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Craig Hope has dropped some injury news for Newcastle United ahead of their game away at Liverpool in the Premier League tonight.

The Lowdown: Defensive crisis

After the four goals that were shipped away at Leicester City last weekend, it is fair to say that the St. James’ Park faithful have a bit of a defensive crisis on their hands.

They have conceded no fewer than 34 goals in the Premier League so far this season, the joint-most in the division along with bottom-placed Norwich City, which is simply too much if they want to avoid relegation down to the Championship.

The January transfer window may help solve that, given recent links to the likes of defenders Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier, but ultimately Eddie Howe needs to try and get the best out of the squad that he has now.

The Latest: Fernandez injury

As per The Daily Mail journalist Hope, Federico Fernandez is now ‘set to miss’ the match at Liverpool as well as the ‘majority’ of other festive fixtures with a ‘thigh strain’, in what is a ‘blow’ for the North East club.

Hope claims that he is the one player that fans and observers believe could come in to aid the defensive issues that they have, but they are now set to be without him for the next few games at least.

The Verdict: Blow

It certainly is a blow to lose Fernandez, especially with the busy Christmas period coming up.

The Argentine has averaged the most blocks (1.4) out of his teammates in the top flight this term, and also ranks highly in terms of average clearances (3.9) and pass success (87.4%) (WhoScored).

The Tyneside outfit have conceded 22 goals in the nine Premier League games that he has not played in, while they have only let in 12 in the seven that he has featured (Transfermarkt), suggesting that they are a better defensive unit with him in the team.

Nonetheless, the Magpies will now have to find a way to pick up points without the 32-year-old, as they look to climb out of the relegation zone.

In other news, find out which ‘sensational’ signing NUFC are now ‘closing in’ on here!

Leeds United have made a late approach for Nantes forward Moses Simon, GFFN report.

The Lowdown: Simon profiled

Simon is 26 years of age and has been with the French side for 18 months since arriving in a £4.5m move from Spanish outfit Levante after a successful loan spell.

Primarily a left-winger who can also play as a centre-forward and on the right, Simon has scored 61 goals for club and country during his career.

The Nigerian appears to be at the peak of his powers with a career-high Transfermarkt valuation of £8.1m and seems to be attracting interest from Leeds.

The Latest: Approach made

According to journalist Ignazio Genuardi, via Get French Football News, the Whites are among the clubs to have made an approach for Simon.

There have been no major developments since this was reported on Saturday, so it seems as if Leeds could be biding their time before a possible deadline day move for the versatile forward.

The Verdict: Unlikely

The report claims that it could take an offer in the region of €20m (£16.6m) for Nantes to part ways with Simon this month, a fee which would be double his Transfermarkt valuation and be a costly one for Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers Enterprises.

Should Crysencio Summerville leave for Hamburg following recent rumours, then it looks as if Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino could be a serious target to replace the youngster.

Who knows, Simon could also be on the list, but Victor Orta and co may simply run out of time to push a deadline day move through, with Minamino a closer option geographically at Anfield. A deal for the Japan star will potentially have less complications in the negotiating room too if Liverpool opt to loan him out after the capture of Luis Diaz.

In other news, Leeds have been boosted in their quest to sign a Premier League player. Find out who it is here.

Southampton have been linked with a move for AC Milan ace Jens Petter Hauge recently and if he were to make the move to St Mary’s this summer, it could be bad news for Moussa Djenepo in relation to his future in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Southampton and Udinese are both keen on signing the 21-year-old, who has been frozen out of Stefano Pioli’s side since the turn of the year.

Hauge only made the move to the San Siro in October 2020 and enjoyed a superb start to life in Italy, contributing three goals and one assist in just five Europa League appearances for I Rossoneri, averaging an excellent 7.27 rating for his performances.

However, he has been limited to just three starts in Serie A, with the majority of his appearances coming from the bench, despite him finding the back of the net twice in the Italian top-flight.

His performances this season have already earned him comparisons to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi from some AC Milan fans, so they may not be too happy to see him leave the club for Southampton this summer, even if it is on loan.

Therefore, it seems clear that Hauge has a lot of talent and would be a good addition to Hasenhuttl’s side this summer, although it could cast doubt on the future of Djenepo.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/southampton-saints-ralph-hasenhuttl-martin-semmens-st-marys” title=”Latest Southampton news, transfer rumours and more”]

The Mali international has struggled since joining from Standard Liege in the summer of 2019, with just four goals and two assists to his name in 49 appearances in all competitions.

Despite being labelled “super-talented” by Nathan Redmond after an impressive solo goal against Sheffield United, the young winger has been far too inconsistent during his time at St Mary’s and will almost certainly be considered a flop unless his performances drastically improve next season.

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Therefore, the added competition that Hauge would bring would likely see Djenepo lose his starting spot in Hasenhuttl’s side, as his return of one goal and no assists in 25 Premier League appearances this season is far from good enough.

And, in other news… Saints record-breaker has golden chance to win over Hasenhuttl, it’s make or break

Roberto Firmino is likely to be offered a new deal at Liverpool according to Liverpool Echo correspondent Theo Squires. 

The lowdown: Declining influence

For so long the man signed from Hoffenheim in 2015 has been the lynchpin of Jurgen Klopp’s side and an integral element of the famous front three that has fired the Reds to UEFA Champions League and Premier League glory.

However, the recent acquisitions and subsequent impacts of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz have meant that the Brazilian forward has fallen down the pecking order somewhat.

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Out of contract in the summer of 2023 (Transfermarkt), a decision needs to be made on the future of the 30-year-old.

The latest: Squires delivers update

Taking part in a Q&A session for the Liverpool Echo, journalist Squires was asked whether Firmino is likely to be offered a contract extension alongside both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

“It’s an interesting one with Firmino. For so long he was Liverpool’s go-to man and rarely injured but they have evolved beyond him this season. I agree, I struggle to see Liverpool keeping all three forwards beyond next summer but never say never. Mane has obviously done his own hopes of a new deal no harm, with his agent recently saying talks were on hold until the summer. Plenty has been written about Salah with no breakthrough yet.

“I’d imagine the club will see what happens with Salah and Mane and then decide what to do with Firmino. They’ll make an offer they consider fair at some point and will just expect him to want to stay. Then it’s up to the Brazilian if it’s right for him or time to move on.”

The verdict: Deal earned

Despite a drop off in appearances this term and perhaps, more importantly, persistent injury issues, Firmino’s trophy-laden time at Anfield warrants a new deal for the 55-cap Brazilian.

The man once described as ‘unbelievably valuable’ to the team by Klopp amidst a two-month Premier League goal drought has already lifted five major honours on Merseyside and could be set for more before the end of the ongoing campaign.

Very few players in world football can offer what the Samba star can offer and when using Fbref to find comparable operators, only RB Leipzig ace Christopher Nkunku tops Liverpool’s own Jota when it comes to sharing traits with the expert false nine.

Whether or not Firmino, who has ten goals and four assists this season, is willing to accept a bit-part role moving forwards remains to be seen, but either way, this upcoming summer has all the hallmarks of a busy one for the Reds.

In other news, one Liverpool player has been backed to leave this summer. Find out who it is here.

Roy Hodgson’s three-and-a-half-year spell at Crystal Palace looks almost certain to be coming to an end.

The 73-year-old’s contract at Selhurst Park reaches its conclusion at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, with no real suggestions as of yet over whether he is in line for a renewal.

Having presided over 153 matches in his time at the club, Hodgson’s stint at Selhurst Park is actually the longest throughout his lengthy managerial career.

It remains to be seen whether that will be extended even further but after Peterborough United chairman Barry Fry stated that Hodgson has “worked miracles” in an exclusive interview with Football Fan Cast, maybe it is time for him to receive far more credit for his influence on Palace and also potentially earn a new deal?

After being appointed Eagles’ boss in September 2017 following the awful tenure of Frank de Boer, Hodgson had a considerable job on his hands in keeping Palace in the Premier League with the team having lost their opening four league fixtures without scoring a goal.

He managed to do that and even more, with Palace eventually earning an 11th-placed finish. Whilst Hodgson hasn’t managed to better that eventual position – finishing 12th, 14th and currently sitting 12th – that relative comfort being away from the relegation picture would be hugely welcome to the Selhurst Park hierarchy.

Meanwhile, in his time at Selhurst Park, Hodgson has managed to accumulate an impressive win rate of 34.5% in the Premier League.

Since earning promotion back to the top-flight in 2013, this has only been beaten by the likes of Tony Pulis and Sam Allardyce at Crystal Palace.

Considering how revered that aforementioned duo are for the jobs they did at the club, maybe Hodgson’s time in charge should be reflected on in a more positive light?

He surely must be in line for an extension to his current £93k per-week deal at Selhurst Park.

AND in more news, read about which Eagles defender we have named as our Crystal Palace Player of the Month for March…

A number of Liverpool supporters are unhappy about the Reds’ reported interest in signing Italy winger Domenico Berardi this summer.

Last season proved to be a difficult one at Anfield, but Jurgen Klopp’s side ended up saving their campaign with a third-place finish in the Premier League. A number of Reds players failed to hit their usual heights, with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino arguably the most culpable in that respect.

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It could be that Klopp believes another wide player needs to come in this summer in order to improve competition for places in 2021/22.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], Liverpool are interested in Berardi, and Sassuolo would be willing to sell him for €40m (£34.3m).

The 26-year-old has scored five goals in 14 appearances for Italy and he has played three times at Euro 2020 this summer. However, the one-club man has never played in the group stage of any European club competition, which suggests that a move to Anfield would be quite a step up for him.

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Liverpool fans don’t want Reds to sign Berardi

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to bemoan the rumour, with one dismissing him as a “slightly slower Dwight McNeil” in a less than flattering reference to the Burnley winger.

“No need to sign that weak link”

Credit: @__Nkansah

“Massive massive no. he’d be a better left-back than a winger”

Credit: @lfcollie9

“We’re looking at the wrong Italian”

Credit: @lfcharry

“Honestly he’s just a slightly slower Dwight McNeil”

Credit: @kamehamehari

“No thank you”

Credit: @PhilPhenom

“We are not interested”

Credit: @ribapurusakka

In other news, Liverpool are believed to be in advanced talks over the signings of one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

An update has emerged on Sunderland target Matt Crooks, regarding Ipswich’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to the East Anglian Daily Times, Ipswich are preparing to make a second offer for Sunderland transfer target Matt Crooks this month. The Tractor Boys have already seen an opening salvo of £400k turned down by Rotherham and are now lining up another attempt to prize him away from the Millers.

Last month, Sunderland were named as one of the clubs competing with Ipswich for his signature. Rotherham, however, will need some convincing to part ways with him to a direct League One rival.

Johnson needs him

Kristjaan Speakman must act swiftly in order to land Crooks in the coming weeks/months. Ipswich are clearly seriously interested in completing a deal for him and are showing their ambition by attempting multiple bids for the midfielder.

If the Black Cats continue to drag their heels and opt against getting involved in a bidding war then they could miss out on Crooks  and they will see one of their rivals strengthen their team with a player they wanted, which could be frustrating for fans to see. It would be a transfer blow for the club and their supporters would likely be gutted that a player of Crooks’ quality did not arrive at the Stadium of Light.

Last season, Rotherham boss Paul Warne compared Crooks’ importance to that of Mo Salah’s for Liverpool, with his performances highlighted more than others if things are not going well. He admitted that transfer speculation could have been getting to his head and labelled him as “influential” for the club.

He told The Star:

“I don’t know how many of my players are absolutely 100 percent but I think Crooksy sticks out because he was so influential over the last couple of years.

“If (Mohamed) Salah doesn’t play well for Liverpool everyone notices. With Crooksy, he is getting more like the player we want him to be.

“Has the transfer rumour and anything else that has gone on in his life affected him? Maybe. But that is just an excuse. It might not have.”

The £1.9k-per-week powerhouse could be a terrific addition to Lee Johnson’s side, as he has been able to be influential for a side drifting between League One and the Championship. Sunderland lacked goalscorers from midfield last term, with Chris Maguire’s tally of five the most any midfielder managed outside of penalties, which suggests that Johnson needs a threat in the middle to supplement his attackers.

Crooks managed seven goals in all competitions for Rotherham in the 2020/21 campaign. This suggests that he could be an even greater goal threat in League One as it is a step down from the second tier. Therefore, he could be exactly what the ex-Bristol City coach needs in his midfield.

AND in other news, Speakman must complete SAFC deal for “exciting” £2.4k-p/w beast, he won’t cost a penny…

Former Spurs captain Gary Mabbutt has told Football FanCast that Tottenham Hotspur miss the influence of Jan Vertonghen in central defence.

The Belgium international left the club at the end of last season, joining Benfica on a three-year contract.

The 33-year-old remains a central part of his country’s plans, captaining his country in both of their recent World Cup qualifiers against Wales and the Czech Republic.

He has won 125 caps for his country and has made 32 appearances in all competitions for Benfica this term, belying his age.

Last season, he played 30 times in all competitions, despite a serious dip in form. He was even substituted in the FA Cup clash with Southampton and appeared close to tears on the bench.

But Mabbutt says that Spurs clearly miss the veteran centre-back.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “For whatever reason I think he felt that he wanted a change.”

He added: “I thought he brought a lot to the club during his time there and he’s still captain of Belgium and doing exceedingly well.

“Of course you miss a player like him, I think that’s probably an obvious statement.”

Mabbutt even believes that Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld previously formed the very best defensive partnership in world football.

He added: “Two or three seasons ago I thought Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld were the best partnership in the world, working together for club and country.

“And you’re pushing each other every time you play to make sure you reach the level you want to reach. So I thought it was a fantastic partnership, and I was very disappointed personally when Jan went.”

Liverpool are expected to sign RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate this summer, with the Bundesliga outfit waiting for official confirmation that they will pay his £30.2m release clause.

What’s the story?

The 22-year-old has long been linked with a move to Anfield as Jurgen Klopp looks to strengthen his centre-back options ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, and now a deal looks set to be completed.

According to Sky Sports, Konate’s imminent arrival is just dependent on the Reds paying Leipzig the required fee, with Die Roten Bullen already eyeing up his replacement.

Klopp is making a mistake

Current centre-back options Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all suffered serious injuries last season, forcing the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to fill in at the heart of defence, meaning Liverpool have prioritised that area of the pitch in the transfer window.

The 2019/20 Premier League champions made the bold decision not to replace Dejan Lovren 12 months ago after the Croatia international joined Zenit St Petersburg in an £11m deal.

It left Klopp with just three recognised senior centre-backs in his first-team squad, but by January all of them had picked up season-ending issues.

Therefore, focussing on bolstering the centre-back position makes perfect sense for the Merseyside outfit. However, signing Konate does not.

Although the former France Under-21 international in undoubtedly an extremely talented player with bags of potential, he has already incurred his fair share of fitness problems, despite being just 22 years old.

The youngster started just eight league games in 2020/21, failing to start three Bundesliga matches in a row all season. An ankle injury picked up in December kept Konate on the sidelines for two months, with Dayot Upamecano and Willi Orban keeping their place in the starting XI upon his return.

As per Transfermarkt, the former Sochaux man has already missed 405 days of action through injury in his fledgling career, totalling 46 fixtures where he’s been forced to watch from the stands.

With Liverpool’s season being destroyed by a plague of injury issues, it’s hard to fathom why Klopp has turned to a man who’s already effectively missed a year of his career through a string of fitness concerns to solve the problem.

Konate appears fast, strong, comfortable with the ball at his feet, and an accomplished passer, but if he spends half his time in the physio’s room, then Liverpool are back to square one.

While it’s hard to criticise Klopp’s previous endeavours into the transfer market, this is a deal that seems almost impossible to justify, given the huge risks attached.

And, in other news…Liverpool eye move for “clinical” £795k-p/w gem, Edwards must stay clear 

Celtic head into their match this weekend needing an immediate response from what occurred in the Old Firm derby.

The Hoops were beaten by their biggest rivals and, all of a sudden, Ange Postecoglou’s men look as though they lack a bit of confidence again.

However, as the Bhoys get ready to face Ross County on Saturday afternoon, they will do so boosted by three deadline day signings.

Will any of those new faces start today? Here’s our predicted XI…

We anticipate Celtic to make four changes to the side which lost to Rangers two weeks ago.

The first change comes in the centre of defence, where Carl Starfelt – a man with an error in his system – is axed in favour of Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The Tottenham defender was a surprise late arrival on deadline day as Postecoglou managed to secure him on loan.

With Greg Taylor’s fitness unknown after pulling out of the Scotland squad, Josip Juranovic starts again on the left, with Anthony Ralston on the right.

The biggest change is in attack, where Kyogo Furuhashi is forced to drop out. The forward picked up a knee injury on international duty which will rule him for a month at least.

That means there is also a Hoops debut for Giorgos Giakoumakis, who is likely to be charged with leading the line.

There is no Odsonne Edouard anymore either, so he is replaced in the starting XI by Jota, who penned temporary terms from Benfica and could be the third of the Celtic debutants today.

The final change is behind the striker, where Ryan Christie is replaced by Tom Rogic. The former sealed a late move to Bournemouth and is no longer on the wage bill at Parkhead.

David Turnbull is likely to feature in midfield alongside the in-form skipper Callum McGregor.

Celtic have played some excellent attacking football this season, so it will be interesting to see how they fare with a huge change in personnel.

AND in other news, Forget Soro: Celtic must unleash rarely-seen 20 y/o with a “wand of a left foot”…