Liverpool

Following on from Jamie Carragher's comments on Trent Alexander- Arnold's future position for Liverpool and England, that was the hot topic in the latest edition of BBC Radio Merseyside's The Red Kop Podcast.

The latest edition of the podcast is now available to listen to, just head over to our dedicated Liverpool page by following this link.

Paul and Giulia discuss whether Liverpool could have to invest in a new right-back to free up Alexander- Arnold in his new, more attacking role.

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The Football Association has confirmed that this year's Community Shield will kick off at 16:00 BST rather than the previously scheduled 17:30.

Manchester City face Arsenal in the season curtain raiser at Wembley on 6 August.

City fan group WeAre1894 had called on supporters to boycott the match because of the "significant travel challenges".

Some City supporters had even begun to make donations to a local foodbank instead of spending money on a match ticket.

A Manchester City spokesperson said: "Having contacted the FA to express our reservations and clarify why the kick-off time of 5:30pm on a Sunday was originally chosen, we are pleased that the decision to bring forward kick-off has now been made.

"Whilst we understand that this will not fully alleviate travel issues for our fans and our preference would have been for an earlier kick-off time still, we hope that the new kick-off time of 16:00 will make a difference."

BBC Radio 5 Live

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Despite praising Trent Alexander-Arnold, 24, for his performances in midfield for England, Jamie Carragher believes it won't change his role at Liverpool in the immediate future.

Jurgen Klopp utilised Alexander-Arnold in a hybrid full-back/midfield role in the latter stages of 2022-23 and that appeared to help Liverpool recover from a poor start to the season.

Carragher said: "It just opens up another discussion in terms of how it affects his Liverpool position. He‘s always played a hybrid role of full-back and central midfield and he has excelled in central midfield.

"It's just whether he stays there now because when you look at him as a player, the one weakness he has at times can be one-on-one defending and switching off at the back post.

"If he plays in midfield he doesn't have to come into those sorts of situations where he gets exposed. I don't think it'll be something for Liverpool next season. Maybe in the future because I don’t think Jurgen Klopp will totally change his whole transfer plans this summer.

"I think Trent will continue in the hybrid role. Maybe at times play in midfield, maybe stay at full-back. But going forward he will eventually play in midfield."

BBC Radio 5 Live

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Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, on Trent Alexander-Arnold's new role with the national side: "I’ve been very impressed. I think he was the best player in the first game [against Malta]. Obviously Bukayo Saka gets a hat-trick last night [against North Macedonia] but Trent was heavily involved again."

England manager Gareth Southgate deployed the right-back in midfield for both European Championship qualifiers.

Alexander Arnold, 24, scored in the 4-0 win in Malta on Friday and he laid on an assist for Saka in last night's 7-0 victory over North Macedonia at Old Trafford.

Carragher added: "I think for England going forward, Gareth Southgate will be looking at the make-up of his midfield. I think right now Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Trent would be that midfield three.

"Mason Mount could come into the equation when he gets back fit. But I think Trent has given them something in the last couple of games.

"Yes, the opposition is not the type of opposition that England will play next summer when they are trying to win the European Championships. But for England, that's the best position for him. We know Gareth Southgate would not put him in at right-back because of the competition there."

Jamie Carragher was also on BBC Radio 5 Live this morning, when he discussed England's performance against North Macedonia.

The former Liverpool defender gave his opinions on Trent Alexander-Arnold's new role with England and how Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will view the move.

BBC Sounds

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Monday's managerial changes are discussed in the latest edition of BBC Sounds' Football Daily podcast, which is available to listen to via this link.

Mark Chapman and the team - Dion Dublin, Tom Heaton, John Murray and Ian Dennis - also react to England's 7-0 win over North Macedonia and reflect on the highs and lows of the 2022-23 season for Gareth Southgate's side.

Here is the full running order:

01:15 mins - Analysis of England 7-0 North Macedonia

23:00 - Post-match interview with Gareth Southgate and Bukayo Saka

30:25 - Rob Page on Wales' 2-0 defeat in Turkey

32:30 - The managerial changes at Celtic, Bournemouth and Sheffield Wednesday.

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Steven Gerrard says he will not be taking up an offer to manage in the Saudi Pro League.

The 43-year-old former Rangers boss has been out of a job since he was sacked by Aston Villa in October.

Ex-Liverpool and England captain Gerrard was pictured in Saudi Arabia earlier in June and reportedly made an offer by Al-Ettifaq.

"I was invited over there to look at a potential offer, which I did," Gerrard said.

Speaking on Channel 4 before England's Euro 2024 Qualifier against North Macedonia, Gerrard added: "I have been analysing that over the last couple of days. But, as we stand right now, I won't be taking that offer up."

Gerrard led Villa to 13 wins from 40 games during his 11 months in charge, after arriving from Rangers in November 2021.

Read more here.

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Sheffield Wednesday announced on Monday that manager Darren Moore was leaving the club less than a month after guiding them to promotion to the Championship.

The 49-year-old joined the Owls in March 2021 and led them to victory in May's League One play-off final against Barnsley.

In addition, Moore's backroom staff have also left Hillsborough.

"Both parties believe that now is the right time we go our separate ways," chairman Dejphon Chansiri said.

"The journey of Sheffield Wednesday with Darren has been in many ways unique and always as a team. In the football industry, journeys come to an end and now is that time, which we both agree.

"The mutual respect we have for each other is immense on a personal and professional basis and I offer my sincere thanks for the dedication and commitment Darren has given to our club."

More on that story here.

If you've missed any of the manager ins and outs this month, you can check back here.

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There seems to have been a run on manager stories after yesterday's developments at Celtic and Bournemouth.

We have a few articles on the BBC Sport football index to draw your attention to, starting with this feature on new Cherries boss Andoni Iraola.

Richard Martin examines the career of the Spaniard, who grew up with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and has proved to be a perennial "overachiever".

Click here to read the full feature.

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Everton winger Demarai Gray has released a statement confirming his intention to play for Jamaica.

The 26-year-old Premier League winner with Leicester represented England from under-18s up to u21s level but hasn't featured for the senior side.

Gray, who was born in Birmingham, has successfully obtained a Jamaican passport, which he qualifies for through his grandparents, and is now eligible to be selected for the squad at this year's Concacaf Gold Cup.

“While I am proud of what I’ve achieved in my football career to date, there is still so much I want to do over the years to come. It’s time for a fresh challenge and, in my eyes, there’s nothing more exciting than playing for a team that represents my family roots," Gray said in a statement.

"I have always been proud of my Jamaican heritage and joining the national team is a dream come true.

"With renewed ambition and exciting plans in the team’s pipeline, it feels like the perfect time to take this next step and I can't wait to prove myself to the country and earn the right to represent Jamaica!”

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Chelsea were much-maligned for spending over £500m on new signings last season.

Despite that major investment, owner Todd Boehly is still ready to continue putting cash into the club as he looks to back new boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Nkunku is an exciting attacking option and arrives at Stamford Bridge on the back of a prolific season in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig.

His 16 goals helped Leipzig to finish third, qualifying for the Champions League, and he was the club's top scorer across all competitions after registering 23 times.

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Aston Villa's Meaghan Sargeant has ended her playing career at the age of 29 after struggling with a back injury.

The defender joined Villa in 2021 and made 13 appearances in her first season at the Women's Super League club.

A recurring back problem ended her 2022-23 season prematurely and her Villa contract expired this summer.

"My time at Aston Villa has been challenging due to an ongoing injury, however being involved with such an amazing club and group of players has been incredible," said Sargeant.

"It has been a very hard decision to announce my early retirement. I love football and I love being part of a team environment."

Read more here.

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Chelsea's £52m signing Christopher Nkunku won three Ligue 1 titles and two French Cups during four years at Paris St-Germain before joining RB Leipzig in 2019.

He was named Bundesliga player of the season and German PFA player of the season in 2021-22 after scoring 20 goals and contributing 15 assists in the league.

Nkunku made his France debut last year but missed the World Cup campaign because of a leg injury.

Dr David: Chelsea have learned nothing. Expensive outlay for a player that doesn’t suit their system.

Red Devils/Super Greens: I’d take him [Nkunku] at Manchester United tomorrow as a straight swap for Antony. He was the player we should have gone for instead of Antony.

What do you think of Chelsea's latest signing?

Will Christopher Nkunku help the Stamford Bridge outfit back into contention for the European places next season?

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Chelsea's co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley described new £52m signing Christopher Nkunku as one of European football's "standout attacking players".

The 25-year-old former Paris St-Germain striker scored 16 goals for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga last season.

“Christopher has proved himself one of the standout attacking players in European football over the past two seasons and will add quality, creativity and versatility to our squad," said Stewart and Winstanley.

“He has demonstrated his ability at the highest level with RB Leipzig and France and we look forward to him joining up with his new team-mates ahead of the new season.”

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Here are the full details of Chelsea's first signing under Mauricio Pochettino as France striker Christopher Nkunku leaves RB Leipzig for Stamford Bridge in a deal worth £52m.

The 25-year-old scored 16 goals in 25 games in the Bundesliga last season.

Nkunku, who has won 10 caps for France, is Pochettino's first signing since he took charge in May.

"I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea," said Nkunku. "A big effort was made to bring me to the club."

More on this developing story here.

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“I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea,” said Christopher Nkunku, 25, who has agreed a six-year contract, which will begin on 1 July.

“A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and team-mates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch.

“Having played in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world. I am very excited for this challenge and will be proud to wear the Chelsea shirt.”

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Chelsea have announced the signing, external of Christopher Nkunku, 25, from RB Leipzig on a six-year contract, which will begin on 1 July.

Nkunku is the first signing of the Mauricio Pochettino era at Chelsea and gets what is likely to be a busy summer at Stamford Bridge under way.

He scored 16 goals and laid on six assists in 25 Bundesliga appearances for Leipzig in 2022-23.