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Liverpool are mooted to have looked at Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse as a potential transfer option during the recent transfer window, as reported by GOAL.

Starting off the new term in blistering fashion, the 26-year-old has shone for the Saints, registering three goal contributions in four games; one goal and two assists [Transfermarkt].

Owing to his fantastic form, it may come as little surprise to hear that other clubs were interested in his services during the summer.

Liverpool were reportedly one of the clubs that looked at Ward-Prowse in the summer transfer period, potentially as a replacement for former icon Georginio Wijnaldum who has recently departed Anfield [GOAL].

Of course, Ward-Prowse signed a new five-year deal at St Mary’s last month, putting to bed any speculation that he might leave the South Coast club for the time being [Southampton FC Official].

In light of this news, it was no wonder that plenty of Liverpool fans took to social media to vent their fury at recent developments.

Liverpool fans react:

Replying to LFC Transfer Room on Twitter, here is what some fans had to say about the Ward Prowse links:

“This is so annoying. It’s already in the past. Transfer window already shut. Can we focus on being competitive this season?”

Credit: @AchiyaLarry”Can you just stop now? That’s all we have been hearing for the past 4 months & here we are with only 1 signing.”Credit: @Jordan_KloppEra”Every player in the League was watched by us in the window lads, get it right”Credit: @LFC_Lewis66″Liverpool are not serious on signings, we are like Arsenal”Credit: @trustwealthy106″Interested FC”Credit: @Okotb22″Prepare yourself for more and more of this shameless PR and leaking tactically news to deceive fans. Never expected FSG to bring themselves this low. There was no need comparing our position#LFC”Credit: @VonTheRedIn other news, Liverpool fans fume after a fringe member of the squad was not sold during the window. Find out more here.

Leeds Live reporter Keifer MacDonald has identified three Leeds United players who could be sold in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: High wage bill

It was reported last week that Leeds’ wage bill for the 2021/22 season would go past the £100m mark due to their decision to hand out big contracts since returning to the Premier League.

Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo and Raphinha all signed lucrative contracts recently, and alongside the signing of Daniel James from Manchester United, it is expected that the wage bill will increase by £46m from the £78m at which it stood 12 months ago.

With the January transfer window four months away, the Whites are likely to be forced into selling fringe players in order to add any newcomers to their squad.

The Latest: Who to sell

In a report for Leeds Live, MacDonald has named three players as potential options for Leeds to sell in exchange for more funds to spend themselves in the January transfer window.

Tyler Roberts, Robin Koch and Adam Forshaw are the three players named by the journalist. The trio made just 27 Premier League starts between them and were often introduced as substitutes throughout the campaign. Indeed, the latter was ruled out for the entire 2020/21 campaign due to a long-standing hip injury.

Between them, the trio have only made six appearances across the league and Carabao Cup this season, totalling only 301 minutes. Pascal Struijk, Illan Meslier, Jack Harrison and Luke Ayling have each had more individual game-time than the aforementioned trio combied.

The Verdict: Right moves for the right price

Roberts, Koch and Forshaw have played some role in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad since arriving at the club. Having only started 14 league games last season, the former struggled to stake his claim in Bielsa’s side and will need more first team football if he is to be a regular member of the Wales national team.

For Koch, injuries have seen his time at the club disrupted. Similar to Roberts, the 25-year-old will need more regular  first team football if he is to regain his place in the Germany squad.

Forshaw, who has more than 300 career appearances, 53 of which have come at Leeds, is now 29 and may find it a tough ask to ever regain a regular place in Bielsa’s XI.

If the club desperately need to trim their wage bill in order to fund potential January signings, the trio named by MacDonald may well be on the chopping block given their peripheral status in the squad.

In other news, Bielsa confirmed this boost to his Leeds squad for the clash against Liverpool

Centuries from Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag led India to a comprehensive 147-run victory at the Premadasa Stadium

The Bulletin by Dileep Premachandran03-Feb-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag hammered hundreds to set Sri Lanka a massive target © AFP
Muttiah Muralitharan equalled Wasim Akram’s world record of 502 one-day wickets, but there was little else for a voluble crowd to celebrate as swashbuckling centuries from Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag led India to a comprehensive 147-run victory at the Premadasa Stadium. There was a big-hitting cameo from Yusuf Pathan and four wickets for the promising Pragyan Ojha as the series was wrapped up with two games to spare. Kumar Sangakkara’s classy 83 proved to be little more than a footnote on a daywhen Sri Lanka were again way off the pace.Yuvraj and Sehwag were in sensational form, though Sri Lanka didn’t really help their cause with some decidedly poor fielding. After being reduced to 24 for 2, it was Yuvraj who cornered most of the strike, stroking some magnificent boundaries on either side of the wicket. Too often, the bowlers strayed on to the pads and he was more than happy to work them fine or swat them contemptuously over midwicket. There was much for thepurist to admire too though, with beautifully timed shots through cover and backward point.Sehwag was a spectator in the early part of the partnership, but when the opportunity presented itself, he was no less ruthless. Nuwan Kulasekara was taken for three successive fours, after which he enjoyed his first moment of good fortune. A slower ball struck him initially on the pad in front of middle stump, but the proximity of the bat to the pad and the subsequent contact fooled the umpire.Not that Sri Lanka made their own luck either. Farveez Maharoof didn’t sight the ball when Yuvraj miscued Ajantha Mendis over midwicket, and Dilhara Fernando palmed a tough chance over the rope when Sehwag, then on 45, lifted the same bowler over wide long-on. Sanath Jayasuriya was the next culprit, grassing a routine caught-and-bowled chance with Sehwag on 72.You can’t give such batsmen such reprieves. It took Yuvraj only 82 balls to score his 11th one-day century. It took Sehwag seven deliveries less. By then, they were dismissing the bowling at will. It didn’t matter whether it was Murali or Mendis, or Fernando. The ball kept disappearing over the infield or into the gaps, and some appallingfielding, epitomised by Mendis letting one through his legs, merely increased Mahela Jayawardene’s angst.Stats HighlightsSri Lanka’s 147-run loss is their biggest defeat at home in terms of runs.Sri Lanka have now lost three consecutive bilateral ODI series at home. They have had an impressive record at home since 2000, winning 11 ODI competitions and losing five.Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh, during their centuries, went past 1000 runs against Sri Lanka. Sachin Tendulkar tops the list for India’s highest-run getters against Sri Lanka with 2584 runs at 43.06.India’s score of 363 is their second-highest against Sri Lanka, and also the second-highest in Sri Lanka.Sehwag’s strike rate of 100.36 is now the second-highest for batsmen who’ve played more than 100 ODIs. Shahid Afridi leads the list with a strike rate of 110.99.The 221-run stand between Sehwag and Yuvraj is the seventh-highest for the third wicket in ODIs, and the fourth-highest overall in Sri Lanka.When Yuvraj Singh reached his century, he became the first Indian to do so against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in close to ten years. Yuvraj finally departed after making 117 off 95 balls, but there was no real zest to Murali’s celebration. By then, the partnership was worth 221, from just only balls. Sehwag left not long after, for 116 off 90 balls, when Jayasuriya threw the stumps down from mid-off. The scoreboard showed 265, and there were still 15.1 overs to be bowled. Yusuf Pathan then clouted three mighty sixes down the ground on his way to a 33-ball half-century, and though Mahendra Singh Dhoni was initially circumspect, the damage had already been done.India would argue that they were due a rub of the Colombo green. Sachin Tendulkar, who had thumped an enormous six off a free hit, was unlucky to be given out leg-before for the third time in the series. The Fernando delivery was slanting down the leg side, but the umpire decided otherwise, leaving Tendulkar with 18 runs after three matches.Gautam Gambhir, dropped before he had scored by Thilina Kandamby at point, was then run out after backing up too far. Again, Fernando’s luck was in, with Sehwag’s firm straight drive just brushing his fingertips before colliding with the stumps. It wouldn’t halt India’s momentum though, against pace and spin alike. They took 50 off the bowling Powerplay and 43 from the batting one, and a mammoth total gradually took shape.But for a 67-run partnership between Sangakkara and Jayawardene, Sri Lanka were never in the contest. Sanath Jayasuriya chopped the first ball he faced on to the stumps. Praveen Kumar’s relative lack of pace and a hint of swing provided the breakthrough, and though Tillakaratne Dilshan got the scoreboard moving with a couple of streaky fours, the required rate was a Damocles sword hanging over Sri Lankan heads from the outset.Dilshan pulled Praveen for one mighty six, but his attempt to cleave Zaheer over midwicket only resulted in the middle stump being pegged back. The captain and his deputy briefly resurrected hopes, taking 39 from the bowling Powerplay, but India tightened their grip once Sri Lanka opted to take the batting one immediately afterwards.Jayawardene miscued Praveen to Virender Sehwag at mid-off and the spell was broken, and Kandamby, nearly the hero in the last game, followed soon after, with an ill-judged reverse sweep. Dhoni had waited till the end of the fielding restrictions to introduce spin, and the gamble worked a treat.Pragyan Ojha, taken for two fours in his opening over, turned one right across Chamara Kapugedera’s bat to hit middle stump. And with the ball gripping and turning, Ojha turned in his best one-day display. Farveez Maharoof was smartly caught at slip and Sangakkara’s resistance ended with a miscue to short fine leg, before Murali under-edged one to Dhoni.A last-wicket partnership of 26 was merely academic, and there was plenty to ponder for a Sri Lankan side that bore no resemblance whatsoever to the one that was once so formidable on home turf.

Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield believes West Bromwich Albion should bolster their frontline by sealing Dwight Gayle’s return to the Hawthorns.

Following a summer of change which saw Valerien Ismael swap the Barnsley dugout for West Brom, the Baggies are looking to seal an immediate return to the Premier League after suffering relegation last term.

Ismael has been busy in the transfer market and strengthened his attacking options by completing the season-long loan signing of Norwich City striker Jordan Hugill earlier this week.

But, with the window not shutting until next week, Albion could still welcome more arrivals and Hatfield has advised Ismael to sign Newcastle United’s Gayle.

The 31-year-old frontman, who signed a new contract with the Magpies in the summer, scored 24 goals during a season-long loan spell with West Brom in the 2018/19 season.

With Gayle yet to make a Premier League appearance this term, Hatfield thinks the Baggies should pounce.

He told The Transfer Tavern: “Dwight Gayle is a fantastic Championship striker. Albion fans have seen that up close and personal before.

“As an opinion, I think it would be a fantastic signing for Albion. There is an issue with wages, which has always been there for Albion ever since he came on loan. They wanted to sign him on a permanent basis but they didn’t go up that season and wages wouldn’t really work out.

“He’d definitely be the type of striker that would work brilliantly for Albion. He knows where the back of the net is, has a brilliant ability of being in the right place at the right time and connecting with the fanbase, which was something that shone through during his time at Albion.

“For me, he would be a really good signing.”

Andrew Symonds could make his return to Test cricket next week after being named in Australia’s 13-man squad to take on New Zealand in the first Test in Brisbane

Cricinfo staff13-Nov-2008
Andrew Symonds has not played Test cricket since the Caribbean tour © AFP
Andrew Symonds could make his return to Test cricket next week after being named in Australia’s 13-man squad to take on New Zealand in the first Test in Brisbane. Symonds has been included alongside Jason Krejza, the offspinner who took 12 wickets on debut in Nagpur, and the Victoria fast bowler Peter Siddle.But there was no place for Cameron White, the legspinning allrounder who played all four Tests in India. White was the preferred slow bowler for the first three Tests but he finished the series with only five wickets and Krejza’s success has bumped him down the list.White was the only man who played in the India Tests who has not retained his place for the Gabba match. However, the selectors still have a couple of tough calls to make with Shane Watson, the allrounder who replaced Symonds at No. 6, performing solidly in India.Watson made 170 runs at 24.28 but his seam bowling was particularly useful and among the Australians only Krejza and Mitchell Johnson collected more than Watson’s ten wickets at 32.10. Symonds has hardly been in convincing form at state level and in three Sheffield Shield outings for Queensland he has posted scores of 5, 5, 26, 0, 43 and 1.But Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said Symonds had done enough in the past to justify his place in the squad. “Over the previous 12 months, Andrew has cemented his place in the Test team with outstanding performances at home and in the West Indies,” Hilditch said, “and he now deserves to come back into the Australian squad.”If Symonds does make the cut it will be his first Test appearance since the tour of the Caribbean this year. He was axed from the national squad in Darwin following his now infamous fishing trip but after completing a welfare process he made the first steps back to the international scene earlier this week when he was picked for Friday’s Twenty20 match against an All-Stars line-up.His chances of playing the Test might depend on the health of Michael Clarke, who has been selected subject to fitness. Clarke was struck down with a stomach virus in the fourth Test in Nagpur but there is still a week before the Test starts next Thursday and he is expected to be available.The selectors will also have to make a call on the makeup of the attack with the fast men struggling for impact in India. Stuart Clark is likely to force his way back into the starting line-up and Siddle will probably miss out, while the exact balance of the bowling group could depend on whether either Watson or Symonds are squeezed out.Despite the conventional wisdom that the Gabba does not favour spin bowlers, it would be difficult to leave out Krejza after his sensational debut. He could also be helped by the past performances of Shane Warne, who defied the theory that Brisbane was better for the seamers. The Gabba was Warne’s favourite venue and he collected 68 wickets there at 20.31.”Jason Krejza richly deserves to retain his place in the side after such an outstanding debut in Nagpur,” Hilditch said. “It will now be a significant challenge for him to adapt back to Australian conditions and continue his development.”The squad will be trimmed to 12 next Tuesday and the player who is not needed will be free to return to his home state. Shaun Marsh and Doug Bollinger, who were part of the touring party in India but did not play a Test, were not required for the Brisbane game.Squad Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Peter Siddle.

Bruno Lage admitted this week that it will be hard for the Wolves supporters to ignore Nuno Santo on Sunday afternoon.

The Old Gold welcome Tottenham to Molineux and the Lilywhites will bring their triumphant manager back to the Midlands for the first time.

It will be a weird atmosphere and a strange day for Nuno who surrendered blood, sweat and tears to the Wolves cause.

He took them from a middling Championship team to a Premier League outfit competing to be in European football.

A rift occurred over the club’s transfer policies and he has now departed, yet, Lage will be keen to ensure that the story ends well for Wolves when the two managers face off.

This is a difficult start to the season for them but there will be no bigger incentive than getting one over their old boss. So, with that in mind, who should start on Sunday? Here’s our predicted XI…

We’re tipping Lage to make three changes to the side that lost to Leicester last weekend.

Lage’s men didn’t lack attacking intent against the Foxes as Adama Traore spurned a wonderful opportunity to score.

They were also bolstered by the returning Raul Jimenez and their summer signing from Barcelona; Trincao.

Although they didn’t click 100% at the King Power, we predict that the dangerous trio will all start together on Sunday afternoon.

There are changes in the backline, however, where Nelson Semedo replaces Ki-Jana Hoever.

Lage could do with more experience for a clash of this magnitude and although Tim Spiers dubbed the Portuguese a “liability” last term, the £84k-per-week wing-back could offer plenty against a team like Spurs.

There is another alteration on the opposite side where Marcal drops out in favour of Rayan Ait-Nouri.

The 20-year-old signed on a permanent deal this summer after catching the eye towards the back end of the 2020/21 campaign.

A final change falls at centre-back where the shoddy Romain Saiss is given the boot with Leander Dendoncker preferred alongside Conor Coady and Max Kilman.

The latter will be someone with a point to prove considering Nuno was keen to axe him from his plans if he was still in charge this summer.

This should be a match full of emotion but this side gives Wolves the best chance of prevailing.

AND in other news, Wolves make enquiry to sign “fearless” 6ft5 colossus, he’s a big upgrade on Saiss…

Crystal Palace are interested in a move for Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The journalist claimed that the 19-year-old is expected to depart Old Trafford on loan during the current window. Palace and FC Basel are two clubs name-checked with an interest by Romano, with other sides in the Premier League and Bundesliga also keen.

Diallo, who can play anywhere across the front three, is valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt and has made eight senior appearances for United.

Patrick Vieira is yet to add to his wide or central attacking ranks this summer, with one goalkeeper, two defenders and three midfielders signed by the Frenchman thus far.

Palace fans react

Both @cpfc_xtra and @CPFCtransfersHQ shared Romano’s claim about Diallo via Twitter, and here is what these Eagles fans had to say in reply, with one describing the 19-year-old as ‘special’.

“Wow. I’d be down! Wasn’t expecting that”Credit: @redandbluesite”Palace need a winger. We cant get all the players we want in one window for season. This kid is special and gives us more time”Credit: @russellsbaker”Would have him”Credit: @danofthesouth_”I saw the United wanted to loan him out and immediately thought actually we could use him”Credit: @nikolimorgan”Don’t want borrowed players”Credit: @SteYouLater24″Ok”Credit: @cpfcharlie0

In other news: Many CPFC fans buzzing as club confirm Eze news. 

The offspinner Jason Krejza’s chances of playing the first Test against South Africa look slim after he failed to pass a fitness test for Tasmania

Cricinfo staff06-Dec-2008
Jason Krejza remains under an injury cloud ahead of the first Test against South Africa © AFP
The offspinner Jason Krejza’s chances of playing the first Test against South Africa look slim after he failed to pass a fitness test for Tasmania.Krejza missed the Adelaide Test against New Zealand with an ankle injury, but had resumed light running and hoped to play in his state’s one-day match against New South Wales to prove himself available for Perth in a fortnight.Tasmania’s coach Tim Coyle told reporters that Krejza would not play on Sunday. “I wouldn’t call it a setback, I’d call it a progression in fact,” Coyle said. “He’s very close to playing. If this was a four-day game he’d be playing because he could stand in the slips, he’s not needed to run around as much. The intensity of the fielding effort in one-day cricket is the only thing we had a question mark on.”Coyle said he expected Krejza to be fit for Tasmania’s one-day game against South Australia at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday. “We just think a little bit proppy still and he feels that as well,” Coyle said. “It’s not worth risking.”Although Krejza is now regarded as Australia’s leading spin candidate, he has still only played one match after Ricky Ponting took an all-pace attack into the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba. Despite Nathan Hauritz performing solidly in Adelaide Ponting said Krejza’s remarkable debut in Nagpur, where he took match figures of 12 for 358, had earned him another opportunity.

Liverpool have been backed for a stunning swoop to sign an Everton defender if Virgil van Dijk leaves Anfield this summer.

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VVD's current deal ends this summerYet to sign an extension at AnfieldHamann believes Liverpool could sign Jarrad BranthwaiteFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Liverpool’s defensive plans for the future remain uncertain, with speculation growing around Van Dijk’s long-term stay at the club. While the Reds remain keen to extend his contract, the Dutchman has hinted that he wasn't sure where his future lies.

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Van Dijk has been instrumental in the club’s success over the years and remains the heart of the team’s defensive structure. His leadership and presence have been crucial, and Didi Hamann believes that securing his services should be Liverpool’s top priority.

WHAT DIDI HAMANN SAID

In an interview with Hamann said: "Keeping Virgil van Dijk has to be the priority for Liverpool, he is the heart of the team. He stabilizes everything and makes other players better. He's just a rock at the back and he's been for a number of years now, so I think he's the most important."

However, Hamann believes there remains a lack of clarity on whether Van Dijk has been offered a new deal or whether negotiations are ongoing. With just months left on several key contracts, including Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, questions have been raised about Liverpool’s approach to contract renewals.

“It's a bizarre situation because we don't know whether he's been offered a contract or whether he's holding out for more money or what the situation is. So it's very hard to tell," he said.

“But I would find it very bizarre if these players hadn't been offered contracts. If they have been offered a contract you can't be too harsh on the club because the players might want more money or a longer deal so there is negotiation there.

“There's about 10 or 12 games to go and you don't know what's going to happen with them, when are you going to think about a replacement, it will be too late and that probably makes players more expensive. I'm sure they do their homework and that they've got players in mind, but it’s a very strange situation. Liverpool do their business differently to other teams and clubs – but you have to say that in the past and it hasn’t done too much harm.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Amid the uncertainty surrounding Van Dijk, Hamann suggested that Liverpool could make a surprise move for Everton’s highly-rated defender Jarrad Branthwaite as a replacement for Van Dijk.

“It’s been a while since someone made the move between Everton and Liverpool, I know there was talk of Anthony Gordon recently who does have that blue connection," he said.

“Nicky Barmby did it, but I do think that the gap between the two clubs at the moment is so big that Everton fans would understand if he wanted to go there. The gap is big but I hope that it closes in the sense that Everton improve with their new stadium and try to get back into Europe, we know there is a huge rivalry there. But in terms of Jarrad Branthwaite, if there is interest there then Liverpool will be able to find a solution.”

Manchester City have submitted a bid for an “energetic” midfielder ahead of the January transfer window, and Pep Guardiola is believed to be a big fan, according to a report.

Man City struggles continue with defeat to Aston Villa

City’s struggles were underlined by their defeat at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon, falling to a 2-1 defeat after yet another disappointing display, which leaves them outside the top four in the Premier League.

Guardiola’s side have dropped off considerably this season after winning the league four years in a row, and their poor run of form coincides with Rodri being sidelined with an injury, indicating just how important the midfielder is to the team.

In the Spaniard’s absence, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan got the nod in central midfield yesterday afternoon, but they flattered to deceive, with the latter arguably now in the twilight years of his career.

As such, Guardiola may feel he needs to strengthen this winter if his side are going to force their way back into Champions League contention, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Jamal Musiala thought to be a target, albeit and expensive one.

Manchester City now want to sign "excellent" new defender ahead of Chelsea

It could be the beginning of a major shake-up at the Etihad Stadium.

ByBen Browning Nov 25, 2024

Now, it seems as though Guardiola has identified his main target to strengthen the midfield, with reports from Spain detailing that an opening Man City offer has been made for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with Guardiola personally seeing him ‘as an ideal reinforcement’ in 2025.

Manchester United are also interested in the midfielder, which could drive up the price, and there is a feeling that a deal could amount to around €70m (£58m), with a swap deal also possible. City are said to be determined to beat their rivals to the 25-year-old’s signature, and the outcome of the transfer battle is likely to be known within the next few weeks.

Man City need a new midfielder

Amid links to Liverpool earlier this year, the Brazilian was lauded by journalist Bence Bocsak, who said:

Since then, the Atalanta star has kicked on even further, playing a big role in Atalanta’s successful Europa League campaign, and he has remained one of the first names on the team sheet for the Serie A side this season.

It is evident that City need to strengthen this January, with the Rodri injury exposing how reliant they are on the Spain international, and they need to reinforce their midfield with a player proven at the top level.

Ederson could fit the bill in that regard, but it remains to be seen whether City can win the race for his signature, particularly considering the ongoing legal battle with the Premier League, which could be off-putting to potential targets.