Sportsnewsireland.com: Berbatov in Liverpool link

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Many commentators have said that Dimitar Berbatov would be the perfect foil for Liverpool's Luis Suarez.

Now that the Bulgarian appears all but certain to leave Manchester United in the summer it looks as if Liverpool could be set to make a bid for the want away striker.

Last season Berbatov was the English Premier League's top goalscorer with 21 goals. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has rewarded the 31 year-old by leaving him on the bench for big chunks of the current campaign with the former Tottenham man having only played 18 games this season.

Ferguson said in a press conference this week: "His (Berbatov's) concern is not getting first team football. It is difficult for me to guarantee him that, so it could lead to him looking elsewhere, and, having had chats with him, I understand that he wants to get first team football."

Ferguson confirmed the 31-year-old's probable departure on the eve of a last-16 Europa League second leg tie with Athletic Bilbao telling reporters 'His concern is not getting first-team football.'

He said: "At 31, he is looking at first-team football.

"It is difficult for me to guarantee that so it could lead to him looking elsewhere."

Berbatov's contract was set to expire in the summer at which point he would have been available for free however rather than let the player leave for nothing United will trigger a clause to extend the deal for a further year, all of which means that United will get a fee for Berbatov.

"We will be taking up the option on his contract but, having had chats with him, I understand he wants to get first-team football," added Ferguson.

"It is something we need to consider at the end of the season. For a player of his age and his ability it is disappointing for him that he is not getting first-team football.

"We will look at the end of the season but until then, he remains at United."

Source: Sportsnewsireland.com

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.