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A number of Liverpool supporters have criticised Ibrahima Konate’s performance in the Premier League clash at home to Southampton.

The Reds returned to league action on Saturday afternoon following the comfortable 2-0 win against Porto in the Champions League in midweek. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints side made the trip to Anfield, as they looked to produce an upset.

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For Liverpool, it was a must-win game, such is the consistency of Chelsea and Manchester City in the title race, with dropped points feeling potentially terminal to their hopes of finishing top.

That proved to be the case, with the Reds unplayable at times and racing into a 3-0 lead by half-time thanks to two goals from Diogo Jota and another from Thiago. Virgil van Dijk added a fourth shortly after the interval, compounding the pain for his former club.

However, one player who wasn’t always convincing was Konate, with the centre-back being caught out on a few occasions in terms of losing duels and possession, while his lack of involvement was highlighted by his near-absence from Sky Sports’ live commentary on the match.

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Liverpool fans slam Konate’s display

These Liverpool fans reacted to Konate’s performance on Twitter, believing that he has not made the most of a rare Premier League start.

“Konate man, how many times does he step up and get it wrong. Needs to be told. He’s got time to get back but that’s no excuse for poor positional sense”

Credit: @carl_lewis91

“Still not 100% sold on Konate atm”

Credit: @AKC1699

“Konate still looks very shaky when he plays”

Credit: @JamzLFC786

“Best player in 1st half : Alisson/Jota. Worst ???? Konate For me”

Credit: @Liversahs

“Konate not really settled yet today”

Credit: @baklavanfc

“Konate shouldn’t be starting over Matip”

Credit: @lfc_jam

In other news, some Liverpool fans are delighted after a Reds injury update emerged. Read more here.

Sunderland are reportedly now battling Wigan Athletic to sign Josh Stones this summer.

The Lowdown: Wanted man

Stones is a wanted man, with the likes of Wolves, Crystal Palace, Burnley, Watford and North East rivals Newcastle United all expressing an interest in him before from the Premier League, as well as the Black Cats.

The Englishman currently plays for National League North outfit Guiseley, and so any move into the professional leagues would be a big step-up for him.

The Latest: Wigan lead race

As per Football Insider, League One rivals Wigan Athletic are now ‘leading the race’ for his signature, with Glasgow Rangers and Blackburn Rovers also thought to be in the mix with Alex Neil’s side.

However, a recruitment source has revealed that the Latics are now in ‘pole position’ to sign Stones, and are ‘favourites’ to agree a deal for him.

The Verdict: Worrying

It is certainly worrying that the Stadium of Light faithful could now lose the battle to sign Stones, especially to a team in their division in Wigan.

He has been scoring goals for fun this season, while he also plays for England at youth level, and put in an ‘excellent‘ display against Crystal Palace’s Academy in February after scoring in a 1-1 draw.

At just 18 years of age, the striker is certainly one for the future, and the Wearside club would do well to fend off all of the competition for his services.

In other news, find out what ‘mystifying’ call the SAFC board made here!

A number of Liverpool supporters are delighted after Jurgen Klopp said Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be fit to face Crystal Palace this weekend.

The Reds made it into the Carabao Cup final on Thursday night, coasting to an impressive 2-0 victory away to Arsenal.

Diogo Jota was Liverpool’s hero at the Emirates, scoring both of his side’s goals as he stepped up in the absence of key duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

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Someone who was unavailable for the game was Oxlade-Chamberlain, however, who missed out on taking on his former club because of an injury sustained against Brentford last weekend.

Speaking in his pre-Crystal Palace press conference on Friday [via journalist James Pearce on Twitter], Klopp said the midfielder was back in training, meaning he could be available for the weekend trip to Selhurst Park.

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Liverpool fans react to Ox injury latest

These Reds fans took to Twitter to reveal their happiness at the news, no doubt relieved after the Englishman found form with a goal against the Bees.

“Fantastic”

Credit: @NegusSabali

” Oh wow”

Credit: @toyoblo

“Great news for Liverpool to have another midfield option back. But I would start with Fabinho, Henderson and Jones again. They were all pretty good against Arsenal last night. Having a consistent midfield line-up may help the team too.”

Credit: @ReviewFootball

“Great news but Jones deserves the nod after his performance last night”

Credit: @Declancarr96

“Let’s goooo”

Credit: @KopiteZac

“Phew, will be needed over the next couple of weeks”

Credit: @Nuggs_

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

Patrick Bamford missed Leeds United’s FA Cup defeat to West Ham with a fresh hip problem, according to reliable journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Leeds dumped out of FA Cup

The Whites were beaten 2-0 away to the Hammers on Sunday afternoon, exiting the cup at the third round stage.

A weakened Leeds team never really got going at the London Stadium and their focus turns solely to Premier League commitments between now and May.

Bamford was one of numerous key players not present in east London, but it turns out that he was due to feature until a late setback emerged.

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The Latest: Fresh Bamford injury

Taking to Twitter after the game, Hay confirmed that the striker was in line to face West Ham after another injury absence, only to be ruled out with a hip problem. The severity of the injury remains unknown, so Bamford could be set for yet more time on the sidelines.

The journalist revealed: “Bamford was due to start today but had a problem around his hip. Bielsa still waiting to find out the full extent of it.”

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The Verdict: Potential big blow

Bamford has been an enormous loss for Leeds for much of this season, with the entire attack blunted without him leading the line and proving to be a reliable source of goals and assists, like he was last term.

The 28-year-old has been limited to just five starts in the current Premier League campaign and Marcelo Bielsa desperately needs him back as his side look to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Aside from Raphinha, the Whites have been rather short on reliable scorers this season, so if Bamford’s latest injury is a long-term one, Leeds must look to bring in a striker in the January transfer window. Otherwise, they risk getting themselves into real trouble in the league.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly eyeing up a move for a young British player. Find out who it is here.

As per London World, a promising transfer update has come to light involving Tottenham Hotspur, Antonio Conte and Middlesborough defender Djed Spence.

The Lowdown: Spurs join race…

First reported by Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas, sharing news on his personal Twitter feed, Spurs and transfer chief Fabio Paratici have joined the race to sign Spence amid his impressive stint on loan at Nottingham Forest.

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The 21-year-old has been turning heads at the City Ground under Steve Cooper, attracting the attention of major Premier League clubs as Conte seeks out new right-back options.

Any deal to sign Spence this window would result in the player remaining at Forest until the end of the season and then joining in the summer, but that hasn’t swayed Spurs as they take a firm interest.

The Latest: Spurs ‘edging closer’…

According to London World, Tottenham are ‘edging closer’ to their ‘first January signing’ as Conte personally eyes a move for the Englishman.

The Italian is said to be ‘unimpressed’ with current right-back options Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal as he takes to the market in search of alternatives.

Spence, as a result, could ‘answer Conte’s prayers’ with his pace and delivery on that side – but north London rivals Arsenal are also still in contention for the starlet as things stand.

The Verdict: Exciting player…

The Boro man’s form on loan at Forest this season has been terrific, leaving little wonder there are now major players in the hunt for his signature this month.

Defensively, according to WhoScored, he’s shown real solidarity – averaging the third-most interceptions per 90 out of Cooper’s side in the Championship this campaign (1.6).

Meanwhile, going forward, Spence has been a constant threat – completing more dribbles per 90 (1.8) than any Forest regular with more than two league starts (WhoScored).

His form has attracted real praise, with Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff saying he has been a ‘massive player’ for the English second tier side and could well continue to be in their hunt for a Championship play-off spot (Sky Sports EFL Podcast via Football League World).

According to journalist Ryan Taylor of The Daily Express, Spence could cost up to £15 million, but a player of his high ceiling may well be worth the investment,

In other news: Reliable journalist: ‘Perfect’ player once valued at £83m now wants to join Conte at Spurs, find out more here.

According to a report by Craig Hope in the Daily Mail, Newcastle United are set to face an injury crisis; Callum Wilson has suffered a torn calf and will be sidelined for months, while Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser have picked up muscle injuries as well.

The Lowdown: Defensive injuries already a nightmare

The Magpies have already suffered a number of injuries this season and many of which have exacerbated their defensive issues. This has led to the worst defensive record in the league, as Newcastle have conceded a staggering 42 goals in 19 games this season – three more than second place Norwich City.

The longest of these defensive omissions has seen left-back Paul Dummett sustain a serious calf problem that has meant he has missed a total of 20 matches to this date.

More recently, centre-back Federico Fernandez and left-back Jamal Lewis have suffered thigh problems and hamstring injuries respectively, leaving manager Eddie Howe very light in his defensive options.

The Latest: Magpies face more trouble

According to a report by Hope in the Daily Mail, Newcastle fear that Wilson has suffered a torn calf muscle and he will be sidelined for a number of months. This comes as a big blow to Howe, who will now miss his top goal-scorer throughout the hectic winter schedule.

Hope understands that the injury Saint-Maximin picked up, also in the Magpies’ 1-1 clash with Manchester United on Monday, was calf related as well. Fraser, meanwhile, has sustained a different muscle problem.

Hope shared the news to Twitter, saying: “Understand Callum Wilson’s injury is torn calf muscle & fears are period of months sidelined. Allan Saint-Maximin injury is also calf related, while Ryan Fraser has picked up a hamstring problem.”

The Verdict: Newcastle need additions desperately

Howe was unsure after the game as to the extent of the injuries sustained by Wilson and Saint-Maximin. However, he will now be devastated if Hope’s reports are accurate.

Without his top goal-scorer, the boss will be wondering where his goals are going to come from. This issue is further exacerbated by Saint-Maximin’s injury, as he is the only other Newcastle player to score more than one goal this season, having scored on four occasions.

This makes it imperative that the Magpies spend big in the January transfer window, as they look set to fight a relegation battle, which, if victorious, could see them begin a huge rebuild over the summer.

After listening to Victor Orta’s exciting comments about the academy last week, Leeds United supporters will no doubt be casting even more of a keen eye on some of the club’s brightest young talents.

The Yorkshire club’s director of football openly spoke about the need to have academy prospects in and around the first-team set-up, saying: “I believe in a project that is one of Marcelo Bielsa’s legacies – 18 professionals and the other four players always being under 21.

“If you believe in youth development, you need to prove (it). Our idea is to believe in youth development and to give belief to the Academy. (What) is better for me – the 450 minutes for a striker in Joey Gelhardt, or 450 minutes in a striker who is 31 years old? I believe in the first.

“Because it’s the only way Leeds United can grow. Because the other way, if I am going to buy careers, I always lose, because there are other teams in England with more money, with more investment. I need to build careers.”

Well, if Orta is looking at ‘building’ a career out of someone at Thorp Arch, then he should look no further than 18-year-old starlet Max Dean.

The teenage forward has enjoyed an impressive campaign with the club’s U23s this season, scoring five goals in 15 games at Premier League 2 level, including strikes against the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

It’s been no surprise then that Leeds’ former U23s boss Mark Jackson has previously waxed lyrical about the forward and his character, saying: “You don’t have to prepare it with Deano. Deano’s a fiery character, I don’t like to quash that in him. He’s got an edge to him and how he plays – and I like that in his personality.

“Yes he gets frustrated at times and we have to curtail it but his hunger to press and work hard and his hunger to score goals is really apparent.”

In late October, despite a 4-2 defeat to Arsenal, Jackson showered Dean with more praise, saying: “I spoke to Max before the game. When he first came to the club, he had a real intensity about his play, really aggressive style in how he pressed and how he competed – we have chats with the players all the time and there’s been stages where we think that’s sort of dipped off a little bit in recent games.

“We’ve had a few chats recently with Max, and particularly before the game, I said ‘listen, you need to try and get back to those moments when you were playing in the 23s last year’. I thought he took that conversation well and he took it on board today and he had a much more positive performance.”

If Leeds are looking to get more out of their burgeoning academy, then Dean could well be the next breakout star to come out of Thorp Arch.

AND in other news – Sold at £8m, now worth triple: Leeds had a nightmare over “fearless” 5 ft 9 magician

Speaking to GiveMeSport, reporter Paul Brown has made a potential Tottenham Hotspur exit claim involving midfielder Dele Alli.

The Lowdown: Alli on downward trajectory…

Life at Tottenham since the beginning of 2019 has seen the England international go on a downward trajectory with his market value absolutely plummeting as a result (Transfermarkt).

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Former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho famously shunned Alli out of his Lilywhites side with the 25-year-old barely getting a look in over last season under the Portuguese.

He was handed a lifeline by another former manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, at the beginning of this season but has failed to impress so far over 2020/2021 – leading to a claim by reporter Brown on his future.

The Latest: Brown makes claim…

Speaking to GMS, the journalist has claimed that Tottenham could now sell him on if the ‘right offer’ arrives.

He explained:

“”I think the club as a whole, if they get the right offer for Dele Alli, they probably would take it.”

The Verdict: Dele downfall…

Praised by former manager Mauricio Pochettino as ‘one of the best in Europe’ in his position, it remains to be seen whether Alli can be given yet another chance ton rediscover his best form.

Antonio Conte’s arrival signifies an opportunity for the attacking midfielder but he will have to act quickly, with Tottenham’s new boss even confirming that he is making squad ‘evaluations’ ahead of January.

It could be crunch time for the player and this claim that Spurs may be willing to entertain offers for their once prized asset could be a wake up call to Alli.

The likes of Newcastle United have been linked with a move in January but we believe letting him initially leave on loan to possibly elevate his market value, in the hope he is a success, could be the best course of action.

In other news: ‘The one Spurs like most’ – Journalist says Conte is now eyeing ‘world-beater’ for ‘main role’, find out more here.

Many Everton fans have been left fuming as a transfer revelation has emerged involving Anwar El Ghazi.

As per The Athletic, the former Aston Villa ace was not on their radar at the start of the January transfer window, and only came up in conversation between owner Farhad Moshiri and his advisor, Kia Joorabchian.

It suggests that there was a lack of planning before the window started over potential incomings in attacking areas, given that they had already signed full-backs Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko.

There must also be question marks over their scouting departments and how effectively they are using them, if Moshiri and Joorabchian have came up with the signing themselves.

Nonetheless, with a sizeable number of wingers in the squad already, El Ghazi did seem like a strange signing at the time.

Everton fans on El Ghazi transfer revelation

These members of the Goodison Park faithful fumed as the transfer revelation was shared on Twitter, with one Merseyside club supporter even going as far as to claim that it was ‘ridiculous’:

“Ridiculous”

Credit: @s_tomashevsky

“Why bother having scouts?”

Credit: @evertonskins

“Depressing”

Credit: @skjones505

“This. This is the problem with Everton Football Club.”

Credit: @MichaelF2000

“We will never make any progress under Moshiri unless he makes a dramatic change in strategy”

Credit: @EFC1878JM

“This really is a terrible way to run a football club and it shows that lessons are not being learned, and the footballing review is doomed as the person leading the review is the person who is the biggest problem.”

Credit: @EFCNovaScotia

In other news, find out who is now likely to be out for two months for the Toffees here!

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has his first chance to win silverware at the club as his side face Hibernian in the League Cup final this weekend.

The Hoops beat St Johnstone 1-0 in the semi-finals and come into this game off the back of a 2-1 win over Ross County in the Premiership, with Liel Abada and Antony Ralston scoring in midweek.

Forget Welsh

However, one problem Postecoglou faces heading into this match is the suspension of Carl Starfelt after his red card in midweek. He was given his marching orders for two bookable offences as the Hoops picked up the three points and he is now set to miss the final.

Starfelt’s indiscrection has left the 56-year-old with a decision to make regarding who he selects in his back four for this match. He should forget about making a like-for-like change by bringing Stephen Welsh in for the Swede and instead unleash Greg Taylor from the start.

By starting the Scotland international against Hibernian, Liam Scales could move from left-back to his natural central defensive position. The Irishman won eight of his 12 duels against Ross County and completed 100% of his dribbles whilst registering an assist from full-back, showing that he was strong in his defending and capable of playing out with the ball at his feet.

Postecoglou sang Taylor’s praises earlier this year after he put pen to paper on a new contract, saying: “He has had an excellent start to the season and has made a really valuable contribution to the team.

“Unfortunately he has suffered the injury in recent weeks, but our focus and his, is now to get him back in the squad as soon as possible, have him pick up where he left off and playing at that same high level.”

The £8.2k-per-week gem is a natural left-back and has averaged an impressive SofaScore rating of 7.13 in the Premiership this term. He has averaged 1.8 key passes and 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game, showing his ability to perform at both ends of the pitch.

Postecoglou could duly get Scales and Taylor into the team in their favoured positions, without needing to start Welsh next to Cameron Carter-Vickers. It is now down to the Australian to make the call and unleash the Scottish left-back against Hibernian on Sunday.

AND in other news, Celtic can finally axe “stupid” Lennon signing by landing “unstoppable” 30 y/o machine…