Oh silly season, once again you’re throwing up ridiculous transfer rumour after ridiculous transfer rumour with apparently no necessity for actual facts.

With Liverpool still five points short of a Champions League spot, the Reds are expected to strengthen this January despite spending a whopping £110million in the summer.

And whilst some transfer rumours will excite Anfield supporters, such as an audacious bid for Real Madrid centre-forward Karim Benzema, others, well… not so much.

January is always a uniquely chaotic time of year for Premier League clubs however and anything could happen between now and the end of the transfer window.

With that in mind, here’s the FIVE rumoured transfer targets Liverpool should be avoiding at all costs.

SAIDO BERAHINO

A January window booby-trap of the highest order, although Liverpool-linked forward Saido Berahino remains one of the brightest prospects in the Premier League, Tony Pulis has made it abundantly clear that he’ll fight tooth and nail to keep the 21 year-old at West Bromwich Albion this month.

The tabloids’ £23.5million valuation is already rather overzealous for a striker with just 14 Premier League goals under his belt, so one can only imagine the kind of fee the Baggies would actually demand for surrendering their top scorer amid a heated relegation battle. The whole thing smacks of Andy Carroll Mark II.

Although the England U21’s pace, fluidity and intensity suits Liverpool’s style of play, the Reds would be better off waiting until the summer before attempting to strike a deal.

MARTIN MONTOYA

Barcelona defender Martin Montoya has been flashing on Liverpool’s transfer radar for quite some time, so it’s no surprise that he’s linked with a move to Merseyside this month following news that he plans to leave the Catalan club.

Yet, any potential suitor for the former Spain U21 will likely have to activate his £16.5million release clause. Barcelona won’t be able to sign Montoya’s replacement until 2016, due to their three-window transfer ban, and will expect according reimbursement, whilst the known demand for Montoya throughout Europe, particularly from Arsenal and Juventus, means they’re under no obligation to accept a cut-price offer.

That’s a heck of a fee to pay for a 23 year-old, rather unspectacular No.2 with no Premier League experience – especially amid a campaign in which 3-4-3, a system without full-backs, has become Liverpool’s regular formation.

Decent right-backs are ten a penny – Liverpool already have three on the books in Glen Johnson, Javier Manquillo and forgotten man John Flanagan – and that £16.5million could be better spent on other areas of the squad.

EZEQUIEL LAVEZZI

Liverpool have been consistently linked with PSG’s Ezequiel Lavezzi over the last 18 months, suggesting genuine interest, and the rumours have spiked again this January due to the Argentina international missing the French Champions’ winter training camp, resulting in a three-match internal ban.

Some have even mooted him as the successor to Luis Suarez the Reds desperately crave, sharing that South American blend of pace, trickery and tenacity, but I’m yet to be convinced. In fact, the more I watch Lavezzi, the less I like him as a footballer.

Particularly, his output for PSG is rather uninspiring – 14 goals and 12 assists in 73 league appearances – considering how the Parisians have completely dominated the French top flight over the last two seasons.

It’s a barometer of his serial inconsistency, on some occasions looking like a world-beater, on others, looking more League One than Ligue 1, and at 29 years of age, it’s unlikely an Anfield move would bring a greater regularity to Lavezzi’s game.

JOHN RUDDY

With Simon Mignolet recently dropped for ‘an indefinite period’ and only returning to the first team fray following an injury to hap-hazard understudy Brad Jones, if Liverpool are to sign anybody this month, it should undoubtedly be another goalkeeper.

But is Norwich City’s John Ruddy, linked with an Anfield move in December, really the answer to the Reds’ woes between the sticks?

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The 28 year-old’s form once brought him to the fringes of the England squad and earned him Norwich’s Player of the Year award for 2011/12. But he’s hardly given a good account of himself since, plummeting out of the top flight with the Canaries and making a catalogue of individual errors.

If Ruddy can’t handle the heat of a relegation battle (or the Championship), he’ll struggle at Anfield to an even greater degree than Mignolet. Liverpool need a long-term solution to their goalkeeping problems, not a quick fix.

FABIAN DELPH

I’m a big fan of Aston Villa’s Fabian Delph, particularly his blend of work-rate, dynamism and trickery, but I do not see him being anywhere near the standard Liverpool should target to improve their midfield.

For lack of a better description, he’s a poor man’s Jordan Henderson and resultantly, shouldn’t even be mentioned as a viable long-term replacement for Liverpool’s departing skipper Steven Gerrard – whom, coincidentally, Jordan Henderson is a poor man’s version of.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, the England international could leave Villa Park on the cheap this month. But if the Reds are to ever become Champions League regulars once again, they need to sign a Gerrard successor with far superior quality and experience.

Let’s get it out there from the start… Arsenal have a mammoth task awaiting them this evening. The Gunners’ quite frankly woeful showing at home to Monaco sees them entering the second leg of the clubs’ last-16 clash with a 3-1 deficit, despite opening the encounter at the Emirates Stadium.

No team in the history of the Champions League has come back from such a socreline in the knockout phase, so Arsenal can make history if they overcome the odds in the Principality to defeat the Dimitar Berbatov-fronted side, who have only just returned to the top tier of French football – this is their second season back in the big time.

Stranger things have happened in the beautiful game, though. And with Arsenal needing at least three goals at the Stade Louis II, here are FIVE reasons to be positive…

Olivier Giroud

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“Giroud scores in the big games. He loves it. I hope he will score in this one. He is in a good run of form.”

The words of Robert ‘Bobby’ Pires in relation to the Gunners’ talismanic striker. Giroud has not always been a popular figure at the Emirates Stadium and still divides opinion, but his form this season has been excellent. Another goal in the weekend win over West Ham took the Frenchman’s league and cup tally for the season to 13, and it’s fair to say that he’s currently riding a wave of good form that has seen him firmly dislodge Danny Welbeck and become Wenger’s main man.

Monaco aren’t actually that good

Let’s not kid ourselves, Monaco aren’t a great side. This season is only their second back in Ligue 1 after a period of decline, which has been brought about by Russian money and the importing of talent. They finished last season as runners-up to PSG in the French top tier, and this season they may fail to quality for the Champions League altogether – they sit fourth behind Marseille, Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon. Further to this, they’ve netted just 32 goals in their domestic league – only three more than relegation-threatened Toulouse.

The Stade Louis II is no cauldron

With Monaco being more of a millionaire’s playground than hotbed of football, the Stade Louis II is far from being an intimidating arena. Low stands and a running track don’t help to create an atmosphere, while a maximum capacity of 18,500 – which is rarely ever met – again ensures that noise is minimal. Arsenal need to get on the front foot and show what they can do from the off, which may be easier for them without a rampant home crowd.

However, Monaco have won 75% of all their Champions League clashes at the ground.

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Arsenal have a decent record against French sides

Building on statistics, Arsenal can take great heart from the fact they’ve met French opposition on five occasions in the Champions League knockout stages and have won out each time. Wenger appears to have a solid knowledge of the footballing scene in his homeland, and with the Gunners having had a recent break before their West Ham win he’s sure to have done his homework.

Monaco are low scorers

Monaco have netted just seven goals in the Champions League this season. SEVEN. To put that into context, Bayern Munich smashed the same number against Shakhtar Donetsk in a single match last week, the competition’s top scorer, Luiz Adriano, has hit nine, and Arsenal scored over double that figure in the group stage. The Londoners need to attack and keep it tight at the other end, so the Mediterranean side’s lack of cutting edge may be beneficial.

Whisper it quietly, but could Daniel Levy again be sharpening his axe, ready to dismiss yet another Tottenham manager?  Is Mauricio Pochettino’s job really safe?

The 11th manager under his stewardship is only in his first year at White Hart Lane and his team sit only six points off a Champions League place. However, following a humbling capitulation at the hands of rivals Manchester United, the chance of a top-four place remains slim at best.

With Spurs also out of every cup competition, will Levy really see this as the progression he craves so dearly? Still needing another 20 points to overhaul Sherwood’s solitary season in charge and a further three points to ensure he records more than the much-maligned Andre Villas Boas.

The Argentinian will point to how he has been so keen to include youth in his sides, with players such as Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb and of course the revelation that is Harry Kane.  However, did injuries and lack of form force his hand? Where would Spurs be now if Pochettino had included the young forward from August, rather than simply giving into undeniable fan pressure?

Some of his detractors would also argue that his predecessor did much of the hard-work, bedding the young players into his first XI months before the current manager reverted to doing the same.

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Of course, this seems a harsh assessment, for if Eriksen’s free kick, dipped underneath, rather than hitting the crossbar, Tottenham could have very well lifted the first major trophy of the domestic season. Also with nine games to go the opportunity for Champions League football is still available.

At a normal football club, under a normal chairman, his job would be safe beyond measure. But this is not a normal chairman, he has shown a propensity to dispense with managers like few others in the game and has arguably turned the club into a circus.

The main argument for keeping Pochettino in a job is the effects he seems to already be having; they are now one of the fittest teams in the league. Their sheer volume of late goals point to that fact. With another pre-season and another window to sculpt his own team, Poch could still be hugely successful in North London.

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AVB was dismissed following capitulations against Liverpool and Manchester City; the current Tottenham team have been as humbly dispatched by Fiorentina in Europe and at Old Trafford last time out in the league.

Although, the majority of sane football fans would despair at the sheer thought of the former Southampton man even being at risk of losing his job, Daniel Levy has proved himself to be an impatient man, if Spurs’ season now feebly ends with a whimper. The chairman may, once again, feel like he has a decision to make.

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In signing at Old Trafford in dramatic style towards the end of this season’s summer transfer window, Radamel Falcao certainly became one of the most high profile names to make their way to the Premier League in recent years.

Alongside the likes of teammate Angel Di Maria, Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, and Jose Mourinho’s effective duo of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, English football found itself with a whole new bunch of stars to contend with at the beginning of the season – with expectation surrounding such said names as high as it’s ever been in the modern era.

So then, when you consider that Radamel Falcao has definitely been one of the biggest disappointments so far this term, the Colombian’s future with the Red Devils seemingly doesn’t stand in the most concrete of places at the moment.

With the likes of Juventus, Real Madrid, and even title rivals Chelsea being linked with the 29-year-old striker in recent weeks however, Manchester United will ultimately have to think twice before ushering Falcao out the door at Old Trafford, and releasing his talents back into the ever-competitive realms of top level European football.

Simply put, giving up on the South American hitman should come as a hard decision for Louis van Gaal and the Manchester United backroom staff – regardless of how poor his form has been throughout the 2014/15 campaign.

Yes, injuries have proven to be part of his downfall time and time again this season, yes, the money currently being spent on the Colombian certainly seems a bit over the top to say the very least, and of course, any deal that was put in place to land the striker at the beginning of the campaign may now have to be changed in light of his drop in form – but as the player in question has proven to be more than worthy of the praise whilst playing for Porto and Atletico Madrid not too long ago – Radamel Falcao still has to be seen as a player with some pretty wild qualities.

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Although fans of the Premier League sadly haven’t seen a great deal of promise from the on loan Monaco man this season, the 29-year-old still has it in his locker to test even the very best defences in the modern game.

Falcao’s movement often doesn’t receive enough credit as it deserves. The intelligence shown in his off-ball running really can work a treat when things are going well for the striker, his aerial ability has actually been unplayable in the past – and despite only managing to score a meagre four league goals so far this term – the former Porto and Atletico man certainly has what it takes to score some truly well-crafted finishes when fortune is on his side.

The media backlash from failing to do the business in the Premier League this season has likely been something the no. 9 has never properly experienced before. When coupled with the fact that Louis van Gaal unceremoniously dropped him to the U21’s not too long ago, it starts to become clear that Radamel Falcao’s problems this season are stemming from a confidence issue, and not because his overall ability is not up to scratch.

If Manchester United therefore see fit to end the player’s spell at Old Trafford rather abruptly this summer without seeing him offer up his true potential in 2014/15, the Red Devils could simply be handing over one of football’s most effective weapons to a rival next season.

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Especially if the talk involving Chelsea turns out to be more than mere speculation in the next few months, Louis van Gaal’s side could embarrassingly be on the end of a real threat if Falcao returns to Old Trafford with a point to prove across next year’s campaign. His poor form can’t last forever after all, and as the striker is likely to adjust quicker to his surroundings with one full season of Premier League football under his belt next term, the whole ‘form is temporary and class in permanent’ notion might just come back to haunt the Red Devils.

If the Colombian’s reported £43million price tag is still on the table throughout the approaching summer transfer window however – with some pretty obscene wage demands also likely to be in place for the striker – maybe keeping hold of Radamel Falcao isn’t quite as cut and dry as it seems – especially as he has simply looked nowhere near the amount of money being talked about with his ultimately poor performances out on the pitch this season.

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We’ll wager that many Liverpool fans have no idea who Horst Hrubesch is, but he may have dropped the biggest piece of news of the club’s summer. ‘What has he said?’ we hear you cry, well the Germany U-21 manager has revealed that Emre Can is viewed as the successor to Steven Gerrard on Merseyside:

“I’ve just been to Liverpool, there we were told that Emre will soon assume Gerrard’s role in midfield.” He said.

“Emre definitely has leadership qualities.”

A pretty big development, especially as reports have claimed that players such as Mateo Kovacic and Geoffrey Kondogbia are being ‘lined up to replace Gerrard’, who is heading off to California in search of sun and soccer – in which order, we’ll let you decide. It may be a gamble to see the 21-year-old being handed the responsibility of filling the boots of one of the club’s most iconic players of all time, but there are many reasons to suggest that it’s a wise decision… and here are FIVE.

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Central midfield is actually his position…

Upon his arrival last summer Can was hailed as a powerful, promising and industrious central midfielder. The opening months of his Anfield career were filled with brief cameos – a deflected goal in the home loss to Chelsea was a highlight – but he really came to the fore as part of Brendan Rodgers’ back-three set-up brought in at Christmas to turn things around. Although playing as a defender, Can was still as much a midfielder as an enforcer, with his role designed around carrying the ball forward and building attacks from deep – something that later led to time at right-back.

It’s been pretty clear all along that his ultimate destination will be in the engine room of the Reds’ team, but with Gerrard having been present it would have been a political hot potato to push in a relatively unproven youngster ahead of ‘Mr Liverpool’ in the final months of his Merseyside career.

Looking at Can’s numbers from his Bayer Leverkusen 2013/14 campaign (in which he was often used in his favoured position) his contributions are not dissimilar to those of Gerrard last term, with his defensive work superior. While goals and chance creation are lower from the German, he wins more of his duels, is more effective when tackling and his greater mobility is evident through a vast gulf in the number of intercepts per-game.

Physicality

Despite being just 21, Can has the build and stature of a man at his absolute physical prime. The German stands at just over 6ft. and matches his height with broad shoulders and a solid frame. Although the stereotype of English football being more about brute than brains is a little lazy, there’s no denying that Premier League football demands more physicality than some other divisions, and the former Bayern Munich trainee seems suited.

Further to that an ‘apprenticeship’ as a centre-back playing against tough strikers such as Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke will only serve to heighten his awareness of the battles that take place.

Can score goals…

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Although not a prolific scorer of goals, the midfielder can (excuse the pun) put the ball in the back of the net when he breaks into the final third. The above strike came last night for German’s U-21 side against Serbia in the European Championships, and illustrated his power, technique and hunger.

He netted once last term in the league for Liverpool and three times during his breakthrough at Bayer Leverkusen, so he does have form, especially for a defensive-minded player.

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Won’t cost a penny

One for FSG’s moneymen, unlike other options out there, Can will not cost a penny. With James Milner also in and Jordan Henderson now a proven Premier League player, the Reds have a solid midfield base to work with, with additions only needed to further supplement the ranks – although with Lucas Leiva, Philippe Coutinho, Joe Allen and Adam Lallana all able to play centrally, there may be little need.

Keeping funds free could allow the club to chase more pressing concerns, such as the need for a top-class striker, a potential Raheem Sterling replacement and an authoritative centre-back.

Long-term answer

At 21, Can is very much at the start of his career. The Germany U-21 international has at the very least another 10-13 years of top level action ahead of him, and although it would be naïve to suggest that he’ll be a Red forever, Liverpool can realistically expect him to be around for the long-term. A more experienced player could be signed, but age brings no guarantees.

Life must be so frustrating as a Tottenham Hotspur fan, just a couple of seasons ago with Gareth Bale leading the attack the Lilywhites looked a club that were going places and were capable of competing with Europe’s elite teams.

Then Real Madrid came calling and the Welsh superstar moved to the Bernabeu for a world-record £86m in 2013. Replacing the player would prove no easy task, and the London club spent over £100m bringing in the likes of Christian Eriksen, Nacer Chadli, Erik Lamela, Paulinho and Roberto Soldado to fill the void left by Bale.

Erik Lamela was the most anticipated signing of that now infamous summer, with the player possessing a similar style to Welshman. The Argentinian had been vital for Roma scoring 21 goals in 67 games before Andre Villas-Boas came calling.

Lamela joined Spurs in a club record deal worth around £30m with big things expected, however, his impressive performances in Italy just haven’t transferred over to the Premier League and Lamela has struggled to make the desired impact at White Hart Lane – he made only nine league appearances in his first season with the club, and has struggled with numerous injuries throughout his two seasons while failing to impress any of his three bosses so far when fit.

Last season the player featured a lot more regularly, but still has failed to show the promise that attracted Spurs. Lamela made 41 appearances in all competitions scoring only five goals, which, for an attacking midfielder who always wants the ball, is not good enough.

The only real impressive moment of his Tottenham career was THAT rabona goal in the Europa League… and even that was against opposition of debatable quality. There was more than a hint of good fortune about that goal, too, and if the player was to try the same move again he would probably score one out of every 25 attempts.

Astonishingly there are teams actually queuing up to end the player’s London misery, with a return to Italy with either Juventus or one of the Milan clubs being mooted.

Clearly they see something in the player that the majority of us are missing.

Juventus are the most surprising team to show interest. A world class midfield with the likes of Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio should not have a player like Lamela anywhere near it.

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There has even been talk of a potential swap deal with Inter Milan playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri and should this move develop Spurs need to do all they can to secure the Swiss International. Shaqiri is twice the player Lamela is and would be the closest the club have come to actually replacing Gareth Bale.

The club have built up a squad full of distinctly average players and manager Mauricio Pochettino should jump at the chance to get rid of one of his more expensive flops.

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Tottenham Hotspur have had a number of injuries to contend with over the course of the season so far.

Victor Wanyama has been a long-term absentee with a knee injury, while Toby Alderweireld is not expected to return to action until February due to a hamstring problem.

With the fixtures coming thick and fast now that the Premier League has entered the festive period, having  fit squad is essential in order to cope with the demand.

Today, Tottenham posted their weekly injury update on Twitter ahead of Saturday’s trip to face Burnley at Turf Moor.

As expected, Alderweireld remains on the sidelines, while Wanyama, who has been taking part in elements of training, has been ruled out of the game.

The good news is that Davinson Sanchez is back in the fray after serving a suspension.

Tottenham fans have been giving their thoughts on social media.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side will look to bounce back against sixth-placed Burnley following last weekend’s 4-1 defeat to league leaders Manchester City.

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Southampton dropped more points in the English Premier League on Saturday, this time at home to Huddersfield in a 1-1 draw.

It was another deeply frustrating afternoon for supporters at St Mary’s after they witnessed Charlie Austin’s opener being cancelled out by a second half goal from Laurent Depoitre.

Saints have now won just one of their last 10 top-flight matches and have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of those matches. While in 13th place in the table, they hover just three points above the relegation zone with no sign their form will improve.

Fans have now completely lost patience with manager Mauricio Pellegrino and some are even calling for him to be sacked before the January transfer window, to give an incoming boss the chance to freshen up the squad.

Are Southampton destined for disaster if they keep the Argentinian in the hot seat?

Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

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According to reports in The Mirror, West Ham United are willing to listen to offers for striker Javier Hernandez just six months after former manager Slaven Bilic signed him in a £16m deal from Bayer Leverkusen.

The Mirror says that the Mexico international has failed to settle at the London Stadium playing for a team that has been struggling towards the wrong end of the Premier League table all season, and he has scored just four goals in 20 matches in all competitions for the Irons.

The 29-year-old has been left isolated, failed to win many headers or hold the ball up when he has been asked to play as the lone striker, and he was substituted off early in the east London outfit’s previous two matches against Tottenham Hotspur in the top flight and League One Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup.

Teammates Michail Antonio and Marko Arnautovic have even started in place of the former Manchester United man in recent weeks despite the role being relatively unfamiliar to them, which suggested that there was no future for him under David Moyes.

Meanwhile, the Leicester Mercury reported on Thursday that Leicester City are open to offers for club-record signing Islam Slimani, who like Hernandez has failed to make too much of an impact at his current side following a £30m transfer from Sporting Lisbon in 2016.

Out of favour at the King Power Stadium, the Irons could be making a shrewd move if they bring the Algeria international, who is rated at £19.8m according to Transfermarkt, to the capital before January 31.

Here are three reasons West Ham must sign Slimani if they sell Hernandez this month…

Goal record

West Ham thought that Hernandez may finally be the prolific goalscorer they have long been searching for, but it hasn’t proven to be the case so far.

The Irons will once again look to solve that issue if they do sell the Mexico international this month, and they could certainly do a lot worse than take a closer look at Slimani.

While the 29-year-old has struggled to dislodge Jamie Vardy at the King Power Stadium, he has still scored 13 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions for the Foxes despite the majority of his outings coming from the substitutes’ bench.

Meanwhile, his total of 57 in 111 for Sporting Lisbon previously and 26 in 55 for Algeria certainly proves that he knows where the goal is.

His qualities

You ideally need to have some height and strength to play the lone striker role in the Premier League for a team like West Ham, and that has perhaps been Hernandez’s shortfall this season in a struggling West Ham team.

Slimani would likely be much better suited to the position though, seeing as he stands at 6ft 2in tall and is known for his aerial prowess.

Those attributes would allow him to bring his teammates into play, but that isn’t the only part of his game though and he showed with a brilliant dinked finish in Leicester’s win against Huddersfield on New Year’s Day that he is pretty handy with the ball at his feet too.

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Point to prove

If Slimani does join another Premier League side this month, he will certainly have a big point to prove that he should not be starting at this level, but also that he is able to score regularly as long as he is given consistent opportunities in the starting XI.

The 29-year-old has shown during his career that he isn’t afraid of a battle, and he certainly wouldn’t be averse to throwing his weight around up top in order to help West Ham avoid being involved in a relegation battle in the second-half of the campaign.

Do you agree, Irons fans? Let us know below.

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Manchester United have been busy over the last few weeks in the transfer market.The Red Devils managed to swoop in and snatch Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez from neighbours Manchester City.Today, the club also announced that manager Jose Mourinho has signed contract extension until at least 2020.There is one man whose future remains undecided at Old Trafford, and that is Juan Mata.The Spaniard is out of contract in the summer, and there has been no official word that a new deal is on the table.TheÂDaily StarÂrecently reported that Mata’s former club Valencia are keen on signing the midfielder.The 29-year-old spent four years at the Spanish club before moving to the Premier League, where he had a spell at Chelsea between 2011 and 2014 and then joined United.This season, Mata has started 17 top-flight matches and has come off the bench in a further two.United’s social media team posted a throwback of the Spaniard joining the club from Chelsea.In response to the tweet, supporters urged the club to give Mata a new contract.