http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2004510234,00.html
Ooh aah a little bit Mor
By PHIL THOMAS
FERNANDO MORIENTES wants to leave Real Madrid — just as Michael Owen has tipped Liverpool to sign a new striker.
Morientes has slipped down the Bernabeu pecking order behind Ronaldo, Raul and Owen himself.
But the former Kop star, on a run of four goals in four games, reckons Liverpool urgently need a new frontman in the wake of Djibril Cisse’s broken leg.
And Anfield boss Rafa Benitez is likely to give Morientes the chance to star in the Premiership that he turned down earlier in the season.
Owen said: “My guess is Liverpool will strengthen after Christmas.
“They’ve got Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor, who has scored lots of goals in the reserves.
“The manager seems to play with Luis Garcia a bit up front and Harry Kewell can play there as well, so they can shuffle the pack.
“But I think they will probably want to get another striker in there.”
Crystal Palace’s Andy Johnson is one more option, though out-of-favour Morientes looks the prime Benitez target.
The Spaniard has told his agent to find him another club and will make an official request to leave Real when the transfer window reopens.
Benitez is desperate to sign a forward in January, as he faces two months with only Milan Baros to lead the line following Cisse’s horror injury at Blackburn on Saturday.
He made his first attempt to sign Morientes as part of the deal which took Owen to the Bernabeu.
And Real would try to hold out for at least the £8million they wanted then.
OWEN ... on a goal roll
OWEN ... on a goal roll
Yet the player has just 18 months left on his contract and the Spanish giants could be tempted to do business for less rather than risk losing him for nothing at the end of next season.
Another Liverpool new boy, £6m summer buy from Barcelona Garcia, would love to see Morientes end up at Anfield.
Garcia insisted: “He has great quality and always does well in any team.”
Cisse has had surgery to insert a metal rod in his left leg. He will now have another five days in hospital and is definitely out for the rest of the season.
Midfielder Stephen Warnock, who suffered a similar fractured fibula and tibia five years ago, missed 10 months of action.
Warnock, 22, said: “When I saw the pictures, I felt sick. My leg came out at a similar angle.
“You really don’t think about playing again at this stage.
“You just have to be as positive as you can and refuse to let it beat you.”
Ooh aah a little bit Mor
By PHIL THOMAS
FERNANDO MORIENTES wants to leave Real Madrid — just as Michael Owen has tipped Liverpool to sign a new striker.
Morientes has slipped down the Bernabeu pecking order behind Ronaldo, Raul and Owen himself.
But the former Kop star, on a run of four goals in four games, reckons Liverpool urgently need a new frontman in the wake of Djibril Cisse’s broken leg.
And Anfield boss Rafa Benitez is likely to give Morientes the chance to star in the Premiership that he turned down earlier in the season.
Owen said: “My guess is Liverpool will strengthen after Christmas.
“They’ve got Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor, who has scored lots of goals in the reserves.
“The manager seems to play with Luis Garcia a bit up front and Harry Kewell can play there as well, so they can shuffle the pack.
“But I think they will probably want to get another striker in there.”
Crystal Palace’s Andy Johnson is one more option, though out-of-favour Morientes looks the prime Benitez target.
The Spaniard has told his agent to find him another club and will make an official request to leave Real when the transfer window reopens.
Benitez is desperate to sign a forward in January, as he faces two months with only Milan Baros to lead the line following Cisse’s horror injury at Blackburn on Saturday.
He made his first attempt to sign Morientes as part of the deal which took Owen to the Bernabeu.
And Real would try to hold out for at least the £8million they wanted then.
OWEN ... on a goal roll
OWEN ... on a goal roll
Yet the player has just 18 months left on his contract and the Spanish giants could be tempted to do business for less rather than risk losing him for nothing at the end of next season.
Another Liverpool new boy, £6m summer buy from Barcelona Garcia, would love to see Morientes end up at Anfield.
Garcia insisted: “He has great quality and always does well in any team.”
Cisse has had surgery to insert a metal rod in his left leg. He will now have another five days in hospital and is definitely out for the rest of the season.
Midfielder Stephen Warnock, who suffered a similar fractured fibula and tibia five years ago, missed 10 months of action.
Warnock, 22, said: “When I saw the pictures, I felt sick. My leg came out at a similar angle.
“You really don’t think about playing again at this stage.
“You just have to be as positive as you can and refuse to let it beat you.”
