Staunton cuts his ties with Anfield

Steve Staunton finally severed his links with Liverpool yesterday after the Republic of Ireland international and the club with which he has spent the bulk of his career agreed a financial settlement to cover the remaining 20 months of his contract at Anfield.

Staunton has been on around £1 million per season since returning to Liverpool from Aston Villa two years ago. However, his second spell at the club he initially joined from Dundalk as a teenager has been one of constant frustration, with a growing list of players coming between him and a place in Gerard Houllier's first team.

The recent arrival of German international Christian Ziege from Middlesbrough appears to have been the final straw for the 31-year-old, who has only made one appearance in the Premiership this season - a 10-minute spell at the end of the Southampton game during which Liverpool, having led 3-1, conceded two goals.

"They have agreed to let me go for nothing," said the former Ireland captain. "It's an amicable agreement, there are no hard feelings, and I wish them all the best for the future."

He added that his priority at the moment is to go to a club where he will be playing first-team football so that he can challenge again for a place in the Republic's starting line-up. He also said that he has received approaches from a number of clubs. "I hope to sort out a deal with somebody and be playing again very soon," he said, "hopefully in the Premiership".

Also said to be on the verge of leaving Anfield is American goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who is again being linked with a move to Blackburn Rovers. Alan Kelly has been Graeme Souness's first choice at the first division club since the start of the season, although the 32-year-old Irishman recently lost his first-team place because of injury.