Liverpool fans criticise Naby Keita performance

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Liverpool dropped more Premier League points on Monday night as they were held to a 1-1 draw at West Ham United.

The Reds drew by the same scoreline with Leicester City in the top flight last week, but could not return to winning ways at the London Stadium.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are now three points clear at the top of the Premier League, but Manchester City will have the chance to move to the summit when they travel to Everton on Wednesday night.

The form of summer arrival Naby Keita has been questioned throughout the season and that was again the case on Monday night.

Well, that is actually putting it kindly. A whole host of Liverpool fans took to social media to slam the midfielder for his display against West Ham.

Keita played the full 90 minutes in the middle of the park, but found it difficult to make his mark once again.

The 23-year-old is clearly a talent, but he is having a really tough time of it at the moment.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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Arsenal fans discuss Denis Suarez’s debut

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Arsenal’s only January signing, Denis Suarez, made his debut for the club on Sunday, coming on as a substitute in the Gunners’ 3-1 defeat against the reigning champions, Manchester City.

After the game the 25-year-old took to Twitter to commemorate his first appearance for his new club.

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Arsenal signed the once-capped Spain international from Barcelona on loan until the end of the season on transfer deadline day, in a deal that includes an option to buy for the north London club, as reported by the BBC.

Suarez is familiar with Arsenal manager Unai Emery’s methods and preferred style of play, having worked under the Spanish coach during a loan stint at Sevilla in the 2014/15 La Liga campaign.

His debut was far from ideal, but Suarez will be hoping to have a big impact at the Emirates Stadium between now and the end of season, and the Gunners could certainly do with the injection of extra creativity he could bring to the Emirates Stadium.

After his first game against Manchester City – who Suarez represented as a youngster between 2011-2013 – plenty of Arsenal fans took to Twitter to welcome him to the club…

Wes Foderingham hints at Rangers exit in search of more game time

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Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham has hinted at an exit from Ibrox in search of more game time, as he struggles to dislodge first choice Allan McGregor from the sticks.

What did he say?

The 28-year-old has made just four appearances so far this season, including the most recent game against St Johnstone in which he kept a clean sheet – he was, however, standing in for the suspended McGregor.

When asked about his future, the English stopper said: “I won’t put a timescale on it. I’ll look at all the options that are available to me and make decisions based on that.

“We will see where we are at the end of the season.”

Foderingham has already told boss Steven Gerrard that he needs more game time, although the former Liverpool captain has not given him any assurances that he will drop McGregor in order for him to play.

Do Rangers need to sign a new goalkeeper?

Aside from McGregor and Foderingham, Gerrard has just Jak Alnwick as his only other keeper, although the 25-year-old is currently out on loan at Scunthorpe.

Seeing as he is far from a young, up-and-coming keeper simply going out on loan to get some experience under his belt, one would assume that Alnwick could also potentially need to consider his future upon his return to Scotland.

Additionally, along with the fact that Foderingham has just a year left on his contract and is looking to leave, it shouldn’t be forgotten that first choice McGregor is 37-years-old and surely doesn’t have too many more years left in the game.

It is looking possible that the goalkeeping position at Ibrox could fast become a problematic area for Gerrard, and it would be wise for the Gers boss to consider a complete overhaul in between the sticks to amend this.

If Gerrard doesn’t solve this problem in the summer, then he and Rangers could be left in a real sticky situation in the transfer market before the start of next season, where he will be hoping to mount a real challenge for the title.

Vital Cog: Lucas Digne

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Everton signed Lucas Digne from Barcelona in the summer for £18 million, as reported by the BBC.

The left-back came to Goodison Park to serve as the successor to the veteran Leighton Baines, who at 34 years of age can no longer play week in, week out at the highest level.

As a Toffees hero, Baines left big boots to fill as the club’s first choice left-back, but Digne has quickly become a fan favourite on Merseyside.

His role

The 25-year-old has become an integral part of Marco Silva’s starting XI. The 23-cap France international has now made 23 Premier League appearances for the Toffees, 21 of which have been starts. In that time, he has racked up three goals and three assists, as per Transfermarkt’s stats.

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Aside from end-product going forwards, Digne has also brought some extra top-level experience to the Everton rearguard, and he is one of the most consistent and reliable defenders at Silva’s disposal.

His importance

Digne’s ability on the ball, honed in his years spent playing with PSG and Barcelona, make him a truly dynamic and modern full-back.

According to WhoScored’s stats, he has averaged 1.1 shots and 1.8 key passes per Premier League game this season. His average record of 2.2 accurate crosses and 1.6 successful long balls per match only serves to further highlight the impact he can have in the final third. 

Digne has been equally impressive defensively. His average of 2.1 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 2.2 clearances per game demonstrates what a vital contribution he makes for his side at the back.

In what has been a fairly underwhelming season at Goodison Park so far, Digne’s form has been one of the highlights, and Everton fans will hope that they can look forward to watching the French full-back impress for many years to come.

بشرى سارة لـ بايرن ميونخ قبل مواجهة إشبيلية في السوبر الأوروبي

عاد روبيرت ليفاندوفسكي مهاجم بايرن ميونخ الألماني، لتدريبات الفريق البافاري، اليوم الثلاثاء، استعدادًا لمواجهة إشبيلية الإسباني، الخميس، ضمن منافسات كأس السوبر الأوروبي.

وغاب ليفاندوفسكي عن تدريبات الأمس لمعاناته من كدمة تعرض لها خلال مواجهة شالكة الجمعة الماضية ضمن منافسات الدوري الألماني.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ساني يعلق على لقب “سانبري” بعد التألق في مباراة بايرن ميونخ وشالكه

وقالت صحيفة “بيلد” الألمانية، إن ليفاندوفسكي انضم للتدريبات الجماعية اليوم لمدة 12 دقيقة قبل أن يكمل بعض التدريبات الفردية، تحت إشراف مدرب اللياقة البدنية هولجر برويش.

وأضافت: “لم يعد ليفاندوفسكي يعاني من مشاكل في قدمه اليسرى، وسيتم إشراكه في تدريبات الفريق قبل مواجهة إشبيلية ليكون لائقًا للمباراة”.

ولا يعاني بايرن ميونخ من أي غيابات قبل مواجهة إشبيلية، باستثناء كينجسلي كومان، الذي يخضع للعزلة المنزلية لمخالطته حالة مصابة بفيروس كورونا.

Between the lines: Pablo Hernandez is returning to top form at the perfect time

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Pablo Hernandez has been struggling to discover his magic touch in recent weeks and it’s no coincidence that his dip in form has coincided with Leeds United’s biggest blip of the season.

What’s the word?

Things haven’t quite been clicking for Hernandez with the same fluidity that they were before the turn of the year. His confidence has taken a small hit as a consequence, but his performance against Swansea City will have given him a huge mental boost as the club move towards the business end of the season.

There were plenty of positive performances from the home side, with the likes of Pontus Jansson and Kalvin Phillips coming in for esteemed praise.

However, Phil Hay was also eager to laud Hernandez for his performance, with the Yorkshire Evening Post reporter awarding him an 8/10 in his player ratings column and hinting that he was close to returning to his brilliant best.

‘Orchestrated so much again, with lovely deliveries and clever passes. Tough to play against when he’s in this mood. 8/10’.

Hernandez’s return to form arrives at a perfect time

A return to top form for the Spaniard is always good news for everybody associated with the Whites, but it could be particularly vital when you place Leeds’ run of fixtures into context.

On paper, Leeds are strong favourites to win their next two games. First, they welcome a Bolton Wanderers side to Elland Road who have only won twice on the road all season, and then they travel to QPR to go head-to-head with a side who have been leaking goals of late.

Of course, there are no easy games in the Championship, but both of the two upcoming fixtures should offer Leeds’ attacking players the chance to strut their stuff and continue to build momentum ahead of the huge clashes which follow thereafter against fellow promotion contenders West Bromich Albion and Bristol City.

If the 33-year-old can continue to build on his glowing performance against Swansea with excellent displays against Bolton and QPR, Leeds’ chief playmaker should be full of confidence and ready to offer a decisive creative threat in the defining moments of the season.

Between The Lines: Gotze hints how Spurs can neutralise Borussia Dortmund threat

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Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to prevent Mario Gotze from spearheading a successful attacking performance for Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday evening.

What’s the word?

Gotze will be one of the key danger men in yellow looking to score a vital away goal for the visitors when they take to Wembley for the first-leg of a hotly anticipated Champions League tie.

Ahead of the game, the 26-year-old has spoken of his admiration for the Premier League and discussed the significant absences of both Harry Kane and Marco Reus.

But it was also interesting to hear Gotze talk about comparisons with Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen, as his comments suggest that Mauricio Pochettino needs to look close to home to deal with the threat offered by the German World Cup winner, as per Goal.

“You could compare us.

“The positions he takes, the way he plays, the space he sees, the goals he scores… he’s an extremely important player for Tottenham.

“The continuity of his performances are clear too. I can see why his successes and his style of playing have similarities to mine.”

Stop the source of creativity

Gotze has been deployed as a centre-forward for much of the season so far despite his preference to operate in attacking midfield.

But his positional tweak has not instigated a huge transformation in his style of play; he remains creative-minded and eager to impact the game with his vision and guile.

With that said, Spurs must use his comments regarding his style of play and prepare to stop the supply into his feet and force him to chase down long balls and play with his back to goal.

Like Eriksen, Gotze can be a menace in the final-third when afforded time and space to play a killer pass, so Pochettino must ensure that his team set up to combat his threat, otherwise he could provide the likes of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Guerreiro with the quality service they thrive off.

Opinion: Leicester should move for former Fulham man to take over from Puel

Leicester City parted ways with manager Claude Puel this weekend as a heavy defeat to Crystal Palace proved to be the final nail in the coffin.

The former Southampton manager had been on the ropes for some time as Foxes boss, and this weekend proved a straw too far for the Leicester board and fans, who watched on as Palace ran riot in a 4-1 win at the King Power.

Puel was brought in as a steady hand, but he has seemingly lost his way a bit at the club, with results suffering along the way.

However, the club must move on quickly, and we here in the Tavern think a move for former Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic might be the way to go for Leicester, at least in the short term.

The former Watford and Chelsea man lost his own job earlier in the camapaign oweing to a run of poor form at Craven Cottage, but there were other factors in that sacking too, and Jokanovic might be worth a crack by another Premier League club.

Leicester have little to lose in setting him on a short term assignment, and he could well prove to be the man to take the club forward and get the most out of what is a group of exciting attacking players at the club.

Last season he had Fulham playing some of the best football in the Championship, and if he can replicate that with the Foxes, it could well bring exciting times back to the former Premier League winners.

Lee Bowyer and Steve Gallen didn’t let Karlan Grant leave Charlton easily

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Charlton’s promotion hopes were dealt a huge blow when Premier League outfit Huddersfield came calling for Karlan Grant’s services in January – the striker signed for the Terriers having struck 14 times for the Addicks in the 18/19 campaign.

Lee Bowyer’s side remain sixth in the standings, though, occupying the final, coveted play-off spot, which they will be hoping they can hold onto or improve upon for the rest of the season.

Losing Grant surely felt like a hammer blow to Bowyer and head of recruitment Steve Gallen, the latter of whom addressed the deal in the quarterly Fans’ Forum meeting at The Valley. The minutes read:

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

“SG [Gallen] said he and Lee Bowyer (LB) desperately didn’t want to sell Karlan Grant and fought tooth and nail to keep him. He said that if Karlan had wanted to stay, he believes the owner would have kept him. He said he had no ill will to Karlan as he was going to play in the Premier League and getting a huge wage increase. “

The Addicks have won just once since the 21-year-old hitman’s departure on deadline day, drawing three and losing one of the five games they have played since the start of February.

Grant and his former club could renew acquaintances in the Championship next season though if the speedster is relegated from the top flight with Huddersfield – Jan Siewert’s side currently sit rock bottom of the Premier League and will be requiring a miracle to evade the drop.

Charlton, meanwhile, must resurrect their form soon if they are to make the play-offs and someone will soon have to step up in Grant’s absence.

لامبارد: ميندي وتشيلويل جاهزان لمواجهة توتنهام.. ولا أشعر بالراحة مع قانون لمسة اليد الجديد

أكد فرانك لامبارد المدير الفني لنادي تشيلسي، على صعوبة مواجهة توتنهام، في دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس الرابطة الإنجليزية.

ويواجه تشيلسي نظيره توتنهام، غدًا على ملعب توتنهام الجديد في لندن، ضمن مباريات دور الـ16 من كأس الرابطة.

طالع أيضًا.. تياجو سيلفا: أسلوب باريس سان جيرمان معي كان مزعجًا.. والله اختار لي تشيلسي

وقال لامبارد في المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بالمباراة: “الوقت مزدحم بالنسبة لـ توتنهام، فقد كان لديهم أسبوع حافل في كرة القدم، لكن لديهم فريق رائع، أي مجموعة ستواجهنا ستكون قوية”.

وأضاف: “لدي تعاطف كبير من ليتون أورينت الذي تأهل على حسابه توتنهام، لسوء الحظ في الوقت الحالي لا يوجد أي موعد لتأجيل المباراة، وهو ما اضطر الاتحاد الانجليزي لاتخاذ القرار”.

وتأهل نادي توتنهام على حساب ليتون أورينت بدون لعب المباراة، بعدما ظهر عدد كبير من حالات كورونا في الفريق، قبل ساعات قليلة من المباراة”.

وعن مواجهة وست بروميتش التي خسرها البلوز: “كنا نعلم أن أمامنا فريق قوي، لقد كان لدينا غيابات ولاعبين لم يشاركوا قبل هذه المباراة، لكنني واثق من أننا كلما عملنا أكثر على الأخطاء، سنتحسن وستمنحنا أي مباراة في الدوري تحديات أكبر”.

وعن حالة اللاعبين، أكد فرانك: “كالوم هودسون أودوي جاهز للمشاركة أمام توتنهام، وسنعتمد عليه في الفترة المقبلة، نحتاج إلى لاعبين في هذا المركز، بينما موسيس لم يكن معنا، وليس جزءًا من الفريق”.

وواصل: “ميندي جاهز لمواجة توتنهام، لقد استقر بشكل جيد، وكان إيجابيًا منذ اليوم الأول معنا، والآن هو في منافسة مع زملائه”.

وشدد: “تشيلويل جاهز أيضًا، لكن زياش وبوليسيتش الوقت مبكر لكليهما من أجل العودة”.

وعن قانون اصطدام الكرة باليد داخل منطقة الجزاء، بعدما أثار الكثير من الجدل خلال اليومين الماضيين في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز،  اختتم لامبارد: “أتفق مع بروس وهوديسون، نتفهم جميعًا أنه عندما تقفز داخل منطقة الجزاء، من الطبيعي أن تتحرك ذراعيك في أوضاع مختلفة، لا أشعر بالراحة على الإطلاق مع هذا الوضع”.

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