Why Liverpool Should Bring Bn This Perfect Luis Suarez Replacement

Liverpool fans have been excited by rumours the club is looking at Borussia Dortmund and Germany forward Marco Reus. Here, WhoScored.com tell us if he is the man to help fill the Luis Suarez void. Check out WhoScored.com for lots more brilliant Liverpool stats.

The departure of Suarez to Barcelona means Liverpool have the funds to strengthen their squad before the Premier League season gets underway. The Reds recently confirmed the arrival of Lazar Markovic from Benfica on Tuesday and while the Serbian is a good acquisition, a more experienced name would go some way to easing the loss of last season’s top goalscorer.

Reus has been linked with a potential switch to Anfield as Liverpool look to put the reported £75m Suarez money to good use. Only four players bettered Reus’ 7.90 WhoScored.com rating in the Bundesliga last season, highlighting what a superb 2013/14 campaign the 25-year-old had.

While he is more a left winger than a striker, signing Reus would still be a real statement of intent by Liverpool. The German's 13 Bundesliga assists was than any other player last season and Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Rickie Lambert would welcome his creative qualities. Only Max Kruse with 98 played more key passes than Reus’ 90 in Germany’s top tier last term.

However, he has proven that he is more than capable of scoring, too. Only Robert Lewandowski (20), Mario Mandzukic (18) and Josip Drmic (17) netted more league goals than Reus (16) last season, while the flamboyant attacker averaged more shots per game (3.7) than anyone else, displaying a supreme level of confidence in his striking ability.

Mario Gotze's decision to leave Dortmund for Bayern Munich 12 months ago meant Reus had to step up his game and he did not disappoint. His performances warranted a place in the Germany squad for the World Cup, but an ankle injury suffered in the friendly win against Armenia last month meant he was forced to sit out Brazil 2014. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that Reus’ club form would have guaranteed him a place in national manager Joachim Low’s starting XI.

As you will see on WhoScored.com, his style of play highlights a tendency to cut inside, which would benefit Liverpool, with Reus often moving onto his right foot from the left wing to go for goal. While Suarez would regularly be the focal point in Brendan Rodgers’ attack, the Uruguayan also favoured cutting inside from the flank before unleashing goal-bound efforts.

Suarez may have eclipsed Reus in the goal charts, but with Dortmund having 17 different scorers last term compared to Liverpool’s 12, that is little surprise. Only Steven Gerrard matched Reus in terms of assists and a more creative force in the attack line would allow Sturridge to build on the 21 league goals he scored last season.

While it remains to be seen whether Reus could instantly reach Suarez’s level should the Reds firm up their reported interest, the Dortmund star has the potential to match his exploits in Liverpool’s fluid attack. He may have insisted he will not leave Dortmund this summer, but with rivals Bayern strengthening considerably, a new challenge in England may appeal to him.

Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana have already signed on the dotted line, and with the Markovic deal also done, an attacker should not be the priority for Rodgers. However, if Liverpool are in the hunt for the closest like-for-like Suarez replacement, Reus undeniably fits the bill.

VIDEO! ALL Man United fans MUST see this: Louis Van Gaal REVEALS exactly how he plans to succeed

Louis van Gaal's CV speaks for itself, but it's still fascinating to hear the Dutchman explain the thinking behind his success.

Fresh from a brilliant World Cup campaign as Netherlands boss, this presentation by Van Gaal reveals exactly why he does what he does in a managerial presentation on his spell with the national team.

It makes for fascinating viewing and you can see this is a man who has absolute clarity about what he wants to achieve and how he plans to do it: vision and structure.

Stepping into the hotseat at Old Trafford requires an iron will of the kind that made Sir Alex Ferguson so successful.

Judging by this video, Van Gaal certainly possesses that spirit. Now let's how it translates into results.

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Fomer Liverpool Defender To Ruin Man United's Hopes Of Signing Benfica Star

Atletico Madrid could offer former Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua to Benfica as part of their bid to sign highly rated winger Nicolas Gaitan, who is on Manchester United's radar.

The La Liga champions have already initiated talks with Benfica over a deal to sign Gaitan, who has been monitored by United and Liverpool in recent seasons.

Atleti have cash to spend after sanctioning the sales of Diego Costa and Filipe Luis and they want Gaitan at the Vicente Calderon as they prepare to defend their La Liga crown.

Last week the Spanish capital side are already willing to offer Benfica midfielder Josuha Guilavogui, who has been targeted by Everton, but sources in Spain claim they will now send Insua in the other direction too.

Left-back Insua managed only five league starts last term and he is unlikely to have greater first-team involvement anytime soon after manager Diego Simeone snapped up Guilherme Siqueira.

Benfica are keen to have the 25-year-old on board and this could help speed up the deal.

PSG Would Demand Over £60million For Wantaway Striker Cavani

Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal would have to fork out over £60million for reported target Edinson Cavani.

The forward is thought to be unhappy with his role at current club Paris Saint-German, where he is often forced to play out of position and play second fiddle to star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and is keen on a move away from the French champions.

Cavani sealed a £55million switch to PSG last summer following his emphatic goalscoring form at Italian side Napoli, and helped Laurent Blanc’s side win a second successive Ligue 1 title in his debut season.

But despite the team’s success, the 27-year-old has gone largely under the radar since his arrival and again he failed to impress during Uruguay’s World Cup campaign.

Recently emerged rumours have suggested the Premier League is the wantaway striker’s preferred destination.

And while Laurens reveals the likes of United and Chelsea have already held talks with the agent, he admits any team would have to pay over the odds for the out-of-form frontman.

“Cavani isn’t happy about his situation at PSG,” Laurens told Kick Off.

“He wants to play in his preferred position, but it’s pretty clear that at PSG Ibrahimovic will always be first-choice central player.

“He doesn’t want to be stuck on the wing anymore, so his brother - who is also his agent - has been knocking on doors in the Premier League.

“He has spoken to Chelsea and Manchester United, who they first talked to back in January, but if PSG were to sell him they probably wouldn’t sell for less than €70million [around £62million].

“If a team would be happy to pay that money then I think Cavani would be ready to talk, but such a high figure may put a lot of teams off.”

Update: Arsenal Agree €25million Deal With Real Madrid For World Cup Star

Arsenal have agreed a €25million deal with Real Madrid for Sami Khedira, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

"Marca claim a deal is more or less done for Sami Khedira to join Arsenal," he said. "Personal terms have not been agreed, but the newspaper claims the two clubs are in agreement over a €25m transfer fee.

"He's not been brilliant and has suffered with injuries in Spain. Khedira has not shone brightly and has not always fitted into the Real Madrid shape.

"He had a decent World Cup and was unlucky, through injury, to miss the final. There are a lot of things for Arsenal fans to be excited about.

"The only stumbling block is his wage demands, which Arsenal wouldn't be happy about. Chelsea, who have also been linked to him, couldn't care less. They have added though that the bad relationship between Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid, means it's more likely that he'll end up at the Emirates than Stamford Bridge."

Transfer Action Hots Up As New Season Begins

While the thrills and spills of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ have kept the world of football on the edge of its seat for the last month, clubs have continued to dip into the transfer market in preparation for the upcoming season. FIFA.com rounds up some of the most notable summer moves.

The future whereabouts of Robert Lewandowski had been common knowledge for some time, but his transfer from Borussia Dortmund, for whom he had starred since 2010, to German rivals Bayern Munich was officially completed at the beginning of July.

Die Schwarzgelben wasted no time in replacing the Polish goal machine, bringing in the clinical Italian Ciro Immobile, top scorer in Serie A for Torino last campaign.

Another World Cup star, David Luiz, is also on the move, joining up with his Brazilian compatriot Thiago Silva at Paris Saint-Germain, after having spent three seasons at Chelsea.

Prior to exiting Brazil 2014 at the first-round stage, Spain’s David Villa had already sorted out the next phases of their impressive careers. The Atletico Madrid attacker committed himself to newly-established New York City FC, set for an MLS debut in March 2015, and will keep in shape by turning out for Australian side Melbourne City (formerly Melbourne Heart) in the meantime.

Aside from Villa, Los Colchoneros have also lost another forward who contributed greatly to their historic Liga-winning season, namely Diego Costa, who will try to put his World Cup woes behind him at Chelsea, where he will rub shoulders with international team-mate Cesc Fabregas, who returns to London three years after leaving Arsenal for Barcelona.

To fill the gap left by the incisive midfielder’s absence, the Catalan giants have acquired the services of Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic, who has been on excellent recent form with Sevilla, as well as the goalkeeping pair of Claudio Bravo (Chile) and Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany), signed from Real Sociedad and Borussia Monchengladbach respectively.

But Luis Enrique’s most eye-catching capture is without a doubt that of Luis Suarez from Liverpool, as it provides fans with the enticing prospect of a Barça frontline made up of the Uruguayan striker, Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Supporters of the Anfield side will be hoping that the performances of their own new recruits – England internationals Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana from Southampton and young German Emre Can from Bayer Leverkusen – will help to compensate for the loss of the fiery South American.

To replace Can, Leverkusen have turned to Turkish attacking midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, who had a fine season with Hamburg, as well as Swiss front man Josip Drmic, signed from Nurnberg.

Other notable Bundesliga comings and goings include German midfielder Aaron Hunt’s move from Werder Bremen to Wolfsburg, Cameroonian marksman Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s transfer from Mainz to Schalke, and Venezuelan playmaker Juan Arango’s switch from Monchengladbach to Tijuana. Die Fohlen have registered one arrival, however: that of Thorgan Hazard, younger brother of Eden and also a Belgian international.

Bayern Munich’s aim of defending their German title will be boosted by the addition of Spanish left-back Juan Bernat from Valencia, but the Bavarians have simultaneously bid farewell to their Croatian penalty-box specialist Mario Mandzukic, who has put pen to paper with Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish champions have been busy in the market, procuring Getafe keeper Angel Moya as a successor to Thibaut Courtois, who returns to Chelsea after three years on loan. Other players departing the Estadio Vicente Calderon include Brazilian schemer Diego and Spanish forward Adrian Lopez, who have moved to Fenerbahce and Porto respectively.

Another Liga custodian trying his luck in England is Willy Caballero, who has linked up with compatriot Manuel Pellegrini – whom he played under at Malaga – at Manchester City.

In Premier League matches, he is likely to cross paths with Chile’s Alexis Sanchez, persuaded to leave Barcelona by Arsenal, and promising midfield man Ander Herrera, purchased by Manchester United from Athletic Bilbao.

The Manchester derby will likely feature three other newcomers this term: Luke Shaw, who has travelled north to Old Trafford from Southampton, and Bakari Sagna and Fernando, who have joined City from Arsenal and Porto.

Joleon Lescott will no longer experience the famous rivalry, however, having decided to nail his colours to the mast of West Bromwich Albion, following five years on the blue half of the city.

Aston Villa have not been idle in the market either, securing the experienced trio of Swiss defender Philippe Senderos (from Valencia), evergreen winger Keiran Richardson (from Fulham), and attacking midfielder Joe Cole (from West Ham).

Newcastle United, meanwhile, have placed their hopes in Montpellier’s up-and-coming midfielder Remy Cabella and Feyenoord’s tireless right-back Daryl Janmaat.

It has not been all one-way traffic into England, as Ashley Cole’s deal with Roma demonstrates. In the Derby della Capitale versus Lazio, the former Chelsea defender will line up alongside left-sided Dutchman Urby Emanuelson, on AC Milan’s books since 2011, and against Marco Parolo, Dusan Basta and Filip Djordjevic, reinforcements brought in from Parma, Udinese and Nantes respectively.

French wide-man Jeremy Menez played in numerous such clashes for the Giallorossi between 2008 and 2011, prior to his transfer to PSG. Having opted to relaunch his career with AC Milan, where he will team-up with Brazilian centre-back Alex, he can now look forward to gaining a taste of the Derby della Madonnina instead.

Further west, Juventus also look set to bolster their squad, swooping for Real Madrid’s fringe target man, Alvaro Morata.  There has also been an attacking addition in Wales, with Swansea City having signed free-scoring forward Bafetimbi Gomis from Lyon at the end of June.

Last but not least, 2002 World Cup-winner Kaka has made the somewhat surprising decision to join Orlando City, who will enter the MLS fray in 2015. Until then, the ex-AC Milan star will play on loan with Sao Paulo – the second time in his career that he has represented the Brazilian heavyweights.

FIFA Fan Fest Wins Brazilian Hearts

From the special kick-off event on Fortaleza’s Iracema Beach which set the tone for the tournament, through to the post-final fireworks that illuminated the sky above the famous Maracana stadium, the FIFA Fan Fests have been at the heart of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

Incredibly, more than five million people celebrated the tournament at the 12 FIFA Fan Fest locations, proving this remarkable event has been about so much more than just the football.

Come final day, the extraordinary aerial views of the FIFA Fan Fest on the Copacabana Beach paid testament to the vast swathes of fans, coming together to share the World Cup experience with as many friends as possible.

In total, 281,716 people attended the FIFA Fan Fest venues to watch Germany take on Argentina, pushing the grand total for the tournament to over five million visitors!

A perfect solution for fans looking to experience the magic of a World Cup together in a live setting, the FIFA Fan Fest concept has exploded in popularity since being introduced at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™.

Across the dozen carefully selected iconic Brazilian locations, FIFA Fan Fest arenas have become throbbing hubs of football, music and entertainment – this past month, ensuring secure and family-friendly ‘must-go’ destinations for local and international fans alike.

In Brazil, an array of special performances by some of the country’s top music acts such as Claudia Leitte, Anita and Monobloco, together with VIP appearances by the likes of FIFA Fan Fest Ambassador Ronaldo, made sure every one of the 64 matches partied after the full time whistle.

In between matches and live music, revellers enjoyed a selection of international food and drinks, and were keen to get involved in the activities offered onsite by FIFA’s Commercial Affiliates - as well as participate in a little recreational shopping via a wide range of onsite merchandise.

Already something of a cultural phenomenon in their relatively short history, the FIFA Fan Fest™ in Brazil will go down in history as the month-long beach party to end them all!

Pirlo's Juventus Future In Doubt After Conte Exit To Leave Totteham On Alert

Tottenham and the rest of the Premier League could be on red alert amid rumours, coming from Italy, that Andrea Pirlo could be made available for transfer.

Antonio Conte announced his resignation as Juve boss this week, following three consecutive Serie A titles, after falling out with the club over transfer strategy.

And the man being tipped to replace him is former AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri, who Pirlo claims forced him out of the club in 2011.

After the switch, Pirlo said: "Milan offered me a one-year extension, but I wanted three years because I was younger than the other players whose contracts were expiring.

"But the real reason behind why I left Milan was because Allegri wanted to use Massimo Ambrosini or Mark van Bommel in front of the defence instead of me. That meant that I had to change position on the pitch. So I said 'no thanks' to Milan and chose Juventus.

"Milan decided that I was no longer useful to them. I understood that immediately during our meeting."

Spurs were credited with a strong interest in the Italy playmaker, 35, last season and the rest of the Premier League will be interested, especially after his masterful performance against England in the World Cup.

Done Deal! Liverpool annouce £20million arrival Of Serbia Starlet Markovic

Liverpool have confirmed the £20million arrival of Benfica winger Lazar Markovic, who has signed a ‘long-term deal’ with the Merseyside outfit.

Inter Millan Lands Former Everton And Liverpool Target On Loan

Inter Milan have completed the signing of one-time Liverpool and Everton target Yann M'Vila on a season-long loan from Rubin Kazan.

The 24-year-old France international, who was previously trailed by Arsenal and QPR during his time at French club Rennes, arrived in Italy last week to undergo his medical and started training with his new team-mates on Tuesday morning.

Inter have the option to turn the deal permanent at the end of the season.

M'Vila, who was pictured sitting with Liverpool supporters at Goodison Park last November, left Rennes to join Rubin Kazan in a £9.6m deal in January 2013.