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.”

Premier League

Scholes suggests Amorim may need to offload up to 14 players at Man United

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes that current manager Ruben Amorim may need to offload up to 14 players as part of a major rebuild.

Scholes stated that Amorim faces a far bigger rebuilding job than Mikel Arteta did at Arsenal, citing the challenges Amorim has encountered since taking over at Old Trafford. The 40-year-old manager recently referred to the team as the worst in the club’s history.

Scholes highlighted Arteta’s transformation of Arsenal, which began when he inherited a team in disarray. Arteta’s success came through significant player changes, such as moving on Matteo Guendouzi, Mesut Ozil, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Amorim appears to be following a similar path. He has left Marcus Rashford out of his matchday squad for over a month and has also sidelined Casemiro.

“The trouble Amorim’s got is there’s not just three of them,” Scholes told The Overlap fan debate. “You could be talking about 13 or 14 of them he doesn’t want.”

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Slot rests key players for Champions League clash against PSV

‘Something Is Wrong’ With Liverpool' - Arne Slot Admits Ahead Of AC Milan Clash

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has opted to leave out several key players for their upcoming Champions League match against PSV on Wednesday night.

Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and seven other prominent players have not made the trip to the Netherlands, with Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Luis Díaz also being rested.

Slot is focusing on Liverpool’s busy schedule, with important Premier League and Carabao Cup fixtures ahead.

Caoimhin Kelleher is set to start in goal, while fringe players such as Wataru Endo, Darwin Núñez, Federico Chiesa, and Harvey Elliott are expected to feature. Cody Gakpo, a former PSV player, will also be part of the squad and could face his old team.

Liverpool’s squad for the match includes:

Goalkeepers: Kelleher, Jaros, Davies.
Defenders: Quansah, Bradley, Norris, Nallo, Tsimikas, Robertson.
Midfielders: Endo, Mabaya, McConnell, Morrison, Morton, Nyoni.
Forwards: Chiesa, Gakpo, Elliott, Kone-Doherty, Danns, Núñez.

Premier League

PGMOL stands by referee Michael Oliver amid controversial red card, assigns him to key fixtures

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has decided not to drop referee Michael Oliver for the upcoming Premier League fixtures despite recent controversy.

Oliver has faced criticism for his decision to send off Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly during Saturday’s match against Wolves. The 39-year-old referee issued a straight red card to Lewis-Skelly after he caught Wolves defender Matt Doherty’s calf and ankle with his studs. The decision was upheld by VAR, and Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory at Molineux.

There had been speculation that Oliver would be sidelined due to the backlash and online abuse. However, he is scheduled to referee Wednesday’s Champions League clash between Barcelona and Atalanta.

The Premier League has confirmed that Oliver will officiate Ipswich Town’s match against Southampton at Portman Road on Saturday.

Additionally, he has been assigned to handle next month’s rescheduled Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park.