English Premier League
Three areas where Liverpool have to improve to beat Pep’s Man City to the title next season
Liverpool opinion – Three areas where the Reds need to improve to beat City
After amassing 97 points in a league season, one cannot question anything about how Liverpool played. However, that was not enough to win them the title, as Manchester City, who have probably assembled the best squad in Europe, won it by a point on the final day.
To think that the Reds could have done more in the last 10 months to win the league would be crazy, to say the least. Jurgen Klopp and his men did everything in their might to change their fate at Anfield, but Pep Guardiola’s team edged past them in one of the title races for the ages.
But while the Cityzens would no doubt aim to improve and look to continue their superiority in the English top-flight, Liverpool might have to take one more giant step to close that one-point gap into a title victory.
Here are the three areas in which they need solid backup to help the first-team throughout the course of a league season:
Another left-back to help Andy Robertson
Andy Robertson has been the best left-back in the league for the past 12 months now. He is generally super fit and plays most games in a season with the same amount of intensity.
However, Klopp doesn’t have much choice if/when the Scotsman needs rest or gets slightly injured in between a season. Alberto Moreno is all but gone this summer (h/t Daily Express), while banking on James Milner to provide that backup would be close to foolishness.
Hence, the Reds must focus on signing a left-back, who can support Robertson and play a good amount of games. For that reason, Lloyd Kelly could be a perfect addition.
The Bristol City defender is still a young player, who can play at left-back and at centre-back if required. He has great potential and could really challenge Robertson for his place. Liverpool have been linked with him as well (h/t Liverpool FC).
The Reds now must make sure that Kelly does join them in the summer window.
A winger to back up Salah/Mane
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are two main sources of goals from the wide forward positions for Liverpool. However, the squad doesn’t boast a player who can directly replace either of them.
Xherdan Shaqiri was bought last summer, but he has generally played with both of them in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Thus, it is clear that the Swiss maestro isn’t a direct replacement/backup.
For that reason, the club must focus on buying a goal-scoring winger, who can play in place of Salah or Mane at any time during a season. What it will do is lessen the load on the duo and help the team when their form takes a dip.
Julian Brandt, who can play in any position across the front-line, is being linked with the Reds. (h/t Daily Star) The German international would be a perfect foil to this team and Jurgen Klopp.
Keep Clyne or find a backup for Trent
In Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool have one of the best right-backs in the country. But, he is still young and burdening him may not be a good idea.
Furthermore, whenever Klopp has tried to rest him and play Joe Gomez at right-back, it hasn’t worked. This is chiefly because the latter is a centre-back, who at times can play as a full-back, but not for a whole game.
Hence, signing a new right-back to support Trent and keeping Nathaniel Clyne seem like the two viable solutions, out of which the latter looks ideal.
Clyne, who is currently out on loan at Bournemouth, is an experienced player now, who can fight for his place in the team. Klopp must have two genuine right-backs in his squad to challenge on all fronts next season onwards.
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Conclusion
The above-mentioned three areas are a must for Liverpool to improve on come this summer window. If they manage to succeed in doing that, then we can say that the Reds are ready to be perfect and beat Manchester City in the league.
Chelsea Dragon
As the Chelsea star attempts to mend his relationship with his childhood sweetheart, Enzo Fernandez finds that his Argentina teammate is “sniffing around” Valentina Cervantes
Enzo Fernandez has had a fair bit of rough time on his personal life front over the past few months. After Fernandez’s Girlfriend Valentina Cervantes announced their split in October 2024, the Argentina was also linked with rapper Nicki Nicole. Speaking to Hola, Cervantes said: “Everything was fine and suddenly one day he told me that he didn’t want to be [with me] anymore. There are things that I still have to process, but that’s it, I accepted it. However, Fernandez celebrated New Year’s with Cervantes and their two children following their split. Since then the couple has also been spotted shopping together.
As per the Daily Mail, journalist Daniel Fava has now claimed Fernandez is eager to reconcile with his wife. He said on America TV show A la tarde: “In the last few hours there’s been a reconciliation with his ex-partner Valentina Cervantes. They’re giving things another go. The information I have is that Enzo Fernandez is desperately trying to win her back because he’s heard that a fellow world champion is sniffing around her.” Additionally, Fava asserted that following her breakup with Fernandez, “more than one footballer” had communicated with Cervantes on social media.
Who is Enzo Fernandez’s Wife? Valentina Cervantes?
Valentina Cervantes is the girlfriend of Enzo Fernandez. The couple has been together since the age of 16 as per Goal.
Valentina Cervantes Age
Valentina Cervantes is 24 years old as of January 2025. She was born on February 4, 2000 in San Martin, Argentina.
Valentina Cervantes Profession
Valentina Cervantes is a professional model and Instagram influencer. She has a staggering following of 2.4 million on Instagram as of January 2025. She’s often seen collaborating with fashion and beauty brands. Cervantes has also studied law and use to work as a waitress in an empanada restaurant.
Valentina Cervantes Social Media
Instagram: @valucervantes
Valentina Cervantes and Enzo Fernandez Relationship Timeline
Enzo Fernandez and Valentina Cervantes have been together since teenager’s. They’ve been together through it all while she’s supported Fernandez’s journey from River Plate to a World Cup winner now. “When we met, I worked in an empanada restaurant and studied Law. He was in River Plate and then played in the reserve team. When we moved in together, I changed jobs to a call center near the Obelisk. The couple also has two children together, born in 2020 and 2023.
FAQs on Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez was born in San Martin on January 17, 2000.
Enzo Fernández was married to fellow Argentine Valentina Cervantes, with whom he has a daughter, born on 4 March 2020. In October 2023, their son was born.
Chelsea signed midfielder Fernandez from Benfica for a British-record £106.8m. The deal for the Argentine surpasses the £100m Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish from Aston Villa
His father had named him after Enzo Francescoli, a legendary former River midfielder, so the move so early in his life had extra poignancy.
England
Howard Webb 2025 – Net Worth, Wife, Salary, Current Job, Controversies, and more
Howard Webb is an English former professional football referee who primarily officiated the premier league matches and international matches, and here in this article, we will see Howard Webb’s Net Worth, Wife, Salary, Current Job, Controversies, and more.
Howard Melton Webb famously known as Howard Webb was officiating Premier League matches since 2003 and also officiating FIFA matches since 2005. He retired from refereeing in 2014 and in his period, he has officiated about 567 official matches. Let’s get to know about the 53-year-old former referee later in this blog.
Howard Webb Facts
Birth Place | Yorkshire, England |
Father’s Name | Billy Webb |
Mother’s Name | Sylvia |
Star Sign | Cancer |
Net Worth | $4.5 million |
Age | 53 years |
Date of Birth | 14 July 1971 |
Nationality | English |
Occupation | Referee, Police Office |
Wife | Bibiana Steinhaus |
Social Media |
Howard Webb Net Worth and Salary
The former English referee is said to be having a net worth of around $4.5 million. Webb’s primary source of income was through his refereeing career. He is certainly a famous referee and personality in England.
Apart from refereeing, Howard has also earned by serving as an analyst, and is currently the Chief Refereeing Officer at PGMOL. His salary details from when he served in the premier league are not available right now. But certainly, he might have earned much with his seniority in the field, and will currently be pocketing a decent paycheck.
Howard Webb Refereeing Career
Howard began his career by refereeing the local league in 1989. In 1993, Howard was promoted to the Northern Counties East League as an assistant referee but became a referee two years later. In 1998, Howard got promoted as a Football League assistant referee and again in a year’s time, got the chance to become a referee which he didn’t deny.
Howard was added to FIFA’s international referees’ list in 2005 and since then, he was allowed to officiate football’s high-profile matches including UEFA Champions League matches and FIFA World Cup matches.
Webb’s first appearance as a referee in the top tier football was when Fulham faced Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league. He has officiated many important matches including the 2005 Community Shield final, 2006 FA Cup final, 2007 Football league cup final, 2009 FA Cup final and many.
Apart from club football, Howard has also officiated International football matches. His first international match as a referee was when Portugal faced Ireland in 2005. He then officiated his first champions league match in 2006 and went on to officiate the Champions League final in 2010 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
He was also a part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup officiating a total of 6 world cup matches in his career and has also officiated 3 matches in the 2012 UEFA Euros. He was also appointed to officiate in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.
Howard Webb Early Life
Howard Webb was born on 14 July 1971 in Yorkshire to the couple Billy Webb and Sylvia. Howard’s father Billy was an official referee for almost 35 years. Following in his dad’s footsteps, Howard started his career as a referee when he was just 18 years. He studied at the Brinsworth Comprehensive School.
Howard Webb Wife – Bibiana Steinhaus
Howard married Bibiana Steinhaus in March 2021. Bibiana is a German Bundesliga referee and the couple hopes to lead a pleasant life ahead. Howard was previously married to Kay Webb but unfortunately ended their relationship in 2016. He has three children Holly, Jack and Lucy Webb with his Ex-wife.
Howard Webb Other Jobs
Before becoming a full-time referee, Howard served as a police officer in the South Yorkshire Police Department. He then left the job to focus completely on refereeing. After retiring from refereeing, Howard took up the role of Technical director of the Professional Game Match Officials Board in 2014.
He then switched jobs by joining BT Sports as an analyst, and also became the director of referees for the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. Later in 2017, he resigned from the post and became the Manager of Video Assistant Referee Operations for Major League Soccer. In 2022, it was announced that Howard would be a chief refereeing officer for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited.
After retiring from active refereeing in 2014, Howard Webb transitioned into a role as a technical director of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), where he contributed to the development and training of referees in the English game.
Howard Webb Controversies
The most controversial moment of Howard was in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, when the Netherlands faced Spain in the final. Netherlands player Nigel de Jong landed a karate-like kick in the chest of Xabi Alonso but escaped a red card for the foul. Many rumours were there saying that Howard was biased over Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United which led the former Liverpool striker Ryan Babel to post a meme with Howard in a Man United jersey on his social media account.
FAQs about Michael Oliver
What is the net worth of Howard Webb? |
The net worth of Howard Webb is reported at around $4.5 million. |
Does Howard Webb still work as a referee for the premier league? |
No, Howard Webb retired from refereeing in 2014. |
How old is Howard Webb? |
He is 53 years old. |
Is Howard Webb English? |
Yes, Howard Webb is from England. |
Read more:
Arsenal Dragon
5 oldest players in the English Premier League 2024-25 season
Football is a young man’s sport. The speed, reflexes, concentration and other attributes necessary for the sport begin to fade after a footballer goes into his 30s. To top it the English Premier League is one of the hardest leagues to thrive in. And going strong deep into one’s thirties is no joke.
However, there is a good bunch of stars in the EPL who are well into their 30s, in fact, close to being 40, still going great guns. Here is a look into the 5 oldest players in the 2024-25 English Premier League season.
Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans, the veteran Manchester United center-back is the 5th player on this list. The Northern Irishman was born on the 3rd of January, 1988, and is currently 36 years and 8 months old. Evans, who began his career in the youth academy of Manchester United, was a part of the club from 2006-2015, before leaving for West Bromwich Albion for three years.
In 2018, he signed a five-year deal with Leicester City and was one of the most integral cogs in the Foxes’ defense. Once again in 2023, Evans returned to Manchester United, and has in fact started in a lot of matches for the Red Devils. He recently came on as a substitute against Southampton on the 14th of September, 2024.
Jamie Vardy
Leicester City’s reliable and ever-dependent marksman Jamie Vardy never looked back after leaving Fleetwood Town in 2012. A meteoric surge – for both him and the team saw them get their hands on the coveted EPL title, just four years later. Although Vardy and co. could never replicate that magical 2015-16 season again, Leicester were a menace until their relegation in 2023, thanks to Vardy’s consistent goal hauls over the years. However, they are now back in the Premier League, just a year after being relegated.
At 37 years and 8 months, Vardy still has his game quite intact, scoring for the Foxes whenever they are in dire need of a goal. The main striker of Leicester City might still have a few more years in his kitty before he calls it quits.
James Milner
James Milner has been in the English Premier League for ages. He was featuring for Leeds United even before Cristiano Ronaldo took the league by storm following his arrival in 2003. At just 16 years old, he made an appearance for the club, making him one of the youngest-ever players to feature in an EPL match. Fast-forward 22 years later, Milner is still in the Premier League, making appearances off the bench for Brighton and Hove Albion.
Currently, 38 years and 8 months old, Milner’s last appearance for Brighton came in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal on August 31, 2024. It is worth noting that, Milner also has a physique only a few pushing 40 can ever dream of.
Ashley Young
The name might be Young, but the Everton full-back is nearly 40. At 39 years and 2 months of age, Young has seen the highest of highs in the English Premier League. His long career with Manchester United will never be forgotten, especially his exploits for the Red Devils between 2011-2013.
Starting out in the Watford academy, first played in the EPL back in 2006, when Watford were promoted to the top tier. However, just 6 months after Watford came into the EPL, Young left for Aston Villa where he announced his arrival on the big stage. His stock began to rise only during his time at Villa, attracting interest from Sir Alex Ferguson in 2011.
After almost 9 years with United, Young had a one-year stint with Inter Milan, before returning to Aston Villa for two years, and finally settling at Everton.
Lukasz Fabianski
The experienced Pole has been a silent but good performer between the sticks, through the years. Having started in the English Premier League with Arsenal in 2007, Lukasz Fabianski never really became a first-choice keeper in the league until his move to Swansea City in 2014.
After 4 impressive seasons with the Welsh club, Fabianski made a move to West Ham United, and has been with them ever since. He’s made over 180 starts for the London club, and is going strong at 39 years and 5 months of age.
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