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After beating Watford 5-0 on Saturday at Vicarage Road in their latest Premier League outing, Liverpool are back in Champions League action on Tuesday evening with an away clash against Atletico Madrid.

A hat-trick from Roberto Firmino and additional goals from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah perfectly set up Jurgen Klopp’s side for their latest Champions League match in midweek after winning their opening two group games.

On the chalkboard

One player that wasn’t involved in the game against Watford, that we think should be in the starting XI to face Atletico is midfielder Fabinho, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £180k-per-week according to Spotrac.

The 27-year-old wasn’t in the squad to face Watford as he was involved with Brazil on international duty just a short period before the match against the Hornets, alongside Alisson Becker.

Given that Fabinho has now had time after returning from Brazil duty to get ready for the Atletico match, we feel he should be back in the team as he would presumably be fresher than the midfielders that played against Watford such as James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita.

Taking into account some of Fabinho’s numbers and it’s evident why he deserves to play.

He has managed to rack up an average of 2.5 interceptions per game and 4.5 tackles per game from the two previous Champions League outings he’s played in for Liverpool this season. On top of that, he’s won 73% of all duels he’s been involved in so he could definitely prove himself to be a tough and possibly even terrifying opponent for Atletico’s attacking players. That’s given how Diego Simeone’s side have only managed to score 11 goals in eight La Liga games so far this season.

One in, one out

In terms of who Fabinho could replace in the team, we feel that Klopp should take Keita out of the team given he played 90 minutes against Watford and has struggled with his fitness and numerous injuries in the past. It might be a risk to play him again in midweek, even though he played well against Watford, earning himself an overall match rating of 7.2/10 according to SofaScore.

Looking ahead to the match, whether Klopp decides to start Fabinho, who has been described as “outstanding” by the Reds manager in the past, they will definitely be looking to keep their winning streak in the Champions League going ahead of their big Premier League clash against Manchester United at the weekend.

In other news: Klopp could land perfect Mane heir at Liverpool in “pure class” £22.5m-rated star – opinion

A worrying claim has been made regarding the feeling behind the scenes at Newcastle during the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has provided an insight into how the club have felt their month has gone so far, whilst also revealing that they are far from finished ahead of deadline day.

He tweeted: “‘Frustration’ at business had been building behind the scenes, but progression of Bruno Guimaraes deal is very encouraging (let’s hope it gets done). One of several #NUFC are still looking to conclude, with summits in Saudi.”

Fans will be upset

This news will surely leave Newcastle fans feeling upset with the way PIF have handled their first transfer window at the club. They failed to bring in a full-time sporting director or director of football to come in and execute a well thought-out transfer strategy, instead bringing in Nick Hammond on a short-term deal in December to assist Eddie Howe.

Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood are the only signings of the window so far, with just over three days left to go before the window slams shut. The worry now is that the Magpies are scrambling around to complete “several” deals – according to Waugh – near deadline day, and that is not a situation the fans would have wanted at the start of January.

In an ideal world, Newcastle could have appointed a sporting director at the start of December and given them a month to work on a plan ahead of January to then be ready to go all-in during the first few weeks. It could have given Howe and the supporters a major lift to have the bulk of the club’s business done in the first half of the month, rather than rushing to bring players in during the final few days in January.

PIF are now in a position where they do not have time to negotiate and bargain with clubs, and that could lead to them overpaying for players or signing the wrong player because they do not have the time to carefully decide who they want to bring in if other targets are unavailable.

This is why Newcastle fans will be upset with the news that there is frustration behind the scenes, as it suggests that PIF have got it wrong this month. The board are seemingly not happy with the way they have handled the transfer window, and supporters could be frustrated by this due to how important January could be in the battle against relegation.

AND in other news, Howe can finally axe shocking NUFC “nightmare” with “incredible” £100k-p/w monster…

Dean Windass has urged Marcelo Bielsa to sign a striker to help Patrick Bamford with the workload before the window shuts at 11pm, following the deadline day addition of Dan James from Manchester United.

Bamford, who scored his first Premier League goal of the season to rescue a point at Burnley on Sunday, has started all of Leeds’ 41 league fixtures since their promotion back to the top-flight.

But should the former Chelsea youngster get injured, it would leave Rodrigo as Bielsa’s only senior striker – and he’s scored just seven times in 31 appearances across all competitions since making the big-money switch from Valencia last summer, three of which have come this season.

Leeds are winless from their opening three matches this term, collecting just two points from a possible nine available, but aren’t short of goals having scored four times.

However, after predicting a more difficult second season for Bamford, Windass exclusively told Football FanCast that another frontman is badly needed for the Elland Road outfit:

“I would like to see Leeds sign a big striker or a goalscorer, no disrespect to Bamford, but it’ll be a tough season for him if he’s up there on his own, because he works his socks off.”

Following Rangers’ Champions League exit against Malmo earlier this month, it was perhaps always likely that some of the top performers in Steven Gerrard’s side would attract interest from elsewhere, with recent reports claiming that the Gers have rejected three bids for Ianis Hagi.

What’s the word?

According to The Scottish Sun, Rangers have rejected separate bids from Sevilla, Lazio and Galatasaray for the Romania international, who won the Light Blues’ Young Player of the Year award last season after a string of impressive performances for Gerrard’s side.

The 22-year-old only joined Rangers from Genk on a permanent deal worth £3m last summer following an impressive loan spell at Ibrox, yet he has regularly been linked with a move away this summer, even before the Gers’ defeat against Malmo which cost them a potential spot in the Champions League group stage.

The Scottish Sun included a report from Fanatik which details Galatasaray’s bid for the winger and claims that Rangers value Hagi at around £9.3m this summer.

Could Hagi leave?

Although Rangers fans may be keen to see Hagi stay at the club this summer, it has been widely reported that the Gers need to raise money through player sales in the near future, especially after missing out on the reported £40m bonus of reaching the Champions League group stage. That could leave fans worried that the 22-year-old could be dispensed with, especially if he keeps attracting transfer offers.

Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent are regarded as the most valuable players in Gerrard’s squad and have regularly been linked with moves to Porto and Leeds United respectively, but if both were to remain at Ibrox, then you would imagine that Hagi could be one of the likeliest candidates to leave.

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Gerrard is a big fan of the Romanian, dubbing him an “outstanding talent” after he inspired Rangers to a comeback win against Braga in the 2019/20 campaign. However, if the youngster is keen on a move away from Ibrox, perhaps the Gers may be forced to sell him in order to balance the books this summer, which would surely frustrate the Rangers boss.

In other news… Rangers dealt transfer blow with “exceptionally good” beast, Gerrard must be gutted

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Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League credentials are firmly part of the ongoing title race narrative once again in light of a series of surprising results for both Liverpool and Manchester City.

What’s the word?

Football opinions are often destroyed and formed within the blinking of an eye; short-term thinking is at the core of popular opinion. When Harry Kane hobbled off the Wembley turf with only one leg to stand on in the aftermath of Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat against Manchester United, the writing had been plastered on the wall: their title ambitions were in tatters.

Fast-forward little over three weeks and a collection of surprise results later and Spurs are seemingly back in the race.

Question marks remain over Mauricio Pochettino’s pedigree after they crashed out of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup within the space of a few short days, but Jurgen Klopp’s assessment on their credentials suggests otherwise, as per Football.London.

“Tottenham have come from behind and had a very difficult situation until recently when they have done brilliantly winning games late with lots of injury problems,” he said after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw away at West Ham.

“They are 100 per cent in the race.”

Tottenham’s never-say-die attitude is telling

One of the most commonly accepted football truisms goes something like this: if you’re winning in the face of adversity – whether it be during an injury crisis or when performances are mediocre at best – then you are showcasing the mark of champions.

Tottenham have not been completely riddled by injuries of late from a quantitative perspective, but the fact they have been forced to operate without either Harry Kane or Dele Alli has placed them in an incredibly problematic situation.

However, despite the poor hand they have been drawn, Spurs have battled to a hat-trick of league victories in a manner which evokes feelings of genuine candidacy for the Premier League title.

That Pochettino has managed to install a winning mentality into his players and grind out late goals points towards the Argentine’s title-winning pedigree, and Klopp’s admission that they remain in the hunt suggests his peers recognise that as well.

With Valerien Ismael’s West Bromwich Albion side heading into Friday night’s Championship clash as the league leaders following a highly impressive 4-0 win at Cardiff in midweek, the Frenchman will undoubtedly be hoping for another positive result and performance from the Baggies against Stoke City.

However, with the Potters also currently on a run of fine form, having suffered just one defeat in their last five league fixtures, Albion leaving the bet365 Stadium with all three points is by no means a certainty, with Ismael needing to get his starting XI spot-on in order to give his side the best possible chance of a win over Michael O’Neill’s men.

Will the 45-year-old make any changes to the team which started in the demolition of Cardiff City last time out? Here’s how we think West Brom could line up against Stoke, along with the latest team and injury news…

With Ismael confirming that both Matt Clarke and Robert Snodgrass are available for selection against Stoke, as the duo have recovered from their respective injuries, the Frenchman is provided with many more possibilities with his starting XI tonight.

With this in mind, we predict that the 45-year-old will make three changes to the team which lined up against Cardiff on Tuesday.

At the back, the early return of the £2.7m-rated Clarke is undoubtedly a huge boost for the Baggies, as the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee has impressed over his three Championship appearances so far this season, averaging a SofaScore match rating of 7.03.

As such, the defender immediately regains his spot in Ismael’s back three, with Conor Townsend – who has been filling in on the left-hand side of the centre-back trio – reverting to his natural position at left wing-back.

This move sees the £23k-per-week Adam Reach drop out of the starting XI, with the 28-year-old perhaps being unfortunate if he has make do with a spot on the bench after an impressive display against the Bluebirds.

In the middle of the park, despite being the West Brom club captain, we predict that Jake Livermore will make way for another Brighton loanee in the shape of Jayson Molumby, as the 31-year-old skipper has been in rather poor form in the club’s recent fixtures.

Meanwhile, despite Snodgrass’ return to fitness, the Scotland international may have to make do with a seat among the substitutes, with the 23-year-old Grady Diangana being restored to the starting XI on the right-hand side of the Baggies’ attacking trio. That switch sees Callum Robinson move into the role of centre-forward and Jordan Hugill – who is yet to score in six Championship appearances for Albion – drop out of the team.

In other news – Forget Bryan: Ismael must unleash “quality” West Brom ace v Stoke, he’s a game-changer

It has been a month-and-a-half since Antonio Conte was appointed Tottenham manager, with the north London club already seeing rapid improvements under the Italian.

Spurs have picked up ten points from a possible 12 in the league under Conte, winning their last three Premier League matches. However, they haven’t played in two weeks after a recent rise in virus cases in the top flight.

The Lilywhites are set to return to Premier League action on Sunday as they host Liverpool in what could prove to be Conte’s toughest test since taking the reins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 52-year-old has tinkered with numerous combinations within his preferred three-at-the-back setup, deploying a 3-4-2-1 system since taking over for the clash against Everton in November.

However, one mainstay in the Italian’s team has been defender Eric Dier. The £19.8m-rated Englishman has played every minute of Premier League football under Conte as well as featuring in both Europa Conference League matches against Vitesse Arnhem and NS Mura.

The 27-year-old has certainly impressed, conceding just one goal in those four Premier League games in the middle of a back three alongside various others, solidifying his place in the team.

Now in his eighth year at Tottenham, Dier has been subject to various examples of both stinging criticism and glowing praise, particularly last season in what was an inconsistent campaign.

The Englishman claimed last season that he was the victim of an “unfair narrative” amid criticism from his then-manager José Mourinho, whilst also being handsomely praised by former Spurs player Jermaine Jenas after a “sensational” performance in a win over eventual champions Manchester City.

Tottenham is certainly a work in progress for Conte, particularly having come in mid-season. However, the Italian will be looking to replicate his successes at both Chelsea and Inter Milan, where he won league titles.

Dier could be Conte’s new Cahill

Whilst at Spurs’ capital rivals Chelsea, the 52-year-old famously switched to a 3-4-3 formation after losing 3-0 to Arsenal early in the Blues’ title-winning 2016/17 season. This proved to be the catalyst for the west London club’s success, and the use of a back three became a popular tactic in the Premier League, adopted by the likes of former Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Former England defender Gary Cahill was a mainstay in that title-winning Chelsea defence, making 37 league appearances in the triumphant campaign and proving to be a towering aerial presence, winning 2.5 headers per game. Perhaps Dier can replicate the successes of his former international teammate, with an average of 2.3 aerial duels won per match this season as he also illustrates his ability in that regard under Conte.

In the short-term, the 27-year-old will be looking to contribute to Tottenham finishing as high as possible in the Premier League this season. However, a return to the England setup will surely be on his mind.

It’s been over a year since the 45-cap defender last represented his national team in a 4-0 win over Iceland, and he will certainly look to impress Gareth Southgate over the coming months with the 2022 World Cup now less than a year away.

Life under Conte has started well for Dier, who must remain consistent if he is to seriously excel under the Italian. If he does, he could do for Tottenham what Cahill did for Chelsea when the 52-year-old was on the other side of London a few years ago.

In other news: Conte must unleash Spurs’ £80k-p/w “team player” tomorrow, he could terrify Liverpool

Aston Villa are open to offers for 2021 arrivals Leon Bailey and Morgan Sanson, according to The Mirror’s Neil Moxley.

The lowdown

Villa paid £25m to sign Bailey from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen just last summer, making him the third most expensive signing in their history, while Sanson arrived the previous January in a £14m switch from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille.

Steven Gerrard is gearing up for his first summer transfer window as Villa manager, having taken over from Dean Smith in November.

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The latest

In a report for The Mirror, Moxley wrote that Villa could ‘surprisingly’ entertain any bids which arrive for Bailey or Sanson, which may come as a shock development given how recently both players came to the club.

Gerrard apparently believes that he needs to improve the quality at his disposal if he is to fulfil his ambition for the Villans to compete with the top teams in England and qualify for Europe.

The verdict

In truth, neither player mooted with an exit has made much of an impact this season.

Bailey has only started five Premier League games, although that’s partly a reflection on his struggles for fitness as opposed to his ability. The Jamaican has been unavailable for 13 matches, and it’s tempting to wonder how differently things might have panned out so far had he enjoyed an injury-free run.

Sanson has started even fewer top-flight games – just three of a possible 32. The Frenchman has been an unused substitute for three of the last four, raising further questions about the level of faith that Gerrard has in him.

Whatever about Bailey, it certainly isn’t looking too great for Sanson’s future in the Midlands judging by this report and his lack of game-time.

In other news, Villa will have to make a decision between two midfield targets

Manchester United have been here before with Paul Pogba. An expiring contract, Mino Raiola, reports of interest from Juventus and questions being asked of commitment to the collective cause at Old Trafford.

None of this is new to the Red Devils. They had, however, hoped to avoid seeing history repeat itself.

They are now being backed into a corner, one where Premier League winner odds continue to drift as events outside of their control lead to uncomfortable questions being asked of the direction in which the most decorated club side in English football are heading.

As things stand, it is difficult to see how EPL betting tips could have United as anything other than 50/1 shots to claim a first top-flight crown since Sir Alex Ferguson departed in 2013, with consistency still proving elusive.

That has been an issue for Pogba as an individual, with a World Cup-winning Frenchman often struggling to replicate heroics with his country when turning out at club level. There is no doubting the ability, just the tap that turns it on and off.

There is every chance that said supply will be shut off completely in 2022. Pogba’s current contract is due to expire next summer and no fresh terms have been agreed as yet. If an extension was going to be put in place, then you would expect the paperwork to have been signed by now.

A sense of deja vu has descended on the Theatre of Dreams, with minds being cast back to 2012 and the first instalment of a long-running saga.

What will happen with Pogba?

Some nine years ago, with Pogba still a rough diamond in need of some polishing, Raiola negotiated a move to Italy. Those in Manchester were less than amused, as they prepared to part with an academy graduate in which so much time and energy had been invested.

Legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV: “It’s a bit disappointing because I don’t think he showed us any respect at all. To be honest, if they carry on that way, I’m quite happy that he’s away, from me, anyway.â€

Some of the characters have changed in the soap opera of 2021, but the storyline remains the same. This time, though, no definitive decision has been made on what will happen at the end of the season. A ‘will he, won’t he’ debate continues to rage.

Having embarked on a long goodbye once before, Pogba appears to be treading a similar path. He will be free to speak with teams outside of England from January, and the grass over there may start to look a little greener.

With no transfer fee to contend with, the likes of Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain can put big-money offers on the table that will turn heads and make it almost impossible for the Red Devils to counter.

Pogba may also want a change of scenery, with his every move dissected in minute detail. Spotlights in Italy, Spain or France would shine just as brightly, but fresh starts and clean slates would be the order of the day.

That was once the case in Manchester, but an £89 million asset is now looking a little frayed around the edges and a parting of ways may become the best solution for all concerned.

West Ham United are interested in a deal to bring Naby Keita to the London Stadium.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Transfer Market Web, who claim that David Moyes’ side have now joined the race to sign the Liverpool central midfielder this summer, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AC Milan and AS Roma all also believed to hold an interest in the 26-year-old.

The report goes on to state that Jurgen Klopp’s side could be willing to part with the Guinea international at the end of the current campaign as the former RB Leipzig man has failed to cement a regular starting spot in the Reds’ first team, with a figure in the region of €30m (£25m) believed to be enough to get a deal over the line.

Imagine him & Rice

While Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek are undoubtedly two fantastic options in the middle of the park, the further addition of a player of Keita’s ability would certainly help to take West Ham to the next level.

While it is true that the £27m-rated man has been a bit-part player for Liverpool since his £54m move to Anfield back in 2018, the 26-year-old has nevertheless proven that he has the talent to play a starring role in Moyes’ side.

Indeed, over his 11 Premier League appearances so far this season – only six of which have come as starts – the £120k-per-week midfielder has scored two goals, registered one assist and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.4 shots and making 0.6 key passes per game.

Keita has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.7 interceptions, 2.5 tackles, 25.8 passes and winning 3.5 duels per game.

These returns have seen the Guinean average a rather remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.21, ranking him as Klopp’s seventh-best performer in the top flight of English football in the current campaign.

As such, it is not difficult to understand why the midfielder’s teammate, Virgil van Dijk, took the time to shower Keita with praise, with the centre-back stating: “Naby is a fantastic guy, he works so hard and he is an outstanding football player.

“I think he is world-class if I’m absolutely honest. I see all the moments when he has the ball, the smart moves, the smart intelligence. It’s just incredible to see and I’m very happy for him.”

So, should West Ham indeed have the opportunity to land the 26-year-old this summer, it would appear highly advisable for the West Ham board to give Liverpool whatever it takes to land the midfielder, as, alongside Rice, Keita could help to transform the Hammers into a regular top-four contender in the years to come.

In other news: Moyes could solve major WHU issue as GSB open talks for “exceptional” £100k-p/w beast