Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Paul Konchesky Admits He Must Up His Game

Liverpool defender Paul Konchesky has admitted that he has struggled to settle into life on Merseyside and found it tough handling the expectations that come with playing for the Anfield club.

The full-back, who was signed by Roy Hodgson in July, accepts that he needs to lift the level of his performances to repay the faith shown in him by his manager.

"It's taken me a while [to settle in], and I got injured early on so I'm just getting back to playing at full fitness now," Konchesky told Liverpool’s official website.

"I'm getting used to the atmosphere and the people surrounding the team.

"There is a lot of pressure here but it's a good pressure. The fans want you to be in the top four because that's where Liverpool belongs.

"I've got to up my game. Where I've played before has not been as high a standard as Liverpool, but this is a good pressure."

And Konchesky acknowledged that he was at fault for Tottenham’s winning goal in their Premier League clash on Sunday as Aaron Lennon raced through to hand Spurs a 2-1 win.

"Straight after I knew that I'd have to hold my hands up, but we also had chances to win the game," he continued.

"That's part of football and we've got to try and take the positives out of the game.

"I was gutted [with the winner]. Being the last minute as well, it didn't give us any time to get back into the game.

"But that's life, we've got to put it behind us, and I've got to put it behind myself for the next game."

The former Fulham defender has also looked to reassure fans by insisting the Reds are slowly starting to adapt to Hodgson’s tactics and revealed he is expecting things to improve soon.

"I can see signs that we're starting to play in the style he [Hodgson] wants," he added.

"The more we work on it on the training ground, the more the players get used to what the manager wants.

"We're taking it into games. The performances have been of a much higher standard in the last two games.

"It's about organization and a lot of hard work. Players filling in for each other when someone's out of position.

"I think the team is becoming organized in the system."

Liverpool Tracking Lorient Forward Kevin Gameiro For January Transfer

They may not be the frontrunners in this transfer, but Roy Hodgson is making sure Liverpool won't miss the opportunity to land French forward Kevin Gameiro in January.

According to a report by givemefootball.com, Gameiro's agent is conducting preliminary talks with Arsenal, which is currently the leading destination for the talented striker. A £10 million deal is reportedly in the works.

However, should any deal fall through with the Gunners, Hodgson is tracking Gameiro's progress to create a potential landing spot at Anfield. It's reported that Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is also looking to attract Gameiro if the Arsenal transfer is a no-go.

The 23-year-old striker could be a perfect complement to Fernando Torres up front, as the up-and-comer is described as a solid attacker who is ready for Premier League competition.

Liverpool Earmark Samba Striker As Next Anfield Hero

Liverpool are reportedly after Brazilian striker Kleber as they step up their pursuit of a new striker.

According to the Daily Mail, the Reds are set to re-enter the race for the Palmeiras hotshot - who is also wanted by Everton - after previously showing an interest in his signature during Rafa Benitez's tenure.

"I have a proposal from Liverpool for 7 million euros. We are analysing [it]" Kleber said at the time.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has made no secret of his desire to add more potency to his Anfield attack after admitting that Liverpool rely too heavily on Kop hero Fernando Torres.

And it would appear Hodgson has identified £6 million-rated Kleber as a potential target to take the goalscoring burden away from Liverpool star Torres.

The former Brazil under 20 star has an eye-catching scoring record; notching an impressive 28 times in 77 appearances during a spell with Dynamo Kiev, while he has 13 goals in 18 games for his current employers.

Kleber certainly has the ability to add an extra dimension to the Liverpool attack and his hard working nature and flamboyant attitude to win over the Anfield faithful.

Liverpool have also been linked with Roma ace Mirko Vucinic and Bolton hitman Johan Elmander as they look to bring more attacking options to Anfield in January.

Liverpool To Make January Offer For Hamburg Winger Jonathan Pitroipa

Hamburg winger Jonathan Pitroipa is in the sights of Liverpool.

The People says Liverpool are gearing up for a January swoop on £5million-rated Pitroipa.

Boss Roy Hodgson has been keeping tabs on the 24-year-old Burkina Faso international, who can operate on either flank.

Pitroipa starred in both legs of the Europa League semi-final clash with Hodgson’s former club Fulham in April.

Anfield scouts have been watching him with a view to moving in when the transfer window opens.

Liverpool Consider Shock Move For Darren Bent

Liverpool are believed to be considering a shock move for Sunderland striker Darren Bent as Roy Hodgson looks to bring in new attacking options to the club. The Anfield boss will look to new owners NESV to back him financially as he seeks to sign the England international who has been a sparkling success at the Stadium of Light.

Hodgson has been linked with a myriad of potential new signings and a need for new strikers to help share the goal scoring burden currently shouldered in the main by Spaniard Fernando Torres is plain for all to see. The club have been linked with the likes of Premier League pair Roman Pavlyuchenko and Carlton Cole as well as most recently, Roma man Mirko Vucinic.

Liverpool will turn their attentions to the 26 year old and will hope that the former Tottenham, Charlton and Ipswich man is tempted by a move to the Merseyside club. Bent has netted a very laudable 31 goals in 50 Black Cats starts but the chance to move to a club with Champions League aspirations may prove hard to turn down, regardless of their current bout of indifferent form.

Roy Hodgson has shown in recent matches he is willing to opt for a two man front pairing and no one can argue with Darren Bent’s Premier League goal scoring record.

Steve Bruce will clearly not let such a talented player leave without a fight, after all Darren Bent has proved even more important to Sunderland than Torres has been to Liverpool. The London born goal machine scored 50% of all the club’s goals last term and is a player they will not want to lose.

It would take a hefty bid to nab the £22m rated striker and Hodgson would have to hope the club’s new owners are willing to dig deep to sign such a prolific marksman.

Roma's Mirko Vucinic Linked With €25 Million Liverpool Move

Roma striker Mirko Vucinic is being pictured in a Liverpool shirt and he could disappear into the Premier League landscape as part of a €25 million move.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson admires and desires the player at Anfield and he has asked his directors to provide transportation for Vucinic.

Itasportpress.it claims Liverpool's technical staff see the 27-year-old as an ideal partner for Fernando Torres.

They are considering a €25m bid and could tempt Roma who are cash-strapped and awaiting a change of ownership.

Vucinic has been banished to the bench at times this season and has had trouble breaking past Jeremy Menez, Marco Borriello and Francesco Totti.

On Saturday he injured his ankle and missed the 3-1 loss at Palermo on Sunday night.

Sevilla Look At Lucas

Sevilla are reportedly weighing up a January move for Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva.

Reports emanating from Spain have claimed Sevilla have targeted a move for Lucas as they look to bolster their squad options in the January transfer window.

Sevilla are in the market for a new midfielder after Tiberio Guarente was ruled out for the rest of the season through injury.

Sevilla were linked with Lucas' team-mate Christian Poulsen earlier this month, but it appears the Brazil international is now on their list of targets.

Lucas' future at Anfield has been the subject of speculation for some time with the South American failing to hold down a regular place in the side.

Sevilla are believed to have travelled to England to sound out the possibility of the move and are waiting to find out Liverpool's response.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson could be tempted to cash in on Lucas to raise funds for his own transfer plans in the New Year.

Liverpool Outcast Set For January Switch To Juventus

Juventus are set to offer Liverpool misfit Ryan Babel a January escape route.

According to reports in Italy, talks are at an advanced stage between the clubs for the sale of Babel who has struggled to hold down a first-team place since arriving in 2007.

The former-Ajax winger has made only 30 Premier League starts in over three seasons at Anfield and was heavily linked with a move to Birmingham City in the summer.

That move fell through, but Babel’s ill-fated Liverpool career could come to an end in January with Juventus keen to push through a deal.

And their Serie A rivals Lazio are also monitoring the situation and could be ready to make an offer of their own.