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Newcastle United travel to Anfield on Saturday afternoon riding a wave of their best form all season, to play guest to Liverpool after a rough week for the reigning Premier League champions.

The Reds’ involvement in the proposed European Super League lasted less than 48 hours, before a public apology from owner John Henry and manager Jurgen Klopp pleading for supporters to show their forgiveness.

Steve Bruce will hope he can add to the misery with his side’s first top-flight win at Anfield since April 1994, as the Toon look to claim a third straight league victory for the first time this term and continue a season-high run of results after wins over Burnley and West Ham.

Newcastle are yet to go unbeaten in four successive Premier League fixtures this season but can do so on Saturday. So, with that in mind, here’s a potential line-up that Bruce may field with two changes from the XI that beat the Irons…

Newcastle travel to Liverpool with a near fully fit squad available for Bruce to select from, with the Toon boss confirming on Friday that Allan Saint-Maximin will be on hand after overcoming a knock taken to his ankle in last week’s 3-2 win over West Ham.

The Frenchman was forced to limp off following a kick to his ankle, but should open the action at Anfield beside Callum Wilson with the Magpies’ 10-goal top-scorer also fit to feature for potentially his first start since sustaining a hamstring injury on February 6.

Bruce will be without Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Ryan Fraser on Merseyside as the trio continue their recoveries from respective knee, foot and groin injuries, while Karl Darlow will be replaced on the bench by Mark Gillespie after a small operation on his knee.

Schar returned to training earlier this week but is unlikely to feature against Liverpool, leaving Bruce to name an unchanged back-line from the Irons affair with Matt Ritchie, Paul Dummett, Ciaran Clark, Federico Fernandez and Jacob Murphy protecting goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

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Sean Longstaff has started each of Newcastle’s last three games as they held Tottenham to a draw before wins over Burnley and West Ham, but is likely to fall to the bench in place of last Saturday’s match-winner Joe Willock.

The £20,000-per-week Arsenal loanee made the telling contribution within seconds of his introduction in place of Longstaff, who had played just 12 accurate passes before his exit in the 80th minute – fewer than Magpies shot-stopper Dubravka (15), per WhoScored.

Bruce opting to start Wilson in attack with Saint-Maximin would be expected to come at the expense of Joelinton, despite the Brazilian enjoying his best run of form in front of the net since joining Newcastle in a club-record £40m deal with TSG Hoffenheim in 2019.

The forward struck his second goal in three games against West Ham after finding the back of Tottenham’s net, after which Ian Wright lauded Joelinton for his “nuisance value” having been involved “in everything”, to now boast five goals in 64 career Premier League games.

AND in other news, Newcastle United hold keen interest in £35m titan who “flung his teammates under the bus”…

Many Sunderland fans have been left to slam the display of Lynden Gooch in their 1-0 home loss to Blackpool in the EFL League One on Tuesday evening.

A goal for Sullay Kaikai in the second half was enough for the Tangerines to take all three points away from the Stadium of Light and officially kill off any hopes that the Black Cats may have had for automatic promotion back up to the Championship.

Gooch did not have the best of games for Lee Johnson’s team in the eyes of several SAFC supporters, and the statistics from his display show they are right to be disgruntled.

The midfielder lost out on seven of his duels, as he also failed to record a single shot on target, key pass or accurate long ball, losing possession on no fewer than on 22 separate occasions, the most out of any player to have set foot on the pitch (Sofascore).

Sunderland fans on Gooch display

These Sunderland fans slammed his performance on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that the 25-year-old is an ‘absolutely clueless’ player:

“Lynden Gooch? Really? He’s absolutely clueless as a footballer”

Credit: @SteveSpp373

“Gooch’s overall play last night was poor”

Credit: @JacobKirkbride

“Gooch to blame for goal on his heels as ever.”

Credit: @Samson8815

“Gooch could never kick a ball again for me and I wouldn’t lose sleep. He’s been poor all season bar a few games. A shadow of the player we saw in his first season in this league.”

Credit: @SpeakSAFC

“Think Burge has dribbled past more people than Gooch tonight”

Credit: @SunlunWill

“I struggle to see what O’Brien, Gooch or Scowen do to constantly get a start in this team. #SAFC”

Credit: @SAFCFANSVIEW

In other news, find out what big injury update has got Sunderland fans talking here!

Speaking to the press (via football.london), West Ham United manager David Moyes has dropped another enticing injury update after refusing to rule out Michail Antonio for tonight’s clash against Burnley, with the Scotsman saying that Declan Rice is ‘ahead of schedule’. 

Rice has been out of action since before the international break after sustaining a knee injury, with West Ham since sweating to get him back to play a part in the end-of-season run.

David Moyes drops enticing injury update

Moyes has been forced to cope without the Englishman’s influence in midfield, with fellow first team regulars Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell also sidelined.

However, in a stroke of positive news, the Irons boss has now confirmed that Rice is ‘ahead of schedule’ and slowly getting back to full fitness as he dropped an enticing injury update.

“He is back training a little bit we are not sure exactly what level he is at,” Moyes explained.

“We have a few days before the game on Monday but he is making good progress and we are happy with what he is doing and I would say he is ahead of schedule. We are trying to keep pushing him on.”

Transfer Tavern take

Even though it is unclear exactly when he’ll return, news that Rice is making good progress comes as an encouraging piece of information for West Ham fans, and the revelation that he is ‘ahead of schedule’ is even better.

He has been arguably the club’s most crucial player this season, supported by the fact he has averaged more interceptions in midfield than any other Irons player and their fourth-highest WhoScored average match rating throughout the campaign.

Indeed, having Rice back for the run-in to the season could come as a big boost for Moyes, and Hammers supporters will surely be hoping that he continues his quick recovery.

In other news: Many West Ham fans flocked to this transfer claim, find out more here.

According to an Ibrox source, speaking to Football Insider, Rangers midfielder Jamie Barjonas is now looking for a new club after learning he will not be offered a new deal with the Teddy Bears under manager Steven Gerrard.

The Lowdown: Barjonas on the move?

The 22-year-old has apparently been deemed surplus-to-requirements and is out of contract at the end of this month, leading to reports that he could be set for an exit from the Glasgow giants.

Barjonas had been in talks with USL side Orange County but a move failed to materialise, with several Scottish Championship clubs also displaying interest during that time (Daily Record).

The midfielder has played for the Gers senior team but first team opportunities have been more and more limited – and that has resulted in links to a departure.

The Latest: Ibrox source shares Barjonas update

Now, speaking to Football Insider, an Ibrox source has allegedly explained that the youngster is actively looking for a new club after being told his current deal won’t be extended.

Barjonas’ latest loan stint came at Championships side Ayr United after he agreed to a short term temporary move which has now concluded, and that apparently hasn’t done enough to impress club chiefs.

Indeed, the writing has been on the wall for some time, as backed by this report, and it now seems as if Barjonas is heading nowhere but the exit door.

The Verdict: Time to say goodbye…

Described as a player with ‘fantastic abilities’ with a ‘second to none’ passing range by former Gers ace Peter Lovenkrands (Daily Record via ninetyminutesonline), it may be time to wave goodbye to Barjonas.

The only regret Rangers may have is not recuperating a fee following numerous failed moves over this last year, with Football Insider also relaying he was close to joining Barrow last summer.

Ayr boss David Hopkin waxed lyrical over the prospect after his loan debut recently, calling him a ‘big, strong, powerful lad’ whilst tipping him to be a ‘great’ arrival (Rangers News).

However, following the end of his spell, Barjonas is back to square one and looks all but set to leave this summer.

In other news: Gers are eyeing a move for this Brazilian gem, find out more here.

Harvey Elliott’s hopes of featuring for Liverpool next season will hinge on their summer transfer business, according to The Athletic’s James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Elliott completes excellent spell at Blackburn

The 18-year-old has spent this season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, enjoying a brilliant campaign for the Championship club. On Saturday, Elliott played his last game for the Lancashire outfit, scoring in their 5-2 win at home to Birmingham City, meaning he finishes the campaign with seven goals and 11 assists.

The key question now is whether or not the teenager will stay at Liverpool this summer or head out on loan again, with Jurgen Klopp set to make that decision in the coming months.

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The Latest: Pearce provides key update

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic after Liverpool’s 2-0 win at home to Southampton on Saturday night, Pearce said he would like to see Elliott remain on Merseyside, but the decision will depend on potential summer arrivals and departures at Anfield:

 “I think it depends what happens this summer in terms of incomings/outgoings. I’d like to see him stay put next season. He’s such an exciting talent.”

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The Verdict: Keep hold of Elliott this summer

It is easy to get carried away about exciting young players – Rhian Brewster is a good example – but Elliott really does look like the real deal. The Championship is a tough league for a young player to make his mark, but he has taken it by storm and shown he can compete physically, also looking technically superior to those around him.

Elliott shouldn’t be a regular starter for Liverpool next season, but he should take up the role which will likely be vacated by Xherdan Shaqiri, if reports of a possible Anfield departure come to fruition.

Another loan move certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing, but the silky attacker is ready to be a squad option, maturing as a player at the same time and eventually becoming a star at Liverpool.

In other news, there has been another update on Liverpool’s pursuit of Ibrahima Konate. Read more here.

Consider the performance of Seamus Coleman on Thursday evening and one might argue that Everton need a new right-back.

The Toffees skipper has been a wonderful servant at Goodison Park but his best days are definitely behind him. Coleman is still productive in the opposition’s half but the final ball which made him one of the most dangerous full-backs in the Premier League now eludes him.

In his prime, the Irishman ran forward at great speed and helped himself to a number of goal involvements. During his time in Merseyside, the 32-year-old has bagged 26 goals and provided 31 assists. It’s a decent tally, especially for a defender.

That said, with Coleman’s contract expiring in a year’s time, Carlo Ancelotti and co better get searching for replacements – and one player to whom they could turn their attention is Middlesbrough’s Djed Spence.

It is reported that Everton and Rangers are interested in his services, and if the £3,500-per-week earner arrives in the Premier League, Ancelotti could have his very own Trent Alexander-Arnold right in front of him.

Speaking about Spence earlier this season, Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock commented: “If you look at one or two of the full-backs that are around now – the lad at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the lad at Manchester United from Palace (Aaron Wan-Bissaka) – they are all the same type as Djed.

“He does have enormous ability, and when you’ve got ability like that it’s criminal if you don’t get to the very top.”

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Alexander-Arnold has quickly become one of the promising full-backs in world football, providing Liverpool with an eye-catching amount of creativity from defence. Regularly striding forward, the England international has 31 Premier League assists to his name over the last three seasons.

Spence hasn’t yet found that level of ingenuity on the ball but, with 0.8 dribbles per match, he clearly loves to get forward.

The Middlesbrough full-back is just 20 but has enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Championship, starting 16 times for his club. Renowned for his ability to play further forward as a winger, it’s his aptitude for running up and down the right-hand channel which bears so much similarity to Alexander-Arnold.

At Spence’s age, the Liverpool star was already a Premier League regular, so he has a long way to go before he does reach the top.

However, with Coleman heading towards the twilight of his Goodison Park tenure, Spence feels like a natural long-term replacement for the Everton captain.

AND in other news, Fewer touches than Pickford: Everton ace who made just 10 passes let Ancelotti down…

Former Tottenham captain Graham Roberts has exclusively told Football FanCast that Jose Mourinho played a part in Mauricio Pochettino’s sacking at Tottenham.

The Argentine was relieved of his duties in north London back in November 2019 with Spurs sitting in the bottom-half in the Premier League, less than six months after losing the Champions League final.

Tottenham had won just three times in their opening 12 league games, and Pochettino paid the price for their poor form.

Just 24 hours later, he was replaced by Mourinho, who made a swift return following his own departure from Manchester United 11 months earlier.

Mourinho has since been chopped, but Roberts believes that the Portuguese played a part in Pochettino’s sacking almost two years earlier.

He told Football FanCast that Mourinho started planting seeds during a test event played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium prior to the opening of the new ground earlier in 2019 when he attended due to his connections with Inter Milan:

“I saw Mourinho at a game at Tottenham when the new stadium opened – Inter Milan played Tottenham in a legends game, he was assistant manager.

“He didn’t have to be, he just came along, and he instigated Pochettino being sacked 100 percent. That’s how the man works.

“You could see it that day, he was talking to Daniel Levy and the rumours at the club are that he was saying you’ve got brilliant players here, I can get better out of these. Well, he never, he made them worse.”

It shocked the entire Black Country as well as the whole of the Premier League when Nuno Espirito Santo announced he would be leaving the club this summer. It’s something even Wolves legend Steve Bull couldn’t believe.

Fans were able to give Nuno a good send-off after their game against Manchester United at Molineux as 10,000 Wolves supporters said their final goodbyes to the man who got them out of the Championship and into the Europa League within two seasons.

Fans are obviously feeling a bit empty and sad that he is leaving with some even hanging a huge flag from the Iron bridge in the Midlands wishing Nuno goodbye, good luck and a thank you for everything he achieved at Wolves.

Nuno only signed a new contract at Molineux in October 2020, however, that did nothing to stop him parting ways with the club, something Bull can’t get his head around as he explained exclusively to Football FanCast:

“I know that the night before he was happy as larry and was absolutely fine, but then the next morning I was getting loads of texts saying he had left.”

The early frontrunner for the job is former Benfica manager Bruno Lage who was also Carlos Carvalhal’s assistant coach at both Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City.

Wolves will have to be careful who they appoint as Nuno’s successor because after a poor season this year which saw them finish 13th in the Premier League, a bad manager could see them tumble towards the bottom three next season.

David Moyes could be about to repeat a similar mistake to one that Manuel Pellegrini made at West Ham…

What’s the word?

According to Spanish outlet AS, the Irons are among the Premier League teams interested in making a move for Espanyol winger Adrian Embarba.

It’s thought that the East London outfit will battle the likes of Wolves, Norwich City and Watford for the 29-year-old’s signature this summer transfer window.

Embarba is said to want to remain at the newly-promoted La Liga side but he is not among the top ten highest-paid players, and fellow Spanish teams Levante and Real Betis are also keeping tabs on the situation.

It remains to be seen how much the attacker would cost the Hammers, though Transfermarkt currently values him at a little over £6m.

Ajeti 2.0

West Ham must approach this interest with caution as it reeks of being a Pellegrini-like disaster right from the off.

The Espanyol attacking midfielder has enjoyed an outstanding season in the second-tier of Spanish football this season – as per Transfermarkt, he has delivered nine goals and 14 assists from 37 appearances.

That’s as many goals as Jesse Lingard in a claret and blue shirt, and more than Jarrod Bowen (eight) and Said Benrahma (one), so on the face of it, he could be an upgrade to the wing department.

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But La Liga 2 is a different kettle of fish to the big time, particularly the Premier League, where it is a lot more physical.

The last time Embarba was in the Spanish top-flight, he could only provide two goals and four assists as Espanyol were relegated. That would suggest that he may have actually found his level lower down the divisions.

You only have to look at the Irons’ previous failings in the transfer market for a similar type of player to see why they should steer clear.

For example, when West Ham won the race for Albian Ajeti, everyone had high hopes for him. Understandably so, as he joined on the back of a 20-goal and 11-assist campaign for Basel.

He would then go onto play 12 times for the Hammers, failing to score before moving out on loan to Celtic.

It’s hard to imagine that a 29-year-old who has never played outside of his home country, nor been capped at international level, would be a good enough signing to help West Ham in Europe next season.

GSB and Moyes must not follow through with their interest in Embarba.

AND in other news, Moyes on verge of another Hammers transfer masterclass after ExWHUemployee claim…

Celtic are facing a further delay in their bid to bring Ange Postecoglou to the club.

The Lowdown: UEFA exemption

Reports earlier in the week revealed that the Hoops had applied for an exemption with UEFA for the 55-year-old to manage in Europe.

Postecoglou does not hold the required UEFA Pro Licence to manage in Europe, however, Celtic are confident that Postecoglou’s CV will earn him an exemption.

The process could reportedly take several weeks, but it appears as if the Scottish giants now have a new obstacle to overcome.

The Latest: Time zone issues

According to the Daily Mail, cited by the Daily Record, time zone issues are stalling final negotiations.

The report suggests that any potential unveiling now faces another delay, with the eight-hour difference posing a problem.

The Verdict: 100 days and counting…

It’s not as if Japan has moved eight hours ahead overnight. Celtic would have been dealing with this all the way throughout talks with Postecoglou after their discussions with Eddie Howe collapsed last week, so one would have to hope this rather bizarre setback doesn’t pose a huge problem.

With Postecoglou also facing a 10-day quarantine should he arrive in Scotland, a move may well need to be wrapped up over the next three days.

Celtic are thought to be returning for pre-season on June 17, so that gives the Hoops until Monday to get Postecoglou over to Glasgow to ensure he’ll be out of quarantine and present at Parkhead for the first day back.

It’s been over 100 days since Neil Lennon resigned, but hopefully, the Hoops are closing in on a new boss.

In other news: Inter Milan re-enter chase for Odsonne Edouard, find out more here.