Sunday, July 11, 2010

The 22 Names Linked To LFC

Here on Liverpoolfc.tv, we've been keeping tabs on all the speculation regarding players rumoured to be targets for the Reds in our Media Watch section of the website.

The new manager may have only been here for just over a week, but the club has already been linked with a whole host of players from across the globe.

Of course, only Roy Hodgson and his staff know for sure which players - if any - are on his wanted list for the start of his tenure, but we've compiled a run down of the major names linked with Liverpool since the new manager was announced last week to keep you right up to date with the players allegedly interesting the Reds.

Maynor Figueroa

The Wigan left-back played every World Cup game for Honduras this summer. Despite being a model of consistency, it was his 60-yard goal against Stoke in December of last year which most Liverpool fans will remember him by.

Shaun Wright-Phillips

This is not the first time the diminutive winger has been linked with a move to Anfield. The 28-year-old adopted son of former Gunner Ian Wright has bags of experience and is an established attacking threat in the Barclays Premier League.

Peter Crouch

In what would be a shock return for the former Anfield frontman, Crouch is reportedly a target for Hodgson - who was said to be interested in the Spurs player whilst at Fulham. Brought to White Hart Lane last summer, the striker managed 13 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions.

Rene Krhin

Regarded as one of the continent's top midfield talents, Krhin is also rumoured to have been scouted by the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. The 20-year-old Slovenian was part of his country's World Cup squad.

Damien Duff

The Irish international has displayed some of his finest form for Fulham this year. Well known to Roy Hodgson, the ex-Chelsea man - who was heavily linked with the Reds under Gerard Houllier's reign - has also shown he is as adept at left-back as he is on the wing.

Bryan Ruiz

Reported to have been heavily tracked by Hodgson during his Fulham tenure, 24-year-old Costa Rican forward Ruiz was the second top goalscorer in Eredivisie last season. A left-footed winger who plays on the right, Ruiz couples both flair and directness with goals.

Paul Scharner

Wigan utility man Paul Sharner is out of contract and looking for a new club. The first Latics player to ever reach 100 Barclays Premier League games, he spent almost five years at the JJB Stadium in which he played almost every outfield position.

Ashley Young and James Milner

The Aston Villa wide-men have both been linked with moves to Anfield this summer. Both England internationals and aged 24, Milner and Young are regarded as two of the most talented wingers in the division.

Joe Cole

The England international and former Chelsea man is on a free transfer making him one of the most highly-coveted transfer targets this summer. A winger with bags of league and European experience, Cole, 28, is excellent on the ball and renowned for being a big-game player.

Steven Taylor

The Geordie stopper has been linked after a solid season in the Championship. Now 24, Taylor is reportedly looking to move on from boyhood club Newcastle and has six years of Premier League experience with the North East outfit.

Yasuhito Endo

Endo, 30, was a standout performer for Japan during the World Cup. The Gamba Osaka midfielder has over 100 caps for his country and scored a stunning free-kick against Daniel Agger's Denmark in the group stage.

Julio Baptista

Known in the footballing world as "The Beast", the Roma striker is reportedly not part of coach Claudio Ranieri's plans for next season and it seems almost certain that he will leave the club.

Stefano Okaka

The Italian U21 international was on loan from Roma at Fulham last season and has reportedly expressed his desire to work with old boss Roy Hodgson once again.

Gervinho

The Ivory Coast international - who impressed during the World Cup - is reportedly a target after showing a threat on the wings for The Elephants. However, Lille would be expecting to make a significant profit on a player they bought only one year ago.

Royston Drenthe

The Dutch wide-man, now 23, signed for Real Madrid in 2007 but has failed to secure a regular run in the first team, with his spot on the left taken by Brazilian Marcelo. Bursting on to the world stage for the Jong Oranje in the 2007 European U21 Championships, Drenthe was chosen by UEFA as the player of the tournament. He is well known to current Liverpool star Ryan Babel after making a rap video with him.

Reto Ziegler

The 24-year-old, who enjoyed a spell in the Barclays Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur, has been converted into a left full-back since joining Sampdoria in 2007. He was fundamental in the Blucerchiati's fourth-place finish in Serie A, resulting in the club's first ever Champions League qualification.

David Trezeguet

The French striker has had problems with injuries over recent seasons and was limited to just 19 league appearances for Juventus last campaign, scoring seven goals. However, his signing would certainly excite Kopites and provide star cover for Fernando Torres.

Danny Murphy

Former Liverpool hero Danny Murphy has been linked with an emotional Anfield return, not only due to his affinity with ex-Fulham boss Hodgson, but also on merit.

Brede Hangeland

The Fulham defender has been heavily linked with the Reds after excelling at Fulham since his arrival from FC Copenhagen in 2008. Having an eye for Scandinavian talent, Roy Hodgson was right on the money when he brought him to London - with the defender pivotal in the club's relegation battle and subsequent European run.

Rafael van der Vaart

The Dutch star, who has been linked with Liverpool in the past, was thought to be on the outskirts of the Real Madrid team after the club spent heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka last summer. Despite this, the trequartista-styled player, who comes with a great touch and an eye for goal, did well for the Madrid-based club last year and is supposedly interesting the Reds once again.

Gilberto Silva

The former Arsenal man has been linked with a return to the Barclays Premier League after notable displays of defensive solidity for both Panathinaikos FC and Brazil at the World Cup. Now 33, the holding midfielder boasts a wealth of experience.

Most rumours will come to nothing, but there's nothing football fans like more than discussing the day's gossip - so make sure you log on to the 'Media Watch' section of Liverpoolfc.tv every day for the latest speculation.

And, of course, if any deals are concluded throughout the summer - whether it be new players arriving or current players leaving for a new challenge elsewhere - we'll have first news here on Liverpoolfc.tv.

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