LIVERPOOL HAS BEEN awash with optimism since the appointment of Jurgen Klopp.
A man who was admired from a far by fans of the Premier League for the past five years has arrived on their shores and the sheer scale of the media coverage around the German coach over these past few days reflects just how highly he is regarded in this part of the world.
Although the former Borussia Dortmund man is known for his motivational skills, it would be insanely naive to expect him to turn the club’s fortunes around instantly.
Klopp will not have had very much time to work his squad considering many were away on international duty over the past week.
Also, Joe Gomez and Danny Ings (both out for the season with torn cruciate ligaments) have joined Jordan Henderson, Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino on the injury list for the trip to north London to face Tottenham.
Whatever happens, all eyes will be on White Hart Lane for Saturday’s lunch-time kick-off.
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2. Big Sam is back in business
Having left West Ham in the summer, it was only a matter of time before one struggling Premier League club sent out an SOS call to Sam Allardyce.
Sunderland, without a win from their first eight league games, reached out after the departure of Dick Advocaat — and Big Sam accepted.
A former Black Cats player, Allardyce has often been criticised about his negative style of play but it is hard to deny that the ex-Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers boss can set up a team to grind out results.
Tasked with keeping Sunderland up first and foremost, he faces fellow strugglers West Brom and Tony Pulis ahead of next weekend’s big Tyne-Wear derby.
3. Time for Chelsea to get their act together
Jose Mourinho will be aiming to put the woes of the opening two months of the season behind him when Chelsea meet Aston Villa on Saturday.
Four defeats and two draws have left the reigning champions languishing in 16th place in the Premier League table, but they have been boosted by the return of striker Diego Costa from his three-match suspension.
Like Mourinho, Tim Sherwood accepts that he is currently going through the most difficult spell of his managerial career. The pressure is mounting for the Aston Villa boss and reports suggest he may only have a couple of games to rescue his job.
4. Van Gaal has been in the horrors
It is two weeks since Manchester United were horribly shown up by an Alexis Sanchez-led Arsenal side and Louis van Gaal admits that the defeat has haunted him over the past fortnight.
The ideal way to help lift their manager’s spirits would be a convincing win over Everton at Goodison Park, but they have suffered defeats (3-0 and 2-0) on their past two visits to the ground.
Both sides have players returning from injury as John Stones and Seamus Coleman are fit again for the Toffees, while United have Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick will be available for selection.
5. Vardy on song for the Foxes
Stephen Pond
Stephen Pond
Who is the Premier League’s top goalscorer right now? It’s not Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa or any of the other big name you would expect.
With seven league goals this term, Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is number one in the charts. It has been a long and winding road to the promised land for the former Fleetwood Town man, but at the age of 28, he is in the form of his life.
If Vardy gets his name on the scoresheet away to Southampton on Saturday, he would become only the fourth Englishman to find the back of the net in six consecutive PL matches — along with Michael Owen, James Beattie and Daniel Sturridge.
Don't expect miracles from Klopp and this weekend's Premier League talking points
1. Klopp will need time
LIVERPOOL HAS BEEN awash with optimism since the appointment of Jurgen Klopp.
A man who was admired from a far by fans of the Premier League for the past five years has arrived on their shores and the sheer scale of the media coverage around the German coach over these past few days reflects just how highly he is regarded in this part of the world.
Although the former Borussia Dortmund man is known for his motivational skills, it would be insanely naive to expect him to turn the club’s fortunes around instantly.
Klopp will not have had very much time to work his squad considering many were away on international duty over the past week.
Also, Joe Gomez and Danny Ings (both out for the season with torn cruciate ligaments) have joined Jordan Henderson, Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino on the injury list for the trip to north London to face Tottenham.
Whatever happens, all eyes will be on White Hart Lane for Saturday’s lunch-time kick-off.
2. Big Sam is back in business
Having left West Ham in the summer, it was only a matter of time before one struggling Premier League club sent out an SOS call to Sam Allardyce.
Sunderland, without a win from their first eight league games, reached out after the departure of Dick Advocaat — and Big Sam accepted.
A former Black Cats player, Allardyce has often been criticised about his negative style of play but it is hard to deny that the ex-Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers boss can set up a team to grind out results.
Tasked with keeping Sunderland up first and foremost, he faces fellow strugglers West Brom and Tony Pulis ahead of next weekend’s big Tyne-Wear derby.
3. Time for Chelsea to get their act together
Jose Mourinho will be aiming to put the woes of the opening two months of the season behind him when Chelsea meet Aston Villa on Saturday.
Four defeats and two draws have left the reigning champions languishing in 16th place in the Premier League table, but they have been boosted by the return of striker Diego Costa from his three-match suspension.
Like Mourinho, Tim Sherwood accepts that he is currently going through the most difficult spell of his managerial career. The pressure is mounting for the Aston Villa boss and reports suggest he may only have a couple of games to rescue his job.
4. Van Gaal has been in the horrors
It is two weeks since Manchester United were horribly shown up by an Alexis Sanchez-led Arsenal side and Louis van Gaal admits that the defeat has haunted him over the past fortnight.
The ideal way to help lift their manager’s spirits would be a convincing win over Everton at Goodison Park, but they have suffered defeats (3-0 and 2-0) on their past two visits to the ground.
Both sides have players returning from injury as John Stones and Seamus Coleman are fit again for the Toffees, while United have Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick will be available for selection.
5. Vardy on song for the Foxes
Who is the Premier League’s top goalscorer right now? It’s not Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa or any of the other big name you would expect.
With seven league goals this term, Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is number one in the charts. It has been a long and winding road to the promised land for the former Fleetwood Town man, but at the age of 28, he is in the form of his life.
If Vardy gets his name on the scoresheet away to Southampton on Saturday, he would become only the fourth Englishman to find the back of the net in six consecutive PL matches — along with Michael Owen, James Beattie and Daniel Sturridge.
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