Anthony Annan

Liverpool are ready to challenge bitter rivals Manchester United for Rosenborg midfielder Anthony Annan in January, talkaloadofbull.com UK can reveal.

Roy Hodgson, the Liverpool manager, first registered his interest in the Ghanaian star three weeks ago and is now preparing a £6 million move when the transfer window opens.

But the Reds could face competition from long-term admirers United, although Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to be hesitant because Annan would be cup-tied for the Champions League.

The 24-year-old has also been recommended to Chelsea by Michael Essien, his international team-mate, although there are no signs of Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti preparing a move at this stage.

Annan is looking for a January transfer to the Premier League after being denied a summer move by Rosenborg following an impressive World Cup in South Africa.

He is considered one of the most highly-rated talents in Europe and a move to Anfield would have the support of the club's director of football strategy, Damien Comolli, as his signature would represent a low-risk investment at a value-for-money price.

The defensive midfielder has previously declared his desire to join United but talkaloadofbull.com UK understands interest from Old Trafford has blown hot and cold and the player would also be extremely interested in a move to Liverpool.

The Reds are looking for players who are young and talented to fit in to the philosophy of the club's new owners, New England Sports Ventures.

Annan could arrive at Anfield as a like-for-like replacement for Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen, who Liverpool are ready to sell despite only signing him in the summer from Italian side Juventus.

Comolli has been looking at a number of midfielders and the Frenchman could also be ready to raid his homeland for Lille's Eden Hazard of Yann M'Vila of Rennes.

Annan cost Rosenborg £1.2m when he signed from IK Start in summer 2008 and has been the star of Norwegian football ever since with consistently dominant display

http://www.talkaloadofbull.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/11/25/2230633/liverpool-set-to-fight-manchester-united-for-ghana

He's a monster in all the latest editions of Football Manager and I remember he was quite impressive in the World Cup.

He could well be the replacement for Masch we never had (given that Poulsen is not a football player).

I dont know why, but the post made my day. Thanks Diego

He's an Essian-lite. He's extremely athletic, technically strong and great at breaking up play. I really rate the lad, and not just because he's an FM wonderboy.

Purely on the WC, he was very good. I suppose that's all you can judge on him because i doubt many on here regularly watch Rosenborg

Purely on the WC, he was very good. I suppose that's all you can judge on him because I doubt many on here regularly watch Rosenborg

My mate lives in Norway. Doesn't stop talking about the lad when I phone him. I think he was on loan at the club he supports a few years back.

All I can judge him on is the world cup, he was pretty impressive.

Annan could arrive at Anfield as a like-for-like replacement for Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen, who Liverpool are ready to sell despite only signing him in the summer from Italian side Juventus.

I hope that's true

We don't need annan. We have 4 quality cm. Gerrard, meireles, lucas and shelvy. But poulson needs to go asap

Very miniature but saw him at the world cup and he was superb, a bundle of energy who didn't stop running.

We don't need annan. We have 4 quality cm. Gerrard, meireles, lucas and shelvy. But poulson needs to go asap

I think we need him, we could play him against very strong physically teams like Stoke, Blackburn etc. I think we desperately need someone like Annan or M'Vila. I'd sell both of Poulsen and Lucas(if needed) to get one of them (Annan or M'Vila). Then we can play Meireles-Gerrard ; Meireles-Annan with Gerrard behind Torres; or Annan-Gerrard with Meireles on the bench.

I think we do need him. We've seen the impact Masch had on games and someone to that effect could be priceless. If he goes for that cheap and has the wraps on him on his club form instead of just his impressive World Cup, i think that's worth a gamble.

If he comes in for Poulsen, i'd be delighted. He won't be taking the spot of Shelvey anyway, that's not his job.

Think we do need a midfield destroyer but please let it be someone who offers more than just tackling like Masch did. Have no idea about Annan on a consistent basis but he was decent in the World Cup.

Looked good in the WC, cant see Hodgson admitting defeat and selling Poulsen though...he's far too stubborn.

I think we need him, we could play him against very strong physically teams like Stoke, Blackburn etc. I think we desperately need someone like Annan or M'Vila. I'd sell both of Poulsen and Lucas(if needed) to get one of them (Annan or M'Vila). Then we can play Meireles-Gerrard ; Meireles-Annan with Gerrard behind Torres; or Annan-Gerrard with Meireles on the bench.

Yeah he would be a usful additional to the squad but there are much more important positions to have. Wingers, strikers and maybe just maybe a new left back.

Yeah he would be a usful additional to the squad but there are much more important positions to have. Wingers, strikers and maybe just maybe a new left back.

You're right but 6M isn't too much. Also if we sell Poulsen for 3M then we only have to add 3M and get this very talented player.It'll be such an improvement on this position for only 3M.

^ Took Juve 16 months to sell Poulsen. Doubt we'd get rid in only 5

But our biggest hope is a swap for Annan back to his homeland. But i suppose their papers have given him a 0 out of 10 in 4 performances for us this season and one for the Danish side so they might not even want him either

^ Took Juve 16 months to sell Poulsen. Doubt we'd get rid in only 5

But our biggest hope is a swap for Annan back to his homeland. But I suppose their papers have given him a 0 out of 10 in 4 performances for us this season and one for the Danish side so they might not even want him either

No I think we can find a club for him in January if we want to for 2-3M.

What is that Steve give them 2-3 million to take him, ya that might work

No I think we can find a club for him in January if we want to for 2-3M.

I'd be chuffed if we get that.

I'd personally let him go for anything over 20p and a porn mag.

What is that Steve give them 2-3 million to take him, ya that might work

I'd be chuffed if we get that.

I'd personally let him go for anything over 20p and a porn mag.

He isn't good enough for Liverpool (for different reasons), but can be for a club like Sevilla (for example). I read somewhere Sevilla lack defensive midfielders at the moment and they want quick solution, not a player that needs 2-3 years to fulfill his potential. They want an experienced one. Poulsen fits the bill for them and he also knows the league and the club. So I think 2M wouldn't be too much for them as they're a club with CHL ambitions.

Supposedly they are looking at Lucas.

Weve always had ( up till this season ) a good DM, and this is why I think that we need Annan.
He even sounds like Hamman
Might have his work cut out for him if we keep Konch though