Kenny Dalglish

LIVERPOOL endured a frustrating start to the new Premier League season as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sunderland at Anfield.

:)) what a cracker!

Liverpool finally succeeded in agreeing a fee with Aston Villa for winger Stewart Downing last night after having two bids turned down earlier this summer. It is believed they will pay £20m for Downing, who is now expected on Merseyside to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms.

Offers of £15m and £18m were rejected by Villa for the England player, who has two years left on his contract and had made clear to new manager Alex McLeish that he would not sign a new contract. Downing's arrival will take Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish's spending this summer to close to £50m after the arrival at Anfield of Charlie Adam from Blackpool and Jordan Henderson from Sunderland.

Villa are poised to sign Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia for £7m as a replacement for Downing, having also lost Ashley Young to Manchester United last month. The Midlands club confirmed last night Downing had submitted a formal transfer request. The Villa chief executive, Paul Faulkner, said: "I can confirm that we have reached an agreement with Liverpool following an improved offer received earlier today and the submission of a formal transfer request by Stewart Downing. We have subsequently given them permission to speak with the player."

*sigh*