Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur: Real Madrid's £86m move for Gareth Bale is 'very ... - Telegraph.co.uk

Nonetheless, he believed that Tottenham had secured a princely sum for their prized asset. "They [Real] are very generous," he said. "I don't think that prices are linked with the quality of the players at all. This summer especially. The prices today are just linked with the financial power and the desire of the buyer."

It was pointed out to him that Arsenal had not insubstantial financial potential of their own. "We have financial potential, I wouldn't deny that," he replied. "But we will still decide to pay the right price."

Such are the intricacies and entanglements of the modern football transfer market that it sometimes seems as if you need a degree in economics to understand it all. Wenger has a degree in economics, and sometimes even he struggles.

"It's impossible to assess a market and say, 'this is the normal price for this player because that is his quality'," he said. "That has gone. There are very, very, few players who economically justify paying over £50 million."

On Friday, Tottenham confirmed the signings of Erik Lamela, Vlad Chiriches and Christian Eriksen.

Lamela, the Roma forward, has joined for a club record fee which could rise to £29.9 million, Eriksen, the Ajax midfielder, has signed for £11 million, while Steaua Bucharest defender Chiriches cost £8.5 million.

Of all the players Tottenham have purchased with the expected proceeds of the Bale transfer, Lamela is the closest to a direct replacement. The 21-year-old Argentine is quick, left-footed, adept at beating players and capable of scoring spectacular goals.

Of Chiriches, Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said: "He has tremendous qualities coming out with the ball. Great build-up play – something we insist on with our central defenders – to come out with the ball, to assume responsibility, to drive the ball forward. So great technical abilities. A captain and leader as well."

Before yesterday's arrivals, Tottenham had already signed Paulinho, Étienne Capoue, Nacer Chadli and Roberto Soldado in recent weeks. A risk, said Wenger.

"There is a technical risk," he explained, "when you buy more than three players. Because you unbalance the stability of your squad a little bit. It's always difficult when you bring so many players in to predict how well they will do. It can work as well. It can click fantastically well, but there is a little risk in the stability of the squad and in the technical consistency."

But Arsenal fans do not really want to hear about things like that. Wenger, too, knows that when the time comes to assess his career, "technical consistency" will probably come quite a long way down the list of criteria.

Besides, as he has reiterated a hundred times over, Arsenal remain in the market for players. The Real Madrid trio of Karim Benzema, Iker Casillas and Ángel di Maria remain the subject of speculation. Any truth, Arsène? "I don't know," he replied. "It's not like a supermarket, where if you buy two, you get one free."

Is this all a game to him? Not the football, of course; his competitive fire burns too fiercely for that. But the rest of it; the speculation, the denial, the interrogation, the rebuttal.

One comment of his was particularly telling. "I can understand that it's very interesting for people to read the newspapers and see who goes in and who comes out," he said. "But the only thing, if you really love football, is what happens on the pitch. We have a way to play, we have good players, and let's focus on that."

These do not sound like the words of a man intending to spend Monday night with a mobile phone taped to each ear.

As so often when discussing football finance, he offers a house analogy. "You could be in a position to buy a house that is worth £2 million. If you like it and you have £4 million, you can buy it for £4 million. But that doesn't mean you can resell it for £4?million. It is exactly the same with players."

Wenger's academic training will have taught him how to read and model a market. But the world of football transfers is no longer a market in the classical sense. It is a wilderness, a soup of numbers, defying reason or rule.

The man who pulled off some of the most stunning coups in British football history — think Patrick Vieira for £3.5 million, Nicolas Anelka for £500,000, Kolo Touré for £150,000 — is coming dangerously close to disavowing the transfer market altogether.

Women's Super League: Liverpool beat Birmingham to stay top - BBC Sport

Temporary England coach Brent Hills was in attendance as Liverpool won 4-2 at Birmingham to stay two points clear at the top of the Women's Super League.

She will no doubt have had an eye on Reds striker Natasha Dowie, left out of England's Euro 2013 squad but the country's top scorer with 15 goals in 17 games.

Women's Super League table

	Pld	Won	Pts
Liverpool	11	9	27
Arsenal	10	8	25
Bristol	9	7	21
Birmingham	10	3	12
Everton	9	3	11
Chelsea	12	3	10
Lincoln	11	1	6
Doncaster	10	1	5

It was not Dowie, however, but German winger Nicole Rosler who shone brightest with a hat-trick to take her season's goal tally to 11.

In-form striker Danielle Carter set champions Arsenal on the way to a 3-1 win over bottom club Doncaster Belles.

Carter opened the scoring with her sixth goal in five outings, but the Belles fought back well and the final scoreline flattered the Gunners.

Arsenal are now two points behind Liverpool with a game in hand.

Third-placed Bristol Academy, with two games in hand on the Reds, are four points below the Gunners after Laura del Rio's stoppage-time penalty gave them a 1-0 win at Lincoln.

In the lower half of the table, Everton beat Chelsea 3-2.

Birmingham City 2-4 Liverpool

Liverpool threatened from the early stages and Rosler opened the scoring with a far-post finish from Louise Fors' 25th-minute cross.

Swedish midfielder Fors doubled the lead six minutes later, spectacularly bending a 25-yard free-kick into the top corner.

Rosler raced clear on the left to cut in and score the third goal five minutes before half-time.

Liverpool's Nicole Rosler celebrates the first of her three goals against Birmingham.

And five minutes after the interval, the German's pace saw her reach Fors' through-ball to complete her hat-trick.

Blues pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute, substitute Coral Haines sliding the ball home from a Kirsty Linnett cross.

And Linnett was the provider again as Isobel Christiansen slotted in Birmingham's 69th-minute second.

But despite late pressure the home side were unable to deny the leaders victory.

Arsenal 3-1 Doncaster

Ten days after thrashing the Belles 6-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium, Arsenal found it much tougher on their own pitch against the same opponents.

Carter hit the post after 11 minutes, before opening the scoring with her sixth goal in five outings, but in a hard-fought opening half-hour Donny striker Mille Bright also saw a good effort come back off the woodwork.

The visitors equalised three minutes after the break, Gunners captain Steph Houghton mis-hitting a pass straight to Sue Smith for the winger to curl the ball home.

But five minutes later the home side regained the lead as playmaker Kim Little scored from the spot.

And midfielder Jordan Nobbs clinched Arsenal's eighth successive victory when she turned in right winger Ellen White's 70th-minute cross.

Lincoln 0-1 Bristol Academy

Lincoln striker Bonnie Horwood had a goalbound effort well saved by keeper Siobhan Chamberlain after just two minutes but, although the home side continued to look the more likely scorers, they failed to produce another clear-cut opening until a remarkable incident on the hour.

Captain Casey Stoney headed against the post, winger Jess Clarke pounced on the rebound but had her shot blocked by Chamberlain and within seconds Stoney had two close-range efforts cleared off the line.

Bristol could have grabbed the points 14 minutes from time, but striker Natalia sent a free header over the bar.

A minute into stoppage time, however, Natalia's Spanish compatriot Del Rio made no mistake from the penalty spot to earn a vital victory.

Everton 3-2 Chelsea

A late goal by Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah gave Everton victory after Chelsea had come back from two goals behind to seemingly salvage a point.

Striker Toni Duggan had given the Toffees a 13th-minute lead that was doubled seven minutes after the break by Michelle Hinnigan, both goals from close range.

Toni Duggan gave Everton the lead against Chelsea.

But two minutes after Hinnigan's strike, Drew Spence took advantage of a slip by goalkeeper Rachel Brown to reduce the arrears.

Chelsea then took control and drew level when Katie Holtham forced the ball home in an 81st-minute goalmouth scramble.

The visitors looked set for a deserved point, but six minutes from time teenage striker Boye-Hlorkah hit the net from 10 yards to give Everton the points.

Liverpool v Manchester United: live - Telegraph.co.uk

The wait for an Anfield win for David Moyes goes on - 13 games and counting.

15.30 Not a happy day for Roy Hodgson. Controversially turfed out of the directors' box before the game, he then sat among the scouts and watched two of his right back options - Phil Jones and Glen Johnson - pick up injuries. Daniel Sturridge's form is encouraging, but even he complained of a thigh injury before the game and then mentioned it again in the post-match interviews which rather smacks of an imminent early withdrawal. Wayne Rooney wasn't involved at all because of a head injury that David Moyes says will give him "no chance" of playing against either Moldova or Ukraine.

Full time - Liverpool 1 Manchester United 0
Three games, three 1-0 wins, three Daniel Sturridge goals.

90 + 4 min Carrick almost plays Sturridge in for a second but recovers. United attempt to counter but Liverpool have the ball back and Sterling unleashes a shot at goal after running Ferdinand to the edge of the box. De Gea makes his first serious save of the second half. We've played the five minutes and are now at the mercy of Andre Marriner.

90 + 3 min You'll Never Walk Alone ringing out, soon to be replaced as the club anthem by '1-0 to the Liverpool.'

90 + 1 min Sterling dribbles downfield and, with no support around, collapses under minimal contact from Carrick. It's such a prime example of buying a free kick that Andre Marriner is printing out a receipt for him.

90 min Five minutes of stoppage time about as welcome as football tourist in a Manchester United replica shirt on the Kop.

89 min A final chance in normal time, another yellow card. Cleverley gets away from Lucas who chops him down wide right. It's in exactly the same position as the Nani delivery a moment ago and this time Van Persie has come across to take it himself. Vidic delivers some last minute instructions and unless they were "play it low straight onto Enrique's head at the near post so he can clear easily" they went unheeded.

87 min Finally, finally United are able to pull Liverpool out of their rigid shape and get in behind the defence. Van Persie races in and although the angle is acute, and the ball on his unfavoured right foot, it's still a surprise to see him miss the target altogether.

85 min Look away West Brom fans, you're now 2-0 down to Swansea and looking set to go into week four without a win or a goal to your name. Long, hard winter ahead. Pablo Hernandez scores the second goal.

84 min A harsh handball decision against Sterling deep in Liverpool territory wide on the United right gives Nani (rather than left footed Van Persie) a chance to swing over a free kick, but he's picked the wrong club from the bag and it flies over everybody and into touch.

82 min Coutinho, impressive in the first half but rather starved of possession in the second, is the third Liverpool player to be substituted with Luis Alberto coming on.

81 min Hernandez tries his luck from the edge of the box but it's another routine save from Mignolet. Hardly any threat at all from Liverpool in this second half, but United have been restricted mainly to long range efforts and time is now their enemy.

77 min Well, it certainly was a reducer and it's sent Glen Johnson limping off down the tunnel to be replaced by Andre Wisdom. More bad news for Roy Hodgson, watching today over the top of an emergency exit gate while standing on a small stool. Phil Jones, Glen Johnson and Wayne Rooney now all doubts or definitely out of the forthcoming qualifiers.

76 min Nani cuts in field, rides one tackle, and unleashes a howitzer from 25 yards that Mignolet sees late and saves well in the bottom corner. The ball breaks to Valencia who hammers it into the six yard box but Liverpool have closed ranks and are able to survive.

74 min Evra seizes on a loose pass from Gerrard but Johnson comes across and executes what Ron Atkinson would surely have called a "reducer" which leaves both players struggling on the ground. Roar of approval from the Kop for that one.

73 min Giggs is replaced by Javier Hernandez (and that is his name, none of that Chicharito nonsense here thank you). Not a performance Giggs will look back on with any fondness.

71 min Vidic owes De Gea a pint of generic Spanish lager for that one. The keeper again shows his sharpness off his line to race out to the edge of the box and hook a dreadful back pass from his captain into the main stand.

69 min Here's what Gary Neville might describe as a "bizarre incident." Sterling and Valencia chase a bouncing ball into the Man Utd right back area. The United man gets there first and hooks the ball back over Sterling's head before catching it in two hands on the other side after being accidently poked in the eye. The outcome is a United free kick. Your guess is as good as mine.

67 min Van Persie, attacking in the left channel, feeds Evra who wins a corner from Johnson. It's floated into the near post by Nani, headed goalwards by Giggs, and Mignolet gathers. That's United's seventh corner of the game with no return. Liverpool have scored from their only one.

62 min Ashley Young, who's done so little it's almost unfair he didn't have to pay to get in, goes off and Nani replaces him.

60 min Perhaps concerned that Liverpool haven't been out of their half for sometime, Brendan Rodgers is bringing on Raheem Sterling. Aspas is withdrawn.

58 min That's three of the four United midfielders on yellow cards now with Young booked for pulling Henderson's shirt.

57 min Danny Welbeck has been growing increasingly frustrated since half time and now he's on the floor in the penalty area after a dive almost as embarrassing as Ashley Cole's at Old Trafford on Monday night. Welbeck is angry, all arms and tall hair. David Moyes is also fuming, but the furious appeals over what was a clear and obvious piece of play acting merely betray how worried the United manager is about how this game is going.

56 min All United now. Mignolet and Agger go for the same cross and the loose ball drops to Evra 30 yards out but his instinctive first time volley is blocked.

52 min Valencia speeds into the area and looks like he might be about to drop to the floor under contact from Enrique. Credit to him, he stays on his feet and has to settle for a corner which Mignolet punches clear.

50 min Finally a bit of concerted United pressure. Van Persie sees a volley deflected wide for a corner. From that set piece a defensive header Daniel Agger wouldn't have even tried in his school days sets Ashley Young up for a striker from 18 yards, dead centre of the goal, but it's deflected away.

47 min Picking up where we left off in the first half. Carrick, already booked, goes in hard on Aspas and is given a last, final, ultimate, serious this time, warning from Andre Marriner.

46 min No changes at the break - Valencia came on for the injured Phil Jones before half time.

14.20 Is the wait for David Moyes' first ever win at Anfield going to continue? On the evidence of the first half it's a strong possibility. Liverpool have looked vulnerable in defence when United have attacked, but that hasn't been often enough. Ashley Young has been completely anonymous, Ryan Giggs has conceded possession more in the last 45 minutes than he has in the last ten years put together.

One can't help but wonder what Shinji Kagawa has to do to get into this midfield. Somewhere in Germany, Jurgen Klopp is crying over a photograph of the Japanese international, rocking backwards and forwards repeating the names of Young and Danny Welbeck, stopping every now and again to throw back his head and shout "Why? Why? Nobody loved you like I did." Possibly.

Liverpool have worked harder, and tackled with greater ferocity. They have that extra bit of quality in the final third thanks to the presence of Coutinho.

Half time: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 0

45 + 2 min There's no love lost between Skrtl and Van Persie. An argument in the area sees the United striker, already on a booking, called across for a final warning by the referee. Presumably that was supposed to calm things down but Skrtl and Gerrard are quickly on the scene to see if they can wind the Dutchman up sufficiently to get him sent off. They can't - yet - and that's half time. Marriner is probably as grateful as anybody that time is up. Captains Gerrard and Vidic called in by the referee for a consultation before heading to the dressing rooms.

45 min Two minutes added to the end of the half.

42 min Just another line on that Roy Hodgson story Henry Winter was Tweeting about earlier (scroll down). Apparently while there isn't room in the Anfield directors' box for the England manager there is a seat for everybody's favourite actor James Corden. Broken Britain.

41 min And the cards just keep coming. Carrick the latest, interupting a Liverpool counter with a cynical pull on Aspas.

39 min Sensing a clampdown is in order, Marriner shows a yellow card to Van Persie for leaving a foot in on Agger.

37 min Jones isn't well at all, and he's going off to be replaced by Antonio Valencia.

34 min Tempers starting to fray a little. With Jones down injured Liverpool play on, Cleverley doesn't like it one bit and crunches into Coutinho on the edge of the box. That's an obvious free kick and the game's first yellow card. Aspas is also carded by Marriner for rushing over and gesturing that he thinks a card should be shown. Sound the cliché klaxon for "we don't like to see that sort of thing coming into the game."

32 min Liverpool too intricate for their own good on the edge of their own penalty area, but although possession is conceded by an ill-advised triangle of passes Phil Jones' cross goes straight to Mignolet. On the touchline Brendan Rodgers gently taps some finger cymbals together and mutters something about the "team, collective, unit, together, as one. Liverpool."

27 min Steven Gerrard lifts a free kick over a Man Utd wall, but it's too far out to trouble De Gea who sees it all the way and saves comfortably.

25 min The three players Liverpool are said to be signing prior to tomorrow's transfer deadline - Chelsea's Victor Moses, Sporting Lisbon's Thiago Ilori, and Paris Saint-Germain's Mamadou Sakho - are all sitting in the main stand. Jim White is clambering over people, microphone in hand, to get to them.

24 min In the other game taking place at the same time it's West Brom 0 Swansea 1 with Ben Davies scoring after 22 minutes. The Baggies' start to the season could be about to get a downgrade from 'uncomfortable' to 'deeply concerning'.

22 min Fine defensive header from referee Marriner interupts a United attack and sets Liverpool away, but De Gea is quickly out of his area and onto the through ball which he steers away from Sturridge.

Liverpool fan Marc Melander says: "About time we got some help from a referee v United but a bit obvious for Marriner to be heading the ball."

19 min First action of the afternoon for our referee Andre Marriner. Coutinho cuts in from the Liverpool left but finds himself chopped to the ground by Ryan Giggs. No yellow card, and the free kick from Gerrard is headed away by Vidic.

14 min Welbeck skips into the area and is blocked by Glen Johnson. The ball almost falls to Van Persie but Liverpool scramble it away. Wouldn't be surprised to see an equaliser going in here shortly.

11 min Ashley Young's low, inswinging corner flies all the way through the six yard box and is missed completely by, in this order, Michael Carrick, Danny Welbeck and Robin Van Persie. And the entire Liverpool defence as well. It bounces out for a goal kick.

8 min They may have fallen behind, but United look very threatening going forwards. Evra and Welbeck put together an intricate move on the edge of the box and the latter tries a shot that Mignolet saves comfortably.

5 min The frenetic start to the game continues. A deep cross from Giggs is headed down at the far post by Evra and Van Persie hooks a bicycle kick over the bar inside the six yard box. Straight down to the other end and Coutinho shoots wide from outside the box. Calm down lads, there's another 85 minutes to go yet.

3 min GOAL! Liverpool 1 Man Utd 0 (Sturridge)
The resulting corner, Liverpool's first of the game, is met powerfully by Daniel Agger who gets in ahead of Rio Ferdinand. The header probably wouldn't have beaten a crowd on the line but is helped into the net by Sturridge, who keeps up his record of a goal in every game this season with a flicked back header into the net.

2 min Liverpool respond at the other end. Sturridge cuts into the area and sees a shot deflected wide by Ferdinand for a corner...

1 min Man Utd on the attack immediately, but Giggs' low cross is safely claimed at the near post by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

13.30 Underway at Anfield.

13.26 Here come the teams. Attempts by travelling United fans to drown out 'You'll Never Walk Alone' not going well. Tomorrow would have been Bill Shankly's 100th birthday, and there will be a minute of applause prior to kick off in his memory. A banner on The Kop reads "Bill Shankly 1913-1981, He Made People Happy".

Before we get underway, John Nee offers this on today's big question about Luis Suarez and Wayne Rooney's directors' box small talk: "Luis to Wayne. Fancy a bite after the game?" E-mails and Tweets gratefully received.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said: "It needs to be competitive and it needs to be fierce, but we went down to ten men in this game last year and it cost us. You need to retain the composure to enable you to play."

13.10 Liverpool haven't won their first three league matches of the season since 1994 when they started with a 6-1 win at Crystal Palace and followed it with a 3-0 home win against Arsenal and 2-0 success at Southampton. Their recent record against Manchester United on this ground is very decent: four wins and a draw from five meetings at Anfield prior to the 2-1 defeat here last season.

David Moyes says Wayne Rooney has "no chance" of being fit for the forthcoming England games with Moldova and Ukraine: "He got a cut down the middle of his forehead; it was completely accidental but it's a bad cut. It will keep him out for a few weeks."

12.55 Danny Welbeck, sporting an increasingly impressive high-top, attempts to justify his record of just two goals in 40 gamesby saying he was mostly playing wide on the left. Carragher distinctly unimpressed with that.

12.42 So Kolo Toure is injured and out of the Liverpool team, Martin Skrtl comes in. No Rooney for Man Utd, and Antonio Valencia drops down to the bench as well. Ryan Giggs and Ashley Young come in from the start.

12.40 Two changes for Man Utd after the bore draw on Monday night...

Man Utd: De Gea; Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Young, Cleverley, Carrick, Giggs; Welbeck, Van Persie.
Subs: Lindegaard, Smalling, Buttner, Anderson, Nani, Valencia, Hernandez.

12.38 Jamie Carragher describes the Liverpool team he was part of last season as "flat track bullies" given their inability to beat teams in the top five. Graeme Sounness says Arsenal's group of players simply "aren't good enough". Bit grumpy in the studio today.

12.32 Liverpool very prompt with their team news...

Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique; Lucas, Henderson; Gerrard, Coutinho, Aspas; Sturridge.
Subs: Jones, Sterling, Wisdom, Kelly, Ibe, Flanagan, Alberto.

12.30 David Moyes was the Everton manager for 11 years, and never once did he cross Stanley Park and secure a victory at Anfield. Today, like the long suffering bullied schoolboy returning to the playground with his big brother in tow, he's back with a Manchester United team at his disposal. Moyes' appointment adds an extra edge to what was always a full-blooded and often controversial encounter anyway.

If the transfer rumours are to be believed then Moyes may have liked to play the game next week with several new recruits in place, but given that two of the players most likely to move to Old Trafford before 23.00 tomorrow evening are Everton pair Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines perhaps it's best that the deals haven't been completed in time for them to line up against Liverpool at Anfield.

For much of the summer it has seemed as though Luis Suarez would be moving on as well. Still at Anfield, and just about on speaking terms with the natives, he has to sit out today as he continues to tick off the ten-match ban he picked up for having a nibble on Chelsea's Branoslav Ivanovic last season. In the meantime, Daniel Sturridge and Coutinho are doing an admirable job of providing the goals and creativity.

An intriguing afternoon in store. Well, it can't be any worse than Manchester United v Chelsea was on Monday can it?

Kick off is at 13.30.

PREVIEW:

Sunday, September 1 2013

Liverpool v Manchester United
Anfield
Kick-off: 13.30 BST.
TV: Live Sky Sports 1, Highlights BBC ONE Match of the Day2.

Liverpool (Possible, 4-4-1-1): Mignolet; Johnson, Agger, Touré, Enrique; Lucas, Gerrard; Henderson, Aspas, Coutinho; Sturridge.
Out: Coates (knee), Suárez (suspended).

Manchester United (Possible, 4-2-3-1): De Gea; Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Era; Carrick, Cleverley; Valencia, Rooney, Young; Van Persie.
Out: Keane (knee), Rafael (hamstring), Nani (groin), Evans (ankle), Hernández (hamstring).
Test: Jones (back)

Referee: Andre Marriner. Matches: 2. R1 Y8.

Team News
Manchester United boss David Moyes could stick with the same starting line-up for Sunday's trip to Liverpool.

Defender Phil Jones is expected to recover from the blow to his back he sustained during Monday's goalless draw with Chelsea.

Rafael is still out injured, whilst Nani, Jonny Evans and Javier Hernández were not involved against Jose Mourinho's men.

Match Notes
David Moyes endured 11 years of Anfield misery during his reign as Everton manager, failing to win a single game across Stanley Park on derby day.

Ending that sorry sequence as Manchester United manager will be a necessity rather than an ambition, with the rivalry between the two clubs another level up on the more parochial squabbling between the Merseyside neighbours.

Liverpool, buoyed by a 100 per cent start, would love to inflict Moyes's first defeat in his new job, so a big game feels even more momentous this time.

Betting: Home 11-8, Away 19-10, Draw 12-5.

Stat of the game: Since March 2007, there have been eight red cards in Premier League games between these teams.

Mark Ogden's prediction: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 2.

Tiago Ilori and Mamadou Sakho: Liverpool close in on deals - BBC Sport (blog)

Liverpool hope to complete the signings of defenders Mamadou Sakho from Paris St-Germain and Sporting Lisbon's Tiago Ilori in the next 48 hours.

The Anfield side are in talks with both clubs and hope to reach an agreement on the respective deals over the weekend.

Sakho, 23, who can play in central defence or on the left, has 14 France caps and is likely to cost £13m.

Both Sakho and Ilori, who is 20, are expected on Merseyside for medicals and further talks in the next 24 hours.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is also keen to add an attacking player to his squad before the transfer window shuts, with Chelsea's Victor Moses a loan target.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given could also join the Reds on a one-year loan deal as back-up to Simon Mignolet.

Kolo Toure was carried off during Liverpool's Capital One Cup win against Notts County

Liverpool have prioritised defensive recruitments with Aly Cissokho joining Sebastian Coates on the sidelines with a long-term injury ahead of Sunday's match against Manchester United.

Cissokho sustained an ankle injury in Tuesday's 4-2 extra-time Capital One Cup second-round victory over Notts County at Anfield, in which he was making his first start since joining on a season-long loan from Valencia.

"He could be four to six weeks, which is a blow because he came in and trained really well last week," said Rodgers.

"But he is on crutches at the moment and we'll look at that over the coming weeks. He certainly won't be available [against Manchester United]."

There was, however, better news on fellow defender Kolo Toure, 32, who was carried off on a stretcher with a groin problem against Notts County.

"Toure's injury is nowhere near as bad as we thought," added Rodgers. "We will assess that over the next 24 to 48 hours. We were all thinking he might be out for longer but he's made an excellent recovery.

"The diagnosis isn't anywhere near as bad as we thought, so we'll see how he is for this weekend. If it's not this weekend, then after the international break he won't be too far away."

Meanwhile, midfielder Joe Allen, 23, who also suffered a hamstring injury in midweek, will be back in action soon.

"It was only a grade one strain, so he may be doubtful for the weekend but certainly after the international break, he'll be fine," said Rodgers.

Arsenal's Wenger refuses to EVER work with a director of football on transfers - Mirror.co.uk

Arsene Wenger insists he will never work with a director of football.

But Arsenal manager Wenger has admitted the transfer ­window is "a problem" for him.

The Gunners' north London rivals Tottenham, who visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, appointed Franco Baldini as technical director over the summer and put the Italian in charge of transfers.

The results have been spectacular, as Spurs have broken their transfer record and signed a host of new stars to make up for the loss of Gareth Bale.

Arsenal have failed with bids for Luis Suarez and Wayne Rooney, and have only landed free transfers Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flamini ahead of an anticipated deadline-day trolley dash.

Dick Law is meant to be Wenger's transfer fixer, but
his role is coming under scrutiny from inside and outside Arsenal.

It is often argued Wenger misses the influence of former vice-chairman David Dein, but the Frenchman will not accept any extra help.

"I would not work with a ­director of football because they buy the players and when it does not work you are guilty for not using them well," said Wenger.

"I am not against having ­people to help me buy, sell and negotiate because I cannot do it all. But I think the final ­decision always has to belong to the manager to decide who comes in and who goes out because he is ­responsible for the style of play and ­results."

Speaking to ­newspaper ­journalists, Wenger added: "It is like you write an article and someone says I will change that and that, and that.

"You should not accept that. Stand up for what you write!

"I stand up for the results of a team I have chosen. The ­manager should be responsible for the players who come in."

But when Wenger was asked whether the workload of trying to prepare his team and deal with transfers was too much, the 63-year-old conceded it can be difficult.

"I cannot deny the transfer window is a problem for me because it conflicts with a ­period where the competition has started already and I need big focus on the competition.

"It's not as easy any more because the market has become more open and international. There are more contenders, but not more players. I always want to be in a position where I do not have to buy.

"That is why I have people around me to help, but the final decision has to be down to the manager."

As Wenger attempts to convince players to join him at Arsenal, his own future is not yet certain.

Wenger's contract expires at the end of this season and
initial talks have been placed on the back-burner.

"I don't look too far ahead, I never have," said Wenger. "This job teaches you a lot about yourself and I know one thing, everywhere I have worked has been to the last day with full commitment.

"That commitment will not change. Do I go or stay? I think I have shown my commitment to this club because I said no to many, many, many, many clubs while I have been here.

"I don't need to show my loyalty."

Ex-Arsenal star Perry Groves tells Arsene Wenger to end the poor relation now - Express.co.uk

For the first time in 18 years, Arsenal go into the derby on the back foot.

Tottenham have already spent the £86 million soon to come from Real Madrid for Gareth Bale, splashing out more than £110m on new talent in the most spectacular spending spree in Europe this summer.

They were still buying yesterday as they secured Steaua Bucharest's Vlad Chiriches for £8.5m, confirmed the £30m arrival of Erik Lamela from Roma, and signed Ajax's Danish international playmaker Christian Eriksen for £11m.

In stark contrast, all has been quiet at the Emirates.

Apart from the free transfer signings of Yaya Sanogo and this week Mathieu Flamini, there have been no arrivals.

By the final whistle tomorrow Arsenal will have just 24 hours to bring in fresh faces before the transfer window slams shut.

But talkSport expert and former Gunners star Groves, who has Arsenal blood running through his veins, believes that if Wenger can get the two or three men he wants, they can be title contenders again.

Arsenal have recovered from their poor start to the season as they have beaten Fulham and brushed aside Fenerbahce to reach the group stages of the Champions League.

But they have to beat Tottenham tomorrow to of their fans.

"Arsenal fans will be apprehensive," said Groves.

"They can see that there has been a sea change in their relationship with Spurs.

"Tottenham have spent about £100m. Arsenal fans will wonder why didn't they bid for a striker like Roberto Soldado, for example. I can understand their frustration.They have seen some of their best players leaving over the last few years. With the right buys they can be challenging.

"So far there has not seemed to be any desire to spend by Arsenal, although I am sure they have been trying. Spurs targeted players and got them in by paying the going rate.

"But with Arsenal – they were after Gonzalo Higuain at Real Madrid. But the price goes up, so the deal falls through. Was it Arsene or the board who pulled the plug?

"The fact is, you have to pay the buying price. If you are thinking a player is worth £20m, sometimes you have to pay £23m.

"Look at Luiz Gustavo. Arsenal would not pay the price and he went from Bayern Munich to Wolfsburg. Are they a bigger club than Arsenal? I don't think so.

"Spurs look likely top four – but I will reserve my judgment on Arsenal until Monday night!"

Where can the game be won by Arsenal?

"They have shown resilience and character after the opening defeat by Villa," said Groves.

"They have had three good performances.

"One positive is the emergence of Aaron Ramsey. He took a lot of stick from Arsenal fans last year. You could tell that he was playing within himself. But in the last two games he has been Arsenal's best player.

"Arsenal have to have a plan to stop Tottenham from playing, and that is not something Arsene is normally keen on. He concentrates on his own team. But if you don't stop Spurs, you can be in trouble.

"Spurs build from the back, so you have to get onto the two centre-backs, stop them from receiving the ball.

"Then other players like Paulinho and Etienne Capoue step in and you have to stop them, too. They are the deliverers. Arsenal need to win the ball back high up the pitch.

Pardew issues Cabaye warning to Arsenal: It's time to put up or shut up - Daily Mail

By Damian Spellman, Press Association

PUBLISHED: 14:18 EST, 31 August 2013 | UPDATED: 14:18 EST, 31 August 2013

Alan Pardew ordered Arsenal to put up or shut up over their pursuit of Yohan Cabaye after seeing Newcastle snatch a dramatic victory over Fulham.

The 27-year-old France midfielder was introduced to a mixed reaction from the club's fans as a 65th-minute substitute in this afternoon's 1-0 Barclays Premier League win.

Crunch time: Fulham's Matthew Briggs tackles Yohan Cabaye

Compatriot Hatem Ben Arfa proved the match-winner, but Cabaye's future remained one of the main talking points after the final whistle with Monday night's transfer deadline fast approaching and no second bid from the Gunners having yet materialised.

Asked if the former Lille midfielder Pardew had played his last game for the club, said: 'I don't know until 11pm [on Monday]. 

'We have told his agent, "Look, come on, play the game", because we have got to replace him [if we sell him] and we can't afford to replace him before he goes because we're not sure he is going to go.

'That bid needs to come in, if it's coming in, early. If not, it won't happen - well, I think it won't happen, but you can never tell with this football club. 

On the slide: Cabaye (left) tackles Fulham's Alex Kacaniklic

'We have got replacements in mind, but we need to act quickly if that bid comes in. 

'We still hope to get an offensive player in before 11pm [on Monday] and we are working towards that.'

Both the Cabaye saga and Newcastle's search for reinforcements are ongoing, but thankfully for the club, their wait for a home win in the league is not after it came to an end at the fifth attempt.

It did so in fitting style with Ben Arfa's superb 86th-minute strike, the Magpies' first league goal in 411 minutes of football, worthy of winning any game.

Pardew said: 'The goal came from Hatem and I was pulling my hair out today with him. He was making bad decisions in terms of his selection of pass, he was not really doing what we want him to do in that wide area.

Brothers in arms: Alan Pardew prepares to send on Newcastle's French midfielder Cabaye

'And then he created three or four moments in the game that can change it, a couple of balls he slid across and we didn't connect with, and then the goal was fantastic. 

'That's Hatem. He makes us slightly dysfunctional at times, but he can win us a game at any level and he did that today.'

The goal had been coming, but until it arrived, it looked like being another frustrating afternoon for Pardew and his players.

Fulham keeper David Stockdale had denied both Mathieu Debuchy and Papiss Cisse before the break, and Cisse saw a 78th-minute header come back off the bar before substitute Yoan Gouffran glanced wide with the goal at his mercy.

Golden wonder: Hatem Ben Arfa, (right) produced a moment of magic to beat Fulham

However, Ben Arfa's left-foot bullet after he jinked between John Arne Riise and Alex Kacaniklic sparked a late onslaught during which Stockdale denied both Debuchy and debutant Loic Remy.

Pardew said: 'A lot has been written and some of it has actually not been correct. 

'But actually at the end of the day, it's results you need, it backs it up. We have won today, we won in midweek with a few of our squad players and it's been a good week for us.

'If we can get through Monday by improving the team again, whichever way it comes, then we will be in good shape.'

Frustration: Martin Jol leave St James' Park empty handed again

Fulham boss Martin Jol left St James' Park as he did last season ruing a late goal and insisting his team had deserved at least a point.

He said: 'We could have done a lot of damage today and got the points on the board.

'If you look at the possession, we could get out of their pressure. It was almost too easy. 

'Last year it was the same, they scored one goal and they are over the moon as if they played great. But they didn't. We should have had at least a point.'

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