Fowler: Liverpool Must Keep 'World-Class' Suarez

Ex-Liverpool goalscorer Robbie Fowler is hoping Luis Suarez will be staying at Anfield for a long time, despite the Uruguayan's desire to leave.

Suarez has been a contentious figure throughout his time in the Premier League, and even though Fowler has condemned some of his previous actions, he believes Liverpool must do everything they can to prevent him from leaving.

The 26-year-old Uruguay international believes he has been "persecuted" by the British press, but Fowler insists his footballing skill heavily outweigh the controversies.

“He’s been on the record numerous times saying he doesn’t help himself,” Fowler said during the British Airways Football Legends Invitational tournament in Barbados.

“Rightly, we should be critical of some of the stuff he does, but let’s look at the footballing side of him.

“I’m not being biased when I say that, for me, he was the Premier League player of last year.”

Suarez has been linked to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in recent weeks, and says he feels like he has been forced out of the club following the infamous bite of Branislav Ivanovic in April.

But Fowler added: "Any side in the world with Luis Suarez is a better team, so I hope he stays at Liverpool a long time.

“You can understand why he’s linked with many sides over the world, because he is a world-class player.

“If he does go, it’s important that the money is spent wisely and you bring in a good amount of players.”

Real Madrid To Up Their Efforts To Sign Suarez

Real Madrid is ready to up the ante in their pursuit of Liverpool star Luis Suarez.

The Spanish giants were interested in signing strikers Edinson Cavani, Sergio Aguero and Radamel Falcao - but have missed out on all three.

Cavani looks likely to move to Chelsea, Aguero has penned a new City deal and Falcao agreed a £50m move to cash-rich Monaco.

And in that time, one of their key frontmen - Gonzalo Higuain - has said he wants to leave the Bernabeu.

According to sources in Spain, Madrid will now concentrate all their efforts on signing Uruguayan Kop idol Suarez.

Bringing in a striker is a must for managerless Real and Suarez is their main target.

Suarez and his advisors are understood to have agreed personal terms with Madrid but Liverpool are keen to keep hold of their prized asset.

Luis Alberto Reportedly Agrees Personal Terms With Liverpool

With few developments during the week other than the slight mix-up on the Iago Aspas deal, Liverpool's hot start to the transfer window has seemed to cool a bit. Which doesn't really make any sense given that the window doesn't even open for another few weeks, but I want all the signings NOW! So it's good news that the club might be headed in that direction very shortly with a name we discussed last week, with Mundo Deportivo (and the Google Translate Spanish to English button) reporting that Luis Alberto has agreed personal terms with Liverpool.

All that's left now is for the two clubs to agree on a fee, and so long as Barcelona don't exercise whatever sort of clause was available to them after they took the youngster on loan for their B squad this past season, the player looks to be Liverpool's. I haven't been able to find much about Barca's interest, but I'd imagine after the season he put together, they'd at least make some sort of effort to keep him around.

The deal with Liverpool is apparently for four years, and while he's not a player for now (or at least I don't think he is just yet), he's someone who's not far off of first-team football at the highest level. It'll be interesting to see how he's handled if and when he does arrive, as there's a host of young, attack-minded midfielders at the club who'll be fighting for places in the senior setup. That's not a bad thing, of course, and his presence will hopefully benefit both him and his new teammates.

Liverpool Could Steal Kone From Martinez

Wigan striker Arouna Kone could make a surprise move to Liverpool.

It had widely been expected that the Ivorian, who scored eleven goals in his debut season for the Latics, would follow manager Roberto Martinez to Everton, especially after Dave Whelan said that he would not stop Martinez moving for any player at Wigan.

However, Brendan Rodgers is ready to step in an steal the 29-year-old from under Martinez’s nose, according to the Mirror.

Sam Allardyce has also enquired about the forward as West Ham look to join the race to sign the striker.

Meanwhile, the player’s potential move to Merseyside would bring more tension at Swansea.

Michael Laudrup reportedly advised the Swans to meet the £6.5m release clause in Kone’s contract as soon as Wigan were relegated but Swansea have been slow to act.

The news could tip Laudrup out of the exit door. He has been frustrated at the board’s reluctance to follow up on any of his transfer targets this summer, and both Fenerbahce and PSG are tracking any developments.

The Dane was unconvincing in pledging his future to the club this week.

"I have always said that my intention was, and is, to stay at the club," he told the South Wales Evening Post.

"I think all the speculation regarding my future is due to the fact that there hasn't been any good news since we played our last game three weeks ago. We all need some good news.”

Toby Alderweireld Alerts Liverpool And Tottenham

Liverpool and Tottenham target Toby Alderweireld has admitted he would welcome a move to the Premier League.

The 24-year-old Ajax centre back looked set to reject the advances of the English duo and opt for a move to Serie A outfit Roma instead.

However, Alderweireld has now distanced himself from a switch to Italy insisting his future lies in either the Premier League or the Bundesliga.

‘England and Germany are the best leagues where I think I can take the next step,’ he said.

‘I have to go somewhere where I can play football a bit and where my style of play suits.

MORE: Who is Liverpool and Spurs target Toby Alderweireld

‘On the other hand, I do not want to play for a team at the bottom of their league. I want to leave Ajax for a nice club, otherwise I’ll just stay in Amsterdam.’

The Belgian defender has made 181 appearances for the Dutch side winning the Eredivisie three years running, as well as the KNVB Cup.

Liverpool has been linked with Alderwiereld for some time with the Reds apparently seeing him as an excellent replacement for the retired Jamie Carragher.

Tottenham are also keen after the success compatriot Jan Vertonghen enjoyed in his first season at White Hart Lane.

Liverpool Linked With Valencia Youngster Pedro Chirivella

With no transfer strategy seemingly in place last summer--and no scouts to identify talent or form that strategy--Liverpool were left scrambling, and while they eventually got one of their men in Daniel Sturridge, it was clear that this summer would be the one in which Brendan Rodgers and his staff would try to make their mark.

Bringing Kolo Toure in on a free doesn't really have anything to do with that; it's a free and he's experienced, and while the wages are still a concern for many, it's a signing for depth and nothing more. Liverpool's other activity, though, signals that the emphasis on building for the future with a mix of promising talent and others ready to challenge for a first-team spot now wasn't just lip service, and the emerging link to midfielder Pedro Chirivella seems to be another step in that direction.

I'd say I know next to nothing about Chirivella, but that'd be a lie, as I know absolutely nothing about him other than that he's been captain of the U16 Spanish side and is viewed as one of the better prospects in the Valencia youth setup. Apparently Barcelona and Manchester City have been among the sides trying to shoulder their way in to bring him aboard, but Liverpool are widely reported to be in top position to bring him in.

As with the interest back in May in Barca youngster Sergi Canos (who either has or hasn't signed for Liverpool), it remains to be seen what comes of a link that could turn out to be tenuous and/or not even really a thing. But to see the club vying for a talented youngster's signature--on the continent, no less--is encouraging enough, showing that they're willing to look elsewhere to strengthen the youth ranks and prepare themselves for the future.

That's not enough for this window, of course, and Liverpool still have plenty of work to do. Chirivella may yet be the next Sergio Busquets, but that's not good enough to cover for Lucas now, and there are still a handful of needs the club needs to meet before we can fully enjoy any of the foundations being laid right now.

Sporting Want More For Ilori

Sporting Lisbon sources have told Sky Sports they have rejected an initial offer from Liverpool for defender Tiago Ilori.

The Premier League side is understood to have been locked in talks with Sporting and reportedly had a delegation in Portugal over the weekend.

The Reds were willing to pay around £3million for Ilori, but Sporting are said to want a deal worth double that.

It is claimed that as part of the proposed deal Liverpool are offering Oussama Assaidi on loan, but as yet no agreement has been reached.

"The doors are open to negotiate, but for a just price," a source confirmed to Sky Sports.

"We are not disposed to sell any of our players this summer."

Sporting are currently not in the best shape financially, but it is believed they have offered Ilori a new contract.

Liverpool Want Mignolet To Replace Reina

Liverpool will step up efforts to sign Sunderland No 1 Simon Mignolet after mixed messages from current goalkeeper Pepe Reina about his own future.

Reina has been linked with a move back to his first club Barcelona and Belgian international Mignolet would be a cheaper replacement at £7million that Stoke’s impressive Asmir Begovic who is valued at £12million.

Reina has insisted speculation about his future is not a distraction but would only say he is committed to Liverpool ‘right now’.

Liverpool’s Pepe Reina has said he will only leave Liverpool this summer if there is an offer from Barcelona.

Reina said: ‘I have a contract at Liverpool and I feel valued there. They only reason I would plan to move elsewhere is if there was interest in me from Barcelona.’

The Spanish Champions want to sell Victor Valdes to Monaco this summer and bring in Reina. But Valdes wants to see out the last year of his contract at the Camp Nou so that he can pocket what would be a sizeable signing on fee next summer.

Liverpool FC Ready To Sell Sebastian Coates

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is willing to hear offers for defender Sebastian Coates, after concluding that his main task in the pre-season is to strengthen the team’s defence at both first team and squad level.

Events surrounding Luis Suarez mean he might also have to think about attack, but sources at the club say the priority is to improve on last season’s Premier League finish and the obvious weakness was in defence.

The 22-year-old Uruguayan is popular in the dressing room, but has struggled to win a place in a defence that has already been judged to be insufficient. The rapid signing of Kolo Toure was the first step in the strengthening policy and the same sources say that more strengthening in this area is certain.

Coates made 12 appearances last season and Rodgers has said he will sit down with the defender pre-season “and take it from there.” but the decision has been made that any reasonable offer will be accepted.

Coates joined Liverpool from Nacional in 2011 for a fee believed to be £7 million.

Raheem Stirling Backs Liverpool For Top Four

Raheem Sterling is confident that Brendan Rodgers can steer Liverpool back into the top four next season.

The Reds have been out of the Champions League since 2009-10 but 18-year-old Sterling believes the foundations laid by Rodgers last season mean the club will be back among Europe's elite sooner rather than later.

"We just need to get a good start to the next season and hopefully maintain that, and 100 per cent I think we've got a good chance of finishing in the top four," Sterling told the club's official website.

The Jamaican-born star made his England debut last November in a friendly against Sweden, but injury meant he sat out the end of 2012-13.

His aim for next season is simple, "For me at Liverpool, 100 per cent it's about cementing a starting place in the team, getting a good run of games and hopefully getting some goals for the club, and obviously assists as well," said Sterling.

"If I do that then hopefully I'll get a pick for the England squad."

He also continued to hail Rodgers saying, "I can't talk any more highly of him as a person, not just as a manager," he said of Rodgers.

"He's a top guy. He's one of those who isn't only interested if you're playing well at that moment. He looks at players who are not playing or young players.

"Liverpool should be really grateful they've got a manager like that."

Liverpool Face Three More Years Without Champions League

A senior Liverpool official admits that it may take three years for the club to return to Europe's top club competition and has urged fans to be patient.

Ian Ayre, the Reds' managing director, has acknowledged that coach Brendan Rodgers still need time to rebuild the side and that Liverpool supporters could have to wait as long as three years for Champions League football.

He is quoted on Goal.com as saying: "The expectation is to keep progressing and, of course, our ambition is to play in the Champions League. That's where everyone wants to be from the owners down," the executive explained.

"Our ambition is to get there," said Ayre, who was put in charge by the Anfield club's American owners in March 2011. "Whether we do that in one year, two years or three, we will see. That's where Liverpool should be."

After replacing Kenny Dalglish with Rodgers last summer, the Reds improved to finish seventh in the most recent Premier League campaign, following a significant shift to an expansive and less direct manner of play.

The Merseyside club, however, finished 28 points behind fierce rivals Manchester United. But Ayre added: "We made a big change a year ago with the ambition of getting Liverpool back where they should be at the top of football."

He explained: "We changed the manager, we changed the style of play and we changed some players. We said we wanted to build something here. Rome was not built in a day. If you could do it in one day, then everybody would do it.

It seems Brendan Rodgers will be given time to put his formula into place with the long term goal of getting the Merseyside club back into the Champions League.

Liverpool Edge Nearer To Swoop For Portugal Defender

Liverpool are believed to have moved a step closer to sealing a £3 million move for highly-rated young Sporting Lisbon centre back Tiago Ilori, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The Portugal Under-20 international has been with the Lisbon giants for his entire career to date, having made his debut in the Portuguese capital two years ago, during which time the London-born 20-year-old has featured in just the 12 first-team fixtures for Sporting, scoring once in the process.

However, Liverpool head coach Brendan Rodgers wants to bring the central defender to Anfield when the transfer window swings open into action finally again on July 1 as a player who the Northern Irishman views for the future, especially in light of veteran defender Jamie Carragher’s recent retirement.

Ilori has a contract with Sporting that runs until June 30 2015, but it is not believed that his employers will stand in his way of a dream move to the Premier League.

Reina: Aspas Would Be Great Addition

Pepe Reina has backed Iago Aspas to become a success at Liverpool if he completes a move from Celta Vigo.

Aspas, 25, is reportedly on the verge of a £7.7 million move to Anfield where he will sign a four-year contract. Able to play as a main forward, second striker, or out wide, Aspas broke into the first team in 2008 after emerging from the club's academy.

And Reina is impressed by Liverpool's latest potential acquisition, saying of his fellow Spaniard: "I haven't played with him or against him. He is much younger than me and during my time in England is when he came through the different divisions at Celta.

"I know as much as I have seen on TV and I think he is a great player and could be a great addition.

"I've been asking around and everyone talks well about him so hopefully he will be an asset for us and will be very helpful for the team."

Meanwhile, Reina has also moved to dismiss reports that he could leave Liverpool this summer saying he cannot control speculation and insisting he is happy at the club.

"It has never been a distraction for me," Reina said. "My mind is pretty much in Liverpool as a person. I know the rumours and the talks in the press is something you cannot control.

"To come away with Spain somehow is good because it keeps your mind a little busier and focus on the national team right now. I can guarantee you my future is in Liverpool right now."

I Chose Liverpool Over Other Clubs, Says Aspas

Spanish forward Iago Aspas claims his heart was always set on Liverpool once the club registered interest ahead of a £7 million move from Celta Vigo.

The 25-year-old, whose 12 goals last season helped Celta narrowly escape relegation, enjoyed a fine debut season in top-flight football, attracting widespread interest throughout Europe.

But he says the combined allure of Liverpool and playing in England easily topped all the other offers he had also received.

"When I heard of Liverpool's interest I did not hesitate even for a minute," Aspas told Marca.

"It is one of the biggest clubs in the world and although I also had offers from Italy and Portugal and other countries I decided that my future was in English football."

The striker, who can also operate out wide, added he was very much looking forward to the next step in his career.

He continued: "I am very calm but at the same time very excited because I am making a very significant step forward in my sporting career."

Reina Unsure Over Suarez Liverpool Stay

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina insists he is hopeful Luis Suarez will remain at Anfield, but understands the Uruguayan's desire to leave the club.

Real Madrid appear keen on the striker, although Liverpool will attempt to hold onto their top scorer unless a significant figure over the £50 million mark is offered.

Reina, who is preparing for Spain's friendly against Haiti, is sympathetic to his team-mate's wishes.

"I haven't read Luis himself say he wants out of Liverpool to be honest," Reina said. "He might say that the times have been a little bit rough and the media has been having a bit of a go at him. In the past it's been difficult for him and his family.

"To be honest, I would like for Luis to stay at Liverpool, but I understand if he's thinking about leaving for something bigger - when I say bigger I mean not as a club, just challenging for titles and playing in the Champions League and competing with the best.

"Because of the situation, because of the treatment by the media, it would be difficult for any player, not just Luis, to stay strong and be happy. Hopefully he will stay at Liverpool for many years, but I understand if the right offer comes for him and for the club for him to go."

Former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres threw his support behind Suarez, claiming he has also been a victim of media scrutiny.

Lovren Coy On Liverpool Link

Lyon defender Dejan Lovren insists he is not looking to leave the Ligue 1 side in the wake of reported interest from Liverpool.

The 23-year old has established himself as a regular at Lyon since joining from Dinamo Zagreb in 2010 and his performances in France have seen him attract interest from a number of clubs.

Lovren refused to rule out the possibility of a Premier League switch further down the line, but says he has no plans to move on just yet.

"Each player wants to join a big club. I am under contract until 2016, but anything can happen. Anyway, I am in no rush to leave Lyon," he told tportal.hr.

Lovren's team-mate Yoann Gourcuff also played down the possibility of a Lyon exit.

"I have two years remaining on my contract. We will talk in peace. If there are attracted clubs, I don't close the door on anything," the midfielder said to Ouest France.

"But everyone has to agree to it. The most important is to play. But I have to see the project too."

Liverpool Losing Battle For Real Madrid Midfielder

Liverpool's proposed move for Real Madrid midfielder Jose Callejon could be scuppered by former manager Rafa Benitez, after Napoli entered the race for the Tottenham Hotspur target's signature.

TalkSPORT reports how the 26-year-old is on the Serie 'A' club's summer radar, who are ready to rival the Premier League duo for the Spaniard's signature, by making an £8million bid when the transfer window reopens on July 1.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has been credited with an interest in bringing Callejon to White Hart Lane in the past, but it's Liverpool who looked most likely of any English club to secure the former Mallorca star's services ahead of the 2013/14 campaign.

However, Brendan Rodgers's hopes of luring the player to Anfield have now been dealt a serious blow, with Napoli prepared to enter a bidding war.

Callejon came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid before joining Espanyol in 2008.

After impressing at Estadi Cornella-El Prat, the midfielder returned to the Santiago Bernabeu three years later, but has only made 20 La Liga appearances for his boyhood club since.

His search for regular first-team action now looks to be over, though, with Tottenham, Liverpool, and Napoli ready to offer him the chance to rejuvenate his career.

Tevez To Liverpool Unlikely Say Reports

Yesterday rumours circle that Liverpool were ready make an offer for Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez, however this is very unlikely according to reports.

It was alleged that Brendan Rodgers felt that Tevez was the man to replace Luis Suarez if he was to leave the club this summer after saying that he was considering his future.

However talkSPORT say that any move for the Argentine is very unlikely.

Liverpool are very reluctant to sell Suarez considering his impressive form last season but his relationship with the media has left his Premier League future hanging by a thread.

Robben & Suarez Swap Deal Off

The reported swap deal between Liverpool and Bayern Munich for Luis Suarez and Arjen Robben is off as the Dutchman has no intentions of leaving the Allianz Arena.

Suarez is unsure whether he wants to stay at Anfield after another controversial season at the Reds and had been tipped with a move to the Champions League winners with Robben coming in the opposite direction.

"It is football, nothing is a certainty. This is a profession where anything can happen," Robben, who netted the winning goal in the Champions League final, told German newspaper Bild.

"I want to avoid any speculation, though. I am feeling very well here and I have a contract until 2015. Leaving Bayern is not an option for me at this point.

"There is absolutely no reason to leave, so I intend to stay put."

Liverpool Plan £150m Anfield Expansion

Liverpool are set to take a major step closer to a £150 million redevelopment of Anfield by submitting a planning application before the start of next season.

Managing director Ian Ayre has confirmed that plans are on course for the rebuilding program, which would see the Main Stand and Anfield Road End expanded, increasing the capacity to around 60,000.

That would potentially make the ground the second biggest in the top flight, behind the 76,000-capacity Old Trafford. Arsenal's Emirates Stadium is currently the next largest, as it can hold just over 60,000 fans.

The plans come soon after reports emerged that Manchester City are planning to increase the size of their Etihad Stadium to house as many as 54,000 fans.

Last October, Liverpool announced that they planned to stay at Anfield rather than pushing ahead with proposals for a new stadium in neighbouring Stanley Park, seeking to expand their current ground's 45,000 capacity.

But the expansion, going ahead in partnership with Liverpool City Council and social housing developer Your Housing, requires the purchase and demolition of homes that back on to the ground.

Ayre has indicated that negotiations to buy the last few of the 90 houses that need to be demolished are almost complete.

"We are in an interesting period in terms of our aspirations around the stadium," he told the Liverpool Echo. "Our goal is to extend Anfield. But we need certainty, and that comes with the acquisition of properties.

"Real progress has been made in acquiring them. Once they have all been acquired, we will go through the planning process.

"We would expect to be in a position to make that a certainty this summer. Once planning has been achieved, then we can start construction."

Ayre has indicated that the club needs to expand Anfield to increase revenue and allow them to compete financially with the Premier League's top teams.

"There are three core revenue streams - media, commercial and matchday," he added.

"Our media and commercial revenues are very impressive, but where we fall behind is our matchday revenues. Having a bigger stadium and playing in the Champions League are two mechanisms which would dramatically change our fortunes.

"We're determined to press on with the stadium solution. It's in the hands of other people, but hopefully we will get there and deliver what our fans want."