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Liverpool earned a slender victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday evening, in a match that was unfortunately overshadowed by an injury to Rui Patricio.

The goalkeeper sustained a head injury late on, with the game eventually being sealed thanks to a goal just before half-time from former Wolves man Diogo Jota.

The Portuguese winger did excellently to combine with Sadio Mane before directing a shot into the near post.

Despite proving to be the match-winner at his former stomping ground, Jota’s contribution did not just end with his goal.

The £36m-rated forward was a constant thorn in the side of his ex-employers, having two shots and getting each of them on target, according to WhoScored.

A further dribble added to his game, whilst the home side were only eventually able to stop him by unfair means, with Jota winning two fouls throughout the game. Only Thiago Alcantara and Adama Traore were fouled on more occasions than the Reds’ match-winner.

His excellence on the ball continued throughout the game, as he proved to be a creative influence, providing another key pass, whilst he was also hugely reliable on the ball, only getting dispossessed on just one occasion.

Regardless of his attacking contributions, Jota was also key as Liverpool aimed to hold onto their slender lead.

Against his former club, he contributed a clearance, a tackle and two interceptions, whilst also committing just one foul. Meanwhile, he also won a huge four aerials, which for a player standing at just five foot and eight inches, is a remarkable figure, and the highest on the entire Liverpool team.

With Roberto Firmino still suffering with injury, more outstanding performances similar to that at Molineux will certainly stand Jota in good stead if he has hopes of continuing to lead the line for the Reds.

AND in more news, read why despite getting back to winning ways, the Reds have to forget about the Premier League this season…

Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Everton duo Jordan Pickford and James Rodriguez are doubts ahead of tonight’s against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.

Spurs visit Goodison Park looking to secure a place in the quarter-final in what will be the first FA Cup meeting between the two sides since 1995, a game which saw the Toffees run out 4-1 victors, thus sealing a place in that year’s Final.

Everton have not advanced through to the final of the competition since losing 2-1 to Chelsea at Wembley in 2009, but are currently enjoying their best run since reaching the semi-final of the 2015/16 edition.

Ancelotti accepts that tonight’s game comes at a crucial point in Everton’s season with a top-four Premier League finish a real possibility. So, with that in mind, here’s a potential line-up the Italian could name against Jose Mourinho’s Spurs in the FA Cup…

Ancelotti has confirmed that Everton are facing a handful of injury concerns before welcoming Tottenham to Goodison Park, after Rodriguez was forced off the field with a tight calf in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Manchester United.

Pickford was not deemed fit to feature at Old Trafford as he continues to overcome an abdominal injury sustained against Newcastle, but he and Rodriguez may yet feature against Spurs.

“I have to wait for training this afternoon [Tuesday] to check on some situations. One is James and one is Jordan. They are going to train and after that we will see,” Ancelotti said on Tuesday.

“James had a tight calf [against Manchester United]. I took him off after 70 minutes to avoid risk. Now he will train today. If he’s ready to play tomorrow, he will play, and if the calf is still tight, he will play in the next game on Sunday.”

Ancelotti may play Pickford’s return carefully with the issue now having ruled the England international out of two games, and instead, look to save the goalkeeper for this weekend’s Premier League encounter with Fulham.

Doing so would allow Robin Olsen to retain the gloves despite his challenging performance at Old Trafford, where the AS Roma loanee should have done better to prevent Scott McTominay’s header, having slipped on his line.

Resting Rodriguez may also be considered as Everton already lost the Colombian for five games across all competitions in December with a calf injury, something that Ancelotti will be keen to avoid a repeat of.

Gylfi Sigurdsson would be expected to stand in for Rodriguez in the creative role of Everton’s midfield if needed, joining Andre Gomes, Tom Davies and Abdoulaye Doucoure in the engine room after Ancelotti enjoyed what he saw from the Blues in a 4-3-1-2 against the Red Devils.

Richarlison was unable to end his scoring issues with one strike in nine games by partnering Dominic Calvert-Lewin at striker, but showed brief signs of promise.

Everton’s backline will be expected to stay much the same from the side that drew with Manchester United, after Ben Godfrey produced another impressive display in the centre beside Michael Keane.

Mason Holgate did not look comfortable at right-back at Old Trafford and committed the occasional error, something which Ancelotti may look to rectify with a recall for Seamus Coleman at the £16m-rated gem’s expense.

Coleman has not featured for the Toffees since captaining the side to defeat at home to Newcastle last month, while earning just his 11th start of the campaign in all competitions.

AND in other news, Everton have been tipped to sign a £2m-rated veteran this summer after a 2020 deal collapsed…

Speaking to Football Insider, pundit and BBC Radio Leeds regular Noel Whelan has claimed Rangers star Kemar Roofe could be facing ‘five to six weeks’ out – coming after Steven Gerrard revealed a suspected return of the calf injury. 

Whelan claims that losing Roofe to injury comes as a ‘devastating’ blow for the Teddy Bears, with Gerrard expecting more information on his injury when he meets the press again at Ibrox on Sunday (Rangers).

Whelan drops Roofe injury claim

Roofe was taken off 45 minutes into Rangers’ 4-3 victory at Royal Antwerp in the Europa League on Thursday night – and the pundit believes he could be facing a lengthy absence.

“It started really well for him, he came into Rangers, he was just finding his feet and now he’s got this calf niggle and it keeps cropping up,” he explained to Football Insider.

“It’s really devastating I’m sure for Steven Gerrard, with the run-in, that he wants to get over the line as quickly as possible and one of his key strikers is out injured now.

“You could talk about five to six weeks out with Kemar Roofe, possibly, so that’s a long time to have a striker out and a goalscorer.”

Transfer Tavern take

Roofe has bagged 12 goals and two assists in all competitions for the Gers this season (Transfermarkt), with Gerrard now facing the possibility of being without him for crucial matches.

In other news: Rangers fans raved over this club update, find out more here.

Celtic must look to sell Olivier Ntcham in the January transfer window amid interest from Premier League side West Brom.

What’s the story?

The Frenchman has yet to complete the full 90 minutes in the Scottish Premiership this season for Neil Lennon’s side, and has scored just the one goal too.

Now, Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph has claimed that West Brom have made “initial contact” over Ntcham, and that a number of clubs in France are also keen on signing the midfielder.

Celtic must sell

Rumours of an Ntcham exit has been a long-running saga now, but it’s surely the perfect time for the Hoops to finally cut their losses on the £3.6m-rated ace.

His performances this season have shown nothing to suggest that the Bhoys will really miss him in a way they might have done a couple of seasons ago when he was really showcasing his potential – a record of just one goal and two assists in 23 games is testament to that.

It’s a far cry from August 2019 when Lennon said: “Olivier Ntcham is an excellent player and it’s really up to him to keep that consistency. When he is in the mood, he’s fantastic. If we can just get that consistent level from him, we’ll have one hell of a player on our hands – as we already do.”

Sadly for both Ntcham and Celtic, things just haven’t quite gone the way they would have hoped. It’s about time they move on from this saga and look to the future.

Portuguese publication A Bola reported earlier this week that Felipe Anderson is on the verge of returning to West Ham United following his failed loan spell with FC Porto, and that could present David Moyes with the chance to save the Brazilian’s London Stadium career.

Anderson departed for Portugal at the climax of the last international transfer market, aiming to rediscover his form by playing time for a Champions League side, but the move has not benefited either the one-time international or the Liga Nos outfit.

Dragoes boss Sergio Conceicao has called on Anderson to feature in just five fixtures across all competitions for a woeful total of 218 minutes to date, with his last league outing coming in October,  after which, his work-rate came into question.

Moyes, likewise, had called on Anderson to make the step up with his performances, after an underwhelming spell last season left the forward outside of the Scot’s starting line-up.

“Both had big reputations [when I arrived] and I think the games that they have played everybody had the chance to see their performances,” Moyes said of Anderson and former teammate Sebastien Haller in September, via quotes by the Evening Standard.

“I’ve got to say, the two of them are great to work with, the two of them are really good lads – I like them a lot. Felipe is a terrific lad, so is Seb. But what I want them to be is terrific players every time they play, and I want them to make a difference. They were bought by the club to make a difference, one to be a major goalscorer and one to be a major assist maker.”

Anderson failed to show that he was a ‘major assist maker’ amid his struggles with Porto and he may now return to east London but not for long, with A Bola adding that Everton are interested in taking the forward on loan as Carlo Ancelotti looks to add depth ahead of the likely departure of AS Roma target Bernard.

The Toffees are not alone in monitoring Anderson’s situation, either, as the Daily Mail have touted Serie A leaders AC Milan as another potential suitor, should the San Siro natives seek to sign options who can strengthen Stefano Pioli’s title-chasing squad.

It is also noted by The Guardian that West Ham will look to secure another loan move for the 27-year-old, as the Irons fear that him not playing games will lead to them struggling to demand a lucrative price if the club look to sell him in the summer, as is expected.

However, Moyes opting to allow Anderson the chance to stay and fight for his future in east London may deliver the Scot an option he currently lacks in his players, with quality depth in terms of wide players thin and far between beyond regular starters Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma.

Last season was far from perfect for Anderson as he offered just 1.0 key balls and 0.6 shots per Premier League appearance, after his impressive debut campaign which returned 1.8 key balls and 1.1 shots a game, per SofaScore.

Yet ,West Ham did not see a decline in his successful dribbles as they actually rose from 2.1 to 2.5, which would be enough for Anderson to rank first among all of Moyes’ current midfield and forward options, with Michail Antonio’s 1.56 a game the current best at the London Stadium.

Anderson would also rank first for key passes, with Bowen’s 0.88 the best at present, whist Andriy Yarmolenko – often Moyes’ go-to from the bench when fit – is ninth with 0.33 and ninth for shots, again with 0.33 a game.

If Anderson does return to the Premier League and stays put at the London Stadium, it might be worth the manager giving him another chance in and around the first team.

If things went well or the winger, he could prove to be the game-changing option Moyes is sometimes lacking, and it could indeed open the door for the £22.5m-rated maestro to save his West Ham career.

His stats from a few years ago were very impressive, if he could recreate them in 2021, he’d certainly provide Moyes with an effective option, he might just need to be given a chance to prove to his manager, and maybe even to himself, that he is still that same player.

AND in other news, GSB must back Moyes with WHU move for “devastating” 17-goal star with “explosive pace”.

After an impressive win in mid-week against Molde, Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday night when they take on Wolves at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta’s side secured qualification to the knockout stages of the Europa League with their resounding 3-0 victory out in Norway, with a couple of the club’s youngsters like Reiss Nelson and Folarin Balogun taking centre stage with a goal apiece.

Whether any of the Gunners’ academy products on the night have done enough to earn a place in the starting line-up for the visit of Nuno Espirito Santo’s men remains to be seen, but Arteta does have some big calls to make ahead of the game.

And with that in mind, below is a look at how Arsenal might line up for the game against Wolves.

After being given a rest in mid-week, Bernd Leno will come straight back into the first eleven on Sunday afternoon, and the German will be the first of a number of changes to be made to the back-five.

The likes of Hector Bellerin, Gabriel and Kieran Tierney will all surely return to the starting line-up as well, whilst Rob Holding, who had to come on for David Luiz at half-time against Molde, is also likely to reclaim his place.

And with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny still yet to return to first-team training, the midfield duo that shone so brightly against Manchester United are likely to miss out once more, with Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos ready to rekindle their partnership in the engine room.

Further forward, Arteta will have to make one enforced change from the 0-0 draw to Leeds thanks to Nicolas Pepe’s sending off and subsequent three-game domestic ban.

Nelson’s performance on Thursday night may have just been the kind of statement-making display the England U21 international was hoping for, and he could line up alongside Bukayo Saka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a three-man attack, with the struggling £46.5m man Alexandre Lacazette dropped to the bench – he hasn’t scored in the Premier League since against Liverpool.

Predicted XI: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka, Willock; Nelson, Aubameyang, Saka.

Liverpool return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon as they face Crystal Palace away from home at 12:30.

The Reds moved back to the top of the table on Wednesday night thanks to a 2-1 victory against previous leaders Tottenham Hotspur, so will be full of confidence ahead of their trip to Selhurst Park.

Despite the impressive performance against Jose Mourinho’s side, it has been suggested by Liverpool Echo writer Ian Doyle that manager Jurgen Klopp is likely to make changes to his starting XI to face the Eagles, perhaps as he tries to deal with the busy Christmas fixture list.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Klopp to line his side up against Palace, with three changes from the side that beat Spurs…

Despite Rhys Williams’ superb Premier League debut on Wednesday night, Palace will provide a different sort of threat on Saturday, so Klopp may be better served restoring Nathaniel Phillips to his starting eleven for the trip to Selhurst Park, to ensure that his young centre-back options remain fresh.

Trent Alexander-Arnold will surely be key in the battle against Palace danger-man Wilfried Zaha, although the Reds’ defence won’t have to deal with the aerial threat of Christian Benteke after he was sent off in their midweek draw with West Ham.

There’s one change in midfield as Curtis Jones is rested, with Naby Keita replacing him in the starting line up. Jones was perhaps the best player on the pitch against Spurs but he’s only 19-years-old and will need a rest every now and then, whilst Keita needs to pick up some fitness after making his return as a substitute in midweek.

Earlier this year, the Guinean was heavily praised by teammate Virgil van Dijk, with the Dutch international saying:

“Naby is a fantastic guy, he works so hard and he is an outstanding football player. We see it week in and week out. He has unfortunately been unlucky with some injuries, but hopefully he can stay fully fit for the next season.

“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.”

Hopefully, if the former RB Leipzig man is handed a start vs Palace, he can repay Van Dijk’s faith in him.

Finally, there’s one change in attack, as Mohamed Salah is replaced by Xherdan Shaqiri, with the Swiss international having missed recent fixtures but we feel that Klopp could spring a surprise by selecting the former Stoke City man from the start against Palace, giving Salah a well-earned rest.

Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino keep their place, although the Reds will want to be in a position where they are comfortable and can give those two a rest, so that they are not overextended during the next few weeks of action.

And, in other news… Forget Williams: Klopp must seal transfer swoop for centre-back who “doesn’t make mistakes”…

David Moyes’ decision not to sign Ryan Manning for West Ham United this summer has backfired drastically after Queens Park Rangers sold the full-back to Swansea City in a bargain Domestic Deadline Day deal.

What’s the word?

Swansea confirmed the capture of Manning on Friday after agreeing to a rumoured £250,000 deal with QPR, that sees the 24-year-old join the Swans on a three-year contract.

The Irishman has not made an appearance in this season’s Championship campaign under Rs boss Mark Warburton due to the uncertainty which surrounded his future at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, where Manning’s contract was due to expire next summer after refusing offers of a new deal.

West Ham had been touted as a potential destination for Manning earlier in the window, with the Daily Star proposing that Moyes was considering a £5million swoop as he looked to bolster both his full-back and midfield options.

But the Irons ultimately did not push through with plans to sign the left-back who provided four goals and seven assists in the Championship last season, as claims soon surfaced that Moyes “doesn’t rate him” despite long-term links.

Ultimately, West Ham’s decision not to sign Manning – likely below the £5m fee claimed – backfired as the Irons ended the summer market without either a new full-back or midfielder joining.

Was Manning the answer?

While Moyes was claimed to no longer rate Manning despite scouting the goal-scoring full-back last season, his bargain Domestic Deadline Day move shows that a deal was on the cards while his output last term showed what he could offer.

Manning was also called up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad for the first time during the October internationals, following nine outings in his national side’s Under 21s in which he struck three goals and penned two assists.

A senior debut for the Boys in Green has been touted for years by those who have worked with Manning, with former QPR boss Ian Holloway telling The Herald, via quotes by the Irish Mirror, in 2017: “I see Ryan day in, day out. I have had some wonderful players and, in my view, Ryan is up there with them.

“I don’t know who else Ireland have to pick from but it’s only a matter of time before he gets into the international team, never mind the squad, he is that good. He is a special talent. He can play Premier League and international football, without a shadow of a doubt. I have no doubt about that.

“That left foot of his – which is a wand, by the way. He has athleticism, a desire to get down the pitch. I am not sure where he is going to end up playing, in central midfield as part of a three, but he could play anywhere down the left, as an attacking full-back, a bit like Seamus Coleman.”

Manning ultimately established himself as a left-back with QPR, but recorded two of his seven assists in last season’s Championship campaign during five outings at left-midfield while also earning minutes in a central midfield role.

Certainly, then, for any fee close to the £250,000 paid by Swansea, West Ham have missed a real bargain deal in Manning.

AND in other news, West Ham potentially saved £16m in being snubbed by a summer target.

West Brom were linked with a multitude of potential striking options throughout the summer transfer window but they can be glad that they didn’t secure one absolute dud.

According to Joseph Masi at the Express & Star, the Baggies held an interest in signing Rennes forward M’Baye Niang on loan back in September.

It’s claimed that Albion sporting and technical director Luke Dowling’s previous dealings with the Senegalese powerhouse at Watford would’ve helped in a move whilst the player himself was open to returning to the Premier League.

The Midlands outfit eventually signed top target Karlan Grant from Huddersfield Town in a £15m deal and they can count their lucky stars that Dowling didn’t follow through with interest in Niang.

The 25-year-old has always been tipped for big things as a player once compared to Alexandre Lacazette and described as strong, quick and skilful despite being 6 foot 2.

However, he would have also arrived with so much baggage as French football expert Jeremy Smith told the Express & Star that tensions have risen between Niang and the Rennes head coach, following on from high-profile controversies at AC Milan.

Reports in France claimed that the Ligue 1 outfit wanted around €20m (£18m) to let him go, which would’ve been one expensive gamble and a half for West Brom.

He’s also thought to be Rennes’ third-highest earner on £51k-per-week, via Salary Sport.

Since his summer of speculation, Niang has played just one match all season which came on the opening day, playing 64 minutes before being withdrawn. The former Hornets flop then made the bench in the next game, but he has not been seen in any matchday squad after that.

The €30m-rated (£27m) striker would’ve been one disastrous signing for the Baggies, so it was thankfully one massive bullet dodged.

AND in other news, U23 starlet rejected by Pulis and released has since scored 41 times for club and country…

Due to how close the league is likely to be between Rangers and Celtic this season, either side will be massively frustrated whenever they drop points.

That is something the Gers are having to face now, as goals from Alfredo Morelos and Scott Arfield were cancelled out by Drey Wight and Christian Doidge, meaning they dropped points for the second time this term.

Despite the disappointment that comes with the result, there can be encouragement from some of the individual performances, and Ryan Kent’s display will be seen as a positive.

Can you name every one of the Rangers’ top goalscorers from the past 15 seasons? It’s a tricky one…

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

His most obvious contribution came for Morelos’ goal, when he played a one-two with Steven Davis, before clipping a wonderful ball to the back post, where the Colombian was on hand to finish.

There was plenty of creativity shown outside of that though, as he completed five key passes – the game’s join-highest total alongside Ianis Hagi.

The 23-year-old also completed all three of the dribbles he attempted, which was the most from any player on the pitch, indicating how important he was to Rangers’ attacks.

Given his largely direct nature, it is also impressive that the winger was able to find a teammate with 91% of the passes he attempted.

If there was one thing Steven Gerrard could look for Kent to improve, it’s his defensive contribution, as one tackle was all he managed in this regard, while he didn’t compete in any aerial duels.

Despite this, the attacking intent he showed is a positive to take out of what turned out to be a frustrating day for Rangers.