☆ Barclays Premier League Season 2014-15 ☆

[Willian]

Lambert ´annoyed´ by Senderos injury

20 November 2014

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has accused Switzerland of mismanagement after Philippe Senderos returned injured from international duty.

The defender picked up a calf problem in training during the international break, but Lambert feels the 29-year-old was rushed back into action too soon following a thigh issue.

Senderos' absence, which could last up to a month, leaves Villa desperately short at the back, with Nathan Baker (knee) and Ron Vlaar (calf) already sidelined.

"The one I'm not happy about at all is Philippe," said Lambert. "He is the one which has annoyed me the most.

"He went away with his national team and, if you look at his record, he has only played six minutes, against West Ham, for a month.

"He goes away with Switzerland and ends up pulling his calf in a training exercise.

"It's mismanagement from the FA in Switzerland. They should have been in dialogue and seen his record in the first place and that he didn't play for a month.

"It's OK for them to go away and think 'we have only lost a centre-half' but we have lost a centre-half for a month again who has been a vital part of the team.

"We still have options but in Philippe's case it should have been avoided. He was totally fine when he came on in that little cameo role against West Ham."

Aston Villa host Southampton in the Premier League on Monday.

 

[Schurrle]

Bony rumours will not stop - Monk

20 November 2014

Swansea City manager Garry Monk does not expect Wilfried Bony's contract extension to stave off interest from other Premier League clubs.

The Welsh club announced on Wednesday that the Ivory Coast international had put pen to paper on a deal to prolong his stay at the Liberty Stadium until 2018.

Bony had previously been linked with a move to the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, but Monk does not believe the rumours will stop.

"It's not our problem," he said. "Our problem is to try and sign and keep players on long-term contracts for as long as possible.

"Bony is one of them. We can't stop speculation whether they're on a one-year or 20-year contract.

"My priority is that players are happy and are rewarded.

"I don't delve into the details. I give my advice whether players deserve it or not and leave to the chairman to discuss the details with the agent.

"We're happy to have him [Bony] and he's happy to be here, which is the main thing."

Bony came on as a half-time substitute as Ivory Coast drew 0-0 with Cameroon to book their place in the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday and Monk has mixed feelings about the result, which will see him lose his star striker during the tournament.

"It's bittersweet," he added. "I'm happy for him, he's playing for his country to qualify for major tournaments, but it's disappointing to lose him for a period.

"We wish him well but we have other players who can step in."

 

[DavidMoyes]

Van Gaal questions Coach of the Year nomination

20 November 2014

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has questioned his own nomination for the FIFA World Coach of the Year award.

The Dutchman led Netherlands to a third-place finish at the World Cup in Brazil earlier this year, but has struggled since assuming the reins at Old Trafford.

United currently sit seventh in the Premier League having won just four of their opening 11 matches, and Van Gaal admits the nomination took him aback.

"When you see the results of Manchester United it is unbelievable that I'm on the Coach of the Year shortlist," he is quoted as telling MUTV.

Van Gaal is one of 10 managers and coaches shortlisted for the prize, with Carlo Ancelotti, Diego Simeone, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola among the contenders.

The award - to be announced on January 12 - has never been presented to the manager of an English club, although Mourinho triumphed in 2010 after winning a treble of Serie A, the UEFA Champions League and the Coppa Italia with Inter.

 

[Abramovich]

Stoke chairman Coates charged with misconduct

20 November 2014

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has been charged with misconduct over comments that allegedly implied bias on the part of referees.

The 76-year-old is also accused of bringing the game into disrepute, but a statement issued by the Football Association on Thursday did not identify the specific incident for which he is being charged.

Coates attracted controversy earlier this month when he backed manager Mark Hughes' criticism of referee Chris Foy after he failed to punish West Ham's Alex Song for an apparent two-footed challenge on Mame Biram Diouf.

"There does seem to be a bias towards other teams," Coates was quoted as saying at the time. "You always feel that because we have a good crowd that gets behind the team, referees seem to think 'I will show them who's in charge here'.

"Perhaps it's a macho thing."

Coates also alleged defender Ryan Shawcross was receiving unfair treatment from officials, and criticised television pundit John Hartson for comments the former Wales international made regarding a perceived dive by Victor Moses in Stoke's 2-1 win over Swansea City in October.

Coates has until November 24 to appeal the charges.

 

[Dzeko]

Giroud could be back to face United

20 November 2014

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud could feature against Manchester United after making a quicker-than-expected recovery from a broken leg.

The Frenchman sustained the injury in a 2-2 Premier League draw with Everton in August, but is in contention for a return on Saturday - a month earlier than had been anticipated.

Captain Mikel Arteta could also feature this weekend following a hamstring problem, but manager Arsene Wenger knows he must be cautious in reintroducing the pair.

"Giroud and Arteta are both available," he said. "It's just a question of how ready they are. But they are available.

"[Giroud] is three or four weeks ahead of schedule.

"Originally we planned to have him back for competition at the beginning of next year. So he's one month ahead."

Asked whether his side had relied heavily on Danny Welbeck in the absence of Giroud, Wenger said: "Yes, and on [Alexis] Sanchez as well. But we have Giroud back, we have [Theo] Walcott back.

"Slowly they will integrate into the team again and give us different options."

Arsenal remain without the services of Mesut Ozil, who Wenger does not expect to return from a knee injury until the new year, but Laurent Koscielny (Achilles) and Matthieu Debuchy (ankle) are back in training.

"Koscielny and Debuchy are doing well, they are out on the field [working] again," Wenger added. "We have to see now.

"Usually field work is three weeks away from full group training. Then there is fitness.

"It looks straightforward for Debuchy. It's not inflammation, it's just repairing surgery.

"For Koscielny, it depends how well he responds to training. At the moment he looks good."

 

[Redknapp]

Martinez: Roy Keane is talking 'nonsense' about Everton

By Jack Davies
Nov 20, 2014 15:08:00

The Republic of Ireland assistant manager claimed Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy were pressured to withdraw from the international squad by the Premier League side

Roberto Martinez has dismissed the "nonsense" that surrounded Roy Keane's comments about Everton's Republic of Ireland stars this week.

The Ireland assistant suggested the Merseyside club had placed pressure on Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy to make themselves unavailable for the national team.

Neither featured in last month's fixtures with Gibraltar and Germany, but both played in Everton's subsequent 3-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa after that international break.

Midfielder McCarthy also sat out last Friday's 1-0 loss to Scotland with a hamstring complaint, while he and Coleman each missed a friendly clash with the United States on Tuesday.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright rubbished Keane's claims at the time and Martinez has now made his feelings clear.

"We've got a good relationship with the [Republic of Ireland] manager Martin O'Neill and we keep in touch quite frequently and share information," he told reporters.

"That's something that, at the club, we're always very proud when our players represent their countries.

"It's something that we're very, very proud of and every player at our club is desperately proud to represent their country.

"A lot has been said. A lot has been nonsense. The reality is that the conversations between the managers of the associations and ourselves as a club have always been really good and they'll carry on being good.

"The only thing I care about is the players. We produced four players for the Republic of Ireland [Coleman, McCarthy, Darron Gibson and Aiden McGeady]... four players who love to play for their country.

"It's disappointing when you see some sort of news in the media that they could put that in doubt. That's the disappointing aspect.

"All the fans of the Republic of Ireland and any nation need to know that these players would give their lives to represent their countries."

 

[MeeSoupOzil]

Arsenal will probably lose this match or at the very best get a draw. Wellbeck and Walcott got slight injury issues and uncertain to play, Sanchez may be fatigued and Giroud may not be match fit. No need to even talk about Arsenal's defence.

Giroud could be back to face United



Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud could feature against Manchester United after making a quicker-than-expected recovery from a broken leg.

The Frenchman sustained the injury in a 2-2 Premier League draw with Everton in August, but is in contention for a return on Saturday - a month earlier than had been anticipated.

Captain Mikel Arteta could also feature this weekend following a hamstring problem, but manager Arsene Wenger knows he must be cautious in reintroducing the pair.

"Giroud and Arteta are both available," he said. "It's just a question of how ready they are. But they are available.

"[Giroud] is three or four weeks ahead of schedule.

"Originally we planned to have him back for competition at the beginning of next year. So he's one month ahead."

Asked whether his side had relied heavily on Danny Welbeck in the absence of Giroud, Wenger said: "Yes, and on [Alexis] Sanchez as well. But we have Giroud back, we have [Theo] Walcott back.

"Slowly they will integrate into the team again and give us different options."

 

[Schurrle]

Costa fully fit after hamstring problems

21 November 2014

​Diego Costa has "totally recovered" from his hamstring problems, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed.

Costa was omitted from Spain's squad for their games against Belarus and Germany in the most recent international break due to persistent trouble with his hamstring.

Mourinho had criticised Vicente del Bosque's decision to play the former Atletico Madrid striker in Euro 2016 qualifiers earlier in the season, saying the 26-year-old needed to be given time to recover.

And the Portuguese told his media conference on Friday that Costa has recuperated fully over the last fortnight, and is raring to go for Chelsea's Premier League clash with West Brom on Saturday.

"In these two weeks he has had a little bit of a holiday, but one spent with a Chelsea physio," said Mourinho.

"Even in that small period of holiday he was working many, many hours per day with our physio.

"After that he came back, he keeps going in the right direction and, at this moment, we feel he's free of his old injury."

Mourinho will continue to look after Costa in the coming months, though, with the striker preparing for his first taste of a season without a mid-campaign break - as is commonplace around the rest of Europe.

"I believe [this period has set him up for the rest of the season], but now we are going to have a period that is new for him," Mourinho added.

"I always think that the Christmas period for players doing it for the first time in their careers is more difficult.

"The English players, or those who have been here for many, many years, are more physically and, especially, more mentally adapted and prepared to cope with that incredible marathon of football we have to face.

"With Diego, we have to go match by match, but the way he trains and expresses himself in training, he has a free mind. He's free of fears, at this moment. He is good."

 

[Abramovich]

Rodgers rules out early Origi arrival

21 November 2014

Brendan Rodgers has ruled out the possibility of Divock Origi solving Liverpool's striking crisis in January.

Reports this week suggested that Rodgers is willing to pay an additional fee to bring highly rated teenager Origi - who signed for Liverpool in the close-season but was left with Lille on loan for the 2014-15 campaign - to Anfield in the next transfer window.

Liverpool's need for extra firepower this season has been well documented and, after Daniel Sturridge's latest injury setback, Rodgers looks set to have to rely on Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini - who have failed to score a single Premier League goal between them this term - until the new year.

However, despite his parent club's desperate need for goals, it appears that Belgium international Origi will remain in France until the end of the season.

"[Origi is] a young player we signed last summer. [The deal] was on the agreement that he had to stay at Lille," Rodgers told a media conference on Friday.

"That was one of the main reasons we were able to sign him.

"As far as I'm concerned, that's still the case."

Sturridge, who scored 21 Premier League goals last season, has not featured for Liverpool since August due to thigh and calf problems.

The England forward was expected to return at Crystal Palace on Sunday, but broke down with a recurrence of his thigh injury in training this week and is now set to be out for up to another six weeks.

Sturridge himself has gone on record as saying he feels his persistent muscular problems may be hereditary, but Rodgers was quick to dismiss any suggestion that the former Chelsea man could do more to keep himself fit.

"Daniel has just been extremely unfortunate," the Northern Irishman added.

"He's a player who doesn't want to be out for this period of time with the quality he has.

"I spoke to Daniel at length and he's as down as I've seen anyone. We need to go away and find answers so he can perform consistently."

Rodgers also confirmed that Balotelli is facing a late fitness test to determine if he is fit to play at Selhurst Park after picking up a minor hamstring problem while on international duty with Italy, although Jordan Henderson is available after recovering from a similar complaint sustained while away with England.

 

[Willian]

Koeman hopeful on Schneiderlin fitness

21 November 2014

Ronald Koeman is hopeful Morgan Schneiderlin will be fit in time for Southampton's Premier League trip to Aston Villa on Monday.

Southampton are aiming to build on a superb start to the 2014-15 season, with eight wins from their previous nine league outings lifting them up to second, four points behind Chelsea.

They will remain in second place regardless of results over the weekend, before taking on Paul Lambert's out-of-form side at Villa Park.

However, Southampton could be without influential midfielder Schneiderlin, after Koeman revealed on Friday that the Frenchman had picked up a groin problem.

"Morgan came back from France with a groin injury," he said. "He didn't train today but I hope he will be fit for Monday."

Koeman also declared Steven Davis as doubtful, with the Northern Irishman struggling with a hamstring strain.

"He got a hamstring injury in the last game against Leicester," said Koeman. "We have to wait two more days but he will be doubtful for Monday."

Koeman had to fend off yet more questions about Schneiderlin's future, after the 25-year-old reportedly gave an interview during the international break stating that he wanted to play for "a big club".

"I say nothing about his future because he's a player for Southampton," said Koeman.

"And I know, I had that experience as a player when you go back with your national team and they [the media] take some things out of that interview and they make a big story out of it."

Right-back Nathaniel Clyne impressed while on England duty and, with his contract set to enter its final year next season, Koeman knows the importance of tying his star players to the club.

"I have had conversations with [executive director] Les Reed about players' contracts," he said.

"We want to keep everybody and I'm not surprised about his performances because he's a fantastic player and he's shown that already this season.

"If there is any interest [from other clubs] we will know that, but we are trying everything to keep these kinds of players because they are fantastic football players.

"I know that after this season Clyne's contract has one season left and it's normal that you don't wait until next season."

 

[Wenger]

Kompany and Lampard fit for City

21 November 2014

Vincent Kompany and Frank Lampard are available for Manchester City's Premier League clash with Swansea City on Saturday.

City captain Kompany missed the 2-2 draw with QPR before the international break with a calf strain, and did not feature for Belgium in their outings against Iceland and Wales.

But manager Manuel Pellegrini announced in his press conference on Friday that the influential central defender has recovered and is fit for the match at the Etihad Stadium.

"Vincent Kompany had a small problem but he is available for the game tomorrow," he said.

Lampard, who had been a slight doubt despite appearing as a second-half substitute against QPR, is also in the frame, Pellegrini confirmed, although David Silva (knee), Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov (both calf) are out.

City have faltered in recent weeks, winning just once in their last six matches in all competitions, and Pellegrini hopes Saturday's match will mark the start of an improved run of form.

"I hope we can return to our normal form now the international break is over," he added.

"Swansea are a very good technical side and we are expecting a difficult afternoon."

Yaya Toure - whose performances have attracted criticism this season - helped Ivory Coast qualify for next year's Africa Cup of Nations during the international break, meaning City will have to cope without the powerhouse midfielder when the tournament takes place in January and February.

"It was very important for Yaya to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and I am very happy for him," Pellegrini said.

"Of course we will miss Yaya in January but we will decide how we cover his absence in December."

 

[Dzeko]

Wigan owner Whelan apologises for comments

20 November 2014

​Dave Whelan has issued an apology after being accused of anti-Semitism for comments made in relation to messages sent by Malky Mackay.

In an interview with The Guardian, Whelan is reported to have said there was not "a lot wrong" with anything Mackay - appointed Wigan manager on Wednesday - had said in abusive text messages currently under investigation by the Football Association.

As well as prompting widespread criticism, Whelan's comments followed one of Wigan's kit sponsors ending their association with the club over Mackay's appointment.

A statement from anti-racism campaigners Kick It Out questioned whether the 77-year-old was a "fit and proper person" to be running a football club, something Whelan was quick to dismiss.

"I would strongly object to that [Kick It Out's claim]," he told Sky Sports News. "I have played football in all four divisions. I have had massive experience in football.

"I brought Wigan Athletic from the fourth division to the Premier League, and we won the FA Cup.

"I fight to get Wigan Athletic to do well, I have a reputation and I don't want it tarnished."

Whelan made references to Jewish people "chasing money more than everybody else" and also brushed off a derogatory term used by Mackay about Chinese people – drawing stinging criticism from both communities.

On the subject of anti-Semitism, Whelan added: "I would never insult a Jewish person. I have got hundreds and hundreds of Jewish friends. I hold them in the highest regard.

"If anyone takes offence please accept my apologies. I did not mean to insult any single person.

"I have got loads of Chinese friends. I would never insult the Chinese."

Earlier on Thursday, having condemned Whelan's actions, Kick It Out called for the FA to fully investigate the comments made by the Wigan owner.

The statement read: "The Football Association has outlined in a statement that 'no assurances have been given on the outcome of the case' yet Wigan Athletic owner Dave Whelan continues to suggest elsewhere that two 'influential' people have informed him that 'nothing will come' from the investigation.

"He has brought into question whether he is a fit and proper person who should be running a professional football club.

"The remarks act as another example of the culture which continues to exist within football, and further proves that some in positions of power seem comfortable sharing those views either privately or publicly.

"These comments must not go unchallenged and have to be investigated by the FA."

 

[Dzeko]

Rodgers hits back at critics of stricken Sturridge

Nov 21, 2014 16:53:00

The Liverpool striker has suffered a second setback as he looks to return to first-team action, with his manager insisting the fitness concerns are just "unfortunate"

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has hit back at critics of Daniel Sturridge after the striker was ruled out for a further spell with a new thigh problem.

The striker has not played since injuring his thigh while on international duty with England in September before damaging his calf during training in October.

Sturridge was expected to make his return for Liverpool following the most recent international break before pulling up in training for a second time on Tuesday and is now out for up to a further six weeks.

"Daniel has just been extremely unfortunate. He's a player who doesn't want to be out for this period of time with the quality he has," he told reporters.

"I spoke to Daniel at length and he's as down as I've seen anyone. We need to go away & find answers so he can perform consistently.

"I have great trust in the players. I would be more concerned if they were moping around or didn't care."

Liverpool travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday for the first time since losing a 3-0 lead to draw last season and severely dent their title hopes - but Rodgers feels the late collapse was not key to their failed bid.

"That wasn't the game that cost us. Maybe the excitement to claw back the goal difference overtook us," he added.

"The damage was always done in the Chelsea game. That was the one that changed it for us. But on reflection I was extremely proud.

"It will be equally as tough against Palace. Warnock is a wonderful manager with big experience. We'll look to start off an exciting run with a win."

 

[MeeSoupOzil]

KNN rushed home from dinner but no early match tonight.

 

[Willian]

Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United: Rooney seals smash-and-grab win for Red Devils
The England international double his side's advantage after a Kieran Gibbs goal had broken the deadlock - and the visitors held on despite Olivier Giroud's late strike

Pochettino: Dier requires more versatility
The defender pulled out of England Under-21 duty to improve on his game after a mixed start to life at White Hart Lane playing at right-back

Stoke City 1-2 Burnley: Ings double secures shock win for Clarets
Despite boasting over 70 per cent possession, the hosts could not break down a valiant visitors' defence after errors saw them fall two goals behind in the opening stages

Everton 2-1 West Ham: Toffees strike on the break to down Hammers
The midfielder was in the right place at the right time to latch on to Samuel Eto'o's inch-perfect cross to hand the hosts three points against Sam Allardyce's men

Manchester City 2-1 Swansea City: Yaya Toure seals hard-fought turnaround
The Ivorian linked up well with Fernandinho to help Manuel Pellegrini's men come from a goal down to beat Garry Monk's men at the Etihad Stadium

Newcastle 1-0 QPR: Hosts' run goes on after Sissoko scorcher
The France international exchanged passes with Sammy Ameobi before firing home in the second half to give Alan Pardew's in-form side their sixth win on the bounce

Chelsea 2-0 West Brom: Costa & Hazard lead Blues to victory
Jose Mourinho's side cruised past the Baggies, whose afternoon was made all the more difficult after Claudio Yacob's first-half red card for a two-footed lunge on Spain star Costa

Leicester 0-0 Sunderland: Black Cats hold out for bore draw
Costel Pantillimon and Kasper Schmeichel both made crucial saves as the Foxes climbed out of the relegation zone despite again drawing a blank

Tottenham sweat over Chadli knee injury ahead of Hull City clash
The Belgian underwent an MRI scan on Friday to determine the severity of the problem picked up while on international duty with his national side

Henry could coach Arsenal - Wenger
The Gunners boss has revealed the 37-year-old could enjoy a third spell with the Gunners and says he has all the quality to succeed in the world of management

Manchester United expected Falcao injury problems, insists Van Gaal
Fitness problems have limited the Colombian to just five appearances for the Red Devils since arriving on a lucrative season-long loan deal from Monaco in the summer

 

[Schurrle]

Van Gaal: Manchester United will not buy in January

By Liam Twomey
Nov 22, 2014 12:07:00

The Dutchman believes it will be hard to find an available player capable of improving his squad in the winter window and is also refusing to be drawn on Kevin Strootman

Louis van Gaal has backed Ed Woodward's insistence that Manchester United are unlikely to make significant signings in January.

United, beset by injuries since the start of the season, have won just four of their first 11 Premier League games under the Dutchman, while the summer departures of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra have also left the squad short of experience and quality in defence.

But earlier this week Woodward told investors during a conference call to discuss United's latest financial results that the club will not go looking for "short-term fixes" in January, and Van Gaal agrees with his executive vice chairman.

“I don’t think that he has said he should not buy. I think he has said that in January it’s very difficult to buy players who are good enough for the quality of Manchester United and because of that we are not buying and I agree with that,” the Dutchman told reporters.

“When you buy it has to be a player better than you have in your squad and it shall be very difficult to find such a player in January. So that is what he wanted to say and I believe we are speaking the same language.”

One man repeatedly linked with a move to Old Trafford in the New Year is Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman, but Van Gaal refused to be drawn on whether United will try to tempt the Serie A title contenders into a sale.

“I cannot discuss with the media about players that we want to buy," he added. "I cannot answer this question and not only about Strootman but all the players in this world."

 

[ThosayMaureenNeo]

Another win on the trot for us.

 

[Dzeko]

Falcao returns to Manchester United training

By Gill Clark
Nov 23, 2014 17:43:00

The Colombia international was ruled out of Saturday's 2-1 victory over Arsenal he was expected him to miss two more weeks but the player declared his hope to take part sooner

Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao has confirmed that he has returned to training after recovering from a calf problem.

The Colombia international had hoped to return for Saturday's 2-1 win over Arsenal but manager Louis van Gaal later revealed that he expected him to be out for a further two weeks with a new injury.

Falcao has not featured for the Red Devils since their 2-2 draw with West Brom on October 20 and is yet to complete 90 minutes for his new club since his summer move.

However, the striker wrote on Twitter: "Back to training 100 per cent and ready to help the team in the next games.”

Saturday's victory at the Emirates Stadium saw United move to fourth place in the Premier League table after 12 games.

The Red Devils now face two games in four days, with Hull City and Stoke City the next visitors to Old Trafford.

 

[Wenger]

Koeman slams ´crazy´ Christmas fixture list

24 November 2014

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman hit out on the Premier League's upcoming Christmas fixture list, labelling it as "crazy".

Koeman's Southampton are flying high in the Premier League, exceeding expectations to sit second in the standings ahead of Monday's trip to Aston Villa.

Southampton have defied the odds after losing a host of players and staff during the off-season, including captain Adam Lallana and manager Mauricio Pochettino, winning eight of their 11 league fixtures so far.

The south coast club are preparing to embark on a difficult festive period that brought them unstuck in 2013-14 after they won just one of nine Premier League games.

Southampton will face Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Arsenal in the space of a week heading into the New Year.

And Dutch boss Koeman is less than impressed by the scheduling, believing it will aid Southampton's Premier League rivals.

"It's difficult because I don't have experience playing that number of games in such a short time," said Koeman.

"I always used to be on holiday during Christmas and now we have a lot of games to prepare for.

"I told the players, 'Honestly, I don't have that experience', it's difficult.

"We have to play December 26 and then again on the 28th, January 1 and then January 3 for the FA Cup - it's crazy.

"It's not crazy to play at Christmas because I understand - we had that in Holland and the people like that.

"I'd like that as well if I like football and support Southampton - I can have my Christmas meal then go to the stadium and watch Southampton, I am happy.

"The problem is you have one day off between two games and that's crazy, that's impossible.

"That's my problem with the schedule because if it's the 26th and the 29th, no problem, but it's Friday and Sunday. That's crazy, one day off, crazy."

Koeman added: "Does it favour the big clubs? Yes. They can change players much easier than other teams in the Premier League.

"It is worse for the clubs who haven't got 24 players at the same level."

 

[DavidMoyes]

Rodgers takes responsibility for Liverpool slump

23 November 2014

Brendan Rodgers accepted responsibility for turning Liverpool's flagging fortunes around after another costly result against Crystal Palace.

Last season's Premier League runners-up endured another afternoon to forget at Selhurst Park on Sunday, having thrown away a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 on the same ground last season in a result that ultimately proved crucial in the title race.

This time, they could not even escape with a point, as goals from Dwight Gayle, Joe Ledley and Mile Jedinak overturned Rickie Lambert's second-minute opener as the game ended 3-1.

It marked a fourth-straight loss for Rodgers' side, who find themselves in the bottom half of the table, and the Northern Irishman conceded his side are suffering from a crisis of confidence.

"It was bitterly disappointing," Rodgers said. "It was nowhere near the level that we would expect. We started the game as you would want, but I think you saw a team low on confidence.

"We're not quite together as a team, which is what we pride our work on. We need to find a solution very quickly because it was very disappointing.

"It's my responsibility as the manager, ultimately. I picked the team and put the team out there, and I pick the best team I think can win us the game.

"We made mistakes that you would not expect to see at this level for a team that wants to be challenging.

"We go 1-0 up and then we fail to manage the game. Overall, there's that intensity and togetherness that's not quite there in our game. When you don't get the results, that is affected."

Rodgers will have little time to reflect as he bids to mastermind a turnaround. Liverpool face a must-win trip to Ludogorets in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday before returning to Premier League action at home to Stoke City next weekend.

Defeat in both games could leave them looking to only the domestic cup competitions for a realistic chance of silverware this term, but Rodgers insists they can still turn their season around.

"We need to find a way because we've seen over the last couple of years as we have seen this group develop that they are very talented players," he added.

"But it's been a new phase this season and we've had a lot of games, a lot less preparation time in terms of coaching, and injuries that were key for us - but we can't complain.

"We just have to get on with it and find ways of getting results, because that's what Liverpool is about."