Hogan Lands Liverpool Role

Liverpool's owners have appointed the former managing director of Fenway Sports Management as their new chief commercial officer.

Billy Hogan, who worked for the marketing wing of John Henry's company, will be responsible for sponsorships, ticketing and hospitality, retail and merchandise, club memberships, club tours and friendlies as well as Liverpool FC's Soccer Schools.

The 37-year-old sports marketing executive will replace Graham Bartlett who parted company with the Reds in March after less than a year in the job.

He has already worked on a number of Liverpool projects, including the record-breaking £25million per year kit deal with Warrior Sports and putting together Liverpool's pre-season tour of North America.

Hogan told the club's official website: "I've witnessed first-hand the passion and loyalty fans have for this club and I look forward to working with the staff, partners and future sponsors to grow and develop Liverpool's brand and commercial presence globally to help ensure the long-term growth of this storied club."

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre added: "Having worked at a senior level within Fenway Sports Management, Billy has been working alongside LFC for the last 18 months on a number of partnership projects and brings with him a rich pedigree of expertise and resource.

"In many respects this appointment reflects the great spirit of partnership between all of the Fenway Sports Group and LFC."

The club have also brought in former Sports Illustrated senior editor Jen Chang as their new corporate relations and communications director.

Harry Redknapp Is Shock Target For Liverpool

Harry Redknapp has emerged as a shock target to become Liverpool’s new manager. Standard Sport understands that the Merseyside club are considering making a move for the 65-year-old having sacked Kenny Dalglish last week.

Redknapp is believed to have shot up their wish-list after Frank de Boer, Jurgen Klopp, Didier Deschamps and Brendan Rodgers ruled themselves out of the running.

Liverpool still have some candidates interested in the job, including former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, ex-England boss Fabio Capello, Wigan coach Roberto Martinez as well as former Reds manager Rafael Benitez.

However, their desire for Redknapp, who has just one year left on his contract at Tottenham, is a stunning new development.

It is believed Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, have been impressed with the job Redknapp has done at White Hart Lane and the style of football he plays.

Spurs only missed out on qualifying for the Champions League because Chelsea — who also has Redknapp on their list of candidates for the manager’s job at Stamford Bridge — won the competition.

But there has been speculation that the relationship between Redknapp and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has been deteriorating.

Redknapp’s link with the England job following Capello’s resignation in February sparked a major slump in the team’s form and a run of one win in nine games ensured they slipped from third, which would have seen them make Europe’s premier club competition, behind Arsenal into fourth.

Significantly, Redknapp has yet to sign a contract extension and while he insisted last week that he wanted to stay at White Hart Lane, he also confirmed that no talks with Levy had been planned.

However, should Liverpool pursue their interest in Redknapp, they will be aware that Levy will demand compensation for the 12 months remaining on his contract.

Another stumbling block would be whether the former West Ham boss would want to manage a club in the north of England.

Redknapp lives on the south coast and that was the main reason he rejected the chance to manage Newcastle in 2008.

Spurs have already begun working on securing their transfer targets, including Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen, Marseille striker Loic Remy and trying to agree a permanent deal with Manchester City for Emmanuel Adebayor.

But despite seeing a number of approaches rebuffed, Liverpool’s owners still feel that getting the chance to take over at Anfield will be tough for anyone to turn down. The summer is set to be a tense one for Spurs as they struggle to keep hold of their best players now its the Europa League instead of the Champions League.

Standard Sport revealed earlier in the season that Luka Modric had been promised a £100,000-a-year contract should the club finish in the top four and secure Champions League football.

Chelsea’s unexpected triumph, though, means that the Croatia international, who had a transfer request rejected last summer in the light of three bids from the Blues, is now expected to quit White Hart Lane.

Spurs will demand over £40million for his signature and would prefer him to move abroad. Real Madrid is interested while Chelsea, Manchester United and City will not be put off.

Gareth Bale is also a target for Barcelona and Real and hinted he would consider leaving if Spurs failed to secure a place in Europe’s premier club competition next season.

There are also doubts about Jermain Defoe’s Spurs future. The England striker started just nine Premier League games this season and wants to be more involved.

He told talkSPORT today: “It’s a difficult one, I’ve never said I want to leave the club, I’ve just said I want to play.

“As a forward you just want to get some sort of rhythm and a run in the team. That wasn’t the case towards the end of the season.

“I’m just going to see what happens. I’m going to concentrate on England and Euro 2012. The most important thing for me is scoring goals.”

Defoe also stressed the importance of Spurs retaining their star players.

He said: “It’s always important to keep hold of your top players but in football you never know what will happen. But Luka and Gareth, they’re top players who you can’t replace, so we have to keep them.”

Capello To Meet Reds Owners

Fabio Capello has held talks with Liverpool and has been invited to meet with owners Fenway Sports Group.

Roberto Martinez and Andre Villas-Boas have also held meetings with Liverpool and are on the list speak to the owners, and it is expected that they will be joined by at least one other candidate.

A source told ESPN: "The long list of candidates is now narrowing down to a workable number who are likely to go to Boston, although there is of course a chance that the owners will come over here to see the candidates."

Capello, who still has a home in West London, had ideally sought the Chelsea job, but the Blues have made no contact with the former England boss and the Italian has now ruled himself out of the Chelsea equation.

However, an agent representing Liverpool did approach Capello before the Champions League final to enquire as to his interest in the position. He has since held preliminary talks, at which he expressed a desire to be considered, and will now hold a more formal discussion.

Several coaches on Liverpool's 'long list' have ruled themselves out of the running, including Frank de Boer, Jurgen Klopp and Brendan Rodgers, while Didier Deschamps has said he expects to stay at Marseille.

Liverpool fan group Spirit of Shankly, which led the protests against former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, has written to Fenway Sports Group to express its concern over the way the club is being run.

"It may be that yourselves and the board of Liverpool Football Club have a vision you are working towards," SOS's letter read. "It may be that you have implemented a strategy to deliver that vision and decisions are being made to work towards this.

"However, from the outside, where supporters find themselves once again, it looks like a football club in disarray. Confusion and chaos seems to reign and no one is coming out of this with much credit, particularly the football club's image and brand.

"We need clear and pro-active communication, a confident message about the club's plans that breeds confidence amongst supporters that we are moving in the right direction. Instead, we have silence and a lack of information or understanding on decisions being made.

"As supporters we have seen all too clearly what a lack of communication from absentee owners leads to. Ultimately supporters remain in the dark once again about the plans for this football club moving forward.

"We find ourselves experiencing deja vu, where boardroom decisions lead to more questions than they answer. We ask that you speak with supporters - engage with a true representative cross section of supporters and work with supporters to provide solutions to our current problems."

Louis van Gaal In Line For Managerial Position At Liverpool

Louis van Gaal is in line for a senior managerial role at Liverpool. The Dutchman was linked with a move to Anfield in the wake of Damien Comolli's dismissal as director of football in April. However, while it has since been decided to change the management structure at Liverpool, Van Gaal has remained under consideration for a revised role and is the leading contender to become the club's first sporting director.

He is understood to be keen on a move to Merseyside and his appointment could herald the arrival of several new faces at Anfield, including the successor to Kenny Dalglish. The club are also set to name Billy Hogan, currently the managing director of Fenway Sports Group, as their new commercial director. FSG are conducting an extensive search for a manager since sacking Dalglish last week and their ideal criteria of a young coach with title-winning experience would fit alongside a sporting director of Van Gaal's experience and expertise. That plan led to approaches for Jürgen Klopp of Borussia Dortmund and Ajax's Frank de Boer, both of whom declined the opportunity to meet John W Henry and Tom Werner, Liverpool's principal owner and chairman respectively, and to interest in the former Porto and Chelsea manager, André Villas‑Boas.

Villas-Boas and Roberto Martínez of Wigan Athletic are among several candidates for the manager's post and whoever is chosen will, it seems, have to accept working with Van Gaal, who has won league titles with Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich, plus the Champions League with Ajax in 1995.

The 60-year-old was due to return to Ajax in a director's capacity this year until a legal challenge from long-time adversary Johann Cruyff derailed the move. His last managerial role was at Bayern, who he led to the Bundesliga title and the Champions League final in 2010 before being sacked in April 2011.

Van Gaal's work with Ajax and Barcelona undoubtedly appeals to Liverpool's owners as they conduct an overhaul at Anfield and look to imprint a playing philosophy throughout every level of the club. That strengthens his claims for the proposed sporting director role, although Van Gaal has not yet called time on his managerial career and was linked with PSV Eindhoven before their recent appointment of Dick Advocaat.

FSG's method of replacing Dalglish has attracted criticism due to the number of rejections it has prompted. Brendan Rodgers was the first to decline the offer of an interview but it is understood the Swansea City manager would not reject an offer of the job if it was forthcoming.

England Call For Kelly

England coach Roy Hodgson has added Liverpool defender Martin Kelly to his squad for Saturday's friendly away to Norway.

Hodgson, who was recently appointed as the long-term successor to Fabio Capello, named his 23-man squad for Euro 2012 last week.

However, three of the seven out-and-out defenders selected in that squad have been given extra time off following Chelsea's UEFA Champions League win over Bayern Munich at the weekend.

Former captain John Terry, Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill will not join up with the England squad until next Tuesday, leaving Hodgson short of options for the game in Oslo.

To provide cover in his ranks, Hodgson has decided to turn to his old club Liverpool by drafting in Kelly for the match with the Norwegians.

Kelly has made 12 appearances in the Premier League this season and has featured 47 times for Liverpool in all competitions since making his debut against PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League in 2008.

The 22-year-old has won six caps for the Under 21s, scoring three times and was also a member of England's squad at the Under 20 World Cup in Egypt in 2009.

The Football Association has confirmed Kelly will return to Liverpool after the Norway fixture, with England then facing Belgium at Wembley on 2nd June.

Cole Still Holds Liverpool Hope

Joe Cole insists he has unfinished business at Liverpool despite being linked with a return to boyhood club West Ham this summer.

Cole has made a big impact in Ligue 1 this term on a season-long loan at Lille from Anfield and the French club are thought to be open to taking him back for another 12 months.

The 30-year-old has also been tipped for an emotional homecoming at Upton Park, where he came through the youth ranks before spending five years as a senior player.

However, the midfielder has not given up hope of rectifying his career on Merseyside, with the club currently searching for a new manager following Kenny Dalglish's sacking.

"When I signed for Liverpool, it startled me a bit,' Cole, who joined Anfield from Chelsea two years ago under former boss Roy Hodgson, told the Daily Mail.

"I don't know if I felt the pressure but the city is so in love with football. It's a religion. If I go back, I will be more prepared for it this time.

"I can see why people say (joining Liverpool) is a culture shock. It is a small place but it has this great buzz. How can there not be in a city that has produced five Prime Ministers and The Beatles? The people are so sharp, quite a bit like Londoners really.

"There is still a part of me that would really love to make it work there and I don't want to have a bad spell at Anfield on my CV. But it is out of my hands now.

"At the minute I can't rule anything in or out. We have got to speak to Liverpool and see what happens there."

Cole admits Ligue 1 has a slower tempo than the Premier League but is confident he can readjust to life in the English top-flight if given the chance.

He added: "I will have to do extra work because it will be going back to that 100mph pace but I'm sure it will be okay."

Cole's form in France this year had prompted speculation he could be a surprise call-up to Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2012 but he failed to make the cut after two years away from the international scene.

The midfielder has shrugged off that disappointment and turned his attention to the London Olympics, where he is hoping to represent Great Britain as one of three over-age players in coach Stuart Pearce's party.

He added: "I haven't played for England for two years. I know there is a new manager but I was never contacted. I heard there were strange things going on with the odds of me being cut to make the squad and that made me think "maybe".

"But I have got my eyes on the Olympics now. I am in the mix and it would be amazing to play in that but, again, it is out of my hands.

"We will just have to wait and see what happens. Whatever is the case, it has been a great year and it has been a great season. I am delighted with how things have gone."

Lille Boss Still Wants Cole

Lille coach Rudi Garcia says he would like to keep on-loan Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole for another season.

Cole has returned to parent-club Liverpool after spending the 2011-12 campaign with the Ligue 1 side.

Any permanent deal is complicated by the fact that the Reds are currently without a manager since sacking Kenny Dalglish last week.

But Garcia is keen to strike a deal for the England international, who scored four goals in 27 appearances for his Lille team.

"From a sporting angle we would like to keep him," said Garcia, who is resigned to losing his Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard.

"But he does not belong to us and he has not discussed matters with Liverpool.

"It is a very fluid situation. The only certainty for the moment is that he is returning to Liverpool, the club to which he belongs."

Cole joined the Reds on a four year contract in 2010 on a free transfer from Chelsea but failed to impress in his first season and was sent out on loan by then-manager Dalglish.

Liverpool Set To Miss Out On Midfield Target

Liverpool look set to miss out on Wigan midfielder Mohamed Diame, who will instead head to Spain and join up with Malaga, according to the Daily Mail.

Diame’s contract with Wigan expires next month, with the 24-year-old attracting interest from numerous Premier League clubs including Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham.

However, according to the Daily Mirror, Diame has decided his future is not in the Premier League, with Malaga leading the hunt for his services.

Liverpool were said to be extremely keen on landing the midfielder ahead of a summer in which they are expected to seek out lower value transfer targets.

With the Reds searching for a new manager and director of football following Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli’s departure, it is likely that the pursuit of transfer targets at Anfield has been put on hold for the time being.

Manchester United were previously in the running for the Senegalese international but were reportedly scared off by his heart condition, which Wigan were aware of when they signed him from Rayo Vallecano for £3 million three years ago.

Gold Doubts Cole Return

West Ham co-chairman David Gold has played down suggestions Joe Cole could make a 'romantic' return to Upton Park this summer.

Liverpool midfielder Cole's future looks set to be discussed again this summer following the end of a season-long loan at French club Lille.

The 30-year-old insists he has unfinished business at Anfield amid speculation linking him with a second spell at the recently-promoted Hammers.

However, Gold is unsure whether boss Sam Allardyce is interested in Cole as he plots their return to the Premier League next season.

"It's going to be a busy summer," Gold said. "Joe Cole moving to West Ham would be a fantastic and romantic thing to happen but I would be very, very surprised.

"He didn't come up on Sam Allardyce's list of players he wants to sign a couple of months ago.

"Whether that's still the case, only time will tell."

Cole made 150 appearances for the East London club before leaving for Chelsea in a £6.6m deal in August 2003.

Liverpool Signs Three-Year Contract Extension

Liverpool Football Club has signed a three-year sponsorship extension with international tyre brand Maxxis. Having joined Liverpool in June 2009 as part of a three-year deal, under terms of the new agreement Maxxis will continue to serve as an official sponsor of the Anfield-based Premier League club until 2015.

As part of the deal Maxxis will continue to engage will Liverpool fans and enjoy a significant brand presence at Liverpool's 45,000-capacity home ground. Financial terms of the extension were not released.

Liverpool Football Club managing director Ian Ayre said, "As with all our partnerships, we have taken time to form a relationship with Maxxis so we can support mutual goals more effectively and provide significant brand visibility. I am delighted to announce the extension today and we look forward to working with Maxxis over the next three seasons.”

Maxxis Tyres Derek McMartin added, "It’s fantastic news that we’ve extended our partnership with Liverpool Football Club until 2015. We’ve built a strong relationship with the club and fans over the last three years, and we look forward to expanding our successful partnership over the coming seasons.”

Capello Closes Door On Chelsea But Liverpool Still Interest Him

Fabio Capello has followed Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola in publicly rejecting the prospect of managing Chelsea.

The Italian, who quit as England manager in February over the Football Association’s axing of his captain, Chelsea’s John Terry, is keen for a return to the Premier League.

But Capello said on Saturday that he would not be taking over from Roberto Di Matteo at Stamford Bridge.

‘I will not go to Chelsea,’ said Capello, after he was filmed greeting Terry on the pitch before Chelsea’s Champions League final in Munich against Bayern.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich may yet be able to change Capello’s mind but the 65-year-old Italian, who enjoyed huge success as a club manager with AC Milan, Roma, Juventus and Real Madrid, is showing interest in the vacancy at Liverpool instead.

Capello’s rejection of Chelsea is unexpected, given that he had made the running with the club by requesting information on their set-up. But it may still concern Chelsea that two high profile and well qualified managers have now ruled themselves out of the job.

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes claimed that he could never work for an owner like Abramovich, who demands tactical discussions with his managers, and that could be adding a fear factor to the recruitment process.

Chelsea have had eight managers in eight years during the Russian’s reign and the last ‘long-term’ appointment, of Andre Villas-Boas, lasted less than eight months.

But Liverpool now look like a viable option for Capello, who was on the club’s long list of candidates to replace the sacked Kenny Dalglish.

Capello is interested in the challenge of trying to bring the glory days back to Anfield but would demand substantial transfer funds, which could be a sticking point.

Andre Villas-Boas Won't Be Rushed Over future

Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas says he is in no hurry to decide on his next move amid speculation linking him with the vacant Liverpool job.

The 34-year-old, whose old side won the UEFA Champions League on Saturday, is thought to be a frontrunner for the Anfield role following Kenny Dalglish's departure.

Reports suggest the Portuguese boss, who spent an unsuccessful nine months at Stamford Bridge earlier this season, will meet with the club's owners this week to discuss the position.

But Villas-Boas insists he will not be rushed into any decision, saying: "I'm still choosing the right project and that decision will take the necessary time."

The manager is among several candidates being linked with the Liverpool job, with Wigan boss Roberto Martinez another reported favourite for the role.

Villas-Boas has been out of work since he was dismissed as Chelsea boss in March following a run of poor results.

The Portuguese congratulated his successor at Stamford Bridge, Roberto Di Matteo, who stepped into the breach when Villas-Boas was sacked and led them to European glory with victory over Bayern Munich.

"The biggest award is to win the Champions League," said Villas-Boas. "Congratulations to Di Matteo and the players."

De Boer Turns Down Liverpool

Ajax boss Frank de Boer has ruled himself out of the running to take over as Liverpool manager, insisting he wants to stay in Amsterdam.

De Boer has been linked with the vacant Anfield job following Kenny Dalglish's sacking last week after a disappointing season culminated in the Reds' worst league finish for 18 years.

But the 42-year-old Dutchman, who has guided Ajax to back-to-back Eredivisie titles, says he still has unfinished business in Amsterdam after taking over as coach in 2010.

"I am honoured by the request, but I am only just getting started with Ajax," De Boer told De Telegraaf.

"In Amsterdam we are on a new path and, along with the club and Wim Jonk and Dennis Bergkamp, my colleagues in the technical heart, I want to bring good things.

"That's why I will stay loyal to Ajax in the coming years."

De Boer's snub comes after Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers also turned down an approach from Liverpool last week.

The Reds are thought to have several other candidates on their radar, including former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas and Wigan manager Roberto Martinez.

Deschamps Cools Reds Talk

Didier Deschamps has distanced himself from speculation regarding the Liverpool manager's job by revealing he still expects to be at Marseille next season.

The 43-year-old former Juventus and Chelsea midfielder was reportedly on Liverpool's shortlist when Rafa Benitez left the club two years ago only for the job to go to Roy Hodgson.

With the club once again on the lookout for a new boss after Kenny Dalglish's sacking last week, speculation had increased that Liverpool's owners FSG had included Deschamps on their shortlist.

The France World Cup winner is under pressure in his current role after a disappointing 10th place finish for Marseille last term.

However, when quizzed on his immediate future Deschamps was certain he was going nowhere.

"It is expected that I will be there [Marseille] next season," he told French journalists.

"When it goes badly, there is need to recharge. I will leave on vacation but it is expected that I be there [Marseille] for July 2."

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers and Ajax coach Frank de Boer have already ruled themselves out of the running to be new Reds boss.

Former Porto and Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas remains one of the favourites while Wigan's Roberto Martinez has also been given permission to speak to the Merseysiders.

Carragher: Don't Blame New Signings

Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher insists the club's new signings should not take the blame for the Anfield side's poor performances this season.

Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson have all borne the brunt of heavy criticism after moving to Merseyside with expensive price tags and struggling to find their feet.

Poor league performances - which saw the club finish eighth - have largely been blamed on Liverpool's new signings, but Carragher believes the club's senior players should step up and accept responsibility.

Speaking to The Mirror, Carragher said: "I think they have had a lot of unfair criticism. Henderson, Downing, [Charlie] Adam, Carroll - whoever it may be, it's always been a new signing. Have they been scapegoats? Yes. But I think its players like myself, players who've been here a long time who deserve more criticism than the new players."

All three new signings, Carroll, Downing and Henderson, made Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 England preliminary squad, with Henderson on the standby list, and Carragher believes the Anfield new boys need time to settle after their big money moves.

"They've just been finding their feet, learning what Liverpool is all about. The manager brought Stewart and Andy in. Hopefully there's time for them to develop a good rapport."

Fenway Sports Group - Liverpool's American owners - are continuing their search for a new manager following the departure of Kenny Dalglish, and Carragher pledged his support for whoever takes up the Anfield hotseat.

"At Liverpool, we would all like to know who our manager is," said Carragher. "Whoever it is, you give 100% at the start of the season."

Liverpool Struggling To Offload Striker

Daniel Pacheco could be set to return to Liverpool this summer after both Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano reportedly passed up the opportunity to sign him.

The 21-year-old moved to the Vicente Calderon on a temporary basis last summer, but Atleti immediately loaned him out to Rayo, as is allowed in Spanish football.

Pacheco, however, made only 11 appearances for Rayo last season, and was an unused substitute on 24 occasions in the league for the Madrid-based side.

According to talkSPORT, Atleti were offered the chance to sign the Spanish striker for £2 million, which they declined, while Rayo also decided not to acquire his services on a permanent basis.

It would now appear Pacheco will return to Anfield for pre-season training, and take his place alongside the likes of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll in Liverpool's forward ranks.

Pacheco joined the Liverpool academy from Barcelona in 2007, and made a total of seven first team appearances either side of a loan spell with Norwich City.

Suarez: No Barcelona Or Real Madrid Contact

Luis Suarez has reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool and rejected suggestions he has spoken to either Barcelona or Real Madrid regarding a summer transfer.

The 25-year-old was the club's top scorer last term, but the Reds' failure to qualify for Champions League football for a third season in succession has seen Suarez linked with a move away from Anfield.

Suarez's stay with Liverpool has also been marred by the eight-game ban he received following the race row with Patrice Evra, while Sir Alex Ferguson urged the Reds to part company with the Uruguay international.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have both been linked with Suarez, but he has allayed any fears Liverpool fans may have by denying any contact with the Spanish giants.

“Being honest, I have never talked to anyone from Barca or Real Madrid," Suarez told the Liverpool Daily Post. "If the rumours are to be believed I would have already played for 20 teams.

“Liverpool has had a good season and we got to two cup finals.

“In the Premier League we did not finish as high as expected, but positive things have been taken.

“Liverpool is a 10/10 club for the support they give the players. I am very grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to play in the Premiership.”

Suarez has scored 21 goals in 52 appearances for Liverpool since moving to Anfield from Ajax for £24 million in the January transfer window of 2010.

West Ham Hoping To Persuade Joe Cole To Return To Upton Park

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is hoping that he will be able to persuade Joe Cole to make an emotional return to the club after securing promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Cole left the Hammers in 2003 to join Chelsea but is still a firm fan favourite after coming through the academy at the east London club and going on to become a regular England player while still with West Ham.

Allardyce know that he will need to strengthen his squad as he looks to follow the example of the trio of clubs who were promoted last season and all managed to stay in the Premier League.

The Daily Mail has suggested that Cole is not the only former Hammer that is wanted by Big Sam as he also wants to sign Nigel Reo-Coker and Kieran Richardson.

Liverpool loaned out Cole for the entirety of last season to French side Lille but West Ham are hoping that he would prefer to stay in England and make a return to his home town of London.

One possible sticking point could be the wages of the 30-year-old who is believes to earn somewhere in the region of £90,000-a-week at Liverpool.

It seems as though Allardyce will have funds to work with as well over the summer as co-owner David Gold revealed there would be a significant transfer kitty for the club.

‘If we didn’t win then we would have needed to cut our cloth accordingly," Gold told the Daily Mail. "We wouldn’t have sat there deluding ourselves. It would have cost probably around another £30m."

Liverpool Reportedly Approach Benitez Over Return

Liverpool has reportedly made a sensational approach to former manager Rafa Benitez over a potential return to the club.

As reported by the Mirror, Liverpool chiefs have sounded out the Spaniard, after being rejected by Swansea City boss Brendan Rogers and former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola in their hunt for a new boss.

Benitez left Liverpool in 2010, when the club was under the ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillet, but it is rumoured that new owners Fenway Sports Group are considering bringing the crowd favourite back to Anfield.

After leaving Liverpool, Benitez endured a difficult spell at Inter Milan, and has since spent the last 18 months out of game.

However, it appears as though the Champions League winning Benitez could well be back in the hot seat, after placing high on FSG’s managerial shortlist.

It is believed that the club’s owners have a list of twelve candidates in mind, and have already been given permission to speak to Wigan boss Roberto Martinez.

Laudrup In Liverpool Link

Sky Sports understands former Denmark star Michael Laudrup is a contender for the vacant manager's job at Liverpool.

Liverpool have begun their search for a new boss following the board's decision to axe Kenny Dalglish earlier this week.

The Reds are believed to have a shortlist of up to 12 people they want to talk to about succeeding Dalglish at Anfield.

Wigan's Roberto Martinez has already been given permission to enter discussions with Liverpool, while Swansea chief Brendan Rodgers declined the opportunity to hold talks with the Merseyside giants.

Danish icon Laudrup is thought to be in the frame for the post, with the 47-year-old believed to be keen to try his luck in England.

Former Barcelona and Real Madrid star Laudrup is highly-regarded in Europe as one of the best young managers around with his brand of exciting attacking style of play.

Laudrup worked as Morten Olsen's assistant with the Danish national side before he took charge of Brondby in 2002.

After four successful seasons, he left Brondby for Getafe, leading them to the final of the Copa del Rey and the quarter-finals of the old UEFA Cup.

Laudrup has since had spells with Spartak Moscow and Real Mallorca, who he left last September.

Laudrup has been linked with a move to England in the past and the Dane is thought to have admirers inside the corridors of power at Anfield as they look to bring in a new man to get the club back on track.

Klopp Rules Out Reds

Liverpool's search for a new manager has been dealt a fresh blow after Jurgen Klopp made it clear he does not want to leave Borussia Dortmund.

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers has already rejected an approach from the Anfield club, who are looking for a successor to Kenny Dalglish following the Scot's sacking on Friday.

Klopp is thought to be one of the 12 candidates who are being targeted by Liverpool, but he is committed to Bundesliga champions Dortmund after leading them to a league and cup double this season.

The German 44-year-old is one of the most promising manager's in Europe after achieving success on a tight budget, but he is under contract at Dortmund for another four years.

And Klopp is staying put amid plans for a better challenge in next season's UEFA Champions League after a disappointing bottom-placed finish in Arsenal's Group F this campaign.

The previous Chelsea target said: "I have been made aware of interest from England, and it is an honour to be linked with big clubs in the Premier League.

"But I have a contract with Dortmund until 2016 and am going nowhere. I love it here and have no intention of changing clubs."

Rodgers Turns Down Liverpool

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers has turned down an approach from Liverpool over their managerial vacancy.

The Reds sacked Kenny Dalglish on Wednesday after a disappointing season that resulted in their worst league finish for 18 years.

Owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have already made an approach for Wigan boss Roberto Martinez but are keen to interview other candidates as they search for the right man.

But it won't be Rodgers who is heading to Anfield, after the Northern Irishman rejected the opportunity to speak to FSG.

The 39-year-old guided the Swans to 11th in their debut Premier League season, earning many plaudits for the team's attractive style of play.

But it is apparent he does not view the Anfield club - who are seeking a fourth manager in two years - as the right step to develop his career.

A statement on Swansea's official website read: "Swansea City can confirm that an approach from Liverpool FC to speak to manager Brendan Rodgers was officially received by club chairman Huw Jenkins this morning.

"The club is pleased to confirm that Brendan has declined the current opportunity to speak to the Anfield club about the vacant position.

"The Swansea manager is currently working hard to strengthen their squad in readiness for the new Barclays Premier League campaign.

"The club will make no further comment at this stage."

Liverpool are believed to have drawn up a list of candidates that could include as many as 12 high-profile names.

FSG's possible targets range from UEFA Champions League winners such as Fabio Capello and Pep Guardiola to young Premier League coaching talent like Martinez and Rodgers.

Juventus Keep Liverpool Off Paratici

There are reports Juventus have shot down Liverpool’s attempts to poach technical director Fabio Paratici.

The Sun suggested this week that they were looking at Paratici as a replacement for director of sport Damien Comolli.

According to the Italian media, there was some truth in this approach, but Juventus slammed the door on any potential departure.

Paratici is the right-hand man of director general Beppe Marotta and contributed to constructing the Scudetto-winning side.

His contract ties him to the Turin giants until June 2013.

Ayre Expects Stars To Stay Put

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has dispelled fears a number of top stars could leave the club in the wake of the upheaval at Anfield.

The Reds are looking for a new manager after Kenny Dalglish was axed by the club's American owners earlier this week.

It has been suggested that Dalglish's departure could cause some unrest in the dressing room, but Ayre is confident the players will stick around after holding talks with them.

"I spoke to all our senior players yesterday and I don't think it will happen," said Ayre of a possible exodus of players.

"Of course, Kenny is an important part of the fabric of the club and always will be.

"There isn't anyone who won't be disappointed with the decision but the players are respectful. There are no plans to fire anyone else.

"It was just part of a process. It is all part of wanting to get it right."

Liverpool are thought to be in talks to offer Luis Suarez, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger new deals to fend off interest from other clubs and Ayre admits talks are ongoing with players to secure their long-term futures.

"I have been deeply involved in the negotiations with agents and players," added Ayre. "It is business as usual in that sense.

"Nothing has had to stop.

"The manager and director of football were not the only people involved in the process."

Liverpool Consider Move For £26m Striker

Liverpool are reportedly considering a move for CSKA Moscow striker Seydou Doumbia, after the appointment of Kenny Dalglish's successor.

The 24-year-old Ivorian scored 33 goals in 41 appearances for his current employers last season, and has also been linked with a transfer window move to Chelsea.

Manchester United, Tottenham and Napoli have also been named as potential suitors for Doumbia, but it is Liverpool who appear to be ready to formalize their interest.

According to the Daily Mail, the unveiling of a new manager could be swiftly followed by a bid for Doumbia, who has a release clause of £26 million written into his contract.

Doumbia is likely to be one of several strikers on the radar of Liverpool this summer, as Reds owners Fenway Sports Group look to make-up for the profligacy in front of goal last season.

Liverpool mustered fewer goals in the league than they had for two decades, and goalscoring reinforcements will surely be a summer priority for the next manager.

Liverpool Face Malaga Challenge For Gaston Ramirez

Liverpool are set to face strong competition from Malaga for the signature of Bologna star Gaston Ramirez.

The Reds were believed to be in pole position to land the Uruguayan midfielder after his agent revealed a Premier League team had made a £16million bid.

That was before the Anfield club's American owners sacked Kenny Dalglish, and Malaga are now keen to take advantage of the situation.

Reports in Italy suggest the Spanish club have already made an offer for the 21-year-old, as coach Manuel Pellegrini looks to strengthen his squad after securing a Champions League place.

Ramirez's representative Pablo Betancourt refused to comment on the latest rumours, but made it clear he expects the player to move during the summer transfer window.

'It's very probable that this will have been his last season at Bologna,' he said.

'We already have a few offers, but we will speak with Bologna officials at some point after June 1st.'

Kuyt Hoping For Anfield Stay Following Dalglish Sacking

Liverpool attacker Dirk Kuyt has reportedly expressed a desire to remain at Anfield following the departure of Kenny Dalglish as boss.

Kuyt has endured a frustrating season having found himself frequently on the bench, with Dalglish opting to play Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing rather than utilizing the Dutchman's industry.

The attacker had been linked with a move away from Liverpool, after reportedly being told by Dalglish that he did not feature in the club's plans.

The Netherlands international had been linked with a return to his former club Feyenoord, with rumours that German side Hamburg were also interested in signing the 31 year-old.

However, it appears as though Dalglish's sacking has prompted a u-turn in the mind of Kuyt.

According to reports on Goal.com, he told Algemeen Dagblad: “I hope I can stay with Liverpool. But that's what I said the last couple of months.”

Kuyt admitted that he was growing disillusioned with life under Dalglish, but conceded that he will wait until a new manager is appointed before making a decision on his future at the club.

“With Dalgish as manager I didn't have the illusion he would let me start from the beginning [of matches] next season,” he said.

"We have to wait and see now. I'm not sure yet what Liverpool will do with this manager vacancy."

Joe Cole Wanted By Premier League New Boys

Newly promoted Reading are ready to launch an ambitious move for Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole who has spent the last season on-loan at French outfit Lille.

The former Chelsea midfielder still has two years left on his contract at Liverpool but his future is certainly up in the air after the owners of the club made the decision to part company with Kenny Dalglish.

Cole still has one game left to play in France and then he will be ready to return to England where he will have to consider his future, which could still be at Liverpool.

The Daily Star has revealed that Reading boss Brian McDermott is keen to bring in some experienced Premier League campaigners and is hoping to seal a similar deal to the one Liverpool agreed with Lille.

While Cole was playing for Lille, Liverpool were still paying more than a quarter of his wages and Reading are hoping that they will be able to utilize a similar agreement.

The 30-year-old has been given a new lease of life at Lille where he has been a regular starter in the first team and it is certain that he would not want to return to Anfield if he is seen merely as a squad player.

Reading know that they will need some new players but certainly will have been boosted after seeing all three promoted sides survive in the Premier League.