Liverpool Name Just 21 Players In 25-Man Premier League Squad

Liverpool have named just 21 senior players in their 25-man Premier League matchday squad.

The new regulations state that for the 2010-11 season, teams must register a maximum of 17 'non homegrown' and minimum of eight 'homegrown players'. The homegrown players - such as Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole and Jay Spearing - are those trained for three years by any English or Welsh club before the age of 21.

Once the list is named, no changes can be made until the close of the transfer window. Anyone outside the 25 over the age of 21 cannot be selected and would be forced to stay on the sidelines unless they repeat Craig Bellamy's loan to a Football League side.

Clubs can, however, use an unlimited number of players under the age of 21 regardless of nationality. This law allows manager Roy Hodgson to call on un-named youth products Peter Gulacsi, Martin Kelly, Daniel Wilson, Jonjo Shelvey, Daniel Pacheco, Nathan Eccleston and David Ngog.

Home grown players:

Jamie Carragher

Joe Cole

Stephen Darby

Steven Gerrard

Glen Johnson

Brad Jones

Paul Konchesky

Jay Spearing

Non home grown players:

Daniel Agger

Fabio Aurelio

Ryan Babel

Milan Jovanovic

Dirk Kuyt

Sotirios Kyrgiakos

Lucas Leiva

Raul Meireles

Christian Poulsen

Pepe Reina

Maxi Rodriguez

Martin Skrtel

Fernando Torres

Christian Poulsen Says Tough Schedule Will Help Liverpool FC

Christian Poulsen today claimed a hectic September schedule is exactly what the new-look Liverpool need to show their best form.

The Reds midfielder is currently with compatriot Daniel Agger in Copenhagen preparing for next Tuesday European Championship qualifier against Iceland.

However, he already has one eye on what lies in store for Liverpool during the course of the next four weeks and cannot wait to get started.

Aside from Premier League games against Birmingham, Manchester United and Sunderland, Liverpool has a Carling Cup tie against Northampton and two Europa League dates with Steaua Bucharest and FC Utrecht.

It means everyone in the 21-man squad Roy Hodgson submitted to the Premier League will get a chance to shine and Poulsen feels the more they play, the better they will become.

“We have a lot of games so with (Javier) Mascherano and (Alberto) Aquilani leaving we need quality players for the team because for the next six months we will have a game every four days,” said Poulsen.

“It is important for a club who wants to play at the top of the Premier League and fighting for the Europa League to have strong players. I hope after the international break we can come strong again and pick up a lot of points up in the coming months.

“When I came here I had not played since the World Cup so I feel I need some time to get into the rhythm but last Thursday (in the second leg against Trabzonspor) I did better than in the first game.

“I feel comfortable here. The match against West Brom was the first game with Fernando (Torres) and the captain (Steven Gerrard) so you have to learn how they want the ball.

“Fernando is a strong player and can do things at speed and can do things one against one. You also feel Steven and Fernando have a good eye for each other and you saw that against West Brom – I hope it will get even better.”

Though it might seem Liverpool will be light in terms of numbers they can call upon, the 21 names confirmed are also beefed up by the fact clubs can call on unlimited numbers of players under 21.

That means Peter Gulacsi, Martin Kelly, Daniel Wilson, Jonjo Shelvey, Daniel Pacheco, Nathan Eccleston and David Ngog are all eligible.

Liverpool Plan £12m Playmaker Bid

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is rumoured to be preparing a January bid for CSKA Moscow playmaker Keisuke Honda and has been promised funds to make such a move due to the sales of Javier Mascherano, Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun during the recent transfer window.

Hodgson had hoped to secure a striker signing before the transfer deadline but failed in his attempts to sign Carlton Cole and Roman Pavlyuchenko but apparently the Anfield manager is also looking to add more creativity to his midfield and is hoping to bring in a player who can supply the ammunition for his threadbare front line.

Keisuke Honda had a successful World Cup and has promising start to his CSKA career but is reportedly considering his options and has expressed his interest in a move to the Premier League. The Russian League ends in the last week of November so the 24 year old playmaker will then be considering his options and whether he wishes to stay in Moscow.

Valued at around £12m Honda was a Liverpool target under Rafa Benitez whilst he the Japanese international was still in the Dutch Eredivisie with VVV Venlo. He has been a target for many of Europe’s elite and is admired for his good close control his range of passing and his set piece taking abilities.

Paul Konchesky Looking To Achieve Big Things With Roy Hodgson At Liverpool

Liverpool new boy Paul Konchesky has revealed that he felt that the chance to move to Anfield from Fulham was too good to turn down.

The left-back signed a four-year deal for the Reds on transfer deadline day, moving for a reported £4 million from Craven Cottage.

Now he is targeting trophies as he looks forward to linking up with his former gaffer once again.

"I'm very excited to be here. I can't wait to get started and I'm really looking forward to the challenge," the 29-year-old told his new club's official website.

"I know what the manager is about and he knows what I am about. I had a great time with him at Fulham for two-and-a-half years. He did really well for Fulham and hopefully we can have great success at Liverpool and we can achieve bigger and better things.

"I want to win silverware. I believe this club is capable of doing that and hopefully we can start this year."

Konchesky also revealed that once the Reds had come calling it was not a difficult decision to make to join them.

"No, not when a club like Liverpool comes in for you," he said.

"You look at the background and history they have got and they are one of the most famous names in football.

"It also helped me with the manager being here who I know well. When Liverpool came in for me it was an easy choice."

The former England international knows all about Liverpool's history and tradition and is looking forward to following in the footsteps of some of the club's true greats.

"Yes of course and I know they have had some fantastic players over the years like Kenny Dalglish and John Barnes," he added.

"I played with John at Charlton when I was a kid so I know a lot about the club from him. He used to talk about Liverpool and he spoke to the young players at Charlton about the history and background of the club. He has a lot of respect for this club and he was a big player here.

"I have played against Liverpool at Anfield and the crowd are always fantastic towards their team and give them great support. I am looking forward to playing in front of them for Liverpool."

Meanwhile, Konchesky also revealed that he could make his debut in a red shirt as early as this weekend, when a Liverpool XI take on an Everton XI in Jamie Carragher's testimonial.

"I am looking forward to playing in Jamie's testimonial and it will be a great day for him," he stated.

"It will be nice to play in front of the Kop as a Liverpool player for the first time and it will help me get used to it and I can just go out and enjoy it.

"I've got a lot of respect for Jamie and what he's achieved at this club.

"He has been at Liverpool for a long while. For someone to do that, especially at this great club, you've got to have something about you.

"He's a great character and he is also someone you can look up to.

"If ever you need someone to look to and get advice then you should look up to Jamie. He's a great professional and he does everything how it should be done."

Asamoah Gyan: I Was Right To Reject Liverpool For Sunderland

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has said he is "pleased" to be at Sunderland after making a transfer deadline day move, despite rumours Liverpool attempted to scupper the bid at the last minute.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson is known to have asked around about several strikers on deadline day - including West Ham's Carlton Cole and Fulham's Bobby Zamora.

And sources close to the Gyan deal suggest the former Cottagers boss even looked into the possibility of gazumping the Black Cats during the slow-moving talks with Rennes on Tuesday afternoon.

However, speaking after confirming his move to Sunderland for a reported club-record fee of £13million, Gyan said Steve Bruce's persistence had persuaded him to pick Sunderland.

"The Sunderland coach has faith in me because he has been following me for two years now," he said.

"My family is in England already and I am happy this is the right place for me.

"I am pleased I have the opportunity to come to the Premier League."

Hodgson's search for a second striker to play alongside Fernando Torres proved fruitless, meaning the Reds will need to rely on Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel, and David Ngog to provide support to the injury-prone Spaniard.

Javier Mascherano Promises To Reveal Truth Behind Liverpool Departure

Javier Mascherano has warned Roy Hodgson that he will reveal the truth behind the "lies" that surrounded his departure from Anfield – and admitted his £17m move to Barcelona was a year overdue. He also insisted there was never an offer on the table for him to join Rafa Benítez at Internazionale.

Mascherano was reported to have refused to play against Manchester City as he sought to force through a move to Spain, with Hodgson accusing him of being "selfish". But at his Barça unveiling, he said: "Roy Hodgson knows the truth. This is a happy moment for me so now is not the time to say it, but a lot of lies has been told about me and I will respond to them.

"Last year Liverpool would not let me leave. There was no way they would sell me. They had Xabi Alonso and me, and they would only let Xabi leave," said the 26‑year‑old.

"I was disappointed not to be able to sign last season. When the best club in the world calls you, then it is something that you want to happen. I have signed for the only club who really wanted me. In no moment did I ever think that Inter was a possibility. Rafa valued me and perhaps that is why people started saying that I could go there but this is the only club that pushed to sign me."

But Mascherano was keen too to rebuild bridges with fans at Liverpool, with whom he spent three seasons. "I hope they get back into the Champions League as soon as possible. I still have a lot of affection for the fans of the club and I always will."

Boss Looks For Improvement

John McMahon reflected on his reserve team’s opening goalless draw with Wigan Athletic and admitted it was a frustrating performance in many ways.

With chances at a premium in the first Barclays Premier Reserve League North game of the season, the likes of Daniel Pacheco, Jay Spearing, David Amoo and Nathan Eccleston all featured, but on a hot day at the Kirkby Academy they just couldn't make the breakthrough.

"It was a tough game for us and we just didn't have enough quality on the day in the final third," McMahon told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Every time we play Wigan it is always a tough game. They had a lot of Scousers in their team with some ex-Liverpool and Everton players so they feel as though they have something to prove.

"We had some decent spells of possession and were comfortable on the ball but we didn't have enough threat going forward so we are disappointed in that respect.

"We had some players in the side who haven't played a full game for a while and I think it showed. They need match practice.

"You can do all the work you want on the training field but the only way the players will be at their best is when they are match fit."

Liverpool suffered an injury scare when Danish youth international Nikola Saric was stretchered off after a late challenge.

"The initial assessment is it's not as bad as we thought but we'll have to wait and see what the medical team say," he added.

"We are just keeping our fingers crossed for Saric."

The reserves are back in action next Tuesday when they make the trip to the North-East to take on Newcastle United and McMahon is hoping his side will put in an improved performance.

"It's an exciting league for us this season and we will have some good games," he added.

"Newcastle will be a tough game and they might have some experienced players in their side so we will go up there and try to give a good account of ourselves."

Reserves Held In Season Opener

Liverpool Reserves were held to a goalless draw by Wigan in their first Barclays Premier Reserve League North outing of 2010-11 on Wednesday afternoon.

The game - which was switched from an evening kick-off at Prenton Park to an afternoon clash at the Academy - turned out to be a low-key affair.

McMahon had to start the season without the likes of Andre Wisdom, Jonjo Shelvey and Michael Ngoo, who are all away with various England youth teams.

The injured Tom Ince and Daniel Ayala were also absent, as well as the talented young Spaniard Suso, who hasn't yet got international clearance to play in the league.

The team that did take to the perfect Academy pitch included Jay Spearing and Dani Pacheco as part of a new policy intended to give fringe first-team players more minutes for the second string.

The early exchanges saw Spearing and skipper Steven Irwin spraying balls forward to Nathan Eccleston without too much success.

Instead it was from a corner that Liverpool created their first serious opportunity, European U19 Championship winner Chris Mavinga heading wide from Pacheco's corner.

Another Pacheco delivery caused havoc on 14 minutes as three Reds players attacked the ball. It was David Amoo who ultimately connected but his header floated harmlessly over.

The home side was dominating possession without really threatening the experienced Mike Pollitt in goal, though Pacheco did have a curling free-kick saved.

The first scare at the other end came midway through the half when Callum McManaman shot after finding a yard in the box. Goalkeeper Martin Hansen spilled, allowing a follow up effort which Irwin did brilliantly to clear off the line.

McMahon's hopes of starting 2010-11 with a win were dented on 43 minutes when Nikola Saric left the field on a stretcher after a strong but not malicious tackle from former Liverpool youngster Jordan Mustoe.

And things almost went from bad to worse on the brink of half-time when Wigan full-back Adam Buxton rattled the crossbar with a neatly taken free-kick from the 18-yard line.

It was Wigan who attacked first in the second period when Scouser Jordan Rugg nodded an inviting delivery wide on 51 minutes.

Liverpool countered with a superb dribble from Pacheco, whose cross was diverted behind for a corner just before Amoo could pounce.

Substitute Alex Cooper lashed well over the bar on 66 minutes after good work from Jack Robinson, as once again Liverpool failed to convert possession into goals.

The final chance fell to Emmanuel Mendy but his injury-time blast never bothered Pollitt.

Torres Demands New Owners

Fernando Torres is desperate for Liverpool to find new owners in order to bring the glory days back to Anfield.

Reds co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks put the club up for sale in April and Barclays Capital was appointed to oversee the process.

But a buyer has yet to be found, with Hong Kong businessman Kenny Huang abandoning his interest and uncertainty surrounding a consortium fronted by Yahya Kirdi.

Star striker Torres, who ignored interest from Chelsea and Manchester City in the summer to voice his commitment to Roy Hodgson's new-look Liverpool, hopes a solution can be found quickly.

"It is fundamental new owners arrive that can make us a competitive side," he told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.

"We're not that far behind. We had an appalling season last time around, but the year before we were just four points from Manchester United.

"Hopefully we can find a consortium that buys the club and can make Liverpool able to fight financially with Chelsea and United.

"Then let's see what we're capable of doing this season. Liverpool kept Steven Gerrard which is fundamental. It's still a great team.

"It's a delicate situation because we are not in the Champions League, but it is still the biggest club in England and to play at Anfield every week is a privilege.

"That's how I see it. I like to have targets, and to be able to help bring Liverpool back where they deserve is a beautiful target.

"It is always complicated when you start with a new manager and new players, but we'll see what we are capable of."

Torres has also revealed that Liverpool rejected bids for his services in the summer transfer market.

"The club received offers and decided to reject them," he said. "That's where it ends. Everyone thought I was leaving for Spain during the World Cup when there was nothing in it.

"I said the day I returned to train that my future was at Liverpool. I have a contract until 2013.

"This year our target has to be the top four. Like every team-mate, we all want to improve and win titles and for that it is fundamental we get new owners."

Babel - I'm Going Nowhere

Liverpool attacker Ryan Babel has dismissed rumours of a move to Tottenham or West Ham, saying he is 'going nowhere'.

The 23-year-old has been the subject of intense speculation on the final day of the transfer window, but insists he will be staying at Anfield for the foreseeable future.

Babel was reported to be flying south in a helicopter on Tuesday, headed for the capital with both Spurs and the Hammers possible destinations.

The speculation was fuelled further by the fact that Liverpool made an offer for West Ham striker Carlton Cole, with Babel mooted to be part of any potential deal.

However, the Dutchman has committed himself to the cause under new boss Roy Hodgdson.

He wrote on his Twitter account: "I'm going nowhere. LFC all the way. YNWA!!! (You'll Never Walk Alone)."

Babel moved to Liverpool back in 2007 from Ajax in a deal thought to be worth £14million, but has failed to make a real impact since his arrival.

Liverpool Midfielder Lucas To Reject Stoke City Loan Move

Lucas is set to stay at Liverpool and fight for his first team place rather than move to Stoke City on loan, according to the Daily Mail.

The 23-year-old has been pushed down the Anfield pecking order by the arrivals of central midfielders Christian Poulsen and Raul Meireles.

After making 41 appearances and winning the club's Young Player of the Year award last season, the Brazilian was believed to be considering a move away.

Stoke made contact about a temporary switch to the Britannia Stadium, but Lucas has desired to stay and impress new manager Roy Hodgson.

West Ham United were also understood to have made an approach during negotiations to bring Carlton Cole to Liverpool.

Liverpool’s Nabil El Zhar Makes Loan Move To PAOK

Liverpool has confirmed that winger Nabil El Zhar has made a season-long loan move to Greek club PAOK.

The Morocco international had previously maintained that he wanted to leave the club owing to a lack of first-team football.

He was signed by former Reds boss Rafael Benitez in 2006, but has since struggled to make it into the first-team.

The 24-year-old midfielder has also been out-of-favour under current boss Roy Hodgson, as he has not featured for the Merseyside club since the former Fulham boss took charge at Anfield.

PAOK claim that they also have the option to make the temporary move permanent, if the player is found to be worthy.

A statement on the Greek club's website reads: "FC PAOK announced the acquisition of Nabil El Zhar. The Moroccan international footballer was given on loan for one year from Liverpool, with PAOK FC reserving the right to extend its cooperation with the footballer in the summer of 2011 and for the next three years."

Liverpool Lose Out In Bid To Sign West Ham Striker Carlton Cole

For the second successive season Liverpool have been left over-reliant on the form and fitness of Fernando Torres having failed to improve cover for a striker who has suffered two injury-plagued campaigns and, as Roy Hodgson conceded on Sunday, is not fully recovered from the knee problem that impacted on his World Cup. The Anfield club made a belated attempt to wrest Carlton Cole from West Ham United yesterday, having considered previous options over recent days, but several offers were unable to convince the Hammers to sell the England international.

Liverpool are believed to have offered Lucas Leiva, the Brazilian midfielder, and Ryan Babel, their Dutch international forward, in exchange for Cole but neither player wanted to leave Anfield for Upton Park. Babel reportedly travelled to London via helicopter in anticipation of a deal only to eventually Tweet that; "I'm going no where. LFC all the way. YNWA!!" as the clubs failed to agree on a valuation for Cole. With PSV Eindhoven's Ola Toivonen priced out of Liverpool's reach, and Bayern Munich refusing to release Mario Gómez even on loan, Hodgson will have to make do with Babel, David Ngog and Dirk Kuyt as cover for Torres until January.

The failure to sign a much-needed striker means Liverpool recouped more than they spent in this transfer window, another indication of the financial restrictions under the co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, and this after convincing Torres and Steven Gerrard to resist any overtures for their signatures in the summer.

Hodgson did at least resolve Liverpool's deficiency at left-back with the signing of Paul Konchesky from Fulham, the manager's former club, in a £3.5m deal that also sent promising youngsters Lauri Dalla Valle and Alex Kacaniklic in the opposite direction. The Liverpool left-back Emiliano Insua, who rejected a move to Fiorentina in the summer after a £5m deal had been agreed between the clubs, joined Galatasaray on a season's loan with a view to a permanent deal. The French midfielder Damien Plessis signed for Panathinaikos while Liverpool are still hopeful of releasing Nabil El Zhar and Charles Itandje on loan after the deadline.

Liverpool Fail In Last-Ditch Bid For Tottenham Striker

Liverpool has failed in an attempt to sign Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson is desperate to sign another striker before the transfer window closes and was hoping to finalize a deal for Pavlyuchenko, who has failed to settle at White Hart Lane.

The Russian international has a proven track record and Hodgson was hoping he could forge a lethal partnership with Fernando Torres in the Liverpool attack.

But Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp was not prepared to let Pavlyuchenko leave the club and leave him short of strikers as they prepare to play in the Champions League group stages for the first time in the club's history.

Emiliano Insua Ends Liverpool Nightmare With Move To Galatasaray

Emiliano Insua has left Liverpool for Turkish giants Galatasaray on a season-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent.

The 21-year-old full-back has been at Liverpool for the past four years, having joined as a youngster from Boca Juniors.

However, he struggled to break into the side and recent signing of Paul Konchesky by the Anfield club put another hurdle in his path.

"Galatasary announce that Argentinian Emiliano Insua has joined from Premier League club Liverpool on a one-year loan with a purchase option agreement," Galatasaray said on their website.

Insua made 44 appearances for Liverpool in total, the bulk of them coming last season. He scored his only goal for Liverpool in the League Cup against Arsenal last year.

Having been a regular at youth levels, Insua has two senior Argentina caps, both coming in World Cup qualifiers last summer.

He was strongly linked with Fiorentina earlier this summer.

Alexander Hleb: I Rejected Liverpool & Tottenham To Join Birmingham City

New Birmingham City signing Alexander Hleb has sensationally revealed he turned down Premier League rivals Liverpool and Tottenham to sign for the Blues.

The 29-year-old playmaker has joined the Premier League club from Barcelona on a season-long loan deal having spent last season with Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart.

Hleb – formerly of Arsenal, where he made 130 appearances in all competitions – has spoken for the first time since joining Birmingham and said he had rejected the sides of Roy Hodgson and Harry Redknapp this summer.

The Belarus international felt the Blues wanted to sign him more than anyone else and that made up his mind despite the lack of European football on offer with Alex McLeish’s side.

The player says Portuguese champions Benfica had also been chasing him.

"I had a few options - Liverpool, Tottenham and Benfica," Hleb revealed to ITV Sport. "It was necessary to explore each one.

"I wasn't able to come to an agreement with one of them.

"But Birmingham clearly wanted to do the deal more than the others, which is why I made my choice."

McLeish has said the signing of Hleb is like a ‘dream’ for his side, who has also signed defender Martin Jiranek on deadline day.

Lucas Vows To Stay And Fight

Lucas Leiva is determined to fight for his place at Liverpool following the signing of fellow midfielders Christian Poulsen and Raul Meireles.

The Brazil international, who featured regularly under former manager Rafa Benitez, has seen a rise in competition at Anfield since the arrival of new boss Roy Hodgson.

Despite impressing former Fulham manager Hodgson in pre-season, it appears Lucas, the club's young player of the season last year, will be third choice for his preferred central spot this campaign.

Speaking after Sunday's win over West Brom, Hodgson admitted selling the 23-year-old was a possibility if a significant bid was received, but added he was disinclined to lose a player so late in the transfer window.

And, despite being linked with a move to Premier League rivals Stoke, Lucas is prepared to stay on Merseyside and battle for a first-team spot this term.

"What is the situation? I don't know. I'm still playing," said Lucas.

"At the moment, I haven't had any offers. I don't know if the club wants to sell me. I just have to wait.

"I'm going away with the national team (on Thursday) and I can't say any more than that.

"We don't have any games so we will be training for a week in Barcelona.

"If the club wants to sell me, what can I do? I just have to wait and see what will happen.

"I need to be playing and I want to be playing but I believe that I am doing well.

"The manager will choose who plays. I have a contract here and if I don't get anything good for me or for the club, then I will stay."

Tottenham Swoop For Liverpool's Ryan Babel

Tottenham have made a swoop for Ryan Babel after moves for four big-name strikers have fallen through over the last 48 hours, Goal.com UK have revealed.

Spurs have turned to the Liverpool forward after their attempts to capture Luis Fabiano, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Emmanuel Adebayor and Guiseppe Rossi all hit dead ends.

The north London club has made an initial enquiry about taking Babel on a season-long loan, but it is understood that Liverpool would only consider letting the Dutch forward go on a permanent transfer.

The Merseysiders are keen to recoup the £11.5 million fee they paid for Babel, 23, when he moved from Ajax three years ago.

White Hart Lane manager Harry Redknapp has become increasingly frustrated in his attempts to capture the big-name striker that he believes is essential to make Tottenham an established Champions League club.

Chairman Daniel Levy has money to spend after Spurs qualified for the Champions League group stages, but Fabiano signed a new two-year Sevilla deal yesterday and Huntelaar is close to clinching a £10.5m move from AC Milan to Schalke.

Levy could not agree a fee with Villarreal for £8m-rated Rossi and enquired about taking Adebayor on a season-long loan yesterday but Manchester City do not want to offload players to rivals.

City confirmed this morning that Adebayor will not be leaving Eastlands during the current transfer window.

Babel has emerged as Spurs’ latest target because they feel he has more to offer than Robbie Keane, who the Londoners want to offload in the final hours of the window when a deal is done.

West Ham, Aston Villa and Sunderland are all potential suitors for the Irishman but the Hammers are viewed as the favourites to land his signature.

Hammers Consider Cole Offer

Sky Sports News understands that West Ham are considering an official offer from Liverpool for striker Carlton Cole.

It was revealed on Monday that the Anfield club had made an enquiry regarding the £10million-rated frontman, with manager Roy Hodgson repeatedly admitting that he wants to sign a forward.

Liverpool are now reported to have progressed in their attempts to capture former Chelsea player Cole and West Ham are giving thought to a fee tabled by their Premier League rivals.

Cole has been linked with the Reds since before Hodgson replaced Rafa Benitez earlier in the summer and the 26-year-old is said to be interested in a move to Merseyside.

Reports also suggest that Liverpool are prepared to offer Ryan Babel, who has been linked with Tottenham, in a part-exchange deal and they will now hope to push through an agreement before Tuesday's transfer deadline at 6pm.

Hodgson has renewed his attempts to sign Cole after he decided to end interest in PSV's Ola Toivonen prior to reaching a dead-end in a pursuit of Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez.

The shortcomings of Liverpool's squad were exposed in an extremely disappointing 2009/10 campaign when injuries to Fernando Torres left the club with only youngster David Ngog as a recognized striker.

Liverpool Complete Signing Of Fulham Left-Back Paul Konchesky

Fulham defender Paul Konchesky has completed his switch to Liverpool for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract.

Konchesky, 29, has been reunited with manager Roy Hodgson in a deal which sees youngsters Lauri Dalla Valle and Alex Kacaniklic head to Craven Cottage.

The club had been in the market for a new left-back all summer after they attempted to sell Emiliano Insua.

With the Argentine now on his way to Galatasaray, Konchesky will compete with Fabio Aurelio and Daniel Agger for the position.

The Charlton Athletic youth product has racked up 317 Premier League appearances and won two England caps.