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Virgil van Dijk has proven himself to be "unbelievable" in almost every aspect since joining Liverpool, but former Reds defender Kolo Toure thinks forwards can cause him more problems by running at him in one-on-one situations.

Netherlands international Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for a reported £75 million ($98m), at the time a world-record fee for a defender.

His signing helped transform Liverpool from top-four contenders into a team that challenges for titles, as the Reds were only narrowly beaten to the 2018-19 Premier League title while also winning the Champions League.

Van Dijk's influence showed no sign of abating this term as Liverpool won a first league title in 30 years, while his performances continue to impress.

Toure, a former Liverpool and Celtic defender like Van Dijk, is an admirer of the centre-back but feels forwards might have a little more fortune against him if they are braver.

"He's an unbelievable player," Toure told Stats Perform News. "He's a top player. He's got speed, height, he can jump. He's got technique. He can switch the game with his long passes. He has got everything.

"I haven't seen many players challenge him one on one. In my opinion, that's his weakness! He's really tall and if you really attack him with the ball, he can struggle, but he's so clever.

"He's so clever because he drops well, but if you are really aggressive in attack in a one-on-one, I think you can get something from him.

"He's a really clever player. He's got [Joe] Gomez on his side, good players on his side to help him as well. There are good players around him and I think that makes his game easy, but I think he's got so many qualities."

Toure was part of the Liverpool team that were pipped to the title by Manchester City in 2013-14, losing out by two points after Steven Gerrard's infamous slip in a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea helped hand the initiative back to Manuel Pellegrini's men.

That moment had hung over Liverpool and Gerrard in the following years but their 2019-20 success erases that memory, according to Toure.

"Absolutely [it heals the pain of 2014]," he said. "When you play for a team like Liverpool, the fans, the atmosphere is unbelievable. An unbelievable club.

"I had a great time there. I saw players win the Premier League who I'd been playing with. I was happy to see them win.

"They are the best team in the world right now. Jurgen Klopp is doing an amazing job right now. [Former manager] Brendan Rodgers' signings have been really good as well for him. You can see that he's taken those players and really pushed them.

"Of course, he's added top players on top of all of that. This club is one of the best clubs in the world. They really deserve everything, they're really good guys, honest people working hard, loving the club and that's great. It's a great, great club."

Jose Mourinho is in danger of being “left out to dry” at Tottenham, claims Jermaine Jenas, with the Portuguese lacking the backing he needs in order to compete with the Premier League elite.

Mourinho was acquired by Spurs in November 2019 after they took the decision to part with Mauricio Pochettino.

He has, however, already faced questions over his philosophy at Spurs and is not expected to be handed a transfer war chest in the summer window.

Jenas believes that will work against the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss, with expectations now about to be reined in despite the lack of boardroom support.

The former Tottenham midfielder told the Daily Mail: “It’s going to be really frustrating I think for Mourinho next year because he’s going to be the one left out to dry I think. Essentially he needs players and they are a team that I don’t see getting in the top four right now. 

“They’re not better than Wolves, they’re about on par with Arsenal but actually I see what [Mikel] Arteta is doing and I think that he is just ahead of what Mourinho is doing with his team. I don’t see it being a very pretty season for Jose or Tottenham at all.”

Pressed on whether he expects Mourinho to see out the 2020-21 campaign still at the Spurs helm, Jenas added: “I'd like to think he will. I’m pretty sick of managers getting put in situations where everything is kind of against them and I think Tottenham is one of the clubs that do that in a way. 

“If you look at what Pochettino did for that football club, to not back him at a time when he needed to be back seemed like a ludicrous decision. 

“The team needed refreshing, they didn’t refresh it and off the back of it there was huge frustration from Poch and the team basically continued, even though they got to the Champions League final they lost 13 league games. It continued its form into this season which was poor. 

“No managers walk anymore because there’s too much money involved, but obviously Jose has come in and taken the job so I would presume there was conversations that there would be investment. 

“Granted, no one could have the pandemic and there was a new stadium and with that, Spurs are probably one of the richest clubs in Europe I think with the amount they make from people coming to games.

“I’m sure Daniel [Levy] will have said ‘this is the project, here’s gonna be the money’, but I’m also sure he’s now gonna come up with an excuse to say ‘there is no money so deal with it’.

“In my opinion, I will feel Jose’s frustration and have sympathy for him because his hands are tied.”

Tanzania Mainland League side Azam FC have completed the signing of attacking midfielder Ismail Aziz Kada.

The Chamazi-based side have been strengthening for the new season and are aiming at improving every department. It is for this reason the team is moving fast to make signings that will help the technical bench achieve their objectives next season.

"Azam FC are delighted to announce the signing of attacking midfielder Ismail Aziz Kada from Tanzania Prisons on a two-year contract deal," the Chamazi-based side confirmed on Monday.

"The player passed his medical test before signing the contract before Azam's CEO Abdulkarim Amin."

The 2018/19 FA Cup champions have revealed the reason behind the signing of the swift midfielder.

"The technical bench under the leadership of coach Aristica Cioaba had recommended his signing and the club acted and brought him on board," the club noted.

"The player has had a good season with Tanzania Prisons after scoring five goals and created as many." 

Aziz is the fourth player to be signed by the 2014 Tanzania Mainland League champions. Others who have joined Azam are Awesu Awesu from Kagera Sugar, Ally Niyonzima from Rwandan side Rayon Sports and Ayoub Lyanga.

Lyanga, who was a free agent after his contract expired with Coastal Union has explained the reason behind joining Azam.

"I have talked to my brother who played for Azam before, Daniel [Lyanga] who was at the club last season, he has told me a lot about the club, he has told me what to expect at the club and how ambitious the club is, so I will strive to push the club from where he left it," Lyanga told reporters.

"My brother also played a key role for me to sign for Azam, he told me a lot about the team, and my target now is to help the team, and make sure Azam remains as one of the best teams in the country and even beyond the borders."

On how he feels after signing the deal, Lyanga said: "I thank God for the chance to play for Azam and I thank all those who were behind the deal and those who have supported me, and I am happy to sign for Azam.

"My main target is to help Azam and it is the reason I did not wait for even a second to come here when I knew they were looking for my services, I have always wanted to play for this great club and I thank God I now have the chance to show them what I can do."

Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad reveals he will not rule out a future move to Hearts of Oak despite the age-old rivalry between the two teams.

Ghana's two biggest clubs, Kotoko and Hearts, are the most successful sides in the history of the Premier League (GPL), boasting of 23 and 19 titles, respectively, between them.

Precocious Danlad, 17, is highly rated among the most promising shot-stoppers in the top-flight.

"I want to use this platform to clear [the air on] something on this big platform: I haven’t said anywhere that I won’t ever play for Hearts of Oak [because] I am professional player," Danlad told Joy FM.

"What I said was that I have a contract with Asante Kotoko.

"I don’t have any intention of never playing for Hearts of Oak. As I said I’m a professional player now enjoying a good life at Kotoko because they have helped me a lot in my career and I can’t disappoint them."

Danlad is currently on loan at Berekum Chelsea where he commands the No.1 position. He registered an impressive eight clean sheets in 14 league appearances last season.

In July, he was reported to have closed the door on any possible stint with Hearts.

"I have not said anywhere that I want to play for Hearts and I have not even thought about it. It would be very difficult for Hearts to even chase my signature considering their rivalry with Kotoko," Danlad told GNA Sports.

"The only thing that would trigger a move to Hearts is when Kotoko doesn't need my services anymore then I can choose to play for the club I desire.

"Kotoko is my parent club and am very young with many years ahead of me with some experienced goalkeepers to learn from at the club.

"If the chance comes for me to prove my worth, I would give it a good shot and see what happens.

"Since the league came to end, I'm currently waiting on the management of Kotoko to decide whether I should return to the club or continue my stay at Chelsea but I know both parties are in talks with regards to my future."

As a 14-year-old, Danlad played for Ghana at the 2017 Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Gabon and the 2017 Fifa U17 World Cup in India. 

New Azam FC signing Ayoub Lyanga has revealed how his brother played a key role to have him join the club from Coastal Union.

The attacking midfielder was unveiled on Sunday by the ‘Ice Cream Makers’ after penning a two-year contract to become the third signing for the club ahead of the new Mainland Premier League season.

Lyanga has now explained why he jumped at the chance to play for the 2014 league champions, and who was behind the transfer move.

“I have also talked to my brother who played for Azam before, Daniel [Lyanga] who was at the club last season, he has told me a lot about the club, he has told me what to expect at the club and how ambitious the club is, so I will strive to push the club from where he left it,” Lyanga told reporters.

“My brother also played a key role for me to sign for Azam, he told me a lot about the team, and my target now is to help the team, and make sure Azam remains as one of the best teams in the country and even beyond the borders.”

On how he feels after signing the deal, Lyanga said: “I thank God for the chance to play for Azam and I thank all those who were behind the deal and those who have supported me, and I am happy to sign for Azam.

“My main target is to help Azam and it is the reason I did not wait for even a second to come here when I knew they were looking for my services, I have always wanted to play for this great club and I thank God I now have the chance to show them what I can do.”

On having a good season in the last campaign while at Coastal Union, Lyanga explained: “I like pushing myself hard and that is why I did well, and now I have a new challenge ahead of me and will continue to strive even hard and make Azam shine, I want to assure the fans, we will move together and make this team great.”

Azam have also signed attacking midfielder Ally Niyonzima from Rayon Sports of Rwanda and Awesu Awesu from Kagera Sugar.

Christian Pulisic has vowed to be “back in no time” after suffering a hamstring injury in Chelsea’s FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal.

The United States international opened the scoring at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, with another impressive finish added to his ever-growing collection.

He looked to be in again early in the second half, but pulled a muscle as he raced into the box and poked an effort wide of the post as he crumpled to the turf.

Pulisic was clearly in pain before he got his shot away, with it immediately apparent that he was going to be in no position to continue.

With Cesar Azpilicueta and Pedro also picking up knocks on a testing afternoon for the Blues, Frank Lampard ultimately saw his side downed by a double from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The 2-1 reversal represented a disappointing end to the domestic 2019-20 campaign for Chelsea and Pulisic, but there are plenty of positives for them to take from a season that delivered a top-four finish.

They do not have to wait long either before returning to action, and Pulisic is hoping that he will soon be back in contention.

He posted on Instagram when reflecting on the cup final and looking to the future: “Gave it everything we had. Wasn’t our day. Thank you guys for your support I’ll be back in no time”

Lampard, whose side have the second leg of a Champions League last-16 clash with Bayern Munich to take in on August 8, told reporters of the ailments his players picked up against Arsenal.

He said: “I don't know the full extent of the injuries, but I know the hamstrings with Azpi and Christian - they have to be scanned and assessed over the next few days. They clearly won't be fit for next week [against Bayern].”

Chelsea trail that contest 3-0 on aggregate and appear to be in a position to start planning for 2020-21, with the new Premier League season due to get underway on September 12.

Lampard believes that may be too soon after what has been an elongated campaign this time around, with the Blues boss saying: “It’s not ideal if we carry on against Bayern and possibly go further.

“The players need a break; they need to be given a break to play at the level of the quality product that the Premier League is. Worst case scenario, if we don’t go through against Bayern, the 12th seems too early to start playing again.

“The players need a break. That is why we are pulling two hamstrings and having players pull out before this. I would like to think the Premier League will look seriously at that and look at the start for next season. I think we deserve it, as a Premier League club competing in the Champions League.”

Manchester City versus Real Madrid will be decided by "small details", according to Raphael Varane, who says "the best team on the day will win".

Madrid will travel to Manchester on Friday for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, which is delicately poised after a thrilling reverse fixture at Santiago Bernabeu.

Zinedine Zidane's men took the lead through Isco, only for late Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne goals to give City a famous 2-1 victory in the Spanish capital.

Real have since bounced back from that disappointment to win their first La Liga title since 2017, while Pep Guardiola's men were dethroned by Liverpool in comprehensive fashion in the Premier League.

Zidane has never lost a European knockout tie on aggregate as Madrid head coach, and Varane says the entire squad are motivated to keep that run going at Etihad Stadium.

"We want to win every day, we're Real Madrid," the France international said in a video message posted on the club's social media accounts. "We want to win everything possible and gain more confidence that way.

"We haven't had games to play beforehand, so we have time to prepare ourselves. The best team on the day will win. We'll go into [the game] with hunger to win and the necessary determination."

Varane added on the likelihood of another fiercely competitive contest between two elite teams: "[It will be] a difficult game against a very good team. The first leg was a top-quality game, with pressing from both teams. "It was decided by the small details.

"[Real Madrid and City are] two teams that like to have the ball, are very intense and that require lots of concentration.

"These are the best games in the Champions League - the ones that are decided by very little. They are why we love this competition."

Madrid won three European Cups in a row during Zidane's first spell in charge, and Varane says that experience holds them in good stead to avoid an early exit this time around.

"We know what we've achieved in recent years is something exceptional," he continued. "What we have to do is carry this experience with us and know that the small details make the difference in big games.

"Now, we're a bit more relaxed, but we have the same determination and we know the traps we have to avoid. We have years of experience, but it's hard to win every game, repeat victories and always be at the top."

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson admits the 2019-20 campaign has been “one of the most exhausting seasons I’ve ever had”, with the Reds left physically and emotionally drained on the back of their Premier League title triumph.

Jurgen Klopp’s side started out almost 12 months ago with the intention of winning more major honours. They delivered on that front in record-breaking style, with a 30-year wait for English top-flight glory brought to a close.

Liverpool also savoured UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup successes, with the Anfield outfit having got a taste for major silverware.

Their efforts were, however, punctured by a three-month break during the coronavirus pandemic and Alisson admits that everyone on the red half of Merseyside is now looking forward to a well-deserved rest.

The highly-rated goalkeeper told ESPN Brasil: “This was one of the most exhausting seasons I've ever had. I don't know if it was due to the pandemic, the longer season, but it was also one of the seasons I played less games because of injuries.

“We got out of the Champions League early, but I think this exhaustion comes from just giving everything we have every time.

“Klopp has a great portion of that, just telling us what the main objective is.

“We also care about how we are going to get to that objective -- training, just how he manages our training sessions. He trusts us to do what he wants us to do, on not only training sessions, but also a day-to-day basis.

“Our group is certainly very strong. Each player has so much quality individually, and we have at least four players always at the top, the best in the world in their positions, and that makes it a special team, but what really makes a difference is the way we play together.

“We think as one, we all have the same objective, and that is doing everything we can to get those goals, laying it all out mentally and physically.”

Liverpool, along with domestic and global rivals, were unable to relax during the Covid-19 hiatus as they needed to remain in shape ready for the restart.

They will not have long to recharge their batteries as the 2020 Community Shield – which will see the Reds take on FA Cup winners Arsenal – has been pencilled in for August 29 and the new Premier League season is due to start on September 12.

Antonio Conte wouldn't want Lionel Messi at Inter, according to Paolo Di Canio, who thinks the Barcelona superstar's profile would see him become bigger than the club.

Messi's future at Camp Nou has been the subject of much speculation throughout the turbulent 2019-20 campaign. The Argentine only has one year left to run on his current contract and has been strongly linked with a move away from Catalonia in recent months.

Inter has been mooted as a possible next destination for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, but Conte dismissed the notion of a possible transfer after the 2-0 win over Atalanta on Sunday.

Quizzed on a potential move for Messi, the 51-year-old head coach told reporters: "Look, only I know what I had to do to get [Romelu] Lukaku. Trust me, at the end of the season we will make evaluations."

Former Italy international Di Canio says that even if it were possible for Inter to bring in the Barca talisman, Conte would oppose a deal due to the attention that would come with such a huge signing.

"If Inter really decided to go for Messi and had already told him that they will do everything to take him, are you sure that Conte would like Messi at Inter? I say no," the ex-Lazio and Juventus striker told Sky Sports.

"It would mean that we would talk more about Messi than about Inter, as happens with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, or even more."

Conte was also asked to assess his first year at San Siro following his side's final outing of the season, and he took the opportunity to criticise the Inter board for failing to shield him or the players amid intense media scrutiny.

After Inter finished second in Serie A by a single point behind Juventus, the Nerazzurri head coach stated: "Neither my work nor the players' work was acknowledged, I found little protection from the club when making comparisons. If you want to reduce the gap with Juventus you have to be strong on the pitch but above all off it."

Di Canio believes Conte's comments could end up costing him his position, as he added: "Yesterday was something very serious. I don't know why Antonio said those words, but even if he were to stay at Inter, the scar will remain and the difficulties will come out again."

Leon Balogun has expressed his delight after helping Rangers secure a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen on his debut appearance on Saturday.

The 32-year-old defender teamed up with the Ibrox Stadium outfit from Championship side Wigan Athletic last month after his contract with the Latics ended.

The centre-back was immediately handed a starting role in the Gers’ first game of the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership season and delivered solid defensive performances.

Balogun shone in his role to help the Gers keep a clean sheet at Pittodrie Stadium, making a number of clearances and accurate passes.  

The former Mainz defender has praised his teammates, especially Connor Goldson, for helping him settle quickly at the club.

"We are happy with the win. Obviously, it was my first game and my welcome to Scottish football and it could hardly have gone any better - and I think any harder as well,” Balogun told the club website.

"I have had similar games before in the Bundesliga, the Premier League and also the Championship - it was very direct but you just have to adapt.

"The second half was maybe not exactly what we wanted the game to be and to look like, but we are happy with the win and the clean sheet as well.

"The lads did a great job in helping me to adjust through the whole week I have trained and it has been fun.

"Obviously, my experience helps a little bit, but he [Goldson] is a great talker on the pitch. He told me before the match if he was too loud, it was just to help me, and I welcome that because I need some time to get used to the mechanisms.”

Balogun collided with the post during the encounter at Pittodrie Stadium but featured throughout the match and has assured he is not suffering from any injury.

"I took some tablets to keep the headache down but I carried on. I don't think I suffered any major concussion or anything which is the most important thing. I got a few headers in after that as well so there is no need to worry," he continued.

The defender also expressed his appreciation to the Rangers fans for the warm welcome he received from upon his arrival, 

"It has been big! When I signed on Friday, everything was a bit hectic so I had to go back to Manchester to get some stuff,” he added.

"But it has been amazing - I slowly start to get an idea of how big the fan culture is. As I said in my first interview, I heard a lot about it, but I think there is nothing like having them with you and behind you and everybody is looking forward to getting them back into the stadium."

Balogun will be expected to make his second appearance for Rangers when they take on St. Mirren in their next league game on August 9.

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has cast doubt over his future at the club despite the successes achieved in the recently concluded Tanzania domestic season.

The Belgian took over from countryman Patrick Aussems who was fired late in 2019 after falling out with the club's management. His successor managed to pick up from where Aussems left and guided the team to two more titles, having won the Community Shield already. 

Having added a league and FA Cup to the list of silverware the club has won recently, eyes are on the Caf Champions League where Wekundu wa Msimbazi are targeting going past the group stage.

However, after Sunday's 2-1 win over Namungo in the FA Cup final, Vandenbroeck cast doubt on his future.

"I don't know with me or without me," Vandenbroeck answered reporters when asked whether he will be with the team for the campaign or not.

"There is no meaning, everyone reads newspapers, everyone listens to rumours even me, so we will see what happens. I will go on holiday in two days with a big smile with whatever happens."

The 40-year-old has also explained the need to ensure the team is united ahead of the next campaign.

"But there is one big challenge, you cannot talk about the Champions League [first]," Vandenbroeck added.

"We first have tours to play. 

"I think the first big challenge is to unify everyone in the club. To unify for the one and the same challenge that is to make this team better.

"If you can do that, you will succeed, if you don't succeed as a club, to unify everyone, it is going to be difficult."

On Sunday, captain John Bocco and Man of the Match Luis Miquissone provided the vital goals that ensured the Dar es Salaam side headed back home as the champions.

After 35 minutes of failed attempts to break an otherwise tight Namungo backline, Simba finally got a hard-fought opener through Miquissone’s strike.

The Mozambican, who has proved to be an undroppable figure for Vandenbroeck, scored an important goal and further showed why his January signing was a masterstroke.

Shomari Kapombe delivered a swinging cross into the penalty box, but Bocco was denied the opportunity to strike as the opponents swarmed around him. However, as Namungo focused on Bocco, the ball fell into Miquissone’s path and the winger slotted home.

Bocco added the second goal four minutes after Miquissone had registered the opener, heading into the net and ensured Simba went into the break with a healthy 2-0 lead.  

The journey for success began at the beginning of the season with Aussems when they defeated Azam FC 4-2 in the Community Shield which launched the 2019/20 season.

The second title for the Msimbazi-based side came in the Tanzania Mainland League. Simba went on to finish the season with 88 points after taking 27 wins, seven draws and just four losses.  

Arsenal cannot allow Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract saga to mirror those of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, says Martin Keown, with the Gunners urged to make a definitive decision on the future of a striker he thinks is proving to be comparable with Thierry Henry.

The prolific Gabon international proved he belongs in illustrious company when netting the match-winning double in the FA Cup final against Chelsea.

His efforts at Wembley, which saw him convert from the penalty spot and net a stunning solo strike, mean that Arsenal will have continental competition in the Europa League next season.

That may be enough to convince Aubameyang that he should stay put, with the offer of a new deal on the table at Emirates Stadium. The 31-year-old frontman is yet to put pen to paper, with the uncertainty surrounding his future doing nobody any favours in north London.

It is not the first time that Arsenal have found themselves in such a situation with expiring contracts becoming an all too familiar theme, and Keown wants the Gunners to act swiftly and decisively on this occasion as they mull over what to do with such a talismanic presence.

“Arsene Wenger was always careful with how he spent money but midway through his final season in charge he agreed to splash out £56 million (€62m/$73m) for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” Keown told the Daily Mail. “The 31-year-old has not signed an extension and it is now important that Arsenal resolve his future one way or another this summer.

“They cannot allow another distracting contract saga to crop up, as we saw with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, but if Aubameyang does depart, then they will need to replace the goals they are losing.

“He guarantees you 20 a season at least — even when operating as an inside forward from the left wing.

“I've compared Aubameyang to Thierry Henry previously and as someone who shared a dressing room with Arsenal's greatest ever goalscorer, I don't do so lightly.

“Strikers can do special things in training but it's about doing it in the big moments, too. Henry used to do that, and Aubameyang did it against Chelsea.

“Unfortunately, it feels more likely that he is going to go than stay. The clock is ticking on his career so the next contract and club choice is an important one.

“Arsenal won the FA Cup on Saturday because they had the best player on the pitch in Aubameyang. For how much longer they have him, time will tell.”

Aubameyang’s brace against Chelsea means that he has now found the target on 70 occasions in 109 appearances for Arsenal.

Haji Manara has again claimed Simba SC are going to score more than 10 goals against Yanga SC despite the signings the former has completed.

Yanga have been the busiest side in the transfer window so far and have brought on board Peter Mauya, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Yassin Mustapha and Waziri Junior.

Mwamnyeto’s signing has been the highlight so far because Simba and Azam FC had also made their intentions of signing the defender known.

“Last season, they [Yanga] signed 24 players and we defeated them by scoring four goals,” Manara told reporters after Simbna won the FA Cup title.

“They have already signed players in the second day of the transfer window but you know what, we are going to give them 10 goals.

“We are going to break the record next season.

“Do you think Simba have not seen players to sign? Players are not signed for the sake of doing it, it is done with recommendations from the experts.

“Yes, they have signed [Bakari] Mwamnyeto but when Simba scored eight goals against Coastal Union, was he not their defender? How do you sign four players even when you do not have a coach? 

“Simba are fighting for the African title, not the Tanzanian league title anymore.”

The spokesperson also explained why he thinks Wekundu wa Msimbazi are above the competition in Tanzania.

“I am never concerned with what happens from other sides. I am a Simba spokesperson and I am always addressing the over 38 million supporters of Simba,” he added.

“From a population of 56 million Tanzanians, we are 38 million of them.

“We are the champions of the league, the FA Cup and the Community Shield. The team [Yanga] you want me to talk about, we defeated them by four goals, and the latest opponent has also been beaten.

“In Tanzania, Simba are only playing because it is what is required from them was it not a requirement, there is no team Simba should be playing against in this country.

“We should be elsewhere in Africa playing with teams equal to Simba. But because Tanzania is our country, we have to play here."

Manara added he is confident their players will scoop all the season-end awards.

“Take Simba to any pitch whether bad or good, we will remain Simba and we are champions. This not pride from our part we have invested a lot of money in football,” he concluded.

“Football requires serious investment, not gossip and empty talk. I can assure you, our players are going to win every season award this time around.

“How can you deny Simba players any award, unless you want to give it to [Gnamien] Yikpe [a Yanga striker].”

Simba completed their season by winning a treble - the Community Shield, FA Cup and league title.

Jurgen Klopp's No 2 Pep Lijnders has been backed to eventually become Liverpool's permanent head coach.

Lijnders returned to Liverpool for a second coaching spell in June 2018, and has since helped the club win four major trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League.

The 37-year-old has proven to be the perfect foil for Klopp on the training pitch and in the dugout, with the Reds now a well-rounded team capable of competing for honours at the very highest level.

Lijnders had a frustrating six-month spell in charge of Dutch outfit NEC before making his way back to Anfield, during which he failed to guide the club back into the Eredivisie.

He attempted to implement a philosophy based around high-intensity pressing and quick passing interchanges at Stadion de Goffert, but the players struggled to adapt to the system.

Muslu Nalbantoglu, who worked alongside Lijnders at NEC, has not been surprised to see the Liverpool assistant successfully transfer his ideas to Merseyside, which he admits were far too advanced for the Eerste Divisie side.

"What he had in his mind with the NEC players was not realistic. Of course, if you work with Mohamed Salah and the names of Liverpool, it is easy to do it with those players," Nalbantoglu said of Lijnders on the Blood Red podcast.

"His energy and his trainings were very good. Everybody loved him and still loves him at the club and we have difficult fans - when you lose three times, it is very difficult to stay here at NEC.

"He loves football and you see the passion in the trainings. He can never sit down and he was always standing. There were trainings that we have never seen before. If the players were a better level, maybe he would still be here.

"What he had in his mind was for a higher level than NEC. With better players, you can do what he wants. When Jurgen Klopp leaves Liverpool, Pep can take over with those players for sure."

Klopp's current contract at Anfield is not due to expire until 2024, and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has been touted as the most likely man to inherit the managerial reins when the German moves on.

Michael Beale, Gerrard's assistant at Rangers, has said that although coaching the Reds would be a "dream" role for the ex-England international, he still sees Klopp as the perfect man to lead the club.

"He is the biggest Liverpool fan and at this moment in time, if he had to choose a manager, it would be Jurgen Klopp," Beale told the Liverpool Echo last year.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have denied reports they have been forced into panic transfer activities after missing out on winning silverware in the just-concluded season.

The Jangwani Street-based giants have already signed four players – defender Bakari Mwamnyeto from Coastal Union, striker Waziri Junior from Mbao FC, left-back Yassin Mustapha from Polisi Tanzania and midfielder Peter Mauya from Kagera Sugar.

A section of Yanga fans have questioned the criteria the club is using to sign new players since they have not appointed a new coach after they fired Belgian Luc Eymael at the end of the 2019-20 Mainland Premier League season.

The fans believe the club should have first appointed a new coach, who could reveal the players he wants to be signed for the club ahead of the new season.

Yanga have now come out to defend the signings, insisting the deals they have already accomplished have the blessing from the technical bench, adding their top target is to win the league title next season.

“All the players we have signed already are as per the request from the technical bench, even if Eymael left, we still had a team working under him which still exists and they are the ones involved in this transfer activities,” Hersi Said, Director of GSM Investment, who are Yanga’s main sponsors, told reporters on Monday.

“We are ready to make tangible recruitment of players to create a squad capable to challenge for titles next term. As GSM, we will be fully involved in this exercise.”

Yanga had a disappointing campaign in the last season where they failed to reach the final of the FA Cup after losing to eventual winners and rivals Simba SC, and could only finish a distant second behind their old rivals on the league table.

The Timu ya Wananchi have now been linked a number of foreign-players, including Kenyans Jesse Were and John Makwatta, who play for Zesco United, Sven Yidah of Kariobangi Sharks, Erick Rutanga of Rayon Sports and Mukoko Tonombe of AS Vita Club from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A number of coaches including Kenya’s Bernard Mwalala, who also played for the team, have been linked with the vacant role at the club.