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Liverpool fans will be over the moon to see Sadio Mane commit his long-term future to the club this week.

In recent months, both Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino agreed on new terms, with the club leaving Mane as the only man of the famous trio not to commit his future to the Merseyside club. His deal was set to expire in 2021 and negotiations showed no signs of conclusion, leading to rumours that he could depart. However, the Senegal international has penned a new deal that will keep him at Anfield until 2023.

The news will be music to the ears of Liverpool fans who have grown accustomed to seeing their star players leave for bigger teams in recent seasons. By tying down their three key forwards to long-term deals, the Reds can truly start challenging for honours in the coming years. Keeping Mane at the club is huge, but more contract renewals should be forthcoming.

Next in line should be wonderkid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Valued at £31.5 million by Transfermarkt, the youngster has become Liverpool’s first-choice right-back after impressing manager Jurgen Klopp in the absence of Nathaniel Clyne. Alexander-Arnold was a mainstay in the side that reached the Champions League final last season, and his current deal is set to expire in 2021.

The 20-year-old has the potential to be one of the best defenders in world football and his development at Anfield has been rapid. Should his impressive performances continue, big clubs will surely come calling for his signature. Despite his insistence that he plans on staying at Liverpool for the rest of his career, the Reds need to hand him a bumper new deal to make that a reality.

Securing Alexander-Arnold’s future would be another indication that Liverpool are heading in the right direction – and with Mane done, it’s the next vital agreement they must seek to prioritise.

Liverpool fans… what do you think? Let us know!

According to a recent report from The Daily Mirror, Ashley Cole’s future remains uncertain following his release from LA Galaxy. The 37-year-old left back made the move to the Major League Soccer side back in 2016 after a short spell at Roma, going on to appear over 90 times for the LA Galaxy in the last few years.

However, the former England defender, capped 107 times by his country, was released by the club and as such speculation has been mounting about his next move, with Rangers manager Steven Gerrard one man who must do all he can to sign Cole, in what would be a huge Scottish Premiership title statement from the Light Blues.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, Gerrard was extremely busy during the summer improving and bolstering the Gers ranks ahead of the 2018/19 season, with the 38-year-old making no fewer than 15 signings during the close season in a bid to bridge the gap to Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.

And while he did add a left back in the form of Borna Barisic, the 26-year-old has struggled with injury in the last few months to leave Gerrard short in that area of the field – Jon Flanagan, a right back by trade, has been filling in recently to varying degrees of effect.

And with Lee Wallace seemingly without a future at Ibrox, further left back reinforcements are surely the order of the day for Gerrard come the New Year – and Cole is one man who would certainly bolster those ranks.

The Englishman may well be in the twilight of his career at the age of 37, but after three years of regular football in the MLS with LA Galaxy, he still remains a hugely adept defender – after all, he laid on nine assists for the club in the 2018 season.

And with a wealth of experience accumulated during a glittering playing career, both for club and indeed country, the left back would be a huge boost to Rangers both on and indeed off the field – Gerrard will know first-hand just what an asset Cole would be to have around the club.

Significantly, Cole possesses a vast amount of trophy-winning experience having won the Premier League at both Arsenal and Chelsea and indeed the Champions League at the latter – and with Rangers seeking to dethrone Celtic as Scotland’s best club this season, that know-how could prove to be invaluable as the season wears on.

As such, with the left back ranks lacking in sufficient depth and quality at Ibrox, Gerrard could do a lot worse than seeking to reunite with ex-England teammate Cole – doing so would also send out a huge title statement to the other side of Glasgow ahead of the second half of the season.

Rangers fans… what do you think? Let us know!

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Liverpool should make a cheeky move for Inter Milan forward Keita Balde Diao, as Jurgen Klopp seeks a valiant competitor to Roberto Firmino.

What’s the word, then? 

The Reds’ current backup options in attack are poor and do not truly push the first choice Brazilian to play like his place in the team is under threat – Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Dominic Solanke really aren’t of the quality to play for Liverpool at the moment.

As Klopp attempts to seriously challenge in all of the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, those options currently playing understudy to Firmino will not be good enough to come into the side and match the former Hoffenheim man’s input on matches.

Alisson is untouchable in goal. The defence ahead of him is one of the best in England. The midfield ahead of them has an abundance of options – it really is the forward options that are holding the Merseysiders back.

Who should they get in? 

Whoever Klopp brings in will need to be young, full of potential, and aware that they will not go straight into the team ahead of Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane for the most part.

In Keita Balde, there seems a player who would suit those requirements down to the ground. The 23-year-old is a Senegalese international, as is Mane, and possesses pace, directness, excellent dribbling skills and is a good finisher in front of goal.

Playmaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…

Keita, who would share the same name as midfielder Naby should he arrive at Anfield, scored 16 goals and recorded three assists for Lazio in just 21 games back in the 2016/17 season; there is a player with bags of potential, but has struggled to find a home having spent time at both Monaco and Inter since that prolific season.

He wouldn’t cost too much either as he is currently struggling to settle at one club – Klopp should take advantage of the situation in January, and perhaps Mane could sway his international colleague to join the Reds…

Nottingham Forest continue to have an excellent season in the Championship under Aitor Karanka.

A season of heavy investment led to many to believe the Reds would be among the promotion hunt, and after finding a bit of consistency of late, it appears Karanka’s men are going to be right in there come May if they can continue their performances.

The likes of Lewis Grabban and Joao Carvalho are continuing to impress, but as we all know, a long season remains ahead, and it’s always useful to add a few more players to the ranks in the January transfer window.

That’s why we here in the Tavern think that the Reds should be looking into the Premier League for some additions, and specifically at Liverpool, who have a plethora of talent who are not getting anywhere near the first XI at Anfield.

With that in mind, we’ve looked at TWO Liverpool players who could be superb signings for Nottingham Forest come January…

Dominic Solanke

A no-brainer really, but there is going to come a time when Lewis Grabban’s goals are going to dry up.

That’s why signing Solanke would be a shrewd move for Forest, with the Liverpool and England man struggling for game time.

A loan move makes sense for Solanke, and he would be desperate to prove a point at a club the size of Forest.

Alberto Moreno

While Forest have good cover in the full back positions, it’s rare a club would pass up the chance to sign a player of Moreno’s ability.

Kept out of the team by the ever impressive Andrew Robertson, the Spaniard might well fancy the chance at some regular first team football.

Moreno would be a solid addition, adding extra attacking impetus from fullback for Forest if needed.

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According to The Northern Echo, Newcastle United are ready to make a January move for Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham.

Abraham is currently on loan at Aston Villa from Chelsea, and the England international has scored 12 times in 16 Championship appearances this season.

Chelsea can recall Abraham next month if they wish, and it has been speculated that the Blues could bring the striker back to Stamford Bridge in January before selling him.

According to The Northern Echo, Newcastle are keeping a close eye on developments, and the Magpies will make a move if it becomes clear that Chelsea will sell.

Abraham only signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea in July 2017, but it appears that he is not in the plans of Blues boss Maurizio Sarri.

The Villa fans have been commenting on the speculation on social media.

And it would be fair to say that the majority do not believe that Abraham will be making the move to Newcastle in the winter transfer window.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Villa supporters can be seen below:

Arsenal fans on Twitter have been having a look at their own squad and cherry picking the players that they’re keen to sign as of late, and the Leicester City pairing of Ben Chilwell and James Maddison fit the bill. Chilwell would provide an apt replacement for the ageing Nacho Monreal, and Maddison’s dynamism would be useful in Unai Emery’s midfield.

The last thing we want to do is burst any of the fan’s bubbles, but it would be extremely unlikely to see the Foxes let both Maddison and Chilwell leave, especially not in a January window. Both of the players are just 22-years-old, English and play in the Premier League, meaning that for another English club to sign them, they’ll have to part with a massive sum of money, and Arsenal are in no position to do that.

The likely option for the Gunners in January is for them to sign one or two players to fill some gaps in defence as Emery looks to douse the fires of an injury crisis. However, in terms of long-term options at the back, the summer window will be the one that the fans are looking to, and as much as they’d love to swoop for Leicester City’s dynamic duo, it just looks like a double coup that will never happen, even if these Arsenal fans below are desperate for it:

The Gunners would be desperate for a January double swoop, but it just doesn’t look like this one is possible.

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West Ham United are making steady progress heading into the January transfer market, as news emerges Samir Nasri has impressed club bosses.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City star has been working with the Hammers as he nears a return to football following his 18-month doping ban.

He will become eligible to play in the New Year, and the London Stadium outfit became early contenders for his signature when his former manager, Manuel Pellegrini, opened the door for a move.

Check out the video below to see Playmaker FC’s American Soccer Fan give his take on all six ‘field goals’ in West Ham v Burnley…

Discussions initially stalled when the 31-year-old requested a £95,000-a-week contract, before a decision was made for the player to prove his worth in training.

In the past, Nasri has shown himself to be a gifted individual with quick footwork and the ability to change a game, but often let his side down through his work ethic.

The emerging news from West Ham’s training ground, however, suggests that this is no longer the case as the Frenchman has impressed the Claret and Blues with his attitude and willingness to lower his wage demands to £60,000 p/w.

Pellegrini has been a long-term admirer of the attacking mid, and Nasri’s attitude has certainly impressed these Irons fans…

According to the Daily Mail, Wolves, Huddersfield Town, Burnley and Crystal Palace are all interested in sealing a January deal for Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, who is currently plying his trade on loan with Championship outfit Aston Villa.

Before any of their Premier League rivals can land the 21-year-old striker, Everton must enter the race for the forward themselves.

What’s the word?

Abraham’s loan stay at Villa Park could be cut short if Chelsea agree a deal for the attacker to go elsewhere on a permanent basis. The 2-cap England international would be a smart buy for plenty of top flight sides, but likely has no future at Stamford Bridge, making him potentially available this January.

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

The Toffees should capitalise on this state of affairs and bring Abraham to Goodison Park, though they’ll have to act fast to beat all the other interested parties to his signature.

A perfect project for Silva

Abraham has been in fine form this season, and has so far registered thirteen goals and one assist in eighteen Championship appearances. Whilst it must be remembered that he’s playing in the second tier, that still constitutes an impressive return.

Abraham is a young, improving player with huge potential, and Everton boss Marco Silva has already demonstrated that he’s comfortable working with progressing young players. The likes of Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Tom Davies are all talented youngsters who have improved under the guidance of the Portuguese coach.

What’s more, Everton need a striker. Cenk Tosun is struggling to effectively lead the line, meaning there’s an opportunity for Abraham to make himself an important player on Merseyside from the off.

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Liverpool could be facing something of a centre-back crisis ahead of the trip to face Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday, but manager Jurgen Klopp can solve two selection headaches in one with his use of summer signing Fabinho.

On the chalkboard

Things were rosy for the Reds just a couple of weeks ago as they were leading and unbeaten in the top flight despite missing Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain through injury.

However, defeat to title rivals Manchester City was followed up by a loss against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the third round of the FA Cup on Monday night, and to make matters even worse the Merseyside outfit – who were already without the colossal Virgil van Dijk – saw Dejan Lovren leave the field just five minutes in with a hamstring issue.

Klopp will be desperate for his team to recover from their mini-blip and win on the south coast at the weekend, but he now has some big selection decisions to make.

Who starts?

Should Van Dijk recover from the problem that saw him miss the trip to Molineux and Lovren is ruled out at the Amex Stadium, then Fabinho should once again line up at the heart of the defence – as he did against Nuno Santo’s men.

While Klopp has a real shortage of numbers at centre-back right now it is a different story in the middle of the park, where he has Jordan Henderson – who also missed out against Wolves with a minor injury – Georgino Wijnaldum, James Milner and Naby Keita to pick from.

Fabinho would have counted himself unlucky not to be selected ahead of one of Henderson, Wijnaldum or Milner for the clash against Man City, and his German manager can solve two selection headaches in one by starting the Brazilian in defence against the Seagulls instead.

Has Alisson been Liverpool’s most important signing of the season? Check out the video below to find out why Jurgen Klopp thinks so…

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Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Both sides are heading into the clash in fine form. Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s interim appointment, the Red Devils have won five successive matches in all competitions and look to have rediscovered their attacking mojo in the process.

Spurs have enjoyed an excellent run recently too. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have won seven of their last eight games in all competitions. The likes of Dele Alli, Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane have all shone in this time.

Which Man Utd got fed by Salt Bae this week? Check out the video below to find out…

However, the north London club’s long-serving No. 1, Hugo Lloris, has continued to look like a player in decline. The 32-year-old Frenchman has been far from his best all season and has made a number of costly mistakes. 

Back up goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, meanwhile, has impressed in each of the first team opportunities he’s been given by Pochettino this season. 

Lloris may be a Spurs hero, but the time has come for the 6’5” ‘keeper Gazzaniga to be given his shot as first choice – starting with Sunday’s encounter with United.

What do you think, Spurs fans, should Lloris or Gazzaniga start on Sunday?