Liverpool target desperate for switch

Hamburger SV and Holland winger Eljero Elia has announced his frustration at not featuring regularly for his club, with the want-away midfielder one of Liverpool's top targets for the summer.

After an outstanding display in Holland's 3-1 friendly victory over Austria on Wednesday, Elia only featured on the Wolfsburg bench three days later. The Dutch winger has now voiced his concerns about not being given the playing time to prove his abilities.

"Apparently there is not much confidence in me," Elia told Voetbal International. "That hurts. I feel strong and would like to show the fans what I can do. It is very frustrating.

"I have started eight games and we have won seven of them so I cannot have done that badly. I don't know what I have done wrong, I have not been told. I know that I am not a bad player and I am in good shape.

"I am a player who needs confidence. If I play every week I will improve. No-one can accuse me of not working hard enough, I am as fit as a fiddle."

Liverpool's shortage of wide options has been a key factor in their underperformance this season. Kenny Dalglish was handed a considerable transfer budget to work with in January, acquiring the services of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez for a combined £58 million.

With the Scot likely to be handed the job on a permanent basis, new owners NESV and the club's Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli have begun drawing up a list of transfer targets for Dalglish to approve for June.

Dalglish was said to be keen on bringing in Elia during the previous transfer window, but Hamburg blocked any potential transfer to the dismay of the Dutchman.

"Last summer, Juventus and Wolfsburg lodged bids for me and in January there was real interest from four teams in the Premier League," Elia continued. "Hamburg did not let me go and I resigned myself to staying. I have not created any unrest. The club cannot blame me, I give more than 100 per cent every game.

"I'll just keep working hard in training every day. I've been doing that all season and will not change. But at the end of the season we will still have to look at the situation.

"If I am still a substitute then we will sit around the table and see what the consequences might be."

Liverpool are now likely to reignite their interest in Elia, with a bid of €15 million being touted by GiveMeFootball.com as enough to open negotiations.

Source: Sportsvibe.co.uk

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