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Soccer

Klopp: Liverpool did 'everything' to encourage Coutinho to stay

Jurgen Klopp provided an immediate reaction to the news that Liverpool and Barcelona reached an agreement for the sale of Philippe Coutinho on Saturday.

The German manager insisted his club did “everything” in its power to try and convince the attacking midfielder that his future remained on Merseyside, but that the player was “insistent with me, the owners, and even his teammates this was a move he was desperate to make happen.”

“It is with great reluctance that we – as a team and club – prepare to say farewell to a good friend, a wonderful person and a fantastic player in Philippe Coutinho,” Klopp’s statement began.

“It is no secret that Philippe has wanted this move to happen since July, when Barcelona first made their interest known.”

The reported cost of the deal is an initial £105 million. The fee would then bloat to £142 million (€160 million) after the following payments:

  • £17 million after Coutinho plays 100 matches for Barcelona
  • £4.4 million for Champions League qualification in each of his first two seasons
  • £4.4 million if Barcelona wins the Champions League

Related – Poll: Should Liverpool fans be happy with €160M for Coutinho?

“I can tell the Liverpool supporters that we, as a club, have done everything within our means to convince Philippe that remaining part of LFC was as attractive as moving to Spain, but he is 100 per cent certain his future – and that of his family – belongs at Barcelona,” Klopp continued. “It is his dream and I am now convinced there is nothing left at our disposal to change his mind.

“Philippe has made a fantastic contribution to this club over his five years of service and as disappointed as we are he doesn’t want to extend that, the relationship we have for him means with a heavy heart we wish him well.”

Despite Coutinho sitting out Liverpool’s matches with a supposed injury since the January transfer window opened, Klopp stressed that the Brazilian’s commitment on the pitch, in training, and to the club cannot be questioned. He also said Liverpool’s “aggressive progression” is unwavering despite Coutinho’s departure, and that with the board he will oversee “continued investment into the playing squad, which will allow more growth and more improvement.”

NFL

Landry ($48K) one of 3 fined in Bills-Fins tussle

Jarvis Landry was one of three players fined for last Sunday’s fourth-quarter melee against the Buffalo Bills, with the Miami Dolphins receiver being forced to cough up $48,620.

Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake and Bills cornerback Leonard Johnson were each fined $12,154.

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As a repeat offender, Landry’s fine was higher compared to the other two. The receiver was fined $48,618 a year ago for grabbing his crotch and spiking his helmet during a touchdown. celebration.

Both Landy and Drake were ejected after the fourth-quarter tussle in Miami that resulted in six flags and plenty of talk afterward.

Following his 1-yard touchdown catch, Landry shoved Bills safety Jordan Poyer, which set off a skirmish involving multiple players from both teams. Drake also was involved and threw his helmet after getting pulled from the pile.

Landry, Drake and Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills all received 15-yard penalties. Poyer and Johnson also were hit with unnecessary roughness penalties for Buffalo.

Landry said after the game that he was reacting in self-defense.

“I was just defending myself,” Landry said. “I guess the second person is always getting caught.”

Miami coach Adam Gase later called the brawl, and specifically Landry’s role in it, “embarrassing.”

NFL

Shazier has regained feeling in legs, report says

PITTSBURGH — Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier has regained feeling in his legs, according to a report by WPXI-Pittsburgh.

Shazier’s father, Vernon, declined to offer specifics on his son’s current condition but did recall the moments after he suffered the spinal injury during a Dec. 4 Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“He said, ‘Daddy, pray for me. I can’t feel my legs,’ ” an emotional Vernon Shazier said in an on-camera interview with WPXI, recounting his son’s call from the hospital.

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Shazier, a two-time Pro Bowler, underwent spinal stabilization surgery Dec. 7 at a University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospital, where he’s also undergoing rehabilitation.

Vernon Shazier said he won’t offer specifics on Ryan’s condition “until [Ryan is] ready to share where he’s at” but did note that his son is “making progress daily.”

“He’s a long way from where he was on that Monday night when he was laying on the field,” Vernon Shazier said.

Ryan Shazier has served as an emotional touchstone for the Steelers, who have paid tribute to their teammate with customized No. 50 shirts and cleats and constant hospital visits. Shazier watched the team’s Week 15 matchup with the New England Patriots from a Heinz Field suite, causing a roar from the home crowd when he appeared on the giant video screen there.

Vernon Shazier, a pastor who recently began giving sermons again, recalled wanting to switch positions with his son when he first saw the injury.

Now, he envisions Ryan one day playing football again.

“I Shalieve,” he said.

ESPN’s Katherine Terrell contributed to this report.

NFL

Decisions by Darnold, Rosen bring clarity to Browns' draft

The Cleveland Browns’ draft got simpler Wednesday night.

Decisions by USC’s Sam Darnold and UCLA’s Josh Rosen to enter the 2018 NFL draft mean the Browns can choose between the top two quarterbacks with the first overall pick.

The pick here is Darnold, the best pocket passer in the draft and a guy with size, arm strength and the ability to play the position.

When: April 26-April 28
Where: Arlington, Texas
NFL draft home page » | Projected order »

• 2018 draft QB class primer »
•InsiderTodd McShay’s Mock Draft 1.0 »
•InsiderMcShay’s Top 32 »
•InsiderMel Kiper’s Big Board »
• Kiper, McShay answer 25 questions »
• Underclassmen who have declared »

Rosen is close in ability — Mel Kiper and Todd McShay have him as the top-ranked quarterback — but given his obliquely stated preference not to play in Cleveland, the Browns would be wise to go with Darnold.

That would give them two young quarterbacks in Darnold and DeShone Kizer, whose final game of 2017 against Pittsburgh was impressive enough that he has to be in the mix.

Add a veteran who can play if needed and the Browns would be even better served. The thinking on Darnold is he is the best prospect, but he might not be ready to play right away.

That thinking can change. Carson Wentz was supposed to sit behind Sam Bradford as a rookie, but he earned the right to be on the field for the Eagles in 2016. The same could happen with Darnold and Kizer.

If the Browns could head toward the 2018 season with a quarterback group that includes a veteran, Kizer and Darnold, it would be a quantum upgrade from the 2017 group that featured a rookie Kizer, Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler.

The Browns don’t need to overthink this. Taking Darnold is the best option, though if their rankings have Rosen as the clear better choice, so be it. Take him, then chuckle if he threatens to sit out. Either way, it’s a clear picture.

As for the No. 4 overall pick, this is also simple.

There are two players who could go at that spot, both of whom would be immediate upgrades (on paper): Penn State running back Saquon Barkley and Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Barkley would step in for Isaiah Crowell, who appears likely to leave via free agency. Fitzpatrick, who has the ability to play corner and the versatility to play any secondary position, could step in immediately.

There are some who say the defensive back takes precedence over a running back and that it’s not wise to take a running back fourth. There might be merit to the thinking. Teams have had success finding backs in lower rounds; Crowell was undrafted. A top defensive back can make a huge difference to a defense.

But Barkley is a special player who’s worth going against the grain. Think Todd Gurley when pondering if drafting a running back high is wise. There would be nothing wrong with Barkley at No. 4.

The draft in some years is a complex web of tough decisions. In other years, the picture is clear.

This year, the Browns are fortunate. The picture is clear.

With the first pick, they should take Darnold (with Rosen as the alternate). With the fourth pick, it should be whoever is left or better ranked between Barkley and Fitzpatrick.

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