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18-year-old centre-back Rhys Williams has signed his first professional contract with Liverpool, as officially announced by the Anfield club.

The Preston-born defender originally joined the Reds as an under-10, and has since progressed through the Merseyside club’s youth ranks. He is currently featuring regularly for the under-18s side and has also broken into the under-23s team this season. 

Check out the video below for fan reaction to Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool…

As per Transfermarkt’s stats, the Englishman has made 21 appearances across all competitions, for both youth ranks, so far this season, scoring four goals and racking up two assists in this time.

Jurgen Klopp has already proved himself to be adept at bringing through exciting young English talents in his time as Liverpool boss. Williams will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who are both now regulars in the Reds’ rearguard.

After the announcement, plenty of Liverpool fans took to Twitter to wish Williams well…

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Just three short of their entire points total from last season, it’s been a campaign of impressive improvement at West Ham. Only during the early few months of the season was relegation a legitimate concern – since then, the Hammers have consistently picked up positive results and put in some very entertaining performances to boot.

But looking at the individuals rather than the collective, who has been West Ham’s most improved player this season? Football FanCast’s writers give their verdicts below…

Billy Meyers – Michail Antonio

“Michail Antonio’s game has come on leaps and bounds under Manuel Pellegrini. He is finishing a lot more of his chances, looking sharper and less lethargic, and has shown his value to the side with his versatility by playing at right-back on some occasions.”

James Beavis – Robert Snodgrass

“Without a doubt. It looked as though the Scotland international was going to be another flop when he was shipped off to Aston Villa on loan just a few months after moving to the London Stadium, but he has proved absolutely everyone wrong on his return to the capital. The fact that he has made 27 Premier League appearances this term proves just how important he has been, although the return of Manuel Lanzini means he will have to step it up again if he wants to stay in the XI consistently.”

Will Jones – Angelo Ogbonna

“Angelo Ogbonna hasn’t claimed too many headlines this season but he’s always stepped up to the plate for Pellegrini when called upon. Having reliable squad depth will be vital for the Hammers if they’re to make real progress in the coming campaigns and Ogbonna looks like he can be trusted to provide that.”

Jack Saville – Robert Snodgrass

“The 31-year-old was written off as a West Ham player after being loaned out to Aston Villa last season, but Pellegrini has transformed him into an excellent all-action midfielder. Declan Rice deserves a mention, but the high standard he set last season means he is due a more prestigious accolade.”

Christy Malyan – Declan Rice

“Last season marked an impressive breakthrough but this term has been something else. Rice has become so much more than a promising centre-half, emerging as arguably England’s best option at the base of midfield. His defensive qualities were already evident but his passing and vision has shown vast improvements by the game – if the 20-year-old keeps up this level of progress he’ll be a supserstar.”

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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to discuss Mohamed Salah’s barren spell in front of goal.

The Egyptian international is the Reds’ top scorer with 20 goals to his name in all competitions, whilst he also has seven assists under his belt – he is by no uncertain terms a ‘one-season wonder’.

Mo Salah has been brutally mocked for his recent diving antics in a new video by 442oons. Check it out below…

However, in recent weeks, the former Roma attacker has seen the goals dry up somewhat. Salah hasn’t scored since the 3-0 win over Bournemouth on the 9th February, and has failed to find the back of the net in games against Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Watford and Everton since netting against the Cherries.

At such a crucial stage of the season, Jurgen Klopp’s title hopefuls need their talisman back in form if they are to wrestle the trophy from Manchester City’s clutches – one redeeming factor is that chances are still coming his way, which shows that his movement and concentration are still on point.

Let’s see what the Reds supporters are saying on Twitter regarding the 26-year-old’s poor form…

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Charlton’s consecutive wins over Portsmouth then Burton have ensured they are in a good place heading into the final stretch of the season in terms of securing promotion to the Championship and Joe Aribo has been crucial to that.

The midfielder scored – brilliantly – in the victory over Pompey while also scooping the man of the match award for his all-round display. Then, just three days later, he put in another solid 90 minutes as his team ran out winners again.

The Addicks are surely keen to keep the 22-year-old tied down for the foreseeable future, with him showing he’s clearly ready to play the second tier or higher, although they will have to get him to sign new terms – the Londoner’s current contract expires in the summer.

Lee Bowyer has spoken about the talented midfielder’s future at The Valley this week, saying:

“Myself and Steve Gallen [head of recruitment] had a good chat with Joe on Thursday. Joe [Aribo] wants to sign and stay.

“It’s just a matter of coming to an agreement with his agent, that’s what it is going to come down to.

“Joe knows this is a good place for him to be. He knows this is a good club. That’s what he said to us – and that he wants to keep learning from us. It’s obvious Joe’s agent has got a job to do, but we just have to keep letting Joe know how important he is to us. It’s also about telling him how important it is for his career that he keeps playing games.

“We need to make an agreement with his agent and we’re trying – we’re trying so hard. If you are asking me, I think he will sign.”

Clearly Aribo is very close to putting pen to paper on a new deal at SE7 but, as is often the case in the modern game, his agent’s demands could prove to be a sticking point.

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…

After the performance the Addicks star put in at the weekend, Charlton fans will be thrilled to learn that everything is being done to retain Aribo’s services beyond the summer.

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John Hartson has delivered a glowing verdict on Celtic attacker Odsonne Edouard in light of his last gasp winner against Dundee on Sunday.

What’s the word?

The 21-year-old centre-forward has frustrated supporters with his inconsistency throughout his time at Paradise, but his ability to produce moments of magic in the dying embers of proceedings will certainly do his popularity a huge favour.

In an article published by the Evening Times, Hartson bemoaned the quality of the Frenchman’s first-touch in European fixtures earlier in the season, but he suggested that his growing habit of notching late goals is a sign that his career is progressing nicely.

‘I don’t think that he will get too much stick so long as he is digging everyone out of a hole in the last minute of games. We had Henrik Larsson to do that for us – and he done it on too many occasions to mention – so he is going in the right direction.’

Could Edouard’s ability to find the killer moment in the closing moments of the game suggest that he will go on to emulate the achievements of the scintillating Swede?

Last-minute goals the sign of a born winner

Football matches are so often decided in the final ten minutes of proceedings when legs and minds are tired, but the very best players are those who find an extra gear and capitalise on emerging frailties.

Edouard has showcased an ability to do exactly that on more than one occasion this season, much to the delight of the supporters.

It is those last-gasp moments of euphoria which fans remember, cherish and reminisce over time and time again, so if the former PSG attacker can continue the growing trend there is no doubt he can take his reputation to the next level.

It would be premature to predict Edouard to reach Larsson’s level of stardom amongst the Bhoys faithful, but a multitude of late goals will certainly send him on the way towards that.

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The debate over the managerial situation at West Brom looks as though it’s never going to end as fans reacted to the news that the club may wait until the summer before appointing a permanent boss.

In recent weeks the club has held talks with Slavisa Jokanovic and targeted Alex Neill but might be coming to the conclusion that James Shan, currently acting as caretaker, is the best option for the time being.

Baggies supporters have been left frustrated with developments but some believe it would be a sensible and logical choice to wait until the end of the campaign.

However, there were questions asked by one individual, who was still baffled that the club sacked Darren Moore when they did. Another was concerned that the calibre of managers they were waiting on didn’t exactly have great reputations.

Was Darren Moore’s sacking unfair? The Pl>ymaker FC squad name which Championship bosses should have gone instead in the video below…

Fears were also shared over what would happen if Shan got the club promoted, with a certain fan saying things could become dangerous.

At the moment, West Brom sit in the playoffs but might be at risk of not returning to the Premier League unless owners can surround him with more experience.

Here is the reaction on Twitter…

The promotion race in the Championship is undoubtedly heading towards a thrilling climax with three sides fighting for just two positions.

After leading the standings earlier on in the season, Leeds United now find themselves in third position, one point behind Sheffield United and five adrift of Norwich City. Although their last outing resulted in a damaging defeat at home to the Blades, Marcelo Bielsa’s side remain firmly in the hunt to secure a return to the top flight after 15 years away.

Whereas their opposition have had a plethora of players to choose from in recent weeks, the Whites have been without the likes of Keemar Roofe and Adam Forshaw who have both been sidelined with knee injuries. The former is expected to be available for selection on Saturday (via the Yorkshire Post) but Bielsa must hold fire in throwing him into the deep end against Millwall. The clash against the Lions is expected to a physical affair with both sides in need of a victory for very different reasons and so it may be a wise decision not to re-introduce Forshaw at Elland Road.

The 27-year-old, who joined the club for a reported fee of £4.5m (according to the BBC) in 2018, has missed the last eight games for Leeds, a period which saw the club pick up 16 points in the Championship. Although his return will be welcomed by the club’s supporters, the form of both Mateusz Klich and Tyler Roberts in central midfield should mean that he has to wait for his opportunity to make his mark once again.

An increase in competition for the final eight games could provide the spark that Bielsa’s side will need to end the season on a high. One of, if not the stand-out side in the Championship this season, it would be a huge disappointment if they were to fade away after what has been their best campaign in the second tier since their promotion from League One in 2010.

What do you think Leeds fans? Should Forshaw make an immediate return to Bielsa’s starting eleven? Or should be eased back into action? Get in touch below.

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Leeds United confirmed via their official Twitter account on Tuesday that BBC Radio Leeds had signed a new two-year deal to cover the club, and Whites fans were quick to respond to the post and rejoice.

The duo of Adam Pope and former player Noel Whelan have become popular through their mainstream coverage of the Yorkshire outfit in recent years, and the pair will now get to continue doing it for at least another 24 months until the end of the 2020/2021 season.

They may well be providing their commentary in the Premier League next term should Marcelo Bielsa’s men secure promotion from the Championship in the remaining eight matches or via the play-offs, which would obviously be a huge boost for all parties involved.

One Leeds supporter went as far as saying the announcement was “like a new signing”, while many reacted by saying “get in” – the famous phrase and reaction Whelan has become known for when on the microphone.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Liverpool fans will be praying that Manchester City drop points tonight as the Reds will lose top spot if Pep Guardiola’s side secure all three against Cardiff City. 

Jurgen Klopp won’t be too bothered about City’s result as he’ll know that it’s down to his side to constantly pile the pressure on by grinding out positive results of their own.

However, the German is set to make a huge decision at the end of the season, as according to Football Insider, Klopp is set to decide whether to reintegrate Marko Grujic into the senior squad or to give the green light to sell him.

And, one player who could be on his way out of Anfield at the end of the season is James Milner as his contract is set to run out at the end of the season and he hasn’t exactly been at his best recently. So, Klopp should think about bringing Grujic into the side as a ready-made replacement for the Englishman in the summer.

The Serbian has spent this season out on loan at German side Hertha Berlin and it’s safe to say he’s made a name for himself, producing three goals and one assist. His passing game has come on leaps and bounds, as well as the defensive side of things as he continues to develop into a well-rounded central midfielder.

Grujic may not have produced a large amount of goals and assists but he’s certainly done enough to warrant a place in the first-team ranks at Liverpool with his overall performances. Of course, securing £20 million-plus for him in the summer transfer window would be great for the club, but he could easily become a star at Anfield.

Liverpool fans, do you think Grujic is good enough to replace James Milner? Join the discussion by commenting down below! 

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Leeds United need to come out of the blocks strong against Preston on Tuesday night if they are to get anything from the game.

The Whites have had a tendency to hit top gear late on in matches, but that could prove costly as they come up against one of the toughest defences in the division.

On the chalkboard

Scoring late winners has often been described as the mark of champions but in this case it seems like a get out of jail free card more often than not.

The promotion contenders are often slow starters in games and end up rescuing wins late on, and although Marcelo Bielsa has got the Yorkshire club playing some great football they sometimes have to revert to hit and hope tactics when chasing a win.

It’s a formula that can’t work forever and United’s loss to Birmingham has to be the wake-up call that Bielsa needed heading into the game at Deepdale.

Leeds have been the masters of grinding down teams and finding the net late on. They have scored 30 goals after the hour-mark in games this season but they will have to rethink their strategy when they travel to Deepdale to face a team who only get stronger at the back as the game progresses.

Get an early goal

Preston are formidable at the back and Bielsa’s men need to score early to avoid dropping points for the second time in a week.

Leeds couldn’t break down Birmingham’s backline on Saturday despite spending the last 10 minutes camped out in their half peppering the box with crosses.

The Lancashire club provide a tougher test for Leeds’ attack as they possess one of the strongest defences in the division, and they seemingly get stronger in the latter stages of matches.

Preston’s rearguard have become one of the best in the country conceding just 15 goals in 17 games since Christmas, and they have not let in a second-half goal in their previous five Championship games.

United need to come out all guns blazing, Preston are no longer a team that concede late goals and that’s down to Alex Neil’s ability to adjust as a match goes on. The longer the Yorkshire club go without scoring the more time the Scot will have to give his defenders the instructions they need to keep the opposition out.