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After 17 consecutive Open Era editions (1970 to 1985) on grass, the tournament transitioned to hardcourt upon shifting to the Melbourne Park Arena in 1987. Owing to another schedule change, the 1986 edition of the Australian Open - which would have been the last Grand Slam tournament of the season - was instead played as the first one of the 1987 season. You may also like: 10 unique facts about 50 Open Era editions of the Australian Open The inaugural Open era edition of the tournament had just 48 players in the draw....

Rodrigo Moreno’s second international goal gave Spain an early lead in Dusseldorf, but Thomas Muller struck a superb finish to level before the interval. Both sides – the last two winners of the World Cup – had chances to win the game, but David de Gea was the busier goalkeeper, making two brilliant saves to deny Julian Draxler and Ilkay Gundogan. Lopetegui, though, highlighted the strengths of Germany as both European giants extended unbeaten runs that date back to Euro 2016....

A Liverpool supporter was left in a critical condition after trouble erupted outside Anfield in the minutes leading up to kick-off in last week’s opening leg. But after Liverpool issued strict advice to supporters planning to attend the return match in Rome, the police highlighted the good behaviour of the fans who headed to Italy. Away supporters were held back at the Stadio Olimpico for an extended period after the match, which saw the Reds progress to the Champions League final against Real Madrid in Kiev despite a 4-2 loss....

A Leandro Trossard hat-trick ensured the Reds were unable to build on a late win over Ajax last time out that it had been hoped might turn their campaign around. With a number of the same issues that have plagued Jurgen Klopp’s side since early August rearing their heads once again, the German has some thinking to do. Here, we take a look at three key issues with Liverpool’s performance against the Seagulls....

According to Record, Sporting Lisbon are determined to retain Goncalves but are preparing themselves for offers from the cream of European football. The report states that Liverpool are already planning a rebuild for the summer, as they look set to give up their hold on the Premier League trophy. The Reds are already ten points behind Manchester City after losing 4-1 to them at Anfield on Sunday. City have a game in hand as well....

The three Liverpool forwards have a combined total of 34 goals this season, with Salah scoring 20 of them. At their peak during the 2017/18 campaign, the trio scored 57 goals but it is unlikely that they will come close to that total this year. In Liverpool’s recent game with Newcastle United, Salah, Mane and Firmino were all named in the starting lineup alongside Diogo Jota. Given their goalscoring record in the Premier League, many would have expected the Reds to score more than one goal and secure a convincing victory against the Magpies....

Jurgen Klopp’s side opened up a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a resounding 5-1 win over Arsenal on Saturday – a triumph that came after second-placed Tottenham were stunned 3-1 at home by Wolves. A trip to champions Manchester City on January 3 could see Liverpool further strengthen their hand but, after the near miss of a 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in May’s Champions League final, Scotland left-back Robertson knows taking the next step is vital....

According to the Express, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is eager to sign a long-term replacement for Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino. Firmino endured a difficult 2020-21 campaign, during which he managed to score just nine goals in 48 appearances for the Reds. The poor form of Sadio Mane and Firmino this season, combined with the lack of quality options on the bench, has forced Klopp to consider signing reinforcements in attack this summer....

The documentary titled ‘Make Us Dream’ is produced by James Gay-Rees who also produced the famous documentary ‘Senna’ which is based on the late Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna and also the documentary ‘Amy’ based on the life and death of British singer Amy Winehouse. #2 Reds not interested in Aaron Ramsey Liverpool was linked with a move for Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey next summer after his current contract expires....

In case you didn’t know… Van Dijk has emerged as an overwhelming favourite for the Ballon d’Or, following his stand-out performances at the heart of the Liverpool defence last season. The Netherlands international proved to be worthy of every cent of his hefty £75 million fee which Liverpool paid to bring him from Southampton in January 2018. The 28-year-old was an influential figure as the Reds’ defence evolved into one of the best in Europe last term and helped the team concede the fewest goals in the Premier League....

The Reds are currently nine points behind leaders Manchester City, albeit with a game in hand. The Merseysiders put in a dogged display against Crystal Palace on January 23, emerging 3-1 winners on the road in their previous game. After a short break, Liverpool will next face Cardiff City in the FA Cup on Sunday. On that note, here’s a look at the key Liverpool stories as of February 5, 2022....

The Reds entered the contest as the Premier League’s highest scorers, having netted 49 times in 21 fixtures, and welcomed back Philippe Coutinho back into the side. Coutinho handed starting berth Jurgen Klopp’s side found the going tough against the Swans though and recorded their worst return in front of goal since November 2015, failing to even get a shot on target - let alone test Lukasz Fabianski. Liverpool did have Coutinho back in their side for the first time in the Premier League since November, while the creative talents of Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana were included from the start....

In 2022/23, the Reds will be determined to challenge for the biggest prizes again and have already strengthened their squad, easing the loss of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich. It is an eventful preseason schedule for Liverpool, which included games against Manchester United and Crystal Palace in Thailand and Singapore, respectively, before they faced RB Leipzig in Germany. Then it is on to Austria for a clash against Salzburg before a home game against Strasbourg just one day after an earlier-than-usual Community Shield clash with Manchester City....

Following a quick investigation, the English Football Association decided to charge the Italian superstar over an Instagram post which many believed to me racist and anti-Semitic. The post, which Balotelli published last week before quickly deleting it, featured the popular Nintendo character “Super Mario” with the phrase: Don’t be racist! Be like Mario. He’s an Italian plumber, created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican … jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew....

That is the light-hearted view of former Republic of Ireland forward Jon Walters, who has playfully weighed into the tense Premier League title battle. Liverpool are back ahead of City after beating Huddersfield Town 5-0 on Friday, but Jurgen Klopp’s men only lead by two points and have played a game more than the reigning champions. Pep Guardiola’s side will regain top spot if they win at Turf Moor later this weekend and know victories in that encounter and their remaining matches against Leicester City and Brighton and Hove Albion will make them the first back-to-back champions in England’s top flight for a decade....

He said it emotionally — and, understandably, a bit profanely — in a team huddle on the Anfield pitch. “We need to keep calm. Still four big games to come,” he said in the post-match interview. Starting Sunday with Norwich City, Liverpool will be champion if it is able to win each of the four games remaining on its schedule. So it’s not over. But it is compelling, and for the purposes of the competition that will arrive in another couple of months — the 2014 FIFA World Cup — it may be instructive regarding what is possible for England....

MORE: Ronaldo’s amazing career | Hope Solo’s domestic violence case resurfaces Luis Suarez’s departure and Daniel Sturridge’s injury problems contributed to Liverpool’s inconsistent form as it finished in sixth place last season, and Rodgers has now left Anfield after the team registered just three wins from its opening eight games. Jurgen Klopp, who left Borussia Dortmund at the end of last season, is the early frontrunner to replace Rodgers, while Carlo Ancelotti is also being considered....

However, Liverpool are reluctant to cough up the €75 million (£66 million) asking price. Florentino Perez reportedly wants to let go of Rodriguez but his refusal to admit the availability of the 25-year-old Columbian has driven up his asking price. Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Inter have also been contacted by Mendes regarding the transfer of James Rodriguez so at the moment he is available for a transfer and up for grabs....

There is a three point gap between both the teams in the Premier League table, and Liverpool will be hoping to catch their rivals on Sunday. Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal is still under fire, after registering just one win in the last 8 league games, while Jurgen Klopp’s team have shown glimpses of the football everyone expects them to play, but obviously needs more time. Liverpool still have a few players in the treatment room, including key player Daniel Sturridge, while Wayne Rooney is looking in good form for Manchester United, after scoring in three consecutive games....