Harvey Elliott close to Liverpool starting spot as West Ham nail it again – Europa League and Europa Conference League hits and misses | Football News

Classy Elliott close to Liverpool starting spot

It feels as if there may be one place up for grabs in Liverpool’s three-participant midfield. New signings Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have their spots secured – so why cannot Harvey Elliott take the opposite?

Watching him towards LASK, you surprise why the midfielder has not began extra within the Premier League beneath Jurgen Klopp, with Elliot used simply as soon as from the off since August.

No participant created extra probabilities than Elliott towards the Austrian facet on Thursday evening, whereas he ended the sport with probably the most accomplished ultimate third passes.

The 20-12 months-previous made Liverpool’s proper flank unattainable to play towards, including extra risk to Mohamed Salah’s sport whereas even making makeshift proper-again Joe Gomez – who equalled Elliott for probabilities created towards LASK – look harmful.

Yes, this was solely LASK – who gave Elliott the time and house to damage their defence by enjoying so aggressively towards Klopp’s facet. But the Liverpool midfielder has proven extra glimpses of high quality than simply this Europa League sport.

There have been the stylish, late assists away at Luton and Wolves – whereas he has 5 targets and two assists in 5 England U21 qualifying video games. Elliott is definitely knocking on the door.
Sam Blitz

Hammers nail it in Europe again

West Ham have been removed from their greatest in Serbia but discovered a approach to win again. It’s a knack they’ve mastered in Europe.

Tomas Soucek’s late winner meant they’ve scored in 20 successive European video games, successful 18 and dropping simply as soon as. Only Real Madrid can match West Ham’s report in Europe because the begin of the 2021-22 season.

They had only one shot on the right track – seven in whole – till Soucek pounced on the finish of a dismal group efficiency at Group A’s rock-backside facet. West Ham solely managed fewer pictures towards Gent in these 20 video games.

They are a now level away from reaching the Europa League final 16 having already secured knockout soccer in Europe for a 3rd consecutive season.

“Sometimes it’s good to win a game late,” stated David Moyes. It’s good to win when enjoying badly too. That’s two in two video games after their turnaround at Burnley.

The feeling round this West Ham group is they’re but to attain their potential. Perhaps they’ll attain it on the best way to one other European trophy.
David Richardson

Villa strengthening however Watkins is a fear

Alex Moreno has had to be affected person in ready for the appropriate second for his return, having been an unused substitute in every of Aston Villa’s earlier 4 video games prior to his spectacular impression towards Legia Warsaw. It was becoming that he scored the winner.

The nature of it was shocking – a proper-footed volley. He didn’t even rating a aim for Villa final season when he was establishing himself as the group’s best choice out on the left. Lucas Digne has deputised nicely however having a match and in-type Moreno will assist Unai Emery.

So too will targets from Moussa Diaby. The onus was on him within the absence of Ollie Watkins and the ahead made an impression virtually immediately with the opening aim at Villa Park. The Frenchman has been implausible since signing from Bayer Leverkusen in the summertime.

His tempo is clear however his contact in scoring his fourth aim of the season was excellent too. Emery will need to see extra of that. His solely targets since scoring on his debut have come towards Luton and Burnley. But Diaby is able to being a scorer as nicely as a provider.

That could possibly be wanted if Watkins just isn’t prepared for the weekend. At least Jhon Duran had minutes. “It is important to get players feeling in good rhythm to help us,” stated Emery. “If he continues in this way he can show us his potential.” But Villa nonetheless want their fundamental man.
Adam Bate

Hinshelwood heading in the right direction to be Brighton’s subsequent massive factor

In making his European debut towards AEK Athens, Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood grew to become the youngest English participant to begin a Europa League match since Jude Bellingham.

In truth, the Brighton teenager was precisely the identical age as the now-Real Madrid midfielder – 18 years and 233 days previous – when Bellingham set that report in February 2022.

Many Brighton followers wouldn’t have had Hinshelwood of their starting group on Thursday evening – particularly after the 18-12 months-previous gave away a penalty at Nottingham Forest final weekend whereas enjoying in an unnatural left-again function.

But regardless of having James Milner match again as a left-again choice, Hinshelwood was given a giant present of religion by Roberto De Zerbi by placing him in defence again – and it paid off.

Against AEK, {the teenager} gained extra possessions within the center and defensive third (4 and 5) than any of the gamers on the pitch. De Zerbi gave Hinshelwood reward at full-time.

“Jack Hinshelwood is a top player, already a top player,” he stated. “Because he plays with personality, courage and leadership – because he’s a leader.

“He’s one other Lewis Dunk, one other Pascal Gross, one other Danny Welbeck or Adam Lallana. He’s unfortunate as a result of I’ve many gamers with spirit, with the appropriate ardour and soul.”

Do not be surprised if the name Jack Hinshelwood is the next big thing to come out of Brighton.
Sam Blitz

Off-colour Rangers miss golden opportunity

On paper, the go to of Aris Limassol to Ibrox was Rangers’ best Group C fixture. It couldn’t have come at a greater time both with Philippe Clement’s facet needing a win to safe their place within the Europa League knockout rounds.

But the course of soccer qualification by no means does run clean. Aris have proved to be the Gers’ bogey group, dropping within the first fixture in Cyprus and now battling to a 1-1 draw on Thursday that solely will increase the trepidation forward of a tough journey to Real Betis in a fortnight.

Plenty of gamers appeared off-color. Jose Cifuentes and Sam Lammers struggled. Up entrance, Danilo couldn’t fairly discover his efforts on the right track. Incoming centre-backs John Souttar and Ben Davies have been too simply carved open for Aris’ aim.

Todd Cantwell too was deemed to not be enjoying in the appropriate approach, as Clement stated after the sport, and was hooked for Rangers’ new star Ross McCausland within the first half. The 20-12 months-previous was very important in serving to the hosts come away with some extent, and not only for his equaliser alone.

But on the constructive facet, Rangers stay unbeaten beneath their new supervisor and the end result does see them assured of at the very least Europa Conference League soccer in 2024. Even on a off day, they nonetheless managed to come from behind to take some extent.

However, there wants to be an actual enchancment – particularly in assault – if Rangers are to get a lead to Seville to maintain them within the Europa League into the New Year.
Charlotte Marsh