Liverpool will need to put Sunday's dour draw against Manchester United behind them and ready themselves for the visit of West Ham United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, though the issues are starting to mount for manager Jurgen Klopp.

Ryan Gravenberch was forced off during the 0-0 Anfield encounter in the Premier League and is expected to be sidelined until the new year, compounding the absence of Alexis Mac Allister – who is convalescing after a stamp from Sheffield United's Vinicius Souza earlier in December penetrated the muscle.

Long-term absentees Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara are still absent, and with first-placed Arsenal travelling to Merseyside on Saturday, Klopp will have to balance the workload at this crucial festive period.

With this in mind, Football FanCast predicts that Klopp could make five changes for the fixture against David Moyes' side.

1

GK – Caoimhin Kelleher

Alisson has not been in the squad for either of Liverpool's Carabao Cup matches this term and it is probable that Klopp will keep the faith in Caoimhin Kelleher, who has played nine times this term.

While the Brazilian is indisputably Liverpool's best goalkeeper, Kelleher is a competent backup and will be desperate to prove his worth on a big night for the Reds, as they look to move one step closer to reclaiming some silverware.

2

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold

There is a possibility that Joe Gomez will deputise down the right flank on Wednesday night, but Klopp will want to maintain a first-team core throughout his squad and Trent Alexander-Arnold will be among those likely to start.

The 25-year-old has been the creative fulcrum this season and has posted two goals and five assists across all competitions, with The Athletic's James Pearce heralding his "sensational" ability.

3

CB – Jarell Quansah

Jarell Quansah will be expected to return to the starting line-up to give the £70k-per-week Ibrahima Konate, who has been described as a "monster" by writer Charlotte Coates, a break ahead of the contest against the Gunners at the weekend.

The 20-year-old broke into the first team in the early phase of the current campaign and looks like he could cement a starting spot in the Reds team in the future, both commanding and composed at the heart of the backline.

With Joel Matip rupturing his ACL earlier this month, it's certainly a good thing that the titan has emerged from the academy ranks.

4

CB – Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk will partner Quansah in front of Kelleher's goal to bring some experience against the in-form Jarrod Bowen, who has scored ten league goals this season and found a home as West Ham's centre-forward.

The Dutchman has been back to his imperious best since the summer and will be crucial in ensuring Liverpool succeed in establishing control.

5

LB – Kostas Tsimikas

With Andy Robertson still injured after dislocating his shoulder with Scotland in October, Kostas Tsimikas is likely to start once again against West Ham.

The Greece international has demonstrated improvements recently but Robertson's absence continues to be felt down the left channel.

6

DM – Wataru Endo

A surprise £16m summer signing from Stuttgart, Wataru Endo has started the past three Premier League matches in Mac Allister's absence and will likely anchor the midfield in midweek.

The Japan captain, aged 30, is not quite the long-term successor to Fabinho's position in the team but he is industrious and intelligent, and his energy will be crucial in stifling a talented Hammers engine room.

7

CM – Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott recently claimed that he wishes to shake off the 'super sub' tag and start playing from the outset in the Premier League with regularity, with the creativity and innovation that he brings something that has lacked in the Liverpool team over recent weeks.

Dominik Szoboszlai was abject against Manchester United and branded with a 4/10 match rating by the Liverpool Echo's Paul Joyce; he will likely start against Arsenal but here Elliott has a golden opportunity to stake his claim to a more prominent role in the squad.

8

CM – Curtis Jones

Curtis Jones was pivotal to Liverpool's late-season resurgence before the summer and started strong throughout August and September, leading Pearce to note his "flying start".

Suspension and injury have derailed his progress lately but he remains a crisp and energetic member of the midfield, with his technical skills crucial to quelling the Hammers threat.

As per FBref, the Englishman ranks among the top 2% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 5% for assists, the top 16% for tackles, the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90.

9

RW – Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah has only scored one goal from his past five Premier League appearances but has 22 direct goal contributions from 23 matches this term and is unquestionably one of the best forwards in the world.

He has also scored ten goals and supplied four assists from just 13 games against the Hammers, winning 11 times.

10

LW – Cody Gakpo

Cody Gakpo just hasn't really got going in the Premier League this season, scoring twice from 15 appearances (seven starts) and creating just 0.4 key passes per game.

He's been a victim of his own versatility but must be unleashed on the left wing tomorrow; he's also scored in both of Liverpool's Carabao Cup clashes this season.

It’s been a bruising and rather dismal season for the Arsenal faithful this year, but last night’s game is one that’ll live in the memory for years, if not decades, to come.

Mikel Arteta’s side went into the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid in the knowledge that they needed at least a one-goal lead heading to the Bernabéu but did far better than that.

Two utterly sublime free-kicks from Declan Rice and yet another striker’s finish from Mikel Merino mean the hosts will travel to Spain with a genuine chance of making the semi-finals for the first time since the 2008/09 season.

There were outstanding performances from Arteta’s men across the pitch, including from one starter who could well be the club’s own Jude Bellingham.

Bellingham's performance vs Arsenal

Going into last night’s game, the significant threats Arsenal had to be aware of were Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Junior, Rodrygo and Bellingham.

The latter, alongside Rice, is arguably one of England’s best players, but unlike the former West Ham United star, he did not have a particularly good game.

Granted, he made a few incisive passes that perhaps would have led to a goal on another night, but apart from that, he was practically a passenger and just watched the game pass him by, which is not something you can usually say about the UCL winner.

We aren’t the only ones to hold this opinion either, as the Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick gave him a 5/10 match rating at full-time, writing that he ‘drifted in and out of the game.’

It’s also backed up by his statistics, as in his 96 minutes of action, he amassed a combined expected goal and assists figure of just 0.25, had just one shot on target, didn’t make a single cross or play a single long ball, lost ten of 14 duels, lost the ball nine times, committed one foul and was dribbled past twice.

It was a bad day at the office for the world-class international, and to his credit, he admitted as much afterward and even accepted that the Gunners could have won by more.

However, he’s still a brilliant player, so it’s exciting for Arsenal that they could already have their own version of him in the squad.

Arsenal's own Bellingham

So, there are a few players in Arsenal’s squad who are arguably at a world-class level, such as Bukayo Saka and Rice, but one who seems destined to get there and become the team’s own Bellingham, especially after last night, is Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Now, before the pitchforks come out, we are not saying the teenager is at the level of the Real star, and they aren’t even playing the same position at the moment, but there are some undeniable similarities.

The first is that both players burst onto the scene when incredibly young, with the former Borussia Dortmund ace debuting for Birmingham City at just 16 years old, while the Gunners’ young phenom was just 17 when he made his first competitive appearance earlier this season.

Moreover, despite being so young and inexperienced, both played with such an extraordinary level of self-belief, boarding on arrogance from the word go, which translates into their playstyle, with the Islington-born gem bursting past some of Real’s most prominent stars last night.

We aren’t the only ones to think this either, as in his analysis after the game, Jamie Carragher claimed that the Hale Ender “reminds me a little bit of [Jude] Bellingham at that age.”

Lastly, while the “unplayable” 18-year-old, as Jack Wilshere dubbed him, is playing at left-back at the moment, he’s a midfielder by trade, and due to his strength, awareness and technical ability, we would not be surprised to see him move into the middle of the park as time progresses, potentially alongside Bellingham for the Three Lions.

Ultimately, Arsenal are blessed with several incredible players, but Lewis-Skelly looks like he could develop into a genuinely world-class talent.

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1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 9, 2025

da betobet： Tottenham Hotspur will be expected to be fighting for Europe once again next season, with Thomas Frank the man who’s been tasked with taking the side back up the table.

da esport bet： The Dane was appointed as the Lilywhites’ new boss last month after owner Daniel Levy decided to fork out £10m to prise him out of his contract at Brentford.

He’s showcased in the Premier League that he’s capable of overachieving, helping the Bees register a top-half finish despite losing top scorer Ivan Toney last summer.

He will likely have much bigger funds to spend after taking the reins in North London, needing to make the changes he desires if he is to be a success in the role.

Frank has already wasted no time in identifying key options to help him in his quest at the club, already edging ever closer to landing his first signing since replacing Ange Postecoglou.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Mohammed Kudus has been a player of huge interest in recent weeks and a deal for the West Ham United star was officially confirmed by the club on Thursday evening.

£55m appears to be the golden number between the two clubs, with the Ghanaian now arriving as Frank’s first addition this summer.

However, other moves have also been made in recent days, with Morgan Gibbs-White set to put pen to paper after the Lilywhites activated his £60m release clause at Nottingham Forest.

Another Premier League star could be inbound too, with Yoane Wissa potentially following Frank to Spurs, according to BBC Sport.

They claim that talks have been held over a deal to land the Congolese international striker, who managed to score 19 times in his 35 league appearances last campaign.

The report also states that the player himself is extremely keen on a move to link up with his former boss, but they are demanding a fee in the region of £50m to part ways with the 28-year-old this summer.

Why Spurs’ £50m target would be the dream CF for Kudus

Soon-to-be Spurs star Kudus is a player who will undoubtedly bring excitement to the fanbase in North London, given his spell in England with West Ham.

The 24-year-old has registered 19 goals over the last two years since his move from Ajax, often catching the eye with his mazy runs and incredible solo efforts.

He’s often scored numerous times after dribbling past the opposition effortlessly, but arguably his best strike was his bicycle kick against Manchester City in the 2023/24 campaign.

His pending move to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium would be a big-money one, no doubt, but one that would be worth every penny if he can replicate his form from the London Stadium.

Kudus could also link up with Wissa if he also completes a move, with the pair having the prospect of helping the Lilywhites rise up the Premier League table in 2025/26.

The Brentford star, who’s been labelled “remarkable” by journalist Zach Lowy, managed to score four goals with his head last campaign, something which could fall perfectly into the Ghanaian’s hands given his cross success rate of 26% last season.

Wissa also managed to register 1.3 shots on target per 90, able to link up with the £55m addition next season, especially considering his tally of 1.2 chances created per 90.

Yoane Wissa’s PL stats for Brentford (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

35

Goals scored

19

Shots on target per 90

1.3

Aerials won

46%

Pass accuracy

80%

Touches in opposition box

5.2

Fouls won

1.6

Stats via FotMob

The Congolese star has further impressed by winning 46% of the aerials he’s entered, a superb record considering he’s not the tallest of players, standing at just 5”9.

Whilst it may be an expensive addition at around £50m this summer, it’s evident that Wissa would be a phenomenal addition given his previous spell in England’s top-flight.

The prospect of the Brentford talent linking up with Kudus in North London is one for the fanbase to get excited about, with the club potentially possessing two of the division’s leading talents going into 2025/26.

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Tottenham Hotspur could well be set to strengthen their charges once the market re-opens in just a few days' time, amid reports linking the Lilywhites with a move for one of the most highly-rated young talents in Europe.

Spurs transfer news

According to Italian outlet InterLive.it, Spurs are among the clubs who have expressed an interest in signing FC Copenhagen sensation, Roony Bardghji, with the north Londoners joining the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle United, Napoli and Juventus in the race for his signature.

The report claims that manager Ange Postecoglou has personally requested the signing of the 18-year-old in January, despite potential doubts over the 5 foot 8 forward's small and slender frame which could make adapting to life in the Premier League somewhat difficult.

If a deal is to be struck in 2024, however, it could come at a relative bargain cost, with the piece suggesting that the Danish outfit will only demand a fee of around €10m (£9m), despite prior reports indicating that the youngster could be worth as much as £30m.

Roony Bardghji's style of play

While not quite a household name just yet, the "crazy talent" – as hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig – certainly announced himself to the wider world after scoring a late winner in the 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the Champions League earlier this year.

That stunning half-volley is one of 11 goals that the former Malmo youth product has scored in 30 games in all competitions this season, with his overall tally for the Superliga side standing at 15 goals in 71 outings – a respectable return for a player still firmly in his teenage years.

Such an explosion at senior level has even earned Bardghji comparisons to a certain Lionel Messi, yet for those at N17, the hope will be that he can emulate the success of his fellow Swede, Dejan Kulusevski, with the latter man currently shining under Postecoglou.

A left-footed attacker who can feature all across the frontline or in a playmaking berth, like Bardghji, Kulusevski has sparkled since joining Tottenham on an initial loan deal from Juventus in January 2022, registering 30 goals and assists in 76 games in all competitions to date.

In the current campaign thus far, the 23-year-old – who has been tipped to become an £80m-100m player by pundit Gary Neville – has started every single league game, scoring five goals and registering two assists in that time.

To potentially then have the next Kulusevski on their hands with the signing of the Sweden U21 international would then be a real blessing for Postecoglou and co, with Bardghji able to strike up a devastating attacking partnership with talismanic skipper, Heung-min Son.

The South Korean superstar currently leads the way as the club's top scorer this season with 11 goals, with the teenager likely to help ease that goalscoring burden either from the flanks or through the middle, having scored seven goals in just 17 league games this term.

The Copenhagen ace can also provide quality service to the 31-year-old when required having created two big chances and averaged 1.3 key passes per game in 2023/24, indicating that there is more to his game than just putting the ball in the back of the net.

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By
Robbie Walls

Dec 21, 2023

While still a way to go to reach the levels of his compatriot Kulusevski – who has chalked up eight big chances and averages 2.3 key passes per game – the signs are that Bardghji could blossom into a real superstar in the years to come.

With Postecoglou already boasting the likes of Kulusevski and Son in his frontline, throwing another dynamic delight into the mix could help the Greek-Aussie take his side to even greater heights.

Looking to finally seal their second signing of the summer, INEOS have now reportedly submitted a “new” £60m+ offer for Manchester United to sign an attacking reinforcement who has been likened to Kevin De Bruyne.

INEOS keen to get Man Utd deals done by pre-season

Having already welcomed Matheus Cunha to get their summer plans off to the perfect start, Manchester United are now targeting a number of further much-needed reinforcements. And INEOS want things wrapped up fairly quickly ahead of the next campaign. According to Simon Stone of BBC Sport, Manchester United are trying to get their business done by the time that pre-season commences on 7 July.

He'd be unplayable with Cunha: Man Utd make enquiry to sign £50m "superstar"

Man United have wanted to sign this “superstar” forward for a while.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 24, 2025

That gives those at Old Trafford around two weeks to seal any further business and assemble a squad capable of instant improvement under Ruben Amorim next season. It, therefore, comes as little surprise to see the rumours already coming thick and fast as to who the Red Devils could welcome in the next fortnight.

One of the most prominent names on that front has been Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez. The Argentine shot-stopper could be among those shown the door in the Midlands as Villa attempt to comply with PSR rules and Manchester United are reportedly lying in wait.

A World Cup winner and one of the more experienced Premier League goalkeepers these days, there’s no doubt that Martinez would be an instant upgrade on Onana. But he’s not the only one who could arrive in the next two weeks after INEOS reportedly submitted a new bid to sign an impressive attacking reinforcement.

Man Utd submit "new" £60m+ Mbeumo offer

According to Fabrizio Romano, INEOS have submitted a “new” £60m+ offer to sign Bryan Mbeumo for Manchester United this summer. The player is reportedly prioritising a move to Old Trafford this summer and talks are ongoing with Brentford as all parties attempt to reach an agreement for his signature.

Alongside Cunha, Mbeumo could finally transform United’s attack, which often struggled when forced to rely on the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee last season.

Whilst both players were struggling for the Red Devils, Cunha and Mbeumo were thriving for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford with the latter particularly standing out – scoring 20 Premier League goals.

Mbeumo earned high praise as a result and has even been likened to Manchester City legend and recent Napoli signing De Bruyne by Football Transfers.

The Brentford star won’t come cheap but all signs point towards a player who would finally live up to the hype at Old Trafford.

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes has taken Major League Baseball by storm, and he has a chance to become the second player to ever win the Cy Young award as a rookie.

Fernando Valenzuela is the only other player to complete that feat, but Skenes' odds to win Cy Young have skyrocketed this month, pushing him into the No. 3 choice at DraftKings at +300 odds. Back on July 11, Skenes was +1200 to win Cy Young, but that number has shrunk all the way down to 3/1 after he tossed 8.1 innings of two-run ball on Tuesday night.

Based on implied probability, Skenes has gone from a 7.69 percent chance to win the award (+1200) to 25.0 percent (+300) in less than two weeks!

Skenes has dominated night in and night out, and it appears that he's in a three-man race with Zack Wheeler and Chris Sale for the NL Cy Young at this stage in the season.

2024 NL Cy Young Odds

• Chris Sale +140
• Zack Wheeler +175
• Paul Skenes +300
• Tyler Glasnow +2500
• Logan Webb +3500
• Ranger Suarez +4000
• Dylan Cease +5000
• Reynaldo Lopez +5000

Our own Jennifer Piacenti recently broke down Skenes' case for the NL Cy Young award, but his odds have moved even more since then (he was +500) after throwing 8.1 innings of two-run ball on Tuesday night.

The body of work for Skenes so far in 2024 can't be denied. He's allowed three or fewer earned runs in all 12 of his starts, striking out a ridiculous 97 batters in 74.2 innings of work.

Does he have enough time to truly catch Wheeler or Sale? It's not impossible, especially if Skenes can keep a pace close to the one he's set through 12 starts.

The rookie has 1.93 ERA (better than Wheeler and Sale who are at 2.55 and 2.70), a 2.58 FIP, and he ranks in the 97th percentile in expected ERA. Not only that, but the Pirates star ranks in the 91st percentile or better in strikeout percentage, walk percentage opponent expected batting average against and pitching run value.

That's the profile of a Cy Young candidate.

Pittsburgh is also 8-4 in Skenes' 12 starts (he has a 6-1 record in games he's earned the decision), and it is in play for a playoff spot in the NL, sitting just 1.5 games back of the final wild card spot.

If Skenes keeps up this pace over the final two months of the season, he's going to have a real case to win the Cy Young in 2024.

Declan Rice has provided insight into how Arsenal view their title defeat from last year as they prepare for another run at the trophy this year.

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Rice talks about title chancesDiscusses Arsenal's title slip-up last seasonBelieves they will be better prepared this timeGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Rice's summer acquisition has contributed to the Gunners' improved performances this time out. After leading the league for most of the previous season before faltering in the last two months of play. Rice now asserts that his team is better prepared to try and win a first championship since 2004 because they have learnt from the mistakes they made in the previous campaign.

AdvertisementWHAT RICE SAID

Speaking at the London Football Awards, Rice said [via The Mirror]: "I think last year, Arsenal were the best team in the league. They slipped up at the end and obviously, City always come on so strong. I think the word that they said now is that they can't believe they lost the league obviously eight points ahead."

He added: "This year, I feel everyone including the manager and the staff, everyone’s learned from their mistakes. Everyone’s stronger, they have more belief. If we go a goal down, there’s still that confidence and mental strength in us that we can push on and win games.

"Like I said, the league is so strong this year and anything can happen and there are 12 games to go. The main thing is, we’re right in it. Because at Christmas we had a little wobble, we lost two games on the bounce which wasn’t good."

(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Mikel Arteta's team has been dominant in 2024, with the highest defence and goal differential in the league, despite a concerning decline in performance in December. With 12 games remaining, the Gunners are well-positioned in the title chase. Arteta's side are one point behind second-place Manchester City and two points behind league leaders Liverpool.

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WHAT NEXT FOR THE TITLE RACE?

With the Gunners visiting the Etihad, March may prove to be a pivotal month in the title fight. However, first, City must meet Liverpool at Anfield. Arsenal's two competitors for top spot also have local derbies to fight in; if Arteta's team wins, they might be leading the pack at the beginning of April.

Dustin Silgardo, Sidharth Monga and Yash Jha analyse the talking points from India’s ODI series win against South Africa

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Dec-2025Did we see a new version of Virat Kohli? Can Ravinda Jadeja and Washington Sundar fit in the same ODI XI? Who impressed the most among the seamers? Dustin Silgardo, Sidharth Monga and Yash Jha get together on the Rock and Roll it podcast to discuss all that and more in their wrap of India’s ODI series against South Africa.