Norgaard 'has really earned the opportunity'
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Daily Mirror
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool told they're to blame for Trent Alexander-Arnold's bitter Anfield exit
Trent Alexander-Arnold's 21-year stay at Liverpool ended in sour fashion as he joined Real Madrid this summer, and one former Red blames the club for not acting sooner Former Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson has blamed the club for failing to tie Trent Alexander-Arnold down to a new deal prior to his Real Madrid transfer. The academy graduate ended his 21-year association with the Reds this summer and moved to Spain after failing to agree fresh terms. Word first emerged in 2024 that Real were interested in signing the 26-year-old as a long-term solution at right-back. It was confirmed in May that two-time Premier League champion Alexander-Arnold would indeed leave Anfield, and Los Blancos snapped up his signature for £8.4million one month later. Despite being born and raised in Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold was condemned by some sections of the Liverpool support. One fan went viral after posting a video burning the player's No. 66 shirt, while Alexander-Arnold was booed by certain supporters before and during a clash against Arsenal in May. But Johnson, who made 200 appearances for Liverpool between 2009 and 2015, has said it's the club's fault their star got away. And their failure to act sooner now means local lad Alexander-Arnold's reputation has been tainted, as far as many supporters are concerned. "It's hard to say," Johnson told Mirror Sport (via 888sport) when asked if he would have done the same in Alexander-Arnold's shoes. "But look, if Madrid come for players, everyone's ears prick up. And Trent's won everything at Liverpool. He's been there many years. "I think Liverpool should never have allowed him to have that option. You know, he should have signed a deal two years before. And then we don't have this conversation. So, you can't blame the player when he hasn't got a contract. What can he do? "He hasn't got a contract, and he's four months away from signing for Real Madrid for free. Every player's going to think, 'Well, look, you should have given me a contract years ago and looked after me. And you haven't.' So, this is what happens." Liverpool also came dangerously close to seeing club stalwarts Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk also leave the club this summer. However, the Reds managed to tie down each of those talismans on new deals at the 11th hour. Reports indicated Liverpool did try and convince Alexander-Arnold to stay with multiple contract offers. And it's understood the player would have been one of the highest-earning full-backs in world football had he signed the best of those. By then, though, it appears the damage was done after Real advanced their operation to recruit the England regular. And the promise of joining close pal and international team-mate Jude Bellingham in Spain's capital apparently proved too tempting to turn down. Liverpool's infrastructure, recruitment and acumen in maintaining squad harmony has often been the envy of most other clubs over the past decade or so. Fenway Sports Group have repeatedly reaped the benefits of stellar appointments with managers, board members and backroom staff, revolutionising their status as regular title contenders as a result. However, the case of Alexander-Arnold and how external forces were permitted to get their claws in may go down as one of their poorer case studies. And it's Johnson's belief a little more initiative in recognising the player's value sooner could have avoided one of their most dramatic transfer sagas in the modern age. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The precious funds Man United are making from sell-on fees involving former players this summer
Manchester United are making millions in sell-on fees from former players moving clubs this summer. The Red Devils are looking to bolster their own squad after a dismal season last campaign that saw them finish 15th in the Premier League under new head coach Ruben Amorim. Their season could have been somewhat saved had they won the Europa League, but they lost the final 1-0 against Premier League rivals Tottenham and pressure is now on Amorim to perform. After branding his United team the 'worst' in the club's history last season, Amorim has been desperate to improve the personnel at his side, with United officials so far backing him in the transfer market. Matheus Cunha has been the headline arrival at £62.5million from Wolves, while Diego Leon also signed for £7m from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno. The pursuit for Bryan Mbeumo, though, is still on, with the Red Devils yet to meet Brentford 's valuation of £65m. But Amorim's side have been receiving boosts elsewhere in the market because of former players swapping sides - with Anthony Elanga 's £55m move to Newcastle showcasing just that. According to James Ducker of The Telegraph, Elanga's move to the north east has seen United pocket £6m because of a clause inserted in a former deal. Winger Elanga left Old Trafford for Nottingham Forest in 2023 after struggling for game time at Old Trafford, but quickly became an established Premier League star and a sought-after man. He had spent eight years at United after joining their academy in 2015, making 55 appearances for the first team before departing. The now-23-year-old joined Forest for £15m, but with a reported sell-on clause that would see United bank 15 per cent of profit on any deal. Given he moved for £55m, United are said to have picked up around £6m of the fee. That's also the case surrounding former United left back Alvaro Carreras, who is on the verge of leaving Benfica to join Real Madrid for around £43m. Carreras, 22, spent four years at United having initially joined their youth set-up from Madrid, but failed to make a first-team appearance having enjoyed time on loan at Preston, Granada and Benfica. Last summer, he moved to Portugal permanently for around £7m, which means Benfica will pocket around £36m of profit. 20 per cent of that - £7.2m - will go to United. The money made by the Red Devils could well be added to their transfer kitty this summer as they look to continue to rebuild their squad ahead of a big year for Amorim. They will be hoping to raise more money in sales too, with Juventus reportedly making Marcus Rashford their top target this summer. United have their own bomb squad, with five players told to look for new sides. They are Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, Antony and Jadon Sancho. The summer was made harder due to a lack of European competition next season, but the club are understood to be keen to continue adding to their ranks.
BBC News
31 minutes ago
- BBC News
Sight impaired woman to take part in her 250th Jersey Parkrun
A severely sight impaired woman from Jersey who relies on running guides is due to take part in her 250th Parkrun Stafford completed her first Parkrun in 2016 and, along with a guide and her guide dog Nan, is planning to participate in the milestone run at Quennevais Sports Stafford has retinitis pigmentosa which means she sees very little and is just about able to distinguish daylight from said: "I couldn't do it without a guide so I'm really appreciative of all of the guides who have been guiding me since my first run and continue to come along and guide me." Since December 2016, there has been a co-ordinated a rota of about 25 volunteer guides to help Ms Stafford around the 5km (3.1 miles) Stafford said: "I wouldn't be able to get to my 250th run without every one of them who has given up their Saturday morning to come and guide me."I have very little sight - I just see bright lights."It's all about communication, just talking and telling me about what obstacles there are." 'Plenty of friendly people' She encouraged anyone else with a sight impairment who might be interested in Parkrun to "come along and have a go". "You don't need to be super fit to take part in Parkrun, you can walk it at your own pace and there are plenty of friendly people willing to guide," she said."I've made some really good friends through Parkrun."I wouldn't have been able to get to my 250 without every one of them who has given up their Saturday morning to guide me."
