Danny Murphy explains why it is ‘beneficial’ Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk will miss first leg of Champions League tie with Bayern Munich

Danny Murphy explains why it is ‘beneficial’ Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk will miss first leg of Champions League tie with Bayern Munich
Danny Murphy believes it is beneficial Liverpool will be without Virgil van Dijk for the home leg of their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.The Bundesliga champions will travel to Anfield in February for a titanic clash between two of Europes best sides for a place in the quarter-finals.2

Van Dijk looks horrified after receiving the yellow card which means he will miss the first leg

However, the Reds will be without their Dutch defender after he was shown a controversial yellow card for a tackle on Dries Mertens in the final group game against Napoli.Murphy, who spent seven years with the Reds, believes the timing of the subsequent suspension for Van Dijk is beneficial for the Reds.With the away leg in Germany two weeks later, the worlds most expensive defender would be available after serving the one-match ban.He said on the Jim White Show: I think actually that its beneficial to Liverpool that they are going to be losing him for the home game rather than the away game.2

The Netherlands international won the ball, but caught the man

Thats actually a little plus from the situation.I thought he was dreadfully unlucky to be honest. I was not of the opinion that he has done anything wrong with that tackle at all.Gomez should be back I think and Matip and actually what Gomez, Matip and [Dejan] Lovren have shown recently is that they are all very capable.Both Gomez and Matip have suffered injuries in recent weeks, with Dejan Lovren partnering van Dijk at the back. However, in three months the current injury crisis at the back is set to subside and Murphy believes Jurgen Klopp has more than enough to cope for one game.Are they going to be better with Van Dijk? Yes, but they cant have him, he continued.So what theyll do is what they normally do whether Van Dijk is playing or not.Theyll be on the front foot, theyll go after them, theyll make them play, theyll press all over the pitch and the defenders will have to cope.Ideally, you would like Van Dijk in this type of game. But if you were going to choose one (if they were allowed) you wo0uld choose him to miss the home one because they will be on top.

---

Eric Dier appeared to order Aaron Ramsey to 'sit back on the bench' following the heated confrontation between Tottenham and Arsenal players in the first half at the Emirates. Both teams including
Aaron Ramsey trolls Eric Dier after touchline scuffle in

---

Jose Mourinho claims he risked being dismissed at Manchester United if he mishandled Paul Pogba. In a subtle swipe at a player he labelled 'His Excellency', the 56-year-old suggested he would have been 'sent on vacation' by Old Trafford chiefs had he come down hard on the France midfielder.
Mourinho wants return to management this summer and claims it

---

West Ham could wait until the end of the season before renewing contract talks with Declan Rice. Rice, the teenage midfielder, has been in discussions with the Hammers over a new deal for a couple
West Ham prepared to wait until summer for Declan Rice

---

CONFIRMED United entertain Barca in the first leg of their quarter-final tie and here are the confirmed teams for both sides Marcus Rashford has been passed fit for Manchester United's Champions League match against Barcelona as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has handed him a place in the starting XI.
Marcus Rashford starts Champions League clash, ex-Liverpool

---

Wayne Rooney says his first choice for Manchester United manager is Mauricio Pochettino, though he believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deserves a chance to prove himself. 'I'd go all out for
Rooney urges former club United to go all out for Pochettino

---

Arsenal transfer news: Five wingers Gunners could sign in January after Unai Emery's demand. Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona) Man United fight Liverpool, Arsenal bid fails, Celtic to complete
Arsenal News: Barcelona 'say yes' as Unai Emery targets

---

A high school soccer referee in Arkansas barely escaped with his life after a terrifying incident during a match. The referee and one player were injured when high winds caused a floodlight to topple over, crashing on to the field. Footage shows the nearly 25-metre tall light smashing into the ground, breaking the referee's leg in two places.
PDF 2016-2017 Nfhs Wrestling Rules Powerpoint

---

Steve Clarke IS Scotland's next manager as Kilmarnock boss wins the race. Kilmarnock boss has beaten off competition from Derek McInnes and will attempt to lead the country to Euro 2020.
Steve Clarke tells disillusioned Scotland players to 'un

---

LONDON: Fulham chairman Shahid Khan has apologised to the club's supporters after the London club were relegated from the Premier League following a 4-1 defeat at Watford on Tuesday. Needing at least a point to extend their battle against the drop, there was a glimmer of hope with the score 1-1 at halftime.
Fulham relegated: Cottagers owner Shahid Khan apologises to

---

Mike Dean celebrates Tranmere reaching League Two play-off final Huddersfield Town v Reading. 2017 Championship Play off Final Penalty Premier League referee Mike Dean turns caddy for
Premier League referee Mike Dean wildly celebrates Tranmere

---

Liverpool transfer news: Ovie Ejaria to join Reading on loan after cutting Rangers stay short The Anfield youngster will now join the Championship club for the remainder of the season By Damian
Liverpool transfer news: Ovie Ejaria to join Reading on loan

---

Ultimately, while one cannot knock Benteke's overall decent record in the Premier League, he has looked a shadow of the player that starred at Aston Villa and indeed at Palace in his first
Leicester 0 - Crystal Palace 3: Eagles end embarrassing

---