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Glasgow Rangers face Napoli on Wednesday evening in their second Champions League match, knowing that it could be a game that boosts the Ibrox side’s confidence following two thrashings at the hands of Celtic and Ajax, or it could totally derail their season.

The team need a positive result to relieve some of the pressure that Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the board have come under over the previous two weeks and a home tie against one of the best Serie A sides will pose a significant challenge.

One thing is for certain, the starting XI needs to be changed ahead of the contest, with various members of the first team showing no heart or desire in the last two matches, with Ryan Kent amongst them.

Van Bronckhorst must ditch Kent for Napoli

Ryan Kent is arguably the Light Blue’s biggest creative talent, and the stats prove this over the course of his spell in Glasgow, with 30 goals and 50 assists proving the £7.5m fee the Gers stumped up to sign him up has been justified.

However, his performances this season have been disappointing, to say the least, with Rangers Review Journalist Derek Clark stating that Kent has been “misfiring” as of late, and with no goals scored and just three assists all season, this criticism is warranted.

Clark also claimed on the Rangers Review Youtube channel that he thinks Kent should have “a spell on the side-lines” and Van Bronckhorst should seriously consider this option,

In the Premiership this season, the Englishman has only made 1.5 dribbles per match, lost possession on average 14.2 times every game, and makes only one accurate cross per game – and these stats clearly show his influence is affecting the rest of the team.

Rangers icon Ally McCoist even weighed into the topic, suggesting that Kent was “lazy” following his performance against Ajax and when an Ibrox legend slams your performances, it’s time to give someone else a shot on the left wing.

The question is who? Fashion Sakala can add that air of unpredictability but has only featured for a grand total of 12 minutes in the league so match sharpness will clearly be an issue.

It’s a tough call for the Dutchman, it’s too soon to say the club are in a crisis, but another 4-0 thrashing by Napoli and serious questions will be raised – with Kent appearing to be a prime candidate for a stint on the bench following his slow start to the season.

Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Arthur Melo’s situation at Liverpool, revealing that the loanee is expected to stay at Anfield in January.

The Lowdown: Melo’s transfer

Heading into deadline day with Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all injured, it was imperative for the Reds to secure an additional midfielder before the transfer window closed.

It was duly announced the Merseyside club had reach a season-long loan agreement with Juventus over the transfer of the 26-year-old midfielder.

The Bianconeri revealed that Jurgen Klopp’s side had paid €4.5m (£3.9m) as an initial loan fee, with the option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season for €37.5m (£32.3m).

The Latest: Romano’s claim

Despite his much-needed arrival at Anfield, the Brazil international is yet to make an appearance for Liverpool in the Premier League, featuring for just 13 minutes of a possible 270 in all competitions since his deadline day move.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, the Reds are considering cutting Melo’s loan short, with the view to bring in a replacement during the winter. However, Romano has now shared an update on these rumours, stating that the midfielder is expected to remain with the Merseyside club.

Taking to Twitter, the reliable journalist claimed: “Arthur Melo had the chance to play for 90 minutes with Liverpool U21 team — it’s his first start in 129 days, working hard to be 100% ready. #LFC

“Arthur will keep working at the AXA Training Centre. No plans to leave in January on player or Liverpool side, as mentioned.”

The Verdict: Big opportunity

Despite joining Juventus from Barcelona in 2020 in a swap deal with Miralem Pjanic worth £66m, Melo struggled to establish himself as an essential part of Massimiliano Allegri’s XI in Turin.

In Serie A last season, the Brazilian featured in the starting line-up on just 11 occasions, coming off the bench in nine other matches.

Amid Liverpool’s abundance of midfield injuries, Melo’s arrival at Anfield could provide him with a very good opportunity to get his career at the top level back on track, especially with the World Cup around the corner.

As a result, the player will be hoping to get fully integrated into Klopp’s team as soon as possible. A full-game runout in the under-21s’ Premier League 2 win over Leicester on Saturday could be the first stepping stone on the journey.

Liverpool have received a timely injury boost, ahead of Tuesday’s crunch Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

What’s the word?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp revealed that forward Roberto Firmino could be in contention to feature at Villa Park, having trained ahead of the meeting with Steven Gerrard’s side.

Asked about the fitness of the Brazilian, the former Borussia Dortmund manager revealed that “he’s getting closer and closer” to making a return, while he went on to add that: “It’s a challenge [to pick a team] but the medical dept makes it easier sometimes. We will see but it’s challenging and that’s it. Bobby Firmino has trained so it is a decision for tomorrow.”

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The 30-year-old has been absent since picking up a foot injury during the FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester City at Wembley back in April, although made a welcome return to training last week to bolster his chances of featuring in the run-in.

Supporters will be buzzing

The Anfield outfit will seemingly be thankful to see the former Hoffenheim man back in action should he be passed fit to play, with the Merseysiders needing to utilise their vast resources as they continue their push for an unprecedented quadruple.

With a Carabao Cup triumph already in the bag – and with a place in the Champions League and FA Cup final’s now secure – the club’s present concern is to keep pace in the race for the Premier League title, having lost ground at the weekend following the frustrating 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

While securing a point against Antonio Conte’s talented side may not appear a major setback, the relentless nature of their title rivals, Manchester City, has meant that any dropped point is now treated as a catastrophe.

With just three games left of the season to play in the top-flight, the Reds are currently three points behind the reigning champions and with City holding a marginally superior goal difference, meaning the battle for the league crown is no longer in their own hands.

They will need to get back to winning ways in midweek, although meet a familiar face in club legend Gerrard, with the Englishman admitting that he will pushing for a win for his Villa side, despite the potential ramifications it could have on his former club.

In truth, the destination of the title could rest in the hands of the Midlands outfit, with the club also set to face Pep Guardiola’s men on the final day of the campaign.

As far as Tuesday’s game is concerned, however, having Firmino in tow will help bolster Liverpool’s hopes of victory, with the £34.2m-rated man having netted 11 goals and provided four assists in all competitions so far this season.

Although the £180k-per-week man – who has just a year remaining on his existing deal – may no longer be a guaranteed starter in the side, he offers undoubted quality and experience in reserve, having notably netted vital goals against the likes of Arsenal and Benfica prior to his recent injury lay off.

He also offers a typically hardworking focal point in attack, ranking in the top 1% for tackles and blocks made among players in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, as well as in the top 3% for pressures made.

Teammate Andy Robertson previously insisted that the striker acts “as the first line of defence” such is his intense work ethic, with that boundless energy likely to be required in what will undoubtedly be a hard-fought tussle at Villa Park.

IN other news: Liverpool could finally replace Wijnaldum by signing £23.4m-rated “elite presser”…

Newcastle United will reportedly now make a ‘bold’ bid to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Everton in the summer.

The Lowdown: On his way?

Transfer insider Dean Jones has claimed that there is a ‘decent chance’ that Calvert-Lewin will end up leaving Goodison Park this summer, with Arsenal thought to be interested in his signature.

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The Merseyside club have had a very underwhelming season, and still risk relegation from the Premier League, thus the striker may want to move on to a better team, especially with the Qatar World Cup coming later this year.

The Latest: Newcastle bid

Writing in his latest piece for The Daily Telegraph, reliable journalist Luke Edwards has revealed that the Magpies will now launch a ‘bold’ bid for Calvert-Lewin this summer, given that they have secured their top-flight status for next season.

That is not the case for the Toffees, who may be forced to sell if they end up relegated down to the Championship – although that does look unlikely barring a monumental collapse from this point.

The Verdict: Keep

Frank Lampard’s team must make sure that they can keep Calvert-Lewin at all costs, especially if they end up staying up.

Dubbed a ‘top striker’ by former Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti, the Englishman was perhaps at his best under the Italian, managing to score 29 goals and make a further six assists in 60 games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt).

He has unfortunately been plagued by injuries this campaign, but there is no doubting his qualities when fit, and so he would be a very difficult player to replace.

In other news, find out what ‘certain’ EFC claim this injury expert has now dropped here!

Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic may depart Selhurst Park this summer, according to Inside Futbol.

The Lowdown: Milivojevic under Vieira

Milivojevic, who Roy Hodgson labelled as ‘outstanding’, has struggled for regular game time under Patrick Vieira this season.

The 31-year-old has made just 10 starts in all competitions this season, the latest of which came against Aston Villa on the weekend.

That was the club captain’s first Premier League start since February, and as he enters the final 12 months of his Selhurst Park contract, it looks as if an early exit could be on the cards.

The Latest: Olympiacos make move

Inside Futbol shared an update on Milivojevic’s future on Tuesday. They claim that former side Olympiacos are keen to bring him back to the club and have already made moves to get a deal in place.

The report adds that Milivojevic is considering his Eagles future and that he could even ask Steve Parish and Co. to terminate his contract.

The Verdict: Additions needed first

Vieira could be fairly short of midfield options in the summer, with Conor Gallagher set to return to Chelsea following an extremely successful season-long loan.

Cheikhou Kouyate is also out of contract at the end of June, so if Palace let Milivojevic go, Jairo Riedewald could be the club’s only senior defensive midfielder on the books.

Therefore, holding midfield additions could be needed first before the club possibly allow Milivojevic, who doesn’t appear to be fancied under Vieira, to cut short his five-year Palace stay.

In other news: Reliable journalist now reveals ‘secret’ Parish and Vieira plan from SE25. 

Leeds United are closing in on the signing of Reb Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson, according to reliable journalist and MLS insider Tom Bogert. 

The lowdown: Rising star

Born in New Jersey, the 21-year-old made the grade for MLS outfit Philidelphia Union before heading to Europe in 2021.

Since arriving in Austria, the USA international has provided 28 direct goal contributions in 65 outings for Salzburg, lifting two Austrian Bundesliga titles and two Austrian Cups in the process.

Having been on the radar at Elland Road for some time, a move for the player now appears to be closer than ever to completion as Jesse Marsch gets to work in the market…

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The latest: ‘Signed & done’

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday evening, Bogert confirmed that the deal was on the brink of being completed as the 18-cap American heads to Thorp Arch.

He stated: “Sources: Brenden Aaronson has arrived in England to do his medical (tomorrow) and officially complete his $30 million transfer to Leeds United from RB Salzburg. Getting deal signed & done before Aaronson joins USMNT for friendlies against Morocco & Uruguay then Nations League.”

The verdict: Superb start

Whilst there has been much speculation about possible outgoings from the Whites squad, it’s crucial that Marsch and Victor Orta get their own incomings in order swiftly.

Holding a market value of £18m (Transfermarkt), signing Aaronson for the mooted $30m (£23.8m) fee has to be regarded as an excellent piece of business for a fully-fledged 21-year-old international talent.

During the recently completed 2021/22 campaign the attacking midfielder scored six times and provided 10 assists in 41 appearances, including five direct goal contributions as Salzburg went on a Champions League adventure through qualifying and the group stage.

Predominantly operating as a number 10, Aaronson’s imminent arrival at Elland Road may see Marsch implement a formation switch next term as the 48-year-old looks to successfully integrate his compatriot into the Premier League and guide Leeds to a more promising campaign.

In other news, Leeds are eyeing up another signing after Aaronson. Find out who it is here

Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho still faces an uncertain future with the 35-year-old’s contract set to expire next month with manager Bruno Lage keen to keep the Portuguese veteran on.

What’s the story?

That’s according to Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness) who claim that Lage has asked the Wolves hierarchy to offer Moutinho a new contract whilst Europa Conference League winners AS Roma are reportedly keen.

Roma, managed by ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho, have offered the 35-year-old the opportunity to take on a new challenge in Italy with his fellow countryman Mourinho reportedly appreciative of ‘the characteristics and personality of the player.’

Moreover, there is a suggestion that Moutinho could become the Portuguese manager’s assistant in the future with the midfielder turning 36 in September.

Lage will be furious

Although some supporters will accept the idea of Moutinho leaving as a free agent, Lage will be furious that his wishes to keep the experienced midfielder at Molineux have been ignored if a contract extension isn’t offered.

Despite not being a long-term option for Wolves, the £100k-per-week Moutinho has been excellent since arriving from Monaco in 2018, making 176 appearances for the Golden Boys in his four seasons in the Black Country.

Furthermore, Match of the Day commentator Gary Mowbray once referred to the midfielder as being a “Rolls-Royce.” 

With 144 caps for Portugal alongside a total of 774 club appearances, Moutinho’s experience is second-to-none and therefore his potential departure will certainly be a major blow.

Moreover, it appears likely that fellow midfielder Ruben Neves will be seeking a new challenge after five years at Wolves, with the likes of Barcelona, Manchester United and Arsenal keen on the 25-year-old.

Therefore, if both Moutinho and Neves are to depart, Wolves will need to put together a brand new midfield which will certainly be a risk.

However, it could also provide Lage with the opportunity to build a team of players he wants with the vast majority of the current squad players he inherited.

The 35-year-old’s Molineux farewell was always going to come within the next year or two but to have his request of offering the midfielder a contract extension ignored, Lage will be furious if his fellow countryman leaves as a free agent.

AND in other news: Negotiations underway: Lage handed big Wolves transfer boost that supporters will love

Crystal Palace are eyeing an ambitious move for Bayern Munich defender Chris Richards, according to The Telegraph.

The Lowdown: Richards profiled

The 22-year-old, who has been hailed as an ‘athletic freak’ by former USA national team scout Thomas Rongen, can play anywhere across the back four.

Primarily a centre-back, Richards is valued by Transfermarkt at a career-high £6.75m. He has spent time out on loan with Hoffenheim after joining Bayern Munich from FC Dallas in 2018.

Richards has only made 10 senior appearances for Bayern and is under contract until 2025, but it looks as if Patrick Vieira has his eyes on a move for the pacey USA international.

The Latest: Palace interest in Richards

The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath shared a Palace transfer update on Monday afternoon, revealing that Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure is the club’s priority this summer.

McGrath added that Richards has also been looked at and is an ambitious target, with a move a possibility.

The Verdict: One to watch…

It looks as if Doucoure and Sam Johnstone are primary targets for Palace early in the transfer window, although Richards is also one to keep an eye on following the update from the reliable reporter.

You can see why Vieira would want to bolster his centre-back ranks after relying heavily on Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen during his first season at Selhurst Park.

James Tomkins and Jaroslaw Jack are out of contract at the end of June, while Nathan Ferguson has struggled to stay fit, so signing Richards could be a shrewd move.

In other news: ‘Interested…’ – Transfer insider drops big Palace claim involving ‘brilliant’ EPL supremo. 

Dutch transfer journalist Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf has shared a big Tottenham Hotspur exit update involving want-away winger Steven Bergwijn.

The Lowdown: Bergwijn eyes exit…

The Netherlands international openly admitted that he intends to leave Spurs this summer as manager Antonio Conte cannot give him a sufficient amount of game time.

Despite weighing in with crucial contributions at big points over 2021/2022, including his last minute brace to clinch a 3-2 victory away to Leicester City, Bergwijn has found it hard to fight his way past the in-form Dejan Kulusevski in Tottenham’s pecking order.

As such, Eredivisie giants Ajax have been plotting to bring him back across the English channel with Verweij now sharing an update on the situation.

The Latest: Personal terms a ‘formality’…

The reporter, taking to Twitter, claims a five-year contract for Bergwijn at Ajax is a ‘formality’ – going on to state in his piece that the 24-year-old has an ‘outline agreement’ on personal terms to leave Tottenham.

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However, it is also believed that the Amsterdam outfit have been indecisive in terms of an offer to Spurs and will have to shake off emerging competition from the Premier League (De Telegraaf).

The Verdict: Time to go?

Lauded as a ‘big-game monster’ in recent seasons by members of the media (John Cross, Daily Mirror), as evident by his heroics at the King Power Stadium, his quality at times is perhaps deserving of more regular chances.

Depending on the fee Spurs can obtain from Ajax or any other interested party, we believe it is best to amicably part company before the start of 2022/2023.

Allowing the player more regular minutes at a high level team while Spurs bank a decent fee to reinvest into other positions feels like a win-win.

In other news: ‘Better and better’ – Tottenham could make announcement ‘in the coming days’, says insider…find out more here.

Aberdeen are demanding an up-front payment of £5m for youngster Calvin Ramsay, as Liverpool continue to close in on a move for him this summer.

The Lowdown: Ramsay close to Liverpool move

In recent days, it has become increasingly likely that the 18-year-old will become a Reds player, unless there is a dramatic late twist.

Ramsay has been picked out as an ideal backup to Trent Alexander-Arnold moving forward, in a move which would allow Neco Williams to leave permanently.

It isn’t a done deal just yet, though, with a new update providing a twist on the tale.

The Latest: Aberdeen want £5m up-front

According to the Daily Mail, Aberdeen want an immediate payment of £5m, with Liverpool hoping that they could snap him up for £4m.

The ‘total package’ could end up coming to £8.5m, at which point Ramsay would be allowed to move to Anfield.

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The Verdict: Should still get done

While this is a slight roadblock for the Reds, it does still feel as though Ramsay will join the club imminently, with all parties eventually coming to an agreement.

The transfer feels too far along for it to fall through now, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that personal terms are on the brink of being agreed, and it would be surprising if the right-back isn’t plying his trade at Anfield next season.

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Liverpool have seemingly identified Ramsay as the perfect deputy for Alexander-Arnold for years to come, which is the ultimate compliment and suggests that the Scottish starlet is a player of immense potential. Nine assists in 39 appearances for Aberdeen before his 19th birthday is a very promising indicator of what he is capable of producing going forward.

In other news, a fresh update regarding one Liverpool hero’s future has emerged. Read more here