Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news snippets from across the footballing world, including John Barnes's belief that Liverpool will win the title, Rangers' reported asking price for Alfredo Morelos and a new suitor for West Brom's Nathan Ferguson. Scroll down for more!
Barnes backing Liverpool for title
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John Barnes has said that Liverpool will banish their misfortune from last season and beat Manchester City to the Premier League title this term. Jurgen Klopp's Reds amassed a club-record 97 points in 2018-19 to lose out on the title by just one point, but already have a six-point advantage over Pep Guardiola's charges in the early stages of this term.
"This year, I just feel Manchester City will drop more points, I don't think they're going to be as dominant as they were," Barnes told the Evening Standard. "And I think we're going to be as consistent and closer to what we did last year. Not to say we're going to beat [97 points], but I think Manchester City have already shown they will drop points.
"They've won it twice in a row, the Champions League is very important so maybe they're thinking about that. I don't think Liverpool will get 97 points necessarily, but I still think we'll win the league."
Rangers want £20m for Morelos?
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Rangers will demand at least £20m for striker Alfredo Morelos amid expected interest from Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in the January transfer window, according to the Birmingham Mail. The Colombian is in sublime form for Steven Gerrard's this season, scoring 14 goals in 19 appearances to date.
Alisson hails "authentic" Klopp
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Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has heaped praise on manager Jurgen Klopp after making the 30-man shortlist for this year's Ballon d'Or. The Brazilian has just returned for action for the Reds after a couple months out with a calf injury.
Speaking about Klopp, Alisson told the FIFA website: "He's a very authentic coach and really is the way he appears. He knows when to encourage players and when to be a little tougher. He's a great motivator. His celebrations also help you release tension. For example, after our triumph against Everton, he bounded across the field and gave me a hug. It was an amazing moment."
Woodward wants to end Neville 'rift'
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Manchester United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is keen to "build bridges" with club legend Gary Neville, according to The Mirror. The pair are not thought to have spoken since the end of last season and Neville has recently called for Woodward to quit, but the executive is said to be keen to get the pundit back "on board with their future vision".
Leeds join Ferguson chase?
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Leeds United are the latest club to express an interest in West Bromwich Albion starlet Nathan Ferguson, according to Football Insider. The 19-year-old has caught the eye of a number of Europe's elite clubs, including Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur, but Leeds may steal a march as they can offer Ferguson more regular playing time at this stage of his career.
Kane admits 'challenging' time
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Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane has admitted that the club's recent poor run of form has been a "challenge". Over the last month the club have suffered a 7-2 home humiliation in the Champions League, an EFL Cup exit to a League Two side and Premier League defeats to the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion but hit back last night with a 5-0 triumph over Red Star Belgrade.
Speaking before the game, Kane told the Evening Standard: "Yeah, probably, I'd say [this is the toughest spell]. When you look at the results it's not been easy. Of course we all want to be winning games. The manager wants to be winning games. It's another challenge, another challenge in my career, the club's time and team's career. It's about trying to overcome that. It's not going to be a straight path to success. There's going to be bumps along the way.
"I think the standards we've set over the last four or five years have been very high. We've spoken about maybe being ahead of the plan when the gaffer and myself first started. Now when things are not going so well, people are going to wonder why of course and try to put a finger on it. This season little things haven't gone our way which in other years might have done."
Ashley 'meets Mexican businessmen'
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Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has met two Mexican businessmen as part of his attempts to sell off the club, according to The Athletic. So far Ashley has been unable to find anyone willing to match his £350m valuation and the meeting with the Mexican men in London is said to have "ended in a negative manner".
Holding: 'Chambers upset when I got a girlfriend'
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Rob Holding has joked that his Arsenal teammate and best friend Calum Chambers became upset when he found a girlfriend. The 24-year-old has been dating Instagram model and fellow footballer Paige Almendariz since last summer and was asked on Reddit how Chambers had reacted to the new woman in his life, replying: "He was sad at first, but i think he is finally over it. Hahaha!"
Neil Wilkes
