Liverpool target cut-price Bundesliga star

Liverpool linked with move for Germany international defender Dennis Aogo.

Aogo is on loan at Schalke from Hamburg (©GettyImages)

Liverpool are preparing a £2.5m bid for Germany international defender Dennis Aogo, according to the Daily Express.

The report claims Aogo, who is currently on loan at Schalke from Hamburg, is available for £2.5m at the end of the season. Schalke thought they had the first-option on the Germany international.

But German newspaper Bild reports that Aogo is free to negotiate a better package elsewhere if he wants, with Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen and Roma all preparing offers of their own.

The left-back has represented Germany 11 times since his national team debut in 2010, and could offer competition for Jose Enrique.

Liverpool brought Aly Cissokho to the club on loan over the summer, but the wing-back may return to Valencia at the end of the season.

Should that happen, Brendan Rodgers would be back in the market for a left-back, and the report claims Aogo is a potential target.

Liverpool have the budget to offer him a competitive deal, but any move would not materialise until the end of the season at the earliest.

An attacking full-back, Aogo would fit Rodgers' recent preference for a three-at-the-back system that utilises quick, counter-attacking wing-backs.

Liverpool to battle Serie A giants for Spanish hitman

Liverpool are set to take on Roma in the race for Atletico Madrid striker Adrian Lopez, according to reports from talkSPORT.

The Spanish forward has seen his role at the Vicente Calderon diluted of late, following the arrival of David Villa and the razor-sharp form of Diego Costa.

As a result, the La Liga side are believed to be willing to sell Adrian, which has alerted Liverpool.

But, Roma are also in the fight following their impressive start to the season.

The Italian side currently sit atop Serie A, however their manager, Rudi Garcia, is keen to strengthen in January.

Adrian is believed to be one of his top targets, with the 25-year-old having developed a reputation for his goalscoring ability over the course of the past few seasons.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is also watching the player, and is likely to rival Roma should they make a move.

The Northern Irishman is desperate to provide Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez with adequate cover, with the pair currently the Reds’ major source of goals.

As it stands, Rodgers has little in the way of alternatives to the Anglo-Uruguayan duo, and is keen to address the situation in the New Year.

Suarez set for Brazil - and could be rested ahead of Mersey derby showdown

 

Luis Suarez looks like he’s heading for Brazil next summer – and he might also be heading for a week’s rest ahead of the Merseyside derby.

Suarez’s Uruguay thrashed Jordan 5-0 in their World Cup play-off first leg in Amman, making Wednesday’s return in Montevideo little more than a formality.

Oscar Tabarez might even do Liverpool FC a favour and rest the Reds’ star striker – but even if he doesn’t, there will be little reason for him to exert himself.

Maxi Pereira got the ball rolling with the opener after 22 minutes while Christian Stuani made it 2-0 shortly before the interval.

 

Nicolas Lodeiro made it three with 21 minutes remaining, before Cristian Rodriguez added a fourth and Edison Cavani wrapped up the win with a wickedly-struck free-kick in the second minute of added time.

Barring an unimaginable turnaround, Uruguay will join Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and hosts Brazil as South America’s representatives at next summer’s global showpiece.

Liverpool interested in Southampton Skipper

Liverpool interested in Southampton Skipper

Liverpool want Southampton skipper Adam Lallana to strengthen their midfield options as they seek to maintain their Premier League title challenge.

The Reds need to bring in more quality to boost a squad which lacks depth in one or two areas if they are to keep the pressure on current leaders Arsenal.

A top-four finish is the bare minimum required at Anfield this season and Lallana, called into Roy Hodgson’s squad for the forthcoming friendlies with Chile and Germany, has been identified as one of the players who could make a difference.

Lallana hopes to make an impact by making an impressive debut for the Three Lions this week and pushing for inclusion in the party heading to Brazil for next summer’s World Cup.

‘Every footballer in the whole Premier League would love to go to the World Cup,’ he said. ‘It is what dreams are made of, it’s the pinnacle, so it’d be silly to say anything else really.’

Southampton play Arsenal and Cbelsea in successive matches when the top flight resumes after the international break and Lallana added: ‘It is a big two or three weeks.

‘I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself. I’m just going to go away with England and enjoy it.

‘Enjoy training, playing with the best players, not just in England, but in Europe and the world, and if anything comes off that then it does.

‘When we come back we’ve got two massive performances hopefully that we’ll put in against two of the big boys. It could be a top-of-the-table clash.

Henderson determined to gain World Cup berth

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson believes the improvements he has made since his last England cap give him a better chance of securing a FIFA World Cup spot.

The 23-year-old has been recalled to the senior squad for the forthcoming internationals with Chile and Germanyhaving made his fifth and most recent appearance in the Euro 2012 quarter-final penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy.

His performances at club level have moved on significantly this season, earning him another chance at senior level having returned to England's Under-21s for the 2012-2013 season.

"It's a massive boost and I'm delighted to be going there but when I'm there I need to make sure I'm working hard and do what I've been doing here really," Henderson said.

"I think it (the World Cup) is up for grabs for anyone.

"If you are doing well and your team is doing well people will be looking at you but now I have the chance to go and train and possibly play I have to make sure I'm at it form the start.

"I am sure a World Cup will inspire anyone but football is enough to inspire me: just to go out and play every week.

"Hopefully I can do the best I can and get picked again.

"I definitely think I have improved over a few years so hopefully I can keep improving as time goes on."

Henderson admitted to feeling frustrated at having to watch England's victory over Poland, which secured qualification for the World Cup, on television.

"You get a few days off (when not picked for international duty) but I didn't really enjoy it to be honest," he added.

"I want England to do well and I thought they were brilliant but it was disappointing I had a couple of days off and was watching it on the telly."

But he knows if he can get a foothold in the squad, boss Roy Hodgson has already shown he has faith in him by throwing him on in that Euro Championship quarter-final.

"It was in extra time. Scotty (Parker) was a little bit tired so I tried to give them some legs in the middle and we obviously got beat on penalties, which was disappointing," he said.

"It is brilliant he (Hodgson) could put me on at that stage of the game and believe I could go and do a job for the team.

"I feel as though I've improved since then."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Henderson is an ideal person to take to a World Cup because of his versatility, having played him in various positions in midfield and even at right-back when circumstances dictated.

The midfielder does not believe not having one permanent position will affect his chances and he is trying to add even more to his game to provide a greater level of creativity.

He is also benefiting from playing and training alongside England captain Steven Gerrard every week.

"Stevie helps me all the time, in training, off the pitch, and when you play with him you learn a lot from him so hopefully I can continue to do that," he said.

"If I am playing in a more attacking position I have to make sure I am creating a lot more chances.

"Thankfully I was able to do that (producing a brilliant through-ball for Luis Suarez to score against Fulham) but I was a little bit disappointed I did not get on the scoresheet and I hope to add that to my game as well.

"I have to make sure I am nailing a regular spot in the first XI, that is my main aim: to keep playing every week for Liverpool.

"Wherever the manager puts me I will give it my best shot. If I can play in different positions well that can only benefit me."