[lfc-news] Morientes snag as defender signs in - Post

Liverpool Daily Post, 6 Jan 2005
Morientes snag as defender signs in
By Andy Hunter, Daily Post

LIVERPOOL completed the signing of Valencia defender Mauricio Pellegrino
last night as Real Madrid threw another obstacle in the way of Fernando
Morientes's move to Anfield.

Argentinian Pellegrino has signed a six-month contract with the option
of another year after Rafael Benitez turned to the 33-year-old for
defensive cover, as revealed in the Daily Post last Wednesday.

Pellegrino, who won two Primera Liga titles and the UEFA Cup under
Benitez before falling out of favour with Claudio Ranieri, said: "At my
age it's a great satisfaction that this opportunity comes along. I have
always wanted to play in English football."

And his agent, Filippo Cavadini, confirmed: "He has passed his medical
and is very happy he is going to Liverpool - a great club.

"He has already spoken to Rafael Benitez and is looking forward to
playing with Liverpool.

"Mauricio will now be going to Valencia for two or three days to
organise his personal situation before returning to Liverpool."

Pellegrino is expected to provide back-up for Jamie Carragher and Sami
Hyypia with Stephane Henchoz set to leave Anfield in the transfer
window. The Swiss international has turned down a move to Glasgow
Rangers to stay in the Premiership, which has increased Bolton's
prospects of signing the 30-year-old on a free transfer.

New Madrid coach Wanderley Luxemburgo, meanwhile, has insisted he does
not want to sell Morientes to "an enemy" like Liverpool. But Anfield
officials remain confident of eventually striking a £5million deal for
the striker.

Luxemburgo, however, insisted: "I don't like reinforcing the rivals. If
Morientes was going away to Liverpool then we would be helping an enemy.

"I want to speak to Morientes to know what he is thinking. Then I will
meet the club and we will decide the best thing for everyone."

* LIVERPOOL'S reserve clash with Blackburn Rovers last night was called
off because of a water-logged pitch.


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