Pablo Zabaleta makes admission about Liverpool 2014 title collapse in Man City race

Jamie Carragher has admitted he would "love" to see Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone in the Premier League, possibly as Jurgen Klopp's successor at Liverpool.The Argentine has overseen a remarkable resurgence with the club from the Spanish capital, guiding them to eight honours in over 11 years at the helm. 'El Cholo' led Atletico to the La Liga title as recently as last season to add to their 2014 league success.During his tenure, the 51-year-old has also won one Copa Del Rey and the Europa League twice, in addition to guiding Atleti to two Champions League finals. Simeone is revered for installing a unique discipline and tenacity to his teams, and Carragher has revealed he would love to see the Argentine try his hand at management in the Premier League.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has named the England starting eleven that he would like Gareth Southgate to name at the Qatar World Cup, and he has left out some big names.The Three Lions beat Switzerland and Ivory Coast over the international break and Southgate’s options with the World Cup on the horizon are immense. Even those who were handed their international debuts of late, like Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell, performed with credit and the England boss has an almighty task on his hands in finding his best side.

Jack Grealish has admitted that he was "nowhere near as good" as his England team-mate, Jude Bellingham, in his teenage years.Ollie Watkins, Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings bagged the all-important goals for England as they strolled to a 3-0 win over Ivory Coast on Tuesday night, but it was Bellingham who caught the eye once again on the international stage.The teenage prodigy has torn up the Bundesliga since joining Borussia Dortmund in a £25million switch from Birmingham City in the summer of 2020. And the 18-year-old has now emerged as one of the most exciting stars in Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad.After his latest midfield masterclass, Bellingham's place on the plane to the World Cup in Qatar later this year is surely all but assured.

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are set to be granted their wish of five Premier League substitutions per match from next season. The issue has been a bone of contention in the Premier League in recent times with all other major leagues across Europe implementing the change from three substitutions to five.

Manchester United linked pair Declan Rice and Harry Kane have moved to defend Harry Maguire after the £80million man was booed by England supporters at Wembley on Tuesday night. Before the win over Ivory Coast, the United captain was strangely jeered when his name was read out prior to kick-off.

Jack Grealish has admitted that he wanted Serge Aurier to stay on the pitch during England's comprehensive 3-0 win over the Ivory Coast on Tuesday night - and he even pleaded with the referee not to send him off.Grealish was back to his tantalising best on a comfortable night for Gareth Southgate's side at Wembley. OIlie Watkins, Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings bagged the goals for England, but Grealish was a menace throughout and teed up Sterling for his strike on the stroke of the break.And Manchester City's £100million man tormented Aurier for the majority of the first half before the ex-Tottenham man was given his marching orders for two yellow cards.But Grealish revealed after the match that he did his best to persuade the referee to let Aurier stay on to keep things competitive.

Premier League supporters after he was sent off for dissent during England's clash against Ivory Coast on Tuesday to bring his career tally of red cards to six. The former Tottenham defender got booked for pulling the shirt of Jack Grealish and sent off for talking back to the referee - despite the pleas of the Manchester City forward in his favour - with England running out 3-0 winners.Despite having never been sent off for his country before the trip to Wembley, Aurier had a reputation of being unreliable having been dismissed twice during his time in north London.One fan wrote: "Serge Aurier - The gift that keeps on giving."With a second adding: "Only Serge Aurier gets red carded in a friendly match."A third continued: "I see a year in Spain hasn’t changed Big Serge Aurier one bit."With a fourth agreeing: "Serge Aurier some things never change."Was the red card a fair one? Give us your thoughts in the comments sectionIn addition, former England and Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate gave his thoughts on the matter, echoing the sentiment offered up by fans.

Barcelona and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola having detailed his close connection with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. The former Ivory Coast star made 128 appearances under the guidance of the Spaniard while having a hand in 23 goals and winning both La Liga and the Premier League, but they fell out after Toure accused the manager of "having problems with Africans" after he left the Etihad. Despite Toure writing a subsequent letter of apology for his comment, the pair have not yet reconnected despite the desire of the 38-year-old to reconcile.Amid that hope, Toure had explained how there is one elite boss with whom he shares private messages, and it just happens to be the one going head-to-head with Guardiola.

Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson questioned the actions of Harry Maguire in England training after the Manchester United defender froze during a rondo drill to kill the momentum.The midfielder and defender were taking part in the speed passing drill alongside Jude Bellingham, Tyrone Mings, Harry Kane, Kyle Walker-Peters and others with Nick Pope and Jack Grealish trying to block in the middle.As the drill progresses, Walker-Peters gives the ball to Maguire, who puts his foot on top of the ball to allow Pope to tap it - meaning the passing streak ended - as that happens, Henderson looks Maguire in the face and asks: "What are you doing?"It seems as though Maguire lost concentration during the one-touch drill by controlling the ball, and allowed Pope a chance to swap to stick to the rules.During the opening game of their international break, England beat Switzerland 2-1 thanks to Luke Shaw and Harry Kane having trailed though Breel Embolo.Maguire didn't feature during the match with Marc Guehi, Conor Coady and Ben White getting the nod as Henderson played the full 90 in midfield.Should Harry Maguire still start for England? Give us your thoughts in the comments sectionEarlier in the month, Gareth Southgate was asked why Maguire still deserves to be in the international squad despite his poor club form of late.He said: "I don't think it ever crossed our minds not to select Harry Maguire for this squad. There wasn't a chance we weren't going to call him up.

Manchester City kept their hopes of completing historic treble alive with a comfortable 4-1 win over Southampton in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup prior to the international break.

Virgil van Dijk after the Liverpool star suggested he was not a fan of their style of play.The Dutch boss decided to respond after Van Dijk made comments about their footballing philosophy, following their 4-2 friendly victory over Denmark on Saturday. The 30-year-old defender played the whole 90 minutes in Van Gaal's 3-4-1-2 setup but was far from his assured normal self.There was a heavy influence from the Premier League in the exhibition match, with Tottenham’s Steven Bergwijn netting a brace, with Nathan Ake heading home and former Man United forward Memphis Depay scoring a penalty for the hosts.

Here are your Manchester City evening headlines for Sunday, March 27:

Lionel Messi and Dani Alves' warm-up routine.Alves and Messi were filmed warming up for Barcelona at the Nou Camp in 2011, their breathtaking skill and technique on show as they exchanged passes on the volley with jaw-dropping ease. At one point the Brazilian, 38, was seen bouncing the ball on his head like a seal before laying off a delicious lobbed ball to Messi, who controlled with a sublime first touch to tee himself up. The footage went viral.Ahead of England’s game with Switzerland, Grealish and Rice were caught doing something very similar.

Nedum Onuoha questioned the suggestion that Manchester City are faltering as the Blues look forward to a critical set of fixtures in April across three competitions.

Here are your Manchester City evening headlines for Saturday, March 26.

Jurgen Klopp has gradually transitioned several Liverpool academy products into crucial first-team stars, and under-18s star Oakley Cannonier could be the next to make the step up.Some Reds fans may recognise that name from somewhere but are unable to figure out why, as Cannonier played a starring role in the Reds’ Champions League glory in 2019. He was the ball-boy that promptly returned the ball to Trent Alexander-Arnold so that he could quickly deliver a cross to Divock Origi and complete Liverpool’s historic 4-0 victory over Barcelona – winning 4-3 on aggregate.However, Reds fans have another reason to remember Cannonier’s name as he is one of the brightest talents in their academy.

Manchester United's Jadon Sancho should have been picked for the England squad ahead of his Manchester City counterpart Raheem Sterling according to Paul Merson.

Mo Salah has no option but to stay at Liverpool or take a 'sideways' move to Manchester City as his contract talks drag on.

Footballers often earn a bad reputation for not being clued up on the world outside of their sport.After all, they have no need to be knowledgeable about anything other than what will help them succeed on the pitch. Most elite-level players will never come across algebra equations or be able to tell a noun from an adjective.However, any athlete can have their career cruelly cut short at any point.

The March international break always feels like it comes at the worst time, and this year is no different as Manchester City wait to being their treble run-in for the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Mohamed Salah and his agent Ramy Abbas Issa could force the hand of Liverpool by agreeing to preliminary talks over a potential transfer as his contract standoff at Anfield rumbles on. The 29-year-old Premier League and Champions League winner has smashed home another 28 goals in all competitions so far this season - and has again been Jurgen Klopp's stand out star. A shadow has been cast over that trademark run of form by his contract stand off with the club with his current deal set to expire after next season and Klopp saying that the club have done everything they can to reach an agreement.