And that’s about it from me.
Thanks for reading and all your comments today. A reminder of the weekend fixture list (all times GMT):
Saturday
Liverpool v Watford – 12.30pm
Burnley v Newcastle – 3pm
Chelsea v Bournemouth – 3pm
Leicester v Norwich – 3pm
Sheffield United v Aston Villa – 3pm
Southampton v West Ham – 5.30pm
Sunday
Man Utd v Everton – 2pm
Wolves v Spurs – 2pm
Arsenal v Man City – 4.30pm
Monday
Crystal Palace v Brighton – 7.45pm
It’s not just Jurgen Klopp. Another man to celebrate a new contract extension this season is Brighton’s Graham Potter and here he is talking about Monday night’s M23 derby against Crystal Palace.
I’ve been reminded of how important it is pretty much every day. It’s important for our supporters, it’s important because of the proximity of the two teams and the clubs and I’m sure my memory of Selhurst Park is always lively. It’ll be a good atmosphere, a hostile atmosphere, something we’re going to have to deal with. We’re going to look forward to it.
The Sky cameras will hope that this stat doesn’t strengthen further: Crystal Palace’s home games have played host to fewer goals than any other side’s this season, with Selhurst Park seeing just 13 goals in eight games (F6 A7).
If you missed this earlier in the week, here’s a chance to test your knowledge of caretaker managers.
It’s inspired by Duncan Ferguson, whose Everton have a Sunday date with Manchester United where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a stand-in before getting the job permanently.
Before you take the real quiz, here’s a Big Dunc Opta stat: “As a player, Duncan Ferguson scored more Premier League goals against Man Utd than he did against any other side (7 goals in 16 games). However, the Scotsman also lost more games against the Red Devils than any other team.”
Five more years. Five more years of that lot celebrating, grandstanding and hogging the news to such an extent that the only chance of escaping it all, and preserving what’s left of our sanity, is to source a wireless-free bunker in a less populous corner of the Kerguelen Islands.
Just what could The Fiver be referring to? Find out here:
It’s just one defeat in the last seven for Newcastle and they’ll look to extend that run at Burnley on Saturday.
A contender for worst Opta stat of the weekend here: “This is the seventh Premier League meeting between Burnley and Newcastle, but the first to take place on a weekend day, with the others coming on each day of the week between Monday and Thursday.” Mindblowing.
Some more interesting details can be found in our match preview ...
Let’s head south for another match preview and it’s two sides in the bottom five.
Here’s a weird Danny Ings fact by the way. Ings has ended on the winning side in just nine of the 28 Premier League games he’s scored in (32%), the lowest win ratio of any player to have scored in at least 20 matches in the competition.
Updated
Liverpool host Watford in a 12.30pm kick-off at Anfield tomorrow.
Match preview here as the Reds seek a ridiculous 25th win from their last 26 Premier League games:
The turn of Aston Villa’s Dean Smith now.
Villa are only outside the relegation spots on goal difference and they face a tough trip to eighth-placed Sheffield United at the weekend.
Smith has had to build his reputation lower down the league ladder before getting his shot at the Premier League and sees a kindred spirit in Blades boss Chris Wilder.
I don’t think there’s any easy way for young English managers to get there. You’ve got to go and work really hard. We’ve both done that and now we’re at the top table which is the Premier League, both wanting our teams to go and perform each week. I notice Chris said yesterday it probably adds a little bit more pressure on both of us being local lads as well because everyone feels they can have a chat with you. I’ve spoken before about going to my local golf club and people asking me about my players and stuff like that so Chris will have exactly the same. But we’ve both been in the game for a long time and know what our jobs are about and it’s going and getting results for the team.
Villa have struggled on the road, losing six out of eight, although Sheffield United have lost as many home games (four) as bottom club Watford.
It didn’t seem so long ago that Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was being talked of as the next Premier League manager to get the chop.
However, back-to-back Premier League wins over Spurs and Manchester City have changed the mood at Old Trafford and United added a 4-0 Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar last night.
Next up are Everton and here’s Paul Wilson on Solskjaer’s bid for a fourth straight win and the Norwegian’s respect for Duncan Ferguson.
Quiz question: Which two players have combined for more goals than any other pairing in the Premier League this season?
As the BBC do when saying “leave the room if you don’t want to know the results” and then telling you immediately before you’ve even lifted a buttock, here’s the answer: Norwich duo Todd Cantwell and Teemu Pukki.
Yep, Todd and Teemu have combined for five goals. A good effort although not in the same league as Bryan Roy and Stan Collymore at Forest.
Norwich have a tough old game this weekend when they travel to Leicester but as boss Daniel Farke points out: “We have found it perhaps easier to be honest to get some good results against the top-class teams so far. We are respectful but we are not scared.”
Norwich have won three of their last five away games at Leicester.
Team news and a match preview as Chelsea host Bournemouth tomorrow ...
More from Frank Lampard, who has some nice words about Jurgen Klopp ...
Liverpool are a huge rival now. Recruitment, their style of play, what Jurgen Klopp has built over a period of a few years is incredible. So congratulations on the new contract, it’s fully deserved that’s for sure. I love going up against the managers of the quality and name of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, you go through the Premier League there’s so many great managers here. So I’m pleased, I’m not disappointed, the challenge for us is can we bridge the gap to Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp or no Jurgen Klopp. But congrats on his new contract.
Now for Wayne Rooney and his new life as a player-coach back in England at Derby.
The 34-year-old, who agreed an 18-month deal in the summer after concluding his stay with MLS side DC United, isn’t eligible to play for the Rams until January but has been training with his new teammates.
It’s been good the last few weeks, training and getting to know the players, getting to know the staff and getting ready for the first game so I feel good physically. Obviously, a bit frustrating doing the training throughout the week and not being able to play of a weekend but it’s been nice being back home and getting prepared for January. If the game was tomorrow, I’d be able to play.
On his first forays into coaching.
The manager has been great with me in letting me get involved with that side. It is great to work with someone like Phillip Cocu.
And on wanting to become a manager one day.
Yes, of course, I’ve been around this game for a long time. That’s what I want to do.
Big Dunc at the plate now.
He’s a little cryptic and we need to know his definition of “the future” but, overall, it seems unlikely he’ll be the next Everton boss. Asked if beating Chelsea 3-1 when taking temporary charge for the first time last week has given him a taste for management, Ferguson replies:
Yeah, definitely, I think in the future, I think I’ll look to progress to be a manager. Of course, now I know I can do it for one game, but of course it’s only one game. It was emotional, it was exciting, it was fantastic and, yeah, in the future, possibly I can move into management.
Frank Lampard speaks now.
He’s asked if Chelsea are fighting for fourth spot with Manchester United and Spurs but isn’t having the somewhat lazy presumption that Liverpool, Leicester and Manchester City are locked in for the top three places.
I think probably Liverpool I would agree with you but the rest is up for grabs. Huge respect to Leicester for what they’ve done so far but there’s a long way to go for all of us. I don’t think we were very fancied (to make the top four) at the start of the season and it’s important that we carry on trying to prove people wrong with our performances.
Points tallies after 16 games:
Liverpool 46
Leicester 38
Man City 32
Chelsea 29
Man Utd 24
Wolves 24
Spurs 23
Coming up, news from the press conferences featuring Frank Lampard, Duncan Ferguson and new Derby player-coach Wayne Rooney.
Rooney is poised to make his debut for the Rams in January, after moving to Pride Park from MLS side DC United on an 18-month contract that could be extended to 2022.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp talking now ...
He reiterates why he’s excited to have signed his new contract but keeps his cards close to his chest about Takumi Minamino.
There’s nothing else to say about it actually. We speak about it like we do with all transfers, potential transfers, when it’s sorted and not earlier. Very good player, I can say that, but I saw a few very good players in the Salzburg team, to be honest, much more than I wanted - especially in the first half! So that’s it.
Some interesting comments from Pep Guardiola ...
He’s asked about a report that says there’s a ‘break’ clause at the end of this season. He rubs his eye and gives this weary response.
“No, it’s not true.” When pressed if it means that he’s going to stay for the duration of his contract, he interrupts: “I spoke about that a few weeks ago, one week ago, yeah, about my intentions with the club.”
He also brushes off a question about Bournemouth’s (currently injured) Nathan Ake, adding that City won’t be doing any business in the transfer window. Hmmm.
On Klopp: “I congratulate him and Liverpool. He deserves it.”
Updated
Here’s Jose Mourinho’s reaction to Jurgen Klopp’s new contract ...
First of all I think it means they are all happy. Jurgen is happy because if he’s not he doesn’t sign. And they’re happy because if they’re not happy they don’t give him a new contract. So I think everybody’s happy.
Clearly, being in Manchester did have some sort of cultural influence on him.
Updated
A quick match preview too. More of these later ...
And this ...
Updated
While I consume a powershake and do some forward lunges, here’s a bit of lunchtime reading ...
Updated
Not that Liverpool fans need any more good news but the Takumi Minamino transfer is a real thing that’s happening.
This from our transfer man Fabrizio Romano:
Takumi Minamino will join Liverpool on next January. Total agreement reached also with his agents on a five years contract. Just medicals to be completed and then paperworks will be signed. He feels “proud” to join Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp insisted to sign the Japanese immediately. Release clause (£7,25M) will be paid to Salzburg.
Jurgen Klopp’s contract extension will make him the club’s longest-serving manager since Bob Paisley.
Updated
More manager press conferences coming up around 1.30pm. They include Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho.
Apparently, Pep banned his first-teamers from attending this year’s Christmas party. Not because he caught them doing a massive conga outside the Arndale Centre but because after the last one they lost 3-2 at home to Crystal Palace and, four days later, were beaten by Leicester. These marginal gains could make all the difference with City breathing down Liverpool’s necks just 14 points behind.
Only four players have reached double digits in the Premier League scoring charts this season.
Nope, not Harry Kane. Not Mo Salah. Not Sergio Aguero. It’s this four:
16 Jamie Vardy
11 Tammy Abraham
11 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
10 Marcus Rashford
Vardy is five clear and here’s some pub ammo ...
- Vardy has scored in each of his last eight Premier League games, just three short of his own competition record set in November 2015. The only other occasion of a player scoring in nine consecutive games in the competition was by Ruud van Nistelrooy (10 in a row in August 2003).
- As well as being the Premier League’s highest scorer this season (16), Vardy has an impressive shot conversion rate of 39%, netting from 16 of his 41 shots. In a completed Premier League season since 2003-04, the highest conversion rate from a player with at least 10 goals is 33% (Papiss Cisse in 2011-12).
Facts. What are they anymore? It’s a confusing time.
Some leave me empty inside such as being told that the amount of strawberries consumed at Wimbledon each year is enough to fill Wembley (Guardian fruit factcheck team currently trying to confirm this).
But how about this from Steve Bruce on just why Allan Saint-Maximim (such an enjoyable name to say) will be out for a month:
He pulled his hamstring doing 38.6 kilometres per hour in the 96th minute. I don’t think anyone’s run that fast in the Premier League ever before so what can you do?
Not as fast as an ostrich or an emu but that is zippy.
So how about a bit on the boss who faces Jurgen Klopp on Saturday.
Nigel Pearson was recently installed as Watford’s third manager of the season and Simon Burnton takes a look at the man tasked with keeping the Hornets up.
Pearson, of course, became famous for his ‘ostrich outburst’ and that gives us an excuse to further brighten your day after last night’s result by posting a picture of Rod Hull. Or is it Hans van Breukelen?
Fun fact: The emu has three toes and can run up to 30mph compared to the ostrich which has two toes and runs up to 40mph (Opta Attenborough).
Updated
Fenway Sports Group say the new Jurgen Klopp deal represents one of the “big moments” of their stewardship.
Principal owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner and FSG president Mike Gordon made this joint statement, and they really do go full American at the end ...
Fenway Sports Group declared their joy at the news Jürgen Klopp has agreed a contract extension and explained why they believe the decision secures the long-term development of the team... https://t.co/MM69hbDMtz
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 13, 2019
We are absolutely delighted we have been able to reach an agreement with Jürgen – as well as Peter and Pep – on extending their time with the club. As we are sure our supporters would agree, it is truly wonderful news and we are all extremely thrilled, not only professionally, but personally too. We feel this represents one of the big moments of our stewardship of Liverpool Football Club so far as we believe there is no better manager than Jürgen. The decision also keeps with the club’s overall strategy of building from a position of strength. It means Jürgen will oversee the ongoing transition from Melwood to the new Kirkby training base as the club continues to pursue a vision of being elite in all facets of the industry. It also provides us with continuity with the existing football operations management structure, overseen by sporting director Michael Edwards, whose input into the project cannot be overestimated. He has been – and will continue to be – as indispensably important as anyone else to the direction of Liverpool Football Club. In Jürgen and Michael we are blessed with world-class leadership.
Here’s our story on Jurgen Klopp and his new two-year contract extension ...
Jurgen Klopp on his new deal at Anfield ...
For me personally this is a statement of intent, one which is built on my knowledge of what we as a partnership have achieved so far and what is still there for us to achieve. When I see the development of the club and the collaborative work that continues to take place, I feel my contribution can only grow. People see what happens on the pitch as a measure of our progress and although it is the best measure, it’s not the only measure. I have seen the commitment from ownership through to every aspect and function of the club you can think of. When the call came in autumn 2015, I felt we were perfect for each other; if anything, now I feel I underestimated that. It is only with a total belief that the collaboration remains totally complementary on both sides that I am able to make this commitment to 2024. If I didn’t I would not be re-signing. This club is in such a good place, I couldn’t contemplate leaving.
Jürgen Klopp agrees new deal at Liverpool
But much bigger news from Anfield now – Jürgen Klopp has agreed a new deal with Liverpool until 2024.
BOSS ✊
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 13, 2019
We're delighted to announce Jürgen Klopp has agreed a contract extension 😍 https://t.co/Eg13Fjj3Ek
Assistant managers Peter Krawietz and Pepijn Lijnders have also agreed deals to continue working alongside Klopp.
Updated
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane has been named Premier League Player of the month.
Not a bad month for the Reds forward, with three goals (including the injury-time winner against Aston Villa) and an assist (that cross to Andy Robertson for the late equaliser at Villa).
🔥🔥 SADIO 🔥🔥 @premierleague Player of the Month for November 🙌 pic.twitter.com/tcHcoSy259
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 13, 2019
And if he fancies celebrating this weekend, this Opta stat suggests Watford will be willing stooges ... “Sadio Mané has been involved in eight goals in five games against them for the Reds (5 goals, 3 assists).”
Updated
News from Napoli now and it’s what we all wanted to hear - the calendar is out!
Initially, Carlo Ancelotti’s sacking looked to have scuppered the 2020 edition ...
Devastating news as Napoli cancel the presentation of their calendar for 2020 in the wake of Ancelotti sacking. Hard to top the Gladiator theme from 2015 TBF pic.twitter.com/IIN0y0O2ag
— James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) December 11, 2019
But, no, it’s back on, with sales set to outperform Cliff Richard’s and, believe me, Cliff really does shift some units.
While we’re in the world of speculation, Ben Fisher has worked his way through the latest transfer rumour fluff. Read all about it here ...
Talking of Everton, there’s a vacancy in the manager’s office.
Some options: “Give it Big Dunc”, “Get Moysie back” or “That Ancelotti’s class”.
Duncan Ferguson has temporary charge and certainly got the locals fired up last weekend when power-lifting ball boys and showing that no-one in football does a better, or scarier, clenched fist.
He’s only third favourite though according to the bookies:
11/10 Carlo Ancelotti
5/4 David Moyes
6/1 Duncan Ferguson
16/1 Mikel Arteta
16/1 Rafael Benitez
16/1 Unai Emery
The list goes down to 100/1. Those at that price include Gareth Southgate, Lucy Bronze and Diego Maradona. Honestly!
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Everton will submit their planning application to construct a new 52,000-capacity stadium at Bramley Moore Dock on 23 December, the club has confirmed.
Designs for the proposed £500m stadium were unveiled by architect Dan Meis in July. Following a second public consultation exercise, that attracted over 43,000 responses and 98% support for the hugely impressive plan, Everton have incorporated some of the feedback into a final planning application that will be submitted to Liverpool city council in 10 days’ time. An outline planning application for a legacy project at Goodison Park will follow and the council will consider both projects at the same time.
Everton hope to start construction on a three-year build in 2020, although that depends on the success of a complex planning application for a world heritage site.
📅 | "I’m pleased to confirm that our detailed planning application for a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock will be submitted on Monday 23 December."
— Everton (@Everton) December 13, 2019
Read the latest in a new blog from our Stadium Development Director, Colin Chong. #EFC 🔵
Updated
It’s a few hours yet before we hear from Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. So, in the meantime, Ed Aarons, Simon Burnton and Niall McVeigh mark your cards for the upcoming action ...
So, do we join the dots and presume that this all fits in with the theory that Stevie G will be Jurgen Klopp’s successor a few years down the line?
Some reader feedback from ThisNameisMine: “Klopp’s contract is up in 2022, he might carry on, he might not but regardless Gerrard is not going to be Liverpool’s next manager unless he does something pretty spectacular outside of Scotland. Much more likely to be someone from the Alpine School or Pep Lindars. Meanwhile, announce Minamino!”
Yes, the Takumi Minamino move to Merseyside has got Liverpool fans talking. The Japanese star was absolutely outstanding in RB Salzburg’s 4-3 defeat at Anfield and took the eye again when the two sides met on Tuesday night. Word is that the 24-year-old will join the Reds on the first day of the transfer window for an absolute bargain price due to his £7.25m release clause.
Some Steven Gerrard quotes ...
I’m delighted to be extending my stay at this fantastic football club. When Dave King approached me about the possibility of extending my contract with Rangers, it was a very easy decision to make because I’m very happy and feel that we are building something special together at the club. I’d like to thank the board for the backing they have given me already in my time at the club and also most importantly, the Rangers fans who have given me and the team such tremendous backing both this season and last.
Updated
Steven Gerrard signs new Rangers contract
Breaking … Manager Steven Gerrard has signed a new contract with Rangers until 2024, the club have announced.
Is that when Jürgen Klopp is leaving Liverpool? Just saying.
Updated
I’ll run you through the best Opta stats later (yes, I know you can’t wait). But yesterday evening before I turned in for the night (in a huff and about five hours earlier than expected), I did this research:
The last time Liverpool played the weekend after a General Election was 2015 (2017’s was held in June). On that occasion, there was no overall majority with the Reds of Liverpool drawing 1-1 with the Blues of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Notably, both party leaders, John Terry and Steven Gerrard, got the goals. There was also a Johnson on the pitch, Glenn, who had once wanted to remain but then decided to leave Chelsea for Portsmouth. Erm, what else. Courtois sounds like Corbyn. Oh, forget it. I’m not helping my mood here.
In the ‘who’s got the biggest injury list’ competition, Newcastle are certainly contenders too.
“We’ve got a few out, yeah,” says boss Steve Bruce, who then has to read from his notes to list all the names. “Certainly (Ciaran), Clark, (Matt) Ritchie, (Jamaal) Lascelles, (Allan) Saint-Maximin, Ki (Sung-yeung) are all struggling... well, they’re out. We’ve got a couple of question marks over (Miguel) Almiron and (Jonjo) Shelvey so we’ll see how they are today.”
Nathan Ake added to Bournemouth’s injury woes last weekend. The defender limped off during the 3-0 home defeat by Liverpool and looked set for a lengthy absence. Boss Eddie Howe is putting a positive spin on matters though.
It was relatively good news on Nathan’s scan. The trouble with hamstring injuries is it’s very difficult to give definitive timelines. I think we’re looking at about six weeks. That’s conservative. Nathan could come back sooner than that but I think six weeks is probably a fair timeline.
It’s been a tough time for Eddie Howe of late. Some words from him soon but, first, this piece from Eni Aluko ...
Preamble
Right, let’s pretend last night didn’t happen and lose ourselves in some Premier League football. No, I’m not convincing myself either.
Anyway, life looks good for one set of reds, with Liverpool eight points clear at the top and facing a home game with Watford on Saturday lunchtime.
Here’s your weekend fixture list (all times GMT):
Saturday
Liverpool v Watford – 12.30pm
Burnley v Newcastle – 3pm
Chelsea v Bournemouth – 3pm
Leicester v Norwich – 3pm
Sheffield United v Aston Villa – 3pm
Southampton v West Ham – 5.30pm
Sunday
Man Utd v Everton – 2pm
Wolves v Spurs – 2pm
Arsenal v Man City – 4.30pm
Monday
Crystal Palace v Brighton – 7.45pm
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