West Brom manager Steve Clarke has rejected speculation that links star striker Shane Long with a January move to Liverpool.
The Irishman is the club’s top scored, with 7 goals to his name, and has emerged as a target for the league’s top clubs. Long’s recent performances have led to the forward becoming the subject of a January transfer move to Liverpool, with Brendan Rodgers weighing up a move to secure his services.
Clarke has however denied all such reports and believes all speculation as unsubstantiated. Speaking to local press, he said:
“For me it’s lazy journalism. Liverpool need a striker and Shane is playing well so a journalist has put it together and tried to make a story out of it. People are merely looking at connections and making stories of it.”
The Scot was part of Liverpool’s managerial staff last season under Kenny Dalglish, and moved to the Hawthorns this season in the summer. This marks his first senior managerial endeavour, and Clarke has been nothing short of impressive.
He has led the club to their best ever start to the Premier League, managing victories over the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Everton-c39043. The Baggies currently lay the in 5th spot, tied with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur who have also secured 26 points.
The manager has also backed Swedish striker Markus Rosenberg to get among the goals at the club, despite a slow and difficult start to his Premier League career. The player started the game against Stoke City, and had a hard time settling in. Clarke said:
“It was a difficult game for anyone to shine in. He didn’t get many chances. Markus will score goals, for sure; we’ve no doubt about it.”
In other news, Clarke has rallied support from the fans of the club and insists that the players will need them more than ever as the club heads into a busy and testing December. With injuries and suspensions expected to kick in this month, Clarke believes that December will be a true test of the solidarity and mentality of the team.
The Baggies face a congested fixture list, with 6 games over a 31-day time period. Their next Premier League game is against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429, who are in 10th place with 21 points.
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