Jurgen Klopp has this evening suggested that Liverpool’s victory over Chelsea should see talk surrounding Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip versus the Blues in 2014 come to a close.
Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea
The Reds welcomed Maurizio Sarri’s men to Anfield earlier today, for a crunch Premier League matchup.
The fixture marked a crucial one in the race for both the English top-flight title, and a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Manchester City’s victory over Crystal Palace this afternoon had seen the Citizens leapfrog Liverpool back to the summit of the Premier League table, while Tottenham’s win versus Huddersfield yesterday saw Mauricio Pochettino’s men climb above Chelsea into 3rd.
Moussa Sissoko passes the ball during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Huddersfield Town. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
As such, ahead of kick-off on Merseyside, both sides were absolutely desperate to secure all 3 points.
And, when the 90 minutes were said and done this evening, it was hosts Liverpool who emerged victorious.
On the back a tightly-contested first-half, during which clear-cut chances were few and far between, Sadio Mane got on the end of a dinked Jordan Henderson delivery to the back-post to open the game’s shortly after the interval.
And Mohamed Salah rounded out the day’s scoring just 2 minutes later, cutting inside from the right to unleash an unstoppable drive beyond Chelsea shot-stopper Kepa from 25 yards.
Think it’s fair to say Jurgen Klopp is buzzing with that result.
Watch live now on SS PL or follow online here: https://t.co/fAZYpZnMgp pic.twitter.com/mL6FD0FNLn
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 14, 2019
‘Close the slipping book’
While Liverpool, in the end, kept a clean sheet, their victory was not without its nervy moments, with Eden Hazard having missed a gilt-edged pair of second-half opportunities, one of which came back off the upright.
Another Chelsea breakaway in the game’s closing stages, meanwhile, came on the back of an Andrew Robertson slip near the halfway-line, with the Scot’s heart-in-the-mouth moment having inevitably been likened to Steven Gerrard’s infamous loss of footing in the same fixture 5 years ago.
As such, Jurgen Klopp was unsurprisingly questioned on the incident during a post-match press conference this evening.
However, with Chelsea having failed to capitalize on the situation this time around, the German tactician revealed his opinion that ‘the slipping book’ should now be definitively closed:
‘By the way, on this point, we can finally close the slipping book. Robbo slipped and nothing happened. So it’s not a Liverpool thing. Done.’
Quotes via Goal
Good for Liverpool: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain & Joe Gomez start vs Leicester U23
Paul Pogba’s superior stats vs Liverpool’s Firmino & Arsenal’s Lacazette
As per a report from the Mirror, Manchester United are ready to offer the club’s captaincy to Paul Pogba, in a bid to refocus the midfielder amid mounting links with Real Madrid.
Zidane returns
Zinedine Zidane made his return to the bench at the Bernabeu on the 11th of March.
The former Real midfielder was reinstalled following failed stints on the part of both Julen Lopetegui and Santi Solari, which led to the capital giants relinquishing their title as European champions for the first time in 4 years, and failing to mount any kind of serious La Liga title challenge to Clasico rivals Barcelona.
And, on the back of Zidane’s return, Los Merengues have since been linked with a massive summer spending spree.
Numerous outlets across Europe have run similar stories, suggesting that Real are ready to break the bank on a number of high-profile additions.
Pogba targeted
Chief among the names linked with a Bernabeu switch have been Premier League duo Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba.
Chelsea attacker Hazard is known to be a long-time target of the soon-to-be dethroned Champions League holders, though the rumours of a potential Blancos’ swoop for Manchester United midfield standout Pogba have majorly ramped up since Zidane’s reappointment last month.
Paul Pogba during the UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 First-Leg match between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Zidane is said to have identified Pogba as the ideal addition to his side’s midfield, with Luka Modric set to turn 34 in the summer, and both Toni Kroos and Casemiro having struggled for form this season.
And the Real boss did little to play down the rumours linking Los Merengues with a swoop for his fellow countryman during a press conference late last month, when he explained:
‘I really like Pogba and you know that.’
‘I know him very well. He’s a different kind of player and he can provide many things because of his skills. He knows how to attack and defend.’
‘However, he’s not my player. He plays for United and we have to respect that. He’s always said that he likes Madrid.’
New United captain?
Pogba himself has also admitted that it would mark a ‘dream for anyone’ to line out in the colours of Madrid, leading to ever-growing claims that the 26-year-old has his sights firmly set on an Old Trafford departure.
As per the aforementioned report from the Mirror, though, Manchester United have a plan firmly in place in their bid to hold onto the club’s star midfielder.
The Red Devils are said to be ready to offer the captain’s armband to Pogba for next season.
Current United captain Antonio Valencia is set to depart Manchester this summer, following the expiration of his contract.
Manchester United have confirmed club captain Tony Valencia will leave the club after 10 seasons 💔🔴
The man who replaced Cristiano 👏 pic.twitter.com/Nf2Ng80pEo
— COPA90 (@COPA90) March 1, 2019
And Pogba could well be the man set to replace the Ecuadorian as skipper, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen ‘to show the French midfielder how much they value him’.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola this evening eased fears over the fitness of striker Sergio Aguero, following his side’s win at Crystal Palace.
Sterling at the double
The Citizens travelled to Selhurst Park earlier today, as Guardiola’s men continue their pursuit of a 2nd-straight Premier League crown.
City headed into proceedings a point adrift of table-toppers Liverpool, albeit with a game in hand.
The Sky Blues had, though, fallen to their first defeat since the end of January during the week, at the hands of Tottenham in the first-leg of the all-English Champions League quarter-final tie between the clubs.
But, when all was said and done at Selhurst Park, the visitors got their form firmly back on track.
After opening the scoring with 15 minutes gone, Raheem Sterling doubled City’s advantage just past the hour-mark, following a typically-sumptuous team move.
26 – Manchester City have gone on to win each of the last 26 Premier League matches in which Raheem Sterling has found the net. Charm. #CRYMCI pic.twitter.com/ppU7E9kbhD
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 14, 2019
Crystal Palace, though, set up a nervy close to proceedings with 10 minutes remaining, as Luka Milivojević’s pinpoint free-kick found the corner of Ederson’s goal.
But City, in the end, held their nerve, making sure of victory in the 90th-minute through substitute Gabriel Jesus.
Aguero boost
While it proved a largely-satisfying outing for the Sky Blues at Selhurst Park, however, one source of concern for City was the performance, and general lack of sharpness of Sergio Aguero.
The Argentine hitman looked off the pace throughout the 90 minutes in London, much like he did versus Tottenham on Tuesday night.
As such, when Aguero headed straight down the tunnel after being replaced by Gabriel Jesus 15 minutes from time, fears quickly spread that the 30-year-old may be carrying an injury:
Sergio Aguero doesn’t look 100% fit to me. That was clearly visibility against spurs in mid week and today again. He is just there to scare the opponents #bbcfootball
— Sulaimon Adelekan (@Iamsulaimon) April 14, 2019
Pep Guardiola, though, has this evening moved to dispel such fears, ahead of his side’s Champions League return clash with Spurs in 3 days’ time:
GERARD Pique berkata Barcelona akan menjadikan penyingkiran Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) sebagai iktibar apabila dia menegaskan pertembungan menentang Manchester United dalam suku akhir Liga Juara-Juara (UCL) belum berakhir biarpun pasukannya melakar kemenangan, awal pagi tadi.
Barca akan mengetuai aksi timbal balik di Camp Nou minggu depan dengan bekalan tipis 1-0 ekoran kejayaan mereka di Old Trafford selepas jaringan sendiri Luke Shaw memberikan kelebihan kepada gergasi LaLiga tersebut.
Ia adalah kemenangan pertama Barca ke atas United di tempat lawan, sebaliknya Pique melontarkan amaran terhadap sikap mudah berpuas hati dengan menyorot kekalahan PSG, yang menang 2-0 di Manchester sebelum rebah 1-3 di kandang sendiri dalam pusingan 16.
“Selepas melihat apa yang mereka lakukan terhadap PSG, tiada alasan untuk mempercayai perjuangan United sudah pun berakhir,” kata Pique kepada pemberita.
“Jelas sekali ketika itu PSG merupakan pilihan untuk mara atas apa yang berlaku.
“Apa jua boleh berlaku dalam bola sepak, jadi kami perlu memberikan tumpuan yang sangat berat.”
Selepas membuka jaringan pada minit ke-12, Barca kelihatan sudah berpuas hati dengan jaringan berkenaan sehingga memberikan United ruang untuk mencari gol penyamaan.
Bagaimanapun, Barca begitu ampuh bertahan dengan Pique memberikan aksi jitu ketika berdepan bekas kelabnya itu.
Pique menambah: “Kami memberikan prestasi cemerlang di pertahanan, barisan pertahanan kami berada dalam prestasi terbaik musim ini.
“Jaringan awal melegakan kami dan kami tahu bagaimana untuk menangani situasi ini. Faktor tidak dibolosi sering membantu kami musim ini.
“Sangat sukar untuk bertandang ke sini, gelanggang ini merupakan tempat bersejarah, ada aura sensasi dan anda berdepan tekanan berat.”
Pemain muda Indonesia, Egy Maulana Vikri, tampaknya mendapat pelajaran berharga dalam musim perdananya merumput di Eropa. Dia bilang kalau kompetisi sepak bola di Polandia sangat ketat dan kuat.
Egy memang sudah semusim ini bergabung dengan Lechia Gdansk. Namun, dia masih lebih banyak memperkuat Lechia Gdansk II untuk adaptasi soal iklim sepak bola di sana.
Tak ditampik, eks pemain Persab Brebes itu mendapatkan pelajaran yang bagus selama semusim di sana. Dia mengaku harus bekerja ekstra keras untuk bisa menembus tim utama.
“Saya tahu liga (Polandia) ini sangat kuat, sangat membutuhkan fisik. Butuh fisik yang lebih dari (kondisi fisik) saya,” ungkap Egy dalam wawancara di Youtube salah satu sponsor Lechia, Totolotek.
Egy sendiri sudah melakoni debut di tim utama pada Desember lalu. Kondisi ini bisa menjadi pelecut semangat pemuda asal Medan itu.
“Saya harus lebih berjuang. Karena saya belum memiliki kekuatan fisik,” tutup dia.
Chelsea have responded after a video emerged on social media of fans singing racially abusive songs about Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
The Blues have had several problems with their own fans during the current campaign.
One of the biggest problems came when fans supposedly sang anti-Semitic chants during their Europa League clash with MOL Vidi back in December.
While UEFA did not charge Chelsea due to a lack of sufficient evidence, the Blues had already released a statement condemning their own supporters just hours after the game.
The second offence came in the same month when Raheem Sterling was seemingly racially abused during a game at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking following the game, Sterling claimed: “I just had to laugh because I don’t expect no better.”
Manager Maurizio Sarri also came out to slam the individuals involved, labelling the abuse as ‘disgusting’.
Now, the club have had to condemn their fans yet again following racist abuse of Mohamed Salah.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: The Chelsea corner flag with club badge lies on the pitch before the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
‘Such individuals are an embarrassment to the vast majority of Chelsea supporters who won’t tolerate them in their club.”
That is after a video appeared on social media of Chelsea fans in Prague chanting ‘Salah is a bomber’.
The disgusting video has now been met with a statement by Chelsea, labelling individuals as ‘an embarrassment to the vast majority of Chelsea supporters who won’t tolerate them in their club.’
Their statement read:
‘Chelsea FC finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour abhorrent and where there is clear evidence of Chelsea season ticket holders or members involved in such behaviour, we will take the strongest possible action against them.
‘Such individuals are an embarrassment to the vast majority of Chelsea supporters who won’t tolerate them in their club.’
Sky Sports later confirmed that Chelsea had denied entry to fans who were suspected of the abusive chants.
Tottenham defender Danny Rose has spoken out over VAR’s decision to award a penalty to Manchester City after the ball hit his hand in the box.
Rose and Spurs took on City in a crunch Champions League clash at their new stadium on Tuesday.
While the game was brilliant, it was overshadowed by another controversial decision by VAR.
Danny Rose was adjudged to have handballed in the area after flying into a block.
Though, a fair few suggested that the player’s hand was not that far from his body and therefore, a penalty was harsh.
While Hugo Lloris went on to save Sergio Aguero’s penalty, a goal could have led to a completely different result.
Now, Danny Rose has given his opinion on the decision to award a penalty.
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 20: The score board is seen during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between FC Schalke 04 and Manchester City at Veltins-Arena on February 20, 2019 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)
“It’s unnatural to try to defend a shot with your arms behind your back”
Speaking following the game, Rose explained that while the ball did hit his arm, he didn’t feel his arm was away from his body.
He also went on to explain that it would be ‘unnatural’ for players to defend a shot with their arms behind their back.
“It did hit my arm and I didn’t think my arm was outside my body,” he explained, as quoted by the Mirror.
“But the referee said it was and if VAR wasn’t there I would have got away with it. But he’s given it and luckily Hugo got me out of trouble.
“Even though it was after 13 minutes, it was a game-changing save. Sometimes they go for us, and tonight it went against us. I’m not sure I can complain.
“It’s unnatural to try to defend a shot with your arms behind your back and I’m not sure that’s something the manager would be promoting.
“But there’s not much I can do, I have to learn from it.”