Brendan Rodgers is on the lookout for local talent following Steven Gerrard s announcement that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

Gerrard s departure follows that of fellow hometown hero Jamie Carragher, who retired in 2013, and sees Liverpool s contingent of locally-sourced players dwindle further.

Rickie Lambert and Jon Flanagan are left to fly the flag for Merseyside at Anfield, while youngsters such as 17-year-old Jordan Rossiter, who made his senior debut against Middlesbrough in the League Cup earlier this season, attempt to force their way into the first team.

And Rodgers believes it is important to nurture local talent to replace the likes of Gerrard and Carragher.

Not too many managers get to manage this kind of situation [Carr…

Australia will be out to build on their stunning Asian Cup opening when they take on a desperate Oman in Sydney on Tuesday.

Ange Postecoglou’s side made a real statement of intent in their Group A opener on Friday, crushing Kuwait 4-1 in a fluent, attacking display that confirmed them as one of the favourites for the title.

But they will be wary of an Oman outfit that pushed South Korea hard before going down 1-0 and Paul Le Guen s side also have a good recent record against the Socceroos.

Like they did against South Korea, Oman is likely to sit deep and try to hit the Socceroos on the counter-attack, but they also desperately need a win.

Australia have been dealt a blow for the clash with influential skipper Mile Jedinak ruled out with an ankle injury.…

Gregg Berhalter remains under consideration for a new contract as United States head coach following an investigation into a 1992 domestic altercation with his wife, U.S. Soccer has confirmed.

Berhalter revealed in January he was the subject of an investigation pertaining to an incident in which he pushed and kicked Rosalind Berhalter, then his girlfriend, in a nightclub when they were both freshmen at the University of North Carolina.

It was subsequently revealed the incident was reported to U.S. Soccer by Giovanni Reyna s mother Danielle, who was angered by Berhalter s treatment of her son at last year s World Cup.

Reyna enjoyed limited playing time at the tournament, after which Berhalter suggested the Borussia Dortmund man was almost exiled from his squad due…

Everton have confirmed Ben Godfrey has been taken to hospital after the defender suffered a serious lower leg injury.

Godfrey was injured in the 10th minute of Saturday s Premier League match at Goodison Park, as Everton s rotten luck with injuries continued.

The defender s poor backpass resulted in Jordan Pickford attempting to keep the ball in play, and even though the England goalkeeper failed to do so, it was apparently not spotted by the officials.

Play continued and, in an attempt to rectify his mistake, Godfrey lunged in on Kai Havertz, making a clean challenge, but immediately signalled to the touchline and was clearly in some distress as he held his right leg.

We can confirm Ben Godfrey has suffered a lower leg injury and has been taken to hospit…

Leicester City have expressed interest in signing a Benfica duo – Andre Almeida and Rafa Silva – when the transfer window reopens next summer.

Leicester Mercury reports that the Foxes have identified the two Benfica players as their top summer transfer targets after missing out on signing the duo back in January.

Andre Almeida plays as a full-back for Portuguese champions but can be slotted in midfield as well. The 27-year-old Portugal international has made 22 Primeira Liga appearances this season, scoring two goals in the process.

One of the standard first-team regulars is an important player for Benfica which can’t be said for his teammate Rafa Silva who’s been used sporadically during the ongoing season.

The 24-year-old midfielder made only 1…

Arjen Robben will miss the start of Bayern Munich s Bundesliga season after suffering a groin injury in the club s first friendly match of the new campaign.

Robben picked up the problem in Bayern s thrilling 4-3 win over Lippstadt on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti s first game as the Bundesliga champions coach.

Having registered a goal and an assist in the early stages, the 32-year-old pulled up as he attempted a sprint in the 36th minute and was immediately replaced by youngster Mario Crnicki.

Get well soon, Arjen! sidelined with groin injury:

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN)

The injury to the player s right leg was diagnosed after an examination conducted by the club s medical unit in Munich on Sunday. Robben will be sidelined for approximate…

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini said Joe Hart will miss the FA Cup final against Wigan, with Costel Pantilimon to hold his spot.

City s second-choice goalkeeper was chosen ahead of Hart in the semi-final win against Chelsea, as the Romanian conceded his first goal in the competition this season in the 2-1 victory.And Mancini, who celebrated reaching another FA Cup final as manager of the Manchester club, said he will stick with Pantilimon for the final against Roberto Martinez s men. Pantilimon is there to do what he did, Costel did very well but he s a very good keeper – it s what I expected, he told the club s official website. He will stay, we have four weeks to think about it but I think he will play [in the final]. He s worked very well behind Joe Hart and I th…

Lionel Messi is hopeful that a Barcelona player will win the 2012 Ballon d Or, saying both Andres Iniesta and Xavi deserve the award.

The Argentine attacker netted an impressive 73 goals in all competitions in 2011-12, but he feels his team-mates are just as deserving to win the prestigious individual honour because of their exploits at Euro 2012.

There s still a long way to go before we know the winner of the Ballon d Or. We don t even know the nominees yet. Those who are in charge of it will have to decide who wins it, Messi said at a press conference.

I would like it if the Ballon d Or remains in the Barca dressing-room. Hopefully, Iniesta or Xavi can win the award. They would deserve it for everything they ve done in recent years and at Euro 2012.

…

Duncan Ferguson hailed Everton s fantastic performance in a 1-1 draw at Manchester United in his second game in charge, but the caretaker manager remains uninterested in taking on the job.

Victor Lindelof s own-goal put Everton on course for a second consecutive victory under Ferguson following their 3-1 triumph over Chelsea, but Mason Greenwood came off the bench to score an equaliser for United.

Four points from two difficult fixtures reflects well on Ferguson s ability to motivate the Toffees in the wake of Marco Silva s sacking, but the former Everton striker again dismissed the suggestion he could assume the role on a full-time basis.

Reflecting on his players performance, Ferguson told Sky Sports: It s tremendous.

What a fantastic performance th…

Despite reaching the Champions League quarterfinals, Manchester United had a poor 2018/19 season. They finished sixth in the Premier League, meaning they won t be featuring in UEFA s elite club competition next term, and they ve had some highly disappointing results.

The good news for their supporters is that the club seem to be aware of the lack of quality in the existing squad, and they are ready to make big changes. They will need strengthening everywhere, but as for the middle section, according to , United have lined up Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur. The 25-year-old has plenty of experience at top level, and he may be open to leaving north London having lost his place in the starting XI under manager Mauricio Pochettino.

With Ander Herrera gone, 30-year-old Nemanj…