Premier League news LIVE: Man United confirm Martinez injury, Willian re-joins Fulham, Liverpool and Tottenham team news

Que Sera, Sera...

Liverpool will defend their Carabao Cup crown against Newcastle in this season's final.

The Reds overcame a 1-0 defeat in the first leg against Tottenham to win 4-0 at Anfield and book themselves a trip to Wembley.

Newcastle will meet them at the home of football following their 4-0 aggregate win against Arsenal.

The final will take place on March 16.

'A lot to play for'

Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal are still in contention for trophies this season despite their Carabao Cup exit.

The Gunners were well-beaten 4-0 on aggregate by Newcastle in the semi-finals, losing each leg by a 2-0 scoreline.

It follows their FA Cup defeat to Manchester United and leaves the Premier League and Champions League as their hopes of success.

However, despite the challenges in each competition, Arteta is still optimistic of success this season.

"We need to swallow this one. It's a tough one as we had a lot of expectations," he said.

"We knew the difficulty of the task because of the result that we brought from London, but there's nothing we can do right now.

"What we could do was on the pitch. Now we have to look forward.

"First of all, I think this is going to be a painful one - and when we're in Dubai, recharge and go again because we still have a lot to play for."

Countdown to kick-off

Tonight's Liverpool and Tottenham starting XI's are in!

Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones start for Liverpool, with Alexander-Arnold absent due to injury.

Kevin Danso makes his debut for Spurs and fellow new arrival Mathys Tel starts on the bench.

Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Jones, Gravenberch, Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Nunez

Subs: Jaros, Endo, Diaz, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Quansah

Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Gray, Danso, Davies, Spence, Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr, Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son

Subs: Austin, Porro, Reguilon, Bergvall, Ajayi, Cassanova, Oluesi, Moore, Tel

You can follow our live blog for tonight's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg here.

Positivity from a thrashing

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler believes the week after their 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest can become a 'key point' for the players.

The Seagulls were thrashed by their Champions League-chasing opponents in their heaviest ever Premier League defeat on Saturday.

Despite this, head coach Hurzeler has remained positive and hopes his players will improve as a result.

"The players can look back in years to come on this tough week as a key point in their career," he said.

"In times like this, the players maybe in five or ten years will look back and say this was the phase, this was the situation that makes me a better player.

"This was the phase in my career where I maybe changed my approach.

"We have been honest to each other and a lot of individual talks. It is important to stay calm and go back to basics."

'Probably north of £100million'

talkSPORT's Simon Jordan believes that Alexander Isak is worth in excess of £100million in the current market.

The Newcastle striker has scored 19 goals this season and was crucial to their 4-0 aggregate win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Isak scored in the first leg and caused various problems for the Gunners defender in the second on Wednesday night.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Jordan hinted that the Swede will only get better and also evaluated how much he would cost.

"He's got that elegance, that's what people associate with [Thierry] Henry, he's got a long way to go to be in the same space as Henry," he said on White and Jordan.

"But he is a player, and he's going to become a really good player, he exudes class and threat, he's a handful.

"He made those two Arsenal centre-backs have a very disconcerting evening."

Speaking on his value, he added: "There's two factors to it, there's the club that's bidding for him, and how complicit the player suddenly becomes in an interest of leaving Newcastle, because that will alter the price point.

"If suddenly someone out of the ether, that Isak really thinks is a better opportunity...

"With all due respect to Newcastle, whilst it's a brilliant football club, whilst he's playing up there and enjoying himself, and he's been absolutely given a God-like status, there are bigger football clubs than Newcastle United on achievement terms.

"If one of those pops out of the ether and says, 'We'll have you', then that goes into the equation because someone would say, 'Well that means they'd have to pay the price.'

"Then the player comes to the party and starts suggesting to the club that he's playing for that, 'Actually, I would like to go.'

"It has a sort of a deflationary perspective on the transfer fee but in this day and age, [Erling] Haaland was an outlier because there was a contractual release clause in there, £55million.

"If they [Manchester City] had to buy Haaland in an open market, he'd have been north of £100million.

"Whilst I hate those numbers and don't think anyone's worth that kind of money, by the metrics of what they're paying players in this day and age, Isak is probably north of £100million."

Liverpool vs Spurs team news

Liverpool take on Tottenham at Anfield tonight in their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.

Spurs go into the match with a narrow first leg lead, having won 1-0 in North London last month.

The winners will face Newcastle in the final at Wembley Stadium on March 16.

Arne Slot will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold for tonight’s clash after he was forced off at the weekend.

Conor Bradley looks set to come in for the England full-back, whilst Joe Gomez is also fit after a hamstring injury.

As for Spurs, new signings Kevin Danzo and Mathys Tel could make their debuts.

Ange Postecoglou said in his pre-match press conference that Danso will definitely play due to his defensive injury woes.

Radu Dragusin has been ruled out for the rest of the season, whilst Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are also unavailable.

Amorim's decision on signings

Ruben Amorim has revealed it was his decision for Manchester United not to make more signings in January.

The Red Devils signed defenders Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven during the mid-season window.

However, no attacking additions were made despite Antony and Marcus Rashford both leaving the club on loan.

Addressing his side's business, Amorim told reporters: "We are taking a risk but we want a different thing in the team, different profiles. It was my decision to do that.

"What I feel is that the club is taking its time. We know the urgency of the moment of the team (but) everybody here does not want to make the same mistakes of the past.

"In the summer we will see but like I said we are being really careful with transfers because we did some mistakes in the past."

Amorim addresses Rashford exit

Ruben Amorim was asked about Marcus Rashford's move to Aston Villa during his pre-match press conference.

The winger left Manchester United on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy on Sunday.

Prior to his exit, Rashford had not featured for Amorim's side since December 12.

On his move, the United boss said: "Guys, in the summer. Like we said before, we are fighting for our jobs until the summer.

"I am just focused on these games. Marcus is in Birmingham now with Unai, we are just focused on our players."

Antony also left on loan during the January transfer window, limiting Amorim's forward options.

The Portuguese added: "We have to find players to play in different positions, you can see the way we play it’s going to take time and not solve all the problems, we have many shots inside the box and catch one player.

"Amad [Diallo] can score more, Bruno [Fernandes] can score more, Kobbie Mainoo can score more playing in that position on the pitch. We have to improve as a team, we have a little bit of time."

Amorim on Martinez injury

Ruben Amorim has admitted Lisandro Martinez will be 'out for a while' after Manchester United confirmed his cruciate ligament injury.

However, the club 'don't know how long' for yet, the United boss added.

The Portuguese also described Martinez's injury as 'a difficult situation' during his press conference.

Amorim has been speaking to reporters ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup fourth round clash with Leicester.

Luke Shaw is another United player sidelined through injury this week.

On the full-back, Amorim added: "(It is a) small issue in a different area, (we) try to be careful with him."

The Red Devils boss also confirmed that January signings Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven are 'ready to play'.

More from Van Nistelrooy

Ruud van Nistelrooy also addressed Leicester's injuries and January transfer window during his press conference.

Discussing team news, the Foxes boss said: "There are two or three with light injuries who will be assessed tomorrow.

"Wilfred [Ndidi] is fine. He’s had a great week of training and will be in the squad tomorrow."

However, he later spoke about the restrictions he faced during the transfer window.

The Dutchman added: "The reality is not always as you wish. I was part of the communication, so the development didn’t come as a surprise. Then I’m quite pragmatic. Let’s get on with it.

"If you can’t get players from the outside, get them from the inside. Young players, Ndidi is back, that’s an addition, [Mads] Hermansen is back, that’s an addition.

"When you strengthen the team, your chances will improve, there’s no doubt about that. But the means were not there to do so. It wasn’t possible.

"Also, the loans were blocked because we have two players. The disappointment is that two loans are not having the minutes so they’re not strengthening the team. We looked at foreign loans."

Right-back Woyo Coulibaly was Van Nistelrooy's only mid-season signing, joining from Parma.

Leicester starlet could face United

Ruud van Nistelrooy has confirmed Jeremy Monga will be in the squad to face Manchester United on Friday night.

The 15-year-old winger would become the club's second youngest player of all-time if he makes his debut.

Jake Evans, 16, will also be in the squad, Van Nistelrooy revealed in his pre-match press conference.

The Foxes face United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup fourth round tomorrow.

Monga will be 15 years and 212 days on matchday, with only one player appearing for the club at a younger age.

Ashley Chambers was just 15 years and 203 days when he came off the bench against Blackpool in 2005.

The striker made nine more appearances for the Foxes before leaving the club six years later.

Teenage duo join Arsenal squad

Arsenal have included two teenage starlets in their Dubai training camp squad.

The Gunners are set to travel to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday for a warm weather training camp.

Several academy players will accompany the first-team squad to complete the group.

Amongst them are 15-year-old Max Dowman and 16-year-old Jack Porter, according to The Athletic.

Dowman, who is ineligible to play in the Premier League this season after only turning 15 in December, is an attacking midfielder.

The youngster is already an England under-17 international with three goals in his six caps for the side.

Meanwhile, Porter made his senior debut against Bolton in the Carabao Cup in September.

The goalkeeper has also been named on the bench in the Champions League and Premier League this term.

Willian re-joins Fulham

Fulham have announced the signing of Willian on a free transfer.

The Brazilian has returned to Craven Cottage for a second spell on a deal until the end of the season.

Willian had been available as a free agent after leaving Olympiacos in December.

During his previous spell between 2022 and 2024, the winger scored 10 goals and added seven assists in 67 appearances.

The Cottagers have confirmed the 36-year-old will wear the number 22 shirt.

In an interview with the club's media channels, Willian said: "I’m really happy to be back here.

"I think it’s a great opportunity again to play for this Club, and I’m fully motivated to get on the pitch and do things well for this Club.

"I’m completely happy, my family’s happy. We are happy to be back, and I think we can do good things until the end of the season, so I can’t wait to start with my teammates and do good things inside the pitch."

Willian could make his return for Marco Silva's side as early as this weekend.

Fulham face League One Wigan away from home in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday afternoon.

Martinez injury confirmed

Manchester United have confirmed Lisandro Martinez has suffered a cruciate ligament injury.

The defender was forced off during Sunday's home defeat to Crystal Palace.

In a statement, United said: "Manchester United can confirm that Lisandro Martinez suffered an injury to his cruciate ligament in Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace.

"Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the appropriate course of treatment and the timescale for his rehabilitation.

"Everyone at Manchester United wishes Lisandro Martinez strength for a successful recovery and we will be supporting him every step of the way."

Martinez previously suffered a serious knee injury in February last year, which ruled him out for eight weeks.

The Argentinian's absence adds to three existing injury headaches for Ruben Amorim.

United are already without Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans, with the trio's return dates currently unknown.

Amorim 'wanted Dorgu now'

Lecce's president has revealed the club tried to keep hold of Patrick Dorgu until the summer ahead of Manchester United's January deal.

However, the Red Devils were only interested in a transfer which would see the Danish full-back move to Old Trafford immediately.

Saverio Sticchi Damiani told Calciolecce: "We have said several times that Dorgu would not leave in January, and now I will explain why the opposite happened.

"Then Manchester United arrived, who made themselves heard with us and with the boy's entourage, receiving an official response from us that I leave here, in which we said that we had no intention of letting Dorgu leave in January.

"And not talking about figures, not asking for increases. This, instead of stopping United, had the opposite effect.

"Manchester insisted, we asked several times to postpone everything until the summer, also promising the young man that he would not miss the opportunity.

"It was a historic step for us too, we just wanted to do it in July. The English communicated to us their desire, the club and its coach, to do it immediately."

Dorgu has signed a five-and-a-half year deal at Old Trafford through to the summer of 2030 with the option of a further year.

Ruben Amorim's first signing could make his United debut against Leicester in the FA Cup on Friday.

City ticket protest

Manchester City fans have sent an open letter to the club about rising ticket prices.

A total of seven prominent fan groups have written to the club over fears local fans could be priced out of attending matches.

The letter was sent to chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak and pointed out how the club have made a profit each season since 2014/15, with the exception of the Covid-affected campaign.

The letter reads: "The Club are quick to emphasise their connection to Manchester.

"In our most recent annual report, chief executive Ferran Soriano spoke to his love for the City of Manchester.

"We are asking that we do not lose that link. After all, what is this club without Manchester? Even our nickname – the Citizens – is in reference to our Mancunian roots.

"By making it practically impossible to obtain a standard season ticket, ticketing policy decision makers at Manchester City are severing the generational link between fans and their club."

Liverpool vs Spurs team news

Liverpool take on Tottenham at Anfield tonight in their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.

Spurs go into the match with a narrow first leg lead, having won 1-0 in North London last month.

The winners will face Newcastle in the final at Wembley Stadium on March 16.

Arne Slot will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold for tonight's clash after he was forced off at the weekend.

Conor Bradley looks set to come in for the England full-back, whilst Joe Gomez is also fit after a hamstring injury.

As for Spurs, new signings Kevin Danzo and Mathys Tel could make their debuts.

Ange Postecoglou said in his pre-match press conference that Danso will definitely play due to his defensive injury woes.

Radu Dragusin has been ruled out for the rest of the season, whilst Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are also unavailable.

FA Cup press conference

Several managers will be speaking to the media today ahead of this weekend's FA Cup action.

The fourth round is scheduled to take place between Friday and Tuesday.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim will speak to reporters at 1.15pm this afternoon.

The Red Devils host Leicester at Old Trafford on Friday night for a spot in the fifth round.

United are the defending champions having beaten Manchester City in last season's final.

That triumph secured the 13th FA Cup in the club's history and the second trophy of Erik ten Hag's tenure.

Amorim will be hoping the competition can deliver the first silverware of his United reign.

It will be their third meeting with the Foxes this season, with United winning both during Ruud van Nistelrooy's interim charge in the Carabao Cup and Premier League.

The Dutchman is now in charge of Friday night's opponents, though.

Shearer's trophy admission

Alan Shearer made a bold claim before Newcastle booked their place in the Carabao Cup final.

Eddie Howe's side beat Arsenal 4-0 on aggregate to reach next month's final, where they will face Liverpool or Tottenham.

Ahead of the semi-final second leg, Shearer admitted he 'doesn't care' if his old club do not win again this season as long as they lift the trophy.

The Magpies have not won a major domestic trophy since the 1955 FA Cup final.

Shearer addressed the trophy doubt on The Rest Is Football podcast earlier this week.

Asked by Gary Lineker if he would be going to the match, the Toon icon said: "I'm going on Wednesday night, can't wait.

"I would actually, I wouldn't care if Newcastle didn't win another game this season but if they win two - Wednesday night and the final, I'd be a happy man."

Lineker agreed the club's wait for a trophy has been 'crazy', before Shearer added: "70 years man, (without) a domestic trophy. 70 years. 1955.

"As you know I don't like swearing but f hell come on."

Wind-ups gone mad?

Myles Lewis-Skelly hit the headlines when he mocked Erling Haaland's celebration during Arsenal's 5-1 mauling of Manchester City.

But those types of celebrations could become a thing of the past.

According to Sky Sports, the Premier League could consider punishing players should their goal celebrations incense rival fans or players and damage the game's reputation.

Everton's Iliman Ndiaye copped a yellow card when he scored the winner against Brighton and proceeded to wave his arms like a seagull in front of the club's supporters at the Amex Stadium.

Leicester City's Jamie Vardy, who has rankled many an opposition fan base over the years, angered Tottenham supporters when he pointed to the Premier League badge on his sleeve and raised one finger, indicating how many league titles the Foxes had one compared to Tottenham.

However, Vardy faced no punishment for the gesture.

Neal Maupay also found a way to wind up the opposition as he mimicked James Maddison's darts celebration last season when Brentford played Tottenham.

Seagulls strike early for teen star

Brighton have agreed a deal to sign Brondby youngster Clement Bischoff in the summer, talkSPORT understands.

The Seagulls have parted with £8million for the talented 19-year-old, who had 18 months remaining on his deal with Brondby.

Bischoff has operated as a left midfielder for Brondby this season, registering two goals and eight assists in 25 Danish Superliga appearances.

The 19-year-old also happens to be the nephew of Mikkel Bischoff, who spent time at English clubs such as Manchester City, Wolves, Coventry City and Sheffield Wednesday.

Brighton's swoop for Bischoff follows from their busy January window in which they made three signings.

Greek forward Stefanos Tzimas arrived from FC Nuremberg but was immediately loaned back to the German side, while midfielder Diego Gomez joined from MLS outfit Inter Miami.

Eiran Cashin also moved from Derby County, boosting the Seagulls' defensive stocks.

Attacking pair Evan Ferguson and Julio Enciso departed on loan to West Ham United and Ipswich Town respectively.

Mouss on the loose

League of Ireland side Bohemian FC have pulled off a major coup, snapping up former Premier League forward Lys Mousset.

Mousset, who was signed by the Blades for £10million in July 2019 in what was a club-record fee at the time, joined the Dublin-based side following a successful trial.

The 28-year-old scored nine goals in the English top flight from 99 appearances.

However, Mousset has not played since May 20 in 2023, when he played for Nimes Olympique.

"I am over the moon to bring in a player of Lys' quality to the club," Bohemian manager Alan Reynolds said.

"He has been with us the past few weeks and we have really liked what we have seen and he has really settled in well.

"The level Lys has played at speaks for itself. He is an exceptional talent and he wants to come here, enjoy his football and score goals."

Tik Tact

Arsenal have laid down the gauntlet ahead of tonight's semi-final second leg against Newcastle.

The Gunners published their match preview on Wednesday morning ahead of the 8pm kick-off, live on talkSPORT, and visitors took a swipe at the Magpies' so-called 'aggressive' tactics.

Within the preview, a section penned by former Arsenal player Adrian Clarke reads: “We [Arsenal] have registered just one shot on target in each of our last two away games at St James’ Park as the Magpies disrupted our flow inside the middle third with aggressive tactics, making the game stop-start in nature.

“Howe’s team will do their best to play this way again, allowing us lots of possession – in the first leg we had 70 per cent, and in those two away losses it was 59 per cent and 64 per cent.

“Blocking off central areas, they forced us into lots of hopeful crosses which played into their hands.”

Arsenal then doubled down, with quotes from Toon boss Eddie Howe, that specifically mention approaching the game in an 'aggresive way'.

Alejandro Garnac-no

Napoli's sporting director has revealed that Alejandro Garnacho's financial demands to leave Manchester United were too high.

As exclusively revealed by talkSPORT last month, Garnacho was reluctantly open to leaving Old Trafford over fears about where he fits into Ruben Amorim’s system.

The Red Devils had been in discussions with Napoli over the Argentine, who lost star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to PSG.

However, the Italian side’s offers fell below United’s asking price, which is understood to be between £60-£70million.

Napoli sporting director Gioanni Manna has now admitted Garnacho's own salary demands made any transfer a non-starter - and the player ultimately stayed put beyond Monday's deadline.

"Garnacho is a player that we like and we have liked," Manna told a news conference on Wednesday.

"We considered him even before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's departure. We met. We made a very important offer to United. We came close to their demands, very close.

"In order to leave the Premier League in January, because in July it is different, the player [Garnacho] probably wanted to be satisfied financially," Manna continued.

"It's something which we can't do right now, we are no willing to do and I don't think it is right.

"When you have an average salary within the dressing room and I bring in a young player that earns a medium to high salary, I don't find it correct for those players that are doing important work here."

Silver a-ware

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on the trophy drought and the pressure to deliver tomorrow evening: "It's a big occasion for everyone. It's a semi-final.

"I don't think Liverpool will be any less anxious than us. It's a big game for both clubs.

"You recognise that, you embrace that, but ultimately if you want to be successful these are the games that you want to be involved with because the alternative is, you'll be at home on the couch watching two other teams on the TV wishing you were there."