All posts by h79snht.top

Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool will be without Roberto Firmino ‘for a while’ after he missed the victory over Norwich City, coming after Diogo Jota was also absent from the Anfield win through injury.

The Lowdown: Firmino misses Reds win

The Reds picked up a crucial 3-1 win at home to the Canaries on Saturday afternoon after having fallen behind in shock fashion early in the second half.

Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz all scored to turn the game on its head with Man City’s defeat to Tottenham last night also blowing the Premier League title race wide open.

One player who was absent alongside Diogo Jota was Firmino, however, who was struggling with a muscle injury after the midweek win at Inter Milan.

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The Latest: Klopp says Firmino ‘out for a while’

Speaking after the game [via The Athletic], Klopp hinted that the 30-year-old could be out for a lengthy period, but at least says Jota’s injury wasn’t as bad as first thought – though refusing to give an update on the latter man’s return.

He explained:

“With Diogo, it looks a little bit better than we first thought. With Bobby (Firmino), we didn’t even know that he had something until he felt it only after the game (in midweek).

“We all thought it is a little thing, but it’s a muscle injury and we have to see how long it will take. I don’t know at the moment, but for sure not for the next game, so we have to see.”

He then added:

“Bobby Firmino has a muscle problem and is out for a while, so we have to keep the boys fit and create a spirit like the boys did today in the game.”

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The Verdict: Blow for Klopp, but at least there’s depth now

Losing someone of Firmino’s quality is always going to be a blow – Klopp has hailed him as ‘brilliant’, among other superlatives – but the key is that Liverpool are now in a situation where they have a plethora of top-quality depth in attack.

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The arrival of Diaz has left the Reds with more superb options in the final third, rather than having to bring in second-rate squad figures when key men are absent.

That being said, with Diogo Jota also currently out and some huge matches are on the horizon, so the hope is that Firmino makes a swift recovery and isn’t missing for too large a chunk of action.

In other news, a journalist has questioned one ‘wobbly’ Liverpool player. Find out who it is here.

Lorient central defender Laurent Koscielny is desperate to leave France and join Arsenal this summer, according to the player's agent.

The highly-rated 24-year-old has only been with his current club for one season, but would like the chance to try his luck in England next season.

Agent Stephane Canard told France Football:"French and foreign clubs have shown interest. Among them, there are the Gunners.

"It is difficult to not listen to someone like Arsene Wenger when he is attracted. Any player is tempted to work with him.

"Lorient's officials want to get an eight-digit fee and negotiations have started. With some bonuses, we are not that far away.

"One year ago, coming to Brittany was a real sporting choice. During last season, German clubs showed interest, but it didn't go any further.

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"Now it is different as the season is over. Without being critical of Lorient, Laurent is 24 years old and has others ambitions.

"He recently called his chairman and coach to tell them he absolutely wants to join Arsenal."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

The first thoughts to enter my head when I saw Blanco come on for Mexico against South Africa were “What the Hell!! Mexico must be desperately short of players!”  He looked like a big tank rolling across the field. He made Berbatov seem like a Gazelle. So why did Mexico bring him along to the World Cup and more importantly would he make a difference?

Few minutes after he came on I realized why Mexico needed him, he seemed to energize an uninspired team, and brought them to life, their attacking play improved a lot and most of it went through Blanco. He might be the slowest forward in the World Cup but he’s by no means a liability to the team, I think if they could, Mexico would have played him every game from the start. The Man has an innate ability to pick out the right pass, unlock defenses with a chip or a through ball, he’s a player who’s capable creating a moment of brilliance. He also scored for Mexico against France from the penalty spot.

Intrigued and also impressed by his cameo performances so far, I did a bit of research on him; turns out he’s a legend for Mexican Football, considered their most talented player in the last two decades. His career was spent playing in the La Liga, MLS and the Mexican First Division. Having played for Club America for the longest period, his stats were impressive too, showing he had a knack for scoring goals. He’s been playing most of his career as a deep-lying forward or as an attacking midfielder, making full use of his creative talents.

So I realized I have a new reason to cheer for Mexico, this almost immobile and unfit player who incredibly is in my opinion key to Mexico achieving anything in the World Cup 2010, Javier Aguirre has a player who can create a chance from nothing, a brilliant impact sub, who can be brought on when things aren’t going right for Mexico.

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So with a new reason to cheer Mexico on, I look forward to seeing this man who many would consider not in shape to even keep up with a Sunday league team, play at the world’s biggest stage  and impress everyone and show the world why we’ll miss Cuauhtemoc when he finally retires!

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill expects the fight to both retain leading players and make new signings to heat up in the next couple of weeks.

The Midlands club have already rejected one bid of £20million from Manchester City for England midfielder James Milner at the beginning of the summer.

During the last off-season, former captain Gareth Barry made the same move to Eastlands in a blow to O'Neill's hopes of transforming Villa into a top-four force.

The battle to keep hold of Milner is expected to intensify now that he has returned from World Cup duty, while O'Neill is also looking to bolster his squad with new signings.

He told the club's official website:"There is a lot of speculation, obviously, at this time of the year and it will hot up now over the next couple of weeks.

"From my own viewpoint, I would like players to stay here and try and build. Sometimes that is not always possible but we have got a couple of weeks now and we will review the position.

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"But for us to have even the same sort of season as last year, one, we would have to be a bit lucky and, two, we would have to try and strengthen."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Former Birmingham City midfielder Fabrice Muamba is happy to have signed a new four-year contract with Bolton Wanderers.

The 22-year-old has prospered during his two seasons at the Reebok Stadium, featuring in 83 matches and breaking in to the England Under-21 side.

He said after putting pen to paper on the new long-term contract:"I'm happy, my family is happy – everybody is happy. The football club has been good to me since the moment I signed here.

"I don't have any reason to want to move anywhere else and I'm looking forward to the upcoming season.

"The manager believes in me and says that I'm part of his plans, and I want to give my best to the club for the fans."

Boss Owen Coyle added:"Everybody knows my opinion of him – he's a great young prospect and I'm delighted he's signed an extended contract.

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"He loves being at the football club, I like working with him and hopefully we can move on together."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez is still looking to add another two or three new players before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.

Martinez has already brought in defenders Antolin Alcaraz and Ronnie Stam, midfielder James McArthur and striker Mauro Boselli this summer, but is keen to add further depth to his options.

The Spaniard told the Evening Post:"We are trying to bring two or maybe three players in before the end of the transfer window.

"It's a long time to go until January, when you can next do something about your squad.

"I just feel that, even though I am pleased with the quality we have here, we need to make sure we have good strength in depth and numbers.

"It is hard at this stage of the season, but we have been following a number of players, working extremely hard and hopefully something will happen.

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"If they come off, then great. If not, at least all the major targets we were after are already at the football club and that is great reward for the amount of work we have put in."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Aston Villa have re-signed veteran goalkeeper Andy Marshall to act as cover for Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan.

The 35-year-old has penned a contract that will keep him at Villa Park until the end of the season.

The former Norwich City, Ipswich Town and Millwall shot-stopper was released by Coventry City at the end of the 2008-09 campaign before starring for Villa's reserves as they won the Barclays Premier Reserve League South title last season.

"It's been in the pipeline for the last three weeks that it potentially could happen," Marshall told Villa's official website."I was released in the summer with the possibility of coming back.

"I am absolutely delighted it has been done and I am very thankful for Kevin MacDonald for bringing me back because I have got a good relationship with Kev.

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"I worked very well with him in the reserves with the young lads last season and he sees it as an opportunity to get Elliott (Parish) out on loan and get him some games. There is still the cover having myself here in case anything happens with either of the Brads."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Stricken Wolves midfielder Adlene Guedioura believes he will return from a broken leg before the end of the season.

The 24-year-old Algeria international was left with a fractured tibia following a Steve Sidwell challenge during Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa.

"It depends on how my recovery goes but I hope to play again this season," he told the Express and Star.

"I think I'll be stronger mentally and I'll work hard physically.

"What's happened is sad, but I'm not down about it because I know I'll come back stronger.

"I've got time to work hard and when I come back I'll do my best to fight for Wolves again."

Guedioura, who joined Wolves on a permanent basis during the summer after spending the second half of last season on loan from Charleroi, bares no ill-feeling towards Sidwell.

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He added:"I don't think he wanted to injure me. He wanted to get the ball and it wasn't malicious.

"I don't bear him any bad feelings – he was trying to win the ball."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Chelsea's Ashley Cole is one of the best left-backs in the world, according to England boss Fabio Capello.

Cole, 29, will equal Kenny Sansom's record for the most caps won by an England full-back when he makes his 86th international appearance in Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley.

The former Arsenal defender made his England debut in 2001 and has impressed Capello since he took the managerial reins in December 2007.

Cole, who is not the most popular of players among England supporters, has played in three World Cups and one European Championship for the Three Lions.

Problems in his personal life have led to regular criticism from the terraces, but on a professional basis Capello has nothing but praise for the left-back.

"Ashley Cole is one of the best left-backs in the world," hailed Capello.

"The number of caps he has won is not a surprise to me. Ashley is good in so many ways. He's good when he has to defend. He's really good going forward.

"He's intelligent and good with his movement. When he has the ball, no problems. He can move.

"He's good when he has to defend but also good when he gets to the box. He understands how to play a pass.

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"Other players don't know what to do when they get in that position.

"But Ashley is always dangerous with his passes. He is an important player."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Premier League footballers might have all the money in the world but something a fair few of them are short of is a buddy; someone to help them when they need it and come to their aid in their hour of need. That’s exactly what Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney needed last week when he had angry United fans outside his house unhappy at Rooney’s apparent desire to leave Old Trafford. Rooney eventually came to his senses and after the persuasion of Manchester United manager and so-called ‘genius’ Sir Alex Ferguson signed a new contract at the Premier League club, but the striker isn’t the only footballer who could do with a buddy.

Bad tackles have been one of the hottest topics in the Premier League this season and combative Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong isn’t winning any friends. After the Netherlands international karate kicked Spain’s Xabi Alonso in the 2010 World Cup final, the Dutchman has followed that up with some tasty tackles in the Premier League, with one resulting in Newcastle’s Hatem Ben Arfa breaking his leg. Experienced Fulham footballer Danny Murphy has spoken out about bad tackles, but this only resulted in him getting on the wrong side of Blackburn gaffer Sam Allardyce and a couple of other Premier League managers.

Two people who couldn’t find a buddy whichever way they turned were former Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. The Americans really got on the wrong side of the Anfield faithful, something that wasn’t helped by them allegedly making comments that the Liverpool fans were ‘a noise they were dealing with’. What Hicks and Gillett were in desperate need of was a buddy to come to the rescue and help the Americans with the huge problems they faced.

They should have sought out the help of the First Direct Buddy. Available 24/7 every day of the year, the First Direct Buddies are the pinnacle of customer service and are trained in everything. There is no limit to what a buddy can do, meaning that they can help in any situation. It’s easy for anyone in need to locate their nearest First Direct assistant and the buddy service is free, so it won’t make a dent in Wayne Rooney’s or any other footballer’s hefty wages.

The First Direct Buddy service gives you personal contact with people, something Andy Carroll will be grateful of right now. Given the Newcastle star’s problems off the pitch, Carroll has had to call on the help of his teammate Kevin Nolan, with the Newcastle captain going beyond the call of duty and giving the troubled striker a place to stay. Nolan has helped Carroll in his time of need and this is exactly what the First Direct Buddy service can do for you; come to the rescue time and time again.

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Click on the video below to find out more about the First Direct Buddy Service