Clunkily bringing two of today’s main themes together, here’s Wayne Rooney scoring for Manchester United at Anfield. Jerzy Dudek with football pie all over his shirt there.
Here’s The Fiver!
Contains nice pic of a 16-year-old Wayne Rooney looking like a band member of Cast/The La’s/Candy Flip.
Now for Wolves v West Brom (12.30pm Saturday).
“The Black Country derby is back for the first time in nine years with local hero Sam Allardyce, Wolves fan as a boy aka Small Sam, at the helm of West Brom.”
- Big Sam Opta: West Brom manager Sam Allardyce has faced Wolves more often without losing than any other side in the Premier League (P5 W3 D2), with this his first meeting against them since a 3-0 win in December 2010 with Blackburn.
Our match preview for Leicester v Southampton (8pm Saturday).
Scorelines from this fixture last season:
Leicester 1-2 Southampton
Southampton 0-9 Leicester
So, a win apiece then.
Pep Guardiola says defender Eric Garcia could leave during the January transfer window.
The 20-year-old Spaniard is in the final year of his contract and has been linked with a return to boyhood club Barcelona. Pep’s response:
I hope not but maybe the people from Barcelona know more than me. I don’t know what is going to happen but maybe it is going to happen.
And, for Sunday’s home game with Crystal Palace, here’s Pep with some team news involving Garcia, Sergio Aguero, Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake.
I think Eric will back. Nathan and Ayme are still not fit, Sergio I don’t think so. The rest I think are OK.
Aguero is still isolating after being identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
The score when Liverpool last went into a home game against Manchester United as champions? 4-0 to the Merseysiders. A Beardsley hat-trick and a John Barnes header.
Liverpool and Man Utd are the two highest scorers in the Premier League this season so how about another hat-trick? Hmmm. Let’s be honest, it’ll probably be a 0-0 bore-fest.
Anyway, you do get the odd treble in this fixture. Dirk Kuyt’s from a combined five yards in 2011 springs to mind.
You have to go back to 1990 to find the last time a title-winning Liverpool team hosted Manchester United in the top-flight. That’s so long ago, Des Lynam was still hosting Grandstand. Ah, that theme music…
Pep Guardiola has good reason to be wary of Crystal Palace.
They’ve caused Man City a fair amount of grief down the years, winning 3-2 at the Etihad two seasons ago and forcing a 2-2 draw at there in the last campaign. Pep’s history suggests that will change:
- Opta stat: in Pep Guardiola’s league managerial career, he has never failed to win in three consecutive home matches against an opponent.
Manchester City are making ominous progress up the table. They added another three points with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brighton on Wednesday and now face Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Here’s Pep Guardiola on their recent run of four Premier League wins on the bounce and seven straight victories in all competitions.
If you look at the results for the top teams, every game is complicated and difficult. When you win away against two incredible teams like Chelsea and Man United the headlines are nice but the reality was Brighton and we knew it.
We played really good against Brighton. We created chances to score three or four goals but we suffered in the last minutes not because we were bad but because they were good.
Every game difficult and Sunday will be no exception.
Jose Mourinho has given short shrift to rumours that Spurs will send Gareth Bale back to Real Madrid this summer.
Bale is on a year-long loan at Tottenham, with the option for a second. But it hasn’t exactly been a triumphant return to Spurs for the Welshman.
Here’s Jose saying nothing is being discussed yet, and doing that thing when he repeats his chosen line for dramatic effect.
There was not even a second of discussion about that.
Gareth is a player on loan until the end of the season. Not one second of discussion. We are speaking about, of course, Gareth, himself, Real Madrid, Tottenham, but I promise you, not one second of discussion.
And now here’s Jurgen Klopp saying he has ‘no skills for playing mind games’.
The angle here is Klopp pointing out that since the start of last season United have been awarded 20 penalties, twice as many as Liverpool over the same period. Since Klopp took over in October 2015, United head the spot-kick count 67-46.
Former ref Mark Clattenburg has said recently that Klopp is trying to influence officials by bringing the discrepancy up but Jurgen isn’t having it:
When people like Mr Clattenburg speak now it says much more about them than it does about me. I have no skills for playing mind games, that is my problem.
Am I surprised someone is talking about what I have said? Clattenburg? No. It’s nice we can talk about him. I am not Sir Alex for different reasons.
A Liverpool v Man Utd game wouldn’t be complete without some cod psychology so let’s focus on that classic pre-match staple called ‘mind games’.
Here’s what our very own Jamie Jackson has picked up…
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made the unusual statement for a Manchester United manager that it will be an “upset” if the record 20-times champions beat Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. He is, though, being a little cute as the Norwegian also said United believe they can win anywhere.
Being of course where we are in the league [top] that just gives us more confidence and is an indication of where we’re at but the game against the champions, they’ve got an amazing record at Anfield in the league, they haven’t lost for many, many years so it’s a great test for us: can we go there and cause an upset?
Every team goes into every game thinking they’re going to win it and we know we can beat anyone anywhere on any given day. It’s a test and reality check of where we’re at. Won many, many tight games, scored goals in injury time, but not really set the world alight too many times and to win at Anfield you need to be at your best level.
If you listened to this week’s Football Weekly Extra podcast, you may have heard Jacqui Oatley mention her favourite resource for Premier League injury news.
Yes, it’s the does-what-it-says-on-the-tin premierinjuries.com.
As of right this very second, the club with the most reason to gripe is Brighton. They have 11 players out or doubtful.
Here’s a quick league table:
11 Brighton
10 Southampton
7 Leeds, Man Utd, Newcastle
6 Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Man City, Sheffield United, Wolves
5 Leicester, West Brom, West Ham
4 Everton, Fulham
3 Arsenal, Aston Villa, Burnley, Chelsea
2 Tottenham
No excuses then, Jose.
Manchester United team news? Here’s Ole Gunnar Solskjær with the latest update for Sunday’s trip to Anfield.
I’m going to give everyone a chance, another day. Anthony (Martial) is not out of it.
I think the only ones that are certainly out are Brandon (Williams) and Phil Jones. They’re the two that definitely cannot make the game.
A couple of others maybe doubts, but we’re hoping, fingers crossed.
Some Liverpool team news for the big one against Manchester United on Sunday. Jurgen Klopp says it’s a ‘no’ for Naby and a ‘just wait and see’ for Joel.
Joel is close. Does it make sense now to throw him in with just one or two sessions he didn’t do yet?
We have to see if he can train tomorrow with the team. I haven’t decided yet.
Here’s the story from Ben Fisher on Wayne Rooney hanging up his boots to focus on being full-time Derby County boss.
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce is under the cosh but he’s been getting a welcome dose of support from Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, ahead of their clash on Monday.
Of course, the Gunners manager has plenty of recent experience of being in the firing line himself. Here’s Arteta on the man he calls “Brucey”.
You need to stick to your beliefs more than ever [in tough times]. Things can be a bit difficult to see but you have to be able to see and analyse everything that happens, but as well adapt. You cannot be so stuck. Sometimes you have to adapt and change some things to try to move and shake things around a little bit to try to find a way.
To get through a difficult period? First, you need support from the club and then you need to feel as well that your fans can see what you are trying to build. The most important part is the feeling you have with the players. When you feel that the players are on board and they are really trying for you, that they are behind you, that gives you a big energy. Probably when you feel that the players are lost and not behind you, that is difficult.
I absolutely feel for Brucey. When you are sitting in one of these chairs, you suffer and you have a lot of empathy for your colleagues. We all know what it takes, how much we suffer and as well Brucey is a top guy – a really good manager but a top guy, too.
David Tindall here now. Thanks Gregg. Do we view Gregg’s brief stint as an enjoyable cameo or shrouded in the shame felt by a substitute being substituted? I think that happened to Juan Mata once. Anyway, Gregg has just done a big story on Wayne Rooney while home schooling little ‘uns so we doff our caps.
Wayne Rooney has been appointed as Derby County’s manager on a two-and-half-year deal.
When I first arrived back in the United Kingdom I was completely blown away by the potential of Derby County Football Club. The Stadium, Training Ground, the quality of the playing staff and the young players coming through and of course the fan base that has remained loyal and supportive. Despite other offers I knew instinctively Derby County was the place for me. To be given the opportunity to follow the likes of Brian Clough, Jim Smith, Frank Lampard and Phillip Cocu is such an honour and I can promise everyone in involved in the club and all our fans, my staff and I will leave no stone unturned in achieving the potential I have witnessed over the last 12 months of this historic football club.
Derby confirm that “Rooney has elected to call time on his illustrious playing career to fully focus on his job.” It’s not been a bad one. Five Premier League titles, one European Cup, one Europa League, one FA Cup, three League Cups and a Club World Cup.
Afternoon, and thanks Tumaini. Klopp will be back at 4.10pm … at Newcastle. But he’s not been parachuted in to advise Steve Bruce. Nope. As Greg Wood flagged in Talking Horses, the five-year-old mare Klopp, ridden by Laura Pearson, runs in the Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap. Liverpool fans will be hoping for a good omen before the big one against Manchester United on Sunday.
That’s all from me today. Thanks a lot for following and I leave you in the hands of Gregg Bakowski.
Jürgen Klopp:
“Winning a football game and winning against United is enough. There’s no extra add-on in the game because they are in the situation they are. They’ve got the points, they deserve the points they have so far, and we have ours. The season still has a long way to go so it’s not really in it that we talk now constantly about ‘if we win, we are ahead of them again”.
“We don’t do that. We just try to win our football games and for this we need to perform at our highest level because United is good, they always were, and that’s it.”
Jürgen Klopp is speaking ahead of Liverpool’s big game with Manchester United and had this to say about players hugging:
It is a difficult one but we all know about the situation. The boys did so far an incredible job to be disciplined with all the things around the virus and pandemic. I know they will try to do their best. If there’s hopefully something to celebrate then it will bee in an appropriate way. But it is difficult.
“As I said before, it is instinct but it is really difficult. When you run alone towards the goal and have the opportunity to score and the next situation you have to think about what you do then, it’s a proper, proper challenge. Football is an emotional game and all these things.”
“What we should not forget in the discussion about this is that these players are tested two or three times a week. During the week, we reduce the contact to the minimum. These are the moments once, twice three times a week they have to concentrate mainly on the game. We will see and we will try like we always have. That is it.”
From yesterday, an interview with Marcus Rashford’s old Headteacher by Maya Wolfe-Robinson:
Ahead of their travels to Leicester City, Ralph Hasenhuttl reflected on Southampton’s 9-0 loss to Leicester in October 2019 and how his team has grown since then. [PA]
“As I said after the (9-0) game, this will always be part of our history, but the main interesting thing is how you write the history after this game and this is what makes me more proud to be honest,” the Southampton manager said.
“It was a game you lose when a man down after 10 minutes, what everybody forgets afterwards, but it is okay.
“This is part of our history, no problem, but afterwards I think of where we are now, which is the fact which makes me really proud.”
Southampton would go level on points with Leicester if they can pull off a win.
As English eyes focus on Sunday, the big game today is across Europe in Italy, where Roma will take on Lazio in the Rome derby.
This has been a tough season so far for Lazio, who sit in 8th and 12 points from the top. The new year has seen a slight turn in their fortunes with consecutive wins against Fiorentina and Parma. Regardless, it will take a lot to beat a Roma team that sits in third place and has been impressive, spearheaded by a resurgent Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Most of all, it is the type of match-up that will make us all miss crowds:
Not bad.
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has been named Premier League Manager of the Month for December. Villa had three wins and two draws.
Chelsea FC Women boss Emma Hayes said she tested positive Covid-19 in December (PA):
“I was OK. I was fortunate, I was fine.
“I’m grateful and I hope it doesn’t come and bite me in the backside at some other point.
“I was fed up of running away from Covid to be honest, so when I did get it, I felt like ‘OK, it’s here now. I’ve go to do everything I can so that it hopefully doesn’t wipe me out, and it doesn’t affect my parents and everybody else’.
“So I had an isolated Christmas, and that’s the least I could do to make sure nobody else got it.”
Lovely stuff from Yaya Toure on his career and becoming a coach.
“I wouldn’t say I was demanding as a player. I just saw the potential in my teammates and wanted them to be as comfortable as possible. That was something I learned at Barcelona: everyone is different. If you don’t talk with them and it’s only the manager giving information, you can’t make your teammate the best they can be. If they score a goal, it is a goal for all of you, so why not help them whenever you can?”
West Brom manager Sam Allardyce ahead of their upcoming game against Wolves (via PA):
“Derbies are about your passion and capabilities to play the game, and not the occasion.
“If the occasion overwhelms you then you can’t get a performance. But if you can use the derby to stimulate you, then you will get opportunities.
“We want to have the bragging rights and make our fans feel better on top of what we’re suffering at the minute, a little bit of joy during this period.
“Another three points would make such a difference, not just against our local rivals but it would take us to 11 points – double figures. We want to break the barrier, let’s see if we can.”
Auckland FC have pulled out of the Fifa Club World Cup, which appears to be going ahead during this pandemic. From the Fifa website:
“Following the withdrawal of Auckland City, the Fifa Club World Cup 2020 will be contested by Al-Duhail SC, Al Ahly SC, FC Bayern Munich, Ulsan Hyundai FC, Tigres UANL and the winners of the Conmebol Libertadores final scheduled for 30 January.”
Who was the last player to have such a transformative effect on a top team?
Here is Jacob Steinberg’s full piece on Fikayo Tomori and Milan.
Graham Potter on Brighton’s form and Marcelo Bielsa ahead of tomorrow’s game versus Leeds (via PA):
“I think we’ve probably had one game, or a game-and-a-half (this season), where we’ve not been ourselves,” said Potter. “Other than that, our performance level has been good.
“But if you don’t get the points there is criticism and pressure, and (people saying) you have to do something to get the wins. We know that. We are in a results business.
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“He’s [Bielsa] done amazing. It’s a massive club and they’ve been disappointing for a long time,” said Potter.
“They get back in the Premier League – it wasn’t easy but they’ve done it and they’ve done it well – and now they are bringing their own game to the Premier League, which is a credit to him and everybody there.”
Milan want to insert an option to buy Fikayo Tomori if they sign the Chelsea centre-back on loan this month. The Serie A leaders are looking to strengthen their defence this month and have opened talks over a deal for Tomori, who has fallen out of favour under Frank Lampard this season.
Scott Parker had plenty of nice things to say about his former teammate Frank Lampard ahead of Fulham’s match against Chelsea tomorrow at 5:30pm.
“(He had a) work ethic and a determination. (I have) massive respect for Frank as a footballer and the player he was,” Parker said.
“I was privileged enough to play with him but I’ve probably got more respect for a guy that had an unbelievable work ethic.
“He drove (himself) everyday in terms of his craft and wanting to get better and had a single-mindedness about him that got him the career he got.
“With those foundations and those abilities, I always knew that if that was a thing he wanted to go into in terms of management then he’d be successful because with those values you’ve always got a chance.
“So it doesn’t surprise me that he’s gone to Derby and does well and then gets the Chelsea job under tight restrictions last year in terms of what they had to go through and he did an incredible job with them. And the same this year really.”
This is the fourth time he has won. He hasn’t even been in England for a full year. This is quite a stat:
Marcelo Bielsa has defended Kiko Casilla, whose form has been under scrutiny recently. Last year, he was fined £60k and banned for eight matches after he was found to have racially abused Jonathan Leko of Charlton. (via PA)
“I fully trust in Kiko and I will do the utmost possible to help him,” said Bielsa, whose side will bid to bounce back in the Premier League against Brighton at Elland Road on Saturday.
“I think that the treatment he suffered ignores the fact that he played 40 games for Real Madrid.
“Apart from whether his performances were good or bad, we forget all the things he has done to get the team promoted.”
“People also don’t consider how he’s been treated publicly given the situation that he had to go through when he was suspended for eight games,” Bielsa said.
“I believe in him, his team-mates believe in him and we are close to him because we value him as a person and a footballer.
“We accept what people think of him in the media or people, but we know his past and we know his conditions and we care about him a lot as a human being.”
Leeds face Brighton at 3pm on Saturday.
Liverpool-United hasn’t yielded too many goals over the past 5 years. The head to head since January 2016: 3 wins for Liverpool, 2 wins for United and 6(!) draws. Of the 6 draws, half were 0-0 and the other half were 1-1.
Please do take a look at Guti’s assist for Zidane’s second goal here. Delightful.
Marcus Rashford gives Jose Mourinho credit for Manchester United’s many penalties.
Manchester United’s Leah Galton to Louise Taylor:
“Christen Press and Tobin Heath have changed minds and our mindset. They’ve brought a different, much more positive, mentality. They’ve given us belief and the confidence to keep pushing forward, to create and to take more chances. They’ve given me the confidence to shoot from outside the area.”
Here are 10 things to look out for ahead of another Premier League weekend.
Another postponement: Tomorrow’s scheduled Championship game between QPR and Wycombe Wanderers has been postponed after positive COVID-19 tests to some Wycombe players/staff.
Wycombe are supposed to face Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round in 10 days.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are breaking records.
Paul Pogba has given a couple of interviews over the last few days. An indication of how well things are going for him over the last couple of weeks.
Good morning! We are back for another Friday countdown as a packed Premier League weekend awaits. The biggest fixture of the weekend is very clear. Manchester United and Liverpool will reprise their rivalry in the top two spots on the table for the first time in a while when they face each other on Sunday, with the victor finishing the weekend top.
Aside from that, play will begin tomorrow around midday with a West Midlands derby between Wolves and West Brom, then West Ham vs Burnley, Leeds vs Brighton and a London derby between Fulham and Chelsea. Saturday will conclude with Leicester City vs Southampton.
Sunday will see Sheffield United vs Tottenham, Liverpool vs Manchester United, Manchester City vs Crystal Palace and finally Arsenal vs Newcastle. Aston Villa vs Everton has been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak at Villa. We go again.