Key events
Liverpool: As mentioned previously, Arne Slot did his media duties ahead of Liverpool’s match against Manchester City yesterday, when he was asked if he thinks the champions will be “easier” to face because of their current run of bad form. Needless to say, he does not.
“I don’t think anyone in the last eight or nine years, or maybe even longer, would have said that City at home or away, the word easy never comes to my mind if I think about City,” he said. “Not at all. I know everybody is looking at their results and I have seen them as well, but if you face them – and that’s what we do – you analyse it and I have seen, for example, against Brighton they were 1-0 up and could have scored for 2-0 or 3-0 but didn’t, and then were beaten 2-1.
“Against Tottenham after 20 minutes they could have been two or three goals up, [but] weren’t. And against Feyenoord, that has not happened many times – they were 3-0 up, completely dominating the game and all of a sudden, in the end it was 3-3. They are still a very, very, very good team and one of the reasons I think Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world – or one of the best, but I think the best – is that he always comes up with solutions for his problems.
“His problem now might be that Rodri is out but we all know, at least I think, that he will come with a solution and their run of form will go up again – hopefully after Sunday.”
Crystal Palace: Having steadied the listing ship somewhat with a win and two draws in their past four games, Crystal Palace host Newcastle tomorrow. Not renowned for the quality of their performances in the Big Smoke, Eddie Howe’s side go into this game on the back of their worst performance of the season, an uncharacteristically insipid display in defeat at home against West Ham on Monday night.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has confirmed that both Eberechi Eze and Eddie Nketiah will be fit to take their places in his squad.
“Eberechi will be in the squad tomorrow, Eddie Nketiah as well,” he said. “We worked pretty hard on their rehab, and also the medical staff did an amazing job, so that’s why they are available earlier than expected.
“Other players are coming back, some have had one more week of training after returning from injuries, so this week was very positive. It’s good when we enter a three-game week that players are back, so now we have a better situation in the squad.”
After tomorrow’s game, Palace travel to Ipswich for their midweek Premier League game on Tuesday night, then host Manchester City the following Saturday.
Southampton: Hurzeler’s opposite number, Russell Martin, takes his Saints side to his home town tonight and is expecting a “warm” welcome.
“I have a lot of people in the crowd that I know will shout some abuse at me,” he joked yesterday. “My kids are desperate for me to win because they go to a school of all Brighton fans, and they will be in their Southampton shirts and their tracksuits.
“I split my time between there and here, because I love being part of this club and part of this city, but my kids are in Brighton, they go to school there, so of course I have to have a home there as well.”
On four points, a win for Southampton would not be enough to lift them off the foot of the table but would take them to within a point of Crystal Palace and decimate the field in the game of Last Man Standing I’m currently playing, as half the remaining field of 20 players have gone for Brighton. I’ve plumped for Liverpool this weekend.
Diving in to take out man and ball Conor Bradley-on-Kylian Mbappe style, more like. Good afternoon, readers and welcome to the last leg of today’s rolling football news blog.
Brighton host Southampton tonight and with my green Leprechaun hat on, I was interested to hear what Fabian Hurzeler had to say about Evan Ferguson in his pre-match presser yesterday. The Irish striker is fully fit but has struggled to get much game time this season, not least because of the scintillating form of Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro.
“I am happy how he is training, what shape he is in physically, mentally,” said Hurzeler, who said a January loan move away from Brighton has not been discussed … yet. “Of course, he is a young player and needs game time. It is exactly that which I demand from Evan and also what I said to him.”
That’s it from me. Barry Glendenning is stepping in.
Amorim: European action will be ‘no excuse’ on Sunday
What is Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim expecting from playing Everton in the Premier League on Sunday? “Win. I’m hoping to win. It’s going to be a different match, with a lot of fighting, a lot of long balls, second balls … a quality coach that understands the league.”
(Second balls, love it. He’s obviously seen a lot of Everton and Dyche, and has beautifully given with one hand and taken with the other there.)
“We need to have the ball,” Amorim says. “We have a short time to recover. I expect to see different things and better things [from the players].
On Diego Dalot: “He is not a machine. I think he plays better on the right … a player who can play both sides is perfect. I expect the same as last year that you saw. He is really a team player.”
Jamie Jackson asks how Amorim can make up for lost time, having come in halfway through the season. Will he use videos? “I was a player. For players, videos more than 12 minutes, forget it … we have to imagine, instead of video, we will do it [tactics] walking and jogging. Yes, showing some videos …
They [the assistant coaches] are more important than me. That’s it … They are very good players. They need to believe. If you can’t run, you can jog [in training]. Of course it’s not the same.”
Everton have had all week to prepare while Manchester United played last night. “It is what it is. We will rotate players. We will be ready … we will use four subs to manage not the fitness, to manage the game. No excuse. We have to be ready for Sunday. And we have to win.
“Without training, you have to use the games. I felt we pressed a bit higher [last night]. Rasmus was dead in the end. The guys who are playing, they have to push more, to the limit. The other guys have to train … We will manage with all the staff trying to figure out ways to deal with that.”
A question about Mason Mount next: “Mason is working really hard. Then you have to understand the human, also. He wants this really bad. And that is most important. He proved to all of you he is a talented player. He is a European champion … he has to stay fit. In certain moments you can see Mason is a proper footballer. I believe a lot in Mason Mount.”
And a tactical question to finish: [Last night] “You saw 4-4-2, more defending … then we put two wide players. But you have to change the characteristics. To open the field, to play, and to close the field when we lose the ball. It’s the same for every team.”
Maresca: Chelsea are not in title race
The Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca is asked about Nicolas Jackson: “He’s been doing very well. He has been open-minded, as sometimes we require different things from him.
“The way we want to play off the ball, it’s always aggressive, and we are very happy with him.”
How good can Jackson be? “He is already good enough for us … but like all the players, there are many things he can do better
“Sometimes he misses one v one chances. He can be a bit more brave.”
How does he keep all the Chelsea players happy when he has to rotate? “It’s never easy. It’s the bad part for all managers. But the good thing is they can see clearly it’s not the same 11 playing every game … We need all of them.
“The target is for them to compete with each other in the right way.”
Are Chelsea in the Premier League title race? “No. I said many times. I like the pressure. I’d like to say – ‘Yes, we are there. But we are not there. Arsenal, City, Liverpool are ahead of us. The important thing is we improve game after game. Then we’ll see.”
“We have a bounce back mentality,” says Marco Silva after Fulham’s thumping by Wolves. “Wolves had four shots … it was a strange game. And the score didn’t reflect the game.
“We are going to be ready for the next one … we analysed, we worked on it, and we’re ready.”
“We’ve made a considerable difference to the defensive part,” says Everton’s Sean Dyche before Sunday’s meeting with Manchester United, Ruben Amorim’s first home Premier League game in charge.
“The final third is hardest as a manager … you can’t kick it in for them,”
“Strikers want to score goals … Dom [Calvert-Lewin} has been working hard … Beto’s been working hard …
“We have mixture of good strikers, I feel, but we’ve got to get them operating. That’s my responsibility and the staff’s to get us scoring more goals.”
On facing Amorim: “I think everyone talks about new manager bounce. It’s more difficult in that way … they’ve got good players, I’m sure he’s been working with the players and trying to get his thoughts across.
“No, I don’t know much of his work, other than stuff from the TV, stats and facts.
Gary O’Neil speaks before Bournemouth’s visit to Molineux tomorrow: “He can play there, it was a decent discovery for us,” he says of Mario Lemina’s role at centre-back last weekend in the thumping 4-1 win at Fulham. “He handled a very good Fulham attack exceptionally well.”
“Zero concern from my part,” he says, on potential interest from other clubs in Matheus Cunha.
“It’s my job to make him perform as best he can. I want the world to want him. I don’t see there being any problems with him in January … the contract stuff will be handled by the football club … Matheus won’t leave in January. Definitely not.
“I’m proud of Matheus at this moment. He’s worked very, very hard. He’s a very humble guy. He was big enough and open enough to accept the gaps he had in his game, and he’s gone head on in trying to piece the bits together.
“He has quality … all the other stuff is workable … you can’t help players with the quality and understanding they have … he is an exceptional player and very important to the group.”
Did O’Neil feel pressure when results weren’t so good? “I didn’t feel under any pressure … or, I’m always under pressure. I put pressure on myself … hopefully the fanbase have enjoyed the last few weeks more than the previous ones … now Bournemouth come and they are going to be a really tough test … it’ll be a real big test. Four unbeaten, yes, but desperate to make it five.”
Barcelona have stiff competition in midfield and Frenkie de Jong must work to nail down a first-team spot, manager Hansi Flick said.
De Jong has been sidelined for several months due to a persistent ankle injury, which also meant he missed Euro 2024 with the Netherlands.
Since his October return, the 27-year-old has largely featured off the bench, making just two starts, and he was booed during Barcelona’s 3-0 Champions League win over French club Brest.
“He must deal with this situation. He must regain his confidence. We look at every game to win. We want to play with the best team and based on that we make the eleven,” Flick said before a home game against Las Palmas on Saturday.
“He will be back, but it takes time. For me he was injured and now he is progressing well, and personally three or four weeks ago, when he started playing, he had a different mentality.
“Now he’s back after the international break and we support him, but we have a lot of midfielders. Those who are at 100% will play. He has to show the level. He is progressing, we follow him and we support him.”
“The managers just keep on coming,” declares the anchor on a well-known sports news TV channel, leading into an advert break.
“We’re about to hear from Wolves’ Gary O’Neil.”
Exciting!
On Guardiola and crisis-club Manchester City, Krishnamoorthy emails: “When Joseph Heller was told that he has not written a book as good as Catch-22 on the 10th year anniversary of the book he replied “Who has?”
Guardiola: ‘I don’t want to run away. City will be back’
Pep Guardiola is speaking about his Manchester City side’s visit to Anfield. Here’s some of what he had to say.
On the challenge of facing Liverpool:
It will be difficult. We have lost a lot of games in a row. There are still many, many games to play. Liverpool [are one of the best teams in the world] at the moment. Arne [Slot] is doing a great job. We are not as stable [as we used to be]. In the past when we went 3-0 up we were in control. The best place to prove if we are stable is Anfield.”
Guardiola is asked if his club is in crisis. Spoiler: he doesn’t seem to think so.
[We are in crisis] when you [journalists] write about it. We will be back, I know that. I don’t know when. That is the truth. We are second in the Premier League table, we are not in a good moment in terms of results, but I have the feeling in general that we played more than decent, but not enough to win games. But in life it is about when you stand up again. You are stable when you are 10, 11, 12 games winning but [if we win one game at Anfield] it does not mean we are stable. If we do not have the players [who are injured] we are probably going to fall down again. You have to accept when you are in a bad moment and you challenge it. I want an opportunity to challenge [the bad form]. I don’t want to run away. I asked for this challenge and opportunity. I feel it. I know what we have to do. It’s no excuse to say Rodri’s not there. What am I going to do? Cry every day. We not have consistency at the moment but tell me which sport team in the past decade has had the consistency of us? No one.”
Bayer Leverkusen want to show they have rediscovered consistency with a win at Union Berlin on Saturday that would make it three consecutive victories in all competitions, says coach Xabi Alonso.
Leverkusen, who won the domestic league and Cup double last season without a single defeat, crushed Heidenheim in the league 5-2 last week before firing another five goals past RB Salzburg in the Champions League on Tuesday in a 5-0 win. Yet they have managed three consecutive wins in all competitions just once this season, in September.
“We want to have again a good feeling. After [the win over] Heidenheim it was better and it was certainly better after Salzburg,” Alonso said. “Tomorrow is a different game … but it is a good moment to show that after two good games we can play a third good one in a row. I want another clean sheet tomorrow.”
Leverkusen have one win in four league games and are fourth on 20 points, nine off leaders Bayern Munich who face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. “We know we expect something different against Union and a big challenge in front of us,” Alonso said. “We have to be prepared for a physical game.” (Reuters)
Arteta sends sympathy to Guardiola
Ed Aarons
Mikel Arteta has said he feels sympathy for Pep Guardiola after Manchester City’s poor run of results but said dealing with setbacks is part of being a manager.
City will attempt to record a first win in seven matches when they face the leaders, Liverpool, on Sunday, with Arsenal having the opportunity to close the gap to Arne Slot’s side at West Ham 24 hours earlier after impressive wins over Nottingham Forest and Sporting this week. Arteta expressed concern for Guardiola’s wellbeing after City surrendered a three-goal lead against Feyenoord in midweek but said he expected their rivals to rediscover their form after such a sustained period of success.
A quote headline from Ranieri in Gazzetta, about last night: “Well done Roma, you never gave up. That’s how people get fired up”
Thanks John. Good afternoon all.
Just listening to Ange Postecoglou asking journalists at today’s press conference why he should make Tottenham more pragmatic. And I have to say, last night’s 2-2 draw against Roma was one of the most entertaining games I’ve seen in a long time. Keep doing what you’re doing, Ange.
That’s my stint on the blog done. Over to Luke McLaughlin. But first, a quiz.
A reminder of the table. Just look at Liverpool’s advantage. Shades of 2019-20, hopefully without the outbreak of a novel virus.
Nottingham Forest were in the top four but have lost their last two. Nuno’s been speaking to his club’s TV channel. Forest host Ipswich at 3pm on Saturday.
“Very positive. When you have a problem you have to address it, you have to take care of that and we did that. Now Saturday comes a test.
“But the mentality, the way we want to do things, we must go back from where we start, how we start, how we want to be as a team. When we speak I say over and over these words to the press, to the players, we must be compact, solid. We must be a team that is hard to beat, we must be a team that opponents don’t get anything. The first step has to be always like that when you go into the games.”
Kev McCready gets in touch about Arne’s day off: “I’d like to think Arne is enjoying some of Liverpool’s trendier venues – News From Nowhere (an independent bookshop run by a collective of women), The Open Eye (photography gallery) or maybe 69a (antique shop).“
It’s been a busy week at Tottenham, might it be a busy January? Here’s Ange on some transfer business.
“I’ve already had a few minutes with [Tottenham technical director] Johan [Lange] about a strategy for January. Last year, we did some business which helped us. We’ve got a lot of injuries but a lot of clubs have. At some point it is going to come home to roost, you will either get a diminished product or clubs will have to carry bigger squads.”
That West Ham v Arsenal game previewed here by Jacob Steinberg.
In that context Lopetegui needs to keep his guard up. Although suggestions that the former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic was being lined up to take over are wide of the mark, the situation remains precarious. Another bad run would inevitably bring more noise. Some at the club were unsure about Lopetegui’s appointment and suggested alternatives. However Sullivan, still the main power, has championed the 57-year-old and is determined to give him time to silence the doubters.
Kompany ready for “tough” Klassiker
Dortmund v Bayern is at 5.30 on Saturday.
Per Reuters
Bayern Munich have won seven straight matches with as many consecutive clean sheets but coach Vincent Kompany said that is all in the past and will count for nothing in Saturday’s Bundesliga ‘Klassiker’ at Borussia Dortmund.
Undefeated in the Bundesliga, Bayern are already six points clear at the top of the table ahead of second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.
They have not conceded a goal in their last five league matches and seven across all competitions and have netted 36 times in their 11 Bundesliga matches so far with the league’s leading scorer Harry Kane having already bagged 14 league goals this season.
“The last results are gone now. I just want us to win the game tomorrow. It’s the Klassiker,” Kompany told a press conference on Friday. “I like that these games have this special build-up. We all look forward to these games.”
“If you look at the big picture, it’s important for us not to look too much at how others see our players. It’s how we see them that’s important.”
Bayern travel to Dortmund with the hosts far from convincing in the league despite their good run in the Champions League.
Hampered by injuries, Dortmund have dropped to fifth in the Bundesliga on 19 points, 10 behind Bayern, after failing to win any of their away matches in the league this season. But Kompany is preparing to face what he said would be “the best version” of Dortmund no matter their recent Bundesliga results. Dortmund have won all six Bundesliga home matches.
“Our preparation is for the best version of the team. If they are top then they go high into their pressing game, they are extremely dangerous on the break with their speed on the wings,” Kompany said of Dortmund. “When they are at their best, they are also very, very good at building up the play. It’s not going to be an easy game, it’ll be tough.”
Ben Dawson is the caretaker – interim – manager at Leicester. On Ruud van Nistelrooy’s reportedly imminent arrival, he’s keeping cards close to his chest.
“Nothing at the moment. I was hoping you could shed some light on the situation. We probably know as much as you do and we’re just continuing and focusing on the game tomorrow.”
Leicester play at Brentford on Saturday at 3pm.
Ruben Amorim held his TV duties with fans singing his name.
Arteta admits Liverpool could be tough to catch
Per PA Media
When asked if Arsenal’s form needs to be perfect to finish ahead of Liverpool, Arteta said: “If they continue then that’s for sure, with the numbers they’re producing and the amount of games they’re winning.
“The focus is on us to maintain the consistency especially and performances that will give us the right to win games, keep the availability in the squad. This is a long run.
“Winning lifts the energy and our confidence up. We’ve had two big wins for us and now it’s about consistency and getting that momentum, take it further against a good opponent tomorrow and try to replicate the performance to win the game.”
Arteta on the Pep crisis at City.
“A bump, everybody has a bump. For them it is very strange because for nine years they have never had it. It tells you the level and the environment that we are in, everything has to be almost perfect – performance and ability has to be perfect and things have to go your way. It is so hard to win.”
Arteta on Raheem Sterling, who hasn’t played too much for Arsenal.
“I would like to see him more and this is down to me. He is trying his best. His application and his commitment around the team has been exceptional and now it is time for me to get him more minutes.
“That’s the intention [to get him more minutes] and that’s why I put him in against Forest and I wanted to put him in against Sporting and now getting him in that rhythm because he can really impact the team.”
It’s West Ham v Arsenal at 5.30pm on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta has been speaking about Martin Odegaard: “With the way he prepares himself and how much work he put in with the physios and medical department to get in the best possible condition to face the period and importance of the season that we are in and to hit the ground running – he has been exceptional since the Chelsea game and he has been very consistent the last three games.
“Good players that are so consistent and so reliable that can take the game to a different level and make the players better around them, that’s a huge quality of Martin’s and he has been missed.”
Last night’s Europa League action:
Colin gets in touch: You won’t hear from Arne Slot today. As Andy Hunter reported he held his press conference yesterday. I think on TNT on Wednesday he said his family was visiting for a few days. Maybe he’s off to visit the Three Graces, Albert Dock, The Cavern & The Cathedrals – “we’ve got one to spare”.
Højlund says Amorim style suits him
Jamie Jackson
After Ramsus Højlund scored twice against Bodø/Glimt in Manchester United’s 3-2 Europa League win, the No 9 stated Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 suited his game.
The victory over the Norwegian champions at Old Trafford was United’s second in the competition and lifted them to 12th with nine points after five games.
Højlund said: “I think the new system, new ideas, are suiting my style of play. I’ve played this sort of football – I don’t say it is the same, but a 3-4-3. I used to play in Atalanta a little bit the same.”
Højlund played for the Italian club in the 2022-23 season, scoring 10 goals in 34 appearances. The Dane was asked what is different between Amorim’s system and that of his predecessor, Erik ten Hag, for him as the centre-forward.
“The press is very different,” the 21-year-old said. “I have to focus a little bit more on what’s in front of me instead of behind. I showed last season with being the top scorer for the team that I can score goals. I’m still very young but obviously I would like to take the responsibility and that’s why I took the No 9 this year because I want to take the next level and the next step. But I still have a lot to grow – I’m still not the finished article.”
Højlund’s goal celebration featured a thumbs-up and thumb-down. “It’s the Gladiator one. We watched it when we were with the national team and I thought it was a nice celebration.”
Let’s get it going with the usual 10 things.
Ahead of that Wembley friendly, here’s a piece from the ever excellent Emma John, comparing the England manager to her English opposite number.
Warnings from the US for Liverpool as the Salah contract saga goes on. Good piece from Ryan Baldi.
Preamble
The Manchester City saga, the on-field stuff that is, continues on Sunday. Whatever next? They take on all conquering Liverpool on Sunday, and could end up 11 points back in the Premier League. That would be amazing but is it time the champions kick back? We’ll hear from Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola today, and the rest of the Premier League managers.
We also await white smoke from Leicester, where Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to be announced as manager.
Join us throughout the day.
Source From: Premier League | The Guardian
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