Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
Jurgen Klopp is on the hunt for a new centre-back (Picture: Getty Images)

Liverpool have made an enquiry over the possibility of signing West Ham defender Issa Diop, as they look to ease their injury crisis at centre-back.

The Reds are still dealing with the long-term absences of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, while they are now missing Joel Matip and Fabinho through less serious injuries.

Such are their problems that against the Hammers on Sunday Jurgen Klopp fielded Jordan Henderson and Nat Phillips in the heart of defence.

The Premier League champions have been linked with a handful of centre-backs, including Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi, but Diop is also an option for the side from Anfield.

The Athletic report that Liverpool have made contract over the availability of Diop before the transfer window closes on Monday evening.

West Ham are reportedly open to selling him, with the 24-year-old out of contention under David Moyes, but would want over £20m for him.

Given that West Ham and Liverpool are within a position of each other in the Premier League, a loan deal would be much less appealing for the Hammers.

Issa Diop
Issa Diop has dropped out of contention at West Ham (Picture: Getty Images)

The Reds may choose to make the investment in Diop, but may be put off by the fact he has slipped so far down the pecking order at West Ham.

Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson have been playing at centre-back, while Fabian Balbuena has also played more often than Diop.

Diop arrived from Toulose in June 2018 for £22m and enjoyed two excellent seasons in the West Ham first team, seeing him linked with a £50m move to Manchester United.

Things have tailed off badly for him since then and a chance to move to the Premier League champions would likely be very appealing for the Frenchman.

MORE : Mikel Arteta gives latest on Shkodran Mustafi’s Arsenal future amid shock Liverpool pursuit

MORE : Sadio Mane misses Liverpool’s trip to West Ham with muscle injury

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Full Post Here - Liverpool have made contact over move for West Ham defender Issa Diop
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Liverpool have made contact over move for West Ham defender Issa Diop

Jurgen Klopp is on the hunt for a new centre-back (Picture: Getty Images) Liverpool have made an enquiry over the possibility of sign...
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The Norway international made his debut against United
The Norway international made his debut against United (Picture: Getty Images)

Bernd Leno says Arsenal loan signing Martin Odegaard has already impressed his new team-mates and thinks supporters should be ‘very excited’ about what the midfielder has to offer.

Earlier this week, the Gunners completed a move to recruit the 22-year-old from Real Madrid on loan until the end of the season.

Odegaard found playing time hard to come by under Zinedine Zidane but will be expected to provide stiff competition for the likes of Emile Smith Rowe in Arsenal’s midfield.

Odegaard has already impressed in training, says Leno
Odegaard has already impressed in training, says Leno (Picture: Getty Images)

The Norway international made his debut for Mikel Arteta’s side in their 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Saturday, coming on as a substitute for Smith Rowe after 83 minutes.

Despite only arriving in north London a few days ago, Leno admitted Odegaard is already turning heads, and is expecting his creative abilities to be vital for the Gunners in the coming months.

‘I think we should all be very excited because he is an attacking midfield player who is turning, wants to go forward, wants to play passes and create chances and have assists,’ the German goalkeeper said.

‘In his first days he has been very impressive and has been very open to everyone, and I think we will have a lot of fun with him in the next months.’

Speaking before the United clash, Arteta already outlined the key factors that will decide if Arsenal sign Odegaard on a permanent deal when his loan spell expires.

‘He certainly has all the qualities and characteristics that we are looking for for that position,’ Arteta said.

‘Then it will be down to two things. First of all, how well he adapts here and how much of an impact he can have in our team. Secondly, what Real Madrid and the player think about it because he’s owned by Real Madrid and the player has a big say in that too.’

MORE : Luke Shaw slams ‘sloppy’ Man Utd performance against Arsenal

MORE : William Saliba admits he was ‘hurt’ by Mikel Arteta’s treatment at Arsenal

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Full Post Here - ‘Very excited’ – Bernd Leno makes prediction over Arsenal January loan signing Martin Odegaard
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‘Very excited’ – Bernd Leno makes prediction over Arsenal January loan signing Martin Odegaard

The Norway international made his debut against United (Picture: Getty Images) Bernd Leno says Arsenal loan signing Martin Odegaard ...
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Southampton v Liverpool - Premier League
Sadio Mane misses Liverpool’s trip to West Ham on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)

Sadio Mane is not inolved in Liverpool’s Premier League clash with West Ham on Sunday afternoon after picking up an injury.

The 28-year-old has played in 19 of the Reds’ 20 Premier League contests this season, but is not fit enough to even make the substitutes’ bench in east Lonon.

The Liverpool Echo report that the Senegal international is suffering with a ‘minor muscle injury’ which is enough to keep him out of Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

‘Happened in the game against Tottenham, a couple of days ago,’ Klopp told Sky Sports. ‘Nothing too serious but serious enough to not be involved today.’

How long this means Mane will be out for is not clear, but with games coming thick and fast, he could sit out more than just the trip to West Ham.

Liverpool host Brighton on Wednesday before a huge clash with Manchester City on Sunday 7 February, which Klopp will be desperate to have Mane back for.

Mane ha scored seven Premier League goals this season and was on the score sheet in the 3-1 win over Tottenham on Thursday.

In Mane’s absence, and with Roberto Firmino left on the bench, Mohamed Salah is joined by Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri in the front three against the Hammers.

Liverpool’s injury crisis at the back continues, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho all out, leaving Jordan Henderson and Nat Phillips filling in at centre-back.

Matip and Fabinho are not expected to be out for much longer, but Van Dijk and Gomez are due to miss the majority, if not the entire season.

Naby Keita is also out injured, and with Fabinho missing, the midfield three against West Ham will be Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner and Thiago Alcantara.

MORE : Mikel Arteta gives latest on Shkodran Mustafi’s Arsenal future amid shock Liverpool pursuit

MORE : Tim Sherwood suggests Liverpool make £100m bid to sign Leicester star Wesley Fofana

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Full Post Here - Sadio Mane misses Liverpool’s trip to West Ham with muscle injury
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Sadio Mane misses Liverpool’s trip to West Ham with muscle injury

Sadio Mane misses Liverpool’s trip to West Ham on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images) Sadio Mane is not inolved in Liverpool’s Premier Le...
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Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea speaks to the media ahead of the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors.
Tuchel was happy with the win (Picture: Getty)

Thomas Tuchel will have been ‘delighted’ with the performance of Callum Hudson-Odoi in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Burnley.

That’s the view of Glenn Hoddle who thinks the 20-year-old England international is thriving in the wing-back role under Chelsea’s new manager.

Hudson-Odoi provided an assist for Cesar Azpilicueta as the Spanish defender opened the scoring and hit the post before Marcos Alonso wrapped up all three points for the Blues.

It was Tuchel’s first win as Chelsea manager and Hoddle thinks Hudson-Odoi will have particularly caught his eye.

‘I think this wing-back role, the system actually suits him,’ Hoddle told BT Sport. He likes to be wide. He likes to stay wide and hug the line.

‘The Chelsea players, midfield players particularly on the diagonals, were finding him much easier today than they were against Wednesday. He’s always wide.

English former footballer and manager Glenn Hoddle talks to the media during his visit to the Southampton fanzone during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at Westquay on June 14, 2019 in Southampton, England.
Hoddle was impressed with Hudson-Odoi (Picture: ICC via Getty Images)

‘It was intelligent play for the (first) goal, he’s drawn him in, created the space for Azpilicueta and laid it on a plate after really aggressive play.

‘All the positive things down this right-hand side came from Hudson-Odoi. He’s got to be delighted with his performance and his manager certainly will be.

‘I’m just wondering if he took him off to see Reece James but maybe to save him a bit so he doesn’t get injured [for the Spurs game].’

Tuchel was indeed happy with Hudson-Odoi’s contribution but called for him to ‘work on’ his timing when attacking.

‘I thought that [the role] maybe suits for him because he can play from the line and he can use his speed and acceleration,’ Tuchel told BT Sport after the match.

‘He also loves to come from the left side. I can see from his ability there.

‘We have to work a bit on his timing but he is also a threat with his speed and his capacity.

‘Today is also a lot to defend because of the long balls. Azpi needed his help on his side and he did, again, very, very well.’

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Full Post Here - Glenn Hoddle says Thomas Tuchel will be ‘delighted’ with Callum Hudson-Odoi vs Burnley
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Glenn Hoddle says Thomas Tuchel will be ‘delighted’ with Callum Hudson-Odoi vs Burnley

Tuchel was happy with the win (Picture: Getty) Thomas Tuchel will have been ‘delighted’ with the performance of Callum Hudson-Odoi i...
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