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From their opening nine Premier League games of the season, Liverpool have only conceded six goals thanks to the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, and Ibrahima Konate, who have all played their part in the Merseyside club’s blistering start to the season from a defensive point of view among others.

However, with Van Dijk and Matip both having hit the age of 30, the Reds will have to make sure they find sufficient replacements for the duo when they eventually depart Anfield.

One player the Reds currently have in their youth ranks who we feel could be a good replacement for Van Dijk in the future is centre-back Tom Clayton.

As a product of Liverpool’s youth academy, the 21-year-old has made 28 appearances for their under-18 side, scoring one goal in the process, as well as playing 45 times for the under-23 side, scoring three goals and providing one assist.

Clayton hailed as a “leader” – just like Van Dijk

Clayton, who has been described as a “leader” by under-23s coach Barry Lewtas, has yet to make his senior debut for Liverpool.

So far this season, he has played the full 90 minutes in all of Liverpool under-23s’ league games prior to their match against Blackburn Rovers, donning the captain’s armband on all but two occasions and swapping between centre-back and the defensive midfield position.

This shows just how important he is to the team, partly explaining why he has been praised for his leadership qualities and why he could be the heir apparent to Van Dijk in Klopp’s first team, considering that the Dutchman has been praised for his leadership skills by Reds captain Jordan Henderson in the past.

Moving forward, while it may be difficult for Clayton to get much senior playing time anytime soon considering the centre-backs in Liverpool’s senior squad at the moment, we feel that his time to shine in the first team could come soon and that he has what it takes to show why he could be a regular figure for them in the future who can provide leadership from the back.

If he makes the breakthrough and lives up to his early promise, he could also save the club millions in the transfer market, as he may well eliminate the need for FSG to splash out on an expensive centre-back.

In other news: Signed for £34m, now worth £76.5m: FSG hit the jackpot with “unbelievable” LFC star

According journalist Dean Jones of Eurosport, speaking to GiveMeSport, West Ham are firmly in the hunt to sign Middlesbrough defender Dael Fry.

The Lowdown: West Ham eye defensive back-up…

In the build up to January, the Hammers and recruitment chief Rob Newman were heavily linked with a number of central defensive additions amid West Ham’s previous emergency.

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90min claimed they could even turn to the Championship as they became linked to Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly, QPR mainstay Rob Dickie and Boro’s Fry.

According to Jones, speaking to GMS, that interest has remained as Moyes, West Ham and Newman remain in the picture to sign Chris Wilder’s star defender.

The Latest: West Ham in the mix…

Indeed, as per the ‘transfer insider’, the Hammers are very much in contention alongside a number of Premier League clubs.

“Dael Fry and [Marcus] Tavernier are obviously making headlines at the moment following Middlesbrough’s great win,” he explained.

“Both of those players will be available in the summer if Middlesbrough don’t manage to win promotion. So, there are a lot of Premier League clubs looking at these two players, Dael Fry, in particular, Wolves, Brighton, West Ham and Southampton are all very interested in him.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

He is estimated by Jones to cost around £20 million, but for this amount, is Fry worth the plunge?

Likened to England international and Man City defender John Stones (90min), the 24-year-old has been a crucial player for Boro over these past few seasons with former boss Neil Warnock even claiming last year they ‘cannot replace’ him.

Tavernier has waxed lyrical over the ‘unbelievable’ Fry before but his lack of experience in the Premier League makes a £20m bid potentially risky business.

In other news: West Ham source: Moyes back in to sign ‘explosive’ 2020 target who’s ‘as quick as anything’, find out more here.

Journalist Anthony Haggerty has told Football FanCast that Celtic should have looked to sign Gary Cahill.

Ange Postecoglou has already made a couple of defensive additions but has been unable to add another centre-back to his ranks as he looks to improve on last season’s struggles at the back.

And prior to Gary Cahill signing for Bournemouth following his release from Crystal Palace, the 6 ft 4 centre-half was available on a free transfer.

The 35-year-old had been a regular at Palace since leaving for Chelsea two years ago and would not only have brought a wealth of experience in both the Premier League and Champions League – competitions his defending has helped the Blues to win – but he’s also already got a relationship with Joe Hart following their time together with England.

Stephen Welsh and Carl Starfelt have started the last five matches in all competitions together, but those two are just 19 and 26 respectively.

With that in mind, Haggerty told Football FanCast:

“I would still like them to bring in another centre-back and the one I have been talking about his Gary Cahill – I think he could do a job for Celtic.

“Gary Cahill is an ideal short-term signing for Celtic.  And all that experience that he could bring to the backline would’ve been phenomenal.”

Many Wolves fans have been left fuming as an update emerged on their game at home against Brentford in the Premier League at Saturday lunchtime.

As per the official website of the Premier League, Stuart Attwell has now been appointed as the VAR official for the match.

He has already caused controversy in a game earlier on in the season involving the Midlands club, as he failed to give them a penalty in their 1-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur, which was heavily ridiculed by some members of the Molineux faithful.

Attwell has also given more yellow cards and yellows leading to reds to the Wanderers over any other side in his career so far (Transfermarkt), suggesting that they have not had the best of luck whenever he has been officiating.

Wolves fans on Attwell news

These WWFC supporters were left fuming as the update involving Attwell was shared by Talking Wolves on their Twitter page:

“Omg Attwell on VAR AGAIN”

Credit: @Pinhead1210

“Mad VAR decision incoming then”

Credit: @chayward_9

“The PL are trolling us hard with Attwell on VAR”

Credit: @UltimateJeffShi

“Might as well unplug VAR now as it won’t be needed with that clown”

Credit: @Johnboy42370177

“What is it with us and Attwell on VAR?”

Credit: @Wrightgal80

“This making me feel Att-unwell”

Credit: @Tom_Parker12

In other news, find out which ‘powerhouse’ Wolves could sign in January here!

Everton face a tricky dilemma over the future of defender Yerry Mina as his absence exposed their defensive frailties over the weekend.

What’s the story?

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a fabulous start to the current campaign after several injury-hit years on Merseyside, cementing his status as one of Rafa Benitez’s most important players.

However, Mina’s contract is due to expire in the summer of 2023, meaning Everton must soon decide whether to offer him an extension or cash in while they can still demand a high price.

And now, The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland has provided an update on the centre-back’s situation, claiming a tough choice lies ahead for the club’s hierarchy.

He tweeted initially: “Everton have a decision to make over Yerry Mina. Two years left on his deal, future uncertain over the summer, but once again missed yesterday. He’s becoming increasingly important to the side’s hopes”.

Everton fans should be excited

After joining Everton in a £27.2m deal back in 2018, Mina has endured three stop-start campaigns where he’s failed to make over 25 Premier League starts in a single season.

Following the impressive form of Ben Godrey last term, the Colombia international was believed to be one of several first-team stars told they were available for transfer if a suitable bid arrived last summer, but his response to that setback has been very impressive.

As per WhoScored, Mina has averaged four clearances per league game in 2021/22, 1.5 interceptions and one tackle, highlighting his importance to the Goodison Park outfit.

Boyland’s latest report also praises the South American’s early-season showings, before stating how his absence from Sunday’s defeat could also see him be rewarded with fresh terms.

“Although fitness concerns mean he is not always able to play back-to-back games, Everton have often looked worse for his absence this season,” the piece reads.

“Quickly he has gone from bit-part figure to a potentially key cog. If there is one blessing to be had from Sunday’s defeat, it is that Everton now have their reminder as to the Colombian’s importance ahead of that all-important decision on his future.”

It remains to be seen whether Everton’s chiefs put a new deal in front of Mina over the coming months, although Boyland’s latest hint should leave the club’s supporters excited over a potential contract renewal.

And, in other news…Never mind Iwobi: EFC dud who completed just 67% passes had a game to forget vs WHU 

After a damaging defeat to Manchester United last time out in the Premier League, Leeds United will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways when they take on Everton this afternoon.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side fell to a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of the Red Devils but will be confident of a far better outcome when they entertain the Toffees in their first game back in front of a full Elland Road crowd.

The Leeds manager may be tempted to make a couple of changes considering the nature of that defeat at Old Trafford, and one man who the Argentine should start from the off today is Junior Firpo.

The summer signing from Barcelona was brought on at half-time last Saturday, replacing Rodrigo at the break and seeing a tactical shift from Bielsa – the Spaniard went to his natural left-back role, and Stuart Dallas moved into central midfield.

Against an Everton side with an ageing Seamus Coleman at right-back, Firpo will feel confident of using his pace to hurt the Toffees defender going back towards his own goal.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Evening Post, player analyst Josh Hobbs said of the flying full-back: “My feeling is that he’s not great at winning the ball in duels but I don’t think it matters hugely. He is an excellent athlete and in our man-marking system that can cover for a few issues in defensive fundamentals.

“Going forwards, he’s a good dribbler – particularly when he gets up to speed and he can steam past players. He likes to play a pass into midfield and then sprint down the line to receive in behind and get into the box.”His delivery in wide areas is usually a fizzed low cross, which is dangerous as often if the player at the front post misses it, can be met by somebody running centrally or to the back post.”In his real breakthrough season with Real Betis during the 2018/19 campaign, Firpo managed three goals and four assists in La Liga, as well as averaging 0.8 shots, 0.8 key passes and 1.3 dribbles per game.The £7.2m-rated ace has the attacking instincts to cause real problems for the Toffees this afternoon, and Bielsa should be throwing him into the starting line-up after his runout against Manchester United last weekend.He could be the game-changer the Whites need.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has confirmed a major Leeds United boost…

Many Everton fans have been left fuming over some transfer news that has emerged on Allan.

As per Il Messaggero, Lazio are now interested in signing the central midfield player in the January transfer window, as he has been made available for loan.

It seems very strange that the Merseyside club would let him go in the middle of the season, especially on loan, given that he has been a mainstay in the team under Rafa Benitez.

Allan has been a key player for the Toffees this term, averaging the most tackles (2.8) per game in the Premier League out of his teammates, while he also ranks highly in terms of average dribbles (0.9) and passes (36.9), and has supplied two assists (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, it is no surprise to see so many Blues raging after they read the news, especially considering they may already be unhappy about the departure of Lucas Digne, who is expected to agree personal terms with Aston Villa today (Sky Sports).

Everton fans on Allan transfer news

These EFC supporters fumed as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, with one Evertonian even going as far as to claim that it is ‘bizarre’:

“You cannot be serious”

Credit: @_Alxstxir_

“We really are preparing for life in the Championship”

Credit: @O__Damn

“Really? Sounds bizarre to me”

Credit: @trueblue265

“This can’t be true surely?”

Credit: @Gwyn_HughesEFC

“Whaaaat? This is insane”

Credit: @andyat80

“Has to be a joke”

Credit: @danield9898

In other news, find out who Everton are now eyeing as James Rodriguez’s replacement here!

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, via Sport Witness, some major Man City transfer news has emerged involving Sporting Lisbon star Matheus Nunes.

The Lowdown: Guardiola blown away…

After Pep Guardiola’s side hammered Sporting 5-0 away in the first leg of their Round of 16 Champions League Round tie, one opposition player who seemingly blew away City’s boss was in fact Nunes.

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Speaking to media afterwards, the Sky Blues head coach lavished praise on Sporting’s in-demand midfielder, even going on to claim he is ‘one of the best players in the world today’.

Guardiola’s rave review of the 23-year-old has prompted links to signing him in the summer window with A Bola (via SW) now sharing a promising transfer development out of Eastlands.

The Latest: Man City hold discussions…

According to their sources, City chiefs have apparently held ‘informal’ discussions with Sporting over a transfer for Nunes.

In perhaps the most exciting part of this story, the player himself is very keen on moving to Manchester, with there even being suggestions he ‘dreams’ of signing for Guardiola.

It’s also pointed that both Sporting and City’s ‘privileged relationship’ could boost them further in an attempt to land Nunes.

The Verdict: Make a move?

The Premier League champions already have a wealth of talent at their disposal in midfield, but given they could sign him for just €40 million (£33m), it appears there is little financial risk for City.

Called ‘unbelievable’ by former teammate Goncalo Santos, the player’s WhoScored stats point to someone who could actually be of use in Guardiola’s unique false-nine system.

A superb ball-carrier, Nunes completes more dribbles per 90 on average domestically than any City star has in the Premier League – backing why they’re allegedly interested.

Given his quality and fairly cheap potential sum, the Sky Blues should at the very least consider a transfer this summer.

In other news: Man City officials sent to club as Pep now eyes ‘absolute beast’ alongside Haaland! Find out more here.

He’s long been one of the first names on the team sheet, but Douglas Luiz has a new role in the Aston Villa midfield and he’s absolutely thriving under new boss Steven Gerrard.

Traditionally playing as the holding midfielder, Luiz made a name for himself under Dean Smith as one of the best in the division. A strong tackler, with good positional awareness and excellent physical qualities, Luiz joined from Manchester City in a £15m deal after he was unable to secure a work permit for the then-champions.

He walked straight into the newly promoted midfield and featured in 36 Premier League fixtures, level with Jack Grealish for the most of anyone in the squad. After avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth, he continued to be a mainstay the following season and made 33 appearances as Villa made a push for Europe.

His form during that season saw him linked with potential transfers back to Man City and abroad, with his ball-playing qualities becoming more apparent. He even earned more regular call-ups to the senior Brazil national team, winning four caps in both 2020 and 2021 to take his total tally to nine.

The start of this season saw his form drop off, as the Midlands side claimed just ten points from the first 11 games and Smith was sacked, replaced by Liverpool legend Gerrard. Since then, Villa fans have seen Luiz play in a slightly different role but they have seen the 23-year-old recapture his old form but with an added twist of creativity.

Luiz has managed to register three assists already this season, with the most recent coming in the 2-1 defeat to Man City where he started the game in a more advanced, box-to-box role. With Marvelous Nakamba holding the fort behind him, Luiz has been able to use his excellent passing range and dribbling in a more attacking way to help Villa build their play from the back. He was excellent against Leicester in the 2-1 win at the weekend, winning 80% of his duels including a team-high four aerial duels.

The three assists he’s registered in 11 appearances so far trump or equal the tally of the previous two full seasons in that department, while his ability to win the ball back higher up the pitch is a positive and a big part of why Gerrard’s side have been successful since he took over this season.

The £31.5m-rated bulldozer is currently averaging 1.6 key passes per game this season compared to 0.6 last season, while he’s also averaging 1.1 successful dribbles compared to 0.7 last season.

With the Villa squad taking on a new lease of life under the new boss, Luiz is a big part of that and deserves the plaudits for taking to his new role so well.

AND in other news, Matty Cash stole the show against Leicester City

Journalist James Pearce has described Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane as a ‘transformed’ figure after his match-winning performance against Manchester City.

The Lowdown: Mane superb against City

The Reds picked up a memorable 3-2 win over City on Saturday afternoon, as they reached the FA Cup final and kept their quadruple dream alive.

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It was Mane who was Liverpool’s biggest hero on the day, scoring twice for Jurgen Klopp’s side and excelling in his all-round game at Wembley.

The Senegalese has come in for lots of praise in the days since the win over City and it doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon.

The Latest: Pearce hails Reds hero

Taking to Twitter on Sunday, The Athletic‘s Pearce waxed lyrical over Mane, claiming he has gone up a gear after a drop off in form:

“Some believed the arrival of Luis Diaz would spell the beginning of the end for Sadio Mane at #LFC. In fact it has helped give him a new lease of life. A look at how his fortunes have been transformed and the belief he took from his heroics for Senegal.”

The Verdict: Genuine Liverpool legend

The term legend can be banded around too easily these days, but in Mane’s case, he most certainly falls into that bracket at Liverpool.

The 30-year-old has been one of the star men of the Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield, not only winning the Champions League and Premier League but also scoring 115 goals in 259 appearances.

Mane has inspired Senegal to Africa Cup of Nations glory and World Cup qualification recently, too, and as Pearce alludes to, it looks to have given him a huge confidence boost. What a stunning, humble footballer he is.

In other news, Pearce has also heaped praise on one ‘special’ Liverpool player. Find out who it is here.