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Liverpool Manager Roy Hodgson 'Irritated' By False Rumours Of Interest In Tottenham New Boy Rafael van der Vaart
Anfield boss also challenges Ryan Babel to raise his game...
| Bet: | Returns: | Man Utd. £18.33 | Draw £35.00 | Liverpool £42.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Man Utd. £19.10 | Draw £35.00 | Liverpool £40.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Man Utd. £18.33 | Draw £36.00 | Liverpool £43.33 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Man Utd. £18.30 | Draw £36.00 | Liverpool £43.30 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Man Utd. £18.60 | Draw £33.00 | Liverpool £38.50 |
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Sep 10, 2010 3:55:00 PM
By Matt Monaghan
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has blamed Rafael van der Vaart's agent for spreading "irritating" rumours he was interested in him.
Van der Vaart, 27, agreed an £8 million move from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day. The Netherlands international has since stated he had been lined up to head to Anfield but their manager rejected his claim.
Speaking to the club's official website, Hodgson stated he had knocked back a phone call from agent offering him the playmaker.
"No, that's not true. Those stories can get very irritating," Hodgson bemoaned.
"An agent rings you up to ask if you want to sign Van der Vaart, you say 'No' and then the next minute you're one of the clubs that want to sign him.
"I apologise to Van der Vaart if his agent gave him another story. I think he's a very good player, but he's not the profile of the player we were looking for.
"When it came up I said, 'No, we have players in his position."
Hodgson also challenged a Dutchman at the club, Ryan Babel, to prove his worth after an abortive three-year spell on Merseyside.
"I've not seen enough of him yet," said the 63-year-old.
"He came back very late after the World Cup because Holland reached the final and so I have only worked with him for three or four weeks.
"In that time he's done well, he's applied himself and has immersed himself into what we are trying to do. It's far too early for me to have a strong opinion on him as a player. He has been here a few years and people have made judgements on him but as far as I am concerned it is a fresh start for everyone.
"This is a chance for him to wipe the slate clean and show what a good player he is. It is up to him to do that.
"I can't ask more from him at the moment but I'm not prepared to make bold statements until I have seen him in games as well as in training."
Van der Vaart, 27, agreed an £8 million move from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day. The Netherlands international has since stated he had been lined up to head to Anfield but their manager rejected his claim.
Speaking to the club's official website, Hodgson stated he had knocked back a phone call from agent offering him the playmaker.
"No, that's not true. Those stories can get very irritating," Hodgson bemoaned.
"An agent rings you up to ask if you want to sign Van der Vaart, you say 'No' and then the next minute you're one of the clubs that want to sign him.
"I apologise to Van der Vaart if his agent gave him another story. I think he's a very good player, but he's not the profile of the player we were looking for.
"When it came up I said, 'No, we have players in his position."
Hodgson also challenged a Dutchman at the club, Ryan Babel, to prove his worth after an abortive three-year spell on Merseyside.
"I've not seen enough of him yet," said the 63-year-old.
"He came back very late after the World Cup because Holland reached the final and so I have only worked with him for three or four weeks.
"In that time he's done well, he's applied himself and has immersed himself into what we are trying to do. It's far too early for me to have a strong opinion on him as a player. He has been here a few years and people have made judgements on him but as far as I am concerned it is a fresh start for everyone.
"This is a chance for him to wipe the slate clean and show what a good player he is. It is up to him to do that.
"I can't ask more from him at the moment but I'm not prepared to make bold statements until I have seen him in games as well as in training."
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