Agent: I Don't Know If Agger Will Stay At Liverpool

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Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, who is a target for European powerhouses AC Milan and Real Madrid in the January transfer window is edging closer to leaving Anfield after his agent Per Steffensen claimed that he didn’t know whether the Danish International would see out the remaining 18 months of his contract at the Merseyside club.

23-year-old Agger has always maintained that he is happy at the Premier League club, despite speculation linking the Danish central-defender with a move to the Bernabeu or the San Siro in January. However, while Agger has been a regular starter for Reds manager Rafa Benitez recently due to the injury to Martin Skrtel. It remains to be seen if he can hold on to his place, when Skrtel returns from injury, which the Slovakian defender is expected to do in a couple of weeks time.

Add to this reports that talks on a new deal for Agger at Liverpool have stalled and the Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani declaring on Wednesday that a defender will be arriving at Milan in January, with Agger very much in their thoughts and the Danes future at Anfield looks less certain.

“We are going to sign a new defender in January, there's is no doubt about that," Galliani told Denmark's tipsbladet.dk.

“We have kept a frequent eye on Agger and his situation at Liverpool and have of course noticed the problems that Agger and Liverpool have on agreeing on a new contract.”

With Agger’s agent now refusing to comment on the situation regarding the former Brondby players new deal at Liverpool and conceding that he does not know if his client will remain at the Premiership club. A move away from Merseyside is looking ever more likely, with Milan the likely destination.

Steffensen said: “He still has 18 months left on his Liverpool contract, that is a fact.

“It’s not only up to Daniel. He has said he is happy at Liverpool but there are always two parties.

“I don't know if he will stay.”

Keane: "Some Players Would Be Crying, But I'm Too Strong For That"

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Liverpool’s summer signing from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur Robbie Keane, has claimed that he “will score a lot of goals” for the Reds, despite recent reports linking the Republic of Ireland International with a return to Spurs in January.

28-year-old Keane arrived at Anfield from White Hart Lane in a deal worth £20million, but has been misfiring since joining the Merseyside club, with the former Inter Milan player only managing to find the net twice in 15 Premiership matches for Rafa Benitez’s side so far this season.

Keane was an unused substitute for the 3-1 win against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, which fuelled speculation that the Irishman was due foe a short stay on Merseyside, with Tottenham linked with a January move to bring Keane back to North London.

This led to Benitez, having to tell Keane that he would not be sold in January and that the striker had a future at Anfield, but just needed more time to settle in. Keane, who was restored to the starting line-up for the 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday has also claimed that he wishes to remain at Liverpool and has vowed to repay Benitez’s faith in him by scoring lots of goals for the Reds.

Keane said of his performance against the Eredivisie Champions: “I am happy with my own performance, I was delighted to play in a position that I like, just off the striker.

“It meant that I was always involved, and I got an assist with the third goal. Yes, I like scoring, but I always like helping others get their goals too.

“My confidence has not been affected by things that have been said about me, things like that never get me down.

“I am confident that I will score a lot of goals for this club, I am not worried about the way things have gone, there is a lot more to come from me.

“Some players would let their heads go down and they would be crying, but I am too strong for that.

“I have only been here a few months, and it takes time to settle, so it is too early to judge me now.

“I am always confident in own ability, I have scored a lot of goals in the past, and that ability doesn't go away just like that.

“But I accept that at club like Liverpool, as a striker you are judged on the goals you score. I love scoring goals, but I also love being involved.

“I am just as pleased with assists so I will carry on doing that and it will be fine.”

Benayoun Joins Babel In Wanting Anfield Exit

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Israeli International Yossi Benayoun has joined Liverpool team-mate Ryan Babel in voicing his discontent about limited opportunities at the Premier League club, with the former West Ham United player revealing that he will assess his situation at the Merseyside club in January or at the end of the season.

Benayoun was unveiled at Anfield on the same day as Babel last summer, but like the Dutchman, who declared that he wished to return to former club Ajax on loan is unhappy at having to settle for a place on the bench under Reds boss Rafa Benitez in the Premiership this season.

While 28-year-old Benayoun understands that it is hard for Benitez to drop anyone from a Liverpool side that is currently top of the Premier League and is prepared to be patient. Benayoun is also, having to consider if his long-term future is at Anfield or whether it lies elsewhere.

Benayoun told the Sun: “The boss had a chat with me a couple of weeks ago after stuff appeared in the newspapers about my future.

“I didn't ask for any talks - he said he wanted to speak to me about it and he just told me to stay calm, because I would get my chances in the team.

“We agreed it was important now for me to put any of my personal feelings to one side and concentrate on trying to keep us at the top of the table.

“There will be time for me to think about my situation in January or at the end of the season.

“So for now I'm happy to put that behind me and focus on doing my bit for the team. The problem for me is the manager is not rotating as much as he used to.

“It is the same 11 players every week, and they are doing so well, so no one can really complain.

“I have to be patient, but I'm still not sure whether, in the long term, my future will be here.”

Redknapp Ready To End Keane's Liverpool Hell?

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Tottenham Hotspur are ready to offer former striker Robbie Keane a way out of his Liverpool nightmare, when the transfer window opens in January, according to the Daily Mirror.

28-year-old Keane left White Hart Lane for Anfield in a £20million deal in the summer, but despite featuring in the first 15 Premier League games for the Merseyside club has only found the back of the net twice in the Premiership. This led to Reds boss Rafa Benitez dropping the Republic of Ireland International from the starting line-up that beat Blackburn Rovers 3-1 on Saturday at Ewood Park.

Keane did not even make it off the bench against Blackburn, despite Liverpool’s top-scorer from last season Fernando Torres being injured. This has led to speculation about Keane’s future on Merseyside, with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp reportedly ready to bring the striker back to the North London club.

The paper suggests that Redknapp is ready to offer £5million for Keane plus midfield duo Aaron Lennon and Jamie O’Hara in order to bring Keane back to White Hart Lane, with the former Portsmouth boss a big fan of the Irishman.

However, Benitez has always maintained that Keane will not be leaving Anfield and that the player just needs support to help him through this difficult period. A sentiment echoed by Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry.

On the other hand, Lennon has featured heavily for Spurs since Redknapp took over and as much as the Tottenham manager might want Keane back in North London it remains to be seen if he is willing to part with Lennon or indeed O’Hara, who has impressed this season to achieve that.

Benitez Snubs £12million Liverpool Offer

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has snubbed the Merseyside clubs initial £12million offer on a new deal at Anfield, with the former Valencia coach understood to be holding out for parity in financial terms with the other manager’s of the ‘Big Four’ clubs in the Premier League, according to The News of the World.

The initial offer was believed to be a two-year extension to Benitez’s current contract at Liverpool, which runs out in 2010, with his annual salary to rise from £3.5million to just under £4million for the remainder of his time at the Reds.

However, Benitez has turned down this offer, with the Spaniard wanting his new deal to match those of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who both reportedly earn in the region of £4.5million a year.

American co-owner’s Tom Hicks and George Gillett are arguing that Benitez has not won a trophy for Liverpool since his last contract renewal in 2006, with the wages Benitez is demanding proving to be a major stumbling block in thrashing out a deal to extend his four-year stay on the Red half of Merseyside.

Benitez has always insisted that he wishes to remain at Anfield and is understood to want a five-year deal at Liverpool, but his initial refusal at the two-year contract on offer, will alert La Liga Champions Real Madrid, who want to bring Benitez back to Spain at the Bernabeu. Where the Spaniard started his coaching career spending nine-years in charge of the Real Madrid youth and B teams.

Benitez Drops Keane To Fuel Liverpool Exit Speculation

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has dropped Republic of Ireland International Robbie Keane for the Premier League clash with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday. Which is sure to fuel speculation about the striker’s future at the Merseyside club just four months after Keane’s £20million transfer from Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite EURO 2008 winner Fernando Torres being out with a persistent hamstring problem, Benitez has not included Keane in the Liverpool squad that travelled to Blackburn, but has insisted that there is plenty of time left in the season for the former Inter Milan player to feature.

Keane has featured in all 15 of the Reds Premiership matches this season, but has only managed to find the net twice in the Premier League since his big-money move from White Hart Lane in the summer.

However, while Benitez has claimed there is plenty of time left this campaign for Keane to come good on Merseyside. The Spaniard also declared that Keane is just “another player” and that no one at Anfield is guaranteed a place.

Benitez said: “He is working hard in training as always. The best way to support him is by talking about how he can improve. We have to analyse everything because we have to think about him and the team.

“There are six months of the season left so I can pick him lots of times but I cannot guarantee a position to anyone.

“He is a normal player, another player. As a player you have to work hard and try and do the things we are practising in training.

“We have to win. He is in the same situation as the rest of the players. Can I guarantee the position of Agger, Hyypia, Aurelio, Dossena, Carragher, no?

“The players have to play the best that they can every week and then afterwards you decide.

“We can talk about players costing £15m-£20m at other teams and they are on the bench every week but people are not talking about them.

“For me it is not a question of the price tag of the player, he is just another player.”

Benitez also refused to be drawn on how negotiations are going on a new contract for him at Liverpool, which the former Valencia coach had hoped to be done and dusted by the end of November.

“My advisors are in contact with the club and that’s it,” he said.

“I would like to concentrate on football because they are doing their job.”

Everton Target Larsson Open To Premier League Return

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Swedish International striker Henrik Larsson has revealed that he would be open to a return to the Premier League, with Everton linked to the former Manchester United and Barcelona player.

Larsson is currently a free agent after his deal with Swedish club Helsinborg ended, but despite reports suggesting the 37-year-old would retire from football, Larsson is tempted to have another crack at the Premiership.

Toffees boss David Moyes is desperate to bring a striker into Goodison Park in January, with Yakubu and James Vaughan out with long-term injuries for the Merseyside club and is understood to have made veteran Larsson a main winter transfer target.

Larsson has claimed that he is considering his options, but might favour a similar short-term deal at Everton to the one that took him to United on loan in 2007.

“I am a free agent and have not yet decided what to do next,” Larsson told the Daily Star.

The former Celtic player also revealed that he will not sign a new deal with Helsingborg unless there is a change in the way the club is run.

“I like Helsingborgs, but I want to see a change of attitude and in the way the club is run before I sign again,” he added.

“I have not completely closed my mind to the idea of going abroad again, so we will see what happens.”

Everton To Reignite Interest In Marseille's Cana?

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Everton are set to reignite their interest in Albanian International Lorik Cana at Ligue 1 side Olympique Marseille, with Toffess boss David Moyes still keen on Cana after being linked with the Marseille captain during the summer, according to The People.

Everton along with Premier League rivals Arsenal had been heavily linked with 25-year-old Cana during the summer, but Marseille stuck a £12million price tag on their captain, which cooled interest from the Merseyside club.

Cana had appeared to be off the radar of Everton after Moyes opted to sign Marouane Fellaini from Standard Liege, but is now believed to have sent his assistant Steve Round to watch the midfielder in action against Liverpool in the Champions League at Anfield last Wednesday, with a move to bring Cana to Goodison Park in January being mooted.

Cana has been at the Stade Velodrome since joining from Paris St Germain in 2005 and has made over 100 league appearances for the French side, with the central-midfielder being capped by Albania 31 times.

Liverpool Boss Benitez: New Deal "Could Be" Resolved By The End Of The Month

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez refused to be drawn on how negotiations are going on a new deal at Anfield, but indicated that “it could be” resolved by the end of the month.

Former Valencia coach Benitez revealed recently that talks were due to get underway regarding an extension to his current deal at the Merseyside Club, which runs out in 2010.

However, when asked about how close the talks were to a conclusion and the possibility of a resolution by the end of November, Benitez insisted that his focus was on the Reds Champions League clash against Marseille on Wednesday at Anfield.

Benitez replied: “It could be, but I prefer to concentrate on this game.”

Benitez also revealed that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, will be fit to face Marseille after missing the Premier League match with Fulham on Saturday with a groin injury. Benitez also believed that England International Gerrard could start and might even play the full 90 minutes.

Benitez added: “Gerrard has trained today so he is available. I think he would be fit to last 90 minutes if he needed to.

”It depends on the player, but he is fit and he can start if necessary and after that, it depends on how he is feeling during the game.”

Banks To Reposses Liverpool As Reds Face Financial Meltdown?

Premier League club Liverpool are on the brink of financial meltdown if they cannot refinance the £350million loan owed to the bank or pay the amount off in January, according to Keith Harris the person at the centre of several takeover deals in the Premiership.

Harris has expressed concerns that unless the Merseyside club can repay or get a six-month extension to the loan due in January. Then there is even the possibility of Anfield being repossessed by the banks that the loan is owed to in light of the recent credit crunch.

The Reds American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr owe a reported £350million to two banks, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia, both of which have suffered in the current financial climate, with Harris believing that Liverpool will have to cash in on some of their star players like Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane in order to balance the books at Anfield or face being repossessed in the worst case scenario.

Harris has also revealed that it is very much a buyers market in terms of selling clubs, with potential investors not so ready to part with their money to own a Premier league club.

“The one that worries me is Liverpool. It has never been more difficult to find buyers,” Harris said.

“It's no longer a question of price negotiation - it's should we? People are wondering if now is the time to spend.

“Liverpool's debt is due in January, with maybe a six-month extension.

“The two banks which are the principal lenders - the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia - are two of those that have suffered. Whether they want to lend it again or not, they may not be able to.”

Everton Boss Moyes Rejects Meteb Agent's Claims

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Everton manager David Moyes has revealed that he is completely in the dark over recent reports that Egyptian International Emad Meteb is set for a January switch to Goodison Park, with the Toffees boss claiming to have never heard of the striker, who plays for Al-Ittihad.

Meteb’s agent Mohamed Hamid had recently claimed that his client was to join the Merseyside club in a £2million deal in January, with it claimed that talks had already been held between the two parties about a proposed move to the Premier League.

Hamid said: “I travelled to England a week ago to agree on the final details of the contract with Everton. We agreed on everything. Emad was informed about the course of negotiations, and he is glad about it.”

However, Moyes is stunned by the comments made by Meteb’s agent and has declared that although he might have seen Meteb play there are no talks ongoing to bring the Egyptian to the Premiership.

“I don't know anything about it. I've never heard of him,” Moyes said in the Liverpool Daily Post.

“I might have seen him play, but the name doesn't mean anything to me.”

Liverpool Boss Benitez Reveals New Deal Talks

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has revealed that initial talks have started with American co-owner’s Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr over an extension to his current deal at Anfield.

Benitez is currently under contract at the Merseyside club until 2010, with the former Valencia coach, who has been at the Reds since 2004 insisting that he is intent on staying at Liverpool.

Hicks, is understood to have called the Spaniard to get the ball rolling, with talks with Benitez and his advisors scheduled to start within a week.

“I received a phone call from Tom Hicks on behalf of George Gillett also. They are talking about a meeting with my advisors and a contract extension. This is very positive news,” Benitez said.

“We decided to meet in the next week and now my advisors are in contact with them. We haven't spoken about the length of the contract but we talked and we all want to find a solution as soon as possible.

“For me it's easy. I want to stay here - I am where I want to be. It's very simple. My family and I know how good the fans have been with us. The club is going forward and we have the new stadium project. There are a lot of positive things.

“I want to stay here for a long time. Clearly I would like to be here when the new stadium opens. The other day I was joking that if they offered me a 20-year contract I'd be really pleased."

“The team is in a very good position, so if I do not have to talk about my contract from now on it will be perfect.

“The last two or three press conferences I have been asked and asked, so the stability is really important. The owners know we are doing well. The atmosphere is really good, we are at the top of the league and our Champions League group. The team is playing well.”

Hicks and Gillett have also released a statement praising Benitez for his efforts and claiming that they are looking forward to extending his four-years at the Premier League.

A statement on behalf of Hicks and Gillett read: “Rafa continues to do a great job, we are really pleased with the progress of the team and we look forward to talking to him and his advisors about extending his contract.”