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Liverpool's Jordan Henderson signs new five-year deal

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has signed a new five-year deal, worth £100,000-a-week.

It ends months of talks between the parties, with the ex-Sunderland player committed to the club until 2020.

"There has been talk about it for a while now," the 24-year-old told the club website.

"It's brilliant news for me to commit my future to this football club. I think, over the next few years, we can challenge and start winning trophies."

Liverpool's hopes of winning a trophy this season ended when they lost to Aston Villa in their FA Cup semi-final last Sunday.

"We've improved massively over the last few years, and I think the next phase for us is to start challenging for titles and trophies as well," added Henderson.

Liverpool also tied down striker Daniel Sturridge and midfielder Philippe Coutinho to new deals earlier this season.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said: "The owners are committed to creating a team that can grow, improve and ultimately win together.

"We have seen some very important contract renewals this season and I'm confident, under [chief executive] Ian Ayre's stewardship, we will see further commitments made and more exciting talent secured and added to our squad."

England international Henderson joined Liverpool from the Black Cats in 2011 in a deal worth around £20m.

With Steven Gerrard leaving at the end of the season for Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy, Henderson is among the favourites for the captaincy.

The vice captain has scored seven times in 55 games for Liverpool and England this campaign.

Premier League - Adam Johnson charged with three sexual offences and one of grooming

Sunderland midfielder Adam Johnson has been charged with three counts of sexual activity with a girl under 16.

The England international has also been charged with one count of sexual grooming and will appear before Peterlee magistrates court on May 20.

"Following an investigation by Durham Police, I have today authorised police to charge Adam Johnson, aged 27, with four offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003," said Gerry Wareham, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North East, in a statement.

"The offences are alleged to have been committed on one girl aged 15 at the time."

Johnson arrived at Peterlee police station on Thursday to answer bail having been arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16.

Johnson was interviewed in March after allegations relating to a girl who was believed to be 15.

"May I remind all concerned that the defendant has a right to a fair trial," Wareham added.

"It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

"I would also remind people that the complainant in this case is entitled to lifelong anonymity under the law. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."

After initially being suspended by Sunderland, Johnson has returned to first-team consideration. He has been capped 12 times by England.

Premier League - Aston Villa warn Jack Grealish over nitrous oxide allegations

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has warned Jack Grealish about his future behaviour after the teenage midfielder was pictured in a national newspaper allegedly taking nitrous oxide.

Year-old images published by The Sun appeared to show Grealish taking the substance that is described as a legal 'high'.

"I spoke to Jack first thing this morning," Sherwood was quoted as saying by the BBC on Thursday. "I explained to him his behaviour can't be tolerated.

"He is now in a responsible position as a professional footballer. He's got to make sure it won't happen again, he's assured me it won't.

"I'm not worried. There is only one form of discipline, that's self-discipline, that's what really matters," said Sherwood.

"Jack has to take that on board now. This is an eye-opener for him, he has to realise he has to be very careful who he can trust out there."

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling was at the centre of similar allegations earlier this month when The Sun's website apparently showed the England forward taking nitrous oxide.

Grealish, 19, has burst on to the scene this season and he played a key role in Villa's 2-1 victory over Liverpool in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Sixth from bottom Villa take on Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Premier League - Paper Round: Bayern Munich plot Branislav Ivanovic coup

One of Chelsea's most reliable players is the subject of interest from Bayern Munich, according to the papers.

Bayern Munich to move for Ivanovic - Bayern Munich are interested in prying Branislav Ivanovic from Chelsea, according to The Express. Ivanovic has one year left on his contract and Chelsea have only offered him a one-year extension, keeping with their policy of only giving players 12-month deals when they're over 30 years old. That has Bayern Munich thinking they may be able to sign the defender, even if Jose Mourinho desperately doesn't want to lose him.

Paper Round's view - Ivanovic has been phenomenal for Chelsea since he signed with them seven years ago and doesn't show any signs of slowing down. But the Blues' rather bizarre policy on players over 30 is pretty clear cut and they don't appear likely to budge from it. Ivanovic is too good and his value is too high for him to be stuck on one-year deals so a move is very much possible.

EXCLUSIVE: Bayern Munich launch surprise move for Chelsea favourite Branislav Ivanovic

BAYERN Munich are ready to step up their efforts to steal Branislav Ivanovic away from Chelsea this summer

The Stamford Bridge club's Serbian stalwart has one year left on his current deal and the Bundesliga champions have joined Paris Saint-Germain in keeping close tabs on him.

Ivanovic has been offered a new one-year deal in keeping with the club's policy of only offering their over 30's players 12-month contracts - but he has yet to sign it.

The defender has been a key player for Chelsea since his £9.5million arrival from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008 and has won virtually every major honour, including the Champions League in 2012. It was Ivanovic's header which won the club the Europa League in 2013.

The Serb is a favourite of manager Jose Mourinho, who does not want him to leave and has described Ivanovic as one of the club's best ever signings.

EXCLUSIVE: Joleon Lescott insists Liverpool maverick Mario Balotelli is a 'good guy'

MARIO BALOTELLI is known for his bad-boy reputation but former team-mate Joleon Lescott has sprang to the Italian's defence insisting he should be praised for his ambition instead.

Controversy has dogged the striker's career especially his off the field exploits, including one incident where he let off a firework in his house.

Only this season the Liverpool forward was banned for one match for retweeting an alleged anti-Semitic post on Twitter, while he has failed to impress at club level.

But Lescott, who played with Balotelli at Manchester City, believes English football has no right to criticise the 24-year-old as he prepares to face him for West Brom at the Hawthorns on Saturday.

The divisive character arrived in this country as a youngster from Inter Milan to sign for City in 2010 and Lescott believes English football can learn from his adventurous ways.

"He's a good guy to be around," he said. "Obviously there are times when he has let himself down but that's part and parcel of growing up.

"He was 20-21 when I was there. Being away from home is hard at that age. My mum would not let me move away from home, especially to another country, at that age.

"Fair play to him, people have criticised him but how many English players have moved away from home at the age 20?

"No one has, we don't do that and can't judge a player who has learned a different language and culture if none of our players wanted to do that.

"He's a great talent and is right up there with the top players. It has not gone the way he wanted to at Liverpool.

"Society is different now. They have not been brought up the same way as the older generation have and there is a lot more scrutiny through the media and social media."

Balotelli has managed just one Premier League goal since his return to English football with Liverpool after 18 months back in Italy with AC Milan following his departure from City.

He failed to find a late equaliser against Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday and Lescott is aware of a potential backlash from Liverpool.

The former England centre-back also insists Steven Gerrard has nothing left to prove despite his disappointing display last weekend.

The Reds captain will leave Anfield in the summer and missed out on a cup final appearance on his birthday but Lescott admits he was inspired by his attitude.

"Steven Gerrard is a winner," said Lescott, who was speaking to youngsters from the West Brom academy, as part of a Barclays campaign to inspire the next generation. "He's one of the greatest players I've ever played with. He will not be judged on the semi-final because he's already a legend.

"Knowing Stevie the way I do, he's a winner and it rubs off on players around him. He has been at the top of his game throughout his career. He wants to win every game and every training session.

"I'm disappointed for Stevie on a personal note but for what he has done I can only be grateful that I have played alongside him.

"His attitude inspires. In my first England squad he was probably the only player I was starstruck over. I was at Everton at the time and he came over and introduced himself. We all wanted to win but he needed to win.