Rafa Gets Tough: Only Winners Wanted Here

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is only seeking summer transfer targets who can help the club foster a winning mentality.

Benitez told Liverpool's official website that the players he'll bring to Anfield this summer must be winners.

The Spaniard has made it clear that, like just about every Liverpool fan, he wants more than anything to bring the domestic League title back to Anfield. Liverpool hold the record for most English title successes - 18 - but haven't been crowned champions since the 1989-90 season, and have seen arch-rivals Manchester United lift their tally from seven to 17 in the meantime. It means the Reds have never been title winners in the Premiership era.

That glaring omission eats at the soul of every Liverpool fan - and club captain Steven Gerrard is no different. He has stressed that he will consider his career unfulfilled if he cannot count at least one Premier League winner’s medal among his haul by the time he retires from playing.

And Benitez is also clear that winning the League is the one that matters most to him now, having already achieved European glory.

"Winning the title would be the biggest achievement of my career," said the manager. "It's more difficult than in Spain because teams here spend big money.

"But we will do our best. The key for me is not to talk about winning the title but to talk about doing a good job so we can be close, so we can be contenders.

"If we are close I think that we can win the title."

So far only Philipp Degen has been added to the squad at Anfield, though Benitez has several players in his sights. However, he stressed that anyone he brings in must be a winner.

“The key, though, is to sign the right players with the right mentality – a winning mentality – competitive players, players who are desperate to come here to win something,” he told liverpoolfc.tv.

"That is the key for me. We have been analysing a lot of things this summer. For example, we were conceding a lot of goals last season from set pieces.

"We need to know why because the previous season we only conceded six, but this year it has been 16. We need to know why so we can improve in these areas, but keep the team scoring goals in open play.

"We have been really good in defence for three or four years but we need to improve a little bit if we want to be in contention."

Liverpool Keen On Robbie

Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane has emerged as a transfer target for Liverpool, according to a report in the News of the World.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is reportedly keen on bringing the striker to Anfield to partner Fernando Torres up front as the Reds go in search of their first Premier League title.

According to the paper Liverpool are willing to offer Tottenham a massive £20 million for Keane and are happy to throw in Peter Crouch as part of the deal too.

Keane, 27, joined Spurs from Leeds in 2002 and is the club captain at White Hart Lane. His current partnership with Dimitar Berbatov is one of the most prolific in the Premier League, both players netting 23 goals each last season for Tottenham.

The Irishman has enjoyed a successful last season at Spurs, winning his first major competition, the Carling Cup, with the club and also scoring his 100th Premier League goal and his 100th goal for Tottenham.

However, with Berbatov expected to leave the club this summer in search of Champions League football, it is unlikely the club will also want to let the talismanic Keane leave as well, hence the offer of Peter Crouch as part of the deal.

Crouch has been widely linked with a move away from Liverpool after failing to cement a regular place in the starting line up at Anfield. The striker managed only nine league starts for Liverpool last season although he did end the season with five Premier League goals to his name.

Whilst Crouch is rumoured to want to leave the club in search of regular football and to improve his international prospects, manager Rafael Benitez is clearly reluctant to let him go and has reportedly already rejected approaches by Portsmouth for the striker.

Martinez Criticises Anderson Snub

Swansea boss Roberto Martinez has questioned Paul Anderson's loyalty after the winger snubbed a return to the Swans to join Nottingham Forest.

The Liverpool man impressed during his season's loan spell at Swansea last term and Martinez was willing to pay £100,000 for a second 12-month loan.

Spaniard Martinez said: "Everyone knows being grateful or loyality in football does not exist anymore."

The deal for the 20-year-old midfielder should be finalised over the weekend.

Martinez continued: "We are proud to be involved in the development of a player that no-one wanted 12 months ago who now has six or seven choices.

"We are delighted how he adapted as we allowed him to enjoy his football, that's why he has enjoyed a lot of interest from clubs this summer."

Anderson, Swansea's young player of the year in their League One title-winning season, will link up with his new Forest team-mates on Tuesday.

He told Forest's website: "I enjoyed last season at Swansea but after speaking to Forest I just felt it was the right move for me."

Should Rafa Go After German Striker?

With Rafa Benitez reportedly on the look out for a foil to play alongside Fernando Torres next season, and names such as David Villa being bandied about by the press, one striker who could be available for the right price has confirmed he is thinking about a move from his present club.

Lukas Podolski, Bayern Munich's free-scoring German international has admitted that he may have to find himself a new club once the European Championships are over, after a season playing second fiddle to Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni at the Allianz Arena. Podolski told German newspaper Sport Bild:

"I will tackle this subject after the European championships. I will have enough time on holiday to think about my situation and I will make a decision on my future then.

"I have made it clear to him (new Bayern manager Jurgen Klinsmann) that I am unhappy with my situation in Munich. He knows what he has in me. He has even said that he understands my problems. We shall sit down together after the Euro and see what happens."

With the ever-popular (yeh right!) Tom Hicks and George Gillett understood to be close friends with Herr Klinsmann, maybe there's a chance that if Rafa does express an interest in Podolski they could help broker a deal. But maybe this time they could talk to Rafa before making contact with the German...

Can Rafa Bring Us The Title Next Season?

Rafa Benitez has revealed that winning the Premiership title with Liverpool would be his greatest achievement as a football manager.

Speaking to the club website, Benitez admitted that despite winning two La Liga titles during his time at Valencia and the Champions League in his first season at Anfield, winning the league in England is a bigger and more difficult challenge than any other.

He said: "Winning the title would be the biggest achievement of my career. It's more difficult than in Spain because teams here spend big money.

"We will do our best. The key is not to talk about winning the title but to talk about doing a good job so we can be close, so we can be contenders. If we are close I think that we can win the title."

"The key is to sign the right players with the right mentality - a winning mentality - competitive players, players who are desperate to come here to win something.

"That is the key for me. We have been analysing a lot of things this summer. For example, we were conceding a lot of goals last season from set pieces. We need to know why because the previous season we only conceded six, but this year it has been 16. We need to know why so we can improve in these areas, but keep the team scoring goals in open play.

"We have been really good in defence for three or four years but we need to improve a little bit if we want to be in contention."

But what do you think? Can next season be the year that the title finally comes back to Merseyside after almost two decades of watching the Mancs and the capital clubs' hauding domestic glory?

Barry: It's Time For Me To Move On

Gareth Barry remains desperate to join Liverpool and has blasted Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill for making no effort to persuade him to stay.

The England midfielder has made no secret of his desire for the regular Champions League football on offer at Anfield.

But despite his pleas to the Villa hierarchy to allow him to leave, the Midlanders have remained entrenched and rejected a reported £15million bid from the Reds earlier this month.

Barry told the News of the World: "My mind's made up, I want to join Liverpool.

"There's no going back, it's time for me to move on. I'm desperate to play Champions League football and that's why I have to leave Villa."

O'Neill has been openly critical of Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez over his pursuit of the Villa skipper.

But despite O'Neill's public posturing, a scornful Barry insists nothing has been done to get him to remain at Villa Park.

"Villa kept saying they wanted me to stay but I have not heard from the manager for weeks," he claimed.

"It's seven weeks now since the season finished but while the gaffer's found time to be a pundit for the BBC at Euro 2008, he hasn't found the time to speak to me.

"Have Villa offered me anything to try to persuade me my future is at Villa Park, not Anfield? Not a thing."

Benitez: Title Would Be Ultimate Achievement

Manager Rafael Benitez claims that winning the Premier League title with Liverpool would be the biggest achievement of his career.

Benitez, who won the Spanish League title twice with Valencia, says the spending power of their rivals makes it difficult but feels his side can improve on last season's fourth place finish.

"Winning the title would be the biggest achievement of my career. It's more difficult than in Spain because teams here spend big money," said Benitez.

Last season the Reds once again prospered in Europe but failed to stay in contention for the league past Christmas.

Next year Benitez is sure that if they can be in touch with the leaders towards the end of the season they can achieve their dream of capturing the title for the first time since 1990.

He said: "We will do our best. The key for me is not to talk about winning the title but to talk about doing a good job so we can be close, so we can be contenders. If we are close I think that we can win the title."

The Spaniard wants to add some more members to his playing squad but claims the mentality of the player is just as important as his skill level and ability.

He explained: "The key, though, is to sign the right players with the right mentality – a winning mentality – competitive players, players who are desperate to come here to win something."

The Reds manager added that he was keen to minimize the number of goals the team concedes from set pieces next term after allowing 16 last season.

Garcia: Torres & Liverpool A Match Made In Heaven

Former Liverpool favourite Luis Garcia has spoken of the special bond his compatriot Fernando Torres has quickly formed with the club's fans, and hailed the Torres-Liverpool partnership as one based on mutual understanding and passion.

Luis Garcia left Anfield for Atletic Madrid last summer, as his countryman Fernando Torres made the opposite move. Garcia was a much-loved performer among the Liverpool fans, and sad to leave both the club and Merseyside. But he is enthusuastic about the immediate impact Torres made at Anfield.

Garcia reckons Torres has the 'Scouse spirit,' which has made him an instant hit at his old club. And he has revealed that he did not need to persuade El Nino - currently preparing for his first European Championship final with Spain - to join Liverpool last summer.

"I didn't have to sell anything to him because I didn't need to," Garcia told the club's LFC Magazine in 'The Torres Story.'

"Liverpool is one of the best cities I have ever been to with some of the most passionate people. Fernando already knew about this spirit and soul beforehand and I think that was one of the main reasons why he signed for Liverpool.

"Fernando understands that if you have something in common with the people you are playing for, it can only be to the benefit of the team.

"I have spoken to him quite a lot since the start of last season. Whenever I call him I always start the talk in English.

"I say things like 'How are you,' then he will respond in English. The first time he did it, it surprised me, because he had only just moved.

"But Fernando is a quick learner, so really, I shouldn't be surprised.

"Fernando has the spirit of a scouser, so one day maybe he'll start talking like you lot!"

Garcia added that he was not surprised that Torres hit 33 goals in his first Premier League campaign, and reckons the striker's pace was a key factor in his success.

"The game is more about the counter-attack and the ball moves from one end of the pitch to the other very quickly," he said. "This is perfectly suited for Fernando because he is quick and can speed things up at the attacking end of the field.

"Stevie [Gerrard] and Fernando are working well together because Fernando has the pace to read Stevie's passes. Equally, Stevie knows that if he tries to make a through ball Fernando will have the speed to run on to it and create a chance."

Crouch Still In Limbo

Peter Crouch's future is no closer to being sorted as the will-he-or-won't-he transfer saga surrounding Arsenal scoring ace Emmanuel Adebayor is reportedly having a direct impact on the destiny of the towering Liverpool forward.

Arsenal emerged as surprise candidates for Crouch earlier this week, but even if the reports of their interest in the England striker prove true, they would only act on it if they needed a fill a void left by Adebayor.

Yesterday was a day of extremely mixed messages from the Adebayor camp, as within hours of announcing at a press conference that he fully intends to see out the remaining three years of his contract with Arsenal, the Togo striker admitted that a move to Milan or Barcelona is still a distinct possibility.

All this leaves both Crouch and Liverpool in an awkward position, as they risk turning Portsmouth off completely while waiting in limbo to see what develops at the Emirates.

Pompey's £9m offer for the 27-year-old still stands, but there is a very real possibility that Harry Redknapp will take his money elsewhere as Crouch is far from the only striker linked to the ascendant Fratton Park side.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, in the meanwhile, finds himself stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place, as Arsenal would almost certainly be willing and able to come closer to meeting his £15m valuation of Crouch. However, with each passing day that he waits and hopes, Rafa is inevitably losing grip on transfer targets of his own.

Arsenal To Pull Out Of Crouch Race If Adebayor Stays

Liverpool have suffered another blow in their attempts to raise transfer funds with the sale of Peter Crouch.

Arsenal had emerged as one of the forward’s suitors earlier in the week but the possibility of Emmanuel Adebayor staying at the club has put that interest in jeopardy.

The Togo forward sent out mixed messages yesterday, first declaring he was staying at the Emirates only to later say that he had yet to decide on his future, with AC Milan leading the race for his signature.

Adebayor’s departure would leave manager Arsene Wenger in the hunt for striking reinforcements and would have the means to get closer to Liverpool’s £15million valuation than any of the other clubs interested in Crouch.

That number has diminished further with the news that Newcastle United won’t be pursuing him, while Portsmouth are still considering whether to improve on the £9m offer Liverpool have already turned down.

Adebayor’s agent Vincenzo Morabito said earlier this week: “Milan have already stated their position, while Arsenal have started moving in the market in the hunt for an attacker to replace Adebayor.

"Until that search ends the deal won’t move forward but I am quite optimistic because Arsenal are looking for a player. They’re talking about (Mario) Gomez, (Roque) Santa Cruz, and (Peter) Crouch.

“I’d say there’s a 70 to 80% chance Adebayor will go to Milan.”

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez had insisted he would be happy to keep Crouch, but the player was unwilling to endure another season of cameo appearances.

But Benitez is now keen to get the best possible price for the 27-year-old in order to complete the transfer of Gather Barry from Aston Villa and have spare cash for other targets.

Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing is not expected to be one of those despite constant speculation linking him with a move.

And Benitez is, as expected, also set to abandon his interest in James Milner as Newcastle, who have already dismissed Liverpool’s £7m valuation, are now insisting he won’t be sold.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are likely to host Lazio in their first home pre-season friendly for five years.

Fernando Torres’s former club Atletico Madrid had originally been pencilled in for the date of Friday, August 8, but the two clubs could not reach agreement.

Galatasaray's Move For Itandje Leaves Liverpool's Carson In Limbo

Galatasaray have made a £2million move for Liverpool goalkeeper Charles Itandje — scuppering Scott Carson's chances of a permanent exit from Anfield in the process.

Former French Under-21 international Itandje, who joined Liverpool from Lens last summer, has agreed a three-year contract with the Turkish champions.

Itandje, 25, made only seven appearances last season — none of them in the Premier League — as cover for Pepe Reina but Liverpool now need to bring in a replacement.

Veteran Bordeaux goalkeeper Ulrich Rame, 35, has been mentioned but otherwise Rafa Benitez wants to keep hold of Carson.

Despite interest from Middlesbrough and Stoke to take him on loan, Benitez has made it clear that he will only let Carson leave on a permanent deal — valuing the England international at £6m.

That has prompted Stoke to offer £1m for Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop instead. Roy Keane will reluctantly sell the 25-year-old but wants double that amount. He turned down a £500,000 offer from Leicester last season.

Grant Leadbitter meanwhile has signed a new three-year dealt at the Stadium of Light. The 22-year-old is now Sunderland’s longest serving player and Keane said: ‘He’s got quality and he’s enthusiastic, he’s a good character. He’s developing and maturing well.’

Rafa Must Raise His Game In Market

TEAMtalk's Graham Shaw feels Rafael Benitez needs to show more ambition in the transfer market if Liverpool are to be serious title contenders.

Eighteen years, and the wait goes on. The title drought on Merseyside shows no sign of ending just yet.

We're already hearing the annual 'this is our year' proclamations from Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and co.

But surely even those two must be scratching their heads when they read who Rafa Benitez is reportedly out to buy this summer.

Gareth Barry and James Milner appear to be high on the shopping list, with Stewart Downing also mentioned.

But the eight-figure sums mentioned in some quarters must have knowledgeable Koppites coughing up cornflakes all over their red tops around the breakfast table. More 'ow' factor than 'wow'.

Liverpool did make strides last season in terms of closing the gap on Manchester United and Chelsea, but for one reason only. They bought big.

The acquisition of Fernando Torres used up a hefty portion of Benitez's kitty in the summer of 2007, but it was worth every penny.

El Nino lit up the Premier League with some phenomenal goalscoring displays, and made Liverpool a real threat to most teams. Without him though they looked pretty average.

Benitez already has a sizeable squad to work with, so I'd humbly submit that he should be looking for quality and not quantity this summer.

If Barry is really a massively better option than Xabi Alonso I'd be very surprised - he's top-six, not Champions League for me. Good not great, lacking the pace and ability for the very highest level.

And with Javier Mascherano already in the Anfield engine room, shouldn't they be looking for something just a little different?

Milner and Downing, meanwhile, are hardly likely to terrorise opposing defences and set pulses racing on Merseyside (are they really better than Ryan Babel?). Personally I'd prefer the chances of Yossi Benayoun (who looks surplus to requirements) winning a game with a moment of magic.

When Liverpool were in their pomp they bought the best, only going for players who could improve them. That's why the likes of Dalglish, Souness, Barnes and Beardsley ended up in a red shirt.

Our man Rafa, though, appears to spend most of his time snapping up players who MIGHT be the next big thing. A bit like getting a cheap telly without a big brand name in the hope that it's quite good. Except you generally end up ditching it and upgrading because the picture's not great.

As long as Torres can stay fit Liverpool might well be only one player short of being genuine title contenders. Just not the ones they're currently being linked with.

Liverpool's form late last season was top-class. And for a fair part of the season they matched the top three. Their one big failing - they couldn't beat Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. To do that you need quality throughout the team.

Barry, Milner and Downing might not even be definite starters next season if they do end up moving to Merseyside. Squad players aren't what Benitez needs - he can only play 11 after all.

The message is simple: buy the best or fail the test. Rafa, you have been warned.

Anderson Happy With Forest Switch

Liverpool youngster Paul Anderson has revealed excitement at joining Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan.

Swansea City and was named the club’s Young Player of the Year after an impressive campaign that saw him score seven goals in 31 appearances.

Some queried whether Reds boss Rafa Benitez (pictured) should give the tricky winger an opportunity to earn a place in the senior squad next season, but Spaniard appears keen to draft in proven quality for the flanks over the summer.

Hence, Anderson – who has netted an impressive 13 goals in 17 games for the England under-19s – has been sent to Nottingham on another loan spell, despite Swansea's attempts to sign him permanently.

He told Forest’s official website: "I enjoyed last season at Swansea but after speaking to Forest I just felt it was the right move for me.

"I am joining a big club in Forest and I am very excited about the challenge of trying to help them make an impact in the Championship."

Ajax Enter Benayoun Race

Although Yossi Benayoun is keen on fighting for his Liverpool future, he could be moving elsewhere to make sure of his share of the action – perhaps even to the Netherlands.

De Telegraaf newspaper reports today that Ajax are keeping an eye on the Israeli international, whom the English giants spent a reported 7.3 million euros on July 12 last year.

The 28-year-old versatile midfielder, equally capable as a playmaker, an attacking midfielder or on the right, scored 11 goals in 47 matches with The Reds in his first season there, but only completed 14 of those games. And Rafa Benítez could be tempted to let go of him, as Tottenham and Portsmouth have reportedly expressed an interest.

As Goal.com’s William Wood reported earlier, Liverpool would be willing to sell the former Maccabi Haifa, Racing de Santander and West Ham United ace for some 6.3 million. And Dutch media estimate that the Johan Cruijff Schaal holders could land Benayoun, who has had a trial in Amsterdam earlier in his career, having tabled a six-million bid. Furthermore, thisislondon.co.uk, a website of London Evening Standard newspaper, reports that Ajax are even prepared to offer Benayoun a pay-rise, compared to the 38,000-a-week he makes in England.

Despite spending quite some time on the bench, Benayoun, perhaps Israel’s most accomplished footballer today and the national team captain, had recently stated to The Jewish Chronicle that he would love to finish his playing days with Liverpool. But recent transfer rumours have probably prompted him to reconsider.

“I need to know what’s going on, because I thought I would be at Liverpool next season,” he told the Daily Mail tabloid, although his agent does not seem as eager to rush things. “He’s a good player, so it’s only normal that these clubs would be interested in signing him,” Ronen Katsav told BBC Sport.

“But Yossi is very happy at Liverpool, everything is perfect for him there. He sees his future at Liverpool. Even if the club wanted to sell him, then Yossi would say he would like to stay.”

Liverpool’s Carragher Expects Boss Benitez To Sign More New Players

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher expects manager Rafa Benitez to bring in more reinforcements as he declared that the Reds will be challenging on all fronts.

The Merseysiders finished fourth last season in the Premiership, while losing in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The Reds have brought in full-backs Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena, whose signing has been confirmed recently.

"We have brought in two or three players already and I am sure the manager is looking to bring some more in," said Carragher.

"We didn't win anything last season, so we want to look to improve and that is something we have already done.”

The former England international, Carragher asserted that the Reds will be looking to win every trophy on offer.

"At a club like Liverpool every season is a big season and we will be going for every trophy we possibly can," he said.

"It is a big competition not just in the Premier League but around Europe, but I am confident we can produce something this season.”

Forest Complete Anderson Capture

Championship newcomers Nottingham Forest have acquired the services of highly-rated Liverpool youngster Paul Anderson on a season-long loan.

Forest beat off stiff competition from Championship rivals Swansea, who Anderson spent last season on loan with and helped them pip Colin Calderwood's side to the League One title.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who played 36 times for the Swans and scored eight goals, said he jumped at the opportunity to return to his native east midlands when he was aware of Calderwood's interest.

He told the club's official website: "I enjoyed last season at Swansea but after speaking to Forest I just felt that it was the right move for me.

"I'm joining a big club in Forest and I am very excited about the challenge of trying to help them make an impact in the Championship."

Torres Is The World's Best - Carragher

Jamie Carragher has hailed Liverpool team-mate Fernando Torres as the best striker in the world following his exploits at Euro 2008.

Torres has helped Spain reach the final of the competition with some impressive showings in Austria and Switzerland.

The former Atletico Madrid ace has carried on where he left off at Liverpool last season after scoring an impressive 33 goals in his debut season at Anfield.

Carragher is a big fan of Torres and insists he would not swap the Spaniard for anyone in the world.

"He has a great partnership with Villa they look really sharp the two of them and Fernando has took his form from Liverpool into the national team," Carragher told Sky Sports News.

"He does not have to prove anything to anyone at Liverpool as he has done it in the Champions League and I am sure he has gone down well in Spain.

"I am Liverpool player and I am biased, I suppose, but for me he is the best.

"I am just delighted to be in the same team as him and it was a great bit of business by the club last summer, great for Rafa who brought him in and he has repaid everyone.

"Hopefully he will do it for the next four or five years for Liverpool, but at the moment I would not swap him for anyone."

Carragher: Reds To Challenge

Central defender Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool will mount a serious challenge for silverware next season.

The Reds stalwart has backed manager Rafael Benitez to bring some quality new signings to Anfield this summer, as they look to close the gap to the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal both domestically and in Europe.

Liverpool finished 11 points off the pace of eventual Premier League champions United last season, while they exited the Champions League at the semi-final stage at the hands of Chelsea.

The Reds have failed to claim the domestic league title since 1990 and have not won any trophies during the last two seasons.

"At a club like Liverpool every season is a big season and we will be going for every trophy we possibly can," said Carragher.

"It is a big competition not just in the Premier League but around Europe, but I am confident we can produce something this season.

"We didn't win anything last season, so we want to look to improve and that is something we have already done.

"We have brought in two or three players already and I am sure the manager is looking to bring some more in."

Liverpool Line Up Shock £10m Swoop For Boro's England Winger Stewart Downing

Liverpool will make a surprise £10million swoop for Middlesbrough's England winger Stewart Downing, according to reports.

Anfield boss Rafa Benitez wants a left-sided midfielder following Harry Kewell's departure and he has targeted England star Downing, The Sun reports.

The Boro ace was a Spurs target last season. But Gareth Southgate wants to keep him, especially as Downing was handed a new five-year deal just five months ago.

Boro want to build a team around Downing, 23, and aim to have James Harper and French midfielder Didier Digard alongside him next term.

Chief executive Keith Lamb said: "We are pursuing a number of players. The negotiations are going very well and we hope to have most of our incoming transfers completed before the players return to training on July 7."

Liverpool will wrap up the signing of £7m Italian defender Andrea Dossena next week. The Udinese full-back, 26, will become Benitez's second capture of the summer following Swiss ace Philipp Degen.

Anfield chief executive Rick Parry said: "The deal should go through next week after finalising the paperwork." Benitez has also pounced for AZ Alkmaar's Dutch strike prodigy Vincent Weijl. Weijl, 17, is due to move for a nominal fee as he has yet to sign a professional contract.

Chester Look To Take Godwin Antwi On Loan

CHESTER City last night approached Liverpool to enquire about the availability of central defender, Godwin Antwi.

The 20-year-old Ghanaian-born player is highly thought of at Anfield, but it is understood that they would be receptive to a temporary loan spell, if the player was agreeable.

Antwi, who moved to Spain with his family when he was 14 years of age, played for the Real Zaragoza youth team before being spotted by Paco Herrera, who persuaded him to move to Anfield.

The player, who was a member of the Liverpool’s FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2006, had a loan spell with Accrington Stanley 18 months ago, before spending a year-long temporary period with Hartlepool United last season.

During his time in the North East, he made 27 League One appearances for the Victoria Park club.

City manager Simon Davies said last night: "We have spoken to Liverpool and if the player is receptive then we would like to bring him to the Deva Stadium on a season-long temporary loan arrangement.

"Godwin is an exceptional player and he is just the sort of defender that we are looking for. Hopefully he will see the benefit of joining us for a season and see the temporary move as an integral part of his football progression."