Joe Allen is aiming to secure a first-team spot at Liverpool ahead of the Europa League final against Sevilla on Wednesday, May 18. Allen has impressed when called upon by Jurgen Klopp, but has struggled to become a mainstay in the first team - starting only five of the last 11 games.With the final looming, we want to use every opportunity we get out there on the pitch to build momentum ahead of that game against Sevilla, he said. To be honest, any time you step out for this team, you are playing to prove you should be involved in the next game, whatever that game is.Of course, there is an added incentive in some ways when theres a final coming up. Allen and his Liverpool team-mates play host to Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports My personal mindset is that when I cross that white line, my focus is always on performing and helping the team to get the result, regardless of who were playing.Personally, I dont struggle to motivate myself.Liverpool have not won any silverware in four years and Allen insists he and his team-mates will be striving to make sure they can bring the drought to an end in Basel. When I had the chance to join this club, the ambition was to win silverware, added Allen.Ive come close so far. Now theres another opportunity to lift a trophy, and its an opportunity I cant wait for.Everyone connected with the club will give absolutely everything to try to ensure we bring that trophy home.Allen has been named in Wales squad for their training camp before the Euros but says he remains focused on the remaining games he has for Liverpool, and will only begin to look forward to the tournament once the club season is over.The Euros is something thats been there for lots of players to look forward to, Im no different, he said. Allen has won 25 international caps for Wales Its a great position to be in at the moment. There is so much to look forward to in terms of club football with the final coming up.And then once the end of the season comes, theres the international football to follow.Liverpool will be looking to finish their season with a flourish as they prepare play their penultimate game of the Premier League season on Wednesday night against Chelsea at Anfield, live on Sky Sports 2 HD. Also See: Gerrard plans Liverpool return Who gets into Europe? Liverpool too strong for Watford Liverpool release Enrique Jim Bouton Jersey . Orlov, who scored two goals in the game, was assessed a major penalty for boarding on the play. The Flyers scored once on the power play and again with the extra attacker with 65 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. Robinson Chirinos Jersey . Brooks replaces right-hander Yordano Ventura, who left his last outing with a sore elbow. Ventura is expected to miss one start. Brooks has made one relief appearance for the Royals this season, allowing six runs in two innings in a May 3 loss to Detroit. https://www.cheapastros.com/2933o-yuli-g...astros.html.com) - The Oakland Athletics needed to rely on a lot of young pitchers to win an American League West title this season. Craig Biggio Astros Jersey . Hicham Khalouas late goal improved Almerias chances of avoiding relegation in a match dominated by contentious calls, including three penalties. One day after Barcelonas 4-3 win at Real Madrid featured three penalties, referees again dominated a wide-open game that saw Almeria ultimately move out of the relegation zone and one point ahead of Getafe which took its place. Gerrit Cole Astros Jersey . Adam LaRoche will take that. "I like our position in the standings and I like how our team is playing," LaRoche said after Washington swept a day-night doubleheader from the Cubs on Saturday.After both picked up a much-needed victory to begin the week, the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames look to come out of the holiday break with a second straight victory on Friday night in the third installment this season of the Battle for Alberta. The Oilers were in the midst of a season-high six-game slide before knocking off the Winnipeg Jets 6-2 on Monday. Taylor Hall had a goal and two assists as Edmonton put the game away with a three-goal third period. Hall set up David Perrons goal with 3:20 to go in the second period that snapped a 2-2 tie and joined Jeff Petry and Nail Yakupov as the third-period goal scorers. Jordan Eberle and Sam Gagner also lit the lamp. The Oilers had scored just six goals and been shut out three times over their losing streak. "We stuck with it and were finally rewarded for our hard work," Edmonton head coach Dallas Eakins said of his teams perseverance. "We had a good start and we were able to maintain it." Ilya Bryzgalov made 18 saves in Edmontons first win since Dec. 10. The Oilers have not won two in a row since a three-game run from Nov. 16-21. The Flames brought an 0-2-2 winless stretch to a close on Monday with a 4-3 shootout win over the St. Louis Blues, getting a game-tying goal from defenseman Mark Giordano with 5.1 seconds left in regulation. After St. Louis Patrik Berglund was calleed for roughing, Calgary pulled goaltender Reto Berra and Giordano ripped home a one-time feed from Jiri Hudler.dddddddddddd "We felt like the last three or four games weve been playing really well, but we havent been getting the results," Giordano said. "Against one of the best teams in the league to come back and win in that way, it leaves a good feeling. Its going to be a nice Christmas break for sure." Hudler and Mike Cammalleri had a goal and an assist each, while Berra ended with 32 saves. Calgary center Matt Stajan did limp into the dressing room in overtime after getting hit and his status for tonights second contest of a five-game homestand is unknown. These two rivals have split two meetings this season, with the Oilers notching a 4-2 victory in Calgary on Nov. 16 before the Flames responded with a 2-1 overtime decision in Edmonton on Dec. 7. Calgary has won 12 of the previous 17 meetings overall and 11 of the last 14 at home. Berra was in net for the first two meetings this season, posting a 1.97 goals against average. Bryzgalov is 10-7-1 with a 2.69 GAA in 18 career meetings with the Flames, while Devan Dubnyk is 5-4-2 with a 2.46 GAA versus them. He started the previous two encounters. It is unknown which goaltender will start tonight as Edmonton is also set to host Bryzgalovs former Philadelphia Flyers club on Saturday. ' ' '