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AHEAD LIVERPOOL CRYSTAL PALACE CLASH: RECORDS GIVE THE EAGLES ADVANTAGE

As Jurgen Klopp’s Reds welcome Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace, Liverpool may be one win delayed from their title crown.

As the premier league champions for the 2019/2020 season is only a question of when rather than who, Liverpool are faced by a team with the best form at the moment. The stats would amaze you, read below.

Liverpool have won five successive league games against the Eagles and scored 11 goals in the process.

Palace are the only team to have beaten a Jurgen Klopp-managed Liverpool side more than once at Anfield.

Crystal Palace’s three most recent league wins over the Reds have all been at Anfield – in 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Liverpool will be crowned Premier League champions if they beat Crystal Palace and Manchester City fail to win at Chelsea on Thursday.

The Reds have won only two of their past seven matches in all competitions (D1, L4).
They have dropped five points in their last three league games, more than they did in their previous 38 fixtures.

The Reds have won their last 22 league games at Anfield, the best ever winning home run in English top-flight history.

Liverpool are unbeaten in 55 home league matches (W45, D10) since a 2-1 defeat by Palace in April 2017.

Only five of the Reds’ league-high 13 clean sheets have come at Anfield.

Their record of 27 wins, two draws and one defeat is the best by any club after 30 matches in the history of the top five European leagues.

Palace are the Premier League’s in-form team with four straight wins, just one shy of their club record.

Fabinho could feature in his 50th Premier League appearance. The Brazilian has been on the winning side in 23 of his 24 Premier League games at Anfield.

Roy Hodgson’s side have lost seven of their 10 games against the clubs above them in the table (W1, D2).

Palace have equalled their top-flight club record of four successive clean sheets, previously set in 1970, with goalkeeper Vicente Guaita not conceding a goal in 362 league minutes.

They have six points more after 30 matches of a Premier League season than they have ever had before.

They have scored a league-low nine first-half goals, with two of those coming at Bournemouth last Saturday.

The Eagles are unbeaten in all nine games in which top scorer Jordan Ayew scored this season (W7, D2).

Sadio Mané has scored 8 goals in 10 Premier League appearances against Crystal Palace.

With the records pointing at Palace as a scary side to Title bound Liverpool, the crowning ceremony may be one game delayed.

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MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN LEAVES EVERTON FOR NICE.

Everton announced on Tuesday that the France midfielder had completed a move to Ligue 1 side Nice.

No terms of the deal were announced.

Schneiderlin, 30, made 88 appearances across four seasons for the Toffees since a £20 million transfer from Manchester United in 2017.

Prior to joining United in 2015, Schneiderlin spent seven seasons at Southampton, playing with Saints in League One, the Championship and the Premier League.

The native of Obernai returns to Ligue 1 for the first time since 2008 when he was a member of Strasbourg.

Internationally, Schneiderlin has been capped 14 times by Les Bleus.

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WILLIAN AND PEDRO SIGN NEW CONTRACTS

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard will have two of his senior attackers available for the Premier League run-in after Willian and Pedro agreed to short-term extensions on their current deals until the end of the season.

Both players were due to leave the club on 30 June after the expiration of their previous deals, but have opted to stay at Stamford Bridge until the climax of the Premier League season, which has been extended into the summer.

Willian, 31, has been one of the key senior players for Chelsea this season, starting 22 league matches for Lampard, but had been unable to agree terms on an extended contract beyond this summer, with the Brazilian allegedly keen for a longer deal than was on the table.

World Cup winner Pedro has only started eight league matches, and had already negotiated a move to Roma when his contract with Chelsea expires. However, that transfer will happen after the domestic seasons in England and Italy finish.

Willian has been a mainstay in Chelsea’s squad since making a big money move from Anzhi in 2013, winning the Premier League twice, the FA Cup, and also the Europa League in 2019.

Pedro has won all those accolades also, but win just the one Premier League title.

Even before the summer transfer window opens, the Blues have been busy in the transfer market and have already completed the signings of Hakim Ziyech from Ajax and Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, as Lampard adds yet more talented youth to his squad.

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JUVENTUS AGREE HUGE FEE FOR BARCELONA MIDFIELDER

Juventus have agreed a huge £72.5million fee with Barcelona to sign midfielder Arthur when the summer transfer window opens, according to reports.

Arthur arrived at the Nou Camp from Gremio in his native Brazil for £28m, and has gone on to make 70 appearances for the club across two seasons.

Despite the mammoth fee being agreed between the two sides, as reported by Sky Sports, it is understood the 23-year-old is desperate to stay and fight for his place in the midfield at Barcelona.

The Spanish club, though, are cash-strapped and understood to be keen to take the fee offered by Juve in the summer.

It has been written that Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri wants to build his team around the Brazilian next season, while the Italians have also offered him a huge wage increase.

If he accepts the move to Turin, Arthur will be on £4.5m a year and will line up in the midfield behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo.

For now, it is understood that Arthur will line up for Barcelona on Tuesday night in their huge clash against Athletic Bilbao.

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MIKE DEAN’S BEARD STEALS THE SHOW AT MERSEYSIDE DERBY DRAW

Liverpool travelled to Merseyside rivals Everton on Sunday evening as they restarted their Premier League campaign, knowing they are just two wins from a first league title in 30 years.

The reds were forced to a barren draw and had their league title glory extended by a possible three matches.

However, there was a major highlight outside the normal as the cameras panned across the abundance of stars preparing for the derby, it was Mike Dean who caught the eye.

The referee has a reputation for stealing the limelight, and it’s fair to say he’s done it again.

Dean had a well grown beard that completely changed his look from the bald headed and well shaved Mike we used to know.

Perhaps, many things have changed about match officials too during the lockdown.

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ARTETA DEFENDS HIS HIGH TEMPERED TEAM IN LOSS TO BRIGHTON

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta leapt to his players’ defence after Brighton striker Neal Maupay accused them of arrogance following a bad-tempered clash at the Amex Stadium.

The French striker emerged as the Seagulls’ match-winner, scoring a stoppage time winner to ease their relegation fears after Lewis Dunk equalised Nicolas Pepe’s sumptuous opener.

But the clash – and Maupay in particular – was submerged in controversy after Gunners keeper Bernd Leno was taken off on a stretcher with a serious knee ligament injury following a contentious mid-air collision with the Brighton striker.

Leno was clearly furious with Maupay – who revealed he apologised to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta at half-time – as he was carried off, angrily gesturing towards the Brighton star.

During the game Matteo Guendouzi was caught throwing an arm at Maupay which could leave the Arsenal midfielder facing retrospective action from the FA before the pair angrily clashed again during a mass confrontation between both sets of players after the final whistle.

The ugly scenes could leave both clubs in breach of the Premier League’s Covid-19 safety protocols that prohibit mass gatherings, like the one at full-time.

Maupay said: ‘I think the Arsenal players need to learn humility sometimes

They have been talking a lot in the first half and in the second half when they were 1-0 up – they got what they deserved.

‘I don’t think it (Leno’s reaction) was justified. At half time I went to apologise to Mikel Arteta I never meant to injure their keeper.

‘I just jumped to get the ball and when he landed he tweaked his knee. I apologise to the team and him as well. I never meant to hurt him.’

But in response to Maupay’s comments, Gunners boss Arteta said: ‘He can say whether he wants but I know my players and one aspect they don’t lack is humility.’

Nevertheless, Leno is now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines amid fears he will miss the rest of the season, if not longer, with knee ligament damage.

But Arteta admonished Maupay of any fault, saying: ‘I believe no player has the intention to hurt anybody and I believe exactly the same in this case.

‘It was unfortunate. Yes, Bernd’s injury doesn’t look good, we have to assess it but things can happen on a football pitch. He was in a lot of pain.’

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ALAN SHEARER HAILS TYNE SIDE AFTER VICTORY OVER SHEFFIELD UNITED.

Newcastle United picked up a 3-0 win over Sheffield United at home today.

Goals from Matt Ritchie, Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton secured a vital win for Steve Bruce’s side. Newcastle have now managed to complete a league double over the Blades this season.

The win leaves Newcastle 12th in the table, 11 points clear of the drop zone. It is safe to assume that the Magpies will stay in the Premier League next season.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United will be bitterly disappointed with their performance. They were excellent before the lockdown but their form has dipped since the resumption. They were held to a draw against Villa in their opening game post-lockdown and now a defeat leaves them seventh in the table.
Newcastle Legend, Alan Shearer took to his twitter handle yo show love to his boyhood club. He said…

“Well done lads, a great win”.

Newcastle are in the middle of a takeover and if they can finish this season strongly, it could give the potential new owners immense confidence while they prepare for the next year.

Also, it could give Steve Bruce a chance to hold on to his job. The Magpies have been linked with the likes of Pochettino and Benitez recently.

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EDISON CAVANI TO LEAVE PSG BEFORE UCL LAST EIGHT

Paris Saint-Germain’s all-time record scorer Edinson Cavani will leave the club ahead of the return of the Champions League, media reports claimed on Saturday.

Earlier this month it was announced Uruguay striker Cavani, 33, who has 200 goals to his name since joining PSG in 2013, will depart the Parc de Princes at the end of the campaign with his current contract up.

rench broadcaster RMC Sport and Spanish newspaper Marca also claimed Belgium left-back Thomas Meunier will also quit the side on June 30.

The Parisians are through to the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite club competition, which is set to be played to a finish in August.

They must also still play the finals this summer of the French Cup, against Saint-Etienne, and the League Cup, against Lyon.

The Ligue 1 term was declared over in April due to the coronavirus pandemic with the capital city outfit named champions for a third year running.

Cavani’s place in the side came under threat following the arrival of Mauro Icardi on loan from Inter Milan at the start of the season.

PSG recently made Icardi’s move permanent but the financial position of the Qatar-owned club has been seriously weakened by the decision to end the domestic term early.

Captain Thiago Silva’s contract will also not be renewed while defender Layvin Kurzawa and forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are set to sign short-term deals so to feature over the next months.

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RICHARLISON GETS HOT RESPONSE OVER TOLL ON LIVERPOOL STAR

Everton ace Richarlison has been warned that he made Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk “mad” after his recent comments regarding his Merseyside rival. The Toffees forward claimed Van Dijk is not the best defender in the world and considers him to be inferior to Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos as well as Paris Saint-Germain duo Thiago Silva and Marquinhos.

The two stars are set to collide on Sunday in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park and the Brazil international is confident ahead of this crucial encounter as he is one of the few players who have successfully dribbled past the 2019 Ballon d’Or runner-up.

Richarlison recently said: “People talk a lot about him, yes he is a great defender but I’ve already dribbled past him.

“He was chosen as one of the top three in the world as he had an excellent season. But yes, for me there are better defenders.

Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos are better defenders “

Former Liverpool full-back Jose Enrique caught wind of Richarlison’s controversial statement and took to Instagram to issue a response.

Enrique advised the Brazilian to “speak after the game” and warned him he may have angered Van Dijk ahead of the Merseyside derby.

The Spaniard posted: “Richarlison an advice for next time. Speak after the game mate now you got vvd mad. Let’s see what happens. Come on reds!!”

Van Dijk is considered as one of the best defenders in the world as he was instrumental in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph last year.

The Netherlands international was also among the Reds’ standout performers this season, which has led them to the top of the Premier League table with a whopping 22 points separating them from second-placed Manchester City.

The Merseysiders have been dominating the competition this term with 27 wins and only one loss in 29 Premier League matches.

Liverpool were hoping to seal the title at Goodison Park but City’s victory over Arsenal means they need another two wins to finally bring back the trophy to Anfield after 30 years.

Therefore, if Klopp’s men beat Everton in the weekend then a victory over Crystal Palace a few days later will guarantee them the title.

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HAALAND’S DOUBLE HELP DORTMUND SECURE HUGE AWAY WIN AGAINST LEIPZIG.

Borrusia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland gave an unpleasant visit to Leipzig as the Norwegian netted twice to help the yellows claim the second spot on the log. Bundesliga’s most prolific scorers went head-to-head in the game as Timo Werner’s RB Leipzig went almost unnoticed.

Werner, who is playing his final two matches for Leipzig before joining Chelsea, drew blank but the Norwegian prodigy Haaland scored in either half to help Dortmund to a 2-0 away victory which secures second place in the standings behind Bayern.

The 19-year-old Haaland, who has also been linked with a number of Europe’s biggest clubs, has scored 13 goals in 14 games since joining Dortmund from RB Salzburg last December.

Werner stays on 26 for the season in the Bundesliga, second only to Lewandowski.

Consolation for Leipzig, which is through to the last eight of the Champions League, was the 2-0 defeat for Bayer Leverkusen at Hertha Berlin.

It has left Leverkusen three points adrift of Leipzig in the battle for automatic qualifying spots for next season’s Champions League with just one round remaining and a vastly inferior goal difference.