You know things are rosy when the press is lining up managers to replace you, you’ve drawn at home to a team from a town whose entire population could fit into your stadium with thousands of seats to spare, and then you have an away trip to your city rivals.

That was the prospect facing Brendan Rodgers this week, a trip to Goodison Park in the midst of a crisis. The fixtures aren’t kind, but that’s when you learn about your players. Rodgers will be hoping to learn that his players actually care if he keeps his job.

Step forward Daniel Sturridge? No. Danny Ings? Sort of. James Milner? Even more surprising than that!

Everton v Liverpool – LIVE

Step forward Simon Mignolet! The Belgian stopper, partly to blame for Sion’s equaliser on Thursday night, has redeemed himself to the Liverpool faithful with some great saves in a great first half performance at Goodison Park.

His two stunning stops came with the score at 0-0, keeping Everton at bay and giving Liverpool the platform to build on. They finally got a goal of their own through Danny Ings, but Mignolet’s saves allowed him to do it.

They would concede right at the end of the half, but Liverpool are still very much in it thanks to Mignolet – not a phrase I thought i’d be typing today!

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Most of us would never dream of switching allegiances when it comes to our football club. Nobody wants to be considered a fair-weather fan or a glory hunter. But we all know somebody that’s very vocal about football if their team is winning but suddenly has zero interest, even to point of bad mouthing the sport, when fortunes change. With this in mind, my kneejerk response would be to say it’s never okay to switch clubs, but there may be occasions when it’s acceptable.

What got me thinking about this was when a friend recently made a plea on social media requesting guidance on a new club. His beloved Torquay United are languishing in the fifth tier of English football without sign of a resurrection. It’s not that he aims to abandon them entirely but he needs some action from one of the professional leagues to tide him over.

It is a unique predicament. Many people follow a professional club and simultaneously lend their support to a local non-league side. It must be difficult when caught up in the reverse process. This is a country that dedicates a large portion of its recreational time to football. Television networks dedicate thousands of hours across all professional leagues and cup competitions. Imagine never being involved in one single minute of that vast media coverage while all around you have something to chat about.

Taking pity on this viewpoint raised another question: How do you decide which team to follow? The quick answer is your next local side. The problem here is, assuming you already do follow the most local side, you’ll be jumping to your nearest rival. This is never an acceptable course of action. If this limits options then you’ll have to look further afield.

This quandary does highlight another time it’s okay to find a new club, when you’ve been born into a club from an area you’ve never visited. If you have been following Liverpool because your family do but you’ve lived in Portsmouth all your life, no one could argue if by the voting age you feel no connection to a team from Merseyside and want to watch Pompey instead.

Back to looking further afield, the safest option here, if you have no previous soft spots for possible replacements, is to avoid one of the big names. If you choose Chelsea or Manchester City in the current climate you will become, by default, a dreaded glory hunter.

Another occasion that you can change allegiance without question is if you are deceived by the club or treated poorly. The fans of Wimbledon had universal backing when they walked away from what became MK Dons to form AFC Wimbledon. Most see this club as the spiritual Wimbledon proving the power fans have.

Less honourable is the set of fans that left Manchester United to form FC United of Manchester following the Glazer takeover. Sometimes a fan’s duty is to sit through awkward times with a chairman rather than run away. In hindsight the Glazers haven’t been the demons they feared but FC United have made club with a model that should be applauded.

So these are the rare moments it’s okay to take another team on board. But be mindful that things change fast in football, the club you’re thinking of walking away from now could one day be champions of the land, and you’ll look like a glory hunter if you try and reclaim allegiance.

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Manchester United look to string consecutive wins in the Champions League together for the first time since their return to the continent’s elite competition.They helped rectify their shock loss to PSV on Matchday 1 by navigating a difficult, even if not somewhat lucky win over Wolfsburg thanks to Juan Mata’s brilliance.Since then, the Red Devils have pushed on in the league, even reaching its summit before a 3-0 loss away at Arsenal. They are, however, back to winning ways and look to take a strong team away to Russia to play CSKA Moscow.Mata has been rested this evening, despite his heroics against Wolfsburg. The Manchester derby is just around the corner, and van Gaal has clearly decided to rest his star man.Memphis Depay’s poor form has seen him dropped for the second game in the row, with youngster Jesse Lingard taking his place to make his Champions League debut. The 22-year old came off the bench during Saturday’s 3-0 win over Everton, making his first appearance for the Manchester giants since Louis van Gaal’s first game in charge last season.Depay’s international colleague Daley Blind has also been kept out of the side, with van Gaal admitting the pair’s disappointing outings for Holland has played a part in their relegation to the sidelines. Phil jones retains his place in the squad, pairing compatriot Chris Smalling at the heart of the defence.Teenage sensation Anthony Martial will again lead the line, looking to score his first Champions League goal in 595 minutes of action.Seydou Doumbia is the danger man from the Moscow outfit, having been prolific for the club and recently returned from an ill-fated spell at Roma.Former forgettable United man Zoran Tosic will line up against his former charges, looking to attack Marcos Rojo down the left side in order to make them rue selling him in the first place.

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Arsenal find themselves in perhaps their best chance to win the Premier League for the first time in over a decade. Whether that’s down to the incompetence of their rivals, or the excellence of Mesut Ozil and company, is not quite clear.

What is abundantly clear, however, is the fact manager Arsene Wenger is well in with a shout of finally delivering a fourth league title.

Though the situation is not directly comparable to that of the 2013-14 season, Wenger has found himself in this situation before. The Gunners were big players in the title race two years ago and to supplement their assault, the Frenchman signed Kim Kallstrom.

Right, okay, Let’s not make that mistake again, eh Arsene?

Still, some additions this winter can surely help round out the squad in North London and strengthen their chances of pipping Leicester Manchester City to the crown when May rolls around. The £7m signing of Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny is set to go through once the Egyptian international has his work permit approved, but there is still room for more new faces.

The injury crisis is starting to let up and the January market is not renowned for big money additions. So it’s unlikely Wenger will splurge £50m odd on a big striker, but he has hinted he could still be active in the market.

Can Arsenal really win the league? Well, signing any of these FIVE will certainly help…

JAVIER HERNANDEZ

Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has, rather ironically, taken the Bundesliga by storm after being shipped out of Old Trafford by Louis van Gaal. The Mexican poacher has notched 22 goals across all competitions this term and has established himself as one of the most feared marksmen in Europe, rather than the Super-Sub he was viewed at in Manchester.

While the likes of Edinson Cavani and Gonzalo Higuain are perhaps bigger names, the 27-year old would be an ideal alternative to Olivier Giroud. The French forward is either lauded or lambasted at the Emirates, seemingly either on the verge of a purple patch or a series of hopeless performances in equal measure.

Theo Walcott has been utilised as a centre-forward to good effect, though he is nowhere near as prolific as the Mexican international.

So, ‘Chicharito’ as he’s commonly known would be an astute addition. His electric movement would be a fantastic fit with the rhythm the likes of Ozil bounce to in attacking midfield.

He’ proven in the Premier League, which always helps.

RIYAD MAHREZ

While it would take a huge offer to tempt Riyad Mahrez away from the Hollywood esque Leicester City story, Wenger would be wise to do so. He’s emerged as one of the best players on the continent this term, though has arguably sometimes been overshadowed by the feel-good Jamie Vardy story.

The thought of lining the Algerian up alongside Ozil and Alexis Sanchez is truly mouth-watering. He twists and turns defenders while tantalising fans and neutrals alike. The fluidity of the Gunners frontline would suit him down to a tee, drifting inside and out while creating space for perhaps the more incisive passers.

Again, it would take a rather large fee to tempt him away from the King Power Stadium, but the quality he brings would be almost unmeasurable should they win the league.

Certainly better than Joel Campbell.

LARS BENDER

The addition of Elneny should not mean Wenger is done in shaping his defensive midfield options, though it may seem like it.

Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini are nearing the end of their tenure at the Emirates and doubts remain over their ability to perform at the top level. Plans to rebuild such a crucial area of the team must be underway now if the Gunners hope to keep challenging for top honours.

Lars Bender has been linked with a move to North London for what seems like years, though a deal has never materialised. Still, the German international would bolster the ranks in defensive midfield, an area that has constantly dogged the Gunners over recent years.

The aforementioned Elneny operates in a similar position, though the 23-year is largely an unknown quantity. Francis Coquelin is obviously first-choice as the anchor man in the side, but the absence of an adequate replacement was painfully clear once the French terrier fell foul to an injury.

While Bender may not be as mobile as Coquelin, the Germany international is perhaps more comfortable in possession and a more confident distributor of the ball.

ADRIEN RABIOT

In Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky, Wenger boasts a plethora of ball playing midfielders, though all three have their injury problems. We’ve head an awful lot about Adrien Rabiot over recent seasons, without ever really seeing that much of the 20-year old.

Well, the Frenchman is excellent on the ball and strong in the tackle. He’s athletic, tenacious and competitive in the engine room, while retaining an excellent passing range. Think Coquelin, but with a tendency to provide eye of the needle passes after reclaiming possession.

In fact, he’s probably more comparable to Jack Wilshere, and that’s never a bad thing. Perhaps he doesn’t surge on as much as the England star, but he has a knack of dribbling forward to relieve pressure once he wins the ball.

SOFIANE BOUFAL

Arsenal are one of many clubs linked with Lille sensation Sofiane Boufal, who has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in European football. The 22-year old attacker has been in sensational form for the Ligue 1 outfit, drawing comparisons to Eden Hazard. When he was good, obviously.

The youngster has seen a meteoric rise since his move from Angers, performing at extremely high levels despite being six months into his Ligue 1 career. Like the previously mentioned Mahrez, he’s a fantastic dribbler of the ball and has created almost 50 chances this term.

Perhaps a cheaper alternative to the Leicester man, the youngster provides similar qualities. Able to drift inside to wreak havoc, he can add an extra dimension to the sharp passing elsewhere in the Gunners midfield. Though he’s not yet the finished article, the Frenchman has a 70% shooting accuracy, adding the prospect of more goals in midfield.

Until the draw against Manchester United, Newcastle United had lost their last four matches 1-0. In the world of football, that tells you a lot about a team and their current form.

Unfortunately, as predicted, Newcastle United are at the wrong end of the Premier League table with only arch rivals Sunderland and woeful Aston Villa below them.

Before the more impressive 1-1 draw on Monday night, a 1-0 defeat to Watford in the Emirates FA Cup had been the latest blow to Steve McClaren’s rocky Toon adventure, with some fans already calling for his head.

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But how did one of the biggest teams in the North East become so accustomed to year-on-year relegation dogfights?

It’s quite simple – a working relationship with management, ownership and supporters that has completely broken down. It’s been the same ever since Alan Pardew was at the helm and that was what ultimately drove the now Crystal Palace man out of the club.

Patience wanes faster on Tyneside than anywhere else in the country – the Geordies are mad about their football and they have the right to a team that put 100% in week-in, week-out.

The fact of the matter is that they have a squad largely made up of foreign players whose games revolve around flair. Yes, it is okay to have the likes of Riviere, Gouffran, Thauvin and Marveaux (say that quickly five times, I dare you) but they’re not the sort of players that are going to grind you out a 1-0 away victory at Stoke on a cold January evening.

I’m looking at their squad list and there’s a lack of Geordies – lads who know the importance of a derby-day with arch rivals Sunderland. PSG versus Marseille might be a derby in France, but you go down to the Toon against the Black Cats and sit at the back of the Gallowgate and you’ll know what a proper, English derby is.

In Mike Ashley they have an owner who the fans quite simply do not like. There is an active ‘Mike Ashley out campaign’ which is supported by fellow fan groups the Gallowgate Shots, True Faith and THE MAG. These are the groups that actively produced an alternative Newcastle home strip at the beginning of the season in protest against The Magpies’ new sponsorship with pay-day loan giants Wonga.

To put it plainly, they are a club in crisis.

WANT MORE? >> Newcastle transfer news | Latest transfer news

On the pitch, they just cannot score. The Magpies have bought badly in recent years, and despite splashing the cash on the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksander Mitrovic, Remy Cabella, Siem De Jong and Emmanuel Riviere, they just haven’t wielded enough goals to justify their respective price tags.

It seems like some transfer decisions have been based on a day-trip to France and a quick tour around the Eiffel Tower. France was the country that was so explicitly targeted by Newcastle scouts in the past two years meaning they have signed little else from around the world. But unsurprisingly, their two best signings in the last couple of seasons Chancel Mbemba and Daryl Janmaat have both come from other parts of Europe.

The United match was a massive point earned for the Geordies but the Toon need to pick up their game and fast. It’s a difficult diagnosis – after all, if it was clear, I’m sure Steve McClaren would have implemented it by now.

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Much of the talk surrounding Manchester United’ potential summer transfer activity naturally surrounds the ongoing management situation.

Louis van Gaal is widely tipped to leave Old Trafford as the out of work Jose Mourinho continues to loom large over his former mentor’s position.

However, there’s clearly a rebuild desperately required at the Theatre of Dreams, that stretch far beyond their Dutch coach. Despite £250m spent in two years, the squad is still largely lacklustre.

Whoever is in charge at the start of 2016/17 season is likely to continue the heavy spend in order to improve the squad at his disposal. With Pep Guardiola landing at Manchester City over the summer, Ed Woodward simply must continue the player recruitment, or risk losing even further ground on their nosy neighbours.

Still, despite the vast amounts of money available to the club, they simply must continue to shape their squad. Big names will have to leave if even bigger names are to arrive. Particularly if the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ is handed the reigns. Not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, expect a huge overhaul in Manchester this summer.

With that in mind, here are FIVE big names that could feasibly leave Manchester United this summer.

JUAN MATA

Odd name to see here perhaps as Juan Mata remains a top class player and a big part of the first-team squad at Old Trafford.

However, should Mourinho arrive, it could spell end for the Spaniards stay at the Theatre of Dreams. It was the Portuguese who infamously sold the playmaker to United in the first place, despite his standing at Chelsea, where he was hugely popular.

His perceived lack of work rate was widely thought to have been the cause of his Stamford Bridge exit, a trait that hasn’t improved an awful lot since the £37.1m switch in 2014.

Even if van Gaal retains his job, links with a return to Spain continue to linger over the World Cup winner.

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER

The other World Cup winner in the Manchester United squad, Bastian Schweinsteiger has barely set the world alight since his summer move from Bayern Munich.

Clearly, the 31-year old is a top class player on his day, though has struggled for form and fitness this year.

One of the major criticisms dogging van Gaal’s side this season is the methodical, and at times monotonous, passing game deployed by the former Barcelona and Bayern coach.

Well, the German midfielder appears to have lost the sort of dynamism that made him so revered across the continent. Whichever man takes charge in the summer will surely look to rectify the tedious midfield play so prevalent this term.

With the club needing to push forward, perhaps a move to the MLS would best suit the Germany captain toward the end of his career.

PHIL JONES

Many expected Phil Jones to mature into a defensive rock in the rearguard of the Manchester United defence. Surprisingly, that appears to have happened to Chris Smalling and not the former Blackburn man.

A lack of form and fitness, as well as concentration at crucial times, has stalled the 24-year old’s progress no end. With major surgery expected to be undertaken on the backline over the summer, the England international could soon become surplus to requirements.

Smalling is established as one of the club’s key players, while Daley Blind can cover at centre-half if needed. Surely the club will move for at least two defenders over the summer to strengthen their defence, meaning Jones could be cut loose.

MARCOS ROJO

Another defender who could soon see his stay in Manchester cut short is Marcos Rojo. The Argentine defender has never truly settled since his move last summer, at either left-back or centre-half.

Luke Shaw will be back by the time the summer rolls around, while academy graduate Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has proved to be adequate backup.

As mentioned, it will be somewhat baffling if the club do not decide to spend on a top class centre-back, meaning Rojo could feasibly soon be left out in the cold.

A move to Zenit St. Petersburg has been mooted.

DAVID DE GEA

Now, unlike the others mentioned, it is all but certain that nobody wants David De Gea to leave Old Trafford. Whether it be Louis van Gaal or Jose Mourinho in charge, no one would like seeing the shot-stopper depart.

Though he signed a new deal in the wake of his failed move to Real Madrid over the summer, it is not hard to imagine Los Blancos coming back in for the expert Spaniard custodian.

With the club looking increasingly likely to miss out on the Champions League, through the medium of a league position anyway, an emotional move back to Spain could prove too tempting for De Gea.

Jurgen Klopp has made Liverpool a better team during his short tenure at Anfield so far, though even the lovable German could use a hand as he tries to mount a serious challenge on the top four.

Clearly, he can call on some excellent players on Merseyside, but the unbalanced state of the side can not be underestimated.

The decision to appoint him as Brendan Rodgers’ successor was based on far more than his (largely) excellent record in the transfer market, though this summer will represent the first real chance he gets to stamp his authority on the Reds.

Members of the current squad are clearly feeling the benefits of working with the former Borussia Dortmund coach, with the likes of Adam Lallana and Mamadou Sakho showing a marked improvement.

Still, the nature of summer transfer business naturally has fans and pundits alike waiting with baited breath to see what avenue Klopp goes down.

Having worked with a number of top players during his time in Dortmund, there are obvious links to Anfield this summer. While not all may be applicable, the magnitude of Klopp’s name will surely help him lure reasonably big names.

Considering all this, here are FIVE stars Liverpool should target to make them genuine top four contenders.

JONAS HECTOR

The left-back berth has proved to be a problem area for Liverpool in recent years, with current incumbent Alberto Moreno struggling to convince.

There’s a relative dearth in top class options, though Cologne defender Jonas Hector could provide some welcome relief.

The Germany international bucks the trend of modern day operators somewhat. He’s more defensive minded than many of his peers, preferring to harry the opposing winger than spring forward.

He makes around 2.6 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per 90 mins of Bundesliga action, giving steel to any backline.

While he’s more sound when tasked with defending than some of the others on the continent, it’s not as if the German lacks any remanence of attacking enterprise.

Chipping in with three assists this term, he would surely be a vast upgrade on Moreno.

Crucially, the 25-year old is strong in the air and could potentially help Liverpool finally sort out their issue when defending corners.

MARIO GOTZE

Naturally with a manager the stature of Jurgen Klopp, there are going to be links with players he used to work with. However, it’s not as simple as that when it comes to Mario Gotze.

The likes of Mats Hummels, Marco Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng have all starred under the 48-year old, but are currently out of Liverpool’s league.

So, what makes a move for Gotze, a regular for the world champions and a Champions League quality player, different? Well, the 23-year old enjoyed a closer relationship with the Reds boss, recently revealing the two are still in contact.

Any deal may sound speculative, but perhaps Klopp really does hold the key in this particular prospective swoop. The Bayern Munich playmaker emerged under his tutelage and their time at Dortmund brought both men to the forefront of European football.

Simply put, the World Cup winner would be an excellent addition for the Reds. His fluidity across the frontline would be a joy to watch with the likes of Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, he could form part of one of the most varied and vibrant attacks in the league.

SOFIANE FEGHOULI

Liverpool lack natural wide options, with only Jordon Ibe currently available as an orthodox option. Though £20m Serbian Lazar Markovic is due to return from his loan spell in Turkey this summer, it is still certainly an area that can be improved upon.

Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli will see his contract with the La Liga giants soon run out and could provide an effective remedy. Though he’s no Marco Reus, the Algerian winger is tenacious enough to fit into Klopp’s demanding physical style. Tireless with and without the ball, the 26-year-old would provide the necessary graft in wide areas to allow the two majestic Brazilians a free role to drift inside.

That’s not to mention his obvious quality in the final third, creating space and dribbling up and down either flank.

SAIDO BERAHINO

It would be nigh on impossible for Liverpool to go out and purchase a genuine upgrade on a fully fit Daniel Sturridge this summer.

Despite the multitude of injury problems that have dogged him this season, the England international remains one of the most clinical finishers in Europe.

However, what they can bring into the squad, is someone to replace him effectively. Christian Benteke hasn’t worked out and represents too much of an adjustment in the absence of Klopp’s star centre-forward.

While Saido Berahino is clearly not in Sturridge’s class just yet, the 22-yearold West Brom star would be provide a strong back-up option, as well as realistic competition.

He’s energetic, able to drag defenders out of position and is improving on his finishing touch, which already borders on lethal.

With just a year to go on his deal with the Baggies, he would represent an ideal alternate to Sturridge.

TIMO HORN

Simon Mignolet may have penned a new five-year-deal earlier this year, though contracts clearly don’t mean an awful lot in modern day football.

The cynic would even suggest the club’s decision to hand him one is merely to increase his sell on value when an improvement is ultimately brought in.

The Belgian is a fine shot-stopper, though it’s everything else that lets him down. Surely, to harbour any realistic aspirations on improving a leaky backline, Klopp must wield the axe between the sticks.

Timo Horn, the second Cologne player and third German in this list, has been touted as a potential target this summer. The 22-year old is still improving and is by no means the finished article, though would be an upgrade on Mignolet.

He commands his penalty area better than Belgian, while matching him in terms of athletic ability to pull off saves. His distribution may be a tad worse, though he has a much larger scope for improvement.

Reportedly available for around £6.5m, Horn could be the best option available to the Reds this summer.

Despite beginning the 2015/16 campaign as one of the favourites for relegation ahead of the new domestic season, Quique Sanchez Flores and his plucky Watford outfit have nonetheless excelled this term, even if most of the Premier League spotlight has undoubtedly been stolen by the boys down at the King Power Stadium in recent weeks.

Several so-called football ‘experts’ may have seemingly written the determined Hornets off before a ball was even kicked, but after subsequently proving many high profile pundits within the English footballing community wrong, Watford look to have successfully maintained their Premier League status, and could even go on to secure a surprise top ten finish with just a little bit of fortune of their side.

So then, with current Watford captain and all-round leader out on the pitch for Sanchez Flores’ side this season – Troy Deeney – clearly one of the standout figures for the Vicarage Road, does the 27-year-old centre-forward ultimately represent one of the Premier League’s greatest unsung heroes of the season?

Well, as the former Walsall and Halesowen Town striker has netted an impressive 10 goals in all competitions so far this term, whilst also contributing seven crucial final third assists for his team-mates. Deeney clearly deserves his fair share of credit for Watford’s impressive showings.

The man himself has scored more league goals than Everton’s highly rated Ross Barkley so far in 2015/16, as well as both the £49m-rated Raheem Sterling of Manchester City and current skipper of the England national side, Wayne Rooney. Roy Hodgson must therefore offer Deeney his due consideration for EURO 2016 this summer, even if such an outcome remains highly unlikely in the cold light of day.

Via his impressive hold-up play inside the final third, keen eye for goal in and around the opposition’s penalty box and overall leadership ability all across the park for Watford in 2015/16, this is one player who has been criminally overlooked so far this campaign.

Although Deeney’s current strike-partner, Odion Ighalo, has seemingly taken most of the plaudits, the in-form Nigeria international arguably wouldn’t have looked half the player he has without the reassuring presence of Deeney.

Put in no uncertain terms whatsoever, the 27-year-old Watford striker has simply stood up to be counted when it has really mattered, and whilst the ambitious front-man may not go down as one of the most technically gifted centre-forwards the Premier League, everything Deeney lacks in skill and technique, he more than makes up for with pure heart and determination.

If Arsenal had the pleasure of including several players with Deeney’s unmistakable sense of passion among their starting XI this term, perhaps Arsene Wenger’s side would have been able to count upon enough mental strength to genuinely consider themselves worthy title challengers.

So then, although very few non-Hornets supporting fans will likely hold Watford high up on the agenda come the culmination of the 2015/16 campaign, Quique Sanchez Flores’ side clearly deserve a great deal of praise for their exploits, with Troy Deeney himself at the forefront of the recent successes in Hertfordshire.

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The FA Cup final is not simply a grandiose one-off event but a symbolic full-stop to a season. If the players below don’t put in a performance this Saturday they can expect no further sentences to follow at their respective clubs.

Ashley Young

Following a flat, abject season it’s inevitable that Manchester United will come out flexing their financial muscles in the transfer market and unceremoniously discard the under-performers who have failed to make any meaningful impact. Despite penning a new contract last summer Young will surely be one of the names on the outgoing list having once again seen his season disrupted by injury and offering little of note when fit.

In recent years his versatility has been viewed as a positive but if he’s not effective in any of the numerous positions you have to question what his worth is.

Having grabbed a few minutes under his belt against Bournemouth the feeling is Young will be one of the substitutes at Wembley. To secure an immediate future at the club he needs to come on and influence the game.

Jesse Lingard

The world and his dog can clearly see that Juan Mata is United’s best number 10 while Lingard is more effective out wide. The world and his dog isn’t Louis van Gaal.

It would be a shame then if the academy graduate is moved on this summer after persistently disappointing in a role he’s not best suited for but his uploading of the coach attack video to social media probably wasn’t the wisest move either.

Michael Carrick

After a decade of distinguished service at Old Trafford all the signs point to Saturday being Carrick’s swansong with a number of clubs looking to afford Carrick one last pasture on which to stroke his sideways passes.

Last week’s rearranged fixture with Bournemouth saw the 34 year old proudly walk out with his daughters as mascots and – most tellingly of all – attempt a thunder-bluster of a 30 yarder, an act of showboatery not in his usual repertoire.

So he’s going then? Perhaps, but if his future does remain cloudy at present a controlling performance against Palace will do his cause no harm nonetheless.

Mile Jedinak

Set to start ahead of James McArthur to better combat Fellaini’s aerial threat the Palace captain is loved by fans for his whole-hearted approach to every minute on the pitch. Sadly 2015/16 has been a tale of injuries and poor form and with the club having serious money to spend this summer we may see Alan Pardew look to partner Cabaye in the middle with a player blessed with craft to go with the graft.

The Australian would leave south London with his name set in legend.

Dwight Gayle

The most natural finisher Palace possess but with Pardew evidently believing Conor Wickham is the bee’s knees and favouring just the one up front it’s left the Walthamstow born 25 year old with limited game time and a constant need to prove himself.

The latter trait is hardly a negative in all fairness and also derives from a career trajectory that’s seen him mirror Ian Wright in blossoming late after starting out at the foothills of the football pyramid.

When Wright bagged two in the 1990 cup final against United it ultimately led to a goal-laden reign at Arsenal. For Gayle you suspect even a similar impact on Saturday will lead to a move down if Palace upgrade on their striking stable.

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Liverpool have spent nearly £800million on transfers since the inauguration of the Premier League back in 1993, making one of the highest spending English clubs in history.

Amongst that astronomical figure, there was been good, and of course, there has been bad. From Luis Suarez to Andy Carroll and from Xabi Alonso to Salif Diao, the Merseyside club’s spending has stretched to almost all corners of the globe and certainly been a huge factor in the club’s success over the past two decades.

Despite those who have arrived at Anfield over the years not being able to help Liverpool win their first ever Premier League title, success has still been there, albeit somewhat eratic.

Since 1993 the club have won 12 major trophies, including two FA Cup’s, a Europa League and of course a famous Champion’s League victory back in 2005.

When thinking of the greats of the Premier League era, Liverpool fans will think Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and Xabi Alonso. But there are those who have helped along the way yet have gone more so without gratitude than maybe they deserved.

FFC share’s it most under-appreciated XI of the Premier League era ……

GK – Pepe Reina

Loaned to Napoli in 2013, then sold to Bayern Munich the next year, Reina’s departure was unexpected.

While Liverpool fans certainly appreciate his service, many forget just how good of a keeper the Spaniard was, having won the Golden Glove award for three consecutive seasons.

RB – Glen Johnson

Perhaps best remembered for his one-off wonder goals, Johnson was a solid addition to Liverpool’s squad back in 2009, and provided brilliant service both going back and going forward out wide.

CB – Martin Srktel

Skrtel seems set for an Anfield departure this summer after nine seasons at the club. Whilst he has only won one major trophy during that time, the Slovak was part of the 2008/09 and 2013/14 squads that finished second in the Premier League. A real warrior at centre half.

CB – Stephane Hanchez

Henchoz’s formidable partnership with Sami Hyypia turned Liverpool’s defence from laughable to one of the most formidable in Europe.

While maybe not as elegant or gifted as his Finnish counterpart, Henchoz was defensively sound and tactically astute.

LB – Alvaro Arbeloa

Typically a right back but for the sake of this XI, now a left back.

Arbeloa recently left Real Madrid with a heroes send-off, and was hailed by Jose Mourinho as the ‘most important player’ he has ever worked with.

Arbeloa went about his business quietly but efficiently.

RM – Maxi Rodriguez

Some would consider Rodriguez a flop during his time at Anfield following his unpredictable form for the Red’s, however the Argentine showed glimpses of his undoubted ability throughout his tenure with the club, a highlight seven goals in two weeks towards to end of the Dalgliesh reign.

CM – Didi Hamann

The quiet holding midfielder was a key cog in the Liverpool machine that won both the Europa and Champions League, as well as numerous other accolades between 1999 and 2006.

The German was calm, collected, and excellent with the ball, but was criticised for his lack of ‘impact’.

CM – Danny Murphy

Technically fantastic and a terrific goalscorer from midfield, Murphy was one of the few English players at Liverpool over the years who would have been suited to football on the continent. 44 goals in five seasons is a brilliant return from the middle of the park.

LM – Jermaine Pennant

Pennant’s off the field antics – including an eight week jail sentence and drink driving convictions –  overshadowed his ability on the pitch.

While he should have scored more goals during his time at Anfield, the Englishman was still a potent attacking threat and was more than happy to take on defenders.

ST – Christian Benteke

The Belgian can consider himself hard done by if he is indeed to leave Anfield this summer after just one season with the club.

Ten goals in a limited amount of game time, including a fabulous overhead kick against Manchester United, was not a bad return and Benteke was used as a scapegoat late into the Brendan Rodger’s era thanks to his hefty price tag.

ST – Dirk Kuyt

Maybe it was because he was signed as a goalscoring striker and adapted his game to play in a more supportive role, but Kuyt perhaps defines under-rated, especially when it comes to Anfield.

Always one for the big occasion, the Dutchman had a tireless work out and was an ever-present figure in Liverpool’s front line and midfield