Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea will be in action in Europe this evening, with all three Premier League sides hoping to progress.
United and Tottenham will face Real Sociedad and AZ Alkmaar respectively in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 ties, while Chelsea will take on Copenhagen in their Conference League last-16 tie.
Both United and Spurs are hoping to qualify for next season's Champions League by winning the Europa League and Chelsea are the overwhelming favourites to win the fourth edition of the Conference League.
Here, Mirror Football takes a look at some of the biggest football stories from the past 24 hours...
Man Utd news: Ruben Amorim challenges players after brutal Sir Jim Ratcliffe remark
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Liverpool news: Virgil van Dijk hits out over 'lies' as cup final warning issued](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-virgilvandijk-update-kierantrippier-warning-34846797)
Van Dijk slams "liars"
Virgil van Dijk seems like the most likely of Liverpool's out-of-contract trio to sign a new deal at Anfield, but the club captain is still being cagey about his future and it seems there's a bit of tension now over constant speculation.
Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold have also had ongoing questions about whether they will be Liverpool players beyond the summer. Salah has consistently said he is no closer to agreeing fresh terms while Alexander-Arnold has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid, but there have been reports Van Dijk has signed a new deal and is staying quiet out of respect for the other two players.
But the 33-year-old has hit back at those suggestions as he slammed "liars" who have been speculating on his future. "I’ve no idea," he said about his future after Liverpool's defeat to PSG. "I still have no idea at the moment. Genuinely, I have no idea at the moment. Talks aren’t on hold, nothing’s on hold. I keep saying the same thing. Listen, there are 10 games to go and that’s my full focus.
"If there is news you guys will know it. I don’t even know myself. Everyone knows there are some conversations behind the scenes, but that’s about it. At the moment I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they’re lying to your face."
( Image: Getty Images)
Amorim's challenge
Manchester United face Real Sociedad on Thursday in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie and head coach Ruben Amorim has called on his players to prove owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wrong.
After the Ineos chief claimed some players were “overpaid and not good enough” in an interview at the start of the week, Amorim said that everyone is “underperforming” with United languishing 14th in the Premier League.
But the Portuguese, who is close to welcoming back Mason Mount from his latest injury, added: “The focus is to change his mind and change all the people’s minds.”
( Image: Getty Images)
Trippier sends final warning
Liverpool will be wary of a dangerous Newcastle team in the cup final on Sunday, knowing Eddie Howe's Magpies will be desperate to succeed where they failed in their 2023 Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United.
Newcastle have already taken down Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Arsenal in this competition already - impressively brushing aside the Gunners 4-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals - and will have no fear of the league leaders.
Kieran Trippier has now fired a warning at Liverpool, insisting the team are now more "relaxed" about the final after appearing in the 2023 showpiece and said the club had learned a lot from the experience - including staying too close to Wembley.
"Staying at the Hilton was too close, shall we say," Trippier said after Monday's win away at West Ham. "It’s about learning. The club learned a lot from the first time around. A lot more things are well organised this time. I’m not saying it was bad last time but we’re more prepared because we’ve been in this position now."
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