Month: April 2019

Jurgen Klopp’s side are going head-to-head with Manchester City for the Premier League title, though Liverpool’s chance of winning their first league championship in 29 years is out of their hands.

The Reds also remain in the hunt for a sixth European Cup, and they are odds-on to reach the Champions League semi-finals having beaten Porto 2-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final clash last week.

Liverpool reached the Champions League final last season, a feat which marked a remarkable return to Europe’s top table for a club that became used to mediocrity before Klopp’s arrival.

The German has been credited with turning the club’s fortunes around, by introducing an electric brand of football and signing top class players throughout his tenure.

Barton is said to have confronted Tykes boss Daniel Stendel in the tunnel following Saturday’s League One match, which ended in a 4-2 victory for the home side at Oakwell.

Footage appeared to show Barton being prevented from leaving Oakwell after the game, with police filmed blocking a car carrying the former midfielder.

South Yorkshire Police are investigating the incident.

“Barnsley Football Club can confirm that it has lodged a formal complaint to both the English Football League and the Football Association,” said a club statement. “This is following an alleged incident at the conclusion of the match on Saturday 13th April, between Joey Barton and Daniel Stendel.

While there have been a number of players who have starred for Jurgen Klopp’s league leaders, goalkeeper Alisson Becker can rightly consider himself to be among that category, having made an impact at the club since his £65million move from Roma last summer.

Alisson, briefly the most expensive goalkeeper in history, before Chelsea signed Kepa Arrizabalaga, has kept 18 clean sheets this campaign, putting him level with David De Gea (2017/18) and Joe Hart (2010/11).

After Klopp lost patience with the hapless duo of Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius, Alisson has been a steadying influence at the back and reached his recent clean sheet total when he thwarted Chelsea and in particular, Eden Hazard on Sunday.

Klopp has revitalised the Reds since his appointment in October 2015, guiding the Merseyside club to three finals – including last season’s Champions League final – and into contention for this year’s Premier League.

There are just four matches separating Liverpool from their first league championship in 29 years, though success is out of their hands; Manchester City will retain the title as long as they win each of their remaining matches, as they are currently two points behind the Reds but have a game in hand.

Failing to win the Premier League would be heart-wrenching for Liverpool, but such an outcome should not take away from just how brilliant they have been this season.

There is a renewed sense of optimism around Anfield, and supporters believe the club have, in Klopp, a manager who truly understands what Liverpool represent – both on and off the pitch.

Click:PLC Splitter

Fulham and Huddersfield Town have both been given the hook but Brighton and Cardiff City are now fighting against relegation, with Southampton now moving clear.

Liverpool and Manchester City are fighting win the title and take their bow as deserving champions, and while the Reds are ahead now, Pep Guardiola’s men have vital game in hand.

Meanwhile, there is a four-way battle for the final two Champions League places, with Tottenham and Chelsea currently sitting pretty – but Manchester United and Arsenal are chasing hard.

Some clubs are in a better position than others to achieve their respective goals as they have a perceived easier set of fixtures.

But which Premier League clubs have the best run-ins? We consulted SoccerSTATS.com to find out the average points per game of each team’s remaining foes.

The big Belgian is City’s longest serving player by far – he has spent ten years with the club and has been rewarded with a testimonial match next season.

But there has been some speculation over the future of the Citizens captain, who will be a free agent at the end of the current campaign.

Reports have claimed the 33-year-old is set to sign a contract extension to remain at the club for a further year, although manager Pep Guardiola has insisted he will not be given a new deal for ‘sentimental reasons’.

However, Kompany has told talkSPORT he is confident he will still be a Man City player next season.

Speaking to Jim White about his future, the City legend said: “Oh yeah, I’ll be playing next season.

“I’m part of the family now, so we’ll deal with this situation as a family.

But below them, there’s an equally thrilling battle, as four teams battle for the final two Champions League places.

Tottenham currently sit third following their 4-0 thrashing of Huddersfield on Saturday. Chelsea hold fourth, despite a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, but have played more matches than their rivals.

Manchester United went fifth after their 2-1 West Ham win and Arsenal are sixth having played less games.

So which two teams will take third and fourth and which two will have to settle for Europa League football?

Benitez is one of the leading contenders to take the Celtic Park job this summer amid rumours he will leave St James’ Park when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The Spaniard, who has previously managed Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid, is not getting the assurances he has asked for from Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner, and many clubs will be looking at Benitez this summer should he depart the Magpies.

Celtic are understood to be one of those clubs, with Hoops chiefs on the lookout for a new manager to become the long-term replacement for Brendan Rodgers.

Rodgers departed Celtic Park last month to succeed Claude Puel as Leicester manager, with Neil Lennon returning to Glasgow as Rodgers’ replacement on a deal which runs until the end of the season.

Massive wins for Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Manchester United, and Southampton have changed things at both ends of the table.

Jurgen Klopp’s reds had plenty of pressure on them too having seen Man City beat Crystal Palace just seconds before taking to the pitch at Anfield, where they proceeded to beat foes Chelsea 2-0, thanks to Sadio Mane and a wonder goal from Mohamed Salah.

Spurs put on a show at their new stadium with Lucas Moura netting the first hat-trick the world-class arena as they thrashed Huddersfield 4-0, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer steered his Red Devils to a 2-1 victory over West Ham, thanks to two Paul Pogba penalties.

Some results were deserved, others less so. But how would the Premier League table look if it was based on results calculated by ‘Expected Goals’?

Newcastle recorded an impressive win at Leicester to start the action off, while Tottenham and Lucas Moura routed a woeful Huddersfield for another win at their new stadium.

Bournemouth turned in a five-star performance at Brighton, while Fulham picked up a rare victory in a difficult campaign, while Manchester United rode their luck against a determined West Ham at Old Trafford.

On Sunday, Liverpool outclassed Chelsea and Manchester City triumphed at Crystal Palace.

But what are six things we have learnt from these matches? talkSPORT.com has taken a look.