Liverpool arguably have the best full-back pairing in the world in Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who have both become an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s team.
A pathway to the first team for Kostas Tsimikas and Neco Williams has thus far been difficult and limited to mere cup appearances and the odd game where one of the regular full-bacvs isn’t fit – so much so that the latter has gone out on loan to Championship leaders Fulham.
However, with the Reds still fighting on all fronts for the quadruple after winning the Carabao Cup a couple weeks ago, opportunities to impress Klopp could be available. Should that also prove to be the case in future seasons, the importance of having depth in the wing-back positions will soon be realised.
One player who has been tipped to become a Liverpool star in the future is left-back Callum Scanlon, who penned his first professional deal with the club this week after signing from Birmingham City as a 15-year-old in December 2020 for £500k.
An England youth international, the 17-year-old is described as ‘highly rated’ at the club, where he has nailed down a starting spot with the under-18s after making his debut last May. The youngster’s former academy coach James Atkins has hailed the starlet as “lightning quick” and “technically very good”.
Scanlon has also shown the ability to play in midfield, just like Alexander-Arnold, who himself graduated from the Reds’ academy.
What makes the 23-year-old such an important player in the Liverpool team, perhaps even more so than Robertson, is his ability to not just double up as a winger in attack, but also occasionally drift into the middle of the pitch to make things happen, much like Manchester City’s inverted full-back Joao Cancelo.
However, the West Derby native does this more because he has the technical ability to play in those areas, compared to Cancelo who also has that technical ability, but is a right-footed defender playing on the left, and cutting in is natural to him.
If Scanlon also has the technical ability to play in midfield, he could follow in the footsteps of Alexander-Arnold as opposed to Robertson. However, should he continue to develop at the same rate, but with his athleticism, aggression and strong delivery, he could perhaps play more like the Scottish defender, bombing up and down the left flank to good effect.
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Klopp may already have a long-term successor to Robertson at his disposal on Merseyside, potentially saving the club a few million quid in the transfer market as they would be spared the need to splash out on a new left-back.
In other news: Liverpool could sign their own Haaland in “atomic” £34m animal who’s “ice cold”
With everyone, including Alex Ferguson himself, labelling the Manchester derby on the weekend as a ‘6 pointer’, just how bigger effect will the game actually have on the title race? Obviously it would be foolish to say that the winner of this game will be the winner of the Premier League title come May, one game is not the be all and end all, and in reality it is just worth three points.
The winner of the game would obviously have the bragging rights for the moment, and it would not sit too comfortably with defending champions United if City were to consolidate their place at the top of the table by winning at Old Trafford, in what would be their second league victory there since 1975 – the solitary other being a 2 -1 win in 2008. Not only that, but City would certainly be underlining the message that they are real title contenders and a force to be reckoned with.
Should United be victorious, and they will be the favourites to do so being on home turf, they will return to the top of the league one point ahead of City. This would not mean that City’s title challenge would be over – in football anything can happen, and the season has a long way to go yet before anyone is crowned as champions, and a single point gap does not mean this will happen.
One thing that the winner of the game will take is the confidence and belief that they are Manchester’s premier side, and especially for City, the psychological impact of a win at Old Trafford would be huge.
Much has been made of the fact that City have played relatively easy games when compared to United, with them still having to play Chelsea, Arsenal Liverpool and Stoke away, whereas United have played all of the above. Clearly City may be expected to drop points during this run of tough games, in which they also have the small matter of playing Bayern Munich to contend with. Should they come through these games, that will have a bigger effect on the title race, and should City be top after the end of December and the tricky Christmas period, that is when United should be genuinely worried, not after the game this weekend whatever the result.
Fergie and Manchester United have been there and done it too many times to really place too much emphasis on the derby, and in reality it is just three points, regardless of the result nothing will be decided this weekend.
The real concern of the weekend could well be the relative dark horses this season of Chelsea, who look to be getting better and better under Andre Villas Boas, and will be the winners this weekend regardless of who wins at Old Trafford. A draw may be preferable for Chelsea, with both teams then dropping points, but either way, as long as the blues do the business at Loftus Road they will make up ground on one or both of the top two.
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Although the media and fans may revel in placing greater emphasis on the most anticipated derby in recent seasons, nothing will be decided this weekend between the top two, but don’t be surprised if Chelsea fly out from under the radar and people start considering them just as likely to win the title as either of the Manchester clubs.
Olympique Lyon crushed Nancy 4-0 in an action-filled encounter on Friday to move into second place on the Ligue 1 table.Lyon took the lead in the 37th minute when France attacker Yoann Gourcuff volleyed home Jeremy Toulalan’s chipped through ball.Nancy captain Youssouf Hadji had the ideal chance to equalise in first-half injury time but his paltry attempted chip from the penalty spot was safely caught by Lyon goalkeeper Remy Vercoutre, who had enough time to sit up and gather his thoughts after diving to his right before claiming the ball. Substitute Jeremy Pied – just seven minutes after coming on – doubled Lyon’s advantage in the 76th minute, getting on the end of a pass from fellow substitute Michel Bastos to double his side’s advantage.Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanic became Lyon’s second substitute to score, netting four minutes after his 81st-minute injection for his side’s third goal.Jimmy Briand’s late strike will steal the headlines, however, as the France international’s overhead scissor kick – reminiscent of Wayne Rooney’s wonder goal for Manchester United just six days ago – cannoned into the roof of the net to make it 4-0.The win moved Lyon within four points of league leaders Lille, but the top side have a game in hand on Claude Puel’s men.
Frank Lampard has no plans to retire from international football despite England's World Cup exit.
Lampard, 32, was part of the under-performing squad dumped out of the competition at the last 16 stage following a 4-1 defeat to Germany on Sunday.
The likes of the Chelsea midfielder, captain Steven Gerrard, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Emile Heskey will either be in the twilight of their careers or retired by the time the next World Cup comes around.
That coupled with another underwhelming finals performance from a much-vaunted generation of players has led to calls for whoever leads the England team into the next tournament to wipe the slate clean.
However, Lampard claims he for one has no plans to retire from international football.
"I want to carry on with England. I think there will be a lot of talking, not just about me," he said.
"It's important players go away and don't listen to it and concentrate on our jobs now.
"The talk is great for the people who are involved in that sort of thing but it doesn't actually make any difference.
"We'll try and carry on, that's what we have to do.
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"Only one team wins the World Cup and the rest go home at some stage and don't win it so the talking is by the by.
"We'll have to come back and try and perform."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Chelsea started their 2012-13 Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Wigan on Sunday.
The west Londoners took little time to break the deadlock, with debutant Eden Hazard setting up Branislav Ivanovic to score after only two minutes.
The Belgian superstar was at the core of the Blues’ second after seven minutes, as Frank Lampard converted a penalty won by Hazard.
Roberto Di Matteo has hailed the result as the ideal start, and was pleased with his side’s performance.
“We had a very bright start and sometimes you don’t score the goals so early on but it was perfect today that we managed to score the two goals early on. I think that that settled a lot of nerves,” he told Sky Sports.
“We prepared for the game and the team and we were looking for a good start. It doesn’t always happen but I think today they responded very well.”
Di Matteo went on to praise Hazard’s debut showing.
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“He was outstanding. He produced a lot of quality within this game and was always a threat. Difficult to mark, got away from his man. It was very pleasant to watch him today,” the Italian coach concluded.
Xabi Alonso has for Real Madrid always been a centerpiece in Mourinho’s tactics. In each game you see Madrid play, they play with a ball-winning midfielder besides Xabi, just so that Xabi Alonso can find the space that he needs, to further collect the ball and transport it forward. He is the world number one at engineering this forward momentum in my view. But Xabi has, just today mentioned to the Spanish Press that it’s difficult to always be the one single defensive midfielder, as the other defensive midfielder in the 4-2-3-1 system, most of the time bridges away from position.
“For us to be a very good team, there are for us alternatives that could work out well if we all engage in defence and attack. In midfield it´s about getting involved. Depending on our approch of the game, and the opponents approach, there are some formulas that could work out well”
Often when you see Real Madrid play their game, they have Xabi placed low down the field. I’d say that he even sinks down to a couple of centimetres in front of the central defenders. That’s basically because he is a deep playmaker. But Madrid are so dependent on Xabi; On his passes, that the whole team whirs into motion when Xabi gets the ball to his feet.
Xabi can expertly play a ball across the field, as well as quick, short passes to team mates. He has mastered every kind of passing and his range is basically unrivalled. And there are moments or matches where Xabi seems to be a complete midfielder. His intelligent playing style is really appreciated down the corridors of the Bernabéu. He builds up plays, finishes them with shots from time to time and takes corners and freekicks when Cristiano isn’t up for it.
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Last season Mourinho openly came out saying that this team had three untouchables; meaning that these three players will always play matches when available. Iker Casillas, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso are these three players. Casillas stands for the safety within the group, Ronaldo stands for the decisive moments and Xabi Alonso stands for the most important moments on the field because Mourinho has built all his team around Xabi. Many even go as far to say that Xabi makes other players look better than they really are.
“There exists some good communication between us and the coach and the door to the coach is always open. Things are good at all moments.”
Xabi also acts as a father to the team with all his routine, outside of being outstanding on the pitch most of the time. The only real problem that I see, if I have to point one out, is that Alonso sometimes over thinks his plays. He is obsessed with getting the pass forward, perfected, should it be a long or short one, it doesn’t matter and sometimes it’d benefit him more to rely on instinct.
“The important thing is that Sahin recovers soon because his return is being delayed a little longer than expected. We have gotten to know him a little better, we all know that it´s a great player.”
That’s a good point that Xabi himself notes. Nuri Sahin , who was Bundesliga’s best player last season and moved for big money to Madrid, is expected to deliver a lot this season. The signing of Sahin isn’t seen as a future replacement to Xabi, for Xabi will continue a while as he has said previously. But Sahin will hopefully finally fill the gap of the man who is going to play beside Xabi Alonso; a role the club has had numerous problems with filling. But it will also be interesting which role Xabi will have to take on should that happen.
Article courtesy of Joseph Janerique from This is Futbol
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I recently wrote an article on this very site, asking for some sober reflection following the Crawley Town game, and suggesting a trio of United ‘flops’ I felt should be given another chance.
While my suggestions of at least one more season for Darron Gibson, Jonny Evans- I realise he didn’t play against Crawley but you know where I’m coming from- and Bebe were met with a mixture of incredulity and contempt, I promised to suggest the players I felt should be given the old Spanish archer by Sir Alex -El bow, in case you don’t know what on earth I’m on about.
True to my word here’s the players I believe should be sold in the summer and the reasons I feel their departure from Old Trafford would be beneficial.
Mame Diouf- Do we really need to recall the Senegalese striker from Blackburn? Yes he’s done well there, but let’s be totally realistic Diouf is a long way from the United first team and even if his record of three goals in 21 games for the Ewood Park outfit was far greater, it’s doubtful he’d get a game next season.
At 23 years-old he’s still young, although he’s not quite at the age where you feel another loan spell may be beneficial. With Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Chicharito and probably the returning Danny Welbeck- and let’s not forget Macheda- in front of him in the pecking order it’s arguably best for both Diouf and United if he moves away from Old Trafford permanently in the Summer.
Michael Owen- While we’re on the subject of surplus strikers, the name that invariably springs to mind is that of Michael James Owen. I feel for Owen I really do, it’s not his fault that he’s had injury problems which have blighted his Old Trafford career. Were it not for the hamstring knock he picked up in the Carling Cup final then he may well have helped United win that coveted 19th title last year.
Owen’s 31 years-old now and it’s doubtful that he’d really be needed next season with all the aforementioned strikers at Sir Alex’s disposal. I think it may be time for him to move on and spend what could be the final year of his playing career enjoying first team football somewhere rather than warming the bench- if he’s lucky, at Old Trafford.
Tomasz Kuszczak – The Polish ‘keeper’s been at Old Trafford for over four years now and although for most of that time he’s been in the shadow of Van Der Sar, he has had enough opportunities to stake a claim as the Dutchman’s successor. The problem is, Kuszczak’s no nearer to being United’s first choice than he was when he arrived, even with VDS’s retirement, it’s likely he still won’t be Sir Alex’s preferred stopper.
The arrival of Anders Lindegaard shouldn’t necessarily mean the end of Kuszczak’s United career, but there’s always been doubts as to whether he truly is good enough, least of all by Fergie himself. After all the fact that Ben Foster leapfrogged him in the number one stakes at the beginning of last season is hardly a sterling endorsement.
There’s been the suggestion that United will bring in another ‘big name’ ‘keeper in the summer and you’d certainly be surprised if we didn’t. I expect we will and I think with one year left on his contract, now’s the time to sell Kuszczak on.
Continued on Page TWO
Owen Hargreaves- It pains me to say it as I’m a massive fan of the curly haired one, but how much longer can we wait for his comeback? The six minutes at Old Trafford against Wolves may well have been his last appearance for United, which is a crying shame as when he’s fit- or when he was fit- Hargreaves was truly one of the best midfielders I’ve ever seen. I’m not letting sentimental nostalgia cloud my memory but looking back on the 2007/08 season, there were times when Hargreaves was simply awesome. Who can forget the free kicks against Fulham and Arsenal, the stint at right back against Barcelona? The driving performances from the middle of the park? The ability to get down either wing when needed? The seemingly limitless energy?
Hargreaves was as close as I’ve seen to a perfect all round player since the days of Roy Keane, it seemed that whether defending or attacking he was almost unstoppable.
That was almost three years ago though and since then we’ve seen practically nothing from Hargreaves due to the tendonitis in his knees which has been described by Doctor Richard Steadman, who treated the midfielder- as the worst of any professional sportsman he’d ever seen.
It’s time to face hard facts with Hargreaves, although his last injury was his hamstring rather than his knees, the likelihood of him ever playing at the very top level again, is doubtful to say the least. I feel it’s now time for Hargreaves to either move on or retire, as the never ending saga of whether he’ll play again just doesn’t seem to be reaching a conclusion.
In the past Sir Alex has even alluded to the idea that Hargreaves has even suffered from a lack of confidence when attempting to come back- not that anyone could actually blame him. Nothing would make me happier than seeing Hargreaves battling all over the pitch again, but it’s time to face hard facts and accept it may be the end of his United career.
Michael Carrick- Selling a player who’s been one of United’s most important these past few months may seem like an idea straight out of the Howard Wilkinson school of transfer policies. However allow me to explain. Carrick will have been at United for five years, come the Summer and regardless of what United win this season, he’ll have won an impressive array of silverware during his time at the club. The reason I feel Carrick should be moved on in the Summer has a lot to do with the other players who could potentially be filling the midfield places.
At the moment, there’s Anderson, Scholes. Fletcher, Gibson and occasionally the likes of Park, Giggs and O’Shea who can also play in the middle. Most people would like to see Gibson moved on but as I stated in my last article, I believe he should be given on more year. Scholes may or may not retire but even if he does it’s almost a certainty that United will bring in one more midfielder if not two.
I think Anderson could be a truly great midfielder for United if he’s given a long run in the side and manages to stay fairly injury free and keeps himself in shape. Although Fletcher’s not had the best few months of his career- in fact at times he’s looked quite frankly abysmal, I still feel he can raise his game when he needs to. You could argue that there would still be room for Carrick, alongside those two if Scholes did or didn’t retire, yet I’m not so sure.
I think Carrick can do an excellent job with neat passes from deep in midfield and mopping up loose balls, but I’m not convinced he’s as indispensable as some may feel.
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If Carrick were to have a great run of form for the remainder of the season, even then I could still see the logic in moving him on at the end of the season. He’s 30 in a few months and his contract runs out in 2012 and I for one think it would be a good time to either sell him on part of a player exchange or simply recoup a small fee for him and bid him farewell. Five trophy laden years at Old Trafford is hardly unsuccessful, yet there will no doubt still be those United fans who look back at Carrick’s time in a red shirt with less than fondness.
The Geordie has always struggled to win over all the fans at Old Trafford and something tells me he always will, but regardless of that, I think United’s midfield could benefit with someone else sitting in front of the back four next season and the time would be right for Carrick to move on.
Gabriel Obertan- Obertan may have looked impressive for the reserves and he may have shown glimpses of real ability for the first team but now’s the time to admit that on the whole he’s looked far from United class since he arrived at Old Trafford. Obertan’s time at Old Trafford has ranged from promising to embarrassing, but barring a great run from now until the end of the season, it may be time to move the former Bordeaux man on.
With Antonio Valencia due to return to the first team soon, then Ji-Sung Park hopefully back in a few weeks, Obertan’s United career may rest on the next few weeks, the question is will he even get the chance to show the reason Sir Alex bought him the first place? I seriously doubt it.
Read more excellent United blogs at Red Flag Flying High
Jose Mourinho leaves Inter Milan with the parting gift of a treble but that is unlikely to assuage the anger of the Milanese fans that have had to sit and watch the best manager in world leave them for Real Madrid.
The Special One is not a manager to baulk at a challenge and, despite the embarrassment of riches he has inherited in the playing department, coaching Madrid will be a gargantuan task. No longer does their stature demand being in control of the league and producing an excellent showing in Europe. For the last 6 years they have not managed to get past the last 16 in the Champions League, a statistic that they will hope to end with Mourinho’s arrival. Taking them further is one thing; overhauling their recent decline is another.
For Mourinho Madrid is almost the perfect destination. A man that works so well in an environment of siege mentality enters a club desperate for success and bowed by the brilliance of their bitterest rivals. To achieve success in a normal context would mean greatness; to conjure success out of Madrid’s current situation would mean immortality.
The translator turned coach may find it more difficult than anticipated. Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to continue at the height of his powers after the World Cup, along with the burgeoning genius of Gonzalo Higuain. But they may not be joined by some of Madrid’s recent acquisitions. There seems to be simply no place at the Bernabeu for Karim Benzama and Mourinho must invest in a reliable support striker to secure Madrid’s attacking options.
Moreover in midfield they may be short of a couple of players especially after letting the now vindicated Wesley Sneijder and his Dutch team mate Arjen Robben go and doing little to fill that creative dearth. Raphael Van Der Vaart is showing more of the skill that his early career promised but is not the central midfield lynch pin they need to accompany Alonso and rival the genius of Xavi at Barcelona. If the early hints that Jose has made toward attempting to secure Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard’s arrival prove founded it may be very difficult for either of the England men, especially the Liverpool captain, to turn the offer down.
Part of the difficulty for Mourinho not only lies in the weaknesses of his own side but in the strengths of others. Barcelona are showing no signs of letting up in their quest for footballing perfection and, having already added the superlative David Villa to their forward line, look as though they could succeed in bringing Cesc Fabregas home to form a triumvirate of home grown maestros with Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. In Europe an improved result is a similarly fragile prospect. Inter now have the players and the experience to feel that they can try to retain their European title; especially if Massimo Moratti succeeds in bringing someone with the clout of Fabio Capello to the San Siro. Chelsea must now also be desperate to push for European glory after dominating in Britain. One suspects that anything other than victory, or at least a place in the final, may cost Carlo Ancelotti his job.
So Mourinho has it stacked against him. He needs to add at least 4 players to his squad before Madrid are even considered challengers for major honours again but, should he do that, his combination of astute tactical nous and ability to command the utmost respect from his players may see Madrid through. Either way “The Special One” needs to produce a special season.
Written By Jake Farrell
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Daniel Agger was not included in Liverpool’s matchday squad for the 1-0 victory over Gomel on Thursday night, with the player’s agent confirming that the defender is not injured.
The Denmark international has grown into an important player in the Merseyside club’s set-up in recent seasons, and his absence in Belarus has come as a source of surprise.
Agent Per Steffensen has admitted that he is unsure of the reason behind the central defender’s omission, but that the player is happy with Brendan Rodgers’ men.
“He is not injured in any way,” Steffensen told Politiken, translated to English by Sky Sports.
“Only the club and the manager can answer to why he is not in the squad.
“But the reports of Agger handing in a transfer request are purely nonsense. He is very happy at Liverpool.”
Agger is currently under contract until the summer of 2014 at Anfield.
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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been praised by manager Sir Alex Ferguson after an excellent start to the season, with a newfound maturity identified as a key reason for his good form.
The England international became only the fourth player in Premier League history to score back-to-back hat-tricks, with Arsenal and Bolton at the receiving end, and has tallied eight goals in his first four league games.
With United firing on all cylinders, their Scottish boss has praised his main man and admitted he has seen a change in the 25-year-old.
“When players get to their mid-20s, there is more thought in their game. Their timing is better. Wayne’s presence is good and he is looking fantastic,” Ferguson stated in The Telegraph.
Team-mate Patrice Evra was also quick to compliment the goalscorer, and believes that the poor form that plagued the forward last term has been forgotten.
“Last season he had some problems, but now he is back. He is in a different way. He wants to show what a top player he is. Of course he wants to put last year behind him. Everyone thinks if they have a problem, the first thing they want to do is play football and enjoy themselves. That is what he has done.
“He wants to be the best player in the world, and he just has to keep doing what he is doing. After training, he does some finishing. This is something he did not do a long time ago.
“He is joking in the dressing room, saying that if he scores another three goals he will have the same number as last year. It is only four games in. You can see his hunger,” the France international stated.
Rooney will be a key figure as United travel to take on Benfica at the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday in the first of their Champions League group games.
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