Liverpool lost the race for England winger

Manchester United are convinced they have seen off competition from Liverpool to wrap up the signing of Ashley Young from Aston Villa for £15million in the next few weeks.

Sportsmail revealed last month how Liverpool were closing in on the England winger but feared United would scupper their plans.

Those misgivings have now been realised, with the champions putting the finishing touches to a deal despite Manchester City also showing late interest.

United have signed goalkeeper David de Gea from Atletico Madrid, as exclusively revealed by Sportsmail in March, and are keen on Inter Milan and Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder and Newcastle left back Jose Enrique.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Sources: LiverpoolFC.tv, Daily Mail

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Match report: Aston Villa v Liverpool

The final game of a rollercoaster of a season for Liverpool away to Aston Villa and still in with a chance of qualifying for Europe. But after last weeks defeat against Spurs it meant that Liverpool would have to better Tottenham's result against Birmingham. So Liverpool would be looking to end the season on a high with a victory. Aston Villa have been on a decent run of form lately taking them clear of the drop zone which threatened them not so long ago. Unfortunately Liverpool's old manager Gerard Houllier would not be leading out Villa as he is still recovering from his health scare, but former Liverpool player Gary McAllister would deputise for him.

THE TEAM
Dalglish had to make three changes for this match with Maxi, Carroll and Johnson all struggling with injuries, so Kenny brought Cole, Aurelio and fit again Meireles back into the side and hope for a good away win to finish the season.

THE MATCH
Liverpool were supported with a very vocal support and they showed great respect to their former favourites Gerrard Houllier and Gary McAllister by chanting their names. They also were buoyed with the fact that Liverpool captain Gerrard was amongst them in the away end.

Liverpool started well but were dealt a blow when Spearing failed to recover from a bad challenge by Reo-Coker, Shelvey replaced the midfielder. Liverpool went close on the 15 minute mark when Lucas had a volley cleared off the line by Ashley Young.

Then Lucas played a ball through to Suarez but Friedal was alert to the danger. The game became littered with fouls and the game lacked cohesion. Then Carragher suffered a nasty gash on his forehead and had to leave the field to get stitched up leaving Liverpool with 10 men on the park.

Carragher was back on the park when Villa took the lead on 33 minutes when an Albrighton cross found Downing at the back post who smashed a volley past Reina from close range via the underside of the crossbar.

Villa were buoyed by this goal and had a good spell but Liverpool almost equalised when Aurelio whipped in a free-kick which Skrtel narrowly missed. So Liverpool went in at the half a goal down and with plenty to think about.

Liverpool tried get back into the game and started the second half well with Joe Cole miscuing a volley. Meireles should have scored after great work from Suarez but his side foot effort was saved on the line by a combination of Friedal and Dunne.

Liverpool were the dominant side now and most of the chances were theirs. Meireles looked to pass across the face of goal but Reo-Coker saved the day with a last ditch block. Then Aurelio fired a free-kick just wide of the post.

With time running out Meireles' low cross found Suarez in the box but he shot over and Liverpool's season ended in defeat and the prospect of no European football next season.

SUMMARY
I thought Liverpool were quite unlucky to lose the game as they did have chances to score. Unlucky to lose Spearing so early in the game and the early part of the game was very stop start with a lot of fouls. The Villa goal should not have been allowed as Carragher was clearly fouled when going up for a header, the ball ending up with Downing who finished brilliantly. Reina didn't have a lot to do in the game either as Liverpool had most of the play. Liverpool should have had a penalty as well when Dunne handled Meireles' effort in the second half. Disappointing to lose the game and to miss out on Europe but it might work out well for us so we can concentrate on the League next season. So bring on the new season.

Man of the Match - Suarez- never stopped running and trying to create, brilliant play to tee up Meireles in the second half. A constant threat.

YNWA

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who blog at http://theliverword.blogspot.com/

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Season Finale: Aston Villa 1-0 Liverpool

Liverpool missed out on Europa League qualification after they were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa at Villa Park on the final day of the Barclays Premier League season on Sunday.

Stewart Downing claimed the game's only goal on 33 minutes, finding the target with a powerful close-range volley after the Reds failed to deal with Marc Albrighton's deep cross to the back post.

The defeat, coupled with Tottenham Hotspurs' 2-1 win against Birmingham City, means Liverpool end the campaign in sixth position and will not be playing European football next season.

Kenny Dalglish's side went into the contest knowing their European aspirations hinged on results elsewhere - a Spurs victory over the Blues at White Hart Lane would seal fifth place in the Barclays Premier League.

However, if the Reds were able to better the outcome of Spurs' clash, it would be them enjoying continental football in 2011-12.

Liverpool made three changes from the team that was beaten by Harry Redknapp's men last time out, with Joe Cole joining fit-again duo Raul Meireles and Fabio Aurelio in the starting XI to replace Andy Carroll, Maxi Rodriguez and Glen Johnson.

There was a youthful look to the Reds' substitutes with four teenagers making up the seven, including Andre Wisdom on the bench for the first time in the Barclays Premier League.

In the pre-match build up, Dalglish had been eager to stress the importance of his players ensuring they focused only on the outcome of their final day clash with Villa, rather than concerning themselves with events in north London.

The game got underway with the travelling support chanting the names of the convalescing Villa boss Gerard Houllier and temporary gaffer Gary McAllister - both of whom were instrumental as manager and player in Liverpool's unforgettable treble-winning success of 2001. [Read more…]

  

Liverpool finished off in 6th and missed out on an European place next season. Leave your thoughts in the comment box.

Sources: Video courtesy of FootyTube.com and match report from LiverpoolFC.tv

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Rumour Mills: Players linked to Liverpool FC

There are just two weeks left for Liverpool to make their move on target players and sew up deals to bring fresh blood to the squad and save a dwindling season.

Let’s take a look at the potential targets as reported by the press.

Transfer in:

Liverpool interested in Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel

The agent of Bayern Munich captain Mark van Bommel claims Liverpool have made an enquiry about the player but better offers have also come in from elsewhere.

 

Liverpool eye loan move for Aston Villa left-back

Former Red Stephen Warnock could be set for a return to Anfield to solve Liverpool’s full-back problem.

 

Liverpool target Aston Villa winger

Liverpool have made Ashley Young their top target for the January transfer window and are confident they can land the Aston Villa winger.

 

Liverpool back in on Ajax striker

The controversial Uruguayan international is reported in this morning’s papers to have told Ajax he wants to leave the club for Anfield if a fee can be agreed this month.

Report from De Telegraaf newspaper has mentioned,

   "The transfer of Suarez to Liverpool opens the door for me to go to Ajax.

"If Liverpool and Ajax - whether in combination with Luis - can reach an agreement over me I will surely come to the club. For the chance to play I am willing to settle for far less pay." said Ryan Babel. (credits to Liverpool Echo)

But this move seems to be not on the table anymore as Liverpool FC sending Babel to Germany instead.

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Liverpool ponder a move for Aston Villa midfielder

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is reportedly tracking Aston Villa's Stephen Ireland this month as he looks to strengthen his midfield.

Hodgson is desperate to add a spark to his under-achieving side and sees Ireland - who only joined Villa last summer - as a possible solution.

The former Manchester City starlet went to the Midlands club as part of the deal that took James Milner to Eastlands.

However, he has failed to hold down a first-team place since and - although rated by former Villa boss Martin O'Neill - does not seem to be on the radar of new manager Gerard Houllier.

As such, the 24-year-old Irishman could be up for grabs for as little as £4million - half his published price-tag for his involvement in the Milner transfer.

His age and previous Premier League form make him the perfect target for the Reds' new owners, who have previously stated they will only be looking at players who are young and cheap enough to demonstrate the potential for improvement during their Anfield stay.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Sources: LiverpoolFC.tv, Metro

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Liverpool target Aston Villa winger

Liverpool have made Ashley Young their top target for the January transfer window and are confident they can land the Aston Villa winger, Goal.com UK can reveal.

The Reds face stern competition from Manchester United and Tottenham for the England international, who will cost around £14 million as his contract at Villa Park runs out in 18 months' time.

Manager Roy Hodgson has been driving the interest from Anfield as he looks to add British talent to the squad but Damien Comolli, the club's director of football strategy, also supports the move for a player who will add much-needed pace to the side.

Liverpool are ready to meet Young's wage demands of £75,000-a-week - or £3.9m a year - and will make an official approach to Villa when the transfer window opens. Insiders at Anfield claim the club are confident the former Watford man is keen on a move and they believe Villa may feel compelled to sell because of his contract situation.

Young, 25, currently earns £65,000-a-week but has refused to sign a new deal at the Midlands club and there have been suggestions that he would be prepared to run down his contract and leave for nothing in the summer of 2012.

Gerard Houllier, the Aston Villa manager, insists it would take "crazy money" for the Premier League strugglers to sell their prize asset - but owner Randy Lerner may feel differently as Young's value plummets as he runs down his contract.

Liverpool will press ahead with plans to sign Young despite being on the verge of signing Rennes winger Sylvain Marveaux, who was in the directors box for the 1-0 defeat to Wolves on Wednesday night.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Sources: LiverpoolFC.tv, Goal.com

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Goal Highlights: Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa [VIDEO]

Ryan Babel helped to ensure that Gerard Houllier's Anfield return ended in disappointment as Liverpool eased to a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Monday night.

The Dutch striker came in for the missing Fernando Torres and capped an impressive showing with the killer second goal as the Reds bounced back from last week's frustrating defeat at Spurs.

The No.19's clinical drive came straight after David Ngog's diving header had given the hosts a 14^th minute lead and helped secure a win that has propelled Roy Hodgson's men up to eighth in the table, seven points adrift of Manchester City in fourth spot.

Maxi Rodriguez then put the seal on a solid all-round showing when he netted the third of the night by guiding home Ngog's cut back on 55 minutes.

The pre-match chatter had been firmly focused upon Houllier's first L4 experience as an opposition manager but as the team news filtered through, the spotlight shifted towards Babel, who was named in the side in place of Torres.

The Spaniard had withdrawn from duty after it emerged that his wife had gone into labour, providing the Dutchman with another chance to show what he could do in a much-craved striking role.

The former Ajax man looked up for the occasion too, but it wasn't just him who had the bit between his teeth. There was an energy to Liverpool's play right from the word 'go' and they could have been ahead inside two minutes when a Raul Meireles free-kick from the right caused chaos in the Villans' penalty area.

The visitors failed to clear their lines on at least two occasions and were left to heave a huge sigh of relief when Dirk Kuyt seared a volley off target from Ngog's knock down. [Read more…]

  

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Barry joins City

More news on Gareth Barry. The speculation of Barry becoming a Liverpool player is over. He’s officially completed a move to Manchester City yesterday.

Manchester City have confirmed the £12million signing of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, with the England midfielder penning a five-year deal.

City manager Mark Hughes is banking on the midfielder's experience in the domestic and international arena to take the club to the next level.

"Gareth is widely acknowledged as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League and that is a recommendation in itself.

"When players of his quality become available then you have to be in the market for them so we are absolutely delighted that we have been able to conclude this deal.

"The experience required to compete with the best in the Premier League is vital.

"With Gareth we get the experience of someone who has played week-in, week-out in the hardest league in the world.

"He plays at a level that has an impact on the game and we are thrilled that he is joining us." – Mark Hughes, Tribal Football.

This transfer which came as a surprise to all of us. Barry earlier been reported he’d like to join a team with Champions League football, signed for a club which has the brightest future in challenging the top four clubs in England next season.

I think this transfer has been materialised due to the fact that City was able to offer Barry a huge pay rise. City have not even qualified for next season's revamped Europa League. Who could afford to missed out on a £80,000-a-week salary?

I’m glad the chase is over now.

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YNWA,

Red's Fury™

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Liverpool losing the fight for £12M midfielder

This news came in hot today from Aston Villa’s official website. Gareth Barry is allowed to talks with Manchester City over a possible move to Eastlands.

Last summer, Liverpool and Aston Villa are in tug-of-war over the England international and this piece of news has been a shocked to many of us.

More news on this madness later.

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YNWA,

Red's Fury™

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