LFC Daily Update News & Rumours

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Newcastle United are set to step in for Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia.

The Daily Mail says Hyypia's move to Fulham has fallen through over his wage demands and he could now be heading to Newcastle.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Barca eyeing Sissoko

According to L'Equipe, Barcelona are closely tracking Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko.

Sissoko's future at Liverpool is shrouded in doubt following the signings of Javier Mascherano and Gremio starlet Lucas.

Barcelona could be keen on the Mali international, who is unlikely to have any qualms about returning to La Liga.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have reportedly joined the list of clubs interested in Lyon's French winger Florent Malouda.

Arsenal and Chelsea have both previously shown a desire to sign Malouda, but Juventus and The Reds now head the chase.

Malouda has a contract until 2011 at Lyon so Rafa Benitez is likely to have to pay in the region of €20million (£13.5million) to land his man.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool are being linked with Olympique Lyon winger Florent Malouda.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool put £12m price tag on Bellamy to lead Anfield exodus

Liverpool's efforts to meet the transfer demands of their manager Rafael Benitez have produced an ambitious £12m price tag on the head of Craig Bellamy, the Wales international striker expected to lead an exodus of players from Anfield this summer.

Aston Villa, West Ham and Blackburn are all in the market for the 27-year-old forward, who is surplus to requirements at Liverpool after struggling to adapt to Benitez's rotation policy, but have been stunned to discover his value has doubled after one disappointing season on Merseyside.

Liverpool capitalised on a release clause in Bellamy's contract with Blackburn last summer that stipulated he could join any Champions League qualifying club prepared to pay £6m, yet, while that fee was below the market value for the player at the time, his subsequent performances have done little to justify their opening negotiating position. In 23 Premiership starts Bellamy scored seven goals for Liverpool last season, compared to 13 goals in 22 League starts at Ewood Park the previous campaign.

A £12m asking price reflects an understanding of the wealth available at Villa Park and Upton Park this summer, where respective owners Randy Lerner and Eggert Magnusson are expected to spend heavily, although it puts Bellamy beyond the budget of his former club Blackburn. It also signals Liverpool's intent to maximise the revenue available to Benitez this close season, one the Spaniard heralded as pivotal to the club and his own future at Anfield in a challenge to co-chairmen George Gillet and Tom Hicks following the European Cup final defeat to Milan this week.

Gillet promised unequivocal support for Benitez in his transfer dealings yesterday, claiming he and Hicks would purchase "Snoogy Doogy" if the Liverpool manager wanted the rap star (or his tribute act?) at Anfield, but the Spaniard made clear in Thursday's criticism of the club that he is " tired of talking... we talk and talk but never finish" and it is hard figures beyond the approximate £25m he currently has earmarked for two major signings that he wants to hear from the Americans.

"[Michael] Owen is a great player but it is down to Rafa's recommendation, not us," added Gillet in response to the emergence of the former Liverpool striker's £9m release-clause at Newcastle. " Rafa's feeling is we need more depth because of the rigours of the schedule to be competitive. That's where the genius of the manager is so essential and that's where Tom and I have to defer to his background and genius."

Bellamy would yield a higher profit than many of the players Benitez is prepared to offload this summer. Bolo Zenden, Robbie Fowler and Jerzy Dudek are all free agents, while Mark Gonzalez is close to completing a cut-price move to Real Betis 12 months after his £4.5m arrival from Albacete, although the Liverpool manager is open to offers for several more.

Source: sport.independent.co.uk

I doubt Blackburn can pay that money so I will favourite West Ham and Aston Villa to sign him.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Former Liverpool player Jason McAteer have not been offered a new contract by Tranmere.

[kennethlindheim]

Bellamy is not worth £12m.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Rafa knows Aston Villa have much money to spend.So have West Ham.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Scott Carson had an impressive game as England B beat Albania 3-1 in a friendly international at Burnley's Turf Moor on Friday night.

The Liverpool goalkeeper who has had a season long loan at Charlton Athletic played the full 90 minutes for England B.

[kyan]

Juventus are also keen on Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso and his Anfield team-mate Mohamed Sissoko. (Times)

However, Alonso could be heading to Barcelona as part of a £30m deal with Samuel Eto'o going to Anfield. (Mirror)

Sevilla's Daniel Alves and Zaragoza's Gabriel Milito will sign for Liverpool "within the next few days". (Mirror)

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Milito in will be the end of Hyypia's days as Liverpool player.

It seems Xabi Alonso will sign a new contract so he will not leave this summer.

Daniel Alves will be one of Liverpool big signings this summer if he joins them.

I have no believe Liverpool can get Eto'o.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

ETO'O: I'D LOVE TO PLAY AT ANFIELD

Samuel Eto'o has reopened speculation that he will move to the Premiership by talking to the Sunday Mirror about his great admiration for Liverpool.

As Anfield boss Rafa Benitez pledged a drastic overhaul of his beaten Champions League finalists, Eto'o made a point of praising the Reds' team spirit, style of play and passionate support.

In an exclusive one-toone the star Barcelona striker revealed his desire to play in front of the Kop at some point.

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Aware of the politics surrounding his position at the Nou Camp - and the fact that he has a contract at Barcelona until 2010 - the Cameroon superstar stressed that he would be in Spain next season.

But Benitez will be delighted to hear Eto'o's rapturous appreciation of the Anfield outfit - especially as the Spanish coach is lobbying new American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett for the sort of funds needed to land a world-class goalscorer.

The African is top of a list that also includes Fernando Torres and David Villa.

Eto'o, 26, said: "The great thing about Liverpool is their team spirit. It is very strong.

"But, for me, it is their fans who win matches for Liverpool because they have so much power. They are fantastic. Any player would love to have those types of fans behind him. I have played at Anfield in the Champions League quarter-final so I know all about their fantastic supporters.

"It would be wonderful to have that kind of support as a Liverpool player but I really don't know what will happen in the next two years.

"Every time I turn around so many things have happened and changed. So I can't think about it yet.

"But you never know.

"If I play in the Premiership I will be the first to say. It won't be in the newspapers - I will be the one to break the news!"

The Cameroon international fell out with Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard earlier this season after refusing to come on as a late sub against Racing Santander - and his relationship with teammate Ronaldinho has been strained.

He added: "I have not heard anything from Liverpool or anyone else. These things don't come through to me.

"I'm only thinking about next season and I will be here next season. But every year that passes things become a bit more difficult.

"English football has changed a lot for the better over the past few years. I've seen English teams playing matches which have been very exciting.

"It's been like watching a dream team. Chelsea have been spectacular at times - they have played real football.

"And when I saw Liverpool play Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final I was impressed by the way Liverpool played a more strategic, attacking game.

"There was dribbling and great skill in that match. And when we played them I thought, 'Are we playing against Liverpool or a Spanish team?'

"I love the way the fans in England get behind their team. I respect their mentality. They are so positive in supporting their own team rather than, as happens in Spain, being against the opposition.

"That's the big difference between England and Spain."

The three-time African Footballer of the Year also went out of his way to praise his bitter rival Didier Drogba.

The two strikers have been involved in a feud since the Africa Cup of Nations last year - but Eto'o is now prepared to bury the hatchet with the Chelsea star.

"I am a fan of Drogba," he said. "He is an excellent player and a good defender of the African continent.

"There are so few African players playing at the moment that we all need to come together to defend our continent. I wasn't aware that we were involved in a feud - the press made something out of nothing.

"I saw some of the FA Cup Final in England and Drogba won the game for Chelsea. He has been doing that all season and is a very important player for them."

Source: The Mirror

This lad seems to love being in the spotlight and let Barca bite nails...

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Nigel Reo-Coker have been linked for a move to Liverpool from West Ham.

"I can confirm that Nigel Reo-Coker has officially handed in a transfer request with West Ham," said Tony Finnigan, Reo-Coker's agent, to skysports.com.

"Nigel hopes his future will be resolved in the next few weeks.

"I am surprised that a 23-year-old Londoner who is captain of his club is being allowed to leave."

Tottenham and Liverpool are believed to be the front-runners for his services and Spurs boss Martin Jol has made no secret of the fact that he has long been an admirer of the youngster.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Reading have joined the race for Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia.

The Daily Star says the Royals are seeking talks with the Finn, who saw a move to Fulham collapse last week.

[The Rule]

Sissoko is more likely to go in the Eto'o deal. Alonso will be staying.