Declan Rice sends ‘honest’ Liverpool title message as Arsenal star makes ‘panic’ claim
Arsenal icon Declan Rice has called for a response to their blip but insists there is no need to “panic” after failing to leapfrog Liverpool in the Premier League title race
Declan Rice says Arsenal are not getting involved in the Premier League title talk – but insists there is no need to panic amid the Gunners’ blip.
Liverpool maintained their place at the top of the table going into 2024 after Mikel Arteta’s side slumped to a 2-1 defeat away to Fulham. It marked a second straight London derby disappointment after David Moyes’ West Ham United inflicted misery on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on December 27.
Arsenal did momentarily move top of the Premier League after Bukayo Saka reacted fastest to Bernd Leno’s save but the Cottagers fought back through Raul Jimenez before Bobby Decodorva Reid completed the scoring.
The defeat for Arsenal means they sit fourth, one point ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth, and two points off Liverpool in top spot.
“Very disappointing. It’s very tough to take and not good enough from us again today,” said Rice.
“The last two results have not been what has been required or we have been setting over the course of the season. We have been performing well up until the last two games, especially off the back of the draw against Liverpool, we felt we could kick on but with two defeats, it’s a tough one to swallow.
“To be honest, I don’t really look at the table. There are a lot of media who talk and say Arsenal are going to win the league this year and we are better this year, but we don’t get involved in that.
“We just try to take everything as it comes, one by one. We’ve been doing really well, we have been at the top of the table and that is where we want to be, it’s a blip in the road but there is no time to panic.
“There are still so many games to go and we have to stay positive, there is no time to be negative. We have a great manager, great players and we will keep going.”
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Liverpool join bidding to sign ‘world-class’ Bayern Munich player
Liverpool are one of the teams taking a big interest in Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich.
The Reds have previously been tentatively mentioned in connection with Kimmich, as his future at Bayern remains in the balance.
Having seen the 28-year-old fall slightly out of favour under Thomas Tuchel, there have been claims that the German champions would now be open to selling Kimmich.
That suggestion has been backed up in reports this week from Spanish outlet AS. They propose that the midfielder is now ‘increasingly associated with a departure’ from Bayern.
With that in mind, it’s claimed that both Liverpool and Manchester United have ‘joined the bidding’ for Kimmich, with Barcelona another to show interest.
As his contract runs until 2025, both Liverpool and United would reportedly be keen on making an offer for the Germany international in the coming summer.
Liverpool join Kimmich race
We’re not completely sure just what to make of this story. Ultimately, we’re still expecting that Kimmich will sort his future out with Bayern and sign on to a new deal.
However, with things ticking down in that respect, there does appear to be genuine uncertainty over what he’ll do next.
From a Liverpool point of view, it’s hard not to get excited over the prospect of Kimmich at Anfield.
After switching from right-back, he’s been one of the best midfielders in the world over the past few years. As former coach Julian Nagelsmann told bundesliga.com in 2022, he’s a ‘world-class’ operator.
As a more defensive-minded midfielder, Kimmich could also be just what the Reds need right now.
The former RB Leipzig youngster is a holding midfielder very much in the mould of Liverpool’s very-own Alexis Mac Allister. Ball-playing, clever and tactically adept, Kimmich could even be the inspiration behind Mac Allister’s move to a deeper role this season.
As a result, we could see a world in which the German does arrive in a Thiago Alcantara-esque move from Bayern.
Some would be opposed to that based on his age and potential wages. Should Kimmich become available, there’d also be big competition for him. But all things considered, this could be a real opportunity for Liverpool. Let’s see what develops.
38-year-old former Liverpool midfielder given first ever managerial role in League One
Xabi Alonso is obviously the poster-boy for this. As 2023 turns into 2024, Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side are still unbeaten in all competitions this season. No wonder he’s reportedly being considered as a long-term successor to Jurgen Klopp.
Meanwhile, Dirk Kuyt is now getting his knees under the desk at a new club, too. The Dutchman was handed the top job at Belgian second-division side Beerschot last week and we wish him all the best with that.
Now, one of Kuyt’s former teammates at Anfield is joining him in taking on a new position. As per their official X account yesterday, League One side Fleetwood Town have appointed Charlie Adam as first-team head coach.
“We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Charlie Adam as the Club’s First-Team Head Coach,” they enthuse.
All the best Charlie! Let’s hope you’re more Alonso than Steven Gerrard on this ocassion.
Adam tries his hand in management
With Fleetwood sitting second-to-bottom in League One just now, this is a big job for Adam to take on.
In terms of their position in the table, you really have to commend the 38-year-old for stepping in.
You could look at it positively and say that the only way is up. If Adam can bring a ‘new manager bounce ‘ to Highbury, then maybe he can haul them to safety.
As a rookie coach, that would instantly mark the Scotsman out as potentially one to watch. But fail to do that, and he could kill mis managerial dreams before they’ve even started.
Nevertheless, it should be seen as a big opportunity for Adam. Plenty of former players are trying to break into the world of management and when a chance arrives, you really have to take it.
Adam never played with Alonso at Liverpool, so he perhaps won’t lean on the Spaniard for advice. But having had a playing career that spanned 16 years across seven clubs, he won’t be short of people he can call up for advice.
From our point of view, we always like seeing former Reds head into the management world. Adam may have only been at Liverpool for one solitary season, but he still left his mark and even plays for the ‘Legends’ side on occasion. The club obviously means a lot to him.
Good luck then, Charlie, we’ll be keeping an eye out for how you’re doing.
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