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Eric Dier is set to miss Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Leicester City on Sunday, the club have confirmed.

The midfielder has struggled with injuries this season and will this time be on the sidelines due to a virus.

What’s the word?

Spurs take on Leicester City on Sunday as they look to keep pace with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men are currently five points behind the two sides, though they sit seven ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea.

There is little room for error in the run-in, then, as Spurs look to complete an unlikely title triumph.

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However, Pochettino will again be without Dier, who last completed the full 90 minutes in December, in a 2-0 win over the Foxes.

An appendectomy saw the England international ruled out of games against Burnley, Everton, AFC Bournemouth, Wolves, Cardiff City and Manchester United and he made his return in defensive midfield against Fulham in January, though he played just 11 minutes as a substitute.

Dier was left on the bench for the 2-1 victory over Watford and played just a minute against Newcastle United.

Ben Davies, meanwhile, is also unlikely to play any part in the game, as Spurs confirmed that he is continuing his recovery from a groin injury.

Wanyama return?

It may be time for Victor Wanyama to make his long-awaited Premier League return for Spurs.

The Kenya international has also struggled with injuries this season and has played just four times in the Premier League but he managed 27 minutes against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup at the end of January and was on the bench against Newcastle.

Bringing him into the fold seems a logical choice for Pochettino, with his physicality offering a neat counterpoint to the fleet-footedness of the impressive Harry Winks.

Moussa Sissoko played alongside Winks against Newcastle but a more physical player may be needed to counter the pacey threat offered by Leicester on the break, opening the door for Wanyama’s comeback.

At left-back, the choice is obvious, with Danny Rose surely set to continue in Davies’ stead.

Liverpool will play Watford on Saturday as they look to consolidate their place at the top of the Premier League table.

As it stands, the Reds are currently eight points clear of Leicester City, and a further six ahead of champions Manchester City. A win against the Hornets would mean they have picked up maximum points in 25 of their last 26 league matches.

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This, of course, will be their last fixture before they depart for the Club World Cup in Qatar. With the entirety of the first-team squad to travel to the Middle East, we are likely to see a heavily-rotated XI against the division’s bottom side.

Here, we try to predict Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI.

In goal, Alisson should remain. Given he is a goalkeeper, and he has already missed a number of games this campaign due to injury and suspension, there is no need to give him a rest.

At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to keep his place in the team. Had Dejan Lovren not injured his hamstring against Salzburg in the Champions League on Tuesday, the 21-year-old may have been able to rest, but Joe Gomez will now be needed at centre-back. Alongside the former Charlton man, Virgil van Dijk should start once again, but there could be a change at left-back. Andrew Robertson may be given a rest, which would see James Milner come into the side. With no natural back-up option, he is the best bet.

In the middle of the park, we could see two changes. Adam Lallana may take up a defensive midfield role that he has already played in this term, whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could start after scoring against Bournemouth. Georginio Wijnaldum is likely to stay in the side.

Up front, expect Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri to be included. They both started against Everton, and scored three between them, so Klopp will be not be worried about giving the them the responsibility of starting here. On the left flank, Sadio Mane should be the man to be included. With 13 goals and eight assists in 24 matches this season, he has arguably been the Merseyside team’s best player this term. Although they could win this game without him, Klopp will likely want to keep him in the XI just for it to be slightly more comfortable.

In other news, Liverpool fans don’t want the club to sign this superstar.

[ad_pod ]Liverpool have been handed a huge boost in the title race after Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and Trent Alexander-Arnold all returned to training following a period of time out through injury, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.

Obviously, Jurgen Klopp will be delighted to have two midfielders back in Henderson and Wijnaldum, but the major boost for the former Borussia Dortmund boss will be to have Alexander-Arnold back in the fold.

Why is Alexander-Arnold so important?

In the England international’s absence, Klopp had been given a huge headache at right-back.

Fans of the title challengers have watched uncomfortably as utility man James Milner has been deployed in the role, whilst Henderson also played there in the 1-1 draw against Leicester – in the three games without Alexander-Arnold, the Reds haven’t kept a clean sheet and picked up five points out of a possible nine.

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Milner, in particular, was given a torrid time by Wilfried Zaha against Crystal Palace playing in that area, receiving a red card for two bookable offences, whilst Felipe Anderson also had him on toast in another 1-1 draw, this time against West Ham.

Alexander-Arnold is pivotal to Liverpool’s style, as he uses his technical ability to play incisive passes into the midfield as well as switching the play to kickstart the attack.

The 20-year-old’s pace is also far superior to that of Henderson and Milner, meaning he should be able to cope with tricky wingers such as the aforementioned duo of Zaha and Anderson.

Snatching the initiative back from Manchester City

Liverpool’s academy graduate is also a much better crosser of the ball, and should be able to provide added impetus going forward to help pin back the opposition, who have been given far too much encouragement in recent games going forward as a result of Milner and Henderson’s reluctance to push on effectively and consistently.

The Reds have allowed Manchester City, and even Tottenham, back into the title race as a result of their inability to capitalise on the Cityzens’ loss to Newcastle, but Alexander-Arnold’s return should reinvigorate them.

Astonishingly, Leeds didn’t come away with a win against Cardiff on Saturday.

The Whites were 3-0 up with 30 minutes left thanks to a double from Patrick Bamford and a strike from Helder Costa. However, Neil Harris’ men put in a spirited second-half performance to pick up an unlikely 3-3 draw at Elland Road.

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As you can imagine, there was plenty of reaction from the club’s supporters on social media platform Twitter.

There were many fans who were particularly unhappy with the result.

Indeed, for a team second in the table, and who had only conceded ten goals before this match, it is awful that they would then ship three times with the game almost won.

There were many who were pretty worried this would be the start of a capitulation of their form.

It is something that they need to be wary of. Last term, they were in the top two for much of the season, but were only able to finish in the playoffs before losing to Derby County in the semi-finals.

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Some fans, though, were far more balanced.

It would make sense for the Whites to be calm. After all, they are still ten points clear of Preston North End in third, and they had won their last seven matches before this one. Not only that, they haven’t lost in their last 11 outings.

Still, Bielsa will be far from happy that his team threw away all three points from such a comfortable position. He will be hoping that it does not happen again.

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Jan Vertonghen has apologised to Chelsea after Tottenham Hotspur fans were alleged to have racially abused defender Antonio Rudiger on Sunday, per The Mirror.

What’s he said?

Rudiger complained of hearing monkey noises during the game, which Chelsea won 2-0.

He reported the incident to his captain, Cesar Azpilicueta, who then told the referee, Anthony Taylor.

That led to three separate stadium announcements, warning that racist abuse was interfering with the game.

And Vertonghen has condemned the abuse, insisting that Spurs should take the strongest action possible against the supporters if they are found guilty.

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He said: “I didn’t hear anything but if these things are still happening, it’s a disgrace and we should act strong against this.

“I’ve got no idea how people ever thought this way. Sometimes you think people are smarter than this. I’m very convinced it’s just a minority. But anyway, it’s very wrong.

“I don’t know if it’s getting worse. It shouldn’t be there in any way. I just can’t get my head around how people do this. I’ve got no words for it.

“If any of their players were affected by it, we apologise in the name of Spurs. But it’s a minority of idiots. We don’t want to identify with these people.”

A strong message

This is excellent from Vertonghen.

The defender is right to be furious about the abuse, with fans debasing the very fabric of the football club.

It was a dark day for Spurs, who were poor on the pitch and even poorer off it.

But this is a step forward.

Mourinho’s produced some incredible footballing stars – how much do you know about them?

His outright condemnation is likely to make waves and Spurs need to follow his advice and stamp out any indication of racist abuse at the club.

Those who are guilty simply cannot be allowed back into the stadium and should really be serving prison sentences.

Meanwhile, Spurs fans have reacted to being linked with a swoop for a Ligue 1 star.

Sheffield Wednesday striker Sam Winnall has ruled out a temporary move away from the club in January, claiming it would be irrelevant with his contract expiring in the near future.

What’s the word?

Winnall has been restricted to just two starts in the league this term, the latest of which came against Cardiff last weekend.

He won five aerial duels against a combative Bluebirds backline but failed to provide a spark that Steven Fletcher has with such regularity this term.

The Scotsman has scored 12 times this season but in comparison Winnall has only found the net once, earning a WhoScored average match rating of just 6.26.

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His contract is due to expire in the summer and it remains unclear as to what will happen to the striker’s future.

A number of variables could come into the equation depending on Wednesday’s punishments for breaching profit and sustainability rules or whether they achieve promotion.

However, it seems as though one thing is for certain, and that’s the fact Winnall won’t be moving out on loan. Speaking to Yorkshire Post, he said:

“I’ve got six months left on my contract so a loan move is irrelevant. That’s out of the question.

“I don’t know what will happen in January. I’m trying to focus on every day playing for Sheffield Wednesday and whatever will be will be.”

Nketiah deal to impact proceedings?

Winnall might not want to leave on loan but if Eddie Nketiah arrives, as has been rumoured, it would add another striker to an ever-growing list of options at Garry Monk’s disposal.

Aside from the 28-year-old and Fletcher, the Owls can also choose from Fernando Forestieri, Atdhe Nuhui and Jordan Rhodes.

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With that in mind, adding someone like Nketiah could restrict Winnall’s game time even more and any business Wednesday look to tie up in January could have a large impact on whether their current number 11 stays beyond January.

If he’s ruling out a loan switch, it feels as though a permanent move away would benefit all parties, particularly the player who has struggled significantly in 2019/20.

Unfortunately for Winnall, his future could well be out of his hands for the time being.

Meanwhile, check out why Garry Monk’s baffling decision failed to pay off last Sunday…

Wolves fans have hit out at Pedro Neto for a perceived poor display against Manchester United.The 19-year-old played on the left flank for the third-round tie in the FA Cup as Nuno Espirito Santo’s men attempted to secure safe passage to the next phase of the tournament.

They were unable to breach the United defence, however, and were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw. They will face Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men again at Old Trafford in a replay.

Wolves had just two shots on target in the game – United didn’t have any – and fans were quick to criticise Neto for his display.

However, the statistics prove them wrong.

Per WhoScored, the 19-year-old had 67 touches of the ball, the second-highest of any Wolves player on the pitch, and registered three key passes.

His passing accuracy of 94% was second only to Joao Moutinho and Juan Mata, who both hit 100%.

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Not only that, but Neto also completed four dribbles – only Adama Traore completed more – while he also had a 75% accuracy rate from his eight corners.

This was a fine display from the youngster and the fans ought to think twice before piling into him.

He remains young, time is on his side, and he enjoyed a solid showing against tough opposition.

These supporters, by all accounts, are being rather too harsh.

Meanwhile, Wolves need to buy a player in one specific position in January.Â

Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho wants the club to sign a midfielder in the January transfer window, per The Daily Star.

What’s the word?

Spurs have been rocked by news of an injury to Moussa Sissoko, the France international who has played in every Premier League game this season bar one; he was absent from the 2-2 draw with Norwich City due to suspension.

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His injury – he has sustained ligament damage to his knee and will be out until April – has reportedly led to Mourinho informing the club of the need to buy a midfielder in the January transfer window.

He is said to hold doubts over the abilities of two summer signings, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso.

Levy’s first real test

This is the first transfer window that Mourinho has overseen as Spurs boss and it has come at an opportune time.

The gaps in the squad are clear for many to see and Sissoko’s injury has only enhanced the need for reinforcements to come into the squad.

Spurs, though, rarely make moves in the January transfer window; their last acquisition in the winter market was Lucas Moura in 2018. Prior to that, they signed Dele Alli from MK Dons in 2015 but immediately loaned him back to the lower-league club.

However, there is not really any room for excuses at this point. Spurs can ill-afford to be without options in midfield and, with Harry Kane also injured, they also require a striker.

A window of inactivity would only harm the dynamic within the squad and the chances of building towards a common goal under Mourinho.

The chairman has to step up.

Meanwhile, Spurs are tracking a striker who has been in electric form. 

Wolves star Adama Traore is a really hot prospect in the transfer market right now.

The flying winger has been linked with Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona, per a recent report from 90min.

And given his blistering start to the 2019/20 Premier League campaign, this piece of news doesn’t really come as a surprise.

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The former La Masia student has risen to prominence as of late and looks set to become one of the most uniquely menacing players on the continent in the not too distant future.

But what exactly do Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp see in the 23-year-old winger and what’s so special about him?

To answer those questions, we sought out the opinions of those who know him best…

Micky Gray, former Sunderland player

Gray has seemingly been following Traore’s development and he spoke about the player in length on talkSPORT’s Drivetime.

He heaped praise on the 23-year-old, stating that he would take him over Wilfried Zaha if he was given the option to choose.

Here’s what he said in full, as quoted by talkSPORT:

“When Jurgen Klopp says before Liverpool’s game against Wolves, ‘we’ve got to look out for a player like Adama Traore because he’s a top class player and he’s a threat’, that says everything to me.

“He’s been around, and we knew he had the pace and the quality, but it was his final distribution [that needed work]. And with what we’ve seen from him in this first half of the season, he’s been outstanding.

“But if I was buying a wide player now, and it was between him and Wilfried Zaha, I’d take Traore every day of the week!”

Pep Guardiola, current Manchester City manager

Guardiola experienced Traore’s raw power for the second time this season when Wolves did the impossible and toppled the reigning Premier League Champions by overturning a 2-0 deficit over Christmas.

The 23-year-old winger was vital for their success, netting a goal and an assist in the process, adding to the brace he scored at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season.

Speaking on the player in question, Guardiola was naturally full of praise, comparing Traore’s pace to a motorcycle, as quoted by The Sun:

“He is a motorcycle!

“It’s almost impossible. Nobody can handle this pace.”

Jurgen Klopp, current Liverpool manager

The German manager himself already thinks the world of his reported target.

Speaking ahead of Wolves’ visit to Anfield at the end of the year, Klopp singled Traore out, praising his talent and claiming he’s more dangerous than Jamie Vardy.

Here’s what he said, as quoted by FourFourTwo:

“At Middlesbrough he was exceptional, but somebody had to give him the right information.

“(He is) A big, big talent. You would never have thought he is that young, but he is still very young, and now he has found it (the right manager). It was always clear it would happen one day, and now it has. Good for Wolves!

“He is really dangerous. In a big space (Leicester striker) Jamie Vardy is difficult to defend, but I would say Traore is even more difficult to defend because his speed is exceptional.”

Verdict

Traore has already received rave reviews from both coaches and pundits in world football.

If Liverpool really do end up scooping his signature it’s unlikely they would regret it.

The January transfer window is almost halfway done, and while Leeds United haven’t brought anyone in yet, that doesn’t mean that they haven’t already done a lot of good work this month.

Incomings are more glamorous, but outgoings are just as important, and the Whites have done a great job of shifting their deadwood this month.

However, their most important departure still hasn’t happened, and if Victor Orta’s work this month is to be considered a success, then he will have to find a new club for Eunan O’Kane.

Phil Hay named three players who Leeds would be looking to get rid of at the start of this month, and two of them have already gone.

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Pawel Cibicki has joined Polish outfit Pogon Szczecin, while Lewie Coyle has departed for Fleetwood Town permanently.

However, O’Kane remains a Leeds player, and he is the one that Leeds need to shift above anyone else.

Getting rid of Coyle and Cibicki will help Leeds’ financial position, and it’s the perfect time for it considering the Whites’ current FFP situation and the transfer window being open, but the Yorkshire outfit would receive a massive boost if O’Kane were to go.

Coyle and Cibicki didn’t earn all that much at Leeds as Capology state that they were Leeds’ 35th and 38th highest earners last term.

In contrast, they claim that O’Kane is Leeds’ seventh-highest earner this season. Although that isn’t taking into account the new contracts for Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling the point still stands that O’Kane is earning a wage befitting of a first-teamer despite being a reserve.

Getting the Irishman off the books is undoubtedly the Whites’ most important move this month in terms of departures, and Orta will deserve a lot of credit if he can move him on, especially given his current wage of £8k per week.

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