Liverpool and United set to lead van der Vaart chase

LIVERPOOL and Manchester United will lead the £15m transfer chase for Ajax’s Rafael van der Vaart if he quits Holland.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is a long-time admirer of the 20-year-old forward, who was outstanding for Ajax as they won the Amsterdam tournament.

Houllier sang the young Dutchman's praises after his performance in the goalless draw against Liverpool on Friday and his name is still on Anfield's shopping list.

Liverpool were interested in a deal for Van der Vaart in the summer of 2002, but decided against an immediate move.

Houllier will renew his interest if Ajax relax their current hard-line stance that Van der Vaart is not for sale at any price.

But Manchester United have now also made their interest known and will make every attempt to pair him with fellow countryman Ruud van Nistelrooy at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Houllier and Fatih Terim are playing down the impact which the bad-tempered Amsterdam Tournament clash between Liverpool and Galatasaray could have on England's match against Turkey in the autumn.

It was suggested after the match that the bad feeling between several players could spill over into Turkey's Euro 2004 qualifying match against England in October.

But Houllier, whose Liverpool side had Neil Mellor and England star Steven Gerrard sent off late in the game, has insisted that Sunday's match was of a hard-fought and tempestuous nature because both sets of players were so keen to impress.

Of England's trip to Turkey for the potentially vital Euro 2004 qualifier, Houllier added: "That's another game and you can't compare it with this."