If Arsenal fans want to catch an early glimpse of a potential replacement for Bacary Sagna, they will have to stay up until 2:00am to watch Japan’s World Cup opener against the Ivory Coast. Japan’s Atsuto Uchida has been recently earmarked as the man to fill the Frenchman’s boots at the Emirates. He has become a key figure in Schalke’s side since signing for them in 2010, and is another player in the line of Japanese internationals who have moulded their careers in the Bundesliga.
Upon arrival in Germany, Uchida used English to communicate with his colleagues, so the language barrier won’t be a tough one for him to overcome if he were to join the Gunners. Over time he has become an increasingly popular member of the side, with fans and players alike, and was inducted into the Bundesliga’s website Team of the Season.
Uchida’s inclusion in the Arsenal side would be an attacking one. He often takes up positions high up the right flank, which is similar to the way in which Wenger often sets his full-backs up to play. He doesn’t have great speed, and neither does Sagna, but his work-rate and supreme levels of fitness allow him to bomb on and provide support in attacking areas.
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He isn’t as defensively astute as his French counterpart, and is neither as physically dominant. While Sagna was able to fill in at centre-half because of his strength, Uchida is more lightweight, and the Gunners wouldn’t be getting a player with the same level of versatility as Sagna. While Uchida is a hard-working and committed player, many of his efforts are weighted towards his attacking contribution, and has such been found wanting defensively, on occasions.
He may not be the ideal replacement for Sagna – he lacks the all-round ability – but Wenger loves his players to display attacking intent. Uchida has this in abundance. So Gonners, if you’re keen, stay up late to see for yourselves.
Tom Cleverley is said to be part of the list of players that Louis van Gaal is considering giving the boot after he failed to make an impact ahead of the new campaign. Aston Villa have already tabled a bid to sign the English midfielder and a deal could be struck in the coming days with the deadline slowly closing in.
With Cleverley likely to leave, Manchester United will definitely be on the lookout for some extra reinforcements that could easily slot into his role in the middle of Van Gaal’s starting XI.
Shunning the more high profile signings such as Arturo Vidal, Kevin Strootman and William Carvalho (we’ve already heard enough about them) here are SIX players that could step in to replace Tom Cleverley.
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CLICK ON DALEY BLIND TO SEE THE FULL LIST
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Jordy Clasie
//www.youtube.com/embed/YA2BETCxIpg
Name: Jordy Clasie
Age: 23
Position: Central Midfielder
Nationality: Netherlands
Club: Feyenoord Rotterdam
Price: £7-10million
Jordy Clasie looks to be the perfect replacement for Tom Cleverley in central midfield because Manchester United are currently lacking a fast-paced talent to be the link between the defenders and the more advanced playmakers, in this case Juan Mata.
Despite scoring only one goal, he did manage to create eight goals, supporting the fact that Clasie can be the second playmaker United currently need. Having already worked under Louis van Gaal, the Dutch boss will know exactly how to get the best of him.
Nigel de Jong
//www.youtube.com/embed/DeLetReQFBY
Name: Nigel de Jong
Age: 29
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Nationality: Netherlands
Club: AC Milan
Price: £8–12million
Manchester United are currently going through a midfield crisis, so by using Nigel de Jong ahead of Tom Cleverley, the squad will be reinforced both in defence as well as in attack. The Dutch midfielder is capable of stopping opponent plays in their tracks and works the ball down the opposite side hoping to catch teams on the counter.
With the speed of Angel di Maria now a possible outlet, Louis van Gaal can fully exploit his ability to turn defence into attack. Given the 3-5-2 formation, De Jong can easily slot into a more central midfield role having already experienced it first hand with the Dutch national team.
Joe Allen
//www.youtube.com/embed/bZFvIs_6nVA
Name: Joe Allen
Age: 24
Position: Central Midfielder
Nationality: Wales
Club: Liverpool
Price: £15-20million
Joe Allen is another candidate that can aid Manchester United’s midfield crisis, but the only problem with this potential move is the fact that Liverpool hardly ever sells their players directly to the Red Devils.
Louis van Gaal is said to already be monitoring the likes of Allen and has been interested ever since he saw him play for the Welsh national team during his time in charge of the Netherlands squad. His passing and vision could come in handy given the lack of creativity at Old Trafford.
Daley Blind was linked with a move to Manchester United ever since Louis van Gaal was still in charge of the Dutch national squad. However, when everybody focussing on Arturo Vidal, any other transfer rumours were quietly pushed aside. As a move for the Juventus star likely to not happen before Monday, United are now turning back to the like of Blind.
The addition of Blind will be a huge boost to Van Gaal because he can fit into all the area the team needs work on. He can play as a centre-back, a left wing back, and even as a midfielder, meaning the Red Devils can solve three positional problems in one go.
Alex Song
//www.youtube.com/embed/b8khiA5Io1s
Name: Alex Song
Age: 26
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Position: Defensive Midfielder
Nationality: Cameroon
Club: Barcelona
Price: £10-13 million
Alex Song is almost surely on the verge of leaving Barcelona after Luis Enrique revealed that he will not feature in his plans for the new campaign. His move to the La Liga completely halted his career after he hardly got any game time following his move from Arsenal.
His defensive as well as attacking qualities are surely there; just that he hasn’t had any time to showcase them. With Manchester United needing to add some holding midfielders to the squad before deadline day, the experience of Song could be just the thing they need. Plus, a potential linkup with Robin van Persie once again will be hard on the eyes for any Gunners fan.
Wesley Sneijder
//www.youtube.com/embed/nQJvmyAxs_Q
Name: Wesley Sneijder
Age: 30
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Nationality: Netherlands
Club: Galatasaray
Price: £14-18million
Wesley Sneijder is probably the most attacking option out of all the names mentioned, but given his experience, Louis van Gaal may revert him into a more central role, but allowing him to slot into attacks when the opportunity arise. He can instantly replace Tom Cleverley, who hasn’t found any decent form as of late in the heart of the Manchester United midfield.
Much like how Liverpool limited Steven Gerrard’s duties in midfield, Sneijder can be given a very similar role to that of the Red’s skipper. He could serve as a deep lying playing, capable of unleashing a killer pass to the strikers, or to other attacking outlets such as Angel Di Maria or Juan Mata.
Liverpool welcome Champions League football back to Anfield for the first time since 2010 this season.
But their European adventure will be no easy ride – they find themselves in Group B with reigning champions Real Madrid, Swiss banana-skins FC Basel and unknown quantity PFC Ludogrets.
There isn’t too much time for Brendan Rodgers to react either, with only four days of the summer window remaining. But the Reds gaffer will be keen to maintain his club’s prestigious reputation in the tournament and there are some deals to be had before September 1st.
Just in case Rodgers is short on a few ideas, we’ve listed FIVE last-minute buys Liverpool could conceivably make to improve their chances of escaping Group B.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON ALEX SONG TO REVEAL
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DANI ALVES
A speculative theory perhaps, but could we see Liverpool make a late bid for Barcelona right-back Dani Alves?
The Anfield side have already been linked to the Brazil international this summer, with the La Liga giants announcing a deal for Sao Paolo wing-back Douglas yesterday evening:
That seriously puts the 31 year-old’s future in doubt. Coincidentally, Glen Johnson is a potential late Merseyside departee, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season and QPR emerging as potential suitors.
Alves may be no spring chicken but his quality is undoubted. His ability to contribute heavily in attack has been a major feature of the Barcelona side that’s won four La Ligas and two Champions League titles since his Catalonia arrival in 2008.
Here’s a look at the right-back in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/eBmXIPek4JU?rel=0
The South American would fit Liverpool’s fluid style perfectly and Barcelona are unlikely to command a huge transfer fee, with Alves now viewed as essentially surplus to requirements.
But his age could prove an issue for the Reds- as could the Nou Camp outfit’s two-window transfer ban.
ALEX SONG
Another Barcelona star known to be in Liverpool’s transfer crosshairs is defensive midfielder Alex Song:
The Reds are crying out for another holding option in the middle of the park, especially amid rumours that Lucas Leiva could be on his way to Napoli.
The Cameroon international fits the bill perfectly- he’s no world-beater but is well proven at Premier League and Champions League level, having amassed 217 appearances during a seven-year stay with Arsenal. In his last top flight campaign, Song claimed an impressive eleven assists, and his experience in Europe could prove vital for the Anfield outfit next season.
Here’s a look at Song in action for the Gunners:
//www.youtube.com/embed/b8khiA5Io1s?rel=0
Most appealingly, Barcelona are preparing to cut loose the 6 foot 2 midfielder this summer, having failed to forge a place for himself in the first team after leaving the Emirates in 2012.
Allegedly, the 26 year-old will be allowed to leave on a loan deal, including an £8million future fee to make his move permanent.
That’s the kind of deal Liverpool can’t let slip by – but they face competition for Song’s signature from a number of Premier League sides:
SAMI KHEDIRA
There’s only four days left of the summer transfer window but it remains to be seen what the future holds for Real Madrid man Sami Khedira.
Carlo Ancelotti declares the Germany World Cup winner will be staying put at the Bernabeu, but it’s known that he rejected a new contract this summer with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.
Khedira was linked with an Anfield switch earlier this month, and recent developments could convince Brendan Rodgers to make a formal bid.
Not least because the 27 year-old is considered to be one of the top midfielders in Europe, having played a key role in his country’s romping of Brazil 2014, as detailed below:
Here’s a look at the Manschaft engine in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/RetIjHKY6pA?rel=0
It’s believed Los Blancos could be tempted to sell for around £15million, but the situation may have changed now that Xabi Alonso is on the verge of signing for Bayern Munich:
XHERDAN SHAQIRI
According to the tabloids, Liverpool are set to revive their interest in Bayern Munich prodigy Xherdan Shaqiri:
The attacking midfielder has proved a useful cameo performer for the German Champions following his move from FC Basel in 2011, finding six goals and two assists in 17 Bundesliga outings last season.
The Switzerland international was in strong form at the World Cup too, as detailed below:
But having a world-class roster to contend with for a regular place in the Bavarians first team, the 22 year-old is concerned that his progress is being stifled at the Allianz Arena.
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A departure before September 1st is now widely expected, and Shaqiri’s mixture of power and technique, as shown in the video below, would certainly go down well on Merseyside:
//www.youtube.com/embed/tvXakNsBBSQ
It’s believed the midfielder is rated at around £15million, but the Reds face stiff competition for his signature from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.
ANDRE AYEW
I find it miraculous that there appears to be incredibly limited interest in Andre Ayew this summer, despite the winger entering the final year of his contract at Marseille.
But plenty of clubs, including Liverpool, are in need of a wide-man who can score goals so perhaps we’ll see a few more suitors emerge from the wood-work before deadline day.
The Ghana international has emerged as Ligue 1’s most potent wideman over the last few seasons, amassing an impressive 49 goals and 16 assists in 164 appearances for L’OM. He was in good form at the World Cup too, as detailed below:
Ayew isn’t the most conventional winger but he’s strong defensively, versatile and a real threat in the final third. As viewable in the below video, he’s also outrageously good at heading:
//www.youtube.com/embed/0gIZogfsorU?rel=0
The Liverpool squad currently lacks established options on the flanks but the 24 year-old could be the perfect remedy.
It’s believed he’s valued at around £10million, but QPR may have already beaten the Mersey outfit to the Black Stars assassin:
West Ham United’s last game against Burnley highlighted a few differences between where they are this season and where they were last season. For anyone that saw the game it was clear to see that the Hammers rode their luck at times and didn’t perhaps play to a very good standard -had they been up against better opposition, things might have turned out very differently.
Lucky crossbar deflections aside, it is the way in which West Ham went about winning the game that made the difference compared to last season, where they would no doubt have ended up losing or drawing the same game.
On the whole, their performances this season have seen a massive improvement with a more attacking style of play to their game alongside the traditional West Ham “on the floor” passing which is quite pleasing to the fans. However their performance on Saturday (especially in the first half) was quite poor and it left them vulnerable against a Burnley side that were still searching for their first Premier League victory of the season.
The first thing that became apparent from West Ham last Saturday, and on several occasions so far this season, was the way they set out their stall. Rather than turning up to an away game with a view of keeping a clean sheet at all costs and playing for the point, Sam Allardyce told his team to take the initiative and attack, to try and actually win the game.
It is this winning mentality that has had the biggest impact on the player’s confidence and psychological set up on the whole -they are not playing with fear of losing, rather they are doing what ever it takes to secure three points.
The first thing that becomes evident with this new approach is less clean sheets and more goals scored on average when compared to last season. A big reason for West Ham finding themselves in trouble in the last campaign was the amount of games that were drawn that could, and probably should, have been victories. Because Allardyce was so hell-bent on a defensive record to be proud of and sitting back to ensure that a point is salvaged from a game, it saw the Hammers failing to do much at the other end of the pitch in the amount of goals they scored.
This time around however, seeing as they now have the right type of players to conduct a game in the traditional attacking and entertaining fashion- added to the ability to score goals -they have a more relaxed approach to wanting that clean sheet and focus more on actually going out and out-scoring the opposition. The defensive philosophy has not been entirely lost, so much as integrated in their attacking style of play.
The biggest difference that was on show in their last match against Burnley was their reaction to Sean Dyche’s side pegging West Ham back to 2-1.Last season that would have had a 2-2 draw written all over it, the players would have sat back and tried in vein to defend a one goal lead with most of the second half remaining and would have inevitably crumbled under the pressure, leaving the fans frustrated while Allardyce satisfied.
However that was not the case this time around. West Ham went on the attack once more to find a third goal, which they ended up scoring via Carlton Cole, and sealed the three points for Allardyce’s men.
There is a big lack of fear in everything West Ham do at present, which has given everyone at the club a big confidence boost and an all important winning mentality. They will not give up the ghost even when they are having a bad day at the office, they will continue to attack well and make sure they do everything possible to win the game. Allardyce has confidence in his strikers and they have talented wing backs in Carl Jenkinson and Aaron Creswell who are providing a lot more attacking flair down the wings than the Hammers have been used to of late. West Ham are no longer content with just defending and earning a point.
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All of this combined is giving West Ham the cutting edge over last season’s dismal showing and it is why they are winning games like the one at Turf Moor rather than losing or drawing them.
Liverpool are confident of keeping iconic captain Steven Gerrard at Anfield, even though the midfielder is now free to talk to other clubs, according to reports from the Daily Mail.
The 34-year-old Reds skipper is now in the final six months of his contract with the Merseyside giants, which will allow him to discuss a potential Bosman switches to other interested sides.
There is already rumoured to be a queue in place for the veteran star – New York Red Bulls are one side linked with a swoop – but Liverpool are sure they will keep their local hero.
WANT MORE? >> Liverpool transfer news | Latest transfer news
Gerrard has been the club’s talisman for the best part of 15 years, yet his performances have been criticised in recent times, with his infamous slip against Chelsea last season a key moment as the Premier League title evaded the club.
A contract offer is believed to be on the table for ‘Stevie G’, yet Liverpool’s owners are reluctant to offer him the salary he currently earns, £140,000-per-week, given his advancing years.
Gerrard is set to return to Rodgers starting XI today against Leicester after sitting out the Swansea game, and when quizzed on whether he’s comfortable with the player’s situation, the Northern Irishman said:
“I think he’s earned that respect if he does (talk to other clubs).” He is quoted by the Daily Mail. “I’ve got a great relationship and communication with Steven. He’s a wonderful player, a wonderful servant to this football club, and in my time here he’s been brilliant for me.
“When I came in here two-and-a-half years ago, everyone asked if he could play my type of football or if his legs had gone. You’ve seen him over the last couple of years. He could have been player of the year last season.
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“I’m managing his game time. He understands my situation of picking the best team and making it fresh as often as we can.”
Despite the Mirror heavily linking Fabian Delph with a move away from Aston Villa in the January transfer window, the England international somewhat surprisingly stayed at the club and put pen to paper on a new and improved four-and-a-half year contract to keep him at Villa Park.
Although Delph showed the sort of loyalty that we don’t see to often with professional footballers these days, did the 25-year-old make the wrong call by staying at Villa? Not many players would shun the chance of joining a Liverpool or a Tottenham Hotspur at present, but that’s exactly what he did in January.
Instead, the box-to-box midfielder decided to stay in the Midlands and fight for Premier League survival. Since Delph signed his new contract at Villa Park, the Villans have lost all three subsequent league games, scoring just once in the process. They have dropped into the relegation zone, sacked Paul Lambert and appointed ex-Tottenham Hotspur interim manager Tim Sherwood – it’s all happening at Aston Villa. It’s fair to say that since the former Leeds man pledged his future at Villa Park, things haven’t exactly gone to plan.
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But in the wake of the managerial change at Villa, there certainly seems to be a renewed sense of optimism and hope surrounding the club. It was plain for all to see that Lambert just wasn’t the right man to take the Villans forward, and, in fact, they were going backwards at a worrying rate of knots.
Tim Sherwood will know it won’t be an easy task to keep Aston Villa in the Premier League, but he certainly talks a great game, and you know he’s sure to give 100% to the cause. The new Villa boss needs all of his senior players to now stand up and be counted – none more so than his stand-in skipper Delph – who has almost single-handedly dragged Villa out of the mire at times this season.
After picking up just one Premier League win in 11 games, they have dropped to 18th in the league table. The last time they tasted victory in the top flight was way back in early December when they saw off bottom-placed Leicester City 2-1 at Villa Park. Since then, they have only managed to score two goals, and have lost seven of those encounters.
Villa’s alarming slump makes you wonder whether Delph, who can undoubtedly play at one of the Premier League’s top clubs, may live to regret his loyal decision to stay at Villa Park. I suppose he’s loved at the club, and he would probably have been a small fish in a big pond elsewhere, which could have possibly swayed his decision to stay.
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It’s imperative for a club the size of Aston Villa that they not only survive the drop, but they kick on and start progressing going forward. And if one thing’s for sure, it’s that if Villa do stay up, you can guarantee that Fabian Delph would have had an awful lot to do with it – as Villa’s standout performer this season has become priceless to the club.
Despite finding themselves drawn against Ligue 1 underdogs AS Monaco in the last sixteen of the Champions League this season – perhaps the kindest tie possible out of the remaining teams left in the tournament – the Gunners somehow go into the second leg desperately clinging onto their European survival.
The Emirates Stadium faithful were certainly not expecting their side to win the entire competition hands down this season, as with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich still going about their business in full force, such a grand ambition would seem unlikely at best.
However, no one within the confines of north London ever expected Arsenal to finish the first match with a 3-1 deficit to the plucky French outfit either. Arsene Wenger’s determined team, which nevertheless includes some of the most high profile names in world football at the moment, simply failed to do themselves justice on the night and now seem to be on the verge of being unceremoniously chucked out of European club football’s most illustrious competition.
With Champions League judgement day fast approaching for the Gunners in their ever persistent attempts to restore their glory of old, should the Emirates faithful start preparing their excuses now for the seemingly inevitable heartache next week, or do Arsenal still in-fact remain possible contenders to prove everybody wrong and actually make it through to the next round?
On the surface it looks unlikely. For one reason or another, Arsenal always seem to shoot themselves in the foot when it comes to the Champions League with their latest debacle against Monaco acting as no exception. The French team certainly put in a spirited display but as Wenger’s forward line simply looked knackered the longer the game played out with his defence looking equally stretched and out of place at the back, the Gunners didn’t exactly put up the best of fights.
Wenger’s side now have to win by three clear goals to make it through to the next round, yet despite the backlash of the result labelling such a task as a seemingly impossible one, Arsenal nevertheless still have what it takes to perform an unquestionable miracle next week.
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For as good as the Gunners made them out to be in the first leg, Monaco remain a side that really should be getting turned over in a match like this. If they were in the Premier League, they would hardly be the most threatening proposition for Arsene Wenger to deal with and it’s this type of fearless mentality that his side need to take in to their next match.
They need to fight for the credibility that they have temporarily lost in this battle. Players were speaking to the press about winning the entire competition for their manager before their first match with Monaco had even kicked-off, which whilst proving admirable and commendable on the whole, turned them into a seemingly overconfident bunch in the run up to the ill-fated clash.
If the likes of Alexis Sanchez, and perhaps if he is deemed fit enough to play, Theo Walcott turn up on their very best game though, then the task of scoring three goals is made all the more do-able. With Danny Welbeck also in high spirits after his recent heroics in the FA Cup and the all-important Mesut Ozil affectively pulling the strings for his team-mates, Arsenal simply have to see this tie as a winnable one.
Yes – Wenger’s back four aren’t in the best of shapes at the moment, and yes, Monaco seemingly go into the next leg with one of the best defensive records recorded throughout the group stage, but this nonetheless remains a task that the Gunners can carry out. It’s just going to take some tenacity in front of goal that’s all.
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As Arsenal often fail to perform to their very best level week in, week out however, such psychological problems could invariably affect the team’s chances of progressing to the next round in the Champions League. It all depends on which of Wenger’s sides turn up on the night – the stylishly ruthless outfit that can seemingly put teams to the sword at will, or the nervous off-the-boil team that all too many times have let their manager down in recent years?
If the Gunners can effectively silence their critics for now however, and concentrate on just how winnable this draw appears to be on paper, Arsene Wenger has every honest reason to expect to be on the winning side of this dramatic match-up come the end of next week.
Arsenal’s toothless, pathetic, pointless, sad, tragic and demoralising performance against Monaco on Wednesday took us all by surprise.Let’s face it, even the biggest Arsenal haters expected the Gunners to brush aside what we all believed to be the weakest side left in the Champions League.But it wasn’t to be. Monaco turned up at the Emirates and took advantage of what has already been labelled as the worst performance of Arsenal’s 19 years in charge of the north London club.That said, despite the mountain Arsenal have to climb in order to reach the quarter-finals, a lot of Arsenal fans still believe they can do it. Monaco are a lot better away from home and Arsenal still have the ability to turn on the style and score goals for fun when they put their minds to it.But Infostrada Sports have been quick to dismiss any optimism Arsenal have of still overcoming Monaco by revealing that the Gunners’ chances of progressing have been reduced to just 1.5%. Ouch.
Arsenal fans right now…
And to prove just how unlikely it is for Arsenal to progress, here are things we’re more likely to witness happen instead…
Arsene Wenger successfully doing his zip up
https://vine.co/v/OF6lOqEDWxO/embed/simple
Abou Diaby making it through a training session
Football – Arsenal v Manchester United – Barclays Premier League – Emirates Stadium – 08/09 , 8/11/08Abou Diaby – Arsenal down injuredMandatory Credit: Action Images / Tony O’BrienNO ONLINE/INTERNET USE WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE FOOTBALL DATA CO LTD. FOR LICENCE ENQUIRIES PLEASE TELEPHONE +44 (0) 207 864 9000.
Not falling over on the platform in Liverpool
Telling the difference between Gibbs and Ox in a line-up
Getting in to the Emirates for less than £60
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Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Aston Villa last weekend has effectively rendered their season over.
All they’ve got to play for is for a spot in next season’s Europa League, even though they do still have a slim – albeit unlikely – chance of finishing in the top four.
Brendan Rodgers’ side caved in towards the end of last season as it look almost nailed on that they’d end their wait for a first ever Premier League crown. Since then, they’ve lost Luis Suarez to Barcelona, Daniel Sturridge to injury and wasted their money on a number of poorly thought out summer signings.
That resulted in the campaign they’re having now, which is a far cry from the ruthlessly attacking, title challenging Liverpool of last season.
Rodgers’ job is now being brought in to question. Can he go on as Reds boss? Well, earlier this week we asked Liverpool fans who they’d like to see in charge of their beloved club next season.
We gave them a list of potential managers – including Rodgers – and asked them to vote each one as a thumbs up or thumbs down.
467 fans took part and had their say. Here are the top five they voted for…
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5. Brendan Rodgers
Football – Liverpool v Arsenal – Barclays Premier League – Anfield – 21/12/14Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
So it’s not all anti-Rodgers in Merseyside.
All this talk of a potential Rodgers exit this summer may be a bit premature, and the Anfield faithful aren’t completely done with him yet.
That said, he’s been ousted by four other names, which doesn’t bode particularly well. I’ll stick my neck out and say he wouldn’t come out on top if we ran this exact poll last summer. Still, a year is a long time in football, isn’t it?
4. Carlo Ancelotti
He could be leaving Real Madrid this summer, which might just spark a bit of a free-for-all for his signature.
The former Chelsea boss won the Champions League with Real last season and is widely regarded as one of the best managers in the game. So it’s fair to say Liverpool could do a lot worse in trying to tempt him to Anfield should they feel it’s necessary to replace Rodgers.
But he’s still not the fans’ first choice, which is quite surprising.
3. Diego Simeone
An up and coming manager that guided an up and coming team to a league title (ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid) deserves all the credit he deserves.
Simeone appears to have taken to management like a duck takes to water, so it’s no surprise some of Europe’s top clubs are keeping a close eye on his success at Atletico Madrid.
And it’s even less of a surprise that Liverpool fans would love to see the Argentine in charge at Anfield in the not too distant future.
But tempting him from Spain may prove difficult, as a he signed a new five-year deal with Atletico recently.
Next…
2. Rafael Benitez
Football – SSC Napoli v Swansea City – UEFA Europa League Second Round Second Leg – San Paolo Stadium, Naples, Italy – 13/14 – 27/2/14Napoli coach Rafael Benitez Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul ChildsEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
A fairytale appointment, surely?
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The Spaniard was the mastermind behind that Champions League victory over AC Milan in 2005. That instantly gave him legend status at Anfield and he’d undoubtedly be welcomed back with open arms should he decide to go ‘home.’
And it’s not entirely out of the question, either. Benitez’s Napoli future is far from secure and he could well be looking for a new club this summer.
West Ham are thought to be in touch with him over replacing Sam Allardyce, but if Liverpool were to enter the equation there’d be no contest. Sorry, Hammers…
1. Jurgen Klopp
Of course he’s the fans’ number one choice. Who wouldn’t want the German in charge of their club?
Klopp announced last week that he’d be leaving Borussia Dortmund this summer, which has subsequently got scores of clubs across Europe assessing their managerial options. West Ham have reportedly been told to “do one” after approaching Klopp earlier this week, but surely Liverpool would have a better chance?
The sheer fact that Klopp is going to be available in the summer will probably have the Anfield hierarchy wondering whether it’d be worth giving Rodgers the chop in favour for a Klopp revolution.
We’ll have to wait and see, but Klopp is the fans’ choice and the club would be mad not to consider bringing him in…
This evening’s UEFA Champions League final is shaping up to be one for the ages. La Liga giants Barcelona will go up against Italian underdogs Juventus, who shockingly ousted Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
The two teams last met in the 2002-03 Champions League quarter-final, where Juventus won 3-2 on aggregate against a Barca side captained by current manager Luis Enrique.
Gianluigi Buffon was also playing in goal for The Old Lady that day, so needless to say Enrique will be looking for his side to carry out some vengeance against the Italian keeper.
This weekend’s final will match up one of Europe’s best offensive sides with one of the top defenses. Both Enrique and Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri are seeking the title in their first seasons with their respective clubs. The match is an opportunity for Barcelona to seal their reputation as the most formidable attackers in football, but also for Juventus to rock the Spanish boat with a strong defensive showing.
With so much to prove for both sides, here’s five things to watch for in the Champions League Final…
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A guaranteed treble
Both Barcelona and Juventus would complete the rare treble with a win on Saturday, having each won their respective League and Cup titles.
It would be the first treble for the Italians, and second for the Spanish club. No other team in history has ever achieved the treble twice.
No matter the result, history is in the making this year; it just depends who will put the icing on the cake.
More records for Messi?
Barcelona star Lionel Messi has gone his whole career being compared to Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
The two are currently tied for the most Champions League goals in history with 77 apiece.
A goal Saturday would push Messi to the top spot as well as make him the only player to have scored in three Champions League finals.
A missing piece for Juventus
You might hear a strange noise during the match: the growling of Luis Suarez’s stomach.
Juve star defender Giorgio Chiellini, whom Suarez famously bit during the 2014 World Cup, will sit out with a calf injury.
Andrea Barzagli will line up in place of Chiellini, but it will be his first return to competition since May 23 after being sidelined for muscular problems.
Sharing is caring for Barcelona
Messi isn’t the only problem The Old Lady has to worry about. Barca have developed a deadly three-pronged attack this season through the combination of Messi, Suarez and Neymar.
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The trio have accounted for 25 of Barcelona’s 28 Champions League goals. They don’t do it all on their own, however.
Eleven players on Enrique’s squad have contributed at least one assist this year, a nod to the team’s incredible work distribution.
Pogba on the prowl
Football – Singapore Selection v Juventus – National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub, Singapore – 14/15 – 16/8/14Paul Pogba – JuventusMandatory Credit: Action Images / Jeremy LeeEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Though often talked about as a defence-oriented team, Juventus have plenty offensive weapons of their own.
Among talents like Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez, midfielder Paul Pogba has emerged as the side’s key attacker.
The French youngster has already notched one goal and three assists in Juventus’ Champions League run, but his main strengths lie in the dribbling and long-range shooting which see him have an impact from pretty much anywhere on the pitch.