Reds sign Kyrgiakos

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool completed the signing of Greek international Sotirios Kyrgiakos on Friday in a deal which will help ease the early season defensive worries for coach Rafael Benitez. The 30-year-old passed a medical to finalise his switch from AEK Athens and has signed a two-year deal. He will go straight into the squad for Monday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa at Anfield where he is likely to partner Jamie Carragher in defence, taking the place of teenager Daniel Ayala who made his full debut in Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Stoke. — AFP

Sneijder keen to stay

MADRID: Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder says he wants to stay at Real Madrid, who are seeking to offload him to Inter Milan, Spanish media reported on Friday. Reports from Italy and Spain have said Real and Inter have reached a deal to sell Sneijder to the Italian club for 15 million euros. But the 25-year-old Dutch international is unwilling to leave, AS said on its website. Sneijder was signed from Ajax in the summer of 2007 on a five-year deal worth 27 million euros. — AFP

Davenport stabbed

LONDON: West Ham defender Calum Davenport underwent surgery on Saturday after he was stabbed at his home. The east London club said that Davenport and his mother were attacked on Friday night at the player's home in Bedford, 92 kilometers north of London. Both were taken to a hospital for treatment. Davenport started seven of West Ham's 38 Premier League matches last season but has yet to play in this campaign. The Hammers host Davenport's former club, Tottenham, on Sunday in their second game of the season. — AP