Dalglish: Reds considering Torres replacement

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists the club do not want to sell Fernando Torres but has admitted they are prepared for every eventuality and have considered a replacement.

With Chelsea expected to return with an improved offer for the Spain striker, having had their £35m bid rejected on Thursday, the Reds have also had a £30m bid for Newcastle’s Andy Carroll turned down.

Dalglish told his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s home game against Stoke that there was no update on the Torres situation.

However, news of a move for Carroll suggests there is likely to be further movement later today, with Liverpool reportedly willing to accept £50m for the striker.

Dalglish said owners Fenway Sports Group were prepared to back him in the transfer window, highlighted by the £22.9m deal for Ajax forward Luis Suarez which is expected to finalised later today when all the paperwork is completed.

“We’re going to look after ourselves first and foremost,” said Dalglish of their transfer policy.

“Is that not the same in any business? If someone’s going to go you’ve got to have a replacement.

“There is as good a chance of us getting someone else in as there is someone going out.”

“The owners have been fantastically supportive. There is money available if we want to bring someone else in.

“It’s not a PR exercise either, it’s a real determination from them to step forward and move Liverpool Football Club forwards and upwards.”

Dalglish said the club’s position on Torres had not changed since Friday, when they turned down his transfer request and reminded him of his commitment to his long-term contract.

“With regards to Fernando, it’s the same as what the club statement was two or three days ago,” said the Scot.

“We will stick to that and we won’t be adding to that.

“Our supporters deserve to be told but I think our supporters deserve to be told definitive news rather than speculative stuff.”

Manager Alan Pardew was due to hold his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Fulham at the club’s training headquarters at 2pm this afternoon.

However, that has now been put back to 3.30pm and will take place at St James’ Park.

Whether that is significant remains to be seen, but what is true is that the Magpies have been bracing themselves for the last few weeks for just such an approach.

Academy graduate Carroll has been a major hit this season after playing a key role in last season’s Championship triumph, and his development since he was handed the famous number nine shirt during the summer has been quicker than had been anticipated.

Former manager Chris Hughton, who presided over much of that rapid improvement, insisted the player still had much to learn, and Pardew has been hugely impressed with him since he arrived on Tyneside despite the fact that he has had him at his disposal for only three games so far because of injury.

Pardew has been keen to stress that retaining his biggest names was his first priority this month, and he has been repeatedly assured that Carroll would not be sold.

However, owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias have tried to bring a financial realism to the club during their time at the helm and there is little doubt that an offer of £30m for a home-grown talent would represent a major windfall.

They will be aware too of the potential cost of a second relegation in three seasons with the Magpies currently in a healthy position, but as yet far from assured of their continued presence in the top flight, and Carroll’s goals could prove crucial to that mission.

The striker is currently out of action with a torn thigh muscle which has kept him on the sidelines for the last five games and which prompted his visit to a specialist in Sweden on Friday.