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Liverpool will continue to monitor the market as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to rebuild after a challenging campaign, and Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch is one young talent who they are 'pushing' to sign.

What's the latest on Ryan Gravenberch to Liverpool?

That's according to the Mirror, who state that Klopp has received the green light to complete a move for the Dutchman, who has endured a frustrating maiden term in the German Bundesliga with the formidable champions.

The player is said to be 'keen' on a move to Anfield and, while in an ideal world he would remain at the club he chose to kickstart his career one year ago, a lack of minutes and the offer of prominence at Liverpool could result in a transfer, with a fee of around £25m enough to prise him away.

Especially considering that James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all left the club; Alexis Mac Allister has been signed for £35m but the robust Gravenberch could be new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke's masterstroke this summer.

Should Liverpool sign Ryan Gravenberch?

Gravenberch forged 103 appearances for Ajax and was a key component of an outfit that gleaned the Eredivisie thrice and the KNVB Cup twice across three campaigns, catching the eye of many an outfit across Europe and subsequently earning a €24m (£20m) transfer to Bavaria.

However, five starts from 33 matches across all competitions in Germany this season will do little to convince the precocious talent of committing his future to the club despite winning the title this year, with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka unlikely to fall out of favour any time soon.

Previously hailed as the Netherlands' "greatest talent" by ex-Ajax ace Wim Kieft, the £152k-per-week machine ranks among the top 7% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 23% for progressive passes, the top 19% for successful take-ons and the top 27% for tackles per 90, as per FBref, which emphasises the dynamism of his trade and hints at a future as one of Europe's most destructive conductors.

If Klopp succeeds in signing the 21-year-old, he will strengthen the Dutch spine Anfield currently boasts, with Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo occupying prominent roles either side of the centre of the park, where Gravenberch could pull the strings and inject the unrelenting intensity to send the Kop into rapture.

He could forge a distinctively slick partnership with Gakpo, who has impressed since signing from PSV for an initial £35m last winter and scored seven goals and three assists as he ostensibly slots into the departing and iconic Roberto Firmino's all-encompassing frontal role.

Adept and weaving the threads of Klopp's hundred-hued tapestry together with his creative ingenuity, Gakpo ranks among the top 10% of forwards for rate of assists, the top 17% for shot-creating actions, the top 8% for progressive passes and the top 1% for tackles per 90.

Such metrics play into Gravenberch's favour – and indeed vice versa – because of his role in tethering the midfield to the attack, opening space for the inversions of wide forwards such as Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez, and keeping the robustness intact with his multi-faceted approach.

Lauded for his "dominant" demeanour on the pitch by his former youth coach Brian Tevreden, the confidence that exudes from Gravenberch's tenacity in the middle will keep the system ticking, and the countrymen could play significant roles in the next phase of Klopp's dynasty in Liverpool.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is now advancing in his quest to conclude a deal at Anfield as the German coach continues his squad planning, as per reports.

What's the latest news involving Liverpool?

The Reds have made a relatively strong start to the 2023/24 campaign and sit third in the Premier League table with ten points from their first four fixtures in the English top flight.

Nevertheless, Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has copped criticism from former England forward Jay Bothroyd, who believes that the Uruguay international needs to do more given his £85 million price tag. Speaking on Sky Sports Saturday Social, Bothroyd stated:

"For me he’s between a C and a D. When he has played he’s played the majority of games on the left, and when he has played as a striker I don’t think he’s played well. We spoke about missing chances, and he’s missed loads of chances. I know pricetags, at £80m, I’m expecting him to come in and score goals, but he hasn’t done it in the Premier League yet. He has to really work on his composure as a striker".

Cited by 90min, French defender Ibrahima Konate has taken to social media platform Instagram to show the world his progress as he battles back from a thigh injury. The 24-year-old posted footage of him going out on a run and also, later on, Konate showed fans himself on a bike ride, indicating that he is building his way back up to full fitness. It remains unclear when the former RB Leipzig defender will be available for selection once again.

Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma is believed to be on Liverpool's radar; however, Manchester City, Barcelona and Napoli are also keen on the Japan international, as per the same outlet.

Who could sign a new deal at Liverpool?

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has taken to social media platform X to issue an update on the state of play regarding the future of left-back Kostas Tsimikas at Anfield, stating:

"Liverpool are now advancing in talks to extend Kostas Tsimikas' contract. Negotiations are progressing to get it done as soon as possible. Discussions will continue to complete the agreement, as @JamesPearceLFC called."

Capology understand that the Greece international is contracted to Liverpool until the summer of 2025 and earns £50,000 per week on Merseyside.

In his time at Liverpool, Tsimikas has become a reliable understudy for Andy Robertson at left-back and has registered 12 assists in 62 appearances across all competitions for the Reds, as per Transfermarkt.

As per FBRef, the 27-year-old has excelled in comparison to his positional peers around Europe's top five divisions in the art of progressive passes received, taking in around 7.77 per 90 minutes across the last 365 days, putting him in the 92nd percentile for this metric.

Tsimikas may not overtake Robertson as Liverpool's starting left-back under Klopp in the immediate future; nevertheless, he has proven his worth as a capable deputy who can replicate the Scot's intensity both in attack and defence, with the Reds also in the Europa League this season.

Twitter has reacted in brutal fashion to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s penalty miss on Tuesday night against Scotland as he fired the ball well over the bar.

What happened in the game between Scotland and Georgia?

Scotland made it four wins from four in their quest to qualify for the 2024 European Championships on Tuesday, as they beat Georgia 2-0 at Hampden Park.

Goals from Callum McGregor and Manchester United’s Scott McTominay sealed the win for Steve Clarke’s side, but Napoli’s Kvaratskhelia had a glorious opportunity to pull one back for the visitors after they were awarded a penalty in the 93rd minute.

Much had been made about the 22-year-old’s influence on the game and his threat, but after a pretty poor performance, things only got worse for the winger as he fired the spot kick well over the crossbar.

As you can imagine, those on social media had a field day with the miss. After all, the Napoli star – who netted 12 league goals and claimed 13 assists on the way to a Serie A title – was far from his best on the night and fans online made that clear.

Indeed, some of the responses on Twitter to the awful penalty were ruthless. Here are some of the best…

A couple of users compared the miss to Harry Kane’s penalty for England against France in the World Cup last year…

One fan even claimed Kvaratskhelia couldn’t perform away from Napoli teammate Victor Osimhen…

A couple of Scottish fans weren’t impressed with the winger after seeing him in the flesh for the first time…

Members of the media have slammed Tottenham Hotspur left-back Ben Davies with Brentford winger Bryan Mbuemo enjoying a north London masterclass.

Tottenham 1-3 Brentford

Spurs and interim coach Ryan Mason endured another afternoon to forget in what has been a humbling season for the Lilywhites overall.

Tottenham succumbed to their 14th loss of the Premier League season with only Fulham losing more games out of any side in the top half.

Mason’s side had been dominating for a period – performing brilliantly in the first half as Harry Kane opened the scoring with an absolutely sublime free-kick.

However, Spurs ultimately failed to build upon that 45 minutes and capitulated after half-time – with goals from Mbuemo (2) and Yoane Wissa sealing a devastating defeat.

The players marched off to a chorus of boos after the full-time whistle, but during the contest, various sections of the media criticised Davies in particular – who seemed “exposed” against Mbuemo playing as a left-back in four-man defence.

Independent Tottenham website COYS.com claimed he is “not good enough” while The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare said he was caught out again for Mbuemo’s second.

Journalists Vitor Soares and Nacho Gonzalez from overseas then got in on the act, with the latter reporter drawing attention to his “weak” defending in one-v-one situations.

Could Ben Davies leave Spurs this summer?

The 30-year-old has been a faithful servant for Spurs since signing from Swansea in 2014, but with reports suggesting they could target new defenders this summer, his time could be coming slowly to an end.

Davies has just two years remaining on his contract, giving chairman Daniel Levy a limited time to cash-in on the player whilst potentially funding new additions.

However, much could also depend on Tottenham’s next manager and whether they feel he is the right fit.

Liverpool welcome Aston Villa to Anfield this afternoon as Jurgen Klopp's side look to claim their third successive Premier League win of the season, having drawn at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in the season opener.

Last season, the Reds endured a miserable campaign and failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in seven seasons after finishing fifth.

Even that somewhat flatters the overall discourse of the campaign; Liverpool were shocking until the closing stages of the term, with a late-season purple patch salvaging European football.

Villa qualified for the Europa Conference League under Unai Emery's stewardship in a tremendous rise, and despite falling flat against Newcastle United to start their campaign, losing 5-1 at St. James' Park, the Villa Park side have rebounded with wins over Everton and Burnley.

Klopp will understand the task at hand, but will be confident that the home side will secure three points, closing the gap on league leaders and defending champions Manchester City to just two points.

What is the Liverpool team news vs Aston Villa?

Klopp will be forced to field a new centre-defensive pairing on Sunday, with Ibrahima Konate out injured and captain Virgil van Dijk suspended after receiving a red card against Newcastle last weekend.

In midfield, Curtis Jones could return after injury, while Stefan Bajcetic may receive his first outing of the term after making the bench for the past two match weeks; Thiago Alcantara has suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from a long-term issue and will remain sidelined.

Multi-functional midfielder Ryan Gravenberch will not play after completing a £34m move on deadline day from Bayern Munich, having failed to be registered in time for the final fixture before the term's first international break.

Up front, Darwin Nunez will be pushing for his first start of the season after a "razor-sharp" – as said by Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury – cameo against the Magpies, where his brace gave ten-man Liverpool an unlikely, galvanising victory.

Will Wataru Endo start vs Aston Villa?

With Gravenberch unable to participate this weekend, Klopp might be inclined to hand Wataru Endo his second successive start in the Premier League after signing from German side Stuttgart in a £16m deal in August.

The Japan captain's arrival raised more than a few eyebrows; Liverpool had been in pursuit of Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo to fill the void left by Fabinho and Jordan Henderson's departures to Saudi Arabian sides, but both ended up joining Chelsea.

Endo, relatively unknown outside the Bundesliga, could prove to be a shrewd investment for Klopp's side, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano even saying: "he’s an extremely underrated player, ask Stuttgart fans."

A tenacious, tough-tackling midfielder, Endo is indeed likely to retain a starting berth in Liverpool's team in the absence of any other defensive midfielder.

Against Newcastle, he didn't produce the finest, slickest display in memory but did demonstrate his defensive skills, making two tackles and winning four of his seven duels, important in preventing Eddie Howe's side from capitalising after going a man and goal down in the opening half-hour.

Thiago remains an absentee, and given that teenage talent Stefan Bajcetic has yet to play a minute this term following his own return from a long-term injury, his reintegration might be better placed through a substitute appearance.

Why should Wataru Endo start vs Aston Villa?

Described as a "proper warrior and leader" by Bundesliga commentator Kevin Thatchard, Endo has been a stalwart for Stuttgart in their battles against relegation in the German top-flight.

Having made 133 appearances for die Schwaben, posting 15 goals and 12 assists, Endo has indeed been crucial to the club's flow and industriousness.

The 50-cap international was in fine fettle last season, recording an average rating of 6.99 in the Bundesliga – as per Sofascore – across his 33 displays, scoring five goals and supplying four assists, completing 80% of his passes, averaging 1.4 key passes per game and making 2.1 tackles and 1.8 clearances each match.

To showcase his defensive qualities, FBref ranks Endo among the top 7% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for clearance and aerial wins per 90.

The £50k-per-week ace's inclusion against the Lions will be imperative, with Emery's outfit ravenous for a continuation of the fantastic, Europe-clinching feats of last year.

During Liverpool's opening match against Chelsea last month, the club's lack of control without an established No. 6 was clear for all to see, with the Stamford Bridge side retaining 65% of possession and completing 87% of their passes as opposed to Liverpool's 80%.

For reference, last year, despite the Merseyside outfit's struggles, only champions Manchester City completed more passes than Liverpool. Against Chelsea this season, that tactical philosophy went out the window.

Emery's Villa thrive through organisation and discipline, maintaining a compact shape and as such nullifying the advances of the opposition.

They also utilise overloaded midfielders, with the Spaniard manager not shy to field the likes of John McGinn on the wing, allowing the full-backs to overlap and supplement the attack.

Endo will be crucial in preventing this, having completed 88% of his passes in the Premier League thus far, also averaging two ball recoveries and 1.5 tackles and clearances per match.

By deploying the hard-working ace in the holding midfield role, the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai could see their creative qualities shine through, with Aston Villa's heavy defeat against Newcastle evidence that the Midlands outfit is susceptible to swift attacking transitions and incisive play.

Highlighting his strengths prior to the confirmation of Endo's move to Anfield, The Athletic's Seb Stafford-Boor said: "He is a ball-winner, but he’ll do a fine job protecting the defence. He can play too, though."

The hope will be that as he acclimatises to life on Merseyside, the veteran midfielder maintains these core qualities as he gels with Klopp's squad, and against Villa, his inclusion as the all-action defensive component could prove to be the difference-maker.

Endo is not the high-profile name the Liverpool support yearned for, but he is a solid midfielder and he will prove to be a central figure in the team this year, and maybe even instrumental in the club's renaissance.

An update has emerged on Burnley and their efforts to improve their defensive options in the summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Cody Drameh to Burnley?

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri has claimed that the Clarets are in talks with Leeds United over a deal to sign right-back Cody Drameh ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Vincent Kompany is eyeing a swoop to bring the defender, who is interested in joining the newly-promoted side, to Turf Moor and is still trying to snap him up after having an offer turned down.

The reporter revealed:

"#BurnleyFC pushing for Cody #Drameh ! A first offer has been refused by #LeedsUnited who's waiting for an improved offer from the newly promoted. Discussions continue to find an agreement. Player keen on the move."

How would Cody Drameh fit in at Burnley?

He is a right-back by trade and his form on loan at playoff winners Luton Town in the Championship in the season just gone suggests that the talented enforcer could be an excellent partner for Manuel Benson down the right flank.

In 2022/23, Drameh averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.09 across 16 appearances for the Hatters in the second half of the campaign and made 4.2 tackles and interceptions per game for his side.

Over the last 365 days, the English dynamo ranks in the top 3% or higher of players in his position in the Men's 'Next Eight Competitions' for tackles and blocks made respectively per 90. This shows that the terrific youngster excels at making defensive interventions to cut out opposition attacks when they threaten his goal.

Benson, on the other hand, is a winger who does not make a huge defensive contribution to his team.

Amongst his positional peers in the Men's 'Next Eight Competitions' over the last 365 days, the Belgian forward is in the bottom 17% or lower for tackles, blocks, clearances, aerial battles won, and interceptions per 90.

He does, however, rank in the top 3% for progressive carries and non-penalty goals per 90 and ended the Championship season with 11 goals in 33 appearances for the Clarets, meaning he represents an ideal outlet for the aforementioned target.

Therefore, the £4.4k-per-week Leeds ace, who was once hailed as a "Duracell bunny" by former boss Steve Morison, could be the perfect right-back to play behind Benson as his outstanding defensive qualities could allow the winger to focus on what he does best in the final third.

The current Burnley magician would be able to focus on making a big impact at the top end of the pitch to win the team vital points in the Premier League and Drameh could cover for him on the defensive end with his ability to make consistent interventions.

Arsenal are not giving up their pursuit of Ivan Fresneda, as Mikel Arteta and Edu work on equipping the Emirates with added star talent this summer.

The Gunners fell agonisingly short to Manchester City last season, however with extended depth, the gap could be bridged ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Long-term target Fresneda has been of interest to the north Londoners since the January window, when Fabrizio Romano confirmed the teenager would stay in La Liga amidst interest from Arsenal.

Now, it looks as though Arteta will continue to push for the youngster, who could add a wave of talent to the ranks at the Emirates.

Could Arsenal sign Ivan Fresneda?

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo last week, Arsenal are moving ‘faster’ than the likes of Barcelona and AC Milan in striking a deal for Fresneda.

The report claims that the Gunners have an economic upper hand, with interest claimed to have been ‘reactivated’ with the players’ release clause dropping to just €20m (£17m) following Real Valladolid’s relegation.

How good is Ivan Fresneda?

Hailed as a “serious talent” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the 18-year-old has become one of the most in-demand young defenders in Europe.

In his debut season in La Liga, the youngster made 22 appearances for his club and captured the eye of the league for his playing style as an inverted right-back.

The teenager's intricate style is exactly what Arteta is equipping to his side, as highlighted through his requirements from full-backs Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko when getting forward on the flanks.

Speaking of the Ukrainian, journalist Sam Dean revealed last month that Arsenal would aim to identify another ‘Zinchenko-type’ player this transfer window, with reference to the move for Jurrien Timber.

While the Timber deal looks almost complete, signing Fresneda could be a smart move for the Gunners in the bid to relieve their side of deadwood and revamp the squad to that of a consistent title challenger.

The “dynamic” talent of the Madrid-born sensation – as hailed by Mango – could allow the Londoners to show lower-performing rotation players the door, particularly fellow right-back Cedric Soares.

The Portuguese defender went on loan to Fulham in January in a bid to rediscover his form, however the 31-year-old was used on just six occasions in the Premier League for the Cottagers, in a disappointing spell.

With his contract expiring next summer, it could be time for Arsenal to cash in on the former Southampton full-back, who looks to be moving further and further away from Arteta’s plans at the Emirates.

Introducing a player like Fresneda in his place would show the progression at the club, in replacing an ageing underperformer with an exciting young talent.

When comparing the two players via FBref, it’s clear to see how the Gunners could deliver an upgrade in replacing Cedric for the Spaniard.

The 18-year-old averaged 2.48 tackles and 1.65 blocks per 90 for Valladolid in La Liga last term, while completing an impressive average of 2.48 progressive carries per 90 to highlight his ability going forward.

The Portuguese defender fell short of the youngster in such areas, averaging 2.30 tackles and 1.09 blocks per 90 and just 1.03 progressive carries per 90 for Arsenal in the 2021/22 campaign, suggesting his lack of suitability for the role wanted by Arteta from his full-backs.

The Spaniard could rejuvenate his side by making swaps in the quality of his depth, ensuring a potential move for Fresneda could be an impeccable decision.

Glasgow Rangers reporter for The Athletic Jordan Campbell was left fuming over the ‘farcical’ decision to give a penalty for a handball by Antonio Colak.

The Lowdown: Penalty given

Partick Thistle were awarded a penalty in their Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon, as Colak was adjudged to have deliberately handballed in the box, which led to Kevin Holt putting the visitors in front from the spot before half-time.

The decision stirred up plenty of controversy, with pundits Alan Hutton and Martin Bartley both disagreeing with it arguing that Colak needed his arms up for balance, and the latter calling it ‘mind-boggling’ after the referee was sent to the monitor by VAR to look at it.

The Latest: Campbell reaction

Taking to Twitter, Campbell called the decision ‘farcical’ after watching it back:

“First time I’ve seen this back. Deary me. That might be the most farcical one yet, although I’m not even sure the vague wording of the rule can be blamed here. He’s literally turned as he’s landing from a jump!”

The Verdict: Bad weekend for VAR

This incident was not the first that VAR got badly wrong over the weekend, with the PGMOL confirming that Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb contacted both Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion in the English Premier League to acknowledge ‘significant errors’ made in respective games they were involved in.

VAR was introduced in Scottish football in October, but already there are seemingly problems with those operating it trying to re-referee games and giving poor advice to officials on the pitch.

Of course, VAR can also help referees get to correct decisions as well, but too many times are mistakes being made when the technology is there.

Luckily, this particular incident did not cost Rangers, as they won 3-2 in the end, but they will be wary going into their next set of fixtures.

Crystal Palace are keen on a move to bring Steve Biko FC striker Adama Bojang to the Premier League, according to reports.

Who is Adama Bojang?

The Gambian is an exciting, up-and-coming talent who has worked his way through the ranks to become a regular feature for his current club. The £650k-valued forward has also started making a name for himself on the international stage, having recently represented his country at the AFCON U20s tournament and is expected to feature at the U20 World Cup later this year.

Recent reports have suggested that the 18-year-old is hoping to put himself in the shop window by delivering a consistent run of strong performances for Gambia’s youth side, and it would appear that his hard work has already paid off, having caught the eye of the Eagles.

According to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace and Chelsea are the latest clubs to “register an interest” in securing the services of Bojang ahead of the 2023/24 term. Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest are also name-checked as teams “monitoring” the teenager’s development. The Premier League sides are all “considering” purchasing the striker and sending him straight back out on loan as a result of potential issues arising when it comes to arranging a work permit. Meanwhile, Marseille, Ajax, Royal Antwerp and Napoli are also “in the mix”.

Would Bojang be a good signing for Palace?

Bojang is still very much in the early stages of his development and career as a whole, and would need to gain more senior experience before being considered a member of the first team, but he would almost certainly be an exciting signing for the long-term future at Palace.

The SPOCS Global Sports client scored four goals and provided one assist in six appearances at the AFCON tournament in Egypt where he significantly contributed to his side making it all the way to the final back in March, as per Transfermarkt. Standing at 6 foot 3, the youngster could also be an ideal target man, with his height making him a useful option and focal point to have in the final third when it comes to getting on the end of long balls and set pieces.

Finally, Bojang has been likened to AS Roma and former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham by talent scout Jacek Kulig, so should he possess similar qualities, he could yet be an extremely positive acquisition at Selhurst Park.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is eyeing a move for Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay as he seeks clarity over the side's newfound prominence.

What's the latest on Newcastle's pursuit of Scott McTominay?

That's following a recent report from the Northern Echo, which states that the Scotland international is a 'viable' option for the Toon as they look to fortify the midfield after qualifying for the Champions League.

The long-term target is believed to be seeking an exit from Old Trafford after telling friends that he is disgruntled after falling out of favour under Erik ten Hag.

The 26-year-old is valued at around £30m by the Red Devils but Magpies technical director Dan Ashworth is cautious to part with such an exorbitant fee for a player so firmly on the periphery at the Theatre of Dreams.

Should Newcastle sign Scott McTominay?

The general consensus is that McTominay will be shipped on this summer after starting just ten times in the Premier League this term, though he did play 39 times across all competitions and missed 15 matches due to injury.

However, his recent exploits with the Scottish national team have exhibited his prowess and just how effective he can be when provided a central role, with the 38-cap international scoring four goals from two matches during the last international break, including a dominant performance against Spain that left him with a Sofascore rating of 8.0.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 19% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for touches in the attacking box, the top 21% for tackles, the top 1% for clearances and the top 2% for aerials won per 90, and has also been hailed as "superb" by former MEN writer Hesham Bilal-Hafiz.

The £60k-per-week ace could emulate former Newcastle star Yohan Cabaye at St. James' Park, with the Frenchman forging 93 displays for the Toon, scoring 18 goals and 14 assists, before signing for Paris Saint-Germain for around £20m in 2014.

Cabaye was once lauded by former Magpies manager Alan Pardew for his "true character" and for having "that X-factor", with an analysis from James Eastham stating that his teammates were 'primed to expect penetrative, precise service whenever Cabaye is in possession'.

McTominay, who was dubbed a "real threat" by Roberto Martinez, could emulate that role and combine his aforementioned defensive aptitude with a knack for effectively contributing to the offensive transitions.

And with Cabaye boasting career defensive metrics of 2.6 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per game, as per WhoScored, he too served as a rock that Mctominay could indeed emulate to contribute towards Newcastle's present endeavours, searching for success unseen at the club in a very long time.