On the 14th July 2016, Liverpool announced that defender Martin Skrtel had moved to Turkish side Fenerbahce for a reported fee of £5 million.

The Slovenian international was one of Liverpool’s longest-serving players of the Premier League era, playing for the Reds for eight years and making 320 appearances in all competitions for the Merseyside club.

Signed by Rafa Benitez in the winter of 2008 for a reported fee of £6.5 million after beating out the likes of Valencia, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton for his signature, Skrtel quickly established himself as a first-team defender, making 20 appearances in his first five months at the club.

After the appointment of Jurgen Klopp in the 2015/16 season, Skrtel, who had largely been a first-team player for the past seven seasons, found himself out of the squad regularly under the German, leading to the then 31-year-old defender leaving Anfield for Turkey.

In eight years in England, Skrtel only managed one trophy for the Reds, the 2011/12 League Cup, scoring in the final against Cardiff City as Liverpool went on to win the game on penalties against the Bluebirds.

Skrtel was also named Liverpool Player of the Year in 2012 in a year where the defender started two cup finals, the aforementioned League Cup final and the FA Cup final against Chelsea where the Reds fell to a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Here is how Liverpool fans reacted to the news…

Since his move to Turkey, Skrtel has found his form again for the Istanbul giants, playing 31 games in his first full season with the club and quickly being rumoured with a move back to England, with Stoke City, Swansea and Newcastle United all reportedly interested in bringing the intimidating defender back to the country where he made his name.

Now 34 and retired from the Slovenia national team, Skrtel is in the twilight years and still going strong with Fenerbahce, making 26 appearances in all competitions for the Turkish side this season.

Liverpool fans, what is your favourite memory about Skrtel? Let us know!

The feeling amongst the Leeds United players following their dramatic 3-2 victory over Millwall on Saturday must be electric, right?

An incredible comeback which saw Pablo Hernandez star once again for Marcelo Bielsa’s side saw the Whites leapfrog Sheffield United in the Championship standings as their promotion rivals were beaten by Bristol City. With a two-point lead over third-place, Leeds know that if they can go on a solid run in their final seven fixtures, they should be able to secure a top-two finish in May.

However, in the aftermath of their victory at the weekend, it emerged that full-back Barry Douglas could be about to face yet another prolonged period on the sidelines for the club due to injury. The defender, who is valued at £3.15 million (by Transfermarkt), is to undergo a scan on his knee after picking up a knock against Millwall (via the Yorkshire Evening Post).

If Douglas does require a period of rehabilitation, it could result in him missing the remainder of the season which would be a huge blow for Leeds, especially when you consider the experience he brings to the team. The Scotland international was one of the stand-out players last year for Wolves who were in a similar position to the Whites last season before they eventually stormed their way to the Championship title.

Although it can be argued that Ezgjan Alioski has been fairly impressive this season when he has been asked to cover at full-back in the absence of Douglas, with tough fixtures coming against Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday, he will have to step up his performance once again to ensure that his side remain on track to achieve promotion.

What do you think Leeds fans? How costly could it be for your hopes of Premier League football if you lose Douglas at this stage? Is Alioski a competent-enough replacement? Let us know below.

[ad_pod ]Charlton returned to winning ways with a resounding 4-0 victory over Scunthorpe United on Monday having suffered their first defeat since February 2 at the hands of Oxford United last time out, with goals from Igor Vetokele, Joe Aribo, Anfernee Dijksteel and, of course, top-scorer Lyle Taylor securing another fantastic three points.Taylor has come into his own since Karlan Grant departed in January and simply can’t stop scoring – his wondrous free-kick at The Valley was his 20th goal in the league this campaign – although his exploits haven’t been enough to earn the 29-year-old a spot in the EFL League One Team of the Season.Luton Town’s James Collins keeps him from leading the line and it’s safe to say that Taylor is less than pleased with his exclusion. He had this to say on Twitter:Check out what happened when two of Charlton’s best players faced-off in a game of ‘Splat’ in the video below…

Having joined the Addicks on a free in the summer, the 5-cap Montserrat international will surely be considered one of the best signings of the season; there isn’t an award for that unfortunately, but he will undoubtedly receive recognition at club level if not from the EFL, who he clearly feels a tad bitter towards now.

أشاد الحارس الإسباني أدريان، بزملائه في ليفربول، وتحديدًا فابيينو، بعد تألقه خلال المباراة الماضية ضد أياكس، وتعويض غياب الهولندي فيرجيل فان دايك.

وتألق فابيينو أمام أدريان في مباراة الأربعاء الماضي أمام أياكس، وفاز الريدز بهدف نظيف على ملعب يوهان كرويف أرينا في أمستردام.

طالع أيضًا.. هندرسون: سنفتقد فان دايك لكن لن يتوقف ليفربول بدونه

وقال أدريان في تصريحات للموقع الرسمي لـ ليفربول: “كنت أتوقع هذا الأداء من فابي، إنه لاعب كبير، وكبار اللاعبين يتأقلمون في أكثر من مركز، هذا ليس شيئًا جديدًا بالنسبة له لأنه لعب من قبل في هذا المركز الموسم الماضي”.

وأضاف: “حتى في موناكو قبل أن يأتي إلى ليفربول، قدم فابي مستوى مميزا في مركز قلب الدفاع، لعب عدة مرات، لديه ما يكفي من الجودة، كما أنه يضيف الكقير للاعبين الشباب”.

وأردف: “جوتا أيضًا قدم أداء مميزا، يؤدي بشكل جيد، منذ اللحظة الأولى له مع الفريق، أظهر السرعة والجودة، من خلال المراوغات والتسديد والشخصية في الملعب، أعتقد أنه سيساعدنا كثيرًا في المباريات المقبلة”.

وعن مواجهة شيفيلد مساء اليوم: “إنه فريق صعب، يدافعون جيدًا للغاية، وسريعون ويستخدمون الكثير من الكرات الثابتة بطريقة صحيحة، ولديهم سرعة وكثافة كبيرة”.

واختتم: “ستكون مباراة قوية، علينا أن نقدم أفضل أداء من أجل ليفربول، ونستمر في الحصول على النقاط، من أجل الدوري الممتاز، لأن هذا هو هدفنا مرة أخرى”.

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West Ham United fans have called on their club to move for midfielder Victor Camarasa in this summer’s transfer window.

The 24-year-old is currently on loan at Cardiff City from Real Betis and has impressed for the Welsh outfit during the 2018-19 campaign.

Indeed, the midfielder has managed five Premier League goals this term, including a strike against West Ham in their league meeting last month.

As it stands, the Spaniard will be heading back to his parent club this summer.

However, ExWHUemployee has claimed that West Ham are considering the 6 ft ace as a potential signing ahead of the 2019-2020 campaign, whilst Marca have also made a similar claim.

The London club’s supporters have caught wind of the news on social media.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

And it would be fair to say that a number want director of football Mario Husillos to pull off a deal for the Betis midfielder in this summer’s transfer window.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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Toby Alderweireld’s departure from Tottenham Hotspur may well fix one of Mauricio Pochettino’s biggest problems at a stroke.

The Belgium international has a £25million release clause in his contract and doubts persist over  whether the defender will remain north London beyond the summer.

Indeed, Alderweireld has spent a total of four years in the capital and has emerged as a genuinely world-class centre-back.

But this season he has been at the centre of one of Pochettino’s biggest problems.

The Argentine has continually rotated between a back three and a back four throughout the campaign.

When playing the former, he has partnered Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez with Alderweireld. When using the latter, he has cycled through the three and has occasionally used Juan Foyth too.

It should be no surprise, then, that the uncertainty surrounding the defence has adversely affected the club.

This season, Spurs have conceded 34 goals in the Premier League in 31 games. In 2017-18, Spurs conceded 36 in 38 games. Indeed, they have not kept a clean sheet domestically since February in a 1-0 win over Newcastle.

Since then, Spurs have let in one against Leicester City and Arsenal, as well as two versus Burnley, Chelsea, Southampton and Liverpool.

Across the club’s last five games, they have played a back three, three times – in the 2-1 losses to Liverpool and Burnley and the 1-1 draw with Arsenal. In those games, Alderweireld, Vertonghen and Sanchez played together twice, but Alderweireld was not involved versus Burnley.

In the two games in which they used a back four, Alderweireld and Sanchez played together against Chelsea but the Belgian was replaced by Vertonghen against Southampton. Alderweireld was not even in the squad that day.

Last season, Spurs utilised a centre-back pairing of Sanchez and Vertonghen because of Alderweireld’s injury-riddled campaign.

The defender missed 23 Premier League games in a row through injury. In that time, Spurs lost just four times.

They beat the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in that time period, and also recorded Champions League wins over Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund without Alderweireld on the pitch. Indeed, he sustained his injury against the Spanish giants and lasted a mere 24 minutes. When he was substituted, the two sides were level at 0-0. Spurs won 3-1.

Football FanCast quizzed Football.London’s Tottenham correspondent, Alasdair Gold, on this very issue.

He said: “Last year, Pochettino may have been weirdly helped, if that’s such a way of describing Toby Alderweireld’s injury, but Alderweireld’s injury meant he had to play Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez. They formed a very solid partnership and they knew what each other were doing and when it went to a back three, it was purely Eric Dier coming back into that back three. It was very settled.

“This year, he looks like a man who is thinking ‘I have to play Alderweireld, because he’s class’ but it’s now giving him an issue with Sanchez, who Pochettino absolutely adores, so he’s now got a thing of ‘I really want to play a back three but I can’t do it every match’ and it’s messy. You can see it in the goals conceded tally.”

Of course, much of the furore surrounding his future revolves around the asking price. Alderweireld is not a £25m defender; he is worth at least double that in the current transfer market.

And many believe that whichever club triggers the clause and acquires his signature will receive a genuine bargain. That may be true.

But, by the same token, Alderweireld departing will allow Pochettino to properly bed in a central defensive partnership that has already proved its worth in north London.

It is that rarest of things: A win-win situation.

Celtic practically have their hands on the Scottish Premiership trophy and will hope to add the Scottish Cup to their list of accolades as well this season. 

It has been another season of complete domination from the Bhoys and although a lot of changes are likely to be made over the summer, whoever puts on the green and white stripes is probably going to get their hands on some silverware once again next season.

Rangers once more, have simply been no match for the power that Celtic possess and with the season soon to draw to its conclusion, chances should be given to some young players so they can show what they’re all about.

One man who has been no stranger to the first-team this season is winger Mikey Johnston and his involvement with the team should continue for sure.

Mikey Johnston is clearly a youngster who has recently found himself back in contention and with a total of 20 appearances for the first-team under his belt this season, his progression will be best supported if that game-time continues. Just imagine it, Hoops fans, an academy graduate to come in and answer the striking problems to be created when both Timothy Weah and Oliver Burke leave.

The 19-year-old has found the back of the net on three occasions this season, cutting in from either the left or right-hand side and, under the right coach, could become a mainstay in the starting eleven.

As a product of the famed Celtic youth system, there is nothing more fans love to see than their own lads getting a chance in the first-team.

It just so helps that Mikey Johnston has great potential to make a real name for himself in a Celtic shirt and should be given a real chance to go out and prove that.

Do you agree that Mikey Johnston should continue to be entrusted… Join the discussion and let us know!

You West Brom fans have been left feeling uninspired by the fact that Jimmy Shan is remaining their boss until the end of the season, with the all-important play-offs to fight for.

Having been very inconsistent during the last few games, fans don’t quite know how to measure their chances but what they do know is that they’re desperate for a top flight return. It must be hugely frustrating. Indeed, the Championship has once again shown why many consider it to be the hardest league in the world to get out of because of consistent failure to pick up three points on a regular basis.

Nevertheless, that is all in the past now and West Brom must put all their attention into trying to get back into the Premier League.

Achieving that will mean they have to improve their squad significantly, for example signing a capable striker like Middlesbrough’s Britt Assombalonga to add to their firepower.

Assombalonga, (who is valued at £9 million on Transfermarkt) is an experienced figure in the Championship by now and whether he is required in that same division or the Premier League, there is no reason to suggest he would be a poor signing for West Brom.

The 26-year-old has again enjoyed a prolific season in-front of goal for Middlesbrough, with 13 goals in 42 appearances.

Meanwhile West Brom (who were credited with an interest by TEAMtalk in the summer) have been extremely happy with the partnership and form Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez have provided but that threatens to be sabotaged next season.

With interest reportedly hotting up in Dwight Gayle, West Brom are facing the real possibility of losing their loan star, hence why buying Britt Assombalonga instead would be a good move. It’d be hugely difficult to replace Gayle in the Championship – nigh on impossible – but Assombalonga would go some way to keeping goals throughout the side.

Do you agree the 26-year-old would make a good Gayle alternative… Join the discussion and let us know!

قام الاتحاد الإيطالي لكرة القدم بتغيير بروتوكول فيروس كورونا المستجد، كوفيد 19، بإجراء اختبارات ومسحات أسرع وفترات عزل صحي أقصر.

تم الإعلان عن ذلك من خلال بيان رسمي عبر الموقع الرسمي للاتحاد الإيطالي لكرة القدم، وأكد أنه تم تخفيف الإجراءات الاحترازية الخاصة ببروتوكول الفيروس لتسهيل استكمال الموسم الحالي من الدوري الإيطالي للرجال والسيدات.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تقارير: رونالدو يضغط على يوفنتوس لضم زميله السابق في ريال مدريد

سيقوم اللاعبون في الفرق الإيطالية بإجراء الرابيد تيست السريع والذي يعطي النتائج قبل 48 ساعة من المباريات، لكن يمكن أيضًا إجراؤها في نفس يوم المباراة إذا كانت هناك بعض الحالات الإيجابية في الفريق للتأكد من سلامة اللاعبين.

على نفس المنوال، تم تغيير البروتوكول أيضًا، لذلك لم يعد اللاعبون وأعضاء الجهاز الفني المصابون بحاجة إلى البقاء إلى الحجر الصحي لمدة 14 يومًا كاملة.

ستكون المدة بحسب ما ذكر البيان 10 أيام لمن لديهم أعراض فيروس كورونا، ولكن ثلاثة أيام فقط واختبار سلبي لأولئك الذين لا تظهر عليهم أعراض.

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Unai Emery blames himself for Arsenal’s embarrassing defeat to Wolves on Wednesday evening, per the Daily Mirror.

What’s the word?

Arsenal were beaten 3-1 by Nuno Espirito Santo’s spirited side as their top-four hopes sustained a severe blow.

The Gunners now sit fifth with three games of the season remaining, one point behind Chelsea and four behind third-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

The loss to Wolves was their ninth of the season and their seventh away from home.

And Emery has insisted that the responsibility for this defeat lies solely at his door.

He said: “I don’t want to speak about individuals. We need to continue together and not look at one player, defensive or attacking.

“We need to think to recover our confidence, our good moment. When we were in the worse moments we can recover to take possibilities like we have now.

“I usually am very critical of myself. I am angry with myself when we didn’t do the game plan I wanted.

“My idea, my style is to look in front and find the solution, not who is the player who is playing worse or not doing what we spoke of before.

“First I think of the solution. That is to think about Sunday and take the possibility to come back with our best performance to take the three points.

“When we win, we win together and when we lose, we lose together. In general I think we have possibilities to be in the top four.

“We lost the chance to have it in our hands but we will continue and take the opportunity on Sunday.”

Players to blame

Emery is shielding his players here.

The Gunners have endured a terrible dip in form and have lost three of their last five games.

With the top four slipping out of their grasp, Arsenal’s players have to bear the brunt of responsibility.

The likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Alex Iwobi and Mesut Ozil have all been performing below themselves in recent weeks.

The main thing that needs to happen this summer is a major rebuild; Emery needs to ship out the deadwood and bring in the best possible players he can find.

And, after that, he needs to stop shielding his players from the criticism they so desperately deserve.