forde

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jan/17/liverpool-ashley-young-aston-villa Liverpool's new owners will pursue several options to improve Kenny Dalglish's forward line this week with Aston Villa's Ashley Young still under consideration despite the Midlanders' reluctance to sell. The Ajax striker Luis Suárez tops Liverpool's list of potential recruits in this transfer window although there has been no bid so far for the Uruguay international and they face competition for his signature from Tottenham Hotspur. Young is another option that Liverpool have scouted for several months and, despite an acceptance it will be difficult to prise the 25-year-old from Villa Park this month, they are expected to make further inquiries in light of Gérard Houllier's surprise move for Sunderland's Darren Bent. Manchester United are also believed to be monitoring Young's situation at Villa with a view to a summer move for the England international. Liverpool have also been linked with Stewart Downing but a more likely transfer from Villa Park to Anfield is Stephen Warnock. The left-back, who started his career at Liverpool, has lost his place under Houllier and could rejoin his former club until the end of the season on loan as Dalglish's looks for an alternative to Paul Konchesky. The Liverpool manager has spoken with John W Henry since the club's principal owner arrived on Merseyside for yesterday's derby against Everton and will hold further talks this week as he attempts to correct a faltering campaign. Southampton's £10m-rated teenager, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, is another target but is believed to favour a move to Arsenal.

Milan Jovanovic and Christian Poulsen start for Liverpool at Blackpool tonight. Listen to the game live online from 7.55pm GMT. The LFC team in full is: Reina, Kelly, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson, Poulsen, Lucas, Meireles, Jovanovic, Torres, Kuyt. Subs: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Konchesky, Ngog, Wilson, Maxi, Shelvey.

Q: What did you think about Babel posting the picture of Howard Webb in a Man Utd shirt?" Kenny: I think it's stupid. That picture featured a Man Utd shirt with "AIG" on it. Man Utd are currently sponsored by "AON"

Kelly Agger Skrtel

King Kenny post match press conference

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/kenny-s-first-teamsheet Kenny Dalglish has named his first Liverpool team since his return to the dugout for this afternoon's FA Cup third round clash with Manchester United. Listen live online from 1.25pm GMT. Glen Johnson is absent because his wife is in labour, while the likes of Daniel Agger, Martin Kelly and Fabio Aurelio return for what is bound to be a memorable day at Old Trafford. The team in full is: Reina, Aurelio, Kelly, Agger, Skrtel, Meireles, Lucas, Maxi, Kuyt, Gerrard, Torres. Subs: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Shelvey, Poulsen, Ngog, Babel

A famous draw for Woy

RT @SiClancy: @rorysmith_tel Ask him if it's true that senior players are revolting against him. Try doing it in a Scandanavian accent!! rorysmith_tel .Just arrived at San Paolo. Imposing sight. Hodgson presser should be interesting after Purslow departure. #LFC

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/liverpool-fc-statement-3

http://www.latercera.com/contenido/688_269461_9.shtml Emilio Butragueño already said, international relations manager of Real Madrid: "When a technician arrives at our club enters another area of recognition." That's exactly what happens with Manuel Pellegrini, who is now a candidate to assume the banks of the legendary headless Liverpool of England. Yesterday, the Guardian newspaper reported that the representative of the "Engineer" traveled to London to negotiate the contract with the Chilean "Reds." According to the daily British, Chilean is one of the two candidates in the leadership port. The second is the current trainer of the English Fulham, Roy Hodgson, who said he was "happy to stay at my club. I realize not rumors." But Pellegrini's lawyer, Vicente Montes, was cautious in his statements. "If he calls me at Liverpool I know nothing. That has to ask his representative Jesús Martínez. They are my clients and I can not affirm or deny anything. The only thing I can repeat is that there is an offer from England," said professional contact with La Tercera. On holiday in Chile But Pellegrini does not want to know about rumors. "I can not supposed to talk about. I'm on vacation," he says, while passing some days in Santiago with his family. The first decision of DT was taken a couple of months off and then see the possible options that may arise in Europe. There's no rush, but a call from Liverpool will completely change your plans as says one of his close. "It is true that he wants to spend some time with his family. However, an offer of a box like Liverpool can not be rejected. You still have not spoken with him, only his representative, but the list of candidates is bounded: only he (Manuel) and Hodgson. I assure you that this may change their plans. If the offer comes, goes, "says a friend of the" Engineer ". The former Villarreal have been informed their close that one expects to meet challenges is to manage in the Premier League, but in an important club. Liverpool qualify.

They will say he was not Inters first pick, but what the fools will fail to mention at the same time, is that he was Valencias 4th choice when he got that job.

Tony Barrett Rafael Benítez is unlikely to be given any of the proceeds from player sales during the January transfer window to reinvest in new signings this month once the arrival of Maxi Rodríguez is confirmed. The Atlético Madrid and Argentina winger is expected to cost £1.5 million and join on an 18-month deal. Benítez is also looking for a loan recruit in defence after Glen Johnson, the right back, was ruled out for at least a month with a knee injury. Four fringe members of the Liverpool squad could leave the club in the coming weeks: Andrea Dossena, Philipp Degen and Andriy Voronin have been earmarked for the exit door and Ryan Babel is the subject of serious interest from Birmingham City. The money recouped from their potential sales could total in excess of £15 million. Napoli have agreed a £4.4 million fee for Dossena, the defender, who is set to complete the move back to his native Italy once personal terms have been agreed; Voronin, the forward, is on the brink of signing for Dynamo Moscow in a deal worth about £2 million; and Degen is the subject of interest from several clubs in Germany, with Stuttgart leading the race for the defender’s services. Birmingham have offered £9 million for Babel but that bid is likely to be rebuffed because the Holland forward is keen to hold out for a move to the Continent. Galatasaray, who are coached by Frank Rijkaard, Babel’s countryman, are one of a number of clubs ready to enter the race for his services. Although the Liverpool manager is working without a transfer war chest, club insiders insist that that policy has not been forced on him by Liverpool’s estimated £250 million debts and resultant interest payments, believed to be in the region of £30 million a year. However, critics of George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks, the co-owners, may dispute that assessment. And should Liverpool not make any significant investment in their playing squad it will serve only to reinforce Benítez’s recent assertion that the club’s priority has shifted from trophy gathering to debt reduction. In August, Benítez broke even on incomings and outgoings in August and in the previous transfer window, last January, the sale of Robbie Keane to Tottenham Hotspur for a fee in the region of £15 million was the only significant activity involving Liverpool. Should Liverpool go a third transfer window without making any significant investment in their squad it will serve only to reinforce Benítez’s recent assertion that the club’s priority has shifted from trophy gathering to debt reduction. Speaking last month, the Spaniard conceded that Liverpool’s hopes of challenging for the title this season were undermined by the need for the club to reduce their outstanding debts. Well off the pace set by Chelsea, the Premier League leaders, Liverpool’s main aim for the campaign is to qualify for next season’s Champions League, but even that aspiration is far from being a foregone conclusion because they languish in seventh place behind Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Aston Villa, their fellow contenders to finish in the top four. Any hopes that the purse strings would be loosened in an attempt to fund a drive to guarantee their top-four status have been dashed and Benítez will be faced with the prospect of improving the fortunes of a squad that has struggled desperately at times this season without recourse to even a limited spending spree http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article6977050.ece

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From Guillem Balague.com New Investor May Join Americans at Liverpool Ever since it was reported in The Times that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, had dropped his interest in a takeover of Liverpool FC after an unsuccessful two-year pursuit, I have been receiving a high number of comments from concerned fans enquiring about the financial situation at the club. I can tell you that the news coming out of Anfield is extremely positive, and that a third investor may be about to join Gillett and Hicks in the boardroom. It had been reported that a combination of factors - the global credit crunch, falling real estate prices in the Middle East and the club’s American owner’s valuation – has led Sheikh Mohammed to walk away from any possible deal. However, contrary to those reports, I understand that the club remains very positive that the Dubai investors’ withdrawal may only be a temporary measure as they take a step back in order to wait for the markets to stabilise and to re-assess their position under the current financial climate. In other words, the deal is not dead and buried, but has been shelved for the time being. Furthermore, the owners believe that there are other potential buyers waiting in the wings. Recent reports have also painted a rather negative picture of the financial situation at Anfield, but I understand that the mood is positive and Hicks and Gillett are confident that they will be granted a six-month extension to their £350million loan from Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia, which expires on January 25. George Gillett Jr. is selling off some of his stocks and properties in his portfolio in order to raise funds, but the biggest boost to the club’s position comes with the news that a third investor is prepared to join the two American owners at the club: a move that will inspire confidence amongst the club’s lenders and strengthen the club’s financial footing. The prospect of this new, possibly European but as yet un-named, investor joining Gillett and Hicks is seen by everyone involved with the club as an extremely positive move and represents an exciting new development that will genuinely benefit the long term financial future of Liverpool FC. Furthermore, while the club are eager to keep takeover and investment talk to a minimum in order not to distract from the Liverpool’s on-field ambitions this season; it is understood that while this ambitious potential new investor is fully supportive of Rafa Benitez and the current footballing project underway at Anfield. This news can only be seen as good news for Liverpool in their current pursuit of a Premier League title and is a welcome development with regard to Rafa Benitez’ contract negotiations – of which you can hear more in the Podcast.

Booted all over the place at Stoke, football really is going soft!

Its very clear what he is implying. Liverpool committed foul after foul, I don't agree with their attitude!

We kicked them of the park http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/11571...bayors_red.aspx