Liverpool’s ultimate possible January transfer window:
Javier Pastore – PSG – Likely fee: £17m
The Reds have a strong relationship with the French giants following the signing of Mamadou Sakho in the summer, and could turn their attentions to their out of favour Argentine playmaker in January.
Pastore arrived at the Ligue 1 club for a mammoth £35m two years back, but after a good start has fallen down the pecking order.
Liverpool have Brazilian magician Coutinho as a current no.10 option, but struggled to create chances when he was out injured, often relying on the brilliance of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez instead.
Pastore would add a very strong backup option, and could also play in tandem with Coutinho behind Suarez and Sturridge in an ultra-attacking Reds lineup.
Liverpool FC have sacked Academy director Frank McParland and Academy technical director Rodolfo Borrell.
The ECHO understands the duo were both informed of the club's decision to relieve them of their duties yesterday.
The departure of two such highly-respected and established figures from Liverpool's Kirkby base represents a major shock.
Both McParland and Borrell had earned praise for helping to kick-start the conveyor belt of talent from Kirkby to Melwood in recent years.
No fewer than seven Academy youngsters made their first team debuts last season with Jordon Ibe following in the footsteps of Suso, Andre Wisdom, Adam Morgan, Samed Yesil, Jerome Sinclair and Conor Coady.
The likes of Martin Kelly, Raheem Sterling, Jon Flanagan and Jack Robinson have also progressed to the senior set-up under their guidance.
McParland, who had previously served Liverpool as chief scout, was appointed Academy director by Rafa Benitez in the summer of 2009. Two years later he was given the added responsibility of overseeing the running of the reserve team.
Borrell also arrived at Kirkby in 2009 as he began working with the under-18s and then the under-21s before taking up the role of technical director a year ago.
The popular Spaniard boasted an impressive CV having spent 13 years with La Liga giants Barcelona where he helped develop the likes of Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas.
Liverpool FC today declined to comment on the sackings and it's not yet clear whether replacements have already been lined up.
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Post time 20-11-2013 02:56 PM
