Liverpool have taken exception to comments made by Liverpool Echo journalist Ian Doyle, after he said that manager Jurgen Klopp’s midfield experiment did not go as planned.
The Reds got past Genk on Wednesday with a 4-1 win in the Champions League, with a brace from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and goals from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah completing the goal tally.
Liverpool’s win in the Champions League came off the back of five changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Manchester United on Sunday, with Naby Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain replacing Georginio Wijnaldum and captain Jordan Henderson.
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Despite scoring a quartet of goals in Belgium, Doyle wrote in his column in the Liverpool Echo that the midfield three didn’t work and that they may not feature together again.
He said: “The midfield may have been the one many supporters wanted but it’s clear why this was the first time it had been seen.
“This wasn’t a case of Liverpool getting away with it – the individual performances were too good for that – but as an experiment, it was an engine room that underlined why it may not be seen again any time soon.”
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Supporters took exception to the journalist’s remarks about the players in the middle and voiced their feelings on Twitter.
Here you will find some of the best reactions from Liverpool fans…
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Jackie McNamara has told Football Insider that he thinks Jozo Simunovic might want to leave Celtic this summer, and he could well be right.
What’s he said?
The former Celts star McNamara has spoken of Simunovic’s Parkhead future, with the defender being heavily linked to Ligue 1 side Lille.
Simunovic has been a key part of the Parkhead side since Neil Lennon came back to the club in February but has had to deal with added competition for places.
The arrival of Christopher Jullien, as well as Nir Bitton performing well as a makeshift centre-back, has meant that the 25-year-old has a serious fight on his hands.
This is the main reason as to why McNamara thinks that he may be interested in a move away from Celtic Park this summer, as he stated: “They’ve got options, they’ve brought in Jullien and there are others still in the squad who will probably want off and maybe one or two out on loan.
“It’s hard to keep everyone happy, like Simunovic, you’ve got Jack Hendry there as well.
“(In the starting XI) You’ve got Ajer, Jullien – they’ve got a lot of options there. In some sense there will be players there who want to move out, that maybe aren’t going to feature so they’ll want to go out and play and they’ll (Celtic) use that to strengthen other areas.”
Is he right?
Simunovic has seen his chances of getting a regular starting berth under Lennon dented, with Jullien’s arrival likely forcing him down to the pecking order, as the Frenchman and Ajer look to form a partnership. In moving club, the defender might see his chances of becoming a key player increase.
Financially it would make sense too, with Football Insider previously reporting that the French side would double his Celtic wages. The money factor, coupled with the prospect of playing in the Champions League group stage (something that isn’t yet guaranteed for the Celts) could turn his head.
It probably isn’t the best time from a Celtic standpoint for someone who played 30 times last term to be considering a transfer. Despite it being early August, their season could be defined by the next month or so.
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Qualification to the Champions League would be important and could go some way in convincing potential targets to sign and the likes of Simunovic to stay. And with a Glasgow derby and a League Cup tie to be played before the window closes, Lennon won’t want to be dealing with transfer confusion at such a crucial time.
If McNamara is right, which he very well may be, then it’s going to be a worrying wait for the Celtic supporters between now and the French transfer window closing on September 2.
The need to win the UEFA Europa League final just became absolutely necessary for Unai Emery, who’s slowly realizing the gravity of the Arsenal job.
Indeed, he might’ve done a good job at progressing them into the finals and ending the season on a positive note, but taking that big step forward to competing with the best now seems a gigantic task.
According to reports from David Ornstein on BBC Five Live, the Gunners will sanction a meagre figure of £40 million for the transfer budget this summer, if Arsenal play in the UEFA Europa League next season. That is horrendously low considering the inflated transfer market, but it’ll be boosted up if Emery can get them Champions League football next season.
However, the headaches just became even more intense for the Spaniard. Regardless of whatever happens in the final, he has a big rebuilding job on his hands. Emery needs to sign better defenders, possibly a strong midfielder to replace Aaron Ramsey and a right-winger as well.
Getting even two such top-quality players inside an underwhelming transfer budget would be impossible. Even if it’s increased by some per cent with UEFA Champions League qualification, it’d be difficult to cover all bases. To boost his transfer kitty, he needs to sell high-profile players, something which is possible if he wishes to compete for bigger things.
Emery’s caught in an uncomfortable predicament now. Unless he can weave his magic to win the UEFA Europa League, a terrifying summer awaits him and Arsenal, whose dreams of competing at the top still looks a distant dream.
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Arsenal fans, do you think a bigger transfer budget must be allowed to help Emery? Join the discussion by commenting below…
Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to react after it was revealed that Wilfried Zaha had been nominated for the Premier League ‘Player of the Month’ award for his performances throughout the month of February.
The Ivory Coast international hit three goals in his three games last month, netting the equaliser against West Ham before going on to smash in a match-winning double against Leicester at the King Power Stadium.
This form, in addition to his goal against Southampton at the end of January, saw Zaha score in three consecutive games for the first time in his career, and also helped the Eagles move away from the drop zone.
Alongside the 26-year-old in the nominees are Manchester United duo Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw, Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk, Burnley forward Ashley Barnes and Newcastle youngster Sean Longstaff.
The news has come as a shock to some given the fact that Jeffrey Schlupp won the Eagles’ Player of the Month award, but let’s take a look at how the Palace fans reacted to the news on Twitter anyway…
Watford should make a move for Hoffenheim star Andrej Kramaric, formerly of Leicester City, to give them a consistent goalscorer up front.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Hornets have been excellent this season and sit 10th in the table. Javi Gracia has his side well drilled in defence, and has seen his players contribute goals from all over the pitch.
However, one thing he does lack is a quality striker who will find the back of the net consistently and be a focal point up top. Gracia has used all of Troy Deeney, Isaac Success, Stefano Okaka, Andre Gray and even Gerard Deulofeu up front this season, with just five league goals between all of them.
Watford have used all of the aforementioned forwards in rotation this season, and should be on the lookout for a consistent figure up top.
Who could they get in?
A man who has impressed consistently in recent seasons is Hoffenheim star Kramaric. The 27-year-old used to play in England for Leicester, but scored just two Premier League goals as he struggled to settle.
However, since leaving the King Power, the Croatian has scored 45 goals for the Bundesliga side across all competitions, including nine already this season and four in the Champions League.
He is a very effective striker with a great technical side to his game, and has the versatility if needed to play anywhere across the attack.
Playmaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he often received racist abuse after North London Derbies – Check out the video below…
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Kramaric is arguably in the form of his life right now, and could very well be tempted by a move back to England to prove a lot of people who doubted him wrong.
Additionally, he may cost a fair bit of cash, but Watford have been particularly shrewd in their dealings for many years now and should easily have the funds to launch a big move for a prolific goalscorer.
West Ham United should revive their interest in Celta Vigo midfielder Nemanja Radoja this January as according to Marca, the 25-year-old was keen on a Premier League move in the summer.
What’s the word?
The Hammers had a very busy window as new manager Manuel Pellegrini recruited nine new players following his appointment.
However, the team are yet to really click this season as they have lost all four of their Premier League fixtures.
West Ham are the only club in the division not to pick up a single point, and if their dismal form continues, the club may need to jump back into the transfer market in January.
If they do, they should consider reigniting their reported pursuit of Radoja, who according to Marca, wanted to move to England in the summer.
It is also believed that West Ham expressed an interest in the defensive midfielder, who rejected offers from clubs that were not in the Premier League.
Is Radoja an upgrade?
The Serbian would add plenty of grit in the middle of the park and would be the defensive muscle that West Ham need to protect the back four.
Carlos Sanchez was bought with that in mind, but he has failed to impress so far.
On top of that, Jack Wilshere and Mark Noble have lacked energy, which has resulted in them being overrun numerous times by opponents this season.
Radoja is unproven in the Premier League and there is no guarantee that he will adapt to English football.
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However, such is his desire to make a move, he would be determined to prove his quality at the elite level.
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It hasn’t been a fantastic season for Newcastle United, but they’re certainly having a lot more fun than Sunderland, and their fans are rubbing it in.
Last season must have felt like one big dream to Newcastle fans, getting promoted at the first attempt and waving goodbye to their Northeast neighbours on the way back up.
Plenty of Sunderland fans felt their rival’s achievement was overstated, claiming the Championship isn’t that difficult. As we well know by now, the Championship clearly is quite difficult, especially if you’re Sunderland.
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The Black Cats fell to yet another home defeat on Saturday, losing 2-0 to Preston North End and ending the match with ten men. Sunderland look pretty much doomed, although Barnsley’s loss this weekend means they are still within five points of safety.
Newcastle haven’t enjoyed much of their Premier League season, but recent wins over Manchester United and Southampton have the Magpies well on their way to keeping their top flight status, and their fans absolutely loving the disparity between the Northeast rivals.
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To make matters worse for Sunderland, Darron Gibson has been suspended after a drink-driving charge, prompting jokes from their neighbours about the midfielder getting more points than Sunderland.
Some of the best Twitter reactions to yet another Sunderland defeat can be found below…
Manchester United will take on arch rivals Liverpool in what is being billed as one of the biggest games of the Premier League season this Saturday lunchtime.
There is no getting away from the fierce rivalry between the two clubs, but it is safe to say that the Red Devils head into the clash in better form.
Jose Mourinho’s men are unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions, while Liverpool have only secured victory once in their last seven outings.
Jurgen Klopp’s defensive woes have been highlighted during the campaign, and their attack was hit with a major blow on Tuesday when Sadio Mane was ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury.
From United’s perspective, they are in strong form having scored 21 Premier League goals, and three of them have been netted by Anthony Martial.
The Frenchman has been regularly rotated with Marcus Rashford, but has impressed whenever used by Mourinho.
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United fans are hopeful that the 21-year-old will be the star of the show against Liverpool at Anfield.
Former West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley believes that the club will stand by Slaven Bilic for next season.
Sky Sports reported on Tuesday that the East London outfit will move for Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic if they opt to part company with Bilic in the summer.
The Hammers have endured a disappointing season, which started off with so much promise after the seventh-placed finish in the 2015-16 campaign.
Hopes were high following the club’s move into the London Stadium, but a large number of fans are unimpressed with the new digs.
Results have not been able to cheer up the disgruntled supporters as the team have won just 10 of their 32 Premier League games.
Sixteen matches have ended in defeats, which has left the club eight points above the relegation zone with six games left to play.
Despite the turbulent campaign, which included the controversial sale of Dimitri Payet in January, Curbishley believes that Bilic will keep his job, and that the main problem was the club’s transfer strategy.
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He told talkSPORT:
“I think perhaps this season, because of the move, the injuries etc , I think they will probably be saying ‘let’s see how he starts off next year’. I think that’s where they are at at the moment. I think they will look back at the recruitment in the summer. It was poor.”
Jose Mourinho is seemingly set on signing everyone this summer.
In a summer transfer window more akin to FIFA than real life, the Portuguese manager has already signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eric Baily and Henrik Mkhitaryan, with Paul Pogba looking set to join in the coming days.
Whilst Jose Mourinho is seemingly buying every player he can get his hands on, some of his targets will no doubt remain elusive.
In fact, there are a host of players that United seem unlikely to sign, yet will no doubt add a wealth of quality to this rebuilt United XI.
Here are FIVE players that Man United won’t sign but really should…
Nemanja Matic
A long term Jose Mourinho favourite, there have been moments where Matic has looked set to head up north.
After a disappointing year last year, Chelsea were seemingly willing to let their once star man leave this summer, but thus far he has remained at the club.
Now rumours out of the club are suggesting that Chelsea are looking to hold onto him, evident by the key role he is playing in club advertising for the club’s new kits next year.
Whilst Chelsea may have changed their tune on the midfielder, there is no doubt that they wouldn’t mind letting the midfielder go for a fee around the £30million mark. Whilst his performances on the back of last season suggest that that fee isn’t good value, his quality was clear for all to stay in his first 18 months in London.
If Mourinho is looking to rebuild his midfield, he could do no better than Nemanja Matic. But now with his interest seemingly cooled, it doesn’t look like this one is on the cards this summer…
Alvaro Morata
Alvaro Morata is another player that Jose Mourinho knows well, this time from his spell in charge of Real Madrid.
With Jose seemingly keen to bolster his forward line, he was reportedly looking at Alvaro Morata as an option. Despite the long-term link, the club have reportedly cooled on the idea, after Madrid quoted the club between the £40m and £60m mark.
Now whilst that is a huge sum of money; the club definitely have it in the bank. With United set to capture Paul Pogba for up to £100m, £50m for Moratta appears excellent business; with the pair forming the core of a successful Juventus team last season.
Rumours will no doubt continue to link the player and club together; but this one looks like it wont be happening.
Karim Benzema
Another player that has long been linked with a Jose Mourinho reunion is Real Madrid star Karim Benzema.
Mourinho is of course well aware of what Benzema can do, with the striker having spearheaded the Portuguese managers attack during his stint in charge of Real Madrid.
Rumours have linked Benzema with a move to United for years, with the striker seemingly interested in a move out of Madrid.
For whatever reason, the deal has never happened, and it is showing no signs of getting completed any time soon.
United may well be worried about the ongoing investigations into Benzema’s activity off the field; but a chance to escape the drama and get back to playing football could be just what Benzema needs.
Will this one happen? We doubt it.
Dele Alli
Dele Alli would be a better signing for Manchester United than Paul Pogba this summer, at least if you believe what Harry Redknapp has to say.
You can see the argument; Dele Alli is a proven premier league star, is of a similar age to Pogba, and he also has an English passport – a rare commodity in the modern game.
He would also likely cost a significantly smaller fee, and would fit into the United attack perfectly.
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Of course this is discounting the huge quality that Pogba has, evidenced by his commanding performances with Juventus in recent years.
These suggestions come off of the back of a disappointing summer for Pogba with France, with many fans agreeing with the sentiments.
Whether you agree or disagree with his signing over the purchase of Paul Pogba, there is no doubting what a good signing Alli would be for the club.
John Stones
The rumour that just wont go away.
John Stones was the subject of a host of bids from Chelsea whilst Mourinho was in charge, and the rumours have persisted into his stint in charge of United.
The club were in need of defensive reinforcement, but Mourinho seemingly signed Baily to solve that problem.
Now Manchester City look set to land Stones, but it would be a disaster if Mourinho were to miss out on the coveted defender. Under Mourinho he could become a star, though it does not look like it is meant to be.
Stones handed in a transfer request last year, confirming that he wanted to link up with Mourinho. But this year it seems that he might be going to the blue half of Manchester instead; a poor decision from United.