liverpoolfcblog.co.uk

Robbie Keane completed his move to Liverpool Football Club yesterday in a deal reported to be worth up to £20.3 million.

Speaking about the move Keane said: “I’ve been waiting for this day since I was a kid. I’m a massive fan, so to be sitting here in a Liverpool tracksuit is a dream come true.”

“I am so grateful just to be here. I love the club and this is the one dream I had still to achieve.”

“I always wanted to be a footballer as a kid, but also to play for Liverpool, maybe you never feel it is going to happen.”

“Now I am enjoying every minute and I can’t wait to pull on that red shirt. This is a massive club and I want to do everything I can to make them even more successful.”

“The reasons I left Spurs are that I am a huge Liverpool fan and the chance to play for them may never come around again.”

“This opportunity is something I couldn’t let go. I am at an age now when I believe I am at my peak, and aim to kick on.”

>>Click here to watch Keane talking at his Liverpool press conference>>

West Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson thinks that a move to Liverpool would be a good thing for Gareth Barry.

Carson said: “I think if he wants to leave he should really, however, people have got their price and if Liverpool cannot match the price then they have got to come to some sort of agreement.”

Of course Carson has played for at Villa and Liverpool so has probably had a good idea of the differences and pros and cons of a move for Barry.

Carson joined West Brom after a full season on loan at Villa, Carson said “They (Villa) never said that they definitely didn’t want me, they said they were going to go for an experienced one and maybe they still will,”

“Obviously, I couldn’t go somewhere to be second choice - I would have been better off staying at Liverpool - but I think the time was right to leave and get settled.”

Reports are spreading that we’re set to sign Robbie Keane from Tottenham, and the Liverpool Echo say that this deal could be done within 48 hours!

The problem for me is the £20 million price tag that Tottenham have put on Keane; lets face it he’s not getting any younger and he only cost them £7 million back in 2002! I’m sure Rafa will want to cut back the costs…

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos, seems quite unfased by the fact that Berbatov and now Keane could be moving, he said; : “We will see what happens there, but we are talking about two very important players.”

“For the moment they are with us, but whatever happens the idea is to have a great squad, with the potential to allow us to aim to improve on what we managed last season.”

“We have to be realistic and see what we are starting with and who we are competing against.”

“There are some big clubs who have spent a lot of money over many years and have a certain advantage. In fact they claim they want to sign some of our players.”

“At Tottenham, we have had a clear philosophy regarding buying and selling for years. The idea is signing young players, promising and talented ones, and if important offers for older players are made, studying it to see what is the best for the club.”

It just seems weird that Rafa hasn’t commented on this yet!??

Skysports.com reports that Rafa Benitez has hinted that he may be interested in going after David Villa, Valencia striker and Euro 2008 top scorer.

Rafa gives his main reason as a replacement for Peter Crouch, who has agreed his Portsmouth deal. Personally, I think Villa would just be a perfect partner for Fernando Torres upfront, simple as that! He’s a quality striker, which he’s proved time and time again.

The only problem is David Villa has, so far, insisted that he’s perfectly happy at Valencia..>>Click here for the full story

>>Click here to get the latest transfer odds and place your bets here now!>>

Reports in the papers today are suggesting that Martin O’Neill has finally agreed to let Gareth Barry go. The Times reports; ‘O’Neill is ready to accept Liverpool’s £15 million offer for Gareth Barry now that Steve Finnan has been offered in a part-exchange deal.’

Personally I’m not sure about giving Steve Finnan away he’s a quality replacement at right back. And this, a quality right back is exactly what Villa need and perhaps is the main reason for O’Neill’s sudden, reported, u-turn??

Either way with Peter Crouch on the verge of siging for Portsmouth it looks like Rafa will have most of the cash for Barry in the bank or at least on the way.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, Peter Crouch has decided that an £11 million move to Portsmouth could be on the cards.

A Liverpool football club statement said that a verbal agreement had been made and Portsmouth have permission to speak to Peter Crouch.

I guess this is the wat it was destined to be after Crouch only made 9 Premiership starts last season. Obviously the arrival of Fernando Torres blocked out Crouch for the majority of last season.

With more and more England appearances under his belt I don’t blame Crouch for looking towards regular first team football, good luck to him. I just hope we don’t get half way through next season and find ourselves stearing at a huge unjury list, ’strength in depth’ and all that….

Betting casino & bingo, spreadbetting & gambling odds!

Place your bets with Liverpoolfcblog.co.uk today!

Use the links on our betting page to place your Liverpool bets now! Football bets, first goals and more.

Links to online casino & bingo, spreadbetting and more of the latest hot online gambling odds! >>Click here!>>

 Gareth Barry has been fined for his ‘unathourised’ interview with a Sunday Newspaper - The News of the World - But why?

Can’t he speak his mind and let people know what he’s thinking? I wouldn’t think there’s a clause in his contract that says he cannot tell the truth and speak his mind, is there!?

More to the point, Gareth Barry has annoyed Martin O’Neill and Aston Villa football club - but honestly what do they expect him to do? Sit there and take all the criticism and let the club blame him for wanting to leave…

We’ve offered £15 million but the deal Villa want is £18 million and it looks like they’re holding out for the higher price…we’ll see.