liverpool Archives - Dunda Football

May 11, 2023May 11, 2023

The exciting top-four race is shaping up.

Jurgen Klopp in a past training session with the boys. Liverpool have made a resurgence in a quest for a top-four spot.

The English Premier League top-four race is heating up, with at least eight clubs being mathematically involved in this exhilarating affair. Manchester City and Arsenal have already cemented their places in the top two positions as they chase down the title. Newcastle United is unpredictably sitting in 3^rd position with 65 points, while out-of-form Manchester United is sitting in 4^th place with 63 points. Liverpool has closed the gap by winning six games on the bounce. Meanwhile, Manchester United have lost seven crucial points in their last six league encounters.

Fighting for Champions League reputation

Three clubs are fighting hard to maintain their Champions League reputation. Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur are Champions League regulars who have represented England on several occasions on the big stage. Liverpool have won six UEFA Champions League titles, the most an English club has ever managed to win. Manchester United are three-time winners still craving the title they last won in 2008. Tottenham Hotspur reached the finals of 2019 after at least seven consecutive seasons in the competition.

These three English clubs are fighting for a top-four spot for the sake of their prestige of participating in the competition for several years. Although five points behind Liverpool, Tottenham have recently improved after Ryan Mason’s appointment as their head coach. With four games to go, Tottenham Hotspur is praying that they collect maximum points from their last games while other clubs slip for them to stand a chance of tasting the top-four spots.

Tottenham are set to play Aston Villa on 13th May, away at Villa Park. Both teams are scrambling for a European spot with only three points separating them. Photo Credits: Spurs Official

Merseyside’s might is back in the top-four race

A few game weeks ago, Liverpool were in eighth position, almost 9 points behind Manchester United. Their recent resurgence has seen them collect 18 points out of 18, winning six games on the bounce. During the same period, Manchester United have only managed 10 out of a possible 18 points. The setback has opened a way for Liverpool, who have been boosted by the return of long-term injured players Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz. The Merseyside side is now eyeing a top-four spot. Manchester United has a game in hand and can open the gap to four points with a win against Wolverhampton Wanderers this coming weekend.

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The underdogs craving for the piece of the cake

Brighton Hove Albion, and Aston Villa are considered underdogs who still believe they can still secure a chance in Europe’s elite club competition. With 55 and 54 points, the two clubs have been aiming for a European place by the end of the season. Although they are still mathematically in the race, the two clubs might have to settle for a Europa League spot with only a handful of matches left.

Above, Dan Burn celebrating their victory against Leicester City in a past match. Newcastle are currently in third place, almost certain of a Champions League spot next season. Photo Credits: Newcastle FC

The crucially top-four games

The following games will prove crucial in shaping the Premier League table. This weekend Newcastle United will be hosted at relegation-bound Leeds United. At the same time, Tottenham will have to face the impressive Unai Emery, who has witnessed a magnificent turnaround at Aston Villa. Manchester United will have to see off Wolverhampton Wanderers FC to try and reclaim their dwindling hopes of finishing in the top 4. Leicester City will host Liverpool at the King Power Stadium. The results from these matches will shape the table as the English Premier League enters its homestretch point.

Africa/Editor's Pick/Popular/Premier League

January 5, 2021

What the numbers say. Rashford – Mane comparison

by marina

Rashford - Mane comparison for Premier League and in other leagues

The Journey So Far

Rashford celebrating a past goal with Pogba and Wan Bissaka vs Wolves. Comparisons have been recently made between Rashford and Mane. — Rashford celebrating a past goal with Pogba and Wan Bissaka vs Wolves. Photo Credits: Manchester United Twitter

Marcus Rashford and Sadio Mane are two fine EPL footballers to do some comparison on. Both of them have played most of their games as left wingers. Rashford is 23 years old while Mane is 28 years old. Rashford has risen through the Man United youth ranks to where he is today. Mane on the other hand has had to switch clubs overtime. He started his professional career at Metz before joining Salzburg. He was spotted by Southampton scouts thereby making a move to the saints. After two seasons, Liverpool signed him up in 2016. Since then, the left winger has been delivering fine performances for the club. The two players have been a subject of debates in recent times. Football fans have been trying to find who is the better player. Here is how they compare.

Statistics Comparison

Sadio Mane is the better of the two when it comes to premier league goals. He has scored more goals having played more games too. His career has flourished more as a Liverpool player. He has 89 EPL goals in 205 appearances for the club. Rashford has scored 46 EPL goals in 117 appearances since Sadio Mane joined Liverpool. Mane has 17 champions league goals in 40 appearances for the club. Rashford on the other hand has scored 11 champions league goals in 24 appearances for the club. Mane has a slightly better minutes per goal ratio than Rashford. This can be attributed to Mane having had more experience in the two competitions than Marcus Rashford.

Squawka comparison of Rashford and Mane in UEFA 20/21. Photo credits: Squawka

Rashford - Mane comparison for Premier League 19/20 season. — Rashford – Mane comparison for Premier League 19/20 season. Photo credits: Squawka

Recent Performances

Marcus Rashford has been a better player in recent times. Since the start of the 2019/20 season, he has proven to be a little bit better than Mane. He has a better consistency than Mane. Rashford seldom goes 4 games without a goal. Mane on the other hand has recently gone 8 games without recording a goal. Rashford finished the 2020 charts as the best left winger. This season, Rashford has already recorded 7 EPL goals and 4 assists in 16 games. Mane has recorded 6 goals and 2 assists in 15 games. In the champions league, Rashford has 6 goals in 6 appearances while Mane has 1 goal and 2 assists in 6 appearances. This means that Rashford is coming good and will eventually push Mane behind him in the left winger charts.

Rashford Mane comparison in Premier League 20/21 season. Photo credits: Squawka

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Outside Football

Both players are decent outside the football pitch. Marcus Rashford has been running a campaign to feed vulnerable children in the United Kingdom. Sadio Mane has been building social amenities to improve the lives of fellow countrymen.

Sadio Mane vs WestBrom in a past match featuring for Liverpool, Premier League 20/21. Photo Credits: Liverpool Twitter

The Senegalese winger and English striker both have a good record on and off the pitch. Both are instrunmental to their teams. You now know what the numbers say about the comparison of Sadio Mane and Rashford.

Exciting Merseyside Derby: Ancellotti still unbeaten as Everton draw against Liverpool

by marina

Ancelloti Effect!

Ancellotti’s Everton drew against Liverpool, in today’s edition of the Merseyside derby at Goodison park, in what was a fairly contested match. The Toffee’s came into this game having won all their previous four league games. You would suppose they have faced weak opponents. However, that is not the case. Before this match, Everton were top of the table with twelve points and scoring twelve goals. Following their draw against Liverpool, they are still top of the table with 13 points and scoring 14 goals. It` s notable that this is quite a good start as compared to previous season. Ancellotti effect!

No sooner had the match started than Mane found the back of the net. Two minutes and a few seconds into the game, the Senegalese forward converted a pass from Robertson to hand the Reds the lead. Liverpool were having a good start to the game.

However, just a few minutes following the goal, Virgil Van Dijk was taken to the ground by Pickford. In what surprisingly was not deemed as a foul. Joe Gomez was subbed following Van Dijk`s injury. Michael Keane headed the ball right past Adrian to even the scores.

1:1 was the Merseyside derby score at the end of the first half. Mohamed Salah later on added his goal tally to make it 6 goals in five appearances. His goal was an unexpected swish right past Pickford. Yerry Mina made a poor clearance which landed just in front of the Egyptian goal scorer. At this moment Liverpool seemed to have won the game against Everton. In the 81^st minute, Dominic Calvert Lewin headed the ball past Adrian ensuring the scores were level.

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A draw again

Later on, Richarlison landed a red card following his two-footed tackle on Thiago Alcantra. Fortunately, no injuries. In added time, Henderson found the back of the net. The celebration was short lived thanks to VAR. This ensured that the Merseyside derby ended level at Goodison Park. The last three Merseyside derbies at Goodison Park have all ended level, this was the fourth.

Ancellotti extended his unbeaten run this season in charge of the Toffee’s. Not even Mourinho’s Tottenham could get a win against them. How many more matches before Everton losses a Premier league match? Klopp yet again remains unbeaten vs Everton since he made his arrival to EPL. More records counting up, and new been made. A great match, great coaches and equally amazing players. Looking forward to the reverse fixture at Anfield.

Liverpool vs Arsenal: Liverpool extend Anfield unbeaten run

by marina

Liverpool hosted Arsenal at Anfield, whereby they beat Arsenal 3 : 1. Indeed this match was an anticipated one. Following the previous successive losses by Liverpool to Arsenal, Klopp was determined to beat them. Earlier on in the week, Klopp praised Arteta for the changes he has made at Arsenal, especially in the balance of play. However, he made remarks that Arsenal would play at Anfield twice in the season this far. Firstly for the Premier League first leg, then secondly for the EFL Cup round.

The game

Arsenal opened the score sheets with a goal from Lacazette, following a defensive error by Robertson. On the other hand, In the 27^th minute, Sadio Mane equalized. Salah made a shot for the goal, it was punched by the Arsenal goalkeeper, only to come in Sadio Mane’s path. He tapped in the loose ball. Before the break, Trent made a nice cross that found Robertson at the far post. He was unmarked. The Scottish left-back made a nice first touch to stop the ball and sent it to the back of the net. Despite Arsenal’s defensive organization, a third goal found the back of the net. Diego Jota made his debut coming on from the bench. The former Wolves’ forward was subbed in for Mane. Having missed several opportunities prior, he could not just miss the next chance. He scored the third goal for The Reds, sealing their victory.

Liverpool hosted Arsenal at Anfield, whereby they beat Arsenal 3 : 1. — Diego Jota celebrates debut goal vs Arsenal. Photo credits: Liverpool CityFC

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Formation

Liverpool is currently unbeaten at Anfield in the past 3 years. It is at Anfield where they managed a comeback against a strong Barcelona side in the 18/19 Champions League. Arteta had fielded the usual back three with two midfielders in the middle of the pack, that is Elneny and Xhaka. During the first half, Arsenal lacked an attacking edge. Later on, Ceballos came in for Xhaka.

Liverpool played the usual back 4, with two attacking full-backs to increase the press. Indeed Klopp’s side was pressing high up the pitch. Moreover, they were also keen to avoid suffering quick breaks. The high press ensured that Arsenal would not play comfortably from the back.

On Thursday, Liverpool host Arsenal once again for the EFL round of matches. Will Klopp extend the unbeaten run? Will Arteta suffer yet another defeat against Klopp?

Main Stories

September 1, 2020

Upcoming English Premier League matches

by BENSON MAINA

As the 2020-2021 premier league matches begin this month, the fixtures place Liverpool at the centre of action this month. The reds will meet Chelsea and Arsenal in some of the highly anticipated games of this season. Notably, Liverpool has set new records in the just concluded season in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. They managed to win the premier league title for the 2019-2020 season, and they will be set to defend it starting this month. The team made history by taking a 25-point lead of the season and having 24 consecutive home wins, which was four steps ahead of the Manchester city record of 20. By taking the cup with seven matches remaining, Liverpool set a new record. The team managed to have 110 points in 38 matches, which was a premier league record. Liverpool is a strong side, and its fixtures with Chelsea and arsenal will keep the fans unsettled to see the action.

Liverpool vs. Chelsea 20 SEP 2020, 18:30 (EAT)

The premier league fixtures between Liverpool and Chelsea have always attracted a lot of attention. However, the Liverpool side is getting stronger in recent years as Chelsea struggles for a spot in the top four teams. Liverpool has won 81 games, drawn 41 matches, and lost 64 games with Chelsea. Last season, Liverpool won all their premier league matches with Chelsea bating them 2-1 in September 2019, and 5-3 in July 2020. The upcoming match between these two soccer giants is highly anticipated.

Liverpool vs. Arsenal 28 Sep 2020 22:00 (EAT)

These two sides have mixed results. Last season, Liverpool beat Arsenal 3-1 in their first leg premier league encounter. In the second leg, Arsenal won 2-1. Last week, the rivals met in the community shield cup and drew 1-1, but Liverpool lost in the penalties to a a5-4 defeat. The stakes are higher for this month’s clash as the premier league season kicks off.

Europe

August 25, 2020

Thiago Alcantara’s move to Anfield close

by Quincy Charles

According to RMC Sport, Liverpool have finally agreed on personal terms with Thiago Alcantara and he is ready to move to Anfield this summer.

Agreement between #Liverpool and #Alcantara. Liverpool and the player have reached an agreement over 4 years. The player even announced his departure to England to some of his teammates. Alcantara already found his house. Liverpool and #Bayern must finalize the deal. #RMCsport

— Mohamed Bouhafsi (@mohamedbouhafsi) August 16, 2020

The 29-year-old has agreed on a four-year contract with Liverpool. He has already informed his teammates about his move to an Anfield and getting a house in Liverpool.

Liverpool have agreed a four-year contract with Thiago Alcantara, who has announced his departure to his Bayern team-mates and even chosen a new house, according to RMC ðŸ‘€ pic.twitter.com/DlSPUTj7C9

— Goal (@goal) August 16, 2020

Thiago had earlier stalled talks with Bayern Munich over extending his contract but later revealed his plans of wanting to play in a different environment next season.

Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed this by saying that the Spaniard is free to leave, informing interested clubs that they will have to pay a ‘fair price’.

“On Thiago, you know he’s told us he wants a new challenge. If any club wants to talk and is willing to pay a fair price, we’ll work on that.”

The Spaniard played an important role in Bayern Munich’s achievements since 2013 when he moved in. He is considered one of the best creative midfielders in the world.

His involvement in Munich’s win against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final where they thrashed the Catalonians 8-2 confirmed how important he is in the midfield. He will surely bolster Jurgen Klopp’s options in the midfield.

In his seven seasons at Bayern since 2013, he has netted 31 goals in all competitions and won four German cups.

Bayern manager, Hansi Flick, admitted in an interview why he thinks Thiago wants a new challenge.

“As a person and as an athlete, I can understand him,” said Flick. “Thiago played for Barcelona, and seven years for Bayern.

“Now he wants a new challenge, which in my opinion must be the Premier League.”

Featured Image Credit: Sport Bible

England/Europe/Premier League

August 24, 2020

Sadio Mane wins PFA Fans’ Player of the Year

by Quincy Charles

Sadio Mane has won the Premier League PFA Fans’ Player of the Year award for the 2019-20 season.

The Senegal international has been an integral part of Liverpool’s success since his move in 2016. In the 2019-20 season, he scored 18 goals and provided seven assists helping Liverpool clinch the Premier League title, in 30 years.

YES, SADIO!! ðŸ‘

Mane has won the Premier League @PFA Fans’ Player of the Year award for 19/20 ðŸ™Œ #PFAFansAward

— Liverpool FC (Premier League Champions ðŸ†) (@LFC) August 17, 2020

In a poll of football fans across England, Mane led by 41%, Man City’s Kevin De Brune came second(27%) and Alexander-Arnold came third getting 17%.

Also read: Thiago Alcantara’s move to Anfield close

Other players that were also nominated for the prestigious award include Raheem Sterling, Virgil van Dijk and Jamie Vardy.

Liverpool have also won several individual prizes following their win with a massive 99 points last season, a new club record.

Jordan Henderson was voted the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Footballer of the Year, Alexander-Arnold won Young Player of the Season prize and Jurgen Klopp clinched the Manager of the Year award.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images