Daily Mirror

Image source, Daily Mirror

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has accused the club's current crop of players of "going soft" according to the Daily Mirror's back page splash. The paper reports that Keane has "slammed the current side" and reckons "rival teams are no longer running scared of going to Old Trafford".

The Times

Image source, The Times

The Times also lead on Emma Raducanu being knocked out the Aussie Open on their back page but there's also some room for Jordan Henderson's switch to Ajax. Henderson had "ripped up his contract with Al-Ettifaq at the start of the week after amicable talks" the paper reports. They say that Henderson's call to leave the Saudi Pro League club was "not an easy decision" but was the best one for him and his family. Henderson "will wear the number 6 shirt. The number 14 which Henderson wore at Liverpool was off limits because Ajax retired the jersey in honour of Johan Cruyff".

Image source, Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph makes Emma Raducanu's early exit from the Australian Open the main focus of their sports section. But they also feature a line from Steven Gerrard after he signed a two-year extension to his contract at Al-Ettifaq. According to the story Gerrard "admits his position will be under scrutiny unless he turns results around" citing the fact that "Gerrard has not won a game since October".

The Daily Star

Image source, Daily Star

The Daily Star also carry quotes from Roy Keane on his former club Manchester United on their back page. Keane has "stuck the boot in on United" according to their back page and insists that "rivals now love coming to former fortress Old Trafford and taking on the soft hosts". The story notes that the "fallen giants have lost 14 games in all competitions" this season and have "become a shadow of their former selves".

The Daily Mail

Image source, Daily Mail

The Daily Mail's back page lead focuses on the thing Liverpool fans feared the worst when Mohammed Salah headed to Ivory Coast for Afcon. Salah "fought back the tears as he was substituted on the stroke of half-time" in their group game against Ghana, the paper reports. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will now "desperately hope the injury is not too serious with this team just two points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa at the top of the Premier League".

Image source, Daily Express

The Daily Express hones in on some quotes from ex-Manchester United captain Roy Keane about how facing the club's modern-day team is much easier than it used to be in his day. According to the paper former midfielder Keane says United "no longer strike fear into teams and accused his former club of going soft".

First things first, let's take a quick look at what stories have made the back pages of the national papers.

Good morning and welcome to Friday's football news coverage.

We'll be looking ahead to this weekend's four Premier League fixtures and hearing the thoughts of some of the main protagonists including Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta, Roy Hodgson and David Moyes.

There will be a chance to reflect on the fallout from Jordan Henderson's exit from the Saudi Pro League and decision to join Ajax, and catch up with the latest stories and goals from Afcon including an injury sustained by Mohamed Salah while playing for Egypt.

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard is staying on in Saudi, but Troy Deeney is out after just six games at Forest Green Rovers.

Naturally, we'll also keep you abreast of any breaking news and transfer updates, too.

It should be a busy one.

We look forward to your company.