All posts by n8rngtd.top

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According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are reportedly willing to cut their losses on Naby Keita with both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund interested in signing the midfielder.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Reds only signed the Guinean back in the summer for a fee of around £48m, a sum that seemed justified given Keita’s impressive form over in Germany.

However, Liverpool fans are yet to see the best of the 24-year-old in his first season at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp initially opted to bed him in slowly rather than throw him in from the start on a weekly basis, but Keita is still yet to establish himself as a first-team regular.

Has Alisson been Liverpool’s most important signing of the season? Check out the video below to find out why Jurgen Klopp thinks so…

A period last month saw Keita make four successive starts for Liverpool, in which he appeared to finally have hit his rhythm before being inexplicably dropped by Klopp – he is yet to start a game since the 0-0 draw against Bayern Munich at Anfield.

Now, according to the aforementioned report, both of Germany’s top clubs are believed to have held discussions with the player’s representatives.

Giving up on him too soon?

It mustn’t be forgotten just how highly-rated Keita was when Liverpool were vying with clubs like Barcelona for his signature – the Reds even felt the need to secure the midfielder’s signature early before effectively loaning him back to RB Leipzig for 12 months, as they fended off interest from elsewhere.

Keita has shown glimpses of what he’s all about despite struggling for consistent starts – his ability to pick the ball up from deep and dribble it into dangerous areas, where he can pick out an inch-perfect through ball or test the keeper, is a huge feature of his game.

Liverpool’s midfield has been criticised for a lack of creativity recently, with too many workmanlike midfielders such as Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and James Milner at Klopp’s disposal and not enough crafty players like Philippe Coutinho.

Given the huge amount of effort they put into getting Keita to Anfield, coupled with the fact that he is only 24, means that the Premier League title hopefuls shouldn’t give up on the direct midfielder after just one season in red.

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Loads of Rangers fans have been reacting to a wonderful post released by the club ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm.

The Gers travel to Parkhead on Sunday in what is undoubtedly their biggest game remaining this season, and you’d be hard pushed to find a better moment in Steven Gerrard’s debut managerial campaign than the last time the sides met.

Celtic came to Ibrox back in December knowing a win would push them well out in front at the top of the league, but Ryan Jack’s low finish, set up wonderfully by Ryan Kent, gave Gerrard’s side all three points.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…

A viral video, which you can see here, displayed a young fan going absolutely berserk when Jack scored the game’s solitary goal, and the club have brought the little Ger to meet his hero.

Angelo was brought to the Hummel training centre during the international break, where he met Jack and no doubt made some memories that will last a lifetime.

Loads of fans have been reacting to the club’s post about the event, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Among all the surprising developments at West Bromwich Albion this season, little attention’s been given to their academy’s terrific work.

Some amazing young talents are rising through the ranks, with Louie Barry looking the likeliest to make the biggest impact in the near future.

The 15-year-old, who rose up the ranks after scoring 10 goals in five games for England U-15’s in a tournament last year, has been impressive with his goal-scoring continuity in the youth team, making waves. Excitingly, he’s shined for the Baggies in youth level, scoring quite a few goals in the U-18 divisions. Barry recently bagged a goal against Liverpool’s U-18 and also scored a brace for England U-16’s last month, looking like one of the most exciting things to come out of the Hawthorns in years.

Barry’s fantastic goal-scoring record’s gained a lot of attention, with La Liga giants Barcelona keen on signing him (via Express and Star). He’s that good. Well, at least he could be.

The striker’s sharp work in front of goal and stunning development has impressed those at the Camp Nou, surely a sense of pride for those working behind the scenes in the Midlands.

However, the Baggies cannot allow their unearthed gem to leave this soon.

He’s doing a great job under Mike Scott’s guidance, slowly turning into a promising striker who looks primed to break into West Brom’s team in a couple of years. After witnessing academy stars Rakeem Harper and Kyle Edwards’ great work, Barry could be the next big thing for the Baggies, helping propel the team forward.

Clearly, things have gone stale at the club in recent years, leading to their eventual relegation from the Premier League, so they must look to the future to start a new project, one capable of keeping the club in the top tier for a prolonged period of time.

If West Brom are serious in proving themselves are more than mere talent feeders for other clubs, they need to keep Barry with them. The brilliant wonderkid has a bright future ahead of him and can take them to new heights once he comes of age.

Baggies fans, do you think Barry should be preserved for future success? Join the discussion by commenting below. 

With all this contract speculation circulating around Rafa Benitez, Newcastle fans are desperately hoping it ends with the Spaniard agreeing to extend his stay at St James’ Park in order to progress the team over the next few years.

That much is obvious, right? Well, considering the state of play on Tyneside right now, nothing else is.

Indeed, the least Mike Ashley can do is get him to sign a new contract, after all he’s done over the last few seasons. Not only is a great manager but he also acts as a lure for the better players for Newcastle to try and sign.

Everybody knows that. Why don’t you seem to grasp it, Mike?

After all, Newcastle’s side still most definitely needs improving and the summer promises to be the perfect opportunity to do just that. Clearly, a number of positions can be improved upon from a Newcastle perspective and with Antonio Barreca’s loan spell proving to be ineffective, interest they have previously held in a left-back – Stanley N’Soki – should be taken up again.

N’Soki, (who is valued at £7.6 million on Transfermarkt) was a target (as per the Chronicle) for Newcastle over the course of the January window but for whatever reason, a deal failed to materialise.

The 19-year-old has since been involved with the PSG first team a lot more than he and many others probably would have predicted. With 11 Ligue 1 appearances to his name and a further three in cup competitions, N’Soki has proven to be not just any youngster but one ready to play right now.

Able to play in centre-back as well as his usual position of left-back, N’Soki can provide helpful versatility to a side like Newcastle and undoubtedly would be a top addition. How nice would that be, Toon fans? Another left-back of note at long, long last.

Newcastle fans, how highly do you rate the PSG youngster? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

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QPR finally got back to winning ways at the weekend with a resounding 4-0 victory over Swansea having battled to a significant point away at Millwall on Wednesday, with goals from Darnell Furlong, Massimo Luongo and Tomer Hemed (2) enough to secure a much-needed three points for the R’s.

The latter goalscorer was presumably brought in to provide some tenacity up front and delivered in abundance, with his two strikes showcasing strength and awareness – two features of the Israeli’s performance that these Hoops fans, who were frustrated by his inclusion in the starting line-up over Nakhi Wells and Matt Smith, were clearly not expecting to see.

Despite having netted just five goals in 23 appearances prior to the clash at Loftus Road on Saturday, the 31-year-old could have had a hatful this game, with the Swans’ defensive concerns laid bare.

When John Eustace named Hemed in the starting XI, fans certainly weren’t expecting much from the Brighton loanee but he had everything in a man of the match display in W12.

With a 75% passing success rate, the number 16’s link-up play was solid, while he also won six aerial duels – a capable deputy for behemoth Smith up front. The standout stat, though, besides the two goals, is the four dribbles – his highest figure all season and one that shows he can also replace Wells’ directness on occasion (stats all from WhoScored).

Should Hemed keep his place in the starting XI when QPR host Blackburn this Friday? Let us know in the comments below.

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It looked like the beginning of a long night for Watford after the usually dependable Ben Foster gifted an unwitting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the opener in their Monday clash with Arsenal before Troy Deeney was dismissed for violent conduct.

However, the Hornets were not deflated and, despite being down to 10 men, gave a fantastic account of themselves and were, in the end, unlucky not to come away with a result.

Adam Masina and Craig Cathcart hit bar and post, respectively, while the Gunners defence were repeatedly put under pressure by the pace of Andre Gray. It clearly wasn’t meant to be though, with Unai Emery’s men taking all three points as Foster’s error proved decisive.

Regardless of how frustrating the outcome must have been for Javi Gracia, the Watford boss showed his class as he heaped praise on his squad and deflected any blame away from Foster in his post-match comments:

“All my players make mistakes. Me as well. It’s something natural. We have to live with our mistakes. All the players make mistakes, all the coaches make mistakes. I prefer to give value to all the good things. When we win and one player scores, all the players and team are happy.

“We are a team and we enjoy together and suffer together. It’s about the team and we are not pointing at one player. This is the moment to be together. With ten players, in the circumstances we had, we competed really well.”

Wolves Fan TV place the blame for Wolves’ FA Cup semi-final collapse on John Ruddy in the video below…

The Spaniard’s Watford reign, to an outsider, has appeared near faultless, with the Vicarage Road outfit pushing for seventh place and having also booked their place in the FA Cup final recently.

However, the former Rubin Kazan boss has confessed that even he makes mistakes after Foster’s gaffe – words which will surely go a long way in helping the veteran custodian sleep this week. Gracia is looking like an outside bet for Manager of the Year and these classy comments have only strengthened that case.

Marouane Chamakh is about as bad as they get, and the fact that he played for Arsenal still confuses us to the day.

We have lost count of the number of times the phrase worst signing ever has been thrown around. Miss a penalty? Worst signing ever! Shank a pass? Worst signing ever! Flop an ‘easy’ chance? Worst signing ever. A player is never safe from the swift and unforgiving label of worst signing ever. But how often do we genuinely mean it? Ask any Arsenal fan who witnessed the mercurial talent Marouane Chamakh strutting his stuff at the Emirates and they will tell you.

Indeed, as far as we are all concerned – that is football fans as a collective – the Moroccan is easily one of the least gifted individuals to ever stumble his way into the red and white of Arsenal. A genuine catastrophe who sits with esteemed company as one of Wenger’s worst ever signings, alongside Sebastien Squillaci, Pascal Cygan, Phillipe Senderos, Mikael Silvestre, Johan Djourou, Denilson and co.

We often find ourselves wondering how exactly Marouane Chamakh became a Premier League player, never mind an Arsenal forward. Not five years before that honour had befallen the likes of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, and now it was vested in the useless Moroccan.

We suppose the ability was there on paper with Chamakh leaving Ligue 1 side Bordeaux in 2010 (as per The Guardian) their 8th most prolific goal scorer of all time. Make of that what you will.

Billed as a target man who excelled as holding the ball up and creating opportunities from which he teammates could feed off, he started the season in fairly promising style netting seven times and supplying a further four more in 20 Premier League appearances.

Unfortunately, whatever Chamakh was drinking in the opening half of the season must have run out because he was absolutely abysmal in the second. Just a single assist and no league goals to his name in the final 18 matches of the season makes for very poor reading. Nor did his record the following campaign, with just one goal in 11.

Needless to say, he did not survive much longer.

An uncertain future lies ahead for West Bromwich Albion.

Their new manager hunt is still up in the air, with many key players set to return to their parent clubs as well. If they can’t guarantee Premier League promotion this season, it’ll be a monumental task to do it again next time.

However, the Baggies are planning their future. Be it in the Premier League or another season in the Championship, they want to succeed wherever they are, clearly. West Brom are looking for young talent and according to reports (via the Scottish Sun), have turned their attention towards Liverpool’s Ben Woodburn.

Having recently been part of Sheffield United’s promotion gaining squad, Woodburn will return back to Merseyside soon. After that, he’ll probably be sent on another loan to gain experience at the top. A cunning forward, Woodburn adds a lot of options going forward due to his creativity, ability to drop back and dictate games as well.

A versatile player, Woodburn can also operate in midfield if needed. However, the 19-year-old is at his best playing forward. If Dwight Gayle is really to leave and they can’t hold onto Salomon Rondon, Woodburn can be a decent option to support Jay Rodriguez.

He’s clever with his movement, can link up really well and bring a hunger for goals.

West Brom have been successful with sealing loan deals recently. If they want to instil their attack with some unpredictability, getting the hard-working Woodburn can help them play attractive football wherever they end up next season.

West Brom fans, would you be pleased with Woodburn’s potential signing? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Manchester United could be set for a massive clearout this summer as they look to fund a massive rebuild under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Some big players are expected to move away from the club, while there are also bound to be plenty of incomings too.

However, it is the outgoings who will be of interest to many United fans, with so many players in the Red Devils’ squad failing to perform and being firmly under the microscope in terms of their futures at Old Trafford.

One man who could well be on his way it Matteo Darmian, who has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League and has yet to show anywhere his best sort of form.

Darmian has been strongly linked with a move away to Inter Milan, and we here in the Tavern feel that this is something United simply have to make the most of.

Despite being a player who has talent, Darmian just hasn’t done the business for United, and with the club struggling and under so much pressure to build a new exciting squad, Darmian might well find himself as one of the first names on Ole Solskjaer’s list of players to move on.

United will be glad to get some of their money back for Darmian, and there is little doubt he will succeed in over in his homeland under the right manager and team around him.

For United though, this is a move which makes all kind of sense and is something they should be looking to wrap up as soon as possible.

It’s fair to say that Arsenal’s glorious night at the Mestalla certainly showcased the best and worst of Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The 21-year-old registered an impressive assist after dancing past defenders and putting in the perfect ball for Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang. Indeed, what a talent he looks like going forward. Yes, going forward, where he belongs.

Because, up until that point, he was having a complete nightmare defensively. With little to no cover in the right-back position, Maitland-Niles was forced to face the mite of Los Che’s attack and crumbled under the pressure as a result. Goncalo Guedes repeatedly dribbled past him, while many long balls went over him as the youngster could only watch players go around him.

Thankfully, the Spanish side’s final delivery was poor and his centre-backs were solid in thwarting away whatever came their way. However, in a celebratory night in Spain, Unai Emery must’ve been worried to see his defence exposed like that. While Arsenal have little options to turn onto, the 21-year-old shouldn’t be kept as a wing-back beyond this season.

Maitland-Niles is not at all defensively stable, not having the knowledge or instincts of a top defender. The wing-back is a natural winger who loves to run at defences, bamboozle defenders and create through the right. With that in mind, he should be developed as a winger, as his one moment of magic proved him to be the Gunnars’ best right-winger right now.

It’s not as if Emery is blessed with options in wide areas either, so the academy graduate seems a natural fit there.

Emery should aim to reinforce the right-back slot with a proper cover for Hector Bellerin next season, despite how limited his transfer funds may actually be.

Frankly, the 21-year-old versatile winger should only be unleashed as one, where he clearly feels more comfortable in being a menace for opposition, rather than his own team.

Arsenal fans, do you think Maitland-Niles should be used in a more attacking role? Join the discussion by commenting below…