WeeklySA_AdminPREMIER LEAGUE: Log leaders Liverpool to solidify their position at the expense of Man United
By Sports Reporter
Three weeks on from butting heads in an engrossing FA Cup quarter-final, long-time adversaries Manchester United and Liverpool cross paths once again on Sunday, squaring off at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag’s men prevailed 4-3 when the two behemoths locked horns in a knockout setting, but the Red Devils astonishingly found themselves on the wrong end of such a seven-goal scoreline in midweek.
Flash back to March 17, when the seldom-seen Amad Diallo sparked Old Trafford mayhem with a last-gasp winner to send Man United into the FA Cup finals at Liverpool’s expense, thereby crushing Jurgen Klopp’s dreams of departing with an additional four medals in his suitcase.
However, the Red Devils were incredibly handed a dose of their own seven-goal medicine on Thursday evening, where a 3-2 triumph over Chelsea was ostensibly on the cards at the end of a frenzied battle, only for Cole Palmer’s second penalty of the night to precede an extraordinary 101st-minute clincher, the latest winning goal on record in the Premier League.
As Chelsea roared in delight, Man United cast their heads down in dejection at setting a new unwanted Premier League record – no side had ever gone on to lose a game in the tournament after leading so late – and Thursday’s reverse might be the biggest blot on Ten Hag’s notebook just yet.
With the eagle eyes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe observing his every move, the under-fire Ten Hag has limited recovery time to play with for the sixth-placed Red Devils, who are nine points behind Tottenham Hotspur and have an 11-point deficit to make up to Aston Villa, albeit with a game in hand on the Lions.
After making an exceptional start to February with four top-flight wins on the trot, Man United return to play in front of a shell-shocked Old Trafford faithful with just one victory to show from their last five Premier League battles – taking a mere four points in that time – but they have already upset the apple cart to upset the Reds once in 2024.
While FA Cup glory is now a pipe dream owing to last month’s pulsating quarter-final loss, Liverpool are still in control of their Premier League title destiny owing to an expected triumph over Sheffield United, albeit one which did not come as easily as many foretold.
A comical Darwin Nunez opener was cancelled out by a Conor Bradley own goal as the Reds were briefly made to pay for their lethargic performance, but Alexis Mac Allister’s piledriver breathed new life into the Anfield crowd before Cody Gakpo made sure of maximum points.
On account of their third home win on the bounce in all competitions, Klopp’s charges enter the weekend with their two-point buffer over Arsenal and three-point lead over Manchester City still intact, although both of their title rivals can knock them down the standings by prevailing on Saturday.
The Reds have not taken to the road in any tournament since March’s FA Cup heartache, but six of their last seven Premier League games on rival turf have ended in victory, and it has been just over 12 months since Klopp’s men last failed to make the net ripple in a top-flight away contest.
Furthermore, no other team in Europe’s top five leagues can match Liverpool’s unrivalled 16 victories and 59 goals in all tournaments in 2024, and despite being held to a drab goalless draw by Man United at Anfield earlier in the season, they have not failed to score in both of their Premier League meetings with the Red Devils since 2007-08, offering hope of an immediate slice of vengeance.
While Thursday’s result was excruciating enough for Man United, Ten Hag’s defensive crisis worsened as the hosts lost another two centre-backs to injury in Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans, the latter of whom came on as a half-time replacement for the Frenchman before being withdrawn himself.
Ten Hag could not give a definitive answer on the duo’s availability for the weekend, but 19-year-old Willy Kambwala should be primed to step in alongside Harry Maguire, as Victor Lindelof (thigh) and Lisandro Martinez (calf) were recently ruled out for a few weeks.
Casemiro completes a trifecta of fresh doubts for the Red Devils owing to his enforced withdrawal 15 minutes from time on Thursday, while Tyrell Malacia (knee), Luke Shaw (thigh), Anthony Martial (groin) and Altay Bayindir (muscle) remain out of contention too.
Speaking of defensive midfielders with question marks hovering over their heads, Wataru Endo was not available for Liverpool’s showdown with Sheffield United due to the knock he picked up against Brighton & Hove Albion, but Klopp has affirmed that he has a “big chance” of coming back for the weekend.
The same cannot be said for long-term absentees Joel Matip (knee), Ben Doak (knee), Stefan Bajcetic (calf) and Thiago Alcantara (muscle), though, while the fixture will also come too soon for Diogo Jota (knee), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee) and Alisson Becker (thigh), all of whom should be in team training at some point next week.
Endo’s return could see Ryan Gravenberch return to the substitutes bench and Mac Allister enjoy the freedom of a more advanced position, while the fit-again Andrew Robertson is primed to take over from Joe Gomez on the left-hand side.
LiMPOPO DERBY BLOCKBUSTER
THRILLER: Baroka aim to skin Leopards in what is promising to be a blockbuster
By Masoja Cele
Limpopo enthusiastic football fans are expected to descend to Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday to witness the derby clash between Black Leopards against Baroka FC. The duel will kick-off at 15:00.
Leopards are still trying to resuscitate their football acumen after a disastrous start to this campaign. They were at some stage languishing at the bottom of the league standings. But, Lidoda Duhva changed the fortunes of the team after the appointing former player Solly Luhvengo as a coach. The ex- Leopards midfielder was roped in to replace Spanish gaffer Alejandro Dorado. The Thidiela family team failed to bring in positive results under Dorado and a few months later the Spaniard was shown the exit door.
With Luhvengo at the helm, Lidoda Duhva fortunes slightly changed for better with impressive results in between. Before, the FIFA break they clocked remarkable wins away at Casric and a home win against Platinum City. However, on Tuesday, inconsistency crept in as Leopards endured a 4-2 drubbing at the hands of Venda Football Club. They are now lying tenth on the table which makes it difficult for them to challenge for championship or even qualify for the mini-league play-offs.
If Lidoda Duhva nurse any hope of winning against Baroka they will have to technically approach the battle with A game tactics. Playing against Baroka at this stage will be an uphill battle. The Bakgakga Ba Mphahlele are also desperate for points as they are still chasing for the championship or challenging the national play-offs. Leopards coach Luhvengo and his technical team will rely on midfielders Thabo Nkwana, Vusi Mkwanazi and Donald Makgetlwa to disrupt their counterpart in the engine room. The trio will also be expected to supply forwards Donald Modau and Bethuel Muzeu to bang in the needed goals. Recently, Lidoda Duhva enlisted the services of Boysen Mbatha from Pretoria Callies. Should he be considered for the clash then the Venda based side will have more fire power in the belly of the field.
Baroka who had a promising future after the arrival of the popular gaffer Dan ‘’Dance’’Malesela early in the campaign should brace themselves for a bruising encounter against Leopards. Bakgakga Ba Mphahlele were at some stage cruising in the championship which propelled them to second position on the standings.
Nevertheless, just before 2023 AFCON break they went through a dry spell. The results were not forthcoming and lost the grip on their 2nd position.
The experience Malesela will certainly revert to the drawing board and try to instil the lost confidence to his playing personel. Baroka are sitting on fourth position with thirty four points, eight points behind the leaders Magesi FC who seems to be running away from the rest of the pack. But, Baroka will travel to Venda highly motivated after accumulating a morale 2-1 booster on Wednesday against another title contender Orbit College.
Assuredly, Malesela will expect continuity from his charges to beat Leopards. Former Mamelodi Sundowns goal getter Gift Motupa who has re-joined his childhood team will carry the hopes of Baroka.
The prolific net-buster will be ably assisted by the likes of Lefa Hlongwane and Thuso Mogale. The defence will be marshalled by the veteran Lehlohonolo Nonyane who played under Malesela at Marumo Gallants in 2021.
