Meijer rejects Reds exit

Liverpool's Erik Meijer (left) in typical action

Liverpool's Erik Meijer has turned down a £1m move to Vitesse Arnhem.

Meijer is surplus to requirements at Anfield after the £11m arrival of Emile Heskey last season, and the imminent signing of Everton's Nick Barmby.

But Holland international Meijer is in no hurry to quit the club where his all-action style has made him a crowd favourite.

He said: "I met the Vitesse coach while I was in Holland, and he told me I was his number one target because Pierre Van Hooijdonk has just left the club.

Barmby - Houllier ready to up stakes

"But I told him I was not planning on leaving Liverpool. I am committed to the club for three years.

"Last season I was involved in about 20 games, but towards the end it was not so good. There were times I wasn't involved in the team or even selected in the 16-man squad, which I was disappointed about.

Power brokers

"But I'm not the kind of person to quit after just one year. That's not how I approach football."

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is expected to ask Anfield's power brokers to increase the initial £3.5m offer for Barmby in an attempt to have him in his squad for their Swiss training camp next week.

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel, another of Liverpool's misfits, is being linked with a move to Blackburn Rovers.