Video Highlights: Liverpool FC 1-2 AS Roma

Liverpool continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 defeat against Italian side Roma in front of a packed crowd at the historic Fenway Park in Boston.

Roma responded quickly and should have taken the lead when Pablo Osvaldo dribbled past Jamie Carragher and found himself one-on-one with Gulacsi, but again the Hungarian stood tall and pushed the shot around the post for a corner.

As both teams increased their tempo, Jonjo Shelvey almost helped the Reds break the deadlock twice in quick succession. First, the 20-year-old drove from midfield before sending a shot at goal which Lobont had to parry, then the midfielder played in Nathan Eccleston, whose rising shot went wide.

Two of the Reds' returning stars combined on 32 minutes but were denied by the woodwork. Alberto Aquilani's precise dink forward found Cole, who, spotting Lobont off his line, lobbed the 'keeper but saw his attempt bounce clear off the top of the crossbar.

Shelvey brought another save out of Lobont five minutes before half-time after creating a chance for himself out of nothing. The Reds No.33 carried the ball past two Roma defenders and hit a left-footed strike towards goal but the goalkeeper was down quickly to save, and Lobont was called into action again a minute before the break, stopping a Cole shot to ensure the half ended goalless.

Full report: Liverpool FC Official

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Transfer Watch: Liverpool to re-ignites Fernando interest and other possible transfers

Liverpool has been alerted by the news report coming out from the Real Madrid camp on the availability of Argentine defensive midfielder, Fernando Gago.

Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho has instructed the club that he intends to get rid of Kaka, Fernando Gago, Hamit Altintop and Ricardo Carvalho in the off-season. According to Mundo Deportivo, Gago will follow Kaka, Altintop and Carvalho through the Bernabeu exit if Mourinho gets his way in the summer.

Gago is not part of Mourinho's plans and the midfielder spent the season on loan at Roma. He was expected to seal a permanent move to the Serie A outfit last month but the Italians refused to meet the €7million asking price set by Madrid by the June 1 deadline. Gago has one year left on his contract and may now be forced to run out his contract next season if no other interested buyers come in.

Liverpool new manager, Brendan Rodgers are looked set to recruit more players to mount a serious Premier League challenge this August. There are a few key areas in the Reds team need to be covered and Lucas Leiva’s position are the most crucial as the Reds struggles to fill the defensive midfield role last season when the Brazilian midfielder sat out through injury.

Fernando Gago transfer probability – 3/5 and worth £5.7million, aged 26, will fits into FSG’s plan.

Let’s look at other transfer target for Liverpool FC.

Many reports suggested that Rodgers are interested in his former Swansea City players, Joe Allen and Gylfi Sigurdsson. Are these the kind of players that can drive Liverpool back to Champions League football?

According to the BBC, Sigurdsson has verbally agreed to make his loan move to Swansea permanent, but since Rodger’s made his Liverpool switch, his future has become somewhat more uncertain. Rodgers has since admitted that “if he comes on the market I have to be interested. He knows that I rate his qualities and abilities.”

Rodgers’ interest in Joe Allen also has an air of authenticity. He was the mainstay at Swansea City and Rodgers’ is clearly a big fan. There’s every chance that he’ll look to bring him over to the Reds (if Swansea doesn’t placed a players protection clause when Liverpool signs Rodgers).

Another noticeable mentioned by the press was Fulham’s Clint Dempsey. Liverpool’s chairman Tom Werner has made his interest in the American star clear. He publicly told the press, “We never talk publicly about our transfer targets. However, any team would be lucky to have Clint Dempsey playing on their squad.”

All three are Internationals, can pass the ball around neatly and score goals. They’ve all got Premier League experience, are physical and have bucket loads of energy. In particular Clint Dempsey is the real deal and how Liverpool could use his goals moving forward.

Without Champions League football, Liverpool FC would never going to get Fernando Llorente, Kaka or Eden Hazard. As such the Reds need to start making sensible signings and rebuilding. These three players look like they’ve got the nous to get Liverpool competing again.

Source: LFC Stats

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Video: Brendan Rodgers the new LFC manager

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) and Liverpool Football Club announced that Brendan Rodgers has been appointed as the club's new manager, last Friday morning after signing a contract.

Rodgers, 39, is regarded as being at the forefront of a new generation of football coaches, an excellent tactician and motivator with a progressive philosophy. After an extensive two-week process where many highly-qualified candidates were carefully considered, Liverpool's ownership group identified Rodgers as the single outstanding candidate to implement their long-term vision.

 

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Liverpool missed out on free transfer target

Following the sacking of Kenny Dalglish, the proposed transfer deal for Senegal midfielder, Mohamed Diame to Liverpool has collapsed.

The Senegal midfielder, 24, is a free agent after letting his contract at Wigan run down, and although he has offers on the table from Spain, France and Turkey, he admits feeling hurt after having a move to Anfield snatched away.

Diame has revealed he held discussions with Dalglish about a possible move to Anfield and that he was sad to see the deal fall through following the Scot's departure earlier this month.

   “I met before Kenny Dalglish and we talked about next season, but God decided to finish this situation,”

“It is true I was very sad in my head as I was thinking to go there, but that is OK as I think I have got other opportunities to go to another club.”

“I am free and not everybody is free in this moment like a midfield player like me and that is why I have got a lot of clubs interested in me,”

“I have to be composed and make a good decision for my future. I have got some offers from Spain, from France, from Turkey, but I really want to stay in the Premier League.” Diame told Sky Sports News.

However, there could be an outside chance of a deal being resurrected should Latics boss Roberto Martinez - who is expected to hold more talks with FSG having returned from holiday today - be appointed to succeed Dalglish.

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Van Gaal penned himself in for Liverpool’s manager role

Louis van Gaal has told Liverpool that he is looking for a management role, rather than a position as a director of football, as his next job.

Van Gaal has been strongly linked with the vacant management position at Anfield, although the club's owners are believed to have identified the experienced Dutchman as the ideal candidate to be the Reds' new director of football, rather than the straight replacement for recently sacked Kenny Dalglish.

Liverpool reportedly plan to appoint a younger man to be in charge of coaching and day-to-day affairs under the more senior director of football.

   “My fingers are itching. I’m full of fire and want to work with players.

“I get dozens of offers but I’m waiting for the best one.”

But Van Gaal, 60, is such a strong personality that the idea of taking the reins as team coach would appeal strongly.

One man who is unlikely to take over is ex-England boss Fabio Capello.

Reports this week suggested FSG had been in contact with the Italian but he is now not believed to be on the shortlist, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Wigan’s Roberto Martinez is expected to meet the owners for talks over the next 48 hours and remains among the favourites, along with ex-Chelsea boss Andre Villa-Boas.

Kuyt, currently on international duty preparing for Euro 2012, gave his backing to the former Ajax and Bayern Munich manager.

   “It is not usual for players to speak about candidates, but he is a Dutchman, has a great track record and has the experience that the club could put to good use,”

“At the moment, Liverpool have no coach or technical director.

“Each club benefits from structure. You look at the Dutch national team and see that consistency and clarity are important.” Dirk Kuyt told De Telegraaf.

Kuyt seemed destined to be leaving Anfield this summer after his starting opportunities were reduced significantly last season, but has hinted he may be open to staying with a new manager coming in to replace Kenny Dalglish.

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers, who publicly rejected the chance to hold talks with Liverpool last week, remains on the radar and would be approached again.

FSG have however distanced themselves from speculation linking them with a move for Didier Deschamps.

It has been reported that Marseille boss Deschamps spurned the Reds’ advances when he declared he intends to remain with the French club but FSG had no plans to speak to the Frenchman. The same applies to Harry Redknapp who has also been linked with the post.

Let’s look at the latest updates on the potential target list for Liverpool FC.

1. Michael Laudrup
2. Brendan Rodgers
3. Frank de Boer
4. Jurgen Klopp
5. Pep Guardiola
6. Roberto Martinez
7. Fabio Capello
8. Andre Villas-Boas
9. Didier Deschamps
10. Joachim Low
11. Paul Lambert
12. Rafael Benitez
13. Jose Mourinho
14. Alan Pardew
15. Guus Hiddink
16. Frank Rijkaard
17. Louis van Gaal

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Liverpool manager speculation round up

Liverpool owners are looking to make budget cuts and bring a new economic policy that might ruin any chance that the club had to keep the likes of Luis Suarez and Martin Skrtel. According to reports, Suarez is being scouted by Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus while Fiorentina are interested in taking Skrtel to Florence. The Fenway Sports Group believe that austerity is the only way to bring some normalcy to the Anfield balance books.

Roberto Martinez has been built up as a front runner to take up the managerial post at Anfield as he fits the tag of ‘young up and coming’ manager that the Fenway Sports Group seem to be looking for. According to reports, the fans haven’t received this news with any warmth whatsoever and have made it clear that they would like former boss Rafael Benitez to be back at the helm. Liverpool’s manager search has been heavily criticised and one wonders whether all the hullabaloo caused by it will result in any substantive decision making.

Spanish moneybags Malaga are looking to ruin Liverpool’s chances of signing Bologna midfielder Gaston Ramirez while the Reds struggle to find a manager to handle footballing affairs at the club. The Premier League team had submitted a £16million bid with Bologna according to the player’s agent but Malaga are looking to take advantage of the chaos at the club by acquiring the player right under the noses of the Liverpool owners.

Now a few managers has been distance themselves from the managerial vacancy at Anfield. Let’s go through who’s left for FSG to pick from below.

1. Michael Laudrup
2. Brendan Rodgers
3. Frank de Boer
4. Jurgen Klopp
5. Pep Guardiola
6. Roberto Martinez
7. Fabio Capello
8. Andre Villas-Boas
9. Didier Deschamps
10. Joachim Low
11. Paul Lambert
12. Rafael Benitez
13. Jose Mourinho
14. Alan Pardew
15. Guus Hiddink
16. Frank Rijkaard

At this time Martinez leads the list of favoured managers to take the managerial role at Liverpool with Bet 365 putting him at 9/4, while William Hill place him at a lower price of 6/4. But do fans want to see another name in the dug-out that hasn’t lit up the likes of Europe or even challenged for a European place in the Premier League?

Another favourite to take the hot seat, that has been mentioned quite frequently, is Andre Villas-Boas. AVB had an equally unfair and poor stint at Chelsea but it is his outstanding record at FC Porto that has caught the eye at Liverpool; currently installed at 11/4 on Bet 365 and 2/1 at William Hill.

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Poll: Who’s the next Liverpool FC manager?

Liverpool's owners are keen for the club's new manager to be in place for at least four to five years.

Tom Werner and John W. Henry have begun the search for the Reds' fourth boss in two years after sacking Kenny Dalglish and have a number of names in mind.

The new boss is likely to get a transfer budget of over £30million.

On Wednesday, sources close to Henry were keen to stress the American owners do have a clear vision for the future of the club and are likely to appoint three senior directors in the coming weeks.

Meetings have been held with a number of potential directors of football, including Johan Cruyff and former Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain, while they have also spoken to at least one candidate to fill the chief executive's role.

Henry and Werner are also thought to be close to appointing a new director of communications to replace Ian Cotton.

While the departure of Dalglish has left something of a power vacuum at Anfield, FSG felt they had to act given Liverpool's failure to challenge for a Champions League qualifying place, a clear target at the start of the season.

Steve Clarke, Dalglish's assistant, has stepped down out of loyalty to the 61-year-old Scot.

Source: BBC Sport

Who’s the next Liverpool FC manager?

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Kenny Dalglish: End of A Reign

This news came as a shock to most of the Reds’ supporters late yesterday evening. Whether Liverpool FC manager, Kenny Dalglish was sacked by FSG or the Anfield legend walks out it doesn’t matter anymore. Dalglish loves the club and I remembered him quoted somewhere, “If someone better was hired to managed Liverpool FC, I won’t stand in the way” before he accepted the permanent role as the Reds manager last summer.

Dalglish's departure brings to an end his second spell at the Club where, as a player, he won numerous honours, including six English league titles and three European Cup trophies. As Manager he won three league titles, two FA Cups and of course this season, the Carling Cup.

   “It has been an honour and a privilege to have had the chance to come back to Liverpool Football Club as Manager. I greatly appreciate the work that Steve, Kevin, the players and all of the staff put in during my time and feel proud that we delivered the Club's first trophy in six years winning the Carling Cup and came close to a second trophy in the FA Cup Final. Of course I am disappointed with results in the league, but I would not have swapped the Carling Cup win for anything as I know how much it meant to our fans and the Club to be back winning trophies.

“Whilst I am obviously disappointed to be leaving the football club, I can say that the matter has been handled by the owners and all concerned in an honourable, respectful and dignified way and reflects on the quality of the people involved and their continued desire to move the football club forward in the same way as when they arrived here.

“I would like to thank all of the staff at the Club for their effort and loyalty. I said when first approached about coming back as Manager that I would always be of help if I can at any time and that offer remains the same.

“Finally, I want to put on record my heartfelt gratitude to Liverpool's fans, who have always given me and the Club their unwavering support. Without them neither the Club nor I would have achieved anything.” – Kenny Dalglish

Henry and Werner regarded an eighth-place finish, 17 points behind fourth-placed Spurs and 37 points behind champions Manchester City, as unacceptable given the £110m FSG has invested in players.

There was praise for the Scot with Henry claiming Dalglish is “the heart and soul of the club”.

   “Kenny will always be more than a championship winning manager, more than a championship winning star player. He is in many ways the heart and soul of the club. He personifies everything that is good about Liverpool Football Club. He has always put the Club and its supporters first. Kenny will always be a part of the family at Anfield.

“Our job now is to identify and recruit the right person to take this Club forward and build on the strong foundations put in place during the last 18 months.” – John W. Henry

Now, the big question is who is the next manager for Liverpool FC?

Source: Liverpool FC Official

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Sack Dalglish and Liverpool FC will become a mid-table club in years to come

Don’t get me wrong, I’m neither a pro-Dalglish regime nor against him. Yes, we must admit that finishing eight in the league are unacceptable for a club like Liverpool. Building a team needs time. Fenway Sports Group has invested heavily on their club and the project are just half baked. My question is, why stop now?

Dalglish still has two years to run on the contract he was given by FSG just over 12 months ago. Club officials refused to comment on intense speculation that Dalglish had been relieved of his duties following the summit but the we understands no decision has yet been made.

Speculation reached fever pitch on internet and social networking sites around late yesterday morning with unsubstantiated claims ranging from him being sacked to resigning.

Without a public show of support from FSG, Dalglish's job will remain a subject for debate even though just over a month ago Werner stated that the owners had "great confidence in Kenny and he enjoys our full support".

Dalglish is now set to embark on his summer break, but doubts remain as to whether he will be in charge at Anfield at the start of next season.

Clarke was pictured alongside Henry and Werner at Boston Red Sox’s baseball match against Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on Monday evening.

Dalglish was absent as he was preparing to fly back to Merseyside. Clarke stayed on longer because he was travelling on to Miami for a family holiday.

Let’s not embarked in more speculations until the club has made an official statement on the whole situation. Let’s give Dalglish another 12 months to get his plans back on track and if things doesn’t worked out then we can start pushing the panic button.

Many rumours has linked Roberto Martinez to Liverpool. Frankly speaking, do you think Martinez can manage Liverpool? I, personally doesn’t think so.

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Liverpool looking for replacement on Director of Football post

The Anfield club's American owners sacked their director of football ahead of the FA Cup semi-final victory over Everton because they were unhappy that a big-spending approach had not resulted in any progress in the Premier League.

They were linked with Ajax and Barcelona great Johan Cruyff, but found the Dutchman had no interest in moving to England.

Instead, he recommended the Liverpool board to consider Begiristain for the vacancy, reports the Metro.

If Begiristain, who played a part in building the current Barcelona team by bringing in Dani Alves, David Villa and Gerard Pique, was handed the job, he would look to implement a change in the recruitment strategy at Anfield and the focus would be very much on players under the age of 21.

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Source: Metro

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Liverpool FC in transition or in crisis?

Dark cloud looms heavily on Merseyside, especially at Anfield, the red half of Liverpool. Six defeats in last seven matches has yet again divided the club’s supporters into two regimes – back the manager and sack the manager.

What’s went wrong with Liverpool FC in the second half of the season?

Injury to key players – noticeably Lucas Leiva and Daniel Agger. The failure to find a good replacement for Lucas in the January transfer window has been the down point of the ability of Director of Football, Damien Comolli in this aspect. The Reds has lost its solidarity in midfield since the Brazilian midfielder were out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury.

This season we saw the partnership of Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger has been flourishing in the central defence. Losing Agger through rib injury sustained during the League Cup Final at Wembley has contributed in the recent slump of form. You can argued that the Reds have a wealth of central defenders to call upon in the absence of Agger. Jamie “Mr. Liverpool” Carragher has already passed his prime and wasn’t the same old Carragher we used to see few season ago.

Sebastian Coates, lack of Premier League experience, it’s too soon to throw him into the fray. Kenny Dalglish doesn’t want to damage the young lad confidence by playing him week in, week out.

Many blames Dalglish’s team selection and tactics on the recent slumps – no consistent formation and clear direction on the team’s tactics every match that lead to ineffective performances from the players. Yes, this I can agreed upon. Late substitution and constant changes of squad formation will lead to confusion or inability to carry out the team’s tactics on the playing field by the players.

More worrying are the club’s new recruits hasn’t been performing to the level as we’ve expected – Carroll, Downing, Adam, Henderson and Bellamy. These five players are British and their first season with Liverpool FC except Bellamy. Getting each player to gel will require more playing time together hence Dalglish has been fielding all his summer signings almost on every team sheets.

Not forgetting that Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson are both in their early twenties. Both signed on for five years. Are we going to judge them on their first season like what some supporters doubted on Lucas? As the title suggested, Dalglish has been moving the club forward and are in transition. Stabilizing the club and experimenting on the team’s playing style are what all about this season.

Winning the Carling Cup in February was a plus point for Liverpool FC and a semi-final clash with neighbour Everton in the FA Cup, ensured our club in the hunt for a second cup despites poor run of league forms. Even Sir Alex Ferguson first season as Manchester United manager, the team down at L4 has finished the league in 11th out of 22 teams. Can we expect Kenny Dalglish to pull the rabbit out of the hat in his first term as Liverpool manager?

I’ve been supporting Liverpool FC since 1987 and it’s been twenty-two years since the last time the Reds has crowned the league champion. Why all the sudden some segment of the supporters became so impatience with the current situation? All projects need time to execute and Dalglish is having a big project in rebuilding Liverpool FC stature as English league major club. Why not stick wit the manager and let him finish what he has started?

If those who can’t see the bigger picture on what Kenny Dalglish, Damien Comolli and FSG are doing now, please drop your allegiance and support other club instead. Yes, as a Liverpool FC supporter, you’re entitled to voiced out your opinion but if in a negative way, it won’t do the team spirit any good in the long run. I, myself too have my own view and opinions but I judged on facts and support the work by our manager. I’ll give him until next season to deliver the results and I believed, we’ll reap rewards from it next season.

This is my own point of views from 11,000 kilometres away from Liverpool.

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Liverpool could earn as much as £300M from Warrior Sports deal

Liverpool say they expect to earn a staggering £300million through their new six-year deal with the US sportswear company Warrior Sports, and have denied accusations that underachievement on the pitch led to the collapse of their current kit deal with Adidas.

Warrior, owned by New Balance, will become the club's kit supplier from June having agreed a £25million-a-year deal to enter the football industry for the first time. The £25million per year is a guaranteed figure for Liverpool, not performance-related, and eclipses the £23.5million-a-year deal that Manchester United have with Nike but are currently renegotiating.

Liverpool’s previous £12 million-a-year agreement with Adidas, which will end in somewhat acrimonious circumstances in the summer, absorbed more of the overseas selling rights of all club merchandise. The deal with Warrior ensures Liverpool regain those rights.

Managing director Ian Ayre claims Liverpool have the potential to cash in, thanks to their worldwide army of fans.

“In our existing deal with Adidas, there have been some restrictions in terms of the other unbranded products we sell,” said Ayre. “In our new deal, we will have complete control.

“We will still work with Warrior, but we will have a much wider opportunity and that area of business represents 50 per cent of everything we generate.”

Liverpool are also happy they will be Warrior’s only football client.

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Source: Guardian

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Rumour Mill: Liverpool pondering £20M move for Brazilian whizkid

January transfer window has been fast approaching, the press rumour mill are starting to warm up again with reports of possible transfer targets from the Premier League’s big-spenders.

As usual, Liverpool are likely to be linked to host of names, and have already been rumoured to be targeting Michel Bastos, Carlos Tevez and Seydou Keita.

Another player Kenny Dalglish is said to be interested in is Sao Paulo’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas, full name Lucas Rodrigues Moura da Silva. According to reports, the Reds are prepared to offer £20 million for the 19-year-old, who is also a target for Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Is he worth £20 million? After spending so much on recruiting young talents in the last transfer window with the likes of Jordan Henderson, Sebastion Coates and Andy Carroll, Fenway Sports Group shown they are willing to splash out big funds yet again on youngsters with potential.

Let us know what are your thought on Liverpool signing Lucas in the comment box below.

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Liverpool Coates-ing £8M defender

Liverpool have made an £8million offer for the Uruguay international Sebastián Coates but face competition for his signature as Nacional encourage an auction for the 20-year-old defender.

Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's owner, has met the Uruguay champions' current valuation of their 6ft 6in centre-half as they look to provide the manager, Kenny Dalglish, with his sixth summer signing.

Nacional this week granted permission to Coates's father, Peter, and agent, Matias Pittini, to discuss the terms of the transfer with Liverpool, who remain firm favourites to sign a player whose profile soared during Uruguay's triumphant Copa América campaign last month. "The offer is very good," Héctor Olmos, Nacional's vice-president, told a radio station on Tuesday. "Coates will surely go to Liverpool."

Nacional, however, are aware of interest from several Premier League teams, including Manchester City and Arsenal, as well as from clubs in Italy, Ukraine and throughout South America, and are attempting to hold out for the highest bidder.

Coates was valued at €3.5million (£3.06million) when talks were held over a proposed move to Porto before the Copa América and Nacional hope City will top Liverpool's bid in the coming days.

Read more: Guardian

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Villa rejected Liverpool £15M bid

According to Skysports.com, the initial bid of £15million for Aston Villa England international player has been rejected yesterday.

The winger has been reported as a target of the Anfield club for several months and fits the young, British profile sought by owners Fenway Sports Group.

Rumours have suggested that 26-year-old Downing has grown frustrated at Villa Park following last season's disappointing and uncertain campaign.

But new manager Alex McLeish said at the end of June that he hoped he would be able to convince the former Middlesbrough player to stay at Villa.

It is therefore thought that a fee closer to £20million would be required if Villa are to part with another of their key assets in the wake of Ashley Young's transfer to Manchester United.

Time for Liverpool FC to activate their plan B. Juan Mata from Valencia is rumoured to be the next target.

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Source: Sky Sports

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Liverpool go Gago for Madrid star

Liverpool are favourites to land Fernando Gago after Jose Mourinho told the midfielder he is no longer needed at Real Madrid.

The Reds are looking to overhaul their midfield in order to make a challenge on the top four again next season, and have already signed  Jordan Henderson for £16million.

Argentina international Gago, 25, is rated at around £15million, but Liverpool are weighing up a bid of around £10million.

The defensive midfielder's agent, Marcelo Lombilla, is reported to have begun talks with Anfield director of football Damien Comolli over a move.

Lombilla said: 'Gago needs to play and Liverpool would be a perfect club for him, Fernando wants to get back on the pitch and return to the top level and at the moment that is not possible in Madrid.'

A source at Madrid told the Daily Star that Gago would leave the Spanish giants this summer and that the Reds were leading the chase for his signature, saying: 'Fernando knows that he has no future at the club.

'There has been interest in the past from some Italian clubs and Aston Villa, but Liverpool have shown the most interest.'

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Source: Daily Mail

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Liverpool will need to double their offer for England winger

Liverpool will need to seriously increase their valuation to land Stewart Downing.

The Anfield club were hoping to move swiftly to capture the England international winger as soon as Aston Villa appoint a new manager

Boss Kenny Dalglish values the player at around £10million, and given he cost that figure when he moved to Villa Park from Middlesbrough, and has only two years left on his contract.

But the Villa board see things very differently, and even though they don't yet know if Downing will figure in their new manager's plans, they have indicated any offer will have to be double that figure for them to consider it.

Downing, like team-mate Ashley Young, has decided his future lies elsewhere, and he is keen to move to Anfield after being sold on the Merseyside club.

He is a friend of Andy Carroll, and wants to become part of Dalglish's revolution, but it seems there is much work to be done if he is to get his his wish.

Young's imminent departure has put pressure on the Villa board to attempt to keep the rest of their players, and they are prepared to play hard-ball to at least ensure they have the funds to find an adequate replacement.

Young seems certain to go to Manchester United. He is about to enter the final year of his contract, and Villa know they must sell now to try and recoup the £8million they paid to Watford for the player.

But Downing is a different matter, and even though the player is desperate to go, there could be a struggle over the fee reminiscent of the wrangling that surrounded Gareth Barry's on-off move to Anfield two years ago.

Dalglish will need to offload several of his highly-paid fringe players if he is to generate the funds and clear the wage bill to snatch Downing, but remains confident he will get his man.

Source: Liverpool FC Official, Daily Mirror

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Liverpool to have a massive summer clear-out

Kenny Dalglish’s summer spending spree will hinge on his ability to cut some serious dead wood at Anfield.

The Liverpool manager is hoping to bring in four or five new faces during the transfer window, at a cost of £50million-plus.

But while the Reds’ American owners have sanctioned a bold move by the club in the market in a serious attempt to gatecrash the Premier League top four next season, they have also made clear the axe must be taken to a top-heavy squad.

Dalglish has as many as 13 players who are surplus to requirements at Anfield… at a staggering cost of more than £600,000 a week in wages.

That equates to more than £30million a year being paid to players who were either out on loan last season, or cast to the furthest fringes of the first team squad with barely a hope of seeing some action.

Principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner have already expressed their incredulity at the obscene level of wages paid to players such as Milan Jovanovic and Joe Cole, who were barely able to the make the match day squad last season.

That pair alone command more than £200,000 a week in wages, and with fringe player Maxi Rodriguez – who will be surplus to requirements when Stewart Downing arrives this summer – also on wages thought to be around £100,000 a week, it means huge sums were spent on three players who were brought in on free transfers.

But it gets worse for Dalglish…

Read more: The LFC Zone

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

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Henderson fee agreed

It’s official! Sunderland AFC official website has released an official statement on Jordan Henderson.

David N’Gog has been speculated to be included in a cash plus player deal for Henderson. According to the press, Liverpool FC will be paying Sunderland £13million plus David N’Gog, who worth £7million in the deal plus some add-on.

The news comes after days of frenzied speculation, with the Reds seemingly determined to get their hands on Henderson before he heads off with the England Under-21s squad for the European Championships in Denmark tomorrow.

Henderson's potential acquisition fits in with Liverpool's policy under Dalglish, director of football Damien Comolli and owners Fenway Sports Group to pursue young, and preferably English, talent.

Henderson is also set to become Kenny Dalglish's first signing since being named permanent manager at the club.

Source: Sunderland AFC Official Website

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Liverpool FC transfer policy

With the transfer window wide open on 1 June 2011, many rumours or speculation has been linked to Liverpool FC. But we are well aware that FSG want young talents and Kenny Dalglish chooses to deal privately on any possible purchases.

It doesn’t deterred the media and fans alike to speculate and discussed the possible transfer targets coming in or going out of Liverpool FC. What have caught our attention over the recent weeks are the news that Liverpool has been heavily linked to a £20 million rated England U21 midfielder. Does he worth that much?

We all know which are the crucial area in the Liverpool squad that need to be strengthen – wide midfield, left-back, centre-back and forward position. No European football next season, means that the influx of young talents into the Academy doesn’t make sense at all as the Academy has produced a host of talents waiting to be promoted to the first team.

What the fans and supporters want to see are another big name signing for the key position. As Tony Barret from The Times mentioned on his article in The Kop, “In Kenny We Must Trust” – many people now able to watch much more football than ever before thanks to satellite television and internet streams and the popularity of computer games that allow anyone to be the manager, in fantasy world at least, means that supporters can indulge themselves when it comes to assessing the relative merits of a potential transfer target.

It will be a crucial time for the Reds, with new ownership and money to spend, Kenny Dalglish must continue to utilise the resurgent impact of his youngsters from the Academy as well as buying the right blend of British talent – seasoned or experienced ones.

The media, fans and people all around the world can continue to be amateur scouts for their supported clubs but Kenny Dalglish will always be dealing with the “Liverpool Way”.

Let us know who do you think Kenny Dalglish will be signing in the summer on the comment box below.

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