Christian Poulsen on the Verge of £4.5m Move to Liverpool

Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen is now very close to joining Liverpool as his Italian employer has recently agreed a fee worth £4.5 million for his transfer to the Merseyside club.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson would consider the Denmark international as a replacement of Inter Milan-bound defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano. His arrival would provide more ground to the departure of Mascherano who has been a target of Inter Milan and Barcelona throughout the summer.

Inter Milan manager Rafael Benitez wants to reunite with Mascherano at San Siro, while Barcelona is considering the Argentina captain as the replacement of Yaya Toure who joined Manchester City recently.

However, both Inter and Barcelona are reluctant to meet Liverpool’s £25 million demand for the 26-year-old who has been with the Reds since 2007.

Christian Poulsen, at 30, has huge experience which would be useful for the Premier League side. Poulsen may not have previous experience of playing in the Premier League, but he has the experience of representing the clubs like Schalke 04, Sevilla and Juventus. Moreover, he has also represented Denmark in 77 international matches so far.

Time will say whether Christian Poulsen has been a shrewd signing by Hodgson who is going through a tough time since taking over as the Reds boss following the departure of Benitez. Cash-trapped Liverpool can not spend a lot, but needs to add reinforcement to retain their Champions League spot this season.

Joe Cole: Liverpool Signing was more than Money

The recent signing of Joe Cole has caused a lot of criticism against the England national football player because other clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham were interested about him. Many people thought that the player only gave value to money. Now, Joe Cole has strongly stated that it was not for money that he came to Liverpool.

Cole said to the website of Liverpool that he wanted to get glory with Liverpool. He felt that Liverpool was the biggest club in England.

Joe Cole said, "I have played in London all my life. I could have stayed at Chelsea because the fans loved me and I won things, but I wanted to challenge myself and when I knew Liverpool were interested it was a no-brainer because they are the biggest club in the country.

This is a massive club. I tried to take everything out of the equation, take the financial and location side out and just thought in football terms."

Joe Cole also said that the new coach Roy Hodgson is an outstanding person and the coach has already made it clear to him that in the new season he wanted the position of Liverpool in EPL table would improve. Cole feels that it is a new and exciting challenge for him.

Right now, Liverpool is too much dependent on Gerrard and Fernando Torres. Cole thinks that it has to change if the club wants to get bigger success. He feels that all the players must become a strong unit.

Danny Wilson Joined Liverpool from Rangers

Liverpool has signed Scottish center back Danny Wilson from Rangers for a reported fee of around £5 million. The 18-year-old defender is said to be highly talented and has so far represented Scotland in various age levels including U-17, U-19 and U-21.

Wilson went through a medical on Wednesday, followed by the official announcement of his arrival at the Merseyside club.

Martin Bain, the chief executive of Rangers, revealed through the club’s official website, “We have agreed a deal in principle with Liverpool for the transfer of Danny Wilson. Liverpool's offer will see the club receive £2m up front with add-ons linked to games played, taking the total value of the deal to £5m.”

Danny Wilson signed his first professional contract with Rangers in 2007 at the age of just 15 and a number of clubs were interested in him at that time. However, Wilson got the breakthrough last season making total 24 appearances for Rangers.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has been trying to add quality players to his squad to convince his star players like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to stay at Anfield. He has recently signed Joe Cole for free after handing him an offer of weekly salary around £90,000.

Liverpool has also signed free agent Milan Jovanovic and spent £1.7 million to bring in Jonjo Shelvey from Charlton. Now, Wilson has joined the Liverpool roster.

Well, except Joe Cole, none of Liverpool’s signings can be said to be high profile. However, it is pretty much understandable because the club is currently going through a financial problem.

Steven Gerrard to Stay in Liverpool: Another Success of Roy Hodgson

Suddenly, things are happening at Liverpool. Instead of all the frustrations about financial conditions or rumors about top players leaving the club, it seems that Roy Hodgson is changing things. Steven Gerrard has decided to stay at the club and believes that with the new coach, things may become better for the club.

Steven Gerrard is slowly turning into a legend for Liverpool. He is the captain of the club and at the age of 30, he is matured and in the peak of his form. Real Madrid was interested to buy him and was ready to spend big money for the player. However, Gerrard has very frankly stated that he was going nowhere.

Steven Gerrard said, “I made it clear that I simply needed to concentrate on the World Cup and then have a decent holiday with my family. I wanted the chance to meet Roy Hodgson privately and having done so, I'm very impressed with his plans for the future.

I've only returned to training at Melwood with some of the other World Cup players, but I can't wait for the new season to start.

I know Joe well through the England set-up so it will be fantastic to play alongside him in a red shirt for Liverpool."

Naturally coach Roy Hodgson is delighted with this news. If Gerrard had left the club for Real Madrid then surely it would have been very difficult for Hodgson to find a replacement for him. The arrival of Joe Cole has perhaps helped Gerrard to make up his mind.

Things have started to brighten up for Liverpool. In just two days, they had two good news. 

Liverpool: Joe Cole Signing is a victory for Roy Hodgson

It was a day that made every Liverpool fan happy as Joe Cole joined the club instead of accepting offers from clubs like Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur. A lot of credit should go to the newly appointed coach Roy Hodgson. This signing would surely boost the morale everyone at the club.

When Roy Hodgson took charge on July of the club, it seemed that Liverpool were doomed to suffer a lot in the upcoming season. The last season was nothing short of a disaster. Financial stress is still there and top players may leave and join other big clubs.

Both Arsenal and Tottenham were deeply interested in signing Cole. If Joe Cole joined either of them then he could play in UEFA Champions League. Roy Hodgson could convince Cole about the future and could show Cole that at Liverpool, his place in the first eleven was guaranteed.

Words of praise already have started to arrive and a Liverpool legend and former striker Ian Rush said, "Roy Hodgson knows what he wants, and he can talk these players into signing. To get Joe to come out of London is a coup for Hodgson. A lot of people were expecting him to stay in London.

This is the signing supporters wanted and it's a big boost for them. You look at last season when we went into it not hoping but thinking we were going to win the league. This season people are thinking, "Are we going to finish in the top four?" I think this sends a sign out to Liverpool supporters that the club do mean business."

The coach worked hard to convince the player who is from London. It is notable that both Arsenal and Tottenham are London based clubs. Even the salary that Joe Cole will get now in Liverpool is almost same to the offers of Tottenham and Arsenal.

Top players like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres may leave Liverpool and this is perhaps enough to dissuade any good player in the rank of Cole to come at Anfield.

This signing clearly shows that Roy Hodgson has some inner talent to convince top class players. Now, he has to use it to convince Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to stay at the club.

Joe Cole Signed for Liverpool

Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has finally joined Liverpool on a four-year deal today (19 July 2010). The player would now have to go through medical before joining the pre-season Liverpool camp.

Joe Cole club future became the subject of intense speculation after the England international was released by Chelsea at the end of the last season. The 28-year-old left wing attracted interest from a host of European clubs including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Manchester City, AC Milan and Valencia.

A final decision from Joe Cole on his future looked just around the corner as Liverpool recently offered a £90,000-a-week salary, even though he was looking for a weekly salary of around £120,000. In fact, Joe Cole failed to extend his Chelsea contract mainly because of financial disagreement.

For Liverpool, the signing of Joe Cole is significant on a number of reasons. First of all, this has been the first major signing since Roy Hodgson took over the managerial role at the Merseyside club few weeks back.

Moreover, signing of Joe Cole could convince Liverpool stars like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to stay at the club as it proves that the club is determined to make a serious bid for the Premier League title next season.

Joe Cole’s recent form at the World Cup 2010 with England was not satisfactory and he missed a lot of action for Chelsea during the last season due to injury. Still, he was one of the most attractive free agents mainly because of his quality as a player. Cole has been perhaps one of the most consistent performers of England national team over the last 4 or 5 years.

Liverpool Coach Roy Hodgson: Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are not for Sale

There have been constant speculations about the future of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres at Liverpool in the last two months as several clubs were interested about them. Now, Liverpool Coach Roy Hodgson has categorically stated that these two players were not for sale. However, he could not be equally confident about the future of Argentine player Javier Mascherano.

It is no secret that Real Madrid was interested about Gerrard while Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona were in pursuit of Torres. Liverpool had a disastrous 2009-10 season and in the upcoming season, they are not even in the UEFA Champions League.

Roy Hodgson has recently taken charge and he wants to change the fortune of the club. About Fernando Torres, he said, "I have met with Fernando. I found him to be a very pleasant man and we had a nice conversation.

As far as we are concerned, he is a Liverpool player and we want him to remain a Liverpool player."

Hodgson is hoping that Steven Gerrard would play an important role for the club this season.

Hodgson said, "I have met with Steven and thought the talks were positive. We are in a situation where we hear our players are being courted by other teams but it is all just rumours.

What we haven't had is a club wanting to buy Steven Gerrard.

I told him I supported the club's policy that we don't want to sell our best players and have to start building again."

Surely, Liverpool needs both of these two players this season because both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are planning to mount a strong campaign to challenge the big three- Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. 

Javier Mascherano Could Join Inter Milan, Indicates Agent Walter Tamer

Everybody knows that Argentina captain Javier Mascherano has been linked with both Inter Milan and Barcelona. The Liverpool midfielder also earlier indicated that he could move away from Anfield this summer. Now, his agent Walter Tamer has claimed that Inter Milan could be his client’s most likely next destination.

Javier Mascherano has recently suffered an early exit from the World Cup following Argentina’s defeat to Germany in the quarter final. His client has also revealed that Mascherano is yet to talk to the new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson.

Javier Mascherano said to the media, "Mascherano has not spoken to Hodgson nor with Liverpool. After the World Cup, he has switched off but it's clear he is happy to be a target of top clubs in the transfer market.

Last season, it was the European champions Barcelona that wanted him and this year it's Inter, the current Champions League winners.

For him to be linked to Inter has a magical taste — it's a dream.”

Inter Milan manager Rafael Benitez is highly interested to reunite with his former player at Milan. Even few days back Barcelona was in pole position to secure the player’s service, but the Catalan side now seems to be less interested mainly because of Liverpool’s pretty high asking price.

Barcelona already has a top class holding midfielder in Sergio Busquets. So, it is less likely that they would like to add another high quality holding midfielder splashing a huge amount. So, Inter Milan now seems to be ahead in the race of signing Mascherano.

Javier Mascherano was brought at Liverpool in 2007 from West Ham United when Benitez was at the helm of Liverpool. It is believed that the player has a very good personal relationship with the Spaniard.

Kenny Dalglish or Roy Hodgson Likely to be the Next Liverpool Coach

Liverpool is now searching for their new manager for the next season. Rafael Benitez has parted his relation with Liverpool on Tuesday. Former Liverpool player and manager, Kenny Dalglish, is now considered to be the next coach of the All Reds.

Another candidate to take over as Liverpool boss is Fulham’s current manager Roy Hodgson. However, former Liverpool players like Bruce Grobbelaar and Jamie Redknapp are in favor of Kenny Dalglish to be the new coach of Liverpool.

Kenny Dalglish, a Liverpool legend by his own, has experience of managing the club for 6 years in between 1985 and 1991. During that time, Liverpool won 3 Premier League titles. His success as a player is much more vivid as he won 6 Premier League titles with Liverpool. He was part of Liverpool’s glorious period spanning from late 70’s to 80’s.

Roy Hodgson has managed many clubs as well as national teams during his coaching career. He may not have won many titles, but has shown credibility as Fulham manager. He has been at the helm of the London club since 2007.

There are some other names coming up. Martin O'Neill, the current manager of Aston Villa, is also being considered as a probable next coach of Liverpool. Moreover, Turkey coach Guus Hiddink and Croatia coach Slaven Bilic are also in the hit list of Liverpool officials.

The list may get longer, but Dalglish and Roy Hodgson seem to be the frontrunners in the list.

Albert Riera Looking for a Move to Russia

Liverpool’s Spanish international Albert Riera was the centre of all attention recently when he fully criticized manager Rafael Benitez and termed the Merseyside club a ‘sinking ship’. Now, the winger is looking for a move away from the premier league club to Russia. Reports have it in the media suggesting that CSKA Moscow and Spartak Moscow have already shown their interest in the player and want to acquire his service before Russia’s transfer window closes on 8 April.

Reira has not been in very good form so far this season and has been out of Benitez’s favor as the Spaniard made only 16 appearances this season. Naturally, he is looking for more first team football in order to strengthen his claim for a place in Spain’s world cup squad.

Liverpool also has no problem in letting him go, but wants a transfer fee worth £6m, while the Russian clubs wants to accomplish a loan deal for the player. However, the player hopes that his move to the Russian capital could be completed this week.

Liverpool Owners Looking for New Investors in the Club

It is no more a secret that Liverpool football club has been cash-strapped for some time now. It has huge debt and is struggling to deal with the huge interests of the bank loans. Now, reports out in the media suggest that Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are now looking for new investors in the club. Both the co-owners have confirmed that they are in search of outside investment in Liverpool FC. Earlier, Saudi Arabian prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud revealed his interest to buy 50 percent share of the club as he is ready to pay a price ranging between £200m to £350m.

Well, that is a huge amount considering the fact that Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett paid £174 million in 2007 for the acquisition of the whole club. Economic recession has not got over yet. Still, the Saudi price is willing to pay such a big amount only to buy half of the stakes of the club. No doubt, it is really strange. Manchester City already has Arab owners, and now it seems that another Premier league club is going to be controlled by an Arab owner. I think there is nothing wrong with it, but the problem is that Arab owners would seek quick success with aggressive investment on buying star players as City owners did. This is definitely bad for any club in the long run.

A club must have a strong and consistent youth policy and a balance in the squad. Engaging star players does not guarantee you success in the long run. Now, let us see what is going to happen to Liverpool.

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