LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.

Eager beaver

Kalvin Phillips admits David Moyes had been trying to sign him for nearly two years after the Manchester City midfielder joined West Ham on loan until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has made just two Premier League starts this season and will now assist the Hammers in their push to win another European trophy.

He said: "I'm delighted. I was in Abu Dhabi with City, a warm-weather training camp, and all I could think about was getting a loan sorted. 

"I spoke to Moyesy over the phone while I was there. He reassured me that this was the best place for me to come on loan and that I'll love every second and minute of it, and so far I have done. I'm very happy coming here. 

"I'm looking forward to getting going. I think, honestly, if City hadn’t come in for me 18 months ago, then West Ham would have been the club I would've come to. 

"It was always in the pipeline. Moyesy, he's been after me for two years, he told me on the phone. So eventually, it was going to happen."

Klopp's heir?

Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso has played down talks of becoming Liverpool's next manager after Jurgen Klopp revealed he will be leaving at the end of the season.

Alonso — who spent five years with the Reds as a player — has been flagged as a leading candidate to replace the German.

He said: "Speculation is normal. My focus is here in Leverkusen. First of all, it was a huge surprise. I have huge respect for Jurgen, huge admiration for what he has achieved and the way he has achieved it. 

"At the moment I'm really happy here. I'm enjoying my work here, I'm feeling that each day is a challenge, each game is a challenge. 

"We are in an intense and beautiful journey here in Leverkusen and I'm trying to give my best to help my players be ready for the next thing and that is my goal. 

"What is coming next, I don't know. I'm not in that moment to think about the next step. I'm thinking about right now and I think I'm in a great place and I'm enjoying it."

Trippier stays

Eddie Howe has shut the door on Kieran Trippier's proposed move to Bayern Munich and hopes the England international can remain a part of Newcastle's long-term plans.

Trippier, 33, has been an influential figure in the Magpies' recent rise under Saudi ownership but looked on the verge of following former Tottenham team-mates Harry Kane and Eric Dier to Germany. 

Howe said: "We hope he will stay and we're very confident he will be part of our long-term future. 

"But I have to make it clear he has never asked to leave or even questioned his future here. His commitment to Newcastle shouldn't be questioned.

"We've had conversations in the last week and it's always been about Newcastle. 

"It's a huge compliment that a club like Bayern are interested. His situation [with Bayern] is finished as far as everyone is concerned."

Rolls Royce Romero

Ange Postecoglou is backing Cristian Romero to "step up" and lead by example in captain Heung-Min Son's absence.

The South Korean forward is away for the Asian Cup and World Cup winner Romero is set to step into the leadership role at Tottenham in the meantime.

Postecoglou said ahead of tonight's FA Cup clash with Manchester City: "There's definitely a void there but with all these things there are definitely opportunities. That's where Romero has really stepped up. 

"You just feel it around the place. He knows that Sonny's not here and he knows what Sonny does on a daily basis. 

"In training, he's a lot more vocal than he was in the past. That's the beauty of it. 

"There is a void because you're missing one of your leaders. But he's stepped up."

Blades confirm Grbic

Sheffield United have confirmed the signing of Croatia goalkeeper Ivo Grbic on a three-year deal.

The 28-year-old could be in line to make his debut at Bramall Lane when the Blades host Brighton in the FA Cup tomorrow.

He said: "It is a big thing for every player to move to the Premier League and I am delighted to join Sheffield United.

"I've played in some good leagues in France and Spain and played in the Champions League with Lille and played 15 or 16 games for Atletico [Madrid] last season which is a big club.

"I know I am ready now for this challenge."

Grbic joined LaLiga side Atletico in 2020 but failed to displace Jan Oblak as No1. He is now tasked with helping keep the South Yorkshire outfit in the Premier League under Chris Wilder.

Cherry on top

David Brooks earned the praise of manager Andoni Iraola after the midfielder scored and laid on two assists in the 5-0 FA Cup win over Swansea last night.

The Wales international took full advantage of his place in the starting XI — his sixth of the season in all competitions — as the Cherries cruised into the fifth round.

Iraola said: "The wing position is where we have more options and they are all playing really well. 

"Sometimes it is difficult to leave players out. David played really well tonight. 

"We were really clinical and started very strongly. It was strange to score five goals in the first half. 

"Our No1 priority was to be in the next round. We needed a very good performance after Sunday's game against Liverpool, where we didn't finish well."

Guard of honour

Pep Guardiola joked new Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada should have a stand named after him if he is successful.

Berrada departed Premier League champions Manchester City to join their rivals having guided the club through the most successful period in their history.

Guardiola said: "Obviously his knowledge goes to United, that's the reality. 

"When you buy a player from another club you buy the knowledge that this player has had in the past with other managers and team-mates. That is normal. 

"We learned a lot from Omar and he's learned a lot from the club and now he's gone to United. 

"But I don't know if by doing this [clicks his fingers] everything is going to be sorted and it works. If it does happen then they have to make a stand for Omar Berrada in the future because he'd deserve it."