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It’s official.

Daniel Sturridge will be leaving Liverpool after a six-and-a-half year stay at Anfield, where he has arguably enjoyed the prime years of his career.

After showing flashes of his potential with Chelsea, the England international’s career really took off at Anfield, where he managed to score an impressive 68 goals in 160 appearances, finding the back of the net every 2.4 games on average.

His partnership with Luis Suarez in the 2013/14 season, where Sturridge managed to hit 22 goals in 29 league games as the Reds came within touching distance of the title, was arguably his best campaign as a professional footballer.

You can relive Liverpool’s Champions League celebrations in glorious 2D thanks to the guys at 442oons in the video below…

Sadly, injury problems stopped the 29-year-old recording an even more prolific strike rate, although his time as a Liverpool player did end romantically with a Champions League trophy – his second after winning it with Chelsea.

There have been a fair few, but let’s take a look at a handful of Sturridge’s best moments in a Liverpool shirt…

[snack_break title=”Scoring just eight minutes into his debut against Mansfield in the FA Cup”]

Sturridge found the back of the net just minutes into his first ever appearance for Liverpool, netting a well-taken effort against Mansfield in the FA Cup. Not a bad way to start things off.

[snack_break title=”Notching an exquisite double against Everton in the Merseyside derby (Ignore the other bloke)”]

The Englishman was at the top of his game when Everton travelled to Anfield in 2013/14, where Sturridge scored two excellent goals – he could’ve had a hat-trick if he hadn’t missed a late penalty!

[snack_break title=”Scoring a world-class chip vs West Brom to announce himself as a truly top-tier Premier League player”]

This was the strike that truly proved Sturridge was one of the league’s finest forwards and a player brimming with confidence. A shot didn’t even look on, but Liverpool’s No.15 found the top right corner with an audacious chip which worked perfectly.

[snack_break title=”Netting in the Europa League final with a delightful outside-of-the-boot curler”]

Sadly, this goal isn’t remembered as much as it should be after Liverpool lost 3-1. Despite the scoreline, Sturridge’s amazing curler with the outside of his boot was one of the finest goals you’ll see in a cup final.

[snack_break title=”Finally winning a trophy with Liverpool in his last ever game for the club”]

Sturridge’s excellent goalscoring form throughout his time at Liverpool was finally rewarded with silverware at the last possible opportunity. It was the second Champions League title he has won after picking up a medal for Chelsea’s win in 2012.

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According to a report from The Burnley Express, Crystal Palace are among a number of Premier League clubs who have been alerted to West Bromwich Albion centre-forward Jay Rodriguez.

What’s the word, then?

A clause was inserted in the contract of the 29-year-old last summer as a reward for his loyalty to the Baggies, and it stated that if the player is sold by mid-July 2019 buying clubs will only need to pay £5m plus £5m in add-ons for his signature.

This development has caught the eye of the Eagles themselves as well as Leicester City, AFC Bournemouth, Norwich City, Sheffield United and former side Burnley.

Rodriguez is a goal-getting striker with one full England international cap under his belt – during a journeyman-like career so far he has represented the likes of the Clarets, Southampton and current team West Brom.

This cheap signing would be quick fix to Palace’s biggest problem

It’s not hard to see that this cheap signing would be an excellent quick fix to Palace’s biggest problem, and one Roy Hodgson must ensure he beats his top-flight rivals to secure.

The Eagles have been way too reliant on their wingers Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha to assist and mostly score the bulk of their goals recently.

Members of the Selhurst Park faithful can hardly remember the last time they were watching a centre-forward who can score regularly week-in-week-out with none of the current crop – Christian Benteke, Jordan Ayew and Connor Wickham – up to the task.

Check out a fan’s outrageous call for England to take a leaf of out cricket and rugby’s book after a limp Nations League performance in the video below…

Rodriguez netted a staggering 22 goals in the Championship last season as the Hawthorns outfit narrowly missed out on promotion, enough to make him the joint-sixth top scorer in the division.

Plus, the Englishman is proven at finding the back of the net at the highest level as well with 33 strikes in 141 Premier League appearances.

At just £5m plus add-ons, Rodriguez is an absolute bargain and someone who has the pedigree to finally get Hodgson the goals he needs to start seeing from his strikers.

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Tottenham Hotspur have sold Connor Ogilvie to Gillingham, the BBC have confirmed.

What’s the word?

The 23-year-old has spent two seasons on loan at the League One club and has now made the move permanent.

Ogilvie never once made a first-team appearance for Spurs, despite coming through their youth academy, and also took in two loan spells with Stevenage.

A defender who can play at left-back and centre-back, he has made a total of 79 appearances for the Gills; he turned out 36 times for Tottenham’s Under-23 side.

An England youth international who has won caps at both Under-16 and Under-17 level, Ogilvie will be out to get his career back on track in Kent.

The first of many

This is a positive step for Spurs; Ogilvie was always likely to leave the club but this shows that chairman Daniel Levy has his priorities right this summer.

There are plenty of players at the club, both at youth level and in the first-team, who need to be shipped out; namely Kieran Trippier, Erik Lamela and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou.

With Mauricio Pochettino surely set to reshape his squad this summer after reaching the Champions League final and finishing in the Premier League top-four, there are likely to be plenty more outgoings.

And if big fees can be garnered, there could be something of a war chest that Pochettino can dip into.

Ogilvie, then, needs to be first of many, and a sign of things to come from Levy.

كشف لاعب فريق مانشستر يونايتد دوني فان دي بيك إصابته بعد مباراة اليوم أمام ساوثهامبتون، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتلاقى الفريقان في الجولة العاشرة من البريميرليج، حيث فاز الشياطين الحمر بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدفين.

وشارك فان دي بيك في المباراة كأساسي مع كتيبة أولي جونار سولشاير، وخاض اللقاء بأكمله.

وعقب المباراة، نشر فان دي بيك عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع “تويتر” صورة لقدمه حيث يبدو الكاحل متورمًا بشكل واضح.

وكتب اللاعب الهولندي: “مرحبًا بكم في الدوري الإنجليزي”.

وكان فان دي بيك قد تعرض لتحدي قوي من لاعب خط وسط ساوثهامبتون جيمس وارد براوز، في الشوط الأول.

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Every new day seems to throw up plenty of fresh transfer rumours, and it is no different in regards to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Today’s Reds transfer roundup includes an offer for a Ligue 1 ace, an update on a Spanish target and a potential outgoing to the Bundesliga.

Bid made for Pepe

According to Le10Sport, Liverpool have made an offer for Lille’s Nicolas Pepe. Klopp is a big fan of the Ivorian, who bagged 22 goals and 11 assists in the French top flight last season. The amount of the bid is as of yet unknown.

Asensio available for right price

AS are reporting that Real Madrid would not be against selling Marco Asensio if they receive the right bid this summer – €90m (£80.2m) to €100m (£89.1m) would apparently be enough for the 23-year-old. Liverpool are known to be interested in the player and even bid for him last year.

Bundesliga sides after Whelan

Defender Corey Whelan could be off to the Bundesliga this summer, according to Football Insider. The player will leave Anfield when his contract expires, and two clubs from Germany’s top tier are keeping an eye on the player. The specific sides are yet to be named.

Djaniny Semedo might not be a name that many in the football world know about, however, that has not stopped West Ham United from taking note.

According to Portuguese media outlet A Bola, the Hammers are thought to be keen on the Al-Ahli Jeddah striker this summer after impressing for the Saudi Arabian outfit.

The 28-year-old, who is a Cape Verde international, has been in prolific form for his club this season, having managed to score 23 goals and providing eight assists in his 29 appearances.

West Ham need a striker that knows how to find the back of the net this summer. Although there might be doubts about what Semedo could actually bring to the London Stadium, it might actually be worth them taking the risk and trying to sign him.

Take Manuel Lanzini for example.

The Argentine was a relatively unknown quantity when he first arrived at the club, however, he turned out to become an influential figure for the side and has since become a favourite with the Claret and Blue faithful.

He was snapped up from a club playing in the Middle-East.

Obviously, it is difficult to say that Semedo could prove to be a success and turn out like Lanzini has, however, the Cape Verdean has every chance of being able to do so.

He has shown he can find the back of the net on a regular basis and if clubs like Wolves and Everton are also sniffing around, he must clearly have something about him to suggest that he will be successful in England.

West Ham fans, what do you think the club should do? Do you think Semedo could have the same success as Lanzini? Let us know below!

شدد الإسباني إيميليو بوتراجينيو مدير العلاقات المؤسسية بنادي ريال مدريد، على أهمية تحقيق الفوز على إشبيلية في الليجا، قبل مباراة بوروسيا مونشنجلادباخ الحاسمة في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ريال مدريد فاز خارج قواعده بهدف نظيف على حساب إشبيلية، على ملعب “رامون سانشيز بيزخوان”، ضمن لقاءات الجولة الثانية عشر من الدوري الإسباني (طالع تقرير المباراة).

وقال بوتراجينيو في تصريحات عبر صحيفة “ديفنسا سنترال” الإسبانية: “كان من المهم للغاية الفوز هنا، إشبيلية دائمًا مكان صعب، إنهم فريق رائع، الفوز هُنا مُهم جدًا، هذا الفوز يعطينا دفعة”.

وأضاف: “لقد دفعنا اليوم بشكل جيد، وأهدرنا أكثر من فرصة، وكنا حازمين وأظهرنا صلابة دفاعية عندما ضغط إشبيلية، سجّلنا في الشوط الثاني هدفًا، ولعبنا بشكل جيد للغاية “.

وواصل: “نحن لدينا لاعبون جيدون للغاية، الفريق يلعب كرة القدم بشكل جيد لكن ظروف المباريات تقودك إلى نتيجة أو أخرى، لدينا لاعبون من فئة هائلة، يلعب خط الوسط لدينا كرة القدم بشكل جيد للغاية، لقد استفدنا من التقدم ومن ثم عرفنا كيفية الحفاظ عليه”.

وأكمل: “لقد كنا ملتزمين وأظهرنا شخصيتنا، نحن ريال مدريد، نخرج دائمًا للفوز، لدينا لاعبون اعتادوا على تحمل الضغط وبعقلية الفوز من أجل حصد النقاط الثلاث، لقد تغلبنا على الصعوبات التي فرضها علينا المُنافس اليوم”.

وأتم تصريحاته قائلًا: “نحن سعداء بما حققناه على إشبيلية، الآن لدينا نهائي يوم الأربعاء في فالديبيباس، وسنفكر فيما سيحدث”.

يُذكر أنّ ريال مدريد ما زال يملك فرصة من أجل التأهل لثمن نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا، رغم الهزيمة مُجددًا من شاختار دونستيك الأوكراني (طالع التفاصيل).

Are we about to see a player exodus on the south coast at Bournemouth?

Maybe, because according to The Sun, Manchester United are eyeing up Daniel James’ Wales team-mate David Brooks in a potential £50m deal.

This follows the constant speculation surrounding Ryan Fraser’s future at the club while the same outlet also reported earlier this month that Tottenham are interested in Nathan Ake.

Factor in the attention Callum Wilson has attracted, too, and the Cherries could be in real danger here.

If they do not stand their ground this summer, they risk potentially becoming the new Southampton.

Since winning promotion to the Premier League back in 2012, the Saints have boasted some excellent players. The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Luke Shaw, to name a few, all come to mind.

However, they were all eventually cherry-picked by Liverpool and the rest of the Premier League elite, leaving Southampton battling for safety over the last couple of seasons.

That could easily be Bournemouth if they sell Brooks and co and fail to adequately replace them, though supporters will have faith in Eddie Howe regardless of what happens.

Having signed a new long-term deal back in March, Bournemouth are in a real position of strength here when it comes to Brooks.

Still, you cannot help but feel worried about the Cherries with all of this speculation surrounding their key players. As they say, there is no smoke without fire.

Bournemouth fans, can the club keep hold of all its prized assets this summer? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!

Roberto Martinez is a man who has divided opinion throughout his career; is he a brave connoisseur of the beautiful game or a clueless hopeful out of his depth? Well, amid big links in regards to the Spaniard of late, our latest instalment of the Look at him Now feature will delve into his journey to try and discover the answer. 

Well, one thing is for certain: you can’t accuse him of being boring.

Roberto Martinez is a man who demands a, shall we say, certain brand of football. And when we say ‘certain brand’, what we truly mean is a top-heavy attacking bonanza, where everyone and their nan in thrown forwards in a gung-ho-style push that would put World War I military tactics to shame.

Naturally, such an emphasis on attacking play left the defence open for a shafting on more than one occasion, and shipping 50+ goals in two consecutive seasons a result wasn’t exactly something fans were particularly keen on, especially given the plucky efforts they’d become accustomed to in years gone by.

There was also the feeling that Martinez was never really willing to adapt his philosophy and beliefs or devise a backup plan to which he could turn to when his go-to methods weren’t cutting the mustard.

After three years in charge, the Spaniard was eventually released from his duties following Everton’s 3-1 defeat against Premier League champions Leicester City and 3-0 midweek shocker against Sunderland. Not to mention the semi-final losses in the FA Cup and the League Cup the very same season.

To be quite honest, anyone who loses out to the Black Cats by that amount deserves to never get another job in the game. But to our surprise he did. And it wasn’t just any old role. Oh no. It was the holy grail of managerial appointments.

Indeed, you’d be lying if you didn’t pinch yourself when you woke up to the news that Roberto Martinez had been gifted the Belgium national post to command some of the most gifted players in world football.

Likewise, you’d do extremely well to convince us that you didn’t try to gnaw your own arm off when you learned that he had recently been linked with the Barcelona job which was supposed to be free for the taking, before Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu put a stop the rumours by confirming that Ernesto Valverde will return as manager.

Everton fans, what are your standout memories of Roberto Martinez? Let us know in the comments below…

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The location of Wednesday’s Europa League final has been a consistent point of controversy. The teams were only allocated 17% of the stadium’s tickets and fans have had huge difficulty travelling to Azerbaijan.

It was one of the big talking points on the latest episode of the Fixture In Focus podcast, which looked at both of this week’s European finals. Regular co-host Chris McMullan said; “I get the need to bring these things around. And I get the need for the Super Cup to go to these smaller cities and obviously Baku has built the biggest stadium…but I still don’t understand why it needs to be in Baku.”

And then there is the issue of Henrikh Mkhitaryan being unable to play because of local politics. If Eden Hazard were unable to play in this match, you get the feeling that there would be a lot more pressure to change venues. Arsenal would probably be more firm about it too if their place in the Champions League did not ride on the result.

“I do wonder if Arsenal weren’t in the position if winning this game got them into the Champions League they might be a little bit firmer on this. Whereas at the moment, it is such a big game for their near future that they really have to be careful,” Chris continued.

The fact is that the club need to win this game in order to avoid a third successive year outside of the Champions League, whereas Chelsea have already qualified by finishing inside the top four. Nonetheless, surely the principle should matter more than financial rewards.

To listen to the podcast in full, click on this link (for Baku discussion go to 30:40), or use the player below…

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