#away&039

[365footballorg-blog]

McLeish 'got away' with Scotland only losing 2-1 in Israel - Miller

Scotland boss Alex McLeish “got away with it” by only losing 2-1 to Israel in the Uefa Nations League, says former Aberdeen team-mate Willie Miller.

The Scots led through Charlie Mulgrew’s penalty but conceded twice after the break to the 94th best side in the world and had John Souttar sent off.

Israeli had won just once in 10 games but had 25 shots on goal and were denied several times by Allan McGregor.

“That could have been a pounding – four or five,” Miller told Radio Scotland.

Speaking on Sportsound, the former Aberdeen captain added: “We were never in the game. At no stage did we look in control. The shape didn’t look right. It was a poor, poor performance in both halves.

“I’ve played in and watched games where my team has had really difficult nights. But not that difficult. I’m quite stunned. I didn’t think they had a performance as bad as that in them.”

Report: Shambolic Scotland defeated in Israel[1]

‘We’re going to get stick but it could have been worse’[2]

Podcast: ‘That was inept, public park stuff, mortifying’[3]

Which Scotland player was voted man of the match?[4]

Scotland had won their opening group game 2-0 at Hampden against Albania and knew victory in Haifa would seize control of the section.

However, they were overrun by a side who have won just twice at home in the past four years.

“We had huge optimism after the Albania game but the statistics tell their own story,” Miller said.

“The two up front did nothing, the midfield was dreadful, the wing-backs couldn’t have played any worse… Stephen O’Donnell looked like he had lead boots on and Andy Robertson wasn’t any better, he couldn’t keep the ball in the park with his crosses.

“Allan McGregor is the only one who got pass marks but must be looking at the defence in front of him and asking why he was so exposed.”

All three sides in the group now have three points, with Scotland visiting the Albanians on 17 November, before hosting the Israelis three days later.

Miller insists Scotland “should expect” to win a section with Albania and Israel and book a place in the Nations League play-offs in March 2020.

“It’s going to take time to get over this but the opportunity to qualify is still there and Alex has got to do that now,” Miller added. “He’s got the chance to rectify it and Alex can’t let it get any worse.”

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References

^ Report: Shambolic Scotland defeated in Israel (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ ‘We’re going to get stick but it could have been worse’ (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Podcast: ‘That was inept, public park stuff, mortifying’ (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Which Scotland player was voted man of the match? (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Scottish

McLeish 'got away' with Scotland only losing 2-1 in Israel – Miller was originally published on 365 Football

[365footballorg-blog]

'I'm never going to walk away' - Bruce defiant after Villa lose to Sheff Wed

Steve Bruce says he is “never going to walk away” as Aston Villa manager despite seeing his side booed off the pitch after losing at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls consigned Villa to their first home defeat of the season in Bruce’s 100th game in charge of the club.

Wednesday took the lead just after the break when the ball broke to Marco Matias on the edge of the area and he fired a crisp shot into the bottom corner.

John McGinn levelled with a stunning volley that went in off the underside of the bar but Steven Fletcher scored Wednesday’s winner with a header from a Joel Pelupessy cross.

Relive Saturday’s EFL action[1]

Villa dropped to 12th in the Championship table and Bruce acknowledged the supporters’ discontent at the final whistle.

Bruce told BBC WM 95.6: “I can understand people’s frustrations and disappointments but I think that’s only the fifth time in my two years that we’ve been beaten here [at Villa Park].

“It’s difficult at the moment. No matter what I do, in some people’s eyes I’m not going to be the right fit.

“There’s nothing I can do about that. I will stay on the ropes and stay with it. That will never change with me. I’m never going to walk away from a challenge – and it’s certainly been a challenge.

“In some people’s eyes, I will never be the answer, that’s obvious but the one thing that changes it is results so we need a few results. I do believe we’ve got the nucleus of a very decent team again, given time.”

Villa, who have now won just three of their opening nine Championship games, slipped into mid-table, while Wednesday – who won 2-1 at Villa Park for the second season in succession – moved above them to 10th.

After a slow start to the season, Wednesday, who host league leaders Leeds on Friday, have taken 13 points from their past six games.

Line-ups[2]

Match Stats[3]

Live Text[4]

Line-ups

Aston Villa

1Nyland

27El Mohamady

5ChesterBooked at 8mins

15Jedinak

21Hutton

37AdomahSubstituted forBolasieat 68'minutes

14Hourihane

7McGinnBooked at 55mins

10Grealish

26KodjiaSubstituted forEl Ghaziat 78'minutes

18Abraham

Substitutes

4Tuanzebe

6Whelan

11Bolasie

16Bree

20Bjarnason

22El Ghazi

31Bunn

Sheff Wed

25Dawson

15Lees

34Hector

36Pudil

24BakerBooked at 36mins

8Pelupessy

10Bannan

42Penney

20Reach

9FletcherSubstituted forNuhiuat 78'minutes

19MatiasSubstituted forLucas Joãoat 84'minutes

Substitutes

6Fox

7Onomah

17Nuhiu

18Lucas João

28Wildsmith

31Kirby

37Preston

Referee:

David Webb

Attendance:

35,572

Match Stats

Home TeamAston VillaAway TeamSheff Wed

Possession

Home54%

Away46%

Shots

Home18

Away13

Shots on Target

Home4

Away5

Corners

Home3

Away7

Fouls

Home15

Away12

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Aston Villa 1, Sheffield Wednesday 2.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+6'

Second Half ends, Aston Villa 1, Sheffield Wednesday 2.

Posted at 90'+2'

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Posted at 90'+1'

Delay in match Daniel Pudil (Sheffield Wednesday) because of an injury.

Posted at 90'

Foul by Anwar El Ghazi (Aston Villa).

Posted at 90'

Daniel Pudil (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 89'

Offside, Aston Villa. John McGinn tries a through ball, but Yannick Bolasie is caught offside.

Posted at 88'

John McGinn (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 88'

Foul by Atdhe Nuhiu (Sheffield Wednesday).

Posted at 88'

Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 88'

Foul by Michael Hector (Sheffield Wednesday).

Posted at 86'

Attempt blocked. Lucas João (Sheffield Wednesday) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Adam Reach.

Posted at 86'

Attempt blocked. Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ahmed El Mohamady with a cross.

Posted at 85'

Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 85'

Foul by Joey Pelupessy (Sheffield Wednesday).

Posted at 84'

Ørjan Nyland (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 84'

Foul by Atdhe Nuhiu (Sheffield Wednesday).

Substitution

Posted at 84'

Substitution, Sheffield Wednesday. Lucas João replaces Marco Matias.

Posted at 83'

Corner, Sheffield Wednesday. Conceded by James Chester.

Posted at 82'

Attempt missed. Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Yannick Bolasie.

Posted at 81'

Attempt missed. Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick.

Posted at 80'

John McGinn (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 80'

Foul by Michael Hector (Sheffield Wednesday).

Substitution

Posted at 78'

Substitution, Sheffield Wednesday. Atdhe Nuhiu replaces Steven Fletcher.

Substitution

Posted at 78'

Substitution, Aston Villa. Anwar El Ghazi replaces Jonathan Kodjia.

Posted at 76'

Offside, Aston Villa. Yannick Bolasie tries a through ball, but Tammy Abraham is caught offside.

Posted at 76'

Attempt missed. Yannick Bolasie (Aston Villa) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.

Posted at 69'

Attempt blocked. Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jonathan Kodjia.

Substitution

Posted at 68'

Substitution, Aston Villa. Yannick Bolasie replaces Albert Adomah.

Goal!

Posted at 67'

Goal! Aston Villa 1, Sheffield Wednesday 2. Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Joey Pelupessy with a cross following a corner.

Posted at 67'

Corner, Sheffield Wednesday. Conceded by Alan Hutton.

Posted at 66'

Attempt blocked. Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

Posted at 64'

Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Daniel Pudil.

Posted at 64'

Attempt blocked. Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Posted at 63'

Attempt missed. Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday) header from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by Adam Reach with a cross.

Posted at 62'

Attempt saved. Marco Matias (Sheffield Wednesday) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Adam Reach.

Posted at 62'

Attempt saved. Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Adam Reach.

Posted at 60'

Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 60'

Foul by Joey Pelupessy (Sheffield Wednesday).

Posted at 59'

Attempt saved. Albert Adomah (Aston Villa) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Conor Hourihane with a headed pass.

Show more updates

goal

References

^ Relive Saturday’s EFL action (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Line-ups (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Match Stats (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Live Text (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Football

'I'm never going to walk away' – Bruce defiant after Villa lose to Sheff Wed was originally published on 365 Football

[365footballorg-blog]

Hearts: Christophe Berra will not let John Souttar 'get carried away' after Scots call

Hearts captain Christophe Berra has praised club-mate John Souttar’s improvement and insists he will not let the defender “get carried away”.

Uncapped Souttar, 21, has been called up to the Scotland squad[1] for this month’s matches against Belgium and Albania.

Berra, 33, has won 41 Scotland caps and is currently recovering from a hamstring injury.

“His concentration levels have got a lot better,” Berra said.

“Especially, as a defender. When at home, a lot of the time you’re dominating the game, you’ve got to be switched on. There will be tougher times ahead but going away with the squad, he might get a game. It’s only going to be of benefit.

“I’ll be watching out for John. Hopefully he gets on the pitch. Tough games. Albania, I think they’ve done well in the qualifiers in recent years. People might not think a lot of them but they’ve got a lot of good players. You don’t need to speak about Belgium, they’re world class, a top, top team.”

Robertson named new Scotland captain[2]

Souttar thanks Berra for Scotland call[3]

I’ll be back stronger than ever – Berra[4]

Scotland Under-21 cap Souttar joined Hearts from Tynecastle manager Craig Levein’s former club Dundee United in 2016 and Berra returned to Edinburgh last year from Ipswich Town.

“He’s come on leaps and bounds,” said Berra of his team-mate. “He’s got a good right foot, he’s good with the ball at his feet but he’s worked hard on his defending. He’s got really good at just doing the basics right. Great attitude – he wants to learn wants to get better and the only way is up for him.

“His time will come to move on from Hearts. He’s served his club well but there’s a lot of hard work to get done first and foremost. I know he won’t get carried away and I won’t let him get carried away.”

Berra had been ruled for six months after going off injured in last month’s win over Celtic.

And he said of a possible earlier return: “You never know, I’m a quick healer. I’m not going to put a timescale on it.”

References

^ called up to the Scotland squad (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Robertson named new Scotland captain (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Souttar thanks Berra for Scotland call (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ I’ll be back stronger than ever – Berra (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Scottish

Hearts: Christophe Berra will not let John Souttar 'get carried away' after Scots call was originally published on 365 Football

[365footballorg-blog]

Motherwell 'blown away' by Salford's money in transfer market

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson says Salford City “blew us away with money” when the two sides were competing to sign a player.

Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen have sold Adam Rooney to Salford in England’s fifth tier, and will pay the striker a reported £4000-per-week.[1][2]

Robinson says it is getting tougher for Scottish clubs to compete.

“Fifty per cent of National League clubs probably pay more than the bottom half of the Premiership,” he said.

“I tried to sign a National League player and he’s gone to League Two on double the money of my highest-paid player.

“I actually competed with Salford for a couple of players. I got one – Liam Donnelly – and lost out completely on the other. They blew us away with money.

“But it’s not like suddenly we don’t have any money. We probably have a bit more than before, so we’re okay.”

Motherwell boss silent on bullying claims[3]

Aberdeen ‘should not’ lose out to English lower leagues[4]

Scottish Premiership ins & outs[5]

Despite those difficulties, Robinson says he is content with his squad strength.

As well as signing defender Donnelly from Hartlepool United, Robinson has recruited Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, Mark Gillespie and Danny Johnson.

Striker Conor Sammon[6] was also brought in this week on a season-long loan from Hearts and Robinson says that his transfer business is done unless players are sold.

The Fir Park club have rejected offers for defender Cedric Kipre and forward Ryan Bowman from Hull City and Grimsby Town, respectively.

“We are a club that sells players but they won’t be leaving for the money that’s been offered,” Robinson said.

“You have to be fair to the player and not ask for a ridiculous amount. Give us the market value and they can leave.”

References

^ sold Adam Rooney (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ a reported £4000-per-week. (www.eveningexpress.co.uk)

^ Motherwell boss silent on bullying claims (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Aberdeen ‘should not’ lose out to English lower leagues (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Scottish Premiership ins & outs (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Conor Sammon (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Scottish

Motherwell 'blown away' by Salford's money in transfer market was originally published on 365 Football

[365footballorg-blog]

'Football is my little baby - injuries won't make me walk away'

Giuseppe Rossi has been injured for a quarter of his 14-year career as a footballer.

Now 31, the former Manchester United striker is rehabilitating from his fifth major knee injury, and third involving his anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL).

It has taken its toll on the Italy international, but his determination to play is as strong as ever.

“When I sit back and think about it, I get annoyed and you start going around in circles in your head,” he told BBC Sport.

“Every injury has its own story – it took something away, if it’s a World Cup, the European Cup, or a big transfer.

“But the dream doesn’t stop and I am here today living the dream that I have always wanted to and keep trying to gain what I lost.”

Rossi, a free agent after his contract with Genoa expired in May, said his “passion” for football – his “little baby” – has helped him through his darkest days.

And he opened up about playing alongside his idol Ryan Giggs, and the lessons he learned from legendary former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

‘I love the game too much to quit’

Rossi says he has “kinda lost count” of the knee surgeries – “maybe four? Or five?” – that have blighted his career since he left Old Trafford in 2007.

Ferguson did not want him to leave for Villarreal in a £6.7m move,[1] but the headstrong 19-year-old wanted first-team football after three years in a formidable youth team with players such as Gerard Pique, now at Barcelona.

He was a huge success in La Liga but then his injury turmoil began.

In October 2011 he tore the ACL in his right knee.

He suffered a relapse in April 2012 and joined Fiorentina, but did not play again until May 2013.

He sprained ligaments in his right knee in January 2014 and was out for four months.

In August 2014 he suffered a fourth injury to his right knee and missed a year.

Then, in April 2017, during a loan spell Celta Vigo, he ruptured the ACL in his left knee.

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Click to see content: rossi[2]

“Every time it happened when I was performing at a high level and was destined to have a great season – it has always stopped me from doing even greater things,” said Rossi, whose contract with Fiorentina ended last July, five months before he joined Genoa.

“It was tough and got lonely. But for me, thinking about what could have been was a waste of time. You get lost in between a lot of negative thoughts that can harm you psychologically.

“I had to keep my spirits up, say to myself all the work I was doing had a purpose. ‘One day you will get what you want Giuseppe’ – that happened when Genoa called.”

Did Rossi, Villarreal’s all-time top scorer ahead of Diego Forlan, ever consider quitting?

“I sacrificed too much to do that,” he said. “I love this game so much, I could never leave it and say it is done. Nothing can take football away from me, it’s my little baby, my love.

“I believe I deserve to be somewhere and unfortunately I am not there, not because of ability, but because of an injury. I will keep fighting and showing I am able to be where I should be.”

Listen to the latest Euro Leagues Football Show podcast[3]

Fiorentina were the opponents when Rossi made his first start for over a year – and he marked it with a goal, his first for almost 13 months and first in Serie A for four years.

But two months later he is without a club again – his dream now to add to his 30 Italy caps under new coach Roberto Mancini.

“Just being back starting was a big thing for me,” he said. “I was full of emotions and had to hold them in during the game. It was a circle that closed.

“My job now is to show I am back, having fun again and playing the game and could help any team that I am on to get results.

“When you play, you want to make a name for yourself and leave great memories and I think I have done that at every team I have been at, from United to Genoa.”

‘Now I know why Giggs did yoga’

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Rossi is quick to name Manchester United legends Giggs and Paul Scholes as the best players he has played with.

Wales boss Giggs played until he was 40, and the memory of him doing yoga is something that has stuck with Rossi.

“I had never seen it before in my life,” he said. “At 17, I asked myself: ‘I wonder why they do that?’ But now I know. Those small things make a difference.

“All those things I saw and remember from Scholes and Giggs definitely stuck with me and I am doing them now.”

Rossi credits Ferguson, who is is recovering after emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage at the beginning of May, for his “winning mentality”.

“He was awesome. He treated you with the upmost respect whether you were a star of the team or a young player like me,” said Rossi, who joined United from Parma as a 16-year-old.

“Meeting Ferguson on the first day, I saw how humble and down to earth he was.

“He treated his players like they were his children, and the respect he showed a 17-year-old was something I never thought possible.”

<!–

References

^ a £6.7m move, (news.bbc.co.uk)

^ Click to see content: rossi (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Listen to the latest Euro Leagues Football Show podcast (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Football

'Football is my little baby – injuries won't make me walk away' was originally published on 365 Football

[365footballorg-blog]

VAR in English Football League a 'fair way away'

The English Football League is open to the possibility of implementing Video Assistant Referees, but chief executive Shaun Harvey says introducing it in league matches is a “fair way away”.

VAR was first used in a competitive game in England in January, and was in action during this summer’s Fifa World Cup in Russia.[1]

“It has its attractions,” Harvey said.

“But we don’t have the TV cameras in place that are standard fare now at Premier League clubs.”

How does VAR work?[2]

Premier League clubs vote against VAR for 2018-19[3]

VAR in Premier League is ‘inevitable’[4]

VAR can be used in four “match-changing” situations – goals, penalty/no penalty decisions, straight red cards and cases of mistaken identity by the referee.

The FA Cup third-round tie between Brighton and Crystal Palace on 8 January was the first domestic game to use VAR, and it was subsequently used in one Carabao Cup semi-final and the Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City.

Premier League clubs have voted not to use the technology[5] in the coming season, instead agreeing to continue testing it during 2018-19.

However, Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore, who is set to leave his post[6] by the end of this year, says it is “inevitable” that VAR will eventually be introduced in the top flight.

Harvey, meanwhile, says the possible implementation of video technology in the EFL would also be hampered by the extra officials required to supervise it.

“One of our bigger concerns, ultimately, is around match officials and the staffing of it,” he said.

“We need the best officials we have got out live on a Saturday afternoon with a whistle or a flag.

“We need to keep as many of them active in those roles for as long as possible. The primary focus has got to be getting them out into the middle.”

References

^ this summer’s Fifa World Cup in Russia. (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ How does VAR work? (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Premier League clubs vote against VAR for 2018-19 (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ VAR in Premier League is ‘inevitable’ (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ voted not to use the technology (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ leave his post (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Football

VAR in English Football League a 'fair way away' was originally published on 365 Football

[365footballorg-blog]

Tony Watt 'not far away' from return to UK football

Tony Watt admits the coming season is “make or break” for his career, as he targets a return to British football.

The former Celtic forward, 24, is a free agent after leaving Belgian second-tier side OH Leuven in February.

His last competitive match came for English League One Charlton Athletic 11 months ago.

“Hopefully something gets sorted next week; I don’t think I’m far away from having a club,” Watt told BBC Scotland.

“I’ll stay in the UK, I think. People know what I can do, I don’t really feel like I need to sell myself because I reckon if somebody wants me, they’ll get me.

“The hunger is there, it’s not been in question, a couple of bad decisions in terms of where I’ve went have set me back a year or two, but that’s ok, that’s football, and I’ll just need to prolong my career a year or two at the end and get back that lost time.”

‘I’m not a young lad anymore’

Aged just 18, Watt famously scored the winning goal[1] as his Celtic side beat Barcelona in the group stage of the 2012 Champions League, helping Neil Lennon’s men qualify for the last 16.

He moved to Lierse on loan two years later, before signing for Belgian counterparts Standard Liege.

Watt returned to Britain in 2015, joining Charlton, but suffered an injury-hit spell with the Addicts, which included largely fruitless loan stints at Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers and Hearts.

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The striker hoped a second move to Belgium, albeit in the second tier, would reignite his career, and provide him with the matches he craved.

But Leuven sacked manager Dennis van Wijk just six games into last season, and Watt failed to make an appearance under successor Nigel Pearson.

“I took the easy option, I thought,” Watt said of the move. “I dropped down a level, I needed to play games. I could’ve stayed in England, I could probably have come back to Scotland but I was desperate to play games and I thought that was the easiest option for my career.

“I thought I would’ve played every game. Unfortunately the manager got sacked and I wouldn’t have played much, I wasn’t really the new manager’s cup of tea.

“I just want to come back now, play my football and get as many games as possible because people are judging me without playing games – I want them to be judging me when I’m playing games.

“I made sure that I stayed fit, it’s been a long four-five months, because if I go into somebody’s team and they sign me, it’s embarrassing if I’m not fit because I’ve had so long.

“I’m 24 now, I’m at that age where if I waste another year – the last year and the year before probably would be seen as a waste – I’m not a young lad anymore. I need to add more games to my CV.

“It’s probably made me stronger. I know mentally what I can do, and I got through that period.”

‘Negative opinions mean nothing to me’

Watt has spent some of the five months since his Leuven exit training with Aberdeen, due to sharing an agent with Dons boss Derek McInnes, but does not expect to sign for the Pittodrie club.

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He insists he harbours no footballing regrets, and the barbs of those who label him an unfulfilled talent do not faze him.

“I’ve never once come out and said I’m a Champions League player or I should be number one for Scotland or whatever,” he said. “People set goals for you, but my goals are fine.

“If you asked me at 13-14, what would you rather: go and play and not really be known in 20-30 years, or put yourself in the history books at Celtic, have a good career, keep going and at 24 achieve what you’ve achieved, I would say, 100%, give me that.

“The feeling of making everybody proud is all right, but the people that are negative about you, it doesn’t really bother me, their opinion means nothing. The people I’ve made proud will always be with me.”

References

^ scored the winning goal (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Scottish

Tony Watt 'not far away' from return to UK football was originally published on 365 Football

[365footballorg-blog]

Klopp's assistant Buvac 'spending time away' from Liverpool

Liverpool assistant manager Zeljko Buvac will not be involved with the first team until the end of the season for personal reasons.

The Reds are preparing for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Roma, having won last week’s first leg at Anfield 5-2.

There were reports Buvac left Liverpool[1] after a falling out with manager Jurgen Klopp.

However, the Anfield club maintain Buvac remains a employee of the club.

Liverpool consider the matter to be private and say his position at the club will not be affected by his absence.

Buvac became Klopp’s assistant at Mainz in 2001, with the pair having been together at the club during their playing careers.

Klopp was appointed Borussia Dortmund boss in 2008 and took Buvac with him.

The pair helped the club win the Bundesliga title in 2011 and 2012 before he again joined up with Klopp, who was appointed as Liverpool manager in October 2015, at Anfield.

References

^ reports Buvac left Liverpool (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Football

Klopp's assistant Buvac 'spending time away' from Liverpool was originally published on 365 Football