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Liverpool's Joe Gomez has enjoyed his fair share of success in Reds colours, playing a pivotal role in the club's historic Premier League title triumph in 19/20 and the Champions League glory the year prior.

However, recent seasons have failed to bear the same calibre for the ace, who has been at the epicentre of the club's struggles this term.

Jurgen Klopp's Reds have failed to build upon an impressive preceding campaign that saw victory in both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, falling agonisingly short in the Premier League and Champions League.

Said to be in a "footballing nightmare" by journalist Uri Levy, Gomez has certainly failed to demonstrate the best of his ability for a considerable amount of time now, but that does not mean that Liverpool didn't hit the jackpot when making their swoop for the talent back in 2015.

Signing the highly-sought defender for just £3.5m from Charlton Athletic, Gomez has made 171 appearances for Liverpool and registered six assists, indeed winning a plethora of major honours, but after nearly eight years of servitude on Merseyside, it might now be time to move the dud on.

Should Klopp cash in on Gomez?

The 11-cap England international is valued at around £29m by Football Transfers, and should he prospectively leave Anfield for such a fee, Liverpool could make a recuperation by an increase of 829% from the initial fee paid for his signature.

Once hailed as "outstanding" by Martin Keown, Gomez still boasts a steady 6.92 rating in the Premier League this season, as per Sofascore, making 1.4 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per game, also completing 86% of his passes, and his robustness and physicality would leave plenty of suitors' interest piqued if he did indeed emerge as available on the transfer market.

Indeed, as per FBref, the 25-year-old ranks among the top 4% of positional peers for assists, the top 2% for progressive passes, the top 5% for shot-creating actions and the top 7% for progressive carries per 90, illustrating a modern skill set that remains a large factor behind Klopp's decision to stick with his man.

But with Liverpool linked with the likes of Croatian RB Leipzig colossus Josko Gvardiol, the centre-back position indeed targetted following the evaporation of former resilience and fluidity on Merseyside, Gomez might find playing time harder to come by should he remain on the books ahead of next season.

After such a shambolic season that threatens to implode, should Champions League qualification – the barest of minimums for the Reds – fail to be achieved, and with Gomez failing to impress by some degree, a transfer away might be the most fruitful move for all parties involved.

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita is ‘expected to leave’ the club in the summer transfer window, according to The Athletic journalist Andy Jones.

The Lowdown: Keita awful at Palace

The 28-year-old was handed a start away to Crystal Palace last weekend, as he looked to show Jurgen Klopp that he is worth persevering with beyond this summer.

Instead, Keita produced an awful first-half showing, losing the ball seven times, losing ten out of 12 total duels, picking up a yellow card and committing four fouls (Sofascore).

It led to Klopp substituting the Guinean at half-time, presumably because a sending-off seemed so likely, in what was the latest disappointing showing from him.

The Latest: Summer exit expected

Taking to Twitter, The Athletic‘s Jones focused on Keita’s woeful display at Selhurst Park, adding that he is likely to move on at the end of the season:

“Not for the first time, a night & performance to forget for Naby Keita. Klopp had no option but to take the midfielder off at HT.

“Unlikely to be his last #LFC performance, but expected to leave in the summer, it’s tough to see how he starts many more.”

The Verdict: More disappointment

There is no denying that Keita has ultimately underwhelmed in a Liverpool shirt, having arrived with such great expectations back in the summer of 2018.

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A constant stream of injuries have clearly played a big role in the midfielder’s struggles, affording him only 129 appearances in nearly five seasons, but his overall performances have also lacked consistency and influence.

That’s not to say that Keita hasn’t contributed to Liverpool’s great success in recent years, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, among other trophies, but he should indeed go when his contract expires this summer.

Virgil van Dijk once hailed his teammate as a ‘world-class’ player but he hasn’t performed like that for some time now and he has been a rare flop in the Klopp era.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will look to return to his tried and trusted lineup which saw his side bring in some positive results earlier in the season.

Who is missing for Newcastle’s cup final?

The Toon have been handed a number of setbacks ahead of their trip to Wembley on the weekend for their Carabao Cup final against Manchester United.

Mainly, the suspension of Nick Pope will be the obvious setback which will concern some fans and there are still some worries over whether Joe Willock will be fit enough to play.

And speaking on The Magpie Channel TV YouTube account, Keith Downie has suggested Howe will be hoping to see the likes of Willock return straight to the starting XI:

(13:30) “In terms of formation, or in terms of selection, I expect them to try and go back to the tried and tested sort of before Christmas. I think he’ll want to play Joelinton as one of the front three. With Joe Willock in midfield if he makes it. I think that’s what he’ll try and do.”

Who will start for Newcastle in the cup final?

As Downie alluded to, results of late have not gone in Newcastle’s favour with no win in the Premier League since 15 January which came in dramatic style against Fulham.

And as a result, it does seem as if something may have to be changed if the Toon are to put up a fight against a United side who are flying high in all competitions.

However, their two most recent victories came in the Carabao Cup against Southampton when Howe had more players available for selection.

It is this side that Downie feels Howe will be hoping to return to with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes set to return to the fold having served his three-game suspension.

But a lot of this will rely on whether Willock is fit enough to return to the starting XI which could allow Joelinton to play in his more advanced role at left-wing.

And that is a position which has worked well for the Brazilian who has provided Newcastle with a return of two goals and an assist from there in his last three Carabao Cup games.

It has been a difficult run of games of Newcastle since securing their spot in the final and having the likes of Willock and Guimaraes will have played a big role in that.

However, if they are able to find their feet again at Wembley, the recent results will be the last thing Newcastle fans will be thinking of with a long-standing trophy drought there to be ended on Sunday.

Danny Murphy has predicted that Liverpool will not achieve a top-four finish in the Premier League at the end of the season.

The Lowdown: Mauled by Wolves

Jurgen Klopp’s side were soundly beaten this past weekend, going 2-0 down within 15 minutes of their clash at Molineux.

The defeat to Wolves means the Reds have only won eight league matches this season and sit in 10th place, 11 points off fourth and 21 points behind the league leaders.

Liverpool are out of all cup competitions aside from the Champions League, where they will face Real Madrid later this month.

And they face a mammoth task to snatch a top-four spot, with the club yet to win in the league since the turn of the year.

The Latest: No top four

Speaking on TalkSport, former Reds midfielder Murphy claimed that there’s no chance Liverpool will get into the top four.

He stated: “I think the top four’s gone, I have to admit. I don’t see them turning that around. I really can’t see how they can click their fingers and become a dynamic, winning team overnight again. They’re going to have ups and downs.”

The Verdict: Steady the ship

In our view, Liverpool’s season is now relying on Europe in terms of salvaging any form of success.

Looking at where the Reds are in the league, we believe it’s simply too much for them to get back into the top four and be playing Champions League football next season.

Liverpool are currently 11 points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United with a game in hand. While they have put together solid runs of form in years gone by, they look miles away from being capable of doing what is required to reduce the deficit to those Champions League places – particularly when you consider the number of teams they would have to overhaul to get there.

As far as their tie against Real Madrid in Europe’s top competition is concerned, we can’t see them getting the better of the La Liga outfit over two legs.

Real Madrid are behind Barcelona in La Liga, but they’re still second and in much better form than Liverpool at the moment.

Klopp has to get Liverpool’s mojo back, as it could have severe consequences in the summer, as you could argue that fewer players would want to join the Reds in the next transfer window as they may have no European football, while their manager is beginning to show the pressure is getting to him amid their poor form this term.

Leeds United remain in the transfer hunt for a top European talent…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to Italian publication Calciomercato, who are outlining the Yorkshire outfit as one of the clubs linked with a move for wantaway attacking midfielder  Nicolo Zaniolo.

Whites director of football Victor Orta had shown a long-standing interest and was reportedly handed a fresh glimmer of hope in their potential deadline day swoop just last night.

Leeds could ditch Harrison

With Jack Harrison also linked with a switch away from Elland Road, the £50k-per-week wide man could make way in favour of the 23-year-old Italian with a dazzling future ahead of him.

Although he has been a dependable stalwart during his time in Yorkshire, it does seem like Harrison has a tendency to go missing through large portions of the season.

His goal in the FA Cup at the weekend marked just his second of the season in all competitions, with the 26-year-old having produced just one goal contribution in his last 14 Premier League games.

He is hardly irreplaceable, despite having impressed last season in their moment of need.

Meanwhile, Zaniolo has also endured a poorer year for AS Roma with just five goal contributions in all competitions. Having played far fewer minutes than his potential predecessor, however, he has been slightly more productive despite his poor form.

Should he move to Leeds in an attempt to replace Harrison, he would want to recapture his consistency from last year, as he scored eight and assisted nine in all competitions.

It was likely his ability to show up late into the box and score that saw him lauded as a “Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard-type player” by former Inter coach Stefano Vecchi. High praise indeed to earn comparisons with two of the league’s most celebrated midfielders.

Roma legend Francesco Totti doubled down on this praise, as he once noted on Zaniolo: “He has explosive strength and technique, and everything it takes to become a truly great player.”

With all the attributes to be a successful asset in English football, this deal would soften the blow of potentially losing Harrison tenfold.

Insider ExWHUemployee has revealed Tottenham Hotspur are unlikely to let Djed Spence join West Ham United on loan this January.

What’s the word?

The young fullback arrived in north London from Middlesbrough last summer but has failed to make much of an impact at his new club, having played just three minutes of Premier League football so far this term.

With that in mind, it’s no great shock that some reports have tipped Spence to leave Tottenham on loan for the remainder of the season as to guarantee more regular game time.

In an update shared on The West Ham Way podcast, Ex has explained that the Hammers are potentially keen on a deal. However, it sounds as though Spurs aren’t so happy to do business with a rival.

The insider said: “Spence is at Spurs, former Middlesbrough player, we’ve looked at maybe getting him on loan, he’s a right-back.

“Spurs have barely played him since they signed him. The only problem we’ve got is that Spurs don’t like to deal with us – you know, the rivalry and so on – unless we’re signing an outcast of theirs.

“They don’t like to loan players to us, so I think we’re going to be knocked back in our interest in him.”

Bad blood

Well, it’s certainly quite likely that Spence will want out from Spurs in the short term. After all, manager Antonio Conte doesn’t seem to trust him – as evidenced by the fact that the youngster is yet to start even once so far in his debut season across all competitions.

However, they are bitter rivals with the Hammers and so it’s not surprising to hear that any negotiations for a loan this winter could be complicated.

If that is the case, though, and Spence can’t find himself a new club in January it will be hard not to feel for the 22-year-old. Indeed, he was sold a dream when he joined the north London outfit last summer but has been met by obstacles every step of the way ever since.

Arsenal made an excellent second-half comeback to defeat West Ham United last night as Mikel Arteta’s men went seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Thoughts now turn to Saturday, when the club take on Brighton & Hove Albion, but Arteta will be hoping to keep the momentum going and secure another three points against the South Coast side.

The Spaniard will also be looking to add some quality to his side when the January transfer window opens and with the club interested in signing Brazilian youngster Danilo from Palmeiras next month, Arteta looks like he wants to add more youth to his side and plan ahead for the future.

However, with a title challenge very much on, and the chance to win the North London side’s first Premier League title in 19 years, experience might be the best bet ahead of a crucial five months ahead…

Arsenal must sign Bennacer

Arsenal were linked with their former midfielder Ismael Bennacer – who was at the team before being sold in 2017 – earlier this month and he could give the club a boost in the heart of their midfield engine room.

Since moving to Serie A with Empoli five years ago, he has continued to impress, first earning a move to current Italian champions AC Milan, and then establishing himself as an integral part of the side.

This season, the £46k-per-week midfielder has been in tremendous form for Milan, averaging a rating of 7.29 via Sofascore across his 15 league appearances.

He has registered two goal contributions, created two big chances and made an average of two key passes per match, which just proves that he can be an excellent attacking threat from the centre of the midfield.

His defensive contributions should also not go unnoticed, as the 25-year-old has won 55% of his duels, made 2.3 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 0.5 clearances, suggesting that his all-round ability is superb and this could give Arteta’s midfield options a massive boost.

Indeed, according to FBref, the Algerian ranks in the top 10% for a variety of metrics, including tackles, shot-creating actions and dribbles completed, suggesting that he is amongst the top performers in Europe’s top five leagues over the previous year.

Milan boss Stefano Pioli labelled him a “complete midfielder” while Khaireddine Rouba dubbed him a “warrior” and it’s evident that his recent performances are attracting attention.

Arteta will need to think carefully about who he brings to the club, with Danilo an exciting prospect that could develop into a wonderful player over the course of the next few years, however, with a title challenge in motion, he may just opt for the seasoned campaigner in Bennacer and this could prove to be a masterstroke.

Mikel Arteta will surely be looking at strengthening Arsenal’s attacking options when the January transfer window opens next month.

This is a main priority for the Spaniard, especially considering that summer arrival Gabriel Jesus looks set to face three months out after suffering an injury while representing Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar.

The need for another striker is paramount, especially if the Gunners want to claim their first Premier League title since 2004, and journalist Pete O’Rourke believes that Arteta can find the “answer” by signing Atletico Madrid striker Matheus Cunha.

Speaking to Football FanCast, O’Rourke said: “As I said, he’s a proven player. It just hasn’t worked out for him at Atletico Madrid. So I think if Mikel Arteta does need a stopgap replacement for Gabriel Jesus, then Matheus Cunha can be the right answer.”

Arsenal have been recently linked with the £22m Brazilian striker, and with the 23-year-old finding game-time hard to come by this season in the Spanish capital, a January move could very much be possible.

Cunha has played just 17 times across all competitions this term, starting only twice and accruing a total of 510 minutes on the pitch without scoring, and this form arguably cost the player his place in the Brazil squad for the World Cup.

However, the £50k-per-week hitman does rank in the top 25% for a variety of metrics compared to positional peers throughout Europe’s top five leagues, and these include total shots, shot-creating actions, assists, and dribbles completed. This suggests that, despite not being successful in front of goal, he can still contribute effectively.

Defensively, Cunha ranks in the top 5% of positional peers for tackles, blocks and interceptions. This could be another major benefit for Arteta in having someone who can lead the line but also get stuck in with some dirty work when required.

With Jesus ruled out for the foreseeable, that leaves Eddie Nketiah as the only natural senior striker at the Emirates Stadium. The academy graduate ranks a lowly 18th in the Gunners’ squad by WhoScored with just 6.20, which suggests that he would not be an adequate alternative to his stricken team-mate.

Dubbed “extraordinary” by his former coach Paolo Tramezzani, Cunha appears to have the full package, and with Arteta urgently needing a replacement for Jesus, a January move would potentially work out well for all parties.

Newcastle United are believed to have been given the opportunity to sign Borussia Monchengladbach striker, Marcus Thuram, with the Frenchman currently attracting interest from a number of clubs.

What’s the word?

That’s according to transfer insider Dean Jones – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – who revealed that the Magpies are contemplating whether to make a move for the 25-year-old, with the forward seemingly up for grabs as his existing deal ebbs towards its expiry.

The respected source stated: “Thuram has been offered to Newcastle for the next window. He’s somebody that they are willing to consider. They see that he holds good value at the price that’s been put to them.”

This follows a recent report from The Sun that claimed the five-cap gem is a target for Eddie Howe’s side – as well as Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal – amid the prospect of leaving for a cut-price fee in January, or departing Germany for nothing in the summer.

Isak-esque

Not only is Thuram attracting interest as a result of his contract status, but the former Guingamp man – who is the son of France legend Lilian Thuram – has warranted such attention as a result of his on-field displays, having been in sparkling form at club level this season.

The £54k-per-week ace has netted 13 goals and laid on four assists in just 17 games across all fronts for the Bundesliga side so far this term, taking his total tally for the club to 41 goals and 26 assists in 119 games to date.

The Parma-born ace – who is part of Les Bleus’ World Cup squad – could well add even greater firepower to Howe’s ranks at St James’ Park, with the northeast side seemingly plotting another centre-forward addition despite only recently securing the capture of Alexander Isak.

The club-record signing is edging his way back to fitness having featured only three times so far this season due to injury, scoring twice, with the hope being that the Swede can go on to play a more prominent role in the side in the second half of the campaign.

Adding Thuram into the mix could well prove to be an ideal competitor or striking alternative for the former Real Sociedad man, with the pair said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities, as per FBref.

Not only are the two men impressive and imposing figures in attack – with both standing at 6 foot 4 – but there are also mirrored in their ability on the ball, with Isak notably ranking in the top 7% in Europe for dribbles completed, while the Gladbach star ranks in the top 8% for the same metric.

The addition of the latter man could also allow the pair to potentially start together in attack if needed, with the “phenomenal” asset, as described by former teammate Denis Zakaria, having also regularly operated in a left-wing berth throughout his career thus far.

To bring in such a versatile talent – who seemingly fits the mould of the type of player Howe is looking for due to his likeness to Isak – would no doubt aid in the club’s push for a top-four berth, while also doing so on the cheap as he is valued at just £8.7m, as per CIES Football Observatory.

In truth, if Newcastle have truly been offered the chance to strike a deal, it should really be a no-brainer.

Graham Potter is undergoing somewhat of a rough patch at Chelsea at the moment, with the club not winning in the Premier League since 16 October following Saturday evening’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United.

There may be more bad news for Potter, with contract discussions surrounding Mason Mount reaching a stalemate. Talks between the club and the player have been ongoing since the summer and the Englishman is heading into the final 18 months of his deal.

The London side have looked at contingency plans in case Mount decides to move on or Chelsea wants to sell, with AS Roma star Lorenzo Pellegrini looked at as a viable alternative.

Potter can ditch Mount

The 23-year-old has been included in England’s World Cup squad and has started every league game under Potter, yet his last two league performances haven’t particularly caught the eye, averaging a rating of 6.7/10 as per SofaScore.

A move for Pellegrini would make sense, especially with his talents, although it could cost the club a big transfer fee, with the Roma player valued at €60m (£53m) by the CIES Football Observatory and Jose Mourinho will surely not even entertain a bid less than that.

The 26-year-old has been praised by Roma icon Francesco Totti previously, who said: “I am not surprised by the development of Pellegrini. As I always know Lorenzo is a phenomenal player. Now, everything depends on him to continue to be at this level.”

His form this season has shown exactly why Chelsea have them on their list as a potential Mount replacement, as he has registered 11 goal contributions – four goals and seven assists – in all competitions from an attacking midfield slot, which is better than Mount’s tally of eight goal involvements.

The Italian also has more shots per game than Mount (2.55 to 1.96), has generated more goal-creating actions (11 to 7), and has a higher dribble success rate (44.9% to 43.2%), proving precisely why Chelsea could look to move on their youth graduate in favour of a flashy new signing.

The 47-year-old will now likely have to wait until after the World Cup to discuss Mount’s contract scenario in depth, but this may mean Pellegrini could attract attention from elsewhere.

It could well be an interesting January transfer market for the Stamford Bridge side as Potter aims to put his own stamp on the team.