SPORTS

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen will use his side's thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur last season as a motivation ahead of their Premier League clash at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers revealed some of the measures that he is currently implementing to keep striker Mario Balotelli focused on his game.

Tournament favorites United States cruised against wild card qualifier Finland in opening day of the FIBA World Cup of Basketball. Day Two proves to be a tougher test as they face Turkey, a seasoned squad that is also hoping to go 2-0 in the early stages of the competitions.

European champions France must be really missing the services of San Antonio point guard Tony Parker as it struggled mightily in Day 1 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup. The French bowed to a relatively improved Brazil by two points, 65-63 in a low scoring affair that was uncharacteristically sloppy on both sides. Now, one of the favorites in Group A is scrambling to avoid a 0-2 hole as it faces Serbia in tonight's game in Palacio Municipal de Deportes de Granada.

Two unscathed teams in group B, Argentina and Croatia will tussle to go for the leadership among the pack and avoid an elimination match-up in the next round against the types of Spain and France in Day 2 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Sevilla, Spain.

England manager Roy Hodgson hopes that Arsenal's Jack Wilshere will be able to replicate his form at club level and take it to the international scene.

Louis van Gaal showed that he is also capable of protecting his players aside from blaming them, or the system, whenever his side would not get the desired result during games.

Manchester United attacker Ashley Young is excited with the arrival of Angel di Maria from Real Madrid.

Manchester United living legend Paul Scholes doubts that Ajax left-back Daley Blind will be able to cope with the physicality of the Premier League, ahead of the latter's impending move to Old Trafford.

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker believes that Calum Chambers has what it takes to succeed at the Emirates.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers revealed that star signing Mario Balotelli is settling fine at Anfield after moving in from AC Milan barely a week.

Louis van Gaal issues more apologies and excuses after Manchester United failed to secure a victory against a newly promoted Burnley side.

Former Tottenham Hotspur reserve Giancarlo Gallifuoco is delighted to have signed with Swansea City.

Montpellier holding midfielder Benjamin Stambouli is set to join Tottenham Hotspur, according to the Ligue 1 side.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is discontented with how his men performed on the defensive end in spite of coming out victorious with a 6-3 scoreline against Everton on Saturday.

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has left Anfield after spending more than eight years at Merseyside.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Lasanna Diarra has joined re-promoted side Queens Park Rangers from Lokomotiv Moscow, according to QPR boss Harry Redknapp.

FC Barcelona midfielder Alex Song has made a move back to London, but with a different club this time, as he joins West Ham United on a season-long loan.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez was satisfied and at the same time disappointed with how his charges performed against Chelsea on Saturday.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho could not hide his disappointment with the way his striker, Diego Costa, was treated by Everton after an own goal by Toffees defender Seamus Coleman.

A warm welcome awaits Manchester United playmaker Shinji Kagawa at the Signal Iduna Park, should he decide to return to the club that propelled his name to prominence, according to Borussia Dortmund ironman Sebastian Kehl.

Hull City boss Steve Bruce revealed that efforts to acquire out-of-favour Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley have been made.

Powerhouse South American teams battle on opening day of the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain as Puerto Rico meets heated rivals Argentina in Group B action of the basketball world championships. Along with Croatia, which recently got their first win over the Philippines on day one; and Greece, Puerto Rico and Argentina are pegged as the teams to advance and even top the group.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino is looking to give last season's runners-up Liverpool a run for their money on Sunday.

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil is grateful for the support that he has received from the fans, after he found himself being feasted on by people from the press during Germany's run to the World Cup.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was all praises for Mesut Ozil following an influential display against Besiktas on Wednesday, helping the north Londoners progress to the group stages of the Champions League.

Dante Exum and Australia begin their FIBA World Cup of Basketball bid against equally dangerous Slovenia in Group D first round pairings at Grand Canaria, Spain.

Even with the absence of superstars LeBron James, Kevin Durant or Carmelo Anthony, Team USA is still handpicked by many to reach at least the finals of the 2014 FIBA World Cup of Basketball. They begin their campaign in Group C against Finland and their hordes of fans at the Bilbao Exhibition Center.

Host country Spain will begin their campaign in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup against FIBA Asia champions Iran in the final game of day 1 in Group A.