Month: June 2020

Klopp dedicates Liverpool title win to ‘Stevie’ and ‘Kenny’

An emotional Jurgen Klopp dedicated Liverpool’s title triumph to club legends Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool secured their first title in 30 years on Thursday without kicking a ball as Chelsea beat Manchester City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

FEATURE: Transfers and titles: Five gems from Klopp’s first presser

And Klopp was quick to hail the “great history” of the club, before dedicating the win to Dalglish and Gerrard.

He said: “Knowing how much Kenny supported us, it is for you.

“He has waited 30 years and it’s for Stevie [Gerrard]. The boys admire you all and it’s easy to motivate the team because of our great history.

“It was really tense for 100 minutes of the City game, I didn’t really want to be involved but you are when you watch it.

 

 

“It’s an incredible achievement by my players and it’s a huge joy for me to coach them.

“I haven’t waited 30 years, I have been here for four and a half years, but it is quite an achievement, especially with the three month break because nobody knew if we could go on.”

 

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Guardiola pinpoints why Liverpool dominated Man City this season

Pep Guardiola offered Liverpool his congratulations after their maiden Premier League title win, and pinpointed a difference in mentality as a decisive factor between the gap between the two teams.

On a pulsating night at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions after Man City succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea

The defeat came much in part due to City’s own defensive frailties.

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Both Chelsea goals were scored with a helping hand from the City team, and try as they might, their fearsome forward line could only put one past a determined Chelsea side.

Speaking in his post-match interview regarding the match, Guardiola said: “In terms of the game, we played good.

“Not a lot of pressure in the box. But we play in general a good game but our mistakes…

Regarding newly crowned champions Liverpool, Guardiola offered his congratulations, and pointed to a different mentality towards games as the difference between the two sides this year.

“Congratulations to Liverpool for this great season,” he added.

See how all the events from Stamford Bridge unfolded via the F365 score centre here.

“We still have five or six weeks to play but we won a lot in the last few years and of course we want to close the gap.

“After two seasons the gap is big. We were not consistent like the previous seasons.

“Liverpool won the Champions League and were given confidence. They played every game like it was their last game. In the beginning, we didn’t play like that way.

“We cannot forget we are still second in the league so we are better than a lot of the teams.”

 

Solskjaer names two ‘world-class players’ at Man Utd

Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has picked out Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba as two of his side’s “world-class players”

The Red Devils beat Sheffield United 3-0 in a convincing victory that saw them close the gap on fourth-placed Chelsea to two points, ahead of the Blues’ match against Manchester City on Thursday night.

Wednesday evening also offered an exciting first glimpse of inspired January signing Fernandes alongside Pogba, who produced a promising display on his first start for Man Utd since September.

FEATURE: 16 Conclusions: Manchester United 3-0 Sheffield United

“With so many players back fit now, everybody can see the quality we have in our ranks,” Solskjaer said in United’s matchday programme. “The players who came on at Spurs made a difference, which shows you the level of competition we’ve got in the squad now.

“Even before lockdown we were on a strong run of form. Now we’re able to call upon world-class players like Paul and Marcus returning from injury.

“Paul could tell you more than most about our evolution, because the team he’s rejoining now is a different team to the one that started the season. Our development is there for all to see.”

 

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Neville rejects Solskjaer claim about Man Utd keeper De Gea

Gary Neville thinks there are at least two better goalkeepers in the Premier League after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claimed that Man Utd goalkeeper David de Gea was the best in the world.

The Spain international goalkeeper was heavily criticised for not keeping out Steven Bergwijn’s strike in Friday night’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Tottenham.

Roy Keane, another ex-Man Utd captain, fumed at De Gea during the half-time analysis of the game on Sky Sports.

FEATURE: 16 Conclusions: Manchester United 3-0 Sheffield United

Ahead of the Red Devils’ 3-0 win over Sheffield United on Wednesday – in which the Spaniard was barely tested – Solskjaer jumped to De Gea’s defence, labelling him “the best goalkeeper in the world”.

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When asked if Solskjaer was right to hail De Gea as the best goalkeeper in the world, Neville told Sky Sports: “No he’s not. Ederson and Alisson are better goalkeepers and have been for the last 18 months or two years.

“But I would expect Ole to defend his player of course. David de Gea for three or four years was the best goalkeeper in the world and certainly in the Premier League.

“He won the Player of the Year here and in a very difficult era here post Sir Alex Ferguson he was a shining light. The only player really who could go into any other team in the world but since that 2018 World Cup he’s had a really difficult time.

“What I don’t buy into is that Dean Henderson at Sheffield United on loan from Man Utd can just go in that goal in front of the Stretford End and adapt to what the demands are of being a Man Utd goalkeeper. It takes a special character to be able to play in that goal.

“I think what David de Gea has done over the last five years is build up a lot of credit and deserves a break and the idea he’s given an opportunity to correct his form and get it back to where it needs to be.

“When a goalkeeper or any player goes through a difficult patch, mentally it’s really tough. There is no escape at this club and that’s why I’d be a little cautious around Dean Henderson. It’s a lonely old place out there to make a mistake if you are a Man Utd goalkeeper.”

 

Klopp: Best counter-pressing game I’ve ever seen

Jurgen Klopp hailed Liverpool’s victory against Crystal Palace as the “best counter-pressing game” he has ever seen.

Liverpool are within touching distance of the title after their 4-0 win over Crystal Palace. In fact, they may not even need to kick a ball again to be confirmed as champions, if Manchester City fail to beat Chelsea.

Klopp’s coaching style is largely based on a counter-pressing style, so he was visibly delighted at how well his team carried out his orders upon their return to Anfield.

No fans were present to witness it, and that was the only downside for Klopp, as he dreamed of what it would have been like with everyone there.

“Imagine if this stadium would have been full today and all the people could have experienced it live,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

“My boys played like everyone was in the stadium. The atmosphere on the pitch was incredible.

“It was for sure the best counter-pressing game I have ever seen behind closed doors.

“[Before the restart] I said I would like to see the best games behind closed doors ever because, hopefully, we won’t have to see them again.

“That was the best counter-pressing game I have ever seen. Palace didn’t change their approach but we felt free.

“We tried hard to tell the boys how good the Everton game was apart from the last third. Today was a reaction and I liked the game so much.

“4-0 up in the 87th minute and four players chasing one Crystal Palace player like it’s the only ball in the world, I like it so much, wonderful result and a wonderful game.

“The boys are in good shape and in a good mood and it was important we showed our supporters we are still here and we do not want to wait.”

With Liverpool potentially winning the title as early as Thursday, Klopp denied claims from Pep Guardiola that Manchester City would be focusing on the FA Cup.

“They are brilliant,” Klopp added. “Pep should play poker and the football they play is unbelievable.

“We are different and we have to be, but we are good as well. There are different ways of playing football and I like them both.”

‘Only’ Man Utd can land £117m Sancho as Dortmund hatch plan

Borussia Dortmund plan on offering Jadon Sancho a new deal to keep him at the club beyond this summer amid interest from Man Utd, according to reports.

The 20-year-old has scored 17 goals and provided 17 assists in the league this season as his reputation as one of the best young players in Europe has continued to soar.

Sancho is Man Utd’s top summer transfer target, as they look to find a solution to their right-wing problem, but Dortmund’s huge valuation is proving to be a point of contention.

GOSSIP: Man Utd in for €100m Wolves star, battle Liverpool for £10m ‘pearl’

A report on Tuesday claimed that Man Utd are ‘ready to bide their time this summer to put pressure on the German club to reduce their demands’.

And SportBild now claims that Sancho has continued his ‘flirting’ with Man Utd but that any deal will ‘only happen in August at the earliest’.

With Sancho contracted to Dortmund for another two years, the ‘decision-making power lies’ with the Bundesliga outfit.

The German side are prepared to do business if a club reaches their €130m (£117m) asking price and SportBild reckons ‘only Manchester United can be considered’.

The report adds that only Man Utd ‘thinks about transfers of this magnitude’ but Dortmund are still determined to keep him.

‘A salary increase is also conceivable’ as Dortmund look to persuade Sancho to sign new terms with a potential wage of €10m a year, up from the current €6m.

Follow Manchester United v Sheffield United LIVE with the F365 live score centre

 

Saha advises Arsenal man and ‘Fabinho-like player’ to join Man Utd

Former Man Utd striker Louis Saha thinks Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey should move to Old Trafford this summer.

Aubameyang’s contract will expire in just over a year’s time and it remains unclear whether he will sign a new deal at the Emirates Stadium or look to move on, while his goalscoring exploits continue to impress.

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Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta recently said that he is “pretty positive” of signing the Gabon international to a new deal but admits the club must persuade the striker of his importance and their own ambition.

OPINION: Man Utd and Solskjaer have eight games to avoid disaster

But Saha wants him to leave Arsenal and join Man Utd, he told Compare Bet: “Arsenal fans may not like this, but I’d like him to join United, I’d be very happy with that [laughter]. I’m sure Arsenal fans would not take that well, but that’s my advice to Auba.”

With the arrival of Bruno Fernandes in January, Paul Pogba’s return to fitness and the news that Scott McTominay had signed a new deal on Tuesday, the Red Devils look well-stocked in central midfield.

However, Saha wants them to bring in Atletico Madrid midfielder Partey as their “Fabinho-like” player.

Saha added: “He’s a top player. He’s a defensive presence and a tremendous prospect. Whether he can make an impact right away remains to be seen, as we have McTominay, Fred and Matic.

“However, we have seen the impact that someone like Fabinho has had on Liverpool. He has mastered that position. Fabinho has improved the players around him.

“This guy is a rock, he defends in such a way that allows the Liverpool frontline to play their game knowing he’s protecting the defence. Perhaps a Fabinho-like player is already at United, but if not, then we need to find someone, whether that’s Thomas Partey or anyone else.”

Follow Manchester United v Sheffield United LIVE with the F365 live score centre

 

Owen makes prediction ahead of Man Utd v Sheff Utd clash

Michael Owen is tipping Man Utd to beat Sheffield United when the two teams clash tonight in the Premier League.

Dean Henderson is ineligible to face his parent club when Man Utd welcome the Blades to Old Trafford on Wednesday, while Chris Wilder’s side will be missing John Egan through suspension and have a number of injury concerns.

Man Utd came from two goals down at Bramall Lane earlier in the season to lead 3-2 but a late goal from Oli McBurnie gave Sheff Utd a share of the spoils.

FEATURE: Man Utd and Solskjaer have eight games to avoid disaster

The Blades were impressive that night but Owen predicts a struggle for Wilder’s men on Wednesday evening.

“Manchester United’s point at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Friday means that they are now unbeaten in their last 12 games in all competitions (won eight) and have pretty much picked up where they left off prior to the lockdown,” Owen told BetVictor.

“Sheffield United on the other hand, will be playing their third game in a week and they certainly haven’t been able to get back to pre-lock-down form.

“Their 3-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United was their biggest loss since losing by a similar score to Middlesbrough back in August 2018.

“Back to back matches without scoring a goal will undoubtedly have knocked the Blades’ confidence and with a relatively small squad to choose from as well as the absence of on-loan keeper Dean Henderson due to the conditions of his loan move, I fancy Manchester United to continue their impressive form with a relatively comfortable 2-1 home victory.”

Follow Manchester United v Sheffield United LIVE with the F365 live score centre

 

Rodgers pinpoints factors behind lacklustre draw; addresses penalty shout

Brendan Rodgers explained the factors behind his side’s second consecutive draw, and addressed the penalty claim that Leicester were denied in the closing stages.

Leicester entered the occasion with hopes high of extending their buffer to the chasing pack for the Champions League places.

The Foxes survived an early scare when Kasper Schmeichel saved a Neal Maupay penalty.

Despite the boost, Leicester failed to capitalise, and in the end has to settle for a point apiece with the spirited Brighton.

Speaking to Sky Sports following the match, Rodgers said of the lacklustre performance: “I don’t think we were very good in the first half.

“We got into some good positions but didn’t have enough movement in front of the ball. In the second half, we were much better, the movement was much better.

“It felt like it was coming but we didn’t quite make the final pass. Clean sheet, and for fitness it was really good. We’ll take a point.

See how all the action unfolded at the King Power with the F365 score centre here.

In injury time of the second half, Leicester had a convincing appeal for a penalty turned down by referee Lee Mason.

The ball struck the outstretched arm of Brighton defender Lewis Dunk, but the decision did not go The Foxes’ way.

Regarding the non-call, Rodgers added: “Referee Lee Mason tells me it wasn’t a penalty [for handball] so I have to believe him.

“We certainly don’t have a rhythm yet but we have an outstanding mentality.

“OK, we haven’t won the games but we’ve shown a good mentality.”