Reds Complete Coates Deal

Liverpool have completed the signing of Uruguay international defender Sebastian Coates "on a long-term contract" from Nacional.

The 20-year-old Copa America winner has passed a medical and secured a work permit to complete a move which unites him with Uruguay team-mate Luis Suarez.

The tall centre-back, who made his senior international debut at this summer's tournament, arrives from Nacional in his homeland where he broke into the first team two years ago.

"Liverpool has confirmed the signing of Uruguay international Sebastian Coates on a long-term contract," the Reds said in a statement.

"The 20-year-old completed his transfer from Nacional after passing a medical and securing a work permit earlier today.

"Coates will now link up with his international team-mates ahead of their friendly in Kiev on Friday night."

Uruguay talisman Suarez earlier Tweeted: "I want to welcome Coates, partner in the Uruguayan team, friend and great player who just signed for Liverpool!"

Liverpool Eyeing Transfer Of Argentina Ace

Reports are circulating that Liverpool are trying to sign Argentine front man Mauro Zarate to bolster their attacking options.

The Reds spent big in January in acquiring Andy Carroll from Newcastle and Luis Suarez from Ajax for a combined total of £58m but manager Kenny Dalglish is not ready to rest on his laurels.

Currently only Dirk Kuyt remains at Anfield as recognised back up in that department with David Ngog destined for pastures new but with the Dutchman having excelled in wide positions rather than up front during his time on Merseyside, another striker is required.

Zarate is familiar to English football fans for the half season that he spent on loan at Brimingham City in 2008. Despite bringing some South American flair to St Andrews he was unable to stave off relegation and any prospect of a permanent move was dashed.

Arsenal showed interest in the 24-year-old at the time but were priced out of a move with Lazio taking him to Italy for £16m. Now Liverpool are considering a move for Zarate but will hope to negotiate the £20m asking price down to something more palatable.

Liverpool Plan To End Summer Spending With Double Tottenham Star Raid

Liverpool are reportedly considering a move to snap up Tottenham pair Vedran Corluka and Niko Kranjcar as Kenny Dalglish looks to continue his summer spending spree. Harry Redknapp is keen to bring in funds from the sale of squad players to help finance White Hart Lane additions and may consider offers from the Anfield side for the duo.

The Merseyside club may be helped in their pursuit by the fact that the club’s director of football Damien Comolli served in the same role at Tottenham and was involved in the capture of Croatian international Corluka.

The 25 year old defender can play at right back and in the centre of defence and it’s that adaptability that appeals to Dalglish who is keen to beef up his defensive options and feels that the experienced former Man City man can help provide cover in two positions and well as fight his first team regulars for their spots.

Kenny Dalglish is known to be an admirer of Niko Kranjcar and with it looking increasingly likely that Luka Modric will not be joining Chelsea, the former Portsmouth man is set for another season warming the Tottenham bench and the Liverpool boss sees the talented flair player as a player who could fit in on the right side of the midfield, a role that Dutch international Dirk Kuyt has manfully filled for a few seasons.

However Kuyt is seen very much as a makeshift solution and Dalglish is thought to be keen on bringing in a more natural option to add balance to his midfield.

Redknapp has been told by chairman Daniel Levy that any significant additions to his squad must be balanced with the sale of some of his expansive squad and thus far Tottenham have spent very little in the transfer market but have managed to offload Jamie O’Hara and Robbie Keane to Wolves and LA Galaxy respectively.

It is thought that the Croatian pair could be snapped up for a combined fee of around £15m and given that Liverpool’s owners have already pumped in over £100m in 2011 on new signings, shouldn’t be a problem funding such a bid.

Liverpool & Aston Villa Chasing Man City Star

Liverpool and Aston Villa are believed to be leading the chase for Manchester City's James Milner.

The midfielder has been put of favour since City's latest spending spree saw Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri brought for a combined total of £62m and chances of first team football appear slim. With Adam Johnson, Gareth Barry, and Nigel De Jong also ahead of him in the pecking order, a move before the transfer window closes is highly likely.

Reports that Milner has left the England squad are wide of the mark, not least because the source for the sorry was a fake Twitter account under the name of Stewart Downing but that does not diminish the fact that both Premier League clubs are interested.

Former employers Aston Villa would happily welcome him back with the £35m received from the sale of Downing to Liverpool and Ashley Young to Manchester United still burning a hole in their pocket with Charles N'Zogbia being the only high profile arrival.

Liverpool have less need for another midfielder though his versatility is believed to appeal to manager Kenny Dalglish while his nationality would also mesh with the club's transfer policy since the Scot took the helm in January.

Villa To Make Cole Move

Skysports.com understands Aston Villa is planning a late move for Liverpool's out-of-favour midfielder Joe Cole.

The former Chelsea man is being tipped to leave Anfield and had been in talks over a move to French side Lille.

However, Villa could be willing to hijack the move, with the Ligue 1 champions struggling to afford the winger's wages.

Villa has brought in Charles N'Zogbia from Wigan, but are still short of creative options after losing Ashley Young and Stewart Downing.

Premier League rivals Tottenham and QPR are also interested in the 29-year-old, but it seems Alex McLeish is keen on his services.

Cole joined the Reds on a free transfer from Chelsea last summer, but has struggled to impress after making just 20 league appearances.

Liverpool Flop To Join Ligue 1 Newcomers Evian

Liverpool flop Christian Poulsen has joined Ligue 1 newcomers Evian TG, despite late interest from Espanyol.

Poulsen failed to make his mark at Anfield after signing for the club from Juventus last summer and will leave the club having started just nine Premier League games.

It has been reported that Spanish club Espanyol were keen on a late move and asked Liverpool if they could take the 31-year-old on loan for the season.

But now Ligue 2 champions Evian have completed the permanent signing of the Danish midfielder, although Liverpool have taken a hefty financial hit on the player.

The Reds paid Juventus £4.5m for Poulsen and handed him a three-year contract at the club - but it is understood Evian have agreed to pay Liverpool just £750,000 to seal his signature.

Liverpool Offer Flop To Aid Move For Eden Hazard

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole is putting the finishing touches to a loan move to Lille to jump start his career.

The 29-year-old only moved to Merseyside 12 months ago from Chelsea but has failed to establish himself in the starting XI.

The England international has seen his standing fall even further this summer following the arrivals of Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing.

The Reds are keen to offload Cole, who is on £90,000-a-week, to lower the club’s wage bill.

Lille is set to make a move for the playmaker after losing Gervinho to Arsenal and missing out on Monaco forward Park Chu-Young to the Gunners.

The signing of the South Korea captain has annoyed the Ligue 1 club so much they will now refuse to sell winger Eden Hazard to Arsene Wenger’s side.

Liverpool hopes to take advantage of the situation and have offered the French side Cole to build up a rapport.

Lille is unlikely to sell this summer, as they need Hazard for their Champions League campaign, but the Reds want to be at the front of the queue in 12 months time.

Stoke Turn Attention To Reds Striker

Liverpool striker David N'Gog's £4million move to Bolton Wanderers could be off after Stoke City emerged as late contenders for the player's signature according to the Daily Mirror.

The 22-year-old Frenchman's £40,000-a-week wages are believed to be the stumbling point of a deal taking him to the Reebok Stadium, and Potters boss Tony Pulis is ready to pounce.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has indicated N'Gog would be allowed to leave Anfield this transfer window, as Liverpool look to complete one final piece of business with the signing of a new striker to rival the likes of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Stoke are also rumoured to be preparing a bid for Tottenham's Peter Crouch, who has been told by Spurs boss Harry Redknapp he is free to leave White Hart Lane if he wishes, amid additional interest from Sunderland.

Reports this morning from Sky Sports News suggest that Nicklas Bendtner is at the Britannia Stadium, undergoing talks about a move to Stoke, which if completed will more than likely end interest in Liverpool's N'Gog.

Downing Surprised By Level Of Support At Liverpool

Liverpool’s Stewart Downing admits that he was surprised by the team’s support after joining the club this summer.

The 27-year-old winger, who has also played for Middlesbrough and Aston Villa, says he has not been at a club with such a huge fan base abroad before.

“Everywhere we go there seems to be a lot of fans," he told the club's official website.

"No disrespect, but I didn't have that at other clubs.

"We have fans all around the world. Especially games like Valerenga. I didn't realise we had so many fans based abroad. It shows you it's a big football club."

Despite a 1-1 draw with Sunderland in Liverpool’s opening game, the Reds have made a good start to this season’s campaign, beating Arsenal away and Bolton Wanderers at home.

Downing added: "I've met a lot of the fans and the people and can sense a buzz around the place. They ask about the players, about who is fit and the season. They're very nice people, very genuine.

"There's a buzz in Liverpool again. With the money the owners have spent and the way we've started, you can understand that. We've now got to carry it on and give them something to cheer about.

"It's absolutely brilliant playing at Anfield. When I played against Liverpool you always sensed the atmosphere. They don't half get behind their team."