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Monday Kickoff: Gerrard backs Suarez for awards, Ribery set to miss Arsenal clash, and more

LuisSuarezvstottenham1 (Getty)

BY DAN KARELL

Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard has backed teammate Luis Suarez to win an award, following the Uruguayan’s performance over Tottenham on Sunday.

Suarez scored the game’s opening goal, his 22nd in Premier League play, and earned his side a penalty in their 3-2 victory against Spurs. Without Suarez, Gerrard argues, Liverpool would likely not be sitting in 7th in the Premier League, and the England international believes the South American would be the greatest player to not win an award if he comes away empty handed this May.

The 26-year-old forward now leads the EPL in goals, sitting three ahead of second-place Robin Van Persie. Suarez has scored 27 goals for Liverpool this season in all competitions.

Here are some more stories to get your Monday started:

RIBERY TO MISS ARSENAL MATCH

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has been ruled out of his squad’s upcoming match against Arsenal on Wednesday evening, after straining ankle ligaments during Saturday’s win over Fortuna Dusseldorf.

The French international scored on Saturday, as well as playing the full 90 minutes, but after the game the medical staff diagnosed the injury. Ribery will be joined on the sidelines by Jerome Boateng, and Bastian Schweinsteiger, both of whom will miss the game due to suspension.

The German side lead Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate, bringing their massive February win into the Allianz Arena for a re-match with Arsene Wenger’s club.

XAVI RETURNS TO BARCA TRAINING

Barcelona midfield maestro Xavi Hernandez has returned to first-team training on Monday morning, following a two-week spell on the sidelines.

Xavi was initially ruled out for the upcoming Champions League match on Tuesday after picking up a thigh strain against Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey, but the 33-year-old has made a quicker-than-expected comeback.

Barcelona host AC Milan on Tuesday, with the Italian side leading 2-0 on aggregate, following their impressive two-goal win last month.

RIVER PLATE GO TOP OF ARGENTINE TABLE

Former French international David Trezeguet scored the opening goal for River Plate, who went onto defeat Colon 2-0, pushing them to the top of the Torneo Final table in Argentina.

River have won four of their last five, and with 12 points in five games, they sit in first place, over second-place Godoy Cruz, with 11 points. Lanus, in third place, could take back first with a win on Monday against Arsenal de Sarandi.

Boca Juniors have continued to slump, drawing 1-1 with minnows Atletico Rafaela. Boca sit in 15th place, with just five points in their first five games.

QUICK KICKS

Confederation of African Football president Issa Hayatou has been re-elected unopposed to serve another four-year term as president. (REPORT)

Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne was very close to dying, before he was sent to a detox program in the United States (REPORT)

Schalke 04 forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is looking at another lenghthy spell on the sidelines, after tearing his MCL in his left knee. (REPORT)

French club Montpellier won’t be hiring Diego Maradona after all (REPORT)

Franz Beckenbauer would be “very very happy” if Wayne Rooney came to Bayern Munich this summer. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you believe Suarez should win Player of the Year? Do you see Munich missing Ribery’s presence against Arsenal? Do you believe Xavi can make the difference against Milan?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. How did Huntelaar get the injury? I wanted him for Liverpool over Sturridge but if memory serves this maybe his second or third severe injury…

    Glad they dont consider my opinions in the boardroom there.

    Reply
  2. Can you confirm that Martins to Seattle Sounders is legit? You Know Who posted a link but my Spanish Translation is a bit gimpy. If so this could be huge for Eddie Johnson.

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    • And John Terry, who would never dive, cry or cheat? He’s a moral paragon? A guy with real integrity?

      Have you ever lied to the boss at work?

      Judge not, lest you be judged. Does Saurez cheat in soccer? Sure. That doesn’t tell you what kind of person he is off the field.

      Reply
      • Disagree. The way someone conducts himself on the field can tell you a lot about what kind of person he is. Terry does plenty of nasty things on the pitch too, though he’s a bit sneakier about it.

  3. honestly i wonder about whether which England players could have made it outside England

    a few years ago Gerrard was linked to Real Madrid and Lampard to Inter Milan and now Rooney to Man U

    interesting

    Reply
    • Can’t see Gerrad, Lampard or Rooney getting much playing time on teams like Barca, Madrid or Bayern Munich. Especially if you take away their penalty kick opportunities where they get a third of their goals.

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      • Inter wanted Lampard in 2008. Madrid wanted Gerrard from 2005-09. I’m sure they both could have been starters

      • What does that have to do with the price of milk in Peoria, or whether top Euro sides outside of England would play those guys. On the other hand, I don’t know why we;re discussing whether they’d be successful on those other teams. They’ve carved out nice careers in England.

        Personally, I don’t know if Scalia or Ginsburg would be judging at the top level if they were transferred to one of the top European legal systems, but they’re still getting playing time here. Not sure what would be the point in discussing how they might fare in another legal system. Same for Obama — carved out a nice career for himself here, so not worth speculating if he could get the PM job in Italy.

      • Obama is only a Chicago “dirty” politician. He is becoming a 1st rate in D.C. But he would need to make a mover overseas to an Italian academy or finishing school to be as dirty and morally hazardous as Berlusconi.

      • Yeah — well, the US is still looking to produce it’s first SIlvio. Young Republican clubs around the country are building a strong corrupt core, but may still be a generation away from producing anyone who offers such a powerful combination of moral bankruptcy, great wealth and political appeal. Plus, American really need to develop more of an appreciation for his kind of game.

      • He’d be great in Shalke or Leverkusen he slots right in to their style. Though Arsenal favors the dortmund style i think his power would be better utilized elsewhere.

  4. Player of the Year goes down to Suarez, Bale and Van Persie.

    Ever since January it’s been Bale/Suarez. Van Persie was great all season up until February when his goals began to dry.

    Reply

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