Liverpool FC: Latest Club News and Transfer Rumors

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

(Bleacher Report) Liverpool were dealt a harsh blow when they failed to convert 24 shots on goal and a dominating 73 percent possession.

Jamie Carragher was caught off balance and out of position, which resulted in Jonathan Walters receiving a penalty that he converted. It could not have come at a worse time for the Reds, as they were dominating the game and had Stoke City on their back foot.

However, nothing proved that Liverpool were not going to get anything from the match more than when Jordan Henderson took three straight shots that got blocked back in his face. He then laid it off to Charlie Adam who suffered the same fate for two shots.

All Stewart Downing could do was shake his head as the frustration mounted for a team that is clearly lacking the cohesion that Steven Gerrard can provide in the center of midfield.

No matter what the Reds did they just could not get a shot to go right. The day ended in utter frustration as even Luis Suarez could not even convert a rebound from a wide on shot.

Hard luck was the result on Saturday and the Reds will hope for a better weekend when they host Tottenham at home next week.

With several hot stories around the wire the past few days and some continued transfer speculation still swirling about lets get up to date on the Reds.

You can follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz and Facebook or visit my personal WebSite

Joe Cole Makes a Splash on Loan Debut

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

(Bleacher Report) Joe Cole arrived on Merseyside just over a year ago with high hopes, a big contract and tons of belief that he was going to help lead the Reds return to the promised land that they have been so long removed from.

However, that did not happen as Cole continued to fall off the wagon and was left to fill mostly a fringe role last season as the Reds chased fifth place but could not claim it at the death last year.

The new season had a different twist to it as new faces streamed into the Reds Melwood camp, and Joe Cole was allowed to take his leave on loan for the season to France.

Having never been based with a club outside of England a loan move to France made since for Cole much more than one in England. His injuries over time have caused him to lose a step or two and he looked no longer able to cope with the pace and physical nature of the English game.

The French league would allow him to rely more on his skill and finesse and that is exactly what he got to use when he set up Eden Hazard in Lille's most recent game of the weekend as he helped to keep the defending champions in the top four of Ligue 1.

Cole looked totally revitalized during the match, and it looks like both he and Liverpool made the right decision. It is uncertain if he will return to Liverpool at the end of his loan spell, I expect that if he continues the way he has started he will remain in France.
You can follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz and Facebook or visit my personal WebSite

Jole Cole: 5 Reasons Liverpool Should Have Blocked His Move to Lille

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

(Bleacher Report) Joe Cole is officially a Lille player for their already underway Ligue 1 Orange campaign in France.

The defending French champions will hope that Cole can bring back some magic from his younger days at Chelsea and West Ham before injuries caused his form and overall ability to suffer.

His time at Liverpool has been a mixed bag of form from a player past his prime in the physically toughest league in Europe as far as pace and overall demand go.

A loan to a league, such as the one in France, could benefit the player and give him perhaps the time he needs to improve his form and regain his confidence......Click to View Slideshow.

You can follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz and Facebook or visit my personal WebSite

Liverpool Deadline Day Transfers: Joe Cole Moves to Lille, His Anfield Days Over

Clive Mason/Getty Images

(Bleacher Report) Joe Cole has endured a rough time at Anfield. From a red card on his debut to spending the season on the fringe with just not enough quality or luck to break into the side, he has simply had enough.

Earlier this week Kenny Dalglish said that he would not stand in the player's way of making a move in order to have first team football on a regular basis and the manager looks to have kept his word.

Cole was originally thought to be making a move to Tottenham after those reports were circulated much of late April and May. However, Harry Redknapps admiration's were only in voice and not purse.

It then looked as though a loan move to Queens Park Rangers would pan out, but alas that one failed as well.

But now it looks as though Cole finally has his wish as defending French Ligue 1 Champions Lille have just agreed to take the former Chelsea sensation to France.

He will most likely be on the opposite wing to Eden Hazard in the position once occupied by now Arsenal winger and attacker Gervinho.

A move to the French or Italian League was just what Joe Cole truly needed as his pace and physicality have gone away to much for the English league, but he could be a massive star in France.

You can follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz and Facebook or visit my personal WebSite

Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Craig Bellamy, Sebastian Coates and Deadline Deals

Stu Forster/Getty Images

(Bleacher Report) The Reds ended their August fixture set on a high with a resounding 3-1 win against Bolton Wanderers in front of a packed house at Anfield. Off to their best start in several years, the Reds have not only been doing well on their pitch, but the efforts of Kenny Dalglish and Damien Camolli off the pitch have seen great results.

Jordan Handerson and Charlie Adam both got off the mark for the club at the weekend, and it is great to see some of the newcomers already putting their touch on the results this season.

However, even though the Reds have brought in Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Alexander Doni, Stewart Downing, Jose Enrique and now Sebastian Coates, they still look to have more transfer movement before the cut off on Wednesday.

Loan moves seem to be the majority of what will happen. Both Alberto Aquilani and Dani Pacheco have finalized their loan switches lately. The Italian makes his move to AC Milan back in his homeland of Italy, and promising young attacker Dani Pacheco will be taking a trip back home to Spain to play for Atletico Madrid.

Further loan moves and transfer out look to be in the works as the Reds try and trim off some of the excess of their large squad.

Dalglish continues to refuse to comment on transfer speculation, which most likely means there is still a good bit of it going on behind the scenes.

So lets get to the news of the last few days and get us all caught up after a ventilating weekend from the Barclay's Premier League and Liverpool's first home victory in front of the Kop.

You can follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz and Facebook or visit my personal WebSite

Liverpool FC: A Joe Cole Transfer Looks Imminent as Dalglish Stands Aside

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

(Bleacher Report) Kenny Dalglish told the Liverpool Echo on Saturday that he would not stand in the way of Joe Cole making a loan or transfer deal to another club.

The English player has had a rocky time on Merseyside which started with a Red Card in his first match on opening day last campaign. He would have flashes of brilliance but they were just to far and few between.

Dalglish had this to say in his latest talks regarding Joe Cole:

"I think it's being fair to the boys for them to go and get football somewhere."

"They were not going to get it here. There was no way we were going to stand in their way or prevent them from playing football."

"He (Cole) is here and he will be treated exactly the same as everyone else."

"Joe's attitude to training and his commitment has been fantastic. He has been unbelievable, he has worked really hard and he just needs a little bit of luck."

"He will be treated the same as everybody else as regards playing matches. If he gets a bit of luck, he will be alright."

"If Joe is here he will be very much part of it. He will not be discarded in any way shape or form. I have more respect for Joe Cole than that. He has been fantastic about the place."

"It is not just Joe Cole, it's everybody who is not playing that I find it hard. The strength of the club means there are going to be quality people who are not playing as well as those who are."

"I sympathize and empathize with players who don't get a game because I wouldn't have liked to have been in that situation myself. That is why I have great admiration for the players who aren't playing that they do apply themselves as well as they do."

"We have said before we are happy with the squad we have got, we are stronger than last year."

With that said it is apparent that if a move comes along that both the player and the club would like to take then it will most likely be a mutual agreement to allow the Englishman to leave.

The clubs linked to him at the moment are still Tottenham Hotspur as Harry Redknapp has had a long term admiration for the player. Queens Park Rangers have expressed an interest for a loan deal to take Cole to Loftus Road and there is still an outside chance of a move for him to Paris Saint Germain.
You can follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz and Facebook or visit my personal WebSite

World Football Rumors: Sneijder to Man Utd & 15 Transfers That Haven't Happened

Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

(Bleacher Report)Hundreds of transfer rumors have come and gone this summer. There has been no lack of excitement built up by fans, only to have their hearts crushed by a move that just did not happen for their club.

So many moves remain on the table, but the majority of the major deals look likely to have been done for the summer.

With only eight more days in the month of August for teams to try and strengthen or recover some of the cash spent through sales, it is now down to the wire.

Regardless, there are rumors going back and forth with some of the biggest possibilities still hanging in the balance. In some cases there might be just enough time for a few more big money dealings to be complete.

That said, lets take a look back at 15 moves that did not happen or are yet to fully materialize into a deal......CLICK TO START THE SLIDESHOW.

You can follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz and Facebook or visit my personal WebSite

Liverpool FC: Does Joe Cole Deserve a Second Chance at Anfield?

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

(Bleacher Report)Joe Cole's plight at Liverpool is a rather sticky situation. He has had an up and down career that has truthfully been more down than good, and since he joined the Reds, it has been more of the same story.

His playing days started out at West Ham United in 1998, when he made his first appearances in league fixtures. Over the next four years, he would make 141 appearances for the London club, scoring 10 goals from the midfield.

As his stock was rising, he made the switch to Chelsea in 2003 a year before the arrival of Jose Mourinho and was considered at the time one of the brightest talents in all of English football. Little did he know that once he left West Ham, that would be the last time he has started over 30 games in the League.

He got his chance to push for a first team place in the 2004-05 season thanks to many injuries. His 50 appearances the year before had been split in the league with 18 starts and 17 substitution appearances, but Mourinho had no choice but to put faith in the then 21-year-old, and he delivered the best goal haul of his career in the English Premier League, with eight goals from 28 appearances. It would also be the first time the player tasted the EPL title.

That performance helped him to gain regular football for the 2005-06 season, when he would make 26 starts, scoring eight goals once again and providing four assists. His place on the PFA Team of the Year continued to push him to the fore front of the English talent scene and earned him a place on the 2006 English National Team that went to the World Cup.

However, it was a disaster for England from the word go, as they crashed out in the quarterfinals after a promising Group B winning performance and round of 16 victory ended in dismay on penalties. Cole managed a goal against Sweden in the Group stages, but would not score again in the tournament after his Man of the Match performance.

A Debut to Forget on August 15, 2010.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The following season is when Cole hit the first bump in the road of his career. Two straight seasons of EPL titles and first team dominance for the midfielder came crashing down as he went down injured in Chelsea's preseason only a few weeks after returning from the World Cup. He would only make 24 total appearances that season due to his injury.

Once again, the following year in 2007-08, Cole made a remarkable recovery to take back his first team place and made 54 appearances with 10 goals over the course of the Campaign. He played a key part in both the Blues League and Champions League challenges. Unfortunately for him and his team they crashed to second best to Manchester United in both cases.

The next two season for Joe Cole became a blur of frustration, as he would only make 19 appearances in 2008-09 thanks to a knee ligament tear, and even with 39 appearances in 2009-10, he just was not his old self and was let go at the end of the season.

A once promising prospect seemed lost and out of sorts with no job. But not to fear, as Liverpool's newest manager, Roy Hodgson, threw the player a lifeline, and he signed on for four years at £90,000 per week.

Steven Gerrard and many of the Reds were very excited, and the season was full of hype for the arrival of one of England's once brightest stars. However, his season opening appearance ended quickly, as he was red carded on his Liverpool debut for a tackle on Laurent Koscielny that was deemed malicious but was clearly unintentionally so.

That seemed to be an omen for how his season would go, as he failed to impress throughout the season and ended it with only nine starts and 11 substitution appearances in the league and only totaled three goals throughout all competitions between another 12 appearances.

First Goal at Anfield in Europa League
Alex Livesey/Getty Images

So now, he once again is at a crossroads. His club is in the midst of the biggest revival in their history, as a change of ownership in October of 2010 saw massively in debt owners Geroge Gillett and Tom Hicks bought out by Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group principle owner John W. Henry and Tom Werner.

Their previous revitalization of a professional team saw them return the World Series trophy to the Red Sox in 2004 and then 2007 after only three seasons. Those victories ended a drought that had lasted since 1918. Liverpool have been without a League title since 1990, and the goals of the new owners are clearly to bring that former glory back to England's most successful team.

Joe Cole is on the cusp of being worth keeping on the roster, and his high weekly wage bill is hindering further investment of the club. However, if he is on top of his game, he can be one of the best wide players England has seen.

The problem for Cole is that it has been quite sometime since that happened. His pedigree and former achievements show what he is capable of, but his aging body is letting him down. He turns 30 in November, and the clock started ticking on his Anfield career in January of this year, when Kenny Dalglish took over at the helm.

King Kenny knows all too well what he is tasked to do with Liverpool during the next few years, as he is truthfully the one manager that knows what the Reds are all about. He is the last manager to have won multiple titles with the club in the 1980's.

However, the Scot has been a spearhead for the Reds to spend over £100 million in the transfer market since January. There also looks to be more signings to come in during the next windows and beyond, and Joe Cole is only going to have a limited amount of time to try and make any headway back to the top of the pile as he faces overwhelming competition to get a midfield place at Anfield.

New boy Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson, Maxi Rodriguez, Alberto Aquilani, Raul Miereles, Luis Suarez and even Dirk Kuyt are completely ahead of Cole for a shot at first team action.

In truth, his past would normally make someone take notice that he may just need more time, but after a season of mediocre performances and a new regime hellbent on getting back to the top no matter the financial or physical costs, Cole looks to be out of chances.

If it were a perfect world the once shining star would get his second chance, but I just do not see it happening at Liverpool. With the Reds truly wanting to push for the title in the next seasons, they have to have reliable players that are heading into their prime and not floundering through what should have been their best years.

I am sorry, Joe Cole, but you have not gotten the time for a second chance at Anfield. At the most, you may stay on until January, but by then, you will be either shipped out on loan or sold to the best financial option if you do not prove some worth. Tottenham and Paris Saint Germain both have expressed interest, and if he does not leave now, he will soon.

With only what I believe to be about 18 games time to make a case for himself in either league substitutions or Cup tie brilliance, he just is not going to be able to stay on as a Red.

You can follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz and Facebook or visit my personal WebSite

Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen and Alberto Aquilani Want to Make Their Mark as Reds

Christopher Lee/Getty Images

(Bleacher Report)Liverpool continue to be linked with new faces, and with those rumors also come the rumors of players being on their way out. Joe Cole has been tipped with an exit since the January transfer window with Paris Saint Germain believed to be one of his many admirers. Tottenham Hotspur have also seemed ready to offer a lifeline to the player.

Christian Poulsen has been tipped with an exit since January as well with the former Juventus player having never truly gotten off the ground as a Red. Roy Hodgson purchased him with a belief that perhaps he could fill the void of Javier Mascherano at some point but that has never been the case. Maybe Hodgson could let him move to West Bromwich for a second chance.

Alberto Aquilani is the only one of the three that more than likely could stay as moves to Juventus and no AC Milan seem to have completely broken down. Fiorentina was also linked with the Italian play maker, but he seems intent on remaining a Red.

The one thing all three of them have in common is there desire to fight for their place at Liverpool. Christian Poulsen has come out with comments that he hopes to form a partnership with Charlie Adam at the heart of the Reds midfield.

Roman midfielder Aquilani has claimed he is more than happy to stay and for now it seems he will be remaining on Merseyside until at least January or next summer to see if he will truly be a part of the Reds future plans.

You can follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz and Facebook or visit my personal WebSite

Dalglish Looks to Sell Joe Cole for More Transfer Cash

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

(Bleacher Report)Joe Cole has been at the middle of Liverpool's exit rumors since the opening of the summer transfer window. The English winger was brought in with high hopes that he could regain his top class form that saw him become a much hyped international before a series of injuries shot him down.

However, last season he did not prove to be worth but a small portion of the £90,000 per week deal that was laid at his feet when he completed a free transfer from Chelsea. After a preseason where he still failed to truly impress, he looks once again to be a hot topic of discussion.

Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint Germain both look to be possible suitors for the Anfield disappointment, and perhaps a move to France might be the best option. It could give him a chance in a less physical league with a lower level of top to bottom competition which could see him return to full form.

Another possible destination could be newly promoted Queens Park Rangers. QPR could use the extra depth and experience, and Cole would have a better chance to shine in a club where he could become a primary focus.

You can follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz and Facebook or visit my personal WebSite

European Nights: Can Anfield Lift Dalglish and Liverpool over Braga?

Will the Fabled Ground at Anfield be enough to Lift the Reds to Further their European Dreams?

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
March 15, 2011

The Reds head into Thursday's second leg contest against Braga at Anfield already trailing 0-1 on aggregate. Liverpool made a mess of their chance to take an away goals lead in Portugal last week as a penalty given away by Greek Defender Sotirios Krygiakos' mis-timed tackle was the difference in poor display....READ MORE HERE

Liverpool To Sure Up the Defense

Article first published as Liverpool To Sure Up the Defense on Technorati.
Reports Indicate that Liverpool will continue to Strengthen as Promised

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
February 15, 2011

Another few days worth of transfer rumors have the Reds looking to strengthen from the back in the summer. Several targets have appeared in the media in the last couple of days as the Merseyside club failed to land a defensive transfer in the January market. While being largely linked to Aston Villa and former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock in the light of Paul Konchesky moving on after his failed stint in Red.

Enrique, Boom or Bust?

The left back saga of the Reds continued for the entire window, and was only satisfied when Kenny Dalglish instilled Glen Johnson as his new choice leftback with Martin Kelly being catapulted to the spot light in the right back position where he has blossomed under his new manager.

With all that said it looks as though the Reds will be looking to bring in more options in the summer. With eyes looking north to Newcastle again there are reports that there is a possibility of Spanish attacking wing back Jose Enrique making the same trip that Andy Carroll made recently.

A possible make weight in the move for the defender, whom has received mixed reviews during his time in service on the Toon, could possible be Joe Cole. Cole has failed to ever make his presence felt in Red. his first game saw him Red Carded at Anfield, and a brief sign of life during the Europa League campaign has given way to another nagging injury that has kept the 29-year old England attacker sidelined yet again.

With Liverpool courting other attacking options of a more youthful age and injury status, Cole could see himself go North in the midst of a player and cash deal with Newcastle for the services of Enrique.

Another young defender on the up with the Liverpool camp's radar is Wolfsburg starlet Simon Kjaer. After impressing with Serie A side Palermo, along with the likes of heavily rated midfielder Javier Pastore, the 21-year old made his move to the Bundesliga outfit during the summer.

Danish Star Eyes Agger Pairing.

It now appears that after only a short time the German side is ready to cash in on their young talent in hopes of more options. Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly been tracking the young Dane and Liverpool reportedly had a bid turned down for him during the January window.

Liverpool's Danish contingent of Daniel Agger and Christian Poulsen could help in swaying the youngster to Anfield, and the possible arrival of another fellow compatriot in Christian Erikson could way heavily on the mind.

A Danish back line containing the international pairing would certainly add a solid understanding and partnership for both Liverpool and the Danes.

Christmas on Merseyside

As the Year 2010 comes nearer to a close, we take a look at the Christmas Wish List for the Liverpool Reds

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
December 23, 2010

Ho ho ho, and Merry Christmas to all of Fowler's Dockers, and all of those that have passed through the Shankly Gate. The Yule tide season is upon us, the Boxing Day match against Blackpool is close at hand and the January transfer window is just around the corner. With that in mind I wanted to make one last post before I take a few days off for Christmas and discuss what it seems the Reds will be looking to get from their Christmas list.

1. Stability
This has been an up and down season if I have ever seen one in recent years for the Reds. We play one great game then turn around and play like crap. Any chance at European Club Football in the UEFA Champions League or the UEFA Europa League will certainly require a more fluid turn of results.

2. End of Injury Woes
Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Jaime Carragher, Jay Spearing, Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson...need I continue. Aside from stability in form, the Reds have had disastrous results as far as player injuries hacking up the line-ups and further increasing the learning curve to new management and tactics under Roy Hodgson.

3. Support in all areas
The Transfer window is going to be crucial this January for the Reds. The need of a full time strike partner to be able to partner and cover for Fernando Torres continues to be a black mark on the Merseysider’s misfortunes. The likes of many have been thrown about lately in this area and are listed in the transfer posts below.

The midfield also is in need of support on the wings and an additional man to carry the burden of defensive midfield duties because Christian Poulsen just hasn’t cut the mustard for the Reds in his new found position, hence why he has been spending most of his time on the pine. Joe Cole also has had a miserable start and has the club looking to bring in another winger to bolster the options for Hodgson.

Defense also has had its more than fair share of problems with injury more than lack of form. Jaime Carragher, Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio, and Glen Johnson have all had long absences due to injury and the interest that has been shown in the possible move for Inter Starlet David Santon is a prime example of this need. It is also quite possible Hull City will not get the renewal for Daniel Ayala to return to their ranks where he has had 12 starts on loan, because the first team really might have to use him.

With all that said at least it appears the teams new owners will be doing their level best to fill all the gaps over the next month that they can, and will be investing to ensure a more bright future for the club that has been seeing such dreary days the last two campaigns. With that food for thought I bit you all a due for the weekend and hope you have a very Merry Christmas. See you after boxing day. Reds 3 - Blackpool 1.

Liverpool Update as of December 16 2010

Liverpool FC have dismal week despite Europa Qualification

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
December 16, 2010

It has been a frustrating week for the Reds fan base to say the least. After an unexpected thrashing of 3-1 away at St. James Park despite having 21 shots on goal the Merseysiders have to once again scratch their heads in the Premiership. Pandew's reign got of on the right foot as his side seemed to handle the Reds with ease on paper. Magpie skipper Kevin Nolan's return from injury certainly boosted the club and a driving performance by Joey Barton helped to typify the Reds inability to perform away from Home.

Roy Hodgson will once again feel the pressure after comments from Liverpool Chairman Tom Werner called the clubs performances, "unacceptable," at a press conference this weekend. Though I feel Hodgson is safe under NESV and new owner John W. Henry it is not going to be a quick turnaround. As former Reds left and right including Robbie Fowler have recently stated the teams need to invest in new talent in the January transfer window in order to push the club during the run in.

Many names have been thrown around as of late including the likes of Ronaldinho, Ajax's Luis Suarez, former Fulham charge and USA international Clint Dempsey, Ryad Boudebouz of French side Sochaux, and most recently a 5 Million Pound offering to Tottenham for out of favor winger David Bentley. Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez is reportedly on the radar for LFC, as well as FC Nuremburg midfielder Mike Frantz. It is truly unclear what the plans will be in January but it can be assured there will be at least one or two new faces coming to the club.

Another glaring bore of a game by the Reds was played out on Wednesday night against FC Utrecht, former club of Dirk Kuyt. The bottom club in the Red's UEFA Europa League Group K looked for some confidence boosting while the Merseysiders already have their ticket punched to the next round. With that said in mind the Liverpool stars did little to impress, nor little to do anything as the crowd was disappointed in a lackluster 0-0 draw. Joe Cole continued his poor class of the season and is looking to have been possibly a mistake. Time will tell for the England international but he is continuing to look more and more overrated. The most enthusiasm of the night was from the Utrecht fans when Kuyt came on as a substitute in the later part of the second half.

As we look ahead to the last few weeks of the year it is paramount that the Reds snatch some points before the January window. The club is in mid table and is now nine points away from fourth placed Chelsea. It is going to take a huge turn around for the club to snatch a Europa Spot for next year and right now the best chance of Champions League qualification looks to be winning the UEFA Europa League outright.

The second half of the reason is going to be a bumpy ride, and it starts when the Reds face Fulham on the weekend. Hodgson's form club now under Man City reject Mark Hughes will be looking for revenge and the Cottagers could do even more damage to the already fragile hopes of Liverpool fans on the remaining half of the season. It looks to be another weekend of grief, pain, or pure quick joy and then the realization that there is so much more to go.