Liverpool v Sevilla - Preview

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson could make his first start since early April in the Europa League final against Spanish side Sevilla.

The England midfielder, 25, returned from a knee injury in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw at West Brom.

Striker Divock Origi could also feature in Basel, Switzerland after returning to training following an ankle injury.

Defender Mamadou Sakho is still banned after failing a drugs test as the Reds chase their 12th European trophy.

"I don't expect to start," said Henderson. "I know I've been out a long time and I've only played 25-30 minutes.

"When I've been injured the team has done very well and played in some big games to get to the final.

"I'm ready to play as long or as little as the manager wants me to."

Sevilla - who have won the trophy for the past two seasons - have no new injury worries, with Denmark midfielder Michael Krohn-Dehli out with a long-term knee injury.

Liverpool know winning Europe's secondary club competition will earn them a place in next season's Champions League group stage. But defeat would leave the Reds without European football - for the second time in three seasons - after they finished eighth in the Premier League.

"Everyone wants to play in the Champions League but if you look back on a career with no trophies and six seasons in the Champions League, it's not the same," said midfielder James Milner.

"It's all about winning trophies and to win any European trophy is a massive achievement."

Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool manager

I came here because I was really convinced of the quality of these players. At the start I was the only person, but now a few more people know. To see how they deserve this final makes me feel really good. I am happy that they could show how strong they are. This is a big chance to take a big step.

The longer you don't win anything, the harder you try. We already know about the desire of our supporters. We know how much they want to win this cup. They showed us in an impressive way, home and away, travelling around Europe. We would really love to be the team that makes these dreams come true. I can promise that we will try everything. The problem is, Sevilla will do the same!

We have to be organised, prepared, take control of moments – be patient to pass for long enough to create that chance. In a final you need to be ready to make mistakes when the whole world is watching. Football doesn't work without mistakes. It's about finding the next solution.

Unai Emery, Sevilla coach

Every time football gives you a chance you have to take it. What we have achieved in recent years is wonderful but you can't stop there; you have to relive it, you have to experience it again. The Sevilla fans know this: they look upon the club as their second wife or second girlfriend.

Liverpool are among the best ten teams in the world. They have a great history – they have won the European Cup five times, the UEFA Cup, English league titles. The team have changed under the new coach, they are a happy team. They're like Athletic Bilbao the way they press and give 100%.

All my players have special characteristics and we need the best of them against Liverpool; we need everything they have. We want to grow. We can change history and have our names recorded in the history of the competition. We must find a balance, though, to keep our emotions in check so we can be fully focused. We'll need it.

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Mauresmo and Murray Announce Split

Andy Murray has split from coach Amelie Mauresmo after two years.

Murray, 28, said he had "learnt a lot" from Mauresmo but they had "mutually agreed" to end their partnership.

"Dedicating enough time along with the travel has been a challenge," twice Grand Slam champion Mauresmo added.

Since he began working with her in June 2014, Murray has won seven titles - including his first two on clay - but has failed to add to his two majors.

In a joint statement, Murray added: "She's been a calming influence in the team and we will all miss having her around.

"I'll take some time to consider the next steps and how we progress from here, but I'd like to thank her for everything she has done. She's been an invaluable member of the team."

Frenchwoman Mauresmo, 36, added: "Working with Andy over the last two years has been a fantastic experience for me.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed being part of the great team of people he has around him. I wish him and the team well and I hope he goes on to win many more titles."

Murray - who lost his number two ranking to Roger Federer after his defeat by Novak Djokovic in the Mutua Madrid Open final on Sunday - was previously coached by former world number one Ivan Lendl.

Under Lendl he won the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon.

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Blackwell Awakes from Induced Coma

Chris Eubank Jr v Nick Blackwell

Nick Blackwell has woken from his induced coma, following his fight with Chris Eubank Jr last week.

The 25-year-old was taken to hospital after the British middleweight title contest was stopped in round 10.

Blackwell woke from the induced coma on Saturday, and by Sunday was talking to family and friends at his bedside, said promoter Hennessey Sports.

Blackwell had suffered a bleed on the skull and not the brain as initially reported, the statement added.

Hennessey Sports said the boxer had won his "toughest fight yet".

It added: "Nick Blackwell won the hearts of over three million television viewers on 26 March with an astonishing display of all-action bravery and determination.

"In the past week, however, he has humbled millions more. He's a fighter. He's a warrior. He's a true champion and gentleman.

"On behalf of Nick, his family, and very close friends, we'd like to thank everyone for their continued support and well-wishes. It has been overwhelming at times and has certainly not gone unnoticed."

Referee Victor Loughlin stopped the fight in round 10 on the advice of the ringside doctor, who said Blackwell was unable to continue because of swelling over his left eye.

It meant Eubank Jr, 26, took the British middleweight title.

After the fight, Blackwell received medical attention in the ring before being taken away while receiving oxygen.

The British Boxing Board of Control said it was satisfied with the way the fight was handled, and respected trainer Adam Booth told BBC Radio 5 live Loughlin had "acted immaculately".

Former world champion Barry McGuigan, now a promoter, said it was an "isolated incident" and "nobody was to blame".

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F1 New Qualifyng System Delayed

The introduction of Formula One’s new qualifying system will be delayed until the fifth race of the season because of technical issues, the sport’s commercial supremo, Bernie Ecclestone, said on Saturday.

The season starts in Australia on 20 March but the new qualifying format, announced by the governing FIA last week, will require changes to the software controlling the timing system.

“My guys who do the timing said ‘Mr E, we don’t want to be put in the position because we don’t think we can get it done properly in time’,” Ecclestone told the BBC.

He said the new format would probably be introduced at the Spanish Grand Prix in May. The season is due to feature a record 21 races.

Ecclestone’s Formula One Management handles the timing software, along with screen graphics and data, and he said the changes involved in the new elimination format were not straightforward.

“If you’re going to try and explain it to the public properly, it’s not just a case of ‘OK, the guy was the last one, bye-bye’,” he said.

“We’ll have to deal with it. I’ve told the FIA this and asked them what they’d like to do with it but the bottom line is there’s not a lot they can do with it because we do all the timekeeping.“

Under the new procedure, the slowest drivers will be eliminated as the three sessions progress rather than at the end of each phase.

After seven minutes of the first session has elapsed, the slowest driver will be eliminated, with others following at 90-second intervals.

Fifteen of the 22 will go through to the next phase, with the slowest eliminated after six minutes. The same 90-second sequence ensues until eight drivers are left.

In the final session one driver will be eliminated after five minutes and then one every 90 seconds until two are left fighting for pole position with one-and-a-half minutes remaining.

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English Champion Has no Job

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José Mourinho, linked with an imminent move to replace Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, says he is happy to wait until the summer to make a return to football.

Pressure on Van Gaal eased briefly after United’s FA Cup win at Shrewsbury on Monday, but his side face another potential upset on Thursday in the return leg of their Europa League last-32 tie against Midtjylland, having lost the first leg 2-1.

On Saturday the Internazionale director Bedy Moratti suggested Mourinho had already agreed a deal to move to Manchester, with Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, continuing to deliberate over Van Gaal’s future.

Mourinho, though – speaking to students at an event in Singapore – said he was satisfied to wait for the “right project”, playing down talk of a return to management before May. “I always feel that it’s better to wait, not to rush, better to be calm, to wait for the right moment, the right move,” he said. “I feel that starting the next season with a new club and project is probably the best thing for me.

“I’m travelling, enjoying my family, enjoying my friends and my life, and I wait to see what happens. The reality is I like football so much, I miss football, and when I have the chance to be back I will come back.”

Mourinho, who was joined by his agent Jorge Mendes to speak to children at the NorthLight school as part of the Valencia chairman Peter Lim’s Olympic scholarship, added: “It’s quite a funny career. I am the English champion, and I still have no job.

“I read so many different things. One day it says I go to China, another day it says I go to Italy, and people say I’m back to Inter Milan. I’m here – probably, you are saying I will do the Singapore national team. But the reality is I have no job, and at the moment I’m happy not to have a job.”

When he was sacked by Chelsea in December, Mourinho’s representatives, CAA, suggested he would seek a quick return: “He will not be taking a sabbatical, he isn’t tired, he doesn’t need it, he is very positive, and is already looking forward. Each time represents for him the end of a cycle and the opportunity to start a new one. José hopes that his future after Chelsea this time will be as successful as when he left the club in 2007.”

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Mourinho Not Looking for Job...But

Jose Mourinho has claimed he is not looking for a new job at the moment, but says clubs are pursuing him.

The 53-year-old ended his second spell at Chelsea in December following a poor start to the campaign.

He has since been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League with Manchester United, who are currently managed by Louis van Gaal.

"My next club? I really do not know, but one thing is certain - I love football and I will return with the same passion and ambition I've always had," Mourinho told La Stampa.

"Right now I have respect for every coach at every club. I'm not looking for a club, but there are clubs that are looking for me."

I'm not looking for a club, but there are clubs that are looking for me.

Reports in Italy have suggested Mourinho could even return to Inter Milan, with whom he won the treble in 2010, as current head coach Roberto Mancini is struggling to secure a top-three finish in Serie A.

But Mourinho, ahead of a personal trip to Milan to watch the Nerazzurri play Sampdoria on Saturday, insisted he has no plans to return to the San Siro dugout.

He is hoping former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini and Inter president Erick Thohir can turn the club's fortunes around though.

Mourinho said: "There is one thing I want to clarify - I will not be directing things over there next season. Inter already have a project that belongs to Roberto Mancini and Erick Thohir.

"Their ideas have my full support and I hope their plans are successful. I want to see Inter fans smiling again and so I hope to witness a victory tomorrow."

It is understood Chelsea, who sacked Mourinho for the second time in eight years in December, have sent the Portuguese replica versions of the Premier League and Capital One Cup trophies he won last season, as well as a letter thanking him for his achievements.

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Manchester United Earnings on Course

Manchester United have announced a quarterly profit of £18.6m with a total revenue of £133.8m, up 26.6 per cent on the same period last year.

The results mean United remain on course to become the first British club to earn more than half a billion pounds in one year despite a disappointing campaign in the Premier League and early exit from the Champions League.

United's 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Sunday left them six points adrift of the top four with 13 matches remaining, but their their second-quarterly financial results released on Thursday showed the club expects revenue for the year to hit up to £510m. No British club in history has recorded such a figure.

Commercial revenue for the second quarter was £66.1m - an increase of 42.5 per cent on the previous year, while broadcasting revenues were also up 31.3 per cent and sponsorship revenue for the second quarter was up £1.6m to £37.4m.

United vice-chairman Ed Woodward said: "Our strong commitment to investing in our squad, youth academy and the broader club are ultimately underpinned by our financial strength and the hard work and dedication of everyone at the Club.

"Our solid results off the pitch help contribute to what remains our number one priority - success on the pitch."

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Records Reset Pointless - Bolt

Six-times Olympic champion Usain Bolt says he feels shocked and let down by the scandal-hit IAAF. But the Jamaican sprinter is against resetting athletics world records as the sport attempts to move on from the doping crisis.

Thursday’s second instalment of a World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) report criticised the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), accusing its former head, Lamine Diack, of running a clique that covered up organised doping and blackmailed athletes as senior officials looked the other way. The first part of the report by independent investigator Dick Pound, a former head of Wada, in November led to athletics superpower Russia being banned from competition for state-sponsored doping.

Jamaican sprint king Bolt, the biggest name in athletics with a plethora of titles, records and commercial deals, said the IAAF had failed their athletes. “When I heard it was quite shocking for me to hear that because as far as I was concerned I think they were doing a good job to clean up the sport,” Bolt told Reuters in Kingston after collecting his sixth National Sportsman of the year award. “So for me to hear something like this was quite shocking and you feel let down as an athlete to be wanting to actually help clean up the sport, and then something like this to come up about the body. It’s kind of a letdown, so hopefully there’s no such thing, but we’ll see what happens.”

Diack stepped down last year after 16 years leading the IAAF and was replaced by Sebastian Coe. The Senegalese is already under formal investigation in France on suspicion of corruption and money laundering linked to the concealment of positive drug tests in concert with Russian officials and the blackmailing of the athletes to allow them to continue to compete. The reports noted that Diack “sanctioned and appeared to have had personal knowledge of the fraud and the extortion of athletes carried out by the actions of the illegitimate governance structure he put in place”.

UK Athletics (UKA) released “A Manifesto for Clean Athletics” on Monday, calling for world records to be wiped clean and drug cheats to be banned for at least eight years in radical proposals aimed at heralding in a new era for the sport. The 29-year-old Bolt, who set the 100m and 200m world records of 9.58 and 19.19 seconds in 2009 and shared in the 4x100m mark of 36.84secs in 2012, is against the proposal.

“As far as I’m concerned it’s really pointless,” he said. “What’s done is done, you have to just move forward and try to make the upcoming championships and Olympics and the next [world] records as best as we can and just look forward to the future. You can’t worry about the past, but try to build on the future.”

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