Month: November 2024

Jurgen Klopp dismissed suggestions Manchester United s languid first-half showing against Atalanta on Wednesday would be encouraging for Liverpool.

United fell two goals behind against Atalanta after just 29 minutes – the earliest they have been two down in the Champions League at Old Trafford since October 2012.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo scored in his third straight European game to cap a remarkable turnaround as the Red Devils came from behind to win.

Ahead of Liverpool s trip to United, who have won just one of the last 10 top-flight meetings with the Reds, Klopp insisted United s performance was not as bad as some made out.

I was watching the game and there was not one second where I was rubbing my hands together, Klopp responded at Friday s pr…

Jurgen Klopp s bold team selection for Liverpool s 1-1 draw at Manchester City heightened the feeling of a changed dynamic within the rivalry that has come to define the present era in English football and its two main tactical protagonists.

Pep Guardiola has run through a range of configurations during his City tenure when confronted by the man with whom he began a compelling duel in their Bundesliga days.

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund first placed the high priests of juego de posicion and gegenpressing in direct competition, the two strategic approaches that still dominate elite European football.

According to positional data collected by Opta, in each of his previous 11 encounters with Guardiola in England, Klopp wheeled out his trusty 4-3-3 high intensi…

Simone Inzaghi was left frustrated as Inter failed to capitalise on their opportunities, needing to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Monza.

Dany Mota gave Monza the lead in the 81st minute, while Denzel Dumfries spared the champions blushes by netting the equaliser seven minutes later.

They were knocked off the Serie A summit after dropping points for the second time this season, with Napoli leapfrogging them to the top of the table.

We had difficulties against a team that played a good defensive game, Inzaghi told a press conference. We had chances that we didn t convert, we made technical mistakes.

Then in the second half, we didn t do well, we didn t create dangerous situations, and when we switched to three [up front], we had this great goal…

Virgil van Dijk and Jordan Henderson both hailed Liverpool s  special EFL Cup triumph over Chelsea after sealing a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory on Sunday.

An enthralling final that saw both teams have goals disallowed had to be settled from the spot, and after a run of 21 successful spot-kicks, Chelsea s substitute goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga blazed over the bar to hand the Reds record success in the competition.

Van Dijk netted the Red s third kick of the shoot-out but he was instrumental in another of the match s key turning points.

Joel Matip had a second-half goal disallowed after his centre-back partner was ruled offside when blocking defender Reece James.

Speaking to Sky Sports after lifting the trophy, Van Dijk praised his team s maturi…

Holders Juventus reached the Coppa Italia final after a 2-0 victory over Fiorentina in their semi-final second leg on Wednesday.

The Bianconeri claimed a 1-0 win in the first leg last month, and they had to work hard to seal their place in next month s final against a Fiorentina side that dominated possession and had almost twice as many shots.

Federico Bernardeschi got them on their way shortly after the half-hour mark, before Danilo added a second deep into stoppage time at the end of the game. 

Massimiliano Allegri s men will face Inter in the final on May 11 at the Stadio Olimpico after the Nerazzurri overcame Milan in their last-four tie.

21 Juventus have reached their 21st Coppa Italia Final, at least five more than any other side in the compet…

Inter have confirmed that five members of staff have tested positive for coronavirus.

Managing directors Alessandro Antonello and Giuseppe Marotta, sporting director Piero Ausilio and lawyer Angelo Capellini have all returned positive tests.

An unspecified member of the Serie A leaders technical staff has also tested positive for COVID-19.

A statement on Inter s official website read: All coaches and the entire team will follow the procedures set out in the health protocol.

Inter will be desperate to ensure that this outbreak does not spread to their first-team squad or coaches.

The Italians extended their lead at the summit of table to four points with a 3-0 win over city rivals Milan last time out.

With no European commitments over the…

West Ham United are in talks with Sassuolo over the signing of Gianluca Scamacca in the summer transfer window, according to . The Hammers have been interested in the Italy international striker for a while, and now the Premier League club are pressing ahead and are in advanced talks with Italian club Sassuolo.

Scamacca has been on the books of Sassuolo since 2017, but the 23-year-old has had loan spells at a number of clubs, including Ascoli and Genoa. The Italy international striker made 25 starts and 11 substitute appearances in Serie A last season, scoring 16 goals in the process.

West Ham will be looking to challenge for the Premier League top four again next season, and a striker of Scamacca would help David Moyes’s side in that quest. It remains to be seen if t…

Mikel Arteta hailed Gabriel Martinelli s huge influence in Arsenal s thrashing of Leeds United, but knows there is more to come from the forward.

Martinelli put Arsenal in control with a first-half double at Elland Road, with goals from Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe either side of Raphinha s penalty securing a 4-1 win for the Gunners.

It ended a three-match losing streak on the road for Arsenal, who will head into Christmas four points clear of West Ham in fourth place in the Premier League.

Martinelli s opener took Arsenal onto 7,000 top-flight goals, with the Gunners becoming only the third team, after Everton and Liverpool, to hit the milestone.

The Brazilian s second brought up his first Premier League brace in his 39th such appearance, while with …

As Liverpool continue their quest to put pressure on Manchester City (well, try to), Norwich City travel to Anfield hoping to boost survival chances.

But history isn t on the side of Dean Smith s men, who must be fearing the worst against a side they never seem to cope well with.

Expectations for Norwich are surely lower against Liverpool than versus any other team.

Here s why…

Red-faced Canaries

Norwich City really, really don t like playing Liverpool. Liverpool really, really enjoy playing Norwich City.

The Reds have handed out some absolute batterings to Norwich down the years, with the Luis Suarez era particularly profitable for the Reds.

Granted, a historically good team racking up goals against sides who traditionally finis…

Tottenham are enjoying their best start to an English top-flight season since 1960-61, following Monday’s 2-0 win over Fulham.

Ange Postecoglou’s side are unbeaten in nine matches and sit two points clear of Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the data behind Spurs’ strong start.

Dare to dream

Tottenham’s return of 23 points from their opening nine matches is the second highest in their top-flight history (all records calculated with three points being awarded for a win).

Only the 1960-61 double-winning side had a superior record at the same stage, having taken maximum points on their way to 11 victories from their first 11 games under Bill Nicholson.

Three other Spurs teams have…