Official: Liverpool Sign Rangers Defender Danny Wilson On Three-Year Deal

Rangers defender Danny Wilson has passed a medical and completed his move to Liverpool on a three-year contract.

A deal to bring the 18-year to Anfield was announced on Wednesday, with an initial £2 million fee to be paid. Instead of travelling to Australia with his Rangers team-mate, Wilson had flown to Merseyside to rubber stamp the transfer.

Speaking to LFC TV, he was delighted to have finalized the switch to "one of the biggest teams in the world."

He said: "It's a great feeling to sign for Liverpool. Wherever you go everyone knows Liverpool FC and I am just very happy to be here.

"This is a massive challenge for me. This is one of the best leagues in the world and I will be playing for one of the biggest teams in the world.

"Coming here from Scotland, people may say I might not be ready for this, but that is a challenge I want to put on myself and that's the reason I came here.

"Everyone knows about the history of this football club with 18 league titles.

"It wasn't a difficult decision to come here as Liverpool is not a team who come in for you every day, so I can't wait to get started.

"There were other clubs interested in me who are in the Champions League, but once Liverpool came in for me there was only one team I wanted to go to."

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar To Sign For Liverpool, Ryan Babel Joining Milan

Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will join Liverpool, with Ryan Babel heading the other way as part of the deal, claims Il Corriere dello Sport.

On Tuesday, Huntelaar was reportedly in Manchester, leading to speculation talks with either Manchester City or Manchester United are impending.

However, the latest reports from Italy suggest he could join Liverpool if Fernando Torres leaves. Huntelaar was not at Milanello on Wednesday, leading to further belief his future is away from Milan.

And should the deal with Liverpool take off, Milan will press for Ryan Babel as part of negotiations.

Everton are also said to be tracking the Rossoneri striker, but the lure of Anfield is likely to prove pivotal in his decision.

There has been little official confirmation in relation to Huntelaar's future, but Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri didn't appear too convincing when he was probed for a diagnosis.

"Huntelaar, for now, is a Milan player," he told the press. The Dutchman has also been linked with Tottenham and Aston Villa previously.

Liverpool Defender Philipp Degen On Stuttgart Radar

Ambitious Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart are considering making a move for Switzerland defender Philipp Degen, currently under contract with Premier League outfit Liverpool, according to a report in Blick.

Stuttgart coach Christian Gross is eager to add some more depth to his squad in the summer transfer window and the former Basel gaffer supposedly sees the 27-year-old Degen as the perfect addition to his roster.

The highly rated defender previously enjoyed a successful Bundesliga spell with Borussia Dortmund from 2005-2008 before leaving Germany for the Premier League. However, he never really managed to secure regular first team action at Liverpool.

New manager Roy Hodgson told Degen earlier this week that he's no longer needed by the Reds and the full-back could therefore be on his way back to the Bundesliga.

Stuttgart is supposedly preparing a €1.5 million offer for the defender and Liverpool is widely expected to accept the Schwaben's bid for Degen.

Liverpool Offer Swap Deal For French Prodigy

Liverpool has offered two players to Nice in an attempt to bring Loic Remy to Anfield.

The French starlet has been at the centre of a bidding war between the Reds and West Ham - with the Londoners currently believed to be in pole position for his signature - but the Daily Mirror reports that Roy Hodgson is willing to offer two of his fringe players as part of the deal in a last ditch attempt to sign the striker.

Moroccan winger Nabil El Zhar and Frenchman Damien Plessis are understood to be the men in question but, with each player valued at around £700,000, Liverpool will still have to go some way to match West Ham's bid of £13.5 million for the 23-year-old.

Hodgson has already increased his transfer kitty with the sale of full-back Emiliano Insua but, with reports suggesting that the Merseysiders are unable to afford to buy Remy outright, they may have to cash-in on Argentina captain Javier Mascherano before approaching Nice with a realistic offer.

However, this could all be in vain after Les Aigons general manager Patrick Governatori said that he was happy with the Hammers' latest bid.

"We received a new offer from West Ham which seems good and suits us," Governatori told French newspaper L'Equipe.

"If Liverpool wants him, we need clear arrangements and commitments. West Ham is very keen. And we want to sort out that case before the end of the month."

Liverpool FC Confirm Albert Riera Sale Talks With Olympiacos

Liverpool have confirmed they are now deep in talks over the expected imminent sale of Albert Riera to Olympiacos.

Riera was not part of the young Liverpool squad involved in the recent goalless draw with Grasshopper as negotiations over a potential transfer to the Greek club continued.

Anfield boss Roy Hodgson said today: "Albert Riera did not play as a precaution because negotiations are ongoing with Olympiacos."

Riera was signed by previous Reds manager Rafa Benitez from Spanish side Espanyol two years ago.

But he fell out of favour after a series of controversies, including one infamous training ground incident in which a young member of the club's reserve squad was injured after an ugly confrontation.

Riera, who scored five goals in 56 appearances, also caused furore and insult within the Reds camp more recently when he described Anfield as 'a sinking ship' in an interview with foreign journalists.

Liverpool Talk With Internazionale Over £25m Sale Of Javier Mascherano

Liverpool is in talks with Internazionale over the possible sale of Javier Mascherano after the Italian club made an approach for the midfielder. Roy Hodgson is believed to be ready to sell the Argentina captain at the right price to raise funds, after warning Liverpool supporters that several more signings are needed to lift the "doom and gloom" that enveloped the club last season.

Liverpool want at least £25m for Mascherano, who has made no secret of his desire to move to Inter and link up again with Rafael Benítez, Hodgson's predecessor as manager at Anfield. Mascherano's agent, Walter Tamer, recently said it was his client's "dream" to join the Serie A club and the approach had been anticipated.

Mascherano has been disillusioned at Liverpool for some time, having seen Benítez block a proposed move to Barcelona last summer. Hodgson reported last week that the 26-year-old had not responded to his telephone or text messages while on holiday following the World Cup. He had been keen to discuss the player's future.

The manager will have only a modest amount to spend on transfers unless he increases that budget through sales, meaning Mascherano's departure could suit both parties.

Liverpool Set To Swoop For Manchester City Defender Wayne Bridge

Liverpool are targeting Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge as the solution to their acute left-back problem, Goal.com UK understands.

Manager Roy Hodgson, having sold Emiliano Insua to Fiorentina and allowed Fabio Aurelio to leave, is ready to pay around £6 million for the former England international.

Bridge has three years remaining on the contract with Manchester City that he signed in January 2009 after a £10m move from Chelsea. However, with the imminent arrival of Aleksandar Kolarov from Lazio for a fee of £17m and the fact that another of Manchester City’s summer signings, Jerome Boateng, played left-back for Germany in this summer’s World Cup, he is unlikely to be given many first-team opportunities at Eastlands - and according to sources close to the player would see Liverpool as a practical alternative.

Since his arrival in Switzerland to take charge of the club’s pre-season preparations, Hodgson has maintained that left-back is a priority position to fill, and he has been linked with Sampdoria’s Reto Ziegler.

“We are short in that area and we do need to find a replacement for Emiliano and Fabio as quickly as possible,” he said before last night’s goalless draw with Grasshoppers Zurich, when he also confirmed that Albert Riera would be allowed to leave for Olympiakos with Philipp Degen likely to go to Stuttgart for a fee of £1.5m.

Last season, Bridge was dogged by a knee injury and poor form that saw him feature in just over half of City’s Premier League games, although he was given strong support from manager Roberto Mancini during the John Terry affair that prompted his international retirement.

This is not the first time that Bridge has contemplated a move to Anfield – he was the subject of a £6m offer from Rafael Benitez in 2008.

Cole: Liverpool Is A Bigger Club Than Chelsea Or Man United

Joe Cole has insisted he has joined Liverpool to win honours at “the biggest club in England”.

The former Chelsea midfielder claimed the history, tradition and fanatical supporters of his new team made his switch a “no brainer”.

He said: “I think players can play for other clubs but with Liverpool you have to live and breathe it. It’s that kind of a place - and I am excited by the challenge.

“I made my decision purely on football terms and I came here because this is a massive club. When I knew Liverpool were interested it was a no-brainer because they are the biggest club in the country.

“Everyone knows it’s a massive club but until you sign you don’t realize quite how big. I have people on my phone who I didn’t even know were Liverpool fans. It seems everyone I bump into is a Liverpool fan - it’s a huge, huge club and it’s a dream come true.”

Cole is convinced that his new team has the quality to surprise the cynics who expect Roy Hodgson’s side to struggle in the new season.

“I have come here to be a success, and my target is to play as many games as I can in this team and achieve something great for the club,” he added.

“I believe I can be part of a team that is capable of doing great things. I will fight to try and win trophies for this club.

“There are world class players here and I am excited about the chance to play alongside them.

“I am proud to be playing for this club and will give my all in every training session and every game to help the club be successful and put some pots in the trophy cabinet.”

Hodgson admits a lot of hard work is required to turn Liverpool’s fortunes around and said: “You don’t change doom and gloom or disenchantment with a signing or two.

“Liverpool Football Club has always been famous for the passion and knowledge of its supporters and they know I can’t put right the disenchantment with a couple of words.

“What we can do is hopefully persuade them we are on the right track, that we’re trying to get things right again and that we’re looking for new investment.

“We know the situation with the owners, the club is for sale and we are trying desperately for the right people to come in and buy the club. In the meantime we are trying our level best to do what we can out here on the training field and on the field of play to get results.

“I can only hope that the people who watch us are aware of the situation, that they have their feet on the ground like we’ve got our feet on the ground and they give us credit if we deserve any for the efforts we make on the field.

“I can assure them we will give everything on the field and I will hope to dispel the gloom and the disenchantment in that way.”

There was more good news from the Liverpool camp yesterday though, as another new signing arrived, with £2m capture from Rangers Danny Wilson insisting he turned down the chance to play in the Champions’ League to go to Anfield.

“It wasn’t a difficult decision to come here as Liverpool are not a team who come in for you every day, so I can’t wait to get started,” the 18 year old explained.

“There were other clubs interested in me who are in the Champions League, but once Liverpool came in for me there was only one team I wanted to go to - coming from Scotland, people may say I might not be ready for this, but that is a challenge I want to put on myself and that’s the reason I came here.”

Pre-Season 2010: Grasshoppers 0 - 0 Liverpool

New Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson kicked off his tenure at the helm of Anfield with a tough draw in Switzerland against Grasshoppers.

After what should have been his first game in charge against Al Hilal in mid-week was called off, Hodgson took his place on the sidelines and saw his side battle for a well earned draw.

New signings Joe Cole and Danny Wilson were not included in the squad, but Spanish star Albert Riera, who has reportedly agreed a deal with Olympiakos, found a place on the bench.

The home side started brightly and pushed forward in the opening stages but were unable to create any clear cut chances as Liverpool began to find their stride and hit back with some creativity through the impressive David Amoo.

David Ngog looked set to break the deadlock on 21 minutes, as the Frenchman found himself one-on-one with the 'keeper following a long ball through the middle, but a late flag ruled him offside before he was able to convert.

Alberto Aquilani then had a great chance to get his pre-season up-and-running but the Italian sent his free kick sailing over the bar from a dangerous position and was none too impressed with himself as his reaction showed.

The former Roma man found himself with another set-piece opportunity moments later, but despite getting his shot on target it was a comfortable save for Benito in the Grasshoppers' goal.

Ngog then had another great chance to open the scoring on 27 minutes, but could only send his shot crashing into the side netting after beating the offside trap and finding himself with only Benito to beat.

Grasshoppers began to test Cavalieri as the half time whistle beckoned, but the Argentine was in good form and denied the lively Steven Zubar before seeing Steven Lang send a powerful volley over the bar.

The Swiss side should have taken the lead on 38 minutes, as Cavalieri could only parry a Salatic shot; Rennella raced in to tap home from three yards out but was prevented by a desperate block from Cavalieri who flung himself in the way.

The second half saw chances limited with defences on top, both sides were restricted to counter-attacking football in an attempt to find the first goal of the game as substitutions began to break up the flow of the match.

As the game entered its closing stages, Ecclestone attempted to liven up proceedings as he broke deep in his own half through the Grasshoppers' defence before unleashing a drive from 25-yards but was unfortunate to see his effort flash just wide.

The Merseysiders struggled to pick up the pace of the game as the clock ticked down, with substitutions taking their toll, however Roy Hodgson will be pleased with his side following an industrious performance.

The hosts should have secured the win in the last minute, as Ayala missed his attempted clearing header, but defender Brindeiro couldn't make the most of his chance and despite being five yards out and unmarked, the ball bounced beneath his swinging leg and out for a goal kick.

That proved to be the last chance of the game, and Hodgson will hope to build on this solid performance as the Reds' continue their preparation for the new season.

Roy Hodgson Wants 'Doom & Gloom' Dispelled From Liverpool

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson wants to change the negative mindset currently at Anfield, but has warned that it will take much more than one or two new faces in the squad to alter the atmosphere at the club.

Joe Cole inked a four-year deal with the Reds this week but Hodgson, currently preparing his squad at their pre-season training camp in Switzerland, feels that hard work is more important than new players at this stage.

"You don't change doom and gloom or disenchantment with a signing or two," the Reds boss told his club's official website.

"Liverpool Football Club has always been famous for the passion of its supporters and the knowledge of its supporters and they know I can't put right the disenchantment with a couple of words or by signing a football player.

"What we can do is hopefully persuade them we are on the right track, that we're trying to get things right again and that we're looking for new investment.

"We know the situation with the owners, the club is for sale and we are trying desperately for the right people to come in and buy the club. In the meantime we are trying our level best to do what we can out here on the training field and on the field of play to get results.

"I can only hope that the people who watch us are aware of the situation, that they have their feet on the ground like we've got our feet on the ground and they give us credit if we deserve any for the efforts we make on the field. I can assure them we will give everything on the field and I will hope to dispel the gloom and the disenchantment in that way."

Hodgson is also cautious when it comes to how long it will take to turn things round at the club after a campaign last season that looked pretty ragged by the end.

"It's not going to be an overnight thing. Last season was a very disappointing season for the club in every respect, culminating in a popular manager leaving," he added.

"You don't dispel that with a couple of signings and I would never want to dupe the Liverpool public by telling them all is rosy now because Joe Cole has signed.

"There's a lot more work to do, a lot more players needed and we as a football team have got to make certain that when we take the field the supporters see there is something different and that we are making the biggest effort we can make. Then we can only hope they back us like they have always backed the club in the past."

Hodgson confirmed that work is ongoing to bring more players to the club, though he admitted that he is working within tight budgetary constraints.

"We don't have the unlimited funds that teams like Manchester City and even Tottenham, to some extent these days, seem to have," he said.

"In this current situation we don't have that. On the other hand some money is being made available and we are doing everything to use that money as sensibly and as intelligently as we can.

"We had quite a good squad of players last season. We've talked about Gerrard, Torres, Reina - these players means there is a certain strength to the team whatever we do. We would like to make some changes. Every manager who comes to a new club would like to make changes, to bring in some fresh players.

"The big thing for me is going to be the atmosphere. We have to get a good atmosphere back into the club. That will come from the training field and from the matches at Anfield.

"We've got to get back the Liverpool atmosphere that I've known and seen and experienced - often to my cost - over the years. We have to get away from the feeling that everything's not right and the club is going downhill because that isn't the case at all."

The Reds face Swiss club Grasshoppers tonight in a friendly which will be Hodgson's first match in charge of the club.

With the majority of his senior players still at home recovering from the World Cup, Hodgson knows that his young team will be tested in Switzerland.

"Realistically, a lot of these players won't take part when we come to the league games because they are players who have come from the reserves and the academy," he explained.

"They are working extremely well and I couldn't be happier with what we're doing, but we're about to play two really tough games with a team which, in my opinion, isn't ready to play against that level of opponent.

"It's a great opportunity for them but my real work in preparing Liverpool Football Club to play next season will begin when I get back to Melwood and find the 13 players who went to the World Cup.

"If you're a young player you're waiting for that chance to get into the first team and show what you can do. These lads are being given a chance earlier than expected and unfortunately they are being given a chance all together.

"What you hope for when you get your chance is that all the big-hitters are around you and they make it a bit easier for you. Here we are throwing them all in together."

Steven Gerrard Delighted To Be Staying With Liverpool FC

Steven Gerrard is itching to lead Liverpool into the new Premier League campaign after reaffirming his commitment to the club.

Liverpool's captain effectively ended all talk about his future yesterday morning when he declared that he was very impressed by Roy Hodgson's plans for the club.

The story, which attracted a huge amount of hits on the ECHO'S website when it was published, increased the feelgood factor among fans, who have been buoyed by the arrival of Joe Cole.

Gerrard can't wait to link-up with his England teammate and believes Cole will give Liverpool's attack an extra dimension.

“It's a great signing for us,” Gerrard enthused.

“I know Joe well through the England set-up and have seen first hand just how good a player he is. He's proved his ability over many years in the Premier League, sometimes against us – so it will be fantastic to play alongside him in a red shirt for Liverpool.”

Fears had been mounting that Gerrard would seek pastures new this summer and Real Madrid were strongly linked with a £30m move for him.

Worries were increased when the respected Spanish newspaper Marca published a three-page feature on Gerrard on June 2 and used mocked up images on him in Real's famous all white kit.

When Marca run a story like that – the translated headline was ‘Gerrard: Hot! Hot!’ – it is usually a sign that Real expect to land their man but, following the signing of Germany international Sami Khedira, the trail went cold.

For his part, it is important to stress that never at any stage did Gerrard insist he was actively seeking a move away from Anfield – he simply stated before going to South Africa with England that he might have to consider his options. But once the World Cup finals were out of the way, Gerrard took the opportunity to clear his mind and enjoy a break with his wife, Alex, and their children in the Mediterranean.

Prior to that, he had a long and frank discussion with Roy Hodgson on the day he was unveiled as Liverpool's new manager and his plans for the future and those talks tipped the balance.

“I made it clear that I simply needed to concentrate on the World Cup and then have a decent holiday with my family,” said Gerrard, who has made 532 appearances for Liverpool.

“I wanted the chance to meet Roy Hodgson privately and having done so I'm very impressed with his plans for the future of the team. I've only returned to training today at Melwood with some of the other World Cup players, but I can't wait for the new season to start.”

Liverpool Manager Roy Hodgson Delighted By Skipper Steven Gerrard's Commitment To The Club

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is delighted captain Steven Gerrard has ended speculation about a move to Real Madrid and committed his future to the club.

Gerrard, 30, had been linked with a switch to the Spanish capital after the Reds missed out on Champions League football for next season. After the announcement that former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has agreed a switch to Anfield, Gerrard's decision to stay on has given the ex-Fulham boss another boost.

Speaking to the club's official website while on tour in Switzerland, Hodgson was convinced every Liverpool fan will be rightly delighted with the news from the skipper.

"It's a great piece of news. There won't be anyone in Liverpool today who isn't delighted to hear that," Hodgson said.

"I'm really pleased about it because I've got great respect for Steven Gerrard.

"He's a player who I was really looking forward to working with when I came to Liverpool. It seems now with that commitment that this will happen.

"It gives everyone a boost without question.

"It will be a tough season, with a lot of matches and the disappointment of last season is going to take a while to dissipate, but it is very good that our best player is still going to be playing at this club.

"Hopefully with the signing of Joe Cole - and if we are lucky one or two others, to boost the squad - we will be going into this season's competition, maybe stronger on paper than we were last season."

Reds Close In On Wilson

Sky Sports News understands that Liverpool is on the brink of signing defender Danny Wilson from Rangers.

Ibrox manager Walter Smith revealed to Sky Sports News reporter David Tanner that the two clubs are in advanced stages of discussions and have only the transfer fee left to agree on.

Smith also said the move could be sealed as soon as Tuesday evening, which would leave 18-year-old Wilson free to link up with the Reds at their Switzerland training camp.

Centre-back Wilson came through the youth ranks at the Ibrox club before penning his first professional contract there three years ago.

He will not join the Rangers squad that will fly out to Australia for their pre-season tour on Tuesday night due to a slight hamstring injury.

Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist is unsurprised by the interest Liverpool have shown in Wilson following the stopper's impressive campaign last season.

"I think the first thing they (Liverpool) would have to accept is that they're signing potential," McCoist told Sky Sports News.

"But it's a whole load of potential because he came in last season for us and played an awful lot of games, certainly a lot more games than, to be fair, we probably thought he would.

"A lot of that was probably down to him not being one hundred per cent fit a lot of the time.

"But he came in and he handled himself really superbly well. We obviously had very high hopes for Danny and Danny has high hopes for Danny and obviously Liverpool can see the potential there.

"If the deal is a done deal then certainly we would wish Danny all the best. I think there is a little bit of work to be done before it's a done deal, but they'll certainly be signing a player with outstanding potential."

Liverpool Demand £6m For N'Gog

Liverpool want £6 million for French fringe striker David N'Gog as they try to raise funds for new players.

N'Gog can go at the right price - quoted to several clubs in the Premier League and round Europe - although he may have to play in the Europa League qualifiers before going.

The Kop squad man is wanted by West Brom on loan, while Newcastle and Bolton have made inquiries about his availability - but the valuation is way too high.

Liverpool are still hopeful of a big pay day on N'Gog, with Nice's Loic Remy on their hit list but valued at around £14.3 million.

Liverpool Leave Loic In Limbo As Roy Hodgson Refuses To Meet £12.5m Asking Price

Loic Remy's hopes of joining Liverpool are in limbo as the Reds refuse to match West Ham's £12.5million bid for the France striker.

The Hammers own bid has been knocked back unless they stump up £7.5m up front rather than splitting payments over four years.

The 23-year-old would prefer to be part of Roy Hodgson's new-look Liverpool side, but respected French newspaper L'Equipe reports that an expected meeting between the Merseysiders and Nice has failed to materialise amid the Reds' reluctance to offer much more than £10m.

Nice have already been rebuffed interest at that level from Lyon and Remy has joined up with his current club's training camp at Megeve.

Arsenal has also tracked Remy and is considering whether to recruit another forward to replace Shakhtar Donetsk-bound Eduardo.

Remy's agent Frederic Guerra told skysports.com: 'A major club from the Premier League has contacted me about Loic. I have a meeting with the club on Wednesday and we will see what happens.

'Whatever happens Loic will be leaving Nice this summer and he has his heart set on England.'

Hodgson - Degen Can Leave

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has informed full-back Philipp Degen that he is free to leave Anfield.

The Switzerland international arrived in England from Borussia Dortmund in July 2008, but he failed to earn a regular place in the plans of former boss Rafa Benitez after a succession of injuries and disappointing performances.

Hodgson, who took over as Liverpool boss this summer, also decided that Degen will not feature in his first team and held discussions with the 27-year-old before telling him that he can leave the club.

"We have had an amicable conversation with Philipp and he wants to play football," Hodgson told Liverpool's official website.

"We won't stand in his way and he is free to look for another club."

McMahon Welcomes Changes

Liverpool Reserves boss John McMahon has welcomed a more competitive Barclays Premier Reserve League North in 2010-11.

After discussions during the summer, the Reds second string will come up against the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea in the new campaign.

Fresh from agreeing a new 12 month deal, McMahon will once again take sole charge of the reserve team and he believes the new look league will be of great benefit to the young players at the club.

A McMahon managed Liverpool XI will be in action tonight when they face Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground, with the match kicking-off at 7.45pm.

"It is very positive the changes that have been made and we look forward to playing the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal," McMahon told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"It's a more competitive league now and if you are going to push players through to the first team squad they need to be playing against good quality opposition.

"We have got some really good games to look forward to and it's always nice to play against different teams and test yourselves against quality opposition like Arsenal and Chelsea.

"Aston Villa have been in the national final for three years in a row so they are very strong at reserve team level, so it's going to be very competitive that's for sure."

It's also change off the pitch for the reserves as they will now be based full-time at the Academy in Kirkby.

"We were always planning to move the reserves squad to the Academy for a couple of reasons really," he added.

"One is the limited space down at Melwood and two is it's nice for the reserve squad to have a good base and then they can aspire to get to work with the first team at Melwood which is the ultimate aim.

"The transition has been an easy one and it's good because when we want to use younger players from the U18 team to come and train with us we can."

McMahon also spoke about meeting Roy Hodgson for the first time and added: "It was good to meet the boss and we all met as a staff and discussed the way forward in terms of what we are looking for ahead of the new season.

"I'm looking forward to taking the reserve team again and it's another good challenge. We will be a young squad again and we will be looking to continue their development.

"I will be in constant conversations with the manager and Sammy Lee about the progress of the young players and give them my opinions about their progress."

A number of players from McMahon's reserve team could feature for Hodgson's first team when they take on Grasshoppers in Switzerland - a match you can watch exclusively live on Liverpoolfc.tv.

McMahon believes the experience the young lads will get from taking part in the Swiss training camp will be invaluable for their future development.

"It's an exciting time for those lads like Steven Irwin, Daniel Ayala, David Amoo, Lauri Dalla Valle, Victor Palsson and the younger ones like Tom Ince and Jack Robinson," he added.

"It is a great experience for them and hopefully they can learn and improve and it will make them better players."

Chairman Martin Broughton Determined To Restore Liverpool's Status As 'Icon' Of Football

Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton has revealed that he took on the job at Anfield because he wants to see the club restored to its former glories.

Broughton, a lifelong Chelsea fan and current chairman of British Airways, was hired by the Reds with the aim of finding a new buyer for the club.

His motivations for doing so are purely about football, he insists, and hints that money has been wasted over the last few seasons at Anfield.

"I've taken the role on because Liverpool represents one of two, three or four footballing icons in the league," Broughton told Director magazine.

"Putting them back in their rightful position is in the interests of British football and the league. Seventh [where the club finished in the Premier League last season] is not their rightful position, and neither is administration.

"Remember, over the past five years, LFC is second only to Chelsea in terms of gross and net player spend. The question is whether the money has been spent wisely."

Broughton sees Liverpool as "a trophy asset worth a lot of money" and maintains that a buyer will be found for the Merseyside club.

"As long as we get sensible offers, we can do a deal," he added.

"We are out there to find someone wealthy. But it's important that they can win popular support."

The chairman does see similarities between his BA job and his role at Anfield, with media management an ongoing issue.

"In terms of intensity it's not very different to BA, where every little detail seems to fascinate the press," he explained.

"The level of misreporting is about the same, but the level of fabrication is higher. Football is a unique business.

"In any M&A [merger and acquisition] there are various stakeholders but supporters and their passion bring a new dimension."

Former Liverpool owner Peter Moores wrote an angry letter to The Times at the end of last season urging the current owners of the club, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, to sell as soon as possible.

Broughton though dismisses the letter as a largely irrelevant gesture.

"No, I just found it sad," he asserted.

"An old man trying to justify what he himself saw as a mistake by blaming everyone except himself. Who chose to sell? He just went for the most money."

Official: Liverpool Sign England International Joe Cole

Premier League giants Liverpool have confirmed the capture of England international Joe Cole on a free transfer. The attacking midfielder was available on a free transfer after leaving Chelsea earlier this summer.

The Reds have announced on their official website that they've agreed personal terms with Cole and that the gifted midfielder will undergo a medical in the next 48 hours. The highly rated winger will sign a four-year deal with his new club upon completion of the medical.

Cole is Liverpool's second signing of the summer transfer window. The Reds previously secured the services of Serbian international Milan Jovanovic from Belgian outfit Standard Liege on a free transfer.

The 28-year-old Cole is a product of the West Ham youth system, but left the Hammers for a spell at Chelsea in the summer of 2003. He won three league titles and two FA Cups during a seven-year stay at Stamford Bridge. Additionally, he has represented his country 56 times, scoring 10 goals in the process.

The England international initially appeared to be on his way to Arsenal, while Tottenham Hotspur and Milan were also believed to be interested in signing Cole. The versatile midfielder will ply his trade at Anfield Road instead though in the 2010-'11 campaign.

Cole will be wearing the number 7 jersey at Liverpool, a number previously worn by Robbie Keane, who left the club for Tottenham Hotspur in January 2009.

Jamie Carragher: Joe Cole Swoop Shows Liverpool FC Mean Business

Jamie Carragher warned Liverpool's rivals they “mean business” next season as he hailed the headline-grabbing arrival of Joe Cole.

The Reds' vice-captain, who has returned to training at the club's Melwood base, is delighted Cole had spurned the advances of Arsenal and Tottenham to join Roy Hodgson's revolution.

Cole arrived at Liverpool's Swiss pre-season camp here in Bad Ragaz last night with his father, George, and will undergo a medical at the team hotel today, which has its own sports science facility.

No problems are envisaged and, once that is completed, Cole will put pen-to-paper on a deal that will keep him at Anfield until 2014.

It is quite a coup for Hodgson and it is a move which Carragher believes shows Liverpool are serious about reclaiming their place in the Champions League.

Carragher is looking forward to linking up with Cole and he has no doubts the 28-year-old will quickly become a favourite on The Kop.

“It's great news and it is a message that Liverpool mean business,” said Carragher. “We have signed a top international player who has been really important for Chelsea.

“A lot of clubs wanted to sign him but it is a real coup that he has chosen to come here and you have got to give the manager and the board a pat on the back for convincing him to come.

“Joe is someone I have known for a long time from playing with England. He is a great lad to have around the squad, he mixes well and is lively character – he's also an outstanding footballer.

“In the modern game, you need forwards that can function in two or three different positions and Joe will do that, no problem at all. He can play on the right, through the middle or on the left.”

Once the Cole deal is wrapped up, Hodgson will turn his attention to signing a left-back – Maynor Figueroa of Wigan continues to be linked – but there is little doubt only one man's name will dominate the agenda for the time being.

An impish box of tricks, Cole proved to be something of a thorn in Liverpool's side during his time at Chelsea and scored winning goals on three occasions.

Though he has endured trouble with injuries in recent seasons, Carragher saw enough when the pair was at the World Cup finals this summer to suggest he will flourish in Red.

“Every supporter that I have spoken to is absolutely delighted and all the players are the same – it's given everyone a boost, just at the right time,” said Carragher.

“It has been a long summer and we have been in a transitional period but now the World Cup is out of the way, we can start to look forward again.

“Joe is a player who has the ability to get supporters off their seats and I've no doubt he will do that here; the fact we have got him has given everyone a boost around the city.

“It's good news again and, hopefully, there will be more to come. It's the kind of signing that we needed to make.”