Youngsters well beaten in NextGen opener.
Liverpool endured a difficult start to life in the NextGen Series with a 3-0 loss to Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon at Anfield, liverpoolfc.tv reports.
Rodolfo Borrell’s youngsters faced one of the best youth sides in Europe and their class showed with three marvellous goals to give Sporting the victory. The Reds could not find a route to goal and came close through Kridztian Adorjan hitting the post after the half-time break. This result leaves Liverpool at the foot of the group and will look to bounce back in their next contest.
Academy director Frank McParland said: “It is fantastic for the kids to be involved in a tournament like this and they will have learned a lot. We were beaten by an excellent Sporting side.”
A crowd of 2,826 fans were at Anfield last night to watch the game, which bodes well for the young players on show.
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Stoke insist Shawcross is not for sale.
Stoke City insist that England prospect Ryan Shawcross is not for sale at any price, according to the Daily Express.
Liverpool are interested in the 22-year-old defender and are lining up a £13m offer to bring the former Manchester United man to Anfield. Stoke boss Tony Pulis has dismissed any talks of a move and said that Stoke will not be losing Shawcross. The arrivals of Matthew Upson and Jonathan Woodgate could leave Shawcross in limbo over his future, but Pulis wants the 22-year-old to stay and is hoping he will remain in the Potteries.
Pulis said: “There’s no way we will sell Ryan. We have no need to sell him. Actually, we have money to spend and we are looking to do that if we can. The chairman has made it quite clear that the intentions are to improve the side and that’s the way it is. I haven’t had to tell him to keep a clear mind. I think the fact that we have brought Matty and Woody to the club has cleared his mind in lots of respects,” the Stoke boss added.
Dalglish in for Cahill.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is reportedly close to a player plus cash deal for Bolton defender Gary Cahill, The Sun reports.
Dalglish has been chasing a top-class defender all summer and is looking to the Bolton player to strengthen his defence. Liverpool face stiff competition from Arsenal, but the Gunners’ indecision over the transfer could allow the Reds to slip in and seal the deal.
Liverpool are poised to offer £10m plus striker David Ngog and young forward Raheem Sterling on loan to clinch the deal for Cahill. Bolton boss Owen Coyle insists Cahill is going nowhere, but the club could be happy to cash in and strengthen the squad with the money they will receive.
Arsenal’s £40m war chest from the sale of Cesc Fabregas could help them make an offer closer to the £17m valuation Bolton hold over Cahill, but Liverpool are keen to swoop for their sixth transfer of the summer as they look to strengthen their squad before the coming season.
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