Juventus line up ambitious Klopp swoop

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Juventus have identified Jurgen Klopp as a potential managerial appointment if Max Allegri leaves the club in the summer, per Tuttosport via Football Italia.

The Liverpool boss is currently in the midst of a title race, with the Reds level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City at the top of the table, though they have a game in hand on the champions.

What’s the word?

Tuttosport claim that Allegri’s job could be in doubt if Juventus lose to Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.

This despite the fact that Juve, spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo, are currently 11 points clear at the top of Serie A and are yet to lose a domestic game.

The report claims that former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane and France manager Didier Deschamps – who has managed Juve before and also played for the club – are also candidates to take the role if Allegri is axed.

Klopp, however, is also name-checked as a potential appointment despite a “solid relationship” between the manager and the Reds.

The former Borussia Dortmund manager has been at Anfield since 2015 but he has yet to win a trophy – the hope, of course, on Merseyside, is that he is victorious in the Premier League title race this season.

Ambitious target

Extricating Klopp from Liverpool may well prove mission impossible for Juve.

Of course, he may not have won anything yet, but Klopp has helped turn Liverpool into genuine contenders once again, even guiding the club to the Champions League final last season. That game, it can be argued, was only lost due to two goalkeeping howlers from Loris Karius.

The German has been backed to the hilt by the Reds’ board and they are well-placed to win the Premier League title this season.

Juventus, then, would have to put together a mighty package to tempt Klopp away.

After all, he is fingertips away from achieving his aims with Liverpool and Klopp is not the sort of manager to leave a job half-finished.

The Premier League's Most Clinical Goal Scorers Of All Time

The Premier League has witnessed so many world class goalscorers in its time. This season there will be several superstars vying for the 2019/20 Golden Boot, as the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah and Sergio Aguero battle it out for the crown.

But who is the most clinical goalscorer ever in the Premier League, in terms of minute per goal?

The leaderboard of most clinical scorers in the history of England’s top-flight is comprised of players whose knack for not only finding the back of the net, but doing so frequently, made them international superstars.

Yet for all the superstars on the list, you might be surprised to find out where some of the game’s most prolific scorers, such as all-time leading goal scorer Alan Shearer with his 260 career goals, ultimately find themselves.

Here’s how the top-25 most clinical goal scorers in Premier League history stack up, correct as of the last round of fixtures on August 31, 2019…

25. Anthony Yeboah – 162 minutes per goal

Leeds fans will certianly remember the name Yeboah, and he just squeezes in the top 25 of the most prolific goalscorers in the Premier League.

The former Ghana striker averaged a goal every 162 minutes of league action, scoring 24 goals in 47 appearances.

24. Branko Strupar, 161 minutes per goal

Strupar may be a vacant figure in your memory of the most prolific strikers the Premier League has witnessed, but with a goal every 161 minutes, he ranks in the top 25.

The former Derby County striker scored 15 goals in 36 Premier League appearances and is deserved of his place in the rankings.

23. Divock Origi, 161 minutes per goal

The Belgium forward may not start under Jurgen Klopp, but he still remains one of the most clinical strikers in the top-tier of English football.

Origi has made 65 appearances in the Premier League for Liverpool, scoring 16 goals in the process.

22. Loic Remy, 160 minutes per goal

Remy played for four different Premier League clubs but that did not stop his goalscoring antics, netting everywhere he went.

The France striker scored 28 goals in the top-tier of English football, netting every 160 minutes.

21. Demba Ba, 160 minutes per goal

The Senegalese striker picked up his 43 Premier League goals for West Ham, Newcastle and Chelsea in just five seasons spent in England, finding the back of the net once every 160 minutes.

20. Ian Wright, 157 minutes per goal

While a vast majority of Ian Wright’s 113 Premier League goals came for Arsenal, the former England international closed out his career in 1998-99 with nine goals in 22 appearances with West Ham United.

Arsenal’s second-leading Premier League scorer of all time finished his career with 157 minutes per goal.

19. Michael Owen, 153 minutes per goal

The 2001 Ballon d’Or winner tallied 150 career goals in the Premier League in 15 seasons playing for Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City.

When his storied career came to an end, Owen had scored once every 153 minutes.

18. Ole Gunnar Solskjær, 151 minutes per goal

Manchester United’s current interim manager was himself an accomplished scorer during his playing days and had amassed 92 Premier League goals when his career came to a close following the 2006-07 season.

The Norwegian striker scored once every 151 minutes over his 234 top-flight appearances for the Red Devils.

17. Ivan Klasnic – 150 minutes per goal

Remember Klasnic? He may not be notoriously known as one of the best strikers in Premier League record, but his strike rate speaks for itself.

The former Bolton Wanderers forward scored 20 goals for the club, netting every 150 minutes of league action.

16. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 149 minutes per goal

Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Man United

Zlatan certainly comes with his controversy, but there is no denying his goalscoring nature.

The former Sweden international made his mark at Old Trafford, scoring 17 goals in 33 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils.

Leeds fans praise Jansson’s performance vs West Brom

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Leeds United thumped West Brom 4-0 at Elland Road on Friday night. The result ensured that the Whites maintained their place in the thick of the Championship title race.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side were highly deserving of their triumph, as they outclassed the Baggies from the first minute to the last.

The home side took the lead inside 20 seconds when Pablo Hernandez found the top corner from distance. Two goals for Patrick Bamford and a late Ezgjan Alioski finish sealed the emphatic result.

Not only were Leeds scintillating going forward, they were also solid at the back. West Brom hardly mustered a chance as the centre-back pairing of Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson kept Darren Moore’s men at bay. Jansson was particularly impressive as he worked relentlessly hard to win the ball high up the pitch and launch attacks.

The 6’4” 28-year-old was imperious at the back and fans certainly appreciated his efforts. After the match, plenty of Leeds supporters took to Twitter to praise the 20-cap Sweden international’s display…

Opinion: Pogba proving this season he can lead Manchester United back to glory days

Manchester United’s season has really been a tail of two managers this term, with Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having hugely different spells with the club.

The appointment of Norwegian Solskjaer has proved to be a masterstroke by t.he Red Devils, and his energy, enthusiasm, and ability to get the best out of his players leaves a lot to be admired.

And one key thing we here in the Tavern feel that the former United striker has managed to do is get the best out of influential midfielder Paul Pogba, who has been nothing short of superb since being moved further up the field following Mourinho’s sacking.

There has never really been a question of if Pogba has the ability to dominate games, it’s just he has never shown it for United until now.

His displays in recent weeks have been mature in nature, while he is also affecting the game where it matters in terms of notching goals and assists.

We have seen his form for France prove how good he can be, and he is finally showing that sort of ability in the Red of United, meaning trophies can’t be too far away for the Red Devils if he can continue to dominate in the middle of the field.

Of course, United do need some more quality added to the squad this summer if they are serious about competing, but with Pogba playing as he is and growing in confidence week by week, there’s every chance that the glory days could be on their way back to Old Trafford sooner, rather than later.

Leeds fans crucify Harrison performance vs QPR

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Loads of Leeds fans have been reacting to Tuesday night’s setback at Loftus Road, and they’re absolutely furious with the performance of Jack Harrison.

It was the same old story for Marcelo Bielsa’s side on Tuesday night, as they dominated possession but failed to create enough clear-cut chances to win the match.

Patrick Bamford looked a step off the pace in every department, Tyler Roberts was hugely disappointing and Izzy Brown touched the ball just once in his ten-minute cameo.

Perhaps worst of all though was Harrison, who completed just 62 per cent of his passes in the 1-0 defeat, the lowest such number of any Leeds player on the evening.

The 22 year-old has scored three times and added one assist since joining on loan from Manchester City last summer, and his lack of end product is surely now a huge concern for Bielsa.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where fans want the youngster axed from the starting XI for Friday’s clash against West Brom…

Ashley’s willingness to go toe-to-toe with Manchester United should delight Newcastle United fans

Rafael Benitez was finally able to get his man at the end of the January transfer window after Newcastle United signed Miguel Almiron from Atlanta United.

According to the player’s agent, however, things could have so easily gone down a different way with other parties having also been interested in the Paraguayan playmaker.

The Breakdown

“Manchester United was interested in Miguel Almiron,” Daniel Campo, the agent of Almiron, recently told ParaguayTVHD (via Chronicle Live) before going on to explain what kind of player Newcastle have signed. “He does not like to go out, he is a boy who likes to be at home, Miguel is a boy who has an impeccable conduct.”

Newcastle’s signing of Almiron was already a good one with Benitez’s squad severely lacking quality attacking options but now, after Campo’s words, it looks like an even better one.

If Manchester United’s interest in Almiron really was genuine, then Mike Ashley has made a real statement by landing the 25-year-old, and that should delight supporters.

It is a show of the club’s pulling power when Ashley actually does decide to spend money instead of being so tight and, as long as a coach of Benitez’s stature is at the helm, there is no reason why more signings like Almiron cannot follow.

In more ways than one, the signing of Almiron is a victory for both Benitez and the Newcastle faithful.

A tricky tie: Manchester United fans disappointed with Champions League draw

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Manchester United fans have taken to Twitter in disappointed fashion after it was revealed that they would be playing Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Red Devils haven’t faced the reigning Spanish champions competitively since the 2011 final of this competition, in which Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona dispatched Sir Alex Ferguson’s United by three goals to one at Wembley.

Would you rather your club won the Premier League or Champions League? In the video below, Pl>ymaker FC’s Matty believes English clubs have already decided…

Obviously, with the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Luis Suarez and some bloke called Lionel Messi in their ranks, the Catalans are one of the strongest teams left in the competition and will be hard work for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to overcome.

However, if they do manage to progress, a possible semi-final tie against arch-rivals Liverpool awaits if the Reds can beat Porto – if that isn’t motivation, then what is?

It’s safe to say that the United fans on Twitter aren’t happy with the draw, which has been unkind to them to say the least…

إكرامي يختار التشكيل الأفضل لمن عاصرهم.. ويعترف: تعرضت للظلم بسبب رمضان صبحي

كشف شريف إكرامي حارس مرمى فريق النادي الأهلي السابق والمنتقل حديثًا لصفوف بيراميدز، عن التشكيل التاريخي للاعبين الذين عاصرهم، وعن أكثر الأوقات التي تعرض خلالها للظلم داخل أروقة القلعة الحمراء.

وقال اكرامي في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “إم بي سي مصر”: “التشكيل التاريخي لأفضل لاعبين عاصرتهم، في حراسة المرمى عصام الحضري، في خط الدفاع أختار أحمد فتحي، ووائل جمعة، ومحمد نجيب أو أحمد حجازي، وسيد معوض”.

طالع | إكرامي يرد على احتمالية عودته لـ الأهلي.. ويؤكد: لم أندهش من رحيل فايلر

وتابع: “في خط الوسط سأختار حسام عاشور، وحسام غالي، ومحمد شوقي، وفي الجانب الهجومي أختار محمد بركات، محمد أبو تريكة، وعبد الله السعيد، وليد سليمان، عماد متعب”.

وواصل: “سأختار رمضان صبحي احتياطيًا”.

وتابع: “أكثر وقت شعرت خلاله بالظلم خلال مسيرتي مع الأهلي هو إقحامي في موضوع رمضان صبحي ورحيله إلى بيراميدز”.

واختتم: “تصريح مارتن يول بخصوص أن أي هجمة عليّ تتحول لهدف لم أشعر بالغضب منه، لأن هذا التصريح ليس له قيمة بالنسبة لي، وقلت لمارتن نفسه إن هذا التصريح بالنسبة لي كأني لم أسمعه”.

Leeds United: Bielsa too smart to fall for Wilder’s mind games

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder heaped praise on his Leeds counterpart Marcelo Bielsa, when he insisted the Argentine had “sprinkled his magic dust” on the team he considers as “the best team in the division”.

He was speaking ahead of the top of the table clash at Elland Road on Saturday lunchtime, in a game that could have huge connotations on the automatic promotion race.

According to the BBC Sport website, Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield: ” The manager [Bielsa] has worked at the highest level and they’ve gone all out to get him to turn their club around.

“He’s sprinkled his magic dust and they’ve got a good group of players.”

Bielsa, who could see his Leeds side open up a five point gap between themselves and their third-placed opponents with a win tomorrow, was mutually respectful of his opposite number.

He said: “I have learned a lot from Sheffield United, they are the one of the teams from which I have learned the most this season.

“They have a new style of playing and they have been faithful to that all season, each player is giving the best of themselves.

“When we played against them [earlier in the season] it was a hard win and probably we didn’t deserve to win. It’s a big challenge to try and beat them.”

But Wilder stressed that, although it is undoubtedly a huge game, it will not make or break the season for either club, following social media comments from Leeds defender Pontus Jansson who said that it would be “the biggest game of our lives” for many of the players.

Reacting to the comments, the Blades boss said: “I respect what he has to say as an international footballer and it gives a big boost to whoever gets the result but it’s not season-defining.

“I think that shows a total lack of respect for the teams we’ve got left to play. If we won it would claw back the deficit that we are in behind them and if they win then they stretch that lead.

“The way the Championship is at the moment all of the teams have got something to play for.”

It promises to be a great atmosphere between the Yorkshire rivals, and regardless of Wilder’s comments, a win for Leeds would surely see them in a virtually unstoppable position with just eight games to go.

Is the finish line in sight for you now Leeds fans? Will a win tomorrow have the fat lady warming her voice up? Join in the debate by letting us know your thoughts below…

Mark Lawrenson suggests Palace will pose more of a threat to United than Liverpool

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Crystal Palace host Manchester United at Selhurst Park on Wednesday and the the home side will be hoping to inflict another shock result on a big six team – BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson thinks that they will be able to do just that.

What did he say?

Summarising his predictions for the midweek Premier League clashes, the former Liverpool defender said:

“United’s injury problems from their draw with Liverpool weekend are going to affect the team that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can put out in this one.

“He dealt very well with what happened, but the game itself was very poor and Liverpool did not pose much of a threat.

“I just have a feeling that Palace will be different, and that they are going to surprise people here. They are playing well and they going to go for it attack-wise too.

“Michy Batshuayi is up and running after scoring against Leicester on Saturday, Wilfried Zaha is back from suspension, and I think they will cause United problems.”

High praise for Palace

Liverpool’s front three is regarded as one of the most dangerous in Europe but they have admittedly gone off the boil in recent weeks, with stalemates against United and Bayern Munich showcasing some extremely poor finishing. Lawrenson, though, thinks that Roy Hodgson’s side will have no such problems breaking down the former.

Zaha is back to his sparkling best and has now scored four goals in his last three games, while January signing Batshuayi netted his first – admittedly a fortuitous one – in red and blue against Leicester at the weekend.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

A 3-2 win over Manchester City in December showed that the Selhurst Park outfit have the quality in all areas of the pitch to upset the bookies but a win over United, who have been rejuvenated since Jose Mourinho’s departure, would be almost as impressive as their victory over the Premier League champions just after Christmas.

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