'Let's Make It A Tour To Remember'

Liverpool fly off on their Standard Chartered sponsored pre-season tour today with Managing Director Ian Ayre hoping the Reds leave a lifetime of memories for their fanatical Asian fans to savour.

The Reds' squad departs Liverpool John Lennon airport this afternoon for a thirteen hour flight to Guangzhou ahead of the first leg of their Asian tour.

Three days in China will be followed by three days in Malaysia and then a day in Singapore as the Reds continue their preparations for the new campaign in front of thousands of their most loyal fans.

After a successful last visit to Asia in 2009 which took in visits to Thailand and Singapore, Ayre is looking forward to the prospect of taking the Club into new territories this time around as the Reds look forward to their first ever games in both China and Malaysia.

"In over 100 years of history we have never been to Guangzhou or Kuala Lumpur, so it opens up a new opportunity for us," he said. "For the partners we have today at the football club and the fans we have around the world - particularly in these markets - it's really exciting.

"It's important to go to places and give the fans the chance to see what we see every week here at Liverpool, the players up close and the chance to see them play a game.

"There is always a balance with pre-season which is trying to balance where we want to go that has commercial value and value for our fans, and making sure that it adapts with the pre-season training and development programme that the players are under because although it's an important commercial time, it's an even more important player time where fitness and conditioning is at the top of everybody's mind. You have to find somewhere that has the right facilities and the right preparation opportunities.

"The great thing about the team we have here now is that there's a lot of collaboration and so from the very outset we sat with Damien, the fitness people, the manager and others on the football side, and then sat with our sponsors and brought everything together.

"There has been a lot of promotion, a lot of excitement and a lot of activity and in each location there will be lots of things going on. We have players going off in different directions and part of that is to make sure every fan gets a little bit closer than they normally would."

The Reds will land in China in the early hours of Monday morning and will spend three days in the southern province of Guangzhou, building up to their first friendly match of the summer against Guangdong Sunray Cave on Wednesday evening.

"There is a myth about China and everybody has their own view or expectation of what it might be like," said Ayre. "I think what we'll see is it's a very modern place, it's a very welcoming place, the people are great. Liverpool fans in China are like Liverpool fans anywhere else, they are very passionate about their team and are very excited.

"It's a chance for it to work the other way as well and an opportunity for the players and everyone else travelling with us to understand a different culture, show a different level of respect and do things in a different way. I have spoken to a couple of the players and they are really interested in what it'll be like."

The second leg of the tour will see the Reds' squad take a three hour flight into Kuala Lumpur where they are expected to be greeted with euphoric scenes as thousands of faraway Kopites come face to face with their heroes for the first time.

"The fever is well and truly burning about this visit in Malaysia," added Ayre. "Ticket sales have gone through the roof, the sponsors are running around trying to get as many people into as many places and as many events as possible because everybody wants to be there. It's an amazing city, it's vibrant and exciting and for me represents what Asia is all about. It's got that great mix of modern and traditional, the weather will be glorious, so I think everyone is excited.

"We then go to Singapore and although we're only going for a training session on the football side, as soon as we mentioned it all of the places for that opportunity sold out. As with every time we have been to that part of the world, there is a huge amount of fever and excitement and it's our job now to get on the plane, go there and deliver our end of it."

While fans in China, Malaysia and Singapore celebrate Liverpool's arrival over the next week, our supporters in Korea will no doubt still be feeling a sense of disappointment that the originally planned trip to Seoul fell through.

However, Ayre is quick to stress that Korea remains very much on Liverpool's pre-season radar for future years.

"Anyone who has ever worked on a major event like putting together a pre-season game somewhere in the world will understand that it's not always possible to do everything you wanted to do," he explained.

"There were a variety of factors which meant it wasn't possible on this occasion and when I spoke to the representatives of FC Seoul we had a great dialogue and talked about this as a postponement rather than a cancellation. We have a big desire to still go there, it's a great market for some of our partners and it's an important market for us. I think it's fair to say to our Korean fans that we haven't forgotten them and it's still very much on our radar for the future."

While the spotlight over the next week will be on the first team players with fans following their every move across Asia, away from the glare of publicity Liverpool's travelling community coaching team will be working to leave a legacy which lasts long after the squad have arrived back in Liverpool.

"It's a much criticised thing in football that teams come, take a lot of money out of the market and leave.

"Our community team will coach youngsters and under privileged kids across a series of different initiatives. Some of that is under the football club, some of it is in conjunction with our partners and some of it is with local organisations like the British Council and others.

"We want people to have a true understanding of what Liverpool Football Club represents. Yes, we're a very famous and successful football team, but we're also a part of our community here in Liverpool and part of a global community because we are a global football club.

"The way we operate here, the way we play football here and the way we act in our community here is exactly what we should take to that part of the world."

Liverpool is due to arrive in Guangzhou early on Monday morning and will travel to their hotel ahead of the first official engagement of the tour which will see Kenny Dalglish and members of his squad addressing the media.

Due to his need to continue rehabilitation from injury, Steven Gerrard won't be on the flight to China - but Ayre insists it was a necessary decision taken with the Club's best long-term interests at heart.

"We are all disappointed," he says. "We all know how big Steven is in that part of the world, he's our captain, he's the talisman of the club, but I think Kenny put it best when he said they have assessed all the players who have come back from their break and it's just unfortunate.

"The good news is he is recovering and making progress, but not enough progress to be on a flight for 13 hours and then travel between different places. He won't get the same rehabilitation that he needs here in Liverpool.

"It's very disappointing for everybody but everybody who will be disappointed will be a Liverpool fan, and as a Liverpool fan you always want to see Liverpool being led our by Steven Gerrard on the first day of the season and being there for many games during the season.

"If that's the risk, then it's a big one and one we won't take. Steven has said himself how disappointed he is, so the fans aren't alone - he is just as disappointed. But we have a big squad with great players and great people and they will all be there."

Even without the skipper in their ranks, Asia 2011 promises to be a pre-season tour to remember - but what does the Club's Managing Director hope has been achieved when we board the flight back to Liverpool in one week's time?

"The fundamental part we need to leave is some memories," he says. "The big thing about being a football fan - or a fan of anything really - is you always have that lasting memory that you never forget. I know what mine is and it will be with me forever.

I think as long as we leave as many people as possible with a lasting memory of that visit, that tour or that individual thing that happened to them, then that is at the heart of what we want.

"There are all sorts of other metrics that we will measure like success of our partners, success in the games, quality of the performances from the players, but at the heart of it will be the memories we leave our fans in Asia. We want to deliver the best memory of Liverpool Football Club in Asia."

Dalglish Excited By Adam Arrival

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is excited about the impact Charlie Adam will have on the club after the Reds finally signed the Scotland midfielder on Thursday night after a six-month pursuit.

Blackpool held onto Adam in an attempt to remain in the Premier League, but when that failed the player made it clear he wanted a move to Anfield.

That has now become a reality and Dalglish is looking forward to the 25-year-old reproducing the kind of displays which made him a stand-out performer for the Seasiders last season.

"We're delighted our patience has paid off," said Dalglish. "We tried to sign Charlie in January. Blackpool wanted to keep him, which is understandable because they were trying to maintain their status in the Premier League.

"Our interest never went away. Both the club and Charlie have been patient, and then Blackpool's circumstances changed because they were relegated.

"We're looking forward to Charlie being a success here. He made a huge contribution to Blackpool's team last year and we're looking forward to him making the same contribution here. We know what he's got and that's why he was such a success last year in the Premier League."

Having re-signed defender Glen Johnson and Andre Wisdom recently, youngster John Flanagan has become the latest player to agree a new deal.

The 18-year-old impressed towards the end of last season in his seven first-team appearances.

"It's great for everybody," said Dalglish. "Both him and Jack Robinson coming in last year gave the first-team players a lift.

"Obviously Flanno played a lot of games, it never fazed him, he had a great attitude towards it and he made a big contribution. The contract he's got is a reward for the work that he's done. I'm sure he'd be the first one to pay tribute to the work done by the academy staff who've brought him this far.

"They've given him over to us and they've given us a very good player, and it's up to us to try to develop him even further. He just needs to continue to build on the good start he's made. He never got carried away with the success he had and the many complimentary words that were spoken about him, and I'm sure he won't get carried away with signing a new contract.

"Sometimes you rest on your laurels but I'm sure he won't."

Liverpool Interested In Scott Parker

Liverpool has reportedly been monitoring the situation of West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, although they may be about to lose the race for his signature.

According to The Mirror, the Barclays Premier League outfit shown a ‘tentative interest’ in the 30-year-old, but Aston Villa has now emerged as favourites to sign him.

The England international is said to have held talks with Hammers boss Sam Allardyce upon returning to training yesterday, but his future is still yet to be resolved.

Tottenham had been installed as frontrunners to sign Parker after the east London side were relegated, but it has been claimed that Villa are now leading the pack.

Liverpool have been linked with the former Chelsea man for a number of months, but it would seem now seem unlikely that they will formalize their interest - especially after bringing Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam to Anfield.

Aly Cissokho Could Be On His Way To Anfield This Summer

Liverpool target Aly Cissokho has moved a step closer to a summer switch to Anfield after Manchester City pulled out of the race to sign the highly rated Lyon left-back.

The 23-year-old French international was thought to be high on the list of the Eastlands outfit, but according to talkSPORT their interest has waned.

After Roberto Mancini sealed the signing of Gael Clichy from Arsenal on Monday, the Citizens decided to drop their inquiry in the £10million rated Ligue 1 star.

That paves the way for Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish to step up his pursuit unopposed as he continues his search for a player to fill the Reds’ left-back void.

Speaking back in April, Cissokho intimated he would consider a move to the Barclays Premier League saying:

"Lyon is a city and a club that I love. I'm happy in France but if I ever had to change clubs I would go to the Premier League because they practice a style of football similar to how I play on the field."

Those comments will encourage Liverpool who recently confirmed the acquisition of long-term target Charlie Adam, joining from Blackpool for an undisclosed fee.

He becomes the Reds’ second summer signing following in the footsteps of Jordan Henderson, who moves to Anfield from Sunderland in a deal worth an initial £16million.

As Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group look to continue funding the overhaul of the playing squad, they will be looking for an immediate return from Dalglish and Co. when the season gets underway in 2011/12.

Pool Eye Reds Starlets

Skysports.com understands Blackpool is eyeing moves for Liverpool duo Tom Ince and Gerardo Bruna.

Blackpool is hoping to strike a deal for the pair after selling Charlie Adam to Liverpool earlier this week.

Seasiders boss Ian Holloway is keen to bolster his squad and he is exploring the prospect of taking Ince and Bruna on loan.

However, Blackpool could miss out on Ince as Fulham are hoping to lure the midfielder to Craven Cottage on a permanent deal.

Midfield duo Ince and Bruna have yet to make a first-team appearance for Liverpool's first team and are regulars in the reserves.

Argentine Bruna joined Liverpool from Real Madrid in the summer of 2007 and he is highly-rated within the corridors of Anfield.

Ince, who is the son of former Reds captain, Paul, is also highly-regarded by Liverpool's coaching staff and he enjoyed a spell on loan at Notts County last season alongside his dad.

Liverpool could be willing to loan out the duo so they can get some regular first-team experience under their belt and landing both players would be a coup for Blackpool.

Clichy Reveals Reds Snub

Gael Clichy has revealed he snubbed offers from Liverpool and Roma to join Manchester City.

The France international completed his £7million switch from Arsenal this week after signing a four-year contract with the Eastlands club.

The 25-year-old claims he had talks with Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli about a move to Anfield, while Roma also made him an attractive offer to move to Italy.

However, Clichy claims he made the decision to join City as he wants to continue playing in the UEFA Champions League and be competing for trophies.

"With Liverpool contacts have been very serious," Clichy told L'Equipe. "I had phone calls with Damien Comolli, I knew him for a while.

"Indeed, there was AS Roma too, with a nice project and an exciting proposition. But I wanted to stay in Premier League.

"I like football here and the state of mind. Moreover, City offered me the opportunity to play again Champions League. I don't know if it will be the case during the next two seasons, but next term I will play in it."

Clichy also refuted suggestions he only joined City for financial reasons.

"Money? I would have earned almost the same at Liverpool. The defenders' wages don't evolve a lot," he added.

"I can understand people believe money has been a key factor. It is not the case.

"Manchester City is a big club, with a big team, an ambitious club which wants to shine in any competition.

"Was I fed up to not win any trophy at Arsenal? No. I don't know if City will win anything, and maybe Arsenal will win the title next term.

"But I believe City has better weapons.

"At Arsenal, the end was frustrating. We were in all competitions until March and after we lost the League Cup final, everything collapsed.

"The Manchester City offer came late, but I didn't think a lot."

Jovanovic Meets With Anderlecht

Milan Jovanovic has revealed that he has met with Anderlecht officials to discuss his transfer from Liverpool.

The former Standard Liege forward has already been told that he can leave Anfield for free after just one year, with the Premier League club reportedly prepared to pay off his £60,000-a-week wages.

It is understood a January approach from Wolfsburg was turned down, but FC Brugge and Anderlecht are now thought to have offered Jovanovic a route out of Liverpool, where he has proved a failure under both Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish.

Rafa Benitez, who preceded Hodgson, agreed the deal to sign the Serbian, but he made just five appearances in the Premier League last season and all of those appearances came as a substitute.

It seems certain Jovanovic will leave this summer, particularly with director of football Damien Comolli confirming the club is streamlining their squad, and a return to Belgium is probable.

The 30-year-old has dined with members of the Anderlecht hierarchy and was impressed with what he heard as he considers the next move in his career.

Jovanovic told Sport/Foot Magazine: "I'm still under contract with Liverpool, but we already agreed that I can leave for free and that I can find myself a new club.

"And I can tell you that I already had a meeting with Anderlecht officials, it was quite interesting. I had dinner with the club president and director of sport.

"We will see what will happen, but Anderlecht remains an interesting option."

Poulsen Future Still Unclear

Christian Poulsen still does not know if he has a future at Liverpool, according to his representative.

The Denmark international proved to be a major disappointment in his first season at Anfield, having been signed by former manager Roy Hodgson last summer.

Kenny Dalglish only used Poulsen on six occasions and the 31-year-old did not play again after the 1-0 defeat at Braga in the Europa League in early March.

This, combined with the summer signings of midfielders Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam, has been taken as an indication of Liverpool's desire to offload the former Juventus man.

But Poulsen's representative, Jorn Bonnesen, claims he and his client are in the dark, as he told Onside.dk when asked if they knew about Liverpool's plans: "No, we do not.

"Now we wait and see what happens."

Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli has announced that, following the signings of Henderson and Adam, attention will now turn to selling unwanted members of the squad.

But Dalglish and his players are due to fly to the Far East on Sunday to begin a pre-season tour and Poulsen is expected to travel.

Flanagan Signs New Contract

Defender John Flanagan yesterday signed a new long-term contract at Liverpool.

The 18-year-old and his family were at Melwood to finalize the deal on Friday lunchtime.

It comes after Flanagan impressed during seven first-team appearances at the end of 2010-11.

Director of Football Damien Comolli believes the right-back has a bright future at Anfield.

"The first thing everyone will say is he deserves it because he did so well for us towards the end of last season," he said. "Flanno had a long time left on his current deal but we felt it was the right thing to do, to reward him for what he's done.

"His attitude is absolutely terrific. As you see him on the pitch - committed, dedicated, the intensity of his game - is what he's like off the pitch. He's very professional, he knows how to look after himself and who to listen to, and I think that's why he's improved so quickly.

"He's only 18-years-old and he's still got so much room for improvement in every area of his game - but he's already very good going forward, technically he's very sound. I'm sure in two years' time we'll talk about him having made even bigger progress.

"We're really looking forward to his development and seeing how he's going to do."

Ability Counts At LFC

There's certainly a feel-good factor reverberating around Anfield at the moment, and that was again in evidence on Wednesday night as Liverpool FC hosted their Ability Counts programme end of season awards at the stadium.

A total of seven teams gathered in the Shankly Suite as medals were handed out following another triumphant season across all age groups, while a lucky handful were presented with the Player of the Year accolade for their personal achievements over the course of the campaign.

The Ability Counts program is part of the club's Respect 4 All disability centre, which provides an opportunity to play football to those who are visually impaired, physically disabled, have severe learning difficulties or are wheelchair users.

However, the scheme also has a competitive edge with teams taking part in regional, national and even European competition - to great success.

LFC disability football development officer Mark Bygroves said: "It's the end of season awards night for the Ability Counts squad, which is the competitive aspect of our disability structure called Respect 4 All.

"Ability Counts is an opportunity for everyone to get together, make real friendships and to play competitive football. The Respect 4 All program is all about getting people to take part when previously they never had, whereas Ability Counts is a bit more competitive and provides the opportunity to play in teams and compete in cup competitions and leagues.

"We have seven Ability Counts teams - four adult teams, an U16s team, an U12s team and a girls' side. Tonight was a celebration of their achievements as well as the Player of the Year awards.

"And there has certainly been a lot of achievement over the season. For example, the D Side won the European Cup, the domestic league and the Cup.

"But there has been individual achievement too. A number of our lads have represented England and there have been a lot brilliant friendships formed."

Dalglish Plots £45m Triple Signing After Adam Purchase

Kenny Dalglish is targeting a winger, keeper and a left-back signing in the transfer period, after completing a deal for Charlie Adam, according to the Daily Mirror.

Stewart Downing is reportedly now Dalglish’s number one target, with Liverpool having an offer of £15 million for Downing rejected.

While Liverpool was in the mix for Downing’s former teammate Ashley Young, Manchester United was able to outbid their rivals, and Dalglish is desperate to not let the same thing happen with Downing.

Liverpool is considering raising their bid for the star, with Aston Villa reportedly insisting that Downing is worth no less than £20 million.

Dalglish is also aggressively pursuing Newcastle full-back Jose Enrique, and despite the star garnering interest from Arsenal, Liverpool are looking to sign the Spaniard to fill a long standing left-back problem at Merseyside.

Centre-half Scott Dann is also in talks with Liverpool, with the Birmingham man a boyhood Liverpool fan who grew up in Merseyside.

Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group have set a transfer policy of signing younger players with long term potential, and Dalglish and director of football Damien Comolli both reportedly feel that Dann, at 24-years-old, fits this bill.

And at £10 million, Dann could be the cheapest player Dalglish purchases this summer.

Liverpool Complete Deal For Charlie Adam

Liverpool has completed the signing of midfielder Charlie Adam from Blackpool.

The Scot, 25, signed a contract on Thursday after successfully completing a medical, the club's official website said. The length of the contract or the fee have not yet been disclosed.

"I am absolutely delighted to be here," Adam told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"It has been a long process but now I can't wait to get started and hopefully this will be a successful period in my career and in the club's history."

He added: "Liverpool is a massive club with terrific players and a terrific manager.

"I see this as the perfect development for me to come here, play with such wonderful players and hopefully help the team to win trophies, because that's the most important thing.

"I'm delighted to be able to walk out on the same pitch as some of the players here.

"There are good players at the club, top, top players who I want to learn from. I want to become a better player and hopefully bring something to the team.

"Hopefully we can have a successful period because it's been missing now for a couple of years.

"At the end of the day you get judged on trophies and as a footballer you want to win as many as you can.

"This club has had a lot of success over the years, so let's get back to doing that."

In the January transfer window the Reds had two bids - the second worth £6.5m - rejected by the Seasiders, who were reportedly holding out for £9m.

But Liverpool reopened talks at the end of the season for a player who had only 12 months left on his contract.

Adam, who was on the shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award last season, joined Blackpool from Scottish Premier League club Rangers for £500,000 in 2009.

The Scottish champions will now receive an additional cash windfall as they are due 10% of any sell-on fee.

Adam was close to joining Tottenham before time ran out in the January transfer window earlier this year.

He becomes boss Kenny Dalglish's second signing since they finished sixth in the Premier League last season.

Another midfielder, Jordan Henderson, arrived from Sunderland in June for a reported £20m.

Charlie Adam Eyes Silverware After Completing Liverpool Move

Charlie Adam is keen to help bring trophies back to Anfield after finally completing his move to Liverpool. The 25-year-old was a transfer target of Kenny Dalglish almost from the moment the manager took over from Roy Hodgson in early January.

After two failed bids in that window, when Blackpool were keen to keep their captain for their fight against relegation, Liverpool returned with an offer of around £7m and after his medical was completed without any problems Adam was able to sign a long-term contract.

The Scotland international is keen to get into pre-season training and start looking at how he can contribute to the club winning their first silverware since the 2006 FA Cup. "I am absolutely delighted to be here," Adam said. "It has been a long process but now I can't wait to get started and hopefully this will be a successful period in my career and in the club's history.

"I see this as the perfect development for me to come here, play with such wonderful players and hopefully help the team to win trophies, because that's the most important thing. I'm delighted to be able to walk out on the same pitch as some of the players here.

"There are good players at the club, top, top players who I want to learn from. I want to become a better player and hopefully bring something to the team. Hopefully we can have a successful period because it's been missing now for a couple of years.

"At the end of the day you get judged on trophies and as a footballer you want to win as many as you can. This club has had a lot of success over the years, so let's get back to doing that."

The role of Dalglish in securing the signature of his fellow Scot cannot be overestimated. He identified Adam very early on as a player he wanted and on Thursday even drove the midfielder into the club's Melwood training ground for the medical.

Dalglish's influence was marked when he took charge in January, turning performances and results around, and that did not go unnoticed by Adam. "Liverpool is a massive club with terrific players and a terrific manager," Adam said. "You have seen since the new manager came in the forward strides that have been made. Kenny has a terrific respect from players and people in the game.

"He is a wonderful manager and it's an honour to be able to say I'm going to be able to play for Liverpool. I tasted Anfield last year, scoring here [in Blackpool's 2-1 win] was an unbelievable feeling and hopefully I've got many more days like that as a Liverpool player."

Liverpool Prepare New Stewart Downing Bid

Liverpool will follow up the signing of Charlie Adam with an improved offer for Stewart Downing - but they still face a fight to persuade Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish to sell the England winger.

Villa turned down Liverpool's opening £15m bid and BBC Sport understands they are refusing even to consider a price for Downing, despite speculation that they will sell for £20m.

Downing is expected to hold further talks about his future with McLeish on Friday and Liverpool's improved offer, likely to be around £18m, could even have arrived by then.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is keen to make the 26-year-old his third signing of the summer after concluding a deal for Sunderland's Jordan Henderson and agreeing a fee for Blackpool's Adam, and the player is eager to make the move to Anfield, particularly since talks on an extended contract at Villa Park stalled.

Dalglish leads Liverpool on an eight-day Far East tour on Sunday and would hope to have a deal wrapped up by then but Villa are in no mood to part easily with Downing, after already losing Ashley Young to Manchester United for £16m.

Villa are prepared to take a hardline policy on Liverpool's interest in Downing, who has two years left on his contract, and insist they do not want to sell, dismissing suggestions that there is a price that would persuade them to change their stance.

McLeish said: "He had a magnificent season last year and really came to full maturity as a top player. I understand why there are teams interested in him and that is what happens when you play well consistently.

"His performances last season were top drawer. That's why he's not for sale. The club doesn’t want to sell him. I spoke to him briefly last week and I intend speaking to him again when all the lads are back in for training."

Downing, who joined Villa from Middlesbrough for £12m in July 2009, may well have to force the issue by putting in a transfer request if McLeish continues to block any further moves by Liverpool.

Liverpool Switch Focus To Arsenal Star With Player Exchange Deal Mooted

Liverpool are looking at putting together a bid for Arsenal's Theo Walcott after becoming increasingly frustrated in their attempts to land a top class winger.

The Reds saw arch-rivals Manchester United beat them to the signature of their number one target, Ashley Young ,who joined from Aston Villa for £15m. They were also in the hunt for Rennes Sylvain Marveaux but their failure to make a firm offer meant saw Newcastle take advantage of their hesitation and snap up the Frenchman.

Stewart Downing has emerged as an option though Villa has already rejected a £15m offer from Anfield. A second bid is thought to be forthcoming but manager Alex McLeish is adamant that the player is not for sale, meaning that Liverpool will either have offer a vastly inflated price or hope that Downing himself agitates for a move.

Aaron Lennon has been another target with the Liverpool trying to benefit from a reported rift between the England international and his manager at Tottenham, Harry Redknapp, though any differences of opinion appear to have been resolved. The Merseysiders are now considering a move for Walcott after the player was linked with a move to Chelsea on the weekend.

The 22-year-old is understood to be happy with life at the Emirates Stadium though that could change should both Samir Nasri and Cecs Fabregas follow Gael Clichy out of the exit door, as expected. Arsene Wenger would surely not countenance selling a fourth first team regular though Liverpool will attempt to sweeten the deal by including Joe Cole as a makeweight. While the former Chelsea star has been in desperately poor form for the past 12 months, Wenger is known to be an admirer of the trickster and a return to familiar surroundings in London could see the two-time Premier League winner find his magical feet again.

Liverpool Planning Raid For Argentine Defender

Liverpool is reportedly considering contesting Juventus in the race for Catania defender Matias Silvestre.

According to Italian TV service Mediaset Premium, the Reds and Juve are both pursuing the Argentine centre-back, who could leave the Stadio Angelo Massimino for around €5 million.

Silvestre's price-tag is tempered by the fact he only has one year to remain on his contract, so Catania may be forced to cash-in should Liverpool come knocking.

Catania general director Pietro Lo Monaco recently claimed Liverpool had lodged an interest in signing the 26-year-old, but it would now appear Juventus will try to scupper any potential move to Anfield.

Although the acquisition of more potent goalscoring options is a summer priority for Liverpool, the Merseysiders are also thought to be keen to bolster their back-line - with Silvestre one of several candidates to join the club.

Liverpool has also been linked with versatile France international Mamadou Sakho, while Scott Dan is also on the Anfield radar.

However, a more pressing issue for Liverpool is the signing of a new left-back, with Newcastle's Jose Enrique the favourite to join Kenny Dalglish's side.

Liverpool To Make £12m Brazilian Star Bid

Liverpool is considering a bid for highly-rated Lyon winger Michel Bastos.

The 27-year-old Brazilian say a proposed deal to Juventus collapse and now Liverpool are prepared to meet the £12m asking price for the player.

Bastos can play on the left-wing or at left-back, two positions Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is eager to strengthen ahead of next season.

The Brazil flyer has earned rave reviews for his performances in Ligue 1, and French sources claim the Anfield club has already made contact with Lyon.

Dalglish is determined to sign Bastos, having endured a frustrating summer so far despite the arrival of Jordan Henderson from Sunderland for £20million.

Italian Interest In Insua

The agent of Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua claims Roma hold an interest in his client.

The 22-year-old spent last season away from Anfield as he took in a loan spell at Galatasaray.

He has since returned to England, but remains on the fringes of the first-team set-up with the Reds.

That has fuelled speculation that he could soon be on the move again, with a number of clubs reported to be keen on striking a deal.

Fiorentina and Palermo have been heavily linked with the Argentine in the past, with it felt that his game would be ideally suited to the Italian game.

Roma are the latest Serie A outfit to consider an approach, and Insua's agent has revealed that an agreement could be reached with Liverpool.

"We have spoken to Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini," Rodrigo Vilarino told calciomercato.com.

"The situation at the moment is on stand-by.

"I don't know how much he would cost, that all depends on Liverpool."

West Ham To Make £7.5m Bid For Liverpool Pair

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is preparing an ambitious bid to sign Liverpool pair Joe Cole and Paul Konchesky as the new Upton Park boss looks to improve his squad ahead of the coming battle to secure and instant promotion back to the Premier League.

The Hammers boss has already snapped up Newcastle United captain Kevin Nolan and has now set his sights on two Anfield players who appear to be surplus to requirements at the Merseyside club. Allardyce will reportedly be handed the funds to secure both players as well as cover Joe Cole’s large salary demands as co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold look to fund moves they feel will help their chances of a lucrative return to the top tier.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish seems likely to accept offers for both players as neither figured in the Scot’s plans following his arrival as replacement for Roy Hodgson back in January.

Left back Konchesky was farmed out on loan to Nottingham Forest where he performed consistently and helped the City Ground side to the play-offs. The 30 year old defender spent two years at West Ham during which time his performances helped the East London side to an FA Cup Final place.

Joe Cole had a tough first season at Liverpool, being sent off in his opening Premier League fixture at home to Arsenal and barely managed a start once Dalglish had arrived on the scene. The former Chelsea attacking midfielder did of course start his career at West Ham racking up over 150 appearances before making his move to Stamford Bridge back in 2003.

An offer of £7.5m may well be accepted by Liverpool as they look to freshen up their squad ahead of a push to reclaim a top four spot. The club’s new owners have funded moves to sign Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam already this summer and may well look to help balance the books and removing big earners from the payroll makes a great deal of sense, especially if said big earners are not first team starters who only cost a combined fee of £3.5m in the first place.

Stephen Darby Completes Season-Long Loan Move To Rochdale

Liverpool have confirmed that defender Stephen Darby has joined League One side Rochdale on loan until the end of the 2011-12 season.

The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Notts County, where he made 22 appearances after joining in November 2010.

The youngster is behind England international Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly in the pecking order for the right-back berth at Anfield, and a move to the Spotland Stadium will give him a chance of gaining further first-team experience.

The defender has made six appearances for the Reds, with his last coming against FK Rabotnicki in a Europa League Qualifier in Macedonia.

Darby becomes Dale manager Steve Eyre's fifth signing following the transfers of Marc Twaddle, Ashley Grimes, Simon Hackney and Andrew Tutte.

Liverpool Facing Name Game In Quest For New Home

Liverpool is more open to the prospect of leaving Anfield for a new state-of-the-art arena in nearby Stanley Park, but face a race against time to find a lucrative naming rights partner to help offset the cost of the project.

Club officials have acquired a three-month extension from Liverpool City Council on whether to take up the 999-year lease on the site, which is in the shadow of the current ground.

Moving to a new stadium is now the preferred option of Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, and planning permission is in place for two designs.

Building a new 60,000 capacity ground would cost around £300million and FSG want to secure a deal with a naming rights partner to share the financial burden before taking the final step of progressing with the Stanley Park blueprint.

If a suitable naming rights package cannot be secured, there remains the prospect of refurbishing the existing site, which is why Liverpool will leave their options open.

The search for a partner comes with Manchester City’s tie-up with Etihad and is being headed by FSG’s Boston think-tank, which also secured the prospective £25m-a-year kit deal with Warrior which is in line to replace adidas from the 2012-2013 season.

Sam Kennedy, president of FSG, confirmed recently they were “combing the earth” looking for a tie up with a blue chip company. “If we were able to get a naming rights partner that would certainly factor into our analysis and will help as we look to make a decision on a refurb [of Anfield] versus a new build,” he said in May.

“That process has just gotten under way and we are out there talking to folks around the world.”

The total sponsorship package at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, understood to include both stadium naming rights for 15 years and shirt sponsorship for eight years, it is worth around £100m.

Galatasaray’s new Turk Telekom Arena attracted naming rights worth around £7m-a-year and Liverpool will get to see at first hand the spectacular stadium after arranging to go to Istanbul, the scene of their 2005 European Cup triumph, for a friendly on Thursday, July 28. Liverpool would ideally seek around £100m for naming rights alone, but are aware the financial climate and time factors are against them.

It is understood Liverpool asked for a longer extension, but the City Council were only prepared to grant three months given the years of delays, under different owners and regimes.

Even Housing Minister Grant Shapps has weighed into the issue by calling on the club to make a decision because of the implication it has on the regeneration of north Liverpool area. “There’s a really urgent decision to be made there, and in fact if that decision’s not made, it holds back regeneration,” said Shapps. “But it’s not about has the government got hundreds of millions of pounds to put into this.”

FSG asked a group of Boston architects to do a study into revamping Anfield, but it was not the same team that worked successfully on refurbishing Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team it also owns.

Leaving Anfield, the club’s home since 1892, would not be taken lightly, but renovation would mean closing down a stand during a Premier League season and there would be a huge amount of lost income associated with a project that could take four years.

If they abort the Stanley Park project, Liverpool would also have to pay back £8.2m in European funding. Planning permission is in place for two designs. One from Manchester-based architects AFL, who have done work on Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge and also Dallas-based HKS, appointed by former co-owner Tom Hicks.

LFC And Laureate In New Partnership

Laureate Online Education, a leading provider of higher education qualifications, and Liverpool FC have announced an affiliation on a global basis.

The partnership will see Laureate use Liverpool FC's online channels in order to offer fans an accessible and affordable opportunity to study and gain a degree level qualification.

"Laureate Online Education, who works in partnership with the University of Liverpool and is proud to affiliate its online degrees with Liverpool FC. This Partnership brings together two of the great icons of the city of Liverpool with a combined history spanning over 200 years," says Leon James, Laureate's Vice-President of Marketing.

Ian Ayre, Liverpool FC's Managing Director added: "We are honored to be working in partnership with Laureate to provide our fans around the world with the opportunity to study from home and gain a qualification from the University of Liverpool. We are fortunate to have such a world class educational institution on Liverpool FC's doorstep and fans can now gain a qualification from this institution without the expense of travel and living costs associated with moving to a new city. Our website engages around four million fans monthly and we now have in excess of six million fans on our official Facebook site which presents Laureate with a huge audience."

Reds Returning To Istanbul

Liverpool has confirmed they are set to make an emotional return to Istanbul this summer when they take on Galatasaray in a pre-season friendly on Thursday, July 28.

The Reds will travel to Turkey's largest city as part of their preparations for the 2011-12 campaign.

Istanbul was, of course, the scene of Liverpool's dramatic 2005 Champions League final triumph over AC Milan.

Milan Baros figured for the Reds on that unforgettable night and now plies his trade for Galatasaray, who finished eighth in the Turkish Super Lig last season.

The two teams last met in the group stage of the 2006-07 Champions League. Both encounters finished 3-2 to the home side, with Liverpool prevailing at Anfield before Gala clinched victory in Istanbul.

The game will be played at the Turk Telekom Arena, which opened in January of this year and has its own entry in the Guinness Book of World Records as the loudest stadium on the planet having recorded a noise level of 131.76 decibels during a match with Fenerbahce on March 18.

The friendly is one of six Liverpool have announced as they gear up for the new season.