Preview & Matchday: Liverpool vs Galatasaray S.K.

Three games down, three left, and with the new Premier League season just over the horizon it wouldn’t be surprising to see many key players get more than a half of action when Liverpool heads to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray later today. While Istanbul is hardly unfamiliar territory for Liverpool, the sold-out Turk Telekom Arena will be new, as the modern, state of the art stadium that took the club out of its old haunts and dropped it next to a freeway on the city’s outskirts only opened in January.

While no news has been released on Liverpool’s traveling squad yet, rumours have Pepe Reina and Steven Gerrard far from match fit and remaining in Liverpool, while Raul Meireles (ankle) and Daniel Agger (unknown) are believed to have stayed behind nursing slight knocks as well. Martin Skrtel, however, is expected to be available to make his first appearance of the preseason after a 2010-11 campaign that saw him regain something of his old form after the arrival of defensive guru Steve Clarke alongside Kenny Dalglish. No matter how many minutes he gets, it’s obvious that signs of a tighter defence will be integral for Liverpool as they build towards the new season.

Elsewhere, despite recent talk that he could be one of the players to head out on loan to free up space in Liverpool’s crowded midfield, Jay Spearing will be with the team, too, after talking about his determination to stay and fight for a place. Meanwhile, after saying that his client was definitely staying with Liverpool this season, over the weekend Alberto Aquilani’s agent changed his mind and started spreading rumours that the player was heading to Fiorentina on a loan similar to the one that sent him to Juventus last season—only this time around it would be even worse for Liverpool, as the agreed end of season fee the Italian club would be free to walk away from would be set at £10M and Liverpool would be picking up 20% of the player’s wages in the meantime. Needless to say, if Liverpool actually were to go through with such a deal it would be right to question the sanity of those involved, but as the days slip by with nothing happening it’s quickly turning into the reverse of the Charlie Adam saga: Nobody’s sure if he’s gone or not yet but most assume it will happen sooner or later. Maybe. Unless his agent changes his story again.

With the preseason friendlies at their half-way point, many will be eagerly awaiting team news to find out if the Italian has made the trip or not. Without any whispers of injury, if he hasn’t headed to Turkey with the club it would add credence to the recent rumbling that his future indeed lies elsewhere. Either way, though, with the bulk of Liverpool’s incomings this summer sorted and most of the squad approaching match fitness, at the very least an improved performance compared to the tired outing on Saturday against Hull will be expected—and as brought up earlier in the week, despite talk of it only being preseason the actual result might offer more insight into Liverpool’s future fortunes than many would guess.

As for Liverpool’s opponents, Galatasaray have started slowly through three preseason matches of their own, having so far registered a 1-1 draw at 2. Bundesliga side SpVgg Greuther Fürth, a 0-0 draw at home to Inter Milan, and a 1-0 loss on the road to FC Twente.

Their manager Fatih Terim, who was named the seventh best manager in the world in 2008 after taking Turkey to the semi-finals of the European Championships, returns for his third spell managing the club he earlier spent a decade playing for. After a tumultuous 2010-11 season that saw them go through Frank Rijkaard, Gheorghe Hagi, and finally Bülent Ünder, the return of a familiar face who once led the club to four Super Lig titles and one UEFA Cup sees Galatasaray back in steady—and popular—hands.

If Terim will be familiar to Galatasaray fans, there are a few names on the playing side who most following Liverpool will themselves be well acquainted with. Johan Elmander, their big signing of the summer so far, will be familiar to many, with the Swede looking to make a fresh start after moving to Galatasaray from Bolton on a free. Elmander only managed 18 goals in 92 appearances across three seasons while in the Premier League, but he and his new club will be hoping that a change of scenery brings back the form that saw him playing an important role for Toulouse and Brondby earlier in his career.

And of course there’s Milan Baros, who was an important part of Liverpool’s squad when they headed to Istanbul in 2005 for the Champions League final. As much as anything, he’ll be remembered by Liverpool fans for dropping the trophy during the celebration, leaving a lasting dent that the club decided not to repair. After he left Liverpool, he bounced from Aston Villa to Lyon to Portsmouth before finding a home in Turkey, but following a strong start for Galatasaray in 2008 he has spent much of the past two seasons injured. He’s fit now, though, and will expect to play against his old club.

Meanwhile Arda Turan will also be looking to impress against the side he’s publicly talked of wanting to move to in the past. He hasn’t been linked as often to Liverpool this summer as in other years, but the young captain was Juan Mata and Enrique Lavezzi before Juan Mata and Enrique Lavezzi were—a player who thanks to some small scrap ends up becoming a short-term obsession for half the people following Liverpool, even though in the end it seems likely the club was never in for him in the first place. In any case, if earlier preseason performances by Turan and Galatasaray are anything to go by, today’s affair will be a tight and chippy one. Though of course if Liverpool’s earlier preseason performances are anything to go by a sloppy goal-fest could be on the cards.

Kenny Dalglish Hopes Memories Of 2005 Will Inspire Liverpool FC In Galatasaray

Kenny Dalglish is hoping returning to the city of one of Liverpool’s greatest ever triumphs will bring out the best in his players tonight.

The Reds face Galatasaray at the new Turk Telekom Arena as they continue their pre-season preparations.

It will be the third time Liverpool have played in Istanbul since their stunning comeback to beat AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final.

“It’s a great game for us and everyone is looking forward to it,” Dalglish said.

“It’s a shame we’re not playing at the Ataturk as that stadium will always have a special place in everyone’s hearts.

“But everyone has great memories of Istanbul after what was achieved here back in 2005.

"That was a fantastic achievement.

“This game is only a friendly but we will try to get the maximum we can out of the game.

"We’re playing at a new stadium and Galatasaray will pose a decent test for us.”

Dalglish fielded a different side in each half of last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Hull City.

However, he is set to make fewer changes tonight with a number of players saved for Monday’s trip to Oslo to face Valerenga.

“We’ve got two games in the space of a few days and the players need to get more minutes in than they’ve had so far,” he added.

“But we will do whatever the situation dictates and we won’t leave players on longer than needed just for the sake of it.”

Highly-Rated Striker 'Signs Pre-Contract' With Liverpool

Mexican starlet Marco Bueno has signed a pre-contract agreement with Liverpool, his current employers Pachuca have confirmed, and he will now have a trial at the Kirky Academy before a permanent deal is agreed.

The 17-year-old has been linked with a move to Merseyside for the past few weeks and, should he impress Reds representatives on trial, Bueno is expected to sign a five-year contract.

"A pre-contract with the parents and Bueno was signed to be sent to Liverpool," Pachuca vice-president Andres Fassi said.

"So we are accepting the 10-day trial and the conditions, if the English decide to keep him."

Bueno's trial will commence in mid-August - reports the Liverpool Echo - and the youngster is ready and waiting for his chance to shine.

"I feel very happy and very motivated," Bueno said. "I am wearing the shirt of Liverpool. I have my family behind me and that's enough to face any challenge.

"I have to face it with great motivation and commitment to represent the country in the best way, and with faith that everything is achievable.

"It's a life experience that I will never forget. I'm very excited about that and will give my best. Where the opportunity arises I will make the most."

Bueno - who has been compared to compatriot Javier Hernandez - was a an integral member of Mexico's under-17 World Cup winning squad earlier this month, and will come to Anfield with a reputation that is growing with each passing day.

Gunners Join Liverpool In Copa America Champion Chase

Arsenal are being linked with a summer move for Uruguay defender and reported Liverpool target Alvaro Pereira.

The Porto full back has been linked with a move away from the Estádio do Dragão following the departure of Andre Villas-Boas, with Juventus also thought to be keen on the 25-year-old.

However, Tuttomercatoweb now claims that Arsenal are keeping tabs on the left back, with the former CFR Cluj player thought to be seeking a new challenge away from Portugal.

With Gael Clichy making a move away from the Emirates earlier in the month, Arsene Wenger is believed to be in the market for a player in the position at Arsenal.

Carl Jenkinson has already joined in a £1 million move, although the Arsenal boss is likely to be after experience with Kieran Gibbs the only left back with experience on the books.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has also been linked with a move for the player, with the Reds to bring a player in the position to Anfield as they look to replace Paul Konchesky.

A handful of players in the position have already been linked, but when questioned on the subject Pereira admitted he was yet to hear anything concrete from Liverpool.

"Liverpool? I do not know, I cannot say anything. My only wish is to celebrate Uruguay's big win [at Copa America]," he told A BOLA on Sunday.

"After this, I will return to Porto, my club, and then we will see what happens."

Milan Jovanovic Will 'Definitely' Sign For Anderlecht - Agent

Milan Jovanovic's agent Dejan Veljkovic believes the midfielder will "definitely" join Anderlecht from Liverpool.

The Serbian winger has been told that he is surplus to requirements at Anfield, despite only joining the club from Standard Liege last summer, scoring just two goals in 18 appearances.

Anderlecht have already announced their interest in Jovanovic but the Belgian club’s general manager Herman van Holsbeeck has revealed that his wages, reportedly £65,000 a week, could prove to be a stumbling block.

However, Jovanovic’s agent is sure that his client will sign for Belgium’s most successful club side, and is confident any difficulties in the deal can be solved.

"Milan will definitely come to Anderlecht," Veljkovic told Het Nieuwsblad in Belgium.

"We are talking again and everything looks good: the sporting aspects, financial, contributions.

"We are still a few solutions [away] but there is movement."

Jay Spearing Ready To Fight For Liverpool Place

Liverpool's Jay Spearing is ready to fight for his place in an overcrowded midfield this season.

The 22-year-old signed a new long-term contract towards the end of the previous campaign after impressing manager Kenny Dalglish.

An injury to captain Steven Gerrard meant the Wirral-born player was given a chance in the final three months of the season and he seized the opportunity, starting the final nine matches of the Barclays Premier League season.

With Gerrard returning to fitness and the summer arrivals of England Under-21 international Jordan Henderson and Scotland's Charlie Adam, midfield is an area where Dalglish is now blessed with a surfeit of talent.

However, it is not a concern for Spearing.

"I've got more competition to fight against now but that doesn't bother me," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"When you are at a club of this stature you know that in the transfer window they are going to spend money on buying top-class players.

"I'm delighted with the signings we've made. Adding Adam and Henderson to the squad is a massive improvement for us, they are both great players.

"From a personal point of view, I wouldn't say them coming in puts extra pressure on me but it makes me fight more.

"I know I need to step up again and prove I can play alongside them or in front of them."

Spearing has been linked with a loan move to Premier League rivals Wolves, but having just had his best season for the club with whom he lifted the FA Youth Cup in 2006 he is not thinking about leaving Anfield.

"The first I heard about the Wolves stuff was in the papers and it's not something that's been discussed," he added.

"I'm just getting on with giving everything for this club.

"Last year was a massive season for me. (Former manager) Roy Hodgson gave me a lot of games and I owe him a lot for that.

"Then as soon as Kenny came in he showed confidence in me straight away.

"I've got a lot of thank Kenny for. Hopefully I can now kick on, even with the signings who have come in."

Alberto Aquilani’s Move To Fiorentina From Liverpool Collapses

Alberto Aquilani’s proposed loan move to Fiorentina from Liverpool has fallen through, according to Sky Sports.

The two clubs had been in talks over a loan deal with a view to a transfer at the end of the season, but the Italian midfielder is believed to have stalled on the move and is holding out for a permanent switch away from Anfield.

Fiorentina were also unwilling to match Liverpool’s asking price for the 27-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Juventus, and the deal has now collapsed.

Gazzetta dello Sport also report that Fiorentina have now turned their attentions towards Santos midfielder Arouca.

The news will come as a blow to Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, who had hoped to use any money raised from Aquilani’s transfer to further reinvest in his squad.

Borrell Joy As Reds Sink Blues

Liverpool Reserves secured their first win of the pre-season courtesy of a 3-0 triumph over Birmingham City at the Academy on Wednesday afternoon.

A first-half brace from Nathan Eccleston and a clinical spot-kick from Suso did the damage as Rodolfo Borrell's side produced an impressive showing.

The manner of the success left the second-string coach satisfied with another good work out as his squad continues to make progress in the lead up to the new campaign.

Borrell told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's a step forward for us in our pre-season.

"We played well, especially in the first half, and overall I am happy.

"We arranged this type of game as part of our pre-season program as we want to be tested.

"Birmingham are a big, physical side and we had to earn the right to play our football.

"We managed to do that and I am happy to get the win. Obviously we need to keep improving but we've only been back three weeks and I think we are on schedule in our preparations."

Asked about Eccleston's contribution, the Spaniard added: "I thought Nathan (Eccleston) did well for his goals and he showed great hunger and desire to work for the ball.

"But that can be said all of the lads. We worked hard throughout and we will now look ahead to our next test against the first-team of Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday. They are a League One side who will be just five days away from their first competitive match so it will be a big game for us."

On an afternoon of brilliant sunshine in Kirkby, the Reds dominated the early stages and took the lead on 20 minutes when Eccleston cut inside from the right before curling a delightful left-foot strike into the top corner.

The visitors were struggling to cope with the inventive approach play of the Liverpool youngsters and five minutes later they found themselves two down when Suso showed good composure to outwit veteran stopper, Maik Taylor with a cool penalty after Eccleston had been fouled in the area.

The hosts were clearly well on top and they sealed the win in first-half stoppage time when a sublime run and pass from Krisztian Adorjan provided Eccleston with an opportunity to calmly stroke home the third.

Suso, Raheem Sterling and David Amoo all went close to extending the lead following the interval but it wasn't to be as the Reds cantered to a well-deserved success.

Ladies Go Down To Derby Defeat

Liverpool's lack of potency in front of goal again proved costly as they were edged out by a Natasha Dowie goal in the Merseyside derby.

Liverpool started well but were unable to put Rachel Brown under any kind of pressure before the home side began to dominate.

First Vicky Jones then Danielle Gibbons denied Everton an opener around the 20 minute mark, as Jones slid in to block a Dowie effort, before Liverpool's young goalkeeper turned a Toni Duggan strike around the near post.

On the half hour, Everton's dominance did tell, but Liverpool will have felt that Dowie's goal was preventable. Good work by Duggan down the left led to a harmless looking cross, but Dowie beat both Vicky Jones and Gibbons to the ball to turn it into the net.

Duggan almost doubled the lead when she headed Becky Easton's cross narrowly over, before Liverpool finally registered a shot on target at the other end.

A strong run by Littlejohn ended with the ball breaking to Kelly Jones, but the energetic midfielder couldn't get a true enough connection on her shot to trouble Brown.

Duggan then wasted another headed chance, this time directing her effort straight at Gibbons.

Despite the dominance of the hosts, the Reds should have gone into the break level. A 43rd minute Michelle Evans corner was met by Nicola Twohig, but, from around six yards, she could only head over the bar.

The combination of Dowie and Duggan again proved dangerous in the second half, as the home side tried to put the game to bed with a second.

That killer goal nearly arrived on the hour as Dowie latched onto a Jody Handley through ball before firing narrowly wide of Gibbon's far post.

Minutes later, Vicky Jones and Sam Chappell both produced last ditch clearances to keep Everton out - Jones blocking Unitt's shot and Chappell heading Duggan's cross clear from underneath her own bar.

Ruesha Littlejohn's tireless forward work nearly produced a Liverpool chance on 67 minutes, but her shot was tame after she broke from the halfway line.

Duggan then skewed a shot wide of the near post before Everton substitute Gwennan Harries was inches wide with a spectacular half volley.

The introduction of Nicki Harding added more impetus to the Reds' attacks, but Everton nearly doubled their lead with a freak goal on 75 minutes.

Gibbons' clearance was blocked by Dowie, but as the ball trickled goalwards it appeared to lose pace and Gibbons retrieved it comfortably a foot in front of her line.

Substitute Cheryl Foster almost salvaged a point at the death, but Brown was able to smother her shot.

Liverpool Will Return To Top Four At Arsenal's Expense - Mark Lawrenson

Club legend Mark Lawrenson believes that this season could be the one where Liverpool reclaims their place in the top four of the Premier League, with Champions League qualification likely to be at the expense of Arsenal.

After Roy Hodgson presided over a dismal start to last season, things picked up at Anfield with the appointment of Kenny Dalglish and the club finished the season with a flourish.

The team’s renaissance was in-part aided by large investment in the likes of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, and Lawrenson believes that the additions of Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam this summer will help push the club back into the top four.

“Liverpool has got a great chance,” said the former centre-back.

“The business they’ve done since January has been absolutely massive. Dalglish has brought in top quality players like Carroll, Suarez, Adam, Downing and Henderson and with the sales of Torres and Babel, the whole thing has only cost them £40 million.

“Five players for £40m? That’s great business in anybody’s eyes. With Suarez having such a great Copa America, bringing him in for the price they got him at and selling Torres was massive.

“However, I think some of the supporters may have got carried away – I can’t see Liverpool winning the league. They will probably be nearer fourth than first."

With the level of investment at Anfield providing a stark contrast to limited goings-on at Eastlands, Stamford Bridge and the Emirates, Lawrenson believes that Liverpool may have made up a lot of ground on their rivals.

Arsenal, in particular, has had a turbulent transfer window, with much emphasis on retaining the services of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri rather than recruiting new names.

Lawrenson believes that it is this lack of depth to the squad, as well as the added pressures of European football, that could allow Liverpool to sneak in ahead of Arsenal to qualify for the 2012-13 Champions League.

“I think Manchester United will win it, then City, Chelsea and then I’m going to say Liverpool in fourth,” said the BBC pundit.

“I think with Arsenal there’s too much predictability around the likes of Nasri and Fabregas.

“In terms of experience, they have also got no centre halves or a goalkeeper and other than Fabregas, no leader. That’s why they fell apart last season.

“Most crucial will be their involvement in Europe, which Liverpool doesn’t have. This will be big for Dalglish’s team at the business end of the season, with no travelling all over the continent or playing on Thursday nights.

“From that point of view, I think Liverpool might just do Arsenal."

Despite the club’s heavy investment in players, some detractors have claimed that Dalglish is now inundated with attacking options, while the defensive needs of the side have been largely ignored.

Lawrenson does not believe that the abundance of talented midfielders now at the club is problematic at all, though agrees that Liverpool could do with defensive cover in order to sustain their push for as high a Premier League finish as possible.

“You can always sell midfielders, the Jay Spearings of this world, for example, you can always make money from," he said.

“Kenny won’t be worried about having so [much] to choose from in midfield. He’ll have a selection headache, which is the last of his worries.

“Fergie doesn’t worry about what team he’s going to pick, he just picks it. Kenny will be thinking ‘horses for courses’ and he’ll have all sorts of options that he didn’t have last season.”

With the start of the season a little under two weeks away, the former Liverpool man believes that should defensive cover be targeted, it should be players who would be quick to adapt to their surroundings.

Liverpool has been linked with a number of Premier League defenders, a few of which Lawrenson believes would be smart purchases, perhaps partly financed by cash-plus-players deals.

"In an ideal world Liverpool would get someone who has played in the Premier League before and someone who speaks English. I say that because they would settle in quicker,” he said.

“Everyone says [Jose] Enrique is in his last year at Newcastle – you’d definitely take him.

“Stephen Warnock gets linked every single time. He’s been at the club, is a local boy and knows what it’s all about but maybe Alex McLeish taking over at Villa has changed the situation, as he was frozen out under Gerard Houllier.

“Centre half-wise Kenny wanted Phil Jones but obviously couldn’t get him.

“The money wanted for Gary Cahill would probably stop that happening. Unless you could do a deal involving a couple makeweights – that’s a possibility. One of the things that Kenny will be thinking is that he can now offload fringe players in such deals.”

Liverpool Joined By Lazio In Race For £12m Lyon Star

Liverpool is facing a battle with Serie A club Lazio for the signature of Lyon star Miralem Pjanic.

TalkSPORT have claimed Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish made an approach to Lyon earlier this month regarding the availability of Pjanic but so far little progress has been made.

Dalglish is still thought to be interested in the 21-year-old Bosnia & Herzegovina international but he will now have to move quickly with Lazio now registering their interest.

Tottenham were also reported to be interested in Pjanic and they reportedly viewed him as the ideal replacement for wantaway star Luka Modric.

However, the Croatian midfielder is expected to remain at White Hart Lane for at least another season which means Spurs' interest in Pjanic has been shelved.

Lyon have slapped a £12m asking price on their star midfielder while Liverpool will currently not budge on their £10m valuation.

Lazio are also believed to value Pjanic at £10m and although Lyon are refusing to budge on their price, the option of a cash-plus-player deal could suit the French club.

However, Lyon are in no rush to sell as Pjanic is contracted to the club until 2013, putting them in a strong position when negotiating a transfer fee.

Striker Linked With Reds Switch

Liverpool is the latest club to take a look at Reading striker Shane Long with a view to making a possible move for the striker.

The Reds had scouts watching the Republic of Ireland international bag a brace during Reading's pre-season win over Northampton last weekend and they are the latest in a long line of reported interested parties.

Neighbours Everton have also been linked with the player and their need for a striker looks to be greater than Liverpool's.

West Brom has also been linked with the 24-year-old, but so far only relegated West Ham has made a bid.

Their offer of £6m was dismissed by the Royals who want to keep Long to spearhead an assault on the Premier League next season.

It remains to be seen whether Kenny Dalglish would make a move for the striker or whether Long himself would consider coming to a club where he would be third choice front man behind Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Liverpool FC To Snap Up Centre-Back As Arsenal And Chelsea Pull Out

Liverpool FC are ready to step up in their efforts to land Bolton Wanderers centre-back Gary Cahill by offering Owen Coyle’s side at least £12m up front plus numerous calculated add-ons should Liverpool reach the top four next season.

The current Bolton valuation for Cahill is around the £17m mark which has put the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea off. Arsenal feel the price is too high and have turned their attentions to 28 year old Phil Jagielka of Everton, whilst Chelsea still consider Cahill to be a back-up defender and do not want to pay £17m for a squad player whilst John Terry could still have a few seasons left in him.

With Cahill having not played in the Champions League before, it is not something that he will miss for one more season, meaning he will be able to focus on getting the Anfield side into the top four before embarking on a European campaign should the Merseyside outfit proves good enough.

Bolton are yet to receive any offers however will consider a shorter price with lucrative add-ons believing Liverpool to be within the top four within at least the next two season.

Liverpool’s Hansen Switches To City

The Bantams have signed Liverpool goalkeeper Martin Hansen on a month’s loan as Peter Jackson continues his attempts to freshen up his squad.

The Danish-born 21-year-old has been on the staff at Anfield since joining from Brondby in the summer of 2006 and he was part of the Reds’ FA Youth Cup winning side a year later.

Hansen is yet to play for Liverpool, though he was on the bench in last season’s Carling Cup defeat to Northampton Town and was named in six match-day squads under Roy Hodgson.

Since Kenny Dalglish’s arrival, however, his chances have been limited with Peter Gualacsi having been preferred as back-up to Pepe Reina.

City chairman Mark Lawn said: “He is coming in for Peter to have a look at him. The plan is for him to play in a friendly and see how he does.”

Liverpool's Interest In Newcastle's Jose Enrique Wanes

Liverpool’s interest in Newcastle United defender Jose Enrique has “cooled” according to sources on Merseyside, despite the Spaniard’s attempts to hasten his departure from St James’s Park this week.

Enrique trained with his Newcastle United teammates in America yesterday, despite using the social networking site Twitter to criticize owner Mike Ashley for a lack of ambition, accusing the board of selling their best players and lying about making an improved contract offer to keep him.

That brought a stern response from manager Alan Pardew, as well as managing director Derek Llambias, who have fined the player, while pointing out they have not received a single bid for him all summer.

Liverpool did take a close look at the 25-year-old last season, but appear to have decided the asking price, along with the player’s likely wage demands – he already earns £46,000-a-week at Newcastle – and misgivings about his defensive capability mean he is a risky transfer.

Enrique’s tirade has divided opinion on Tyneside, with some turning on the left-back for the attack on the club given the transfer window is still open, while others have backed him in his criticism of Ashley’s lack of investment.

Newcastle is hoping the £7m signing of Mevlut Erdinc from Paris Saint Germain will appease the disgruntled among their ranks.

Aquilani Yet To Agree Personal Terms

Fiorentina are still some way off finding an agreement over personal terms with Alberto Aquilani, his agent Franco Zavaglia has said.

Despite impressing for Liverpool in pre-season, the player's representative confirmed talks over a move back to Serie A for his client have been taking place.

Aquilani, 27, is seen by Fiorentina as an alternative to Riccardo Montolivo, who has been tipped to leave the club this summer, possibly for AC Milan.

Zavaglia has now said there is an agreement between the two sides for the transfer, but it seems the player's wage demands are holding up the move.

"The accord between Alberto and Fiorentina has not been reached yet," the agent told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"If we speak about an agreement, then one has only been reached between the two teams.

"However, with us, Fiorentina have still not made a decision."

It seems the negotiations between all parties are set to continue until an agreement is found.

When contacted about the deal, Liverpool refused to provide a comment on the latest developments.

Aquilani has made no secret of his desire to return to Serie A and play regularly ahead of next year's Euro 2012.

The latest reports from Italy suggest the agreement between the clubs is over a loan with Fiorentina having the option to buy for around £9.7 million next year.

Henderson Finding His Feet

Jordan Henderson has admitted he is still getting used to Liverpool after his big-money move to Anfield.

The 21-year-old was signed earlier this summer by the Reds as Kenny Dalglish continues his rebuilding process in his second stint as manager.

Henderson joined his team-mates for pre-season training late after featuring in the Under-21 European Championship for England.

However, he is now trying to adapt to his new club and revealed the enormity of the switch has yet to dawn on him.

He told the Liverpool official website: "It probably hasn't sunk in properly yet, but I'll keep working hard, keep doing the things I was doing at Sunderland and hopefully I can achieve.

"I'm settling in fine. The lads have been brilliant in welcoming me to the club."

Irony and fate so often play a hand in football and in Henderson's case, it has again proved so.

Sunderland will arrive at Anfield for the first game of the new Premier League season on August 13th - pitting the England international immediately against his former club.

But he is not daunted by that prospect or by the increased pressure that accompanies playing for the five-time European champions.

"I was with the U21s at the time (the fixtures were announced) and some of the lads had a bit of banter about it," he added.

"But that happens in football. It's a massive game - the best of the season. Obviously it's against Sunderland, which is even more exciting for me. I'm looking forward to it.

"There are big expectations and demands (here), but that comes with football - you're going to get that wherever you go and it's about how you deal with it.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'll just keep working as hard as I possibly can and hopefully I can put some good performances in for Liverpool."

Hillsborough Papers To Be Published

The Government has been ordered to publish documents revealing the discussions held by Margaret Thatcher about the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. Information Commissioner Christopher Graham ruled that the information was in the public interest.

In a decision notice, he said: "Support for disclosure of information relating to the Hillsborough disaster was expressed by the previous government and has been reconfirmed by the current Government, and the commissioner also believes that the specific content of the information in question would add to public knowledge and understanding about the reaction of various parties to that event, including the government of the day, in the early aftermath."

Ninety-six Liverpool fans died in the crush at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield on April 15, 1989, where the club was playing an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest. An inquiry found that the main reason for overcrowding was the failure of police control.

The commissioner's judgment may still be subject to an appeal, which would need to be lodged with the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights) within 28 days. If there is no appeal, the Cabinet Office has 35 days to comply with the order.

Graham's judgment relates to a Freedom of Information request from the BBC more than two years ago, which was refused by the Cabinet Office.

This was followed by an internal review which upheld the refusal, prompting the complainant to ask the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to review the request in September last year.

In his judgment, the commissioner hit out at the Cabinet Office for "unjustified and excessive" delays.

He ordered the Government to publish information relating to the Hillsborough disaster provided to Mrs. Thatcher, then prime minister, and the minutes of meetings she attended on the matter.

The Commissioner said it was right to publish the record of a Cabinet meeting on April 20 1989 in which Mrs. Thatcher and her ministers spoke of the disaster.

The Cabinet Office had argued that disclosure would impact negatively on the freedom with which ministers can engage in "free and frank discussions", and on the convention of collective responsibility.

But Mr. Graham said: "In this case there had been multiple changes in government between the time that the information was recorded and the date of the request.

"Also, the subject matter of the discussions recorded within the information in question centered on a very particular set of circumstances that were no longer current at the time of the request.

"As a result the view of the Commissioner is that the argument in favour of maintenance of the exemption relating to convention of collective Cabinet responsibility is not a factor of significant weight in favour of maintenance of the exemption."

He also said the passage of time since the information was recorded was a key factor.

"This information was 20 years old at the time of the request and, as the complainant has noted, the current Government is implementing a reduction of the current 30-year period before Government papers are released to 20 years," he said.

He therefore recognized "that there is a diminishing case for withholding information over 20 years old".

In December 2009, the Labour government set up an independent panel to review the documents surrounding the tragedy to assess what should be made public. The Cabinet Office said no material should be disclosed before the panel finishes its work, planned for the end of this year.

But the Commissioner said he did "not agree that the existence of this panel is a relevant factor here, as it did not exist at the time of the request".

Kenny Dalglish Left With Plenty To Ponder As New Season Approaches

With their main goal threat away in Argentina, around £44 million of new signings starting on the substitute’s bench and their captain still recovering from injury, Liverpool's pre-season defeat at Hull will not set alarm bells ringing at Anfield.

But it cannot be dismissed and Kenny Dalglish, under pressure to improve the club's fortunes after spending £100 million since returning as manager in January, did not mince his words after his team's 3-0 setback against the Championship club.

"The lads are at various degrees of fitness for the matches," said Dalglish, who used no fewer than 22 players at the KC Stadium.

"Someone like Jordan Henderson has only trained for a week, so it's a bit too much to ask him to start the game.

"But if they're going to stake a claim for a first team place, they've got to earn it. We've given them every opportunity to get themselves fit and try and earn the right to play in the first team, but they'll need to do better than that if they want it."

Dalglish might have been one of the most pro-active Premier League managers in the transfer market this summer.

But not everyone is convinced that he has spent wisely.

Hefty fees have been paid to bring Stewart Downing and Henderson, who both made their debuts in the second half, to Merseyside and both have to settle quickly and deliver.

"It wasn't a good result but that's what pre season is about and we'll learn from our mistakes," said Henderson.

Downing also shrugged off the result. "Pre-season is all about fitness," said the England winger.

While it is pointless to read too much into a friendly result, particularly when so many players are used over 90 minutes, Dalglish will have come away from Humberside determined as ever to get rid of the fringe players who are clogging up the dressing room.

The likes of Christian Poulsen, Joe Cole and David Ngog all started as the visitors found themselves 2-0 down before Dalglish made wholesale changes at the start of the second half and offered a line up slightly closer to the one that Liverpool will begin the new season with against Sunderland on August 13.

Charlie Adam mostly operated from a deep central midfield position in a 4-2-3-1 formation while Downing hugged the touchlines and Henderson spent his time on the pitch in a central attacking position just behind Andy Carroll.

These are early days. But as Dalglish will no doubt be aware, the clock is ticking.

Liverpool Hope Luis Suárez Will Be Ready For Start Of Premier League Season

Liverpool remains hopeful Luis Suárez will be able to play a part in the opening fixtures of the season despite his exertions in helping Uruguay win the Copa America.

Uruguay's run to the final means that Suárez has less than three weeks of recovery time before the start of the domestic season.

The 24 year-old, named the most valuable player in the tournament, scored one and created another as Uruguay beat Paraguay 3-0 in Buenos Aires on Sunday night to claim a record 15th title and later joined his team-mates and 35,000 delirious fans to celebrate the victory at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario.

Suárez will now be granted a break by his club to relax after the three week tournament, but it is thought he may cut short his stay in his homeland to return to England in order to be ready for Liverpool’s opening game with Sunderland on Aug 13 or Kenny Dalglish’s team’s trip to Arsenal a week later.

The forward is expected to remain in Montevideo to mark the first birthday of his daughter Delfina on Aug 5 but relatives say he is not expected to visit his hometown of Salto, on the Argentine border, so as to enable him to return to England more quickly.

Dalglish and Liverpool’s medical staff will consult with the player to make sure he is ready to play but the two-week break he was afforded before the Copa America, as well as the seven-week hiatus he endured from November last year to January - thanks to a ban for biting PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal and the Dutch winter break - mean he may return to action without the full three-week break for which he is entitled.

Such is Suárez’s profile after a remarkable first six months on Merseyside and his stunning Copa America that Dalglish will be certain not to risk the former Ajax player’s long-term health.

The Uruguayan had already emerged as Liverpool’s new crown jewel, and his performances in Argentina have marked him out as one of world football’s rising stars.

The player himself was typically sanguine about individual praise, insisting that the player of the tournament trophy belonged to his team.

“Individual prizes are for the team,” he said. “This team has given a huge effort. We showed what we achieved last year in South Africa was no fluke. Uruguay has achieved great things, but does not have to forget how to win titles. We’ve had a few hard years, but have showed we are a great nation.”

Liverpool could loan Alberto Aquilani to Fiorentina next season in a bid to clear his £70,000-a-week wages from their books. Dalglish must trim his squad before further strengthening, with Suárez’s compatriots Diego Godin and Alvaro Pereira among his possible targets.