TUESDAY 27
	Liverpool agree fee of £2.5m for Aston Villa's Luke Young Liverpool have made a surprise move for the Aston Villa full-back Luke Young. Roy Hodgson, the Liverpool manager, tried to sign Young earlier this year when he was in charge of Fulham and he has now rekindled his interest in the former England international. Liverpool have agreed a £2.5m fee for a player who has been told he is surplus to requirements at Villa Park. (guardian.co.uk)    Hodgson hopes for more arrivals Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson spent the afternoon unveiling new signings Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic and Danny Wilson to the press at Anfield, and admitted he hopes more signings are on their way. Hodgson also hinted that Javier Mascherano could soon be heading for an exit from Merseyside, after handing in a transfer request yesterday. The estimated £25million made from the Argentine’s sale could help fund new players in the Reds squad. Hodgson said, “We’re still interested in some other players. I hope this won’t be the last of our signings. The aim of the club – the aim of the board, Christian Purslow and everyone at the club – is to try and make this squad as competitive as possible.” (This is Anfield) Sociedad eye Reds starlet Liverpool youngster Dani Pacheco is a target for La Liga new boys Real Sociedad. Pacheco, who made his debut for Liverpool last season, is highly-rated at Anfield after joining the club from Barcelona in the summer of 2007. The talented forward is currently impressing at the Under 19 European Championship with Spain and Real Sociedad are keen to bring him back to his homeland on a loan deal. Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson could consider loaning out Pacheco so that he could gain some valuable first-team experience. Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has confirmed Pacheco is one of their targets, but he is unsure if they will be able to strike a deal for the player. "Certainly Real Socieded are interested in Pacheco," Aperribay told El Mundo Deportivo. "He is a player we have followed, but we do not know if we can realise this operation." (Sky Sports) Insua's Viola move in doubt Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua's move to Fiorentina is in danger of falling through, according to the Serie A club. Fiorentina fear the player's wage demands could put the Argentine's switch to the Artemio Franchi in jeopardy. Insua seemed set to leave Liverpool after Fiorentina agreed an undisclosed fee with the Merseyside side for the left-back. However, Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino has warned Insua that he might have to take a drop in wages to tie up the move to Italy. "We have an agreement with the English club, but we have to find an understanding with the player in terms of wages," Corvino told Quotidianopuglia.it. "We cannot guarantee him the figures that he gets at Liverpool." (Sky Sports) Dani nets final spot for Spain Daniel Pacheco was at his brilliant best as he netted to help Spain reach the final of the UEFA U19 European Championships after a 3-1 win over England. The Reds No.47 took his tally to four goals in the tournament and it comes the day after he was crowned Goal.com's World Player of the Week. He netted the opening goal after 12 minutes and Keko and Sergio Canales were also on the mark. Chris Mavinga's France host Croatia in the other semi-final tonight. (LFC Official Website) Wilson relishing Anfield challenge Liverpool's new teenage defender Danny Wilson is looking forward to trying to establish himself in Roy Hodgson's first-team plans. The 18-year-old centre-back signed last week from Rangers for an initial fee of £2million in a deal which could rise to £5million. "Since I have come to the club everyone has been so positive with me," he said. "It is exciting for me to come to a club this size and now I just want to get on with it." (TEAMtalk)   Joe Cole: I'll give my best years to Liverpool FC Joe Cole believes Liverpool FC will benefit from his best years as a footballer and hopes he can help the club end their long wait for a Barclays Premier League title. But he knows that will not be an easy task as Liverpool FC have not won a championship since 1990, coming closest to ending that drought in 2008/09 when they ran were a close second behind Manchester United. "The target of a club like this is the number one place," said Cole. "You just look at the history of the place and it is great that I am pulling on the same shirt as people like Kenny Dalglish, John Barnes - great players. "I wouldn’t have come to the club if I didn’t think we could do things and I just need time and games and we will all do it together." (Daily Post)   Mascherano wants out, Torres set to stay Javier Mascherano wants to leave Liverpool, the club's manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed. Hodgson has had more positive news from Spain striker Fernando Torres, who has confirmed his intention to return to the club on Monday and to remain at Anfield. (RTE) Drenthe not joining Liverpool and Facebook page was a hoax, claims agent Royston Drenthe's agent has rubbished reports that his client is about to join Liverpool. A Facebook post purporting to be from the Real Madrid full back claimed that a deal had been done, with the Dutchman allegedly signing off, "I hope I will have a good season". His agent told BBC Sport today: "Royston does not have a Facebook page, a Twitter page or a MySpace page. We will be taking legal action against the person who set up this false Royston Drenthe account. "Royston is definitely staying at Real Madrid. He is happy there, he has spoken to the club directors and is looking forward to the new season at the Bernabeu." (Daily Mirror) Jansen committed to Hamburg Germany full-back Marcell Jansen is committed to Hamburg despite interest from Liverpool, according to his agent. The 24-year-old joined the Bundesliga club after an unsuccessful stint at rivals Bayern Munich for £7million in 2008 and was part of Germany's World Cup squad that finished in third place. Jansen scored the opener in the Germans' 3-2 win over Uruguay and has reportedly caught the eye of Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson following his performances for Hamburg. The Reds are looking for a left-back after selling Emiliano Insua to Fiorentina and releasing Fabio Aurelio, meaning they have no senior cover for the position. Hodgson has been linked with moves for Paul Konchesky, Maynor Figueroa and Carlos Salcido, but so far none have come to fruition. Jansen's ability to play as a left winger could be a reason behind a possible bid, but agent Gerd vom Bruch stated that the player was committed to his current club. "The interest in him is a credit to Marcell," he told the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper. "But he is under contract with Hamburger SV and will be respecting this." (Sky Sports)  Lucas lands Brazil recall Lucas Leiva has been recalled to the Brazil squad for their friendly with the USA on August 10. The Reds midfielder missed out on a place in his country's World Cup party earlier this summer but has now been restored to the set-up by new boss Mano Menezes, who coached Lucas while he was at Gremio. (LFC Official Website) Carragher tips top men to stick around Liverpool's Jamie Carragher is confident star players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will "still be involved at the club next season". Carragher believes, after the signing of fellow England international Joe Cole and the arrival of new manager Roy Hodgson, Liverpool's star pair will be around to help them recover from their disappointing seventh-placed finish last season. "There's been a lot of negativity and it's been like that for a while," said the centre-back. "I'm sure that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will still be involved at the club next season." (TEAMtalk)
	MONDAY 26
	Mascherano wants Anfield exit Sources close to Javier Mascherano are confirming the player hopes to leave Anfield this summer and suggest he has informed the club of that intention. "The talks were extremely amicable. It was all done in a very nice way. Javier made it clear that he wanted to leave a year ago when he and the chance to go to Barcelona," one source is quoted as saying before reiterating that it has been the player's intention to leave for the past year." (Shankly Gates)  Hodgson ponders Gerrard inclusion Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson says he may use some senior players earlier than his medical team are advising. The Reds travel to Macedonia to take on Rabotnicki Skopje in the Europa League third qualifying round on Thursday. And Hodgson could opt to start with the likes of captain Steven Gerrard and new signing Joe Cole having planned to rest those involved in the 2010 World Cup. "I don't know what to do at this stage," said new boss Hodgson, who is to make his decision on Tuesday." (BBC Sport Online)    Mascherano set for Hodgson meeting Javier Mascherano met up with new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson for the first time on Monday after returning to pre-season training. The Argentina captain has been uncontactable since going on holiday after the World Cup but was back at Melwood on schedule along with compatriot Maxi Rodriguez. Hodgson tried to speak to the 26-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a summer reunion with former Reds boss Rafael Benitez at Inter Milan, following the end of the player's involvement in South Africa. However, the 62-year-old Englishman was only able to leave messages for Mascherano telling him he was looking forward to meeting him back on Merseyside as his calls were not returned. Hodgson will outline his plans to Mascherano in much the same way as he has already done to senior players Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres in an attempt to persuade him he has a future at Anfield. But there still remains a nagging doubt that the combative midfielder, who was offered a new contract in the latter stages of last season, has set his sights on a move to the continent. (TEAMtalk) Peripheral Real Madrid star confirms: "I will soon be joining Liverpool" Real Madrid winger Royston Drenthe has reportedly told the Daily Star that he will shortly be joining Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool. The former Holland Under-21 international has endured an underwhelming spell at the Bernabeu since moving there from Feyenoord in 2007, and according to the Daily Star, he has confirmed that he is all set to join Liverpool in the next few days via his personal Facebook page. (Sport.co.uk)    Reds handed Aqua boost Alberto Aquilani has handed Roy Hodgson a fitness boost ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash against FK Rabotnicki. The Italy international missed Saturday's 1-0 defeat in Kaiserslautern with a knee injury, but has responded well to treatment after returning to Melwood. Boss Roy Hodgson said: "Peter (Brukner) told me he ran for the first time on Saturday. "So I would expect him to be fit for Thursday." (LFC Official Website) Juventus offer Tiago to Liverpool Liverpool are chasing Juventus midfielder Tiago. The People says Juve have offered former Chelsea midfielder Tiago Mendes to Liverpool as a potential replacement for Javier Mascherano. (tribalfootball.com)     Jovanovic: I am proud to be Liverpool player Milan Jovanovic is excited about his Liverpool move. The Serb made his debut in yesterday's defeat to Kaiserslautern. He said: "We have got a young team with much talent and potential but, if we score first, the situation will change and we will get much more confidence. "I am really looking forward to it. For all players all over the world, you have to be proud when Liverpool come for you. It is great to be here. "I have got to use every minute and every small chance in every game for Liverpool to show I deserve to be here." (tribalfootball.com)
	SUNDAY 25
	City would break record for Torres Roberto Mancini has confirmed Manchester City are willing to underwrite a British record transfer fee for Fernando Torres should the Spaniard decide to leave Liverpool. The City manager, who has taken his summer spending to €93 million with the €22.5 million arrival of Aleksandar Kolarov from Lazio, said: “Torres is one of the best strikers in Europe and is already playing in the Premier League for three years. But it depends on his situation – his price and whether he wants to come." (The Irish Times)     Dalglish tips Torres to stay at Anfield Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish says he hopes striker Fernando Torres will commit his future to the club. The 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from Anfield, but Dalglish said he felt the arrival of new boss Roy Hodgson could persuade him to stay. Captain Steven Gerrard has since said he expects to stay at the club, while Joe Cole has signed from Chelsea. "When Torres sees that and talks with Roy I'm sure he'll give us good news," Dalglish told 5 live's Sportsweek. (BBC Sport Online)     Thor Zakariassen ©