Sports

Liverpool Ready For Goodison Park Clash Against Everton -Slot

Published

6 months ago

February 11, 2025

Arne Slot said his Liverpool players are “ready for another battle” as they prepare to take on Everton in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

The Premier League leaders have struggled to win at the home of their neighbours in recent years, with nine of the past 12 games there ending in draws.

Everton, much improved under returning manager David Moyes, will be leaving their historic home at the end of this season to play in their new 52,888-capacity Bramley-Moore Dock stadium on Liverpool’s waterfront.

Slot, preparing for his first and last derby at Goodison, believes the emotion of the occasion on Wednesday will add to Liverpool’s challenge.

“It’s probably going to be a fantastic atmosphere and that’s never easy to play against because every single time they cross the half-way line or they get a corner kick or whatever happens, the fans will cheer for that,” he said on Tuesday.

“And then you have to be mentally really strong as an away team to resist all that complete atmosphere and you still have to be focused on what you have to do, defending the corner kick, defending the set-piece, and when you have the ball, be as calm as you can in this fantastic atmosphere.

He added, “I assume our players are ready for another battle tomorrow, for the simple reason that they’ve been ready for the whole season.”

The Dutchman, in his first season at Anfield, said his players would have to keep a “cool head but not cool legs” against an Everton team who have won their past three Premier League matches to ease relegation fears.

“Every time you play against a team that wants to fight with you, and that’s almost every time we play against any opponent, but maybe this one even more, you have to be ready for that,” said Slot.

“So you have to run just as much, you have to be just as intense in tackles. Not going across the line, but be cool enough to play a good and firm tackle. And that’s where it starts and then nine out of 10 times, after 10, 15, 20 minutes, a game settles down a bit, and then you can start to think even more about playing football.”

Liverpool are six points clear of second-placed Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand but their push for an unprecedented quadruple was ended by defeat at Championship strugglers Plymouth in the FA Cup on Sunday.

“There was a wise man that once said to me ‘Nothing good comes from losing a football game’, and I completely agree,” said Slot.

The Liverpool boss, who made wholesale changes for the match, described the loss as “unacceptable”.

“We have to show a different side of us tomorrow because it wasn’t only the result, the performance was far from what Liverpool standards are as well,” he said.

Trent Alexander-Arnold could return from injury against Everton but Liverpool will definitely be without fellow defender Joe Gomez.

AFP

Sports

FULL LIST: Ballon d’Or Unveils 2025 Women Nominees

Published

12 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The Ballon d’Or has released the full list of nominees for the highly anticipated 2025 Women’s Ballon d’Or, showcasing 30 outstanding female footballers from across the globe.

Leading the nominations are established stars such as Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas, Pernille Harder, and Lucy Bronze, alongside rising talents including Melchie Dumornay, Temwa Chawinga, and Frida Leonardsen-Maanum.

Also named in the prestigious list are Barbra Banda, Claudia Pina, Sandy Baltimore, Marta, Chloe Kelly, Leah Williamson, and Esther Gonzalez, among others.

The Ballon d’Or recognition celebrates the best women’s footballers for their excellence, impact, and achievements over the past season.

The final winner will be announced at the official awards ceremony later in the year.

FULL LIST
Sandy Baltimore
Barbra Banda
Aitana Bonmati
Lucy Bronze
Klara Bühl
Mariona Caldentey
Sofia Cantore
Steph Catley
Temwa Chawinga
Melchie Dumornay
Emily Fox
Cristiana Girelli
Esther Gonzalez
Caroline Graham Hansen
Hannah Hampton
Pernille Harder
Patri Guijarro
Amanda Gutierres
Lindsey Heaps
Chloe Kelly
Frida Leonardsen-Maanum
Marta
Clara Mateo
Ewa Pajor
Claudia Pina
Alexia Putellas
Alessia Russo
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
Caroline Weir
Leah Williamson

Sports

Super Falcons Coach Madugu Nominated For 2025 Ballon d’Or Award

Published

12 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

Super Falcons’ tactician, Justine Madugu, has been nominated for the prestigious 2025 Ballon d’Or Women’s Team Coach of the Year Trophy.

The nomination, announced Thursday, places Madugu among the global elite of women’s football coaching, following his remarkable leadership with the Nigerian women’s national team.

The accolade celebrates coaches who have demonstrated outstanding strategy, motivation, and performance in guiding their teams on the international stage.

The recognition comes as Nigerian football continues to gain momentum on the global stage, with Super Falcons players and coaches increasingly drawing international attention after winning the Women’s African Cup of Nations.

Madugu’s nomination is not only a personal triumph but also a moment of pride for Nigeria, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a powerhouse in African women’s football.

Sports

Ballon d’Or Unveils 2025 Men’s Club, Coach Of The Year Nominees

Published

12 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The Ballon d’Or, on Thursday, unveiled its list of nominees for the 2025 Men’s Club of the Year and Men’s Team Coach of the Year awards.

Competing for the Men’s Club of the Year honour are football giants FC Barcelona, Botafogo, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain. These clubs have been recognised for their outstanding performance and influence in global football over the past season.

Meanwhile, the five contenders for the Men’s Team Coach of the Year Trophy are Antonio Conte, Luis Enrique, Hansi Flick, Enzo Maresca, and Arne Slot, all celebrated for their tactical brilliance, leadership, and impressive results with their respective teams.

The announcement is part of the build-up to the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards ceremony, which annually celebrates excellence in world football.