A CERTAIN BOY LIVED HIS DREAM. [Dedicated to Christiano Ronaldo, Dedicated to all those willing to Live Their Dreams]

The impossible is often the untried

Remember that Thomas Edison tried a thousand times before he could make the bulb light..

Never give up easily. 

Christiano Ronaldo got to Euro finals 2003 and lost 1.0 to a non football country like Greece..then in 2016 he won the same title More than a decade. 

My brothers and sisters never give up play to the end.

Remember that tough moment don't last But tough people do.

Godbless. 

Lesson. .Christiano Ronaldo today is one of the greatest players ever in football history.

He never gave up.
He never stopped trying. 

Keep believing.

KiaraInspires 

INSPIRATION FROM MICHAEL JORDAN

Michael Jordan was born in 1963, in the slums of Brooklyn, New York.

He had four  siblings and his father's earnings were not sufficient to provide for the whole family.

He grew up in a poor neighbourhood. Exposed to mindless violence and heavy discrimination in the slums, he saw for himself only a hopeless future.

His father saw in Michael, a lost soul and decided to do something.

He gave Michael, who was 13 years old, a piece of used clothing and asked: "What do you think the value of this outfit would be?"

Jordan replied,"Maybe one dollar."

His father asked, "Can you sell it for two dollars? If you can sell it, it would mean that you are a big help to your family."

Jordan nodded his head, "I'll try, but no guarantee that I'll be successful."

Jordan carefully washed the cloth clean. Because they didn't have an iron, to smoothen the cloth, he levelled it with a clothes brush on a flat board, then kept it in the sun to dry. The next day, he brought the clothes to a crowded underground station. After offering it for more than six hours. Jordan finally managed to sell it for $2. He took the two dollar bill and ran home.

After that, everyday he looked for used clothing, washed and ironed it, and sold it in the crowd.

More than ten days later, his father again gave him a piece of used clothing, "Can you think of a way you can sell this for 20 bucks?"

Aghast, Jordan said, "How is it possible? This outfit can only fetch two dollars at the most."

His father replied, "Why don't you try it first? There might be a way."

After breaking his head for a few hours, finally, Jordan got an idea.

He asked for cousin's helpto paint a picture of Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse on the garment. Then he tried to sell it in the school where the children of the rich study.

Soon a housekeeper, who was there to pick his master, bought that outfit for his master. The master was a little boy of only 10 years. He loved it so much and he gave a five dollar tip. 25 dollars was a huge amount for Jordan, the equivalent of a month's salary of his father.

When he got home, his father gave him yet another piece of used clothing, "Are you able to resell it at a price of 200 dollars?" Jordan's eyes lit up.

This time, Jordan accepted the clothes without the slightest doubt. Two months later a popular movie actress from the movie "Charlie's Angels", Farah Fawcett came to New York for her Movie promos. After the press conference, Jordan made his way through the security forces to reach the side of Farah Fawcett and requested her autograph on the piece of clothing. When Fawcett saw this innocent child asking for her autograph, she gladly signed it.

Jordan was shouting very excitedly, "This is a jersey signed by Miss Farah Fawcett, the selling price is 200 dollars!" He auctioned off the clothes, to a businessman for a price of 1,200 dollars!

Upon returning home, his father broke into TEARS and said, "I am amazed that you did it My child! You're really great! "

That night, Jordan slept alongside his father. His father said, "Son, in your experience selling these three pieces of clothing, what did you learn about success?"

Jordan replied, "Where there's a will, there's a way."

His father nodded his head, then shook his head, "What you say is not entirely wrong! But that was not my intention. I just wanted to show you that a piece of used clothing which is worth only a dollar can also be increased in value, Then how about us - living & thinking humans? We may be darker and poorer, but what if we CAN increase our VALUE."

This thought enlightened young Jordan. Even a piece of used clothing could be made dignified, then why not me? There is absolutely no reason to underestimate myself.

From then on, Michael Jordan felt that his future would be beautiful and full of hope.

He went on to become the greatest basketball player of all times.

How can I increase my own value?                                                           I am finding it a very interesting thought. I am sure, you too, will --culled from ICC.

Why Swansea's New Italian Striker Will Be A Better Premier League Player Than Mario Balotelli

---

Given the recent history of players moving from Serie A to the Premier League, Swansea City supporters are right to be somewhat sceptical of their newest addition. Indeed, if the likes of Juan Cuadrado, Stevan Jovetic and, yes, even Mario Balotelli (twice) all failed to make any lasting impact despite arriving with stellar reputations, why should the much less heralded Alberto Paloschi be any different?

The simple answer is this; because he is different.

While that aforementioned trio always appeared destined for stardom, Paloschi’s career has been a study in effort, determination and serves as proof that, eventually, ability earns recognition. His talent was first identified by Milan back in 2002, joining the club as a 12-year-old and steadily progressing through the youth ranks.

Five years later his hat-trick sealed a national Under-17s title for the Rossoneri, and he was catapulted into the first team, scoring in both legs of a 2008 Coppa Italia clash with Catania. The young striker was then handed his league debut against Siena, again getting on the scoresheet as he netted with his first touch after being introduced as a second-half substitute.

“Not everyone is able to do what Paloschi did today, and scoring on your debut 18 seconds after coming on is incredible,” said then-Coach Carlo Ancelotti.  “I'm very happy for him, I think he's a predestined star with a great goal-scoring ability. He's a very determined and serious lad with the future on his side.”

His growth would continue in the club’s U-20s alongside some truly gifted team-mates, but as Milan continued to persevere with an aging side rather than believing in their youth sector, a hugely talented generation was allowed to thrive elsewhere. Seeing a photo of the squad at the Viareggio Tournament from 2008 will always leave fans of the club with regrets, the likes of Matteo Darmian, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Paloschi never truly given a chance in the famous red and black stripes.

All three would move on over the next twelve months, the latter joining Parma and netting a dozen goals to help the relegated side return to the top flight at the first time of asking. He did so under the watchful eye of Francesco Guidoliin, clearly making a good impression on the coach who has obviously played a major role in bringing Paloschi to Swansea recently.

Serie A would prove much tougher for the striker, filling in a variety of roles as he bounced around from Parma to Genoa and eventually Chievo, at times returning to the wing position he had played earlier in his career. Scoring just 19 goals over 82 appearances, the 2013/14 campaign would see everything click into place for Paloschi, netting a career high fifteen times in all competitions as he finally became a regular part of the starting XI.

He has been the club’s leading scorer ever since, averaging a goal every three games for a side perpetually battling relegation, Chievo finishing 16^th and 14^th in the past two seasons and currently sitting in 11^th place. The 26-year-old has done so on minimal service, with only Georginio Wijnaldum (40) of Newcastle and Milan’s Carlos Bacca (40) taking fewer shots than Paloschi (42) among all Premier League or Serie A players to score at least eight goals this term.

It may come as no surprise to learn he grew up idolising Filippo Inzaghi – even convincing his parents to name his younger brother after the former Italy international – and he is now hitting the target with similar accuracy. But Paloschi is anything but a one-dimensional poacher as Chievo boasted Serie A’s fourth-meanest defence last year, that effort beginning up front as he diligently pressed opponents and worked hard to protect those behind him.

Indeed, without his efforts the side are extremely easy to open up, suffering their heaviest defeat of the current campaign this past weekend in their first match after his move. As a player he is never going to skip past defenders with a display of skill of lightening pace, but works as hard as any midfielder while still getting into the penalty area where he truly thrives.

He rarely scores from distance, netting only once from outside the box over the past three seasons, yet at close range he is surprisingly versatile. While 19 of his last 30 goals have come via his preferred right boot, he has also notched six with his left and – despite standing just 1.83 m (6 ft) tall – five headers as he excels at finding space between defenders.

It may take a few matches to get used to the demanding nature of the Premier League, but Chievo play a much more robust style than most Serie A clubs so he certainly has an advantage and is fully aware of the need to prove he deserves an opportunity. “The big clubs want players who are ready because they always have to win,” he once told La Gazzetta dello Sport, “but some of us need go on a bit of a journey before showing our best.”

That journey has now taken him to South Wales, a vastly different environment than many of his peers, but Alberto Paloschi gives the impression he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Alex Teixeira assures Liverpool fans he’ll sign for us in the summer instead

---

Liverpool didn’t do anything in the transfer market yesterday, unable to even ship Jose Enrique out of the club!
Fans were hoping we’d be able to agree a fee with Shakhtar Donetsk for Alex Teixeira, but it wasn’t to be – with Jurgen Klopp indicating via the Daily Mail that Liverpool would not be held to ransom by clubs during transfer negotiations.

“We made offers, I won’t say too much about that, but they were realistic, absolutely, with the premium of it being January, the Premier League, all the plusses you have when you make negotiations,” he said.

“But it was a case of, ‘If you don’t want it, OK, we can’t change the situation, both for now and the future’.

“It’s not that we haven’t got money or anything, but you have to work respectfully and responsibly. That’s what we do.We will do things, for sure. Not in this window, but we will. It is like it is and it’s not you should buy and sell, buy and sell.”

Despite Klopp’s comments, the 26-year-old Brazilian has not given up on his dream of making a switch to Anfield.

Teixeira posted this snapchat story yesterday, telling fans ‘Not today. But in the summer. #LFC’

You have to feel sorry for the player, who openly pined after a Liverpool move ever since news broke of our first bid.

He liked photos of himself wearing the red shirt on Instagram, and gave an interview in which he declared his desire to switch.

Whether or not Teixeira’s comments indicate that a summer transfer is already lined up, or just that he’d like it to happen, is of course uncertain.

But we’d assume that with five months before the window opens again, Liverpool will go back to the drawing board.

Liverpool Injury Boost As Star Returns To Light Training Ahead Of Schedule

Liverpool have been handed a major injury boost with the news that Danny Ings has been given permission to return to light training today, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Ings has been on the sidelines since suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Jurgen Klopp’s first training session when he took over from Brendan Rodgers back in October 2015.

The 23-year-old underwent surgery to repair the knee and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the Premier League season, making it highly unlikely the striker would be able to force his way in to Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad.
However, Ings has now given Liverpool and his country and major boost with the Liverpool Echo reporting that the former Burnley hitman has been given the green light to step-up his rehabilitation programme.
The newspaper carries quotes from Klopp confirming Ings will move from the gym to light training outside at Melwood today as he looks to make a return to action ahead of schedule.
Klopp is quoted as saying:

“I had lunch with Ingsy a few minutes ago,” Klopp said.
“He’s not in the perfect way, but Tuesday will be his first time outside again.
“He’s still a long way away from being available but he’s here.”

Obviously there is still a long way to go before Ings will be in any condition to return to the first team set-up but it’s positive news that the striker is set to work outside on the training pitch again.
As long as his rehabilitation continues to go smoothly and he doesn’t suffer any setbacks, there is no reason why Ings shouldn’t be back playing again before the end of the season and his return will be a welcome one for Klopp.
The German coach failed to sign a striker during the transfer window and with Daniel Sturridge sidelined with his own injury woes and Christian Benteke struggling to adapt to Klopp’s style of play, the Reds have been forced to rely on Roberto Firmino as a ‘false 9′ up front.
Ings settled in well at Anfield following his summer move from Burnley and scored three goals in his eight appearances before he suffered his injury, so Klopp will be desperate for him to get back to full fitness as soon as possible.

Winners & losers of the January transfer window

Leaving Real Madrid for Valencia an easy decision - Cheryshev

The Chinese Super League has emerged as a major financial power over the past month, Roma cleared plenty of dead wood, but Barcelona's pursuit of Nolito was embarrassing

---

---

The January transfer window slammed shut on Monday after another month of ups and downs for the game's top players and clubs. Below, Goal picks out three winners and three losers from the latest comings and goings across the globe.

Do you agree with our selection? As ever, feel free to air your thoughts in the comment section!

---

WINNERS: CHINA

---

The staggering sums of money spent by Chinese clubs has been the most interesting aspect of an otherwise dull January transfer window. The most high-profile deals were for Fredy Guarin, Gervinho and Ramires. Of course, the fees involved dominated the headlines, with Colombia international Guarin joining Shanghai Greenland Shenhua for €13 million, Hebei China Fortune paying Roma €18m for Cote d'Ivoire attacker Gervinho and Jiangsu Suning splashing €28m on Ramires, the Brazil international who played a key role in Chelsea's 2012 Champions League triumph.

However, what is really significant is that all three players are under 30. The Chinese Super League has effectively managed to persuade three footballers to leave Europe while still in their prime years. It would be premature to suggest that we are witnessing a sudden and dramatic shift in power within the global game but Chinese clubs have shown in spectacular fashion that they have the financial muscle to become major players in the transfer market.

Indeed, the greatest demonstration of their burgeoning wealth is the fact that not only does the Chinese Super League rank second only to the Premier League in terms of money spent this winter, the country's second tier, China League One, sits fourth in the standings - above both the Bundesliga (5th) and La Liga (6th)!

---

WINNERS: LEICESTER CITY

---

The major fear among Leicester City supporters - and lovers of fairytales everywhere - was that Claudio Ranieri's men had actually performed too well during the first half of the season and that they would be the subject of massive bids during the January window. Thankfully, despite widespread interest in the sensational exploits of star strikers Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, as well as midfielder N'Golo Kante, the Foxes have managed to hold on to all of their key players.

There is some disappointment at the failure to add another attacker, with Eder having opted to join Inter rather than Leicester after both clubs had bids accepted for the former Sampdoria forward. But Ranieri will be nonetheless delighted, given his table-topping squad has still been strengthened by the additions of Daniel Amartey and Demarai Gray, from Copenhagen and Birmingham City, respectively.

All things considered, with Leicester having retained the services of their key protagonists, this remarkable story could easily have a very happy ending.

---

WINNERS: ROMA

---

Roma could perhaps have done with a few more quality signings but as an exercise in clearing out the dead wood, their January was an unqualified success. Gervinho had his moments during his time at the Stadio Olimpico but making a €10m profit on such a maddeningly inconsistent performer cannot be considered anything other than an excellent piece of business. Furthermore, replacing the Ivorian with Stephan El Shaarawy, who has arrived on loan from Milan for €1.4m with a view to a permanent move in the summer for €13m, already looks like a masterstroke, with the Italian having netted a spectacular scorpion-kick on his Giallorossi debut at the weekend.

The capital club have also managed to get three money-sapping flops off their hands. Bournemouth and Newcastle have taken Juan Iturbe and Seydou Doumbia on loan, respectively, while the Giallorossi are no longer paying the wages of the Ashley Cole impersonator they signed on a free transfer 18 months ago. The former England international terminated his contract with the club and has now joined the LA Galaxy.

---

LOSER: VICTOR VALDES

---

Victor Valdes is a wealthy man with a model for a partner and three Champions League winners' medals. He needs neither our sympathy nor our pity. However, there was something quite sad about seeing the world and European champion trudging along a muddy path to a run-down dressing room in Heverlee on Saturday to get ready for his Standard Liege debut. It just seems like a dreadful waste of experience.

Valdes, of course, is happy just to have finally got away from Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal. As he wrote on Instagram after helping his new club earn a 2-0 win over Oud-Heverlee Leuven: "[I'm] so happy [to] play again after eight months working alone."

However, it is shocking that Valdes, who has only just turned 34, is now plying his trade for a mid-table Belgian team. Of course, he could yet earn a move to a more illustrious league come the end of his six-month loan deal with Standard but how Valdes must now regret leaving Barcelona in the summer of 2014.

---

LOSERS: BARCELONA

---

Joan Laporta labelled Barcelona's attempt to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus last year as "ridiculous", "a failure" that made the Catalans "look bad". One can only imagine what the former club president made of January's pursuit of Celta ace Nolito.

The Blaugrana's interest in the Spain international was understandable. However, their offer for the former Barca B team player was utterly nonsensical. For some reason, the European champions believed that Celta, who are chasing Champions League football, would be willing to allow their best player to move to Camp Nou on loan for the remainder of the season - for no fee. Barca even thought Celta would be touched by the offer to return Nolito to Galicia if he failed to settle into Luis Enrique's squad.

Celta unsurprisingly baulked at Barca's bid, making it clear that the forward would only leave Balaidos if a club agreed to meet his €18m buy-out clause. Given the world and European champions simply don't have that kind of money right now, the proposed deal was always doomed to fail.

Consequently, the Catalans were unable to provide Luis Enrique with the attacking cover he so desperately desired. Bizarrely, Barca seem more adept at signing players while banned from doing so!

---

LOSERS: EXCITEMENT-SEEKERS

---

It says everything about the tedious nature of the January transfer window that the most interesting thing to happen on deadline day was the belated confirmation of the worst-kept secret in football: Pep Guardiola will replace Manuel Pellegrini as Manchester City boss at the end of the season. There really was little else to get excited about on what is supposed to be a day of dramatic deals.

However, it became quite clear by the midway point of the January window that there would be no major transfers among Europe's elite clubs. Even Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid remained calm, refusing to be rushed into panic-buys when it initially seemed that they would be banned from signing players for the next two windows.

Still, the summer promises far more intrigue, with the news that Guardiola is bound for the Etihad having already sparked giddy talk of the likes of Lionel Messi and Paul Pogba arriving at Eastlands. In addition, City's numerous cash-rich rivals will also doubtless be scared into making major moves at the end of the season, as the best coach in the world taking charge of one of the wealthiest clubs in the world means that the bar is about to be raised. Let's hope the excitement levels are too when the window reopens in a few months' time.

I could have become Manchester United manager, reveals Klopp

The German has confirmed he was once in the frame to take charge at Old Trafford - likely as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor - but did not want to leave Borussia Dortmund

Jurgen Klopp has revealed he was once approached to become Manchester United's new manager but did not want to leave Borussia Dortmund.
The 48-year-old will coach Liverpool against their fierce rivals for the first time on Sunday after replacing Brendan Rodgers at the helm in October.
Klopp received multiple offers after leaving Germany but was also in demand while still in charge at Dortmund, and admitted that United were one of the clubs who had expressed an interest "in April" - likely of 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson was due to retire.
“We spoke," he told reporters. "We spoke not a lot but, for me, it was a lot. It was a big honour, the whole talk, to be honest.
"There was a time [when United were interested] but I could not leave Dortmund. That is it. You are in April and you are in the middle of the planning for next season.
"You have this player and this player and this player who is coming in but then you are not there any more? That doesn’t work. Not in my life anyway.
“I did not hear about a real offer but, if there was, I could not have done it. I first had to finish the job with Dortmund and then think about other things.
"Maybe that is not the smart way but that is my way. Of course I was loyal to Dortmund. It was the same at Mainz.”

---

---

Klopp admitted he sympathises with the scrutiny being placed on his ex-Bayern Munich counterpart Louis van Gaal amid United's run of one win in eight matches.
“The pressure [Van Gaal is under] has an effect on your whole life but, in my case, not on how I handle my team or anything like this," he stated.
"It is always the case if things don’t run the way you want – you have to think about whether to change things or not to change. Both decisions are really important.
"Life is not that nice. I know the whole world is watching football managers and thinking: ‘They are really well paid’, so no one cares about a manager’s feelings.
“I didn’t watch too much of these things at United but I heard about it. I know Louis is not too happy with the media at the moment but I think in life it is important sometimes to switch and think about how it would be on the other side.
"You would have all this money but also all this pressure so it is not nice. If you want to change things in football it is not okay that you think: ‘Bad, bad, bad – go.’
"That is not a change. If that was the solution I think Man United would have done it. But it is not a solution so they have to carry on. It is not our problem, but it is a manager’s problem. It’s not the case that the sun is shining every day as a football manager.

"It’s like with you [the media] with me when I came here. First it’s ‘yeah!’ Then it’s ‘erm’, then it might be ‘ooh’, so then I am alone on the side and we might have the same situation here."

Giroud backs 'complete' Elneny to succeed at Arsenal

The striker Olivier Giroud believes his new team-mate will prove to be a shrewd signing for the Premier League leaders, and feels the midfielder is suited to English football

Olivier Giroud is confident new signing Mohamed Elneny has what it takes to succeed at Arsenal.
The Egypt midfielder completed his move from Basel to the Emirates Stadium on Thursday and could make his debut for the Premier League leaders in this weekend's trip to Stoke City.
Elneny has trained with his new team-mates ahead of Sunday's game at the Britannia Stadium, and in-form striker Giroud has been impressed with the 23-year-old.

---

---

"I've trained with him and he's a good player, very talented. But first of all he is a good guy, I think he will settle well into the team," Giroud told Arsenal Player.
"I think he's basically a box-to-box midfielder, so he can attack and defend, run a lot and has good power and technique. He is quite a complete player.
"It always takes time to adapt to English football because there is a lot of intensity, it is very physical and even tactically you must get used to it.

 Zidane wants to beat Barca to Pogba

Zinedine Zidane wants to make Paul Pogba his first galactico signing at Real Madrid, according to reports in AS. 

The new head coach at the Santiago Bernabeu made the switch from Juventus to the Spanish capital himself in 2001 and now wants his fellow Frenchman to follow in his footsteps. 

However, it will not be a straight forward deal, as Barcelona are also keen on the midfielder. 

Ariedo Braida and Albert Soler fronted a delegation from the Catalan club which travelled to Turin last summer to talk with Juve about Pogba. 

At the time they were under a transfer ban, so were unable to push the deal through, while the club are also struggling to pay what the Serie A side want for the 22-year-old. 

Zidane has always spoken highly of Pogba, who in return has always admired the man who won the World Cup and European Championships with France. 

Madrid’s problem is that their relationship with the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, broke down when Carlo Ancelotti ruled out a move for Pogba last summer.

AS add, though, that Los Blancos would be happy to make up with Raiola in order to fulfil Zidane’s request and get one over on Barca. 

Pogba, who was named in the FIFPro Team of the Year earlier this week at the Ballon d’Or gala, has a contract with Juventus until 2019. 

 Jorge Mendes hopes Man Utd acquire Mourinho AND Gomes

Super agent Jorge Mendes wants to take both Andre Gomes and Jose Mourinho to Manchester United this summer, according to Gianlucadimarzio.com.

The former Chelsea boss is being lined up to take over from Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, amid serious doubts over the Dutchman's future at Old Trafford.

And Valencia midfielder Gomes has now emerged as a target for the Old Trafford club, though he has also been linked with Italian club Juventus.

Valencia, however, maintain that they have no desire to offload the 22-year-old in January.

---

Barcelona activate Bundesliga star's €37m release clause

The Spanish champions have agreed to pay the clause for one of the brightest prospects in German football, who has also committed to a six-year contract

Barcelona have decided to pay the €37 million release clause required to sign Leroy Sane from Schalke, according to reports.

L’Equipe claim that the 20-year-old midfielder, who is also wanted by Manchester City and Real Madrid, has also agreed a six-year contract with the Spanish champions and will join them in July.

Earlier in January, Goal revealed that Schalke were using City’s interest in order to trigger a bidding war for one of the Bundesliga’s brightest prospects.

Meanwhile, despite the latest report from France, Schalke’s general manager Horst Heldt insisted on Tuesday that Sane does not have a release clause.

Arsene Wenger reveals he had to tell Jurgen Klopp to calm down during Arsenal's draw with Liverpool

The Reds boss became animated after a decision in the second-half of the 3-3 thriller and Wenger had some advice for his counterpart

 

Arsene Wenger has revealed he had to tell Jurgen Klopp to calm down during Arsenal's thrilling draw with Liverpool.
The two sides shared six goals at Anfield as Joe Allen volleyed home a dramatic equaliser for Klopp's men.
Earlier in the second-half, Wenger and Klopp appeared to be in a lengthy debate as they went in search of three points.
And the Arsenal boss has revealed the details of their discussion - and his advice for the German.
"I told him 'calm down because they will send you into the stands here'", said Wenger with a grin.
"At Liverpool, it is very tight - you are very close to each other.
"He had a little problem with the fourth official that he will explain much better than I can because I don't know why.
"It was alright, there was no bad feelings at all."

 

Bosses: Klopp and Wenger look on at Anfield

After the game, Wenger also confirmed Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Mohamed Elneny from Basel.
"Elneny will of course join us. He has joined us," said Wenger.
"We will see if he can qualify for Sunday.

Liverpool Transfer News: Joel Matip Deal 'Agreed,'

Liverpool have reportedly struck a pre-contract agreement with Schalke centre-back Joel Matip, meaning the Cameroon international defender will join the Reds for free at the end of the season.

According to David Maddock and Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror, the Reds’ loan acquisition of Steven Caulker is only a short-term measure given the club’s current injury crisis, and he’ll return to Queens Park Rangers at the end of the season. But the duo suggested Matip has "agreed" to sign with the Reds and is very much in the long-term plans of Jurgen Klopp.
“Jurgen Klopp has been an admirer since his time as Borussia Dortmund boss, and will add the 6'3" defender to his back line at the end of the season,” continued the piece. Maddock and Richards also claimed Schalke were hoping the 24-year-old would pen a new deal with the club, but he’s clearly determined his future lies elsewhere.
On a free transfer, this is a savvy deal for the Reds. Here’s a look at the kind of quality Matip will add to the back four:

•  

Caulker’s acquisition raised plenty of eyebrows among supporters given his displays for Southampton this term.
Indeed, his last outing was against Liverpool in the League Cup, when Klopp’s side ran out impressive 6-1 winners. They were aided by some woeful defending from the Saints, however. 

 

Caulker was run ragged by Liverpool earlier in the season.

It’s a transfer that certainly hasn’t impressed Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones and Sam Tighe, who feel as though the Reds could do much better:

But if Matip’s acquisition is confirmed, then the club’s supporters will feel a lot more contented. After all, he has performed at the highest level and is a different type of centre-back to what the Reds currently have on their books. At 24, he’s a player who could be around at Anfield for a while yet, too.
Keith Costigan on FOX Sports commented recently that Matip seems to be better suited to Klopp’s style of football than any of the current centre-back options:

Covered Matip extensively this year in Bundesliga. Loves to take the ball out of the back. Comfortable playing a high line.

Matip is definitely a very capable defender. His positioning is sound, he’s strong in the tackle and he has plenty of pace.
Having played at the base of midfield at times too, he’s also a player who can distribute the ball well, something that was crucial to Klopp’s brilliant Borussia Dortmund team moving quickly through phases.

 

Matip seems a strong fit for the way Klopp wants his Liverpool team to play.

As is evident by this statistic from WhoScored.com earlier in the campaign, the Cameroonian is a player who also reads the game very well:

Joel Matip: No player has made more interceptions in a Bundesliga match this season than Matip did vs Borussia Dortmund (10) #S04

Would Matip be a good signing for Liverpool?

Of course, there are some areas of concern. There have been times during his stint in the Bundesliga when Matip has been bossed by burly centre-forwards and struggled to assert his authority aerially; that’s a type of striker he’ll come across much more frequently in the Premier League.
But, as is the case with any defender, he’ll better learn how to cope with that kind of challenge should he face it much more regularly.
Either way, for no fee, this is a risk-free transfer for the Reds should it come off, and credit must be given for some shrewd work in Klopp’s first window in charge.

Liverpool want another Serbian wonderkid after Grujic deal

---

It seems that buying Serbian wonderkids is all the rage at Liverpool these days. Who knew?!
French publication L’Equipe reports that we are lining up Partizan Belgrade attacker Andrija Zivkovic to follow Marko Grujic to Anfield, and that we could get him for a fee of around £3.75m.
The 19-year-old can play as a striker or winger – we could do with each of those, although ideally of more concrete pedigree – and has banged in an impressive 12 goals for Partizan this season.
L’Equipe warns that the Reds face competition from Premier League rivals Manchester City, as well as Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain for the talented teenager’s signature.
But our signing of Grujic earlier this month could play to our advantage. Should a bidding war erupt, Zivkovic may be swayed by the fact that we already have one of his Serbian pals on our books.
Grujic, also 19, returned to Red Star Belgrade on loan for the rest of this season after completing his £5.1m move – fee reported by The Express – but Zivkovic might be closer to first-team ready.
He holds the record as the youngest player to make his debut for the Serbian senior team – against Japan aged 17 in 2013 – and is also the youngest player to have captained Partizan

Roberto Carlos promises to bring Neymar from Barcelona to Real Madrid

Former Real Madird defender Roberto Carlos believes he could be key to taking Barcelona's Neymar to the Santiago Bernabeu.

A strong message from Roberto Carlos. Credit: PA

The 42-year-old former Brazil international confirmed he was currently involved in talks to join new Real manager Zinedine Zidane's backroom staff at the Primera Division club.
The World Cup winner is confident he could persuade compatriot Neymar, who came third at Monday night's Ballon d'Or ceremony, to join Los Blancos from rivals Barca.
He told marca.com: "I had a meeting with Real Madrid about my future with the club.
"Soon I will know how I can collaborate with Zidane's Madrid."
While, regarding Barca striker Neymar, he added: "I can take him to Real Madrid. He's very young. I am sure next year he will finish even higher in the Ballon d'Or."

Liverpool plotting major bid to secure deal for £22.3m-rated international star

Liverpool supporting punters here inside the Football Transfer Tavern are looking at the news filtering in from HLN (via the Express) – with the media outlet suggesting that the Reds are plotting a ‘monster’ bid to sign £22.3m-rated Anderlecht midfielder Dennis Praet.
The 5ft 9 attacking midfielder is one of Belgium’s rising stars, and has already made one appearance for the national team at the age of just 21.
Our landlord here in the Transfer Tavern admits he has watched the Leuven-born midfielder several times for Anderlecht on the flatscreen TV in the Tavern, and feels he could add a different dimension to Liverpool’s midfield.
Our resident Liverpool fans admit they don’t know too much about the promising Belgian star, but all think that it is impressive he has amassed 118 appearances for Anderlecht at the age of just 21!
The Reds have endured an inconsistent season, with them one week looking like they are worthy of winning the Premier League, and the next week, looking like a side who don’t belong in the top-flight of English football.

Guardiola: Maybe it'll be two years until I coach in England

The Catalan wants to move to the Premier League, but he's revealed he may not make the switch for two years yet

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says it could be two years until he moves to the Premier League.
Guardiola last month confirmed he would leave Bayern when his contract expires at the end of this season and he subsequently announced that his desire to work in England's top flight is behind the decision.
Several leading club have been tipped to move for Guardiola, with Manchester City viewed as the front-runners to have the 44-year-old in place for the start of the 2016-17 season, due in part to his close relationship with City director of football Txiki Begiristain.

---

---

But the former Barcelona boss told a news conference that his move to the Premier League does not necessarily have to come next season.
"When I sign a contract I will announce it immediately," he said. "Maybe it will be two years until I will coach a team in England."
"I am very happy about my experience in Munich. I am working until my last second here.
"After that I will go home and wait to see if it is possible to move to England or not. If it's not, then I won't."
Following his celebrated tenure at Barcelona, Guardiola enjoyed a one-year sabbatical from football before taking up the reins at Bayern for the 2013-14 season.

Messi, Neymar and Suarez? Luis Enrique wants ANOTHER forward

The Barcelona boss is able to field the most gifted forward line in world football, but he remains on the lookout for new attacking options

Luis Enrique would like to bolster Barcelona's attacking options - even though he boasts the most prolific trio in world football in Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
The famed MSN forward line contributed 122 goals last season as Barca claimed a Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey treble in a goal-laden campaign.
The threesome have also played a key role this term as Barca clinched the FIFA Club World Cup title in Japan, while also maintaining their Liga challenge and easing through to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan have been added to the squad following the ending of the club's transfer ban but Luis Enrique is still on the look-out.

---

---

Speaking at a news conference ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey return against city rivals Espanyol - Barca lead 4-1 after the Camp Nou opener - he was asked which area he thought needed strengthening. He replied: "I don't know how to answer but it's a very good question.
"Right now, probably in attack, if we were to bring someone in - that's probably the key area. But it would be nice to add more to all areas."
The former Real Madrid and Barca midfielder conceded, however, that January was not always the best time to get the right players in.
He added: "It's harder in winter, nobody wants to lose important players.
"It's not an easy market but we do want to improve our squad and we're looking at opportunities."
Messi claimed the fifth FIFA Ballon d'Or of his career in Zurich on Monday night with Neymar coming in third behind Cristiano Ronaldo

Neymar: I've fallen completely in love with Messi

The 23-year-old Barcelona forward views his team-mate and fellow Ballon d'Or finalist as an idol and also spoke highly of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo

Neymar has hailed Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, insisting that he fell "completely in love" with the Argentine after joining the club from Santos in 2013.

The Barca duo are Ballon d'Or finalists, alongside Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, and were both in sensational form throughout 2015 as they helped Barca claim five trophies over the calendar year.

Speaking at the Ballon d'Or award ceremony in Zurich, Neymar told reporters: "I fell completely in love [with Messi]. He has really become an idol.

---

"I think they are absolutely the best, that's why they're here. I think they've made history. Both Lionel and Cristiano.

"I'm pleased with the things I have achieved and the goals I have scored. I thank my team-mates for that. Each player has his own aims. We have to be ourselves."

When asked if Brazil forward Neymar would be his eventual successor, Messi responded: "Neymar isn't the successor of anyone, just like I wasn't. He is who he is and he has everything to be whatever he wants to be.

Ronaldo reveals the ONE quality he would take from Messi

Both the Real Madrid star and the Barcelona forward were asked which quality they would take from each other - and Ronaldo gave an honest response...

---

EXTRA TIME

---

Cristiano Ronaldo has been asked to pick one quality he’d like from Lionel Messi - and he’s given an honest answer.

The Real Madrid star, along with his Barcelona rivals Messi and Neymar, was speaking at the Ballon d’Or pre-award show press conference on Monday where the Argentine is heavily expected to win the trophy for the fifth time in his career.

Both Messi and Ronaldo were asked which quality they would take from each other, and the Portugal international admitted: “Yes, his left foot his really good, I would like to have that!”

Messi, meanwhile, was a bit more vague.

“What Cristiano has is lots of quality, lots of good things that every player would like as well,” said the Barcelona forward.

“But I am the way I am, and he is the way he is. We each have individual personalities and we have both very good things that everybody should have as footballers.”