Richard Jolly: How Arne Slot aims to turn Liverpool into Europe's footballing superpower
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Harry Redknapp makes Premier League predictions and reveals dark horses after ‘horrible season last time out'
LIVERPOOL started their season with a bang — and I expect it to be drama all the way to a second Premier League title in a row. Bournemouth gave them a really good go at Anfield on Friday night and exposed some potential weak points, but Arne Slot's men showed their quality in the end. 7 Liverpool got off to a great start on Friday night Credit: Getty 7 Harry Redknapp has his say on all the Prem's runners and riders Credit: Getty It feels like it is going to be a great season, with a few good clubs looking to challenge at the top of the table. But I still can't get past the Reds for top spot. They have recruited so well this summer and just in case we had forgotten about him, Mo Salah reminded us of his class with a goal late on. Richard Hughes, who played for me at Portsmouth, has done an incredible job. He got a bit of stick early on after a quiet summer last year — and all the noise around contracts for Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold. But he is an encyclopedia of football — ask him about any player, playing anywhere and he will know all about them. He is a real plus for Liverpool and certainly looks to have found a gem in Hugo Ekitike — if they go and get Alexander Isak on top then everyone should be worried. I don't like how Isak has handled the situation, but this is the way it is now. He will know exactly what is on offer at Anfield in terms of a contract and will have known for some time. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 7 Alexander Isak is desperate to leave Newcastle this summer Credit: PA If he ends up staying at Newcastle, things will go back to normal quite quickly. His team-mates won't give a monkeys about how he has behaved recently, they all know it could be them in that boat next year pushing for a big move. 'That bothers me' - Jamie Carragher tells Liverpool NOT to sign £150million Alexander Isak from Newcastle The fans all have the hump with him, and rightly so, but the moment he comes back and scores a goal there will be 50,000 Geordies singing his name. That's just the name of the game now, he has no problems either way, but Liverpool's title rivals will have a problem if he makes the move to Anfield. The most dangerous rival, again, will be Arsenal. They have certainly got stronger since finishing second, again, last time out and finally have that striker we've all been saying they needed. Mikel Arteta's side fell away a bit at the end last season but they will be back. No one should be calling for Arteta's head if the Gunners don't quite get there again, he has done a smashing job there and just been beaten by some very good teams. And even though I've gone for Slot's side, I'm not saying Arsenal can't do it, they can and look to have what they need to kick on. Chelsea get going at home against Crystal Palace today and are an interesting one to look at. They could go close to the title, for sure, but I can't see them going all the way. The Blues have signed some good players, they have a strong, powerful squad, but there might be too many options for Enzo Maresca and that can bring problems. I can't name their best team, even their best centre-halves. That is not the case with Arsenal and Liverpool, the teams can name themselves at times. 7 Enzo Maresca has plenty of players to choose from Credit: Getty 7 Mikel Arteta is desperate to go one better and land the Prem title Credit: Getty You need a happy dressing room and, I don't care who they are, if players are not playing they are not happy. With so many players there will be big names nowhere near the team at times, and that can cause big problems — it won't be easy to manage. I also worry they lack a bit of leadership still — what they would give to have a John Terry-type in the squad. A proper captain and leader on the pitch. Where are they in this Chelsea squad? There aren't many about but the proper title contenders have them in players like Kop skipper Van Dijk. We have to mention Manchester City and Pep Guardiola — you can never write them off but there are questions. They will miss Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker, Rodri is still not quite fit and there are always worries over whether John Stones can be available — he's a fantastic player. Outside the title contenders, I fancy Tottenham to be a dark horse after a horrible season last time out. They looked good against Paris Saint-Germain in the main and have a strong squad if they can stay fit. 7 Tottenham have gotten off to a great start Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Manchester City begin title quest with convincing Wolves win
Erling Haaland and new signings Tijjani Reinders and Rayan Cherki combined as Manchester City thrashed Wolves 4-0 in their Premier League opener. Haaland struck twice either side of a fine effort from Reijnders, and substitute Cherki added a late fourth, as City began their quest for a seventh title in nine years in convincing fashion at Molineux. Reijnders also had a hand in both of Haaland's goals in what was a particularly impressive introduction to life in the English top flight. Whilst it may be premature to suggest City have found the ideal replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, it was a very promising showing from the Dutchman. His presence brought dynamism to a City side that also raised eyebrows in other areas. Most notably, goalkeeper James Trafford was handed a debut and Ederson – described as "number one" by manager Pep Guardiola this week despite speculation over his future – was missing from the squad altogether. The club, however, later confirmed the Brazilian's absence was due to illness, with the 31-year-old suffering from gastroenteritis. John Stones returned in defence for his first appearance since February and another new recruit, Rayan Ait-Nouri, featured against the club he left in the summer. It was an emotional occasion for Wolves as they paid a series of tributes before and during the game to Diogo Jota, their former striker who died last month following a car accident. The visitors assumed control early on but did not create a clear-cut opening until the 19th minute when captain Bernardo Silva crossed for Haaland but the Norwegian, having to stretch too much, headed over. City had some moments of alarm as Wolves got behind the defence. Marshall Munetsi thought he scored when he headed past Trafford from a Matt Doherty cross but he was clearly offside. A chance also appeared to open up for Jean-Ricner Bellegarde but again the flag was raised. City took charge of the game after two moments of brilliance from Reijnders in the space of three minutes. The Netherlands international, whose outings at the Club World Cup may have helped him settle, played a delightful lob over the defence for Rico Lewis and his pull-back presented Haaland with a simple tap-in. Moments later the former AC Milan midfielder applied the finishing touch himself with a superb low strike across goal after Andre Gomes lost possession to Oscar Bobb. Jorgen Strand Larsen spurned a good chance to pull one back after the break when he side-footed narrowly wide and the same player also forced Trafford to palm over. Haaland increased City's lead just after the hour following more incisive work from Reijnders, who received a long ball from Trafford and exchanged passes with Bobb on the right. He continued his run and pulled back for Haaland to sweep home from the edge of the area. Cherki, having been on the field just eight minutes, added to Wolves' woes when he drove in from distance nine minutes from time after combining with Nico O'Reilly.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Haaland and Man City send ominous statement of renewed intent in rout of Wolves
Premier League: Wolves 0 Man City 4 Erling Haaland and new signings Tijjani Reinders and Rayan Cherki combined as Manchester City thrashed Wolves 4-0 in their Premier League opener. Haaland struck twice either side of a fine effort from Reijnders, and substitute Cherki added a late fourth, as City began their quest for a seventh title in nine years in convincing fashion at Molineux. Reijnders also had a hand in both of Haaland's goals in what was a particularly impressive introduction to life in the English top flight. Whilst it may be premature to suggest City have found the ideal replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, it was a very promising showing from the Dutchman. His presence brought dynamism to a City side that also raised eyebrows in other areas. Most notably, goalkeeper James Trafford was handed a debut and Ederson – described as 'number one' by manager Pep Guardiola this week despite speculation over his future – was missing from the squad altogether. The club, however, later confirmed the Brazilian's absence was due to illness, with the 31-year-old suffering from gastroenteritis. John Stones returned in defence for his first appearance since February and another new recruit, Rayan Ait-Nouri, featured against the club he left in the summer. Erling Haaland scored twice (Nick Potts/PA) It was an emotional occasion for Wolves as they paid a series of tributes before and during the game to Diogo Jota, their former striker who died last month following a car accident. The visitors assumed control early on but did not create a clear-cut opening until the 19th minute when captain Bernardo Silva crossed for Haaland but the Norwegian, having to stretch too much, headed over. City had some moments of alarm as Wolves got behind the defence. Marshall Munetsi thought he scored when he headed past Trafford from a Matt Doherty cross but he was clearly offside. A chance also appeared to open up for Jean-Ricner Bellegarde but again the flag was raised. City took charge of the game after two moments of brilliance from Reijnders in the space of three minutes. The Netherlands international, whose outings at the Club World Cup may have helped him settle, played a delightful lob over the defence for Rico Lewis and his pull-back presented Haaland with a simple tap-in. Moments later the former AC Milan midfielder applied the finishing touch himself with a superb low strike across goal after Andre Gomes lost possession to Oscar Bobb. Jorgen Strand Larsen spurned a good chance to pull one back after the break when he side-footed narrowly wide and the same player also forced Trafford to palm over. Haaland increased City's lead just after the hour following more incisive work from Reijnders, who received a long ball from Trafford and exchanged passes with Bobb on the right. He continued his run and pulled back for Haaland to sweep home from the edge of the area. Cherki, having been on the field just eight minutes, added to Wolves' woes when he drove in from distance nine minutes from time after combining with Nico O'Reilly.
