Residents have described the structure as a death trap, and blamed the Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly (AMMA) of failing to heed consistent pleas to repair the bridge.

Parts of the bridge have collapsed, putting the lives of residents and other users at risk. Last week, two people fell off the bridge; with one dying instantly.

Some parts of Sawaba New Site flood with the slightest rain, due to the poor construction of drains in the area.

The sand that holds the three -Culvert Bridge and aids water flow has been washed away.

Residents who live close to the bridge are forced to remain indoors any time it rains until flood waters recede.

They are unhappy about the dangers the bridge poses to road users.

One of the residents said “Within a week, two people just fell into the drain. The first one died, even the Fire Service personnel came to take him to the morgue. If we continue appealing and nothing happens, we are going to protest to the authorities.”

Citi News’ checks at the site revealed that the condition of the bridge continues to worsen, exposing motorists and commuters to danger.

Deep cracks in the structure have forced the sand under the culverts to fall in, creating gullies under the bridge.

No warning signs have been erected to signal first time users of this bridge, some of whom are usually victims.

A few meters from the dilapidated bridge is a school, and this poses a great danger to pupils who have no option but to ply it daily.

“The bridge is very weak, the bridge is also not good, if you are crossing the bridge you can fall. So it is very dangerous crossing the bridge”, one pupil told Citi News.

They thus want government to come to their aid. Residents in the area fear more lives could be lost if the bridge is not properly constructed.

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By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonine.com/Ghana

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The Reds required a 79th-minute winner by Sturridge to overcome a determined Southampton side 2-1 at Anfield.

Asked if Liverpool are a better team following the departure of Suarez, Sturridge said: “I think so, with the players we’ve brought in.

“No disrespect – he’s a great player and will be missed – but we move on.”

Uruguay forward Suarez, who moved to Barcelona for £75m , scored 31 times in 33 top-flight appearances as the Reds finished runners-up last season.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers revealed that the 27-year-old sent him a text on the morning of the Southampton game wishing him and the team good luck.

“His heart will always be with Liverpool,” added Rodgers.

Liverpool have signed eight players since the end of last season at a cost of £101m, with one of those – striker Divock Origi – loaned back to Lille.

Three of those new additions – Javier Manquillo, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert – featured against Southampton, the latter coming on as a substitute against his former club.

Rodgers, who is hoping to further strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes in two weeks, admitted his side are “by no means the finished article” but believes they can mount another title challenge without Suarez.

“Our ambitions have to be bigger than one player,” added Rodgers. “We’re bigger than any one player, I still think we need a striker so we’ll search through until the end of the window for that.

“I don’t think anyone has given us hope of getting in the top four. We loved the challenge last season and that is what we look to recreate.”

Meanwhile, Southampton boss Ronald Koeman also believes his side is stronger despite a summer of upheaval.

The Saints lost manager Mauricio Pochettino as well as a host of key players including Lambert, Adam Lallana and Lovren to Liverpool.

“The rumours were that we would be worse than last season, but I don’t agree with that,” Koeman, speaking to BBC Sport, said.

“The performance was very good and it gives the boys a lot of confidence.

“We need one or two players more, a winger. The club is working hard.”

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Source: BBC Sport

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A Steven Gerrard penalty gave Liverpool the lead, but Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard replied for United.

More than 50,000 fans were at the Sun Life Stadium, home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, to see the International Champions Cup final.

“It’s nice for the fans in the USA and also at home that we beat Liverpool,” said new United boss Louis van Gaal.

Midfielder Gerrard slotted home from the spot in the 14th minute after defender Phil Jones brought down winger Raheem Sterling.

But striker Rooney, captaining United, scored the equaliser – and his third goal of the competition – after 55 minutes from a Javier Hernandez cross.

The International Champions Cup final was played at the home of the Miami Dolphins

Mata gave his side the lead just two minutes later and fellow midfielder Lingard rounded off the victory near the end.

Rooney was named player of the tournament and Van Gaal singled out the England striker for special praise, describing him as a “winner”.

The former Netherlands boss added: “He deserved to be player of the tournament because he scored a lot of goals and gave a lot of assists.”

Despite the defeat, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was pleased overall with his side, saying: “I thought it was an excellent run-out for us.

“Obviously we’re disappointed to lose the game, but it’s been a great trip.”

Rodgers also confirmed Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho, 22, had been offered a new deal, adding: “He is someone we want to tie up for a period of time.”

Liverpool beat Olympiakos in Chicago, Premier League champions Manchester City on penalties in New York and AC Milan in Charlotte to reach the final of the International Champions Cup, which featured eight leading European clubs.

United overcame Italian sides Roma and Inter Milan in Denver and Washington respectively, before beating Real Madrid in front of a record US crowd of 109,318 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The new Premier League season starts on 16 August.

Manchester United: De Gea, Evans (Blackett 45), Smalling, Jones, Valencia (Shaw 8), Herrera (Lingard 78), Fletcher (Cleverley 45), Young, Mata (Kagawa 69), Rooney, Hernandez (Nani 69).

Liverpool: Mignolet, Kelly, Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho (Toure 74), Gerrard (Lucas 62), Allen (Can 62), Henderson, Coutinho (Peterson 77), Lambert (Ibe 62), Sterling.

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard gave his side the lead from the penalty spot

United forward Wayne Rooney was praised by manager Louis van Gaal after the game

More than 50,000 fans were at the Sun Life Stadium to see the Premier League rivals play

Juan Mata’s goal put United 2-1 ahead in the 57th minute

New Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal (right) has yet to see his side beaten–

Source: BBC Sport

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The 33-year-old has a year left on his current contract after signing from Manchester City on a free transfer last summer.

He made 24 appearances for the Reds last season, including 15 starts in the league as Liverpool narrowly missed out on a first league title since 1990.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers said Toure – part of the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ side and a two-time FA Cup winner – was a key part of his plans for the new season, even if he was not a regular starter.

“Kolo has been an incredible player. We brought him in because he is a winner, an authentic winner,” said Rodgers, talking at a news conference on Liverpool’s pre-season trip to the United States.

“He’s someone who doesn’t play every single week but when he does play, he plays very well. Every day of his life in training, he gives his all.

“Players like Kolo and Steven Gerrard, the older statesmen of the team, have been absolutely first class. We’re hungry and ambitious; we went close last year.

“That inspires us and gives us great motivation to go on this year. That is the beauty of this group of players – it’s a very hungry group because that’s what we’re trying to bring in.”

Source: Sky Sports

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Steven Gerrard has revealed he told Luis Suarez to stay at Liverpool last season as he was too good for Arsenal.

Suarez, who left Anfield for Barcelona earlier this month in a £75million deal, was linked with a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal last summer after they tabled a £40m bid for his services.

However, Liverpool managed to keep hold of the Uruguay international and Gerrard has admitted he played a key role in persuading Suarez to snub the overtures of the Gunners.

Gerrard admits he is sad to see Suarez leave Anfield, but holds no grudges against last season’s top scorer for making the move to Spanish giants Barcelona.

“His dream all along from the first day he came was to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona,” said Gerrard

“Last summer when he was out in the cold and training on his own that’s the conversation I had with him. I said, ‘Don’t go to Arsenal’.

“With all due respect to them, I said to him that he was too good for Arsenal.

“I said, ‘If you score 30 goals for us and win the PFA Player of the Year, the press Player of the Year, they (Barca and Madrid) will come back for you’.

“I have experience of those clubs myself and I know if you play well they will come back and come back. So I knew they’d be back for him as well.

“I just thought for his own sake, and to get respect off the Liverpool fans, he had to give us at least one year.”

Gerrard added: “A lot of people might still think he should have given us one more, but that’s the same with most foreigners.

“My big dream was to play for Liverpool, and the foreign players’ big dream is to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona – that’s a fact.

“For me, I would have been really sad and disappointed to see Luis go to Arsenal.

“I’m disappointed to see him leave now but I am happy for him that’s he has got what he wants and deserves.

“Since day one he has been phenomenal in training every day and in the games.

“His wife is from Barcelona and I don’t think you can begrudge a player like that who has worked so hard for his dream.

“You can’t go against him when he says he is leaving for Barcelona, but I’d have been disappointed if he had left and gone to Arsenal.”

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Source: Sky Sports

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Stevan Jovetic bagged a brace for Premier League champions Manchester City but Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling replied for Liverpool, who finished second last season.

Simon Mignolet then pulled off a pair of saves in the shoot-out to give the Reds victory in front of a crowd of 49,653.

The win put Liverpool on top of Group B in the International Champions Cup and they move on to play AC Milan on Saturday, with the possibility of a final against Manchester United to follow.

The Yankee Stadium spectators were served up an entertaining encounter between the top two teams in England last season and City new boy Willy Caballero produced a great save in the first half to keep out a close-range Rickie Lambert header.

At the other end, Brad Jones saved a low Jesus Navas effort and Edin Dzeko had a goal ruled out for offside.

Manchester City took the lead in the 53rd minute when the lively Navas made progress down the right and sent over a low cross which Jovetic converted at the near post, after Steven Gerrard was unable to clear.

But Liverpool responded just six minutes later, Henderson conjuring up a delightful curling finish after the ball ran loose when Sterling tried to find Daniel Sturridge.

Jovetic (67) quickly restored City’s lead, poking the ball past Mignoelet after a deflected shot fell perfectly for him.

However, Liverpool pressed strongly in the closing stages and, with just five minutes left to play, Lucas cleverly set up Sterling with a cushioned pass and the England man’s excellent finish set up spot-kicks.

City were far from clinical with their penalties, Aleksandar Kolarov punting their first over the bar, although he was reprieved when Sturridge did likewise.

But Mignolet then saved well from Yaya Toure and Navas, while Emre Can and Henderson converted.

City finally found the net when youngster Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up but Lucas then sent Joe Hart the wrong way to win it for Liverpool.

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Source: Sky Sports

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Sky sources understand Liverpool wanted the 19-year-old to join them immediately but Lille insisted the player return to the French club on loan for another season.

Origi, who played for Belgium at the World Cup in Brazil, has scored six goals in 35 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

Arsenal, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid were all linked with the player but he has opted to join Belgium team-mate Simon Mignolet at Anfield and become Brendan Rodgers’ sixth summer signing.

Origi told the club’s website: “I am very, very happy and delighted a club as big as Liverpool showed interest in me. I’m very excited.

“I know it’s a club with a great history, great fans and a lot of great players. For me, Liverpool is one of the greatest clubs in the world and I’m very excited to be part of this great history.

“I am very proud to sign for the club. I’ll give everything for the club, like I did when I was small and did for Lille.

“I’m hoping we can achieve great things together.”

Origi is Liverpool’s fifth signing of the summer, following Southampton trio Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren, and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can to Anfield.

And while he will not be part of Brendan Rodgers’ plans for the coming campaign the striker cannot wait to be able to make an impression.

“The fact we have a young team and can grow is the most exciting part,” he added. “With the coach we have he’s a great manager who can handle a young team.

“He’s said a lot of good things about Liverpool and told me it’s the perfect club for me. He was only positive and it was great to be able to talk with him about Liverpool.

“We also have experienced players. I think we can go very far – we have a lot of quality in the group.

“This year I’ll have a chance to play at European level, so in the Europa League or Champions League.

“It’s important for me to gain a place in the team, improve and be ready for the season after that.”

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Source: Sky Sports

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Goals from Harry Kane and Aaron Lennon gave Tottenham a 2-0 friendly win over Chicago Fire in the United States.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side extended their unbeaten pre-season start to three matches as Kane scored in the fifth minute.

Lennon sealed the victory when he converted a Roberto Soldado through ball with six minutes to go.

“It was difficult in the humidity but well done to the players, it was a good game out there,” Pochettino said.

Tottenham had begun their tour of North America with a 3-3 draw against Seattle Sounders and a 3-2 victory over Toronto.

Tottenham: Friedel (McGee 78), Walker (Naughton 46), Dawson, Veljkovic (Fredericks 80), Rose (Davies 46), Capoue, Mason, Holtby (Falque 64), Lamela (Eriksen 46), Townsend (Lennon 46); Kane (Soldado 46).

Subs not used: Kaboul, Ceballos.

Real Madrid 1-1 Inter Milan (2-3 pens)

A stunning Gareth Bale goal was not enough to give Real Madrid victory in their pre-season International Champions Cup meeting with Inter Milan in Berkeley, California.

Wales international Bale surged through the Inter midfield before beating keeper Samir Handanovic with a powerful swerving 30-yard shot after 10 minutes.

But Argentine striker Mauro Icardi equalised with a penalty after a foul on Nemanja Vidic – before scoring the decisive kick as Inter won in a shootout.

“Gareth Bale is working well and has a great attitude,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“He will improve and this will be a very different campaign for him, especially in terms of the start of the season, as he didn’t have a pre-season last year.”

AC Milan 1-5 Manchester City

Manchester City thrashed AC Milan 5-1 in a game suspended for 30 minutes because of a severe thunderstorm.

Stevan Jovetic, Scott Sinclair, Jesus Navas and Kelechi Iheanacho put City into a 4-0 lead within 26 minutes in Pittsburgh, USA.

Sulley Muntari pulled a goal back for Milan before half-time and the restart at the Heinz Field stadium was delayed because of bad weather.

Jovetic added a fifth, while Milan’s Mario Balotelli had a goal disallowed.

City now face Liverpool on 30 July.

Manchester City: Caballero, Clichy, Kolarov (Richards 69), Boyata (Rekik 77), Nastasic, Fernando (Garcia 62), Zuculini (Rodwell 77), Navas (Leigh 77), Jovetic (Guidetti 69), Iheanacho (Huws 62), Sinclair.

 

Olympiakos 0-1 Liverpool

Raheem Sterling scored the winner as Liverpool beat Greek side Olympiakos at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Sterling latched on to a deflected shot from striker Daniel Sturridge to score from close range early in the game, while the closest Olympiakos came to an equaliser was when a Gevorg Ghazaryan effort hit the crossbar.

Reds captain Steven Gerrard started alongside Sterling, Sturridge and summer signing Lazar Markovic, who joined the club from Benfica for £20m.

Winger Markovic played the first half before being replaced by Brazilian Philippe Coutinho.

“Markovic will only get better and better,” said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

“He showed great strength when he burst through and hopefully later on when he picks up that speed and sharpness in his game, he’ll go on and finish that.”

Liverpool: Jones, Johnson (Kelly 62), Skrtel, Toure (Coates 62), Enrique (Robinson 45), Gerrard (Leiva 62), Henderson, Can (Allen 45), Sterling (Ibe 75), Markovic (Coutinho 45), Sturridge (Lambert 74).

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Source: BBC Sport

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The France striker, 27, was nearing an £8.5million switch to Anfield before the Merseyside club pulled out – amid suggestions there were concerns over his fitness – but Redknapp admitted he is baffled by the news and suggested there were ulterior motives for Liverpool calling off the deal.

Redknapp, who is pleased at the prospect of having the former Marseille forward back with Rangers, told a press conference: “He’ll come back here. I only know what I’ve seen and heard and I don’t really know how he’s failed a medical.

“He had a stringent medical here, one at Newcastle, one with the French team before the World Cup. He’s never had a problem with his fitness – you couldn’t meet a fitter lad.

“I don’t see there could be any issue with his fitness. Their loss is our gain. I’ve got a fantastic striker.

“I said last year he’s a striker capable of getting 20 goals in the Premier League and that’s what we want him to do. I think he’s one of the best strikers in the division.

“It can’t be a medical one because he’s never been unfit. It’s not possible. It certainly didn’t make any sense – there has to be another reason. It can’t be a medical issue.

“There must have been some kind of breakdown or they’ve decided to move in another direction.

“I’m sorry for the boy that his move to Liverpool didn’t happen but from my point of view, I’ve got a great striker back here. In my opinion, he’s one of the best strikers at the Premier League. He’s a good lad and a good professional.

“Liverpool is a football club that usually handle everything fantastically. I’ve never dealt with anybody better than them over the years.

“However, all the talk of the medical doesn’t make any sense to me.”

QPR had been rumoured to be targeting Watford striker Troy Deeney but Redknapp played down the speculation.

He added when asked about the 26-year-old: “He was a player we enquired about and you make lots of enquiries but at the moment, there’s nothing happening.”

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Source: Sky Sports

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The Merseyside club are refusing to comment on the reasons behind the deal falling through but it is understood there has been an issue with the 27-year-old’s medical.

Remy flew to the United States, where Liverpool are touring, on Monday.

The Reds’ bid had activated a release clause in the contract of the player, who last year scored 14 goals on loan at Newcastle United.

They had planned to give Remy the number seven shirt and he had waited in the US for the best part of a week for the deal to be confirmed. The move will not be resurrected and Remy now faces the prospect of a return to QPR.

Remy was part of the France squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil, appearing as a substitute against Ecuador and Germany.

He made 26 Premier League appearances for Newcastle last season but only played four of the final 11 games as he struggled with a calf injury.

Remy moved to Newcastle on loan after QPR’s relegation from the Premier League in 2013.

Remy joined QPR during their last top-flight spell, making an £8m switch from French club Marseille in January 2013.

He scored six league goals for the west London club but could not stop them being relegated that season.

QPR regained their Premier League status at the first attempt by beating Derby in the Championship play-off final in May.

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Source: BBC Sport

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