Uncertain future for Liverpool striker

STAN COLLYMORE is looking at an uncertain future this morning as speculation mounts that his brief and tempestuous love affair with Liverpool is set to end in acrimonious divorce.

Just 14 months after embarking on what he described as a "big adventure" by joining the Merseyside club from Nottingham Forest for a then British transfer record of £8.5 million, Collymore finds himself on a collision course with those who bravely saw fit to invest heavily in a self styled enfant terrible.

To suggest Collymore has never really settled in the North west is, to miss the point totally.

Since his transfer, the England international striker has steadily refused to move from hiss home in Cannock, 90 problematical motorway miles south of his new club.

Since joining a club which has always demanded professionalism both on and off the football pitch, Collymore has done precious little to endear himself to either his employers or his team mates.

Last week, for example, a man who is believed to pocket wages of around £15,000 a week, missed one training session after saying he had to tend to his sick mother and another because he was spending time with his seven month old child.

Liverpool manager Roy Evans has now seemingly tired of an endless string of excuses and will shortly inform Collymore that he must find himself a base somewhat closer to Anfield.

Evans said after Liverpool's win at Coventry last night: "We said the day Stan signed that we would be looking for him to move nearer to Liverpool. It's important that he does move."

Earlier Liverpool chief executive Peter Robinson dismissed a report in one newspaper - which claimed Collymore's Anfield career was finished unless he got a base closer to the club - as "pure speculation."

Although Liverpool would like to unburden themselves of Collymore their problem is twofold.

They do not have a suitable replacement, having allowed Ian Rush to join Leeds United, and they will struggle to convince any prospective buyer that Collymore's valuation has not plunged since he walked through the City Ground front door for the last time.

Evans said after Liverpool's win at Coventry last night: "We said the day Stan signed that we would be looking for him to move nearer to Liverpool. It's important that he does move."

Earlier Liverpool chief executive Peter Robinson dismissed a report in one newspaper - which claimed Collymore's Anfield career was finished unless he got a base closer to the club - as "pure speculation."

Although Liverpool would like to unburden themselves of Collymore their problem is twofold.

They do not have a suitable replacement, having allowed Ian Rush to join Leeds United, and they will struggle to convince any prospective buyer that Collymore's valuation has not plunged since he, walked through the City Ground front door for the last time.

Evans is now actively searching for a new partner for Robbie Fowler but, at present, his first choice, Newcastle's Les Ferdinand, is not for sale.