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Liverpool face another tough task at the weekend with a trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League after securing a big 3-2 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid in midweek.

In the Spanish capital, goals from Naby Keita and a Mohamed Salah double were enough to secure the win in their latest group game despite two goals from Antoine Griezmann, who was later sent off, restoring parity for a while.

Ox was impressive v Atletico

Looking ahead to the weekend’s big match against the Red Devils, one Liverpool figure who played a part in midweek that we feel should be in the starting XI to face United is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

On Tuesday night, the ex-Arsenal midfielder came on as a substitute in the second half to replace James Milner.

During his time on the pitch, the 28-year-old completed 14 out of the 15 passes he attempted, had one shot on target, completed one accurate long ball attempt, made two successful dribbles, won five out of his six ground duels, and made one interception and three tackles. Those efforts earned him an impressive overall match rating of 7.2/10 according to SofaScore, higher than a significant number of Liverpool players who started the game.

This not only shows how useful a midfield option Oxlade-Chamberlain is for Liverpool but also why he should be in the running to start against United on Sunday ahead of the likes of Keita and Milner, who both failed to impress in midweek.

Oxlade-Chamberlain joined the Merseyside club back in 2017 from fellow Premier League side Arsenal in a deal worth a reported fee of £35m.

Since then, the £120k-per-week midfielder (according to Spotrac), has made 111 appearances for the Reds across all competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing 12 assists in the process.

So far this season, while Oxlade-Chamberlain may have made seven appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side across all competitions, he has only started twice, making him a bit of an outcast. That is something he has apparently acknowledged, as it was recently reported that he could seek to leave the club in the near future to find regular game-time elsewhere.

However, in our view, we feel that this next match against United would be a great chance for him to show why he should be a regular starter for the Reds rather than just an impact sub.

In other news: Body blow: Liverpool suffer huge setback before Man Utd clash, Klopp will be gutted

Southampton have been linked with a move for Middlesbrough’s Djed Spence recently and he could prove to be the next Kyle Walker-Peters in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

What’s the word?

According to Football League World, both Southampton and Leicester City are keen on signing the 21-year-old defender this summer, although it remains to be seen whether or not a bid will be submitted before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Spence has established himself as a regular at Middlesbrough in recent seasons and has 70 first-team appearances under his belt already, in which he has contributed two goals and no assists.

Southampton’s next Walker-Peters?

Although Walker-Peters has seen 18-year-old sensation Tino Livramento start ahead of him in each of Southampton’s Premier League fixtures so far this season, his signing has still proved to be a hugely successful one thus far.

The young right-back joined Southampton initially on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in January 2020 and quickly established himself as first-choice in Hasenhuttl’s side before making the move permanent at the end of the season.

In total, the 24-year-old has made 47 appearances for the Saints, scoring once and assisting four times, and he looks set to be a regular in this Southampton side for the significant future.

Both Walker-Peters and Spence are young, English full-backs who are capable of playing on either side of defence as well as further forward, so the similarities are clear to see.

Neil Warnock was full of praise for Spence last season, saying:

“If you look at one or two of the full-backs that are around now – the lad at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the lad at Manchester United from Palace (Aaron Wan-Bissaka) – they are all the same type as Djed.

“He does have enormous ability, and when you’ve got ability like that it’s criminal if you don’t get to the very top. But as I said to him in that first couple of weeks, he’ll only have himself to blame if he doesn’t get to the very top.”

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Therefore, it seems as if Spence has a huge amount of potential and if Martin Semmens does bring him to St Mary’s in the near future, there’s no reason why he can’t have the same sort of impact that Walker-Peters has had during his time with the South Coast side.

And, in other news… Forget Elyounoussi: Saints beast who played 4 key passes was Hasenhuttl’s star vs Newport

An update has emerged on Rangers star Ryan Kent, regarding potential interest in the Ibrox forward next month…

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Record, via Ibrox News, the Gers are preparing to receive offers from other clubs for the star forward.

The report claims that Steven Gerrard’s presence at Aston Villa could lead to an official bid coming in for his services in January.

Disaster

Gio van Bronckhorst could be heading for a season-defining Ibrox disaster with this update and if he does leave, it would surely leave Rangers fans gutted. Kent is a crucial member of the side and his exit would be a major blow to their ambitions this season, as he has the quality to be a difference-maker in the final third.

The Gers are top of the Scottish Premiership and through to the knockout stages of the Europa League and Kent’s departure could weaken their chances in both competitions.

Last season, Kent produced ten goals and nine assists in the league as Rangers won the title. He also managed two goals and two assists in the Europa League, showing off his ability to score and create goals both domestically and in Europe.

Earlier this year, his teammate Leon Balogun illustrated the attacker’s talents with an insight into the problems he causes in training. He said:

“One who causes me real problems in training every now and then is Ryan Kent. He’s a wing wizard, my god, he’s a problem.

“There was this one goal, I think against Hamilton where he just turns the defender inside out, dropping the shoulder, dropping it again, and the guy doesn’t know where he is, so we have a few of them.”

Therefore, Kent leaving the club could be a huge blow to van Bronckhorst and be a disaster for Rangers as they would be losing a player who has proven that he is a top performer in the Premiership and in the Europa League.

There is no guarantee that Ross Wilson will be able to dip into the transfer market and replace his goals and assists with a new signing, which could then impact what the Gers are able to do in the second half of the campaign.

Fans would be gutted and devastated if Rangers sell Kent in January and then end up losing or drawing games in the final few months due to a lack of cutting edge in the final third, which they know he has the quality to provide.

This means that selling the ex-Liverpool man could be a season-defining disaster as it could derail their title challenge if his contributions in front of goal are not adequately replaced next month. Hopefully, Wilson will be able to rebuff interest and van Bronkhorst will be able to benefit from his talent for the rest of the season, at least.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Kent: GvB must seal Rangers deal for £9.3k-p/w gem who “creates opportunities”…

Flocking to Twitter, many Liverpool fans have been left worried following an update on their January transfer plans courtesy of reliable reporter James Pearce.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have been imperious in all competitions so far this season, becoming the first-ever English side to win all six games in a Champions League group stage last night with a 2-1 win over AC Milan (Indian Express).

The high-flying Reds are also well in contention for the Premier League title as we approach the festive period, keeping pace with table-toppers Manchester City as they lay just one point and one place behind the champions.

However, given that key players like Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will be leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, there have been concerns that Liverpool could lose pace as they are urged to make January signings (talkSPORT).

Making a claim on the Reds’ winter window plans, The Athletic reporter Pearce shared what he believes in a Tuesday night Q&A.

Replying to a supporter who asked if he thinks Liverpool will sign anyone next month, the journalist explained: “As things stand I’d be surprised if LFC sign anyone in January. Personally, I’d love to see another attacking option added to the squad.”

Liverpool fans worried…

Flocking to this claim from a reliable source, it’s little wonder so many Reds supporters are concerned given the absence of both Salah and Mane mid-season – the pair have scored 29 goals between them already this term.

Without January additions, this leaves Klopp arguably short of options going forward, with more responsibility placed on alternatives like Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino. Given the strength in depth of title rivals Man City and Chelsea, there is indeed a cause for concern to be held.

Here’s how some Liverpool supporters responded to Pearce’s claim, with many left disenchanted at the prospect of yet another sparse transfer window from the club.

“Smh”

Credit: @abayle_

“Every window”

Credit: @BarghJoe

“Terrible ownership”

Credit: @georgegould97

“No league win then”

Credit: @letsgetyouin

“4 years without marquee signings 😭 are you kidding?”

Credit: @DictatorVerratti

“Embarrassing club”

Credit: @RCubbon

“Goodbye title challenge”

Credit: @jack47716199

“Absolutely ridiculous yet again”

Credit: @Royston679

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘No way’, ‘Please’…Many Liverpool fans erupt as FSG eye ‘bargain’ signing, find out more here.

According to Football Insider, Glasgow Rangers have entered the race to sign striker Thomas Henry this summer.

The Lowdown: Gers sluggish

The Gers were magnificent last term as they won the Premiership for the first time in ten years, but they have not started well this term.

They have managed just one win in their first three matches, losing the other two (Sky Sports), so perhaps another goalscorer is exactly what they need, with Alfredo Morelos of course continually linked with moves away.

The Latest: Gers eye Henry

As per this latest report, the Gers are interested in signing Henry this summer.

They are one of a number of clubs eyeing the 26-year-old. Other potential suitors include Southampton, Watford, Swansea City, Gent, Venezia and Bordeaux.

The Verdict: Necessary?

£4.5m-valued Henry (Transfermarkt) has been in fantastic form in Belgium, both for current club Leuven and former outfit R Union Turbize-Braine. In his last 95 games in all competitions, he has managed a hugely impressive 56 goals, while he has also managed three strikes in three matches already this season (Transfermarkt).

However, it must be asked whether Rangers really need another striker right now. Steven Gerrard already has five strikers at his disposal in Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe, Cedric Itten, Fashion Sakala and Jermain Defoe.

Is a sixth really necessary, no matter how prolific he is? This is one we could expect to sit on the back burner until Morelos’ future is decided. If the Colombian leaves, a move for Henry would make much more sense.

In other news, Rangers receive this injury blow.

According to Football Insider, a Tottenham Hotspur source has told the outlet that former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Nuno Espirito Santo has ‘made it clear’ he is keen on taking the job in north London.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing Nuno…

Tottenham fans have watched a host of different managers come in and out of the frame since the Lilywhites opted to sack former boss Jose Mourinho in late April.

Indeed, the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers were touted as early frontrunners only for Spurs to move and hold talks with Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte, Paulo Fonseca and Gennaro Gattuso in that order (BBC).

Now another coach appears to be in pole position for the role at Tottenham in Nuno, who guided ex-club Wolves to Premier League promotion.

The Latest: Nuno has ‘made it clear’ he wants to join…

As per a Lilywhites source speaking to Football Insider, the 47-year-old has now ‘made it clear’ he is ‘keen on taking the post’ at Tottenham with discussions going well during the subsequent period.

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There is apparently a ‘growing confidence’ among both parties that a deal can be finalised for his appointment and he could even be appointed the club’s new manager by the end of this weekend.

Nuno and Spurs have also agreed salary terms with only a few issues left to be ironed out, namely the makeup of his possible backroom staff.

The Verdict: Coup for Tottenham?

This comes as a pretty big development in the Tottenham manager hunt and one that could see their long search for a Mourinho heir finally reach it’s conclusion, but is Nuno the right man?

He doesn’t exactly fit chairman Daniel Levy’s original requirements for a free-flowing, attacking-minded coach – as outlined in his end of season letter to supporters.

Nuno does meet the standard when it comes to nurturing young talent and developing players, though, which is said to be another major pull for the role when it comes to Levy (football.london).

Lauded as a ‘genius’ by Matt Murray (This is Futbol), the Portuguese certainly has his credentials, like guiding Wolves to successive seventh-placed Premier League finishes and the Europa League quarter-finals before his underwhelming final year at Molineux (BBC).

He comes as a pretty mixed bag but could maybe steady the ship, with new managing director Fabio Paratici said to be a big admirer.

In other news: Journalist says Tottenham now want ‘magical’ man as ‘official contacts’ begin, find out more here.

Crystal Palace have entered a new chapter of their history following the departure of Roy Hodgson after four relatively successful if pragmatic years.

New manager Patrick Vieira has been backed considerably in the transfer market with several new exciting additions adding significant strength to his first-team squad.

One of the reasons that the Palace hierarchy were able to finance such an overall was due to their previous work in the transfer market over the last few years.

Chairman Steve Parish had been prudent in the transfer market in recent windows, only spending over £10 million on one player – Eberechi Eze – since the summer of 2017, when Mamadou Sakho arrived from Liverpool.

Another player who arrived in the same season was Alexander Sorloth. The 6 ft 3 beast landed on English shores in the January window for £8.1m after departing FC Midtjylland and he was expected to fire Palace up the top-flight table.

However, things didn’t work out as expected for the now 25-year-old. He started four Premier League games in a row throughout February and March, and after losing all four and failing to find the back of the net, found himself on the bench for the remainder of the campaign.

The following season failed to produce a turnaround in Sorloth’s fortunes as he remained goalless in his first 12 league appearances of 2018/19, leading to a loan spell at KAA Gent.

Another loan spell at Turkish outlet Trabzonspor followed, resulting in the struggling forward producing the best form of his career to date. He managed a magnificent return of 33 goals and 11 assists in 49 outings for the Black Sea Storm, leading to a hotly contested race for his signature.

Norwegian outlet Dagbladet (as relayed by Sport Witness) states Sørloth’s time at Selhurst Park was “brutal”, which is why he was labelled a “failure and flop” at Palace, but after resurrecting his career with Trabzonspor, he had a large selection of potential suitors to choose from.

In the end, he opted to join Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig in an £18m deal just 12 months ago, meaning Palace made a healthy profit on a player who never scored a league goal for them.

The proceeds received from his departure provided a significant boost to the capital club’s coffers, allowing Vieira to bring in his own players following his arrival.

Sorloth only lasted one season in German football after bagging just six goals in 37 appearances for the Red Bulls and has so far failed to find the back of the net for new side Real Sociedad, indicating Palace struck gold by securing such a high fee for his services.

And, in other news…Signed for £26m, released for free: Parish endured Palace nightmare over 31y/o dud 

Everton return to Premier League action following the international break bang in form and with plenty of confidence.

The Toffees have secured seven points from a possible nine available and kept their first clean sheet of the season last time out.

However, they will be taking on a battle-hardened Burnley side on Monday night under the lights.

The task at hand will not be easy, especially if Rafa Benitez has to name his starting XI without star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Whether or not the forward is fit remains to be seen but here’s the XI we’re predicting at Goodison Park this evening.

We’re tipping the manager to make three changes from the side that beat Brighton 2-0 a fortnight ago.

The first alteration to note is up front where Salomon Rondon earns his debut for Everton.

Rondon was signed on transfer deadline day and will link with Benitez for the third time in his career. He plays at the expense of Calvert-Lewin who is a doubt for the game after training through pain in the last few weeks with a broken toe.

It would be a risk to play him and thus, we think the powerful 31-year-old will start instead.

The remaining changes are in the middle of the defence where Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina return to the fray.

Both of the centre-backs have been out injured in recent weeks with Mason Holgate and Michael Keane having to play instead.

They kept a valuable shut out versus Brighton but the latter has been far from assured in 2021/22 so far.

We have already championed the idea of Mina and the £68k-per-week-earning Godfrey starting so they come in at centre-back to give Everton the best possible chance of winning against physically tough opponents.

Seamus Coleman picked up a hamstring injury on international duty with the Republic of Ireland but the boss has revealed that he should be fit to start at right-back.

Demarai Gray continues his role on the left and will look to score for a third successive game after his summer arrival.

AND in other news, Bye-bye James: Rafa must unleash Everton’s “sensational” rarely-seen 17 y/o this term…

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been reacting to an update linking Villa with a move for Watford midfielder Will Hughes.

According to The Athletic’s Adam Levanthal, several Premier League clubs are keeping a close eye on the 26-year-old.

Levanthal name-checked Villa as a club with interest in the central midfielder, who is in talks over a new five-year deal at Vicarage Road.

Hughes, who currently has just 12 months left on his current contract, helped the Hornets back to the Premier League last season. He made 31 appearances in all competitions, mainly as a central midfielder, scoring twice.

It seems as if Dean Smith likes what he sees in the Englishman, but it remains to be seen if Villa will firm up their interest with an official bid.

Villa fans react

Well-known Villa fan feed @villareport shared Levanthal’s claims on Hughes on social media on Thursday evening.

These Villa supporters weren’t exactly thrilled at the links, though, with more than one preferring a deal for Metz midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, who has also been linked with a move to the Midlands.

“Surely not. Miles off what we require in that area of the park.”Credit: @UpTheDeano”Don’t believe this in the slightest, he’s no where near good enough – rather stick with Ramsey & Chuck on the bench than buy Hughes to sit on the bench”Credit: @stikkki”Are we stupid seriously”Credit: @ViIlaI_”No I want Sarr”Credit: @BarronAVFC1″I rather have Sarr from Metz he’s quality player”Credit: @firebundem”What is our obsession with championship players seriously”Credit: @euanavfc

In other news: Villa linked with move for Chelsea teenager, fans react, find out more here. 

Jamie Carragher warned Liverpool’s Sadio Mane about his behaviour during the first half of Sunday’s Merseyside Derby at Anfield. 

The lowdown

Tensions boiled over late in the first half after Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure fouled opposite number Fabinho.

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A ‘mini brawl’ ensued, in the words of one Sky Sports journalist, as players from both sides rushed to the scene.

Amidst the melee, Mane could be seen arguing with Allan and ‘pushing him in the face’.

Referee Stuart Atwell issued a yellow card to the Senegalese attacker, his seventh booking of the season in all competitions.

The latest

As he viewed the replay of the incident, Carragher slammed the forward.

“That’s just stupid from Mane,” the Sky Sports commentator said [17:17].

The verdict

You can understand why Carragher was frustrated with the £100,000-per-week man.

Indeed, he was arguably fortunate to avoid a red card following the incident, which would have made his team’s task far more difficult.

The laws of the game dictate that a player who deliberately strikes an opponent in the face with a hand or arm has committed violent conduct, unless the force is ‘negligible’.

That’s certainly up for debate, but you could argue that a player of Mane’s experience – this was his 258th Premier League match – shouldn’t be getting himself involved in such altercations, particularly when so much is at it stake for the title-chasing Reds.

In other news, this Liverpool superstar has been backed to sign a new deal.