Category Archives: Stoke

PL Stopper Hints At Desire For Liverpool Move

Liverpool’s long running interest in Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic does not seem likely to end anytime soon, with the ‘keeper admitting today that he would like to play at a higher level.

The Anfield club could offer him an opportunity to do that, having previously moved for him.

In fact, Begovic was Brendan Rodgers’ preferred signing last summer, but repeat rebuffs from Stoke meant that he instead chose to turn to former Sunderland man Simon Mignolet.

While Mignolet was relatively impressive last season for Rodgers’ side, he made mistakes, and this season has seen him struggle to impress.

As a result, Rodgers has chased other goalkeeper.

Prime among those who Liverpool have tried to sign is Victor Valdes, but the ex-Barcelona man now seems likely to instead join Manchester United, having trained with them.

This could mean that Rodgers will go back in for Begovic when January arrives, and it now seems as though convincing him to move could be a feasible possibility.

He said: “We all have ambitions and goals. I work really hard to get better and try to improve as a player, and hopefully test myself at the highest level possible level in the future.

“Who knows whether that opportunity will present itself?”

PL Goalscoring Ace: Arsenal Still Fear Us

Arsenal still fear facing off against Stoke City, despite their change in manager and playing style, claims former England international Peter Crouch.

The Gunners travelled to Stoke at the weekend and fell to a 3-2 loss, having trailed 3-0 at half time.

This blitz from Mark Hughes’ side suggests that Arsenal are still struggling from the same mental frailties that they are infamous for.

Despite having finished fourth in the Premier League on a consistent basis on the last few years, there are those who believe that the north London side will not step beyond that point in the near future, given the lack of leaders in the team.

Furthermore, there are now those who are questioning Arsene Wenger’s position as manager, despite the consistent success that he has brought to the club.

Some even surrounded Wenger and his players at Stoke train station on Saturday night, demanding his departure.

A video of this incident went viral on social media.

Crouch himself attributes the huge win, in part, to a fear factor.

“I’ve been an away player here before and it’s not a nice place to come,” Crouch said. “I’ve been here with Spurs, with Liverpool and as a big club you’re like, ‘Do we really have to go to Stoke?’

“That’s something we have to maintain. We have to keep that going. It’s all right playing good football, but we still have that fear factor so that the big teams come here and don’t like playing against us. We proved we still have that.”

 

Liverpool Look To PL Star To Replace Under-Fire Talent – reports

Liverpool are likely to express their interest in Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic again in January, having missed out on a series of other options in recent months, as reported by the Daily Star.

The Reds reportedly chased Victor Valdes for an extended period of time, but with the Spain international training with Manchester United, it now seems as though he is no longer a possibility for the Anfield club to sign.

As a result, Brendan Rodgers is keen on making a £10 million bid to sign Stoke’s Begovic.

The Bosnian international has only 20 months left on his current contract with the Britannia Stadium side.

This might make it more easy for the Reds to sign the shot stopper, having seen previous interest rebuffed.

At the time, in the summer of 2013, Stoke wanted £15 million for the ‘keeper.

This saw Liverpool sign Simon Mignolet instead, but Mignolet has faced increased criticism this season.

They could now turn to Begovic to replace him.