Liverpool Order Dalglish To Plan Squad Clearout For Big Summer Spend

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has been told to clear the decks in preparation for a summer spending spree.

The Mirror says there will be more changes in the summer.

The manager will be allowed to sell more players to add to income provided by the American owners.

The likes of Lucas, Joe Cole, Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio and even possibly Glen Johnson could leave, along with a host of players currently stuck out on loan who are remnants of the Rafa Benitez era.

Bruce Admits Carroll Miss

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce says he lost out on the chance to sign Andy Carroll for £4.5million while managing at Wigan, because it was beyond his budget.

Carroll, who broke the British transfer record when he arrived at Liverpool from Newcastle for £35million on transfer deadline day, caught Bruce's eye while playing for the Magpies just over three years ago.

Bruce claims then Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear offered him the striking ace for £4.5m, but the Latics could only stretch to £2.5m and the deal fell through.

He told The Journal: "Andy Carroll could quite easily have ended up being my player.

"When I was Wigan manager, we were hammering Newcastle 2-0 but they brought him on and he played well - really well. He made a hell of a difference.

"On the Monday morning I rang up Joe Kinnear and asked him if he would sell Andy. They quoted me £4.5m and I seriously thought about it, but in the end we could only go to £2.5m.

"I had Emile Heskey at the time as well and I did wonder if he and Carroll would work together up front."

Injury has hampered Carroll's start to life at Anfield, with the 22-year-old making just two appearances for the Reds so far, both of which were off the bench.

But the striker is in line to make his full Premier League debut against Sunderland on Sunday, and Bruce is aware of the threat he will pose to the Black Cats' backline.

"I'm sure Andy will make his full Premier League debut against us although I hope the niggle he has lasts for a bit longer!" said Bruce.

"That will present a challenge both to him and to us. I honestly wish him the best of luck."

He added: "He is the old-fashioned British No 9 and it will be interesting to see how he does and how he manages for Liverpool.

"He has got a wonderful opportunity and I am sure he has a fantastic future because he is so different."

Hamburg Spy Martin Skrtel Chance If Liverpool Return For Eljero Elia

Sources in Germany suggest that should Liverpool return in the summer for Hamburg’s Dutch winger Eljero Elia, the Bundesliga club will ask for defender Martin Skrtel to be included in any deal.

The Slovak centre back has many fans throughout German football, with Wolfsburg keen to sign the player in the recent January transfer window.

Skrtel is happy at Anfield and has denied having to field concrete offers, but nevertheless the Slovak could have a decision to make if Liverpool consent to Hamburg’s demands.

While it is by no means certain that the Reds will return for Elia at the end of the season, particularly given that winger Sylvain Marveaux is on the verge of agreeing a switch to Anfield, should Liverpool try again for the Dutchman then Hamburg will make the inclusion of Skrtel a make-or-break point of any deal.

Alexis Sanchez Will Cost Liverpool £30 million

Liverpool have been told they will need to offer £30 million to land Udinese star Alexis Sanchez.

The Chilean international has been linked with a number of clubs from across Europe after impressing in Serie 'A', with Liverpool director of football strategy Damien Comolli a known admirer of the player.

Manchester United and Chelsea are also thought to be keen on the player, while Juventus lead the chase from Italy and Barcelona in Spain.

Valuations have varied for the player, but fresh reports from Italy claim the Zebrette will accept £30 million for the player at the end of the season, reports talkSPORT.

Former Reds boss Roy Hodgson was the first Merseysiders chief to take an interest in the player, and current Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is also thought to be interested.

Liverpool has been linked with a number of wingers and forwards in recent weeks, with Ashley Young, Eden Hazard and Fernando Llorente all thought to be potential attacking targets.

With money not thought to be an issue at Anfield and NESV proving they are willing to spend big in January, a £30 million offer from Liverpool could be a possibility for the player dubbed 'the new Ronaldo' in certain sections of the press.

Liverpool To Battle Newcastle For Ricky van Wolfswinkel

While Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll have settled well at Anfield, it remains general consensus that Liverpool would do well to add an additional forward in the summer to increase the squad's versatility and depth.

Now, Ricky van Wolfswinkel, a previous Liverpool target, looks likely to fill that void, as his agent has confirmed that Liverpool has maintained interest even after the January window.

A January move to Anfield seemed a distinct possibility for the 22-year-old Utrecht star, but such was derailed by an injury that kept him out of action from December to February.

Newcastle, holding a £35 million war chest following the sale of Carroll, is also confirmed to be interested in van Wolfswinkel. Neither club, however, has made anything official.

"There is nothing in place yet regarding a transfer for Ricky [Van Wolfswinkel]. At this moment there is no update. He has returned to action and has scored a couple of times, and is coming back well from injury." agent Louis Laros told Sport.co.uk.

"We are still working towards a move this summer but I have nothing finalised yet.

"I have not spoken to either club in the past three weeks. In the winter break both clubs told me they would follow him and keep an eye on him. In the next coming months we will see, so I will wait for contact.

"If there was the possibility of the Premier League, Ricky would love it. But obviously we must respect the club and what they want to do in the summer. Ricky is still young and he wants to better himself, so if a club offers him a deal he will look at it. But it depends on the club, the manager, and the ambitions of the club."

Juventus Unlikely To Keep Alberto Aquilani Unless Liverpool Offer Discount

Alberto Aquilani looks set for a Liverpool return at the end of the season as Juventus appear reluctant on paying €15 million to keep him permanently.

The 26-year-old Italian midfielder joined the Bianconeri on loan in the summer with the Turin-based club having an option to buy him permanently at the end of their deal with Liverpool in June.

However, Sky Sport Italia reports directors at Vinovo are not intent on paying the Reds €15m price tag.

They are hoping Liverpool will lower their demands, and, if that doesn't happen, the former Roma man will head back to Anfield.

Meanwhile, Ilsussidiario.net reports Juventus as having offered Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo, whose contract expires at the end of the season, a three-year deal in preparation for Aquilani's exit.

Pirlo, 31, is said to have received a pay offer worth €3.5m per annum from the Old Lady, but Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea are also believed to be in the frame as his deal with the Rossoneri expires in June.

Reina Dismisses Suggestions He Is Best Liverpool Goalkeeper Ever

Liverpool’s Pepe Reina has shrugged off claims that he is the club’s best-ever goalkeeper.

It has been suggested that Reina, 28, is better than club legends such as Ray Clemence, Bruce Grobbelaar and Tommy Lawrence.

Reina has picked up four out of the last five golden gloves - the award given for the most Premier League clean sheets every season - and also set a club record when he recorded 100 clean sheets in just 198 appearances.

However, the Spaniard says it is hard to compare goalkeepers from different eras.

“It makes me proud. It’s something really big, but in Liverpool’s history there have been great goalkeepers,” Reina was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

“It’s difficult to say who the best are because the times and the rules change. It’s difficult to compare us all.

“I’m not sure my hands would be good without gloves. It was a different kind of situation and in the past there were probably more difficult moments.”

If Reina starts against Braga in the Europa League on Thursday night, he will record his 300th appearance for the Merseyside club; a feat the stopper never expected to achieve.

“No, I didn’t really think it would happen,” he added.

“It was difficult to think, because you’re moving to a new country and you don’t know how you’re going to settle down or what the people are going to think about you.

“I’m really proud of the amount of games I’ve played. It’s not something I imagined.

“I trust myself and I knew I could be a good keeper here, but to play 300 games - I think I’ve been really lucky and I’m really proud to have played in each one.”

Reds Receive Double Boost

Liverpool duo Daniel Agger and Jonjo Shelvey have returned to training as the club prepare to face Braga on Thursday.

Both players were suffering from knee injuries sustained in February, but the news will come as a welcome boost to Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, who has seen captian Steven Gerrard, among others, head to the treatment room.

According to the Scot, Danish defender Aggeris likely to make a return quicker than talented youngster Shelvey, who was starting to make more of an impact under Dalglish than his predecessor Roy Hodgson.

Despite their returns, both are almost certain not to feature in the squad for the Europa League round of 16 second leg against the Portuguese outfit, where the Meseyside giants trail 1-0.

Dalglish told the club's official website: "Daniel Agger is improving. He is back training. Jonjo is back training as well.

"Daniel is closer than Jonjo."

Full-backs Martin Kelly and Fabio Aurelio were injured in recent weeks and Dalglish conceded that they still had some distance to go before resuming full training.

"Fabio and Martin are doing a little bit but haven't joined in with too much exercise yet," he added.

"They are all progressing."

Mystery Over Role Of Agent Liverpool Used In Andy Carroll Transfer

Liverpool used the services of a little-known agent, David Bromley, who is based in Maidstone, Kent, when they signed Andy Carroll from Newcastle United for £35m on 31 January. Carroll himself stated on his contract that he did not use the services of an agent at all; a solicitor, Richard Green, said he had advised him.

Liverpool declined to explain why they had used Bromley, what work he had done on the deal, or how much they had paid him, but did acknowledge in a statement that the club did "use the services of an agent on the transfer".

Carroll is reported to be in dispute with his former agent, Peter Harrison, who claims he had a valid two-year contract to represent Carroll at the time the player moved to Liverpool. Harrison, who represented Carroll from the age of 16, is reported to have sued the player for loss of earnings, which has been referred to arbitration. Harrison is understood to claim that Carroll had wanted to be represented by Kevin Nolan's agent, Mark Curtis, while Harrison's contract still had months to run.

Although Bromley holds a Fifa licence and is registered with the FA, he is not a prominent agent known for acting on high-profile deals. He does, however, have a long, close association with Curtis, having been a co-director in three companies, including two football agencies, Direct Sports Management, which is now not trading, and Sports Player Management, which went into liquidation and was struck off the companies register in January 2008. The other, Property Hunter, was dissolved last year.

Football Association rules governing the conduct of agents require them to have written contracts with any player they represent, for a maximum of two years. If a player breaks a contract with an agent, as Harrison claims Carroll did, the agent can sue for lost earnings. If the player renegotiates his contract or moves clubs within the two years for which the contract runs, he cannot be represented by another agent, or the FA will treat it as a poaching case, a breach of the agents' code of conduct. Curtis is not on Carroll's contract as having acted at all for either side.

Abritration proceedings are confidential and Harrison declined to comment on the revelation that Bromley, Curtis's associate, acted for Liverpool. Newcastle did not answer a series of questions about how the deal worked, neither did Curtis nor Bromley.

Sevilla's Diego Perotti On Liverpool Radar

Promising winger Diego Perotti has attracted the interest of Premier League side Liverpool with his good performances for Sevilla in the 2010-11 campaign, The People reports.

The Reds are desperate to add a new left winger to their squad in the summer transfer window and they have previously been linked with players such as Ashley Young of Aston Villa, Stade Rennais' Sylvain Marveaux and PSV's Balazs Dzsudzsak.

Nevertheless, they are now also believed to be keeping tabs on the 22-year-old Perotti.

Perotti started his professional career with Deportivo Moron and joined his current club in the summer of 2007. He has developed into an important first team member at Sevilla in the past two seasons after a difficult start to life in Spain.

The Argentina international's current contract with Sevilla runs until the summer of 2015, but an offer in the region of €10 million could be enough to lure him away from the Nervionenses.

Real To Decide On Canales

Sergio Canales' future will be decided at the end of the season, with Liverpool keeping close tabs on him.

The 20-year-old was snapped up by Real Madrid last summer when they beat a host of clubs to take him from Racing Santander.

However, the midfield starlet has found football hard to come by under Jose Mourinho and has started just one game.

The player's father and agent, Angel Canales,says talks will take place at the end of the season.

"He wants to play here [Madrid] but in June we will speak with the club and find the best solution," said Canales snr.

Real are reportedly yet to decide on what to do with Canales, who they could have let leave on loan in January having fielded enquiries from West Ham and Blackburn.

Should Real be willing to let him leave in the summer, be it permanently or on loan, then Liverpool look likely to be in contention, although there will be no shortage of interest.

Canales himself has stated that he is happy at Real and was pleased he was not sent out on loan earlier in the season.

"I'm happy, I'm in Madrid and fighting to get some minutes," he told Marca last week.

"Playing in teams like this is difficult, the key is to work hard. I have not proven myself yet."

André Ayew Linked With Summer Anfield Switch

Liverpool are being linked with a move for Marseille winger André Ayew.

The Ghanaian international winger impressed for his country during the World Cup in South Africa, and has since shown good form on his return to Ligue 1, with a number of clubs across Europe taking an interest in signing the player.

Liverpool director of football strategy, Damien Comolli, made a personal trip to France on Friday night to watch Rennes take on Marseille, with three players thought to be on the radar of the former Spurs supremo.

Sylvain Marveaux and Taye Taiwo have been heavily linked with the Reds in recent weeks, but Ayew is a new name in the Liverpool frame amidst doubts over the long-term fitness record of Marveaux.

The 24-year-old has missed a large part of this season through injury, and despite being a potential free transfer would still be seen as a possible risk for the Merseysiders.

Ayew, on the other hand, has only recently broken into the first team at the Stade Vélodrome after loan stints with Lorient and Arles-Avignon in the past two seasons.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was also thought to be in the market for the player, with Arsene Wenger reportedly offering £5 million for the player's services.

Liverpool leads the Barclays Premier League charge for the player's services now though, with Ayew one of a host of wingers linked with a move to Anfield.

Ashley Young, Charles N'Zogbia and Eden Hazard are also thought to be on the Liverpool shortlist as Kenny Dalglish targets a number of changes in the summer, and the Scot appears set to spend come the end of the season.

Reds Yet To Offer Kenny Deal

Liverpool's principal owner John W Henry has confirmed the club has not yet offered a new contract to manager Kenny Dalglish.

The Reds legend stepped into the managerial hot-seat at Anfield to replace Roy Hodgson in January, initially agreeing a deal until the end of the season.

Dalglish's tenure thus far has been a successful one and reports had suggested a two-year deal was already in place.

But Henry denies an agreement has been reached, insisting talks have yet to begin - although he has intimated the club's owners are ready to enter into talks over a long-term contract.

"The only discussion we've had has been with Kenny and that was solely concerning when we should begin discussions," Henry told the Daily Telegraph.

"I wouldn't anticipate any further comments until such discussions have commenced and we have something to announce.

"Any reports until then are purely speculation."

Kenny Dalglish Happy With Depth Of Squad

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has expressed his happiness with his current crop of players at Anfield, and believes that despite injuries to a number of key personnel the first-team squad has enough depth and quality to cope as they look to make progress domestically and in Europe.

Following injuries to defensive trio Martin Kelly, Fabio Aurelio and Daniel Agger has come the news that skipper Steven Gerrard will be out for a month after undergoing groin surgery.

However, record signing Andy Carroll has made a return from his thigh injury and has made two substitute appearances as he regains full fitness while Luis Suarez has made an impact since his arrival from Ajax.

Yet the Uruguayan striker is unavailable for the Europa League matches, having played in Europe for Ajax already this season, but the manager recognizes the importance of his fringe players.

"Everyone in the squad is capable of playing in the first team," said Dalglish.

"Those that haven't played as much are very important to us and their attitude in the games they have played in the past has been superb.

"We wouldn't expect any less, although we don't take it for granted.

"When you look to a club and try to get success, the strength of what lies behind [the first team] and their application when they do get an opportunity is the important thing."

Furthermore, concerning the injury situation at the club, Dalglish believes that his side just need to face up and deal with their problems.

"We just have to go with what we have got, we cannot do anything about that," added the Liverpool boss.

"The players we put in there are well capable of doing themselves justice and doing the club proud and the players have to accept injuries are part and parcel of the game and put up with it."

Liverpool Target Sylvain Marveaux Denies Agreeing To Move

Rennes midfielder Sylvain Marveaux has denied reports that he has agreed a deal to move to the Premier League with Liverpool in the summer.

Marveaux, a former France Under 21 international, is out of contract with the surprise package of Ligue 1 at the end of the current campaign and was quoted in The People as claiming to be close to a move to Anfield.

"I am very close to reaching agreement with Liverpool about joining them next season," the 24-year-old was reported as saying.

However, Marveaux, who is currently sidelined following groin surgery, has stressed that he never made any such claim, and says he is yet to make a decision on his future.

"I never spoke to any English journalist and I do not understand why they wrote it,'' Marveux told L'Equipe.

"Today I still have not decided which club I will play for next season.

"I will soon be going to Clairefontaine to continue my rehab and when I have made my choice I will announce it.'

"Contrary to what some have said I hope to play again with Rennes before the end of the season. If all goes to plan I should be able to resume training and play in April or May. Returning with Rennes before the end of the season is my goal.''

At £7M A Very Shrewd Bit Of Business From Kenny

Remember how when Everton signed Jermaine Beckford (who was free bare in mind), we all laughed and said he would struggle and be a waste of money in terms of wages? Well, that turned out to be a load of rubbish then!

That doesn’t necessarily mean that lightning will strike twice, according to that most reliable of source The News Of The World Liverpool and Everton are battling it out over prolific Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard. Lets hope for fans of both clubs this is one is more Tim Cahill and less Ade Akinbiyi.

Maynard began his career coming through the prolific youth academy at Crewe Alexandra in 1994 and he went on to represent the club at every youth level before he broke into the first team in the 2005-2006 season when he made a single appearance in which he scored. From that point on the Cheshire born striker was an important fixture in the team for 2 seasons in which time he scored 35 goals in 67 games.

Crewe was approached by Bristol City before the 2008/09 season and a deal was agreed that would take the player to the South West for £2.5million. He has continued to demonstrate good form and in the elapsing time since he has notched up 35 goals in 95 games.

There have been reports for a while linking him with other teams, Wolves supposedly offered £3million for the player who they wanted to offer Premiership football too. The deal never came too fruition and even though his start to this term has been delayed through injuries there are still a host of clubs watching him.

The sides most closely linked to the forward are Merseyside clubs Liverpool and Everton. It is believed that Bristol City have slapped an incredible £10million price tag on the player, a price which surely will put both clubs in question off somewhat. It is common knowledge that Everton are run on a bit of a shoestring, and paying that amount of money for a player who has never played outside of the Championship would represent a huge gamble. Just because they did well before with the signing of Cahill and Beckford who was free, doesn’t necessarily mean that it would happen again. Even if the Toffee’s were to sell one of Arteta or Rodwell this summer surely they wouldn’t gamble it all on Maynard.

For Liverpool, things are slightly different. Whilst they are not short of money under their new owners, it could still potentially be a gamble. Clearly should Kenny Dalglish move for the striker this Summer he would be someway down the pecking order behind Suarez, Carroll, Kuyt (should he stay) and potentially any other striker that may come in this Summer.

The pressure on the strikers shoulders were be less than at say Everton, but it is still a lot of money and I am not entirely sure he is worth the figure quoted by his club. It also begs the question where would this leave David N’Gog? Although hopefully for Liverpool fans days of relying on him are over!

Even if a deal were done closer to £7million I am still not convinced it would be a great bit of business for either side, not to take anything away from Maynard, it just seems a step too far at this stage of his career, but there again managers, coaches and scouts are paid to make these decisions and I’m not, so who knows?

Premier League Could Test Goal-Line Technology To Assist Referees In The Future

Hawk-Eye's ball-tracking camera technology has already seen great success in tennis and cricket, and soccer may be the company's next venture.

According to the Associated Press, the Premier League could serve as the next host for goal-line testing, with the company looking to test the technology during top-level matches.

However, due to league restrictions, the results of the tests would remain private until the rules change. It would merely serve as a test to see if the cameras could be used as an aid for referees.

"We've got to find a stadium to put the tests in," Hawk-Eye founder Paul Hawkins said. "We also need to check in advance what is wanted, testing-wise. I expect there will be a contractual commitment that we don't report the information from the tests so we don't undermine the officials if there is a controversial goal."

Hawkins' next step is to speak to FIFA for testing approval, but the organization seems interested in the technology as President Sepp Blatter said that it "helps referees," earlier this month.

If things fall into place, Hawkins could be setting up the ball-tracking cameras for Premier League matches next season, but he emphasizes that he wants the technology to help referees, not demoralize them.

"Just at the time when we are testing technology that will hopefully help officials in the future, we don't want Hawk-Eye showing they are wrong."

Neville Plays Down Carragher Tackle After Fergie's Blast

Gary Neville has attempted to calm the row between Manchester United and Liverpool over Jamie Carragher's tackle on Nani.

Neville - famed for his open disregard for bitter-rivals Liverpool - played down the tackle that left his Portuguese team-mate needing stitches.

Sir Alex Ferguson labelled the over-the-ball challenge a "disgrace" but Neville, speaking at the opening of a football academy in Portugal, refused to be dragged into a war of words.

"It is obvious that it was not a good tackle and Jamie knows it, but these are things that pass in the world of the football," the recently-retired defender said.

Liverpool Under-18s Focusing Back On The League After FA Youth Cup Exit

Following Sunday’s FA Youth Cup quarter-final defeat Liverpool under-18s will continue to try and reel in leaders Everton in the FA Premier Academy League Group C table

Rodolfo Borrell’s side suffered a cruel 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield – a match in which two players from both sides were sent off.

The defeat meant it was United who set up a two-legged Youth Cup semi-final with Chelsea.

So Liverpool now must refocus their energies on the Academy League, where they return to action this Saturday at Newcastle United this Saturday (kick-off 11am).

Liverpool is fourth in Group C and may be 10 points behind neighbours Everton, but they do have four games in hand and have to play their Mersey rivals. Having missed out on a 10th straight victory and seen their 12-match unbeaten run ended by United, Liverpool must make sure they put that behind them.

Borrell said: “Obviously they are young but they have to learn and learn quick if they want to make the step forward into our first team because they are not too far away.

“Liverpool is a club with a winning atmosphere.

“You need to create players who are mature in these situations.

“Winning games is part of creating a winning mentality.

“The lads need to understand they are at Liverpool and they need to bounce back as soon as possible.”

With Stephen Sama and captain Conor Coady both red-carded they both face a spell on the sidelines.

Dalglish Predicts Euro Comeback

Liverpool might have lost away to Braga in the first leg of the Europa Cup round of 16, but manager Kenny Dalglish believes they will make a comeback in the second leg.

"At 1-0 we're still in it,” he said. “But if we play like that at Anfield we have no chance. The way we started the first 35 minutes was terrible.

“You don’t know if it is a good result or bad result until the second leg.”

The legendary manager for Liverpool says Andy Carroll might be the key to a successful second leg match. “We looked a lot more threatening when Andy came on. He is a good option for us.”

The second half was also promising for Liverpool, with the side at least showing potential to beat their opposition. "To give the lads credit, they picked things up and raised the tempo and with a bit of luck we could have got an equalizer,” Dalglish said.

Liverpool went to Portugal as favourites to take down Braga, who are currently 6th on the Liga Sagres table. Andy Carroll made his European debut for the side as a substitute, coming on in the 57th minute.

While Braga coach Domingos Paciencia’s side now holds the lead in the cup tie, he is still remaining very cautious about what can happen in the second leg at Anfield. "I am optimistic but I know Liverpool is a big team, one of the teams who can win the competition so we have to be very careful."