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December 31, 2023

Watch 🔴ARSENAL vs FULHAM LIVE TODAY ⚽ PREMIER LEAGUE 23/24 MATCH DAY 20 ⚽ FOOTBALL GAMEPLAY 1-0

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Anfield Road capacity fears emerge as Liverpool supporters sent concerning message before Newcastle
Fears are growing around Anfield’s overall capacity as the club shares its concerns with supporters ahead of Newcastle United visit

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ByPaul GorstLiverpool FC correspondent
11:07, 31 DEC 2023UPDATED11:09, 31 DEC 2023
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Fans take their seats in the new tiers of the Anfield Road stand ahead of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on December 17 (Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool fear the new Anfield Road stand will be forced to operate at a reduced capacity if persistent standing during games continues.

The stand was officially open to fans for the visit from Manchester United on December 17 when the Reds played host to their biggest crowd at Anfield for 50 years when 57,000 filed into the venue for the goalless draw with Erik ten Hag’s side.

Since then, the Reds have beaten West Ham United 5-1 in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and were held to a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League on December 23 and each of the three fixtures have been impacted by persistent standing in a part of the stadium that is not a designated area for it.

Liverpool trialled a safe-standing section on the Kop and in the lower end of the Anfield Road over two years ago with rail seating installed in those parts of the stadium before the green light was given in August to allow 13,000 supporters to be able to stand during matches going forward.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola makes blunt Liverpool admission after Man City close gap on leaders

READ MORE: The Ever-Pool Team of the Year is back – with seven Liverpool and four Everton players

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The Reds installed 7,800 rail seats ahead of the 2021/22 campaign and added a further 2,500 during last season’s World Cup break between November and December. The most recent installation phase took place earlier this year when an additional 3,000 rail seats were placed on the Kop, in the remainder of blocks 202-208, up to row 33.

However, the newly-expanded stand is not licensed for fans to stand throughout, meaning the club could be hit with sanctions from the relevant authorities should it continue.

It’s understood there are concerns from inside the club that the issue puts Anfield at risk of being forced to operate at a reduced capacity, meaning fewer supporters are able to get to the ground at a time when demands for tickets have rarely been higher. The standing also represents a safety risk.

Liverpool have communicated their issues to supporters who have purchased tickets in that area of Anfield ahead of the New Year’s Day visit from Newcastle United and are determined to avoid a similar situation that saw a number of match-goers removed from the ground against Arsenal last week.

It’s thought a small number of fans were ejected from Anfield for what has been described as ‘”inexcusable abuse” to stewards trying to limit the number of people standing during the draw with Mikel Arteta’s men.

The work to expand the stadium’s capacity began with a ‘groundbreaking’ ceremony featuring Jurgen Klopp in late September 2021 with a plan to increase the capacity from 54,000 to 61,000 in total. Anfield is currently operating at around 57,000, however, due to the hospitality areas and a smaller section of the lower tier yet to be completed.

It is hoped Liverpool are able to open their doors to the full 61,000 by late January but persistent standing could yet have an impact on that going forward.

The 7000-seat expansion, which cost around £80m, had been slated to open back in August for the visit for Bournemouth but was pushed back until earlier this month after initial contractors Buckingham Group were forced into administration.

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Liverpool could hinder Mac Allister with move for £50m “genius”
BY
ANGUS SINCLAIR
PUBLISHED 2 HOURS AGO
This unbelievable midfielder could also be a successor to Thiago Alcantara.

The true art of Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp’s guidance is not the scintillating attacking arrowhead, nor is it the imperious defence that strikes fear into hapless attackers when Virgil van Dijk is at his apex.

No, it is the never-say-die mentality that never allows the opposition a chance to breathe. Sewn into the very fabric of the club’s core, Liverpool breeds winners, and while many of the stars of the illustrious Klopp era did not arrive with glittering trophy cabinets, they have been moulded into players of the highest pedigree.

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Liverpool could sign “immense” Van Dijk partner in bid for £52m Arsenal target
Occasionally, however, the Reds have opted to sign a player of established brilliance, with honours and accolades pinned to their garment and with a hunger to replicate the feats on Merseyside.

Liverpool have identified a player who fits this mould; indeed, Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella remains a target and could be the subject of an official approach in 2024.

Liverpool transfer news – Nicolo Barella
Italian outlet L’Interista has recently revealed that while Inter are eager to commence contract negotiations with Barella, there are many obstacles in the way of an agreement and this could open the door for Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United to swoop.

In the summer, the Telegraph reported that Newcastle were closing in on a £50m deal to sign the Italy international, though the Serie A side rejected advances in the late stage, with Barella himself also discouraged.

Last week, revelations came to light that Inter are embroiled in financial uncertainties and might need to cash in on some key players to balance the books.

Although multiple parties have registered an interest, there is a sense that 2024 is the perfect year to advance negotiations and snap Barella up, and this is something that Klopp will undoubtedly be considering.

Nicolo Barella’s style of play
Barella has been hailed as a “little warrior” by talent scout Jacek Kulig in the past, and while he may be diminutive in stature, the maestro projects a monstrous presence in the centre of the park.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 8% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for progressive passes, the top 12% for progressive carries and the top 9% for progressive passes received per 90.

Such metrics highlight a remarkable level of creativity but also a willingness to surge up the pitch and make things happen in pockets between the lines, evidenced by his return of nine goals and ten assists across all competitions last season, as Inter won the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana.

Deft and delightful, Barella’s direct rate of contribution might have declined this season but he has still been integral to Simeone Inzaghi’s side’s pursuit of the Scudetto, currently in first place after 17 matches, four points clear from Juventus.

Having started 16 of these fixtures, the 26-year-old has scored two goals, supplied three assists and completed 87% of his passes in the centre of the park, averaging 5.0 ball recoveries and 1.1 key passes per outing.

Nicolo Barella: Similar Players

Player

Club

Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City

Granit Xhaka

Bayer Leverkusen

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal

Florian Wirtz

Bayer Leverkusen

Ilkay Gundogan

Barcelona

*Sourced via Football Transfers

Having once been declared a “genius” by journalist Mike Pielluci, there’s no denying that Barella would be a credit to any ambitious side on English shores, but given the overload of creative and multi-functional midfielders in Klopp’s squad, the question does arise regarding whether it would be a prudent venture to launch significant funds toward the acquisition of Barella.

Who Nicolo Barella could replace at Liverpool
Of course, Liverpool maestro Thiago Alcantara, aged 32, is out of contract at the end of the season and has not actually featured once during the 2023/24 campaign as he fights to return from a long-term injury.

Undisputably magnificent, the distinguished Spaniard ranks among the top 3% of midfielders for passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 6% for successful take-ons, the top 4% for interceptions and the top 13% for tackles per 90, but his inability to avoid the clamping jaws of the medical room will ultimately convince Klopp that he must depart in June.

While Thiago occupies a deeper-lying role than his Cagliari-born counterpart, both are sublime passers of the ball with a metronomic swagger that establishes control and command in the engine room.

Barella could be a worthy successor but his signing still wouldn’t address the concerns relating to Liverpool’s requirement for a specialist No. 6.

The move could also prove to be detrimental to the progress and success of Alexis Mac Allister at Anfield, with the Argentinian World Cup winner completing a £35m transfer to the club in the summer.

While Mac Allister has been utilised from deep this season, he remains one of the Premier League’s most creative and cultured centre-midfielders, earning praise in the past for his “intelligent” approach by countryman Sergio Aguero.

Alexis Mac Allister: Similar Players

Player

Club

Eduardo Camavinga

Real Madrid

Hakan Calhanoglu

Inter Milan

Ilkay Gundogan

Barcelona

Nicolo Barella

Inter Milan

Federico Valverde

Real Madrid

*Sourced via Football Transfers

As the graph above shows, Mac Allister and Barella are midfielders of similar like; not quite cut from the same cloth but mirroring in qualities that would perhaps not be worth the cost, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch also plying their trade at Anfield.

The backline needs attention and, while Wataru Endo has been impressive of late, a long-term solution to the anchor of Liverpool’s midfield must be discovered too.

Barella might be an excellent player, perhaps he is even world-class, but there it might be best to invest resources elsewhere to maintain the dynamism and growth of this exciting Liverpool team.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angus Sinclair • Opinions & Feature Writer
(1794 Articles Published)
Angus is a freelance analytical writer for Football FanCast.

Having graduated from Southampton Solent University with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2022, Angus found a home at FFC after previously writing for Vavel and OurSoundMusic.

A passionate Liverpool supporter and a lover of statistics, Angus also holds a fondness for MMA and Tennis.

Outside of football, he is a voracious reader with a particular love for fantasy and historical fiction.

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Club officials think Liverpool are going to try and sign their £130m player, they’ve been watching himPhoto by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
Club officials think Liverpool are going to try and sign their £130m player, they’ve been watching him
Fri 29 December 2023 19:00
James Brooke
Liverpool are interested in the possibility of signing Benfica midfielder Joao Neves.

Neves has been a breakout star in Lisbon over the past year or so, leading to suggestions that Liverpool have sent scouts to see him in action.

As ever with talents emerging from Benfica, there’s supposedly already a queue of interested parties. And according to O Jogo, the Portuguese giants are expecting bids to arrive for the 19-year-old over time.

As a result, Benfica are reportedly in negotiations with Neves to extend his contract at the Estadio da Luz. Never ones to be bullied into selling their stars, the Eagles are said to be looking to insert a £130m release clause into the youngster’s contract.

This is claimed to be in an attempt to put any interested clubs off making an offer for the time being. Benfica reportedly plan on keeping Neves for another season, and will only sell him for the full value of the release clause.

Nevertheless, officials at the club are said to believe that bids may come in anyway. Manchester United are claimed to be ‘at the top of the grid’ for the Portugal international, but Liverpool are one of four other clubs reportedly ‘close behind.’

Liverpool looking at Neves
From our point of view, there’s not really much chance of Liverpool taking their interest in Neves any further.

If Benfica do manage to seal a new deal with the youngster – complete with £130m release clause – we’d say it can be ruled out completely.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
As they showed in their negotiations with Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez last year, the Primeira Liga side will not bow to pressure from ‘bigger’ clubs.

If they demand that the release clause needs to be paid, then that’s likely what will end up happening.

Joao Neves
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
Enzo’s transfer very much set the precedent in that regard, so we expect it’ll go the same way with Neves.

With that in mind, there’s absolutely no chance that Liverpool shell out £130m on a player with less than 50 senior appearances to his name.

Neves looks like a super little player, as you might expect. But he’s also a little on the small side for us.

With competition from clubs who will have no problem spending such huge sums, Liverpool shouldn’t be considered a front-runner here. It seems inevitable that Neves will end up leaving Benfica, but unless his price drops remarkably, a bid surely won’t arrive from Anfield.

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‘I don’t see it’: Chris Sutton has predicted who will win on New Year’s Day – Liverpool or Newcastle

Michael Regan via Getty images

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Newcastle United couldn’t have asked for a worse start to 2024 than facing Liverpool on New Year’s Day.

In an 8pm kick-off Newcastle travel to Anfield for their first Premier League fixture of the New Year and honestly, if we were asked which opponent we’d least like to face to boot off the year, it’s Liverpool.

Newcastle just can’t seem to beat them. Granted, The Reds get a lot of help from the officials when we meet for whatever reason, but it’s still a curse we’d love to shake off.

Newcastle will need a New Year’s miracle
With Newcastle’s current terrible form and Liverpool firmly in the title race, there won’t be many people backing the Magpies on this one.

Catherine Ivill via Getty Images
Salah loves a goal against us, and will love to sign off with a show before going to the AFCON
Case in point is BBC pundit Chris Sutton who has given Newcastle a snowball in Hell’s chance with his prediction.

Alongside Paul Merson’s prediction and our own feelings on this fixture, it’s not looking good, but Sutton has gone big with his shout.

Mo Salah is going to be a danger
“With one win in four Premier League games, this has turned into an even bigger match for Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, whose side have struggled on the road all season.

“Newcastle need to keep faith with Howe, but after this game they face north-east rivals Sunderland in the FA Cup and then host Manchester City, so they have to find a win from somewhere.

“I don’t see it happening at Anfield, though. A lot of people are banging on about Arsenal challenging City for the title, but Liverpool are the team who will push them closest.

“Liverpool will miss Mohamed Salah when he goes away with Egypt to the Africa Cup of Nations in mid-January, but they have enough firepower to win without him – and he will be around to play in this one.

“Sutton’s prediction: 3-1”
Hardly inspiring, is it? Unfortunately, we find it hard to disagree. Hopefully, it’ll not be as big of a win as Sutton predicted, but honestly, we just can’t seem to find any confidence going into this one.

Prepare for the worst and you can’t be disappointed. Although, if we do get beat, I’m sure we’ll still bitch about it.

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Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
‘Top player’… Paul Merson raves about 27-year-old Liverpool star
Fri 29 December 2023 18:00
James Brooke
Liverpool have just been handed a boost as they aim to challenge for the Premier League title.

As we wave goodbye to 2023, the Reds are looking good. Having began the year with a dismal 3-1 loss away at Brentford, Arsenal’s defeat last night means that Liverpool may well end it at the top of the table.

And according to pundit Paul Merson, that isn’t the only good news the Reds have had this week. Giving his Premier League weekend predictions for Sportskeeda, Merson hailed the impact of returning forward Diogo Jota.

“Liverpool, on the other hand [to Newcastle], got a hard-fought 2-0 win against Burnley in a game that marked Diogo Jota’s return to the team,” said the former England midfielder.

“He’s a top player and his presence will come as a timely boost for Jurgen Klopp, who is set to lose Mohamed Salah next month as the 31-year-old prepares to represent Egypt at the AFCON.”

Merson went on to predict a 2-0 win for Liverpool as they host Newcastle United on New Year’s Day.

Jota gives timely boost
Merson is absolutely right here. As Liverpool prepare to navigate a period without Salah, they look far better placed to do it with Jota back in the squad.

The 27-year-old is perhaps now Klopp’s second-best forward behind the Egyptian.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
Jota has previously been hailed by none other than Ian Rush as Liverpool’s best finisher. It’s always a boost to have a player like that available.

Despite his goal-getting prowess, Jota hasn’t always been properly appreciated by the outside world. Reds supporters love him and have long since known just how lethal he can be.

Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
But with players like Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino previously taking the spotlight from him, the Portugal international has maybe been undervalued.

Nevertheless, Jota’s contribution has been – and continues to be – crucial. He may not always be easy on the eye, but he’s always good for a goal.

As Micah Richards said when analysing the No.20 today, his ability to get on the scoresheet at big moments is ‘ridiculous.’

With Liverpool set for another title race and Salah unavailable for a period, they’ll need their forwards to come up trumps. Expect Jota to be the man doing most of the heavy lifting.

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Liverpool injury list: Reds dealing with midfield and left-back issues
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Pro Soccer Wire Staff
December 29, 2023 12:50 pm ET
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Liverpool is looking to continue its push for a title while battling a number of injuries in midfield and defense.

Jürgen Klopp currently has to manage without his top two left-back options, as Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas battle injuries that will sideline them for several more weeks.
Liverpool is also short in midfield as the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Thiago Alcantara work their way back to fitness.

Here is a current list of Liverpool’s injured players, as well as their expected return dates.

Thiago Alcantara: Hip injury, potential return early February

(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Stefan Bajčetić: Adductor injury, potential return mid-February

(Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images)

Alexis Mac Allister: Knee injury, potential return early January

(Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Joel Matip: Knee injury, potential return fall 2024

(Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Andy Robertson: Shoulder injury, potential return mid-February

(AP Photo/Jon Super)

Kostas Tsimikas: Collarbone injury, return date unknown

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

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Robbie Earle suggests 30-year-old Liverpool player is never going to be right for Jurgen Klopp
Fri 29 December 2023 15:00
James Brooke
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has split plenty of opinion ever since signing for the Reds in August.

Despite some initial reservations about the wisdom of bringing in the 30-year-old, Endo has recently proven a few of his doubters wrong.

That culminated in an excellent display this mid-week against Burnley. Having ran the show in the Liverpool midfield, Endo covered every blade of grass.

But despite his pleasing turnaround in form, the Japan international still hasn’t convinced everybody. Speaking on The 2 Robbie’s Podcast today, former Wimbledon player Robbie Earle has claimed that he’s not sure Endo will ever be the ‘right’ midfielder for Liverpool.

“Do you know what I thought and he does get caught out once or twice with the game being quick, but I thought Endo is starting to show me a little bit more in midfield,” began the pundit.

“I’m not sure he’s ever going to be [right]. But at least I think he’s getting reps and he’s got half a season under his belt and I think he’s going to be better for that.”

Endo still facing uphill battle
For the time being, this is probably the dominant line of thinking surrounding Endo.

Yes, he’s been doing very well recently and is certainly making a lot of people eat their words. But in the long-term, it still feels like Liverpool need an upgrade.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
If the former Stuttgart man were four or five years younger, then perhaps those conversations would be a little different.

Endo has certainly shown that he’s capable of being a starter for Liverpool and also appears to be getting better and better.

Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
However, at 30, he does still have the feeling of being a placeholder at Anfield.

That might be unfair, and who knows what Jurgen Klopp is really thinking. Liverpool handed Endo a four-year deal when signing him this summer, so he’s here to stay.

Nevertheless, unless the Japanese suddenly becomes prime N’Golo Kante for the rest of the season, the feeling will continue that the Reds need a younger, top class model.

That’s for the future, though. For the time being Endo is enjoying his football and we’re enjoying watching him. He may not be the right man for the next five years but for the here and now, he’s doing just fine.

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Forgotten Liverpool man who left Borussia Dortmund because of Jurgen Klopp returns to rescue crisis club
Connor Andrews
29th December 2023, 2:52 pm Updated: 29th December 2023, 3:33 pm
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Borussia Dortmund legend Nuri Sahin has returned to the club as an assistant head coach.

The former midfielder, who also had brief stints at Liverpool and Real Madrid, leaves his post as manager of Turkish Super Lig side Antalyaspor to work alongside the hugely under-pressure Edin Terzic.

Sahin is back on his way to Dortmund

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Sahin is back on his way to Dortmund
Dortmund announced the news in a club statement, with Sahin to be joined by former teammate Sven Bender, who was working as an assistant at the Germany U17 side.

The pair will join the squad on January 3 for their training camp in Marbella before the Bundesliga resumes on January 12. Both have signed until 2025.

Terzic is under big pressure despite leading Dortmund to the top of their Champions League Group of Death, with their domestic form of huge concern.

BVB are winless in six, a run which includes a DFB Pokal exit to Stuttgart, which prompted a crisis meeting between management according to multiple reports.

Since then they’ve dropped out of the Bundesliga title race, and their chances of a top four finish look increasingly in danger.

A draw at home against Mainz in their final game of 2023 prompted another crisis meeting between CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke and sporting director Sebastian Kehl, with Terzic again surviving.

That could be short-lived, though, with the Turkish outlet that first broke the story, Sports Digitale, claiming Sahin will replace Terzic as head coach in the summer.

Sahin, 35, retired from football in 2021 while at Antalyaspor to become the side’s manager, and guided them to seventh and 13th in the league despite one of the division’s lowest budgets, and he leaves with the team in eighth this season.

Sahin had brief stints at Liverpool and Madrid before returning home

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Sahin had brief stints at Liverpool and Madrid before returning home
A Bundesliga winner under Jurgen Klopp in 2011, Sahin was named the division’s player of the season for his exceptional performances, earning him an ill-fated transfer to Real Madrid.

Later discussing that decision, the midfielder explained he was split between staying and going, before sitting down with Klopp who simply told him ‘follow your heart’ which made his mind up.

After just ten appearances for Madrid, Sahin was loaned to Liverpool for the 2012/13 season, but only featured in two more matches for the Reds before returning to BVB.

Speaking about his return to Germany, Sahin told the club’s website: “It was not an easy decision to leave the position of head of football at Antalyaspor after more than two years as we have built something special.

“I would like to thank everyone involved from the bottom of my heart, especially my players. It was an incredibly intense, educational and emotional time. I wish the club all the best and am convinced that the success story can be continued.

“If BVB asks, I can’t say no. As a coaching team, we will try together to get the team back on the road to success. It feels very nice to come home.”

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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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13
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14
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15
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16
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17
Everton
Everton 19 -1 16 *
18
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19
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20
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Alan Shearer predicts who’ll win the Premier League and who’ll make top four

Giuseppe Labellarte
Fri 29 December 2023 14:15, UK
We have an exciting Premier League title race on our hands, with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa all very much in contention.

In addition, the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham, Manchester United, Brighton and possibly Newcastle will all fancy their chances of making the top four.

We are now at the halfway point of the Premier League season, with most of the teams having played 19 of their 38 top-flight fixtures.

On Thursday night, following the game between Arsenal and West Ham at the Emirates Stadium, several Amazon Prime Video Sport pundits gave their thoughts on who will make the top four.

Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Gabby Logan first asked Alan Shearer on who he thinks will take the title and Champions League spots. He replied: “City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Villa. I wanted to put Newcastle in but I can’t!”

Jermain Defoe was next, and he went with “City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal.” Thierry Henry jokingly asked him to repeat himself after naming Spurs above the Gunners.

As for Henry – understandably flustered after Arsenal’s defeat to West Ham – he said: “Talk to me in and around February. You can’t call anyone before that! I’m sorry.”

Manchester City remain favourites for title ahead of Arsenal while Newcastle not expected to challenge for top four
Admittedly, it wasn’t a great week for either Shearer or Henry in terms of their favourite clubs. Newcastle have suffered a major downturn in form, while Arsenal’s weaknesses were exposed against West Ham.

The January transfer window has come at a good time for both clubs, even though there will be limitations brought about by FFP and other clubs not wanting to sell their key players mid-season.

Let’s see what happens in the coming weeks. There’ll no doubt be movement at the likes of Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham, all of whom have great potential for success but have struggled with injuries, suspensions and fatigue over the course of the season.

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Sealed Deal’Liverpool has signed NAPOLI Midfieder as Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement,Fans and well wishes waiting for announcement €195m rated

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‘So annoying’… Jurgen Klopp admits 19-year-old Liverpool youngster is really not happy
Fri 29 December 2023 12:00
Updated Fri 29 December 2023 13:16
James Brooke
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Stefan Bajcetic is frustrated with his injury.

Bajcetic has only made two appearances for the Reds this season, the last of which came more than three months ago. That comes on the back of the 19-year-old missing the last two months of the previous campaign, too.

Having shown so much promise during his stint in the first-team last year, it’s been an incredibly disappointing time for Bajcetic.

And speaking in his pre-Newcastle press conference today, Klopp said that the Spaniard is ‘annoyed’ at his inability to get on the pitch.

“With Stefan, if you ask how do you feel he says ‘good’. Can you train? ‘Yes’. But we have to be sensible, that’s how it is,” explained the Liverpool manager. “It’s an issue because of his growing. We have to be careful. He could train today fully, maybe tomorrow as well and then not for five weeks. That’s how it is.

“It’s a medical decision, it’s not by the boy, it’s not by me. It’s just that’s how you have to do it if something like this happens and that makes it so annoying for the boy.”

Bajcetic feeling the frustration
Perhaps the most annoying thing about Bajcetic’s injury is that he would have gotten plenty of minutes had he been fit this season.

This is not a young player coming through who would have been having the odd cameo here and there. Bajcetic was so impressive last season that he should be considered a fully-fledged senior player.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
In fact, had the former Celta Vigo prospect been ready, we’re not sure Liverpool would have even gone out and signed Wataru Endo.

Klopp appears to have full belief that the Bajcetic can be the Reds’ holding midfielder moving forward.

Photo by Will Palmer/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Had he been given the chance to do so, we think the teenager would have proven that beyond doubt this season.

Instead, having played so little over the past nine months or so, Bajcetic will have to start again once he does come back into contention.

Judging by Klopp’s words, that could still be a little way off yet. But it also sounds like that’s the best thing for the Spain U21 international’s long-term future.

With such a good prospect, the last thing you want to do is rush him back and then he picks up another issue. Liverpool are being sensible, but my word it’s frustrating. Keep hanging on in there, Stefan!

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UNCATEGORIZEDMikel Arteta makes another claim about the Liverpool game straight after Arsenal lose last nightPublished 2 hours ago on December 29, 2023By soccerlivenews
Mikel Arteta makes another claim about the Liverpool game straight after Arsenal lose last night

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta once again mentioned his team’s draw against Liverpool after losing to West Ham United last night.

The Gunners title credentials took a blow on Thursday as they were beaten 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

Straight after the game, pundits Alan Shearer and Jermain Defoe suggested that the defeat meant Arsenal were now at-best third favourites for the Premier League title, below Manchester City and Liverpool.

That may be true, but Arteta’s team also generated enough chances to win the game against the Hammers. And speaking to that in his post-match press conference, the Spanish coach suggested that it had been the same scenario as at Anfield on Saturday.

“When the team generates that much normally you are going to win games and that’s the way we have done it,” explained the 41-year-old.

“Because as well against Brighton we generate so much, against Liverpool as well. But we score goals in different ways and we have to make another step in that area to win the game more comfortably for sure, because today the team deserves to win the game, there’s no question about that.”

Arteta rues missed chances
We’re not really sure we agree with Arteta here. Arsenal barely created anything of note against Liverpool last weekend.

The only chance that really comes to mind was the one Gabriel Martinelli put past the post when one-on-one with Alisson Becker.

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Otherwise, the Reds goalkeeper barely had anything meaningful to do at all. A colossal performance from Ibrahima Konate in particular largely kept the Gunners at bay.

So, while they may have been unlucky last night, it’s a little disingenuous for Arteta to lump the Liverpool game in with this one.

Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images
The former Everton midfielder appears to be suggesting that his team have continuously dropped points despite dominating. That simply wasn’t the case at Anfield.

In fact, the best chance of the game fell Liverpool’s way. Had Trent Alexander-Arnold’s second-half effort fell just beneath the crossbar, Arsenal would have lost.

Given that they also got away with a pretty blatant handball in the box, it’s a bit rich for Arteta to suggest that their failure to win was merely down to a case of missing too many chances.

Either way, how and why Arsenal drop points doesn’t really matter for Liverpool. As long as they keep on dropping them. There’s a title to be won.

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Liverpool vs Newcastle: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds

JONATHAN GORRIE
15 HOURS AGO
Liverpool could deepen Newcastle’s growing crisis at Anfield on New Year’s Day.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have finished the year of 2023 with another Premier League title challenge, albeit they may not always totally convince.

Still, they remain neck-and-neck with Arsenal and will fancy their chances of pouncing on a weakened Newcastle side.

Eddie Howe’s side have won just once on the road in the League all season and are looking short of ideas, particularly during their miserable defeat to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.

Here’s

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