ROBERTSON TO START AGAINST MAN CITY?

Since summer addition Andrew Robertson joined Liverpool, he has been decent in the role.


The player cost Jurgen Klopp £10 million as he moved from Hull City. He would be switching the role with Alberto Moreno, who remained at Anfield despite speculations that he was set to exit.

Against Crystal Palace, Robertson was one of the most dangerous players in attack especially in the first half. Though the team struggled to scrape past Palace, the left back showed decent quality. He proved that he could play long term in the role James Milner featured in last term.

Liverpool have had a perennial left back problem that many have tried to fill. Many like Paul Konchesky, Andrea Dossena, Emiliano Insua and Fabio Aurelio. The Scot can own the role with performances like that when he gets any chance.

The player still has a lot to learn but he showed he has the basic requirements. He would he sharing the slot with Moreno depending on Klopp’s plans, the game and their fitness levels – the heavy Arsenal victory is the most recentexample as Moreno played. With the quality in attack, Liverpool stand a decent chance at success this term but their defensive record is still woeful. Continue reading ROBERTSON TO START AGAINST MAN CITY?

BIGGEST MADRID DEFEATS IN RECENT HISTORY

After Real Madrid defeated their city rivals Atletico 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League, many feel the race is over and that little would change at the Vincente Calderon.


However, there have been big defeats against the Spanish side in history but the issue is if Atletico would be able to rise to the occasion.

The 2009 game against Liverpool in the Champions League Round of 16 easily comes to mind. Former Spurs coach Juande Ramos was in charge as Madrid sought to overturn a 1-0 defeat. Liverpool had Fernando Torres who was in form. He was a threat to the Madrid defence that had Sergio Ramos and Pepe in their prime. Steven Gerrard combined with the Spaniard to punish Fabio Cannavaro and the rest of the team. Andrea Dossena was on the scorers’ list alongside Gerrard who grabbed a brace on the night.

Real are arguably the most consistent side in recent European football history. There was a time not too long ago that Barcelona were the force to reckon with but Real seem to have picked up the baton. The 5-0 loss to their biggest rival in the 2010/2011 season remains one that would not be forgotten in a hurry. Coach Pep Guardiola andJose Mourinho clashed and the Catalan side were the victors in the La Liga game. Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, David Villa and Jefferson combined to humble the mighty Madrid.

Atletico did something similar in the league in 2014/15 as the defending champs defeated Madrid 4-0. Madrid were touted as the La Liga champions in waiting under manager Carlo Ancellotti but that failed to materialize as they crashed to Diego Simeone’s men. Continue reading BIGGEST MADRID DEFEATS IN RECENT HISTORY

RED LEGENDS FACE MADRID COUNTERPARTS

Liverpool FC Foundation charity match is set to bring some of the world’s biggest soccer stars together at Anfield on Saturday.


Both sides are two of the most successful in European history – with 16 European Cups and 50 League titles between them.

Both sides have met in different competitions in the past but this occasion is for charity and it is a repeat of the Corazon Classic of 2015. Reports say Steven Gerrard will appear for the first time since his retirement. He would play alongside legends like Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Luis Figo, Roverto Carlos, Jamie Carragher and others.

With the domestic football fixtures suspended for the international break, this offers some of the best excitement over the weekend. Both sides have met a few times in history, on the pitch and during contract talks.

The Reds won the European Cups of 1977 and 1978 but met Madrid in 1981in Paris. Liverpool emerged victors after the sole goal of Alan Kennedy.

Whilst Robbie Fowler was one of the biggest Liverpool stars in the 90s, the 1999 incident surely made his infamous compared to the exploits of McManaman. The highly-talented midfielder left the club controversially though to Madrid after the club allowed his contract run down in its last season. Continue reading RED LEGENDS FACE MADRID COUNTERPARTS

Giampiero Ventura comments on Italy Competition Kick-Off Time

Giampiero Ventura reckons that the tier-one competition in Italy this year kicked off a week or two later than it should ideally have.


As per Ventura, the main reason of the defeat at the hands of France in what was his debut game as the Italy coach earlier in the summer was that the players had not had too many top tier games under their belt ahead of that game.

If they had had played some more games, maybe two if not more, for their clubs by that time, they would have handled France better and would not have been beaten as comprehensively as they were.

In the words of Ventura, “The first interaction that I had with the team was a day before the France game, just a day before; I had no interaction before that and we were going to go into that game with not much exposure in the league either. So, you can understand.” Continue reading Giampiero Ventura comments on Italy Competition Kick-Off Time

MILNER SET FOR LEFT BACK ROLE AGAINST LEICESTER

Liverpool haven’t not gotten a replacement to take on the left back role in the squad, so James Milner is set to continue in the role as Liverpool continue their quest for Premier League title under Jurgen Klopp.


The defence has hampered the Reds for many years, and the experiment continues.

Alberto Moreno was very poor in the first half of the first game against Arsenal, drawing criticisms from all corners. The game angered many, as they remembered his inept showing when Liverpool lost out on a major silverware against Sevilla in the Europa League.

Klopp had to place James Milner in the role as the criticism went off the room. He defended his decision to use him, yet removed him to place Milner. Milner couldn’t do much to stop the attacks as the Reds painfully lost their second game to Burnley, the new Premier League entrant. The myriad of players that have played the role since John Arne Riise have not been able to fit into his shoes. Julian Dicks, Gregory Vignal, Christian Ziege, Andrea Dossena, Jose Enrique, Aly Cissokho and co, have tried at various point but none could fit Riise’s shoes or Fabio Aurelio’s.
Continue reading MILNER SET FOR LEFT BACK ROLE AGAINST LEICESTER

LIVERPOOL LEFT BACK PROBLEM REMAIN UNSOLVED

The lack of a sterling Left Back affected Liverpool when they lost the Europa league final to Sevilla.


The reason for the loss was a collective poor performance but the position was one the opposition used to terrorize the defence and it was naturally blamed after the loss. Even popular Pundit and former player Jamie Carragher tweeted that the coach Jurgen Klopp or the transfer committee to get another capable left back.

The players are set to return to training on Saturday for the pre-season plans, especially those not on national team duty at the Euro 2016 or Copa America.

The team is set to play their first friendly on Friday July 8 against Tranmere. New signings Joel Matip, Marko Grujic, Loris Karius and Sadio Mane are likely to join the team in training, if not play at the friendly. The major concern going into the new campaign is the fact that a Left Back is missing. Alberto Moreno is favoured to continue but the plan of the management to sign Leicester City’s 19-year old Ben Chilwell doesn’t sit well with the fans. Moreno, 24, seems a better option with his pace, ball control and attacking prowess.
Continue reading LIVERPOOL LEFT BACK PROBLEM REMAIN UNSOLVED