[ad_pod ]Liverpool crashed and burned in Catalonia on Wednesday night despite putting in a decent display at the Nou Camp.To say Barcelona’s 3-0 victory flattered the hosts is a resounding understatement, but Jurgen Klopp’s face told the whole story when the third goal went in.The gulf in class between mere humans and the extraterrestrial Lionel Messi was underlined with Barcelona donning a 2-0 lead, as the Argentine stepped up to whip a deliciously placed free-kick into the top corner of Alisson’s goal.In response to the exquisite strike, Gary Lineker hit the nail on the head with his assessment.

If ever there was a time when Liverpool fans could appreciate Lineker’s sentiments, it was immediately in the aftermath of his second and potentially tie-clinching goal.

The last time Messi faced Liverpool was in 2007, when he failed to score or assist in a two-legged tie which the Reds eventually won on away goals.

‘The little genius defies logic’ was a statement which certainly didn’t apply back then but, after years of avoiding the magician on the European stage, the otherworldly lexicon field which he commands across the football media has never been more pertinent to Liverpool fans.

They saw his logic-defying genius in all its glory last night, and it may well prove to be the difference between the two sides across the two legs.

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Everton fans have taken to Twitter in angered fashion after it was announced that Andre Gomes would serve a three-game ban for his studs-up challenge on Aleksandar Mitrovic, which referee Lee Probert failed to spot.

As a result of Probert not seeing the incident, it was left in the hands of the Football Association to sort out, and they have now banned the Portuguese international after he accepted a charge of violent conduct.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

The 25-year-old will miss games against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Burnley, but will be available for the final game of the season against Tottenham.

There is no denying that it was an ugly challenge from the on-loan Barcelona midfielder, but the Everton fans’ main issue with the ban is that other players have gotten away with similar incidents of late – Mohamed Salah’s awful challenge on Porto star Danilo in the Champions League being a key example.

Let’s see what the livid Toffees supporters on Twitter have been saying about the ban…

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On Thursday, Crystal Palace legend Julian Speroni announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season after an illustrious 15 years at Selhurst Park and with plenty of club records to his name.

The 39-year-old custodian has made a record number of appearances as a goalkeeper (405), has kept 112 clean sheets and has also won Palace’s player of the year award four times. Wilfried Zaha comes in second with three gongs and Speroni is hoping that the Ivorian’s trophy cabinet will outshine his own in the coming years.

What did he say?

Well, having announced his exit this summer, Speroni had this to say in an interview with Palace journalists:

“If someone is going to break (my record of four player of the year awards) it will be Wilfried and I will be so pleased for him. If someone is going to break it I hope it’s him because he deserves it, he’s done fantastically for us. Records are there to be broken so it will be broken sometime, and I hope it’s him, but who knows? We’ll see.”

Agent Speroni

With the electric number 11 surely earning admirers all of Europe, Palace could be set to lose not just club legend Speroni but a legend-in-the-making in Zaha, who has blossomed into one of the best players outside the top-six.

With 10 goals and six assists to his name this campaign, the former Manchester United winger would normally be a shoe-in for the player of the year award which went to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, although the 21-year-old Englishman is certainly a deserving winner.

Should Crystal Palace keep hold of Max Meyer this summer? Harvey Jones discusses in the video below…

If both stars remain at SE25 next season, Zaha will have to pull off something truly special to swing the end of season vote in his favour, with Wan-Bissaka having established himself as one of the most consistent defenders in Europe.

Regardless, Speroni’s prediction that Zaha can beat his record indicates that the veteran shot-stopper is also hopeful that the 26-year-old speedster doesn’t follow him out the door this summer.

It’s doubtful that Palace fans could manage two doses of heartbreak in one transfer window, so hopefully Speroni can have some influence on Zaha’s decision whether to remain at or depart Selhurst Park in the coming months.

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Speaking to The Debate podcast (17/04), Paul Merson has given his view on Leicester’s potential Europa League qualification ahead of next season.

What’s he said?

Under Claude Puel, Leicester looked a shadow of the team they were a few years ago but his sacking appears to have been timely in the race for a Europa League place.

Brendan Rodgers has managed to rejuvenate the club since he walked through the doors at the King Power and they’re now sitting in pole position in seventh place.

The Foxes have rediscovered their swagger under the Northern Irish manager, with Jamie Vardy back among the goals after struggling under Puel.

They’ve looked considerably better at both ends of the pitch and it came as no surprise to see them win four games on the bounce, prior to a disappointing defeat against Newcastle.

With four games to go, the final Europa League spot was discussed on The Debate. Speaking about Leicester’s chances, Merson appeared to think that it would be detrimental if they were to qualify. He said:

“I think with Brendan [Rodgers] he could do without it. Brendan’s just come in and would probably want a long pre-season with his players to bind to what he wants. He’s going to have to bring in some of his players that he likes so he’s going to need a longer pre-season than a Wolves.”

Busy pre-season on the cards?

Competing in Europe should be an honour but when you’re entering the Europa League in the early qualification rounds it leads to quite a hectic pre-season.

As seen with Burnley last summer, they were left feeling the effects of competitive matches so early on and never really recovered, only just now discovering the type of form that makes them such a threat to the bigger sides.

Although Leicester have greater depth and better players, it could also be a hindrance and at the moment, their focus should be on rebuilding. Despite another European adventure looking appealing, it may be difficult for Rodgers to embed everything he wants to in the squad next summer if they had an extra distraction.

It could prove to be a busy summer for Leicester anyway, but one main advantage of securing European football would potentially be keeping Youri Tielemans at the club when his loan spell ends.

However, with games against Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea still to play, things could be out of their hands regardless.

يرى الظهير الأيمن البرازيلي، كافو، أسطورة البرازيل وميلان الإيطالي، أنّ ترينت ألكساندر أرنولد، ظهير ليفربول، لديه القدرة على أنّ يُصبح أفضل ظهير أيمن على الإطلاق.

أرنولد صاحب الـ”22″ عامًا، مُنذ اللعب مع الفريق الأول لـ ليفربول، بات أحد الركائز الأساسية مع الريدز، وخاض 140 مباراة مع حمُر الميرسيسايد، كما ساهم في تتويج الفريق بلقب دوري أبطال أوروبا والدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وقال كافو في تصريحات نقلتها شبكة “جول” العالمية في نسختها الإنجليزية: “ترينت ألكساندر أرنولد يتمتع بشخصية فريدة”.

وأضاف: “إنه لا يخشى أنّ يكون عدوانيًا، يضغط، يراوغ، يلعب، يصنع ويسجّل أيضًا، لقد طور شخصيته في وقت مُبكر جدًا، وسيساعده ذلك على أنّ يُصبح لاعبًا متميزًا في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز”.

وواصل: “أعتقد أنه بحاجة للحفاظ على كل شيء جيد لديه، مثل حالته البدنية وتمريراته وإتقان العرضية أكثر قليلًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كانسيلو قبل مواجهة ليفربول: نتوقع مباراة صعبة جدًا.. ونستطيع الفوز

وتابع: “كأس العالم سوف يمنحه مقعدًا بين الأفضل، لقد أتيحت لي الفرصة للفوز بكأس العالم، مرتين، ولعبت ثلاث نهائيات متتالية، لا يزال شابًا، ويسير على الطريق الصحيح”.

وأشار: “في المستقبل، سيكون أحد أفضل اللاعبين في مركز الظهير الأيمن في إنجلترا والعالم، وقد يُصبح الأفضل على الإطلاق”.

وأتبع: “هنُاك فرق كبير بين رياضي محترف ولاعب كرة قدم، النصيحة التي سأقدمها له هي أن يكون رياضيًا محترفًا”.

وأتم تصريحاته قائلًا: “بالتفاني والتركيز والالتزام، الأمر كله يتعلق بالعقلية، والتركيز 24 ساعة على ما تفعله”.

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Tottenham Hotspur fans insist that Fernandinho should be banned from the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash later this week.

Spurs won the first leg 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Son Heung-Min scoring the only goal of the game.

Fernandinho was involved in a clash with striker Harry Kane before his injury, seemingly elbowing the England international in the back of the head.

Pep Guardiola, however, has now claimed that the Brazilian is a fitness doubt for the decisive encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking after the encounter with Crystal Palace in the Premier League, in which Fernandinho was left out, Guardiola was asked if his omission was due to an injury.

Per The Sun, he replied: “Yes. He finished badly against Tottenham. Today he is not fit. It’s short-term.”

And Spurs fans have reacted to the news on Twitter, insisting that there should be no doubt whatsoever over his involvement, as he should have been sent off anyway.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

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Paulo Gazzaniga was thrown into the Tottenham Hotspur team on Saturday as the club lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the Premier League.

Normal No.1 and club captain Hugo Lloris was not in the matchday squad after sustaining a minor injury.

On the chalkboard

This was something of an audition for Gazzaniga, playing against the best team in England.

It is fair to say that he failed it.

While he has turned in some impressive performances in goal for Spurs during his time at the club, Gazzaniga was the picture of nervousness against Pep Guardiola’s side.

That is perhaps forgivable, given the circumstances surrounding his inclusion, but he did not make a positive impression.

Per WhoScored, he made three saves, though he only collected the ball once and he also allowed one effort to squirm out of his hands and roll behind for a corner.

His distribution, too, left a lot to be desired.

While playing against Ederson – perhaps the finest sweeper keeper in England – can make his stats look particularly poor, Gazzaniga had a pass completion rate of just 53%. Ederson’s, by comparison, was 74%. Earlier this week, in the Champions League encounter between the two clubs, Lloris had a pass completion rate of 61%.

Gazzaniga, then, was constantly placing his own backline under unnecessary pressure.

An upgrade is required

Lloris is not the best goalkeeper in England and Spurs could certainly improve upon him in the transfer market, should they choose to.

But perhaps the real problem lies in the depth behind him.

Michel Vorm is ageing and surely rusty and, while Gazzaniga has time on his side at 27, it has become apparent that neither are capable of deputising for any length of time.

This summer, then, as Spurs look to dip into the transfer market for the first time since January 2018, a goalkeeper must be on the agenda.

It may seem harsh but, after Saturday, Gazzaniga simply cannot cut it.

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Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on the signing of Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, according to Sport, but supporters are mixed on the prospect of acquiring his signature.

The star is currently on loan at Everton and has played 28 times in all competitions, scoring once and laying on two assists.

However, he is not set to stay at Goodison Park, with the Spanish outlet reporting that Spurs are poised to table a €30million (£26m) offer for the 25-year-old.

Gomes is said to have already agreed personal terms with the club and Barca are merely waiting for Spurs’ bid, which they will accept.

The Portugal international joined Barca in 2016 and has made a total of 78 appearances for the Catalan giants.

He has won La Liga once as well as two Spanish Cups during his career at Camp Nou but appears certain to depart the club when the transfer window reopens.

If the transfer is completed, Gomes will become Spurs’ first signing since the arrival of Lucas Moura in January 2018.

But supporters are unsure about the prospect of bringing in a midfielder without much impact in the final third.

Take a look at the best of the reaction to the report below!

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Celtic fans have taken to Twitter in their droves on Tuesday to give their heart-warming tributes to legendary club captain Billy McNeill after his death.

The sad news of the 79-year-old’s passing was Tweeted out by the Hoops’ official account and was met by floods of messages from grieving supporters.

McNeill, a defender by trade, both captained and managed at Parkhead and also made 30 appearances for the Scottish national team, bringing great success to the green and white side of Glasgow both as a player and as a gaffer.

He is best known for leading the “Lisbon Lions,” the famous Celtic side that lifted the European Cup in 1967 by beating Internazionale in Portugal, and will be sorely missed as a prominent figure at Neil Lennon’s men’s matches even up until today.

Tributes from members of the Hoops Army towards the nine-time Scottish league champion simply called him “the greatest”, an icon of football and “forever loved.”

Was Georgios Samaras a better player for Celtic than fans gave him credit for? Keith from C’mon the Hoops explains why he was in the video below…

You can check out the pick of them in our list, below…

اعترف وكيل مدافع الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد ناتشو فرنانديز، أنه كان قريبًا من الرحيل في الميركاتو الصيفي الماضي، لولا إصابة زميله ومواطنه داني كارفاخال.

ناتشو البالغ من العمر 30 عامًا حبيس مقاعد البدلاء على مدار السنوات الماضية، ولا يشارك إلا في بضع مباريات كل موسم، ولكن يرتبط اسمه دائمًا بإمكانية الرحيل والانتقال إلى الدوري الإيطالي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ماركا تكشف موعد عودة ناتشو بعد إصابته في الكلاسيكو

وتحدث وكيل ناتشو خوانما لوبيز عن الأمر في تصريحات لشبكة “كالتشيو ميركاتو” الإيطالية، قائلا: “كانت هناك احتمالية لرحيله في الصيف الماضي”.

وتابع: “تواصلنا مع بعض الأندية في إيطاليا، ولكن في النهاية لم تتم الصفقة بسبب إصابة كارفاخال التي كانت عقبة رئيسية”.

وتعرض كارفاخال لإصابة في الرباط الجانبي الداخلي للركبة في بداية أكتوبر، وهو ما قطع جميع فرص ناتشو في الرحيل عن ريال مدريد.