Liverpool midfielder Cameron Brannagan is desperate to impress Jurgen Klopp and avoid following discarded youngsters Jordan Ibe and Brad Smith out of the Anfield door.

Ibe joined Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth for £15million while Smith has agreed personal terms on a £6million deal to join his former team-mate on the south coast.

But Brannagan has not given up on a first-team future as Klopp’s men ramp up their pre-season preparations in the United States ahead of International Champions Cup fixtures with Chelsea, AC Milan and Barcelona.

The 20-year-old midfielder could yet head out on loan – with Bristol City, Bradford and Wigan potential destinations – but Brannagan himself is itching to make his mark for Liverpool.

“It’s a big opportunity for me and I need to keep working hard and see where it takes me,” said Brannagan.

“If I get my chance in the games then I need to try and take it and see what happens.

“That’s the target every year – to try and beat your number from last year, but I’ll have to see what happens. Hopefully I can get another chance this year and take it.”

With a loan move looming, Brannagan – who made nine first-team appearances for the Reds last season – said he has faith in Klopp’s judgement.

“If it’s not here and the manager says I need to go on loan to get first-team football there then I’ll do that,” the rising star said.

“I’m only young and want to play games to get my fitness level up. I want to show everyone what I can do.”

Sportsbeat 2016

Pep Guardiola could welcome an old friend to Manchester City after a former Barcelona president claimed there is a “conspiracy” to sell Lionel Messi.

Former Barca president Joan Laporta believes “certain powers” at the Catalunya giants want rid of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Though Messi is rumoured to have agreed a new contract at the Nou Camp two weeks ago, Laporta – who made Guardiola first-team coach while president – thinks the Argentinean is being pushed out of the door.

“There are certain powers who want Messi to no longer be a Barca player,” Laporta said.

“The club has let the player down, the best player in history, the best player in the world. We have a president and a board that didn’t accompany him when he had to testify in court.”

According to the Manchester Evening News, City are trying to quell any hopes of Messi ever leaving Barcelona, but they are nevertheless primed to profit if he does.

Given the close and incredibly successful relationship Guardiola and Messi shared at Barcelona, as well as an existing bond with City chief executive Ferran Soriano and football director Txiki Begiristain, they would surely lead any race to sign the 29-year-old.

Messi and his Barcelona team-mates are currently involved in a six-day pre-season training camp at England’s St. George’s Park before their friendly with Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Sportsbeat 2016

Manchester United will be playing catch-up with the top four this season – but Jose Mourinho has stopped his players from trying to catch ‘em all.

According to reports, Mourinho has issued a crackdown on Pokemon Go after discovering that the mobile phone sensation has driven the squad to distraction.

Since being released on Apple’s App Store earlier this month, Pokemon Go – based on the original video game series – has become a virtual craze after racking up millions of downloads worldwide.

And though Mourinho has not enforced a complete ban on the game, he has urged his players to cut down on their gaming – unless, perhaps, they manage to ensnare the elusive Paul Pogba.

“Jose loves having a great relationship with his players and staff, and thinks it’s great for them to chill and relax away from training and games,” a club source said.

“He’s still finding his way around Old Trafford and treading carefully.

“The only thing he has picked up on which he’s told the lads of is his concern about Pokémon.

“He says for 48 hours before a match he wants the guys to leave it alone and concentrate on the tactics he and his staff have been working on in the days before.”

Sportsbeat 2016