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Soccer

Improbable heroes: Supporting cast helps Liverpool bewilder City

On Wednesday, Liverpool’s weakest links were indiscernible from its high-flying stars.

The Reds stunned Manchester City 3-0 at Anfield in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, and amid the goal-scoring exploits of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were stellar performances from Jurgen Klopp’s supporting cast.

Related: Early blitz hands Liverpool commanding lead over City

Trent Alexander-Arnold

There’s a reason that Klopp made a beeline for Trent Alexander-Arnold at the final whistle. The local boy – who’s just 19 years old – looked like a melange of Cafu and Javier Zanetti against City, and for a player who’s occasionally received criticism for positional awareness, Alexander-Arnold was class. The England youth international repeatedly snuffed out Leroy Sane’s probing attacks, making four tackles, seven interceptions, and 10 clearances. Anfield has a new hero.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Forget the redundant comparisons to his time at Arsenal, as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is now playing the most inspired football of his career. So, when he latched onto a rocket of a pass from James Milner to beat a helpless Ederson from distance, it was deserved. Tasked with filling out a three-man midfield alongside Milner and Jordan Henderson, The Ox was stunning, completing 90 percent of his passes and four dribbles going forward, with three tackles, two successful aerial duels, and three key interceptions in a effective two-way role.

Related – Watch: Liverpool stuns Manchester City with 30-minute trio

James Milner

Here’s a list of the last three players to record seven or more assists in a Champions League campaign: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar, James Milner. Thrusted into the starting XI, perhaps because Gini Wijnaldum was quite ordinary on the weekend, or perhaps because Milner’s near-robotic efficiency is the staple of a successful European competitor, the 32-year-old was businesslike in assisting Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal while throwing in five tackles, four clearances, and three interceptions. Decent outing, that.

Andrew Robertson

What a pleasant surprise Andrew Robertson has been. Lured to Anfield in the summer from Hull City for a modest £8-million fee, the Scot has been one of the Premier League’s best full-backs, and on Wednesday, his form carried over to the Champions League. A veritable threat going forward with a penchant for an early pinpoint cross, Robertson, 24, negated Ilkay Gundogan and combined well with Milner while making four tackles and eight clearances for good measure. Manchester City offered nothing in wide positions, and Robertson and companion Alexander-Arnold deserve heaps of praise.

NFL

Sources: Patriots to sign ex-Bills WR Matthews

The Patriots are signing former Bills wide receiver Jordan Matthews to a one-year deal, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

It’s a boost to a New England receiving corps that lost Brandin Cooks to a trade this week and Danny Amendola to free agency.

Matthews, 25, was limited to 10 games for the Bills this past season after being acquired in an August trade from the Philadelphia Eagles.

He suffered a chip fracture in his sternum in his first practice of training camp for Buffalo, and later fractured his thumb in Week 4, missing one game. He also missed one game in November because of a knee injury that later resulted in him being put on injured reserve.

In an Instagram post Dec. 14, Matthews announced he had surgery on his left knee and right ankle.

Matthews finished the 2017 season with a career-low 25 catches for 282 yards and a touchdown.

In three seasons with Philadelphia, Matthews caught 225 passes for 2,673 yards and 19 touchdowns.

ESPN’s Mike Rodak contributed to this report.

Soccer

UEFA, Merseyside Police to probe Manchester City bus attack

Europe’s football governing body, UEFA, and the Merseyside Police both opened investigations on Thursday into the attack on Manchester City’s team bus by Liverpool fans prior to Wednesday’s Champions League tilt at Anfield.

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Liverpool for objects thrown at the bus, while local police have asked the public to submit footage of the incident that saw windows shattered on the team coach as it approached the stadium.

A statement from UEFA confirmed four charges against Liverpool for setting off fireworks, throwing of objects, acts of damage, and crowd disturbances. “The charges of acts of damage and crowd disturbances relate to incidents involving the Manchester City FC team bus. This case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 31 May,” the statement added, per Eurosport, meaning any decision will come upon completion of the Champions League.

Related: Liverpool apologises to Manchester City over team bus damage

Liverpool released a statement prior to the 3-0 victory, apologising to Manchester City and its players and staff, while stating the club would cooperate with local authorities to find those responsible.

“This behaviour by a number of people who threw bottles, cans and pyrotechnics towards the bus is completely unacceptable and we will conduct enquiries to identify who was responsible and bring them to justice,” Merseyside Police commander superintendent Paul White said, per BBC Sport.

No players were hurt but two police suffered injuries, and the bus was later deemed unsafe for use.

NFL

Robert Griffin III fit what Ravens needed: inexpensive insurance policy

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens delivered the most surprising NFL news on Wednesday, when they announced a one-year agreement with quarterback Robert Griffin III.

But this move shouldn’t come as that much of a shock. The Ravens have been looking for an inexpensive but experienced insurance policy at quarterback this offseason, and Griffin fits that profile as well as anyone remaining in free agency.

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“I’m really feeling like we got a steal,” coach John Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh has a point when looking at the alternatives. Some 22 quarterbacks have signed in the first three weeks of free agency, including the likes of David Fales, Tyler Bray and Matt McGloin.

Who’s left? Matt Cassel, Mark Sanchez, Austin Davis and Derek Anderson are among those unsigned. Colin Kaepernick would’ve been another option because he was out of the league last season, like Griffin. But Kaepernick carries more baggage: He is currently involved in a collusion lawsuit against the NFL, and last summer his girlfriend posted a tweet deemed “racist” by Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, who was featured with Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti in the post.

All of a sudden, the addition of Griffin, 28, isn’t so off the wall when looking at the current quarterback landscape. Griffin is a strong-armed quarterback who can make plays with his feet. He has some semblance of a track record, particularly early in his career. The knocks on him have been his inability to stay healthy and a reputation for not being able to read defenses.

With limited cap space, Baltimore had limited choices when looking for a veteran passer. Harbaugh made the point last week that the team couldn’t spend $3 million on a backup, and even suggested that practice-squad quarterback Josh Woodrum could serve as the No. 2. It just would’ve been too much of a gamble to give that job to Woodrum, who has never thrown a regular-season pass.

There’s also no guarantee that Griffin is on Baltimore’s regular-season roster. The Ravens have repeatedly talked about wanting to develop a young passer, and they continued to rave about the depth of this year’s quarterback class. Assistant general manager Eric DeCosta believes eight to 10 quarterbacks in this draft could become starters by the time their rookie deals are over.

If the Ravens select a quarterback in the second or third round, Baltimore could decide to go with a rookie as the primary backup and cut Griffin at the end of the preseason. The Ravens made Tyrod Taylor their No. 2 quarterback in 2011 after drafting him in the sixth round.

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Given how fast quarterbacks fly off the board, Baltimore understands there’s no guarantee the team will get a young passer in this draft. The Ravens haven’t drafted a quarterback the past three years.

Even if the Ravens draft a quarterback, they would still need a fallback plan if the rookie struggles in training camp and the preseason, proving he’s not ready to be the backup right away. This is why Baltimore needed to sign someone like Griffin.

The Ravens’ backup situation has been far from stellar in recent years. Ryan Mallett, who threw five interceptions during one training-camp practice last year, has yet to draw any interest in free agency.

With Joe Flacco’s recent injuries and struggles, the Ravens probably would’ve preferred to sign someone more proven like Chase Daniel, Chad Henne or Drew Stanton. But they all signed deals that averaged better than $3 million per season.

Baltimore didn’t have that luxury, needing to use its cap space to revamp the wide receiver group. The signing of Griffin should be considered one that comes with minimal risks and minimal expectations.

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Soccer