Liverpool's Thiago spotted crying on sidelines after injury blow minutes before final

Liverpool fans are ready to put one rivalry aside as another takes centre stage when it comes to backing a team in Sunday's Manchester derby.

Manchester City in the Premier League title race by claiming a narrow 1-0 win over West Ham.In their first league game since lifting the Carabao Cup, the Reds edged out the Hammers despite a lacklustre second-half performance in what was a tight game.Ultimately, Sadio Mane’s first-half tap-in was the difference, but both sides also had efforts cleared off the line, with Aaron Cresswell and Trent Alexander-Arnold coming to the rescue of their teams in quick succession.Andy Robertson and Naby Keita were both forced to make last-ditch challenges to protect Liverpool's lead after the break as the hosts struggled to put the game to bed.Here, Daily Star Sport looks at four things Jurgen Klopp got right to ensure his side closed the gap on City to three points…Klopp opted to hand Luis Diaz his third successive Premier League start for the visit of the Hammers, with the Colombian playing down the left wing.His trust in the new signing from Porto was repaid in bucket loads, with Diaz looking lively throughout the clash.It was a performance that deserved a goal, with one run just after the half-hour mark dragging his side from their own half to winning a free-kick right on the edge of West Ham’s box.Who was your man of the match as Liverpool defeated West Ham? Let us know in the comments section...Diaz’s place on the left meant that Sadio Mane was once again selected in the central role in Liverpool’s front three.It is a position that Diogo Jota has made his own for much of the season, but Mane impressed in the Portuguese’s place at Anfield.He scored the crucial goal to set the Reds on their way to the win when his clever run was picked out by Mohamed Salah and he turned the ball home.Mane ensured that he kept involved with play

Manchester United are behind with £323, seeing a major jump after signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane in the summer.Liverpool's wage bill sits at £314m, but that's £11m less than the previous year despite handing new long-term contracts to the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Alisson and Andy Robertson.However, that's probably due to the fact that there were some hefty bonuses included after Jurgen Klopp's side secured the Premier League title for the first time ever in the clubs history.North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham pay the least out of the 'big six', with the Gunners slightly ahead of Tottenham as they pay £244m as opposed to the £205m that Spurs splash out.With the amount of money in football constantly rising, you can expect these figures to increase, especially with many high-profile stars likely to be on the move in the near future.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool among the Premier League sides to have learned of their next FA Cup opponents as the sides still in with a chance of glory continue to halve. Chelsea saw off the threat of Luton on Wednesday (March 2) with Liverpool edging past Norwich - having watched City beat Peterborough by two goals to nil the previous evening.

Liverpool supporters in hysterics during their FA Cup clash against Norwich this week after his voice seemed to break at the worst possible time.The England international midfielder started the fixture on Wednesday (March 2) - as did Japan forward Minamino who scored both home goals to send them into the quarter-finals.However, that form didn't mean that Henderson would choose not to shout instruction to his colleague - but that backfired as his voice broke.A fan, who happened to be filming at the time, caught many around him breaking out in laughter at their skipper - who walked away looking disappointed as Minamino passed to James Milner.In an uncharacteristically high-pitch voice, the 27-year-old screamed: "TAKI, TAKI!"Despite a positive start from Norwich, they were unable to equalise following Minamino's double having got back into the game late on through Lukas Rupp.Jurgen Klopp said of his forward after the match: "His impression was obvious with scoring two goals and not only that – he had a lot more top, top football moments. "He was a constant threat tonight, he was mobile, he was quick.

For Man City fans, the home Manchester derby is traditionally the biggest game in the club’s fixture schedule.

Bolton Wanderers have 11 games left to go of their League One season as they aim to make a late charge for the League One play-offs.

Liverpool won the first domestic trophy of the season on Sunday after Chelsea's substitute goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga missed from the spot to hand Jurgen Klopp victory.As the Reds remain in all other competitions, some fans are starting to believe that Liverpool could in fact do the quadruple this season, as they close in on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.However, they only have the Carabao Cup to their name for now, and it's a trophy that has received criticism in the past as some of the bigger teams tend to field second-string sides in the earlier stages, including even Liverpool this season.But before rival fans had the chance to mock Liverpool for their celebrations, the Anfield faithful have got in their first with a banner which appears to make a joke of their own success.The Carabao Cup has been labelled as the 'Mickey Mouse Cup' in the past due to the fact it's not always taken seriously, and some of the bigger clubs tend to take their foot off the gas and use it as a chance to utilise their younger talent.However, it is a trophy nonetheless, and usually the fans that tend to mock the competition do so when their team has conveniently been knocked out.But Liverpool fans have brilliantly jumped on the bandwagon and mocked their own success, as a banner was unveiled at Anfield containing images of Mickey Mouse surrounded by trophies.Will Liverpool go on to win the quadruple this season? Comment below.The banner was shown during Liverpool's 2-1 win over the Norwich in the fifth round of the FA Cup, as Klopp progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition for the very first time.Liverpool also have a 2-0 advantage over Inter Milan in the Champions League ahead of the second leg at Anfield, and

Manchester United’s clash away at Liverpool later this month will be rearranged after Jurgen Klopp’s side progressed in the FA Cup.

Liverpool fans reckon Georginio Wijnaldum is missing life at his old club after trawling through his Twitter likes. The Netherlands international called time on his five-year stint at Anfield last summer when his contract expired.

Jurgen Klopp has no intention of letting Caoimhin Kelleher leave Liverpool - but he admits the Cup hero may go on loan in the future. Kelleher, 23, was the Reds’ Carabao Cup saviour as he scored from the spot in the dramatic penalty shootout win over Chelsea. The Irishman also made some big saves in the 120 minutes to keep the game goalless.

Jurgen Klopp insists talk of Liverpool winning the quadruple is crazy as he played down the Reds’ hopes of landing four trophies this season.The Merseysiders captured the Carabao Cup on Sunday with a dramatic penalty shootout win against Chelsea.Klopp’s men trail Manchester City by six points in the Premier League but have a game in hand and a clash with the defending champions next month.While they have one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League as they take a 2-0 lead into their last-16 second-leg tie against Inter Milan next week.And on Wednesday night the Reds take on struggling Norwich in the FA Cup fifth round.But Klopp said: “No team in the history of English football ever won the quadruple, right? Because it’s really difficult.“We are not even close to thinking about crazy stuff like that.“We have won the Carabao Cup, we are behind City in the league and now we have Norwich in the FA Cup after 120 minutes on Sunday.“Even Manchester City with all their quality did not win it.“The reality is [that] to win something you have to be focused on the next step and the one after that – that’s what we do.“I don’t see it as a compliment [if people think they can] but it’s better people think we can do good things rather than be useless.“I don’t need this kind of compliment – we are close to nothing at the moment.“We face a lot of good teams between now and the end of May.

Liverpool midfielder James Milner would have toasted an ice-cold Ribena in celebration of the Reds' League Cup triumph over Chelsea.Jurgen Klopp’s side won the competition for the first time in ten years, after overcoming the reigning Champions League holders in a penalty shoot-out. But while Liverpool shot-stopper Caoimhin Kelleher was the hero of the evening for the Reds, supporters reserved a special mention for Milner.The former Manchester City and Newcastle United ace, who has a dedicated parody Twitter account called ‘Boring James Milner’ dedicated to him, showed excellent leadership throughout the contest.And Liverpool fans particularly loved the way in which he pulled Harvey Elliott away from a mass pushing and shoving contest between the two sides.

Liverpool have reportedly warned Kostas Tsimikas of his responsibilities after footage appeared to show him spitting gum into the stands as Jurgen Klopp's side collected the Carabao Cup trophy. Tsimikas, 25, was an unused substitute as the Reds overcame Chelsea 11-10 in a marathon penalty shootout to win the season's first silverware.

Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea.The speculative bettor had used a free bet to place a £20 wager on the first domestic final of the season finishing 0-0 with no yellow cards. And as the match approached its conclusion in normal time, things were looking good.

Gary Neville has taken the chance to call out the owners of Manchester United and Manchester City following the controversy surrounding Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Liverpool have won the Carabao Cup final on penalties after a thrilling affair at Wembley against Chelsea.Liverpool thought they had taken the lead through Joel Matip, but a VAR review chalked the goal off.VAR had determined that Virgil van Dijk, who was in an offside position, had interfered in the play by tussling with Reece James.Chelsea also had the ball in the net, twice, but also saw their attempts to break the deadlock thwarted by the offside flag too.Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the decisive penalty to hand Liverpool the title.And Daily Star Sport is looking at what Jurgen Klopp got right and what he got wrong.There aren't many chances in modern football to blood youngsters, but Kelleher has made the Carabao Cup his own this season.Klopp repaid the trust in the Irishman by starting him in the final.In many ways, Kelleher's performance didn't matter, with giving the youth opportunities, it presents a clear pathway to the first team for any hopefuls.Kelleher make some big stops for the Reds as they forced the game to penalties.What did you think of Liverpool's performance? Let us know in the comments sectionThiago was left in tears when it emerged that the Spaniard, who had been named in the starting side, would not be able to play due to injury.Klopp replaced Thiago with Naby Kieta, but there didn't appear to be any change of tactics from the German.Instead, Chelsea's midfield was cut open by Chelsea for two great opportunities in the first half.And a sustained period of pressure in the second half, Liverpool's midfield came under scrutiny as Chelsea players continually flooded forwards.Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news?Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star football email

Liverpool came out on top in a dramatic penalty shootout to edge past Chelsea at Wembley to clinch Carabao Cup glory.Both sides were indebted to their goalkeepers in an action-packed first half, with Caoimhin Kelleher thwarting Christian Pulisic early on before Edouard Mendy pulled off a spectacular double-save to keep Chelsea on level terms.Mohamed Salah spurned a golden chance after the break before Joel Matip saw a header chalked off by VAR.Kai Havertz had two goals ruled out for offside along with Lukaku, who was denied once, before the lottery of penalties ensued.In a dramatic shootout, it was Kepa Arrizabalaga who missed the decisive penalty after all 20 outfield players succeeded from the spot to hand Jurgen Klopp his first League Cup.Daily Star Sport highlights six things you might have missed from an enthralling finale at Wembley...The Reds arrived at Wembley on the verge of creating history - and they got the job done to clinch a record-breaking ninth League Cup triumph.They made hard work of it though.Chelsea had numerous chances to snatch the initiative before the game went to spot-kicks.And Kepa's late miss ensured the Reds etched their name into the history books at Wembley in the most dramatic of fashions.Do you think Liverpool deserved to lift the Carabao Cup? Comment below.The Blues may have had the shorter trip for Sunday's final at Wembley, but their recent record under the arch has been a rotten one.Chelsea had lost their last four domestic finals before their showdown with the Reds.And unfortunately for Thomas Tuchel's men, it was more capital punishment for the Blues when it was all said and done.The decision to send penalty specialist Kepa on backfired to leave the Londoners glum again after a trip

Gary Neville has conceded his fears that Liverpool were in 'decline' were wide of the mark - and backed them to overcome Chelsea in Sunday's Carabao Cup final.Both Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel are bidding to clinch their first domestic cup since arriving in English football.While Chelsea will contest Sunday's showpiece final at Wembley, their hopes of following up their Champions League glory with the Premier League title have fallen flat after a tough run of form at the turn of the year.The Reds, however, are still in the hunt for the domestic crown after their resurgent run of form in recent weeks.And their sizzling form of late has led to Neville, a Manchester United icon, to admit that he had feared that Liverpool's powers were waning - and that he'd been emphatically proved wrong."Liverpool. I thought Liverpool were in decline, In decline from a very, very high place," Neville told Sky Sports.

Jurgen Klopp has revealed why he will not be wearing a suit for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final clash against Chelsea.The Liverpool manager dressed up for his two previous cup finals at Wembley Stadium, but will not be swapping his usual tracksuit and cap combo for a suit this time around.Klopp’s first Wembley final was the 2-1 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich back in 2013 with Dortmund, while his second appearance ended in a Carabao Cup penalty shootout defeat to Manchester City in 2016.But the German insists the two devastating losses are not the reason behind his change in approach on Sunday.Klopp told the Liverpool Echo: "I am not overly superstitious. I will not wear a suit but not because I am superstitious."I am pretty sure that someone told me before the League Cup final that I needed to wear a suit."With the Champions League in 2013, honestly, it is really silly but someone told me that it was expected to wear a suit on the touchline and then when I saw the first coach next to me without a suit I thought ‘are you kidding me?!!!’ “That was the moment I stopped it.”Would you wear a tracksuit for a cup final? Let us know in the comments section.He added: "No, I will not wear a suit for a football game unless it is a rule.

Gary Neville has weighed in on the debate as to whether Everton should have been awarded a penalty against Manchester City on Saturday evening.Neville tweeted: "I thought that was a penalty!" The former Manchester United star agreed with most football fans that the Toffees should have been awarded a spot-kick, but Paul Tierney, who was the man in the middle, didn't. Rodri had appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area under no pressure with the game entering its final five minutes.However, after a VAR check it was concluded there wasn't enough evidence of whereabouts on his arm the ball hit Rodri.One fan fumed: "That's genuinely one of the most ridiculous decisions I've seen in a long, long time That is an absolutely blatant penalty.""How is this not a penalty.