OCTOBER 30
Rumour Mill:
Gunners want Kirkland
By Adam Bryant - LFC Online
Arsenal are keen to sign Chris Kirkland in January according to the
press.
The Liverpool keeper, currently on loan with West Brom, is injured again,
this time with bruised ribs, and is likely to miss the opportunity to earn
his first England cap in the friendly with Argentina on 12th November.
But Arsen Wenger is preparing a £4m bid for Kirkland according to the Sunday
Express.
OCTOBER 30
Aston Villa linked with shock Anfield swoop
Kop Talk
Premiership outfit Aston Villa will make an offer for Liverpool winger
Harry Kewell when the transfer window opens in January, claim newspaper
reports today.
Manager David O'Leary bossed Kewell during their Leeds days and if the
claims are true, he's prepared to offer Rafael Benitez £3million for the
27-year-old Kop flop.
Meanwhile additional reports today claim that Aston Villa are to be bought
by Comer Homes Group on Wednesday, a £1billion company owned by Irishmen
Brian and Luke Comer, which would enable them to compete with Chelsea.
OCTOBER 19
Sevilla set sights
on Josemi
By Mark Kendall - Sky Sports
Reports in Spain claim that Sevilla are hoping to lure Liverpool defender
Josemi back to La Liga.
The 26-year-old joined The Reds at the start of last season but has
struggled to cement a first-team berth at Anfield.
Sevilla boss Juande Ramos is keen to strengthen his side's defence after a
somewhat shaky start to the campaign and wants extra cover at right back
where Daniel Alves, ironically a target for Liverpool, is his only real
option.
Ramos is a big fan of Josemi, having worked with the player when the two
were at Malaga together.
Spanish media sources have suggested that the Primera outfit have put a €3
million (£2 million) offer on the table for Liverpool to consider and will
hope to persuade them to do business in January.
Any move will depend on how regularly the player features under Rafa Benitez
between now and January, although it is understood his intention is to see
out the season in England and attempt to establish himself.
However, if he falls out of favour that could change and the chance to link
up with a coach who rates him so highly is likely to prove very attractive.
Josemi has started two league games and four UEFA Champions League matches
for Liverpool this term but finds himself behind Steve Finnan in the pecking
order for the right back spot at Anfield.
OCTOBER 18
Liverpool:
Double deal imminent
Clubcall.com
Clubcall has learned that Liverpool have put deals in place to sign
Benfica captain Simao Sabrosa and Chilean international Mark Gonzalez in
January, writes Kevin Hatchard.
Simao nearly joined the Reds in August, but the Portuguese champions changed
their minds about the sale just before the transfer deadline.
However, Liverpool have retained their interest in the Portuguese
international, and clubcall understands an initial fee of £8million has been
agreed for the transfer of the right-winger in January.
The 26-year-old was one of the most consistent players in European football
last season, and was the driving force behind Benfica's long-awaited capture
of the Portuguese title.
His pace, skill and crossing ability could bring an added dimension to a
Liverpool midfield who are failing to get the best out of strikers like
Peter Crouch and Fernando Morientes.
Right-winger Gonzalez was expected to arrive at Anfield at the start of the
season, but the 22-year-old's hopes of a dream move were dealt a double
blow.
Having agreed a season-long loan move from Spanish club Albacete, the
Chilean international sustained a cruciate ligament injury and was sidelined
for several months.
Worse was to follow, as Gonzalez then discovered his application for a work
permit had been refused by the Home Office due to Chile's failure to make
the top 70 in FIFA's world rankings system.
Despite these problems, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez remains determined to
sign the player, and clubcall understands a financial package has been
agreed with Albacete for the player's permanent transfer.
Liverpool will re-apply for a work permit at the turn of the year, and if
successful Gonzalez could appear in the first-team from January onwards.
OCTOBER 18
Reports: Benitez secures
verbal
agreement with La Liga ace
Kop Talk
Yesterday's news reports that Liverpool were closing in on Real Madrid
defender Ivan Helguera have made the tabloids in Britain today.
Basically it is suggested today that Rafael Benitez has a verbal agreement
in place with the player that will see him become a Red in the summer.
The 30-year-old defender is out of contract next year and can sign a
pre-contract agreement with another club in January.
OCTOBER 18
Arsenal linked
with Kirkland
By Al Campbell - LFC Online
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Liverpool goalkeeper
Chris Kirkland.
Kirkland is currently on a season long loan to West Brom and has already
expressed his desire to leave Liverpool and join the Baggies on a permanent
move at the end of the season.
After a man of the match performance against his team on Saturday Arsene
Wenger is now reported to be interested in signing the England goalkeeper
himself.
Kirkland joined Liverpool from Coventry in 2001 but persistent injury and
the signing of Pepe Reina saw him join Bryan Robson's side on loan.
OCTOBER 14
Reds line up Riki move
By Mark Kendall - Sky Sports
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is being tipped to add to his Spanish
contingent by swooping for Getafe striker Riki when the transfer window
reopens.
The 25-year-old striker has been a key figure in his side's fantastic start
to the season which sees the Madrid-based minnows currently topping La
Primera.
He has bagged four goals in six starts this campaign, a return that has
caught the attention of Benitez.
The Reds boss was looking to bring in another striker before the transfer
window closed at the end of August but was ultimately priced out of bringing
Michael Owen back to Anfield.
It appears certain he will look to strengthen in January and the continuing
speculation surrounding the future of Djibril Cisse has only added to
rumours a new striker will arrive.
Riki came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid and joined Getafe at the
start of last season.
His first full campaign in La Primera yielded only two goals in 21
appearances, but the quality of his displays alerted Deportivo La Coruna who
saw a €3 million (£2 million) bid for him rejected in the summer.
A powerful and quick striker, his game would seem ideally suited to the
English game and his qualities seem to have convinced Benitez.
He is under contract at Getafe until 2007 and his release clause stands at
just €6 million (£4 million), however, The Reds are not keen on paying the
entirety of that figure.
Spanish sources claim Benitez could well look to push a deal through in
January if Cisse does end up moving on with a compromise figure of around
£2.5 million likely to convince Getafe to play ball.
However, if Riki maintains his impressive early season form then the
reigning European champions could well face competition for the hit-man's
signature.
OCTOBER 7
Liverpool set to bid for Ajax midfielder
Fans FC
Liverpool have set their sights on Steven Pienaar.
The 23-year-old emerged as a talent with the South African branch of Ajax
before moving to Holland in 2001, where he has become an integral part of
the midfield.
A host of European club are interested, particularly as the player is out of
contract in the summer, yet it is believed Liverpool are currently leading
the chase.
The Reds are eager to bolster their squad , and are impressed with the fact
Pienaar can play anywhere in the midfield – an area manager Rafael Benitez
is eager to improve.
OCTOBER 5
Marseille keep
check on Cisse
By Peter ORourke - Sky Sports
Marseille are ready to make a new move for unsettled Liverpool striker
Djibril Cisse.
Cisse hinted on Tuesday that he may have to leave Anfield in January if he
does win a regular place in Rafa Benitez's first team soon.
The Frenchman is unhappy with his current lack of action and believes he
deserves a run in the starting XI.
Marseille expressed an interest in signing the former Auxerre man in August
after doubts were raised over the future of Cisse because of Liverpool's
interest in Michael Owen.
The French giants have now been alerted to Cisse's frustration and are
carefully monitoring his situation.
Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo revealed they would be interested in
signing Cisse on loan when the transfer window reopens.
"The possibility of taking Cisse on loan will firm up in December. We know
that he is not playing at the moment," said Anigo.
"If Djibril is to play in the World Cup finals with France then he needs to
be playing regularly.
"If he wants to come to Marseille he will be made very welcome."
| 
