Leeds United face their toughest task of the season this afternoon as they travel along the M62 to face Manchester City at the Etihad, and new manager Sam Allardyce will be hoping he can inject the new manager bounce which is prevalent at so many clubs after a new appointment.

With just four matches left, Leeds occupy 17th spot in the Premier League table and wins are urgently required if they wish to retain their top-flight status for next season.

Allardyce does bring a wealth of experience with him, but will it be enough? With fixtures against City, Newcastle United, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur awaiting, it’s hard to fathom a way out, but stranger things have happened.

The 68-year-old is likely to utilise his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation at Leeds today, and this could mean a few changes from the 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend.

He will be missing Stuart Dallas, Luis Sinisterra and Tyler Adams, while Liam Cooper is also absent, although it is uncertain if he will return before the end of the season.

It will be interesting to see what starting XI Allardyce chooses. Here is what we are predicting…

How will Leeds United line up against Manchester City?

There could be as many as three changes from the team that faced Bournemouth as a new system is deployed.

Illan Meslier will retain his spot in goal despite conceding four against the Cherries last weekend and Allardyce will be hoping for a much better performance today.

The back three from last week will turn into a back four against City. Luke Ayling and Junior Firpo will be unleashed on the right and left side of the defence respectively, with Robin Koch and Maximillian Wober as the two centre-backs. This means Liam Cooper and Rasmus Kristensen will miss out, the former due to injury.

Marc Roca and Weston McKennie both keep their places, and they will form a midfield axis that Allardyce will hope can retain possession and try to create chances wherever possible.

Jack Harrison will replace Crysencio Summerville – and having scored once and registered two assists while operating on the right wing, he could be dangerous.

Wilfried Gnonto will start on the left flank while Rodrigo will be utilised in a new role just behind the striker. The £100k-per-week gem has been dubbed a “class above” by Micah Richards and is Leeds’ top scorer this term with 13 goals. He could link up well with Patrick Bamford, who will lead the line.

Predicted Leeds Utd XI (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Wober, Firpo; McKennie, Roca; Harrison, Rodrigo, Gnonto; Bamford

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is showing 'encouraging signs' in his new role under Jurgen Klopp, says journalist Pete O'Rourke.

What's the latest news involving Trent Alexander-Arnold?

Alexander-Arnold has been used in an inverted full-back role against Arsenal, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest for Liverpool recently, enabling him to step into the midfield area and influence play, resulting in the 24-year-old claiming four assists in his last three matches, as per Transfermarkt.

As per The Liverpool Echo, Reds manager Klopp spoke to the media about his usage of Alexander-Arnold in this position, saying:

“In each position he played for us, Trent was always a super-important player. This now slightly advanced role suits him in the moment really well.

“It's good, it’s a challenge for everyone else to cover the spaces when we lose the ball theoretically, but with him there we didn't lose that many balls, which was helpful as well."

WhoScored has shown the impact of the positional switch on his performance levels, as Alexander-Arnold has recorded a match rating of 7.88/10 vs Arsenal, 8.47 vs Leeds United and 7.44 against Nottingham Forest, respectively.

The £180k-a-week ace has adapted well to the tactical tweak by Klopp and has impressed his Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk with his ability to foray into central areas.

As cited by The Liverpool Echo, Netherlands international stated: "It's a work in progress but we all like it. We all have to be able to change in times and sometimes Trent has to drop, whereas sometimes he has to go higher."

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist O'Rourke thinks that the change in role for Alexander-Arnold can only have a positive impact at Anfield moving forward.

O'Rourke said: "So this new role looks like it might suit him, it gets him further up the pitch where he can maybe create things for other people as well. It's still a work in progress, I think.

"Obviously, it's pretty new to Liverpool and obviously to Alexander-Arnold. A lot of time still to perfect it as well. Encouraging signs for Jurgen Klopp and everyone connected with Liverpool."

Should Trent Alexander-Arnold be deployed in this role for the foreseeable future?

It's hard to argue against the possibility of Alexander-Arnold being utilised permanently there for the foreseeable future, given that his license to roam has afforded him more frequent opportunities to express his creative qualities.

There has been a lot of criticism directed at the defender's ability to actually defend this season but his quality going forward has been undeniable with over 3.7 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (via FBref).

Furthermore, when done correctly, you only need to look at reigning Premier League champions Manchester City to see how successful operating with inverted full-backs can be.

Of course, there is an adaptation process to get used to that can go wrong if the left and right flanks aren't appropriately covered from a defensive perspective; nevertheless, playing in this style also helps to isolate attackers one-on-one with the opposition defence, which isn't a position many would feel comfortable in against the likes of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo or Luis Diaz, for example.

With Klopp seemingly in a mood to test drive new tactical theories ahead of next term, he may have found one that could be massively beneficial to Liverpool in the long run.

زاد منتخب جنوب إفريقيا من غلة الأهداف في شباك نظيره ناميبيا، في اللقاء الجاري الآن ببطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا بتسجيل الهدف الثالث.

منتخب جنوب إفريقيا يلتقي مع ناميبيا، اليوم الأحد، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثانية من عمر مرحلة المجموعات لـ كأس أمم إفريقيا بكوت ديفوار.

وأحرز ثيمبا زواني الهدف الثاني له في اللقاء والثالث لمنتخب بلاده في الدقيقة 40 بعد مراوغة رائعة.

كلوب يشيد بلاعب ليفربول: ذكي بشكل لا يصدق.. ومحمد صلاح قد يعود لـ منتخب مصر في حالة واحدة

وكان بيرسي تاو قد أحرز هدف التقدم لمنتخب جنوب إفريقيا في الدقيقة 14 من ركلة جزاء، نفذها بنجاح، ثم سجل زواني أيضًا الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 25.

منتخبا جنوب إفريقيا وناميبيا يتواجدان في المجموعة الخامسة بـ كأس أمم إفريقيا، مع تونس ومالي.

وكان منتخب جنوب إفريقيا خسر أمام مالي في مباراة الجولة الأولى بهدفين دون رد، بينما ناميبيا حققت المفاجأة وانتصرت على تونس بهدف نظيف. هدف جنوب إفريقيا الثالث أمام ناميبيا

Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler would be candidates to play in England’s Test side purely as batsmen according to head coach Trevor Bayliss.The England selectors will meet on Thursday morning to select the squad for the first Investec Test against Pakistan at Lord’s before it is announced later that day, and Bayliss said it would be an “interesting” meeting.There will definitely be one enforced change following Nick Compton’s decision to take a break from the game, although he would have been dropped after a torrid series against Sri Lanka.Stokes is currently making his comeback from knee surgery by playing as a batsman for Durham after being injured in the first Test against Sri Lanka, while Buttler is seeking a Test recall having been dropped against Pakistan in the UAE.Buttler will be considered as a replacement for Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps after Bairstow’s inconsistent series against Sri Lanka, but Bayliss indicated that he thought him a viable option without the gloves and also suggested that Stokes did not have to be a certainty to bowl to come into consideration.”From my point of view, he’s in contention for a batting spot if it’s fit,” Bayliss said of Stokes. “He’s playing the next four-day game as a batsman and might, depending on how he’s gone in the last few days in the nets, he might bowl some short spells. I’m just saying a guy who has made plenty of runs in Test cricket already, he has to be discussed I’m sure.”Knowing Jos and the type of sportsman he is – whatever he’s doing: darts, snooker, football, cricket – he’s a game player. He could play as a bat, I’m sure. He could field, he wouldn’t have too many problems at all. We saw Jonny field in these one-day games and he’s a very similar sportsman as well, a good athlete, and I think Jos would be the same. He played in the IPL as a fielder. I think he could handle it.”Buttler has not played a first-class match since the Dubai Test against Pakistan in October, but Bayliss does not think that has to be a deciding factor into whether he returns to the line-up.”Not for Jos, I don’t think, the way he plays,” he said. “Personally I think he’d be better in Test cricket if he played like he does in the white-ball game. That would be devastating, him coming in at six or seven and being able to play like that.”He certainly looks like he has a lot of confidence at the moment, this series against Sri Lanka has probably been as consistent as he’s played since I got here. The way he has struck the ball, the way he has carried himself, his keeping as well was pretty good, he’s certainly in contention.”Alongside a decision on Stokes’ fitness, an assessment will need to be made over James Anderson who has a stress fracture of his right shoulder blade. Anderson has resumed gentle bowling but Bayliss said it was a day-to-day process given the unusual nature of the injury. Jake Ball, who was in the squad throughout the Sri Lanka series, and has been rested from Nottinghamshire’s current Championship match against Lancashire, would be the favourite to replace Anderson.The batting vacancy could be filled by a straight swap of Compton for another top-order batsman, the favourite being Durham’s Scott Borthwick, but if it was taken by either Stokes or Buttler it would require a reshuffle in the order which would require either Joe Root or James Vince to bat at No. 3.Bayliss reiterated his belief that Root is England’s future No. 3, but said that he thought Vince – who made a maiden international fifty in the final ODI against Sri Lanka having replaced Alex Hales – would not have a problem adjusting to the position which he holds for Hampshire in domestic cricket. Vince had a difficult start against Sri Lanka in the Tests, with 54 runs in four innings, but seems certain to retain his place.”Long term, I think Root is our No. 3,” Bayliss said. “Rooty would have to want to do it, it’s a big change and he’s done well at No. 4. My way of thinking is you put your best batter at No. 3. But from what I’ve seen of Vince, I think he could handle No. 3 also. In a way he’s a similar style of player to Rooty, a classical player, plays nice and straight, so there’s no reason why he couldn’t make a success of No. 3.”

England will have to change the balance of their ODI side due to Ben Stokes’ injury, with Jonny Bairstow favoured to come in as an extra batsman

George Dobell20-Jun-2016Like your health and the brake cables in your car, there are some things you appreciate more in their absence. So it is with Ben Stokes. While Stokes has yet to nail his limited-overs international career – his statistics are modest and his last four deliveries were hit for six – you can perhaps best judge his value to the England side by the difficulty they have in trying to replace him.Without Stokes, absent from the Royal London ODI series as he recovers from knee surgery, it is desperately hard for England to balance their side. They face the choice of either playing just five bowlers, with Joe Root in reserve, or weakening their batting in order to squeeze in the extra bowler should one of the five experience injury or an off day.What they have confirmed is that Jos Buttler will keep wicket and Eoin Morgan will bat at No. 4. While they open the batting with Moeen Ali, who has two ODI centuries in the top order, it seems likely they will stick with the opening pair of Alex Hales and Jason Roy who have set the tone for so much of the improvement in recent times.And while they bat Moeen, David Willey or Chris Woakes at No. 6 and make room for five other bowlers, it seems more likely that they will make use of Jonny Bairstow’s outstanding form, bat him in the top six and go with just the five bowlers. Bairstow is, therefore, set to be the beneficiary of Stokes’ absence.In normal circumstances, you might expect England to include two spinners. But given the wet weather the Nottingham area has experienced in recent days – the groundsman reckons the pitch has had four hours of sunshine since June 10 – there is a strong case for playing four seamers and just one spinner. Whether that is Moeen – at No. 10, the highest rated ODI bowler in this series – or Adil Rashid is debatable: Moeen has the better economy rate (4.91 compared to Rashid’s 5.89) but Rashid the marginally better strike-rate (45.10 compared to 46.20).Their batting averages hardly separate them, either. Moeen’s 27.61 looks better than Rashid’s 24.50, but if you include only innings made by Moeen at No. 7 – his likely position – his average drops to just 19.10. He remains more likely to play, alongside Steven Finn, Willey, Woakes and Chris Jordan, but it is not a straightforward decision.The balance issue is rendered more difficult by the form of the captain. Morgan has now gone 18 international innings without a half-century – a run that extends back to November and the first ODI of the series against Pakistan – and, in the South Africa ODI series, averaged only 12.80. He enjoyed a strong English season in 2015, scoring a century and seven half-centuries in 11 successive ODI innings, but given he averaged just 18.00 in the World Cup, he needs a good series here to prevent the doubts over his position gathering. On form, it is hard to justify him batting above either Buttler or Bairstow.In such circumstances, there might have been a case for recalling Samit Patel or Ravi Bopara to bat in the top six and offer some extra overs. But it seems their time has gone. Right or wrong, it could be seen as a retrograde step.England are, after all, only a year into their brave new world. While results have been patchy – they have lost their last three ODIs and are rated below fifth-placed Sri Lanka in the ICC rankings – they have identified a group of players they hope will take them into the Champions Trophy (which, it might be noted, would have been ruined by rain had it been held this year) next year and the World Cup in 2019. England, currently No. 6, could go ahead of Sri Lanka in the ODI rankings if they win this series by a margin of two games or more.”Ben leaves a huge hole,” Morgan said. “He is a key member of our side. It’d be the same thing if the likes of Moeen Ali went down. Having Moeen batting at possibly six or seven is a luxury when he’s a frontline spin bowler.”We’re still at the beginning of building hopefully what will be a successful campaign in the 2019 World Cup. It’s important for us not only to stick with the same group of players in order to grow their experience but also to find some consistency in our performances.”We’re 12 months down the road and we have built a lot of confidence. There’s a bit more expectation on us as a side and it’s important to relish that expectation. The Champions Trophy is this time next year and the World Cup is two years later so as the home side we’re looking to put in performances so that people don’t see us as outsiders.”Wet weather in Nottingham interrupted preparations for the first ODI•PA PhotosWhatever the final selection, we can expect England to continue the same bold cricket that has characterised their performances over the last 12 months. While it is hard to believe the Trent Bridge pitch will have pace and firmness of recent tracks here – Nottinghamshire scored 445 and 415 in consecutive 50-over innings at the start of this month; their opponents replied with 425 and 379 respectively – it still seems reasonable to expect England to respond to every challenge by attacking more.”We’re trying to change the mentality,” Morgan said. “The mentality was, that if you’re getting beaten around the park, you might try and bowl tight and move things around. But actually trying to get the batsman out is still a priority.”It’s the same with the batting. If we’re three down and you get bowled a half-volley, you still have to hit it. It’s part and parcel of changing the mindset of the side.”I went straight from the one-day series and played a lot of county cricket last summer and the way England played had set the agenda about the brand of aggressive cricket we were playing. Everybody seemed to relate to it. A lot of the younger guys were loving it. It is very important to connect with county cricket because we can sometimes become detached and that is not good for anybody.”Everywhere you look around the counties, the limited-overs game is being played with more belief and confidence than at any time in memory. Emboldened by events in the last 12 months – the revolution of the New Zealand ODI series, the progress of the World T20, the McCullum-isation of English cricket – players have bought into the more positive method demonstrated by Morgan and co. The mentality of English cricket changed. Whatever the results, they have become a vastly more entertaining side to watch.

أبدى معتمد جمال المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، عن سعادته بالفوز الذي حققه على الرجاء المغربي بنتيجة 4-2 بركلات الترجيح، بالمباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس تحدي دبي، والتأهل للمباراة النهائية.

والتقى الزمالك مع الرجاء المغربي، على أرضية استاد آل مكتوم، في إطار مواجهات دور نصف نهائي كأس تحدي دبي.

وقال معتمد جمال في تصريحات خلال المؤتمر الصحفي عقب المباراة: “كل مباراة لها أهداف مختلفة بسبب قوة المنافس وقائمة كل فريق، الزماك يضم في صفوفه مجموعة من اللاعبين الشباب، ويسعى الجهاز الفني لتجهيزهم للاستفادة منهم”.

طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | بركلات الترجيح.. الزمالك يهزم الرجاء المغربي ويتأهل لنهائي كأس دبي للتحدي

وأضاف: “أشكر لاعبي الزمالك على الأداء، وسنعمل على علاج الأخطاء في الفترة المقبلة من أجل الظهور بمستوى أفضل”.

واختتم: “اللاعبون يقدرون الفترة الصعبة التي يمر بها الفريق وهدفنا فقط إسعاد جماهير الزمالك”.

وقرر الجهاز الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك بقيادة معتمد جمال خوض المران غداً السبت في تمام الساعة السابعة والنصف مساءً بتوقيت الإمارات، الخامسة والنصف بتوقيت القاهرة على الملعب الفرعي لاستاد آل مكتوم ، استعداداً للقاء نهائي كأس تحدي دبي.

وكان الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك حقق الفوز على الرجاء المغربي 4-2 بركلات الترجيح، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما مساء اليوم بعد انتهاء الوقت الأصلي بالتعادل بهدفين لكل فريق، ليتأهل الأبيض للمباراة النهائية ومواجهة الفائز من الأهلي السعودي ووهان ثري الصيني.

ومن المقرر أن يكون تدريب الغد خفيفاً حتى لا يتعرض اللاعبون للإجهاد عقب خوض مباراة اليوم أمام الرجاء المغربي في نصف النهائي.

Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez reportedly wants to quit the club this summer, according to Football Insider.

What’s the latest Aston Villa transfer news involving Martinez?

Martinez has once again been a regular in the Midlands this season, making 35 appearances in all competitions, taking his total Villa tally to 110.

However, the 30-year-old appears to have a frosty relationship with Unai Emery, with the pair thought to have had a "fall-out" during their time at Arsenal.

The Argentine, who helped his country win the World Cup last year, is under contract until 2027, but it appears as if a move away could be on the cards over the coming months.

Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke shared an update he’s heard out of Villa Park regarding Martinez on Tuesday morning. He stated that the goalkeeper is looking to fulfil his ambitions of playing at a higher level and wants to leave the club this summer.

Chelsea and Manchester United have been named as possible destinations, however, the report adds that it is likely to take a huge bid to persuade Villa to sell the goalkeeper over the coming months.

Villa hold the cards…

As mentioned, Martinez still has a number of years left to run on his deal after penning an extension last year, so Villa are under no pressure to sell at a cut-price fee despite the player’s stance. His Transfermarkt valuation currently stands at a healthy €28m, a figure which rose slightly from €25m late last year.

Martinez showed his quality on the biggest stage in Qatar by helping Argentina to two penalty shootouts at the World Cup, one of which came in the final against France. As a result, he has been branded as "the best penalty-kick keeper in the world" by teammate John McGinn, who went on to call him a "unique character" when speaking on Sky Sports Premier League (7:25 pm, January 13, 2023).

Therefore, you could argue that Villa are right to demand a huge fee for his services over the summer, and if they do decide to part ways, a replacement would be needed. One player who has been linked with a move to the Midlands in recent months is Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili, so he could be a name to monitor if Martinez gets his wish.

Chelsea are right in the mix to sign Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte during the summer transfer window, according to a new update.

Is Ugarte impressing this season?

The 22-year-old has emerged as arguably one of the brightest defensive midfielders in Europe currently, already becoming an influential figure at club level. This season, he has made 28 Primeira Liga appearances – 25 of them have been starts – and 10 yellow cards highlight his tenacious style.

Ugarte has also average an eye-catching 3.9 tackles per game for Sporting, as well as an even more impressive six per match in the Europa League, helping them knock out Arsenal earlier in the campaign.

There is plenty of interest in the Uruguayan currently, with Liverpool thought to be big admirers of him, but Chelsea also look likely to be in the race, following a fresh claim.

Could Chelsea snap up Ugarte this summer?

According to Football Insider, the Blues are "in a good position" to sign Ugarte in the summer window, with the club sending scouts to watch him in action. The report mentions Liverpool's interest, as well as Newcastle United's, and the midfielder is "believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League this summer even though his deal at Sporting runs until 2026".

The youngster has a £53m release clause in his current Sporting deal, although the Portuguese would only receive 70% of that money if it was triggered, with former club Famalicao taking the remaining 30%. Ugarte could be a fantastic signing by Chelsea this summer, providing the youth and legs that are badly needed in the middle of the park. His aforementioned tackling statistics show what a formidable player he is, and his ability to cover ground and put out fires is admirable.

With N'Golo Kante now 31 years of age and still not signing a new deal ahead of his current contract's imminent expiry, the eight-cap Uruguay international could be a perfect long-term replacement, having been hailed for his "superb ability to read the game" and "combination of power & technique" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

To pip Liverpool to Ugarte's signature would also be a big coup, at a time when both clubs are looking to go up a gear after disappointing seasons overall. At 22, he still has so many years ahead of him, and he should only become more influential as the years pass.

Journalist Dean Jones has suggested that Manchester United outcast Mason Greenwood wouldn't be welcome at any other side in English football amid rumours surrounding his future.

What's the latest news involving Mason Greenwood?

The Sun have claimed that Greenwood could be offered a chance to continue his career at Juventus, with the option of a long-term loan deal said to be a possibility by the outlet.

As per the report, the 21-year-old has not played for the club since last year due to allegations of rape and assault, which were dropped earlier this year. Greenwood has been training alone away from Manchester United's Carrington complex, though Juventus, Roma and AC Milan retain an interest in the player.

The Mirror cite that he is still currently suspended by Manchester United as they carry out an internal investigation into affairs. The Red Devils made a statement following the news of his charges being dropped, stating: "Manchester United notes the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service that all charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped. The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps. We will not make any further comment until that process is complete."

It isn't thought that Greenwood has any future at Old Trafford and any decision on this will be dealt with by the club directly rather than management staff.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones has suggested that Greenwood may go abroad as the 'backlash' over the striker signing for another club in England would be immense.

Jones told FFC: "It would be really interesting if Juve went down this route. I can't see Greenwood being welcomed at any English clubs in the near future and I think there'll be a backlash if anyone was just trying to sign him. So you know, there probably is an element of going abroad that might suit him if that can happen."

What next for Manchester United?

Off-field situations will be dealt with by the powers that be at Manchester United, leaving manager Erik Ten Hag to focus on the task at hand on the pitch.

The Red Devils are embroiled in a battle for the Premier League top-four and sit fourth in the table, just one point above Liverpool in fifth; however, they have played a game less than their bitter rivals.

Manchester United face Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Fulham in their last four league fixtures, before taking on Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley in early June for a chance to win another piece of silverware.

Ten Hag will be fully focused on trying to make sure his side finish this term with a flourish and will leave matters outwith his control to whom they may concern.

Sunlight is starting to stroke Anfield once again at the closing phase of an underwhelming season that may well end Liverpool's six-year stay in the Champions League under the tutelage of revered boss Jurgen Klopp.

The seven-point gulf between the Reds and fourth-placed Manchester United might seem insurmountable with just four matches left of Liverpool's season, but tonight's fixture against Fulham presents a sterling opportunity to heap further pressure on their heated rivals.

Regardless, Klopp will be determined to keep the pressure on the top four and pounce on any opportunity that presents itself over the next few weeks, but to do so conceding ground is simply not an option.

Liverpool have won four league matches in a row and do now have a good chance to close the nine-point gap on Newcastle United, who impressively perch in third, with the Magpies facing title-challenging Arsenal this weekend.

Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag's United face Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow night and should they fail to win against the Seagulls, Klopp and co must not look back in anguish after dropping points at Anfield.

Who could star against Fulham?

Diogo Jota is an injury doubt for the match against Marco Silva's men, a bitter blow considering the impact he has made across recent endeavours.

After spending large portions of the term in the medical room, Jota has scored five goals and supplied one assist across his past four Premier League outings, reaffirming the clinical devastation he can wreak on opposing defences and the importance of his role in Klopp's system.

With Jota now doubtful with a back problem and Roberto Firmino a confirmed absentee, Darwin Nunez will likely return to the starting fold after a challenging period for the club's record £85m signing; a threatening and fierce forward, the 23-year-old has divided opinion since his summer arrival, wasteful but an incessant thorn for his outfit.

Having scored 15 goals and served four assists across 40 appearances – only 24 from the starting whistle – Nunez is an unrefined gem, but he is indeed a jewel and with the right support he could blossom into one of Europe's most menacing strikers.

Nunez has missed a remarkable 19 big chances in the top-flight this term, ten more than he has netted, with iconic former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger stating it "hasn't worked out" for the 16-cap ace during the maiden phase of the campaign.

Irrespective of that, Nunez still ranks among the top 9% of forwards across Europe's big five leagues for rate of goals, the top 1% for total shots per 90 and the top 4% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref, and he can certainly dismantle a Fulham back-line that has failed to keep a clean sheet across the past nine encounters.

Dubbed an "agent of chaos" by Liverpool Echo's Theo Squires, the £140k-per-week phenom offers a different dimension to the Reds attack, and after starting just once across the past seven contests, he will be licking his lips in anticipation as he seeks to return to form at a pivotal moment for his side.

This erratic and uncontainable weapon has only shown glimpses of his full potential so far, but if he can harness his abilities against Fulham, he could yet make a marked impact on his side's season in the closing phase.