DOUGLAS COSTA: FROM HERO TO ZERO

Football is a game loved by millions of people from all walks of life. It is a game watched by adults and children alike. Every kick and touch of  the ball either makes one happy or bored depending on the side the person supports. From the sublime save of a goalkeeper to the scintillating finish of a forward player.

I have watched footballers with skills and panache anytime they touch the ball and Douglas Costa is no exception. He is a enjoy to watch anytime he is in possession. His pace, fair and the ability to read the game makes him one of the best players on the planet.

Football fans especially children tend to mimic their icons, from how they play to their private lifestyles. This gives footballers a great responsibility of exhibiting good and acceptable attitudes not only on the field of play but also in their surroundings.

I have seen players evince bad attitudes on the field of play. Notable ones include the kicking of a fan by the Eric Cantona, the famous Zinedine Zidane's headbutt in the 2006 world cup final and the Suarez bite in the 2014 World Cup.

For a player to elbow another and spit into the mouth of the same player is absurd, surreal and bizarre. In their game against Sassuolo, football fans all over the world were dismayed by the attitude and demeanour of  Douglas Costa.

Definitely there must some the opposing player did or said to him that was infuriating and led to such an unacceptable behaviour. A behaviour which has seen him banned for three months. Not only will his attitude affect him as a player, it is also going to affect his team and team mates as well.

I will not chastise him for what he did since I do not know what really transpired between them but will not also condone that kind of attitude.

Footballers and other sports icons must bare in mind that their actions are mimicked by adults as well as children therefore they must be cautious of what they do on and off the footballing pitch and other sporting arenas.

HENDERSON: THE PLAYER THAT DIVIDES OPINIONS

Jordan Henderson has just signed a new contract at Liverpool. Instead of a joyous reception from all Liverpool fans, the news has rather divided the fan base. For some he deserves it, to others he isn't up to Liverpool standard.

If he really isn't good why has he survived under three different managers? There must be something about the Liverpool captain that has seen him pull through at Anfield.

Brendan Rodgers had this to say after making him captain of Liverpool, “Once I saw him grow and develop as the vice-captain then I felt pretty sure that this would be the season he could be the captain”.  Jordan Henderson was made Liverpool captain after Steven Gerrard departed the club in 2015.

Many thought his reign as captain was over due to the introduction of Jurgen Klopp in October 2015 but Klopp has kept faith in him as captain. Klopp had to go to extent of managing his captain to avoid his recurring ankle injury.

Is there something he brings to the team that some supporters are not witnessing  both on and off the field?  To be honest, the Liverpool captain sometimes puts in wonderful performances and at other time he appears to be off rhythm. It must be also noted that, he puts in his best any time he is called upon. 

The arrival of Fabinho and Naby Keita in the summer meant there would be competition for places in midfield. This competition has seen the Liverpool skipper relegated to the bench starting only one of the last five matches and coming off the bench four time. 

The surprise rise of Gini Wijnaldum this season has seen summer signing Fabinho yet to make an appearance for the Reds while the Liverpool captain finds it difficult to make the starting eleven.

I would say on his day Henderson is unplayable but if he can find consistency in his game he will be one hell of a player for Liverpool. For now he is just an average player who is giving his best to keep his team moving. I know Henderson to be a hardworking player, if he keeps working hard he'll soon find his form and become key player for Liverpool just like in 2013/2014 when Liverpool narrowly lost the the title due to his suspension.

ARE ARSENAL IN FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL UNDER UNAI EMERY?

Life after Arsene Wenger did not start well for the Gunners. Loosing their first two matches to Manchester City and Chelsea respectively. Some football fans were quick to write off the Unai Emery era. In sincerity it may not be their fault. Arsene Wenger has never lost his first two matches of any Premier League season.

One could have easily said "new manager same old Arsenal" but things are changing very fast and in the right direction as well.

After match day 4, it seems Unai Emery is now getting his tactics right and Arsenal have won their last two games even though they had to fight to the end in their last game before the international break.

Unai Emery's era has seen the reborn of a player like Alexandre Lacazette. He has thrived in all the games he's played under Unai Emery even when coming on a substitute. Winning two matches out of four isn't a bad start and Arsenal fans can relax and enjoy Unai Emery's treat.

After last week's game I personally feel the Gunners will prove a tough opposition in the coming weeks and other club's must be wary of them.

Whether they can keep up with other top sides in the Premiere League or not, it's only time that can tell. For now Gunners relax and enjoy it game by game.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE REVIEW

After two weeks of International break, the English Premier League recommenced last weekend with thrilling and exhilarating performances from some clubs. 

Here is a review from match 12:

The day started with Arsenal welcoming Tottenham Hotspurs to the Emirates stadium in an early kick-off. A game which would have a significant impact on the top halve of the table.

The game started in high tempo with both teams poised to score first. The game was very open and the two teams created very good chances some of which were squandered and the two goalkeepers were up to the task when called upon to keep their sides in the game. The break through came in the 36th minute when Ozil's free-kick found Mustafi who's headed effort came off the post and into the back of the net.

Arsenal kept mounting pressure on Spurs even though Spurs also created some chances of which they should have converted. The Gunners doubled their lead five minutes after when Alexis Sanchez controlled Alexandre Lacazette’s low centered cross and fired high into Hugo Lloris’ net.

In the second half, both both keepers played their part in keeping their side in the game with Cech denying Dier before Son blazed over late on. This results leaves Arsenal with just a point behind Tottenham and three points behind Chelsea.

Chelsea, Liverpool and league leaders Manchester City all had a 3:00pm kick-off. Manchester City continued their brilliant start to the season with a 2-0 win over Leicester City. A goal apiece from from Gabriel Jesus and Kelvin de Bruyne was enough to fetch them three points and keep them on top of the league.

Chelsea were 4-0 winners over West Brom who are one point above relegation. A brace from Eden Hazard and a goal each from Alonso and Morata who obviously is proving his worth gave Chelsea the victory. Chelsea are in third place just a point behind Manchester United. Meanwhile the results leaves West Brom owners with no choice than to show Tony Pulis the exit.

Liverpool welcomed home Southampton in a game which was hype the media due to the involvement of Virgil van Dijk. Southampton has been a team Liverpool have struggled to beat in recent years having failed to score against them talk of beating them in four meetings last season.

The game commenced in a low tempo with both sides looking dodgy. Anfield was at its fullest capacity and one could hear "You'll Never Walk Alone" ring around the stadium.  Liverpool created most of the chances which they could not convert until the 31st minute when Gini Wijnaldum's pass found Salah who has been on top form since joining Liverpool. Salah scored with a terrific strike from twenty yards out. Ten minutes later, Salah registered his second of the day with a cool finish from an incisive Coutinho pass. Coutinho later finished the game off in the 68th minute after Firmino's effort ricochet off Fraiser Foster and fell on his path.

Manchester United later in the day beat Newcastle United at home by 4-1. Goals from Anthony Martial, Chris Smalling, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku nullified a Dwight Gayle opener. United currently are second on the table, eight points behind Manchester City.

In other encounters, Burnley beat Swansea City by 2-0, whiles Crystal Palace shared a point in a 2-2 draw with Everton. AFC Bournemouth beat Huddersfield by 4 goals to nil.

Elsewhere, Watford defeated West Ham United on Sunday afternoon by 2-0 leaving Moyes gutted in what was his first game in charge of West Ham United. Briton & Hove Albion drew 2-2 with Stoke City on Monday night.

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REVEALED: WHY KLOPP REJECTED MANCHESTER UNITED

In the year 2014, Jurgen Klopp was at the helm at Borussia Dortmund a team he built and was noted for their gegenpressing which Klopp calls the "heavy metal football". Watching Dortmund play when Klopp was their manager was exhilarating.

At the time, Manchester United were looking for a Moyes' replacement after he had an ardent time at the club. It then turned out that United did actually pitch for Klopp which he turned down. In his new KLOPP BRING THE NOISE,

Raphael Honigstein has revealed why Klopp turned the offer down. He stated, "'Klopp gave the offer serious consideration, but found Woodward’s pitch ‘unsexy’, he told friends.'

 

According to Honigstein, Ed Woodward who is the executive vice chairman of Manchester United, likened Old Trafford to the Disneyland, saying,  'Woodward told Klopp Old Trafford was ‘like an adult version of Disneyland, a mythical place where the entertainment was world class and dreams came true’.'

Liverpool fans would be head over heels should they get to know this but must also be thankful as well as grateful to Ed Woodward for pitching badly.

As to whether Klopp made the right decision, time will tell.

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND UP: HOW THE BIG GUNS FARED

The Champions League did take up last week with most of the big teams yearning to win their matches to either place them in an advantageous position or cement their place in the knockout stage.

Whiles there were encouraging result for some teams, others were very disappointing.

Here is the round up of the Champions League.

Manchester United made sure their place in the round of 16 was guaranteed by beating Benefica 2-0 in Group A. An own goal from Svilar and a Blind penalty was enough to secure their win. The scoreline leaves them in first position and having qualified for the next round with two games to spare.

In Group B, Paris St Germain where runaway winners scoring five past Anderlecht with Baryern Munich beating Celtic 2-1. This puts PSG on top of the group with 12 points with Bayern having 9 points, three points behind PSG.

Chelsea are having a problem of their own in Group C. having been tipped as favourites to qualify in the group, things are becoming a bit stiff on their path. Chelsea traveled to the Stadio Olympico only to be beating by a scintillating and nifty Roma by 3-0. Leaving Chelsea frustrated at the end of the game. Atletico Madrid also suffered a one all draw which has made it difficult for them to progress to the next round of the competition even though the group is still open. 

Group D was a group of stalemates, where both Barcelona and Juventus who are favourites of the group drew against their opponents. Barcelona is top of the group with 10 points and Juventus sits just behind them on 7 points.

Liverpool were comfortable winners over Maribor at Anfield goals from Salah, Emre Can and Sturridge were enough to secure three points. They currently sit on top of Group E with 8 points and are one win away from cementing their place in the knockout stages.

What a season they are having Manchester City, wining 13 matches in a row in all competition. In this kind of form nothing stands their way. Napoli was one of the hurdles they strolled past by scoring four with Napoli scoring twice. This gives them a hundred percent win record and puts them in the knockout stage of the Champions League.

In Group H, Real Madrid's frustrating start to the season  continued with a demoralising lose at the Wembley Stadium where hosts Tottenham Hotspurs beat them by three goals to one (3-1). A brace from Dele Ali and a Christian Eriksen goal was all that was needed to dispatch Madrid with Ronaldo scoring a consolation. This is arguably their worst start to a season with Mardid coming into the game having lost 2-1 to Girona. The scoreline against Spurs leaves Real Madrid in second place of the table in Group H, three points behind Tottenham who are on 10 points.

In the same group, Dortmund recorded a frustrating 1-1 draw with Apoel Nicosia. that leaves them on third place of the table with two matches left to play.

It would be interesting to see what happens in the remainder of the matches as well as which teams will place first in their group so they avoid some of the big team.

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IS KLOPP THE RIGHT MAN FOR LIVERPOOL?

For the past twenty seven years Liverpool fans have been persevering and sometimes agitating for a manger who would win the Premier League title. Two years ago, Fenway Sports Group, owners of the club, recruited one of the best football managers in the world in the person of Jurgen Klopp.

A dawn of new era it was to many Liverpool fans. Klopp is known for his successful spells at Main 05 and Borussia Dortmund where he won and defended the Bundesliga with the latter. This aroused the Kopites.

If Klopp's words on the first day of his interview are something to go by then, he wanted to change the attitude of Liverpool supporters. Changing them from "doubters to believers". In fact, he actually thrived in winning the hearts of Liverpool fans.

Liverpool indeed are a joy to watch when they are on top from under Jurgen Klopp. Last season, the Kop really believed when they were second on the Premiere league table getting to December. Then in January things went from bad to worst with Liverpool losing and drawing here and there in that month.    

This season was one of which Liverpool had much expectations due to how they finished last season in style. But it has turn to be  one of those seasons again with Liverpool losing 5-0 against Manchester City and just last week Klopp's side suffered their second heaviest defeat of the campaign against Tottenham Hotspurs. A Harry Kane double and a goal each from Son and Dele Ali was all Spurs need to thrash Liverpool. 

Then comes the question, "is Klopp the right  man for the job"?

Some Liverpool supporters have started calling for his sack while others believe he should be given time. Whether he be sacked or given some time, time will in itself tell. 

Considering the potential move of Klopp's star man Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, Liverpool are really in for another battle. Should he leave whether in January or the summer, Liverpool needs to replace him. Would it mean Klopp would be building his side again?

If so, Kopites are patient people, most of them would like to wait but till when? Liverpool fans desperately want and need the premier league trophy. Unfortunately, this season won't bring them that they have to wait for another season. 

For how long would they have to wait?

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