Liverpool transfer target signs for Shanghai Shenhua

When the rumour mills reporting that Liverpool FC are to enquired about the possibility of signing Nicolas Anelka on the cheap this January from Chelsea. The Chelsea forward has agreed to join China's Shanghai Shenhua on a weekly salary of around $300,000.

If the deal goes through, the former Arsenal and Real Madrid star will be the biggest name to appear in China's Super League, which is growing in stature despite significant corruption problems that have left several officials facing jail.

Chinese media quoted a report by sports network ESPN saying Anelka had agreed a two-year deal with Shenhua for a weekly salary of just over $300,000, reportedly a marked rise from his $160,000 a week at Chelsea.

Chinese soccer teams are increasingly resorting to buying foreign players in a bid to boost the sport, which people in the Asian nation adore.

In July, Argentine midfielder Dario Conca became China's most expensive signing - and reportedly, one of the world's best paid players - when he inked a $.8 million deal with Guangzhou Evergrande.

When the Super League kicked off in July, there was no title sponsor and state broadcaster CCTV refused to show games on national television.

Shanghai Shenua, 11th in the Chinese league last season, is the latest stop on Anelka's nomadic career, with spells also at Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers and Turkey's Fenerbahce.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

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Liverpool 1-0 QPR: Suarez on the mark

Luis Suarez clinched the points as Liverpool returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over QPR.

The striker headed his eighth goal of the campaign during a game which the home side dominated.

The A-team theme blared before kick-off and the plan eventually came together for Kenny Dalglish and co despite a wasteful first half.

For his part, skipper Pepe Reina was a virtual spectator.

Dalglish switched Jordan Henderson to a central position in the absence of the suspended Jay Spearing and injured Lucas Leiva.

The Reds applied the early pressure, winning three corners inside the first three minutes.

The first opening arrived on 10 minutes, Stewart Downing crossing from the right towards an unmarked Suarez. The Uruguayan's limp header did not trouble the goalkeeper.

Shortly after that Suarez and Dirk Kuyt exchanged possession in the box before the former daggered a shot within inches from a ludicrous angle.

Soon it would be a hat-trick of chances gone when Maxi rolled the ball into Suarez's path and watched his fellow South American skew against the Anfield Road hoardings.

Some of Liverpool's football was scrumptious, but the scoreline remained blank.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

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Video Highlights: Liverpool 1-0 QPR

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Source: FootyTube

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Liverpool considering Chelsea wantaway striker

Liverpool are reportedly considering making a move to sign Chelsea attacker and France international striker, Nicolas Anelka in January. The Frenchman has slapped in a transfer request that boss Andre Villas-Boas has accepted and Anfield director of football Damien Comolli is keen to persuade the 32-year-old to make the move to Merseyside as he could be available for as little as £4million.

Anelka has previously had a successful loan stint at Liverpool back in 2002 after which boss Gerard Houllier opted to make a move to sign El Hadji Diouf instead of the Versailles born adaptable forward.

Dalglish is keen to beef up his attacking options as he looks to secure a place back in the top four and may well feel that a deal to bring Nicolas Anelka to Liverpool could help in that goal. The hugely experienced Chelsea man can play either out wide or as an orthodox striker and may well consider such an offer to return to the side he helped secure a runners-up finish in 2001/02.

Liverpool have had to rely heavily on Luis Suarez for goals and the Uruguayan could do with some effective support after pairings alongside Andy Carroll and Dirk Kuyt fail to bear fruit. Though Dalglish also has Craig Bellamy as a back up option he doesn’t have a great many players to call upon and as a result the club have managed just 17 goals in 13 Premier League matches thus far this season.

Anelka has chosen to put in a transfer request after falling far down the Chelsea pecking order behind the likes of Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge. This is despite the fact that he finished last season as the top scorer in all competitions with 16 goals in total.

Though Liverpool have a policy of planning for the future there is also a strong desire to clinch Champions League qualification for next season and a move to bring in such another top notch striker, despite his advancing years, would certainly help in this regard.

The biggest obstacle to such a deal may lie in the fact that Chelsea may not be keen on offering one of their players to a team challenging them for a top four spot, which may lead Liverpool to make a nominal offer of around £4million for a player who will be out of contract in the summer.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

Source: CaughtOffside

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Rumour Mill: Liverpool wants £15M Swiss superstar

Liverpool are ready to make an offer for FC Basel star Xherdan Shaqiri after watching the winger put in a man of the match display against Manchester United.

The Reds have been linked with the midfielder for some time after first becoming aware of the players talent when he scored a blistering goal against England in a qualifier earlier this year.

The 20-year-old has continued to impress in the Champions League for Basel this term and on Wednesday night provided both assists as the Swiss side knocked United out of the Europe's premier competition.

Basel realise that they will struggle to keep hold of the winger and are prepared for a number of bids when the January transfer window opens.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is keen to strengthen his attacking options after watching his side waste a number of opportunities this season.

Shaqiri also fits in with the clubs transfer policy of signing the best young players available who have the ability to stay at Anfield for a number of years.

It is thought that Liverpool are ready to make a £15million bid for the Switzerland international, however, that figure could soon rise as there will be plenty of competition for the players signature.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona have also been linked with the promising young winger but Liverpool hope to convince him to choose Merseyside by offering regular first team football.

Liverpool are short of options for players in wide areas with Dirk Kuyt and Jordan Henderson often being asked to play on the wing, while Stewart Downing is the only natural left-footed winger.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

Source: SportsVibe

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