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Aston Villa are still hopeful of signing Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez in the January transfer window, according to a fresh transfer report.

The Lowdown: Gomez out of favour at Liverpool

The 24-year-old has had a nightmare in the injury department in recent years, picking up a number of long-term issues that have stunted his progress, from knee and ankle surgeries to a fractured patella.

Gomez has been limited to just 15 minutes of Premier League action across four short cameos this season, with Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate all preferred to him in Jurgen Klopp’s pecking order.

Villa have been linked with a move for the centre-back in the past and their interest doesn’t seem to have gone away.

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The Latest: Villa keen on move

According to Football Insider, a Villa source has informed them that Steven Gerrard’s side will make another bid for Gomez at some point this week.

Gerrard himself is thought to be a ‘huge admirer’ of the defender, who joined Liverpool in the same summer that he left the club, back in 2015.

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The Verdict: Can’t see it happening

While Gomez’s lack of playing time this season suggests he is unwanted, it would be a huge surprise if Klopp lets him go.

At 24, the England international still has many years ahead of him and it could just be that club are managing him carefully after so many injuries.

With Van Dijk and Matip both turning 31 this year, there is no reason why he won’t eventually find himself back in the team as a regular, and it was shown last year just how thin the centre-back ranks can look in the event of a couple of injuries.

Gomez has been hailed as a ‘sensational’ player by Klopp and the idea of him moving on at this stage in his career is unthinkable given his potential, having been such a key man during the Premier League-winning 2019/20 campaign, making 28 appearances in the competition.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have hailed a James Pearce update. Read more here.

To say things have been turbulent for Leeds United in recent weeks would be an understatement, with three defeats in a row from their previous three league fixtures and a total of 14 goals conceded in those games.

In addition to this dismal run of form, Leeds have a very hefty injury list at the moment with the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo and Pascal Struijk out on the sidelines.

As well as these injured players, it seems as though the Yorkshire club have another player out of action for the time being, which will not please many fans at Elland Road.

What’s the latest?

Speaking in his post-match press conference (via Leeds Live) after their 4-1 defeat against Arsenal, Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa revealed that defender Charlie Cresswell was supposed to be in the matchday squad for the clash against the Gunners but had to pull out with a shoulder injury.

Bielsa then said that Cresswell now has a “long period of recovery” ahead of him, which suggests that his injury is a serious one and he could be out for a while.

Given the injuries to the likes of Cooper and Struijk and the fact that Leeds have conceded as many as 14 goals in their three recent league games, it’s safe to say that they could do with as many defensive players available as possible, which makes this injury to Cresswell such a big blow.

Even though the 19-year-old has only made four league appearances for Leeds this season, completing the full 90 minutes in just one of them, Bielsa would have undoubtedly preferred to have the teenager available in his squad for the Arsenal game and their next fixtures moving forward to call upon if needed judging by prior injury concerns.

Looking ahead to the future, Bielsa and everyone else at the Yorkshire club will be hoping that their injury situation can improve sooner rather than later so they can have the likes of Phillips, Cresswell, Cooper and Struijk back available again. Once they have all of them back, their chances of avoiding relegation will improve significantly.

In other news: Forget Raphinha: Leeds’ £3.6m gem with 3 key passes was Bielsa’s shining light v AFC – opinion

It’s Christmas Day which means 2022 is soon on the horizon. And with the New Year comes a new transfer window.

Leeds United will surely be active given their struggles since the start of the season.

Injuries have crippled Marcelo Bielsa’s playing squad and the Yorkshire giants have found themselves sat in 15th place, just five points above the relegation zone and are at risk of being pulled into a relegation dogfight.

Second-season syndrome, perhaps?

The Whites notoriously do not operate much in the winter when it comes to transfers but you’d imagine that changes next month. It’s unlikely they spend big, though can you get 100% right in this quiz about Leeds’ most expensive signings?

Do you know your Rio Ferdinand from your Raphinha?

So sit back, enjoy your Christmas dinner and take on this not-so-very festive transfer quiz from us here at Football FanCast.

If you think you’re a die-hard Leeds fan, then you should have no trouble getting all of these right…

After the departure of Dean Smith at Aston Villa, the club’s new manager Steven Gerrard has had the perfect start by winning his first two games in charge.

Despite it still being the early days of his reign at Villa Park, it seems as though they has already identified a new player that they would like to add to Gerrard’s squad.

What’s the word?

In a recent report from Ole (via Sport Witness) Villa have shown their interest in signing River Plate attacker Julian Alvarez after it was previously reported by the same publication that the Argentine club’s vice-president Jorge Brito revealed that the 21-year-old’s representatives recently travelled to England for discussions.

As a product of River Plate’s youth system, Alvarez – who is currently valued at £18m by Transfermarkt – has made a total of 92 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 33 goals and providing 23 assists in the process, which is presumably why Villa have such an interest in the attacker.

So far this season, the 21-year-old – who has been likened to former Liverpool and Barcelona striker Luis Suarez in terms of being “hungry” out on the pitch by Sebastian Abreu – has racked up 17 goals and six assists in 18 league appearances.

This hunger can be seen by the fact that Alvarez has averaged 3.3 shots and 2.1 key passes per game in the league, higher for both metrics than what current Villa striker Ollie Watkins has produced in the Premier League this season.

Taking this impressive goalscoring record and his age into account, the Argentine youngster could be a perfect signing for Gerrard as a young goalscorer with immense potential and attitude.

Moving forward, with Villa CEO Christian Purslow recently suggesting that some deals could be made in the upcoming January transfer window as Gerrard looks to make his mark on the team, this could pave a way for the club to make a swoop for Alvarez and keep him out of the clutches of Real Madrid, Inter, AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Ajax, who all reportedly have an eye on the Argentine as well.

 In other news: Gerrard could be heading for his first AVFC disaster over £31.5m-rated “absolute joy” 

Liverpool will allow Nat Phillips to leave in January for a fee of £12million, according to The Liverpool Echo’s Paul Gorst. 

Jurgen Klopp told reporters on Friday that they are not planning to stand in Phillips’ way if the right offer arrived in the New Year.

The Reds had demanded £15million for the centre-back during last summer’s transfer window.

But even though he signed a new four-year deal in August, the club’s price tag has now fallen.

Could injury threaten Phillips move?

Phillips made his first start of the season in Tuesday’s Champions League victory over AC Milan, with Liverpool already through to the Round of 16.

He sustained a fractured cheekbone in the 2-1 win, ruling him out of competitive action for four to five weeks.

However, Phillips can continue to train individually to maintain fitness and Klopp doesn’t expect the injury to scupper any potential move.

Newcastle United and West Ham United are two of the clubs interested in the 24-year-old, This Is Anfield report.

Fan feed Anfield Edition relayed Gorst’s news, and here’s what supporters made of it.

Fans discuss Phillips exit links

“Bargain when you look at other English CBs, will get an England cap if he plays regular and then boom 40mil minimum”

Credit: @jack_w93

“I was thinking about £30m/£40m, haven’t other teams seen him play?”

Credit: @Daddie_Sy

“£12m, what they buying he’s left leg? Come on he’s better than that, single handedly got CL this season.”

Credit: @R3DLFC

“Nahhh £20m at least”

Credit: @jfritz66

“Stepped up multiple times for us in big league games and UCL games,worth much more than a measly £12m”

Credit: @Benslfcworld6x

“Insane”

Credit: @king_louie83

In other news, Paul Gorst also said Liverpool had their eye on this forward.

Wolverhampton Wanderers look to have been handed a boost regarding the return to fitness of Ruben Neves.

What’s the latest?

In recent photographs published on the Wolverhampton Wanderers website, the central midfielder, who only managed to feature for one minute of the 1-1 draw with Leeds United last weekend as a result of a knock picked up in the days leading up to the fixture, can be seen taking part in full training with Bruno Lage’s first-team squad – something that would suggest the Portugal international has now recovered from his injury.

Lage will be buzzing

Considering just how important a part of the Wolves side Neves has proven himself to be in recent seasons, the fact that the midfielder looks as if he will be available for selection for the visit of Everton on Monday evening is sure to have left Bruno Lage buzzing.

Indeed, over his nine Premier League appearances so far this season, the £37.8m-rated man has scored one goal and created one big chance for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.2 shots and making 1.4 key passes per game.

The 24-year-old has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.6 interceptions, two tackles, 1.4 clearances and winning 3.7 duels per fixture.

These returns have seen the £50k-per-week midfielder average a SofaScore match rating of 7.21, ranking him as Wolves’ second-best performer in the top flight.

As such, it is clear to see that Neves is a crucial player within Lage’s first-team squad, and his return to full fitness will undoubtedly provide the 45-year-old manager’s chances of picking up a positive result against Everton with a rather significant boost – something that Lage will undoubtedly be desperate for after the disappointment of dropping two points in the dying stages of the Leeds game last time out.

In other news: Shi must avoid Jan disaster on “undefendable” £46k-p/w ace, Wolves fans would be livid

Arsenal splashed out £24 million for the services of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale during the summer transfer window. That fee could be set to rise to £30 million – but the early signs indicate that is money well spent.

The Englishman has been very impressive this season for the Gunners and his impact is one of the reasons why the North London club have been able to turn their form around and march up the table.

Ramsdale has been able to dislodge Bernd Leno as the number one keeper at Arsenal. His performances so far this season are unlikely to change that pecking order any time soon. The new Gunners shot stopper has kept five clean sheets from his last eight matches between the sticks.

In Arsenal’s next Premier League assignment, Ramsdale will need to be at his best again. The Gunners are the outsiders in the Liverpool v Arsenal betting for the game at Anfield. It is likely to be a game the in-form keeper is relishing.

Arsenal should continue to be one of the popular Premier League betting tips this season. Arteta has been able to not only survive a period where his job was under threat, he has got the Gunners moving in the right direction. They will now be targeting a return to Europe.

Ramsdale Should Get Better With Age

Although the goalkeeping position was not the obvious area that Arsenal needed to improve in the summer, supporters will be delighted that Ramsdale is now at the club. He may fill the role between the goalposts for many years to come as he is likely to keep on improving.

Some of Arsenal’s best keepers over the course of history have excelled, and in some cases been at their best, in their 30s. With more experience of the highest level, Ramsdale could go on to become of the best keepers in Europe.

The former Bournemouth and Sheffield United man is a player who may also be a future Arsenal captain. He shows a lot of passion on the field and has done a great job organising the backline in front of him this season.

England Role Up For Grabs Ahead Of World Cup

With Ramsdale impressing in the latest Premier League campaign, his performances would not have gone unnoticed by England boss Gareth Southgate. The Arsenal number one will be pushing for the starting position with the national team ahead of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

Ramsdale was part of the England squad for Euro 2020 but he did not feature at that tournament. He is still waiting to make his debut for his country but that may not be far away.

There is strong competition for the gloves with England as Jordan Pickford always seems to do well when he wears the national team jersey. The Everton man impressed at Euro 2020 as his performances were excellent.

Ramsdale and Pickford will be giving everything for their respective clubs to earn that starting spot at the 2022 World Cup. England go into that competition as one of the strong contenders to lift the trophy.

The challenge for Ramsdale now will be to maintain the high standards he has set at Arsenal. If he continues at the level he is producing, it could be a great season for him and the Gunners.

West Bromwich Albion have been handed a significant boost regarding the fitness of Grady Diangana.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by Birmingham Live, Valerien Ismael revealed that, after being left out of the Baggies squad for the 1-0 win over Birmingham City on Friday evening, the winger had suffered a slight hamstring strain.

However, the Frenchman went on to state that he expects the 23-year-old to be available for Albion’s trip to Swansea City on Wednesday evening.

Speaking about the condition of Diangana, Ismael said: “Grady has a hamstring issue, not too bad. It’s a small issue, we didn’t want to take any risks for this game. My expectation is that he will come back for the next game against Swansea.”

Ismael will be buzzing

While Diangana has not exactly been in the best form of his career this season, being yet to score a goal and providing just one assist over his 11 Championship appearances, the winger nevertheless proved during West Brom’s last promotion-winning campaign that he is a player who possesses the ability to fire the Baggies back to the Premier League.

Indeed, over his 30 Championship appearances in 2019/20, the £9m-rated man scored eight goals, registered six assists and created eight big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.6 shots and making 1.4 key passes per game.

These returns saw the player who Lee Hendrie dubbed a “magnificent” talent earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.06, ranking the £36k-per-week winger as West Brom’s third-best performer in the league that season.

As such, Diangana is clearly a player with the ability to win any particular match in an instant, and, with the former England U21 international looking to be available for Wednesday’s clash with Swansea, Ismael will certainly be hoping for the winger to do so at the Liberty Stadium – an outcome that would leave both the 46-year-old manager and fans of the club buzzing.

In other news: Signed for £750k, now worth £1.8m: West Brom struck gold on “amazing” £14k-p/w dynamo

Sunderland fans were delighted with the performance of Lee Burge during their League Cup round of 16 tie with Queen’s Park Rangers.

The Black Cats travelled to Loftus Road on Tuesday evening in the Cup already as the lowest-ranked team left in the competition. The clash in London ended as a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes, and the north-east outfit progressed to the quarter-finals after prevailing 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out.

Burge was selected by Lee Johnson ahead of usual first choice Ron-Thorben Hoffmann, and the back-up choice put in a strong performance. He made three saves (via SofaScore) and was a rock between the sticks for his side, which is quite the turnaround given the criticism he has previously suffered from the supporters.

After the final whistle, the supporters were quick to praise Burge for helping them progress. They took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts on his impressive showing.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Burge below

“Get in boys ¼ finals here we come Burge outstanding tonight. Great battling team performance.”

Credit: @johne113

“Really enjoyed that game. Held out own against QPR. Well played to Lee Burge. His best performance in a Sunderland shirt. Hope we are rewarded with a home draw.”

Credit: @Tony_young78

“Burge’s best game for us (even before penalties). It seems we sign Germans made of Weetabix. Especially made up for the 2,800 down there tonight. They deserve it.”

Credit: @kingsway79

“A big shout out to Lee Burge tonight. He was confident & got every decision to come for the ball right & made some top saves & justified his managers decision to play him. That should do wonders for his confidence”

Credit: @Hag_SAFC

“A very good all-round performance this evening and delighted we beat higher league opposition in QPR to make it through to the Quarter Finals. Lee Burge’s best game in a Sunderland shirt…?”

Credit: @haymansafc

“Brilliant save from Lee Burge. What a game he had”

Credit: @LimbsSunderland

In other news, Sunderland fans were far from happy with this League One update.

Celtic reporter Kieran Devlin has had his say on the possibility of any further backroom staff additions at Parkhead.

The Lowdown: McElhone arrival

Ange Postecoglou has been after additions to the sports science department since July, and the Hoops finally added to that area in the week by bringing in Anton McElhone.

The 40-year-old, a former fitness coach at Tottenham and New England Revolution, left Morton earlier this year following a caretaker stint as manager.

McElhone’s arrival was the first backroom addition under Postecoglou, and Devlin has given his view on any more joining him.

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The Latest: Devlin’s comments

Devlin ran a Q&A on The Athletic ahead of Celtic’s League Cup quarter-final with Raith Rovers on Thursday.

He was asked by one fan if there would be any further backroom staff additions, and although he had no new information, he claimed a possible head of recruitment arrival would be an ‘important’ step.

“Hopefully, but I don’t have any info on that myself. Still don’t have a head of recruitment obviously, which would be important for ensuring the January signings actually fit what Postecoglou wants.”

The Verdict: Time is ticking

Celtic are also without a permanent CEO following Dominic McKay’s exit earlier this month, so the Hoops could do with bringing in more off-field members before the winter window.

A new CEO and head of recruitment through the door at Parkhead soon could help Postecoglou in regards to putting a January plan in place, but time is ticking.

In other news: Alison Conroy shares late double Celtic blow for Ange ahead of Raith Rovers clash.