WEDNESDAY 18
	Huang's take it or leave it offer Kenny Huang is ready to call time on his bid to mount a takeover for Liverpool Football Club. The Times reports he has issued a "take or leave it" offer to Martin Broughton. Amongst Huang's concerns is a perceived effort to push up a selling price by talking up weaker bids, and, a fear that the Reds may miss out on a Champions League place unless Roy Hodgson is given funds prior to the summer transfer window closing. (Shankly Gates) Trio set for Anfield exits Diego Cavalieri is set to join Italian outfit Cesena though will deputise for Pepe Renia in Thursday evening's Europa League meeting with Trabzonspor. A fee has been agreed with the newly promoted Serie A outfit and a medical will take place after Liverpool finish in Turkey. Brad Jones, signed earlier in the week from Middlesbrough, will be the number two choice between the posts this coming season. Roy Hodgson has confirmed the likely move. "Diego has done a marvellous job for the last three years," he said. "He's a very good goalkeeper and a very good person, but he made it clear to me at the start of the season that after three years of watching Pepe play every week he might, if he's not careful, lose his goalkeeping ability or his status as a first-team goalkeeper. "He made it clear he'd like to leave and find a club where he'll be able to play on a regular basis, so we set about the task of finding someone we thought would be as good a complement to Pepe Reina as Cavalieri has been. "That's why Brad Jones has come in. Krisztián Németh is set to for a temporary absence from Anfield after the Reds agreed a deal that would see him join Olympiakos for a season. Ryan Babel who is understood to have received reignited interest from Birmingham City is also be looked at by Wolfsburg. Steve McClaren took charge of the Bundesliga outfit durng the summer and could offer £9 million for the Dutch forward. (This is Anfield) Agger can't recall Arsenal draw Concussed Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has no recollection of Sunday's game against Arsenal, according to manager Roy Hodgson. Agger suffered concussion after a knock in the second half of the 1-1 Premier League draw at Anfield. Team-mate Jamie Carragher signalled to the bench he should be replaced as he received treatment but, with three substitutes already used, that was not an option. With Joe Cole having been sent off, Liverpool were temporarily reduced to nine men as Agger was taken to the sidelines but the 25-year-old eventually returned to the action. Yet the player is still suffering from headaches as a result of the clash and will not be considered for tomorrow's Europa League play-off first leg against Trabzonspor. Hodgson said: "Daniel is not doing that well. "It is three days after the incident and he is still suffering from the concussion. He has no memory of the game. "It was quite a serious concussion he received and we can only hope it will settle down in time for Monday's match against Manchester City. "There was never any question he would be fit for tomorrow. "He is not able to do very much at the moment because he is still suffering from headaches. "Even something as simple as reading a newspaper or watching TV can give him a headache so it is just a question of him taking things easy." (TEAMtalk) Hyypia wanted Reds return Bayer Leverkusen executive Wolfgang Holzhauser has confirmed that Sami Hyypia wanted to re-sign for Liverpool. New Anfield manager Roy Hodgson confessed earlier in August that he had unsuccessfully attempted to prise the veteran centre-back out of the remaining one year of his contract in Germany. Hyypia left Liverpool at the end of the 2008/09 season as the ex-Finland defender sought guaranteed first-team football after 10 years on Merseyside. But Holzhauser has confirmed that Hyypia was keen to return to England, having worked with summer appointment Hodgson at international level. Holzhauser told the Express newspaper: "Sami came to us asking if there would be any chance to return to Liverpool. "We had an open discussion. Sami accepted straight away that we were desperate to keep him here. "He is too important for us and a valuable part of our first-team squad. We could easily imagine keeping Sami at our club for more than the remaining year of his contract. "He may add another season on the pitch and we are also considering adding him to our backroom staff afterwards, if he wants." According to reports, Hodgson wanted to offer Hyypia a four-year contract that would see the 36-year-old play until June 2011 before moving into a role as assistant manager. (Sky Sports) Reds capture Oldham starlet Liverpool have agreed a deal to take 14-year-old Oldham starlet Iaia Embarlo to Anfield for a sum of £25,000. The Portuguese striker, who attended the Latics' centre of excellence, has moved for that initial fee with further add-ons included in the deal. Embarlo is the latest youngster to leave Boundary Park for the the Barclays Premier League, following Tom Eaves' move to Bolton earlier this month. (TEAMtalk) No interest in Mascherano or Babel Roy Hodgson has reiterated his hope that Javier Mascherano will stay at Liverpool after confirming the midfielder will miss the Europa League tie against Trabzonspor. The Anfield boss also insists Ryan Babel has a future at the club despite rumours he's a target for Wolfsburg. Mascherano is looking to quit Liverpool for personal reasons but the club have yet to receive a suitable offer for the Argentina captain. There had been suggestions that Mascherano could be left out of Thursday's European encounter against Trabzonspor to ensure he was not cup-tied ahead of any potential transfer. Hodgson admits the 26-year-old will miss the game, but only because he picked up an injury during the 1-1 draw with Arsenal which has also left Mascherano doubtful for next Monday's Premier League game against Manchester City. "Javier will always be in my plans until the day comes when he leaves the club and for me that will be a long time in the future if I can get my wish," said Hodgson. "But he's injured at the moment and won't play tomorrow. He came off after about 80 minutes on Sunday with a slight pull in his calf muscles and has only just started to jog today. "The worry for us is that he won't be fit for Monday." Hodgson also revealed Daniel Agger will not face Trabzonspor, saying: "Daniel got concussed so he's not doing that well. We're three days after the incident and he's still suffering from concussion and has got no memory of the game. "We can only hope that it settles down in time for Monday's match with Manchester City. There was never any question he'd be fit for tomorrow." The injury to Mascherano could lead to Christian Poulsen making his Liverpool debut, although Hodgson admits the Denmark international is not fully fit. (The Irish Times) Reserves win Liverpool reserves beat a Celtic XI yesterday. The reserves hammered the Celtic XI 4-1 at the Academy in front of Roy Hodgson, who will have been impressed with the performance. Tom Ince, Jesus 'Suso' Fernandez, Victor Palsson and Alex Kacaniklic scored the Reds' goals. (LFC Online) Skrtel signs new Anfield deal Martin Skrtel today celebrated signing a two-year extension to his Anfield contract and insisted: "We are good enough to win trophies" The Reds' Slovakian defender had two years remaining on his current deal, but has now put pen to paper on a new agreement which will keep him on Merseyside until at least 2014. "I'm very pleased," he told Liverpoolfc.tv. "I have been at Liverpool for nearly three years and I really like it here. I like the city, I like the club and I like the fans so I'm happy I am able to sign a new contract. "Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world so I am proud I can play here for four more years." Signed for a bargain £6 million in January 2008, Skrtel has established himself as a regular in the Liverpool side, with his no-nonsense style of defending endearing him to the Anfield crowd. (LFC Official Website) Kuyt: Liverpool ready to attack Trabzonspor Dirk Kuyt says Liverpool are up for a big performance against Europa League opponents Trabzonspor tomorrow night. The Dutch forward reckons it is important for Liverpool to get off to a positive start against the Bordo-Mavililer and points to the Reds' previous encounters on Turkish soil as a warning of what they could face in the second-leg. "I'm sure the manager will tell us all about them in the next few days - we know they are a good team," Kuyt told liverpoolfc.tv. "You always have to be ready and get your results in early in the season. We want to stay in the Europa League so we need a good result on Thursday. We know from our games against Galatasaray and Besiktas that it can be difficult in Turkey, so we need a good result in the first-leg." He added: "We were really close to winning it last season. We are all here to win trophies and if we could win it, then it would be a massive trophy for all the lads." (tribalfootball.com)
	TUESDAY 17
	Reds rout Celtic in front of Roy Roy Hodgson was an interested spectator as Liverpool Reserves secured a 4-1 friendly success over Celtic on Tuesday afternoon. The Reds boss took time out his pre-Trabzonspor preparations to cast his eye over the second-string, and he would have been more than impressed, as they ran out comfortable winners courtesy of goals from Tom Ince, Suso, Victor Palsson and Alex Kacaniklic. Liverpool Reserves: Gulacsi, Darby, Robinson (Mendy 61), Wisdom, Mavinga (Flanagan 46),Roberts (Palsson 46), Irwin (Cooper 61), Ince, Saric (Dalla Valle 46), Suso, Amoo (Kacaniklic 46). (LFC Official Website) Hodgson: Cole arrival helps Gerrard Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson believes the arrival of Joe Cole at Anfield will help to get the best out of talismanic captain Steven Gerrard. England international Cole moved to Anfield on a free transfer this summer after being released by Chelsea at the end of the season, although he was sent off on his debut against Arsenal on Sunday. Gerrard played in a deeper midfield position against the Gunners at the weekend and Hodgson says Cole's role means the Reds talisman will be able to play in his best position. "I don't think Steven has to adjust his game at all. I think he's more than happy to play in the position he played in," Hodgson told the club's official website. "He's possibly happier and more influential in that position than when he plays as the one behind a striker or in an offensive midfield role. "I think Joe's arrival at the club will help Steven to play in a position where I think we get the best out of him." Last season Gerrard scored nine goals in 33 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, playing as a second striker and attacking midfielder. (TEAMtalk) Carra motivated by critics Defender Jamie Carragher admits he was spurred on by media critics during Liverpool's opener with Arsenal. Carragher was labelled as past his best by a TV pundit ahead of Sunday's Premier League opener after suffering a dip in form last season. But the Reds stalwart responded in spectacular fashion with a defensive masterclass in the second half of the Anfield encounter, a performance that was marred by Jose Reina's howler to gift a draw to the Gunners late on. And the 32-year-old admits he was fired up for the curtain-raiser following newspaper comments about his ability. "I read Gary Lineker on Sunday morning saying my legs had gone, so I wasn't in the best of moods before the game and I was more determined to play better than I normally am," Carragher, whose fundraising testimonial takes place at Anfield on 4th September, told the club's official website. (Sky Sports)   Great to see spirit return to Liverpool FC The spirit’s back. After the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser against Arsenal on Sunday, the main thing that struck me was the mood inside Anfield – from the pitch to the stands. It got lower than low towards the end of last season. The manager and players looked tired. It needed a shake-up and now we’re seeing positive early signs. On Sunday you could see the players communicating and talking tactics on the pitch. That rarely happened under Rafa Benitez. They were like soldiers out there, following strict instructions. It was often too regimented. Against Arsenal, it was different. There was more freedom. Steven Gerrard was always talking, barking orders. It was good to see. (John Aldridge - Liverpool Echo)  Cesena in Cavalieri loan talks with Liverpool Cesena have made a move for Liverpool goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri. Gazzetta dello Sport says Serie A new boys Cesena are keen to take Cavalieri on a season long loan with the view to a permanent £1.5 million deal. Cavalieri could become available at Liverpool following the arrival of Brad Jones from Middlesbrough. (tribalfootball.com) Good times will arrive at Liverpool FC - and hopefully a new striker too David Ngog has clearly had something of a new lease of life under Roy Hodgson. He’s scored four goals in three games and his finish against Arsenal is clearly one of a striker in confident mood. But nothing he has done so far has changed my opinion that Roy Hodgson needs to make a new striker his priority before the transfer window shuts. Although Ngog hit a great shot to open the scoring on Sunday, in the first half he was way off the pace. In the system Hodgson seems to favour, it’s asking too much of him to lead the line on his own. He’s still got a lot to learn in terms of movement and positional play. So the problem that bothered me for much of last season – that when Fernando Torres is injured Liverpool don’t have adequate cover to compensate for his absence – still remains. (Mark Lawrenson - Liverpool Daily Post)
	MONDAY 16
	Reds agree Jones fee Liverpool have confirmed a £2.3m fee has been agreed with Middlesbrough for the transfer of Australian international goalkeeper Brad Jones. The 28-year-old stopper passed a medical on Monday afternoon and has agreed personal terms. He is expected to complete the paperwork on a three-year contract on Tuesday. (LFC Official Website)  Gerrard: Reds still buzzing Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists renewed confidence at Anfield will not be damaged by Arsenal's fortuitous last-gasp equaliser in their Barclays Premier League opener. It was a deflating blow, but after a positive summer following the appointment of Roy Hodgson as manager, Gerrard says it will take a lot more to damage revitalised spirits. "My family are Liverpool fans, we are surrounded by them day in and day out," said Gerrard, who also helped lift the club after last season's disappointing seventh-placed finish by pledging his future. "Of course I can feel the optimism, and rightly so. We have got a good manager, we have kept hold of some top players and we have already got some top players here. "If we can keep everyone fit I am very confident we can have a completely different season to last year. The boys are enjoying training and working very hard. "There is a real buzz about the place and if we had got three points it would have been a magnificent start." (Press Association Sport) Jones set for Anfield medical Brad Jones is due to complete his move to Liverpool on Monday, skysports.com can confirm. The Reds have been locked in talks with Middlesbrough for a couple of weeks over the Australia international, who Roy Hodgson wants as his new No.2. Jones, who is also classed as a home-grown player under new Premier League rules, is now on his way to Liverpool's training HQ at Melwood to complete his medical. It is understood personal terms have already been agreed and he will pen a three-year contract upon completion of his medical. Skysports.com revealed last week the two clubs had agreed a fee, but an issue remained over how the sum - believed to be around £2.5million - would be paid. The two clubs have now succesfully concluded talks over the instalments and Jones is set to complete his move in the coming hours. (Sky Sports) Reds won't contest three-match Cole ban Joe Cole's red card on his home debut for Liverpool will stand after the club did not appeal before Monday afternoon's deadline. The Football Association confirmed the Reds had not contested Cole's controversial dismissal against Arsenal by 1pm on Monday, meaning the 28-year-old will serve a three-match ban. (TEAMtalk) Ngog: I want to stay at Anfield and score more goals for Liverpool Liverpool striker David Ngog has insisted that he sees his future at Anfield after netting in the Reds' opening Premier League fixture against Arsenal. Ngog opened the scoring in the second half against the Gunners, and his strike looked to have won the game for Roy Hodgson's men until a late blunder from goalkeeper Pepe Reina allowed the Londoners to equalise. "I am happy at Liverpool. I am focused on the club and I'm trying to do my best for Liverpool," Ngog told his club's official website. "I am a striker and I want to score a lot of goals for Liverpool. I work hard for this and so it's good when it comes off." (Goal.com)   Wenger: LFC will challenge Arsene Wenger has backed Liverpool to be among those fighting for the title this season. The Arsenal boss watched from the touchline as his charges laboured to earn a point against a Reds side who played with 10 men for the entire second half following Joe Cole's dismissal. Wenger said: "I believe Liverpool will be a contender for the top places. They defended very well and are an intelligent team. It could be interesting." (LFC Official Website)  PSV Eindhoven’s Toivonen becomes Liverpool target PSV Eindhoven attacker Ola Toivonen has emerged as a target for Liverpool according to reports. The 24-year old Swede is being linked with a £5million Anfield move after Roy Hodgson watched him for his national team against Scotland last week. (tribalfootball)   Thor Zakariassen ©