🚨 Slot slams "stupid" Ekitike, Frank hints at Kane-Spurs return, Arsenal eye Real Madrid star, Carabao Cup news clips, & more

Today's newsletter, featuring some crazy scenes in last night's Carabao Cup!

(Photo by Maja Hitij, Jan Kruger, Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy :-)

Today’s top stories:

• Thomas Frank has discussed Harry Kane returning to Tottenham

• Arsenal are among the clubs on alert for Vinicius Junior

• Latest ins and outs at Manchester United

• Plus Carabao Cup news clips, Liverpool, Chelsea & more

Carabao Cup round-up

FT: Liverpool 2-1 Southampton, Liverpool leave it late against Southampton

There was late drama at Anfield as Hugo Ekitike scored the winner before being shown a second yellow card for removing his shirt in the celebration!

Alexander Isak also scored his first Liverpool goal to give the Reds the lead shortly before half time, but Shea Charles equalised for Southampton in the second half to give Arne Slot’s side a bit of a scare.

Ekitike popped up to score the winner, though, finishing a neat passage of play by Liverpool, but Slot won’t be happy that he forgot he’d already been booked and picked up a needless red card.

FT Liverpool 2-1 Southampton [Pictures from Sky Sports]

Chelsea come from behind to beat Lincoln 1-2

Chelsea were given a bit of a scare by League One side Lincoln City last night, with some sloppy passing at the back allowing the underdogs to take a 1-0 lead.

Still, the Blues responded in the best way possible with two quickfire goals at the start of the second half.

First, Tyrique George fired in a superb effort from outside the box to level things up, and then George was involved in the winner shortly afterwards, as he did well to set up Facundo Buonanotte for his first Chelsea goal.

FT Lincoln 1-2 Chelsea [Pictures from Sky Sports]

Diego Gomez scores FOUR for Brighton, including goal of the season contender, to beat Barnsley 0-6

Diego Gomez had a night to remember for Brighton as he scored a remarkable four goals in their 6-0 win away to Barnsley, including this sensational swerving volley!

FT Barnsley 0-6 Brighton [Pictures from Sky Sports]

Carabao Cup scores in full

Lincoln 1-2 Chelsea
Barnsley 0-6 Brighton
Burnley 1-2 Cardiff
Wolves 2-0 Everton
Wigan 0-2 Wycombe
Wrexham 2-0 Reading
Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

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Arsenal

• Vinicius Junior to Arsenal or Liverpool could be one to watch in the months ahead as both clubs have been informed about the Real Madrid forward’s potential availability. (TBR Football)

• Arsenal are interested in another attacking signing as they eye up Real Sociedad’s Japan international winger Takefusa Kubo. The Gunners could be prepared to pay £40m for him this January. (Fichajes)

• Noni Madueke is expected to be sidelined for around two months with a knee injury. However, one positive for Arsenal is that he’s avoided ACL damage. (David Ornstein)

• Mikel Arteta: “Piero Hincapie picked up a little groin injury. We have to look in the next week on how he is. I think that will be a short-term injury.” (Press conference)

Aston Villa

• Aston Villa have reached an agreement to hire Roberto Olabe as their new president of football operations. Olabe recently left Real Sociedad and his appointment is viewed as a significant coup for Villa to replace the departing Monchi. (David Ornstein)

Barcelona

• Barcelona have made a breakthrough in Frenkie de Jong contract talks, with the Dutch midfielder now looking set to extend his deal with the club until 2029. (Mundo Deportivo)

• Gavi will be out for 4-5 months with a serious knee injury. He had surgery yesterday and is now facing a lengthy recovery period. (Barcelona official statement)

• Lamine Yamal: “God’s plan is perfect, you have to climb to get to the top. Happy for the Kopa Trophy x2 and congratulations to Dembele for the award and his great season.”

Chelsea

(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

• Chelsea are looking for a new goalkeeper to give them an upgrade on Robert Sanchez, with the 27-year-old Spanish shot-stopper continuing to struggle to find his best form at Stamford Bridge. (Football Insider)

Fulham

• Marco Silva on Harry Wilson’s future: “I know really the aim of him is to stay in the football club, and if we can get an agreement, his future is going to be with us. He was my first signing in this football club when I joined, and I know him very well. For me, it was never a problem and I know really how much he wants to stay in the club.” (Sky Sports)

Getafe

• La Liga outfit Getafe are closing in on the surprise signing of Patrick Bamford, who is available on a free transfer after leaving Leeds United in the summer. (Matteo Moretto)

Liverpool

• Liverpool are preparing to offer Ryan Gravenberch a new contract with a significant pay rise after his superb form. (talkSPORT)

• Liverpool are interested in Adam Wharton but have been told they have ‘no chance’ of signing the Crystal Palace midfielder in the January transfer window. (TEAMtalk)

• Vinicius Junior to Arsenal or Liverpool could be one to watch in the months ahead as both clubs have been informed about the Real Madrid forward’s potential availability. (TBR Football)

• Arne Slot on Giovanni Leoni’s injury. “Of course, he is down because for him it didn’t feel good immediately, but this is something now we have to assess. Normally these things don’t happen in five to 10 minutes and you have to wait for tomorrow to see how he comes in and then maybe do an MRI scan to know more about how serious it is.” (Press conference)

• Slot also slammed Ekitike’s red card and celebration as “stupid” after his late winner against Southampton. (Sky Sports)

• Florian Wirtz: “Of course I would have liked to have scored a goal or collected a few assists. But no matter what anyone says, I’m staying cool. I know what I’m capable of, and I also know that I’ll really bring it to the pitch at some point.” (Sky Sports)

Manchester United

(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

• Ruben Amorim wants Manchester United to try again for Carlos Baleba in January, with the Brighton midfielder having had his head turned by the Red Devils’ interest in the summer. (Football Insider)

• Manchester United are another club interested in signing Lucien Agoume, with Arsenal having previously been reported as leading the race for the Sevilla defensive midfielder. (Fichajes)

• Conor Gallagher could leave Atletico Madrid in January for a fee of around €60m, and Premier League clubs such as Manchester United are keeping a close eye on his situation. (Mundo Deportivo)

• Manchester United plan to keep Joshua Zirkzee as Amorim still has faith in the struggling Dutch forward despite speculation over his future. (Give Me Sport)

Real Madrid

• Franco Mastantuono: “I am adapting, I’ve more to give to Real Madrid. Jude Bellingham caught my attention the most. He has a presence and a level of authority I’ve never seen before.”

Tottenham

• Thomas Frank on Harry Kane and a possible return to Spurs: “I think there’s a lot of Tottenham fans including myself who would like to see Kane back. If Harry wants to join us, he’s more than welcome.” (Sky Sports)