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Jesse Lingard has not been playing for Manchester United after having to self-isolate "a few times" due to coronavirus, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said.

The 28-year-old has only played 99 minutes of football this season having fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford and has not featured in a Premier League matchday squad since the start of October, where he was an unused substitute in the 6-1 defeat to Tottenham.

A potential loan deal away is being explored ahead of the January transfer window amid the England international's struggles for time, but Solskjaer says he will be involved against Everton for Wednesday’s League Cup clash and has explained the reasoning behind his absence.

“Jesse will be in the squad, yeah,” Solskjaer said. “He's been working hard in training. He's been unfortunate with having to isolate a few times, been in contact, or close contact with Covid, not even having it himself.

"He's been very unlucky being away from the training ground a few times. He works really hard and he'll be involved in the squad, definitely, on Wednesday.”

Another player who could be involved is Mason Greenwood. The teenager was an unused substitute in the 6-2 win against Leeds on Sunday but could make a return to the starting XI at Goodison Park.

“Mason's fit enough to play, he was on the bench [against Leeds],” Solskjaer said about Greenwood’s role on Sunday.

“Of course, Luke [Shaw] came off with an injury so that had to be done, Edinson [Cavani] has been out with an injury for a while, we need to get him going and Bruno [Fernandes] is one that I also have to protect.

"It just wasn't to be for Mason to come on and he will be involved in the squad unless something happens in the next couple of days.”

The quarter-final clash is another chance for United to get a step closer to winning their first trophy under Solskjaer. They fell at the semi-final stage three times last season and Solskjaer believes winning a first trophy could be the catalyst for future success and instil a winning mentality within his team.

“Of course [winning a trophy] is something we're aiming for. We want to improve every season and to improve on last year is to get to the final and, of course, when you get to the final there's only one thing that matters and that's to lift the trophy,” Solskjaer said.

“I remember myself winning my first trophy. Even towards the end of my career, I think it was Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic's first trophy in the Carling Cup, 2006 was it?

"I think that was their first trophy and it does give something to a team. We are desperate to get our hands on a trophy, these players are desperate to learn how to win.”

Former United States starlet Freddy Adu has claimed he was once a better player than Angel Di Maria, while admitting that he made a mistake in leaving Benfica at the start of his European football journey.

Adu made history when he became the youngest American to sign a major professional contract in any team sport at the age of 14, with D.C. United bringing him onto their books during the 2004 Super Draft.

The Ghana-born forward went on to score 11 goals in 94 senior matches for the MLS outfit before being sold to Real Salt Lake, where he further enhanced his reputation as one of the most talented young players in world football.

Benfica won the race to bring Adu to Europe when they forked out £1 million to sign the teenager in July 2007, but he struggled for regular playing time during his first season in Portugal.

The ex-United States international was sent out on loan to Monaco the following year after only managing four goals in 17 appearances for the Primeira Liga giants, which marked the beginning of a downward spiral.

Adu also took in loan spells at Belenenses, Aris and Caykur Rizespor before Benfica cut their losses on the attacker and accepted an offer from Philadelphia Union in 2011.

The 31-year-old has since played for clubs in Brazil, Serbia and Finland, with his latest venture coming in Sweden with Division One outfit Osterlen FF.

Looking back on a turbulent career which has ultimately seen him fail to live up to his early promise, Adu has expressed regret over his decision to join Monaco after overshadowing Di Maria at Benfica.

The Argentine moved to Estadio Da Luz at the same time as the American, but has gone on to enjoy a far more successful career, carving out a reputation among the elite wingers in the game during stints at Real Madrid, Manchester United and PSG.

"The biggest mistake I made in my career was leaving Benfica on loan to Monaco," Adu told The Blue Wire Podcast. "I say it from the heart. It was one of those decisions that, if I could take it again, I wouldn't make it.

"I had three coaches in a year in Benfica. The club was in such a dysfunctional moment that I just wanted to get out of there and go the other way as soon as possible.

"But it turned out to be the worst decision. I joined the club at the same time as Di María. In the first year, I was better than him.

"I played better than him, but I decided to leave for Monaco on loan. And Di María stayed at Benfica. And guess what?

"He had the chance to play with a coach who later came and became a starter. A year or two later he went to Real Madrid. And I ended up being loaned to a secondary team.

"I made the worst possible decision for my career. It is my biggest regret."

Jose Mourinho is “testing” Dele Alli at Tottenham, says Alan Hutton, with the England international continuing to spark talk of interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

Such speculation was commonplace a few years ago, with a goalscoring midfielder performing at the peak of his powers.

That is no longer the case, with Alli suffering a humbling tumble down pecking orders for club and country.

Gareth Southgate has taken to overlooking the 24-year-old in Three Lions squads, with it difficult to justify his inclusion given the struggles being endured domestically.

Alli did land a regular role for Spurs following Mourinho’s arrival in north London back in November 2019.

He has, however, slipped out of favour in the current campaign and has taken in just 75 minutes of Premier League football this season.

That lack of action, with Alli omitted completely from Mourinho’s plans in a 2-0 defeat to Leicester last time out, has seen exit talk resurface at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Leading sides across Europe are said to remain keen on a proven performer who still has plenty of potential to unlock, and it could be that a move is sought during the January window.

Hutton admits that something needs to be done, with Alli being pushed to breaking point by Mourinho.

The former Spurs defender told Football Insider: “Mourinho is testing him. He is certainly testing his mentality and his mental strength.

“When he has been given an opportunity he has played well. He has taken his chances and that is all he can do.

“It is an extremely difficult position for Dele Alli because he is being left of the squad completely.

“Does he have a future under Mourinho? If this is Jose testing him, he is doing very well.”

Alli stepped off the bench for Spurs during their meetings with Crystal Palace and Liverpool, but was left out of the matchday squad for a home date with Leicester.

He has figured on a more regular basis in the Europa League this season, with six of his 10 appearances coming in that competition, but he would have been hoping for much more.

That has a man with 64 Spurs goals to his name mulling over his options heading into the new year, with it suggested that he may be given the chance to rediscover a spark while taking in a loan spell elsewhere.

Manchester United’s class of 2020-21 are recreating the firepower once provided by Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, claims John O’Shea.

The Red Devils have always prided themselves on the attacking talent they have at their disposal at any given time.

Some iconic forwards have passed through Old Trafford, including five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo and the club’s all-time leading goalscorer Rooney.

Following in such footsteps is never going to be easy, but the likes of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial are thriving in the present.

They are ably supported by Edinson Cavani, Daniel James, Bruno Fernandes and Co., with O’Shea impressed by the options Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has on his books.

The former United defender told talkSPORT: “It’s coming back, slowly.

“You see the amount of goals they score, it’s a sign they want to get that attacking flowing football going again, the counter-attacking style with that speed.

“You think of Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez… it’s very exciting to watch and it’s positive.”

United hit six in their latest Premier League outing, as they swept aside old adversaries Leeds, and O’Shea believes positive steps are being taken in the right direction by a club that lost its way somewhat on the back of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

He added: “For me, there is progress under Ole. There’s continual progress. It might be a bit slower than people want, but it’s progress.

“They score goals, yeah they could defend better at times, but if they win that game in hand look where they’ll be in the Premier League.

“You’re expected to win everything at Manchester United; that’s the pressure that’s on you as the manager.

“And yes, the Champions League is disappointing, but PSG and RB Leipzig are no mugs.

“The challenge in the league is to get closer to the champions, that’s Liverpool and they are setting an amazing standard – you see what they did to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (a devastating 7-0 victory on Saturday) and it’s a tough standard to get to.

“But there is progress and I think Manchester United are closing that gap.”

With that in mind, and with many talking the Red Devils up as title contenders in 2020-21, O’Shea hopes Solskjaer will be given the time he needs to get things right – with the Norwegian having faced plenty of questions regarding his suitability to a demanding coaching post.

“It shouldn’t be the case that after every game there’s an examination on Ole and the coaching team,” said O’Shea.

“After every game we hear people say, ‘oh he should stay now’, or, ‘oh he shouldn’t stay now’. You’re never going to progress as a club if that’s the case.

“Let things settle down again. Be calm, be patient. The team won’t get carried away just because they scored the goals they did yesterday.

“They know they’ve got a tough run of games coming up; they have Everton in the Carabao Cup, who have turned the corner, and then Leicester away, and they’ve just had a fantastic win away at Tottenham.

“So it’s small steps, but there’s lots to look forward to and it’s very exciting for the club.”

Alisson says Liverpool will continue to look after number one after returning to top spot in the Premier League table, with the defending champions paying no attention to what others are doing.

That sharp focus has allowed the Reds to become a dominant force at home and abroad in recent years.

Champions League, Club World Cup and domestic title honours have been secured after embracing a relentless approach to trophy chasing.

That mindset is not about to change any time soon, with Jurgen Klopp demanding that standards are not allowed to slip at Anfield.

Alisson is among those looking to avoid any outside interference, with Liverpool taking things one game at a time after ensuring that they are Christmas No.1 for a third successive year.

The Brazilian goalkeeper told the club’s official website after collecting a crushing 7-0 win over Crystal Palace last time out: “It’s good, you put pressure on the opponents, the other teams who are there fighting for first place.

“But we are only thinking about ourselves, thinking about what we can do on the pitch. So, when you get three points with a great performance you will be happy.

“We have one week to rest now, to prepare the next game and the next challenge, and to enjoy a little bit Christmas with the family.

“I wish a merry Christmas for all the supporters, may God bless you. Enjoy it with the family safely, in a safe way. Merry Christmas – this is our gift for you!”

Liverpool have endured their fair share of injury struggles this season, but looked back to their fearsome best against Palace.

Alisson claims that contest was not as easy as the Reds made it look, with a confident outfit hitting all of the right notes on a productive afternoon in south London.

He added: “If you just see the scoresheet you see it was an easy game for Liverpool, but it wasn’t. We had to work really hard here.

“It’s always tough to play against Crystal Palace away because of the way they play. They like to put the balls in behind and we like to press them and sometimes they came out of this pressure of ours.

“But on those moments we did really well, buying some time, dropping a little bit, the defensive line dropped a little bit to buy some time for the other players to come back and help to defend. That’s why, I believe, we got the clean sheet.

“Then after, with the ball we did really, really well – great.”

Posta Rangers head coach Sammy Omollo believes his team will be in a better position to get their first win in their Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League game against Bandari.

The Mailmen have not yet registered any win in the 2020/21 campaign despite having a good pre-season. They started their campaign with a 4-0 loss to KCB before playing to a 1-1 draw with Kakamega Homeboyz.

They then settled for a goalless draw with Wazito FC and their recent game was away to Nzoia Sugar where they once again settled for a 1-1 draw. They are playing against an unpredictable Dockers and the tactician has shed light on what to expect.

"It has always been tough when playing against Bandari and I am not expecting anything less on Wednesday," Omollo told Goal on Tuesday.

"We have not been playing badly and in the last game we would have won but Nzoia Sugar scored late in the game. It was the same case with Kakamega Homeboyz who scored in the dying minutes.

"Our problem has been on retaining our lead; it is what we have been working on ana against bandari, I am hopeful we will get a positive outcome. Our first win of the season."

The 50-year-old has also stated why he is not focusing much on the 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Bankers.

"They were better than us, and actually they have gone to win all their games this season," Omollo added.

"KCB have a good record against us, but the positives I took is that my charges played well and we have shown in our last three matches.

"Despite not winning, we have been doing well on the pitch. I am optimistic we will get it right this time around because we have rectified most of our mistakes."

The Dockers come into the match also desperate for maximum points after an inconsistent start to the season. They started with a 1-0 win over Sofapaka before drawing 0-0 away to Tusker FC.

They then fell 2-0 away to Nairobi City Stars before again falling at home to KCB 2-1.

Jamie Carragher sees similarities between Mohamed Salah’s situation at Liverpool and one Cristiano Ronaldo once faced at Manchester United, but the Reds legend claims Real Madrid are no longer a “step up” for the world’s best players.

Back in 2009, the Red Devils saw the lure of Santiago Bernabeu prove too much for a Portuguese superstar.

A record-breaking transfer was put in place, with Ronaldo going on to cement his standing as an all-time great across nine memorable years with the Blancos.

It could be that another Premier League icon treads a similar path in the near future, with Salah leaving the door open for La Liga giants to make approaches for his services.

Carragher, though, sees no reason for a prolific presence at Anfield to be considering a switch to Spain, with Real and Barcelona losing their appeal and power in the global game.

The Liverpool legend told Sky Sports of the speculation that has resurfaced around Salah: “I don't think it's really a debate as much now as it was a few years ago.

“I think even when Manchester United were top dogs and Cristiano Ronaldo went to Real Madrid it still felt like a step up in some ways because Real Madrid were Real Madrid. But I really do feel the two Spanish giants have fallen so far.

“Salah has two-and-a-half years to go. I'm not really looking at it as too much of a problem.

“Real Madrid spent a lot of money on [Eden] Hazard when he was at that age. Salah is getting to that age now. 

“I just think that when you're wanting to spend that kind of money you want them to be 25, 26 to get that real value for them.

“If he did go - I don't see it - then it would be massive money for Liverpool, but I just think the time now has sort of gone.”

Salah is now 28 years of age and remains tied to a contract at Liverpool through to the summer of 2023.

The Reds would demand another sizeable fee from any deal done with Real Madrid or Barcelona – having previously offloaded the likes of Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho to Spain – but the success they have enjoyed under Jurgen Klopp should help to prevent heads from being turned.

Arsenal have "great quality" and a "class manager", according to Frank Lampard, who has warned his Chelsea players not to underestimate the "dangerous" Gunners.

Chelsea picked up their seventh win of the season to move up to fifth in the Premier League standings on Monday night, beating London rivals West Ham 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues bounced back from successive defeats against Everton and Wolves to close the gap on first-placed Liverpool to six points, capping a generally strong start to the 2020-21 campaign.

In stark contrast, Arsenal have slipped to 15th in the top-flight after losing eight of their first 14 fixtures, with their winless run extended to seven matches after a 2-1 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park at the weekend.

Mikel Arteta's side are in real danger of being dragged into a relegation battle if results don't start to improve, and they will head into a meeting with Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Saturday as heavy underdogs.

Although Lampard was pleased to see his team improve on their impressive recent record in London derbies with a comfortable victory over West Ham, he will be taking nothing for granted when another cross-city rivalry is renewed on Boxing Day.

The Chelsea boss insists Arsenal are a far more formidable outfit than their current league position suggests, and he has no doubt that Arteta will have his players fired up for a game they can ill-afford to lose.

“We've been in decent form [in London derbies] but I don't think we should be taking Arsenal at face value,” Lampard said after the Blues' clash with West Ham.

"With Arsenal, I see a team of great quality, a class manager who are in a tough moment.

"That's a really dangerous combination to go against, so we have to prepare right."

The 42-year-old head coach added: “The league is so tough and we are seeing results every week that might surprise some. It’s hard for most teams to sustain results that might be expected in different seasons and there’s a combination of reasons for that.

"It can be tough [playing your rivals]. They're all very challenging games, we saw that on Monday, with West Ham and obviously [Michail] Antonio not being around changed the element of it slightly.”

FC Goa will look to return to winning ways in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) when they take on Jamshedpur on Wednesday.

The Gaurs stumbled against Chennaiyin in their last outing in what was their second successive and overall third defeat of the season.

"Our focus is on the present, to think about the next game against Jamshedpur tomorrow (Wednesday)," said Goa coach Juan Ferrando. "Of course, I'm so sad about the last two results (1-0 and 2-1 defeat to ATK Mohun Bagan and Chennaiyin respectively) but it's not possible to change the past."

"Our way (to motivate players) is easy - working - working to prepare on some details not only in defence but in attack because, if you remember, the last two to three chances for Chennaiyin were because of our mistakes in positional attack," the Spaniard said. 

Ferrando, who has discussed the impact of fixture congestion on his squad more than once this season, reiterated, "It's not an excuse but when you have four to five days, you can talk with the team and prepare the training [sessions] but the last two weeks we had time only for recovery and to build a strong mentality for the next game.

"We need to forget the last game to play the next game. We were not ready to play against Chennaiyin. Now we had three days and will be ready. It's very important to focus because if we don't have 100 per cent focus, Goa is an easy team (to beat)."

Ferrando expects Jamshedpur's challenge to be similar to that posed by Chennaiyin.

"I expect more or less the same game (from Jamshedpur). The problem was, after losing to ATK [Mohun Bagan] in the last five minutes, we were not able to put all the focus on the match against Chennaiyin because we had only two days (to prepare)," he continued.

"We can talk about [Nerijus] Valskis and their back four because I think they are a strong team in attack and defence. In our mentality, thinking in our way is very good for tomorrow. 

"I watched all their (Jamshedpur's) games when I was in my room. I have thought of some details but for me, it's better to work on the pitch and explain the same to the players but there is not enough time. For me, in the end, it's about getting three points and for the team to believe in our mentality and of course, game by game, we will surely be better because we have a very good squad."

Napoli are expecting Victor Osimhen to return to action in January 2021 as he continues his rehabilitation process, according to the club’s sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli.

Osimhen dislocated his shoulder last month while in action for Nigeria in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Sierra Leone, which consequently made him miss their last nine matches across all competitions.

Since his big money from Ligue 1 club Lille to Napoli in August, the Nigeria international has made eight appearances for Gennaro Gattuso's side and he has two goals to his name in Serie A.

Napoli have suffered back-to-back defeats in their last two league outings and they will still be without their summer-signing for the final match of the year, against Torino on Wednesday.

The Italian league will go on its winter break after Wednesday’s fixtures until January 3 and Osimhen might return to Gattuso’s team before their trip to Cagliari next Sunday.

When asked about the condition of the Nigerian forward, Giuntoli told Sky Italia via SOS Fanta; “Osimhen is still not well, we are waiting for him at the beginning of 2021.

“At what point of the month is he back? We are waiting for him at the beginning of January, I don't know when he will come back, we will see in what conditions it will be and we will evaluate.”

In Osimhen's absence, Napoli have won just four of their nine matches in all competitions, and they are ranked fifth on the Serie A table with 23 points from 13 matches.

Earlier this month, the former Wolfsburg and Sporting Charleroi striker dismissed reports that Nigerian doctors worsened his injury before he left the West African country for treatment at his club base in Naples.

Jamshedpur are on a six-game unbeaten run in the 2020 Indian Super League (ISL) and head coach Owen Coyle would keep that momentum going when they face FC Goa on Wednesday.

The Men of Steel registered a 1-0 win over NorthEast United last weekend to climb onto the top half of the table with 10 points from seven games.

"The boys have been doing well as they do in every game. They are a wonderful group. [They are] very professional, disciplined and motivated and we obviously want to continue to maintain the unbeaten run and equally want to win the match (against FC Goa) and get three points," said Coyle.

When he was asked about the possibility of Jackichand Singh playing behind striker after the winger's positive involvement that included an assist from that position against NorthEast, the coach replied, "We don't want to give away our team but we certainly have players to step in. We have been hampered by injuries.

"Jacki has played as a number 10 before. So we do have attacking options and we just have to utilise them during the game. We have to be at our best against a good side because Goa certainly are but it's a game we are certainly looking forward to."

Apart from the growing injury list that has the inclusion of William Lalnunfela besides David Grande, Nick Fitzgerald, Narender Gahlot and Joyner Lourenco, Jamshedpur will be buoyed by the return of Aitor Monroy from suspension.

"It's always nice when you have a quality player like Aitor coming back into your team. [He is a] wonderfully gifted player, a very good professional, sets a great example to the younger players. So when you have those players available to you, that always helps the team.

"That being said, the boys that played the other night (in the 1-0 win over NorthEast United) did very well. That only tells you that, in terms of picking the team, it's always difficult but that's what we want. It's a problem that a coach wants because everybody is in form and the lads are certainly doing well," Coyle stated.

In contrast to Jamshedpur's recent form that includes a draw against Mumbai City, Goa has suffered back-to-back defeats against ATK Mohun Bagan and Chennaiyin.

"We have to be at our very best from the first minute to the last against FC Goa. They have some wonderfully talented individual players. They can cause you problems. We have to make sure that we solve those problems and look to give them problems of their own. We know that, if we continue in the form we are on, we are a real challenge for winning another three points," the former Chennaiyin coach concluded.

Luke Shaw has become the best left-back in England, claims Luke Chadwick, with the Manchester United defender considered to have raised his game after facing added competition from Alex Telles.

The Red Devils opted to bolster their ranks at the back during the last transfer window.

A highly-rated Brazilian was snapped up from Porto, with Telles arriving at Old Trafford boasting an impressive track record when it comes to goals and assists.

Shaw has rarely been prolific in those areas, but the 25-year-old can make an impact at both ends of the field.

He has been showing as much this season, with a man who has faced plenty of criticism during his time in Manchester starting to unlock the potential that United always believed he had.

Chadwick believes the presence of Telles has aided that cause, with Shaw no longer a guaranteed starter when fit, and it could be that a regular spot is now nailed down for club and country.

Former Red Devils winger Chadwick told CaughtOffside of a hard-working England international: “Luke Shaw’s level of performance has been great since Telles came into the building and competition for the left-back position will raise both of the players’ game to get into the team and stay there.

“Shaw seems to be the first choice at the moment but knowing Telles is waiting in the wings will keep him on his toes and hopefully keep the consistency he is showing.

“On form it’s hard to think of many better left backs then Luke Shaw, he has all the qualities and ability to get himself in the England squad and really challenge for that position. 

“Injury problems have held him back the last couple of seasons but hopefully that is behind him now and he can really kick on and be the player he is more than capable of becoming.”

Shaw saw another hour of Premier League football against Leeds on Sunday before being replaced by Telles.

United ran riot in that contest, as they secured a 6-2 win, with Daniel James another of those to make the most of his opportunity to catch the eye of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and a global television audience.

Chadwick said of the Wales international, who has been restricted to just four top-flight outings this season: “It was great to see Dan James have such a positive impact.

“It’s the first time we have seen him start for a number of weeks, and again Ole showed his tactical awareness by bringing him in for a game that suited his style down to a tee.

“Once United broke Leeds’ first press there was lots of space for players with pace to drive forward to take the team into the final third and expose Leeds’ back line to create chances.

“James has done this on numerous occasions to great effect, and when there is space for him there aren’t many quicker players when travelling with the ball.

“In hindsight the yellow card was a really poor decision from the referee, it’s not easy to stay on your feet after a forearm to the face!

“What James offers even when not having an attacking threat is superb work-rate and will always put a shift in to help the team.

“It was brilliant to see it all come together for him and topped after with a really good goal which was thoroughly deserved.”

“Like [Anthony] Martial, here’s hoping it will be the confidence booster needed to really kick on in the second half of the season after what has been a tough first half of the season for him at times.”

Georginio Wijnaldum “still loves Liverpool” but may have already decided to take on a new challenge amid ongoing talk of interest from Barcelona, says John Aldridge.

Speculation regarding a move to Camp Nou for the Netherlands international first surfaced over the summer.

Ronald Koeman is eager to be reunited with a fellow countryman in Catalunya and could land a top target as a free agent in 2021.

That is because Wijnaldum’s contract at Anfield continues to run down.

No extension has been agreed as yet, despite the Premier League champions being keen on retaining a talented 30-year-old midfielder, and it may be that money talks when it comes to big future calls.

Aldridge will be among those disappointed to see a proven performer leave if a new challenge is sought, but he accepts that thrashing out fresh terms will not be easy.

The former Reds striker told the Liverpool Echo: “You don’t know what is going on behind the scenes with Gini Wijnaldum. Agents are hard to deal with. Gini is in an ideal position now. His contract is running out, he’s going to be free.

“He still loves Liverpool I’m sure. But there are going to be reasons behind it. Only he knows. If Gini wants to go, he’ll go. It’s as simple as that.

“It’s all in Gini’s court. Will the club push the boat out and give him what he wants? I don’t know, we’ll have to watch this space and trust the manager.

“But if he wants to go, he’ll probably go.”

Wijnaldum will be free to discuss pre-contract terms with any suitors from January, with it possible that a fresh start outside of England will be agreed.

Liverpool may also explore the option of bolstering their ranks in the new year, with there still plenty of talk regarding centre-half additions at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp manages his way through an injury crisis.

Aldridge expects targets to be identified, adding: “I think, with what’s at stake, it wouldn’t be a bad idea if the right player is out there.

“If they’re not out there at the right price, then they can’t get one. If there is someone out there at the right price then absolutely, I think we should sign someone as an insurance policy to get us through the season and get the Premier League title in the bag again.”

The match kicks off at 18:00 South African time and is Amakhosi's last game of what has been a tough year.

Having been edged to the league title by Mamelodi Sundowns on the final day of last season, things have gone from bad to worse for the Glamour Boys in the current campaign.

Reckless errors in defence and the inability to create and convert chances up front have proved costly as Chiefs have won only three of 13 matches in all competitions this term.

Their latest setback came on the weekend, when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Bloemfontein Celtic.

“The preparation has been going well," Zulu said ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash, as quoted by the Citizen.

"We are trying as a team to look forward. We are fixing where we need to fix what’s gone wrong and also make sure that we excel even more in areas we have been doing well in.

“I can’t really say at the moment as to what’s going wrong because as a team who likes to dominate, we try to do that.

"But we tend to lose concentration and make the small mistakes that end up costing us dearly.

“But we learn in each game and we try by all means to fix the mistakes so we can start collecting points and move away from our current position.”

Zulu was absent from the Celtic game due to suspension and it was in that area of the pitch that Phunya Sele Sele got their second-half equaliser.

The former Maritzburg United man, who started out as a left-winger, is, however, available for the match against the 13-time Angolan champions.

It will be easier for Primeiro de Agosto to get footage of Chiefs matches, compared to the other way around. Zulu, though, does not necessarily see this as a disadvantage.  

“Where it tends to be more difficult because we hardly know the opponent, we do better," he said.

"We go there with the attitude that anything can happen. But we also prepare to play our own way because they also don’t know us that well."

Mohamed Salah does not look “unhappy” at Liverpool, says Reds coach Gary O’Neil, with there seemingly little cause for concern when it comes to the Egyptian’s immediate future.

Fears have been raised at Anfield regarding a move to Spain for a talismanic presence.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have been linked with a prolific frontman in the past, and Salah has now left the door open for La Liga heavyweights to make an approach.

He has refused to rule out switches to Santiago Bernabeu or Camp Nou, with the 28-year-old frontman admitting that transfer calls now rest in Liverpool’s hands.

Real and Barca may struggle to generate the funds required to do a big-money deal at present, as the coronavirus pandemic forces even the richest of clubs to tighten their belts, but interest is to be expected at some stage.

Jurgen Klopp would be reluctant to part with a key part of his plans, but his hand may be forced if Salah decides that the time has come to take on a new challenge.

O’Neil cannot see that call being made any time soon, with a man who has hit 110 goals through 173 appearances for Liverpool offering no indication that he is looking for an imminent transfer.

“I’m keen to judge it on performances and the guy that came on for half an hour against Crystal Palace doesn’t seem unhappy, for me,” O’Neil, who works in the Reds’ academy system, told talkSPORT.

“What I’m hearing about how hard he works in training and how bubbly he is around the ground, I don’t see it being an issue.

“Players will give interviews and, sometimes, especially when they are done in other countries and other languages, there will be stuff that comes back.

“I think you have to judge him on his performances and for me he doesn’t look like a guy unhappy at Liverpool Football Club.

“What I hear about how he trains and how hard he works he definitely doesn’t give off the notion that he is unhappy.”

Salah made more history for Liverpool in his latest outing, as he stepped off the bench to score two and lay on another in a 7-0 mauling of Crystal Palace, and remains tied to a contract through to the summer of 2023.

Bruno Fernandes has "transformed" Manchester United, according to Gary Neville, who feels the €55 million (£50m/$67m) midfielder has all the qualities of a club captain.

Fernandes has taken to English football like a duck to water since his big-money move to Old Trafford in January.

The former Sporting CP playmaker's first 42 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions have yielded 25 goals and 15 assists, with his latest double coming in a 6-2 thrashing of Leeds United on Sunday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were short on creativity and cutting edge in the final third of the pitch before Fernandes' arrival in Manchester, but his presence has helped the team re-emerge as a major force on both domestic and European fronts.

The 26-year-old has helped United rise to third in the Premier League standings this season, five points behind pacesetters Liverpool with a game in hand - the closest they have been to top spot at Christmas than in any other season post Sir Alex Ferguson's departure.

Harry Maguire has served as Solskjaer's captain ever since Ashley Young's move to Inter in the last winter transfer window, but Neville believes Fernandes has been the main driving force behind his old club's recent success.

The United legend has credited the Portugal international for leading by example with his general play and work rate off the ball, telling Sky Sports: “There’s Paul Pogba, there’s David de Gea, there’s Maguire, they’ve all been captain of the team, [Edinson] Cavani with his experience.

“He (Fernandes) is the leader in that team, leader by example. Leader by what he does when he gives the ball away, he sprints straight after it.

“Every time the team are on the ball, he wants the ball. Every time he gets the ball, he wants to play a pass that matters.

“He’s transformed, I’d say, the whole club from a point of view of if he doesn’t play, it’s a massive problem, and that’s a big issue when you’re almost reliant on him.

“Of all the midfield players they’ve got - [Donny] Van de Beek, Pogba, Fred, [Nemanja] Matic, [Scott] McTominay - he is just the one absolutely out there of those three midfield players that pick themselves.

“Fernandes has been an absolute sensation at United - he’s the leader of that team and if it’s not him wearing the armband, he could be.”

Fernandes will be back in contention for a place in the Red Devils' starting XI when they take in a trip to Everton in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, before focus shifts to another crucial Premier League encounter away at Leicester City on Boxing Day.