http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/8844159.stm 

Of course he did.

Until he realised that of Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs, the only team he could be guaranteed an extended run-out in was with Liverpool.

Masterstroke by Woy methinks. You can almost imagine the conversation ''Joe, you are central to my rebuilding efforts here at Anfield''.

Or put rather less politely: ''Joe, there's a lot of crap here so don't worry about not getting a regular start''

Alternatively, a month ago Cole told Redknapp that he wanted to join Spurs, until a properly big club like Liverpool came in for him, and he realised that despite the Tottenham star having a brief moment of brightness, they'll be back in mid-table mediocrity before too long, dismally failing to emerge from the Arsenal shadow.

Although I think Matty was actually laughing at Redknapp's claim that Tottenham can win the Premier League.

OK, I'll bite.

TBH, Woy has done well so far (by getting Cole). But let there be no doubt that Mascherano will be a major, major loss.

The big question is what does he do with the cash from that sale (when it happens of course) plus other deals. Apparently, everyone's up for sale (potentially), apart from Torres, Reina, Carragher, Gerrard and Agger.

Given the current state of affairs at Liverpool I'm far more comfortable with the squad my lot have, as opposed to yours - greater depth for a start. And that's before we've even signed any players in the current transfer window. I don't count the purchase of Sandro as that deal was done ages ago - a purchase that could prove to be a masterstroke on 'Arry's part. Or a total dud. We shall see.

Mascherano on 2008/9 season form = massive loss

Mascherano on 2009/10 season form = no great loss, as his head seemed to be elsewhere and the only time we saw enthusiam on the pitch, it spilled over into recklessness

I'd still rather he stayed, of course I would; he's a world class player when on form. But if he wants out - and that was the impression last season - then so be it. Given the emergence at the WC of more technically-able players in the holding role being 'the future', it may benefit Liverpool in the longer run to replace him. We just need to ensure we get £20m+ for him.

Add that to the £6m for Benayoun, £5m for Insua and [potentially] £5m for Ngog and there's £36m+ with which to strengthen the team. There was also supposed to be a £15m transfer kitty on top of any sales, but I wouldn't count on that.

We then need a defensive midfielder and left back to replace the outgoing players. We could then do with a left and right winger, a proven back-up striker, reserve right and left backs.

Ah, I see what you mean about squad depth. On the plus side, we now have 5 centre halves....

And another thing...

...Every time I read the name of Chelsea target and Brazilian defensive midfielder Ramires, I hear it in the voice of the Kurgan from Highlander. I just hope he stays at Benfica, cos I couldn't stand a whole season of "Ramirez!" in that voice bouncing round my head.

BBC Gossip Column today reports that West Ham have dropped their valuation of Carlton Cole to £12,000,000.

Knock three 0's off and they might get a deal.

Interestingly, Milan are said to be 'close to signing' Honda from CSKA Moscow for around GBP12m.

So there you have it - one of the best players at the World Cup going for a similar amount to Carlton Cole's valuation. Go figure. Well actually, one doesn't.

True.

Dirk Kuyt was prolific in the Eredivisie for Feyenoord (71 goals in 101 apps) but struggled to score in the Prem and was subsequently shunted onto the right wing.

PS - latest rumour I've heard is that Liverpool close to a deal for Huntelaar, with Babel + cash going in the opposite direction. Whilst it's clear Huntelaar is surplus to requirements at Milan, I can't see them wanting Ryan Babel!

Huntelaar is another name that has periodically been connected with both Manure and Spurs. Please Woy, take him on loan, so that we can dodge another bullet.

Huntelaar's goalscoring record outside Holland is poor, having failed in Spain and Italy. Of course Milan want to get rid of him.

Huntelaar to stay at Milan, according to CEO Galliani. If Galliani sticks with that script then it's treble G+Ts all round. 

Huntelaar hasnt stepped up from what is quite frankly a poor league in Holland....a player highly over valued.

Oh, I couldn't agree with you more. I will add, however, that I believe Suarez could.

Man U say that Vidic has 'shook hands' on a new long-term deal, quashing rumours that he was tempted by the glamour of Real Madrid.

A good move by manure - I just hope Torres is still with us to make Vidic look like Bambi on ice for many seasons to come.

The rumours about Evra going sadly seem to have died a death, too.

The Beeb article is actually a little bit misleading as it doesn't mention Redknapp saying he needs another three or four players in terms of making a realistic bid for the title. Frankly, any of the top six or seven could win the PL if they brought in three or four quality players.

I saw a piece on Friday in goal.com quoting Arjen Robben from a Daily Star (admittedly not a great source) story. In it he says the following - in reference to Torres, Gerrard and Joe Cole - ''You look at those as a front three and you struggle to find a better front three in Europe - and I include Barcelona in that.''

Arjen Robben used to play for Real Madrid

Liverpool finally offload Reira, with just a £4.5m loss from an £8m purchase only 2 years ago

Another in a long line of flops who we've lost money on, going right back to Souness and through Evans, Houllier (especially Houllier ) and Benitez.

The Olympiakos fans seem to like him, mind. The scenes in Athens were like nothing seen since Darius Vassell signed for that Turkish pub team.

Comments which [genuinely] sparked a flurry of speculation round Liverpool that Robben was gearing up for a surprise transfer to Anfield

Good grief, can you imagine Robben going to Anfield? They'd need to widen the pitch to accomodate both his diving and Torres' 

Torres doesn't dive in a Liverpool shirt

(he leaves that to Gerrard )

Oh my, the claws are well and truly out. Harsh, but true.

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/sport/article-1297258/Des-Kelly-Liverpool-biggest-team-Britain-Only-distant-memory.html

Saint some good news for Man U fans....Vidic is a real class act (tho does struggle against Torres). Evra.. well i would like to see his contract given a healthy extension as Patrice IMO is the best LB in the world.

All I can say is: what a knob Des Kelly is.

Absolutely nobody at Liverpool thinks we are the biggest club in the country any more. Cole's was a cliched response we've heard many times from footballers joining a new club. So pigging what. Yet Des Kelly takes unrestrained glee in rubbing the salt into the wounds that Liverpool fans still nurse - not only from long ago losing their status as the top club in the country (indeed, in Europe also), but that it was to our hated (yes, hated; absolutely) rivals in the next door city, a seething rivalry that goes back beyond football. His disdain for Cole's choice of new club is pathetic - and laden with errors. Chelsea wanted to keep Cole - that's why they offered him a new deal pretty not far from what he's getting from Liverpool, but they ended up making a stand against what they apparently viewed as having a gun put to their heads. Both Spurs and Arsenal wanted him and again offered not far from what Liverpool did. West Ham offered more. All that pillock Kelly wants to do is is point at Liverpool and laugh.

If the story below, citing The Mirror, is correct, then Sam Allardyce should never ever become England manager. He's clearly in need of psychological help.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING RIGHT?

Not strictly PL related, although PL penalty takers might like to take a leaf out of this guy's book.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3266/spain/2010/07/24/2040401/video-ezequiel-calvente-scores-audacious-switch-hit-penalty