Former Blackpool striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher has stated that former Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is “nowhere near” Virgil van Dijk, and is the “same level as [Martin] Skrtel.”
Taylor-Fletcher played 32 Premier League games in his career, mostly coming in the 2010/11 season with Blackpool. The Englishman scored five goals and provided seven assists that season.

Most of his goal contributions came in the last three games of the campaign – he assisted in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham, then assisted three goals during a sensational 4-3 victory against Bolton, and scored in a 4-2 loss to United on the final day.
Vidic captained the Red Devils that day, and was taken off late in the second half.
Taylor-Fletcher suggests he had the better of the centre-back, and he believes Vidic is not close to the level of some of the Premier League’s best ever.
“Yeah and I tore him apart twice for Blackpool in 2010/11 season,” he said on X.
“He was no where near levels of [Rio] Ferdinand, [John] Terry & VVD [Virgil van Dijk].
“He was the same level as Skrtel. Solid good player. Not elite.”
The Vidic debate is one that crops up often, and many have suggested he’s not at the same level of some of the best defenders in Premier League history, with examples such as him being dominated by Fernando Torres being used against him.


Vidic was certainly not at the same level as his usual centre-back partner Rio Ferdinand, and the fact injuries hindered him from playing many full seasons at Old Trafford also counts against him.
The view that he is not at the level of the likes of Terry and Van Dijk seems a fair one given their contributions to honours for their respective clubs – Vidic obviously contributed to United’s success, but not as much as the players around him.
That said, Taylor-Fletcher’s Blackpool side lost both games to United in the 2010/11 season and he scored one goal, so while the striker’s analysis of the defender’s status might not be far wide of the mark, to say he tore him apart seems a bit of a stretch.
READ MORE: Big Weekend: Manchester United v Liverpool, Chelsea, Dubravka, Forest’s Prem six-pointer

Klopp says ‘sorry’ to referee after Liverpool star was given special treatment – ‘I told him don’t defend’

Jurgen Klopp told Liverpool star Mo Salah “not to defend” late on against Sparta Prague despite the manager joking that he’s “never told a player that before.”
The Egypt international netted in the 6-1 Europa League demolition of Sparta Prague to bring up his 20th goal of the season to become the first player in the club’s history to reach that mark in seven successive campaigns.
“In seven years together with him, the one problem we never had was consistency,” Klopp told reporters after the Liverpool standout’s first start since New Year’s Day after a hamstring injury.
“Mo is just delivering and delivering and delivering, his desire doesn’t stop, his quality is there and his desire to score doesn’t stop.
“He has improved in so many aspects since he started here. That’s how it is, he will not stop.
“I’m less surprised than maybe some others, I thought it had already happened to be honest but he was injured for a while, otherwise he would have done it in January or February.
“But great, very good, and great to have him back.”
READ MORE: Salah breaks another record as Liverpool gratefully feast on silly Sparta Prague’s generous gifts
Salah also provided two assists for Bobby Clark and Cody Gakpo, who scored twice, with Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai also on target.
Related video: “I told Salah not to defend!” -Liverpool striker plays 90 minutes (AS USA)

more that's different on Sunday.

He completed his first 90 minutes in two months but Klopp admitted he had wanted to rest him earlier.
“It was not the plan he plays 90 minutes, the plan was to take him off when we brought on Mateusz (Musialowski) but Bobby Clark said (he felt something) and Mo is experienced enough that he recovers during the game.
“I told him not to defend any more – I never told a player that before.”
Liverpool progressed to the quarter-finals 11-2 on aggregate after an early blitz ruled out any remote hopes of a comeback from the Czech champions.
“The boys started the game incredibly well and 4-0 up in 14 minutes is really strange. From then on it became a strange game because how can you now stay greedy?” said Klopp.
Regarding the incident which earned him a yellow card, he said:
“Actually the thing is we wanted to change and the fourth official was showing it but the ref let the game go on and then we get the yellow card (for Quansah),” he shared.

“The yellow card wasn’t the problem, I was afraid Conor Bradley could get injured in that situation and that’s what clicked a little bit in my mind.
“I told the ref after the game the yellow card was fine. I was calm before and calm after, just in that little moment I lost it a little bit. Sorry.”
Sparta boss Brian Priske accepted his side had been totally outclassed.
“Big respect to Liverpool how they played these two legs, the level from Sparta to Liverpool is massive. It is a completely different level,” he said.
“We never faced something like this. Liverpool is a Champions League team and they should be playing in the Champions League.”

Mbappe: France boss Deschamps gives sarcastic response to PSG benching of Real Madrid-bound star

France manager Didier Deschamps gave a sarcastic response to questions about Paris Saint-Germain benching Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe.
Since it emerged he would be leaving PSG at the end of the season a free transfer, the France international’s game time has been severely reduced.

Kylian Mbappe sees minutes cut after PSG exit reveal

Mbappe has not started in two of their last four Ligue 1 matches, although he is still undroppable in the Champions League, in which he scored twice in against Real Sociedad in their last-16 clash earlier this month.
The forward’s next destination has not been officially announcement but widespread reports indicate that Real Madrid will be the lucky beneficiary of his services.
And Deschamps reacted sarcastically to a question on PSG’s management of Mbappe, he replied: “It’s super, magnificent.”
“Given the number of games he has played… the element of freshness in a big competition is key. It’s good that they have game time, but playing every three days… there will be fatigue. I am not at all worried about Kylian’s rhythm. These are the manager’s choices.”
READ MORE: The ridiculous stats of Kylian Mbappe: more Champions League goals than Salah and Drogba
Related video: PSG fans choose who is better than Mbappe (GOAL)

After expressing a lack of concern over Mbappe’s minutes, Deschamps added: “But he could give a bit more game time to [Randal] Kolo Muani.”
Despite rumours of interest from Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and other clubs around Europe, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed last month that Mbappe is “only in talks with Real Madrid”.
Romano told Caught Offside towards the end of February: “It’s now coming to the end of the Kylian Mbappe saga, but many of you have asked me in the last few days if he’s already signed his contract with Real Madrid.
“There have been different reports on this from France and Spain and elsewhere, but let me clarify – I respect all the reports, everyone has their own information and this is absolutely normal – from what I’m told Mbappe has informed PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi that he’s not staying at the club, and then informed his teammates, but a formal contract with Real Madrid is not signed yet.

“Mbappe is only in talks with Real Madrid, despite some claims that he’s also had approaches from the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal. My understanding is that he’s not talking with anyone but Real Madrid, though there are still some details to clarify before he signs the contract. Still, it’s only details, with the deal now really advanced and approaching the final stages.
“Mbappe informing PSG of his decision to leave was a crucial moment in this saga, and again he will inform them when he’s signed his contract with Real Madrid. In that moment, the player and the Ligue 1 club will make an official announcement together. There has been no statement from anyone yet because I’m told that that will happen once Mbappe formally signs the contract with Real Madrid. They are waiting for that step.
“For Real Madrid, it is not clear yet when they will announce the deal, we’ll have to see. I’m aware there have been some reports that this deal won’t be announced until it’s clear the two clubs can’t meet each other in the Champions League this season, but I don’t have that confirmed, there’s still no clarity on this until Mbappe signs his contract, but it’s getting to a very advanced stage, so time to be patient.”

Man Utd prediction branded ‘stupid’ as Sutton tips Liverpool to triumph – ‘no doubt about it’

Chris Sutton has stated Liverpool will beat Manchester United this weekend “no doubt about it” as he told a friend “not to be so stupid” when suggesting the Red Devils would triumph.
Recent form ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final tie between the rivals is on the Reds’ side. Of their last six meetings in all competitions, Liverpool have won four.

In those victories, they’ve scored 20 goals. United did beat Jurgen Klopp’s side in August 2022, and held them to a 0- draw in their last meeting.
In terms of FA Cup meetings, the Red Devils are the last winners of the fixture – they beat Liverpool 3-2 in the 2020/21 competition.
In any case, Sutton has suggested it’s not wise to predict anything other than a Reds win.
“A friend of mine told me he thought Manchester United would win this tie. I told him not to be so stupid,” he told BBC Sport.
“United have dug deep and got some good results against Liverpool in recent years – for example, they beat them 2-1 at Old Trafford at the start of last season, when I didn’t give them a chance that day either.
“I know United fans might be getting excited about their 0-0 draw at Anfield earlier this season too – with what felt like about 2 per cent possession.
Related video: Why Manchester United Wants Dan Ashworth So Badly (Dailymotion)

“But Liverpool are getting key players like Mohamed Salah back to full fitness and if they turn up and perform like they did in the second half against Manchester City last weekend, then they are going to win – no doubt about it.”
Sutton believes United will be boosted by the return of Rasmus Hojlund, who’s now on 13 goals for the season after a slow start, yet he still believes Liverpool will have too much for them.
“There is some good news for United because their striker Rasmus Hojlund is going to be back from injury, and starting the game by all accounts,” Sutton added.
“That is massive for them and gives them a far greater chance of getting through, but if Liverpool are anywhere near their best they will still have too much for them.”
For all their success in other competitions, other than when they won the FA Cup in 2021/22, the Reds have not managed to get past the quarter-final stage since 2014/15, so it’ll be a big result for them if they can get past United.
READ MORE: The full list of every Liverpool academy graduate Jurgen Klopp has given a debut to

Arsenal’s route to Champions League Final after quarter-final draw

Arsenal will face Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals after the draw on Friday.
The Gunners defeated Porto on penalties in the last-16 to progress to the quarters for the first time in 14 years.
And Friday’s draw pitted them against an old foe in Bayern Munich, with former Tottenham star Harry Kane returning to north London in his first season at the German champions.

Well, for them to do it when the club hasn't

But who will Arsenal face in the semi-finals should they beat Bayern?
Here’s all the info needed for Arsenal’s Champions League journey:

What is Arsenal’s route to the Champions League final?

Arsenal face Bayern in the quarter-finals, hosting the first-leg at the Emirates Stadium on 9/10 April.
Bayern will then host Mikel Arteta’s team in the second-leg at the Allianz Arena on 15/17 April.
Whoever wins will then have the daunting prospect of facing either 14-time winners Real Madrid or defending champions Manchester City in the semi-finals.
Arsenal would host the first-leg of the semi-final too if they progress to the final four, with the reverse fixture in Madrid/Manchester.
The semi-finals are due to be played on 30 April/1 May and 7/8 May.
The final is at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1 June. If Arsenal make it, they would be the designated away team.

Full Champions League draw:

Quarter-finals (9/10 April and 16/17 April)
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
PSG vs Barcelona
Semi-finals (30 April/1 May and 7/8 May)
Arsenal/Bayern vs Real Madrid/Manchester City
Atletico/Dortmund vs PSG/Barcelona
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Jordan Henderson reaches new nadir at Ajax as ‘square ball’ merchant gazes longingly at Liverpool

Jordan Henderson is captaining the worst Ajax team this century having earned nothing from a Saudi sojourn which left his reputation in tatters. Meanwhile, Liverpool are on course for a quadruple. You’ve got to laugh.
One of the few silver linings for the neutral as we endure Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour and a potential Liverpool quadruple is the thought of what it’s doing to LGBT+ turncoat Jordan Henderson, whose season went from bad, to better, to worse.

Klopp told Henderson he wanted him to remain at the club but the former Liverpool skipper opted to leave for Saudi Arabia in search of guaranteed football and untold riches.
Unreceived riches, as it turned out, because Henderson didn’t receive a penny of his £350,000-a-week wage from Al Ettifaq, having deferred his wages to avoid UK tax before ripping up his contract with the Saudi Pro League club.
Sympathy was hard to come by after Henderson abandoned his morals to play football in a country that denies human rights to members of the LGBT+ community, having previously been one of their foremost supporters in his time at Anfield.
Having received no money, with his reputation in the toilet, Henderson sought solace at Ajax, understandably desperate to draw a line under his Saudi sojourn.
“I just want to look forward now and concentrate on being the best player I can for Ajax,” he said, insisting “it was never my intention” to “let people down”. So not just greedy, but also ignorant and incredibly naive. But things started off smoothly in the Dutch capital.


His No.6 shirt became the fastest-selling jersey in the club’s history and manager John van ‘t Schip hailed Henderson for his leadership skills and knowledge of when “you have to keep possession of the ball a little longer” after his debut in the 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven. “That boy comes in, brings his experience with him and immediately ensures that everything is back in order,” Wesley Sneijder added.
But what was deemed a show of experience and composure six weeks ago is now seen as tedium and lethargy on the back of one win in his five Eredevisie games since. “They have brought in Jordan Henderson, who passes sideways and backwards all the time. That doesn’t make anyone happy,” Rafael van der Vaart said.
Henderson slammed by pundit
© Provided by Football365
Rafael van der Vaart hasn’t been impressed by Jordan Henderson’s displays for Ajax.
Feelings of discontent towards Ajax, and Henderson in particular, were very apparent in the now captain’s interview after their 2-2 draw at home to Fortuna Sittard, a result which leaves them six points adrift of the top four and European football, on course for their worst league finish since 1999, when Jari Litmanen was their top scorer.

A clearly taken aback Henderson was directly asked: “Was this the worst game of the season since you are here and maybe your worst performance?”. Having said “no, because we didn’t lose” Henderson was then probed over there being “too many square balls”, to which he gave a similar response.
Henderson has won just seven of the 26 games he’s played for Al Ettifaq and Ajax this season, a win percentage of just 27%, compared to Liverpool’s 73% under Klopp this term.
The final twist of the knife for Henderson at the end of this season could be his exclusion from the Euro 2024 squad, though Gareth Southgate’s selection of him even when playing in Saudi Arabia suggests he’s near guaranteed a seat on the plane having returned to Europe. He’s made it for the friendlies.
READ MORE: Kalvin decline: Southgate ignores ‘agreement’ as disastrous West Ham loan costs Phillips his Euros place

Whether he deserves that spot will be a debate that will rage up to and into the summer, with a large section of the Three Lions fanbase hoping either for Ross Barkley’s reinstatement after his remarkable season for Luton, or an early opportunity – of which there will surely be many – for Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo, partly on the basis of football merit, but also in large part because of the disdain for Henderson that he’s brought upon himself.
Liverpool may not have enjoyed such an excellent season had Henderson remained – their midfield rebuild has gone about as well as it could have done – but the England international would surely have enjoyed a bit-part role in what could turn out to be one of the greatest seasons in Liverpool’s history more than his starting spot playing in front of hundreds of nonplussed Al Ettifaq fans and thousands of angry Ajax supporters, as he captains their worst team of the century.
You’ve got to laugh, and we are.