It looks like Liverpool‘s pursuit to add another Centre back has hit a brick. According to the latest reports, Brendan Rodgers will have to drop his pursuit of Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Llori after a dispute between Llori’s agent and the club’s representatives.
One of Brendan’s prime targets, Tiago Ilori who is just 20 years of age and at this tender age has been a big influence on his club. Born in England, Llori moved to Portugual at a very young age joining Lisbon’s youth academy and has a contract till 2015. The defender could have added a much needed depth to the defensive line-up which is still a question mark as both the first choice CB’s are linked with a move away. At £3m, the Portuguese U-20 International could have been a bargain deal.
The Express has stated that Rodgers was close to acquire the signature of the defender and his £3m offer was also accepted by the club, but the deal has reached a stalemate after there has been some problems with Ilori and his agents. So far it looks like the problem is irreversible and Rodgers would have to give up his hope on the talented youngster. Liverpool would feel unlucky to miss out on the defender as Ilori certainly had the potential to be successful at any stage. But now the club management must look for other viable options before it is too late.
In other news, Steven Gerrard wants Liverpool’s arch rivals Manchester United to suffer without Sir Alex Ferguson. Well, what more do you expect from the captain fantastic? Quoted by the Mirror, Steven Gerrard secretly wishes that Manchester United “wobble” without Ferguson at the helm but admits that Moyes is a very could replacement for the former Scottish manager.
“They have replaced a world-class manager with another, who has done a fantastic job at Everton,” he said. “So I think David will continue to do a good job there. It’s new for Manchester United. From a biased point of view, let’s hope they have a wobble! I think they have too many good players to fall out of the title race,” said the England star. “They have world-class players and I expect them to fight for the league again.
“There’s no getting away from it, the competition in the Premier League is going to get stronger and stronger. Manchester City are going to add to their squad, Jose Mourinho is back at Chelsea and we are going to make numerous signings. Tottenham and Arsenal are going to come back again… so I think we are in for a very interesting Premier League campaign.”
I guess its the feeling of a true Kopite inside him that is doing the talking. After seeing his favourite side go down the hill when United and Ferguson went on to dominate England, it must be a releif for him to see Man United without Sir Alex Ferguson.