - bristol247.com
Diego Costa has just one league goal for Atletico Madrid this season

Man Utd and Spurs target James Maddison tells Leicester he wants to stay this transfer window despite £60m interest Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Spurs are gearing up for
Man Utd lead Liverpool City and Spurs in race to sign