Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will leave this summer with his reputation secured as the best player in the club’s history but he admits that will count for nothing if he wants to return in an official capacity.

Veteran striker Dimitar Berbatov says Monaco fully expected to exploit Arsenal’s wandering defence as they took control of their Champions League last 16 tie with a 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium.

For many years, England worried about squeezing Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard into the same midfield. Now America frets about getting them into the same league, writes Larry Ryan.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will leave his boyhood club this summer with a heavy heart but he plans to return in a different role in the future.

Jamie Carragher thinks Liverpool did not do enough to prevent Steven Gerrard’s "surprise" exit from Anfield.

There’s a way to write about this rationally and without sentiment.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed Thierry Henry will “certainly” return to the club in some capacity in the future.

Premier League

How Belgium went from Euro 2000 no-hopers to many people’s outside picks to win the World Cup in Brazil.

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has declared his intention to put the club up for sale.

Former Liverpool captain Ronnie Whelan believes the current crop of Reds are finishing the season stronger than their rivals and that gives them the best chance of winning the title.

Former Liverpool captain Ronnie Whelan believes the current crop of Reds are finishing the season stronger than their rivals and that gives them the best chance of winning the title.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits it would be fitting if the current squad were to take some inspiration from events surrounding this year’s 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

Property website Zoopla has announced it will not seek to renew its sponsorship of West Brom at the end of the season in light of Nicolas Anelka’s controversial "

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Whatever about the inclination, it is unlikely that Roy Keane will have the opportunity to stand over Alex Ferguson any time soon with a copy of his FAI contract.

Michael Owen will retire from professional football at the end of the season, the Stoke striker has announced on his website.

Waves of relief resonated around the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, but there was one corner that remained untouched by their restorative powers.

In March last year Roman Abramovich sacked Andre Villas-Boas and speculation linked the then-Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers with the vacant position.

Liverpool 1 Reading 0

Polish hero returns home

Aston Villa have today confirmed that former Norwich boss Paul Lambert is their new manager.

With less than a week to go, we are still mired, rear wheels spinning, in nostalgia.

In the spring of 2004, Jose Mourinho was hugely motivated by the prospect of restoring Liverpool to proper glory.

Keeper Shay Given would welcome Paul Lambert's appointment as the new manager of Aston Villa amid speculation that he is in line for the job.

Aston Villa will today step up their efforts to make Norwich boss Paul Lambert their new manager, it is understood.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pulled out of the running to manage Aston Villa.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pulled out of the running to become the new Aston Villa manager.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has officially opened talks with Aston Villa about becoming the club's new manager.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to hold talks with Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner today about becoming the club’s next manager.

Aston Villa’s season verged on the disastrous, according to chief executive Paul Faulkner.

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has criticised the performance levels and results during sacked manager Alex McLeish’s reign.

Alex McLeish has been sacked by Aston Villa, less than 24 hours after the end of his first season in charge, the club have announced on their website.

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish will hold talks with club owner Randy Lerner in the next 24 hours which will decide whether he will pay the price for a season of underachievement, Press Association Sport understands.

Alex McLeish maintains he is the right man to turn things around at Aston Villa - despite the club’s own fans chanting for him to be sacked and replaced by rival boss Paul Lambert in the season-ending 2-0 defeat at Norwich.

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia, the club have said.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor has branded Luis Suarez’s conduct at Old Trafford yesterday as “disrespectful, inappropriate and embarrassing”.

Defender Richard Dunne has pleaded for Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish to be given time to make his mark at the midlands club, insisting: “You can’t bring success overnight.”

Aston Villa supporters are being urged to attend a pre-match protest against manager Alex McLeish ahead of Sunday’s home clash with Manchester City.

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish insists he is under no pressure to pick loan signing Robbie Keane despite the striker joining for just a six-week spell.

Goalkeeper Shay Given believes Aston Villa are starting to see the “real Stephen Ireland” after praising the recent form of the midfielder.

Stephen Ireland believes he is close to recapturing his best form and has thanked Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish for the “trust” shown in him.

THERE are, would you believe, internet forums devoted to this kind of thing.

IT would be stretching things to say that all managerial careers end in failure, but all Sunderland managerial careers do.