It’s been a difficult year on Merseyside, the Red side that is. Yes Everton are embroiled in a relegation battle again but Liverpool fans aren’t having all their own way by any stretch.
Jurgen Klopp’s side has been out of the Premier League race since October, they have said goodbye to both domestic cups and are just about to leave the Champions League at the first knockout stage, unless they can overturn a three goal deficit against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Liverpool’s loss to Bournemouth on Saturday was hardly good preparation for a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu and, in all probability, all Klopp has left is his quest to climb into the Premier League top four…and that won’t be easy.
And then he needs to prepare for next year.
Reds fans would much prefer to be looking forward and the optimistic among them will see this as a year of transition, with some exciting young players, such as Harvey Elliot and Darwin Nunez establishing themselves. And reports are emerging from Anfield that the club is preparing to improve its creative midfield. Jordan Henderson is an excellent general but he needs more spark alongside him in support of Elliot.
The two names to emerge this week are Barcelona’s young star Gavi, and Leicester City’s creative muscle James Maddison. Liverpool tried to land the Barca youngster last year but failed, and they are now ready to try again according to the UK press. And the second on the list, Maddison, could be an ideal fit for the Anfield club. He has been tracked enthusiastically by Newcastle United and his decision may be swayed by whichever club is in the 2023/24 Champions League.
Despite their recent frustrations, my money is still on Liverpool.
Red Devils are weaker without Casemiro
In other Premier League 2023 news Manchester United’s’ midfield lynchpin Casemiro is suspended again after he was sent off on Sunday during a 0-0 draw at home to struggling Southampton. His studs up challenge on Carlos Alcaraz was awarded a yellow card by referee Anthony Taylor but the ex Real Madrid star could hardly have been surprised when VAR upgraded it to red.
Casemiro’s sending off against Southampton was his second of the campaign and that means he will be out for four games, which will make Manchester United’s run in so much more difficult. His technical brilliance at both ends of the pitch and, above all, his winning mentality has transformed the Red Devils, who are unrecognisable from the dysfunctional collection of individuals who occupied the first team before he arrived.
Not too long ago there was talk of a first league title at Old Trafford in ten years. Maybe that was a little too ambitious, and the Premier League 2023 betting odds never really suggested it was on. And now and there is more worrying news seeping out of Old Trafford with the report that wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho may be out for longer than expected after he limped off during the draw with Southampton.
His exciting cameos for United put him in the frame for an Argentina call up next week, but that now seems highly unlikely as the club assesses the damage.
Nine clubs now in danger
The very latest relegation odds, here at SBOTOP, are backing Southampton and Bournemouth to be joined by one of Everton and Nottingham Forest to take the drop. But, at odds of 7.00, 12th placed Crystal Palace are in trouble, just three points ahead of the bottom three and on a ten match winless run, the longest in the league. And the latest news at Selhurst Park is hardly likely to cheer anybody up as it has been reported that talisman Wilfried Zaha has been the subject of a huge £9m a year offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are 13th and at odds of 6.00 to take the drop, but they are looking upwardly mobile since the arrival of Julen Lopetegui as head coach, and have enough quality to continue their climb. The pressure on Antonio Conte was hardly relieved when Spurs beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but Forest boss Steve Cooper will be feeling the heat. His team has been superb at home and woeful away all season but they are now only two points above the drop zone and look vulnerable in 14th.
Everton, Leicester City and West Ham United occupy the next three places, and I think they will all escape the fall into the Championship. Toffees boss Sean Dyche has already got them playing as a hard-to beat team. Meanwhile the Foxes and Hammers, with players like James Maddison and Declan Rice, have real star quality.
The bottom three, Southampton, Leeds United and Bournemouth are all fighting for their lives and showing signs they can escape and, with just five points separating the bottom nine teams, this will be the most spectacular relegation scrap in years.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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