Ian Wright predicts who will win in Liverpool vs Tottenham
Both Liverpool and Tottenham have kicked off their new Premier League campaigns with flying colours, and this weekend’s clash in London will be one to remember.
For Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp’s team are in second place and could well be challenging Manchester City for the title, while Tottenham are also looking to make a strong start to the season.
In a related development:
‘Ready to leave’ – Fabrizio Romano confirms Tottenham player wants out as Man Utd links are revealed
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed one of the worst kept secrets in football in that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is pushing strongly to leave Tottenham in 2024, though hopes of a move to surpise suitors Manchester United appears to have faded.
Hojbjerg was a key player for Spurs in what turned out to be an unconvincing season and one of ultimate disappointment. Spurs finished eighth in the league and out of the Europa League, with Hojbjerg one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal campaign.
With a new manager comes fresh ideas, and it appears Hojbjerg is surplus to requirements. New boss Ange postecoglou has opted for a central midfield duo of Jiri Pavlovic and Papu Matar Sarr, who have been in fine form so far. Postecoglou’s new-look team are fourth in the league, having won four and lost two of their last six games.
So Hojbjerg sits on the sidelines, having only started five times in the Premier League and played 80 minutes in total.
Hojbjerg was linked with a summer switch to Atletico Madrid, but the LaLiga champions refused to sell to Spurs, who demanded a fee of around £25 million.
After failing to persuade Postecoglou that he is worth a regular start, Hojbjerg has been linked with a transfer to one of Italy’s top clubs.
But with the player parting ways with his agent earlier this week, it’s clear Hojbjerg wants to move on.
Fabrizio Romano confirms Hojbjerg exit plan and Man Utd interest
Romano spoke on his YouTube channel about the Tottenham player and revealed Manchester United’s interest in him in the summer.
“Important to mention something on Pierre Hojbjerg. Tottenham midfielder, he was on the list of Atletico Madrid during the summer, they tried on deadline day but it was almost impossible to agree a deal with Tottenham for Hojbjerg on deadline day.
“And also important to mention that he was on the list of Manchester United, it was a three-man list in midfield with [Sofyan] Amrabat the priority, Youssoufa Fofana and Pierre Hojbjerg also included in the list.
“But in the end Manchester United were able to sign the player that they wanted, Sofyan Amrabat.
“But for Hojbjerg the contract with his agent has ended and so he’s looking for the opportunities, new options and the January transfer window could be interesting for Hojbjerg because he wants to try a new chapter in 2024.
“It could be January, it could be summer but for sure, Hojbjerg is looking for a new opportunity.”
Did Tottenham sign James Maddison in the summer?
Tottenham may have signed James Maddison from Newcastle United in the summer transfer window.
It would not be a surprise to see him leave the club in the winter if the right chance presented itself. At such an advanced stage of his career, he will need to play regular first team football.
Fortunately for Spurs, it appears to be an overseas destination, with Manchester United unlikely to make a fresh offer.
Maddison joined the club from Southampton in the summer of 2020 for a fee of £15m. He has made 148 appearances for the club, scoring 10 times, and has been capped 69 times.
The 69-time capped Denmark international has a contract with the club until June 2025.