Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is reportedly eyeing up a £6 million bid for Wigan Athletic midfield man Wilson Palacios but it will take a lot more than that for Latics to part with their Honduran superstar.

Latics boss Steve Bruce thinks Palacios will go all the way and eventual find himself at one of Europes top clubs, but not just yet and definitely not on the cheap.

Bruce said:

'We are always going to be seen as little unfashionable Wigan but I know I have some really good players'

'We have done very well to tie up some of our best players to long-term deals, especially Wilson Palacios. Wilson has the ability to go to the top."

'Last season he was linked with Manchester United - I don't know if there was interest, but it was speculated on because of my past links."

'We worked hard to tie him down and sign a new contract."

'He knows this year is a big one for him and it is going to be hard."

'But he wanted to stay here and it would take an amazing offer to get him off us bearing in mind some of the fees being paid out for some players at the moment.'

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1776_4007365,00.html

The 32-year-old full-back, who is expected to resume his international career in Norway on Wednesday evening, linked up with Giovanni Trapattoni's squad with his future at Anfield seemingly undecided.

Finnan, a £3.5million signing from Fulham five summers ago, has found himself out of the picture so far this season after undergoing hernia surgery.

The Limerick-born player has even been touted as a possible makeweight in the Reds' ongoing pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry, and admits he does not know what the future holds for him.

Finnan said: "Limbo sounds about right, yes.

"I haven't got a clue, to be honest with you. I haven't played many games recently, so I honestly can't say.

"There is a big squad there and everyone is fighting for their place, and I just have to train well and take the chance if I get it."

Asked further if he is having to contemplate a move, he replied: "You would have to ask the club. I have been trying to get into the team.

"I haven't played, but I will just wait and see and when the transfer window closes, we will know then.

"I will wait and see if I can get into the team; if not, then obviously I want to play, so we will just have to take it from there."

Finnan revealed he has spoken to manager Rafael Benitez about his situation, but was not elaborating.

He said: "We have spoken about it, but at this time, I don't think I will say too much more."

DeadSkin wrote: »

On Finnan, I'd like him to stay, imo I prefer him at right back over Arbeloa.
I know he's getting on in years but so is Hyypia and Hyypia had an excellent season last year.
Finnan has made that right back position his over the years and has had a fair amount of competition for that spot.
He can still do a job for us.

eagle eye wrote: »

Explain your reasons for this. I'm not a Liverpool fan by the way, but I do believe that Downing would be a huge addition to Liverpool, theres nobody worth a monkey on the left side for Pool.

Boggles wrote: »

Not taking away from Babels goals, but stats can be misleading. Babel got most of his goals in the latter stages of matches when Livepool already had the game tied up.

As I said he still has to score them and he can't be faulted for that, but a clearer indication of his potential would be if he scored goals in tighter affairs against better oppostion.

PHB wrote: »

Downing is only a bit better than Babel and not likely to improve massively. You're better off letting Babel play and develop because he can be better than Downing will ever be.