[lfc-news] Price must be right to land Morientes - Post

Liverpool Daily Post, 16 Dec 2004
Price must be right to land Morientes
By David Prior, Daily Post Staff

FERNANDO MORIENTES has been told he can leave Real Madrid next month -
but Liverpool's hopes of bringing the striker to Anfield will hinge on
their ability to drive down asking price.

The Bernabeu club appear ready to end months of speculation by
off-loading the Spanish international in the new year transfer window,
with club president Florentino Perez hoping to use the player's fee to
bankroll a summer move for Inter Milan's Brazilian frontman Adriano.

That will open the door for Liverpool to make a formal approach for a
player they have consistently been linked with - although it is believed
the Anfield club are not prepared to match his pricetag of around £8million.

Morientes is unhappy with life in Madrid having fallen down the
strikers' pecking order behind Raul, Ronaldo and Michael Owen, and has
seen his Primera Liga season largely restricted to secondhalf substitute
appearances.

He has voiced hopes of a return to Monaco, where he spent last season on
loan and played a significant role in their Champions League glory, but
the Principality club are in a weak position financially and coach
Didier Deschamps has ruled out a Morientes return.

Liverpool, whose desperate need for reinforcements was underlined by
Tuesday's disappointing draw against Portsmouth, will hope that factor
may give them some room to push Real's price down.

Another player still on the Anfield checklist is Nicolas Anelka, with
Manchester City indicating at this week's AGM they would consider a loan
deal - with a view to a permanent move - for a player whose future at
Eastlands looks to be in jeopardy after some ill-advised comments to a
French magazine.

City chairman John Wardle said he would sell the Frenchman at the right
price to ease the club's escalating debts, despite the striker's apology
over his attack on the club.

Anelka is, however, also valued at around £8million, while there are
still question marks over his temperament and therefore suitability for
Rafael Benitez's squad.

And despite an Anelka arrival receiving the backing of Steven Gerrard,
the manager is unlikely to bear such factors in mind when choosing new
blood.

Despite Tuesday's late setback against Pompey, the Spanish coach remains
upbeat despite his side trailing leaders Chelsea by 15 points.

He said: "If you look at the table we have gained one point and closed
the gap on the top four teams.

"I accept it is a bad situation losing two points at home but it is not
the worst. The players are frustrated but we will return to training and
focus on our next game and put this one behind us."

The game did however further convince Jamie Carragher of the need for
new arrivals next month. "I'm not talking necessarily about replacing
individuals," he said. "More about getting numbers in. We need a bigger
squad. No matter what's happened so far this season, I think everyone
knows we're still short of players."

John-Arne Riise said: "Consistency is the key and that will take time.
We've a lot of new players in the side, and so far they have done
brilliantly, but they need time to fully adapt."


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