If we’re second for a few hours, or even a few weeks, it doesn’t feel like a big deal.

Jurgen Klopp has praised Roberto Firmino for the way the Brazilian has coped with allegations of racial abuse hanging over his head.

Kya deLongchamps stacks up some of the best shelving options for your home combining functionality with form — but warns to us to measure up well before ordering and also, to beware of cluttering.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists club-record signing Virgil van Dijk is not overweight and his fitness is not an issue.

Emre Can believes the manner of Liverpool’s win over Manchester City will earn them more respect from opponents at home and abroad.

Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino often has to play second fiddle to Philippe Coutinho as the star turn at Anfield but the Brazil international is more than proving his worth in his own way.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp put himself on a collision course with Gareth Southgate after criticising the England boss’ handling of Jordan Henderson.

Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho is ready to start against Burnley and fill the void left by the suspension of Sadio Mane.

Stoke City 1 Liverpool 2: Liverpool’s Champions League challenge is taking their players to their absolute limits — but manager Jurgen Klopp admitted he played his ‘get out of jail’ card at Stoke City.

Angel Di Maria produced two sublime finishes as Paris St Germain thrashed Barcelona 4-0 at the Parc des Princes, leaving the LaLiga giants facing elimination in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Barcelona 1 Atletico Madrid 1 (Barcelona win 3-2 on agg): Barcelona secured a place in the final of the Copa del Rey after a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou last night, but will have to do without Luis Suarez who was one of three players sent off in a fiery clash.

Barcelona secured a place in the final of the Copa del Rey after a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp, but will have to do without Luis Suarez who was one of three players sent off in a fiery clash.

I’m talking to Phil Thompson about how Jurgen Klopp seems like a perfect fit for Liverpool when, unthinkingly, I use the phrase ‘the people’s club’.

Manchester City 3 Barcelona 1: Manchester City claimed the huge scalp of Barcelona with a breathtaking victory at the Etihad.

Aston Villa have sacked manager Roberto Di Matteo after just 123 days, the club have announced.

Roberto Martinez paid the price for Everton’s Premier League nosedive when he was relieved of his duties yesterday with one game of the season still to play.

Andros Townsend's stunning free-kick dragged Newcastle out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone as Rafael Benitez's rescue mission gathered pace with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Out-of-favour striker Christian Benteke says he would never have joined Liverpool if he felt he was not going to be a “priority”.

Is there anything better than a 94th minute goal? Yes — a 98th minute goal — especially one that upsets the queen mother of football managers, Roberto Martinez. It’s a MINIMUM of minutes Roberto — live with it. Course, if your players hadn’t done the equivalent of two laps of the pitch when they thought they’d scored the winner, things could have been so different.

Manchester City may be the Premier League leaders but Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is not interested in who is the best in the league – unless it is his own side

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has launched himself into a club-versus-country row less than two weeks into his reign after likening England’s handling of Jordan Rossiter to that of a horse.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has launched himself into a club-versus-country row less than two weeks into his reign after likening England’s handling of Jordan Rossiter to that of a horse.

Two games in, and Arsenal’s Champions League campaign is already in complete disarray following a hopelessly inept display that left Arsene Wenger’s side still looking for their first point in the competition and their prospects of reaching the knockout stages hinging on the outcome of the looming, back to back fixtures with Bayern Munich.

“The first weekend. Everyone’s back with big hopes. Big expectations. You go again. So dream big.”

Former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel believes a “brutal” £29 million transfer fee puts new signing Roberto Firmino under immediate pressure.

Time is a great healer. So it is said.

Roberto Di Matteo could be heading to West Ham after the former Champions League winner resigned as Schalke boss.

Aidan O’Brien hopes John F Kennedy and Ol’ Man River can get bounce back to form in today’s Betfred Dante Stakes at York and, in doing so, boost their Investec Derby hopes.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has again defended his position following increased speculation over his future.

In a week when the Premier League more or less disgraced itself on the fields of Europe, we saw further impressive efforts in the one area where its managers continue to set high standards: goal celebrations.

Love is Strange ***

Everton v Liverpool: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will run out at Goodison Park for his final Premier League Merseyside derby with a clear message to his Everton detractors: "Bring it on."

Martin O’Neill was in the Aviva Stadium press room yesterday to mark the announcement of SPAR as the official convenience store partner of the FAI, writes Liam Mackey.

Samuel Eto’o has completed his move from Everton to Sampdoria.

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana’s return to training ahead of schedule has given manager Brendan Rodgers a boost as he heads into a potentially season-defining month.

Roberto Martinez insists midfielder Darron Gibson won’t be sold in the January transfer window as he still remains an important part of his plans for the future.