Real sells Morientes to Liverpool

Madrid:

Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes completed his euro9 million (US$11.8 million) transfer to Liverpool on Wednesday. Both clubs confirmed the four-year deal, which clears the way for Morienes to play in Saturday's high-profile match against Manchester United at Liverpool's Anfield stadium. The 28-year-old Spaniard joins Liverpool's Spanish manger RfaBeitez and four other Spanish players on the English team: Antonio Nunez, Luis Garcia, Josemi and Xabi Alonso. Argentine defender Maricio ellegrino joined the club last week from Valencia, Benitez's old club. "There are Spanish players there, a Spanish manager and a game against Manchester United coming up," Morientes said, speaking at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium. "You couldn't ask for more." Real Madrid general manager Emilio Butragueno said, "It hasn't been easy for us to allow him to leave." Morientes was due to fly to Liverpool later Wednesday to undergo a routine physical exam and negotiate contract terms. Real Madrid's new coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo said he was sorry to see Morientes leave. "It was something which was in the air before I arrived," he said. "Morientes is a player I like because of his playing style. But Real Madrid was talking about it and I couldn't do anything. I spoke to him but, if it was what the player wanted." (AP)