Reds face battle to land Alves

LIVERPOOL appear to be facing a fierce battle with Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid to sign Brazilian full-back Daniel Alves.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez – who is on a short holiday – had put the Sevilla star at the top of his shopping list and it is believed a £7million bid has been lodged.

Alves, 22, who can also play in midfield, has yet to play for his country but impressed in Sevilla’s successful UEFA Cup campaign.

The player’s agent, Jose Rodriguez Baster, said: “To all the teams that have called me, I have said that the first thing they must do is speak with Sevilla, to reach an agreement with the club.”

There are problems also for another of Liverpool’s summer targets, Chile winger Mark Gonzalez, who was sent home from the Chile squad after an alleged breach of discipline while in Dublin for the game against the Republic of Ireland last week.

Liverpool will submit another work-permit application for the young winger, who has threatened never to play for his country again, after an incident involving team-mate Reinaldo Navia in the team hotel. The pair were allegedly caught in a hotel room with three girls.