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The Reds failed to sign Adam during the January transfer window and Tottenham also missed out despite a last-gasp bid on deadline day.

Holloway was determined to keep hold of his skipper no matter what but insists the midfielder was mucked about as Liverpool focused on completing deals for Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Ollie said: "I've already had enough of this Charlie Adam thing.

"He's my captain and if you look at how well he played last night in the 3-1 defeat against West Ham, for me there's no rush for him to move.

"The boy will go to a top club eventually but he has to go on the right footing, where they really want him, and to be perfectly honest I didn't feel that was the case.

"Charlie is someone I care about immensely and I believe he's improving. I believe he's a great professional and I believe he should walk into a club when they really want him.

"He shouldn't be third choice, they shouldn't be doing two other deals, Suarez and Carroll, and putting their energy into that and doing nothing for Charlie."

Holloway added: "The whole thing is sharks swimming trying to bite pieces off my players.

"At the end of day, Charlie will get what he deserves. He's still only 25 and this is his first season in the Premier League.

"I'm very proud of us. The chairman stood there resolute and said, 'That's not good enough'.

"I think I'll be proven in time that what Charlie will eventually go for will be a decent amount of money for this football club.

"He's so important to us and that was difficult for him. It's difficult for all our lads really when you actually find out what other people are paying.

"Some of the West Ham wages last night leave us in the shade by a zillion miles."

Adam scored direct from a corner last night as Blackpool were sunk by Victor Obinna's double and a debut goal from Robbie Keane.

Labels: about, Charlie, mucked