During the Premier League title race, Virgil van Dijk has urged Liverpool’s players and supporters to “make Anfield a horrible place for opponents.”
With only 11 games left, Liverpool are 11 points clear of second-placed Arsenal at the top of the table following Sunday’s 2-0 victory at Manchester City.
Arsenal still has a game in hand, but Arne Slot’s men are on a run for their 20th top-flight title at Anfield, playing seven of their final league games.
Liverpool also lost points recently against Everton and Aston Villa, and they both looked anxious during last week’s 2-1 home win over Wolves.
“I mentioned it after that (Wolves) game, that obviously it’s pretty normal, humans, there could be some anxious feelings kicking in”, said Liverpool captain Van Dijk.
“And that may still be the case, but I believe it only works for us and for them as well to make Anfield terrible for the opponent, as we have done most of the time, and obviously our play obviously does that as well.”
He added: “So let’s make sure those seven (home games) are going to be amazing, as loud as possible, and I don’t think we have to speak about it, because normally that is the case”.
Liverpool capitalized on Arsenal’s previous-day defeat by West Ham to claim their first top-flight victory at the Etihad with goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai.
In the final moments of the game, Liverpool supporters chanted, “We’re going to win the league,” anticipating their first English league title since 1990.
Van Dijk, who is currently getting ready for Wednesday’s home game against Newcastle, said, “A few days ago there was noise also about other things and it could go the other way.
“Obviously, the result on Saturday and the result (at the Etihad) gives them (the fans) the belief.
We must simply keep focusing on the task at hand. That’s what we do and that’s what I told the boys as well.
Following their silver medal win in AFCON 2024 and the looming start of crucial World Cup qualifiers in March, former Mali coach Éric Chelle now leads the Super Eagles. His appointment opens a new era for Nigerian football, bringing both the three-time continental champions’ European expertise and prior African tournament success.
With the appointment of Éric Chelle as head coach, the Nigerian Football Federation has opened a new chapter for the Super Eagles, a bold change in direction for the national team. The French-Malian tactician, fresh from guiding Mali to an impressive quarter-final showing at AFCON 2023, steps into one of African football’s most prestigious roles at a crucial juncture.
With Nigeria still processing their heartbreaking AFCON 2024 final loss to Côte d’Ivoire, Chelle’s arrival brings fresh perspective and proven continental experience. His immediate focus is on the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign for the year 2026, with important matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda scheduled for March.
Chelle’s Impressive Background
Chelle’s coaching credentials are notable, having managed several French clubs including GS Consolat, FC Martigues and Boulogne, as well as MC Oran. His playing career featured stints with prestigious French clubs like Lens, Valenciennes, and Chamois Niortais, while he earned five caps representing Mali internationally.
His team’s recent success at AFCON 2023, where they led eventual champion Côte d’Ivoire until the final minute of regulation time before falling to 2-1 in extra time, demonstrates his tactical acumen.
Building on AFCON Legacy
Chelle’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment following Nigeria’s impressive run to the AFCON 2024 final. His understanding of elite African football is demonstrated by his participation in the same tournament as Mali, where he faced eventual champions Côte d’Ivoire.
Chelle, who has close ties to stars like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and William Troost-Ekong, has firsthand knowledge of the Super Eagles’ potential since first witness during AFCON. His demonstrated ability to maximize team resources for Mali’s campaign suggests a potential match for Nigeria’s talented squad.
Immediate Challenges and Opportunities
As fans engage with various aspects of Nigerian football, with many learning how to register on bet9ja for match predictions, attention is primarily focused on the crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Chelle’s immediate task involves securing vital results against Rwanda (away) and Zimbabwe (home) in March’s qualification matches.
Strategic Focus Areas
Under Chelle’s leadership, key priorities include: ● World Cup qualification campaign ● Team tactical restructuring ● Player development ● Performance optimization ● Squad depth enhancement
Fan Engagement and Support Systems
The football community has multiple channels to follow developments: ● National team preparations ● Qualification match coverage ● Expert analysis ● Technical insights
Professional Standards and Development
With Chelle’s appointment bringing international experience, emphasis remains on: ● Tactical innovation ● Professional excellence ● Youth development ● Strategic planning
Educational Initiatives
As fans become familiar with Chelle’s tactical strategy: ● His coaching philosophy ● AFCON 2023 strategies ● European influence ● African football dynamics
Safety and Organization
As international matches approach, priorities include: ● Match day preparations ● Security protocols ● Fan experience enhancement ● Health guidelines
The Road Ahead
With Chelle’s appointment marking a new chapter in Nigerian football history, excitement builds around both international and domestic competitions. His recent success with Mali at AFCON 2023 suggests a bright future for the Super Eagles.
The fusion of Nigerian football’s elite leadership and its diverse talent pool gives rise to hope for the challenges ahead. Under Chelle’s guidance, his proven ability to compete against continental powerhouses gives Nigeria’s football aspirations more confidence as the Super Eagles prepare for crucial World Cup qualifiers.
With Chelle’s blending of African football knowledge and her experience in European coaching, the future appears promising. In the qualifiers in March, Nigerian fans eagerly anticipate seeing his tactical approach in action. His immediate impact will be tested.
With a deserved 4-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday, Bayern Munich reclaimed their eight-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga.
Before the break, France star Michael Olise broke the deadlock, Hiroki Ito doubled the lead for the visitors, and Jamal Musiala finished off another inspiring performance with a stunning late third.
Bayern remain top of the Bundesliga and one step closer to regaining their crown, thanks to Musiala’s contribution to a crucial victory.
In injury time, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry combined for a fourth and added a fourth to complete the icing on the cake.
Bayern have won seven of their eight league games since the turn of the year, drawing just once, at champions Bayer Leverkusen, last weekend.
On February 23, 2025, FC Bayern Munich’s French midfielder #17 Michael Olise celebrates with team mates after scoring the team’s first goal in the German first division Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt in Munich, southern Germany. (Photo by Alexandra BEIER / AFP)
Harry Kane, who had only made it through the first half of Bayern’s midweek Champions League game against Celtic, was replaced by Thomas Mueller, who had the German veteran come off the bench for the first time in his Bundesliga career.
Since Omar Marmoush left Eintracht for Manchester City in January, they have lost just two of their six league games and are now starting to lose.
Bayern had taken the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first period, and their patience paid off.
The excellent Musiala picked out his teammate Leroy Sane, whose low cross found Olise, who had a straightforward tap-in to cap a clever and quick Bayern move.
Bayern didn’t let up in the second half and, while their second was fortuitous in nature, it was no less than the league leaders deserved.
Eric Dier’s header deflected off the unlucky Rasmus Kristensen to the feet of Ito, who couldn’t miss from a yard out, but Frankfurt keeper Kevin Trapp failed to make it happen.
Musiala put the result beyond doubt in the 83rd minute, showing tenacity, strength and skill to duck and weave his way past Frankfurt’s last defenders, before drilling a low left-footed shot past Trapp.
Gnabry collected Coman’s pass to steer in to make it 4-0, a scoreline that did not flatter the Bavarians.
Leverkusen, had already won this weekend, 2-0 at Holstein Kiel on Saturday, meaning the gap between them remains the same with 11 games to play.
Earlier on Sunday, RB Leipzig fought back to salvage a 2-2 draw with struggling Heidenheim.
READ ALSO:  ,]FULL FIXTURES] Liverpool Play PSG In Champions League Last 16
Leipzig lifeline ,
Our Red Bulls gave a strong fightback, but it ultimately only adds up to one point.
⏱️ FT | 2-2 | #RBLFCH pic. twitter.com/lFzeaU7W3o
Mathias Honsak’s sublime shot from outside the box rattled the hosts in the sixth minute, giving them a shock lead.
Willi Orban, the Leipzig captain, was found to have struck Marvin Pieringer in the box, which made things even better for the visitors.
Pieringer calmly slotted in his second of his two penalties this year despite Orban’s protests.
Heidenheim, who entered this match second bottom of the Bundesliga and without a league victory in six, was credited with keeping the team in the game thanks to goalkeeper Kevin Mueller.
But in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Leipzig found a lifeline.
The Belgian found the bottom corner to cut Heidenheim’s lead after Kevin Kampl’s cross was cushioned by Benjamin Sesko into Kevin Kampl’s path by Benjamin Sesko.
In the 64th minute, Leipzig restored parity with a contentious penalty.
Tim Siersleben, a Heidenheim defender, was punished for punching Openda in the face.
Sesko Cooly slotted in from 12 yards after a lengthy VAR review.
In an effort to avoid falling into disarray, the visitors made their first point since January 15.
Leipzig, who was treading water in sixth place, missed out on a chance to return to the top four.
Despite extending an 11-point lead with a 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday, Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the depth of the Premier League meant his side can take nothing for granted.
Second-placed Arsenal are in the lead, but Slot’s men made a huge comeback with their first league victory at the Etihad Stadium in ten years, leading to a record-equal 20th English top flight title.
During Pep Guardiola’s time in charge, cities have won four straight titles in the last four seasons, dominating English football.
They haven’t been as effective this year, and they are now 20 points adrift of Liverpool, who are currently fourth.
“If you play away at the Etihad, if you win there, it’s always a big win, no matter what the league table looks like,” said Slot.
After Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai scored in the first half, City ran out of ideas in their pitiful search for a way back into the game. The travelling Liverpool supporters sang, “We are going to win the league.”
Slot, though, remains cautious after suffering a shock FA Cup exit to second-tier Plymouth Argyle earlier this month and being pushed all the way by relegation-threatened Wolves in a 2-1 win last weekend.
“The fans can sing whatever they want, I think they’ve been singing it quite long already. But as a team, we are aware of how hard we must work to ensure that every victory is celebrated,” Slot continued.
“So in every other league, having a lead like this would be very comfortable, except for this one, because this league, every single game gives you a lot of challenges.
“Even Plymouth Argyle gave us a lot of challenges. ”
READ ALSO: [FULL FIXTURES] Liverpool Play PSG In Champions League Last 16
City Miss the ‘Magic’
Pep Guardiola, the Spanish manager of Manchester City, reacts during the Manchester City and Liverpool match of the English Premier League at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England, on February 23, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
When Guardiola’s men lost just one win in 13 games between October and December, City’s title defense was actually over.
City were much more competitive with the Premier League champions-elect after a harrowing Champions League exit to Real Madrid in midweek.
The home side enjoyed 66 percent possession and had 16 shots on goal to Liverpool’s eight.
However, Liverpool could rely on Salah for inspiration in the final third while City were lacking Erling Haaland’s talismanic presence as a result of their injury.
“I think (Jeremy) Doku and Savinho played an incredible game and got to the by-line a lot but then just from there we missed the magic,” said Guardiola.
“We played really good so I have no regrets. The chances in the final third, when we want to shoot and cross, for the amount we arrived there, we did not create much. ”
Guardiola claims that City has occasionally appeared to be an ageing team during this season’s fall from grace.
But the Catalan coach saw signs of rejuvenation as three of his January signings, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov, started along with the likes of Doku, Savinho, Rico Lewis and Phil Foden.
“I saw a bright future. Other than Kevin (De Bruyne) and Nathan (Ake), they are the future of this club in the next years, with others who will come in future windows. ”
Real Madrid defeated Girona 2-0 on Sunday, putting them back on top of La Liga, with Luka Modric scoring a brilliant goal from long range, to claim a victory.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team put together a strong performance at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Vinicius Junior came out on top late in the game.
After rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, now third, both won on Saturday, the pressure was on for the champions in the extremely tight title race.
Madrid had not yet won any of their previous three league games, but they showed their muscles by defeating Man City in the Champions League in midweek.
“It’s a very important win, we have to stay in the fight”, Modric told Real Madrid TV.
“We can’t let our level slip and consider ourselves satisfied, we can still grow as a team”.
The Croatian’s goal was the highlight of the match.
“I was by myself, I controlled the ball, I hit it well and it went in”, Modric added.
“I don’t know if it’s one of the most spectacular I’ve scored, it was really nice, it’s always special to score at the Bernabeu”.
READ ALSO:  ,]FULL FIXTURES] Liverpool Play PSG In Champions League Last 16
On February 23, 2025, Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward #07 Vinicius Junior (R) celebrates scoring the team’s second goal at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid as Real Madrid CF and Girona FC play for the Spanish league. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)
After seeing Jude Bellingham red last weekend, he was suspended for England.
Madrid’s surprise title rivals from last year’s competition were difficult to defeat but less dangerous in attack than at their best.
Paulo Gazzaniga made a good save from Kylian Mbappe, but Vinicius chose to ignore his French strike partner when a promising attacking opportunity fell apart.
Viktor Tsygankov, a winger for Girona, should have hit for the visitors, but he missed a good chance and snuck at his shot.
With the game trickling towards half-time, Modric sent Madrid ahead with a rocket from distance.
After a corner was cleared into his path, the 39-year-old midfielder slammed a superb strike past the helpless Gazzaniga.
“Modric is a gift for football, he should continue as long as he wants”, Ancelotti told reporters.
“What he does, he does very well, we’ve been lucky to have a legend with us”.
 , ‘Very very happy’ ,
With a curling effort from the edge of the box from the edge of the box, Madrid had more chances to increase their lead in the second half.
After the former Paris Saint-Germain star brilliantly controlled a dropping ball, Gazzaniga made a fine save to stop Mbappe.
Eventually Mbappe fed Vinicius with a perfectly-weighted pass for the second goal, which the Brazilian brushed past the Girona goalkeeper.
Real Madrid and Spanish officials have been at odds with each other in recent weeks, but with the exception of one instance in which Rodrygo’s path was blocked by the referee, they had nothing to complain about on a quiet afternoon in the Spanish capital.
Some home fans whistled as players stood alongside a slogan reading “respect the referee, respect football” before the game.
After suffering a severe knee injury, David Alaba made his first appearance for Los Blancos in more than a year.
“It’s very important win for us, we are very happy, it’s a good moment for us”, the Austrian defender told Real Madrid TV.
“I am very, very happy, after the injury, I was ready to start this game”.
On Wednesday, Real Madrid will face Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
Girona coach Michel Sanchez said his side, 12th, were bound to struggle against the European champions.
Real Madrid recognizes that every decision is crucial, and Sanchez described it as “hard” at this difficult time of the year.
To stay on course for Champions League football next season, Athletic Bilbao defeated bottom team Real Valladolid 7-1 earlier.
Fourth-placed Ernesto Valverde’s side, fourth, had a lot of goals in the victory, which saw them four points clear of Villarreal in fifth place thanks to Spain star Nico Williams scoring twice.
With four goals in 11 minutes, Newcastle blew away Nottingham Forest to move into the top four of the Premier League with a crucial 4-3 victory.
After Callum Hudson-Odoi’s opening goal, Eddie Howe’s men won the match with a first-half goal slam on Sunday at St James’ Park.
Lewis Miley bagged Newcastle’s equaliser, sparking an astonishing spell of dominance as Jacob Murphy put the hosts ahead.
In less than two minutes, Isak scored twice to leave Forest in disarray with 50 Premier League goals.
The Sweden striker has 19 league goals this season, taking him level with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in second place behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in this season’s scoring chart.
In the second half, Forest scored goals from Nikola Milenkovic and Ryan Yates, but the result was a spectacular escape.
Fifth-placed Newcastle are now in the hunt for a place in the Champions League after falling behind in their previous four league games by three goals.
The Magpies are behind fourth-placed Manchester City on goal difference, with third-placed Forest just three points above them.
“I’m trying to control my thoughts and stay positive. We won the game and that’s what we needed to do”, Howe said.
“In the first half, it was a fantastic performance, but there were some weaknesses in the defense of set plays.”
” We can reflect on that. There are things we can do better. We take great care to get the details right.
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo added:” In the first half I didn’t recognise our team. We significantly improved in the second half.
“We made mistakes. Two completely different halves, exactly. They just rolled over us as we got going.
Nick Pope, the starting keeper for Newcastle since early December, replaced Martin Dubravka in his first league start.
However, Pope was partially responsible for Newcastle’s shoddy performance in which Forest took the lead after just six minutes.
Hudson-Odoi pressured the Newcastle midfielder into giving up possession by forcing him to lose the ball in his own half.
The winger unleashed a powerful low drive that caught Pope out of position as it flashed into the net, but the Hudson-Odoi wasn’t quickly enough shut down by Dan Burn.
Miley ensured Newcastle’s strong response to that early setback was rewarded in the 23rd minute.
READ ALSO:]FULL FIXTURES] Liverpool Play PSG In Champions League Last 16
 , Newcastle hold on ,
On February 23, 2025, Newcastle United’s English midfielder #67 Lewis Miley (L) and Nottingham Forest’s #16 argentinian midfielder Nicolas Dominguez (R) square off at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north of England. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)
Miley had time to control Lewis Hall’s pass inside the penalty area and fire his shot past unsighted keeper Matz Sels while Forest’s typically solid defense was slow to react.
Murphy made amends for his earlier mistake to put Howe’s team ahead two minutes after Miley’s equaliser.
The defender took Isak’s return pass and deflected a cross that fell over Sels, who had just about hit the goal-line, to score a deflected shot that Murphy bundled home from almost the end zone.
Newcastle were on fire, and they struck once more in the 33rd minute.
Isak sent an audacious lofted effort past Sels, who was forced to use his arm to block Hall’s cross, which resulted in the keeper being forced to try in vain to get it out.
Newcastle’s intensity was unbearable, and Forest didn’t come away with a fourth goal until just 60 seconds later.
Isak’s shot from 12 yards had a deflection on its way past the wrong-footed Sels, but Joe Willock ran unchecked through the Forest midfield.
In the 63rd minute, Milenkovic flicked Chris Wood’s cross past Pope from close range, and Newcastle grew in the second half.
When Yates steered home in the 90th minute, a nervous hush descended on St James ‘ Park, but Newcastle held on by their fingernails.
