Wolves to offer Konchesky escape route

Paul Konchesky could be on his way out of Liverpool, with Wolverhampton Wanderers ready to bring an end to the defender's Anfield nightmare.

The 30-year-old left-back has endured a miserable time on Merseyside, following his £3.5m switch from Fulham last summer.

Signed by Roy Hodgson, Konchesky made just 18 appearances for the Anfield outfit and struggled to win over sceptical supporters as Hodgson's side made Liverpool's worst start to a season in more than 50 years.

And following Hodgson's sacking, and the arrival of Kenny Dalglish as manager in January, Konchesky was sent out on loan to Championship outfit Nottingham Forest, with Dalglish opting to use right back Glen Johnson, and teenage rookies John Flanagan and Jack Robinson in the left-back position.

Konchesky's time at the City Ground was not much better where he managed 15 appearances, but was forced to miss Forest's ill-fated play-off fixtures through a combination of injury and suspension.

And with Dalglish eager to add a left-back to his ranks this summer, Konchesky's Liverpool future looks decidedly bleak.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy made an approach for the former England international back in January, but was forced to withdraw his interest as Premier League rules stipulated that he could not play for three clubs in the same season.

McCarthy is now prepared to return to Anfield with an official offer, though it appears unlikely that he will pay more than £1.5m for the former Charlton and Tottenham defender. Konchesky's former club Fulham have also been linked.

One player who could replace Konchesky at Anfield, meanwhile, is Newcastle full-back Jose Enrique.

Dalglish is a long-time admirer of the 26-year-old, and has been encouraged by his reluctance to commit to a new contract at St James' Park.

His current deal expires next summer, and Arsenal have also been credited with an interest.

Toon boss Alan Pardew, however, is confident he can persuade the Spaniard to stay on Tyneside, though has reportedly identified Swansea's Neil Taylor as a potential replacement for the former Villarreal man.

Pardew said: "I'm still hopeful that Enrique - who was a big, big, big, big player for us last year - stays at the football club and we can entice him to stay, and obviously we are still working on that.

"Jose's holidaying and doesn't have too much on at the moment, so we are not confident we can keep him, but we are not scared of losing him. It's somewhere in between, really.

"When you have only got a year left on a player of his ability, of course you are vulnerable, and I think it's nervous times for us on him."

Arsenal's Gael Clichy has also been linked with a move to Merseyside, though Liverpool will face competition from Roma.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have announced that they will take on Spanish side Valencia in a pre-season friendly at Anfield.

Unai Emery's La Liga giants, who finished third behind Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain last season, will travel to Merseyside on Saturday August 6, kick-off 5.30pm.

The two sides have history, having met in the 1998-99 UEFA Cup and the 2002-03 Champions League.

The fixture is the fourth announced by Liverpool this summer. They will play tour matches in China and Malaysia in mid-July, before travelling to Oslo to face Norwegian outfit Valerenga on August 1.

Source: Daily Post