Xherdan Shaqiri has revealed Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini had some rather unusual methods for treating injured players.

Stoke City winger Shaqiri is enjoying a renaissance at the Britannia Stadium after a disappointing stint at Inter, typified by the unusual healing treatment he received.

“I drove for half an hour in a car to have been manipulated by an old man, but he did not help me at all,” Shaqiri told Swiss newspaper Blick (via the Sun).

The Switzerland international is enjoying himself considerably more in England, where he opened his Premier League account with two goals in Stoke’s 4-3 win over Everton on December 28.

“Stoke City was the best choice. Here there are seven physiotherapists, who will examine me everyday: hips, feet, legs. Everything in a professional manner.”

That’s more like it.

[h/t the Sun]

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Liverpool‘s bid to sign Fiorentina midfielder Mario Suarez has reportedly received a boost, as La Viola have identified a replacement in AA Gent’s Sven Kums. A January transfer seems likely for the former Atletico Madrid man.

Per Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Daily Star‘s Jamie Anderson), Fiorentina want £6 million for Suarez, who joined the club during the summer but has failed to nail down a starting berth. Per Calciomercato.com (via Anderson), his agent has already confirmed there’s plenty of interest in his services.

Per WhoScored.com, Fiorentina have mainly used the 28-year-old in the Europa League, where he has made quite the impression:

A dependable ball-winner with great passing range, Suarez played a key role in Atletico’s emergence under manager Diego Simeone, and he was one of the driving forces behind the club’s run to the La Liga title in 2013-14.

He lost his starting position to the duo of Tiago Mendes and Gabi, which prompted the move to Florence. Unfortunately, he’s run into a similar problem, as Milan Badelj and Matias Vecino have a stranglehold on the central midfield slots.

The Spain international is likely desperate to move in an attempt to find more playing time and guarantee his spot in La Roja’s Euro 2016 squad. At his best, he remains one of the team’s greatest ball-winners, as you can see below:

Whether Liverpool would be the right fit for Suarez is another matter. The Reds could use another depth option in midfield, and Suarez would be an excellent signing, but it’s hard to see any scenario in which the Spaniard’s playing time would actually improve at Anfield.

The whole reason there’s transfer buzz surrounding Suarez is his lack of minutes―it would make little sense for him to move to Liverpool, who arguably have even more talent in the midfield area than Fiorentina.

Suarez is a fine player with a healthy work rate on the pitch, and he’s the kind of midfielder manager Jurgen Klopp loves to work with. If he’s willing to accept a role as a depth option, a January move would be a smart idea―although it’s not likely.

It’s worth mentioning Gent’s Kums will be all but off limits in January, further complicating a deal.

Roberto Mancini Denies Andrea Ranocchia Transfer Request

As reported by Kristian Walsh of the Liverpool Echo, Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini has shot down speculation defender Andrea Ranocchia may have requested a transfer, saying: “No player has come to me and asked for a transfer, including Ranocchia.”

The Italian is reportedly a target for the Reds, per Walsh, and according to Sky Sports’ Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have opened talks with the Nerazzurri:

Liverpool have been hit by a wave of defensive injuries, and the Reds are desperate for depth heading into the second half of the season. With few star defenders available, an experienced centre-back with some upside is likely to join the club in January.

The 27-year-old was once regarded as one of Italy’s best young emerging defenders, forming a partnership with Leonardo Bonucci while the two were at Bari. Bonucci lived up to his potential and is currently a star with Juventus―Ranocchia failed to take the next step and is a bench player for Inter.

The former Inter captain isn’t a bad player by any means, but Mancini clearly didn’t trust the centre-back, which is why he took away his captain’s armband and invested in several defenders, including Jeison Murillo and Miranda―perhaps the most in-form defensive duo in Serie A.

Ranocchia is smart, strong in the air and capable on the ball, and while he isn’t the strongest or most physical centre-back in the world, he should be able to adapt to the Premier League. Here’s a look at some of his highlights:

Fans may not get too excited at the thought of signing a player who can’t even make Inter’s starting XI, but there aren’t that many talented centre-backs currently available on the market. Ranocchia is experienced, still fairly young and relatively cheap―you can’t ask for much more in the January transfer window.

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Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze has hinted that he could link up with former manager Jurgen Klopp in a sensational switch to Anfield.

The 23-year-old told German publication Sport Bild (via Sky Sports) that his future at the Allianz Arena all comes down to the plans of whoever takes the reins from Pep Guardiola, before admitting that he got on very well with the Liverpool boss:

I know Jurgen Klopp well. I’ve worked under him. He is a very good coach, definitely. It’s all open, how to proceed after the season. I have a contract until 2017, but of course, it is important how the new coach feels about me. I have not really given my future much thought recently because of my injury, but everything is open as things stand. It all depends on the plans of the club and the new coach.

Gotze came through the youth ranks at Borussia Dortmund and forced his way into Klopp’s first team in 2009 at just 17 years of age.

It was under the Liverpool boss’ watchful eye that the forward made a name for himself in world football, and Bundesliga journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft revealed Gotze owes everything to his former manager:

However, as Fjortoft stated, Gotze hasn’t quite produced the goods with Bayern, and despite his World Cup-winning exploits in 2014, he still carries the overrated tag.

So, could Klopp be the man to put his former “baby” back on the road to football immortality? Liverpool fans will certainly hope so, and journalist Raphael Honigstein cheekily said that he’d fit right in at Anfield:

Gotze has been sidelined since October with a niggling groin injury, yet he’s unlikely to join the long list of names on the Liverpool treatment table, as any potential transfer will wait until the summer.

Bild claimed that Bayern will demand €50 million for Gotze (via Eurosport), yet as he’ll have one year remaining on his contract at the end of the current campaign, Liverpool could look to knock that price down.

Elsewhere, the Reds look like finally strengthening their shaky back line with the capture of Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia.

Sky Italia journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed that Liverpool are in talks with the Italian, who Inter Milan want to sell to the Premier League outfit despite domestic interest:

Ranocchia is a tough-tackling, ball-playing centre-back who can undoubtedly solidify Klopp’s shaky back line. Here’s a look at what he could bring to Anfield:

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport (via Daily Telegraph) reported that Inter Milan accepted a £6.7 million bid from Liverpool, with the Serie A side keen to cash in on the player ahead of their own January business.

Liverpool are generally a busy side in the transfer window, but this month’s activity is more crucial than ever.

You get the sense that Klopp doesn’t quite trust his current crop, and unless he brings in the necessary personnel, the Reds could have another season to forget.

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Manchester United have reportedly made an inquiry about the availability of Paris Saint-Germain manager Laurent Blanc.

According to French website Le10 Sport (h/t Goal.com), the Red Devils are on the lookout for a possible replacement for incumbent Louis van Gaal. The piece noted that Blanc, a former United player, has been “shortlisted” for the position and is apparently “attracted” by the chance to take the top job at Old Trafford.

Since taking over at PSG, Blanc has steered the capital club to two league titles, and his side look set to win another this term. During his playing career, he helped France to World Cup glory in 1998; he also represented Barcelona, Inter Milan and Montpellier as well as United.

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Ligue 1 kicks off for 2016 when leaders Paris Saint-Germain host SC Bastia at Parc des Princes on Friday. Both sides advanced to the round of 32 in the Coupe de France in their first games of the new year, so they will be keen to build on those results.

Date: Friday, January 8

Time: 8:30 p.m. CET (7:30 p.m. GMT/2:30 p.m. EST)

Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris

TV Info: beIN Sports 1 (France), BT Sport 2 (UK), beIN Sports and beIN Sports Ñ (USA)

Live Stream: beIN Sports Connect

Preamble

Despite being 2-0 down inside of the opening 20 minutes, Bastia upset PSG in Corsica with a shock 4-2 win in the first round of Ligue 1 fixtures in 2015.

Considering the French champions’ lack of complacency since the start of this season, a repeat of that stunning comeback is unlikely in Paris this time around.

However, Ghislain Printant’s men will be encouraged by a less than convincing PSG display in the 1-0 win over ES Wasquehal in the Coupe de France last Sunday, and the Corsicans are likely to face a PSG XI with many players who have not played since last month’s 3-0 win away at SM Caen.

For the capital club, it is a chance to provisionally stretch their lead at the Ligue 1 summit to 22 points ahead of a return to domestic cup action against Olympique Lyonnais in the Coupe de la Ligue next week.

Bastia have never won away at PSG, and I Turchini are currently just three points above the bottom three in Le Championnat. If they can come away from Parc des Princes with even a point, then it would be a valuable one as they continue their battle against relegation.

Form Lines (all competitions)

PSG

W 5-1 vs. Olympique Lyonnais (Ligue 1)

W 1-0 vs. AS Saint-Etienne (Coupe de la Ligue round of 16)

W 0-3 vs. Caen (Ligue 1)

W 0-1 vs. Inter Milan (Friendly)

W 0-1 vs. ES Wasquehal (Coupe de France)

Bastia

W 1-0 vs. Girondins de Bordeaux (Ligue 1)

L 1-2 vs. AS Monaco (Ligue 1)

D 1-1 vs. ESTAC Troyes (Ligue 1)

W 2-0 vs. Stade de Reims (Ligue 1)

W 0-2 vs. CS Sedan Ardennes (Coupe de France)

Predicted Formations

PSG (4-3-3): Trapp; Aurier, Silva (c), Luiz, Maxwell; Verratti, Pastore, Matuidi; Di Maria, Ibrahimovic, Cavani.

Bastia (4-2-3-1): Leca; Cioni, Squillaci, Modesto, Palmieri; Cahuzac (c), Fofana; Danic, Ngando, Ayite; Raspentino.

Player to Watch Per Side

After a series of false starts, Javier Pastore is expected to finally make his return to action for PSG against Bastia on Friday.

Although Les Parisiens have continued to accumulate points since the Argentina international last played back in October, Laurent Blanc’s men have missed his creativity.

It is unlikely that El Flaco will dislodge Angel Di Maria, Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Edinson Cavani from the starting XI, but a knock to Thiago Motta could give Pastore the chance to start for the first time in Ligue 1 since a 2-0 win away at Bastia back in October.

As for the visitors, joint-top scorer Gael Danic is likely to be one of the main threats to the home defence, and PSG will need to keep him quiet.

The 34-year-old has scored three and laid on three more so far this season, and the Corsicans will be hoping that he can make life difficult for the French giants in the capital on Friday.

Key Battle

One of Ligue 1’s most underrated performers in goal this season has been Bastia shot-stopper Jean-Louis Leca. Despite playing behind a porous defence, the 30-year-old has managed to help keep five clean sheets in Ligue 1 alone.

If Bastia can frustrate PSG and limit the number of chances given to the likes of Di Maria, Ibrahimovic and Cavani, then Leca could help his team escape from Parc des Princes with a point or better.

Odds (Odds Shark)

PSG: -833

Bastia: +1944

Draw: +721

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After three months searching for stability in charge at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp enters a hugely important 2016, with the gradual thinning of his squad underlining the need to reinforce.

Heading into a busy January, Klopp is without a number of key first-team players, including Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson, Mamadou Sakho, Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren, with a total of 11 injuries ravaging his senior squad.

Throughout the year, Klopp can expect further restrictions to his selection, with Kolo Toure, Jose Enrique, Jordan Rossiter, Joao Carlos Teixeira and Jon Flanagan all set to leave the club upon the expiry of their respective contracts at the end of the 2015/16 campaign.

With his sights set on success in cup competitions, both on the domestic stage and in Europe this season, as well as a respectable finish in the Premier League, the German is likely to look to the transfer market this January, but to whom could he turn?

Here are three January transfer targets who could spark Liverpool into life in 2016, including a much-needed addition in defence.

Joel Matip

With Sakho, Skrtel, Lovren, Toure and Joe Gomez all on the injury list at this stage, Klopp will be desperate to add to his centre-back ranks this January.

“In this moment with no centre-back fit I would say it is a situation where we have to think about going into the transfer market,” he said after Tuesday night’s 1-0 League Cup semi-final first-leg win away to Stoke City, according to the Press Association (h/t ESPN FC).

“Two weeks ago we had three centre-backs—that’s a good situation. At the start of the season we had five. Now we have none.”

While there have been suggestions, via the Mirror‘s David Maddock, Klopp was exploring the possibility of signing Borussia Dortmund‘s Neven Subotic or Inter Milan outcast Andrea Ranocchia on loan, if the German is searching for a long-term addition to his defensive ranks, he should look no further than Schalke’s versatile Joel Matip.

Matip is a strong, robust, aggressive centre-back, also capable of operating on either defensive flank and at the base of the midfield, who could slot comfortably into Klopp’s high line.

An efficient passer of the ball with exceptional aerial ability, Matip would offer Klopp the perfect balance when bolstering his back line, with his all-round game open to development under the former Dortmund manager, as the Cameroon international is still only 24 years old.

Long reported to be a summer target for Klopp, Liverpool’s interest in Matip could be brought forward to January, as Paul Vinnell of Sky Sports recently suggested. If Schalke can be convinced to part with their prized defensive asset six months early, Matip could prove to be a real boost to Klopp’s squad.

Granit Xhaka

Though Henderson and Emre Can look to have formed a strong partnership in the centre of midfield this season and James Milner, Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva able cover for the duo, there is room for another top-class central midfielder within Klopp’s squad.

That could be impressive Borussia Monchengladbach talent Granit Xhaka, who has been linked with a move to Merseyside by German publication Bild (h/t the Telegraph).

Liverpool are said to be “weighing up a bid for the 23-year-old but would have to break their record fee to secure the deal,” with Monchengladbach’s asking price rumoured to be £37 million—£2 million more than the Reds paid for Andy Carroll in 2011.

Based on potential, this is a reasonable valuation, with Xhaka having progressed into one of the top midfielders in the Bundesliga following his move to Borussia-Park from FC Basel in 2012 and as the Switzerland international signed a new deal in February, designed to keep him at the club until 2019.

This would take careful consideration for Klopp, but Xhaka could establish himself as a key feature within the Liverpool midfield.

Klopp’s side have been at their best in a 4-3-3 formation, with two more mobile midfielders—in theory, Henderson and Can—pushing forward into the final third and given licence to probe by the presence of a more diligent holding midfielder.

Xhaka has the ability to play this defensive role, serving as a deep-lying playmaker for Monchengladbach, with his energy, tenacity and strong passing range allowing him to thrive, but when required he would be able to operate in a more advanced position, too.

This versatility, and the scope to hone his skills under Klopp, would make him an invaluable asset to the Reds.

If Klopp is on the lookout for another midfielder this January, Xhaka would be a safe bet.

Alexandre Lacazette

Having sanctioned the £32.5 million signing of Christian Benteke in the summer, Liverpool’s owner, Fenway Sports Group, may well be regretting its decision, with the hulking Belgian failing to make the required impact under Klopp in 2015/16.

Add Benteke’s woes to the injury problems faced by Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings, and Liverpool are in dire need of reinforcements in attack.

One player who would be capable of slotting into Klopp’s forward line as an alternative to the sluggish Benteke is Lyon’s highly rated France international Alexandre Lacazette, who was the subject of interest from Newcastle United earlier in January.

According to Simon Jones of MailOnline, Lacazette rejected the opportunity to join the Magpies’ fight against relegation after Lyon accepted their bid of £22 million, with the striker “fully focused on securing his place in France’s Euro 2016 squad this summer.”

Two things this establishes is that Lyon are willing to sell their star attacker and that Lacazette’s ambitions are above those of a lowly Premier League outfit, indicating a move to Liverpool would not be off the cards for the 24-year-old.

After scoring 27 goals in 33 Ligue 1 games last season, Lacazette’s prolific run has come to an end in 2015/16, and he has netted just six times in 15 appearances. But with Lyon languishing in ninth in the French top flight, the blame cannot solely be pinned on their striker.

Lacazette has the qualities to succeed in the Liverpool attack, with his pace, dynamism and predatory instinct making him a similar proposition to Sturridge, and these talents could be harnessed by Klopp.

With £22 million likely able to secure Lacazette’s services this January, Liverpool would be remiss to ignore the opportunity.

Statistics via WhoScored.com.

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Liverpool are reportedly pursuing a loan move for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Neven Subotic as Reds boss Jurgen Klopp looks to shore up his injury-hit defence.

The Merseyside outfit have been left with no fit central defenders ahead of Friday’s trip to Exeter City, and they are reportedly looking to secure the 27-year-old on a short-term deal before the FA Cup clash at St. James Park, per David Maddock in the Mirror.

As relayed by the Mirror‘s Liam Prenderville, Klopp is on the lookout for available players and Subotic could be an ideal target:

“The truth is that we have to react on the situation. It is difficult enough to find quality players, who are in a difficult situation at their own clubs. We have our eyes open in the transfer market.”

Klopp signed Subotic for Dortmund in 2008, and the defender played a key role in the German’s team ahead of his departure from the managerial role at Signal Iduna Park in the summer of 2015.

However, under new Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, the Serbian has made only two Bundesliga appearances, per WhoScored.com, and could well be open to a move to Anfield.

Subotic is an experienced and reliable centre-back and would compete for a first-team spot in Klopp’s Liverpool side even with Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel fit.

Per Maddock, though, the negotiations for Subotic are currently “stuck,” and the Reds have reportedly approached Inter Milan over the signing of Andrea Ranocchia.

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Liverpool have made a bid of around £6.7 million for the Italy international:

However, local rivals Everton are also reportedly interested in the 27-year-old, potentially throwing a spanner in the works for Liverpool.

Ranocchia is likely available for purchase in the current transfer window as he is far from a guaranteed starter at the San Siro—he has made nine of his 10 Serie A appearances this season from the bench, per WhoScored.

He is an accomplished and experienced defender, but he’s prone to mistakes in a similar way to the likes of Lovren and Skrtel, per football writer Nik Postinger:

However, given their current predicament, Liverpool could do with signing the first readily available, experienced centre-back.

Per Paul Joyce in the Express, Liverpool have been given a slight boost with the early return of centre-back Tiago Ilori from his season-long loan at Aston Villa—the Birmingham outfit cancelled the agreement as the Portuguese was not making the team—but the 22-year-old is vastly inexperienced.

Liverpool have also welcomed back winger Sheyi Ojo after recalling the 18-year-old from his loan spell with Wolverhampton Wanderers, per the Championship club’s website.

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