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Liverpool are certainly not crying out for an attacker due to the dominance of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

The trio ripped defences apart last season with their blistering pace and clinical touch.

However, in order to take that next step and become regular title challengers, the Reds need to build on their current squad.

The Champions League final highlighted that Liverpool do not have the strength in depth required to compete at the top level.

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When Mohamed Salah was forced off the pitch after dislocating his shoulder inside the first 30 minutes of the clash against Real Madrid, the Reds were unable to recover and ended up losing 3-1 in Kiev.

Now that the summer transfer window is in full swing, rumours are rife about who manager Jurgen Klopp is targeting in this window.

One player who has been doing the rounds is Stoke City winger Xherdan Shaqiri, who could get his head turned following the Potters’ relegation from the Premier League.

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According to the Liverpool Echo, the Switzerland international, who scored eight goals in 36 league matches last season, has a release clause worth between £12m and £13.5m.

We asked you whether Shaqiri would be a decent summer signing for the Reds, and the majority seem keen on the idea.

It is not exactly a secret that Newcastle United want to sign a new centre-forward before the end of the January transfer window.

Head coach Rafael Benitez is still unsure how much money he has to spend this month due to the uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the football club.

However, it is expected to be a busy end to the winter market for the Magpies, who really need to sign at least one striker before the window slams shut next month.

According to Sky Sports, Newcastle are currently in talks with Leicester City over a move for Islam Slimani, who has struggled for regular action this season.

The 29-year-old scored seven Premier League goals last season following his big-money arrival from Sporting Lisbon, but has managed just one strike in the top flight this term.

The Algerian did score four times in three EFL Cup appearances this season, however, and there is no question that there would be takers if Slimani became available.

Are Newcastle in for the powerful forward? Quite possibly.

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A selection of the reaction to the rumour from the club’s supporters can be found below:

Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis was disappointed with the way in which his side defended during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates, reports Sky Sports.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain marked his return to the Arsenal first team with two second half goals, and ended Palace’s hopes of three consecutive Premier League wins.

The result saw Pulis’ team slip to 17th place in the table, and the former Stoke City boss was quick to bemoan his side’s defending for the first goal, as well as their inability to take their chances.

Cameron Jerome wasted arguably the chance of the game, having a free header saved by Woijech Szczesny in the 51st minute.

“We’ve been to Man City, Chelsea and Tottenham, and I didn’t think we created as many chances today as we did in those games,” Pulis said after the game.

“The first goal was a poor, poor goal. Two players have been caught with their body positions in poor positions and they get a runner off the back.

“Once they get the first goal, you’re up against it but having said that, a couple of minutes later we’ve had our best chance and if Cammy (Jerome) scores then, it might have been a different game.”

Palace take on fellow Premier League strugglers West Brom at Selhurst Park next weekend, and Pulis is hopeful the new signings and injury returnees can push his side towards three crucial points.

“The spirit, commitment and togetherness of the players is brilliant and we can bring a couple more players into it now, which will help us,” he added.

“Joe Ledley is a good passer of the ball and keeps things ticking, but he’ll also score a goal. We need that.

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“Glenn Murray isn’t far away either, he’s going to have another game on Monday and we need goals in the team, no question of a doubt.”

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Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is satisfied with his team’s start the season, but believes there is more to come from the reigning Premier League champions.

The citizens sit in third place, four points from league leaders Chelsea. However, they are yet to recapture the form that won them the title last season.

The commanding centre-back insists that all is going to plan. “We are exactly where we wanted to be, second or third place and there are still a lot of games to play. We are just getting through them.

“It’s already positive for us to pick up so many points when people say maybe we didn’t play our best games, but I think we have to be happy with the results”

The Belgium international, who got on the scoresheet against Scotland in midweek, knows City can play better and senses another good season.

“There will be moments where we will really switch it on.

“If we can still step it up, it’s going to be a great season for us again.”

Kompany has been struggling with a calf injury this season, an accepts some of his performances haven’t been at the same level as his fantastic form last year. “I’ve always been good. It’s just that we set such a ridiculously high standard last season that people are expecting a lot.

“That’s fair enough, I’ve got no problem with that. I just keep working hard. I never really change my vision of the game, I always try to give my best.

“I just look at the league now and we are in a good position. We’ve done what we needed to do and we’ve managed to keep ourselves at the right place” said the Belgian defender.

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Manchester City travel to Hawthorns at the weekend to face in-form West Brom and will hope to close the gap on first place Chelsea.

“Chelsea are obviously doing great at the moment. We never said it wasn’t going to be a tough season” added Kompany.

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Writing in his column for The Daily Mail, former teammate of new Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, and current Sky pundit, Jamie Redknapp is excited to see the Liverpool legend take on the task in Glasgow.

What’s the story?

Gerrard officially begins his new position at Ibrox on Friday and the eyes of British football are on him as he tries to inspire the Light Blues to major silverware next season.

Jamie Redknapp believes he is ready for the challenge and has admitted he can’t wait to see what happens, writing for The Daily Mail.

Writing in his column, he said:

I’m certain it’s an incredible adventure for him and he will lift the profile of the Scottish game.

He will need to learn fast because beating Rangers is a scalp – and beating Steven Gerrard’s Rangers will be an even bigger scalp.

He’ll be going from the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool to a Europa League qualifier in the back of beyond for Rangers. And as we saw last season when they went out to the fourth-best team in Luxembourg – Progrès Niederkorn – there are pitfalls. He’ll want to get off to a winning start.

There are inevitable comparisons with my Sky colleague Graeme Souness, but these are entirely different times. Rangers are still a huge draw, but they are long way behind Celtic and there isn’t the budget to fight fire with fire.

So, Rangers are relying on Steven Gerrard bringing his own brand of magic and to draw people to the club.

And it will be thrilling to see him try and pull it off. Don’t put anything past him.

It’s all set to be an immensely exciting time in Glasgow, with Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic desperate to continue their clean sweep of trophies and enjoy domestic dominance over their city rivals.

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How big is Gerrard’s task?

This could well be the biggest challenge of Gerrard’s career to date and he’s had to overcome the odds plenty of times as a player at Liverpool.

Celtic are streaks ahead financially and have a much more talented first team squad. Added to an elite manager with plenty of experience then it all means that Rangers are most certainly underdogs next season.

That could play into their favour though and the former Liverpool man must tap into a siege mentality and forge a team that is willing to battle as hard as he did throughout his career.

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If he can deliver a trophy next season it’ll be seen as great progress and while the league may be beyond them, lifting the League Cup or Scottish Cup is most certainly achievable.

Can he get off to a winning start in his career as a manager?

According to Italian media outlet Gianluca Di Marzio, out of favour Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini, who is rated at €15m (approximately £13.3m) according to Transfermarkt, is a target for Serie A side Bologna this month, with the player’s agent already holding talks with the Italian club.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Gianluca Di Marzio says that with Bologna striker Simone Verdi being targeted by Serie A leaders Napoli, they are looking for a potential replacement for the 25-year-old and are eyeing a move for Gabbiadini before the transfer window slams shut on January 31.

Gianluca Di Marzio suggests that Bologna will only firm up their interest in the Saints striker if Verdi does leave, while it also appears unclear whether the south coast outfit are willing to sell the Italy international this month, or are prepared to wait until the summer.

How has Gabbiadini done this season?

Following the huge impact he made following his move to St Mary’s a year ago, Southampton would have believed they had the regular goalscorer they were looking for.

However, the 26-year-old has struggled for form this term and looks uncomfortable when he is asked to play as a lone striker, and he has only started one of their last 12 Premier League matches.

The Italian has scored three goals in 20 top flight games, with two of those coming in the 2-2 draw at home against Newcastle United in October.

Should they sell him this month?

It depends on their January business, but it certainly wouldn’t be a popular decision among the fans give that they are currently 17th.

If they bring in another striker then it could push Gabbiadini – who is currently behind Shane Long in the pecking order – even further out of favour under Mauricio Pellegrino, but the Argentine will also need to consider the absence of Charlie Austin through injury.

Gabbiadini has shown that the can score goals when he is confident and has good service, and that could be crucial for Saints in the run-in considering they may well find themselves in a relegation battle.

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They can get the best out of the 26-year-old, who will be looking to impress prior to the World Cup this summer, if they play him with someone else up front, or perhaps even if he plays in the role behind the striker in Pellegrino’s preferred 4-2-3-1 system.

Roy Hodgson has been dealt a huge injury blow, ahead of England’s World Cup campaign, with the news that Theo Walcott will be sidelined for at least six months with a knee injury.

The Arsenal winger picked up the injury during Arsenal’s 2-0 third round FA Cup win over Tottenham on Saturday and scans showed that Walcott has in fact ruptured his ACL.

The Official Arsenal website states: “Theo has sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee.

“He will have surgery in the near future and is expected to be out for at least six months, thus missing the rest of the season and the World Cup.”

Walcott, 24, has been capped 36 times by England scoring 5 goals.

An earlier injury this season caused Walcott to miss England’s last two World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland with Tottenham’s Andr0s Townsend deputizing for him on the wing.

Walcott and Townsend were expected to compete for the right wing berth under England manager Roy Hodgson.

The Arsenal man made his debut for England at the tender age of just 17 years 75 days against Hungary back in May 2006.

However he has not featured in a World Cup despite being a surprise pick by Sven Goran Eriksson for the 2006 edition. Poor form caused Fabio Capello to leave him home during 2010 but Walcott re-established himself under the Italian to be picked for Euro 2012.

The injury is a major blow for club and country. Arsenal, who sit atop the English Premier League, are disappointed having just had the Englishman return from a stomach problem last November.

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The Arsenal website continued: “Everyone at Arsenal wishes Theo a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him back on a football pitch as soon as possible.”

Arsenal face Aston Villa at Villa Park this weekend who beat the Gunners on the opening day of the season.

Liverpool Football Club will be staying at Anfield after the club decided to scrap plans for a new stadium in Stanley Park reports the Liverpool Echo.

While there has been no official confirmation from the club, an announcement about plans to redevelop Anfield will be revealed on Monday as part of a housing regeneration scheme in the area.

Reds owner John Henry has always had the intention for the club to remain at Anfield, rather than relocating to a new purpose built ground on Stanley Park and the club have now looked into adding an extra tier while also including extra corporate facilities in the existing ground.

It was thought that Liverpool had to leave Anfield if they were to stand any hope of generating the commercial revenues required to compete at the top of the Premier League with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

However Henry has dispelled this ‘myth’ telling BBC Sport that:”A belief has grown that Liverpool FC must have a new stadium to compete with [Manchester] United, Arsenal and others.”

“While a new stadium or an expansion of Anfield is beneficial over the long term for the club, the financial impact of adding seats and amenities should be put into perspective.

“That’s why I say that it is a myth that stadium issues are going to magically transform LFC’s fortunes.

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“Building new or refurbishing Anfield is going to lead to an increase from £40m of match-day revenue to perhaps £60-70m if you don’t factor in debt service.

“Our future is based not on a stadium issue, but on building a strong football club that can compete with anyone in Europe. This will be principally driven financially by our commercial strengths globally.”

Jose Mourinho is supposedly at his best during his second season at a football club but that has not proved to be the case at Manchester United, who finished the 2017/18 trophyless after their 1-0 FA Cup Final defeat at the hands of their manager’s former club Chelsea on Saturday.

Going a season without silverware at a club that invests so heavily to secure trophies is bad enough but the misery could be compounded by United’s two most bitter rivals, Liverpool and Manchester City.

City have already scooped the other two domestic trophies on offer – the Premier League and the League Cup – while Liverpool have the opportunity to secure the Champions League against Real Madrid in Kiev this weekend.

The rivalry between United and Liverpool, England’s two most successful clubs is as bitter as any in this country but some Red Devils fans bewilderingly want Jurgen Klopp’s men to run out victorious on Saturday.

It really has to be seen to be believed but we’ve assembled some Manchester United fans who actually want Liverpool to win the Champions League…

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According to reports in The Sun, West Ham United defender James Collins is a £2m target for Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion before the January transfer window slams shut.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Sun says that Seagulls boss Chris Hughton is keen to add the experienced 34-year-old to his side’s backline to provide competition for first-choice centre-back pairing Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy, as the south coast outfit look to stay out of trouble in the second-half of the campaign.

Even though Collins has become more of a regular fixture in the team under David Moyes in recent weeks following injuries to Winston Reid and Jose Fonte and is a firm fans’ favourite, the Welshman only has six months left on his contract and The Sun says that there has been no word on whether his deal is to be extended.

How has Collins done this season?

The failed to play a single minute of their opening two Premier League matches of the campaign against Manchester United and Southampton – failing to make the squad for the latter – but he then played three straight top flight games before suffering an injury.

The issue kept him on the sidelines until the end of November, but he struggled to earn a place in the starting XI ahead of Reid and Angelo Ogbonna, although he has started three of their Premier League fixtures in the past month – including captaining his side in the 3-3 draw against Bournemouth on Boxing Day.

With 210 appearances for West Ham in total and 50 caps for Wales he certainly has shown that he has that experience and calmness on the pitch, even if he is perhaps approaching the twilight years of his career.

Should West Ham cash in on him?

In a word, no.

Collins clearly loves the club and the fans love him, so it wouldn’t be worth selling him for £2m even with his contract running down.

If Brighton were willing to raise their bid to something around the £4-5m mark then the Irons may have a decision to make, but the 34-year-old has shown just what a useful part of the squad he is in recent weeks following a number of injury issues, and the east London outfit would be mad to get rid this month.

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While him leaving on a free could be an option at the end of the season, they may also agree a deal that sees him stay for another year, but they are much better off deciding that when they know for sure what division they will be in next term.