LFC Istanbul 20th Anniversary special edition, on sale now
In this special Liverpool Echo 48-page celebration of the Miracle of Istanbul we bring you the inside story of how it was achieved, as told by the people who were there.
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Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Alexander Isak reports for Newcastle training after rest of squad leave as Liverpool speculation continues
The 25-year-old Sweden international did not travel with his team-mates on their pre-season trip to Singapore and South Korea, ostensibly because of a minor thigh injury, after Liverpool, who subsequently tabled a £110million bid for him, let it be known they remained interested in acquiring his services. Isak, who later informed the club he wanted to explore his options this summer, instead flew to Spain to train at former club Real Sociedad and returned to Tyneside at the weekend, shortly before head coach Eddie Howe and his squad landed back from Seoul and were given two days off. The players were back at the training ground on Wednesday morning and their families were invited to join them after training. However, the PA news agency understands Isak, who reported back to the club's Benton base on Monday, was told not to come in until after they had left and was pictured arriving at around 1550. The £63million frontman has been a huge hit since his arrival from Sociedad during the summer of 2022 and played a key role last season as they ended their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy with the Carabao Cup and qualified for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons. However questioned about his absence in South Korea, Howe signalled that his actions might have repercussions. The 47-year-old told reporters: 'You have to earn the right to train with us. We are Newcastle United. 'The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad – you have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here. 'We will make sure that any player earns the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal.' Isak is understood to have undergone treatment and light training at a deserted training ground on Monday and it remains to be seen whether he will have any involvement in the club's pre-season fixtures against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid this weekend. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more The striker faces clear-the-air talks with Howe, with his situation becoming seemingly more complicated by the day as a difficult transfer window threatens to spiral further out of control. Newcastle tabled an improved club record bid for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko on Monday in an effort to beat Manchester United to the punch, but developments since suggest the 22-year-old is more likely to head for Old Trafford than St James' Park. That would represent the latest blow in a transfer window which has already seen the Magpies miss out on major targets Dean Huijsen, Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, James Trafford and Liam Delap. They have managed to recruit Nottingham Forest wide man Anthony Elanga and, on loan, Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, but with frontman Callum Wilson and midfielder Sean Longstaff having left, there is significant work to be done, with the start of the new season just 10 days away. Howe was already looking for a striker before the Isak situation came to a head and, with three years remaining on the Swede's current deal – he has so far resisted the club's overtures to sign a new contract – there seems to be little prospect of the club allowing him to leave either before they have secured a replacement or for much less than their £150m valuation, having already rebuffed Liverpool's initial approach. Meanwhile, sources on Tyneside have played down suggestions that Newcastle have tabled a bid for AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw, but it is understood they are maintaining an interest in the Germany international.
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
What happened to Premier League's youngest ever stars from drugs ban to West Ham ace, 26, who's not played in two years
Scroll down to find out who is pals with Daniel Sturridge and who ended up working in the steel industry CHILD'S PLAY What happened to Premier League's youngest ever stars from drugs ban to West Ham ace, 26, who's not played in two years WAYNE ROONEY, James Milner, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Lennon all made their Premier League debuts at 16 - and each enjoyed successful careers in England's top flight. But it is Ethan Nwaneri who holds the record as the league's youngest ever player. Advertisement 11 Wayne Rooney announced himself in the Premier League as a 16-year-old Credit: PA:Press Association 11 Ethan Nwaneri holds the record as the division's youngest player at 15 years and 181 days Credit: Getty The Arsenal teenager was just 15 years and 181 days old when he laced up his boots and took to the field against Brentford in 2022. He then handed in his homework as usual on the Monday morning such was his dedication to his GCSEs. Jeremy Monga became only the second 15-year-old to grace the revamped top flight, making seven substitute appearances for Leicester during their recent relegation campaign. And now Liverpool kid Rio Ngumoha hopes to make his Premier League bow before turning 17 later in August after stunning in pre-season under Arne Slot. Advertisement READ MORE ON FOOTBALL SESK'S APPEAL Sesko makes decision between Man Utd and Newcastle as Leipzig accept £74m bid But while Nwaneri has kicked on to become an important member of Mikel Arteta's squad, that is not the case for every teenage star. Because for each Nwaneri and Rooney who proved they were not just flash-in-the-pan wonderkids, there are those who burn brightly but quickly and soon fade away. So after SunSport did a deep dive into the top teenage talents ready to light up the Premier League this season, who and where are some of the less remembered young debutants now? MATTHEW BRIGGS Briggs held the record for the Prem's youngest ace for 12 years between his substitute appearance for Fulham against Middlesbrough in 2007 and Harvey Elliott's debut - also for the Cottagers. Advertisement CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS But while Elliott moved on to win the Premier League and Club World Cup with Liverpool, left-back Briggs ended up having a journeyman career featuring 14 clubs in England and two in Denmark - before going into personal training. The London-born England youth and Guyana senior international hung up his boots in 2023 aged 32 after stints in the Southern League Premier Division South - with Gosport Borough - and finally with Horsham in the Isthmian League Premier Division. Guehi & Eze to STAY at Palace? Transfer Blow for Liverpool & Arsenal! 11 Matthew Briggs held the record for 12 years as the Prem's youngest star Credit: Action Images Advertisement 11 JOSE BAXTER Baxter made his Everton debut at 16 in August 2008 but decided to leave the Toffees in search of more regular first-team minutes. However, his decent EFL career was derailed by a drugs ban after testing positive for ecstasy in 2015 - claiming his drink was spiked. Was also released without charge following an arrest on suspicion of possession of cannabis with intent to supply and suspicion of possessing counterfeit money and retired from football aged just 29. Advertisement 11 Jose Baxter broke through at Everton but his career nosedived Credit: Action Images - Reuters REECE OXFORD Expectations were sky high when West Ham's youngest player Reece Oxford helped orchestrate a 2-0 win away at Arsenal on the opening day of the 2015-16 season. Underwhelming loans to Reading, Borussia Monchengladbach twice and Augsburg followed, before he completed a permanent switch to Augsburg in 2019. However, Oxford suffered a meniscus tear then started struggling with the effects of long Covid, prompting a domino of health issues. Advertisement He was released by Augsburg at the end of last season having not played for two years. 11 Reece Oxford was tipped for a great career but has struggled with health and fitness Credit: Getty - Contributor ANTWOINE HACKFORD Hackford got the nod during the 2020-21 lockdown season to make his Sheffield United debut aged 16 - 11 days younger than Wayne Rooney was when he made his first Premier League appearance. The striker missed a year with an ACL injury but has just signed for AFC Wimbledon in League One, still only 21. Advertisement 11 Antwoine Hackford made his Sheffield United debut during the 2020-21 season Credit: Getty MARK PLATTS Platts replaced Chris Waddle for Sheffield Wednesday while still a 16-year-old trainee in a 2-1 win over Wimbledon in 1996. He then came on against Tottenham two weeks later but did not play again for the Owls after turning pro later that year. The Sheffield-born star went to Torquay but was released as he struggled with homesickness and briefly reunited with Waddle at Worksop Town before moving, fittingly, to work in the steel industry. Advertisement 11 Mark Platts never played for Sheffield Wednesday after turning pro Credit: Alamy RUSHIAN HEPBURN-MURPHY Hepburn-Murphy was one of the many youngsters given a shot by Tim Sherwood after banging in 18 goals in 21 games for Aston Villa's youth side before his 2015 debut in a 4-0 win at Sunderland. That prompted congratulatory tweets from family friend Daniel Sturridge but the former England youth international has now joined MK Dons from Crawley aged 26 - after two years at Pafos in Cyprus. 11 Rushian Hepburn-Murphy got the nod for Aston Villa in 2015 Credit: Action Images - Reuters Advertisement JACK ROBINSON There must be something special about anyone who can lay claim to being Liverpool's youngest player of all time. That's the tag Robinson boasted after the then-16-year-old defender's senior debut as a sub against Hull in 2010 - in what was Rafa Benitez's last game in charge. Jose Enrique's arrival shunted his path to the long-term left-back spot and injuries to his knee, foot and groin have all stalled his progress. Left Anfield for QPR in 2014, had two years at Nottingham Forest but Robinson is now settled as a regular at Sheffield United, joining in 2019. Advertisement 11 Jack Robinson struggled to make the left-back spot his own at Liverpool Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Isak banished by Newcastle and misses family day as he's told to train alone
Alexander Isak has been instructed to train solo, separate from his Newcastle team-mates, and he also missed a family day organised by the club for the players' loved ones. The future of the sought-after forward has been uncertain since he failed to join the rest of the Magpies squad on their pre-season tour of Asia due to transfer interest from Liverpool. The Premier League champions have since made a bid for 25-year-old Isak, which Newcastle turned down last week. Recently, Isak has been training alone in Spain, utilising the facilities of his former club, Real Sociedad - a move Sky Sports report was 'against the wishes of Newcastle'. Isak was expected back at the club's training ground on Wednesday. However, he has been told to report for training after a planned gathering for the Newcastle players and their families finishes in the afternoon, rather than with his colleagues earlier in the day. This means Isak is also likely to miss the event, which includes a barbecue for the players and their closest family members, reports the Mirror. Isak's Newcastle team-mates returned to the UK on Monday and resumed training on Wednesday following a day off. The ex-Real Sociedad player will follow suit with the new Premier League season now fast approaching. Despite Isak's recent actions leading to his effective exile from the club, Chronicle Live reports that the forward is set to play for Newcastle in their upcoming pre-season friendlies against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid. Eddie Howe suggested that Isak would be required to train separately from the team following his behaviour prior to Newcastle's return from their recent South Korea trip. "You have to earn the right to train with us," he stated to the Daily Mail. "We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad - you have to act in the right way. "So that is also at play here. We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal."
