Sports

Liverpool Title Hopes Ebb Away After West Ham Draw

Published

8 months ago

April 28, 2024

Jurgen Klopp said he was “not in the mood” to discuss Liverpool’s Premier League title chances after a 2-2 draw at West Ham on Saturday effectively snuffed out their hopes.

Just weeks ago Liverpool were on course for a quadruple of trophies but Klopp’s final season at Anfield is fizzling out.

The latest blow came at the London Stadium, where the visitors realistically had to win to have any chance of staying in the hunt alongside Arsenal and Manchester City.

A goal from Andy Robertson and an own goal from West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola put Liverpool 2-1 in front but Michail Antonio powered a header past Allison Becker to pull David Moyes’s side level.

The single point leaves Liverpool third in the table on 75 points, one behind defending champions City, who have two games in hand. Leaders Arsenal are two points clear of Liverpool, with a game in hand.

Klopp, whose side were dumped out of the FA Cup and Europa League at the quarter-final stage, brushed aside questions about the title race in the aftermath of the disappointing draw.

“I’m not in the mood to talk about that to be honest or look at that at all,” he told TNT Sports.

“We had to win here, we knew that, and we didn’t, and now we have a little bit more time between now and the next game. We try to get the boys ready again and we will go again.”

The German bemoaned his side’s squandered chances, which have cost them dear in recent weeks.

“When we are 2-1 up we could control it, and still, as I said, in a lot of moments playing really well but the final situation we didn’t take,” he said. “That has been the story of the last four weeks.”

– Missed chances –
Liverpool were on the front foot from the start at the London Stadium but energy quickly drained out of the encounter and the atmosphere went flat.

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta was lucky to escape punishment after a reckless early tackle on Alexis Mac Allister.

The contest livened up in the closing minutes of the first period, with Luis Diaz hitting the post for the visitors after good work down the left.

Two minutes later Liverpool goalkeeper Allison was called into action, making a sharp save from Jarrod Bowen’s deflected shot.

But he was powerless to keep out Bowen’s header from the resulting corner, which took the England forward to 16 Premier League goals this season.

Liverpool emerged for the second half with renewed intent and Ryan Gravenberch fired over from just inside the box.

They were back on terms in the 48th minute when Robertson squeezed a shot past Areola at his near post.

Gravenberch attempted a flick minutes later but the chance went begging.

Angelo Ogbonna then made a crucial block as the game opened up before Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shot from distance was saved.

Liverpool got their noses in front in the 65th minute after Cody Gakpo’s shot hit Ogbonna, Tomas Soucek and Areola on its way into the net.

The visitors had chances to pull further ahead but Antonio headed home a Bowen cross in the 77th-minute to level.

Klopp threw on Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez after the equaliser in a desperate search for a winner.

Salah, who appeared to direct angry words at Klopp before he was introduced, raced forward as the clock ticked down.

His pass fell behind Nunez but Harvey Elliott picked up the ball, rattling a shot off the crossbar — Liverpool’s final clear chance.

West Ham, eighth in the Premier League table, face a battle in their bid to secure European football next season.

Moyes last season delivered the club’s first major trophy for 43 years but has been coy over his future.

AFP

Sports

January Transfer Window: See All You Need To Know As Clubs Sign New Players

Published

1 day ago

January 3, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The English Premier League transfer window opened officially on Wednesday, allowing clubs to sign and sell players to improve their squads for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

The January transfer window is regarded as one of the most highly anticipated events in the football calendar, offering clubs an invaluable chance to strengthen their rosters for the concluding phases of the season.

As intense competitions unfold at both the top and bottom of the league standings and with many notable players expected to pursue new opportunities, the winter transfer period promises to be particularly thrilling.

January Transfer Window Schedules

Clubs can sign players until the January transfer window concludes at 11 p.m. GMT (6 p.m. ET) on February 3, 2025.

According to ESPN, this transfer window applies to all divisions within England’s football league system and is similarly observed in France and Germany. In contrast, the winter transfer window in Spain and Italy opens on January 2.

In LaLiga, the window will close at midnight local time in Spain (11 p.m. GMT, 6 p.m. ET) on February 3.

Clubs in Ligue 1 will have one hour less to finalize their signings, as the window will close at 10 p.m. GMT (5 p.m. ET) on the same date.

In the Bundesliga, all transactions must be completed by 6 p.m. CET (5 p.m. GMT), while Serie A’s window will remain open for an additional two hours.

Sports

Sad! Two months after dad’s demise, Super Eagles goalie, Nwabali announces mum’s death

Published

2 days ago

January 2, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Barely two months after losing his father, Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has lost his mother.

The South Africa-based goalkeeper shared the heartbreaking news via X on Wednesday.

“Rip mom, worst year of my life already,” the goalkeeper posted with tears and heartbreak emoji on New Year’s Day.

“A very very crazy world indeed,” he posted before sharing the news.

The Nigeria Football Federation sent soothing words to the goalkeeper.

“Our heartfelt condolences to Stanley Nwabali on the loss of his mother. Stay strong, Stanley. Sending you strength and support during this difficult time. You are not alone; we are all with you.”

Nwabali’s father’s passing was announced in November, a few hours after the goalkeeper was in goal for the Super Eagles in their 1-1 draw against the Benin Republic during their penultimate 2025 AFCON qualification match.

Although he did not disclose the cause of his mother’s death, it must have come as a rude shock to him, having shared a 2024 recap video in the wee hours of New Year’s Day.

“2024 was a good year, we’re doubling everything in 2025. Thank you Chippa United FC. Thank you Super Eagles. Thanks to all my fans. Let’s do more!” he wrote.

The player has been receiving condolences messages after announcing the sad news.

“So sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and your family,” journalist Latifat Adebayo-Ohio commented.

A fan, Hillary Remy also wrote, “So sorry for your loss. May God strengthen you and all your family members.”

“Accept my heartfelt condolences chief,” wrote Adewale Damilare.

Sports

Arsenal wallop Brentford 3-1 at home

Published

3 days ago

January 1, 2025

Austin Ojomah

Arsenal came from behind in Wednesday to beat Brentford 3-1.

Having been rocked by Bryan Mbeumo’s early goal, Mikel Arteta’s side very nearly went two behind when David Raya let Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot squirm through his fingertips.

But the Spanish goalkeeper scrambled superbly to hook the ball off his own line, and barely 60 seconds later, Gabriel Jesus latched on to a rebound to nod home an equaliser.

Brentford came into the game with somewhat of an injury crisis as Thomas Frank had near enough a full Premier League team out on the sidelines.

However, it was the hosts, boosted by the availability of goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo’s early strike (13).

Frank was asked about potential interest in the forward from Premier League clubs ahead of the game and the Brentford boss laughed off suggestions the 25-year-old could leave the club this month. Mbeumo showed once again how crucial he is to this Brentford side, nestling a low strike past David Raya at his near post for his 11th league goal of the season.

It is regularly said football is a game of fine margins. It proved to be the case again in this match as Raya inexplicably let Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot slip through his fingers. The ball bounced agonisingly towards goal but Raya reacted quickly and leapt back to claw the ball off the goal line.