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April 27th 2014 is a date that has gone down in Premier League folklore. Its events are burned into our retinas. Its highlights – should you not be of a Liverpool persuasion – has since been memed more times than a piano-playing cat.

It was on this sunny afternoon that Jose Mourinho brought his Chelsea team up to Merseyside with the devout intention of spoiling a party while much more significantly – and an aspect so often over-looked with the passage of time – putting themselves firmly back into that year’s title race.

At the start of that memorable day Liverpool were on 80 points with Chelsea chasing on 75. Manchester City trailed on 74 but had a game in hand on both. After a frenetically competed fight at the top there were but a handful of games left.

At lunchtime, ahead of the 2.05pm kick-off the Liverpool supporters welcomed their team coach with a sea of red and fire. A victory here and they were surely champions in waiting. Two weeks earlier, following a highly dramatic see-saw win over Manchester City, their captain had spoken: “We don’t let this slip. We go again at Norwich”.

We all know what happened next. We all know how the Liverpool captain’s words became cruelly portentous.

What we perhaps don’t remember so sharply – again another aspect lost to time – is that later that day Manchester City then had to travel to Selhurst Park to fully capitalise on the Reds’ (sorry) slip. They did so by winning 2-0 with an early Edin Dzeko strike calming the nerves.

It is a strange quirk of fate indeed that has brought these two exact fixtures to the fore again this weekend with Liverpool once more ahead of Manchester City with mere games to spare. And considering what happened last time it is a legitimate question to ponder whether the heightened and dramatic events of 2013/14 have any relevance to the present-day title scrap?

Does the ghost of Demba Ba still haunt the fans, if not the team who are a completely different composition now to then, bar Jordan Henderson? Undoubtedly so. Liverpool fans truly believed that was going to be ‘their year’ and invested a great deal of heart and soul into the contest, particularly as the finish line neared. To have it snatched from them in such bizarre circumstances must have been gut-wrenching.

Nerves therefore will be even more spiked this Sunday, with a clear need to exorcise a dark day and very public failing. It is nerves that will manifest itself as fervour and tremendous noise. But what about if the stalemate is not broken as half-time approaches? Might the memories then come flooding back?

As for City – who incidentally have three remaining players from that time in Kompany, Silva and Aguero – any positive learned behaviour from that day is lost due to them playing first this time out. The seasoned pros might well think back and smile but more so for the squad as a whole the memory of last season’s tight 0-0 draw will be much more prominent.

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Alexander Sorloth departed Crystal Palace on loan in January having struggled for form at Selhurst Park and the Eagles have hardly missed him, with Michy Batshuayi chipping in with a couple of goals and Christian Benteke back to his best against Arsenal.

Any Palace fans who have been keeping an eye on the Norwegian’s loan stint at Gent will have noticed that he has been a successful signing for the Belgian outfit. Had Roy Hodgson been deploying the giant forward in the wrong position all this time?

On the chalkboard

Sorloth played just 173 minutes of Premier League football and failed to score for Palace before being shipped out three months ago, although he has found his shooting boots again across the channel it seems.

The 23-year-old has chalked up four goals and two assists in all competitions for Gent but hasn’t been doing it as a striker. Instead, the 6 ft 4 hitman has been deployed as a right winger and has clearly been reaping the rewards.

Naturally, his height and physicality mean he looks like a striker but, prior to his move to Palace and subsequent conversion to a centre-forward, the former Midtjylland man had been successful as a wide-man. Is this where Hodgson should be looking to use him when he returns ahead of the next campaign?

Big winger

The likes of Marko Arnautovic and Romelu Lukaku under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have proved that size is a huge asset on the wing and while Sorloth doesn’t have Wilfried Zaha’s dribbling or Andros Townsend’s shooting from range, he does have a bit of pace about him and his size would make him a nightmare for most Premier League full-backs.

There’s some exciting changes happening at Crystal Palace next summer. Find out what in the video below…

While the former England boss has come under some criticism for his management this season, he has shown that he isn’t afraid to patiently transform players into the type he needs – Jeffrey Schlupp has been converted into a central-midfielder and the aforementioned wing duo are now able to double as a strike partnership. It certainly seems worth a try, otherwise Sorloth will just end up being money down the drain.

Please Rafa, sign the contract! For all that Newcastle fans aren’t surprised a deal is yet to be agreed, they’re so desperate to see Benitez stay at St James’ Park beyond this season. He just has to, there’s simply no other option. 

Clearly, there would be a tremendous boost around the ground should the Spaniard stay and it could help Newcastle sustain a better future. The Mike Ashley era has given fans precious little reason to smile but the sight of the former Liverpool boss extending his deal would do exactly that.

Though whether or not it will happen is another matter and that is desperately worrying those adoring fans.

For all that Rafa Benitez has done for the club, it would be horrendous to see him leave and that’s why Mike Ashley needs him to sign a new contract and then make available a stunning war-chest that will ensure Newcastle are very active in the summer transfer window.

Big signings are the ones that fans dream about and Atletico Madrid’s Gelson Martins would certainly be a player who fits that category.

Martins, (who is valued at £25.2 million on Transfermarkt) was a January target for Newcastle (as per Sky Sports), at least until Monaco swooped in and stole him away at the last minute.

Since, the Portuguese winger has scored three times in nine appearances, helping Monaco consequently steer clear of the relegation zone. Though Newcastle seem to be alright and will play Premier League football next season, the addition of Gelson Martins would have been tremendous and could of help seen a more rampant move up the table.

If they have the audacity to try again in the summer, a wing-wizard with the quality that Martins possesses is exactly what they need. Explosive and unpredictable, he’d offer the ultimate upgrade on wide options such as Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie, as well as making a statement in the transfer market.

Clearly, there’s interest there and surely Monaco will undergo major changes – they already have since Martins’ arrival in January – so perhaps the Toon Army would be wise to try and relaunch a move. Things haven’t worked out in the Spanish capital but the former Sporting Lisbon ace is so obviously a talent.

With pace in abundance, skill and overall end product, Martins is still only 23 and therefore has time on his side to really adapt to life in Newcastle.

Do you agree that Newcastle should try and sign Martins again? If not, why not? Let us know!

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Arsenal fans on Twitter have been left dumbfounded as it was announced that academy product Gedion Zelalem had departed the club on a free transfer.

The 22-year-old has moved to MLS outfit Sporting Kansas City, bringing a six-year association with the club to an abrupt and unfulfilled end and leaving many fans frustrated.

When the midfielder became the youngest Gunners player in FA Cup history in January 2014 by making an appearance against Coventry City, there was much excitement among Gooners, who believed that the club had a genuine talent on their hands.

The belief that Zelalem would one day break through and become a first-team regular is clearly one that was still held by fans up until he moved on to his native USA on Monday.

However, the relevant internal parties at Arsenal seemingly felt something different and have allowed Zelalem to switch North London for Kansas.

Check out some of the best reactive Tweets from the Emirates faithful, below…

Liverpool fans will be feeling tense as the Premier League season starts to enter its final stages, especially with how Manchester City are currently performing. The Reds will know that they can ill-afford any defeats at this moment and will need to ensure they take maximum points from their remaining nine fixtures.

There is no denying that Jurgen Klopp has one of the best defences in the top-flight, however, there have been some doubts in recent games about their ability to find the back of the net and create enough opportunities for their forward line, which may have led to renewed speculation about a former transfer target.

What’s the News?

According to a report by Calciomercato, Liverpool are understood to remain interested in Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski and ‘insist’ on the player.

The Poland international midfielder is thought to remain on the Premier League outfit’s radar despite being believed to be edging closer to a new deal with the Serie A outfit.

The Anfield outfit’s interest in the 24-year-old is thought to have begun in 2016 following an impressive European Championship tournament with his country, however, they missed out on him with Napoli acquiring him.

The Verdict:

If one thing is for certain regarding the Poland international, it is that the links to the Premier League side do not appear to be going away any time soon and he is the type of player that could certainly bring something of value to Klopp’s side.

The 24-year-old is one of the hottest midfielders in European football, with his pace, vision and the ability to pick out a pass having impressed a number of onlookers, including former boss Maurizio Sarri, who once dubbed him as the next Kevin De Bruyne.

“He is an absolute talent, he also has great physical skills and if he grows in the level of personality, he can play in any area of the court, the new De Bruyne,” he told Tuttomercatoweb at the beginning of 2018.

With Zielinski understood to be closing in on a new deal at Napoli, it would seem incredibly unlikely for Liverpool to sign him, even if they do insist on him, making the claim a little hard to believe.

Liverpool fans, what do you make of the constant speculation surrounding a move for Zielinski and do you think a move will ever happen for him? Join in with the discussion below by letting us know what you think.

[ad_pod ]Christian Eriksen’s future at Tottenham Hotspur is far from secure.Indeed, the Denmark international will see his current deal with Spurs expire at the end of next season and it is understood that contract talks have stalled.Eriksen has contributed seven goals and 12 assists in 38 appearances for his London club this term, but has struggled for consistency in recent weeks.Mauricio Pochettino’s side have lost three of their last four in the Premier League against Burnley, Chelsea and Southampton, meaning that they are now in a serious battle for a top-four position this season.The Spurs fans are a frustrated bunch at the moment and many have taken the opportunity to have a pop at Eriksen on social media.

Indeed, Tottenham tweeted on Monday afternoon that the 27-year-old had been named in the latest Denmark squad, which led to a reaction from the supporters.

If previous reports are to be believed, both Real Madrid and Barcelona are considering moves for the playmaker this summer.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Arsenal made just one signing on deadline day – bringing in Denis Suarez on loan from Barcelona.

The cash-strapped Gunners were forced to look for temporary deals given the lack of funds at Unai Emery’s disposal. Having managed to secure Suarez’s services, Arsenal also targeted Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco and Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic; Arsenal also attempted to sign Christopher Nkunku from Paris St Germain. However, the London club were unable to get the deals across the line in time.

Instead, their attention will now turn to the summer window where a larger budget should be available for new recruits. Finishing the season in a Champions League place would make their summer recruitment drive a lot easier. Given their recent injury problems, adding defensive reinforcements should be a priority for Emery.

One man he could target is Borussia Monchengladbach starlet – Nico Elvedi. Valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, the Switzerland international has blossomed into a key player for the Bundesliga side since joining from FC Zurich back in 2015. Elvedi has made 17 appearances in all competitions this season and has been one of the club’s most impressive performers.

The 22-year-old primarily operates as a centre-back but his versatility means he is also comfortable at both right and left back making him the ideal summer recruit. Elvedi is excellent on the ball and displays a wonderful range of passing, completing 92% of his passes in the Bundesliga this season. The youngster is also a dominant force in the air, winning 2.4 aerial duels per game this season, meaning he will have no issues adapting to the physicality of the Premier League (WhoScored).

Still developing and improving, this would be an astute piece of business from the Gunners.

Arsenal fans, thoughts?

Newcastle United currently find themselves in mid-table and relatively clear of a Premier League relegation scrap right now, though a few results could rapidly change the landscape at the foot of the table.

But if Steve Bruce wants to carry the Magpies forward next season and ensure that relegation is firmly out of his mind, first he will have to get rid of the deadwood.

And for that reason, here are three players the Magpies should cut loose in the summer transfer window.

Yoshinori Muto

The Japan international was brought in by Rafa Benitez back in August 2018 but it’s safe to say he has never hit the ground running or proved his worth at this level.

Throughout his stay, he has only mustered a total of 27 appearances, netting a paltry two goals in the process.

And that’s the problem with Muto – the 27-year-old seems out of his depth in the Premier League and is perhaps too lightweight to compete with the physicality of the English top flight, which is already reflected in his sub-standard goal tally.

This season, Muto has only played 344 minutes across all competitions and it seems unlikely that circumstances will suddenly change in the near future.

His current contract expires in 2022 and he’s actually the team’s second-highest earner with £2.8m per year. Needless to say, Muto is far too expensive given the lack of palpable impact he has on the team.

Is life under Ashley really that bad? Maybe this quiz will change your minds, Newcastle fans…

Dwight Gayle

Dwight Gayle’s Championship form gave the Magpies hope that he would at last be able to translate that proficiency back into the Premier League.

But alas, it was not to be and the 29-year-old forward has been underwhelming since his return to the squad.

Back at West Bromwich Albion, he managed to score 24 goals and assist eight in just 41 games. Needless to say, that was a rather impressive return but it seems that the top-flight remains a level too high for the striker.

In 2019/20, he has only played 178 minutes across all competitions with no goals or assists to his name as of yet.

He’s currently earning £2.08m per year, which is money effectively being thrown down the drain – particularly considering the potential resale value on a striker of his potency in the second tier.

Christian Atsu

Atsu is another player who simply hasn’t met the standard that was expected of him back when he signed.

Ever since his arrival, his performances have been underwhelming and even though he does produce rare moments of brilliance, that’s not nearly consistent enough to matter in the long-run.

This season, for example, the 28-year-old winger has made 22 appearances across all competitions, tallying a total of 968 minutes and yet he has no goals to his name. He has, however, managed to muster four assists.

However, given the fact he’s on £1.56m per year, Bruce should think about offloading him this summer.

If the Magpies manage to find new clubs for the aforementioned trio, they could save £6.44m a year in wages.

Bournemouth slipped to two consecutive defeats in the Premier League thanks to a Salomon Rondon brace away to Newcastle.

The Cherries fell behind after just seven minutes with Rondon beating Asmir Begovic after being picked out expertly by DeAndre Yedlin. The Venezuela international grabbed his second of the game not long after, heading home Kenedy’s cross to double the Magpies’ lead. Jefferson Lerma gave Bournemouth some hope on the stroke of half-time, but Eddie Howe’s men were unable to find an equaliser.

The result leaves Bournemouth in a respectable six-place in the Premier League despite losing their last two games. A potentially serious injury to Adam Smith in the first half will be a massive blow to Howe who also could be set to lose Nathan Ake in the January window. The Englishman is reportedly fearful of losing his star defender with clubs like Manchester United monitoring his situation at the Vitality Stadium.

To replace him, Howe should look to Espanyol star – Mario Hermoso. Valued at £18m by Transfermarkt, the 23-year-old graduated Real Madrid’s youth academy and was a regular in the B team before joining Espanyol on a free transfer last summer. Hermoso instantly became a crucial first-team player and ended the season with 22 La Liga appearances.

In the new campaign, Hermoso has taken his game to the next level and should be attracting plenty of interest as a result of his impressive performances. The Spaniard excels with the ball at his feet, making him ideal for Howe’s passing system and the perfect replacement for Ake. Hermoso is also a huge threat in the air and has two goals to his name already this season.

The youngster is growing in confidence with every game, and his form will undoubtedly give Spain manager Luis Enrique food for thought for his upcoming squad selections. If Real Madrid decide against resigning their former star, Bournemouth must bring him to England.

Bournemouth fans, thoughts?

As per the club’s official website, Rangers winger Jamie Murphy has been ruled out of the rest of the season due to injury. The 28-year-old initially joined the Gers on loan back in January but performed so impressively that he turned his temporary move into a permanent one during the summer, only for an injury sustained at the weekend in their Scottish League Cup win over Kilmarnock to bring his season to a premature end.

And this is sure to come as a big blow to manager Steven Gerrard, who now must seek to replace the Scotland international ahead of the rest of the season, with £6.3 million-rated Premier League flop Georges-Kevin N’Koudou (as per Transfermarkt) the perfect replacement for the Rangers ace.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, 28-year-old Murphy has been a hugely influential part of the Gers side since his move from Brighton back in January, what with the winger netting five goals and laying on ten assists last term to help the Scottish giants finish third in the Scottish Premiership.

And the two-times Scotland international started this season reasonably well as well in scoring once and laying on three assists for Gerrard’s side, thus underlining just how important he was likely to be for the club this time round prior to injury at the weekend.

As such, it’s clear that Gerrard will need to replace Murphy in the last knockings of the summer window, and Tottenham’s N’Koudou could prove be the ideal man to come in and fill the void.

The 23-year-old has struggled for regular football in North London ever since making the move to Spurs back in the summer of 2016, earning just 23 senior appearances for Mauricio Pochettino’s side in that time, of which only three have been starts.

In fact, the winger was so low down in the pecking order last term that he was shipped out on loan to fellow Premier League side Burnley in the second half of the season, yet his struggles there suggest that maybe he isn’t quite ready for regular football in English football’s top-flight.

Yet a move to the Scottish Premiership and Rangers could be ideal for the Frenchman in seeking to get back to his best form, the sort of form that earned him a move to Tottenham little over two years ago.

N’Koudou shone in his homeland for Ligue 1 giants Marseille in the 2015/16 season in netting ten goals and laying on five assists for the French outfit – thus, he’s clearly got ability in the final third of the pitch.

And he could re-discover that form were he to make the move to Rangers this month, and with the Gers themselves having suffered a blow following the injury to Murphy, the 23-year-old could well be the perfect man to replace the Scottish winger in Gerrard’s team.

Rangers fans… what do you think? Let us know!