Chelsea director makes statement on Maresca's future, Nunez sends message

Liverpool and Aston Villa entertained Premier League fans with a 2-2 draw at Villa Park on Wednesday night.

The Reds could have gone ten points clear with a win, but the point keeps them eight clear of Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Manchester City were dumped out of the Champions League as a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick secured a 3-1 win (6-3 agg).

Keep up to date with all of the latest Premier League odds at talkSPORT BET

25 minutes agoBy Joe Brophy

Flying Dutchman

Robin van Persie is reportedly on the brink of a return to his beloved boyhood club Feyenoord - and it could mean a Champions League clash against Arsenal.

As reported by Dutch outlet 1908.nl, the Rotterdam-based club is eager for Van Persie to replace Brian Priske, who was sacked last week.

The report claims Feyenoord have agreed personal terms with Van Persie but must now reach an agreement with Heerenveen.

While the iconic Dutchman favours a return to his former club, the ex-striker will not force a move.

If he makes his way back to his old club, he could face Arsenal in the Champions League last-16.

The Dutch outfit can only face the Gunners or Inter Milan when the draw is made on Friday.

Copy linkCopied

Today, 17:15By Jack Johnson

Staying put

Martin Dubravka has signed a new contract at Newcastle.

The goalkeeper's commitment to the club comes just over a month since he let his emotions flow ahead of a move away.

Dubravka was almost in tears as he clapped the Toon fans following a Carabao Cup semi-final win in January.

That was because he was set to join Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab, with a verbal agreement in place.

However, that transfer never materialised and the 36-year-old stayed in England, playing another seven games since.

The Slovakian has covered superbly for Nick Pope and now he's extended his stay at St. James' Park.

Manager Eddie Howe said: "It's no secret that he had options to move on in January, but he deserves huge credit for keeping his focus. We are delighted Martin is staying with us."

Defender Emil Krafth has also signed a new deal, agreeing a fresh contract to stay with the club until the end of next season.

Copy linkCopied

Today, 16:41By Jack Johnson

European dream

Brentford manager Thomas Frank has identified his 'dream' outcome this season as the Bees eye Europe.

Eighth place in the Premier League secures a place in continental competition this season, meaning Frank's side have a chance.

They sit 11th at the moment but they're only five points off eighth-placed Fulham with 13 games to go.

Brentford face Leicester tomorrow night and speaking ahead of that game, Frank said: "We want to push and if we can achieve that it would be a fantastic dream and amazing.

"It's about focusing on Leicester to do what we can and win under the floodlights in a game they have to win.

"Let's get three points and maybe down the line we can dream.

"A big target for us is we haven't won two games in a row, so if we want to dream about Euro places we need more consistency."

Copy linkCopied

Today, 15:43By Ciaran Wiseman

Slot on City

Arne Slot is expecting to 'suffer' against Manchester City if Liverpool are to beat the Premier League champions.

The two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

City go into the match following their Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points by drawing with Aston Villa.

Slot told reporters: "What I always expect from City since Pep [Guardiola] is there, a great football team.

"I can see them coming back already, you see the result against Newcastle. What you expect is what everyone expects when you go to the Etihad to play City."

He added: "You have to suffer as well and work really hard to keep them away from your goal.

"The style of play has always been the same from when Pep was at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and now Manchester City. Even he needs quality players to get results."

Copy linkCopied

Today, 14:37By Ciaran Wiseman

Downes 'problems' over

Southampton boss Ivan Juric has revealed Flynn Downes is available for selection again this weekend.

The Saints host Brighton at St. Mary's on Saturday afternoon.

Downes has been absent from the squad for the last three matches in all competitions after Juric admitted the pair had 'problems'.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Juric explained: "Like in a family when you have a really bad moment.

"We had a really good chat and I think he understands the mistakes and everything.

"Even now, after everything, I think what I think when I first came here, that he is a very good player and a good guy who made a mistake. But's he's OK, he's fit and training very well."

Juric also confirmed that Jack Stephens is fit again for the visit of the Seagulls.

However, Adam Lallana and Taylor Harwood-Bellis will both miss out.

Copy linkCopied

Today, 14:07By Ciaran Wiseman

Paqueta ruled out

Lucas Paqueta will miss West Ham's trip to Arsenal on Saturday, Graham Potter has confirmed.

The Brazilian has been sidelined with an ankle injury suffered in training this week.

Potter told reporters: "It was a training incident: really just an innocuous one.

"He went over on his ankle in a little collision with Aaron [Wan-Bissaka].

"So rolled his ankle and he'll be missing for the [Arsenal] game, and probably Leicester as well.

"We'll see how he is, but it has swollen up a bit. Apart from that, it's pretty much as you were."

Paqueta has made 23 Premier League appearances so far this season, scoring four goals for the Hammers.

The midfielder joins the injured quartet of Niclas Fullkrug, Vladimir Coufal, Crysencio Summerville and Michail Antonio.

Copy linkCopied

Today, 13:41By Ciaran Wiseman

Varane and Ten Hag 'didn't agree'

Raphael Varane has lifted the lid on his time at Manchester United.

The former French defender spent three years at Old Trafford after being signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021.

During that time, he made 95 appearances and scored twice from central defence.

Of those matches, 66 were during Erik ten Hag's tenure, although Varane has admitted the pair fell out during their time working together.

He told The Athletic: "We told each other some truths but then I didn't play for almost two months. I said I didn't agree with certain ways of doing things."

Varane was also surprised that Ten Hag initially remained in charge last summer as he left the club to join Como.

The 31-year-old added: "I was surprised he stayed. The connection with the group no longer existed."

United were also compared to Real Madrid by Varane, who spent a decade with the Spanish giants before joining the Red Devils.

He explained: "At Real Madrid they have a defined way of doing things at every level of the club.

"At Manchester (United) it was not clear or defined enough to know how to recruit, how to play, how to communicate."

Copy linkCopied

Today, 13:04By Ciaran Wiseman

Nunez will 'never give up'

Darwin Nunez has taken to social media to send a message to Liverpool supporters.

The forward has come under fire after missing a crucial chance in his side's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

In a post on X, Nunez wrote: "I wasn't the best three weeks ago, and I'm not the worst now. If I fall, I get up. You'll never see me give up.

"I'm going to give it my all until the last day I'm here in Liverpool. Resilience!"

Nunez has scored six goals in 35 appearances across all competitions so far this season.

Those strikes include a late brace to beat Brentford away from home last month.

However, his miss last night meant Liverpool missed the chance to move 10 points clear at the top of the table.

Instead, Arsenal sit eight points adrift with a game in hand on their title rivals.

Copy linkCopied

Today, 12:03By Ciaran Wiseman

Maresca backed

Enzo Maresca has received the backing of Chelsea director Jonathan Goldstein.

The Blues boss has been told he will '100 per cent' see out the rest of the season.

Chelsea are currently a point off the top four in sixth after losing to Brighton last week, with the same opponents also knocking them out of the FA Cup.

Goldstein told Bloomberg: "Enzo has clearly done a great job in bringing the team together, bringing the talent through and we're very optimistic for the rest of the season."

Asked if Maresca will continue in the job for the rest of the campaign, Goldstein said: "100 per cent".

Maresca has been in charge at Stamford Bridge since the summer after arriving from Leicester.

The Italian penned a five-year deal with the club through to the end of the 2028/29 season.

Chelsea have so far won 21 of his 37 matches in charge across all competitions.

Copy linkCopied

Today, 11:36By Ciaran Wiseman

Jota missed 'easier' chances

A Liverpool fan has jumped to the defence of Darwin Nunez after his miss against Aston Villa.

The Reds supporter pointed out that Diogo Jota had missed 'two sitters' earlier in the match.

Speaking to White & Jordan, the caller explained: "There's this narrative from the media of picking on Nunez all the time, but Jota missed two sitters - easier ones.

"Nunez was running onto the ball, full pelt, and some idiot said it was an open goal, it wasn't an open goal. He was hailing towards the goal and the defender was throwing a challenge in. The keeper was slightly off his line and he probably should have buried it.

"But Jota missed easier chances. But there's no mention of Jota missing sitters.

"But no, let's poke a stick at Nunez again, we'll have a go at Nunez and we'll destroy his confidence as much as we can.

"I'm never convinced by anyone until he starts smashing goals in, but that doesn't mean I'm going to turn around and hang him out to dry just because he misses a chance.

"Jota's a good player, but he's injury-prone… but Nunez has built this reputation where maybe he gets more focus on his shortcomings than others get on theirs.