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Liverpool are in a bit of a sticky position in regards to their fearsome front-three.

Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino have been nothing short of sensational over the past two seasons as a collective yet recently, if one of them delivers a below-par performance, the Reds have found themselves in a bit of trouble.

Goalless draws against Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Everton in the past five weeks have illustrated that a lack of creativity in Jurgen Klopp’s side is starting to have an impact this season.

Despite Liverpool currently leading the Premier League by two points from Manchester City, fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the coming weeks will need to see them find and then stick to a decisive back-up plan in order to achieve title glory.

No matter what tactics Klopp uses, it must include one player in particular; Divock Origi. Since joining the club for a reported fee of £10m from Lille in 2014 (via the BBC), the Belgian has struggled to make his mark for Liverpool and has been loaned out on two occasions.

After spending the 2017/18 campaign with Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg, Origi returned to Anfield in the summer yet he had to wait until December to make his first Premier League appearance of the campaign. After being subbed on with just six minutes left to play against arch-rivals Everton, the forward scored a dramatic last-minute winner to show Klopp just what he had been missing. In the following game against Burnley, he made his first start and impressed once again, providing an assist in a 3-1 victory at Turf Moor.

However, since these two fixtures, Origi has been used sporadically by his German manager in a number of different positions which has done little to help with his development as a player. It is clear that the forward possesses great ability and can offer the Reds a different threat than Firmino in a similar way that Gabriel Jesus does to Aguero at City.

Therefore, if he is going to be used as a substitute for the remainder of the campaign, he must come on his natural position as a striker in order for Klopp to get the best out of him. Although Origi’s time at Anfield has been a frustrating one to date, it could still be remembered for all the right reasons if he is given a chance to help his side win their first league title in 29 years in May.

What do you think Liverpool fans? Should Klopp stick by Origi and use him more towards the end of this season? Or is it time to cut ties with the Belgian? Get in touch below.

Another loan spell is surely beckoning Harry Wilson at the beginning of next season as the promising Welshman looks to barge his way into a crowded and competitive Liverpool team.

It has been an extremely positive first experience in senior football for Wilson, who has been the standout player in Frank Lampard’s promotion hopeful Derby County side, scoring 12 goals in all competitions.

Indeed, the 21-year-old has evidently outgrown the Championship and his return to Derby, or any other club in the competition for that matter, seems unlikely.

Rather, according to goal.com, Jurgen Klopp prefers the option to find him a club in the Premier League to continue his development, readying him for the future challenges at Anfield.

But who with?

Brendan Rodgers; Leicester City is one of the reported likely locations.

Rodgers, who was reportedly interested in taking the player to Celtic last term, missed out because Klopp felt he had too little faith youngsters (as per goal.com)

However, now with the financial clout of the former Premier League winners, there is every chance the Foxes boss could come bounding back with a permanent offer. And we think the move makes perfect sense.

Here are two reasons why…

Youth and development

Contrary to Klopp’s belief, Rodgers will be of immense benefit to Leicester’s fledgeling players.

After all, this is where it all started for the former Chelsea youth coach – developing talent.

For example, though he cannot claim the introduction of Kieran Tierney, he has overseen the full-backs progress into one of Scotland’s most promising talents. The same could be said for Raheem Sterling. Rodgers gave him his chance at Liverpool and look at him now: one of the best players in the Premier League.

Leicester have an impressive roster of young, up and coming talent, including the likes of Demarai Gray, Harvey Barnes and Ben Chilwell, and Harry Wilson should want to join their ranks next season.

No budging current starters

It is unlikely that Wilson will get anywhere near the current Liverpool team for some time, despite how well he has performed.

There is too much quality in the forward positions, where he naturally operates, with Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah all irreplaceable.

Furthermore, the midfield, a region he has occupied more regularly for Lampard, may be relatively weak at Liverpool, but the emergence of Fabinho as a serious contender has considerably limited the available spots, as Milner and Henderson are no longer needed to cover.

You would also imagine that Klopp will want to reinforce his midfield with some serious, world-class talent this summer.

Disgruntled Real Madrid maestro Isco, for example, is one of the major targets (as per Tuttosport).

An easy choice as far as we are concerned.

Liverpool fans, would losing Harry Wilson be a catastrophe? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

Changes are happening at Parkhead next season, that much is obvious. 

However, why change with something which isn’t broken? Indeed, that’s a mentality which Neil Lennon and those planning upstairs should keep in mind while shaping Celtic’s team. They already have some bright talents capable of taking it up a notch.

Among those blooming talents is star loanee Oliver Burke. After arriving at the winter transfer window, the 21-year-old’s taken Celtic Park by storm and looks to be the kind of player many thought he’d turn into upon leaving Nottingham Forest for RB Leipzig in 2017. In just nine appearances, he’s scored four goals and glittered up their attack with his presence, looking a cut above pretty much everyone else in Scotland.

However, with his tenure set to end next summer, the Bhoys have a decision to make.

According to reports from the Birmingham Mail, Celtic are hopeful of signing him on a permanent basis from the Baggies in the summer. Allegedly after Darren Moore’s departure, Burke’s unsure about returning to West Brom and is rallying for the move north, in what could be a happy marriage.

However, the Hoops will need to shell out a decent fee for his services. Indeed, having failed to splash the cash on John McGinn over the summer, Peter Lawwell and those behind the scenes have to prove they can move on in the transfer market.

It might be costly, but one which almost guarantees big rewards. Burke’s already settled into Celtic Park really well in the last few months, becoming popular with fans while also forming nice chemistry with his attackers. He’s comfortable on the ball, can run past defenders and create chances from far afar.

Burke compliments James Forrest as well as new sensation Odsonne Edouard really nicely in the final third. A creative, sparkling figure who can create and score goals at will, Burke seems primed to get even better and Celtic should definitely want him at his best.

Celtic fans, would you want to retain Burke’s services next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

It’s been one hell of a journey for Rangers, hasn’t it? Liquidation in 2012 then up from the third division to the Premiership in five seasons, but they’re yet to win a major trophy and the Scottish Cup would prove they’re truly back.

Since returning to the Scottish top division in 2016 they’ve reached the semi-finals of every League Cup and Scottish Cup they’ve played in, 5 in total. This year they’ve drawn Aberdeen in the quarter-finals and the replay is to be played next Tuesday at Ibrox, so it’ll be massive for the club and the fans alike.

Watching Celtic win the last seven Scottish Premierships, last two Scottish Cups and last three Scottish League Cups will have been a nightmare for the Gers, and Steven Gerrard will hope to end his club’s heartache this season to get the monkey off their backs. After the draw at Aberdeen on the weekend, his players will have the confidence they can win the tie and progress to the semi-finals.

Progression would not only mean a spot in the final four but confirm confidence that Rangers are moving in the right direction with Gerrard. They’ve finished third in each of their two seasons back in the top flight, but now sit second eight points above their Scottish Cup opponents who are third.

The gap between the top two that used to be clear before Rangers’ fall is now becoming closer again.

The distance between Celtic and the Gers is eight points too, so the gap is still there, but with Brendan Rodgers leaving it’s Rangers who appear to be the most organised team at the moment. All Gerrard and his team need to do now is add the Scottish Cup to their comeback climb and then next stop is the big one – the Scottish Premiership.

Rangers fans, would winning the Scottish Cup make this a good season? Do you think it can spark a more sustained title challenge next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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According to The Daily Echo, Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong is in line to be available for the Premier League clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday having missed the loss against Cardiff City earlier this month.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the 26-year-old has been a regular in the side since Ralph Hasenhuttl was appointed as Saints boss at the beginning of December, but he missed out on the squad for the first time against the Bluebirds because of a minor calf strain, as per The Daily Echo.

However, The Daily Echo report that the Scotland international took part in the warm weather training camp in Tenerife and having seemingly come through that unscathed, he could be in line to make his return to the starting XI against the Gunners.

The south coast outfit are certainly in need of a positive result given that the reverse against Neil Warnock’s men at St Mary’s before their trip to the Canary Island saw them slip back into the relegation zone.

Will he start?

It may well depend on what formation and tactics Hasenhuttl decides to go with.

The form and emergence of James Ward-Prowse in recent weeks has certainly meant that competition for places in the middle of the pitch is stronger than ever, and if the Austrian goes for a more conservative approach in north London then it could mean Armstrong has to settle for spot on the substitutes’ bench.

That said, if the 51-year-old fancies taking the game to the hosts and tries to take advantage of a defence that has looked leaky at times this term, then the former Celtic man is someone who can make an impact in the final third from the beginning.

Leeds United clocked their third successive victory on Tuesday evening but that won’t matter. They have kept the pressure on the league’s leaders.

Mateusz Klich fired home on the stroke of half-time to clinch all three points against Championship strugglers Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

Marcelo Bielsa had to cope without his lynchpin Kalvin Phillips as he missed the game through injury, instead the Argentine opted for Brighton centre-back Ben White in central midfield and fans have been slamming the decision on social media.

The Whites are four points from West Brom but now have a healthy cushion of five points to the playoff positions.

Here’s what fans have been saying about the Brighton loan star…

The experiment of playing the defender further forward clearly didn’t work out as fans labelled White as “lost” and as a “headless chicken.”

One supporter even claimed he was terrible and that he had no idea what he was doing in the role.

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It has led to others blasting Bielsa’s actual decision rather than the player.

“Crackers” was one word used to describe the move while a fan pleaded with the manager to stop going to the 22-year-old whenever Phillips is absent from the starting XI.

Per SofaScore, White recorded a 63% passing accuracy, failed to register a single long ball and lost possession nine times.

It was far from the sort of performance you’d expect from the usual anchorman as he averages 5.3 long balls per game and a passing success rate of 81.7%, via WhoScored.

Obviously, a couple of fans couldn’t resist comparing the two, claiming White was nowhere near as comfortable as his fellow countryman while another said he was like a duck being out of water.

Can you get full marks on the Ultimate Leeds Quiz? Test your knowledge below…

And in other news, here’s the reaction to England latest on LEEDS hopeful…

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West Ham loanee Edimilson Fernandes has been in good form for Fiorentina this season.

The midfielder was on the scoresheet at the weekend as his side earned a 1-1 draw with Udinese in Serie A.

Per Transfermarkt, he has laid on two assists and one strike in 19 games thus far this season. He has played a total of 48 games for the Irons.

Fiorentina sit ninth in the Italian top-flight, just five points behind AC Milan in fourth.

Check out Neymar’s controversial new haircut for 2019 and Xherdan Shaqiri as you’ve never seen him before in the video below…

West Ham, meanwhile, have been struggling recently under Manuel Pellegrini, losing their last three games in all competitions, including a humbling loss to AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup.

They face Premier League leaders Liverpool on Monday, aware that a win would move them level on points with eighth-placed Watford.

Many fans are baffled as to why Pellegrini does not have Fernandes to call on, insisting that he should not have been sent out on loan, with some wanting the club to attempt to integrate him into the first-team from next season.

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According to the Daily Express, Rangers boss Steven Gerrard will be backed by the board in the transfermarket to make four new signings, and one of those should be a loan move for Wolves youngster Morgan Gibbs-White.

What’s the situation?

The Express reports that although Rangers announced losses of £14m recently, there will be funds available for Gerrard to add to his squad in the winter transfer window, and a midfielder is a target.

The Liverpool and England legend made 15 signings over the summer but was critical of his side after their Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Aberdeen recently, claiming that they didn’t have enough quality to compete for trophies.

Rangers got back to winning ways on the weekend though, despite leaving it late to beat St Mirren away from home, as Daniel Candeias and Alfredo Morelos both netted in the last ten minutes. However, a move for Gibbs-White in January would certainly bolster the midfield options.

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Bolstering the midfield

The 18-year-old Wolves ace, who could develop his game under the guidance of Gerrard, has made five substitute appearances in the Premier League so far, and impressed when getting his longest stint of almost 30 minutes from the bench against Tottenham on Saturday evening.

However, the West Midlands side are now out of the Carabao Cup and opportunities for starts could become rarer for the youngster, meaning a loan move to Scotland could be his best bet in January.

Gibbs-White is an England U19 international and was a member of the triumphant U17 World Cup squad last year.

So, Rangers fans, would you like to see a move for Gibbs-White in January? Have your say by voting in the poll below.

Queens Park Rangers are close to signing free agent Angel Rangel according to West London Sport.

What’s the story?

Rangel has been at Swansea City for 11 years, amassing well over 300 league appearances for the Welsh club as they rose from League One to the Premier League.

However, Swansea decided not to renew the 35-year-old’s contract at the end of last season and the right-back has been a free agent since then.

Now according to the latest report, Steve McClaren is looking to sign the experienced defender as cover while Darnell Furlong is out injured.

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Unspectacular but solid addition

Rangel can offer QPR serious experience having spent seven years in the Premier League and he also has knowledge of playing in the English football league.

However, at 35 and having only made four league appearances last season, he might not have much left in him.

If Rangel is just a quick fix to replace Furlong while he is out of action, there could be worse options and McClaren will be hoping he can still do a job at a high level despite the Spaniard entering the final days of his career.

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that Matt Ritchie and Christian Atsu are expected to be fit for the club’s Premier League match against Southampton a week on Sunday, reports the Chronicle.

What’s the latest?

Question marks were raised when Ritchie and Atsu were forced to withdraw from international duty with Scotland and Ghana respectively.

Ritchie is said to have been struggling with a thigh injury following last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool, while Atsu has a knee problem.

Despite not being deemed fit enough for their nations, the duo are likely to be available for selection in nine days’ time when the team take on Southampton on the South Coast.

What’s the bad news?

The Chronicle claims that Atsu has been delaying possible surgery on his knee problem by having injections to make sure that he can play.

The publication states that if the midfielder were to go under the knife, then he would be facing a three-month layoff.

That is concerning news for the club given that it is likely at some point that Atsu will require the operation.

The 25-year-old has shown significant improvement this season after joining the club on a permanent basis from Chelsea.

So far, the Ghanaian has scored one goal and produced one assist in seven Premier League appearances.