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Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has been passed fit for his side’s Champions League clash with Benfica on Tuesday night, journalist Ian Doyle has confirmed.

The Lowdown: Liverpool face latest test

The Reds continue their quadruple charge with a trip to Portugal as they take on the Lisbon outfit in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

In truth, Jurgen Klopp’s men were handed a relatively kind draw in the grand scheme of things, with the Portuguese side surprise winners over Ajax in the last round.

Jones was a doubt for the game after he limped out of Saturday’s 2-0 win at home to Watford, but a positive update has now emerged.

The Latest: Jones passed fit

Taking to Twitter on Monday, Doyle confirmed via Klopp that the 21-year-old was in contention to start, having overcome his weekend problem.

The journalist tweeted: “Klopp on injuries: Full squad available for the game, absolutely. Curtis had a little swelling, disappeared overnight. Trent now, 4-5 days is ready as well.”

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The Verdict: Place on the bench

Prior to going off last weekend, Jones had disappointed against Watford, firing a couple of efforts wide of the target and struggling to get into the game, also losing possession 12 times.

For that reason, it would be a surprise if he starts tonight in what is another crucial match in Liverpool’s potentially legendary season, especially given his recent injury concern and his rarity of starts throughout the season in general.

Fabinho coming back into the number six role makes complete sense, while Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita could be the number eights, allowing Thiago to be managed carefully ahead of Sunday’s huge Premier League clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

In other news, a fresh update has emerged regarding Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future. Read more here.

An update has emerged on Giovanni van Bronckhorst, regarding the possibility of him replacing Steven Gerrard at Rangers.

What’s the talk?

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Dutchman is set for talks with Rangers over the vacant managerial position this weekend.

He Tweeted: “Rangers have shortlist ready to replace Gerrard. The board will start official contacts during the weekend – talk scheduled also with Gio van Bronckhorst #RangersFC Former Rangers and Barça player, he’s in the list together with other 2 managers. He’s interested in the job.”

Delight

Rangers fans will surely be left delighted by this update from Romano for multiple reasons. Firstly, he is a familiar face who understands the club.

The retired Netherlands international played over 100 times for the Gers during his playing career in Scotland before his £12.15m transfer to Arsenal in 2001, which remains the most expensive departure from Ibrox in the club’s history to this day.

This shows that he is familiar with the club and will have a connection with the fanbase, through memory or the memories of their parents, and could form an instant bond if he gets the job.

Van Bronckhorst being, according to Romano, interested in the role could also leave fans delighted as it shows that he is keen to make the move and still has an affection for the club. He wants to take over from Rangers, rather than Ross Wilson needing to convince him to take the job.

They could also be buzzing due to the Dutchman’s impressive record as a manager. In four full seasons at Feyenoord, he averaged 2.03 points per game in the Eredivisie as his side finished third, first, fourth and third.

He also won the Dutch Cup and the Dutch Super Cup twice each, taking his tally to five trophies in four years at Feyenoord, showing that he has the quality as a coach to piece together a team capable of winning games on a regular basis.

Van Bronckhorst is also currently out of work, which means that Rangers would not need to pay any compensation to snap him up.

He could come straight in without any baggage from a job he just left and that could appeal to Wilson, as it would save money ahead of the January window.

AND in other news, Wilson could land Rangers an “exceptional” Gerrard replacement in “modern” 48 y/o boss…

West Brom have the chance to get their season back on track this weekend with an away clash against Huddersfield Town next up for the Baggies after a mixed bag of results in October and early November.

In terms of which players Baggies manager Valerien Ismael could select in his starting XI for the game on Saturday, one man who should be in the team on this occasion is Jayson Molumby.

Why Molumby must start

Since joining the Midlands club on a season-long loan deal from Brighton & Hove Albion, the midfielder has only started in three of his seven Championship appearances for the Baggies.

His previous appearance for West Brom saw the 22-year-old, who is currently valued at just £900,000 according to Transfermarkt, start and complete the full 90 minutes in their 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough as he managed to show what he can offer to Ismael’s side.

On that day, Molumby had 51 touches of the ball, completed 31 out of his 34 passes, won seven of his 14 duels and completed both of his dribbles. He also proved to be a helpful defensive figure by making one tackle, two interceptions and two clearances, ultimately earning himself an overall match rating of 6.8/10 according to SofaScore.

Furthermore, Birmingham Live said that Molumby was the “industry, energy, mobility and bite that Albion desperately needed” in the game against Middlesbrough, and those traits could terrify Huddersfield if he manages to demonstrate them again on Saturday.

The 22-year-old, who has previously been described as a “feisty” player by Millwall boss Gary Rowett, has racked up a passing accuracy percentage of 83.9% so far this season, the second-highest of any West Brom player below Robert Snodgrass. That highlights how adept he is at moving the ball around the pitch, which could be useful at the weekend even though Huddersfield are currently in the middle of the possession table with an average percentage of 48.7% compared to West Brom’s 52.7%, according to WhoScored.

With Molumby only on loan for the season, it would make sense for Ismael to get the most out of him while he’s at The Hawthorns. The 45-year-old should definitely consider keeping him in the team for the match against Huddersfield, especially since the midfielder showed what he’s capable of in his latest appearance for West Brom.

In other news: Lai could deliver WBA’s first January signing with “intelligent” £27k-p/w machine

Newcastle United finally got their first win of the Premier League season with a 1-0 victory at home to Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

Callum Wilson pounced on some spillage from goalkeeper Nick Pope to calmly slot the ball into the back of the net and give his team all three points at St. James’ Park.

There were some spirited performances from Eddie Howe’s side on the day, but some may have been disappointed with their own individual displays.

As such, The Transfer Tavern have used statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst players (to have played at least 45 minutes) for the Magpies were:

Fabian Schar

Schar may count himself unlucky to have been ranked third given that he got the assist for Wilson’s goal, but nonetheless SofaScore decided to give him a 6.6 overall rating.

The central defender lost out on 11 of his duels in total, the third-most out of any of his teammates, as he also failed to record a single interception or tackle in the game.

Schar was also guilty of giving the ball away on no fewer than on 20 separate occasions in the match, the most out of any Toon player.

Joe Willock

Willock was also given a 6.6 rating by SofaScore, but ranks in second here courtesy of Schar’s assist.

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The former Arsenal man lost five duels, and also never managed a shot on target, interception or tackle, while he lost possession a total of 11 times.

Allan Saint-Maximin

So often the bright spark in the North East, Saint-Maximin was lively as usual, but nothing really came off for him. As such, SofaScore decided to give him just a 6.1 rating.

The winger lost out on nine duels, and failed with three of his shots on goal, while he also failed to put in an accurate cross or long ball.

Saint-Maximin also gave the ball away on 18 different occasions, the joint-third most out of any of his teammates.

In other news, find out which Gazza-like technician NUFC now have ‘the opportunity’ to sign here!

Many Southampton fans applauded the performance of defender Jan Bednarek after his side’s 2-0 victory against Sheffield United on Saturday.

The 24-year-old centre-back started for the 27th time during the 2020/21 Premier League as the Saints came out on top at Bramall Lane against the struggling Blades.

A first half penalty from James Ward-Prowse and a rocket from Che Adams sealed the deal for the visitors, which eased the woes of Danny Ings leaving the field injured before the 20-minute mark.

Bednarek, who has deputised at right-back on three occasions recently, was back in his natural position and shone for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side from a defensive point of view.

Per Sofascore, the Polish defender made seven clearances, four interceptions and three tackles as Southampton successfully kept a clean sheet in south Yorkshire.

Unsurprisingly, many supporters were pleased with Bednarek’s “immense” performance and were reassured to see him excel when back in his natural position. One fan said the 27-year-old was “solid as usual”, a fair comment as the Pole has made more interceptions per game and won the second-most aerial duels of any Saints player this season, per WhoScored:

Bednarek earns St Mary’s plaudits

“Bednarek was very good today. Salisu looks a Ferrari, but Bednarek is a Honda.”

Credit: @EFranzo17

“Huge shoutout for Bednarek today… been getting a little flack after “doing a job” for the team…. back in his “natural” position today and was absolutely brilliant next to big Jan…”

Credit: @JusticeCraig

“So happy for Bednarek after what he’s been through the last few weeks at RB! Could have completely destroyed his confidence but today looked solid again back in his proper position”

Credit: @fishysaints

“Bednarek immense- he *loves* defending. KWP is so good technically and makes such a difference. Absolute rocket from Che. Don’t save those.”

Credit: @shirleymush

“The difference in Bednarek’s composure from RB to CB is insane”

Credit: @SaintsBlueropa

“Needed those points… Tella played really well and Bednarek solid as usual”

Credit: @philipg1965

In other news, Southampton make an enquiry about £120k-per-week Premier League hitman.

Gary Mabbutt has told Football FanCast that Tottenham Hotspur can beat Dinamo Zagreb as long as Jose Mourinho unleashes the full force of his attack in the Europa League Round of 16.

Spurs have progressed to the last-16 after a series of thumping wins in the competition.

Mourinho’s side beat Wolfsberger 8-1 on aggregate in the last-16, and also beat Ludogorets 3-1 and 4-0 in the group stages, while beating LASK 3-0.

There were some poor results too; a 1-0 loss to Royal Antwerp marked perhaps the nadir of Mourinho’s reign, while a 3-3 draw with LASK was notable mainly for the lack of defensive organisation.

But Spurs have progressed to within spitting distance of the quarter final and the draw with Zagreb could be seen as favourable.

Indeed, Manchester United drew AC Milan, while the likes of Arsenal, Ajax, and Roma were all drawn elsewhere.

Mabbutt admits that the draw could have been tougher, but he thinks Zagreb are a fine team who will provide a stern test.

The Croatian outfit conceded just once in the group stages, coming through a group including Wolfsberger, Feyenoord, and CSKA Moscow.

Mabbutt told FFC: “Yes. I mean, of course, when we look at the teams who are involved in the draw, there are teams you think, oh, I’d like to avoid those. But yeah, any team to get to this stage in the Europa League, obviously, are fantastic teams. And certainly there are ones that you would prefer to avoid more than others.

“Zagreb, I think, if you look at their records in European competition, never got past the last 16 in the Europa League, so hoping the same thing happens this year.

“But yeah, in fact, last year, they actually set a European record for going nearly the whole of the group stage without conceding a goal. They conceded that going into the last 15 minutes of their sixth group stage match. So again, obviously, as a manager, you look at that, and you see that they may be quite strong defensively.”

And, as a result, Mabbutt believes Spurs need to top-load the team and bring in some of the strongest attacking players available to Mourinho in order to breach Zagreb’s defences.

Indeed, he has insisted that if Mourinho can get the likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, and Gareth Bale all firing, no team in the world would want to come up against them.

He added: “Well, if I was a manager, I would make sure that I keep my defence strong and then throw everything I’ve got at them, and unleash Kane, Son, Bale. If you’ve got a team, you’ve got players like, Harry Kane, Son, Gareth Bale, Dele Alli, Lamela, Ndombele. If you’ve got all those players on top form, there’s not a team in the world would like to face those players now.”

Aston Villa are unlikely to face competition from West Ham for Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car, according to a Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Villa interest in Caleta-Car

Steven Gerrard appears to be on the hunt for defensive reinforcements this summer, with the futures of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa seemingly in doubt.

Reports over the weekend name-checked Villa with an interest in Caleta-Car after Gerrard and the Villa ‘hierarchy’ watched the 25-year-old in action.

It could prove to be a double raid on the Ligue 1 club, with midfielder Boubacar Kamara also on the Midlanders’ radar.

The Latest: West Ham update

Football Insider shared an update regarding Caleta-Car on Monday morning after being informed by a West Ham source.

They claimed that the Hammers, who were heavily linked with the Croatia international in January, are unlikely to make a move in the summer.

The Verdict: Boost for Villa

The news from the London Stadium seems to be a boost for Johan Lange and co in their pursuit to sign Caleta-Car.

West Ham could have potentially caused a problem for Villa, should they have wanted to sign the defender in the summer. They have made their mark on the European stage this season and could have more European football on offer in 2022/23, which may have appealed to Caleta-Car.

Should Villa wish to bring the Marseille defender to the Midlands, they may now have a clear run at a transfer over the coming months as they look to bolster their ranks ahead of Gerrard’s first full season in charge.

In other news: Villa and Lange now want to sign ‘monstrous’ 7-trophy ace for Gerrard; talks underway

Leeds United have had a rather topsy-turvy festive period where they’ve been both praised and criticised in equal measure.

Thus, a transfer window could be exactly what they need to settle themselves down a little.

What’s the word?

Leeds’ 1-0 win over Burnley was a resolute display that demonstrated the enormous character within Marcelo Bielsa’s side. They bounced back from a 6-2 thumping against Manchester United with that victory before they demolished West Brom 5-0.

However, their insistence on playing attacking football against the big boys meant they tasted defeat once more against Spurs.

Perhaps they could do with a striker who can make things stick and hold the play up to make that work? Well, in their latest transfer target they could find exactly that.

According to Football Insider, Leeds are interested in signing towering Mainz striker Jean-Philippe-Mateta.

Victor Orta and his recruitment team are said to be tracking the Frenchman who is valued at £13.5m via Transfermarkt.

He has appeared on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs so United will need to pounce quickly if they want him at Elland Road.

Disaster for Orta

Mateta is certainly an eye-catching player. Standing at a colossal 6 foot 4, he knows how to win a header and put himself about. He also knows how to score goals.

The 23-year-old has netted seven times in 14 Bundesliga outings this term but that doesn’t necessarily bode well.

After all, a number of strikers have come to English football from Germany in recent years and really failed to make the grade.

You only need to look at the impact Sebastien Haller has had since joining West Ham from Frankfurt for £45m. The fellow Frenchman has found the net on just 14 occasions in 53 outings.

An ever better example can be found with Joelinton. Signed for £40m, he has beaten a Premier League goalkeeper on only three occasions.

They both came to England after impressive campaigns where they both scored double figures but they have clearly found life over here far more challenging.

Of course, Mateta may have better adaptability but in terms of being a physical presence, he is very similar to Haller and Joelinton.

Radrizzani will have every right to be fuming if his money is spent on the Mainz attacker. Leeds can surely do better.

AND in other news, Leeds eye swoop for £16k-p/w flop, Orta could repeat their Jean-Kevin Augustin howler…

Callum Wilson will miss the remainder of Newcastle United’s season with a hamstring injury.

The lowdown

The 29-year-old picked up the injury in the closing stages of Newcastle’s 4-2 win away to Leicester City on Friday night, although the £77,000-a-week striker was able to finish the game.

Wilson has been a vital player for the Magpies this season following his arrival from Bournemouth last summer for a fee of £20m.

His brace at the King Power Stadium took him to 12 goals overall for the campaign – that’s more than double the tally of Joelington, his nearest challenger in the Newcastle ranks with five. His five assists are also a squad-high.

Wilson has already missed seven matches with a hamstring issue in 2021, though, and Newcastle picked up just three points from a possible 21 in his absence.

The latest

Chronicle Live correspondent Lee Ryder has offered Newcastle fans some reassurance on the striker’s fitness, tweeting: “It’s understood Callum Wilson injury not serious and precautionary”.

Fulham’s 2-0 defeat against Burnley on Monday night confirmed both their relegation and Newcastle’s survival, so perhaps this is merely a case of ensuring the Magpies’ star man is 100 per cent fit and firing for the new campaign.

The Toon host champions-elect Manchester City on Friday before ending the campaign against Championship-bound duo Sheffield United and Fulham.

The verdict

The initial concern for Newcastle fans may have been the recurrence of the injury. Indeed, The Athletic journalist Chris Waugh said that it would be ‘understandable’ to worry that Wilson ‘could become susceptible to similar problems in the future’.

However, Ryder’s update should ease any such concerns for now, especially with the Magpies’ top-flight status for 2021/22 being confirmed and now plenty of time for Wilson to recover fully over the summer.

In other news, could Newcastle break their transfer record this summer to sign this wantaway striker?

According to a report by 90min, Tottenham Hotspur still have Fulham manager Scott Parker very much under consideration for the managerial role despite Brendan Rodgers being their top target.

The Lowdown: Parker on managerial shortlist

Parker has been sporadically linked with the Lilywhites job since Jose Mourinho was dismissed last month, with Football Insider recently reporting that the 40-year-old is emerging as a real contender.

Having been praised for his attacking style at Fulham, the former Spurs midfielder also falls into the category of  a ‘young’ and ‘dynamic’ manager allegedly wanted by technical performance director Steve Hitchen (Daily Mail).

The Latest: Very much a contender…

Backing reports of Parker being on the manager’s list, 90min claimed that he is still very much under consideration despite Rodgers being a prime candidate for the role.

The Fulham boss, alongside Gian Piero Gasperini, Maurizio Sarri and Graham Potter, remain shortlisted as the search for a new manager continues.

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The report added that Tottenham and Levy have been approached by intermediaries of up to 20 top managers regarding the vacancy in north London.

Whether or not Parker is one of those gaffers remains to be seen, but Spurs are still allegedly interested in him.

The Verdict: Outside contender, nothing more…

Parker has garnered no shortage of praise for his style of management and even has an admirer in Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who praised his courageous brand of football (mancity.com).

Former Fulham player Jim Hicks, who taught Parker through his coaching licence, emphatically claimed that he is one of the most ‘exceptional’ coaches to ever work under his tutelage (The Athletic).

The £75,000-per-week manager blew Gareth Bale away as a player too, with the Welshman hailing him as ‘unbelievable’ during their time together at Tottenham, but that may not transcend into him being an equally unbelievable manager.

Parker is relatively inexperienced, having notched just one full season in the Premier League so far, and Tottenham could need a coach with a more extensive background in managing at the top level.

In other news: many Tottenham fans slammed this ace during the defeat to Leeds, find out more here.