LFC Daily Update News & Rumours

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Reds linked with move for Young

LIVERPOOL boss Rafa Benitez is ready to make a shock move for Watford's England Under-21 winger Ashley Young.

Benitez has made an inquiry for the versatile youngster who is also on the hit-lists of Tottenham and Arsenal.

Young (above) is seen as the wide man that the Merseysiders lack - with Jermaine Pennant proving a flop since his move from Birmingham. He would also be available for Champions League action.

Watford would consider selling Young for £4million - allowing boss Aidy Boothroyd to bring in two or three new faces.

Source: Mirror.co.uk

I doubt it...

[Mighty T.A.L.]

O'Donnell extends loan

Crewe Alexandra have extended the loan spell of Liverpool centre half Danny O'Donnell until the end of this season.

The previous deal expired at the end of 2006 but the tall stopper will stay on at the League One club until the end of this campaign.

O'Donnell is a player who was spotted playing in the local amateur leagues by Liverpool scouts in 2002, and made the move to train full-time at Melwood in the summer of 2005.

He played for the first team in the pre-season friendlies at Wrexham and Crewe at the start of this season before Dario Gradi brought him to Gresty Road on loan.

Source: Liverpoolfc.tv: Official Web Site

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Benitez eyes up double swoop

By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL are closing in on January targets Lucas Neill and Javier Mascherano - with an Anfield board meeting today expected to open the door to their arrival.

As the DIC takeover saga nears a successful conclusion at Liverpool, Rafa Benitez is seeking a swift completion of deals which have been a priority for several months.

The Reds boss wants the players in place early during the transfer window, and hopes there will be no delays which may prove costly to his plans.

Both Neill and Argentinian Mascherano are ready to move to Anfield, but the finishing touches are still to be put in place.

Clearly there is a balancing act for the board as they juggle immediate concerns with the long-term strategy of the prospective owners, but the manager is in need of new recruits this month.

Benitez is also hoping to complete a deal for 16-year-old James McCarthy for £100,000 from Hamilton Academicals.

Central midfielder Mascherano's transfer would initially be a loan until the end of the season, which could become permanent if he adapts more successfully at Liverpool than he has at West Ham.

Benitez has identified the 22-year-old as a quality cover for Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso as the Reds enter a crucial period with Momo Sissoko still on the treatment table.

Despite suggestions Mascherano can't play for three clubs in the same season, in fact, he's only played for one during this campaign.

The South American season ended on December 31, 2005, before Mascherano joined West Ham in the summer of 2006.

However, any move would still have to be ratified by FIFA.

Mascherano has made it clear he wants to move to Liverpool, and a deal has been agreed with his representatives Media Sports Investments.

Neill is another player who hopes he's played his last game for his current club.

The Aussie defender is suspended for this weekend's FA Cup third round at Goodison Park, and Benitez hopes to have him on board in time for Liverpool's Premiership game at Watford.

Neill would also be eligible for the Champions League, because new rules state at least one player in a squad list who's played in the UEFA Cup can also feature in the premier competition.

As in August, his hopes depend on how keen Blackburn are to hold onto a player nearing a Bosman.

Mark Hughes still wants to sign Stephen Warnock as part of a swop deal. Warnock is also attracting the attention of Sunderland, but would clearly prefer to remain in the Premiership.

Source: icLiverpool - European Capital of Culture 2008 premier site for Liverpool LFC Everton EFC football daily news, sport and listings headlines

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Reds fans are the most relaxed

LIVERPOOL fans were today named as the most relaxed supporters in the country.

The Anfield club's followers were labelled the least stressed, according to a survey by Littlewoods Football Pools.

The worst football teams to follow were Notts County. And Portsmouth have the most stressed fans of a current Premiership club side, followed by Manchester City and Watford.

It comes after the ECHO revealed new figures which showed the full extent of ill-health suffered by fans at the region's football grounds over the last four years.

Since 2002, paramedics have been called into action to treat 66 fans at Anfield, 35 at Goodison and 24 at Prenton Park.

During a period which saw the Reds win several trophies, seven fans collapsed with chest pains and six with other symptoms.

Source: icLiverpool - European Capital of Culture 2008 premier site for Liverpool LFC Everton EFC football daily news, sport and listings headlines

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Bolo Zenden and Momo Sissoko is back in training but without ball.Zenden will not be fit before 2-3 weeks and Sissoko have to wait at least a month before he can play again.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Carson: NO, Diao: YES

Liverpool have NOT given Charlton permisson to play Scot Carson in goal for thier FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest.

This is due to the fact that Rafa doesn't want to cup tie the Keeper incase Liverpool need to recall him to play in the FA Cup.

On the other hand Liverpool HAVE gven Stoke City Permission to play Salif Diao for thier FA Cup tie against Milwall.

Source: Liverpool Football Club Fans News Site. LFC-News

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool secure £9M option for Blade Jagielka

Sheffield United midfielder Phil Jagielka is moving to Liverpool in the summer.

The Mirror says Jagielka will quit Sheffield United for Liverpool in a £9million deal at the end of this season if Neil Warnock's side are relegated.

Jagielka signed a new £13,000-a-week deal at Bramall Lane earlier this season, making him the highest-paid player in the club's history.

But the highly-rated midfielder had a clause inserted allowing him to join another club if the Blades failed to beat the drop.

It is understood Rafa Benitez has struck a deal with the Blades giving him first option on the former England Under-21 star.

Source: tribalfootball.com

£9million for Jagielka???He ain't worth more then half...

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool bid for Scots youngster

Liverpool have tabled an undisclosed offer for Hamilton Academical youngster James McCarthy.

The 16-year-old, who scored his first senior goal for the Accies at the weekend, is spending a couple of days at Reading this week.

A host of clubs north and south of the border are reported to be interested in the attacking midfielder.

Hamilton boss Billy Reid said: "Liverpool made an offer for Jamie but he has not refused or accepted as yet."

The teenager will take in the Royals' FA Cup tie against Burnley on Tuesday.

It is believed McCarthy spent last week on trial at Melwood and as a result of his performance the Anfield club tabled their undisclosed offer to the Scottish Division One side.

Reid said he would be joining McCarthy during his visit to Reading.

"Reading is a well-run team, as are Liverpool. But there is so much interest in Jamie just now and we're not in a hurry to sell him," added Reid.

"He is just going to take it as it comes and make the right decision for himself."

Source: BBC NEWS | News Front Page

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Sissoko targets derby return

Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko is targeting the Merseyside derby on February 3 for his return to action.

The Malian, who has not played since dislocating his shoulder against Birmingham on November 8, has now returned to training.

"I'm hoping to make it back for the first game in February, which is the Merseyside derby with Everton," said Sissoko.

"I've had some serious injuries but that is something you have to live with in this game. I've worked hard to get better and I'm now feeling okay."

Source: Liverpoolfc.tv: Official Web Site

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Reds linked to Daniele Padelli

According to reports emanating from Italy, Liverpool could be set to land highly-rated Italian Daniele Padelli.

The 21-year-old Sampdoria goalkeeper is currently on-loan at Serie B side Crotone but talk in Italy has suggested a move to Anfield is being lined up.

A possible six-month loan switch had been mooted, with Padelli to initially play in Liverpool's reserve side, but the player's agent Silvano Martina has now claimed a permanent deal is in the pipeline.

"Liverpool are interested in Padelli," confirmed Martina. "He is a promising goalkeeper.

"If he were to join Liverpool in the winter transfer market, it would be on a permanent basis.

"There are still some issues to discuss with Crotone but it could all be decided later today."

Padelli is considered to be one of the finest young players in Italy and it is thought he would not be adverse to a sojourn in England should the opportunity present itself.

Source: Sky Sports - The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Padelli joins Reds on loan

Italian Under-21 goalkeeper Daniele Padelli will join Liverpool on a six-month loan, confirmed the player’s agent on Wednesday.

The Azzurrino, who is currently owned by Sampdoria, had moved to Serie B side Crotone on a loan deal this summer but has failed to displace veteran Salvatore Soviero.

“Padelli will travel to Liverpool this afternoon to undergo a medical,” explained agent Silvano Martina.

“The clubs have agreed on a six-month loan deal and the player is excited at the prospect of playing for Liverpool.”

Padelli, who appeared for Italy in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, is thrilled with the opportunity of an England switch.

“This is a dream for me,” he said. “I think that the call-up with the U-21 squad was a decisive factor in this issue. Now I look forward to making my debut in the Premiership.”

Source: channel4.com

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Ayala to Anfield?

There are strong rumours that Roberto Ayala will be joining Liverpool in January.

The rumours suggest that he will be offered some kind of coaching role with the club.

Speaking a few days ago Ayala's agent Gustavo Masccardi said: "Ayala is free to discuss the best deal with a club but we have not initiated any meetings. We have quite a bit of time.

"It's true that some clubs have asked for details on Ayala and not just now.

"Over the last few years he has received transfer interest from other clubs but Valencia have always rejected the option."


For more on Roberto Ayala visit Roberto Ayala - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Source: Liverpool Football Club Fans News Site. LFC-News

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Official: Emiliano Insua signs on loan

Liverpool have today confirmed the signing of Argentinian defender Emiliano Insua on an 18 month loan deal.

The teenage left back - who has represented his country at under 20 level - has arrived from Boca Juniors and signed a deal to keep him at Anfield until June 2008.

"He is a good, young player with a lot of potential," said manager Rafael Benitez.

Source: Liverpoolfc.tv: Official Web Site

Strange deal IMO.