Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Former Reds Star Set For Surprise Return To Anfield

Want away Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock could make a surprise return to Liverpool reports the Daily Mail.

Contract negotiations at Villla Park broke down between the player and manager Gerard Houllier, before he was taken ill in hospital, and the news has attracted the attention of a number of Barclays Premier League suitors.

Warnock has been frozen out of the first-team squad, having made only 19 appearances for Aston Villa this season, and the 29-year-old now looks set to move on this summer.

Bolton Wanderers are rumoured to be considering a cut-price offer of £2million to bring Warnock to the Reebok Stadium, considerably less than the £6million ex-Villa manager Martin O'Neill paid to bring him to Aston Villa less than two years ago.

However, Liverpool are also reportedly interested and are preparing a rival bid for the former Reds trainee after Kenny Dalglish made a left sided defensive recruit the top priority this summer.

Having deemed Paul Konchesky surplus to requirements for Liverpool, Dalglish has instead opted to deploy an out of position Glen Johnson at left back for much of the season, until a recent injury curtailed his campaign.

With Fabio Aurelio also struggling for fitness, 'King' Kenny has had to utilize his squad by delving into the youth academy to promote some of Liverpool’s brightest young stars.

Warnock's career of course started at Liverpool, where he progressed through the club's youth academy before making his debut in 2004 in a Champions League qualifier.

The England fringe player would favour a return to Anfield should Liverpool step up their interest in the summer, and Reds fans will take reassurance from the fact they know what they are getting with Warnock in terms of an industrious, hard-working, honest professional.

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