Gerard Houllier yesterday underlined his determination to sweep away what he considers to be the dead wood in his squad by offering to sell Oyvind Leonhardsen at a knock-down price.
Only 18 months after moving to Anfield from Wimbledon for £3.75 million, the Norwegian international midfielder, and lifelong Liverpool fan, will be allowed to leave for £2.5 million.
The 28-year-old is certain to interest Derby County, who were set to sign him for £3.5 million two months ago until the deal broke down over personal terms, and other Premiership clubs, possibly including Wimbledon.
Another of the players Houllier deems surplus to requirements, Jason McAteer, yesterday scuppered a proposed £4 million move to Blackburn, refusing their personal terms and saying he would be prepared to play in the Liverpool reserves for the rest of his career.
Among the other players under threat of Houllier's axe are David James, Phil Babb and Danny Murphy.
Houllier is already resigned to losing two England internationals - Steve McManaman and Rob Jones - on Bosman-inspired free transfers at the end of the current season, that is, if Jones does not move before then.
Liverpool are to give a 10-day trial to an 18-year-old Norwegian goalkeeper, Espen Johnsen, who is valued at £300,000 by his club, IK Start.
Steve Wignall has resigned as manager of Second Division Colchester United after four years in charge. After being promoted to the Second Division last season, United are now sixth from bottom.
Attilio Lombardo last night agreed to join Lazio and was undergoing a medical as part of a £500,000 deal which would make him the fourth Crystal Palace senior to leave this month.
Sources close to the £15,000-a-week Italian, the most high-profile player forced out of the English game since the wage spiral began, say the 33-year-old is owed around £200,000. He is due to sign a oneyear deal with Lazio, the world's most expensive team.
Paul Alcock, the referee who has been out with a back injury since being pushed over by Paolo Di Canio last September, will make his top-level comeback in Saturday's FA Cup tie between Barnsley and Bournemouth.
George Graham has warned Moussa Saib that he will be "seriously disciplined" for leaving Tottenham without permission to join Algeria's national squad for a friendly against Tunisia on Sunday.
Saib, Algeria's captain who was signed by Christian Gross from Valencia for £3 million less than a year ago, has only played two reserveteam games since recently returning to training after a back operation last September.
Graham said: "I'm extremely disappointed with the boy and also the Algerian FA. What our fans will want to know is why isn't Saib available for Tottenham and yet suddenly pops up to play in Algeria. I'm contacting the FA for guidance about how we deal with this kind of situation." Graham also confirmed yesterday that he is pursuing the Paris St-Germain defender Alain Goma.
Pierre Van Hooijdonk made a good impression on his new Nottingham Forest manager Ron Atkinson by scoring both goals in a 2-1 win in a specially arranged game against Bolton yesterday.
