Friday, April 29, 2011

Kenny Coy On Summer Plans

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has refused to shed light on his summer transfer plans.

The Anfield legend must decide what the future holds for the 12 players that are set to return from loan spells in the summer.

Milan Jovanovic has admitted he regrets joining the Reds last summer while Christian Poulsen has also been out-of-favour.

One of Dalglish's rumoured transfer targets has been Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi but the Scot is giving little aware as he finalizes his plans.

"We won't speculate on what we are going to do in the summer," he said.

"There will be a bit of movement in and a bit of movement out. That's a fact of life and everybody knows that.

"But it's not worth commenting on all the names appearing in newspapers - some of the people I don't even know."

Lavezzi is not one of those, however, according to the Argentina striker's agent.

Jose Alberti claims Liverpool have been tracking his client for a year and believes they could be set to make a summer move for the 25-year-old frontman.

"Lavezzi has been followed by Liverpool for 12 months and they could make a bid for his services," Alberti told Italian website TMW.

"Napoli must be careful not to lose a player like Lavezzi."

Lavezzi has scored 35 goals in 122 appearances for Napoli since joining them from San Lorenzo in 2007, and AC Milan are also thought to be interested.

Andy Carroll Expects Hostile Reception From Newcastle's Travelling Supporters

Andy Carroll is expecting a hostile reception from Newcastle United’s travelling fans should he recover from a knee injury in time to face his old club for the first time since his transfer deadline day move to Liverpool.

However his manager, Kenny Dalglish, is adamant the 22 year-old should take any outpouring of fury as a compliment.

It remains unclear whether the England international agitated for a move away from his boyhood club or Newcastle informed him he would be sold when Liverpool tabled their record £35 million bid for Carroll on Jan 31.

Newcastle released a statement on the day explaining their sadness at seeing the player leave after he handed in a transfer request, but in a text exchange with the editor of a Newcastle fanzine, Carroll himself insisted he was “gutted” to be leaving his hometown side and suggested he had been “kind of pushed out the door”.

Whatever the truth, Dalglish revealed on Thursday that Carroll is anticipating that his former fans will make their displeasure at his perceived treachery known at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.

However, the Scot believes the most expensive player in Liverpool's history has the character to take it.

“I think the boy is expecting something,” said the Liverpool manager, who will wait until tomorrow before deciding whether Carroll is fit to play.

“The fans will do whatever they want. It will not take away from what he has done for their club and it won’t take away what the club meant to Andy.

“It is a compliment, really, in a strange way, if you do get the abuse because it means you must have been important to them.

“I don’t know what they will do on Sunday but if, as a player, you don’t get abuse off your old supporters then they can’t have been too disappointed that you left.”

Dalglish, on the other hand, is simply delighted with the £35 million signing.

The Scot was confident enough in Carroll’s abilities as a footballer to suggest he is not surprised by what he has seen on the field, but it is clear he has been equally impressed by the personality of a perceived bad boy.

“There has nothing that Andy has done [on the pitch] that has surprised us, but what you don’t know to the same extent is the personality,” said Dalglish.

“If there is one thing that has pleasantly surprised us it is the boy’s personality.

"He is a real down-to-earth boy who sometimes doesn’t realize he is a footballer but that is because he is naive and has his feet firmly fixed on the ground.

“We have been delighted with the way he has gone about his rehabilitation and his performances.”

Gael Clichy May Make Shock Move To Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli are keeping tabs on Arsenal's star left back Gael Clichy, with the 25 year old considering a shock move to Liverpool, according to the Daily Express.

Liverpool has long had issues with their left back position, and has been linked with many players over the season. But with Clichy’s contract at Arsenal still not renewed, Dalglish and Comolli both reportedly believe they can take the star in the summer transfer period.

Clichy recently pledged his allegiance to Arsenal, telling reporters: “I have to say that my present and my future is with Arsenal.”

But the Frenchman also eluded that money and the ability to win titles may sway him to another club.

“I am leaving talks over my contract with my agent so that I can focus on my football.

“I know that there are rumours about me going elsewhere but I have nothing to say about that.

“I have always wanted to be at a club where I am content. Money is important but it is not a decisive factor. All I want is to win a title – that’s my ultimate ambition.”

With Arsenal looking down the barrel of a sixth season without any trophies, Liverpool might be able to give Clichy the accolades he’s seeking.

Liverpool are currently boasting their best form this season, and with Dalglish signing Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez in the January period, Liverpool are looking the on form side to be a part of.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is still relenting from spending big on new players, and while Arsenal currently sit at third on the Barclays Premier League table, they don’t appear to have the fire power to challenge big spending teams like Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Liverpool Target Signing Of £15m Olympique Lyon Playmaker

Liverpool are believed to be plotting a £10m swoop for Olympique Lyon midfielder Miralem Pjanic.


The 21-year-old has drifted in and out of the team this season, with coach Claude Puel often preferring Yoann Gourcuff ahead of the Bosnia international.


Pjanic, a creative midfielder with an eye for goal, has only started twelve league games this term and is reportedly growing disillusioned with life at Stade de Gerland.


Liverpool Director of Football Damien Comolli is an admirer of the player’s talents and rumoured to be keen on striking a £10m deal with the Ligue 1 outfit.


Reds boss Kenny Dalglish would certainly welcome the addition of a diminutive playmaker, whose vision and passing ability could create chances for strikers Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.


The youngster certainly fits the bill, but the £15m price-tag attached to the player could prove a stumbling block.


Liverpool owner John W Henry has expressed his willingness to build a talented young side at Anfield and will provide a substantial transfer kitty to mount a Premier League challenge next season.


If Lyon fail to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, the club may be forced to sell Pjanic in a cut-price deal.

Liverpool Linked With Move For Inter Milan Starlet Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool are being linked with a summer move for Inter Milan starlet Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazilian teenager, who officially signed at the San Siro in 2008 before spending two seasons on loan at former club Vasco da Gama, has reportedly fallen out of favour with manager Leonardo and is considering a switch away from the club.

Sky Italia claims the player would prefer a loan move away from the Serie 'A' side, although Liverpool have the funds available to make an enticing offer to bring the player to Anfield permanently.

The report goes on to claim that Damien Comolli, director of football at Liverpool, is a known admirer of the player and has been monitoring his progress with the Nerazzurri.

With only 14 appearances in all competitions for the club this season, first team opportunities have been limited and Coutinho could want assurances over first team activity should he move to England.

Kenny Dalglish is known to be in the market for an attacking midfielder, with the Liverpool legend-come-manager hinting at a number of changes to the playing staff on Merseyside this summer.

A handful of wingers and attacking midfielders have been linked with the Reds, with Eden Hazard, Ashley Young and Ezequiel Lavezzi all rumoured to be on a Liverpool shortlist in recent weeks.

Coutinho is the latest name to add to the list, and Dalglish appears set for a busy summer in the transfer market at Liverpool.

Liverpool Miss Out On Samba Starlets Despite Confirmed Interest

Liverpool has missed out on Brazilian brothers Gabriel and Guillherme Appelt Pires, according to their agent.

The Reds were most interested in the younger of the two, Gabriel, according to Peppino Tirri, but now both are heading for Juventus after agreeing a move to Turin.

"Gabriel was followed by three to four major clubs such as Inter Milan, Liverpool and Villarreal - but Juventus were faster," Tirri told Notiziariosportivo.

The 17-year-old midfielder will be joined by his 18-year-old brother, who is a striker, at the Stadio Olimpico.

Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have set out a plan of investing in youth at Anfield, with director of football Damien Comolli on board and searching for top teenage talent.

The club's academy is regarded as one of the finest in Europe, and can boast the likes of first team players Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Jay Spearing coming through the Liverpool ranks.

A current crop including England starlet Raheem Sterling, Spanish youngster Suso, defender Connor Coady and many more suggests the future looks bright on Merseyside, with teenage duo John Flanagan and Jack Robinson recently breaking into the Liverpool senior side.

The Appelt Pires brothers would have added to these junior ranks at Liverpool, but a Serie 'A' switch has been made and Kenny Dalglish and his scouting group will have to look elsewhere to bring youngsters to the club.

Newcastle To Be Offered Liverpool Trio

Newcastle United are set to be offered three out-of-favour Liverpool players, including former Chelsea man Joe Cole.

The Merseyside club will need to cut down their first-team squad in order to allow further big-name signings to join in the summer, and a source has told Newcastle based newspaper The Chronicle:

“There will be a lot of movement at Liverpool this summer. And it’s no secret here that players will be offloaded to make way for new signings.

“There will be players offered out to numerous Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United.”

Newcastle left-back Jose Enrique has been linked with a move in the opposite directon, and a deal involving Paul Konchesky could be a realistic possibility, meanwhile the sale of star striker Andy Carroll has left a space for a forward, and 22-year-old Frenchman David NGog could join the Magpies attack.

Finally, the newspaper claims that the major signing of the summer could be Joe Cole, who has failed to settle at Liverpool, and it is thought manager Kenny Dalglish would be willing to let the player go in order to find a replacement who fits in with his style of play better.

Dalglish Discusses 'Fantastic' Winger Future

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has rubbish talk linking Joe Cole with a move away from the club this summer.

The England midfielder has endured a difficult season on Merseyside as injuries and lack or form has restricted his progress this season.

But after coming off the bench to score against Birmingham City on Saturday, Dalglish insists the player has a future at Liverpool.

"Joe has been fantastic since he has come here. His dedication and application on the training pitch has been superb. This week he had a day off but he still came in to train," he said.

"Joe's attitude has been brilliant. At the moment the lads are not doing too badly so it is difficult to give everybody a game. If he had been a defender he might have had an easier chance of getting a game with the injuries we've had.

"You would be insulting the boy to ask if he had the necessary desire. We couldn't have asked for any more of him in training."

Cole travelled to last year's World Cup, and although he was limited to just two substitute appearances in South Africa, before signing for Liverpool in July.

The winger was sent off in his first league game for the club against Arsenal, was sent off on the stroke of half time and since his career at Liverpool has curtailed due to injury.

Villas Boas Plays Down Reports

Porto coach Andre Villas Boas has rubbished speculation linking him with other jobs.

The 33-year-old has already been labelled the new 'Jose Mourinho' after guiding Porto to the Portuguese title in his first full season in charge.

Villas Boas is a protege of Mourinho and his abilities have not gone unnoticed, which has seen him strongly linked with the likes of Roma, Juventus, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpoolin recent months.

But speaking ahead of Porto's Europa League semi-final first-leg clash with Villarreal, he distanced himself from the reports.

"There are incredible stories. Supposedly I said no to Roma because I was going to Liverpool, it's absurd," he said.

"The speculation is natural, given what this team has been doing. But it is still false information."