Liverpool went down 1-0 at Hull on Tuesday night and failed to find the net for the second game in a row.

The Reds have scored 47 goals this campaign, only slightly more than half of their grand total of 90 this time last year.

Back then, the SAS partnership of Suarez and Sturridge was propelling the club up the table. Now, with Suarez gone and Sturridge an almost permanent fixture in the club’s treatment room, Brendan Rodgers has lamented the loss of this firepower.

The Anfield boss has strongly hinted that his current forwards are not up to the task. With Sturridge out, the coach has preferred Mario Balotelli, who is widely expected to leave the club in the summer following a difficult and goal-shy spell.

Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini have become forgotten men. Their sparse use suggesting a lack of trust in them to do the business.

Meanwhile out on loan to Lille, youngster Divock Origi has done little to suggest he could be the answer next term.

Here, though, are three men who just might be…

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Christian Benteke

After toiling desperately for goals for much of the campaign the Belgian has enjoyed a revival at Villa since Tim Sherwood revitalised the side and reopened the supply lines to his main forward.

Benteke has been in red-hot form over the last few months and seems to have dispelled any doubts that he might not return the same player after a lengthy injury lay-off.

The 24-year-old has constantly been linked with a move to a bigger Premier League club and he may just feel that now is the right time.

His contract expires in 2017 so it would make sense for Villa to cash in when they can still command a decent fee.

The player has handed in a transfer request in the past but even if everything falls into place for him to leave Villa Park, Liverpool will not be the only suitors. Benteke’s pace and power look well suited to spearhead the Anfield attack but Rodgers would need to work hard to get his man.

Alexandre Lacazette

Despite being slightly younger than Benteke and untested in the Premier League, Lacazette would likely be an even more expensive acquisition. This is due to the French forward’s scintillating form this season.

The 23-year-old made his debut in 2010 and has made steady under-the-radar progress before exploding into life this term.

The Lyon man has romped away with the Ligue 1 goalscorer’s competition, netting 26 times in the French top flight.

There is no guarantee this form could be translated to the Premier League but the player is likely to want to test himself outside of France before long.

He has all the attributes to fit into Liverpool’s attacking pass-and-move style but is likely to be a priority target for Europe’s big clubs.

His own side, Lyon, are also heading into next season’s Champions League, something that looks unlikely for Brendan Rodgers’ men.

Charlie Austin

Regardless of whether QPR mange to survive in the Premier League for another season, it is widely believed that Charlie Austin should be moving on this summer.

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Rangers would be already dead and buried were it not for his 17 league goals this term.

The 25-year-old must be wondering how many goals he would have scored in the English top flight this season had he been playing at a club at the other end of the table.

The former Burnley man is likely to represent a slightly cheaper alternative to Benteke or Lacazette but would still require a significant outlay.

Austin is a pure goalscorer who operates on instinct and nets all kinds of goals.

While his statistics would indicate he is the answer, other aspects of his play suggest he may not be right to lead the Liverpool attack.

Rodgers might prefer a faster forward more accustomed to his fluid attacking system.

2014/15 has certainly been a somewhat surprising campaign for those following Southampton.. The summer exodus at St. Mary’s really didn’t bode too well for the club throughout the rest of the year, but as Ronald Koeman came in and did a fantastic job for his side in the Premier League, such initial worries have seemingly been dropped for now.

The new names drafted in at Southampton last summer turned out to be a series of good investments for the club. The likes of Graziano Pelle, Dusan Tadic and Ryan Bertrand all done the business for their new side last season, whilst more familiar faces – in the form of Morgan Schneiderlin and Jose Fonte – proved more than worthy of their lofty status down at St. Mary’s with their consistency out on the pitch.

There is one particular Southampton star that arguably caught the attention more than any other player on the South Coast across 2014/15 however – and that man is 24-year-old, Nathaniel Clyne.

In having such a strong season and capturing the attention of the England national set-up this term, the former Crystal Palace favourite has subsequently been linked with a series of potential moves throughout the summer, with Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool being one of many outfits looking the acquire the full-back’s services in the run up to the new campaign.

In light of such a notion then, should the promising England international begin waving his good-byes at St. Mary’s with a view to join Liverpool this summer, or will this potential transfer only serve to damage Nathaniel Clyne’s career in the not too distant future?

Well for one thing, those who suggest that the Saints no. 2 would be capable of holding down the right-back spot at Anfield next season certainly aren’t wrong. Based on his impressive performances this term, Clyne could most definitely add to this current Reds squad and help them improve on their rather disappointing recent Premier League form.

He has been a truly reliable asset for Southampton in recent seasons, and at the still promising age of only 24-years-old, the current St. Mary’s favourite is likely only going to get better.

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When it comes to making bustling runs up and down the flanks for the whole 90 minutes, beating players on the wing with impressive consistency, and also proving able to send in the crosses at a frequent rate – there have arguably been none better than the Southampton no. 2 this past season.

The quick-footed full-back has been everywhere for his side this term – and with such a well-rounded asset on board for Ronald Koeman in recent months – it comes as no surprise that the Saints have surpassed many expectations throughout the 2014/15 campaign.

Although Anfield would certainly be a great place for someone like Nathaniel Clyne to home in his skills and become even more of a high profile player, why would the former Selhurst Park star consider leaving St. Mary’s when things are currently going so well for him? Every football fan in this country knows full well the potential on offer from Clyne in the next few seasons, so any potential move to Liverpool this summer would only serve to gamble away the reputation he has already earned.

The Reds have unfortunately been notorious for turning would-be promising stars into somewhat flat prospects in recent years – just look at how poorly their transfer activity last summer turned out for them across the 2014/15 season. The club are in a bit of an uncertain period in their history at the moment, for nobody at Anfield seems to know which direction the team are currently heading in.

With Southampton clearly looking like a side on the up based on their recent successes, Nathaniel Clyne would be simply mad to move on from his current employers on the back of such a gamble. The likes of Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert have already served to prove how precarious these transfers can be, with each player subsequently paying witness to a rather forgetful campaign at Liverpool this season.

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No, recent history simply acts as a strong warning for any up and coming Southampton star looking to improve on their fortunes elsewhere. Nathaniel Clyne looks like he could be a really good player in the next few years – but if he eventually decides that Anfield is the best place for him to ply his trade next season – we could ultimately be forgetting his name almost as soon as he first burst onto the scene.

And that is something no one really wants to see happen, Southampton fan or not.

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He’s been hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons of late, and although his on-pitch form is getting better, it appears the headlines are still leading with trivia.

Since his disappointing Manchester derby, and the goalless drought he suffered in the past few weeks, Romelu Lukaku now has two goals in two goals in two Premier League games, and three goals in his last four in all competitions. And yet those last two strikes have been greeted with incredulity at the Belgian striker’s lack of celebrations rather than any actual analysis of his return to something approaching good form.

This weekend’s performance against West Brom should be lauded for more than just his muted fist pump reaction to what was a very good header.

Lukaku’s display was more than just his goal, though. It was a master class in effective forward play, certainly one from a Jose Mourinho striker.

The United forward competed in six aerial duels, including in both boxes, as he successfully won every header he went up for – which is an impressive stat in any game, but against a West Brom team who probably haven’t yet made the transition away from being a ‘Tony Pulis’ side, that’s quite the feat.

As United sat deep – too deep, perhaps, by the end when the Baggies began to find confidence and belief – Lukaku’s chances to make an impact became more limited, but he did manage to complete three dribbles. Although his tally of 19 completed passes is low – Gareth Barry managed 31 in just 45 minutes of football – he did manage to play a key pass, too.

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It wasn’t the most complete display you’ll ever see from Lukaku, but it was a hugely effective one on a day that turned out to be more of a struggle for Manchester United than you might have expected when the half-time whistle blew. And instead of focusing on his celebrations or lack thereof, perhaps we should be praising the Belgian striker for rolling his sleeves up and reveling in the dirty work for his team when it mattered.

Liverpool have announced that they’ve agreed a deal to sign Southampton’s Dutch defender, Virgil van Dijk. The 26-year-old has been a transfer target for Jurgen Klopp for over six months.The deal will be completed on the 1st of January when the transfer window reopens.

What’s the story?

Liverpool have finally agreed a deal to sign Virgil van Dijk for a reported fee of £75m. The club have been pursuing the experienced defender for a considerable period, and they even had to apologise for their pursuit of the former Celtic defender in the summer.

However, at long last, the Reds have secured their target, and Van Dijk will be allocated the number four shirt at Liverpool once his transfer is completed.

Do they need him?

Jurgen Klopp’s need for defensive reinforcement has been no secret. Currently, the Reds flaunt one of the most dynamic and explosive attacks in Europe. Nonetheless, their defence is dreadful in comparison and it was inevitable that there would be adequate signings to address that in the summer.

The Reds have conceded 23 goals in the space of only 20 league games, which is frankly embarrassing for one of the division’s most prominent teams.

Virgil van Dijk is highly regarded for his abilities on and off the ball. In the mould of the modern centre-half, the Dutchman is comfortable with the ball at his feet, yet his most striking qualities are to be found in his defensive work. The 26-year-old can dominate proceedings in the air, and he’s regarded for his fierce tackling. Liverpool fans will hope that he can produce his best in the iconic red shirt.

Is he worth the money?

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With a cost of £75m, there is considerable expectation placed on Van Dijk’s shoulders to perform at a high level on a consistent basis. This is a world-record fee for a defender; he must be prepared to deliver.

According to Sky Sports, Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny, who is rated at €10m (approximately £8.8m according to Transfermarkt), is one of the players being considered by West Ham United manager David Moyes this month as he looks to strengthen his side’s attacking options during the January transfer window.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Sky Sports says that Moyes is targeting Elneny, and his Gunners teammate Francis Coquelin, as potential additions to his squad this month, with a new central midfielder his priority.

Elneny has found first-team opportunities hard to come by this season, although it remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger will be willing to let the Egypt international leave the Emirates before the window slams shut on January 31.

How has Elneny done this season?

The 25-year-old has struggled to hold down a regular spot in the Arsenal side ever since joining them in January 2016, and that situation hasn’t changed this term.

The Egyptian player has made 16 appearances in all competitions – with the majority of those coming in the Europa League and the domestic cups – although he has only played 264 minutes of Premier League football across five outings.

Elneny has struggled to break past the likes of Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey in the middle of the park, and he is possibly the fifth-choice option in that area with Francis Coquelin and Jack Wilshere also looking to be ahead of him in the pecking order.

Would he be a good signing for West Ham?

It’s difficult to say, as we haven’t really seen him play for the Gunners consistently.

Howevr, the 25-year-old has certainly shown that he is a solid enough defensive midfielder at times, while he also has a good shot on him.

According to WhoScored.com, his passing is certainly was one of his main strengths as he has an average accuracy of 92.9% in 11 appearances in the Premier League and Europa League this term, while he has won 13 of the 18 tackles he has attempted.

Will they get him?

According to Sky Sports, Moyes has six names on his shortlist to bring a new central midfielder to the club, so it remains to be seen whether Elneny will rise to the top at any point this month.

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From an Arsenal point of view, Wenger may well be more willing to move on the 25-year-old than teammate Coquelin, which gives the Irons some hope that they could bring him to the London Stadium.

According to reports in the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks with midfielder Dele Alli over a new lucrative £100,000-a-week contract.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Daily Mail says that Spurs have started informal discussions with the 21-year-old attacking midfielder over a new deal as they look to end growing speculation over his future, with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain among his admirers.

The Daily Mail says that the former MK Dons man is currently on a deal worth around £50,000-a-week, but the north London outfit are keen to double that and quickly get the new contract across the line quickly.

The report adds that Tottenham believe there is a desire from both parties to agree to an extension, with the club’s progress in reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League making up for a disappointing Premier League campaign so far compared to the last two seasons.

How has Alli done this season?

He certainly hasn’t made as much of an impact as he did during the previous campaign, but he has still done well.

The England international set such high standards for himself with his tally of 22 goals and 13 assists in 50 appearances in all competitions last term, and he has often come under criticism from some of the club’s supporters when he has struggled to replicate that this season.

The 21-year-old has still netted nine goals and provided a further 10 assists in 27 outings for Spurs this time out though, and he is certainly starting to find his form again in the Premier League with two goals and four assists in his last four top flight matches.

How much of a boost is this for Tottenham?

It will be a huge boost for Mauricio Pochettino and the fans.

Spurs know that they need to keep their best players if they are to progress and continue to challenge for trophies, and there is no doubt that Alli can be a key player in helping them to do that.

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The 21-year-old can score and assist from an attacking midfield role, and the fact that they can tie him down to a new deal that won’t break their strict wage cap will certainly be a relief.

During the transfer window, rumours are rumbling all the time about player movement.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with a swoop for Monaco star Thomas Lemar, who has previously been touted as a target for Arsenal.

With just four days left to go before the transfer window slams shut, the time is ticking for the Reds to get any more deals done.

The rumour mill started churning on Twitter this evening when it emerged that Lemar has been left out of Monaco’s squad to face Marseille on Sunday.

The Frenchman, along with a number of his teammates, was rested for the midweek League Cup match against Lyon.

Lemar will also not feature this weekend as he is sidelined with a thigh problem.

Despite the injury update, some Liverpool fans are speculating that the attack-minded player could be on his way to Anfield.

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Philippe Coutinho missed a few games for the Reds with a similar issue prior to his move to Barcelona.

The names ‘Harry Kane’ and ‘Real Madrid’ being uttered in the same sentence is becoming the norm.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker’s scintillating form has sparked rumours about his future.

The 24-year-old is arguably in the form of his life as he currently leads this season’s scoring charts with 22 Premier League goals.

Kane has won the Golden Boot in the past two campaigns, and he scored his 100th in the top flight last Sunday in a dramatic 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

It is an exciting time for Spurs as they prepare to move into their state-of-the-art stadium for the 2018-19 campaign, and Kane is certainly the talisman of the team.

However, despite breaking records at the North London outfit, the striker has not won any silverware with the club that aided his development in the academy.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs has suggested that Kane’s thirst for trophies will lead to him to look at Gareth Bale, who moved to Madrid from Tottenham in 2013 and since then has won 10 trophies, including three Champions League crowns.

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In his Class of ’92 diary for Sky Sports, the Welshman said:

“When a player goes to a team where they are going to be competing for leagues and trophies then you go up another level, but winning things with a club where you’ve come through the ranks is different and more special, so you’d prefer to do that, especially with a brilliant manager and the new stadium coming.

“[Kane] might also be looking abroad, and maybe seeing what Gareth Bale has achieved in winning three Champions League titles with Real Madrid.”

Aston Villa managed to put pressure on second-placed Cardiff City on Saturday, winning 4-2 away to Sheffield Wednesday in the English Championship.

Steve Bruce’s side had to work hard for their victory, scoring twice in the last five minutes to turn a 2-2 draw into three crucial points in their quest to win promotion.

After dropping points in the previous two matches, the win against Wednesday could prove to be a massive turning point in the closing stages of the season.

Fans were delighted with the win and had lots of praise for attacker Lewis Grabban, who was making his first start for the club following his January loan switch.

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The 30-year-old put in a tireless shift across the 90 minutes, scoring his second goal for the club and showing the kind of determination that connects with supporters.

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Is he the kind of shrewd January signing that will help the Villans win automatic promotion to the Premier League?

Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie Redknapp has claimed that Mauricio Pochettino’s side are capable of winning the Champions League this season.

Spurs impressed in the group stages of the tournament in the latter stages of 2017 – finishing above reigning champions Real Madrid to book their spot in the round of 16.

The capital club fell 2-0 behind to Juventus in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday night, but fought back to pick up a 2-2 draw at the home of the Italian champions.

Tottenham are seen as rank outsiders to win the Champions League this season, but Redknapp has insisted that his former club have the credentials to lift the crown.

Indeed, the pundit has claimed that the fact Spurs have ‘special players’ will make them a threat to any other team in the competition.

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Redknapp told Sky Sports:

“Can they win the Champions League? Absolutely they can. Liverpool and Tottenham are dangerous teams because they have the special players in there.

“At the start of the season everyone was talking about Spurs’ squad depth, but they have a really strong squad.”

Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are seen as the three favourites to win the competition this season, closely followed by Barcelona and Real Madrid.