'My skillset lies in management'
Liverpool interim manager Amber Whiteley said she has been open about wanting the permanent position because she believes "that's where my skillset lies".Whitely has consistently said she wants to be considered for the role after Matt Beard was sacked last month.She has won all three matches in charge, knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup and defeating Manchester United at Anfield on Friday."I've always been quite open about wanting the position because that is a role that I will move into in the future. I think that's where my skillset lies," Whiteley said.Her side travel to Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the Women's Super League on Saturday (17:30 GMT kick-off).Whiteley said her attention is in on that game and the recruitment process "has got to be put to one side"."We will see what happens on that front but the focus remains on Arsenal," she added.Here are more key lines from Whiteley's news conference:Liverpool were "really good" against Manchester United at Anfield, but that game "feels like a lifetime ago".Players that missed that game because of illness are back in training.The Reds "have got to raise our level" against what Whiteley expects to be an "improved" Arsenal.She added: "We're definitely in a good place. Confidence wise we go into this Arsenal game in a good spot".Whitely said Olivia Smith is "so talented" and has been "brilliant" both on and off the ball over the past few weeks.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Father of kickboxer, 15, breaks down in tears at inquest as he reveals how 'beautiful son' suddenly collapsed moments after unsanctioned fight and died three days later
A tearful father told an inquest how his 15-year-old 'beautiful son' suddenly collapsed after an unsanctioned kickboxing match. Stephen Eastwood, 40, from Liverpool, said he stayed with his son Alex Eastwood at his hospital bedside until he passed away three days after the fatal bout. He told Bolton Coroner's Court: 'I would just like people to remember him as a wonderful, beautiful son. He was just a lovely, lovely boy. He was a beautiful soul.' Alex collapsed after the third and final round of a 'light contact' kickboxing bout in a ring at a gym in Platt Bridge, Wigan on June 29, 2024. He was rushed to hospital but had suffered a serious head injury. Unusually, Michael Pemberton, assistant coroner for Manchester (West), ahead of Alex's inquest, which started on Monday, has already raised concerns with the government in March this year about the safety of children in combat sports. Alex took up kickboxing aged nine, trained five times a week at Hurricane Combat and Fitness club in Fazakerley, Liverpool and had a 'meteoric' rise in the sport, having competed at high levels. He had grown to 6ft 7ins, weighed 80kg and had just finished his GCSEs the week before the fight was arranged with another opponent at the gym in Wigan. A tearful father told an inquest how his 15-year-old 'beautiful son' suddenly collapsed after an unsanctioned kickboxing match. Stephen Eastwood, 40, from Liverpool, said he stayed with his son Alex Eastwood (pictured) at his hospital bedside until he passed away three days after the fatal bout The bout was to be the 'main event' but was an unofficial or unsanctioned event as it was a charity fundraiser, not a bout to win a title under the main governing body for the sport in the UK, Kickboxing GB. Alex, who was wearing a headguard, suddenly became unwell after the end of the third and final, two-minute round. Father-of-three Mr Eastwood said he noticed his son, 'not looking right' as he held on to the ropes to make his way back to his corner. He added: 'I have run, dived into the ring under the ropes landed on my back. I have grabbed hold of my son, holding on to him, laid him on the ring. 'At that point, it just turned into a chaotic scene. You had two first aiders in the ring, I was pacing around using profanities and swearing. 'My son's breathing was like a big bulldog on a sunny day, struggling. He did have what seemed like a seizure. It felt like a lifetime, sir.' Paramedics arrived and took the teenager first to hospital in Wigan and then on to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where surgeons were waiting to operate. But it was discovered he had suffered catastrophic brain damage and bleeding. Mr Eastwood said he, Alex's step-mother Nikita, his two siblings and other family spent time with him at the hospital. His father stayed with him at his bedside until he died on July 2, last year. His organs were donated. Daniel Wigelsworth, one of Alex's coaches at Hurricane Combat and Fitness in Liverpool, said he was party to arrangements for the bout Alex took part in, along with Dale Bannister, owner of the TKMA gym in Wigan, which was setting up a charity event. They arranged the fight with Alex's opponent, who has not been named, as a 'good match up' in terms of weight, age and skill. The inquest also heard there did not appear to be any definitive rules on the length of rounds and Mr Wigelsworth said the rules are 'unclear' with different interpretations of 'light contact' rules during bouts, it being left to coaches and referees. Mr Wigelsworth said he believed Alex's opponent was a year older than him, but in fact was two years his senior. The inquest heard competitions, exhibition events and 'fight nights' can be put on by individual clubs and independent promoters, and the governing body does not sanction fundraising events. Gordon Mitchell, director at Kickboxing GB, said the sport has a number of governing bodies that sanction fights but Kickboxing GB is the only one in the UK recognised by Sport England, the body supporting grassroots sport, and the World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (WAKO) which is itself recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Mr Mitchell said Kickboxing GB would never sanction 'light contact' bouts in a boxing ring due to safety reasons and these only take place outside a ring on mats. He said this is because it is easier to stop a fight on mats, by stepping off the mat, for example, if there is a mismatch. But he said in a bout in a ring, 'you are stuck between the ropes' and reliant on the referee to step in to stop a fight. 'There's more rules about stopping the fight early, on mats,' Mr Mitchell said. Adam Korn, a solicitor representing the Eastwood family, said despite these rules, unsanctioned, exhibition or 'fight night' bouts are frequently held up and down the country. Mr Korn said: 'Is that a concern to you?' 'Yes,' Mr Mitchell said. Mr Mitchell said he was aware of one other combat-related child death in the UK. Earlier this year the coroner wrote a Prevention of Future Deaths report to the government about the lack of regulation of contact sports for children, with no minimum standards or risk management. The inquest continues on Tuesday morning.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Man United 'make initial contact with Sporting over the signing of Viktor Gyokeres' - as Ruben Amorim is 'handed significant transfer boost'
Manchester United have made contact with Sporting over the signing of Viktor Gyokeres, according to reports. The Old Trafford club, who are still reeling from their worst-ever Premier League campaign, are reportedly 'exploring the conditions' of a potential deal for the prolific Swedish striker. The 27-year-old has long been touted as United's top transfer target, with the Swede having previously worked under Ruben Amorim at Sporting. According to Sky Sports, the Red Devils have made initial contact with the Portuguese champions, with Gyokeres believed to have an £85million release clause. However, reports have claimed that he could be allowed to leave for a reduced fee in the region of £58m. The financial impact United's failure to qualify for European football initially looked to severely damaged their hopes of securing the striker, who netted 39 league goals from just 31 starts in the Portuguese top flight last season. However, according to a report from The Sun, the funds to sign Gyokeres this summer may have actually come from a surprising source. United are continuing to work on a possible deal to bring Bryan Mbeumo to Old Trafford but could face competition from a Premier League rival According to the report, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ruthless cost-cutting measures at United have opened up the coffers for Amorim to spend this summer. United's recently released quarterly accounts from the club revealed that the club's operating expenses have dropped by over £40million. United are continuing to work on a possible deal to bring Bryan Mbeumo to Old Trafford but could face competition from a Premier League rival. United offered Brentford £55million for the 25-year-old earlier this week, but the bid was rejected. A second offer is believed to be imminent, but United risk being foiled by a familiar foe. That is because Tottenham Hotspur, who beat United in last month's Europa League final, thus denying Ruben Amorim's team a place in next season's Champions League are also keen on Mbeumo, according to the Mirror. Newcastle, who will join Spurs in the Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premier League, have also expressed interest in Mbeumo. But Mbeumo made it clear to Newcastle that he would rather move to Old Trafford. It is understood that the salary on offer at United will be higher than what Spurs will put forward should their interest be formalised. However, Spurs may have a trump card because they are also plotting a move for Brentford manager Thomas Frank this summer.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal finally seal permanent transfer for signing dubbed 'a scandal'
Arsenal have sanctioned the departure Marquinhos, who will join Brazilian side Cruzeiro, three years after his transfer was ridiculed by those back in South America Arsenal have offloaded Marquinhos with the forward going back to Brazil - three years after his signing was labelled a "scandal" by those back in South America. The 22-year-old joined from Sao Paulo and is now heading back to the Brazilian Serie A with Cruzeiro in a £2.5m move. His appearances were few and far between and he ended up playing just six times in all competitions, scoring the once. Marquinhos spent much of his time out on loan with spells at Norwich City, Nantes, Fluminense and Cruzeiro during his time on Arsenal's books and has now made his move to Brazil a permanent one after failing to make the grade at the Emirates. An Arsenal statement said: "Marquinhos has moved to Brazilian Serie A side Cruzeiro in a permanent transfer." It added: "Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Marquinhos for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future." He cost Arsenal just €3million in compensation fees when he originally moved as the Premier League side took advantage of his deal expiring that summer. Marquinhos came through the youth system at Sao Paulo and was tipped to have a major impact with several of the country's pundit identifying him as a talent in his teenage years. They were therefore left stunned that his contract was allowed to wind down, which meant he was able to leave for such a minor fee. World Cup winner Vampeta was among those and claimed it was "absurd". He said: "Marquinhos' business. They're going to lose Marquinhos to Arsenal for €3m. I don't know if you remember that I used to say I watched Audax's academy games, Marquinhos in the under-15… he used to already make the difference. I said here on the show, 'There's an U-15 at Sao Paulo, Marquinhos'… Now he's going to leave on a silver platter." TV Host Thiago Asmar claimed that Marquinhos should be worth at least €10-15m as he said it was a "scandal" for him to be allowed to depart for such a minimal amount. Former Arsenal chief Edu claimed that Marquinhos was "a player for the future" but Mikel Arteta was never able to unlock his potential. The Brazilian had a number of players ahead of him in the pecking order and opportunities ultimately never came his way. The Gunners are looking to further bolster their frontline this summer with wide forwards on their shortlist. They've been linked with the likes if Nico Williams, who has become a leading light at Athletic Bilbao and could be tempted by a move to the Premier League.
