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Mauricio Pochettino has found the formula to hand Chelsea a shot at glory in the Carabao Cup final… their set up in their draw with Man City is their best chance of upsetting Liverpool at Wembley

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10 months ago

February 18, 2024

Mauricio Pochettino has found the formula to hand Chelsea a shot at glory in the Carabao Cup final… their set up in their draw with Man City is their best chance of upsetting Liverpool at Wembley

By Jack Gaughan for the Daily Mail
22:31 GMT 18 Feb 2024 , updated 22:31 GMT 18 Feb 2024

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An improved Chelsea came close to taking all three points at Manchester City
Mauricio Pochettino’s Etihad set-up is their best chance of beating Liverpool
Liverpool must be ruthless – Jurgen Klopp has to hang on to two-point lead until title clash with Man City – It’s All Kicking Off podcast
These are not the kind of days that have defined Mauricio Pochettino’s first months in one of the country’s hottest seats. His Chelsea side tend to do well against the elite – the rest, not so much.

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Chelsea have now taken two points off Manchester City, one from Arsenal, three from Tottenham.

A defeat at Manchester United felt unfortunate given the chances they created. A point from Liverpool as well, although last month’s heavy defeat at Anfield will be fresh in their minds when they roll up at Wembley for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

Pochettino was rightly praised for Chelsea’s set-up at the Etihad Stadium. At least until the 71st minute, when the assured Cole Palmer exited for Trevoh Chalobah and the visitors attempted to cling to a one-goal advantage with five at the back.

They could not quite do it but green shoots were evident.

Mauricio Pochettino’s set-up in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City was largely effective
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Mauricio Pochettino’s set-up in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City was largely effective
Raheem Sterling made the breakthrough against his former club before a last-gasp equaliser
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Raheem Sterling made the breakthrough against his former club before a last-gasp equaliser

Chelsea prefer these games, when the onus is on the opposition to take charge, and they can pick their moments to counter attack in much the same way Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did when he was reviving United. Solskjaer’s issue was always turning his team into one ready to dominate possession and he never truly managed it.

Pochettino has a remarkably similar task, managing a bloated squad, many of whom he doesn’t want, and a need to find a system that works in the short term.

Their set-up against City gives them the best chance of upsetting Liverpool. It’s Conor Gallagher’s pressurising, Raheem Sterling’s floating, Palmer’s vision. Chelsea have the weapons to hurt the best and, for lengthy spells here, they did just that.

‘We had chances to finish the game off, although so did they in fairness, but we had some really good opportunities to seal the win,’ said Sterling.

‘There’s a bit of disappointment not to win the game. We just had to stay with City, use our brains and the opportunities would come in the transition.’

With Sterling’s floating and the ability of other players, Chelsea can hurt the best teams
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With Sterling’s floating and the ability of other players, Chelsea can hurt the best teams
Sitting Enzo Fernandez (left) and Moises Caicedo in a pair allows both midfielders to flourish
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Sitting Enzo Fernandez (left) and Moises Caicedo in a pair allows both midfielders to flourish
The counter-attacking tactics that Sterling spoke of have become something of a necessity because of the club’s confused recruitment. The expensive pairing of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are both terrific midfielders, yet often perform parallel roles. Sitting as a pair, as they did at City, allows both to flourish.

Ask them to do something differently against, say, Wolves at home, and the results are not quite so flattering. And that’s before another deeper midfielder, Romeo Lavia, returns.

Pochettino realises that he needs to be flexible in his philosophy to get this season done. Chelsea sold fairly well last summer and will need to do so again if they are to secure a new striker and central defender, the areas identified as their priorities for transfer business.

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But there have been encouraging signs recently, with a strong win at Aston Villa in the FA Cup and a victory over Crystal Palace that showcased character.

Pochettino needs more time but there is belief now that he has something to build on.

Mauricio Pochettino
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Steve Nicol simply isn’t having 50-year-old possibly becoming Liverpool boss instead of Xabi AlonsoPhoto by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
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STEVE NICOL SIMPLY ISN’T HAVING 50-YEAR-OLD POSSIBLY BECOMING LIVERPOOL BOSS INSTEAD OF XABI ALONSO
Amir Mir
Amir Mir
Sun 18 February 2024 19:30, UK
Football is all about timing and that is proven by how things are faring with Thomas Tuchel and how far away he is from the Liverpool manager’s job.

Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season and the talk is now around who will replace the German in the Anfield dugout.

With Bayer Leverkusen flying at the top of the Bundesliga, Xabi Alonso’s name has been talked about more than most, as sources have told HITC Football.

When Steve Nicol was asked how he would feel if Thomas Tuchel became Liverpool’s manager instead of Xabi Alonso, he simply just wasn’t having it, as he told ESPN.

The Liverpool legend stated that there is ‘zero’ chance that is going to happen, as he simply pointed towards the performances of Bayern Munich this season.

The German giants have won 11 titles in a row, but after losing to Vfl Bbochum on Sunday, their third consecutive loss, they are now eight points behind leaders Leverkusen.

It wasn’t so long ago that Thomas Tuchel was winning the Champions League in the colours of Chelsea.

If Jurgen Klopp had left Liverpool at that time, then his counterpart would have been top of many people’s lists, but not anymore.

Thomas Tuchel at Liverpool
“Oh no,” responded Nicol on if Tuchel replaced Klopp instead of Alonso. “I wouldn’t be happy. Have you seen Bayern play this year? Right there you go, that’s all you need to do.

“You want percentages. Zero!”

FBL-GER-BUNDESLIGA-BOCHUM-BAYERN MUNICH
Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images
Xabi Alonso outdoing Thomas Tuchel
Never mind Tuchel taking another big job, the 50-year-old is going to be lucky to remain in his current big job because it wouldn’t be a surprise if Bayern booted him sooner rather than later.

The German club are facing the prospect of going trophyless this season, which is just staggering for a team that wins trophies in their sleep.

Harry Kane must be thinking he has the worst luck in the world because he is facing another season without a trophy.

Unless Leverkusen produce the biggest of all slip-ups or Bayern turn things around massively in the Champions League, then Liverpool’s next potential boss might be heading to Anfield as the champion of Germany and dethroning the might of Bayern.

MORE: Gianfranco Zola raves about £14m star transformed after Chelsea sale

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Jamie Carragher gave X-rated reaction to Xabi Alonso’s pointed Liverpool comments
Xabi Alonso was only 22 when he signed for Liverpool, but that didn’t stop the midfielder from giving his opinion on Rafa Benitez’s team – much to the surprise of Jamie Carragher

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ByNathan RidleySenior Sports Reporter
14:08, 18 Feb 2024UPDATED14:10, 18 FEB 2024
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A gobsmacked Jamie Carragher couldn’t believe when new teammate Xabi Alonso was already pointing out how Liverpool could improve during talks with Rafa Benitez – before even making his debut.

Having signed for the Reds in 2004 from boyhood club Real Sociedad, a 22-year-old Alonso had everything to prove at Anfield, but he immediately demonstrated his footballing brain in private discussions with new boss Benitez. Two decades later and Alonso is the favourite to follow in Benitez’s footsteps, as current manager Jurgen Klopp has announced that he’ll be leaving at the end of this season.

Carragher is one of his ex-teammate’s most prominent backers, with Alonso guiding German side Bayer Leverkusen to a five-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga with 12 games to go. Add to that the fact it’s his first senior managerial role and his first full season at Leverkusen, it’s easy to see why Alonso, now 42, is receiving so many plaudits.

Barcelona identify their No.1 target to replace Xavi in potential blow to Liverpool

Adam Lallana admits worry about next Liverpool manager as “something didn’t feel right”
But back when Liverpool supporters weren’t so familiar with the midfield maestro – who’d go on to star for Real Madrid and Bayern Munich – Alonso irked Carragher with comments about Benitez and Co’s shortcomings. Speaking to The Redmen TV, the Anfield icon explained: “I remember Rafa saying – and don’t forget Xabi was only 22 – ‘We’ve got this player coming in, I think he’s a fantastic player. He’s already spoken about where the team can improve, other tactical things’.

“And I’m reading this thinking, ‘Who the f****** hell does he think he is? 22, coming over from Spain, telling us where we’re going wrong. F****** let’s see you in the shirt first!'”

That to Carragher, though, proved to be the first sign of Alonso’s aptitude for coaching. “We used to speak a lot about football,” Carragher, who won the 2005 Champions League alongside the Spain international, added. “He was always someone who was interested in football and he did watch a lot of football.”

Your turn! Is Xabi Alonso the right man for Liverpool? Give us your verdict in the comments section.

LONDON – OCTOBER 26: Xabi Alonso of Liverpool celebrates with Jamie Carragher of Liverpool after they beat Chelsea at home during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on October 26, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso is Jamie Carragher’s pick to become Liverpool’s next manager ( Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
The ex-Reds defender now believes that Alonso is the “standout candidate” to replace Klopp, despite only managing 69 senior matches. “It’s still very early in his managerial career,” Carragher admitted on CBS Sports earlier this week. “In an ideal world you’d say, ‘It’s Xabi Alonso but he’s had another job, he might have won a Champions League somewhere else, he’s won a league here’ and all these different things.

“But, I don’t see where he is right now, anyone that would be in front of him in terms of what Liverpool fans want or maybe the Liverpool board want. I don’t know what the Liverpool board want but he just feels like he is the standout candidate.”

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No one is talking about 40-year-old former Liverpool coach who is doing an incredible job right nowPhoto by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
No one is talking about 40-year-old former Liverpool coach who is doing an incredible job right now
Sun 18 February 2024 13:00
Bence Bocsak
For us Liverpool fans all the focus was on Brentford and Manchester City of course. First Liverpool needed to get a result against Brentford, and then it was important for Manchester City to drop points against Chelsea.

Fortunately, both results ended up in Liverpool’s favour. Jurgen Klopp’s side demolished Brentford 4-1 away from home in a very impressive display. Meanwhile, City were less than impressive at home and merely managed to eke out a 1-1 draw against their opponents.

But while those will be the headline results for Liverpool fans, arguably one of the biggest upsets of Saturday was in neither of those games. Instead, it was Wolves’ victory in London against Tottenham. Quietly, Wolves are in great form now, and all of that is thanks to someone who previously worked at Liverpool as well.

Tottenham Hotspur v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Gary O’Neil doing an exceptional job at Wolves
Wolves’ manager is of course Gary O’Neil, who began his coaching journey as an assistant manager for Liverpool’s U21 side back in 2020. He spent just over six months at Liverpool before moving onto Bournemouth initially as an assistant manager and then taking over the role as head-coach.

Last summer he was surprisingly let go at Bournemouth despite doing a stellar job. He was quickly hired by Wolves, where O’Neil has thrived this season.

Currently, his side are in 11th place level on points with Chelsea on the Premier League table. Just only in the last two months alone, O’Neil’s side has beaten Chelsea twice, Tottenham once, and came very close to getting a result against Manchester United as well.

Yet despite the impressive results no one is really talking about O’Neil at the moment. Even though his Wolves side playing attractive offensive football, and he’s clearly a bright young manager in the game. At 40-years-old, he’s got a bright future ahead of him. Considering he made his mark at Liverpool as a manager, the club should keep a close eye on him.

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(Video) Manchester City’s embarrassing bus welcome shows how soulless they are
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Posted by Peter Kenny Jones2 hours ago
(Video) Manchester City’s embarrassing bus welcome shows how soulless they are
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Manchester City are the champions, coming off the back of a treble season and were about to face Chelsea to stay in control of their own destiny this season.

However, their bus welcoming for the match at the Etihad Stadium was nothing short of embarrassing – looking more like a school sports day than top tier football.

READ MORE: (Video) Wataru Endo continues to impress Liverpool fans with Brentford performance

There’s no questioning the quality of their players and manager but the supporters of the Citizens are so far below the standard of what they see on the pitch.

Ignoring the huge volume of financial breaches too, they simply don’t deserve the success they’ve been lucky enough to witness.

You can watch the City bus welcoming via @afcthew on X:

There’s absolutely NO WAY this is real💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/lnm5p37A3x

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐰🇨🇿 (@afcthew) February 17, 2024

🕯️ EOTK Insider: A tribute to Alex South; a remarkable man with a special Kop moment

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LIVERPOOL FC NEWS
Michael Owen baffled by Darwin Nunez decision-making for ‘insane’ goal

17 SECONDS AGO
WILL CASTLE
Michael Owen was left further questioning Darwin Nunez’s decision-making as he pulled out an audacious finish to put Liverpool ahead in yesterday’s clash with Brentford.

With the game goalless, Nunez had a clear run on goal with Diogo Jota in support – but instead of using the advantageous two-on-one situation to guarantee a goal, he pulled out a daring dink to beat Mark Flekken and give Liverpool the lead.

Many have been quick to laud Nunez for such a delightful finish, including former Reds striker Owen.

However, the once Ballon d’Or winner has also questioned the thinking behind his effort on, which had serious scope to go awry compared to other options.

Taking to X after the game, Owen said: “That finish from Darwin Nunez yesterday was insane. I can’t stop watching it.

“And I can’t begin to explain how difficult a skill that is. Moving at pace, the ball running away from you, being inside the box with no room for error. Incredible.

“BUT, it is also further proof that if he is to get closer to becoming the great player many people think he can be, he has to adapt his way of thinking. I mean, to even consider that finish is madness.

“It’s a one in ten, two in ten finish at best. Learning to slot, dink or go round the goalkeeper is a far more productive way to score and will increase his chances to four or five in 10, thus massively increasing his end return.

“I’m really not trying to rain on his parade as that goal was pure class. But I’d rather see it when Liverpool are 3-0 up, not at 0-0.”

Despite enjoying a fruitful campaign this term, the Uruguayan’s finishing capabilities have long been the topic of debate, with many feeling it’s the one thing slightly lacking from an otherwise fantastic footballer.

The striker has bagged nine goals in the Premier League this season, slightly underperforming his xG of 12.3.

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Virgil van Dijk lashes out at Liverpool team-mate as classy Diogo Jota gesture makes up for tasteless abuse
The moments you might not have spotted during Liverpool’s 4-1 win at Brentford on Saturday

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ByTheo SquiresLiverpool FC Writer
11:25, 18 FEB 2024
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Liverpool’s Dutch defender #04 Virgil van Dijk reacts after Cody Gakpo scores their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium

Liverpool ran out 4-1 winners over Brentford on Saturday to clinch their first ever victory at the Gtech Community Stadium and retain their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Goals from Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo clinched a memorable win for the Reds, though injuries to the Uruguayan, Curtis Jones, and Diogo Jota put a slight dampener on celebrations.

And while Arsenal’s 5-0 win at Burnley later that day would cut Liverpool’s lead back down to two points, Man City’s 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea in the evening kick-off prompted further fistpumps as Kopites travelled home. The reigning champions still boast a game in hand on the Reds, but now sit four points behind them in third.

READ MORE: Liverpool handed huge boost by two timely returns as injury list grows to 10

READ MORE: Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones, Alisson Becker – Liverpool injury news and return dates

But you know all that, of course, having nervously followed proceedings throughout Saturday as the Premier League title-race took its latest twists and turns. But what you might not be aware of are some of the lesser-spotted moments from the Gtech Community Stadium that have perhaps have gone under the radar…

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Liverpool handed huge boost by two timely returns as injury list grows to 10
2
Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones, Alisson Becker – Liverpool injury news and return dates
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‘Tremors of fear’ – national media make £250m point about injury hit Liverpool
Maupay mocked

Neal Maupay has emerged as the Premier League’s pantomime villain in recent weeks, becoming a player opposing fans love to hate. Scoring in five successive games in January, the wind-up merchant memorably clashed with Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison both on and off the pitch last month.

He was given no such opportunity against Liverpool however, registering just one shot on goal before being withdrawn prematurely in the 63rd minute after the Reds had gone 2-0 in front.

Travelling supporters made sure to strike the first blow against the Frenchman long before his early withdrawal after a quiet showing though, inevitably remembering that although he has suddenly rediscovered his scoring touch in the capital, he is still an Everton player – having been sent on loan in September after scoring just once for the Blues last season.

“Blue and white s***e!” they chanted in the striker’s direction with only six minutes on the clock. Maupay was unable to silence them on a day to forget for the Bees.

End-to-Endo for Wataru

Wataru Endo left Brentford players and supporters fuming after one moment in the first half where he invoked his inner-Diego Maradona.

Midway through the first half, the Japanese flung himself at an attacking corner only to connect with the ball with his outstretched fist.

‘Handball!’ the entire Bees defence exclaimed and gestured. Such was their insistence, you did not need to see a replay to know that the 31-year-old was probably guilty of attempting to recreate the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the near post.

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His effort didn’t go in and would have been ruled out by VAR anyway if it had. Yet the fact that the offence went unspotted by referee Michael Oliver was somewhat comical.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Endo earned the wrath of his captain Virgil van Dijk after conceding a late free-kick. Had he not listened to Klopp’s countless warnings about Brentford’s danger at set-pieces?!

Fortunately, it came to nothing as Liverpool saw out their 4-1 win. But not before Van Dijk had clipped Endo round the back of the head in frustration. For the record, the Dutchman also struck out at Mac Allister following the Argentine’s goal, though evidently in much different circumstances!

You stay classy

On a day where Liverpool saw both Jones and Jota forced off in the first half through injury, Brentford’s home support perhaps let themselves down.

“You Scouse b*****d!” fans behind the goal shouted at Jones as he slowly walked around the pitch, back to the dugout, having already been withdrawn following a leg injury. Meanwhile, they’d jeer Jota and the sight of the stretcher coming on in a tasteless move as it slowly became clear that he had potentially suffered a serious knee injury.

Such abuse was stopped in its tracks and replaced by light-hearted jeers when the medics dropped the head support from the stretcher, prompting one of the Brentford players to retrieve it and remove it from the pitch. But this was then replaced with boos and whistles when Salah entered the field in place of the Egyptian.

Jeered both times he missed chances you’d usually expect him to score, the forward at least had the last laugh when responding with a goal and assist for the Reds after getting such rust out of his system.

Bradley and Jota feel the love

It took Liverpool fans just nine minutes to start chanting, ‘There’s only one Conor Bradley!” at the Gtech Community Stadium, sharing their support for the full-back as he made his first appearance following the sad passing of his father.

He’d receive similar treatment from supporters late on when withdrawn in the final 10 minutes. But only after prompting the most animated of reactions from his manager on the sidelines.

Having already lost Jones and Jota to injury, Klopp was left with his head in his hands after one heavy tackle on the Northern Irishman. He was then quick to remonstrate with the fourth official when a barge on the young right-back went unpunished.

The German was at least in better spirits come the final whistle as he dusted off his trademark fistpumps celebration for the travelling supporters. But as they celebrated a memorable win by working through the Reds’ song-book, one chant in particular stood out.

In a touching moment, Jota’s chant was the very first sung by supporters as the Liverpool squad, without the injured Portuguese who would leave the stadium on crutches and in a knee brace, went to salute them. While celebrating a win to remember, they are well-aware that it might have come at the cost of serious injury.

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Thomas Frank explained Liverpool ‘punch’and make and honest penalty admission after Brentford loss saga

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I saw ‘exceptional’ Liverpool player be the unsung hero vs Brentford, no one is talking about himPhoto by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
I saw ‘exceptional’ Liverpool player be the unsung hero vs Brentford, no one is talking about him
Sun 18 February 2024 09:00
Bence Bocsak
In the end, the performance on the pitch was everything Jurgen Klopp could have asked for from his team. This was a tough away game against Brentford, and Liverpool rose to the challenge. They didn’t just rise; they glided through it putting in an excellent performance.

Undoubtedly, there were plenty of stand-out performers from the Reds’ perspective. The goal-scorers and the assist makers have rightly grabbed a lot of the headlines. But there were others who played a key role and have gone under the radar.

Ryan Gravenberch was quietly impressive with his performance. He definitely proved some of his doubters wrong. But he wasn’t the only one. Then there was also Liverpool’s 25-year-old goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, who put in one of his best displays of the season. And who has previously been described by Jurgen Klopp as ‘exceptional.’

Brentford FC v Liverpool FC – Premier League
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Caoimhin Kelleher was Liverpool’s unsung hero
Despite Liverpool’s comfortable lead there were a few shaky moments in the match for Klopp’s side. Especially when Brentford scored their only game in the game. For a few minutes, the home side look reinvigorated, and they surged forward.

There was one moment in particular when Kelleher had to make a stunning save from close range. But even before the Brentford goal, Liverpool’s 25-year-old goalkeeper did exceptional to stop the initial shot before Ivan Toney pounced to turn in the rebound.

In total, Kelleher helped to prevent 0.35 xG, and put in an Alisson esque performance. Without his contributions this game could have been a lot more difficult for Liverpool. Which is why Kelleher was without a question the unsung hero of the match.

He’s now proven time and time again just how valuable he is to the team. This was yet another proof of the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper’s value.

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slide 36 to 42 of 20

Champions League-winning manager ‘interested’ in Liverpool job to realise dream
Liverpool have shortlisted Xabi Alonso as their top managerial target for the summer, but other out-of-work bosses are hoping to receive a call from the Reds.
By CHARLIE PARKER-TURNER
PUBLISHED: 06:10, Sun, Feb 18, 2024
1

Hansi Flick is reportedly interested in becoming Liverpool manager (Image: Getty)
Former Germany manager Hansi Flick is reportedly hoping to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager this summer. Xabi Alonso is the leading contender to become Reds boss at the end of the season, though other out-of-work coaches are monitoring the situation closely at Anfield in the hope of receiving a call.

Mohamed Salah ‘will definitely leave Liverpool’ as Klopp given new forward trio

Ange Postecoglou reacts to ‘being on Liverpool shortlist’ and confirms injuries
Klopp announced in January that he would be stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season as he felt that he was ‘running out of energy’ in the job. The ex-Borussia Dortmund boss revealed that he felt it was his responsibility to make the decision over this future as he was never truly at risk of being sacked due to his reputation at the club.

Numerous managers have been linked with the summertime vacancy as a result, with the Anfield outfit scouring the market for suitable candidates. Sporting’s Ruben Amorim and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi have both been linked with the position, with Julian Nagelsmann a consideration as well.

Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso remains Liverpool’s top target though, having witnessed their former midfielder guide the club to 21 games without a loss in the Bundesliga. The Spaniard has remained coy on the situation, though many feel it is likely that he takes up the role.

Don’t miss… Xabi Alonso’s stance on taking Bayern Munich job over Liverpool emerges

Liverpool are keen to welcome Xabi Alonso back to Anfield (Image: Getty)

If Alonso does opt against joining Liverpool though, Flick is among those who would be keen to join the Reds, according to the Daily Mirror. The 58-year-old ‘dreams’ of managing a Premier League outfit and is hoping to be approached for the Merseyside role.

Flick had held talks with Tottenham in 2021 but those discussions were unproductive, though it has only fuelled the ex-Bayern Munich boss’ desire to manage in England further.

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Hansi Flick is keen to manage in the Premier League (Image: Getty)
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Tottenham ‘fear’ Ange Postecoglou may quit for Liverpool after Xabi Alonso twist
A return to the Allianz Arena should also not be ruled out by the German given that Thomas Tuchel is starting to come under immense pressure as their manager following a disappointing run of form which has seen reports emerge suggesting that he is losing the dressing room.

Bayern and Liverpool may need to act quickly if they do turn to Flick though given that he has been the subject of enquiries from English sides recently. Barcelona have also shortlisted the ex-Hoffenheim boss as one of their top targets to replace Xavi in the Camp Nou dugout at the end of the season.

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Liverpool
‘Wow!’ – Jurgen Klopp says one Liverpool player produced an A+ performance in Brentford victory
Liverpool remain two points clear at the top of the Premier League table after beating Brentford 4-1.
By Will Rooney
Published 18th Feb 2024, 03:00 GMT
Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool showing his appreciation to the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Liverpool FC at Brentford Community Stadium on February 17, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool showing his appreciation to the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Liverpool FC at Brentford Community Stadium on February 17, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp saluted ‘outstanding’ Caoimhin Kelleher as he produced for Liverpool on short notice yet again.

The goalkeeper featured in last week’s 3-1 win over Burnley as No.1 Alisson Becker could not feature because of illness. Alisson returned to training ahead of the Reds’ trip to Brentford and was set to return between the posts. However, a suspected hamstring issue on the eve of the Gtec Community Stadium meant that Alisson was ruled out – and Kelleher stepped in.

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The Republic of Ireland international produced a confident performance in the 4-1 triumph that kept Liverpool top of the Premier League table. He was unlucky not to have kept a clean sheet, having made a superb save from Serge Regulion before Ivan Toney netted the rebound for Brentford’s consolation.

Kelleher could now be set to be between the posts when Luton Town visit Anfield on Wednesday – and is already in line to start against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley a week today.

And Klopp couldn’t have been happier with the 24-year-old’s display at Brentford – labelling it A+. The Liverpool manager said: “Caoimhin had already enough games this year to have kind of rhythm. Goalkeepers are a different breed to other people so it was not in my plans to play [him] in Luton or whatever. How I said, we play the game we play with all focus and all attention and don’t think about other things. It might be not the smartest way. It’s just the only way I know.

“He was outstanding. I don’t know exactly, to be honest, who is the number one [goalkeeper] in Ireland but if they have a better goalkeeper than him I have to say, ‘Respect’. He’s outstanding and this year we gave him more games than he had previously. It’s well deserved because we need him, and we need him with rhythm and now the situation around Ali shows that it makes absolutely sense. We will see how long Ali is out, but Caoimhin is exceptional. Today he was… wow! It was an A+ performance.”

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LIVERPOOL
Barcelona President Seeks More Information On Liverpool Tracked Coach
17/02/2024 – 21:22 GMT

KRIS SANYAL

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has asked for more information on Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi, who is also a Liverpool target, as the club look to bring in a new manager at the end of the season.

Xavi Hernandez has already confirmed that he will be leaving Barcelona at the end of the ongoing campaign.

Barcelona are in the market for a new manager and the club are looking at several names ahead of making a decision.

De Zerbi features prominently in their thinking and the club are carrying out due diligence on the Brighton coach.

According to the Catalan daily Sport, Barcelona president Laporta has asked his officials to get him more information on the Italian.

The Barcelona supremo believes De Zerbi is the kind of modern and technical coach the club currently need.

Laporta wants to know more about his persona and how he deals with players, along with the people around De Zerbi.

The Italian is considered as one of the brightest coaches in world football and has earned praise from Pep Guardiola.

He also features on the shortlist of targets for Liverpool who are looking to find a replacement for Jurgen Klopp.

It remains to be seen if the Reds will make a move for him, which could put them on a collision course with Barcelona.

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Why Man City’s draw vs. Chelsea gives Arsenal, Liverpool hope
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Nicol: The three-team Premier League title race is on (1:09)

Rob Dawson, Correspondent
Feb 17, 2024, 09:13 PM
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MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City and Chelsea played out an entertaining, and at times chaotic, 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and afterwards both teams were able to take both positives and negatives.

City showed the occasional vulnerability of their high defensive line to concede the opening goal, scored by Raheem Sterling, and only managed one goal themselves thanks to Rodri’s late equaliser despite having 31 shots. Again, though, Pep Guardiola’s side showed their character and determination to earn an 18th point from a losing position. Only Liverpool have won more after going behind this season.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

For Chelsea, the big positive was in their performance for the first hour and perhaps it would have been enough to win the game had they taken more of their chances when they were on top. Missing opportunities has been a familiar issue for Mauricio Pochettino this season, but it was still a contender for Chelsea’s best display since the Argentinian took over last summer.

“So pleased,” said Pochettino after the match. “The effort was massive and the spirit is the way we want to compete with the talent we have. I think we will reach, one day, the levels we expect. To play the best team in the world is never easy and today the character and personality made me very happy.”

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On the other side, Guardiola was unhappy with City’s first half performance but on a different day — with Erling Haaland in top form — they would still have won comfortably. For the first time since arriving in England, Haaland had nine shots in a game without scoring and the Norwegian will not want to see a replay of his chance midway through the second half.

Kevin De Bruyne’s cross from the left was pinpoint and as it curled its way towards Haaland, the Etihad Stadium began to rise in anticipation of the net bulging. But it didn’t. His header went over the crossbar to sum up a day when the 23-year-old, who has scored 21 times this season, looked a little out of sorts.

“It’s good to have nine shots and next time he’s going to score,” said Guardiola. “I played for 11 years and scored 11 goals. One goal a season. I’m not a proper man to give advice to strikers. We create the chances and next time he’s going to score. I don’t blame him. As a team and a group, the first half was not like we are.”

Not only will the first half encourage Pochettino that he can eventually turn Chelsea into title challengers, it will encourage Liverpool and Arsenal that City can be beaten.

Sterling’s goal just before half-time came from a slick sequence of passing on the right and Nicolas Jackson racing into acres of space behind City’s back four. His cross allowed Sterling to dip inside Kyle Walker and score against his former club for the second time this season.

Chelsea probably should have already been ahead at that point when the same move on the same side of the pitch released Malo Gusto but Jackson’s touch in the middle was heavy and Éderson smothered the chance. Chelsea had another opportunity early in the second half, again running beyond City’s defence, and Éderson was required to make a terrific save from Sterling’s point-blank shot.

Liverpool and Arsenal, who won their games earlier on Saturday, both face City in March and you can be sure Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta will be watching replays of this game during their preparation.

“I will invite you to the training ground because it is difficult to explain [our plan] in a few words or sentences,” said Pochettino.

“We know very well how Manchester City play more at the Etihad and it is important [for them] to sustain the capacity to dominate. They force you to go deep. If you are not brave enough after when you have the ball and you force them to run back. For us it was a really important game for us to keep the momentum to realise we are in a good way improving. Still we are not at the level of Manchester City but that is our game.”

Speaking at his pre-match news conference on Friday, Guardiola branded Chelsea’s visit as “one of the hardest games between now and the end of the season” and in the end he was proved right. Still, it took an off day for City and a good day for Chelsea to pose any threat to an unbeaten home record in the Premier League which stretches back to Nov. 2022.

Despite positives and negatives for both teams, the travelling Chelsea fans celebrated the final whistle like it was a victory while the City supporters quietly shuffled out into the Manchester rain.

“We didn’t perform at our level in the first half,” said Guardiola. “When we play teams with the composure and prestige of Chelsea you have to perform at your best for 95 minutes.”

On a good day for Pochettino and a rare off one for Guardiola, Chelsea showed that they’re still playing catch-up and City proved again why they remain the team to beat this season.

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Rodri rescues draw but Chelsea frustrate Manchester City
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Nicol: The three-team Premier League title race is on (1:09)
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Feb 17, 2024, 07:38 PM
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Mauricio Pochettino has found the formula to hand Chelsea a shot at glory in the Carabao Cup final… their set up in their draw with Man City is their best chance of upsetting Liverpool at Wembley

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Mauricio Pochettino has found the formula to hand Chelsea a shot at glory in the Carabao Cup final… their set up in their draw with Man City is their best chance of upsetting Liverpool at Wembley

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Mauricio Pochettino has found the formula to hand Chelsea a shot at glory in the Carabao Cup final… their set up in their draw with Man City is their best chance of upsetting Liverpool at Wembley

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