Fulham launched an official complaint to the English Premier League on Thursday over Liverpool’s conduct in their pursuit of American forward Clint Dempsey.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers last month broke managerial protocol when he went public with his interest in Dempsey, prompting the Cottagers star to make it clear he wanted to move to Anfield.
But there has been no firm bid from Liverpool since then, leaving the player confused and Fulham boss Martin Jol furious.
Jol has left Dempsey out of his squad for Saturday’s trip to Manchester United, having already dropped him for last weekend’s victory over Norwich because he felt the player wasn’t in the right frame of mind to perform.
The Dutchman criticised Liverpool’s behaviour last week and the west London club have now followed up with a complaint to the Premier League.
“The Premier League has received a complaint from Fulham regarding certain comments made by Liverpool officials and is currently looking into the matter,” a statement read.
Meanwhile, Rodgers admits he would have to be “a nutcase” to let England striker Andy Carroll leave the club on loan.
Rodgers is willing to sell Carroll after deciding the burly targetman won’t fit into his smooth passing style, but the Reds boss is frustrated that Newcastle and West Ham have so far tried to sign him on the cheap.
West Ham were keen on a season-long loan deal which would have included the chance to sign the 23-year-old striker on a permanent basis if he was a hit at Upton Park, while Newcastle, who sold Carroll to Liverpool for STG35 million in January 2011, made a low offer believed to be around STG15 million ($A22.8 million).
Rodgers knows money is tight at Anfield this year and he has no intention of missing out on the chance to bring in a sizeable sum for Carroll, which he could then reinvest in new signings.
“There is absolutely no chance (of a loan deal) and certainly not Newcastle,” Rodgers said in several British newspapers on Thursday.
“Newcastle got STG35 million for this player last year. To even consider wanting to take him on loan is a liberty really.
“We have got a very small squad as it is. We have lost a lot of players this summer and I have not replaced them, as of yet. That is the reality of where we are.
“I need a minimum of three strikers. Once the window shuts, that is it until January. I have got (Luis) Suarez, Fabio Borini, and Andy Carroll.”