In the 20th episode of the Stick to Cricket podcast shared via their official X handle, Manchester United legend, Gary Neville along with cricket stars Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook, David Lloyd, and Phil Tufnell dissected football with a little bit of cricket insights.
Gary Neville, Michael Vaughan and Phil Tufnell in a podcast session (Photo Credit: Stick to Cricket via X)
The conversation started with Neville reflecting on his old days playing cricket in the summer until his manager, the great Sir Alex Ferguson told him he couldn’t risk it because of insurance concerns.
Moving on to football and its affairs, Neville gave his opinion on Liverpool F.C and highlighted Mohamed Salah’s performance, noting the Reds’ spine of players.
Mohammed Salah of Liverpool (Photo Credit: Salah via X)
He mentioned that Liverpool had dipped a bit but the experience of players like Virgil van Dijk and Salah could help them recover. After they lost to Chelsea, Virgil van Dijk himself had predicted that it was going to be a tough season for Liverpool.
In Gary Neville words,
Liverpool have dipped a bit. I think they’ll be alright because I think Salah and Van Dijk at some point will click. They’ve got a spine of people, a spine of players.
Virgil van Dijk defends (Photo Credit: Liverpool Media)
The podcasters went on to analyze the performance elite athletes who are getting older and Michael Vaughan chipped in,
I keep hearing, I don’t know who said it that Selah’s legs might have gone, is that right?
Neville went on to give his reply with a blend of insights from cricket,
What’s the equivalent in cricket? I don’t know— Lost your pace. I mean Ronaldo is still scoring goals, even though he’s older, so I think what Salah’s starting to do is be more efficient. He’s starting to sort of hang around that area where he scores, but he’s lost a little bit.
When David Lloyd suggested that Manchester United could tackle their problems by signing players like Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, Neville explained that it was a delicate situation for United. He said,
Where they are at the moment, they are in that sort of edge, it can go to like sixth or it can go to 15th quite quickly, you know because of the stage of the season we’re in and I don’t think we can be in 13th, 14th, 15th in November. I think that would be a problem.
The podcast offered football insights through the lens of cricket along with sharp analysis from the game’s most respected voices.
Endrick made Lyon his first choice and top priority in spite of interests coming from Premier League clubs. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed this in his official X handle,
Endrick gives absolute priority to Olympique Lyon move despite reports on Premier League clubs keen.
He’s tempted by OL opportunity, straight loan until June 2026 as exclusively revealed.
The deal in discussion is a straight loan without an option to buy and it will last until June 2026. This, however, matches exactly what Endrick wants.
Endrick hasn’t played a match for Real Madrid this season under manager Xabi Alonso and he longs to get regular player minutes in view of the 2026 World Cup.
Endrick of Real Madrid (Photo Credit: Fabrizio Romano via X)
He appears to be a strong choice for Lyon because they are currently lacking a strong and reliable centre-forward. They are certain Endrick can help solve that problem and give their team the much needed boost for the rest of the season.
On the part of Endrick, he is interested in Lyon because he is certain he will get more playing time which would help rebuild his momentum in competitive matches.
Real Madrid still has to approve this move and reach an agreement on financial details including how much of Endrick’s salary Lyon will take care of and other loan fees involved.
But with the player’s eagerness and choice, discussions are in progress showing that the loan might go through, so we expect a decision to be made soon.
Joan García has made an encouraging move for Barcelona by resuming first team training today. García had been kept out of full first team activities because of a knee injury.
Barcelona Goalkeeper Joan Garcia (Photo Credit: FC Barcelona via X)
It’s good news that he is now back to training and this indicates that the club sees him getting close to participating in games once again.
However, they are taking careful steps as the Barcelona staff want to protect him from relapse by not pushing him too hard even though he might be available for official games after the international break.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed this in his official X handle, he posted:
Joan García has returned to first team training with Barcelona today but staff doesn’t want to take any risks.
Barça GK likely to return in official games straight after the break.
To ensure that they have a fit and ready goalkeeper for their games, the club’s medical and coaching teams would need to follow a step by step plan probably by checking his reaction to stress after each training.
From there, they can now decide when he will resume match duties for sure. Barcelona clearly has ambitions in La Liga and Europe, so having goalkeeper who is in shape is very important.
If García returns to official match soon, it could add to the team’s stability. For now, the team and its supporters will keep a close eye on him.
This weekend, Everton will face Fulham at the Hill Dickinson Stadium as both clubs fight to scale up the Premier League table. Everton’s form lately isn’t the best with just one win in their last seven league matches, drawing three and losing three.
Everton players in training session (Photo Credit: Everton via X)
Fulham is currently in 15th place with 11 points which means they are one place and one point behind Everton in the table. Fulham’s match against Arsenal ended in a 1-0 loss but they recently broke a run of away losses with victory over Wolves but still face questions on their road form.
Fulham Vs Wolves (Photo Credit: Fulham via X)
Both teams are capable of scoring and conceding as they have similar records with Everton average around 1 goal scored and 1.3 conceded per match while Fulham average 1.2 goal scored and 1.4 conceded.
These stats shows an open game where both sides may find opportunities. In a pre-match press conference shared on Everton’s verified X handle, Manager David Moyes gave some updates on his players.
Speaking about Iliman Ndiaye’s future with Everton, he said,
I think he’s got a three and half year deal here, maybe more. So it’s something we are fully aware of. He’s playing really well, it’d be wrong for teams not to talk about him because of his form but here at Everton we are building a team, we want to build with players like Ili, so, we’ve got no intention of letting him go.
David Moyes. Photo Credit: Everton Media.
Moyes talked about Dibling and why he hasn’t got more playing time since he joined.
We want him to up his levels, up his training. When I first came here, Leighton Baines, John Stones, Joleon Lescott all had to sit and bide their time and wait for the right moments. That’s the way it is and I think for Tyler he’ll have to do that as well.
When asked about the attacking strength from his strikers, he mentioned that the output from Beto and Thierno Barry hasn’t been good enough but acknowledged Beto’s performance in the second half of last season as the reason they were still in the Premier League.
He added,
We are putting them under pressure to score goals as well. We need to give them that confidence and belief. But they have to give some back as well because they have to show us what they can do to get the jersey.
When he was asked about his thoughts on Marco’s management of Fulham, he said,
Marco’s done a brilliant job at Fulham. I wouldn’t say Fulham were ever really not that stable since they got back into the Premier League but I think, over recent seasons, they’ve actually become a really good side. Good players they’ve recruited well over several years, it’s not just been a one year thing, I think they’ve been able to do it over time. I think Marco’s done a really good job and he continues to do a good job.
Watch the pre-match interview below:
"He's fine, he's trained today so hopefully everything's okay."
On the Everton side, Jarrad Branthwaite is out with a hamstring injury. Nathan Patterson is not available due to a foot injury and Iliman Ndiaye is still a doubt due to thigh issues but has been training with the team.
For Fulham, Antonee Robinson is unavailable because of a knee injury.
Possible Lineups
Everton (4-2-3-1): Jordan Pickford; Jake O’Brien, Michael Keane, James Tarkowski, Vitalii Mykolenko; Idrissa Gueye, James Garner; Jack Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye; Beto.
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Kenny Tête, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Ryan Sessegnon; Alex Iwobi, Sander Berge; Harry Wilson, Joshua King, Raúl Jiménez.
Prediction
Because Everton will play at home and will push hard, they could have an edge over Fulham leveraging the opponent’s away struggles but just if they can dominate the game early.
Because Everton play at home and will push hard, they’re slight favorites. But Fulham’s away struggles give Everton the edge if they can control the game early. We could expect Everton to win against Fulham with a 2-1 score line.
In the Fulham’s official X handle, they posted a clip of the team stepping out for their training session.
Sunderland is set to host Arsenal this weekend in the Stadium of Light in a match that could shape the early Premier League title race.
Sunderland is a surprisingly strong and resilient team who currently occupy the 4th position in the league with 18th points after ten games. In a clash with Everton which ended in a 1-1 draw, Sunderland remarkably displayed their resilience and strength especially at home.
Granit Xhaka after equalizing for Sunderland (Photo Credit: Sunderland X handle)
Sunderland captain, former Arsenal Granit Xhaka who had moved to Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen had contributed greatly to the club’s strong performance and is widely referred to as one of the best signings for Sunderland.
Softfootball reported Sunderland’s stunning 2-1 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge which showed that they are a strong squad and backed up by smart tactics from manager Régis Le Bris. With their strength at home, Régis Le Bris and his team will look to use home advantage and crowd energy to challenge the Gunners.
Arsenal Players (Photo Credit: Arsenal via X)
However, Arsenal is on a hot winning streak, currently on top of the Premier League table with 25 points from 10 games. Their 2-0 win over Burnley where they dominated possession was one of their impressive victories.Their defense has been remarkable with 1.9 shots in target faced per game setting a record in top flight.
Sunderland will bring maximum energy and strong home performances as they will strive to shake Arsenal’s stand while Arsenal will use their structure, discipline and quality to attack and defend.
Mikel Arteta (Photo Credit: Arsenal FC media)
In a pre-match press conference shared on Arsenal’s verified X handle, Manager Mikel Arteta answered questions about his players and opponents.
On his thoughts about Sunderland’s performance this season and what it meant for his team, he said,
When you analyse them and see how well-organised they are, how they adjust things, and the spirit they have within the team, I’m not surprised. They fully deserve the position that they have at the moment.
We know the type of game that we expect to play tomorrow and where the opportunities are and the things that we have to do very well to beat them and that’s what we’re going to try to do
When asked about Gabriel Jesus training resumption, Arteta replied,
It’s about making the steps day-by-day in a different surrounding. He’s been doing everything on his own; now he’s got players around him, very competitive players around him, and let’s see how he copes with that.
But he’s full of energy, I love the reaction of all his teammates when he first joined us and great to have him back.
He also opened up about Xhaka’s departure from Arsenal, describing it as difficult and when asked how he has been managing his absence, he said,
Granit, when he expressed his idea— the reasons why he believed he was better now or the right timing after everything we went through together, to take another challenge, and take that journey somewhere else, it really made me think whether it was the right thing again to try to persuade him to stay if he was having already such a deep feeling about it.
Highlighting the importance of the match against Sunderland tomorrow, he said,
Every weekend is crucial. There are weekends for other possible results or for other games, maybe they are a little bit more important.
But at the end, you need to just conquer a certain amount of points if you want to achieve our goals and three points against Sunderland tomorrow is going to be really tough and we’re going to have to really earn them.
Sunderland’s manager, Régis Le Bris also spoke in a pre-match press conference which was shared in the club’s verified X Handle.
Sunderland Coach Regis Le Bris (Photo Credit: Sunderland Media)
On his expectations from Arsenal, Le Bris admitted,
They are really strong and one of the best teams in Europe at the moment. They have top quality and great experience. It is an exciting challenge and it will be a very big test.
On Xhaka’s presence in his team, he revealed,
His knowledge about Arsenal is important for us. The main thing is his belief and the way he can transmit confidence to the rest of the squad.
Furthermore, he gave an update on Omar Alderete, saying,
He had to step back because of symptoms. It’s not serious, but the protocol is strict. He won’t be available this weekend.
Team News
Sunderland has no fresh injuries concerns after their 1-1 draw with Everton and Le Bris will leverage on this in his selection.
Viktor Gyokeres (Photo Credit: Arsenal Media)
Arsenal is faced with some key absences, Victor Gyokeres will not play because of a muscle injury. Gabriel Martinelli’s participation is in doubt as he is still recovering from a groin injury. And Martin Odegaard is still battling with a knee issue.
Arsenal has a solid defense and several consecutive wins which they would be going into the game with but Sunderland has an impressive performance at home and will bring energy and optimism to the match.
So, we could be looking at Arsenal winning with a 2-0 result.
One of the best goalkeepers, David de Gea, marks his 35th birthday today, November 7th, 2025, Softfootball reports.
David de Gea was born in Madrid and then started his journey in football with Atlético Madrid’s youth system. He proceeded to make his senior debut in 2009, winning the UEFA Europa and UEFA Super with Atlético Madrid before joining Manchester United in 2011 to replace Edwin van der Sar.
David De Gea (Photo Credit: Manchester United via X)
In Manchester United, David De Gea made over 500 appearances and contributed greatly to the club winning the Premier League title in 2012/13 and also winning different domestic and European trophies. This made him scale up to be one of the most important players in the club.
With his consistent performances and incredible reflex saves, he earned himself numerous awards, like four Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year honours which is by far the most earned by any player in the history of the club.
David De Gea Golden Glove award (Credit: Manchester United X)
In recognition of his brilliance in between the posts, he was enlisted in the PFA Team of the Year numerous times. David de Gea also won the Golden Glove award twice, first in the 2017/18 season and again in the 2022/23 season.
He left Manchester United in 2023 after 12 seasons and moved to Fiorentina in 2024. While in Fiorentina, he has continued to sharpen his skills, adapting to Serie A and maintaining his authority as a top professional.
David De Gea’s calm presence, swift reactions and unmatched skills has made his career journey a unique one. His journey is a source of inspiration to young goalkeepers, from early days in Spain to his legendary years in England and current stint in Fiorentina.
As he turns 35 today, fans and teammates gather all over social media to celebrate a player whose passion and consistency has made him one of the best in modern football.
Manchester United made a post on their official X handle, wishing De Gea a happy birthday.
Crystal Palace produced a strong response to their recent European setback with a commanding 3–1 win over AZ Alkmaar, moving them up to ninth in the UEFA Conference League phase.
Manager Oliver Glasner had called for a strong response from Crystal Palace after their defeat to AEK Larnaca but AZ’s disciplined performance made it tough for Palace to seize an early advantage.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty was saved by Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro (Photo Credit: Crystal palace via x)
The visitors started brightly before Ismaila Sarr rattled the post and won a penalty after being fouled by Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro. Following a lengthy VAR review confirming Sarr was onside, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s weak spot-kick was easily saved.
Sarr has now scored eight goals in all competitions this term (Photo Credit: Crystal Palace – X)
Palace remained on the front foot, with Sarr denied again and Will Hughes’ volley striking the crossbar. Against the run of play, AZ took the lead when Maxence Lacroix fired in from close range, a goal confirmed after another long VAR check.
Maxence Lacroix put Crystal Palace in front (Photo Credit: Crystal Palace – X)
The Eagles hit back just before half-time. Yeremy Pino’s looping free-kick sparked chaos in the box, and Sarr reacted quickest to prod home for the equaliser.
AZ briefly threatened after the restart, with Sven Mijnans finding the net via a deflection to make it 2–1. However, Palace responded almost immediately as Mateta turned provider, threading a perfect pass for Sarr to finish calmly and restore the two-goal cushion.
In the same vein, the club has again made their fans proud as they went hysterical with joy because of their performance at the match tonight.
From there, Glasner’s men took control and saw out the game with confidence. Sarr’s brace and Palace’s resilience ensured a deserved win, reaffirming their European ambitions with a polished home performance.
Inter Miami has officially released a statement following Major League Soccer’s decision to hand Luis Suárez a one match suspension for an incident that occurred during their recent 2-1 defeat to Nashville SC.
The suspension sprang from a moment in the game when Suarez kicked a Nashville defender Andy Najar, an action that was later reviewed by the Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee.
Luis Suárez Of Inter Miami (Photo Credit: Luis Suárez X Handle)
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed this in his official X handle, He posted:
Inter Miami release statement on Luis Suarez suspension.
“Inter Miami CF accepts and respects the decision made by the MLS Disciplinary Committee. At the same time, the club wishes to express its concern about the precedent set by re-refereeing a play that had already been… pic.twitter.com/OCO07MWThS
In a statement released by the club as seen on their official X handle, they confirmed that they had received official notification of the ruling and stated that they accept the outcome from the Disciplinary Committee.
However, the club expressed concern about the process used to reach the verdict,
At the same time, the club wishes to express its concern about the precedent set by re-refereeing a play that had already been judged by the match officials and VAR,
Inter Miami emphasized its expectation for consistent disciplinary standards across all teams and matches, saying it remains confident MLS will ensure fairness in future rulings.
In an intense night of football, Sturm Graz and Nottingham Forest fought hard and ended up with a 0-0 draw in a match filled with missed chances, tough tackles and multiple substitutions.
Despite the fierce game and strong attacking power, none of the sides could find the back of the net. After an unimpressive performance at the Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest match in the Vitality stadium, Forest’s players have been fighting hard to build a better form but they might need to fight harder following this result.
In the first half, Nottingham Forest dominated and pressed forward through Morgan Gibbs-White and James McAtee who created several chances.
Nottingham Forest Vs Sturm Graz in the first half (Photo Credit: Nottingham Forest X handle)
The best part of the game came in the 35th minute when Forest were awarded a penalty. Gibbs-White confidently took the opportunity but disappointed everyone when he missed the goal keeping the score still at 0-0.
Sturm Graz slowly found their feet and started responding with swift counterattacks led by Otar Kiteishvili and Maurice Malone but Forest’s defense didn’t shake. Forest continued to display the same resilience they showed in their most recent Premier League match against Manchester United, which ended up in a 2-2 draw.
Sadly, the first half still ended without any goal even after three added minutes. The second half began with fresh energy from both sides and several substitutions were made to keep the game fresh.
Forest replaced Dan Ndoye with McAtee while Gibbs-White was replaced by Murillo in the 77th minute. Sturm Graz made substitutions of their own too, bringing in Seedy Jatta, Axel Kayombo, and Dimitri Lavalee to add new strength to the team.
The tension of the match rose some more as Forest’s player, Ryan Yates received a yellow card early in the second half. Axel Kayombo from Sturm Graz also received a yellow card in the 73rd minute after a rough tackle.
Both teams kept on working to at least secure a late win but none of them could solve the puzzle. Sturm Graz goalkeeper Jörg Siebenhandl and Forest’s defense fought to keep their clean sheets intact.
After five additional minutes, the final whistle was blown, leaving both sides in frustration but could find some positivity in their defensive performances.
Nottingham Forest has proceeded to thank their supporters in their verified X handle. They posted:
While Sturm Graz will be proud of their resilience and teamwork throughout the game, Nottingham Forest’s head coach, Sean Dyche would have noted areas where he can improve the tactical approach for his team.
In the world of football, Victor Osimhen has successfully proven to be a force of nature. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the bright promises of Europe, his journey has become a source of inspiration in modern football.
With a combination of skill, energy, passion and resilience, Osimhen has continued to prove that he is among the best goal scorers in the world today.
Nigerian businessman and celebrity, Cubana Chief priest shared pictures of Osimhen on his verified Instagram handle with the caption:
The Nigerian popular phrase “Goals Na Water” which Chief Priest used to describe Osimhen’s wonderful achievement shows that goals come easily through Osimhen like water flowing effortlessly.
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray (Photo Credit: Gala via X)
But now, he is once again being connected to the club where he built his reputation as one of Europe’s top coaches. Erik ten Hag’s time at Ajax between 2017 and 2022 was a huge success and made a memorable Champions League run to the semi-finals in 2019.
His tactical approach and ability to nurture young players made him a beloved figure among fans and an important contributor to Ajax’s modern success story.
Erik ten Hag (Photo Credit: Manchester United Via X)
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that discussions are underway in his verified X handle. He posted:
Understand Erik ten Hag has been approached by Ajax over possible return to the club as Heitinga got sacked.
Talks ongoing but no decision yet by Erik ten Hag, who already didn’t advance in talks with Wolves.
Furthermore, if Ten Hag returns to Ajax, he could work with Wout Weghorst again, a striker he managed at Manchester United. Weghorst had joined Ajax in 2024 from Besiktas and Hoffenheim.
Although no decision has been made, going back to Ajax will be like coming back home and might just be exactly what the team needs to get back on track.
Real Madrid fans can now heave a sigh of relief after reports have shown that midfielder Fede Valverde has avoided any serious injury. Given how important he has been for both club and country, news of an injury sent concern across Madrid.
Fede Valverde (Photo Credit: Real Madrid)
The Real Madrid midfielder had felt some discomfort during the UEFA League match against Liverpool at Anfield which raised suspicions of a possible injury but after comprehensive medical checkups, the club have ruled out any serious damage.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the good news in his verified X handle, he posted:
No injury for Fede Valverde as tests confirm he has no serious issues despite discomfort felt at Anfield.
However, this recent update is excellent news for his team because Valverde has been an important player this season and his fitness and sound health means he could take part in the next matches.
The discomfort was treated as a serious matter but now the coaching and medical staff are more confident in his condition. With many players undergoing heavy workloads and tight schedules, another worry over an injury could be a major distraction.
It’s a relief to both fans and the club knowing that Valverde is fit which allows the team to make future plans without major doubts.
On Valverde’s part, it is a confidence boost because being ever ready means he can continue to prove his loyalty to the club he joined as a young teen and also carry on his contributions in the midfield.
His energy and resourcefulness come in handy for Real Madrid’s targets this season. The discomfort at Anfield gave rise to tension but the recent test confirmations gave positivity.
The club will keep an eye on him in upcoming matches but for now, he is good to go.
Borussia Dortmund made a narrow escape with a 1-0 win over Augsburg in a pressure-filled Bundesliga Clash this evening. The game was one filled with momentum, drama and intensity as both sides struggled till the last minute.
Serhou Guirassy in action (Photo Credit Dortmund X Handle)
The 37th minute goal from Serhou Guirassy made a big difference. The game began with Dortmund taking an early control of possession with full confidence on display.
Augsburg had an organized defence and tried to counterattack through Fabian Rieder and Mert Komur. Dortmund’s hard work was rewarded when Guirassy calmly kicked the ball past goalkeeper Finn Dahmen to give Dortmund an early 1–0.
By the break time, Dortmund had already controlled possession with 58% while Dortmund continued to try their best. Augsburg gained momentum in the second half and pushed forward for an equalizer.
Both sides made replacements which brought in new aura. Augsburg came in with Samuel Essende and Anton Kade while Dortmund introduced Marcel Sabitzer and Jobe Bellingham to stabilize the midfield.
Some promising moves were made by the hosts late in the game, this included a close-range effort by Noahkai Banks in stoppage time but Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was willing to stain his clean sheet.
Augsburg didn’t give up as they kept pushing but Dortmund tried to hold the game firmly till the end. Several yellow cards were issued. Elvis Rexhbecaj and Fabian Rieder were faulted for fouls and thus added to the tension, but the visitors’ discipline and composure helped them maintain their narrow advantage.
Augsburd Vs Dortmund in Budesliga clash (Photo Credit: Augsburg X handle)
The final whistle blew after eight minutes extra time and Dortmund players breathed a sigh of relief and went ahead to rejoice over their hard earned victory.
With this result, Dortmund continue to gain energy in their league campaign and with a 1-1 draw in their last match against Eintracht Frankfurt, this victory serves as a much needed boost. Augsburg are left to mourn mistakes and missed opportunities even though they had a strong performance in the second half.
The match was a tight and competitive one which might have taken a different turn but in the end, Dortmund’s early goal was what made the difference.
French Midfielder, Paul Pogba has sustained a minor injury which came as a result of twisting his ankle while training. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed this in his official X handle.
Paul Pogba during training (Photo Credit: Fabrizio Romano X Handle)
He posted:
Paul Pogba has suffered an injury in training with a twisted ankle, but it’s not a serious one.
French midfielder set to miss this weekend game but is expected to be back in action next week if all goes to plan.
According to his words, Pogba’s injury is not serious, but he will miss Monaco’s big Ligue 1 match against Paris Saint-Germain this weekend. He also pointed out that if Pogba’s recovery goes well, he will be back to his regular activities next week.
The ban was supposed to be four-year long but it was later reduced to 18 months after a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Paul Pogba had been included in Monaco’s champions league, Softfootball reported. But since he arrived at Monaco, he has had constant issues with injuries. A thigh strain earlier in October led to his delayed debut and now he is challenged with an ankle problem.
With Monaco currently sixth in Ligue 1, they had hoped Pogba’s return would make a big difference in the midfield but with the November international break fast approaching, he might not be playing again till further notice.
For now, the club and their fans can only pray that Pogba finally gets a chance to climb to the spotlight in Monaco.
Liverpool will host Aston Villa this weekend in an important Premier League match. Having suffered four straight defeats this season, Liverpool’s form is now classified as the worst in years and this has put them under pressure.
Woodman and Morrison of Liverpool (Photo Credit: Liverpool via X)
Despite the season starting on a slow note, Villa succeeded in turning things around and are now on a winning streak. Their confidence and attacking power has indeed been elevated.
Liverpool’s problems seem to lie in their unstable defence and inconsistent performances. They have let in a lot of goals and struggled with keeping clean sheets. Issues like injuries have also disturbed like normal rhythm, tight schedule.
To get a positive turn around, they’ll need key players like Mohammed Salah and other attacking stars together with defenders who are well rested or recovering. Aston Villa’s energy and freedom makes them a big threat.
Their recent records are evidence of their attacking power and confidence. They might not be so perfect but they can feed off Liverpool’s current vulnerable state.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match which was shared in club’s official X handle, Arne Slot talked about injuries, form and his team’s mentality.
On managing the tight schedule and injuries concerns, Slot said,
Just handling the situation as it is. Let me use Alex [Isak] as an example — he had to do his pre-season inside the season… if I don’t play him, I don’t have him available, because otherwise I have to play Hugo [Ekitike] every single game.
We have still more than enough good players available to play the game on Saturday, to play the game on Tuesday and to play the game on Sunday. But I have to take care of a few of them.
On the factors that would help Liverpool get back on track after the defeat, he said:
The thing that gives me the most confidence is the quality of the players we have and the amount of chances these players are still creating. This will eventually always lead to these players scoring more goals than we’ve done until now.
Arne Slot (Photo Credit – Liverpool Official Website)
He addressed the confidence within the team, saying:
It’s never helpful if you end a game of football against Manchester United with conceding a set-piece and you start another one at Brentford in the Premier League and you concede after five minutes from a throw-in, from a set-piece. I’m not 100 per cent sure if I’m correct, we had to defend 16 set-pieces and 15 we defended well.
When he was asked whether he would change to a more defensive style, Slot was firm in his reply, saying:
I don’t see us conceding a lot of chances, so I don’t see a reason to change our playing style completely, but we need to do better in not conceding goals, that is for sure.
Watch the Press interview below:
Join Arne Slot live as he previews tomorrow night’s Premier League meeting with Aston Villa #LIVAVLhttps://t.co/SGU0b28amH
In a press conference ahead of the match which was shared in Aston Villa’s official X handle, Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery expressed positivity and praised the recent progress of his team. He also talked about the challenges they may face.
Reflecting on Villa’s strong turnaround this season, Emery said,
It’s also a sign that it is better to do it the way they did it than the way we did it! If you don’t win in the beginning, people are like, ‘Maybe they don’t have the same team as last season’ or whatever and then they start to win and everything is very positive again.
He gave credit to his team’s impressive strong form, saying,
The performances collectively and how we are increasing and getting more points than we achieved in the first part of the season is very important. It means the players and our performance tactically is becoming better.
When asked about the progress of Matty Cash, he replied,
Cash is usually showing his emotions clearly, and he’s a very good guy. As a man, he’s fantastic and as a player, he’s progressing very well.
Furthermore, he emphasized on his team’s work ethic and the dangers of slacking,
We increased our demands in the training sessions and in meetings.
Progressively we are getting better. Now is the moment we have one problem if we are relaxing because we are performing better we can get confused.
Unai Emery (Photo Credit: Aston Villa via X)
In anticipation of the match against Liverpool, he said in conclusion,
I have massive respect for them. They can have some moments where they’re not getting good results, but the coach showed last year his capacity and experience.
On Liverpool’s side, Alisson Becker won’t be available because of a hamstring injury. Jeremie Frimpong is dealing with a recurring hamstring problem so he’s out. Giovanni Leoni is also injured.
Ryan Gravenberch is back to full training and could return to the squad.
Ryan Gravenberch (Photo Credit: Liverpool website)
For Aston Villa,
Emiliano Buendía has an ankle injury and won’t be playing. Youri Tielemans has injury concerns too. Harvey Elliott won’t be able to play against his parent club because he is on loan from Liverpool.
Possible Lineups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Giorgi Mamardashvili; Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister; Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo; Hugo Ekitiké.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martínez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana; Morgan Rogers, John McGinn, Evann Guessand; Ollie Watkins.
Prediction
There could be a narrow 2-1 win from Liverpool but Villa are prepared to make the match a tough one.
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