Liverpool FC Forum

Liverpool appear to be in a two-horse race with Bayern Munich for the services of Xherdan Shaqiri, with the Swiss international set to choose between a new deal at the Allianz and a switch to Anfield.

The Reds are keen on Shaqiri, who has been offered an improved contract by Bayern, and are reportedly the only outsiders interested in his signature this summer.

Shaqiri has impressed at the World Cup for Switzerland, but struggled to hold down a regular place in Pep Guardiola's side last season, as he is seen as a long-term replacement for Franck Ribery by the club.

But Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is willing to offer the 22-year-old first team football immediately, with the club believed to have already met with the player's brother, who acts as his representative.

A lack of suitors is obviously positive news for Liverpool, who won't see the transfer price driven up by a bidding war.

Source: Metro

Liverpool have been handed a MAJOR transfer boost after learning that Azzurri bad-boy Mario Balotelli is available.

Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport revealed that the former Manchester City striker has been placed on the transfer list by Italian giants AC Milan.

Liverpool will be expected to meet Milan's £24m valuation of the striker, however they face stern competition from affluent French side Monaco to secure his services.

Arsenal had been strongly linked with a move for Balotelli in recent weeks, however claims were readily rubbished by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

Considering his experience in the upper echelons of world football, £24m could represent a steal for Brendan Rodgers who has already spent big on England star Adam Lallana.

The Italian's trophy cabinet resembles that of a successful veteran rather than a developing 23-year-old.

The accomplished youngster has already won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and numerous domestic Italian trophies.

Source: Daily Express

We'll probably end up with Shaqiri because he's cheaper than Markovic and Balotelli because we'll panic after Sanchez goes to Arsenal.
We'll be lucky to challenge for the top 4 the way things are panning out. Brendan seriously needs to get his @rse over to Barcelona and start trying to convince Sanchez that this is the place for him.
Sanchez and Markovic please FSG, anything else and we will have taken a big step backwards.

Liverpool will look to strengthen their defence with moves for Dejan Lovren and Ryan Bertrand as they continue to bolster the squad after signing midfielder Adam Lallana this week.

Rodgers wants to continue the reshaping of his squad by bringing in left-back Bertrand with whom he worked with during his time as youth coach at Chelsea.

Bertrand spent most of last season at Aston Villa on loan from Chelsea and is rated at around £7million by the Stamford Bridge club, who had been reluctant to previously deal with a direct rival following the success of Daniel Sturridge's switch to Anfield.

Rodgers is hopeful a move can be agreed and is also looking to recruit Lovren and make him Liverpool's third signing from Southampton this summer.

The Croatian centre-back is rated at around £15m by the south-coast club and it is believed he wants to follow his former teammates Lallana and Rickie Lambert to Anfield.

But the Saints are mindful of their squad's loss of talent with Luke Shaw also moving to Manchester United and will be keen not to lose any more players.

Lovren and Bertrand would be good additions and both players could help remedy Liverpool's defensive problems that conceded far too many goals last season.

One thing is for sure Rodgers has to strengthen his defence if he wants to plan another assault on the league title next season.

Source: Metro

And we are going to challenge for the title by signing Bertrand and Lovren...err...right
Skrtel and Enrique are better than those 2

Dejan Lovren will try to force through a move to Liverpool by not showing up to pre-season training but Southampton are standing firm.

Saints are desperate to hang on to the centre-back and not lose a third player to the Reds, following Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana's moves to Anfield already this summer.

Well-placed local reports claim the Croatia international has no desire to play for the club again, however, and he wants to make the move to Liverpool - but Southampton are so far standing firm and do not want to sell.

Lovren joined from Lyon 12 months ago for £8.5million and went on to establish himself as a quality member of Mauricio Pochettino's side but now the manager has gone and last season's starting XI decimated, Lovren wants out as well, even though he still has three years left on his contract.

Southampton expect the centre-back to return for pre-season training at the end of the month but, as it stands, Lovren intends to stay away to try and force through a move to join up with Brendan Rodgers' squad.

Liverpool have made at least two offers for him but have yet to match Saints' £20m valuation and, while they hope a deal can eventually be reached, Southampton officials are determined not to lose a third player to the Merseysiders at the moment.

Source: ClubCall

Is Lovren really better than what we already have? Not so sure about that.

The link with Bertrand is just laughable. I'd rather have Cissokho back.

Apparently  Kroos is off to Real Madrid for £20m. Really does make you question the fee's paid out for English players. I mean £25m for Lallana and £30m+ for Shaw? Sure they are great players but the premium they command is ridiculous

From back page of Southampton Echo....


Dejan Lovren to force exit from Southampton with pre-season no-show

Dejan Lovren is expected to be a no-show at pre-season, as he attempts to force a move away from Saints.

Sources close to the player have confirmed to the Daily Echo that the centre-half does not currently plan to return to the club this summer.

Lovren, who is being pursued by Liverpool, has already submitted a transfer request and does not wish to play for Saints again.

He will be expected back at St Mary’s later this month, with his involvement at the World Cup meaning he is scheduled to return later than most of the squad.

However, the 24-year-old Croatian international is unlikely to appear.

Liverpool want to sign Lovren and it is understood that at least two approaches from the Reds have been knocked back this summer.

The defender, who has also been linked with Tottenham, is unhappy at the stance of the Saints board, and believes an agreement was in place with him that if another club offered a certain amount, believed to be around £20m, he would be allowed to leave.

Liverpool are said to have matched that figure, only for Saints to stand firm and knock back the offer, and the club will point to the four-year contract the player signed when he joined from Lyon in an £8.5m deal last summer.

Lovren is said to also be frustrated that the project he was supposedly told about last summer has “completely changed”.

The Echo has been told that Lovren’s ambition is to play Champions League football and that he does not feel that will be possible at Saints any longer.

Lovren was an integral component of the team last season, forming a strong partnership with José Fonte at the heart of the back line.

His impressive performances have seen his value soar, and Saints’ current stance is that they do not wish to sell him, while they expect him to honour his contract.

By intending not to return, though, Lovren is hoping he can force through a transfer.

However, if Saints do agree to sell him, they will not accept a cut-price deal on the basis that he wants out.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs hit by Lille's loan demands over Divock Origi

LILLE are insisting that Divock Origi is loaned back to France next season as a condition of a transfer to Liverpool, Arsenal or Tottenham.

Recent reports suggest that Liverpool are the frontrunners for Origi's signature, but Reds' fans should not expect to see the forward at Anfield next season.

The 19-year-old has displaced Romelu Lukaku in Belgium's starting line up in Brazil but believes his development will be best served by spending another season in Ligue 1.

And that has delighted Belgian businessman Marc Couke, who owns Lille's principal sponsor Etixx.

Asked whether Origi would remain at Lille he told Diabo: "That is 99 per cent certain, yes.

"I'm not sure whether Lille will still be the owner of Origi next season - there are large amounts offered.

"But in all the discussions it is the intention that he will be sold and still play a year in Lille.

"That would also magnificent for the Belgian fans who go to watch Lille."

cardiff-red » Thu Jul 03, 2014 12:25 pm wrote:Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs hit by Lille's loan demands over Divock Origi

LILLE are insisting that Divock Origi is loaned back to France next season as a condition of a transfer to Liverpool, Arsenal or Tottenham.

Recent reports suggest that Liverpool are the frontrunners for Origi's signature, but Reds' fans should not expect to see the forward at Anfield next season.

The 19-year-old has displaced Romelu Lukaku in Belgium's starting line up in Brazil but believes his development will be best served by spending another season in Ligue 1.

And that has delighted Belgian businessman Marc Couke, who owns Lille's principal sponsor Etixx.

Asked whether Origi would remain at Lille he told Diabo: "That is 99 per cent certain, yes.

"I'm not sure whether Lille will still be the owner of Origi next season - there are large amounts offered.

"But in all the discussions it is the intention that he will be sold and still play a year in Lille.

"That would also magnificent for the Belgian fans who go to watch Lille."

signing players and loaning them out again seems to be our forte    still this is one that i think we should stay away from. just because he scored a goal in a W.C dont make him a great player seen as his club form in a lower league is nothing to write home about.

stmichael » Thu Jul 03, 2014 12:12 pm wrote:Is Lovren really better than what we already have? Not so sure about that.

The link with Bertrand is just laughable. I'd rather have Cissokho back.

agree /\/\
except the bit about cissokho

on another note he'd better not bring that gangster moses back 

I can't believe we are serious about bringing in Lovren, is he honestly any better than Skrtel, Agger or Sakho?
This summer has got 2001 and 2009 written all over it, finish second and then blow it big time.
The last 2 summers have been total let downs with most of our signings ending up out on loan or on the bench and I just can't shake the feeling that we are heading down that same road again, only this time with Luis going it's going to be even worse.
Brendan is a fvcking brilliant coach who improves players no end and gets teams playing great football but if he does have an Achilles heel it's in the transfer market.
I'm all for selling Suarez but ***** me surely someone at the club must realise that the likes of Lovren, Bertrand, Stewart and Lambert (as much as I like him) aren't going to help us bridge the gap from second to first.

Reports claim that Spurs will lose out to Liverpool in the race to sign former defender Steven Caulker from Cardiff.

The 22-year-old former Tottenham player is a wanted man following the relegation of the Bluebirds last season, with Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace already holding informal talks with the Welsh outfit about his availability and remaining keen.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino wanted to bring the defender back to the club 12 months after he was allowed to leave but reports are growing on Merseyside that Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is leading the race for his signature.

The Kop outfit are looking for defensive reinforcements and Caulker is seen as an attractive option because his price is already set.

Source: ClubCall