Reuters: Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp will drop any player he feels is showing signs of complacency in the side’s assault on the Premier League title but the German remains confident that none of his squad are taking anything for granted.

Liverpool are searching for a first league crown since 1990 and are well-placed to launch a serious bid for the title as they sit second in the standings on 27 points from 12 games, a point behind Chelsea, who replaced them at the top last weekend. “If somebody is a character and wants to celebrate position one in November then he will not play in December anymore because I see it pretty quick,” Klopp told British media.

“But these things usually don’t happen. The players are here in this situation because their character is really good. It is a long way to get here. It is not like they are surprised about success whether it is individual or as a team.

“This is success but if you then celebrate this and don’t be professional anymore then you have a problem.”

Klopp, however, said he has yet to see any sort of complacency from his squad this season.

“It is not too difficult. Nothing has happened until now. It is better to be one time in first place than never in your life but it is not really important in this moment. There is nothing to think about,” he added.

“If I went to the players and said ‘Don’t think we are first’ or ‘We are first but nothing has been reached’ they would think I’m silly because they know this already. Stay cool, play football and see what happens.”

Liverpool host second-bottom Sunderland at Anfield on Saturday.

Spurs back in derby mode at Chelsea after Euro exit

Reuters: Tottenham Hotspur may be licking their wounds after crashing out of the Champions League but they must quickly refocus as they return to Premier League action on Saturday at leaders Chelsea in their third straight London derby.

Spurs were eliminated from Europe’s premier competition at the group stage after a sloppy display in a 2-1 defeat at Monaco on Tuesday but remain the only unbeaten Premier League side.

That record almost went last weekend when they trailed West Ham United in the final minutes before Harry Kane scored twice, imcluding a late penalty, to snatch a remarkable 3-2 win.

Now they move across London to face Antonio Conte’s resurgent Chelsea, who are seeking a seventh successive league victory.

Kane began a scoring run of four goals in three games with a penalty in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the start of the month and will again spearhead a Tottenham side seeking to banish the memories of their last visit to Stamford Bridge in May.

On that occasion, they blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2, a result that effectively ended their hopes of winning a first top-flight title since 1961 when they won the league and FA Cup double.

On Saturday, fifth-placed Spurs are likely to start with defenders Kyle Walker and Jan Vertonghen, who were surprisingly rested by Mauricio Pochettino against Monaco, but they must do without the suspended Danny Rose and injured Toby Aiderweireld.

Chelsea have no injury problems after a week of recuperation and have Premier League top scorer Diego Costa showing his best form since arriving in England with 10 goals and three assists.

Saturday’s game and their next fixture at Manchester City should provide the perfect test of their title aspirations.

City, a point off the pace in third and fresh from qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League with a 1-1 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach, make the short trip to Burnley.

Fourth-placed Arsenal, two points further back, entertain a Bournemouth side missing on-loan Jack Wilshere, who cannot play against his parent club.

With their 2-2 draw against Paris St Germain on Wednesday, the Gunners stretched their unbeaten record to 18 matches in all competitions.

Second-placed Liverpool, also a point off the top, face resurgent Sunderland at Anfield, a ground where the visitors have not won since 1983.

Former Liverpool and England captain Gerrard retires after LA Galaxy

Reuters: Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard announced his retirement on Thursday a week after confirming he would not be returning to play for MLS side LA Galaxy.

“Following recent media speculation surrounding my future I can confirm my retirement from playing professional football,” Gerrard, 36, said in a statement.

“I’ve had an incredible career and I’m thankful for each and every moment of my time with Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy.”

Gerrard made his Liverpool debut in 1998 and established himself as one of Europe’s most dynamic midfield player.

He went on to make more than 700 appearances for the club and was capped 114 times for his country.