Transfer latest: Ajax set deadline for Suarez

Liverpool have been told they have until Saturday to meet Ajax's £21.5m asking price for striker Luis Suarez or they can forget about a deal.

The Ajax manager Frank de Boer imposed the deadline in Amsterdam yesterday in an attempt to bring the on-going situation to a swift resolution. Suarez is though to favour a move to England but he has two and a half years left on his contract and Ajax are refusing to budge from their valuation of £21.5m.

De Boer said: "This situation has been going on long enough. We don't want to lose him. Liverpool know what they have to pay and we are sticking to our guns.

"We want to know by 29 January, after that nothing more will happen. Within two days we want security, otherwise it takes too long. By 29 January we want to know where we stand.

"He [Suarez] scores, makes assists and we cannot simply replace him. If Liverpool wants something, it must be fast."

De Boer added, part in jest, that the price will rise every day from Saturday if a deal is not struck by then. "We'll add €5m [£4.3m] per day to our asking price from Saturday on until the end of the transfer window."

De Boer also admitted that Suarez had told him of his affection for Liverpool, but insisted he had not asked for a transfer.

Suarez, who was a key member of the Uruguay team that finished third at last year's World Cup in South Africa, is thought to be at the top of Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli's list of targets this month, as the Anfield club are convinced of the need to provide some support to Fernando Torres. Comolli believes Suarez could be the perfect foil for Torres, with an impressive record of scoring 81 goals in 108 games in the Dutch league. Liverpool have already had a £12.7m bid turned down. An Ajax spokesman said on Tuesday: "We'll have to wait for them to come back with something more respectful."

Liverpool also face losing out on Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam after their £4m bid was rejected. Adam has put in a transfer request but Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is not worried about keeping a potentially disgruntled player in his squad.

"Charlie will have to accept whatever we do," Holloway said. "In the summer he will have 12 months left on his contract. That is a whole new ball park. I'll speak to the owners and let them know how Charlie feels but we have a duty to the fans to run the club professionally."

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

Sources: LiverpoolFC.tv, The Independent

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Liverpool young fullback returning to Anfield

Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua is reportedly wanted by Juventus on loan.

The 22-year-old full back joined Galatasaray on loan at the start of the season, and appeared to be out of the club's plans following the arrival of Roy Hodgson and the signing of Paul Konchesky in the summer.

However, the subsequent departure of Hodgson and arrival of Anfield hero Kenny Dalglish has given hope to Insua with regards to a future at Liverpool, and the player has stated his desire to play for the Merseysiders under the Scotsman.

Italian publication Tuttosport claim that Juventus are now interested in taking the player on loan though, and Dalglish's decision on the Argentine could provide a clue as to his long-term future with Liverpool.

Insua has struggled to hold down a first-team place on loan at the Turkish giants, and their Italian counterparts believe an opportunity is available to bring the player to Serie 'A'.

Liverpool could be keen to recall the player, given that Glen Johnson is currently operating in the left-back position at Anfield, and a decision is expected before the end of the transfer window.

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

Sources: LiverpoolFC.tv, GivemeFootball.com

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Goal Highlights: Liverpool 1-0 Fulham

Liverpool's renaissance under Kenny Dalglish continued as victory over Fulham lifted them into their highest Barclays Premier League position of the season.

It was not the most notable of performances, although there were plenty of spells of good football from the hosts, as John Pantsil's second-half own goal divided the teams.

But the Reds registered back-to-back wins for the first time since early November to move up to seventh, within six points of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, and maintain the feeling of optimism which arrived when Dalglish replaced Roy Hodgson earlier this month.

The last time the legendary Scot faced a Fulham team at Anfield he was player-manager on the occasion of a 10-0 League Cup victory in September 1986 against the then third-division side - and he did not even score.

There was to be no repeat of those fireworks, understandably considering Liverpool's still fragile form and the Cottagers' precarious position.

Portugal international Raul Meireles was man of the match at the weekend and he started brightly again as he kept the advanced midfield role even on captain Steven Gerrard's return after suspension.

It was he who got on the end of Martin Kelly's right-wing cross to direct a low header goal wards which the goalkeeper turned around his post.

Stockdale was called into action again in the 25th minute when Glen Johnson, playing at left-back, cut inside to unleash a right-footed shot which the keeper tipped over.

Clint Dempsey forced Jose Reina into a low save just before the half-hour but the Spain international should not have been given a chance seconds later when Andrew Johnson cut the ball back to the penalty spot but Moussa Dembele hit his shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Daniel Agger fired a low 30-yard drive wide and Torres headed over from Kelly's cross in added time at the end of the first half as the hosts failed to make their dominance pay.

Maxi Rodriguez had a shot blocked by Aaron Hughes but when a cross was swung back into the area the Argentinean wasted his free header with an aimless looping effort.

But that was forgotten when Liverpool took the lead in the 52nd minute. [Read more…]

 

Source: Video courtesy of FootyTube.com

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Ryan Babel moves to Germany

Ryan Babel has brought his three-year Anfield career to an end by signing for German outfit Hoffenheim.

The Dutch winger has penned a two and a half year deal with the Bundesliga outfit with the option of a further year.

During his time with the Reds, Babel made 146 appearances and contributed some unforgettable goals.

We would like to wish Ryan the best of luck at his new club.

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv

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Wolfsburg targets Liverpool forward

According to OnTheMinute.com, Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg are considering Milan Jovanovic as the replacement for Edin Dzeko.

The Bosnian's departure has given the German side a huge sum of money with which to reinvest in the squad and Liverpool striker Jovanovic is a prime target.

The 29-year-old put in impressive performances for Standard Liege and moved to Merseyside on a free transfer, but has since been unable to replicate his form for the Reds.

The former Lokomotiv Moscow man has in the past expressed a desire to trudge on and fight for a regular spot in the club's starting line-up, but his agent has admitted that he could be on his way out.

Source: OnTheMinute.com

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Liverpool striker heading for the exit

Liverpool’s unsettled forward will be making his way out of Anfield soon. He doesn’t fits into the squad for three successive managers at Liverpool Football Club, Rafael Benitez, Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish.

Ryan Babel joined the Reds in July 2007 in a deal worth more than £10million. His Reds debut came on August 11, 2007 when he appeared as a second-half substitute against Aston Villa.

It wasn't long before our new No.19 was hitting the back of the net, making two Derby County defenders look silly before lashing home at the Anfield Road end on September 1.

Another nine goals followed in a satisfying first year including an audacious flick in an 8-0 Champions League drubbing of Besiktas.

Sadly, just as he was poised to set Euro 2008 alight with Holland, Babel was forced into the treatment room. An ankle ligament injury sustained in training brought with it the heartache of missing Austria and Switzerland.

There was further frustration domestically as the wide man struggled to hold down a regular place in Rafael Benitez's starting XI, and he was subject to intense speculation concerning a transfer away from the club in January 2010.

No move materialised and Babel seemed galvanised for the remainder of the campaign, putting in a series of decent displays. Flashes of absolute brilliance continued to punctuate his Anfield career, notably in 2009-10 a stunning solo effort against Lyon in the Champions League.

In the latest news from Liverpoolfc.tv, Babel has agreed a move to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The Dutch international will fly to Germany tomorrow to finalise the deal.

The move comes six days after Liverpool accepted a bid for the 24 year old striker from the Bundesliga outfit.

We all wish Ryan Babel the best of luck in his football career in Germany.

Source: Liverpoolfc.tv

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Tell us what’s your thought about Ryan Babel’s career at Anfield so far in the comment box below.

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Match Highlights: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-3 Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish secured his first win after returning to the helm after Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 at Molineux on Saturday lunchtime.

Fernando Torres broke the deadlock in a scrappy contest on 36 minutes after generously being setup by Raul Meireles for the simplest of tap ins.

The Portuguese ace did get on the score sheet shortly after half-time, however, with a sure-fire goal-of-the-season contender as he expertly smashed a 25-yard volley into the top corner.

Wolves pressed in an attempt to reduce the arrears late on, but Torres struck again at the death to help the Reds claim an important three points.

Buoyed by a much-improved attacking performance during last weekend's 2-2 draw with Everton at Anfield, Liverpool journeyed to Molineux aiming to secure not only the first win of Kenny Dalglish's second coming, but also their second on the road in the Barclays Premier League in 2010-11.

Indeed, the manager's satisfaction at his side's derby display was reflected in his team selection with just one change made - Christian Poulsen replacing Jay Spearing in midfield.

However, despite their lowly position of 19^th in the table, Wolves demonstrated they are anything but pushovers by winning 1-0 at Anfield in late December, while they could also consider themselves highly unfortunate not to have taken something from a recent narrow defeat against Manchester City at Eastlands.

In fact, the Reds' last win at Molineux was way back in April 1979, while they'd managed just two clean sheets in their last nine trips to the Black Country.

But the visitors fashioned the first chance on a chilly Midlands afternoon when only a block by Christophe Berra prevented Poulsen giving them an eight-minute lead after good interplay between Glen Johnson and Lucas Leiva carved open a chance for the Dane.

Wolves then had goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to thank for thwarting Torres on 21 minutes. Meireles's inch-perfect pass sent the Spaniard bearing down on goal, only to see his effort beaten away after deftly stepping inside the challenge of Richard Stearman.

Nevertheless, it was proving a real midfield scrap with neither side able to stamp their authority on a bitty contest. [Read more…]

Source: Video courtesy of FootyTube

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Steven Gerrard to play on for five more years and wants Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool's permanent manager

The Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, has set himself the target of playing for another five years.

The England midfielder, 31 in May, admits he has been lifted by Kenny Dalglish's return as manager and he wants to carry on playing for as long as possible, although he has considered taking his coaching badges.

"It's not my main priority or focus at the moment, I still think that's a long way off," he told LFC Weekly. "I believe I can play football for another four or five years but I do sometimes think about what I'm going to do when I finish playing.

"I would like to stay involved in some capacity, whether that's on the media side or in the dug-out we'll have to wait and see. I will certainly try to get my coaching qualifications at some point."

Steven Gerrard has also told Liverpool's owners to look no further than Kenny Dalglish for the club's next permanent manager as they commenced their squad overhaul by agreeing to sell Ryan Babel to Hoffenheim.

Now Gerrard, who was consulted by the then managing director, Christian Purslow, regarding Hodgson's arrival last summer, has lent his influential voice to the Dalglish campaign. "I want to do everything in my power to ensure that he stays here for a long time, beyond the initial six months," the Liverpool captain said.

"I'd love nothing better when the end of the season comes than for us to be on the back of a good run of results that ensures he gets the job full-time. That's my short-term plan, to give everything I've got and all my energy to try to make that happen. I won't lie. When Kenny rang to say he was coming back it was a big lift. I love Kenny as a person and I've certainly enjoyed the first few days we've had working with him. I can see a positive future for Kenny at the club."

Dalglish is without a win in his first three matches back at Liverpool but has vanquished the disharmony that surrounded Hodgson's reign and, certainly against Everton on Sunday, has overseen an improved performance level. The 59-year-old has also been without Gerrard since the 32nd minute of his comeback game, the FA Cup defeat at Manchester United, but the midfielder insists Dalglish has the backing of the entire squad.

Gerrard added: "I think Kenny is the perfect person to get everyone moving in the right direction again. He's the talisman at this club. His nickname, the King, says it all really. He's the perfect manager and also the person to bring it all together. It's time to regroup and for us all to be pulling in the right direction because this season certainly hasn't been good enough."

Source: Guardian UK

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