Category: UEFA Europa League

• Europa League quarter-final, 8pm BST kick-off (first leg: 0-2)
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I wonder why Alonso has made those changes. Frimpong certainly seemed to celebrate well the other day but I imagine the rotation is because he’s got the Cup, Europe and the unbeaten record to defend so, with a 2-0 lead, this is a decent time to make changes – especially given the quality of his squad. On which point, I’m really looking forward to seeing who arrives in the summer, because one big sale plus Champions League money equals decent scope in the market.

The return of Jarrod Bowen is a massive boon for West Ham. Obviously he scores goals, but more than that, he’s stepped up a level this season – this isn’t a run of form º and his teammates know they can rely on him.

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Jeremie Frimpong preserved Leverkusen’s unbeaten record as the German champions entered the last four of the Europa League

I wonder why Alonso has made those changes. Frimpong certainly seemed to celebrate well the other day but I imagine the rotation is because he’s got the Cup, Europe and the unbeaten record to defend so, with a 2-0 lead, this is a decent time to make changes – especially given the quality of his squad. On which point, I’m really looking forward to seeing who arrives in the summer, because one big sale plus Champions League money equals decent scope in the market.

The return of Jarrod Bowen is a massive boon for West Ham. Obviously he scores goals, but more than that, he’s stepped up a level this season – this isn’t a run of form º and his teammates know they can rely on him.

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• Head coach has no fears of comedown after Bundesliga title win
• David Moyes buoyed by possible return of Areola and Phillips

Xabi Alonso is confident Bayer Leverkusen will not suffer from a hangover when looking to maintain their treble charge by pressing home their advantage over West Ham in the Europa League.

Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in 43 matches in all competitions this season, celebrated wildly after ­winning the first Bundesliga title in the club’s history on Sunday. ­Alonso’s players downed giant glasses of beer after their emphatic 5-0 win over Werder Bremen and there have been suggestions that they could be off their game in the second leg of their quarter-final against West Ham, who lost 2-0 in Germany last week.

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Manager says his team must regain their intensity after shock defeat to Atalanta, beginning with Crystal Palace on Sunday

Barring one of the most remarkable comebacks to have decorated Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool reign, his final European game at Anfield will have featured a flat performance and atmosphere, resignation to defeat and a divide between fans and club; everything, that is, that goes against the culture he has created over the past nine years. Rediscovering the spark and belief required to win a Premier League title, however, is the Liverpool manager’s more pressing concern.

Liverpool hit a wall against Atalanta on Thursday that was not entirely of the Italian club’s making. That is to take nothing away from an exemplary display by Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, who demonstrated throughout a comfortable 3-0 victory why they are unbeaten in 11 Europa League away fixtures Atalanta, sixth in Serie A, were clinical, tactically astute and commanding in defence against what was ultimately a four-man Liverpool attack. Their defensive organisation will be a formidable obstacle to Liverpool’s hopes of recovery next week in Bergamo, where Klopp’s team won 5-0 in a Champions League group game during the dark days of Covid in November 2020. Rhys Williams and Joe Gomez were Liverpool’s central defenders that night. But that was then.

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Jonas Hofman and Victor Boniface came off the bench to score late on for Bayer Leverkusen

2 mins: A feel like the commentary team at not in Leverkusen for this, which is a bit underwhelming from TNT. Maybe I am wrong …

Onto the match … It is certainly a back five West Ham as they look to contain Leverkusen in the early stages.

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• Supporters’ groups unhappy at 2% ticket hike for 2024-25
• Alexander-Arnold could be fit for Atalanta in Europa League

Jürgen Klopp has said nothing should come between Liverpool fans and his team before protests against the club’s decision to raise ticket prices by 2% next season.

There will be no flags on the Kop for Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Atalanta after Spion Kop 1906, the supporters’ group that organises the displays at Anfield, voiced its disapproval of an increase in season ticket prices and members’ match-day tickets for 2024-25.

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