£10m Out of Favor Midfielder To Arrive At Liverpool

Source: Caughtoffside
Article Type: Transfer Rumor

Liverpool are believed to be plotting a £10m swoop for Olympique Lyon midfielder Miralem Pjanic.

The 21-year-old has drifted in and out of the team this season, with coach Claude Puel often preferring Yoann Gourcuff ahead of the Bosnia international.

Pjanic, a creative midfielder with an eye for goal, has only started twelve league games this term and is reportedly growing disillusioned with life at Stade de Gerland.

Liverpool Director of Football Damien Comolli is an admirer of the player’s talents and rumoured to be keen on striking a £10m deal with the Ligue 1 outfit.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish would certainly welcome the addition of a diminutive playmaker, whose vision and passing ability could create chances for strikers Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

The youngster certainly fits the bill, but the £15m price-tag attached to the player could prove a stumbling block.

Liverpool owner John W Henry has expressed his willingness to build a talented young side at Anfield and will provide a substantial transfer kitty to mount a Premier League challenge next season.

If Lyon fail to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, the club may be forced to sell Pjanic in a cut-price deal.

SOURCE: Sportingo

Miralem Pjanic is a player whose career has stagnated somewhat.

Two years ago he appeared as if he would be some kind of miraculous improvement on sliced bread, but has only completed 90 minutes in Ligue 1 on four occasions this season.

Capable of playing in the trequartista role behind strikers, or on either flank, Pjanic has plenty of time to improve at just 21 years of age.

He has decent technique and intelligent movement, but his dedication has been called into question somewhat by some observers.

If he knuckled down under Kenny Dalglish he might be a welcome addition to the Anfield ranks.

No Room For Complacency

Source: The Independent
Article Type: News

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has no intention of allowing his squad to become complacent or lose their competitive edge.

With injuries leaving the Reds short of key players like Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson, Martin Kelly and Fabio Aurelio, the Scot is operating with a first XI at less than full strength.

That has meant he has had to bring in reserve team defenders John Flanagan and Jack Robinson to fill holes at the back, while using bit-part players such as Maxi Rodriguez and Joe Cole to cover absences further forward.

Rodriguez replaced the injured Andy Carroll for his first start in nearly six weeks and scored a hat-trick against Birmingham on Saturday, while Cole also found the target having come off the bench late on.

The latter, in particular, has struggled in his first season since joining on a free transfer from Chelsea and there is already speculation the 29-year-old's Anfield career could be a short one with a number of clubs being linked with a summer move.

But Dalglish has been happy with the way those who have less first-team action than they would have hoped for have responded when there has been an opportunity.

"You don't get anywhere if you don't work hard but you also don't get anywhere if you think you have arrived," said the Reds boss.

"Joe's dedication and application on the training pitch has been superb. This week Joe had a day off but he still came in to train.

"At the moment the lads are not doing too badly so it is difficult to give everybody a game, but if he'd been a defender he might have had a chance with the injuries we have had.

"But I think you insult the boy if you ask if he has the necessary desire.

"He came on and scored a goal (on Saturday) and we couldn't have asked for any more from him in training.

"Recently when we have had a few injuries the lads who have come in have been ready and willing to take up the challenge and try to make their mark on the season.

"The more we get who are capable of doing that the better it is for us.

"The better you train the better chance you have of being successful in the match and I think the players understand that.

"We don't have a problem with anyone's attitude or application here."

Dalglish admitted speculation about players was inevitable but he refused to be drawn on the huge number of rumors which circulate on a daily basis.

There will, however, be some movement in the summer regarding the futures of several players out on loan, plus those of the likes of out-of-favour Milan Jovanovic and Christian Poulsen - aged 30 and 31 respectively.

"We won't speculate on what we are going to do in the summer," added Dalglish.

"There will be a bit of movement in and a bit of movement out. That's a fact of life and everybody knows that.

"But it's not worth commenting on all the names appearing in newspapers - some of the people I don't even know."

The manager also refuses to discuss the state of negotiations over his contract.

Initially appointed on a temporary basis to take over from Roy Hodgson in January, talks over a permanent deal started some weeks ago after the arrival of Dalglish and fellow Scot Steve Clarke signalled a marked turnaround in performances.

It seems now only a matter of when, and not if, confirmation of a deal is forthcoming, but knowing Dalglish's oft-repeated mantra of "one game at a time" it could be the end of the season before he is reappointed full-time boss.

"It's not an issue," said Dalglish, who has not yet ruled out the prospect of £35million club record signing Carroll recovering from a knee injury to face former side Newcastle on Sunday.

Liverpool vs Newcastle United Preview Update 3

Source: Liverpoolfc.tv
Article Type: Match Talk


The view from Newcastle:

How are you feeling heading to Anfield?

Pretty positive, as it's more than likely we'll be playing PL football next year and that was the objective for us or any promoted team. Even though we had a squad on top-level wages with plenty of experience in the top division. If we can push on a little and finish in the top 10, I think that would send us into the summer in good heart, ahead of something crazy happening at United, as it always seems to.

How do you think you'll feel if Andy Carroll steps out in a red shirt against you?

I'm still heartbroken about it all. I shouldn't be like this after forty years of following them but I put his leaving on a par with Supermac in '77 and Waddle, Beardsley and Gascoigne in the 80s. He's a symbol of how the people running our club have always put a short-term profit ahead of real, on-the-field success. It's gone on for years.

Have you felt his absence?

Without a doubt. The team was geared around him and we're a blunt instrument in attack. The injury to Leon Best hasn't helped but he's not a PL player anyway.

Players who make Newcastle tick?

For me, the central defensive partnership of Williamson-Collocini with Tiote in front is the bedrock of the team. Nolan and Barton are very important to us too. Enrique has done well going forward but some of his defensive work can be poor.

Joey Barton claimed the other week he was England's top midfielder. Discuss...

He's better than most and better than plenty getting call-ups. James Milner? Scott Parker? Jordan Henderson? Gareth Barry? Please. He's found his spiritual home at NUFC. The fans like him, he's settled down and he's playing good football. I'd think Lampard and Gerrard were entertained by his claims though.

Weak links?

We've got little in attack. It's obvious. Good hearted triers but little quality.

Who do you rate on our side?

I think Gerrard is a magnificent player and I like what Carragher brings to the team. Suarez looks like next season could be a big one for him. Liverpool have quality all over the pitch.

Best and worst memories of playing at Anfield?

The best was definitely the one we won 2-0, which I believe was one of the Kop's last stands. Cole and Lee got the goals and it coincided with a Hillsborough anniversary when our support paid its own tribute too. That was a great moment of two great sets of fans coming together for the right reasons. I was actually on the Kop in the 80s when we won in our relegation season (I think I may be going senile) with a Scouse friend of mine and almost fainted with shock as Liverpool were unbeatable in those days. Winning 1-0 in the LC when Steve Watson was playing up front and scored an amazing goal was a good night too. Ironically, one of the most memorable was an FAC third round game in '84 (I think) played on the Friday night for TV and I think we had over 14k at Anfield. In the words of the song from the 74 FAC final (to the tune of the Blaydon Races): "We taught the Scousers how to sing, we taught them how to sup, the only thing we didn't do was win the FA Cup." We lost 4-0 and were outclassed by one of the best sides in Europe but it was my first visit to Anfield as we'd been in the Second Division for a few years. For many years it was my favourite away ground because of the Kop. I loved its size, shape and the colour. Fantastic. It's not any more. Old Trafford is, I'm afraid. Obviously the night we lost 4-3 with Collymore scoring the goal in the 100th minute is framed as the night we lost the league but it wasn't really. We lost it at places like Man City and West Ham where we were drawing and losing matches we were nailed on to win. No one ever goes to Anfield expecting to win.

Score prediction?

1-1.

Liverpool vs Newcastle United Preview Update 2

Source: Liverpoolfc.tv
Article Type: News

The No.9 picked up a knee injury in the 1-1 draw at Arsenal a fortnight ago and the Reds boss admits he remains uncertain over whether the club's record signing will be available.

Dalglish told a pre-match press conference: "We don't know if he'll be fit. It's only Thursday so we've got a few days before the game.

"I don't think nature knows it's his old club Newcastle, so if he's not fit, he's not fit.

"For Andy it's a poignant game but if he's not fit, he's not fit. We can't do anything about that."

Newcastle currently lie 11^th in the standings and have made a solid return to the topflight following their promotion from the Championship last season.

Dalglish has been impressed by the way they have gone about their football this term - despite the disruption of a change in manager and the loss of Carroll on the final day of the January transfer window.

He said: "I think they've had a very good season. They are newly promoted and had a change of manager. There was a lot of furore about it but he's gone on and done very well.

"In the January transfer window he (Alan Pardew) lost Andy who came here and they didn't have an opportunity to replace him because they ran out of time. So I think they can be well satisfied with what they have done this season."

He added: "You get the reward for what you do on the pitch. If you aren't good enough then the number of points you get is going to fluctuate. Whether that takes you towards relegation or towards a European spot depends upon how you are playing.

"The fans up there are fantastically passionate. It's a fantastic football club and a great place to ply your trade as a footballer. But results have been inconsistent (over the years) and they've had new owners, so they've had a lot to put up with.

"But this season they'll be delighted with how they've done, especially when they came back from four down against Arsenal.

"It's a fantastic place to be involved in football at.

"I enjoyed my time up there and have some very fond memories of working there."

Liverpool head into the clash with the Magpies on the back of a nine match unbeaten run at Anfield under Dalglish.

The Reds have been in imperious form in L4 and secured their biggest triumph of the season when they overwhelmed Birmingham City by a 5-0 scoreline last time out.

The boss admits he has been pleased with how his players have performed on home turf and feels the next step is to reproduce that on their travels.

"You cannot have great home form and terrible away form," he said. "You need to marry the two together. We've had a lot of positive results at Anfield and that's a step in the right direction. We know that if we can do it at home then we can do it away too.

"The away form is something everyone would like to improve upon and if we do there will be a better chance of being successful."

Meanwhile, Dalglish was asked about the calibre of Lionel Messi following his double in Barcelona's Champions League triumph at Real Madrid.

He said: "He's up there with the very best. I didn't see the game last night but I don't think one game will make a difference to that man's career. So, I would say he's up there with the best.

"I don't think you can compare him to others. He compares to Lionel Messi. He's his own man. He's a fantastic footballer and they are a great side to watch as well."

The boss was also quizzed about players linked with moves to and from Anfield in the summer.

He added: "You can link as much as you want, in or out. There's no way we are going to comment on individuals, especially players that don't belong to us. We won't speculate on what we are going to do in the summer. There will be a bit of movement in and a bit of movement out. That's a fact of life and everybody knows that.

"But it's not worth commenting on all the names appearing in newspapers. I'd rather have a cup of tea!"

"AC Milan Set to Complete £15m Signing of Liverpool Star" Writes Christian Bailey

Source: Caughtoffside
Article Type: Transfer Rumor

Ac Milan are reportedly ready to meet Liverpool’s asking price for want-away star Alberto Aquilani according to Italian reports. The 26 year old has been on a season long loan spell at Juventus but the Turin outfit are unwilling to meet the player’s valuation which has let in the San Siro side who appear more than willing to splash the cash on the in form midfielder.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish was apparently more than happy to welcome Alberto Aquilani back to Anfield but the former Roma man was keen to remain in Italy after a consistent season in Serie A helped to force him back into the international set-up.

Rafa Benitez purchased Aquilani for a fee of £20m, with significant portions of that fee dependent on meeting appearance goals that were not met, and a move back to Italy may be best for all parties. The return of Dalglish has led to a vast improvement from the likes of Lucas, Raul Meireles and Dirk Kuyt and this in turn has meant that Dalglish could afford to cash in on the Italian international.

Aquilani is thought to have been keen on making his temporary move to Juventus a permanent one but will surely be very interested in a move to AC Milan, who are closing in on their first Serie A title in seven years. Liverpool will then in turn look to use funds made from the sale to continue their squad re-building having already brought in the likes of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll in January.