Liverpool Respectfully Confirm Ash Interest

Damien Comolli, the Red Scousers Director of Football Strategy has confirmed Liverpool would be interested in Ash Young, but only if he was available.

It doesn’t seem to matter how many times the club actually say Ashley Young isn’t for sale the press in general don’t quite seem able to grasp that.

As we know Houllier issued the ‘not for sale’ most recently in the press conference where we ‘on video’ confirmed the signing of Darren Bent (sorry Steve stop bleating) when asked the question about Stewart Downing and Ashley Young, but to some in the press a denial has to mean a confirmation that players are leaving.

That’s why it’s quite refreshing that Click Liverpool last night carried what I consider in the current footballing climate, quite respectful comments from Comolli.

When answering questions on whether Liverpool are interested in Luis Suarez and our own Ashley Young, he said of Young:

‘For Young, if he is on the market then we will be interested. But I don’t believe that is the case.’

Such a simple comment.

Yes so clearly it means Ash is on their radar and they would be delighted to acquire his services, and more importantly in a subtle way they are telling Ash as much.

But it’s respectful.

I posted last night on the forum concerning the Sunderland accusations about us tapping up Darren Bent that it is naive to believe a club does not know prior to making an official bid whether or not a player in question would be interested, and vice versa whether an individual player is not aware of clubs who would be interested in signing them.

With agents, scouts, friends of friends etc it really is a naive viewpoint to not assume in any transfer, both the bidding club and the wanted player are equally aware of their chances.

BUT the key is how you handle yourself as a player and a club during those negotiations.

Comolli’s words are worlds apart from the media effort we saw Liverpool go to under Rafa Benitez when he was interested in Gareth Barry. The constant press leaks, the constant quotes – players coming out saying how Barry would be loved, would fit in etc at Liverpool is ungentlemanly in a game that is seriously losing the sportmanship ethic.

Comolli makes his point clearly, but he does it with respect when answering a direct question from the press.

I can’t fault that, but I suspect Mr Bruce would be going up the wall given it’s a public acknowledgement of interest and far, far worse, than a manager not ringing him to see how he’s feeling.