Liverpool’s 5-2 over Norwich City was the pefect response to Jurgen Klopp’s shock decision to leave the club, Leverkusen’s slip allows Bayern back into Budesliga race and more from Europe’s top leagues.
Klopp’s shock announcement stuns world football
Jurgen Klopp sent shockwaves throughout the entire English footballing landscape last week, announcing that he would step down as Liverpool manager come the end of the season. It was probably the most shocked I have felt since Will Smith took issue with Chris Rock at a certain awards ceremony.
I don’t want to speculate as to whether health issues had anything got do with his decision. But it does seem like quite a strange time for the charismatic German to take leave of his post. He built one amazing side around the likes of Salah, Mane, etc. And it just feels like he is finally starting to fashion a second great team, completely reconfiguring the midfield while cultivating a wealth of attacking options.
And that attacking threat was on full display as they comfortably swept past Norwich City to progress to the final 16 of the FA Cup (one of four trophies that the Reds could theoretically end this season). Regardless of the reasoning, there is no doubt that English football will miss the occasionally irascible German.
Rarely- if ever- has a manager’s ethos dovetailed so perfectly with the club he represents.
Left foot? Right foot? It doesn't matter.
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 28, 2024
Give @DiogoJota18 a chance for @LFC and he'll score 🔴#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/SzEC16WVAm
City finally win at Spurs
Spurs have really been a major bogey side for Pep Guardiola and his all-conquering City side (evidenced in a pulsating 3-3 draw at the Etihad earlier this year). For City to go to Spurs and pick up that FA Cup result felt significant.
Nathan Ake- who has a wonderful knack of scoring in cup ties- scored the winner in a pretty unremarkable third-round tie. The result comes hot off the heels of a 3-2 away win at Newcastle and it really feels like things are starting to click into place for the reigning Treble holders.
They negotiated the long-term absence of Kevin de Bruyne and recent injury of Erling Haaland admirably. Also, John Stones- who was an integral ingredient in City’s treble-winning campaign- is back on the fringes of first-team selection.
Pep was quick to praise the departing Jurgen Klopp, stating that the German’s absence will allow him to sleep more soundly at night. But I do wonder if the departure of Klopp might get the Spanish perfectionist thinking.
The Pep-Klopp rivalry has defined English football for the better part of the last decade and it’s almost hard to think of one without the other.
Pep Guardiola enjoyed Nathan Aké's late winner for @ManCity 🙆♂️#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/4CRfxNBBC7
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 27, 2024
Leverkusen slip up and Bayern pounce
Xabi Alonso has been widely tipped to become Klopp’s successor at Liverpool next season. He has done amazing things at Leverkusen, with Frimpong and Grimaldo the most dangerous wingback combination since Alexander-Arnold and Robertson.
But Die Werkself fumbled the ball this weekend, drawing 0-0 at home to a dogged Monchengladbach side. Moritz Nicolas was inspired in the Monchengladbach goal as Leverkusen failed to capitalise on their utter monopoly of possession.
Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich survived a late scare to take all three points at Augsburg. The 3-2 scoreline flattered the home side, with Bayern really controlling every facet of the game. Tuchel’s side has been decimated by injuries and suspensions (Raphael Guerreiro was playing at right-back for goodness’ sake).
But with attacking options like Sane and Kane, Bayern can afford a few selection dramas. Die Roten have been far from their fluid best of late and it will be interesting to see how they are able to juggle both domestic and continental concerns in the upcoming weeks.
Leverkusen’s lead over Bayern at the 🔝 of the Bundesliga shrink to two points 📊 pic.twitter.com/adrwHab1F4
— 433 (@433) January 27, 2024
Xavi departing while Real and Girona continue unlikely title charge
Jurgen Klopp’s shock announcement wasn’t the only bit of managerial drama to come out of European football this week. Barcelona legend Xavi- who guided Barcelona to the LaLiga title last season- announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of this season.
This came off the back of a shambolic 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal. This really was the definition of a rollercoaster affair, with Barca coming back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 with 20 minutes to go. But the Yellow Submarine endured, scoring two last-gasp goals to relegate Barca to yet another defeat.
Christensen and Araujo were frankly embarrassing at the back while Ilkay Gundogan managed to show his class in the middle of the park. This Barca side is showing Chelsea levels of mismanagement and you can see why Xavi decided to call time on his managerial tenure.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid were far from their best at Las Palmas, requiring a late Thchouameni header to win 3-2. Vini Jr was a nuisance all night as Real kept pace with surprise package Girona, who ground out a steely 1-0 victory at Celta Vigo to keep their miracle season going.
Girona have already broken their record points tally for a LaLiga season 📈🇪🇸
— LiveScore (@livescore) January 28, 2024
They have 17 games left to play 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jbg8u69hYs
Inzaghi’s Inter dominating Italian football
Reigning Italian champions Inter Milan have enjoyed an excellent week. Juventus floundered to a 1-1 home draw to Empoli this weekend, meaning that Inter have the chance to extend their Serie A lead to four points at home to Fiorentina tonight.
Inzaghi’s men also picked up their first silverware of the season, beating Napoli 1-0 in Monday’s Supercoppa final. Captain fantastic Lautaro Martinez scored the winner on Monday and he seems to be relishing his new leadership role. Inter quietly controlled last season’s Champions League final against City and they look really solid again this season.
Simone Inzaghi’s side are a wonderful mix of attacking enterprise and defensive fluidity. Allegri’s Juventus are a much more dour proposition and it seems as if fortune will probably favour the brave in this year’s Italian title race.
i think i love inter milan pic.twitter.com/pZ5d2uWOln
— ahmd 🇹🇳 (@fcb_ahmd) January 23, 2024
Player of the Week- Conor Bradley
I have decided to think a little outside of the box this week. Most Liverpool supporters must have feared the worst when Trent Alexander-Arnold was inured a few weeks ago. Some defensive blunders aside, Alexander-Arnold is the creative fulcrum of this Liverpool side and you thought they might struggle with fluency in his absence.
But academy graduate Conor Bradley has been nothing short of revelatory since his introduction to the first team, netting another brace of assists as Liverpool thumped Norwich 5-2. He has looked commanding in that right-back role and it will actually be interesting to see how Alexander-Arnold is reintegrated back into this squad.
Ryan Gravenberch with the last goal of the night with an assist of Connor Bradley of course.
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) January 28, 2024
And Liverpool beat Norwich 5-2 as they make their way into the next round of the FA Cup. pic.twitter.com/2AHQKTlsVm
