Roy Hodgson leads Liverpool into battle at Manchester City on Monday night admitting he might well be finished in the transfer market this summer (City 11/8, draw 9/4, Reds 2/1 – 90 minutes).
The Reds have so far drafted in the likes of Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, Brad Jones, Danny Wilson, Milan Jovanovic and Jonjo Shelvey, although keeping the likes of captain Steven Gerrard and star striker Fernando Torres has arguably been their best piece of business.
Doubt still exists over the future of Argentina captain Javier Mascherano – the Reds will keep him unless Liverpool’s valuation is met despite the signing of Poulsen as cover – but Hodgson insists is still working out exactly where money needs to be spent as a priority.
In the build-up to the trip to Eastlands for what could be a Premier League cracker, the former Fulham chief confirmed: “I’d like some money to spend if I could research where that money could be spent wisely.
“Giving me a lot now and telling me to go out and buy some players with one week of the transfer window left would not be particularly advantageous.
“I’ve only been here for five weeks or so and I’d want to make sure I had assessed absolutely everyone, including those at the academy, just in case we have an outstanding 17-year-old.
“We might have a Javier Hernandez there so I don’t want to go out and spend £50million on buying another one.”
Liverpool’s financial position and the fact co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are looking to sell up means unearthing another Kop youngster would be manna from heaven for the Merseyside outfit.
The Reds started the Premier League season with a draw at home against Arsenal so they will be looking for their first win when they make the short trip to Manchester (Liverpool 11/5 – To Keep A Clean Sheet).
Cole’s red card against the Gunners means he will sit the game out while defender Daniel Agger is a doubt because of the after-effects of concussion.
City will almost certainly hand a debut to new midfielder James Milner who has been prised away from Aston Villa.
The England international is eyeing a new role at his latest club although his versatility means the former Leeds United starlet is likely to be asked to do a variety of jobs during his City career.
“Wherever the manager wants me to play, I’ll do it to the best of my ability,” the 24-year-old told City’s website.
“But I enjoy playing in the middle – that’s probably my best position and where I’ve shown by best form over the past 18 months. I’ve been most creative and scored goals from there and I’ve enjoyed it immensely.
“I think that’s where the boss has signed me to play, but if he asks me to play anywhere else I’ll do what is best for the team.
“As long as we’re winning football matches, that’s all that counts.”
City could hand a Premier League debut to new striker Mario Balotelli (7/1 – Enhanced First Goalscorer) although Aleksandar Kolarov and Jerome Boateng remain sidelined with ankle and leg problems respectively.
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