Turner speculation mounts

Hull City boss Phil Brown has confirmed that he has received interest from Liverpool in signing highly-rated centre back Michael Turner.

Benitez hinted over the weekend that he would be interested in taking the 25-year-old Englishman to Anfield as a replacement for Sami Hyypia, who left for Bayer Leverkusen at the end of last season.

But Brown says the Reds are massively undervaluing Turner:

‘œRafa Benitez has an evaluation of Michael and so do we but we are miles apart.”

‘œI would dearly love to keep Michael. I’ve spoken to him on numerous occasions and when big clubs come calling, a young man’s head can be turned.

‘œLiverpool are one of the top clubs in the country, if not Europe, and Michael is a lad who has come from meagre roots with Brentford. It’ll be difficult to keep him but fingers crossed.’

The Liverpool Echo report The Tigers asking price of £11million is too high for Liverpool, who have reportedly bid £5m for Turner.

Rafa Benitez said ‘œWe are working always. We try to be ready just in case (we can sign someone), but you never know. It depends on the prices.

‘œWe know that with the Premier League and three other competitions it is really tough to manage and compete in.

‘œWe are analysing the young players we have and we will see if we can improve and if we need something we will talk with the owners.

‘œWe have to work with the players we have at this moment and keep working with the scouting department. The main thing for me is we have one week to work and prepare the players.’

Benitez says he is 80% sure 2 of Carragher, Skrtel and Agger will be fit to face Tottenham on Sunday.