Klopp to miss Liverpool game

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will miss his team's home game with Sunderland on Saturday due to suspected appendicitis, the club announced.

"Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be absent from today's Barclays Premier League fixture against Sunderland at Anfield, after suffering a suspected bout of appendicitis," Liverpool said on their website.

"First-team duties will be overseen by the remaining members of the coaching staff, including Zeljko Buvac, Peter Krawietz, Pepijn Lijnders and John Achterberg."

Liverpool were eighth in the Premier League table ahead of the game against second-bottom Sunderland at Anfield, 16 points below leaders Leicester City and and 11 points off the Champions League places.

Dauda raring for Hearts debut

Abiola Dauda is eager to make his debut for Scottish side, Heart of Midlothian, after joining in the January transfer window on loan from Vitesse Arnhem.

The 28-year-old Nigerian forward is now primed to play at some stage, or even from the start in the Edinburgh derby when they play hosts to Hibernian in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup at Tynecastle Stadium on Sunday.

It is not the first time that Dauda will play in a derby game, as he recalled featuring in one of the most fierce derby contest while playing for Red Star Belgrade.

The forward, who will wear number 25 till the end of this season with the Jambos, relived his experience of playing in the Eternal Derby for Red Star Belgrade against FK Partizan Belgrade.

He believes that playing in the fiery Belgrade derby has steadied him mentally to adapt in any kind of game.

“A lot of (Red Star Belgrade) fans come to the training pitch and they bring fireworks with them, set them off at the training ground. They make us understand that this is a game for them, that we have to win it for them. We have to respect that. Yeah, it’s scary – quite a few fans would be there, setting off fireworks at the training pitch," Dauda said of his Belgrade derby experience as he prepares for his debut in the Edinburgh derby.

“There would be trouble at the game, fighting and destroying seats. The last time, there was a fire in the stadium and we had to stop the game. The fire was at our stadium, started by Partizan fans because they were losing.

“We won that game 1-0 and that was important for the title. The fans had been at our training ground to make sure we won it! If we lost that derby, yeah, our own supporters would turn on us. I don’t think you could walk the streets for the next few weeks. For sure that’s difficult pressure for a footballer. But it’s about having mental strength.

“The impression they (the fans) give to the players is always: ‘This is for us, you have to do this for us’.”

Dauda has also told supersport.com that he is excited about his new adventure and wants to give his best and lead Hearts to glory.

“Immediately I spoke to the manager I knew I wanted to come here (Hearts) and I’m glad it was able to go through,” he told supersport.com in Edinburgh.

“It’s a new challenge which I am up to. I love scoring goals and that is what I want to do here. I want to make the fans happy and hopefully to win things with Hearts.

“The club has a rich tradition and I want to contribute my own bit to this important club. I hope I get the chance to show what I can do.”

'Plenty left in 31-year-old 'beast' Ronaldo'

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has insisted three-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo still has plenty more years at the top of the game thanks to his superb physical condition.

Ronaldo turned 31 on Friday and has been questioned for his failure to deliver his best performances in the big games this season despite scoring a remarkable 30 goals in 28 games.

Zidane retired at Madrid at just 34, but believes Ronaldo has the physical capabilities to go on longer, and hopes he also finishes his career at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"All being well Cristiano can play longer than me for sure," said the Frenchman on Saturday.

"He feels the responsibility to look after himself and you can see it. He is 31, but physically he is a beast.

"He can continue for many more years and hopefully they are here in Madrid."

Zidane also highlighted his admiration for the exacting standards Ronaldo sets himself having scored 343 goals in 328 games since joining Madrid seven years ago.

"I feel admiration towards him, for the goals he scores, for everything he does, because all lovers of football also adore Cristiano," added Zidane.

"Above all, I like his ambition. His ambition to always want more and to be better. He is never happy with what he has and you see that in training."

"I admire him and I hope that he will continue like this because he is an important player for me, the players and all Madrid fans."

Zidane has an impressive record of three wins and a draw from four games since taking over from Rafael Benitez last month and Madrid continue their chase of Barcelona in the La Liga title race at Granada on Sunday.

However, Zidane insisted he won't rush Gareth Bale back from a calf injury with the Welshman being protected ahead of Madrid's return to Champions League action against Roma on February 17.

"We have preferred to wait a little because he is better but not completely recovered," said Zidane.

"It was best to for him to go bit-by-bit."

Leicester go six clear after outclassing City

Robert Huth's double and a Riyad Mahrez goal sent Premier League leaders Leicester City six points clear after a stunning 3-1 victory at shell-shocked title rivals Manchester City on Saturday.

Leicester produced another exhilarating counter-attacking performance, playing with confidence and swagger in the top-of-the-table clash at the Etihad stadium.

Poor marking allowed defender Huth to sweep in Mahrez's free kick, via a deflection off Martin Demichelis, after three minutes.

Playmaker Mahrez finished off a swift break to score his 14th league goal of a hugely impressive season and double Leicester's lead three minutes into the second half.

Huth headed in a corner on the hour to make it 3-0, proving that Leicester, on 53 points from 25 games, have the quality and belief to make a sustained challenge for a first English top-flight crown.

Sergio Aguero headed a late consolation for the hosts.

Wits beat Arrows at Chatsworth

Bidvest Wits bounced back to their winning ways when they beat Golden Arrows 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at Chatsworth Stadium.

A stunning first half set piece by debutant S’fiso Hlanti gave Gavin Hunt’s men the deserved win as they now move to the second spot on the Absa Premiership log table with 36 points.

The Braamfontein side now trail Mamelodi Sundowns by three points, however, the Brazilians are set to face Free State Stars on Sunday afternoon.

Although both sides started slowly, it was the hosts who first attacked in the 18th minute with Wits allowing Deon Hotto to take a shot when he received a good ball on the far right, but his rushed effort went wide.

In the 22nd minute, Arrows nearly scored when Kudakwashe Mahachi unleashed a shot after a brilliant one-touch move going forward, but the Zimbabwean’s shot on the edge of the box went inches wide.

The Students broke the deadlock through debutant Hlanti in the 28th minute with a well taken free kick after Henrico Botes was fouled, and the ex-AmaZulu beat Mbaeva on his near post with a stunning curler.

In the 30th minute, Wits nearly grabbed a double when Botes took another set piece but it went over the bar.

Two minutes later, Josephs was forced to make a great save to deny Abafana Bes’thende when Rodney Ramagalela took a shot from close range after a corner, but the keeper was equal to the task.

With a few minutes to go to tunnel, Arrows came back strong in injury time with Gladwin Shitolo missing a sitter on the stroke of halftime. A minute later, Khenyeza’s header was denied by the woodwork.

It was 1-0 at halftime and the second half saw Hlanti trying a long range shot in the 50th minute, however, he was ambitious and it was off target.

After 60 minutes into the contest, Wits nearly scored when the man of the match Hlanti delivered a great ball once again from a set piece, but Mbaeva was alert to tip it over the cross bar.

Substitute Mahlatse Makudubela came close to handing Arrows an equaliser just before the 70th minute when he unleashed a thunderbolt, but it hit the woodwork before hitting Josephs to go out for a corner, and Velile Zitha’s follow up effort went wide.

In the 86th minute, Thulani Hlatshwayo tried a volley on the d-line but the skipper’s effort went wide following the host’s failure to clear the ball.

In the end, it was Hunt’s men who held onto their lead and walked away with the three points, handing Clinton Larsen’s men their fourth loss on the trot. Arrows are now placed ninth with 21 points from 17 matches.

Golden Arrows 0

Bidvest Wits (1) 1 (Hlanti 28’)

Golden Arrows: Mbaeva, Katjiukua (Zitha 46’), Mngwengwe, Dube, Bilankulu, Shitolo, Mahachi (Makudubela 58’), Hotto, Ramagalela, Khenyeza (Musonda 66’), Giuricich

Bidvest Wits: Josephs, Hlatshwayo, Khumalo, Vilakazi (Sekese 46’), Hlanti, Botes, Nhlapo, Shongwe, Mosiatlhaga (Klate 84’), Mahlambi (Pelembe 70’), Ntshangase

Aces drop below Wits

Mpumalanga Black Aces dropped below Bidvest Wits, to third on the Absa Premiership standings, following a goalless draw against Bloemfontein Celtic at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday.

The Clever Boys beat Golden Arrows 1-0 in KwaZulu-Natal at the same time.

Having survived an initial onslaught from the visitors, Aces found their rhythm and after Collins Mbesuma tested Partrick Tignyemb with a low drive, Bryce Moon was unlucky to see his rasping effort clip the crossbar on 16 minutes.

The AmaZayoni fullbacks were playing like attackers, Lehlohonolo Nonyane and Moon a constant threat. The duo linked up in a fluent move which ended with a great save by Tignyemb to deny former Mamelodi Sundowns right-back, Moon, from close range.

Siwelele have been steadily improving in recent weeks and were matching Aces in all departments throughout the first stanza. The Free State outfit ended the half like they started it, on the front foot.

A swift counter presented Phunya Sele Sele with a golden opportunity to open the scoring five minutes before the break, Thapelo Morena opting to shoot instead of cross with two Celtic teammates unmarked in the area.

Play was suspended for a few minutes just short of the hour due to heavy rainfall and lightning in the area, with Aces resuming control after the short interval.

But Celtic continued to pose a threat on the counter and should've opened the scoring in the 68th minute. Morena started the attack, playing a neat one-two with Lerato Lamola, but the winger failed to hit the back of the net with the goal at his mercy.

Chasing all three points, head coach Muhsin Ertugral introduced Judas Moseamedi and the striker almost had the desired impact, forcing Tignyemb into a top save in the 75th minute.

The home side continued to press forward for the winner, but were unable to find the decisive goal.

Mpumalanga Black Aces 0

Bloemfontein Celtic 0

Mpumalanga Black Aces: Walters; Moon, Mzava, Ngalo, Nonyane - Jayiya (Moseamedi 72'), Khuboni (Mbatha 81'), Matsi, Modiba - Mulenga (Ngoma 54'), Mbesuma

Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb; Jooste, Fransman, Rikhotso, Letuka (Matuka 60') - Ndengane - Morena, Lakay, Nyatama (April 56') - Lamola (Zuma 77'), Razak

Five key matches in Leicester's title bid

Leicester's fairytale rise from relegation candidates to Premier League title contenders hit a new high on Saturday with a 3-1 win at Manchester City that cemented their hold on first place in the table.

Here AFP Sports looks at five key matches in an incredible season for Claudio Ranieri's side:

Leicester 4 Sunderland 2, August 8

A sign of things to come at the King Power Stadium as Ranieri, a surprise choice to replace Nigel Pearson, won the first match of his reign. The Foxes were three up in 25 minutes and in a sight that would become increasingly familiar it was goals from Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez that did the damage.

Leicester 3 Aston Villa 2, September 13

The never-say-die spirit Ranieri had imbued in his squad was personified by a performance in which they scored three times in the final 18 minutes to come from 2-0 down against Villa. It was one of many unlikely come from behind performances from the Foxes in the first half of the season.

Leicester 2 Chelsea 1, December 14

With critics doubting whether Leicester could last the pace in the title race, Ranieri's men showed their bubble wasn't going to burst any time soon. Vardy and Mahrez, both on target again, gave the Chelsea defence a torrid time and then-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was sacked just days later.

Tottenham 0 Leicester 1, January 13

After a potentially damaging slump over the Christmas period, Leicester returned to form as Robert Huth's goal seven minutes from time earned the visitors a crucial three points against their fellow title contenders.

Manchester City 1 Leicester 3, February 6

This was supposed to be the day that Manuel Pellegrini's men asserted their control in the title race. Instead they were stunned by Leicester's powerful counter-attacking football as two goals from Huth and a brilliant individual effort from Mahrez condemned them to defeat.

Mahrez lights up Etihad

Algerian international winger, Riyad Mahrez, was at his best once again as he scored and inspired his Leicester City teammates to a 3-1 win at fellow EPL title rivals, Manchester City on Saturday.

The 24-year-old was just unplayable in the early kickoff fixture in the English Premier League, as he produced the assist for Leicester's opening goal and followed up with a brilliant individual finish just after the break.

Just two-and-a-half minutes into the game, Mahrez was tripped by Aleksandr Kolarov near Manchester City's box and the winger's lobbed cross was flicked in by Robert Huth for the opening goal.

In the 12th minute, Mahrez nearly had a brace of assists when he picked out Daniel Drinkwater with a through-ball before Joe Hart put out a foot to block his compatriot's effort from going in.

Three minutes into the second half, Mahrez struck. He did not just skip past Nicolas Otamendi but over him and then his step-overs were bought by Martin Demichelis before he fired past a helpless Hart to double Leicester's lead in the top-of-the-table clash.

On the hour mark, Huth got his brace when he rose highest to score Leicester's third, leaving Hart rooted to the spot.

Manchester City could only respond with a late goal from Sergio Aguero, as Mahrez and his Leicester teammates had done the inevitable to take a six-point lead over the chasing pack before Tottenham played Watford.

Mahrez believes the victory at the Etihad Stadium was "a great win for us" and now wants Leicester "to keep going."

"It's a great win for us and we have to keep going, and for our game against Arsenal. I think now we are going to fight for the title. We didn't expect to win (here) 3-1, and we going to keep dreaming and see what happens," said Mahrez after the game.

Mahrez, only bought for a fee of around £400,000 from French club, Le Havre, has been involved in 24 league goals for Leicester City, scoring 14 and assisting 10, in 24 appearances.

No Wikki deals for Agba, Obaje yet

Despite training with Wikki Tourists for the past month, the duo of Godwin Obaje and Samuel Agba have not put pen to paper for the Bauchi-based Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side.

Obaje, who played for the team last season and was their top scorer with seven league goals, recently returned from Slovakia where he trained with AS Trencin but did not get to sign a deal.

Agba, a former Kaduna United striker, played at NPFL club, Enugu Rangers, last season.

The players have teamed up with Wikki Tourists and reports suggest that they have both signed deals with the Bauchi-based side, but according to their manager, Rukayatt Yunusa, nothing is formal yet.

“Obaje and Agba haven’t signed any deal yet with Wikki Tourists, we are waiting for Wikki to meet our demands,” Yunusa told supersport.com.

“Nothing is official yet even though the boys have been with Wikki for sometime. Obaje played there last season and Samuel Agba is there too but there is no deal in place.

“A number of clubs have already contacted me as regards the players so we are waiting to hear from Wikki. If they don’t get back to us soonest we might consider the other offers on the table for the players.”

Sunderland fight back to draw with Liverpool

Adam Johnson and Jermain Defoe scored in the last eight minutes to earn relegation-threatened Sunderland an unlikely 2-2 draw at Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday.

On an afternoon which saw thousands of home fans walk out of Anfield late in the second half in a protest over ticket prices, Liverpool had led 2-0 with goals from Roberto Firmino (59) and Adam Lallana (70).

Firmino headed in at the back post from James Milner's cross and the Brazilian then turned provider for Lallana to make it 2-0, which looked to have provided a tonic for Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp, who was absent after suffering suspected appendicitis.

Yet Johnson pulled one back on 82 minutes when keeper Simon Mignolet allowed his freekick to squirm past him and Defoe completed a fine fightback when he turned and smashed home a minute from time.

Dann goal ends run of defeats for Palace

Crystal Palace ended a run of five successive league defeats with a 1-1 draw at Swansea to deny Francesco Guidolin victory in his first home game in charge of the Premier League strugglers.

Palace, who have taken just three points from the last 24 available, secured a draw with Scott Dann's goal early in the second half.

Gylfi Sigurdsson had fired the home side ahead after 13 minutes, scoring with a fine free kick that he bent over the wall and into the net. It was his fifth goal in his last six Premier League appearances.

The Icelander almost won it for the Swans but Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey dived at full stretch to keep out another free kick.

Torres nets 100th Atletico goal in over Eibar

Substitute Fernando Torres scored his 100th goal for Atletico Madrid as they came from a goal down to beat Eibar 3-1 at home on Saturday and go level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Two headed goals from corners by central defenders Jose Maria Gimenez and Saul in seven minutes put Atletico on track after Keko had put Eibar ahead in the 46th.

Coach Diego Simeone will be glad his team ended a run of four matches without a win in La Liga and King's Cup while Torres, who scored in added time, had been waiting since the win at Eibar in September to reach his Atletico century.

Atletico are unlikely to stay equal top on 51 points past Sunday when rampant Barcelona, who have the superior goal difference and two matches in hand, visit bottom team Levante.

Real Madrid, away to Granada on Sunday, are third four points back.

Spurs forge into second spot

Dele Alli came off the bench to set up Kieran Trippier's first goal for Tottenham Hotspur and seal a 1-0 win over Watford that lifted them into second place in the Premier League on Saturday.

Spurs' tremendous teenage prospect Alli had been left out the starting XI following his withdrawal at halftime against Norwich in midweek because he was suffering from a dizzy spell.

Yet after Spurs had dominated affairs only to find Huerelho Gomes an imposing obstacle in Watford's goal, Alli was introduced just after the hour and, within three minutes, his pinpoint low cross from the left gave the excellent Tripper a tap-in at the far post.

Alli's fifth assist to go with six goals in his last 13 Premier League games was a harsh reward for the dazzling performance by Gomes, who had twice thwarted Ben Davies in the first half and Son Heung-min after the break.

Zanaco wary of Green Buffaloes

Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba says they will not underrate their 2016 Charity Shield semifinal opponents Green Buffaloes.

The two sides will meet in the last four of the season opening tournament on February 20 in Lusaka.

Zanaco were unbeaten against Buffalos last season, beating beat their local rivals 3-0 away in the first leg league meeting of their Lusaka derby at Woodlands Stadium but were later held to a 1-1 draw a home at Sunset Stadium in the second half of the 2015 season.

“Yes, we beat them away and drew at home but this year is a different one,” Numba said.

“Buffaloes improved very much in the second round of last season and we must be ready for a tough match this time, but we must fight to win.”

Buffaloes' strong surge in the second half of the 2015 season saw them finish fourth and capped one of their best runs in five years by lifting the Barclays Cup at the end of last term.

Zanaco finished second last season and four points behind defending Charity Shield and Faz Super League champions Zesco United.

The winner of the Zanaco-Buffaloes match will face the victor of the Zesco-Power Dynamos clash in the final on March 5.

Atletico's Luis's ban reduced

Atletico Madrid left-back Filipe Luis's ban for a dangerous challenge on World Player of the Year Lionel Messi has been reduced from three games to one after the club's appeal was upheld on Thursday.

Luis was shown a straight red card just before halftime in Atletico's 2-1 defeat to Barcelona last weekend for catching Messi on his left knee with his studs, sparking wild protests from Barca boss Luis Enrique.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) initially said the suspension was due to the "special seriousness" of the challenge.

However, Atletico claimed the ban was excessive and had their case upheld by the Federation's Appeals Committee.

Atletico are still facing a defensive crisis for the visit of Eibar on Saturday with Diego Godin and Juanfran also suspended and Stefan Savic struggling with a thigh strain.

Sevilla on the verge of Cup final

French striker Kevin Gameiro struck twice and missed a penalty to put Sevilla on the brink of reaching a Copa del Rey final against Barcelona with a 4-0 semifinal, first-leg win over Celta Vigo on Thursday.

Barca's place in a fifth final in six years is assured after they thrashed Valencia 7-0 in the first-leg of their semifinal on Wednesday.

Sevilla have now won 12 consecutive games at home in all competitions and were worthy winners, even if the scoreline flattered Unai Emery's men.

Gameiro had a great chance to open the scoring after half an hour but saw his spot-kick brilliantly saved by Ruben Blanco.

Celta then came desperately close to a precious away goal as Sergi Gomez headed against the bar before Pablo Hernandez flashed a shot inches wide on the counter-attack.

However, Sevilla's pressure was rewarded in the last action of the first-half as Adil Rami rose highest to head home from a corner.

Gameiro then killed the tie with two goals in three minutes after the break as he sped in behind the Celta defence before coolly slotting past Blanco on both occasions.

And Michael Krohn-Dehli rounded off a fine night for Sevilla with the fourth against his old club three minutes from time.

Pochettino urges Spurs to make history

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has urged his players to work hard at making history rather than waste time talking about it.

Pochettino's side host Watford on Saturday in a position of strength only supporters of a certain age will be able to recall at White Hart Lane.

They will kick off in third place in the Premier League table, behind leaders Leicester and Manchester City, who will have just completed a match against each other earlier in the day.

Tottenham have not been English champions since 1961 or even realistic challengers since the mid-1980s, and have qualified for the Champions League just once, in 2010.

Pochettino's players, currently five points behind Leicester, have the opportunity to become White Hart Lane legends therefore, but the Argentinian was in no mood to make predictions.

"In football, in my experience, it's better to show than to speak," he said.

"In football when you speak too much only you can wait for the worst. It's important to show more than to speak, and to do something more than you say 'I will do this'.

"What we've shown from the beginning of the season is a signal that we are in a very good way.

"We've arrived in this moment because we've worked very hard from the beginning and we cannot do something different in the future – we need to keep the same way."

A 3-0 win at Norwich on Tuesday moved Spurs ahead of Arsenal, who had drawn 0-0 at home to Southampton.

Arsenal have finished above Tottenham every season since 1996 and many Gunners fans jokingly like to celebrate 'St Totteringham's Day' – the point in each campaign when it becomes mathematically impossible for Spurs to overtake them.

MOTIVATION

Ending that run would improve Pochettino's status as well but he insisted: "It's not my main motivation.

"I can feel that this is very important for our supporters, for all the people that love Tottenham, to be above them because the reality is they're our sport enemy and you can feel that.

"But for me it's very important to care about our goals or objectives and not think too much about our opponents.

"We're the most important people, we need to try to keep our way and it's not important what Arsenal do, or Manchester City or Leicester or different clubs."

Jamie Vardy's 18 goals have propelled Leicester to the summit and he is leading the race to finish as top scorer.

Tottenham's Harry Kane is joint second with 15, one goal ahead of the man the Spurs defence must watch closely on Saturday, Odion Ighalo.

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero and Leicester's Riyad Mahrez both have 13.

Pochettino believes England duo Kane and Vardy are now on a par with Argentina superstar Aguero.

"Today I think that Vardy and Kane show big quality, or the same qualities as Aguero," Pochettino said.

"It's true that all are different and come from different circumstances. But today Vardy and Kane are in the same level as Aguero."

Watford have impressed in their first season back in the Premier League and shared a 0-0 draw with champions Chelsea on Wednesday.

That game saw Watford defender Juan Carlos Paredes accused of trying to get Chelsea striker Diego Costa sent off.

The Ecuadorian went down clutching his face as if he had been struck and Hornets captain Troy Deeney admitted he hadn't been impressed with his teammate.

"I am a big guy so when I go down, normally it hurts," he said. "I don't throw myself on the floor. I am just brought up old-school and I don't get why would you go down.

"I don't think if I go down, roll around and hold my face people are going to think I am cool, they are going to think you look more of an idiot, to be honest."

Fatigue takes toll on over-worked Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits tiredness looks to be catching up with his players ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Sunderland.

Klopp's side played nine games in all competitions in January before kicking-off their equally hectic February schedule with a lacklustre performance in a 2-0 defeat at league leaders Leicester in midweek.

"Leicester had 10 days off and we had three games, so if we could have played at the same intensity, absolutely even, like them then I think they would have done something wrong," said Klopp after two goals from Jamie Vardy handed Liverpool a third defeat in five league games.

The Reds have won just once in that run to slip to eighth place in the table and there is little time for rest with the visit of Sunderland, fighting for their lives as they look to avoid relegation, the first of six games in the space of three weeks, culminating in the League Cup final against Manchester City on February 28.

No major new signings in the January transfer window have reduced Klopp's ability to freshen things up as he continues largely with the squad he inherited from Brendan Rodgers last October.

On the plus side, he does have a couple of attacking players on the way back from injury as he looks to keep Liverpool challenging in the league, the FA and League Cups and the Europa League.

Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi were both due to resume training on Thursday and could be back to face Sunderland, who were beaten 1-0 by the Merseysiders at the end of December.

England international Daniel Sturridge has also resumed training following another spell on the sidelines but the injury-hit striker, whose last appearance was at the start of December and who has played only five league games this season, is not expected to return on Saturday or for Liverpool's FA Cup fourth-round replay at West Ham next Tuesday.

- Distraction -

Klopp will therefore need to continue to look for goals from elsewhere following a three-match goalless run as Liverpool play their only league game of the month.

Some supporters plan a walk-out in the 77th-minute in protest over increased ticket prices, but the players will hope that is not a distraction as they to bounce back from their midweek defeat and record a first home league win since Boxing Day.

"You can't really change anything anymore, so the only thing you have to do is learn from the mistakes you made and take the positives into the next game," said Reds goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

"When we play at home against Sunderland we have to take the three points."

Wahbi Khazri insists Sunderland can still avoid relegation as the 24-year-old prepares to make his full debut for the club.

The Tunisia midfielder impressed as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 midweek defeat at home to Manchester City that leaves Sam Allardyce's side second bottom and four points adrift of safety with 14 games remaining.

Sunderland's decade-long stay in the top flight is under threat after just two wins in their last 10 matches, but Khazri said: "We're in a difficult position in the league, it's very serious and we need points.

"But there are still a lot of games left and plenty of points to pick up if we work together. A couple of quick victories will really help us.

"We put in a good performance against a top team in City, so let's see if we can do the same against Liverpool."

Allardyce reports no fresh injury concerns, with Khazri set to replace Dutch international Jeremain Lens in the starting line-up at Anfield, where Sunderland haven't won in 17 visits since 1983.

Pellegrini in spotlight for Leicester showdown

Manchester City's home supporters will have their first opportunity to begin a drawn out farewell to Manual Pellegrini when their team face Leicester in a contest that will play a major role in deciding the Premier League title race.

Until Monday's announcement that City boss Pellegrini will be replaced by Bayern Munich's Pep Guardiola at the end of the season, it appeared this game would be all about first place in the table and the displays of City's Sergio Aguero and Leicester's Jamie Vardy, two of the division's most in-form stars.

But Pellegrini, who received a rapturous response from City supporters during Tuesday's victory at Sunderland, looks sure to dominate proceedings on Saturday when he appears before his home crowd for the first time since his departure was confirmed.

There had been speculation that City's decision not to renew Pellegrini's contract when it expires later this year might unsettle a team still pushing for honours on four fronts.

But City's assured performance at Sunderland suggested otherwise and that ability to concentrate on the game ahead, rather than focusing too far into the future, is what will see them through the campaign according to French defender Gael Clichy.

"We need to make ourselves hard to beat and that's what we did," Clichy said.

"Three points are three points - what we're trying to do is take every game as it comes and see how it goes.

"When you come to somewhere like Sunderland and keep a clean sheet and win it's really satisfying. We have Leicester on Saturday so let's make it count and get those three points."

SHOCK LEADERS

While all eyes on the field will be on Aguero and Vardy, Pellegrini must decide whether another exciting forward, Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho, keeps his place after an FA Cup hat-trick at Aston Villa last week and a rare start against Sunderland.

Aguero suffered an injury to his calf in scoring the winning goal at Sunderland, but he is expected to be fit, while midfielder Fabian Delph is close to a return from a minor calf injury of his own.

Despite their three-point lead over City at the top and Tuesday's impressive victory against Liverpool, Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri still refuses to acknowledge his shock leaders are serious title contenders.

The Italian claims a top-four finish would still be "amazing" despite a 10-point lead over fifth-placed Manchester United and Ranieri is adamant he will not talk up Leicester's chances of finishing top despite the growing belief among their supporters.

"I'd like to say yes we can but I am not Barack Obama,'" joked Ranieri.

"It is difficult for me to say this. If I maintain the suspense it is much better.

"My players are very intelligent in every situation. Maybe everybody believes in something special and they are working for something special. This is important.

"If we arrive fourth and go in Champions League, it is unbelievable, amazing.

"I think all the people understand we are doing something extraordinary so far.

"What happens in the future, I don't know, but already we gave a very good gift to our fans. What happened this season is not real."

Ranieri must decide whether Daniel Amartey, his January signing from FC Copenhagen, is ready for a first appearance in the match-day squad, but the starting line-up is likely to remain unchanged from the victory over Liverpool.

Vardy scored twice, including a goal-of-the-season contender, against the Reds, while Riyad Mahrez underlined his return to form with an eye-catching display, and Ranieri believes his players have learned how to beat the best during their incredible season.

"I want the intelligent men," said Ranieri. "You have intelligent men, you can improve the players.

"You can be a fantastic player but a stupid man, and you cannot improve. I have very intelligent players."

Bayern face Leverkusen after turbulent week

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich head to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday looking for three points to steady the ship again after a turbulent week.

Bayern head to the Rhineland in rude health with an eight-point lead in the table, but there have been plenty of tensions off the field in the last five days.

On Monday, football's worst kept secret was confirmed when coach Pep Guardiola announced he will take charge at Manchester City next season in a three-year deal reported to be worth more than £15 million ($21.5 million, 20 million euros) per year.

Despite chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge commenting last Sunday that "there is no quality on the market", Bayern signed Germany international Serdar Tasci on Monday in a loan deal to cover their dearth of central defenders.

With Javi Martinez, Jerome Boateng and Medhi Benatia all sidelined, Holger Badstuber is their only fully fit centre-back.

Unfortunately, Tasci then suffered a concussion in his first training session on Wednesday – 48 hours after signing until June from Spartak Moscow – and will sit out the Leverkusen match.

Then magazine Sport Bild alleged midfielder Arturo Vidal was repeatedly drunk during Bayern's January training camp in Qatar and both the club and player have said they will take legal action.

Bayern's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer says the squad has blanked out the off-field turmoil and are focused solely on Leverkusen.

"The things which they try to stick on the team don't affect us. I can only repeat that we stick together," said Neuer.

Bayern has only won six of the last 13 games against Leverkusen, a poor return by their lofty standards, and Bayer beat the Bavarians 2-0 last May when last year's league title was already won.

‘CHICHARITO ON FIRE’

Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last six games, dating back to the start of December, and their ex-Manchester United striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez is knocking in goals for fun.

'Chicharito' has hit 13 goals in 16 league appearances while Bayern's Robert Lewandowski has scored 19 goals in 19.

The Mexican striker has played in every league game since his arrival last August, and his second-half double in last Saturday's 3-0 win over Hanover 96 left Leverkusen fourth in the table.

"Chicharito was really on fire in the last few minutes and that's why you must never take a player like him off," admitted Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt after Hernandez has forged a strong partership alongside Germany striker Stefan Kiessling.

"He's always capable of deciding a game on his own."

Second plays third in the capital when Borussia Dortmund visit Hertha Berlin.

Third-placed Hertha are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions and have lost just one of their last nine after their 2-0 loss at Bayern's Allianz Arena in November.

Dortmund have won both of their games in 2016 and are ten points clear of Berlin.

Pal Dardai's Hertha will need to try and stop Dortmund's Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The hot-shot striker has scored 20 goals in 19 games, two ahead of Bayern legend Gerd Mueller at the same stage of the season when he scored the record of 40 goals in the 1971/72 campaign season.

"If I am honest, we only have a small chance of winning," said Dardai, with a sell-out crowd of 74 500 expected in Berlin.

"But we'll be playing for the win, and if so many of our fans come, we'll want to go out to attack and not play with five at the back."

Fixtures (all times 1430 unless stated)

Playing Friday

Borussia Moenchengladbach v Werder Bremen (1930)

Saturday

Schalke v Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt v VfB Stuttgart, Hanover 96 v Mainz 05, Hertha Berlin v Borussia Dortmund, Ingolstadt v Augsburg, Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich (1730)

Sunday

Hamburg v Cologne, Hoffenheim v Darmstadt (1730)