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Liverpool’s 0-0 draw against Bayern Munich on Tuesday showed signs that their relatively free schedule compared to Manchester City could be their downfall in the Premier League title race.

The Reds no longer feature in the FA Cup and won’t be playing in the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday because they were knocked out in the early rounds after fielding weakened sides. This could be a masterstroke because, as City find out regularly, fixture congestions test the depth and fitness of your squad, and Liverpool simply don’t have enough depth to deal with it.

However, at times the best way to recover from poor form or continue good form is to play quickly after it, something Liverpool won’t be able to do when FA Cup weekends crop up or they’re out of the Champions League, which could be the case considering the prospect of having to win at Bayern Munich. Their prioritisation could come back to bite them.

Jurgen Klopp’s men were warm-weather training in Marbella for a week prior to the Bayern game and when it came to the final pass or shot on Tuesday night, it looked like they thought they were still there. Liverpool were lacking the cutting edge we saw early this season and last season, as they have since the year turned quite frankly.

Yes, it’s important that in a title run-in players have chance to rest before their next match, but a week’s rest may be too much and could be even more detrimental than playing every three or four days. This is certainly the case when the extra games City are playing involve teams of much less quality like Rotherham, Burton, Swansea and even Schalke in the Champions League.

If City get past Schalke, they could face a much tougher draw in the next round and that will certainly test their ability to play across three competitions, as it will be by then. Liverpool’s position in the Champions League is less assured, but those who would prioritise the Premier League over Europe should hope Liverpool remain in the competition.

Without playing regularly, Liverpool could become lethargic as it looked in and around the box on Tuesday, so their weapon of prioritisation could become their own worst enemy in the title race.

Do you think Liverpool staying in the Champions League would help or hinder their Premier League title chances?

A major transfer claim has been made on Newcastle United’s pursuit of Lille centre-back Sven Botman…

What’s the talk?

Journalist Duncan Castles has revealed that the Magpies are in discussions with the defender’s representatives and the French champions could be willing to part ways with him for a fee of around €25m (£21m) due to their need to bring money into the club.

He told the Transfer Window podcast, via This Is Futbol: “My information is Lille, because of their desperation to create income in this window, might sell Botman and for as little as €25 million. There are definitely discussions with the players’ representatives.

“The deal has not been done. I’m told it’s a possibility, but it’s not a straightforward move. When it comes out that Botman is likely available for €25 million, the chances are that a club in a better league position will get interested in that deal and come in and compete with Newcastle.

“Then they get into the question mark of: can you convince a player of Botman’s quality – who would be a great addition to the defence – to come to Newcastle with money and the promise of something good down the line, rather than go to a more established club immediately without having to worry about what’s going to happen with Newcastle over the next half-season.”

Fans could be buzzing

This update from Castles will surely leave Newcastle fans buzzing as it appears to indicate that a deal for Botman is attainable for the club in January. If Lille are in dire need of money, then the Magpies could swoop in and pick up the centre-back for a cut-price fee, as the French outfit are seemingly in no position to negotiate an extortionate price.

The 21-year-old has averaged a solid SofaScore rating of 6.93 in Ligue 1 this season after managing a score of 7.08 last term. This shows that he has been consistently performing to a high standard in France, despite his young age, and could therefore be an excellent addition to the Newcastle squad.

Eddie Howe’s team have only kept one clean sheet in the Premier League this season and are conceding two goals per game on average. Botman helped Lille to keep an outstanding 20 clean sheets in 37 matches last term, showing that he has the ability to function as part of a strong, resolute, defence at the top level.

This illustrates why supporters will surely be buzzing with this major claim from Castles. The Dutch defender could be a superb signing for the Magpies, given his performances in Ligue 1 and his scope for development at the age of 21, and Castles has made it clear that Newcastle are working to get a deal done for him ahead of the January window.

AND in other news, Dream come true: PIF could leave the Toon Army buzzing with major NUFC appointment…

Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish has claimed that Tottenham may be planning a ‘system reboot’, following claims that Antonio Conte is receptive to offers for Tanguy Ndombele (Football Insider). 

The Lowdown: Receptive to offers for Ndombele

Since the Italian’s arrival in N17, Ndombele has played just five minutes of Premier League football. After arriving at Tottenham in the summer of 2019 for a club record fee of £54m, the Frenchman has struggled to establish himself as a key component of this Spurs side, with just six goals and four assists in 61 top-flight appearances.

Despite being under contract to the club until 2025, it is reported that Conte has made it clear to the club’s powerbrokers that they should be receptive to offers for Ndombele. This comes amid reports that Juventus are interested in singing the Frenchman in the January transfer window.

The Latest: Pundit claims system reboot is needed

Speaking to Football Insider in the wake of these reports, former Premier League manager McLeish claimed that Tottenham are right to trim the squad of inconsistent players like Ndombele.

He said: “You have to regroup as a squad at some point. For a pretty long time, there have been players who haven’t quite made the grade at Spurs, who haven’t been able to sustain themselves at the top level.

“The consistency is key. How many times have we said ‘he was great last week’ and then we don’t speak about him for 10 weeks as he isn’t playing.

“So I think there has to be a bit of a system reboot. That will mean some players have to leave and you say goodbye.“

The Verdict: Reboot necessary for top four push

Despite Ndombele being called  ‘magnificent’ by former Tottenham manager José Mourinho, it is clear that Conte does not hold a similar opinion of the midfielder; and with the 24-year-old having a current market value of £40.5m, this could be the right time to offload him. This comes as Spurs are reportedly planning ‘the biggest window in the club’s history’, with suggestions that as many as 10 transfers could be completed between incomings and outgoings.

With a bid for Champions League qualification in mind, Conte will surely not mess about when it comes to dropping players from the squad. The Italian has already called on Ndombele to ‘work much more than the others’, so if he doesn’t see results, we could see the player leave the club in January, as McLeish has seemingly hinted.

In other news: Tottenham lead transfer race for £59.5m-valued beast who’s earned Haaland comparisons

A number of Wolves supporters are frustrated after Bruno Lage claimed Adama Traore would stay put at the club beyond the January transfer window.

Traore has had a curious Wanderers career in many ways, sometimes threatening to produce brilliance but too often flattering to deceive.

At 25, the hope was that the winger would have pushed on by now, becoming a more complete all-round player, but he is yet to register a goal or an assist this season.

Traore has been constantly linked with a move away from Molineux this month, with Tottenham seemingly emerging as the front-runners to sign him.

Lage has played down the exit rumours, however, according to The Express & Star‘s Liam Keen [via Talking Wolves on Twitter], saying he expects the Spaniard to be a Wolves player for the rest of the season.

Wolves fans fume at Traore update

These Wanderers fans have reacted negatively to the news on Twitter, with one admitting they are ‘gutted’.

“Where’s the dislike button?”

Credit: @MiniPizza99

“This guy just can’t leave”

Credit: @Attifooty

“And then leave on a free? At least take the £15m”

Credit: @KieDowles

“The pain will never end”

Credit: @alfiemorgannn

“I’m actually gutted!!”

Credit: @Ben1988Harvey

“If he’s not going to sign a contract then we need to sell him now really”

Credit: @Cameron__b_

In other news, some Wolves fans are delighted at a fresh transfer update. Read more here.

Newcastle United are keen on signing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in this final week of the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to Calciomercato (via Sport Witness), Eddie Howe’s side have got “concrete” interest in signing the Nigeria international, and that if a sizeable offer does come in for him, then Napoli owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis, would be willing to come to the table.

It is added that a deal in January would be difficult to do, but if that can’t be done, then it could well be set up for the summer.

He’s better than Callum Wilson

While Callum Wilson has certainly shown why Newcastle were keen to bring him in from Bournemouth a couple of seasons ago, his injury troubles haven’t meant that he hasn’t been able to feature week-in and week-out for the Magpies.

In the form of Osimhen, Howe would be getting an elite goal-scorer who has proven himself at the highest level with Napoli, both in the Serie A and in European competition too.

This campaign has seen him score nine goals in just 16 games for the Italian giants, including bagging four in just three Europa League group stage games – a couple of those coming away from home against Leicester to rescue a point for his team.

And, as per Whoscored, Osimhen also appears to be a far more complete striker than Wilson, averaging far more shots, key passes and dribbles per game this campaign, while his average match rating comfortably trumps that of the English ace.

Even back when he had just signed for Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, he had made an immediate impression on his coaches, with then manager Andries Jonker saying: “He has great potential in him. He is ambitious, quick and highly unpredictable, he will be a star in the future if he maintains his focus.”

But perhaps the biggest indication of why Osimhen may be the perfect signing for Newcastle is the way former Manchester United star and Nigeria teammate Odion Ighalo talked about him.

He said: “He’s the future, he’s going to do so well in football. I love him, he’s down to earth, he’s hard working, he has a future and he has the mentality of a winner, that’s what I love about him. He has that lion’s heart. I love him, I just want him to keep working hard the way he’s doing, he’s going to break so many records in Europe and Nigeria.”

With the Magpies well and truly in the battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season, getting someone with the mentality of Osimhen will help immensely.

The £54m-rated star would be a very exciting signing for the Magpies, and one that would be a real upgrade even on someone like Wilson.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are keen on a deal for this Ligue 1 star…it’s not Bruno

The previous summer transfer window was a rather busy one for Aston Villa after selling Jack Grealish to Manchester City in a deal worth a reported fee of £100m and then spending £89.84m on new players.

Even though it’s only been a few months since the summer window closed, one player that was brought in who hasn’t really got going in a Villa shirt so far is attacker Emi Buendia.

Since joining the Midlands club back in June from Norwich City for a fee of £33m, the Argentine has only managed to score one goal and provide two assists in the Premier League.

With 16 Premier League appearances and 12 starts under his belt this season, it’s not like he’s not been given sufficient chances to show what he’s capable of.

In addition to his lack of regular goals and assists, his overall performances in the league haven’t been much to shout about either with WhoScored giving the 25-year-old a season rating of 6.58/10, making him Villa’s 12th highest-rated player, behind the likes of Kortney Hause and Morgan Sanson who only have eight Premier League appearances between them.

Taking this into account, it’s no surprise that former Villa attacker Gabby Agbonlahor has labelled Buendia, who is currently valued at £31.5m according to Transfermarkt, as an “imposter” in comparison to the solid season he had with Norwich in the Championship last term where he managed to score 15 goals and provide 16 assists in 39 league outings.

In the Argentine’s defence, the fact that he has been playing in multiple attacking positions this season and has only completed a full 90 minutes on two occasions in the league may not be helping him find some consistency in front of goal.

At the moment, however, it’s looking that Villa’s owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens may have made a mistake in spending so much money on the attacking midfielder, arguably even more so than Danny Ings whose lack of goals could be put down to his injury issues this season.

The best thing for the 25-year-old to do and everyone at Villa to hope for would be to see him end the campaign strongly with some more goals and assists, ensuring a better second half of the season at Villa Park than his first one.

In other news: Villa have made this man their main target…

Liverpool have no new injury problems ahead of their Premier League clash with Southampton at Anfield, according to journalist Neil Jones.

The Lowdown: Reds entertain Saints

The Reds are back in league action on Saturday afternoon, welcoming Ralph Hasenhuttl’s 13th-placed Saints to Merseyside.

Victory is imperative for Jurgen Klopp’s side, with a win taking them to within one point of current leaders Chelsea, who entertain Manchester United on Sunday.

It looks as though Liverpool’s injury problems are beginning to ease, though, with a fresh update provided on Friday.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

The Latest: Jones gives positive update

Taking to Twitter, Jones confirmed in a nine-word verdict that the Reds haven’t picked up any new injuries since Wednesday’s 2-0 win at home Porto in the Champions League, outlining: “Klopp confirms no new injuries ahead of Southampton game.”

He added that the five current unavailable players – Joe Gomez, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Roberto Firmino – remain sidelined.

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The Verdict: Options at long last

This is an undoubted boost for Liverpool, with options finally returning to the squad, particularly in midfield.

Much of Saturday’s team is likely to pick itself, with Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk all expected to start, with Klopp then choosing between Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas at left-back.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota are likely to play, too, but midfield is the biggest headache for the manager, with Jordan Henderson potentially replacing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to slot in alongside Fabinho and Thiago.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been in good form, however, and has started four games in a row for the first time since January 2018, so he could feel hard done by if he is left out. Either way, it is reassuring that at least now Klopp seems to have a choice in this regard.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have bemoaned one player’s absence from training. Find out who it is here.

Crystal Palace are one of three teams lining up a bid for Ajax’s Edson Alvarez, Football Insider claim. 

The lowdown

With just over a week of the January transfer window remaining, Palace are yet to do any first-team business, in or out.

But that could change as they set their sights on Alvarez, who’s valued at £18million by Transfermarkt and has three and a half years left on his Ajax contract.

The 24-year-old is predominantly a defensive midfielder but he’s also capable of operating as a centre-back.

The latest

The report cites a ‘recruitment source’ who says that Palace have been making ‘regular checks’ on Alvarez.

They’re one of three Premier League sides in the running, along with Leicester City and Chelsea.

Ajax would like to keep him but know it will be difficult and have ‘braced’ themselves for offers.

The verdict

Alvarez, who’s played 15 Champions League games during his time in Amsterdam, looks like he’d represent a considerable upgrade on the likes of Cheikhou Kouyate and Luka Milivojevic.

He shone for the runners-up Mexico at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, earning a place in the Team of the Tournament.

According to WhoScored, he’s mighty in the air and also excels at passing, in addition to reading the game well.

Indeed, they rank him as one of the 10 best performers in the Eredivisie so far this season.

What’s more, talent scout Jacek Kuling has raved about him, calling him a ‘superb tackler’, ‘tenacious’ and ‘charismatic’.

If Palace can fend off the competition and persuade Ajax, it could be an excellent signing.

In other news, this man is set to leave Selhurst Park after losing his place.

Tottenham Hotspur face Aston Villa in this evening’s teatime kick-off, with Antonio Conte’s side looking to keep up their impressive recent run of Premier League form in a bid to secure a top-four finish.

Indeed, with Spurs having won five of their last six league outings and Steven Gerrard’s side having lost their last three Premier League fixtures, the north London outfit will certainly fancy their chances of taking all three points back to the capital tonight.

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However, with Spurs only narrowly defeating Villa 2-1 in the meeting between the two sides earlier this season, Conte will be well aware that he must get his team selection spot-on in order to give his team the best chance of victory this afternoon.

Will the 52-year-old make any changes to the side which started the 5-1 win over Newcastle United last weekend? Here’s how we think Tottenham could line up against Aston Villa, as well as the latest team and injury news…

With Antonio Conte recently revealing that both Sergio Reguilon and Ryan Sessegnon are back in contention after recovering from their respective knocks, we predict the 52-year-old will make just one change to the team which lined up against Newcastle last time out.

The back four remains intact, with Hugo Lloris starting between the Spurs sticks, while Ben Davies, Eric Dier and Cristian Romero make up Conte’s three-man defence.

The solitary change comes at wing-back, with Reguilon – the player who Jonathan Woodgate dubbed “horrendous” and has recently been linked with a £43m move back to Real Madrid this summer – returning to the XI on the left. Matt Doherty moves over to his preferred role on the right, with the 23-year-old Emerson Royal – who Lucas Moura claimed has a “great future” – dropping to the bench.

In the middle, with Oliver Skipp still sidelined due to injury, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur start once again, while Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski also remain unchanged in the two attacking midfield roles.

Up top, Harry Kane leads the line, with the 28-year-old undoubtedly hoping to add to his seven goals and four assists over his last eight Premier League outings.

AND in other news: Conte can form “dangerous” duo as Spurs plot bids for £156m pair who “really get along”

Everton have made a number of transfer mistakes over the years since Farhad Moshiri took ownership at Goodison Park and their latest howler could be on his way out of the club sooner rather than later if reports are to be believed.

Dele Alli joined Everton in January on Deadline Day as one of Frank Lampard’s last minute signings brought in to work alongside the new manager to inspire a turnaround for the club after falling into a relegation battle this season, however the ex-Tottenham Hotspur star has failed to make an impact so far.

The 22.5m-rated flop who was branded “lazy” by former manager Jose Mourinho, has struggled to win a place in the Everton team since he joined almost three months ago, and is yet to start a game for the Toffees.

However, he has made six appearances playing 169 minutes so far, with Lampard offering him the opportunity to make a good impression and impact, but hasn’t achieved that in his game time, with no goal contributions and the team has lost all but one game Alli has been involved in so far.

Despite signing a two and a half year permanent deal with Everton, TeamTalk are now reporting that the deal could be cut short for the attacking midfielder, with the 25 year old reportedly told that he is not good enough to start from Everton and that his career could be in jeopardy if he doesn’t change his attitude.

Moshiri could save £10m this summer by axing Alli, as part of the deal required the Englishman to make 20 appearances for Everton before the club would be required to make any payment to the Lilywhites, with a reported instalment plan in place worth up to £40m, but if the reports are true and the player’s time at Goodison Park is cut short, then this could save the club millions ahead of the summer transfer window.

Everton are currently in a particularly vulnerable position despite beating Newcastle United last week in an explosive 1-0 victory at Goodison Park, the side are still unstable just three points safe from the drop zone and still in 17th in the Premier League table.

With that being said, Frank Lampard cannot afford to take any risks or leave room for error, which further reflects in Alli’s lack of selection as the Toffees boss obviously doesn’t feel the player is trustworthy enough to make a positive impact in the team as they fight for their place in top flight football for next season.

In other news: Everton make contact with “complete” £16.2m-rated star, Lampard desperately needs him