Rodgers Won’t Buy For The Sake Of It

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said he won’t be spending Liverpool’s transfer budget just for the sake of getting in new players.

Liverpool has spent £25million on four players so far this summer rather than throwing big money at one player as in previous years.

Now Rodgers has said he will only spend the money available to him if the quality player he is looking for is there, Sky Sports report.

Speaking to LFC TV Rodgers said: "They have to be of the right quality, that's the bottom line.”

"We've got money to spend on getting that quality in but if it's not available I won't waste it for the sake of bringing a player in.

"We're really working hard to bring in the type of profile that can really help us push on."

So far Rodgers has brought in Iago Aspas, Simon Mignolet, Luis Alberto and Kolo Toure but it seems he is in no hurry to add to that list.

The debate over Suarez’ transfer goes on and Liverpool continues to be linked with players around Europe, but Rodgers is focusing on his own players, speaking about Raheem Sterling and Simon Mignolet.

"He [Sterling] has reminded me of what he was last summer, but he has got a little bit more personality now he has had a year's experience. At 18, he has looked really good."

"Simon Mignolet has been first-class. He has shown that he is one of the top young goalkeepers in European football.

"I think he will prove over the next coming years at Liverpool that he is a top goalkeeper," Rodgers added.

Liverpool hasn’t qualified for the Champions league since the 2009/10 season and faces a year out of Europe for the second time in three seasons.

Gerrard Urges Suarez To Stay

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has urged unsettled striker Luis Suarez to stay with the club for one more season to help them regain their UEFA Champions League status.

Gerrard described Suarez as "the best footballer I've ever played with" to the Daily Telegraph, launching a renewed plea for the Uruguayan to spurn moves from Arsenal to sign him. "I'd say to Luis: 'Give it one more year, see if we can achieve that'," Gerrard said.

Gerrard also said Liverpool needed to invest in a world-class defender and forward to bolster a squad which finished seventh last season. "This club needs to make one or two big signings if we are to compete for the top four - and keep Suarez. Alongside Gareth Bale, Luis is the third best player in the world after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Luis and Bale are the two hottest properties out there at the moment," Gerrard said.

"When you're in that position, you're going to get all kinds of teams wanting to pull you away, especially when you are at a club not in the Champions League. It's nothing to do with the British media (criticizing Suarez). Knowing the guy as I do that's probably the thing on his mind: wanting to be in the Champions League."

Gerrard, 33, was speaking ahead of his testimonial match on Saturday against Greek champions Olympiakos, who were the opposition when the midfielder scored a spectacular goal in a Champions League game in 2004. "If Luis experiences Champions League football here he'll love it. They'll be some of the best nights in his career. To play Champions League football in front of our fans is special. It's an awful lot bigger than doing it at other clubs."

Gerrard said he did not believe Arsenal would be a "step up" for Suarez, despite the fact that Arsene Wenger's team have qualified for the Champions League in the upcoming season. "I don't think Arsenal is a step up. Us, Arsenal and Tottenham are fighting for one of the Champions League places. In an ideal scenario we keep Suarez, make one or two more signings and Tottenham lose Bale.

"Of course, we're slightly behind the big three (Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea), who are powerhouses at the moment. I don't want to disrespect Arsenal. They're a wonderful club with a manager who I've an awful amount of respect for and they have talented players throughout the team. But so have we. We've got just as good a chance of achieving things as Arsenal have."

Arsenal is believed to be preparing a renewed bid in excess of £40 million ($61 million) for the prolific Suarez, who has scored 51 goals in 96 appearances for Liverpool.

Andre Ayew Wants To Hold Liverpool Talks Soon

Liverpool is on red alert for Andre Ayew who has expressed a desire to hold talks with the club.

The 23-year-old, who had previously rejected his desire to leave the Stade Velodrome has had a change of heart after being played out of position.

Marseille's president Vincent Labrune emphatically stated earlier this week that Ayew is not for sale, saying: "Let me be clear: I am counting on all the players who are here."

A cluster of clubs including the Reds and AC Milan have been keeping an eye on Ayew, and it seems the Ghanaian is willing to enter into talks.

Ayew stressed his desire to join his childhood club Liverpool last month.

"It's a league (the Premier League) every player dreams about," Ayew said.

"I speak English, and the English league is the one most followed here in Ghana. It's true that I have a real preference for England.

"I have a little preference for the Reds. I've always followed them ever since I was little, Liverpool, and Real Madrid."

Ayew weighed in with nine goals for Marseille in Ligue 1 last term.

Liverpool Make £21.8m Bid For Diego Costa

Liverpool has bid €25m (£21.8m) for the Atlético Madrid striker Diego Costa as the manager, Brendan Rodgers, looks to add quality to his squad before the transfer deadline.

The Anfield club has moved for the twice-capped Brazil international despite ongoing uncertainty over Luis Suárez's future and having been frustrated on several big-money signings this summer. Liverpool's offer is understood to meet the release clause in Costa's contract and the club is hopeful the 24-year-old, and Atlético, will agree to a deal swiftly. Arsenal, the only club to have made an offer for Suárez, has also been linked with the Brazilian this summer.

Costa is a controversial figure in Spain with a chequered disciplinary record but enjoyed his most productive campaign at Atlético last season, scoring 10 goals in 31 league appearances and a total of 20 goals in 44 games. He had been expected to play a bigger role at Vicente Calderón this season following the departure of Radamel Falcao to Monaco. However, the arrival of David Villa and Léo Baptistão cast doubt on his claims to a regular first-team place and the coach, Diego Simeone, has indicated Atlético would consider allowing Costa to leave too.

Rodgers is determined to improve Liverpool's attack irrespective of whether Suárez stays or goes, and with the club refusing to countenance his sale to Arsenal for a sum of £40,000,001. Arsenal have not returned with a higher offer since their second bid was rejected more than a week ago and the striker has not sought Premier League intervention over a disputed clause in his Liverpool contract.

Barcelona Continue Seesaw Over Agger

Barcelona is reportedly ready to make a bid for Liverpool defender Daniel Agger after a year of interest that has yet to mount to anything.

Agger has been on Barcelona’s radar for a while and it seems the interest has not died with the arrival of Gerardo Martino as manager.

The La Liga champions are lining up a possible move for the Danish international with Martino keen to strengthen Barcelona’s defence, the Daily Star reports.

According to the article, Martino believes Agger will suit Barcelona’s playing style but is wary of paying too much for the centre back.

It won’t be easy, however, with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers desperate to keep Agger after the retirement of Jamie Carragher and the future of Martin Skrtel in the air.

Agger has played at Liverpool since 2006, racking up over 150 Premier League appearances for the club, including 35 of the 38 matches last season.

Napoli Push To Take Martin Skrtel On Loan

Napoli is pushing ahead with plans to sign Slovakian international defender Martin Skrtel on loan from Liverpool.

Former Reds boss Rafael Benitez is keen to snap up Skrtel, who grew unhappy at Anfield in the second half of last season as manager Brendan Rodgers preferred Jamie Carragher ahead of the Slovak.

Napoli has already raided Liverpool once this summer, taking goalkeeper Pepe Reina on a season-long loan.

Now the Serie A side would like to follow that up with a similar loan deal for Skrtel, with reports in Italy placing the defender close to Napoli.

Indeed, it has been suggested that Skrtel has even agreed personal terms with Benitez’s men, according to SportMediaSet, while a loan fee of €2m, with an option to buy for €10m, has been mooted.

Napoli has been splashing the cash this summer following the sale of Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint-Germain for €64.5m.

Benitez has already captured Reina, Rafael, Raul Albiol, Jose Callejon, Dries Mertens and Gonzalo Higuain.

Southampton Youngster Turns Down Liverpool

Southampton youngster Calum Chambers has turned down Liverpool in favour or penning a four year deal at St Mary’s.

Saints have secured the foreseeable future of many of their starlets coming through their academy in hope that they don’t move on just as the likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gareth Bale have done.

James Ward-Prowse, Lloyd Isgrove, Jordan Turnbull and Jack Stephens have all signed new contracts during the past 12 months.

Highly-rated left-back Luke Shaw has also recently agreed a new deal and 18-year-old Chambers has now followed suit.

Chambers told the club’s official website, "It's fantastic – it's like my dream, really," said a delighted Chambers after putting pen to paper.

"I've been at the Club since I was so young, so this is a great feeling. I've been here since I was seven and I've been treated really well so it means the world.

"The Club has a great set-up and it's going through a really good time at the moment. There are going to be big things from Southampton in the future.

"I've always wanted to play for the First Team at this club, and this is another step towards that," he continued.

"I'd like to push myself into the First Team and to prove myself there. I went out [to Spain and Austria] to prove a point because I feel I'm ready, and hopefully I have done that.

"There is a pathway from the Academy for everyone, and hopefully I'm showing that now so I really want to step on.”

Whilst boss Mauricio Pochettino added, "I'm delighted to see another young player commit their future to the Club.

"Calum has shown in his performances in pre-season that he is more than capable of performing at this level, and we hope that this commitment allows him to push on and thrive within the First Team environment.

"He settled into the group nicely during our training camp, demonstrating his maturity off the pitch as well as his quality and potential on it while playing against a good standard of opposition.

"From the beginning of my time at Southampton, Nicola [Cortese, Executive Chairman] spoke to me of his project of bringing young talented players through the Academy and into the First Team, and that was something that really appealed to me.

"To now see Calum – along with many others – make that step up pays great testament to the hard work that goes on here that is driven from the very top."

The Daily Star reported that Liverpool was interested in snaring Chambers.

Schalke Deny Liverpool Bid For Papadopoulos

Schalke has denied reports that Liverpool have made a bid for Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos but are willing to listen to offers if and when they are made.

Papadopoulos has been touted to join Liverpool despite major injury problems last season that could become a long-term issue for Liverpool should he join.

It has been widely reported that Liverpool have made a move for the defender but Schalke’s general manager Horst Heldt has denied such claims, Sky Sports report.

Brendan Rodgers seems set on bringing Papadopoulos to Anfield to tighten up a defence that lost experienced Jamie Carragher to retirement at the end of last season.

However, Heldt has rubbished such reports stating there have been no offers whatsoever for him.

"There is no truth in those rumours," Heldt told Reviersport.

"There is no offer put up for the services of Kyriakos Papadopoulos. Not from Liverpool FC or any other club.

"In case we receive a written transfer offer for his services we would sit down and discuss that with him."

Papadopoulos has had a strong career at Schalke but is looking to break into the Premier League, something only possible if he manages to avoid lengthy periods out through injury.

Heldt insisted that Papadopoulos was recovering well from a knee injury that has kept him out since November.

"Papa is making good progress after his knee injuries and we hope to see him back fit soon. He is fully inside our future plans,” Heldt added.

Liverpool Defender Robinson Joins Blackpool On Loan

Liverpool defender Jack Robinson has joined Championship side Blackpool on a season-long loan.

The 19-year-old becomes Paul Ince's fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Michael Chopra, Steven Davies, Bobby Grant and Gary Mackenzie.

Robinson made his debut for Liverpool in 2010, then becoming the club's youngest ever player, but has struggled to maintain a regular first-team berth, achieving just 10 further appearances since.

The full-back joined Wolves on loan for the second half of last season as the club was relegated to League One.

Liverpool holds the right to recall Robinson, who also featured for Stuart Pearce's England Under-21s at the European Championship this summer, within 28 days of his departure.

Lucas Leiva Hails Liverpool Teammate Coutinho

Lucas Leiva believes that Liverpool will continue to strengthen before the transfer window closes in September.

The Brazilian says the Reds are going through a 'restructuring' period and says they have recruited well so far.

"I think we will have a few more signings to improve our squad. The club is going through a restructuring process, with young players, but with experience," Lucas told UOL.

"In the case of Coutinho, he joined the team very well. He's had a big season since he arrived in January. It shows that the young players are evolving every year and adding to the staff.

"Liverpool has gambled and it has worked. Sometimes the process is a little slower, but our team is strong enough to return to play in the Champions League, which is something the club wants to achieve in the coming years.

"I talked a lot with Philippe before he signed with Liverpool, the coach asked me to speak with him, if I could lend a hand.

"I had contacted Philippe at the time, then just talked and he decided to come here, where he would have more opportunities to play, would be a major player within the team, something that unfortunately he did not have many chances at Internazionale.

"He has already shown his value. My role was to help him adapt to the city, especially with small things, finding a home because he is a young player who does not speak the language.

"I also came at a very young age, so I know he needs this kind of help, because he comes from another country, does not speak the language, and just taking a little longer to adapt."

Shoot-Out Glory For 10-Man Reds

Liverpool U17s are through to the final of the premier Milk Cup Globe after winning a tense penalty shoot-out against Brazilian side Corinthians.

The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw in normal time. Harry Wilson gave them the lead from the penalty spot on 27 minutes after he was fouled inside the area.

Shortly after the interval, however, full-back Sam Hart was shown a straight red card for a challenge out near the left touchline and Mike Garrity's team were forced to play with 10 men for the remainder of the semi-final.

They showed a huge amount of discipline to keep the Brazilians at bay for most of the second half, but their defence was eventually breached by a fine passing move, which was finished coolly by Miullen Natha with 15 minutes to go.

No extra-time was played and it was straight to penalties. Pedro Chirivella, Tom Brewitt and Louis Robles all converted for the Reds, but Adam Phillips and Dave Roberts missed theirs, so the shoot-out went to sudden death.

Wilson stepped up to send the 'keeper the wrong way and edge the Reds in front, before Pablo Victor Pires cannoned his effort against the crossbar, meaning Liverpool won 4-3 in the shoot-out.

LFC Partners With EA SPORTS

Liverpool Football Club has announced a new three-year partnership with Electronic Arts Inc that will make EA SPORTS the club's official football video gaming partner from the start of the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season.

Through the partnership, EA SPORTS will give Liverpool fans the opportunity to play FIFA 14 at Anfield for selected fixtures throughout the season. EA SPORTS Goal of the Month will also offer fans the chance to upload their best FIFA 14 goals for an opportunity to win great prizes all season long.

Billy Hogan, chief commercial officer at Liverpool FC, said: "We are thrilled to have EA SPORTS, one of the world's leading sports entertainment brands, as our new partner. We know that so many of our Liverpool family, including fans and players, play EA SPORTS FIFA regularly so this new partnership will help bring the club closer to our fans in innovative new ways."

Jamie McKinlay, VP marketing at EA SPORTS, added: "We have over half a million registered LFC fans playing FIFA 13 and they all want to see authentic representation of their favourite Liverpool players in FIFA 14. We're looking forward to delivering that authenticity, as well as a wide range of new and engaging initiatives for this historic club and its fans."

EA SPORTS has captured 360 degree 3D digital head scan images of the Liverpool team, ensuring stunning accurate visuals of players including Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho, which will be featured in FIFA 14 when it releases on September 27. It will be available on the Xbox 360® games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and PC in the UK, as well as later on Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PlayStation®4.

Suarez Wants Deal Done By Friday

Luis Suarez wants his future decided by Friday as the new Premier League season draws nearer, according to reports.

Arsenal is the club most interested in signing the unsettled striker, having already had two bids rejected by Liverpool.

Now it seems the Uruguayan is keen to get a deal decided by the end of the week in order to focus on the start of the new season, SportsDirect News claims.

The article says a source from the club has said: “Luis wants everything done and dusted by next Friday.

“He’s keen to move on, as people know, but he doesn’t want it to turn into a saga. He knows clubs are interested in him and he desperately wants one of them to make an acceptable offer soon.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that the striker understands the club’s position and the actions they have taken to keep him at the club.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Rodgers said Suarez is happy at Liverpool and is working hard in training despite knowing he cannot take part in the start of the Premier League season.

“It’s a story that can keep running but for me there is no new news,” said Rodgers.

“Luis is happy. He totally understands the club’s point of view.

“He’s in a difficult position in terms of not being able to play because of his suspension. He will sit out the first six games and he will miss playing football.

“But he’s working hard and remains part of the group. He needs to get up to speed and we will continue to work to get all the players ready for the first game of the season.”

Rodgers continues to remain unperturbed by the Suarez speculation and will hope to keep hold of the striker as the club prepares to challenge for the top four places this season.

Suarez Transfer Will Now Cost Arsenal £50m-Plus

Arsenal will have to pay £55million if they still want Luis Suarez, after the striker dropped his pursuit of arbitration as a means of leaving for less.

The Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger had indicated he was ready to dig in and wait to see the outcome of a contract dispute between the striker and Liverpool, after submitting a bid of £40m plus one pound - which was supposed to trigger a release clause.

Yet, in fresh talks early this week with his club, Suarez has finally conceded he will not approach the Premier League to arbitrate - because the contract clearly states the Anfield giants have no obligation to sell him at ANY price.

And with the 26-year-old under contract for another three years, manager Brendan Rodgers and the Reds' board are determined to keep him unless their valuation - thought to be around the £55m Paris Saint-Germain paid Napoli for Edinson Cavani, Suarez's Uruguay strike partner, a fortnight ago - is matched.

A source close to the club’s American owners explained on Tuesday that lawyers have examined Suarez’s contract in detail, and have concluded there is no requirement to sell in the event of a bid topping £40m, merely a commitment to inform the player of any such approach.

“We are 100% confident - there is absolutely no obligation to sell and that is very clear,” the source explained.

“We’ve all examined the clause in detail. All it obliges is good faith negotiations about Luis’s future.”

Wenger’s problems are compounded by the fact Liverpool are determined not to sell to one of their direct rivals for the top-four place they are targeting in the coming season.

And that means Suarez has only three options if he is to get his desire to go to a club engaged in the 2013-14 Champions League - a sentiment he reiterated at a meeting with the club at the start of this week.

Option one would require Wenger to make a bid so massive it would convince Liverpool to sell - and sources within Anfield suggest that figure would have to be well beyond £50m for them to even contemplate doing business with another English club.

Option two is for Suarez to take the drastic action which Carlos Tevez attempted when he tried to force a move away from Manchester City, but the Argentine’s ‘strike’ plan backfired dramatically and he was left to rot in the reserves amid widespread global condemnation.

While Suarez has indicated to Arsenal he is prepared to agitate for a move, he has stopped short of submitting a transfer request.

Nor has he shown any appetite for the extreme course of action he pursued when he eventually engineered a switch to Ajax from fellow Dutch side Groningen.

That leaves his final option, and perhaps the only real prospect now of a route out of Anfield - a bid from a foreign club.

While Liverpool are determined to ensure any English suitors meet their massive valuation, their preferred option, if Suarez does leave, is to see him disappear from the Premier League, and they could be persuaded to reduce the fee for a team from overseas.

Real Madrid is still the striker's preferred option. And even though the Spanish giants are currently consumed with their passionate pursuit of Spurs' Gareth Bale, they have indicated there is some interest in Suarez.

If they can raise sufficient funds, Real could still bid later in the transfer window, and Liverpool would be more inclined to allow that deal to happen - especially if they are given the time to line up a suitable replacement.

Spurs Enter Suarez Battle With Arsenal

Tottenham are reportedly ready to fight fierce rivals Arsenal for the signing of Luis Suarez should Real Madrid pay the world record transfer fee needed to take Bale away from White Hart Lane.

Arsenal has been trying to force Liverpool into selling the Uruguayan striker who wants to leave for Champions League football.

Now it seems Spurs are ready to weigh in with a big bid should Bale’s transfer go ahead, according to the Daily Mail.

Despite reports from Marca on Tuesday that Spurs would make Real pay over £100million for the Welshman, it is widely reported that they will offer £85million instead.

Daniel Levy, Tottenham’s chairman, is known for his hard negotiating and will push the deal as high as possible, the article reports.

If Spurs are to sign Suarez they will have to overcome the fact that he wants to be playing Champions League football, giving Arsenal a distinct advantage in the transfer race.

The Daily Mail reports that Levy had been interested in Suarez whilst he was playing at Ajax and is keen to bring the striker to White Hart Lane and help soften the blow of Bale’s departure.

Liverpool Alerted As Marseille Consider Offers For Ayew

Reported Liverpool target Andre Ayew has been told by Marseille they will consider any incoming offers for him this summer.

The 23-year-old, who has indicated that playing for Liverpool is a childhood dream of his, has previously rejected claims that he wants to leave the Stade Velodrome but may now have a change of heart after being told he will continue to operate on the left hand side of Marseille's midfield rather than his preferred position as a forward in the new season.

A number of clubs across Europe including the Reds and Serie A giants AC Milan have been credited with interest and it would now appear last season's Ligue 1 runners up are ready to negotiate a deal, reportedly looking for a fee in the region of £15m for the Ghanaian international.

"Ayew has informed me of his intentions," Marseille president Vincent Labrune is quoted as saying by Le Sport 10. "If an offer from a big club comes in and we like it, I will investigate it."

Liverpool's lack of European football this season may have proven to be a hindrance in their efforts to strengthen their squad this summer, but they would unlikely to be faced with such difficulties if the club were to make their interest in Ayew formal.

"It's a league (the Premier League) every player dreams about. I speak English, and the English league is the one most followed here in Ghana. It's true that I have a real preference for England" Ayew said, speaking in June.

"I have a little preference for the Reds. I've always followed them ever since I was little, Liverpool, and Real Madrid."

Liverpool have already strengthened their attacking options through the signings of Spanish duo Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto during this transfer window but Brendan Rodgers has indicated he is open to the idea of making further additions to his squad.

"We probably need a bit more support - that extra bit of quality - at the top end of the field and that's something we are looking for," the Liverpool boss said.

"That'll be mixed with needing cover in the left-back position - that's something we're looking at. It's not really about numbers, it's about quality."

The club look set to address one of those concerns in adding Benfica left back Lorenzo Melgarejo to their ranks. Reports have suggested the Reds have all but sealed a season long loan move for the 22-year-old, with an option to sign him permanently next summer on the table.

Schalke Would Consider Liverpool Bid For Papadopoulos

Schalke general manager Horst Heldt has admitted the German team would consider a bid for Greek star Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

Recent rumours in Greece has linked the 21-year-old to a sensational move to Anfield this summer, with £13m understood to be the price needed for the deal to work.

The Bundesliga outfit has moved quickly to dispel reports suggesting a move is imminent for Papadopoulos, but falling short of ruling out any future offers.

He said: "We have no offer for Papadopoulos. Neither from Liverpool or some other club.

"On the contrary: we are very happy that 'Papa' is making progress and can be back soon, hopefully. We're planning with him.

"If we receive an offer for him, we will come together and talk about that as we do with every player for us."

Boss Brendan Rodgers is a long-term admirer of the Schalke 04 centre-back, and is seen as an part of his plans to replace Reds stalwart Jamie Carragher.

His long absence for Schalke last term was caused by the need for a knee operation in November to help deal with a persistent injury.

Papadopoulos made just 10 appearances, down from 29 in 2011.

Liverpool To Compete With Dortmund For Forward

Barclays Premier League side Liverpool will face competition in the race for the signature of Rubin Kazan striker Salomon Rondon, according to the Daily Express.

Bundesliga side Dortmund are said to be interested in the Venezuelan, and will contest Liverpool for his services.

Liverpool are preparing themselves for the possible departure of Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez, and are looking to Rondon to replace their top goal scorer, reports the paper.

The Venezuelan has played 31 times for his national side scoring 11 goals, and has played 4 times in all competitions for Rubin Kazan this season.

Rondon is not the only striker to be linked with replacing Suarez, as the Daily Express suggest that manager Brendon Rodgers is also looking at Luis Muriel to boost Liverpool’s strike force.

Liverpool faces competition on their hands with Dortmund if they decide to pursue Rondon.

The German side is also in the market for a striker as Polish forward Robert Lewandowski is linked with a move away, writes the paper.

According to the Daily Express, Dortmund have enquired about Rondon to Rubin Kazan about the striker’s valuation, and the Russian side are expecting to get the £8.7 million back for the forward.

Liverpool Land Melgarejo Loan Deal

Liverpool have completed the signing of Benfica left-back Lorenzo Melgarejo on a season-long loan, with the possibility of making it a permanent transfer once the loan finishes.

22-year-old Melgarejo will act as competition for Jose Enrique having had a successful first season with Benfica, starting in all 34 of his appearances.

The deal is subject to a work permit, the Express reports, and could be made permanent at the end of his loan period for £8.5million.

Melgarejo played in the Benfica side that lost to Chelsea in the final of the Europa League.

The defender has made one appearance for Paraguay at international level, a 3-1 victory over Guatemala.

Although not expected to start at left-back for Liverpool, he will provide extra cover at defence for Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, with the Daily Star reporting on Monday that Napoli are interested in signing Martin Skrtel.

Reina Backtracks On Claims

Pepe Reina has backtracked on claims Liverpool accepted a loan offer from Napoli without his consent, now insisting he holds no ill feeling over the move.

The goalkeeper posted an open letter on his personal website earlier in the week that alleged the Anfield outfit had made arrangements to send him to Italy for the upcoming campaign without discussing matters with him first.

However, Valdes has now moved to clarify his position, maintaining that whilst he believes the situation was not dealt with in an ideal way, he is, in fact, delighted to link up with Rafael Benitez.

"I'm not angry with Liverpool - quite the opposite. I am very grateful to them for everything they have given me," he told Spanish radio program El Larguero on Wednesday. "My departure was different to what I expected, but I will always be grateful to them.

"The signing wasn't sealed, because you can't do that without the consent of the player, but it was at an advanced stage and I didn't know about it.

"This is the nature of football - when you are loved by a team, you really feel it, but when you go through bad moments, you are treated differently. In the end I will remember the love I felt from the fans for so many years.

"My time in England is where I have felt truly like a footballer and I have put my name among the best players. I'm very proud to have played almost 400 games with Liverpool."

Reina went on to note that the presence of former Liverpool manager Benitez at the helm of Napoli has made his unanticipated switch to southern Italy more palatable.

"Rafael Benitez is the best coach I have had. I don't know if I'd have joined Napoli without him being there.

"There are many positive things about the city of Napoli and they have a fervent support, like Liverpool's, but Benitez being there made it much easier for me to sign."