Former Liverpool striker back to Anfield in January?

Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse was linked with a move back to Liverpool in the summer transfer window, and has been mentioned on the transfer radar this fall as well.

The Metro even claimed at the end of November that Cisse was 'set for a Liverpool return' in January, whilst reports in Europe claimed that the Merseysiders would make a substantial offer for the player.

The striker, now playing for Greek side Panathanaikos is reportedly unsettled after a year and a half at the club.

Despite the change in manager at Anfield, the Reds are still thought to be keen on the player, with new boss Roy Hodgson considering bringing the former Liverpool favourite back to the club.

Fresh speculation in various other media outlets suggests that the rumours will continue until the opening month of the New Year, at which point Liverpool will have to decide on their best transfer options.

The former Auxerre, Marseille and Sunderland striker believes he has 'unfinished' business at Anfield following a couple of severe injuries during his time at the club, although he was part of the Champions League winning side in 2005, GiveMeFootball believes.

Fulham could provide Premier League competition for the player's signature, although the old Liverpool connection would make them a favourite destination for the player should they decide to spend some of NESV's money the 29-year-old French international.

Another striker that appears on the transfer radar is Borussia Dortmund star Nuri Sahin.

Liverpool are according to TalkSport ready to join the battle for the player.

The German-born Turkey international has earned rave reviews for his displays for Bundesliga table-toppers Dortmund so far this season.

And his form has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A sides Juventus and Inter Milan, who are said to be preparing summer bids,

But reports in Germany have revealed that Liverpool are now ready to rival any offer from Italy for the 22-year-old.

It is understood that Dortmund will refuse to sell in January, but could be ready to do business in the summer for a figure of around £13m.

Liverpool have made Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla their prime transfer target in the January transfer window, according to reports from Spain,  Sport.co.uk writes.

AS comments that the Spanish international, who has been an instrumental influence in the 'Yellow Submarines' rise to third spot in the Primera Division table this season.

His performances have not gone unnoticed on Merseyside, with Reds boss Roy Hodgson looking to strengthen the team by tempting Cazorla to the Barclays Premier League.

The 26-year-old has never hidden his desire to play at a bigger club, with Real Madrid and Barcelona linked with him two years ago, and may be interesting in a move to the illustrious Anfield outfit.

Despite missing the World Cup through injury, Cazorla has returned to the fold under Vicente Del Bosque, and given the presence of La Furia Roja colleagues Sant.

Liverpool appear to be leading the chase for FC Nuremberg playmaker Mike Frantz.

Aston Villa are also reportedly keeping tabs on the 24-year-old midfielder who has seen his stock rise dramatically thanks to a string of impressive performances in the Bundesliga this season.

According to Sport.co.uk, despite the fact Frantz has yet to represent Germany, he is held in a similar regard to Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller and his style of play has also drawn comparisons to his compatriots.

Liverpool are now thought to be frontrunners for Frantz's signature after his agent revealed contact had been made with a Premier League club.

Guido Nickolay told Sport.co.uk:

- Mike (Frantz) will be making a move. There are clubs interested but there is particular demand from England and the Premier League. I cannot name specific clubs at this time, but he should be leaving FC Nuremberg.
 

Elsewhere Liverpool apparently has an interest for Russia international right back Alexander Anyukov, as a replacement for unsettled Glen Johnson.

Now Zenit St Petersburg are ready to price Liverpool out of a move for the player, The Daily Mail reports.

The Russia international has been tipped for Anfield in the past and admits he is an avid fan of the Barclays Premier League. But the Russian champions would demand a hefty fee to consider letting the reliable full back leave.

Spartak Moscow are testing the water about his availability and Bayern Munich have also been linked.

But a £17million fee has already been mooted, which is more than Liverpool are likely to receive for unsettled England international Glen Johson.

Liverpool in negotiations with Honda?

We are rapidly approaching half way this season, and with a miserable start rumors about who possibly will replace Roy Hodgson will not go away.

The name that keeps coming back is Frank Rijkaard who is, according to FootyLatest almost certain to be the next Liverpool manager

Money has flooded in to some bookies in recent days and now William Hill go massive odds on that Rijkaard will be named as the next manager at Anfield.

Elsewhere there is a player that seems almost certain to be headed for Anfield in January...

Liverpool's interest in Japanese star Keisuke Honda is apparently leading to action, as the team is reportedly commencing negotiations with the CSKA attacker.

Honda, who is valued at £12m, can play in any attacking role -- midfield, on the wing, or as a second striker -- and is one of the world's best set-piece takers.

His performances in the World Cup were so impressive that Arsene Wenger called him a "genius" and "the best player in the competition." Still, it is Liverpool - not Arsenal - that appear to be favorites to land him, while AC Milan is in the mix as well, according to GiveMeFootball.

Sankei Sports has reported that CSKA management is willing to part with Honda for the right price.

- We will not lock our players in. If the bid is fair, we respect the players' will, they have said.

Honda has long been assumed to be on the move to a bigger club.

Another familiar face is appearing on the radar; Liverpool are now being linked with a shock January move for former striker Djibril Cisse.

The French international forward is reportedly on the verge of a Panthanaikos exit, and Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is one of a number of Premier League managers thought to be considering a move for the player, Metro reports.

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier is also thought to be interested in the player, and could use his French connections in a bid to bring the player to Villa Park.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes is the other interested party, with the Cottagers viewing the player as a second option should they fail to land Roque Santa Cruz from Manchester City.

However, reports from France and the continent claim that Liverpool could make a substantial offer for the 29-year-old striker in the opening month of 2011.

A move would see Cisse return to Anfield, where he signed in 2004 and won a Champions League medal the following season. His two-season stint on Merseyside was interrupted by a leg break though, and the mercurial striker could have unfinished business with Liverpool.

An earlier reported Liverpool transfer target is out of favour Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra.

The Real Madrid midfielder is heavily linked with a Santago Bernabeu exit in the opening month of 2011, and Spurs are thought to have joined Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson in the race to sign the player, GiveMeFootball writes.

Diarra has Premier League experience through his time at Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth. Sold to Madrid for a fee in the region of £20 million, Diarra appears out-of-the frame under Jose Mourinho.

Resigned to a substitutes role with Los Blancos, Liverpool have highlighted the player as someone who could strengthen the Reds' squad at Anfield following a difficult start to the season.

Also Sportsvibe now reports that Redknapp has highlighted the player to his board at Tottenham Hotspur, with the club keen to strengthen as they challenge on several fronts this season.

Liverpool are after Hamburg winger Jonathan Pitroipa, according to The People.

The Burkina Faso international is allegedly being closely monitored by the Merseysiders and Reds scouts have been watching the 24-year-old with a view to launching a January bid.

Roy Hodgson was alerted to the talents of the Pitroipa when he impressed against his Fulham side in last season's Europa League, and the Liverpool boss has since thought to have kept a keen eye on his progress.

The former SC Freiburg attacker could be available to Liverpool for around £5 million and would fit with Hodgson's pledge to add more potency to his Anfield frontline.

Yet another new name: Birmingham defender Scott Dann is a possible transfer target for both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur according to reports from Sky Sports.

The 23-year-old has been earning rave reviews since moving from Coventry to Birmingham City and has been tipped for an England call-up in recent weeks after a number of eye-catching performances at the heart of the Blues defence.

A number of clubs are believed to be tracking the former England Under-21 international who has formed an impressive partnership with tough tackling defender Roger Johnson.

Liverpool are reportedly ready to make a move for Dann in January after finding out that Jamie Carragher has been ruled out of action for three months with a dislocated shoulder.

The Reds defence has struggled to keep clean sheets this season with Daniel Agger currently ruled out for the foreseeable future and Glen Johnson also having missed a number of games through injury.

- Obviously the speculation linking me with some top clubs in the Premier League is flattering, Dann told skysports.com.

- Ultimately it is my ambition to play at the highest level with a major club like it is for any player, but for the time being I am happy playing at Birmingham and I am focused on doing my best for the club, he says.

Marseille – Liverpool 0-4

Etter feilskjæret mot Reading var vi tirsdag vitne til massakren i Marseille!

Førsteomgangen på Stade Velodrome i Marseille fikk en utrolig vakker åpning da Steven Gerrard og Fernando Torres kun i løpet av de første 12 minuttene laget to mål og satte punktum for spekulasjonene om at vi skulle ryke ut av Champions League.

Gerrards mål på straffe etter klar felling og Torres etter vakker gjennomdribling, slik en ekte spiss skal gjøre det.

Vår franske motstander hadde i det hele tatt svært få avslutninger mot mål mens vi produserte en rekke sjanser, flere av dem ved vår spanske juvel Torres, som stadig oftere viser sin storhet.

Andre omgang startet like klinisk som den første med scoring av Dirk Kuyt etter kun 7 minutter – flott spilt fram av en god Harry Kewell.

Marseille forsøkte å sette inn vår gamle spiss Djibril Cisse, til liten nytte. Han kom bare fram til en halvsjanse på hodet i retning Pepe Reina. Marseille tok over litt mer av banespillet i siste halvdel av andre omgang, men produserte lite mot et solid Liverpool-lag som lå kompakt i alle lagdeler.

Og det endelige punktumet var det Ryan Babel som fikk æren av å sette da han satte inn 0-4 i det 90. minutt etter å ha utmanøvrert Marseilles keeper.

Liverpool har nå scoret 18 mål i Champions League så langt denne sesongen; mest av alle klubbene i turneringen. Noe 8-0-seieren om Besiktas selvsagt er med på å bidra til. Og etter å ha hatt ett poeng etter de tre første kampene klarer igjen våre helter å gjenopprette den riktige orden i vårt europeiske fotballregnskap.

Les også kampreferat hos Liverpool.no og VG.no/live!

Se høydepunktene fra kampen her:


Laget som startet:
Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypiä, Riise, Kewell, Mascherano, Gerrard, Benayoun, Kuyt, Torres.

Benken:
Itandje, Finnan, Aurelio, Crouch, Babel, Lucas, Hobbs.

Utenlandsk invasjon?

Liverpool og flere andre Premier League-klubber kritiseres for sin hamstring av utenlandske talenter. Til og med Gerrard tar til orde for begrensninger.

 Denne uka debuterte et av våre etter hvert mange utenlandske talenter på vårt reservelag i 0-0-kampen mot Blackburn. Gerardo Bruna ble hentet fra Real Madrid. I følge TribalFootball kommer nå tidligere Real-legende Michel med kritikk av kjøpelystne engelske klubber i avisa AS.

- Når britiske klubber ser noe de liker, så henter de dem. De gir guttene proffesjonelle kontrakter og lar dem spille på reservelaget - noe som ikke er utviklende for dem. Men hvor mange av disse unge taentene, hentet av Liverpool, Chelsea eller Arsenal har faktisk spilt for førstelaget, og hvor mange har kommet tilbake? spør Michel.

Og nå er til og med vår egen kaptein, Steven Gerrard, bekymret for landslagets utvikling, til orde for å begrense antalle utlender i det engelske seriesystemet.

- Dersom utlendingene tar over fullstendig vil det påvirke lagene og det vil bli værre enn det er nå. Jeg er stolt av å si at jeg spiller i en av verdens beste ligaer, men det er viktig å ha et av de beste landslagene også, sier han i følge Daily Mail.

Denne og neste uke vil han være kaptein for England når de skal forsøke å kvalifisere seg til neste års EM.

- Det er viktig at gode spillere får komme gjennom systemet til klubbene - spillere som Wayne Rooney og Michael Owen. Hvis ikke vil det gå ut over landslaget. På de "fire store" lagene i Premier League var det bare 10 engelske spillere som startet kampene sist helg.

- Det er stor fare for at vi slutter å produsere gode unge talenter når vi henter så mange utenlandske spillere til klubbene. Unge spillere i england må også få sjansen, sier Gerrard.

Og han har antagelig et poeng. Men hvordan skal et kvotesystem fungere. Skal man ha minst to engelske spillere på banen? Minst fire? Seks? Og hvor mange må man da ha i stallen med tanke på eventuelle skader? Det blir vanskelig å få noe slikt til å fungere. Men han har et poeng.

Hva synes du?

 Og siste spiller på lista over de som kommer-kanskje-til-Anfield er Ezequiel Garay fra Racing Santander.

Den argentinske forsvareren kommer mest sannsynlig til å bli solgt til sommeren, sier hans trener, som ikke tror laget har råd til å avslå et godt tilbud om det kommer.

Dermed skal både Liverpool og Scum ha våknet - i tillegg til Real Madrid som allerede har vist sin interesse for spilleren som både spiller høyde back og som midtstopper.

 Samtidig skal to av våre Premier League-rivaler være på jakt etter en godt etablert tidligere Liverpool-spiller.

I følge TalkingSoccer skal Manchester City og West Ham være på jakt etter vår tidligere "pimp-my-ride"-spiss Djibril Cisse.

Marseillespilleren skal være klar for en retur til England og skal isåfall koste det samme vi ga for ham i sin tid - £14.

Liverpool tester 14-åring!

Liverpool har hentet inn en 14 år gammel keeper fra Danmark på prøvespill.

Den 14 år gamle Brøndby-spilleren Nicolai Jørgensen er blitt tilbudt en ukes treningsopphold, melder Sky Sports. Guttungen er selvsagt over seg av å få et sånt tilbud.

- Jeg ser fram til denne utfordringen. Det blir en stor opplevelse å se hvordan mitt nivå er i forhold til engelskmenn på samme alder, sier Jørgensen til EkstraBladet.

Turen til England skal imidlertid ikke ha kontrakt som sitt primære mål i og med at Liverpool ikke har lov til å hente ham før han blir 16 år.

Men er det litt tidlig å hente spillere som er 14 år på prøvespill?

I kveld får vi kanskje gjennsyn med Djibril Cisse og Boudewijn Zenden når Marseille kommer på besøk i Champions League.

Cisse sier til Daily Mail at han vil føle seg bundet til Liverpool for hele livet, men at han ønsker å vinne over sin gamle arbeidsgiver. Men han tror det blir vanskelig.

- Jeg har fortsatt huset mitt her, og har ingen planer om å selge. Jeg kommer tilbake så ofte jeg har anledning. Jeg har så mange gode minner fra tiden i Liverpool FC og alle de store øyeblikkene i Champions League, FA cupen og Super Cupen. Jeg føler et bånd til klubben, sier han men innrømmer at Marseille sliter.

- Vi har ikke spilt godt denne sesongen, så det kommer til å bli vanskelig for oss på Anfield.

Bellamy og Cisse ut - hvem inn?

Craig Bellamy er så godt som klar for West Ham og Djibril Cisse skal også være enig med Marseille. Men hvem kommer inn?

Craig Bellam skal være klar for så skrive under for West Ham, og Djibril Cisse skal i følge den franske klubben Marseillie være klar for dem. De to salgene skal i følge, avhengig av hvilke rapporter man stoler på, bringe omkring £15-16m inn i kassa for ytterligere spillerkjøp.

Det er kommet mange motstridende meldinger om Portos Ricardo Quaresma. Men pressen i Portugal fortsetter å hevde at Liverpool er interessert - selv om Rick Parry sier vi ikke har kommet med noe bud.

The Times skriver at Rafa nå er klar for å hente West Ham-ving Yossi Benayoun. Men partene skal stå langt fra hverandre når det gjelder prisen, i følge Liverpool.no. Enkelte medier hevder at West Ham ønsket å gi Benayoun i et rent bytte for Bellamy. Men dette skal Rafa bare ha ledd av, da han mener Bellamy er mye mer verdt.

Samtidig har Sevilla hintet om at de vil selge Daniel Alves - til den rette prisen. Klubbpresident Jose Maria del Nido sier at "dersom vi får et bud på over £20m pund, så kan vi begynne å snakke", melder Worldfootballers.

I følge Sky Sports kan Jerzy Dudek være på vei til Manchester City.

Sjekk ut noen høydepunkter med Quaresma her: