LONDON, May 21 (Xinhua) — England coach Gareth Southgate produced a surprise on Tuesday when he named his preliminary squad for the forthcoming European Championships when he left out Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.

The absence of Rashford, who has 17 goals in 60 appearances for England, is the biggest surprise in the 33-man squad (which has to be reduced to 26 by June 7), which is also without veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson and central defender Eric Dier, who has been in excellent form for Bayern Munich.

Southgate has included Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw, despite him not playing since February, but with no Ben Chilwell in the squad, if Shaw isn’t fit enough to make the final cut, England will go into the tournament without a specialist left-back.

“I just feel other players in other areas of the pitch have had better seasons,” said Southgate when asked about Rashford’s absence.

Everton’s exciting young defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah are both in the squad, along with Joe Gomez, who could be an option at left-back if Shaw isn’t fit.

20-year-old midfielder Adam Wharton is also given a chance after impressing following his move from Blackburn Rovers to Crystal Palace in January.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Brentford forward Ivan Toney have been given a call up, with Toney perhaps lucky to be preferred to Bournemouth forward Dominic Solanke, who ended the season with 19 goals in the Premier League.

“There’s definitely much more attacking options than compared to other squads,” commented Southgate, who was also happy his players had more “tournament experience.”

“We’re really happy with where the squad is at. But everything starts from zero. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done in the past,” he added.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford.

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, Jarell Quansah, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Curtis Jones, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Adam Wharton.

Forwards: Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins.

Source(s): Xinhua

LONDON, May 20 (Xinhua) — Liverpool have confirmed Feyenoord coach Arne Slot as their new head coach with an announcement on their official website.

“Liverpool Football Club can announce Arne Slot has agreed a deal to become the club’s new head coach, formally taking up the position on June 1, 2024, subject to a work permit.”

“The 45-year-old will join the Reds from Feyenoord ahead of the 2024-25 season after a deal was reached with the Eredivisie club for his services,” explained Liverpool.

Slot’s arrival to replace Klopp has been an open secret in recent days and Jurgen Klopp even lead the supporters at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium in chanting his name as he said ‘goodbye’ after a Sunday’s 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, which ended the season.

Slot joins Liverpool after three years at Feyenoord in which he led them to the 2023 Eredivisie title which was their first title in six years, and this year he followed that success by leading them to the Dutch Cup in April.

Source(s): Xinhua

LONDON, May 19 (Xinhua) — Manchester City claimed the Premier League title on Sunday as Phil Foden scored two early goals that helped them to a 3-1 win at home to West Ham.

The doubts over who would win this season’s Premier League only lasted the two minutes that Phil Foden needed to open the scoring for City in their home game against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

The destiny of the title always rested in Manchester City’s hands as they looked to defend a 2-point lead against Arsenal, knowing a win would give them a fourth consecutive title.

Arsenal needed City to draw or lose while winning their game at home against Everton, but Foden’s opening goal must have felt like a bucket of ice water for the Arsenal fans in the Emirates Stadium hoping for a miracle.

Foden rifled the ball into the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area and then made it 2-0 in the 18th minute to finish off a typical City attacking move.

When Idrissa Gueye gave Everton a 40th-minute lead away to Arsenal, it looked as if everything was going to be over before halftime, but Mohammed Kudus pulled a goal back for West Ham with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 42nd minute and when Takehiro Tomiyasu quickly drew Arsenal level, the title race still had life in it.

It was all over in the 59th minute when Rodri re-established City’s two-goal lead with a powerful shot from the edge of the West Ham area that Alphonse Areola got his fingertips to, but was unable to keep out.

Arsenal also fulfilled their obligations in the 89th minute of their game as Kai Havertz scored a goal that was given after a long VAR check.

The results mean that both Man City and Arsenal have both won their last nine games and the last time either of them failed to win in the Premier League was a 0-0 draw between the two sides in the Etihad Stadium two months ago.

Elsewhere, Jurgen Klopp said an emotional goodbye to Anfield with a 2-0 win as Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers with first half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah, with his side’s task made much easier by Nelson Semedo’s 28th-minute red card for the visitors.

Chelsea’s 2-1 win at home to Bournemouth with goals from Moises Caicedo and Raheem Sterling means they finish sixth and will play next season’s Europa League unless Manchester United beat Manchester City in next weekend’s FA Cup final.

Newcastle United won 4-2 away to Brentford with goals from Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes and if Man City win the FA Cup, they will go into the Conference League.

Manchester United warmed up for the Cup final with a 2-0 away to Brighton on Roberto De Zerbi’s last game as home coach, with second half goals from Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund.

In the remaining matches, Tottenham won 3-0 away to Sheffield United to end their hosts’ miserable season and celebrate their fifth-place finish.

Crystal Palace ended the season on a high with a 4-0 win at home to Aston Villa, who had already assured fourth place.

Nottingham Forest ended any tiny survival doubts with a 2-1 win away to relegated Burnley and Luton Town saw their Premier League adventure end in a way that just about summed up their season as they battled hard, but slipped to a 4-2 defeat at home to Fulham.

Source(s): Xinhua