A ‘Marquee’ Signing Not The Way Forward For Liverpool

One of the obvious consequences of failing to qualify for the Europa League last season is that it means Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli will have to work harder to bring the best players to Anfield this summer. As footballers have become more and more short-sighted over the years, even one season without European football is almost unthinkable for elite players (irrespective of the fact that they would be joining one the most exciting projects in world football by joining the Reds this summer). All this may add up to Liverpool not being able to attract a ‘marquee’ signing this summer. However, it will not necessarily mean that we cannot still be confident of a top four finish this season.

When FSG came to Anfield, one of their first observations was that our wage bill is not reflected in the quality of our squad. Most Liverpool fans agreed. It is often said that the big teams can be judged by looking at who they can bring on in the middle of a game to unlock a defence or ensure they don’t concede an equalizer. When you look around at the teams that qualified for the Champions League last season, their benches regularly included established players such as Dimitar Berbatov, Park-Ji Sung, Nicolas Anelka, Andrei Arshavin, Adam Johnson etc etc. Meanwhile, the only player that could be described as ‘established’ from our bench was Joe Cole, a player who has suffered with form and injury and who seems to personify FSG’s observation.

Even Tottenham, the team that finished above us in fifth, boasted Defoe and Pavlyuchenko on their bench for their recent trip to Anfield. More than anything else, this gives Managers such as Harry Redknapp (not to mention Messrs Ferguson, Wenger, Villas-Boas and Mancini) more options than those currently open to Dalglish. This lack of options is why Rafa, Roy and Kenny have not been able to finish above 6th over the last two seasons. The managers above them have had far more attacking options open to them.

Although making a £40m breathtaking signing (a Torres for 2011 if you will) would be great for the hopes of the fans, it will only give Dalglish one more option than he already has. Instead therefore, signing players such as Henderson, Downing and Adams – all players who can play in more that one position – will open a plethora of options for Dalglish going into the 2011/2012 season and equip us with the depth that at least Spurs and Arsenal have at their disposal. Kenny would have the players to be able to switch between 4-4-2, 4-4-2 (diamond) and 4-3-3 with ease. And all for the same price as a Torres for 2011.

The players we have been linked to this summer may not have the pulses racing in the way of those linked to the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Alexis Sanchez, but this is the time for the sort of calculated spending that will take us above the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal next season. It is not the time for putting all of our eggs in one basket in the hope that one player will be able to win us the league at FSG’s first attempt.

Once European football has been achieved next season, the players who are not considering coming to Anfield this summer will do anything to join King Kenny’s Red Revolution. That will be the time to look for the marquee signings.

Liverpool Target Park Chu-Young Allowed To Leave AS Monaco

Liverpool striker target Park Chu-Young has been cleared to leave AS Monaco this summer, according to reports.

The South Korean international was helpless to prevent the provisional side suffering relegation from Ligue 1 last season, and isn't thought to be keen on plying his trade in the French second tier next term.

Etienne Franzi, club president at Moncao, confirmed to the French media that their forward will be allowed to leave, with a €6 million price-tag placed on the player's head.

Liverpool are one of the club's keen on bringing the player to England, with the Merseysiders first linked with player last month.

Paris St Germaine and Rennes are also thought to be keen on keeping the player in France, whilst Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is also known to be an admirer of Chu-Young.

It's Liverpool who leads the Barclays Premier League charge though, with Kenny Dalglish reportedly having the player monitored on a number of occasions.

The Reds are believed to be in the market for a striker, left back and winger this summer, with a trio of new signings tipped to join Jordan Henderson, who moved to Liverpool for £20 million a fortnight ago.

The addition of an Asian player is also thought to be high on the agenda for chief sponsors at Liverpool, Standard Chartered, who believe the club could make a commercial drive with the addition of a top player from the continent.

Liverpool Prepare Bid For £14.5m African Midfield Ace

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish would have been put on red alert after the latest comments from Sochaux attacking midfielder Ryad Boudabouz.

Boudabouz has enjoyed an impressive campaign with the French club and helped them secure a fifth place finish in Ligue 1, and qualifying for next season Europa League.

The former French youth international, now plays for the Algerian national team, is under contract with Sochaux until 2013, but has hinted we could be off to Anfield in the summer.

Both Dalglish and Liverpool's director of football Damien Comoilli are keen admirers of the 21-year-old, and believe he will be able to add some creative spark to the Liverpool midfield.

Dalglish will want Boudabouz to help provide goals for Andy Carroll and Louis Suarez as well has getting a few himself.

Speaking to L'Est Republicain, Boudabouz said: "The Liverpool interest is solid. There has been contact but we have to take our time, meet the chairman and remain calm.

"I want to sit down and discuses things when we return for pre-season training.

"If there is an important offer, we will not be able to turn it down. I don't wish to leave Sochaux, but if there is an offer on the table, I will think about it."

Sochaux will be looking for in the region of around £14.5 million for Boudabouz and are aware of Liverpool's interest.

Last season Boudabouz made 40 appearances for the French club and scored eight goals.

Gael Clichy To Liverpool Transfer Talk Cooled By Arsenal Contract Talks

Arsene Wenger has revealed Arsenal is doing everything they can to keep Gael Clichy at the Emirates - and out of the clutches of rivals Liverpool.

The Frenchman's contract runs out next summer and the Gunners are keen to tie up a new deal before the Reds, and fellow potential suitors Roma, can tempt him away.

'We have started talks with Gael and want him to stay,' Wenger said.

Kenny Dalglish reportedly offered Arsenal £5million for the 25-year-old, but the offer was seen as far too low for someone who has cemented a starting spot in Wenger's back four.

Arsenal's other left-back Kieran Gibbs was kept on the bench for most of last season by Clichy - but how much longer the England international will be happy to watch from the sidelines remains to be seen.

Clichy's inch-perfect passing earned plaudits during his season review and his scorching strike against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup replay made it onto the highlight reel from his 44 appearances in 2010/11.

The Gooner faithful first welcomed Clichy to the club in 2003 when he joined from AS Cannes.

Lennon Confident Of Holding Onto Man United And Liverpool Targets

Neil Lennon is aiming to convince Premier League transfer targets Izaguirre and Beram Kayal to remain with Celtic during the club’s upcoming tour of Australia.

Izaguirre has been linked with a move to Manchester United while Kayal is a target for Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish as he attempts to revamp his side.

But Lennon, who only signed a new contract last week, is adamant that he can convince the pair to remain at Parkhead, saying: "We've opened preliminary talks with Kayal's people.

"He knows I want to keep him and he's making the right noises about staying. That's great news. It's the same for Izaguirre. Going to Australia on tour this week will give me the chance to sit down with Beram.

"I'll need to sit down with Beram, look him in the eye and get a feel for what he's thinking. He knows I have his best interests at heart."

Lennon believes both players will benefit from remaining at Celtic Park, although he admits keeping them would be difficult should a top-four Premier League club come knocking.

"I can help them progress. They have the supporters on their side and a great affiliation with them. They would struggle to get that at many other clubs," he added.

"I'm sure there are Premiership clubs that could offer them better deals but at this stage of their careers money shouldn't be that important.

"There is no need for them to rush off and go to the Premiership just yet. They can stay here a year or two and then look at things after that.

"My whole point to them will be that unless it's a top-four club in England then I don't think there are many better places to be than here."

Reina Rejects Madrid Rumours

Jose Reina has moved quickly to distance himself from the number one position at Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish outfit is set to find themselves shorn of their first-choice goalkeeper once David de Gea completes his proposed move to Manchester United.

The youngster arrived in England on Monday to undergo a medical and is close to putting the finishing touches to a big-money transfer.

Speculation has already begun to circulate regarding who may be drafted in by Atletico as his replacement.

Liverpool shot-stopper Reina has been touted as a possible candidate, after spending the last six years away from his homeland.

The Reds ace has given short shrift to the rumours, though, by insisting that he remains fully committed to the Anfield cause.

He told La Gaceta: "I know Atletico are looking for a goalkeeper, but I won't be changing colours.

"I have a five-year contract and I'm happy at Liverpool."

Reina will come into direct competition with De Gea next season and he believes the 20-year-old will be a resounding success at Old Trafford.

He said: "I very much welcome this news because David is a great keeper.

"When it becomes official he is going to start working to prove in the Premier League what a good goalkeeper he is."

Agger Hails Impact Of Dalglish And Clarke

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has hailed boss Kenny Dalglish and assistant Steve Clarke for reviving the team’s fortunes last season and believes the duo can go on to achieve great things at Anfield.

Dalglish has been widely praised for his level of performance since returning to management with the Merseyside giants last January, taking over from Roy Hodgson with the team languishing in 12th place in the table and leading them to the brink of Europa League qualification.

Having originally assumed the roles in a caretaker capacity until the end of the season, both Dalglish and Clarke have been rewarded for their efforts with three-year-deals, and Agger is in no doubt as to the level of the duo’s impact at Anfield.

“It is a different way of playing football,” the Dane told Liverpoolfc.tv. “The training sessions are enjoyable.

"People talk about confidence and it is such a big thing in football because it can change from one day to another.

"The main change is about being positive. Playing positive football and that's the biggest difference."

Agger also believes the presence of Dalglish and Clarke in the Liverpool dugout promises a bright future for the club.

"I like Kenny's playing style and I think it suits Liverpool,” he added. “It suits the football club and it suits the fans.

"I was really happy he and Steve Clarke signed their deals. Steve has made a big, big impact and he is really good. I can't say enough good things about him.

"Kenny suits this club. He knows everything about it, and the fans know him. It's positive for the future."

130 Police Officers Broke Rules To View Files On Steven Gerrard's Trial

The failed criminal prosecution of England footballer Steven Gerrard provoked so much interest among police officers that 130 of them breached data protection laws to view his file, it has emerged.

Statistics disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that in 2008 there were 42 breaches of data protection laws by officers at Merseyside Police.

The following year – including the period in which Gerrard was prosecuted over an alleged affray in a nightclub – there were 152 breaches.

Merseyside Police said the rise was a result of officers and staff accessing confidential documents about Steven Gerrard’s arrest.

The Liverpool and England midfielder was subsequently cleared of unjustly attacking Marcus McGee during an altercation in the Lounge Inn, Southport, on December 29, 2008. The footballer had denied affray, saying he hit Mr. McGee in self-defence.

Although most of the breaches can be attributed to interest in Gerrard, officers were also accessing files to check classified data about relatives, friends and acquaintances who had provoked their suspicions.

Senior officers described the worst cases as “a serious abuse of force systems”.

Merseyside Police regarded the illegal accessing of information as so serious that an undisclosed number of officers were forced to resign.

In total, seven officers have been forced to leave the force over the past three years, with three others given final written warnings.

A total of 169 officers were required to receive “managerial advice” about their behaviour, while 29 were given written warnings.

Despite their censure, they refused to elaborate on the breaches after claiming that to do so might identify individuals.

Similar breaches occur in police forces across Britain.

In the neighbouring Lancashire force, for example, there were 84 breaches in three years.

These included an officer who ran checks on his daughter’s new boyfriend so he could warn her that the man had a criminal record for sex offences.

Officers who accessed the file of the Liverpool captain were able to see his date of birth, his address, details of the allegations against him, and the photograph taken on the day he was arrested,

The investigation against them was carried out following an audit by Merseyside’s professional standards directorates.

A force spokesman said it would “not tolerate” breaches of the Data Protection act.

She added: “Merseyside Police takes its responsibilities to manage and process personal information extremely seriously, and expects employees to maintain the highest standard of professional behaviour when dealing with information security.

“Any inappropriate behaviour may result in criminal and/or disciplinary proceedings and all cases are investigated thoroughly by the Professional Standards Department.”

Kenny Dalglish Back To Splash £28M On Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish returns from his summer break this week ready, willing and able to sanction a £28million spending spree.

Kenny Dalglish's first deal will be for Blackpool star Charlie Adam, 25, who is on the verge of completing an £8m move to Anfield in the next 48 hours.

And then the Liverpool boss will switch his attention to Aston Villa’s Stewart Downing, 26, who is desperate to be a Kop hero.

Dalglish is anxious to tie up the deal quickly, although Villa are haggling over the price for the England winger.

They want £20m, which is £4m more than the Kop giants want to pay.

The two clubs will reach a compromise in the next few days but Liverpool fear they will have to stump up the full asking price.

Downing is refusing to extend his contract, which has two years to run, and his arrival at Anfield now seems to be a case of when and not if.

Adam was heartbroken that a £7m Liverpool bid was rejected by Blackpool at the end of a crazy January transfer window.

But now relegation to the Championship has forced the Seasiders’ hand and they are resigned to losing the Scotland star, two years after he signed from Rangers for £500,000.

Liverpool’s director of football Damien Comolli has held talks with Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston to finalize the deal.

But Villa’s new boss Alex McLeish, who worked with Adam at Rangers, hasn’t given hope of a last-ditch hijack attempt.

Liverpool Planning Audacious Bid For Tottenham Star

Liverpool is planning an audacious swoop for Tottenham Hotspur winger Aaron Lennon.

According to The People, the club's Director of Football Damien Comolli, has identified the England winger as the ideal acquisition for Kenny Dalglish's summer rebuild.

24-year-old Lennon will cost the Merseysiders at least £20 million and is seen as the perfect remedy, after the club missed out on Ashley Young, who opted to sign for rivals Manchester United for a similar fee.

Comolli is of the belief that Lennon would be open to a move back north, and that with Spurs looking to hold on to Luka Modric by making him the club's highest paid player, they will need to sell first.

Lennon, who still has three years left to run on his current deal, is the latest wide-man to be linked with Liverpool. The club have been linked with a £17 million move for want-away Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing, who has been told he will need to hand in a formal transfer request if he wishes to move on.

England International Lennon is seen as the perfect compliment to Jordan Henderson, who joined Liverpool from Sunderland for £20 million earlier this month.

Should Lennon join the club, Kenny Dalglish's total spending would be near the £100 million mark, adding to the pricey signings of Henderson as well as Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez in January.

Moussa Sissoko In Talks With Liverpool

Toulouse's Moussa Sissoko is in negotiations with Liverpool over a potential transfer, while Inter and Lyon are also frontrunners for the midfielder's signature, Goal.com have been told.

The 21-year-old is set for a high-profile move away from Le Tefece after a string of influential performances in Ligue 1 last season.

Sissoko's agent insists the France international has several offers tabled, with the offer from fellow French side Lyon being the strongest.

“The link with Lyon is serious, but it is not the only one,” said his agent, Bacary Sanogo. “There are also negotiations with Liverpool, Newcastle and Inter. Things should seriously move next week.”

However, opposition may come in the form of Toulouse president Olivier Sadran, who will reportedly not accept a bid of anything less than €15 million [£13.3m] for his prized asset.

Since Sissoko has two years left on his contract, Sanogo has refused to rule out the possibility of his client remaining with Toulouse if a transfer deal cannot be struck this summer.

“His priority is a club with a major sporting project. But it will not pose a problem to Moussa [to remain with Toulouse].”

Liverpool Refusing To Budge On £6m Valuation Of Adam

Blackpool may be forced to sell captain Charlie Adam for only half the £12million they wanted in January.

Liverpool is unwilling to pay more than £6m for the 25-year-old, who was the subject of a bidding war between them and Spurs six months ago.

Blackpool's relegation has meant Adams' price has dropped, particularly as he only has a year left on his contract.

Liverpool have not registered a formal bid in this window and are prepared to be patient as they believe Adam would ideally like a move to Anfield. Aston Villa and Tottenham may also bid as the asking price drops.

Liverpool are also looking at Villa winger Stewart Downing and have monitored Lyon defender Dejan Lovren.

Liverpool Set To Miss Out On Dimitri Payet

Lille is closing in on Saint-Etienne winger Dimitri Payet, despite an interest from Liverpool.

Goal.com UK revealed Reds director Damien Comolli is eager to lure the 24-year-old to Anfield, but he is not keen on matching the French club's asking price, around €12.3 million (£11 m).

Rather, he has valued the player at €6.7 m. (£5.9m) That appears to have left the French champions with a window to move for Payet as L'Equipe reports the France international could complete a transfer north within days.

The former Nantes player is said to have spoken with Lille directors over personal terms and he has been guaranteed regular football by coach Rudi Garcia.

Saint-Etienne president Roland Romeyer expects big developments within the next few days as he declared: "We are talking and I hope things are concluded next week."

Paris Saint-Germaine has also been linked with the Frenchman who is tied to his current club until 2013.

Villarreal Beat Liverpool To Zapata?

Liverpool look to have been beaten in the race for Udinese defender Cristian Zapata, as he seems to be heading to Villarreal.

The Reds had been heavily linked with the Colombian international centre-back a couple of weeks ago.

However, according to Spanish newspaper Marca, Udinese have a deal in place with Villarreal.

The 'Yellow Submarine' director of sport Antonio Cordon has reportedly secured an agreement for €6m plus ownership of Javier Matilla.

Although Matilla is part of the exchange, he will be loaned out to Granada, the Liga club owned by Udinese patrons the Pozzo family.

Young Reds Star For England

Liverpool Academy starlet Brad Smith played the entire 90 minutes as England secured top spot in Group C of the FIFA U17 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Uruguay on Saturday night.

Goals from Nathaniel Chalobah and Max Clayton ensured the Young Lions cruise through to the knockout stages having tallied seven points from their three matches in Mexico.

Smith was joined on the field by fellow Liverpool youngster Jack Dunn, who was introduced to the action as a 71st minute substitute.

Raheem Sterling, Matty Regan, Adam Morgan and Tyrell Belford watched the contest unfold from the bench.

England will now meet Argentina in Pachuca on June 30.

Petter Harrison Won't Let Andy Carroll Go

Peter Harrison is refusing to give up the fight in his legal wrangle with Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.

Peter Harrison, Andy Carroll’s former agent, withdrew his case against him on legal advice at an FA arbitration hearing last week.

But Harrison is now demanding a personal FA hearing over his claim that Carroll was in breach of contract when he switched the handling of his affairs to rival agent Mark Curtis.

Harrison insists he had a contract with Carroll, 22, until March and took his case to the FA, claiming loss of earnings over the five-year deal the player agreed with Newcastle last October.

Meanwhile, hotshot Carroll is hoping next summer will be gold-en.

The England star hopes to play for Team GB at the London Olympics.

And a source close to the striker said: “Andy’s grandparents come from Scotland and playing for GB next summer would really please them.”

Reserves To Face Waterford

A Liverpool XI will take on Waterford United next month as part of a two-match pre-season tour of Ireland.

Rodolfo Borrell's Reds side will go head-to-head with the Blues at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre on Wednesday, July 20, kick-off 7.45pm.

Waterford United vice-chairman Sam White said: "We're delighted to be able to welcome a club of the stature of Liverpool to the RSC.

"It will be a great, historic, occasion for Waterford United, and hopefully a great boost for the city also.

"Liverpool has huge support throughout the country, and it's a great opportunity for Reds fans from all over the South East, and further afield, to come and see the Anfield stars of the future."

Last week, it was confirmed a Liverpool XI will play Bray Wanderers on Monday, July 18 at the Carlisle Grounds in Bray, Co. Wicklow, kick-off 7.45pm.

Stewart Downing Set To Hand In Aston Villa Transfer Request To Force Through Liverpool move

Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing is set to hand in a transfer request in an attempt to speed up his protracted move to Liverpool, according to reports in the The Mirror.

Downing has been the subject of keen interest from Liverpool, and the England winger is keen on joining Kenny Dalglish’s team - although Aston Villa are reluctant to lose the former Middlesbrough winger after seeing Ashley Young join Manchester United.

The 26-year-old has two years remaining on his current contract but has no intention of renewing his deal. However, Liverpool must find a compromise with Villa, who has slapped a £19 million asking price on the player.

Downing has 27 caps for England but believes a move to Liverpool would help boost his chances of securing a more regular starting role in the national side.

Aston Villa are keen to keep the player but it is thought they would reluctantly accept a sizeable fee as they look to raise some transfer funds for new manager Alex McLeish, who has been linked with moves for Scott Dann and Ben Foster from his former club, Birmingham City.

Unsettled Diego On Anfield radar

Liverpool is reportedly considering bidding for Werder Bremen playmaker Diego.

Diego was this list week fined a massive €500,000 (£443,000) for storming out of the club's hotel when learning he was not to start the club's final game of last season. The Brazilian international is said to be keen on leaving the Bundesliga side whom he joined last summer.

The unsettled playmaker is said to be on Anfield director of football Damien Comolli's transfer wish-list and the 26 year old may be offloaded by Wolfsburg boss Felix Magath. The former Juventus man also was fined earlier in the season for taking a penalty, which he subsequently missed, which he was not designated to take.

Diego's overall form over the last campaign was mixed but the pint sized midfielder did weigh in with crucial performances that eventually help steer Wolfsburg away from relegation in what was a very poor season for the club overall. The Volkswagen backed side had won the title back in 2008/09 but finished last season in 15th spot in the Bundesliga, during which time Steve McClaren was fired and star striker Edin Dzeko was sold to Man City.

Liverpool is keen to bring in more creative talent and are said to be closing in on Blackpool talisman Charlie Adam and having already signed Sunderland youngster Jordan Henderson, Kenny Dalglish is expected to bring in further signings to help push his side back into the top four next term.

Diego had been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool during Rafa Benitez's spell at the club and the much traveled midfielder may be looking for a fresh start after stuttering seasons with Juventus and Wolfsburg.

Tony Pulis Eye Possible Double Swoop From Liverpool

ClubCall announced that Stoke City Manager Tony Pulis is possibly interested in a double move for Liverpool's Christian Poulsen and David N'Gog.

Poulsen never got his career off the ground for the Reds, despite reiterating desire to fight for his place he will most likely move on this summer.

David N'Gog has seen an offer from Sunderland recently but it looks to be that he will refuse as they will not match his wage demands.

Pulis had great success with former Liverpool wide man Jermaine Pennant, whom he signed permanently last season, and could be seeing an opportunity to make good on some other Reds outkasts.