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Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Where Liverpool need to look to strengthen this summer
Where Liverpool need to look to strengthen this summer The Premier League summer transfer window has officially opened for business and clubs are now racing to sign players in an effort to help bolster their chances of success for the 2025-26 season. While Liverpool won the Premier league, their season could have been even more remarkable. The Reds topped the league phase table in the Champions League but were narrowly knocked out in the last 16 against eventual winners PSG on penalties. They also lost the Carabao Cup final, where they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. Advertisement There is still plenty more for this Liverpool side to achieve but that will require improving the squad so they can compete on all fronts and defend their Premier League crown, which will no doubt be a big challenge, and has lots of tips and predictions for what might happen in the next Premier League campaign and other competitions. We've assessed where Liverpool need to strengthen this summer… Left-back and more defensive reinforcements? Liverpool's defensive rebuild is far from complete. With Trent Alexander-Arnold now officially a Real Madrid player, the Reds swiftly moved to secure Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, activating his £29.5 million release clause to fill the void at right-back. Advertisement But attention is now shifting to the opposite flank. Kostas Tsimikas is expected to move on this summer after limited game time and inconsistent performances, with clubs in both the Premier League and abroad reportedly interested in the Greek full-back. Liverpool will also look to further their interest in Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who has been linked with a move to Anfield for some time. The 21-year-old Hungary international is valued at around the £45m mark. Centre-back is also a position Liverpool will need to address. Jarell Quansah had a promising campaign, but if he were to leave this summer, Liverpool would be left light at the back. Ibrahima Konaté has just one year remaining on his contract, and the club are wary of a repeat of the uncertain contract situations that occurred around Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold. Joe Gomez's injury history only adds to the concern. As such, Liverpool seriously need to consider defensive reinforcements. Midfield strength needed While Liverpool's midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister were the most trusted under Arne Slot throughout the season, the lack of rotation exposed the team's limitations. Advertisement As the campaign wore on, it became increasingly clear that the trio could not carry the burden alone, and Slot showed little faith in his other midfield options. Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, and Curtis Jones were all used sparingly, with Elliott in particular voicing his frustration late in the season. 'It's been hard with how much I've played,' he admitted in May. Elliott could leave Anfield this summer and his possible departure only adds to the urgency for reinforcements in midfield. Liverpool are pursuing a marquee signing in that area, with Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz emerging as their top target. The 22-year-old Germany international is keen on a move to Anfield, and Liverpool have reportedly already had offers turned down. Talks are ongoing, with Leverkusen said to be holding out for closer to €150m (£136m). While both sides are eager to wrap up negotiations quickly, a deal has yet to be finalised but one thing is clear – a bolstered midfield is essential if Liverpool are to remain competitive across all fronts next season. Reshuffle the attack Liverpool's attacking line is in need of a reshuffle. Much of the team's goalscoring responsibility once again fell on Mohamed Salah, whose consistency carried the Reds to glory. Advertisement But beyond the Egyptian, Liverpool's forward options have underdelivered, raising serious questions about the depth and reliability of the current frontline heading into the 2025/26 season. Darwin Núñez's time at Anfield appears to be coming to an end. Signed for £64 million in 2022, the Uruguayan striker has never truly settled. This past season was particularly poor with just five goals in 30 appearances and with only 25 goals in 95 outings overall. Diogo Jota's future is also in doubt. Once a key contributor, injuries have derailed the Portuguese forward's form and availability. He struggled for rhythm throughout the campaign and faded significantly in the final weeks. With Slot reportedly seeking a reliable number nine who can stay fit and consistently score, Jota may also be moved on if the right offer arrives. Should both Núñez and Jota depart, Liverpool will need at least one and potentially two new forwards. Several top-tier names are on their radar, including Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike. Liverpool's title winning season has masked some of their flaws in attack. With Salah now 33 and key forwards either underperforming or injury prone, reinforcements are essential.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
English Premier League heading for final day drama as five teams chase three Champions League spots
Pep Guardiola Coach Pep Guardiola has had an up-and-down season with Manchester City this season, but is well placed to secure Champions League football next season on the final day. Photo: AFP Image: AFP While champions Liverpool and Arsenal have cemented their place, the fiercely contested battle for Champions League football next season goes down to the wire for five teams on Sunday's last day of the 2024/25 English Premier League season. Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa will be vying for the other three spots available to the top five finishers in the Premier league. Tottenham Hotspur have also qualified as Europa League winners. We look at Sunday's permutations for all five teams still chasing a seat at Europe's top table next season... Manchester City (65 points) Opponents: Fulham (A) Pep Guardiola's City team are the best placed of the teams chasing Champions League qualification. Their 3-1 victory at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday took them up to third behind Arsenal, with a two-point cushion and significant goal difference advantage over sixth-placed Aston Villa. City realistically only need a point from their trip to Fulham to confirm a spot in the top five. A win would confirm third place. Newcastle United (66) Opponents: Everton (H) The Magpies won their first major trophy in 70 years with their League Cup success in March, and Newcastle fans will be hungry for more success. Eddie Howe's men welcome Everton to St James' Park knowing a win will confirm their top-five spot. In the event of a stalemate, they will need Manchester United to avoid defeat against Villa, or Chelsea to draw with Nottingham Forest. A win for either side in that game would see them leapfrog Newcastle. Should they lose to David Moyes' side, Newcastle would need Villa to lose at Old Trafford. Chelsea (66) Opponents: Forest (A) Enzo Maresca's Chelsea have a difficult task on Sunday, travelling to one of their top-five rivals, Nottingham Forest. Should Chelsea secure victory on the last day, they'll likely seal a top-five place. If they draw, the Conference League finalists will have to rely on results elsewhere to get them over the line. They would need Villa to lose or draw, or Newcastle to lose. Defeat for Chelsea would almost certainly deny them Champions League qualification, unless Newcastle lose by three more goals. Aston Villa (66) Opponents: Manchester United (A) Villa's chance of an immediate return to Europe's elite competition could hinge on United's reaction to their Europa League final heartbreak that cost them a Champions League place. Yet Unai Emery's men will fancy their chances of getting maximum points against a Red Devils side that picked up just two points from their last eight league games. Villa are level on points with Newcastle and Chelsea but have a significantly inferior goal difference. A win will be enough if Newcastle or Chelsea drop points, or if Manchester City lose. If they draw the match, Villa would need Newcastle to lose to Everton.
Business Upturn
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Liverpool identify option at left-back following right-back's signing
Liverpool have now turned their attention towards left-back after completion of the signing of a Right-back. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on May 19, 2025, 18:48 IST Last updated May 19, 2025, 18:48 IST Liverpool have now turned their attention towards left-back after completion of the signing of a Right-back. The Reds who won the Premier league this current ongoing season, has already secured the signature of Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong. Now, Arne Slot's side are focusing on Milos Kerkez who was one of the top players in Bournemouth's squad this season. The left-back is said to be keen on a move and personal terms are not an issue here. Club to club talks to go on a next stage now as per Fabrizio Romano. After completing the signing of Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, Premier League champions Liverpool have now turned their attention to strengthening the opposite flank. The Reds, under new head coach Arne Slot, are now pushing for a deal to sign Bournemouth's rising star Milos Kerkez. Kerkez, who impressed with his consistent performances for the Cherries this season, is reportedly open to a move to Anfield. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, personal terms are not expected to be a problem, and negotiations between the clubs are set to move to the next stage. Liverpool's proactive transfer approach highlights Slot's intent to reshape the squad ahead of the new campaign, and bringing in Kerkez could provide vital depth and competition at left-back. Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
Observer
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Palace clinch FA Cup after win against Man City
LONDON: Crystal Palace stunned Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final on Saturday to win the first major trophy of their 164-year-old history thanks to a goal from local boy Eberechi Eze. At a sun-baked Wembley in front of delirious Palace fans, local boy Eze volleyed home after 16 minutes against the run of play while goalkeeper Dean Henderson performed heroics in goal and City wasted a sack-load of chances including a penalty. England forward Eze's goals in the last eight and semis had carried his team into the final for only the third time and after he struck again, Palace survived a City siege to spark a massive party for the south London fans. "We will feel however we have to feel today, but tomorrow wake up strong and ready to go again," defender Ruben Dias said. In the game's second decisive moment, Erling Haaland made way for Omar Marmoush to take a first-half penalty — but it was brilliantly tipped away by Henderson. For Palace's massed ranks, it was third time lucky after defeats in their previous two FA Cup final appearances in 1990 and 2016. Oliver Glasner took charge of the club 15 months ago and had suffered a poor start to this campaign with Palace failing to win a Premier league game until late October. Now he is the first Austrian coach to win the FA Cup. Palace had heroes aplenty, none more so than Henderson though he was perhaps lucky not to have been sent off in the first half. "Incredible. We had a feeling it would be our day today. We deserve this so much," he said. "Haaland might have stepped up (for the penalty) but he gave it to Marmoush. I knew which way he was going. I knew I would save it." City have been a pale imitation of the side that has dominated the English game for most of the past decade. But the way they began at Wembley suggested Pep Guardiola's side were determined to prove that talk of their demise had been greatly exaggerated. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner celebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup. — Reuters Having picked an ultra-attacking lineup shorn of defensive midfielders, City hemmed Palace deep inside their own half for the opening 15 minutes with Kevin de Bruyne pulling the strings on what was his last Wembley appearance in City colours. When Palace finally got past the halfway, they ripped through City's lines to devastating effect. Jean-Philippe Mateta played in Daniel Munoz and his cross was met by Eze who flashed a first-time volley past Stefan Ortega for his sixth goal in his last five games. Ismaila Sarr nearly made it 2-0 but Ortega saved his close-range shot. Palace's hearts were in their mouths when Henderson clawed the ball away marginally outside his area under pressure from Haaland, but a VAR check spared him, to Guardiola's annoyance. "The ball carried into my box and I knew it was fine — who cares?" England international Henderson said. Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell was not so lucky when he tripped Bernardo Silva and referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot. Surprisingly, Haaland did not take it and instead Marmoush stepped forward for his first penalty since joining City in January, but Henderson dived to his right to save. The inspired Henderson then made a flying save to keep out Jeremy Doku's curling effort as Palace reached halftime ahead despite having only 19 per cent of possession. Munoz thought he had made it 2-0 just past the hour mark but a lengthy VAR check ruled his effort out for offside. Seven-time winners City swarmed forward and went close numerous times after the break with Henderson saving a deflected effort by Claudio Echeverri and his defenders throwing their bodies on the line to preserve Palace's lead. A huge groan went up from the Palace fans at 10 minutes of stoppage time but after more close shaves and nail-biting the final whistle sounded and they could bellow the club's anthem Glad All Over around the stadium. The club, which traces its roots to 1861 and went professional in 1905, earns qualification to next year's Europa League with the Cup win. — Reuters
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Villa 'here to stay' - reaction after Champions League chase hots up
Aston Villa can no longer finish lower than seventh, meaning they are guaranteed European football in at least the Conference League next season. And with two games remaining, former Premier league midfielder Michael Brown and the Telegraph's Luke Edwards are backing Unai Emery's men to qualify for the Champions League for a successive season. "It is an impressive achievement," said Edwards on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "They have rallied again. "They have Manchester United and Tottenham left to play, who seemingly don't bother to play at weekends and just weekdays, so they have a real chance of sneaking into the Champions League." Brown added: "I have fancied them to do it for a long time because I thought they would come up strong. Their recruitment in the January window was excellent and they have gone well since then. "I expect them to win their final two games. They are a really consistent team now and the squad is really good. "Villa are in their stride and here to stay." Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds
