Connect with us

European Leagues

Roberto Firmino ‘grateful to God’ for Liverpool return

Roberto Firmino and Fabinho expressed their delight at returning to Anfield to watch Liverpool’s 4-2 mauling of Newcastle United on New Year’s Day.

The Brazilians spent a combined 13 years at the Reds, winning the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during their successful stints with the club.

Firmino and Fabinho both left Liverpool in the summer, with the pair joining Saudi Pro League clubs – Fabinho linked up with Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad, and Firmino joined Riyad Mahrez at Al Ahli.

Both players made their first trip back to Anfield since leaving the club this week, watching Liverpool dispatch of Newcastle to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Speaking about the return to Anfield to Liverpool’s official website, Firmino stated that it was “emotional” to return to the club.

“I’m very happy to be back here at home, at Liverpool and the stadium as well, Anfield. I’m very grateful to God for bringing me these moments again, to watch the game. Of course I’m not playing but I watch the game and see the boys,” said Firmino.

“It’s always emotional [to be here], you cannot forget you were here. We had a very good history here at the club that we achieved together and nobody can claim this history, it’s already in the history [books]. We are here to support.”

Since the pair’s departures, Liverpool have been busy in the transfer market in order to revamp their starting lineup. The Reds were particularly busy in the summer window in order to sign replacements for Fabinho at the heart of the midfield, bringing four midfielders through the door in total – Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo.

Speaking about said signings, Fabinho admitted that is impressed by their quick integration into the starting XI.

“It’s really important for the team that the players that arrived are already playing good football, really integrated to the team,” Fabinho said.

“Players like Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Endo are playing really well. It’s important because the team lost some really important players. I think they are doing a good job.

“Unfortunately, Thiago is not playing regularly [at the moment] but I’m sure with his experience he is helping these players as well – he talks a lot, he has really good communication.

“The players that arrived here are doing a great job.”

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Premier League

Man Utd Player Asked Ruben Amorim To Sell Him In January During Bournemouth Defeat

Man Utd Player Asked Ruben Amorim To Sell Him In January During Bournemouth Defeat

Ruben Amorim will have learnt plenty about his Manchester United squad during Sunday’s woeful Premier League defeat against Bournemouth. Tyrell Malacia – a surprise starter at left-wing-back – was among a handful of players essentially asking to be sold in the January transfer window.

United were beaten for a third time in four league games at Old Trafford – losing 3-0 at home to the Cherries in a second straight season.

Dean Huijsen headed the visitors ahead in the first half before a Justin Kluivert penalty doubled the advantage on the hour mark.

Antoine Semenyo added a third minutes later to inflict the latest in a string of dark days during United’s troublesome season.

Malacia’s first-half struggles summarised the Red Devils’ afternoon and sparked serious debate over his future in M16.

Is the Dutch defender still finding his feet after spending 18 months on the sidelines with multiple knee injuries?

Or is he simply one of many poor signings sanctioned by Amorim’s predecessor, Erik ten Hag?

Either way, Malacia looked like a player who won’t be starting games for United next season once Amorim dips into the transfer market.

Express

Continue Reading

Premier League

Ex-Man Utd star Ashley Young suffers horror ‘ripped neck’ injury in Everton draw with Chelsea

Ex-Man Utd star Ashley Young suffers horror 'ripped neck' injury in Everton draw with Chelsea

Ashley Young suffered a nasty neck injury during Everton’s Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday.

The ex-Manchester United star started as a right-back in Everton’s goalless draw against Chelsea on Sunday and was substituted in the 73rd minute as Seamus Coleman replaced him on the pitch. After the game, manager Sean Dyche confirmed that Young ‘ripped his neck’ during the game and was subbed off as a precaution.

Speaking to reporters, the Toffees boss said: “Youngy is suspended anyway but he ripped his neck then he did a brilliant header at the far stick. We had to take him off for both reasons – to make sure he was OK physically and was on a yellow card.”

The 39-year-old was already suspended for the upcoming Boxing Day clash against Manchester City after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against the Blues. The Merseyside club will conduct medical tests to find out the degree of the player’s injury and the exact time he will take to recover.

The former England international will hope that his injury is not too serious so that he can return to action at least before January 9 and take the field against Peterborough United in the FA Cup where his 18-year-old son Tyler plays.

Continue Reading

European Leagues

Kvaratskhelia Or Yunus Akgün? Victor Osimhen Speaks On His Preferred Teammate

Kvaratskhelia Or Yunus Akgün? Victor Osimhen Speaks On His Preferred Teammate

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker, Victor James Osimhen, refused to pick a side when he was quizzed about who’s better amongst the players he has been in the same team with, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 25-year-old joined Turkish Super Lig side, Galatasaray, on loan from Napoli after he fell out with the club’s hierarchy in a bid to force an exit from the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

Since joining Okan Buru’s side, Osimhen has been in brilliant form, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists in 15 games across all competitions for Galatasaray, and has already been linked with a move Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United due to his efficiency in front of goal.

The Napoli loanee scored a brace at the Enerturk Energy Stadium yesterday evening as Galatasaray downed Kayserispor to go eight points clear at the top of the league summit heading into Christmas.

After the game, Osimhen credited his teammates for a job well done away from home, and urged them to keep building their performances so they can be crowned champions at the end of the season.

Quizzed about who’s the better player between Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Yunus Atgun, Osimhen said;

Osimhen has had a decent relationship with Atgun on the pitch, as they’ve directly combined for three goals since the ex-Lille man moved to RAMS Park. Back in Napoli, Kvara and Osimhen had great chemistry on the pitch as they won the Serie A title together. They directly combined for 15 goals during the Nigerian’s time in Italy.

Osimhen’s response to the question shows his professionalism on and off the pitch and utmost respect to both the players he’s shared the dressing room with.

soccernet

Continue Reading

Trending