Liverpool are threatening to chuck away their hopes of winning a first Premier League title, with a succession of dropped points ensuring the nerves will be kicking in at Anfield.

The Reds though do still hold the aces, and a win this weekend and in their game in hand on Man City would still see them top of the pile for the time being at least.

However, there are cracks appearing in the squad, and especially in the first XI, and we here in the Tavern feel the club might have missed a trick in January by not going out to add someone with real quality to the ranks.

We feel the summer then will be a big period for the Reds, and we feel they should be looking to make a move for Lyon and France midfielder, Tanguy Ndombele.

The young midfielder has been in fine form for Lyon this past 12 months, and has made himself a regular fixture in the national squad.

However, a move to England is always going to appeal to those playing in the French league, and with Liverpool looking light in the middle of the park, Ndombele might be the perfect tonic to rectify that such problem.

Powerful, quick, and full of energy, Ndombele would give the Reds a new dynamic in the middle of the park, and with the midfielder only being 22-years-old, Liverpool could well have their central midfield presence for the next decade.

Liverpool fans, what do you think? Good signing? Let us know in the comments!

Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of a weakened Paris Saint Germain side showed just how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tactics of blind freedom won’t work in big games.

As much as José Mourinho’s pragmatic style produced groans around Old Trafford, you’d bet his organisation would make this Champions League tie closer than it might be after the second leg. Although José clearly fell out with much of the dressing room, it’s important to realise that his tactics have won titles.

It seems United have gone from Jose’s shackles to Ole’s freedom, and in games against lesser opposition, this is all well and good. It gives United fans the fast, attacking football they’ve missed since Sir Alex Ferguson, but, against more talented teams, organisation to that style is required to win ties.

Sir Alex Ferguson wasn’t all attack, attack, attack. There were times when he had to defend well to grind out results, and Ole must understand a middle ground needs to be found between blind attack and sitting back.

Look across the north west and both Liverpool and City play quick, exciting football but they also have organisation to their play. Every player knows their role and sticks to it, and that seemed to be something that was missing against PSG.

It is important to note that United’s midfield and backline is nowhere near up to scratch, and so the manager can’t be blamed for the situation he inherited. But he must learn to play the way that gets the most from these players and adapt in games against top European opposition.

If Solskjaer is to get the job at the end of the season, he must learn to develop a more organised style of attacking. Blind freedom at United is exciting for the fans, but that’ll wear off if the club don’t win enough big games because of it.

Adam Forshaw has once again been ruled out of the Leeds squad ahead of the match against Fulham, and several fans are frustrated with his lack of progress on the injury front.The midfielder was initially believed to be ruled out with a slight problem with his hip, but that first occurred in September and he is still yet to return, which is making supporters question if he will ever be back on the pitch.To make matters worse the 28-year-old started the season in good form, helping the Whites to four wins in seven games, though his absence hasn’t exactly led to the team to experiencing a drop in results.

Despite that, fans are understandably annoyed with his poor fitness following the update from Phil Hay, with one suggesting he is picking up a wage for doing very little in return – a point which can’t really be argued with based on recent weeks.

Marcelo Bielsa has managed the situation well and continued to pick up results with the likes of Pablo Hernandez and Tyler Roberts slotting into the middle, and that means Forshaw will have to fight for his place when he does eventually return.

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Despite their good form of late one supporter is worried that Forshaw will be missed against Fulham, and given they have averaged 61% possession this season he could be right, as it is likely to be a different test to what the Whites are used to.

His long-term absence does have a silver lining, however, as when he does eventually return he should provide a big boost for his teammates.

The addition of a quality player to the first-team could have a big impact in the latter half of the season, and re-energise the squad to push for promotion.

Leeds fans have also been busy reacting to injury news relating to Liam Cooper, and there is at least a positive development on that front.

According to The Telegraph, Wolverhampton Wanderers youngster Owen Otasowie is being eagerly watched by three European heavyweights ahead of a potential move.

What’s the word?

The 18-year-old made his debut in last week’s dead-rubber Europa League tie against Besiktas after he came on as a second-half substitute with Wolves running out 4-0 victors.

It is believed that Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Juventus had scouts at the match.

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Otasowie’s contract is due to expire at the end of this current season, meaning clubs can clinch him for merely a nominal fee, and those outside of England can tap him up on a pre-contract agreement from January.

Cheap option

Wolves boss Nuno Santo should take a risk and get the emerging prospect involved in the first-team squad, and by doing so, he could save the club millions.

BirminghamLive understands that the Portuguese boss has central options in both defence and midfield high on his wishlist for next month, but maybe a potential solution is staring him right in the face here.

Otasowie is primarily a centre-back, although he’s able to play in defensive midfield too – similar to Leander Dendoncker and Romain Saiss who have been playing out of position in defence to compensate for Willy Boly’s absence and the lack of faith put in Jesus Vallejo.

Given the fact that he has three Champions League teams chasing him, it may be difficult to convince him to stay, as seen down the road with local rivals West Bromwich Albion, who lost top starlet Louie Barry to Barcelona in the summer.

Getting him senior minutes would undoubtedly go a long way in convincing him of his role at the club, and it’s something that Nuno can easily do without much risk considering the lack of options at his disposal.

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His emergence could allow them to focus elsewhere, such as in midfield, and if it works out well, they’ll have saved a substantial amount of money.

It too would aid Fosun’s long-term ambition of the club to start producing from within – there’s not a better opportunity than now.

Meanwhile, Wolves fans have been drooling over the performance of one man…

Standing at an imposing 6 foot 5, Yerry Mina sticks out like a sore thumb on the football pitch. The giant Colombian cuts an intimidating figure in the Everton back-line, and with his tall and muscular frame, looks perfectly equipped for the physical nature of the Premier League.

Sadly for him, injuries have forced his career at Goodison Park to be rather stop-start, but against Arsenal on Saturday afternoon, he was at his imperious best. First lining up alongside Mason Holgate, and then next to Michael Keane from mid-way through the second-half, it was Mina who was the dependable constant in the Everton defence. And when looking at the underlying numbers, it is easy to see why he has become Everton’s leading central defender.

As per Sofascore, he won five of his seven duels, including all four that were contested in the air – perhaps not an impressive stat considering his ridiculous height. But he showed his tenacity on the floor too with two tackles, and really showed why he was picked up by Barcelona, with some superb work on the ball.

Whenever the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the Arsenal attack tried to press the £27.1m man into making a mistake, Mina displayed a bit of the South American flair with a shimmy and quick turn. And once he had beaten them, the Colombia international showed off his range of passing. His 95% pass accuracy was the best of any Everton player who started the game, and he also successfully completed four of his five attempted long balls.

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It was a clean sheet borne from Mina’s solidity in defence, and composure in possession. And when Carlo Ancelotti takes training for the first time at Goodison Park, he will know that he has one reliable figure he can count on at the back.

Meanwhile, Everton fans have reacted to reports Carlo Ancelotti could try to sign one of his former stars.

As quoted by The Evening Standard, Mikel Arteta has talked up Alexandre Lacazette despite the striker’s largely indifferent campaign.

What did he say?

The Frenchman has struggled for form and consistency this season, netting just six times in 17 games across all competitions despite playing in the centre-forward role. In contrast, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has been shifted out wide at times, has still managed to score on 15 occasions.

However, whilst Arteta has acknowledged Lacazette should have perhaps done better with his finishing against Manchester United on New Year’s Day, he praised his overall game and style of play.

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He said: “He had the chances to put away (against United). He has been really helpful in giving us a lot of options. He makes his team-mates better, that’s one of the biggest qualities. As well, every time he is in front of goal normally he is so clinical. I am disappointed that he hasn’t been rewarded with all the work he has done in the last three games because he could have scored three or four goals easily. But the goal will come for him naturally because he is a natural finisher.

“Does he just need one to go in anyhow? Exactly. And maybe a little bit fresher legs will help as well.”

Selfless

Lacazette’s performance against United rather epitomised his entire campaign thus far. Plenty of graft and hard work to help his team, but very little personal reward to go with it. As per Sofascore, the France international made two tackles and won eight total duels, but couldn’t convert any of his three attempts on goal.

Quickfire Quiz: How much do you know about Arsenal’s history in the January transfer window?

But if he continues to buy into the work ethic and commitment demanded by the recently-appointed Arteta, then the importance of his goals may even become secondary. As long as the likes of Aubameyang and his other teammates continue to fire, the 28-year-old can simply help in facilitating their games and making them better as the Gunners head coach says.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans have hailed this man’s display in the victory against Manchester United.

Tottenham Hotspur fans have been left fuming by the performance of Eric Dier after he was asked to play at centre-back on Sunday afternoon.

Jose Mourinho named a strong side for their FA Cup third-round tie at Middlesbrough with the England international being named as part of a back three.

Boro opened the scoring in the 50th minute through Ashley Fletcher before Lucas Moura salvaged the draw just over ten minutes later with a fine header from Serge Aurier’s cross.

Both teams will have to do battle again in order to secure their place in the fourth round with the draw coming later this evening.

Several supporters took to Twitter to slam Dier following the full-time whistle at the Riverside Stadium…

The 25-year-old was labelled ‘average’ and ‘terrible’ while one member of the travelling support singled out his lack of pace by claiming that a snail moves quicker than he does.

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Others went as far as suggesting that Dier is at the same standard as their Championship opposition with another blasting him for being a ‘League 2 player at best.’

Meanwhile, comments suggesting that Spurs should get rid of him also surfaced as one supporter believed he should have been sold two summers ago…

And finally, much of the away crowd were perplexed to why the midfielder was chosen to start over Oliver Skipp or Davinson Sanchez, particularly the latter given that he’s actually a central defender.

Per SofaScore, Dier won just two of his six aerial duels, lost possession 12 times and conceded three fouls.

Spurs await their fate later tonight, but Mourinho’s side will need significant improvement before they can secure their place in the fourth round as it is now just one victory in five attempts.

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And in other Spurs-related news, the need for this position has been ramped up tenfold following their FA Cup shocker vs Boro…

On Wednesday morning, The London Evening Standard journalist Dan Kilpatrick tweeted that Tottenham Hotspur were in talks with Porto over a possible swoop for forward Ze Luis.

However, later in the afternoon, Kilpatrick claimed that the deal was now unlikely to take place with Spurs boss Jose Mourinho looking at other options.

There is no question that the Premier League club are currently stretched in the final third of the field with Harry Kane out until April following hamstring surgery.

It appears that Ze Luis will not be arriving but that is not the worst thing in the world, according to some of the club’s supporters at least.

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Others, though, have viewed the update as another blow for the club, who have allegedly also dropped their interest in AC Milan’s Krzysztof Piatek.

Ze Luis, who would need a work permit to play in England according to The London Evening Standard, has scored seven league goals for Porto this term.

The 28-year-old also found the back of the net in the Champions League earlier this season but failed to score in four Europa League group outings.

Meanwhile, a number of Tottenham fans have reacted to a suggestion that a former Liverpool player could join the club before the end of the transfer window.

West Ham United have made a bid to sign Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, as reported by Football Insider.

What’s the story?

It is suggested that the initial sum offered by West Ham is £6m, which could rise to a potential £7m with add-ons.

There had been previous reports that they would be going in for Darren Randolph, with ExWHUemployee suggesting it on the West Ham Way Podcast 163.

However, following Lukasz Fabianski’s injury against Sheffield United and concerns about the Republic of Ireland international, who had the same injury, they are moving on to Etheridge.

The Philippines international was left on the bench for Cardiff’s 0-0 draw against Swansea City.

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Serious situation

This change of direction shows that the Hammers are finally beginning to realise the severity of their goalkeeping situation.

When the club were pursuing a move for Randolph, FFC suggested that this was an indication of their failure to learn their lessons from other struggles with injury after previously signing players such as Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere who already had issues.

David Martin had also sustained the same injury as Fabianski, so it seemed foolish to bring Randolph back to the club, adding to the potential injury list.

The current move seems far more reasonable and with it being made so swiftly after the injury sustained by the number 1, it shows that West Ham are finally appreciating how important it is that a new man is brought in.

Call yourself a West Ham expert? How much did each of these January signings cost?

They cannot afford to get back into a position where they are relying on Roberto to fill their goal. He conceded 17 goals in eight league games after making a plethora of errors, notably against Burnley and Newcastle United.

West Ham simply must sort out this position if they are to start climbing the table, which is a necessity, as they currently sit just one point above the relegation zone.

The decision to move for Etheridge shows that they are finally beginning to ensure this problem is dealt with.

Meanwhile, West Ham fans fumed over ExWHUemployee’s transfer update.

In the 56th minute of Aston Villa’s six-pointer against Watford, Douglas Luiz replaced Danny Drinkwater.What came 12 minutes later would change the game’s course as he latched onto the ball after it was saved by Ben Foster, converting it into the roof of the net.Watch Aston Villa Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

It is this moment that set them on their way, with Ezri Konsa’s 94th-minute strike glancing in off of Tyrone Mings to get all three points for Dean Smith’s side.

There were plenty of fans who were in complete adoration of the 21-year-old after he got the ball into the back of the net.

It wasn’t just the fact that he scored that fans were loving, with one commenting on “the passion in that celebration” as he jumped into the crowd.

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What is for certain, is that the Brazilian is going to be a very popular man at Villa Park after that contribution to the massive win.

There was also plenty of backing for him, after Dean Smith’s decision making regarding the centre-midfielder.

Having assisted the equaliser against Brighton & Hove Albion, he still wasn’t picked to start ahead of Danny Drinkwater this time around.

Fans feel that should change against Leicester City and AFC Bournemouth though, as one fan demanded for the manager to “start him”.

Meanwhile, Villa fans reacted to a big piece of transfer news.