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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

Stellini provides Conte update

Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte will miss Spurs’ game with West Ham with the Italian still recovering from gallbladder surgery. In his press conference today, assistant coach Stellini provided an update on Conte:

“We don’t know the time. The doctor has an idea but really it’s a feeling from Antonio. That surgery was not easy, it was an emergency surgery and maybe he underestimated this.

“Antonio not 100% is not Antonio, and this creates stress.”

“We have a call every day, many times in a day, probably three times, and every time he wants to come back.

“He needs to take it easy again. He comes back soon but not like he hopes.”

Ben Fleming17 February 2023 15:25
2 years ago

Paqueta not available for West Ham against Tottenham

West Ham head to Tottenham on Sunday and David Moyes has been speaking to the media about his squad’s fitness ahead of the London derby:

“Lucas Paqueta is not going to be available. Nayef Aguerd has a chance, but we’re not sure if he’s ready or not.

“Gianluca Scamacca is back training, but he’s not ready to be selected yet. I might be able to get him involved, but minutes will be limited.”

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

Lopetegui: ‘No room for complacency'

Wolves have made an impressive start to life under new manager Julen Lopetegui. Ahead of their fixture against Bournemouth, the Wolves boss spoke to the media about his start:

“We have no room for complacency. We haven’t done anything yet. We have in front of us the need to win a lot of points and to catch a lot of teams.

“We have to be ready, we hope our fans will be close to us and we are going to feel their support because we need it. All together, it will still be hard but more possible.

“We always put the focus in our daily work. We believe in the players and they have to show this quality. They have to be ready for each match because each match is going to be a very hard challenge.”

(PA Wire)
Ben Fleming17 February 2023 15:05
2 years ago

Eddie Howe ahead of Liverpool clash

Eddie Howe is making no apologies for being a bad loser as he prepares to go head-to-head with one of the “very, very best of all time” Premier League managers.

The Newcastle head coach will send his team into battle with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool on Saturday evening still smarting at the 2-1 defeat they suffered at Anfield in August, courtesy of Fabio Carvalho’s strike eight minutes into stoppage time.

Klopp was less than magnanimous in victory that night, complaining over the Magpies’ game-management, and has since taken aim at their new-found spending power, prompting a stern defence by Howe.

The 45-year-old, who has made a point of insisting his team is not there to be liked but to win, said: “We are not here to do anything other than try to win the game we are competing in, and to not be the team that everyone looks at and thinks, ‘Good losers’. That’s not what we want to be.

Eddie Howe defends Newcastle ‘mentality’ ahead of visit of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool

The Magpies are unbeaten in 17 Premier League games since their defeat at Anfield

Ben Fleming17 February 2023 14:55
2 years ago

Ten Hag addresses takeover rumours

Erik ten Hag and his players are following the ongoing takeover talk but the Manchester United manager says there is no chance of their focus wavering as they fight on four fronts.

The Glazer family completed their controversial leveraged takeover at Old Trafford in 2005, with initial success on the field drying up after Sir Alex Ferguson retired a decade ago.

November’s announcement that the Glazers were conducting a strategic review brought hope to frustrated supporters, with the sale of United one option being considered.

Friday has been described as the soft deadline for initial offers for United and comes in the midst of a frantic schedule, creating background noise that Ten Hag says will not distract the team.

“We are following it,” Ten Hag said. “It’s our club and of course we are committed. But we are focusing on football, on training and our way of play, on games. That is what we are focusing on.

Erik ten Hag reacts to Manchester United takeover talk

Friday has been described as the soft deadline for initial offers for United and comes in the midst of a frantic schedule

Ben Fleming17 February 2023 14:45
2 years ago

Potter addresses Mount and Aubameyang issues

Graham Potter spoke ahead of Chelsea’s fixture against Southampton on Saturday with the Chelsea boss addressing problems surrounding Mason Mount’s contract and the playing time of striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

“[With Mason], it is always complicated. It is best to leave it between Mason and the club; he has been fantastic to work with, an important player, of course I hope it gets resolved quickly.”

“Pierre knows the situation but he’s part of the squad, he’s an important player. He’s worked hard and nothing is set in stone; his attitude has been really good and we will make an assessment going forward.

(Getty Images)
Ben Fleming17 February 2023 14:35
2 years ago

Viera wants to see ruthless streak in his Palace side

Crystal Palace remain winless in the League since the start of 2023 - a six-game run that has seen them pick up three points.

Ahead of their game against Brentford on Saturday, Palace boss Viera outlined what he wants to see change from his side:

“We created chances in recent games but haven’t taken them. You have to take them. We have to improve our quality in the final third.

“We are working hard and well for it. Looking at the last couple of games, we competed well. We need to do more to win, be more ruthless and score more goals. The chances are there.”

(PA Wire)
Ben Fleming17 February 2023 14:30
2 years ago

Southampton interim, Ruben Selles: ‘I want to be the manager.'

Following the collapse of Jesse Marsch’s move to Southampton to become their new manager, interim manager Ruben Selles remains in the dugout for their weekend game against Chelsea but wants the job full-time:

“Yes, I want to be the manager.

“If you ask me three or four months ago I would say yes I am as capable to do that as any other. But it is not my decision and that is OK for me.

“I just do everything I can. I have the team now, we are working really hard to do our best. Those are my skills. The people who run the club will make a decision, but, of course, I would be more than happy to do the job.”

“I am an honest person. I like to be very clear on what I do. I have built myself up to be here today. I have been through all the levels of football, not just in England but in the rest of the world.

“I am very proud of every single club I have been. I have a lot of personal experience in coaching hours, so I think it is a natural thing for me.”

Ben Fleming17 February 2023 14:25
2 years ago

Sean Dyche challenges Everton to work ‘hard and smart’ in relegation battle

Sean Dyche is hoping his Everton side will find the right balance in their crunch clash with fellow strugglers Leeds at Goodison Park on Saturday.

The Toffees go into the match in the bottom three, one place and one point below their managerless opponents, who are without a win in the Premier League since early November.

It will be Dyche’s third match in charge after a dream start with victory over Arsenal and a more sobering 2-0 defeat by Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Monday.

He said: “Over the two games – of course the derby is a different importance, I’m well aware of that – taking three points, I think most people would go, ‘OK, that’s a reasonable start’.”

Sean Dyche challenges Everton to work ‘hard and smart’ in relegation battle

The Toffees are in the bottom three in the Premier League, one place and one point behind next opponents Leeds

Michael Jones17 February 2023 14:19
2 years ago

Guardiola: ‘I still have the feeling that Kevin and Jack can do more.’

Speaking ahead of Man City’s match against Nottingham Forest, Guardiola was full of praise for Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish but challenged the duo to continue to get better.

“They can do better - that would be the best word. I know the demand we will have ahead of us to the end of the season against tough and aggressive opponents. We need the players who have the feeling that we can do better.”

The pair both scored in City’s 3-1 win against Arsenal.

(REUTERS)
Ben Fleming17 February 2023 14:15

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