Anelka may be transfer window target for Liverpool
Liverpool will target an English-based striker to revive their bid for a place in the Champions League if the bid to bring Real Madrid’s Fernando Morientes to Anfield collapses.
Manager Rafael Benitez has described Manchester City striker Nicolas Anelka as “a very good player” which suggests the club could bid for the Frenchman.
City boss Kevin Keegan admitted this week that a “massive” bid for Anelka could tempt the club to sell the former France international.
The forward had a successful loan stint at Liverpool in the 2001/02 season, when Gerard Houllier’s side finished second in the Premiership, and captain Steven Gerrard recently admitted the striker would be a welcome addition.
Although Morientes appears to remain Benitez’s prime target, Madrid are stalling on a deal, reportedly holding out for £7m (€10m), far exceeding Liverpool’s valuation.
By selecting Morientes to face Real Sociedad this week, new boss Wanderley Luxemburgo hinted that the Spain star could still have a future at the Bernabeu.
Benitez said in the Daily Mail that Liverpool would not pay over the odds for Morientes.
“Real have talked about a certain amount of money, but we have our own clear idea of a price and will proceed on those lines,” he said.
“There are other options we are considering. The main one is in England because that kind of player knows what we are doing and how we want to play. All I can say about Nicolas Anelka is that he is a very good player. I don’t want to say more than that.”
While fifth-placed Liverpool are steadily making up ground on neighbours Everton, down to fourth and possibly the most vulnerable of the teams in Champions League slots, they have major injury problems up front, with Djibril Cisse ruled out until next season and Milan Baros struggling for fitness.
