Rodriguez - the new Robbie Keane/Ryan Babel?

Some might argue that one of the biggest problems to have hamstrung Liverpool’s progress is that no one really knows where they fit in to the team.

Gerrard is part-midfielder/part-second striker. Dirk Kuyt, like Babel, is considered to be a winger, or, again, a second striker if needs be. Robbie Keane was equally kept in the dark during his lame stint with his boyhood heroes.

“Hello Anfield!”

The transfer action is slowly starting to hot up, after what seems like one of the longest weeks in football. Everyone just waiting, silent, feeling one another out… so to speak.

But, whilst the men who sit in boardrooms talking long into the afternoon have kept a considered silence, some of the players have reportedly been nattering away on the training grounds.

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In a bid to wash away the January Blues, here’s The Five Stairsteps! 

More big names to look at during the transfer window

[The Daily Mail]

West Ham set for takeover

[The Telegraph]

Vintage football scrap!

[Dirty Tackle]

Liverpool transfer business examined

[Caught Offside]

South Korean football pop!

[Pies]

Advice for Jermaine Beckford

[The Guardian]

Oi Claus, any room for Drogba in that bag?

Even with the insane striker shortage leaving his attack almost as hamstrung as a boxer with cotton wool fists, Arsene Wenger - as reported in today’s Telegraph - shall not be tempted to loan the services of Ruud van Nistelrooy in January. Oh no.

In fact, his quest for a decent frontman has taken a rather intriguing turn, which might yet find the Arsenal boss sitting at his bedside table feverishly scribbling a letter to a very fat old man with a beard.

“Let’s not dream too much in January that we can find a world-class player - that is what is needed to strengthen our team - who is not cup-tied in the Champions League and who is free. You need a good Father Christmas for that!”

Great idea!

Less talk, more penmanship, Wenger.

Elsewhere in the world, The Guardian reports that James Beattie didn’t turn up for training at Stoke today, following his well-documented bust up with Tony Pulis.

The striker, apparently, was feeling sore because the team’s plans to sleep off some rampant Crimbo drinks were scuppered. So Tony Pulis punched him in the face… or something… allegedly.

And over in beautiful sunny Spain, Ronaldo said this:

“I have my flaws too.”

Hey Arsene, what about this guy?

There has been much speculation over the last week or so about who Arsene Wenger should buy in the January window to plug the almighty gap in the Arsenal attack. A gap which began as a humble everyday manhole when Adebayor trotted up North, but now rather resembles a deep terrifying chasm with van Persie out.

Arshavin did a good job at the weekend, but pointed out to the Russian press:

“I can’t say that centre forward is my position, I am more of a second striker.”

Wise words indeed. He’s right. Already various contenders have been featured on The Spoiler - Marouane Chamakh, Mario Balotelli, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Edin Dzeko, Andre-Pierre Gignac, Romelu Lukaku.

And now, the news from the Daily Star is that Wenger might consider a move for Barcelona’s 19-year-old striker, Bojan Krkic.

Plus there’s always the should-be-England man Bobby Zamora? Or the Stoke troublemaker, James Beattie?

But who do YOU think Wenger should go for in the New Year? Let us know with a vote and a comment.

Or it MIGHT be you…

Further fuel was spat on the flaming striker crisis at Arsenal last night, as they continued to craft chances without anyone able to just smash it into the net. The problem will, of course, go somewhere towards being solved during the January transfer window. And more names have already been added to yesterday’s list.

Two more to be precise. The whisper coming from various minicab offices in North London is that Monsieur Wenger will also be taking a long studious look at Wolfsburg’s Edin Dzeko, and another Frenchman - Andre-Pierre Gignac from Toulouse. You can see clips of both after the jump, as well as leave your own suggestions for Le Prof, should the mood take you.

In other Big Four transfer news, Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly going back to square one in his quest for Ryan Giggs’ heir apparent. He’ll happily listen to offers of around £10 million for club rebel, Nani. And January should finally confirm what we all already know - Zoran Tosic is not Man United material.

He’s going to be bundled off elsewhere too.

Salomon Kalou - half full

It’s always good to search for a silver lining, because the world is a thoroughly depressing place most of the time. Yet, there is a fine line between optimism and delusion, and it seems that Salomon Kalou might have just crossed it.

Talking to the Daily Mirror, the Chelsea bench warmer said this of the looming African Cup of Nations cloud above Stamford Bridge:

“I think Chelsea will be even better because there are players who don’t play a lot at the moment, who will have the opportunity in January. I’m sure they’re going to give 200 per cent to show the manager they should have a place in the team.”

“Even when Didier leaves, you still have Nicolas Anelka who can always score goals, you still have Joe Cole who is back and on good form. You still have Deco, Michael Ballack. I could go on.”

Please do, Salomon. Please do.

In other news, The Guardian report that Thierry Henry is still a million miles away from shirking the handball-shaped albatross that hangs from his neck, as Sepp Blatter is now gathering up a disciplinary posse to ride into town and discuss the possibility of a World Cup ban on the Frenchman for cheating.

As for word from the transfer market, it looks like Sir Alex Ferguson has cemented a four-year contract extension for the teenage Sean Penn-alike Federico Macheda. Whilst Aston Villa are supposedly talking very quietly about giving Jermaine Pennant another shot in the Premier League. They wouldn’t be the first…

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Plus this funky treat from our friends at Uncoached 

Torres pleasantly surprised by Everton fans

[Pies]

Cartoon fun, starring Sepp Blatter

[Studs Up]

Luca Toni’s rather strange calendar

[Dirty Tackle]

Spurs all set to rid themselves of Pavlyuchenko

[Caught Offside]

Is Gibson just Ferguson in disguise?

[Off The Post]

George Gillett gets one over on Hicks

[The Telegraph]