Dalglish: No European Football This Season Could Be An Advantage For Liverpool

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish believes that a season without European competition may be good for his side as it looks to return to the Champions League.

The Reds competed in the Europa League last season but are aiming to return to Europe's premier club competition this term. Dalglish, who has invested heavily in his squad since returning as manager in January, believes they can achieve this more easily without the distraction of midweek European trips.

"We’d much rather be in the Champions League than out of it and this is the first year for many years when we’ve not been in Europe," he told reporters. “But maybe that will be an advantage to us because we will have fewer games to play and players will have a chance to get more rest. All we can say is we’ll give our best for the football club. The more games we win, the more successful we’ll be."

Dalglish went on to praise the Liverpool fans and has promised his squad will be fully committed ahead of the new season.

“We can promise everyone we will give everything for the ­football club. All we can do is give our best and, if we get results, we’ll be successful," he said. “It’s more of an honour than a burden to manage this club. The expectations are there, but we have to manage them and the supporters have to manage them. We know our fans have respect for us and commitment to the football club and we hope to get results for them.”

Liverpool Complete Signing Of Stewart Downing For £20m

Liverpool have completed the signing of Stewart Downing from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee believed to be £20m.

The 26-year-old winger, who becomes Kenny Dalglish's fourth summer signing, said: "It's a great feeling and I'm very happy to be here. It's been a long time coming and I've had to wait a few weeks but I'm really pleased.

"With the tradition, the manager and the players they have here, there was a big temptation and once I knew of their interest, there was only one place I wanted to go. When I wanted to come to Liverpool, it was the first thing I thought of – playing at Anfield in front of those great fans. I'm really looking forward to it."

The prospect of winning trophies on a regular basis also appealed to Downing. "It would be nice to win something. I'm sure that's the same objective for everyone, not just me. My aim is to be in the team, to play well and give something back, because the manager has pushed the boat out to get me here.

Downing's arrival marked the end of a busy day for Liverpool, who also completed the signing of the goalkeeper Alexander Doni from Roma. The 31-year-old Brazilian is thought to have joined on a free transfer after agreeing terms and passing a medical. Doni, who has 10 caps for Brazil, will provide backup and competition for Liverpool No1 José Reina, a role he also played at Roma behind Júlio Sérgio.

Downing and Doni join Jordan Henderson from Sunderland and Blackpool's Charlie Adam as Liverpool's summer recruits.

Liverpool Was The Only Club I Wanted To Join, Says Downing

Stewart Downing has revealed he was desperate to secure a move to Liverpool after the winger finally signed for the Reds from Aston Villa on Friday night.

The 26-year-old winger had long been linked with a move to Anfield, with the England international finally putting pen to paper after the two clubs agreed a fee, believed to be around the £20m mark, earlier this week.

Downing, who becomes Kenny Dalglish’s fourth major signing of the summer after Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Alexander Doni, says he immediately had his heart set on joining Liverpool once he learned of their interest.

“It’s a great feeling and I’m very happy to be here,” Downing told Liverpool’s website. “It’s been a long time coming and I’ve had to wait a few weeks, but I’m really pleased to be here.

“With the tradition, the manager and the players they have here, there was a big temptation to come here and once I knew of their interest, there was only one place I wanted to go.”

Downing, who handed in a transfer request at Villa Park earlier this week, added: “It will be a great feeling to run out at Anfield. It’s always nice to come and play here. The atmosphere is always great and the fans are brilliant.

“When I wanted to come to Liverpool, it was the first thing I thought of – playing at Anfield in front of those great fans. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Liverpool Complete Deal For Roma Keeper Doni

Liverpool have signed AS Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club said on Friday as manager Kenny Dalglish continued his close-season rebuilding.

Doni, who has 10 caps for Brazil, has been brought in as back-up to Liverpool's current number one Pepe Reina.

A statement on the club's website (www.liverpoolfc.tv) said the 31-year-old former international had signed a contract after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

Doni made 179 appearances for Roma in six seasons but has struggled to command a regular starting place at the Stadio Olimpico after falling behind Julio Sergio in the pecking order.

Liverpool's director of football, Damien Comolli, said the move would help the club's young goalkeepers gain experience.

"We are delighted to sign Doni," Comolli said. "It's a position we felt we had to strengthen because it will allow our young goalkeepers to go on loan and get some experience at some point during the season, which is crucial in their development.

"We are getting a very experienced goalkeeper who is used to handling the pressure of big games and international matches with Brazil. He had a very good end of last season with Roma, so we are very pleased," he added on the club website.

Doni is Liverpool's third summer signing following the arrival of England midfielder Jordan Henderson from Sunderland and Scotland playmaker Charlie Adam from Blackpool.

Liverpool's Bid For Keisuke Honda Could Be Thwarted By Blackburn Rovers

Liverpool winger target Keisuke Honda could be on his way to Blackburn Rovers in a shock turn of events, according to Sky Sports.

Honda is looking to leave CSKA Moscow after an unsettled start for the Russian side, with the Japanese international telling the press he is ready to move on.

“My life has been a series of ups and downs. Right now I’d have to say it is a downer. That includes my current situation at CSKA,” he said.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has been heavily linked with the player since taking over at the club in January, although CSKA have been fending off interest in the player for months.

The Reds were first thought to be monitoring the player in 2009 under the guidance of Rafael Benitez, but Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers have also been linked to the midfielder since the opening of the transfer window.

The 24-year-old’s promising European career began with Dutch side VVV-Venlo, and is still thought to have two years left on his current deal in Russia.

Offers to break Honda’s deal with the side are rumoured to be between £12-15 million due to his playmaking and set piece ability, but the figure may well be further inflated by the potential revenue from Far East shirt sales, a market which Liverpool are known to be trying to break.

After signing Stewart Downing for £20 million this week, Liverpool will have to consider if they can spend big again on another player this summer.

Liverpool Ready To Let Keeper Leave Anfield

Liverpool will allow Brad Jones to build a career elsewhere if Kenny Dalglish can finalise a deal for Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni.

Roy Hodgson signed Jones last season as back up to Pepe Reina but the imminent arrival of Doni has cast doubt over his future.

Jones made his debut in Liverpool's shock Carling Cup defeat to Northampton Town last season and was eventually shipped out on loan to Derby.

And with Italian Doni seemingly set for Anfield, Dalglish is open to another loan deal for the 29-year-old, with the potential for a permanent move.

Jones is approaching his 30s and is keen to establish himself as a first team regular but Reina is immovable at Anfield and Doni's arrival could spell the end of his Liverpool career.

Chris Mavinga On Verge Of Joining Rennes

Liverpool defender Chris Mavinga is understood to be joining French club Rennes and has a provisional date for a medical next week, according to Ouest France.

The 20-year-old Frenchman has been a player at Anfield for two years but has yet to force his way into the first-team reckoning at Anfield, and will undergo a medical with the Ligue 1 side on Tuesday.

Mavinga finally made his entry into senior football last season while on-loan at Belgian club Racing Genk.

It is unlikely that Kenny Dalglish will use the defender next year and the youngster is thought to be looking to get out of the club to kick-start his career.

Additionally, if fellow Liverpool outcast Milan Jovanovic completes his move to Anderlecht, that would free up the Belgian club’s Mathias Suarez move to Rennes.

Pre-Season Work Pleases Kuyt

Dirk Kuyt is happy with the way Liverpool's pre-season work is going and is looking forward to Saturday's game against a Malaysia XI.

The Reds beat Guangdong 4-3 in the opening clash of their pre-season tour of Asia on Wednesday since when Netherlands international Kuyt and his team-mates have been put through several intense training sessions.

Kuyt has been particularly impressed with the reception the Liverpool players have received since arriving in Malaysia, saying: "What we are seeing over here is just unbelievable.

"We went to Thailand and Singapore two years ago and that was incredible, and this is just the same.

"We're working really hard over here and doing what we need to do to be ready for the new season. It is hard because the conditions are difficult but we know how important it is.

"We had our first game the other night and, although we won, we know we made some mistakes so it's important we keep putting the effort in now and I'm sure we'll reap rewards when the season starts.

"All we can do is give our best, but we have the quality within the squad to win games and be successful. That's our aim."

Liverpool Join Attack On City's Etihad Deal

Liverpool joined the grand coalition attacking Manchester City's £400m sponsorship deal with Etihad, with managing director Ian Ayre saying yesterday that Uefa should investigate whether it is an illegal deal under its financial fair play regulations.

Speaking in Kuala Lumpur -- where on Monday Arsene Wenger accused City of "financial doping" -- Ayre suggested that the 10-year sponsorship agreement with Etihad may be an illegal 'related-party' deal, which financial fair play specifically outlaws.

When it comes into force next year, clubs will have to record aggregate losses of no more than €45m (£39m) or face exclusion from European competition. However, clubs cannot try to offset those losses by sponsoring themselves. Since the Bin Zayed family own Manchester City and Etihad, it may be all too literally a related-party deal.

"Is Etihad, Manchester City and Sheikh Mansour a related party?" Ayre asked. "If they are, then it is up to Uefa to rule on it. When I spoke at Soccerex earlier this year, I was on a panel about financial fair play. The guys from Uefa said there would be a robust and proper process about related-party transactions."

In Boston this week, Bobby Charlton said it would be unthinkable that Manchester United would rename Old Trafford, saying the name was "too important".

In commercial terms for an airline that has never made a profit, the deal is ludicrously overpriced -- especially for a stadium that already has a generic name. Ayre argues that, although some of the £400m will be invested in redevelopment work around what will be probably still be called Eastlands, the cost of the agreement may also come into conflict with Uefa regulations that transactions must have a 'fair value'.

"It has never happened in Europe that a football club has renamed its stadium and had real value," Ayre said. "It was the City of Manchester Stadium or Eastlands for the last nine years and now it is going to be called something different -- and yet someone has attached a huge amount of value to that.

"There is no suggestion that you can rename your stadium and generate that amount of value. Mike Ashley tried it at Newcastle but nobody calls it the Sports Direct.com@St James' Park and it certainly didn't have that kind of value."

Although the Anfield club's director of football Damien Comolli has this week overseen a series of trials in China, Ayre was cautious when asked if Liverpool would sign Asian players -- something their main sponsors Standard Chartered want them to do.

"What we wouldn't do is sign a player just because he is Asian; that won't deliver anything in the long term," said Ayre, who spent many years in Hong Kong and Malaysia before coming to Anfield, first as commercial director and then managing director.

"United have got the best value in Ji-Sung Park. He is a real player who can perform at the top level and there aren't many of them about."

With Arsenal having already played in Kuala Lumpur and Chelsea due in Malaysia next week, Liverpool know there is competition in a region that has been traditionally their domain. However, Ayre doubted that the two London clubs would truly break through.

"I believe quite strongly there are two brands in English football that are truly global -- Liverpool and the team from down the M62," he said in a week when Liverpool's two games at the Bukit Jalil Stadium are likely to draw more than 100,000.

"That is not to say people will never catch us up but it will be quite a hard thing to do. It is not just about winning trophies, it is about building a year-on-year legacy rather than just going out and signing loads of people."

Dalglish Gambles On Best Of British To Deliver Goods

Kenny Dalglish's last public act on Liverpool's tour of Asia was to engage in some public banter with Phil Thompson in front of 38,000 fans who had come to see his players engage in a little light training.

It proved that, however firm their place is in Anfield's pantheon, Thompson and Dalglish have a limited future as a comedy double act, although the reception they received would have flattered Morecambe and Wise.

Then, the Liverpool manager was driven to the airport for a 6,000-mile overnight flight to Merseyside to meet his newest signing, Stewart Downing.

The chance to welcome the 26-year-old winger, who has never quite fulfilled the early promise he showed at Middlesbrough, was not the reason for Dalglish's journey. There was a family engagement to fulfil but, as a player and a manager, Dalglish has never been slow to seize an opportunity.

Since his return to Anfield in what was a bleak if emotional January, Dalglish has moved swiftly. The £20m fee Liverpool will pay Aston Villa for Downing brings his total spending to £100m in seven months.

Looking at the footballers Dalglish has brought to Liverpool, it is not hard to see where he imagined the deep fault lines that undermined his predecessor Roy Hodgson lay.

There have been two very different centre-forwards in Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, and now three midfielders.

If Charlie Adam has been recruited to provide the telling through ball for Suarez, then Downing's role is to deliver the crosses that were often absent in the narrow teams Hodgson and, in his last season, Rafael Benitez oversaw.

At Blackburn and Newcastle, two clubs where Dalglish also spent big with differing results, the most common cry on the training pitches would be Alan Shearer's voice demanding crosses into the box. At Melwood the Geordie accent is similar but it belongs to Carroll.

Jamie Carragher, for one, understood that this is something Liverpool has long lacked.

"It's a terrific signing, there's no doubt about that whatsoever," said the man who has flung himself into the role of pressing the flesh in China and in Malaysia.

"He's been a top player in the Premier League for the last six or seven years and he will make a difference, with his ability to go outside and down the line to get quality crosses in.

"He was Aston Villa's player of the year and he will give us something that we have been lacking, genuine quality on the left-hand side. Every team looking to compete needs quality players in each position and that is what we are getting back towards."

Suarez apart, the one common link in Dalglish's spending is that it has been focused on British footballers, which underpinned his success at Blackburn. In his brief, sometimes tortured, tenure at St James' Park he often shopped abroad with mixed results.

British players are relatively expensive -- the £35m that took Carroll from Tyneside was enough for Barcelona to land Alexis Sanchez. However, they bring with them certain togetherness.

It is easy to feel optimistic when you are a Premier League footballer in Asia. At last night's training session Dalglish's squad were cheered and the flashbulbs glittered when they passed into an empty net. Their manager's every press conference was book-ended by the kind of applause Dalglish does not expect in England, not even among his own journalists at Anfield.

Nevertheless, Dirk Kuyt, who 12 months ago was toying with a move to Internazionale, said he felt the kind of genuine optimism missing when he returned from the World Cup. And it was not just because, for the first time in five years, he had been able to have a proper holiday.

"When I arrived at Liverpool, five or six years ago, we seemed to have two very good players for almost every position," said Kuyt. "I have just got a feeling we are getting back there. There is more rivalry, more competition but it gets the best out of you.

"The start of pre-season last year was very strange for all of us. We didn't know where the club was going with the owners but since they (Tom Hicks and George Gillett) have gone, there has been a lot of change. A change of manager and a couple of good signings like Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

"It all looks very positive. It is what I want and what the players want. We have to challenge with the best and it looks like we are getting there."

Kenny Dalglish Flies Back To Seal Stewart Downing's Liverpool Transfer

Kenny Dalglish flew back to Merseyside on Thursday night to seal the deal for Stewart Downing that will see Liverpool's spending reach £100m in the seven months since his emotional return to Anfield.

The Liverpool manager had anyway been expected to come back early from the club's Asian tour to fulfil a long-standing engagement, so the opportunity to meet the player who could provide the width that was badly lacking under Rafael Benítez and Roy Hodgson was one Dalglish was not going to pass up.

It is not hard to see where he felt the fault in Hodgson's sides lay. This summer Dalglish has invested £43m on three British midfielders, none of whom has truly established themselves at international level.

According to Jamie Carragher, who is captaining Liverpool in the far east, Downing's arrival could see Andy Carroll, in particular, receive the kind of service he was deprived of in his first half-season on Merseyside. Carroll, who has Alan Shearer's hunger for a well-delivered cross, managed only two goals.

"It's a terrific signing, there is no doubt about that whatsoever," said Carragher of Downing after an open training session in the Bukit Jalil Stadium, which attracted 38,700 supporters, who greeted every simple pass or shot into an open net ecstatically.

"He will definitely make a difference with his ability to go outside and down the line to get in quality crosses. He was Aston Villa's player of the year and he will give us something we have been lacking – genuine quality on the left-hand side.

"When you look at the players who have not come out here – Steven Gerrard, Pepe Reina, Luis Suárez, Jordan Henderson and Glen Johnson – they would make the basis of a top team. We are not going to make any statements about what might happen next season but it is pleasing things are looking positive once again.

"I know him, so does Stevie. He knows Andy Carroll and Johnno from playing with England so he is not going to be walking into a dressing room and feeling all on his own."

Stewart Downing's Liverpool Transfer May See Joe Cole Join Aston Villa

Talks between Aston Villa and Liverpool over the transfer of Stewart Downing also included preliminary discussions regarding the future of fellow England midfielder Joe Cole, it is being suggested.

Cole's Liverpool future looks particularly bleak following the news that Downing will move to Anfield in a deal said to be worth up to £20million.

And this comes hot on the heels of Kenny Dalglish shelling a reported £30m on the combined midfield talents of Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam.

The news of another arrival in his position leaves Cole in limbo, paving the way for Villa and the Reds to include the England international playmaker in their thoughts.

In confirming a deal to take Downing up the M6 Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner - who admitted the player had handed in a transfer request - confirmed the club are already lining up alternatives.

'We believe there are replacements available in the market who can strengthen our squad,' he added.

Despite discussing 29-year-old Cole, it is not thought he will move to Villa Park straight away in a swap deal with Downing - preferring to hold talks with his current club's hierarchy first.

However, initial discussions between the clubs over Downing are said to have been 'very amicable' - leaving the way open for a return to the negotiating table at a later date, once Cole's future is decided.

The midfielder only joined the Reds on a four-year contract from Chelsea last summer, having rejected offers from both Spurs and Arsenal.

But he has had little joy on Merseyside through a combination of injury and loss of form.

Coach Dalglish is set for showdown talks with Cole's agent to discuss his plans for the player in the first team next season.

And depending on the result, Cole could find himself surplus to requirements - and therefore free to thrash out terms with Villa, who have already shown a desire to take him to the West Midlands.

Speaking about the Downing deal, Dalglish told the club's official website: 'We have been given permission to speak to the player.

'We will now try to agree personal terms with him, but it will all depend on the medical.

'It is a work in progress and we will see what happens and keep you informed.'

Liverpool Target Czech Defender To Fill Problem Position

Liverpool are ready to rekindle their interest in Bayer Leverkusens Michael Kadlec having grown frustrated in their pursuit of a new left-back.

The Reds have limited options on the left side of their defence, where England right-back Glen Johnson was often forced to fill in last season as Anfield flop Paul Konchesky was loaned to Nottingham Forest and yester day sold to Leicester City

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has found it difficult to solve the problem position so far this summer as top transfer target Gael Clichy opted to join Manchester City , while Newcastles £15m asking price for Jose Enrique has proved a stumbling block in agreeing a deal.

Dalglish will now turn his attention to Kadlec, who was the subject of a scouting mission last summer by Liverpool before former boss Roy Hodgson signed Konchesky.

The 26-yearold Czech Republic international is only under contract with Leverkusen until 2013 and has refused to confirm that he will sign a new deal,

The German outfit value Kadlec in excess of £6m, a valuation based on the fullbacks impressive form last season as he helped the club finish runners-up in the Bundesliga.

Blackpool Set To Land Liverpool Star Permanently

Despite reports suggesting otherwise, Gerardo Bruna's move from Liverpool to Blackpool will be on a permanent basis, we understand.

And the deal is very close to completion, as the Blackpool Gazette also reported yesterday.

Sky Sports and the PFA's website have both published articles in the past few days stating that the Argentine`s transfer to Bloomfield Road would only be on loan.

However, it has come to light that the 20-year-old will be joining permanently as the Seasiders build for the future.

Confusion surrounding the deal came about from the lack of financial clarity during Charlie Adam's switch to Anfield last week, with the media unsure whether extra packages were involved.

That led to many media outlets suggesting/guessing that two players were to travel to Bloomfield Road on loan, but we understand that incoming transfers aren't directly related to the Adam deal. However, it is highly likely that the Bruna link occurred thanks to Blackpool's dealings with the Reds over the £7m move.

There is no word on whether Tom Ince's proposed contract at Blackpool is a loan or permanent.

Christian Poulsen Is Not Leaving Liverpool - Agent

The agent of Liverpool midfielder Christian Poulsen has rubbished reports linking the Dane to Copenhagen, and says that his client will not be leaving Anfield this summer.

Poulsen endured a poor first season at Liverpool after being signed by former manager Roy Hodgson last summer, and made just six appearances under new boss Kenny Dalglish, the last of which came in March.

But his agent Jorn Bonnesen told Onside.dk: “No, Christian Poulsen is not on his way to FC Copenhagen and he has not spoken to them.

“Christian Poulsen's future lies at Liverpool.”

The 31-year-old has two years left on his contract at Anfield but many expect him to leave after the arrivals of fellow midfielders Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam.

Poulsen was included in the Reds’ squad for a pre-season tour of China, and scored on Wednesday in a friendly against Guangdong Sunray Cave.

The former Juventus man, signed for £4.5 million last June, has been frozen out since making his last appearance in Liverpool’s 1-0 Europa League defeat against Braga.

Another of Hodgson's signings, left-back Paul Konchesky, has already left the club this summer, joining Sven-Goran Eriksson's Leicester City.

Aquilani Wont Go To Sunderland - Agent

The agent of Alberto Aquilani has dismissed reports linking his client with a move to Sunderland this summer.

Speculations in the English media claim the Black Cats are considering strengthening their squad by signing the Liverpool midfielder.

However, when asked about the link with Sunderland, Aquilani's agent Franco Zavaglia said to Tuttomercatoweb.com: "Right now I firmly believe that Aquilani will play at Liverpool next season."

The 26-year-old Aquilani has also been linked with AC Milan, but Zavaglia said a move to the Serie A champions was unlikely.

"There have been no negotiations with Milan regarding Aquilani's reported move there," he added.

"The chances of seeing Alberto in the Italian league next season are very low at this point in time."

Aquilani, who spent last season on loan at Juventus, wants to remain in Italy but has received no suitable offers despite making 33 league appearances for the Turin outfit.

Liverpool signed Aquilani for a reported fee of £20million from Roma in 2009 and he is under contract with the Reds until June 2014.

Coventry City Miss Out On Loan Deal For Liverpool FC Star

Coventry City boss Andy Thorn has switched his attention elsewhere after missing out on rising Liverpool star Dani Pacheco.

The Sky Blues manager had the Spain Under-20 striker lined up to join the club on loan but the deal has fallen through because the Reds rate him so highly that they want to keep him closer to home.

The exciting 20-year-old was on loan at Norwich at the end of last season and scored against City in the last match of the campaign at Carrow Road.

“We were very close on Dani and got knocked back,” revealed Thorn, who is confident of getting a centre-forward in to help fill the goal void left by Marlon King’s exit.

“We thought we had him in the bag but these things happen.

"But that’s the type of quality we are looking at and now we are waiting on another player, well there’s a couple, from Premiership clubs but we will have to wait another ten or 12 days before we get answers as to whether we can take them on loan.

“There’s no urgency at the moment but I don’t want to bring anyone in who isn’t better than what we have got. But we will bring a body, or bodies, in but it has to be at the right time.

“Whoever comes in will also have to fit into the group because we have got a buzz going now.

“I know it’s frustrating for the supporters but we are trying to bring people in.

“But we are waiting on a couple of phone calls because being Premiership clubs they start back a little later than us and we are waiting to see if they will be used in their squads.”

Coady On Cloud Nine

Conor Coady today spoke of his joy after netting a memorable goal on his debut for Liverpool in China on Wednesday.

The Academy graduate and U18s captain came on in the second half of our 4-3 win over Guangdong Sunray Cave and fired home an effort he will never forget.

"It was a fantastic feeling," Coady told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"To score a goal for Liverpool is always special but the fact it was for the first team makes it even better.

"As a local lad playing for the first team is the best thing you can ever do, so to score on my debut was fantastic and it will live in my memory for a long time.

"My family will have been watching. My dad will still probably have a few critical things to say but they are all proud of me."

The young Scouser has been included on a first-team pre-season tour for the first time by Kenny Dalglish and he admits it is a humbling experience.

He added: "Every single one of the team and the boss and the coaches have all made me and the other young lads feel very welcome and we would like to thank them for that. It's a credit to all of them.

"These are the days you wait for as a local lad and when I arrived in the airport and saw the fans waiting for us I couldn't believe my eyes as I've not witnessed anything like that before. They are fantastic."

Liverpool Agree Fee With Aston Villa For Stewart Downing

Liverpool has confirmed on their official website that they have agreed a fee with Aston Villa for winger Stewart Downing.

The Anfield side were understood to have had a £15 million offer for the England international turned down earlier this summer but have now come back with an increased bid to land their man.

Arsenal reportedly made an enquiry for the winger but Downing favoured a move to Anfield with Kenny Dalglish keen to add to his growing English contingent following the January arrival of Andy Carroll and the summer acquisition of Jordan Henderson.

New Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish was keen to keep Downing after losing Ashley Young to Manchester United within days of joining the club, but the midfielder is now free to discuss terms with Liverpool after they agreed a reported fee of around £20m.

Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner confirmed the deal on the club’s official site.

"I can confirm that we have reached an agreement with Liverpool following an improved offer received earlier today and the submission of a formal transfer request by Stewart Downing, and have subsequently given them permission to speak with the player,” he said.

Villa are reportedly keen on Wigan Athletic’s Charles N’Zogbia and Faulkner confirmed that he believed there were players available to replace Downing.

He added: "We believe there are replacements available in the market who can strengthen our squad ahead of the coming season, and we are in discussions as such.”

With Brad Friedel having left the club to join Tottenham, Faulkner confirmed that the club was in the market for a goalkeeper.

"We are also working hard to conclude a deal for a goalkeeper who we believe can also strengthen the side," he said.

"As soon as we have dependable, conclusive information to share then we will do so."

Liverpool has also recently completed the signing of former Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam, who made his debut in a 4-3 friendly victory over Guandong in Asia on Wednesday.

The signing of Downing would take the club's summer spending far beyond the £40m mark as they aim to mount a challenge on the top four next season.

Liverpool Poised To Lose Out On Perotti

Juventus are set to beat Liverpool to the signing of Argentine winger Diego Perotti.

It was thought that Kenny Dalglish had identified the Sevilla star as a contingency plan should his pursuit of Stewart Downing prove fruitless.

But reports in Spain have claimed that Liverpool, who are not prepared to pay more than £7.5m for the Argentinean, are now about to be trumped by Juve.

The Serie A side has submitted a £9m offer for the 22-year-old and is now awaiting a response from Sevilla.

But it is unclear whether Juve's bid will be enough to tempt the La Liga's side to sell because they hope to receive a fee closer to £14m for Perotti.