4 things we learnt from Liverpool’s win over Villarreal

Published

3 years ago

April 28, 2022

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Villarreal kept their door shut in the first half. But Liverpool reaped the rewards for their persistent pressing and scored twice in the second half.

As both of their goals went unanswered, Liverpool will take a healthy two-goal cushion to Estadio de la Ceramica next week.

Here are three things we learned from the clash between the two sides at Anfield:

1. Juan Foyth Has Overcome His Tottenham Struggles

Juan Foyth used to be a Tottenham player, but the Argentine failed to flourish in North London.

He subsequently moved to Villarreal and got the opportunity to work under a man seeking post-Premier League redemption as well; Unai Emery.

Foyth has become one of the mainstays in the Villareal starting XI.

Last night, he contained the threat of Luis Diaz and showed how mature he has become since he departed from Spurs in 2020.

Tottenham are on the lookout for a new defender next summer.

Watching Foyth keep Liverpool attackers at bay would undoubtedly make them regret their decision to sell him.

2. Man Management Will Be Crucial For Klopp In Coming Weeks

Assuming Liverpool go through to the final, they will play nine matches over the next 30 days.

The Reds are alive in all competitions they are participating in. Jurgen Klopp will have to ensure all his key players remain fit to pull off a historical quadruple win.

Therefore, he needs to rotate his players and manage their minutes wisely.

But it will be no walk in the park.

Sadio Mane and Trent Alexander-Arnold made little effort to hide their anger after they were substituted last night.

Once cooler heads prevail, they should realize that it was the sensible thing to do.

If they don’t, however, it will make the dressing room atmosphere uncomfortable.

Klopp would not want such a distraction before the decisive final weeks. So, he has to find a way to keep his players happy and focused.

3. Liverpool Are In The Most Comfortable Position To Go Through

After the first leg of both semifinals, it’s Liverpool who are in the most comfortable position to make it to the final.

In the first semifinal, Manchester City picked up a 4-3 win over Real Madrid.

But the Citizens are ruing their wastefulness.

Had they been more clinical, they could have put the game to bed.

But, they allowed Madrid a lifeline by not taking their chances and letting their lead shrink to the narrowest margin.

4. Emery’s 4-4-2 Made Liverpool Work Hard

Unai Emery deployed a 4-4-2 to neutralize the attacking threat of Jurgen Klopp’s 4-3-3. In the first half, Villarreal successfully sat deep and frustrated Liverpool.

The front two of Arnaut Danjuma and Samuel Chukwueze often dropped down and made the midfield denser for Liverpool to get through.

But they could not cope with the individual brilliance of Liverpool players in the end.

WATCH: Georgina Rodriguez makes huge claim on Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement in Football

Published

9 months ago

March 3, 2024

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Georgina Rodriguez made a huge claim on the future of her husband and star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, in Football. In a brief interaction with a host recently, Rodriguez was asked about the time left for Cristiano to make an impact at the highest level. Georgina looked honest in her approach to the question of the host and claimed something the fans would not love to hear.

Georgina claimed that the Portugal star has maybe one year more from him at the highest level. She felt that Ronaldo might play two more years before retiring and not more than that. She was however not sure if he would play for just one or two years and added that the Al Nassr star could also play more than that.

Watch the video of Georgina Rodriguez here –

🚨🎙️| Georgina Rodriguez on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Paris Fashion Week yesterday:

“Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know.”

(via @ArobaseGiovanny)pic.twitter.com/4dxw2j5DuC

— Pubity Sport (@pubitysport) March 3, 2024

“Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know,” said Rodriguez in the little chat she had with the host. The video has gone viral on X and the fans have started sharing it on different platforms. Some of the fans feel that Georgina might be right, while others feel that she could be wrong, given the fitness and longevity of the star player.

Legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo

On the 5th of February, Ronaldo celebrated his 39th birthday. He is currently one of the oldest players in the world. In the past, players at this age would have retired way back. But the fitness and consistency of Ronaldo make him play the sport as long as he wishes. In his career so far, Ronaldo has won many major leagues for Portugal and league teams like Real Madrid, Al Nassr, and Manchester United.

With United, Portugal won some major leagues like the FA Cup and the Champions League. With Real Madrid, the 39-year-old won the leagues like the UCL, Copa Del Rey and La Liga. He won it three consecutive times for Real Madrid. For Portugal, Cristiano had a huge contribution to Portugal. He has the most number of appearances and goals for an international team and won the Euro 2016 with Portugal.

FOOTBALL

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham slapped with Red Card as he argued with referee

Published

9 months ago

March 3, 2024

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Jude Bellingham shown Red Card (Image Credit: Twitter)

England and Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham was slapped with a Red Card during the La Liga game against Valencia. In the game, the home team, Valencia was leading by 2-0 after 30 minutes before Madrid scored in the injury time of the first half. Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for Madrid while Hugo Duro (27′) and Roman Yaremchuk (30′) scored a goal each.

In the 76th minute, Junior scored an equalizer to keep the team in the game. However, in the injury time of the second half, Bellingham was given a red card as he argued with the referee against calling it a full-time before he could score. In reply, the match official decided to slap the England international with a Red Card. The team coach Carlo Ancelotti wasn’t happy with the verdict as the Three Lions player was making a pass at the time.

Jude Bellingham verbally abusing officials and other footballers at the slightest provocation needs to be talked about more. It’s embarrassing he gets applauded by Real Madrid Fans.

Mason Greenwood should’ve allowed La Liga to deal with this simp. pic.twitter.com/ixYSw6YxaC

— Herman Facundo© (@hermanfacundo_7) March 3, 2024

“I think what’s just happened is unprecedented. It’s never happened to me,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“We had possession of the ball and the match should have been finished when Valencia had the ball.

“What bothers us is the red card for Bellingham because he didn’t say anything insulting. He was frustrated of course,” said Ancelotti, adding that Bellingham had used a common English swearword when telling the referee it was a goal.

We are annoyed with Jude Bellingham’s Red Card: Carlo Ancelotti

“We were annoyed with Bellingham’s red card. He didn’t say any insults. He said in English ‘it’s a f—ing goal,’ but he was just saying what we were all thinking … [The referee] allowed play to continue. I think he made a mistake.”

“[Bellingham] was clear in what he said,” Ancelotti added. “He was quite vehement [in his reaction] but that’s normal, after what happened. It wasn’t an insult, not at all.”

FOOTBALL

PL 2023-24: MCFC vs MUFC Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI, Fantasy League Today’s Captain, Vice-Captain, and more for Manchester derby

Published

9 months ago

March 2, 2024

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Super Sunday is set to witness the Manchester Derby in the Premier League 2023-24. The match between Manchester City (MCFC) and Manchester United (MUFC) is set to take place in Etihad Stadium, the home ground of Manchester City. The two teams have had a contrasting journey in the league till now. The fortunes of City changed ever since Pep Guardiola took over the club as the manager.

While the home side are placed in the second position in the points table currently, United are in the sixth place in the points table. In their previous encounter, City hammered Luton Town by 6-2 in the FA Cup. United have shown massive improvements in the last few weeks after not having a good start to their campaign. United were involved in a thrilling game where they beat Nottingham Forrest by 1-0 in their last game.

Both teams feature some of the best players in the world. The likes of Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland, Marcus Rashford, Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and others would be taking part in the match. Manchester City will start the match as the favourites, given their record in the ongoing league so far and the match taking place in their home. United with their improved record can challenge the home side.

MCFC vs MUFC – Match Details

Match – Manchester City (MCFC) vs Manchester United (MUFC), Premier League 2023-24

Venue – Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Date and Time – 3^rd March 2024, 21:00 IST

Live Coverage – Star Sports Network and Disney plus Hot Star

MCFC vs MUFC – Head-to-Head

Both the teams from Manchester have a rich history in the sport. they have been up against each other in 191 instances. In as many games, Manchester United have been historically the better side with 78 wins to their name. City have managed to win 60 wins, as 53 games ended in a draw. In the last five games between the two sides in the Premier League, City have won four of the five games.