Liverpool and Barcelona confirmed on Saturday night that star attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho has finally made the switch from the English Premier League to La Liga, after a transfer saga that has rumbled on for more than six months.
Coutinho joins the European giants on a five-and-a-half year deal for a reported £142m, £105m of which will be paid upfront, a British record for a sale of a player.
It’s a bitter blow for Liverpool’s season given the form the Brazilian has been in for the last few months, scoring 12 goals and assisting nine more in just 19 appearances between the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
Fans are upset the club couldn’t continue to say no to the Catalan side until the summer, believing signing a direct replacement will be difficult in the January transfer window.
With a top four place at stake alongside progression in Europe, will Jurgen Klopp’s side be the same now he has left Anfield?
Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts…
Throughout his entire senior career, spanning 279 appearances, Eric Lichaj has produced just ten goals. And yet, the hardworking, largely defensive right-back dug deep to find the miraculous quality to sink Arsenal with an incredible brace in the Third Round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
The USA international rose highest and quickest at a free kick to head past David Ospina at point-blank range, but his second was something truly special altogether; as Arsenal failed to clear from another set piece, Lichaj unleashed a volley that combined force with delicacy – dipping into the far top corner of the net.
But it shouldn’t be forgotten the 29-year-old’s efforts in defence were heroic as well; he made the joint-most tackles of any Forest player, alongside three interceptions, three clearances and two successful aerial duels.
It’s nights like this when true cult heroes are born and although Nottingham Forest’s glorious history boasts some phenomenal footballers, particularly in the full-back department, Lichaj’s brace won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
Combining gorgeous goals with rugged defending at the other end, there was certainly something Stuart-Pearce-esque about it.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Adam Lallana will be unavailable for the club’s FA Cup fourth-round clash with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday night.
Lallana had to wait until the latter stages of 2017 to make his first appearance of the season after picking up a hamstring problem during pre-season.
The 29-year-old, who is valued at £22.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has been involved for the Reds in recent weeks, but is still battling his way back to full fitness.
The England international will not be involved against West Brom, however, after picking up ‘a little issue’ during a training session.
Klopp though has played down suggestions that the former Southampton captain will spend another long period on the sidelines.
Klopp told reporters:
“Adam Lallana has a little issue which I think, pretty sure, keeps him out for the next game. It is not a big one but it is how it is when you have a long injury.”
Liverpool will enter Saturday’s FA Cup clash looking to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat at Swansea City in the Premier League on Monday night.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
James Milner and Ragnar Klaven are also expected to miss out for the Reds this weekend.
Everton signed Eliaquim Mangala on loan from Manchester City in the latter stages of the January transfer window.
The 26-year-old had a rotten debut for the Toffees as he was a part of the team that lost 5-1 at Arsenal on February 3.
Mangala did start Everton’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon, but the defender had to be substituted late in the first period when he picked up a knee problem.
The Frenchman, who is valued at £13.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk, took to Twitter on Sunday to pay tribute to his teammates, and also to reveal that he hoped to be back on the field quite soon.
There was a mixed reaction from the Everton fans, however, with some asking the centre-back to take his time as the team are better off without him.
There were plenty though that hoped he would make a quick return to Sam Allardyce’s starting XI.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Mangala probably gets a lot of unfair stick, but there is no question that he has a lot to do when it comes to winning over his new team’s supporters.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Former Leeds United midfielder David Prutton has claimed that the club need to be busy in the summer transfer window.
It has been a month of change for the Yorkshire outfit as Thomas Christiansen was dismissed and replaced with ex-Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom.
At the start of the season, Leeds were flying high in the top echelons of the table, but they slowly dwindled and now find themselves in 11th in the Championship, eight points adrift the playoff places.
In fact, the team have not picked up a win in the league since Boxing Day when they overcame Burton Albion 2-1 away from home.
Prutton believes that regardless of how the season ends for Leeds, the club need to make changes to the playing personnel, particularly in defence.
The Sky Sports pundit also questioned goalkeeper Felix Weidwald, who has come under fire from the fans for recent performances in between the sticks.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
[ad_pod ]
While writing in the Yorkshire Evening Post, Prutton discussed Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Derby County, in which the Whites relinquished the lead twice.
“To my mind certain things have to change if the team and the squad are to improve significantly. Watching the draw at Derby on Wednesday night, nothing stood out more than the defence. It’s all over the place and when I think about how solid Leeds were last season, that feels like the biggest backwards step. It’s not just about ability. It’s about responsibility too.
“When the ball was pumped into their box at the death, who in there stepped forward and said ‘I’m going to make sure I smash this 40 yards up the pitch’? Where was the goalkeeper coming and cleaning three or four players out? Was there enough communication and enough of a will to see Derby off at a time in the game when, let’s be fair, the only plan of attack was to pump the ball into the penalty area?”
There were plenty of storylines from Spurs’ FA Cup clash with Rochdale on Wednesday night. Talk of the weather dominated the build-up, VAR stole the show and Fernando Llorente grabbed his first hat trick in English football. What we should be talking about though is 21 year-old Andy Cannon.The Rochdale midfielder didn’t look out of place battling the Spurs midfield, and Leeds United could do worse than to take a punt on the young Englishman. After a good start to the season, a poor run of form since Christmas has left United somewhat stranded in mid table, six points adrift of the playoff places.Another season in the Championship looks to be on the cards, so it could do no harm to bring some youth to the club. Cannon, valued at £90,000 on Transfermarkt, impressed in both legs of the tie with Spurs and could become a fan favourite at Leeds. The youngster worked his socks off at Wembley on Wednesday, adding an assist to the one he picked up in the first leg.Over the two fixtures with the Premier League giants, Cannon created five chances, completed five dribbles and added 11 tackles. This sort of box-to-box influence could work wonders at Leeds, and his tireless work ethic would quickly endear him to the fans at Elland Road.Another thing Cannon offers is versatility, which could prove vital in the long Championship season. The 21 year-old has played at right back, right midfield and in a midfield three this season, and his influence on matches has even impressed rival fans in League One.
With Rochdale likely to get relegated, Cannon may be available for a cut price in the summer. Leeds fans, would he be worth a punt? Let us know by voting below…
Newcastle fans have been reacting to criticism this morning from Liverpool legend John Aldridge.
Aldridge was not impressed by the travelling support in Newcastle’s trip to Anfield on Saturday, and has lashed out at the Toon Army for their chants about unemployment in Liverpool.
The 59 year-old, who scored 50 league goals for Liverpool in 83 appearances, labelled chants from the away end “boring” in his weekly column for the Liverpool Echo.
Newcastle’s away support is up there with the best in the country, but many Reds fans have taken issue with the chants on Saturday, especially after Liverpool fans donated to Newcastle food banks in the reverse fixture.
“I always listen out for the away fans at Anfield and what songs they sing,” Aldridge wrote.
“And I thought Newcastle supporters were really boring at the weekend. They just kept on with anti-Liverpool songs as a city, the likes of which Anfield has heard many, many, many times before. So boring.
“They were also wondering ‘Where’s your famous atmosphere?’
“Well, the atmosphere is famous because Liverpool are a famous club, with famous players and a famous atmosphere, like it or not. Instead of responding with inevitable chants of “going down”, Liverpool fans instead applauded when Newcastle began singing about their own club and what’s happening with their chairman.
“Reds fans understand that – events at Newcastle aren’t far removed from when we had those two cowboys in charge at Anfield.”
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Liverpool fans did indeed cheer chants from the away end about Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, but needless to say were less impressed by the “sign on” songs.
This morning, Newcastle fans have been responding to the Irishman’s comments. While many are disappointed by the chants, and thus probably agree with Aldridge, plenty of others have dismissed the incident as just a bit of banter.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Liverpool fans are absolutely in love with Georginio Wijnaldum, after the Dutch midfielder claimed Everton aren’t competition for the Reds.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s mega clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford, Wijnaldum said the Reds aren’t too concerned with Everton, and that the rivalry with Manchester United is bigger because they are playing for titles.
“The game against Everton is a big one, I think bigger for them because they look up to us and we are looking more to Manchester United because we are playing for the titles,” the 27 year old said.
“Maybe silly to say, but Everton are not really a competition in the title for us so maybe that’s why we look differently to Everton than Manchester United.”
The Reds go to Old Trafford on Saturday knowing a win would lift them into second place, and give them a huge boost in the chase for Champions League football.
Wijnaldum has missed the last few games with illness, but is expected to feature in the matchday squad at Old Trafford.
The rivalry between the two European giants has indeed been closer than the Merseyside battle in recent years. Everton have not beaten Liverpool since 2010, whereas each of the last four games between United and Liverpool have been draws.
Liverpool fans will only be thinking about one thing this weekend, but that is not to say they didn’t enjoy Wijnaldum’s dig at Everton.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
A few of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
The race to be England goalkeeper for this summer’s World Cup is well and truly on but it looks as if it is Everton stopper Jordan Pickford who has his nose in front as it stands.
He got the nod for Friday’s 1-0 victory against the Netherlands, which saw England outclass a team who went on to beat European Champions Portugal 3-0 on their own patch three days later and didn’t disappoint.
It is thought that the former Sunderland man, valued at £18m by Transfermarkt, was preferred because of his superior distribution, which nudges him ahead of Jack Butland in the pecking order.
Arsenal are one Premier League team who insist on a passing philosophy and need a goalkeeper who is good with his feet. Petr Cech has had an outstanding career but there are signs that the limbs are starting to creak slightly.
The Gunners have to have one eye on Cech’s long-term successor and one option that has been mooted is utilising the club’s growing German connection to procure Bernt Leno from Bayer Leverkusen.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Pickford could be another viable choice. Still only 24, he could be England’s established number one goalkeeper by the start of next season and has a bright future. So we’re asking you, should Pickford be Arsenal’s long-term glovesman? Let us know by voting in the poll below…
It has been two weeks since Manchester United last played – and qualified for the semi-finals of the FA Cup with an underwhelming 2-0 win against Brighton – and much of the news agenda since then has been dominated by Jose Mourinho’s approach.
He has come out swinging in the time since United’s Champions League defeat against Sevilla. It was an abject failure against a side with inferior resources and Mourinho was rightly criticised.
He has not reacted well and has taken aim at his own club’s fans, his players – namely Luke Shaw – and United’s history in an attempt to preserve his reputation and explain away the defeat.
Even making the last four of the FA Cup didn’t sate the Portuguese manager and there is little doubt that there is tension between himself and the Old Trafford fanbase right now.
For that reason, his team selection for Saturday afternoon’s match was always likely to grab more than its fair share of attention and the United fans are not happy at all. We’ve taken a closer look at the best of the reaction…