Southampton have challenged Claude Puel to beat last season’s record sixth place Premier League finish, after confirming the Frenchman as their new manager on a three-year deal.

Chelsea are top of another league after their fans’ festive chant about manager Jose Mourinho was voted the funniest of all time.

Sunderland 2 West Brom 4 One manager was left to dampen talk of challenging for Europe, the other to dismiss suggestions he’d offered to resign.

Owen Coyle believes he could have led Bolton to promotion despite a faltering start to the npower Championship season.

Owen Coyle firmly believes he has left Bolton in good shape after he was relieved of his management duties yesterday morning.

Bolton have sacked Owen Coyle after the club’s poor start to the season.

Liverpool have confirmed today that assistant manager Sammy Lee has left the club "by mutual consent".

LIVERPOOL owner John Henry has publicly laid down a marker for the club’s transfer policy by confirming the plan is to build for long-term success and not spend purely for instant gains.

Liverpool owner John Henry has publicly laid down a marker for the club’s transfer policy by confirming the plan is to build for long-term success and not spend purely for instant gains.

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee is reported to have parted company with the club after three years in the role.

Kenny Dalglish has dismissed the notion the gender of an official would have any bearing on his reaction to their decisions.

Liverpool have appointed former Chelsea, West Ham and Newcastle assistant manager Steve Clarke as first team coach.

CAN we just say climate change from now on? From where I’m sitting, snowed into a freezing flat watching pensioners fall on their arse (there’s nothing on telly), Global Warming is as funny a joke as the ‘Football’ in LFC right now.

Midfielder Lucas Leiva insists he wants to remain at Liverpool despite speculation linking him with a summer move to Italy.

Roy Hodgson is expected to be confirmed as Liverpool manager later today after the finer details of his switch from Fulham are finalised.

Liverpool’s bid to sign Standard Liege forward Milan Jovanovic could be under threat after his agent claimed there were a number of other clubs interested.

Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio could be back in contention for Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield.

FORMER Anfield star Peter Beardsley believes Liverpool should stick by under-pressure manager Rafael Benitez.

BURNLEY are resigned to losing Owen Coyle to Bolton after their manager confirmed his desire to leave Turf Moor yesterday.

Gary Megson is adamant that “people who know football” recognise the job he did at Bolton.

IF SUPPORTER opinion is to play a part, Bolton will approach Mark Hughes to replace the sacked Gary Megson – but as he weighs up a decision that will shape the Trotters’ future, owner Eddie Davies knows he must get it right.

Gary Megson has finally been booted out of Bolton – the only surprise being he lasted as long as he did.

Gary Megson has been relieved of his duties as Bolton manager with immediate effect, the club confirmed today.

THE opening is there for Liverpool but they have to take it.

AURELIO and Lucas? Lucas and Aurelio? Aur-okay, don’t labour the point.

BRAZILIAN youngster Lucas Leiva admits Liverpool must bounce back quickly with two home wins in a week if they are to wipe away the memory of their losing start to the new Barclays Premier League campaign.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez accepts his side must “improve” if they are to mount a sustained title challenge after losing their opening game of the new Barclays Premier League campaign.

RAFAEL BENITEZ could be investigated by the FA after claiming Stuart Atwell, the fourth official for Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat by Spurs yesterday, was too young to officiate top flight fixtures.

Tottenham 2 Liverpool 1

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee does not believe a weakened Arsenal team will present any less an obstacle at Anfield tonight.

Charles Itandje has sought to play down the growing furore over his behaviour during Wednesday’s Hillsborough service.

ASSISTANT boss Sammy Lee maintains Premier League leaders Liverpool must not start listening to the doom mongers by looking anxiously over their shoulders at Manchester United.

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez will be back in the Barclays Premier League front-line at the weekend armed with an array of riches.

THIS is how it always used to be.

THIS is how it always used to be.

Sammy Lee hailed Robbie Keane’s “immense” contribution to Liverpool after the striker’s double against Bolton, which ensured the Reds will be Barclays Premier League leaders when they face Newcastle tomorrow.

RAFAEL BENITEZ is close to a return to the Liverpool dugout while striker Fernando Torres is also inching his way towards a comeback.

ARSENE WENGER launched a broadside at referee Howard Webb for the dismissal of Emmanuel Adebayor, which he insisted had prevented his side beating Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Liverpool looked to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League without manager Rafael Benitez, who did not travel to Emirates Stadium following surgery to remove kidney stones.

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee is looking for the Barclays Premier League leaders to strengthen their position over the Christmas period.

Jose Mourinho insisted his wishes had been granted after his Inter Milan side were drawn against Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League.

STEVEN GERRARD has told Liverpool he wants to sign a new contract when his current deal ends and intends to stay at the club for the rest of his career.