FC Liverpool

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers boosted by arrival of two new scouts from Manchester City
Liverpool have recruited two more senior scouts from Manchester City.

Last summer, Liverpool lured Dave Fallows as head of recruitment and scouting while Barry Hunter also joined as a chief scout. The pair had also worked together at the Etihad Stadium.

They will now be joined at Anfield by Andy Sayer and Kevin Hunt, who have been key members of Manchester City’s scouting network in recent years. Sayer had responsibility for monitoring players in Germany, Holland and Scandinavia.

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The £12 million pursuit of Swansea City’s Ashley Williams this summer is, in many respects, perceived as a test case because while the manager is clearly keen to pursue the player there are younger alternatives being observed by the scouting team.

BRENDAN RODGERS insists Liverpool FC have no intention of selling Martin Skrtel this summer.

The 28-year-old has started just one Premier League game since the defeat to Manchester United in January and speculation about his Anfield future has continued to grow.

But with Daniel Agger injured the Slovakian defender is set to earn a recall against Fulham on Sunday. .

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is making a £4million bid for young Sporting Lisbon centre-half Tiago Ilori.

Rodgers tabled his offer for the 20-year-old on Wednesday, and the Portuguese giants are set to give the Reds an answer quickly.

Ilori, born in London but a Portuguese Under-20 cap, is tipped for big things and Rodgers desperate to have him in a major defensive revamp.

The 6ft 3in former striker is classy on the ball and also dominant in the air.

The Reds have had the 20-year-old centre-back watched on a number of occasions and believe he has the qualities required to shine in the Premier League.

The Portuguese outfit are desperate to keep hold of Ilori, who has established himself as a first-team regular in recent months. However, their financial problems means they are under pressure to sell their prized assets.

"When you have such a determination to win games and you are such a warrior from the nature inside, it is very hard to change it," said Pinkster.

Liverpool have confirmed they will wear their new 2013-14 Warrior home kit in Sunday's Barclays Premier League final-day clash with Queens Park Rangers.

Liverpool FC are set to launch a £12million bid to sign Schalke centre-back Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

The Reds have identified the 21-year-old Greek international as their No 1 target to replace Jamie Carragher.
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The ECHO understands Liverpool are no longer interested in Williams with the Welsh club’s £12million price tag for a player who turns 29 in August leading to them pursuing other options which provide better value.
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As well as making their move for Papadopoulos, the Reds will also look to tie up a deal for Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori
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Liverpool are also interested in Manchester City defender Kolo Toure.

The 32-year-old is out of contract this summer and the Reds intend hold talks with him over a possible free transfer with Rodgers keen to add experience to his squad.

Raheem Sterling had a charge of common assault dropped on Monday after a witness failed to turn up to court.

Sterling, 18, did not have to appear at Liverpool magistrates' court and the case was dismissed when the prosecutor Rob Jones offered no evidence.

Liverpool’s biggest interest comes in the form of 16 year old Forward Sergi Canos. The Barcelona star, born in 1997, has attracted interest from various English clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City but it seems the young Spaniard wants to join Liverpool.

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A deal has not been officially confirmed by any party, however reports did suggest that Canos was at Melwood on Monday to put pen on paper and sign a deal with the Reds. The signing of Canos will be a big boost for the Reds, and will be the second Spanish signing for the Academy after Suso came to the Reds from Spanish side Cádiz in 2010.

Sky Sports understands Liverpool are leading the race to sign Porto winger Christian Atsu.
[...]Talks are thought to be continuing between the Reds and Porto as Brendan Rodgers' side look to win the race for the Ghana international.