Michael Owen has told talkSPORT that he believes Darwin Nunez will not be at Liverpool next season.
He also boldy suggested a swap deal with the Reds forward for one of the Premier League’s most in-form talents in Alexander Isak.
4
Nunez has faced a difficult third season at LiverpoolCredit: Getty
Nunez impressed for Liverpool last season having scored 18 goals and assisted another 13, but has struggled in the current campaign.
The Uruguayan has netted just seven times in 40 appearances and also missed his penalty in their Champions League shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.
talkSPORT understands Liverpool are ready to consider offers for Nunez, and Reds legend Owen believes he will leave Anfield.
“I can’t see Darwin Nunez in a Liverpool shirt next season, personally,” he told talkSPORT. “I think there’s interest in him as well.
“I think one or two Premier League teams are interested. Of course, there is foreign interest as well.
“So I can’t see Darwin Nunez being a Liverpool player next season.”
Should Liverpool sell the 25-year-old this summer, then Newcastle striker Isak could certainly emerge as a top target.
But when asked if the Swede would be a ‘perfect fit’ for the Reds, Owen suggested a player exchange with Nunez, saying: “Even a swap deal.”
He later added: “If Isak was available, I think Liverpool would do everything in their power to get somebody like that, of course.
“But so would Arsenal, Arsenal are absolutely desperate for a player like that. Who wouldn’t be desperate for a player like that?
4
Liverpool could entertain offers for Nunez this summerCredit: Getty
4
Owen doesn’t believe the forward will be at Anfield next seasonCredit: talkSPORT
“But from Newcastle’s point of view, they simply can’t let him go. I hear what you’re saying about balancing the books… In credit let’s say, with the financial rules, that would put them massively in credit.
“But what? Then they can get £150million for him and then go and spend £100million, or £120million on four £30million players.
“You prefer Isak, he’s the one that’s going to absolutely bounce you into that elite level. Just getting three or four decent players is not going to, you need special players.
“Look at these teams that are winning the leagues all the time, look at Liverpool this year, they’ve got the best centre-half in the world [Virgil van Dijk].
“They’ve got one of the best attackers in the world in Mo Salah, they’ve got the best goalkeeper in the world [Alisson].
“You have to have the very, very elite, at least two, three, four of them in certain positions, and then you can muddle through with other players.
4
Owen bodly suggested a potential swap deal that would see Isak sign for LiverpoolCredit: Getty
“But he is one that you’ve just got to build your team around. They’ve already got a really strong midfield and with Isak up front, you’ve got half a chance there.”
Liverpool are very familiar with Isak and his quality in front of goal as he scored against them in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final win on March 16.
It was his 23rd goal of the season in all competitions, with the 25-year-old likely to be a highly sought after player in the summer.
The window could shut before the start of the new season on August 14 though, with Premier League clubs set to discuss the idea.
Darwin Nunez is no clinical finisher – Arsenal already have enough players that are nervous in front of goal.
That’s the view of ex-Watford striker Troy Deeney, who still believes the 25-year-old has what is takes to succeed at Liverpool.
5
Nunez has been slammed by fans and pundits over this miss against Aston VillaCredit: Getty
Now in his third season at Anfield since joining from Benfica in 2022 in a deal rising to £85million, Nunez has struggled for consistency.
He has scored 39 goals in 131 games in all competitions, but is yet to score more than 11 in a single Premier League season.
From his 86 top-flight appearances, he has missed a whopping 51 big chances – the latest being away at Aston Villa in the thrilling 2-2 draw.
The Uruguay international has come under intense criticism after missing an open goal from six yards – failing to get his effort on target.
With many Reds fans starting to become frustrated by their leading man, it has led to questions as to whether he could be moved in this summer.
And with Arsenal in the market for a new centre-forward, pundits have speculated whether they could turn their attention to Nunez.
But Deeney has insisted the Gunners, who were toothless in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham, have to bring in a proven goal machine instead.
Pressed as to whether a move to Arsenal would work for both parties, Deeney told talkSPORT.com: “No. I don’t see that.
“Because what Arsenal need is a killer, somebody like [Alexander] Isak or [Erling] Haaland, because you need somebody on the end of it.
“I’ve worked on so many Arsenal games [for talkSPORT commentary] this season.
5
Nunez failed to hit the target from this position in Liverpool’s recent 2-2 draw with VillaCredit: @footballontnt X
5
It’s been a frustrating season in front of goal for the Uruguay international
“When [Gabriel] Martinelli goes through, or Raheem [Stering] and even [Kai] Havertz, there’s never a feeling of, ‘Goal’.
“It’s always like you’re on the edge of your seat, you’re not sure [if they will score].
“And I think Arsenal just need that killer.
“And I don’t believe he’s [Nunez] that killer at this moment in time.”
While Deeney is of the belief that Nunez doesn’t improve Arsenal, he maintains that he still has a future in Merseyside and must be kept on beyond the summer – insisting he is the perfect teammate.
Asked whether Liverpool should keep Nunez for at least another season, the 36-year-old remarked: “It all depends on what do you want from him?
5
Nunez hasn’t scored since his double away at Brentford on January 18Credit: Alamy
5
Question marks remain as to whether Nunez will be Liverpool’s starting striker next summer
“Are you expecting him to be a 25-30 goal-a-season [striker]? If that’s the case then absolutely [he should be sold], I can’t defend him in that route.
“But I’m saying as a teammate, he works hard, he does everything for the team, his link-up play is decent, he just misses big chances.
“And if you’re looking at the landscape of number nine’s, purely No. 9s at the moment, how many of them are there that are real goalscorers?
“Not many anymore, everyone does a little bit of everything, I just think you’ve got to work with him.
“And all you’ve got to work on with him is his finishing and his mental approach to it, in terms of when you miss a shot, don’t worry you can do it again.
“He’s just had a bit of a stinker of a year, he keeps missing big chances, but he’s popped up with big goals.”
Liverpool fan defends Darwin Nunez’s miss against Aston Villa and believes Diogo Jota had a worse display
Nunez hasn’t found the back of the net since his late heroics away at Brentford on January 18 where his double secured a crucial 2-0 victory.
And he will be gunning to return to form in Sunday’s clash away at Manchester City on Sunday as Liverpool look to tighten their grip on the Premier League title.
Arsenal could have cut their lead to five points should they have emerged victorious over the Hammers.
But the Reds can now go 11 points clear at the top should they win at the Etihad in the top-flight for the first time since 2019.
Robbie Fowler has condemned Darwin Nunez for ‘criminally’ missing a glorious chance to win Liverpool’s end-to-end clash at Aston Villa.
Nunez was a second-half substitute in the 2-2 draw and at 2-2 he produced a miss of the season contender.
5
Nunez blazed an excellent chance over the bar just yards away from goalCredit: Getty
5
It seemed harder for Nunez to missCredit: TNT Sports
Dominik Szoboszlai was one on one with goalkeeper Emi Martinez but unselfishly played the ball across the box to his onrushing Liverpool teammate.
Nunez had an almost open goal to aim for but sent his effort over the bar to leave head coach Arne Slot in disbelief on the touchline.
“It’s such a simple finish and you’re an elite level footballer. Do your job and just put that in the net,” an unimpressed Dean Ashton said on commentary for talkSPORT.
Liverpool would have likely won and secured a ten-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the Premier League had Nunez scored.
MORE ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE
However, they failed to do so and legendary Reds striker Fowler, who scored 183 goals for the club, was critical of the Uruguayan.
Speaking to TNT Sports after, he said: “People worry about Darwin Nunez… he doesn’t think about the game enough.”
Fowler added: “Lucy [Ward] and Sam [Matterface] were talking about his confidence on the comms.
“If you’re struggling for confidence, you’ve got to go back to basics, you’ve got to get the ball, you’ve got to touch it and you’ve got to give it five yards.
“You don’t look and dally on the ball waiting for someone to make the run so you can play an unbelievable pass, play the simple things.
“You always need to go back to basics and do the simplicity of being a footballer, what got you into the position of being a professional footballer.”
5
Liverpool legend Fowler gave an honest assessment of the missCredit: @footballontnt X
5
He said it was one of the worst of the yearCredit: Getty
Fowler later continued: “It’s a bad miss, it’s a really bad miss, probably up there with one of the worst we’ve seen this year.
“I’ll try and help him out a little bit by saying, ‘Szoboszlai maybe should’ve shot himself’.
“But, he’s played a great ball to him and he’s missed the target, criminally from seven, eight yards. That can’t be happening.”
Liverpool boss Slot appeared to hint during his post-match interview that Nunez, who has scored six goals this season, was feeling down.
“If you look at the chances we had in the second half to go in front…” Slot said.
“Yeah, you can understand there’s one person in the dressing room that feels quite down and you know who it is, I think.”
5
Slot’s Liverpool remain top of the table despite the dropped pointsCredit: Getty
Liverpool took the lead through Mohamed Salah, who eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo’s best ever Premier League goal contribution tally with the Egyptian now on a combination of 39 goals and assists this season.
Goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins had Villa leading at half time in what was an entertaining contest.
However, the points were shared after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s strike deflected into the back of the net just after the hour mark.
Liverpool remain top of the Premier League and are eight points clear of Arsenal, although the Gunners have played a game less.
Villa meanwhile are ninth in the Premier League and remain in the race to qualify for European football next season.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot conceded Darwin Nunez was ‘lucky’ to escape a red card just seconds after his match-winning goal heroics against Brentford.
The Uruguayan forward answered his doubters in fine style by coming off the bench to secure a huge three points for the Reds – but then was almost inexplicably sent off shortly before the full-time whistle.
3
Darwin Nunez almost when from hero to zero against BrentfordCredit: AFP
Nunez made quite the impression, scoring twice in stoppage-time to give Arne Slot’s side a 2-0 victory over the Bees in a game that looked destined to end in a 0-0 draw.
But it was a moment of madness just seconds later that left talkSPORT duo Adrian Durham and Troy Deeney flabbergasted – and left his manager breathing a big sigh of relief
Speaking on GameDay Live, Durham said: “He’s already been booked, Darwin Nunez, for taking his shirt off to celebrate the first goal, and now he’s just gone flying into a challenge on Nathan Collins who felt the force of that. That’s a second booking, isn’t it?”
Deeney replied: “It definitely is. The referee looked after him once because he did go back into the fans after the second goal.
“We’ve just had a lovely view of Arne Slot who winced because he should have been sent off.
“He went into the crowd after his second goal. So it should’ve been three yellow cards. All day it’s a sending off. It totally encapsulates him.”
Durham continued: “The referee bottled it. It’s clearly a second yellow.
“The referee sort of put his fingers together to say that it’s close to being another yellow card – no, it is another yellow card.
“What a sub appearance that would have been – two goals and a red card!”
To which Deeney replied: “That’s why he’s not got one, because it’s the last action. The game’s already over.”
3
Nunez had already been booked after his first goal for the RedsCredit: Getty
Even Slot admitted he would not have complained had Nunez been given his marching orders.
Speaking to talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook, the Liverpool manager said after the game: “It would have been realistic if that was a yellow… I couldn’t have complained if he got a second yellow for this foul.
“It wouldn’t have had any impact in this game, it was at 2-0, but it would definitely have made an impact on the next one, because Jota was not available today. Let’s hope he is for the next one, but then Darwin would also not have been available too [if he was sent off].
“So we were a bit lucky in this situation, but being lucky once in a while is nice.”
Despite his near-miss with a potential sending off, Nunez’s goals proved to be the difference for Liverpool and sent them seven points clear at the top of the table as the whistle blew in their game.
Just the fifth and sixth goal the 25-year-old has scored this term, Nunez has attracted plenty of criticism but received praise from ex-Watford striker Deeney, who threw his support behind his fellow frontman.
3
Nunez made a match-winning contribution for Liverpool off the bench against BrentfordCredit: talkSPORT/Opta
Speaking on talkSPORT, Deeney said: “Darwin Nunez, you have been the butt of a lot of jokes this season.
“It just shows what a goal can do.
“Darwin, I believe in you, sir. Don’t worry about anyone else.”
Those goals could also go a long way to earning a more regular spot under Liverpool boss Slot, following the Dutchman’s comments about the striker this week.
Ahead of the Brentford game, Slot said: “Darwin is a striker we have to use in a certain way and we were not able yet to bring the best out of him this season.
“Against Accrington Stanley again you saw that he has a lot of pace but, unfortunately for him, most teams sit back a lot against us.
Arne Slot’s telling response to Darwin Nunez goal drought after Liverpool star’s cryptic message to fans
“If you look back at the goals he scored for us, I remember the one against Villa when he went around the goalkeeper on a fast break, that is his main strength.
“He has other qualities as well – but we are still working on getting him in the best possible positions against a low block.
“That involves the right timings, the right crosses, the right position to start from and making the right run.”
Liverpool are next in action on Tuesday night when they face Lille in the Champions League.
However, that may not be the case for a select uninjured few who receive a yellow card in this weekend’s Gameweek 17 fixtures.
Any player who accumulates five cautions inside the first 19 Premier League games of the season will be suspended for one match.
Seven stars will be available again for GW17 after serving that type of ban, including Alexis Mac Allister, Pedro Neto, Emerson, Yves Bissouma, Calvin Bassey, Boubakary Soumare, and Joao Gomes.
The next milestone that warrants a suspension is 10 yellow cards, so all of the players above won’t miss Boxing Day fitness permitting.
Similarly, Brazilians Andreas Pereira and Joelinton headline the absentees from the final pre-Christmas Premier League games.
The Fulham and Newcastle duo are ruled out this weekend for five bookings, alongside Crystal Palace‘s Daniel Munoz.
As it stands, 38 men remain one yellow away from also hitting that threshold, which would now sideline them for Boxing Day.
Arne Slot insisted Darwin Nunez is still an important part of Liverpool’s plans despite the struggling striker falling below the “standard” in the Champions League win against Girona.
Mired in a lengthy slump, Nunez has scored only one goal in his last 10 appearances and three in total all season.
In Liverpool’s victory in Girona on Tuesday, the Uruguay international cut an increasingly frustrated figure after missing several chances.
Slot admitted he kept Nunez on for an extended period, before eventually replacing him in the 71st minute, in the hope he would score a confidence-boosting goal.
After receiving criticism in midweek, Nunez posted on Instagram: “They are not all, they are some. Thank you Reds for your support, we are all still together.”
Slot believes the 25-year-old needs the support of fans and his team-mates to help him rediscover the form that made him such a sensation at Benfica prior to his move to Anfield in 2022.
“All our players feel the support of our fans but he is definitely one of them. Mo (Salah) is scoring so many goals he likes the support of the fans but doesn’t really need it at the moment,” Slot told reporters on Friday.
“We all saw they did something with him when he missed a few chances on Tuesday and everyone needs an arm around you, either from a team-mate, the fans or your manager.
“But I also made it clear to him that he is not only judged on the goals he scores, he is also judged on the team performance and he adds something to the team performance as well with his work-rate and how much he does winning the ball back high up the pitch.”
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez shoots during the UEFA Champions League match against Girona.Source: Getty Images
Slot’s only issue with Nunez was a dip in his work-rate against Girona that drew a rebuke from the Reds boss.
“Ideally he would have scored a few goals more. But what should always be there is work-rate and I think that is what he has, apart from two games,” Slot said.
“I said that to him yesterday and the last half-hour against Girona wasn’t of the standard he should have.
“That had a lot to do with him being disappointed at missing a few chances.”
Nunez’s position will come under increasing pressure with Diogo Jota and long-term absentee Federico Chiesa set to return to the squad for the visit of Fulham on Saturday.
Chiesa has played for just 18 minutes in the Premier League since joining Liverpool from Juventus in the close-season.
The Italy forward has only three appearances in all competitions for the Reds, who sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League as they chase a first title since 2020.
“Federico missed quite a lot for a long time, was ill last week, so we have to wait and see how he is exactly doing,” Slot said.
“But maybe Diogo is in the squad and maybe Federico as well, but that depends a bit on the numbers we have and also how he recovered from his illness.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot.Source: AFP
MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim insists he did not speak to Manchester City about replacing Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium before making his move to Old Trafford.
As Amorim prepares for his first Manchester derby on Sunday, the 39-year-old’s link to City prior to his arrival at United has become a hot topic.
United hired the highly-regarded Amorim from Sporting Lisbon in November after sacking Erik ten Hag.
Amorim had been mentioned as a contender to take over from Guardiola after City announced Sporting’s director of football Hugo Viana would replace Txiki Begiristain at the end of this season.
Guardiola eventually ended speculation over his future by signing a new two-year contract shortly after Amorim’s arrival in Manchester.
Asked if he ever had a conversation about the prospect of joining City, Amorim told reporters: “Never. Never had and this was my only option.
“When Manchester United talked to me, I had no doubts because I had already something in my mind that it could be a possibility.
“With Manchester City or Hugo Viana? Nothing about that.”
Amorim’s side ended a run of two successive defeats with a 2-1 victory at Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday.
But United have won just three of Amorim’s six games in charge and are languishing in 13th place after recent losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest underlined the extent of the rebuilding job he faces.
Yet, for the first time in years, City go into the derby mired in more turmoil than United after a dismal run of one win in 10 games in all competitions.
Rival EPL boss defends “under-fire” Ange | 02:30
Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League defeat at Juventus was City’s seventh loss in their last 10 matches, an astonishing decline for a club that has won the last four Premier League titles.
One of those losses was masterminded by Amorim, whose Sporting side enjoyed a 4-1 Champions League triumph over City.
“I never think about these things,” Amorim said of City’s woes. “We will face a great opponent and I’m more focused on our problems, so we have a lot of issues here.
“I’m more focused on what we should do on Sunday to win the game, so I’m really focused on my team.”
Asked if United are facing a different, weaker City, he said: “No, no, no, no. “The great teams can respond in any moment, and I think they are in a better place than us in the type of understanding the game, the way they play, the confidence they have. Even in these kind of moments.”
City may be struggling but they still enter the weekend fourth in the Premier League, eight points better off than their neighbours.
“I just want to improve the team, so I cannot live it like a normal derby like it should be, like two great teams fighting for the title. It is not that in this moment,” Amorim said.
“Both teams are struggling in the moment, so I hope in future I can feel that real feeling of a derby, but I know it’s really important for our fans.
“But my goal now is to improve the team, win games and I will try to win this game.”
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.Source: Getty Images
MANCHESTER CITY
Pep Guardiola admits troubled Manchester City will not recapture their peak form until his injury-plagued side are finally whole again.
Guardiola’s fourth-placed side head into Sunday’s derby against Manchester United reeling after a dismal run of one win in 10 games in all competitions.
A 2-0 defeat at Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday left City in danger of failing to make the last 16, while they are languishing eight points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
After winning an unprecedented four successive Premier League titles and six in the last seven seasons, City have looked more vulnerable than ever before in the Guardiola era.
The City boss attributes their stunning decline on injuries to key players, mostly notably Spain midfielder Rodri, who won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award earlier this year.
Rodri, who helped Spain win Euro 2024, is not expected back from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee for several months, although he has hinted he could feature at some point this season.
“What I want is my players back. The complete squad we had at the beginning of the season. My regret is that we don’t have these and not needing new ones,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday.
“We have known it from the beginning but Rodri is a Ballon d’Or player. We are playing without the best player in England last season. That is the problem.
“Not one other team plays with a central midfielder who has a Ballon d’Or. It is difficult. The moment he comes back, we will be strong again. We will be a good team.
“Of course, we still have to try and play the same way and to win. Sooner or later we are going to be back.”
With City mired in such a woeful period, the champions have been linked with new signings in the January transfer window.
On the day City announced record Premier League revenues of £715 million. Guardiola didn’t rule out the possibility when it was put to him that reinforcements were needed to save their season.
“If we need players then we go to the transfer market but I don’t know who is around,” he said.
“Massive congratulations on the accounts because the club must be sustainable. That doesn’t mean we have big resources to buy whatever we want, especially with how expensive the transfer market is.”
Beating United at the Etihad Stadium this weekend would be a significant boost to Guardiola’s hopes of ending City’s spiral.
The Spaniard, who recently signed a new two-year contract, vowed to solve City’s crisis eventually and claimed he was not feeling under pressure.
“In our jobs we will always do our best and when the best doesn’t happen you are more uncomfortable than when the situation is going well. As a manager you are in scrutiny for every step of the team,” he said.
“But I am fine. I have more thoughts at this moment but what I feel right now is the same as what I’ve said for the last few weeks or month.
“We have to shoot more and cut out the mistakes. But we have been in the games.
“We have not been consistent for the 90 minutes but I know the reason why. We just have to keep working and moving forward.”
Adding to Guardiola’s mounting problems, Swiss defender Manuel Akanji has been ruled out of the Manchester derby with a pelvic injury.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.Source: Getty Images
ARSENAL
Mikel Arteta is adamant Arsenal’s search for a new sporting director to replace Edu will not affect their ability to sign players in the January transfer window.
Edu’s sudden resignation last month has left Arteta without one of his trusted inner circle at a key point in the season.
The Gunners are third in the Premier League and sit six points behind leaders Liverpool after an inconsistent first half of the campaign.
Arteta could look to the transfer market to bolster his squad in the new year, but Edu’s exit has raised questions about Arsenal’s ability to land the Spaniard’s top targets.
Jason Ayto, who has been at Arsenal for a decade as a scout and then Edu’s assistant, has assumed the post on an interim basis.
But Dan Ashworth’s shock exit from Manchester United has seen him linked with a move to north London ahead of the transfer window opening on January 1.
Ahead of Saturday’s home game with Everton, Arteta was asked if not having a permanent sporting director in place could pose an issue.
“We have one. Jason Ayto is our interim sporting director. He has got the full capacity and support of the football club right now,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.
“He is doing really well with his team. The process is open, as you know. And the club, with the support of all of us, will decide who is the best person to move us forward.
“I never expect January to be super busy, but we have to wait and see where we are. There might be some opportunities, too.
“Hopefully the availability of the squad will be better in a few weeks. We have to wait and see.”
While Arteta is calm about the situation, he would like it to be resolved before the end of the season.
“Yes, but when we are convinced that we have the right person who can work the right team who are doing a great job at the moment,” he said.
“Someone who is going to take us to the next level. We might have him internally. Timing wise it’s hard to understand. I’m not running the process so it’s more for the club to respond.”
Arteta could be forced into the transfer market, with defenders Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu all sidelined by injuries.
Jurrien Timber was only fit enough for the bench in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Monaco in the Champions League in midweek.
Gabriel Magalhaes has also been absent for the past three matches, but he has returned to training and is expected to be available against Everton.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, was handed a full Champions League debut against Monaco and is in line to secure his first Premier League start this weekend.
“He certainly deserves to be in contention to be selected because he performed and competed really well,” Arteta said.
“At his age to show that maturity and personality is strange.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.Source: Getty Images
CHELSEA
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said Friday he felt privileged to work with Cole Palmer after labelling him as “different” to the Premier League’s other star forwards.
Palmer has been Chelsea’s outstanding player in their unexpected rise to second place in the Premier League.
With 11 goals in 15 games, the England international is Chelsea’s top scorer and has also provided six assists.
Palmer’s confidence and quality were on display once again with the cheeky chipped penalty in last weekend’s win at Tottenham.
It was the kind of eye-catching moment that Maresca claimed as evidence that the 22-year-old is a truly unique talent.
“I feel very proud and privileged to work with Cole. Cole is a different one to the rest,” the Italian said.
Chelsea host west London neighbours Brentford on Sunday looking to keep up the pressure on Liverpool in the title race.
The Blues are four points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and are also looking to qualify for the Champions League.
Palmer will be key to Chelsea’s hopes of keeping pace with Liverpool and returning to Europe’s elite club competition.
Maresca, who worked with Palmer during his time in charge of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad, praised his forward’s ability to handle the pressure and expectations of being Chelsea’s main man, “Many top players have that way,” he said. “They look like they almost don’t care but it’s just their way and being in that way gives them more freedom.
“They can relax and you can see Cole is the same way. Cole was this way five years ago and he’s still the same.”
Asked whether he believed Palmer is the best player currently playing in England, Maresca said: “At this moment, he could be, but England are lucky because there are so many good players and Cole is one of them. There are so many good players in the Premier League.
“Absolutely he can be world class but as you said, he is only 22 and there are many things he can improve, including that at the moment, everyone is marking him man-to-man, but there are many things he can still improve.”
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.Source: Getty Images
NEWCASTLE
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admits he is battling to lift the mood at his struggling club as they come to terms with reduced expectations.
The Magpies are languishing in 12th place in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s clash with Leicester.
That is a far cry from the top four place they had targeted after competing in the Champions League last season.
When the Saudi takeover at St James’ Park was completed to much fanfare in 2021, Newcastle had hoped to establish themselves as one of the world’s top clubs.
But Premier League profit and sustainability rules have hampered the Saudis’ efforts to build on the fourth-place finish Newcastle achieved two season ago.
And with little sign of significant spending on new signings in January, Howe knows it could be harder to keep his players happy and attract fresh talent.
“Players are very astute human beings. I always say players feel everything at a football club,” he told reporters on Friday.
“They are the most perceptive people because they are on the front line. They are the ones delivering for us, so whatever is going on at a football match, they’re the ones absorbing it.
“Naturally, PSR has had an effect on the club and we haven’t been able to strive and reach as quickly as we wanted to initially. That has been halted somewhat in various ways.
“Of course they have felt that and been aware of that. The challenge for me is for that not to affect performances and mood and belonging to the club.”
Newcastle spent £400 million on new signings during the first four transfer windows under their new owners but have not made a major signing since.
Howe, who replaced Steve Bruce at Newcastle in 2021, finds himself under pressure after last weekend’s 4-2 defeat at Brentford, with his side having won just two of their last 11 league games.
“The best players we have, they’re like gold dust, and I’ve said that many times. They’re difficult to find, you’re not going to pick them up off the street,” Howe said.
“When you have them, you’ve got to cherish them and really care for them, and try to make the environment as strong as you can so they want to stay as part of that.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe.Source: Getty Images
WEST HAM
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui and his players will visit Michail Antonio in hospital as the Jamaica forward recovers after his “miracle” escape from a car crash.
West Ham star Antonio was rushed to hospital after being cut out of his Ferrari following the accident in Epping last weekend.
The 34-year-old needed surgery on a lower limb fracture and is reported to be facing weeks in hospital recovering from multiple injuries.
Antonio was able to speak to his team-mates via a video call from his hospital bed before they beat relegation rivals Wolves 2-1 on Monday.
West Ham players wore ‘Antonio 9’ shirts while warming up at the London Stadium, with Jarrod Bowen holding up his team-mate’s shirt after scoring the crucial winner.
“We are going to visit him today or tomorrow,” Lopetegui told reporters on Friday ahead of Monday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth.
“But the main thing is we are very happy because he is recovering very well. We are very close to him and his family and we wish him the best for the next days.
“The best news about Michail Antonio was that he was able to talk with us before the Wolves match, because looking at the car crash, it was one miracle he was ok, so we are happy for him.
“Now for sure he is strong, he is recovering himself in the next months to be a man first and then a player.”
Arne Slot was not happy despite Liverpool beating Girona on Tuesday evening to make it six from six in the Champions League.
Mohamed Salah’s penalty in the second half solidified Liverpool’s 100 per cent record in Europe, all but securing their ticket to the knockout stages.
3
It appears Slot is a hard man to please as he criticised his team’s performanceCredit: Getty
Slot criticised his side’s performance, however, and said: “If you ask me about all the six games, I’m really pleased with all the results.
“I’m really pleased with the first five games, but I’m far from pleased about the performance tonight.
“What wasn’t I pleased about? I wasn’t pleased with a lot. If you play against a team that has such a good idea about football and knows how to bring the ball out from the back like some of the teams we’ve played recently such as Real Madrid and Manchester City, you need to be so intense if you want to make it difficult for them.
“But if you are waiting a few seconds to press them then this team can cause you a lot of problems. I almost feel sorry for them as they deserve so much more.
“We have an incredible goalkeeper. But the other thing is every time we lost the ball, we were not aggressive enough and they could go almost all the way to our goal and have a shot.
“We had hardly any control at all over the game. Maybe the second half was a bit better. I’m trying to be positive.”
Despite Slot wanting more from his squad, he was pleased with one player in particular.
Returning goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who has spent two months out of action after suffering a hamstring issue during Liverpool’s 1-0 over Crystal Palace at the start of October.
He came back in for number two Caoimhin Kelleher, who played the 10 games while he was out.
Slot joked that his mediocre team were allowing Girona to run through and test the Brazilian’s true fitness.
“I said as a joke that maybe players wanted to see how fit he really was, so to give him so much work,” he said.
3
Mo Salah has hit 50 goals in the Champions LeagueCredit: AFP
“He showed again today why I said so many times that he is our first goalkeeper, that has nothing to do with Caoimhin (Kelleher) – he did so so well – but Alisson has been so important for this club for so many years.
“He and showed today why he is one of the best – or in my opinion the best – in the world and let’s hope he can keep on putting these performances in and even more that he can stay fit.”
Andy Robertson commended match-winner Salah and said: “I think he has played better than he did tonight, most of us have, but when we needed him he stepped up.
“Six wins out of six, you can’t ask for much better than that. It’s not easy to do or else more teams would be doing it. We weren’t at our best tonight, we have played better.”
Salah’s goal was his 50th in the Champions League, seeing him go joint-tenth in the all-time standings with the legendary AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi.
He has also overtaken Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alfredo Di Stefano and Kylian Mbappe, as well as extended his season goal tally to 16.
3
Returning goalkeeper Alisson did receive praise from his bossCredit: Getty
In addition to this, Salah is one goal away from equalling Billy Lidell’s record of 228 goals for Liverpool.
With Salah still firing on all cylinders, his fellow forward has been struggling recently.
Darwin Nunez‘s form has caused concern with the Uruguayan scoring just three times in 19 appearances this season.
And Slot admitted the player could be experiencing something of a crisis of confidence.
“What I can agree on is that he missed a few chances,” Slot said on Nunez.
“Then it’s always the question: does this have anything to do with low confidence or is this a situation where he’s in at the moment?
Ray Houghton discusses whether Darwin Núñez is frustrating Liverpool fans
“I think every striker all around the world has periods where every ball goes in, and sometimes he has a period where you try so hard but you’re not able to score.
Liverpool’s next game is on Saturday when they host Fulham.
Liverpool fans will have been left beaming after Uruguay’s stoppage time winner against Colombia.
But that’s not because they got to watch reds striker Darwin Nunez score it. Instead, it was his celebration they absolutely loved.
4
Nunez helped his side seal a dramatic victoryCredit: Getty
4
He ran and celebrated in an ex-Everton player’s faceCredit: X:@diazzcap
Colombia had been leading 2-1 going into added time of the World Cup qualifier, with Davinson Sanchez’s own goal and Rodrigo Aguirre’s effort cancelling out Colombia’s Juan Quintero’s first half opener.
The away side then thought they’d bagged a point at the death as Andre Gomez fired in an equaliser in the sixth minute of added time.
However, with 101 minutes on the clock, Colombia struck again through Manchester United‘s Manuel Ugarte to regain their lead and win the game.
As Uruguay’s players wheeled away in wild celebration, Nunez was spotted running toward’s Colombia’s players.
But it seems there was one player in particular he wanted to goad.
Nunez had a choice of two of his club’s bitter foes Everton’s ex players – Yerry Mina and James Rodriguez.
But the Liverpool star targeted Mina, spinning around and wildly celebrating at him before running off with the rest of his teammates.
The Uruguayan team were all in a bundle on the floor as they soaked in their last-ditch victory that put them above Colombia in the table.
The South American countries now sit level on 19 points each in second and third respectively, but Uruguay boast a better goal difference of eight compared to their rivals’ six.
Argentina remain top on 22 points.
4
Mina played for Everton between 2018 and 2023Credit: AFP
4
Mina and co were visibly gutted after the last minute lossCredit: Getty
Away from his wind-up antics, Nunez has also been firing in goals for Uruguay.
In June, he completed a run of scoring in seven games in a row, bagging 10 in the process.
That equalled a record set for his country set by Hector Scarone between 1927 and 1928.
He has also helped Liverpool go top of the Premier League.
Ally McCoist calls out Darwin Nunez’s lack of improvement for Liverpool in the Premier League
Nunez has bagged three goals in just seven starts out of 14 outings in all competitions, as well as two assists.
Liverpool have moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League after beating Aston Villa 2-0 to capitalise on Manchester City’s slip-up.
Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah scored in either half to bring up the Reds’ ninth top-flight win from their opening 11 games.
4
Nunez broke the deadlock in the 20th minute as Liverpool beat Villa 2-0Credit: Getty
The hosts would have taken extra motivation into the match following City’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton earlier on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola‘s men have now lost four games in a row in all competitions to give Liverpool the advantage in the title race.
And Nunez and Salah have helped send Liverpool fans into dreamland heading into the November international break.
Nunez broke the deadlock in the 20th minute after rounding Emiliano Martinez before firing into the roof of the net.
Salah then doubled Liverpool’s lead in the 84th minute as Liverpool hit the Villans on the counter yet again.
For the Egyptian, he has now become the first player in Europe’s top five leagues to reach double figures in goals and assists with ten each, with the former Chelsea man scoring eight times and providing six assists in the Premier League.
Liverpool never looked in danger of surrendering their lead as they now hope fellow title rivals Arsenal drop points at Chelsea on Sunday.
But the Reds will be left sweating over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fitness after the defender went off injured in the first half.
And interim England boss Lee Carsley will also be keeping a close eye on the right-back following his 24th minute exit.
With no-one around him, the 26-year-old hit the deck with what appeared to be a muscle injury, resulting in medical attention.
4
Salah doubled Liverpool’s lead with a beautiful dink over Martinez
Arne Slot instantly replaced Alexander-Arnold, who managed to walk off the pitch, with Conor Bradley as he refused to risk allowing his star man to return to action.
Questions marks will now remain as to whether Alexander-Arnold will withdraw from the England squad ahead of the upcoming Nations League matches with Greece and Ireland.
England take on Greece on Thursday as they look to avenge their 2-1 defeat suffered at the hands of the Euro 2004 winners last month.
They then face Ireland at Wembley on Sunday, November 17 where they hope victory will see them finish top of League B Group 2.
Alexander-Arnold has established himself as a vital player since Carsley took over the Three Lions on an interim basis.
The Liverpool academy graduate has started in all four matches under Carsley.
4
Alexander-Arnold could now pull out of the England squadCredit: AFP
His first three games came in his preferred right-back position, before he was deployed on the opposite side of defence in the 3-1 win away at Finland.
And it’s not just England that will be worried that Alexander-Arnold has picked up a knock.
The player has been one of Liverpool’s top performing players this term – chipping in with two assists in 15 games.
With the Merseyside outfit to face Real Madrid and Man City almost immediately after the upcoming international break, fans will be hoping his knock isn’t serious.
4
Liverpool sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table
Darwin Nunez repaid Arne Slot’s faith by opening his account for the new campaign in spectacular fashion.
Just a day after being told by the Liverpool boss he must ‘work hard’ to get back into the starting line-up, the 25-year-old dazzled in the 3-0 win against Bournemouth.
5
Liverpool striker Nunez scored his first goal of the season in stunning fashionCredit: Getty
5
Reds boss Slot was left shocked by the epic effort into the far cornerCredit: Premier League
With the Reds 2-0 up courtesy of Luis Diaz’s quickfire double, Nunez put the Merseyside outfit three to the good in the 37th minute thanks to a stunning strike.
Combining with Mohamed Salah down the right flank, the Uruguay international then cut inside the box, before unleashing a bending left-footed shot into the far corner.
The relief and emotion was there for all to see as Nunez run to the corner flag to celebrate, where he was mobbed by his jubilant teammates, on his first league start of the season.
And Slot was every Liverpool fan watching on, with the Dutchman turning around to his coaching staff with his hands on his head in disbelief.
Fans were loving his reaction, as one X user said: “Arne Slot’s reaction to Darwin Nunez goal is PRICELESS..”
Another quipped: “He can’t believe he hit the target.”
A third added: “What a goal! Arne Slot’s reaction after the goal says it all.”
Prior to Nunez’s start against the Cherries, the ex-Benfica striker had been limited to just 62 minutes of Premier League action spread across three games.
But his opening 45 minutes will show Slot that he is more than capable of leading the line for Liverpool.
His effort not only had the Liverpool fans on their feet, but also talkSPORT pundit Troy Deeney, who was watching on inside Anfield.
5
Nunes’s strike from just inside the box smashed in off the post and into the back of the net
5
He looked emotional after opening his account for the new campaignCredit: AFP
5
It was a stunning move and individual effort
Speaking on talkSPORT commentary at Anfield, the ex-Watford striker said: “I think that is excellent centre-forward play.
“He has all the attributes, he wins the ball down the line, he has no right to win that, he wins the flick-on into Salah.
“He then gets onto his own flick-on with Salah giving it to him back, he chops inside onto his weak foot.
Adrian Durham rips into Arne Slots tactics after historic loss to Nottingham Forest
“And then it’s just about composing yourself, feel it, and he’s just felt it with his left foot, post and in.
“And you can hear this place, he needed that, they needed that, what a goal, and that’s why he got a standing ovation from me.”
