Cody Gakpo warns Crystal Palace and divulges Jurgen Klopp’s ire at Liverpool

Cody Gakpo has issued a caution to his teammates in front of Liverpool’s matchup with Crystal Palace.

On Sunday afternoon, Jurgen Klopp will greet the Eagles to Anfield in an attempt to move both teams up the Premier League standings. Liverpool’s home loss to Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal will not stop them from trying to turn things around this coming weekend.

The Italian outfit stormed past the Reds on Thursday evening, with Gianluca Scamacca netting twice before Mario Pasalic put the final nail in the coffin. Speaking to reporters after the game, Klopp insisted his side deserved to lose after their first defeat at Anfield in over a year. The German said: “It was a really bad game, oh my God. They broke, they scored and we just lost the plot a little bit.

“We were here and there in midfield, I didn’t recognise it. It was really strange but in football terms it was tactical discipline. They scored and we kept playing into their hands.

“We played a bad game and we deserved to lose. We must feel that now but we have exactly this night to feel bad about it and then we have to build up for [Crystal] Palace.”

Klopp managed to keep a lid on his anger in the post-match press conference but, in the dressing room, it was a different story. That’s according to Gakpo, who told Dutch publication Voetbal International that the Liverpool boss was far from happy.

As quoted by MSN, the Reds forward said: “It’s hard to explain, but we just weren’t good enough today. The trainer was not happy, no. They made good use of the chances they got, and then you lost 3-0.

“I don’t think we were all sharp enough in the matches, with the second balls, with taking advantage of the chances we had, all in all I think. That’s football. Every match you have to try to show yourself.

“We have a lot of competition, a lot of players who are doing well and then you have to fight for your place. I still believe in it [turning it around the in the second leg]. Ultimately, we are in this competition to win it.”

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Following Erik ten Hag’s revelation, Manchester United may actually recruit five strikers this summer.

With Anthony Martial’s contract expiring, Erik ten Hag has stated that Manchester United will be looking for a striker this summer.

After the Frenchman leaves, United will only have Rasmus Hojlund as a natural center-forward, hence they will need backup. Although he hasn’t been very successful when called upon, Marcus Rashford can play as a striker when necessary.

Amad was a center striker when he first came to Old Trafford, but he has since changed to a right-sided winger. Given his lack of playing time since his long-term injury return in January, he may leave this summer.

Having spent £72m on Hojlund last summer and with Sir Jim Ratcliffe having to balance Premier League Profit & Sustainability Rules, it’s unlikely United will spend frivolously on another attacker.

It’s more likely that a support act for Hojlund will be acquired, with other areas – such as centre-back and midfield – needing more reinforcement. Ratcliffe may be required to show his canny business acumen in his maiden window.

Serhou Guirassy

Serhou Guirassy has been linked with Manchester United

Probably the most likely target on the list, Guirassy is an appealing prospect. He has 26 goals in 23 matches this season and is the reason why Stuttgart are on course for Champions League qualification.

Several reports mooted that United had sounded out an interest in January and no wonder – the attacker is thought to have a £15m release clause in his contract. Guirassy has been very open about a move to England too.

“I cannot hide these things – everyone knows the Premier League is one of the most competitive leagues in the world,” he said in November. “But at this time I don’t close any doors. There are some very big teams in Europe and it’s not focused only on the Premier League.”

Those comments will only invite more interest in the Guinea star, who turned 28 last month. United might be in for some competition and without Champions League football will be in a worse negotiation position.

Jonathan David

Jonathan David of Lille.

David is enjoying a fruitful season with Lille, netting 23 goals in 40 matches and is only behind Kylian Mbappe in the Ligue 1 scorers chart. The Canada international doesn’t turn 25 until next January and so is perhaps not yet at his peak.

Lille are understood to want around £50m for the attacker but if United can barter the price below £40m for a player who will soon be entering the final year of his contract, then it might be a worthwhile gamble.

The positive in such a deal is that David would challenge Hojlund for a spot, rather than merely settle for second-fiddle. The sticking point may be Arsenal, who have been linked with David and could perhaps offer more game time, albeit Mikel Arteta is considered to be leaning towards a more versatile attacker.

Lois Openda

Lois Openda scores for RB Leipzig against Manchester City

Belgian international Openda has been a bright spark for RB Leipzig this season, scoring 25 goals in 39 matches across all competitions. He has netted against Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Manchester City this term so is not one to shirk a big game.

“I want to be a top player. I want to play for the best teams in the world,” he told The Athletic in January. Perhaps encouraging for United to hear.

The concern is his current physique. The 24-year-old boasts a slender figure and questions would be asked about his robustness in the rough-and-tumble Premier League. That said, he’s been injury free all season and has bags of pace – as seen against Man City.

Contracted until 2028, Openda would not come cheap, though, nor would he settle for being a bit-part player in the long-run. He is three years older than Hojlund and has more Champions League experience. Some convincing would need to take place.

Dominic Solanke 

Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke

There are several things to say about a possible Solanke approach. Having previously played for Liverpool, the player may be tentative – albeit a move to United would be hard for someone in his position to turn down.

There is also a danger of recency bias. His 16 Premier League goals in 31 matches is a healthy return but this is the first time he has tallied double figures in a top-flight campaign.

But the question perhaps should be asked, should such numbers be expected from a striker who would play a rotational role? Does he even want to play a rotational role? At 26, Solanke might not wish to settle for second-best at a club.

However, United do need a second striker and it’s not like they haven’t purchased ex-Liverpool players before. Solanke may not be high on the list but he is an affordable option at circa £30m if other ventures fail. The bright lights of Old Trafford may be too much for the attacker to resist, ultimately.

Vangelis Pavlidis 

Vangelis Pavlidis of AZ Alkmaar

Greek striker Pavlidis is essentially a wildcard option. He has scored 25 goals in 29 league games for AZ Alkmaar this season and is currently top scorer in the Eredivisie.

The 25-year-old would be more willing to play back-up than perhaps everyone else on this list. The former Borussia Dortmund II attacker has the body strength for hold-up play and clearly has an eye for goal.

The justifiable angst United fans would feel is that nearly all of those brought over from the Netherlands to Manchester by Ten Hag have failed to cut it in the Premier League.

Pavlidis has netted more than 20 goals in each of the last three campaigns, though, and with just over a year left on his contract could be bought for a snip. Food for thought, at least.

Other names that came up

Evan Ferguson has frequently been linked with United but signed a lengthy contract extension with Brighton in November, keeping him at the club until 2029. It is reported that a £100m release clause has been inserted – far beyond what United can afford.

Victor Boniface is Leverkusen’s star striker with 17 goals this season but given his club’s imminent Bundesliga title lift means he will not likely consider a club outside of the Champions League. Xabi Alonso’s decision to stay will also have a massive bearing on his future.

Eddie Nketiah looks set to be sold by Arsenal this summer. A talent, yes, but would he swap second-fiddle at the Emirates for second-fiddle at Old Trafford? Probably not. Turning 25 this summer, regular game time for him is a must and it’s something United cannot offer.

Artem Dovbyk is La Liga’s leading scorer with 16 goals for Girona this season. He would be an immensely attractive target for United if his club wasn’t part of City Football Group, ran by Man City’s owners. A sale to United, then, seems far-fetched given the context.

ARSENAL

Gameweek 33 opponents: Aston Villa (H)

Out: Jurrien Timber (knee)

Doubtful: None

Mikel Arteta quotes: “We have got one more day to prepare the match and we will see if everyone is available. We have some [doubts] but with another day hopefully everybody is going to be OK.

“[Timber] has still got a few steps to make. He needs to play a game at least with the U23s. He is going to have an in-house game soon as well. He has done everything in training, now it’s getting that match fitness and having people around and starting to compete in matches, which is different to training.

“For everything we see in training and the time that he was fit, I think he is going to have a big, big impact in the team.”

ASTON VILLA

Gameweek 33 opponents: Arsenal (A)

Out: Emiliano Buendia (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee), Boubacar Kamara (knee), Jacob Ramsey (toe), Douglas Luiz (suspended)

Doubtful: Clement Lenglet (knock), Matty Cash (hamstring)

Unai Emery quotes: “We will train tomorrow, today we recover with some players, we did compensation work. [Clement] Lenglet and [Matty] Cash are training today with the group.

“We’ll work tomorrow again and see how they will feel to get a decision about the team and the players to be available for Sunday.”

BOURNEMOUTH

Gameweek 33 opponents: Man Utd

Out: Ryan Fredericks (calf), Luis Sinisterra (thigh), Marcus Tavernier (hamstring), Tyler Adams (back)

Doubtful: Chris Mepham (illness), Antine Semenyo (illness)

Andoni Iraola quotes: “The problem with Ant [Semenyo] in the past week is that he has a cold and not 100%. He played 45 minutes against Palace and was probably not at his 100%. He wanted to push and he is in good form, so we wanted him to push.

“Probably there was more risk involved, when you are not feeling well and you go to a football pitch and probably the injury risk is higher. But for me, for the technical staff, for the doctors, for him, it’s difficult to make this decision.

“Also this week we had some players that are 50/50. It is difficult to decide, because sometimes it works, sometimes they can get injured.

“I hope [Marcus Tavernier] can play the last games, but it is going to be difficult. If everything goes well, he could be available for us for the last two games, or something like this. It is tough when someone like Tav gets a muscle injury and is out for four or five games. But it is something that is happening to all of the teams and we have to accept it.

“Tyler [Adams] is improving. He is out definitely tomorrow, but it is a muscle thing. I think he can continue this improvement and he can be available next week.

“[Chris Mepham] has a health issue. Even with Ryan Fredericks, it is the same situation. I hope we don’t have more. With a cold, normally you don’t lose games, you try to push, it is sometimes decisions we have to make about if they are ready for 90 minutes or go on in the second half.”

BRENTFORD

Gameweek 33 opponents: Sheff Utd (H)

Out: Joshua Dasilva (knee), Rico Henry (knee), Ben Mee (ankle), Aaron Hickey (hamstring)

Doubtful: Christian Norgaard (back), Ethan Pinnock (ankle), Kevin Schade (adductor)

Thomas Frank quotes: “Everyone from last week, when we faced Aston Villa, is available. Ivan [Toney] is fine.

“The good news is that [Kevin] Schade is available and will make the squad – that’s very good news. And Ethan Pinnock is available as well.

[Could Ivan Toney start?] “Definitely, yes.”

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Gameweek 33 opponents: Burnley (A)

Out: Solly March (knee), Kaoru Mitoma (back), Jack Hinshelwood (foot), Billy Gilmour (knee), Adam Webster (knock), Evan Ferguson (ankle), James Milner (thigh), Tariq Lamptey (muscle), Julio Enciso (knock)

Doubtful: None

Roberto De Zerbi quotes: “The situation is tough. We still have nine injured players. It’s more or less the same squad we played against Arsenal [with], but with no Tariq Lamptey.

“Julio Enciso can’t play tomorrow. I don’t know if it’s a tough injury, but he’s not available.

“Billy [Gilmour] is better. I don’t know how much time before he can start with us on the pitch but he’s better. James Milner is the same. I think [Adam] Webster, Milner and Billy can be available in the next few weeks.”

BURNLEY

Gameweek 33 opponents: Brighton (H)

Out: Aaron Ramsey (knee), Nathan Redmond (thigh), Luca Koleosho (thigh), Dara O’Shea (suspended), Jordan Beyer (thigh), Ameen Al-Dakhil (unspecified), Han-Noah Massengo (ankle)

Doubtful: James Trafford (illness)

Vincent Kompany quotes: “[James Trafford] has been ill. He’s come back now and he looks in good spirits.”

CHELSEA

Gameweek 33 opponents: Everton (H)

Out: Wesley Fofana (knee), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Reece James (hamstring), Christopher Nkunku (hamstring), Levi Colwill (foot), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring)

Doubtful: Ben Chilwell (illness), Cole Palmer (knock), Malo Gusto (fatigue), Axel Disasi (unspecified), Enzo Fernandez (unspecified), Raheem Sterling (illness), Robert Sanchez (illness)

Mauricio Pochettino quotes: Robert Sanchez and Raheem Sterling are both suffering from illness, while Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi are undergoing medical assessment. Ben Chilwell is back in partial training, but Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku and Lesley Ugochukwu remain on the sidelines.

“We’ll see. [Fernandez and Disasi] are under assessment. They have different types of issues. We don’t believe they are big issues but we will see if they can be available. They have not trained after Sheffield and that is why we don’t know.

“Chilly is training, partial training and see if he can be involved in the squad on Monday. It’s good news. But he hasn’t played too much this season.”

CRYSTAL PALACE

Gameweek 33 opponents: Liverpool (A)

Out: Sam Johnstone (elbow), Cheick Doucoure (Achilles), Rob Holding (ankle), Marc Guehi (knee), Chris Richards (knee), Matheus Franca (groin)

Doubtful: Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh)

Oliver Glasner quotes: “[Michael Olise] is closer [to starting] than the week before. He had the whole week training with us. It’s been a really good week and Michael was part of it, so he’s close to starting.

“Michael can’t win the game alone, but he has a big role, and all the others have a big role. We’ll need a great goalkeeper because Liverpool are a very attacking team, so everybody has a key role and we will show it again that we are competitive as a team.

“I can’t say when [Marc Guehi will return], but he’s working hard, we’re working hard, and of course we give our best. It’s a week where we have three games, so maybe it’s the week after, but we hope, at latest, against Manchester United [on 6 May].

“We have no new injuries, but Jairo [Riedewald] is coming back. He trained the whole week with us and he could be in the squad on Sunday. You always have to be careful because if a player is out for five, six or seven weeks, and it’s not like he can have one week’s training and play 90 minutes. He will have to find his rhythm, like all the other injured players.

“It’s good that at the end of the season we’re getting options back. We also hope that next week, or in the next two weeks, one, two, three players are coming back.”

EVERTON

Gameweek 33 opponents: Chelsea (A)

Out: Dele Alli (groin), Lewis Dobbin (ankle)

Doubtful: Amadou Onana (knock), Arnaut Danjuma (ankle), Idrissa Gueye (personal reasons), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring), James Garner (knock)

Sean Dyche quotes: “[Amadou Onana]’s back training, he’s been training [yesterday].

“[On Idrissa Gana Gueye] His child and family are well. So he has been training this week and should be available again.

“Jimmy Garner got a knock [on Thursday], but we are happy that’s just a knock. Dom didn’t train [yesterday] but we are pretty positive with settling him down in the next couple of days. [He has] a minor niggly hamstring which we are just being ultra careful with. He thinks he is on top of it, and the medical team are as well.

“So we are just having to watch the players and make sure they are right. Mostly, we have just got knocks at the minute, nothing that we think will affect Monday against Chelsea.

“Hopefully, providing [Danjuma] came through [yesterday], he has a bounce game today [for the Under-21s’. We are going to use that to get him some minutes, he should at least be in the thoughts for Monday’s squad.

“It’s been hard for [Gomes] with all the ups and downs of injury. I told him in the summer he could be an important player for us. He’s been so unlucky, he delivered a very good physical performance [vs Burnley] considering he hadn’t played so long. We know he has quality and he’s put himself right back in the frame for what we need going forward.”

FULHAM

Gameweek 33 opponents: West Ham

Out: None

Doubtful: Armando Broja (knock)

Marco Silva quotes: “It’s more competitive when you have all these senior players fighting for each position. It’s a big headache but it’s the best headache you can have as a coach.

“[Armando Broja] did some exams [after picking up a knock in training on Thursday] and everything is going to be OK.”

Gameweek 33 opponents: Crystal Palace (H)

Out: Joel Matip (knee), Thiago Alcantara (thigh)

Doubtful: Alisson Becker (hamstring)

Jurgen Klopp quotes: “There was no chance to play Trent [against Atalanta on Thursday]. He was on the bench because we were allowed to put 23 players into the squad. He had two sessions. Diogo didn’t have more really but the information from the medical department is [he was a] step ahead, so he can play a little bit longer.

“I think Diogo was absolutely fine [last night for] 20 minutes, it helped him a lot and now we will see what we can do from there.”

LUTON TOWN

Gameweek 33 opponents: Man City (A)

Out: Tom Lockyer (heart issue), Amari’i Bell (hamstring), Marvelous Nakamba (knee), Elijah Adebayo (thigh), Dan Potts (hamstring), Mads Anderson (calf), Chiedozie Ogbene (hamstring), Jacob Brown (knee), Gabriel Osho (knee), Issa Kabore (ineligible), Albert Sambi Lokonga (thigh)

Doubtful: Teden Mengi (unspecified), Reece Burke (unspecified)

Rob Edwards quotes: “We’ve got seven centre halves at this club and not one has trained this week. Maybe we get one [of Teden Mengi and Reece Burke], maybe we get both, but maybe we don’t get either. Teden twice pushed through to help us win the game last week against Bournemouth and was in a lot of pain.

“[Issa Kabore] will be a big miss. He’s had a great attitude and filled in a number of positions.”

MANCHESTER CITY

Gameweek 33 opponents: Luton (H)

Out: Nathan Ake (calf)

Doubtful: Phil Foden (dead leg), Kyle Walker (hamstring)

Pep Guardiola quotes: “We are training this afternoon and we will know better how they feel.

“[Phil Foden] I would like to tell you but I didn’t see the team, I didn’t speak with the doctors. We’ll train this afternoon. After the press conference, we’ll have a meeting and we’ll see how they feel.

“[Kyle Walker] the same. I don’t know right now. Honestly. [Ederson] was ready to play against Madrid. He is ready for tomorrow and we will make the decision.

“Take a look at our games and you realise. It is simple. [Rodri] is so important for the quality he gives us. But if you have a player that doesn’t want to play then he’s not going to play. If he’s exhausted, it can happen, and another is going to play.

“I’d love to rest central defenders but we don’t have them. [John Stones and Kyle Walker] got injured so they get cannot rest. We are in big, big trouble.

“I had the feeling we were tired in the last games. We will decide tomorrow what we have to do.”

MANCHESTER UNITED

Gameweek 33 opponents: Bournemouth

Out: Luke Shaw (thigh), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Anthony Martial (groin), Lisandro Martinez (calf), Victor Lindelof (thigh), Raphael Varane (muscle), Jonny Evans (muscle), Scott McTominay (knee)

Doubtful: Marcus Rashford (knock)

Erik ten Hag quotes: “Scott [McTominay], I don’t think so. We have training, so we have a day, he will push. He’s so keen to be a part of it, but there’s questions.

“[Marcus Rashford] trained yesterday, and we’ll see how he recovers from it today. There’s another training today and then we will make the decision.

“It’s very difficult [to keep changing the defence]. Everyone who has a little bit of knowledge about football, they know it will affect your results and performances. The back four is always the foundation to get results – we didn’t have that.

“We still have to win, we know that, so then others have to take responsibility, but when you oversee it then you know it has a negative impact.”

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Gameweek 33 opponents: Spurs (H)

Out: Sandro Tonali (suspended), Sven Botman (knee), Lewis Miley (back), Callum Wilson (chest), Joelinton (thigh), Nick Pope (shoulder), Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Valentino Livramento (ankle), Miguel Almiron (knee), Kieran Trippier (calf), Joe Willock (Achilles)

Doubtful: Lewis Hall (thigh), Matt Targett (Achilles)

Eddie Howe quotes: “The closest player to coming back would be Tino Livramento, he has not trained with the team but has been out on the grass. Lewis Hall has not trained at all this week, so he is a slight concern from last week. Other players are doing well in the background so I am hoping in the not-too-distant future we can get three or four back.

“Joe has been to see another specialist to check on the progress of his Achilles, which has been problematic for him. The feedback was positive. For Tottenham, I don’t think he will be available for us. We need to make sure the long-term prognosis for him is positive so he may need some rest.”

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Gameweek 33 opponents: Wolves (H)

Out: Taiwo Awoniyi (unspecified), Nuno Tavares (thigh), Willy Boly (muscle)

Doubtful: None

Nuno Espirito Santo quotes: “We still have to wait and see for Saturday. I’m sorry I cannot go much further on that. [Willy Boly] is still on treatment, unfortunately. We do not know exactly when he is going to return.

“[Taiwo Awoniyi] is starting his individual programme. I don’t have an exact timeline for when he is going to return but it is closer. Hopefully he can still help us this season.”

SHEFFIELD UNITED

Gameweek 33 opponents: Brentford (A)

Out: Max Lowe (ankle), Rhys Norrington-Davies (hamstring), Chris Basham (foot), John Egan (ankle), Rhian Brewster (hamstring), Daniel Jebbison (ill), George Baldock (calf), Tom Davies (thigh)

Doubtful: Jack Robinson (ankle)

Chris Wilder quotes: “We’ll give [Jack Robinson] every chance to be involved, but he rolled his ankle. So it’s getting that swelling down and getting him hopefully out there on the grass. It’s going to be a late decision but hopefully we’ll get him back.

“Everyone knows what we think about him. He’s a great character and a warrior so he’ll want to play and we want him to play. But we have to make sure we don’t risk him for the rest of the season. So we’ll see.

“I’m not going to put a gun to their head to get back. One of the things we’ve looked at is the risk and reward policy. We have to make sensible decisions, short term, regarding Jack. I don’t want to risk a longer-term issue and it’ll be the same for the players on that list [like Rhys Norrington-Davies and Rhian Brewster].

“The attitude of the players has been outstanding. The ones not playing and the ones who are, they all want to help the cause. They see a buzz about the group. We’ve had some disappointing days, the attitude has been spot on overall and those boys are working extremely hard, morning, noon and night, away from the lights, to get themselves back and add to the group.”

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Gameweek 33 opponents: Newcastle

Out: Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Fraser Forster (foot), Manor Solomon (knee), Richarlison (knee)

Doubtful: None

Ange Postecoglou quotes: “Not for this week [for Richarlison]. He’s close and, obviously with the weekend off next weekend, it’ll give him time to recover – and he’s on track to do that.

“Everyone else from last weekend has got through unscathed and are ready to go.”

WEST HAM UNITED

Gameweek 33 opponents: Fulham (H)

Out: Alphonse Areola (groin), Jarrod Bowen (back), Kalvin Phillips (hamstring)

Doubtful: None

David Moyes quotes: “We’re only just back today and the players have had a recovery session. I don’t think we’ll have Jarrod at the weekend and I’m not sure about Alphonse [Areola] and Kalvin Phillips.

“Dinos [Mavropanos] felt something [at Leverkusen on Thursday] but I’m not sure if it’s bad or not yet.”

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Gameweek 33 opponents: Nott’m Forest (

Out: Pedro Neto (hamstring), Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (knee)

Doubtful: Hwang Hee-chan (thigh), Rayan Ait-Nouri (calf)

Gary O’Neil quotes: “Rayan [Ait-Nouri] will travel with the group. He’s had different week to the others with the slight issue he has, but it is a minor issue, nothing too significant in there. He’ll travel with the group, we’ll name the team in the morning and it gives him another day to see how he’s feeling. I envisage him being part of the matchday squad.

“[Hwang] Hee-chan’s in the matchday squad which is fantastic news for us. Cunha’s still fine and in the matchday squad. [Craig Dawson] is in the matchday squad again. For [Jean-Ricner] Bellegarde, it probably comes too early. We’ll check him in the morning, but I wouldn’t think [he] would play much of a part.

“It was the same with Pedro [Neto], when he was coming back from his significant hamstring injury. Matheus Cunha is in that process at the minute as well. [Hwang] will be similar. It’s not always minutes, the game has moved to a place where you get data on how far they’ve run and amount of sprints. We’ll have an area we feel is safe for the players and one where they start to go over that.”