All posts by n8rngtd.top

A number of Liverpool supporters have been left hugely frustrated after Naby Keita was ruled out of Saturday’s clash with Brentford.

A much-changed Reds side picked up an impressive Carabao Cup win at Norwich City in midweek, but attention now turns to Premier League action.

On Saturday evening, Jurgen Klopp’s men make the trip to Brentford, for what could be a potentially tricky game in west London.

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Liverpool are already without Harvey Elliott and Thiago in midfield, and it now looks as though the injury-prone Keita is going to miss out as well.

Providing an injury update on Thursday [via the club’s official Twitter account], Klopp admitted that the Guinean was unlikely to be available at the Brentford Community Stadium, later confirming he is out the following day.

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Liverpool fans react to Keita injury update

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to react negatively to the news, as Keita continues to struggle in the injury department.

“Mad how kicking the grass can injure you for longer than a week”

Credit: @Kloppppp

“Naby getting creative with injuries. Kicking grass is a new one”

Credit: @FillyKris

“Keita OUT”

Credit: @Relvasss

“I’m done with Keita”

Credit: @MrPolo_

“Naby kicked the floor in a league cup game and now he’s out. Unbelievable”

Credit: @6times2019__

“He stubbed his toe. Sell him ASAP”

Credit: @OriginalOLAJ

In other news, some Liverpool fans are excited after a significant club announcement. Read more here.

Amid a wretched start to the Premier League season, Leeds United will be hoping to pick up their first win of the top-flight campaign when they take on Watford at Elland Road this afternoon.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have yet to pick up all three points in their opening six encounters, with a mixture of poor form, injuries and a real lack of goals hurting their cause big time.

The Whites have been boosted by the returns of a couple of players ahead of the clash against the Hornets but will once again be missing a couple of key performers, including the likes of Patrick Bamford and Luke Ayling.

With that in mind, here is a look at how Leeds might line up when they face Watford at Elland Road.

In goal, Illan Meslier will be hoping to keep his first clean sheet of the Premier League season having already conceded 14 goals thus far – that record is the joint-second worst in the division, with only bottom club Norwich faring worse.

The defence should see the return of the fit-again Diego Llorente, and while it would be a harsh call to leave out youngster Charlie Cresswell, Bielsa will surely opt for the more experienced Spaniard to marshal the rearguard alongside Liam Cooper.

In midfield, the trio of Kalvin Phillips, Stuart Dallas and Mateusz Klich should all start once again following their appearances against West Ham last time out.

However, Bielsa could make another bold call out wide by dropping summer signing Dan James to the bench and bringing Jack Harrison back into the fold – the former Manchester City man came on at the break against the Hammers. The Welshman was ineffective in that game, completing just five passes and having a mere eight touches before being replaced by Harrison.

Up front, Rodrigo should once again start in that false nine role, with Patrick Bamford confirmed to be missing from action for the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Beren Cross has shared a Leeds United transfer update…

Liverpool target Karim Adeyemi would prefer to move to the German Bundesliga at this stage of his career, according to Sky Germany. 

The lowdown

19-year-old Red Bull Salzburg striker Adeyemi has netted 11 goals in 16 appearances this season.

He’s averaging one every 89 minutes in the Austrian Bundesliga and has also caught the eye in the Champions League, winning four penalties in two group games and converting two of them.

Adeyemi made his debut for Germany as a substitute in September’s World Cup qualifier against Armenia and marked it with a goal.

That prompted national team boss Hansi Flick to label him ‘ice-cold in front of goal’.

The latest

Sky transfer expert Marc Behrenbeck says Adeyemi ‘will definitely leave Salzburg next summer’ and that the Austrian champions will demand between €30million (£25.6million) and €40million (£34.1million).

Last season’s top three in the Bundesliga – Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund – have held ‘specific discussions’ with Salzburg ‘in which figures were exchanged’.

But ‘there are also inquiries from England’, and ‘Liverpool recently asked again’.

‘It is clear’, though, that Adeyemi’s plan is to take ‘the next step in the Bundesliga before he might go abroad again’.

The verdict

It seems as though Liverpool may miss out on this hugely exciting talent, for now at least.

RB Leipzig is probably a safe bet for his next destination, because they ‘tend to have first dibs on Salzburg players’.

Would Liverpool pay £25million-£30million for a player who’s yet to prove himself in one of the top five leagues anyway? It’s doubtful, but this is certainly one to watch as we tick closer to January.

In other news, this Jamie Carragher claim had fans fuming. 

Simon Zekaria has dropped a controversial reveal involving beIN Sports and the potential takeover of Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: CAT revelations

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) hearing between the Tyneside club and the Premier League over the stalled takeover deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group finally got underway on Wednesday morning.

As cited by The Daily Telegraph, the St James’ Park club were quite astonishingly threatened with expulsion from the top flight, and their separate arbitration case against the division will now take place on 3 January 2022.

The Latest: Zekaria on beIN

Journalist Zekaria has now revealed that St James Holdings Ltd (SJHL), the company owned by Mike Ashley who bought the CAT claim, have alleged that beIN Sports pressurised the Premier League to block the proposed takeover on Tyneside while discussing a three-year broadcasting rights deal to 2025.

He said: “I have learnt that SJHL’s competition claim alleges that beIN Sports pressurised the PL to block the sale of @NUFC while negotiating a three-year broadcasting rights deal to 2025.”

The Verdict: Controversial

Given that the KSA’s issue with piracy and the illegal streaming of games in the Premier League was reportedly suggested to be key in the delay of the takeover, it is not a surprise to hear that Qatari broadcaster beIN allegedly pressurised the top flight to block the sale.

However, it does not make it any less controversial, as decisions on the takeover should not be influenced by outside parties.

It will no doubt be interesting to see what the arbitration proceedings bring in terms of the direction of where the takeover bid is now heading.

In other news, one Newcastle player’s performance against Wolves has come in for criticism

Rumoured Leeds United transfer target Noa Lang could leave Club Brugge in the January transfer window, according to a fresh report.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Lang move

Lang, who has been likened to Neymar due to his close control and finishing, was linked with a move to Elland Road a number of times during the summer, but he ended up staying put at Brugge.

The 22-year-old has made a superb start to the 2021/22 season, already chipping in with three goals and four assists in the Jupiler Pro League, while winning the man of the match award in a 1-1 draw against PSG in the Champions League group stages.

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The Latest: Fresh update emerges

Leeds have been boosted in their potential efforts to sign Lang, with Voetbal International [via Sport Witness] claiming that he could move on in January.

Brugge are thought to be ‘realistic’ about the interest in the attacker, with the report adding that he could leave ‘as early as this winter’.

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The Verdict: Ideal attacking addition

Lang is a player with a huge amount of promise, having been described as a ‘phenomenon’ by Belgian sports journalist Peter Vandenbempt in the past.

His start to this season shows how much attacking quality he could bring to Leeds’ team, giving them extra guile in central areas but also capable of thriving out wide.

If the Whites managed to snap up the young Dutchman in January, it could give the squad a much-needed injection of class midway through the campaign.

In other news, Leeds could make a move for a defender, according to one report. Read more here.

Gary Neville has seemingly mocked Leeds United’s disappointing start to the season with a cutting response during a Q&A session on social media.

The Lowdown: Leeds suffer another loss

Marcelo Bielsa’s side produced a disappointing performance on Saturday afternoon, losing 1-0 at Southampton in limp fashion.

The defeat leaves Leeds 17th in the Premier League at the moment, leaving them perilously close to the relegation zone and struggling for form, with only one win from their eight top-flight matches thus far.

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The Latest: Neville mocks Leeds

The hope is that the Whites’ fortunes improve soon, but former Manchester United defender Neville doesn’t seem to be too upset over their current predicament.

Speaking on Instagram live on Sunday, the Sky Sports pundit said “I hope so” in response to a question about Leeds being “in trouble”.

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The Verdict: Don’t take it too seriously

While Neville’s three-word verdict may rile some Leeds fans, it should be taken as fairly tongue-in-cheek.

There is no doubt that the 46-year-old likely has little time for the Whites, given his Old Trafford past and the rivalry between the two clubs, but he will have (and has had) similar jokes at the expense of other rivals such as Liverpool and Manchester City.

It is Leeds’ job to improve dramatically and give Neville nothing to laugh about, as was invariably the case last term upon their impressive return to the Premier League. Don’t forget, Gary, the Red Devils still have to come to a packed Elland Road this season, too!

In other news, Phil Hay has provided a key update on one Leeds hero. Find out who it is here.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left fuming over some news ahead of their game at home to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership tonight.

As per the official website of the Ibrox faithful, there are disruptions to access routes for those travelling to the match, due to the COP26 United Nations Conference.

There will be additional congestion on certain roads, while some are closed altogether, as supporters of the Light Blues are encouraged to look at alternative routes.

Public transport is also likely be busier than normal, meaning that fans will have to take additional time and plan ahead.

Of course, the timing of the conference is not ideal ahead of a big game for the Light Blues in the SPFL, and so it is not a surprise at all to see some who are planning on going to the match furious with the travel disruptions and late notice.

Rangers fans on travel news

These Gers fumed as the news was shared on Twitter:

“Gonna be an absolute nightmare on the M8 getting into Glasgow and over the Clyde”

Credit: @colegamble_

“Carnage”

Credit: @ksc4273

“More pain imposed on the ordinary people so the elite can have their 2 week leisure”

Credit: @RFC_Falkirk

“Shambles”

Credit: @AidenL72

“Dreading this”

Credit: @TheRailwayBears

“Going to be horrendous on the Kingston Bridge”

Credit: @r0cketbaws

In other news, find out what huge blow RFC may face in their next game against Celtic here!

Villarreal manager Unai Emery dealt Newcastle a major blow on Wednesday as he publicly ruled out a move to St. James’ Park.

The Magpies were reportedly confident of securing a deal for the ex-Arsenal man to be their new head coach, with the Spaniard now set to remain with the La Liga side.

Football Insider are now reporting that Eddie Howe is in talks to become Steve Bruce’s replacement, having been out of management since leaving Bournemouth at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

Forget Howe

PIF should abandon their pursuit of Howe and return to a manager who was linked with the vacant position last month – Steven Gerrard – as their Emery alternative.

The Rangers head coach was reportedly interested in the job and The Times ran an article naming him alongside Emery, and Roberto Martinez, as being in the Saudi Arabian consortium’s three-man shortlist.

When asked about the speculation, he refused to comment but did state that the takeover by PIF is interesting and that he would be keeping an eye on the situation. He said:

“I wouldn’t like people to be speculating about my job so I certainly won’t be getting involved in speculation towards his.

“I think it is interesting what is happening at Newcastle, if anyone deserves a break it’s the Geordie fans so I am sure the excitement levels are very high down on the Toon.

“And obviously everyone connected with the game is looking in with interest to see how that develops but from a personal point of view I don’t really get involved in speculation and I wish Steve Bruce all the best.”

This suggests that there could be an interest from Gerrard’s side to get something done if Newcastle came in with an official swoop for him. He refused to rule out the possibility and did explain his interest, which indicates that there could be room for the Magpies to make their move.

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We published an article explaining why fans would be disappointed with Howe becoming the new manager at St. James’ Park and that plays into why PIF should go for Gerrard. Howe’s last season in management ended with Bournemouth being relegated from the Premier League and that could bring bad habits and memories to Tyneside if he joins them in the midst of a battle against relegation this season.

Gerrard, meanwhile, is a manager on the up who is used to success. He has an incredible 71.55% win percentage in the Scottish Premiership with Rangers, winning 83 of 116 games, and led them to an unbeaten season as they won the title last term.

This shows that he knows how to build a winning side and is able to instil a winning mentality into his players, which could be vital as the Magpies attempt to avoid heading down to the Championship. The best way to climb the table is by winning matches and Gerrard has proven, albeit in different circumstances at Rangers, that he knows how to do that.

Therefore, PIF must attempt to snap him up from the Scottish giants instead of continuing to pursue a deal for Howe in the coming days. His winning mindset and experience could be key for Newcastle and give them the mental boost that they need at this moment in time.

AND in other news, Advanced talks: PIF move swiftly on Emery alternative, Newcastle fans will be livid…

Celtic duo Albian Ajeti and Osaze Urhoghide could leave Parkhead in January to make room for winter transfer window additions, The Daily Record have reported.

The Lowdown: Out of favour…

Neither of those has made the impact they may have hoped for under Ange Postecoglou.

The Hoops brought in four attacking additions over the summer in Kyogo Furuhashi, Liel Abada, Jota and Giorgos Giakoumakis, which has resulted in Ajeti starting just five games all season when options have been limited.

The 24-year-old cost the Hoops £4.5m from West Ham, but he last started a league game back in September.

Urhoghide, who was a beast for former employers Sheffield Wednesday, was Celtic’s first signing under Postecoglou, but he is yet to kick a competitive ball for the Hoops’ first team, and it seems as if the pair could depart in the New Year.

The Latest: A busy January?

The Daily Record shared a story on Saturday, looking at six players who could be in line to leave the club to make room for new additions that Postecoglou has promised.

Two of those were Ajeti and Urhoghide, with The Daily Record claiming that the Hoops are ready to cut their losses when it comes to the Swiss forward.

Meanwhile, they suggested that the young defender, labelled as ‘quick’ by Postecoglou when he signed in the summer, could be shipped out on loan after struggling in his early months at Lennoxtown.

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The Verdict: Correct calls?

With no director of football or head of recruitment in place, you’d expect that interim CEO Michael Nicholson will be the man in charge of incomings and outgoings in January.

It appears to be a wise move on both players, especially with Ajeti, who is picking up £18,000-a-week in Scotland and hardly contributing. Celtic are thought to be in for Japanese forward Daizen Maeda, so moving on the Switzerland international, even if it is for less than £4.5m, would seem to be a smart call.

Loaning out Urhoghide, who was playing regular first-team football in the English Championship last season, could also be a shrewd move.

If a temporary move materialises, hopefully it could benefit the centre-back as it would afford him the opportunity to play senior football on a regular basis, which could then give him a better chance of featuring at Celtic Park next season.

In other news: Hart and Juranovic delighted as Celtic announce more official contract news

The agents of Celtic centre-forward Albian Ajeti could already be working on a deal to get him out of Parkhead in January.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by former Scotland national team manager Alex McLeish, who suggested in a recent interview with Football Insider that, due to his lack of game-time under Ange Postecoglou, the 24-year-old will have instructed his representatives to secure him a move away from Glasgow this winter.

Speaking about the Switzerland international’s future, McLeish said: “It’s never good when you see a player out of the squad. He won’t be happy with that. Ajeti is one of those players who will expect to be in the squads at the very least.

“I suspect there will be agents working in the background trying to get him a move. Any player worth their salt, if they aren’t playing they will be looking to find a move. So it wouldn’t surprise me if that one happens.”

Ajeti must go

Considering just how poor Ajeti has been since his £4.95m move to Celtic in the summer of 2020, the suggestion that he could be plotting a route out of Parkhead is sure to have left Bhoys fans buzzing. In a recent poll ran by Football FanCast, an overwhelming majority of Hoops supporters voted for their club to offload the former West Ham United man in January.

It is not difficult to see why fans feel this way as, over his 44 appearances in the green and white of Celtic, the £2.88m-rated marksman has returned an disappointing nine goals and five assists for the club.

However, it is not only the 25-year-old’s returns which have been below-par, as the Swiss forward’s overall level of performance has been just as abject. Ajeti earned a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.85 over his 20 Premiership outings last season, ranking him as the Hoops’ joint 12th-worst performer in the league.

Things have not improved over his six Premiership appearances this time around, with the £16k-per-week striker averaging an even lower SofaScore match rating of 6.72, ranking him as the club’s eighth-worst player in the current campaign.

As such, if the player who Scott Brown once dubbed “exceptional” is indeed planning a move away from Glasgow in January, Postecoglou simply must do all he can to facilitate his exit, as Ajeti has proven that he is simply not good enough for Celtic.

In other news: Celtic could land Ange’s dream deal with 19 y/o sensation who “nothing seems to faze”