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      in Soccer

      Why Liverpool’s Brazilian stars Firmino and Fabinho hold the key to beating Everton in Merseyside derby

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      JURGEN Klopp’s Liverpool make the short trip across Stanley Park in order to face rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby with a point to prove.Liverpool have got their season up and running with the 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth and then a narrow win over Newcastle.
      Frank Lampard takes on Jurgen Klopp this weekend
      Liverpool have dominated their Merseyside rivals in the Premier League
      There is already a sense of discontent at Everton, especially after the late escape from relegation last season.
      It already feels as though they need a big result to kick start their season.
      There is no doubt that a win over Liverpool in this match would give Everton the impetus that they need.
      But given the confidence flowing through this Liverpool squad again, that will be much easier said than done.
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      Here are three reasons why Liverpool will continue their dominance over their neighbours, thanks to two Brazilian stars.
      Everton’s lack of a fixed attack
      Everton are still in desperate need of more firepower.
      Just adding Neal Maupay is not enough with Dominic Calvert-Lewin still out injured and the sale of Richarlison in pre-season.
      Everton is still a squad with a lack of recognised goal scorers
      Everton’s front three are positioned in deeper areas of the pitch with no direct pressure being put on the defensive line or the centre backs
      Most read in Football
      So far we have seen summer signing Dwight McNeil playing as part of a fluid front three alongside Anthony Gordon and Demerai Gray.
      But while all have their strengths, none are true out-and-out goalscorers, despite Gordon’s habit of finding the back of the net.
      It felt very much as though Everton needed to find a player to lead the line and to play more as a fixed striker with McNeil, Gordon and Gray able to play off them.
      Maybe Maupay will be that man, if you can look past the amount of chances he misses.
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      Everton’s attackers are too deep and Liverpool will be content to let them have the ball. Everton will need to make sure that they have runners looking to stretch Liverpool and attack the space they leave behind the defensive line
      So far this season Everton have looked bright and lively in the attacking phase with a lot of interplay and interchanging of roles and positions between the front three.
      What they have missed is a player who will play right up against the opposition central defenders, either looking to receive with their back to goal or spin and attack the spaces between the defenders and behind the defensive line.
      In short, they are missing the exact profile that Calvert-Lewin gives them.

      This will play into the hands of the Liverpool defence in this match.
      They will be relatively happy for the three mobile attacking players for Everton to have possession of the ball in deeper areas.
      The defensive line for Liverpool will be able to squeeze up and make things tight if they want to but it is more likely that they will rely on the relentless pressing and work rate of their midfield in order to take away the spaces that the Everton attacking players will look to play in.
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      The resurgence of Roberto Firmino
      Earlier this season it seemed as though Roberto Firmino’s time at Liverpool was coming to an end.
      Roberto Firmino drops back towards the midfield and effectively empties the space that the striker would normally occupy. Liverpool then deliberately attack these spaces through the aggressive diagonal movements of the two wide forwards
      With the Senegalese international Sadio Mane gone, replaced in advance by Luis Diaz, we had seen Liverpool move in the market to sign the Uruguayan international forward Darwin Nunez from Benfica.
      With Nunez having been sent off on his Premier League debut for a headbutt on the Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen, we have seen Firmino come back into the setup – and against Bournemouth last weekend he looked back to his best and he played well again against Newcastle.
      As we have already discussed in this article, Everton struggle with the lack of a fixed striker.
      When Liverpool play with Roberto Firmino as their ‘9’ he will constantly look to drop off of the front line to receive the ball in the midfield areas.
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      Unlike Everton, Liverpool have a ready-made solution to the movements of Firmino as their wide attackers immediately move into narrow positions to fill the space.
      When Liverpool completed the signing last January of the Colombian international forward Diaz he was seen as a dynamic if unpredictable attacking force.
      The former Porto forward, however, has quickly established himself as a key attacking player for Liverpool and now we are seeing him take up positions in more central areas than we had previously expected to see from Sadio Mane.
      As Firmino comes deep to receive the ball he naturally finds little pockets of space. He then has the creative ability to find the runs of teammates who will look to go beyond the ball and break into the penalty area
      With the Everton defence already being tested this season, they will have to find a new series of solutions to the movement and creative ability of Firmino as he drops off and encourages teammates to make attacking runs beyond the ball.
      Liverpool will control the midfield
      The decision from Liverpool to sign the Brazilian international Fabinho from AS Monaco in 2018 signalled the start of a period of sustained success at the Merseyside club.
      Fabinho, who has been described by Klopp’s assistant Pep Ljinders as the ‘lighthouse’ of the team, is a huge presence for his club both on and off the pitch.
      At the start of the season, and especially against Crystal Palace, Fabinho looked out of form. In the match last weekend against Bournemouth though he looked very much back to his best – but again with the Bournemouth caveat.
      Fabinho is the controller of the Liverpool midfield and with the front three of Everton, Gordon, McNeil and Gray, looking to play and interchange in deeper areas they will effectively be trying to play in his ‘zone’.
      Fabinho also helps Liverpool when they are building from the back. The Brazilian midfielder is extremely press resistant and will receive the ball before turning into space and then driving forward

      Fabinho is extremely good at positioning himself to break up counterattacks from the opposition.
      He naturally sits at the base of the attacking shape for Liverpool and if the opposition regains possession he is quick to move to block off any potential passing lanes that the opposition may look to use in transition.
      Bournemouth look to build their attack on the far side of the pitch they combine with a player moving into the channel to receive the ball in space. It is Fabinho who is first to break out to engage the ball carrier and regain possession
      Everton will have to be aware of the positioning of Fabinho and of his ability to almost anticipate danger before moving to close down space.
      When they do get opportunities to launch an attacking transition, they will have to play around or past the Brazilian to be effective.
      What does all this mean?
      Let’s be realistic – you can’t see Everton getting much out of this one, can you?
      Liverpool’s pride was hurt against United and they responded by getting Scott Parker sacked (though his post-match comments probably had as much to do with that as his team shipping nine).
      Then they came back from a goal down to get a late, late winner against Newcastle – it feels like they are back at it.

      Read More on The Sun
      Everton, if they can get through Fabinho and maybe target Trent they might get a couple of shots on goal?
      We expect this one to again show the gap between the big city rivals.
      For more tactical analysis, scouting and stunning data visuals head over to Total Football Analysis.
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      Meet Man Utd transfer signing Antony’s Wag Rosilene Silva, 22, who is the forward’s childhood sweetheart baby mama

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have completed the £85.5million signing of Antony from Ajax.The Brazil forward’s deal was finally rubber-stamped from Ajax, and he could be set for his debut against Arsenal on Sunday.
      Brazilian beauty Rosilene Silva is the stunning Wag of Ajax ace AntonyCredit: Instagram @rosiilenny_
      Antony has joined Premier League giants Man UtdCredit: Instagram @rosiilenny_
      Likely to watch his baptism of fire is his stunning Wag, Rosilene Silva.
      The 22-year-old beauty, also from Brazil, has been by Antony’s side since they were teenagers.
      But, unlike plenty of other Wags, mother-of-one Rosilene is fiercely protective of her family’s privacy.
      Timeline of their romance
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      Antony came through the ranks of hometown club Sao Paulo from 2010-18.
      As he began to rise through the youth teams, he struck up a romance with Rosilene.
      Childhood sweethearts, it is believed they met at school and became firm allies.
      She cheered him on as he made his debut for Sao Paulo in 2018 against Gremio.
      Most read in Football
      She then followed him to Amsterdam, when he made a £13million move to Ajax and helped him settle in the Netherlands.
      And when he returned home from the 2020 Olympics with a gold medal, she welcomed him back as a hero.
      However, before that came their greatest prize as a couple.
      Rosilene is Antony’s childhood sweetheartCredit: Instagram @rosiilenny_
      Brunette stunner Rosilene was a regular at Ajax gamesCredit: Instagram @rosiilenny_
      Back in November, the pair took a trip to LondonCredit: Instagram @rosiilenny_
      Fine dining at Amsterdam hotspot Mr Porter suits Wag Rosilene
      Baby mama
      In 2019, just a few months before the couple would move to Amsterdam, Rosilene welcomed a baby boy called Lorenzo.
      She regularly shares photos on social media of their son, with both parents besotted with the youngster.
      But there was a time when she was even more private.
      Initially, Rosilene boasted an Instagram account with over 80,000 followers – until she unexplainably closed it.
      With a penchant for designer handbags, Rosilene loves living like a Wag
      Son Lorenzo figures prominently on Rosilene’s Instagram pageCredit: Instagram @rosiilenny_
      Rosilene Silva would be a welcome addition to our shoresCredit: Instagram @rosiilenny_
      However, she’s back on social media again – and happy to share her life as a Wag.
      From glitzy dinners at Mr Porter – Amsterdam’s premier steak restaurant – to showing off her designer Louis Vuitton and Dolce and Gabbana handbags, Rosilene lives the life of a high-flying footballers’ missus.
      She’s clearly ready for the Premier League, and an assault on Manchester’s famous hotspots. More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd vs Liverpool Wags, including a Brazilian doctor, Argentine showgirl, and a Spanish beauty with 39 million fans

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      ON Monday night football, two titans of the game go head-to-head.Manchester United take on Liverpool – desperate to end their run of two straight defeats.
      Georgina Rodriguez is likely to be cheering on partner Cristiano Ronaldo against LiverpoolCredit: Alamy
      Lisandro Martinez’s other half will be experiencing her first Man Utd v Liverpool matchCredit: https://www.instagram.com/lopezbenitezmuri/
      While the travelling Reds are still looking for their first win of the season – after drawing their season opener against Fulham and then dropping two points against Crystal Palace at Anfield last Monday.
      Both teams boast world class talents able to change a game in an instant.
      And they will be proudly supported by their ever-adoring Wags.
      From an Argentine showgirl to a Brazilian doctor, here’s who will be cheering on who.
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      Georgina Rodriguez
      The queen of the Wags – Georgina boasts a staggering 39 million followers on Instagram.
      She is, of course, the partner of Cristiano Ronaldo – who may lead the line against the old enemy.
      Georgina, 28, is a star in her own right – having a Netflix show – and has come a long way from her job as a shop assistant at a Gucci store in Madrid, where she met CR7.
      Rodriguez is queen of the Wags – boasting 39 million followers on InstagramCredit: Getty
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      Natalia Becker
      Gorgeous Brazilian Natalia, 31, met Reds shotstopper Alisson Becker in 2012, and they tied the knot in 2015.
      In the subsequent years they welcomed three children – Helena, Matteo, and Rafael.
      Natalia is also a qualified doctor. “I guess that made me a bit different to other footballers,” Alisson once said. “And, if you don’t feel well, it’s better to be living with a doctor than a model.”
      Natalia Becker is a qualified doctorCredit: Instagram / @nataliabecker
      Liverpool goalie Alisson has been married to Natalia since 2015Credit: Instagram / @natalialbecker
      Fern Hawkins
      Sheffield-stunner Fern, 28, finally tied the knot with Harry Maguire back in June.
      They then went on a magical honeymoon to Positano, where they appeared as loved-up as when they first met as teenagers.
      Maguire and Fern have two daughters – Lillie Saint and Piper Rose.
      Fern Hawkins married Harry Maguire this summerCredit: Instagram / @_fernmaguire
      The Maguires enjoyed their honeymoon in Positano,Credit: Instagram
      Gera Ponce
      Colombian Gera, 24, has a staggering 233,000 followers on Instagram, but she is better known as the partner of Liverpool hotshot Luis Diaz.
      Since moving to our shores in January, the pretty brunette has settled just as well as the forward in the north.
      Late last year they welcomed daughter Roma, which hopefully for Reds fans isn’t a hint for his next club.
      Gera Ponce is the Wag of Liverpool ace Luis DiazCredit: Instagram / @gera25ponce
      Diaz and Ponce have settled into Liverpool life wellCredit: Instagram / @gera25ponce
      Anouska Santos
      Sitting next to Fern for club and country is Anouska Santos, 30, the missus of United left-back Luke Shaw.
      Rumours swirled that they were an item back in 2017, when the pair were spotted at Wireless Festival together.
      They too caught the baby bug this summer- with the birth of their daughter Storie, who they shared images of in an Instagram story. She was their second child after son, Reign.
      Anouska Santos met Luke Shaw in 2017Credit: Instagram / @anouskasantos
      Anouska and Shaw are proud parents to two childrenCredit: Instagram / @anouskasantos
      Rebecca Tavares
      Tavares, 27, is married to Liverpool’s dogged defensive midfielder Fabinho.
      They tied the knot in 2015, two years after they began dating one another.
      Intriguingly, she once dissed Alexis Sanchez after he committed a reckless foul on her hubby, writing “Bye Alexis” on Twitter, which was accompanied by an angry face emoji, when he received his marching orders in a match against Inter Milan.
      Fiery Rebecca Tavares is the wife of Liverpool’s FabinhoCredit: Instagram / @rebecatavares
      Rebecca Tavares once called out Alexis Sanchez for fouling her husbandCredit: Instagram / @rebecatavares
      Muri Lopez-Benitez
      The performer of the group, Muri, 24, isn’t afraid to flash the flesh.
      An Argentine showgirl, she loves a carnival and has shared risque images online of some of her daring outfits.
      She met Man Utd new boy Lisandro Martinez when they were both 14 and they’ve been together ever since.
      Lisandro Martinez and Muri Lopez-Benitez have dated since they were 14Credit: https://www.instagram.com/lopezbenitezmuri/
      Larissa Firmino
      29-year-old Larissa married striker Roberto Firmino, who could be in line for a recall on Monday, in 2017.
      The model has amassed over 540,000 followers on Instagram, on which she shares her glam life with the Brazil star.
      They share three daughters together, and live an idyllic existence together – with snapshots from their exotic holidays dominating her social media feed.
      Brazilian Larissa Pereira will be hoping her husband starts against Man UtdCredit: Instagram / @larissa_peereira
      Pereira and Firmino married in 2017Credit: Instagram / @larissa_peereira More

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      Man Utd face Liverpool and Erik ten Hag must solve several tactical problems if he is to reboot his faltering regime

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      A FEW funny pundits are calling this an early relegation six-pointer. Others are wondering if Erik Ten Hag might end up being Erik Ten Weeks. 
      Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen during the 4-0 humiliation at BrentfordCredit: Reuters
      Erik ten Hag takes on Jurgen Klopp at Old Trafford on MondayCredit: Getty
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      But surely there is no way United can try and play the same way again against Liverpool – as they did in the 4-0 thrashing at Brentford?
      If anyone were to have told you that after two league games Manchester United and Liverpool would be sitting on just two points combined then you would have thought that they were crazy. 
      Both teams, after all, had enjoyed a relatively successful pre-season and there was a sense of optimism around both.
      That optimism has faded notably although it is fair to say that Liverpool are in a far stronger position at the moment than Man United. 
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      Liverpool have started with draws away to Fulham and at home to Crystal Palace but they have shown enough to suggest that they should soon click back into form. 
      The mood around United is less positive by far.
      Defeats to Brighton and Brentford may have been excused in isolation – both have after all proven themselves to be smart and capable opponents – but the manner of the defeats in both matches have shown real cause for concern. 
      Add a topping of random, scattergun transfer approaches and you really get the sense that United are all over the place both on and off the pitch.
      Under their new coach Ten Hag, United are without doubt undergoing a period of transition with the Dutch coach looking to implement a very specific tactical style at Old Trafford. 
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      Christian Eriksen was give a tough time at Brentford
      Most read in Sport
      So far this style has had clear issues with both Brighton and Brentford pressing high aggressively and hitting United when they have tried to play out from the back.
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      United go into this match on Monday night against one of the most ruthless and efficient pressing sides in Europe. 
      If Ten Hag chooses to continue installing his tactical principles in the squad for this game then we will see a fascinating tactical match unfold.
      We look at this in more detail – plus two other key tactical areas that we feel can help United feel a bit better about themselves come the final whistle.
      Will United continue to play out from the back?
      Playing out from the back is not something that you can easily escape from in football today. 
      Teams at all levels are taking more risks in looking to play through the thirds of the pitch as opposed to just looking to play long to escape the opposition press or get the ball safely away from their own goal.
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      The build up to the second Brentford goal. De Gea is in possession and Brentford apply the high press. With Ivan Toney bending his press to cut off the pass to Maguire the only option for De Gea is to go forward to Eriksen. Instead of passing the the safe side of Eriksen, however, the pass is played straight and into trouble.
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      This, in part at least, explains the rise of goalkeepers who are expected to be able to play with their feet and not just their hands – and this is where one of United’s most glaring weaknesses comes in – their Spanish international goalkeeper David de Gea.
      While De Gea remains an outstanding shot-stopper with top-tier reflexes (most of the time) he is not at all comfortable with the ball at his feet. 
      We have seen this clearly in the two games so far this season as United persist with their desire to play out from the back. 
      While De Gea is capable of short connecting passes to his centre-backs he is not quick enough to see the passing options to go out to his fullbacks or even into the midfield. 
      The second goal against Brentford last weekend was a case in point. De Gea could have played a clipped pass out wide but instead, he tried to force the pass through the centre and into the feet of Christian Eriksen. 
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      If that pass was angled slightly to the left side then Eriksen could have escaped the pressure but the pass was straight and Eriksen lost the ball, getting yet another assist for the Bees.
      Playing out from the back and through De Gea will play straight into the hands of Liverpool in this game. 
      With Darwin Nunez suspended it is likely that we will see Roberto Firmino return from injury to lead the line for Liverpool. 
      While Firmino is less dynamic than the Uruguayan forward he is arguably more intelligent in terms of his pressing and work against the ball.
      Fabinho bossed the midfield against Palace
      This time we see De Gea playing out from the back against Brighton. He again chooses the straight pass to a midfielder, to Fred this time, and as Fred looks to escape pressure he gives the ball away
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      There is no doubt that Liverpool will look to apply consistent pressure to the United build-up. 
      We are likely to see the front three for Liverpool position themselves in a relatively narrow shape with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah joining Firmino and the Liverpool midfield will look to go man-to-man behind the press.
      One of the most fascinating aspects of this match will be how United manage to play through Liverpool’s press. 
      Will Ten Hag stick to his desire to play this way or will United be more direct in their approach to the game?
      United can exploit Liverpool on the counterattack
      In both of their matches so far this season, Liverpool have been the more dominant side but in both matches they have been vulnerable to quick transitions from the opposition.
      An important part of the Liverpool game model under Jurgen Klopp is their use of the fullbacks as they attack. 
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      In the match against Crystal Palace it is fair to say that Liverpool dominated possession. Given that they dominated the game their fullbacks were consistently high and in the opposition half. This means that when Palace were able to play forward quickly enough there were spaces that they could exploit in the Liverpool defensive line
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      On the left side, we typically see Andy Robertson providing consistent width as he looks to attack and get the ball into the opposition area. 
      On the right side the picture is slightly different as Trent Alexander-Arnold prefers to operate more inside and in the channels as an important part of the Liverpool attack.
      The fact that Liverpool push their fullbacks high in almost every attack means that there will be space that can be exploited by United in transition. 
      So far this Premier League season we have seen United line up with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho in the wide attacking positions. 
      Both players are dynamic attacking threats when they are on form. They are not, however, very good when it comes to pressing or filling gaps defensively. 
      Here, in the match against Fulham we see Liverpool again caught high in transition. The two central defenders for Liverpool are isolated centrally and there is space to attack them down the outside
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      United would likely be better advised to play a slightly more vertical and direct game in order to release the likes of Sancho and Rashford wide behind the Liverpool fullbacks as often as possible. 
      You know, just like the days where they were accused of being negative and only playing counterattacking (yet effective) football.
      If United are able to play more direct passes in transition then they will be able to turn Liverpool around and effectively control more of the match. 
      If they attack in the wide spaces consistently then we may see the Liverpool fullbacks, or even their deepest midfield player, start to sit deeper and this would release some of the pressure on the United defence.
      United need to find a way to stop Liverpool in possession
      Erik ten Hag has also been clear that he wants his United team to develop into a team that not only plays out from the back but that applies pressure to the opposition. 
      Let’s not forget though that the previous United boss, Ralf Ragnick, also wanted them to become pressing monsters. 
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      Here we see the danger that Alexander-Arnold poses in possession. As Liverpool are building out from the back the right-back rotates into the channel as the central midfielder drops out and creates space.

      He quickly realised that the players at his disposal were not capable of (or interested in) playing that way and dropped his intentions to press high.
      So far we have seen United caught in the middle of trying to press high and dropping back into a more compact block. 
      While the likes of Bruno Fernandes, playing as the ‘10’, will press aggressively he tends to do so when isolated and not properly supported by his teammates.
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      If United do not effectively find a way to contain the Liverpool attack then it will be a long evening for the United defence. 
      When Liverpool are in possession with their central defenders or with their deepest midfielder, typically Fabinho, they will step forward and look for opportunities to break a line with a pass.
      This allows Liverpool to rotate around ahead of the ball in order to find pockets of space that they can occupy and take advantage of. 
      Another example here of the danger that Liverpool can pose when the opposition do not effectively press and contain them in the first third. As the ball is coming out of the defensive third the opposition are not pressing. With one line-breaking pass Liverpool will be in a position to attack the opposition defensive line
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      If United do not figure out a way to press more successfully and consistently or if they do not decide to drop off as a team and constrict the space that Liverpool can play into then we are likely to see Liverpool consistently find ways to play through into these pockets.
      If United do press Liverpool in possession then they will have to do so as a whole unit with support beside and behind the press. 
      Otherwise, they will be picked off and played through easily.
      What does all this mean?
      The lazy but somewhat obvious hot-take is to pick a random number above three and decide by how many goals Liverpool will win by.
      You would hope/expect/imagine that Ten Hag will have some kind of gameplan that his players are capable of sticking to that would prevent another humiliation – is anything more than that being a little ambitious?
      Even with what we’ve spoken about above, every single signal points to Liverpool winning this and getting their season properly underway.
      But the Premier League does have a habit of surprising us – though not usually where Liverpool or Man City are concerned.
      For Ten Hag, Casemiro and the others cannot arrive soon enough.
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      Meet Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale’s stunning fiancée Georgina Irwin, who is a flight attendant for British Airways

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      THEY are getting married!Aaron Ramsdale popped the question to stunning girlfriend Georgina Irwin on one knee in a romantic hotel proposal last week.
      Meet Aaron Ramsdale’s stunning fiancée Georgina IrwinCredit: Instagram
      Stunning Georgina is a flight attendant for British AirwaysCredit: Instagram
      Last week romantic Ramsdale got down on one knee and asked Georgina to marry himCredit: Instagram
      The Arsenal goalkeeper arranged for the words ‘Marry Me?’ to be spelled out in huge letters across the room, which was lavishly decorated and filled with flowers, balloons and pictures of the pair.
      They met back in 2019, and have been inseparable ever since.
      And like her fiancé, Georgina, 26, loves flying through the air. But she’s not a shotstopper – instead she’s a flight attendant for British Airways.
      First meeting
      Aaron and Georgina started dating just three years ago – when he was on loan at AFC Wimbledon.
      Initially, they kept their romance quiet as their love affair blossomed.
      Read more in sport
      But every now and again, Aaron would share an Instagram story with his beloved – enjoying a preseason break away on a luxurious holiday.
      Perhaps it was because, like Ramsdale, she too has a busy schedule.
      For Georgina is a flight attendant and works with British Airways.
      It’s not known how long she has flown with the airline, but she refers to herself as ‘BA Crew’ on her Instagram, which boasts over 12,000 followers.
      And judging by her social media, she just loves travelling – often sharing glam photos in go-to destinations like Miami Beach or Tulum in Mexico.
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      Ramsdale and Irwin often share photos of their travels togetherCredit: Instagram
      Georgina soaks up the delights of DubaiCredit: Instagram
      Georgina met Ramsdale when he was on loan at AFC WimbledonCredit: Instagram
      While earlier this summer Georgina enjoyed some time in Miami BeachCredit: Instagram
      Side hustle
      Although she clearly loves moving around, Georgina isn’t confined to attending passenger’s needs.
      She has her own side hustle to keep her busy and in shape.
      Clearly a gym bunny, the pretty blonde is part-owner of activewear brand Gymnetix.
      They make gym wear from sustainable materials, as well as support Mind – the mental health charity.
      Gym bunny Georgina shows off her enviable figureCredit: Instagram
      Georgina flashes her stunning bikini body to her 12,000 plus followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram
      As a side hustle, Georgina has her own gym wear brandCredit: Instagram
      Georgina and Ramsdale began dating back in 2019Credit: Instagram
      Doing her bit for charity, Georgina’s brand does it’s bit for MindCredit: Instagram
      Georgina has been known to model for the brand too – promoting her own business.
      Forget Ramsdale, she’s the keeper. More

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      Wolves new boy Matheus Nunes worked in his family’s bakery in Lisbon just THREE years before record £42m transfer

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      BRAZILIAN-born Matheus Nunes’ rise is almost as impressive as the pastries from his family’s bakery.The 23-year-old midfielder has become Wolves’ record-signing, after the Midlands club paid Sporting Lisbon £42million for his services.
      Matheus Nunes has become Wolves’ record signing after moving from Sporting Lisbon for £42m
      Just three years ago Nunes as spotted behind the counter of his family’s bakery
      But just THREE years ago he was seen dishing out breaded and sweet delights at the Pão da Vila bakery in Ericeira, near Lisbon.
      It’s been a remarkable journey for the talent from Rio, who moved to Portugal with his mum and stepfather at the age of 13.
      Early years
      Nunes grew up in humble surroundings in a Campo Grande favela idolising Barcelona legend Ronaldinho.
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      His dad wasn’t a part of his life, and it was mother Catia who raised him through a difficult childhood.
      “Sometimes we didn’t have anything to eat… although my mother never stopped working,” he told Portuguese newspaper Record last year.
      “She is a warrior who instilled in me a love of football. With her I got my first touches. If we didn’t have the ball, my brother and I played with socks.” 
      Of his success, he revealed his mum “still says today that she doesn’t know how I never became a thief or a drug dealer.”
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      Moving to Portugal
      With nothing for them in Brazil, the family headed for the seaside town Ericeira to seek a new life.
      They opened the Pão da Vila bakery, where Nunes helped out as he forged a football career.
      “I worked about six, five months at the bakery,” he told Sporting TV.

      “I came in the morning and the games were in the afternoon. I would stand for five, sometimes six hours on my feet and to train afterwards was not easy.
      “I didn’t have a driver’s licence and woke up at 5am to go to work by bike.”
      Nunes was raised by mum Catia who left Brazil with her family for a better life in Europe
      For five to six hours a day, Nunes would serve pastries to customers before heading to football training
      To his former team-mates, it was obvious Nunes was destined for bigger things
      Earning his stripes
      Juggling handing out pastel de feijao’s with learning a trade in football, Nunes joined local team Ericeirense in the lower leagues of Portugal.
      There, he studied his role model – a maverick Brazilian footballer who had the world at his feet with a blessed talent.
      “Ronaldinho is my idol,” he once told Sindicato dos Jugadores.
      “I’ve always tried to imitate him since I was a kid, and I’ve always liked the way he played.
      “When he was at Barcelona, I liked Barcelona, When he was at AC Milan, I liked AC Milan, and it was unbelievable when he went to Flamengo because I’m a Flamengo fan. He’s my idol because I’ve always had him as the image of what I wanted to be as a player.”
      Standing out to scouts, by 2018 top flight Estoril signed him up and gave him U23 football.
      However, it was clear to his team-mates that he was already destined for bigger things.
      Ex-Estoril star Francisco Mascarenhas told Desporto ao Minuto: “You could see that he was a player with a very large chance of progression, which it has turned out to be.”
      Sporting chance
      Nunes’ rapid ascension in the game continued six months after he joined Estoril.
      Sporting Lisbon snapped the youngster up in January 2019 in a five-year deal – paying just £500,000 for his services.
      Since then, he has grown into one of the game’s most coveted stars – with Chelsea reportedly interested in signing before Wolves pounced.
      Compared to Xavi because of his incredible vision, his ability has also been lauded by a manager who knows the ex-Spain midfielder better than most.
      When Sporting came up against Manchester City in last season’s Champions League, they were humbled 5-0 at home.
      But Nunes’ performance stood out for Pep Guardiola – who heaped praise on him.
      “Sporting are a fantastic team, they are the champions of Portugal, which have a very strong league, with Porto and Benfica, they change the ball well, they have fast and intelligent players,” Guardiola said at the time.
      “I would say that Matheus Nunes is one of the best players in the world today.”
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      With that in mind, Wolves fans will be licking their lips at the possibility of their new boy in action.
      And they might just want his mum to open up a new Portuguese cafe in the area to sample those pastries too.
      Nunes became a mainstay in the Sporting Lisbon side from 2019
      Now a Portuguese international, Nunes is relishing his next challenge at Wolves More

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      Chelsea target Anthony Gordon was axed by Liverpool aged 11 but army camp and chimp book made him £50m Everton star

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      ANTHONY GORDON has come a long way from Kirkdale, where he refined his shooting in his parent’s garden.The Everton starlet, 21, is a transfer target for Chelsea – who are not giving up on signing the youngster after having a £45million bid rejected.
      Everton starlet Anthony Gordon has become a transfer target for ChelseaCredit: Reuters
      Growing up, the forward would practice striking the ball through a tyre hanging from a goal to improve his accuracy – a coaching method encouraged by his father, Keith.
      While the Covid outbreak would become the making of Gordon, who used the time off to bulk up his skinny frame with the help of a personal trainer pal in what he called an “army camp”.
      His exemplary, hard-working attitude and body transformation impressed then-boss Carlo Ancelotti, who handed him his Premier League debut and first start for the club.
      But, it could have been fierce rivals Liverpool who moulded the kid tipped as ‘England’s next hope’.
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      Released at 11
      Every footballer suffers heartbreak during their career. For Gordon it came early.
      When he was just 11, Liverpool decided that he wasn’t good enough to make the grade.
      He admittedly suffered mentally because of the rejection. However, Everton offered him some solace.
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      “It was another chance for me to grow. But that was hard,” he told the club’s website.
      “It affected me mentally and dented my confidence. I had to pick myself up and go again.
      “When I got to Everton, I never looked back.”
      Tyres for goalposts
      Alongside his professional training, Gordon would constantly train at home and in his local park with his dad, who had a unique method in improving his son’s shooting.
      Keith Gordon would hang a tyre from the goal frame – just so Anthony could hit “top bins” more regularly.
      “We’d practice in the park or garden, he had to keep buying new goals because I broke a few,” he revealed.
      “He set up challenges for me from when I was about five and took me to all my games. He got me started in football.
      As a youngster, Gordon found solace at Everton after being rejected by LiverpoolCredit: Getty
      In 2019, Gordon signed his first professional contract with the ToffeesCredit: Getty
      Body transformation
      As a promising talent rising through the ranks, Gordon caught the eye of Ronaldo Koeman – who handed him his first team debut as a substitute in a Europa League match away at Apollon Limassol in 2017.
      But, when the coronavirus halted the Premier League for three months during the 2019-20 season – the ambitious then-teenager hatched a plan to transform his body.
      The skinny-framed 6ft beanpole he was became a shredded athlete that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the ring as a middleweight boxer.
      That happened with the help of pal and personal trainer Callum Webb, who he moved into a flat with and got to work.
      “It was like an army camp – we were up early and doing two or three sessions a day,” Gordon revealed.
      “Callum, in my opinion, is one of the best in the city.
      “I was lucky to have him there and he pushed me to my limits.
      “My fitness levels went through the roof.”
      When football returned after the coronavirus outbreak, Gordon sported a fuller figureCredit: Getty
      England U21 star Gordon used the three month break to sculpt his physiqueCredit: Getty
      Preferred reading
      Around the same time, Gordon also buried his head in Steve Peters’ The Chimp Paradox book, which promotes a mind management programme that helps sports stars overcome their fears and perform with control, focus and confidence.
      Peters is the same man who worked with snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan from 2011 and helped him fight his demons to continue to excel on the baize.
      While British Olympic cyclists also benefitted from his teachings and methods.
      The result; a new Gordon that wowed coach Ancelotti who said what makes the England U21 star different to other promising stars is his “character and personality”.
      “I pride myself on how I carry myself off the pitch,” Gordon admitted.
      “I am a firm believer that, regardless of whether someone is talented or rich, whatever you think you are, none of it really matters.
      “All that matters is what kind of person you are.”
      Dr Steve Peters’ The Chimp Paradox was vital to Gordon’s improvement on the pitch
      Dr Peters, right, worked with Olympic cyclists, including Victoria PendletonCredit: PA:Press Association
      Professional debut
      The hard work and determination Gordon showed encouraged Ancelotti to hand him his first start in the Premier League in 2020. Ironically, that came against the club that let him go – Liverpool.
      A duel with England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold would have been one to behold.
      However, mum Nadine and dad Keith were too wracked with nerves to be there.
      “I found out at 4pm (three hours before kick-off) I was playing but from the beginning of the week it was in in my head I would be starting,” Gordon revealed.
      “I wanted to be ready and mentally prepared.
      “I was fine, there weren’t any nerves. I was ready to do my job.
      “It was disappointing my mum and dad couldn’t be there but, to be honest, they are both nervous wrecks.
      “When I got home my mum told me that at the start of the game, she had to go out the room, she couldn’t even watch it.
      “They are both that nervous there’s no point them being there.”
      Ex-Everton Manager Carlo Ancelotti was impressed by Gordon’s attitudeCredit: Getty
      Promising Gordon has been labelled ‘England’s next hope’Credit: Getty
      Everton manager Frank Lampard would loath to lose GordonCredit: AFP
      What the future holds
      For the moment, he’s an Everton player – one that manager Frank Lampard will be reluctant to lose, especially after Brazilian striker Richarlison left for Tottenham in the summer.
      “I love working with him, love him as a player,” said Lampard.
      “There are things he wants to improve and he can improve and that’s absolutely normal in terms of development. But what he’s doing for us at the minute, he’s an absolutely huge player.”
      Thomas Tuchel, though, has identified him as a primary target this transfer window.
      Read More on The Sun
      A £45million bid has been rejected so far, but the Blues are reportedly set to return with an improved offer.
      Should he make the move to West London, expect him to be clutching his trusted copy of The Chimp Paradox, as well as an attitude that belies his years. More

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      Arsenal’s flying start down to Arteta’s brilliant tactical switch with Xhaka and Zinchenko holding the key

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      ARSENAL have made an extremely impressive start to the season, after backing manager Mikel Arteta in the transfer market.He signed Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira from FC Porto for  £35m and made a double raid on former club Manchester City to snap up Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus for £45m, and the Ukrainian star Oleksandr Zinchenko for £31m.
      New arrivals Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have settle in quicklyCredit: Rex
      Add in the return from a loan spell in France for the French central defender William Saliba, and Arsenal have added depth and quality to their squad. 
      Wins so far away to Crystal Palace (2-0) and at home to Leicester (4-2) have only really been part of the story. 
      More impressive than the results have been the performances as Arsenal have impressed on a tactical level.
      Even more than that, Arteta seems to be getting a tune out of Granit Xhaka.
      Read more on Arsenal
      In particular Xhaka has been working well with new signing Zinchenko and an intriguing partnership is developing.
      Zinchenko as the inverted fullback
      The term inverted fullback is all but inescapable now within the world of football. 
      It started with Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich when he decided to ask Phillip Lahm to move inside when Bayern were in possession and essentially create an extra midfielder.
      Zinchenko plays centrally, in a position that is more normally taken up by a central midfielder. As Zinchenko moves into these areas we see Xhaka move into higher spaces out wide.
      Zinchenko spent most of the game on the attack against Leicester
      We have seen Manchester City and Liverpool, the two most successful teams in the modern Premier League era, use their fullbacks in this way to create more control in matches. 
      Now, with the signing of Zinchenko we can see that Arsenal are starting to look to play in the same way.
      When Zinchenko signed for Arsenal there were some questions around which position he would play, perhaps as an attacking midfielder.
      So far this season we have seen Zinchenko play as a left-back for Arsenal but his movement and rotations have very much seen him move into central positions when Arsenal are in possession. 
      With Xhaka in possession in a deeper area Zinchenko has not only gone past the midfield line but moved centrally as well. He is in position to receive the ball in a pocket of space between the defenders.
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      In both league games this season Zinchenko moved centrally in order to create overloads and allow Arsenal to play from the back and through the thirds.
      One of the keys in Arsenal’s strong start to the season, however, has been the interchanging of positions between Zinchenko and Xhaka. 
      As Arsenal look to build their attack, Xhaka will move deeper or wider and look to pull an opposition midfield player out with him. 
      This is the sign for Zinchenko to dive inside into the unoccupied space from where he can receive the ball and play. 
      Zinchenko moves forward in possession and Xhaka moves outside to clear space for the fullback to advance centrally. As this happens there is further rotation with the left-sided attack as Gabriel Martinelli moves inside, and Xhaka has moved into his zone, and receives a forward pass from Zinchenko.
      The same goes for more advanced areas with Zinchenko looking to combine and move centrally in the final third. 
      The movement of Xhaka, who moves intelligently, creates space that can be occupied not only by Zinchenko but even by Martinelli or Jesus. 
      Granit Xhaka’s key role
      In football, nothing works in isolation. 
      Signing Zinchenko and asking him to play as an inverted fullback would not be effective if you did not have central midfielders who were willing to move to create space for the Ukrainian to move into. 
      This is where Xhaka comes in.
      The Swiss international midfielder has always been versatile in terms of his role for Arsenal. 
      When they started to try to play out from the back properly, first under Unai Emery and then under Arteta, it would often be Xhaka who would take responsibility for dropping back into the defensive line to create a passing angle for his goalkeeper or defenders.
      Arsenal star Xhaka has been moving out wide this season
      Xhaka is the deepest and most wide player on that side in the build-up as Zinchenko is positioned inside him. As Xhaka plays the ball forward he and Zinchenko move up together to support behind the ball but the Ukrainian stays on the inside
      Now, the versatility and mobility of Xhaka is even more evident.
      Such has been the impact that the new signings have had at Arsenal though we can see that Xhaka is having even more of an impact on matches and getting on the ball more than ever before. 
      It is just that he is not necessarily getting possession in positions that we would traditionally expect for a central midfielder.
      Now, he is more likely to get on the ball in the central third of the pitch either in the channel on his side or even in the wide areas. 
      From these positions his passing ability and ability to find creative passing angles have helped Arsenal to unpick deeper defences.
      Zinchenko moves inside in possession and plays a one-two with Xhaka and attacks the central space. The movement from Xhaka has dragged the opposition midfielder out and created that space.
      Xhaka has the ability to make teammates better through his movement and willingness to sacrifice himself by moving out and away from the space that the ball will be played through. 
      He is also very good when it comes to counterpressing when Arsenal lose possession of the ball and as such his positioning wide or high and in the channel has been useful for Arsenal in quickly regaining possession of the ball. 
      Gabriel takes the ball out from the back. Zinchenko moves inside and essentially pins the defensive player in that area as he has to cover the threat of the pass. This allows Xhaka to rotate out and into free space.
      For such a short period of time we have already seen Zinchenko and Xhaka form a strong relationship and understanding. 
      We have to be clear though that even though their partnership and rotations are amongst the strongest and most obvious, the movement ahead of them of Martinelli and Jesus has also been extremely impressive.
      The fact that there are so many rotations throughout the Arsenal side when they are in the attacking phase has played a significant role in their early season success.
      What does this mean?
      Honestly, at this stage, it is nothing more than an interesting observation. As we know, the Premier League is a marathon and form comes and goes.
      Tactically, Arsenal look interesting – but it takes more than interesting tactical ploys to mount another campaign for a Champions League qualifying spot.
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      But, the early signs are a lot better than they were last season that’s for sure. 
      If Arteta can keep Xhaka on the pitch for long periods this season and keep him playing like this, it creates plenty of opportunity for Arsenal to attack.
      The August Total Football Analysis magazine in now on sale More