I Am Not Here To Replace Xabi Alonso – Charlie Adam

Charlie Adam has dismissed suggestions that he has been brought to Liverpool in order to replace former midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The Spaniard moved to Real Madrid in 2009 shortly after the Reds finished second in the league, but his departure from Anfield triggered a dramatic collapse in form as replacement Alberto Aquilani struggled with injuries and the side failed to qualify for the Champions League.

While Alonso continues to impress in Madrid, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has brought in midfielders Adam and Jordan Henderson to compete with the players already at the club.

However, Adam insists he is not worried about trying to replace the Spanish World Cup winner and is focused on just cementing a spot in Dalglish’s side.

“Xabi Alonso was a top player at this club. He's a World Cup winner, he's won the European Championships,” he told reporters.

“He's done everything as a player and he's at one of the best clubs in the world with Real Madrid, so it's nice to know that people think I might come in and replace him - but I'm coming here to be Charlie Adam and not to replace anybody else."

He added: “I was young when I was at Rangers and I only played a few games so I had to go on loan and went to Blackpool. Some people said it was a step backwards but I saw it as a step forward and now with this move to Liverpool I see that as another step forward.

“I'm just fortunate enough that I've been able to play with some good players who have helped me get to this position but I don't want to rest and just say that I'm here to make up the numbers. I came here to play and to hopefully help the team.”

Adam moved to Merseyside after impressing with Blackpool last season.

Blackpool competed in the top flight despite having a very limited budget, something Adam believes is the biggest achievement in English football, but he says that he is glad that his move to Anfield finally came through after missing out in January.

“It was a long four or five months and obviously with all the speculation in January it was tough," he said.

“When you get an opportunity to come to a club like this, you think that it might never come back.

“Fortunately I've got a manager who wanted me to come again in the summer and I was just delighted to get that reward and join this club.

“They're both very different things. Liverpool is a worldwide club but it was still an honour to play for Blackpool and to achieve what I achieved.

“Nobody expected it with Blackpool and I think it was the biggest achievement ever in the history of the English game, considering the budget the manager had and the players we managed to get in.

“Coming to a club like Liverpool and walking through the door everyday and seeing the European trophy sitting there you realize it's such a special club, and there are not many clubs like it in the world.

“Hopefully I can get the opportunity to play for us and do well.”

He added: “Now I'm a Liverpool player I don't just want to just rest and say 'That's me done' for the next however many years. I want to be here and I want to stay here. This is a wonderful club with wonderful people in charge and hopefully I can repay their faith with my performances on the pitch."

Anderlecht Complete Signing Of Milan Jovanovic

Anderlecht has completed the signing of Milan Jovanovic from Liverpool after the forward failed to make an impact at Anfield.

The Serbian international joined the club following the 2010 World Cup, while previous boss Roy Hodgson was at the helm.

The 30-year-old found first team opportunities hard to come by though and was regularly on the fringes of matchday squads.

Jovanovic's departure follows the arrival of a host of midfielders at Liverpool this summer, with Kenny Dalglish bolstering his squad for the new Premier League season.

Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson have arrived from Aston Villa, Blackpool and Sunderland respectively as the Anfield club's spending has passed far beyond £40 million during this transfer window.

Paul Konchesky has also departed Liverpool this summer for Leicester City, while the futures of a string of other Reds players remain in doubt.

Jovanovic returns to Belgium having previously played for Standard Liege.

LFC Change Lives In West Africa

Liverpool FC and Oxfam have joined forces to change lives in West Africa.

The Standard Chartered strip, which was worn proudly by the likes of Luis Suarez and Dirk Kuyt last season, has been donated by the club's award winning Community Department to Oxfam.

The full strip, including training gear and boots, is going to a project in Dakar, Senegal, called Frip Ethique.

The football kits will be sold in the local community by a project supported by Oxfam which will help to create jobs and re-inject cash in the local economy.

Serena Tramonti from Oxfam, said: "We are extremely grateful to Liverpool Football Club's Community Department for giving us the kit.

"About 14 months ago Liverpool FC Community Department and Oxfam went to South Africa just before the World Cup and we visited various projects there. Together with the LFC community coaches, we worked with local organizations and small football clubs to raise awareness of HIV and Aids.

"Everyone loved the community department and all of the coaches were absolutely fantastic with the kids, so it's a real pleasure to work with them again on this project.

"The Liverpool badge is famous all around the world and it grabs everyone's attention. It's a great way of being able to communicate with people.

"The kit will go Frip Ethique, a textile recycling centre in Dakar, Senegal where Oxfam provides work for over 40 women sorting clothing for the local markets. This is an important project in a country where half the population is jobless and below the poverty line.

"In a country like Senegal which has been devastated for years by conflict, being able to inject money and generate employment is vital to make a difference long term and help people to get themselves out of poverty.

"Frip Ethique is very unique as normally donated clothes get distributed through our shop network, but the Liverpool kit is going to go directly to the people of Senegal and will make a huge difference there."

Liverpool FC Community Coach Eddie Sullivan said: "It is a pleasure for the football club to give this kit to Oxfam. They are an organization that is renowned throughout the world for the work it does.

"It is a very humbling experience when we go all around the world and meet these people. They are fantastic and we are just delighted to be able to make a difference.

"We have been all over the world with the community department including Russia, China, India, Sudan, South Africa and we work with underprivileged children and homeless children as well.

"When the kids see the badge of the club their eyes light up and it's fantastic for us to help try and make a difference to their lives."

Reds Honoured In Switzerland

Ian Ayre used an international conference to speak of his admiration for several members of Liverpool's Ability Counts squad earlier this week - but how did the lads react when they saw what he had to say?

Speaking at the Football Is More forum in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland, Ayre explained why good role models are vital to the Reds.

But it was not only the likes of Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard and Ian Rush mentioned by the Managing Director as he took the opportunity to praise the Ability Counts team.

Ahead of the European disabled football tournament, the squad watched Ayre's speech at their team hotel in Switzerland - and our cameras were on hand to capture their reaction.

Spirit of Shankly Exhibition Charts Rise Of Fans’ Group

Its a celebration of the long but ultimately successful battle to rid Liverpool of Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

‘Spirit of Shankly: The noise that refused to be dealt with’ is an exhibition of 16 photographs taken by group member and photographer John Johnson.

They are on display at Unit 28 on the first floor of Liverpool’s Met Quarter shopping centre until September 2.

From the big dig protest to the marches, the images highlight the impact of the fans’ organization which was formed in January 2008.

Johnson said: “As a photographer and lifelong Liverpool supporter I felt compelled to document those dark days of rule at the hands of Hicks and Gillett and more importantly the subsequent uprising from fellow fans.

“An uprising which would lead to the formation of the Spirit of Shankly, the first independent football supporters’ union in the UK.

“I hope that this exhibition gives some small insight into that birth, struggle and eventual triumph.”

Preview & Matchday: Liverpool vs Valencia

The final friendly, and, at least on paper, Liverpool’s most difficult opponent. It’s no doubt been a challenging preseason for Kenny Dalglish and company, and if earlier results in the preseason are any indication, Saturday’s match poses a hefty challenge of its own. Valencia have won four of their five friendlies thus far, getting past opponents like PSV Eindhoven, Sporting CP, and Hamburg SV, dropping only an away match to perennial Austrian powers Rapid Vienna. They’ve only conceded once outside of the match in Vienna (in which they shipped four in a hotly-contested match), and will enter Saturday’s match with a talented squad.

By the end of the month that squad will be bolstered by the arrival of Real Madrid midfielder Sergio Canales on loan; the twenty year-old will join a midfield already stacked with names like Ever Banega, David Albelda, Tino Costa, Joaquin, and Mehmet Topal. Up front things will, of course, be focused on perennial lust object Juan Mata—after a sparkling summer to help the U21s to Euro glory in Denmark, he was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League and, if you were tweeting about it enough, Liverpool. That link has died down significantly, with Arsenal nudging ahead to take most of the headlines recently. Valencia’s position has waffled a bit, first acknowledging that the player might leave, then stating that no offers would be considered. With a few weeks left there’s still a chance something might happen, but the chances of that something having anything to do with Liverpool are slim.

With two weeks left to go before their own league opener and some nice sentimental links with Liverpool—Fabio Aurelio won two titles there with Rafa Benitez—tomorrow’s likely something to look forward to for Valencia.

Stop if you’ve heard this before—now’s the time for Liverpool to kick things into gear, to really start to get ready for the season proper. Give the provisional first team an extended look, and we’ll finally come away feeling satisfied with a Liverpool match this preseason. In many ways that was supposed to be the trip to Norway, but again the club stuttered, and again we’re left hoping for signs of encouragement with little time remaining.

The biggest concerns are obviously in defense, where they’ve conceded an alarming number of goals against average opposition, and looked remarkably amateur no matter the personnel. Conceding three goals in five consecutive matches, preseason or otherwise, is a good indicator that vast improvements are needed. And as noted above, Saturday presents the biggest challenge in terms of talent that Liverpool will have faced thus far, meaning that, short of a 180-degree turnaround, Liverpool could be up against it at the back.

It’ll likely be a similar look in terms of personnel despite the struggles—Martin Skrtel suffered another injury towards the end of last week, and while Fabio Aurelio has apparently returned to training, there’s nothing new about any of the others that have spent most of the preseason on the sidelines or slowly returning from international duty.

So despite the fact that it’s the final match of the preseason, the name of the opposition and that it’s at Anfield, Liverpool still have plenty of questions left to answer. The summer additions are still getting comfortable, the midfield is clearly lacking the influence of its most talented names, the best performer is a wantaway, and the defense has looked like a disaster waiting to happen.

Kenny Waiting On Suarez

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish says he will have to wait and see whether star striker Luis Suarez will be ready for the start of the season.

After helping Uruguay lift the Copa America this summer, Suarez will make a delayed return to pre-season training with the Reds next week.

It remains to be seen whether the 24-year-old will be involved for Liverpool's opening clash of the Premier League campaign against Sunderland at Anfield next Saturday.

And Dalglish says he will make a decision over the hitman when he has had a chance to look him over.

He said: "Luis will be back next week some time and we'll start thinking about him then. We'll just see when he comes in.

"He's had a fantastic summer in the Copa America both as an individual and as a team player.

"We'll see how he is when he comes in and have a discussion with him. We can't predict what he is going to be like."

Gerrard Excited By New Boys

Steven Gerrard is confident the club has made some excellent signings this summer.

Writing in the Official Matchday Programme ahead of our Valencia friendly on Saturday, Gerrard is glad of the added competition for places and is hoping to see even more new faces walk through the Anfield door.

"I believe we've made some very good signings this summer, with Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Doni all coming in," he said.

"Hopefully there will be one or two more arriving before the transfer window closes.

"You always want competition for places because it's a long season. Obviously it gives the manager more options and it also pushes the players on because they know not everyone can start every game."

The skipper also reckons that Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez will be like new signings for the club, despite the pair arriving in January.

"It also still feels like Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez are new signings, even though they've been with us since January," said the 31-year-old, who will be back from a groin injury in September.

"They both did well in the second half of last season. That experience should help them to perform even better in 2011-12."

Liverpool Line Up Lucas Biglia As Lucas Leiva Replacement

Liverpool are reportedly weighing up a move for Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia as a cut-price replacement for his namesake Lucas Leiva.

Leiva, the Reds’ player of the year last season, is rumoured to be on his way out of the club on loan to balance the books after manager Kenny Dalglish spent big on the likes of Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing.

According to the Daily Mirror, Argentine midfielder Biglia is seen as a cheaper option in the defensive midfield position than the Brazilian, who signed a bumper new contract in March.

The 25-year-old former Independiente man is, it is suggested, keen to play for Liverpool having been sold on the idea by ex-Anfield compatriot Javier Mascherano.

An Argentina international, Biglia took part in this summer’s Copa America tournament, in which Leiva also participated.

The Reds have already agreed to allow striker Milan Jovanovic to depart for Anderlecht.

Liverpool Set To Hijack Arsenal Move For £20m Belgian Starlet

Liverpool are ready to hijack Arsenal's potential move for Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard.

According to Fanatix.com, the Merseyside club is eyeing one more attacking player and has already made an enquiry for Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay.

However, it is unclear how likely it will be to land the Dutchman as he was only signed by the Catalans in January. Therefore, Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has turned his attentions to 20-year-old Hazard who is also a target for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman even admitted in January that the club was tracking him. He said: "We follow him. And personally I think he's a real talent and he's good enough to play for Arsenal, yes.

"In the offensive department we have many players. At the end of the season we'll have a look at the situation but at the moment it's completely ruled out."

The Lille midfielder has attracted the interest of a host of top European clubs following a season in which he was instrumental in his club's first league title since 1954.

Arsenal though, remains favourites to sign Hazard thanks to their close ties with Lille built during their successful negotiations over £10.9m forward Gervinho.

The Gunners are reportedly willing to meet the £20m asking price but will only make an offer with the proceeds of any possible sale from Samir Nasri or Cesc Fabregas.

This has given Liverpool a window of opportunity to make a move for the Belgian starlet, although they must also off-load players before making an official bid.

A number of players are expected to leave the Reds in the coming weeks with Alberto Aquilani, Milan Jovanovic, David N'Gog and Joe Cole all reported to be on the verge of moves. It is thought the departure of that quartet will free up enough space on the wage bill and generate enough transfer money to fund a move for Hazard.

Tranquillo Barnetta Representative Opens Door To Possible Liverpool Move

Tranquillo Barnetta's representative in Britain has opened the door to a possible Liverpool switch this summer after reacting angrily to an offer made by Newcastle.

The Swiss international midfielder has been linked with a move to St. James' Park for several weeks now, with the Toon's interest thought to have intensified after Joey Barton was placed on the transfer list.

However, an offer from the Magpies of less money than the player currently earns with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga has been met with a firm rejection from Barry McIntosh.

"As it stands there is not a hope in hell that he will be going to Newcastle. In fact I am angry at their attempts to do it, and behind my back also," he told skysports.com.

"They have made an approach, but their offer equates to somewhere in the region of £40,000-a-week - which is just ridiculous. Why on earth would Tranquilo move to Newcastle for less money?

"No offence to Newcastle, he would possibly consider going to Arsenal, Liverpool even Tottenham for less - but not Newcastle.

"They have known all along, what it would take to land Barnetta and what he is earning now, and this sort of offer really does border on ridiculous."

The 26-year-old, who usually plays on the wing, has earned 59 caps for his country after making his debut in 2004.

A move to Liverpool this summer would appear unlikely though, with the Reds already spending heavily to reinforce their midfield.

Kenny Dalglish has drafted in Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Ashley Young at Anfield, with the trio joining skipper Steven Gerrard, Brazilian international Lucas and a handful of other players fighting for a starting spot at Liverpool.

Despite the statement, it's also unknown if the Liverpool boss has any interest in the former Hannover 96 loanee, and a move to Newcastle would still appear to be the most likely move despite the statement from his representative.

PSG Eye Liverpool Midfielder In Latest Big Money Move

Queens Park Rangers has already had dealings with Paris Saint-Germain in this transfer window and refusing to sell Adel Taraabt may come back to haunt them.

PSG has entered the race for Joe Cole and with the Liverpool’s midfielder’s £90,000-a-week wages proving a stumbling block in QPR’s loan bid, the French outfit are in pole position to sign Cole.

Cole has featured in all of Liverpool’s pre-season friendlies as Kenny Dalglish gives the England international another chance at staking a claim to a first team spot, but Cole has still not settled at the club and his high wages are a reason Liverpool are looking to offload him.

Backed by the Qatar Investment Authority, PSG have become the Manchester City of France’s Ligue 1 and Antoine Kombouare’s side have been linked with Taarabt, Palermo’s Javier Pastore and now Joe Cole in this transfer window.

Kombouare has already spent nearly €50m in this transfer window having brought in seven players including Mohamed Sissoko for €8m, Jeremy Menez for €9m, Blaise Matuidi for €10m and Kevin Gameiro for €15m.

Add to that three youth team players have been offered professional contracts plus three players have returned from loan spells last season and Kombouare has 13 new players for the start of the new season.

The French club is still chasing a marquee signing and Pastore has been heavily linked with a move to France, but Joe Cole looks a more realistic proposition with Liverpool not asking for big money.

Pastore would cost somewhere in the region of €45m and while the PSG board can certainly afford him, it’s not clear if Pastore is willing to leave Palermo for France.

Owen Coyle Rejects Talk Of Anfield Move For Gary Cahill

Bolton manager Owen Coyle says reports suggesting star defender Gary Cahill is on the verge of a big-money move to Liverpool are "without foundation".

The England defender has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Manchester City this summer.

There has also been speculation suggesting that Liverpool are close to securing a deal for the 25-year-old.

But Coyle said: "It is irresponsible. Nothing has happened, there is nothing concrete, there is nothing to report."

Liverpool, who face Valencia in a friendly on Saturday at Anfield, have struggled defensively in pre-season and could do with back-up to the injury-prone Daniel Agger and veteran defender Jamie Carragher, 33.

But Coyle made it clear that an imminent move for Cahill to Anfield was not on the cards.

He said: "This story is without a shred of foundation. To just reel words off is in poor taste. Nothing surprises you in football but people should have more knowledge of the background for anything before they write it.

"It doesn't faze me. I am not raging about it. I am just making a point.

"If someone leaves, it will be the right business for the club but I don't pre-occupy myself with thoughts like that when I have a team to prepare for the rest of the season."

Agent Invites AC Milan To Make Bid For Alberto Aquilani

AC Milan has been told to make Liverpool a £8.7 million bid for Alberto Aquilani by the player's agent Franco Zavaglia.

The Italy international has been strongly tipped to return to his homeland after failing to make a mark at Liverpool following a big-money move from Roma in 2009.

AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani recently claimed his club could be interested in the 27-year-old, who was linked Fiorentina after a successful loan spell with Juventus last season.

Talks with Fiorentina broke down as Aquilani preferred a permanent move, not the offered loan deal.

Milan is looking for a top midfielder with Fiorentina's Riccardo Montolivo one of the names associated with them, but Zavaglia is eager to hold dialogue with Galliani.

"Galliani is in China for the Supercoppa Italiana and so we have to wait until he returns to Milan," the agent is quoted as saying by Milannews.it.

"I think with a bid of €10m [£8.7m] an agreement with Liverpool can be found."

Liverpool Stadium Boost

Liverpool football club could yet move to a new stadium after a local councillor admitted that the club could be handed a further extension on their decision whether or not to take up a lease on Stanley Park.

The Merseyside club's new board of directors have been mulling over the proposition which had been made to the previous regime, though Liverpool's new owners, led by John Henry, were thought to favour redeveloping the current Anfield site. With a redeveloped Anfield proving more difficult than first anticipated Liverpool were keen to have a rethink on the Stanley Park proposal but are in a race against time with the local council imposing deadlines on the decision.

Speaking in the Daily Mirror this week, City council leader Joe Anderson has hinted that they may be prepared to offer an extension to the current deadline, though the future of the Anfield residents also has to be taken into consideration.

"We realize the issue over the lease is a difficult one for the football club, and we have already extended the deadline for a period of six months to allow time to explore all options," Anderson said.

"What we can’t do is give an open cheque and an open guarantee, because ultimately while we have a responsibility to the club and the fans, we also have a responsibility to the people in the Anfield area, who have been living in squalor for 10 years.

"But we recognize there are new owners who have to explore all decisions, and if they can demonstrate there is a real need for more time to make that decision, then we are prepared to extend the deadline further.

"From our point of view we have always had a good relationship with the club, and we’ll bend over backwards to do whatever we can to support the decision they make."

Dalglish Defends Summer Spending

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes the club has gone about their transfer business "responsibly" - even though the club have spent over £100 million since he returned as manager.

Luis Suarez, Andrew Carroll, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Alexander Doni have arrived since January as Dalglish looks to rebuild a squad which had become stale.

Dalglish insists the spending is necessary to put the club back on track, and also praised owner John Henry for his support in the transfer market.

"Spending money does not guarantee you success, but I don't know of any club that has ever had success without it," he explained. "It is necessary, but it's even more important to spend it wisely, and we've acted responsibly in the transfer market.

"Everyone hopes all their signings will come in and make a huge impact, but we believe we have improved and enhanced the talent we already had here."

Liverpool's spending is unlikely to end just yet, with Dalglish favourite to land Newcastle United left-back Jose Enrique. Birmingham's Scott Dann is also on the wanted list. And he is glad that the manager now has an owner who understands team strengthening.

"If anyone has a better owner than John Henry, then they have done very well for themselves. He's fantastically supportive," said Dalglish. "I'm not going to sit here and tell you what he does or how he helps, but he's genuinely a good fella, just a good lad. He cares passionately about the club and wants it to go in the right direction.

"Anyone who has got any affinity for the club will want that, too. We are fortunate there is nobody pulling in the wrong direction. It's helpful if everyone is singing the same song."

Liverpool Switch Attention To Dutch International To Help Fill Problem Area

Liverpool’s reported search for a first choice left back has reportedly led to PSV Eindhoven’s Erik Pieters. Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish is said to have expressed an interest in the adaptable 23 year old who can also effectively fill the centre back berth, another area that the Merseyside club may look to strengthen as defensive frailties became all to clear during recent pre-season matches.

Pieters has been a regular at the Philips Stadion since his arrival at the club from FC Utrecht back in 2008 and has been a virtual ever present at left back for the Dutch national team following the retirement of veteran Giovanni van Bronckhorst following the 2010 World Cup.

The powerfully built 23 year old defender may well be tempted by a move to the Premier League club, not least as PSV have had a few lean years, with three seasons outside the Eredivisie top two which could be considered a big drop in form given that the Eindhoven club won the domestic title for the four previous campaigns.

Liverpool have been linked with a number of prospective purchases to help fill the left back spot, Gael Clichy was reportedly approached by the Arsenal man chose to join Man City. Newcastle United full back Jose Enrique may feel even more compelled to leave St James’ Park after the club chose to transfer list Joey Barton but the Magpies are thought to want a substantial fee for the Spaniard who has just one year left on his current contract.

A move for Pieters may be more cost effective and perhaps the fact that his international team-mate Dirk Kuyt is already at the club will aid any potential move.

Liverpool used a number of players in the left back role last term and Dalglish is seemingly not too enamored with the options in his current squad. Paul Konchesky has left for Leicester City, Emilio Insua and Fabio Aurelio have not impressed and youngster Jack Robinson at 17 is probably too young for regular Premier League action.

Liverpool Look To Barca Winger As Answer To Right Midfield Problem

Liverpool is to renew their interest in Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay as they look to add more width to the right flank.

Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish is looking to operate with two natural wide-men this season and sees it as the best way to provide service to the strike partnership of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Dalglish is eager to see more crosses delivered into the box to play to Carroll's strength in the air while Suraez's ability with the ball at his feet means he is also keen for his wingers to get in behind the opposition defence and cut the ball back in.

The £20m signing of Stewart Downing from Aston Villa, one of the most consistent crossers in the Premier League, has filled the vacancy on the left flank but the Scottish manager is keen to bolster his options on the right side.

Dirk Kuyt has been used as the first-choice right winger in recent seasons and has been one of Liverpool's most consistent performers in that time. However, according to Fanatix.com, Dalglish is looking for a player with more natural attributes befitting of a right-winger and is ready to make the tough call to replace Kuyt.

And it appears he has identified Holland international Afellay as the man to provide the ammunition from right midfield. Liverpool have been linked with the 25-year-old several times this summer and are ready to offer him an escape from his Nou Camp nightmare.

Afellay only arrived at Barcelona in January but has found his chances limited. Competition for places has proved tough for the former PSV man and Liverpool are hoping to tempt him with the promise of regular first-team action.

It had been rumoured that Barcelona only made the deal for Afellay, who only had six months remaining on his PSV contract, to make money on his future transfer away from the Catalans and help ease the debt problems.

If Liverpool offer the right amount, thought to be around £13m, then those rumours could prove to be true.

Hull Make Bid For Livepool's Ayala

Hull City has stepped up their interest in Liverpool defender Daniel Ayala.

The Spaniard spent the early part of the 2010/11 season at the KC, impressing before returning to Anfield. Despite spending the second half of last season at Derby County, Ayala has again emerged as the Tigers number one defensive target.

With Paul McShane injured and Kevin Kilbane having joined Derby County on loan, Ayala has remained as City’s top defensive target as Nigel Pearson seeks cover to James Chester and Jack Hobbs.

The Tigers interest is thought to have intensified following an offer for Ayala, but City still await the outcome of their enquiry as the season`s opener against Blackpool nears.

Now Reds Keen On Cahill

Liverpool are the latest club said to be keen on Bolton defender Gary Cahill and are reportedly prepared to pay up to £17m for him.

Cahill has been attracting attention from several top Premier League sides this summer with Arsenal strongly linked with a move for the England international.

However, no deal has been agreed between the Trotters and the Gunners and now the latest reports suggest Liverpool is ready to offer in the region of £15m for the 25-year-old in a bid to lure him to Anfield.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle does not want to lose Cahill but knows every player has his price and is thought to be prepared to let the centre-back leave if he receives a suitable offer.

Whether £15-17m is enough for a deal to go through remains to be seen but interest in Cahill is only likely to increase with the transfer window closing at the end of the month.

Liverpool have spent big this summer already on the likes of Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson but Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has indicated he would be prepared to splash the cash further and has been on the lookout for defensive reinforcements.

Dalglish: Gerrard Making Good Progress

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has revealed that Steven Gerrard is making good progress in his recovery from a groin injury.

Gerrard was ruled out for at least the first month of the new Premier League season last week when the Reds confirmed that their skipper had picked up an infection. He has been in hospital receiving treatment.

There were fears that the inspirational midfielder would be out for even longer than first stated but Dalglish, speaking at a press conference to unveil summer signings Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Alexander Doni, said that the news on Gerrard was "very positive".

"Steven won't be too far away," Dalglish said. "The tests that have come back are far better than what was anticipated, so we are delighted by that.

"We've had some very positive news and will just wait for the progress to continue."

However, despite the good news, the Scot does not envisage having Gerrard back before early September. He added: "We've had positive news but the date (of a return) the club has stated remains the same."

Martin Skrtel Suffers Calf Injury Setback

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has revealed that he has suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf problem.

The 26-year-old played every minute of the Merseyside club's Premier League campaign last season, but has suffered with the injury during pre-season.

Having also withdrawn from Slovakia's friendly against Austria, Skrtel hopes to be back "as soon as possible" amid speculation that he could miss the start of the season.

"I suffered an injury setback on Friday," he said, according to the Liverpool Echo.

"I felt strong pain in my leg so I am back with the doctors receiving treatment.

"I really don’t know how long it will take to heal. I am doing my best to be back as soon as possible."

Downing Not Feeling Pressure

Stewart Downing is determined not to let his hefty transfer fee weigh heavily on him as he prepares for his first season with Liverpool.

The Reds splashed out a figure believed to be around £20million to bring the winger to Anfield this summer from Aston Villa, where he had been voted player of the season.

"It's about picking up where I finished off last season with Aston Villa, carrying on my form and not doing anything differently. Just because of the fee, it doesn't mean I have to change," he said.

"I'm being brought in to do what I did at Aston Villa, whether that's on the left or right. I'm not sure where the manager sees me playing but I just want to do well for Liverpool.

"Last season was probably my most consistent season and I just want that to continue. It's a big season for me personally and the club, and I want to get in the England team as well. Hopefully Liverpool will see the best of me."

Charlie Adam Ready For The Culture Shock At Liverpool FC

The last time Charlie Adam appeared at Anfield, the midfielder netted in front of the Kop and was then applauded from the field by the home crowd having finished on the winning side.

But while Adam will hope for more of the same this season, it is a completely different landscape that awaits the likeable Scot.

From no longer having to wash his own kit and having almost 40,000 turn up for simply a training session, the 25-year-old acknowledges life at Liverpool is a world apart from that of former club Blackpool.

Adam, though, is fully prepared for the greatest culture shock of all.

“The big thing is we need to win every week,” he says. “That’s the expectation. Maybe at Blackpool last season we got away with not winning every week.

“Now being a Liverpool player the expectation is on you to win the game and everyone is coming to beat us.

“Last season it was different. It’s a big challenge and having to win week in, week out is something I am relishing.”

Such are the great expectations being placed on the shoulders of Adam, who was officially unveiled yesterday as one of Liverpool’s new summer signings alongside Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Alexander Doni.

Yet it’s something with which Adam has previously been accustomed having cut his teeth as a youngster with Rangers in Scotland.

“The expectation here is to win ever week but I’ve been used to that since I was young,” says the midfielder. “Nothing changes. I was at Rangers at 14 or 15 and knew the club well, but the opportunity to play regularly enough to cement a place wasn’t there, which is why I left.

“People said it was a step down going to Blackpool but I saw it as a step forward.

“We know what we want to do next year. It’s important as players to win as many as we can.

“The expectation is to do that every week and we have targets ourselves but we’re not going to discuss them because if you don’t manage it you fall on your face. We will do our business quietly and everyone will know if we’ve done it at the end of the season.”

Adam’s previous appearance at Anfield came last October when his penalty set Blackpool on their way to a surprise 2-1 win over a Liverpool team plumbing the depths of Roy Hodgson’s tortuous reign.

The Scot celebrated beating Pepe Reina from the spot by placing his finger to his lips, but he says: “That was not something against the Liverpool fans, because they were incredible.

“They clapped us off at half-time, back on for the second half and again at the end after beating their side on their own pitch.

“To stand up and clap us off was incredible. As players we spoke of that throughout the season, about what happened that day, because it showed everything about what these fans are all about.”

Of course, Adam could have been resident a lot sooner, his proposed transfer on deadline day in January ultimately failing to transpire.

And he admits: “It was hard to deal with in January. When you get the chance to come here, you want it to happen. It never did but the people in Blackpool respect the way I dealt with it. I got on with it and tried my best to keep them in the league.

“But we failed and that’s the thing I will always remember – I got relegated at Blackpool and I can’t hide from that disappointment. For me to then get the opportunity to come here is incredible.”

Liverpool, though, never lost interest the player, and he was afforded the personal touch when Blackpool finally agreed an initial fee of £7.5m in July – a lift off Kenny Dalglish to Melwood for the signing of his contract.

“It was nice to be picked up by him – it doesn’t happen too often, getting picked up by Kenny Dalglish and taken to the training ground to sign for Liverpool,” says Adam. “I’ll try and put a couple of performances in for him to repay him for that!

“But that shows the kind of man he is. He’s so down to earth. He’s achieved such a lot in the game but still has that buzz about coming back in again and I’m just fortunate to have the chance of working with him.”

Liverpool’s intervention last month spared Adam from at least one chore. “I did two days in pre-season with Blackpool and, for the first time, we didn’t have to wash our kit then,” he explains. “I think the lads are back to washing their kits again now though.

“That was the way the club was run, and I have total respect for that. It’s not a problem washing your own kit, it’s part and parcel of life, and I wouldn’t complain about it... though it’s been good to have someone else do it at Liverpool.”

Having been red-carded on his debut for Blackpool in front of 7,500 in a home defeat to Doncaster Rovers in February 2009, Adam’s first experience as a Liverpool player was the recent tour to the Far East where the club’s fanatical following was made clear.

“Getting promotion with Blackpool was incredible but at the end of the day the Premier League is the biggest in the world and it’s an honour to have the opportunity of playing in it for two seasons on the run now,” he says. “No disrespect to Blackpool, but the size of this club is enormous. It’s one of THE top ones in the world, one of the elite.

“There aren’t many who would get 40,000 fans watching a training session, 80,000 watching a friendly. The reception in Asia, the whole thing, was incredible and shows the size of this place.

“That’s the expectation of being here. You look at the history of the club, with Bill Shankly and onwards they have always won trophies. It’s just massive and a real honour to have the opportunity of playing for them.

“Every player in the dressing room sees it as an honour to pull on that red jersey and hopefully I will be successful too.”

Reds Scoop Community Award

Ian Ayre last night collected a prestigious Football Is More Role Model award on behalf of Liverpool's community department manager Bill Bygroves.

The Reds scooped the accolade in the Social Department of a Professional Club category in recognition of the outstanding work being done by the club's community team.

And with Bygroves unable to attend the gala in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland due to a prior engagement, Ayre was on hand to accept it for him.

Afterwards, the Reds' Managing Director told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's fantastic that our club has been recognized as a role model for its community department.

"I think it can be one of those things that don’t get recognized enough - but we certainly recognize them and it's fantastic that somebody else has.

"I feel a bit of a fraud accepting the award somewhat as it should have been Bill! But as I said in the speech, the reason he's not here is because he had another commitment and that's very typical of Bill - he never wants to let anyone down and once he commits to something he sees it through.

"He's a very special individual and member of our team. For somebody who gives so much and takes so little, he is an absolute role model to Liverpool Football Club and a great ambassador for everything that we are."

The Football Is More Role Model awards acknowledge outstanding contributions to local communities and beyond by all clubs in world football.

Ayre added: "I was very proud to be at the Football Is More international forum and see that even throughout the day when they were showcasing different projects and initiatives the guys from some of our teams and community department figuring very heavily in some of the videos and talks.

"That's got to be great for Liverpool Football Club. The community department does so much around the world and it's fantastic that they've been recognized today.

"It's vital the club sets the right example and hopefully in the speech I gave today I showcased the fact that role models aren't just about famous players or managers, or who pulls on the shirt - it's about everybody who comes to work at Liverpool.

"Everyone has the chance to be a role model and it's about setting the right examples. It's about following the 'Liverpool Way' and doing the right things for people and our football club.

"We are blessed that we have so many people who are role models, right through to the guys in some of our teams and the staff. It makes me very proud as the Managing Director to see we have so many."