da brdice： Liverpool and Manchester City have been the Premier League’s top two sides in recent years, battling it out for the title in what has proven to be a great modern rivalry.

da pinup bet： Despite pressure from Arsenal, it was Arne Slot’s side who reigned supreme over their two top-flight rivals, winning back the Premier League trophy in 2024/25.

But have you ever wondered who has played for both the Reds and the Citizens in the Premier League era?

In total, 15 players have turned out in red in Merseyside and City’s sky blue. We have taken a detailed look at every player who has played for both clubs.

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Players to play for Liverpool and Man City in the Premier League

#

Player

Liverpool debut

Man City debut

1

Nigel Clough

1993

1995

2

Mark Kennedy

1994

1999

3

Nicolas Anelka

2001

2002

4

Robbie Fowler

1993

2003

5

Steve McManaman

1990

2003

6

David James

1992

2004

7

Dietmar Hamann

1999

2006

8

Albert Riera

2008

2006

9

Craig Bellamy

2006

2009

10

Daniel Sturridge

2013

2006

11

Kolo Toure

2013

2009

12

Mario Balotelli

2014

2010

13

James Milner

2015

2010

14

Raheem Sterling

2011

2015

15

Scott Carson

2005

2021

1 Nicolas Anelka Liverpool 2001-2002, Man City 2002-2005

Talented French forward Nicolas Anelka first made his mark in England with Arsenal before heading abroad with Real Madrid and former club PSG.

However, Anelka would return to the Premier League, joining Liverpool on loan in December 2001 until the end of the 2001/02 season. He scored five goals during that time but the Reds didn’t pursue a permanent move, opening the door for Man City.

Anelka cost Man City around £13m and scored in the last ever Manchester Derby at Maine Road, as well as in a 2-1 win at Anfield against Liverpool to dent their top-four hopes. In total, the striker scored 45 times in 103 games for City.

2 Mario Balotelli Man City 2010-2013, Liverpool 2014-2016

Man City and Liverpool were the only clubs Mario Balotelli played for in the Premier League, and the Italian certainly made an impact on and off the pitch in England.

After reuniting with Roberto Mancini at the Etihad, Balotelli won the Golden Boy Award with City and the Premier League and FA Cup. His only Premier League assist in a sky blue shirt was for Sergio Aguero’s memorable title winner against QPR in 2012.

He spent one year away from England before returning in 2014, with Liverpool bringing in the Italian as a replacement for Luis Suarez. Balotelli only scored four times for the Reds, though.

3 Craig Bellamy Liverpool 2006-2007, 2011-2012; Man City 2009-2011

Another controversial forward during his playing days was Craig Bellamy, who had two 12-month stints with Liverpool and a two-year spell with Man City.

The Welshman lifted the League Cup with the Reds in 2012 but failed to win silverware in Manchester. Bellamy scored 18 league goals in total for Liverpool and netted 15 times in the top flight for City.

4 Scott Carson Liverpool 2005-2008, Man City 2019-present

Goalkeeper Scott Carson has won the Champions League with both Liverpool and Man City, albeit without playing a regular role for either side.

After coming through Leeds United’s academy, Carson joined Liverpool in 2005 to provide competition for Jerzy Dudek, but he failed to break into the Reds’ first-team plans and left permanently three years later.

In 2019, Carson signed for Pep Guardiola’s star-studded City side as their third-choice goalkeeper. He has been a popular figure behind the scenes but has made just two Etihad appearances, making his debut in May 2021.

5 Nigel Clough Liverpool 1993-1996, Man City 1996-1998

Son of iconic manager Brian Clough, Nigel Clough was a versatile forward during his playing days and was sold by Liverpool to Man City during the 1990s.

After coming through at Nottingham Forest, Clough cost Liverpool £2.25m in 1993 and scored twice on his Reds debut. However, things didn’t work out at Anfield and three years later, Liverpool took a slight loss by selling Clough to Man City.

The attacker couldn’t save the Citizens from relegation during his time there, and will be remembered for his days at Forest and Burton Albion.

6 Robbie Fowler Liverpool 1992-2001, 2006-2007; Man City 2003-2006

Striker Robbie Fowler is best remembered for his time as a Liverpool player, penning professional terms after coming through the Reds’ academy in 1992.

He played an important role in Liverpool’s cup treble in 2000/01 and after a spell with Leeds United, joined Man City in 2003. Fowler made just under 100 appearances for City, but a return to Liverpool on a free transfer materialised in 2006.

In total, Fowler scored 183 times and provided 50 assists in 369 Liverpool games.

7 Dietmar Hamann Liverpool 1999-2006, Man City 2006-2009

Defensive midfielder Dietmar Hamann arguably enjoyed the prime of his career as a Liverpool player, making 283 appearances for the Reds and winning eight major honours at Anfield.

Bizarrely, Hamann left Liverpool and spent a day as a Bolton Wanderers player after penning pre-contract terms with the club in 2006, but he had second thoughts on a move and was allowed to join Man City for £400,000 in compensation.

The German spent three years with City before ending his career at MK Dons.

8 David James Liverpool 1992-1999, Man City 2004-2006

Goalkeeper David James made more appearances for Liverpool (277) than any of his nine other clubs during his career. After seven years at Anfield, James was sold to Aston Villa and then played for West Ham before moving to Man City.

Famously being brought on as a centre-forward on the final day of the 2004/05 season with City looking to qualify for Europe, James made 100 appearances for City.

9 Mark Kennedy Liverpool 1995-1998, Man City 1999-2001

Mark Kennedy, who played as a left-midfielder or left-back during his career, is best known for his time as a Wolves player, but also turned out for Liverpool and Man City.

The Reds paid around £1.5m to sign Kennedy from Millwall when he was just 18, but he made just 20 senior appearances across three years.

The 34-cap Republic of Ireland international then had time with City over the millennium and helped them win promotion, but he was also a part of the squad that was relegated.

10 Steve McManaman Liverpool 1990-1999, Man City 2003-2005

A winger during his playing days, Steve McManaman came through Liverpool’s academy and spent nine years as a professional on Merseyside. McManaman won two trophies with Liverpool and made more than 350 appearances before joining Real Madrid in a high-profile free transfer.

Now known for his role as a co-commentator, McManaman ended his playing career after being released by Man City in 2005 at the age of 33.

da esport bet： Chelsea’s season is in danger of spiralling out of control.

da jogodeouro： On Saturday evening, the Blues suffered a third successive Premier League away defeat, this time beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa.

Enzo Maresca’s side have now won just two of their last ten league outings, relinquishing their place in the Champions League spots.

Out of both domestic cups too, this season, which seemingly promised so much, could ultimately be deemed a failure, with the Blues’ ongoing centre-forward crisis once again a talking point.

Chelsea's continued striker issue

As noted by Nizaar Kinsella of BBC Sport, despite spending in excess of £1.5bn since Todd Boehly’s takeover, Chelsea are ‘threadbare’ in attack ‘with no fit strikers to call upon’.

That’s because Chelsea are enduring a striker shortage, given that Nicolas Jackson will be sidelined until April ‘due to a muscular injury’, while Marc Guiu suffered a ‘bad knee injury’ against West Ham.

Even before this, there were question marks over Chelsea’s centre-forward position, with Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports stating he believes they do not have a striker good enough to win the Premier League title.

So, for now, Christopher Nkunku is leading the line, but he certainly isn’t earning rave reviews.

Louis Sealey of the Metro described his display at Villa Park on Saturday as ‘non-existent’, while Barry Glendenning of the Guardian outlines how he spent the majority of the evening ‘gesticulating in frustration’.

Meantime, Malik Ouzia of the Evening Standard notes that he continues to be the ‘least threatening of Chelsea’s attackers’, which is far from ideal considering the Blues’ lack of alternatives.

So, given Chelsea’s ongoing search for a reliable goalscorer, do they regret allowing one to leave?

Former Chelsea striker now among the goals

Many may have actually forgotten that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was a Chelsea player not too long ago. Described as “world-class” upon his arrival at the Bridge by Behdad Eghbali, he ended up making just 21 appearances for the Blues, scoring only three goals, before quickly departing for Olympique de Marseille a year later.

During one season with les Phocéens, the Gabonese striker actually scored 30 goals in just 51 appearances, but departed OM to become the latest big-name player to move to the Saudi Pro League, joining newly-promoted outfit Al-Qadsiah.

Well, with Aubameyang spearheading their attack, Al-Qadsiah are currently third in the Saudi Pro League which, according to Hussain Almaskati of New of Bahrain, is ‘defying expectations’, with a Saudi Gazette report describing his performances as ‘sensational’.

So, let’s see how Aubameyang compares to Chelsea’s two most-used strikers: Nkunku and Jackson.

Aubameyang vs Nkunku & Jackson 24/25

Statistics

Auba

Nkunku

Jackson

Appearances

21

33

24

Minutes

1,863

1,493

1,778

Goals

12

13

9

Minutes per goal

155

115

198

Assists

2

4

5

Shots per 90

3.54

2.72

3.27

Shots on target %

45.5%

55.3%

47.6%

Big chances missed

10

13

15

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, FBref.com & Sofascore

As outlined in the table, it’s actually Nkunku who boasts the best statistics, but this must be caveated.

The Frenchman has scored 13 goals this season, but only two have come in the Premier League, on target seven times in the Conference League, as well as bagging a hat-trick against Barrow in the EFL Cup.

Of course, Aubameyang is plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League which, according to Global Football Rankings, is the 31st best league in the world, while the Premier League is top of these rankings, which provides some perspective.

Nevertheless, the fact the 35-year-old has missed fewer Opta defined big chances than both Nkunku and Jackson this season suggests he could have helped the Blues had he stayed.

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da esoccer bet： Manchester United has several exciting youngsters coming through the ranks at Old Trafford who are hoping to establish themselves as the club’s next generation. Some of these players have been involved in Ruben Amorim’s matchday squads of late.

da betway： That includes midfielder Sekou Kone, who featured on the bench against Tottenham Hotspur and Everton last month. Academy Scoop said on X that he has shown “glimpses of promise” in a United shirt since his summer move.

Another player who could break through is young left-back Harry Amass. The former Watford academy star was most recently on the bench against Real Sociedad in midweek, and he is “one to keep an eye on” according to Academy Scoop via X.

However, arguably the most exciting United talent breaking through is Chido Obi.

Obi’s United career so far

What a whirlwind few months it has been for Obi, since his move to United from Arsenal over the summer. He has made a brilliant start to life in the Red Devils academy, scoring 12 goals in nine games for the under-18s so far this term.

This electric form resulted in Amorim giving him his first team debut, a three-minute cameo away to Spurs. He has since gone on to play twice more for United’s first team, in the Premier League at Goodison Park against Everton, and in the FA Cup against Fulham.

His 52-minute cameo against the Cottagers, which included extra-time, showed just how talented Obi is. He managed to fashion chances for himself and was a real nuisance for the Fulham centre-backs.

United legend Wayne Rooney said he was “really impressed” with the 17-year-old, and Alan Shearer explained, “I like what I see from Chido Obi”. The Denmark under-18 international has made a big impression so far.

It certainly seems like Obi could become a player Amorim utilises more going forward. However, if things had worked out differently, he could have had another talented young striker at his disposal.

Man Utd's original Chido Obi

United’s academy is a place where young stars can make a real name for themselves, like Obi has done in the short time he’s played for the club.

Where Are They Now

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Well, that was certainly the case for Charlie McNeill, who was a prolific goalscorer in the youth ranks. The now 21-year-old initially left United to join Manchester City in 2014, before returning to Old Trafford six years later, after racking up a real reputation for himself – much like Obi – having reportedly netted over 600 goals for the Citizens.

In 35 appearances for the United under-18s, the striker scored an impressive 34 goals and grabbed 11 assists. He also scored several times in the UEFA Youth League and for the under-23s during his time in the youth set-up.

One of McNeill’s biggest contributions in a United shirt came in the club’s impressive run in the FA Youth Cup in 2021/22.

Alongside now first-teamers Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, he was a key player as United lifted the trophy at Old Trafford, scoring five goals and creating two others in six games.

McNeill record by round in 2021/22 FA Youth Cup

Round

Opponent

Score

Goals

Assist

3rd

Scunthorpe (h)

4-2

1

1

4th

Reading (a)

1-3

1

1

5th

Everton (h)

4-1

1

0

6th

Leicester (h)

2-1

0

0

Semi-final

Wolves (h)

3-0

2

0

Final

Nottingham Forest (h)

3-1

0

0

Stats from Transfermarkt

Football statistician Statman Dave once described the 21-year-old as a “natural goalscorer”, and it seemed like he could become a first-team player for the 13-time Premier League champions in the future.

However, he only played once for the club, a six-minute Europa League cameo against Real Sociedad, and was only on the bench once more. After loans to clubs in the EFL, specifically Newport County and Stevenage, McNeill left United permanently last summer, upon the expiration of his contract.

The former England under-16 international joined Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer, but things have not worked out for him there. He has played just five games, with just two coming in the Championship, scoring twice against Hull City in the Carabao Cup.

Now valued at just £167k, it has not been an easy ride for McNeill, who was so deadly for United’s academy. Of course, due to his age, there is plenty of time to get his career back on track and find his best form again.

However, if things had worked out differently, and he got the opportunity he arguably deserved in the United first-team, perhaps he would be competing with Obi for a spot in the matchday squad.

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da spicy bet： Tottenham Hotspur have approached a Brazilian transfer target via his representatives as they look to get a head start on the summer window, with north London rivals Arsenal also contacting him in the last seven days.

Tottenham face AZ Alkmaar in Europa League last 16

da bet esporte： Spurs take on Eredivisie giants AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their last 16 clash in the Europa League this evening, with manager Ange Postecoglou revealing that winger Dejan Kulusevski will miss the tie with a foot injury.

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Postecoglou could well benefit from the full returns of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke, who have all been missing for weeks, but the Australian was coy over their chances of starting tonight.

“We’ll see, we’ll train today,” said Postecoglou in his latest pre-match press conference. “Obviously they’ve all out for significant amount of time so we’ll see when we reintroduce them but they’re all here and training today, so we’ll make decisions after that.”

Spurs’ boss will be eager to reintroduce as many first-team stars as possible before the next international break, and the Europa League represents their only chance of winning any major silverware in Postecoglou’s second season in charge.

Tottenham’s next five Premier League fixtures

Date

Bournemouth (home)

March 9th

Fulham (away)

March 16th

Chelsea (away)

April 2nd

Southampton (home)

April 5th

Wolves (away)

April 12th

“I think it is fair to say the boys really understand there is a great opportunity for us,” said Postecolgou on the Europa League. I think they’ve appreciated the fact that the guys who have been playing through are now able to recover and train and prepare themselves better for games.

“That’s coincided with seeing their teammates come back and certainly the guys that have been out injured, we’ve already seen with guys like Vic, Brennan, Madders to a lesser extent (due to time out) but Wilson, Destiny, they’ve come back with a real hunger and desire to help the team because I think they’ve all been frustrated to sit on the sidelines and see how difficult it has for the group of players who have been playing. They’ve just wanted to help and now they get that opportunity.

“Again, I think you sense that in the group that they appreciate they have some support and some help. There is a platform there for us to hopefully get back to playing our football and seeing how far we can progress.”

Tottenham open talks with Flamengo defender Wesley Franca

According to RTI Esporte, the Lilywhites are also preparing for next season by making enquiries over key targets, and one of them is believed to be Flamengo defender Wesley Franca.

As per their information, Tottenham have held talks with Franca’s representatives, but they’re by no means the only Premier League side who are keen on a move for the right-back.

Cross-town rivals Arsenal also made contact with his camp this week, to gauge the conditions of a potential deal, with Franca’s price tag believed to stand at around £29 million.

The 21-year-old, called “exceptional” by ex-Chelsea and Atlético Madrid defender Felipe Luis, can also play as a right-midfielder when required. After claims of Real Madrid interest in Pedro Porro, Spurs have been sporadically linked with a new full-back, and Franca could be an astute option.

da apostebet： A “sensational” Manchester United player is now one step away from an exit, amid a contract stand-off, and there is a feeling he could join a rival Premier League club, according to a new report.

Major rebuild needed at Old Trafford

da premier bet： Ruben Amorim has pulled no punches when talking about the squad he’s inherited, making a big statement after his side’s 3-1 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion back in January.

“We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United. I know you [media] want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go: your headlines.”

Since then, there have been very few signs of improvement, with the Red Devils languishing in 14th place and exiting the FA Cup at the hands of Fulham, so it is clear that a major revamp will be needed in the summer.

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There have been widespread recent reports suggesting Casemiro’s time at Old Trafford could be coming to an end, while there is also doubt lingering over Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, who haven’t exactly been prolific in front of goal this season.

However, Man United may also have to brace for another departure that is likely to sting a lot more, with a report from Spain revealing Kobbie Mainoo is now one step away from an Old Trafford exit.

There is an ongoing contract stand-off with Mainoo, who is keen on a big new contract as a reward for his solid performances, but the lack of progress could push him towards seeking a move elsewhere.

Chelsea could be waiting in the wings to sign the midfielder, having identified him as an ideal target, and former scout Mick Brown has revealed United could be willing to accept a £70m bid to raise funds for other transfers.

"Sensational" Mainoo would be a big loss

It is a major flaw of the PSR system that Premier League clubs are often forced to cash-in on their academy graduates for ‘pure profit’ to comply with financial rules, and if United do decide to accept a £70m bid, the 19-year-old could be a real loss.

Sky Sports’ Joe Thomlinson has lauded the central midfielder as “sensational” this season, having received regular game time whenever fit, although he’s had a stop-start campaign due to injury issues, which means he hasn’t really managed to kick on.

Mainoo’s performance in the FA Cup final last season showcased just how good he can be on his day, however, receiving the Man of the Match award after playing a huge role in United triumphing over rivals Manchester City.

Given the financial issues United are facing, it could be tempting to cash-in for a £70m fee, but it would be painful to see Mainoo in a Chelsea shirt.

da aviator aposta： Once again in his Manchester City tenure, Pep Guardiola will need to oversee something of a squad rebuild this summer, with the treble-winning side of 2023 looking to have perhaps run its course.

da supremo： When the Catalan coach arrived through the door in 2016, he inherited an ageing side that also needed revamping, with the likes of Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero slowly being phased out over the next few years.

History looks set to repeat itself in the present day, albeit with there more likely to be a swift mass exodus this time around, rather than a gradual transition.

Of those who helped the Citizens to treble glory less than two years ago, Kyle Walker has since moved out on loan to AC Milan, while reports have indicated that both Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne could follow suit at the end of the season.

A new goalkeeper could also be on the cards, while 2023 arrival, Mateo Kovacic, has also been heavily linked with a return to Spain, amid interest from former rivals, Atletico Madrid.

It also remains to be seen whether long-serving star, Bernardo Silva, will finally secure a long-awaited exit, with the Portuguese playmaker having endured a muted campaign at the Etihad.

Bernardo Silva's future at Man City

Once again, those of a City persuasion head into a summer window anticipating speculation surrounding the former Monaco man, with the 30-year-old having repeatedly been linked with an exit in previous years.

As per The Athletic, the midfielder’s contract – which is set to expire next year – is now ‘dealt with on a summer-by-summer basis due to his previous desires to leave’, with a move to Barcelona having long been touted.

Perhaps, the £300k-per-week star will actually depart this time around, with recent reports indicating that he may have even agreed terms over an exit, with Paris Saint-Germain viewed as a likely destination.

That potential switch to the French capital would bring to an end what has been a magical eight-year spell with the Citizens for Silva, with Guardiola memorably lauding the diminutive talent as “one of the best players [he’s] ever seen” back in 2023.

Since signing on a £43m deal back in 2017, the Lisbon-born genius has racked up 69 goals and 69 assists in 394 games in all competitions, playing a vital part in the string of major honours that Guardiola and co have claimed.

Bernardo Silva’s PL decline

Stat (*per game)

2023/24

2024/25

Games

33

26

Goals

6

2

Assists

9

4

Big chances created

13

8

Key passes*

1.9

1.6

Pass accuracy*

89%

89%

Tackles*

1.5

1.5

Interceptions*

0.5

0.7

Successful dribbles*

1.2

0.9

Stats via Sofascore

For all his majestic quality, however, Silva’s impact has been limited in 2024/25 it must be said, having contributed just three goals and four assists in all competitions, albeit while largely operating in a deeper role.

Even though he has previously been described as “irreplaceable” by his manager in the past, now might actually be the perfect time for City to cash in, with the club already boasting the ideal replacement.

Man City's in-house Bernardo Silva replacement

It’s fair to say that the Etihad outfit aren’t short of creative talents who could fill the shoes of Silva in the side, with Guardiola blessed with a raft of young stars, namely Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb and James McAtee.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

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That said, one man who could represent the “ideal successor to Bernardo” – as per analyst Ben Mattinson – is recent arrival, Claudio Echeverri, with the 19-year-old making his belated move to Manchester earlier this year.

The highly-rated Argentine was actually signed by City from River Plate back in January 2024, on a £12.5m deal, although he was immediately loaned back to the club for the year.

Now officially confirmed as a Man City player, the teenager is still waiting to make his first appearance for his new side, albeit while having been pictured pitchside for Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Brighton.

Guardiola had previously teased that he would like to introduce the Argentina U20 international before the end of the season, or ahead of the Club World Cup, albeit with it set to depend on how quickly Echeverri can adapt.

City supporters may not have seen much of their new man yet, although, in the words of Mattinson, they now have a “proper superstar” on their hands, with talent scout Jacek Kulig previously suggesting that the playmaker is “destined for greatness”.

Much like Silva, Echeverri has typically operated in an attacking midfield role in his career thus far, having recorded four goals and eight assists for his former employers, from 48 senior outings.

It will take time for the teenager to adapt to life in his new surroundings, although if he can follow in the footsteps of another ex-River Plate star, Julian Alvarez, then the Citizens could well be on to a winner.

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da imperador bet： As Kobbie Mainoo’s contract negotiations continue to stall, Manchester United have reportedly set their sights on signing a young midfielder who’s shown more creativity than their academy graduate.

Man Utd eyeing impressive midfielder

da bet7k： The Red Devils have it all to do this summer if they are to make significant improvement under Ruben Amorim. On course for a mid-table finish in the Premier League, whether INEOS have the funds available to rebuild their side is another question, but that hasn’t stopped the rumours from arriving.

The likes of Matheus Cunha and Chris Rigg have both been among the headlines this week, with Manchester United reportedly targeting moves to sign the impressive duo. Cunha would particularly offer Amorim a much-needed upgrade in attack, putting an end to the blunt nature of a frontline centred around Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

Meanwhile, Rigg represents one of the most talented young players that English football has to offer. The 17-year-old has become one to watch at Sunderland and could yet find himself on his way to Old Trafford at the same time that Mainoo’s future is thrown into doubt.

The Carrington graduate is yet to sign a new deal and previous reports suggested that he could seek a move abroad, potentially forcing the Red Devils to turn towards a Champions League-level replacement.

According to Calcio Mercato, Manchester United are now readying a move to sign Ardon Jashari, who Club Brugge value at around €35m (£29m) this summer. The Premier League giants aren’t alone in their interest, with Juventus, Atalanta, AC Milan and AS Roma all chasing the midfielder’s signature, but they are ready to ‘go on the attack’.

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Still just 22 years old, Jashari has impressed throughout the current campaign, performing well in the Champions League against the likes of Aston Villa and interested party Juventus. Now, as a hectic race begins to form, he may have a decision to make.

"Great" Jashari is more creative than Mainoo

Two players who would sit in a deeper role in Amorim’s system rather than the advanced roles, Jashari has proven to be more influential going forward than Mainoo this season and could yet offer Manchester United an instant upgrade.

Despite sitting deep, the 22-year-old has had a hand in as many as nine goals – scoring three and assisting a further six in all competitions. Mainoo, meanwhile, in a season full of injury frustrations, has managed just one goal and one assist.

As both Zirkzee and Hojlund struggle for consistency in front of goal too, any help from the midfield alongside Bruno Fernandes’ output certainly wouldn’t go amiss at Old Trafford.

Praised for his “great technical ability” by analyst Ben Mattinson before he even earned a move to Club Brugge, Jashari has only improved since those days and now looks destined for a big move.

da spicy bet： Liverpool might have hit a bump in the road of late, but this is going to go down as an extraordinary season for Arne Slot and his squad.

da doce： It’s almost miraculous that the Anfield side are cruising toward the Premier League title, 11 points clear with seven games to go, having opted against strengthening in the transfer market with anything more than fringe forward Federico Chiesa.

The strong and dynamic squad that Jurgen Klopp sculpted over so many years serves as the main foundational reason behind the success, but the rise and rise of Kirkby’s academy ranks has played a significant part too.

Liverpool's biggest academy talents

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones are among Liverpool’s most senior players, and both have been forged in the club’s very own furnaces, now poised to claim their second top-flight titles.

However, ‘Klopp’s Kids’ emerged like a tidal wave last season, so much rich up-and-coming quality steering injury-wrecked Liverpool over the Carabao Cup finish line and back into the Champions League through a third-place Premier League finish.

Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha are the latest prodigies to have been noticed by Slot, welcomed into the fold here and there, but they will need quite the rise to reach the same levels as the likes of Trent and Jones.

It’s one thing being aboard the hype train when coming up, still ensconsced in the safety quilt of development football, but it’s another when bursting onto the senior stage and thriving.

Alexander-Arnold achieved both, and he’s been followed by Conor Bradley.

Liverpool have hit gold on their "special" talent

While he’s only made 51 senior appearances for Liverpool, 21-year-old Bradley might just be one of the most exciting first-team talents in the business, having scored one goal and assisted ten more.

Injuries have been the Northern Irishman’s major sticking point but there’s little question he’s an “absolutely phenomenal” player, as has been noted by Alexander-Arnold after his positional peer’s emergence one year ago.

His slick and complete full-back style have even seen Bradley earn comparisons to Barcelona’s Jules Kounde,with FBref noting that the Frenchman is among the most similar players to the youngster in Europe’s top five leagues.

That is real recognition considering that the former Sevilla star is deemed to be “one of the best defenders in the world” by ex-Barca boss Xavi Hernandez and has been touted at a lofty £66m recently following probes from Manchester United.

While Bradley has a long way to go, there’s no doubting he’s a “really special talent,” so says his international boss Michael O’Neill, who has the framework in place to grow into a standout wide defender plying their trade at the height of the European game.

Simply refer to his metrics in the English top flight last year to get a gauge of how good he is. So balanced and athletic, scarcely feeling the weight of an emergence onto the major stage.

Conor Bradley – Premier League Stats (23/24)

Stat

Per 90

Percentile

Goals

0.12

Top 14%

Assists

0.36

Top 3%

Shot-creating actions

3.23

Top 10%

Touches

79.00

Top 15%

Passes attempted

63.35

Top 21%

Progressive passes

3.47

Top 51%

Progressive carries

4.18

Top 2%

Successful take-ons

1.55

Top 4%

Ball recoveries

5.98

Top 12%

Tackles won

2.99

Top 1%

Stats via FBref

What a player. What potential. The exciting part is that Bradley is still only in the fledgling phase of his promising career and has managed to impress on a large number of occasions.

Already playing like one of the game’s best in La Blaugrana’s Kounde, Liverpool are sure to be alright, should Alexander-Arnold leave for Real Madrid, as is expected.

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da 888casino： A fortress is made impregnable not through the initial conquering but the success in defending the territory claimed over so many years, and that means Liverpool will need to strengthen their ranks this summer.

da premier bet： It’s clear at this point that Arne Slot is going to win the Premier League in his first term in the hot seat, an incredible feat given Liverpool were effectively written off following Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

But Slot will want an abiding position at the forefront of English and indeed European football, and Liverpool’s frontline has looked a little out of kilter over recent months.

It’s clear that FSG are going to authorise one or two exciting summer bids.

Liverpool targeting new forwards

Mohamed Salah has meted out punishment on near every opponent he has faced this season, but Liverpool need more up front, with The Athletic among those to report Red interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.

However, number nine isn’t the only spot on the club’s radar.

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool and Arsenal are interested in signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze; further suitors are in the running but the Premier League’s top two share the lead here as well.

Eze’s strong and potent performances under Oliver Glasner suggest he has what it takes to thrive at a top-performing club like Liverpool, who could do with such a dynamic attacker.

Last summer, the Eagles anticipated a swarm of interest in their silky star but no one came forward. Now, the ball is in their court and demands worth £60m have been put in place.

Why Liverpool want to sign Eze

Eze packs a punch. The 26-year-old has gone from strength to strength since leaving Queens Park Rangers in the Championship in 2020 and joining the Selhurst Park ranks for a £20m fee.

Hailed as a “superstar” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, Eze has hit 12 goals and 12 assists apiece under Glasner’s wing, featuring 48 times in total.

This season alone, he’s been in fine fettle, playing a more creative role than in 2023/24 but doing so to a fine effect.

Eze’s broad skill set lends itself to multiple positions, and while he’s been fielded routinely in the middle of the park this year, he has ample experience out on the left flank.

With that in mind, Eze could be the perfect signing to upgrade on Luis Diaz, whose uncertain future at Anfield suggests a replacement will be required sooner rather than later.

PL 24/25 – Eberechi Eze vs Luis Diaz

Stats (* = per game)

Eze

Diaz

Matches (starts)

25 (23)

29 (23)

Goals

2

9

Assists

6

5

Shots taken*

3.4

2.0

Pass completion

82%

86%

Big chances created

9

6

Key passes*

2.0

1.6

Dribbles*

2.1

1.6

Ball recoveries*

4.6

2.9

Tackles + interceptions*

1 8

1.2

Duels won*

5.4

3.8

Stats via Sofascore

While Eze hasn’t chalked up the greatest numbers in front of goal this season, his underlying data suggests that he’s outstripping Diaz across almost every department.

This is important. Diaz isn’t exactly revered for his clinical touch, instead effusively praised for his tricks and slicks, skill and will toward driving play forward and leaving defenders munching dust.

To sign a player who produces such qualities but to a higher standard, more relentless in the duel, creative in his playmaking duties, active in carrying the ball, it’s an intriguing proposition, one which might just dynamise Liverpool’s already progressive attacking outfit.

Moreover, Eze’s clinical side was on full show last season, firing 11 goals home across 24 Premier League appearances, missing just five big chances in an immense display of potency.

Indeed, the Englishman halted Jurgen Klopp’s bid for a farewell league triumph after scoring at Anfield in the 1-0 win in April, with journalist Keifer MacDonald noting that the playmaker had left Trent Alexander-Arnold “furious” due to his slow walk off the field when substituted late on.

Whether the Three Lions star, who scored his first international goal off the bench in a 3-0 win over Latvia last week, is bid for remains to be seen, but Eze has everything that Slot’s Liverpool need, especially if a clinical centre-forward is welcomed to the fold this summer.

In a more distinguished team like Liverpool, Eze may even find himself unlocking his full goalscoring potential. As per FBref, the £100k-per-week talent actually ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shots taken per 90.

Having been described as a “wizard” by Arsenal’s Declan Rice in the past, Palace’s main man may just be on the move this summer. Diaz has been a fantastic servant for Liverpool over the past several years and will be duly rewarded with a Premier League winners’ medal in the coming months, but the time might be right for a change.

The Colombian has only scored one goal across his past 19 fixtures in all competitions for the Reds – albeit assisting in four of his past six top-flight games – and at 28 is heading into the penultimate year of his £55k-per-week deal with sights set on a new bumper package or change of scenery.

There have been whispers of late that Diaz could be sold this summer to fund a freshen-up. Barcelona have a long-standing admiration and the Saudi Pro League are also there, quietly lurking.

How much of a vested interest sporting director Richard Hughes has in Eze at this stage, we don’t know. However, his efforts in south London over the past few years certainly indicate a future at one of the division’s European competitors, and Liverpool will be right there, ready to pounce if the right opportunity presents itself.

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da dobrowin： Celtic are closing in on a fourth successive Scottish Premiership title and are in the semi-finals of the SFA Cup, with a chance to clinch a domestic treble.

da mrbet： Their ongoing success on the pitch this season has not stopped the club from looking to bolster their squad in the upcoming summer transfer window, though, as they have already agreed to sign Kieran Tierney on a free transfer.

The Scotland international is returning to Parkhead for the first time since his £25m move to Arsenal in the summer of 2019, which made him the most expensive Hoops academy graduate in history.

Most expensive Celtic academy graduate sales

Celtic have produced some excellent players from their academy, as the likes of Andy Robertson, Aaron Hickey, and Ben Doak have come through the youth set-up, but they have not always extracted great value out of their young talents.

Tierney’s £25m move to Arsenal is one of only three sales in the club’s history involving an academy graduate that was worth more than £1.6m, as shown in the table below.

Celtic’s most expensive academy graduate sales

Player

Fee

Kieran Tierney

£25m reported fee

Aiden McGeady

£10.3m

Mikey Johnston

£3m

Craig Beattie

£1.6m

Stephen McManus

£1.5m

Charlie Nicholas

£1.4m

Fees via Transfermarkt & Sky Sports

The Hoops have not been able to consistently produce high-value assets that they have been able to sell for millions, which is something that they may look to improve on in the coming years.

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Celtic, actually, had an exciting young academy prospect on their hands last season in the form of Rocco Vata, before they failed to convince him to extend his contract at Parkhead, and he left to join Watford for a compensation fee of £250k.

Rocco Vata is now being compared to a £100m talent

The Ireland international scored 23 goals in 34 B team matches for the Scottish giants, but only played three minutes in the Scottish Premiership last season before his exit last summer.

Since joining Watford, Vata has scored four goals and provided three assists in 33 first-team matches for the Hornets in all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign, and has earned a comparison to a player who has been valued at a whopping £100m.

Oxford City scout and recruitment analyst Hayden on X compared the Irish whiz to Tyler Dibling, suggesting that he would be a suitable alternative to teams interested in the Southampton teen, and that he was “impressed” by the Watford star.

The Saints have reportedly placed a £100m price tag over Dibling’s head, despite the 19-year-old having produced two goals and zero assists in 28 Premier League games this season.

Vata, who talent scout Jacek Kulig claimed has an “exciting” future, has scored three goals, created four ‘big chances’, and delivered three assists in 29 appearances in the Championship for the Hornets, showing great promise at such a young age.

It remains to be seen whether or not Southampton will sell Dibling for £100m or how much Watford would demand for their Irish 19-year-old starlet, but he appears to be on track to be another player Celtic have lost before they could extract maximum value from them.

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The Hoops must, therefore, regret not being able to keep hold of him last summer because he is a talented young prospect who could have had an exciting future at Parkhead, given his first-team emergence in the English Championship this term and the comparison to a £100m-rated starlet.