Sunderland Wickham bid accepted

THE race for Liverpool target Connor Wickham has intensified after Sunderland launched a £13m bid - as Steven Gerrard predicts the club to be soon back in the trophy hunt.

Steve Bruce's men are reported to have tabled an offer of £9m up front for Wickham with the remaining money coming through add-ons, placing Anfield chiefs on red-alert that a rival for his signature may have stolen a march.

Ipswich striker Wickham has emerged as one of the most sought after young English players this summer with Arsenal also amongst the clubs supposed to be interested.

But it appears Sunderland have made the first move for the 18-year-old with a hefty bid but Liverpool's owners have already shown their willing to back manager Kenny Dalglish in the transfer market and will not be deterred.

Gerrard, meanwhile, believes it is only a matter of time before the club start winning trophies again.

The 31-year-old is confident Liverpool will reclaim the league championship they won in the 1989/90 season but was reluctant to put a timeframe on their return to the top of the domestic game.

"What I can say to the fans is that Liverpool will be back among the trophies sooner rather than later because we are moving in the right direction," said Gerrard.

"We have got fantastic players, the structure of the club is healthy from top to bottom and when that is the case then the team won't be too far away from winning.

"We will get the championship again. It's difficult to say when because that adds a lot of pressure to the team."

Meanwhile, defender Jamie Carragher believes the national team's recent disappointments are down to fear of failure.

Carragher has criticised the side's preparations at the World Cup in South Africa last summer, saying being asked to stay in your hotel room outside of training and playing was counterproductive.

"One mistake and you could be absolutely slaughtered," the Liverpool defender said.

"At your club, you know you will not be criticised as much and perhaps three days later there will be another game.

"With England, it could be months before you have another fixture. There is a fear at times when playing for England.

"The intensity of the press does get to the players.

"Sometimes I think players would prefer the press guy to think they had played well, rather than the manager.

"You stay in a hotel all day but you are at a World Cup for a long time and should be able to experience different things.

"I wouldn't want players holed up. Take away the boredom, embrace the country we are in more. You never see anything."

Source: Liverpool Daily Post

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