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Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has provided a two-word response on Instagram to a post by the

/B6Atp81Fg65/” data-lasso->club’s official account following the news that manager Jurgen Klopp had signed a new deal to stay at Anfield until 2024.

The Rangers boss simply wrote “love it” following the confirmation that the German will be staying on Merseyside for at least another four-and-a-half years, following a stunning couple of years at the helm.

Liverpool are of course currently eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table having won 15 of their 16 top flight matches so far this term, while they are once again into the knockout stages of the Champions League and could win the FIFA Club World Cup this week.

Meanwhile, Gerrard who has been tipped to become the Reds’ new manager in the future, only penned a new deal with the Scottish Premiership giants until 2024 himself today – I’m sure the conspiracy theorists will be out about that coincidence.

Whatever happens, it is clear that the club’s former captain is absolutely delighted to see the enigmatic 52-year-old remain in charge at Anfield.

In other Liverpool news, there is a major added bonus to the Reds agreeing a deal to sign Minamino…

Having put pen to paper on a new deal at Anfield in the build-up to the clash against Watford, Liverpool midfielder James Milner would have been cloud nine. His future at the reigning Champions League holders is secured for the time being, and he can simply look forward to winning as many trophies as he can.

The one thing that perhaps has worked against in his time in the Premier League, is his versatility. The 33-year-old has played in a variety of different positions, with goalkeeper and centre-back appearing to be the only notable absences in his repertoire according to Transfermarkt. And on Saturday lunchtime, the veteran was asked to fill in at left-back once again, with first-choice Andy Robertson being left on the bench as Jurgen Klopp tried his best to keep players as fresh as possible for the busy Christmas schedule.

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And whilst he has played there 45 times already, he struggled somewhat against the Hornets, with Ismaila Sarr’s pace and trickery giving him a tough defensive test. But perhaps surprisingly, it was his game going forward that let him down the most. As per Sofascore, he failed to complete both of his attempted crosses, and lost possession 13 times over the course of the game. After seeing his disappointing display, Liverpool fans took to Twitter to voice their frustrations with the 33-year-old.

A couple of fans criticised him for his positional sense when playing at left-back, with one supporter in particular lambasting it as simply “horrible”.

Another couple of Reds supporters felt Milner was sleeping, and urged him to wake up and step up the intensity.

At 33, and not in his natural position, Milner simply does a job whenever he’s asked to play at left-back. Klopp will surely be aware it’s not a particularly long-term solution, and the fact he had to bring on Robertson during the second-half appeared to under-line the veteran’s struggles. But having gotten the win, that is all that will matter to the Liverpool boss.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are interested in signing this ace who shone against them in the Champions League.

According to Italian media outlet Corriere della Sera [via Insidefutbol], Watford could lose young striker Luis Suarez to Serie A side Lazio and, given his form on loan at Real Zaragoza this season, the Hornets should be hopeful that this move doesn’t come to fruition in the summer.

Corriere della Sera added [via Insidefutbol] that Suarez is one of many attacking options that the Italian side are looking to pursue and minor discussions have gone on between Lazio and Watford’s owner Giampaolo Pozzo. However, as it stands, the forward will return to the Premier League side.

Suarez has yet to play for the Hornets but clearly has an eye for the net as he is currently enjoying his spell at Real Zareagoza in the Spanish second tier, for whom he has scored 17 goals whilst also picking up three assists in 30 appearances, per Transfermarkt.

The Colombian is only 22 and is currently getting some great experience abroad, and with Watford’s two main strikers Andre Gray and Troy Deeney 28 and 31 respectively, the club need younger strikers like Suarez to be part of the team in the future.

It would be a big risk to let the player go, with a good finisher being very expensive in today’s transfer market, and so the Premier League side should look to keep him for now, especially if Serie A title contenders Lazio are interested in the player.

Watford fans, would you like to see Suarez given a chance in the Premier League? Comment below with your views!

Manchester City were reportedly willing to break their transfer record to sign Benfica defender Ruben Dias until the outbreak of coronavirus forced a rethink.

The print edition of Portuguese newspaper Record claimed [via Sport Witness] that the Premier League champions were prepared to spend €100m (£89.57m) on the 23-year-old to trigger his release clause, with Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira declaring that he could have sold two of the club’s players for that amount this summer before the impact of COVID-19 on football clubs’ finances.

Had Manchester City signed him for that amount, it would have been the most expensive acquisition for a player in their history, trumping the current record of £62.6m for Rodri from last summer.

Dias has been ever-present in a Benfica side with the best defensive record in the Portuguese top flight this season, conceding just 14 goals in 24 league matches. He has also chipped in with three goals for the Eagles so far in 2019/20.

The Portugal defender is often composed in possession, with an 88.8% passing accuracy rate, while he averages 2.1 successful headers, 1.3 successful tackles and 2.8 clearances per game (via WhoScored) – beating most of Manchester City’s current centre-back options for those metrics.

The centre of defence is a position where Pep Guardiola has had difficulties this season. Aymeric Laporte has been injured for most of the campaign while both Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones have faced criticism from pundits and supporters respectively over their performances. Indeed, veteran midfielder Fernandinho has been shunted into a centre-back role throughout the season to fill the void.

Manchester City also have the option of teenager Eric Garcia in that position, although the 19-year-old has been the subject of transfer enquiries from Barcelona, as claimed by ESPN.

Considering Dias’ fine record this season and Manchester City’s central defensive woes, the Benfica man would have seemed the perfect addition for the Etihad Stadium outfit this summer were it not for the impact of coronavirus on the transfer market.

Now that the Portugal defender seems out of reach, it has become increasingly important to hold on to Garcia, who has been lauded by many City supporters for his performances so far and who has posted some impressive statistics whenever he has played in the Premier League this season.

Man City fans, how big a blow it is to miss out on Dias? Does that make it all the more vital that they keep Garcia this summer? Share your views in the comments section below!

Key information about Fratton Park

Fratton Park has been Portsmouth FC’s home since the club was founded in 1898, which speaks to the rich history and the sheer importance of the ground. Interestingly enough, the stadium is uniquely the only one in English professional football that is not on the mainland island of Great Britain and is instead built on Portsea Island.

At the moment, Fratton Park has enough space to seat 20,688 people, however, currently that figure has been reduced to 19,670 for health and safety reasons. The pitch size is 115m x 73m with a semi-artificial hybrid based surface and it does not include a running track.

The record attendance stands at 51,385 which was recorded vs Derby County on 26 February 1949.

A history of Fratton Park

As was already mentioned, Fratton Park has been the home of Portsmouth FC ever since the club was founded back in 1898 and the first-ever friendly to be played at the ground was against Southampton. Of course, the stadium was upgraded and renewed multiple times over the years.

The first important changes were made in 1920 when the club opened a new main stand which was designed by the ever-present Archibald Leitch. That stand, called South Stand, is still in use to this day and is known as the oldest one on the ground. It houses the dressing rooms for the squads, a boardroom and all the offices.

The north stand, which is still in use today as well, was added in 1930 as the stadium was once again improved. In 1997, the Fratton end, the home of the club’s noisiest section of supporters, was first demolished and then rebuilt to become a new all-seater stand and around ten years after that, the smaller Milton End finally got a roof of its own for the very first time.

There have been multiple other plans to redesign or even build an entirely new ground over the years but the club’s financial situation has prevented them from ever materialising. The stadium reached its peak with a reported 51,385 fans in attendance in 1949 during an FA Cup fixture with Derby County.

Tickets to watch Portsmouth FC at Fratton Park

The tickets to watch Portsmouth FC at Fratton Park can be purchased on the club’s official website and are not too expensive. The price, however, varies depending on the section of the ground the fans want to be located in and whether you’re buying home or away tickets. Generally, the most expensive ticket for the home side is £40 and an extra £2 is added if the ticket is bought on matchday.

Of course, they also offer season tickets to fans and as always, those are limited to a certain number and can be purchased online or via phone by calling the Ticketmaster. The early bird price for adults is £389 while the full price is £439.

Related Links

https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/ – Official website of Portsmouth FC

https://www.eticketing.co.uk/pompeyfc/ – Portsmouth FC Ticket Office

The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has revealed that Leeds “like” Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, amid speculation over a move for a goalkeeper this summer.

What’s the word?

Despite confirmation arriving that the Whites had signed Illan Meslier on a three-year deal after a successful loan spell at Elland Road this season, there have still been reports claiming they are interested in signing another shot-stopper.

Is it Haaland Snr or David Hopkins? Your Leeds knowledge will be put to the test with this quiz…

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ESPN had revealed that Leeds, along with Everton, are keeping tabs on Manchester United’s number two Sergio Romero, but now, Hay has claimed on Twitter that Marcelo Bielsa’s side also like the look of Martinez.

The Gunners keeper has taken over the number one spot at the Emirates in the absence of the injured Bernd Leno, and so it remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta will allow the Argentine to leave this summer.

Bielsa’s perfect signing

Whilst Meslier has done a fantastic job in between the sticks for Leeds, and has arguably been one of their biggest unsung heroes, there can be no question that Martinez would represent an upgrade for the Whites.

The Argentine has been outstanding for Arsenal in both the Premier League and the FA Cup in recent weeks, and it’s been no surprise to hear Arteta waxing lyrical about the 6 foot 4 man.

He said: “Well, in terms of Emi’s character and his goalkeeping ability, I didn’t have any question marks. The way he trains every day, behaves and has been behaving since he’s been at the club is phenomenal.

“He was a question mark over how he was going to do because he didn’t have any Premier League experience and how he can deal with that game after game, and he’s shown that he’s more than ready to do it. He’s earned his place now, he’s doing really well and he’s playing with a lot of confidence. In key moments he’s been really helpful and he needs to continue to do that.”

In fact, according to Squawka Football, Martinez has the best save percentage of any goalkeeper in the top-flight this season, and is the only man to be above 80%. He is equally proficient with the ball at his feet, and if Leeds are planning on playing Bielsa-ball in the Premier League, then having someone like the 27-year-old will be important.

He has a 90% passing accuracy for those made inside his own half, and has committed absolutely no errors that have either led to a goal or even a shot. If Leeds want a pair of safe hands who is the archetypal modern goalkeeper, then Martinez is absolutely that man.

Manchester United are undoubtedly going to be one of the most interesting teams to keep an eye on this summer.

The Red Devils are often big spenders in the Premier League, and it looks as though they’re likely to bring in some more big names this summer with the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Jadon Sancho linked.

However, one former United player believes they should be taking advantage of the free-agent market.

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Indeed, Owen Hargreaves said earlier this week on BT Sport (via Goal) that he believes United should be in for Mario Mandzukic this summer.

“Maybe you go and get Mario Mandzukic on a free, a different type of centre-forward,” the pundit said.

“Defensively they’re one of the better teams in the Premier League but in terms of goalscoring they were well behind Liverpool and Man City.

“So you could do with a 20-goal goalscorer but I think I’d take Jadon [Sancho] first and then maybe get Mandzukic on a free.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s front-three has the potential to be deadly, especially if they land a player such as Dembele or Sancho, but it does seem a bit one-dimensional due to the fact they have so many players with similar attributes.

Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood are all fast, tricky players that like to move the ball quickly and run at defenders, but if you come up against a team that can match that sort of speed and utilise an effective offside trap, they can come unstuck.

Mandzukic is a 6 ft 3 veteran forward who won 2.9 aerial duels per game during his last season with Juventus, and he can also operate either on the winger or as a central striker.

Not only that, but he has experience of playing at the highest level, appearing in three Champions League finals turning out for Bayern, Juventus and Atletico Madrid, finding the net in the 2017 final with a spectacular bicycle kick.

That sort of experience will certainly be a welcomed addition to a squad that is full of stars that are still emerging.

The Manchester United manager would certainly be wise to take this advice on board.

One of Aston Villa’s summer signings is reportedly set to snub a move away in favour of staying in the Midlands, but it only goes to show the financial disaster that Jesus Garcia Pitarch ruled over during his time at the club…

What’s the word?

According to Fotomac (via Sport Witness), newly-appointed Trabzonspor manager Eddie Newton wants Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba in the Super Lig next season.

It’s claimed that the Zimbabwe international is a top priority for the 48-year-old Englishman but the player would like to remain in the Premier League.

Despite this, the Turkish outfit are set to try and convince the 26-year-old over a move before submitting an official offer.

Suso’s disaster

Nakamba may have featured 34 times for Villa in all competitions last term but he hardly set the ground alight in his specialised anchorman role – per WhoScored, he averaged just 1.9 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 0.4 key passes per game, via WhoScored.

The Villans spent around £11m to secure the midfielder from Club Brugge over a year ago, handing him a £55k-per-week contract, which means around £14.25m has been wasted in the past year.

A week earlier, the club had already moved for Man City talent Douglas Luiz, so did Suso really need to push for another defensive-minded midfielder? Especially given the fact that neither of them had Premier League experience under their belt.

It’s merely another example of the disastrous spending spree at the hands of the Spaniard – many at Villa Park can count their lucky stars that he’s been replaced ahead of the new campaign.

His signings weren’t ready for their maiden PL bow – as evident in their relegation fight – and they simply can’t allow that to happen a second time around.

In reality, if Villa can recoup most of what they paid for Nakamba, then they should probably look to offload him this summer.

AND in other news, Aston Villa cant afford to fall into the same trap as they eye PL OUTCAST…

Reports linking Kalidou Koulibaly to Manchester United are once again doing the rounds on social media. 

Koulibaly, 29, has been touted to make a move to the Premier League on more than one occasion at some point in his career so far.

The Napoli centre-back has been described as one of the best defenders in world football, so it’s perhaps hardly surprising Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still interested in signing the colossus in the summer.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, as cited by Sport Witness, the Red Devils have renewed their interest in the 33-cap Senegal international.

The Italian publication claims Napoli have overspent somewhere in the region of €180m between January and July, which means Gennaro Gattuso’s side now need to recoup €150m before the transfer window shuts, and they face an uphill struggle to get the job done in time.

Man United are reportedly ready to pay €70m (£62m) for the Senegalese captain, which is an offer that “cannot be refused,” given the current circumstances.

The report went on to add he will “eventually move to England” if there are “no new negotiations” with potential suitors, including local rivals Manchester City, who have also registered their interest in the defender.

Aggressive, quick and confident on the ball, the Senegal centre-back cuts an imposing figure at the back, which may make him the perfect partner for Harry Maguire, as Victor Lindelof has never looked particularly convincing alongside the club captain, while Eric Bailly has hardly featured at all since making a full recovery from injury.

This is surely an opportunity too tempting to ignore, as the Red Devils will relish the chance to get the better of their closest rivals.

United fans, do you think Ed Woodward should sign Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer? Let us know down below!

Craig Hope has revealed on his official Twitter page that Martin Dubravka may be out injured for six to eight weeks, according to the coach of Slovakia.

The Daily Mail journalist has confirmed the “huge blow” to Newcastle United, who may also be without strikers Dwight Gayle and Joelinton for the start of the new 2020/21 season.

However, the likely absence of Dubravka at least for the first few games will surely hurt Steve Bruce and the members of the Toon Army.

The goalkeeper was voted as the Tyneside club’s player of the year after a relatively impressive 2019/20 campaign that saw him rack up 11 clean sheets in 39 matches in all competitions, including playing in every single minute of the Premier League term, as per Transfermarkt.

It means that the Magpies will now have to rely on Karl Darlow and Mark Gillespie as the only ‘keeper options available to Bruce, with the latter a new signing from Scottish team Motherwell (via the website) and will surely need time to settle in and adapt to life at St. James’ Park.

Whether this means that the English manager will now go in and try to get another player between the sticks as cover is another question, but the injury to Dubravka has certainly not helped his plans going into the next season.

The 31-year old very much established himself as Bruce’s number one by playing in every minute of the top flight in the last campaign, and by winning the player of the year award, the Slovakian international cemented himself as an important part of the side.

Geordies, how much of a blow is losing Dubravka? Comment below!