Author: successsport360
The return of the Premier League certainly meant a return of the drama this weekend. As domestic football kicked off once more following two weeks of international action, it didn’t disappoint. There were goals, shocks, red cards, blunders, VAR controversy, overturned decisions, referees at the centre of it all, and general top-flight excitement across the board. Most of it played out in Liverpool’s favour. Not only did they beat Chelsea 2-1 on Sunday, bouncing back from a sharp Nicolas Jackson equaliser after half-time, but title rivals Arsenal lost to Bournemouth, dropping points for the third time this season. Ahead of…
Arne Slot and Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca were at odds over the influence of the Anfield crowd on the referee during Liverpool’s 2-1 win, which summed up John Brooks’ performance. When both sets of supporters come away from a game with a negative view of the officiating performance, it generally isn’t a good sign. While Liverpool can look back in bemusement at some of the decisions made with three points now safely secure, emotions on Sunday ran high and Slot picked up his first yellow card for the Reds. After the match, both he and Chelsea‘s boss, Maresca, thought that…
In the prime of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure at Liverpool, the famous trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane led the Reds. And while Salah and Mane earned most of the plaudits for the prolific goalscoring of one of the best front threes of all time, it was Firmino who was pulling the strings behind the scenes. Working doggedly by setting up the two wingers, the Brazilian constantly put in a shift as the team’s false nine striker, by winning duels and playing passes in behind, alongside finishing off chances – where he finally received some credit. But ever…
If Anfield has been biding its time before really showing Arne Slot what it is capable of, then this was the day it all changed. And in a season that is becoming littered with them, Liverpool regained their lead at the top of the Premier League with the hardest-fought victory of the campaign so far against Chelsea. This didn’t quite scream ‘performance of champions’ but it might have gently offered up a similar sentiment as Slot’s men shrugged off Manchester City’s last-gasp winner at Wolves that temporarily usurped them at the top to pick up a major 2-1 victory in…
From new born to continued rebirth. What a week this has been for Curtis Jones. Having departed the latest England squad early for the arrival of his first child Giselle, here the Liverpool midfielder staked his claim for more regular minutes under Arne Slot with a performance that highlighted the strength in depth the Reds will need if they are to maintain their Premier League title challenge this season. Jones had demonstrated his versatility last time out on his first league start of the campaign at Crystal Palace, beginning in a number 10 role before dropping back to a more…
There are some who will always find fault with how Curtis Jones performs, no matter the evidence in front of them. He takes too many touches, so goes the most common criticism of the Liverpool star, while others suggest he wouldn’t have so many appearances for the club had he not been born in the city. Both claims — the latter far more than the former — are ludicrously wide of the mark. There are, admittedly, times when Jones should be more decisive in possession (that was the case against Chelsea at times too), but he is also being asked…
Liverpool are sweating on a potential injury for Diogo Jota after the striker was forced off during the first half of Sunday’s visit from Chelsea. The No.20 was hurt early on during the game when he was hauled down near the halfway line by centre-back Tosin Adaraiboyo. In an incident that contained similarities to the one that saw William Saliba dismissed for Arsenal in their 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday evening, Chelsea defender Tosin was controversially only given a yellow card by referee John Brooks, despite being the last man back for the visitors. Portugal international Jota was given…
Enzo Maresca believes his Chelsea side dominated in defeat to Liverpool but refused to be drawn on the decisions of referee John Brooks. The Londoners suffered a narrow 2-1 Premier League defeat at Anfield on Sunday afternoon despite enjoying more of the possession during a closely-fought encounter.Curtis Jones scored the winner on 51 minutes shortly after Nicolas Jackson had equalised Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty. Curtis Jones scored the winner on 51 minutes shortly after Nicolas Jackson had equalised Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty.“I think the performance was very good,” said the Chelsea boss. “We don’t like to drop points but if…
The Reds secured a hard-fought win in the Premier League meeting with the Blues as a Mohamed Salah penalty and Curtis Jones strike in either half kept them top of the table. Chelsea had briefly levelled the encounter after half-time, with Nicolas Jackson’s goal requiring VAR intervention after being ruled offside on-field, but Slot’s men closed out the contest for a 10th success in all competitions this term. Read some of the thoughts of the head coach below as he gave his reaction in a post-match press conference… Yeah, of course [I am pleased] with the outcome. Because if you…
“Watch Palmer,” the gentleman behind me barked. “Watch Palmer,” he said again. And again, and again, and again. In fact, I lost count of the amount of times he was demanding a Liverpool player to “watch” Cole Palmer. Such is Palmer’s brilliance, he brings a fear factor with him everywhere he goes. Even Anfield; one of the most difficult stadiums to get a result at in the Premier League. His brilliance is often his own worst enemy, though, because he sets himself such high standards. Ridiculously high. When he is not bagging himself four goals, you can consider it an…