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2 years ago

Premier League latest - live: Jurgen Klopp reveals Liverpool team news as Erik ten Hag reacts to takeover talk

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are among the Premier Legue bosses speaking to the media ahead of the weekend fixtures

Ben Fleming
Friday 17 February 2023 13:52 EST
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Erik Ten Hag Pre-Leicester Premier League

Another big weekend in the Premier League is fast approaching, with eight matches on Saturday and a further two on Sunday. The top end of the table sees new leaders Manchester City away to Nottingham Forest, while Arsenal - without a win in three now - travel to Aston Villa.

Mikel Arteta has addressed Arsenal’s fixture congestion, while Pep Guardiola may again be asked to speak on the financial issues surrounding Man City just as much as the on-pitch matters which saw his side reclaim top spot in midweek.

Elsewhere, Newcastle host Liverpool with Eddie Howe and Jurgen Klopp having seen their teams clash last time they met - the Reds winning that game deep into stoppage time - and at the bottom of the table, managerless Leeds head to Sean Dyche’s Everton, while Graham Potter will hope his Chelsea team can find a first win in four against Southampton - also without a boss at present.

Follow all the latest Premier League news and build-up from our press conferences live blog below:

2 years ago

Graham Potter refused to blame bad luck for Chelsea’s struggles in front of goal despite seeing his team score just twice in their last five matches.

The Blues fell to a 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday with a host of chances going begging at Signal Iduna Park.

Only Crystal Palace in the Premier League’s top 12 have scored fewer goals than Potter’s side, with the lack of a recognised striker again made achingly clear as they drew a blank in Germany, their seventh scoreless outing in 12 games.

But Potter would not be drawn into lamenting his team’s lack of fortune, instead highlighting the progress that has been made following the club’s £315million January recruitment drive.

“We can always do more, and do better,” said Potter ahead of the visit of the Premier League’s bottom side Southampton to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Graham Potter refuses to blame ‘luck’ for Chelsea’s lack of goals

The Blues have failed to score in seven of their last 12 games

Ben Fleming17 February 2023 17:05
2 years ago

Guardiola: Title race is still in Arsenal’s hands

Pep Guardiola insists Arsenal remain in control of the Premier League title race despite losing top spot to his Manchester City side in midweek.

City, the defending champions, took over at the summit after beating their rivals 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

After trailing by eight points last month, City appear to have momentum but Guardiola is refusing to get carried away.

“Arsenal still have a game in hand, so nothing has changed much,” said the City manager ahead of Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

Pep Guardiola sends Premier League title message before Nottingham Forest trip

City, the defending champions, took over at the summit after beating their rivals 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday

Ben Fleming17 February 2023 16:55
2 years ago

Gary O’Neil looks ahead to Bournemouth vs Wolves

After a bright start to live on the south coast, Gary O’Neil finds himself deeply embroiled in a relegation dogfight. Bournemouth are 19th and without a win since 2023 - a run that spans nine games in all competitions.

O’Neil was speaking ahead of his side’s fixture against Wolves on Saturday.

He said: “They have a lot of good players. I was surprised at where they were before going on a good run - with the players and the quality they have I wouldn’t have expected them to be down the bottom with the attacking quality they have in their group.

“It will be a tough game but one we can be competitive in and build on. We hope to make sure that, with hard work, we take some more points.”

On team news: “Marcos Senesi had a bang on his back but trained a few times. He seems to be OK and has come through most of the tests and checks fine.

“David Brooks is still out, Lewis Cook is still out. Junior Stanislas trained so all fine on that. Lloyd Kelly is still out. Apart from that, as we were from the match before.”

(PA Wire)
Ben Fleming17 February 2023 16:45
2 years ago

David Moyes spoke of the difficulty of managing while absent from the touchline ahead of West Ham’s trip to face Tottenham, who will be without their boss Antonio Conte on Sunday.

Conte revealed on Thursday he will not return to work until he is fully recovered from his recent gallbladder surgery, and has remained in Italy to recuperate.

In September 2020, Moyes was absent from the West Ham dugout for four matches when he contracted Covid-19, and expressed his sympathy for his opposite number’s situation.

“It’s really difficult,” the Hammers manager said.

David Moyes sympathetic as Antonio Conte forced to miss key Premier League clash

Conte revealed on Thursday he will not return to work until he is fully recovered from his recent gallbladder surgery

Ben Fleming17 February 2023 16:35
2 years ago

Manchester United appoint new director of football operations

David Harrison is joining Manchester United from Everton as director of football operations.

The Red Devils have made a number of appointments at Carrington recently, including Andy O’Boyle as deputy football director.

O’Boyle’s role sees him focused on football strategy and performance, with Harrison focusing on operational aspects at the club. Both report to football director John Murtough.

Manchester United appoint new director of football operations from Everton

Harrison will focus on operational aspects at the club

Ben Fleming17 February 2023 16:25
2 years ago

Roberto De Zerbi provides Brighton fitness update

At Brighton’s press conference before their game against Fulham on Saturday, boss De Zerbi provided an update on several key players:

“Adam Lallana has a big injury and we will lose him for a long time. Danny Welbeck is also unable to play. Levi Colwill could be back next game.”

“Adam’s injury is to the same part of leg. I think he will miss months.”

(PA Wire)
Ben Fleming17 February 2023 16:15
2 years ago

Thomas Frank: ‘We are allowed to deam'

Brentford have continued to impress this season after their 13th-place finish last year. The Bees are unbeaten in their last 10 league games and are fresh off an impressive 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates. Speaking at his press conference ahead of his side’s fixture against Crystal Palace, the Brentford boss was tight-lipped about his team’s ambitions for the season.

He said: There’s no target. We are allowed to dream and we are pleased with where we are.“We have an almost fully fit squad, players in form, and players full of confidence. We are in a top place, but we need to do everything we can to keep this up.”

On the game against Palace and Wilfried Zaha’s absence: “There are always key players in every team. Zaha is a top player for them but when other players come in, the dynamics change slightly and others step up. When I look at their individual quality, with Olise and Eze, I think it is huge.”

(PA Wire)
Ben Fleming17 February 2023 16:05
2 years ago

Rodgers on Maddison contract talks

James Maddison has remained the fulcrum of Leicester City’s attacking output this season with the attacking midfielder notching up nine goals and five assists in 16 games as well as a call-up to England’s World Cup squad.

The 26-year-old has entered the final 18 months of his contract and, at his press conference today, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers addressed a potential extension.

Rodgers said: “It’s a conversation we’ve been having with his representatives for a while, so nothing’s changed there. For me, it’s about making sure he’s playing at the best level he can, and thankfully he’s doing just that.

“I won’t be begging for a player to stay. This is a great club, great facilities and they have to understand that. But it’s a short career, so I understand what they think.”

(PA Wire)
Ben Fleming17 February 2023 15:55
2 years ago

Rodgers provides Leicester fitness update

Leicester City travel to Old Trafford on Sunday to face Manchester United. Ahead of the fixture, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed the fitness of several key players.

On James Maddison and Jonny Evans: “James is fine. He’s trained well. [Evans is] still a bit of time away. We were hoping he’d be back but he’s still struggling a wee bit with his thigh.”

On midfielders Youli Tielemans and Boubakary Soumare, who missed Leicester’s win against Tottenham last weekend: “Both are good. Bouba’s trained all week. Youri is back in training too, so both are available for the game. Everyone’s clearing up now. The squad’s looking strong.”

(PA Wire)
Ben Fleming17 February 2023 15:45
2 years ago

Emery on Mings new contact

Speaking to the media ahead of Aston Villa’s lunchtime kick-off against Arsenal, boss Unai Emery spoke on central defender Tyrone Mings who signed a new contract today.

He said: “I am very happy with him, his commitment is great and his performance is great.

“He is in the best moment in his career and I think the supporters love him.

“He is in the squad for tomorrow, he trained today and yesterday but we will assess tomorrow morning whether he can play.”

(PA Wire)
Ben Fleming17 February 2023 15:35

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