Express Sport – I’ll knock enemies off their perch
The back page of the Daily Express reports on Sir Jim Ratcliffe who claims that Manchester United will be looking to knock Liverpool and Manchester City off their perch – and return the Red Devils to the top. British billionaire Sir Jim bought a 25% state in the English football club.
Elsewhere, the latest results from the Premier League and Champions League as well as cricket news, make the back page.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe calls out Liverpool and Man City in first interview since Man Utd buy-in
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has branded Liverpool and Manchester City ‘the enemy’ in his first interview since purchasing just over a quarter of Manchester United. The petrochemicals billionaire insists the Red Devils need to channel the ultra-competitive spirit of legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson if they are to fight their way back to the top of the Premier League.
Sir Jim is set to have huge influence behind the scenes at Old Trafford after assuming control of United’s sporting operation from the Glazers. The 71-year-old and his team of INEOS specialists will also be consulted on business matters after their minority buy-in was signed and sealed on Tuesday.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1869266/sir-jim-ratcliffe-liverpool-man-city-man-utd
Virgil van Dijk provides welcome injury update after Liverpool beat Luton
Virgil van Dijk has shared a positive injury update after Liverpool came from behind to beat Luton. The Dutch defender was instrumental in helping his team bounce back after Luton took the lead through Chiedozie Ogbene. Liverpool rallied during the second half with Van Dijk initiating a flurry of goals from Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott, culminating in a 4-1 victory.
Jurgen Klopp’s side struggled initially but showed their clinical prowess after half-time, despite Diaz hitting the target only once out of six attempts. Key players like Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota were missed in Liverpool’s front line.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1869442/Virgil-van-Dijk-Liverpool-injury-Luton
Arsenal suffer injury-time heartbreak against Porto as Rice shoots himself in the foot
Galeno’s stunning injury-time strike stunned Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. Porto will head to the Emirates Stadium with a 1-0 advantage after the Gunners produced an unusually disjointed performance in Portugal. Here are five takeaways from the game.
Only 67 seconds were on the clock when Declan Rice was booked. The midfielder lunged into an early challenge on Porto winger Galeno and was shown a yellow card by referee Serdar Gozubuyuk.
Rice’s impact on the remainder of the game was therefore limited. Unable to be combative out of possession due to the risk of a second yellow card, the England midfielder was too often bypassed by Porto.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1869379/Declan-Rice-Arsenal-Porto-Champions-League