Anelka has itch for Anfield switch

Nicolas Anelka has announced he is set on joining Liverpool and claims the only thing delaying the move is Anfield boss Gerard Houllier.

Anelka this week failed to get into the French World Cup squad while Paris St Germain have confirmed that they do not want the controversial striker back when his loan spell on Merseyside ends.

The former Arsenal striker explained: ‘‘Liverpool and Paris St Germain have reached a financial agreement about me now it’s up to the manager to decide.’’

It is believed that a fee of around £12million has been agreed for the striker, but his £60,000-a-week wage demands are the stumbling block.

But with no other takers for the 23-year-old, and his bargaining position having been undermined by his exclusion from the World Cup Finals, Anelka could be on the brink of a compromise.

He continued: ‘‘I’m happy at Liverpool, yes, I would like to stay here. And not just for a year or two, but for a long time.

‘‘Everything about the place impresses me. The players, the supporters and the club as a whole.

‘‘I have a good relationship with Phil Thompson and Sammy Lee. In fact, I have a good relationship with everyone.

‘‘The Liverpool fans are some of the best people to play for. I like them and they like me.

‘‘Anfield is also one of the best places I have played football that’s why I want to stay here.’’

He continued: ‘‘I have begun to enjoy my football again. I think it’s down to the whole environment.

‘‘Things have gone really well for me since I came to Liverpool. The players welcomed me really well, as did the supporters. I want to say a big thank you to them.

‘‘I came to this club to play my own game and to help Liverpool win something.

‘‘OK, we haven’t managed to do that this season, but hopefully there will still be time for that.

‘‘I hope I can sign for Liverpool so we can win a lot of things next season.’’

Anelka also dismisses the notion that he only came to Liverpool to get back into the French side.

He added in the interview on his club’s website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: ‘‘No, it wasn’t the World Cup it was to find the kind of peace I had at Arsenal and to find my game.

‘‘Going to the World Cup was not my objective. I didn’t experience it four years ago and I won’t be going this time, either.

‘‘But missing out on the World Cup didn’t stop me from playing the way I did when I was at Arsenal. It’s not a problem for me.’’