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Posts Tagged ‘championship’

• Enrique and Andy Carroll set to face old club on Friday
• Defender moved to Anfield from Newcastle in August

The Liverpool full-back José Enrique is hoping for a positive reception from the Newcastle United fans when he makes his first appearance against his old club on Friday.

Enrique moved to Anfield in August for a fee in the region of £6m, calling the transfer “one of the happiest days of my life”, but said he still feels close to the Newcastle crowd.

“I had very good moments there … They have amazing fans, it is an amazing city. I still love Newcastle and will do all my life. But I play for Liverpool now and I want three points because it is important that we get them.

“I hope the fans understand why I moved. I gave everything for Newcastle, I always gave 100% and nobody can say any different. I played in the Championship after they got relegated. I wanted to stay and help because I was part of the reason that we dropped out of the division.

“But an opportunity to play for Liverpool came along and I couldn’t refuse it. We are one of the best teams in Europe. You cannot say no when a team like Liverpool comes for you.”

Enrique said he was impressed by Newcastle’s form so far this season given the number of players they lost in the summer, including the striker Andy Carroll, who could also feature for Liverpool against his old club.

“They sold a lot of players … when you sell a lot of players, normally the team drops a little bit but they are doing really well. Demba Ba has come in and is on fire this season. They are doing really well and I am happy for them.”

Newcastle UnitedLiverpoolguardian.co.uk

Tractor Boys applaud opposition striker’s goal; miss of the day contests; historical symmetry; and Wes Brown

MOMENT OF THE DAY

Ipswich fans giving Doncaster’s Billy Sharp a standing ovation after he scored against them, days after the death of his son. Sharp tweeted after the game: “Will never forget that moment today at Portman Road, Ipswich Town fans unbelievable, never seen anything like it. #lumpinthroatmoment.”

PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Swansea keeper Michel Vorm defying Liverpool with two Hollywood saves at the death; Arsenal’s Robin van Persie taking his tally to a Manchester-City-chequebook-teasing 29 goals in 28 league games; and David Silva, staying just ahead of Van Persie in the player-of-the-season running with another classy strike.

MISS OF THE DAY

A straight contest between Andy Carroll and Fernando Torres. Liverpool’s £35m Carroll ballooned a point-blank effort against the bar from six yards out in tribute to Ronnie Rosenthal; Chelsea’s £50m Torres pulled off another textbook precision late miss at Blackburn, followed by his trademark look of haunted despair. It’s time for Fernando to invest in a “why always me” T-shirt.

MIRROR IMAGE OF THE DAY

On the day Fergie took over at Manchester United in 1986, the old First Division table was propped up by Newcastle, Chelsea, United and Manchester City. Today, those teams make up the top four. Another fact to mark Fergie’s longevity: the three points against Sunderland meant United have become the first team to pass 900 home points in the Premier League, with 901.

FACT OF THE DAY

After scoring United’s winner for them, Sunderland’s Wes Brown has now scored more Premier League own goals than actual goals.

BEST NEWCOMERS

Match of the Day’s new red-and-blue studio in Salford showcasing Lineker and Lawrenson’s “Movember” charity facial hair; and the Premier League’s new bright yellow winter ball. Shiny.

PLUS: ANSWERED QUESTION

Which of the current managers will still be in the same job in 25 years’ time? Just Steve Kean.

Premier League 2011-12ChampionshipIpswich TownDoncaster RoversSwansea CityLiverpoolRobin van PersieArsenalManchester CityAndy CarrollFernando TorresChelseaBlackburn RoversManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedSunderlandguardian.co.uk

• Liverpool owner says scrapping relegation not discussed
• LMA chief executive Richard Bevan had highlighted issue

The Liverpool owner, John W Henry, has denied that foreign owners in the Premier League want to scrap the relegation and promotion system.

Richard Bevan, the chief executive of the League Managers’ Association, said this week that some of the American and Asian owners have been talking about ending the system.

But Henry called that “complete nonsense”, telling the Associated Press that the issue “hasn’t been discussed”.

Half of the Premier League’s 20 teams are foreign-owned. Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester United and Sunderland are owned by Americans, while Blackburn is under Indian ownership and Queens Park Rangers has Malaysian backers.

Bevan warned that, if more teams are sold to overseas investors, they could force a change in the long-standing rules.

“There are a number of overseas-owned clubs already talking about bringing about the avoidance of promotion and relegation in the Premier League,” Bevan said. “If we have four or five more new owners, that could happen.”

Other American-owned teams have also dismissed Bevan’s claims. The Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, whose club is owned by the American Malcom Glazer and his family, said eliminating relegation “would be absolute suicide for the rest of the teams in the country, particularly the Championship”.

The Aston Villa board headed by Randy Lerner was “confused and surprised” by Bevan’s remarks. But Bevan said “particularly American owners without doubt” have been looking at a system without relegation.

LiverpoolJohn W HenryPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk