Major mistakes: Liverpool

You can’t help but feel so bad for the Reds this season. The highest achieving second-placed side the Premier League has ever seen, and what a title race it was. However, the campaign isn’t over yet and Jürgen Klopp will have to ensure his team is ready for the highly-anticipated Champions League final.

Despite the excitement of that European final, Klopp and his backroom staff will certainly have questions on their mind as to how they didn’t capture the Premier League trophy. Being 10 points clear at Christmas, it truly was theirs for the taking.

There will no doubt be discussions as to where they went wrong and how they can improve on that for next season. Here’s a couple of mistakes the German will no doubt bring up.

Finding a draw a good result on the big occasions

On multiple occasions this season we have seen Liverpool succumb to a draw when in reality they should have won the game, most notably, the matches against Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford and the Goodison, both ending in a 0-0 draw.

Throughout both games, Liverpool dominated and should have really taken the lead. However, towards the end of those fixtures, Klopp decided to make defensive changes and looked as if he was scared to lose the game, therefore possibly costing his side the four points they needed to win the league title.

Falling out of domestic cups too early 

After failing to proceed past the third round in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, it can be argued that dropping out of these competitions may have just cost Liverpool this season.

Losing to Chelsea and Wolves in the cup fixtures left Liverpool with less games than City, but was that really a good thing? Challenging in all competitions for as long as possible gives you more of a chance to have an off-game that doesn’t impact any chance of a title challenge, even if it does come at the cost of being knocked out of the cup.

But let’s face it, if you could choose between the Carabao Cup or Premier League, I know what I would be choosing.

Rangers: Club will be a laughing stock if they sign Stewart Downing

With the transfer window in Scotland days away from opening, Steve Gerrard is already trying to get the most of his summer dealings done early.

A plethora of new faces have already been confirmed to be joining the club this summer with more expected to come as the Rangers manager aims to build a side that can compete with Celtic for the upcoming season, although not every player linked with the club can help achieve this goal.

According to Sky Sports News journalist Keith Downie, Rangers are one of the clubs interested in Middlesbrough playmaker Stewart Downing, who is likely to be released this summer at the age of 34, and if Gerrard is aiming to build a side that can compete with Scotland’s best, the former Liverpool man isn’t the answer.

Downing has not been at his best for a very long time, and although he is a fairly big name and could have done a job in Scotland three or four years ago, at this stage of his career, the former England international is simply way too past it to be even considered an actual signing.

The veteran playmaker will be unable to match the impact Ryan Kent made at the club last season and Downing would also be an expensive signing on the wage-bill front, with a currently reported wage of £35,000-a-week on Riverside.

Gerrard should be looking for players that can make the fans excited and make rival supporters fearful, however, signing Downing will have the opposite effect, and the club should reconsider their options this summer when it comes to replacing Kent.

Rangers fans, who should the club bring in this summer to replace Kent? Let us know!

صور | النجمة التاسعة.. سجل تتويج الأهلي بلقب دوري أبطال إفريقيا

توج الأهلي بلقب دوري أبطال إفريقيا على حساب الزمالك في مباراة القمة التي جمعت بينهما في نهائي البطولة الإفريقية على استاد القاهرة مساء اليوم الجمعة.

وفاز الأهلي على الزمالك بهدفين مقابل هدف في المباراة التي جمعتهما في نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا الذي جمع لأول مرة في تاريخ البطولة الإفريقية بين فريقين من نفس البلد.

اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | أفشة يسجل هدف الأهلي الثاني أمام الزمالك في نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وبهذه البطولة حقق الأهلي اللقب التاسع في تاريخه ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، حيث نجح الأحمر في تحقق اللقب 9 مرات أعوام 1982، 1987، 2001، 2005، 2006، 2008، 2012، 2013، 2020، فيما حل وصيفًا 4 مرات أعوام: “1983، 2007، 2017، 2018”.

وفي السطور التالية يرصد “بطولات” أرقام ونتائج مباريات الأهلي في نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا:

1982

فاز الأهلي بنتيجة 3-0 أمام أشانتي كوتوكو ذهابًا وتعادل في العودة بنتيجة 1-1، ويحصد اللقب الأول في تاريخه.

1983

تعادل الأهلي 0-0 ضد أشانتي كوتوكو من جديد، وتلقى الخسارة بهدف وحيد ويخسر النهائي الثاني له.

1987

اصطدم الأهلي مع نظيره الهلال وتعادل سلبيًا في الذهاب وخطف فوزًا صعبًا خلال العودة بثنائية نظيفة.

2001

واجه الأهلي نادي ماميلودي صنداونز وتعادل بالذهاب 1-1، قبل أن يفوز في مباراة العودة بثلاثية نظيفة.

2005

التقى الأهلي منافسه النجم الساحلي ذهابًا وتعادلا سلبيًا، قبل أن يفوز المارد الأحمر بالقاهرة بنتيجة 3-0.

2006

وفي النسخة الأسطورية فشل الأهلي في الفوز بمباراة الذهاب وتعادل 1-1 أمام العنيد الصفاقسي التونسي.

ولكن استطاع الأهلي خطف الفوز التاريخي على حساب الصفاقسي بهدف محمد أبو تريكة الشهير قبل نهاية لقاء الإياب بلحظات.

2007

عاود الأهلي مواجهة النجم الساحلي من جديد ليتعادل أيضًا في الذهاب سلبيًا ثم يلتقي خسارة فادحة بنتيجة 3-1 باستاد القاهرة.

2008

خاض الأهلي مواجهة قوية أمام القطن الكاميروني فاز خلال الذهاب بنتيجة 2-0، بينما تعادل بالإياب بنتيجة 2-2.

2012

اصطدم الأهلي أمام الترجي في مباراة ذهاب نهائي البطولة وتعادل في القاهرة 1-1، قبل أن يفوز بملعب رادس 2-1.

2013

تأتي هنا آخر ذكريات الأهلي مع اللقب القاري عندما تعادل مع أورلاندو بايرتس ذهابًا في جنوب إفريقيا بنتيجة 1-1 ويحقق الفوز في الإياب بثنائية نظيفة.

2017

الأهلي سقط في فخ التعادل مع الوداد البيضاوي ذهابًا، قبل أن يسقط بهدف وحيد سجله أشرف بن شرقي لاعب الزمالك الحالي.

2018

ثم خاض الأهلي التقى ضد منافسه الترجي وتمكن لاعبو القلعة الحمراء من الفوز ذهابًا بنتيجة 3-1، قبل أن يسقطوا بهزيمة قاسية 3-0.

2020

وأخيرًا نجح الأهلي في التتويج باللقب التاسع في تاريخه على حساب الزمالك، بعدما فاز بهدفين مقابل هدف في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما اليوم، حيث أحرز للأحمر عمرو السولية ومجدي أفشة، فيما أحرز شيكابالا هدف الزمالك. صور تتويج الأهلي بدوري أبطال إفريقيا

Please be right: Leeds fans praying Phil Hay hasn’t got Bielsa update wrong

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Leeds United fans on Twitter are praying that Phil Hay’s most recent update on Marcelo Bielsa’s future at the club is accurate.

Speculation has been rampant in the period since Leeds were knocked out of the playoffs, with many experts and fans growing in concern that the Argentine won’t be at Elland Road next season.

The Whites have been completely transformed under Bielsa, and it looked like their 15-year wait to return to the Premier League would finally be over before they fell at the final hurdle.

Of course, promotion to the top flight remains the main goal for the Yorkshire club, and fans are still confident that the 63-year-old is the man to take them up.

The Yorkshire Evening Post writer gave an encouraging update for the fanbase on Friday morning, posting: “My understanding from people in Argentina is that Bielsa is minded to stay put give it another go at Leeds next season. But as ever, you’d be loath to second guess him.”

This update sparked a huge reaction from the fanbase with almost every Whites supporter hoping that Hay was right in what he was saying.

Here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying on Twitter…

The Chalkboard: Costa can bring help bring the best out of Douglas

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According to reports from both Football Insider and the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United want to loan Helder Costa from Wolves.

This wouldn’t be the first time the Whites have done business with Nuno Espirito’s side in the past 12 months. Barry Douglas swapped Molineux for Elland Road this time last year.

The Scot endured quite a difficult first 12 months in Yorkshire as injuries hampered his development and he had to share a lot of game time with Ezgjan Alioski.

On the chalkboard

Douglas arrived at Leeds in summer 2018 with a high amount of expectation. He had been the best left-back in the Championship the season prior, and he was set to strengthen a position that Leeds had often lacked in.

He created an astonishing 14 assists for Wolves in 2017/18, and the Whites looked to have secured themselves an absolute bargain.

But his assist tally dropped to just five last season, and he didn’t demonstrate the same qualities that saw him earn promotion the year before.

Costa can help

Leeds would be pulling off somewhat of a double whammy if they signed Costa on loan.

Not only would they be securing the services of one of the best wingers in the division, but they would get the most out of Douglas.

When the pair played together at Wolves, the left-back would often play long switches across the pitch to find Costa making a run in behind. This season that element of the Scot’s game was taken away from him as Pablo Hernandez operated much in a much deeper role on the right side.

If Douglas is allowed to rekindle the connection that he and Costa had at Wolves, then his game will undoubtedly improve.

Costa’s movement at the back post also aided the full-back on his way to 14 assists in 2017/18. Although Douglas only assisted the right winger once, his ability to create gaps in the defence opened up a lot of space for the left-back to deliver a cross that would then be finished by one of Wolves’ other talented attacking options.

Leeds United: Whites must steer clear of signing Michael Frey this summer

Having suffered an incredibly disappointing end to the 2018/19 campaign, Leeds United’s future suddenly looks very unclear.

With Marcelo Bielsa yet to commit to a new deal at Elland Road, it would not be at all surprising if the Whites end up having to recruit a new manager this summer.

However, when you consider that the Argentine is immensely popular amongst Leeds’ supporters, they will be hoping that chairman Andrea Radrizzani can offer the necessary incentives required to keep him at the club.

Yet regardless of who is in charge at Elland Road next season, in order to launch a sustained push for promotion the Whites must get their recruitment spot on over the coming months.

Although the club need to bring in a forward to challenge the likes of Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford, they should steer clear of signing Michael Frey when the transfer window opens in July.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the 24-year-old is reportedly on Leeds’ radar despite experiencing a difficult year with Turkish side Fenerbahce.

Having scored just three goals in 14 league appearances for the Istanbul-based side, it would be a huge risk for Leeds to take if they were to bring him in, especially when you consider that is extremely injury-prone.

During the last six months alone, the £2.25m-rated ace (via Transfermarkt) has been sidelined on four different occasions with his inability to stay fit clearly hampering his development as a player.

Instead of wasting their money on Frey, the Whites should focus instead on targeting a marksman who has a track-record of firing in the goals in English football.

What do you think Leeds fans? Would signing Frey this summer be a mistake? Who do you want your side to sign in the transfer window? Let us know below.

جوارديولا: قدمنا أداءً رائعًا أمام بورتو.. وفودين يصنع الفارق مع مانشستر سيتي

أكد المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر سيتي، بيب جوارديولا، أن الفوز كان هدفه في مباراة الأمس، الثلاثاء، أمام بورتو في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وانتهت المباراة التي أقيمت في ملعب “دراجاو”، بالتعادل السلبي بين الفريقين، إذ صعدا معًا لدور الـ16، مانشستر سيتي في المركز الأول وبورتو في المركز الثاني قبل الجولة الأخيرة من دور المجموعات بالأسبوع المقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا.. موندو: برشلونة ينتظر تحرك جارسيا قبل التفاوض مع مانشستر سيتي

وتحدث جوارديولا عن مجريات المباراة في تصريحات لشبكة “BT Sport” البريطانية، وقال: “لقد حسمنا المركز الأول، وكنا نلعب من أجل الفوز أمام بورتو”.

وتابع: “لم تكن هناك أي خطورة من جانب المنافس، لم نتلق ركلة ركنية ولم نتلق أي هدف ولعبنا بشكل رائع أمام أحد أفضل الفرق في البرتغال مع بنفيكا”.

وأضاف: “للأسف، لم نتمكن من التسجيل ولكن كانت لدينا فرص خطيرة خاصة الكرات الثابتة، وبالنسبة لي، أرى أن جميع اللاعبين قدموا ما لديهم من أول حراسة المرمى وحتى الهجوم”.”.

وعن فودين: “يا له من لاعب رائع، دائمًا ما يصنع الفارق ويقدم أداءً مميزًا معنا في مانشستر سيتي، لذلك فأنا سعيد جدًا بأدائه المميز”.

شاهد ملخص مباراة مانشستر سيتي وبورتو

Leicester’s potential £40m move for Lewis Dunk fails to make much sense

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According to TeamTalk, Leicester are eyeing up Lewis Dunk as a replacement for Harry Maguire should he leave this summer.

What’s the word?

Harry Maguire has had no shortage of potential suitors in recent times, attracting the interest of Jose Mourinho when he was at Manchester United last summer whilst also taking the eye of Manchester City.

Maguire has been a rock for Leicester, quickly establishing himself as one of the leading defenders in the Premier League, but it appears as though the Foxes could be willing to let him leave.

That’s according to TeamTalk who state Leicester won’t get in his way if a club meets their £85m valuation.

The same report suggests that they see Lewis Dunk as his replacement in a deal which may cost £40m.

Questionable transfer on the cards

If Leicester were to spend £40m on Dunk this summer it would be incredibly suspect.

When it’s come to transfer dealings since the club won the league they’ve done some remarkably poor business, particularly in signing the likes of Islam Slimani and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Bringing in the Brighton man as a replacement for Maguire makes sense but spending that sum of money does not.

If the club were put off by a £40m valuation of Youri Tielemans then signing a defender for the same price would surely anger Leicester supporters.

The Belgian was an instant hit at the King Power and it would be foolish to spend the money they could use in a deal for him elsewhere.

The millions the club can potentially make from Maguire would be significant but if it was spent on replacing the former Hull man, rather than simply promoting Filip Benkovic, the Foxes would have to be called into question.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

Dunk impressed for Brighton but he doesn’t warrant the same sort of fee that Tielemans is worth, especially considering it’s a deal that would smash their transfer record by £11m.

The Foxes need to learn from their mistakes in previous windows by avoiding a hefty transfer for the 27-year-old.

Everton Transfer Roundup: Gomes agreement, Defrel on radar, no sale of youngster

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The summer’s transfer window is in full swing and each of the 20 Premier League clubs are looking to ready their squads for next season. Marco Silva’s Everton are in the same boat, and the Portuguese may already be making waves. Today’s Everton transfer roundup includes an agreement for a classy midfielder, interest in a Serie A striker and an update on the future of an on-loan winger.

Gomes agreement

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s André Gomes has reached an agreement with Everton ahead of a potential permanent move to Goodison Park. Gomes spent last season on loan with the Toffees, scoring once in 27 appearances for the side.

Defrel interest

Everton are interested in AS Roma’s Grégoire Defrel according to Corriere Dello Sporto via Sports Witness. The French striker, who scored 11 times on loan at Sampdoria last season, is also attracting attention from Watford and other clubs in Italy.

Terim desperate for Onyekuru return

Galatasaray boss Fatih Terim is so eager to bring Henry Onyekuru back to Turkey that he is willing to strike a deal that does not include a purchase option according to Hurriyet. Onyekuru spent last season on loan at Gala and impressed but, whilst Everton will let him spend another year away, they are not willing to sell him.

Pay the money: Leicester fans praying that Tielemans signs this summer

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Youri Tielemans was exceptional for Leicester after arriving on loan from Monaco in January and after returning to the Monegasque club the rumour mill has been in full swing.

Brendan Rodgers initially admitted that the Foxes would do everything they can to sign the player but they have since been put off by the £40m valuation slapped on his head.

However, journalist Kristoff Terreur has now claimed that the Belgian enjoyed his time at the King Power, telling Sky Sports News’ Transfer Talk podcast that there has been interest from Tottenham and Manchester United.

Yet, Leicester fans have reacted with a sense of hope, praying that his enjoyable time in the Midlands will lead to a permanent switch.

One fan claimed the news was music to their ears whilst another said it was really positive.

Further supporters focused on the potential transfer fee, urging the Foxes to pay the money in a desperate attempt to let the club know how they felt about the 22-year-old.

After arriving in the Premier League, Tielemans scored three goals and claimed a further four assists in 13 matches.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

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