Summary

  • Jordan Henderson says it was 'a football decision' to leave Saudi Arabia for Dutch side Ajax

  • Premier League news conferences include Crystal Palace, West Ham and Arsenal

  • Ivan Toney to captain Brentford on Saturday's return from betting ban

  • Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp awaiting update after Mohamed Salah injured in Egypt's draw with Ghana

  • West Ham interested in signing Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips

  • Steven Gerrard signs two-year extension to stay as head coach of Henderson's former side Al-Ettifaq

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. Bournemouth signings 'depend on departures'published at 14:42 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Bournemouth v Liverpool (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

    Bournemouth

    Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola on transfers: "It will depend a lot on the departures we have.

    "We are now without Joe [Rothwell], Junior [Stanislas] and we will see how Tyler Adams recovers. We need someone in the middle and it will depend on departures."

    On loan departures of Joe Rothwell and Hamed Traore: "I think they are moves that are good for every part.

    "Starting with the players, they are two players that probably for sure wanted to have more minutes.

    “They have found very good alternatives, very good chances for them and we wish them all the best. I hope both of them have the chances, the opportunities and I think they are both ready.

    "They are good players, they have already shown it in different places. It is always strong competition to be part of the team.

    "Especially the last month while the team has been performing well. But there is no doubt they are very good players."

  2. Kelly has 'slight chance' to be fit to face Liverpoolpublished at 14:34 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Bournemouth v Liverpool (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

    Bournemouth

    Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola on team news: "We have Adam Smith out still.

    "He has a muscle injury. We didn't expect it to be as bad because he could finish the game against the Spurs.

    "But he's not recovered and he's not training with the team.

    "On top of that, Milos Kerkez is still definitely out, while Ryan Fredericks and Tyler Adams are longer term injuries.

    "Lloyd Kelly is the only player who I would leave it open to, but he’s definitely not 100% guaranteed to play. He’s the only one who has a slight chance of being in the squad."

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    English football fans love nothing more than climbing up onto their moral high-horse and casting scathing judgments on homegrown players. Happened to David Beckham, happened to Raheem Sterling, happening to Jordan Henderson, to name but a few. The hypocrisy is rank. Jordan has made some errors in judgement and will make more, just like the rest of us. I hope he and his family enjoy the next chapter and all future ones in their life.

    Tom

  4. Perisic joins Hadjuk Split on loan from Spurspublished at 14:27 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Ivan PerisicImage source, Getty Images

    Tottenham's Ivan Perisic has joined HNK Hajduk Split on loan until the end of the season.

    The versatile left-sided player, 34, is out of contract at the end of the season so the move effectively ends his Spurs career.

    Perisic has been out of action since sustaining a complex anterior cruciate ligament injury in September.

    Having joined Spurs in the summer of 2022, he has made 50 appearances for the club, scoring once.

  5. 'Euro 2024 on my mind'published at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Ajax

    Jordan Henderson on whether going to Euro 2024 was in his mind when making the move to Ajax: "The European Championships are always on my mind. I always have England in mind. It's a big thing to play for my country, that's always been the case. Ultimately I have to be doing it on the pitch for Ajax, that's my new priority. If I am doing that then hopefully I'll be called up to the England squad."

    On conversations with England boss Gareth Southgate about going to Ajax: "I am in contact with Gareth regularly as I have been for many years in my career. That hasn't changed. Like he is with all the players, you know how close he is to the lads. He'll understand the situation and it was a decision I had to make for me and my family to come and play at this amazing football club and be in this amazing city. I can't wait to get going."

  6. 'Sometimes teams that keep playing do better'published at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Sheffield United v West Ham (Sun, 14:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    West Ham manager David Moyes on whether Sheffield United having the full winter break gives them an advantage: "It's hard to give an exact answer. Sometimes teams that keep playing do better. I think we had less injuries when we were playing every two or three days and we've got more injuries in the period we've had time off.

    "I think the scheduling we had in the first period of the season, we were in need in of break because of the amount of the games we played. in terms of the Christmas games though, I think we had a good break."

    BBC Sport has a dedicated Hammers page packed with news, analysis and fan views - get it here

  7. 'We know it will be a tough game'published at 14:18 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Sheffield United v West Ham (Sun, 14:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    West Ham manager David Moyes on sheffield United boss Chris Wilder: "Chris Wilder has always done a really good job.

    "I think he's won the Manager of the Year a couple of times for the work he's done at Sheffield United. He has a got a great history there and his teams have always been really hard to play against.

    "Bramall Lane always has a great atmosphere so we know it will be a tough game."

  8. 'We're looking forward to it'published at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Sheffield United v West Ham (Sun, 14:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    West Ham manager David Moyes on Sunday's match: "We're looking forward to playing the game. We need to travel to Sheffield but we're looking forward to it."

    On Jarrod Bowen's availability: "Jarrod is doing better. Will he be available? I won't be giving that information out."

  9. Arsenal won't sign a strikerpublished at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Arsenal v Crystal Palace (Sat, 12:30 GMT)

    Arsenal

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on whether they will sign a striker: "No. But, first thing, that’s because I love the players that we have."

  10. 'The team is capable of big things'published at 14:07 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Arsenal v Crystal Palace (Sat, 12:30 GMT)

    Arsenal

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta: "We need to get the crowd going but they’ve been exceptional with us. We are recharged, super motivated. We want to attack the second half of the season, we have a lot of ambitions and understand that the team is capable of big things.

    "We feel fully recharged. [The break] gave us the opportunity to look at things with perspective. We take positives from the first six months despite recent results.

    "You have to look at it objectively so that you can dissect the game and understand what happened. There are things that we can improve and do better. Those marginal gains have to be installed and that is what we have been doing over the last few days."

  11. Arteta coy on availability for Palacepublished at 14:05 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Arsenal v Crystal Palace (Sat, 12:30 GMT)

    Arsenal

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on team news: "We still have a few unfortunately on that list that we haven’t managed to get back yet. Hopefully they’re much better.

    "I’m not gonna tell you exactly how everyone is individually.

    "We are touch and go with a few."

  12. 'Lijnders told me good things'published at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Ajax

    Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson on speaking to Liverpool's Dutch assistant boss Pep Lijnders about joining the club: "He said very positive things that it was a beautiful club and city. He thought it was a perfect fit for me as a player and a person. He spoke highly of the club and the coach. I did speak to a few different people who have been at the club and know a lot. To be honest, every person I did speak to said positive things."

    About demonstrating leadership at Ajax: "I think leadership comes in all different forms. Thankfully I have worked with some great people in my time. I have been fortunate to work with great team-mates and management to help lead a team. You need four or five to lead a team. For me I want to be myself. I just want to do what I have done my whole career and help my team-mates. If we do that we can keep pushing forward and winning games."

  13. Friends for life made in Saudi - Hendersonpublished at 13:58 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Ajax

    Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson on whether he regretted leaving Liverpool to go to Saudi Arabia: "Looking back at the time it was obviously a big decision and a decision I felt was right for me and my family at the time. But things happen and change quickly in football. I had to make another decision and this was the one I felt was the right one for me. The opportunity was too big big to turn down, playing at this great football club. I was excited by the opportunity and that's why I wanted to come."

    On whether that is a 'yes' on regrets?: "In life, if you want to call them regrets or mistakes you can call them that. At the same time they are only mistakes if you don't learn from them. I learned a lot of things in Saudi. There were a lot of different experiences. I haven't got a bad word to say about anybody over there in the the league, in the club, the people. They tried to make me feel as comfortable possible, and my family

    "I have friends over there that I'll speak to forever. So there's still positives to come out of it. In the end it didn't turn out the way we both wanted it to but we ended on great terms. We shake hands and move forward."

  14. 'Saudi league is competitive'published at 13:53 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Ajax

    Jordan HendersonImage source, Getty Images

    Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson on whether the competitive edge was lacking in Saudi Arabia: "It's still a competitive league, it's still a competition. I felt this was the right move next for my career and what I wanted to do. It was a big decision with how long I had been out in Saudi, but they fully respected the decision. I was just thankful it was handled in the right way. Everyone shook hands and we move on."

    On meeting his new team-mates: "I have, briefly. Just in the morning I have met a few before training. It was nice to meet them finally. I haven't trained with them yet because I am waiting for work permits and visas to make sure that is all good and hopefully that can get solved soon and then I can get going."

    Impressions of Ajax's season: "I feel there has been games where they maybe have not done so well, especially at the start of the season but I feel as though things have changed and they have bounced back a little bit to get back up the league. There's a lot of young talented players I can see. I feel part of my role is to help the team with my experience and guide these players to make the step. Of course I need to do my job on the pitch and perform to the levels I am capable of."

  15. 'We are pleased to have him'published at 13:49 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Brighton v Wolves (Mon, 19:45 GMT)

    Wolverhampton Wanderers

    Wolves manager Gary O'Neil on Mario Lemina, after the midfielder's father died last month: "It's a tough thing to go through, especially the role he plays in his family.

    "He spent a good spell of his time with family until he felt he was ready to come back and we are pleased to have him. He has real good intelligence for what we are trying to do. You can rely on him to make sure he tells the lads what we are doing."

    BBC Sport hasa dedicated Wolves page packed with news, analysis and fan views - get it here

  16. 'One of the best managers around'published at 13:45 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Brighton v Wolves (Mon, 19:45 GMT)

    Wolverhampton Wanderers

    Wolves manager Gary O'Neil on Brighton: "It was a tough test, last game, loads of chances for both teams, they took theirs and we didn’t. Performance wasn’t as bad as the score line looked. [Roberto De Zerbi] One of the best managers around, well coached, beaten some big teams at the Amex.

    On James Milner: "Being able to stay at the top level at that age is difficult. Physically you fall away from what you were at your peak. Not seen loads of him playing. I was in quite a few England youth squads with him. Most professional on the trip. To still be playing at Brighton, who are aggressive and play in big space shows how much he has looked after himself. I would imagine he will go down the coaching route, so under De Zerbi will be interesting for him."

  17. 'No-one missed training'published at 13:42 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Brighton v Wolves (Mon, 19:45 GMT)

    Wolverhampton Wanderers

    Wolves manager Gary O'Neil on team news: "No-one missed training, Matheus Cunha joined in most of it. Not an injury at the club at the moment, which is good as we are not blessed with a load of numbers."

    On Nathan Fraser: "Decision if he goes on loan purely on what we are able to do this month. He is only 18 and hasn’t played loads of football. I don’t want to delay his progress if we manage to do some business. He has a part to play at some point in the future, the key is how we get him there. We have to look at the numbers. He is the only number nine with any experience at club so won’t be going anywhere anytime soon."

  18. Martial on Man Utd fitness programmepublished at 13:39 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is continuing on an individual fitness programme in a bid to get fit enough for a first-team return.

    Martial has not featured for United since the 9 December home hammering by Bournemouth.

    The Frenchman was ill over Christmas that caused him to miss all three matches and is now trying to work his way back into contention for selection.

    However, there is an additional issue to factor in given Martial is also troubled by a minor hip complaint which the player's agent feels requires surgery but United medical staff are still considering how to treat it.

  19. 'I apologise again' - Hendersonpublished at 13:35 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Ajax

    Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson on whether he has to build bridges with the LGBTQ+ community: "I said six months ago that if I offended anybody or people felt as though I let them down then I apologise for that, and I apologise again.

    "As I said before, my beliefs have never changed and never will. I can apologise if people feel let down. I haven't changed as a person and never have. I want to continue to focus on my football and give everything I can for this great football club."

  20. 'Not going to criticise Saudi Pro League'published at 13:31 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Ajax

    Jordan HendersonImage source, Getty Images

    Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson on leaving Saudi Arabia: "I think a lot of people would like me to sit here and criticise the Saudi League and everything that went along with that. But that's certainly not the case and something I am not going to do.

    "I have full respect for the league, for any fans of the club, for the people over there who really made me feel welcome. Unfortunately sometimes these things in life just don't work out. In football and in life in general. I made a decision.

    "As soon as I knew this opportunity was there the decision was this was the best move for me and my family at this time. If anyone was offended or feel I have upset that's on me. I apologise for that and it was never my intention.

    "I just want to look forward now and concentrate on being the best player I can for Ajax."