Mark Goldbridge on Liverpool's Premier League Charge and Arsenal's Struggles
Liverpool have all but secured the Premier League title, and with their commanding performances, it's hard to argue against them. That's Football's Mark Goldbridge was unequivocal in his assessment: 'It might not be mathematical, but with 11 games to go they have an 11-point lead.' The latest victory against Manchester City only reinforced Liverpool's superiority this season, as they remain the 'most complete team in the Premier League.'
Goldbridge highlighted how Liverpool have faced doubts throughout the season but have always responded in style: 'People said when Tarkowski got the late equaliser, Liverpool were crumbling. People said when Villa got a point the other night, Liverpool were crumbling.' Yet, despite these challenges, Liverpool continue to demonstrate resilience and dominance, proving their title credentials.
One of the standout factors in their success has been their defensive solidity. Goldbridge praised the centre-back partnership of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, stating, 'I think we've got the two best centre-back partnerships in world football at the moment.' Their ability to maintain clean sheets has been a crucial element in their title charge.
While Liverpool have shown balance across the pitch, Arsenal's title challenge has faltered due to a lack of goals. 'Look at Arsenal—they've got the defence, they've got the midfield, but they haven't got the goals,' Goldbridge remarked. He further pointed out that this issue is not new, saying, 'It's been a weakness of Arsenal's for 18 months.'
With Arsenal failing to strengthen their attack in the January transfer window and struggling with injuries, Goldbridge believes their title challenge is all but over: 'Arsenal are done. They're absolutely done. Like, there's no way back.'
Liverpool's success this season has also sparked discussions about the influence of their new manager, Arne Slot. While many have credited Jurgen Klopp's foundational work, Goldbridge was quick to highlight Slot's impressive job: 'Yes, Klopp built the foundations. Yes, Klopp would have won the league. But Arne Slot isn't Jurgen Klopp. He's had to come in and, with no transfers, take Klopp's team and… take them up a level.'
Goldbridge emphasised how managerial transitions often lead to struggles but commended Slot for maintaining and even enhancing Liverpool's performance: 'You might have a successful restaurant, a successful football team—you change the manager, and the workers don't necessarily respect or understand or work as hard for the new manager. For Arne Slot to go in there with that set of players and take them up a level, I think he deserves a massive amount of credit.'
With the Premier League seemingly secured, Liverpool could shift their focus to other competitions. Goldbridge hinted at the possibility of further silverware: 'Liverpool could end up with a Champions League and a Premier League this year, which is no small feat.'
He also pointed out the frightening prospect for rival clubs if Liverpool continue at their current pace: 'By mid-April, they might be holding the Premier League title, and if they're still in the Champions League… they could rotate and focus on that.' This could spell trouble for other European giants as Liverpool chase another historic season.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
29 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Huijsen recalls Mourinho and idol Sergio Ramos as he is introduced by Real Madrid
Associated Press MADRID (AP) — Dean Huijsen thanked former coach Jose Mourinho and talked about his "idol" Sergio Ramos as the center back was introduced by Real Madrid in what he called 'the best day" of his life on Tuesday. The 20-year-old Spain international was signed by Madrid from Bournemouth in May to give the Spanish powerhouse its first reinforcement for next season. He signed a five-year deal after Madrid activated the player's 50-million pound (then $66.4 million) buyout clause. 'It's the best day of my life,' he said. "It's a dream to be here, and I'm going to give everything for the team. For me, Real Madrid is the best club in the world, and there is no other team like it.' Huijsen thanked Mourinho for bringing him to Roma on a loan from Juventus in January 2024. 'I was at Christmas dinner with my family when Mourinho called," he said. "When he calls, you have to listen. He's one of the greatest in the history of soccer, and I'm very grateful to him.' Mourinho had called Huijsen one of the 'best prospects in European soccer.' The young defender, who earned a first call-up by Spain for the Nations League playoffs in March, said he received a message from former Madrid star Ramos when his signing was made official. 'He's my biggest idol, the best center back in history,' Huijsen said. "I admire everything about him, he's the most complete center back. My first fond memory is the final of the (Champions league in 2014), when he scored in the last minute of added time. I was 9 years old.' Huijsen said he already talked with new team coach Xabi Alonso about his roles with the club that needs to rebuild a defense after multiple injuries to its backline during a mostly disappointing 2024-25 season. 'We talked a little about what he expects from me. I think it's going to be a great few years,' Huijsen said. "I think I fit in very well with the style of football Xabi wants to play. I'm going to try to contribute as much as I can, and I'll be delighted to help.' The highly rated defender was being sought after by other clubs in the Premier League after his standout season with Bournemouth. The skilled Dutch-born center back joined the Premier League team from Juventus for a reported 12.5 million pounds (then $16.6 million) in the offseason last year. He was a regular for Bournemouth since breaking into the team in November. ___ AP soccer: in this topic
San Francisco Chronicle
39 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Huijsen recalls Mourinho and idol Sergio Ramos as he is introduced by Real Madrid
MADRID (AP) — Dean Huijsen thanked former coach Jose Mourinho and talked about his "idol" Sergio Ramos as the center back was introduced by Real Madrid in what he called 'the best day" of his life on Tuesday. The 20-year-old Spain international was signed by Madrid from Bournemouth in May to give the Spanish powerhouse its first reinforcement for next season. He signed a five-year deal after Madrid activated the player's 50-million pound (then $66.4 million) buyout clause. 'It's the best day of my life,' he said. "It's a dream to be here, and I'm going to give everything for the team. For me, Real Madrid is the best club in the world, and there is no other team like it.' Huijsen thanked Mourinho for bringing him to Roma on a loan from Juventus in January 2024. 'I was at Christmas dinner with my family when Mourinho called," he said. "When he calls, you have to listen. He's one of the greatest in the history of soccer, and I'm very grateful to him.' Mourinho had called Huijsen one of the 'best prospects in European soccer.' The young defender, who earned a first call-up by Spain for the Nations League playoffs in March, said he received a message from former Madrid star Ramos when his signing was made official. 'He's my biggest idol, the best center back in history,' Huijsen said. "I admire everything about him, he's the most complete center back. My first fond memory is the final of the (Champions league in 2014), when he scored in the last minute of added time. I was 9 years old.' Huijsen said he already talked with new team coach Xabi Alonso about his roles with the club that needs to rebuild a defense after multiple injuries to its backline during a mostly disappointing 2024-25 season. 'We talked a little about what he expects from me. I think it's going to be a great few years,' Huijsen said. "I think I fit in very well with the style of football Xabi wants to play. I'm going to try to contribute as much as I can, and I'll be delighted to help.' The highly rated defender was being sought after by other clubs in the Premier League after his standout season with Bournemouth. The skilled Dutch-born center back joined the Premier League team from Juventus for a reported 12.5 million pounds (then $16.6 million) in the offseason last year. He was a regular for Bournemouth since breaking into the team in November.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The Jurgen Klopp disciple ready to boost Pep Guardiola's Man City
Some worrying news for bookshops on Merseyside. Any copies of Intensity by Pep Lijnders are likely to remain on the shelves. They may want to instead store them with El Nino, the Fernando Torres autobiography that was a love story to Liverpool. But Torres joined Chelsea and now, barely a year after leaving Liverpool, Lijnders' return to English football comes alongside Pep Guardiola. Advertisement The supporters who branded Trent Alexander-Arnold a traitor for heading for Real Madrid – though one of their complaints has been removed now he is no longer going on a free transfer, but for €10m – may transfer their irritation to Jurgen Klopp's former sidekick after his move to Manchester City was confirmed ahead of the Club World Cup, with every game live on DAZN. City, of course, is the club that ensured one of the great Liverpool managers won just one league title. If a year away has illustrated the legacy Klopp and Lijnders left, with Arne Slot's success reflecting well on the previous regime, it may have been chastening in other respects. Klopp's popularity in Germany has been dented by the decision of a man who was a byword for authenticity to work for the despised Red Bull group. Lijnders, once touted as a potential successor to Klopp at Anfield, floundered in his second attempt to go it alone. He was sacked by RB Salzburg – a couple of weeks before Klopp took up his role at their parent organisation – with the usually dominant force in Austrian football only fifth in the Bundesliga, 10 points off the lead, and having lost five of their six Champions League games. Defeats without scoring to Sparta Prague, Brest and Dinamo Zagreb were scarcely the great European nights Lijnders experienced at Liverpool. Take out the tribalism of football, however, and there is logic on both his and Guardiola's side; this could be a marriage of considerable convenience. City have parted company with three assistant coaches, in Carlos Vicens, Inigo Domingues and Juanma Lillo, which could leave Guardiola looking lonely. Lillo, in particular, was a symbolic figure; Guardiola admired him so much that he went to Mexico to end his playing career under Lillo at Dorados Sinaloa. Advertisement Yet if City's explanation was simply that Lillo, whose contract expired this summer, wanted to return to Spain – and he never spoke much English – Guardiola's most torrid season featured many a strange decision. The Guardiola-Lillo axis may not have worked as well as it did. At 42, Lijnders is 17 years younger than the wizened Spaniard, with a Premier League pedigree, multilingual skills – speaking Spanish and Portuguese – and bringing an energy Klopp appreciated as he aged. That City struggled with the physicality of many an opponent last season could give an added reason to appoint a coach responsible for some Liverpool sides who were primed to outrun anyone. Lijnders and Jurgen Klopp pose with the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup during the Liverpool trophy parade in May 2022 (Getty) For Lijnders, meanwhile, a step backwards could nevertheless bring one of the plum coaching jobs, just not a managerial post. He was interviewed by Norwich, before they appointed Liam Manning. The City Football Group, with their portfolio of clubs, could suit Lijnders' long-term plan to get back into management. With Klopp yet to return to management, he has now found a new patron. A double act of Pep and Pep may sound good too. A theme of Guardiola's career has been his ability to win with different assistants, starting with Tito Vilanova at Barcelona. At City, he has been joined by Mikel Arteta, Brian Kidd, Domenec Torrent, Rodolfo Borrell, Enzo Maresca and Lillo. Advertisement Lijnders' partnership with Klopp followed the break-up of his long-term alliance with Zeljko Buvac. The Dutchman's ideas nevertheless took Liverpool to greater heights; arguably they played less heavy-metal football but they won the 2019 Champions League and the 2020 Premier League and pursued the quadruple in 2022. Lijnders during his time at FC Salzburg (Getty Images) His brief spell at Salzburg, like a similarly short stint at Nijmegen in 2018, could suggest that Lijnders is no manager. While he could coin Klopp-style soundbites – 'our identity is intensity' was one – perhaps they didn't sound right without Klopp and he lacked his mentor's degree in people. Lijnders is thought to be aware of his shortcomings. As a coach, though, his reputation is safe. Klopp initially inherited him, asked by Fenway Sports Group's Mike Gordon to give him a go. He agreed, ringing the FSG president a few weeks into his reign to tell him that he didn't like Lijnders... he loved him. He brought him back to Anfield after Buvac left. Pep Guardiola with his Manchester City assistant Juanma Lillo at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in February (Getty) He played him at the racket sport padel, often losing to a man 16 years his junior; that was a sign of Lijnders' competitiveness. Unlike Peter Krawietz, Klopp's other assistant and a far quieter figure, Lijnders had a profile in his own right. He did the pre-match media duties before Carabao Cup games, to prepare him for the return to management, which then backfired. Advertisement Instead, he has now joined a select group who have crossed the great divide and played a part for arguably the two most influential managers of their generation. For Ilkay Gundogan, Robert Lewandowski and Thiago Alcantara it was as players. For Lijnders, in the opposing dugout for titanic duels as Klopp enjoyed a rare winning record against Guardiola, it is as a coach. Liverpool could win the games but, over 38 matches, it was City who won the titles in Lijnders' last four seasons at Anfield. He couldn't beat Guardiola, so he has now joined him. You can sign up to DAZN to watch every Club World Cup game for free
