According to UOL, via Sport Witness, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has recently met with the agent of Everton forward Richarlison.
Richarlison joined Everton from Watford in last summer’s transfer window.
And the 21-year-old is enjoying a strong season for the Toffees, finding the back of the net on 12 occasions in 30 Premier League appearances.
It would be some story if Liverpool actually made a move for the South American, but it is, at the moment, difficult to believe that anything concrete will happen.
The Liverpool fans have been on social media offering their views on the speculation.
And it would be fair to say that the majority are not interested in the deal.
The Reds could well move for a new attacker this summer to boost their options in the final third, but the club’s supporters are against Richarlison being that player.
A selection of the best Twitter reaction can be viewed below:
He’s been a revelation this season, hasn’t he? Jacob Brown has really established his place in Daniel Stendel’s side this season and not only is he one for the future, but he is also one for the present as he is performing week-in-week-out for Barnsley.
Brown has had to bide his time at Barnsley. After making two appearances in the 2016/17 season, he built on his limited experience in senior football with a short-term loan at Chesterfield last season.
The 20-year-old failed to score or assist in 13 games for the then League Two outfit, however, it will have helped him mature significantly by holding his own in multiple positions across their frontline.
This campaign, Brown started the League campaign out of the matchday squads, but since late August, he has built up his experience in first-team football with a number of impressive cameos.
Since the New Year, the EFL’s Young Player of the Month for January has really been able to have a greater influence on the Tykes as he seemingly has Stendel’s complete faith. Brown has made the right-wing position his own following Brad Potts’ move, using his movement and pace to get in behind and to act as a menace for the opposition.
In 28 League One games this year, he has netted five times and provided a further five assists, which is remarkable for a player in their first full season of regular, professional football at the age of 20.
Brown now has the trust of the manager to kick on in a Barnsley shirt and make his mark on the promotion race. If he can continue to do so and even help to gain promotion, it would come as no surprise to see some more established Championship clubs eyeing up his services in the near future.
But, for now, Brown will be firmly focused on helping Barnsley return to the second tier of English football once again.
Each week on Football FanCast we will be celebrating those special breed who lit up the Premier League with their unique brand of utter genius. This time out we pay homage to a classy midfielder who saved the best until last.
In the decade-and-a-half that Gary McAllister played south of the border following his move from Motherwell in 1985 he won the league with Leeds United and greatly enhanced the midfields of Leicester and Coventry too. With all due respect to those clubs though, here we concentrate only on the silky Scot’s two years at Anfield that came after.
Because when McAllister left Highfield Road in 2000 it looked for all the world like a curtain call was imminent at a lower league club, perhaps in the guise of player-manager. He was 35, knocking on for 36 and though he’d always been the kind of centre-circle patroller who played much of the game in his head the body tasked with making his vision manifest was notably slowing down. Given that he’d never been blessed with a sprinter’s pace to begin with that was a problem.
How much was left in the tank? That was the question and a pertinent one too despite the fact that the classy schemer from Lanarkshire had been an ever-present for Coventry in his farewell season and brilliant too even against his usual high standards. He was 35, knocking on for 36. That was the fact that trumped all others. He was the same age that Jermain Defoe and Phil Jagielka are presently.
It was one hell of a surprise then when Liverpool swooped to take him on a Bosman as part of a two-year rebuilding process undertaken by Gerard Houllier that saw the shipping out of the ‘Spice Boys’ replaced by an influx of largely foreign fare. In that summer of a new century McAllister’s arrival was welcomed by Reds who acknowledged his pedigree and anticipated the calming influence he would have on what was a young midfield, save for Dietmar Hamann. Surely though he would be a peripheral figure?
In the event McAllister played 49 times for Liverpool that year, a year in which they won the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup while achieving their joint highest finish in the league for over a decade. And it wasn’t just his ubiquity that startled. He probed, he orchestrated, he passed and enforced. He was everything great about this emerging side.
The following year was much the same and now a reassessment was necessary on the career and reputation of Gary McAllister. Whereas previously he was considered a fine player who had embellished fine sides now he was elevated to an altogether higher plateau.
It is always wonderful when such a rare occurrence plays out before our eyes: when a widely admired talent saves the best until last and is finally recognised for the special player he has always been. With McAllister however if felt even more so; that touch more wonderful. Why this is perhaps is down to his integrity and aesthetically pleasing playing style. Perhaps it’s simply down to the man.
The man and his free-kicks. On the 16th April 2001 Liverpool journeyed across Stanley Park to take on their nearest and dearest for what turned out to be a classic Merseyside derby. Twice Everton pegged the visitors back, the second occasion via a late David Unsworth penalty and with four minutes of injury time already contested a draw seemed inevitable.
That was until Liverpool were awarded with a set piece 45-yards from goal and if that figure doesn’t do the distance justice then factor in that Everton deployed only a two man wall with one of them breaking away for an expected short lay-off. McAllister though had only one intention on his mind.
His run-up gave the game away: arcing his stride from the left, all the better to get decent curl and spin from his trusty right boot. Cleverly though this was preceded with pointed instructions for team-mates to get into the box and that worked a treat because it shifted Everton keeper Paul Gerrard slightly over creating a gap at his near post.
To reach that gap accurately required a veteran’s touch. To reach it accurately with pace and curve, sufficient to have Gerrard scrambling on foot for a couple of steps before hurling himself forlornly at it, well that needed a slice of genius.
For any player to score in such circumstances would ensure they were granted lifelong access into the marbled halls of club legend. That it was McAllister, long in the tooth and classy to the last, made it that touch more wonderful.
[ad_pod ]Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier was on top form as he defended his celebration of Saints’ win over Wolves at the weekend; the former striker responded to the irritated Molineux Stadium faithful with what he surely saw as an argument-ending stat comparing Ralph Hasenhuttl with Nuno Espirito Santo.
While numbers don’t tell the whole story, Football FanCast are here to explain the rest of it and exactly why Le Tiss’ indication that Hasenhuttl’s Southampton are better than Nuno’s Wolves might be right.
On the chalkboard
The Saints’ excellent run continued with a 3-1 victory at the weekend at Midlands outfit Wolves’s expense, although naturally the opposition fans had their excuses and retorts when Le Tiss took to Twitter to celebrate.
Indeed, the St Mary’s Stadium outfit were in dire straits when Mark Hughes was given the boot and former RB Leipzig boss Hasenhuttl subsequently appointed in early December, although the Austrian has completely turned things around.
While, as the Twitter user trading blows with Le Tissier says, Wolves are in a far, far better position in the standings, the stats suggesting that Southampton have been better than them since Hasenhuttl took the helm don’t lie.
Other than a 0.08 points-per-game margin, what does the Saints chief have on his Wolves counterpart, then?
How has Hasenhuttl done it?
The 51-year-old has instilled an excellent attitude – epitomised by new captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – in each of his players and this has surely been a massive part of their huge improvement in 2019.
Leicester proved in 2015/16 that it’s not all about money and Hasenhuttl is proving that again, albeit not to the same extent, at St Mary’s Stadium with a squad he has inherited mere months ago and has had no part in building.
He has brought players in from the cold who are now on fire – pick any of James Ward-Prowse, Jan Bednarek and Yan Valery – and has got the Saints playing sublime, at times, and effective football.
Why should Southampton be more like Dortmund? Find out in the video below…
While Nuno’s Wolves are equally capable of proving magical moments on the pitch, the Portuguese struggles to adapt mid-game and this has cost last season’s Championship winners on numerous occasions, whereas, while he rarely gets his game-plan wrong, Hasenhuttl’s in-game management has been excellent.
Given half the funds in the summer that Wolves have spent on their squad this season, he will surely be able to transform his side into Europa League challengers for next the campaign if their recent run of form is anything to go by.
Chelsea have been a mixed bag in the Premier League this season as they’ve struggled to perform against some of the big sides, which has put their top four hopes in doubt.
The Blues have encountered a number of problems in the current campaign and one of their biggest has been at the pinnacle of the attack, as Gonzalo Higuain has failed to live up to expectations since moving to Stamford Bridge.
But, it appears as if fans may not have to witness his poor performances for much longer, as according to The Mirror (via Calciomercato), Chelsea are not going to extend Gonzalo Higuain’s stay at Stamford Bridge.
Sadly, the Argentine has produced a disappointing three goals in 13 games for the Blues which certainly hasn’t helped their push for a top four spot, so it’s about time they started looking at replacements.
Interestingly, Maurizio Sarri actually already has the perfect replacement at his fingertips at Chelsea in the form of Tammy Abraham.
The Englishman has established himself as one of the deadliest strikers in the Championship this season having produced an impressive 24 goals and two assists. He has everything you could want in a striker with the pace to cause problems and the finishing ability to make the most of promising positions.
He deserves his shot in the Premier League next season and Higuain’s potential exit could provide him with the perfect opportunity. Indeed, the 21-year-old is a very exciting attacker who will no doubt be hungry to showcase his talents after an impressive spell at Villa Park, so the transfer ban shouldn’t be an issue.
Chelsea fans, would you like to see Abraham lead the line next season? Join the discussion by commenting down below!
There are surely changes already shaping up to take place at Newcastle United.
Be it at upper-level management or the squad itself, a new-look Magpies unit could be on display next season. Indeed, Rafa Benitez, however, will only want to keep the best and restructure the squad to his style in order to succeed, if he does extend his stay on Tyneside.
The Spaniard will be ruthless when cutting talents, but he’ll want to make some beneficiary additions as well. According to reports (via Football Insider), he wants to reunite with an old friend in Fulham’s Ryan Babel. Having returned to English football after years, the Dutch winger’s been a (fairly) bright figure in the Cottagers’ shallow attack.
While Babel couldn’t stop their inevitable drop, he’s created some special moments since arriving in January. Be it his whirling movement down the left, dribbling ability or incisiveness to get behind defenders, he’s entertained fans by at least trying to trick the opposition. The Dutch international’s scored 4 goals and assisted 3, a somewhat decent return.
Granted, it’s not overly inspiring for the Mags reading this. However, the Toon Army needs attacking reinforcement and a move for a man Benitez knows well would make sense.
He can actually fit in really well at Newcastle to add that cutting edge to their attack. Obviously, he doesn’t have many years in him, but his understanding with Benitez and ability to add that extra spice in attack could work wonders at St. James’ Park.
The Duch winger’s addition could allow Benitez to tweak his formation to a more attacking one. Having lacked a menacing figure down the left, Babel could bring pace, creativity and that irresistible eye for goal which has lacked among the Magpies’ wingers this season.
Newcastle fans, would you be pleased with Babel’s reuniting with Benitez? Join the discussion by commenting below…
Charlton have overachieved this season, there is no doubt, considering that they lost their top scorer in January and were unable to replace him.
They have still been able to steamroller their way into a play-off spot, however, with the chance to seize promotion just around the corner.
With limited resources and backing, Lee Bowyer deserves an enormous amount of credit for the job he’s done and you’d think that tying the former midfielder down for the next few years would be a priority for Roland Duchatelet and co.
However, if Bowyer’s increasingly frustrating press conferences are anything to go by, then little progress is being made on the part of the controversial Belgian owner, while the impressive manager has been left in the dark.
Speaking in his pre-Gillingham presser, an exasperated Bowyer admitted that he has no control of the situation and “it is what it is”.
It would be a complete disaster if Duchatelet continued to procrastinate and Bowyer was allowed to be snatched away in the summer.
This could have some huge consequences at The Valley…
Transfer domino effect
With the likes of Joe Aribo and Patrick Bauer also on deals which are due to expire at the end of the campaign, the way in which Duchatelet has handled Bowyer’s situation should have alarm bells ringing for the aforementioned duo, who have been a big part of the Addicks’ success in 2019.
Bauer is already proving a tough nut to crack, with the centre-back hinting that promotion to the Championship is the only thing that could keep him at SE7, although he could seek an exit anyway if Bowyer isn’t at the helm next season. The same goes for Aribo, who has reportedly been watched by Arsenal this season.
Both players have been excellent under the 42-year-old and Duchatelet would send completely the wrong message to potentially-outgoing players should he decline to negotiate new terms with the Addicks boss.
Fan outrage
The fans have fallen in love with Bowyer since he was appointed on a permanent basis back in September and there would be riots at The Valley if the former Newcastle man isn’t in charge next term.
Relations between the Charlton faithful and Duchatelet are already pushed to their limits and this would truly be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Check out what happened when two of Charlton’s best players faced-off in a game of ‘Splat’ in the video below…
Bowyer is one of the brightest young managers in the EFL at the moment and it would be a disaster if Charlton were to lose him to another club, potentially a Championship rival – QPR are said to be interested – with their managerial position still vacant.
If Duchatelet wants to keep the few supporters he still has at Charlton it’s essential that he gives Bowyer the deal he deserves.
Charlton slide back down the table
With Duchatelet unlikely to financially back the man in the Charlton dugout next term any more than he has Bowyer this season, the Addicks could be set for a heartbreaking slide back down the table.
Bowyer has done phenomenally well with next to no support from the hierarchy – this is surely why QPR, who are in similarly dire straits behind the scenes, see him as a great candidate – and there is no guarantee that whoever may replace him could do even half as well.
In fact, it’s more likely that they would oversee the Addicks’ demise.
Liverpool need a favour in the Premier League title race.
They are second in the league and have two games remaining against Newcastle United and Wolves. Their 91 points is historic for a second-placed side but, as it is, their destiny is out of their hands.
Manchester City are on top and know two wins from their final two games will see them crowned champions.
But there are three men who could ultimately send the title towards Anfield, and all three used to be on the payroll on Merseyside.
Football FanCast takes a look at the three ex-Reds who could prove pivotal to their title charge.
Brendan Rodgers
The last manager to mastermind a title push, Rodgers went within a Steven Gerrard slip of ending over 20 years of hurt at Anfield in 2013-14.
Now at Leicester City, he has already built the Foxes into a slick unit, featuring the playmaking talents of Youri Tielemans and James Maddison and the lightning pace of Jamie Vardy.
This Monday, Rodgers’ men will take on Manchester City, aware that a victory, coupled with a Liverpool win over Newcastle, would put the Reds’ destiny back in their own hands.
Indeed, Leicester have history with City. They beat them on Boxing Day and also took them to a penalty shootout in the League Cup in December after a 1-1 draw across 120 minutes.
They have been in fine form, too, beating Arsenal 3-0 last weekend and tasting defeat just once in their last six outings.
Another showing like the one that dismantled the Gunners would be very well received on Merseyside.
Rafael Benitez
Revered at Anfield, Benitez will welcome Liverpool to St James’ Park on Saturday evening.
It is the trickiest test for the Reds in their run-in, on paper. Wolves are a difficult opponent, of course, but Liverpool will play at home on the final day of the season and it is almost unthinkable to imagine them losing.
But it is conceivable that Benitez might just do them a favour on Saturday.
The Magpies are long since safe and cannot finish higher than 11th.
This, then, is a free hit for the club, who will hope to end the season on a high with a win over already-relegated Fulham on the final day.
Of the two encounters, it is more likely that Benitez will prioritise the clash with the Cottagers.
And that could mean a rest for a few players against the Reds.
Newcastle are not expected to become just the second team this season to beat Jurgen Klopp’s side. And that could well play into the Reds’ hands.
Conor Coady
Conor Coady celebrates a Wolves goal.
The Wolves centre-back has been a revelation this season.
A rock in the heart of Nuno Espirito Santo’s defence, he has been a key part of a team that has conceded just 44 goals this season, fewer than both Manchester United and Arsenal. That statistic is all the more staggering when one remembers that Wolves were only promoted last season.
An ex-Liverpool player – he came through the academy at the club, spending nine years with the Reds – Coady could well wreck his old side’s dreams on the final day.
A clean sheet for Wolves, after all, would surely see City anointed as champions.
But if Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane can find a way past the forgotten Anfield old boy, they have an incredible chance of pipping their title rivals to the crown.
It may be inadvertent, then, but Coady may well hold the keys to Liverpool’s potential title triumph.
Ryan Kent has made a notable impact since he arrived at Ibrox from Liverpool last summer and plenty of supporters are convinced that the Rangers hierarchy should shell out to sign him on a permanent deal.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder struggled to make his mark in previous loan spells but he has found a rhythm in Scotland which hints he has turned a corner in his career.
With the transfer window looming on the imminent horizon, fans are beginning to question whether he is worth signing permanently.
Kent’s future has become a major talking point in recent weeks and Steven Gerrard has directly addressed the issue in the public eye, confirming that the club want him to stay and suggesting the player has a big decision to make, per BBC.
The Liverpool loanee has scored six goals and provided six assists in all-competitions during a season when he has tended to blow hot and cold but, for a huge number of fans, there has been enough promise on show to suggest the Gers should do everything in their power to lure him away from Anfield.
Manchester United fans would absolutely love to see Jadon Sancho arrive at the club this summer but David Ornstein’s update on the current situation suggests that their chances of concluding a deal have diminished in tandem with United’s form on the field of play in recent months.
What’s the word?
Sancho is one of the most insatiable young talents in Europe right now. His form at Borussia Dortmund has made him the envy of the continent, leaving Manchester City ruing the fact they failed to keep hold of him.
And it seems that their local-rivals now have the advantage over them in the transfer market, according to Ornstein, at least.
Indeed, the BBC journalist was speaking to Radio 5 Live on Tuesday evening earlier this week, and he confirmed that both Sancho and United are interested in concluding a stunning transfer this summer (20:35).
“Now Jadon Sancho is among the top targets at Manchester United and United would be his preferred option if he was to come back to the Premier League during this transfer window.
“I’m told that a couple of months it was looking like this would be nailed on, however, he is reluctant to give up Champions League football, he’s reluctant to join an unstable club, he wants stability and he wants to win things.
“As things stand it’s 50-50 on that one.
“The fee this summer would be in excess of £100 million.”
One point separated City and Liverpool but twenty-five separated them from the rest! Fans discuss who could reduce the deficit next season in the video below?
United surprisingly have pulling power
That Sancho has identified Old Trafford as his preferred destination is undoubtedly a major shock but a positive revelation for the crisis-hit club.
At the end of a season which has seen Mauricio Pochettino – a man renowned for his ability to catalyse the development of young players – take Spurs to the Champions League final to face Liverpool, a club who also offer a perfect environment for young talent to thrive, is is incredibly surprising that Sancho is most enticed by a move to United.
The 20-time champions have slumped, underwhelmed, overspent and alienated in a torrid season, yet it seems their history is still generating significant pulling power.
This is as shocking as it is encouraging for United supporters, and they will be hoping that their club can take advantage of the 19-year-old’s standpoint by bringing him back to Manchester in the summer.