Alan Smith’s Expert Analysis: FA Cup Quarter-Final Predictions & Transfer Analysis

Arne Slot’s Future

I don’t see Liverpool sacking their manager mid-season or during the season. If there’s a decision to be made, it will be at the end, I think. Maybe a lot will rest on whether they qualify for the Champions League again. But, as champions, as the holders to finish, say, fifth would be a massive come down, a really poor season. So I don’t know, even if they finish in the Champions League spot, maybe that wouldn’t be enough.

As I’ve said before, Liverpool historically has been very loyal to managers. They’re not trigger-happy. So it’s been an underwhelming season, hasn’t it? But I’m not quite sure what they’ll do.

Salah’s Next Move

I mean, it’s been a massive fall in terms of his performances. I think he can certainly play better. I think he can perform at the highest level. Maybe sometimes you just need a change, a change of club. He is not going to go to another club at Liverpool’s level, I don’t think. So we’ll wait and see on that. But it’s weird, really, the way his form dropped off a cliff. And you wonder why that was. He definitely needs a move.

Liam Rosenior Experiment

Not gone great, has it? To me, looking from the outside, it doesn’t look like the right fit. A big jump for him from the Strasbourg results. So again, what will the hierarchy be thinking? If he carries on like this, you’d struggle to see him in charge next season.

Arsenal Rotation Options

Max Dowman, I suppose, is the obvious one that comes to mind. He started against Mansfield in the previous round, so I don’t see why he wouldn’t start this. People like Havertz to get another game, scored for Germany the other night, so that’s promising. Maybe Miles Lewis-Skelly, who I don’t see being at Arsenal next season, but for him personally, maybe it’s a good chance for him to get some more game time. Marli Salmon, as well, young lad playing against Mansfield.

These kinds of players that haven’t had much of a share, obviously, Max Dowman’s coming to the fore, but those other lads, and Havertz is different, but those other lads, it’s a good chance to get some game time.

Bouncing Back from Cup Final Defeat

It could be a tough game, but these are hard to predict, aren’t they? Because Southampton might make wholesale changes. It’s all about getting in the playoffs for them, you’d imagine, isn’t it? But for Arsenal, you want to bounce back straight away. But in comparison to Sporting Lisbon next Tuesday and then Bournemouth at home in the Premier League the following weekend, this is the third most important. You want to regain that momentum, so they must bounce back.

Joel Piroe Struggling

He’ll obviously be unhappy that he’s not been able to get in that first team, and when he has, he’s not done well enough. So, he might think, well, maybe it’s time to move. And perhaps the club might think something similar. You’d think he’s proved himself at Championship level. I think there’ll be some clubs in that division that would certainly look at him. Daniel Farke might start to look elsewhere now to bolster that attacking area.

Relegation Battle Preview

I don’t think it’ll count for much at all, really. As I said earlier, you’d imagine both sides will make quite a few changes. It’s all about staying in the division. They’ll have more than half an eye on the following weekend’s fixtures. So, I don’t think you’ll be able to read too much into it. Great if you can win, and then you’re at Wembley, aren’t you, in the semis? I don’t think it’ll have any bearing on the league fixture.

Newcastle Striker Situation

I mean, Gordon’s done well, hasn’t he? But when you’ve brought in two strikers in Wissa and Woltemade, and neither can hold down that spot at the moment, it’s not ideal. Players like Luis Suarez, who have been linked, he’s 28, he’s been around the block. I don’t see that really as an option. Also, the fact that they’ve spent so much money on Woltemade and Wissa.

Certainly, with Wissa, he’s had injuries, and I hope that after a pre-season, he can show his Brentford form. Woltemade is a little bit different, but I don’t see them spending big money on another striker, to be honest.

Roberto De Zerbi at Spurs

First of all, the five-year contract amazes me. The fact that he’s never stayed at clubs for anything like that long. He can be a combustible character who falls out with people. And for Spurs, it’s all about the short term. So it seems that De Zerbi wanted the longer contract. I mean, why wouldn’t you? He’s on great money by the sound of it.

But I think Lewis Dunk said it took a while at Brighton for De Zerbi to get his ideas across. Well, it’s not about that, is it, in the last seven games? It’s about fighting, biting, scratching, and doing everything to get the points on the board. It’s not about tactics. So he’s got to go in there and motivate. That’s the job for him in the short term.

Spurs Relegation

I wouldn’t like to see them go down. I mean, I really wouldn’t. The North London derby is a great occasion. On the flippant side, lately it’s been six points for Arsenal, so that’s been great. But I’d like to see them stay up. They’re a big club. And as I say, those derbies are great. I know a lot of Arsenal fans, of course, would love it if they went down. But I don’t feel quite the same way.

Jaidon Anthony at Burnley

I mean, it’s never easy, is it, for a player in any position to shine when you’re losing most matches. Jaidon Anthony has done well. I mean, I don’t think he’s done well enough that there’ll be a clamour of clubs after his services. Everton and Fulham, who are linked, Everton, Grealish will go back to Man City, probably. I’m talking about the left-hand side. But they’ve got Iliman Ndiaye, who’s a good player, a very talented boy. Fulham have Oscar Bobb playing on the left.

I think maybe with Jaidon Anthony, you’d look at the promoted clubs. Maybe they would have a look and think, well, he’s done quite well in the Premier League. He’s made the step up. He could be for us.

Kaoru Mitoma Future

I don’t see his level being really beyond Brighton’s. I mean, he’s 28 with a bit of an njury record. He did well last night, against England, so that doesn’t harm his cause. And he is a good player, there’s no question. But I don’t see kind of a top-five club looking at him. And then again, the age thing works against him really.