Football news LIVE: Havertz hamstring woe confirmed, FA Cup’s bold rule change, Man United’s awkward barrier in transfer pursuit

Wednesday, February 12

Friday, February 14

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Sunday, February 16

Confirmed

The EFL have revealed that the Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle United will kick-off at 4:30pm.

The match at Wembley on Sunday, March 16 could have been starting at 8pm, but they have managed to avoid that problem.

The reason it was potentially going to be kicking off so late was because there is another Premier League game in north London that day.

Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates, and due to security concerns and police resources, that match has now been moved instead.

It will start at 12:30pm, and the Carabao Cup is at 4:30, which prevents tens of thousands of Newcastle and Liverpool fans from changing their travel plans.

Here to stay

talkSPORT understands that the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules are set to remain for at least one more season.

PSR has become a buzzword with fans and clubs, with many supporters now having to become financial experts to understand why their team can't sign anyone.

A few teams have suffered penalties for breaking the rules, and there are plenty at risk this summer as well, and talkSPORT's Alex Crook has an update for us.

He said: "The decision to delay the implementation of a new UEFA-style squad-cost ratio which limits club to spend a set percentage of their income on wages and transfer fees was effectively sealed at today's shareholders' meeting.

"The gear change comes as the Premier League faces a number of legal challenges from the likes of Manchester City if the rules are changed without proper consultation.

"This is likely to create another scramble between clubs close to breaching PSR rules come the end of June.

"It is also particularly bad news for Man United, whose minority owners INEOS who have blamed PSR for the financial woes that have seen them make 100s of redundancies."

Havertz's hamstring hell

Arsenal have confirmed the brutal news Kai Havertz is out for the remainder of the season after picking up a hamstring injury during the club's warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

"Subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that the injury will require surgery, which will take place in the coming days," the club statement read.

"Soon after surgery, Kai will begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to extend into pre-season preparations for next season.

"Everyone at the club is fully focused on supporting Kai to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible."

With Havertz out, it leaves Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta desperately short of attacking options over the coming months.

Gabriel Jesus is out for the season with an ACL injury while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli remain sidelined with hamstring injuries.

However, Saka was pictured participating in strength and conditioning exercises during the Dubai training camp in a pleasing sign for Gunners fans.

All eyes now turn to Arteta ahead of Arsenal's fixture away to Leicester City on Saturday and who he will name in the front three.

Van Nistelrooy's verdict on Foxes protest

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is 'happy' fans have the right to protest, but hopes they are right behind the team once their match against Arsenal kicks off.

A group of Foxes under the banner Project Reset plan to meet and air their concerns regarding the club's stunning fall from grace having won the Premier League title less than a decade ago.

Those fans involved in the protest plan to wear yellow - a colour symbolic in Thailand for its links to the monarchy - and chant in the 14th minute in reference to the bungled Adrien Silva transfer fiasco from August 2017.

"Thank God we live in a society where there is freedom of speech and everybody who feels they should let their voice be heard in a good way is free to do that," Van Nistelrooy said.

"We have to all be happy that we can do that.

"When you play in front of your home crowd and there is a connection with that crowd on a tackle, or on a pass, or on a cross, or in difficult moments where the support is lifting you, I know, from experience as a coach but also as a person who loves football, what it does to a team. I can only hope the support will be behind the players.

"It's good that if there is anything you want to get off your chest, individually or in groups, as I said before, thank God we live in a society where that's possible.

"But when the whistle starts at 12:30 until the end of the game, I can only hope the players are fully supported by the crowd and it will lift them."

With the Foxes sitting 18th on 17 points - three away from safety - a win over Arsenal is vital.

Leicester will also be buoyed by the fact Arsenal are short of firepower up top after Kai Havertz was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a torn hamstring.

Captain America's odd Declan Rice pronunciation

As Captain America, actor Anthony Mackie can do a lot of things.

Save the planet from intergalactic villains, thwart evil plans, the list goes on.

But his rather unique pronunciation of Arsenal superstar Declan Rice's name proves 'Cap' can't do everything after all.

The Premier League's account on X shared a clip of Mackie saying Rice's name.

Safe to say, it's a world-first in terms of how one might pronounce it.

Reading off an iPad, Mackie said: "Anthony Mackie is a charismatic and talented actor with a larger-than-life personality known for his ability to effortlessly shift between roles.

"These qualities are similar to Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, who is also known for his versatility on the pitch, positive outlook and commitment to his craft."

Like Mackie, Rice has also been a captain having donned the skipper's armband for West Ham and on occasion at international level for England.

Arsenal's home kit also features the same colours of Captain America's suit: red, white and blue.

With the comparison made between himself and Rice, Mackie declared he has to 'watch an Arsenal game to see who he is and what he do.'

Statement

Liverpool and Everton have released a joint statement condemning racist abuse towards Abdoulaye Doucoure.

The abuse came in the aftermath of their 2-2 Merseyside derby draw on Wednesday night at Goodison Park.

"Liverpool FC and Everton FC are aware of – and condemn in the strongest possible terms – racist abuse received by Abdoulaye Doucoure following Wednesday night's Merseyside derby.

"Such abuse is reprehensible and will not, and should not, be tolerated. Together, the two clubs will work with Merseyside Police, who are conducting an investigation with the aim of identifying the individuals responsible.

"We also encourage people who witness or experience online abuse to report and highlight it to the social media platforms on which it appears.

"We must all, including the social media companies, take a zero-tolerance stance. Platforms need to take accountability and action to ban such abusers.

"Racism and hate has no place online, in our stadiums or in our communities."

FA Cup to feature revolutionary rule change

The Premier League, Football Association (FA) and PGMOL have confirmed a new technology will be in place for the FA Cup fifth round.

All eight ties will have Video Assistant Referees (VAR) in place, while referees will make in-stadium announcements to offer more clarity regarding decisions to supporters in the ground and watching on TV.

However, most fans will be intrigued by the news Semi-Automated Offside Technology will be in place at all fifth round matches being played at Premier League grounds.

Only Preston's match against Burnley will not have semi-automated offside in place.

"Semi-Automated Offside Technology will provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and produce virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters," a joint Premier League, FA and PGMOL statement read.

"The operation of Semi-Automated Offside Technology does not change the accuracy of the decision making but enhances the speed and efficiency of the process."

The new technology has been brought in following extensive testing that has taken place over the past two seasons.

Should it all run smoothly in the FA Cup, the Premier League could look to implement the technology as soon as this season.

Ex-Villa skipper calls it quits

Former Hull City and Aston Villa defender James Chester has announced his retirement from football.

Chester, who confirmed he will remain with League Two side Salford City until the end of the season where he'll 'continue learning about the other aspects of football', made 60 Premier League and nearly 300 Championship appearances.

"After 18 years as a professional footballer and over 500 games, the time has come for me to announce my retirement," Chester wrote on Instagram.

"It's been an incredible journey, filled with unforgettable moments, amazing teammates, fantastic staff, and unwavering support at every club I've played for.

"I'm incredibly proud of everything I've achieved in the game, and now I'm excited to see what my life brings next."

Several of Chester's former teammates congratulated the 35-time Welsh international on his career.

Ipswich Town defender Connor Townsend wrote: "Congrats on a fantastic career mate."

Former Aston Villa winger Albert Adomah posted: "Great career Chezzy."

Chester made his Premier League debut in August 2013 when he featured for Hull City against Chelsea.

He also scored for the Tigers in the 2014 FA Cup final against Arsenal, which the Gunners went on to win 3-2.

The 36-year-old later captained Aston Villa back to the Premier League in 2019.

Deal-ap or no deal?

Liam Delap is set to be hot property when the season ends and could reportedly be headed back to Manchester.

However, it may not be to his former employers, Manchester City.

According to The Athletic, Delap appears 'likely to come under further consideration' at Manchester United in the summer.

The report adds Delap's attributes of making aggressive runs and physical presence tick the boxes for what Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim wants in a striker.

An important factor that may boost United's chances is the fact technical director Jason Wilcox was the academy director at City when the club signed Delap from Derby County in 2019.

Ipswich forked out £20million to sign Delap from City in the summer and will hope to recoup significantly more than that should rivals come knocking.

However, should the Tractor Boys be relegated, it's sure to bring down the asking price for Delap in what would be welcome news for United given they continue to take extreme measures to cut costs.

Yet City hold the ultimate trump card in the Delap sweepstakes as talkSPORT understands they have a buyback clause.

With United's interest and City's buyback clause, it's sure to make Delap's future one of the transfer sagas of the summer.

Brutal stat in Chelsea's goalkeeping battle

With Enzo Maresca confirming Filip Jorgensen will be Chelsea's starting goalkeeper, how does he stack up against Robert Sanchez?

Well, for starters, Sanchez has plenty more Premier League appearances to his name than Jorgensen.

But some of the Spaniard's stats make for grim reading.

Perhaps the most alarming stat of the bunch is how many of Sanchez's errors have led to a goal.

His tally of five is the equal-most in the Premier League alongside Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.

Blues fans will hope Jorgensen can prove to be a more reliable presence between the sticks and won't have to wait long to see him back in action.

Chelsea will hope to exact revenge when they travel down to Brighton for a Friday night fixture.

The Seagulls got the better of Chelsea when they met in the fourth round of the FA Cup last Saturday.

However, a win for the Blues will ensure they remain in the top four for at least another week.

Lennon reveals Tarkowski strike was years in the making

James Tarkowski was the toast of the blue part of town, as his 98th-minute strike salvaged a 2-2 result for Everton against Liverpool in the last Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park.

It's a minor miracle Tarkowski's thunderous volley didn't break the net, such was the venom with which the ball was struck.

Tarkowski's goal was also one you would expect from a striker and not a centre-back.

However, 21-time England international Aaron Lennon revealed on talkSPORT Breakfast Tarkowski's goal had been a moment several years in the making.

Lennon and Tarkowski shared the dressing room at Burnley for four seasons and played 72 games together and although they operate in vastly different positions, there was one part of training sessions when they came together.

What Lennon witnessed from his former teammate went a long way to explaining last night's staggering scenes.

"Tarky is a great lad," Lennon told talkSPORT.

"And the funny thing is, he's actually got a great strike. So when we were doing finishing at the end, he was joining in with the strikers, he's joining in with the wide players.

"And he can hit them. He'll go for it. In training, he'll let it go. But to catch it, in the 98th minute as well, honestly."

The 'solution' to Chelsea's striker woes?

With Nicolas Jackson out for up to eight weeks, many Chelsea fans are curious to see who will fill the gap up top for the Blues.

Jackson was absent from the 2-1 loss to Brighton in the FA Cup last Saturday as Christopher Nkunku was thrust up top by Enzo Maresca.

However, Maresca was quick to pump the brakes on cementing Nkunku as the man to fill the void left by Jackson until he returns.

"Christo is a solution but not the only solution," Maresca said.

"I said many times I consider Christo a very important player from the start.

"Now also with the transfer window closed, everyone is here and he can help us until the end. We are working to find a different solution.

"It can be Christo but also a different kind of player."

Maresca added the likes of Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke and even 19-year-old talent Tyrique George are other potential options up front.

"When you don't have a proper nine, you need to use a different kind of nine but you need to change the way you play," Maresca said.

"We will find a solution."

Oh no, Nico!

The timeline for Nicolas Jackson's return has been revealed.

Jackson sustained a hamstring injury which, according to Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, will keep him sidelined until 'probably' after the international break.

"We knew it was a muscular problem but not how important it was," Maresca said.

"His reaction was good so we didn't think it was a big injury.

"Unfortunately he had the scan and it is an important one - he will be out for six to eight weeks."

Jackson will be a big miss for the Blues, having scored nine goals and assisted five in the Premier League so far this season.

Chelsea's goalkeeper conundrum cleared up

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has clarified the Blues' goalkeeping situation.

Robert Sanchez was between the sticks during Chelsea's 2-1 loss to Brighton in the FA Cup last Saturday.

However, the Spaniard's performances haven't quite been convincing enough to remain the undisputed number one goalkeeper at the club.

Speaking at Chelsea's press conference, Maresca confirmed there will indeed be a change at the back for their trip to the Amex Stadium on Friday night.

“Our goalkeeper at the moment is Filip Jorgensen," Maresca confirmed.

“I said that the Filip solution was also to give Robert Sánchez time to recover mentally and physically but the idea is not to game by game change the keeper”.

Jorgensen has 14 appearances for Chelsea this season, including six starts in the Europa Conference League.

In that time, he has conceded 13 goals and kept five clean sheets.

'Hits right in the feels'

West Ham United have earned widespread praise for throwing their support behind 'Heirlooms', a film that raises awareness of suicide bereavement.

The film also addresses the need to break the cycle of grief and is a reflection of the film creator Will Castle's own experience following his father's suicide.

Castle's film helps highlight the work of Suicide&Co, a UK-based charity that provides therapy and long-term support to those who have lost loved ones to suicide.

Passionate West Ham supporter and founder of R;pple Suicide Prevention Charity Alice Hendy MBE spoke of the importance about having her club support the film and help break down the stigma surrounding the subject of suicide.

"The 'Heirlooms' film provides a raw reflection of suicide loss and really shines a light on how discussing suicide bereavement is an essential part of breaking down the barriers that keep people from receiving help," Hendy said.

"With West Ham United's support, the club is helping to break the stigma surrounding suicide and its aftermath and encouraging those experiencing loss like this to get the support they need and deserve."

Fans who watched the clip on social media applauded the Hammers for their support.

One fan wrote on X: "So powerful and so important. Proud to support this club."

Another said: "This is beautiful and heartbreaking, well done West Ham."

One added: "This hits right in the feels - very powerful video."

'That's what you want to see!'

Not everyone may have been fans of the post-match fracas between Everton and Liverpool, but don't lump Gabriel Agbonlahor into that category.

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Agbonlahor waxed lyrical about what he described as a 'proper, old-fashioned derby'.

"That's what you want to see, Al. You don't want to see these players now where they're helping each other up and they're taking selfies after walking off the pitch.

"You want a derby where it's kicking off, there's a bit of needle.

"After the game, Doucoure and Van Dijk are having some. Bit of drama going on in the tunnel. I love all that."

Agbonlahor is no stranger to a bitter cross-town rivalry having featured for Aston Villa in ten editions of the Second City derby against Birmingham City.

The Villa icon lost just once in those 10 matches, scoring five goals.

Unseen angle of Merseyside brawl emerges

A fan at Goodison Park has shared footage of the controversial Abdoulaye Doucoure act that sparked an all-in brawl at Goodison Park.

After referee Michael Oliver blew for full-time following a pulsating 2-2 draw between Everton and Liverpool, Doucoure thought he would wind up the travelling supporters.

He put his finger to his lips as if to shush the Liverpool fans, but Reds midfielder Curtis Jones didn't take kindly to Doucoure's actions.

Players from both teams, stewards and even some police officers moved in to break up the scrap.

The fan footage also picked up some rather colourful language from Everton supporters who weren't exactly a fan of Jones' actions.

Doucoure, Jones and even Liverpool boss Arne Slot received red cards following the full-time whistle.

Deadlock

We're level at 1-1 after a brilliant first half.

Beto scored an early opener for Everton to send the home fans at Goodison Park barmy.

But then Mohamed Salah's cross found Alexis Mac Allister who superbly headed into the bottom corner.

Iliman Ndiaye was in tears as he was forced off with an injury, which took some wind out of the host's sails after the goals.

Make sure to follow the second half HERE.

Kick-off!

The final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park is underway!

Liverpool are looking to extend their lead at the top of the table while Everton want to move further clear of the bottom three.

It's going to be a thriller and the fans are certainly up for it.

The Toffees support all gathered outside the stadium pre-game, covering the sky in blue with smoke from flares.

They're really going to be a 12th man tonight.

You can follow the game live in our dedicated blog HERE.

Team news

The teams are in for Everton vs Liverpool at Goodison Park.

Trent Alexander-Arnold isn't fit enough to start, so Conor Bradley keeps his place at right-back for Arne Slot's side.

Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah are leading the line.

As for Everton, they make one change from their FA Cup game, brining Vitaliy Mykolenko back into the team.

Everton XI: Pickford, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gana, Garner, Doucoure, Lindstrom, Ndiaye, Beto.

Subs: Virginia, Begovic, Keane, Harrison, Young, Alcaraz, Iroegbunam, Sherif, Heath

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.

Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Jones, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah

Moyes' message

Everton manager David Moyes is ready for tonight's huge Merseyside derby and he's calling on fans to get behind his team.

There's no doubt that Goodison Park will be rocking and Moyes wants to reward the Toffees support with a win.

"All we need is the support behind us - which they have been since I came back," he said. "They've been absolutely brilliant.

"They were great again at the weekend, even when we weren't at our best.

"We want to put on a spectacle at Goodison, and hopefully, a great game."

On the derby itself, Moyes added: "I think the gap between the two teams at the moment is as big as it's been for a long time.

"It's something I have to start bridging the gap, bringing my club closer to their club."

First and final

Arne Slot will be experiencing some strange feelings tonight when stood on the touchline at Goodison Park.

It's going to be his first Merseyside derby at the stadium but it will also be his last as Everton move out at the end of the season.

The Liverpool boss has been speaking about how the special occasion is going to make things tougher for him and his side.

Slot said: "I think it's an extra reason why the atmosphere will probably be even better than all the occasions before.

"I haven't been to one but people tell me at Goodison Park, as at Anfield, it's always a fantastic atmosphere.

"Home supporters are there to support their team and the away fans are mostly loud as well.

"It's probably going to be a fantastic atmosphere and that's never easy to play against because every single time they cross the halfway line, or they get a corner kick, or whatever happens, the fans will cheer for that."

He continued: "Then you have to be mentally really strong as an away team to resist all that, the complete atmosphere.

"When you have the ball, be as calm as you can in this fantastic atmosphere. But it's not the first time for these players that they are playing in atmospheres like this.

"I hope they can focus on what they have to do."

Go with the Flo

Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz is a man in demand - and Bayern Munich are hoping it's them that gets him.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed another fine season under Xabi Alonso's tutelage - chipping in with 15 goals and 12 assists from 34 matches in all competitions so far.

His dazzling displays has seen him linked with a move to the Premier League, while a switch to Spain has also been mooted.

But Bayern president Uli Hoeness is looking to keep the midfielder in the Bundesliga and plans to raid the club's rivals to land him.

Speaking to German news outlet Bild, Hoeness said: "If I could have a dream, then I would say that Florian Wirtz has to go to FC Bayern."

Though Hoeness isn't confident at securing his services, as he remarked: "We want Wirtz. But it takes three [parties, Bayern, Leverkusen, Wirtz].

"He still has a long-term contract in Leverkusen [until 2027]. I see the chances at ten percent!"

Let's go Bunting mental

Darts star Stephen Bunting believes Liverpool's shock FA Cup exit to Plymouth could be a blessing in disguise.

The Reds fan believes Arne Slot's men can now focus solely on winning the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup - which he is backing them to do.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Bunting said: "We have got a tough run-in, but I think going out in the FA Cup could be a blessing in disguise.

"Obviously not playing a full team [ten changes], people are making a lot about that, but I think the team are all in cahoots, they all know what to do.

"We're top of the league, top of the Champions League, into the final of the Carabao, so we've just got to keep doing what we're doing.

"And we can still win the treble, I think we've got a good enough team to do that."

Rub of the green

Ruben Dias has told the Manchester City squad they must 'believe' they can beat Real Madrid if they wish to keep their Champions League dream alive.

Issuing a defiant message to his teammates after their 3-2 knockout play-off first leg defeat, Dias said: "Now it's a matter of belief.

“How much do we believe in ourselves and believe we can go through? Obviously, we're aware. We know exactly the game that we're going to play there.

"We've been there before and it will only be about how much we believe in ourselves. We just need to accept the moment we're in. What we did before is not enough. We need to do even better, because we're in the moment we are.

"We have to embrace it and become much, much better, otherwise we won't be able to make it.

"But the good thing is that in this team and this club, if we believe enough in ourselves and if we believe enough we're going to win it, we can do everything.

"We have enough gunpower to pull off anything. But we need to believe in it.”

Before adding: "We're upset with it and of course it's frustrating. You can't let it go the way we did. We need to do better. It's as simple as that, because in the end we can say all we want to say, but you cannot allow it.

"I don't even know what to say. It's not an easy one to take, especially after the game we played. To let it go the way we did in the end, it's just very frustrating."