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Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita could be ruled out of the Reds’ Premier League clash with Watford after failing to recover from injury.

The Lowdown: Reds return to action

Jurgen Klopp’s men are back in action after the international break, as a relentless April begins in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple.

Liverpool host Watford on Saturday lunchtime knowing that victory over the Hornets will put them two points clear at the top of the table, for the time being at least.

While the Reds’ injury situation is largely positive, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s hamstring is a big question mark, with Klopp saying it will be “tight” to get the England international back in time for Saturday’s early kick-off.

Now, it appears the playmaker extraordinaire isn’t the only issue…

The Latest: Keita ruled out

As confirmed by journalist James Pearce on Twitter, Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Keita didn’t train on Thursday, suggesting he won’t be available unless a full recovery was made behind the scenes on Friday:

“Klopp on Keita: ‘Naby couldn’t train yesterday, we will see how it is for today.'”

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The Verdict: Hugely frustrating

Keita’s entire spell at Liverpool has been injury-plagued, with the Guinean limited to just 63 starts in nearly four seasons, in all competitions.

He has been afforded a two-week period to stay fit and not go on international duty, yet he is still the one player who looks set to be out of contention with another niggling problem.

The more Keita’s time at Anfield goes on, the more it feels as though he will never stay fit for a genuinely prolonged run in the team, failing to reach his undoubted potential in the process. Liverpool need him in the title run-in, so the hope is that it is nothing serious.

In other news, Liverpool are eyeing up a move for one exciting attacking player. Find out who it is here.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested that he would rather Tottenham Hotspur win the Premier League than Manchester City and Liverpool, according to the Daily Star.

Spurs are third in the table, five points behind both the Blues and the Reds, who are separated only on goal difference.

What’s the word?

United sit fourth and play Liverpool this weekend, with the opportunity to issue a serious blow to Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of lifting the trophy in May.

However, they are seemingly out of the reckoning in the title race – they are nine points behind Spurs and 14 behind City.

It would take a significant collapse from the top three clubs for United to have any hope of being champions again and Solskjaer was asked on Friday who he would like to be crowned at the end of the season.

“I’ve not really focused on the [other] teams and what they’re doing,” Solskjaer said, per the Daily Star.

“I’m focusing on us and what we have to do to get to where we want to be.

“It’s a three horse race for the title and fourth that’s my focus.”

However, when asked if he would prefer that Spurs are the ones celebrating, he added: “I don’t get myself involved in that but maybe.”

An understandable long shot

Solskjaer is perhaps the personification of the United Way and this question will surely have riled him.

It is understandable, then, that he chose Spurs over his club’s eternal rivals City and Liverpool.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been in fine form this season but it is a long shot at best.

Spurs still have to play both Liverpool and City away from home but they will surely have to win every game between now and the end of the season if they are to have any chance of being champions.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

It is not beyond the realms of possibility but it is incredibly unlikely.

Solskjaer, though, knows all about incredibly unlikely triumphs, having scored the winning goal in the last minute of the famed 1999 Champions League final.

Perhaps history will repeat itself and he will again get his wish.

Aston Villa journalist Ashley Preece says the club ‘like’ Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard, who could leave Old Trafford this month. 

The lowdown

Villa manager Steven Gerrard, who sits third in Liverpool’s all-time appearance list, has already done business with one of his former nemeses this January, with Lucas Digne arriving from the Reds’ local rivals Everton in a £27million deal.

Philippe Coutinho has also joined on loan from FC Barcelona, with goalkeeper Robin Olsen making a temporary switch from AS Roma.

At present, it’s relegation-threatened Newcastle United who are ‘pushing very hard’ to land Lingard, though The Red Devils are resisting their efforts to take him on loan. They would prefer a permanent deal for the £18million-rated asset.

Villa have trimmed their attacking ranks this month, allowing Anwar El-Ghazi and Jaden-Philogence Bidace to leave. With Trezeguet also potentially on the way out, you can understand why they might want another body.

The latest

In a fan Q & A, The Birmingham Mail’s Preece was asked whether Lingard would ‘be interested in coming’.

He replied: “Lingard is admired by Villa, I can say that,” before adding in a separate answer that “Villa like him”.

“Philogene-Bidace now heading to Stoke on loan, and Trezeguet looking to be loaned out, there could be scope but Newcastle are expected to step up their interest and take him this month rather than for free in the summer.”

The verdict

Newcastle seem determined to snap up Lingard, but negotiations are proving difficult, so maybe Villa will look to capitalise.

As long as United aren’t overly concerned by the optics of doing business with one of their arch-rivals’ legends, it could be doable.

Lingard may find the move more appealing, knowing that if he joins Newcastle, he could find himself looking for another transfer in the summer if they get relegated.

The Englishman notched 16 direct goal involvements in just half a season at West Ham, and he could help propel Villa into European contention in the next couple of seasons.

In other news, fans loved this confirmation from the club.

Everton manager Frank Lampard could be looking to reshape his team for next season if they stay in the Premier League, with midfielders Allan, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Andre Gomes failing to really justify the combined £66.24m spent on them.

The Brazilian has averaged a disappointing 6.65 match rating this season from Sofascore, while Gomes has averaged an even worse 6.36. Indeed, Gbamin is not even at the club anymore after being sent on loan to Russian side CSKA Moscow.

With none of those three being crucial figures at Goodison Park, Lampard may be looking to replace them with better quality players, and a current France international is the latest midfielder to be linked with a move to Merseyside.

What’s the news?

According to transfer specialist Ignazio Genuardi, who was speaking to French website But Football Club, Everton have made contact in recent months with Juventus ace Adrien Rabiot, who is up for sale after failing to kick on in Turin and establish himself as an important player for the Bianconeri.

With his contract expiring at the end of next season and his valuation just £16.2m according to Transfermarkt, the Frenchman could be available at a bargain price in the summer.

Massive improvement on current options

Despite seemingly not being wanted by his current club, Rabiot has made a total of 47 appearances for club and country this season, remaining a key part of Didier Deschamps’ plans for France and often showcasing his ability in Serie A.

Averaging a 6.95 Sofascore rating in the Italian top flight this season, the 26-year-old has made 25 appearances, with 21 coming from the start, and has contributed two assists amid completing 83% of his passes per game.

Dubbed a “complete” player by former Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo, the former PSG prospect ranks highly. among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues and continental competitions. As per FBRef, He is in the top 10% for successful pressures per game (7.29), the top 6% for tackles in the defensive third per 90 (1.70) and the top 8% for carries into the penalty area per 90 (0.52).

Rabiot is the definition of a box-to-box midfielder, and although at times he has come under criticism, he has demonstrated for a number of years that he can compete at the top levels of the game – and the statistics suggest that he would immediately improve a lacklustre Everton midfield.

His passing success rate this term is better than any Toffees midfielder except the on-loan Donny van de Beek, while his match average of 1.4 dribbles per game is second only to Demarai Gray in Lampard’s entire squad.

Those comparisons suggest that the Everton boss desperately needs a player of Rabiot’s quality at Goodison Park in order to add more thrust and ball-playing ability from midfield.

In other news: Moshiri suffered Everton howler over “clinical” 21-goal machine with “pure enthusiasm”

Jack Pitt-Brooke has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are now eyeing four major signings this summer.

The Lowdown: Champions League uncertainty

Spurs are not guaranteed to finish in the UEFA Champions League places this season, given that they are currently three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand on their North London rivals.

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It would be more difficult to attract the calibre of player that they would want should they miss out, and they could also potentially lose some of their best players, with the likes of Harry Kane now being linked to big-spenders Newcastle United.

The Latest: Four signings eyed

Writing in his latest piece for The Athletic, Lilywhites journalist Pitt-Brooke has revealed that Antonio Conte’s team are now looking to make four major signings in the summer.

They reportedly want to bring in a new left-sided central defender, two wing-backs, and a back-up to Kane.

The Verdict: Exciting

It is certainly exciting for THFC fans that they seem to be looking to go on a spending spree this summer.

The likes of Omar Marmoush and Lautaro Martinez have been linked as striker options, while Ben Davies could become more of a squad member next season, meaning that a more natural centre-back will likely take his position on the left of a three-man defence.

Djed Spence has been strongly linked with filling in the right wing-back position at Tottenham, while at left wing-back, Sergio Reguilon has not always been in favour under Conte.

Nonetheless, it could be a new-look Spurs side built in Conte’s image by the end of the summer transfer window, which should surely excite the Lilywhites faithful.

In other news, find out who THFC have now held talks over signing here!

Journalist Tim Spiers has hailed Jonny’s ‘near-perfect’ performance for Wolves away to Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The Lowdown: Wolves lose at Burnley

Bruno Lage’s side made the trip to Turf Moor in what was an important game for both sides, with European football still on offer for Wanderers.

It was a cagey game against the relegation-threatened but Burnley took the lead through Matej Vydra midway through the second half and held on for a priceless win.

One player who started proceedings was Jonny, as he enjoyed a good afternoon at the office, despite the result.

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The Latest: Spiers hails Jonny display

Taking to Twitter during the game, Spiers lauded the Spaniard’s impact against Burnley, barring one minor hiccup:

“Jonny’s near-perfect performance is blemished by a stray pass.”

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The Verdict: Impressive return from injury

While the result at Turf Moor was undoubtedly disappointing, Lage can at least take heart from the manner in which Jonny has returned from a serious long-term injury.

The 28-year-old has scored twice in eight appearances since coming back into the side in February, offering attacking thrust but also defensive expertise.

It is heart-warming to see Jonny back to his best after what may have been considered a career-threatening knee problem and he should continue to be a key man moving forward.

In other news, Liam Keen has dropped a key Wolves contract update. Read more here.

According to Football Insider, some promising transfer news has come out of Tottenham Hotspur and it involves promising Peterborough United defender Ronnie Edwards.

The Lowdown: Lilywhites eye lower league talent?

Spurs and transfer chief Fabio Paratici have been no strangers to lower league talent, according to reports in recent months.

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The likes of Djed Spence, currently shining on loan at Nottingham Forest from Middlesbrough, has been at the centre of Tottenham’s interest alongside Posh defender Benjamin Mensah.

Tottenham have also apparently turned their attention to the signing of Oxford United defender Luke McNally in recent months with one bid of £2 million having already been put on the table (Football Insider).

Now, as per FI, news has emerged on another.

The Latest: Spurs prepare Edwards bid…

According to their information, Tottenham are preparing an offer for the centre-back as they line up a move.

Peterborough, it is believed, are braced for bids from the Lilywhites and other clubs with the north London side now stepping up their interest.

This comes after Spurs started making regular checks on Edwards ‘in recent weeks’.

The Verdict: Make a move?

The England Under-19 international is apparently very highly rated and has already been impressing in England’s second tier.

Edwards, still only a teenager, has played very regularly in the Championship under both ex-boss Duncan Ferguson and new manager Grant McCann.

In that time, he has stood out as a brilliant performer, averaging one of the highest pass accuracy percentages out of Peterborough’s squad whilst also a noteworthy amount of clearances per 90 (WhoScored).

Described as an ‘incredible talent’ by his former gaffer Ferguson, Edwards now attracting Spurs’ interest is hardly a surprise given some of his exceptional 2021/2022 performances.

In other news: Tottenham eye imminent agreement as they also make offer for exciting midfielder! Find out more here.

Everton are set to be without Ben Godfrey for the coming weeks after the Englishman was forced off in the early stages of the Toffees’ 4-1 FA Cup fourth-round win over Brentford.

What’s the latest?

According to new manager Frank Lampard, it isn’t sounding good. The 43-year-old said: “It’s a hamstring injury which is to be assessed.

“We’ll have to let it settle for two days and then scan it, not good. He’ll be missing for a period of time depending on the severity of the injury, but it’s a hamstring.”

The 24-year-old only lasted 14 minutes of the Englishman’s first game as Everton boss before suffering the injury, being replaced by Yerry Mina who later scored the first goal of the Lampard era.

Fans will be sweating

Having made the cut for his first game, it appears as though Godfrey will be high up the pecking order under the new Everton manager, at least would’ve been for the opening matches.

Moreover, Lampard opted to play a 3-4-3 formation against the Bees which means that he’ll need a handful of fit centre-backs available at all times to continue with the same set-up, which makes the defender’s injury a particularly hefty blow, one that will surely leave supporters sweating.

Although this season has been somewhat of a disaster so far for the Merseyside club, Godfrey has been a regular, making 17 Premier League appearances, having been out of the squad for the first three matches of the campaign.

In fairness, none of Everton’s centre-backs have been particularly great this campaign with the Toffees conceding 35 goals in their 21 league matches thus far.

Furthermore, the Blues have only mustered three clean sheets in their 24 matches across all competitions with their regular leakiness at the back something Lampard will have to see to immediately.

When it comes to matches played this season, only Michael Keane has played more at centre-back than Godfrey, playing 19 games in the top-flight.

There have certainly been glimpses of promise though from the former Shrewsbury defender after his move from Norwich City in October 2020 and, at 24, Godfrey will only improve.

In other news: One Everton ace proved Lampard wrong with an outstanding performance yesterday

Newcastle United are plotting a last-gasp move for West Ham United defender Issa Diop on transfer deadline day, with a first bid already being made.

What’s the story?

The Magpies look set to make a number of new signings on the final day of the January transfer window, with Dan Burn and Matt Targett among those being touted with nearing a switch to Tyneside.

But now, journalist Ryan Taylor has revealed that Eddie Howe’s side have got their sights set on Diop, and that their first offer has been made for the Frenchman, although it is expected to be rejected.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “#NUFC have also tabled first offer for Issa Diop, expected to be rejected.”

Howe needs him

With a whopping 43 goals conceded in the Premier League this season – the second-worst defensive record in the entire division behind only fellow relegation battlers Norwich – it’s no surprise that Howe has identified the centre of defence as one of the big areas to strengthen this month.

While Burn’s arrival from Brighton would go a decent way to addressing that, the man-mountain defender has predominantly played as a full-back for the Seagulls, so it’s really Diop’s potential arrival that would make the biggest marked difference for Howe.

Despite his young age, the Frenchman has built up considerable experience in the Premier League, playing 91 times in the competition since arriving at the London Stadium.

Standing at a towering 6 foot 4, Diop has reserved his best performances this season for West Ham in the Europa League, where his average match rating of 7.16 is actually good enough to rank him in the top 40 players in the entire competition as per Whoscored.

Still only 25, the defender has a habit of turning up in the big games, something Howe will love, with former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho raving about him a few years ago.

Speaking after watching him overpower United, he said: “(He had a) fantastic match. Congratulations to the scout that found a 21-year-old kid Diop – a monster who dominated in the duels.”

Diop then enjoyed another superb outing against United, this time more recently in the Carabao Cup victory over the Old Trafford side earlier this season, with coach Stuart Pearce raving: “But I thought Diop was absolutely magnificent. The longer the game went on the more of a colossus he looked at the back and he’s still in relative terms, a very young man for a central defender so we’re absolutely delighted to have Issa at this club.”

The £16m-rated star is exactly what Howe needs to strengthen the centre of his defence at St James’ Park.

Meanwhile, David Ornstein has dropped an exciting transfer update on Newcastle United live on Sky Sports…

Newcastle United fans have been handed an exciting twist in their club’s chase to sign Lille defender Sven Botman this summer.

What’s the story?

Fabrizio Romano had recently suggested that Serie A giants Milan were virtually nailed-on to sign the Netherlands international, but it seems that the Magpies have come in at the 11th hour to throw a spanner in the works.

Posting initially on Twitter, Football Insider revealed that both Eddie Howe’s side and Milan have “verbally agreed personal terms” and that the Magpies have held “extensive negotiations” with the defender since January.

In a follow-up article, it was added that a Newcastle source had told them the Tyneside club “have not given up hope of landing Botman after extensive negotiations over a potential deal both in January and subsequently… They will now try to negotiate a fee with Lille, who have held out for a £30m fee.”

Game-changer for Newcastle

If Newcastle can manage to pull off a last-minute heist for Botman, it really would be the biggest statement of the new PIF era thus far.

Never mind that the Magpies are competing with a club like Milan, who are rich in footballing history and playing some kind of European football almost annually.

The idea that Newcastle could come in and blow the Rossoneri out of the water with an offer and convince a player to join them so soon after they had basically been out of the running is a telling sign of the massive impact that the Toon Army could have in the future.

It’s a worrying sign for the rest of Europe that, even at this early stage of their revolution, that Newcastle are already beginning to throw their weight around behind closed doors and putting their money where their mouth is.

They already managed to beat Arsenal to the signing of Bruno Guimaraes, and muscling out Milan to Botman would be another significant coup.

Described by his former Lille boss Christophe Galiter as someone who is emerging as a “leader”, and valued at £40m by CIES, Botman could be another game-changing signing for Newcastle if they pull it off.

AND in other news – Sold for just £100k, now a two-time title winner: NUFC flop has delivered huge payback