Roy Hodgson Blasts 'Selfish' Javier Mascherano For Angling For Barcelona Move

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has blasted Javier Mascherano for his "selfish" strike actions that have forced through his move to Barcelona.

Mascherano, 26, sat out the games against Manchester City and Trabzonspor after demanding to leave the club for personal reasons. After Goal.com UK revealed a £17.2 million fee had been agreed between the sides, the Argentina skipper was given a parting shot by his manager.

Hodgson said: "It is not easy for me to defend the actions [of Mascherano] because professionals are paid to play and when they are called on to play, they play.

"We had a player at Blackburn, Graeme Le Saux, who was very agitated when I joined the club because he was determined to go to Chelsea and that caused a lot of problems in pre-season.

"Tim Sherwood was wanted by Tottenham and that caused a lot of problems because he wanted to get back to London.

"These situations do occur unfortunately and we have to live with it.

"I don't think they [the players] mean it as a challenge to your authority or a challenge to the club's authority.

"It is just a selfish situation that they have got something they want to do and they just expect the club, and therefore you as one of the leaders of the club, to bow down and accept that they are going to do it.

"Unfortunately there are going to be periods of time when there will be some unpleasantness because players must also understand that when you sign contracts you sign contracts to play.

"If the club decide they are going to accept an offer for you and let you go that is one thing, but you run the risk the club might say 'I'm sorry, you've got the contract and we aren't selling you so you are staying'.

"It doesn't bother me as a challenge to my authority it is just a fact of life.

"But it is a fact of life which gets exacerbated in a one-month period in January and between July and August when it is a time of year when a lot of people are trying to do their business."

Match Report: Trabzonspor 1 - 2 Liverpool

Liverpool escaped what could have been an embarrassing Europa League exit with two late goals to beat Trabzonspor 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.

However, it was far from convincing and it needed a own goal by Remzi Kacar and a strike from Dirk Kuyt to secure their passage.

Their one-goal advantage had been wiped out in the fourth minute when Teofilo Gutierrez side-footed past Jose Reina but the late doule salvo ensured manager Roy Hodgson did not become the first Reds boss to exit Europe before the end of August.

The victory was Liverpool's first in Turkey against Turkish opposition and their hosts' first defeat at home in 2010.

Liverpool had chance to put the tie to bed in the first leg but taking a 1-0 lead to Turkey was never going to ensure a comfortable night.

And despite finding themselves under huge pressure in the opening 45 minutes they should have wrapped things up a lot sooner than they eventually did.

David Ngog missed two second-half chances which Fernando Torres, the man he was standing in for with the Spaniard resting back on Merseyside, would probably have buried.

Prior to that Sotirios Kyrgiakos - one of five changes from Monday's Manchester City defeat - could have scored in only the second minute but he directed a weak downward header from Fabio Aurelio's corner straight at Onur Kivrak.

Trabzonspor made no such mistake two minutes later when Kuyt gave the ball away and Gustavo Colman's intended shot sliced open the heart of Liverpool's defence and Gutierrez side-footed past Jose Reina.

The enthusiastic Trabzonspor support did not need encouragement to ratchet up the volume as Liverpool's task suddenly looked a whole lot more difficult.

A quick counter-attack from an Aurelio corner almost brought a second for Trabzonspor with Jamie Carragher deflecting Ibrahima Yattara's shot behind and then Colman drilling in a low effort which Reina turned around his left-hand post.

The Liverpool goalkeeper was receiving some unwanted attention from a fan with a laser pen and Croatian referee Ivan Bebek instructed the UEFA delegate to put out a warning that the game could be stopped as a result.

Hodgson's side struggled to gain a foothold in the game and spent the remainder of the first half under pressure.

That continued after the break as Burak Yilmaz burst through on goal three minutes after the restart but was flagged offside.

In the 52nd minute Ngog should have given Liverpool some much-needed breathing space when Cole stood up a cross to the far post but the Frenchman headed wide from close range when it seemed easier to score.

Ngog then turned his marker inside-out on the edge of the penalty area but, faced with a clear shot at goal, rolled his effort wide.

Liverpool were, however, growing in confidence as Trabzonspor began to drop deeper and deeper.

But the longer it went without a goal, the more pressure they put on themselves.

Hodgson made his first change with 13 minutes to go when he sent on Dani Pacheco for Aurelio.

But the breakthrough eventually came eight minutes from time when pressure by Ngog forced an own goal.

Johnson's run and cross down the right was turned in by Kacar via the near post.

And things were wrapped up late on as Kuyt tapped in after Kivrak could only parry out Pacheco's shot.

Liverpool Agree Fee With Barcelona For Javier Mascherano

Javier Mascherano's long-awaited transfer to Barcelona is set to be completed this weekend after Liverpool accepted a bid from the Catalans.

The midfielder almost joined the La Liga champions 12 months ago only for former manager Rafael Benitez to eventually price him out of a move.

However, with the 26-year-old keen to move for personal reasons – he constantly complained his family had not settled in England – the club came to an agreement with him that if they received an acceptable bid they would allow him to leave.

After rejecting an initial bid of £16m from Barcelona last weekend an offer has now been forthcoming which comes close to their valuation of £25m.

The player was never likely to stay once he became aware of Barcelona's initial bid and told Hodgson he did not want to play in Monday's defeat to Manchester City.

But Liverpool was never going to accept anything less than they paid for Mascherano when they rescued him from West Ham's reserves for £18m three and a half years ago.

"Liverpool Football Club has agreed terms for the transfer of Javier Mascherano to FC Barcelona," said a Liverpool statement. "The Spanish club has now been given permission to speak to the Argentina midfielder."

This week Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola admitted he was in the market for a defensive midfielder having been thwarted in his attempts to sign primary transfer target Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.

Reports in the Spanish media earlier this week claimed Mascherano had already agreed a four-year, £85,000-a-week contract and, now Liverpool have accepted a fee, the Argentina captain will travel to Barcelona for a medical this weekend.

A statement from Barcelona appeared to confirm that, with the Catalans even suggesting Mascherano played a part in the final negotiations.

"FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Javier Mascherano to the club for the next four seasons," it said.

"The deal was closed after intensive efforts made by the club in the final hours and through the player himself in the negotiations.

"Barcelona will report the details of the operation once the player passes the medical and the transfer is concluded.

"It is hoped Javier Mascherano will arrive in Barcelona this weekend."

Liverpool To Sign £26m Trio Using Mascherano Cash

It seems, according to many journalists anyway, that if Javier Mascherano does move to Barcelona that Roy Hodgson will then be like a kid in a candy shop, spending the cash on a number of new Anfield arrivals, however the reality may be that the Merseyside club’s owners may take the lions share of the transfer to cover interest on debts the club has accrued since Tom Hicks and George Gillett arrived at the club.

Of the three players named perhaps Dickson Etuhu is the most likely to actually come to fruition as he would clearly be a like for like replacement for Mascherano, albeit the Fulham man is in an entirely different league to the Argentine captain.

Carlton Cole has continuously linked with a move away from Upton Park without any deal seeming to take form. West Ham are not going to sell the former Chelsea man on the cheap and the likes of Stoke City and Sunderland have distanced themselves from such a move due to the valuation placed on the England international forward.

Hatem Ben Arfa is a long shot but he is at least almost certain to leave Marseille who are unhappy with the manner in which the French international playmaker has conducted himself over a prospective move to Newcastle United that never took shape.

FC Twente Star Bryan Ruiz Waiting To Make Liverpool Move

FC Twente winger Bryan Ruiz is waiting to make the move to Liverpool.

Ruiz knows he is a target for Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson and hopes to see a switch to Anfield happen before the summer market closes.

Liverpool won't splash out until Javier Mascherano is sold, with Barcelona and Inter Milan both keen.

Ruiz has also been mooted as a potential replacement for Inter target Dirk Kuyt.

Racing Genk Want Liverpool Pair On-Loan As Part Of Partnership Deal

Racing Genk is in talks with Liverpool about a co-operation agreement.

Genk, which has had a previous partnership with Blackburn Rovers, are in contact with Liverpool about an alliance.

The Belgians hope to take Liverpool's best young players on-loan to accelerate their development and also lift their own league chances this season.

Genk aim to take Chris Mavinga and Daniel Ayala on-loan from Liverpool to kickoff the association.

FC Utrecht Expect Liverpool Offer For Ricky van Wolfswinkel

FC Utrecht attacker Ricky van Wolfswinkel is interesting Liverpool.

Liverpool had scouts in the stands to see Van Wolfswinkel in action on Saturday against Willem II.

Utrecht expects Liverpool to make an offer for their Holland international before the summer market shuts. They're ready to sell for around £8 million.

Van Wolfswinkel has struck six goals in his last seven games.

Dirk Kuyt Confirms He Wants To Stay & Win Trophies With Liverpool

Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt confirmed his future is with Liverpool following the Reds' 2-1 win over Turkish outfit Trabzonspor in the Europa League.

The World Cup finalist's future at Anfield had been the focus of speculation in recent times, with rumours of interest from Inter becoming a cause for concern for many Liverpool supporters.

But Kuyt, who grabbed a goal as the Reds progressed to the group stages of the Europa League in Turkey, confirmed his future is with Liverpool despite the reports linking him with a move away from Anfield.

"Everyone's said a lot about my future but as far as I know my future is at Liverpool," Kuyt told ESPN.

"I've had a great time so far and hopefully my future will be great here.

"All I want to do is win trophies with Liverpool."

Kuyt also stated it was important for everyone at the club to ensure the team stays in the Europa League.

"It's very important for all of us because we want to challenge for trophies and we definitely want to be in Europe," he added.

Stand-in captain Jamie Carragher also declared his pleasure at beating their tough Turkish opposition, especially without star players such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

"To beat them on their own patch especially with some of our top players not playing it was a great result," Carragher said.

Ryan Babel: I Want To Stay At Liverpool

Ryan Babel has revealed that he is feeling revitalised at Liverpool and there is no way he wants to leave Anfield now.

The Dutchman scored the goal which gave the Reds a 1-0 victory over Trabzonspor in the first leg of their Europa League tie last week. The forward had been linked with a move to German outfit VfL Wolfsburg, but insists he is enjoying a new lease of life since Roy Hodgson became manager at the club.

"I have been through a difficult time at Liverpool but I look upon this year as a new chapter," Babel told reporters.

"I am trying to be positive and look forward. I have two years left on my contract and I love Liverpool. I am settled here.

"If I had the feeling I had done everything I can here then, maybe, I would look at something else.

"But I don't have that feeling at all. I feel I can be important for Liverpool."

As for the potential deal taking him to Wolfsburg, Babel was as surprised as anyone when reports suggested that the deal was almost concluded.

"I Googled it and it said the deal was almost done!" he added.

Europa League Qualifier Preview: Trabzonspor vs Liverpool

Liverpool visit Trabzonspor looking to protect a slender 1-0 advantage in this Europa League play-off second leg but they will have to do so without influential duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

A draw or win will see the Reds qualify for the group stages of the competition although the job becomes decidedly more difficult with both Gerrard and Torres out of contention, as well as a number of other first team members including the likes of Javier Mascherano, Maxi Rodriguez, Milan Jovanovic and Daniel Agger.

It's been something of an uncomfortable start to life in the Anfield hotseat for new boss Roy Hodgson with Liverpool having failed to register a win in their opening two Premier League games that included a dismal 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

The Reds are undoubtedly still favourites to progress and avoid the humiliation of a pre-group stage exit after Ryan Babel's solitary strike in the first leg secured victory although, as Hodgson himself confessed, Liverpool still have it all to do having failed to kill off their Turkish opponents last week.

While the Merseyside outfit are stuck on one point in 17th place after two games in England's top flight, Trabzonspor have picked up maximum points in Turkey having won both their opening two league fixtures of the season, including an impressive 3-2 win over rivals Fenerbahce on Monday.

Defeat for Hodgson and his charges resulting in Europa League elimination would be a bitter pill to swallow after all the disappointment associated with Monday's visit to Eastlands although Trabzonspor will certainly fancy their chances of progression given the Reds' somewhat depleted squad.

TEAM NEWS

Trabzonspor

Having decided to switch things around for Monday's meeting with Fenerbahce, Trabzonspor coach Senol Gunes could be tempted to go with the same starting XI that only narrowly lost out at Anfield in the first leg.

After missing out on a starting spot against the Reds last week, Ibrahima Yattara will be desperate to get the nod having found the net against Fener.

Striker Umut Bulut will be hoping for a recall to the side while Burak Yilmaz will be another looking to be included having not featured on Monday night.

Possible Starting XI: Kivrak; Korkmaz, Glowacki, Gulselam, Cale; Yilmaz, Balci, Inan, Colman; Gutierrez, Bulut.

Liverpool

Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Liverpool will be without both captain Steven Gerarrd and Spanish striker Fernando Torres. England midfielder Gerrard is struggling with a back problem, while Hodgson is reluctant to field Torres for three consecutive games as he continues his recovery from last season's injury problems.

Wantaway Argentina international Javier Mascherano has again been left out of the Reds' squad heading for Turkey, while Daniel Agger (concussion) and Maxi Rodriguez (illness) are also absent.

Forward Milan Jovanovic has also been left out of the travelling party, seemingly being rested after the club's hectic start to the new season.

Possible Starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio; Lucas, Poulsen; Kuyt, Cole, Babel; Ngog.

Joe Cole Looking To Make Up For Penalty Miss In Europa League Return Leg Against Trabzonspor

Joe Cole is looking to make amends for his missed penalty when Liverpool travel to take on Trabzonspor in their Europa League second leg on Thursday.

The England international will make his return for the Reds as he is in the midst of a three-match suspension for the red card he received in his Premier League debut for Liverpool against Arsenal.

Cole is hoping to make up for the penalty he missed in the first leg against the Turkish club, a miss that means that Liverpool will go into the return fixture with just a 1-0 lead.

The former Chelsea star admitted fault for his missed spot-kick, but Cole intends to own up to his mistake and help the Reds advance on Thursday.

“I’m not a penalty-taker,” Cole told the Daily Star.

“I haven’t taken a penalty for about 15 years and I might wait another 15 years before I take another.

“I hold my hands up and admit that it wasn’t good enough. I set my standards high and I want to do better.

“I feel there is a lot more to come from this team, too. I am anxious that we get the job done so it won’t matter.”

The midfielder is disappointed that the Reds were not able to build a more comfortable lead for the tough return leg, but Cole insists that Liverpool have to get the job done.

“It would have been nice to take a two-goal lead there, but we have got a job to do and we have got to make sure we do it. We’ve got to be ready to fight.

“They were two weeks away from winning the league last year and we probably got the toughest draw possible out of the pot we were in.

“They are a good side and it is always difficult playing in hostile atmospheres, but we have got to have confidence we can see it through.

“European games are notoriously tough, but we got the job done in the end at Anfield. Hopefully we can do the same here.”

Roy Hodgson Hands Barcelona Ultimatum Over Javier Mascherano Transfer

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has given Barcelona until Sunday to sign midfielder Javier Mascherano.

With the Argentina international having already declared that he is keen to leave Anfield before the close of the summer transfer window, Hodgson left him out of the squad in the 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Monday, declaring that the player was not in the right frame of mind to feature for the Reds.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has expressed an inclination to sign Mascherano and now Hodgson has declared that he wants the player's future to be decided by Sunday.

"I wouldn't want to say he has played his last game for Liverpool," Hodgson said, according to Sky Sports. "The negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs and if he had played here it might have prejudiced the transfer and I didn't wish to do that to the player.

"I am seriously hoping that in the next couple of days it will be sorted out one way or another - although I have no idea which way that will be.

"Thursday night was out of the question but Sunday is very much a question because I think by then I should know one way or another whether he is going to play for Liverpool this season or Barcelona."

It is believed that Liverpool wants €30.5 million for the former River Plate midfielder.

Liverpool Open Real Madrid Talks For Diarra

The agent of Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra has hinted at talks with Liverpool.

The 29-year-old is thought to be on the periphery of the Spanish side's squad under Jose Mourinho, and new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has lined-up the Malian international as a replacement for Javier Mascherano should he leave Anfield.

"Mahmadou is still a top player and he can do a great job in the Premier League. There is a lot of interest," said Frederic Guerra.

AS says that the Reds have begun negotiations with an emissary on behalf of Real Madrid with a view to signing Diarra before the close of the transfer window.

Kuyt Talks 'Ongoing'

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt is still in negotiations over a move to Inter Milan, according to his agent Rob Jansen.

The Holland international has been linked with a move to the reigning European champions, who have reportedly made an offer for the 30-year-old.

Kuyt's agent claims the clubs are still in negotiations, but are yet to reach an agreement over a deal thought to be worth in excess of £15million.

"The two clubs continue to talk, but things are moving slowly," claimed Jansen.

"The difference between demand and offer is important. It is something between the clubs but Dirk told Liverpool he no longer wants to be involved as this is something that regards his career and life.

"It doesn't mean he wants to leave at all costs, but when a club like Inter comes along it's normal to look into the situation further."

The former Utrecht and Feyenoord frontman was omitted from Liverpool's Europa League win against Trabzonspor at Anfield last week but did play in the Premier League defeat at Manchester City on Monday night.

Kuyt looks likely to be heading for a reunion with former Reds manager Rafa Benitez who is a known admirer of the hard-working Dutchman.

The player's current contract sees him tied to Liverpool until the end of next season, although he has yet to publicly confirm his desire to stay at Anfield.

Inter Milan Bid £20m For Javier Mascherano

Inter Milan have tabled an official £20-million bid for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, the Treble winners have confirmed.

"I sent an offer to Liverpool by fax on Tuesday and am waiting for a reply from them," said Inter sporting director Marco Branca.

"We're not speaking to the player at the moment because we want to do this in the right way and make sure that Liverpool is happy.

"Everybody knows that Mascherano would like to change team and to change country. He also has a good relationship with our manager Rafa Benitez.

"We've made a very good offer, around the amount they are asking for. We have a strong team here, the best in Europe, but we would like to add one or two players to make us even stronger."

Liverpool has turned down an offer from Barcelona of €15 million (£12.3 million) plus former Arsenal man Aleksandr Hleb for the holding midfielder.

Michael Klein Re-Emerges As Key Figure Behind Scenes At Liverpool

Michael Klein seems to have re-emerged as a key figure behind the scenes at Liverpool. The former Citibank grandee was instrumental in BarCap's acquisition of Lehman Bros two years ago and was the man who recommended the appointment of Martin Broughton as the Anfield chairman in April.

Klein and Broughton were, until 2008, co-chairmen of the Transatlantic Business Dialogue lobby and it was Broughton who confirmed that Liverpool's co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, "knew [Klein] from old".

Now Digger can reveal that a certain Klein Group – whose backer is unknown, but is more likely to be Michael Klein than the WalMart builder or the Dallas kids' clothing retailer by the same name – will earn up to $400,000 (£260,000) in fees from the setting up of the Hicks Acquisition Co II this column exposed yesterday.

That was set up at the time when BarCap drew up a refinancing proposal for Hicks and Gillett, and fans are worried the proximity of Klein both to Hicks and to BarCap will lead to Barclays assisting the Americans in retaining control of the club beyond Royal Bank of Scotland's 6 October refinancing deadline. The Kop Faithful pressure group yesterday sent an open letter to 40 BarCap staff demanding that they do not proceed with the refinancing plans. But it may never get that far in any case.

Although Broughton knows Klein well, he did oppose the refinancing scheme when it was presented to the board. And RBS, which as primary lender stands to lose most if BarCap were to deliver Liverpool to Hicks with reduced debt, told Digger: "We have full confidence in Barclays and the chairman to complete a sale."

Michael Owen To Play For Liverpool In Jamie Carragher's Testimonial

Michael Owen is to pull on the colours of Liverpool for the first time since leaving the club six years ago after agreeing to brave a potential backlash from Manchester United's supporters by playing for his old team in Jamie Carragher's testimonial match. Owen, reviled by some Liverpool fans after crossing one of the game's oldest divides, is said to be uncertain of the reaction he will get from the Anfield crowd but does not have great expectations considering the abuse when he returned last season for the first time since joining their rivals at Old Trafford.

The former England striker has given his word to Carragher, however, that he will play in the match at Anfield on Saturday week, swapping the red of United for that of the team where he began his career. Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, has given him permission to play for 45 minutes and Owen will be in attack for a Liverpool XI taking on an Everton XI.

Carragher has also persuaded Jamie Redknapp, Danny Murphy, Jason McAteer and Emile Heskey to play, but he had told Owen he would understand if he thought it was too delicate for him politically bearing in mind the rivalry between Liverpool and United.

There is also the distinct possibility that United's fans will not be too impressed about one of their players being willing to wear a Liverpool shirt, especially with their first encounter of the season to follow only two weekends later.

Owen, though, regards Carragher as one of his closest friends in football and the organisers hope the goodwill felt towards the long-serving Liverpool defender will persuade the Anfield crowd to go easy on their former player and maybe even demonstrate some warmth and appreciation for a man who scored over 200 goals for the club in eight years and has been described by Steven Gerrard as "the best striker in the history of Liverpool Football Club." Nonetheless, it is understood Owen will be given his own security on his way to and from the stadium.

Keith harris Claims Mysterious £500M Buyer For Liverpool

Keith Harris the Premier League’s top deal-maker, claims a mystery buyer is close to making a bid of up to £500million for Liverpool.

Harris, who has assisted in the sales of West Ham, Aston Villa and Manchester City, says he is representing a potential overseas buyer for the club who has already cleared the first hurdle of completing due diligence.

Moreover, he said it was different to any of the names that have already been bandied around, with current co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett making no secret of their need for outside investment.

The move comes just a week after Hong Kong businessman Kenny Huang pulled out of a bidding war.

However, Harris, who fronted an approach from Kuwaiti Nasser Al Khorafi two years ago before his client pulled out at the last minute, warned that this latest venture is also in danger of collapsing.

“The overseas buyer we represent has completed due diligence. A huge amount of work has been done,” he said. It is none of the groups mentioned in the press. The ball is now in our client’s court to make an offer. If the name of the prospective buyer comes out before the deal is done then probably it is never going to be done.

“In any takeover situation, when people resort to announcing it to the media, you have to question the seriousness of the offer.” Harris was in meetings yesterday afternoon and unable to comment on why, given the publicity-sensitive nature of negotiations, he had brought the possibility of a fresh bid to the attention of the wider world in the first place.

One suggestion is that it suits Liverpool that an authority such as Harris is hinting at a figure waiting in the wings just as the list of possible suitors has dried up. Huang was denied the chance to speak to the board exclusively about a deal and is understood to be holding on to negotiate in the absence of competition. Yahya Kirdi’s high-profile interest has been treated with scepticism from the outset.

But Harris pointed out that time is running out for Liverpool’s American owners. “I don’t think the deal will be done before the transfer window closes this month but the next pressure point is October, when some of the Royal Bank of Scotland loan of £237m has to be repaid,” he said. “It may happen then. But in the present climate these things are impossible to predict.”

Liverpool FC Targeting Loan Swoop For Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez

Liverpool has approached Bayern Munich about a possible loan for striker Mario Gomez.

Despite featuring in the Germany squad that finished third in this summer's World Cup, the 25-year-old finds himself behind compatriots Thomas Muller and Miroslav Klose as well as Ivica Olic in the pecking order at the Allianz Arena.

After PSV Eindhoven ended his pursuit of Ola Toivonen, Roy Hodgson is planning a move for Gomez and is hopeful of a move despite the player publicly ruling out any move away from the Bundesliga champions as he bids to prove his worth to Louis van Gaal.

He said: "I have made my position clear - there will be no transfer.

"I want to convince the coach that he will soon field me in his starting XI.

"Hard work will be rewarded, I am sure about that."

Reds Move For Konchesky

Skysports.com understands Liverpool is closing in on the signing of Fulham defender Paul Konchesky.

Reds bos Roy Hodgson has openly admitted bringing a new left-back is one of his top priorities this summer and it is believed he wants Konchesky to solve the problematic position.

Hodgson is a big admirer of Konchesy having worked with the 29-year-old for two-and-a-half-years prior to his switch to Anfield.

Liverpool is keen to bring in a new left-back before the close of the transfer window and had been linked with a move for PSV Eindhoven's Carlos Salicido.

However, it appears Liverpool have opted to go for Konchesky with the player having just a year to run on his contract at Fulham.

Konchesky's future at Fulham has been the subject of speculation all summer with Birmingham having seen one bid turned down eartlier this summer.

New Fulham boss Mark Hughes was keen to keep hold of the former Charlton man, but Konchesky is thought to have informed the Cottagers chief of his desire to be reunited with Hodgson at Anfield.

Liverpool are believed to be prepared to pay up to £3.5million to land Konchesky as Hodgson looks to finalise his rebuilding plans at the club.