Liverpool, Spurs Want Chelsea’s Sturridge, Mirror Says: Roundup

The following is a roundup of soccer stories from U.K. newspapers, with clickable Internet links.

Sturridge Move

Liverpool and Tottenham want to sign Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge, who is prepared to leave the Blues to further his England career, the Daily Mirror said.

The 23-year-old striker has struggled to get playing time under new coach Roberto di Matteo and wants to move so he can get a place in the national team for the 2014 World Cup, the newspaper said.

Chelsea may sell Sturridge to help fund a bid for Radamel Falcao, who has a 46 million pound ($74 million) buyout clause at Atletico Madrid, the Mirror said.

Arsenal Poaching

Arsenal is set to sign Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao, a long-term target of Tottenham, the Daily Star said.

Arsene Wenger is targeting the 23-year-old to strengthen his attack as Gervinho will be missing in January because of the African Cup of Nations, the newspaper said. Spurs have tried to sign Damiao during each of the last three transfer windows, the Star said.

Suarez Criticism

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny said Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is a “cheat” who goes down too easily to try to win penalties, the Sun reported.

Suarez pulls at defenders and then falls over with a slight touch, according to the Frenchman, who said Suarez attempted to win a penalty during the Gunners’ September match at Anfield, the newspaper said.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has defended Suarez, saying referees have dismissed obvious fouls on the player while giving less convincing penalties to other teams, the Sun said.

Smalling Returns

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling will be available for next weekend’s game against Stoke after recovering from a foot injury, the Daily Express said.

The 22-year-old may play in his first match of the season, giving United coach Alex Ferguson more options. The manager has relied on Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans in defense because of injuries to Smalling and Nemanja Vidic, the newspaper said.

Carroll Slight

Poland F.A. President Zbigniew Boniek, who led the national team to the 1982 World Cup semifinals, said his 8-year-old grandson is a better player than England striker Andy Carroll, the Sun said.

Poland takes on England tonight at home and Boniek said Matteo, his grandson, “moves better on the pitch than Andy Carroll and he has better coordination,” the newspaper said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Christopher Elser at celser@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Christopher Elser at celser@bloomberg.net