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Liverpool have found themselves unable to retain their domestic dominance over the Premier League season so far and Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that a much-needed refresh in the summer will get the club back where they belong and competing at the highest level.

The Reds are currently ninth in the top-flight table due to a disappointing run of poor performances that have led to the side falling 10 points behind in the race to secure a Champions League qualifying spot inside the top four after 19 outings.

Indeed, the powerbrokers at Anfield have rebuilt the attacking threat with the acquirement of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo over the last 12 months, however, the increasingly dire situation in midfield remains to be solved.

James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all set to leave the club at the end of the season when their contracts expire whilst remaining midfielders Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are both well into their 30s at this point, leaving just Fabinho as the most experienced player that will likely be part of the future in the centre of the pitch.

As a result, the signing of more than one high-quality midfielder will be imperative in their pursuit to improve and compete with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City domestically going forward.

One player who has been linked with a move to Merseyside this month is Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and after it was reported that Liverpool have cooled their interest in Moises Caicedo, he could be the dream alternative.

Over 16 Serie A appearances, the 26-year-old talent – hailed as “outstanding” by Joe Cole – has tallied up an impressive 90% pass completion rate and successfully completed 58% of his dribbles, as well as averaging 40.7 accurate passes, 1.1 tackles, 53.8 touches and 2.8 duels per game.

Not only that, the Moroccan international ranks in the top 10% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for passes attempted, pass completion and progressive passes, whilst ranking in the top 17% for blocks.

Amrabat’s ability to read games, offer good defensive traits and make incisive passes in the centre of the pitch made him one of the stand-out performers at the FIFA World Cup 2022 and clearly what helped him catch the eye of the recruitment and scouting team at Anfield.

With that being said, if Liverpool could acquire the services of Amrabat in their midfield recruitment drive it would be a major coup as he could be a valuable asset to Klopp in his pursuit to build the next generation of success.

Arsenal’s reported interest in the Vitoria Guimaraes midfielder Ibrahima Bamba is not true with Fabrizio Romano shutting down the speculation.

What’s the latest?

The Gunners have acted decisively in this January transfer window so far with the additions of Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior earlier in the month.

And it does not appear as if they are done just there with reports now suggesting Edu Gaspar is closing in on the potential signing of the Chelsea midfielder, Jorginho.

There have also been reports claiming Mikel Arteta has looked at the 20-year-old Bamba as a potential option this month with some suggesting the Gunners were leading the race.

However, speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano has claimed this is simply not the case with Arsenal not looking at Bamba as an option this window with their attention firmly on Jorginho:

(4:10) “There were some rumours in the night of a deal almost agreed with Arsenal for a deal to be completed for next summer so to sign the player now let him stay on loan to Vitoria Guimaraes and then let him join in the summer.

“I’m told that this is not true. There is no agreement between Arsenal and Vitoria Guimaraes. Arsenal are not actively working to sign Ibrahima Bamba. They know the player, they appreciate him but nothing else.”

Experience over potential?

It is worth mentioning that this is a player who Romano believes Arsenal do appreciate, however, he is not a player they feel the need to bring in now.

And that does perhaps suggest Arteta is not fully convinced he is a player who would arrive in north London and provide an improvement at this stage in his career.

With the Italian journalist suggesting the midfielder would only cost in the region of €7m/€8m (£6m/£7m) it does feel as if it is a deal which the Gunners would be able to afford.

However, when comparing him with the likes of Jorginho – who is expected to sign for Arsenal – he does offer an almost identical number of tackles per game as the Premier League man (via Fbref).

Although that may be an impressive return for an inexperienced midfielder, that is where the similarities end with Jorginho providing more shot-creating actions and passes per 90 minutes.

Manchester United host Crystal Palace on Saturday just two weeks after Michael Olise’s dramatic late equaliser nicked a point for the Eagles at Selhurst Park.

The Lowdown: United drop points in London

The Red Devils played Saturday’s opponents last month and had a night to forget, dropping crucial points in the Premier League’s top four race while also seeing Casemiro pick up a yellow card which forced him to miss the defeat to Arsenal.

The Brazilian rashly dived into a challenge with Wilfried Zaha after Bruno Fernandes had given Erik ten Hag’s side the lead, only for Olise to pop up with an incredible last-minute free-kick to split the points.

Now, with Tottenham only three points behind after they put an end to their slump with a win over Fulham last time out, United cannot afford to slip up against Patrick Vieira’s side a second time.

The Latest: Olise the danger man

It wasn’t just his stunning late goal that earned Olise Palace’s highest match rating in the previous encounter (Whoscored).

The 21 year-old, playing down United’s left flank up against Luke Shaw, registered more touches of the ball than any of his teammates and created four chances, the joint-highest number of anyone on the pitch along with Fernandes.

Olise’s season totals now sit at 30 chances created, 22 successful dribbles and 23 shots at goal (Whoscored), and there’s no doubt Ten Hag will be having sleepless nights conjuring up how to stop him, with fellow Palace key man Wilfried Zaha missing out through injury.

The Verdict: Shaw must step up

In truth, the manager may have no choice but to simply trust his full-back to get the job done this time around. Injuries to Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen mean there are few options to inject some extra cover into midfield, while the last thing the boss will want to do is pull Marcus Rashford deeper on the left flank, considering how dangerous the red-hot Englishman currently is going forward.

Shaw has been in inspired form for most of this season, but it’s fair to say the 27 year-old has dipped a little recently, recording some of his worst displays of the campaign in the last three league matches against Arsenal, Palace and Manchester City (Whoscored).

While the probable inclusion of Fred alongside compatriot Casemiro may offer a slightly improved defensive shield in the centre of the park, the onus is going to be on Shaw give his manager something to smile about this time around.

Celtic’s latest Premiership triumph away to St Johnstone saw midfield maestro Aaron Mooy once again steal the limelight, with the Australian having rubberstamped his growing importance to Ange Postecoglou’s side.

The classy playmaker produced a “filthy” touch and finish (as per journalist John McGinley) to dink the ball over the onrushing Remi Matthews, with that moment of magic epitomising the summer signing’s stunning run of recent form.

The experienced asset – who arrived on a free transfer last July after a spell in the Chinese Super League – has been a “key contributor” for the Old Firm outfit since the World Cup according to his manager, with this latest effort in Perth having been his 12th goal involvement of the season so far.

While not one to bask in the limelight, the former Brighton and Hove Albion man is rightly receiving all the plaudits at present, with team-mate Greg Taylor having lauded him as “unbelievable” following Sunday’s 4-1 win over the Saints.

It does appear that the 57-cap Australian could be in it for the long haul in Glasgow, with Postecoglou having teased his desire to keep Mooy at the club beyond the end of his contract – which expires next year – amid the 32-year-old’s rampant form.

Due to his age, however, it remains to be seen just how long the former Huddersfield Town ace will be able to continue flourishing for the Hoops, with Postecoglou likely to already have one eye on the future with regards to finding a potential heir in the coming years.

One suitable candidate for that role could well be promising teenager Ben Summers, with the 18-year-old also currently thriving for the club’s B team in an attacking midfield berth – much like Mooy is at senior level.

The sparkling Scotsman – who can also feature on the flanks – has scored five goals and laid on four assists in 27 games in all competitions so far this season at youth level, again almost mirroring Mooy’s impact in the first-team.

Just like the latter – who simply “dictates the game” according to Frank McAvennie – Summers also appears to be a truly gifted technician in possession, having been described as “beautiful on the ball” and “aesthetically pleasing” by former youth coach Greig Robertson.

Although the youngster is yet to feature at senior level, he is clearly a player on whom Postecoglou has a firm eye, having been one of eight up-and-coming assets who were included for the pre-season trip to Austria.

The next target for Summers will be to make that step-up on a permanent basis sooner rather than later, before eventually taking on Mooy’s creative role in the Celtic team in the long-term.

Liverpool reportedly held talks in January about signing Bayer Leverkusen central defender Jonathan Tah, and could make a move this summer.

The Lowdown: Matip replacement?

It has recently been reported that Liverpool are willing to sell Joel Matip this summer if they received an offer of £15m.

Both Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have also been suffering injury problems this season, suggesting that centre-back is an area that they need to strengthen in the summer.

The Latest: Tah talks

Co-writing for 90min, transfer expert Graeme Bailey says that Liverpool held talks over potentially signing Tah in the January transfer window, and could make a move this summer.

The Germany international would be interested in a move to the Premier League, but Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are also thought to have held an interest.

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The Verdict: Get it done

It is safe to say that Liverpool have struggled defensively all season, with 28 goals conceded in their 20 games in the Premier League, and only 10 teams conceding more.

Lauded as a ‘real battleship’ by his former Leverkusen team-mate Christoph Kramer, the six-foot-five Tah would help in that respect, as he ranks highly among his current team-mates in terms of aerial duels won and average interceptions per game in the Bundesliga, while nobody can match his 3.8 clearances per match.

At 27, he is a player in his prime, and so it would make a lot of sense for the Reds to sign him this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur are laying the groundwork over a deal to sign Alex Scott, according to reports…

What’s the latest on Alex Scott to Spurs?

Football Insider has claimed that scouts at the north London outfit have recommended the 19-year-old midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window, with fears that multiple Premier League teams will look to target him.

Spurs had representatives at Bristol City’s recent 1-0 win over Norwich City and have watched him for some time.

The Championship side slapped a £25m price tag on his signature during the recent January window.

Is Scott the next Jack Grealish?

Scott has emerged as a key player for the Robins in recent seasons, despite his young age. This season, the teenager has remarkably only missed one Championship outing, starting 30 matches in central midfield.

The maestro – who can play as a no.6, no.8 and a no.10 – has been dubbed the ‘Guernsey Grealish’ for both his playing style and appearance, with him proving to be a big influence in the final third having provided five assists already this term.

City’s rising starlet has quick feet, a deft touch and can quickly transition play from defence to attack – when compared to other attacking midfielders across FBref’s next eight divisions, he ranks inside the top 3% for all of the following metrics: tackles (2.47), interceptions (1.12), blocks (1.58) and clearances (1.38) per 90.

Clearly, he can do pretty much anything to help his side, which is perhaps why his former youth coach Brian Tinnion once claimed that: “His work rate and his desire to learn has been unbelievable.”

More recently, his current boss Nigel Pearson heaped further praise on his qualities (via BristolLive).

“He’s just a very unique talent and he’s got a very impressive temperament. I think he’s destined for the very top,” he said before adding: “Alex Scott will continue to progress and be a top player. He also knows he has the humility that he has to do it for us while he is here and he just enjoys playing football.”

Grealish’s big ‘come-up’ came in the Championship, so it’s easy to see why so many have made the comparison between Scott and the former Aston Villa star, so given the evidence above, Spurs would certainly be getting an exciting talent for the long-term future and perhaps one that could make an impact sooner rather than later.

In the Robins gem, Lilywhites sporting director Fabio Paratici could well secure the next Grealish for the club, especially considering they nearly signed the original back in 2018.

AND in other news, Spurs could find dream Son heir in “unbelievable” £22m-rated gem who terrorised Porro…

Tony Scott believes if Sean Dyche starts Ellis Simms this weekend then Everton will lose once again.

The Lowdown: Crucial six-pointer coming up

It was a big surprise to many people when Dyche handed a first Premier League start of the season to youngster Simms on Monday night against Liverpool and to say it backfired would be putting it lightly as the striker touched the ball just 19 times in 60 minutes.

Simms was recalled by then-manager Frank Lampard after the enjoyed a successful first half of the season out on loan in the Championship with Sunderland but after his Merseyside derby cameo, he could well be out of his depth in the top flight.

Everton have an even bigger game this weekend as they welcome Leeds United to Goodison Park with the visitors sitting just one point and one place above the Toffees in the Premier League so Dyche must get his tactics and team lineup spot on.

The Latest: Simms shouldn’t be starting

Despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin being ruled out for this weekend’s game Scott has claimed on the All Together Now podcast that Simms can’t start this weekend as the Toffees will lose.

He said: (25:25) “If he plays Ellis Simms I think we’ll get beat and I think he will, I think he’ll play Ellis Simms and we’ll get beat.”

The Verdict: Dyche can’t make take any risks

In what is certainly a must-win game for Everton Dyche simply can’t be taking any risks and looking to experiment with his team as he appeared to do on Monday by starting an inexperienced Simms.

However, he is certainly picking a forward line with one hand tied behind his back as Simms is inexperienced, Neal Maupay has one goal in 15 appearances and Calvert-Lewin is out injured so his options are both not of great quality or very deep.

Dyche must ensure that the team he picks is capable of providing service and getting the most out of whoever is deployed in the centre-forward role otherwise it could well be a long afternoon against Leeds.

Crystal Palace could be a potential destination for Olivier Giroud in the summer, according to The Sun.

The Lowdown: Giroud’s contract ticking down

The Frenchman is currently on the books with AC Milan and has made 68 appearances for the Serie A giants. The 36-year-old has contributed to 35 goals for the club and showed that he still has the quality at the highest level by scoring four goals at last year’s World Cup.

He could become a free agent at the end of the season with his contract set to expire at the San Siro, and Selhurst Park could be a possible destination for the veteran.

The Latest: Palace named as possible destination for Giroud

The Sun’s Alan Nixon shared a story on Saturday evening regarding Giroud, claiming that the 36-year-old is open to a return to England at a London club, having already represented Arsenal and Chelsea.

Nixon named Palace, Fulham, West Ham and Brentford as possible suitors for the World Cup winner, provided that they can fund his wages.

The Verdict: One to watch?

Palace have been short of goals in the Premier League this season, with Patrick Vieira’s side netting just 21 times in 24 games. They drew a blank against Liverpool on Saturday night, with even 19th-placed Bournemouth scoring more than the Eagles in the current top-flight campaign.

Therefore, a short-term move for Giroud could be a smart piece of business by Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman, with the Frenchman netting 11 goals so far this season.

Hailed as an ‘incredible’ striker by his team-mate Davide Calabria, Giroud will turn 37 at the end of September, so perhaps a one-year deal could be of interest to all involved, making this one to watch.

BBC Pundit Chris Sutton has slammed Liel Abada for diving in the most recent Celtic match and urged him to cut it out of his game.

What’s the latest on Liel Abada and Celtic?

The Bhoys claimed their first piece of silverware for the season on the weekend as they beat bitter rivals Rangers to win the Scottish League Cup.

Indeed, a brace for Kyogo Furuhashi put Ange Postecoglou’s side 2-0 up before the hour mark with Alfredo Morelos’ effort unable to spark a comeback for Michael Beale and co.

Despite the win, it seems as though not every Celtic player got through the game without coming under some scrutiny. Indeed, substitute Abada came on for Jota shortly after Rangers’ goal and caught the eye for all the wrong reasons.

While speaking about it on the BBC phone-in radio show 606, Sutton named the player as the winner of their weekly Simulation Game segment.

He said (01:08:55): “Liel Abada, I was there. Did you hear the anger within the commentary team that Liel Abada threw himself to the floor?

“So the second trophy that Celtic have won today, Liel Abada, you’ve won the trophy that you don’t want to win.

“You’re a talented young player. Your numbers are excellent. But just cut that out of your game, Liel. You’re better than that.”

What has been made of Abada’s Celtic cup final dive?

It seems as though Sutton wasn’t the only one to notice the poor dive from the Celtic man. For instance, in the player ratings for the Irish News, journalist Gavin McCafferty noted: “Liel Abada’s main contribution was an outrageous dive that saw him booked.”

Evidently, it wasn’t exactly the most exciting cameo from the bench from the attacker but at least he helped the Bhoys pick up a trophy. This is the third piece of silverware Abada has won in a Celtic shirt, having lifted the same trophy last year as well as the league title.

Despite not being a regular starter, the 21-year-old has still netted 11 goals and provided six assists across all competitions this season.

Clearly, the talent is there. However, he doesn’t want to pick up the reputation as a diver so early on in his career, so he’d be wise to take Sutton’s advice and cut it out of his game soon.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be keeping tabs on teenage sensation, Adama Bojang, albeit with the Lilywhites set to face competition for the striker’s signature.

What’s the latest on Bojang to Spurs?

According to the Daily Mail, the north London outfit – as well as fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest – are among the clubs who are ‘monitoring’ the Gambian gem at present, with the 18-year-old having caught the eye of late as a result of his displays at the AFCON U20 Championship in Egypt.

The report suggests that both Spurs and Forest have made ‘enquiries’ regarding a potential deal for the 6 foot 3 starlet, with the youngster said to be hoping to put himself in the ‘shop window’ by starring for his country.

The emerging ace currently plies his trade for Steve Biko FC in his homeland, although it does appear that a switch to Europe could be on the cards sooner rather than later.

Who could be the heir to Harry Kane?

Those at N17 are likely to be plotting to find a long-term centre-forward solution amid the uncertainty surrounding the future of record goalscorer, Harry Kane, with the England international having been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United with just 15 months left to run on his existing deal.

Even if the 29-year-old is to stay put in the capital and sign a new long-term contract, there will be a sense that an heir to the long-serving, academy graduate will need to be found in the coming years, hence the need to find a youthful candidate.

There has been much talk that youth star Dane Scarlett could be the next “Kane in waiting” – as per fan pundit Rory Brown – although the 18-year-old has hardly pulled up any trees on loan at Portsmouth this season, scoring just four times for the League One fit.

According to Pompey supporter, Brown, the 18-year-old has been a rather underwhelming addition for the club since his summer, temporary switch, with the insider providing a rather damning assessment of the previously highly-rated marksman:

“I know he’s only 18 but he doesn’t have the physicality that Kane does, he doesn’t have anywhere near the clinicality.

“He squanders too many chances, he doesn’t look bothered a lot of the time, which maybe points towards an attitude problem or maybe he wasn’t working under [Danny] Cowley’s system.

“But for me, I expected so much from him and I’ve just not seen it so far, so unfortunately I don’t really see him having a future at Pompey next season if he was ours, let alone a future at Spurs.”

With that in mind, it could well prove to be Bojang that emerges as the successor to Kane if the exciting talent is to be signed in the coming months, with the gifted “gem” – as described by journalist Bence Bocsak – having been “catching the eye” in his homeland of late.

Lauded as “dynamic and quick” by Bocsak, the youth star may seemingly have the ‘physicality’ that Scarlett is not able to offer, having been described as ‘quick, brave and direct’ – as per the Mail report – while also earning the nickname of the ‘Gambian Hurricane’.

Like Kane – who has netted 268 goals for Tottenham to date – Bojang has showcased his finishing prowess with three goals and one assist in just four appearances at AFCON in recent times, ensuring that he is certainly “one to keep an eye on”, as per Bocsak.

While there may be other clubs sniffing around in the hope of landing the promising striker, Spurs must do all they can to land the potential dream Kane heir sooner rather than later.