FC Liverpool

Liverpool have tonight tabled a £15 million bid for Joe Allen, and he’s very close to be Rodgers’ 2nd signing of the summer after his £15m release clause was triggered.

Liverpool's principal owner John W Henry says he is prepared to consider selling the naming rights to Anfield to raise funds.

Henry also called upon the Premier League to implement Financial Fair Play properly - accusing some of the Reds' rivals of ignoring UEFA regulations designed to try to make clubs balance the books.

The American revealed he and his Fenway Sports Group are looking to the overseas market to boost Liverpool's income and that a rebranding of their historic home could be on the cards.

Joe Allen was blocked from making his Liverpool debut on Sunday after Swansea City refused to grant special dispensation for him to play in a pre-season friendly.


Despite being signed outside Premier League office hours, Allen would still have been free to play had the selling club given Liverpool their permission.

Still upset by Allen’s departure, Swansea City refused a request by the Merseyside club and the Wales international was forced to watch from the stands.

Daniel Agger has today spoken to Danish daily Politiken and has told them he would like to stay at Liverpool.

Rumours have been rife for the past two months, linking Agger with clubs like Barcelona and Manchester City, with the latter showing concrete interest in the Dane.

Liverpool have already rejected bids from Manchester City reported to be around £23m. The former is holding out for at least £27m.

Agger told Politiken:

“I have not been told anything by the club regarding the transfer. It is not up to me to judge whether it’s weird or not. That is how the club has decided that it should be. I can not do anything. “

“This period is every year, but I take it quietly with a smile. There has not been anything from the club so far, there’s no reason for me to be worried. “

He then went on and said that he knows there has been interest from City:

“I know there has been something from Manchester City, but i dont know what Liverpool thinks of it”

“I’m fine with my situation. The club must find out what they want. I have heard nothing from them. I’d rather be here, but it’s not me who has the decision at the moment.”

He was asked about his newest tattoo on his knuckles too. He replied that he made it a while ago and has nothing to do with his transfer.

Agger: “Liverpool may just make the transfer, even though I have two years left. But no, I have not changed my mind on the subject when i said will not play for other English clubs than Liverpool, but sometimes you can still get in a situation where it’s not your decision.”

“I will not stay in a place where I am not wanted, but I’d rather have be here. This is my priority.”

On Barcelona rumours:

“That you must ask Liverpool about. It is not me but the club are negotiating on. I accept the Liverpool way of doing things.”

"I can't imagine playing for other clubs in England. But, you never know if the club prefers to sell me."

Daniel Agger wants to stay at Liverpool despite Manchester City bid

• Premier League champions had £20m offer rejected
• Denmark defender aware of interest but says 'I'd rather stay'

Rodgers is keen to strengthen his squad before the Premier League opener at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday and, as well as a long-standing interest in Clint Dempsey, is pursuing a loan deal for Nuri Sahin of Real Madrid. He is also keen on the Barcelona forward Cristian Tello.

Joe Cole has given Brendan Rodgers a fitness boost ahead of the start of the 2012-13 Barclays Premier League season by returning to training after his hamstring injury.

Liverpool Football Club have reached an agreement with SC Heerenveen for the transfer of winger Oussama Assaidi, subject to the player passing a medical.

Liverpool Football Club have reached an agreement with SC Heerenveen for the transfer of winger Oussama Assaidi, subject to the player passing a medical.

PLANS to demolish a row of derelict houses next to Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium and build a new hotel appear to have made it easier for the Reds to expand their current home.

The latest blueprints for the regeneration of housing in the Anfield area show houses on one side of Lothair Road – directly behind the stadium’s Main Stand – earmarked for demolition.

But homes on the other side and properties behind them were highlighted as proposed for “refurbishment” and/or “change of use”.

The ECHO can reveal that housing association Your Housing – formerly Arena – which owns many of the properties in the area has been working on plans for a new hotel.

Sources familiar with the proposals said they would see the fronts of a number of houses in Anfield Road, Alroy Road, Rockfield Road and one side of Lothair Road kept as they are.

But the space behind the would be redeveloped for a hotel and possible training centre.

The scheme – yet to be officially confirmed – is the strongest indication yet that Liverpool may decide to expand on their current site, rather than move to a new stadium in Stanley Park.