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Klopp names the best player he’s coached; Liverpool striker linked with summer exit

Borussia Dortmund have been linked with a Liverpool striker, PSG are eyeing up a return for their former defender, and a bizarre story to come out of Japan on Thursday.

Klopp names Poland icon as his best ever player

SOCCER: Jurgen Klopp has named Robert Lewandowski as the best player he has ever managed, when speaking to German media.

"It actually won't be fair to say that about any other player except Lewy," Klopp told Sport Bild (via Football365).

"What he has made out of his potential, how he pushed himself to become the player he is today, that's extraordinary.
"If every player has a development similar to Lewandowski, when I first saw him at Lech Poznan, then the football world would be completely crazy.
"All players would win all their duels, the full-backs would complete all their crosses, the midfielders would be strong in one against ones, the wingers would tackle and play precise long balls.
"Lewandowski made every step he had to make to become the goal machine he is today.
"He knows exactly what to do in every situation. He's an absolute machine."

With Erling Haaland's form having him as odds-on favourite to be Champions League top scorer, Lewandowski is available as high as 7/1 with bet365 to win that accolade this season.

Aurier back to PSG, Origi off to Dortmund?

SOCCER: Reports have emerged that Mauricio Pochettino is planning to try and reunite with his former right-back at Spurs, Serge Aurier.

Serge Aurier could be heading back to the French capital

With PSG's options in the position limited and Tottenham potentially allowing Aurier to leave for as little as £12m in the summer (according to The Sun), the move in the summer could work for both clubs, with Spurs covered at right-back through Matt Doherty.

In the present day, Aurier and Spurs have a lot to do to qualify for next season's Champions League, and they're available at 6/1 to finish in the Premier League's top four with Paddy Power.

Elsewhere, Liverpool striker Divock Origi could be allowed to leave Anfield in the summer to head to Borussia Dortmund, per Football Insider.

Divock Origi has found his playing time limited this season

Despite having scored some big goals in big games for the Reds in seasons gone by, the Belgium striker has found himself down the pecking order this season and has scored just once in 18 appearances this term.

Like the proposed deal for Aurier, Liverpool are said to be willing to accept a cut-price £12m for the striker, despite signing a long-term contract with the club back in 2019.

With Liverpool struggling in the race for the Champions League places in the Premier League, they're priced at 8/1 to win this season's tournament with Betway.

Olympics, or Olympigs?

OLYMPICS: Over in Japan, a key figure in the country's Olympic organising committee is set to quit after suggesting an entertainer should dress as the 'Olympig' in the opening ceremony, owing to her larger frame, via the AP.

Hiroshi Sasaki left his post after making the disparaging comments about well-known comedian Naomi Watanabe, whom he suggested should wear pig ears during a performance in the Olympic opening ceremony.
Sasaki has since apologised in a statement, and the Olympic torch relay is due to start next week as the world builds up to this summer's Games.

Betfair have already opened the betting market for the Men's 100m gold medal winner, with other events set to come into play soon as the Olympics edge closer.

READ MORE: For a full round-up of the big stories from Thursday's papers, head over to TEAMtalk for their in-depth coverage.

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