After the news that Liverpool’s attempt to sign Michael Owen has failed comes more disappointment for the Reds in their transfer dealings.
For over a month now Rafa Benitez has told anyone who would listen that one of his priorities was to sign a new centre-back. Now, according to BBC Sport, the man he had in mind will not be moving to Liverpool.
The BBC’s website claims that Liverpool were trying to sign French international centre-back Phillipe Mexes from Roma. In fact they claim that Liverpool made four attempts last week to sign him – either on loan or in a permanent deal.
Liverpool had been often linked with the player during Gerard Houllier’s reign as manager. Last summer though Liverpool missed the chance when Mexes joined Roma from Auxerre. The 23-year-old will be staying at Roma though, as coach Luciano Spalletti wants him to stay.
Liverpool have had mixed success this summer in their transfer dealings, and look set to start the new season without the depth and quality in key positions that they had hoped for. Two new players did join the Reds today, but both are considered as signings for the future rather than players to make an immediate first-team impact. 17-year-old Austrian winger Besian Idrizaj was signed along with 19-year-old Welsh Under-21 striker Ramon Calliste.
Idrizaj had been undergoing a trial at Melwood and has agreed a two-year deal, signing from Linzer ASK. He told Liverpool’s official website that he was delighted to be joining the club he’d supported since childhood: "I have always been a Liverpool fan and it is a dream come true to play for them. "You cannot ignore a trial with the reigning Champions League winners. I would even have swam across the channel just to take part." If his playing skills match his attitude then Liverpool have just signed a new star.
Calliste was actually on Manchester United’s books until the end of last season and has been given a 12-month deal.
Both new signings are in Liverpool’s reserve squad for tonight’s game against West Brom, which also includes £7million signing Peter Crouch returning from a hamstring injury with a place on the bench. Florent Sinama-Pongolle will start the game.
Reserve Team: Paul Willis,
David Raven,
James Smith,
Miki Roque,
Danny O’Donnell,
Lee Peltier,
Antonio Barragan,
Jack Hobbs,
Florent Sinama-Pongolle,
Ramon Calliste,
Danny Guthrie.
Subs:
Peter Crouch,
David Roberts,
David Mannix,
Godwin Antwi,
Adam Hammill