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A sixth major European Cup was won.

Their Premier League title race almost successful but for just two points.

The PFA Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or favourite in their ranks, 2 Golden Boot winners in attack and the owner of the Golden Glove in between the sticks.

Do Liverpool even need to spend? Yes.

You can relive Liverpool’s Champions League celebrations in glorious 2D thanks to the guys at 442oons in the video below…

All of the above is impressive, but if the Reds are to get on back-to-back title winners Manchester City’s level, they must strengthen their side even when it doesn’t seem necessary – just look at City’s £60m deal for Riyad Mahrez after becoming centurions.

A number of names have been linked to Liverpool, but few more frequently than Lille forward Nicolas Pepe.

Trusty RMC Sport journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi, who broke the news of Fabinho’s arrival last year, recently revealed that the Champions League winners are ‘well placed’ to land the Ivorian, whilst La Gazzetta dello Sport reporter Nicolo Schira believes that an €80m offer has been made (£71.4m). The idea of a bid being on the table already has been backed up by Le10Sport.

But just where has the Ivorian hotshot come from having burst out from mere obscurity just a few years ago?

As you can see from the graph above, Pepe’s career has gone from strength to strength with every season he has played – the one backwards step in terms of goals was when he made the step up to the top-flight, Ligue 1.

Pepe didn’t manage to score a goal in his first season as a professional despite making eight appearances.

However, it didn’t take long for him to find his feet the following term.

Seven goals in 30 appearances were the numbers to Pepe’s name in 2015/16 whilst on loan from Angers to US Orleans, and you could visibly see that the versatile forward was growing in confidence with every game he played.

His parent club took interest and integrated him into the first-team for the start of the 2016/17 Ligue 1 campaign, where Pepe slowly grew into top-flight football; his three goals in 39 games prove that the then 21-year-old star wasn’t an instant success.

However, that one campaign was all he needed.

The dangerous wide man, who can also play centrally, truly burst onto the scene in 2017/18, netting 14 goals in 38 appearances in what was his first season for Lille after completing a €10m move away from Angers.

Perhaps it was the change in environment and the fact that he had transferred to a bigger club that made Pepe really knuckle down and focus on his football.

Whatever was in the water at Lille, it was certainly having a good effect on him.

His most recent season to date, the 2018/19 campaign, was where Pepe caught the attention of Europe’s top clubs.

He struck an eye-catching 22 goals and set up 12 more as he helped Lille to an astonishing 2nd-place finish and a spot in the Champions League for next term.

It goes without saying that this is a player who is improving year after year; the transformation from a player who scored seven goals in Ligue 2 during the 2015/16 season has been incredible.

So just imagine what the 2019/20 campaign has in store for the Liverpool target, whether that’s spent at Anfield or somewhere else, and what levels his dramatic rise could reach next.

As much as Liverpool fans revelled in conquering the Champions League in early June, the Premier League remains the Holy Grail for Kopites, with the Reds stuck on 18 league titles since 1990.

Not even a club record points haul of 97 was enough to land the coveted trophy in 2018/19, with an exceptional Manchester City side going one better.

While Jurgen Klopp has some of the best players in the world in their respective positions, there were times last season when a lack of depth cost Liverpool, particularly in games where opposition defences manned the barricades.

A winger, a centre forward and a creative central midfielder are likely to be among Klopp’s main targets this summer, while the German should also look at beefing up the goalkeeper and left-back positions should anything keep Alisson or Andrew Robertson out of action.

Here are 25 players that Liverpool should target if they are to be finally crowned Premier League champions…

Rui Patricio

The experienced Portuguese goalkeeper was among many Wolves players who impressed on the club’s return to the Premier League, keeping eight clean sheets and conceding only 46 goals. The 31-year-old is an excellent shot stopper with quick reflexes and has been a solid, low-risk presence in goal for club and country.

While Alisson would be almost impossible to displace, Liverpool need a more reliable backup than Simon Mignolet and Euro 2016 winner Patricio fits the bill.

His 12-year career with Sporting Lisbon and Portugal enabled him to gain plenty of big-game experience and he would present some welcome competition for the Brazilian netminder.

Andre Onana

While other Ajax players took the bulk of the plaudits last season, the 23-year-old Cameroonian was an assured presence as Erik ten Haag’s last line of defence.

He conceded less than a goal per game as the Amsterdam club won the Eredivisie title and let in only 13 goals in 12 matches during the magnificent run to the Champions League semi-finals.

Onana is renowned for his ability to block close-range shots as well as efforts from distance, while he also has a reputation for stopping penalties – of nine spot kicks taken against him in the last two seasons, only five have been scored.

Matt Doherty

Trent Alexander-Arnold has matured greatly over the past year but is still prone to defensive lapses. An experienced head like that of 27-year-old Doherty would keep the young Englishman firmly on his toes. The Irish right-back was magnificent for Wolves last season, scoring four goals and chipping in with five assists as they qualified for Europe.

He is the type of attack-minded full-back that Klopp would love, yet he also performs the defensive aspects of his game commendably. He is a proven Premier League performer who has earned his crack at an elite club after being such a loyal servant to Wolves.

Timothy Castagane

It has been a year to remember for the Belgian right-back, who began the season by making his international debut and ended it by helping Atalanta to a maiden Champions League qualification. The 23-year-old provided four goals and two assists in 28 Serie A appearances for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side in 2018/19.

Castagne is a wonderfully versatile player who can operate on either flank and has played in wide midfield as well as full-back roles. Klopp will give him that licence to roam forward while also being confident that the Belgian is an astute tackler who can get back quickly whenever Liverpool come under pressure from opposition attacks.

Jose Gimenez

Atletico Madrid will fight tooth and nail to keep the Uruguay centre-back in a summer that has already seen their defence shorn of Diego Godin, Juanfran and Lucas Hernandez. However, the prospect of teaming up with Virgil van Dijk for the European champions could certainly appeal to the 24-year-old.

The 6 ft 2 defender would give Liverpool another tall presence at the back with excellent aerial ability to go alongside Van Dijk. He is a safety-first centre-half who is adept at clearing his lines and is still young enough to improve even further while already having the substantial experience of six years playing alongside the fearsome Godin.

Manuel Akanji

The 23-year-old impressed with Switzerland at last year’s World Cup and carried that form into the season with Borussia Dortmund, with whom he almost won the Bundesliga title. He possesses phenomenal technical ability for a centre-back, recording an exemplary passing success rate of 92.9% in the Bundesliga last season.

That ability to play out from the back with confidence would allow Akanji to fit in perfectly with Klopp’s style and, like Van Dijk, he is an astute reader of the game with a happy knack for well-timed interceptions.

That composed defensive work contributes to a fantastic disciplinary record – he was only booked twice in 31 appearances for Dortmund last season.

Milan Skriniar

Slovakian centre-back with the initials MS and the number 37 shirt…haven’t Liverpool been down this road before? Comparisons with Martin Skrtel would be inevitable if Klopp takes an interest in the Inter Milan defender, but Skriniar is a player in a different mould to his fellow countryman who spent eight years at Anfield.

While Skrtel’s game was primarily based on brute force, Skriniar is a cultured centre-half with excellent ball-playing ability – his passing success rate for 2018/19 was a hugely impressive 92.2%.

He would suit Liverpool’s patient style of play and, while valued at £54million on TransferMarkt.co.uk, he would be a longer-term investment at just 24.

Mario Rui

In Andrew Robertson, Liverpool may well have the world’s best left-back right now, but Alberto Moreno’s departure leaves the Scot as the Reds’ only natural player in that position. Klopp knows that he needs more depth in the left-back slot but the likelihood of any newcomers displacing Robertson is low.

Portugal defender Mario Rui could be an astute signing for less than £11m. Reports in Italy claim that he wants to leave Napoli after a stop-start season and Liverpool would be getting a full-back with superb passing ability – he averaged 53.9 passes per game last season. While not at Robertson’s level, he would be an upgrade on Moreno.

Marvin Plattenhardt

The 27-year-old Germany left-back roves up and down the flank at will, a trait that Robertson has perfected in his time at Liverpool. He has better positional sense than Moreno and is a tough tackler, averaging 1.2 challenges per game for Hertha Berlin last season.

Plattenhardt’s willingness to cover the full length of the left-hand side enables him to get into promising positions, with a match average of 1.4 key passes in 2018/19.

He is also renowned as a deal ball specialist and, while not ready to displace Robertson right now, he would provide healthy competition for the Scotland captain at Anfield.

Julian Weigl

The talented German midfielder could be tempted to leave Borussia Dortmund after finding his gametime restricted last season. It was less than 18 months ago that Manchester City were reportedly willing to bid £40m for him but his inactivity has seen his current valuation drop to just over half that amount.

Weigl averaged 1.9 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per game this season, while also boasting a passing success rate of 93.3%.

That is far greater than Fabinho’s equivalent figure of 84.1%, indicating that the 23-year-old German could increase the tempo of Liverpool’s play through midfield while also providing an effective anchor in the middle of the park.

Ruben Neves

The 2017/18 Championship Player of the Season continued that fine form into an excellent Premier League campaign for Wolves, who pulled off a real coup when signing him from Porto two years ago. Still only 22, he has captained the Portuguese club in the Champions League and won 10 caps for Portugal.

With Fabinho being more of a stopper in the defensive midfield position, Neves provides tremendous vision and a sharp eye for a pass. He is the type of player who, upon receiving the ball from the back, looks to create opportunities for attackers.

Also, his desire to press opponents would be hugely appreciated by Klopp.

Hakim Ziyech

With Xherdan Shaqiri failing to establish himself as a regular presence in Liverpool’s starting XI, Klopp could look for another right-sided attacking player and Ziyech was one of Europe’s best in that position last season. A tally of 21 goals in 49 games in all competitions for Ajax in 2018/19 was a fine return for someone not operating as a centre forward.

The 26-year-old Moroccan was the Amsterdam club’s third highest scorer last season and also provided 13 assists, averaging 3.2 key passes per game, and he can be lethal from free kicks. Like Mohamed Salah, this North African player would give Liverpool a potent attacking threat from wide areas.

Wilfried Zaha

It is very rare for a player to represent both Manchester United and Liverpool – only Paul Ince and Michael Owen have done so in the Premier League era – but Kopites would jump at the chance to see the one-time Old Trafford youngster strutting his stuff at Anfield.

The Ivorian winger has been exceptional for Crystal Palace and has frequently been cited as the Premier League’s best player from outside a top-six club.

Zaha bamboozles opposition defences at will, averaging 3.4 dribbles and drawing three fouls per game for the Eagles. Aside to his pace and trickery, there is also ample end product, with 10 goals in 34 league games last season.

Isco

Such is the array of midfield quality at Real Madrid that Isco found himself restricted to just 11 league starts last season, although his versatility in being able to play anywhere across the midfield or even in attack saw him frequently utilised as a substitute.

Despite his limited game time, the Spain international scored six goals in 37 appearances in 2018/19, yet it is his passing ability that sets him apart. He successfully completed 88.9% of his passes last season and is a natural in the number 10 role, which would allow Roberto Firmino to spend more time in the penalty area instead of dropping deeper.

James Ward-Prowse

The narrative of Liverpool raiding Southampton is nothing new, yet Ward-Prowse would add a potent set-piece threat to the Reds and would be available at a very reasonable £16m, according to TransferMarkt.co.uk.

In a Saints team that struggled for goals last season, he was their joint top scorer with seven, a tally which included some of the sweetest-struck free kicks in the Premier League. He is still only 24 yet he has already played at this level for seven years and accrued nearly 200 top-flight appearances.

He was most unlucky not to make England’s Nations League squad given his superb form at St Mary’s.

Julian Draxler

The 25-year-old German has stiff competition in the attacking midfield sector with Paris Saint-Germain, where there is an unsavoury atmosphere after another season in which they flopped in the Champions League. The vibe at Anfield could hardly be more different, where Klopp and the fans would love a player of such cultured technique.

Draxler is adept with both feet and is excellent in one-on-one situations, whether operating in a number 10 role or in a wide attacking berth. He boasts a passing success rate of 90.2% and averages 1.7 dribbles per game. He is a player who would regularly excite the Kop and give Liverpool’s midfield an added impetus.

Thiago Alcantara

Ten years on from leaving Liverpool, Xabi Alonso remains an icon in the eyes of the club’s supporters, and his fellow Spain international is a player in the same mould.

The 28-year-old Bayern Munich man is an exquisite passer of the ball, with a success rate of 91.5%, and he operates from the same central midfield position in which Alonso initiated so many Liverpool attacks in the Rafael Benitez days.

He wouldn’t come cheap, with TransferMarkt.co.uk valuing him at £63m, but he could be the playmaker that the Reds have lacked since Philippe Coutinho left and his passing range would be a tremendous asset in unpicking massed defences in tight games.

Dani Ceballos

Like Isco, the 22-year-old is a gifted technical midfielder whose opportunities at the Bernabeu are limited by the sheer quality of other players in that sector of the pitch. He has been in fine form for Spain in the European Under-21 Championships, scoring twice in the group stage and providing two assists.

Ceballos is another player whose majestic passing ability would give Liverpool an added dimension from midfield, completing 92.3% of his passes last season. He is also known for being a committed and wholehearted player, the kind of qualities that would endear him to Klopp, a manager who places enormous value in the collective.

Goncalo Guedes

While Bernardo Silva was voted the best player of the Nations League finals, it was Guedes whose goal won the tournament for hosts Portugal earlier this month. Comfortable operating on either flank, the 22-year-old has scored 14 goals and provided as many assists in his two seasons at Valencia, having previously been deemed surplus to requirements at PSG.

He is a player who likes receiving the ball in wide areas and cutting inside from the flanks to take on opponents while also having shots from distance, much like his fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo.

While not at the Juventus man’s stratospheric level, Guedes is a skilful winger who can also play centrally if needed.

Jonathan Bamba

Nicolas Pepe was the star man of Lille’s magnificent season with 23 goals and has been linked with Liverpool among other Premier League clubs, but the Ligue 1 runner-up’s next most prolific scorer with 14 goals was France underage international Bamba.

While Lille reportedly want £69 for Pepe, their potent left winger would be available for just over £15m according to TransferMarkt.co.uk.

His pace would allow him to adapt readily to the Premier League and he would give Liverpool a direct attacking threat from the flanks. He is willing to shoot when an opportunity arises, with an average of 1.8 shots per game, and his enterprising nature would help the Reds against tight defences.

Federico Chiesa

Liverpool have a somewhat chequered history with Italian players – few will care to remember Mario Balotelli, Alberto Aquliani or Fabio Borini, for instance – yet Chiesa has the pace, work rate and attacking instincts (average 3.5 shots and 2.1 dribbles per game in 2018/19) to differentiate himself from those names.

Also, the last time Liverpool bought a right-sided attacker from Serie A, they took a punt on some lad named Salah; that has worked out alright for them since. With the Egyptian likely to need a rest at some point next season given his Africa Cup of Nations duty, Chiesa is a similar type of player who could slot into the same position.

Marco Asensio

Here is another gifted young Spanish player who, like Isco and Ceballos, is criminally underused at Real Madrid. Asensio’s goal return of six goals from 42 appearances in 2018/19 may not seem great, but half of those games began with him on the bench. Also, he plays primarily as a wide attacker and not as a centre forward.

The arrivals of Luka Jovic and Eden Hazard could further limit his opportunities at the Bernabeu, and while he would be competing with Sadio Mane at Anfield, Liverpool’s need for greater attacking depth would likely see Klopp give this superb crosser of the ball more game time than Zinedine Zidane has in the Spanish capital.

Paulo Dybala

As good as Firmino has undoubtedly been for Liverpool, there remains a sense that the Reds still lack a truly elite centre forward like Sergio Aguero or Harry Kane. Dybala could be the missing piece in Klopp’s attacking jigsaw, demonstrating natural goal-poaching instincts for Juventus, for whom he had scored 78 goals in 182 appearances.

The Argentina striker is reminiscent of fellow countrymen Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Diego Maradona in that, aside from his penalty box prowess, he willingly drops deep and gets involved in his team’s link-up play, enabling him to add 31 assists to his Juventus tally. He is a lethal and energetic player that would fit Liverpool’s attack like a glove.

Krzysztof Piatek

When it comes to pure penalty box goal-poaching, there are few more effective in Europe than the 23-year-old Polish striker. Having scored 13 goal in 19 Serie A games for Genoa last season, Piatek added a further nine in 18 games after moving to AC Milan in January. Also, in just six senior caps for Poland, he already has four goals.

Those are the sort of goal returns for which £36m (his TransferMarkt.co.uk valuation) would be chickenfeed. Whether Piatek would move clubs for the third time in just over a year is a legitimate query, but in games where the Salah-Firmino-Mane triumvirate are being thwarted, he would be a very dependable option for turning draws into wins.

Arkadiusz Milik

Piatek does not have sole rights to the tag of prolific Poland and Serie A striker. Napoli man Milik netted 17 times in 35 league appearances for Carlo Ancelotti’s side last season. He is a pacy attacker whose intelligent off the ball movement enables him to get into scoring positions.

Also, his strong aerial ability (he has scored seven headed goals for Napoli) would make him an ideal candidate to regular finish off the deadly deliveries provided by Alexander-Arnold and Robertson from the flanks. He has similar attributes to fellow countryman Robert Lewandowski, who thrived under Klopp in his Borussia Dortmund days.

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According to Fanatik, Everton attacker Henry Onyekuru looks set to return on loan to Galatasaray for the 2019-20 campaign.

Onyekuru joined Everton from Eupen in June 2017 but was immediately sent on loan to Anderlecht as the Toffees could not secure a work permit.

The attacker netted 10 goals in 28 games for Anderlecht before joining Galatasaray on loan for the 2018-19 season.

Watch Everton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The 22-year-old struck 16 times in 44 appearances for the Turkish giants – including 14 in 31 league matches.

According to Fanatik, Onyekuru is set to return on loan to Galatasaray this summer, which would mean that he plays Champions League football for the second year in a row.

However, the Everton fans are not overly pleased with the current situation regarding the 5 ft 9 ace.

Indeed, some of the supporters think that it would be better to just sell the 10-time Nigeria international than to send him on another 12-month move.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Liverpool are to sign England under-17s midfielder Harvey Elliot this summer, according to the Telegraph.

After claiming the Champions League trophy last month, Jurgen Klopp has introduced just one player to Liverpool’s squad. One for the future Dutch defender Sepp van der Berg is the German’s only addition so far this summer, but the German boss might be about to add another prodigy to his ranks in the form of Fulham’s Elliot.

As per the Telegraph, Elliot, the youngest player ever to play in the Premier League (having made his debut aged 15 years and 174 days), is to join Liverpool this summer after months of being linked to some of the biggest and best clubs in Europe, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig.

In ESPN’s report of the deal, they claim the club’s thinking this summer involves the retention of current talent over squad reconstruction, while ‘snapping up’ young talents.

The Liverpool Echo have described the attacking midfielder as a versatile player who is “not shy when it comes to launching an attack and scoring goals,” with five goals and three assists to his name for the under-18 side in 12 appearances last season.

While expecting him to come in and fill a creative void (one pointed out by Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph) since Philippe Coutinho departed at his young age would perhaps be too much, potentially winning a transfer battle for a player courted by other members of the European elite would be another sign the Reds are returning to the top, with Miguel Delaney already suggesting the Champions League win had restored their super-club status.

Already champions of Europe, it seems the Reds’ apparent plan to secure young talents to get their house in order for the years to come is underway.

Liverpool fans, how excited are you at the prospect of signing Harvey Elliot? Just how promising is your next batch of players? Let us know in the comments below…

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Sheffield United have made their third summer signing in the shape of Preston North End forward Callum Robinson.

The Republic Of Ireland international operated mostly on the left wing for the Lilywhites last term, but he can also act as a striker.

What’s the story?

This one has come somewhat from out of nowhere. The Blades weren’t linked to the 24-year-old until Friday morning when Football Insider reported that he was booked in for a medical to join the Steel City outfit. United wasted no time in getting this one done as later that day he was announced as their player.

The attacked enjoyed a solid campaign in the Championship last term as he netted 12 times for the Lancashire club.

Watch Sheffield United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

New system

Chris Wilder has consistently shown interest in wingers during this transfer window despite the fact his system doesn’t incorporate those types of players.

United have also been linked with Scott Sinclair and Franck Ribery (Kicker via HITC) in this window, but now they have finally got someone through the door who can play in that role.

Wilder’s 5-2-1-2 formation utilises wing-backs rather than wingers, and with Robinson also being able to play as a striker he could fit into that setup, but he also allows Wilder to craft a new system which incorporates wide forwards.

Fans of Norwich, Sheffield United and Ipswich name their club’s worst ever manager in the video below…

Of course, the Blades don’t currently have anyone to operate on the right, but there is still a long way to go in this transfer window and reinforcements can still be brought in.

Wilder certainly needs to adapt his style in the Premier League and a new tactic which looks to get the most out of the wide areas could be just what the doctor ordered if his current system doesn’t work out in the top flight.

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In what has been a topsy-turvy couple of months in the world of Paul Pogba and Manchester United, it appears we may have a fresh twist on the cards.

Reports in recent weeks had suggested the France World Cup winner was on his way out of Old Trafford this summer, and comments from his agent Mino Raiola echoed those sentiments.

However, in an update from The Guardian, Pogba’s hopes of leaving United are becoming increasingly “remote” as the club have yet to receive a bid from any interested parties.

The report adds that with the transfer window closing in less than a month, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side do not want to lose yet another midfielder this summer and that Madrid’s valuation of Pogba is “markedly lower” than United’s.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

After hearing the news Pogba could now be staying in Manchester for the foreseeable future, United fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the matter.

Many were seemingly relieved that the Frenchman was being kept at the club and praised the side for holding out for Pogba’s true valuation rather than just letting him go on the cheap.

Indeed, many suggested that the 26-year-old still remained one of their best midfielders and even claimed that losing the former Juventus midfielder would see them end up in a “relegation dogfight”.

Check out some of the delighted reaction of United fans below:

Norwich City let a one-goal lead slip to succumb to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Championship side Brentford on Wednesday afternoon.

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The Canaries took the lead through Emiliano Buendia, but the Bees bit back with a strike of their own just two minutes later.

Brentford attacker Ollie Watkins later cashed in on some very poor defending to put Brentford in the lead after the break, before teeing up Ethan Pinnock to seal a 3-1 victory for the Championship side.

Timm Klose made his first appearance of pre-season, captaining the side from the centre of defence, with Kenny McLean and Josip Drmic also making appearances.

This was Norwich’s fourth pre-season game of the summer, following on from their tour of Germany. The newly-promoted side registered two wins and a draw in Germany, including a win versus the Bundesliga giants Schalke.

The loss is Norwich’s first of pre-season and came just over two weeks before Daniel Farke’s side kick-off their Premier League campaign against Liverpool away at Anfield. Norwich City have scored nine goals in their four pre-season games so far, a show of their attacking prowess following their 93 goals in the Championship last season.

However, yesterday’s friendly would’ve sent Farke two warning signs about keeping a lead and letting complacency creep in against weaker opposition.

Yesterday’s friendly showed how Norwich can start games, but the eventual loss by three goals is quite stark especially against a Championship side. In January, Fulham and Southampton were leading the way for most points lost from winning position, with 15 each. Norwich need to heed this warning and learn from the lessons of how not to let a lead slip.

Against lower quality opposition complacency will always remain a factor, so Farke needs to ensure he can drill in 100% commitment against all opposition sides next season. It has happened in the past to many Premier League sides, like last season, when Manchester United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Derby County at home.

Norwich are returning to the Premier League, and have been sent warning signs of what could be up and coming. They need to take them on board to make sure they don’t occur this season, or they could struggle.

Norwich fans, worried with what you saw? Let us know below!

It’s a special thing to see people overcome their obstacles, and for all those fans, who eagerly supported Griffiths throughout his recovery, watching him score must’ve been a truly incredible moment.

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[ad_pod ]This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…West Ham United youngster Grady Diangana is poised to move to West Brom on loan, per BBC Sport correspondent David Ornstein.

What’s the word?

The Championship club, the journalist reports, have beaten off competition from a number of other sides to secure the winger’s signature.

Diangana has made a total of 21 senior appearances for the Irons, scoring twice and registering one assist.

He has also won three caps for the England Under-20 team and the 21-year-old will go in search of first-team football at The Hawthorns.

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A victim of summer spending

This was inevitable.

West Ham have spent a fair amount on the likes of Sebastian Haller and Pablo Fornals this summer and the latter is a tricky winger who is capable of playing on both the right and the left.

With Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmolenko, Manuel Lanzini and Jack Wilshere also on the books in east London, the path to the first-team was blocked for Diangana.

A loan move, then, makes sense for all parties, with the forward, who sources have said is rated very highly in east London, capable of playing regular football, while West Ham focus on their expensive imports.

File this one under a win-win, then.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

It seems as though as soon as Naby Keita looks set for a potential run in the Liverpool team, he suffers a niggle or a knock.

The best example of this was towards the end of what was an up-and-down 2018/19 campaign, when he started four successive Premier League matches against Southampton, Chelsea, Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town in April.

The Guinea international scored twice in that run of fixtures, as well as another in a man-of-the-match performance against FC Porto in the Champions League.

He received plenty of praise on Twitter from supporters and looked to finally be showing why the Reds had paid so much money to bring him to Anfield, but unfortunately it didn’t last.

On the chalkboard

At RB Leipzig previously, the 24-year-old was a box-to-box player capable of scoring and assisting, as shown with his 17 goals and 15 assists in 71 outings, according to Transfermarkt.

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However, he has struggled to replicate that sort of form on Merseyside, scoring three and assisting one in 34 appearances to date.

Just when he looked to be hitting some form by scoring two of those three goals in April, he suffered a groin issue that ruled him out of the final two top flight games of the campaign.

Keita would surely have been hoping to hit the ground running this term and may well have been in contention for a start in the Super Cup on Wednesday, but Liverpool Echo reporter Ian Doyle tweeted that he had left the training pitch early on Tuesday and his absence was later explained by the club as due to a muscle strain – not a good sign again for the African.

Chance for Harvey Elliott?

If Keita has suffered a new issue or a recurrence of a previous problem, then summer addition Elliott could be his surprise replacement – until he returns, that is.

The 16-year-old likely earned a move to Anfield because of his performances and record on the wing for both Fulham’s and England’s youth sides, but as we saw on Tuesday he actually played as part of a central midfield three during a mini training game before the big Istanbul clash.

His profile on former club Fulham’s website describes him as having a ‘superb first touch’ and being ‘known for his dribbling ability’, which are two traits to suggest that he could yet have a short-term – and potentially a long-term – future as part of a midfield trio.

Having appeared against Napoli during pre-season, the young Englishman clearly has no fear despite his tender years, and he already looks ready to make an impact when his time comes.

That could be sooner rather than later if Keita has suffered an injury, and the teenager could be the surprise man to step up and fill any potential void.

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