Jurgen Klopp refused to speak to a reporter in the aftermath of Liverpool's humiliating 3-0 defeat to Wolves on Saturday, seeming to allege he was overly critical of the out-of-form Reds.

Liverpool's winless league run stretched to four matches at Molineux as Craig Dawson and Ruben Neves got on the scoresheet after Joel Matip put through his own net early on.

Wolves' opener was the fifth goal Liverpool have conceded in the opening five minutes of a Premier League game this season, more than any other side, while Dawson's second came just seven minutes later.

At his post-match press conference, Klopp was asked by the Athletic's James Pearce whether Liverpool's tendency to start slowly was caused by an attitude problem, and the Reds boss was unimpressed by the line of questioning.

"It's very difficult to talk to you, if I'm 100 per cent honest. I would prefer not to do that," Klopp told Pearce. "You know why, for all the things you wrote.

"If somebody else wants to ask that question, then I will answer it."

Another journalist present proceeded to repeat the same question, at which point a visibly irritated Klopp answered.

Meanwhile, Klopp's comments about Wolves' third goal quickly attracted the ire of the Molineux club on social media.

Klopp complimented Liverpool's second-half showing in his press conference, adding: "The third goal I don't count because it was the first time they passed the halfway line."

Wolves reacted with a cheeky tweet from their official account, replicating their usual full-time message with an image showing the scoreline as 2-0, with Neves' goal chalked off. 

Neves' goal was his fifth in the Premier League this campaign, making it his joint-most prolific season in the competition (also five in 2020-21). 

Jurgen Klopp remains confident he is the right man to turn Liverpool's form around after seeing their underwhelming season continue with Saturday's 3-0 loss at Wolves.

Liverpool suffered their third defeat in as many away league games this calendar year at Molineux, falling to another dire reverse as Craig Dawson and Ruben Neves followed up Joel Matip's early own goal.

The Reds are now 11 points adrift of a top-four place in 10th, having lost more away league games this term (six) than in the last two seasons combined (five).

Klopp has previously professed his desire to oversee a rebuild at Anfield, and the German remains certain he is the right man for the job despite Liverpool's downturn. 

Asked whether he was confident he could help Liverpool bounce back, Klopp said: "Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

"I know my job, you know my job, it's not to explain here how I can build up my team. I will be judged by you, which is fine. But today was not good enough, what I did."

Questioned on whether Liverpool's four-game winless run in the Premier League worried him, he added: "How can I not be concerned? I cannot sit here and say it's all okay. I was asked outside if it's because of last season, playing 63 games. 

"Yes, of course, it's clear that it has influenced the first part of the season, but how long do we want to suffer from that? It's February now. We had a full week to prepare.

"We are fit, we are now there, that might have been a problem earlier in the season, of course, when we had injuries – all are clear now. 

"But for today the first 12 minutes is not allowed, I have to say that, but we did it anyway. That's true and that's the outcome."

Asked whether he had lost faith in the players who almost delivered a historic quadruple last season, Klopp said: "No. I don't think they are at their best at the moment and do I like that? No. But I still know how good they are and how good they can be. 

"But football, and life, is not like this. We work every day and it's not because of him, him or him. So, these things happen because we cannot help ourselves in these moments. 

"These are the situations we have to go through. I don't lose confidence in the boys or whatever, but I see where we have to improve."

Liverpool have conceded more goals in the opening five minutes of Premier League matches than any other side this season (five), and goalkeeper Alisson struggled to explain the Reds' failure to start quickly. 

"In a game of 90 minutes, you have to do it consistently for the whole game," he told Premier League productions. "We showed today you can get punished for 15 minutes and that's what happened.

"We have the same players who achieved so many great things at this club and we are not performing well. It's difficult to say why. 

"I'm not saying I don't trust we can't bounce back. I'm just so disappointed about tonight's game. We have to keep working."

Erik ten Hag conceded that Casemiro "crossed the line" as he was sent off in Manchester United's nervy 2-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace, but the Dutchman believes a number of Eagles players got off lightly.

A Bruno Fernandes penalty and yet another goal from the in-form Marcus Rashford put United 2-0 up, but Casemiro was dismissed following a VAR review after he put his hands around Will Hughes' neck during an altercation between both sets of players, sparked by Jeffrey Schlupp's push on Antony. 

Schlupp then set up a tense finale with a goal 14 minutes from time, but United held on for a 13th straight home win in all competitions – their longest run at Old Trafford since they won 20 in a row between December 2010 and September 2011.

Ten Hag had no complaints with the decision to dismiss Brazil international Casemiro, who will now miss United's next three league games, but the former Ajax boss thought some Palace players, notably Jordan Ayew, should also have been punished. 

"We played a brilliant game and it was a really high level first 70 minutes until the incident took place and then you see this team stands for each other," he said.

"It's such a good spirit in the team and they don't accept when a player from us can be badly injured and that's the way Antony got treated.

"This team sticks together but, of course, you have to control your emotions. But it's really difficult in such a moment and I see two teams fighting each other.

"I see two teams of players crossing the line and then one player gets picked out, gets sent off. And for me, that's not right.

"The player from Crystal Palace takes a big risk with this foul that he gets badly injured by pushing him across the line and you know the pitches here. And then everyone is reacting, Crystal Palace and Manchester United players, and not only Casemiro.

"He [Ayew] was one of the players who did even worse than Casemiro. Casemiro, you freeze the moment, I think within the shot he's crossed the line there, I do definitely. And you have to be consistent as a VAR.

"Players and colleagues are hurting each other that bad like the player last week [Reading's Andy Carroll] did against Christian Eriksen and the player from Crystal Palace [Schlupp]; he started this, he took a big risk by injuring Antony."

United are back in action again on Wednesday when Leeds United visit Old Trafford, before the Red Devils travel to Yorkshire for the reverse fixture just four days later. 

Jurgen Klopp was "disappointed and angry" as he struggled to explain Liverpool's dismal run of form continuing with a 3-0 defeat to Wolves at Molineux.

Liverpool found themselves two goals down within 12 minutes on Saturday as Wolves debutant Craig Dawson followed up Joel Matip's own goal, before Ruben Neves ended the Reds' hopes of a comeback in the second half.

Wolves' bizarre opener was the fifth goal Liverpool have conceded in the opening five minutes of a Premier League game this season, more than any other side.

With Dawson's goal then being timed at 11 minutes and six seconds, Liverpool have only once gone 2-0 down at an earlier stage of a Premier League game, conceding twice in the first seven minutes against West Ham in 2014.

Speaking after seeing Liverpool's winless run stretch to four league outings, Klopp hit out at the Reds' dreadful start to the match and apologised for their defensive shortcomings.

"Obviously it was a horrible start, two goals which cannot happen like that," he told Premier League Productions. "But it happened, and we were 2-0 down because of our own fault.

"We should have defended better. We were passive in that period. I cannot explain it. There is no excuse for it.

"You're 2-0 down, the crowd is there, but it opens up and we get some control. Then for about 45 minutes we play a good away game without scoring. That sums it up, pretty much.

"These 15 minutes cannot be allowed. It needs to change, that's the thing. I stand here again and for the first 15 minutes I have no explanation, I'm sorry.

"In the end, we lost 3-0 and the goal in the second half was perhaps the first time they crossed the halfway line, but when you start like this you don't deserve anything."

Liverpool have lost three consecutive away league games for the first time since April 2012 (a run of four), while they have suffered more defeats on the road this term (six) than in their previous two campaigns combined (five).

Up next for Liverpool is a Merseyside derby against Everton, who began the Sean Dyche era with a huge victory against Arsenal on Saturday, and Klopp knows his team must improve quickly.

"We have to change it immediately in the next game," he said. "Everton won today, and they are in a good moment, so we have to prove a point again.

"For the moment, I'm so disappointed and angry about the first 15 minutes, I can't find the words for it.

"Then we had chances we should score. It could have been 2-1 and that would have changed everything I'm sure. Wolves deserve the three points."

Manchester United had Casemiro sent off but racked up a sixth consecutive Premier League home win as Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford scored in a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace.

Palace were on the back foot from the off in Saturday's game and fell behind to Fernandes' typically cool penalty inside the opening 10 minutes, before Rashford added a second goal shortly after the hour.

Casemiro was then dismissed following a VAR review after he put his hands around Will Hughes' neck during an altercation between both sets of players, and Jeffrey Schlupp set up a tense finale with a goal 14 minutes from full-time.

United held on, though, to move three points behind second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand – while Palace remain 12th, six points clear of the relegation zone.

The hosts were rewarded for a bright start in the seventh minute when Fernandes stroked home from the spot after Hughes handled Rashford's cross – the decision given following a pitchside review by referee Andre Marriner.

Vicente Guaita kept out efforts from Wout Weghorst and Rashford before the half-hour mark, while Fred clipped wide from close range as United threatened to double their advantage.

Rashford was switched into the centre of United's attack following Alejandro Garnacho's introduction in place of Weghorst, and the move paid off in the 62nd minute as the in-form England international steered home Luke Shaw's cross from eight yards.

Casemiro's red-mist moment handed the initiative to Palace, who reduced the deficit when Schlupp prodded home from a corner, yet United managed to hold on for maximum points.

Liverpool's dire run of form continued as Craig Dawson and Ruben Neves got on the scoresheet for Wolves in a 3-0 thrashing of the beleaguered Reds at Molineux on Saturday.

The Reds' bid for a first Premier League victory of 2023 never got going as debutant Dawson followed up Joel Matip's bizarre own goal to put Wolves firmly in control within 12 minutes.

Jurgen Klopp's team enjoyed plenty of possession after the break, but any hopes of a comeback were dashed with 19 minutes left as Neves capped a swift break to put Wolves 3-0 up.  

As well as avenging last month's FA Cup exit against Liverpool, Wolves claimed a huge three points in their bid to avoid relegation, leaving crisis club Liverpool in 10th and winless in four league matches.   

Wolves needed just five minutes to breach a Liverpool defence bereft of confidence, as Hwang Hee-chan's cut-back spun off Matip and against the post before crossing the goal-line.

Rocked by that goal, Liverpool fell further behind seven minutes later when Joe Gomez inexplicably headed Matheus Cunha's cross away from Alisson's grasp, allowing Dawson to fire high into the net from close range. 

Jose Sa denied Darwin Nunez with a one-on-one save two minutes later, but Liverpool were fortunate to reach half-time 2-0 down as Matheus Nunes broke clear to draw a similar stop from Alisson.

Max Kilman cleared off the line amid a goalmouth scramble as Liverpool looked to respond after the break, before Mohamed Salah bent an effort narrowly wide of the bottom-left corner.

Sa made another huge save from Nunez's low strike as Wolves sat deep to defend their lead, but Julen Lopetegui's men made the points safe when Adama Traore broke clear to tee up Neves for a neat left-footed finish. 

Sean Dyche emphasised the importance of going back to basics after his tenure as Everton manager began with a surprise 1-0 win over Premier League leaders Arsenal.

James Tarkowski's 60th-minute header was the difference as Everton ended an eight-match wait for a Premier League win at the first attempt under Dyche on Saturday, dealing a blow to Arsenal's title bid.

Dyche thus became just the second boss to beat the Premier League's leaders in his first match in charge of a new club in the competition, after Alan Curbishley's West Ham upset Manchester United in 2006.

Speaking to BT Sport after dealing Arsenal their first defeat in 14 Premier League outings, Dyche backed his side to improve as they become more accustomed to his approach.  

"It gives us a platform to move forward," Dyche said. "The performance was key for me. We've crammed a lot in this week, and the performance was the first marker.

"We managed to press the game well, I still think we can deal with the ball better, but that comes with confidence and belief in doing the basics well.

"That's my style, if you like. I want them to understand the basics of the game, but we've got some very good players here."

Everton adopted an aggressive approach from the off at a raucous Goodison Park, and Dyche was delighted with his team's application in their hard-fought win.

"I'm not knocking what they were trying to do under the last manager, I've got my style of working, that's all it is," Dyche added.

"We want to make sure everyone knows we are committed to the cause and giving everything.

"For the players, the basic requirements never change. You have to win your battles, win your races, win with commitment to the cause.

"I still think we could improve on our play, but that comes with confidence and confidence usually comes with results."

Tarkowski's winner represented his first Premier League goal for Everton, with all eight of his strikes in the competition coming under Dyche's management (seven for Burnley).

The defender echoed Dyche's thoughts in his own post-match interview, praising Everton's determination and describing the win as a potential turning point in their battle for survival.

"It has been tough for us and the fans and for all the staff at the club," he said. "Hopefully this is the turning point for the club, there is a lot of talent here.

"We've lacked that little bit of grit at times and that's what the fans want. We've seen what it's all about today."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is still "so proud" of his players despite the leaders slipping to a 1-0 defeat at lowly Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

The defeat, which came courtesy of James Tarkowski's second-half header at Goodison Park, was just Arsenal's second of the Premier League season – their first coming against Manchester United at Old Trafford in September.

The result means Manchester City can cut the Gunners' lead at the top of the table to just two points with victory over Tottenham on Sunday, although the London side will have a game in hand.

Arteta, who became the first Arsenal manager to lose three consecutive away Premier League games against the Toffees, lamented his side's inability to deal with Everton's physical threat, but hopes it will act as an important lesson for the remainder of the season. 

“We had loads of the ball and we generated many chances, but we lacked that purpose and quality in the final third," he told BT Sport.

"Then we conceded and they slowed the game down and we struggled.

"They do this to every team. Their physicality is their strength. If you want to control the game against them you have to control this. We did not do that.

"We needed more composure and to better control the game emotionally. We gave away so many unnecessary free-kicks and that's what they want.

"Today I love them much better than the week before or a month ago. It is easy to be next to someone when they are winning well. I am still so proud of all of these players, they deserve it.

"This is not going to be a rosy pathway. This is going to be tricky and we will have to dig in and play much better than we did today."

Arsenal will hope to return to winning ways against Brentford next Saturday, before a mouth-watering clash with Pep Guardiola’s City four days later.

Sean Dyche's Everton reign got off to a flying start as James Tarkowski's header handed Premier League leaders Arsenal a surprise 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park.

Everton looked revitalised in their first outing under the former Burnley boss, and it was two of his former Clarets players who combined for the winner – Tarkowski powering Dwight McNeil's corner home on the hour.

Arsenal were kept at arm's length by Everton during an unusually disjointed display, with the deserved victory dragging the Toffees – at least temporarily – out of the relegation zone.

Having suffered just their second league defeat of the season, the Gunners could see their lead at the summit cut to two points when title rivals Manchester City face Tottenham on Sunday. 

Despite Everton starting strongly at a boisterous Goodison Park, Arsenal missed the first clear chance on the half-hour mark, Eddie Nketiah firing wide following excellent work from Bukayo Saka.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin somehow failed to slide home Amadou Onana's low delivery three minutes later as Everton threatened, before the unmarked Abdoulaye Doucoure headed McNeil's cross wide.

Conor Coady then made a vital goal-line clearance from Saka's volley, before Calvert-Lewin almost found the top-left corner with a looping header as an entertaining first half ended level.

Visiting captain Martin Odegaard blazed over from a good position after 59 minutes, and Arsenal were punished a minute later as Tarkowski found the bottom-right corner with a fine header from McNeil's right-wing corner.

Arsenal introduced January additions Jorginho and Leandro Trossard in search of a leveller, but the latter's 20-yard attempt, saved by Jordan Pickford, was as close as they came as their title hopes suffered a huge blow.

Raphael Varane says the "suffocating" schedule of top-level football was behind his decision to retire from France duty.

The Manchester United defender announced on Thursday he has called time on his career in international football, after winning 93 caps in a 10-year stint, landing World Cup glory in 2018 along the way.

The former Real Madrid centre-back, who joined United 18 months ago, featured in six of France's games at the recent World Cup in Qatar, where they were beaten on penalties by Argentina in the final.

At the age of 29, he could realistically have targeted another World Cup campaign, but Varane decided the punishing schedule of modern football was too much for him.

"I gave everything, physically and mentally," Varane told Canal Plus. "But the very highest level is like a washing machine, you play all the time and you never stop.

"We have overloaded schedules and play non-stop. Right now, I feel like I'm suffocating and that the player is gobbling up the man."

Varane, who captained his country 20 times, is the fifth member of France's 2018 World Cup squad to retire from international football, after Blaise Matuidi, Steve Mandanda, Adil Rami and former captain Hugo Lloris.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still has a future at Chelsea despite Graham Potter's "tough" decision on the striker's omission from the Blues' Champions League squad.

Chelsea head coach Potter left Aubameyang out of his 25-man squad for Europe, bringing in new recruits Joao Felix, Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk.

The Gabon international last started for Chelsea in November and has scored just three goals in 18 appearances – in which only 10 of those have been starts – amid a frustrating spell at Stamford Bridge.

But Aubameyang netted both home and away against Milan in the Champions League, starting all six games, with Potter acknowledging the difficulties of naming his squad with Chelsea's depth of riches.

"I don't think it's going to be difficult because Pierre is a professional and of course, I understand he will be disappointed," Potter said.

"It was a tough decision, a tough call. We had three in and two had to go out. He was the one that missed out, he's done nothing wrong at all.

"We wanted to give David [Fofana] some game time today to see where he's at and give him that opportunity. I think you saw that one flash that he's got.

"Pierre is just unfortunate and he will be fighting for his place for the rest of the season. Whichever decision we made there was always going to be a conversation about it but it was my decision.

"It was a tough decision absolutely, sometimes you have to make these calls but it's absolutely nothing bad against him. He's done nothing wrong at all."

An image posted on Instagram by Aubameyang's brother Willy sparked controversy after it appeared the former Arsenal forward was in Italy as Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Fulham on Friday.

Potter dispelled the speculation over an unexpected absence, though, explaining Aubameyang was free to do what he pleases with a rare chance to take time away.

He added: "He trained today, he trained very well and he's got the weekend off so we can report on Monday. It's a free world."

Pep Guardiola says his admiration for Harry Kane has not dwindled since missing out on the Tottenham star, who he considers one of the greatest strikers he has ever seen.

Manchester City fell short in their pursuit of the England international ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, with Tottenham standing firm on their huge valuation at the time.

The reigning English champions instead turned to Erling Haaland a year later and the 22-year-old is currently the most prolific striker in world football.

While pleased with the impact Haaland has made since arriving from Borussia Dortmund, Guardiola still remains a fan of Kane.

"We are extremely happy with Erling and, of course, I think Tottenham are extremely happy with Harry Kane," Guardiola said.

"What an exceptional player – the numbers and, more than the goals, the quality. That they didn't win a title [doesn't mean] he is not a good player. I think he proved that.

"Harry Kane remains one of the best strikers I have ever seen in my life."

Haaland has scored 31 goals in 27 matches for City this season – six more than Europe's next highest goalscorer, Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe (25).

Kane has himself been in good form this campaign for an inconsistent Spurs side, with his tally of 18 goals bettered only by Haaland, Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski (23).

He has scored 16 goals in the Premier League this season and is now just one short of overtaking club legend Jimmy Greaves as Tottenham's all-time record goalscorer.

The 29-year-old also needs one more goal to become the third player after Alan Shearer (260) and Wayne Rooney (208) to reach the 200 mark in the Premier League.

Those records will be in Kane's sights when Spurs host City on Sunday, a little over two weeks on from the sides facing off in a thrilling clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola criticised his side after they recovered from two goals down at half-time to win 4-2, but they have since won back-to-back matches without conceding.

"From the results since then, if we'd lost or drawn it would have been seen as a bad approach," Guardiola said.

"But I explained my feelings. I know my team, I know the players. It doesn't matter what happened.

"The decisions we take are to do our best and for our benefit. I take responsibility for that, that's why I'm in charge. I didn't know what would happen when I said my comments. 

"I just expressed my feelings, first to the team and then in public and that's all. It's just three games after that and we have to continue."

Guardiola has lost all four of his visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in all competitions, making it the away ground he has managed at the most without winning.

Pep Guardiola referenced "genius" Barcelona mentor Johan Cruyff as the Spaniard detailed the small margins that will dictate the Premier League title race.

Manchester City sit five points behind top-flight leaders Arsenal, having played a game more on the weekend where Mikel Arteta's side visit strugglers Everton and Guardiola's men travel to Tottenham.

The reigning Premier League champions are no strangers to a late-season run to propel to glory, going unbeaten in 28 games to eventually overcome Liverpool in the title race last term.

City have arguably a much more daunting task at hand, having to overthrow Arteta's in-form Arsenal this time, but Guardiola says he will use lessons from Netherlands great Cruyff in 2023.

He told Sky Sports: "I won four La Ligas in a row in Spain when I was a football player. In the fifth I was not the same. In the sixth I was not the same. I was not starving enough.

"Caviar. Madrid beat me. The fifth and the sixth. I understand the players. But I am here to do it.

"I realised a little bit later. It is difficult for a player to realise in real time exactly what is happening.

"It is ridiculous how small the margin is between winning and losing. You have to pay attention. I tried to do my best. I never doubt that players do their best.

"But at the same time you think, 'OK, I have done it, I have won.' After, to be on top again, it takes time.

"Johan had many great attributes but one of them was that he knew exactly how you were going to feel before you felt it, before it happened.

"That is why he was a genius. He would tell us, 'Now this will happen.' Fortunately or unfortunately, most of the time it did."

Erling Haaland has hit a remarkable 25 goals in just 19 Premier League appearances since joining City from Borussia Dortmund ahead of this campaign.

But change in Manchester has brought difficulties, despite the Norway international's record-breaking exploits, with City an entirely different side to the first title-winning campaign under Guardiola.

"It has happened. We change, everyone changes. It is normal. Most of the time it is the players who decide they want to leave," he added.

"The club is always open to do it. There are other clubs where the release clause is the most important. Someone has to pay it or you stay. I completely disagree with that.

"Always, when they are not comfortable working with the manager, the staff, the club, the city, whatever, they have to try to move on.

"Of course, there has to be an offer. But if you come with an offer, I am pretty sure we are going to reach an agreement.

"For example, Gabriel [Jesus], Alex [Oleksandr Zinchenko] and Raheem [Sterling] have gone this season.

"I could not be more grateful for what they have done for me and for this institution, winning 11 trophies in five years. It is just amazing. Believe me, I wish the best for them personally and professionally.

"It is the same with me when I leave. One day they are going to bring in a new manager with his own passion and his own ideas. Everything is going to move on."

Graham Potter acknowledged time will be required for his new-look Chelsea to gel but he is "confident" the Blues will qualify for the Champions League.

Chelsea were held to a goalless draw at home to local rivals Fulham on Friday, as the Blues – who offered full debuts to Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudyrk – lacked fluency at Stamford Bridge.

Potter's side are a long away from top-four chasing form, sitting ninth in the Premier League, but the Chelsea head coach remains optimistic his team will be playing in the Champions League next season.

When asked about a top-four finish, Potter said: "I'm confident with the potential we have. I'm confident with the ability we have within the group.

"What we need to do now is gel the team. That's the challenge, that's what we have to do.

"There's still more football to play, but at the same time I don't want to worry about what we're going to do in four, five months' time. I need to focus on the next day, the training session and the next game."

Argentina World Cup winner Fernandez was signed for a Premier League record £106.8million (€121m) move from Benfica, but largely impressed on his debut just three days after the transfer.

"Very good, considering he's been in the country not very long," Potter said of Fernandez on Sky Sports.

"He doesn't know us, we don't know him so well but I think you can see flashes of his quality and personality. He'll get better and better."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp questioned how Chelsea managed to spend so heavily in January, while Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola echoed a similar sentiment.

Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos, David Datro Fofana, Joao Felix and Noni Madueke all arrived alongside the record-breaking agreement for Fernandez.

Potter was keen to focus away from just the transfer fees spent by a Todd Boehly-led Blues consortium, as he outlined his next challenge in west London.

"I think you have to look at it all in terms of transfer fees and salaries," Potter said.

"You can sign someone for less of a transfer fee but the salaries are enormous, so it just depends on how you structure the contract, how you structure the deal.

"But we're confident in what we're doing and I think we've done a good job and now my job is to improve the team."

Manchester City have reportedly identified Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister as their desired replacement for Ilkay Gundogan at the end of the season.

Mac Allister, 24, is enjoying a career-best season, with his five goals in 17 Premier League fixtures already matching his best ever tally for a full league season.

The talented creative midfielder also made six starts for Argentina during their march to victory at the Qatar World Cup, scoring his first senior international goal during a 2-0 win over Poland in the group stage.

His emergence as a player capable of shining on the world stage, as well as his contribution to Brighton's terrific season, has apparently caught the eye of City boss Pep Guardiola.

TOP STORY – CITY VIEW MAC ALLISTER AS IDEAL GUNDOGAN REPLACEMENT

According to Fichajes, Gundogan is expected to leave City when his contract expires at the end of the season, and Bernardo Silva could follow if he gets his wish with a LaLiga move.

The report states Guardiola is a big fan of Mac Allister, and believes he has proven himself as a capable Premier League producer.

Fichajes claim Brighton have set an asking price in the range of £40million, indicating they are more willing to part ways with him than 21-year-old Moises Caicedo, with both of their contracts expiring in 2025.

ROUND-UP

– ESPN is reporting Napoli will hold firm with an asking price of at least €100m (£90m) for 24-year-old striker Victor Osimhen, who has strong interest from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.

– According to 90min, Chelsea's top priority now is sorting out a contract extension for 24-year-old England international Mason Mount.

– Mason Greenwood will look to revive his career in China if United decide to let him go, per the Sun.

– Caught Offside is reporting West Ham and Everton will have to return after the season if they want to sign 27-year-old winger Sheraldo Becker, with Union Berlin unwilling to deal in January due to their strong league position.