Premier League
Five Liverpool players could leave club today
The high-profile arrival of Luis Diaz at Liverpool looks set to have a knock-on effect at the club with numbers squad players tipped for moves away on deadline day
Accordng to Mirror Football, it’s been an unexpectedly quiet January transfer window for Liverpool so far, but that has now all changed.
Just when it appeared as though Jurgen Klopp had settled on his squad for the second half of the season, Tottenham’s apparent interest in long-term target Luis Diaz forced the Reds into action.
The highly-rated Porto winger has now signed a 5-year deal after Liverpool upped their efforts to secure his signature, and his arrival is set to have a knock-on effect as we head into deadline day.
The addition of the Colombian is likely to lead to a last-minute reshuffle in attack while a number of defensive options have been continuously linked with moves away from Anfield over the past few weeks.
As the clocks ticks ever closer to Monday night’s deadline, there are a several members of Klopp’s squad who now appear surplus to requirements and set for transfers late in the window.
Courtesy Mirror Football, we bring you the latest on five of those potential leavers…
Divock Origi
Divock Origi’s Liverpool love affair looks to be coming to an end The Belgian striker has secured cult hero status at the club following a number of crucial goals in recent years, but his Liverpool love affair appears to nearing its conclusion as his contract expires in the summer.
Despite talk of a clause being included in his current deal which could see him kept on for another year should he play a certain number of matches, Origi has found game-time limited this season with a recent knee injury only compounding matters.
The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Italy this month, however the forward is reportedly keen to remain in the Premier League.
Newcastle are among his admirers and could look to add further attacking reinforcement in their bid to beat the drop, while Serie A side Atalanta are also reportedly keen and could push for a move should they lose star striker Duvan Zapata, who himself has attracted interest from the Magpies.
Takumi Minamino
The arrival of Diaz in attack is also likely to impact the immediate future of Takumi Minamino.
The Japanese forward struggled for minutes prior to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane ‘s African Cup of Nations commitments and the addition of more competition in attack will surely further hamper his chances of first-team action.
Leeds and Monaco are the two clubs reportedly leading the race for his signature and it is believed Liverpool would be willing to allow the 27-year-old forward to depart should a club meet their valuation of around £20million.
With Marcelo Bielsa’s men in particular having received a setback in their pursuit of Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brendan Aaronson, a deadline day move for Minamino makes sense for all parties.
The £36m summer arrival of Ibrahima Konate has limited the number of opportunities available to fellow defender Nat Phillips, who provided some much needed cover at the back following several injuries last season.
However, the centre-back has only featured on three occasions so far this term and has openly expressed his desire to seek first-team football elsewhere, amid interest from numerous suitors.
Liverpool reportedly rejected a £7m offer from Watford earlier in the window and turned away an initial loan proposal from Newcastle, one of a number of setbacks the Magpies have received in their pursuit of defensive reinforcements.
West Ham are another Premier League rival reportedly keen to acquire Phillips as cover for the injury-stricken Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna, but the Reds appear determined to hold out for a figure in the region of £15m for the 24-year-old.
Neco Williams
Another defensive option who could well depart before Monday night’s deadline is right-back Neco Williams.
The Wales international is reportedly attracting interest from at least one Premier League club and a number of Championship sides and, according to Liverpool Echo, the Reds will consider offers of a loan with an obligation to buy.
Williams himself is believed to be keen to gain first-team experience elsewhere in order to bolster his international prospects, with Wales involved in crucial World Cup qualifying play-offs come March.
The 20-year-old has only made eight appearances so far this campaign, including a mere seven minutes of Premier League action, and is reportedly valued at around £10m.
Rhys Williams
Like Phillips, Rhys Williams was another who impressed when called upon during Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis of last season and now looks set for a move away.
The centre-back spent the first half of this campaign on loan at Swansea City but was recalled by the Reds after making a mere seven appearances.
A second loan spell in the Championship looks likely with Sheffield United and Reading reportedly interested in his services, though a deal could hinge on the future of the aforementioned Phillips.
The need to provide cover for the potentially outgoing centre-back was another factor behind Williams’ recall and, should a move away materialise, the 20-year-old may well be retained as defensive back-up.
Premier League
Manchester United tighten hold on third in the Premier League with win over Aston Villa
Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha buried a second‑half strike off a pinpoint through ball from Bruno Fernandes for a club-record 16th Premier League assist in a season to lift the hosts to a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.
Casemiro and substitute Benjamin Sesko scored United’s other goals in a result that tightened United’s grip on third place in the standings on 54 points after 30 games, while fourth-placed Villa have 51 points.
United, who were playing their first game in 11 days, were keen for a victory after interim boss Michael Carrick’s seven-game unbeaten run ended in a 2-1 loss to 10-man Newcastle United on March 4.
With 22 points from a possible 27 under Carrick’s leadership, Sunday’s win will invariably lead to more questions about his chances of becoming United’s permanent manager.
“It was a slightly different game today going into it being so close in the league and making the small jump we could if we won, off the back of a defeat,” Carrick said. “It was a small test and we haven’t really had that.
“The boys dealt with it really well, had a really good week and applied themselves well. Everything is so so encouraging. We’ve got a lot to play for.”
The game looked headed for a draw before Cunha scored from the left side of the box in the 71st minute, with Fernandes recording his 100th assist for the club across all competitions.
With eight games left, Fernandes is also four shy of matching the Premier League record for assists in one season of 20 held by Thierry Henry (2002-03) and Kevin de Bruyne (2019-20).
“He’s had so many big moments, to score a goal, to make a pass,” Carrick said of Fernandes. “Training or games, he’s always there. Really good with the corner. The pass to Matheus was fantastic to cap off a good performance all around.”
Sesko put the game out of reach 10 minutes later with a blistering shot from the centre of the box.
Casemiro put United ahead in the 53rd minute with a glancing header from a Fernandes corner.
Ross Barkley levelled in the 64th with a shot from the middle of the area. After a lengthy VAR check to determine whether the ball glanced off an offside Amadou Onana, the goal stood.
A better second half salvaged a decent game after a dreary first 45 minutes plagued by errant passes and slipping players.
United did have some decent first-half chances including a header from Amad Diallo that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stretched backwards to keep out of the net. Diogo Dalot had a terrific chance inside the box that he launched over the bar.
Leny Yoro’s block spoiled one of Villa’s best chances and led to a long-range shot from Fernandes at the other end that he sent just wide of the post.
Villa have not won a league game since February 11, and an animated manager Unai Emery spent much of the afternoon stomping his feet and waving his arms in frustration.
“How we are progressing after we did fantastic months in October, November, December, the last two months we are struggling,” Emery said. “It’s Manchester United here at home, and they are now in good moment. And of course, they played a very intelligent match.
“I think we can get better. The result at the end was a bad result for us. We must accept it and try to analyse now to get better for the next challenge.”
-Reuters
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England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended prison sentence by a Greek court over a 2020 incident in Mykonos, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday.
In 2020, Maguire was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery and violence against public employees after his arrest in a brawl in which two police officers were assaulted.
Maguire, who was detained for two days following the incident and denied any wrongdoing, was handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days but was granted a full retrial after appealing against Greek court convictions on multiple charges.
In accordance with the Greek judicial process, the filing nullified Maguire’s conviction before a full retrial in a more senior court. His retrial was postponed many times.
Maguire faced allegations of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. The 32-year-old was convicted on all three counts but will face no prison time. His legal team will appeal against the guilty verdict, Sky Sports reported.
Maguire’s brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty of offences related to the incident and received suspended prison sentences in 2020. They also denied any wrongdoing.
-Reuters
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Arsenal maintained control of the Premier League title race as they chiselled out a nervy 2-1 win over London rivals Chelsea to open up a five-point lead at the top of the table on Sunday.
Jurrien Timber’s 66th-minute header from a Declan Rice corner ensured Arsenal took three precious points, but it was a nervy afternoon in north London.
Mikel Arteta’s side moved to 64 points from 29 games, with Manchester City, who have played a game fewer, on 59.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber celebrates scoring their second goal with Gabriel Magalhaes REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Defender William Saliba had given Arsenal the lead in the 21st minute from a trademark corner routine.
But it had looked as though an own goal by Piero Hincapie just before halftime would prove costly for the hosts until Timber came to their rescue.
Chelsea, whose six-match unbeaten league sequence under new manager Liam Rosenior was halted, ended the match with 10 men after Pedro Neto was sent off for a second yellow card.
-Reuters
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