EXCLUSIVE Interview with Dominic Matteo to William HILL

Ex Liverpool and Leeds United and Scotland defender Dominic Matteo talks exclusively to William Hill about the race to win the Premier League and to be promoted from The Championship this season.

The former Reds defender also shares with us who his dream replacement is to replace Jurgen Klopp and that despite Liverpool’s draw at Anfield, they can still in the Premier League this season. Matteo shares with William Hill his praise for the good job of Leeds United Manager Daniel Farke and keen to point out how important the home form will be for Leeds United for the remainder of the season to ensure they get promoted.

Dominic Matteo discusses the Manchester United versus Liverpool result and the impact on the title race

I don’t think this will impact the title race a lot. The three teams are separated by one point so it’s all to play for. Liverpool and Man City have been there before, and Arsenal are the unknown quantity having been close last year as well. It’s too hard to call right now, but we are in for an incredible climax to the League season.

The performance by Liverpool against Manchester United was typical of some previous games where offensively Liverpool have created plenty of chances and have to convert them to put the game to bed early. Yesterday was the prime example of that with Liverpool dominating the first half and should have gone in 2 or 3 nil up at half time. But if you don’t take your chances then you are always liable to concede. Liverpool can’t keep relying on Van Dijk to perform at a very high level defensively, the others need to step up now. Fair play to Manchester United who scored good goals, but Liverpool’s defence has to improve for them to win the title. Plus, Liverpool must be more clinical in font of goal. They have some tricky away games coming up against Everton especially, so must kill the game off and not let teams back in. Attacking wise Liverpool have the potential to be ruthless and they must now show this in the run in. They dominate games and can’t let teams back into games once they go ahead. Klopp will be telling them about this as it’s crucial to have some comfortable games.

For Manchester United they took their chances very well in the second half and credit to them for playing an excellent second half, but the first half they were there for the taking, but Liverpool failed to properly cpitalise.

Looking at the title race, Arsenal are so solid defensively, they look to be in this race for the distance this year and Man City know what they need to do at this time of the season. Their run in is easier on paper, so I make them just favourites for the league, but you know my heart says Liverpool will manage to get the job done.

Dominic Matteo shares his dream Klopp replacement

For me it has to be Ange Postecoglou at Spurs. He plays the right style of Football which would be suited at Liverpool, and I don’t think the nature of the job would get to him. I’ve been impressed with this first season at Spurs, the way he deals with the media and the way his team plays on the front foot. He seems to be an excellent man manager which is needed at this high level of the game, and He can deal with the pressure, plus has won silverware. It seems Alonso has chosen to not pursue the job at this stage of his career and De Zerbi is another Manager on the list who could be available.

Dominic Matteo shares his view on Manchester United’s Scott McTominay and how important he is for Scotland in Euro 2024.

I’m a massive fan of Scott McTominay. He has loads of energy and he would be in my team. He’s a loyal guy and has shown this season for Manchester United that he can score goals and drive the team forward. He must have more game time as if this is restricted, it could be best for him to move on.

With the current situation at Manchester United, you need players in midfield who have legs and want to play for the team and have passion to succeed. McTominay has shown this for Scotland that he is capable of playing against the best and competing as he showed against Spain, so he can be pivotal to Manchester United in the future as he will be for Scotland at Euro2024.

The evidence is there that Scott can play at a high level as he was excellent for Scotland throughout the qualification campaign for Scotland and against Spain he shone more than anyone. He has a massive future in the game and Manchester United will be mad to not have him as part of their plans.

Dominic Matteo shares his view if Leeds were to miss out on automatic promotion, would they still be favourites to go up in the play-offs? ⁠

Yes, I think so. Defensively Leeds have been solid with Rondon and Ampadu and at home they are in outstanding form and I don’t see anyone coming to Leeds and getting a result and with the noise of a home play-off game, Leeds can get the job done. In the final third Leeds have so much quality, they won’t rest until the Premier League is secured. However, I do feel Leeds will make it up automatically as they have too much quality with James, Summerville and Bamford who can deal with any pressure that comes their way.

Dominic Matteo shares his view on Kalvin Phillips being linked with a move back to his former club Leeds United

Gruev, Kamara and Rutter have impressed me this season, but the Premier League is a step up. I believe these three talented players can do well in the Premier League, but it’s so important to have a deep squad. Kalvin Phillips was superb for Leeds, he gave everything and it showed in his performances which got him an England call up and becoming a hugely valuable member of the England squad. Since the move to Manchester City, Phillips hasn’t played al lot and this isn’t good for the type of player Phillips is. He needs to be playing regularly and this hasn’t been the case. It’s all well being part of Manchester City set up, but Phillips needs game time. The loan to West Ham isn’t going as he would have wished and a move back to Leeds United could be a welcome one, for him to regain his confidence, match fitness and be part of a team where the fans will be on side when he puts in the type of performances he gave in his first spell.

Dominic Matteo discusses what Leeds United will have to change to stay up if they get promoted to the Premier League

Firstly, Daniel Farke is doing a brilliant job at Leeds. He has huge experience in the Championship, and I have no doubt he will ensure promotion for Leeds. Home form is key and can be the key to the rest of the season. Next season in the Premier League, Leeds will have to learn from the last time they were in the division. Defensively they were too open, they were conceded too many chances and giving away too many opportunities.

It’s so important to have a solid foundation and this is possible. Concentration is key. With games going 98+ minutes, it’s so vital to stay in the zone until the final whistle as Leeds may not have a lot of the ball, so concentration is so important. Attacking wise, Leeds have a good set of talented players, but will have to invest in a deeper squad. But the home fans will give them a big help. Being clinical is also so important as chances in games may be at a premium. Finally, home form in the Premier League is important to get off to a solid start. Leeds must do better at home and then this helps grow confidence to get points on the road.

Finally, Dominic Mattero shares his view on John Eustace as Blackburn Head Coach and whether he is the right man to lead Blackburn forward.

Absolutely yes. I know John Eustace well from playing with him. He is the right person for Blackburn and can most definitely take them forward. Survival in the Championship should be very achievable now and then Eustace can plan for next season, where I suspect, he will look to push Blackburn up the table. John has high standards, a top guy to be around and gets his message across well to players. He is a clever Coach; he is young, and I believe he can go far in the game.

What happened at Birmingham City was sad to see as John was doing a great job. You can see what happened to Birmingham City since he left which proves that he had all the players on side and had a clear plan of how we wanted his team to play.

John is a fair guy and will get his message across to the players and this showed with Blackburn’s recent results, with a 5-1 win at Sunderland, following by a creditable 0-0 draw against promotion chasing Southampton. Should John be given the tool to progress, I believe Blackburn can challenge for the play-offs next season.

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