Jol furious with Liverpool

Liverpool have “embarrassed” Fulham over their failure to follow up an inquiry for Clint Dempsey, an angry Martin Jol has claimed.

The Cottagers boss confirmed that star forward Dempsey has told him that he wants to leave Craven Cottage for Liverpool, who have been keeping track of the player all summer.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers admitted last month he was interested in signing the 29-year-old, but the Antrim man has never lodged a bid for Dempsey, which has left Jol fuming.

“That was very disappointing,” Jol said yesterday. “Clint told everyone he was going to Liverpool before he came back so we really thought there was quite a firm interest in him. Even [Rodgers] told everyone he was interested in Clint Dempsey, but our people never had an offer. It’s almost embarrassing.

“If you have shown interest in a player, you have to follow it up with an offer.”

He added: “I would like to keep him but I think it’s impossible because he wants to move. Clint told me he wants to go to a Champions League club.”

Meanwhile, Fulham fined Dempsey for refusing to play for the club. Jol revealed that Dempsey would not be included in the club’s squad today against Norwich.

The American has refused to play for the club as he seeks to secure a move away.

Yesterday Liverpool confirmed the signing of Morocco winger OussamaAssaidi from Dutch side Heerenveen.

Rodgers admits it may take Assaidi a while to settle in but he believes, given time, the winger will be a success.