Ozan Kabak and Roberto Firmino should both be back in contention for Liverpool’s Champions League round of 16 second leg against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, according to The Athletic’s James Pearce.

The pair were missing on Sunday as Liverpool slumped to a sixth consecutive home defeat against Fulham. However, their injuries were understood to be minor, and Jurgen Klopp should have them available again as he plots a route into the last eight of the competition.

Liverpool’s domestic path to Champions League qualification is narrowing, and so they might have to win the competition to avoid the huge financial blow of missing out on it next season. They carry a 2-0 lead into the second leg, nominally their ‘home’ fixture.

Firmino and Kabak both started the first meeting in Budapest three weeks ago. The struggling Brazilian has yet to score in Europe this season, while Kabak is battling to win over some doubtful Reds fans, as well as his manager, as the club decide whether to exercise their option to buy the on-loan defender.

Liverpool fans take little encouragement from Firmino/Kabak return

“Is it compulsory for Kabak to play in that Liverpool squad…”

Credit: @mister_laolu

“We will still lose…”

Credit: @No4troublemaker

“Firmino? NO”

Credit: @lcfpxnj

“Start Nat and not Kabak, he’s been brilliant”

Credit: @harooncr171

“So you’re saying we’ll lose again”

Credit: @NewhouseT

“Firmino hasn’t been fit for over 2 years.”

Credit: @T_bird_6

“And what changes?? Trash”

Credit: @Manlikegidi

In other news, some Liverpool fans were critical of one midfielder during Fulham clash

Every club has them. The ones that got away, the nearly and not-so-nearly deals.

Glasgow Rangers themselves are no exception to the rule, having signed some great players, but missed out on some even greater ones.

Rangers were by no means quiet in the extended summer transfer window, bringing in the likes of Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe on four-year deals for undisclosed fees, although they missed out on signing former Peterborough United striker Ivan Toney.

However, if they had stuck to their guns, they could have had one of the Sky Bet Championship’s hottest young talents on their books.

Indeed, it seems Ross Wilson and co. have missed the chance to sign Bright Osayi-Samuel, with Football Insider’s Wayne Veysey saying Fenerbahce have pipped Rangers to the signing of the Queens Park Rangers winger.

The 23-year-old is set to swap the Championship for the sunny heights of the Super Lig after opting to leave the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

QPR director of football Les Ferdinand has given the green light for Osayi-Samuel to complete the move for a fee believed to be in the region of £700,000 in a big blow for Steven Gerrard.

The Nigerian has genuinely been one of the best players in the Championship, given his decent record for the R’s – 13 goals and 13 assists in 115 appearances, albeit a substantial amount of those from the bench.

Rangers and several clubs south of the border were interested in the £3m-rated ace, but Fenerbahce have beaten them to the post for a player who was dubbed “dangerous” by Mark Warburton.

Not that he’d like to admit it, but their failure to sign Osayi-Samuel will have left Gerrard with a sour taste after their inability to strike a deal with the Championship club for little more than a compensation fee.

Ryan Kent has long been considered Gerrard’s first-choice left winger, with the Light Blues boss not adverse to starting Ianis Hagi on the left wing. However, although Rangers have three other options out wide in Brandon Barker, Jordan Jones and Glenn Middleton, his squad options are thin in that area, as both Barker and Jones are considered surplus to requirements.

It seems Gerrard has made it a winter priority to give himself plenty of alternatives after links to the likes of Francis Amuzu and Scott Wright.

In Osayi-Samuel, however, not only would he have been able to provide cover for Kent, he would also have been able to provide competition as well. After all, he is currently averaging 2.8 dribbles per game so far this season, which is more than Kent himself (1.9).

His ability to play on both wings will also be an added bonus for Fenerbahce and a bitter note for Gerrard.

AND in other news, Rangers would be signing another Ryan Kent in Francis Amuzu…

MatériaMais Notícias

Milton Cruz não trabalha mais para o São Paulo. Há mais de 20 anos no clube, o profissional foi comunicado de sua demissão nesta quinta-feira. O clube já confirma o desligamento do agora ex-auxiliar.

Antes de ser comunicado da demissão, Milton Cruz participou de seu último treino pelo São Paulo, na tarde desta quinta. Como sempre, ficou próximo do técnico Edgardo Bauza, conversou com jogadores e, no fim, teve uma conversa com o novo diretor de futebol Luiz Cunha. O presidente Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva também compareceu à atividade. Cunha falou sobre o desligamento de Milton.

– Infelizmente, algumas vezes a gente tem de cortar na própria carne. Pelas circunstâncias e pelo momento, fomos obrigado a fazer. Conversamos com o Milton hoje, falamos que ele é um profissional extremamente bem sucedido no São Paulo, mas estava subutilizado e achamos mais justo e honesto conversarmos francamente. Também atendemos ao momento de restrição econômica e financeira de todo o Brasil e por isso, fizemos o desligamento dele.- afirmou o diretor de futebol.

O dirigente não descartou contratar um ex-jogador para assumir o papel de elo entre a diretoria e os jogadores. Disse, porém, que ainda não há um nome pretendido.

-Sim, pensamos nisso. Precisamos dar uma chacoalhada nesse elenco. A gente já identificou carências, vamos tentar supri-las e vamos tentar alguém que possa trazer o que estamos buscando – declarou Cunha.

RelacionadasSão PauloNo SP, João Schmidt comemora sequência e Michel Bastos voltaSão Paulo24/03/2016São PauloCeni lança bonecos e diz que ainda acredita no São Paulo na LibertaSão Paulo24/03/2016

Desde o início da gestão de Leco, em outubro do ano passado, a situação do profissional ficou complicadíssima. Este ano, foi remanejado, a contragosto, para o cargo de condutor do recém-criado departamento de scout. Era o prenúncio. Com a mudança, Milton passou a não acompanhar o time nos jogos, nem viajar.

Também pesou na decisão do São Paulo a relação do auxiliar com o empresário Abilio Diniz. Depois de ajudar a derrubar Carlos Miguel Aidar, que foi sucedido por Leco, Abilio entrou em rota de colisão com a nova diretoria e sua ligação com Milton passou a ser a incomodar os dirigentes.

Milton chegou ao São Paulo para trabalhar na comissão técnica em 1994. Iniciou na base até virar membro da comissão técnica fixa do profissional. Assumiu o time como interino diversas vezes. A última foi no fim do ano passado, no Campeonato Brasileiro, no lugar de Doriva. Classificou o time à Copa Libertadores, mas depois foi escanteado.

Many fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relayed a report regarding the transfer situation of Erling Haaland.

According to Mark Ogden’s report for ESPN, there is a “growing likelihood” that Borussia Dortmund could look to move Haaland on this summer, one  year before a €75m (£64.5m) release clause can be triggered in the striker’s contract at the German club.

Ogden claims this is because Dortmund bosses believe they could sell the £141,000-a-week 20-year-old for “at least double” his release clause at the end of the current season, something which could become a “financial necessity” for the sixth-placed Bundesliga side should they fail to qualify for the Champions League next term.

After City Xtra relayed this report on Twitter, some fans of Manchester City flocked to have their say on the matter, with many begging Pep Guardiola and his side to “urgently” do all they can do land the £99m-rated Haaland in the summer transfer market.

So, what exactly did these Manchester City fans have to say in reaction to the report regarding Erling Haaland?

“Get it done.”

@JMC_OfficiaI

“Yes please.”

@CityJosxph

“Omar Berrada and Txixi don’t fumble the bag I can’t deal with Jesus anymore.”

@Amaz1ngAke

“Sign him ASAP.”

@TeohJohansen

“Let’s get him.”

@sentosabahari8

“We need it urgently.”

@fidels782

In other news: some Man City fans also flocked to this Romano claim, find out more here!

Liverpool may find that a move for Paris-Saint Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe could now be off the cards.

Mbappe on the rocks?

The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield over the past 12 months and has achieved a huge amount in football during his short career so far.

Mbappe was recently described as “unplayable” by compatriot and international teammate Antoine Griezmann, who says he “will be like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo” – two of the greatest footballers of all time (via talkSPORT).

However, Eurosport have revealed that the World Cup winner will be demanding around £500,000-per-week for his next contract, either with PSG or with his next club.

Liverpool’s joint-top earners are currently Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah who both take home £200,000-per-week, according to Spotrac, which is not even half of what Mbappe is looking for.

Transfer Tavern Verdict

With the current climate that the world finds itself in, and with the Reds not receiving any matchday income, there will of course be significant revenue losses.

Crucially, this will have an effect on their transfer plans and will surely put a spanner in the works of the Merseysiders’ attempts to pull off a blockbuster move for Mbappe.

Check out the latest Kylian Mbappe transfer news on the dedicated GMS Kylian Mbappe Transfer hub

There is no doubt that speculation will continue to grow as time goes on. But whatever happens, it is difficult to see how Fenway Sports Group (FSG) will sanction such a move.

In other news, Liverpool fans furious as Reds suffer new injury ahead of Fulham clash.

Southampton look to have suffered another transfer setback, as they look to have failed in negotiations with Bournemouth striker Josh King.

It was reported earlier today by The Athletic that the Saints were considering bringing the former Manchester United forward to St Mary’s, in a deal that would see Shane Long move the other way.

However, his proposed move to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side now looks to be off, as David Ornstein has suggested that his wage demands were more than Southampton were willing to pay.

The Norwegian international has struggled to find form with the Cherries in the Championship this season, having failed to contribute a single goal or assist in the second tier, averaging a poor 6.29 rating.

The 29-year-old doesn’t appear to be willing to give 100% with Jason Tindall’s side having been unable to secure a move away during the summer, and with his contract with Bournemouth set to expire at the current season, it seems unlikely that he will still be a Cherries player next season.

However, he has shown that he is capable of producing in the Premier League, with 16 goals in the top-flight in the 2016/17 season the best return of his career, so perhaps he would’ve been a good addition to Hasenhuttl’s side.

Certainly, if Southampton could have swapped him for the 34-year-old Shane Long, it could’ve been a great deal for the club, as the Irish forward has just two goals in his last 37 Premier League appearances.

He also reportedly earns £60k per week with the Saints, compared to the £45k per week King earns with Bournemouth, so it seems strange that they were reportedly unwilling to match his demands, as they could’ve got Long off the wage book by bringing in the 29-year-old striker.

With time of the window running out, it seems unlikely that the £9.9 million-rated King will be making the move to St Mary’s, which is certainly a blow for Hasenhuttl when you consider that his side have struggled to score goals in recent weeks, with Che Adams and Theo Walcott both disappointing at times.

And, in other news… Hasenhuttl suffers another transfer blow at Southampton with £23k-p/w prodigy

According to a report by The Daily Mail, Tottenham players have been left baffled behind the scenes following Jose Mourinho’s treatment of Gareth Bale and Dele Alli – with there allegedly being several ‘disillusioned’ members of the squad.

The Portuguese boss is allegedly facing mounting pressure following his side’s stumble to ninth in the Premier League table, but he is somewhat shielded by the fact chairman Daniel Levy would face huge costs for his early dismissal (The Daily Mail).

Tottenham players baffled by Jose call

Exiting Europe and losing more ground in the top four race, however, would increase the pressure on Mourinho ten-fold – with The Daily Mail now claiming there are ‘several’ disillusioned players behind the scenes.

While some players are generally supportive of their boss, some squad members in particular have been taken aback by Mourinho’s call to shun both Alli and Bale to the fringes.

The Spurs duo have started just three Premier League games combined this season (WhoScored), leaving players who were particularly close under Mauricio Pochettino’s reign surprised by this move not to play them.

Alli and Bale breakdown

Bale was signed in the summer from Real Madrid on a season-long loan, with Levy having dreamed of bringing him back to north London (Eurosport).

Alli, meanwhile, was heavily linked with a move to Paris-Saint Germain in the January transfer window but Tottenham would not let him go without finding a replacement (Fabrizio Romano).

Time will tell whether Mourinho will feature the pair in his plans as he looks to climb back up the Premier League table.

In other news: Tottenham are eyeing this Premier League ace, find out more here.

حقق مدافع فريق ليفربول فيرجيل فان دايك رقمًا مميزًا مع النادي الإنجليزي، بتواجده في تشكيل مباراة اليوم ضد فريق ليستر سيتي.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الفريقان بعد قليل في إطار منافسات الجولة العشرين من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على ملعب كينج باور.

وأعلن المدرب يورجن كلوب التشكيل الأساسي لمواجهة ليستر سيتي، حيث يتواجد فيرجيل فان دايك.

وحسب الموقع الرسمي للنادي، تُعد تلك المباراة هي المشاركة رقم 150 لـ فيرجيل فان دايك في مختلف المسابقات بقميص ليفربول.

Big Virg’s 1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣th appearance for the Reds 🙌 pic.twitter.com/uRjYTR8Sjm — Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 28, 2021

وكان فان دايك قد انضم إلى ليفربول قادمًا من ساوثهامبتون في يناير من عام 2018.

وشارك فان دايك في 149 مباراة مع ليفربول، قبل لقاء الليلة، في مختلف المسابقات وسجل 14 هدفًا وصنع 7.

وساهم المدافع الهولندي في تحقيق بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي ودوري أبطال أوروبا والسوبر الأوروبي وكأس العالم للأندية تحت قيادة يورجن كلوب.

Liverpool have reportedly been offered West Ham centre-back Winston Reid ahead of transfer deadline day, but signing him would be a big mistake by the Reds.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Star, West Ham have offered the Reds the chance to sign Reid before the transfer window shuts, as an alternative to Issa Diop – who has also been linked with a move to Anfield in recent days.

Liverpool already look set to bring Preston North End’s Ben Davies to Merseyside, but according to the print version of the Monday edition of The Times they could look to bring in another defender too on deadline day.

The 32-year-old would offer Jurgen Klopp some experience in his backline, something which he currently lacks, and is reportedly readily available, having recently featured for the Hammers’ U23 side.

Would he be a good signing?

Reid’s best days are unfortunately behind him. The New Zealand international was regarded one of the best defenders outside the top six a few years ago but now hasn’t appeared in the top-flight since the 2017/18 season.

Injury issues have proved to be a real problem for the 6 ft 3 centre-back, with his most recent knee injury ruling him out for as many as 53 games between 2017 and 2019.

In fact, he appears to be even more injury-prone than Liverpool’s Joel Matip, who has spent a significant amount of time on the sidelines in recent seasons, but his longest lay-off was for 20 games in the 2019/20 season.

The experienced defender spent last season on loan with Sporting Kansas City in the MLS, where he would make 12 appearances in all competitions, which will have helped to build his fitness back up, but it is hardly of the same standard of the Premier League.

Therefore, it would be a baffling decision to bring in Reid, who has managed just one appearance in the Premier League 2 this season, as the last thing Klopp needs in his squad is a defender who is likely to spend more time on the sidelines than he will on the pitch – so sporting director Michael Edwards must steer well clear of him in the next couple of days, no matter how desperate Liverpool get.

And, in other news… LFC handed big transfer blow as reported bid for “natural leader” CB rejected

MatériaMais Notícias

O lateral-direito Filippe Formiga teve atuação destacada no empate de 2 a 2 do Madureira diante do Bangu, na terceira rodada da Taça Guanabara. O jogador fez a assistência para o primeiro gol do time na partida marcado por Leandro Chaves. Após o ponto conquistado ante o Bangu no apagar das luzes, Filippe Formiga comemorou o empate.

– Seria a maior injustiça do mundo se o Madureira não tivesse empatado. Só que pela entrega e dedicação, mesmo perdendo por 2 a 0, nós conseguimos dominar o adversário no segundo tempo e fomos premiados. Fizemos uma partida espetacular contra um time que valorizou esse um ponto conquistado – disse Formiga.

Com o empate, o Madureira ainda segue longe da zona de classificação para às semifinais da Taça Guanabara. O próximo compromisso do Tricolor Suburbano é diante do Boavista, quarta-feira, às 15h30, no Estádio Ecyr Rezende.

– Temos de trabalhar com cautela para conseguir vencer o Boavista e seguir com chances de melhorar nossa classificação na Taça Guanabara. Temos poucos dias para concertar os erros, vamos trabalhar forte para sair com a vitória fora de casa. Essa vitória é muito importante para a gente e vamos lutar para conquistar os três pontos – finalizou o lateral.