All posts by z3u9t.icu

A number of Liverpool fans have been left stunned after Mohamed Salah lost out on the Premier League Player of the Month award to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Salah has enjoyed an incredible start to the season for the Reds, standing out as arguably the best player in the world on current form, producing a stunning performance at home to Manchester City last weekend.

The 29-year-old has chipped in with six goals and three assists in the Premier League, not to mention a further three goals in the Champions League.

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Despite Salah’s brilliance, he has somehow missed out on the Player of the Month award for September, which is a fan-voted prize.

Instead, Ronaldo took home the award, even though he only scored three times and didn’t register a single assist.

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Liverpool fans livid at Salah news

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their outrage at the final result, claiming Salah has been robbed.

“Salah, arguably the best player in the world right now, who does everything for Liverpool can’t win PL player of the month because of Ronaldo. Feel bad for Mo”

Credit: @RebelYelliex

“That’s absolutely farcical, Ronaldo was useless in most matches he played but scored a few taps ins, Salah was far better than him this month”

Credit: @Corballyred

“Who else? Is that a joke?”

Credit: @siaaannnnnn

“Ronaldo scored 3 goals, got 0 assists and failed to make the difference at home vs Aston Villa and Everton but wins POTM. As we’ve come to learn in the last few years, never trust a large pool of eligible voters to pick the right outcome. *cough* Brexit *cough*”

Credit: @AdamDoyleSport

“Absolute disgrace”

Credit: @_SalahSzn

“This is rubbish…pure rubbish…”

Credit: @ogbuefiubom

In other news, some Liverpool fans have reacted to a Salah-related contract update. Read more here.

Crystal Palace secured their first win under new manager Patrick Vieira last time out, seeing off Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 after putting in an impressive performance at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles will be hoping to pull off back-to-back upsets when they take on Liverpool over the weekend, and some added reinforcement in the centre of the pitch could improve their chances of doing just that.

A midfield comprising Conor Gallagher, James McArthur and Cheikhou Kouyate started against Spurs, but all three of the Eagles’ goals came after Luka Milivojevic entered the fray in place of Kouyate.

It was the 30-year-old’s first taste of action this season due to personal reasons, and it didn’t take long for the club captain to make his mark on proceedings.

His impact will have come as little surprise to Palace supporters who have seen the £7.2m-rated beast become a pivotal part of the club’s engine room since his arrival at Selhurst Park back in January 2017.

Milivojevic’s instant impact earned praise from former Eagles manager Roy Hodgson, who lauded his reliability and consistency after joining from Greek giants Olympiacos.

“From the moment I stepped through the door here he’s been absolutely excellent in every respect – outstanding,” said Hodgson (as relayed by the Daily Mail).

“Reliability and consistency of performance are two factors in a football player that I praise unbelievably highly. The reader might say ‘Shouldn’t all players be like that? Shouldn’t they all be consistent and have the ability to recover from injury and get out on the field again?’ But they can’t all do that. Luka can.”

His underlying numbers from last season perfectly illustrate his importance to the Palace midfield. As per WhoScored, the Serbian averaged 2.1 tackles, 1.1 tackles and 0.7 key passes per league game. Of all the other central midfielders on the Eagles’ books, only McArthur put up better figures.

Milivojevic did manage to pick out a teammate on more occasions than his Scottish colleague, though, recording a passing accuracy of 83% to McArthur’s 81.7%.

The return of Palace’s leader and key holding midfielder couldn’t have come at a better time for Vieira as he prepares to take his side to Anfield. The 45-year-old must unleash him at Anfield, providing the attack-minded Gallagher with cover and a solid foundation behind him, allowing the youngster the freedom to roam forward.

In other news… Sold for £26m, now worth £1.35m: Parish sealed a Crystal Palace masterclass with 32 y/o dud

Former Premier League striker Nigel Jemson insists that Leeds United are some way off being able to aim for a top-six finish in the Premier League.

The club have endured an inconsistent start to the season and are yet to pick up three points in the top-flight.

Leeds were utterly thumped in their opening game of the campaign, losing 5-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

They followed that result up with a 2-2 draw with Everton and Jemson thinks that they have to improve immensely to be anywhere near the top six, suggesting Marcelo Bielsa has got things wrong in this opening part of the season.

Leeds, of course, enjoyed an impressive season last term upon their return to the Premier League and finished the campaign in ninth place, six points behind sixth-placed West Ham United.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Jemson said: “Sometimes they are like that, they’re very hit and miss.

“They can be phenomenal, the manager, I think he got it wrong. As much as a good side they are, they’re not a top-six team yet. There’s a lot of work still to be done to make them a top-six team.”

Leeds are next in action against Burnley this weekend, after beating Crewe Alexandra comfortably in the second round of the EFL Cup in midweek.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst continued his perfect start to life at Rangers with a 3-1 win in the Premiership on Sunday.

The Gers swept Livingston away in what ended up being a fairly comfortable victory, despite some nervous moments in the first half.

Allan McGregor was forced into a couple of terrific saves, but goals from Joe Aribo, Scott Arfield and Fashion Sakala ensured that they came away with the three points.

Forget Tavernier

Whilst James Tavernier may grab the headlines with two assists from right-back, perhaps the real star of the show for the Gers was Alfredo Morelos.

The Colombian bulldozer led the line brilliantly and was crucial to everything Rangers tried to do going forward with his work rate and movement up front. He was constantly harassing the Livingston defenders and trying to hold the ball up, whilst making runs off the ball to create space for the likes of Ianis Hagi, Aribo and Scott Arfield to run through.

Arfield’s goal to open the scoring came from him sprinting through the middle of the pitch after Morelos dragged a centre-back over to the far side. This highlights how much of an impact he can have without even touching the ball in the move.

However, the 25-year-old also made his mark in possession. As per SofaScore, he created an impressive four chances for his teammates throughout the game, whilst completing 81% of his passes and managing one shot on target. One of the opportunities that he created led to Aribo firing them 2-0 up, with his clever first-time pass finding the ex-Charlton man in the box to sweep it into the top corner.

He also put in a shift defensively. As per SofaScore, Morelos won five duels, including four of his seven on the ground, and completed two tackles for Van Bronckhorst’s side. This shows that he was willing to put in the hard yards for his team to win possession back and hold his own against Livingston.

Therefore, he was able to piece together a complete performance by making an impact at both ends of the pitch, which is why he was the real star of the show for Rangers. The Gers’ number 20 may not have managed to get himself on the scoresheet, but he was still crucial to their play and led the line superbly today.

AND in other news, 35 G/A: Rangers secured dream £4m deal for “outstanding talent”, he’s a match-winner…

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have been left overjoyed following news about midfielder Manuel Lanzini and David Moyes’ plans for him next season.

The Argentine had been tipped with a possible exit from east London this summer as West Ham gear up for what will be an interesting 2021/2022 season.

Moyes’ men have qualified for the Europa League group stages and there have been reports of just as many outgoings as incomings, with West Ham seemingly looking to oversee a squad overhaul.

It is believed that the club will listen to offers for the likes of Winston Reid, Andriy Yarmolenko and Xande Silva this summer (The Athletic), but the same cannot be said for Lanzini.

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As explained by the Athletic, citing the 28-year-old’s rejuvenated role as a deep-lying playmaker, Lanzini looks set to feature in Moyes’ plans for 21/22 after all.

There was an original fear that Lanzini could be offloaded this summer according to this update, with the West Ham manager’s U-turn now exciting many supporters on Twitter who want him to remain.

Find all of their best verdicts, mostly in reply to West Ham News & Views, down below.

West Ham fans ecstatic after Lanzini update

“Great to hear Manu Lanzini might be staying at West Ham.

He showed a glimpse of his pre-injury self last season.

His coming into his prime years now, I think we would be crazy to sell him”

Credit: @_WHU_IRONS

“scenes”

Credit: @franknoble_

“I’m actually so glad he staying”

Credit: @HHickford

“Can’t wait for more of Manu dictating from deep”

Credit: @whu_sam13

“The Jewell”

Credit: @BradMackers

“SUIIIIIIIIIIIIIII”

Credit: @WHUJami

“I love Manu, do you love Manu? I love Manu”

Credit: @thompwanna74

“Good, he played well there before and solves the issue of finding a new CM, especially as Coventry is playing so well in pre season!”

Credit: @Markderry83

In other news: ‘Joke’, ‘No ambition’…West Ham fans erupt as Telegraph news emerges, find out more here.

Many Wolves fans have been left lauding a transfer update involving Leon Bailey.

As per Bild, the Midlands club have made an offer to sign the Bayer Leverkusen winger in the summer window, along with both Aston Villa and Leicester City.

However, he will not be sold for anything less than €35m (£29.8m), and Villa look to be the favourites at the moment.

Bailey scored a very impressive 15 goals and made a further 11 assists in 40 games in total over all competitions across the 2020/21 season (Transfermarkt), and at just 23 years of age, the Jamaica international surely has the potential to become a truly top player.

Thus, it is not a surprise to see so many members of the Molineux faithful buzzing over his potential signing.

Wolves fans on Bailey transfer update

These WWFC supporters lauded the transfer update as it was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that signing Bailey for £29.8m would be a ‘bargain’:

“Not going to happen, but this would be an incredible signing”

Credit: @GreggHill06

“Honestly so keen for this. Come on @wolves”

Credit: @OldManWolves

“Imagine”

Credit: @DanBossman66

“Yess please!!”

Credit: @_meeerick

“BALLER BAILEYY”

Credit: @SlickRiic

“£35m is a bargain, especially if £7m is going to Mendes and his Da”

Credit: @TonyWilde99

In other news, find out what other transfer update has been lauded by Wanderers here!

Aston Villa could sign a second exciting young talent from a fellow Premier League club in Chelsea starlet Valentino Livramento.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have been dominated by Villa’s pursuit of Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe, with suggestions that they had put in a second bid for the England youth international.

According to Goal, the Midlands club are also eyeing up a move for 18-year-old right-back Livramento this summer, with the likes of RB Leipzig, Southampton, Brighton and Milan all keen on landing the teenager.

Imagine him and Smith Rowe

The fact that Villa returned with a second bid for Smith Rowe speaks volumes of the ambitious intent they are showing under NSWE this summer, having already secured deals for Emi Buendia and Ashley Young.

In the 5 foot 8 Livramento, they would be getting another superb young addition. Dubbed as a “huge talent”, the England youth international has even captained the Young Lions, playing through the under-16s all the way up to the under-19s.

A profile piece on Chelsea’s official website stated: “Tino Livramento is a defender who plays predominantly at right-back or right wing-back, from where he likes to get forward and attack.

“2020/21 saw Livramento become regular for the development squad, and while still available for our youth team, by January he had contributed eight assists and two goals in 14 Academy outings from various positions on his favoured right side of the pitch.”

Chelsea’s Champions League-winning boss Thomas Tuchel hasn’t been shy in voicing his delight at Livramento’s potential, saying: “I love the academy boys. We have Anjorin and Livramento regularly joining training. The academy has outstanding quality. Every club who has young guys constantly coming in making it, it creates a bond in the club and supporters.”

If Villa could snare the 18-year-old away from Stamford Bridge and also somehow get the Gunners to part ways with Smith Rowe this summer, then Dean Smith could have two more bright young English talents to add to the likes of Louie Barry and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has dropped a transfer update on this Premier League player Villa are targeting…

According to Goal, Liverpool genuinely considered swooping for Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse during the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Liverpool quiet…

Over these last few months, Anfield has been one of the quietest clubs in the English top flight when it comes to incomings.

The majority of their business was conducted through securing their current first team stars and tying them down to new and improved long term deals.

Ibrahima Konate did sign for Liverpool from RB Leipzig very early in the window to the tune of around £36 million, but that was the sum of their first team arrivals on Merseyside.

The Latest: Liverpool weighed Ward-Prowse move…

However, as per this report from Goal, Liverpool did in fact consider swooping for more first team additions and one of them was Southampton star Ward-Prowse.

The 26-year-old, who went on to sign a new deal at St Mary’s, was on the Reds’ radar alongside the likes of Marcel Sabitzer (now Bayern Munich), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Ismaila Sarr (Watford) and Harvey Barnes (Leicester).

While there was interest, Liverpool didn’t follow through akin to the rest of their targets – with supporters now having to wait until January for the prospect of new signings.

The Verdict: Mountainous task…

Ward-Prowse would have been a good signing for Jurgen Klopp’s side, especially considering his praise at Southampton over this last year.

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl even lauded the player as ‘unbelievable’ following his very consistent 2020/2021 campaign on the south coast (Hampshire Live).

However, once he signed a new long term deal, which The Athletic say takes his value to around £50 million, it became an impossible task for Liverpool or any other interested party.

Whether or not the Reds could have mounted an improved assault before that fresh contract, we’ll never know.

In other news: ‘Salt to the wounds’, ‘Pain’, ‘FSG out’…Liverpool fans fume over ’embarrassment’, find out more here.

Aston Villa would be making an unforgivable mistake by replacing Dean Smith with Nuno Espirito Santo this summer.

What’s the story?

After his time at Molineux came to an end following the conclusion of the Premier League season, it appears that Nuno could be set for a return to the dugout in English football as shock news emerges from Villa Park.

Football Insider claimed that super-agent Jorge Mendes has held talks with the club’s owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens (NSWE) over the possibility of installing the 47-year-old as manager.

The report adds: “Edens and Sawiris are hugely ambitious and will bankroll more major spending this summer on new signings as they look to establish Villa as a top-six team.

“Smith may well start next season in the dugout but will come under huge pressure for his job in the autumn period if they do not start the new campaign well.”

Massive blunder from NSWE

Make no mistake about it, if Villa’s owners were to remove Smith from his post and appoint Nuno, fans could be absolutely fuming – the current boss was the one to guide the Midlands club out of the Championship, and after managing to avoid relegation in their first season back in the Premier League, led them to a superb 11th-placed finish this time around.

A boyhood Villa fan, Smith has built up an incredible relationship with the club’s fans and has got the team playing impressively, making a number of important and exciting signings to build around Jack Grealish.

Nuno, on the other hand, has come in for some intense criticism for his lack of attacking football, and he leaves Molineux after essentially stagnating at Wolves – former Villa striker Gabby Abgonlahor has been one of those to take aim at his tactics.

He said: “When I watch Wolves they’re very boring to watch. You watch them and they can’t play unless they’re playing five at the back because their centre-halves aren’t good enough to play as a four.

“They’re very boring when they play five at the back as well. You can see the manager’s tried to change it by playing four at the back against West Ham but their centre-halves couldn’t manage it and they lost.

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“I’m sure he’ll revert back to five at the back and they’ll become boring again. Maybe the loss of Jimenez has been massive but still with the players they’ve got they’re underachieving.”

Villa simply can’t afford to make the mistake of getting rid of Smith to appoint Nuno, who finished two places and 10 points worse off than the 50-year-old with a rival Midlands club.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are facing a major transfer nightmare…

Mark Warburton has hinted that he will not be making a move to bring Alex Pritchard to Queen Park Rangers this summer.

What’s been said?

In an interview with The Mirror, the QPR boss opened up on a number of the transfer rumours that are currently surrounding the club, including The Rs’ reported interest in the recently released Huddersfield Town midfielder Alex Pritchard.

However, despite heaping a considerable amount of praise on the 28-year-old, Warburton went on to suggest that his side would not be making move for the £2.52m-rated man this summer.

He said: “As for Alex Pritchard, I know him really well. He’s a very talented player. I see us getting linked with him all the time. But don’t forget we’ve got the likes of Ilias Chair, Chris Willock and George Thomas – so we’ve got that type of player in the building already.

“I’ve got enormous respect for Alex. He’s a top lad and a top player but as I say we’ve got players in that position already.”

Fans will be buzzing

Despite showing a significant amount of promise as a youngster, being dubbed a “talented” player by his former Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Christian Eriksen, since making an £11.12m move to Huddersfield back in January of 2018, it would be a fair claim to make that Pritchard has not quite lived up to his price tag.

Over his 83 appearances in all competitions for the Terriers, the former Tottenham man scored just three goals and registered three assists for the club – having last found the back of the net when Huddersfield were still in the top flight.

The 28-year-old was once again in extremely disappointing form over his 18 Championship appearances last term, scoring no goals and providing no assists, as well as creating just one big chance and averaging a mere 0.1 shots on target per game.

These metrics saw the midfielder earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.60, ranking him as the club’s joint 11th-worst performer in the second tier.

As such, considering these lacklustre displays, in addition to the fact that, as Warburton suggests, QPR already own the likes of Chair, Willock and Thomas who can operate in attacking midfield, as well as the potential issue of the former England U21 international’s wage demands – having been on £30k-per-week at Huddersfield –  the fact the 58-year-old does not seem to fancy a move for Pritchard is likely to have fans of the club buzzing.

In other news: QPR handed huge transfer boost over “top drawer” target that’ll have Warburton buzzing