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Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez is "losing patience" due to his lack of game time in recent weeks, pundit Frank McAvennie has recently told Football Insider.

Is Darwin Nunez growing frustrated at Anfield?

Nunez has started to become accustomed to a more limited role in recent weeks, with Jurgen Klopp bringing him on as a second-half substitute in two of the last three Premier League games.

That said, it has only been a short spell out of the team for the Uruguayan, who has received plenty of opportunities to impress in his first season with the Reds, making 36 appearances in all competitions.

Even so, McAvennie has recently told Football Insider that he believes the forward is already growing frustrated at Anfield, while he also indicates he does not believe he is currently at the level required to be a top player for Liverpool.

The pundit said: "I can tell you this – I think he is losing patience.

"Liverpool are buying players for the future.

"There is no doubting that he is going to be a good player, I can see that a mile away, but at the moment, ‘no’.

"Man City went out and bought [Erling] Haaland who is going to break all the records now, and that is the difference.

"It just shows how much Liverpool are missing [Sadio] Mane. [Roberto] Firmino has not been playing much, [Mohamed] Salah has been playing with different players every week.

"It is strange but they have got to get back to winning ways."

Should Nunez be given more opportunities?

As previously highlighted, the 23-year-old has been given plenty of chances to prove himself since arriving in an £85m deal from Benfica last summer, and it is a little harsh to suggest he has underperformed.

While his displays have perhaps not merited the huge price tag, the Artigas-born attacker has scored a very respectable 14 goals in 36 appearances, including four in the Champions League, and he is only going to improve as he becomes more accustomed to English football.

McAvennie is correct to suggest the Reds are missing Sadio Mane, but it was always going to be an unbelievably difficult task to replace the Senegal international, who registered 168 goal contributions in his 269 appearances for the club.

Nunez, who earns £140k-per-week, was hailed as "outstanding" by the media earlier this season, and there is every chance he could kick on and become a vital player for Liverpool next season.

Rangers left-back Borna Barisic could seek a move away from Ibrox this summer, potentially to the Premier League, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

What's the latest Rangers transfer news?

The Gers have informed centre-back Fillip Helander that he is free to leave at the end of the season, and they are already looking at new options in defence, with Jonathan Panzo being scouted on multiple occasions.

Michael Beale is said to be a huge fan of Panzo, but he is not the only defender the manager has his eye on, as the Light Blues are also said to be keeping tabs on Thomas Kristensen, who currently plays for Aarhus.

Rangers' need to bring in a new defender may be exacerbated by the fact Barisic could leave this summer, with the club yet to open contract talks to extend the left-back's stay at Ibrox beyond next summer.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, O'Rourke has indicated the 30-year-old may not be interested in signing a new deal to remain with the Light Blues, as time is running out if he wants to move to the Premier League.

The journalist said: "I think it's going to be another interesting summer for Borna Barišić.

"He’s going into the final year of his contract at Ibrox and he's been mentioned in transfer windows gone by as potentially moving on from Rangers.

"He's now 30 years old, so I think it is coming to a time of his career that if he is to leave, this could be the window for him to potentially move.

"That’s especially if he wants to come to the Premier League and he's going to have to do it sooner rather than later right now.”

Will Borna Barisic leave this summer?

Given his age, the "outstanding" defender, as dubbed by Steven Gerrard, may feel like he needs to leave now if he wants to play in the Premier League, and he could be frustrated that Rangers are yet to initiate contract talks, as he has been a stand-out player this season.

The £18k-per-week Croatian has recorded nine assists in the Scottish Premiership this season, which is a fantastic return for a left-back, placing him joint-third in the entire league, while he is also ranked third by WhoScored for his average match rating this season.

Beale may need to rebuild his squad this summer, given that his side trail Celtic by 12 points in the Scottish Premiership, however Barisic should undoubtedly be kept at the club, and offered a long-term contract.

Southampton have received an injury boost ahead of their crucial game this evening against Bournemouth at St Mary’s with their star-striker due to return after a spell on the sidelines.

Ruben Selles revealed that leading goalscorer Che Adams has recovered from injury and is “available” to feature in front of the home crowd tonight. Juan Larios, Tino Livramento and Mohammed Salisu remain out of contention.

It’s a must-win fixture for the Saints, who sit bottom of the table and six points from safety with just six games remaining to secure survival.

Will Che Adams feature against Bournemouth?

The 26-year-old was injured whilst on international duty with Scotland, and has been out of action for the last four games with a calf problem.

The Leicester-born striker has netted ten goals for the Saints this season, five of which coming in the Premier League, as well as contributing three assists in 25 appearances. It’s been a dull season for the south-coast side, who have won just six of their 32 games this season however, Adams has been a shining light in a bleak setting.

Before his injury, the forward found the net against Tottenham in the thrilling 3-3 draw at St Mary’s, that gave Saints hope of pushing away from the bottom of the table. In his absence, his team have collected just one point in their previous four games, including narrowly missing out on a win at the Emirates last time out.

Adams will certainly be a boost for Selles to consider in his starting XI and a selection that Bournemouth would favour against, considering his goal being the decider between the two sides back in October in Southampton’s 0-1 win at the Vitality.

The £30k-per-week Scotsman scored a decisive header to gain take three points from the Cherries, and will provide Selles with a presence in the number nine role that they’ve missed.

The "phenomenon" – as once hailed by former boss Ralph Hasenhuttl – ranks in the top 10 of players in the Premier League when it comes to aerial duels and with two of his five goals this season coming from headers, he gives an aerial threat and potency in front of goal that Saints are crying out for.

Paul Onuachu has not worked out as instantly as Southampton were perhaps hoping, with the £18m forward yet to score in the league.

Despite building a good spell of form, Bournemouth remain just four points above the drop zone with a point to prove should they hope to stay in the top division.

The Cherries have conceded the joint-highest number of goals this season (63), something that the Saints must capitalise on with the added energy of a fully fit Adams potentially leading the line in what is a massive and relieving boost for Selles this evening.

Celtic defender Anthony Ralston needs to capitalise on the “opportunity” of Alistair Johnston being injured to show Ange Postecoglou what he’s capable of, according to BBC pundit Alan Hutton.

What's the latest injury news on Johnston?

Johnston was forced off the pitch during the 1-0 Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Rangers last weekend following a coming together with Borna Barisic, and the initial prognosis didn’t look good after he was spotted with crutches and in a boot after the full-time whistle.

Daily Record Sport have since revealed that the Hoops right-back is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks depending on how he reacts to treatment and is aiming to return to action for the Scottish Cup final vs Inverness on June 3.

Ralston is an academy graduate at Parkhead but has never really been first-choice in his position having carried out three loan spells at Queens Park, Dundee United and St. Johnstone over the years to receive more game time, having been limited to ten starts this season in the Scottish Premiership.

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton urged Ralston to make the most of his chance to play under Postecoglou in a bid to establish himself as a regular feature at Celtic in the absence of Johnston. He said:

“I think it is a good window for Ralston to go and remind the manager. I am sure he is the type of guy who works hard day in day out to try and get back in the squad. But you want to go and show the manager that you are capable of handling it and this is a great opportunity to go and do that. There are some big games coming up, there is another Old Firm, the final, these are all games he will want to be involved in. So the ball is in his court, go and show the manager that you are capable of doing that."

“Since Johnston came in he has been brilliant and is really going from strength to strength. It will be hard to get him out [of] the team but here is Ralston’s opportunity and he needs to go and grasp it.“

Should Ralston be given more of a chance at Celtic?

Ralston currently ranks as the club's third best-performing defensive player which highlights the positive impact he makes when handed the opportunity to play, and having been lauded “excellent” by journalist Josh Bunting, Postecoglou should certainly put more faith in him.

The Bhoys’ £8.5k-per-week ace is currently averaging 2.6 aerial wins, 1.9 clearances and 1.5 tackles per league game, via WhoScored, so is strong in the natural defensive aspect of his game, but he’s also a threat when bursting down the flank and adding to efforts in the final third of the pitch.

The Bellshill native has clocked up 21 goal contributions (14 assists and seven goals) in 80 senior appearances under the manager and knows what it takes to compete and be successful having secured seven trophies during his career at the club, so Ange needs to keep a close eye on his level of performances over the next few weeks when considering his starting squad for the new season.

Glasgow Rangers have little to play for this season following their Scottish Cup semi-final defeat last weekend at Hampden.

Defeat ended their chances to defend the trophy they won last year, while their Old Firm rivals have the Premiership title all but wrapped up, with thoughts turning to 2023/24.

Michael Beale faces a challenging summer, with an overhaul of the playing squad badly needed, and this could define the rest of his tenure. If he gets it right, the Light Blues could challenge for the title, but get it wrong, and he could be on his way out of Ibrox.

There are seven first-team players out of contract this summer, with the likes of Filip Helander, Steven Davis and Allan McGregor all expected to depart in the coming weeks.

Beale should also be trying to move on some deadwood that could bring in some vital funds in order to build the team that he wants, and Scott Wright could be such a player heading for the exit door.

Could Scott Wright leave Rangers this summer?

Back in February, Football Insider reported that Rangers rejected offers for the winger in January, but they could be set to receive offers during the summer transfer window, with this being the prime opportunity to move him on.

Wright's performances this year have dropped considerably from 2021/22. Last season, he scored seven times and grabbed three assists, even netting in the Scottish Cup final victory over Hearts, yet he hasn’t kicked on this term.

Across 32 appearances in all competitions so far, Wright has managed to register just two assists, and if the club are aiming to dominate Scottish football once again, a major upgrade is surely required.

Former Ibrox defender Alan Hutton has previously criticised the player for his lack of attacking output, saying: “I think there is definitely a question mark over him.

“He has been used a lot as an impact sub and at times he has done well. I think he needs to do more. He has got the ability but he needs to do it on a [consistent] basis.

“So it would not surprise me if the manager is looking at different options. He will want to put his own stamp on the team as well.”

The £5.6k-per-week Scot has shown glimpses of his talent during his spell at the club, but this won't be good enough heading into one of the most important campaigns in Rangers' recent history.

Newcastle United are considering a summer transfer bid for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, who would likely garner a mouth-watering fee.

What's the latest on Dusan Vlahovic to Newcastle?

Switching Florence for Turin in January 2022, Vlahovic completed his £66.6m move to the Old Lady with a weight of expectation and has been of interest to some of Europe's most prominent outfits after an emphatic start to life in the Serie A.

Eddie Howe's Magpies are 'mulling' over a swoop, and according to 90min, might look to take advantage of the player's desire to move to the Premier League.

Previous reports have touted the Serbian sharpshooter as high as £96m, which could well deter all but the select few of football's most opulent sides from making a move.

Should Newcastle sign Dusan Vlahovic?

When Vlahovic signed for Juventus, he was one of the most touted and prolific young strikers in European football, but he has not quite reached the desired heights thus far in Turin.

And while the 23-year-old is still a top talent, given the exorbitant fees that have been thrown around and the striker's indifferent form in front of goal over the past few seasons, parting with a fee nearing £100m would be simply ludicrous for Howe and co, despite PIF's limitless wealth.

After scoring 29 goals and supplying six assists last year, having joined Juventus from Fiorentina at the midpoint, the ace boasts only 13 strikes and four assists from 38 matches this term, though he has started just 31 times.

As per FBref, Vlahovic ranks only among the top 42% of strikers across Europe's big five leagues for rate of non-penalty goals per 90, with his expected goals (xG) metric also illustrating his profligacy in front of goal, ranking among the top 30% of positional peers for non-penalty xG per 90.

A further stumbling block lies in the ace's wages, with Vlahovic reportedly taking home £220k-per-week. For reference, the Toon's £63m club-record signing Alexander Isak, who has scored ten goals and served two assists from just 14 matches and ranks among the top 8% of positional peers for rate of non-penalty goals, boasts only £120k-per-week.

Hailed as a "monster" by journalist Carlo Garganese, Vlahovic boasts a skill set worthy of leading the line for many outfits chasing silver-laden success, but with the Magpies on the rise and requiring a meticulous approach on the transfer front to cement their newfound stature at the forefront of English football, signing the Old Lady frontman for such a high fee would not be an auspicious move.

New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly requested that the Blues sign Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer.

On Sunday, Sky Sports reported that Chelsea have agreed a deal with Pochettino to become the club's new manager.

Frank Lampard became the club's interim boss after Graham Potter was fired but the board will now hope that the managerial turbulence that has rocked the club in the last year is finally over.

Pochettino will get straight to work building his Chelsea side and it appears he might raid his former side to get things started.

What are Chelsea's transfer plans for this summer?

According to one Spanish news outlet, Todd Boehly "is willing to invest" further into this Chelsea side and will work with Pochettino to take the Blues back to the top of English football.

The report from Spain claims the former Spurs boss has requested that Hojbjerg joins the club this summer as plans are put in place to improve the Chelsea midfield. The 27-year-old has been hailed a "warrior" by some in the media and it's no surprise that Pochettino would want to work with him again.

It's suggested that part of why he is of interest to the Stamford Bridge outfit is that he is physically imposing, has Premier League experience and is technically astute. It will be interesting to see how kindly Spurs chairman Daniel Levy takes to the news that Pochettino wants to poach Hojbjerg.

Would Hojbjerg be a good signing for Chelsea?

There is no doubt that Hojbjerg is a good player but he isn't a necessity for Chelsea. After signing Enzo Fernandez for £106.8m, it seems unlikely that the Blues will prioritise signing another deep-lying midfielder before addressing other concerns in the squad.

If a new midfielder is what Pochettino wants, it would be wiser to target a box-to-box midfielder especially if both Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount leave the club as speculated.

Given Pochettino's preferred style of play, it wouldn't come as a surprise if he wants Mount to stay at the club although his head may have already been turned by the recent reports linking him with a potential move to Liverpool.

After spending so much money on transfers since buying the club, Boehly must be careful that the signings made this summer are the right ones.

If Chelsea struggle again last season, the pressure will increase on all involved at Stamford Bridge.

Glasgow Rangers head into their final three matches of the Scottish Premiership with the sole aim of building for the forthcoming season, as Michael Beale’s side lick the wounds left by a testing campaign.

A tie against Hibernian this afternoon could allow the Ibrox side to build on a confidence-boosting 3-0 victory over Celtic in their previous match, and it was Beale’s first taste of glory against the club, setting up the title race nicely next season.

The 42-year-old will be naturally buoyed by the performance, and this suggests that the majority of the team will stay the same against Hibs. However, there could be a change in the backline, with Connor Goldson a doubt for the tie as the £37k-per-week star has suffered a knock.

Talking to the media, Beale said: “Connor Goldson is a doubt for the weekend. There are no other fresh injuries."

With Ben Davies struggling recently, especially during his last appearance against Celtic when he failed to safely clear the ball in his own box which eventually to Kyogo Furuhashi scoring, Beale should give Leon King an opportunity to impress at the heart of the defence.

Could Leon King start for Rangers against Hibs?

Due to injuries to John Souttar and Davies at the start of the season, King was a regular alongside Goldson in the defence up until the World Cup hiatus, giving him vital experience in the starting XI.

Across 12 Premiership games, King won 56% of his total duels while losing possession just 5.4 times on average each game, indicating that despite his tender years, he was more than up for the physical battles of Scottish football.

His Champions League experience was slightly more humbling, yet minutes in Europe’s premier club competition will do wonders for his development. He played in all six group stage games, receiving a Sofascore rating of 6.1/10, yet he still managed to win half of his duels and made 1.7 tackles per game – a valiant return considering the nature of the results Rangers endured.

The youngster has featured for just one minute under Beale, finding opportunities hard to come by, although the match today represents an ideal chance to give him a runout.

Former Ibrox academy graduate Alan Hutton has described King as a “big Rolls-Royce” in the past, and there is no doubt this season has been a major learning curve for the 19-year-old.

Gaining some game time over the next week would go a long way to proving that he is more than capable of becoming a first-team regular next term.

Newcastle United have exceeded expectations this season by qualifying for the Champions League with a top-four finish and reaching the Carabao Cup final, falling to Manchester United in a close encounter.

Returning to the pinnacle of continental competition after a two-decade absence, Newcastle are in a sterling position to craft a lasting dynasty following the affluent PIF takeover of the club in October 2021, ending years of obscurity under the ownership of the loathed Mike Ashley.

While a plethora of names are in circulation with the opening of the transfer window just over two weeks away, supporters can rest easy and eagerly await the first announcement of the summer, with manager Eddie Howe stating that four 'elite' additions will be targeted to bolster the fold.

One of the shrewder signings could come in the form of Red Devils midfielder Scott McTominay, with Football Insider claiming that the 26-year-old has told friends that he wishes to leave the Theatre of Dreams this summer after falling out of favour under the tutelage of Erik ten Hag.

Newcastle are joined by West Ham United in their pursuit of the tenacious midfielder, who still has two years on his current contract with the option for a further year.

Should Newcastle sign Scott McTominay?

Eyebrows might be raised by a smattering of Magpies supporters, but McTominay could represent an astute piece of business for a Newcastle side preparing for an increase in competition after qualifying for the Champions League.

While the 38-cap international has only started ten Premier League matches all season, including just four since September, he has made 207 total appearances for his solitary club and played a role in clinching the Carabao Cup trophy earlier this season.

He could also bring an offensive threat to Howe's squad, ranking among the top 23% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals and the top 5% for expected goals (xG) – the metric used to define the statistical measurement of the probability that a shot will find the back of the net.

While the 6 foot 4 brute has been underperforming in front of goal, it is an indication that his position is in the final third, emerging from the half-spaces to occupy promising pockets of space, and this is something that could play into the Magpies' favour as they seek fresh dimensions to enhance their prospects next term.

The £60k-per-week gem's defensive acumen isn't too shabby either, ranking among the top 1% of positional peers for clearances and the top 18% for rate of tackles per 90, praised as a "physical monster" by former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

Signing the "superb" conductor – as he has been praised by writer Hesham Bilal-Hafiz – could draw rumours of Newcastle interest in Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot to a close, with FBref drawing similarities between the respective skill sets of the midfielders.

Despite Rabiot's contract in Turin concluding this summer, his £150k-per-week wages could prove to be a stumbling block in any negotiations, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting at the start of the campaign that the 6 foot 2 Frenchman demanded £162k-per-week wages from Man United when the Red Devils were in negotiation for his signature last summer.

And with the towering aces both exhibiting a similar skill set – Rabiot ranks among the top 3% of midfielders for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 17% for rate of clearances and the top 16% for aerials won per 90 – Howe may well be inclined to delve down the shrewder avenue and tie up a deal for a Prem-proven star in McTominay.

Tottenham Hotspur have endured a disappointing season and will need to carry out an inquest into why they have come up short in the race for Champions League football.

Underwhelming recruitment, the famous exit of Antonio Conte and the uncertainty over the future of Harry Kane has led to a hostile atmosphere around the club at the minute, with the Lilywhites being in danger of missing out on continental football entirely as they sit eighth in the Premier League table heading into the final day.

In the summer, additions will be needed to help combat their demise as they try to move forward. However, the fact the north London outfit still don't have a new manager, although Feyenoord boss Arne Slot looks to be a serious contender for the role, has soured relations between the fans and the Spurs' hierarchy.

One reported target that could help to revive their fortunes on the pitch is Villarreal defender Pau Torres, who may "welcome a new proposal from Tottenham" following Spurs' bid of £42.6m last summer that was rejected by the La Liga side.

What's the latest news involving Pau Torres and how has he faired this term?

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Paul Brown thinks that Torres would be a step up in quality from some of their current defenders after the rumours emerged.

Brown told FFC: "I think he would be an upgrade. Whether he fits with the defenders who are already there, I have my slight doubts about. I'm not sure they're a good mix of profiles, he also has quite a high escape clause and I think Spurs probably need to do business in other areas ahead of that position. On paper, he is a better defender than some of the ones they've got."

Torres has a release clause worth €50 million (£43,548,551) and there is a feeling that Villarreal would accept an offer in this region due to their culture of selling their products to recoup handsome transfer fees.

Of course, there would be questions as to who he could compete with for a starting place and Cristian Romero naturally comes to mind straight away. Comparing the two in their respective leagues, as per WhoScored, Torres edges Romero in clearances completed this term, managing an average of 4.1 to Romero's 3.6 in 2022/23.

Regarding tackle success rate, FBRef shows that Torres also holds a slight advantage, scoring 64.3% compared to Romero's slightly inferior record of 63%.

The Villarreal defender has also carried out more long ball passes than Romero per fixture, making 5.4 per game pitted against Romero's three, though the clashing styles of play between Tottenham and Villarreal will have contributed to this differential.

Of course, this is not to say that Torres is necessarily a better defender than Romero; it is just to illustrate a point that is worth bearing in mind heading into next season, especially when Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is considering factoring in a more data-based approach to transfer activity to try and maximise the output of players in N17, as per The Daily Mail.

In total, €73,077 (£63,677) per week earner Torres has made 36 appearances for Villarreal in all competitions this term, notching one goal in the process, as per Transfermarkt.

Last year, the 26-year-old earned the praise of BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves via quotes transcribed by United In Focus, who said: “He’s a fantastic player. I’m quite surprised he’s still at Villarreal. English teams were looking at him. I think everyone was talking about Man United and even Real Madrid, I think his potential is literally that high. He’s got a fabulous left foot, he’s great in possession. A fantastic player so I don’t think he’ll be at Villarreal very long.”

The fact Torres is left-footed may play into Spurs' hands quite nicely, offering some balance in the backline come 2023/24 as they look to get themselves back on the canvas.

Who knows, maybe Torres and Romero could form a solid partnership at the heart of the Lilywhites' defence next term. Stranger things have happened in football and it may turn into an eventuality if recent reports are to be believed.