Liverpool's season of struggle has come to a welcomed pause due to the international break and Jurgen Klopp will be assessing which players he will have at his disposal when the side return to action in the Premier League against Manchester City next month.

The Reds are currently seven points shy of a Champions League qualifying spot ahead of their remaining 12 top-flight fixtures and with a trophy out of sight, the manager can now fully focus on closing the gap with Tottenham Hotspur in fourth.

The Merseyside club has tallied up the worst injury record in the entire Premier League this season so far which has been a huge contributor to the inconsistent selection and performances on the pitch, however, this could be about to change just in time.

Explosive winger Luis Diaz is expected to be available for the highly-anticipated Etihad meeting on April 1st alongside Joe Gomez and Thiago Alcantara, which is a massive boost for Klopp going into the business end of the season with top four looking hard to grasp at present.

Indeed, the squad suffered a huge blow when midfielder Stefan Bajcetic was ruled out of the season recently, however, the return of Thiago could be the saving grace Klopp desperately needs in the centre of the pitch.

Should Thiago start for Liverpool?

There is no doubt that Thiago has become a firm fan favourite since making the move from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2020 and has proven on many occasions exactly why he is a valuable asset to the Liverpool manager and team.

The 31-year-old midfielder – hailed "world-class" by former footballer George Chomakov – ranks in the top 9% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for passes attempted, pass completion, progressive passes, tackles and interceptions, proving that he remains one of the best deep-lying players on the continent.

Over 14 Premier League appearances, Thiago has demonstrated his class through a pass completion rate of 86%, proving he is one of the best conductors in the squad.

A midfielder who oozes class on the ball, the Spaniard has successfully completed 83% of his dribble attempts, as well as averaging 1.2 key passes.

His German coach has never been short of praise for the player and his impact when fit, stating:

"I knew that when he arrived here, of course. He was unlucky with injuries and stuff like this at the start, but when he is fit he can give the game a real rhythm."

"He’s got an eye for that, he calms the game down in the right moments, he has a sensational overview of the game."

With that being said, in Liverpool's desperation to take control of games, the return of the £200k-per-week asset could not be more warmly welcomed by everyone.

Indeed, his presence on the pitch over the remaining fixtures could ensure that Klopp's charges end the season with a bang.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Thomas Zilliacus is not a favourite to take over Manchester United despite his recent bid to buy the club.

What's the latest on Thomas Zilliacus and the Man Utd takeover?

The Finnish businessman, chairman of the social media group novaM Group, entered the race to buy the Glazers asset after tabling a bid that would see him buy half of Manchester United and allow fans to buy the other half.

Of course, the likes of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have long been spoken about as possible new owners and had tabled their own bids before Zilliacus came forward.

And when talking about the situation on The United Stand, Romano refused to rule out the 69-year-old Finn completely – but claimed that he wasn't likely to succeed at this stage.

The journalist explained: "Honestly, I am not one to doubt him and his bid and this project. But at the same point, it's just a feeling because, you know, I'm not into the negotiations and so we don't know exactly what's going on.

"But the feeling of sources close to the negotiation is that the Qatari group and the INEOS group are the two big favourites. So if something will happen, these look like the two big favourites to buy Manchester United.

"Then we know that in football in general, and especially in a sales process with top clubs like Manchester United, we never know until the end. But these two groups are the two big favourites, for sure."

Who will buy Man Utd from the Glazers?

Despite the apparent doubt, Zilliacus certainly seems confident that his bid is comparable to what has been offered to the Glazer family so far.

Indeed, he recently told the Manchester Evening News: "The formal bid we have submitted is, I dare to say, on the same level and in line with the other bidders that have been discussed in public.

"We are discussing with a number of parties and if we are allowed to proceed, then we will select the ones who fit best into the framework in what we want to achieve with the club."

The article explains that Zilliacus' bid is being funded by XXI Century Capital, an investment firm owned by his holding company which comprises of investors from Europe, Asia and America.

However, it remains to be seen if the Glazers will even opt to sell to anyone, with the eldest member, Avram, said to be against a full sale of the club (via Daily Mail).

Ben Jacobs has revealed that Newcastle United have been scouting Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic – but they are not currently considered as frontrunners for his signature.

The Lowdown: Striker is a top priority

Despite spending £63m on a new striker last summer in the form of Alexander Isak, it seems that Newcastle are still in need of more attacking threat in the final third, having recently gone three games without a goal across all competitions.

Their goalscoring woes haven’t been helped by the serious drop-off in form from the usually reliable Callum Wilson, who has just one goal since October in the Premier League, so a new striker arriving in the summer could be a possibility.

That’s why someone such as Vlahovic is being linked with a move to the Premier League, while his current side, Juventus, are looking far from their usual impressive selves domestically and in Europe.

The Latest: Vlahovic being scouted by Newcastle

Jacobs has revealed on the NUFC Matters YouTube channel that Newcastle have recently sent scouts to watch Vlahovic, who has got 10 goals to his name this season.

He said: “With Dusan Vlahovic, I think there is a very realistic possibility of a move to the Premier League. Chelsea and Manchester United are the two primary clubs that have been looking at him.

“Newcastle have sent scouts as well in the past, and Vlahovic isn’t particularly happy at Juventus at this point, and because of their 15-point deduction, there’s really no guarantee that he is going to have Champions League football next season.”

The Verdict: Newcastle could make a statement signing

It would be quite the statement signing if Newcastle were able to tempt somebody away from Juventus who the Old Lady paid £66.6m for in January 2022 – especially while they are still a relatively unknown quantity at the top level.

Newcastle would almost certainly need to finish in the top four if they were to attract Vlahovic as they aren’t proven winners yet under Eddie Howe and PIF, so having the best European football on offer could go a long way to persuading him to join.

However, it would be a huge kick in the teeth and a major lack of faith in Isak if they were to go and recruit a big-name striker in the summer, especially when the Sweden international has proved his worth when given the chance to impress, with four goals in six league starts for the Toon.

Finance expert Kieran Maguire has been reacting to a Manchester United takeover update involving Thomas Zilliacus.

What’s the latest on a Manchester United takeover?

Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are seemingly the real frontrunners when it comes to a possible full takeover from the Glazers, with the pair eventually submitting revised bids after an extension last week.

They don’t appear to be alone in the race, though, with Zilliacus also stating that he has made an offer. The Finnish entrepreneur wanted to buy half of the club with the other half bought by fans, who will be part of club decision-making.

However, Zilliacus then proposed that himself, Ratcliffe and Jassim join forces for a deal, although the businessman is not thought to be being entirely ‘accurate’ with what he is announcing.

Maguire, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider regarding Zilliacus and a reported Old Trafford bid which would involve supporters. He feels as if it has been done to ‘get publicity’, describing it as ‘bizarre’.

“This is an easy win to try and get publicity. The credibility of the offer has to be brought into question. The nature of the bid doesn’t make sense.

“What we would find if it did happen, is that people would follow the herd when it came to major decisions. So I’m not taking this proposal particularly seriously – United fans have had the opportunity to buy shares in the club for many years and they chose not to do so. So why Zilliacus believes they would suddenly choose to do so under this model is bizarre."

What happens now at Old Trafford?

Jassim, Ratcliffe and potentially Zilliacus, should his offer prove to be accurate, will now be waiting to hear back from the Glazers on their stance over a possible sale.

Reports have suggested that Avram Glazer is against a full sale, whereas Joel Glazer could be persuaded, with the other four siblings, rumoured to be in favour of selling at a big profit. A £6bn figure has been floated around as the potential asking price, and with the potential sale of the NFL team Washington Commanders being valued at $6bn, Sky Sports have suggested this could push up the price tag at Old Trafford.

Tottenham Hotspur's search for a manager has been an unorthodox one, as it remains unclear as to whether Antonio Conte will actually be relieved of his duties now or at the end of the season.

The Italian's recent tirade following their 3-3 draw with Southampton for many marked the final straw, as he tore into the infrastructure of the club and essentially blamed the owner for their trophy drought.

He stated that no manager could solve the problems that ran throughout the club and that replacing him would change nothing, yet that still seems to be the plan that Daniel Levy is leaning towards.

The overwhelming favourite, at least among the fanbase, is unsurprisingly Mauricio Pochettino, and if anyone is to bring good times back to north London it is likely to be the Argentine.

It seemed like he was one of the few managers that truly understood what the club was about, and although he too could not win anything, he did bring them alongside the elites of English football and to a Champions League final as well.

Since his departure the club has lost its identity, prioritising flashy big-name managers to little success. Perhaps a return to their roots could be just what is needed, allowing the Lilywhites to stabilise and regain their identity once more.

Will Mauricio Pochettino return to Tottenham?

It will hardly have come as a shock to see the 51-year-old instantly referenced by The Athletic as one of the potential successors for Conte, whose contract expires at the conclusion of this season.

Pochettino has been out of work since his frustrating spell at Paris Saint-Germain was cut short last summer, and although linked with almost every high-profile job that has come available since, a return to Spurs seems almost inevitable.

Should he make that move, it would see him aim to finish the project he started back in 2014 when he was first appointed.

Whilst the squad has altered somewhat since his last stint, the core remains largely the same with a few key additions that are sure to have the experienced coach salivating. Particularly that of Richarlison, despite his abhorrent recent form.

Before the Brazilian had even moved to Everton, it was noted that Pochettino was keen on adding him to his squad at the time. As a fluid forward who can play all across the front line, the 25-year-old perfectly suited the free-flowing system of the former Saints boss that had led to much acclaim.

Perhaps finally bringing these two together could revive the ex-Watford striker, who is yet to score a Premier League goal for his new club. Having clearly reacted well to the happy-go-lucky management of Frank Lampard, as his ten league goals fired the Toffees to safety, his proposed new boss would boast a similar style but with far more tactical complexity.

Under the tutelage of a truly "world-class" manager, as branded by pundit and ex-Lilywhites midfielder Jamie O'Hara, Richarlison could finally reach the heights that legendary figure Carlo Ancelotti set out for him when he triumphantly noted that "he can fight for the Ballon d'Or."

Manchester United are eyeing up a swoop for World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister this summer as Erik ten Hag continues his rebuild.

What’s the latest on Alexis Mac Allister to Manchester United?

According to Argentinian reporter Cesar Luis Merlo, United are fighting it out with Liverpool and Arsenal in order to lure the Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window.

Merlo claims that two of the clubs are ‘already negotiating’ with the player, although he doesn’t state which teams that is.

The south coast side were looking at £50m in order for any team to prise Mac Allister away from the club during the January window and come the end of the season, this figure may have increased.

Could Manchester United sign Alexis Mac Allister?

Ten Hag is still a few signings short of completing a team which can compete for the Premier League title and Mac Allister would certainly improve the team that’s for sure.

With the Dutchman also looking to ship out some deadwood and underperformers during the summer, the Argentinian could be a big upgrade on Scott McTominay.

Indeed, this season, the 24-year-old has registered more goals (eight to none), shots per game (2.35 to 0.78), tackles won (30 to 18) and has a higher pass success rate than the Scot (86.7% to 81.9%), proving he has been much more effective across all areas of the pitch.

Ten Hag would love to add another midfielder who can pose a significant goal threat and Mac Allister ranks in the top 5% across Europe’s big five leagues for goals, total shots and penalty kicks made, meaning United would be signing one of the finest goalscoring midfielders in the continent if they lured him to the club.

His experience at the highest level is also a big plus for the Dutchman. Reporter Roy Nemer lauded the midfielder as being “unplayable” during the 2022 World Cup final that Argentina won, and he was incredible throughout the duration of the competition.

He averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.05/10 across six matches, scoring once, creating two big chances and making 1.3 key passes per match along with taking 1.2 shots per game, displaying his attacking qualities on the grandest stage of all.

McTominay has started just nine Premier League matches for United this season, making 20 appearances overall, and it looks as though his career at the Red Devils could be coming to an end.

In Mac Allister they will have a player who is a big upgrade on the 26-year-old and one who can further strengthen United’s midfield.

While in the short-term Everton boss Sean Dyche will be looking to steer the club to safety following what has been another turbulent campaign, the Englishman will also likely need to look beyond this season and consider how he can build a brighter future for the struggling outfit moving forward.

If the former Burnley boss is looking to carry out something of a squad overhaul this summer, however, in order to spark that change, the club's financial woes may prove a notable stumbling block, with funds likely to be limited to spend on new recruits.

Instead of scouring the transfer market for new additions, the 51-year-old could instead look to the Toffees' academy ranks in order to find potential stars of the future who can be gradually eased into the first-team, with 19-year-old midfielder, Isaac Price, seemingly one such prospect who should be given a chance to shine.

Who is Everton's Isaac Price?

It does appear that the centre of the park is an area that is in need of a reshuffle at Goodison Park, with the likes of Tom Davies and Abdoulaye Doucoure set to be out of contract this summer and next summer, respectively, while at 33, Idrissa Gueye is also no long-term option.

While owner Farhad Moshiri did invest £15m to bring promising asset James Garner to Merseyside from Manchester United during the summer, the 22-year-old has thus far been unable to make his mark at the club, having been hampered by injury.

The England youth international has been restricted to just six Premier League appearances so far this term – all of which have come from the bench – with Everton yet to have seen the benefit in snapping up the youngster from Old Trafford.

Although the 6 foot 1 ace may still come good in his current surroundings, Garner may be fearful that he could see his chance of game time inhibited even further due to the presence of the aforementioned Price, with the teenager already making waves for both club and country.

Previously hailed as "terrific" by U23's boss David Unsworth and lauded as "talented" by journalist Joe Thomas, the midfield maestro has already made three appearances for the club at senior level, notably featuring off the bench against Arsenal at the end of last season.

The exciting talent was previously described as "outstanding" by teammate Asmir Begovic after starring in the mid-season friendly clash against Celtic back in November, with The Athletic's Patrick Boyland stating that the teen had made "made an impression on coaches + teammates during Everton's tour."

The Northern Irishman was also the recipient of praise from former boss Frank Lampard due to that impact during the World Cup break, with the one-time Chelsea man having stated: "His energy is amazing, wins a lot of second balls & is calm when he gets there. Finds passes & pockets which is natural knack. He puts himself in the frame now."

Clearly a highly-rated individual, Price was handed his senior international debut by Michael O'Neill against San Marino last week, before again featuring off the bench in the defeat to Finland just a few days later.

That follows the academy sensation's impressive form at youth level for the Toffees, as he has netted three goals and provided two assists in 18 Premier League 2 games this season, proving himself adept at making an impact in the final third.

With Dyche's men currently the joint-lowest scorers in the division, a figure such as Price could be just what Everton are in need of, with it looking as if he could be a star of the future.

Moshiri and co will first need to get the precocious talent tied down to a new deal sooner rather than later – with just a matter of months to run on his existing contract – although thankfully, discussions over an extension are "ongoing", according to Boyland.

Chelsea have made contact to bring Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana to the Premier League, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Long-term admirers

Football Insider recently reported that the Blues are in no rush to hand Kepa Arrizabalaga a contract extension despite his return to the side, and with Edouard Mendy’s future also uncertain, Graham Potter is expected to enter the market for a new number one in the summer.

The Cameroon international’s contract at the San Siro doesn’t expire until 2027 but following an impressive run of performances under Simone Inzaghi has caught the eye of the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge, but not for the first time.

The Athletic first credited the SW6 outfit with an interest in the 26-year-old three years ago, so they are clearly long-term admirers, and it’s believed that he was open to a move to the top-flight at the time.

The Latest: Chelsea make contact

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Chelsea and Manchester United have both emerged as ‘threats’ to take Onana away from Inter Milan ahead of the 2023/24 term.

The English duo have already ‘knocked on his door’, but it’s stated that he is currently ‘uninterested’ in a move elsewhere having only arrived in the Serie A last summer.

The Nerazzurri are keen to keep hold of their shot-stopper, though it is claimed that a ‘mind-boggling offer’ could be enough to prise him away.

Inter are, as it stands, ‘resisting’ the attention and the fee needed to sell him yet remains to be seen but it’s suggested that the Blues should at least ‘give it a try’.

The Verdict: Mendy replacement

Chelsea are reportedly ready to sell Mendy following a breakdown in contract renewal talks, so should he depart at the end of the season, Onana would be the perfect replacement.

The 6 foot 2 colossus has kept an impressive 14 clean sheets in 28 appearances across all competitions this season and ranks in the 98th percentile for save percentage, highlighting the rock he is between the sticks and how well he organises his backline.

The Adidas-sponsored star will also know what it takes to be successful at the highest level having won seven trophies throughout his career, so can bring this winning mentality to the Bridge.

Onana has been dubbed a ‘charismatic’ player by talent scout Jacek Kulig so would be the ideal leader to freshen up the goalkeeping ranks later in the summer.

Leeds United are reportedly plotting a summer move for Ferencvaros striker Ryan Mmaee, Football Insider reports.

What’s the latest news on Leeds and Mmaee?

Mmaee is primarily a centre-forward who can play as a second striker or as a left-winger and is a Morocco international. The 25-year-old is currently valued at a career-high €2.8m (£2.5m) by Transfermarkt and has been with the Hungarian side since 2021, where he has scored 31 goals in 68 games – 12 of which have come during the current campaign.

He is under contract until 2025 and has featured in the Europa League this season, and his displays appear to have caught the eye of those at Elland Road.

Football Insider shared a story in the last 48 hours on Leeds’ interest in Mmaee. They revealed that the Whites, and by extension future owners the 49ers Enterprises, are keeping tabs on the forward and are plotting a move for his signature, should they remain in the Premier League.

Leeds have regularly scouted Mmaee and the report says that their chances of a summer swoop have been boosted after a big win over relegation rivals Nottingham Forest in the week, as a deal is thought to hinge on whether they can retain their Premier League status.

Why are Leeds on the hunt for a new striker?

Leeds haven’t exactly lacked goals this season, scoring 38 times in 29 games, the second most of any side in the bottom half. Rodrigo has been the club’s main source of goals, netting eight more than any other player, with wide forwards Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra, Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto all chipping in.

However, Javi Gracia’s two other striker options alongside Rodrigo, Patrick Bamford and Gerginuo Rutter, have struggled in front of goal. Bamford has suffered a number of injury problems in recent years and reportedly has many proposals to leave the club this summer. Meanwhile, club record signing Rutter is still adapting to life in England and is yet to get off the mark in front of goal after joining back in January.

Therefore, should Bamford depart over the coming months, a new forward to challenge Rodrigo and Rutter could be of use at Elland Road, with Mmaee seemingly an option.

Real Madrid’s Mariano Diaz has also been name-checked as a potential target, and under likely new owners in the 49ers Enterprises, Leeds could be in for another busy summer as they are also set to trigger a £30m option to make Weston McKennie’s loan into a permanent deal after agreeing on personal terms, providing they remain in the top flight.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side this season has been a well-oiled machine, running perfectly as they have climbed to the top of the Premier League table, and more importantly, stayed there. The question is, can they maintain their form over the next few weeks to claim the title?

The Spaniard has endured a tough few seasons in charge of the club and the patience of the board looks as though it will finally bear fruit this term. Arteta has had to slowly improve his squad while getting rid of various players who weren’t contributing enough during his first few years at the helm.

One of those players was David Luiz, who joined the north Londoners in 2019 under former manager Unai Emery. Sadly, he turned out to be a waste of money during his stint at the club.

How much did David Luiz cost Arsenal?

The Brazilian centre-back was well known for his abilities due to his experience with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain before arriving at the Emirates for £8m in 2019.

For that fee, it looked as though the club had received a defender with vast knowledge of the Premier League that could shore up their backline.

Having won the Champions League and Premier League during his spell at Stamford Bridge, bringing a winning mentality to Emery’s side was crucial as he eyed glory, yet his two-year spell didn’t exactly go to plan.

He made 73 appearances for the Gunners over two seasons, scoring four goals, however, his seasonal Sofascore ratings of 6.75 and 6.82 in that time frame were hardly enough to convince the supporters he was the player they needed.

Arsenal conceded 48 and 39 goals in the league alone when Luiz was part of their defence, while his often comical style certainly didn’t help.

Indeed, journalist Chisanga Malata criticised the Brazilian during the end of his first season, saying: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, David Luiz is one of the worst players in the Premier League. Can’t defend, positionally useless and has the decision-making of an imbecile.”

This basically sums up his career in a nutshell with the centre-back having made the most errors leading to a Premier League goal in 2020 by the midway point of the year.

Along with the £8m transfer fee, Luiz also earned £15.6m in wages during his time at Arsenal, rinsing the club for a combined figure of £23.6m over his shoddy 98-week spell, before leaving for nothing at the end of the 2020/21 campaign when his contract expired.

Arteta certainly won't be making mistakes of this magnitude like his predecessor, that’s for sure.