Liverpool Forward Ryan Babel Agrees To Join Hoffenheim

Liverpool forward Ryan Babel is set to complete a dramatic u-turn and leave Anfield for German club Hoffenheim, the Merseyside club has confirmed.

Earlier on Monday it appeared that the Dutchman’s move to the Bundesliga had collapsed after he was unable to agree personal terms, and even manager Kenny Dalglish confirmed the winger would remain at Anfield in a press conference.

But now, six days after the two clubs agreed a fee for the player, believed to be around €8.2 (£7) million, the club have confirmed via their official website that the Dutch international will fly to Germany tomorrow to finalize the deal.

Wolfsburg Make £6million Move For Liverpool Flop

Wolfsburg manager Steve McClaren has offered £6m for Liverpool flop Milan Jovanovic.

The former England manager is desperately trying to fill the void left by star striker Edin Dzeko who joined Manchester City for £27m last week.

And McClaren has targeted Jovanovic, who has failed to make an impression at Liverpool since joining on a free transfer in the summer.

The 29-year-old has started just two Premier League games since August and could be allowed to leave by new manager Kenny Dalglish.

Serie A sides Fiorentina and Genoa have also been keen on Jovanovic, but reports in Germany have revealed that Wolfsburg are the first team to make a formal offer.

Liverpool Target Poised For Dream Summer Switch

Liverpool playmaker target Keisuke Honda is reportedly heading for a CSKA Moscow exit.

The Japanese international is currently representing his country in the Asia Cup, but that hasn't stopped agent Kees Pleogsma playing up the chance of a move away from the Russian Premier League outfit.

Former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson was heavily linked with a move for the player before he got the axe at Anfield, although new manager Kenny Dalglish is also thought to be keen on the player.

"A number of clubs have expressed their interest," Pleogsma told the Qatari media.

"At this stage, we are waiting for a serious offer. I'm really hoping that something can happen, but we'll have to wait and see."

Liverpool are thought to be one of the clubs who have shown interest, as have Aston Villa and Arsenal, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger describing the player as a 'genius' during the World Cup.

Spanish side Atletico Madrid are thought to be the current favourites in the race to sign the player, meaning Liverpool may have to move fast if they wish to secure his services before the chasing pack.

New owners NESV have pledged a transfer war chest in the region of £35 million, and Dalglish is thought to have presented a shortlist of player targets to the Liverpool board as recently as last week.

It's unknown if Honda was on the Anfield list, but Liverpool would have to pay in the region of £9 million to secure the player's services on Merseyside.

Liverpool Plan £8.9m Summer Move To Sign The ‘Next Paolo Maldini’

20 year old Italian international Davide Santon is considered by many to be one of the hottest prospects in Italian football but his chances of getting first team football at the San Siro are severely hampered by the fact that veterans Christian Chivu and Maicon have something of a monopoly over their respective sides of the back four which has left much speculation that the talented youngster will be on his way and the player’s agent has stated in the past that a move to the Premier League would interest his client.

The fact that Santon can play down either wing is a very useful asset and the fact that he is a little more effective on the left could well suit Liverpool a great deal. Young right back Martin Kelly has been so successful when called upon in recent weeks that it seems unlikely he will be ousted any time soon but the left side of the Anfield defence is very much a problem area.

Paul Konchesky was the first choice for that position but he looks likely to have played his last game for the club due to poor form and comments made by his mother. Glen Johnson has done okay in an unaccustomed position and Fabio Aurelio appears to be feeling his way back into the first team after some Achilles issues.

Damien Comolli has been scouting Santon and the Liverpool Director of Football clearly feels a move to sign the youngster would be a wise one.

Liverpool Told By Ajax To Make 'Respectful' Offer For Luis Suarez

Liverpool have been told by Ajax to increase their offer for Luis Suarez to a “respectful” level if they want to prise the Uruguayan away from the Amsterdam Arena.

The Reds are believed to have made a £12.7 million offer for the striker as director of football Damien Comolli flew to Amsterdam on Monday hoping to meet with the player.

But the Dutch club have rejected the offer and advised they do not want to sell the 23-year-old at that low a price.

"We'll have to wait for them to come back with something more respectful," an Ajax spokesman told BBC Sport.

"We want to keep him - at least until the end of the season and preferably for the rest of his contract."

Ajax have recommended Liverpool’s next offer be much higher for the striker who has scored 81 goals in 108 appearances for the club and 16 goals in 38 games for his country.

The club spokesman added: "If you compare the €15m [£12.7m] Liverpool want to pay for Suarez with other transfers you can imagine that it's far too low for us.

"Luis is our top goalscorer for the last three years and also the man with by far the most assists as well.

"He was one of the big guys for Uruguay in helping them come third in the World Cup in the summer and he still has a contract with us for two-and-a-half years."

Liverpool Have Not Made A Bid For Charles N'Zogbia

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has dismissed speculation linking Charles N'Zogbia with a move to Liverpool and insists the club is not in a position where they need to sell.

N'Zogbia had reportedly been subject of interest from the Anfield club, but Martinez claimed rumours of a £15 million deal were "a lie".

Maynor Figueroa has also been linked with a switch to Sunderland and Aston Villa, who visit the DW Stadium in a rearranged league fixture tomorrow evening.

Martinez told reporters: "We're not here to try to find business, we don't need to sell players to balance our books, and that's always our position.

"It's a compliment when you've a team chasing you that would love to have you in their squad. It's speculation, but it's positive.

Dalglish: Glen's Been Fantastic

Kenny Dalglish today paid tribute to the attitude of Glen Johnson following the England defender's impressive displays at left-back.

The Reds boss has been delighted by the No.2's commitment since taking charge and feels he has adapted well to the challenge of playing in an unfamiliar position in the back four.

Dalglish told his pre-match press conference: "Glen Johnson has been fantastic in the left-back position in the past three games. I don't recall anyone going past him.

"He was also involved in the first goal against Everton and was involved more defensively on Saturday. He did really well.

"For me, playing at left-back, he's doing us a favour. It's not really his chosen position. But he hasn't said a word against it, it's been no problem and he's just gone out and played.

"That's great and I think it just reflects his commitment and his attitude. The fact he is playing there and doing so well is a great credit to him. Also, he'll be thinking that Martin has done well and it would be unfair on him to leave him out."

Johnson's switch to left-back has come as a result of Martin Kelly's imperious form on the opposite flank.

Dalglish admits he has been more than satisfied with the youngster's displays of late and has likened his impact to making a new addition to the squad.

"Martin's done very well for the club," he said. "He's like a new signing for the club because that's four on the spin he's played now. In every game he's adapted well so he's done enough to have played the four games. He's earned it and it doesn't matter what age you are, if you are performing you'll have a chance of playing. He's certainly deserved his opportunities.

"He's been there or thereabouts before. He's been out on loan and had a couple of opportunities. He is getting a good bit of help from people around and about him. But it is impressive when you come into a team that isn't playing as well as it can and you play as well as he has done."

Liverpool will head into Wednesday's clash with Fulham on the back of an impressive 3-0 victory over Wolves.

West Ham Plan Last Ditch Attempt To Sign Joe Cole On Loan Deal

West Ham boss Avram Grant will this week attempt to secure the services of Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole on a loan deal to aid the club’s fight against relegation. The former Hammer is barely part of the Anfield side’s first team plans and may well be interested in a return to his former stamping ground not least as it would help give him the chance of regular first team football.

Cole arrived in the summer and has failed to make an impact on Merseyside and has made just eight Premier League starts, the last of which was in October and Kenny Dalglish seems as averse to using the England international as a first team starter as former boss Roy Hodgson was.

A move to Upton Park may well suit all parties. It would give Joe Cole the chance to prove himself, which would in turn help add creativity to the East London side’s attack, something that Grant clearly is interested in pursuing, and Liverpool get to give a back up player some much needed game time.

If Cole proves a success in any potential loan move then in the long term a permanent deal may be on the table although for now any move from West Ham would strictly be on a loan deal basis.

29 year old Joe Cole made 150 appearances and scored 13 goals before he was sold to Chelsea in the summer of 2003.

Derby Seek Loan Deal Liverpool Defender Daniel Ayala

Derby County is hoping to wrap up a loan deal for Liverpool centre-half Daniel Ayala.

Ayala, 20, was on loan with Hull City earlier this season and the Tigers are eager to see him return to the club.

But Rams manager Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Derby: "We are trying for Daniel. He has had a hamstring injury so he is getting fit.

"We are just about agreed with the club, it's just convincing the player and trying to do the deal."

Clough hopes to land the Spaniard in time for the home fixture against Ipswich Town on Tuesday, 1 February.

"Dean Leacock (suspended) is out for two games so we certainly need a left-sided centre-half in before we play Ipswich," Clough added.

Liverpool’s Owners Invite Fans To Help ‘Shape The Club’s Future’

Liverpool Football Club (LFC) has announced the introduction of a new 'supporter consultation group.'

According to a statement on Liverpool's official website, the club hopes the new initiative 'will allow fans to help shape the club's future through regular and constructive dialogue with senior LFC officials.'

The move by club owners New England Sports Ventures (NESV) is in stark contrast to the secretive way in which the Premier League club was run under Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

The group, known officially as the Liverpool FC Supporters' Committee (LFCSC), will consist of 17 democratically appointed fans to be elected by a seven-person panel, and will meet four times a season with senior club staff. In at least two of those meetings NESV representatives will be present.

The club goes on to say that 'each of the 17 members will have a public profile set up on The Kop, Liverpool's social media platform on the official website, where they will be clearly identified as an elected Member of the Liverpool FC Supporters' Committee. Each individual will be contactable via private messaging and be able to solicit feedback and questions from fans they represent and also post updates after each meeting.'

Each LFCSC member is expected to serve until 30th May, 2013.

The inaugural meeting of the LFCSC will take place 15th May at Anfield.

Dirk Kuyt Would Welcome Luis Suarez’s Arrival At Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Dirk Kuyt has revealed that he would welcome Luis Suarez's arrival from Ajax with open arms, whilst claiming that the side desperately needs a new attacking prospect in order to climb the back up the ranks.

Kuyt knows that Suarez is one of the club’s key prospects for the winter transfer window, especially as newly installed manager Kenny Dalglish looks to add to the Reds attack.

“In our attack we really need a quality injection. Only then can I see us climbing up again,” said Kuyt according to the Mirror.

“We don’t have enough power and options up front right now.”

The Dutchman also revealed that the squad has responded well to the arrival of Dalglish and Steve Clarke, with training sessions resembling those found in Dutch football, but admitted that skipper Steven Gerrard and goalscorer Fernando Torres are core to their plans.

“It comes close to the Dutch style. Playing with early pressure on the opponents and a passing game with the ball low on the ground. Not all those long balls anymore.

“Dalglish and Clarke have this vision: if you have Torres and Gerrard in the team, we will be stronger against 80 per cent of the opponents when we put the pressure on them in their own half.”

Kuyt praised the arrival of Steve Clarke, and claims that he works well with Dalglish both on and off the training ground.

“The combination of Dalglish and Clarke is a really good one. Clarke has come in from outside the club.

“He has the same role as he had earlier with Mourinho at Chelsea. Under Clarke we now do totally different training sessions. We do a lot of positional play in small spaces.

“And while Clarke is doing sessions with us, Dalglish will talk all the stress away from the players.

“He is a living legend here. He has the charisma, the experience and the confidence to create peace. He also has a fabulous connection with the fans. They love him here.

“I could not believe it the first time he went out on the pitch against Everton, eleven years since he last coached a team.

Kuyt also ended the speculation surrounding his future, and pledged his services to the club, stating how adamant the board were not to let him go and the importance of his presence at the club in the summer. The Dutchman, for his part, is keen to return the favour.

“I intend to stay now. In the summer Inter came to me to find out if I wanted to move.

“The board of Liverpool took a strong attitude towards them. They did not want me to go because I was one of the five most important players for the team.

“In my talks with the new board I feel the same kind of trust in me.

“So in return I want to show my loyalty to the club in these difficult times.”

Liverpool Want Real Madrid Striker Karim Benzema

Liverpool is reportedly monitoring Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

According to 4-4-2, the Reds will make their move for the Frenchman if they fail to pull off a deal for Ajax captain Luis Suarez, whose protracted move to Merseyside continues to rumble on.

Benzema – who joined Real from Lyon for £30 million in 2009 – remains on the fringes at the Bernabeu and Liverpool are prepared to offer him a fresh start.

Liverpool has been linked with the 23-year-old for some time and has even been urged to launch a move for his services by former Kop favourite Jamie Redknapp.

“Liverpool needs a striker and they should look no further than Karim Benzema," the former Liverpool midfielder wrote in the Daily Mail.

“The new Liverpool owners have their first challenge: sign him.”

Liverpool is known to have identified their attacking department as the most in need of reinforcement during January and have been linked with a number of potential targets.

A deal for Benzema, however, would represent a significant coup for Liverpool and the France international would form a potentially fearsome partnership with Anfield star Fernando Torres.

Kyriakos Papadopoulos Linked With January Switch

Liverpool is reportedly considering a bid for teenage Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

The Schalke centre back has been earning rave reviews in Germany after signing from Olympiakos in the summer, and Liverpool have reportedly sent scouts to watch the player's progress.

Reports in Germany claim Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea have also sent representatives to take a closer look at the player, who is set to be sold by the Bundesliga outfit amidst financial troubles at the club.

A Greek U17, U19 and U21 international, Papadopoulos is seen as a rising star of Greek football who is tipped to become a full international for his country.

Liverpool will hope to use compatriot Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who impressed at Anfield before injury lost him his place in the first team, in an effort to persuade the player that his future home could be on Merseyside.

Fernando Llorente Lined-up As January Striker Signing

Liverpool is being linked with a January move for Fernando Llorente as their efforts to sign Luis Suarez falter.

The Reds have reportedly been in negotiations with Ajax to bring the Uruguayan international striker to Anfield, but with Liverpool still struggling to agree a fee with the Dutch giants they could turn their attentions to Llorente.

A Spanish international with 13 caps for his country, Fernando Torres and Jose Reina could be used in an effort to persuade the striker that Liverpool is the place to be.

Llorente was first linked with Liverpool in the summer, with Roy Hodgson reportedly monitoring the player's La Liga form in August.

Speculation has continued to circle in the British media, with various papers and websites claiming the Merseysiders continue to see the striker as a perfect attacking foil for Torres.

Liverpool Set To Increase Bid For Charlie Adam

Liverpool is preparing to increase their offer for in-demand Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam – as Kenny Dalglish hailed the end of a 20-year wait for a win as Anfield manager.

The Anfield outfit made an approach for Adam on Friday with a verbal offer of £4million that was dismissed as “disgraceful” by Tangerines manager Ian Holloway.

Adam still has 18 months remaining on his contract and Blackpool would rather hold on to the player and help safeguard another season in the Premier League rather than cash in during January. However, Holloway admits he would be happy to allow the 25-year-old to move to Anfield should Liverpool meet the believed asking price of £10m.

And the club’s American owners are now ready to back Dalglish and director of football strategy Damien Comolli by lodging an offer much nearer to Blackpool’s valuation.

“I was thinking about Liverpool and Charlie,” said Holloway. “I thought ‘fantastic, what a great club for him to go to’, and then when I heard the bid I thought it was disgraceful. What they offered is about the price Charlie would have been worth when Kenny was last playing.

“Is it a destabilizing tactic from the three clubs – Birmingham, Aston Villa and now Liverpool? I don’t know. They had better start by putting a figure one in front of the complete rubbish they have been offering so far.”

Liverpool Target Giant Free Scoring French Hitman

Liverpool have been linked with Luis Suarez of Ajax for some time now and a deal did appear very close, however the clubs cannot agree a fee and it is now being reported that Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool manager, has set his sites on 26 year old Paris St Germain striker Guillaume Hoarau.

Hoarau has been knocking the goals in fairly consistently finding the net 23 times in 50 games for St Germain and has finally broken through to the French National team appearing three times for them, he has been likened to a former Liverpool forward, Peter Crouch, mainly due to his size at 6ft 4in.

No fee has been mentioned but it is thought that Hoarau will cost in the region of £6 Million based on previous figures giving a valuation on the player, a fee that Liverpool can certainly afford.

It is now just a question of timing, the Suarez deal is still there if Ajax will be more reasonable or Liverpool more realistic, depending on your view, but if no deal is done and done soon then Liverpool do have other options and Guillaume Hoarau is just one of those options available to the Anfield side.

Liverpool Negotiate To Recruit Charles N'Zogbia For Reduced Fee

Liverpool are reportedly in talks with Wigan Athletic to convince them to hand over winger Charles N’Zogbia for a lower fee.

According to The People, agent Paul Stretford, who is having more and more influence at Anfield, is negotiating to find a compromise with the Latics as Liverpool are willing to pay only half of the £15million asked to seal the transfer.

Together with his business associate former Newcastle chairman, Freddy Shepherd, Stretford has conducted the bid for the Wigan star.

Stretford is a former business partner and close friend of Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish and his agency, Proactive, manage a number of high profile Premier League stars, most notably Wayne Rooney.

Dalglish has had the opportunity to make his own opinion on N’Zogbia during Wigan’s draw with Fulham last weekend.

Since the Scot has been at the helm at Anfield, Stretford and Shepherd have reportedly been closely involved with deals relating to Liverpool’s wishlist of fresh players in the transfer market.

Although Damien Comolli, Liverpool’s director of football strategy, is working with Dalglish on recruiting new talent for the Reds, his role as the club’s main transfer fixer could be in jeopardy in the event that Dalglish lands the job full-time at the end of the season as Stretford could be appointed to do the Frenchman’s task.

Wolfsburg Want Liverpool's Milan Jovanovic

VfL Wolfsburg is interested in signing Liverpool's Milan Jovanovic, according to Serbian media reports.

The 29-year-old Serbian international joined Liverpool from Standard de Liège in the summer but has failed to settle in at the Anfield outfit.

The forward/midfielder has mostly been used as a substitute and in the Europa League.

Jovanovic is contracted to Liverpool until 2013 and is valued at €5M-7.5M.

Stopper Aims To Emulate Dad

Tyrell Belford hopes the FA Youth Cup will provide him with the perfect opportunity to add another winners' medal to the family mantelpiece.

The 16-year-old's father, Dale, was once on Aston Villa's books as a goalkeeper and went on to win the 1989 FA Vase with Tamworth.

Belford junior admits his Dad has been a major influence on his fledgling career and hopes he can enhance the family name by going on to enjoy success at the highest level in the future.

"My Dad was at Aston Villa as a young lad," he told us during a chat at the Academy recently.

"He featured in their reserves but never for the first team. He went on to play for Notts County and then won the FA Vase with non-league side, Tamworth.

"He's really proud to have played at Wembley and won a trophy there. I'd love to start my career by getting into that winning habit. It'd be nice to do that in this year's FA Youth Cup."

Football is clearly in the Belford blood.

Not only is his father now the part-time boss of the Southern Football League Division One Central outfit, Atherstone Town, but his brother Cameron is also a highly-rated custodian at Bury.

With so many goalkeepers to look up to, it is no surprise to hear that the 16-year-old is not short of a pointer or two. But what about sibling rivalry? Has there always been a desire to match his brother's achievements?

"Not really," he said. "I want him to do well. He's first choice 'keeper at Bury and he's worked hard to get where he is.

"I try to get along to watch him in action as much as possible. My dad comes along too. If anything I try to learn from Cameron because he is playing at a decent level. There are things in his game that I can pick up and improve in my own game."

Donning the No.1 jersey may well be a family trait but when it comes to the world's best shot stoppers few can match Liverpool's current first-choice, according to Belford.

"Pepe's definitely the best in the Barclays Premier League," he said.

"He always plays at a good standard and never lets anything get him down. I was reading an interview with him the other day where he said: 'If I make a mistake I just forget about it and focuses on the rest of the game.'

"That's what separates good goalkeepers from great 'keepers. If they make a mistake they are able to put it out of their mind.

"If you continue to dwell on an error you will make the situation a lot worse. If a 'keeper makes a single error it's a goal, that's the reality of the job.

"An outfield player can make hundreds of errors without any of them ever resulting in the ball going in the net. As a 'keeper you can't do that."

Belford's maturity belies his tender years and it is further evident when he is quizzed about his battle for the U18s' goalkeeping jersey with former Swindon starlet, Jamie Stephens.

The duo have developed a strong rivalry on the pitch but Belford feels that their friendship off it means that whoever gets the call on a match day will have the unwavering support of his teammate.

"We get on very well, both on and off the pitch," he added.

"It's a dog eat dog situation on the pitch because we will both fight for the shirt. But we do spend a lot of time together. He's a good lad and we get on well."

Match Report: Wolves 0 - 3 Liverpool

Liverpool's revival under Kenny Dalglish is officially under way after he secured his first win since returning for his second spell as Reds boss in the 3-0 victory at Wolves.

Having seen improvements on the pitch if not in results in his three previous matches in charge after taking over from Roy Hodgson the Scot finally got the victory he was craving.

Fernando Torres scored his eighth and ninth Premier League goals of the season either side of Raul Meireles capping a fine individual performance with a brilliantly-taken second-half volley.

It was only Liverpool's third away win in the league in 13 months and their first point outside Anfield since the 1-1 draw at Wigan on November 10.

The result does not paper over the obvious deficiencies in the squad - which Dalglish is trying to rectify with moves for Ajax forward Luis Suarez and Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam - but reinforces the belief among the current players given to them by the appointment of the club legend.

Such has been the 59-year-old's influence he is even starting to get performances out of players who have failed to live up to their potential, with Christian Poulsen and Meireles in particular displaying that in this game.

Meireles, playing in the attacking midfield role given to him by Dalglish in the absence of Steven Gerrard, serving the final game of a three-match suspension, has now scored in his last two matches and his form presents his manager with a conundrum for the midweek visit of Fulham when the captain will be available again.

Poulsen's restoration to the starting line-up began badly with a fourth-minute booking but his day was to improve with the defence-splitting pass which created the goal.

It was a rare moment of quality in a first half which was spoiled partly by the poor state of the pitch and partly by the teams, neither of whom really got into their rhythm.

The Denmark international is intrinsically associated with Roy Hodgson's six-month reign of failure at Anfield but Dalglish believes he has more to offer - which is more than can be said for the former Fulham boss's other maligned signing Paul Konchesky who failed to make the squad.

Poulsen's repertoire is not renowned for having many creative interventions but the pass he picked out Meireles with was perfectly-executed through the inside-right channel.

The Portugal midfielder, played onside by full-back Ronald Zubar on the other side of the pitch, seized on the opportunity and raced into the penalty area before cutting the ball back to Torres who side-footed home one of his most straightforward chances of the season.

Meireles had a decent half without being dominant, certainly in the physical midfield battle with Wolves, but showed his class prior to setting up the goal with a brilliant 40-yard diagonal pass to pick out Torres only for the striker to cut inside and shoot straight at Wayne Hennessey.

He also flashed a half-volley wide of the goalkeeper's right-hand post as he continued his improvement in the advanced midfield role he prefers.

Wolves' two best efforts of the first half were Kevin Doyle's mis-hit cross from wide on the right which almost caught out Jose Reina, who did well to smother Steven Fletcher's close-range shot at the far post in added time.

Dirk Kuyt should have doubled the advantage early in the second half when put through one-on-one by Maxi Rodriguez but he delayed his shot and Hennessey charged out to block.

The Wolves goalkeeper was powerless, however, to do anything about the second when it came in the 50th minute.

Daniel Agger's long punt forward was only partially headed clear by Christophe Berra, under pressure from Kuyt, and Meireles lashed a brilliant dipping 25-yard volley inside Hennessey's left-hand post.

The Portugal international had been threatening to do something similar all season and the confidence from his maiden Liverpool goal in last weekend's Merseyside derby showed in the quality of that right-footed strike.

Wolves responded with a brief spell of pressure but although Liverpool have the league's worst record for squandering points from winning positions they held out.

Jonjo Shelvey, on as a substitute for Poulsen, should have put the game beyond doubt with only his second touch - his first having set up his chance from Meireles' pass - but blazed wide with only Hennessey to beat.

Torres continued to pose a threat on the counter-attack and in added time fired into the roof of the net after Kuyt's strong run into the area.

Victory has Liverpool looking up the table with more optimism under Dalglish than they had under Hodgson.