Simon Pegg and Brian Cox support Hollywood strike at London rally
By Sarah Mills LONDON "Mission Impossible" star Simon Pegg and Brian Cox from "Succession" joined a rally in
1970-01-01 08:00
Jordan Henderson risks tarnishing Liverpool legacy after career built on triumph of character
There are barely 100 miles between Doha and Dammam. One city in the Persian Gulf which, until recent years, relatively few football fans elsewhere had to consider, brought arguably the culmination of Jordan Henderson’s Liverpool career, the other a conclusion that feels both sudden and premature and yet comes 11 years after Brendan Rodgers infamously tried to offload him to Fulham to get Clint Dempsey. Three years before Doha hosted the World Cup final, it staged the Club World Cup final. Henderson, the fifth Liverpool captain to lift the European Cup, became the first to raise the trophy that gave them the mantle of world champions. The ‘Hendo lift’, a trademark shuffle before picking up the silverware, capped their rise from the doldrums and his own ascent. Henderson was the misfit who became the only Liverpool skipper to win the lot: Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, European Super Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield. And now he has joined the retirement home for Liverpool captains in Saudi Arabia, reunited with Steven Gerrard at Al Ettifaq in Damman. Robbie Fowler is in the neighbouring city of Al Khobar. Perhaps Phil Thompson and Phil Neal, Alan Hansen and Ian Rush will pop up there too, though presumably not Graeme Souness, who has criticised Henderson’s decision. That Gerrard, the mentor who groomed Henderson as his successor, has now disrupted Jurgen Klopp’s plans to transition between generations may irritate: Liverpool’s history has been a burden before but two men who have made the right sort have now posed a problem in the present. For Henderson, a departure comes with less fanfare than his old sidekick James Milner’s move to Brighton and more questions if he has tarnished what otherwise looked a wonderful legacy. Contrasting statements can both be true. The midfielder has earnt the right to take whichever decision he chooses; his band of admirers can nevertheless be disappointed with the one he has made. Liverpool LGBTQ+ fan group Kop Out said they were “appalled and concerned”; Henderson had appeared an ally to them, and to many other communities, offering vocal leadership on the field and moral leadership off the field. Saudi Arabia is not the logical destination for a man who had taken principled stands. If nothing came easily to Henderson at Anfield, now there is the sense he is giving up something he worked so hard for. When the Wearsider signed his penultimate Liverpool contract, in 2018, he said: “There is no other place in the world I would rather play football. I want to be here for as long as I can be.” Times change, along with circumstances, opinions and priorities but a slogan Liverpool adopted – “this means more” – felt particularly true for Henderson; the tearful pitchside embrace with his father, Brian, after the 2019 Champions League final moved many who knew neither in person. Henderson represented a great feelgood story; he was the ugly duckling who became a swan at Anfield, part of the seemingly gruesome foursome of expensive British buys in 2011, with Andy Carroll, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing. If none appeared good enough for Liverpool, Rodgers shared those doubts upon his appointment the following year; he was willing to let Henderson leave. Instead, the midfielder won him over to such an extent that he became captain. There was a sense, too, that Klopp was initially unconvinced by Henderson. In later years, he was happy to call him Liverpool’s “General”. Henderson, he reflected in 2021, was “essential to all the things we achieved in the last few years”. His Liverpool career was a triumph of character even as he could remain curiously underestimated or damned with faint praise. “If anybody does not see the quality of Jordan Henderson, then I cannot help them,” Klopp said in 2020; many remained blinded to it but Henderson was voted Footballer of the Year that year as the driving force in a team who won 26 of their first 27 league games and who ended Liverpool’s three-decade wait to become champions of England. Without ever oozing class, he proved a top-quality performer in two roles for Klopp: first, in the manager’s vernacular, as a No. 6 and then, after Fabinho’s arrival, as a No. 8 as well. He was an eager gegenpresser but that sometimes camouflaged his other qualities: he has often been a fine crosser, including from infield positions; many of his 33 Liverpool goals were spectacular. He had the tactical awareness to cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold in a way that meant the attack-minded right-back was rarely exposed for years. He was a valiant makeshift centre-back, including in the Club World Cup semi-final. He made 57 appearances as they came agonisingly close to the quadruple in 2021-22; perhaps that represented a last hurrah before the troubled 2022-23, the arrival of fellow midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, the reinvention of Alexander-Arnold, the prospect of a diminished role and, maybe, the passing of time persuaded him to move on when he had two years left on his contract and enduring importance. Or, alternatively, it was simply the Saudi millions. Henderson leaves with 492 appearances, level with Roger Hunt, one behind Ronnie Whelan, and eight years as captain, topped only by Gerrard, Ron Yeats and Alex Raisbeck. From unpromising beginnings, he became an all-time Liverpool great. But it is a shame he decided it had to end this way. Read More Liverpool agree £12m deal to sell Jordan Henderson to Saudi club Al Ettifaq Who could replace Fabinho? Liverpool transfer options analysed Liverpool transfer news: Latest Romeo Lavia and Federico Valverde updates as Dominik Szoboszlai signs
1970-01-01 08:00
European Real Estate Gains Trigger Barclays Call For Caution
European property stocks are set for a fourth-straight week of gains amid easing interest rate expectations, but Barclays
1970-01-01 08:00
Embattled SBB’s Woes Worsen After Abrupt End to Brookfield Talks
SBB abruptly ended talks with Canada’s Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. over the sale of a 51% stake in
1970-01-01 08:00
Bank Lobbying Climbed Nearly 20% as New Fed Rules Loom
The banking industry ramped up lobbying during the second quarter of this year as a financial contagion infected
1970-01-01 08:00
Oil Heads for Fourth Weekly Gain on Signs of Market Tightening
Oil headed for a fourth weekly gain amid tentative signs that global markets are tightening. Brent futures advanced
1970-01-01 08:00
Ange Postecoglou ‘not relaxed’ by uncertainty over Harry Kane’s Tottenham future
Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou admits he is “not relaxed” by the uncertainty over the future of Harry Kane and wants the issue sorted as soon as possible. England captain Kane has emerged as a prime transfer target for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich this summer. The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but, while Bayern continue to push to secure his services and have reportedly lodged two bids for the forward, Spurs’ stance remains the same, they have no intention of selling Kane. Tottenham’s record goalscorer has also been offered a new contract that is a significant increase on his current £200,000-a-week terms, the PA news agency understands, although reports claimKane will not sign a fresh deal this summer. Postecoglou, who was appointed as new Spurs boss ahead of the new campaign, conceded the situation is not a welcome one. He told reporters, via football.london: “Fair to say I am not relaxed about it! “It’s not something you go: ‘Ah, well, you know if it does or doesn’t happen!’ I mean it’s a very important part of this football club, not just the team, but the football club. “So, you’ve got to deal with it, and I think, for everyone concerned, we don’t want to be doing it for too long. I don’t think that is good for anyone. I don’t think it is good for Harry, I don’t think it is good for the club, because as laser focused as we want to be, you end up sort of repeating yourself along the way. “But the flip side of that is I don’t want to put a deadline on it, because that adds even more pressure. You want these things to happen for the right reasons. The reality of it is he’s still a contracted player at our football club, so that’s the way I see him. “It’s not like his contract is ending on the 12th [of August] and he’s got to make a decision, he’s got another year.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
1970-01-01 08:00
London Tube Strike Called Off After Breakthrough in Talks
Unions have called off a week of strikes on the London Underground that had been scheduled to start
1970-01-01 08:00
Nickel Set to Flood the LME, Turning Metal Squeeze Into Glut
The nickel market is at a “turning point” with a wave of supply of the battery metal about
1970-01-01 08:00
5 dream scenarios for Eagles in 2023 season
The Philadelphia Eagles were one quarter away from another Super Bowl. What does a successful 2023 season look like?The Philadelphia Eagles were the best team in the best division in football last season. Jalen Hurts made the jump from promising young quarterback to MVP candidate, A.J. Brown cem...
1970-01-01 08:00
Argentina’s Neighbors Flood Borders for Cheap Ski, Shops, Steaks
Travelers are flooding Argentina by air, land and sea from its neighboring countries to take advantage of a
1970-01-01 08:00
Today at the World Cup: Spain make strong start
The Women’s World Cup continued with three games taking place on the second day of the tournament. Spain and Switzerland got their campaigns off to a winning start against Costa Rica and the Philippines respectively. However, Canada were forced to share the spoils with Nigeria after Christine Sinclair’s spot-kick was saved. Here the PA news agency takes a look at Friday’s action. Dominant Spain Spain started their campaign by easing to a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica. Valeria del Campo’s own goal was followed by strikes from Aitana Bonmati and Esther Gonzalez in the next six minutes. Jenni Hermoso also had a penalty saved by Daniela Solera before half-time, meaning that there has been a spot-kick awarded in all five games in the tournament so far. The match also marked the return of double Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who played the final 13 minutes of the game following her return from an ACL injury. Missed chances for Canada It was not the start to the tournament that Canada were hoping for after being held to a 0-0 draw by Nigeria in Group B. In a tense clash, veteran Sinclair had the opportunity to put Canada ahead from the penalty spot, but she was denied by brilliant diving save from Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The Super Eagles had Deborah Abiodun sent-off in the final stages of the game. Nnadozie’s stellar performance earned praise from Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum. He said: “Chiamaka has done this before and I will say this and I will embarrass her in front of you all, but I think she’s one of the best young goalkeepers in the world right now.” Swiss top Group A Switzerland take the advantage into the next round of fixtures after they beat the Philippines 2-0 to top Group A. It was a tough start for the Filipinas on their World Cup debut after Katrina Guillou had her effort ruled out for offside in the 16th minute. Ramona Bachmann then put the Swiss ahead with a penalty before the break and Seraina Piubel secured victory with her strike in the 64th minute. Switzerland are level with co-hosts New Zealand on three points and will face Norway next on Tuesday. Picture of the Day Quote of the Day This may be our first time out here but it doesn’t feel like it. We have way more to give. We’re going to look forward to the next one and bring it as hard as we can. Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel Post of the Day Up Next Group E: USA v Vietnam (2am, Eden Park, Auckland)Group C: Zambia v Japan (8am, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton)Group D: England v Haiti (10.30am, Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane)Group D: Denmark v China (1pm, Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth)all times BST Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Paul Wellens wants St Helens to use past disappointments as fuel against Leigh Open officials alter bunkers after complaints as Brian Harman surges into lead England mascot Dave the cat supporting Lionesses from his new home
1970-01-01 08:00
