For all Liverpool aren’t challenging for the Champions League as the season draws to its conclusion Brendan Rodgers can look back on a relatively successful first year at the Anfield helm. Seventh in the table and still in with a shout of qualifying for the Europa League is nothing to be sniffed at by any means. In fact the Reds are in splendid form and recorded a fourth win in five Premier League games by coming from behind to beat Aston Villa last week and left them three points behind Everton. Overhauling their arch-rivals and nicking a top-six finish will be the objective now and victory against West Ham will push them close to achieving that.

The Hammers must dread their trips to the red half having failed to score in 29 of their 38 visits. Away form has been the Achilles heel for Sam Allardyce’s men this season with just three wins and nine goals coming in their 15 games away from Upton Park. That being said Allardyce can be afforded a huge sigh of relief that he and his team aren’t coming into this game with the threat of relegating hanging over their head. Last weeks home victory over West Brom wedged a six point buffer between them the bottom three and all but ensured Premier League survival. With that weight partially lifted from their shoulder it could work in West Ham’s favour.

Team News

Long-term absentees Martin Kelly (knee), Joe Allen and Fabio Borini (both shoulder) are the only players missing for Liverpool this weekend meaning Brendan Rodgers has no fresh injury concerns.

By the terms of his loan agreement West Ham are unable to call upon Andy Carroll for the visit to his parent club. Joe Cole could feature against his former employers should he recover from a hamstring complaint in time. Mark Noble (shoulder) and George McCartney (knee) are out for the season.

What the managers said…

“I know what it was like when I faced him as an opposing manager. I always viewed him as a pest around the penalty area and you know that players like that usually have the quality to score at any given time. It’s not his job to be liked, he’ll be respected because he’s a top football player and it won’t concern him too much if people don’t like him. The likability of any player is always up for debate, and people will always use their own moral compass to judge Luis Suarez, but that’s not something I tend to focus on. I concentrate on what he is like with me on a day-to-day basis and he is a great man.” Brendan Rodgers admits he understands why Luis Suarez is universally disliked (Metro)

“What we got last week is what we’ve been waiting for, for a while. We saw him in full flight last week. He can’t play on Sunday obviously, against Liverpool. I think he’s great, he gets a big cheer whenever they announce his name whenever he’s in the starting line up. I think we might have a chance. We’ll wait and see at end of the year when all the budgets are sorted out.

‘If we are definitely in the Premier League then we’ll have a look at everybody that’s on loan or out of contract.” Sam Allardyce reiterates his desire to make Andy Carroll’s loan deal at West Ham a permanent one (Daily Mail)

Pre-Match Statistic: Sam Allardyce has tasted defeat in each of his last eight trips to Anfield since guiding former club Bolton to an unlikely draw back in 2002.

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Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United

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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has claimed that the new financial fair play (FFP) rules will restrict West Ham from progressing and possibly end his time at Upton Park.

The Hammers are hopeful a move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford will be confirmed this month and the club can attempt to take the next step to becoming a bigger club in English football.

Allardyce however feels that if he is restricted from buying the players that he wants then he may have no option but to leave the East Enders as poor results will reflect badly on him.

West Ham co-owner David Gold has claimed that he will sit down with Allardyce to discuss a new contract once the Hammers are safe from relegation, something that could be confirmed this month.

Allardyce is out of contract this summer but the ball may not necessarily be in the owner’s court as the former Bolton and Newcastle boss may refuse to sign a new deal due to FFP.

“We’ll sit down when we’re safe. Not the end of the season. We’ll sit down when we’re safe,” Allardyce told The Sun.

“My part of it is not difficult in terms of renewing the situation; the difficulty is financial fair play, which becomes unfair in my opinion to restrict football clubs in terms of their growth.

“And if financial fair play restricts the growth of West Ham then that’s a concern for me, because you can’t then bring in the players you want to bring in.

“I don’t know, because I haven’t read the document, but if those restrictions are bearing on the quality of player that I can bring in to West Ham – and I’m looking to build a team for the Olympic Stadium, if it comes off – if those restrictions are stopping that progress then that’s a difficult thing for me as a manager, because I carry the can.

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“That’s nothing to do between me and David Sullivan and David Gold, apart from what restrictions it holds for me and West Ham in terms of progress.”

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With their feint hopes of European football slipping away and a top-half finish almost in the bag there isn’t much left for West Brom to aim for this season. Last week’s shortcomings against Arsenal means it is one win in five matches for Albion, who haven’t dropped below ninth all season. That is testament to the job Steve Clarke has executed so brilliantly in his debut campaign at the Hawthorn reins and his eyes are already trained on next season. The decision to leave top scorer Romelu Lukaku on the bench for almost an hour against the Gunners, although he’s expected to be pitched into action to pummel a Newcastle side whose confidence is severely splintered.

The Magpies have endured a tormented week after being walloped by North East adversaries Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby six days ago. Which means Alan Pardew’s men and their ensuing reaction be under intense scrutiny in the Midlands. Pardew and his players are still licking their wounds almost a week on and the Magpies boss will hope to channel that throbbing distress into a backlash. They’ll need to improve on an away record that has seen them take just four points from the last available 33 away from St James’ Park. Poiints are exactly what Newcastle require to allay the anxiety set soaring after their Black Cats mauling.

Team News

Youssouf Mulumbu sits out for West Brom as he serves the second of a three-game ban. Peter Odemwingie will also miss the game after he picked up a knee injury.

Newcastle will travel to the Hawthorns without number one goalkeeper Tim Krul after he was ruled out for the season with a dislocated shoulder. David Santon and Cheick Tiote (hamstring) along with Sylvain Marveaux (groin) are also missing.

What the managers said…

“There’s a long time gone since then and things have changed. Newcastle have gone out in the January window and spent quite a large amount of money to improve their squad and make sure they stay in the Premier League. I think they need one more win to secure their place in the league, so it will be a tough game for us. I think Newcastle are better now than when we played them earlier this season.” Steve Clarke thinks Newcastle are a better side than the one West Brom faced earlier this season (Birmingham Mail)

“I don’t think it’s ever not going to affect the rest of our season, a defeat like that. We just have to make sure that in these last five games we put that right. It’s about us putting performances on to the end of this season that help to ease the memory of this defeat.” Alan Pardew aims for a quick recovery after Newcaste’s Tyne-Wear derby horror show (Sky Tyne & Wear)

Pre-match Statistic: Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse has scored three and assisted one in two Premier League appearaces against West Brom

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Prediction: West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Newcastle United

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West Brom will not pay over the odds in the transfer window, Steve Clarke has warned rivals clubs as he searches for new blood.

The Baggies boss is keen to bolster his squad during the summer months as he wants to build on last season’s impressive eighth-placed finish in the Premier League.

And, despite having a £48.3million prize money windfall in the bank from this past season’s achievements, Clarke is adamant that the club will not deviate from their usual practices in the transfer market and that means not being held to ransom by selling clubs.

Clarke told the club’s website: “The club will continue to operate in the same way as it has over the past few years.

“The strategy will be similar to before which will probably be one big signing. We know the amount of players that the chairman likes to have in the squad so we will work on sticking to that.

“And like at most clubs, there will be three or four coming in and about the same going out.”

Albion are keen to bring Romelu Lukaku back to the Hawthorns from Chelsea following a successful season-long loan, but the striker admitted that he would be interested in joining German Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.

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On the outgoing side, Jerome Thomas and Gonzalo Jara Reyes have already departed, while Peter Odemwingie is also set to get his wish to leave although he will not be allowed to go unless a club meets their valuation.

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With the furore that has been every lasting throughout the past month regarding Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, and his potential move to Premier League rivals Chelsea, perhaps it was inevitable that something like this would happen. It has emerged that the talented English attacker has sustained a damaged shoulder and as a result he will not travel with the squad to Sweden to partake in their friendly game against AIK.

Now, obviously Twitter is a place where perhaps the cynics get to say what they feel, and as expected there were some fantastic responses to the breaking news. Whether there genuinely is a problem with the want-away striker, or indeed it is a protest to try and force a move it will never be fully known.

What is evident however, is the opinion that Twitter has. Check out below just a few of the numerous responses that the social media site had to offer.

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In his final season at Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored eleven goals, and won the Premier League title. Beforehand he had fought his way back from a three-year long injury nightmare, that only let go temporarily while he put on his last few shows for the Stretford End.

His contributions in that final season was a nice microcosm of his career. Most of his goals came as a substitute, and no one will ever forget his 3-0 comeback goal at Charlton in 2006, when the Norwegian took a bow in front of the away section during his celebration.

Now, Solskjaer has gone into coaching. After taking baby-steps as head of the United youth teams, he is enjoying success back home in Norway as manager of Molde – the team Sir Alex Ferguson bought him from. Despite finishing this season in a relatively disappointing sixth place, Solskjaer has guided Molde to their two first ever titles in the Norwegian Tippeligaen. This has added to his already respectable reputation around the continent, and several clubs are reportedly monitoring his situation.

The English football managerial merry-go-round is moving again – right on schedule. As certain as winter will follow autumn, as sure as the slightest hint of snow will shut England down, and as predictable as Gary Lineker describing Match of the Day as “cracking”, November is when managers start getting the sack. Middlesbrough drew first blood when Tony Mowbray was forced out the door at Riverside Stadium, and Crystal Palace soon after became manager-less when Ian Holloway stepped down. Simultaneously, Martin Jol must have had a scare after dropping into the relegation zone this weekend, but the Cottagers chose to put ex-United head coach Rene Muelensteen in charge of training sessions rather than eliminating the manager. It makes me wonder, will Solskjaer ever become a Premier League manager? And if he will, should he ever be in line to take over at Manchester United?

There is no secret that Solskjaer has had suitors in the Premier League already. Aston Villa gave him a call after Alex McLeish left Villa Park in the summer of 2012. The official reason why Solskjaer turned Villa down was because of family reasons. What reportedly happened however, was that the owner of Molde, Kjell Inge Rokke (notoriously recognised for moving Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes in 2004) went bonkers when Solskjaer considered leaving his club, and, looking from the outside, guilt tripped Solskajer into staying at least another year. It is not a given that he would ever get the job over Paul Lambert, but there are suggestions Solskjaer will get the chance to manage in England soon.

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In fact, Ladbrokes had him as their odds-on favourite to take the helm at Middlesbrough before Aitor Karanka was given the job, and Fulham, the only club in the league with Norwegians in the squad (John Arne Riise and Brede Hangeland) considered the six-time Premier League champion. But would he be a good appointment?

There are still strides for Solskjaer to make before he is ready to become successful in the English top flight – something he has publicly expressed his desire to do several times. Although two consecutive titles in your first two years as manager is impressive, Tippeligaen is a different kind of animal to the Premier League. When Solskjaer arrived in 2011, Rosenborg had retained the title they won 13 consecutive seasons from 1992 to 2004, and Molde finished 11th. These two teams, however, are the only signs of consistency in Norway. Runners-up in Solskjaer’s first title-winning season, Tromso, were relegated on Saturday. In the same fashion, champions in 2008, Stabaek, struggled to hang on for three more seasons before they went down by a clear margin last year. If there is anything to learn about Solskjaer’s managerial ability from Tippeligaen, it is whether he can create a solid team, able to fight at the top consistently.

This season was affected by the loss of Magnus Wolf Eikrem, attacking focal point Davy Claude Angan, and Vegard Forren’s unsuccessful spell at Southampton, before he came back when the transfer window opened. Molde did make some useful signings in an attempt to acquire replacements, but still, Solskjaer only managed to finish sixth. The entire Tippeliga is a selling league, so consistent success is difficult, yet you would expect the Baby-faced Assassin to do better. The biggest of his career so far will be to see if he can win the title back again next season.

But Solskjaer does have some core values that the United board and fans value highly. His record of 28 goals as a substitute is a sentiment to his unique mindset. Nothing and no one is bigger than the team, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer simply felt privileged to play for Manchester United. His will to come on as a sub and put on a match winning performance is in many ways what defined Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. Such a mindset is likely to be a hit among Red Devils supporters, and Solskjaer has a healthy attitude to football, which is rubbing off on his players already.

Furthermore, Solskjaer wants to develop his own talents, and tries hard to bring youngsters through the ranks at Molde. Wolf Eikrem, now at Herenveen, and Mads Moeller Daehli are examples of former United U18 players who Solskjaer has nurtured through first team experiences. Both are now Norwegian internationals, and Daehli has been compared to Paul Scholes by the manager. So Solskjaer certainly ticks a few boxes already, but I am sure he too agrees that he needs more time to become a top European manager.

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The Manchester United hot-seat is of course occupied for the foreseeable future, and David Moyes will surely be given a proper go before any changes are considered at Old Trafford. But If Solskjaer continues his development in management, there is no obvious reason why he shouldn’t be in line to take over after Moyes. And the fans, who still keep the ‘2OLEgend’ banner at its designated spot in the Stretford End, will  love to see their Baby-faced Assassin at the helm.

Will Solskjaer ever be good enough to take over at Old Trafford?

Have your say below

Real Madrid needed this international break, as much or even more than those clubs who were desperate for a break in the domestic calendar.

It hasn’t been clear sailing for Carlo Ancelotti – far from it. The team have been saved from La Liga embarrassment on multiple occasions due to the intervention of the younger talents in the squad; the Gareth Bale fiasco has blown up, underlining – perhaps, we’re not too sure yet – the extravagance and stupidity of Florentino Perez; and whatever problems there were under Jose Mourinho, they clearly haven’t been washed away, as the team are caught up in a whirlwind of two tactical ideas.

As is usually the case, money makes the problems go away. In theory. Karim Benzema isn’t firing, though his two strikes for France during this two-week break will be reason for optimism. Alvaro Morata, on the other hand, is the forward in form, he’s the player fans and neutral onlookers want to see. More than anything, he’s earned a place in the starting XI.

But that’s a problem; not on a club-wide level, but personally for Perez. Morata is a young Spaniard who has come through the ranks. There is little else that the supporters want to see. But Benzema is Perez’s signing, one of his golden acquisitions during this second spell as club president. Despite form, how can Perez go from travelling to meet Benzema prior to signing him from Lyon in 2009, to accepting him on the bench in favour of player who cost nothing and arrived on the scene with nowhere near as much fanfare?

Real Madrid’s situation at present is that the La Liga title looks gone. Based on their current form – and results don’t make up the whole story – the title will most likely go to Barcelona. Don’t even bother to suggest an Atletico win around the Real camp. If the landscape of this season doesn’t change too drastically between now and January, it is more than likely that Real will look to Luis Suarez to right the ship.

The thing is they have to get round Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers’ side are currently second in the Premier League and could very well finish in the top four with Suarez in the team for the remainder of the season. Like the case with Arsenal in the summer, the club will more than likely do everything they can to hold onto the Uruguayan.

But that won’t extend beyond the summer – at least it seems incredibly unlikely. Suarez may have apologised and put himself back in the good books, but no one really doubts he’ll eventually move.

Liverpool, however, and despite the likelihood of turning away Real Madrid in January without even listening to an offer, could be in a fantastic situation to exploit the La Liga side’s domestic situation.

In the summer, Perez was desperate to land Neymar ahead of Barcelona, so much so that his offer blew the Catalans’ out of the water by some distance. That didn’t matter, though; Neymar to Barcelona was agreed long before. Gareth Bale turned out to be the next best thing, the card which would save face for Perez in the market. Forget the fee; Perez just needed a marquee name to make up for the loss of Neymar. And of course, the Cristiano Ronaldo contract situation was always a separate issue.

This time around, Real could be in a similarly desperate situation, and vitally they have players, very good players, who they’re looking to move on. Liverpool’s rebuilding project isn’t over. They need a new striker to replace Suarez, and they need further midfield depth – notably of quality.

Sami Khedira is almost definitely on his way out of the Bernabeu, but while Liverpool will not get a striker from Real Madrid, it’s possible they’ll receive a sizeable fee for Suarez, likely more than the £40 million which was suggested during the summer.

Perez’s approach to the transfer market leaves many clubs around Europe at a great advantage. Whether it’s buying players such as Wesley Sneijder for a knockdown fee, or inflating the value of a player as Tottenham were able to do with Bale, clubs know that Perez is largely concerned about the prestige associated with incomings rather than the financial situation he puts his club into.

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Liverpool may not be interested at all in selling Suarez in January, and that’s more than understandable. If they’re in a similar position come the end of the Christmas period, why risk a slip in form through the sale of their best player? But it’s something to think about. Suarez is leaving one way or another, and the funds Real Madrid may be willing to shell out would be a great deal of help in the further strengthening of the squad.

Should Liverpool look to exploit Real Madrid’s need for a striker in January?

Join the debate below

Roy Keane has come to the defence of David Moyes, claiming the decline of Manchester United is down to former boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his policy of ‘cutting corners’ in the transfer market, reports the Express.

Former captain Keane believes the club’s failure to bring in enough top class players in recent years has caught up with them, and has left David Moyes with a huge rebuilding job.

Keane said: “United need five or six players. They’ve kind of cut corners in terms of transfers in the last few years, they’ve not gone out and got the big players and it has just caught up with them this year.

“It has maybe surprised everyone how far they’ve slipped behind teams but now it’s a case of rebuilding. If it happens in the summer then instead of being fearful of it, embrace it – it’s exciting. These can be exciting times for United. Get them back to the very top where they belong.”

Seventh placed United travel to Arsenal tonight, with the team in real danger of failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in almost two decades.

But Keane believes Moyes – Ferguson’s nominated successor – needs time to turn the club around.

“The man [Moyes] deserves plenty of time,” he said. “People have been afraid to use the word that there might be ‘rebuilding’ going on but that’s exactly the word I would use.

“On form at this moment in time you have to say the Champions League is a long way off for Manchester United. Would I fancy them for it? Probably not. But they’re still a threat, they’re still there and, with their big players like Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie back up to speed with their fitness, United will be a dangerous team if they can get their act together over the next month or two.”

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Okay, it’s a little fashionable to get on David Moyes’ back, but after today’s loss at Everton the calls for his sacking have gathered even more momentum. The Red Devils have gone from champions to a midtable club in the space of just 12 months, and even the fiercest defender of the Scot would have to admit that he’s been a big part of the decline. With the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Louis van Gaal supposedly available, how long can Moyes hold on? Here are three reasons we think he has to go.

Tactically awful

United entered the first half like lambs heading to the slaughter, with Moyes having fielded a midfield devoid of pace and dynamism. Everton quickly cut through and exposed the Red Devils’ soft side.

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Big summer ahead

With this season now a write off, the summer transfer market appears to be pivotal for United. With £200m to spend, can Moyes be trusted to get the right players?

He’s lost the fans

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There was patience at first, but now the #MoyesOut has gone almost viral on every matchday. The fans are the lifeblood of clubs, so their views do count.

After such a bitterly disappointing end to the season, Newcastle United have not surprisingly already made moves in the transfer market. Ayoze Perez, Jack Colback and Siem De Jong have all made the move to Tyneside, with Alan Pardew still reportedly looking at several more. However, replacements for the likes of Loic Remy and Yohan Cabaye are desperately required.

However, the vultures are inevitably circling around some of the club’s prized assets. At the time of writing, Mathieu Debuchy’s move to Arsenal has been all but officially confirmed whilst rumours continue to link Moussa Sissoko elsewhere.

After such an abysmal downturn in form in 2014, Newcastle need to raise morale amongst the Toon Army this summer. Bearing this in mind, here’s the FIVE steps to the perfect transfer window on Tyneside.

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Click on Pardew for the five steps to Newcastle’s perfect summer transfer window

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GET CABELLA “OVER THE LINE”

Even if it is just to save face now, Newcastle really need to resolve the Remy Cabella saga sooner rather than later. The latest reports suggest that the Magpies have recently re-opened negotiations over the playmaker, although there are no indications that a deal is in the offing any time soon.

Even with the arrival of Siem De Jong, Newcastle are still in desperate need of further creative reinforcements. Despite Montpellier’s struggles, Cabella still managed to rack up an impressive fourteen goals and five assists in Ligue 1 last season.

Capable of operating centrally or out wide, it seems as though the 24 year old remains Pardew’s number one target in this window. Rather than letting the saga drag out for the rest of the summer, Newcastle need to either complete a deal or move on to an alternative sooner rather than later.

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RESOLVE THE BEN ARFA CONUNDRUM

Whilst Newcastle’s attack misfired time and time again in 2014, many members of the Toon Army were bemused by Hatem Ben Arfa’s continued absence from the starting eleven. Rather than sitting in the stands, surely the club should be finding a way to bring the best out of the enigmatic Frenchman on the pitch?

After all, this is a player that has already delivered several moments of individual magic on Tyneside, like this FA Cup strike against Blackburn.

Judging by the latest photos and reports though, Ben Arfa has been training away from the first team squad and isn’t exactly in the best of shape.

A decision on the controversial Frenchman needs to be made this summer. Ben Arfa is undoubtedly gifted but evidently needs to apply himself better to impress his manager. If the Frenchman simply doesn’t figure in Pardew’s plans, Newcastle should move the 27 year old on.

STRIKERS!

With the departures of Shola Ameobi, Luuk De Jong and Loic Remy, there is currently a worrying absence of strikers at the club. Papiss Cisse is in the midst of recovering from a long term injury and while Siem De Jong can play up top, the Dutchman prefers a deeper role.

Demba Ba, Joel Campbell, Alexandre Lacazette, Loic Remy and Emmanuel Riviere are amongst a host of names linked with a move to Tyneside this summer. The Magpies made a move for Pierre-Michel Lasogga, only for the striker to opt for a permanent switch to Hamburg instead.

In any case, at least two strikers need to arrive at Newcastle sooner rather than later. Pardew’s side failed to score on too many occasions in 2014, a trait that they simply cannot afford to continue into the new season.

REPLACE KEY PLAYERS

After the deadline day sale of Andy Carroll and the subsequent downturn in form back in 2011, one would have hoped that Newcastle would understand the need to replace key players. Yet despite knowing of Yohan Cabaye’s departure for months, the Magpies repeated the same mistake last season with disastrous consequences.

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//www.youtube.com/embed/E2DjE49YOp4

Especially with such a threadbare squad, Newcastle simply cannot afford to allow key men to leave without signing a replacement. At the time of writing, Debuchy’s move to Arsenal has been all but confirmed whilst several reports have linked Sissoko with a move elsewhere.

If the big boys come calling, Newcastle aren’t in the position to realistically keep hold of their star names. But if any do depart St James’ Park this summer, Pardew needs to be granted at least some of the money to sign adequate replacements.

CLEAR OUT THE DEADWOOD

Despite having such a thin squad, there is still currently a fair amount of deadwood on Tyneside. The likes of Jonas Gutierrez, Sylvain Marveaux and Gabriel Obertan barely featured last season, whilst serious question marks linger over whether Steven Taylor and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa should remain at the club.

For a club operating on such a strict budget, it is somewhat of a surprise that a select few are still at Newcastle. Dan Gosling and James Tavernier have already been released, but there is a suggestion that several more should follow. If any do depart though, Pardew should again be granted the finance to find better quality replacements, even if it is just for squad depth.