27/08/2016 Football Focus

A huge thank you to Eilidh Barbour for seat-sitting while I was off

It's 107 hours before the transfer window closes.

These two are going nowhere - at least for the next half an hour.

Hull City's Jake Livermore tells Jermaine about his darkest days.

The mental state I was in needed addressing. It's something a lot

deeper than that that I needed to get off my chest.

The prodigal son - Downing on going back to the Boro.

Lot of people frowned on it, saying I was at a decent Premier League

club in West Ham. It was a risk but I'm back with my home-town club in

the Premier League so it worked out well.

And "Trott"-enham Hotspur - is Spurs fan Laura on track

We'll also hear from Everton's Kevin Mirallas.

But this is how the Premier League weekend looks...

Hull have started the season with two wins from two,

and for Jake Livermore, it's now 15 months since

The midfielder has been telling former Spurs

teammate Jermaine Jenas the full story.

FA Cup, it's what kids dream of. Playing, be involved in those sorts

of games. It's always disappointing to lose a final and what have you,

but there has to be some consolation to be expecting my first son.

Explain to us your feelings after that FA Cup final. One way of

putting it is, it should have been the best weekend of my life, really.

Regardless of the result. We all went back to a do at the Hotel. And

from there I went straight to the hospital where my partner was in

labour. It spiralled out of control. It's a situation you never wish upon

anyone. To lose your child, lose your son, in a scenario which should

be all under control, and was under control at one point, it makes it

that much harder to deal with. But it should have been such a glorious,

happy time for everyone. Everyone was excited. My team-mates, family.

To go to that, it was tragic. What were those days like immediately

following that moment? What I found difficult was, I think, the timing,

because it was the end of the season. With your day to day life at

training, seeing the boys, people can pick up on your behaviour. They

pick up... They know what's happened. But it was the end of the

season and everyone I would normally turn to, like my parents, Park,

grandparents, whoever it might be. Everyone around was affected, in the

family. It was time for me to step up and be that rock of everyone

else. Hull City suspended Jake Livermore. The player tested

positive for cocaine. At this point he must be feeling pretty tracked

with regards where you can turn to for help. -- pretty tracked. Would

you say the drugs were you owe me escape at the time? -- pretty

trapped. Yes. First and foremost, and you have known me longer than

most. It's so far from me as a person, and my traits. -- and my

family traits. The drugs were a problem. And God works in mysterious

ways. I think that was my get out of jail free card. This kid needs help.

At that point nobody knew. That must have been so frustrating for you at

that particular point. Coming back now, I almost felt so relieved. I

remember putting my hands behind my head and laying back in the

manager's office. I remember him looking at me as if to think, are

you serious? It could be two years, four years. At that point it was, I

don't care! At least people know. The mental state I was in needed

addressing. Like I say, the drugs were irrelevant, drink was

irrelevant, performances were irrelevant. It was something a lot

deeper than that that I needed to get off my chest. You say I was too

strong to talk about it or not strong enough to talk about it, but

either way, it didn't come out. How did you feel after the announcement

that it would be put to the side and you could almost get back to doing

what you love? I think once it all came to light, and word started

getting around, the reasons behind why you'd do such a foolish and

desperate thing, and I prefer to say desperate, then I started to get

support from those close to me. It's only once the scenario has happened

is that you realise who is there, and who it would benefit to speak

to. The FA and the PSA, once it all came to light, have been nothing but

supportive. And that's something that I would urge, any trouble that

young players have, go and use those people, talk to those people. That's

something that over the next few months I will continue to do. You

have had another baby now. How are you dealing with fatherhood? Late

nights? Yeah! A few late nights. He's not the best sleeper in the

world. It's fantastic, you know? It's what it's all about. I've been

generally just a happier person within myself. I think that's shown

on the field as well. Going from not being able to play with a smile on

my face for a little while, and now it's finally coming out. Thanks for

talking to us. Thank you. Really good to listen to that. And some

rare honesty from a top football as well. Sometimes we all bank

governing bodies over the head, but they clearly made a wise decision

there, taking account of what he has been through and he's really turning

things around now. He is, that's a really strong, honest interview. The

side of footballer you rarely get to see. He regrets everything he has

done, he let people down, but when that happens then you realise who is

there for you as an individual, and who can get you out of the situation

you are in. He mentions the FA and PFA, and they will always be there

to help us out. They have always been there for me and Jake obviously

needed them. The club were there as well. The club helped him after they

knew about it. Steve Bruce almost felt a bit embarrassed, he said,

that he didn't know enough about Jake Livermore to know what he was

going through, and that was a regret from his time there. Can the

dressing room be a sharing environment on occasions? We know it

can be brutal but can you find people to talk to? I think once it's

out there players are very responsive. But the problem is in

getting it out in the first place. It shows people that he might have a

sign of weakness or vulnerability. As a footballer you are trained not

to show that, because you are playing for your position. You don't

want to show that emotional side for your image. You can only imagine

what he's going through. It must've been horrendous for him. But like

Dion said, the support has been hugely beneficial for him. He and

Hull been playing well this season. Playing against Manchester United.

He's almost playing a centre-half roll now. Can they win a third on

the trot? They can. Probably going to the hardest place, playing

against the team I think we'll be going for the championship this

year. But the way Hull have set up, very difficult to score goals

against. Mike Phelan has done a great job. They will work very hard

and be in Man United's faces all through this game. The only way they

can win this game is through sheer concentration. If they switch off,

they will get beaten, hands down. Maybe a small squad is the future.

13 is enough! Now, if you were watching our

new Premier League Show on Thursday night, then you'd have seen

Gary Lineker's interview with Liverpool boss Jurgen

Klopp. It included a little geography

lesson. You have a map here. That's my specific German... That's not

Germany. It's an England match for German managers because I have no

idea. I know nearly all the clubs but don't know where they are. So if

you tell me where Norwich is there, I would have believed. Now I know.

You know where Leicester is? Yes. I knew some people who lived there

before they became champions. Nottingham, I know because of Robin

Hood. There are a few tricky ones. Tottenham Hotspur. You might

struggle to find that one. Well, the map clearly worked

as Klopp and Liverpool have found their way to White Hart

Lane this lunchtime, They got here all right but there

might be trouble ahead on the road for Jurgen Klopp who seems to be in

fighting something of a battle of wills with the England striker

Daniel Sturridge, who said this week he wasn't happy playing wide. Today

at White Hart Lane, he's not playing at all, on the substitutes' bench.

The return of Sadio Mane means Sturridge misses out, Firmino and

Coutinho making up the front three. James Milner continues at left-back,

preferred again to Alberto Moreno. A different story for Harry Kane.

Vincent Janssen drops to the bench for Tottenham with Dele Alli coming

in. That allows the Spurs England man Harry Kane to play at the number

nine position, the focal point of the attack. You can listen to that

on five live later. Interesting news about Sturridge. Both teams like a

high pressing, intense game. Liverpool have scored lots of goals

will stop the game against Arsenal was incredibly entertaining, great

performance. Today I like Spurs, I like the way they play and they are

equally comfortable pressing teams as well as keeping the ball and

being patient with a slow build-up. I think they have more variety to

their game than Liverpool. All round I think the Spurs quality is also

slightly better than Liverpool. I want to see Daniel Sturridge on the

pitch. That's what I want. I think it's an absolute waste not having

him up front being the number nine and scoring goals for Liverpool. On

the other hand, he is fit and moaning about playing. You are

saying he shouldn't be doing that? You can't moan about it. If you're

getting picked, playing for Liverpool, you can't moan. That's my

mentality. If you are not fit, you want to play. And when you play, you

moan. That doesn't work! Daniel Sturridge has to say to himself, I

need to play games, doesn't matter where it is. If he plays, he will

score goals, Liverpool will be a better side and he will and go on to

score 20 of drive goals. He is easily one of best. Liverpool are

not in Europe this season but Tottenham are.

Tottenham were in Thursday's Champions League draw.

They're in Group E and will play their home games at Wembley.

Arsenal start their Group A campaign with a visit to PSG.

Leicester make their Champions League debut in Group G

which features Porto, Club Brugge and FC Copenhagen.

A battle of Britain looms for Celtic and Manchester City,

and Barcelona's presence means a return to the Nou Camp

Let's talk about that group. I feel sorry for Celtic! Manchester City

permanently get a tough Champions League draw. It will be a

fascinating watch. It will be great, some really good matches. Sometimes

Celtic surprise people, coming up with the performance, and they have

done it against Barcelona before. It's a great group. City against

Barcelona is the big one. We understand it will be City and

Barcelona, and Celtic as well. But Parkhead, I've played there and it

can be quite intimidating, I will put it that way! Claudio Bravo

against his old team as well. From a Leicester perspective, you were

there last season. How will they look at that because their top

seeding has given them a decent group in the Champions League. I

think it's an incredible group for them. I think there will be a sense

of a bit of disappointment that they didn't get one of the big names. But

on the other hand that will have subsided quickly. They will have

analysed the group and think, Porto are a very good team, winning the

Champions League not long ago, but the rest of them, Leicester have a

good opportunity of getting through the group. Arsenal fans have been

complaining for a long time that their team have not been signing

players and they've now spent ?90 million! It's two players by

Wednesday. They will be smiling, looking forward to better days.

The Champions League starts next month but before that...

Gary's full interview with Jurgen Klopp is available

to watch on iPlayer as part of The Premier League Show -

we'll be on there too from midnight tonight.

Jacqui Oatley will have news of Spurs v Liverpool

Garth Crooks and Kevin Kilbane are in the studio.

And Mr Lineker has highlights of all eight Premier League games

in the company of Alan Shearer and Ruud Gullit.

One of those eight matches sees Everton take

It's been a summer of change on the blue half of Merseyside.

Amongst those sensing a bright future is their Belgian

That is a brilliant goal. Everton have won a trophy for the past 25

years and to win a trophy you need the best players. With the new

manager, new chairman, when you sign new players and have a lot of good

players, you need to play well and score. Nice work from Everton! After

my goal the team played well. I like to play fast. Running a lot, keeping

possession. With David Moyes it is a bit different, he knew it was

difficult for me. But he knew me and believed in me. And by a manager

says that you have confidence. Lukaku shows great strength and goes

on. Lukaku! Brilliant goal. Every year you want to score more goals.

Last season I scored 25 goals. All players are hoping he will score

more this season. Everton want to win trophies. And if you want to win

trophies it is important for that. I signed up for the trophy and I hope

this will be the best season for Everton. The fans need that. The

club needs that. A number of new faces

at Everton this summer, There is with excitement now. That

has coincided with the new ownership at Everton as well, they're looking

to build something special. Ronald Koeman has said it is a two-year

process to turn the squad around, into the team that he feels is his

own. There is already a response from the players, Leighton Baines

saying it is a healthy respect for the manager. He is organised. And

they're fitter than last season even though they're only supposedly 70%

fit right now. A slight little dig at last season but it seems to be a

happy camper. What about Lukaku, he will be there for at least another

season? I'm pleased for him, a very good centre forward. He's one of

those players, he can be unplayable when he is on song. He has got to be

mentally stronger and hold the ball better. If that happens he will get

a big move, Lukaku, if he can score some goals. It is all about mental

strength. So things are looking up for Everton.

enjoyed that winning feeling last Saturday,

as the Premier League brought us drama from start to finish.

Sean Dyche and his team celebrate their first victory back at the

highest level. One of the most expressive and emotional managers on

the touchline. Watford lead! Antonio Conte and his men are back level.

So Chelsea leaving it late, but the ever punctual Guy Mowbray

has arrived at Stamford Bridge nice and early.

Perhaps not been as eye-catching as the Manchester clubs,

but Conte's Chelsea are getting the job done?

Yes, and thank you for bringing the Brazilian sunshine back with you!

Late winners in both games scored by Diego Costa, and some would have

argued he should not have been on the pitch. It will not ultimately

come down to luck with Antonio Conte in charge, he's all about hard work

and cold hard tactics. He has used all three substitutions in both

games to win games, to change games. Chelsea can only improve from this

point. No European football might be hard to stomach but for Liverpool

three years ago it won the title for them. Chelsea had an impressive win

last week. But slightly tainted by comments from Andre Gray which have

resurfaced for years after he put them on social media. That has

attracted death -- attention through the week. Yes, it is a shame for

Burnley, a personal shame also for the player, he now has until

Wednesday to respond to the charge. Burnley have been quick to back him,

saying he has grown up a lot in the four years that have passed. That is

a long time and they say they can only comment on the excellent

attitude he has shown in his time with the club. It is then up to the

FA to act in next midweek and whoever -- whatever way they act, it

will upset someone. If there is any positive, it is to remind not just

footballers but all of us that whatever you put out their stays out

there and could come back to bite you. So try to play nice. Enjoy the

game today. And that game is at three o'clock today.

Chelsea v Burnley is at 3pm, whilst tomorrow

Match of the Day 2 Extra returns from 12.15 on BBC2 and 5Live.

Chappers will be back with Match of the Day 2

And I'll be along with a Focus transfer deadline special

Middlesbrough face West Brom on Sunday and no doubt they'll

still be on a high after last week's win at Sunderland.

A particularly sweet one for the local lad, Stewart Downing.

It is a good one, it is a very good one!

Middlesbrough win... Having been with the club when they were

relegated seven years ago, how much personal satisfaction have you got

from being back in the Premier League? A lot of satisfaction,

getting back in the Premier League is a big thing. Leaving it under

relegation in 2009 was not a great way to go out. So I'm pleased for

everyone and personally for me. Did it feel like a risk at the time to

drop down a division? It did, a lot of people frowned upon it, leaving a

decent Premier League club in West town. It was a risk. But I was

willing to take it. I'm back in my hometown and in the Premier League.

Looking back on last season, there were two offence, the closure of the

Redcar steel plant and the death of the legendary commentator Ali

Brownlie. How much did they reignite and bond the players with the

supporters? Ali Brownlie was a bubbly character, great to have

around. The man was an enormous local legend. More popular than

probably the players in the area, he was so well thought. It sad news.

And with the steelworks, it was a massive thing, I know a lot of

friends and family who lost their jobs. It all came together and we

kicked on. Things like that can spur you on. There was a moment in March

when everyone wondered what was going on, the manager on gardening

leave for a game. Is that now completely put to bed? Completely

gone. We were unbeaten in ten, 11 games. It was a good decision in the

end, we kept the manager, he has built the squad again this summer

with new signings. And things have worked out well in the end. Have the

quality of those signings and the names that have come in, as it

surprised you that the club has gone again question mark it did not

surprise me in terms of the calibre of players. It is the first year

back in the Premier League, so maybe a little bit. We had some big

signings. Victor, his CV speaks for himself. He can persuade people to

come to this clap. I have played with a lot of big-name players some

years ago. It makes me feel a bit old! You're the elder statesman now!

I'm just 32. I might be old in football terms! He has got the best

handshake in the business! Another one of your old teams. Stewart took

the decision to drop down and it seems to be paying off. There is a

lot of excitement around. Seven years since they were last in the

Premier League, the club has an enormous amount of potential. Over

ten years in the Premier League when I was there. And ashamed that they

went down. But I think it was a gutsy move to move back. Stewart is

Middlesbrough through and through, he was always going to go back to

Middlesbrough. The chance to go back to his home team and the opportunity

to help them get promoted again was too big to turn down. And West Brom,

Tony Pumas has spoken of the frustrations of the manager over the

summer. A bit of pressure now with the transfer deadline day looming.

Tony will have looked, search, as the questions is it possible. He has

had no luck and it is going to be difficult. Thank you very much.

The Challenge Cup final is on BBC1 from 2pm.

If you've missed anything then Focus is on the iPlayer from midnight,

and we're back at the same time next week.

Now the Rio games brought us many great moments,

but perhaps few more memorable than when Laura Trott

became Britain's most decorated female Olympian.

And it turns out cycling's golden girl knows a thing or two

It is a special Olympic moment for Great Britain. Laura Trott is the

most successful female Olympian of all Time for Bert Britain. It was

incredible to go and be the first female to win four gold medals for

Great Britain. It all came together, it was the perfect Olympics. My mum

and dad support Spurs and my sisters support Arsenal. You know what it is

like with siblings, I chose the team that my sister did not support. I

chose Spurs. Teddy Sheringham used to play for them and I liked the

name Teddy, it was a match made in heaven!

Arsenal are going to lose I would say. 1- nil.

Tottenham Liverpool, that is a tough game. I'm going to stick with

Tottenham but not running away with it. 2-1.