From the Back Pages, August 18: Daniel Sturridge strikes to give Liverpool lift-off against Southampton

The winning goal brought Brendan Rodgers bounding on to the pitch for the first time since Liverpool’s victory over Manchester City during last season’s title run-in. Relief, not delirium, sparked the Liverpool manager’s invasion on this occasion but the over-exuberance was understandable. Here was a reminder of how that title challenge began. (The Guardian)

The champions of England will have more memorable days than these over the next nine months, and Manuel Pellegrini’s team will have to play better over the course of the season if they are to fulfil all the targets that their ambitious masters in Abu Dhabi have in mind. But if this was Manchester City simply getting started, they will be formidable once they hit their stride. (The Independent)

Manchester United have held discussions with Sporting Lisbon about including Nani as a makeweight in their attempt to finally land Argentina defender Marcos Rojo. (Daily Mail)

MANUEL PELLEGRINI confirmed that Edin Dzeko will be the next Manchester City star to sign a new long-term deal after seeing his champions make a winning start to their title defence. (Express)

The Kia Oval has always been a place of farewells, being the last Test venue of the summer, but no team have looked quite as thankful to be saying goodbye as India, whose capitulation by an innings and 244 runs completed a hat-trick of defeats to hand England the series. (The Telegraph)

Alastair Cook has revealed that his wife Alice stopped him from resigning as the England captain when he was at his lowest point in June. (The Times)

Greg Rutherford soared to European Championship long-jump gold to add to his impressive CV. (Mirror)