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This article forms part of our Total Duds feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how bad a deal the club got.

Glasgow Rangers are still looking to catch up to their fierce rivals Celtic.

The previous decade was not a good one for the Gers. In 2012, they were demoted to the fourth tier of Scottish football after encountering financial problems, and they had to battle to drag themselves up to the top flight once more. Now there, they have found it easy enough to establish themselves once again in the top two, but they have failed to give the Bhoys a real fight so far – they are currently 13 points behind in the league table.

Some of their transfer business has made their task an awful lot harder – the signing of Carlos Pena, for example, is one they will rather forget. Before making the move to Ibrox, he previously plied his trade at Club Leon and Deportivo Guadalajara – he had scored 52 goals in 188 games for the former despite being a central/attacking midfielder, with him costing £6.75m when he moved to the latter. Rangers themselves paid £2.2m for his services in 2017.

On paper, his spell in Scotland was not a disaster – he managed to hit the back of the net five times in just 14 matches – but off the field, he was a loose canon. His main struggles were with alcohol, and the problem was that he was never fit enough to show his true ability often enough.

After just six months, he was shipped out on loan to Cruz Azul and, although he was still on the books of the Gers until March 2019, he never played for the Gers again. When he departed, it was on a free transfer, meaning that a considerable fee had been thrown down the drain. Even now, questions must be asked of Pedro Caixinha – why did he sanction this transfer?

Let us know what you think below!

In order to win three major trophies and have one hand on a Premier League title, the squad must be very well-oiled. This Liverpool side is arguably one of, if not the best fans have ever seen, and everyone has played their part.

The arrival of Alisson has helped solve goalkeeping woes that stretched back years. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané are two of the world’s best attackers and haven’t once took their feet off the gas this season. But what about the others?

There are many other key ingredients that have created this Red masterpiece, here’s a list of just five who have proved themselves invaluable to the team, in more ways than one…

James Milner

Mr Evergreen himself – arguably one of Liverpool’s best free transfers in their history. James Milner arrived from Manchester City in 2015 and claimed the famous No.7 shirt. He might not have 82 goals to his name like Luis Suarez or have a stand named after him like King Kenny, but Milner’s services to this club have been integral.

Despite being 34-years-old, Jurgen Klopp still sees the Englishman as a vital part to Liverpool’s current system. Milner’s versatility is very hard to come by, and it often goes under the radar just how much of a chameleon he can be. This season he has played primarily in a central midfield role but has also dropped into a more defensive position as well as playing at both left and right-back. Not to mention the entire 2016/17 season he spent covering as first choice left full-back without any trouble at all.

Milner’s contract with the Reds runs out this summer and there have been talks of a return to boyhood club Leeds to see out his career. No moves have been made but the loss of such a highly-respected veteran will hit Liverpool hard.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The addition of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017 was one that stirred up a mixed bag of reactions. His time with Arsenal didn’t paint the midfielder as someone who would arrive on Merseyside and set the game alight, but he definitely has.

Although the Ox isn’t as prolific as some of Liverpool’s past midfielders, he has established himself as a very important cog in this machine. In this campaign alone, Chamberlain has played in six different positions, including both the left and right-wings. His strength and creativity was sorely missed when he was ruled out with an ACL injury, and since his return, he’s bagged seven goals this season.

Not only does he influence the engine room when he’s on the pitch, but his personality is incredibly infectious. Chamberlain’s light-hearted outlook has a positive impact on the rest of his teammates, which you can see in the number of videos he posts on his social media. The Reds have needed a big personality in the dressing room and the 26-year-old fits the bill nicely.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

It was fair to say there was some uncertainty surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold when Klopp initially promoted him to takeover from Nathaniel Clyne. But since he was trusted with being one of the first names on the team sheet, he hasn’t looked back.

Alexander-Arnold’s piece of genius to set up Divock Origi against Barcelona last season will live on forever, but the young Scouser is much more than his quick corner-kick. At just 21-years-old, the England international has won the Champions League with his boyhood club and could soon lift the Premier League trophy too. Not to mention being nominated for the 2019 Ballon d’Or.

In a recent interview, Alexander-Arnold said: “Captaining Liverpool is something I have always dreamed of and it is something that motivates me. I have always been a Liverpool player, Liverpool has always been my home. I have never thought about changing clubs.”

The Reds have been crying out for another passionate Liverpool-born leader, and they might just have their next one in Alexander-Arnold.

Jordan Henderson

The man who has dealt with so many negative comments over the years has shown the world why he was chosen to be Steven Gerrard’s successor. He might not have the same 40-yard screamers in his locker, but Jordan Henderson’s leadership abilities cannot be doubted.

The former Sunderland man has been with the club during their dark days and has helped drive them to become European royalty once more. His reaction to winning last season’s Champions League showed the fans just how much it meant to win a trophy with this club – the club he has devoted everything to since he was 21.

As their first Premier League title looms in the distance, Liverpool fans must look back on the 29-year-old’s journey and be thankful for the passionate, caring, no-nonsense captain they have in Henderson.

Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk is undeniably a club icon, but not because of his record transfer from Southampton. Of course his price tag has paid off in his individual performances on the pitch but the Dutchman has brought so much more to Anfield.

Before the arrival of van Dijk, Liverpool were struggling massively with their back-line, leaking goals far too easily. Whilst he’s helped plug a hole, he’s also transformed Joe Gomez and Joel Matip. Both centre-backs have played toe-to-toe with their Dutch mentor whenever they’ve been partnered up, which has done wonders for the club’s back four.

Van Dijk is also not just a fan favourite, but a favourite in the dressing room as well. His leadership abilities plus his calm and composed nature must create a real sense of admiration amongst him teammates. Just look at this video for proof…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Leeds United have struggled against two poor teams in recent weeks as they’ve relied on late winners to get past Luton and Reading despite the fact that both clubs are sitting within two points of the relegation zone.

United play against another struggling side on Saturday as Jonathan Woodgate’s Middlesbrough outfit visit Elland Road.

This one should be a much easier one for Leeds to handle after Phil Hay’s comments on the current state of affairs at Middlesbrough.

Watch Leeds United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

What’s been said then?

The journalist was hosting a Q&A session on The Athletic, and understandably he was asked his thoughts on this weekend’s clash.

“Should be a home win. I’ve looked at Boro and they’ve got problems. Howson was playing a back three last weekend. Their pressing and their tracking of runners is poor, they’ve been easy to play through and they’re narrow at the back. Leeds need to take advantage.”

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Could be a big win

If Hay is right in his summary that Middlesbrough’s pressing and tracking of runners is poor this could be a big win for Leeds.

If the Whites can play through Boro’s press with ease and counter-press them effectively they could have a plethora of chances presented to them, and even the worst finisher in the world would be able to make a few of those count.

Patrick Bamford, of course, went ten games without finding the back of the net but he’s now bagged two in two while also having another strike actually taken away from him as it hit a Luton defender.

It seems as if Boro are weak in two areas you really don’t want to be lacking in against United, and this could be a match made in hell for Woodgate’s side.

With Bamford back in form, they could struggle even more.

In other news, Leeds have been handed a triple transfer blow by Phil Hay.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

West Bromwich Albion find themselves in a very similar situation, and it may well have come at the worst possible time as they currently occupy the top spot in the Championship going into a hectic festive period, which could well decide their true potential this season.

Just like Izzy Brown, just like Louie Barry and very nearly just like Rekeem Harper, the Baggies have faced a long battle to keep hold of their promising young talents.

Watch West Bromwich Albion Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

So why would this season be any different?

Nathan Ferguson is the next player mooted for an exit, one that in any situation is entirely out of their hands.

The 19-year-old is yet to accept the five-year contract offered to him a couple of months ago, and the Express & Star have since revealed that if there is no change come January, then he is likely to be sold.

His contract expires at the end of the season, meaning he is able to effectively leave the club for free in the summer.

Premier League duo Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace have shown interest in the versatile defender as too have European giants Juventus and Atletico Madrid.

Earlier in the season, Albion were reportedly keen on young Coventry City left-back Sam McCallum, which has only been strengthened since the appointment of ex-Sky Blues academy boss Richard Stevens.

Speaking in an interview more recently, the 19-year-old said: “I have been aware of it but the gaffer has been keeping my feet on the ground and keeping my head at Coventry. He just wants to keep my head down and progress at Coventry. It’s flattering and shows I must be doing something right. It’s always nice to hear but I just want to do well for Coventry.”

McCallum would offer more of a physical presence to the team as he averages 3.2 aerial duels won and 2.3 clearances per game, which is more than Ferguson.

He also provides more crosses per match at 0.9 compared to the Albion starlet’s 0.2, which suggests he could be even more of a threat going forward.

There’s plenty to like about the Coventry man as he’s a more natural left-back, and at the same age, he could be absolutely ideal in ensuring that any departure in January does little to impact their promotion hopes.

They’ll just have to find a way to cough up a “hell of a lot of money.”

Leeds United fans on Twitter have been in awe of Patrick Bamford after someone posted a video of his assist for Jack Harrison on Saturday.

You can completely understand why fans were full of praise for the striker after watching this clip as his first touch to bring down the pass from Kalvin Phillips was absolutely ridiculous.

Watch Leeds United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

From there it was rather simple as the forward just had to square the ball to the onrushing Harrison who simply slid the ball into the bottom corner.

Bamford has received quite a lot of criticism throughout this season, but the former Boro striker showed his class in this moment, and fans couldn’t help but be appreciative of it.

This incredible piece of play drew incredible comparisons to the likes of Johan Cruyff and Dennis Bergkamp, and while Bamford isn’t quite on that level this touch was quite special.

Here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying on social media.

Charlton secured a mightily impressive 3-0 victory over Derby on Saturday as Lee Bower’s men put in what was arguably their most convincing performance since Lyle Taylor got injured.

The forward had bagged five goals in six matches before having to sit on the sidelines and since then the Addicks had won just once in their last five outings before their victory on Saturday.

They were back in form against the Rams and one of their stand out performers was former Leyton Orient man Macauley Bonne.

Fans raved about the striker during and after the match as one supporter claimed he was a packet of blonde hair eye away from being Taylor.

A further individual labelled him a baller while the 23-year-old was also described as a special find.

Bonne signed for Charlton after starring in the National League last term, a division he scored 23 goals in throughout the 2018/19 campaign.

He’s started to really find his feet in the Championship and now has three goals in his last four outings.

Here’s what fans have been saying about him on Twitter.

If anything summed up Arsenal’s demise it would be Granit Xhaka taking up the captaincy.

The decision is bewildering. It is baffling and, on the face of it, it doesn’t make too much sense.

Xhaka is a tough character, someone who isn’t afraid to get stuck in. The Swiss has a fighter’s instinct.

Yet, he is also a hothead and has a terrible tendency to throw himself into a tackle that isn’t needed. Xhaka makes too many mistakes and it’s rather strange that so much faith has been put in him on a regular basis.

Since arriving in the Premier League, the midfielder has made seven errors leading to a goal. Seven. It’s a remarkable statistic.

So why has he been given the captaincy?

Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

It’s no lie to say there are a lack of candidates. Rob Holding and Mesut Ozil were charged with the duties against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup while the recently departed Nacho Monreal also took the armband in 2018/19.

A home grown lad, Holding would undeniably be a good candidate. Perhaps that will come in the future when, quite arguably, Matteo Guendouzi and Hector Bellerin could be in the frame too.

Guendouzi drove Arsenal forward in inspirational fashion against Tottenham and Aston Villa. As for the latter, he’s made his feelings felt on matters away from football on a regular basis, showing a sign of maturity that you want in a captain.

For the most part, Xhaka’s style doesn’t warrant the captaincy but it rather sums up an underlying issue at the Emirates – the lack of leaders.

This hasn’t just been a problem recently, it’s been going on for the past five years or to an extreme extent since Patrick Vieira left.

There are some damning statistics that surround Arsenal’s last three captains. Since Thomas Vermaelen departed for Barcelona, not a single skipper has played over 20 games.

Mikel Arteta spent large periods out, even Vermaelen did. Per Mertesacker, though, played just a solitary game during one season as captain. Laurent Koscielny then spent half of his tenure with the armband out on the sidelines too.

But this is why Xhaka could be a good choice. It’s why there’s a possibility that he could end Arsenal’s struggles.

He already has experience in the role having captained his country and he actually plays. An Arsenal captain that plays? Surely not.

The three men before him barely featured in many matches whilst possessing the captaincy so the 27-year-old mitigates this factor significantly.

It should be a basic requirement for your captain to play consistently but not even that’s been possible on the red side of north London for what feels like an eternity.

When it comes to the midfield general, he appears to play all the time. No matter how many errors he makes or the negative environment he creates around the Emirates, both Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery have refused to drop him.

On that evidence, does he not warrant the captaincy? Some may say he doesn’t, others will say it begins to make more sense.

Whether you like it or not, Xhaka is one of the first names on the team sheet and that hasn’t been the case with a Gunners captain for over five years.

Change has been needed in N5 and simply finding a leader was one of them. He may not be able to solve their problems overnight, but in terms of a long-winded issue that’s been building up with the likes of Arteta, Mertesacker and Koscielny, he can help end the curse.

Vermaelen fell victim to injuries in his second season as captain and since then the Gunners have failed to appoint a leader who regularly features in the starting XI.

It’s been five years in the making but Emery may finally have addressed the issue by trusting Xhaka with the captaincy.

In 2016/17, Xhaka featured 32 times in the Premier League. The campaign after he didn’t miss a single match, becoming a key player in the side.

Last term the former Gladbach man appeared in 29 league fixtures.

Who says there’s no atmosphere at the Emirates? The evidence in the video above suggests otherwise…

That puts some of the other captains at Arsenal over the last handful of years to shame. He is a permanent fixture in the team and, for that reason alone, the captaincy is perhaps a little more deserved.

It is impossible to ignore all of his faults and criticism will likely continue but he does help to put one problematic situation to bed.

So far this season we’ve not seen the best of Xhaka. His crazy tackle that earned Spurs a penalty in the north London derby sums that up. To put it bluntly, it was a moment of madness.

But maybe, just maybe, being named permanent Arsenal captain can help him take on the extra responsibility.

There might not be a player more important to Real Madrid than Sergio Ramos.Los Blancos’ 33-year-old captain has led them through thick and thin but he’s also not showing any clear signs of stopping either.So far, he has played a total of 615 games as one of the Galacticos and has even managed to score 85 goals and assist a further 39 in the process. And all of that as the team’s centre-back, which makes the stats even more incredible.Watch Spanish Football Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

But Real have recently shared another great milestone that Ramos has achieved.

The Spaniard has now scored in every season from 2005 until 2019, and upon learning that fact, many of the fans were simply gushing over their club captain, showering him with praise in general and showing their affection.

Many were in awe of the commitment and the energy Ramos gives to the squad and one fan even said that Ramos has done more for Real Madrid than their president, Florentino Perez.

You can see some of their replies down in the tweets below:

Gallagher was not the only player who struggled in front of goal in what was a hugely frustrating day at Wembley

This will hurt Chelsea for a very long time. No matter how many mitigating circumstances – inexperience, bad luck, injuries etc. – you attempt to place on it, their gut-wrenching extra-time defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday was a colossal missed opportunity.

The spurned chances, of which there was so, so many, will be haunting Mauricio Pochettino's dreams tonight, with the injury-ravaged Reds somehow clinging on for long enough for Virgil van Dijk to head home the game's only goal late in the additional period.

In a pulsating first half, Cole Palmer saw a close-ranged effort wonderfully saved by Caoimhin Kelleher and Raheem Sterling had a goal marginally ruled out for offside. Liverpool, had their chances too, with Cody Gakpo hitting the woodwork and Conor Bradley somehow being denied by some heroic Levi Colwill defending.

Incredibly, the intensity was dialled up further after the break. Chelsea let a string of presentable chances go begging either side of Van Dijk's header being controversially chalked off by VAR for an infringement by Wataru Endo. And, in a climatic end to normal time, Liverpool survived a goalmouth scramble of epic proportions, before Conor Gallagher hit the post and then blazed an excellent opening high and wide.

But, after being denied in normal time, Van Dijk would punish Chelsea from a set piece in the 118th minute, nodding home a Kostas Tsimikas corner to send the travelling Reds behind the goal loopy. A few minutes later, with red smoke from the pyrotechnics let of after the goal still covering the Wembley turf, the final whistle was blown and all the Blues could do was trudge off with the bitter taste of disappointment in their mouths.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from a classic final…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Djordje Petrovic (8/10):

  A competent display before making an outstanding save to deny Elliot in the final throes of extra time. Will be devastated to lose his clean sheet.

  Malo Gusto (8/10):

  Excellent. Made a couple of vital defensive contributions and impressed going forward.

  Axel Disasi (6/10):

  Made a couple of unforced errors in possession that, thankfully for him, went unpunished. Other than that, he was fairly dominant.

  Levi Colwill (7/10):

  Got off to a shaky start, but grew into the game and made a stunning block late in the first half.

  Ben Chilwell (6/10):

  Booked for a scuffle with Conor Bradley on the stroke of half-time. Defended diligently and kept plugging away, but his delivery was lacking.

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  Midfield

  Moises Caicedo (6/10):

  Very lucky not to be booked for a clumsy foul on Gravenberch. Went about his work fairly effectively other than that, but wasn't perfect.

  Conor Gallagher (6/10):

  A potent creative force, but he simply had to take one of the two chances he was gifted at the end of normal time. The disappointed shake of the head as he was substituted said it all.

  Enzo Fernandez (6/10):

  Tried to be too clever with a backheeled finish as a second-half chance went begging. Played some incisive passes, but not his best display.

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  Attack

  Raheem Sterling (6/10):

  A couple of really bright moments and would've scored if Jackson had held his run by a split second. Was starting to fade when he was replaced by Christopher Nkunku.

  Nicolas Jackson (7/10):

  So nearly provide a perfect assist for Sterling – but was narrowly offside. Caused Liverpool problems throughout with his direct running.

  Cole Palmer (7/10):

  Had to score past Kelleher in an otherwise quiet first half. Got more into the game as things progressed and carved out some decent openings.

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  Subs & Manager

  Christopher Nkunku (5/10):

  Just could not quite reach Malo Gusto's cross at the end of normal time.

  Mykhailo Mudryk (5/10):

  Hardly in the game.

  Noni Madueke (5/10):

  Carved out one of the only opening on full time with a mazy dribble, but only after his sloppy pass halted a promising attack.

  Trevoh Chalobah (N/A):

  On for a few minutes at the end.

  Mauricio Pochettino (7/10):

  He set his team up well, looking to exploit Liverpool's high line with his pacy forwards. Hard to criticise him too much. The finishing on display will have driven him up the wall.

Many West Ham United supporters have been debating who they would like to see take the next penalty after Mark Noble’s dramatic miss.

On Sunday, the Hammers found themselves handed a lifeline to snatch a deserved point against Manchester United after Luke Shaw’s outstretched arm struck a Vladimir Coufal cross.

David Moyes threw Noble on to take the penalty, with the midfielder scoring 38 penalties and only missing four prior to Sunday.

As we now know, David De Gea denied the 34-year-old and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were victorious.

On Twitter, West Ham fans have been discussing who they think should have taken the penalty and who they want on the next one after a tweet from The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas – Noble’s missed penalty is West Ham’s fourth missed in their previous five.

Thomas, who admitted there isn’t an obvious penalty taker apart from Noble, said either Declan Rice or Thomas Soucek should have stepped up.

West Ham fans react to penalty decision

These West Ham supporters took to Twitter to debate who they believe should take West Ham’s next penalty.

“When we signed Soucek, we were all told that he’s different gravy at penalties, yet he’s still not taken one for West Ham. Absurd. Don’t understand that one bit. Needs to be sorted ASAP.”

Credit: @24hpork

“I just read Benny has 6 in 6 for Brentford. Soucek took them previously? We need this sorting ASAP as with our style of attacking I actually think we might do well for penalties this season with the trickery and pace of our forward line.”

Credit: @j22oph

“Need to buy Ivan Toney and get him to take our penalties, or Bowen from now on”

Credit: @ForeverWestHam1

“This is the real issue. Soucek.”

Credit: @jamiebaxter182

“Soucek has a decent record I’m told. Given Cresswell’s technique you’d think he would also be able to hit a penalty well”

Credit: @scottiej24

“No idea why people are saying Cresswell, only taken 1 penalty in his career and missed it. A free kick is very different to a penalty”

Credit: @JamesGunn23

In other news, West Ham supporters have been raving about this player’s performance in Manchester United defeat. Find out more here.