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Liverpool must swoop for “sensational” RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer this summer, as he could massively improve their options in the middle.

What’s the word?

According to reports in Spain, Laimer is one of three players that manager Jurgen Klopp is prioritising this summer and has personally requested that he be signed following his impressive performances for German side RB Leipzig this season.

They are currently on a quest for glory in Europe and are currently facing Rangers in the semi-final of the Europa League. He has been a key part of that run and could provide Klopp even more options in the middle enabling him to rotate even more.

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In the longer term, as he’s only 24-years old he could become a successor to captain Jordan Henderson who may soon be phased out for a younger, more energetic player.

He is currently valued at £23.4m by Transfermarkt.

He could be their own N’Golo Kante

One player that has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League in recent years is N’Golo Kante. The French international’s rise to stardom came at Leicester City in 2016 where he was part of the infamous side that won the Premier League title against all odds.

This earnt him a move to Chelsea where he currently plays, he has gone on to add another League title as well as a Champions League during his time at Stamford Bridge. This is alongside lifting the World Cup with his country in 2018.

Laimer has the potential to be as good as Kante which is why he is a player Liverpool need to be fighting for. He has been compared to the 31-year old on the Bundesliga website, it highlighted their similarities in play and how they both like to ‘harry’ the opposition.

The Austrian has also been noted for his ball shielding attributes, recycling of possession and helping to facilitate counter attacks which are traits that Klopp is likely to love.

He has also previously been scouted by Manchester United so it would be a bit of a coup if the Reds signed him ahead of their arch-rivals. One thing that might aid them is the fact that Laimer reportedly grew up idolising Liverpool and England legend Steven Gerrard.

When you compare him to other midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year, he ranks in the top 5% for goal-creating actions which proves just how good he is.

Thus, Liverpool need to get the deal done now or they will regret it in the future.

IN other news: Liverpool now eye swoop for £67.5m-rated “full package”, he’s Klopp’s brand new Reus…

Everton are back in action this evening with another home clash in the Premier League, this time against Leicester City.

Heading in off the back of their 1-0 victory over Manchester United earlier in the month, Frank Lampard and the Everton fans will undoubtedly be looking to see their team secure another win this time out to move further away from the relegation zone.

Looking ahead to tonight’s showdown and their remaining league games of the campaign, it seems as though the Merseyside club have been handed a major boost over one of their key players.

What’s the news?

In a recent Twitter post from journalist Patrick Boyland relaying news from Lampard’s latest press conference, Toffees defender Yerry Mina will be in the squad to take on the Foxes.

The centre-back has been out of action since February with a hamstring injury and has only made ten league appearances for his side due to previous issues.

Great news for Lampard

With the Toffees only losing four of the ten league games that the Colombian has played in and only two of the games he completed a full 90 minutes in, having him back in the squad as another option will be a great thing for Lampard going forward.

To highlight what a useful option he will be, the 27-year-old has won nine tackles and made 14 blocks and 36 clearances in the league this season.

If he can make a return to action and continue being a tough figure at the back for his side, he could end up being the difference between Everton staying up or going down.

In terms of tonight’s showdown, it seems unlikely that the Toffees boss will immediately throw Mina back into the team considering how long he’s been out of action for.

With that in mind, if Lampard wants to have the defender available for the rest of the season, the 43-year-old will have to manage Mina’s minutes, for the time being, so he doesn’t risk getting injured again.

Also, with the centre-back pairing of Ben Godfrey and Michael Keane managing to keep a clean sheet last time out against the Red Devils, it would make sense for Lampard to stick with those two on this occasion to see if they can do the same again against Leicester.

In other news: Insider drops behind-scenes Finch Farm update that’ll leave Everton supporters furious

Liverpool are plotting a move for highly rated Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, and he could be the perfect replacement for Mohamed Salah if he leaves.

What’s the story?

According to reports in Italy,  Liverpool are plotting a move for Moussa Diaby as a potential replacement for Salah should the Egyptian fail to sign a new contract.

Diaby currently players in the Bundesliga for Leverkusen and has a great record for a 22-year old, and is rated at £49.5m.

The Reds are one of several Premier League clubs interested in the player with reports saying that West Ham United also want to sign the youngster.

He could be the perfect replacement for Salah

Liverpool have still failed to reach an agreement on a new contract with their star man Mohamed Salah. Negotiations broke down last month but have since restarted, however there are no guarantees that he will decide to stay which has led to Liverpool planning for life without him.

Diaby could be the ideal replacement and with the Frenchman so young it would be a worthy investment. He may not be at the levels of Salah just yet, but Klopp is known for developing good players into world class players so there’s no reason he couldn’t do the same here.

He has made 28 appearances in the league this season and been directly involved in 21 goals. He’s also shone in Europe with his performances in the Europa League earlier this campaign described as “special”.

It’s not a surprise he’s attracting a lot of interest as he is one of the best players in the Bundesliga, ranking in the top 3% for expected non-penalty goals.

When it comes to goals and assists combined for his club this season nobody beats him, he’s been key to the clubs battle for a Champions League place.

It’s hard to directly compare him with Salah given the age and experience difference, it’s more his potential that raises eyebrows. If you compare their stats when they were both 22, they’re remarkably similar.

Their goals per shots on target were the same at 0.46, with Diaby’s number of assists per 90 minutes being more than Salah’s at the time.

If he continues on the same trajectory then he could turn into one of the world’s best. Even if Salah decides to stay put an Anfield, this is a transfer race Liverpool need to be winning.

IN other news: Liverpool in talks over Karim Adeyemi…

Newcastle United are facing a major setback before their Premier League clash against Aston Villa this weekend.

What’s the story?

Eddie Howe’s side registered an impressive 3-1 victory at home to Everton in mid-week, with Kieran Trippier scoring a sublime freekick. However, the England international did appear to pick up a little niggle, and was forced off in the final few minutes of the contest.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Magpies boss said: “I think Kieran’s got a slight calf issue. He motioned that he needed to come off, so we’ll have to see how that is.

“It would be devastating to lose him in the form he’s in.”

Big blow for Howe

Aside from the superb free-kick against the Toffees, Trippier has brought a steely resolve and leadership at the back for Newcastle – something they desperately need in the second-half of this Premier League season.

While it is only a small sample size of three Premier League games, as per Whoscored, his average match rating of 7.88 is by far the highest of any Newcastle player this season.

He also ranks top for tackles and interceptions made per game, and is also right at the top for key passes too – the kind of all-action displays from right-back that have had the St James’ Park faithful purring.

And, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Pete O’Rourke admitted that being without Trippier for a significant amount of time would be a major blow for the Magpies.

He said: “I think it would be a big blow to Eddie Howe. Trippier has come and really slotted straight into the team. He has been a big improvement on what they’ve got.”

With momentum well and truly on their side, Howe will be desperate to keep things going when his side take on Villa, and being without Trippier for that game, and potentially longer, would leave him very worried indeed.

Meanwhile, Newcastle must finally sell this star…

According to club insider Claret & Hugh, there has been an intriguing update out of West Ham United as GSB target versatile Manchester City ace Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The Lowdown: Moyes set sights on left-back?

While manager David Moyes has mostly been tipped to bolster West Ham’s central defensive and striking options, there have also been links to full-back targets in recent months.

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The likes of Antonee Robinson (Fulham) and Aaron Hickey (Bologna) are allegedly on Moyes’ radar with doubts surrounding Arthur Masuaku’s future in east London.

First choice Aaron Cresswell is also nearing the twilight phase of his career, meaning the Hammers may have to contemplate alternatives to the Englishman sooner rather than later.

Sharing an update, C&H have now shared some interesting news involving Zinchenko.

The Latest: Insider makes Zinchenko claim…

According to their Man City sources, the 25-year-old is ‘set to become the perfect target’ for GSB and West Ham as Sky Blues boss Pep Guardiola reportedly sets his sights on a new left-back at Eastlands.

Indeed, as per the insider, this could make Zinchenko contemplate his future at the club and Moyes is personally a ‘huge admirer’ of the makeshift defender.

They also go on to say that City value their man at around £40 million.

The Verdict: Superb option…

Still young, possessing bags of experience and having played semi-regularly in a star-studded squad over the last few seasons, we believe Zinchenko stands out as an incredible option for the Irons.

The Ukraine international’s versatility could also be a great asset for Moyes with Zinchenko adept at full-back and almost anywhere in an advanced midfield role (WhoScored).

Called a ‘magnificent player’ by Guardiola this season, the utility man also played an underrated role in City’s run to the 2021 Champions League final – putting on an impressive semi-final display against Paris-Saint Germain in particular.

While a move may be difficult, with Zinchenko’s high valuation potentially coming as a stumbling block, there is little denying he would upgrade Moyes’ roster.

In other news: Moyes transfer plan takes twist as West Ham enter pole position for ‘sensational’ player, find out more here.

Rangers return to Premiership action today as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men look to bounce back from their midweek humiliation against their arch-rivals.

The Gers were hammered 3-0 by Celtic at Parkhead on Wednesday night and now have the chance to return to winning ways against Hearts.

The Ibrox side may have some key selection decisions ahead of him as a number of players failed to impress last time out.

Forget Barisic

Whilst Borna Barisic was hooked at half-time against the Hoops after his dreadful error for Liel Abada’s goal to make it 3-0, the experienced Croatian left-back should keep his place in the side. He is a seasoned professional who knows how to perform at this level and should retain his position.

Barisic has averaged a phenomenal SofaScore rating of 7.26 in the Premiership this season. This shows that he has been sublime for the majority of the campaign and one half of football should not change that.

Instead of dropping him, van Bronckhorst must brutally axe centre-back Calvin Bassey from the XI. The defender has been a liability in the last two matches and it could be time for him to be taken out of the firing line for a match.

The Dutch head coach previously mentioned the Nigerian’s lack of game time at centre-back in his career, saying: “He does not have a lot of experience in the central positions.”

This could be why the £6.4k-per-week dud looked shaky against Celtic after his dismal showing against Ross County in the previous outing. He made a key error leading to a goal in the 3-3 draw and was all over the shop against Ange Postecoglou’s side as he consistently found himself out of position and leaving huge gaps behind him.

Leon Balogun came on at half-time against the Hoops and put in a solid display. As per SofaScore, he won three of his four duels and made two clearances, one block and two interceptions in just 45 minutes as the Gers kept a clean sheet in the second half.

The experienced Nigeria international could be the perfect player to come in to steady the ship on Sunday. Whilst Bassey’s inexperience may cause him to stutter, Balogun – 33 – has a long career behind him and should know how to put in reliable performances, as shown by his cameo in midweek, and could come in alongside Connor Goldson at the back.

AND in other news, GvB drops teasing 4-word update ahead of Hearts clash, Rangers fans will be buzzing…

Ajmal Shahzad could be in line to make his Test debut against Bangladesh at Old Trafford on Friday, following the foot injury to Tim Bresnan that ruled him out of the reckoning

Cricinfo staff02-Jun-2010Ajmal Shahzad could be in line to make his Test debut against Bangladesh at Old Trafford on Friday, following the foot injury to Tim Bresnan that ruled him out of the reckoning and created a fast-bowling vacancy in the side that won the first Test at Lord’s by eight wickets on Monday.Shahzad faces competition from Ryan Sidebottom, who was called into the squad following the announcement of Bresnan’s stress fracture on Tuesday, but having toured Bangladesh without being given an opportunity to play in either of the Tests at Dhaka or Chittagong, Shahzad is hopeful that this time he’ll get his chance to impress.”I’m ready to go, if the nod is given to me. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” Shahzad told reporters at Old Trafford. “I hadn’t been involved with the England circuit at all, apart from with the performance programme in South Africa, so it was a big hit for me [to be picked to go to Bangladesh last winter] – and I really enjoyed it out there.”It was difficult conditions and made me wake up and think ‘not all wickets are going to be bouncy, quick – and it’s not always going to swing and seam’. You have to put some hard graft in and work at other areas of your game. I’ve learned a lot from being there and in the West Indies. I’ve got stronger shoulders from carrying drinks – but I’ve learned a lot ‘up here’.”If he does get to play, Shahzad is aware that all the focus will be on his colleague, Steven Finn, who ripped through Bangladesh with nine wickets at Lord’s, and seems sure to be promoted to take the new ball alongside James Anderson.”Finny’s come on the scene and performed superbly well,” said Shahzad. “Obviously, with his extra height, he’s got something to offer that Andy [Flower] likes. I’ve seen the boys progress, and what it takes at international level. So I know what I need to do. I think the only way I can really do that is out there on the pitch.”With the notable exception of Finn, Flower was critical of the performance of England’s bowlers at Lord’s, but seeing as many of the squad went into the match straight off the back of their successful World Twenty20 campaign in the Caribbean, a bit of five-day rustiness was inevitable.”We have just come off the back of a one-day competition so it will always be difficult to adjust,” said Shahzad. “There has not been a lot of red ball practice, but we saw Jimmy [Anderson] coming into a rhythm at the end of the first innings at Lord’s and Finny [Steven Finn] burst on to the scene and did very well. Bresnan had a bit of trouble but when he comes back from his injury he will be better for the experience.”One of Shahzad’s early challenges could well be to keep Tamim Iqbal under control, after he lit up Lord’s with a thrilling 94-ball hundred during Bangladesh’s second innings. Shahzad has previous in that regard, having bagged Tamim for a first-over duck during his ODI debut at Chittagong in March, but is under no illusions about the task that could await him.”I like the way he plays, and I would prefer someone to play like that rather than block against me,” he said. “It was nice to sit at home and watch him play. If I get the nod hopefully I can get him out early doors.”Tamim, for his part, credited his coach, Jamie Siddons, for giving him the licence and the confidence to bat in his own unfettered style. “When I started playing Test cricket I was in two minds whether to go slow or go fast – and originally I decided to go slow,” he said.”It was not working for me. My first 10 Tests were not good – I think I only got two fifties. The coaches said to play like I do in the ODIs and enjoy my batting – ‘We will not say anything to you’. I know the way I bat sometimes looks fantastic, and sometimes looks ugly, but I am happy with the way I play my natural game.”

Everton have been one of the most active Premier League clubs in the transfer window so far, and for good reason when you take a look at the poor performances Rafa Benitez’s side have put on this season.

However, they have now been linked with a third signing but it is predicted not to be one that the fans would welcome.

What’s the word?

Journalist, Paul Brown, has given his perspective on the rumour that Everton are interested in bringing Ross Barkley back to Goodison Park during the January transfer window.

Brown told GIVEMESPORT:

“It’s very strange they’ve been linked with Barkley at all because there’s been so much animosity with the fans, I think it would be a disaster if they tried to re-sign him.”

Everton have been speculated to be interested in signing the attacking midfielder this month, as he struggles to gain a starting position at Chelsea with just 12 appearances across all competitions this season.

Fans will be fuming

The 28-year-old left his boyhood club to make a shock move to Chelsea in the January of 2018, after making 179 appearances for the club scoring 27 goals and bagging 28 assists, with the transfer causing uproar in the Everton fanbase, who saw him as one of their own.

Benitez is already in a vulnerable position at the club, with fans planning protests against him, booing, leaving the ground early during matchday and even flying banners criticising the Spaniard but bringing Barkley back to the club could only further his fractured relationship with the fans and Brown’s warning speaks volumes.

The Everton manager and owners will need to do everything they can to regain the trust and support of the fans over the rest of the season by climbing the table into a much better position, and they will need to identify how to do that without causing further damage.

It would be interesting to see how fans react to a return for Barkley this January, but it could also be an opportunity for the midfielder to rebuild a relationship with the fans of the club he supports.

In other news: Myers reveals details in Lucas Digne move

Match Facts

Shaun Tait is “very, very quick”, Chris Gayle says•Getty Images

Tuesday, February 23, SCG
Start time 1835 (0735 GMT)

The Big Picture

It’s three months since West Indies played their first match of this tour and they are about to embark on their last chance to beat Australia. A 2-0 Test loss was followed by a 4-0 one-day defeat and a disappointing effort in the first Twenty20. The shortest format might be their best chance to beat Australia but in truth, there has been precious little in their performances over the past couple of weeks to suggest that they will succeed. The story of the top order has been no Gayle, no hope, and their captain’s wild swing to be bowled by Shaun Tait in Hobart continued his lean run in the past month.For Australia, the lure of an unbeaten season is tantalisingly close. The only matches they have failed to win were the Adelaide Test draw with West Indies and the Sydney one-day wash-out, also against Gayle’s men. The Twenty20 outfit looked sharp on Sunday, especially the attack as Tait and Dirk Nannes sped through West Indies’ batting line-up. The openers David Warner and Shane Watson also fired but finding a cohesive and in-form middle order could be the challenge between now and the ICC World Twenty20.

Form guide (most recent first)

Australia WWNLL
West Indies LWLWL

Watch out for…

Of all Australia’s Twenty20 specialists, David Warner is the ultimate short format man. He has still played only four first-class games but in Twenty20 he is an international veteran and his clever strokeplay gave Australia the early advantage in Hobart. He initially drove several balls over extra cover with clean, classy strokes before launching into some midwicket slogs. He’s also playing at his home ground.There are far bigger stars in the West Indies outfit than Nikita Miller but his performance on Sunday showed how important he can be. Gayle used his spinner to open the bowling and Miller kept things tight with wile and skill and finished with 2 for 20 from four overs. Taking the pace off the ball can be useful against Australia’s top order and at the SCG Miller could play a key role.

Team news

Australia must weigh up their reluctance to change a winning team with their desire to test out new players with three matches remaining before the World Twenty20. The allrounder Daniel Christian and the fast man Ryan Harris are the two players in the squad yet to make their Twenty20 debuts and it would make sense to give them a chance. Mitchell Johnson is a known quantity and could rest ahead of the New Zealand series, while Travis Birt’s hold on the No. 6 position looks a little shaky after two matches.Australia (possible) 1 Shane Watson, 2 David Warner, 3 Michael Clarke (capt), 4 David Hussey, 5 Cameron White, 6 Brad Haddin (wk), 7 Daniel Christian, 8 Steven Smith, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Dirk Nannes, 11 Shaun Tait.Gavin Tonge and Brendan Nash have been travelling with the squad throughout the limited-overs portion of the tour without being handed an opportunity. Given the team’s dismal results there seems no reason not to try them out but adding Tonge might upset the batting balance, while Nash is hardly a slogger and has only ever played one Twenty20 for Jamaica. It could mean an unchanged side.West Indies (possible) 1 Chris Gayle (capt), 2 Lendl Simmons, 3 Narsingh Deonarine, 4 Kieron Pollard, 5 Wavell Hinds, 6 Dwayne Smith, 7 Runako Morton, 8 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 9 Darren Sammy, 10 Nikita Miller, 11 Kemar Roach.

Pitch and conditions

Expect another good batting surface in Sydney, where the forecast for Tuesday is for 29C but the chance of an evening shower.

Stats and trivia

• There’s a distinct pattern to West Indies’ recent Twenty20 results: beginning with their Oval victory over Australia their record reads win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, loss. They must be due for a win
• In Hobart, Narsingh Deonarine became the 16th man to be dismissed for a golden duck on his Twenty20 international debut
• Michael Clarke has a strong record as Australia’s Twenty20 captain – in five games he has led them to four victories and the other match was washed out
  

  Quotes

  “It’s been a good summer for Australian cricket and hopefully we can give the Windies another belting.”
  Shaun Tait is in no mood to be charitable”You have to make the necessary adjustments but at the same time he is very, very quick.”
  Chris Gayle says it isn’t easy facing Tait

Everton’s new signings Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko could be in line for their Toffees debuts on Saturday evening as the Blues travel to Championship outfit Hull City.

What’s the latest?

Everton manager Rafa Benitez has revealed that the two new signings could make their debuts against the Tigers on Saturday as the Spaniard’s side look to put together a cup run.

On potentially giving the signings their debuts, the 61-year-old said: “We know both players well and know the potential. Both players showed they want to do well.

“Are they ready? We will see. Today [Friday] we have another training session. If you have to play them, they can play.

“Maybe they can start, maybe one of them, maybe both. They’ve been 15 days without training so we have to consider if they’re fit enough.”

Everton fans will be buzzing

Patterson (Rangers) and Mykolenko (Dynamo Kiev) arrived at Goodison Park over the last week and will bolster Benitez’s full-back options with the former a right-back and the latter a left-back.

Moreover, both have the potential to be long-term servants to the Merseyside club, with Mykolenko being 22-years-old and Patterson 20 and signing deals until 2026 and 2027 respectively.

There has been particular attention on Everton’s left-back predicament, with Lucas Digne expected to leave Goodison Park this transfer window, with Sky Sports reporting that the Frenchman has told Everton that he wants to leave this window.

The club was in desperate need to find a left-back replacement before Digne was allowed to depart and Mykolenko will be able to provide that option.

Everton fans will also be desperate for a good result against Hull to kick-start a run in the FA Cup with the club enduring an underwhelming start to the season in the Premier League.

In other news, Everton linked with promising midfielder…