Young's Anfield move in doubt

Luke Young has risked the wrath of Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill by stalling on a move to Liverpool as he wants a pay-off.

Liverpool have agreed a fee of £2.5million with Villa for the unsettled versatile defender, who earns currently around £40,000-a-week.

But Young is insisting on a 'golden goodbye' from Villa Park before leaving as he would have to take a drop in wages at Liverpool.

Right-back Young, 31, joined Villa in August 2008 from Middlesbrough on a bumper contract.

And his tough stance means his relationship with O'Neill is set to plummet to a new all-time low.

Young has been unhappy for months after being played left-back before losing his right-back berth to central defender Carlos Cuellar.

And O'Neill now needs to generate funds for transfers after being ordered to sell-to-buy this summer.

O'Neill has been told to cut the club's annual £70m wage bill before owner Randy Lerner sanctions any new additions.

And the Villa boss has warned Young he may not be included in their official 25-man Premier League squad if he rejects the chance to go.

"We will see how that develops," said O'Neill, who has omitted Young from Villa's squad for this weekend's Guadiana Cup in Portugal.

"He is having a think about it. If he chooses to go that's it, if he chooses to stay then he needs to start playing because with the new rules I have to name a 25-man squad for the Premier League."

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