Liverpool To Complete £9m Second Signing This Week

Liverpool will complete the capture of Blackpool captain Charlie Adam this week, it has been claimed.

According to The Mirror, the 25-year-old has returned from holiday early in order to finalize a £9 million transfer to Merseyside, which could be confirmed before the weekend.

Adam had been desperate to force a move to Liverpool during the January transfer window after the Reds had tabled a formal offer, but the Anfield club was unable to reach Blackpool's demands.

However, after the Seasiders' relegation from the Barclays Premier League, they are resigned to losing their talisman, although they insist Adam can only join Liverpool if their £9 million valuation is met.

Should Adam finalize a switch to Anfield, the midfielder will become the second Liverpool signing of what is expected to be a busy summer for the Reds.

Jordan Henderson was acquired by Liverpool for £20 million from Sunderland last week, while they are also reported to be pursuing Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing.

The 26-year-old is said to be waiting to see who succeeds former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier at Villa Park before making a final decision on his future.

Vurnon Anita Latest Player Linked With Liverpool

Liverpool has taken over from Arsenal as the front runner’s to sign Ajax defensive midfielder Vurnon Anita with reports indicating that they are prepared to pay 15 million euro to secure his services.

The 22-year-old, who won a Dutch title last season with the Dutch side, signed a new two-year deal at Ajax recently which reportedly includes the 15 million release clause.

Arsenal and Spurs had been linked with a move for the player but both have refused to pay the asking price, leaving Liverpool in pole position to secure his services.

Anita fits in with the new transfer policy this at Anfield with the club looking to recruit players under the age of 25.

However according to a recent report in Goal.com Anita’s agent stated that he had yet to hear from Liverpool “The way I understand things, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are the two interested teams, They have not approached me, though, and I have not been in touch with Ajax either, to ask whether there has been contact with other clubs.”

Ince Lad Has The Magic Dutch

Paul Ince’s son Thomas is being chased by Ajax and Rangers.

The Liverpool kid, 19, has been offered a new four-year deal but feels his chances of first-team football are better elsewhere.

Ince has yet to make a full debut since signing on youth terms in 2008.

He was an unused sub in the Europa League qualifier against FK Rabotnicki but came off the bench in Liverpool's League Cup loss to Northampton for his debut.

Liverpool Keep Close Eye On Starlet After Old Firm Rejection

Liverpool has been left disappointed by the news that Ayr United striker Mark Shankland has signed a two-year deal with the club.

The 15-year-old, the youngster player in the club's history, will make the step up to the Ayr first-team next season after spending last season in the club's youth academy.

The move will disappoint Liverpool, who the striker spent a week training with, while Celtic and Rangers were also said to be interested.

Ayr chairman Lachlan Cameron said: "Mark has a bright future ahead of him and we believe that to leave to play in England or the Old Firm at this stage of his career would be the wrong move for him or any of our youngsters.

“Mark was invited to attend the Liverpool Academy recently for a week’s training. He played in a couple of trial matches and scored twice against Sheffield United and Liverpool have indicated that they will keep a close eye on Mark while he continues his development here.”

Shankland said: "I am delighted to sign for Ayr. The Academy coaches are brilliant and the backroom staff has advised me about how I can progress here, whereas I might fall into the cracks at a team the size of the Old Firm.”

Liverpool Dealt Decisive Blow In Pursuit Of Starlet Target

Liverpool will miss out on Yann M'Vila this summer, according to Rennes general manager Pierre Dreossi.

Reports in France have claimed that both Kenny Dalglish has been monitoring the player with a view to bringing him to England, but Dreossi has firmly shut the door.

"We will not listen to any offers for him. This has already been decided by the club and the player," talkSPORT quote Dreossi as saying.

"M'Vila will not be going anywhere, even more so after he signed on for another year."

However, the Anfield outfit could renew their interest in the French international next summer, with Dreossi going on to state that any move could now be put on hold until next summer

“If he leaves it will not be until summer 2012."

The news comes as a blow to Liverpool, who is believed to be monitoring a handful of players in the position this summer as Dalglish looks to strengthen his squad during the transfer window.

After securing the services of Jordan Henderson for a fee in the region of £16 million last week, the Reds chief is poised to continue his spending spree with a left back, winger and striker also thought to be on the Liverpool agenda.

Damien Comolli, director of football at Liverpool, is an admirer of the 20-year-old French international, and was thought to be working alongside Dalglish in trying to persuade M'Vila to make an Anfield switch.

Hodgson: Kenny Will Nurture Jordan

Former Liverpool striker David Hodgson believes Kenny Dalglish is the sort of father figure who can bring the best out of Jordan Henderson.

Hodgson, who played for the Reds 49 times in the early 80s, arrived at Anfield from a north-east club as an England U21 international, just as Henderson has.

He believes there is no better place for the former Sunderland midfielder to learn his trade as he aims to take his career to the next level.

"Kenny is an astute person. He understands the kind of character that will fit in at the club," said Hodgson exclusively in this week's LFC Weekly.

"Liverpool is paying a lot of money for Henderson's potential. But Kenny has paid a lot of money in the past on potential before unlocking it. He knows how to nurture talent and make someone like Henderson the finished product.

"The wonderful thing for Henderson is that he is arriving at a club where the manager will be a father figure to him. Kenny will embrace him and Henderson will benefit hugely from that."

Hodgson says that Henderson has all of the characteristics of a modern attacking midfielder.

He added: "He's got a good passing range with good accuracy and movement. Although he has only managed a couple of goals in the seasons he's played for Sunderland, I would think in the right side he would be capable of chipping in with a dozen per season.

"I would like to think that as a lad from the north-east, he does Liverpool proud and spends the next 10 years there, winning everything in sight. That would be wonderful."

Treble Heroes Set For Masters

Treble heroes Patrik Berger and Stephane Henchoz will line-up for Liverpool legends in the Selco Mersey Masters at the Echo Arena on Saturday.

The duo will join other stars from Liverpool's illustrious past in the tournament that also includes teams from Everton, Tranmere Rovers, Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool.

Former Liverpool captain Mark Wright is also expected to feature for the Reds as they prepare to battle it out for the Mersey Masters title and the chance to qualify for September's Grand Final.

Academy Duo On Target For England

Adam Morgan and Jack Dunn both found the net as England warmed up for the U17 World Cup with a 5-4 friendly win over the Ivory Coast.

The Young Lions warmed up for Sunday's opening World Cup match with Rwanda by coming back from 4-2 down to win in a behind closed doors friendly.

England had gone 2-0 up but Ivory Coast stormed back to turn the game around in the second half to lead 4-2.

However, inspired by two of Kirkby's finest scholars England regained their advantage.

Morgan netted a penalty and Dunn grabbed the winner with a blistering drive to win it 5-4.

Morgan and Dunn are joined in John Peacock's squad by right winger Raheem Sterling, left-back Brad Smith, goalkeeper Tyrell Belford and centre-back Matty Regan.

Left-back Tom King will also be at the tournament having been called-up by Australia.

The U17 World Cup kicks-off on June 18 and the final is in Mexico City on July 10.

England begins their campaign on Sunday, June 19 when they take on Rwanda. Also in the group are Uruguay and Canada.