Trabzonspor (0) v Liverpool (1):ROY HODGSON has accused Rafael Benitez of reneging on an agreement not to sign Liverpool players after Dirk Kuyt's agent claimed the Dutch international wants to leave for Internazionale.
The Liverpool manager received an assurance last week from Massimo Moratti, the Inter president, that the European champions had ended their interest in Kuyt and Javier Mascherano, who has since become a target for Barcelona.
Kuyt’s future is now in doubt ahead of the transfer deadline after his agent, Rob Jansen, claimed negotiations are continuing with Inter despite the pledge.
“The two clubs continue to talk, but things are moving slowly,” said Jansen. “The difference between demand and offer is important. It is something between the clubs but Dirk told Liverpool he no longer wants to be involved as this is something that regards his career and life. It doesn’t mean he wants to leave at all costs, but when a club like Inter comes along it’s normal to look into the situation further.”
That drew a scornful response from Hodgson in Turkey, where he is preparing for tonight’s Europa League play-off second leg against Trabzonspor without Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger, Milan Jovanovic and Maxi Rodriguez, with three points against West Brom on Sunday taking precedence over a Europa League slog.
“Dirk Kuyt has not told me he wants to go and we have not received an offer from any club for Dirk Kuyt,” he said. “There is obviously something going on behind the scenes, possibly involving the agent of Dirk Kuyt and the manager of Inter. At this late stage in the transfer window it would be remarkably unusual for us to accept an offer for a player we don’t want to leave for money we don’t need. I need the player. I don’t need the money.
“When Benitez left the club he signed an agreement he would not poach players from Liverpool and I think that still applies. As far as I’m concerned, the agreement with Moratti still stands.”
The Liverpool manager, however, confirmed he is keen on signing the Fulham left back Paul Konchesky despite earlier declaring that he would not pursue players from the club he took to last season’s Europa League final.
Hodgson said: “We have had discussion with Fulham but it’s by no means certain they are prepared to sell players. But I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t a name we have considered. Whether there is any business depends on the clubs.”
Talks between Liverpool and Barcelona are continuing over Mascherano, although the two clubs remain poles apart over a transfer fee. Alberto Aquilani has completed his season-long loan to Juventus and Krisztian Nemeth has signed a three-year contract with Olympiakos.
The significance of tonight’s tie has not diminished for Joe Cole.
Both had a point to prove even before a mass withdrawal heightened the responsibility on them in Turkey.
Cole is a guaranteed starter due to the three-match domestic suspension he collected on his Premier League debut against Arsenal. Having created the only goal for Ryan Babel, Cole missed an opportunity to give Liverpool a cushion for the second leg from the penalty spot. He will be keen to make amends tonight.
Guardian Service
