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West Bromwich Albion resiliently picked up three points against Coventry City on Friday night, coming away from the tight contest at the Hawthorns as 2-1 victors.

That came about despite Carlos Corberan's Baggies allowing the Sky Blues to have 17 shots on Alex Palmer's goal in total, but a stunning strike from Mikey Johnston for the hosts early on thankfully steered West Brom on course to the slender win.

The defence shining bright in the West Midlands has been a major plus all season long for Corberan and Co, with one defender in particular consistently putting in excellent displays after once fearing for his Baggies future not too long ago.

Cedric Kipre's start at West Brom

Cedric Kipre would join West Brom in the summer of 2020, relocating to the Hawthorns fresh off starring for Wigan Athletic over a number of campaigns in the Championship – leaving the Latics with 77 appearances under his belt, chipping in with two goals from the back.

However, it wasn't the smoothest transition from the Greater Manchester-based club to his new surroundings for Kipre early on.

The 27-year-old centre-back would only make three appearances for the Baggies during his first campaign with West Brom battling against relegation from the Premier League, whilst only amassing 13 full 90-minute matches during the season after.

This poor start to his West Brom career would lead to Kipre being loaned out away from the Hawthorns, with a real fear from Kipre that he could be offloaded permanently owing to being 'surplus to requirements' according to the Athletic.

He would end up being picked up by Cardiff City on a season-long loan in a bid to show to his disappointed parent club that he belonged still at the Baggies.

The imposing 6 foot 4 defender would succeed with the Bluebirds to breathe life back into his fading West Brom career, making 43 appearances for the Welsh side during the 2022-23 season and becoming a crucial part of their first team as a result.

Still, Kipre would have harsh critics on his back immediately on his return to the West Midlands regardless of impressing in the Welsh capital.

West Brom fan pundit Matt Smith, when speaking to Football League World, was critical about Kipre earlier in the season when Corberan had started to gift the 27-year-old more chances in the first-team fold – "The defensive record in the team is not good enough and there are no arguments for that, he's part of a defence that is conceding goals."

Kipre has since silenced any noise by battling bravery at the back for his employers for the majority of this season, becoming a key first-team presence under the Spaniard subsequently.

Cedric Kipre's 2023/24 season in numbers

The gritty defender has missed just one game all campaign long in the second tier, with his importance to the Baggies cause exemplified in a big win away at Plymouth Argyle recently.

Kipre would score away at Home Park to get in on the act in the 3-0 victory in mid-February, but it was his defensive doggedness that shone too.

He would win three duels and make a further three interceptions to solidify his team's clean sheet and win in Devon.

With 12 clean sheets next to his name from 35 second-tier games played, the Baggies could now have to fend off interest in Kipre very soon after nearly chucking him.

Interested parties are allegedly coming from the Premier League and further afield in Germany, France and more with Kipre's contract up in the summer.

When this season is over and done with – regardless of whether or not Corberan's men go up or stay put in the Championship – the main priority has to be tieing down Kipre to a new deal who is loving life now at the Hawthorns after once being viewed as a divisive figure.

Liverpool fell to defeat in the capital last Sunday, comprehensively beaten at the Emirates Stadium against title rivals Arsenal, and while Jurgen Klopp still has a hold on top spot in the Premier League, Manchester City will return to first-place should they win their game in hand.

On Saturday, Liverpool return to Anfield and will host Burnley in a match that will be viewed as a must-win, the Clarets languishing in 19th place and seven points adrift from the dotted line.

Of course, Reds supporters know only too well the damage Burnley can inflict on Merseyside, winning 1-0 in 2021 to end the Reds' 68-match unbeaten run on home turf in the top flight.

Klopp will be confident that his team will prevail tomorrow, though he could make four alterations from the side that was dismantled against the Gunners.

1

GK – Alisson

Alisson endured a nightmare performance against Arsenal, leagues away from his usual imperious standard and at fault for two of the opposition's goals.

Still, the Brazilian is one of the best – if not the best – goalkeepers in the world, with the second-best save percentage in the Premier League this season at 75%.

2

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold

Another one to have been far from their best last time out, Trent Alexander-Arnold was perhaps rushed in his return from a knee injury after Conor Bradley took personal leave.

Premier League 23/24: Most Chances Created
#	Player	Stat
1.	Mohamed Salah	19
2.	Trent Alexander-Arnold	12
2.	Kieran Trippier	12
3.	Bruno Fernandes	11
3.	Bukayo Saka	11
3.	Heung-min Son	11
Source: Premier League

Lauded for having a "playmaking masterclass" in his locker with world-class constancy by The Times' Henry Winter, the England international has posted two goals and nine assists in all competitions this season and will be crucial to Liverpool's fluidity against Burnley.

3

CB – Jarell Quansah

Ibrahima Konate has been in stunning form this season but picked up two yellow cards last week and thus is suspended for the visit of Vincent Kompany's squad. But fear not Liverpool fans.

Jarell Quansah, aged 21, will seamlessly slot into the line-up, having emerged as one of the club's standout prospects this season.

Commanding and composed, the 6 foot 5 titan looks right at home under Klopp's wing.

4

CB – Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk did not enjoy his finest hour last time out but this should not detract from the phenomenal performances he has put in since donning the captain's armband last summer.

As per Sofascore, the 32-year-old has completed 90% of his passes across 21 Premier League fixtures this term, averaging 1.3 tackles, 5.0 ball recoveries and 4.3 clearances per game, also succeeding with 77% of his duels.

5

LB – Andy Robertson

Andy Robertson picked up a shoulder injury on international duty with Scotland back in October and while he returned to fitness last month, he has been kept out of the starting fold by the brilliant Joe Gomez.

The forthcoming contest presents the perfect opportunity to reintegrate the ace and he should be named among the starters, hoping to pick up his fine form in the early days of the 2023/24 campaign.

6

DM – Alexis Mac Allister

Alexis Mac Allister signed for Liverpool from Brighton & Hove Albion for £35m last July as Klopp made sweeping changes to his midfield, and he has come into his own as the deep-lying string-puller.

Technically immense and boasting a salivating range of passing, Mac Allister also averages 2.9 tackles per game in the Premier League this season.

7

CM – Harvey Elliott

With only three league starts to his name this term, Harvey Elliott will be eager to take his chance to impress in the place of Dominik Szoboszlai, who is sidelined with a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

The dynamic midfielder is among the most creative and graceful in English football and will be crucial in weaving the thirds together as the hosts look to go on a rampage.

8

CM – Curtis Jones

Alexander-Arnold remains Liverpool's homegrown golden boy while the emergences of Quansah and Bradley have got fans chattering with fervour, but Curtis Jones, aged 22, has been excellent this year and might just be Anfield's unsung hero.

Jones has scored five goals and supplied three assists this year but it is his press-resistance and technical quality that makes him so valuable in the engine room, industriously metronomic, keeping Liverpool purring with a kind of clockwork cohesion.

9

RW – Diogo Jota

The laterality of Diogo Jota is something to behold. Simply, he doesn't seem to have a positional preference. Right, left, central – who cares? Certainly not him.

The man lives for goals, and ranking among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored per 90, as per FBref, Jota will be the talisman needed as Mohamed Salah recuperates from a muscular injury.

Cody Gakpo will have to relinquish his position on the right but the "special" forward – as he has been called by assistant coach Pep Lijnders – has been out of sorts recently and Jota is the man for the job.

10

LW – Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz had struggled to click into gear for much of the season before the turn of the year fuelled him with a new wave of energy and optimism.

The 27-year-old has three goals and two assists since the start of January and will stretch Burnley like a piece of taffy, his fleet-footed style sure to wreak torment as Liverpool strive to return to winning ways.

Erik ten Hag and Manchester United could part ways with not just one, but a number of centre-backs during the summer transfer window. They knew that veteran Jonny Evans would be coming to the end of his contract, but Raphael Varane could leave as a free agent too after the Red Devils elected not to exercise their option to extend his deal by a further year. Elsewhere, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are both up for sale, should the club receive a sufficient offer.

This of course means we could see multiple additions in that area at Old Trafford, and one potential candidate is Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite. It's previously been reported that Branthwaite is a target for United, and Everton's financial problems could push them towards a sale. The Toffees have already been deducted ten points for breaking Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules, and have been charged with breaches in a separate accounting period too.

Man Utd launch late move for Branthwaite

Now, according to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Manchester United want to sign Branthwaite before the January transfer window shuts on Thursday. Real Madrid and Chelsea have been showing an interest, but it's the 20-time Premier League champions who have taken the initiative.

Ten Hag is pushing for a deal that could wind up costing £40m when bonuses are included, but Everton manager Sean Dyche regards the defender as "untouchable" as he battles to keep them up. The plan at Goodison Park is to hold onto Branthwaite until at least the summer, but we'll see how significant the financial pressure proves to be.

"Magnificent" Branthwaite could be a steal

Branthwaite joined Everton from Carlisle in 2020 but it's only this season that he's broken into the team on Merseyside, having previously had loan spells at Blackburn and PSV. He no doubt impressed his parent club with his performances in the Netherlands, where he played 37 games and won the Dutch Cup.

At the international level, meanwhile, he was part of the England under-21 squad that won last summer's European Championships without conceding a single goal, starting a 2-0 group-stage win over Germany.

Jarrad Branthwaite stats	Volume	Premier League rank
Tackles	38	36th
Percentage of dribblers tackled	80.6	7th
Blocks	21	=68th
Interceptions	32	5th
Clearances	86	8th

Branthwaite has started 18 out of 21 games for Everton this season and has shown, in the words of Alan Shearer, that he's "magnificent at the back". As you can see in the table above, he's won 80.6% of the tackles he's attempted, the seventh-best record in the league, and his exceptionally high volumes of clearances and interceptions point to smart positioning and dogged defending of his own penalty area.

Man Utd lead race to sign £60m star who Hojlund will love

Manchester United could seal the perfect signing for Rasmus Hojlund next summer.

By
Matt Dawson

Jan 29, 2024

Time is running out in the January window, so it's unclear if United will be able to get this one done, but even if they have to wait until the summer, this could be a top signing. Factor in the potential for a reduced fee in light of what's going at Everton, and you could have yourself a steal.

علقت جماهير ليفربول على أداء الدولي المصري محمد صلاح، في مباراة وست هام يونايتد اليوم ضمن منافسات كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية “كاراباو”.

وشارك محمد صلاح بديلاً في مباراة وست هام يونايتد والتي انتهت بفوز ليفربول بخمسة أهداف مقابل هدف وحيد، على ملعب “أنفيلد”.

اقرأ ايضاً.. فيديو | محمد صلاح يسجل في فوز ليفربول على وست هام بخماسية في كأس كاراباو ملخص لمسات محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول ووست هام بكأس الرابطة الانجليزية

وكالعادة عبرت جماهير ليفربول عن آرائها في أداء النجم المصري، خلال مباراة وست هام يونايتد، عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي المختلفة. 

وتمكن محمد صلاح من تسجيل هدف ليفربول الثالث في مواجهة اليوم، بحلول الدقيقة 74. ردود فعل جماهير ليفربول على أداء محمد صلاح أمام وست هام

“أنا بالتأكيد أحب هذا الرجل. ليس فقط كلاعب ولكن أيضًا بسبب شخصيته”.

I absolutely love this guy. Not just as a player but also because of his personality — MOONLIGHT💨👀 (@gideonudoh00) September 25, 2024

“يمتلك بداية رائعة حتى الآن”.

Having a great start so far — Bam (@BamMetaX) September 25, 2024

“هذا الرجل لاعب عظيم. أنا أحب أسلوبه”.

This man is great players.
I like there style. — Bheem Bhaiya (@BheemBhaiya21) September 25, 2024

“يا له من هدف من محمد صلاح، الفرعون سعيد”.

What a goal from Salaaaaaaaah! Pharaoh is happy — Trump’s Boy (@Trumpboyss) September 25, 2024

“واحد من بين الأفضل، الملك المصري صلاح”.

One of the best Egyptian king Salahhh — Ali Janjua (@AJanjua34960) September 25, 2024

“كما هو الحال دائمًا، فإن تسجيل محمد صلاح أمر لا مفر منه”.

As always Mo Salah scoring is just inevitable — The Lfc Lad x Messi🐐 (@SR_LfcLad) September 25, 2024

“مو صلاح . الرجل الأسطورة الأسطورة”.

Mo Salahh. The man the myth the legend — A R I F🥇 (@arifansarionx) September 25, 2024

“الملك هنا”.

King is here — Er Prashant Pathak (Hindu) (@PrasantPathak_) September 25, 2024

Captain Dawid Malan extended his overnight score to 124 as Middlesex attempted to make up for lost time on a rain-shortened third day in the Specsavers County Championship clash with Worcestershire at Blackfinch New Road.Steady rain, drizzle and latterly bad light meant only 21 overs were possible with play not getting underway until 4.45pm. But Malan and his team-mates had sufficient time to add 92 runs for the loss of four wickets as they stepped up the pace in the bid to clinch their first Championship win of the season.Middlesex extended their overall lead to 352 as they closed on 287 for 6. They resumed on 195 for 2 with Malan unbeaten on 107 and Nick Gubbins 82.Malan signalled his aggressive intentions by cover-driving the first ball of the day from Charlie Morris for four. Gubbins pulled the same bowler for six with the ball hitting the tiled roof of the ladies pavilion and rolling into the guttering.A late cut for four by Gubbins off Morris brought up the double-century stand with Malan in 51 overs. But Morris had his revenge in the same over when Gubbins on 91 drove into the hands of Riki Wessels at backward point. His 167 ball knock contained one six and 12 fours.New batsman Steve Eskinazi departed in the next over when he inside-edged a Josh Tongue delivery through to keeper Ben Cox. Morris collected a second scalp – his 25th of the campaign – when James Harris when for a cut and provided Cox with another catch at 241 for 5.Malan moved onto 124 before his fine knock was brought to an end by Ed Barnard in his first over of the day. The left-hander aimed to hit Barnard over the top but only picked out Ross Whiteley who held onto a sharp catch at cover. Malan faced 173 balls and struck 17 boundaries.John Simpson straight drove Worcestershire captain Joe Leach for six as he and Toby Roland-Jones added a further 36 runs before bad light ended play three overs early.

رد الهولندي إريك تين هاج المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر يونايتد الإنجليزي، على التصريحات التي أدلى بها البرتغالي كريستيانو رونالدو لاعب النصر السعودي.

وصرح رونالدو مؤخرًا بأنه لا ينبغي لأي مدرب في مانشستر يونايتد أن يعترف بأن فريقه لا يستطيع الفوز بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز أو دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وجاء ذلك في حديث مع ريو فرديناند مدافع الفريق السابق، حيث يرى رونالدو أن تين هاج يفتقر إلى الطموح.

وأفاد رونالدو: “المدرب يقول إنه لا يستطيع المنافسة للفوز بالدوري ودوري أبطال أوروبا، بصفتك مدربًا لمانشستر يونايتد، لا يمكنك أن تقول إنك لن تقاتل للفوز بالدوري أو دوري أبطال أوروبا”.

وقال تين هاج في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية: “لقد قال ذلك، إن مانشستر يونايتد لا يستطيع الفوز بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، لقد قال هذا إذا قرأت المقال جيدًا”.

وأضاف: “إنه بعيد في السعودية، بعيدًا عن مانشستر، لذلك يمكن للجميع أن يكون له رأي وله الحق في أن يكون له رأي، لا بأس بذلك”.

وأشار تين هاج: “سنرى أين سنكون في مايو من العام المقبل، إنه وقت مبكر جدًا من الموسم ويتعلق الأمر بالفوز بالألقاب والوصول إلى أعلى مستوى ممكن في الدوري وبذل قصارى جهدنا للفوز بكل مباراة”.

وأردف: “هذا لا يؤثر علي، فأنا أعرف في هذه العملية أين نحن وما الذي يتعين علينا القيام به، لقد قلت من قبل إننا ما زلنا في فترة انتقالية وعلينا دمج الكثير من اللاعبين الشباب في الفريق، لا يزال يتعين علينا التعامل مع الإصابات وإعادة اللاعبين إلى الفريق”.

واستطرد: “قبل أن يفكر أي شخص في الأعذار، لا، علينا أن نفوز بكل مباراة، أنا أعلم ذلك، والفريق يعلم ذلك ولا يهم من سيكون متاحًا، سنركز على كل مباراة ونتعامل معها بعقلية أننا يجب أن نفوز”.

يذكر أن رونالدو سبق ولعب تحت قيادة تين هاج، قبل أن يغادر إلى الدوري السعودي ويفسخ عقده مع مانشستر يونايتد، بعد صدامات متكررة مع المدرب الهولندي.

Reliable journalist Joe Crann has revealed some key details that have emerged regarding Bailey Cadamarteri’s new Sheffield Wednesday deal.

Cadamarteri signs new Sheff Wed deal

There has been something of a resurgence from the Owls in recent times, with Danny Rohl not necessarily always getting positive results, but bringing more of a feel-good factor back to Hillsborough after Xisco Munoz's disappointing reign.

There have also been important wins at home to Blackburn Rovers and away to Stoke City, however, while a late 1-1 with Leicester City was an impressive point, too, and a feeling for the first time that this season is not over yet.

Rohl deserves real credit for the impact that he has made, and one player who has arguably benefited more than most is Cadamarteri, who has been handed his debut by the 34-year-old, making a real impact in the process. The teenage striker has already scored twice in his first seven appearances for Wednesday, and he is performing with real maturity, considering what a young player he is.

The 18-year-old has been rewarded for his good recent form with a new contract at Hillsborough, with the Englishman seen as a big young prospect for the future – one who will hopefully remain with the Owls for as long as possible. The length of Cadamarteri's contract wasn't confirmed, however, but a new update has now shed light on the situation.

Journalist makes exciting Cadamarteri claim

Taking to X on Saturday morning, Crann claimed that Cadamarteri has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Sheffield Wednesday.

"Understand that Bailey Cadamarteri was handed a 4.5 year deal as he committed his future to SWFC – should take him through until 2028."

Meanwhile, in Crann's report for The Sheffield Star, he states that the news is "music to the ears of Owls fans everywhere", given the impact that the youngster has made in recent times.

This is indeed fantastic news for Wednesday, who aren't exactly a club renowned for producing top young talents who go on to shine for the Owls for a sustained period of time. While it is still early days with Cadamarteri, the early signs are promising, with the striker possessing a physicality beyond his years, as well as a natural striker's instinct in front of goal. He also netted twice in five appearances for the Under-18s, and the hope is that he keeps progressing under Rohl, becoming a regular starter over time and a key feature of the boss' rebuild.

This is an Owls squad with ageing attacking players in it, from Lee Gregory to Michael Smith – even Josh Windass turns 30 in January – and it would be so exciting to see a homegrown star lead the line effectively.

Sheffield Wednesday could sign Fletcher upgrade who's outscoring Cadamarteri

This £11.5k-per-week striker could be Sheffield Wednesday’s perfect replacement for Ashley Fletcher.

By
Adam Scully

Dec 12, 2023

Cadamarteri's new deal also means that Wednesday can now demand good money for his services, should interest in him emerge over the coming years, rather than make the error of not protecting his value and seeing him leave on the cheap.

This news is just another positive to add to the list at Hillsborough right now, even though Rohl's side remain rooted near the bottom of the Championship table.

Few Liverpool supporters would argue against the 2022/23 campaign marked the nadir of Jurgen Klopp's illustrious reign at Anfield, with the German manager failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in a full season.

But with the current campaign restoring both Liverpool's verve and credentials as challengers for silverware, there has been much to rejoice over since the starting line was crossed back in August.

Considering this, Football FanCast has perused the narrative of the term thus far and put together a comprehensive list of Liverpool's player ratings. All ratings are out of 10 and feature players to have made more than five starts in the Premier League so far this season.

Goalkeepers Alisson Becker

9/10: Now, it's a bold claim considering some of the efforts from Liverpool's starring outfield members, but Alisson Becker might just take the spot as Klopp's best player of the campaign.

Seemingly indomitable with his odd-defying saves, commanding presence and silky distribution, the Reds probably wouldn't find themselves in title contention if not for his machine-like motions between the sticks.

Caoimhin Kelleher

6/10: Caoimhin Kelleher has made ten appearances this season and while Alisson's presence has been missed when the Irishman is provided a starting berth, he is a competent back-up keeper and does his job for the Reds.

Full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold

8/10: Simply sublime across recent weeks, and were it not for a shaky start to the campaign then Trent Alexander-Arnold's rating would be higher; the influential, role-reshaping creator has posted two goals and seven assists so far in 2023/24, and the best is surely still to come…

Joe Gomez

7/10: Recently, Joe Gomez appears to have decided that he is going to score a goal in professional football and there is nothing that anyone can do about it.

He's not perfect, but the 26-year-old is enjoying a "renaissance" – as said by writer Joel Rabinowitz – after an abject year, and often provides stability at right-back that allows Alexander-Arnold to foray forward and wreak havoc.

Andrew Robertson

7/10: Andy Robertson remains sidelined after injuring his shoulder on international duty with Scotland in October, but he impressed across his first eight Premier League fixtures of the term, scoring a crucial goal at Molineux, completing 87% of his passes and averaging 2.6 key passes and 7.1 ball recoveries per game, as per Sofascore.

Kostas Tsimikas

5/10: Handed an opportunity for a starring role following Robertson's setback, Kostas Tsimikas, aged 27, has ebbed and flowed from form, however, he has chalked up three assists from eight starts in the English top-flight.

One of the worst regular performers this season, noted for an "abysmal" display in the Europa League by one podcaster.

Centre-backs Virgil van Dijk

8.5/10: Virgil van Dijk has been a veritable wall in front of Alisson's goal this season, eradicating the concerns that his struggles last season bred with sustained performances of world-class distinction.

In the Premier League, as per Sofascore, he has scored one goal, supplied two assists and kept five clean sheets from 15 matches, completing 90% of his passes, making a key pass every other game, averaging 1.5 tackles and interceptions, 4.8 ball recoveries and 4.7 clearances per outing and winning 77% of his duels. Imperious.

He was sent off against Newcastle United in the early stages however, and for this reason, he's a smidge behind his shot-stopper in the ratings.

Joel Matip

7.5/10: One of the more poignant tales of the campaign, long-time servant Joel Matip's season ended in crushing circumstances after rupturing his ACL against Fulham earlier in December; he's out of contract in June. He'd been excellent to that point, and if this is it for his Anfield career, what a ride it's been…

Ibrahima Konate

7/10: Ibrahima Konate had not been starting regularly in the Premier League before Matip's injury, but he has started four of the past five Premier League matches and will hope to sustain his fitness over the coming months, particularly impressing against Arsenal last time out.

Jarell Quansah

8/10: Perhaps a slightly generous rating, but I doubt many will dispute it. Bursting onto the scene this season, 20-year-old Jarell Quansah is the real deal and looks every bit the commanding and controlled centre-half to perform for Liverpool over the coming years.

Midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai

7.5/10: Should Dominik Szoboszlai's rating be higher? Perhaps, but the Hungary captain has plateaued across recent weeks and will need to ramp it up a gear to return to that early-season form that tantalised greatness on Merseyside.

Alexis Mac Allister

7.5/10: Alexis Mac Allister has divided opinion since his £35m summer transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion, though this is largely because he has been forced into a deeper-lying role than he might have liked.

Nonetheless, the 2022 World Cup winner has proved to be an excellent signing, with his dynamism and energy in the centre invaluable in reviving the squad. Also scored an absolute worldie against Fulham.

Ryan Gravenberch

6.5/10: Ryan Gravenberch has demonstrated flashes of brilliance since joining in the summer but still needs plenty of refinement to cement a prominent spot in Klopp's Liverpool team.

Wataru Endo

7/10: Signed as a stop-gap option after Liverpool missed out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, Wataru Endo, aged 30, has been solid if unspectacular, lacking a bit in physicality and command but working tirelessly and popping up with some big moments.

Curtis Jones

7/10: Underrated and underappreciated by some, Curtis Jones is a “truly special” – as has been said by one analyst – midfielder with a complete technicality to rival many more salient names floating around the European scene. He'll want to start receiving more starting appearances.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 2% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and the top 5% for assists per 90. That says it all.

Harvey Elliott

8/10: Like Jones, Harvey Elliott is desperate to rise up the pecking order, but the 20-year-old need only have faith in his prodigious qualities and bide his time.

Fleet-footed, graceful and brimming with guile, the England U21 star has been mesmerising most of the time he's been on the pitch, and his last-gasp winner against Crystal Palace earlier in December could be crucial in the gripping title battle.

Forwards Mohamed Salah

9/10: Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian is comfortably one of the greatest forwards in Premier League history and continues to prove his odd-defying brilliance this season. Need more be said?

Games

Goals

Assists

Premier League

18

12

7

Europa League

5

3

1

Carabao Cup

2

1

0

Total

25

16

8

*Sourced via Transfermarkt

Darwin Nunez

7/10: This was a strenuous rating to decide upon. Darwin Nunez is a fan favourite and rightly so. He's brilliant, he really is, and he embodies many of the best qualities of watching your forward terrorise opposition defences.

Unfortunately, he hasn't quite found his shooting boots despite improving from last year's woes and will need to snap an 11-match goalless streak to truly start proving himself as one of Europe's very best.

Cody Gakpo

6/10: Possibly a victim of his own versatility, Cody Gakpo has scored seven times this season but is not quite producing the glittering performances that his exploits with PSV Eindhoven and the Netherlands at the World Cup tantalised. He needs to go up a gear.

Diogo Jota

8/10: Having been ruled out since a shoulder injury sustained against Manchester City in November, Liverpool have clearly been lacking Diogo Jota's incisive goal threat.

Eight goals from just 11 starts across all competitions underscores the Portugual star's value to Klopp's team.

Luis Diaz

6/10: Luis Diaz will feel aggrieved for having a wonderful goal inexplicably ruled out for offside against Tottenham Hotspur, but he's scored just one league goal since August, and for his standards, he's flattered to deceive and will need to increase his output.

The ball is getting soft. The pitch is possibly easing out, going back to its avatar of the first two days. There has been a partnership after the first three wickets, Australia can think of safety as lunch approaches… But just then Jasprit Bumrah produces a mad piece of genius, only his second slower ball of the series, a dipping yorker to squeeze under Shaun Marsh’s bat to trap him lbw. His Mumbai Indians captain, Rohit Sharma, had a significant role to play in it.”When I was bowling there, the wicket had become really slow and the ball had become soft,” Bumrah said of that last over before lunch. “Nothing much was happening. So, last ball before lunch, Rohit was there at mid-off and he told me, ‘You can try a slower ball like you bowl in one-day cricket.’ So, I thought, ‘Yeah, I could give it go. Nothing is really happening and maybe a slower ball there and some of their guys play with hard hands…’ So, I wanted to try that, the execution was good on the day, yeah, really happy.”The plan was two-pronged. A full slower ball, it dips on Shaun Marsh, either beats him or he plays early and lobs a catch to short cover. “I tried to bowl a slower one, a fuller slow ball,” Bumrah said. “Maybe it will dip or go to short cover. So that was the plan, and it worked.”The yorker by itself remains an under-rated delivery in Test cricket, not tried often enough against set top-order batsmen. You usually see it employed against the tail or only when the ball is reversing. Who better than a smart fast bowler in Bumrah to explain why?”It is a little different in Test cricket,” Bumrah said. “In white-ball cricket there are only 10 overs. Yorker takes a lot out of your body. After bowling 25 overs it is difficult sometimes to execute the yorkers. It is an under-rated delivery in Test cricket, but I believe you cannot overdo it because it’s easier for the batsmen if you get it wrong and easier to score as well. But you can use it in patches and when there is reverse swing it is more effective.”ALSO READ: India’s perfect team effort produces near-perfect dayBumrah has had a great year in Test cricket without having to resort to any fancy deliveries. A year ago, he was not in many people’s thoughts when it comes to Test cricket because he had not played any first-class cricket for a year. Now he looks set to end the year with most wickets for an Indian paceman in a calendar year, and with 45 wickets already to his name he looks set to become the fastest Indian quick to 50 wickets. Others might be surprised but he isn’t.”I am not surprised,” Bumrah said. “If I say I don’t believe in myself, who else will? I just try to back myself in any situation that I get. Yes the start has been good, and I have played in England, South Africa and here. Three different kinds of conditions, yes I have not played a Test in India, but whenever you go to different countries, you have new learnings and experiences from playing in every country. I have had a good start. Let’s see how it goes further.”

West Ham United will have no problem paying the asking price to sign a forward who's been called "similar" to Mohammed Kudus, according to reports.

Hammers chasing new forward

Michail Antonio's uncertain future, coupled with David Moyes and his seeming lack of faith in Danny Ings, highlight the potential need for West Ham to bring in new forward options sooner rather than later.

Technical chief Tim Steidten is the man tasked with overseeing their transfer activity, and it is believed he is growing in influence at West Ham. The east Londoners are thought to be chasing a striker as their main focus for January, but Moyes has been forced to improvise in the meantime.

Winger Jarrod Bowen has been used down the middle on occasion, with Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson actually suggesting West Ham have enough cover there already.

“I think Moyes has that cover with Mohammed Kudus, he’s been a great signing," said Robinson on West Ham's striker situation to Football Insider.

"He’s the option. He can play down the centre as well, but also in recent weeks, we’ve seen Jarrod Bowen fill in that role and he’s been excellent. I’ve seen him a few times this season.

“With Kudus and Bowen, maybe not direct competitors, but David Moyes certainly has options and he is not afraid to use them.

“I really like what he’s done there. They’ve progressed again whether or not he looks for a direct competitor for Antonio to strengthen his squad. It’s a squad that’s used to the rigours of European football and they’re in a much better place. In regards to Antonio, if the manager can afford that luxury, maybe it’s something he looks at.”

The Irons, in their pursuit of a new forward, are actually believed to have their eyes on quite an interesting option in Genoa star Albert Gudmundsson.

West Ham ready to "break the bank" for Gudmundsson

The Iceland international is versatile and can play out wide, through the centre and as a second striker – which is what he's done under manager Alberto Gilardino.

Gudmundsson has often been deployed as the second striker behind Meteo Retegui this term, where he has impressed with five goals in 12 Serie A appearances.

Genoa rewarded the 26-year-old with a new contract on Friday as a result of his excellent performances, but that hasn't deterred Steidten and co.

Indeed, according to Calciomercato.it (via Sport Witness), West Ham are ready to "break the bank" for Gudmundsson and will have no problem paying his asking price.

The "exemplary" attacker (Kevin Strootman) is said to be valued at around £17.5 million, and they aren't the only ones who wish to make a move for Gudmundsson.

Rivals from the Premier League, Napoli and Roma are mentioned as other suitors for the player and it will be very interesting to see who comes out on top.

Given Gudmundsson's versatility and form, coupled with the notion that he is actually "similar" to Kudus (Football Transfers), £17.5m could be a price worth paying.