Liverpool Have 10 Days To Decide

Liverpool have 10 days to decide on the offer from Kenny Huang to buy the club's debt.

And if they have not given an answer by then, the Chinese billionaire will walk away.

Huang, head of Hong Kong-based investment company QSL Sports Ltd, wants to take over the £237million RBS loan handed to the unpopular American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Liverpool themselves are treating him as a serious bidder and chairman Martin Broughton - the BA supremo brought in to sell the club - has opened talks with Huang's group.

Huang is adamant he will make hefty funds available to bring in world-class players and tempt stars such as Fernando Torres into staying at Anfield.

But he has insisted on an answer from Liverpool by the end of next week - or he will pull the plug.

Taking over the debt would give the Chinese businessman a huge chance of forcing Hicks and Gillett out of power.

Huang, who bought 15 per cent of US basketball team Cleveland Cavaliers last year and is involved in Chinese baseball, also plans to finally get Liverpool's new 60,000-seat stadium off the ground.

And while buying the debt would not give him immediate ownership, sources insist it would hand him "a ridiculously large amount of leverage".

The club has officially been on the market since April, when the American duo admitted they felt they had taken Liverpool as far as they could.

Torres Pledges Future To Liverpool

Liverpool star Fernando Torres has gone a long way to ending the speculation surrounding his future by insisting he is at "the best club".

The forward has been linked with a move away from Anfield, with Chelsea and Manchester City believed to hovering with intent, and takeover talk at the club has only muddied the waters.

Torres returned to training at Liverpool on Monday and the following day confirmed his intention to work under new Reds manager Roy Hodgson.

"I really appreciated the fact that Roy came out to see me while I was on my holidays," Torres told the club's official website. "He told me about his plans for the club and what he wanted from me and I appreciated that.

"I hope he will be the right man to reach the targets of Liverpool Football Club and I am really looking forward to working with him. At the moment I am training just on my own but as soon as I can I will train with the team and with the new manager.

"This is the best club in the country so the targets and expectations are always high. Hopefully we can stay at our level. At Liverpool the aim is to fight for every title. It was difficult last season but we are sure we can improve this season. I am really happy to be back, really happy to stay with all my team-mates.

"My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead."

Daniel Pacheco To Get His Chance At Liverpool

Premier League outfit Liverpool have made the decision not to farm promising youngster Daniel Pacheco out on loan for the coming season, if a report in Spanish paper El Mundo Deportivo is to be believed.

The young striker was one of the stars of the Under-19 European Championships earlier this summer and has since been linked with loan moves to La Liga sides Real Sociedad and Malaga.

However, Pacheco's outstanding performances didn't go unnoticed in Liverpool either and new manager Roy Hodgson is supposedly ready to give the former Barcelona starlet the chance to prove his worth. The report claims that Liverpool have already turned down an official offer from a Primera Division side for the 19-year-old.

Pacheco joined Liverpool from Barcelona in the summer of 2007, but the highly rated youngster has failed to secure regular first team action at the Reds so far. He made his league debut for Liverpool in December 2009.

Liverpool Step Up Pursuit Of Juventus Midfielder Christian Poulsen

Liverpool have stepped up their pursuit of Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen as a replacement for Inter Milan-bound Javier Mascherano.

The Liverpool Echo said that the Dane was ahead of Standard Liege’s Steven Defour on Roy Hodgson's midfield wish-list, and sources in Denmark said further discussions had recently taken place between the Reds and Juventus.

Juventus are said to want around 6 million euros for the 30-year-old.

Poulsen’s adviser, Joern Bonnesen, has revealed that his client would love to work again with Hodgson, who coached the player at FC Copenhagen, said the paper.

Palermo Admit Interest In Liverpool's Lucas Leiva

Palermo sporting director Walter Sabatini has admitted an interest in Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva, but said reports on having made a rich bid were less than accurate.

The Rosanero have long been linked with the Brazilian midfielder as they continue to bolster their squad following the departures of Simon Kjaer, Fabio Simplicio and Edinson Cavani.

And while they are keen on the Reds man, who recently claimed he was "happy" at Anfield, Sabatini insists there is no deal or offer in place just yet.

"Leiva is a very strong player and I like him very much," Sabatini told Calcionews24.com.

"But to speak of a deal already is not accurate. We have to wait. I cannot say any more."

Last month Sabatini denied his side had made a €7 million offer for the midfielder.

Torres A Doubt For Arsenal Clash

Fernando Torres looks likely to miss the start of the season as Liverpool look to the long term in protecting his fitness.

The Spanish striker was back in training yesterday, after enjoying his first holiday in three years, following his World Cup triumph with his country.

But after picking up a groin injury in training in the final against Holland, the centre forward is not yet ready to complete a full training session.

On Monday, he was restricted to some light running and gym work, and even though the injury is now almost fully cleared, the club will resist the urge to rush him back, and instead take sensible precautions to ensure his long term health.

Torres will take no part in Thursday Europa League qualifier against Rabotnicki, and is unlikely to be included in full contact sessions until the start of next week.

That means he would have no warm-up games before next Sunday's Premier League opener against Arsenal - and little or no chance of starting in that match.

Instead, Torres is likely to be given a run out in a training ground contest and then aimed at a gentle introduction into the first team - quite possibly in Liverpool's next Europa League game on August 19.

Manager Roy Hodgson has been extremely careful in ensuring that his players who performed in the latter stages of the World Cup are given adequate rest to avoid burn out later in the season.

Torres has suffered several serious injury setbacks over the past two years, after missing a summer break because of international commitments with Spain.

The groin injury he picked up was not a serious one, but he still required at least three weeks of rest, and club doctors will be cautious about returning him to full contact sessions.

Hodgson is confident the striker will be part of his plans this season, and he wants him to play far more games during the campaign than he did last year, when he managed to last the full 90 minutes for a mere 14 matches.

The new manager has protected all his World Cup players, and gave the England international members of his squad a break when he took his side to Macedonia for last week's first leg against Rabotnicki.

The likes of Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Glen Johnson and Jamie Carragher will play in the return on Thursday night, because it is Liverpool's last game before the opening weekend clash against Arsenal.

But Torres will be eased back in gently, as the manager looks to protect him from the ravages of injury that forced him to miss the final two months of last season and decimated his World Cup campaign.

Hodgson held more talks with the player yesterday, specifically over his fitness program, but also about his long term commitment to the club.

Investors Deem Liverpool Shares ''Worthless''

Liverpool's potential investors, a Far East Sovereign Wealth Fund that includes Kenny Huang, are looking to secure a takeover of the club at a knockdown price.

The investors intend to use their funds to pay for the new stadium and new players rather than line the pockets of owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks as the shares are "worthless".

"The owners will be a Far East Sovereign Wealth Fund of which Kenny Huang will be one of two main partners and owners of Liverpool football club,'' a source close to the talks revealed. "The Sovereign Wealth Fund has been in touch with the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Liverpool board to inform them that they do not value the equity of the company higher than the debt.

"The debt stands at around £350 million and at the moment the valuation is based on between 80p to £1 in the pound, but no more. In layman's terms the shares are worthless, and therefore there is no offer to the current shareholders."

That means that the offer from the Sovereign Wealth Fund is to cover all of Liverpool's current debts, most of which are with the RBS at close to £240 million. A guarantee that RBS will get its money back is extremely appealing to the bank, but not to Hicks and Gillett.

"The problem for the bank is that if this offer is not accepted soon, then the value drops, it drops if it goes past the point where investment cannot be made in new players, and to persuade the best players to stay,'' the source added. "You can understand why Gillett and Hicks would say no, because they want some value from their shares.

"It has been suggested there are alternative bids, but from the Sovereign Wealth Fund's perspective, that's fine. If they do not materialize there is a danger that the financial crisis will depend upon the extent that Liverpool go into distress.

"The new chairman was appointed by the bank as part of their agreement to extend the loan facility, but it has now emerged that the bank can call in part of that loan in October. If Liverpool do not accept this deal which is on the table, then the alternative could be dire, if they cannot find an alternative buyer.

"The board is faced with a stark choice; they could be faced with a sharp dip in valuation of the company, top players leaving and little funds to buy new ones. What this takeover will provide is the funds to start construction on a new stadium which is long overdue. This is crucial. You are not in the game if you do not have a modern stadium.''

Broughton Insists Board Have Control

The sale of Liverpool could be concluded by the close of the transfer window this month, but Chairman Martin Broughton insists the board remain in control of any deal. Chinese businessman Kenny Huang expressed his interest in assuming control of the Reds on Monday, with suggestions he would seek to acquire the club's €287 million debt from principal lender the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

However, Broughton, who was brought into the club in April to facilitate a sale, revealed there had been "several" bids for the Reds and insisted the decision over the sale will be made by the Liverpool board.

"Any bids that go straight to RBS - and there have been several - come to me and are directed to Barcap (Barclays Capital)," he told The Guardian. "RBS are not involved. The control remains with the board."

It is hoped a deal can be completed by August 31st.

Broughton, who was brought in to oversee the sale process, added: "It still remains the objective to conclude a deal before the end of the transfer window.

"That remains the objective but there are no deadlines, and we will continue working to complete the process.

"Both George Gillett and Tom Hicks remain on the board and they have given commitments that the board of Kop Holdings (Liverpool's UK parent company) is the party that is responsible for the sale."

Huang is the head of Hong Kong-based investment company QSL Sports Ltd and is believed to be keen to secure an agreement as soon as possible in order to give manager Roy Hodgson plenty of time to bring in reinforcements before the end of the transfer window.

Huang is believed to have already spoken to senior figures at Anfield to express his seriousness about a buy-out and in the hope that his message will filter down to help persuade top stars like Fernando Torres, who returned to training on Monday after his post-World Cup break, that the club does have a better future.

Torres has yet to publicly commit himself to the club the way captain Steven Gerrard did on his return from international duty, and speculation still links the Spain striker with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.

The 26-year-old is disappointed with the lack of investment in the squad but, with a potential change of ownership around the corner, he may find last season's request for "four or five" players is granted sooner than he could have wished.

One of those new additions, Joe Cole - albeit a free signing following his release from Chelsea - is eagerly anticipating playing alongside the World Cup winner.

"One of the main reasons I came to Liverpool was because I wanted to play with these great players and I'm going to work every day to make Fernando as many chances as I can," said the England midfielder.

"I've been watching the way he plays ever since he came to the club and, the season before last, he was the best striker in the world, without a shadow of a doubt.

"My job is to make chances for the front men and I can't wait to play alongside him."

Rupert Murdoch Bid To See End Of Liverpool Owner Tom Hicks’ Sports Involvement

Tom Hicks, the co-owner of English soccer club Liverpool and owner of Major League Baseball franchise the Texas Rangers, is expected to sell both clubs in the coming weeks, with a host of bidders interested in both.

Chinese businessman Kenny Huang, who recently purchased a stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA franchise, is the frontrunner to take over at Liverpool, but faces stiff competition, with Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton confirming the club has multiple suitors. Meanwhile, News Corp, Rupert Murdoch's media giant - and the main source of revenue for the English Premier League as it has grown into the most popular domestic soccer league in the world - is believed to be preparing a bid for the Texas Rangers.

The baseball franchise filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May in an effort to remove itself from claims from creditors against Hicks Sports Group, Tom Hicks' sports company. At the time Hicks, who arrived at Liverpool in 2007 along with compatriot George Gillett, told the Dallas Morning News that owning a sports team opened a businessman to a "brutal invasion of privacy," adding: "It's never been my primary business, and it's a business I no longer want to be involved in."

Hicks also noted that he expects to lose "a couple of hundred" million on the Texas Rangers, but to make it back on Liverpool's sale.

Liverpool Consider Chinese Takeover Bid

Liverpool could be bought by a Chinese business tycoon within days, according to a source close to the deal.

Kenny Huang, head of Hong-Kong based investment company QSL Sports Ltd, wants to take full control of the Reds, who have been up for sale since April.

"A deal has to be done before the transfer window closes [on 31 August]," a source close to Huang told BBC Sport.

"Huang has made a firm proposal. The club's board has to sanction the sale and it could be sewn up in days."

Huang has been talking for several weeks to representatives of the Royal Bank of Scotland, with the aim of taking full control of the Premier League club.

RBS are Liverpool's main creditors, owed about £237m by American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

"Kenny is the only serious bidder interested in the club and he's optimistic," added the source.

Huang is offering to clear Liverpool's debt to RBS and hand new manager Roy Hodgson funds to do business in the transfer window.

The tycoon also plans to build the club a new stadium as soon as possible.

Huang was reported to have turned down the chance to buy Liverpool in 2008 because he felt a valuation of £650m was too high. BBC Sport understands he now values the club at about £350m.

Hicks and Gillett bought the Reds in March 2007 in a deal that valued the club at £218.9m.

But the American duo have endured a difficult time at Anfield, with supporters regularly voicing their dissatisfaction at the level of debt taken on by the club after their buyout.

Last October, several hundred Liverpool fans staged a protest march against the owners ahead of their Premier League match against Manchester United.

The board's popularity with the fans disintegrated further when Hicks' son, Tom Hicks Jr., became embroiled in a row with a supporter who alleged the American had sent him abusive emails.

As a result, Hicks Jr. resigned as a director of the club and parent company Kop Holdings, leading to a restructure of the board.

Gillett and Hicks have also endured a fractious relationship with each other, which early on in their reign threatened to undermine their ownership with the former revealing the partnership had become "unworkable".

In 2008, Hicks blocked Gillett's moves to sell his 50% share to Dubai International Capital group as the pair feuded over future plans for the club.

An outright £500m takeover bid by the DIC group was also rebuffed, with Hicks hinting he would attempt an outright takeover bid himself.

They subsequently patched up their differences but took the decision less than four months ago to put the club up for sale, insisting there had been numerous expressions of interest in a buyout.

British Airways boss Martin Broughton was brought in as Liverpool chairman in April to facilitate the sale of the club and along with Hicks and Gillett is part of a five-man board at Liverpool that also includes chief executive Christian Purslow and commercial director Ian Ayre.

Why Mascherano’s Exit Could Reignite Liverpool

Javier Mascherano has been publicly angling for a way out of Liverpool for over a year, spitting in the face of the club that made him the star he is today.

Plucked from the shadows of West Ham’s substitute bench at the beginning of 2007, Mascherano went from battling for a first team spot against the likes of Nigel Reo-Coker and Hayden Mullins to taking the stage in Liverpool’s starting line-up against AC Milan in a Champion’s League final in the space of five months.

This belief in his ability seems to have been eradicated from the player’s memory. With the emergence of interest from Barcelona in acquiring his services last year, Mascherano’s head seem to have been spun and any loyalty from a player in his position you would expect was thrown out the window.

This was evident in his inability to put it behind him when the move didn’t materialize and he endured a disappointing start to the start of last season citing the pursuit of Barcelona hindering his form.

There have been countless number of players down the years that have been subject of summer-long transfer speculation, stayed at their clubs and went on to have fantastic season. One great example would be Cristiano Ronaldo; publicly courted by Real Madrid almost every summer after he hit the big time only to stay with Man Utd and break record after record.

Mascherano’s transfer from Liverpool is inevitable, it could be a sweeping generalization but loyalty from Argentine players in the Premiership is something of a rarity. On the same note it could be cultural; the lure of playing for the likes of Barcelona or Inter Milan may be the pinnacle of football for players from Argentina.

Especially if you consider some of their most famous exports have played for these clubs, such as: Maradonna, Zanetti, Messi, Riquelme, Crespo, Passarella and Simeone.

What Mascherano needs to do now is come out publicly, face the fans and say ‘Yes. I want to leave Liverpool’ no more of this hiding behind agents and the like. The fans will respect him for his decision and hopefully understand his reasoning and for having the balls to do it in public.

This needs to happen as soon as possible if Liverpool is to be ready for the new season; this cannot be dragged out until the tail-end of the transfer window.

Mascherano looks to be commanding a transfer fee in the region of £20-£30m with Inter Milan his most likely suitors and linking up with former manager Rafael Benitez, the very man who said he wouldn’t sell him for £50m.

His departure would leave a hole but not one that couldn’t be filled. Standard Leige’s Steven Defour and Juventus’ Christian Poulsen have been touted as possible replacements both valued at around £10m, would leave a significant amount of change to invest in the squad.

Take Mascherano out and replace him with either of these players and the team isn’t significantly weakened, some might argue that the team would be improved as Defour and Poulsen would both offer more of a goal threat.

After a replacement has been found the club can then look to bring in more players with the remaining funds.

Left-back still needs to be taken care of with a maximum of £6m being spent in that position which will come out of the £12m transfer kitty, leaving £6m left over, add that to the change from the Mascherano transfer and the club could be looking at an additional £16m-26m to spend on new recruits.

Spent wisely, on one or two quality strikers and the club could be in possession of one of the league’s finest squads, plenty of depth in most areas and capable of competing on all front and most crucially of all, dealing with injuries.

Dare it even be said; A squad capable of winning the league this season?

Only time will tell of course but as good a player as Mascherano is sure he might save the odd game but will never be a player to win one and his departure may be the key to Liverpool gaining more game winners and the players they so desperately need.

Emiliano Insua's Move From Liverpool To Fiorentina Falls Through

Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua's move to Serie A side Fiorentina has fallen through, according to latest reports.

Sky Sports claims that the Argentine defender couldn't come to a conclusion with the Viola over personal terms and conditions. Liverpool and Fiorentina had reportedly reached an agreement and the only factor missing from the deal being finalized was the player's agreement.

It was reported last week that Insua and Fiorentina would come to an agreement this week but it now appears that things are not going according to plan.

Insua had flown to Italy from Liverpool's pre-season training camp in Austria in July but he is now believed to have rejoined the Reds in Germany for the match against Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday.

Milan Jovanovic: It's Hard To Break Into The First XI

New Liverpool signing Milan Jovanovic admits it will be difficult to break into Roy Hodgson’s starting XI in his first few months at the Merseyside club.

Jovanovic, 29, who was brought to the club by former manager Rafael Benitez on a free transfer from Standard Liege, is expecting a tough battle with the likes of Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog all competing for a starting role at Anfield.

The Serbia international featured in the Europa League qualifier in Macedonia earlier this week and after impressing in pre-season will be hoping for a starting place for the Premier League opener against Arsenal at Anfield.

"It will be a hard competition for me to get into the starting XI (when Torres and Kuyt are back) but I'll try my best and we'll see what will happen,” Jovanovic told Goal.com after Liverpool's 1-0 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach.

"I’m learning right now the tactical system of the team. Roy Hodgson is a great manager. He always thinks positive. He emphasizes a lot on discipline, tactics and fighting spirit."

Jovanovic, who reportedly turned down Real Madrid’s advances before his switch to Liverpool, can play as either a left winger or front man and comes to the club with an impressive goalscoring record for Liege, where he bagged 52 goals in just 114 matches.

Roy Hodgson Happy With Progress Despite Sloppy Defending In Germany

Roy Hodgson insisted Liverpool’s flying visit to Moenchengladbach was beneficial despite the day being ruined by some sloppy defending.

The Reds manager was satisfied with the efforts from a squad that was top heavy with young players and, on another day, they might have secured a credible draw.

However, a mix-up between Diego Cavalieri and Daniel Ayala meant Liverpool slipped to a 1-0 defeat but Hodgson was far from flustered after the contest at Borussia Park.

“It’s incredible to have a friendly match in front of 50,000 people,” said Hodgson.

“I thought it was quite an even game and there were not many clear-cut chances.

“Borussia, as was the case against Kaiserslautern, didn’t actually have to score a goal against us because we actually gave them one.

“It was too big a task for Academy players to perform against Borussia’s central defenders because they don’t have the strength or experience to do that yet.”

Hodgson has brought some experience back into his squad after re-signing Fabio Aurelio on Saturday night, to give him cover at left-back.

The Brazilian played the last 30 minutes of the game and is fully focused on relaunching his career at Anfield, having been released by Rafa Benitez at the end of last season.

“My aim is to help the team do better than last season,” he said. “Everything is going really well, so I think we can progress a lot. We have made some good additions and we can be very confident.”

Joe Cole Eager To Line-Up For Liverpool FC Alongside Fernando Torres

Joe Cole admitted he was pinching himself at the prospect of working with Fernando Torres – as Jamie Carragher urged the Spaniard to deliver the news all Reds want to hear.

Torres returns to work at Melwood following his three-week summer break and though boss Roy Hodgson said last week that the striker will stay, his future continues to be discussed.

But Cole, who made his Liverpool debut in the 1-0 defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach, is only thinking about Torres pulling on a Red shirt and wants to provide with him a raft of goals.

The England international is fully paid up member of the Torres fan club and is confident that, in time, the two will be dovetailing to devastating effect.

“One of the main reasons I came to Liverpool was because I wanted to play with these great players and I’m going to work every day to make Fernando as many chances as I can,” Cole said.

“I’ve been watching the way he plays ever since he came to the club and, the season before last, he was the best striker in the world, without a shadow of a doubt.

“I love playing with strikers who play on the shoulder of the last defender. The best striker I played with at Chelsea was (Hernan) Crespo; his movement was absolutely unbelievable.

“I had a good relationship with him and hopefully I will be able to have that kind of relationship with Fernando. My job is to make chances for the front men and I can’t wait to play alongside him.”

Those sentiments are echoed by Carragher and Liverpool’s vice-captain wants to see Torres follow Steven Gerrard’s lead and publicly reaffirm his commitment.

“Stevie is our best player. For me he’s probably the best player in the history of the club, alongside Kenny (Dalglish), so it’s given everyone a massive lift,” Carragher said.

“Hopefully Fernando will do the same and we can bring one or two more in so that we head into the season with a real feelgood factor.”

Liverpool’s final match before the big kick-off against Arsenal comes on Thursday when they host FC Rabotnicki in the second leg of their Europa League qualifier.

Even though they are leading 2-0 and practically assured of a place in the play-off round, Hodgson is likely to play most of his big guns and Cole is desperate to get another run out.

“We’ve only had 10 days training and it is amazing how much you have to do to get your fitness back – you play for 11 months then have four weeks off and you’re at square one,” said Cole.

“You would think it would be easy just to pick it up. That’s why on Thursday it’s vital we play close to 90 minutes. It’s important to get into the next round but just as important to boost our fitness.”

Jamie Carragher Wants Fernando Torres To Commit To Liverpool

Jamie Carragher hopes that Fernando Torres will join Steven Gerrard and commit his future to Liverpool.

Even though he was receiving heavy interest from Real Madrid, Gerrard decided to stay with the Reds to help the club bounce back from their highly disappointing performance last season.

Chelsea and Manchester City highly interested in a huge move for Torres, who won the World Cup with Spain this summer, and will try to take advantage of the fact that the Spaniard is unhappy that Liverpool will not compete in the Champions League this year.

Carragher is hopeful that Torres will stay with the club, believing the club would be handed a massive boost if the former Atletico Madrid hitman were to follow Gerrard’s lead and stay with the Reds.

"Well, he's our best player," Carragher told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

“For me he's probably the best player in the history of the club, alongside Kenny (Dalglish), so it's obviously going to give everyone a massive lift.

"Hopefully Fernando will do the same and we can bring one or two more in so that we head into the season with a real feel-good factor."

The England international is also happy with the way that former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has quickly settled into the Liverpool squad.

"He's not taken too long to settle in and he knows quite a lot of the lads from England.

"He's a good lad too and he's staying right in the centre of Liverpool, so a lot of the fans have seen him around.

"He loves playing here and being at Liverpool. You like people to get involved with the city and he's doing that from an early stage."

Jack Wolfskin Signs With LFC

German outdoor clothing outfitter Jack Wolfskin continues its successful campaign to increase brand recognition in the UK with its commitment to sponsor Liverpool FC in the coming season.

A contract period of three years has been agreed and the deal includes a range of rights that will enhance Jack Wolfskin's exposure.

"The decision to partner with a popular and historical club such as Liverpool was in keeping with our goals of increasing brand recognition in the UK by using the popularity of football and to attract new target groups to the outdoor clothing market. This strategy builds on the huge success that Jack Wolfskin has had on the domestic market," is how Manfred Hell, Managing Director of Jack Wolfskin GmbH & Co. KGaA, explains the expansion of the brand's sponsorship portfolio.

"For many years, sponsoring the German league has been one of the most important elements of Jack Wolfskin's brand promotion in Germany, which is why we are all the more delighted to be active with England's most successful club as part of this expansion abroad. This unique combination of tradition and success and the inimitable legend of Anfield Road would set any football fan's heart racing."

Ian Ayre, Liverpool Football Club's Commercial Director added, "We welcome Jack Wolfskin to our family of partners. They are seeking to expand their business in the UK, and our goal is to help them increase awareness of their products that are designed for high altitude and outdoor activities."

Match report: Borussia Monchengladbach 1 - 0 Liverpool

Joe Cole's debut for Liverpool ended in defeat as the Reds went down 1-0 to Borussia Monchengladbach.

Roy Hodgson fielded a strong side including England's World Cup captain Steven Gerrard as well as Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson while Fabio Aurelio was named on the bench after re-signing for the club on Saturday.

Monchengladbach had arranged the match as part of their 110th anniversary celebrations at Borussia Park and the hosts made an early breakthrough through Karim Matmour in the eighth minute.

The Algerian took advantage of some poor play by Daniel Ayala inside the area and the defender was duly punished as Matmour produced a powerful finish.

Matmour was proving a real irritant for the Anfield club and came close to doubling his side's lead with Liverpool having to wait until the 56th minute for their first real chance when Cole's low drive was parried, with the former Chelsea player withdrawn nine minutes later.

The hosts continued to threaten and, although David Amoo headed narrowly wide, Monchengladbach fully deserved their victory.

Reds Warned Over Torres

David Villa has admitted his surprise that Fernando Torres has not joined Chelsea and believes this season is Liverpool's 'last chance' to keep the striker.

Liverpool finished seventh in the Premier League last term and failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, leading many to suggest that Torres could soon be on his way out of the club.

Villa concedes that, having spoken to Torres at the World Cup, he expected his Spanish compatriot to link up with Chelsea.

Manchester City have also been linked with a move for Torres but nothing has yet materialized and it looks increasingly likely that he will stay at Anfield.

Villa now feels that Torres may leave next summer unless the Reds can turn their fortunes around over the coming campaign.

"I am actually a little surprised. It looks like Nando is staying," Villa, who joined Barcelona from Valencia before the World Cup, is quoted as saying by the Daily Star Sunday.

"After I spoke with him at the World Cup I thought he would sign for Chelsea.

"I think it must only be that Chelsea did not meet Liverpool's valuation. Because, if they had, I am sure he would have made the move."

He added: "This is Liverpool's last chance to keep him. They have to prove they are capable of challenging on all fronts this season, otherwise he will be gone.

"If Liverpool fail to win anything I am sure he will be at Chelsea next summer."

Cole Needs To 'Feel Loved'

Joe Cole admits he needs to 'feel loved' if he is to perform to his best on a regular basis.

The England international admits that it was that desire to feel appreciated which led to his exit from Chelsea this summer.

He grew tired of being hauled off at every opportunity by a succession of coaches, with a lack of playing time giving him little chance to impress.

Once it became apparent that he was not going to get the playing time he craved, he decided to let his contract run down and leave on a free transfer.

Having made that call, he has since linked up with Liverpool and is excited by the challenges which lie ahead at Anfield.

Cole believes Reds boss Roy Hodgson will be the man to get him firing on all cylinders once more and is confident he will be a hit on Merseyside.

"The fans at Chelsea loved me and I can't thank them enough for that but I need to feel loved when I am on the pitch," he said in the News of the World.

"The manager has to want me there. I don't so much need an arm around the shoulder as for managers to remember that in the positions I play you are going to lose the ball sometimes.

"You only need to do one thing right; one clever pass, one little bit of skill that can change a game but to do that you need to feel relaxed and calm."

Meanwhile, Cole is also delighted to have played a part in helping to persuade talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard to stay on at Anfield.

He had been linked with a summer switch to Real Madrid, but Liverpool's transfer activity has convinced him that they have ambitious plans for the future.

"I hope that I did play a part in making Stevie stay," added Cole.

"Stevie knows what I can do. We have played together for England for 10 years right the way through.

"I am looking forward to playing alongside him and our relationship is going to be important.

"I will play anywhere, though I hope it is central with him - with one of us going forward and the other pivoting.

"I can't talk about tactics but the manager knows what I can do on the left and the right. But it will be nice to be close to him.

"At Liverpool this year is about consolidating and moving on. There are players here who will get into any team in the world.

"I had conversations with Stevie and 'Carra' and everything they said about Liverpool impressed me. We are a part of a club that can do something special. If you win a trophy here, one of the big ones, it will be immense."