All posts by n8rngtd.top

A number of Liverpool supporters have been reacting positively to a club video promoting the Reds’ new 2021/22 Nike kit.

Jurgen Klopp’s men will be back in pre-season action later this month, following a much-needed break after a gruelling 2020/21 campaign.

Some players will need more time off after their Euro 2020 and Copa America commitments, but it will still be great to see a number of big names back in action soon.

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Liverpool will begin next season in a brand-new kit – one that will hopefully be remembered as the strip they regain the Premier League title in.

Fans often get hugely excited when a new kit arrives and it appears as though this year is no different.

On Wednesday, the club’s official Twitter account confirmed that they will unveil the new outfit at 8am on Thursday morning (July 8th).

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Liverpool fans hugely excited about new Reds kit

These Liverpool supporters took to Twitter to speak of their excitement at the news.

“I’ve been waiting for this”

Credit: @LewisDWoods

“Want it. Need it”

Credit: @kamiren_

“Omg it’s happening”

Credit: @nqbnkosi

“LETSSSS GOOOOO”

Credit: @anakmail99

“I don’t care how much, I will break my account for this kit”

Credit: @kerbz17

“AGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. HERE WE GO!!!”

Credit: @JimmyCully

“THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL”

Credit: @sleepyyzie

In other news, a journalist has claimed Liverpool want to sign a world-renowned player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon has revealed just how much Aston Villa offered Leeds United for Kalvin Phillips back in 2019.

The Lowdown: 2019 links

Villa were heavily linked with a move for the midfielder after they won promotion to the Premier League two years ago. The Whites had to wait another season for their top-flight return, and Villa tried their best to land the holding midfielder the previous summer.

Dean Smith eventually brought in Douglas Luiz and Marvelous Nakamba to bolster his holding midfield ranks, with reports suggesting that Villa bid £25m for the now England international.

However, Nixon revealed on Thursday that this was not the case.

The Latest: Nixon’s claim

Nixon, who writes for The Sun, was talking about Burnley’s interest in Phillips two years ago. He claimed that the Clarets offered £17m for the midfielder, whereas Villa’s bid was worth £15m.

As we know, Phillips stayed at Elland Road and signed a new long-term deal a few months after the links, with Leeds wanting £30m that summer.

The Verdict: If only Villa paid double…

It’s easy to say now in hindsight, but you’d expect that Villa will be kicking themselves by not signing Phillips two years ago.

He has gone on to star under Marcelo Bielsa in the Premier League and is currently impressing at Euro 2020 under Gareth Southgate, playing more minutes than almost every other England outfield player.

Yes, he would’ve been a club-record signing at the time for a player who then had no top-flight or international experience, but as we now know, it would’ve probably been a deal worthy of the fee in the long run.

In other news: ‘We making moves’ – Many AVFC fans buzzing as ‘great news’ is confirmed, find out more here. 

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has hailed the quality of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in training, as he looks to get his Reds career back on track.

The Lowdown: Ox struggles for playing time

Oxlade-Chamberlain has had an up-and-down time of things at Anfield to date, becoming a key man early on but suffering a number of injury problems.

Last season, the 27-year-old struggled to force his way into Jurgen Klopp’s plans, managing just two Premier League starts in total.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is now back and taking part in pre-season training, looking to impress as the new campaign slowly approaches.

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The Latest: Lijnder hails Reds midfielder

Someone who is clearly impressed by the midfielder’s current form is Lijnders, who lauded the Englishman in an interview with the club’s official website:

“I have to highlight that Ox has scored some absolute worldies in training in these last few days – and you absolutely love to see it!”

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The Verdict: Pivotal season ahead

These are extremely encouraging words from Lijnders, with Oxlade-Chamberlain such a talented player, but one who doesn’t always manage to justify regular starts, almost becoming a forgotten man in the process.

The 2021/22 season feels like a pivotal one for the former Arsenal man, considering he will only have one year remaining on his current deal once the campaign reaches its conclusion.

At that point, Klopp may decide to either retain his services or move him on, depending on how useful he is in the coming months.

In other news, some Liverpool fans are happy that one Reds player could move on this summer. Find out who it is here.

Leicester City are reportedly close to completing the signing of Schalke 04 defender Ozan Kabak.

What’s the story?

According to journalist and Bundesliga expert Chris Williams, the 21-year-old is set to join the Foxes following a relatively successful loan spell at Liverpool last season.

Williams tweeted [via Leicester Mercury]: “Schalke have given Ozan Kabak extra time off to sort out his future, they expect a deal to be finalised in the next week. Leicester City seems the final destination. Schalke have allowed the player to find a club, agree a deal in principle, then for that club to make an approach.

“Leicester have contacted the player’s management agency, if a deal can be agreed between them, #LCFC will make a formal approach, #S04 want €15m (£12.8m).”

Fans will be buzzing

Williams’ claims were backed up by The Daily Star newspaper in Turkey (via Leicester Mercury) after it revealed that Kabak is heading for the King Power Stadium.

They reported: “National football player Ozan Kabak is on his way to Leicester City. It was stated that Ozan Kabak, who was put on the sales list due to the German team’s relegation to a lower league, received offers from many teams, especially English clubs.”

News that Brendan Rodgers is set to add another young, highly-rated centre-back to his ranks for a very reasonable fee will surely have the club’s supporters buzzing.

Kabak played nine Premier League games for Jurgen Klopp’s side in 2020/21, helping the Anfield outfit to a third-place finish following an injury crisis in the heart of defence, and he earned plenty of plaudits for his efforts on Merseyside.

Liverpool passed up the opportunity to make the youngster’s stay permanent for £18m, opting to sign Ibrahima Konate instead, although Schalke’s relegation to the second tier of German football has seen their asking price plummet.

Bringing in Kabak will significantly strengthen Leicester’s defensive options ahead of the upcoming campaign, allowing Rodgers the freedom to flip between a back four and a back five on a regular basis given the wealth of central defensive options at his disposal.

The departures of experienced duo Christian Fuchs and Wes Morgan left the Foxes looking threadbare at the back, but the arrival of Ryan Bertrand and the potential acquisition of Kabak will have quickly transformed their situation. It’s a situation which will surely leave Leicester fans buzzing at the defensive talent within their squad as the Foxes again try to break into the Premier League’s top four in 2021/22.

In other news… Leicester dealt possible blow in hunt for “wonderful” £30m gem, Rodgers will be gutted 

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, former Liverpool player Paul Stewart has expressed his concerns over his old side signing West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen.

According to The Athletic’s James Pearce, Liverpool are interested in bringing Bowen to Anfield this summer as Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his forward options.

Last season, the 24-year-old impressed for West Ham, contributing to 13 of their Premier League goals. He also won 1.4 fouls per game, the second-highest average (via WhoScored) in the Hammers’ squad, helping his side to win free kicks.

Based on that, Bowen looks like he could bring something to Liverpool’s own squad. Stewart, though, has his doubts.

“It’s almost a bit like [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain,” Stewart told TT. “I was surprised when he went, players you see as bit-part players. And listen, he’s done well at West Ham, but would he get a game week in, week out at Liverpool? I don’t think so.”

Bowen has not really been linked with Liverpool before; this one has sort of come out of the blue.

A move to Anfield? It would probably be enticing for the Englishman. But as Stewart alluded to, it is going to be difficult to get regular game time ahead of the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Victor Orta could complete a mouth-watering Leeds United attack by signing West Brom star Matheus Pereira this summer.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are keen on landing the Brazilian, although they are set to face significant competition from the likes of fellow Premier League side Aston Villa.

Now, former Leeds ace David Norris has questioned whether a move for Pereira would be the smart choice, and suggested that fans actually wouldn’t be that excited about it.

Speaking to This is Futbol, he said: “When you’re struggling down there, it’s hard enough to create chances so having that sort of return is decent. I think it wouldn’t be massively overwhelming and the price tag probably reflects that. Fans wise, they’ll be hopeful more than excited.”

Mouth-watering attack for Bielsa

Dubbed as a “genius” by former Nurnberg coach Nate Weiss, the £13.5m-rated Pereira could bring a much-needed spark and creativity from that number ten position for Leeds.

Last season saw him almost single-handedly keep West Brom up in the Premier League, netting 11 goals and providing another six assists as he valiantly tried to rescue the Baggies from relegation.

Meanwhile, another former Leeds man in Noel Whelan has offered his more optimistic thoughts on the possibility of Pereira arriving at Elland Road, saying: “It is a mouth-watering prospect. We missed out on certain players last season, and this is a player that excites everybody. I would definitely take him all day long.

“He’s a fantastic player, he’s great on the ball, he can turn people inside out. Pereira’s another option we can use right across that front three and maybe in a number 10 role as well. He’s the right age and he’s the sort of player we should be looking at. Imagine, if you put him alongside Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison etc, that’s pretty formidable.”

And, after a superb display against Aston Villa, former Spurs star Jermain Jenas said of the 25-year-old: “He’s just silky. When he’s on it, he’s just got that lovely left-foot, (tucked) his penalty away, the delivery into the box for set-pieces was brilliant, and he wanted to showcase his skills.”

Given Leeds already have an established number nine in Patrick Bamford, and two key wingers in Raphinha and Jack Harrison, having someone to stitch that altogether in the middle of the park like Pereira would go a long way to completing a dream attack for Bielsa.

As Whelan says, the prospect of those four combining in tandem has all the potential to be “mouth-watering” indeed.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped an exciting Leeds United transfer update…

Southampton’s hopes of signing Blackburn Rovers striker Adam Armstrong this summer have been handed a boost after Watford saw their latest bid rejected.

What’s the word?

Southampton have been heavily linked with a move for the 24-year-old striker throughout the summer window thus far and have reportedly seen two of their own bids rejected, one of which included Michael Obafemi as part of a proposed swap deal.

However, Watford are also seemingly keen on adding the former Newcastle United man to their squad following their promotion back to the top flight and they recently saw a bid of £15m plus Andre Gray rejected by Tony Mowbray’s side.

The Sun claimed that, due to Newcastle having a 40% sell-on clause, Blackburn are looking for £25m to sell their star striker this summer, despite him having less than 12 months left on his contract at Ewood Park.

The Lancashire club are playing a risky game and, if they cannot sell him this summer, they risk losing him for nothing at the end of the 2021/22 season, so perhaps they will eventually lower their asking price.

Should Southampton bid again for Armstrong?

Given that Ralph Hasenhuttl has regularly suggested that Southampton will target players around the £10m mark this summer, it seems unlikely that the Saints board would sanction a £25m move for Armstrong, especially when he has minimal top-flight experience.

However, the former England under-21 international has been “brilliant” for Blackburn in recent years, hitting 28 goals in the Championship last season alone. He could be an excellent addition to Hasenhuttl’s squad for the future, especially if Danny Ings leaves either this summer or next following the news that he has rejected a new deal with the Saints.

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Therefore, following the news that Watford have had a bid rejected, Saints vice-chairman Martin Semmens should really look to accelerate a potential deal with Blackburn and seek to negotiate the price down, or else they risk losing out on one of their top targets for the summer.

In other news… Southampton set to miss out on their next Mane as reports emerge.

Aston Villa are expected to land Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe on a season-long loan, according to Sky Sports.

Well-known Villa page @villareport shared the news on the defender, which left many Villa supporters delighted.

Sky Sports claimed live on Wednesday that Tuanzebe is set to sign a one-year contract extension at Old Trafford before moving to the Midlands for a third loan spell.

The 23-year-old spent the second half of the 2017/18 season at Villa Park and the entirety of the 2018/19 campaign, helping the club earn promotion to the Premier League.

He’s made a total of 35 appearances for Villa and it appears as if he will link up with Dean Smith once again on a temporary basis.

Tuanzebe looks set to become Villa’s fifth summer signing and will more than likely provide cover to Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa, while also having the ability to play at right-back if required.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared Sky Sports’ claim regarding Tuanzebe on Wednesday afternoon. This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with one ‘buzzing’.

“And the transfers are flowing in now”

Credit: @will_avfc

“Get in!”

Credit: @Schlippertysch1

“Yessss”

Credit: @Shy_Rhy

“Buzzing for this one”

Credit: @CozzaAVFC

“All over this”

Credit: @Shans_louisee

“Class backup! Good move for everyone”

Credit: @VillaJaake

In other news: ‘All happening’, ‘Alongside JWP?’ – Many Aston Villa fans react as ‘great’ news is confirmed. 

Aston Villa journalist Luke Hatfield has told Football FanCast that he expects Southampton to be planning for life with James Ward-Prowse.

Ward-Prowse has been the subject of heavy interest from Villa this summer, with Sky Sports claiming last month that the Midlands club had a £25m bid turned down for the Southampton captain.

Villa have already raided Southampton in this transfer window, snapping up striker Danny Ings to bolster their forward line.

However, while not completely ruling it out, Hatfield would not be shocked to see the Saints prevent an Ings and Ward-Prowse reunion from taking place at Villa Park.

“All of the noises coming out of Southampton and those close to the club seem to suggest that he’s not for sale,” the Express & Star reporter said.

“If Villa put enough money on the table to get them talking, then anything can happen. But for now, I think Southampton are planning for life with James Ward-Prowse in their squad.”

You would have to imagine that Southampton would be even more reluctant to sell Ward-Prowse to Villa after handing them over Ings.

The Villans are the kind of club Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side will surely be trying to hunt down and overtake this season, so strengthening them further would be a very counterproductive move to say the least.

Despite kicking off the new Premier League season with a 3-1 defeat against Everton on Saturday, it seems as if Southampton are planning on making just one more signing this summer after Ralph Hasenhuttl shared the club’s transfer plans.

What’s the word?

According to Hampshire Live, Hasenhuttl is planning for just one more new addition to his squad before the transfer window shuts – a centre-back to replace Jannik Vestergaard, after his move to Leicester City earlier this month.

Journalist Tom Leach wrote in a recent piece for Hampshire Live, that:

“Southampton have just one piece on transfer business to do between now and the end of the month, with a central defender who can play as a number six (defensive midfield) considered to be the ideal target.”

Do Southampton need more signings?

Southampton have signed six players so far this window, with Theo Walcott, Romain Perraud, Dynel Simeu, Tino Livramento and Adam Armstrong joining on permanent deals, whilst Armando Broja has arrived on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

Of those, only Walcott is over the age of 24, which suggests that Hasenhuttl is sticking to his transfer plans of signing younger players, although you could argue that the Saints now have a very inexperienced squad, especially when considering the departures of Ryan Bertrand and Vestergaard.

Last season saw the Saints struggle immensely due to injury problems and a serious lack of squad depth and you worry that could be the case once again this season, especially when considering the options Hasenhuttl has in defence.

Only new signing Perraud is a natural left-back, with Moussa Djenepo featuring there regularly in pre-season, which seems a very risky move by the Austrian, and Saints fans would be less than happy if the Malian was forced to play there in the Premier League should the Frenchman be missing.

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Although signing a quality centre-back, who can also play defensive-midfield, would undoubtedly improve the squad, you feel that Southampton need more than one new addition to the squad if they are to comfortably avoid relegation this season.

And, in other news… Semmens should seal Southampton swoop for centre-back tipped to “explode”