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A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting to Diogo Jota’s brace for Portugal, as the Anfield star’s stock continues to rise.

The 24-year-old joined the Reds from Wolves last summer and immediately hit the ground running, scoring a debut Anfield goal against Arsenal, as well as bagging the winning goals at home to Sheffield United and West Ham in October.

The forward was proving to be an excellent addition to Liverpool’s attack, but unfortunately a knee injury picked up in December kept him out for several months.

Jota returned recently in a huge boost for Jurgen Klopp and he netted the only goal away to former club Wolves, meaning he now has 10 goals in 21 appearances for the Reds.

The Liverpool star has also become a key man for Portugal and he proved that on Saturday evening, scoring both of his country’s goals in their 2-2 draw with Serbia.

Jota powered home two headers to showcase his ruthlessness in the final third, taking his international tally to five goals in just nine caps.

Liverpool fans hail Jota

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to heap praise on the Reds hero after his “unreal” performance in the World Cup qualifiers.

“Five goals in his first nine games for Portugal. Some player”

Credit: @JackSear

“DioGOAT”

Credit: @LFCTransferRoom

“Diogoal at it again I see”

Credit: @dan_clubbe

“Diogo Jota rediscovering his goalscoring form just in time for the business end of the Champions League. Is rightttttt”

Credit: @BenWebbLFC

“Diogo Jota is unreal btw”

Credit: @TheAnfieldWrap

“Jota is set to be a great for us. Has everything to his game. No doubt he can bag like 25 next season if he stays fit. Incredible player”

Credit: @lfcxcathal

In other news, one Liverpool star has suffered a potential setback ahead of the Euro 2020 – find out who it is here.

Fans of West Ham United have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which the club shared a post concerning the Hammers centre-back, Craig Dawson.

Having joined West Ham on a season-long loan deal last October, Dawson’s life in east London got off to a rather slow start, with the 30-year-old making just one league appearance for the Hammers in 2020.

However, since then, the £3.6 million-rated defender has become a stalwart in David Moyes’ starting XI, having not missed a minute of Premier League action since his league debut in December, with one supporter calling him an ‘unreal’ find by the manager.

And, following yet another impressive performance in West Ham’s 2-0 victory over Leeds United – in which Dawson scored one goal, made one interception and three clearances – on Monday evening, the West Ham Twitter account singled out the centre-back for praise, simply posting “CRAIG DAWSON” accompanied by two praying hands emojis.

In reaction, fans of West Ham flocked to have their say on the man who has gone from a seemingly pointless singing into an absolute bargain, with many taking the opportunity to call for the club to make Dawson’s loan deal a permanent move this summer.

So, what exactly did these West Ham United fans have to say in reaction to the club’s post regarding Craig Dawson?

“Better than Ramos.”

@JOHNSMITHH66

“Craig Dawson superb yet again against Leeds tonight – very solid as always. Seems to be improving and proves the initial doubters wrong every game he plays. He’s the kind of player West Ham fans love – old school CB who plays for shirt every time wears it. Needs to be permanent.”

@WestHamJoshV

“£3 million in the summer! That’s criminal!”

@Nobby_1977

“What a find from Moyes, he looks unreal.”

@conko97

“VIRGIL VAN DAWSON.”

@joelitt78828048

“Sign him up and be done with it.”

@bianchibully

“Get him on the plane.”

@Westhamfan987

“Break the bank for this man! He is massive!”

@TCootie

“Please just please buy him.”

@stoffer_charlie

“Absolute rock at the back!”

@Josephsimon007

“Sign him now pls.”

@mike_deas

In other news: Many West Ham fans responded to this club update, find out more here!

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer believes his old side will not miss Jordan Rhodes should the striker depart at the end of the season.

Rhodes, who scored in the Owls’ 2-1 defeat to Norwich City last weekend, is one of numerous players at Hillsborough whose contract is set to expire in the summer and does not appear close to signing a new one.

The 31-year-old initially joined Wednesday on a loan deal back in 2017 before signing permanently but has failed to live up to expectations. Rhodes has scored just four league goals this season, and Palmer is adamant he will not be a huge loss due to that type of record and the money he is currently on (said to be £35,000 per week).

When asked if losing a player like Rhodes would be a blow to the club, the retired Premier League footballer told FFC:

“Not really, no. To be honest with you, he’s on too much money for that league, he’s on Premier League wages and he hasn’t done it. If you look at how long he’s been at Sheffield Wednesday, he hasn’t done it. He’s one of those players that needs to go.”

Palmer later added: “From what I’m hearing, he’s in the late 30s, early 40s. So that’s crazy money for the Championship, crazy money. You look at his goal record – it’s not been phenomenal while at Wednesday.”

During his time at Blackburn Rovers, Rhodes was one of the deadliest forwards in the Championship. The Scotland international managed to score over 80 goals between 2012 and 2016 for the club before going on to join Middlesbrough.

He has been unable to reach that kind of level again, though, and a Hillsborough exit could now be in everyone’s best interest.

As Leeds United continue to browse the transfer market this month, they find themselves linked to left-back Jordan Amavi.

According to French outlet Foot01, the Whites are amongst those interested in the £9million-valued Marseille star, who is now available for pre-contract negotiations. Amavi looks set to leave the Ligue 1 outfit and Leeds were reported to be very much in the race for his signature.

However, a recent Phil Hay update could hint that a deal is off for the out of favour 26-year-old. The Athletic reporter tweeted that the Whites are in talks with Egzjan Alioski over new terms on his current £55,000 per week contract.

With both the Macedonian and Leif Davis on the books, it could now mean that Victor Orta and co are making a U-turn on their reported interest in Amavi. If Alioski signs a new deal, he may well continue to be Marcelo Bielsa’s first choice left-back, with 21-year-old Davis still to fully break into the first team squad.

According to Transfermarkt, Alioski has contributed two goals and six clean sheets in his 17 Premier League appearances so far this season. Leeds have hit a dip recently but their 2-1 win over Newcastle sees them return to positive form in their returning top flight campaign.

Transfer target Amavi has made just nine Ligue 1 appearances for Marseille this season, due to a red card suspension and recent injury. He is currently suffering a torn muscle injury and has missed ten matches across all competitions because of it, according to Transfermarkt.

Whilst Leeds looked to be a potential destination for Amavi, there may not be any room for him at the inn if the Whites keep hold of Alioski. Despite the attraction of not having to pay a transfer fee, having three left-backs all fighting for the same spot would be an unnecessary headache Bielsa does not need to have.

In other news, Bielsa made huge mistake rushing Diego Llorente back…

Speaking to the press (Liverpool Echo), Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp explained that in a ‘normal season’ his side would not be 16 points behind Manchester City – prompting plenty of Sky Blues to react as they’re baffled by this rival claim. 

City currently sit top of the Premier League pile on on 56 points, ten points clear of arch rivals Manchester United in second, with the Sky Blues only having conceded an impressive 15 goals in the league this season (Premier League).

After watching Liverpool clinch the 2019/2020 league title by some margin, Pep Guardiola oversaw strengthening in key areas – with summer signing Ruben Dias becoming a revelation at the back.

By contrast, the Reds have suffered through their fair share of injury woes to key men as Klopp has had to cope without the likes of Virgil van Dijk.

“We all agree, and I’m sure Pep would, in a normal season for both teams we would not be 16 points away,” he explained to the press (via Liverpool Echo).

“But we are. That’s how it is. We accept. This season it isn’t our concern how close we get to #ManCity. It’s how far we go up the PL table…”

These City supporters are not in agreement with Klopp over this claim, appearing baffled by the comments on social media – find all of their verdicts down below.

Man City fans baffled by Klopp claim

“does he ever stop”

Credit: @LucasMCFC_

“This guy is a joke”

Credit: @mcfcjrdn

“JheeZ… how embarrassing”

Credit: @CSR2693

“More excuses”

Credit: @MCFCAJ10

“There’s no way this fella is still making excuses… man’s talking about normal seasons as if he didn’t win the league with 5 subs and water breaks”

Credit: @bernardooooV3

“Another excuse to add to the collection”

Credit: @Priceless_Silva

“This guy is so shameless. I’d never play him at Fifa”

Credit: @MVNNY22

In other news: Man City fans also reacted to Aguero’s latest message, find out more here.

Callum Wilson seriously betrayed Steve Bruce with an invisible display as Newcastle United lost 1-0 at Sheffield United on Tuesday night – the Blades’ first win of the Premier League campaign.

Bruce recalled the ex-AFC Bournemouth striker to his starting line-up for the Magpies’ trip to Bramall Lane, having decided to sit Wilson out of Saturday’s FA Cup exit at Arsenal as a precaution to avoid the 28-year-old sustaining any injuries.

Wilson has proven a hit on Tyneside since his £20m summer arriving, netting eight goals, but was far from the star on the show in South Yorkshire, where he squandered two great chances to find the net.

Wilson started strongly to cause Sheffield United issues through his lively presence, but left Newcastle wishing for more in the 28th-minute when he made space for himself in the shadow of Aaron Ramsdale’s net only to send his header sky-high from seven-yards out.

Newcastle’s hopes of taking a result at Sheffield United were dealt a further blow just before half-time when Wilson’s former Cherries teammate Ryan Fraser was shown two yellow cards in the space of three minutes.

Fraser was initially cautioned by referee Andy Madley for a late tackle on John Fleck moments after Karl Darlow produced wonders to deny Jayden Bogle, before swiftly receiving his marching orders for a mindless shin-high foul on David McGoldrick beside the touchline.

Madley was again the bane in the Toon’s side late in the second half, when the 37-year-old opted to point to the spot and award Sheffield United a penalty after Federico Fernandez was adjudged to have redirected the ball with his hand under pressure from Billy Sharp.

Fraser and Fernandez’s misjudgements will have left Bruce irate, yet the efforts of Wilson will have brought a sense of great disappointment to the Newcastle boss.

Wilson would take just one further shot on Ramsdale’s goal beyond his glaring first-half miss, which he would head straight at Blades’ shot-stopper Ramsdale to squander a second big chance of the game, per SofaScore.

The 28-year-old, who Magpies icon Malcolm Macdonald lauds as an “excellent footballer and finisher”, also offered no key balls thanks to completing just eight of 13 passes, four fewer than goalkeeper Karl Darlow to help Sheffield United claim a first win of the Premier League season.

Bruce will have expected far more from Wilson at Bramall Lane, where the £46,000-per-week striker further lost six of his 10 ground duels and six of nine aerial duels (a total of 63% duels lost), turned over possession 17 times, committed one foul, lose all four dribbles and misplaced his only cross of the night.

His tame and wayward shooting meant Wilson has now scored just once in his last five top-flight appearances, and leave the Toon eight points from the relegation zone having played two games more than 18th-placed Fulham.

AND in other news, a Newcastle gem embarrassed his teammates as Steve Bruce’s only positive at Arsenal…

Wolves are currently enduring a torrid time, and with just two wins in their last ten games, the pressure is mounting on Nuno Santo.

Fortunately, they have a January transfer window to try and turn things around.

What’s the word?

Wolves were reportedly interested in signing Brazilian flanker Douglas Costa during the summer market.

However, they may now have an opportunity to land the Brazilian on loan in January.

That’s because his current loan spell with Bayern Munich is not playing out as Juventus would have hoped, and thus, they want to send him to either the Premier League or La Liga.

That is according to Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness) who suggest that above all, Wolves and Manchester United are interested in luring him to England.

That being said, it might be difficult for the Molineux outfit because of his £184k-per-week wages.

Dream Jota replacement

When Wolves let Diogo Jota leave for Liverpool in the summer, it seemed to be a deal that suited all parties.

The Portuguese wasn’t a regular in the side towards the back end of 2019/20 and Jeff Shi was getting a fee of £41m for his services.

Yet, since he left, it’s pretty evident that Liverpool got the best deal. Jota has already netted a Champions League hat-trick and has nine goals across all competitions.

Clearly, with Raul Jimenez now out, they are lacking an attacking lynchpin, someone like Jota who could take the game by the scruff of the neck.

As good as Adama Traore and Pedro Neto are, even they are struggling to pull Wolves through their current rut.

Yet, with a player like Costa, he could change their fortunes around. Similarly to Jota, he is a dynamic winger capable of terrorising the opposition.

The 30-year-old has started just six times while on loan at Bayern this term, but his sheer ingenuity is frightening. Words from Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu and Bayern expert Philip Rober typify that. Lucescu claimed he was “ruthless” a few years ago before Rober hailed his greatest attributes.

He said: “Great dribbling skills, explosive pace – both over short and long distances – and a powerful shot in both feet, allied to the ability to beat defenders and a set-piece threat, make him a potent asset.”

Jota was a player with plenty of pace, while his ability to beat players is remarkable. Like Costa, they have a habit of turning games on their head with their dazzling skills.

For instance, despite his minimal game time this term, the 31-cap Brazil international has still managed 0.9 dribbles per game. At his peak, he managed 3.4 dribbles a match – a tally that usurps Jota’s best Premier League season average by a rate of 1.5.

This would undoubtedly be a good signing from Shi, even if it is just for half a season.

AND in other news, Shi can save Wolves’ season with swoop for “magic” £27m beast, he “can create panic”…

According to HampshireLive, Southampton striker Michael Obafemi could be forced to leave the club on loan in January as he looks for more game time.

Obafemi may move on loan

Despite making 21 appearances in the Premier League last term, Ireland international Obafemi has appeared in just one match in the English top flight so far this campaign.

As such, this latest report suggests he will need to leave St. Mary’s Stadium on a temporary basis as he looks for regular first-team football.

Just the ticket

Obafemi has been in and around the first team for about two years now since he was a teenager making his first steps into the game. Mark Hughes lauded the 20-year-old during his time on the south coast, saying the striker has “unbelievable pace”, while Mauricio Pellegrino called him a “good finisher”.

With Che Adams and Danny Ings in good form so far this campaign – they have eight goals between them this season – it doesn’t look as though Obafemi will be starting regularly any time soon, especially when Ralph Hasenhuttl also questioned his professionalism. It seems that, at this stage in his career, a loan move until the end of the season could be the best thing for the £4.05m-valued (Transfermarkt) youngster.

In other news, Southampton fans love the club’s tweet on this former star.

The proposed £300m takeover of Newcastle United by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium has been dealt a big blow as the Premier League have agreed to extend its Middle East/North Africa deal with beIN Sports to cover the period of 2022 to 2025.

That is according to The New York Times journalist Tariq Panja, who went on to tweet that the deal is worth $500m (£367.3m) over the three years, which is the same as their current contract.

Panja also said that there was “no sign of a Saudi bidder”, given the past disputes over piracy in the KSA and the illegal streaming of games in the English top flight through Saudi broadcaster beoutQ.

The extended deal has come as a “major boost” to England’s highest division given the added revenue that they will generate, but it does also mean that fans in the KSA will continue to have to rely on illegal streams to watch matches in the EPL amid the ongoing ban of Qatari broadcaster beIN in the Gulf country.

Newcastle takeover dealt big blow

The prospective deal between Mike Ashley and the KSA group has now suffered a big blow considering the conflicts between the league and the KSA as a result of the controversies to do with piracy.

The fact that supporters in the Kingdom would not be able to watch games involving the St. James’ Park faithful legally as well is an added problem that may not be able to be resolved if the bid were to be pushed through.

In other news, find out which Magpie has been tipped for a new deal here!

According to a report from Football Insider, Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho looks set to snub an Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld partnership in central defence for the season, with alternative options like Davinson Sanchez and summer signing Joe Rodon preferred. 

Dier, who is currently out injured, has been utilised as a makeshift centre-back in recent months alongside the rotating pair of Sanchez and Alderweireld, but Mourinho is now set to avoid the same mistake at ‘all costs’.

Mourinho snubs Dier and Alderweireld

Indeed, the Englishman and Alderweireld will apparently not be paired together at the back for Spurs except as a ‘last resort’, according to insiders from the club via Football Insider. 

In recent matches, Sanchez and the Belgian have been paired due to Dier’s injury, with Mourinho set to keep that partnership even upon the latter’s return to the side.

Both will play separately beside either Sanchez or Rodon, but staff at the club are looking to avoid a Dier-Alderweireld partnership, mainly due to a lack of pace.

Transfer Tavern take

Given Spurs’ failure to land Milan Skriniar in the summer, Mourinho will have to improvise and find an adept centre-back pairing which can propel his side to silverware this season.

Most recently, the Lilywhites capitulated at home to West Ham in a 3-3 draw, and with Burnley looming on Monday, Mourinho needs to think of the best way to organise Spurs’ defence – even with Dier injured.

In other news: Spurs missed out on this young star in the summer despite his family ‘rooting’ for a move, find out more here and don’t forget to comment below with your views.