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Liverpool were all but Premier League champions before the current pandemic reared its ugly head.

The Reds were a huge 25 points clear at the top of the table, with Manchester City behind in a very distant second. They were actually just two wins and six points from confirming the title, but that has since been at the very least delayed as it remains unclear when football will be able to return in the United Kingdom.

There had been rumours the season could be null and voided, but the Anfield outfit may have just been handed some fantastic news. UEFA have said that next season’s Champions League spots should be awarded on sporting merit, which would effectively mean that league seasons across the continent could not cancelled before they are completed.

This could very well guarantee that the Reds are crowned champions of England, and it has delighted the club’s supporters. They have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts, and you can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.

Let us know what you think!

According to a report in The Sun on Sunday’s print edition (January 19th, page 65), several Championship clubs are interested in signing West Brom starlet Rekeem Harper on loan.

What’s the word?

It’s claimed that Leeds United, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers and Charlton Athletic want to take the 19-year-old temporarily for the remainder of the season.

Harper signed a new three-year contract in the summer taking him to the end of the 2021/22 campaign but has been limited to six minutes worth of game time in the Championship this season.

His performance in the Baggies’ FA Cup third-round victory over the Addicks sparked praise from manager Slaven Bilic, although, he left his immediate future open to interpretation.

He said: “If we think about him and only him, then a loan could help him, but I have to put the club first.”

Playing with fire

Tonight, Albion have an opportunity to go four points clear of their nearest title challengers Leeds United, and eight clear of the playoffs.

That’s if they can see past Stoke City at the Hawthorns.

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The last thing they need to do before January closes is to strengthen a rival club, especially as promotion is no foregone conclusion.

It would be a devastating blow if Leeds or Fulham were to close the gap because of the influence Harper made in their midfield, or even worse, scored the winner that clinched them the title or second place over the Baggies.

However, there’s no denying that the young prospect needs regular match experience otherwise his progression will stall, so it may be a wise move to send him somewhere like Charlton, where his performances won’t have any influence on their quest for the Premier League.

How much do you remember about football in 2019? Our quiz will test your knowledge…

Harper can fill the void left behind by Sam Field’s injury at The Valley. Bilic will quite simply be playing with fire if he sanctions a move to any of the other clubs in the promotion hunt.

And in other news, here’s how West Brom could line up next month after three new additions…

Southampton’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg holds the key to Ralph Hasenhuttl overseeing another shock result when the Saints face Manchester City on Sunday.

On the chalkboard

Since Hasenhuttl took charge at St Mary’s, they have dealt out defeats to Champions League hopefuls Arsenal and fellow strugglers Huddersfield.

If his side are to deal another upset when the former league leaders come to town, he must return Hojbjerg to his midfield following his suspension, with Mario Lemina stepping in against West Ham.

City will arrive on the south coast on the back of a sudden drop in form, which has allowed Crystal Palace and Leicester to deal the Citizens their first consecutive league defeats of the season – something they avoided entirely during their latest title-clinching campaign.

The last time the Sky Blues lost two in a row in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola had only been manager for four months, and you have to go back to March 2016 for the last time they lost three on the bounce, when Manuel Pellegrini was still in charge.

Check out the video below for Emma Conybeare’s rundown of which clubs need what in the January transfer window…

Lemina struggled against West Ham

For Southampton to stand a chance of upsetting the odds again, Lemina cannot feature.

The former Juventus midfielder struggled to make an impact against West Ham on Thursday night, with just one of his 43 attempted passes being deemed as a long ball by WhoScored.

The 25-year-old also accounted for 4.6% of the time on the ball for either side, as the Saints favoured playing down the left-flank with Stuart Armstrong and Matt Targett.

Hojbjerg can step up to the task

Prior to being ruled out against the Hammers, the 23-year-old played a key part in Hasenhuttl’s first wins as Southampton boss.

Against Arsenal, the Danish international intercepted the ball more than any other midfielder and was involved in more of the action than any Saints figure. Hojbjerg continued to be key at Huddersfield, with a 100% tackle success rate and assisting Nathan Redmond’s opening goal.

Should he feature against City, he could cause Guardiola’s side problems with his forward runs and incisive central passes, as the Sky Blues continue to miss Fernandinho in the heart of their system.

Who should start in midfield vs Man City? Let us know in the poll below…

Liverpool’s squad has changed dramatically over the last few years, with Jurgen Klopp clearly have a seismic impact at Anfield. The Reds are up there with the Premier League’s best teams at present, and within their ranks, they’ve got some of the league’s best players too.

However, that doesn’t mean that the squad at Anfield is filled with unsellable talent. To the contrary, in fact, because there are a handful of players at Liverpool that, at present, just aren’t good enough.

It’s clear that the Reds are improving and developing at a rapid rate, and that can mean that some players are left behind. For Klopp, then, transfer windows can’t just be about bringing in new talent – they’ve also got to be about getting rid of the players that, at this point, aren’t quite at the level that they need to be.

With that said, the writing should be on the wall in January for these two Liverpool players…

Nathaniel Clyne

Nathaniel Clyne moved to Liverpool from Southampton, and he immediately looked good. Brought in as part of a flurry of buys from the South Coast outfit, Clyne was a natural.

However, injury problems have caused him to lose his place after young Trent Alexander-Arnold took his chance in the Liverpool first team.  The latter has looked very good under Jurgen Klopp, and when he doesn’t play, it becomes clear that Clyne is no longer playing at a similar standard.

He’s still a decent player, but is he at the quality required at Liverpool? It’s pretty clear that he’s not, and perhaps even Joe Gomez would be preferred to Clyne moving forward, given the return of Dejan Lovren.

Liverpool may be open to selling him, and perhaps he could reset his career elsewhere.

Alberto Moreno

It’s a similar tale for Alberto Moreno. He’s now settled into a role as a back-up at Anfield – but for Liverpool, that’s still a risky game to play. In the few appearances that he’s played this term, he’s looked poor, and he’s the sort of player that is often only a few minutes away from a major mistake.

The emergence of Andy Robertson has shut down any chance Moreno forcing his way into the team, and the fine form of James Milner in the role last season indicates that his road to the team isn’t as simple as waiting for Robertson to struggle.

He may be better suited to a role abroad, like back in Spain, whilst Liverpool could do with a more reliable option on the rare occasion that Robertson can’t play.

Everton fans are breathing a massive sigh of relief over the latest transfer reports, as various outlets have claimed Luke Shaw has rejected a move to the Toffees.

According to The Times, Shaw has rejected a move to Goodison after Jose Mourinho made the young left back available for a transfer.

Shaw, who is on £70,000 a week at United, has struggled to nail down any regular game time at Old Trafford since his big move from Southampton, and could perhaps be viewed as the Toffees’ long-term replacement for Leighton Baines.

Lucas Digne and Kieran Tierney have also been heavily linked with moves to Merseyside, although Tierney is now looking unlikely.

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Barcelona’s Digne could yet join as part of a deal to sign Yerry Mina though, and the young Frenchman is at least as good if not even better than Shaw.

Fans obviously agree, as they are mercilessly bashing Shaw after news broke that he has rejected the move.

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Everton fans want players that want to play for their club, that will do anything for their club, and you can find some of their best Twitter reactions down below…

Rangers have very much been out of the public eye in recent weeks, ever since their shocking UEFA Europa League exit. Not much has happened down Ibrox way with Pedro Caixinha taking the time to work with the group of players he has assembled in preparation for their first league match of the season against Motherwell in August.

After exiting Europe, the Scottish Premiership is now the Light Blues’ big priority this season and although they’ve stumbled early, there’s plenty of talent in the Rangers squad that can find consistency in the Scottish top-flight. Caixinha has recruited early, bringing in many players from far and wide.

For us though they could bring in one or two more, a spark in midfield to help drive them forward once they gain possession. For all the signings Caixinha has made, there isn’t much flair and they can’t rely on Niko Kranjcar to be fit all season.

Loan signings in Scotland are very much en vogue and for Rangers it’s a chance to bring in a quality Premier League youngster who needs first-team football.

Here are THREE such players we think can do a job on loan at Ibrox next term…

Domingos Quina

Domingos Quina is a very highly-rated 17-year-old currently signed up at West Ham United. Although he’s yet to make his English Premier League debut, he did feature twice for the Hammers in their ill-fated UEFA Europa League qualifying campaign last season.

He’s a player in great need of first team football if he’s going to reach his potential. It’s quite a potential too. The attacking midfielder was a big part of the Portugal side that won last year’s UEFA U17s Championship and he’s currently playing above his age group for his country’s U19 side.

Predominately a number 10, he’s exactly the kind of flamboyant and creative spark that Rangers could do with to bridge the midfield to the final third.

The Light Blues will be up against packed defences all season and they’ll need someone with a cutting edge that can slice through static rearguards.

Although he may get sporadic appearances for West Ham over the coming season, he really needs consistent week-to-week football and Ibrox is a destination he’d get it, for a high profile side.

Matty Willock

Matty Willock is another young player that appears to have too much talent to have it wasted in youth sides and reserve leagues. Another attacking midfielder, Willock has progressed nicely at Manchester United, to the extent that he was given a squad number and named a matchday squad towards the end of last season.

However, he’s not been included in United’s pre-season plans meaning that there could be scope for him to go north to Rangers on loan at Ibrox. The 20-year-old was a mainstay in the club’s U23 side last term, a team that won the title at their level.

Scoring five goals across the season in that set-up, it’s clear he’s a midfielder with an eye for goal and that is something that Rangers undoubtedly lacked last season.

With an opportunity to prove himself at Rangers, he could shine and show everyone why he’s knocking on the door of the Man United first-team squad.

Emerson Hyndman

Emerson Hyndman’s move to Rangers in January went about as well as you can expect from these loan deals. Short-term ones that span half a season are difficult to get right but Hyndman settled himself in immediately and became a key part of Mark Warburton’s side and subsequently Pedro Caixinha’s too.

He’s proven he has the kind of drive and ability to push Rangers into the final third and although he’s returned to his parent club Bournemouth this summer, whose to say another move to Ibrox wouldn’t do him the world  of good?

We don’t think he’s quite at an English Premier League level yet but with another 12 months at a team like Rangers he could enhance his game massively.

Manchester United have triggered a one-year extension in Antonio Valencia’s contract, reports the Manchester Evening News.

What’s the word?

The Ecuadorian is in his eighth year at Old Trafford, and has been thriving under manager Jose Mourinho.

As a result of his positive form, the club have reportedly rewarded him with an additional year on his deal.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the three-year contract that Valencia agreed in 2014 under former manager Louis van Gaal included a 12-month option.

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Much like they did with Marouane Fellaini, United have exercised the clause, meaning that Valencia will be tied down to the club until the summer of 2018, just before his 33rd birthday.

Why Valencia’s new deal is good news for United.

Since switching from the wing to right-back, Valencia has become a crucial part of the Mourinho’s team, playing in all but three Premier League games this season.

The only reason he was out of those specific games was because of a broken arm, but the manager proved how vital Valencia was to the setup by installing him as soon as he had recovered.

The former Villarreal player has been so impressive that he has forced Matteo Darmian down the pecking order, resulting in the Italian competing for the left-back spot.

Under Van Gaal, Valencia struggled to impress as a winger, making just 14 outings in the top flight.

He has certainly revived his career this season and looks set to continue being Mourinho’s first-choice right-back.

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Everton are back to their normal selves again it seems after a pretty disappointing campaign last year. Without the distraction of the Europa League and flourishing young stars throughout the spine of the team, the Toffees once again are proving sweet.

John Stones, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku have all improved on their already pretty high standards and the returning Gerard Deulofeu is showing what made him a Barcelona player in the first place at last.

It’s no surprise to see that quartet all linked with moves away, but as the club showed in the summer during the John Stones saga, they aren’t likely to sell their players without a fight. What’s more important as we approach the winter market is adding to what they’ve already got.

With Chelsea in disarray and the footballing world unsure just how likely Leicester are to keep up their good form, there is potentially a place up for grabs in the race for Champions League football this season. Arch rivals Liverpool and a resurgent Tottenham Hotspur seem to be the favourites to land the much coveted space, but there’s no ruling Everton out with the form they’ve been in this year.

With some additions this January, there’s no reason why they can’t launch a serious assault on the top four this season.

With that in mind, here are FIVE bold January transfer Everton can make to boost their Champions League hopes..

DENIS CHERYSHEV – Real Madrid

The Russian wide man has been linked with a move away from the Spanish capital in recent times, with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal. As Euro 2016 approaches, the 26-year-old is keen to get some first-team football under his belt in order to prepare for next summer’s showpiece.

Lining the ex-Villarreal loan star up on the opposing flank to Deulofeu, either side of Ross Barkley is a potentially mouth-watering prospect. The future of Kevin Mirallas is uncertain at the moment as the Belgian has been linked with AC Milan so there is potentially some wiggle room in wide areas.

Securing the Madridista, even on a six month loan deal, would boost the attacking ranks at Goodison Park and give a speedy, direct option in contrast to the more technical Deulofeu on the right.

JACK BUTLAND – Stoke City

Jack Butland has been mightily impressive between the sticks for Stoke this season, emerging as a genuine contender for Joe Hart’s previously undisputed role as Number 1 for England. The former Birmingham man has as a result been linked with Merseyside duo Liverpool and Everton.

An ambitious move, but Toffees custodian Tim Howard has come under fire this season for some shaky performances and Butland could presumably play for another 15 years.

Reportedly a £17m target, Roberto Martinez could boast a spine of Butland-Stones-Barkley-Lukaku at Goodison Park, a fearsome quintet.

It would not be an easy move to pull off, but an excellent long term option.

ANDRIY YARMOLENKO – DYNAMO KIEV

We’ve heard a lot about this man in recent months, with a host of Premier League clubs thought to be keen on landing the Ukrainian international. Despite recently signing a new deal in the Ukrainian capital, manager Sergei Rebrov recently admitted he is powerless from letting the 26-year-old star leave.

A versatile forward, Yarmolenko would add another layer of quality to the frontline to supplement the electric Lukaku. Arouna Kone has been reliable when called upon but the thought of the Dynamo Kiev star lining up on Merseyside is without doubt an improvement.

KEISUKE HONDA – AC MILAN

AC Milan’s Keisuke Honda is in and out of the Rossoneri team at the moment, and reportedly unhappy with his role at the San Siro. The attacking midfielder is understood to be on Everton’s radar this January, and what a signing he would be.

Able to play across the frontline, the Japanese international is an expert deadball specialist and able to dribble past defenders as if they weren’t there. The 29-year-old has an outstanding pedigree in European competition and his arrival would no doubt add quality to attacking positions.

His versatility could prove valuable into the winter months and towards the business end of the season.

INAKI WILLIAMS – ATHLETIC BILBAO

Inaki Williams has emerged as one of Spain’s most exciting talents this year. His early form was added to with an astounding volley for the Basque club against Espanyol, alerting Premier League clubs to his situation.

Should Everton follow up their reported interest in the Spanish under-21 international, it would be quiet the statement of intent. Though his buyout clause is understood to be in the region of €20m, a hefty sum of money for a 21-year-old, Williams has the potential to go on to great things in the game.

Now the £28m for Lukaku is reaping the rewards, Williams might just be a gamble worth taking if Everton want to sustain their attempts to break into the top four for the first time in a decade.

Josh Sargent has explained why he is full of goals again, with the United States international hitting a serious purple patch at Norwich City.

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American frontman brimming with confidenceFully recovered from early-season injuryHas reached double figures for goals scoredWHAT HAPPENED?

The USMNT star bagged a brace in the Canaries’ 4-1 victory over Cardiff, and has now netted in four successive games. Sargent, who sat out 20 matches early in the 2023-24 season due to injury, has reached double figures for the campaign – despite only playing the full 90 minutes on two occasions.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT SARGENT SAID

Confidence is flowing through the 23-year-old frontman, with Sargent telling reporters of the simple explanation for his return to form: “It definitely helps when you are playing in your natural position. I've played it my whole life growing up, and I was talking about it with my agents the other day; this is the first season since I became a pro, where I started at the nine and played the whole season there. What do you know – I'm actually doing pretty well. I hope I can continue to score goals and help the team as much as possible. I'm doing the best I can – I have to give a lot of props to the guys. They are helping me out because you can't score goals alone. Hopefully, we continue to play the best possible football and put me in the best possible situations to score goals.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Sargent added on finding his shooting boots, with only three more efforts required in order to match his personal-best goal return from 2022-23: “I could have had four if I was sharp but I'm obviously feeling very confident at the moment and very good. I'm very happy with all the goals but even happier that the team is firing on all cylinders. Everyone is getting the best out of each other right now, and you can tell in the performances. Everyone is playing really good football, and I'm not sure you can really criticise anyone at the moment, so we have to keep it up.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR SARGENT?

Another win for Norwich has lifted them up to seventh in the Championship table. They are level on points with Coventry City, who occupy the final play-off spot as things stand, with Sargent and Co looking to push themselves into the Premier League promotion picture.

Jordan Pickford could reportedly lead a mass exodus at Everton in the January transfer window if a proposed takeover by 777 Partners is blocked.

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Toffees hoping for change of ownershipStill waiting on a green lightFinancial struggles may force salesWHAT HAPPENED?

The Toffees had been hoping to see a change in ownership pushed through by now, with Farhad Moshiri making it clear that he will not be injecting any more money into the club. With that stance being taken, funds are required in order to meet general running costs.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Everton are also working on the construction of a new stadium, with loans from 777 and MSP Sports Capital helping to keep them ticking over for now. Said loans will not get them through to the end of the season, though, and the Merseyside outfit have posted losses across five successive years.

DID YOU KNOW?

Monetary concerns at Goodison Park have the reporting that prized assets may have to be offloaded in the next transfer window. England international goalkeeper Pickford would likely form part of those January sales, along with Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana and leading frontman Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Everton are still hoping to see a deal with 777 Partners pushed through, as they wait on approval from the Premier League and Football Association, with Sean Dyche said to be under no threat as club boss for now despite collecting just for points from six top-flight fixtures this season.