McAvennie rules out Benrahma depature

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that he hopes West Ham keep Said Benrahma but has warned the Algerian international to improve his discipline.

The attacker joined from Brentford last summer on loan with a view to a permanent deal, which was then confirmed as being part of a £20m swoop in January of this year.

However, the arrival of Jesse Lingard later that month has reduced Benrahma’s opportunities for West Ham, making just four Premier League starts since then.

And despite scoring 17 times in the Championship for Brentford last season, he’s yet to get off the mark in claret and blue, although he’s contributed six assists in 29 appearances in all competitions.

McAvennie recognises his talent, but told Football FanCast that he must take David Moyes’ instructions on board:

“It depends on his attitude. He was losing possession in the wrong areas and that’s what David, it was well known, had to talk to him about. David is good at talking to people.

“But I would like him to stay because, you need a good squad and he’s undoubtedly a good player, but sometimes he has got to learn when to go on his mazy runs, which is good for the crowd but not good for the manager.”

Time's up for Naby Keita! Liverpool winners & losers as Guinean offers nothing while Jordan Henderson looks frazzled against Crystal Palace

The Guinea midfielder is out of contract in the summer, and did his chances of a new deal no favours with a dreadful performance at Selhurst Park

Don't be fooled by the four-game unbeaten Premier League run; nothing about this Liverpool team is convincing.

The Reds, battered in the Champions League by Real Madrid in midweek, missed the chance to boost their chances of qualifying for next season's competition, delivering a performance high on endeavour but bereft of quality as they drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Jurgen Klopp's side hit the bar in the second half through Mohamed Salah, but barely fashioned a clear-cut opportunity throughout, and were fortunate that their hosts, without a win in nine games in 2023, wasted first-half chances of their own through Marc Guehi and Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The draw moves Liverpool up a place to seventh in the table, but represents a huge missed opportunity to put some serious pressure on the likes of Tottenham, who face Chelsea on Sunday, and Newcastle, who are without a league game this weekend as they contest the Carabao Cup final.

Klopp cut a dejected figure at the final whistle, and will doubtless reflect on yet another underwhelming display from his underperforming side, albeit one which saw them record a fourth straight clean sheet in the league.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Selhurst Park…

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    WINNER: Tottenham and Newcastle

    This was a result that would have been celebrated by Antonio Conte and Eddie Howe, for sure.

    Despite all their recent struggles, victory for Liverpool would have put them firmly in the mix for the top-four, moving them to within three points of Tottenham and two of Newcastle. With a winnable home game against Wolves to come on Wednesday, the game would have been very much on.

    But you simply cannot rely on this Reds team. They had been unconvincing in winning at St James' Park last weekend, then eviscerated by Real Madrid on Wednesday, and here Klopp's team looked bereft of confidence once an initial 10-minute burst had amounted to nothing.

    They won't be in this season's Champions League much longer, and playing like this, they can forget about playing in next year's competition as well.

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    LOSER: Naby Keita

    If these are the final weeks of Naby Keita's Liverpool career – and let's face it, they should be – then he hardly looks like a player determined to go out on a high.

    The Guinea midfielder had a 45-minute nightmare here, his performance littered with errors and fouls, and devoid of any kind of quality.

    Booked for a cynical pull on the lively Michael Olise midway through the first half, Keita tested the patience of referee Darren England thereafter, conceding three further free kicks as he continuously nibbled at the heels of Palace players.

    It felt like a second yellow was inevitable, and it was no surprise to see Klopp react at half-time. On came Harvey Elliott, off went Keita. He should be off in the summer too. His five-year stay on Merseyside is coming to a pretty tame conclusion.

  • WINNER: Insomniacs

    Those hoping for a Saturday night special under the Selhurst Park lights will have been hugely disappointed by what was served up here.

    The worst game of the season? It just might have been. A game of plenty of huff, plenty of puff, but ultimately precious little skill, played out by two teams that look like they can't wait to draw a line under this season.

    Palace haven't won since New Year's Eve, and lack any kind of goal threat without star man Wilfried Zaha, while Liverpool are a team that needs open-wallet surgery in the summer, if they are to have any chance of returning to the lofty heights seen in recent years.

    Klopp named a starting XI with an average age of close to 30 here, and didn't it show? Liverpool were so short of speed, so lacking in ideas, that it almost felt like they settled for a draw in the closing stages. And what does that say about how far they've fallen?

    Still, at least those hoping for an early night had the perfect sleeping pill. And if you're still struggling to drift off, just put this game on repeat.

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    LOSER: Jordan Henderson

    What is it about that holding midfield role at Liverpool this season?

    Having done for Fabinho – who could not even be trusted to start here, and might have been sent off when he did eventually appear – the No.6 position seemed to bring out the worst in Jordan Henderson too.

    For one so experienced, some of the Reds captain's decision-making was truly baffling. Never more so than when he inexplicably stood in the line of a free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the first half, despite it being obvious to everyone in the stadium, and everyone watching on TV, that that was where the ball was heading.

    Henderson had actually done okay in the first 45 minutes, but his second-half performance was dreadful, completely lacking in composure. He repeatedly hoiked the ball up in the air when calmness was required, and he got involved in altercations with Olise and Jordan Ayew as it became clear that yet another game was getting away from his side.

    A skipper's performance, this most definitely was not.

Liverpool: Odsonne Edouard turns down Reds move

Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard has reportedly turned down a move to Liverpool, following a telephone conversation with Jurgen Klopp.

The Reds’ attack has misfired throughout this season, with Mohamed Salah the only individual who can feel happy with his efforts.

Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have both been shadows of their former selves, leading to suggestions that Klopp needs to delive into the transfer market in the summer.

[freshpress-quiz id=“350790”]

Edouard turns down move to Liverpool

According to Anfield Central, Liverpool have ‘withdrawn their interest’ in Edouard, presumably now moving on to other striker targets in the next transfer window after concerns emerged about his playing time.

It is claimed that the Frenchman actually spoke with Klopp on the phone, but that he is worried about a lack of playing time at Anfield, potentially playing second fiddle to those around him.

Transfer Tavern take

Edouard has been a superb servant for Celtic, scoring 81 goals in 165 appearances for the Scottish giants, not to mention having an incredible record of 17 in 13 matches for France’s Under-21s.

At 23, he could have been a shrewd addition by Liverpool, providing a goal threat from the bench and potentially maturing into a regular over time.

That ship appears to have sailed, however, but last weekend’s dire show of finishing against Newcastle United last weekend suggests a ruthless striker is needed this summer.

With Edouard seemingly now off the table due to concerns over playing time, the club could have a job on their hands convincing proven goalscorers to sign as depth rather than sure-fire starters.

In other news, some Liverpool fans aren’t happy with a report linking the Reds with a La Liga. Find out who it is here.

Rating Liverpool's season so far: Darwin's development, Fabinho's struggles and Salah keeps on scoring

The Reds have endured a difficult start to the campaign, but brighter days lie ahead…

A season which promised everything has so far turned out to be a fairly mixed bag, as far as Liverpool are concerned.

As the Premier League breaks for the World Cup, the Reds sit sixth in the Premier League table, 15 points off top spot and facing a battle even to finish in the top four.

So consistent and so reliable for so long, Jurgen Klopp’s side have been anything but so far. They may have secured qualification for the Champions League last 16 with some comfort, but domestically theirs has been a campaign of disappointment, with moments of promise overshadowed by a series of underwhelming performances and morale-sapping defeats. 

Already, they have lost twice as many league matches (four) than in the whole of last season, but the recent trend, at least, is upward, with a first away win of the campaign at Tottenham followed up by a 3-1 victory against Southampton on Saturday.

The expectation is that they will improve after the World Cup, when key players should return from injury and when they have traditionally come on strong in recent years, but the fact that the idea of a title challenge at Anfield already feels like it is off the table tells you just how much they will need to.

Here, GOAL takes a look at the first three-and-a-half months of 2022-23…

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    Best player

    It was Luis Diaz who carried the fight in the opening weeks of the season, the Colombian showing the kind of energy, skill and determination that so many of his colleagues were lacking. He departed injured against Arsenal last month, but should be back by the time the league resumes on Boxing Day.

    In Diaz’s absence, Mohamed Salah has been the man to step up to the plate. The Egyptian is on 14 goals for the season, including seven in the Champions League, two at Tottenham and the all-important winner against Manchester City. Where would Liverpool be without their Egyptian superstar?

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    Best performance

    Considering they’ve had a 9-0 win and a 7-1 win, it says a lot that the victory over Manchester City at Anfield in October takes this by some distance.

    Liverpool arrived into that game low, having been beaten at Arsenal the previous week, but the sight of Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Co. seemed to stir something in Klopp’s men.

    They delivered a display of immense concentration, defensive solidity, teamwork and counter-attacking quality to hand the champions their first loss of the season.

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    Best goal

    Another award for Salah, whose winner against Manchester City was a masterpiece, showcasing all of his unique talent.

    Reading the flight of Alisson’s long pass was one thing, but to ease Joao Cancelo out of the way while simultaneously bringing the ball under his spell, and then to show the speed and composure to run clear and slot home in front of the Kop, said it all. A very special footballer.

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    Best new signing

    Well the field for this one is a little narrow, but it’s fair to say that Darwin Nunez has already made quite the impression on Reds fans, good and bad.

    The good is that the Uruguayan looks capable of scoring bagfuls of goals, that he has personality and work ethic and serious potential.

    The bad is that he marked his Anfield debut with a red card for headbutting Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen, which cost him the chance to build momentum early in the season.

    Still, a return of nine goals in nine starts is more than decent. Expect him to get better and better as the season goes on.

Arsenal winners, losers and ratings as sensational Saliba sends rampant Gunners top

Martin Odegaard scored twice as the Gunners made it three wins from three in the Premier League

Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League as they continued their impressive start to the season with an impressive 3-0 win against Bournemouth on Saturday.

A superb goal from William Saliba after 54 minutes added to a first-half brace from Martin Odegaard to make it three wins from three for Mikel Arteta's side.

It's the first time since 2004 that Arsenal have started a Premier League season with three successive victories.

Arteta's side were far too good for Bournemouth, with two goals from Odegaard inside the opening 11 minutes settling the contest before it had really even begun.

There was no way back for the home side who were totally outclassed, with Saliba's sensational curling strike early in the second half capping a wonderful performance from the Gunners, who also had a goal from the excellent Gabriel Jesus ruled out for offside by VAR.

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    The Winners

    Winner: Martin Odegaard

    Arsenal's new captain needed a day like this.

    While the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have sparkled so far this season, Odegaard has struggled a bit to make a major impact. He's been tidy, as always, but you felt he needed a big moment to really get his campaign going.

    So to score two goals – the first time he has done that in a single game since he was a 16-year-old playing in Norway – was important, not just to him, but for the team.

    Winner: William Saliba

    The young French centre-back just gets better and better.

    Saliba really must be loving life at Arsenal right now. He made a huge impact in his first two games and produced a faultless performance once again at the Vitality Stadium.

    He was magnificent at the back and in possession and scored a wonderful goal to open his account for the club.

    Winner: Granit Xhaka

    Nothing epitomises the feel good start to Arsenal's season more than Granit Xhaka being serenaded by the fans.

    That's exactly what happened in the second half at the Vitality Stadium as the travelling Gunners supporters started a new chant for the Swiss midfielder.

    Xhaka's strained relationship with the Arsenal fans is well documented, so it felt like a big moment was his name was echoing around the ground as the clock ticked down.

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    The Losers

    Loser: Manchester United

    "You're going down with United."

    That was the song Arsenal fans were directing at the Bournemouth supporters as they enjoyed themselves in the lats south coast sunshine.

    While that might not be true, what this performance did show is how far United now appear to be behind the likes of Arsenal when it comes to the race for the top four.

    Loser: Arsenal's goal difference column

    If there is one criticism of Arsenal's performance, it's that they weren't ruthless enough.

    They had chances to really put Bournemouth to the sword, but didn't take them – with both Jesus and Eddie Nketiah missing easy opportunities late on.

    With the top four race promising to be tight once again, goal difference could end up being key, so this was a bit of a missed opportunity for Arteta's side in that regard.

    Loser: Everyone who captained Jesus

    The official Fantasy Premier League game announced before kick-off that Gabriel Jesus had become the first player ever to be owned by over 80 per cent of managers in the game.

    So there must have been collective groans across the country when he failed to get on the scoresheet. He did at least get an assist, but he also got a costly booking.

    Oh well, there's always next week…

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    (TEAM) Ratings: Defence

    Aaron Ramsdale (6/10):

    Won't have an easier 90 minutes all season.

    Ben White (7/10):

    Great play in the build up to Arsenal's second goal. Continuing to perform well out of position at right back.

    William Saliba (10/10):

    Another superb performance from the young Frenchman. Calm, assured, dominant and scored an absolute worldie. Completed all 75 of his passes. Sensational.

    Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):

    Given some tricky moments by Kieffer Moore in the air, but dealt with the big striker relatively well.

    Oleksandr Zinchenko (8/10):

    Quality throughout. Excellent on the ball, caused Bournemouth so many problems with his clever movement.

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    Midfield

    Thomas Partey (7/10):

    Nothing spectacular. Wasn't troubled defensively, so just kept the ball moving. Easy day's work.

    Granit Xhaka (8/10):

    Another fine performance from the Swiss midfielder who seems to be revelling in his more advanced role.

    Martin Odegaard (8/10):

    Two goals, the second of which was a beauty. Match winning display by the captain.

Out of contract in 2020: Football's best free agents at the end of the season

Some of Europe's greats could still join a club for free this summer, from Edinson Cavani to Mario Mandzukic

Signing a player on a free transfer is a cost-effective way of recruitment and there will be plenty of bargain players available for no fee in the summer of 2020.

As fans of the popular Football Manager game will know, assessing the players whose contracts are nearly expired is an essential practice ahead of the transfer window opening.

And those whose deals are running down come in all shapes and sizes – from wizened veterans to disgruntled stars entering their prime.

This year, things have been complicated by the coronavirus pandemic, with FIFA exploring ways to navigate a potential legal, moral and financial quagmire  of contract expiry dates.

Either way, Goal takes a look at the players who will be available to sign for free once their contracts expire.

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    Edinson Cavani | FW | PSG

    Flanked by Kylian Mbappe and Neymar on either side of him at Paris Saint-Germain, Edinson Cavani was one of the more under-rated forwards in Europe. He bagged 23 goals for the French giants in 2018-19, and was the subject of a bid from Atletico Madrid in January which was rejected by PSG.

    "We hoped that he would stay at the club. Today, he asked to leave. We are studying the situation," said PSG sporting director Leonardo. "We had a proposal from Atletico Madrid. We did not have a proposal worthy of the player's worth."

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    Mario Gotze | MF | Borussia Dortmund

    Mario Gotze's role at Borussia Dortmund diminished for a couple of years now and, with his contract having expired, he will be seeking a move elsewhere for a fresh challenge in order to reignite his career.

    At just 28, the midfielder still has great potential to excel elsewhere (he did score the winning goal in a World Cup final for Germany just six years ago) as he approaches his prime.

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    Nathaniel Clyne | RB | Liverpool

    The defender had a very low-key exit from Liverpool the summer of 2020 following a three-year stint at the club, not present for any of the Premier League trophy celebrations.

    Nathaniel Clyne picked up an ACL injury in a 2019 pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund and subsequently made no appearances during the 2019–20 campaign due to further fitness problems.

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    Daniel Sturridge | FW | Trabzonspor

    The former Liverpool man was released from Trabzonspor in March after having his contract mutually terminated, the same day that he received a £75,000 for breaching FA betting rules.

    He was also banned from playing football starting July 17, with four weeks of the ban suspended until the end of August 2020.

Olympics 2020 squads: USWNT, Team GB & every official women's football tournament roster

All the squads as they are announced for the women's soccer tournament at Tokyo's Olympic Games this summer

The women’s football tournament at this summer’s Olympic Games gets under way on July 21, with squads of 22 players to be selected by the 12 participating nations.

The rosters for the Games are usually of 18, but have been increased in size this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Unlike in the men’s tournament, the squads have no age restrictions, which means the Olympics are recognised as second only to the World Cup when it comes to major international tournaments in the women’s game.

Goal brings you all the confirmed squads as they are announced.

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    Canada

    Bev Priestman, who was named head coach of Canada in October 2020, announced her 22-player roster on June 23.

    Thirteen players in the squad were involved in the team that won a bronze medal in Rio five years ago.

    Midfielder Sophie Schmidt, who has over 200 caps, and 20-year-old starlet Jordyn Huitema, who ranked second in Goal's 2020 NXGN list, were initially among the surprise absentees, named among the reserves when the squads were still limited to 18 players. Both, however, are now part of the main squad.

    Goalkeepers: Stephanie Labbe, Kailen Sheridan, Erin McLeod.

    Defenders: Kadeisha Buchanan, Vanessa Gilles, Shelina Zadorski, Allysha Chapman, Ashley Lawrence, Jayde Riviere, Gabrielle Carle.

    Midfielders: Jessie Fleming, Julia Grosso, Quinn, Desiree Scott, Sophie Schmidt.

    Forwards: Janine Beckie, Adriana Leon, Nichelle Prince, Deanne Rose, Christine Sinclair, Evelyne Viens, Jordyn Huitema.

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    Chile

    Chile head coach Jose Letelier announced his 22-player squad for this summer's tournament on July 2.

    After guiding the nation to their first ever Women's World Cup in 2019, the 55-year-old will coach the team at their first ever Olympic Games this summer too.

    Seven players on the roster play their football abroad, including Christiane Endler, who recently signed for seven-time European champions Lyon. Antonia Canales, Universidad Catolica's 18-year-old goalkeeper, is the only uncapped player in the team.

    Goalkeepers: Christiane Endler, Natalia Campos, Antonia Canales.

    Defenders: Carla Guerrero, Camila Saez, Daniela Pardo, Javiera Toro, Valentina Diaz, Fernanda Ramirez.

    Midfielders: Francisca Lara, Yanara Aedo, Karen Araya, Yessenia Lopez, Francisca Mardones, Nayadet Lopez, Yastin Jimenez.

    Forwards: Daniela Zamora, Maria Jose Urrutia, Fernanda Pinilla, Rosario Balmaceda, Javiera Grez, Yenny Acuna.

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    Great Britain

    Great Britain's final squad for this summer's Olympic Games was announced on May 27.

    Head coach Hege Riise has named 19 players from England, two from Scotland and one from Wales to her roster, with no one from Northern Ireland making the cut. Kim Little and Caroline Weir helped Scotland reach their first Women's World Cup in 2019, while Wales' Sophie Ingle was part of the Chelsea side that won the league, cup and reached the UEFA Women's Champions League final last season.

    Karen Bardsley pulled out of the squad due to injury on June 12, with Carly Telford announced as her replacement six days later.

    Goalkeepers: Ellie Roebuck, Carly Telford, Sandy MacIver.

    Defenders: Steph Houghton, Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly, Demi Stokes, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Niamh Charles.

    Midfielders: Kim Little, Jill Scott, Sophie Ingle, Keira Walsh, Caroline Weir, Ella Toone.

    Forwards: Ellen White, Lauren Hemp, Fran Kirby, Nikita Parris, Georgia Stanway.

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    Japan

    Hosts Japan named their final squad for this summer's Games on June 18.

    Head coach Asako Takakura has called upon 16 players who play their club football at home, with Saki Kumagai, who recently swapped Lyon for Bayern Munich, and Mana Iwabuchi, who has also transferred from Aston Villa to Arsenal this summer, the only two players that remain from the team that won a silver medal at London 2012.

    Goalkeepers: Sakiko Ikeda, Ayaka Yamashita, Chika Hirao.

    Defenders: Saki Kumagai, Risa Shimizu, Asato Miyagawa, Moeka Minami, Nanami Kitamura, Saori Takarada, Shiori Miyake.

    Midfielders: Emi Nakajima, Yui Hasegawa, Hina Sugita, Narumi Miura, Yuzuho Shiokoshi, Jun Endo, Honoka Hayashi, Momoka Kinoshita.

    Forwards: Yuika Sugasawa, Mana Iwabuchi, Mina Tanaka, Yuka Momiki.

Iniesta's greatest Barcelona moments

Ahead of his final game for the Catalan club on Sunday, a look at some of the highlights from a wonderful career spent entirely with the Blaugrana

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    Debut under Louis van Gaal

    Andres Iniesta made his Barcelona debut in a competition he would go on to win four times, the Champions League. With Louis van Gaal as coach in 2002-03, the midfielder was handed his Barca bow in a group game away to FC Brugge and played the 90 full minutes in a 1-0 win, with Juan Roman Riquelme scoring the game's only goal. A star was born.

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    Winning the Champions League in Paris

    Iniesta has admitted on many occasions that being left on the bench for the 2006 Champions League final against Arsenal in Paris was one of the most difficult moments of his career. "I was furious, my blood was boiling," he said later. Nevertheless, with Barca a goal down, he came off the bench to change the game and the Blaugrana won 2-1. "If you hadn't come on," Samuel Eto'o said on Sunday, "Barca would have one European Cup less."

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    The 'Iniestazo' at Stamford Bridge

    Iniesta is known not as a prolific scorer but as a scorer of important goals, and there are not many more important than his strike away to Chelsea in the 2008-09 Champions League semi-finals. Barcelona were on the verge of elimination when the midfielder popped up with an injury-time strike from the edge of the box to send the Catalans through on away goals. A historic treble followed, and then a sextet too, but none of it would have been possible without Iniesta's immaculate intervention.

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    Midfield masterclass in 5-0 Clasico win

    Many of Iniesta's most memorable moments came in the Clasico and even though he did not score against Real Madrid in the 5-0 win in November 2010, it is the match in which perhaps the Blaugrana were at their peak under Pep Guardiola. Alongside Xavi and Sergio Busquets, Iniesta put on a midfield masterclass in a performance and a result which will be remembered by generations of fans watching at Camp Nou and around the world.

Danny Ings should avoid Tottenham move

Kevin Phillips has exclusively told Football FanCast that Southampton striker Danny Ings should decide against joining Tottenham this summer if the opportunity arises.

Having entered the final 18 months of his contract, Ings has been linked with a move away from Southampton, with Jose Mourinho’s team one of the sides reportedly pushing hard to sign the former Liverpool frontman at the end of the season.

Spurs currently have on-loan Benfica man Carlos Vinicius as Harry Kane’s back-up, but the Brazilian striker has started just one Premier League game since his arrival, with Mourinho opting for the likes of Heung-Min Son and Lucas Moura in Kane’s injured absence last month.

Signing for Tottenham would give Ings an opportunity to play European football once again, but Phillips has advised the Saints number nine to consider somewhere that guarantees more regular first-team football.

He told Football FanCast: “Whenever I get asked that question, I always put myself in Danny’s shoes. Why would I want to go to Tottenham to sit on the bench and play cup games, it’s as simple as that. At his stage of his career, why would you not want to play football week in, week out?

“Tottenham probably would take him because as long as he’s happy to sit on the bench they know they’ve got a quality striker sitting there waiting. But from the player’s point of view, I don’t see why you would want to go and compete with Harry Kane, because you know you’re not playing because he’s the world’s best centre-forward in my eyes.”

Whilst signing for Tottenham would be a progressive move for Ings’ career, and possibly enhance his England chances, anyone playing in the same squad as Kane is most likely going to get limited opportunities as shown by the likes of Fernando Llorente, Vincent Janssen and Vinicius, so Ings might want to consider his options if Spurs do come calling.

LFC fans show their love for Nat Phillips

Some Liverpool fans have been expressing their love for Nathaniel Phillips after the centre-back revealed how he celebrated the Reds’ Premier League title win.

Jurgen Klopp’s men clinched glory in emphatic fashion last season, topping the table with 99 points and sealing one of the biggest successes in Liverpool’s history.

It ended a long and painful 30-year wait for league glory, as Klopp and his players ensured they will forever go down as club legends.

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Someone who didn’t play a part in that success was Phillips, who has become something of a cult hero this season, filling in at the back in the absence of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

The 23-year-old has been one of the few bright sparks during an awful run of league form, performing consistently at the heart of the defence and excelling with his aerial presence, averaging a monstrous 5.1 aerial duels per game in the Premier League this season.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Phillips has brilliantly revealed that he listened to You’ll Never Walk Alone in his car after Liverpool won the title, while he was enjoying a loan spell at Stuttgart:

“When the lads officially won the League last year, I was still in Germany. I drove into the (Stuttgart) training ground blasting You’ll Never Walk Alone from the car. Philipp Klement, who used to sit next to me, was a Man City fan so I wanted to make sure he knew what had happened!

“I saw how much it meant to those guys. I was jealous they got to experience that moment. I want to feel something like that one day.”

Liverpool fans show their love for Phillips

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to reveals their thoughts on the story, with some joking that it is worthy of an immediate long-term deal for Phillips.

“Lifetime contract just for this”

Credit: @Boromir_FR

“Make him stay forever!”

Credit: @KangAnfield8

“Give the lad a nice long contract with a good pay rise”

Credit: @bootlebuck2

“Love him”

Credit: @englishjen2

“Give this man a 6 year contract, right now!”

Credit: @Usman_LS6

“My hero”

Credit: @acockneyscouser

“King”

Credit: @GuineaMaestroV3

In other news, Liverpool have been reacting to transfer claims linking the Reds with an exciting summer addition. Read about it here.

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