Harry Redknapp, whose magic touch since taking over at Tottenham has seen him dubbed the Harry Potter of English soccer, will be hoping to cast another spell on Liverpool when the Reds visit for a League Cup tie today.
Redknapp’s wizardry has worked wonders since he quit Portsmouth for north London with Spurs winning four and drawing one of his five matches in charge to haul themselves off the bottom of the Premier League table and out of the relegation zone.
Now, with the first phase of his mission at White Hart Lane accomplished, Redknapp must turn his attention to Tottenham’s defense of a trophy they lifted last season in the euphoric early days of his predecessor, Juande Ramos’ regime.
A dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool at the start of the month began Spurs’ current three-match winning run and they are likely to face a shadow of that Reds side this time around.
Rafael Benitez is likely to ring the changes but Redknapp understands what another win over Liverpool and progression in the competition can do for his reinvigorated team.
The new manager has already got Tottenham’s first-team regulars buzzing and he is likely to use today’s match as an opportunity to give a number of fringe players the opportunity to impress.
The new manager is keen to strengthen his squad but insists he will not be overly concerned if chairman Daniel Levy tells him there are no funds for January transfer window purchases.
Liverpool travel to north London as the Premier League’s second-placed team but are likely to be underdogs, with Benitez set to rest a significant number of the players that have been instrumental in the fine start to the league campaign.
While Spanish striker Fernando Torres may be given the opportunity to build his match fitness following a recent hamstring injury, Benitez is likely to take the likes of Steven Gerrard, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio, Dirk Kuyt and Robbie Keane out of the firing line.
And that could mean that Lucas Leiva, Philipp Degen, Emiliano Insua, Nabil El Zhar, Damien Plessis, Jermaine Pennant and David Ngog are all given the chance to impress at White Hart Lane, with the Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri also set for a run-out.
With a league trip to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday in the back of his mind, Benitez will be hoping to reach the next round with the minimum of disruption to the side that he has in mind for the Reebok Stadium.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely