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Liverpool: Fans react to Alexander Isak update

Liverpool are reportedly monitoring Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak, leaving Reds fans very excited on social media.

Enjoying an outstanding season, Sweden international Isak scored 17 goals in 34 La Liga fixtures,  leading his side to a commendable fifth place finish in 2020/21 [Transfermarkt].

The Reds are said to be ‘keeping a close eye’ on the 21-year-old, who is seen as a potential replacement for forward Roberto Firmino as they re-shape for the future [Noticias de Gipuzkoa via Sport Witness].

Intriguingly, Isak has also attracted interest from fellow Premier League side Arsenal in recent months [90MIN].

Currently embroiled in an intense EURO 2020 group battle with his native Sweden, the Stockholm-born forward produced an exemplary performance in how to lead the line in his nations 0-0 draw with Spain earlier this week [BBC].

As you can imagine, loads of Liverpool diehards took to Twitter to revel in these latest developments.

Liverpool fans react:

Replying to Liverpool fan outlet The Anfield Talk, here is what some supporters had to say upon hearing latest developments:

“Would much prefer him than Daka”

Credit: @CaptainHendinho”For once do your job and get him before his stock explodes @LFC”Credit: @AIcantara”Think I’d love this”Credit: @brianycomiskey”He’s class”Credit: @jacobda63653476″I beg this happens”Credit: @LovetLFC02″Would be unreal.”Credit: @TheVirgilEffectIn other news, Liverpool fans react to a Xherdan Shaqiri update.

Dan James tipped to lead the line for Leeds

Journalist Phil Hay believes that Dan James will lead the line for Leeds United in their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Monday night.

The Lowdown: James’ resurgence under Marsch

Jesse Marsch’s men face another crucial game in their top-flight survival battle as they head south to take on the Eagles at Selhurst Park.

James has been used regularly by the Leeds manager since the American replaced Marcelo Bielsa, admittedly not yet scoring under the 48-year-old but providing lots of endeavour and registering two assists.

The former Manchester United man has often been used centrally by Marsch in the absence of Patrick Bamford, and that could be the case again when Leeds take on Palace.

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The Latest: Hay makes team news claim

Writing in a Q&A for The Athletic leading up to kick-off, Hay has backed James to lead the line for Leeds at Selhurst Park, on what feels like a crucial night in the relegation tussle. The journalist wrote:

“My gut feeling is it will be James up front again this evening – but maybe Marsch will surprise us.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″]

The Verdict: Big night for James

In truth, James has had a disappointing first season in a Leeds shirt, having become the club’s second-most expensive signing in history when he joined from their Mancunian rivals.

Four goals and four assists is still a reasonable effort in a struggling team, though, and it makes sense for him to continue in a central role on Monday night in the absence of Bamford.

If James could find the net decisively at Selhurst Park, it would be perhaps his biggest contribution yet in a Whites shirt as he looks to justify the £25m that Leeds paid for him last year.

In other news, Marsch is reportedly trying to bring one player to Leeds. Find out who it is here.

Celtic: Leicester pull out of Ajer race

Leicester City have pulled out of the race to sign Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer this summer, according to Give Me Sport.

The Lowdown: Ajer a man in demand

The 23-year-old has just over 12 months remaining on his Parkhead contract, with reports claiming he is preparing to quit the Hoops over the coming months.

Ajer has been a regular in green and white this season, turning out at both right-back and centre-back in his 44 appearances.

The likes of Newcastle United and Norwich City have been credited with an interest in the player who former loan manager at Kilmarnock Lee Clark described as ‘outstanding’, however, a move to the King Power no longer appears to be on the cards.

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The Latest: Rodgers ends Ajer interest

According to Give Me Sport, who were discussing Ajer’s future, ‘Brendan Rodgers has ended Leicester City’s interest’ – seven words that could impact Celtic and their hopes of a bidding war for the Norwegian.

The report claims that Rodgers’ decision has left Celtic in a difficult position, with the Hoops initially hoping to receive £15m for his signature as a result of interest from multiple Premier League sides.

The Verdict: Could give McKay an issue

This latest update could give new Celtic CEO Dominic McKay a headache.

It seems as if the club were banking on a bidding war for Ajer materialising, but with the Foxes now out of the race, the chances of that happening appear to have taken a hit.

You never know, both Newcastle and Norwich could be desperate for his services and may look to outdo each other to get the Hoops man, but neither of them have the financial capabilities or of course European football to look forward to like Leicester do.

However, with the Foxes no longer in the running, McKay may have to make do with selling Ajer at a cut-price fee. They’re bound to make a profit, though, with the defender joining for just £540,000 back in 2016.

In other news: Ryan Christie transfer update emerges, find out more here. 

West Brom: Crook reveals Bruce development

Alex Crook has revealed a fresh development in West Bromwich Albion’s potential appointment of Steve Bruce.

What’s the talk?

In a recent post on Twitter, the talkSPORT journalist revealed that, alongside the 61-year-old, Alex Bruce and Stephen Clemence also look set to join the Albion coaching staff upon the appointment of the former Newcastle United manager.

In his post, Crook said: “Understand Alex Bruce could be part of dad Steve’s WBA backroom team having recently completed his coaching badges. Stephen Clemence tends to be by his side at most clubs so would anticipate him coming too.”

Fans will be fuming

With Baggies fans appearing extremely unhappy at the prospect of Bruce being appointed as Valerien Ismael’s successor at The Hawthorns, the news that the veteran coach is planning on bringing his son into a coaching role at the club is sure to have left supporters fuming.

Indeed, in two polls ran on Football FanCast in recent days, West Brom fans first proved that they do not think the 61-year-old would be a good choice as the club’s next manager, before revealing in a second poll that the reasoning behind this is due to Bruce’s style of football.

As such, when adding into the mix the likely arrival of Alex Bruce as part of the Baggies’ new first-team coaching staff, there will undoubtedly be questions raised about the former Birmingham City and Aston Villa manager’s reasoning for appointing a completely inexperienced coach to help train a squad that is chasing promotion to the Premier League this season.

Indeed, with Albion fans not best pleased with Bruce’s impending arrival in the first place, the former Manchester United centre-back’s son also making a move to The Hawthorns is not likely to make matters any better for Albion supporters.

In other news: “I’m told…”: Sky Sports journo reveals WBA want 41 y/o boss, fans will be buzzing

Celtic: Josip Juranovic move is off

Celtic’s move for Legia Warsaw right-back appears to be off, according to Polish reporter Tomasz Wlodarczyk.

The Lowdown: Juranovic links

The Hoops are after a new right-back and have been linked with Juranovic for a number of weeks now.

The 25-year-old is thought to be keen on a Parkhead switch, with The Daily Record stating during the week that Ange Postecoglou was closing in on the defender in a transfer worth £3m.

However, that doesn’t appear to be the case, and it seems as if Celtic may now move for Manchester City’s Yan Couto instead.

The Latest: Wlodarczyk’s post

Wlodarczyk took to Twitter on Friday to provide an update on the 2020/21 Ekstraklasa winner’s future.

He suggested that a move to Scotland has now “expired” and that the Hoops have other options, saying: “As far as I know, the transfer of Josip Juranovic to Celtic Glasgow has now expired. Scots have other options.”

Wlodarczyk went on to claim that Celtic don’t have the money for the Croatian and will ‘probably’ loan Couto instead.

The Verdict: Couto the key

As long as Celtic bring in a right-back before the end of the transfer window, then there shouldn’t be too much panic at Parkhead.

Couto was present at Celtic Park on Thursday for the 3-0 win over Jablonec and seemingly liked what he saw

Hopefully that will put the Hoops at the front of the line for his services on a season-long loan, and should he sign, perhaps some supporters may forget all about Juranovic in a few months’ time.

In other news: Celtic links to 35-goal free agent resurface, find out more here. 

Everton fans on Aarons transfer update

Many Everton fans have been left to bemoan a transfer update from Fabrizio Romano on Max Aarons.

Replying to a Toffees supporter when asked if the Norwich City ace was going to Goodison Park, the Italian football journalist and transfer guru claimed: ‘No chance’.

Just last month, Romano had stated that the Merseyside club were ‘leading the race’ to sign Aarons, and that advanced talks were ‘progressing’.

It has left several Blues wondering what has happened between then and now, as it looks as if they will have to start pursuing other targets in the right-back area.

Playing in all but one game for the Canaries in the EFL Championship in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt), Aarons was certainly a key player in getting them promoted back up to the Premier League, and at just 21 years of age, the Englishman would have been an ideal long-term successor to 32-year-old Seamus Coleman.

Everton fans on Aarons transfer update

These EFC fans were left to bemoan the transfer update as it was shared on Twitter:

“I’VE SEEN IT AND I’M SAD”

Credit: @PaigeyEFC

“Our season is over before it even started”

Credit: @whoisparadox

“Noooooooooooooo”

Credit: @efcowen1

“Sigh”

Credit: @SP0RTSEDlTS

“Pain.”

Credit: @LiamAnderson66

“Another joke Everton should have wrapped up months ago, end up going to Tottenham this kid”

Credit: @CallumCarroll

In other news, find out which player Toffees are pleading to sign here!

West Brom preparing bid for Trevoh Chalobah

West Bromwich Albion are plotting a move to bring Trevoh Chalobah to The Hawthorns this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that West Brom are preparing a bid for the Chelsea midfielder in the coming weeks.

The report goes on to state that Thomas Tuchel’s side are prepared to part with the 22-year-old ahead of next season, with the former England U21 international having two years left to run on his current deal at Stamford Bridge.

Ismael would love him

Considering just how much potential Chalobah appears to possess, as well as the fact that West Brom are incredibly short of options in the middle of the park ahead of next season, the fact that Valerien Ismael is believed to be interested in a move for the defensive midfielder this summer hardly comes as surprising news.

Indeed, over his 29 Ligue 1 appearances while on loan at FC Lorient last season, the £3.15m-rated 22-year-old made an average of 2.4 interceptions, 1.6 tackles, 1.9 clearances and won 5.2 duels per game.

Chalobah also impressed in an attacking capacity for the French side, scoring two goals, registering two assists and creating one big chance for his teammates, in addition to making an average of 0.3 key passes and taking 0.5 shots per league fixture.

These returns saw the man Mark Hudson claimed has “so much potential” earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.87, ranking him as Christophe Pelissier’s joint fourth-best performer in the top flight of French football, playing a key role in helping his side impressively avoid relegation from the division.

And, with Ismael currently only having Jake Livermore as an option as an out and out defensive midfielder, as well as just Romaine Sawyers and Alex Mowatt who can operate in central midfield, ahead of next season, the middle of the park is certainly an area in which the Frenchman will look to strengthen this summer.

As such, an Albion move for the £12k-per-week Chalobah appears to be a move that makes a great deal of sense for the Championship club, as well as the youngster being a talent it would seem very likely Ismael would love to get his hands on.

In other news: Get it done: Ismael must sanction £8m West Brom summer swoop for “excellent” 23 y/o

Celtic: Kevin Phillips reacts to Fernando Henrique links

Pundit Kevin Phillips has been reacting to rumours linking Celtic with a move for Brazilian midfielder Fernando Henrique.

The Lowdown: Henrique rumours

According to reports in Brazil, relayed by The Scottish Sun, the Hoops are plotting a winter window swoop for the versatile 20-year-old, who plies his trade with Gremio.

Parkhead representatives have reached out to find out Henrique’s availability, with his current contract running to 2024.

Henrique can play as a defensive, central or attacking midfielder and is already sponsored by Adidas.

The Latest: Phillips reacts

Phillips, who regularly features for Sky Sports, was asked by Football Insider for his thoughts on a possible January swoop.

This is what he had to say, believing it could be a signing with one eye on the future.

“If they sign him in January it will be with a view to him having an impact the following season.

“It is always a gamble signing a 20-year-old Brazilian. For him to come to Scotland in January, culturally it will be a big shock. How cold will it be in January?

“I don’t know about the kid though. I think it would take him a while to settle but that would be understandable. It would take time to get used to the way of life and the different style of football in Scotland.

“Celtic would not just sign him in the hope he’d be the next best thing, the next Neymar or whatever. He will clearly have ability if they are looking to sign him. It is one to keep an eye on.”

The Verdict: Midfield reinforcements needed?

Ange Postecoglou has relied heavily on the likes of Callum McGregor, Tom Rogic and David Turnbull this season, so bolstering that department with the acquisition of Henrique could be a shrewd move.

He can play in a variety of roles and could possibly, as Phillips mentions, be given time to settle into life in Glasgow for the second half of the season ahead of a breakthrough at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Henrique has attracted interest from the City Group recently, so securing his services could prove to be a real coup in the long run.

In other news: Frank McAvennie questions effort levels of 5 G/A Celtic ace who ‘goes missing’. 

Liverpool fans love new Joel Matip video

A number of Liverpool supporters have been loving the latest video of cult hero Joel Matip, with the centre-back starring in a behind the scenes clip of the Reds’ pre-season tour.

Matip has become a hugely popular member of the Reds’ dressing room, often proving to be one of the funniest members of the squad, without always trying to be.

Not only that, but the Cameroonian is a top-class performer when he is fit, with injuries sadly hampering him throughout his time at Anfield.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

Jurgen Klopp’s men are currently working hard in pre-season, but Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez enjoyed some downtime recently.

In a video posted by the club’s official Twitter account on Wednesday, the three centre-backs take part in a bowling competition, with Matip constantly mocked by his colleagues.

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Liverpool fans react to brilliant Matip video

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their appreciation for Matip, as he adds another classic clip to his ever-growing collection.

“Matip kills me”

Credit: @KeeganLMoyer

“I love this. Joel is so funny we need more Joel content”

Credit: @1bmh_

“A night out with Joel Matip would put a smile on anyone’s face!”

Credit: @phil_corrigan

“Big Matip never leave”

Credit: @jordanhillllll

“I can’t deal with him. I love him”

Credit: @Jake_Phillpotts

“I’ll forever love Matip”

Credit: @LFC_000

“Matip is the funniest player of all time”

Credit: @redmen_lfc_

In other news, some Liverpool fans are unhappy with an update regarding one Reds player. Read more here.

Liverpool fans fume at Premier League squad

Some Liverpool supporters are fuming with the fact that Jurgen Klopp has named four goalkeepers in his 2021/22 Premier League squad.

Following a quiet summer at Anfield, Liverpool only brought in defender Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig and failed to add further depth to their squad over the course of the transfer window.

With Xherdan Shaqiri departing for French side Lyon, Klopp confirmed his 24-man Premier League squad earlier this week, naming four goalkeepers.

Alisson and Adrian were joined by Caoimhin Kelleher and Loris Karius as the four, and some Liverpool fans aren’t happy with the German’s inclusion in particular.

The 28-year-old hasn’t appeared in a competitive fixture for the club since his nightmare Champions League final against Real Madrid, whilst Kelleher played in Premier League games with Wolves and Brighton last season.

That leaves only 20 outfield players and demonstrates Liverpool’s issues going forward with their lack of depth, although the likes of Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones can feature without being registered due to being under 21.

Liverpool fans fume over squad

Responding to a tweet from Anfield Edition, these Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to share their feelings on the matter, with one fan stating he would ‘tear up’ Karius’ contract.

“That looks bang average apart from the starting 11”

Credit: @TD_Tishen

“I really don’t think we need 4 GKs”

Credit: @juliabuzniak

“Why the hell is Karius still here, I’d tear up his contract. Cost us the champions league”

Credit: @frankfrance12

“We have the same amount of goalkeepers as usable attackers…..”

Credit: @LFC_James

“4 keepers? I am done with this club”

Credit: @arun_sarai

“Just sad”

Credit: @Ybr_Manu

In other news, some Liverpool fans don’t want this player to be signed. Find out more here.

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