Anfield is a special stadium. It is renowned for its unique atmosphere and is home to the most famous single-tiered stand in the world, the Kop. Rebuilt and remodelled several times since it opened in 1884 to play host to city rivals Everton, on Saturday Anfield will hold its largest attendance since it was converted to all-seater in the early 1990s. The new Main Stand will take the capacity to more than 54,000 and fans will surely flock in to see Jurgen Klopp's brand of heavy metal football. As fans prepare to head through the gates named after the club's most famous managers, Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, and into Anfield's future, Sportsmail takes a look back through the years at the famous stadium with a picture special.
BREAKING NEWS
FIFA reject appeals from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid and uphold transfer ban for two windows
Mourinho's relationship with United defender Darmian 'at a complete breakdown'
Matteo Darmian could be heading towards the Manchester United exit door ‒ with the defender and Jose Mourinho's relationship at a 'complete breakdown'. The Italian 26-year-old arrived at Old Trafford last summer but has fallen down the pecking order with the Portuguese tactician at the helm. And according to Tuttosport, there is reportedly a 'complete breakdown' between Darmian and Mourinho.
As Luiz prepares for second Chelsea debut, Sportsmail looks at the best and worst moments from his first spell
Sportsmail looks back at some of David Luiz's best — and worst — moments of his three-and-a-half years at Chelsea as he prepares to begin life back in the Premier League.
Real and Atletico fail to overturn transfer bans as FIFA rejects appeals - meaning they can't buy players for two windows
The FIFA Appeal Committee confirmed that they have rejected the appeals submitted by the Spanish clubs, who will now not be able to buy any players in the next two transfer windows.
The northern powerhouse: How Pep and Jose rivalry means Manchester is quickly becoming the epicentre of world football
Welcome to the Northern Powerhouse. Former chancellor George Osborne's may not have delivered on his economic promises but in the manic land of football, a world of opportunity presents itself.
'He hasn't the balls to sit down with me': Raiola launches tirade against Guardiola
Pep Guardiola was on the receiving end of a tirade from super-agent Mino Raiola. He said the Manchester City boss 'didn't have the balls to sit down and talk' and said his football was boring.
NFL PREVIEW: Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks are among the contenders
PETER CARLINE: The 2016 NFL season begins as the old one ended, with the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos staging a rematch of Super Bowl 50 at Mile High.
TACKLE KEOWN: Guardiola and Mourinho have a score to settle and Ibrahimovic will be key to derby clash
With the Premier League resuming after the international break, Sportsmail columnist MARTIN KEOWN has been answering your questions on this weekend's games.
Klopp wants to harness 'power' of new-look Anfield to kick-start campaign
Jurgen Klopp is hoping Liverpool can take advantage of their new-look stadium. The German has called on his side to kick-start their season in front of their fans when Leicester visit on Saturday.
Luiz, Wilshere and Bravo among stars readyfor bows as Premier League returns
The hotly-anticipated Manchester derby on Saturday lunchtime will herald the Premier League's return from its international break - and supporters around the country can expect to see a host of new signings in action for their teams. Since the last round of fixtures a fortnight ago we have been treated to the frantic conclusion of a summer transfer window that saw English top-flight clubs shell out a combined sum in excess of £1billion. Here Sportsmail takes you through the later arrivals who could feature for the first time this weekend.
Suarez has won 80 of his first 99 Barcelona games, scoring 88 goals and 43 assists (plus eight trophies). So, how do his stats compare with the best?
When Luis Suarez signed for Barcelona after four seasons with Liverpool, there was intrigue surrounding whether he could continue his impressive goalscoring record for one of the most exciting teams in world football. Suarez arrived in Spain having netted 82 goals for the Anfield outfit and played a starring role as Brendan Rodgers' Reds narrowly missed out on a Premier League title triumph.
Real Madrid's 50 greatest players: Bale among the best-ever as Sportsmail countdown enters the top 20
With an inordinate number of La Liga titles and almost a dozen European Cups, Real Madrid are rightly thought of as one of the elite European sides. Here are 10 of Los Blancos' greatest-ever players.
'This is Anfield': Watch Klopp team talk in 360 degree matchday video
Anfield has always been a special place for Liverpool fans, and now supporters of Jurgen Klopp's side have been given the chance to see the home of the Reds in a completely new light.
MARTIN SAMUEL'S 5 POINTS: Klopp might not solve Liverpool's problems but he'll thrill us by giving it a go
Liverpool and their charismatic boss, the England management, foreign adoptions and the same old issues with Rangers and Celtic. All wrapped up for you in this week's FIVE POINTS.
Brook is moving up two weight divisions to face Golovkin... how have other British boxers fared when piling on the pounds?
Kell Brook will jump two weight classes to take on fearsome middleweight Gennady Golovkin in London this weekend. A welterweight world champion in his own right, Brook will scale some 13lb heavier at Friday's weigh-in than he did before his last contest. Here, Sportsmail looks at other British boxers who recently moved up in weight - no matter how little - and how they got on.
The most expensive football match EVER: Manchester derby will see United and City showcase players worth more than £600million
Saturday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford is set to be the most expensive game in football history, with United and City boasting sides worth a combined total of more than an eye-watering £600million. With new bosses on both sides of the city, United manager Jose Mourinho and City chief Pep Guardiola both splashed the cash this summer in a bid to earn bragging rights over their rivals and challenge for the Premier League crown.
Kell Brook eager 'to shock the world' in title bout with Gennady Golovkin as Brit's camp insist: 'He is much stronger at middleweight'
JEFF POWELL: Kell Brook has walked onto the first big punch from Team Golovkin, 48 hours before he challenges the Kazakh KO king for the world middleweight championship.
Will it be tiki-taka vs park the bus? The tactics Guardiola and Mourinho could employ in their first Manchester derby
TACTICAL ANALYSIS: Manchester's new era officially begins on Saturday when Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola go head-to-head for the very first time in the Premier League.
Sane ready for baptism of fire as winger targets debut in Manchester derby
Leroy Sane is fit again and raring to go for his new side Manchester City. The 20-year-old is hoping to make his debut in this weekend's Manchester derby and is anticipating a 'special' match.
THE PICK OF MAILONLINE'S SPORTS WRITING
ADAM CRAFTON: Eric Bailly is Jose Mourinho's star... how defender went from minder of a phone box and never playing 11-a-side to Manchester United's £30m heir to Rio Ferdinand
It's the beginning of June and in Spain, Eric Bailly has received a phone call. The Ivorian, then of Spanish club Villarreal, knows that he has significant interest from Europe's elite clubs.
Golaccio! From Gascoigne and Maldini to Sacchi's AC Milan... Serie A's golden age
When Paul Gasgoigne signed for Lazio, Serie A was opened up to a new generation of fans. We remember the iconic players, characters and teams from a golden age of Italian football. From the glory days of Francesco Totti, to the difficulties faced by Thierry Henry, this is a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
Weah's legendary wonder goal 20 years on: AC Milan striker dribbled the length of the pitch to score against Verona
Italy's Serie A was at its height in the 1990s and few points were as high as one that took place 20 years ago. On September 8, 1996, AC Milan's George Weah scored a goal for the ages. With Milan 2-1 up with less than 10 minutes left to play, the Liberian picks up a misplaced Verona corner in his own 18-yard box.
Rashford and Iheanacho head-to-head: The two teenage startlets who could end up deciding the Manchester derby
Saturday's Manchester derby - the most eagerly anticipated game of the season so far and a clash which will see hundreds of millions of pounds worth of talent take to the field at Old Trafford.
Eriksen's form may have been affected by contract talk, admits Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino expects Christian Eriksen to return to his best form after admitting his lengthy contract talks might have adversely affected his game.
Sakho warned there's no easy route back into Liverpool squad
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has acknowledged Mamadou Sakho may find it difficult to get back into the Liverpool team. The defender turned down loan moves to Stoke City and West Brom.
Horrendous moment Team Sky's 'Death Star' bus nearly runs cyclist off the road
A video posted by the man in question, Andy Rolfe, in Denbighshire, Wales, on Wednesday, shows the Team Sky coach - known as on the circuit as the 'Death Star' - forcing the cyclist into a hedge as it drives past on a narrow country road. The bus then cuts back across the road and only narrowly avoids a lorry coming the other way.
STARS OF SPORT
- Who's the big dog? Messi was gifted the Dogue de Bodeaux by his girlfriend at the start of this year and his pet has quickly assumed new dimensions
- UFC star McGregor knows how to party! Conor McGregor was welcomed with adulation at Encore Beach Club in Las Vegas after his victory over Nate Diaz
- Black Wednesday MARTIN SAMUEL IN NEW YORK: Andy Murray wages war with the world before falling to Kei Nishikori at the US Open
- Hero's welcome for returning Bale Wales star greeted by thousands of Real Madrid fans as he came back from international duty to get back to club matters
- The Hart work starts now for Joe! England goalkeeper enjoys first training session with Torino as on-loan star looks to get season back on track
Poll
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MORE STARS OF SPORT
- Ronaldinho back on top of the world Former Ballon d'Or winner poses on top of the Empire State Building as Barcelona legend opens club store
- Neymar strikes again Neymar's second-half goal gave Brazil avictory over Colombia as they registered their second consecutive win in World Cup qualifying
- No rest for Rashford Fresh from his debut hat-trick on England Under 21 duty, Marcus Rashford has joined his Manchester United team-mates back at training
- Gerrard goes through gruelling gym session as he steps up recovery from hamstring problem LA Galaxy star suffered the injury against Vancouver Whitecaps
- New boys Luiz and Alonso get stuck in as unbeaten Chelsea prepare for Swansea Plenty of big names are still at Cobham during the international break
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Golovkin means business in workoutGennady Golovkin performed a workout for the London crowd ahead of his world title fight against Kell Brook
- Pedal power! Mario Gotze rode a bicycle through the streets near Dortmund's training facility as he bids to return to full fitness for the German side
- Neymar takes centre stage as Brazil prepare for Colombia qualifier following victory over Ecuador last week No pitch invaders this time during training
- McGregor sunbathes in £300k Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead as he continues to celebrate UFC 202 victory over Nate Diaz New day, new car
- Ronaldo ramps up his recovery as he bids to be fit for Real Madrid's game with Osasuna Portuguese star has not played since being injured in Euro 2016 final
- Now that's an Arsenal dressing room picture worth taking! Club legends including Martin Keown and Robert Pires pose for a snap after charity match
- Crouch hits the beach with wife Abbey during international break The former England international has not played for his country since 2010
- And The Ox also made the most of his time off after failing to make Allardyce's first squad Hasn't played for England since scoring in in Lithuania in 2015
- Antonio's away day! Conte spent the last two years busy during the international breaks but he has made the most of his free time by soaking up some sun in Italy
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Ronaldo and McGregor hang out as duo joke around with training partner Dillon Danis
The Real Madrid star and UFC champion are well acquainted
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Neymar mobbed by pitch invaders in Brazil's open training session as striker gets hauled down
The striker was chased by two fans who had stormed onto the pitch
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Like father, like son!
Arsenal legend Robert Pires' eight-year-old son, Theo, continues to follow in his father's footsteps as part of the club's youth ranks in north London
- Meeting of managerial masterminds! Zidane, Allegri, Mourinho and Ancelotti talk football The bosses met at UEFA Elite Club Coaches Forum in Switzerland
- Chelsea's Brazilian duo get a special visitor David Luiz and Oscar greeted compatriot Rogerio Ceni when the legendary goalkeeper popped into Chelsea's training ground
- Belgium are training in the rain! Eden Hazard, Marouane Fellaini and Christian Benteke were among the players to be put through their paces
- Don't stop til you get enough: Beckham urges Rooney to have retirement rethink Wayne Rooney is set to retire from international football in 2018
LATEST MATCH REPORTS
- Cyprus 0-3 Belgium: Romelu Lukaku scores twice as Roberto Martinez's side get World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign off to perfect start
- Belarus 0-0 France: Didier Deschamps' men fail to impress at the Borisov Arena as their World Cup qualifying campaign gets off to a poor start
- England U21 6-1 Norway U21: Marcus Rashford scores hat-trick as Gareth Southgate's men claim easy victory
- Wales 4-0 Moldova: Sam Vokes, Joe Allen and Gareth Bale strike to give Chris Coleman winning start to World Cup qualification
- Serbia 2-2 Republic of Ireland: Substitute Daryl Murphy rescues point for Martin O'Neill's men
- Spain 8-0 Liechtenstein: Diego Costa and David Silva are double trouble as new boss Julen Lopetegui makes winning start in World Cup qualifier
- Israel 1-3 Italy: Goals from Graziano Pelle, Antonio Candreva and Ciro Immobile give Giampiero Ventura's men victory
- Norway 0-3 Germany: Thomas Muller leads from the front to see world champions off to a flying start in their title defence
- Czech Republic 0-0 Northern Ireland: Michael O'Neill's men battle hard for a point after facing a barrage of chances in Prague
- Malta 1-5 Scotland: Robert Snodgrass hat-trick helps Gordon Strachan's side see off nine-man Malta
- Slovakia 0-1 England: Sam Allardyce era begins with a late win as Adam Lallana belatedly Lions capitalises on Martin Skrtel's red card
- Arsenal 4-2 AC Milan: Kanu hits hat-trick as Freddie Ljungberg and co roll back the years in legends showdown
- Bournemouth 1-2 AC Milan: Jack Wilshere shines in Bournemouth debut in South Coast rain as Cherries lose in friendly
LATEST NEWS FROM THE US OPEN
Where did our warriors go? Legends Connors and McEnroe furious at spate of retirements ruining New York spectacle
MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Jimmy Connors, that ultimate warrior of Flushing Meadows, could barely restrain himself when the latest injury blow hit the US Open on Tuesday night. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga pulled out of his quarter-final with Novak Djokovic, meaning the Serb went through to the last four having played for a mere six hours and 26 minutes. That is what happens when you get two retirements in your matches and one walkover. The cumulative effect of that and other withdrawals was certainly testing the patience of Connors.
MARTIN SAMUEL: Black Wednesday as Murray wages war with the world and himself in five-set loss to Nishikori
MARTIN SAMUEL IN NEW YORK: It was one of those matches when Andy Murray seems at war with a hundred things beyond his control. The sun. The rain. The floodlights.
Serena Williams battles past Halep to reach her 33rd Grand Slam semi-final
STUART FRASER IN NEW YORK: Williams dropped her first set of the tournament but still proved too strong for fifth seed Halep with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 win in two hours and 14 minutes on Arthur Ashe.
Wawrinka ends Del Potro's run to set-up semi showdown with Nishikori
STUART FRASER IN NEW YORK: Del Potro had the Argentine fans in raptures when he levelled at one set all but Wawrinka was too strong in the end, winning 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in a late-night match.
FOOTBALL NEWS
The big dog... and Messi! Barcelona star shows off pet's remarkable growth spurt
Lionel Messi has posted a picture to his Instagram account showing off his pet dog's remarkable growth spurt. The Barcelona star, currently recuperating from a groin injury, was gifted the Dogue de Bodeaux by girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo at the start of this year. And eight months after publishing snaps of the moderately sized addition to the Messi tribe, the five-time Ballon D'or winner has proffered a pictorial update of his dog's considerably expanding dimensions.
Payet is fit and ready to start for West Ham against Watford, says boss Bilic
Manager Slaven Bilic ran checks on his star playmaker while he was away with France over the international break and has welcomed Payet back with what looks like a clean bill of health. He will train with the rest of Bilic's growing squad on Thursday as the Hammers see the return of a number of key players who were injured before the international break.
He was once a telephone box attendant. Now, just four years after playing his first 11-a-side match, Bailly is Mourinho's star
ADAM CRAFTON: It is the beginning of June and in the south-east of Spain, Eric Bailly has received a phone call. The Ivorian defender, then of Spanish club Villarreal, knows that he has significant interest from Manchester United, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund. But when he picks up the call, the rasping voice at the other end still comes as a major surprise. ‘It was Jose Mourinho,’ explains Bailly’s best friend and former Espanyol team-mate Joan Jordan. ‘It was out of the blue. It meant a huge amount. Eric called me up all excited.
EXCLUSIVE: England's Nike deal in jeopardy after Euro 2016 disaster sends replica kit sales tumbling
CHARLES SALE: Nike’s backing of the England team is said to be in serious doubt following the huge disappointment of Euro 2016, where replica kit sales were far less than expected.
Adnan Januzaj determined to be a Sunderland success after being overlooked by Jose Mourinho
Adnan Januzaj is determined to prove his critics wrong as he attempts to revive his career at Sunderland after discovering he was not in Jose Mourinho's short-term plans.
Palace dealt blow as Remy is ruled out for up to two months with thigh injury
Crystal Palace striker Loic Remy has been ruled out for two months with a thigh injury. The French striker, on loan at Selhurst Park for the season from parent club Chelsea, picked up the knock in training.
'Conte puts trust in his players': Hazard praises new Chelsea boss after 'ugly' season in thinly veiled dig at Mourinho
The Belgian's indifferent form became one of the hallmarks of a miserable last campaign at Stamford Bridge, with Mourinho dismissed in December following the team's woeful start to their title defence.
England Under-21s line up friendlies against Italy, France and Germany as they prepare for Euros next summer
DOMINIC KING EXCLUSIVE: Gareth Southgate's squad will begin with a double header against Italy and France in November, followed by a date with Germany in March.
Liverpool midfielder Mane available to face Leicester but Can is out
Midfielder Emre Can will miss Liverpool's clash with Leicester City, but Sadio Mane is available for the meeting with the Premier League champions. Liverpool welcome the Foxes to the new Anfield.
High rollers! Pogba picked up by Depay in Rolls Royce as they dine out in Manchester
Paul Pogba and Memphis Depay enjoyed a dinner at Tattu restaurant in Manchester. Depay picked up the Frenchman in his £250,000 Rolls Royce Wraith and drove him to Tattu Restuarant. The players will hope to be involved in the derby this weekend as Jose Mourinho leads his side against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
'Don't go to Leicester, they're c***': Gerrard dishes out advice to young LA Galaxy fan in new ride-along video
Steven Gerrard shared a few humorous moments with a young LA Galaxy fan in a new video - at one stage pleading with the boy not to join Leicester when he grows up. Gerrard is clearly enjoying himself in the video as he answers questions posed to him like 'who was our favourite player when you were a kid?' Zinedine Zidane, of course. 'When I was your size, he was the best player in the world, so I always used to try and copy him in the street,' said Gerrard.
Liverpool flop Moreno takes baby for a walk using a HOVERBOARD
The out-of-form Liverpool left-back has taken a novel approach to taking his baby for a stroll. Or perhaps that should be taking it for a roll. The Reds full-back, 24, was out and about in Liverpool pushing a pram, a normal enough activity in most circumstances.
Look who's back! Crystal Palace confirm signing of former Arsenal midfielder Flamini on a free transfer
Mathieu Flamini has signed for Crystal Palace on a free transfer. The former Arsenal man joined Alan Pardew's side having been released by the Gunners and offers a wealth of experience.
Rodgers to give Celtic tactical 'refresher course' ahead of Old Firm showdown
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is planning to give his players a tactical 'refresher' course ahead of Saturday's crunch Old Firm showdown against rivals Rangers, who have made their return to the SPL.
Ribery hoping to secure new Bayern deal as he eyes Champions League glory
Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery is looking to extend his contract with the Bavarian club, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season. Ribery, 33, has been with Bayern for the last decade.
Leicester ace King wants a 'statement' win at Liverpool with new Anfield Main Stand set to be unveiled
In a season of unparalleled highs for the Foxes, their charge to the Premier League title took a knock against Liverpool on Boxing Day last year as Christian Benteke scored the only goal.
New agent Le Tissier wants football players to put morality before money
Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier is seeking to put the 'morality back into football' after launching a football agency management company along with his former team mate Francis Benali.
Howe hails 'positive impact' of Wilshere and believes he has lifted Bournemouth
Jack Wilshere has made an immediate impression on his new team-mates and Eddie Howe at Bournemouth. His new manager lavished praise on the loan signing saying he had lifted the squad.
OTHER SPORTS NEWS
Welcome champ! McGregor reveals inside footage of pool party to celebrate UFC win
Anyone who watched Conor McGregor's epic battle with Nate Diaz at UFC 202 will concede that the Irishman deserves time to celebrate. Still showing signs of the fight by hobbling in on crutches, McGregor revelled in a pool party at Encore Beach Club in Las Vegas less than a day after going the distance in an epic five round battle against the American. McGregor was joined by girlfriend Dee Devlin and welcomed at the packed resort by a banner held up by a procession of glamorous women which read, 'champ'.
Hamilton jogs Manhattan ahead of Singapore GP
Lewis Hamilton shared a video on Instagram of him running to one of Travis Scott's latest tunes in Manhattan as he took his mind off the track. Hamilton, who is currently top of the Formula 1 drivers standings, jogged to Scott's latest offering 'Goosebumps'.
Froome claws back late attack to retain second place of Vuelta a Espana
Chris Froome clawed back a late attack led by Alberto Contador to retain second place in the overall standings after stage 17 of the Vuelta a Espana on Wednesday. Froome was initially left trailing by the charge led by Contador (Tinkoff) and also including race leader Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and fellow Colombian Esteban Chaves (Orica), who started the day in third place.
Great Britain's military Paralympians ready to go in Rio after demonstrating incredible powers of recovery
ADAM SHERGOLD: Now, having demonstrated incredible powers of recovery to rebuild their shattered lives, a group of former military personnel will represent Great Britain once again.
Murray plotting more Davis Cup heroics to banish US Open heartbreak
Murray was favourite to claim his fourth Grand Slam title in Flushing Meadows but was beaten by Kei Nishikori in the last eight. He must now turn his attentions to GB's Davis Cup defence.
England captain Hartley can lead Lions in New Zealand, says Gatland
CHRIS FOY: Dylan Hartley's career transformation was given an emphatic endorsement as Warren Gatland underlined his credentials as a candidate to lead the British & Irish Lions.
'If you're scared of the All Blacks, don't get on the plane': Gatland's warning as he is confirmed as Lions boss
The worst kept secret in rugby has been confirmed with the news Warren Gatland will lead the British Lions on this summer's tour of New Zealand. Gatland was in charge of the 2013 tour.
Fury vs Klitschko is not under threat from anti-doping hearing, say BoxNation
Tyson Fury's heavyweight rematch with Wladimir Klitschko will go ahead, according to promoters BoxNation as they denied claims his anti-doping hearing would take place before the fight.
Ecclestone vows to continue as F1 chief executive after £6bn takeover
Bernie Ecclestone insisted he will carry on as chief executive of Formula One for at least three years as the £6billion takeover of the sport was agreed.
RACING
Robin Goodfellow's Racing Tips: The best bets for Thursday, September 8
Sportsmail's racing expert Robin Goodfellow gives his hottest selections ahead of Thursday's meetings at Doncaster, Chelsmford City, Epsom Downs and Chepstow
Moore opts out of Idaho after confirming he will only ride Leopardstown on Saturday
Idaho, red-hot 8-11 favourite for Saturday's Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster, will be ridden by Seamus Heffernan after it was confirmed Ryan Moore will only ride at Leopardstown.
DAILY MAIL SCHOOLS TROPHY
As Daily Mail Schools Trophy enters fourth season, who can stop Wellington College?
Rugby is on a high after the Great Britain Sevens team gained a silver medal in the Olympics. Now you can take inspiration from that success as the Daily Mail Schools Trophy enters its fourth season. The big question is, who can stop Wellington College collecting their third title?
Olympic rugby sevens hero Bibby returns to Lancashire to support his old school Kirkham
Olympic rugby sevens hero Dan Bibby will be returning home this season to support Kirkham in the Daily Mail Schools Trophy which starts this weekend.
Gowling says he is suited to French style after joining Stade Francais
Holidays in France, including trips to watch mighty Toulouse, gave schoolboy international Charlie Gowling the inspiration to pursue a full-time career in the Top 14.
Former New Zealand star Herring believes love is the best language when trying to motivate players
Not long ago I was asked to speak to a 1st XV team before a big traditional match - but first I listened to the captain's talk. He ranted about how much he 'hated' this particular opposition.
THE BEST WRITING IN SPORT
Inside the coach factory: Henry, Arteta and Vieira are among football's most talented aspiring bosses to pass Welsh programme
Thierry Henry's shock appointment as Belgium's new assistant surprised the football world, save for a small group of men leading the way in the development of the best young managers in Europe. Not content with seeing Gareth Bale and Co reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016 this summer, the Football Association of Wales have also been responsible for bringing through the next generation of young bosses with Henry the latest managerial hopeful to have graduated from their programme.
The night Pep beat Jose 5-0: Guardiola humiliated his rival in front of 400m viewers in El Clasico clash
It was supposed to be Jose Mourinho's triumphant return to the Nou Camp but instead he had his very own Black Monday – a 5-0 defeat against Pep Guardiola.
How Balotelli's Liverpool spell was doomed from the start: From refusing to mark at corners, it was all downhill
DOMINIC KING: There is a story about Mario Balotelli's first days at Liverpool that, even now, still leaves those who witnessed it shaking their heads in disbelief. It was September 2014.
MARTIN SAMUEL: Big Sam must make the big calls for England, not Rooney
There can be only one explanation for Sam Allardyce's rather bizarre appraisal of Wayne Rooney's performance against Slovakia on Sunday: he's new.
