This Is Anfield

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been given a seven-match domestic ban by the Football Association for an alleged racist remark made about team-mate Son Heung-min in a TV interview.

Bentancur was charged by the FA on September 12 with an alleged misconduct breach in relation to a media interview, which emerged in June and showed Bentancur being asked by the host of Canal 10 to show the shirt of a Spurs player.

Former Juventus player Bentancur replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”

While an apology from Bentancur was swiftly forthcoming, due to this being an “aggravated breach”, an independent regulatory commission panel were required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case.

The independent regulatory commission panel upheld the charge and Bentancur is set to sit out Tottenham’s next seven domestic fixtures, but will be able to feature for the club in upcoming Europa League matches with Roma and Rangers.

An FA spokesperson said: “An independent regulatory commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

“It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.

“It was further alleged that this constitutes an “aggravated breach”, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

“Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing.”

A game that might be best remembered for the famous ‘Oh f*** off even Flanagan has scored’ Tweet is one that also triggered tears in the Tottenham dressing room, as Kyle Walker has revealed.

Allow us to take you back to December 15, 2013. Liverpool made the trip to White Hart Lane and put five unanswered goals beyond a hapless Tottenham side.

Luis Suarez scored twice and even Jon Flanagan got himself on the scoresheet in what was Spurs’ worst home defeat in 16 years – they did not even have a shot on target!

Just a day later, manager Andre Villas-Boas was sacked after barely 18 months in charge, and Walker has revealed there was a lot of crying in Tottenham‘s dressing room at the news.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, ‘You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker‘, the ex-Spurs defender conceded the team did not do the Portuguese manager justice.

“I can remember when he left, and I will never forget it,” he said. “I swear to you, I will never, ever forget it. We were sat in the auditorium and we got wind that he was going.

“[Daniel] Levy sacked him, but he was still in the building and we were still ready to train. He came downstairs and started crying in front of us.

“He started crying in front of us, and I remember his assistant was telling him to pull it together. He started crying, I’ve got tears running down my eyes. A lot of the lads had tears.

“Michael Dawson is welling, he can’t stop crying. He’s emotionally crying because that is how much he meant to the lads.

“We probably didn’t do him justice on the pitch because that’s why he got the sack, but for 10-12 men to be crying because the manager has gone, he has done something well in the dressing room.

“Football aside, he’s emotionally connected with us as well. As a team, we probably let him down a bit.”

It was quite the chastening defeat for Tottenham, and just eight years later Villas-Boas would retire from management altogether to assume the role of Porto president, a title he attained this year.

Spurs have had six different permanent managers since Levy sacked Villas-Boas in 2015, plus a handful of caretakers.

The 5-0 drubbing really is a gift that keeps on giving.

Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool are favourites the fill the top three positions in the Premier League this season, but the battle for fourth place could be fascinating.

The 2024/25 campaign is now almost upon us, as Arne Slot looks to hit the ground running as the Reds’ new head coach.

Champions League qualification has to be the primary aim, but they should still fancy themselves to be third at worst, ahead of the likes of Man United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

The question is: how are the quartet being tipped to fare by their own supporters?

Here’s what they had to say…

Man United

Last season: 8th

TIA predicted finish: 5th

Best XI: Onana; Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes; Amad, Rashford, Hojlund

The view from Man United

Kadeem Simmonds (@KadeemSimmonds)

Where Man United will finish: 6th

Where Liverpool will finish: 3rd

Who will win the league? Man City

One player you wish Man United would sign, realistically: Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup.

Advice for visiting fans: Behave and enjoy the match, let’s make it an enjoyable experience for all.

What’s the mood like this summer and your optimism for the season ahead? The mood has been mixed with Erik ten Hag staying and some of the players signed.

Regardless of additions, a trophy and a top-six finish with a positive goal difference and improvement on the pitch is all I need (my expectations are extremely low).

Chelsea

Last season: 6th

TIA predicted finish: 6th

Best XI: Petrovic; James, Colwill, Disasi, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia, Enzo; Palmer, Nkunku, Jackson

The view from Chelsea

Richard Long (@Chelseafan_Rick)

Where Chelsea will finish: 4th (just)

Where Liverpool will finish: 3rd

Who will win the league? Man City

One player you wish Chelsea would sign, realistically: Victor Osimhen. We are desperate for a killer in front of goal and a big physical presence up top.

Advice for visiting fans: Turn up early and take the slightly longer walk from Earl’s Court (rather than Fulham Broadway) to soak up all of the atmosphere as you head towards the stadium.

What’s the mood like this summer and your optimism for the season ahead? The mood and optimism is as low going into a season as I can remember.

A bad start and I can see things turning toxic very quickly. The ownership is now skating on the thinnest of ice, especially with the imminent sale of Conor Gallagher.

Tottenham

Last season: 5th

TIA predicted finish: 4th

Best XI: Vicario; Porro, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentacur, Bissouma, Maddison; Kulusevski, Son, Solanke.

The view from Tottenham

Sam Hawkey (@samhawkey)

Where Tottenham will finish: 4th

Where Liverpool will finish: 3rd

Who will win the league? Man City

One player you wish Tottenham would sign, realistically: Anthony Gordon

Advice for visiting fans: The stadium is world-class. The surroundings are not!

What’s the mood like this summer and your optimism for the season ahead? Solid.

We did fine last season and I think we are excited to see what Ange Postecoglou can do with a full pre-season and a fully fit squad.

Aston Villa

Last season: 4th

TIA predicted finish: 8th

Best XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Onana, McGinn, Bailey, Rogers; Watkins

That team is subject to change most weeks, however, as Tielemans, Barkley, Philogene and Iling-Junior will get opportunities.

The view from Aston Villa

Crippy Cooke (@CrippyCooke)

Where Aston Villa will finish: My head says seventh or eighth, and I’m disgusted at myself for the pessimism.

I don’t think a ‘best of the rest’ finish is terrible for us as we navigate multiple competitions.

Where Liverpool will finish: Arne Slot has inherited a fantastic squad from Jurgen Klopp and is a brilliant coach himself, so I think Liverpool can still challenge.

I think they’re still a top-three side at the very least.

Who will win the league? I would like to see somebody take the crown off Man City, but can’t see past them.

One player you wish Aston Villa would sign, realistically: I would love Romelu Lukaku at Villa.

Advice for visiting fans: Put some respect on our name. We have a beautiful stadium, fantastic youth setup, a brilliant coach and a talented squad.

Most teams will come to Villa Park and lose this season, so don’t write us off. We’ve come a long way from the Paul Lambert era.

What’s the mood like this summer and your optimism for the season ahead? Very positive because we have Champions League football back.

Fans believe we can be a big-six club regularly now because we have the manager and spending power.