Match Report: Liverpool 4 - 2 Notts County

Daniel Sturridge scored twice as Liverpool survived a major scare against Notts County at Anfield to book their place in the third round of the Capital One Cup.

The Reds opened the scoring in the fourth minute through a fine solo effort from Raheem Sterling.

Sturridge then made the most of a defence-splitting pass from Steven Gerrard to put the hosts 2-0 up in the 29th.

That lead was the very least Liverpool deserved from a first half they utterly dominated and which also saw Gerrard and Daniel Agger hit the woodwork.

Their goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had been called upon shortly after Sterling's effort, though, to keep out a Joss Labadie free-kick.

And Sky Bet League One outfit County, perhaps feeling as if they had nothing to lose, then went at their opponents early in the second half and were rewarded with a headed goal in the 62nd minute from Yoann Arquin.

Liverpool looked to have regained control of the contest from there and Kolo Toure became their third player to hit the post when he might have done better.

But the visitors then stunned Reds fans by snatching an equalizer with six minutes of normal time remaining, substitute Adam Coombes slotting in.

County had penalty shouts turned down in extra-time when Enda Stevens went down under the attentions of Sterling in the box, and moments later Sturridge stroked in his second goal of the night and fourth of the season.

That strike was in the 105th minute and in the 110th, substitute Jordan Henderson cut through the County defence to wrap up the win for the Barclays Premier League side.

County were under pressure from the word go and Liverpool soon had the ball in the net.

Sterling, having collected the ball from Glen Johnson midway into the Magpies' half, proceeded to skip through their defence and into the box before firing home past goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

Three minutes later Gerrard sent a free-kick curling off-target.

But it was the visitors who then might have scored through a free-kick of their own, drilled by Labadie to bring a decent save out of Mignolet.

Aly Cissokho, on his first Liverpool start, had to come off soon after with an injury and was replaced by Agger.

Normal service then resumed as Gerrard powered over the bar from distance and then whipped a free-kick into the area which Agger headed against the post.

Joe Allen teed up Sturridge, who lifted a shot just beyond the corner of the net.

And after Sterling had also shot too high, the second goal duly arrived just before the half-hour mark as Sturridge collected Gerrard's delightful through-ball and cracked a shot in.

Agger's header from a corner was well kept out by Bialkowski, and Gerrard then struck the post having been put in on goal by Sterling.

County emerged after half-time looking intent on making an impression and after Labadie had sent a weak header wide, Callum McGregor drove into Mignolet's arms.

Bialkowski had little trouble dealing with a tame Glen Johnson effort and County were then suddenly back in the contest.

Manny Smith flicked a free-kick to Arquin and the striker beat his marker Andre Wisdom - who appealed unsuccessfully for offside - to nod past Mignolet.

That appeared to shock Liverpool into life and in the 69th minute the ball came to Toure in the danger zone, but he could only shoot against the post.

Sturridge then headed wide and Wisdom struck a lacklustre effort to Bialkowski.

But County were not done, and in the 84th minute Coombes found space in the box to finish from Arquin's cut-back and send the away section of Anfield into raptures.

Liverpool desperately scrambled for a late winner, with Agger's shot deflecting wide and Sturridge trying a clever chip that did not work.

The game went into extra time and the Reds, having made all three substitutions, were reduced to 10 men when Toure was carried off on a stretcher.

Towards the end of the first period Stevens went to ground in the area after contact from Sterling, but no penalty was awarded.

And soon after, Sturridge converted into the far corner, with Henderson then surging through County and applying a cool finish to restore the two-goal advantage.

Chelsea Line-Up £30m Player Exchange Deal For Suarez

After seemingly giving up on their pursuit of Wayne Rooney, Chelsea is lining-up a shock player-plus-cash swap deal involving Fernando Torres for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, according to reports.

Chelsea has been chasing Rooney all summer but any potential deal for the Manchester United’s ace appears unlikely now that the striker has decided against submitting a transfer request to force his exit from Old Trafford.

This snub seems to have led to Jose Mourinho looking at other targets and Sport Direct News claims that the Blues are now ready to offer Liverpool £30m plus former striker Fernando Torres in exchange for unsettled hitman Suarez.

The Reds have so far resisted any attempts to lure the Uruguayan away from Anfield with Arsenal already seeing two bids rejected after Suarez went public with his desire to leave Merseyside in search of Champions League football. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has recently claimed that his interest in the player is ‘dead’ and he’s moved on to target other strikers.

However, the 26-year-old remains unsettled at Liverpool and this report suggests that Brendan Rodgers may be tempted by Chelsea’s player-exchange offer as it provides him with a ready-made replacement, as well as a sizeable sum to reinvest in his squad before the window closes.

Rodgers men have also coped extremely well during Suarez’s absence – winning five and drawing one of the six games he’s been banned for so far – so it could give the Northern Irishman confidence that their is life without the controversial striker and persuade him to cash-in rather than keep hold of a disgruntled player.

The idea of Torres returning to Anfield is an intriguing one. After making himself a Kop hero, the Spaniard left under a cloud when he elected to join Chelsea in 2011 but many sections of the Liverpool support still hold him close to their hearts and may welcome him back after a failed stint at Stamford Bridge. Whether the 29-year-old would be willing to go back to Liverpool with his tail between his legs is another question though!

Liverpool Fail In Loan Bid For Juan Mata

Chelsea has rebuffed an approach from Liverpool to take Juan Mata on loan, talkSPORT understands.

The playmaker’s future has been the subject of intense speculation since the return of Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge.

The imminent arrival of Anzhi Makhachkala playmaker Willian for £30million has cast further doubt over the 25-year-old's first-team prospects, and Mata was reported to be attracting interest from Tottenham.

However, talkSPORT can reveal there has been no inquiry from the north London side for the World Cup winner and the only Premier League club to make a move is Liverpool.

The Reds wanted to take the attacking midfielder on loan, but that was quickly rejected, with Chelsea insisting Mourinho sees the Spaniard as an integral part of his new-look squad.

Mata was an unused substitute in Monday night’s goalless draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, but the Blues have no intention of letting the former Valencia man go.

Liverpool Set To Rival Arsenal For Griezmann

Liverpool could be set to enter the race to sign Real Sociedad winger Antoine Griezmann, but may face strong competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Griezmann, 23, made the move to Spanish side Sociedad as a youngster and has since emerged as one of the hottest prospects in the European game.

Arsenal was rumoured to be close to tabling a bid for the player but SportsDirect News has learned they may now face competition from Liverpool.

The Anfield club is expected to be one of several clubs keeping tabs on Griezmann as Sociedad take on Lyon at home in the second leg of a Champions League playoff tie.

Sociedad go in to that encounter with a 2-0 aggregate lead from the first leg in France, where Griezmann caught the eye with a sensational scissor-kick goal.

Rodgers Lines Up Lescott Bid

Liverpool is ready to reignite their interest in Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott.

The Reds were linked with the star earlier this summer but no deal ever materialized – with Kolo Toure signed on a free transfer instead.

But the injuries to Toure and Sebastian Coates have forced boss Brendan Rodgers’ hand, and he is keen to recruit at least one centre-back before the end of the transfer window.

Lescott has emerged as a target, with the England international set to be frozen out by the impending arrival of Martin Demichelis at the Etihad Stadium.

Lescott, who has started both of City’s opening two games, would cost around £7.5 million, but Rodgers would have to convince the Anfield money-men to cough up for a player who falls outside of their normal recruitment policy.

The 31-year-old’s age may yet put the buffers on any deal, but Rodgers is keen to inject his defence with both quality and experience.

Liverpool Worried Over Kolo Toure Fitness

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has conceded that Kolo Toure is doubtful for Sunday’s clash with Manchester United after suffering a groin injury in Tuesday night’s League Cup match.

Toure was stretchered off with the injury during extra-time in Tuesday night’s 4-2 over win over Notts County, leaving Liverpool to play out the remainder of the tie with 10 men.

Rodgers revealed that Toure’s knock will be assessed today but initially looks worrying, making the Ivorian unlikely to start against United.

He told The Independent: “Kolo Toure has overstretched his groin, so we need to assess that, which doesn't look so good to be honest."

Toure has been ever-present for the Reds so far this season, helping his new side earn successive victories over Stoke City and Aston Villa.

Rodgers also lost Aly Cissokho and Joe Allen to injury against County, giving the Reds boss plenty to ponder ahead of United’s visit this weekend.

The Reds are yet to taste defeat this season thanks to four goals in three appearances for Daniel Sturridge, including a brace against County to stave off the threat of a giant-killing.

Assaidi Relishing Chance To Impress

Assaidi completed a season-long loan switch to the Potters from Liverpool, whom he joined a year ago from Dutch side Heerenveen.

The 25-year-old Morocco international made only four appearances in the Premier League - all as a substitute - for the Reds last term, as well as featuring eight times in cup competitions.

Assaidi could make his Stoke debut in Wednesday night's Capital One Cup second-round home clash with Sky Bet League One outfit Walsall.

He told his new club's official website: "It was frustrating last season, especially having not been given too many opportunities on the pitch.

"But I am here now and I am looking forward to playing in the Premier League.

"When I did play last season I thought I did well, and the experiences I did have on the field has given me an understanding of what to expect in the Premier League."

He added: "I spoke to the manager here (Mark Hughes) and he told me his hopes for the season and how he sees me fitting into the team.

"He made it a very attractive move for me to be honest.

"He plays football the right way, the way that I want to play, and it was quite an easy decision for me to make in the end.

"I came to the game on Saturday (Stoke's 2-1 Premier League home win against Crystal Palace) and watched the match and I was impressed. I feel I can fit in here well and help the team to progress."

Hughes has stressed his intention to field a "strong" team for the Walsall match.

The Potters - then managed by Tony Pulis - were beaten by a visiting third-tier side in the second round of the competition last year as Swindon emerged after extra-time with a 4-3 victory at the Britannia Stadium.

Pulis had made six changes to his first XI on that occasion and his successor Hughes, wary of not giving the opposition enough respect in terms of selection, says he is only looking to make "one or two" adjustments from the Palace victory.

"I don't give up competitions lightly," Hughes said.

"We want to do well in it and we want to progress in it, so I'll be putting out a strong team. There will be one or two changes but nothing wholesale."

Fit-again Stoke pair Wilson Palacios and Brek Shea are poised for a return to first-team involvement, but fellow midfielder Jamie Ness (thigh) is not yet ready to feature.

Rodgers: Borini Will Not Leave Liverpool On Loan

Liverpool striker Fabio Borini will not leave the club on a loan deal, manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed.

The Italian has struggled with injuries since moving to Anfield last year, making just 20 appearances, and he faces strong competition for a first-team berth following the summer arrivals of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto.

Despite Daniel Sturrdige's starring role in the opening two games of the season, the Rodgers still believes the 22-year-old Borini has a role to play at Anfield.

Asked if the Italian would be made available for loan, Rodgers said: "Not at this moment in time.

"There would be a queue of clubs wanting to take him if he was available. We want to keep a strong group - it's a very long season for us.

"You've got Daniel, Fabio, Aspas and Luis [Suarez] to come in a number of weeks. We want to make sure the competition in the group is there."

As well as keeping Borini at the club, Rodgers also remains intent on making new signings before the transfer window shuts on Sept. 2.

"We've got targets," Rodgers said. "While the window is still open we'll continue to look to improve the squad. We'll hopefully come out of the back of it with a stronger group.

"The idea is for us to strengthen that little bit more and hopefully we can do that."

U18s Off To Winning Start In America

Liverpool U18 coach Mike Garrity insisted there's more to come from his side after they got off to a winning start in the Newark Liberty International Soccer Summit in New Jersey.

The young Reds recovered from an unusually sluggish first-half performance on Tuesday afternoon to beat Colombian side Fuddercol 2-0 at Lubetkin Field, NJIT.

A Nathan Burke penalty three minutes into the second half and a great strike from substitute Louis Robles four minutes from time were enough to earn all three points, but Garrity believes his players will get better as the tournament progresses.

"I thought the performance could have been a lot better," he told Liverpoolfc.com. "It was nice to get the result but when you travel this far for a tournament, the first game is never easy.

"The heat was difficult for the boys and the pitch was not the easiest to play on but overall we need to be happy that we took the points even if we know that we can play a lot better than that.

"What we don't want to do is give the lads any excuses, because if they want to make it, they'll need to get used to travelling long distances to games and playing in hot conditions like this. That's what the first-team players do and that's why these trips are so good because they help prepare the boys for what is hopefully to come.

"South American teams are usually quite physical so we told the boys to keep the ball as much as possible and at times we struggled to do that but hopefully as the week goes on, we'll improve on that part of our game.

"I thought as the game went on, we got better and I thought Ryan Kent influenced a lot of our attacking play while Dan Cleary was very solid at the back.

"Some of the boys have just come back from injury, so it was nice to get them back out there playing and now we'll brush ourselves down and get ready for the game against St Benedict's Prep on Wednesday evening."

Garrity's sentiments were echoed by team captain Burke after the game when he told the official website that he'd never played in such hot conditions.

"That was definitely the hottest I've ever been on a football pitch," he said. "We're obviously used to much cooler conditions in England but we had to adapt to it and I thought we did that in the second half.

"The first half was a struggle but I thought we became more composed in the second half and got the ball down on the ground and passed it much better.

"It was nice to score the penalty but it's about the team not me. Louis scored a fantastic goal at the end to make sure we got all three points and we were made up for him because he's working really hard."

Match Report: Aston Villa 0 - 1 Liverpool

Daniel Sturridge proved Liverpool's match-winner for a second successive weekend as the Merseyside club edged out Aston Villa to make their best start to a Premier League season for five years.

The Birmingham-born striker, who started his youth career with Villa, delivered a moment of pure quality midway through the first half, receiving Jose Enrique's left-wing pass before dancing past two defenders, rounding Brad Guzan and transferring his balance to poke home with his left foot.

It came after the England marksman fired the Reds to a 1-0 opening-day win over Stoke, leaving Brendan Rodgers' side with six points from their first two league games for the first time since 2008.

Liverpool finished second to Manchester United that season and, although that appears unlikely this term, Rodgers can only be delighted with the start his side have made without the suspended Luis Suarez.

For Villa, it was their third game in a tough opening eight days of the new season after victory at Arsenal and defeat at Chelsea, and they appeared off the pace in the opening 40 minutes against a sharper Reds side.

A late flurry at the end of the first half set the tone for a second period in which the hosts dominated and could well have taken a share of the spoils. Liverpool's new goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who saved a late penalty against Stoke, denied the in-form Christian Benteke with a superb one-handed stop.

There was plenty of cause for optimism for a youthful Villa side who has already showed signs of development from the one which struggled against relegation last term, despite failing to keep a Premier League clean sheet for a club-record 25th match.

Villa manager Paul Lambert handed full debuts to summer signings Jores Okore and Leandro Bacuna, while Rodgers kept faith with the starting XI who saw off Stoke.

Both sides looked to feel each other out inside the opening 15 minutes, with the visitors showing the greater incision, although neither goalkeeper was forced into action.

Philippe Coutinho sent an effort high and wide after good work down the left by Enrique as the Reds started to dominate possession.

And it was no surprise when they made the breakthrough after 21 minutes.

Sturridge started the move before losing his marker, Okore, and when Enrique's pass from the left was dummied by Coutinho on the edge on the area, the former Chelsea striker showed great footwork to evade two defenders as well as Guzan and convert.

The goal only further boosted Liverpool's confidence while the hosts were chasing shadows at times.

With the home faithful becoming slightly frustrated, Bacuna sent Villa's first effort harmlessly wide after 32 minutes before Benteke's control let him down at a crucial moment.

And then with half-time approaching, Villa had two decent openings.

Benteke finally forced Mignolet into action, tipping the Belgium international's effort around a post, before Andreas Weimann saw his shot deflected narrowly over the crossbar.

Lambert's side started the second half with more purpose and, roared on by a sell-out Villa Park crowd, Ashley Westwood twice fired over from distance.

Importantly, however, Mignolet was barely troubled by the time Liverpool boss Rodgers handed a debut to new loan signing Aly Cissokho in the 69th minute.

Benteke and Weimann then headed wide before an unmarked Gabriel Agbonlahor volleyed off target from 12 yards having been presented with a great chance to level.

Matt Lowton finally forced Mignolet into action from long distance before Liverpool's summer signing from Sunderland produced a superb 86th-minute stop to keep out Benteke.

Karim El Ahmadi headed on to fellow substitute Nicklas Helenius and he found Benteke, whose powerful drive was brilliantly pushed around a post by Mignolet - ensuring Villa have now beaten the Reds just once in their last 16 Premier League meetings at Villa Park.

Brendan Rodgers Praises Team Spirit

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has praised his side's improved team spirit after two wins in the first two games.

The Merseyside club beat Aston Villa 1-0 on Saturday, with Daniel Sturridge getting the only goal of the game in the first half.

Rodgers believes the spirit in the dressing room is much better than last season and praised the players for staying focused over a distracting summer.

"It's much better than last year," Rodgers told reporters. "It took us until September to get our first win. I think since January we have been getting better and improving. It's all credit to the players. They have been absolutely first class.

"There's a lot of speculation and maybe a lot of distractions over the course of the summer with everything that has been written.

"I think you have to give remarkable praise to them that we've just stayed and focused on our task which was to make a good start."

Liverpool faces a tough test against rivals Manchester United at Anfield next Sunday.

Mignolet Helping Liverpool Grind Out Results

One of the keys to being a successful team is mastering the art of grinding out 1-0 wins. No matter how good a team is, it's impossible to play well every week and the teams at the top end of the table are there because they can usually find a way to win, irrespective of their level of performance. It's a trait that has been notable by its absence in Liverpool for several years, so whilst the win at Villa Park was far from being a classic, there's something particularly pleasing about it; this time last year Brendan Rodgers' side would have been unlikely to escape with all three points.

In fact, this time last season the Reds were dropping two points at home to then-champions Manchester City, despite producing a fantastic performance. It was a travesty Liverpool didn't win that day; Yaya Toure even described it as the toughest game he's had in all his time in England. Whilst it was nice to receive plaudits for the performance, unfortunately style points don't count when the league table is compiled. That City result wasn't a freak occurrence; too often in recent seasons Liverpool couldn't even win games when they played well, never mind when their performance level dropped.

Last weekend against Stoke City the performance was impressive, yet the afternoon could so easily have ended in disappointment had it not been for Simon Mignolet's late penalty save. That was a game Liverpool probably wouldn't have won last year and the same can be said of Saturday's triumph over Villa, which was an archetypal "game of two halves."

The Reds were excellent in the first period, dominating possession and looking dangerous in attack. Without the ball they impressed, too, pressing well and forcing Villa into mistakes and completely preventing the Midlands side from finding any kind of rhythm. The only negative from the opening 45 minutes was that Liverpool had only Daniel Sturridge's solitary -- albeit wonderfully taken -- goal to show for a dominant performance in which the home side was chasing shadows for long periods.

After the break, however, Paul Lambert's men came back into the match as Liverpool faded badly and it needed the intervention of Mignolet, once again, to secure maximum points for the Reds. Let's not sugarcoat it: the second-half performance was poor, the possession football completely disappeared, as did the goal threat. It wasn't pretty and it wasn't what we've come to expect from Rodgers' Liverpool. And when Christian Benteke went clean through late on, Liverpool fans will have had the same sinking feeling they had last week when Stoke were awarded that last-gasp penalty. And just like last week, Mignolet came flying to the rescue with a superb save.

Great goalkeepers win points, and whilst it's too soon to be proclaiming the Belgian as "great," you can make a very strong argument that Liverpool is already four points better off just from his presence between the sticks. Benteke went close in the first half, only to be denied by a flying stop by his international colleague, and when the pair faced off again after the break, once again it was the keeper who came out on top. Two terrific saves. He pulled off two or three top-drawer stops last week, too.

Speculating as to whether Pepe Reina would have made the saves that Mignolet has is a completely pointless exercise -- it's impossible to know what would have happened and it's also disrespectful to Reina, a popular figure with the supporters and someone who provided good service in the eight years he was at the club. All I will say is that for the past few years fans often bemoaned how teams would need to have only one or two shots a game to be able to take points from the Reds, but that trend has been reversed, so far, in the opening two fixtures of this season. Liverpool could so easily have been held to two draws, but instead they have two clean sheets and two 1-0 wins. The biggest reason for that have been the goalkeeper and the high standards he has set.

Center back Kolo Toure also deserves some credit for the solid defensive start made by the team. He was rock solid once more and whilst you are never going to completely subdue a player of the caliber of Benteke, this was a far cry from last season when the powerful Belgian completely manhandled Martin Skrtel. Big Kolo stood up to the test well and he's shown already what a shrewd acquisition he will prove to be.

Six points from the opening two fixtures is a terrific start for the Reds. It hasn't been entirely convincing, but being able to grind out results is a vital habit to develop and Villa Park won't be the easiest place to go and win this season. Villa's young, hungry side is a far different proposition this year than they were last. Arsenal, Chelsea and now Liverpool has all been given a difficult test by Paul Lambert's side, and this was a huge three points for Liverpool.

One thing Liverpool certainly doesn’t want to do is fall behind early in the battle for the top four. Two early wins is the ideal preparation for next week's clash with Manchester United at Anfield. Playing well would be nice of course, but few at Anfield will be complaining if it's another less than entirely convincing 1-0 triumph.

Brendan Rodgers Seeks New Liverpool Winger

Brendan Rodgers remains determined to sign a left winger before the transfer deadline to allow Philippe Coutinho to develop as a No10 at Liverpool.

The Liverpool manager was left frustrated by the refusal of Fenway Sports Group, the club's owners, to pursue a deal for Willian once Anzhi Makhachkala received an increased offer from Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week. Willian is the third major transfer target that Liverpool have missed this summer, following Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Diego Costa, and with Stewart Downing sold to West Ham United Rodgers wants another attacking option in before 2 September.

Rodgers's reasoning is partly explained by the outstanding form of Coutinho. The Brazilian has been deployed mostly on the left since his £8.5m arrival from Internazionale in January but his manager believes the 21-year-old can make a bigger impact in the centre.

"His ideal position is in the No10 role," said Rodgers, who is also in the market for an experienced central defender. "I've seen him play when Inter had two advanced players and one holding, and he was one of the advanced players. Whether it's a two or a one, he can play in that role, or from the side. But centrally, that's where I see him playing. That's why I'm looking to sign someone for the left wing."

Coutinho's start to his Liverpool career is in marked contrast to a difficult 30 months in Italy, where he struggled with injury and spent six months on loan at Espanyol. But Rodgers insisted: "I don't think he was a failure at Inter. At the time, Inter needed to move players out to get money. He was one of the players, like [Wesley] Sneijder, they had to move on. In his time when he was fit, he actually performed well. But he was a young player. Notoriously in Italy, a lot of young players don't get the opportunity, hence the reason he went to Espanyol on loan.

"He was only 18, 19 when he started at Inter. You don't see many young players playing in Italian football. He was at the stage where his quality demanded he played regularly, and it was about finding a stage for him to do that. When I was aware he was available having known of him when he was in Brazil, I thought it would be perfect for us. He's a wonderful player, a joy to watch. He's just turned 21 and he has a great career ahead of him."

Arguably the only reservation over Coutinho since he joined Liverpool is his impact against the leading teams in the Premier League. He was substituted early against Chelsea and Tottenham last season but Rodgers believes there were mitigating circumstances in both fixtures.

"He was still gaining his fitness and those were high-tempo games," the manager explained. "But I have no doubts about him on the big stage. I've seen him play in Champions League games for Inter, he can play in the big games, he has the temperament and quality. He might not have been at his best in those games last season but he has contributed."

Liverpool Named Favourites In Eriksen Race

Liverpool has been made odds on favourites to sign Ajax star Christian Eriksen.

Sky Bet has listed the Anfield outfit ahead of several other Premier League suitors, including Tottenham and Everton, at 11/8.

Eriksen has been subject to much transfer speculation this term, having been linked to moves to some of Italy and Germany's top sides.

The midfielder's attorney, Martin Schoots, revealed that concrete offers have been received from the continent.

"Yes there was a proposal from an Italian club, but I’d prefer not to say which one, and there was a proposal from a German club too," he told TuttoMercatoWeb.

The 21-year-old was outstanding for Ajax last season as they captured their third successive Eredivisie title.

Liverpool Target Galatasaray Midfielder Selçuk İnan

Liverpool is interested in Galatasaray midfielder Selçuk İnan according to Sporx. The Reds scouted İnan regularly during the league and Champions League last season.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has been linked with moves for attacking midfielders this summer including Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Christian Eriksen however, failed to sign Mkhitaryan and Eriksen has hinted that he would prefer a club that can offer him Champions League football.

İnan is a Turkish international midfield playmaker, renowned for his passing range, technical ability and being a set-piece specialist.

The 28-year-old midfielder is coming off the back of lifting his second league title in as many seasons with Galatasaray and played an important role in the Lions reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

İnan has scored 20 goals and provided 28 assists in 84 appearances for Galatasaray; the Turkish international was the leagues assist king between 2010 and 2012 and was Galatasaray's highest scorer in 2011-12.

The Turkish international joined Galatasaray on a free transfer from Trabzonspor in 2011 and still has three-years on his contract.

Liverpool has strengthened ties with Turkey recently, helping organize Turkish reality series, Soccer Prince, as well as partnerships with Turkish Tourism, Misli.com and Ramsey.

Liverpool Line Up Victor Moses Move

Liverpool is reportedly interested in a deal for Nigerian winger Victor Moses who is likely to be sent out of Chelsea ahead of the imminent arrival of Willian.

Liverpool was interested in signing the Brazilian attacking midfielder, but they failed to push further for a deal for the now Chelsea-bound player.

Moses and Fiorentina’s Adem Ljajic are the names been mentioned as transfer candidates for frustrated Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is disappointed in his club’s inability to snatch Willian.

Rodgers is looking to fill the gap in his squad left by the departure of Stewart Downing and is looking at a clutch of available widemen, including Moses who now looks to be surplus to Jose Mourinho’s requirements at Stamford Bridge.

The 22-year-old Nigerian is a player Liverpool looked at when he was at Wigan Athletic and he is understood to be interested in the opportunity to follow ex-team-mate Danny Sturridge to Anfield, given how well he has doe since he left west London.

Liverpool Told To Pay £15million For Will Hughes

Derby has told Liverpool it will take a £15million-plus offer for them to part with midfield teen sensation Will Hughes, writes Tom Hopkinson of the Sunday People.

And Hotline understands the Rams will insist on a season-long loan back being part of any deal if Reds boss Brendan Rogers does meet their valuation.

Hughes, 18, is a huge talent and Derby is confident his value will go up even more this season.

The England prospect has previously been touted as a long-term successor to Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

But Derby is keen to keep hold of the star for another season as Nigel Clough looks to push the club further up the Championship table.

Davids Praises Liverpool Stance Over Suarez Transfer

Champions League winner Edgar Davids says he understands why Liverpool is doing their utmost to retain the services of star-striker Luis Suarez.

The Dutch legend and Barnet player-manager is a former team-mate of Suarez, playing alongside the Uruguayan during his second spell at Ajax.

And Davids believes Liverpool is reluctant to part with their number seven simply because of the sheer quality he possesses.

“He is a good football player," said the former Juventus and Barcelona midfielder.

“I think everybody can say that Luis Suarez is a very good player. He scored so many goals in the Premier League and he is definitely a quality player."

Suarez, who scored 23 Premier League goals for the Reds last season, had expressed a desire to leave Anfield earlier this summer amidst interest from Arsenal.

Liverpool rebuffed the Gunners efforts to land the 26-year-old and recent reports indicate that Suarez has now accepted he will have to remain at the club.

Despite the Merseysiders maintaining the striker will not leave during the current transfer window, speculation persists that Spanish giant Real Madrid could still make a late move for Suarez.

Davids can understand why Liverpool is loath to lose one of their prized assets but believes the impact of Suarez potentially staying at the club remains to be seen.

“Of course (I can understand the club s reluctance to let the player go), he's a player that kept Liverpool going last season" said the star who played for Ajax, Juventus and Barcelona.

"But the season is not even 10 matches old so we don't know how this situation is going to affect the team or the player.

Match Preview: Aston Villa vs Liverpool

Aston Villa take in their first home game of the new Premier League season, with Liverpool the visitors to Villa Park.

Villa may have come unstuck at Chelsea on Wednesday night, but manager Paul Lambert felt big decisions went against his side at Stamford Bridge and is pleased with how their campaign has started.

Lambert's men opened with an impressive 3-1 victory over Arsenal on the opening day, suggesting they should have enough to steer clear of the relegation struggles which haunted them in 2012/13.

They have also been buoyed by the summer commitment of Christian Benteke to a new contract, and the powerful Belgian forward has burst out of the blocks by netting three times in his two outings so far.

Liverpool will be hoping that someone within their ranks steps up to the scoring plate in the continued absence of Luis Suarez through suspension, with Daniel Sturridge seemingly the most likely candidate.

The England international struck the Reds' winner as they edged out Stoke City 1-0 at Anfield in their first fixture of the new campaign.

Brendan Rodgers is eager to see his side force their way back into top-four contention this term, and he will know that any side harbouring UEFA Champions League aspirations will need to collect points consistently on their travels - and Liverpool have emerged victorious in nine of their last 15 visits to Villa Park, losing just once.

Aston Villa should have defender Ciaran Clark available on Saturday.

Clark was forced off in the first half of the 2-1 loss at Chelsea on Wednesday with a head injury but is expected to be fit for the Reds' visit to Villa Park, while midfielder Chris Herd could be in contention for a first appearance this term following his calf problem.

Defender Nathan Baker (ankle) remains a doubt and winger Charles N'Zogbia (Achilles) definitely misses out.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez remains the only notable absentee in Rodgers' plans.

The controversial forward is now halfway through the 10-match ban he received last season after sitting out the Reds' season opener against Stoke.

Fellow Uruguayan Sebastian Coates, a defender, is likely to miss most of the season with a knee injury sustained on international duty last week. Striker Luis Alberto was an unused substitute in that game and is still to make his debut, while new signing Aly Cissokho could also be in contention.

Match Prediction

Aston Villa must be over the moon. I know they were beaten by Chelsea after winning against Arsenal, but with Liverpool coming up it could have been a nightmare start to the season. Whatever happens here, I didn't think they'd have this many points. I've said it before but the best signing they could've made, they have: Christian Benteke. The fact that he has started so well makes you wonder if someone is going to come in with silly money for him, but he will score 15 to 20 goals - and that is the one thing that could get Villa into mid-table.

Liverpool's main striker, Luis Suarez, is of course another topic of conversation. If Liverpool's best 11 are on their game, they can take on anyone, but go beyond that and onto the bench then they have youngsters and I am not sure they have any game-changers to turn to. If Brendan Rodgers can keep them all fit, they will do well. I like the look of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, and I think they are in for a better season.

FINAL SCORE: 2-2

Sturridge Urges Liverpool To Push On

Daniel Sturridge has called for focus from his Liverpool team-mates as they look to continue their strong start to the new season.

Liverpool opened their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win against Stoke City last Saturday, with Sturridge netting the only goal.

Brendan Rodgers' side finished seventh last season, with defeats early in the campaign setting them back, and the former Chelsea man is now urging his side to push on and put together a long unbeaten run.

"It's always good to get off to a good start if you can and then going past Christmas, that's when you enter the business end of the season, so it's good to lay the foundations down at the beginning," Sturridge told the club's official website.

"It's important to try not to lose games - if we can try to get a draw here and there and then in the games we're drawing, we get a win here and there.

"The games where your backs are against the wall, but you stand up in and fight and get a win or a point, they're the ones that count towards the end of the season."

The 23-year-old impressed against Stoke as Liverpool showed their early promise, and ahead of the clash with Aston Villa this weekend he has underlined just how crucial it was to pick up all three points on the opening day.

"The first game was very important for us," he added. "To get off to a good start after the work you put in during pre-season and going into the game with the right mentality, it's a special feeling.

"After all the hard work you do, if you go into the first game and lose, it's deflating - everybody's gutted, leaving the stadium the fans and the players are unhappy.

"To get off to a good start and for everyone to be on a high going into the next game with confidence is always good."