Agger preparing to head to Spain
Liverpool target Daniel Agger has been selected for international duty with the Denmark Under-21 side and has been told he must attend the two-week training camp in Chile throwing further doubts over his proposed move to Anfield.
Agger will fly to Spain on Wednesday for a training camp with his club Brondby and will then travel on to Chile on Monday to team up with his international team-mates. The Denmark Under-21 side are also scheduled to play three friendly matches during the get together. As a result he isn't expected to return to Brondby until 29th January.
Despite all the setbacks, Liverpool remain confident that they will secure the player's service during the current transfer window. Even his coach Michael Laudrup has admitted the player looks certain to leave.
(Kop Talk) 
 
Alves dreams of Reds transfer
Sevilla winger Daniel Alves has expressed his dismay at being denied a dream move to Liverpool.
The European champions had a recent €12 million (£8 million) bid for the Brazilian rejected by his Spanish club.
The situation has exasperated Alves, who readily acknowledges his desire to play for a major club.
"It is true," said Alves of Liverpool's reported bid.
"I know of Liverpool's interest, and that of other European clubs, but it all depends on Sevilla.
"I am an ambitious person and, although I am happy in Sevilla, my objective is to play for a great club to help me be with the Brazil team.
"No director from Liverpool has spoken with me, but I am happy because a European champion is a great club."
Sevilla's president Jose Maria Del Nido conceded it would take more than Liverpool's original offer to prise Alves away from the club.
Del Nido commented: "Daniel has a major price."
(Sky Sports)

Garcia injury latest
Liverpool's Luis Garcia is hoping to shake off his knee injury in time for the visit of Tottenham this weekend.
Garcia missed Saturday's 5-3 win over Luton Town due to the injury which has been niggling him since the Bolton match.
Although a concern, the injury isn't serious and manager Rafael Benitez hopes to have him available for selection at the weekend. Much will depend though on how his knee reacts to treatment and training this week.
(Kop Talk)

Liverpool midfielder breaks his leg
Liverpool midfielder David Mannix sustained a broken leg during last night's 2-1 reserve defeat at Newcastle.
Mannix was stretchered off during the match and the club have confirmed today that the player has suffered a break in his right leg.
It's the latest in a series of blows for the player who only returned to action at the start of the season following a near 3-year lay off with a serious knee injury.
(Kop Talk) 
  
Mellor can talk to Hearts
Liverpool have given permission for striker Neil Mellor to speak to Hearts about a move north of the border, according to the player's agent Mick McGuire.
Mellor, who scored in the reserves' 2-1 defeat to Newcastle on Monday night, has had knee surgery and has not played for the first team since their infamous third-round FA Cup exit to Burnley almost a year ago.
His name has been linked with the Bank of Scotland Premier League side for a number of weeks, but it appears the situation has now moved on.
"Hearts are very interested in Neil and they have spoken to Liverpool about him," McGuire told www.skysports.com.
"I spoke to (chief executive) Rick Parry, and Liverpool have given Neil permission to speak to Hearts about a potential move.
"Neil is keeping an open mind on his future and he is happy to go up and talk to Hearts.
"There has been interest from several other clubs, and Neil is weighing up his options. He is not ruling out staying at Liverpool, because he still has a contract there."
(Sporting Life) 
 
Rafa reveals Depor interest
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed his interest in Deportivo La Coruna duo Fabricio Coloccini and Cesar.
Benitez is keen to bolster his squad during this month's transfer window and has not hidden his desire to bring in a new central defender.
A number of players have been linked with Liverpool including Brondby's Daniel Agger and Benitez has now revealed Coloccini and Cesar are on his list of targets.
"We need to fortify the centre of the defence and we are considering four or five options," Benitez told La voz de Galicia.
"We have targeted Coloccini and Cesar of Deportivo La Coruna and we are just about to obtain if they want to sell."
(Sky Sports)   

Liverpool linked with Diana
Liverpool are believed to have turned their attentions to Italian international Aimo Diana as they search for a new midfielder.
Reports emanating from Italy claim Liverpool have made an offer for the Sampdoria star.
Liverpool are in the market for a right-sided midfielder with Rafa Benitez scouring the transfer market since last summer for a player to fill the problematic position.
It seems likely that Liverpool are set to miss out on top target Simao Sabrosa with Benfica keen to keep the Portuguese international.
The European champions are now thought to be considering a move to lure Diana
to Anfield.
(Sky Sports)   

Bolanos released from trial
Liverpool have released Christian Bolanos after the midfielder spent a week on trial at the club's Melwood training base.
Rafael Benitez decided to take a look at the 21-year-old after he impressed during the Club World Championship in Japan last month.
Bolanos scored during the tournament and was part of the side that had been defeated 3-0 by the Reds in the semi-final.
The player has now returned to his club in Costa Rica after failing to secure a permanent deal.
"He did well in his time at the club but we decided he was not exactly the type of player we were looking for at the moment," a Liverpool spokesman told the Daily Post.
(TEAMtalk)

Staunton handed Republic manager's
job in tandem with old hand Robson
Steve Staunton yesterday agreed to become Ireland's manager. The former Liverpool and Aston Villa player is set to form a management team alongside Sir Bobby Robson in an attempt to lead Ireland to qualification for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.
The pair were in advanced negotiations last night, though the Football Association of Ireland had been hoping to keep the news quiet before announcing the appointments at the end of this week or possibly early next week. Staunton will be offered a four-year contract, with the FAI considering a two-year deal for Robson, who has yet to give his complete agreement to take on the role.
Staunton joined Liverpool in September 1986 from Dundalk. He enjoyed two spells at Aston Villa, between 1991 and 1998 and 2000 and 2003, returning to Anfield in 1998-2000. The 36-year-old has also played for Bradford and Crystal Palace on loan, Coventry and Walsall.
(The Guardian)

Mellor on the mark but Reserves lose
Neil Mellor continued his comeback from injury for Liverpool Reserves and scored an excellent goal but a late defensive error saw the Reds lose 2-1 to Newcastle United at a freezing Kingston Park.
Mellor took just 11 minutes to open the scoring for the Reds. Running onto Paul Anderson's through ball he held off the defender superbly before producing a deadly finish into the bottom corner of the net for 1-0. It was his second goal in two reserve starts following his return from a year out through injury.
Newcastle then equalised and scored the winner seven minutes from time after a defensive mistake. David Raven's back pass only found Chris Farman who got to the ball before Reds keeper Paul Willis and scored. It was a somewhat bizarre goal but one that should never really have been conceded.
There was also an injury scare for Liverpool as midfielder David Mannix was stretchered off with a leg injury after a 50-50 challenge in midfield. The central midfielder has had his fair share of injury problems in the past and was taken to hospital after the match for a scan to determine the extent of the injury.
Liverpool Reserves: Willis, Raven (Smith 85), Barragan, Roque, Antwi, Hobbs, Anderson, Peltier, Mellor (Calliste 71), Mannix (Idrizaj 63), Guthrie. Subs not used: Roberts, O'Donnell.
(LFC Official Website)

Thor Zakariassen ©