Liverpool Star Seals £2.5m Move To Champions League Giants

Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich have agreed on a deal to sign Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina on a paltry sum of £2.5m from Liverpool. Reina spent the last season on loan to Italian side Napoli but returned to the Reds’ pre season tour to the United States to sort out his contract. A move back of Napoli was touted but the Partenopei weren’t willing to pay his hefty wage demands while nouveau riche French outfit Monaco were also interested.

However Pep Guardiola’s influence, the pair knew each other from their time in Barcelona, convinced Reina to join the Allianz Arena outfit. Reina will however be the back up to German World Cup winner Manuel Neuer and will have to be contended with a place on the bench while getting a chance to play in domestic cup matches.

The 31 year old Reina started his career from Barcelona’s youth team in 1999 before featuring in 30 appearances for the senior squad from 2000-02. He later joined Villarreal in 2002 before Rafa Benitez snapped up him up at Liverpool, where Reina grew in stature to become one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.

The player had a fair share of medals winning the League Cup, FA Cup and a UEFA Super Cup during his playing time at Anfield. Reina was part of the Spanish sides who conquered the world with their domination in the International stage winning the 2008 and 2012 European Championships alongside the 2010 World Cup.

Moreover since his Premier League debut in August 2005, no goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets than him with 134 shutouts. Reina also made a name for himself last season at the Stadio Sao Paolo saving Mario Balotelli’s penalty against AC Milan, the Italian genius who earlier had a 100% success rate from the spot.

Bayern President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said that Reina is just the kind of goalkeeper which the club was looking for. A medical is imminent for the official announcement is made. However it isn’t quite known yet if the Bundesliga Champions have agreed to pay the player’s hefty wages to bring him to Munich. 

Manchester United v Liverpool: Team News, Preview, Key Duels & Prediction

  

It is only a matter of hours before United play Liverpool in the Guinness International Champions Cup. The rivalry between both sides is the stuff of lore, and the fact that both sides are overcoming obstacles of differing proportions makes this game all about the rivalry, as both sides desire the title, but only one of these sides can get it.

 Last season saw a role reversal, as Liverpool jumped towards the top of the table, while Manchester United saw their worst finish in the Premier League-era. The fact that 7^th place was their worst finish in a long time speaks volumes about the consistency that had been maintained over various competitions at United under the watchful eyes of Sir Alex Ferguson. Liverpool, on the other hand, has not been triumphant in the Premier League-era, but they have come close on a number of occasions, and have won other tournaments. However, Liverpool was in a state of decline over the 3 seasons prior to the last season, while United were at the top.

Now, United have brought an accomplished manager in the form of Louis van Gaal, who has already started to make a mark on the club. United fans are looking at last season as an anomaly, as the players are adapting fantastically to the new 3-5-2 formation and are looking set to compete for trophies. Liverpool, on the other hand, have lost their main goal-scorer in the form of Luis Suarez, who has moved to FC Barcelona, but the other attackers have shown no signs of putting a full stop to relentlessly drubbing teams, by scoring goals continuously. This game will enable us to see the progress that both sides have made, even though it is a preseason game and both sides haven’t actually hit top gear, yet. This game cannot be taken as a precursor to any future fixtures, as both sides tend to push themselves to win against the other, in each and every game.

United’s defence seems to be wearing a confident look, but a strike-force of Sterling, Sturridge and Markovic could tear United’s defence apart. On the other hand, United have dominated possession and have moved into attacking areas quickly, as the impact of Ander Herrera and Juan Mata supplying the attack with key passes, and some Wayne Rooney master-performances have resulted in United’s wins so far.

Key duels:

Jordan Henderson v/s Ander Herrera: Both players are good on and off the ball, and occupy the same areas on the pitch, so expect them to contest for the ball while in midfield, each putting in tackles on the other to win possession and create chances for their own respective sides to score. Henderson is trying to establish himself as Gerrard’s true successor, while Herrera is trying to make his place in United’s first-team after his transfer, so expect this to be a fiery contest.

Daniel Sturridge v/s Jonny Evans: Daniel Sturridge proved last season that he could be consistent over the duration of an entire season, as he made the most of his chances and almost forced Wayne Rooney out of his favoured position as striker for England. On the other hand, Evans, if he has an injury-free season, could make this his breakthrough year, after failing to deceive so far, if he can put in consistent performances for his club.

Ashley Young v/s Martin Kelly/Glen Johnson: Ashley Young has never looked happier while in a United jersey, as he seems to have found a knack for getting into space and he looks menacing while taking on opposition defenders, in his new left wing-back role. Glen Johnson is susceptible to mistakes, for which he will be caught out if Young carries his impressive form into this game. Martin Kelly, on the other hand, is more defensively inclined, and could do a better job against Young, so he should start ahead of Glen Johnson.

Reds Eye Marco Reus - Why Liverpool Could Make A Move For The Winger

Brendan Rodgers is believed to considering submitting a bid in the region of £30 million to Borussia Dortmund for attacker Marco Reus. Reus, 25, recently turned down a contract extension with the 2013/14 Bundesliga runners-up. The winger scored 21 times in 39 appearances last season, gaining the interest of arch rivals Bayern Munich, Brendan Rodgers' new-look Liverpool, Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United and Spanish giants Barcelona.

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Liverpool Linked With Yet Another Southampton Star - How The Reds Could Continue Their Recruitment Of Saints Players

Not for quite some time has one side been targeted so much during a transfer window.  This summer has seen Southampton lose their manager and several of their key players, with most of them interestingly all heading to the same club.  Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and now Dejan Lovren have joined Liverpool, whilst Calum Chambers, touted as a star of the future, has moved to Arsenal.  French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has attracted the interest of several sides, but the latest name to be linked with a transfer is that of arguably the most important player they have left.

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Problems Arise With Remy's Liverpool Medical - Why Brendan Rodgers' Side Have Missed Out On A Proven Goalscorer

With the completion of his move to Liverpool seemingly imminent, Loic Remy’s future has taken a drastic turn.  According to the Telegraph, a failed medical has dashed the striker’s hopes of joining the Reds this summer.

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Gerrard Set For New Liverpool Contract - Why The Midfielder Could Shine For The Reds Towards The End Of His Career

Having just called time on his England career, Steven Gerrard will now be fully focussed on helping Liverpool achieve something they went so close to doing last season: winning their first Premier League title.  The responsibility of captaining the Three Lions will now go to someone else, as the Reds midfielder steps aside after representing his country an incredible 114 times.

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Reds Move In As Juventus Star Says No To Manchester - Why Vidal Would Be A Good Fit For Liverpool

After the player reportedly turned down a move to Manchester United, the Metro have suggested that Liverpool are looking to hijack the transfer of the Arturo Vidal. The Chile star, 27, has been at current club Juventus since 2011. Since moving from German side Bayer Leverkusen, the midfielder has scored 28 goals in 95 appearances for the reigning Serie A champions, and signing him could bring a lot to a Liverpool team who are looking to win the title this season.

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Rodgers Happy With The Price Paid For Lallana - Why The Midfielder Will Be Under Pressure Next Season

Mocked by many of Liverpool’s rivals, the price tag for Adam Lallana is reported to be just short of £24 million.  According to the Daily Mail, Brendan Rodgers has been quick to defend his purchase, claiming that the player is good investment for the club.

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Reds Make Move For Young Right-Back - Why The Player Still Has A Lot To Prove

Mostly linked with Southampton players this summer having already signed Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana, Liverpool are reportedly set to look away from the south-coast club for one of their next moves.  According to the Guardian, Atletico Madrid’s Javier Manquillo is a target of Brendan Rodgers as he attempts to address his side’s defensive problems.

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Louis Van Gaal Considers Manchester United Captaincy - Why Wayne Rooney Should Take The Armband Next Season

Last season’s Manchester United captain was Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic. The towering centre-back has now joined Italian club Inter Milan, creating competition to replace him as skipper for next season. Some sources, including the official Manchester United website, suggest that Louis van Gaal is pondering who to choose and may delay the decision until Michael Carrick is fit.

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Dejan Lovren Set To Seal Liverpool Switch - Why This Could Spell The End Of Daniel Agger's Anfield Career

When Dejan Lovren stated recently that his head was already at Anfield, many people deemed a move to Liverpool to be an inevitability.  According to the Liverpool Echo, said transfer is edging closer as the Reds continue to discuss a deal for the centre-back with Southampton.  Once those negotiations are completed, however, Brendan Rodgers must address issues regarding one of his current defenders.

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Andre Wisdom To Continue Learning At The Hawthorns - Why Liverpool's Young Defender Has Huge Potential

Having spent last season on loan at Derby in the Championship, Liverpool youngster Andre Wisdom is set to continue playing his football in the Midlands but at a higher level.  According to Sky Sports, the defender will join West Brom for the upcoming season, with the Reds hoping he will be able to gain vital Premier League experience with Alan Irvine’s side.

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Brendan Rodgers To Weigh Up Move For Striker - Why The Liverpool Boss May Want To Sell Before He Buys

The loss of Luis Suarez is going to affect Liverpool next season.  Exactly how much it affects them depends on the actions they take prior to the transfer window slamming shut on the opening day of September.

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Italian Striker Linked With Anfield Exit - Why Borini Could Seal Permanent Sunderland Switch

With better forwards blocking his way into Liverpool’s starting lineup, Fabio Borini was given the opportunity for regular gametime at Sunderland last season.  The Italian striker spent the entire campaign on loan at the Black Cats, featuring 40 times in all competitions and scoring 10 goals.  According to Sky Sports, he may have done enough to earn himself a permanent move to the Stadium of Light.

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Star Of The Future Linked With Anfield Move - Why The Reds Could Sign Belgium Youngster

Liverpool went so close to winning their first ever Premier League title last season that many fans now expect their side to push on and finally achieve it next year.  A campaign that would otherwise have been deemed incredible ended in disappointment for the Reds, as they capitulated at the end of April with the trophy virtually in their grasp.

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