What has football become?

White boots are now by far the most common among top-flight footballers, with almost 48% of players favouring that colour in the last round of Premier League action, according to a survey by the Press Association (PA).

PA reporters were asked to make a note of the base colour of boots worn by all 220 players in Premier League starting line-ups. Our survey found 17 different varieties - in some cases there were two colours that had to be classed as the base.

What is wrong with black?

Image source, EPA

Liverpool boss Rodgers was also asked about striker Mario Balotelli, who has yet to score a league goal for them since joining in the summer and was criticised by former Reds midfielder Paul Ince this week.

"There are lots of opinions about Liverpool and Paul is someone who I respect and was a wonderful player and has managed so he knows the pressures of management," said Rodgers.

"Mario is here as a Liverpool player and as the coach and manager I need to work to maximise what I can get out of the players, but that is the same with every single player. While he is here at the club that is all I will concentrate on."

Image source, PA

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has just been talking at a club press conference ahead of their Capital One Cup game with Championship leaders Bournemouth on Wednesday. No surprises that a few of the questions were about his own position, which has come under severe scrutiny following the Reds' poor start to the season. Here is what he had to say...

"As a manager you will always have tough periods but I have great confidence in how staff and players work. We just need a little bit of luck and a break and I think we will get that. When we get some consistent results we can push on. When you are manager at Liverpool, one of the great clubs of the world, there is always going to be pressure. Expectancy on us this year is based on how we worked last season.

"We recognise the challenges of this season. We know what we had last season and this year that dynamic has totally changed. We know the challenges and the pressures that are on you could be unrivalled but we are relaxed and focused and even more driven to restore confidence to the team. We are looking to fight to improve that."

Championship side Reading are set to appoint former West Brom head coach Steve Clarke as their new manager, BBC Sport understands.

Clarke, 51, will replace Nigel Adkins, who was sacked on Monday following Saturday's 6-1 defeat by Birmingham.

The ex-Chelsea assistant boss has been out of work since being sacked by West Brom 12 months ago.

Reading, who have lost nine of their last 15 matches in all competitions, are 16th in the Championship table.

Leicester City's new director of football Jon Rudkin began the task of masterminding Leicester City's vital transfer window activity today after the sacking of Terry Robinson, reports

Rudkin has taken on the task of negotiating City's transfer dealings in January after the departure of Robinson on Sunday morning.

BBC Sport's Nabil Hassan on Twitter:, external Former West Brom boss Steve Clarke set to be named #Reading fc manager.

Dan Roan
BBC sports editor

"FIFA Appeal Committee declares appeal lodged by Michael Garcia against Eckert's summary of his investigation into 2018/22 World Cups inadmissible."

England duo Dan Cole and Tom Youngs have joined fellow international front-row forward Marcos Ayerza in agreeing new contracts with Leicester Tigers.

The Premiership club have not revealed the length of the deals for prop Cole and hooker Youngs, both 27, or Argentine prop Ayerza, 31, but describe them as "long-term".

Director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: "It is great news. They are genuine world-class players in key positions and are important parts of the senior core to the squad."

Thierry Henry has scored 411 goals in 917 games in all competitions through his career.

Image source, Arsenal

Arsenal Ladies:, external We are delighted to announce the signing of Spanish striker @Natalia_Pablos7. Welcome to Arsenal! #NataliaSigns #ALFC.

Alex Batt:, external 1. Thierry Henry 2. Alan Shearer 3. Didier Drogba or Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Mahesh:, external Without a doubt the greatest to play in the premier league; King Thierry, the invincible.

Hanzlah:, external Shearer has to be one, stats say it all. But the likes of Henry and Bergkamp have to be up there on ability.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's mighty 'Invincibles' were concerned their unbeaten run would come to an end when Liverpool surged 2-1 ahead only for Henry, who had already scored once, to inspire a fightback that maintained the Gunners' record. He set up the equaliser for Robert Pires before adding another two himself.

Oldham Athletic manager Lee Johnson has apologised to supporters after his side's 4-0 loss at home to Yeovil Town.

The Latics sat in the play-off places going into the game having lost just once in 15 League One matches.

It was Oldham's heaviest home defeat since February 2011, when Peterborough beat them 5-0, and was also Johnson's first loss to father Gary - after beating him in their first encounter.

"An awful performance. I can only humbly apologise," he said on Twitter., external "I have read all your comments and take them all on board."

Dan Roan
BBC sports editor

"Complaint by World Cup whistleblowers Phaedra Al Majid & Bonita Mersiades over being identified in Eckert summary report dismissed by Fifa."

The Liverpool Echo's James Pearce is at Brendan Rodgers' news conference ahead of tomorrow's League Cup quarter-final at Bournemouth. Here are some of the quotes he has tweeted out., external

"We want to have a right go at all cup competitions this season. But also there is a long way to go in the league. We have great belief we can finish strong.

"The result on Sunday was not so good but it was our best attacking game for a long time. I was more than happy with our attitude in the game.

"Our dressing room is very strong. Our captain is a strong leader. Anything said about any unrest is totally untrue."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is speaking to the media ahead of Wednesday's League Cup quarter-final at Bournemouth. We will bring you what he has to say shortly.

Follow live text and radio commentary here as Tillakaratne Dilshan closes in on a century for Sri Lanka in the final ODI against England.

BBC Sport's Nabil Hassan: "Steve Clarke remains the bookmakers' favourite to replace Nigel Adkins at Reading. Meanwhile club captain Jem Karacan tweeted on behalf of the Reading squad last night, following his departure.

He said: "On behalf of the players, I want to thank the gaffer, Cros and Deano for everything they did here. They couldn't have worked any harder and earned massive respect from everyone here.

"Now, we as players, have to take responsibility to go out there and perform - starting on Saturday."

Uefa has opened a disciplinary case against Celtic after crowd disorder at a Europa League match in Croatia.

Celtic fans set off fireworks and clashed with riot police during a 4-3 loss at Dinamo Zagreb last Thursday.

Uefa says its disciplinary panel will judge the case on 19 February. On the same day, Celtic hosts Inter Milan in the first leg of a last-32 tie.

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas:, external Sad to see the end to the career of one of the best players I've ever played with. A true legend @thierryhenry! ;-)

Watch Thierry Henry tell Cesc Fabregas what to say during a BBC interview here. , external