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Joel Matip is rapidly changing perceptions at Liverpool following a fine run of form.

The Cameroon international was once written off as a donkey, a player who could hardly balance on his on two feet, a defensive liability Jurgen Klopp ought to get rid of.

An injury to Joe Gomez, however, appears to have changed perceptions on Merseyside. The once ritually lambasted defender has stepped into the 21-year-old’s position and shone in his absence.

His latest showing against Manchester United provided yet another example of how much he has improved this season, and it’s about time that he was placed in a bracket alongside Andrew Robertson as one of the biggest Liverpool bargains in recent memory.

Granted, Matip’s task was made easier by Marcus Rashford’s lack of mobility and his afternoon would have looked altogether different had the England international been fully fit.

However, Matip was defensively solid in a multitude of different situations: he was dominant in aerial battles, winning four during the match, and he supplemented his ability to read the game with a willingness to step forward into United’s half by completing two dribbles.

All of Liverpool’s defenders are forced to accept the reality that they will live in Virgil Van Dijk’s shadow for as long as he remains at the club.

But, despite being signed for a fraction of the price, Andrew Robertson is not far behind Van Dijk and, considering Matip was signed on a free transfer, it’s fair to say he was a bargain on par with the Scotland international.

That’s an opinion which would not have been entertained at the beginning of the season, but a string of solid performances culminating at Old Trafford suggest that he should be held in the same bracket as Robertson in terms of value for money signings.

Following on from their disheartening 1-0 defeat against Liverpool in their previous Premier League outing thanks to a very late winner from Divock Origi, Wolves have another tough test coming up this weekend with a trip to face Manchester City.

Speaking ahead of the match against Pep Guardiola’s side, who are currently top of the league table with 32 goals scored and just nine conceded with 15 games played, Old Gold manager Bruno Lage revealed some news in his latest press conference which will have a lot of Wolves fans buzzing.

What’s the news?

The 45-year-old revealed that Molineux duo Conor Coady and Rayan Ait-Nouri are fit enough to play against the reigning champions after it came out that the club captain had been carrying an injury in recent weeks; and with the 20-year-old being forced off the pitch in the game against Liverpool, it will be a big relief to everyone at the club to have both available for the trip to the Etihad Stadium.

With Ait-Nouri racking up more tackles per game (3.9) than any other Wolves player in the league, as well as an overall season rating of 7.07/10 for his performances – making him their joint-highest rated player according to WhoScored – it’s easy to see why his availability will be a big boost for the Midlands side when they face City.

As for Coady, given his experience and reliability for Wolves over the years as well as his leadership on the pitch as captain, it’s safe to say that he’ll be an important figure for them again this weekend and desperate to stop City from scoring.

Looking ahead to the match on Saturday, with Wolves only conceding 13 goals so far this season in the league, four more than leaders City, Lage and the Molineux club’s fans will have the belief that they will be able to go to the Etihad and come away with a positive result, which they almost managed to do against Liverpool last weekend, especially with Coady and Ait-Nouri available.

Moving beyond the City match, with Wolves set to take on Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in their next five league games, Lage and everyone else at Molineux will be hoping that the aforementione defenders will remain fit for those festive fixtures as well.

In other news: Lage could be set for big boost on key Wolves duo, fans would surely be delighted

As per Corriere di Bologna (via Sport Witness), an update has come to light on Tottenham Hotspur’s chase for Serie A starlet Mattias Svanberg as the club now identify him as a top target.

The Lowdown: Spurs in pole position…

This isn’t the first time Spurs have been linked with the 22-year-old with inews dropping a big claim earlier this week.

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According to their information, Paratici and Conte have entered pole position for his services and are ‘favourites’ to sign the Dane – even ahead of Premier League champions Man City.

It was also claimed that Tottenham are ready to make the midfielder Conte’s first signing of the new era in January, and it appears there has been a development as CdB (via Sport Witness) share some news on a new top target.

The Latest: Spurs make approach…

According to the regional Italian outlet, Tottenham have now made an approach to sign Svanberg in the form of ‘enquiries’ over a possible January deal.

It is said that both Conte and Paratici have admired the Serie A ace for some time – so much so that they have now made him one of their ‘main objectives’ for next month.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Earning a nod for Sweden’s Euro 2020 squad, it is clear that the young attacking midfielder has bags of potential and could be a snip at the right price.

He’s averaged around 1.3 key passes per 90 in the final third this season, with only Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min making more (WhoScored).

Svanberg has also found the back of the net three times already over 2021/2022, but again, it will depend on the price tag to contemplate whether this move would be worthwhile.

Tottenham have other pressing matters in the form of potentially signing a back-up striker to Harry Kane and acquiring needed defensive depth.

If they are to reignite their fortunes and finish in a European place, both Paratici and Conte must spend their money wisely.

In other news: Levy open to another big name exit as Conte tells Spurs to sell ‘magnificent’ star, find out more here.

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have raved over a transfer update involving exciting young attacker Fabio Carvalho.

The talented teenager has continued to thrive at Craven Cottage since breaking into Fulham’s first team in 2020, clinching the EFL Young Player of the Month in August whilst continuing to show his potential.

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His current deal at Fulham expires at the end of the season, prompting clubs to take a serious interest in the England youth starlet, with West Ham apparently among his many suitors according to TEAMtalk. Indeed, they claimed that the Irons, and by extension owners GSB, have Carvalho in their sights as talks over an extension stall at his current club.

The Hammers are joined by Spurs, Liverpool and Southampton in being linked with the youngster, with that trio also believed to keeping tabs on the 19-year-old with a view to making a move.

West Ham fans rave…

Amid this development, plenty of West Ham fans have raved on Twitter, and it’s not hard to see why given Carvalho’s performances and high ceiling.

Check out some of their best reactions to the news that their club want him below, with one Hammers fan labelling the player a would-be ‘fantastic signing’.

“I’d take Fabio Carvalho. He’s the sort of signing we should be making, lots of potential but already proving he can score and perform at that level. Once the transfer window opens for us in about 10 days time … hopefully we make a move.” 

Credit: @RockyWhu

“Yes plz”

Credit: @IronsJoes

“Baller”

Credit: @jakewhu16

“please please please please”

Credit: @3ndtroducing

“This would be a fantastic signing.”

Credit: @WestHamUtdScout

“Wanted him years ago, would be perfect for Lanzini back up.”

Credit: @Icevain7

In other news: West Ham source: Newman makes move to sign ‘devastating’ forward after price plummets by £32m, find out more here.

Taking to social media, 90min reporter Graeme Bailey has shared a West Ham United transfer update as their offer for Leeds United star Raphinha gets rejected.

The Lowdown: West Ham table marquee bid…

Over the past two days, big reports emerged of West Ham’s offer to sign the Brazil international in what was a surprise late January window move.

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Insider Claret & Hugh had broken news that big bids were lodged by the Hammers, all of which were turned down, though mystery surrounded who exactly they were made for.

90min now believe one of them was a sky high £50m for Raphinha – but it has been swiftly rejected as Leeds aim to keep hold of their South American star.

In an update, however, reporter Bailey has made an intriguing claim.

The Latest: Raphinha ‘would be keen’ to join West Ham…

According to the reporter, Leeds’ attacker actually ‘would be keen’ on a move to West Ham as the club’s £50m approach is knocked back.

However, he has also ‘loved his time’ at Elland Road and would only green-light a move with their ‘blessing’.

The Verdict: Come back in the summer?

Given this news, it isn’t impossible to think that West Ham could come back in for Raphinha in the summer when there is more time to orchestrate an agreement.

There is little doubting, from our perspective, that the 25-year-old is certainly worth breaking West Ham’s transfer record to sign.

Racking up a career-total of 59 goals, Brazilian international teammates Emerson Royal and Gabriel Magalhaes both believe he is a ‘phenomenon’ – as they stated on Instagram (via Subhankar Mondal).

However, after their £50m bid was rejected, a West Ham move for Raphinha could be a very difficult to pull off and it will be interesting to see just how far they could go to back manager David Moyes.

In other news: Sky Sports: West Ham eye 11th hour move for 82-goal striker as ‘another name’ emerges, find out more here.

Some Liverpool fans are seething after the Premier League attempted to explain why Harry Kane only got a yellow card for a terrible tackle on Andy Robertson.

The Reds took part in a thrilling Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon, having to make do without the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago.

In the end, Jurgen Klopp’s men had to settle for a 2-2 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which felt both a fair result and an adequate one from a Liverpool perspective.

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Robertson was sent off for a wild tackle in the second half but Kane somehow avoided the same fate for an awful challenge on the Scot before half-time.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein [via Anfield Watch on Twitter], Kane wasn’t given a red card because the Liverpool defender was off the ground at the moment of contact.

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Liverpool fans fume at Kane tackle explanation

It is ludicrous reasoning for the decision and these Liverpool supporters have let their feelings be known on Twitter, with one branding the explanation as “pathetic”.

“So basically Robbo should break his leg just to get Kane suspended? Kane went in studs up, with pace and intent and didn’t get the ball and man, isn’t that enough for it to be RED???”

Credit: @dhruv_961

“So we only give out red cards if we break someone’s leg?”

Credit: @Aminalarian

“That nullifies the whole reason behind punishing potential reckless tackles. Just wow.”

Credit: @varuncanny

“Look what clubs are having to deal with. Absolute idiots”

Credit: @LiamWill1984

“Insanity”

Credit: @ldmu3aj

“Pathetic, so you have to get injured first before you get a red card, what is the point of VAR if we have idiots controlling it?”

Credit: @WOmaticus

In other news, some Liverpool fans have slammed one player’s performance against Spurs. Find out who it is here.

Newcastle United journalist Lee Ryder has described links with Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe as ‘intriguing’. 

The lowdown

French publication Jeunes Footeux reported earlier this month that Newcastle, Everton and Crystal Palace were all interested in the 26-year-old. Their suggestion was that the Ivory Coast international could leave on loan with an option to buy.

The £72m 2019 signing boasts the record for the most expensive addition in Arsenal’s history, and he is currently said to be earning £140,000 per week in north London.

He started five of the Gunners’ first eight Premier League matches this season, but has been an unused substitute for the last three (via Transfermarkt).

The latest

Writing in The Chronicle, Ryder stated that the rumour is ‘one of the most intriguing’ to have surfaced of late regarding Newcastle.

He noted Mikel Arteta’s stance that the player is not for sale but pointed out that the Spaniard made similar claims about Joe Willock in the summer before he made the permanent move from the Emirates Stadium to St James’ Park.

The verdict

This would be a sensational deal when you consider that Pepe ranks as one of the 10 biggest signings in Premier League history.

He has been dismissed as a flop by the likes of Robert Pires, but his stats are actually quite respectable. In 98 appearances for the Gunners, he has been directly involved in 43 goals, scoring 25 and providing 18 assists (via Transfermarkt), a return of one goal contribution every 178 minutes in the Premier League.

Former Arsenal interim boss Freddie Ljunberg is among those who recognise the £31.5m-rated winger’s qualities, describing him as ‘lethal’, and Newcastle could do a lot worse than give him a new lease of life, just as they did with Willock earlier in 2021.

In other news, a source from another big six club has provided the latest on this Newcastle target.

A key update has emerged on Rangers striker Kemar Roofe and his availability for Gio van Bronckhorst at the Ibrox giants in the coming weeks…

What’s the latest?

Jamaica boss Paul Hall has revealed that the player told him that he did not want to be selected to represent his country next month.

He told the Daily Record: “Kemar would have been one of the first names on my list. However, Kemar had indicated that he needs to fully recover from his last injury. Hence his absence from the squad.”

Buzzing

Rangers fans will surely be buzzing by this news as it comes as a major boost for van Bronckhorst ahead of games against Livingston, Ross County and Celtic.

He would have missed key games for the club if he had been called up by his country, which is why supporters will be delighted with his decision to remain in Glasgow instead of heading out on international duty.

Roofe made a comeback from injury against Stirling Albion on Friday and could be closing in on a return to full fitness as Rangers prepare to clash with Celtic next month. This shows that he has not rejected Jamaica because he is not able to play at all and has, instead, turned them down to continue playing for Rangers whilst also managing his knock at the same time.

Supporters will be delighted with this as it shows a determination from the player to do his best for the Gers, as he has put his club above his country in this instance. They will be particularly pleased with his decision as he is a proven Premiership performer who has been superb since arriving in Glasgow.

So far this season, Roofe has scored six goals in six starts for the club in the league. Last term, he managed 14 goals and three assists in 18 Premiership starts, which means that he has directly contributed to 23 goals in just 24 starts for Rangers domestically.

This highlights how big of a player he can be for van Bronckhorst and why having him available for crucial matches next month is a major boost for the Dutch head coach. Fans will want to see him in the squad, whether that is from the start or off the bench, as he has the potential to make an impact on the pitch and win games for the Scottish giants.

AND in other news, Rangers could finally axe “really poor” lightweight by landing £2.8m-rated playmaker…

Liverpool are plotting a summer move for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino this summer who could be available for £45m.

What’s the story?

According to reports in Spain, the Reds could revive their pursuit of the Spanish star after previously registering interest in the winter market.

Klopp wants to sign a ‘top class’ central midfielder this summer and there is a lot of speculation about who that might be. Whilst many stand out names have been mentioned, considering a player like Merino may be worth it.

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The player is valued at a mouthwatering £45m by Transfermarkt.

He’s better than Henderson

Not only would he be available at a cheaper price than others, he has Premier League experience as well. He spent a season on loan at Newcastle United before being bought by the Magpies for £6.3m.

At the time his capture was described as “obscenely good” by journalist Simon Harrison, but he was sold in the same transfer window. He was also described as “more mobile and more dynamic.” than Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso by his then manager Rafael Benítez.

Perhaps he’s one that got away for the Toon, but it could play to Liverpool’s advantage nicely. His time on Tyneside wasn’t exceptional but he was only 21-years old and has since improved.

Although in a recent interview he admits that he “still gets goosebumps” thinking about the crowd at St James’ Park, therefore just imagine what he would feel in front of the Anfield faithful.

The Spaniard has made 27 league appearances for Real Sociedad this season and has seven goal contributions to his name.

What’s more impressive are his stats on the ball, he is in the top 7% in Europe’s top five leagues compared to players in his position for passes under pressure and touches in the opposing penalty area.

To get a feel for how well he would do in a Liverpool shirt we compared him to captain and star midfielder for the Reds Jordan Henderson.

Merino has a higher expected goals and assists per 90 minutes this season at 0.27 compared to the Reds skipper’s 0.21.

He also beats Henderson in some defensive areas, including having tackled a higher percentage of dribblers at 38% compared to 28%.

And at just 25-years-old he has his best years ahead of him. Klopp could go for a more complete midfielder who is perhaps already world-class, but it would cost more and leave him with less money to spend elsewhere.

He has a proven record of turning good players into the best players and he could do the same with Merino.

IN other news: Sources: Liverpool now set to sign “generational” ace, he’s more exciting than Carvalho…

West Ham United have been dealt a late injury blow concerning Arthur Masuaku ahead of this evening’s Premier League clash.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by the Evening Standard, David Moyes revealed that the 28-year-old will be unavailable for selection for the fixture against Watford as a result of a knee injury, with the 58-year-old going on to reveal that the left-back will be seeing a specialist about his knock.

Speaking about the current state of his first-team squad, Moyes said: “We’ve had an injury to [Manuel] Lanzini and an injury to Arthur. They are both doing okay but Arthur is going to see a specialist about his knee.”

Moyes will be gutted

While the return of Aaron Cresswell has eased West Ham’s concerns at left-back, the loss of Masuaku ahead of the Watford game, and potentially for a much longer period, is sure to have left the 58-year-old Hammers boss gutted.

Indeed, the £4.5m-rated defender had been in decent form over his 11 Premier League appearances while filling in for Cresswell this season, scoring one goal, providing one assist and creating one big chance for his teammates, as well as making an average of 0.8 interceptions, 2.6 tackles, 0.9 clearances and winning an impressive five duels – at a success rate of 65% – per game.

These returns had seen the DR Congo international average a SofaScore match rating of 6.88, ranking him as Moyes’ 12th-best performer in the top flight of English football so far this term.

As such, while Masuaku is by no means a guaranteed starter at the London Stadium, the 28-year-old’s loss will nevertheless come as a blow to the Scottish manager and his side – as, should Cresswell pick up another injury, or simply just become fatigued with the club’s heavy schedule, the absence of Masuaku undoubtedly reduces the Irons’ depth in the position.

In other news: Moyes must brutally axe “shocking” WHU flop tonight, it’s “frightening” how bad he is