LFC Daily Update News & Rumours

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool are ready to compete with Manchester United for Wigan Athletic winger Luis Antonio Valencia. The Daily Mail says Reds boss Rafa Benitez has made an enquiry about Valencia's situation at the JJB.

Strange... I don't think Valencia have done anything great for Wigan. Never seen him as a quality player.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner's right hand man General Charles Krulak insists the club will not stand in the way of skipper and Liverpool target Gareth Barry if he wants to quit the midlands club.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Borussia Dortmund fullback Philipp Degen has cooled talk of a Bosman move to Liverpool.

"There is nothing to it," he told Ruhr Nachrichten. "I have not signed anything.

"Also with Liverpool, it is definitely not simmering.

"Two or three clubs are interested me and BVB [Dortmund] have made a concrete offer.

"But there is no decision. Still not."

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool are tracking Cruzeiro striker Marcelo Moreno. Just 20, the Bolivia international has attracted interest from Liverpool, Real Madrid and Ajax, says Jornal do Brasil.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Sven Goran Eriksson has been linked with Rafa Benitez's job at Liverpool.

Eriksson wants to stay with Manchester City, but with his relationship with chairman Thaksin Shinawatra almost beyond repair, he is expected to leave.

The Daily Mail says Eriksson has apparently taken news of his impending demise with typical good grace but is, according to sources, "absolutely devastated" that Thaksin is planning to move him out.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool are ready to pounce for Roma winger Amantino Mancini. The Mirror says Mancini could move to Anfield for a cut-price £4million this summer.

The Brazilian winger is set to turn down a new deal at Roma - and could buy out the remaining year of his contract under new FIFA rules.

Roma would then be owed £4m in compensation but that would be a big loss for a player valued at about £10m.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool goalkeeper Nikolay Mikhailov has extended his loan agreement with FC Twente. The 19 year-old Bulgarian doesn't hold an EU passport and this week has agreed to remain with Twente for another two seasons.

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Liverpool are set to snap up Birmingham City goalkeeper Maik Taylor. The Independent says negotiations are at an advanced stage for Bosman prospect Taylor, who will move to Anfield as a back-up to Jose Reina.

I'm in shock.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Rafa Benitez has told John Arne Riise he can leave. The Sun says Riise was called into a meeting with Benitez following their exit from the Champions League last week. Riise, 27, is said to have reacted angrily at being axed.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool are launching an £8 million bid for Barcelona fullback Eric Abidal. The Daily Mail says Reds boss Rafa Benitez has set his sights on France international left-back Abidal, 28, who has been a regular for Barca since his arrival from Lyon last summer.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Benitez wants Abidal as his new left back

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Javier Mascherano has told manager Rafael Benitez he wants to miss the start of next season to play at the Olympics.

The Argentina international, who has been named in his country's provisional squad for the Beijing Games, wants to help them retain the title they won in Athens four years ago.

"It is a difficult situation," Mascherano said. "It's very important for any footballer to win the Olympics."

FIFA rules state anyone selected must travel, even if they are one of the three over-23 players allowed.

Mascherano, who turns 24 in June, added: "I know that Liverpool has a big game around when I have to go, but we will decide with the manager.

"We didn't talk about this because we had big games but now we have time. I want to play for my country."

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Steven Gerrard insists he will never leave Liverpool Football Club.

"I can't see myself ever leaving Liverpool now, and what I would dearly love is to lead this club to the next level that I believe we are capable of reaching," Gerrard told the official club website.

"I've won trophies here but there's one I'm missing and I want that before I finish playing. I don't want to look back and say I have never been in a title race. I feel that we are getting closer and I really believe that."

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club are the latest to be linked with Peter Crouch.

The England international has become increasingly frustrated with life at Liverpool where he has failed to nail down a regular starting place, and he admits he may have to move on in the summer.

“I don't think I can have another season like this year where I've started nine Premier League games," Crouch told The Mirror. "Out of a 38-game league season, nine games is not the amount you want to be playing.”

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Juventus are considering a £15million bid to prise Xabi Alonso away from Liverpool.