Ajax playing hardball with Dalglish over Suarez

Liverpool are involved in a tough negotiating battle with Ajaxover Luis Suarez with the clubs understood to be more than Pounds 8mapart on price for the Uruguay international.

The obvious need for substantial reinforcements to a squad thatlooks short of Kenny Dalglish's requirements has left a club whichanticipated a relatively low-budget January now hoping for two orthree signings.

Aston Villa left-back Stephen Warnock seems the most probableacquisition, with Dalglish concerned by Paul Konchesky's alienationfrom Liverpool's fans as well as his struggle for form.

But Villa's Ashley Young and Wigan Athletic's Charles N'Zogbiaare also players of interest, reflecting the absence of creativityin a side which is yet to win under Dalglish. However, Villa haveinsisted that Young is not for sale.

Suarez satisfies the need for a forceful second striker as wellas delivery from the wings. Contrary to internet reports yesterday,Liverpool's principal owner John W Henry did not meet the player'sagent, Pere Guardiola, at London's San Carlo restaurant on Tuesdaynight. Henry was in Liverpool for the evening.

Though Suarez is understood to be keen to leave Amsterdam andattracted by the contingent of Spanish speakers who would help hisacclimatisation on Merseyside, Ajax have proved inflexible on priceso far.

Liverpool are offering [currency] 15m (Pounds 12.5m), Ajax want[currency] 25m (Pounds 20.9m) minimum. Ryan Babel, who will move toHoffenheim in a Pounds 5.8m deal unless a club more attractive tothe 24-year-old comes in with a bid for him, was initially offeredto the Amsterdam club from whom he was signed as part of the deal,but they were not interested.

Ajax want only to maximise their financial return.

Liverpool's new chairman, Tom Werner, has said that Dalglish doesfit the criteria to be the long-term manager.

He said: "We've said at his (inaugural) press conference that hefits the criteria that we're looking for in a manager. He'sextremely competent, he's excellent at man-management, he knows thephilosophy of the club and he's been everything we could have hopedfor. At the same time, we are certainly looking at what we can do tostrengthen the club in the long term and he would be a candidate."

CAPTION: In demand: Liverpool are hoping to sign Luis Suarez