Five things we learned from the Premier League action | OneFootball

Five things we learned from the midweek Premier League action, featuring Ange Postecoglou and Liverpool’s need to evolve.

Forest can smell the Champions League

Ryan Yates admitted Nottingham Forest are thinking about Champions League football as the dream edged a step closer with a 1-0 win over Manchester United.

“I’d be lying if I said we weren’t speaking about it a little bit,” Yates said to Sky Sports.

“I think it’s just natural. It’s a really fine balance because I just know how cruel football is. You can go on fantastic runs and, if you get complacent, you can also lose three on the spin. A few years ago, I’d already be booking my flights with the family over to X, Y and Z in Europe. Until things are mathematically done, we need to keep working.”

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side dug deep to claim the points at the City Ground with Yates at the heart of their success. Yates worked tirelessly for the cause, as Anthony Elanga’s winner kept Forest on course for a place in Europe’s elite. After two seasons of battling against relegation, Forest have an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to and a strong chance of Champions League football. It’s been a remarkable campaign for the club.

Aston Villa recruits firing top-four pursuit

Unai Emery delved into the January transfer window to bolster an Aston Villa side in search of depth. Villa had wobbled over the festive period and January, with just three wins from 11 games leaving their top-four hopes in jeopardy.

Now, the recruits are firing their challenge. Marcus Rashford has looked re-energised in claret and blue and has scored three times in his last two appearances. Donyell Malen drilled in to seal the 3-0 win at Brighton. Marco Asensio, meanwhile, has scored more goals in all competitions (8) than any other Premier League player, since his Aston Villa debut. It’s six straight wins for Aston Villa, who have plenty to play for in the run-in.

Liam Delap for £40m? There will be takers

Liam Delap has been the shining light of a tough season for Ipswich Town. Signed from Manchester City with no real top-tier experience in the summer, Delap has emerged as one of the Premier League’s best young forwards.

The 22-year-old scored his 11th goal of the Premier League campaign in the win at Bournemouth and is the only striker under 23 to have reached double figures this season.

Delap has a reported release clause of £40m in his contract if Ipswich are relegated. It would be no surprise to see that activated by a leading side this summer.

Trent-less Liverpool show need to evolve

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury ruled him out of Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Everton, though it’s a situation the Reds must prepare for if recent rumours are true.

Alexander-Arnold is understood to be nearing a free transfer move to Real Madrid, with Liverpool likely to lose one of their creative hubs. Curtis Jones deputised in an unfamiliar right-back role against Everton, while Conor Bradley has shown encouraging signs over the last 18 months. However, Alexander-Arnold’s output is nearly irreplaceable, and Liverpool have not looked their usual self in his absence during clashes with Newcastle and Everton either side of the international break.

Alexander-Arnold is capable of opening up teams with accurate long passes and rasped balls between lines, attributes few others in the Liverpool squad possess. A like-for-like replacement is not on the market, and Arne Slot must evolve Liverpool’s progression and chance creation in his expected absence. When Mohamed Salah – also out of contract in the summer – is stifled, there’s little other invention against deep-lying defences.

Is Ange relationship with Spurs support broken?

Is this the end for Ange Postecoglou? Spurs are unlikely to make a change before the end of the campaign but it has become Europa League success of bust for the Australian.

The cracks have been increasing in recent weeks and Postecoglou was prickly during and after this week’s 1-0 loss at Chelsea. His decision to cup his ear to the Spurs support after Pape Matar Sarr’s disallowed goal was naive and ill-advised.

After being greeted with chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” after introducing Sarr and Brennan Johnson from the bench, Postecoglou chose that moment to make a point. Minutes later, VAR disallowed Sarr’s goal, leaving the Australian incensed and his relationship with the fanbase at a new low. Postecoglou backtracked on his actions claiming he was calling for support, but few – if any – are convinced. Picking a fight with your own fans is a fast-track service to a P45.

Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Tonali, Delap, Murillo

See more – Premier League Awards – Electric Elanga, Classy Kamara

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