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Liverpool recorded a potentially pivotal victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday evening, elevating themselves into a Champions League qualification spot for the first time since February.

The hosts made a fast start in midweek, with Sean Dyche’s men harassing the Reds through some intelligent pressing and strong, physical challenges.

Chris Wood could have put the Clarets ahead when he was bearing down on Alisson Becker’s net but shot wide of the mark to let Liverpool off the hook.

The 2019/20 Premier League champions took full advantage of Burnley’s poor finishing, slowly asserting themselves upon proceedings and taking control of the game after Bobby Firmino calmy slotted Andy Robertson’s cut-back into the corner of Will Norris’ net.

Further efforts from Nat Phillips and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made the three points secure for Liverpool, but there was one man who let Klopp down on one of the biggest occasions this season.

As per SofaScore, Mohamed Salah received a rating of just 6.3/10, the lowest out of all the Liverpool players, and a staggeringly low rating given the outcome of the game.

The Eygpt international won just two of his eight duels against his physically imposing opponents and, almost unbelievably, had only 46 touches throughout the 90 minutes, eight fewer than the 54 goalkeeper Alisson Becker had.

It was a night where Klopp would have wanted his big star to step up, but he failed to deliver. Thankfully, a few of the Reds’ lesser-heralded players were able to rise to the occasion.

It’s hard to be too critical on the 28-year-old forward, though. The Anfield outfit have seriously struggled for large periods of the current campaign, with attacking duo Sadio Mane and Firmino both suffering from a serious drop-off in form.

However, Salah has managed to maintain his incredible goalscoring record in spite of the difficulties surrounding his campaign, bagging an astonishing 31 goals and providing five assists in 50 appearances for the Reds.

Liverpool fans will be hoping his below-par performance in midweek was a one-off then as their top-four hopes go down to the final day with a clash against Crystal Palace set to determine their European fate.

And, in other news…Asking price set: Edwards must act to sign Reds target with a pass accuracy of 87.1% – opinion

For a brief moment earlier this week, it had seemed as if the sport of football that we all know and love was under serious threat.

Six Premier League clubs – Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur – announced their intentions to join a European Super League alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter.

This led to a huge backlash from football fans around the world, who were rightly angry at the club’s disregard for loyal supporters, with the decision to join clearly based on the huge financial incentives rather than the benefit of the team.

The various clubs involved were clearly desperate to re-establish themselves as the footballing elite, as it seems remarkable that the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal were afforded an invitation despite their domestic struggles in recent seasons, as participation was based on finances alone.

Fortunately, thanks to millions of football fans voicing their concerns over the league, as well as the proposed sanctions from UEFA, the clubs were quick to withdraw, with Chelsea and Manchester City among the first to back out of the European Super League.

Thankfully, Man City chairman Sheikh Mansour saw sense and listened to the concerns of fans and players alike, with City talisman Kevin De Bruyne one of many Premier League players to post their feelings about the league on social media.

Considering that UEFA reportedly threatened to kick Manchester City out of the Premier League and Champions League as punishment for their actions, there is no doubt that Pep Guardiola is also delighted with the club’s eventual decision to withdraw, as his side have enjoyed a superb campaign and are on the cusp of glory on three fronts.

The Spaniard voiced his own concerns on the league in a press conference earlier this week, saying (via Sky Sports): “I have said many times, I want the best and strongest competition possible, especially the Premier League

“And it’s not fair if one team fights to make it to the top and then cannot qualify because success is just guaranteed for a few clubs.”

Therefore, considering that UEFA are now unlikely to punish the clubs so harshly now that they have withdrawn, Guardiola will undoubtedly be delighted that his team can get back to focusing on the rest of the season, where they will hopefully earn all the success which comes their way.

In other news… Forget Foden: “Exceptional” Man City beast ran the show at Villa Park

Marcel Brands should look to revive Everton’s interest in AFC Bournemouth star Arnaut Danjuma amid Carlo Ancelotti’s plans to sign a winger this summer.

What’s the word?

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Toffees will prioritise the arrival of a new wide forward and right-back in the next transfer window.

The Goodison Park outfit feel there is a lot of depth to the attacker market this summer and will focus efforts on signing a left-footed option between the age of 20-25/6.

Ancelotti currently has no natural left-footed wide player with James Rodriguez’s best position through the centre, while Richarlison, Alex Iwobi, Joshua King, Bernard, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Anthony Gordon all favour their right.

Everton are also expected to part with right-footed wingers Theo Walcott and Yannick Bolasie once their contracts expire in June, and only have one left-footed forward in the Under 23s in Josh Bowler.

However, Bowler is likely to leave Merseyside on loan next season having been unable to secure a temporary move away in either of the previous two windows due to a hip flexor injury.

Moise Kean, who has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, may also leave at the end of the term, with Everton viewing the Italian striker as their most sellable asset to help generate additional funds for summer arrivals.

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Bernard, a rumoured target for Real Betis under Manuel Pellegrini, is also facing an uncertain future at Goodison Park as he enters into the final year of his £120,000-per-week contract.

Should Everton revive their Danjuma interest?

The Liverpool Echo do not name any players who may be on Everton’s radar to improve Ancelotti’s wide forward options this summer, but a player they have previously been linked with, Danjuma, should be one worth considering despite being right-footed.

The Daily Mail noted in 2019 that the Toffees, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were among a clutch of Premier League clubs tracking Danjuma while the attacker played for Club Brugge before sealing a £13.5m move to Bournemouth.

A string of injuries heavily impacted the Dutch international’s debut campaign at the Vitality Stadium, with Danjuma only making 16 appearances across all competitions as the Cherries were relegated to the Championship.

A hamstring injury again ensured he would miss game time over the winter this term, but Danjuma is absolutely flying in the second-tier now that he is fully fit with eight goals and five assists in his last 10 games to take his tally for the campaign to 14 goals, seven assists.

Of those goals, seven have come with his left foot and seven with his right, despite favouring the latter – only natural left-footer Andre Ayew (13) and centre-forward Adam Armstrong (9) have scored more with their left in the Championship this term, per WhoScored.

Danjuma’s efforts as the Cherries contend for an immediate top-flight return have again attracted Premier League interest, with West Ham and Southampton touted as potential suitors for the 24-year-old livewire.

Brands beating the Hammers and Saints to the punch would see the Blues Director of Football gift Ancelotti a forward Bournemouth boss Jonathan Woodgate considers an “exceptional” talent, and one the Dutchman previously worked with.

Brands told NRC back in 2018 that he let Danjuma leave PSV Eindhoven while at the Eredivisie giants, after he requested to be allowed to join Club Brugge after failing to establish himself in the first-team at the Philips Stadion.

PSV’s loss is now proving to be to Bournemouth’s gain, but for how much longer he remains in red-and-black remains to be seen. Especially if Brands were to revive Everton’s interest amid Ancelotti’s search for a new wide forward this summer.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti set to make shrewd Everton appointment with “hugely popular” coach…

Many Liverpool fans have been left to laud the display of Curtis Jones for the England U21s in their 2-1 win over Croatia on Wednesday evening.

The central midfield player put in a solid performance overall, managing to get himself on the scoresheet, although it was not enough for Aidy Boothroyd’s team who were sent crashing out at the group stages of the European Championships.

Jones managed to win three of his duels in the game, as well as completing one successful dribble, one clearance, two key passes, one accurate cross and one long ball, earning him a very decent 7.4 rating on Sofascore, the joint-highest out of any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch.

The 20-year-old did get himself sent off after the final whistle after a tussle with a Croatian player, but that showed just how much it meant for him to play for his country.

Liverpool fans on Jones display

These members of the Anfield faithful lauded his performance on Twitter, with one Reds supporter even going as far as to call him an ‘absolute baller’:

“Great to see Curtis Jones playing well for the under 21s. I still think he’s a better midfielder than some in England’s first-team squad! #CROENG #LFC”

Credit: @MattGibbsOnAir

“Curtis Jones showing why he’s one of the best young English talents! #CROENG #U21EURO #LFC”

Credit: @BeingSpoken

“Great goal from Curtis Jones for the England U21s #lfc”

Credit: @davidc98

“Curtis Jones is an absolute baller #lfc #EuroU21 #ENGU21”

Credit: @tomalston_

“That’s a brilliant finish from Curtis Jones #CROENG”

Credit: @dbrindle_

“Curtis Jones!!! Get in lad what a hit. Class this is why you start him Aidy #CROENG #U21EURO”

Credit: @Haych_K

In other news, find out what news James Pearce has relayed on one LFC star has left Kopites fuming here!

Glasgow Rangers defender Leon Balogun has slammed UEFA and FIFA amid the racism row involving Glen Kamara.

Balogun slams governing bodies

During the Gers’ 2-0 defeat to Slavia Prague at Ibrox in their Europa League round of 16 second leg, Kamara was the subject of alleged racist abuse from Ondrej Kudela.

Slavia have moved to deny those allegations (slavia.cz), while Kamara has released a statement backing up his claim. Speaking to German publication Kicker, Balogun has slammed the governing bodies’ lack of action, as he said:

“What is missing: That UEFA or FIFA will take action. I am no longer interested in these wretched campaigns. That is all well and good, but the campaign content must also be lived authentically and must not remain just empty words. Designing captain’s armbands with the label “No Racism” is of no use if racist incidents are not punished again in the end. I have the feeling that “People of Color” are used to promote the supposedly cosmopolitan and inclusive values ​​of the FIFA and UEFA brands. But when it is precisely these players that are attacked, far too often people are silent. I would like the expensive campaigns to be followed by action.”

Hard to disagree

It is hard to disagree with Balogun – it feels as though there is a distinct lack of desire from both UEFA and FIFA to make real strides in the battle against racism. Incredibly, the £80,000 fine Nicklas Bendtner received for showing Paddy Power on his boxer shorts at Euro 2012 was higher than all but one punishment dished out by UEFA for racism offences in the previous decade (inews.co.uk).

While campaigns such as Say No to Racism and even kneeling as part of the Black Lives Matters movement might raise a certain amount of awareness to the cause, it is nowhere near enough to eradicate this issue. UEFA and FIFA must both do more in this fight rather than hoping the problem goes away.

In other news, Rangers eye this defender as Filip Helander is linked with a move away from Ibrox.

West Ham are leading the race to sign Sam Johnstone this summer, according to emerging reports…

What’s the word?

That’s according to ESPN, who claim that the Irons are the front-runners to land the coveted West Brom goalkeeper due to manager David Moyes previously working with the 28-year-old at Manchester United.

The Red Devils are also said to be interested in bringing him back to the club. with David de Gea’s future in doubt, whilst Spurs are thought to be admirers, too.

Albion are said to value their no.1 shot-stopper at around £18m after an impressive season between the sticks for the Midlands strugglers.

An eye on the future?

It wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see Moyes sign a new gloveman in the summer as by the time the new season swings around, first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will be 36 and his backup, Darren Randolph, will be 34.

Despite his side possessing the worst defensive record in the Premier League, Johnstone has actually been a commanding presence in goal for the Baggies and without him, they’d probably be officially relegated already. At 6 foot 4, he has proven to be one of the division’s best shot-stoppers – hardly a surprise given they face so many attempts each game.

As per FBRef, the £32.5k-per-week Hawthorns star makes 4.27 saves per 90 minutes, the most in the Premier League. And his success-rate of 71.2% ranks slightly ahead of Moyes’ current no.1 (68.5%).

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Johnstone has earned high praise throughout the campaign, as a result of his fine performances.

“He’s one of the best [goalkeepers],” explained manager Sam Allardyce to talkSPORT. Whilst Glenn Hoddle told the Evening Standard: “I have seen him four times this year and he has been outstanding.”

He has kept some big names at bay with his imposing stature between the sticks, too – mooted Irons target Danny Ings couldn’t score past him despite two shots, and in that game, Johnstone rated as SofaScore’s top player and similarly, not even Edinson Cavani could find the net either, with the shot-stopper among Albion’s best-performers again.

Recently he was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad but did not feature on the pitch, though that is an encouraging sign for him ahead of this summer’s European Championships.

Also lauded as a “diamond” to work with by Steve Bruce, Johnstone would be an interesting candidate to push Fabianski and become Moyes’ next first-choice.

It’s a move that former Hammers man Frank McAvennie would like to see happen too. Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast this week, he said: “I think it would be really good business,” before adding: “It’s right up West Ham’s street.”

GSB, Moyes and the club should absolutely seal a swoop for Johnstone this summer. At £18m, it could prove to be a steal.

AND in other news, West Ham could find perfect Rice replacement in “exceptional” £30m-rated beast…

Steve Bull has exclusively told Football FanCast that Patrick Bamford could be England’s “wildcard” for this summer’s European Championships.

Despite scoring just one Premier League goal during spells with Burnley, Norwich, Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough, the Leeds striker has taken been in scintillating form for the Elland Road outfit from the get-go this term.

Bamford has struck 14 times in the league this season, including goals against Liverpool, Chelsea and Leicester, with Harry Kane the only player in Gareth Southgate’s current squad to have scored more than the former Chelsea man.

Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who’ve netted 10, 12, and 14 respectively were all named in the recent squad for World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland, with Bamford once more overlooked.

However, like he was at the 1990 World Cup, Bull told Football FanCast that Bamford could be England’s secret weapon for the finals:

“I think he’s learning, he’s only a baby in football. He knows where the net is, he’ll shoot from anywhere.

“It’s the same as Watkins, one of them might go as a wildcard.

“They took me to the World Cup as a wildcard, nobody knew who I was. Whether they know Bamford or Watkins or not, one of those two could be the surprise coming off the bench and say ‘come and grab us a goal’.”

Celtic interim boss John Kennedy has cleared up any confusion regarding a possible exit for Karamoko Dembele this summer.

The Lowdown: Dembele rumours

Dembele, 18, netted his first senior goal for the Hoops in a 4-0 win over St Johnstone on Wednesday evening.

The winger was linked with a summer exit back in January, with former Celtic man Mark Wilson adamant Dembele would move on at the end of the current campaign.

French sides Lille and Nantes were thought to be keen on the youngster’s services, and, at the time, it was believed his deal was set to expire at the end of the season.

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The Latest: Kennedy confirms length of contract

However, talking after the win over St Johnstone, as reported by The Scottish Sun, Kennedy cleared up Dembele’s contract situation, describing the teenager as ‘terrific’ in the process.

“There is a lot of speculation in terms of Karamoko being out of contract in the summer.

“I don’t know where that has come from because he has another year left.

“In terms of him, again a young player and every young player has a different pathway.

“Karamoko has been spoken about as the next superstar, but people develop physically at different rates.

“He is probably one who still has a bit of development, but is a terrific talent — we know that.

“It’s not a token gesture [his substitute appearance], he has done well in training recently.”

The Verdict: Gives Hoops vital time

With Dembele actually having another 12 months on his Celtic deal left to run, that may give the Hoops the time required to persuade him his long-term future lies in Glasgow.

He’s only made seven senior appearances for the club to date, and you’d expect he’d have to be guaranteed more game time for him to pen a new deal at Parkhead.

With sides in France recently keen and Kennedy admitting he has been spoken about as a ‘superstar’, the next 12 months for Celtic could prove crucial in regards to ensuring his future is with the Bhoys.

That said, a fresh faced new arrival in the dugout – one like Eddie Howe perhaps – could be just what he needs to really kickstart his career in Glasgow.

In other news: Celtic keen on versatile ace who could move to Parkhead for next to nothing, find out more here.

Leeds could be set for a huge boost with the news that Stuart Dallas is set for a new contract at Elland Road.

What’s the story?

The Northern Ireland international has been a revelation all season, and since moving into central midfield in recent weeks, has added a goal-scoring touch to his game too, including a match-winning brace against Manchester City.

Now, Football Insider claim that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are set to enter into negotiations with Dallas’ representatives at the end of the Premier League season about a new deal as they look to reward him for his fine form.

Dallas’ current contract has another two years to run, but “United are keen to reward him with an extension and pay hike”.

Bielsa will be buzzing

Given just how consistent Dallas has been all season, news that he’s set to be rewarded with a new contract at the end of the season will be music to the ears of both Bielsa and the club’s supporters.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay made it clear just how good he has been, saying: “I went for Dallas as Player of the Year last season as well. I’ve almost run out of things to say about him. He’s like the T-1000 from Terminator. Tell him to be a goalkeeper and he turns himself into one (without indiscriminately killing people at the same time).”

With his ability to play virtually anywhere across the pitch, Dallas is an absolute manager’s dream, and it’s no surprise that Bielsa himself has made it clear just how much he rates him.

He said: “I had a player like Dallas before in Javier Zanetti, and Julio Saldana when I had my first experience of management at Newell’s Old Boys. Those two players are very like Dallas in terms of their versatility.

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“Dallas is a very potent, powerful player and can play with either foot. In the majority of the games that the team has played, he has been one of our best players.”

A new deal for Leeds’ footballing version of a Swiss Army knife will have Bielsa absolutely buzzing.

Meanwhile, Leeds could finally wave goodbye to this £9m-rated “massive flop”…

Queens Park Rangers are back in Championship action tonight as they will look to build on their impressive victory last time out.

Three days ago, Mark Warburton’s side dispatched Sheffield Wednesday with a rampant performance, and another three points away to Rotherham United could see them move into ninth place.

However, the Hoops manager has plenty to ponder in terms of team selection, so here’s our predicted line-up as well as the latest team and injury news from west London…

There could be just two changes from the side which beat the Owls 4-1 on Saturday afternoon as Warburton looks to deal with the quick turnaround in matches.

Club captain Geoff Cameron was absent at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium three days ago and is likely to be missing here once again, so a back three of Yoann Barbet, Jordy de Wijs and Rob Dickie should remain unchanged in front of coveted shot-stopper Seny Dieng.

However, the first alteration comes at right wing-back as usual first-choice Todd Kane earns a chance at redemption, having lost his place to 23-year-old Osman Kakay in recent outings.

Kane had been a key player, starting 24 league games, before being dropped against Coventry three games ago. The versatile Kakay may have to settle for a place on the bench, whilst Lee Wallace continues on the left flank.

West Brom loanee Sam Field has struggled for game-time and hasn’t truly impressed when given the chance, managing an average WhoScored rating of just 6.70 (10th best at QPR), so he could be the other change this evening.

It means there would be a recall for Dominic Ball to partner Stefan Johansen in the middle. The 25-year-old has started 25 matches in the league, 18 more than Field, so the R’s look set to welcome one of the manager’s favourites back to the line-up.

In the absence of the suspended Charlie Austin, target man Lyndon Dykes delivered a masterclass against the Owls, bagging a brace. That will please Warburton and should mean he has nothing to worry about in the absence of the other Baggies loanee.

The Scot likely to be deployed at centre-forward, with Ilias Chair and Chris Willock the main sources of creativity behind him once again.

AND in other news, Forget Amos: This Hoops sensation stole the show on Saturday…