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John Barnes has questioned whether Kylian Mbappe would be as productive as Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, should Liverpool look to sign the Paris Saint-Germain star.

The reigning Premier League champions are back in the market for the “best players in the world”.

Barnes is delighted to see that, but is eager to point out that any future additions must be judged on value, not name.

Liverpool have followed that approach in recent times and reaped the rewards.

It could be that they do dip into the market for Jadon Sancho or Mbappe if either become available at Borussia Dortmund and PSG, but Barnes is not convinced that superstar forwards are what the Reds need right now.

He told PlayOJO: “Liverpool now can attract the best players in the world. The kind of guys that we should be attracting are going to have to fit into the Liverpool philosophy, which means selflessness, humility, working for the team.

“No matter how good you are, Klopp will be looking at if you're willing to come and work for the team and not feel superior to your team-mates.

“I'm looking at Sancho and Mbappe in particular thinking; are they the right characters for Liverpool?

“Maybe Sancho is, I don't necessarily know him but he seems to be a level-headed boy. Mbappe I don't know, he's a very talented player. But is he going to work the way Mane and Salah works defensively? I don't know.

“I think Timo Werner would have been ideally suited to us but I think he wanted guaranteed first-team football every single week, which he wouldn't necessarily get at Liverpool, so that's probably why didn't come.”

Liverpool’s dealings in the last two windows have seen them unearth more gems, with Barnes saluting the recruitment of a team that is chasing down honours across multiple fronts once again in 2020-21.

He added: “Thiago and [Diogo] Jota were fantastic signings alongside [Takumi] Minamino, who was also a good signing.

“Those three are players who you want to come into the squad should anyone get injured. For two, three weeks they can come in, and they can maintain that momentum and the consistency.

“I think Jota and Thiago can play for six, seven months in the first team and they can continue to make Liverpool win games and play consistently well, which is what you want.

“Because I think of the past, not just Liverpool, but a lot of Premier League sides, spend £100 million on five players, but they don’t improve. 

“Whereas with those two signings, if one of the front three gets injured, Jota can go in and do equally as well. Thiago can play in the midfield three and actually bring something in terms of flair and creativity as well.

“It gives us not just a balance, but it gives us alternatives and it gives us the same level of consistency. So those two signings have been fantastic.”

Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo has explained his desire to score in every game he plays for the Nigeria national team.

The 24-year-old will be expected to play a significant role when the Super Eagles take on the Leone Stars in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game on Friday.

Aribo has been delivering impressive performances for the West Africans since making a goalscoring debut against Ukraine in October 2019.

The versatile midfielder has now bagged two goals in four appearances for the three-time African champions.

Aribo missed Nigeria’s friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia in October due to injury problems but having rejoined the side, he hopes to continue his impressive showings for Gernot Rohr’s men.

"I'm enjoying it here in Benin. It's very overwhelming and I'm happy to see that the fans are here with us and they're supporting us so it's a good feeling," Aribo told Super Eagles media.

"I bring energy, I want to play fast and just make it hard for my opponent and win the game of course".

"Hopefully by God's grace, that's the aim, I want to score goals every single game I play but I want to just do all I can for the team to get the result that we can get".

Nigeria are leading Group L with six points from two games after victories over the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

The return fixture will be played in Freetown on November 17 and victories in the games for the Super Eagles could see them secure a place in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Nigeria finished third at the last edition of the continental tournament in Egypt, with Algeria and Senegal beating them to the gold and silver medals.

Harambee Stars head coach Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee has lauded the Comoros defense for their resolute defending in the 1-1 draw. 

Despite being a man down for the better part of the game, the Islanders battled to a draw and went on to get a point.

In the Wednesday game played at Kasarani Stadium, M'changama Youssouf put Comoros ahead from a free-kick which was expertly taken, wrong-footing Arnold Origi in the Kenya goal, but Masoud Juma equalised for Harambee Stars in the second half.

"We lacked composure in front of the goal and ended up missing the chances we created," Ghost told Goal after the match.

"Comoros also defended with zeal, they had eight players behind the ball and it was hard for us to break their defense. In the end, it worked for them because they managed to get a point away."

Kasarani's playing surface was not good owing to the rains experienced in Nairobi and at some point, it was tough for the players. However, the 52-year-old states that is not an excuse for his team not to get maximum points at home.

"I cannot blame the pitch for our draw because Comoros played on the same pitch," Mulee added.

"Let us now see how Togo and Egypt play [in Group G] and try our best to get a positive result at Moroni. We still have a chance to qualify in the Africa Cup of Nations because the race is tight. 

"Only a point or two separate the teams in the group so there is a big chance of us making it to the next stage.

"But we are expecting a very tough game away, but we are optimistic of getting maximum points."

The tactician has also commented on the absence of Kashiwa Reysol striker Michael Olunga who missed the game.

"Masoud Juma has played well despite being unattached, we brought him in the game hoping he will score and he has not disappointed," Ghost continued.

"But to be honest, we have missed Olunga in the game but there is nothing we could do owing to Covid-19 situation. We just have to do with the available players."

Tariq Lamptey has explained why he took the decision to leave Chelsea after graduating through their academy system.

The 20-year-old defender did see competitive minutes during his time at Stamford Bridge, making his debut in a London derby clash with Arsenal plus a further two outings during the 2019-20 campaign.

He was, however, to leave on the final day of the January transfer window and take on a new challenge at Brighton. That call was made with his contract at Chelsea running down and with no fresh terms about to be signed.

Lamptey has gone on to thrive at the Amex Stadium, with his obvious potential now benefiting Brighton.

He could have been pushing for recognition at a different Premier League club, but remains convinced that walking away from west London was the best decision for his promising career.

Explaining his move, Lamptey told 90min: “I'm an ambitious boy. I look at things and enjoy them in the moment, but the next day I'm looking to see what I need to improve on and how I can stay at that level. I'm always looking for a chance to play again, and that moment made me even more hungry. I'd had a taste of it and I wasn't going to let it go.

“I sat down with the coaches, family members and agents and thought about what's best for me. It was a really tough decision.

“Being at a club since the age of nine, going up through the whole system and making your first-team debut, everything happened so quickly, but I had to look at where I would get the most football and how I could take my game to the next level.

“It wasn't an easy decision. I thought about it every day. But the opportunity came for me to come to Brighton, which is a fantastic club with a really good plan for the team, and the move made a lot of sense.

“There was quite a few options to go to, but I sat down with my family and talked about where would be best for me, where could help me develop, and I thought Brighton would be the best club for me.”

Lamptey’s stock has soared since he linked up with the Seagulls, with it now being suggested that his efforts are drawing admiring glances from leading sides across Europe. Bayern Munich are reported to be among his many suitors.

FC Goa and Red Bull Leipzig on Thursday announced a strategic partnership between the two clubs for a period of three years.

Oliver Mintzlaff, who is the Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull and CEO at RB Leipzig, explained the factors that made the Goan Indian Super League (ISL) club the perfect fit to be involved with for this kind of a deal. 

"The process took quite a lot of time as we were in talks since 2018. We were aware that we needed to engage ourselves internationally because the Bundesliga takes place internationally. So we made many rounds (of conversations) and landed with FC Goa, as the two clubs have the same vision and goals with a similar understanding of football. Our talks and conversations over the years led to the fact that we are here today," he said.

With regard to potentially turning the partnership into further investment, he added, "Of course, the Indian market is interesting to us and with this early entry there are not many European clubs that deal with Indian markets at such an extensive level. We want to leave footsteps beyond just one or two football camps. So the grassroots initiatives are the first steps and the cooperation with FC Goa may lead to more opportunities than the online and real camps."

Mintzlaff was quizzed whether FC Goa's logo will see any change, he had nothing to share on that front and continued, "If you're asking about buying shares (at FC Goa), you can become a partner without buying shares."

The partnership will involve opportunities for young Indian talents to train and hone their skills at the German club's facilities and in future, Leipzig is expected to offer support with on-site training that will involve the exchange of know-how regarding youth development. 

"What we (Leipzig) receive is a certain market opening and research into a very interesting market. We think that the topic of brand awareness is important to us. Digital reach is very important to our club and we want to transport it through the FC Goa platform," the German club's CEO confirmed.

"We hope to get a better understanding of football in India through the camps that we execute. If we fly to India in phase two, we will integrate our scouting department and new cooperations can be set up to get some players to Germany but this is something that we cannot plan in advance."

Would see an Indian player in the Bundesliga or one from the Bundesliga plying his trade in India, possibly with FC Goa?

"If you continue to be more successful, part and parcel of it are that you incorporate all bits of the club. Probably in the next three years, we will plan a trip to India. After the digital reach, we assure that we can travel to India with the entire first team. When it will happen and to what extent, it is too early to say. If you ask me in a year's time, I could tell you more about that," Mintzlaff concluded.

Liverpool should be looking to counter injury issues at centre-half by moving captain Jordan Henderson back into their defensive unit, claims John Aldridge.

Jurgen Klopp continues to see fitness setbacks hinder his long-term thinking at Anfield.

Losing Virgil van Dijk to knee ligament damage during their eventful derby clash with Everton was a crushing blow, and Liverpool’s luck has got worse since then.

Fabinho and Joel Matip have had spells on the sidelines, while Joe Gomez is another who has been forced onto the treatment table. He, like Van Dijk, has had to undergo knee surgery and will be missing for several months.

Klopp faces an unwelcome selection headache as a result, with his options severely depleted, but Aldridge believes asking an experienced figure to step out of midfield could work in the Reds’ favour.

The former Liverpool striker told Sky Sports: “We’ve obviously got players that can fill in there and some good young players but, with all due respect to them, you do need experience to go with it.

“It’s the one position where Liverpool could pay the price. We’re swamped players in midfield and up front but at centre-back it doesn’t look good.

“I think he has to [spend in January] now. With all due respect to Joel Matip, he’s not got a great record with injuries.

“We’ve got Fabinho who can go there, he’s got players like Henderson and [Gini] Wijnaldum who have played there but only a few times. They can do a good job. The young lads have done terrific but on a long-term basis are they good enough at this moment? I don’t know.

“I think he has to and I think he knew that before Gomez’s injury. It’s a long season but the one thing we’ve got going forward is that Liverpool frighten the life out of teams with the attacking power that we have.”

Pressed further on who he would line up alongside Matip for a return to domestic action on November 21, Aldridge added: “You’ve got Leicester up next and they have Jamie Vardy who is absolutely magnificent at the moment.

“Is he going to play the young players, who can he fit in there? Jordan to do a job? Vardy is absolutely flying and that’s a bit scary but, going forward, Liverpool are different class.

“Again, I go back to the way Vardy is playing. If I was in his position and you’ve got a young recruit playing centre-half, it’s going to be difficult for the young lads with the way he peels off, plays on the shoulder, drifts out wide where they don’t want to go.

“He’s a master of it at the moment, he’s the best centre-forward in the country and even above Harry Kane with the way he’s playing. It’s a big dilemma for Jurgen. Personally, I would go with Jordan Henderson but whenever he’s put the young players in they’ve never let him down.”

Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams have been handed Premier League and Champions League bows respectively since Van Dijk was laid low, but neither academy graduate boasts much senior experience.

Pernille Harder does not remember exactly what Zlatan Ibrahimovic said to her when the pair shared a stage in 2015.

“It was something like, ‘Believe in yourself and keep doing what you’re doing,’” the Dane reveals in an exclusive interview with Goal at Chelsea's Cobham Training Centre.

What she does remember, though, is how people started watching her more closely afterwards. Taking centre stage at an awards show with Swedish superstar Ibrahimovic was always going to garner Harder extra attention.

And she did not disappoint, establishing herself as one of the finest players in the women’s game over the next few years with her creativity and lethal finishing.

However, it was a seemingly innocuous act off the field that made Harder belatedly realise just how important a public figure she could become.  

After an ecstatic Magda Eriksson had helped Sweden reach the quarter-finals of last year's Women's World Cup, she sought out Harder, who was in the crowd, and the couple shared a kiss.  

Perfectly natural, nothing unusual: player kisses partner after important victory. Eriksson and Harder understandably thought nothing of it.

Images of the two quickly went viral, though, held up as a beautiful symbol of pure love in a world still divided by hate. Within a matter of minutes, Harder suddenly had thousands more followers on her social media channels.

"It made me realise that I have a platform; that we have a platform," the 27-year-old explains. "People are listening to me and seeing what happens on my platform.

"It showed me that I have a voice and, after that, I have wanted to use it more because I feel it makes a difference.

"It is very important to have role models, no matter who you are. In our community, it is even more important because it helps you understand that you are not alone by being homosexual or something like this.

"It is a special topic because people maybe don't like to talk about it or they don't want to come out, so, it is important to have role models so that you can feel more secure about yourself."

The LGBT+ community certainly could not have a much better role model than Harder.

She grew up in the small Danish town of Inkast watching Premier League football because of her father, Mogens, who was an avid Manchester United fan.

At the time, Harder had few female role models to look up to, but her dream was to become the best footballer in the world. She has now achieved that goal.

After winning Germany's and UEFA's Women's Player of the Year awards for 2020, the forward has now finished top of the Goal 50 rankings, pipping Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema to top spot.

Harder's No.1 ranking was well deserved. The striker scored 38 goals in all competitions as Wolfsburg won the double in Germany and reached the final of the Champions League, where they were beaten 3-1 by Lyon.

That defeat in Vienna was tough to take, particularly as Harder has yet to get her hands on a winners' medal in Europe's premier club cup competition.

"Of course, I need to win it," she admits. "It is unfinished business until I have won it. But that's why I came to Chelsea, because the club also has those ambitions to win the big titles."

There's no disputing that. Chelsea broke the women's football world record to sign Harder for a reported £250,000 ($330,000) ahead of the start of the 2020-21 Women's Super League campaign.

Harder's father obviously would have preferred to see his daughter move to Manchester United, and fans pleaded with her online to join their club instead.

However, Harder's mind had already been made up. Mogens may be a long-time United fan, but Harder has been following Chelsea for some time now because of Eriksson.

"Playing for Chelsea is weird for my dad but now he now supports the women's side at least," Harder laughs.

"He still supports Man United's men's team as he's such a big fan but soon I will bring him his first Chelsea shirt and see if he wants to wear it! I won't force him, though!

"But, obviously, I watched Chelsea games during the previous three years because Magda plays here, as many games as I could.

"And I had become a little bit of a fan because I wanted things to go well for Magda. So, now it's even more fun to be part of this team too."

Everything seems to have fallen perfectly into place for Harder, but there will be no let up, no resting on her laurels.

She wants that Champions League winners’ medal, and she wants to continue proving herself the best player in the world.

"I think the most difficult part of getting to the top is staying there,” Harder says. “You should not be satisfied with what you have done and say, ‘Okay, that’s it.’

"So, that's what motivates me, to keep being one of the best players in the world. If I felt like I was complete, and satisfied with what I have done now, then I would quit playing because I would stop finding football fun."

There is no chance of that, though. Just as there is no chance of Harder of giving up a platform that she knows he can use to make a real difference.

Indeed, Harder is now fully aware that she can be just as big a force off the field, as she is on it.

The young woman that once shared a stage with Ibrahimovic is now a star in her own right.

Juventus have been boosted by the news that Mattijs de Ligt will be ready to return to action after the international break, with Goal learning the Dutch defender is fully recovered from shoulder surgery.

The Netherlands international was forced under the knife back in August. His last outing for the Bianconeri came on the 7th of that month in their Champions League clash with Lyon.

He has been sidelined ever since, preventing him from taking part in the 2020-21 campaign so far.

Juve reported at the time of his operation, though, that everything had gone as planned.

A statement from the club read: “The operation, performed by Dr. Volker Mushal, assisted by doctors, Bryson Lesniak and Fabrizio Margheritini and in the presence of Juventus’ Head of Medical Department, Luca Stefanini, was a complete success.”

With all medical boxes ticked, De Ligt has been able to ease his way back to full fitness, with the highly-rated 21-year-old all set to open his second season at the Allianz Stadium.

The first was testing at times, as questions were asked of his ability to make a step up from Ajax, but he progressed as the campaign wore on and feels settled in Italy.

He said back in December 2019: “I'm very happy in Turin, I hope to stay here for a long time. I was really proud [to join Juventus] of course, when a big club like Juve want you it's a big honour. I always liked Juve as a club and now I'm happy and proud to wear this shirt.”

Juventus, who have been struggling for consistency under rookie coach Andrea Pirlo, will be delighted to have De Ligt back at their disposal.They will also have Brazilian full-back Alex Sandro, who is also set to come into contention for the meeting with Cagliari on November 21.

Aaron Ramsey, another of those to have missed the chance to head away with his country for the latest round of international fixtures, is edging his way back to health. He may be ready for the European clash with Ferencvaros on November 24.

The news is slightly less positive when it comes to long-serving centre-half Giorgio Chiellini, with the 36-year-old still around a month away from rejoining the fold, but Federico Chiesa’s thigh complaint is considered to be minor and he should also be ready to face Cagliari.

Lionel Messi has become more of a leader for club and country on the back of a “chaotic” summer for the Argentine superstar at Barcelona, says fellow countryman Juan Pablo Sorin.

The six-time Ballon d’Or was left mulling over his options at the end of a coronavirus-disrupted 2019-20 campaign.

With Barca stumbling over the line as they surrendered the Liga title to arch-rivals Real Madrid and suffered a crushing 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, the decision was taken to make a change.

Messi informed the club of his desire to move on and saw the likes of Manchester City and Inter take an immediate interest in securing his signature.

The deadline was to pass, though, with no deal done. With Barca blocking his path, Messi revealed to Goal that he will be honouring the final year of his contract and sticking around until at least 2021.

He has not been at his free-flowing best domestically since making that decision, with many of his goals coming from the penalty spot, but he remains a talismanic presence for Barca and Argentina.

Ex-Blaugrana and Albiceleste star Sorin admits as much, telling TyC Sports of his iconic compatriot: “I see Messi more and more as a leader and more mature. In Barcelona he has had to experience a very chaotic moment, but he responded quickly on the pitch. He's also doing very well in the national team.”

Sorin added, with Messi having already helped Argentine to make a positive start in their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign: “Leo transferred his fight into good performances on the pitch and that is very good for the Argentines. He suffered defeats in Bolivia in the past and returned to play and win there, it is a strong demonstration of character.”

Sorin believes that Messi will continue to thrive in an Argentine camp that has not always seen the best of him, with head coach Lionel Scaloni working hard to try and take some of the burden of responsibility away from a talismanic captain.

“Leo is very well, I think he is very happy in the national team with all the people who know him around him,” added the former Argentina skipper. “I always say that you have to help him and surround him well, but not depend on him.”

Alexandre Song has been officially unveiled as AS Arta Solar 7’s newest player on Thursday morning, after signing for the club in the Djibouti Premier League.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona star arrived in the country on Wednesday and penned a two-year contract in Djibouti City to begin life as a player for the 2019-20 Caf Confederation Cup campaigners.

Song was among the players fired by Swiss top-flight side Sion in March for refusing to take a slash in salary following the outbreak of Covid-19.

Apart from his playing role, the former Cameroon international will be expected to help with the team’s youth development.

“Welcome to Djibouti! The international footballer, Alexandre Song arrived yesterday afternoon in Djibouti, where he has signed a two-year contract with AS Arta Solar 7,” the club wrote on Facebook.

“This is the eighth club that this Franco-Cameroonian midfielder has played for since the start of his career. He is here for the president of AS Arta Solar 7, Timoro Nickoss Tommy to not only make this team the flagship club of the Republic of Djibouti, but also to raise, in general, the level of the nation's football.

“To improve the playing techniques of AS Arta Solar 7 so that this young team becomes invincible in international football tournaments, is one of the objectives of the president of this Djiboutian club, Tayoro Nickoss Tommy.

“To achieve this, he's hired Alexandre Song, a footballer who has played at a very high level in major European teams, to the heart of this team.

“In any case, Alexander Song represents real added value for this Djiboutian club, because with him, AS Arta Solar 7 has a bright future ahead of it.”

Song has been handed the No 7 jersey and his presence is expected to boost the Stade El Hadj Hassan Gouled giants in next season’s Caf Confederation Cup, where they face Egyptian Premier League side Arab Contractors in the preliminary round.

AS Arta Solar 7 crashed out of this year’s edition of the continental club competition after losing 4-1 on aggregate to Sudan’s Al-Khartoum.

Song played for Arsenal between 2006 and 2012, before moving to Barcelona where he won La Liga in 2013.

Jude Bellingham’s “skill is massive”, says former Birmingham boss Pep Clotet, with the 17-year-old’s rise to prominence coming as no surprise to the coach who spotted his “incredible talent” early.

Clotet was the man to hand the exciting teenage midfielder his competitive debut in August 2019.

Bellingham has seen his stock soar since then, with just one season of Championship football required in order to land a big-money transfer to Borussia Dortmund, with interest from Manchester United shunned before heading to Germany.

Impressive progress has been maintained in the Bundesliga, with Gareth Southgate taking to adding the youngster to his senior England squad.

Clotet always believed that Bellingham was destined to reach the very top, with the Spaniard telling Sky Sports: “From the first time I saw him for the U18s, straight away you could see he had an incredible talent on him. You could see he was a huge complete player already, and obviously his level and talent was above the level he was playing.

“I wanted to test his skill, and his level, higher up the ranks, so when he started to train with the U23s you could see he was performing in the same way as when he was in the younger age groups.

“As soon as he started to train with us in the first team, and when he properly joined us for pre-season last season, he was very quick to mix with the professionals and train at their level and he physically adapted very, very quick.

“He was able to perform with the talent he had alongside the physical demands as a professional. You could see straight away he was going to be a big player.”

Clotet added on Bellingham’s development: “You could never think he would come through that quickly, but I always had in my mind he would become one of the first-teamers and help us not only to perform on the pitch but also become a very strong player for linking a very divided club at that moment.

“I'm happy that this vision happened, you need a little bit of luck as well, but it all went like that and it helped to have one of the best seasons for Birmingham because it's not easy in the circumstances that team had to bed in a player of such a huge talent that is able to achieve now what he is achieving.

“That was my vision, and what I saw could happen, I saw it in him.”

Bellingham’s energy in the middle of the park has earned him comparisons to legendary figures such as Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, and Clotet believes the talented teenager will thrive in a role similar to that once filled by Liverpool and Chelsea icons.

He said: “In my opinion, his best position is in a 4-3-3 as an offensive midfielder. He feels very comfortable offensively, in a position he's able to attack the box, but you must ensure as a manager he has the freedom.

“He has a very good skill in hiding his movement so can get out of situations and find his way into a shot or cross.

“When a player drives the ball forward, he is normally very focused on the ball but Jude gets out of space. He's able to see what's around him, without the need to be constantly watching what's happening on the ball because his skill is massive.”

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has undergone surgery after suffering a knee injury during England training, with the Reds hopeful he'll return before the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

Gomez went down during a training session at St George’s Park on Wednesday, with there having been suggestions that the 23-year-old could be out for the season.

The Reds announced on Thursday that Gomez had undergone surgery on a tendon in his knee, with it confirmed that that the defender had not suffered ligament damage.

That will come as a welcome relief for Jurgen Klopp and his side, with Virgil van Dijk already sidelined for the long-term.

However, Liverpool have confirmed that there is not currently a timescale on Gomez's return to first-team action, leaving Klopp with a full-blown crisis in central defence.

A club statement read: "Liverpool Football Club can confirm Joe Gomez has today undergone successful surgery to repair a tendon in his left knee.

"The centre-back sustained the injury during a training session with the England national team on Wednesday. The issue was isolated to Gomez’s tendon, with no damage to any other associated knee ligaments.

"The operation to correct the damage, which took place in London on Thursday morning, was a success and the 23-year-old will make a full recovery. Gomez will begin a rehabilitation programme with the Reds’ medical team immediately, with club staff carefully monitoring his progress.

"No timescale is being placed upon his return, though the issue is likely to rule him out for a significant part of the remainder of 2020-21."

The Reds had already lost Van Dijk to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament last month after he was on the receiving end of a hefty challenge by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the Merseyside derby.

Fabinho, asked to fill in for the Dutchman, then suffered a hamstring issue a week later and is yet to return to full training.

Gomez’s injury leaves Joel Matip as Liverpool’s only fit and available senior centre-back, and the Cameroon international only recently returned himself after suffering a muscle problem against Everton. He has only completed 90 minutes on two occasions in the last 13 months.

Klopp has been encouraged by the performances of both Rhys Williams, 19, and 23-year-old Nat Phillips as emergency centre-back options and has hinted that he would consider using captain Jordan Henderson at the back.

Gini Wijnaldum is another potential option, while Andy Robertson could be moved to centre-back, with him having played in that position for Scotland in the past. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, added to the injury problems on Sunday, limping out of the Reds’ 1-1 draw at Manchester City with a calf pull. The 21-year-old is likely to be missing for up to four weeks. 

Selangor have reportedly found their next head coach, according to the German edition of player market website Transfermarkt .

The man in question is 52 year old Karsten Neitzel, who last led German fourth-tier side Rot-Weiss Essen in 2019. His prior experience in Asia was at J-League club Urawa Reds, from 2009 to 2010.

Karsten Neitzel. Photo by Getty

Neitzel was quoted by the website as saying that he looks to restore the Red Giants to its former glory, as well as his passion for coaching after a less-than-happy time back home in Germany.

“It is a great opportunity to be able to bring a traditional Asian club back to its former strength. In a way, it's awesome to do something completely different. Above all, the joy of football is there again.

“We want to develop a team which the fans can identify with 100 per cent. We want to set fire to the environment. The players should be in the mood to play for the club, and the fans should be in the mood to watch the games in the stadium or on TV. For us, the job at Selangor will be a great learning journey. We have the chance to get to know a new culture and new ways of looking at football. We often make the mistake of walking arrogantly around the world, thinking that we know everything and everyone. That way we miss out on the chance to broaden our horizon," he told Transfermarkt .

Neitzel is expected to start his new post on December 1 according to the report. It also added that he will be bringing along a pair of German staff with him; Carsten Nulle (goalkeeping coach) and Marco Grimm (physiotherapist).

The Red Giants are currently without a permanent head coach following the sacking of B. Satiananthan back in September, with technical director Michael Feichtenbeiner taking over as caretaker at the moment.

Hristo Stoichkov remains convinced that Lionel Messi will retire as a Barcelona player, but the Blaugrana legend admits “there is always a but”.

It appeared as though a six-time Ballon d’Or winner could head through the exits at Camp Nou in the last transfer window.

Messi aired a desire to move on, after taking in a frustrating end to the 2019-20 campaign, and believed that an exit clause in his contract would allow him to seek out a new challenge.

Barca, though bolted the doors and made it clear that they would not be sanctioning a switch elsewhere.

Messi opted against entering into a legal dispute with a club that holds a special place in his heart and revealed in an exclusive interview with Goal that he will be honouring his contract.

No fresh terms have been agreed since agreeing to stay on, meaning that he is still due to hit free agency in the summer of 2021, but Stoichkov believes an all-time great will put pen to paper at some stage.

The iconic former frontman told Mundo Deportivo: “I think he will retire here but there is always a but. 

“As a fan and former player, I would like it to be like that but I am not part of his future thinking. 

“I am glad and happy that he stayed. You have to take care of him and pamper him. It is too bad that there are no supporters at the moment to show their love. 

“On Instagram sometimes I put a photo up with him and I see positive comments towards him. I love him very much. Lefties never fail.”

Stoichkov also believes that Antoine Griezmann can overcome his struggles at Barca and flourish alongside Messi – a player some have suggested he endures a strained relationship with.

“Antoine is a very humble boy, he is not selfish and that is the most important thing, he works for the team and you have to support him,” Stoichkov added.

“It is not necessary to always condemn players. He must work and I trust him to do so. All the players must help him.”

Ronald Koeman will have a part to play in bringing the best out of Griezmann and Co, with Stoichkov confident that his former team-mate will be a success in the most demanding of coaching posts after taking important lessons from the great Johan Cruyff.

“He's from the mister's school, may he rest in peace,” Stoichkov said of a man who played alongside him as part of a star-studded Barca team in the 1990s.

“He grew up with Johan and knows what to do. Ronald arrived at the age of 26 and saw people like [Albert] Ferrer, [Pep] Guardiola, Sergi, Goiko and myself grow up. And we learned because we wanted to.”

James Tarkowski is not expecting to sign a new contract at Burnley, with the Liverpool-linked defender revealing that the offers he has received from the Clarets are “nowhere near” good enough.

As things stand, the England international will hit free agency in the summer of 2022.

Those at Turf Moor will be eager to avoid losing a prized asset for nothing, so may face some big decisions in upcoming windows.

Sizeable offers for Tarkowski have been knocked back in the recent past, with Sean Dyche reluctant to part with a proven centre-half.

Interest is expected to be rekindled, though, with Liverpool seemingly back in the market for reinforcements amid injury struggles at Anfield, and a door could be about to swing open.

Discussing his contract situation, Tarkowski told The Telegraph: “Burnley offered me a contract near the start of last season, which, for me personally, it was nowhere near what I was going to sign and I think the club understood. And they've come back again this year, and still, for me, it's just not right.

“Finances do matter, but, at this particular stage, whatever path I take I will get financially rewarded so the financial side is not even in my thinking at the moment. It's more about my football.”

Tarkowski has no intention of penning fresh terms any time soon, with the 27-year-old preparing to dictate his own career path from this point.

He added: “We've had two transfer windows now where the club have decided, for whatever reason, that whatever has been offered on the table hasn't been enough and that's fine because I signed a contract for four-and-a-half years. So I won't whinge or not turn up, I just need to deal with it and get on with my football.

“But the longer my contract runs down, I feel I gain the control of my career more than Burnley having the control of it, which is what I feel like I need right now.

“There is nothing I have heard or has been put to me that makes me think there is a scenario in which I would sign a new contract at Burnley. That can change, but currently that is the situation.”

Tarkowski has continued to form part of Dyche’s plans this season, taking in six appearance to date, but it remains to be seen how long he will be sticking around for on Burnley’s books.

Tanzania international Simon HappyGod Msuva has confirmed he has indeed signed for Wydad Casablanca.

Msuva has revealed the new deal will see him stay with the former Caf Champions League winners for four years after his contract with Difaa El Jadida ended. His statement, that is yet to be confirmed by the Moroccan giants, came a day after Goal speculated on the move.

“It is true that I have signed for Wydad Casablanca for four years and I will be joining them officially after the assignment with the national team,” Msuva told Daily News.

“To be honest, it was not easy for my former club Difaa El Jadida to let me because they still needed my services but I thank God for making it possible in the end.

“I look forward to the next challenge.”

The former Yanga SC star explained what could have attracted the 20-time Botola Pro winners for his services.

“It was easy for Wydad Casablanca to admire my services because I play in the same league with them. I have played against them on several occasions and it was difficult for my former team to get three points from them,” he added.

He also spoke highly of his former club and the value the Taifa Stars call summons added to his career.

“Difaa El Jadida are a good team, have quality players and I can remember during my first season we played in the Caf Champions League but we did not go far, unfortunately,” he concluded.

“I believe my output at the club and the goals I scored helped a lot to sell my potential. The regular call-ups to the national team also helped a great deal in adding my value.”

At Difaa El Jadida, the 27-year-old scored five goals and provided three assists in 28 games in Botola Pro last season.

Msuva joined Difaa El Jadida in 2017 and in 90 general appearances, he managed to score 43 goals.

It was the second time the forward managed to score 43 goals for a club having done the same for the Mainland Premier League record champions Young Africans (Yanga SC), although he played four more games for the Tanzanian side than he has done for the Moroccan top-flight outfit.

Msuva joined Azam FC – his first big club from 2010 to 2011 - where he found the back of the net in 11 occasions in 35 games for the 2013 Tanzania champions.

He then moved to Moro United, where again he hit a double-digits in one year as he scored 15 goals in 37 matches and his potential attracted Yanga who approached, signed and kept him from 2012 to 2017.

Msuva is with the national team preparing to tackle Tunisia in an African Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s current struggle for goals is “unfortunate”, says Ian Wright, with an Arsenal striker of the past adamant that one in the present has not “clocked off”.

The Gunners have been finding the going tough in the final third of late, with the target found once across their last four Premier League fixtures.

Aubameyang did register that effort – a penalty in a narrow win over Manchester United – but the Gabonese has been surprisingly short on firepower in 2020-21.

He has only four efforts to his name, with one of those coming in the Community Shield and just two in the English top-flight.

Questions have been asked of whether standards have been allowed to slip on the back of a 31-year-old frontman penning a lucrative new contract.

Wright insists that is not the case, with the Gunners great adamant that Aubameyang will rediscover his spark once those around him do likewise.

Reflecting on Arsenal’s recent struggles in front of goal, a club legend told the Wrighty's House Podcast: “What I saw the other day was Arsenal’s warm-up before the Manchester United game - there was a shooting session down in the corner.

“We saw nine shots from the main characters – Aubameyang, [Alexandre] Lacazette, all of them – and every single one of them missed. Even though we beat Manchester United, it was telling.

“If I’m being honest, there’s not many chances being created, which is why I feel so unfortunate for Auba.

“It’s just a coincidence that he’s signed his contract at this time and then the suits say, 'It’s because he’s signed his contract, he’s clocked off'. We’re not creating chances!

“We’re not creating chances but I do not like seeing in a warm-up shooting session, people missing the target, and sloppy shots. All those things make you look into the team and what’s going on.”

Wright added on collective failings in north London, with Mikel Arteta still searching for consistency: “I’m confused with what’s going on. It seems like we’ve got a manager who will not tolerate anything other than the best the players have got to give. So I’m really confused at the minute.

“Shot creation, we’re 19th in the Premier League. Goals scored, 13th. Shots on target, 14th. Key passes, 17th. Expected goals, 16th.

“They should be doing everything they can in warm-ups to get into the habit of scoring goals.”

Arsenal will return to action after the international break with a trip to Leeds on November 22.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) chief administration and technical advisor Senzo Mazingisa is reportedly under police investigation over allegations of match-fixing against rivals Simba SC.

The South African appeared at the Oyster Bay Police Station to record statements over the allegations.

Edward Bukombe, the Police Commandant at the Kinondoni-based station where Mazingisa was taken for questioning, confirmed why the South African was requested to present himself so as to shed more light on the match-fixing allegations.

“It is true Senzo came for purposes of giving his side of the story but he was later let free,” Bukombe told Mwanaspoti.

“He was questioned by the investigative department who are yet to give the feedback of the process to me up to now.”

Although the police are yet to confirm why Mazingisa was specifically questioned, Yanga have confirmed the match-fixing allegations were made against their official.

“Young Africans are shocked and disappointed by the events that occurred yesterday [November 11] where our club official was taken in by the authorities for alleged match-fixing,” Yanga’s statement obtained by Goal read.

“Circumstances leading to these revelations are disappointing and are an indication of malice intent, planned strategy to tarnish the image of our club, our official name and to put Tanzanian football into questioning.

“We strongly condemn the actions of the perpetrators of the propaganda.”

“We hereby assure our fans, members, sponsors and stakeholders that Young Africans will cooperate with the relevant authorities dealing with this matter.

“We are also in support of the code that states all football matters should be held by football authorities.”

Simba have so far lost two matches after they dropped three points against Polisi Tanzania by a 1-0 scoreline before going down with the same margin against Ruvu Shooting.

The two consecutive defeats saw Simba part ways with the team manager Patrick Rweyemamu and goalkeeper trainer Muharami Mohamed.

The move to leave Simba and join traditional rivals Yanga is understood to have developed more friction between the most successful Tanzanian clubs.

As Mazingisa moved to Yanga, former Orlando Pirates winger Bernard Morrison moved in the opposite direction and Yanga are still contesting circumstances that the Ghanaian signed for Simba.

The Morrison issue has not been fully settled up to this point and the new match-fixing allegations may end up creating more friction between Simba and Yanga.

Yanga hosted Simba in the last match before the international break, a game which Morrison missed due to a three-match ban, where a 1-1 draw was recorded at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Timu ya Wanachi remain unbeaten in the 2020/21 season, and are second to Azam after 10 matches and have four more points than Simba.

After the Simba showdown, Yanga will next play Azam while Wekundu wa Msimbazi will entertain Coastal Union.

Greg Clarke has resigned from his role as a vice-president of FIFA a matter of days after stepping down as chairman of the English Football Association.

The 63-year-old quit his post with the FA after sparking controversy with a series of “staggering” comments in a parliamentary meeting.

Clarke referred to "high-profile coloured footballers", said more South Asians than Afro-Caribbeans work in the FA’s IT department because they have "different career interests", referred to gay players as making a "life choice" and claimed young female goalkeepers do not like having balls hit hard at them.

Kick It Out chairman Sanjay Bhandari criticised Clarke for his use of what he called "lazy racist stereotypes" and "casual sexism", saying the comments were "staggering" from a man in the chairman’s position.

A statement from the FA confirmed that sports lawyer Peter McCormick OBE will take over the role as interim chairman with immediate effect, with the search for a permanent replacement now underway.

FIFA are now also in the process of trying to fill a prominent role within their organisation.

That is because Clarke has decided to walk away from another high-profile position.

A statement from UEFA released on Thursday read: "Following a telephone call this morning between the UEFA President (Aleksander Ceferin) and Greg Clarke, they agreed with Greg Clarke’s proposal that he should step down with immediate effect from his position as a UEFA representative on the FIFA Council."

Clarke was the British vice-president of FIFA, having been elected into that role by the congress of European football nations.

He said of his actions after severing ties with the FA: "As a person who loves football and has given decades of service to our game, it is right that I put the interests of football first.

"2020 has been a challenging year and I have been actively considering standing down for some time to make way for a new Chair now our CEO transition is complete and excellent executive leadership under Mark Bullingham is established.

"My unacceptable words in front of Parliament were a disservice to our game and to those who watch, play, referee and administer it. This has crystallised my resolve to move on.

"I am deeply saddened that I have offended those diverse communities in football that I and others worked so hard to include.

"I would like to thank my friends and colleagues in the game for the wisdom and counsel they have shared over the years and resign from the FA with immediate effect."