Iago Aspas: Liverpool Can Win The Title

Liverpool's new striker Iago Aspas believes that winning the Premier League is a realistic goal for his side this season, insisting the Reds are in a strong position to challenge for League glory. 

Brendan Rodgers' men are currently in third place, with a perfect record in the new campaign.

Ahead of Monday's trip to Wales to play against Swansea, Aspas has talked up Liverpool's chances of not only finishing in the top four, but having a serious shot at the title.

"We have an excellent attack" he said. "With Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez we are able to break any defence. It is certainly not madness to aspire to winning the title this season."

Iago Aspas has started in all three of Liverpool's league games this season but will face further competition for his place in the side when Luis Suarez returns from suspension later this month.

The Spaniard believes he is now settled into his new surroundings and says he is ready to focus on making his mark at Anfield.

"I am still at the stage when I am adapting in Liverpool, to the clothes and the food," he added. "But the people here relate to Football and music, and for me it is a pleasure to live this experience. I always dreamed of playing for a big club, and Liverpool are known all over the world."

Personally I disagree with Iago Aspas' statements. Yes Liverpool have a great attacking force however the depth of the squad isn't as large as Manchester City's or Chelsea's therefore if they are struck by injuries then it is going to be hard for them to win the league.

GTA 5 map leaked online

The official game map of GTA 5 – the latest title in the phenomenally successful Grand Theft Auto series by Rockstar Games – has been leaked online.

The image was first leaked by Reddit user GeENie but Rockstar then posted the same image on its own Twitter account, after fans complained that the game world looked too small. (The post has since been deleted).

Rockstar has previously said that Los Santos – the fictional setting of GTA 5 and a parody of Los Angeles – will be bigger than the game worlds of GTA 4, GTA: San Andreas and Red Dead Redemption combined.

As well as the city itself, the map suggests that gamer's will have a great deal of green space to explore, as well as a mountain, extensive beach areas, suburban residential plots and a remote fort.

There is a highway running around the edge of the playable area, and train lines, an airport and what looks like a cable car system also feature on the map.

Premier League Round-Up 14/09/2013

Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace

Robin Van Persie converted a very controversial penalty which helped the United side beat 10-man Crystal Palace, giving new boss David Moyes a first home league win. Kagisho Dikgacoi was sent off when he brought down Ashley Young on the edge of the area however the referee made the incorrect decision and awarded Manchester United a penalty right on half time which was scored by the Dutchman. New signing Marouane Fellaini came on after 62 minutes to make his Manchester United debut. Wayne Rooney sealed the win when he netted a free kick just after 80 minutes.

Aston Villa 1-2 Newcastle United 

French international Hatem Ben Arfa scored one and set up another as Newcastle defeat Aston Villa at Villa Park. Ben Arfa gave the Magpies the lead after 18 minutes and they were able to keep their 1-0 lead until half-time. In form Christian Benteke equalized for Aston Villa when he powered home a corner from Ashley Westwood just after the 67 minute mark. Just several minutes later Yoan Gouffran scored a goal from Ben Arfa's long range shot which was parried by Brad Guzan straight to the Frenchman.

Fulham 1-1 West Bromich Albion

Gareth McAuley scored West Brom's first Premier League goal of the season to help the Baggies secure a point at Craven Cottage. Fulham's midfielder Steve Sidwell opened the scoring with a well struck half-volley from a corner in the first half. It looked like Fulham would win the game as they still had their lead at the 90 minute mark however that changed when West Brom won a corner and Gareth McAuley climbed highest to head home the delivery from Chris Brunt.

Hull 1-1 Cardiff

Peter Whittingham scored a volley to give Cardiff a point at Hull in the battle of the Premier League newcomers. Danny Graham missed a glorious opportunity for Hull before Curtis Davies scored a header from Tom Huddlestone's cross 5 minutes before half time. Peter Whittingham equalized just before the hour mark to earn the Welsh team a point.

Stoke 0-0 Manchester City

Nothing much to say on this one. Stoke missed several excellent chances as a below-par Manchester City held on for a fifth consecutive Premier League draw at the Britannia Stadium.

Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal

Aaron Ramsey was on form again, scoring twice as Arsenal beat bottom club Sunderland who had Paolo Di Canio sent off. Arsenal's debutant Mesut Ozil set up Olivier Giroud for an early goal however Craig Gardner leveled the match from the penalty spot. When Ramsey scored a volley, Di Canio was infuriated when Jozy Altidore was denied an equalizer after referee Martin Atkinson failed to play an advantage. After this controversy, Aaron Ramsey scored his second and Arsenal's third of the game to earn The Gunners fifth consecutive win. 

Tottenham 2-0 Norwich

Gylfi Sigurdsson scored a goal in each half as Spurs began life without Gareth Bale with a victory over Norwich at White Hart Lane. Andre Villas-Boas handed a debut to new signing Christian Eriksen and the Danish international assisted Sigurdsson's first half goal. The Iceland international converted a Paulinho cross for his second goal and was later denied a hat-trick by goalkeeper John Ruddy.

Everton 1-0 Chelsea 

Roberto Martinez recorded his first ever Premier League win since taking charge at Everton with a remarkable 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Goodison Park. Steven Naismith's header in injury time of the first half was the only goal of the game which inflicted Jose Mourinho's first domestic loss since returning to the Blues - But this was a massive victory for Martinez. 

Disadvantages For Real Madrid

World record signing Gareth Bale is obviously a fantastic signing for Real Madrid and it will be a great opportunity for him to fulfill his potential however every transfer comes with disadvantages. Here is what I believe the disadvantages are of this record breaking transfer.

Departure Of Ozil:

With Real Madrid spending so much on Bale they needed to sell a quality player like Mesut Ozil, who was unhappy at Madrid at the time, to balance how much they spent on the Welshman. Selling Ozil was all about making loads of money for Real Madrid and that's what they got when Arsenal signed the German international for an astonishing 50 million euros. 

Free Kicks:

It's going to be a tough choice for Madrid to pick a regular free kick taker as they have Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale at the club. Ronaldo has been their free kick taker for years but in my opinion, I would rather have Bale taking them due to consistency, accuracy and so on. I would think that Ronaldo and Bale will decide between themselves on who should take the free kicks.

Pressure:

There is an unbelievable amount of pressure on Gareth Bale because if he fails to put in the performances he did at Spurs then Madrid will just show him the door. If Bale doesn't justify the massive price tag then Madrid aren't going to make all the money back that they spent on him. It's like the Torres situation when he move to Chelsea for £50 million, the pressure got to his head and he didn't justify the price tag paid for him by failing to produce the performances he produced at Liverpool. Although I do hope Gareth Bale plays well for Madrid and has a successful partnership with the best player in the world. (Cristiano Ronaldo)

Premier League Top 5 Prediction

My top 5 predictions

I have based these predictions on clubs summer signings, current managers and their form:

5- Tottenham

With the loss of Gareth Bale I believe that Tottenham are currently not good enough for the Champions League. Despite signing seven high profile players for a combined fee of over 100 million Spurs will lose goals and direction in their team and it will take some time for the new lads to settle in to the clubs playing style.

Key Player - Roberto Soldado

4- Arsenal

Arsenal had a rough start to this season with a massive 3-1 defeat against Aston Villa however Arsene Wenger's boys have impressed since then with a fantastic win over Fenerbahce in the Champions League qualifier. The Gunners need to show courage and obviously quality to finish higher than their rival's Tottenham but I can't see them finishing any higher than 4th. Had Arsenal missed out on Ozil then I would have them finishing lower.

Key Player - Mesut Ozil

3- Manchester United 

Clearly without the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, it's going to be harder for Manchester United too succeed. I don't think David Moyes will win the title in his first season at United and with the lack of summer signings he has made it increasingly harder for himself. 

Key Player - Robin Van Persie

2- Manchester City

Some say City over-paid for the players they bought but in my opinion the signings they made were needed. They could of used another defender but their attacking strength will even out their defensive weaknesses. Personally I don't think Manuel Pellegrini can lead City to league glory like Mancini did but they will definitely be up there at the end of the season.

Key Player - Yaya Toure

1- Chelsea 

With the special one back, Chelsea are serious contenders for the league this season, Mourinho knows Chelsea like the back of his hand. The Blues weren't frantic in the transfer window and rightly so, they had a title contending team last season however I cannot see them slipping up this year.

Key Player - Eden Hazard