All posts by z3u9t.icu

It’s ironic, really, that the game that looked to have all but ended Erik ten Hag’s tenure as Manchester United manager may actually have been the one to save him.

Cast your mind back to that grim night in May, as a beleaguered United side simply wilted away to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park – the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze running riot in that thumping 4-0 win for the hosts.

The writing was seemingly on the wall for the man in the visiting dugout, but to his credit, the Dutchman did not fold, instead regrouping in the final knockings of the season heading into the FA Cup final.

A change in tact – which saw Sofyan Amrabat move into a more defensive-minded midfield – brought about wins over both Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion, prior to the Red Devils seeing off Pep Guardiola’s men at Wembley, all while deploying this new, strikerless 4-2-4 formation.

It could be said that had it not been for that night in south London – and its subsequent impact on the setup for the cup final – then Ten Hag would no longer be at the helm.

The aim now is for the 54-year-old to illustrate that progress has been made as the two sides prepare to meet again this evening.

Man Utd team news

Fresh off back-to-back wins in all competitions – having notably hit League One side Barnsley for seven in midweek – the doom and gloom has somewhat shifted at Old Trafford, with a run now needing to be put together to mount a charge on the top four.

Not that anyone will be getting carried away – not with this team, at least – but there are certainly positive signs, not least the slow introduction of new man Manuel Ugarte, as well as the return of a handful of prior absentees.

The likes of Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia are now back in first-team training, while both Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund are in contention to feature later today, with the latter man having been absent since limping off against Arsenal during pre-season.

With Luke Shaw still working away in the background, Ten Hag’s squad is slowly but surely beginning to come together, with there likely to be no excuses once the former Ajax boss does have everyone fit and available.

For once, the experienced tactician does actually have options to choose from in the attacking ranks, in particular, with it yet to be seen whether Joshua Zirkzee will be given another chance to impress from the start in that centre-forward berth.

Joshua Zirkzee's start at Man Utd

In truth, things couldn’t have started much better for the Netherlands international, with the 6 foot 4 marksman prodding home in inventive fashion to seal a much-needed opening-day win over Fulham.

A goal on debut is no doubt the ideal way to calm the nerves, although it’s fair to say that the £36.5m arrival hasn’t quite been able to build on that first outing, having failed to score since then.

The former Bologna man was unfortunate to deny Alejandro Garnacho from scoring against Brighton, although he did then spurn two gilt-edged chances in the chastening defeat to Liverpool, having been teed up beautifully on both occasions by Marcus Rashford.

Away at Southampton last weekend, the silky striker was neat and tidy on the ball and linked the play effectively – having completed 100% of his dribbles and registered two key passes – although again missed two ‘big chances’, notably failing to convert with a side-footed effort in the second half.

Perhaps it would be harsh to remove him from the starting lineup when the Dutchman is showing signs of life, although Ten Hag certainly has other options at his disposal, with there no doubt wisdom in returning Amad Diallo to the fray instead.

What Man Utd's front three should be vs Palace

Yes, it was ‘only’ Barnsley, but the manner in which United dispatched their lower-league opponents was rather impressive, with the aforementioned Rashford looking delightfully menacing on Tuesday night.

Among the club’s top earners on a reported £300k-per-week, the Englishman – who scored just eight goals in total last season and missed out on Euro 2024 as a result – has been rightly criticised for his worrying drop off of late, yet if recent weeks are anything to go by, the 26-year-old may just be finding his groove again.

Again, the quality of the opposition should be considered, but Rashford terrorised the visiting backline in midweek, leading the line in fine fashion and helping himself to his second and third goals of the campaign – after also netting against the Saints.

The days of deploying the academy graduate through the middle seemed to be over, but with Zirkzee not exactly firing – and the returning Hojlund still set for a squad role – it could be time to give Rashford a run in the side as the leading number nine.

That would then allow Garnacho to remain on the left flank after the Argentine provided four goal contributions against the Tykes, while on the opposite side, the rising star that is Amad can return in place of Antony.

The Ivorian “wizard” – as described by journalist James Copley – has been a shining light so far this season, having notably netted in the defeat to Brighton, while also being hailed as ‘United’s best player’ away at St Mary’s last week, as per MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst.

90 minutes

1 assist

69 touches

90% pass accuracy

6 key passes

1 shot on target

4/7 ground duels won

1/1 aerial duels won

9x possession lost

4 tackles

The only league game that the 22-year-old hasn’t started this season was in fact the loss to Arne Slot’s side, although he certainly made an impression off the bench on the day, having provided two key passes in his 21-minute cameo, while also creating one ‘big chance’ and registering an impressive 91% pass accuracy.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Having largely played a bit-part role last season due to injury, the one-time Atalanta man – who has still only made 27 appearances for the club in three-and-a-half-years – no doubt warrants an extended run of games, with the right-wing berth now arguably his to lose moving forward.

With Garnacho and Rashford also both deserving of a start, the easy solution would be to trial this new-look front three and leave Zirkzee sitting alongside Hojlund on the bench, ready to make an impact when needed.

In reality, the likelihood is that the choice will come down to one of Garnacho or Amad on the right, yet it would certainly be a risk worth taking to have Rashford deployed through the middle, flanked by those two young prodigies.

In any case, Ten Hag’s men should be hopeful of avenging the shambles that was their previous trip to Selhurst – that’s if Jonny Evans and Casemiro aren’t starting at centre-back, at least…

Ten Hag must brutally drop Eriksen for Man Utd's sensational "genius"

The incredible star has to be in the lineup today.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 21, 2024

Two weeks is a very long time in football, and Tottenham Hotspur are a perfect example of that.

Midway through last month, the North Londoners were in a supposed crisis, having dropped points away to Leicester City and lost to Arsenal and Newcastle United in back-to-back games.

However, with their backs against the wall, Ange Postecoglou’s entertainers went on to win their next four games, with the 3-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday afternoon the pick of the bunch.

Things are looking up for the Lilywhites now, but the win over United showed that Postecoglou has to devise a different solution to Son Heung-min’s absence on the left wing going forward, as Timo Werner simply isn’t good enough.

Werner's poor form

When Spurs first announced the signing of Werner on loan in January, there was a level of cautious optimism among fans and pundits alike that the former Chelsea ace would be unlocked in Postecoglou’s free-flowing system and produce a level of output similar to his initial stint with RB Leipzig and look a different player to the one who flopped at Chelsea.

After all, Arteta has improved Kai Havertz and Jorginho’s fortunes in the last 18 months, so why couldn’t the Australian do the same?

Unfortunately, while the Stuttgart-born poacher was useful here and there, he was ultimately rather underwhelming, and by the time a thigh injury ended his campaign in late April, he had racked up a meagre haul of two goals and three assists in 14 games.

However, the club had obviously seen enough. In late May, it was announced that they had agreed to extend his loan for another season, in a deal that includes an option to buy for around £8.5m, although based on his form so far this year, we aren’t sure that’s an option that will be taken up.

So far, the 28-year-old has made six appearances, two of which have been starts, yet he has failed to score even a single goal, and against Coventry City in the League Cup, he looked completely off the pace, which would explain the 2/10 rating he got from Spurs writer Alasdair Gold.

Now, were he to continue to make minor substitute appearances here and there, then his abysmal form wouldn’t be a huge problem, but following Son’s injury last week, he started against United and could be in line to continue starting until the South Korean is back.

Luckily, his inclusion from the start didn’t cost the team on Sunday, but that might not be the case going forward, so Postecoglou must take action and hand one of the club’s most exciting prospects his chance in the first team until the captain is fit and firing again.

Why Postecoglou should turn to Mikey Moore

Yes, the exciting youngster Ange should now turn to in place of Werner is academy graduate Mikey Moore.

Although the 17-year-old left-winger has had very minimal first-team experience up until now, making just five appearances in the last year, that shouldn’t bar him from making his first start this evening.

Indeed, if a player is good enough, they are old enough, and the Southwark-born gem is certainly good enough.

For example, in his 33 games for the club’s various junior sides, the “outstanding” prospect, as talent scout Jacek Kulig has dubbed him, has scored 20 goals and provided 15 assists.

This means that the sensational attacker is currently averaging a goal involvement once every 0.94 games at the youth level, and while that level of output obviously won’t translate into the men’s game, it’s still incredibly encouraging.

Appearances

33

Goals

20

Assists

15

Goal Involvements per Match

1.06

Moreover, while the right-footed dynamo was only on the pitch for 14 minutes against United, he looked utterly unphased and right at home, even coming exceptionally close to scoring with a brilliant curled effort from outside the box.

Ultimately, Son is one of Spurs’ best players, and there really isn’t anyone else in the squad who will be able to replace his output while he is sidelined. However, we know Werner isn’t good enough, and from all indications, Moore looks like he just might be.

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The North Londoners made the right choice in 2022.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 2, 2024

Therefore, Postecoglou should drop the German from his starting lineup and give the young Englishman a chance to start first-team games.

Following a disastrous start, Southampton chiefs have now reportedly taken a significant step behind the scenes that should be a cause for concern for current manager Russell Martin.

Russell Martin's Southampton future

With one point in their first seven Premier League, to say that the Saints are yet to re-adjust to life in the top-flight would be quite the understatement. As things stand, they’re on a crash course hurtling straight back to the Championship, with their 3-1 defeat against Arsenal last time out only adding to the woes of those watching on at St Mary’s.

Given that their only point so far has come against fellow newly-promoted side Ipswich Town though, Southampton’s next game against Leicester City after the international break represents a major chance to gain their first three points of the season in what could finally prove to be a turning point for their campaign.

The pressure is certainly on Martin to turn a sinking ship towards safety amid concerns that his style of play will only lead to the inevitable in the Premier League’s relegation scrap. Some at St Mary’s have even reportedly been concerned enough to take action.

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Southampton could face a battle on their hands to keep their brightest star.

ByBrett Worthington Oct 8, 2024

According to TeamTalk, Southampton chiefs have already started their search for candidates who could replace Martin, with the Saints’ next clash against Leicester seen as a can’t lose fixture if the manager wants to keep hold of his job. Suffer another defeat and Southampton are reportedly ready to axe the former Swansea City boss.

In a move that would see Martin secure the unwanted win in the Premier League’s sack race, just who Southampton would turn to next remains to be seen. It would, of course, be a make or break decision for their season.

Southampton must avoid Burnley repeat

A side sitting in the relegation zone whilst playing modern football that some will welcome as a brave step in the Premier League feels like an all too familiar story. In fact, if you cast your minds back to just last season, it is a narrative that Burnley fans lived through during Vincent Kompany’s tenure. Whilst the Belgian remained stubborn and the Clarets suffered relegation as a result, it was Kompany who reaped the rewards with a move to Bayern Munich.

Now, one season later, Southampton are arguably in a similar situation. And although it seems unlikely that Martin will be getting a move to the likes of Bayern anytime soon, his stubbornness has been incredibly similar to Kompany’s, which looks set to lead down a similar path for the Saints.

Unlike Burnley, however, those at St Mary’s don’t seem keen to wait around and watch on as their side take a modern, commendable yet failed approach on their way back to the Championship. Instead, they’re reportedly focusing on the results rather than the style, with Leicester seen as a must-win no matter how Southampton secure the points to only add to the drama after the international break.

Mikel Arteta’s transformation of Arsenal has been nothing short of phenomenal, taking the club from strugglers to Premier League title challengers in just a couple of years.

When the Spaniard took over, the Gunners were a mess on the pitch, finishing eighth after taking over midway through the 2019/20 season, which was impacted by the COVID pandemic.

However, just a handful of years later, the 42-year-old developed the squad into title challengers, becoming Manchester City’s closest challengers in the 2022/23 season – but they narrowly missed out on a first league title since the invincible campaign.

The club’s investment in players all over the pitch such as Gabriel, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus, has allowed for the rapid transformation – with credit needing to be handed out to the recruitment team.

Despite their activity in the market, the club also have their academy to thank, with the emergence of one star undoubtedly bolstering their title ambitions in recent times.

Bukayo Saka’s time in Arsenal’s first-team

After making his first-team debut back in the 2018/19 campaign, winger Bukayo Saka rapidly integrated himself into a star at the Emirates – becoming the latest gem out of the club’s Hale End academy.

It was the following campaign that the Englishman made a name for himself, registering 16 goal contributions during his first full season as a first-team member.

Since then, the 23-year-old hasn’t looked back, becoming a key player under Arteta and producing some phenomenal numbers over the last couple of years.

The 2022/23 season saw Saka burst into life, registering 26 goals or assists as the Gunners narrowly missed out on the Premier League title.

It’s also allowed him to become a regular player in the England national side, featuring at Euro 2020 along with the World Cup in 2022 and the recent European Championships, as the nation fell to a defeat against Spain in the final.

However, despite all his recent successes, he still earns less than one player who failed to make his mark during his stint in North London.

The man who earned more than Saka at Arsenal

Alexis Sanchez was a huge part of Arsenal’s success during the latter years of Arsène Wenger’s tenure at the Emirates – but his move to Manchester United sparked a swap deal between the two clubs.

The Chilean attacker moved to Old Trafford in January 2018, a deal that saw attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan move to North London as part of the transfer.

The Armenian star arrived with high hopes given his experience at the top level, but whilst he demonstrated moments of magic, his spell with the Gunners overall was a disappointing one.

He made only made 59 appearances during his 18-month stint at the club, scoring nine times after arriving under legendary boss Wenger.

2017/18

17

3

6

2018/19

39

6

7

2019/20

3

0

0

Total:

59

9

13

Mkhitaryan, who was previously dubbed as “disappointing” by journalist Stuart Mathieson, pocketed a huge sum whilst featuring for the Gunners, earning £200k-per-week, as per Capology.

His subsequent earnings are higher than current Arsenal star Saka who pockets a reported £195k-per-week at the Emirates after his recent emergence over the last few years.

When combining Mkhitaryan’s total earnings during his time in North London, he cost the club a whopping £15.6m in wages – a huge sum given his lack of consistent impact at the Emirates.

Whilst his experience could’ve certainly helped Arsenal during a tricky period on the pitch, the move never worked out with the midfielder costing the club a small fortune.

They made the right call in parting ways with the Armenian international at the time they did, preventing them from losing any more money after a failed 18-month stint at the club.

Arsenal wasted £90m on Emirates flop who earned more than Raya & Gabriel

The move was a complete disaster for both parties.

1 ByEthan Lamb Oct 10, 2024

Newcastle United have shaped into an excellently run club, and though there’s been some frustration around the rather uninspiring summer transfer window, it’s a world away from the one-time pit the Magpies were bogged in, under the iron fist of Mike Ashley.

Eddie Howe has led the Toon to a Champions League campaign and a domestic cup final, having improved St. James’ Park with players such as Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman.

Heightened expectations accentuate issues that seek to pull the side away from prominence, and the PSR issues that seeped across from exceeded spending over a three-year limit led to some damaging departures.

Newcastle sold some top talents this summer

Newcastle did not welcome any high-priced additions this summer, notably failing to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace despite offering a fourth bid worth £65m for the England international.

The Tynesiders did, however, manage to keep a hold of Gordon, Guimaraes and Isak, all of whom were courted by elite-level outfits. Why? Because some younger, more marginal talent was trimmed.

Yankuba Minteh was sold to Brighton & Hove Albion for a fee of £30m in July, turning a healthy profit but failing to complete an appearance for United, plying his trade under Arne Slot with Feyenoord last year.

More painfully, the Newcastle faithful had to say goodbye to one of their own, Elliot Anderson, for the 21-year-old midfielder joined divisional rivals Nottingham Forest in a £35m move and has since been likened to none other than Lionel Messi by Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith during the Tricky Trees’ victory over Palace on Monday evening.

These are costly sales, but good deals in the grand scheme: Newcastle’s biggest hitters remain on the books. There’s a young talent, sold not too long ago, whose departure actually predates that of Howe and PIF’s advent, and he might prove to be the biggest fumble of the lot.

Newcastle already sold their biggest talent

A little over three years ago, Newcastle sold Bobby Clark to Liverpool in a deal worth £1.5m. He was 16 years old, a talented winger with properties that called for a career in the centre of the park.

Described as “Newcastle’s most promising youngster” by the Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, a lack of ambition from Newcastle, under the rule of Ashley, proved to be one of the defining points in Clark’s decision to jump ship at that nascent stage of his career, with Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur also interested.

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Ryder had even drawn parallels between the youngster and the one and only Paul Gascoigne, saying: “You have always go to be very careful with comparisons but for me – and I don’t talk about this lightly – but at the same sort of age, you had a young Paul Gascoigne at Newcastle.”

After completing 14 senior appearances for Liverpool and a bagful more at youth level, the 19-year-old completed a £10m transfer to Austrian behemoths RB Salzburg, aggravating Newcastle’s blunder, of losing him for so little.

Matches (starts)

2 (2)

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches*

53.5

Shots (on target)*

1.0 (0.5)

Pass completion

93%

Key passes*

1.5

Ball recoveries*

3.0

Tackles + interceptions*

5.0

Total duels won*

5.0 (71%)

Salzburg, led by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders, have flattered to deceive so far this season and have lost their opening Champions League fixtures by an aggregate scoreline of 7-0, but Clark’s efforts have showcased his quality.

Still a teenager, he’s proving that he has what it takes on Europe’s biggest stage, having made a marked impact on Liverpool’s season amid an injury crisis in 2023/24, crucial in winning the Carabao Cup.

Given that he’s already seen a 566% rise in value – when referring to his £10m fee – and has so much scope for growth over the coming years, it must be frustrating to think that such a player was allowed to leave, not convinced of the club’s vision.

Of course, Newcastle’s vision was myopic at that stage. He left before the lucrative PIF takeover rewrote the Toon’s future, and perhaps would be plying his trade under Howe’s leadership, had he only stayed on for another year and seen the loping strides taken.

Alas, it can’t be changed now. Though the words of those such as journalist Charlie Bennett, who called it one of Ashley’s “costliest blunders in recent times”, ring painfully true to this day, with the short-term rush from a £1.5m payday negated now, looking at the figure that could have been collected.

There’s a good chance that Clark would have stayed on the books anyway. Liverpool let him go, sure, but did so with the insertion of an affordable buyback clause, having recognised the calibre of prospect that they had grudgingly let go, with Slot aware that he would simply be scrapping for one minute, two, amid the high-class quality of the first team.

He’s got flair and panache, a boyish avidity that, if sustained, hardened, could be utilised as an almighty weapon in a dynamic and all-encompassing midfield role.

A lad for the big occasion, he proved his European credentials last season, with Liverpool, and consolidated them now, with Salzburg. Last year, across two Europa League fixtures, he scored, won 82% of his duels, completed 90% of his passes and won six tackles, as per Sofascore.

With the likes of Lewis Miley proving his talent in Newcastle’s senior set-up and Anderson now blooming out in Nottingham, there’s a pleasing amount of academy talent starting to emerge from the youth ranks on Tyneside.

It’s just a shame that Clark’s still not there, a core part of that revolution.

Newcastle must regret deal for £15m flop who's now worth millions less

Newcastle must surely regret the move for the flop.

1 ByEthan Lamb Oct 24, 2024

There’s a post on X (formerly Twitter) doing the rounds regarding a fan of Bayer Leverkusen, seemingly expressing incredulity regarding Anfield’s decibel levels on Tuesday night – making suggestions of electronic amplification – as Liverpool thrived in the Champions League.

It’s perhaps an experience, so singular, that rival fans meet only a handful of times, for Liverpool’s home ground is a ferocious thing at times, swallowing up the most elite of opposition.

There’s plenty of football left to play this season, but Liverpool are flourishing within Arne Slot’s tactical philosophy. Mohamed Salah, in particular, is playing at an incredible level. But is that actually a surprise?

Mohamed Salah's performances this season

Salah’s quality appears to have no end, but in truth, he’s out of contract at the end of the campaign and so may well be completing his final months as a Liverpool player.

This term, the 32-year-old has posted nine goals and nine assists apiece across 15 matches in all competitions and seems as hungry as ever for silver-laden success.

But, alas, Salah may indeed be leaving for pastures new at this later stage of his career, and if FSG and Richard Hughes cannot agree on terms that would see his £350k-per-week contract – the highest at Liverpool by a distance – extended, a replacement will need to be found.

Liverpool love an internal solution, and so while fans would relish a high-priced signing brought in to replace the legendary figure, a youngster named Ben Doak might actually be the perfect option for Liverpool’s right flank in the long term.

Why Ben Doak could be the perfect Salah heir

Doak is only young but he’s making gains on loan with Middlesbrough in the Championship. Boro are not hitting the levels of recent years but the Liverpool youngster is still earning invaluable experience under Michael Carrick’s wing.

Hailed as a “prodigy” by Liverpool youth correspondent Keifer MacDonald, Doak featured intermittently for the Reds last season, under Jurgen Klopp, before injuries cast him to the sidelines across the second half of the term.

When Salah was 18, he was plying his trade in his Egyptian homeland for Al Mokawloon. The road ahead is long, but Doak has the skills to make his name at the very apex of football’s pyramid.

Matches (starts)

9 (7)

Goals

1

Assists

1

Shots (on target)*

1.6 (0.8)

Pass completion

81%

Key passes*

2.1

Dribbles*

2.1

Ball recoveries*

2.3

Total duels won*

4.3

It’s a testament to Doak’s ability that at his maiden stage he is already featuring regularly from the outset for a team like Middlesbrough – and impressing too.

Nifty and tricky, the right-flanking forward is only going to get better across the coming years and he truly could be the internal option for FSG to consider when replacing Salah.

With pace and potency that are served alongside a combativeness that speaks of his suitability within the rigorous Premier League, Doak’s one to keep an eye one for sure – he might just shape into one of the game’s superstars.

Move over Jones: Slot can unleash his own Xabi Alonso in Liverpool starlet

Liverpool have a “special” teenager who could be their next Xabi Alonso.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 8, 2024

Sunderland have been forced to sell a number of their top English players over the years, including Jordan Pickford, Jordan Henderson, Darren Bent, and most recently, Jack Clarke, who joined Ipswich Town in the summer. Jobe Bellingham could be the next.

What Sunderland are doing to stop Jobe Bellingham leaving the club in 2025

He has been a key man in the early stages of the season, and they want to keep him.

ByBen Browning Nov 12, 2024

Since joining the Black Cats from Birmingham City in 2023, the England U21 international has been one of Sunderland’s star players, catching the eye with his commanding performances in the middle of the park.

As a result of his displays in Red and White, Bellingham has attracted interest from a host of Europe’s biggest clubs, including both Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.

Dortmund now in contact with Jobe Bellingham

According to Sky Sports in Germany, it’s Dortmund who are in pole position to land Bellingham. They reported on Monday that Dortmund are now “in contact” with the 19-year-old about a potential move to the Westfalenstadion, where his older brother, Jude, spent three seasons before moving to Real Madrid in the summer of 2023.

Sky said that Dortmund, and especially chief scout Sebastian Krug, still maintain a close relationship with Bellingham’s family, and that his “development is being closely monitored” in what is a worrying update for Sunderland.

According to The Guardian’s Ed Aarons, Sunderland want at least £20 million for Bellingham and have already turned down offers from Crystal Palace and several other clubs.

Palmer: Sunderland must keep Bellingham

Sunderland finished 16th in the Championship last season, but have looked a completely different side this term under new boss Regis Le Bris.

After 15 games played, they are now top of England’s second division and on course for a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2016/17.

Bellingham has been a huge factor in the success of Le Bris’ side this term, and former England international Carlton Palmer believes the Black Cats must keep hold of him if they want to secure promotion come the end of the season.

Jobe Bellingham’s 2024/25 Sunderland Championship Stats

Appearances

13

Starts

13

Average Rating

7.34

Pass accuracy %

87.2

Assists

1

Goals

2

Stats Correct As Of November 19, 2024

“For me, if they were mid-table and further down the league it would be a different scenario,” he told Football League World. “But, with Sunderland going great guns, to let Chris Rigg or Jobe Bellingham go would be detrimental to their promotion hopes.”

Palmer said, however, that he thinks that an offer from Dortmund would be one Bellingham himself would struggle to turn down.

“I think it would be a good move for him. Dortmund have shown how they develop young players in the past, and he has obviously looked at how they have helped guide his brother.”

“He is a very talented player, and he will get the game time that he needs to develop and hopefully kick on. I don’t think he’ll resist the chance to sign for Dortmund,” Palmer added.

Liverpool’s enthralling campaign has been put on hold as international action is ushered in once again. It feels like the term has been heavily punctuated by these annoying breaks, but it’s a good chance for certain players to grow in confidence.

Certain players such as Curtis Jones. The 23-year-old has made impressive headway for the Reds in recent weeks and was justly rewarded with his England debut as Lee Carsley’s side came up against Greece. It was a must-win fixture, and Jones was his nation’s life-juice in the middle.

Curtis Jones thrives on Three Lions debut

England needed to win. It wasn’t seamless football, but this Lions side, lacking a plethora of key parts, succeeded, and Jones was at the beating heart as he enjoyed a sensational national debut.

Some showing. The deft backheeled flick to stretch England’s lead to three goals in the late stage was a thing to behold and made a telling comment on the confidence that positively oozes from the Scouse-born star right now.

Injuries notwithstanding, there’s seemingly nothing that can stifle this man’s style right now, and after admitting that he’s personally loved the switch from Jurgen Klopp to the more control-focused Slot, it’s clear he’s reaching new levels.

Jones wouldn’t be the only one. Over 1000 miles westward, France played out a drab draw against Israel, but Ibrahima Konate was imperious once again.

Ibrahima Konate was immense once again

Ryan Gravenberch has been excellent for Liverpool this season, really stepping up, but so too has Konate dug into his skill set and unearthed qualities scarcely seen across his first three campaigns on Merseyside. Slot is taking his athletic prowess and fashioning it into something of the top drawer.

Arsenal’s William Saliba was kept out of the Les Bleus starting line-up once again as Konate struck his stake deeper into French soil, daring Didier Deschamps to drop him.

Against Israel, Konate proved to be a brick wall once again, and though there was one moment of tension when Raz Shlomo arced off the 6 foot 4 titan’s side and fired at shot-stopper Mike Maignan, his crisp and crunching defensive authority was on full show once again.

Minutes played

90′

Clean sheet

1

Touches

85

Shots (on target)

3 (0)

Accurate passes

69 /75 (92%)

Tackles

3

Interceptions

2

Ground duels (won)

3 (3)

Aerial duels (won)

2 (2)

The 25-year-old’s spatial awareness and recovery speed were discernible once again, with Konate covering large swathes of ground and showcasing boldness that saw him wade into attacking territory as he looked to break the visitors’ resolve.

Regarding the job description, he performed admirably, completing most of his passes and winning each of his duel and tackle contests. Such command, such quality. It was an almost flawless showing, surpassing the still impressive effort of his English teammate Jones.

Playing beside Virgil van Dijk with regularity, you’re bound to learn some neat tricks. Konate is going from strength to strength this season, and now, entering the ostensible prime of his career is beginning to look like one of the meanest defenders in the business – for club and country both.

Liverpool thought they had the next Messi & Ronaldo, then he left for £0

Liverpool must regret signing £20m flop who was once compared to Messi & Ronaldo

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 14, 2024

When Carlo Ancelotti, one of football’s most decorated modern coaches, was anointed as the new Everton boss in December 2019, it carried all the signs of a watershed moment.

Ancelotti, a three-time Champions League-winning manager (now five-time) was regarded as a ‘Hollywood’ arrival for one of England’s most prestigious outfits.

Nonetheless, Everton had fallen by the wayside under the deposed Marco Silva and needed such a leader to spearhead a renaissance back to the upper echelons of the Premier League, and perhaps into European prominence thereafter.

It didn’t happen. Ancelotti was tempted by the wafty aromas of Real Madrid, and who can blame him? He steadied the ship at Goodison Park and recorded a 59-point tenth-placed finish in 2020/21, merely ten points behind Liverpool in third.

Sean Dyche

Jan ’23 –

76

1.26

Frank Lampard

Jan ’22 – Jan ’23

44

1.00

Rafa Benitez

Jul ’21 – Jan ’22

22

1.14

Carlo Ancelotti

Dec ’19 – June ’21

67

1.60

Marco Silva

May ’18 – Dec ’19

60

1.38

His transfer business held so much promise, albeit largely falling apart once he left for Spanish riches.

Carlo Ancelotti's first transfers at Everton

He probably didn’t have that much influence with this deal, but Ancelotti’s tenure began, transfer-wise, with the £1m winter acquisition of Jarrad Branthwaite from Carlisle United. A 17-year-old prospect at the time, it’s safe to say that one’s paid off.

That was all she wrote for the 2019/20 winter market on the blue side of the River Mersey, but the heralded Italian manager was allowed to leave his imprint on the Toffees the following summer, signing Allan from his previous club Napoli for a £20m fee after landing Ben Godfrey and Abdoulaye Doucoure from English teams.

Some neat stuff, players who would make an impact that year as Everton finished tenth, commendably so.

Oh yes, James Rodriguez was also brought in from Real Madrid for a smart £12m sum. Ancelotti’s contacts stretched far and wide and bore dividends for Everton.

Or so it seemed.

Why James Rodriguez left Everton as a flop

One of Colombia’s greatest players and a household name for football fans, Everton’s coup was regarded as something special. Rodriguez rose to fame at the 2014 World Cup and earned a transfer to Los Blancos that totalled £71m, with Ancelotti at the helm.

Whether he flattered to deceive is debatable, for he recorded 79 direct goal contributions across 125 matches, lifting the Champions League twice and La Liga two times more.

Injuries, inconsistency and fitness-related issues have left Rodriguez with a great career instead of an immortal legacy beyond the confines of his homeland. At Everton, having fallen out of favour at Real after two years on loan with Bayern Munich, he felt the chance to showcase his talent and enjoy a resurgence befitting his elite-level quality.

Compounding the misery, it’s believed that Everton shattered their wage structure to facilitate the marquee move, offering the South American playmaker a £250k-per-week salary that eclipsed the earnings of any of his teammates.

That pay packet was believed to form the crux of a botched effort to offload him during the 2021 summer transfer window, with suitors unwilling to meet the exorbitant figure.

And that’s despite his comparatively impressive campaign in the Premier League, posting six goals and four assists across 23 matches while averaging 1.8 key passes per game. Clearly, he could change matches in an instant, but when Ancelotti jumped ship, Rodriguez fled soon after.

Rafa Benitez’s authoritarian managerial approach ran counter to Rodriguez’s stance on his football, so it’s unsurprising, but his wages proved to be a problem for the European scene and he ended up signing for Qatari side Al-Rayyan for an undisclosed fee.

Ancelotti clearly loved the midfielder but did acknowledge his certain laziness on the field, likening him to the Brazilian Ronaldo for his skillset, so replete with awe-inspiring ability, but lacking in effort and determination.

There really was a superabundance of style oozing from this mercurial talent. The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland even went as far as to remark that Rodriguez had “passing like Messi” when he joined the club, but admitted that “there is no obvious place for the Colombian in Benitez’s system,” several months later down the line.

Everton had a glimpse, but not enough. It was a sobering reality. He’d left Liverpool aglow when arriving, but left with his head hung. Financial difficulties forced his exit, but for all his quality, Rodriguez’s fitness record left plenty to be desired and imposed upon the talent that simply didn’t match the cost of keeping him.

His departure signalled a step away from the realm of the panache and into a future of industriousness. Hard work. Authority. Thing is, though, it hasn’t paid off, and now the whole thing can only be looked at poignantly from all angles.

The signs of inconsistency were there. In 2016, journalist Kieran Canning commented on Rodriguez’s struggles in the Spanish capital: “At this stage of last season, James Rodriguez was Madrid’s best player. His fall this season to being behind Lucas, Jese & Isco alarming.”

The 112-cap Colombia international is undoubtedly an iconic player and one of the most talented to grace Goodison Park across its modern history, but flashes of brilliance are negated by a lack of overall fluency and commitment.

Flashes of brilliance give rise to difference-making moments, but these are few and far between. Rodriguez could have been so much more, and while Everton fans are grateful for the good times, it was a deal that was emblematic of the recruitment problems that have thrown the Merseysiders into the morass in which they presently languish.

Imagine him & Ndiaye: Everton can land 'one of the best CF's in the world'

Everton surely need to ditch Calvert-Lewin and replace him with “one of the best CFs in the world”

1 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 24, 2024

It is fair to say that Arne Slot’s time at Liverpool so far has been a success. The Dutchman has helped his side reach the summit of the Premier League table, where they find themselves four points clear of second place Chelsea. Of course, they have a game in hand, which will be against Everton following last Saturday’s postponed fixture.

Things are beginning to get hectic for the Merseysiders, with a festive period packed with fixtures. They will play both domestic and European games, with a clash against Girona up next. Impressively, the Reds are top of the Champions League table too, and have been formidable.

Slot’s side are yet to lose a game in Europe so far, after a fantastic start to the competition.

Liverpool’s Champions League record

The Reds have been the dominant side in the Champions League so far in 2024/25. In the competition’s new look format, where you play eight games rather than six, they are yet to drop a single point.

So far, Liverpool have played five games and won five games. They have had some tough fixtures, too.

The best win of the bunch was surely the most recent win against Real Madrid, which saw Slot’s side run out 2-0 winners against the current holders of the prestigious trophy. Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo sealed the win for the Reds.

Their other wins in the competition include a fantastic 3-1 win at the San Siro over Italian giants AC Milan and a 4-0 thrashing over 2023/24 Bundesliga invincibles Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield. It has been a fantastic tournament so far for Slot and his side.

Liverpool’s star individuals have been on fire in the Champions League this season. As per Sofascore, the player with the most goals and assists is, unsurprisingly, Mohamed Salah with five. He has also played the most key passes per game with 2.4 and created the joint-most big chances with four, alongside Gakpo.

Stat

Player

Number

Most goals

Luis Diaz

3

Most assists

Mohamed Salah

4

Most G/A

Mohamed Salah

5

Most big chances created

Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo

4

Most key passes per game

Mohamed Salah

2.4

Most successful dribbles per game

Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz

1.8

Most tackles per game

Ryan Gravenberch

2.4

The Reds have been imperious this term in Europe and will be hoping to continue their form in Spain on Tuesday night. Slot’s side are set to face Girona away from home, although they will be without a few key players.

Liverpool team and injury news

Before looking at those who will miss the game, it seems like goalkeeper Alisson will be back from an injury that has kept him out for two months. Slot confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the Brazilian goalkeeper will be back in the fold.

He explained that it “is definitely nice to have him back” for their Champions League game in Spain. It remains to be seen if he starts ahead of the in-form Caoimhin Kelleher, who has been a key player in the past few weeks.

Moving on to absentees, the Reds will still be without wingers Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota. Italian international Chiesa, who arrived for a £12.5m fee, will miss the game after reportedly going down with an illness.

Jota, who was signed for £41m, trained with the side this week, after recovering from the chest injury he sustained against Chelsea. However, the clash in Spain has come too early for his return.

There are other key absentees for Liverpool ahead of their clash in Spain. Alexis Mac Allister is suspended for the game after picking up three yellow cards.

There is another injured trio, with Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate and Kostas Tsimikas all set to miss the game due to fitness issues. Konate sustained his knock in the famous win against Los Blancos last time out.

Liverpool’s predicted lineup vs Girona

With just one player returning from injury ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Spain, and the fact they had a weekend off, it seems Slot will make minimal changes to the starting lineup against Girona.

Alisson – who Jurgen Klopp previously hailed as the “best in the world” – should well come back into the side despite Kelleher’s impressive form, and Trent Alexander-Arnold should start at right-back once again after he was rested against Newcastle United.

Slot will be forced to make one change, that of Mac Allister due to his suspension. Dominik Szoboszlai seems the most likely player to step into the team alongside Ryan Gravenberch.

Slot might not decide to change the front three that started against, which consisted of Salah, Gakpo and Darwin Nunez. However, given his goal-scoring form in the Champions League, Luis Diaz could come back into the side.

Liverpool predicted lineup in full: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo.

Slot must axe Szoboszlai & unleash Liverpool's very own Bellingham instead

Liverpool are expected to make rotations against Girona in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 10, 2024