Liverpool's foreign stars Karlheinz Riedle and Patrik Berger are not about to be sold according to the club. Spokesman Ian Cotton dismissed reports that Paris Saint-Germain had set up a £1.5million deal for the former German international Riedle, although it is well known that a host of clubs, led by Hertha Berlin, are jostling for his signature. "A number of clubs have expressed an interest and contacted the club, but the Liverpool line is Karlheinz Riedle is a Liverpool player and not for sale," he said on Clubcall. Cotton added that although there are rumours about former Reds boss Graeme Souness' desire to lure Patrik Berger to Benfica, there had not been any contact with the Portuguese club. - Press Association
Liverpool discard Michael Thomas is likely to benefit from hard-up Benfica operating in the transfer market's bargain basement. Manager Graeme Souness, who signed Thomas from Arsenal for £1.5m while manager of Liverpool in December 1991, can have the 30-year-old former England midfielder for nothing. Thomas, who scored the winning goal at Anfield to clinch Arsenal's 1989 title, has been told by Liverpool boss Roy Evans that he can find a new club. A return to London was likely but Souness said: 'Michael is an excellent player. Signing him is one of the priorities this summer.' - World Soccernet
NEIL RUDDOCK'S drawn-out move to West Ham is poised to collapse after a deadlock in negotiations. The Liverpool defender was expected to end his Anfield career by completing a switch to Harry Redknapp's side in a pay-per-game deal. But the two clubs have reached a stalemate in thrashing out the financial terms of that agreement which looks likely to dash Ruddock's hopes of resurrecting his top-flight career. Instead, he is now expected to report back for pre-season training at Melwood at the beginning of next month. Ruddock is surplus to requirements in Roy Evans' squad, ending last season on loan with first division Queens Park Rangers, and will slip further down the pecking order as the Reds seek to bolster their defensive options before their opening clash at Southampton. "It looks as though Neil will not now be joining West Ham," confirmed Liverpool Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive, Peter Robinson.
German hard-man Jurgen Kohler has played himself onto Roy Evans' summer shopping list. Liverpool boss Evans was in Lens yesterday checking on the Borussia Dortmund stopper and also Yugoslavia star Sinisa Mihajlovic, as he continued his search for a centre back. Evans and his staff have been busy scouting during the World Cup. The Reds' Manager is desperate to sign at least one central defender before the new season, and he watched Rennes' Moroccan international Youssef Rossi against Brazil last week.
Michael Owen became the youngest player ever to score (83 mins) for England in the World Cup after coming on as a sub for Sheringham with 20 minutes to go and also had an injury time shot against the post, but sloppy defending left England rueing goals from Premier League players Moldovan (47 mins) and Petrescu (90). Ince was subbed after 32 minutes with an ankle injury. This was Owen's 7th cap and 2nd international goal for England.
Michael Owen became the youngest player ever to score (83 mins) for England in the World C