Friday’s biggest stories for the Reds.
Liverpool preparing huge £50m January bid for Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema
With the current crop of strikers failing to impress at Anfield currently, a new option has been identified to purchase in the January transfer window.
According to the Daily Express the Reds are lining up a colossal £50m bid to try and lure Benzema from the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
With Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert both misfiring, Brendan Rodgers wants different options upfront and Madrid are trying to raise the funds to sign Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund.
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‘No Way Back’ For Dropped Liverpool Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, Says Everton Star.
Ranking the Liverpool Squad By Their Contributions So Far This Season: New Signings Not Impressing At Anfield.
Liverpool transfer news.
Tottenham Hotspur move ahead in race to sign FC Porto forward Jackson Martinez
Another attacker who has been targeted by Rodgers is this Porto star, who once again this season has been in fine form for the reigning Portuguese champions.
Yet the Metro reports that it is Spurs who now look most likely to sign Martinez, with Mauricio Pochettino looking to improve his own failing attack.
Since first arriving at the Estadio do Dragao in the summer of 2012 the 28-year-old has 77 goals in 112 appearances in all competitions.
Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph being lined up as a long-term replacement for Steven Gerrard
After 17 years of sterling service for the Merseysiders it has finally become apparent this term that Gerrard’s capabilities seem to be waning.
The captain – who turns 35 in May – has looked sloppy at times in 2014/15 and the Mirror says that Delph is being lined up as a replacement.
The 25-year-old is out of contract at Villa Park in the summer and therefore could be available on the cheap.
Gerrard urges Raheem Sterling to sign a new contract
The future of Sterling on Merseyside remains in doubt as despite the best efforts of the club the 20-year-old has so far refused to sign a new deal.
It’s been reported that the England international turned down an initial offer of £70,000-a-week and Gerrard has now entered the debate.
“I hope he signs a new contract at the club because I think this club is perfect for him, certainly for the next few years,” the 34-year-old was quoted by the Telegraph.
Napoli manager Rafael Benitez says he has been offered two jobs in the last two weeks
There is much speculation that with his contract up at the end of the season Benitez will be leaving Naples in the near future.
One of the clubs the Spaniard has been heavily linked with is the Reds, with the future of Rodgers in doubt, and the 54-year-old has confirmed he has had offers from unnamed sides.
“In the past fortnight we have rejected two offers, my commitment is here. I want to work to give 100 per cent with this team,” Benitez was quoted by talkSPORT.