Jurgen Klopp can attract top targets even without Champions League – Ian Rush

Jurgen Klopp can help convince top transfer targets to sign for Liverpool even if they are not in the Champions League next season, according to former Reds striker Ian Rush.

Liverpool have won their last seven games and currently sit fifth, just a point behind Newcastle and Manchester United, who both have matches in hand.

However, even if Liverpool can continue their impressive run and beat Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday and then finish the campaign with another victory at relegated Southampton, there would be no guarantee of Champions League football again.

We can confirm Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will leave the club upon the expiry of their contracts this summer.

Special acknowledgements will be paid to …

Your 2016 Olympic City Is….

Rio de Janeiro! The Olympics will be held in South America for the first time ever (and only the third time in the Southern Hemisphere.) Also … Not Chicago. In a somewhat surprising turn, the Second City became the Fourth City after being eliminated in the very first round of IOC voting. Tokyo went next and Madrid came in second. Jay Mariotti on SportsCenter (from Copenhagen!) about the vote: "I don't need to tell people that when it comes to big events, sports teams, Chicago tends to lose the big one." 2016 Olympics decision day [BBC Live Blog]
O NO!! CHICAGO LOSES 2016 OLYMPICS [CBS2]
Rio de Janeiro wins 2016 Olympic Games in landslide over Madrid [USA Today] UPDATE: IOC President Jacques Rogge makes the announcement: …