Football news

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina insists he cannot promise “eternal love” to the club. The Spaniard’s Anfield future could hinge on the plans of the American owners, Fenway Sports Group, he has confirmed.

Reina, 28, has claimed he was the subject of offers last summer but has stressed he is currently happy at Liverpool, where Kenny Dalglish’s return as manager has sparked an improvement in the team’s fortunes.

Reina has a contract through to 2016, and said: “I am not announcing my departure – far from it.

“I’ve said lots of times I’m very comfortable at Liverpool. But I’m not prepared to swear eternal love to anyone. That’s impossible. Any player who says that is lying.”

Ancelotti calls on Luiz to keep cool

Carlo Ancelotti admits David Luiz must learn to calm down after narrowly escaping being sent off in Chelsea’s win against Manchester United.

The new £25m signing was lucky to avoid a second yellow card for a cynical foul on Wayne Rooney during Tuesday night’s controversial game at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old’s aggressive approach marred what was otherwise another virtuoso display from the Brazil defender, who had scored a stunning equaliser minutes earlier.

“He has to know English football,” Ancelotti said.

“He has to be more calm on the pitch. He has to improve and change his behaviour.”

Kaladze extends Genoa contract

Georgia defender Kakha Kaladze will play for Serie A club Genoa for another two years after contract talks came to a fruitful end. The 33-year-old, formerly of Milan, joined Genoa last summer and has proved an instant success.

“I left the most successful club in the world and settled into a different reality that could not be compared,” Kaladze told reporters.

“I see Genoa as an ambitious club, though, and I enjoy working with this group of players and the fans who are the best in Italy in terms of passion. I am very happy to stay here until June 2013... at Genoa I am re-living emotions that I had forgotten.”

Yaya Toure defends brother Kolo

Yaya Toure has insisted brother Kolo has the full support of his Manchester City team-mates following his failed drugs test.

Former Arsenal defender Toure has been suspended from playing until a hearing into his case is held by the Football Association, and faces anything up to a two-year ban unless he can come up with some mitigation for testing positive for a ‘specified substance’.

The 29-year-old believes the substance found in his system came from a stimulant contained in one of his wife’s slimming tablets.

Defending his brother and fellow City star, Yaya Toure said: “Kolo is a sane person – he did not use any substance that was illegal.”

Mourinho in airport stabbing scare

A fan tried to stab Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho at a Spanish airport but ended up injuring his bodyguard instead, Spain’s Cadena Ser radio network reported yesterday.

The attack at the La Coruna airport in northwestern Spain, oc-curred when Mourinho was signing autographs late Friday.

The bodyguard only became aware of the four-inch stab wound when he boarded the bus. According to El Mundo newspaper, the attacker had targeted the Portuguese coach.

Real, meanwhile, decided to beef up security for the former Chelsea boss, Cadena Ser reported.

Fellaini: club not to blame for injury

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has absolved the club of any blame regarding his season-ending ankle injury. The 23-year-old’s father had claimed Fellaini should never have played against Sunderland, when he aggravated the injury sustained the previous weekend.

Manager David Moyes has already described Abdellatif Fellaini’s comments as “a load of rubbish” and the player himself has now stepped in to defuse the row.

Fellaini said: “I am aware of comments that have appeared in the media and all I can say is that I was fit to play against Sunderland.

“I am disappointed to have my season ended early but these things happen and nobody is to blame.”

Lennon given 24-hour surveillance

Celtic manager Neil Lennon will likely take a decision on his future during the summer, the club’s first-team coach Alan Thompson has said.

The Irishman has been given 24-hour surveillance and was accompanied to training by a security officer yesterday after a suspicious package addressed to him was intercepted at a Royal Mail sorting office. The item turned out to be a hoax.

Thompson believes it is unlikely that Lennon would consider resigning before his first season as a manager was over, but claims Lennon may consider his position in the summer.

Thompson said: “Only Neil and his family can make that decision but I’d be surprised if he goes anywhere in the next nine or 10 weeks. He’s got strong people around him.”