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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to discuss out-on-loan star Harry Wilson’s future on Merseyside.

The Wales international starred whilst out on loan at Hull last season, and has impressed even more this term with Derby.

What is behind Liverpool’s recent title race slip ups? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video above…

Wilson has hit 12 goals and recorded four assists across all competitions for Frank Lampard’s Rams, and he managed to score seven goals and set up a further three in just 11 starts with the Tigers in the previous campaign.

The 21-year-old has been tipped to have a bright future at Anfield, and some people have even mentioned him as a potential candidate to replace Philippe Coutinho for the Reds, which is quite a bold statement.

Liverpool have been criticised of late for a lack of goals from midfield, with the likes of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Gini Wijnaldum and James Milner contributing to just six league goals between them this season – Wilson’s inclusion in the first team could help ease the burden on Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

Let’s see what the Reds supporters are saying about Wilson on Twitter…

Football ranks amongst the most popular sports to bet on with punters taking advantage of an ever-increasing number of exciting markets, both pre-match and in-play. There are a range of prices available to suit every pocket, with the level of risk taken on determining the potential rewards.

Many of the best loved offers, such as both teams to score, are available with most respectable online betting firms, while new deals, such as both score and winning team, quickly make their way to the top names in the industry as the leading brands continue to copy their rivals.

So, what’s the difference between the top bookmakers and does it really matter who you place your bets with? The answer is yes, if you’re truly serious about making a regular profit from gambling on the beautiful game it matters who you trust with your stake money.

It’s true most of the pack replicate the top promotions, but some of the most successful firms maintain their place at the top of the tree by constantly evolving and improving what they make available to their customers.

Here are three football betting sites offering unique offers worth having…

888Sport – options on non-sports betting

That covers football, and we’ve already touched on just how popular footie betting is with punters, but what if sports are not your thing and you’re more interested in the world of politics, culture or even reality TV? Does that mean you can’t enjoy a bet? With most firms, sadly that’s the case, but 888Sport have you covered.

It’s obvious 888Sport have a wide range of prices and offers, from the most popular markets like football, horse racing, dogs, tennis, cricket and boxing, to more niche betting opportunities, including General Election winner, Brexit, Dancing On Ice and Love Island – The brand is one of the leading forces in off sports betting (based on review by top-betting-sites.co.uk).

If you have a healthy interest and opinion on the outcome of something, chances are this bookmaker, who loves thinking outside of the box, will be offering betting odds on the result. Not only do they allow you to bet on the weird and wonderful – including winter sports, water polo, volleyball, trotting, surfing and table tennis – they also provide a whole host of special offers and promotions to entice and excite new and existing customers. A genuine all-rounder, it’s little wonder 888Sport continues to grow in popularity.

Ladbrokes – Get A Price

Promoted under the strap line ‘you pick it, we price it’, Ladbrokes Get A Price promotion is changing the way we bet, allowing punters to create and bet on their own markets, putting you firmly in charge of how you wager your cash.

If, after looking through the traditional markets, you don’t see what you’re after, or would like to combine a few specials in an accumulator, you can do so with this promo. Covering Premier League, Championship, Scottish Premiership, La Liga and Serie A, you’ll get a price on match result, both teams to score, total goals, total corners, total bookings, as well as player stats – to be booked, sent off, score or assist.

Get a price for your fancies by Tweeting the trading team @Ladbrokes and using the tag #GetAPrice and if the market doesn’t already exist, they will quote you a price. You can also search through and bet on suggestions made by other Ladbrokes customers, if they take your fancy. You’ll find a general guideline to betting on this promotion on the site’s T&Cs page.

Coral – Build A Bet

Also known as #YourCall and similar to the above promotion, Coral allow you to call the shots and create a betting opportunity that best suits your needs, deciding on the number of legs involved and the potential returns. If you can’t find the bet you want from Coral’s extensive online list, simply create your own.

Decide on the match you’d like to bet on, pick a player, call on the stats and you’ll get a price instantly. There’s match betting, both teams to score, total goals, total corners, booking points, anytime goal scorer, shots, passes, tackles and more. This type of bet also extends to cover major basketball matches from the NBA.

Contact Coral on Twitter using the handle #YourCall, tell the crew the bets you’re after and they’ll respond with a quote. If both parties are happy, the admin team will then add the option to their website, ready for registered users to select and bet on. This can be done on your desktop, through the mobile app or on your tablet when out and about, meaning an exciting betting opportunity is always just a click away.

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He missed their best chance to score in the Mestalla but tonight Kris Ajer came of age as a

Celtic player.

After 62 minutes he rose perfectly to meet a Ryan Christie free kick from the right but got too much on his header when simply glancing it would have opened the tie right up.

Eight minutes later Kevin Gameiro scored the only goal of the game but when the final whistle blew there wasn’t a failure in the Celtic side.

The travelling support witnessed tame performances away to RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig in the group phase but against overwhelming odds, increased by the 37th minute sending off of Jeremy Toljan, the Bhoys stood up to be counted.

The 6 foot 5 youngster started off on the right of a back three and played the role with great discipline. When Toljan walked he had to go out to right-back and barely gave the Spanish side a look in.

The 20-year-old was disciplined and determined as Valencia tried to flood the flanks to find a way to goal. Ajer was well backed by his defensive team-mates as Celtic stood their ground until they were cut open for Gameiro’s goal.

His header just past the hour mark will obviously be remembered but in one of the toughest venues in the Europa League Brendan Rodgers got a glimpse of a future central defence without Filip Benkovic and Dedryck Boyata.

Here’s what Celtic fans have been saying on Twitter…

Despite losing to Cardiff City, it was not an entirely disastrous weekend for West Ham, who have Eden Hazard to thank.

The Belgian’s stunning stoppage-time equaliser denied Wolves of all three points in their 1-1 draw against Chelsea, leaving the gap between Nuno Espirito Santo’s side and the Hammers at five points.

And that five-point gap is one that can easily be overturned, though West Ham will have to improve their away form if that is to happen, something which Manuel Pellegrini has recently been talking about.

The Breakdown

“We need to talk with them [the players] during the week. It is not normal to lose four away games and not score one goal,” Pellegrini told the Evening Standard.

“We must review what we are doing when we play away. We need to improve. We need to see what we are doing wrong playing away.”

With finishing in that spot just outside of the Premier League top six still a possibility, overall, it has been a good season for West Ham.

They have picked up some big results against the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United, while the football they have been playing under Pellegrini is exactly what supporters have been asking for for years.

Signings Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko before the Ukrainian picked up an Achilles injury, have helped the team do that and have been great acquisitions to a West Ham squad that was not blessed with technical quality.

But for some, including Pellegrini, all of the above may feel a little wasted if things do not improve on the road and the east London club end up totally capitulating in the race for seventh place.

West Ham fans, are you still pleased with how this season is going despite the team’s away form? Join the discussion by commenting below.

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Virgil van Dijk turned in a performance of the highest quality as Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday.

The Netherlands international was impeccable in defence in a game that, at times, appeared to be Everton’s to win.

On the chalkboard

Van Dijk led from the back as Liverpool were frustrated by Marco Silva’s men at Goodison Park.

Per WhoScored, the former Southampton centre-back won a total of 10 aerial duels, four more than second-placed Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Van Dijk also won both of the tackles he attempted, made three interceptions and a total of 13 clearances, four more than his centre-back partner Joel Matip.

Quite simply, Everton could not get past him.

He also had one key pass from his 63 total passes; his accuracy averaged out at 86%.

In addition, Van Dijk also had one shot on goal and was caught offside once as he attempted to swing the game his side’s way.

Though he did not wear the armband on the day, this was a captain’s performance from a player who appears set to become a Liverpool great.

Not giving up yet

Van Dijk deserves to win the Premier League trophy.

He has been simply brilliant for the entirety of the season, making 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and laying on two assists.

Remarkably, in the Premier League, he has been booked just once, and has captained his side to thumping victories over Arsenal and Manchester United.

A Rolls-Royce of a defender, Van Dijk is set to become a Liverpool great in short order if he helps the side win their first title in a generation.

The club have conceded just 15 goals in the top-flight, five fewer than the irrepressible City, and have lost just once.

Without Van Dijk, perhaps none of this would be possible; if his form continues, he may well be immortalised in May.

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The Mirror have suggested Liverpool still have an interest in rising star Jadon Sancho, after Jurgen Klopp admitted that he tried to sign the precocious young talent before he left Manchester City for Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Reds boss admitted that he tried to bring the 18-year-old to Anfield, but to no avail as the Citizens refused to do business with a fellow Premier League side.

Sancho instead ended up signing for Dortmund in a deal thought to be in the region of £10m, and was subsequently handed the number seven shirt vacated by Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele.

The Bundesliga leaders, unlike City, do sell to English clubs. Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have all expressed an interest in signing the teenage prodigy, although Dortmund are understood to value the England international in the same price bracket as they sold the aforementioned Dembele for – £100m rising to £135m.

Do Liverpool even need Sancho?

Of course, if a player like Sancho did become available, it would be tough for a club of Liverpool’s stature not to get involved in the running.

However, there are much more pressing issues at hand for Klopp, most notably at centre back. The injured Joe Gomez hasn’t played since injuring himself at the start of December, whilst Dejan Lovren hasn’t played since the start of January.

In a title race as difficult as the one Liverpool find themselves in, where their opponents City have names such as Aymeric Laporte, Vincent Kompany, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi to provide depth, the Reds are way behind in terms of defensive strength.

Perhaps a name such as Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly would be more sensible, as tempting as a move for Sancho would be. Transfermarkt value the centre-half at £63million and he’d certainly make a convincing partner for Virgil van Dijk.

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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to react after Harry Wilson revealed the thinking behind his ‘five times’ celebration at Old Trafford, after scoring a world-class freekick for Derby against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season.

The Wales international, who is on loan at Pride Park from Anfield, has been in sensational form for the Rams this season under Frank Lampard, scoring 12 goals and recording two assists in all competitions, including a number of phenomenal freekicks.

Arguably the best of the bunch came against the Red Devils, which saw Wilson hold up five fingers to the crowd to signify Liverpool’s five Champions League victories, a celebration which Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have done before.

Speaking about the celebration to the Guardian, Wilson said: “A few Liverpool fans were messaging me and sending me pictures of Fernando Torres and I think Steven Gerrard doing it and I was like: ‘I can’t do that, I’m not in the calibre of those players.’ But when it happened, it was heat of the moment and it just came out.”

Understandably, Liverpool fans on Twitter loved it…

كشف شريف إكرامي حارس مرمى الأهلي السابق والمنضم حديثًا إلى صفوف بيراميدز، كواليس رحيله عن أروقة القلعة الحمراء، والعروض التي تلقاها، وسبب الهجوم الذي يتعرض له خلال الفترة الأخيرة.

وقال إكرامي في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “أون تايم سبورتس”: “نويت الرحيل عن الأهلي واللعب لأي ناد غير جماهيري خارج مصر حتى لا يكون هناك حساسية، وكنت أنتظر الجلسة مع مسؤولي النادي في مارس ولم أرتبط بأي عقود مع أي فريق احتراما للأهلي”.

وأضاف: “كنت قد تلقيت عرضًا من أحد أندية الوسط في السعودية ولكن لم تكتمل المفاوضات، بيراميدز تواصل معي بعد اتخاذ قرار رحيلي عن الأهلي، وأجلنا الأمور إلى بداية الموسم الجديد لكن المتغيرات التي طرأت وأزمة رمضان صبحي جعلتني أعجل بإعلان الانضمام للنادي”.

رسميًا.. الأهلي يعلن غياب رامي ربيعة أمام الوداد المغربي

وأردف: “علاقتي بالأهلي عبر السنين أكبر بكثير من ما حدث الفترة الماضية، ولن أستفاد شيئا من أي كلام سيقال وتركت مشاعري، كنت أقارن العروض ولم أضع الأهلي في أي مقارنة مع أي ناد آخر لأنه في مكانة مختلفة بالنسبة لي”.

واستطرد: “بيراميدز أكثر ناد يمتلك لاعبين دوليين بعد الأهلي والزمالك ولديه منظومة احترافية وإدارية مثل الشركات المحترفة، مهم أن يكون هناك أهداف والأهم هو كيفية الوصول لها وإن حققتها فلك كل الاحترام وليس السخرية”.

وواصل: “الناس أخذت عني انطباعًا أنني عندما أخطأ أقول أنا أخطأت، تعرضت للهجوم قبل كتابتي عبر تويتر وإن كانت تتم مهاجمتي قبلها وبعدها، وسواء كلامي تم اجتزائه أو لا فأنا لم أندم على أي كلمة قلتها”.

واستكمل: “شيء جيد بالنسبة لي أنني سأتواجد مع لاعبين ليسوا غرباء عني ولعبنا معًا من قبل، وهذا سيعطي قوة للفريق، وهناك تفاصيل صغيرة تحدد هل سيكون لدينا استمرارية أم لا وأنا سعيد بتجربة بيراميدز جدًا، ويشرفني بالتأكيد التواجد مع عبد الله السعيد وأحمد فتحي ورمضان صبحي وغيرهم”.

واختتم: “أنا لاعب محترف ووقعت لناد آخر وليس من اللائق أن أعلق على أي شئ يخص النادي الأهلي، أنا لاعب في بيراميدز الآن، ولكن كلمة أخيره النادي الأهلي لا يقف على لاعب أو مدرب أو أي أحد”.

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Tyler Roberts has been one the surprise packages of the season at Leeds United. Not only has the 20-year-old shocked supporters with the standard of his performances, but he has thrived away from his customary centre-forward position in the enganche role which has largely been occupied by Samu Saiz and Pablo Hernandez.

Yet more reason for the media to salivate over the Argentine, as if any more were necessary.

A pair of assists were provided for Patrick Bamford against West Brom last Friday, with a delicate flick of the boot providing the killer ball to put Leeds 2-0 up shortly before the break and a bulldozing dribble through the heart of the Baggies defence preceding the killer third.

In a season which has hosted Roberts’ rise to prominence alongside the likes of Jack Clarke and Jamie Shackleton, eulogisers have naturally hailed Bielsa’s influence in their collective development.

But this trend is far from surprising given Bielsa’s history in the game. A handful of talents in the Premier League played under the Leeds boss during the formative stages of their careers, and we’re here to show how exposure to his widely-celebrated philosophy can ultimately lay some vital foundations needed for a big future in the game.

Aymeric Laporte

Manchester City’s majestic central defender hailed Bielsa during an interview with The Times earlier this season.

“Without him, I might not be where I am today. It was Bielsa who gave me my first steps in the [Spanish] top flight, and so I owe him a lot. I’m very grateful to him and very aware of exactly what he did for me.”

It takes genuine bravery for a manager to trust in a ball-playing central defender at an age when they are bound to make glaring errors. Bielsa, though, as Laporte has stated, is “not cut from the usual cloth.”

The Athletic Bilbao prodigy was playing 90 minutes in La Liga on a semi-regular basis aged just 18, starting 14 times in the 2012/13 season, but his exposure to elite standard football at such a tentative age clearly served him well.

Bielsa will look at Laporte’s development with immense pride. The 24-year-old has grown into a complete defender, and his performances will undoubtedly play a defining role in the extent of City’s success this season.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Theo Ogden found two rebelious Leeds fans in the home end at Loftus Road in QPR’s 2-1 FA Cup win. Find out what happened next in the video below…

Michy Batshuayi

Bielsa’s time at Marseille happened to coincide with the arrival of one of Belgium’s brightest young talents. Batshuayi’s maiden campaign in France was representative of his overall promise at that age, with a return of nine goals to show from just six starts in Ligue 1.

Admittedly, Bielsa was a little reluctant to fully blood Batshuayi into the starting XI with Andre-Pierre Gignac offering experience at the spearhead of the attack.

But the summer acquisition did come off the bench a further 20 times to supplement his opportunities from the start, and Bielsa’s handling of the complete forward provided him with the platform to thrive in the following season, with 23 goals and 10 assists eventually convincing Chelsea to sign him the following summer.

A player who combines power with technique and neat interplay, the fruits of Bielsa’s labour clearly rubbed off on the Crystal Palace loanee.

Mario Lemina

Lemina is one of the most outspoken admirers of his former manager, per So Foot.

“The first year with Elie Baup was complicated but the next one with Marcelo Bielsa was magnificent. We discovered another OM, more spectacular. With the coach, I learned a lot. It’s really interesting to work under him. When he left, it was a shock for me and that’s what made me want to go.”

The Gabon international is yet to fulfil what is no doubt a huge level of potential, but it’s clear from his quotes that he felt happy and well-educated under Bielsa.

Perhaps a reunion with his former boss could be on the cards if Leeds win promotion to the Premier League.

Is Roberts the next success story?

The aforementioned players are examples of some of the brightest young talents who were privileged enough to play under Bielsa during the early stages of their careers.

It’s clear to see from their career paths that exposure to his methods, philosophy and captivating personality can contribute to a huge future in the game.

For Roberts, a strong contender for Leeds’ breakthrough talent of the season, he has been fortunate to receive the same education.

The Wales international is in esteemed company, but the signs are there to suggest he may not be completely out of his depth in a bracket alongside the likes of Batshuayi and Lemina in four years’ time.

Another Bielsa success story could be in the making.

Everton will be hoping for a strong end to the season after picking up an impressive win in midweek.

Their campaign on the whole has come under some scrutiny thanks to some below par performances and some big money spent in the last few windows, but Marco Silva does have the ability to get the best from his squad and finish with a flurry.

The Toffees, who have plenty of talent already, will no doubt be keen on moving once more during the summer to ensure they bring in even more players of quality, and one man we here in the Tavern feel would be a superb signing is Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik.

The 15-goal striker has once again been showing his worth this term with some impressive displays in Italy, and with the failures of the likes of Cenk Tosun at Goodison Park, Milik could well prove to be the answer.

The Polish striker has all the tools needed to be a success in the Premier League and he’d be ideal at Everton as a focal point ahead of their talented attacking midfield players.

It’s the missing piece to the Everton jigsaw really, finding a man who can hit the back of the net regularly, but Milik is equipped to be that player.

If Everton can get in their early and stump up the cash to capture Milik, then there is no reason why the Premier League can’t be graced with what will be yet another superb striking talent.

Toffees fans, what do you think? Would Milik be a good signing? Let us know in the comments!