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A number of Liverpool supporters were left frustrated with Fabinho’s performance against Burnley on Wednesday, despite a vital win for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

The Reds faced a must-win game at Turf Moor on Wednesday evening, facing a Clarets side with nothing left to play for this season.

Liverpool didn’t have it all their own way, however, with the hosts giving it their all and causing problems for a makeshift defence.

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Despite that, the defending Premier League champions got the job done in professional fashion, securing a crucial 3-0 victory in the end.

Roberto Firmino, Nathaniel Phillips and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got the goals and Liverpool now just have to beat Crystal Palace on Sunday to all but certainly secure a top-four finish.

Someone who was well below his best at Turf Moor was Fabinho, with the Brazilian curiously sloppy by his high standards – he won just two of his eight duels, per Sofascore, a mere 25 per cent win rate.

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Liverpool fans unhappy with Fabinho display

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their frustration at his performance.

“Fabinho has been tackled 3 or 4 times from taking too long on the ball”

Credit: @TaintlessRed

“Looked knackered tonight. Another that needs a rest. Give us 1 more Fab”

Credit: @greenislandlife

“Okay but what is Fabinho doing…he was poor yesterday”

Credit: @footandnut

“He has had his worst Liverpool performance in that black kit”

Credit: @SpamInc2

“Bad day imo, we got the result and that’s what matters”

Credit: @VivekLFC14

“Fabinho was very poor today but because he played in midfield we still won”

Credit: @3ric20

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been calling for one player to leave this summer. Find out who it is here.

According to Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera, there has been an interesting transfer update out of Tottenham Hotspur involving Juventus star Paulo Dybala.

The Lowdown: Conte eyeing free agents…

In recent months, reports have suggested that transfer chief Fabio Paratici has a plan set out for the January transfer window as he targets ‘quality players at zero cost’ (Mundo Deportivo via Sport Witness).

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This has resulted in Spurs being linked with a plethora of potential 2022 free agents, most recently the likes of Jesse Lingard and Franck Kessie.

Tottenham can approach the latter star and formally agree a pre-contract this month, with news now emerging that the Ivorian midfielder is not the only Serie A star out of contract in 2022 who manager Antonio Conte wants to bring to north London.

The Latest: Spurs ‘ready’ to make Dybala move…

According to CDS, as Dybala’s contract winds down in Turin, Tottenham are one of the few clubs now ‘ready’ to snap up the Argentine from Juve.

It is also believed that Conte is personally ‘in love’, as well as Inter Milan transfer chief Giuseppe Marotta, with both men sharing the same esteem for Dybala.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also watching on with interest amid the South American’s contract situation.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Dybala is a name all Spurs fans will be familiar with after the infamous image rights debacle which once prevented his move to N17, but is he now the right man to take Conte’s new look side forward?

The £45 million-valued star could leave for nothing later this year and, going by his exploits in Italy, it would be foolish for Spurs not to go back in for him – especially since ex-Spurs fan favourite manager Mauricio Pochettino even called Dybala ‘special’.

Scoring 109 goals and assisting 46 others in 274 outings for Juve (Transfermarkt), boss Massimiliano Allegri lauded Dybala as an ‘extraordinary’ player earlier this week with his worth ‘not under question (via Football Italia).

Signing him for free could be major Paratici coup, especially considering he is still in his prime at 28-years-old.

In other news: ‘This will get Tottenham fans excited’…Sky Sports drop big N17 transfer update live on air, find out more here.

Despite falling to his first defeat as Aston Villa manager, Steven Gerrard would no doubt have been left impressed by a number of his players following Wednesday night.

The Villans were beaten 2-1 by Premier League champions Manchester City at Villa Park, and brought an end to the quick turnaround in results Gerrard had produced in his first couple of weeks in the dugout.

One man who epitomised that newfound belief at the club, was Marvelous Nakamba.

The Zimbabwe international was at his energetic and dynamic best on Wednesday, covering every blade of glass looking to stop City from playing through the lines and dominating proceedings.

As per Sofascore, the midfielder won seven duels on the night – only Ollie Watkins and John McGinn won more – while nobody made more than his quite impressive six tackles (Matty Cash could only match it).

Nakamba was quick to snap at the feet of City’s attacking players, and was only taken off by Gerrard late on in the second half for the Villa boss to inject some fresh energy.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for The Birmingham Mail, Ashley Preece gave him a seven, saying: “Tackled well as Villa’s middle man in midfield once again. Nakamba was workmanlike in his approach once more here before he ran himself into the ground as Sanson injected some energy for the final 13 or so minutes. Another good effort from Nakamba.”

On Twitter, journalist James Hendicott dubbed the Zimbabwean as an “absolute revelation” under Gerrard, and that he “looks a superb player all of a sudden.”

As is often the case with new managers coming in, there will be players who fall by the wayside and others who come more into the reckoning, and under Gerrard, Nakamba looks like a player reborn.

He’s started the past three games for the new Villa boss, while yesterday was the first time Gerrard had actually taken him off.

While much of the focus will be on how the former Liverpool captain can get the best out of Villa’s numerous attacking players, his ability to coach Nakamba into a midfield machine could be key too.

Meanwhile, this Villa man had a “rough night” vs City…

With Everton having racked up a mixed bag of results in the Premier League so far this season with five wins, three draws and seven defeats, they have the opportunity to do some business in the upcoming January transfer window to help revitalise the squad and get them on track for the second half of the campaign.

One bit of business which could be done at Goodison Park in January could see one of their current players wave goodbye to the club before any potential new signings walk through the door.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Everton journalist Phil Kirkbride in the Liverpool Echo, Toffees manager Rafael Benitez is seemingly keen to offload players in January, including Cenk Tosun.

Everton secured the signing of the Turkey centre-forward back in the 2018 January transfer window from Turkish club Besiktas in a deal worth a reported fee of £27m. Since then, he has had a loan spell at fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace, as well as a temporary return to Istanbul last season.

Overall, the 30-year-old has made 59 appearances for the Toffees across all competitions, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists along the way.

Even though he has been injured for a significant period this season, Tosun has only played six minutes (in one game) in the six matches in which he has featured in Everton’s senior squad in the Premier League in 2021/22.

This suggests to us that he is not regarded fondly by Benitez, even though the Toffees have had Dominic Calvert-Lewin out injured for quite a while.

With this in mind and the manager seemingly preferring Salomon Rondon, who has played in 10 league games without scoring for Everton so far this season, it’s not surprising to hear that the Spaniard would be willing to move Tosun on from the club in January.

Moving forward, if Everton receive an offer to take him off their hands on a permanent basis for a suitable transfer fee, this could be the best option for all parties if he’s able to get regular playing time elsewhere and the Toffees are able to get his £69k-per-week wages off their books.

Getting Tosun out the door could be a significant step in Benitez revitalising Everton’s stagnant season, especially if it helps to finance a new signing next month.

In other news: Moshiri risks further Everton fury as links emerge on “complete” £110k-p/w machine

Southampton fans have been reacting to the news that Manchester City are interested in signing Danny Ings to potentially replace Sergio Aguero (Sky Sports).

Ings’ future with the Saints is up in the air. As it stands, his contract is set to run out at the end of next season (Transfermarkt) but, while Southampton have made it clear they would like to extend his deal (via The Daily Mail), the former Liverpool man has, as of yet, not put pen to paper on an agreement.

To avoid losing the striker for nothing, Southampton may well look to sell him in the summer, and the Citizens are said to be interested in signing him to replace the outgoing Aguero, who is set to leave the club on a free transfer this summer after 10 years at the Etihad Stadium.

Saints supporters have been reacting to the news and, surprisingly, it seems they would not be too fussed to see him depart despite the £19.8m-valued star (Transfermarkt) scoring 42 goals in 92 matches for them. They took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Ings news below

“Good news, get rid and move on, ship out Redmond and djenepo too, both been under achieving at PL level, not sure they’ll achieve a regular squad number in the championship to be honest, that’s my opinion,”

Credit: @TonyTonyprince

“Let him go, picking up injuries and hasn’t looked interested for a while.”

Credit: @saintsfc2011

“Yes let him go I think if he’s not fully commited”

Credit: @doeboy1

“I’m ngl if they want him they can have him”

Credit: @J13578Josh

“Surprised i’m not alone in thinking we should sell Ings. I believe he’s had his moment in the sun and his next few seasons will be impacted heavily with injury. If we get an offer over £20m let him go”

Credit: @luke_lct

“Great! Should help plug the 75 mil hole”

Credit: @edwardmarshCT

In other news, Sevilla are said to be interested in this Southampton star.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who made 267 Premier League appearances for Newcastle United, is not surprised by the lack of urgency on Tyneside as he believes Mike Ashley is simply not bothered as long as Newcastle stay in the Premier League.

The Magpies have experienced two relegations during the Ashley era and they are currently staring another one in the face, however, there is no sign of Steve Bruce being replaced as manager despite the dismal 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, with the club still outside of the bottom three.

Lee has criticised Ashley’s unwillingness to invest in the squad and believes that is the main reason why Newcastle find themselves constantly fighting at the foot of the table.

Speaking on Ashley’s continued neglect of the Magpies and not being surprised that Bruce is still the Magpies’ manager, Lee told FFC:

“No, I’m not surprised at all. I think the remit of whatever manager comes in is basically to keep Newcastle up.

“Other clubs are spending £100 million every year and we’re spending about £20 million. So, the only remit any manager can have is to keep us in the division.

“I think if someone’s not going to invest in the team, and is looking to sell the club as he has for a long time then that’s all he’ll want. Ashley will be happy for Newcastle to just remain in the Premier League so the price stays the same and he still has a chance of selling it.

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“Regardless of who’s in charge and who replaces Steve, if someone replaces Steve, who do the fans expect to come in and work under Mike Ashley?”

Steve Bruce is adamant that he is the right man to guide Newcastle United to safety despite all the teams around them being in better form than the Magpies.

Newcastle United’s two biggest games of the season are arguably their final two. They welcome Sheffield United to St James’ Park before travelling to Craven Cottage on the last day of the season.

Liverpool will be among the clubs interested in signing West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice when the summer transfer window opens, according to transfer insider Dean Jones. 

The lowdown: Contract rebel

A recent report from The Guardian has claimed that the 23-year-old has rejected a third offer a new deal at the London Stadium and is ‘open’ to a move away at the end of the season.

With Rice under contract until 2024 (Transfermarkt), Hammers boss David Moyes has previously placed a £150m price tag on the England international, who previously came through the Chelsea academy.

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Amidst growing interest from Manchester City and Manchester United, the Reds have now been tipped to show their own admiration for Rice…

The latest: Jones makes Rice transfer claim…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that Liverpool will be weighing up a possible swoop for the 29-cap England ace.

The journalist stated: “Of course, they’re going to be interested in Declan Rice because if Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have had that player on their radar, then you kind of at least have got to consider whether you’re going to need him.”

The verdict: An unnecessary expenditure

Currently, Jurgen Klopp has Fabinho as the only recognised senior defensive midfielder within the Anfield squad, although Jordan Henderson, James Milner and youngster Tyler Morton have all deputised in the role at times this season.

Nonetheless, the powerful Brazilian midfield general has enjoyed a stellar campaign, with five goals and four assists in 44 appearances across all competitions; and despite the lack of natural options in that position, spending anything like the mooted £150m on Rice simply isn’t a realistic prospect for the Reds.

Instead, as the two Manchester clubs potentially do battle for the 23-year-old’s signature, Klopp and incoming Anfield sporting director Julian Ward are more likely to set about pursuing an affordable alternative.

Using the FBRef comparison tool, statistically this term, 21-year-old Nice starlet Khephren Thuram-Ulien is the closest match to Rice, whilst Liverpool’s own Fabinho also appears in the top 10.

In other news, Liverpool have been linked with a shock move for one player. Find out who it is here.

Speaking to Il Napoli Online, via Sport Witness, Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari dropped a promising Tottenham transfer claim – going on to say that the Lilywhites and, by extension, chairman Daniel Levy, are ‘ready’ to meet Serie A defender Nikola Maksimovic’s wage demands in a potential swoop.

Maksimovic, who has started just four Serie A matches for Napoli this season (WhoScored), is apparently still attracting Spurs’ interest regardless – with Levy seemingly prepared to match the Serbian’s salary in a move.

Levy ready to meet Maksimovic wage

Longari hints Spurs are showing a desire to sign the 6 foot 4 titan, while he believes Maksimovic ‘will’ move away from the Stadio San Paolo with an exit out of Napoli seemingly inevitable – especially considering he is out of contract in the summer.

The journalist claims that it is unlikely that he will put pen to paper on a new deal, with Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis allegedly working on a renewal, and that Tottenham are ‘ready’ to meet any ‘economic’ demand for his signature.

“About Hysaj, I have more hope, while I believe that Maksimovic will go away,” Longari explained (to Il Napoli Online via Sport Witness).

“On him, there are many teams ready to satisfy him even at an economic level, including Tottenham.

“Napoli has a great relationship with the agent of Hysaj, Mario Giuffredi, therefore, they are very optimistic about the renewal of the Albanian-back.”

Transfer Tavern take

Despite only playing a handful of games this season, Maksimovic appears to fit the profile of a defender Jose Mourinho would be keen on, judging by his past pursuit of 6 foot 2 colossus Milan Skriniar (Gianluca Di Marzio).

According to WhoScored, both Skriniar and Spurs’ latest alleged defensive target have comfortably averaged over 90% pass completion this campaign (Skriniar, 92.6%; Maksimovic, 95.3%) – while the two centre-backs are also towering in stature.

These numbers suggest that Mourinho is keen on a defender who can play out from the back whilst possessing physical prowess, and Maksimovic could also be a welcome addition in the summer given he could leave as a free agent.

Time will tell whether Spurs are the club to land him, but he could tick all the boxes for Mourinho.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano says Tottenham are also ‘ready’ to let this player leave, find out more here.

Emiliano Martinez is on the same level as Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Jan Oblak, claims former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie.

This comes after reports from Spain last month suggested that the Spanish outfit could make a move for Martinez if they lose Oblak this summer.

Martinez has been a revelation at Villa since joining from Arsenal last year, ranking among the top three goalkeepers for clean sheets kept in the Premier League this season.

And for Hendrie, the 28-year-old is in the same category as Oblak, who has a staggering £120m release clause.

When asked in an exclusive interview with TT whether Martinez was on the same level as the Slovenia international amid Atletico’s reported interest, the ex-Villa player said:

“Yeah, one hundred percent, one hundred percent. I was surprised that Martinez was actually allowed to come to the football club if I’m being deadly honest. I actually looked at [Bernd] Leno and I just thought that Martinez was the one that I would have kept.

“You look at his stats this season and he’s been top drawer. When you’re being classed as a top goalkeeper in the Premier League, yes, there’s no doubt about it. When you compare levels, he’s definitely on that level.”

Looking at Oblak’s release clause, it is hard to imagine any team coming in for him. But, based on this season, Martinez could be a good replacement if he did end up departing the Wanda Metropolitano.

According to Goal, via West Ham Central, the Hammers are interested in Red Bull Salzburg striker Patson Daka – with many supporters erupting as GSB allegedly eye the ‘perfect signing’.

Daka has attracted much attention for his exploits in Austria, drawing comparisons with Premier League legend Thierry Henry, and it’s not hard to see why judging by his phenomenal goal record over the 2020/2021 season.

Indeed, the Zambian star bagged a truly head-turning 34 goals and 12 assists in 42 appearances in all competitions for Salzburg (Transfermarkt) – with West Ham now apparently one of the clubs interested.

Not much is mentioned in regards to a price tag or any formal enquiry, but Goal claim that the Irons are certainly taking note of the 22-year-old.

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Given his brilliant campaign, it’s little wonder supporters are excited at this link – with one Hammers fan calling Daka the ‘perfect signing’ if they can get a deal done.

Find all of their best verdicts on this development down below.

West Ham fans erupt as GSB allegedly eye Daka

“Please…don’t play with my heart again!

I think he’s levels above Toney, Armstrong & Abraham ability-wise & suitability for West Ham!

Unbelievable pace & work rate, good with both feet, strong, good in the air, excellent link-up play & his agent is Kanoute!

Get it done!!!”

Credit: @WhufcSloth

“This is a dream for me.”

Credit: @DNXN90

“I’m on my knees”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“Now this I can really get behind!! Make it happen Moyesy”

Credit: @westhampep

“Yes please. Perfect signing but probably too expensive for us.”

Credit: @zan_nichol

“Yesss”

Credit: @HarryZippyAx

“Thought he was going to Leipzig but if he’s available for £25m, he’d be perfect. Fast, young, good on the ball and prolific admittedly not in the best league but he has had experience in Europa.”

Credit: @WestHam_Xtra

“This is THE signing we have to make this summer!!”

Credit: @gdizzle1981

In other news: West Ham fans were left horrified by this development, find out more here.