Tag Futebol

We have no doubt in our mind that Liverpool will build on last season’s second place finish and Champions League trophy with another impressive showing.

The Reds were unfortunate to lose out to Manchester City having acquired a mammoth 97 points, losing just once. However, with the new season only months away, and the buzz of the ultimate European prize carrying them forward, we doubt there will be much standing in their way on their quest for the club’s first Premier League trophy since 1990.

With the excitement of the new season ahead only going to ramp up over the coming weeks, we’ve been looking at what fans should be expecting when looking at the fixture list, in a welcome break from the transfer rumour mill.

So, with that in mind, here are the two games we believe Liverpool will really be looking forward to…

Liverpool vs Norwich City: Friday 9 August 2019

What a way to open your Premier League title bid.

Indeed, Liverpool haven’t lost a top-flight game to the Canaries since 1994, and since then they’ve netted five past them on four separate occasions – the most recent of which came in a nine-goal thriller back in 2016.

Now, while we don’t want to tempt fate by suggesting that Norwich are well and truly going to get their wings clipped, it’s hard to imagine the Reds not being clear favourites. Klopp’s men are unbeaten at home in 40 Premier League games now, seemingly scoring at will with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane up top (who have combined to score 56 goals).

The newly-promoted side will want to get off to a good start, of course, but this could be a very harsh reminder of just how ruthless the Premier League can be.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa: Saturday 11 April 2020

We don’t yet know how Aston Villa are going to perform this season, after a two-year hiatus. However, if their form is anything like it was in their final season in the Premier League, which saw them finish on 17 points, then we’re expecting this to be a fairly routine victory for the title-chasing Reds.

Not to mention the fact that Liverpool will be coming off a run of games that sees them face Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Everton; two teams who took points against them last season (City and Everton), and one that came extremely close in a 4-3 Anfield blockbuster (Palace).

A welcome respite.

Liverpool fans, do you agree with our selections? Which games are you expecting to enjoy the most? Let us know in the comments below…

Marko Arnautovic’s contribution to West Ham United simply cannot be understated.

Indeed, he’s brought magic to the London stadium, but his off-the-field attitude has left a lot to be desired on numerous occasions with the Austrian obviously trying to force a move to China over the course of the January transfer window.

While Manuel Pellegrini managed to defuse the situation and there was that strange video where the former Stoke City said he was staying, he wouldn’t want any bad attitude ruining his team’s morale, clearly. So, the Hammers are seemingly considering a dangerous ploy by planning to sign another controversial striker. Great.

According to reports from Turkish outlet FotoMac (via Sports Witness), Mario Balotelli’s on their radar after an impressive campaign in Ligue 1. Eugh,

There’s little doubting the Italian’s untapped brilliance, as he’s capable of producing stunning goals or inspired moments like very few in world football, such is his talent. Indeed, the 28-year-old scored 8 goals in 15 appearances for Marseille last season, proving a menace leading their line and Balotelli has it all as a perfect striker who should and could exponentially improve the Irons’ attack.

However, knowing his history, pursuing him is a huge gamble in itself. Obviously, Balotelli’s reputation for being a “bad boy” is renowned, as his poor attitude and disrespectful antics can rattle the dressing room’s atmosphere. While he might bring goals with him, the 28-year-old brings even more trouble which will not at all be welcome in East London.

Frankly, West Ham should stay as far away as possible from Balotelli, especially after watching his meltdown at Manchester City and various other clubs in the past. They don’t need another soap opera.

West Ham fans, would you want to snap up Balotelli in the summer? Join the discussion by commenting below…

علق بلال نظير وكيل أعمال كابونجو كاسونجو لاعب فريق الكرة بالزمالك عن المشادة التي حدثت بين موكله وأليو بادجي مهاجم الأهلي عقب مباراة الفريقين في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ونشبت مشاجرة حادة بين الثنائي كاسونجو وبادجي عقب انتهاء مباراة الأهلي والزمالك والتي حسمها الأحمر بهدفين ليتوج باللقب القاري التاسع له.

وقال بلال نظير في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “الحدث اليوم”: “أولا نبارك للأهلي على الفوز بدوري أبطال إفريقيا، وحدثت مشادة بين بادجي وكاسونجو ولكن ليست كما خرجت في المشهد”.

طالع | الحكم يشهر الطرد.. مشادة بين لاعبي الأهلي والزمالك بعد انتهاء المباراة

وتابع: “طبيعي بعد الهزيمة اللاعبين يكونون مضغوطين وتحدث مشادات وهذا أمر يتكرر”.

وأردف: “وإذا حدث أي شيء من ناحية كاسونجو فأنا أعتذر بالنيابة عنه، هو لاعب ملتزم منذ أن جاء مصر، وهذه مشادة عادية تحدث بعد الخسارة والضغوط”.

واختتم: “كاسنجو شخص هادئ ولم يقصد الإساءة”.

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Mauricio Pochettino has led Tottenham Hotspur to a Champions League final, their first in Europe since 1984’s UEFA Cup win against Anderlecht. Despite all the excitement, the boss certainly has a selection headache ahead of the clash in Madrid with the pair of Harry’s – Winks and Kane – expected to be fit for the tie and Lucas Moura showing his best form in recent weeks.

The Chalkboard

Spurs’ season was on a knife edge against Ajax.

When at 2-2, (3-2 on aggregate) the campaign was looking like withering into another trophyless venture.

On 90+6 minutes though, Brazilian magician Lucas completed his hat-trick to send the North Londoners into the final to face Premier League runners up Liverpool.

The likes of Fernando Llorente and Dele Alli were vital to finding that winning goal, but it was the instinct and run of Lucas before his wonderful left-footed finish that clinched the side their place in Madrid on 1 June.

4-3-3: Son and Lucas

Tottenham have traditionally favoured a particular attacking approach under Pochettino. The use of a dynamic front four in Christian Eriksen, Alli, Kane and Heung-Min Son has given Spurs a brilliant dynamism and flexibility going forward. In recent weeks though, Lucas Moura has stepped up in the absence of key personnel, giving Pochettino a serious selection headache ahead of the final.

The Merseysiders have been better than Spurs this season, but that doesn’t mean the North Londoners can’t pose Liverpool serious problems if set up tactically well. An immediate adjustment that could work wonders is an alternating from the typical 4-2-3-1 formation to a 4-3-3, ensuring both Son and Lucas start; this will do two things.

Firstly, the Reds’ midfield will be coming up against a rigid trio who can look to match the energy and drive of Klopp’s men. But the second and most important change in this system is that the wingers will challenge Liverpool’s marauding and creative full-backs to show intelligence and caution when getting forward to attack, and the wide-men can do this whilst ensuring they don’t leave their own midfielders overly exposed either.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson have been key figures in attacking areas for their club, registering 12 and 11 assists each respectively. There’s no doubt they’ll be far more conscious of the space they’re leaving exposed if Son and Lucas are starting high and wide up the pitch. It can’t be underestimated how important it is that Spurs discourage the Liverpool press. The Reds have been far more pragmatic than in recent seasons, but they’ll still want to take the game to their opponents and look to assert their dominance.

If Kane and co. can weather the storm when it comes, they’ll find plenty of space in behind to threaten. The beauty of this is that even if Liverpool recognise the threat, the only way to null it is by encouraging their full-backs to be less expressive and sit deeper, which really eats into Klopp’s main attacking threat.

Adopting this tactic will mean Pochettino going against some of his typical footballing principles, but it could reap huge rewards.

[ad_pod ]Liverpool fans on Twitter have been busy praising Jordan Henderson after the midfielder’s upturn in form.The Reds captain has been in and out of the team for most of the season, as Jurgen Klopp has opted to rotate him and Fabinho in the No.6 position ahead of the back four.Mo Salah has been brutally mocked for his recent diving antics in a new video by 442oons. Check it out below…However, following a chat in which Henderson told Klopp that he would prefer to play further forward in a No.8 position, the England international has excelled in the role and more than put his money where his mouth is.The former Sunderland man has notched one goal and three assists since Klopp moved him higher up the pitch, whilst he has also displayed that undying passion for the club which has always been there since he signed.

At such a crucial time of the season, the Liverpool fans are loving the fact that their skipper has started to come into form, and have taken to Twitter to heap praise on the 28-year-old…

Learning from past mistakes is what helps a team grow.

Liverpool are a prime example of this, as Jurgen Klopp learned his lessons from last season’s failures to improve upon the departments where the Reds lacked the quality to compete at the top.

The biggest hole in their system was way back in their goalkeeping department, where Loris Karius’ nightmare in the Champions League finale let them down. Immediately in the summer, Klopp signed up Alisson from Roma, who turned among the best buys of the window and looks to be the club’s best goalkeeper in what seems like an eternity.

Indeed, Karius was loaned to Besiktas after a certain game out in Ukraine, but Simon Mignolet’s position remained the same.

The Belgium ‘keeper, who had served as Liverpool’s #1 for years, is now rotting on the bench. He’s only made two appearances, one in the EFL Cup along with one in the FA Cup. Incidentally, the Reds have lost both games. Coincidence? We think not.

Clearly, Klopp’s lost confidence in giving him time and Alisson, who’s kept 17 clean sheets this season, isn’t giving him any reason to replace him.

Mignolet’s grown tired of being wasted and – speaking to TV Limburg via Goal and Bleacher Report – is plotting a move away from Merseyside next season. So, after much controversy regarding his situation, the Reds will gladly fulfil his wishes. Frankly, the Belgian is way past his best and in two appearances itself proved how he’s nowhere near the Brazilian’s level.

Youngster Kamil Gabara and Caoimhin Kelleher are both capable of being second-fiddle to Alisson, who himself doesn’t miss matches.

Mignolet can’t attract a big club anymore, but at least an exit will end the bitter relationship which isn’t doing him nor Liverpool any good.

Liverpool fans, would you be affected by Mignolet’s potential departure next season? Join the discussion by commenting below. 

It might have been a clean sheet, but there was still some humour in Shkodran Mustafi’s performance last night.

From passing the ball right to Salomon Rondon outside the area in the first-half to turning into Lionel Messi, beating half the Newcastle defence, and then lumping the ball into south London, it was another weird day in the office for Mustafi.

Arsenal’s most frustrating player has been great entertainment to watch for neutrals, but if the club is to progress and be considered title contenders next season, they must make sure the German defender is sold this summer.

Although Mustafi could be a good backup option, it is apparent from the close to three years he has spent in the Premier League that he simply isn’t cut for top-flight football in England.

It’s crazy to think that the former Valencia man is the most expensive defensive signing in the history at the club when Rob Holding, who cost Arsenal £2 million and was signed in the same window, has not only performed better than Mustafi since joining the north London side but has developed greatly since moving.

Mustafi, meanwhile, has only regressed during his time in north London. And fans forget that the German started his tenure at the club in flying fashion, leading Arsenal to a 15 game unbeaten run in all competitions before injury took him out for three weeks in which the club lost twice during his absence.

Since then, we have only seen the Mustafi we all know and love. Comical errors, bemusing passes and tackles, and a sign of £35 million down the drain for Arsenal.

If Emery doesn’t offload the former Valencia defender this summer, the transfer window can already be written off as a big fat fail for the club who are better off without Mustafi.

Arsenal fans, what should the club do with Mustafi this summer? Let us know!

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Divock Origi has been written off by the vast majority of fans and pundits as a player who is destined to leave Liverpool, but has Jurgen Klopp suggested that the Belgium international could be set to defy popular opinion?

What’s the word?

Origi was given the nod to start last night due to Roberto Firmino’s absence through injury.

The back-up striker’s reputation of late has largely been defined by his last-gasp winner against Everton in the Merseyside derby earlier this season, but his glowing performance against Watford suggested that he could have a more prominent role to play.

Speaking ahead of the game to Liverpool’s official website, Klopp suggested that Origi had earned the opportunity to impress with his attitude in training, and the fringe man’s perseverance in his endeavour to impress the boss could yet provide him with a genuine chance to transform his career.

“Div deserves it, like all the others we could have chosen would have deserved it because the training attitude is brilliant.

“It’s not good, of course, that Bobby isn’t available, but it’s always nice to give somebody else the next chance. That’s Div now; he has trained really well.”

Future role for Origi

Large sections of the Reds faithful have been calling for the signing of a new centre-forward for a considerable length of time.

Roberto Firmino’s preference to drop deep to influence the game and Daniel Sturridge’s injury problems have deprived Klopp of a more natural number nine, but Origi could yet fill that notable void, even if he was deployed on the left side of the front-three last night.

Klopp’s comments suggest that he has seen something on the training ground which indicates he has turned a corner in his development, and with further exposure to first-team opportunities he could transform his career.

Just a few weeks ago Origi would have been written off as a certain summer sale, but the Liverpool manager’s recent admission combined with a fine performance against the Hornets point towards a different future.

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According to The Liverpool Echo, Everton are reportedly growing increasingly confident that Henry Onyekuru will be lining up for them next season after what will be two years out on loan.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Liverpool Echo report that the Merseyside club have been unable to utilise their 2017 summer signing because of ineligibility issues, which means the 21-year-old has spent time out on loan at Anderlecht, and now Galatasaray this term.

However, The Liverpool Echo report that the Toffees are hopeful the Nigeria international will finally be able to obtain a work permit at the end of the season, and they believe they have a robust case to present to the Football Association.

As per the same report, Marco Silva has also confirmed that the club is keeping tabs on the exciting attacker’s performances in Turkey.

He said: “Yes, we are doing our work and are aware of everything he is doing.

“It is the same with all of our loan players and at the end of the season we will take a decision.”

Could he start for Everton next season?

Should he get his work permit, then there is certainly no reason why he wouldn’t be competing for a spot in Silva’s XI.

Onyekuru showed just how good and dangerous he can be with 30 goals and 11 assists in 60 appearances for Eupen – despite playing out wide – prior to his move to Goodison Park, while he has also netted an impressive nine times in 19 Super Lig matches for Galatasaray this term.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

With the likes of Bernard, Ademola Lookman and Theo Walcott not putting in consistently good performances on the wing for Everton there certainly looks to be a chance for the 21-year-old African to make his mark, and he may well get it if the Merseyside outfit are proved right with their confidence about him soon being eligible.

عاد جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي أستون فيلا، محمود حسن تريزيجيه، من جديد على رادار جالطة سراي ومديره الفني، فاتح تريم، في الميركاتو الصيفي الحالي.

وارتبط تريزيجيه في وقت سابق بإمكانية الانتقال إلى جالطة سراي، حيث يرغب تريم بالتعاقد معه منذ فترة طويلة، حتى قبل الانضمام إلى أستون فيلا في صيف العام الماضي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. رسميًا | أستون فيلا يتعاقد مع صفقة هجومية قوية

وأفادت صحيفة “سوزكو” التركية أن تريزيجيه لم يغب عن أنظار جالطة سراي من أجل تدعيم خط الهجوم، رغم صعوبة رحيله عن أستون فيلا.

ويتواصل جالطة سراي مع وكيل تريزيجيه الحالي، ويليام دافيلا، من أجل معرفة إمكانية استعارة اللاعب من عدمها، ليشكل ثنائيًا قويًا مع مباي دياني، الذي لعب معه من قبل في قاسم باشا.

حتى الآن تريزيجيه باقٍ مع أستون فيلا لأن عقده مستمر حتى يونيو 2023، ولكن ربما يخرج على سبيل الإعارة بعد صفقتي بيرتراند تراوري وأولي ويتكنز.