Liverpool are preparing a swoop for Celtic star Ki Sung-Yeung in the event of a deal for Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam falling through.
The Reds have attempted to finalize a deal for the Scotland international this week, but with the transfer making slow progress and Tottenham reportedly ready to renew their interest, Kenny Dalglish is preparing to turn his attentions to the 22-year-old South Korean.

Transfer rumours today link Spurs with players that would provide either a last line of defence or a first line of attack and while the name of Klass-Jan Huntelaar has emerged again, one of his Schalke 04 team mates could be unexpectedly available.

It was firmly believed that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer would be leaving his present club to join Bayern Munich at the end of the season, but the Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had this to say:

"I don't really think we are going to find a quick agreement.

Things were pretty ugly for Tim Howard and the US against Spain. (Getty Images)

Like most of you, I sat through the US-Spain game on Saturday. It wasn't enjoyable in any sense in the first half and while the second half got better it was still rather...ugh.

Generally I'm a fan of playing the top teams in the world.

It looks increasingly like Guus Hiddink is poised to become the new Chelsea manager taking over from Carlo Ancelotti. In the last couple of days there has been plenty of rumour and speculation about Hiddink coming here.
Towards the end of last week it seemed it that the deal was more or less done and dusted after the round of Euro 2012 qualifying games had taken place this weekend.

Citi Field wasn't bad but it looks like a step in the right direction for New York's expansion hopes in MLS. (Getty Images)

Most soccer fans in the US had their attentions on Detroit last night (who have MLS ambitions of their own) but the one place Major League Soccer would like to expand to next had a little international game of their own last night.

Roma goalkeeper Doni has snubbed a move to Liverpool, according to reports in Italy.
Liverpool had been linked with a move for their former keeper Brad Friedel before the American chose to join Tottenham.
The Reds turned their attentions to Brazilian stopper Doni, who has fallen down the pecking order at Roma this season, and it was reported that the Italian side had accepted a £1m bid from Liverpool.

Liverpool FC are ready to step up in their efforts to land Bolton Wanderers centre-back Gary Cahill by offering Owen Coyle's side at least £12m up front plus numerous calculated add-ons should Liverpool reach the top four next season.
The current Bolton valuation for Cahill is around the £17m mark which has put the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea off.

Liverpool are ready to hijack Arsenal's potential move for Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard.
According to Fanatix.com, the Merseyside club is eyeing one more attacking player and has already made an enquiry for Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay.
However, it is unclear how likely it will be to land the Dutchman as he was only signed by the Catalans in January.

A lot of people have got it in for Aaron Ramsey right now.

Following our victory over Bolton I read several comments on AA and elsewhere to the effect that our young Welshie had a bad game and should be dropped to the stiffs.

Before the match someone even said he was turning into the new Denilson – always passing backwards and sideways as if, having grown up in a rugby-loving country, he was unaware that, with a round ball, you're allowed to pass forwards.

Liverpool are reportedly set to turn their attentions to Lacina Traore - should they lose out on Luis Suarez.
Suarez's protracted move to Anfield has eked out for some time now and - according to The Telegraph - the Reds and Ajax are currently way apart in their valuation of the Uruguayan.
And, with Liverpool desperate for striking reinforcements in January, they could be forced to set their sights elsewhere in pursuit of more potent attacking options.

If ever you needed proof that the FA Cup has lost its lustre then this week should do the trick.

While people's attentions have been firmly on the drama of the Champions League, the fifth round of the historic competition has arrived with almost no fanfare.

The biggest team in the country – sorry Liverpool fans – faces non-league Crawley while Leyton Orient (fresh from their screwing-over at the hands of Newham Council, West Ham United and the Olympic Park Legacy Company) play Arsenal, but there's a distinct lack of romance in the air.

After an enthralling week of Champions League football that saw enormous victories for two English clubs, attentions were turned rather abruptly when UEFA slapped a monstorous price tag on a ticket for the final. Having secured a welcome 1-0 win at the San Siro Tottenham are becoming a team that many football fans would like to see in the final two.

Paris Saint-Germain may have priced centre back Mamadou Sakho out of a move to Liverpool or Arsenal with an inflated price tag.
The centre half has been attracting interest from both Liverpool and the Gunners but, after seeing PSG put a £20m price tag on his head, neither club are likely to offer that sort of money.

Cristiano Ronaldo set a new La Liga single-season scoring record with his 39th and 40th of the campaign for Real Madrid against Almeria.

He notched his first after four minutes and his second on 77 as Real thumped their already-relegated opponents 8-1.

His double meant he moved two clear of the previous mark, which he jointly held with Real's Hugo Sanchez and Athletic Bilbao striker Telmo Zarra.

As Kevin Gameiro seems to be slipping from Newcastle United's grasp, the foreign press seems to think we've turned our attentions to Melvut Erding. There's still a lot of "will he/won't he" regarding Kevin Gameiro's potential transfer to Newcastle, but the noises coming from the player himself are making it look increasingly unlikely.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is ready to make a move for Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam when the summer transfer window opens for business according to reports in the Daily Star.
Dalglish has completed the deal to bring Sunderland's Jordan Henderson to Anfield in the summer for £20m and is now turning his attentions to playmaker Adam.

Liverpool has reportedly been joined by Paris St Germaine in the race to sign Keisuke Honda.
The Japanese international has been linked with a move to the Barclays Premier League for several months now, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger also known to be an admirer of the 24-year-old.
Despite previously admitting a preference to ply his trade in Spain, interest from clubs across Europe continues to circulate around the CSKA Moscow star, with Liverpool and PSG thought to be two of the current frontrunners.

A host of European clubs including Liverpool have been put on alert after Swiss club Basel put a £15m valuation on star player Xherdan Shaqiri, talkSPORT has reported.
The football site claims the 19-year-old winger could have been available for as little as £5m back in January but his club will now be demanding three times that amount.

Tottenham's Transfer Window Tactics Coming to Fruition - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Despite a worrying start to the transfer window, it seems Daniel Levy and Harry Redknapp may well have ridden out the storm and face a late summer full of optimism.

When the calendar page turned to June, the news from White Hart Lane, was more to do with who was going than who was coming.

As Steve Kean looks to hold on to his best players, he has today added young Scottish striker David Goodwillie to his squad for the new campaign.

Goodwillie signs from Dundee United having played five seasons in their tangerine colours. The youngster netted 29 goals in his time their and bolsters the attacking options for Blackburn this season.

Despite the threat of matches being cancelled amongst the hostility in major english cities, right now all games are said to be going ahead this weekend. With that in mind, we should turn our attentions to the new Premier League season which is just three days away.

Liverpool and Sunderland square up on Saturday, and both have new look squads as they head in to the new season.

BY ADAM SERRANO

Many MLS teams are looking to make a deal before the end of the transfer period on August 14th and the Los Angeles Galaxy is one of them.

The MLS league leading Galaxy are on the cusp of starting play in the CONCACAF Champions League and may be looking to add depth at a number of positions.

AC Milan have given up their pursuit of Liverpool misfit Alberto Aquilani, according to reports in Italy.
The Rossoneri were keen on a deal for the Italy international, who spent last season on loan at Juventus, but it is understood that Milan are not willing to pay his high wages.
It has also been suggested that the San Siro side only wanted the 27-year-old on loan, while Liverpool were keen to sell him on to recoup some of the £20m they paid Roma for him in 2009.

So 2011 is upon us. And with ominous trumpets and bad violins, BigFourZa start this decade with the second part of our Annual Football Awards or Fourzys. You can relive the horror of Part One if you wish, or else continue to Part Two.

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The 'Not That Kind Of Player' Award- Joey Barton

This award is given to players who masterfully imitate a rabid dog foaming at the mouth without the pundits catching on to it.

Attentions turn to the FA Cup this weekend and our mouthwatering tie at home to Newcastle United tomorrow evening, live on ESPN. It's been a long 6 weeks since the draw for the 3rd round was made. The lack of games in December due to the adverse weather conditions have made it feel longer too. However, the game is nearly upon us and if it is anything like last time, then we'll be in for a rollercoaster ride come 5.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel's proposed move to Liverpool or Spurs appears to have fallen through after it was revealed he needs surgery to repair a damaged collarbone.
Both English clubs are thought to have been tracking the Dutch playmaker with a view to making a bid for his services this month.
However, any move has been scuppered after he broke his collarbone in a Europa League game last month - coincidentally at Anfield.

Just Desserts #6 is a post from: Just Football

Here for your reading pleasure, another Just Desserts packed full of links to interesting articles we've spotted elsewhere:

1) First, a highly insightful article on the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia and it's likely effect on Tunisian football, by one of the most prominent voices on the subject on Twitter, Rami.

Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo has emerged as a back-up option for Liverpool if their move for £20 million-rated Luis Suarez fails to materialize, according to The Times.
The Reds are in the hunt for a new striker this January, with David Ngog and Dirk Kuyt their only first-team options to partner Fernando Torres in attack.

Did you see him? Did you? Him with his regal mane of golden hair and artistically tattooed limbs sashaying into the stadium with his young one and blessing us all with his presence for ninety minutes. He watched on, he talked to his son, he ate peanuts, he applauded politely, he ‘ooh'ed, he ‘aah'ed, he furiously picked his nose and the merciful cameras didn't miss one bit of it.

There was just one Premiership game being played on Sunday as Roberto Matteo's West Bromwich Albion travelled to Ewood Park to pit their wits against the new management team at Blackburn. The Indian owners of Rovers are standing firmly behind their man since Allardyce's departure and Kean didn't do his cause any harm today.

Liverpool is being linked with a January move for Fernando Llorente as their efforts to sign Luis Suarez falter.
The Reds have reportedly been in negotiations with Ajax to bring the Uruguayan international striker to Anfield, but with Liverpool still struggling to agree a fee with the Dutch giants they could turn their attentions to Llorente.

Liverpool face Fulham in the second of the two rearranged fixtures.

We can probably all agree that this is a slightly better time for Liverpool to be facing...anyone, yes?

You Hodgsonphiles will likely miss the romance inherent when a former manager faces his old club the admiring gazes exchanged prior to the opening whistle, the friendly pats on the back when they encounter one another, the loving cheers from the former supporters, and the rapture everyone experiences when they're watching two teams compete to see whose centerbacks can kick the ball furthest.

Jonathan Spector was in the starting lineup for West Ham yet again, but he couldn't duplicate his past Carling Cup magic as the Hammers lost to Birmingham, 3-1, in overtime of their second leg at St. Andrews on Wednesday. The loss sent Birmingham to the Carling Cup Final.

West Ham came in with a 2-1 lead on aggregate, but Birmingham forced extra time with its own 2-1 regulation scoreline and clinched the victory at home courtesy of a Craig Gardner goal.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers manager was destined to be a colliery electrician until a timely intervention by Barnsley diverted his attentions to full-time football.

ARSENAL fans were left dejected on Sunday evening after being edged out of the Carling Cup Final against Birmingham City at Wembley.

The club has had its fair share of disappointments over the years, and Arsene Wenger has had to continually defend his team's record despite a lean trophy cabinet in the past six years.

Liverpool will attempt to secure the signature of the French international defender Philippe Mexes on a free transfer this summer should Kenny Dalglish's prime defensive target, Gary Cahill, spurn Anfield in favour of Manchester United.
The Scot sees the Bolton defender as the ideal long-term replacement for Jamie Carragher, but knows he would be forced to pay a premium price — as much as £18 million — to see off United, persistent suitors for the 25 year-old, who has become one of the most coveted players in the Premier League.

On Monday we had an interview with Andy Mitten, yesterday it was with Pete Boyle and today we have Pete Shaw who writes for Red News. A great account of the truth about blues.

Scott the Red: Where do you think our rivalry with City ranks amongst that with Liverpool and Leeds?

Pete Shaw: Well, emotionally, it's the one for any home serving Red.

Liverpool has missed out on one of their left back targets as Nigerian defender Taye Taiwo has snubbed a move to the Premier League.
The Olympique Marseille defender had been one of a number of left-backs who have been linked with a switch to Anfield in the summer, but instead he appears to be on the way to Italy.

They'd already had his wing mirrors, aerial and hubcaps. And now that JD's new friends had turned their attentions closer to home, he became concerned about the continuing integrity of his more personal valuables. Image via yfrog

Roberto Mancini has issued a rallying cry to his Manchester City side warning them not to mess things up in the FA Cup final.

The Citizens are celebrating ensuring Champions League qualification for the first time in their history, securing that Premier League top four spot with a 1-0 win over Spurs.