EPL updates: Klopp fined for running onto pitch in Merseyside derby

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was fined 8,000 pounds ($10,183) on Tuesday for running onto the field of play after Divock Origi scored a 96th-minute winner in the weekend's Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield.

The German had admitted a charge of improper conduct and accepted the standard penalty after his wild celebration on Sunday.

"I couldn't avoid it obviously... if there was no rule we as managers would do it every week. That's what rules are for and if you break rules you have to be fined for it," he told reporters.

"I don't think anyone thought it was massively wrong. It happened, a fine, I'll pay it, no problem."

Klopp said his forward Sadio Mane faced a late fitness test to be in contention for Wednesday's Premier League trip to Burnley after sustaining a foot injury.

Senegal international Mane suffered a cut that required several stitches during Sunday's 1-0 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby but Klopp refused to rule out the 26-year-old.

"Sadio really had an awful cut on his foot. It needed to be stitched. He is okay but walking around here now in flip-flops -- and you don't play in flip-flops," he said.

"That means in this moment he is not ready, but we will see later."

Liverpool could also be without defender Andy Robertson who suffered a dead leg.

"With Robbo it is not that serious as with Sadio, but we need to have a look," said the manager.

Klopp was asked about the form of forward Roberto Firmino, who has gone off the boil this season, scoring just three goals in 14 league appearances.

"It's completely normal. It's not that he's playing his best football in every second. You have moments when you fly and moments when you have to work and come again," Klopp said.

"Nothing to worry about, it's a normal football season... we all have to go through this and everything will be fine."

Liverpool are second in the league with 36 points from 14 games while Burnley are second from bottom with nine points.

City's Aguero doubtful starter for Watford trip

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero is doubtful for Tuesday's trip to Watford in the Premier League as he tries to recover from a muscle injury, manager Pep Guardiola has said.

Aguero, City's joint top scorer with eight league goals, missed Saturday's 3-1 home win over Bournemouth and Guardiola will be keen for the 30-year-old to avoid aggravating the problem ahead of the busy December period.

Guardiola will make a late decision on midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko, who injured his nose against Bournemouth, while Kevin De Bruyne is continuing his recovery from a knee injury.

"We have training this afternoon, so I can't tell you the answer now. De Bruyne is not ready. The other two I don't know right now," the City mnager added.

Leaders City are away at Chelsea on Saturday and also play Everton, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Southampton this month before a clash with title contenders Liverpool on Jan. 3.

Guardiola, whose side are two points clear at the top, is comfortable rotating his players with such a heavy schedule.

"I have a good squad, I trust my players. We have a lot of games and they are going to be involved... we're always working towards today – nobody knows about the future. We try to do our best," he said.

Guardiola backed City's England forward Raheem Sterling to improve further after taking his league tally for the season to eight in 12 matches with a goal in the last game.

"He can do better. We are so delighted with what he has done but he can do better. He can be more consistent – his control, many things," Guardiola said.

Mourinho says fresh Arsenal pose big challenge for United

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho expects a difficult test against Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday but he suggested on Tuesday that his opponents may be fresher because they are playing in the Europa League.

Arsenal climbed to fourth after an impressive 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday but Mourinho was quick to point out that the Gunners had been able to keep key players fresh for big games by rotating their squad in the Europa League.

"Yes it's different... and a difficult match for us. We're going to play a good team in a good moment without accumulation of matches because they're playing Europa League," Mourinho told a news conference.

"When you play Europa League, you normally play with second choices and give good rest to the players. We have to play to the max and there is an accumulation of matches," added Mourinho, whose side have been playing in the Champions League.

"Then you arrive in this moment in December and many teams pay the price of that. That is not the motivation you want as a team but to develop players fresher is a good way to do it."

United clawed their way back to draw 2-2 draw at Southampton in their last game but have not won in the league since beating Bournemouth 2-1 in November.

They are seventh with 22 points but Mourinho backed his side to leapfrog Everton and secure a top-six finish.

"United should never be in seventh place... the investment Everton made was phenomenal and obviously there was a great improvement in that team from last season," Mourinho added.

"I don't think Everton will be in front of United at the end of the season. There are six teams that should stay in the first six positions, season after season. Two are outside the top four. Last season, it was Arsenal and Chelsea.

"At the end of the season the top six will be done by the six teams we all know have that responsibility to finish in the top six."

Midfielder Ashley Young is suspended for the game while defenders Luke Shaw, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are doubtful with injury problems. 

Chelsea’s Azpilicueta signs contract extension

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has signed a new four-year deal that will keep him at StamfordBridge until 2022, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

Azpilicueta has made 298 appearances for Chelsea since he signed from French side Marseille in 2012 and is on course to become only the seventh overseas player to feature in 300 matches for the club.

The 29-year-old, who has won the Europa League, two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup with Chelsea, has captained the team in the league this season.

"I'm happy to extend my stay here at Chelsea. Since I came, I felt the joy and responsibility to play for this club, these fans, and every time I go on the pitch I try do my best," the Spain international told the club's website announced.

"Hopefully there is a lot to come and we can keep Chelsea where it belongs."

Chelsea, who are third in the league with 31 points from 14 games, travel to promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.

Blues rule out Loftus-Cheek departure in January

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek will not be allowed to leave the club during the January transfer window, manager Maurizio Sarri said on Tuesday.

Competition from N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley has limited Loftus-Cheek's chances this season but the 22-year-old England international has impressed with five goals in his last six appearances to draw praise from Sarri.

"He has played in the Europa League and League Cup, some in the Premier League but not starting. At the moment he's very important for us," Sarri told reporters ahead of Wednesday's Premier League trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"He had some problems to understand what I wanted, but he is improving and in the last two matches I've been happy. I want him to stay so I think there's no chance (of him leaving)."

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta signed a new four-year deal on Tuesday and Sarri said he was keen for the club to extend the tenures of David Luiz and Cesc Fabregas whose contracts run out at the end of the season.

"I spoke with the club about this a month ago. I know very well it's not easy, but I think we can do a new deal for both," Sarri added.

"David and Cesc are leaders. It's important for me, for the staff and also for their team mates that they stay."

Chelsea are third in the standings with 31 points and go into Wednesday's game on the back of a 2-0 win over Fulham while Wolves are looking to avoid a third straight league defeat.

Sarri, however, expects a tough outing at 12th-placed Wolves who have drawn with ManchesterCity, Manchester United and Arsenal.

"They're a technical team," he said.

"They were unlucky in the last few matches, but it's not easy to play there."